Author's Notes:

Don't worry if you haven't read the prequel yet. You will be brought up to speed in later chapters. Thanks for reading, and we hope you enjoy!

It had been a week since the war against Queen Chrysalis. The battle was won, and school had gone back to normal. At least… for the most part.

The atmosphere of the school was somber. The war was won, but at the cost of one of CHS’s students. Toxigo Paralysis, CHS’s most recent student, had sacrificed himself in order to save their world and Equestria. All that was left of him was a letter, his synthetic arm, and the magical amulet he wore around his neck.

Students and faculty from both Canterlot High and Crystal Prep were gathered in the gymnasium to give their respects. Principal Celestia gave her speech, praising Toxigo for his heroic efforts when he saved many students from a fire that occurred. Even Abacus Cinch said some words. She didn’t say a lot, but it was meaningful nonetheless, expressing her shame for everything that happened to him while he attended Crystal Prep.

The last person with a speech was none other than Sunset Shimmer, arguably the one who was closest to him. She walked up to the podium, clenching the amulet being worn around her neck. Toxigo’s amulet; a token of his memory.

She arrived at the podium, and took a deep breath as she gazed out into the audience.

“Today, we mourn the loss of a dear friend. He wasn’t with us for very long, but the impact he had on us all was anything but little. He gave his life to save us and our entire world. Toxigo Paralysis wasn’t just a friend, he was a hero. Anyone willing to pay the ultimate price to keep their friends safe is someone to be respected. But in his wake, he left us a relic. A letter containing his final wishes in case he didn’t survive. And his final wish wasn’t for us to mourn over him, but rather celebrate our victory and what we gained, rather than focus on… what we lost…” Sunset could feel the tears threatening to push out behind her eyes. She took a moment to compose herself, not wanting to cry in front of everyone. A few sniffles escaped, and with a deep breath, she continued. “So let’s not mourn. Let’s honor his final wish, and celebrate our victory. Focus on the good, rather than dwell on the bad. He may be gone, but his memory is still alive. In our hearts, he’s immortal. So… let’s celebrate, everyone. For Toxigo!”

“For Toxigo!” the audience replied. Sunset could see she did a good job at raising their morale, judging by all the smiles she saw. With her speech over, everyone started mingling with each other, or grabbing some food set up on various tables around the gym.

But despite the collective morale of the room, Sunset couldn’t find it within herself to be optimistic. She stepped down from the stage, and just stood still. She looked down at her necklace, holding the pendant in her hand. One of the few things to remember him by…

“Sugarcube?” a voice beside her said. Sunset looked to see Applejack and Rarity standing next to her.

“Are you alright, darling?” Rarity asked.

“Sorry, girls. I just… I just need a moment,” Sunset said. Before her friends could question her further, she excused herself outside.

She sat down on the entrance stairs, letting out a heavy sigh. She took her necklace off, and held it in her hand. Just the sight of it was enough to trigger memories. Memories of… Toxy.

“I know you don’t want me to mourn, but… I can’t help it,” Sunset said, finally allowing a tear to fall.

“Why did you have to die? Why did it have to be you?” Sunset cooed, allowing more tears to fall. “You didn’t deserve this, Toxy. We won, but… now you’re gone…”

Her tears could no longer be kept at bay. Gripping the amulet tightly, she buried her face in her arms, crying her eyes out.

“I… I miss you so much, Toxy. Was there really no other way?” Sunset pleaded, continuing to bawl.

Sunset knew she wasn’t honoring Toxigo’s last wish by crying over him, but she couldn’t help it. She would’ve loved to make him happy. Give him the love he deserves, and show him how amazing he is. But now she can’t. He’s gone, and there was nothing anyone could do about it.

What she wouldn’t give to hear him call her Shimmer-cakes again…

She lifted her head to look at the amulet again. The Alicorn Amulet. The amulet worn by Toxigo to enable him to use magic in this world, and entrusted to her by him. A reminder that he’s always with her. A reminder that he… loves her…

Another tear fell at the memory of her first kiss with Toxigo. Such a sudden display of love, and amidst the most dire of situations. Sunset has never felt such pleasure and joy in her life. She could still feel his tender lips on hers.

Her first… and last kiss with him. A bittersweet memory, but Sunset couldn’t deny the love she felt from his kiss.

“I… I love you too, Toxy,” Sunset said. She would give anything to kiss him again.

The sound of something scraping the pavement nearby broke Sunset’s mourning. Her jolted senses pointed her head in the direction of the broken Wondercolt statue. In the darkness, she could barely make out a dark silhouette.

Before she could question it, the figure moved suddenly, accompanied with a pained grunt. Sunset stood up in surprise.

“Hello?” Sunset called out. “Is someone there?”

The figure didn’t reply. In fact, they did the exact opposite. They ran away, bolting towards the street.

“Hey, you! Wait!” Sunset called out, running in the figure’s direction.

The hooded figure didn’t yield. They continued running, not even sparing a glance.

In the darkness of the night, Sunset failed to notice a black car on the side of the street. The figure got in the car, started it up, and in the blink of an eye speeded away, screeching their tires in the process.

Sunset stood where the car once was, watching as the mystery figure drove away into the night.

She scratched her head in utter confusion. Were they… watching her? They seemed to bolt as soon as she noticed them. But… why? Was it someone stalking the school? Was someone stalking Sunset? Was it someone in the wrong place at the wrong time?

She couldn’t even get a good look at their face, or the license plate of the car. The car looked black, but it could’ve been any dark color that could be concealed by the night. She had no definitive way of identifying this potential stalker.

Left with no other choice, she walked back inside to join everyone else at the party.

But… who was that?

A dark-colored car pulled up to a very big, mansion-like house. The driver parked the car in the driveway, and got out to enter the house. After closing the door, the hooded figure retreated to a downstairs room, surrounded by high-tech devices and electronics.

“You were right,” the figure said, taking their hood off, letting her long, red-and-yellow hair flow. “I found her. My equivalent.”

She smiled, and uttered a rather dark, evil snicker.

“Well, once I learn how this ‘magic’ of theirs works, only one Sunset Shimmer will remain.”

Evil laughter bellowed from beside her. Concealed by darkness, the only thing visible was a pair of menacing, glowing green eyes...