“Ooh, darling, I’m so happy for you!” Rarity said as she shuffled her feet.

Earlier that day, the school gym, the set location of the Fall Formal was completely trashed. With everyone’s help, they managed to get everything cleaned up in what only took a little over an hour to do so. After everything was done, Flash popped the question to Twilight, asking her to go with him to the Formal that evening. To that, there was no reason for Twilight to refuse. Right now, all the girls were at the Carousel Boutique, Rarity’s workplace, to be fitted for their dresses. Flash, Spike, and all the other boys on the other hand were at the local Men’s Warehouse to be fitted for their evening’s attire.

“Thanks Rarity, I’m pretty happy myself.” Twilight said as she was being fitted for her dress, which was a basic pink tube top with the skirt reaching down several inches below her knee. Rarity even got her some matching shoes as well. “Not going to lie, I was tempting on asking him myself. After all, what harm is there in having some fun?”

“I can agree with that!” Pinkie agreed from her seat. Her dress, of which she was still wearing, was rather fitting to her as it was colored baby blue and pink and had a small hat on her head to complete the outfit. “It’s always a good idea to have fun!”

Dash, AJ, Derpy, and Flutters shook their heads and smiled at their bubbly friend. All of them had been fitted for their dresses earlier and were now in their regular clothing. AJ’s was, surprisingly, made of denim with an apple belt buckle with a matching hat. Dash’s was a spaghetti strap dress, with the torso part in the color scheme of a rainbow with a short blue skirt with a red frilling at the end with a purple belt along with a gold color buckle in the shape of a lightning bolt coming from a cloud. Flutters’ dress was simpler as it was a simple light blue tube top with yellow lining. How Rarity was able to get these dresses together was beyond them.

“And finished!” Rarity said. “You’re all done, Twilight. Feel free to move around and get a feel for it.”

Twilight did so as she stepped off the little platform, allowing Derpy her turn to be fitted. As she looked around, she still had Flash asking her to the Formal on her mind, which brought a smile to her face. But given that she had only known him for about a week at this point, and that he and Sunset, surprisingly used to date, so she now wondered what going on a date with him will be like. She began to turn to her friends to ask, but changed her mind as, given that Flash is friends with them, she wanted an unbiased opinion.

She looked around the store and saw that many of the customers, if not all of them, were students at CHS. She recognized three of them as Lyra, Bon Bon, and Roseluck. The girl who provided Flash the flowers.

“Excuse me, girls.”

The three turned and Roseluck’s face lit up.

“Twilight, hi!” She said. “You look great!”

“Thanks.” Twilight said. “I was wondering if I could ask you a question.”

“Sure, what’s up?” Bon Bon asked, putting a dress back on the rack.

“Since I’m going with Flash to the formal, I thought I’d ask what he’s like.” Twilight explained. “I know that I’ve been hanging out with him for pretty much week now, but I want know about the dating side of him.”

Bon Bon chuckled.

“You have nothing to worry about Twilight, Flash is a total sweetie.”

“Yeah.” Roseluck added. “He’s one of the nicest guys you’ll ever meet.”

“Yeah, but that’s not always a good thing, though.”

The three girls turned to Lyra as if she started barking like a dog.

“What do you mean, Lyra?” Roseluck asked. “What’s wrong with being nice?”

“I’m not saying being nice is a bad thing. The problem is being too nice. Otherwise you’ll be a doormat.” Lyra explained. “Example, Flash when he dated Sunset.”

The mint haired girl turned to Twilight.

“But that doesn’t change the fact that he’s a cool guy. Seriously, he’s one of the best people you can come across. It’s just that he’s a little, what’s the word I’m looking for…?”

Before Lyra could find the word she was looking for, the bell above the entrance rang, catching everyone’s attention.

“Wassup everyone?!”

The newcomer was Vinyl. Twilight had learned that her real name was Jessica Victoria Saratoga, a rather interesting name, Twilight thought. Instead of being dressed in her usual tank top and jeans, Vinyl’s current outfit was rather interesting, but kept the purple lensed shades. It consisted of a blue short sleeved track jacket which had a red line going down each sleeve, a white collar and cuffs; fingerless gloves and tights, similar to ones that Dash wears, both of which had a dark pink and purple pattern; charcoal boots with a blue lightning bolt over a light purple circle, and a red, white, and blue strip at the top; and a skirt that really made her stood out, as its pattern consisted of flags of different countries such as the United States, Germany, Japan, Belgium, Great Britain, Canada, Palestine, Israel, the Czech Republic, Spain, Ireland, Israel, and many other national flags.

As most of the people greeted Vinyl in return, Rarity practically ran over to her.

“Vinyl, darling!” She said. “That outfit is absolutely amazing! Especially that skirt of yours, where did you get it.”

“Thanks Rarity. My brother got it for me for my birthday last month. I finally found an opportunity to wear.” Vinyl said. “After all you know my motto, ‘Music is the great unifier’. That’s what the flags mean.”

Vinyl then looked up at the ceiling for a moment.

“What did I come in here for again?”

She looked over and spotted Twilight.

“Oh right!” She then approached Twilight and pulled an envelope from her pocket. “Hey Twi, I got a letter for ya.”

Twilight looked at the envelope and saw that it had the words “Give to Twilight” on the front.

“I found it taped to my locker.” Vinyl explained. “So I asked around where you were so I brought it to you.”

Twilight took the letter in hand.

“Thanks, Vinyl.”

“No prob, Twi.” Vinyl said. “If you guys want me, I’ll be back at the school making sure the sound system is alright. See ya guys tonight!”

As everyone said to their goodbyes to Vinyl as she left, Twilight opened the letter and unfolded the paper.

“What does it say?” Roseluck asked as everyone else looked on.

Twilight proceeded to read the letter aloud.

“It seems you’re on the road to being crowned as Princess of the Fall Formal. But unless you want to go home, I better do what this letter says. Bring the crown to the horse statue at approximately five thirty. If you don’t show up, if either Celestia or Luna show up, or do something I don’t like, you’ll never go home.”

Also in the envelope was a photograph. The photograph was that of the base of the horse statue in front of the school with a sledge hammer leaning against it. On the sledgehammer itself was a piece of paper taped to it with the words “Or Else”.

“Oh hell no!” Dash said with disgust after hearing Twilight read the letter aloud and see the photograph. “Bitch doesn’t know when to quit!”

“Dash, language!” Rarity said.

“Sorry but this really pisses me off.” Dash replied with her voiced now lowered.

“I second that.” AJ added before turning to Twilight. “What do you want to Twilight? From what I gather that portal is your only way home, right?”

Twilight nodded.

“But how are we going to get the crown?” Flutters asked. “It’s in the Vice-Principal’s office and if we’re caught stealing we’ll be in a lot of trouble.”

Suddenly Pinkie, now changed out of her dress and back into a pair of jeans and a pink and white shirt with picture of balloons on the front, bounced out of nowhere with Derpy walking behind her.

“I know!” She said. “We’ll tell the Principle and Vice-Principle!”

Everyone turned to Pinkie.

“You do realize that’s the worst idea, right?” Dash asked. “Did you not hear what the letter said?”

“We know, but Sunset doesn’t have to know.” Derpy said. “The letter didn’t say how we obtain the letter did it?”

Everyone looked at one another and back at Derpy and Pinkie.

“What do you have in mind?” Twilight asked. “Because it’s not like Tia and Luna are going just hand it over because we asked.”

“Maybe if we didn’t ask.” Pinkie then dashed over to Twilight’s bag and returned with a certain book. “But maybe a certain somebody can ask for us.”

Principle Tia and Vice-Principle Luna looked at one another with a look of confusion after hearing a strange request from the girls who had entered the former’s office.

Tia was the first to speak.

“You need the crown now?” She asked. “Miss Spencer, I know you’re enthusiastic about tonight but you have to wait till then.”

“But it’s an emergency, Principle Tia.” Twilight explained. She then handed Tia the envelope for which she and her sister examined.

“So Sunset is being a sore loser?” Luna asked. “I’m not surprised to be honest.”

“Don’t worry Twilight.” Tia said assuringly. “We’ll take care of it. It may come as a surprise but Sunset tends to tread a lot more lightly around me.”

“That didn’t stop her from breaking us apart.” Dash said from her seat near the door.

“With all due respect Madam Principle, but the letter clearly states that neither of you can’t intervene.” Rarity explained.

“And if you do, Sunset will use that sledge hammer on the statue and destroy Twilight’s chance of going home.” Derpy added.

The two school officials looked at one another and back the girls with even more quizzical looks.

“The statue is Twilight’s only way home?” Luna asked. “This is starting to sound like a complete joke.”

“But it isn’t a joke Vice-Principle Luna.” Twilight said. “Honest.”

Before any of them could continue any further, they all heard the sound of something vibrating. All eyes went to the book on the desk of which was glowing and vibrating.

“Right one time.” Twilight said as she picked up the book and opened it. She smiled upon seeing the contents on the page. “I think it this message is for you two.”

Both school officials cocked an eyebrow almost in unison as Twilight set the book down on the desk.

Tia pulled the book towards herself and her sister and looked at the contents.

“Go ahead, read it aloud.”

Tia looked down at the page and read aloud.

“Dear Principle Tia Royale and Vice Principle Luna Royale

First I would like to introduce myself; I am Princess Celestia of Equestria. For the past week you have come to be familiar with my student, Twilight. But I think you are more familiar with a certain student named Samantha Stokes, or Sunset Shimmer as her indent has been revealed the day before. I would like to explain in full but given that Twilight has a short amount of time, I have made a brief explanation. If you and your sister will be so kind as to put your hands on the symbol below and your questions will be answered.
Best wishes to you both. Signed,

Princess Celestia”

The symbol at the bottom of the page was the image, about the size of a grapefruit of a sun and within it is a rather unfamiliar symbol which was a black circle with a series of crosses within it.

Not having other options, Luna and Tia both put their hands on the symbol. Before either of them could question what was to happened next, the unasked question was answered by a strange sensation going into their hands, up their arms, and into their heads, causing their heads to snap back with their eyes as wide as they can go. After almost thirty seconds, their hands practically snapped off the book. Tia slumped in her chair and Luna had to hold onto the desk to prevent her from falling.

Luna looked over at the Twilight who, like the rest of the girls, had a look of concern.

“Are you alright?”

Luna nodded.

“I… …I think so.”

“Pardon my language what in the hell was that?” Celestia asked.

“What did you see?” Twilight asked.

“Well…” Celestia had trouble putting what she and her sister saw into words. “…from what I gather so far, Sunset isn’t human. And neither are you, Miss Spencer. Or I should say, Miss Sparkle.”

Twilight nodded.

“And Sunset took this crown of yours and it just so happened to have this element that is used to defend your homeland.” Luna said. “So you came here from your world, via a portal that is located in the statue, to get the crown back. Are we correct so far?”
Twilight nodded again.

“And not to mention that she comes from a world where everyone has a pony version of themselves!” Pinkie said with excitement. “And their all friends with Twilight and while you and Luna are both alicorn Princesses, just like Twilight, that control the sun and moon, except that Twilight doesn’t control the sun or moon, and…”

AJ then covered Pinkie’s mouth.

“I think they get the point, Sugercube.”

“So what do you say you two?” Dash asked as she got off from her seat. “You want to help us out?”

The air grew cooler as Twilight made her way toward the statue with the crown in hand. Unlike in Equestria, the sun didn’t begin to set around this time. Mainly due to a policy called “daylight savings time” and that the movements of the sun and moon are natural occurrences. As she approached the statue, she saw the sledgehammer like in the picture, only without the paper taped to it.

“Where is she?” Twilight asked as she stopped at the base of the statue.

As she waited, she looked into the portal on the statue and saw her reflection. The reflection looked right back at her, but it wasn’t a human, but the alicorn Twilight knew. She and the alicorn then put their hand and hoof against the portal, causing the surface to ripple.

“Homesick?”

Twilight turned and saw the fire haired girl looking at her with her arms crossed and a taunting look on her face.

“Are you?”

Sunset cocked an eyebrow at Twilight’s question.

“A little bit.” She said as she approached the alicorn in human form. “But I’ll be seeing Equestria again soon.”

She then eyed the crown that was clenched in Twilight’s hand.

“But not without that, obviously.”

Sunset then held out her hand in which, Twilight reluctantly put the crown into.

The former looked at the crown with greedy eyes before looking back up at the Princess.

“Thank you very much, Twilight.” She said. “Without you my triumph wouldn’t be possible.”

“I have to ask.” Twilight said, catching Sunset’s attention. “Why? Why did you do all of this? What do have to gain from all of this?”
Sunset didn’t expect the question but was successful in hiding it.

“Isn’t it obvious?” She asked. “It’s all in the name of my destiny.”

This caught Twilight’s full attention.

“Destiny?” She asked. “What do you mean?”

Sunset approached the portal’s surface and put a hand to it and, just like Twilight earlier, saw her true pony self.

“When I was Celestia’s student, I was a prodigy. I’m pretty sure she’s never mentioned me, I’d be surprised if she did at least once.” Sunset explained. “One day, she showed that mirror and told me to look into it. Want now what I saw?”

Twilight nodded.

“I saw a pony.” Sunset explained. “A pony that could be great and powerful, who IS great and powerful. A pony that could rule Equestria. But as Celestia directed me away from the mirror, I caught a glimpse of something else.” Sunset then turned to Twilight and spread out her arms. “This! This human body. And when I did, I realized it is same creature as the one I met when I was a mere filly.”

Twilight’s eyes went wide.

“Are you saying a human once visited Equestria?” She asked with surprise.

“That’s not important.” Sunset said sternly. “When Celestia denied me my destiny, denied me my sole right to become more great and powerful than I already am, I saw the mirror as an escape. When I went into it, I found myself there, in the exact spot you’re standing right now.”

“And you ruled this school with an iron hoof.” The Princess said. “Because it was the closest thing to power you can find.”

“You catch on quick.”

“But why?” Twilight asked. “Why break up this world’s version of my friends? They were no threat to you.”

“Like you said with me ruling this school, the closest I can get to the real thing.” Sunset explained. “When I discovered that they were this world’s equivalent to the Elements in our world, I acted, just as any ruler would do when they are threatened. And now that I have the Element of Magic, I can finally take what is mine, once and for all!”

“If you’re goal is go back and conquer Equestria, then why would you break the portal if I didn’t meet your demands.”
Sunset chuckled.

“Did you really think I’d break my only way back to Equestria? I’m not an idiot you know.” She said. “Besides, did you forget that when we first met, the crown went the through the portal and landed here. Now watch what happens when I apply the same principle with this sledge hammer.”

Sunset then picked up the hammer and sung it as hard as she could at the portal, letting it fly. But instead of the hammer smashing the masonry that was the statue base, it phased through the portal and in Equestria.

“Pinkie darling, you’ve been sitting here since Twilight first left.”

Rarity looked at Pinkie Pie who was sat down in the middle of the room in which the mirror resided.

“At least come and stretch your legs. It’s not good to be sat down for so long.”

“But Rarity, what if Twilight comes back and I’m not here?” She asked. “What if Sunset Shimmer is running after her? What if she needs help if she gets tackled through the mirror by Sunset Shimmer? What would she do if no pony was here for when she comes back? What if…?”
Rarity put a hoof on Pinkie’s shoulder.

“Darling, everything will be fine.” She said. “Ever since that Flash Sentry recovered from his injury, he said he will stand guard here once he gets approved to do so.”

“Somepony say my name?”

The two mares looked and saw the very stallion they were talking about trot into the room, once again in his armor.

“I was just trying to get my friend to here to stop sitting here for a while.” Rarity explained. “And I told her you’d stand here in her place.”

“Indeed I will.” Flash said. He then approached the party pony in the center of the room. “Don’t worry Pinkie Pie, when Princess Twilight and her assistant get back you’ll be the first I inform.”

Pinkie Pie smiled and nodded.

“Okay, thank you Flash.”

Rarity helped the pink mare off the floor and led her toward the door as Flash took her spot, instead actually standing rather than sitting. As the two mares got to the door, they both heard a loud clang followed by a grunt. They both turned and saw the pegasus guard lying on the floor in a daze with what looked like a large hammer next to him.

“I’m alright!”

“See?” Sunset asked. “Nothing damaged.”

“I have one more question.” Twilight said.

Sunset sighed.

“Yes, what is it?”

“Yesterday in the gym, Flash mentioned how you treated him when you two dated.” Twilight explained. “Why did you treat him like that?”
Sunset rolled her eyes before putting on a sister and arrogant smile.

“Simple really. He’s a resource.” She explained. “Money, transportation, social status and, with that he was a complete weakling growing up with what can be considered to be a watered down version of mommy issues, pleasure. A lot of pleasure.”

“Not only you broke up because he didn’t want put up with your nonsense anymore, you broke up with him because he wanted to spend time with his sister.” Twilight said. “That’s pathetic, Sunset. Plain pathetic.”

“As if I give a damn what you think.” Sunset said with anger. “Now if you excuse, I’m taking what is mine! Goodbye Twilight Sparkle!”

Sunset then did a complete about face and made her way toward the portal with the crown in hand.

She then stuck out her hand began to sink it into the portal, but before she could put her whole arm into it, she heard someone shout.
“Hey look it’s a shark eating a cheeseburger!”

Sunset pulled her hand out of the portal and turned back to Twilight.

“What the fuck did you just…?”

Before Sunset could finish that statement, the crown suddenly flew out of her hand as something hit said hand. Sunset looked and saw that it was AJ who had completely kicked the crown out of her hand. Before she could attack the cowgirl, she returned her attention to the object of her desire get picked up by Twilight and tossed over to a familiar one legged girl on a scooter before she began to zoom off.

Scoots kicked her scooter forward like her life depended on it as the fiery haired and tempered girl raced after her. Up ahead she saw the entrance to the school playing field where her idol waited for her.

“There you are Scoots.” Dash said as Scoots tossed her the crown. She then looked behind her and saw that only Twilight and AJ running up behind her. “Where’d Sunset go?”

Twilight caught her breath.

“She… …she turned one corner and… …and disappeared.”

“Maybe she turned yellow and ran off.” AJ added.

“She looks like she’d turn orange rather than yellow.” Pinkie added as and the others approached.

“I’m pretty sure that’s not what she meant, darling.” Rarity said.

“So what’s the plan now Twi?” Dash asked. “We got the crown as far away from the portal, and Sunset for that matter; do we just wait it out until the dance starts?”

“That’s right.” Twilight answered. “Right now I think it’s a good idea to get the crown back to its rightful place.”

“I’ll take care of it.” Derpy said. “Besides, you guys have get dressed."

“Thanks Derps.” Dash said as she tossed Derpy the crown.

"I'll see you guys in a little bit.”

As Derpy walked away Twilight turned to her friends.

“Thank you guys, you’ve been a great help.”

“No problem Twi.” Dash said as she patted the former alicorn on the back. “We’ve got your back.”

“That’s right Sugercube.” AJ added. “You helped us, we help you.”

Everyone else agreed.

“Before I forget.” Twilight said. “There’s something I need to ask you all.”

“Of course darling, what is it?” Rarity asked.

“While I was stalling Sunset with those questions, I asked her why she treated Flash the way she did.” Twilight explained. “She told me he was pretty much a resource.”

The girls all gasped.

“That’s fucked up.” Dash said.

“I’m not really surprised to be honest.” Scoots added.

“She also mentioned that Flash was, and I quote ‘a complete weakling growing up with what can be considered to be a watered down version of mommy issues’. What did she mean by that?”

All the girls, with the exception of Scoots suddenly had a look on their faces that showed that they knew what Twilight was talking about.
“Well it’s pretty complicated.” Dash said. “You see, when I first met him back, in what it Flutters, first year of Middle School?”

“Yeah, first year.” Flutters confirmed.

“First year, anyway, when I first met him, he was kind of like Flutters when I first met her, a bit shy and pretty much had a target on his back for bullies.” Dash continued. “I didn’t help that bitch of step-mom he had. Since his dad was often shipped out, he and Derpy were often left alone with her and she pretty much treated Flash like shit.”

“That’s terrible.” Twilight said.

“Yeah no shit. And that’s where the mommy issues come in.” Dash said before letting out a sigh. “I’m sorry but if I get more into it I’ll end up punching something.”

“With that aside, how about we go meet with Flash when he and others arrive?” Rarity suggested, successfully changing the subject. “Bear in mind we have a dance to attend and one of us has to attend their coronation.”

Rarity then winked to Twilight and gave her a wink.

“Speaking of Flash, here he comes now.” Scoots said.

They all turned and saw Flash, Spike, Ringo, and Beats approaching them.

“How’d it go?” Flash asked. “Did you get the crown back?”

“We did.” Twilight said. “Derpy is on her back to Tia and Luna right now.”

“That’s good. Nice to hear that Sunset’s plan failed.” Flash said. “Where is Sunset anyway?”

“Not sure.” AJ answered. “We think she turned yellow and ran off.”

“So you let Derpy go alone with the crown with Sunset still running around?"

Everyone then looked at one another before a look of realization appeared on their faces.

"We need to find Derpy now!" Flash said with urgency. "Come on!"

Author's Notes:

Sorry it took so long to get the next chapter out. Combined with my job and working on other projects, I found it difficult to find the time to work on it.

In regards to the symbol that Celestia sent Tia and Luna, that will be explained later (and I made it on short notice). And if you're having trouble picturing Vinyl's outfit, here it is:

Click HERE to check out the design.