The city of Canterlot was abuzz with word of clashes in the Crystal Empire trickled down. In the Palace; a military meeting was being held. Princess Luna, Prince Shinning Armor, Princess Cadence and Spitfire were gathered around a circular table.

"It is becoming increasingly impossible to hid the return of Sombra." noted Luna.

"It has spread to Manehattan, Fillydelphia and Las Pegasus." added Shinning Armor.

"The other day I heard Fleetfoot and Soarin talking about it. It seems they weren't the first Wonderbolts outside of myself to know." explained Spitfire.

"We're going to have to make a statement." said Cadence.

"No matter what, we mustn't tell anypony about Twilight." said Luna.

"I see why. Learning Celestia's former student has gone rouge is something we should keep quiet." agreed Spitfire.

"Another student." thought Cadence.

"Twily is more than just a student!" snapped Shinning.

"I understand. I was just making a point." said Spitfire.

"Okay. I just got testy." sighed Shinning.

"It's fine." replied Spitfire.

"We must focus." said Luna.

"I agree with Princess Luna." added Cadence.

"We need to be careful what we say." said Luna.

"Let's not mention the return of Sombra." proposed Cadence.

"That is for the best." agreed Luna.

"We can just say that a threat toppled our regime." said Shinning.

"You said the Changelings took part in the invasion." noted Spitfire.

"We can say they were the main force in the rebellion." said Shinning.

"It's not a lie." sighed Cadence.

"We can just say the Changelings invaded the Crystal Empire and managed to take control." proposed Shinning.

Cadence winced for a moment.

"Okay, we shall do that." agreed Cadence.

The Crystal Princess hung her head momentarily.

"How is auntie?" asked Cadence.

"She is still in denial." answered Luna sadly.

"There has to be something we can do." said Shinning.

"I have tried repeatedly but, when ever Twilight comes up she shuts me down." explained Luna.

"We cannot let this continue. Squad members are talking about her." noted Spitfire.

"What are they saying?" asked Luna worried.

"They're worried but, they're not spreading rumor right now." answered Spitfire.

"The rest of Equestria won't be as tamed." noted Shinning.

"I am aware." sighed Luna.

"That is why it's best we take charge and nip and possible rumors in the bud!" declared Cadence.

"What are we going to say about auntie?" asked Cadence.

Luna pondered for a moment.

"We can just say she is under the weather." answered Luna.

"They...might ask for more details." noted Spitfire.

"We will tell them she is ill." said Luna.

"What is the situation in the Crystal Empire?" asked Shinning.

"It seems that a counterrevolution is in the works." answered Spitfire.

"Who is leading it?" asked Cadence.

"General Swift Arrow." answered Spitfire.

"He's a good general. We can trust him." replied Shinning.

"It seems a war against King Sombra is inevitable." noted Spitfire.

"We will have to focus our full forces against him." said Luna.

"We need auntie." said Cadence.

"I will continue and maybe you could try as well." sighed Luna worried.

"Okay." agreed Shinning and Cadence.

"Oh sister." thought Luna.

In the Crystal Empire, Sombra as working his hardest to maintain his rule. He had the entire city under his thumb, but skirmishes in the outlands where flaring up. They where now seemingly getting more frequent. Twilight and Sunset had studied the situation and were now before Sombra.

"What have you found?" asked Sombra.

"The attacks are indeed connected your majesty." answered Twilight.

"A counterrevolution." noted Sombra irritated.

"Yes. A group claiming to be the "Crystal Liberation Army" is behind these attacks." stated Twilight.

Sunset tried to keep her focus on Sombra, but her eyes kept going over to Twilight.

"Do we know who is their leader?" asked Sombra.

"It appears to be General Swift Arrow." answered Twilight.

"I am not surprised it is him." replied Sombra.

"Has he always been troublesome?" asked Twilight.

"He was." answered Sombra.

Sombra gave Sunset a quick glance.

"Swift Arrow was a good general and was imprisoned with the entire Crystal Empire by the Equestrian Princesses one thousand years ago. He was always loyal, but questioned our conflict with Equestria. As the war went on, he became more dissent." explained Sombra.

"I would have killed him before your return if I knew this." said Twilight.

Sombra simply shook his head.

"That is fine Twilight Sprakle. There is nothing we can do about it now." said Sombra.

Sombra shoot Sunset another look.

"I assume they desire to return the Equestrian puppets." mused Sombra.

"Indeed." affirmed Twilight bitterly.

"Have the Equestrians supported them?" asked Sombra.

"Not yet, but they will." said Twilight.

Twilight gave a quick glaze over to Sunset.

"Is something going on between you two?" asked Sombra.

"No master." answered Twilight.

"I am fine." added Sunset.

"Do not lie to me. You have been distant lately." replied Sombra.

Sunset gulped and thought for a moment.

"Okay. I've been trying to readjust." said Sunset.

"After spending so much time in that other world I could only imagine." said Twilight, seemingly convinced.

Sombra raised an eyebrow clearly not so convinced.

"Tell me Sunset, are you nervous about fighting against Celestia?" asked Sombra.

Sunset rolled her eyes and let out a "pffft" noise.

"I could care less. If anything, I am eager to exact revenge on her." answered Sunset.

Sombra let out a small smirk.

"Good to hear." replied the dark unicorn.

"Tell me what is wrong." requested Sombra.

"I did your highness." replied Sunset.

"No. I want you to tell me what's really wrong." said Sombra.

"But, I did." said Sunset, trying not to panic.

"If i believe you are turning against me, the Crystal Mines would be a merciful punishment." warned Sombra.

Sunset bowed down to her king.

"You can rest assure I am loyal to you." said Sunset.

Sombra let out a chuckle.

"You better be." warned Sombra.

The ruler of the Crystal Empire got up and walked by the two.

"Where are you going master?" asked Twilight cautiously.

"I must set up a meeting with Queen Chrysalis." answered Sombra.

"Of course. Her forces will be essential in securing Equestria." replied Twilight.

"Correct my dear Twilight." said Sombra warmly.

Sombra then shot Sunset a glare.

"Goodbye Master." said Twilight.

"Goodbye your majesty." said Sunset meekly.

Sombra departed and Sunset left herself. The yellow pony went to her room and slammed the door. Twilight Sparkle gave orders for a while before Sombra returned having successfully obtained a meeting with Chrysalis. Twilight left and made her way to Sunset's bedroom. Twilight let out a sigh and knocked on the door.

"Sunset." said Twilight.

A moment of silence followed this.

"Sunset." said Twilight, knocking again.

Again the lavender unicorn was met only with silence.

"Dammit!" snapped Twilight.

The lavender unicorn aimed her horn and used her magic to force the door open.

"What the hell?!" exclaimed Sunset.

"I had to. You were't answering." explained Twilight.

"That was the point." huffed Sunset.

"What's going on?" asked Twilight.

"I already answered that question." answered Sunset annoyed.

"If you're not careful than Master-" began Twilight.

"I don't care!" snapped Sunset.

Twilight gasped and staggered backwards.

"How can you say such a thing?" asked Twilight horrified.

"Because I mean it." answered Sunset.

A moment of silence followed this.

"This isn't going to solve anything." sighed Twilight.

"Glad you finally figured that out." huffed Sunset.

"I'm going to go." began Twilight.

"Fine." interrupted Sunset.

"Before I go, I want to say one thing." continued Twilight.

"What?" asked Sunset.

"When you're ready to talk, just fine me." answered Twilight.

"Okay." replied Sunset softly.

The mood in Ponyville had generally improved. While citizens still hoped for Twilight to return they were carrying on with their lives. However, her five closest friends and one baby dragon couldn't move on. They all made an agreement to week every at Golden Oaks Library. All of them where there in the first floor of the Golden Oaks Library - save one.

"Darn, where the hay is Rainbow?" asked Apple Jack annoyed.

"I am not sure, but she is running quite later." answered Rarity.

Suddenly, the door flew open and the cyan pegasus flew in.

"Sorry I'm late." said Rainbow.

Rainbow shut the door behind her.

"Where were you?" asked Apple Jack.

"We've been waiting a really long time." added Pinkie.

'"Sorry. I was spending time with Scootaloo." answered Rainbow.

Rainbow used her right wing to rub the back of her head.

The apple farmer let out a sigh.

"That is sweet Rainbow." said Apple Jack.

"So um...what do we talk about?" asked Fluttershy.

"I know!" answered Pinkie, hoping up and down.

"Please tell us darling." requested Rarity.

"We could talk about the Crystal Empire." answered Pinkie.

"I heard Cadence and Shinning Armor where spotted in Canterlot." noted Spike solemn.

"Yeah. That rumor is running around Wonderbolts Academy too." added Rainbow.

"You...don't think Twilight is caught up in this?" asked Fluttershy nervous.

The ponies all stared at each other uneasy.

"I..." began Rarity.

Before she could finish, the fashionista noticed Spike shaking.

"I am certain that Twilight would never be caught in such unsavory affairs." said Rarity.

Spike let out a sigh seemingly content.

"There where do you think she is?" asked Pinkie.

The ponies and baby dragon gave each other uncertain looks.

"Where ever she is I am certain she is fine. This is Twilight we're talking about." said Rarity.

The others quickly agreed with this.

"No matter what, I can't shake the feelin' that something is coming." said Apple Jack concerned.

"What makes you say that?" asked Fluttershy worried.

"A bad feeling." answered Apple Jack.

Author's Notes:

A/N: That's where we'll end this here. Next time, we continue onward with the story. Please review.