Luna slowly opened her eyes, waiting for them to adjust to the darkness, the only light in the room coming from her digital clock. She checked the time. Nearly two in the morning.

Time to go.

Luna stretched, popping her back and neck and limbering her muscles. After getting dressed, she snuck into her sister’s room, finding Celestia fast asleep holding a picture of Eventide in her arms. Gently taking the photo from her, she pulled the covers up around Celestia’s shoulders and kissed her sister’s forehead.

“Sleep well, Tia. I’ll bring Eventide home. I promise.”

Exiting her sister’s room, Luna headed into the hallway towards the kitchen, finding Twilight at the kitchen table looking angry and confused. Opening a drawer next to her, Luna took out two photos and placed them into her shirt pocket. Turning to Twilight, she said, “Twilight, when we get to the portal I need these pictures to go through ahead of me. I can’t explain now, but I will once I get into your world.”

“I understand, Luna.” Letting out sigh, Twilight watched Luna open up another drawer and take out a few matches, candles, and other small things before placing them into a backpack. Getting up and needing something to do, Twilight upstairs and carefully opened Crystalis’s door. She tiptoed up to the child's bed and gently pulled the covers back up over the little girl’s shoulders, kissing her on the cheek.

“Sleep well, little one,” Twilight whispered. “You’ll be in your sister’s arms soon enough.”

Tiptoeing back out, Twilight met Luna in the hallway. Giving each other a nod, the two quietly crept outside to Luna’s car. Luna took one last look at her home as Twilight climbed into the passenger seat and buckled up, her thoughts dwelling on Princess Celestia. Finally, Luna got into the car and began the drive to CHS.

“Twilight,” Luna began once on the road, “I’ll be honest, I’m still a little apprehensive about allowing you to disobey your Celestia’s wishes. You’ve already seen my sister when she was going through her episodes. I don’t think that your Celestia wants that for you.”

“It doesn’t matter what she did or didn’t ask of me, Luna. I have questions, and my friends are in danger. I can’t just sit by and let them get hurt, can I?”

Eventually, as Luna passed an intersection, a police car turned onto the street behind them. “Great,” she thought to herself. “Now I have to deal with these idiots.” Keeping one eye on the road and the other on her rearview mirror, Luna thought, “Come on, don’t flash your lights.”

Soon, though, Luna came to a red light, the officer stopping behind her. As the light turned green, Luna carefully pressed on the gas pedal, accelerating slowly. Sure enough, however, the police car’s lights started flashing. Luna groaned angrily and pulled over, only for the officer to speed past them down the street. Luna sighed in relief.

“I really don’t like the police,” Luna muttered.

“They seem alright to me,” Twilight replied. “Okay, sure, they tossed Sunset in a dungeon and caused her to go a little nuts, but Jade seems alright to me, at least.”

Finally, after a silent drive, the pair reached the school. As they walked up to the entrance, Luna began fishing through her purse. After a minute of searching, she narrowed her eyes and grunted in irritation. “Damn, I think I left the keys at home.”

“Don’t worry, Luna. I got them,” Twilight said, reaching into her skirt pocket and producing a pair of brass keys. Handing them over to her, Twilight added, “I thought you might need them, so I grabbed them before we left.”

Luna sighed in relief. “At least one of us is thinking ahead,” she said. Unlocking the door and shutting off the silent alarm, Luna said, “I’ll wait for you out here. Do you know where Sunset’s locker is?”

“Yes,” Twilight replied, walking past Luna. “Thank you for staying out here. I really need to do this alone.”

Walking down the hallway into the dark corridor, Twilight soon came to a glowing locker. Flowers, notes, cards and pictures of Sunset adorned its metal surface. Closing her eyes, she thought to herself, “Why? Why couldn’t they all do this for her before everything happened?” Pushing some of the cards away, she fought back her tears as she opened the locker, finding Sunset’s journal inside. Grabbing it, she carried it to the principal's office and set it down on the oak desk. Opening a drawer on the right, she took out a pen and began writing into it.

---

Luna watched the portal ripple as her sister’s counterpart slowly emerged from the portal. Seeing Luna standing at the doorway of the school, Celestia smiled to her, saying, “Ah, Miss Luna. It’s a pleasure—”

“Go inside. Your daughter has a few words to say to you,” Luna interrupted, adding, “Don’t expect a warm welcome, either. She’s angry, and with good reason, if you ask me.”

“Y-You told her, didn’t you?” Princess Celestia replied, bowing her head as she added under her breath, “I asked her not to mention this!”

“Go inside.”

Stalking past Luna, Princess Celestia headed inside and, closing her eyes, slowed her breathing and listened. She could make out a faint, rapid heartbeat in the distance. Following the rhythmic sound, she soon found Twilight in the principal's office. Knowing it wasn’t worth delaying the inevitable, Celestia entered the office and sat down in front of the desk her student sat at. The irony wasn’t lost on her.

“Go ahead, Twilight. Ask me your questions.”

“Why?” Twilight asked, clearly upset. “Why, Celestia? Just tell me why.”

“I gave you up to save your life, Twilight. If Blueblood had come to power, our kingdom would have fallen. He took part in killing your—”

“I know that!” Twilight screamed, “Why didn’t you tell me Sunset was my sister?!”

Seeing the pain etched over the silent Celestia’s face, Twilight looked down, no longer willing or able to hide her own pain and anger. Bitter tears trickled down her cheeks, splashing on the desk below. Sniffing, she wiped her hand under her nose as her sadness slowly grew into bitterness. Pushing against the desk, she bolted from the room. Celestia stood up, chasing after her and yelling, “Twilight, wait! Please!”

Tripping on her right foot as she spun around, Celestia fell to the ground, sobbing. Her tears ran thick and heavy down her soft cheeks. Skidding to a halt, Twilight slowly turned around, watching Celestia curl up, holding herself as she trembled. Slowly, Twilight walked back to her. Kneeling down, she pulled Celestia into her, allowing Celestia to cry in her shoulders.

“I’m so sorry, Twilight. I am so sorry,” Celestia sobbed. “I didn’t tell you because I was scared that you were going to kill her. I saw the look of anger in your eyes that night. Your sister had the same look when I banished her.” Feeling Twilight’s arms tighten around her, she finished, “I never meant for any of this. Not the war, not Chrysalis’s fall to darkness, none of it. By the Ancients, I am so sorry. I loved you so much. It broke my heart to have to give you up, to have to banish Sunset. I don’t know how to fix any of this.”

Both women sat, holding each other as they cried into each other’s shoulders for several long, agonizing minutes. Finally, Twilight slowly helped Celestia up, seeing the purest pain etched in Celestia’s eyes as she dried the older woman’s cheeks. Twilight looked away, saying, “It will take time for me to forgive this, but I will be able to forgive you for all that you’ve done. Someday.”

“I-I understand, Twilight,” Princess Celestia said, sniffing. “I didn’t want you involved in the war because I didn’t want to risk losing you as I lost her.”

“But Sunset isn’t gone. She’s alive. Both Luna and Principal Celestia have seen her.” Wiping away her own tears, she added, “There is something I must know. Something that only you can answer for me.”

“I know the question. Yes, Twilight, I did love you. I have always loved you, but I was a grieving mother and a widow all within the space of three days. I was a wreck. I couldn’t take care of myself, let alone my own baby.”

“I-I think I understand. You lost my father and my sister. That type of hurt can cause anypony to go insane from grief, so you did what you thought was best. You placed me into the hooves of those that you knew would take good care of me. But…did you ever try to get me back?”

“I wanted to, but I saw how happy you were with them, how full of life and joy you were, and I knew I couldn’t take that away from you. So, I stayed back, resigning myself to become your teacher and your...friend. Only, I did take away your happiness and your joy, didn’t I?”

Throwing her arms around her, Twilight hugged Celestia tightly, which Celestia returned hungrily. Breathing in her mother’s familiar scent, Twilight placed her ear to Celestia’s chest, listening to her mother's heartbeat. Slowly, the women ended the hug, and Celestia sighed gently, laying her hand under Twilight’s chin as the younger woman said, “Celestia, I want to help you win this war. Please. I know it’s dangerous, but I know that together, we can beat Chrysalis.”

“I don’t want to beat her, Twilight. I want to save her. You see, Twilight, for a time, Chrysalis comforted me when I felt so very alone. She brought light, happiness and joy back into my life. After I sent Luna to the moon, I began to shut out anypony that wanted even an ounce of my help or attention. Chrysalis wouldn’t give up on me, and she and I…Well, we took the other to our beds many times. It was Chrysalis that got me to go to Ponyville, and it was she that gave me the strength I needed to find your father Storming Winds.”

“So that’s why you want to save her. Instead of staying away from her, you...fell in love with her, didn’t you?”

Celestia’s jaw trembled, and her eyes began to fill with tears. Turning away from Twilight, she hugged herself, falling to her knees. Twilight placed her hands on Celestia’s shoulders as Celestia trembled with anger, sadness and heartache. Helping her back up, Twilight gently led her to the front entrance, finding Luna still outside sitting on the front step. Getting up, Luna gave Twilight a nod. Turning her attention to Princess Celestia, she said, “I hope you will understand, Your Highness. I have no intention of leaving my niece to your world.”

“I do, Luna. Believe me, I fully understand how you feel.” Stepping forward, Twilight let go of Celestia as she added, “You will be most welcome. My sister has been able to keep most of the war contained in the west. I’ll teleport you to Snowflake Monastery, but once there, you’ll be on your own.” Looking to Twilight and seeing a very concerned look, she quickly added, “On second thought, maybe Twilight can take you where you need to go after I leave to aid my sister’s armies.” Turning attention back to Luna, she finished, “We will give you armor, food, water and weapons when you get to Equestria.”

Turning around, Luna headed for the portal. Taking her backpack off, she tossed it through the portal. Taking out her photos, she looked at them for a moment before doing her best to toss them in, as well. Watching them disappear in front of her, she sighed, placing her right hand to the smooth surface of the statue in front of her. She slowly pushed forward, stepping into the base of the statue.

Celestia and Twilight were quick to follow, both soon finding Luna facing her counterpart in Twilight's castle, each staring at the other. Stepping towards, her Celestia began, “My dear sister, may I present to you your counterpart Ms. Luna Evenstar of the human world.”

“I saw a saddlebag and photos fall through the portal. Are they thine, sister?”

“No,” Celestia replied. “They belong to Ms. Evenstar.”

“Nay, sister.” The princess gritted her teeth as she glared at her double. “Tis fortunate than I arrived so soon, for this is no counterpart. Chrysalis has clearly infiltrated Twilight’s castle, as she said she would.”

Her eyes widening in shock, Celestia quickly stepped in between the two Lunas, saying, “Luna, you saw the pack and photos fall through, so you must have seen with your own eyes that this Luna stepped through the portal, and you know very well that Chrysalis doesn’t know of the mirror or what it can do. So how can you say she isn’t who she says she is?” Looking to her sister’s counterpart, she added, “Is there anything you’d like to say to corroborate this?”

“What would you have me do, Your Highness,” the human world’s Luna replied, turning her attention to counterpart. “She looks very determined to say that I am not who I claim to be. Besides, we’re both blue, we both have wavy manes, and we are both horses. How is that not proof enough?”

“Thou didst not just call me a horse! Thou shalt pay for thine insult!” Charging up her horn, Princess Luna lunged in to strike the pony in front of her. “I'll send thee to Tartarus, Imposture!”

“Do something, Celestia!” Twilight shouted.

Luna lashed out, getting a lucky hit on Princess Luna’s eye and knocking her to the ground. She smirked, saying, “Yeah, I did call you a horse. And I’ll do it again, too. You need to get a hold of that temper; it’s unbecoming of a princess. Now, where’s Eventide?”

Quickly firing her own magic at both combatants, Princess Celestia pinned both of them to the ground, screaming, “Enough!” Turning her attention to her sister, she added, “Luna, you very well know that Chrysalis doesn’t know about the mirror or the human world, and furthermore, I walked through the portal after her. This is not Chrysalis.” Turning her attention to Luna Evenstar, she added, “And as for you, don’t strike my sister again. I will take you outside to allow my sister to calm down a bit, but after this, no more fighting.”

“Fine!” Both Luna’s said in unison, each turning away from the other. “We’ll finish this later!”

Shaking her head, Celestia led Luna Evenstar outside with Twilight in tow. Looking up, Twilight saw Princess Luna coming out onto the balcony. An idea quickly entered her mind, and she said to Celestia, “I know how to prove to your sister that this Luna is not Chrysalis in disguise.”

“So long as it doesn’t include them fighting again, I’m all ears. What do you propose?”

“Simple. We’ll use the moon. Your sister will raise it, while the human one will try to lower it. I don’t know if the other Luna has magical capabilities, but even if she does, I am willing to bet that she can’t match Princess Luna by a long shot. This should prove to her once and for all that she is indeed not Chrysalis.”

Looking up to her sister, Celestia called out, “Luna, changelings are capable of great magical feats after feeding, and Chrysalis is no different.” Watching her sister descend and land in front her, she added, “If you raise the moon and allow the other Luna to attempt to lower it, I am sure that seeing her unable to do so will prove that we speak the truth.”

“Thy logic is flawed, sister, for only thou and I know how to lower and raise the moon. However, a test of magical prowess is a good idea.” Glancing over to her counterpart and watching her stare at herself in a window, she added, “Very well, but if it be true that this is a changeling, I shall deal with her personally.”

“Oh, one more thing before we start this,” Celestia began, looking to her sister. “Luna, my dear sister?”

“Yes, sister?” Luna replied. “What dost thou need?”

“Can you please stop with the formal speech? You’re driving me nuts.”

Grumbling under her breath, Princess Luna headed back onto the balcony. With a sigh, she used her magic to begin raising the moon effortlessly. Twilight, seeing Luna wasn’t paying attention, quickly tapped her on her shoulder. Luna turned around, a look of sadness clearly etched in her eyes. Sniffing, she said, “Twilight, how am I supposed to find her when she looks like a…like a—”

“It’s okay. She actually doesn’t look like a pony. She’s…pretty distinct,” Twilight whispered, gently pulling Luna into a warm hug. “It’s alright. We’ll help you find her. Promise.”

“I miss her, Twilight. I miss her so much! I just want to hold her in my arms again and read to her again. I hate how she wound up in this world. I just want her to come home.”

“She will, Luna. She will.” Twilight gently led her back to Princess Celestia. “Now, let's prove you’re the real deal, alright?”

Nodding, Luna watched her counterpart finish raising the moon. The princess unfurled her wings and landed in front of her. Luna Evenstar looked down, her ears back and her eyes watering. Walking up to her, Princess Luna gave her a nod, pointing to the moon. “Alright, let us see if you are who you say you are. Lower my moon, if you can.”

Raising her head and walking past Princess Luna, Luna Evenstar stared at the moon for several long moments. Sweat slowly began to form over her brow, dripping down her muzzle and splashing on the ground. Her breathing began to quicken as her eyes narrowed, concentrating as hard as she could on the horn she had no idea how to use. Finally, she collapsed from the strain she was under, holding her forehead to ease her new headache. Seeing her collapse, Princess Celestia said, “Now are you satisfied, Luna? I think she’s proven herself.” Helping the downed Luna back up and bringing her back inside Twilight's castle, Celestia asked more softly, “Luna Evenstar, are you alright?”

“Y-yes, I think so. I just need to rest for a bit, is all.” Taking a few breaths, she added, “To be honest, I thought I felt something, but I just couldn’t focus on it.”

“Well, you have proven yourself to my sister. I doubt she’ll attack you again unless you give her a reason.” Looking her up and down, Celestia added, “We can’t have you go to Snowflake Monastery like this, though. I will have Discord change your body to a more familiar one, and I will make sure he gives you the provisions you need.” Placing a hoof to her mouth, she let out a loud whistle. “Discord, come out here!”

Popping out of thin air, Discord smiled lopsidedly to Celestia. His grin changed to confusion as his gaze shifted between the new Luna, who was trying in vain to pick up her backpack and photos, which had remained in front of the mirror, and Princess Luna, who had joined them. “Two Lunas? Why, what kind of game is this?” he asked. “And why didn’t you invite me? Though, personally, I’d have cloned somepony more…fun, but I think I can make this work.”

“This is no game, Discord,” Princess Celestia said. “I need you to make Luna—this Luna here—into the same Minotaur that you turned Eventide into.”

“And why would I want to do that?” Discord replied. “She doesn’t seem to have any trouble walking around, and besides, it’s been done already. You know how I feel about repeat performances.” An impish gleam shone in his eyes as he finished, “I’d prefer something more…original.”

“Well, besides the havoc and the danger of other ponies, like Chrysalis, seeing that there are two Princess Luna's,” Celestia began, ignoring the brighter gleam in his eyes, “it’s simply the right thing to do. I’m sure Fluttershy, with whom I hear you're quite taken with, will more than likely thank you for it. And finally, I haven’t seen Eventide’s new body, so this is also a chance to see what I am looking for.”

“Ugh, who told you about Fluttershy?” Discord groaned, rolling his eyes. “Loose lips sink ships, ponies!” He sighed. “Anyways, do you know how hard it is to keep track of her. She looks just like every other Minotaur in that stupid helmet. And she’s violent, too. Why, just yesterday, I met Iron Will at the market, and let me tell you, she sure did a number on him! He didn’t seem to be the least bit interested in listening to a word I had to say, though. The nerve. But, back to the point. I mean, yeah, I like her and all, but taken with her?! Come on, Celestia. I wouldn’t know what to do with a cute, little pony like her. I would much rather have fun with, oh, say, Rainbow Dash or Twilight.” Getting an angry look from Twilight, he cleared his throat. “Uh, well, perhaps not, Twilight—bookworms can be such a bore—but you see my point, I’m sure. You just can’t—”

“Oh, shut up,” Luna interrupted. “Quit stalling and just do it, you Frankenstein’s monster. Or is it that you can’t? Was Eventide just a fluke?” Stepping forward, she watched him look himself over then back to her, and she added with a sly grin on her face, “That’s it, isn’t it? Because so far, your only power, if you can call it that, seems to be just popping in and out and rambling. So, come on. Show me your true power.” She pointed to a photo in front of her backpack. “I’ll even give you something to model me after. Check out that photo, and make me into that warrior.”

Snorting, he floated over to her backpack and, picking up both pictures, studied them for a few minutes. One showed Eventide and a little girl—her sister, perhaps?—each hugging the other, both with happy smiles on their faces and two fishing poles in front them.

The other showed a woman dressed in full plate armor. In one hand, she held a large, round shield. In the other, she held a large spear with back-swept wings and an oak shaft. The spear towered over the woman's head. Looking closer, Discord saw a bow strapped to the woman’s back. Looking up to Luna and seeing a wicked grin on her face, he scoffed.

“Celestia, I demand that you tell this doubter that I am the great Discord, the bringer of mischief, chaos, disharmony, dissonance, cacophony, and that feeling when you’re trying to remember something on the tip of your tongue but you just can’t place it. I am he that brings a sour note to—”

“Does he ever shut up, Your Highnesses?” Luna Evenstar asked, smirking. “Because instead of changing me like he said he could, this wyrm has done little more than complain and whine for the last thirty minutes. I tell you your highness's he is nothing more than a big chicken.”

Both princesses gave each other passing glances, each shrugging and giving Discord a raised eyebrow. Twilight, having caught onto Luna’s plan, quickly injected, “How about functional wings? Eventide doesn’t have those. Bet you couldn’t do that.”

“Oh, not you, too, Twilight. You of all ponies should know that I have the power to do whatever I want.”

“Then, prove it. Change her like she asked.” Twilight said giving Discord a raised eyebrow turning around and giving Luna Evenstar a sheepish grin she finished, “Or are you really just all talk?”

Sneering bitterly, he raised his lion paw and snapped. A loud, crackling poof was heard as the room filled with pink, glittering smoke. Coughing for a few moments, everyone looked around, not finding Luna anywhere in sight. Fearing the worst, Princes Celestia screamed, “Discord! You were supposed to change her, not destroy her! How are we—”

“Oh, smooth your feathers, Celestia. She’s fine, much better off than how Twilight is about to be,” Discord said, pointing upward. Sure enough, the now-humanoid Luna floated in the air, held aloft by two powerful wings despite being covered in armor. A tapered spear, an oak staff, a bow, and a shield were slung on her back.

“Oh, yes, silly me. I forgot to give Luna some food and water for her harrowing journey,” Discord said smugly. “Let’s see. Eventide wanted nothing to do with oats, hay or barley—not that I blame her, mind you—so how about some dried apples, rice, potatoes, carrots, bread and cheese. I think about two weeks should do nicely.” Snapping his fingers, two leather packs popped out of thin air, landing on the floor in front of Princess Celestia. Turing to head out, he added, looking at Twilight, “I believe I’ve proven myself enough. Now, if you will please pardon me, Twilight, I simply must be going. I want to see how Timber is doing. He’s much better company than you.”

Frowning, Twilight sighed, looking up at the floating Luna. “Luna, can you hear me? Are you alright?”

“Yes, but, um, how do I get down?”

“Slow your wing beats.”

Luna tried thinking of slowing down the beats of her new wings, but she overcompensated, and her wings suddenly stopped flapping. She dropped like a stone with a scream, landing on something round, fat and softer than she expected. After catching her breath, she looked to see what she landed on. Twilight lay under her, dazed and seeing stars, a silly grin on her face.

“Uh, thank you for breaking my fall, Twilight,” Luna said sheepishly.

“Don’t mention it,” Twilight said breathlessly. “Now, could you please get off?”

Luna rolled to her right as pink light encircled her waist and legs, and she yelped in surprise as she was pulled to her feet. Princess Celestia giggled lightly while Princess Luna helped Twilight up. Checking to make sure that neither of them were hurt, Princess Celestia said, “Now, Luna Evenstar, while I fully understand your need to look like this in order to make it easier on you to find Eventide, I must insist that you don’t do anything that foolish again.” Bringing her bags to her, Celestia continued, “Discord is notoriously capricious. It is good that he was in a playful mood today. Otherwise, he might have hurt you. Furthermore, there are those in this world that won’t stand idly by while you insult them like you did with Discord.”

Luna’s face grew grave. She knelt down, right hand over her chest as her left fist supported her on the floor. Bowing her head, she said, “I understand, Your Highness's. I promise I’ll do my best to listen to you three and follow your orders. I apologize for any trouble I might have caused, as I am but a newcomer to this land.”

“There is no need to bow or kneel to us, Luna Evenstar,” Princess Luna began, adding with a smirk, “though we do appreciate it.”

“You are the second pony that I know who was able to truly upset Discord, Luna, barring the Elements of Harmony and the princesses,” Twilight said, somewhat impressed. “In case you’re curious, the other one is Derpy Hooves, who bit him, thinking he was a giant muffin for some reason.” As Princess Celestia carefully draped the bags over Luna’s shoulders, fitting the straps around her waist, Twilight finished with a laugh, “If memory serves correctly, it took us nearly two weeks to get her to stop going after him. By the time we succeeded, he was so covered in bandages that he could barely move. Oh, he was livid. We still don’t know what caused it.”

“There. All finished,” Celestia said. “Now, please rise up so that we all may have a proper look at you.”

Nodding, Luna stood up. The three ponies all gasped in surprise. Luna raised her arms and slowly turned around in a full circle, letting the three see her back as well. Her armor, though it covered her body and the outside of her limbs, still revealed her muscular, trim body, especially her arms and legs. The leather used for her trousers fit snugly to her thighs and calves as if it had been molded to her bare skin.

“You’re…beautiful,” Twilight said.

“Not just beautiful,” Luna said, smirking. “She has a dark splendor about her, as befitting of one sharing my name and likeness.”

Celestia gave her sister a playful look. “I’d use the word ‘incandescent’, myself.”

As the ponies bantered, Evenstar stretched some, getting used to the weight of the armor, as she flexed her wrists, she yelped as two daggers slid out from the back of the vambraces. Looking at the very sharp blades, she relaxed her wrists, causing the blades to retreat back into her vambraces.

“Hmm,” Evenstar began. “I wonder.” Pointing her forearm upward, her arm bent at the elbow, she tightened her hand into a fist. Immediately, the dagger reappeared, locking into place. Opening her hand, the blade slid back down, disappearing from sight. “There must be a pump of sorts hidden in the gloves. Eventide will have to teach me how to use these.”

Turning to face a door behind her, she heard Celestia say, “Uh, Luna, we apologize if we embarrassed you by talking about you in such a manner.”

“You need not apologize, Your Highness,” Luna replied with a smile. “If I was upset, I’d let you know. Believe me.”

With that, Luna decided to test out her bow, nocking an arrow and drawing back on the string. After a few seconds, she relaxed the string. “This bow is well-made, but it’s too light in its draw weight to be of any use while fighting or hunting.”

“Hunting?!” everyone exclaimed, causing Evenstar to look perplexed.

“What? Did I say or do something wrong?” Evenstar asked, setting down the bow. “I’m a human. While I can certainly eat what you’ve given me, I’ll need protein, too, and that’s easiest to get from meat. Besides, Twilight, what would happen if I get separated from you and wind up alone in this world? Hunting is simply safer than eating random plants.”

“While I can understand that, we didn’t bring you here to hunt and kill the woodland creatures for your food. Besides, both Zecora and Fluttershy would throw fits if they caught you hunting in the woods near here. But that raises another question.” Twilight put a hoof to her chin. “You’re handling this very well. I mean, you entered into a new world, was turned first into a pony and then into a human with wings. How are you handling this so well?”

“After everything I’ve seen over the past few months, this is just another day,” Luna replied. “Besides, how would freaking out help me find my niece?”

“Yeah, I guess I can see your point. Alright, let's get going, then. I just need to let Spike know where we’re going before we head out.” Turning around, she called out, “Spike? Spiiiike!”

“Coming, Twilight!” At the other end of the room, a door opened, and a small, very tired, purple-and-green-scaled dragon waddled in. “What’s up, Twi—” His words cut off as he stared slack-jawed at Luna Evenstar’s new form. “Who’s that, Twilight?” he finally said, giving everyone a confused look.

“This is Vice Principal Luna. She’s here to help us find Eventide. I need you to stay here while I go to Snowflake Monastery to speak with Brave Heart.” Turning to face Evenstar, Twilight paused for a second as she saw Evenstar leaning from side to side, staring at Spike. “Uh, is something wrong, Luna?”

“What? Oh, no, Your Highness. It's just, well, you see,” Luna began, tapping her fingers together with a light blush and a sheepish grin, “I’ve always wanted to meet a real dragon, and, well, Spike here is rather...cute.”

“Cute? Me?” he replied. “I’d prefer ‘handsome’, myself, but thanks, I guess.”

Luna winced. “Sorry. I hope I didn’t offend you. I’m new here.” Spike waved off her apology with an understanding smile, and Luna turned to Twilight. “In any case, I think it is time for us to get going, Your Highness.”

“Sure thing. Oh, and please call me Twilight. I don’t really like titles,” Twilight replied. Twilight gave Princess Celestia a nod and said, “I think we’re all set, Princess Celestia. But before we go…” Twilight turned to Spike as she continued, “Don’t worry about doing your chores, Spike. You just worry about guarding the mirror.”

“You can count on me, Twilight,” Spike said, giving her a salute. He began his trip to the mirror, but Evenstar suddenly picked him and kissed him on his forehead.

“Thank you, Spike, for all that you’ve done for both Eventide and for Twilight,” Evenstar said softly, putting him back down as she patted his head. “Take care of yourself. I hope to see you again soon.”

Blushing, he squealed in delight, “Twilight, did you see? She kissed me! Looks like I’ve still got it.”

Standing up, Evenstar walked over to the ponies, nodding to Princess Celestia and Twilight. Celestia nodded in return and, using her magic, transported the three of them to the foot of a large mountain. Looking up to the road ahead, Celestia said, “This is as far as I can take you; Eventide has…issues with her mother, and I don’t want to make any trouble for anyone. Luna, I would like to meet with you again if circumstances allow it.” Turning her attention to Twilight, she finished, “Please, Twilight, by all the Ancients, be careful.”

“I will be,” Twilight replied. Feeling something poking her side, she looked to see Evenstar giving her a stern stare. Twilight quickly added, “You be careful, too, Princess. I-I don’t want…to lose you.”

Gently placing her hoof under Twilight’s chin, Celestia softly kissed Twilight’s forehead, saying, “We’ll speak again soon, Twilight, and I will do all that I can to make up for what I did to you and to your sister.”

Sniffing, Twilight hugged her, a single tear trickling down her cheek and splashing on Celestia’s shoulder. As they separated, Twilight swallowed hard, regaining her composure. Looking to the path ahead, she began to walk, her steps heavy. Luna gave Celestia a nod and began following Twilight up the path towards the monastery. “It’s fortunate that I’m making this journey and not my sister. She can’t take heights anymore.” When Twilight didn’t reply, Luna looked down and noticed her apprehensive expression. Trying to ease Twilight’s mind, she asked, “Twilight, tell me about your friends.”

“Why?” Twilight replied, flying over several rocks and using her magic to help Luna over. “And why doesn’t your sister like heights anymore?”

“Well, for one thing, it would take your mind off of Her Highness Princess Celestia, and secondly,” Luna replied hoisting herself up and over a large rock that blocked their path, “the war is why Celestia hates heights.” Luna grunted, standing up as she dusted herself off. “In Valsha, she was put into a helicopter, flown high into the air, and forced to witness a child being tossed out of it.”

Twilight paused. “I see,” she finally said. Wanting to change the subject, she began looking around herself. “There weren’t so many boulders or rocks last time I was here. I might have to teleport us the rest of the way; climbing over all these rocks and boulders will take too long.”

“Is there anything I can do to make this easier?” Looking Twilight up and down, Luna added, “I don’t think I can carry you and all my stuff at the same time.”

“There is no need to carry me. Just place your hoof—er, hand—on my back, and I’ll do the rest.” Twilight replied, turning around and charging her horn as she felt Luna’s on her back. “This might feel a bit weird as your body combusts and shrinks before popping back into place.”

“WHAT?!" Luna tried to scream as Twilight teleported them to the front gate of the monastery.

Letting go of her, Luna turned to her left, emptying the context of her stomach, Twilight watched her, trying not to giggle. Wiping a hand over her mouth, Luna glared at Twilight, who offered her a sheepish grin before walking over to a large gong. With her magic, she picked up a hammer and struck the gong, but it made no sound. Stepping back, she looked at it curiously.

“That’s odd. This normally works,” Twilight said, perplexed. Raising the hammer again, she added, “Maybe I just didn’t hit it hard enough?”

“Here, Twilight. Let me try.” Taking the hammer from her, Luna raised it above her head, crying, “For Odin!” and slamming the hammer into the gong, shattering the hammer’s head. A thunderous sound resonated throughout the clearing. Luna stepped back, muttering, “For Valhalla and my niece.”

Horns sounded behind the gate, and Luna dropped the hammer’s shaft, turning to face Twilight, who was covering her ears. Kneeling down, she smiled to Twilight as the gates behind her began to open. Several monks stepped out from behind the gate, followed by a light-orange pony, a cream-white pony and a pink pony all giving Twilight a confused stare.

“Darling, why did you hit that gong so hard?” the cream-colored pony said. “And who is this Minotaur next to you?”

“What? I can’t hear you,” Twilight shouted. Looking to each of her friends, she added, “This is the Luna from the human world. She’s here to find Eventide.”

“Silly, there’s no need to shout,” the pink pony began, bouncing around happily. “Human? I don’t see any human around here.” Looking to Luna, she gasped, placing both her front hooves to her cheeks before rushing to Luna’s side and knocking her over. “Oh my gosh, you’re new here! What’s your name? How long have you been here? Do you like parties? I love parties. What’s your favorite color? I bet you like pie with frosting on top. Do you like cake? I bet you like pink. That's my favorite color. What’s your name? I like music. Do you like music? I like—”

Luna quickly grabbed Pinkie’s muzzle, silencing her. She let out a quick breath, saying, “One question at a time please, Pinkie.”

“Hmmphmmmphommam!” Pinkie excitedly managed.

Luna looked over the orange pony, saying to her, “Why is Pinkie so excited?”

The pony shrugged. “Yeah, sorry ‘bout her. Yer new here, and she loves getting’ ta know new ponies.” Tipping her hat back a bit, she added, “Ah’m Applejack. Twilight said yer name’s Luna, yeah?”

“Yes, that is correct. A pleasure, Applejack.” Feeling Pinkie wiggle in her gloved hand, Luna turned her attention to her, “Now, I’ll let you go if you agree to ask only one question at a time and give me time answer each one. Alright, Pinkie?”

“Hmhmephnmm,” Pinkie tried. After Luna released her muzzle, she quickly asked, “How did you know who I am? I didn’t say my name or anything.”

Luna grinned. “The Pinkie Pie in my world acts very much the same way as you do.” Standing up, she walked over to the cream-colored pony. Kneeling down and offering her hand to the small pony in front of her, she continued, “And this must be...Rarity, right?”

“Why, yes, I am, darling. Charmed, for sure. How did you know?”

“A lady as beautiful as you could only be Rarity.” Gently shaking the smiling pony’s hoof, Luna stood up again, deciding to get down to business. “Now, if you all will permit me, I must speak with Brave Heart. Can any of you tell me where she is?”

“Brave Heart is up there,” Rarity replied pointing to a room at the monastery. “She has not come out of that room since she came back here several weeks ago after Eventide attacked her. The poor dear’s been crying her eyes out ever since.”

Applejack added, “Fluttershy and Rainbow are both up there now tryin’ ta get her to come out, but all she does is lay in Eventide’s bed cryin’ and hurtin’.” Applejack lowered her hat, trying to stifle her anger. “It’s been nearly four weeks, and there’s been no sign of that minotaur. I bet she don't even care. She ain’t nothin’ but a bully. Just wait till Ah find her again. A good whooping oughtta straighten her out.”

Narrowing her eyes, Luna leaned down and lifted Applejack's hat, locking eyes with the farmer, causing her to gulp. “That minotaur happens to be my niece, Applejack, and I’ll thank you not to speak about her in such a manner.” Straightening up, she added, “If you dare raise one hoof against her, it won’t be her that you have to worry about.”

To demonstrate her point, Luna spun her spear in a semicircle, slamming the blade into the soft earth beneath her. Taking her bow off, she dropped it next to the spear and began walking with eyes narrowed to the monastery. Twilight and her friends followed along with quickened pace to get in front of Luna.

It took a few minutes, for the group to arrive at Eventide’s room. They could hear soft sobbing coming behind the large, wooden door as two other ponies pressed their front hooves to it. It didn’t take a genius to know who these two were.

“Brave Heart, please come out. We need your help to find Eventide,” Fluttershy was saying as they approached.

“Go away! I can’t find her. I can’t help her!” everyone heard Brave Heart sob. “I’m no sister; no sister would ever do what I did to her. Just leave me be!”

“Let me try,” Rainbow said. “Brave Heart, Eventide needs you so stop acting like a filly and get off your flank already! We can’t find her on our own, so get out here and help us!”

“Fluttershy,” Luna said.

“Y-Yes?” Fluttershy replied not taking her hooves off the door.

“Perhaps it would be best if you let me do this,” Luna said. “I might be able to get her to come out.”

Gently pushing Fluttershy and Rainbow aside, Luna stepped back and, with a mighty kick, busted the door open, finding Brave Heart crying on Eventide’s bed. Scoffing, Luna ignored Brave Heart’s surprise and picked her up. “Hey, let me go!” Brave Heart demanded as Luna carried her out into the hallway. “Put me down!”

“Okay,” Luna said, tossing her to the ground. Brave Heart unfurled her wings in an instant, landing softly on the ground and glaring daggers at Luna, who returned with a mocking wave of her hand. Furious, Brave Heart lunged at Luna, only to be caught off-guard as Luna suddenly wrapped her arms around Brave Heart, pulling her into a tight hug.

“Shh, Brave Heart. It wasn’t your fault,” Luna whispered softly. “Whatever you have done, I can assure you, it wasn’t your fault.”

“Yes, it was,” Brave Heart sobbed bitterly into Luna’s shoulders, all the fire of the previous moment lost. “I let Timber fall. I lost him when Eventide battled Chrysalis. I cost her my brother and her only true friend. I let him down, and I let her down.”

“Tell me what happened,” Luna asked, gently taking Brave Heart’s helmet off and letting it fall to the ground as she soothingly ran her fingers through Brave Heart’s mane. “Maybe I can help you, but I need to hear the story.”

Trembling in her arms and shoulder, Brave Heart cried for several long moments before saying, “Timber was her friend and my brother. Eventide rode him into battle at Ghastly Gorge to head off Chrysalis’s advance on Ponyville. The attack went south, and in her desperate escape, Timber tossed her to the top of the gorge just as the boulders fell, taking him with them. I stood by while my brother fell and did nothing to save him. She was furious and whirled on me, but when the other ponies saw what she looked like without her helmet on, they attacked her, so she ran into the Everfree Forest. I have been unable to find her ever since.”

Luna looked out one of the windows lining the corridor. A short distance from the monastery, she spied a large wolf slowly limping up the path. Luna softly said, “This Timber…What did he look like? A large, white wolf, perhaps with red eyes?”

“Y-Yes. How did you know?” Brave Heart asked curiously, ending the hug.

Luna nodded to the window. “Look.”

Turning around, Brave Heart’s eyes widened in shock as she beheld Timber limp towards the building, bandages covering most of his front right leg and chest. Opening the window, she raced over to him and buried her face into his chest, crying in relief as she breathed in his familiar scent.

“How, Timber? How did you survive? That fall should have killed you?”

“Ahem,” a familiar voice pronounced from above her. Brave Heart looked up, seeing Discord floating above her. He lowered himself to the ground as he said, “That was me. I was watching the battle from afar and simply couldn’t let this noble creature pass, so I used my magic and brought him to my home. Oh, you wouldn’t believe the mess he made, especially when he thought it was a good idea to mark his territory all over my sofa.” Getting a wet tongue across his muzzle, Discord gave Timber a soft pout before turning back to Brave Heart. “Now, my dear Brave Heart, you must dry your tears and go save Eventide, who I believe was last seen in the Everfree Forest not six days ago.”

Sniffing, Brave Heart looked into Discord’s eyes, saying, “I-I was wrong about you, Discord. You are not a monster, and I would be very proud to call you my friend and brother.”

“Oh, would you look at the time. I must be going now,” Discord said hurriedly. Turning his attention to Fluttershy as she came out into the courtyard, he said, “I’ll see you at home, Fluttershy. Take care.”

With a snap of his lion’s paw, he vanished. Luna walked up to Timber, placing her hands on the sides of his large, powerful head. Gently, the wolf rested his head against hers. “Can you hear me?” Luna heard in a masculine voice as her eyes glowed blue.

“Yes,” Luna said mentally, surprised. Deciding to think on it later, she said, “I need your help, Timber. We all need your help to find Eventide. Can you follow her scent?”

“Yes, I can. I shall not let my sister fall into darkness. I will not lose her as I lost my own pups to Char. I shall find her and protect her with all that I am.”

Stepping back, Luna pointed to the open gate. The massive wolf nodding and turned in the direction. He stretched his back and neck, letting out a loud, mournful howl. The howl was quickly followed by the sounds of other howls far off to the west. Stepping towards the door, he whimpered lightly from the pain in his leg, but his whimpers turned into growling as he made distance.

“Go, Timber,” Luna shouted, “and may Odin watch over you, my brother, my friend, my companion!”

Watching him bolt out the door, knocking Pinkie Pie over as she tried to hug him, Timber raced down the mountain path towards the Everfree Forest. Luna turned to face the ponies as Pinkie dusted herself off. Rarity looked into Luna’s eyes, saying, “D-Darling, your eyes. They’re glowing.”

Ignoring her, Luna proceeded to head back inside the monastery toward Eventide’s room. Looking around, she knelt down next to Eventide’s bed and reached under it. She found a dusty, leather-bound tome. Placing it on the desk next to her, she closed her eyes, muttering to herself, “Forgive me, Eventide, but I have to know what happened to you since you arrived in this world.”

As she read, she noticed an odd warmth in her body. Slowly, her body began to smoke as the room around her grew hot, and even through her gloves, the book seemed to burn her hands. As soon as Luna turned the first page, the heat became unbearable, and she threw the book to the floor, screaming in pain as her body burst into purple flames.

---

The moon began to set in the west as Timber ran faster than he had run before, crashing through trees, shrubs, bushes and branches in his search for Eventide. He heard a scream coming from the direction of the monastery, but he ignored it; he would let nothing distract him from his quest.

---

A black sedan pulled onto a seldom-travelled road. In the back seat, Gilda checked her watch, sighing as she took Summer’s hand into her own.

“Hey, it's going to be alright, Gilda,” Summer said. “Jade won’t let you down. I’m sure of it.”

Looking down, Gilda thought to herself, “I’m tired of running from that bastard.” Out loud, she said, “Alright, let's do this, Summer.”

Opening the car door, Gilda stepped out into the chilly air, pulling her collar up to ward off the cold. She looked around. The only source of light nearby was a lone lamp post. Hurrying up to it, she placed a black, leather book against the base of it. Looking off into the darkness and not seeing anyone around, she turned to head back to her grandfather's car, stopping when a flash of headlights caught her attention.

“Please be Jade,” Gilda muttered. Turning around, she gulped, taking a step back but stopped as hands came to rest on her shoulders. Looking behind her, she said, “S-Summer.”

“It’s alright, Gilda; I can see who it is,” Summer replied. “You don’t need to worry; it’s Jade. She’s going for the book.”

Both watched Jade kneel down under the halo of the street lamp and pick up the book. She flipped it open, looked through it, and closed it a few seconds later. Standing up, she gave Gilda and Summer a nod, tucking the book into her coat. Summer kept her eyes on Jade as she left the area. After she left, Gilda turned and buried her face into Summer’s chest. Wrapping her arms around Summer’s waist, she breathed in, saying, “Let’s go home, Summer.”

“We will in just a few minutes, babe. I want to make sure no else followed her here,” Summer replied, gently pushing Gilda off of her. “Go back to the car. I’ll only be a few minutes, I promise.” Pressing her lips to Gilda’s, Summer kissed her passionately. As she pulled back, she finished, “I’ll come back when I’m done securing the area.”

Nodding, Gilda headed back to the car as Crystal Flare stepped out, giving her a cold stare, causing Gilda to shiver. Walking up to Summer, Crystal kept a wary eye on her, saying, “Summer, if your business is concluded, I need to get the commander home now.”

Summer gave her a look. “‘Commander’, huh? You a soldier?” Crystal didn’t answer, simply glaring at Summer, so Summer went back to her vigil, looking everywhere for danger. “Do you see anything out there that could hurt Gilda?” she finally asked.

“No I don’t.”

Headed back to the car Summer took one last look around before getting in buckling up she took Gilda’s hand into her own. Crystal Flare got into the driver's seat started up the car and proceeded to out into the street the sun was just barely beginning to rise.

---

Trixie woke up, feeling soft, warm legs lightly draped over own hips and legs. Looking to her sides, she grinned as she found Sunset and Sonata snuggling up against her.

“Great,” Trixie thought to herself. “How is Trixie supposed to get up without waking up her sisters?” A feeling of warmth spread through her as she considered the word “sisters”.

Trying her best to get up without waking up either Sonata or Sunset, Trixie found herself unable to move much. Pouting to herself, she slowly placed a hand behind Sunset’s right ear and her other hand behind Sonata’s left ear. Gently moving her fingers back and forth to try to make things uncomfortable to the girls, she waited for a few moments until both girls rolled over, each pulling the covers up a little closer. Able to move, Trixie sat up smiling to herself. Leaning in, she gently kissed both girls on the cheek before climbing out of bed.

“You two sleep well,” Trixie whispered. “Trixie will be back soon.”

Getting out of bed as best as she could without waking her sisters up, she checked the time. Six in the morning. She looked back at the girls, smiling a relieved smile. “They kept their promise; they didn’t leave Trixie alone.”

Trixie turned around and began tiptoeing out, freezing as she heard, “Where do you think you’re going?” Turning around, she found her sisters both staring at her smiling from the bed. As the two got up, Sonata continued, “Let us help you get ready for school.”

“Yeah, come on, Trixie,” Sunset chimed in. “We want to spend as much time with you as we can before you have to leave for the day.”

“A-Alright,” Trixie replied.

Giggling in delight, Sonata opened the nightstand drawer and pulled out a hair brush, patting the spot where she wanted Trixie to sit. Trixie obeyed, and Sonata immediately set to work, gently moving the brush down Trixie’s long locks of soft, silver hair.

“I’ll grab some makeup while Sonata brushes your hair,” Sunset began heading for the bedroom door. “I’m sure Mom’s up by now.”

“Sunset, wait!” Trixie said suddenly. Sunset stopped, looking back at her curiously. “Trixie needs to ask you something.” Looking behind her, she added, “I need to ask you both something. It’s…very important.”

“Sure, Trixie,” Sonata said, still running the brush through Trixie's hair. “What do you want to know?”

“I-Is this what real sisters do?” Biting her lip, Trixie continued. “You both let Trixie sleep with you, you’re brushing her hair, and you’re about to put makeup on her. Are we sisters…or lovers?”

Sunset came back over, looking at Sonata. Taking the hint, Sonata said, “Don’t worry, Trixie. My sisters and I used to do stuff like this all the time when we were young. I mean, it was more grooming fins and stuff rather than brushing hair, but still. Don’t feel bad, Trixie. We’re just showing you we care for you.”

“Sonata’s right, Trixie,” Sunset chimed in with a hug. “There’s no problem with hugging your sister if you need it. We’ll never say no to you.”

As Trixie smiled a small grin, Sunset returned to her task and walked out of the room. As she waited, Trixie suddenly felt playful. Turning around, she leaned over and gently kissed Sonata’s belly, forcing a giggle from the siren. Trixie ended the gesture by laying her hands over Sonata’s stomach.

“You be good for your mommy, little one,” Trixie said. “Aunty Trixie needs to head to school now, but I’ll be home soon...I hope.” Standing up, she finished to Sonata, “If I’m able to go with you and Sunset, would it be alright if I read stories to your baby, Sonata?”

“That sounds so much fun! Of course, it would be alright, Trixie. We’re sisters, after all. I was actually going to read you a story last night, but we all fell asleep before I had a chance to.”

Smiling, Trixie headed for the door as Sonata got up, beginning to get dressed for the day. Trixie found Sunset standing outside her parents’ room. She waved to Trixie as she stood there, presumably waiting for her parents. Suddenly, the door opened, and Mr. Cake said, “Good morning, girls. I’m glad to see you’re up early. I’m about to make some breakfast before driving you to school, Trixie.” As Mr. Cake began his way down the hall, he said, “Your mom’s still in bed, but she’d be happy to see you.”

Entering the small room, Sunset and Trixie walked over to Mrs. Cake. Sunset gently laid her hand on Mrs. Cake’s belly, kissing it as Trixie said, “Good morning, Mrs. Cake. How are you feeling today?”

“So far, so good, sweetheart, and please, feel free to call me Mom,” Mrs. Cake replied before turning her attention to Sunset. “Sunset, why don’t you go help your father make breakfast. I’ll join you all in a little bit.”

“I will, Mom, but first, can I borrow some makeup for Trixie? Looking good on the outside helps a lot with feeling good on the inside.”

Gently pulling Sunset into a warm hug, Mrs. Cake replied, “That’s sweet of you. Of course, you can borrow my makeup. It’s in my bathroom near the sink. Oh, before I forget,” she said, stopping Sunset from leaving, “your father got you and Sonata new cellphones. They should be in the kitchen, charging.”

“Thank you, Mom,” Sunset replied. “I’ll be sure to thank Dad as well.”

Sunset quickly grabbed a makeup kit and headed downstairs. Sure enough, upon entering the kitchen, Sunset found a pair of cellphones sitting on the kitchen table. Grabbing one, she froze as she saw Sonata dressed in an oversized hat, pink-and-blue coveralls, and a red T-shirt, sticking her tongue out in a goofy smile at her. Quickly turning on the camera of the phone, Sunset said, “Hey, Sonata. Say ‘cheese’.”

“Cheeeese!” Sonata giggled as Sunset snapped the photo. “Wait, are those for us? I saw them on the counter when I came in here, but I thought they were our parents’.”

“Dad got them for us, though, now that I think about it, I’m not sure when he had the time to get them.” Shrugging, Sunset ignored that line of thought and said, uploading the recently taken photo, “This is definitely going to be my new wallpaper.”

“Ooh, ooh, can I take your picture, too?” Sonata chirped, grabbing the other phone.

“Yeah, sure, but wouldn’t you prefer one where I’m not in my pajamas?”

“Nope!” Holding up the cellphone, Sonata added, “Say ‘cheese’, Shimmy.” Laughing, Sunset struck a pose, holding both hands out with her fingers making two V-signs, giving Sonata a silly grin as the makeup kit dangled from her thumb. Sonata snapped the photo and immediately made it her new wallpaper, giggling. Looking at the kit in Sunset’s hand, Sonata asked, “Is that the makeup?”

“Yep, sure is. Want to get started?”

Giving Sunset an excited smile and a nod, both girls raced upstairs, finding Trixie in the bedroom, fully dressed. Walking up to her, Sunset took Trixie by the hands and led her over to the bed. Sonata climbed onto the bed, saying, “Now, all we have to do is paint your nails and add make your face up a bit, and you’ll be all set for school. And don’t worry, we’re going with you to make sure you get there safely.”

“Thank you, Sonata,” Trixie replied, turning her attention to Sunset. “And thank you, Sunset, for doing this. You didn’t have to.”

“It's not a problem, Trixie. You’re our sister, and I want to drive home that we love you.” Gently taking Trixie’s right hand into her own, Sunset began to apply the nail polish to Trixie’s fingers. A few minutes went by before she finished. “There you go!” As Trixie inspected Sunset’s work, grinning, Sunset said, “Other hand, please.”

Giggling, Trixie gave Sunset her other hand. As Sunset worked, Trixie’s smile fell. “But, uh, I don’t think we have time to do my toes. Trixie needs to leave in forty-five minutes, and she still needs to eat and get ready.”

“No problem! Later, then,” Sonata chirped as Sunset hummed in agreement. Soon, the girls finished with the makeup, and the trio went downstairs to eat.

Mr. Cake greeted them with a heaping plate of eggs, sausage, bacon, and toast for Trixie and Sonata and a big bowl of hearty oatmeal and toast for Sunset. A tall glass of orange juice completed each girl’s meal.

“Good morning, everyone,” Mrs. Cake sang as she entered the kitchen, giving the girls each a kiss on the forehead. “Did you sleep well, Trixie?”

“Yes, Mrs. Cake,” Trixie replied. “Her sisters kept their word and stayed with me all night.” Gulping, Trixie looked down, continuing, “But, can I ask you something?”

As Mr. Cake served Mrs. Cake her breakfast before sitting down with his own, Mrs. Cake replied with a warm smile on her face, “Sure, sweetheart. What do you want to ask me?”

Trixie took a deep breath before looking Mrs. Cake in the eye. “Is this what real parents do? I mean, do they actually eat breakfast with their children?”

“No, honey. This is what a real family does,” Mrs. Cake replied, giving Trixie a maternal smile. “Now eat your breakfast, then your sisters and father will take you to school.” Mrs. Cake froze as she began to eat. She pulled a slip of paper from her pocket. “Oh, before I forget, Trixie, this piece of paper has Sonata’s and Sunset’s phone numbers on it, so you can call us when you’re ready to come home.”

Trixie gratefully took the paper before digging in. She lost track of time during the pleasant breakfast—the first she’s had in a long, long while—so when she finally looked at the clock, she almost choked on her drink. “Seven-thirty?! Trixie’s gonna be late!”

“You grab your backpack,” Sunset said. “We’ll be outside waiting.”

“Yeah!” Sonata chirped. As Trixie rushed upstairs, Sonata turned to Mrs. Cake’s belly and wagged her finger in mock sternness. “You two be good for your mommy. We’ll be home soon.” She looked up to Mrs. Cake. “Will you be okay by yourself while we’re gone?”

“Oh, I’ll be fine. I’ll go back to bed when you four head out. I just wanted to eat breakfast with you and make sure Trixie has her lunch. Speaking of which…” Mrs. Cake looked to her husband, who took the hint and retrieved a lunchbox from the refrigerator. Opening a drawer next to him, he took out his keys and cellphone, pocketing them as Mrs. Cake said, “Now, you should get going. Don’t worry about me; I’ll be alright. You just take care of Trixie for me, alright?”

Giving her a happy smile, Sonata and Mr. Cake quickly made their way outside as Trixie rushed downstairs, stopping just long enough to kiss Mrs. Cake’s cheek and belly before racing outside to find Mr. Cake already in the van. She climbed in next to Sonata and buckled up as Mr. Cake handed her the lunchbox.

“Here’s your lunch, Trixie. I made it last night.” As Trixie gratefully grabbed the box, Mr. Cake said to Sonata and Sunset, “After dropping Trixie off, we need to head into town to get some more tape and boxes. Will you help me?”

“Yes, Dad,” Sonata and Sunset said in unison.

Mr. Cake nodded and, as he pulled out onto the road, he pulled out his cellphone and dialed a number.

“You’re reached the office of Fancy Pants, attorney at law. How may I help you?” came the secretary’s voice.

“It’s Carrot Cake. I need to speak to Fancy Pants. Is he in? It’s urgent.”

“Just one minute,” she said.

After a few seconds, a high-class, masculine voice said, “This is Fancy Pants. How can I help you, Mr. Cake?”

“Good morning, Mr. Pants, can you meet me and Trixie Lulamoon at the police station this afternoon?”

“Sure, but may I ask what this is about?”

“I’ll explain when we see you later on. I have to go, though; I’m driving and don’t want to get into an accident.”

“Alright. I’ll see you then.”

Hanging up, he looked into the rearview mirror, seeing a worried look on Trixie’s face. He sighed as he came to a stop at a red light.

“That call…” Trixie began, worried. “Was it because of what I told you about my parents?”

“Yes, honey,” he replied. “He will help us to make sure that you can come home after school with us but he is going to need proof that your father did hurt you. While we all believe you, the police are another matter entirely. They’ll need evidence before they act.”

“I see.” Looking down, Trixie continued, “I…do have proof—videos, even—but I’m scared to give them to you; I don’t want you to get hurt.”

Seeing that they were pulling into the CHS parking lot, Sonata chimed in, “Just tell us where to get the proof. We’ll handle it from there. All you have to do today is go to class and be happy.” As Trixie climbed over Sonata to get out of the van, Sonata added, “We won’t let that monster hurt you anymore. We promise!”

Trixie sighed, taking out her phone. Trixie called her house, waiting for a few moments before her mother answered the phone.

“Hello? Wh—” The woman’s voice cut off with a hiccup, and Trixie pursed her lips, narrowing her eyes as her mother tried as best she could to finish, “Who’z thish?”

“Great. She’s drunk off her rear again.” Out loud, Trixie said, “Mom, I have a few friends coming over to drop off my stuff. I’m giving them the key.” Trixie took a deep breath. “I-Is Dad home?” Trixie squeezed her eyes shut, praying.

“No. He’ll be—” Another hiccup. “He’ll be home lathe,” her mother finished, her slurred speech thankfully easy to understand there.

Trixie sighed in relief. “Alright. I’ll let you go now.” Trixie hung up and fished out her house key, handing it to Sonata, “My address is Seventeen Forty-Five Lime Drive. With her being as drunk as she is, she should be completely passed out by the time you get there. And please be careful. If you see you a green car pull into the driveway, quickly head out the back.” Finally, Trixie told them exactly where in her house they’d find the proof.

“Thanks, Trix. We’ll be careful. I promise, this will all be over soon.” After Trixie walked off, Sonata continued, “Now let's go get those videos and set our sister free.”

Giving her a nod, Mr. Cake got back onto the road and headed for Trixie's house. Soon, the group pulled up to a dingy neighborhood, the group’s worries rising with each small, rundown house they passed. Finally, they found Trixie’s house.

The unkempt front lawn was bordered by a broken-down picket fence. Weeds and trash littered the lawn and driveway, and the house itself was covered in mud and chipped paint. The front screen door was hanging off two of its three hinges, and the main front door was cracked in several places.

Sunset scrunched her nose in disgust. “This is the place. Ugh, this place is filthy.”

The girls got out of the van, and Mr. Cake drove off down the block to a rendezvous point they agreed on during the trip there, as he didn’t want to hang around in case Trixie’s father came home and saw the van. Getting to the front door and placing the key in the lock, Sonata thought to herself, “Here we go. You can do this, Sonata.”

She and Sunset walked inside. Sure enough, they found a woman, presumably Trixie’s mother, completely passed out on a couch in the living room, only enough clothing on her to cover anything private. Sunset’s hands trembled in anger, so she busied herself with inspecting the rest of the house. Everywhere Sonata or Sunset looked, there was trash lining the floor. Mold and dirt hung like a cloak on the walls and ceiling. The curtains were covered in holes and dirt. Cobwebs both new and old clung to every corner of the filthy walls.

“Sonata, you get the kitchen clock, and I’ll get the teddy bear. Then, we’ll find Trixie’s room and get the video from under her bed and get out of here and call the cops.” Sunset shuddered, thinking to herself, “How can anyone stand living like this. This is disgusting.”

Giving her a quick nod, Sonata headed through the living room, trying not to trip over the broken bottles of alcohol that littered the floor. Getting into the kitchen, Sonata looked around, finding a small, black, circular wall clock hanging on the wall above the doorway. Getting a chair and standing on it as best she could, she reached up, removing the clock from the wall. Flipping it over, she saw a small camera stuck to the base of it. Quickly heading back into the living room, Sonata saw Sunset holding a small, dirty teddy bear in her hands.

“Alright, I got the clock, and it looks like you found the teddy bear. Let’s go find Trixie’s room, get the last camera, and go.”

“Sounds good to me,” Sunset muttered. “I want to make sure they go to jail for this.”

Leading the way, Sonata headed down a hallway. Towards the back, they found a white door with a sticker of a star-tipped wand with a swirl of glittered smoke coming off the star in the shape of a half moon. Opening the door, Sunset stepped into the room. Sonata searched the wall next to her, finding and flipping a light switch.

The room was sparsely furnished. A single, worn-out bed sat in the left corner of the room, and a broken dresser stood next to the bed with a cage on top of it. Inside the cage was a plump, brown rat that squeaked as it drank from its water bottle.

Making her way to the cage and lightly tapping it, Sunset said, “Don’t worry, little guy. You’ll be coming with us.” Picking up the cage, she said to Sonata, “She said it was under her bed, right?”

Sonata peered under the bed, spotting the telltale flashing light. “Yeah, it’s here,” Sonata replied, grabbing the camera.

With a last look around the room, the pair rushed out of the house and walked down the street to their father’s van, acting as casually as they could manage.

After getting in and buckling up, the girls handed him the objects, which he placed carefully in a bag. Letting out a forced sigh, he said, “Alright, girls, let's head out. We can call the police when we’re out of the neighborhood.”

“I want to be there when they arrest that bastard for what he did,” Sunset argued. “He should know who’s protecting her from this abuse.”

“While that would be nice, I can’t allow you to put yourself into danger like that. Now, let's go get our chores done and head home to get the van and truck packed. Perhaps that will help us all relax a bit. I’ll call the police when I’m done viewing the tapes.”

The trip to the hardware and furniture store was silent as the family contemplated the coming hours. Sunset had a hard time keeping her anger in check as frustrated tears built at the corner of her eyes, and Sonata spent the trip holding her and trying to console her despite her own dark feelings. Finally, they arrived at the store, and Sunset had a better hold on her emotions, enough to be able to accompany Mr. Cake inside.

As they entered, Sunset stopped by a display case near the front entrance. Inside was a nice-looking camera with a tripod attachment. Giving her father a weak smile, she pointed to the camera. Quickly taking the cue, he looked around, spotting a store employee coming down the aisle. Waving him over, he asked, “How much is this camera, sir?”

Looking at it, the employee replied, “It’s forty dollars. Would you like me to hold onto it for you while you shop, sir?”

“Yes, please. And please add some film to it.”

“No need for film, sir. You can attach a USB cord to it and connect it to your computer and color printer, letting you print out your own pictures instead of having to wait for them to be developed.”

Mr. Cake gave an impressed nod. “Thanks for the info. Alright, skip the film, then.” As the employee set to work, Mr. Cake noted Sonata looking at something in a newspaper. “What have you got there, Sonata?”

Grinning, Sonata replied, “Oh, I found something that might make Trixie feel at home.” She pointed to a recipe in the paper. “Look! It’s a cake that says ‘Welcome Home’. I think we can bake this when we get back. Uh, if that is alright with you, Dad?”

Giving her a good-naturedly smile and a wink, he said, “I’m sure we can fit that in with our chores. Now let's get the rest of our things and take care of business.”

Happily, Sonata skipped off towards the back of the store with Sunset quickly following her, ignoring the looks she was getting from those she passed by. Sunset quickly found Sonata in the boxing and moving aisle. Grabbing a flatbed cart, they selected several large and small boxes while Mr. Cake got tape and packing supplies.

After paying, the trio loaded their supplies and the camera into the van. Checking the time, Mr. Cake said, “Alright, girls, we have about four hours before we need to pick up Trixie and bring her to the police.”

Together, the group arrived at their house a little while later. However, as Sonata and Mr. Cake went to work, Sunset hung back, wanting to speak to her mother. Hesitantly, she went over to the resting woman, who was reclining in the kitchen, and said, “Mom, can I ask you something?”

“Of course, dear,” Mrs. Cake answered. “Ask me anything.”

Sunset didn’t ask right away, instead pausing as she lay her head gently upon Mrs. Cake’s stomach. Finally, she asked, “What’s it like being pregnant?”

Confused, Mrs. Cake asked, “What brought this about?”

“Well,” Sunset began hesitantly, “I…can’t have a child of my own. I’m a clone, and the ones that made me made sure that I’d be ‘born’ sterile; can’t very well have your predator making more of her,” she finished bitterly, her voice turning pleading as she continued, “Please, don’t tell Sonata. I don’t want her to know about this. At least, not yet. She has enough to worry about as is.”

“I understand, honey, and to answer your question, I’m both happy and terrified at the same time: happy that I’ll be bringing new life into the world and our family, new life that I’ll get to care for from the very beginning, terrified that I won’t be as a good mother as I think I’ll be. It’s a lot of pressure, and sometimes, I worry that I’m just not up to snuff.”

Hugging her, Sunset whispered, “You’ll be an excellent mother, and even if things get rough, you’ll have the four of us to back you up every step of the way.” Eventually, Sunset ended the firm hug, smiling a more relieved smile. “Well, I guess I should go help Dad and Sonata. Thanks for listening, Mom.”

“You’re very welcome, dear. Just know that I’ll always be there when you need me.”

After Sunset and Mrs. Cake’s heart-to-heart, two and half hours passed by without incident as the group loaded up what little they had after the yard sale into the van. The last thing needed was the master bed, which was going well enough, until…

“Dad?” Mr. Cake heard Sunset say as she entered his room. “Can I help? Mom’s getting a bit fussy, so I thought I would come up here and—”

Her words were cut short by her father’s shout of pain as he got his thumb caught between the bed frame and posts. In his hurry to release his thumb, he didn’t pay any attention to where he was dropping the bed, and it landed on his right foot.

Sunset rushed outside as he squeezed both his thumb under his thigh and his foot in his hand to try to relieve the pain. Sonata saw her haste in grabbing the first aid kit and rushed back upstairs with Sunset. “Dad, are you alright?” she asked worriedly as she saw the state he was in.

“I’ll be fine, honey. I just dropped the bed on my foot, and clamped my thumb between the frame and support boards,” he replied, putting on a weak smile and a chuckle. “Just the dangers of moving, is all.”

Relieved, the girls bandaged up his thumb, finding it hard to resist chuckling, themselves. The trio’s laughter was cut off by the van’s horn. Mr. Cake sighed, “I’ll give your mother some company. The bed’s already taken apart, for the most part. There’s just a little left. Can you girls handle the rest?”

“Yeah, no problem,” Sunset said with a grin. “You just try to keep Mom calm.”

Mr. Cake left the room, and the girls turned their attention to the bed, confused looks on their faces.

“Uh, how are we supposed to get this thing to come apart?” Sonata asked.

“It’s pretty simple, I think,” Sunset replied pointing to several nuts and bolts in the frame. “I think if we take these out, we’ll be able to get this thing apart and downstairs.”

Ten minutes slowly ticked by before both Sonata and Sunset emerged from the house, carrying the last of the bed frame in their arms as best as they could. After loading the van, the girls took a moment to catch their breath.

“So, what’s the new house look like?” Sunset asked her mother.

“Oh, it’s beautiful,” Mrs. Cake replied. “And huge. Two stories, all brick, seven bedrooms, six bathrooms, an in-ground pool in the back, completely furnished except for the master bedroom.”

“And that’s not all,” Mr. Cake added. “Most of the first floor has been converted into a restaurant and café. We don’t have to leave the house to work anymore.”

“It’s the perfect place for our growing family!” Mrs. Cake finished.

“That’s amazing!” Sunset replied. “But it sounds expensive. How’d you get the money for that?”

“My brother Lemon Cake owns a real estate agency that not only sells houses but commissions their construction. In fact, most of the houses in Ponyville, including our new house, were built or repurposed by his company. He gave us quite the discount.”

“Your brother?” Sunset asked with a suspicious glance. “Why haven’t I ever heard of him?”

“He keeps to himself so much that he’s almost never around,” Mr. Cake said, shrugging. “He spends all his time buying, selling and building homes, so he never really joins in family gatherings. Honestly, you two will more than likely never see him.”

“Does he know about me?” Sunset asked.

“He knows about both you and Sonata,” Mr. Cake replied. “Don’t worry about that.” Mr. Cake’s mood instantly sobered. “Now that we’re done packing, though, I suppose I should stop delaying the inevitable. Time to watch those videos.”

His daughters exchanged glances. “We want to watch, too,” Sunset said to Mr. Cake. “No one should have to watch this alone, and I want to see firsthand what happened to her.” Sonata nodded in agreement.

Mr. Cake pulled out a laptop and booted it up. He connected the first camera, the one on the wall clock, to the USB port. Opening the video player, he fast-forwarded though the normal goings-on in an average kitchen—meals, late-night snacks, emptiness when the family was away or asleep—until something caught his eye. Mr. Cake resumed normal play speed. Trixie and her father were arguing. Or, rather, her father was hollering at Trixie, who was tearfully and futilely trying to placate him. Suddenly, the man tore his belt off and shoved Trixie against the table. He forced her shirt up and starting striking her back with the belt. Even worse, there was already clear bruising on her back, covering a wide range of colors.

Trixie tried her best to resist crying out, even gritting her teeth against her shirt collar. However, this seemed to just anger her father more. With a single motion, he yanked down Trixie’s skirt and underwear. Trixie’s surprised protest turned into a series of pained yelps as her father set to work belting her rear, ignoring his daughter’s tearful pleas.

Suddenly, the video went black as Mr. Cake shut off the laptop, a mix of horror and rage in his eyes. “I think we found what we need,” he said to his equally sickened and angry daughters. “I’ll put copies of these on some flash drives and turn them in to the police and Fancy Pants.”

Suddenly, Sonata’s phone rang, giving her a jolt. Sighing to collect her nerves, Sonata pulled it out and answered the call. “Hello?”

“Sonata, it’s Trixie. School’s done. Can you come pick me up?”

“Yeah, of course. Are…” Sonata gulped. “Are your parents there?”

“No. I usually take the bus to school. Oh, guess what.”

“What?” Sonata asked, a bit startled at the change of subject.

“There’s a new principal. His name’s Star Swirl.”

Sonata’s eyes instantly narrowed, a look of pure hatred overtaking her features. Worried at her change of expression, Sunset moved to take the phone from Sonata, only for Sonata to pull away, saying coldly into it, “Put him on. Now.”

“A-Alright. Hang on.”

Hearing the phone being passed to another person, Sonata waited for a few moments before she heard the familiar voice over the phone.

“Hello. This is—”

“If you hurt her like you hurt me and my sisters, Star Swirl, no amount of magic will save you from me. You will never hurt us again! I won’t let you.”

To her surprise, she heard a sigh on the other end. “Sonata, I will not harm her. I will, however, do something that I should have done all those years ago in Equestria,” he said softly. “Please see me in my office when you get here.”

Still angry, Sonata all but hammered the button to hang up the call. Sunset hesitantly asked, “Sonata? Are you okay?” Instead of answering, Sonata suddenly grabbed onto Sunset, crying into her shoulder, tearfully telling her about the new principal. “It’s going to be alright, Sonata,” Sunset said softly. “I’ll be there for you. We all will.”

The family got into the van, and a short time later, they pulled into the school parking lot, where Trixie was waiting. She eagerly ran up to the van, stopping when Sunset and Sonata got out. “Thanks for coming,” she said with relief in her voice. “Principal Star Swirl’s in his office.”

“Thanks,” Sonata mumbled, beginning to walk to the school.

Sunset gave Trixie a nod and a smile before rushing after Sonata. When she caught up, she found herself staring at the school. “Didn’t think I’d ever show up back here.”

“Me, neither,” Sonata said.

“Sunset?” a soft, familiar voice said behind her.

Sunset sighed, her shoulders drooping. Turning around, she said, “What do you want, Fluttershy?”

“Is it true? You’re moving away?” When Sunset nodded wordlessly, Fluttershy continued, “Please don’t. I know what Applejack said, but please, give us time to heal your broken heart.”

“‘Us’?” Sunset repeated flatly, giving Fluttershy a cold stare. “Who’s ‘us’?”

“Me, Rarity, Pinkie Pie, and—”

“Don’t say it!” Sunset snapped. Looking down, she continued, “I want to work things out, Fluttershy. I do, but...” Turning away, her jaw trembled as she felt the pain and anger beginning to return. Taking a second to gather herself, she finished, “I’m scared that you only want to use me and toss me aside when your done, like she did.”

“I’m not using you, Sunset.” Tears began to stream down Fluttershy’s cheeks, and without thinking, she rushed forward, throwing herself into Sunset’s body, wrapping her arms around Sunset’s waist and burying her face into Sunset’s ample chest. “Please, I’m begging you to give us another chance. Give me another chance! I’ll do whatever you want, just please don’t lock me out again!”

Feeling a hand on her shoulder, Sunset looked over to find her father’s loving eyes. He smiled a fatherly smile at her and led Sonata inside the school to give Sunset some privacy. As she watched him go, she bawled her hands into tight fists. The sting of losing her closest friend still ached in her heart.

Taking a breath, Sunset very slowly began to lay her hands on Fluttershy’s head, moving her right hand down to Fluttershy’s back as she kept her left on the weeping girl’s head. As Sunset returned the embrace, Fluttershy sobbed out, “I’m so sorry for everything, Sunset. Please! I just want to be your friend again!”

Silently, Sunset led Fluttershy to the front steps, ignoring any onlookers. She sat down with Fluttershy in her lap. “If you want to be my friend again, I need you to answer me one question.” When she was sure she had Fluttershy’s undivided attention, she asked, “Why’d you do it? Why’d you agree to Applejack’s demand?”

Fluttershy trembled. “I…I just wanted to know more about your past. I was too scared to stand up to Applejack, and it seemed like the one thing that would convince you to talk. It was selfish. It was awful. Please, Sunset, please give me another chance. I’m so, so sorry.”

Sunset looked in Fluttershy’s eyes for a few long moments before sighing. Reaching into her coat pocket, Sunset said softly, “I’ll give you and only you one more chance. Please, don’t make me regret it.” Taking out her phone, she continued, “This is my new cellphone. I’ll let you put your email address and phone number into it on one condition.”

Taking a quick breath, Fluttershy said, “Name it. I’ll do anything.”

“You don’t ever give any of your friends my phone number or email address unless it’s an emergency. A real emergency.”

“I promise. Cross my heart and hope to die.” Looking at the phone in Sunset’s hand, she asked, “May I? Please?”

Sunset nodded, handing her the phone. Taking a moment to look at Sunset’s wallpaper—a silly picture of Sonata—she opened Sunset’s contact list and added her information hastily, as if worried that Sunset would retract her offer any second. Getting up from Sunset’s lap, she handed the phone back to her.

“Thank you, Sunset,” Fluttershy said. “I promise I won’t break your heart again. Ever.”

Taking her phone back and placing it into her pocket, Sunset stood up, letting out a forced sigh. “Fluttershy, I want to start slowly with this. I don’t know if I can trust you just yet, but I’m willing to try. For now, let me make any first moves. Don’t call or text unless it’s an emergency. It’s probably not what you wanted, but it’s what will work best for me. Now, I need to get going.”

As Sunset walked inside the school, Fluttershy turned to leave, thinking to herself, “I hope she’ll be alright.”

---

“Well, what do you want?” Sonata demanded as she and Mr. Cake entered the principal’s office.

“I want to make things right for you,” Star Swirl replied sadly. “I want to help you.”

“Why in all of Cantlantis would I ever accept your help? You cost me my children! They were innocent. All of them were innocent!”

Mr. Cake put his arms around Sonata’s shoulders as she started to cry. Star Swirl didn’t answer immediately. Walking around the desk, Star Swirl knelt to one knee, bowing his head and closing his eyes, his own tears dripping down his cheeks. Sonata glared down at him.

“I know. I know they were innocent. That is why I am offering you my own life to pay back all the lives that I stole from your family.” He sighed. “I am so very sorry for all the harm that I caused.”

Sonata didn’t hesitate. As she raised a fist, Mr. Cake exclaimed, “Sonata, no!” Sonata’s fist stopped mere inches from Star Swirl’s face. “Sonata, please don’t use violence to solve your issues. Violence only begets more violence.”

“I hate you for what you cost me and my sisters!” Sonata choked out. “I hate how you used us to fuel your own ambitions and how you lied to Princess Celestia.” Sonata suddenly grabbed Star Swirl’s lapels, yanking his head close to hers and forcing him to look into her enraged eyes. “Why? Why did you do it?” she yelled.

“I didn’t have all the facts,” Star Swirl answered. “Oh, how I wish I did. How I wish I could undo all the pain that I caused you, Sonata. But, I can’t. I can only hope that, in some way, my own death with give you some peace of mind and closure.”

Sonata calmed down enough to ask, “Your death?”

Star Swirl nodded. “I’m dying, Sonata. I have only a few more years left,” he said quietly. “I used the Philosopher's Stone to extend my life, and now, I am paying the price for all that I have done to you, your sisters, and Cantlantis.”

Blinking away the rest of her tears, Sonata sighed, bowing her head and looking away. “But, I don’t want you to die. I…I’m not done with you.”

“I know, but this is the price that I must pay for what I took from you. From all of you.”

Mr. Cake gently ushered Sonata into the hallway, giving Star Swirl one last glare. As they walked through the hallway, they met Sunset, who asked, “Is everything okay?”

“We’re fine,” Mr. Cake answered. “Let’s go to the police.”

Sunset stared sadly at Sonata. “I’m sorry I wasn’t there for you.”

“It’s alright,” Sonata said. “Looking back, it’s…not something I would’ve wanted you to see.”

The lovers shared a hug for a few seconds before allowing Mr. Cake to usher them to the van, where Mrs. Cake and Trixie were waiting, though he was surprised to find Trixie crying, her head on Mrs. Cake’s lap. “Is everything alright, dear?” he asked his wife.

Mrs. Cake hesitated. “In a sense,” she finally said. “We were talking about…what happened.”

“Why couldn’t they just love me like you do?” Trixie sobbed.

Putting their own issues aside for the moment, Sunset and Sonata pulled the distraught girl into themselves, slowly helping her get buckled up as she calmed down. As Mr. Cake got in the driver’s seat, Mrs. Cake said, “I don’t want Trixie anywhere near those animals anymore. Can Fancy Pants help us?”

“We’re about to find out. I’m meeting him after seeing the police.”

It wasn’t long before the family reached the police station. After helping his wife out of the van, Mr. Cake filled the parking meter as the girls got out. As Trixie stretched her legs, looking worriedly at the police station, Mrs. Cake put her hands on her shoulder.

“It’s going to be alright, sweetie. We’ll all stand by your side while you do this.” Gently take Trixie’s hands into her own, she finished, “Now, let's go end your nightmare so you can begin a new life with a family that loves you.”

Suddenly, another vehicle pulled up to the precinct, and a well-dressed man with white skin and blue hair stepped out, smiling at the Cakes.

“A pleasure to see you again, Carrot,” Fancy Pants said.

“Likewise, though I wish the circumstances were different,” Mr. Cake said, motioning to Trixie. “This is Trixie Lulamoon. We were just about to report what’s been happening to her.”

“A pleasure, Miss Lulamoon. Now, let’s not keep you waiting.”

With that, the group entered the station, marching right up to the front desk. Mustering her courage, Trixie said, “Excuse me, sir. I’d like to report a crime…Child abuse.”

“Okay,” the officer said, pulling a pad and paper out, “and what is your name?”

“Trixie Lulamoon,” Trixie said.

The officer paused before pulling out a radio. “Officer Jade, please come to the lobby,” he said into it.

Trixie waited anxiously and confusedly for the few moments before Jade arrived, wearing full tactical gear. She gave Mr. Cake a smile as she noticed him, though her smile turned into a serious look upon seeing Trixie.

“Jade, this is Trixie Lulamoon,” the officer said. “She’d like to report child abuse. I’ll let you take it from here.”

“You bet I will,” Jade said, turning her attention to the group. “I see you brought your lawyer. That’s good, though, with what I have to say, I doubt he’ll have much to do here. Come on, let’s talk somewhere quieter.”

Jade led everyone down the hallway to a meeting room. A large, metal table in the center dominated the room, occupied with eight chairs. A television and stand were the only other features. Each person took a seat except for Sunset and Sonata, who remained at the doorway. As everyone settled in, Fancy Pants said, “Alright, we’re here, Carrot. Let’s hear it.”

“Put simply, this concerns Trixie and her father’s abuse and mother’s neglect towards her. We don’t want her going back to them, but we can’t just take her with us to a new city without some legal backing, hence why you’re here, Fancy. We’ve brought video evidence of this abuse, but be warned: It’s not pleasant.”

Sunset did the honors, connecting one of the cameras to the TV. The next few minutes were spent in horrified silence as the group watched another recording of Trixie’s father brutally beating her with his belt. Trixie especially had a hard time watching, flinching every time she heard the crack of leather against bare skin and finding herself closer to tears with each pained yelp. “Turn it off,” she finally mumbled. “Sunset, turn it off!”

Sunset obeyed, and Jade said breathlessly, “I knew he was scum, but that…that was terrible.”

“In all my thirty years of practicing law, I’ve never seen something so horrid,” Fancy Pants said. “I should hope this leads to his arrest, officer?”

“He’s already here,” Jade said to the surprise of everyone else. “We arrested him and his wife a few hours ago on charges ranging from assaulting police and resisting arrest to aiding and abetting a known felon. We’ll add child abuse to the list.”

“I’d like to see him, if you don’t mind,” Fancy said. Jade nodded in response and led him away.

The silence in the room was heavy and awkward. Sunset stroked Trixie’s shoulder, saying, “Are you alright? I’m sorry you had to relive that. Hell, I’m sorry you had to go through it in the first place.”

“Yeah,” Trixie said sadly. “I’m fine. It just…hurts, you know? My only family in the city treats me like crap, and my grandma doesn’t have a phone.”

“Well, we’re family now,” Sunset said as everyone else nodded in agreement, “and we’ll make sure none of that shit ever happens to you again.”

Trixie allowed herself a small smile. “Thanks, Sunset. That really means—”

“Jailbreak!” came a shout from down the hall, sounding very much like Fancy Pants.

The group rushed outside the room, Sunset taking the lead. They were meet with the rushing form of Mr. Lulamoon racing toward them. He barreled past them, shoving Sunset to the floor as he crashed past.

“Oh, I don’t think so, asshole!” Sunset snapped, jumping to her feet as she and Sonata rushed after him.

The two caught up quickly, and Sonata dove at his legs, grabbing hold of them. Mr. Lulamoon crashed to the ground with a grunt. He immediately turned around and started wrestling with Sonata, who was able to hold her own, to Sunset’s surprise.

Sonata managed to perry one of Mr. Lulamoon’s punches and launched a punch of her own, landing a good shot on his right eye. “That was for Trixie!” she shouted.

“And so is this!” Sunset snapped, ramming the spikes of her steel-tipped boots into Mr. Lulamoon’s groin. The effect was immediate, and the fight left Mr. Lulamoon as he struggled to catch his breath, though he did still glare at the girls and call them all sorts of vulgar things.

The rest of the group caught up to the girls. However, while Mr. Cake stayed a distance away from Mr. Lulamoon and Trixie stayed behind Mr. Cake, Mrs. Cake didn’t stop walking, marching right up to Mr. Lulamoon. To everyone’s shock, the pregnant woman punched Mr. Lulamoon right in the nose, breaking it and stunning the man before she walked back to Trixie.

That’s when several police officers arrived to the scene, including Jade, who was rubbing a bump on the back of her head.

“How the hell did he get out of his cell!?” Jade demanded as some of the other officers cuffed Mr. Lulamoon and forced him to his feet.

“Don’t know,” one of the others replied, “but we’ll do an investigation and see if we need to tighten security or replace something.” The officer whistled at Mr. Lulamoon’s wounds. “Geez, they sure did a number on you, didn’t they, pal?”

“A good thing, too,” Jade said. “Who knows how far he’d have gotten if they didn’t catch him?” Jade turned to the family. “Don’t worry; no charges will be pressed against you. You were just doing your civic duty,” she said with a smirk.

As the officers took the criminal away, some sharing a chuckle at the remark, Fancy Pants turned to the Cakes. “I think I’ve seen enough. I’ll see to it that you can take Trixie with you to Ponyville. As for obtaining legal guardianship, they’ll need to check any other family she has. They’ll also need to run some background checks and such, but knowing you two, that’ll just be a formality,” he said, finishing with a wink.

Immediately, Trixie wrapped her arms around Mr. Cake in a crushing hug, which he gladly returned, Mrs. Cake immediately joining in. The happy family went out to the van, and Mr. Cake tossed Sonata the keys. “Would you like to drive, honey? I’m sure your mother and I would like some time with Trixie.”

“Would I!” Sonata squealed.

As Sonata started the van, she heard a tap on the window. She looked over to find Fancy Pants signaling her to lower the window. As she did so, he said to Mr. Cake, “You’re moving to Ponyville, yes?” When Mr. Cake nodded, he continued, “You’re in luck; Trixie’s grandmother just so happens to live in Ponyville. She’s on parole right now, though not for any violent crimes—hacking into government systems, in fact—which, combined with her proximity to your new home, may make things easier for you to become Trixie’s legal guardians. I can’t say for certain, though, so I’ll be in touch.”

“Thanks very much, Fancy,” Mr. Cake said. “You’ve been a big help.”

Fancy Pants nodded politely and walked off to his car, and soon, the family was off.

The long trip was an exercise of healing for Trixie as the girl basked in the love of her new family and got all of her dark and insecure feelings off of her chest. The feelings of camaraderie were strengthened as the rest of the family opened up about some of their own insecurities, letting Trixie know that she wasn’t alone in feeling down on herself sometimes and that they’d always have each other to lean on in case their thoughts become hard to ignore.

Eventually, they arrived at their new home, and the younger women marveled at the sheer size. It was far larger than they imagined, even taking Mrs. Cake’s description into account. The surrounding neighborhood was as upscale as their house, and they knew it’d take some time before they got used to the opulence.

And that wasn’t the only thing they’d have to get used to; it turned out that Trixie’s parolee grandmother Ruby Lulamoon just so happened to be their next-door neighbor. Ruby was shocked and disgusted when Trixie recounted what’s been going on and half-demanded to know if Ruby ever got her letters and why Ruby never tried to help her, while Ruby explained that while she indeed got Trixie’s letters, she was under house arrest as per her parole, and if she so much as stepped foot outside her house, it was back to prison for her.

The meeting ended with a teary-eyed embrace and Ruby’s complete endorsement of the Cakes’ adoption of Trixie, and soon after, the family began the process of unpacking their cargo, which proved much easier than unpacking their feelings. As they worked, Sonata busied herself in the kitchen, making sure Trixie couldn’t see what she was cooking.

Trixie didn’t have to wait long to find out, though, as soon, she and Sunset, who were working on the master bed, were called over to the living room. They arrived to their smiling parents standing behind the camera Mr. Cake bought just that morning.

“What’s going on?” Trixie asked, though Sunset wore a knowing smile.

“Well, we bought this camera earlier today while you were at school, and what better first photo to take than one of our growing family in our new home and our new life?”

“And that’s not all!” Sonata chirped from the kitchen. Soon, she emerged with a large, three-layer cake covered with chocolate icing. On it in white icing was written “Welcome Home”. The letting wasn’t perfect and was smudged in places, but the imperfections only served to let the love baked into the cake shine through.

After a teary hug for Sonata, Trixie settled herself in the middle of the couch, surrounded by her loved ones as the timed camera took its photo. Mr. Cake quickly printed the photo, and Trixie did the honor of framing and placing the photo. As she placed the photo on the mantle above the fireplace, her smile grew as she finally felt truly safe and at home.

“Family. It’s so good to have family.” Trixie said.

Next Chapter: Eventide's Memories, Part One (Edited by Icecreammac) Estimated time remaining: 53 Minutes