Punisher Vyndrak wasn't happy. Not at all. No, he. Was. Livid! Not only did some intruders manage, teenagers no less, to escape and were somehow able to kill a Terrorbeast, but the created Soul Prisons seemed to be destroyed, too! The materials to construct them were extremely expensive and hard to come by!

Filthy Rich was meanwhile cowering in front of the punisher, who was pacing slowly like a predator before pouncing its prey in front of the newly built shrine to honor their lord, master and savior, Damnation Seeker Khom.

It was built out of an unnatural black metal, Devil's Desire. Filthy heard rumors that this ore could cause incredibly painful mutations on people, animals and plants alike, which were exposed to it for far too long, when they weren't infused by demonic energy on their own beforehand, like the Demon fire he received. Or weren't demons in general.

Even with the ice blue mask on, it was unmistakable that his superior was furious about the recent events. Filthy Rich just hoped that he wouldn't lose his head, or worse, his soul.

"Partner," Vyndrak started much to sweetly, "do you have anything to say for yourself? Anything at all? I just came back after only two days of absence and I'm already informed about failures? Wasn't I always nice to you? Helped you to achieve greatness? Should I take your hand the next time?" Vydrak grumbled inaudibly to himself before he continued, "After I prepared and ordered more of our troops to pass through the portal and filled out a lot of paperwork for the necessary materials to fortify our position here, and much more important, to hold our 'cattle', you already brought me into a dilemma.”

“I-I want to deeply apologize for my mistake. Please, forgive me,” Filthy begged pathetically.

Vyndrak snorted in distaste, “This base was to be kept a secret for a much longer period of time, now we have to improvise. Worse, surely the intruders informed Ponyville about us by now. We have to act as fast as possible, especially because the Soul Prisons are destroyed and without them we have no possibilities to broadcast our mind control spell from here. That means first citizens may have left the town already.”

The businessman calmed himself further and showed more courage, “Give me any order you want. I won’t disappoint you ever again. I can assure you that.”

“Oh! How noble of you. Did you know that I even thought about a name for this little outpost? Would you like to hear it? Hint, denying my request will lead to immediate suffering and eventual crippledom.” He chuckled darkly, “But please, go on, deny my request. I'm bored," Vyndrak dared smugly.

"I-I would like to h-hear the name, Mr. Vyndrak" Filthy Rich stammered fearfully.

"Mr. Vyndrak? Mr. Vyndrak?! Do you know, partner, what happened to the last person who called me Mr. Vyndrak?" the punisher asked the shaking salesman. Filthy denied, fearing the answer. "I can't tell you! Because nobody called me like that since I own my position as a punisher. It's always the same, I tell ya. People always say things like: 'Please, stop!', 'You monster!' or 'Master Vyndrak, how was your latest session?'. You know, the normal stuff. But 'Mr' Vyndrak? I don't think so, that’s a new one. Oh, and the name of our new base is 'Jormun' by the way," Vyndrak informed happily.

His mood swings and change of attitude worried Filthy Rich greatly.

"I completely understand that you are furious. I underestimated the troll shaman and didn't expect that she had so many different tonics at her disposal. She used a mixture that blinded the Frost Hounds and me, followed by releasing a smell which would let even the most ferocious demon retreat. I had to burn down my old suit and wash my hair for hours, literally." He growled angrily, clenching his fists, "Next time she won't be this lucky. Everyone who opposes us will suffer," Filthy stated with a promising grin.

Vyndrak made a dismissing movement with his left hand, "Careful, Mr. Rich, arrogance will be your downfall. It happened to men before you and you certainly won't be the last, either. No! We have a timetable to uphold, orders from the higher-ups, you see? We will invade Ponyville and take all souls by force, you hear me?! Every single soul will be ours, old people, sick people, healthy people, young people, men, women, hermaphrodites, adults, teenagers, children, babies, pregnant mothers with unborn babies, I don't care. Everybody who looks intelligent enough for you to have more than two brain cells, human or not."

"When will the attack start?" Filthy inquired with hidden dread.

"Three days. In three days we will erase Ponyville from the map and everyone who dares to defy our will. The Adepts of Khom will prevail so that we will one day summon our Great Lord to this plane. Now, make yourself useful. Train your abilities, pray to our master, help with building Jormun, summon more demons for our invading force or, if you are bored, just kill yourself. Now, get out of my sight before I decide to eliminate you myself for your failure, partner," Vyndrak warned, dead serious.

Filthy ran immediately through the portal and decided to help with constructing the outpost according to his superior's desires.

"Pathetic. He follows my every wish like a slave instead of trying to stand up for himself. At this rate he will never climb up in our glorious organization. Why do people these days have no real backbone anymore? Something better than peons is truly hard to find," Vyndrak mused in disappointment and summoned his trusty scythe, Soulcutter, gazing in the direction of Ponyville. He already imagined all the delicious screams his victims would make.

In his usual powerful, but now very dark sounding and echoing demon voice, Vyndrak whispered quietly, filled by madness, "Soulcutter hungers for your souls, inhabitants of Ponyville. May your gods have mercy on you before I rip them out."

"You are always so melodramatic when you are angry," another smooth and alluring female voice teased.

The punisher snorted, "Ah, Makara, you have arrived. Tell me, Beast Tamer, did you find any refugees in the ruins of Canterlot or its surrounding environment on your patrol?" Vyndrak asked, now in his normal voice again. He turned around to face the Dark elf.

Said woman had an unreadable smile on her lips, "Oh, yes. I found enough food for my pets in earlier hunts so I keep the latest additions for my amusement. I found them between Canterlot and Cloudsdale."

He decided to humor her, "Who are they?"

Her smile never left, "It is a small family of three people who wanted to look for their fourth member after they heard about Canterlot." The son had told her that they were in Cloudsdale for vacation, she guessed this was the only reason how these weaklings survived Canterlot in the first place and whatever attacked it. "Their reactions whenever I tell them that I found their daughter and killed her are just too funny to watch.”

Vyndrak raised an eyebrow at that. Normally Makara was always disappointed by most of what she found, “Is that so?”

The woman scoffed, “He always gloats how his sister would bring me to justice or something like that. I would really like to meet her, just so that I can, well, get to know her." She had already noticed his displeased undertone, "And don't worry, I caught more than enough humans for our superiors and sent them through the gate as sacrifices for our purposes," Makara explained, bored.

He chuckled dryly, "Finally someone who doesn't fail."

Makara had missed the men's interaction. "What happened?"

"Filthy Rich has still so much to learn. He let a group of intruders escape thanks to his arrogance and now the inhabitants of Ponyville know that they were played with, he told me this much," Vyndrak informed neutrally, "But back to a lighter topic for now, what is the name of this infamous sister? Maybe we will meet her and you can bring the family her head for real the next time." The Punisher was cackling like a maniac.

A single word was said in anticipation and excitement, "Fluttershy."

Sunset awoke at the same time like usual since they lived, without having a real choice, on Sweet Apple Acres. Normally, she would start the day very early, as did everybody on the farm, but because of the project Twilight, Moondancer and she were participating in, it didn't matter. The knowledge she would try to teach wouldn't care less anyway if it was shared when the sun painted freshly the sky in the colors of a new dawn... or two to three hours later.

During her days as former protégé she blamed Princess Celestia when the sun awoke her with its first rays, but then she remembered that this wasn't Equestria. She grumbled.

And the alternative to starting the new day was tempting. In the end her inner devil, Devil Sunset, wrestled its counterpart, Angel Sunset, into submission. Gagged and helpless, Angel Sunset could only watch in desperation when her evil twin sister whispered treacherous words into Neutral Sunset's ears, poisoning her mind with evil.

It was decided.

She would continue to sleep for a little longer. The Phoenix Magic user embraced the consequences deliberately.

That must be the freedom of the mentor. The pupils had to structure their timetable after the tutor and not the other way around. She was always a most eager student during her time as Princess Celestia's prized personal pupil. The tables had turned, Sunset Shimmer was now the teacher, sharing her... teachings? No, wisdom! Yes, wisdom sounded about right. She had made enough experiences, bad as good, in her life to back up her claims.

She read about it as a filly and the book said that wisdom would correlate with somepony's age. So who could really blame her, at this day, innocent mind?

Her former mentor had once told her, when she asked Princess Celestia how she was always so wise and knew exactly what to do and if it had to do with the fact that she was so incredibly old, "Wisdom is no matter of age, but experience."

Yeaaaah, as a young innocent Pony Sunset Shimmer's curiosity knew no boundaries and voiced her opinion without restriction.

Nopony was safe from her bluntness. Nopony! On a second thought, the monarch's face was priceless when she asked that question.

Lucky for her the Alicorn rarely laughed this amused before in all the time Sunset knew Princess Celestia. In the moment she asked, the princess' secretary entered the room to provide the duo with freshly made cups of tea, who was at this point fairly new in her position and looked like Sunset just committed the highest degree of blasphemy. The human turned Unicorn wondered if Raven Quill was still in her position after all this time.

She missed the old mare. The magician sighed in nostalgia and a little homesickness.

Of course she would like to start their lessons as early as possible to make as much progress as possible, buuuut she had a lot of fun at the finally organized and executed party thrown by Pinkie Pie, helped the Apples with cleaning afterwards and hit the hay pretty late. In other words, she deserved to rest and Twilight and Moondancer could wait a little longer.

Devil Sunset was right.

"Rarity would agree with me. She would say something like: 'Darling! A lady most certainly needs her beauty-sleep.' I had so much to think about after our meeting until the party started that I just want to relax for a bit before I have to worry about everything again. At least for now," Sunset thought tiredly and chuckled at her own jab at the fashionista's mannerism.

The door was ripped open. "Sunset, wake up! Are you ready to start our magic lessons!? Did I already miss anything? There is so much for us to find out! Today we will dive into a to mankind, present Unicorn aliens excluded, unknown research area! Isn't that exciting?!" Twilight screamed into the room in sheer eagerness.

"I should have known..." the amber skinned magician mumbled inaudibly into her pillow, annoyed.

Maybe if she acted like she was still asleep, or dead, her friend would go away? Ponyfeathers. Who was she kidding? That was Twilight Sparkle she was talking about.

"Twilight! Good morning! I see we had the same idea. Did you try to wake her up already?" Moondancer inquired equally energized. The teenager let herself in as if she owned this place.

"Am I the only one here who wants so use this one chance to sleep a little longer since our arrival on Applejack's farm?" Sunset asked herself with rolling eyes behind closed lids.

But hey, maybe they would accept that she was still 'asleep' and respected her desire to-

"SUNSET! WAKE UP!" both scholars shouted into her ears. One from the left and the other from the right side of her head, at the same time.

It brought the, nearly, desired effect for the science duo.

"Sweet holy Celestia!" Sunset exclaimed from shock and surprise and jumped up in her comfy bed.

Her two friends saw the error of their ways and blushed in embarrassment.

"Are you two nuts?!" the former Unicorn demanded to know with an angry expression upon her face.

"Yes. Yes, they are. And I found your reaction hilarious. Sparky here was telling me half of the night how we would write history today," Midnight added helpfully as always.

Twilight ignored her twin's snarky comment, "Oh my gosh! I'm so, so sorry Sunset! We just wanted to wake you up as early as possible so that we can start our lessons in magic. I didn't plan to scare you. I swear!" she assured panicky.

Sunset Shimmer gave them both a sweet smile, "Don't worry, you didn't scare me. I was just surprised. But now that you are here, I like to know one little thing." Her sweetness was replaced by a sour morning mood, "Why the hay are you two already up at the crack of dawn?! I thought that most reasonable people would have embraced their chance of sleeping in a little longer! Granny Smith permitted it!"

Her name was Sunset, not Sunrise. For reasons.

"After the meeting last night I noticed how much I was behind with my own magic in comparison to the others and talked with Twily about it when you were having your conversation with Ms. Luna and Ms. Celestia. These 'Adepts of Khom' sound extremely dangerous and we need to be prepared before they decide to strike Ponyville. This time with brute force. I need to do something! I have to help with my magic as good as possible. I want to make a difference," the Constructor Magic user declared with fire in her eyes.

The lavender teenager nodded in agreement, "Me too! I can use o-my Arcane Magic with the knowledge its awakening granted me, but otherwise I use magic, even the levitation spell, solely on instinct. I have no idea how the theory behind it looks like. So I need these magic lessons as much as Moondancer does, if I want to be able to use spells effectively. Or at least so that I can begin to better understand the mechanics behind something magic-related.”

She even asked their friends if they wanted to join them during the party yesterday, but Rarity and Applejack declined, basically saying that they had plans of their own for the day. But Fluttershy seemed oddly interested and, not so oddly, unsure what to do else. Pinkie said only she would have to ask her sisters first if they could handle the chores alone for the time being. She didn't understand why! Who wouldn't want to study magical theory?!

Twilight was frankly disappointed that some of their friends would miss their study session.

"To quote your colorful friend, 'egghead'. Seriously girl, you should know by now that they are not the most interested people when it comes to science, even the science of magic. Especially the theory part. Besides, I like it that you didn't plan a date where all of your five other friends have time. That means that we can learn without having to resist the urge to hit Rainbow Dash, because she sleeps and snores during the lessons. I know I would. Lucky for us, she goes on this mission today," Midnight explained analytically, being a tad glad.

"I'm not an egghead! And why do you always have to comment on it when I speak about my passion of learning," the former CPA student demanded to know with an imagined deadpan.

"Because it is my job as your conscience to drive you insane with snarky commentaries and showing you the errors of your way. I love you, too," the dark angel answered smugly.

Twilight remained quiet and decided that she wouldn't dignify this in any shape or form with an answer.

Sunset saw how her friend looked like she spaced out and quiet displeased to boot, luckily Moondancer didn't. She could already imagine what, or more, who was responsible for her state.

"Come on, girls. We can't keep Midnight's presence a secret when you are this obvious," the redhead thought nervously. Sunset had to do something, "You know what? I make you an offer." The Phoenix Magic user put a hand on Twilight's shoulder to get her attention, it worked.

"What do you have in mind?" Moondancer asked interestedly, missing their obscure behaviour.

"Fast! Think of something." Then the crimson-yellow-haired girl had an idea, "You see, I feel still a little beat from yesterday. You know, the long trip back from White Tails, attacking trees, the whole meeting, the party. So how about we meet later at the barn the Apple's provided you with? But not yet. First, I need to strengthen myself now that I'm awake. Eating breakfast, having a nice cup of coffee and afterwards seeing the others off, before they are leaving for Ponyville," she argued hopefully.

"I have no problem with that, but I'm not hungry anyway. I will go and prepare my workspace before we start our lessons. That will be soooo amazing!" Moondancer squealed in barely contained excitement and left the room with Rainbow Dash worthy speed.

Sunset sighed in exhaustion before she glared at Twilight. She aimed actually for both inhabitants of the lavender girl's body, but focusing on a living being inside of another was difficult, "What were you thinking?! Both of you have to be much more careful if you talk with each other. Seriously, if I hadn't snapped you out of it, Moondancer would have noticed that something was off as well. In general it wouldn't be a problem at all, because spacing out happens to everybody every now and then, but not in your case. At least in that number."

Twilight was confused, "W-what do you mean?"

Sunset couldn't believe it that her friend never noticed her own behaviour, "Yesterday, during the party, Rarity approached me and asked if I knew if something was wrong or if you had a personal problem you didn't want to talk about. She didn't want to and I quote: 'Impose on your personal affairs, but worries greatly about your well-being as a friend'. Rarity and the others noticed that you tended to daydream a lot recently whenever they spoke to you, but blamed 'stress', until now. Though our friends are too polite, because they trust you and think that you'll come around to talk with them on your own accord." She smiled encouragingly, "Now I know that Midnight is the reason for that in most cases, but soon the others will ask questions on their own," the magician lectured calmly.

"Huh. I didn't know we were this obvious. Or should I say, you? See, Sparky? Your acting skills are the worst!" Midnight exclaimed in amusement.

Twilight grimaced in embarrassment, "Are we really that obvious?" repeating Midnight's statement.

"Yeah... sorry, Twi. I'm being honest with you. In many cases you are as bad as Applejack when it comes to lying to others. Or acting convincingly enough to fool someone for that matter without letting any doubts left. But I have to admit though, some of the faces you make, when you clearly talk to Midnight, are... interesting," Sunset replied with a knowing smirk.

Twilight groaned, her cheeks red, "I wonder how many from the group already think that I lost it completely," the Arcane Magic user muttered gloomily.

Her amber friend squeezed the distressed girl's shoulder and shared a warm smile, "Don't worry too much about it. From what I heard, only our closest friends suspect that something is up. And it's not like you do it in every conversation. I never heard that someone else was wondering about it and they pay it most likely no mind anyway. Besides, if the others are giving you any trouble just call me and I will cook them medium."

To proof her point, Sunset lit up her right hand with tri-colored phoenix fire. She said it so serious that it was difficult to tell if the magician was truly joking or not.

Midnight added her own thoughts, "Baconhair is right, you know? Stop moping around and be happy with what you have. Before I came into your life you were a nerd without magic and your best friend was your, to this time, not speaking dog. Now you have real friends in your life, who accepted you for who you are and are trying to get to know you instead of burning you at a stake for nearly destroying the entire world and reality itself. You are, if not by much, less socially awkward and have me by your side. Sis, you even have your own brand of Arcane Magic flowing through your veins. Again, of course, thanks to me." The dark angel sounded proud.

"Was that your way of telling me how you would be there for me? Or did you only want to stroke your ego? Sunset clearly did a better job in showing her support, you know?" Twilight clarified dryly.

"Do you question my intentions? I'm hurt!" She only wanted to joke about her twin's attitude to ease the situation, because Midnight hated it when Twilight doubted herself or fell into very negative moods.

And Midnight never claimed to be a social expert on cheering others up. After all, an annoyed or furious dork was no depressed dork, right? At least the girl stopped making a face as long as a fiddle. And the scientist couldn't prevent herself from chuckling. Success!

"Are you feeling better now?" Sunset wanted to know with an unsure expression.

"Yes. Thanks, both of you. Well, I'm not sure with Midnight, but thank you, Sunset," Twilight responded slowly. Sunset laughed at her friend's tone.

"Hey!" Midnight shouted indignantly. She could be very helpful, if she so desired.

"I'm glad. So, what do you plan to do until we start?" came the relieved question.

"Eating a bite sounds good to me. Spike always tells me that I wouldn't eat enough." She furrowed her eyebrows thoughtfully, "Before he was able to talk I never would have imagined how serious he took his role as my number one assistant. I just assumed, whenever he brought me some food on a plate on his head, that Spike was only a very well-trained dog who listened to mom whenever she prepared something for me and somehow managed to teach him to do it. Not somebody who actually planned helping me like an intelligent person," Twilight informed in disbelief.

"He is certainly a perky and snarky little dog," Midnight added with a shaking head, but a warm smile on her features.

The trio sat half an hour later at the table in the kitchen and enjoyed a good breakfast. Granny Smith prepared them everything, despite their protest. The matriarch said that preparing food was her duty as a good host, it seemed the Apples' hospitality knew no bounds.

During her second piece of bacon, Twilight's eyes widened when she glanced shortly at Sunset and saw her neutral expression.

She screamed out in regret, realizing something she never thought about before, "Oh my gosh! I'm so sorry, Sunset! How could I've been so thoughtless all these times!"

"What are you talking about?" Sunset asked absolutely baffled. What was going on? Midnight and Granny Smith felt the same.

The bibliophile pushed her bacon away from her as if it was poison, "You came from Equestria, a country of magical talking ponies. Herbivores! And here I am, eating meat in front of you without a care in the world. I never thought about your feelings before on that topic and-"

Her friend would have none of it, "Twilight, calm down! Yes, Ponies are herbivores and I eat only vegetarian food because of my heritage, but that's not the point. I accepted that humans eat meat a long time ago. I had years to overcome my initial discomfort since I came to this world. It's no big deal anymore, really. In my homeworld we have Diamond Dogs, dragons, Gryphons, minotaurs and many others. They eat meat, too. Of course I'm no fan of it, but that's just how it is. Many races need meat to survive, so I don't judge them for their eating habits. I'm not angry with you," Sunset assured firmly.

"Well. I guess she doesn't know that some humans even eat meat of horses and ponies on earth. Or at least Shimmy doesn't make the impression as if she knew about it," Midnight voiced her own opinion. She thought out loud by accident.

It was the wrong thing to say. Twilight was triggered anew. She gasped, "Oh my gosh, you are right! She can NEVER know about it! Imagine all the terrible consequences which would follow. She would be absolutely disgusted by our race and maybe even decide to leave our world for good! Returning to Equestria so that we will never see her again-"

"Sparky-," Midnight started awkwardly.

Her twin continued without fail, "And what would Princess Twilight think? Would she and the other princesses declare war on us? Starting a campaign to free all equines from the oppressing hand of mankind? See us as savages? Monsters? The political consequences-"

"Twilight, listen-" she tried again, more annoyed.

Twilight.exe wasn't available in the moment, "But I'm not ready to die! I just discovered my own magic and there is still so much to learn.” The magician gasped even louder in her mind, “How many libraries would burn in the conflict!? All the precious books! I mean-"

"Are you done?" Midnight onquired in boredom.

"Forget the so called 'zombie apocalypse'. We would have a 'pony apocalypse' on our doorstep! Where the faction wins that can shoot the strongest rainbow lasers powered by friendship! And they have so much more experience with magic than us-"

"Twilight! Get your act together!" the dark angel roared, now pissed off.

It worked.

"Sorry," the bookworm replied timidly.

Sunset felt like Twilight calmed down enough for now and focused instead on Granny Smith, "Where are Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo? I thought they were supposed to help you in the kitchen until everybody had something to eat before they started on the fields?"

The older woman chuckled and answered truthfully, "Yes, that was the case in them last days, but now the gals asked for... more challengin’ tasks and Ah agreed. They convinced Applejack and the other two as well. The fashion diva and the crazy blue one. In this moment they should help their big sisters with some of their chores. In the future those three can wander around on our property and beyond the farm, as long as they are under responsible supervision. Ah’m sure ya can understand.”

“Oh, really? Last time we spoke about them our friends said that they wouldn’t let them out of their eyes or anywhere near any form of danger. I didn’t say anything in that regard, because I thought it wasn’t my place to judge how they handled their siblings. I must say I’m happy for them,” Sunset admitted sheepishly.

She could understand the young trio perfectly. If she was in their place and her 'older guardians' practically grounded her where 'it was safe', she would have done something more or less stupid to proof herself as dependable like everypony else, too.

Great, her earlier, arrogant and ambitious self came to her mind. Yes, she would have done something very boneheaded, indeed.

“Sorry that I overreacted Sunset. And thank you Granny Smith, that was a fantastic breakfast, like always.” Twilight said calmly after she performed the breathing exercise Cadence once taught her when the woman was her babysitter during her childhood.

The matriarch of the Apple family nodded in acknowledgement.

Twilight smiled strangely at her fellow magician, “But before we meet with Moondancer, there is something I completely forgot in my excitement and have to do first. I guess your idea to meet later suits me well now." Awkward silence reigned supreme over the room. Even Winona laid her ears back, feeling that nobody knew what to say next. Granny Smith simply continued preparing food for next wave of hungry mouths who would arrive soon. "Well, I have to search for Shiny. I want to wish ou-my BBBFF good luck for Ponyville and I promised to help him a little bit with his work before he leaves. Levitation sure comes handy in many situations,” Twilight added proudly.

“Oh please! Shining just asked us to help him out with our magic so that he has more time to fool around with Cady before he has to leave. Didn’t you see the embarrassed, but slightly eager expression on his face? Instead of being honest with us, he searched for an excuse,” Midnight commented with rolling eyes.

“I didn’t need that information about our brother and Cadence, Midnight! Thank you very much!” Twilight exclaimed heatedly.

Why did she always had to react like a virgin when it came to such topics? It was pretty obvious what he had planned. Especially, because he always glanced in her direction when he asked them yesterday, the dark angel thought to herself with a sigh.

“No problem Twilight. We’ll see us later,” Sunset responded with a smile of her own.

After the Arcane Magic user left the room Granny Smith started to chuckle, until she started to laugh loudly. It caught Sunset completely off-guard. Once she calmed down the older woman explained herself, “Ah wasn’t sure what to think about it at first, or if Iggy’s daughter tried to pull ma’ leg. Now that Ah think about it, her slip of tongue when she first wanted to say ‘our’ instead of ‘my’ makes much more sense now. So she really has this Midnight character inside of her?” Granny Smith asked, interested.

“W-what do you mean?” Sunset inquired defensively and an unsure voice. Who was this 'Iggy'? And how was it possible that she knew about Midnight?! Only Twilight, Pin-oh... she facepalmed with a vengeance.

“Pinkie Pie told you?” the magician asked dryly.

But why?! She said that she wouldn’t tell anyone!

“Darn tootin' she did! She came to me this mornin’ and asked if Ah knew a place on Sweet Apple Acres where she could celebrate with a very, in her words, ‘small and secretly invited’ group and have an eventual party for a ‘new, shy and mostly unknown friend, should this secret friend choose to come out of the close’.” Sunset groaned at the poor choice of words. Sometimes she really wasn’t sure if Pinkie Pie said such things on purpose or really didn’t know the ambivalent meaning of half the things the girl said, “Ah said Ah wouldn’t tell her anythin’ until she was spillin' the beans. Ah don’t let any strangers on ma’ property anymore these days. We have to be much more careful with all them strange folks creepin' around. She summed up the story of this new Midnight gal for me and begged me to forgive the youngin's past misdeeds like her life depended on it and Ah promised Ah wouldn’t tell nobody. But it’s not ma’ business, nor ma’ story to tell anyway,” Granny Smith explained in a matter of fact.

“Pinkie Pie...” Sunset pinched the bridge of her nose, surrendering to the party planner’s antics, "I must confess I'm surprised that you took it so well. I think you surely know by now about the Friendship Games and what happened with Twilight. I would have thought the revelation of having Midnight Sparkle under your roof the whole time might enrage you after what happened during the Friendship Games."

“Don't misunderstand me missy. Ah'm still mighty upset about what happened in them games and which part she played in it. For land's sake it nearly cost me ma' granddaughter's life. Still, Ah don't see a reason why Ah shouldn't give her a chance of turnin' for the better. And Ah’m sure y’all planned to keep it a secret for now and that Pinkie had to stay quiet, too. Don’t be too hard on her, the youngin' meant well. Ah think the gal is cleverer as most give her credit for. She said somethin’ about ‘didn’t makin' a Pinkie Promise on purpose' so that she could ask me for ma’ blessin' to hold a future welcome party and to help easin' others up to a new friend." Her cracking voice took a firmer, wiser touch, "But heed a well-meant advice and be careful whom y'all tell about yer new friend. Enough people will question and fear y'all, or worse, if they know that Midnight's a part of the group and that she's real as a timberwolf." The matriarch smiled and shook her head proudly. "Ma' granddaughter sure has special friends and this distant and cheerful cousin of hers is the icing on the apple cake.”

"Wait what?! Applejack and Pinkie Pie are cousins? Seriously?!" The magician wasn't sure how to feel about this new revelation.

"Eeyup! Ah'm sure neither of them know anythin' about it either. That reminds me, Ah sure hope that Goldie Delicious is still kickin'. She's a member of our family and knows anythin' about the Apple family tree. Y'all youn' folks would call her a 'crazy old cat lady'. But Goldie is not only a hoarder of all kinds of items and heirlooms, but secrets of our family as well." Granny Smith smiled as if she remembered something funny before she added, "Oh and if ya ever have the wish to meet Goldie, be careful around her cheetah, Mr. Fluffles. Ah don't trust these hungry eyes, Goddess knows what ma' cousin sees in that giant cat."

The Phoenix Magic user felt truly honored that Granny Smith shared this bit of information about Applejack's family with her, intentionally or not. Sunset wasn't always sure when the woman was rambling, if she was somewhere else with her mind or full in the moment at hand. She had no idea what to think about the fact that an old lady owned a real cheetah as a pet.

Sunset sighed in defeat, “I think you are right. I really have no reason to be angry at Pinkie Pie. It was her way of slowly easing up the others to Midnight Sparkle’s existence. Beginning with people like you, who never met her before in person and were only told about the events. But as you said, it’s not our secret to tell. Twilight and Midnight have to take the first step themselves. They need to have faith in the others. Specially our friends...” She chuckled slightly, “I really don’t know why I’m surprised. It’s Pinkie Pie being Pinkie Pie, again. However, I wouldn’t want her any other way. Her behaviour and antics make her to the person we all know and love,” Sunset stated warmly, facing the ground.

The magician looked back up at Granny Smith just to see... fear? No, uncertainty in the grandmother’s eyes.

“Is something wrong?” the young woman asked worriedly. Why the sudden change of mood?

“Ah want that ya promise me to look after ma’ grandchildren in ma’ place. Especially Applejack, she was always too stubborn for her own good, even for an Apple. Promise me that Ah can count on ya,”Granny pleaded.

“Huh?” Sunset commented dumbfounded. OK. She didn’t expect that.

The elderly woman sat down on a nearby rocker, “Let me explain. Since these whole magic shenanigans started, Ah had to watch, helplessly, how the world Ah knew ceased to be. Should the next new vermin come to Sweet Apple Acres Ah have to count on y’all to protect this useless old woman.” Granny Smith laughed bitterly, “Ma’ prime is behind me and there are times Ah feel ma’ age in them old bones. Before everythin’ started Ah was the proud grandmother who cared for her grandchildren and protected them. An honest Apple to the core. Now... Ah’m just a useless old hag. Don’t look at me like that youn’ lady, Ah mean it. Ah’m not able to grant ma’ own kin protection any longer and this truth hurts somethin’ fierce."

She looked gratefully at the fiery girl, "But then Ah see ya, one of ma’ daughter’s best friends. A gal with a big heart, a strong will and a mighty fine head on her shoulders. Do ya have any idea how it was in ma’ youth? When we youngin’s had any good ideas, or wanted to bring us in, the grown ups smiled politely and pretty much told us to let the adults handle everythin’ important. Ya own age suddenly became yer greatest enemy, because people around ya didn’t give ya any credit. Because ya didn’t have them life experiences. In most cases this foolish behaviour was maintained until today, but then Ah meet ya, Sunset Shimmer...”

Granny Smith gave the young magician a respectful nod, “A youn’ whippersnapper, whose opinion and thoughts are always taken seriously and into account before further steps are planned, from adults and kids alike. Them principals, ya fellow students, friends and everyone else value yer words. From what Ah understood ya’re the most experienced with this magic mumbo jumbo from all of us, so it makes sense to ask ya for advice and help. But it goes beyond that in yer case. Ah’m maybe old and partly anile on bad days, but Ah listen closely, even if it doesn’t look like it. The others talk a lot about ya in yer absence and Ah can assure ya it’s positive what they have to say. Believe it or not, ya’re a leader of our group. An incarnated beacon of hope for the others, who look up to ya for different, personal reasons, Ah reckon. But most importantly, ya’ve the strength to backup yer claims, the necessary intelligence and powerful magic which induces fear in yer foes and respect in yer allies."

"I-I didn't know what to say, or if I'm really worthy of such praise," Sunset said silently. She was told by Applejack that Granny had her wiser moments, but nothing like that.

Granny Smith chuckled knowingly, "Don't ya worry none and continue doin' what ya're doin'. Applejack trusts ya with her life, she’ll always stay at yer side and fights alongside ya. She believes in ya. The same goes for the rest of yer friends. Them gals from the fancy private school would follow yer lead, too. The principals are seen as the figures of authority around here and even they ask for yer advice. If that aren’t serious hints on how ya’re perceived then Ah’m a pear farmer. So Ah ask again, do ya’ll protect ma’ kin in ma’ stead?” the matriarch she finished her plead for help.

Sunset was simply stunned. She never knew that the others held her in such high regards, the human turned Unicorn only did what she thought was right and necessary in a specific situation. Nothing more. And hearing an elder like Granny Smith complimenting the magician like that reminded her of her times under Princess Celestia’s tuition, but with an important disparity.

During her younger days as a filly she took praise for granted at one point in her life. Seeing herself as superior to others because of her position as the ruler’s personal student alone and many Ponies solely as tools. To be used for her own agenda. Nowadays, such kind words made Sunset feel proud on herself and wanted, but not in a negative way. No, they gave her an inner warmth of accomplishment and success. She took everything in a humbler manner.

“I-I don’t know what to say, really. Except maybe... thank you? I feel honored that you think so highly of me, Granny Smith and I’ll try to proof your hopes right. You have my word that I will look out for your family as good as possible under these circumstances and that I have an eye on our stubborn Applejack,” Sunset promised. The pair shared a good laugh at the young cowgirl’s expense.

“Ah can’t ask for more. Thank ya kindly, youngin’. Ya put a fair share of ma’ worries to rest.” The oldest Apple was truly grateful.

Granny Smith started to clean the dishes and Sunset helped vigorously, much to her host’s discomfort.

After a short silence, the older woman voiced her musings, “Ya know, sometimes ya’re carrying ya’self, talk and act like ya’re more than a simple teenager. Ya show a level of maturity Ah never saw before from a gal yer age. How old are ya in pony years? Ah reckon ya aren’t agin' like them equines around here.”

Sunset smiled in response like she just discovered a hidden joke, “Well, to be honest, I found out that this is another similarity between our worlds. We Ponies can reach an age similar to humans or even much more. A Pony can become to 90 years old, but it was documented that it’s always different from case to case. Around decades. I read during my studies in the castle that some Ponies managed to reach the age of 180 years. The reason is unknown, but I think the inner magic of a Pony is somehow responsible, because I don’t think that a healthy way of life alone prolongs somepony’s lifepsan up to 90 years.” The Equestrian word made her listener chuckle in amusement.

"Ah rechon y'all are as fit as a horse!" Granny cackled at her own bad joke. Sunset remained quiet, trying to be polite about her dislike of another horse-related pun.

She stayed on their current topic, “It’s pretty remarkable. I asked the princess once if she knew any Ponies who managed to become this old and she said that she knows an old mare who was going for the 200. She founded the Equestrian version of Ponyville and was a farmer of some sorts, if I remember correctly." Her smile widened, "And I’m actually 26 years old, but for some reason the mirror transformed me into a little girl when I came to this world.”

A plate shattered upon contact with the floor.

“Hold the fort as long as we are gone, OK? I know it will be hard without my support and awesome skills, but I’m sure you’ll manage,” Rainbow Dash boasted with a confident grin.

“I’ll miss you too, Dash,” Sunset replied with a shaking head.

“We are counting on you,” Shining Armor stated positively.

They were all prepared and ready to go. Luna, Celestia, Igneous Rock, Shining Armor, Cheerilee and Rainbow Dash, the group's hope rested upon their shoulders. That the hot-tempered 'Rainbow Patient Dash', how she called herself during the meeting, was a member of this important delegation caused for more than a few restless nights for the students who only knew the bragging, borderline arrogant side of the girl. Nightmares of battles between the most extreme fractions in Ponyville and them raged, because Rainbow Dash messed up. Scenarios in where she insulted their leaders or challenged them prevented the concerned individuals from having a peaceful sleep.

Most already bid their goodbye and went on with their own business elsewhere. Still, there were a few who saw them off. Cadence, Cloudy Quartz, Limestone, Sunset, Sunny Flare, Fluttershy and Applejack stood with at least one member of the diplomatic team in some distance to each other, talking before the others’ departure.

“Well, as long as you don’t mess up, Mr. Paladin,” Sunny joked impishly. She received a slight glare from the mage.

“Take care. Don’t let them provoke you. Many of these people are driven by fear and distrust, they will most likely act unreasonable,” Cadence advised.

“We will do our best to prevent any sort of conflict between our parties,” Celestia promised in a soothing tone.

“Are thou sure that thou want to fare on this mission? If so, then I shall attend for thine return,” Cloudy Quartz asked her faithful husband. He gave her a grim nod.

“Take care, da-father. Don’t push yourself too hard. Now that I think about it, maybe I should come with y-” Limestone couldn’t finish her sentence, because Igneous Rock hugged his daughter firmly and lovingly for at least half a minute.

It surprised the strong-willed Pie Sister immensely, her father was normally very reserved when it came to showing affection. Especially in public. It was rare that he displayed his fatherly feelings so openly.

“Thou shall not worry, Limestone Angelica Pie. I require thee on my behalf and position on Mrs. Smith’s farm. I shall be on my guard and during mine absence thou and thy sister, Maudalina, are bestowed with the task to ward the family. And have an eye upon Pinkamena. She means well, but her eagerness to bestead her friends without any effective combat magic of her own could end badly for thy sibling. I trow in thou and thy abilities,” Igneous Rock assured with faintly uplifted corners of his mouth.

“You can count on me,” his daughter replied dutifully.

“Ya’re sure that ya want to go? We don’t need any more trouble at Sweet Apple Acres,” Applejack said innocently.

Fluttershy played nervously with a strand of her hair, “She’s right, Rainbow. Oh! Not with the trouble you could cause. Uhm, I mean, I’m worried about you. I just don’t want something awful happening to you. We could wash the animals together. I’m sure that Muhriella would love to get cleaned, like the rest of the cows. This time I won’t let Mr. Snake scare the poor dears, he can be a little grumpy and scary-looking with his black scales. We were lucky that the small stampede was stopped by Applejack." She tried to reason with her childhood friend one more time, "But only if you don’t mind.” Fluttershy really tried.

She thought more about the strange snake, "I swear he had to be a strict and mean teacher in some earlier life. He always tries to lecture Angel Bunny and the other critters when they did something wrong in his opinion. Strangely, I see him always where Zecora is. It’s like he’s interested in seeing her making potions for some reason, but when I ask him about it he gets depressed."

“It sure was strange. After Ah used ma’ Aspect of the Minotaur the cows calmed down immediately. Ah haven’t the foggiest why that happened,” Applejack admitted thoughtfully with crossed arms.

She could have sworn some cows looked at her like no bovine should look at a human being.

Aspect of the Minotaur gave Applejack not only similar to her Aspect of the Mammoth much greater strength, but granted the Esper Magic user a greater boost in stamina and a passive skill named Dominance. It was a skill helpful for herding wild animals, because the magic creating this ability worked on a primal level and only animals and beings with higher connection to nature itself could sense the effect. It pretty much told the critters that Applejack was an 'alpha' female, who shouldn't be challenged.

She sprinted in front of the stampede and let her ability free reign. The cows stopped immediately after feeling the magician's dominant aura.

“You, too?! What is it with people and believing I would mess up in Ponyville?!” Rainbow Dash demanded to know, clearly annoyed and a little hurt.

Sunset noticed the chromatic girl’s tone, “Calm down, Rainbow. We are just pulling your leg. I’m not sure how it is with the others, but I’m sure everyone from the Rainbooms believes in you. We are your friends, through thick and thin, always remember that,” Sunset reminded convincingly.

Fluttershy and Applejack looked ashamed to the ground for a few seconds, before they decided to support their friend’s claim as sincere as possible, fire in their eyes.

“She’s right, Sugarcube. Ah wasn’t sure why ya wanted to go, but when that’s what ya wanna do, then by all means, Ah’ll support ya! And that’s the honest truth,” the farmer declared determinedly.

Suddenly her body was glowing and a ponytail, as an extension of her hair, and orange pony ears came to be, like always when one of the girls transformed. But this time something else appeared additionally on the girl and two lights of white colored magic signaled the friends where to look.

“Applejack? Your hips are glowing...” Rainbow Dash commented helpfully.

The young Apple looked down and turned around so that only she and her friends could see what had to be seen. And because she didn't want to show her exposed hips to others. She pulled up her shirt a little with one hand and her blue jeans skirt downwards with the other. What they saw let four jaws drop significantly. On both hips was the identical picture of three red apples.

“What in tarnation's goin’ on?!” Applejack whispered agitatedly, only for her friends to hear. She didn’t need it that everyone else wanted to take a look upon her bare hips.

“Sunset, do you know what just happened?” Fluttershy asked with a blush. She just noticed how long and concentrated she stared on the naked hips of one of her best friends without to blink.

“I can’t believe it!” the questioned magician exclaimed in the same quiet volume, “You just got your Cutie Mark! Princess Twilight told me all about your counterparts and how their Cutie Marks looked like and this is clearly the one belonging to your Pony counterpart, Applejack. Hmm... It certainly fits from the position, the hip is the equivalent of a Pony’s flank after all. I was always curious why our transformations only included some abridged form of ‘ponytail’, ears and Pegasi wings, but no Unicorn horn or something else Pony related. Or at least a fitting feature to the specific tribe of the own counterpart, that is if a human had one in Equestria. Except the Pegasi. That’s incredible!” Sunset was rarely this excited before since she discovered that Equestrian Magic caused her friends’ transformations.

“Uhm, when it doesn’t stop at Cutie Marks, how much further could the transformation go?” The Druid Magic user sounded interested and to her friends’ surprise, hopeful?

Fluttershy already pictured herself and the others as Equestrian Ponies. If the process would go further, as she secretly wished, and it ended with the situation that they were able to pony up completely at will, she could always ask one of her friends to transform into a huggable little Pony so that she was able to cuddle with adorable small equines to her heart’s content.

“That’s a very good question. I have to write Princess Twilight at some point. She really needs to know about everything that happened on Terra.” There was always something that prevented her from writing to the Princess of Friendship. The book had hopefully enough free pages to fit everything in.

Rainbow laughed it off, “Who cares how much further it goes? We can always dismiss our magic at will. Even our geode given power can be used as we want and as long as we have the necklace around our necks. I mean, wow, we get tattoos-"

"Cutie Marks" Sunset insisted, very serious.

"Whatever. Cutie Marks on our hips. And? Big deal.” She was relaxed and took a glimpse of her fellow future teammates, who appeared like they were nearly finished with their own conversations, “I think the others are ready to go and thanks for your kind words, girls. Seriously, I appreciate them, but don’t expect from me to get all mushy.”

Fluttershy ignored her childhood friend’s tough act and embraced the blue girl regardless, gently, “I believe in you Dashie. Please, don’t let them provoke you into doing something reckless that could endanger you. I don’t tell you that, because I’m worried that you could do something wrong, but because of the inhabitants of Ponyville. And I’m worried for your safety. Many of them are scared, hateful, angry, alone, maybe they even lost everything they held dear to their heart. What remained for many of them is often despair or a thirst for revenge. They need to see that not everything is lost, that there are still things worth fighting for in their life. Sometimes we all just need to be shown a little kindness,” she expounded in sadness and compassion.

Her following transformation ended with Cutie Marks on her hips, too. Three butterflies with cyan bodies and pink wings on each side. Fluttershy squealed in delight.

“It’s time to leave!” Luna announced, or more, ordered.

“Well, that’s my cue, we’ll see us when I’m back. Don’t be too crazy with your experiments Sunset. Remember the last time you tried to learn about our magic after the Fall Formal,” Rainbow said in mock-concern before she left with the rest of the team.

“She got ya there,” Applejack added smugly. Fluttershy giggled.

Sunset chuckled in response as well, “Don’t worry, I learned my lesson. Having to wash rainbow goo out of my hair was an experience lasting for an entire lifetime. I’m much more careful now. Besides, I can’t replace destroyed equipment again and again, because we don’t have any. I have to teach the old-fashioned way.”

The magician hoped that her 'students' didn’t expect from her to include 'Friendship' in their study plan. She had no clue how to explain the Magic of Friendship in any shape or form in relation to magical theory to this day. And maybe she never would. Her last attempt of investigating its secrets resulted for her in being, well... electroduced by magical balloons, being buried by out of nowhere appearing, and somehow edible, apples and getting a free bath in rainbow liquid, to mention the most embarrassing moments of her short-lived study session. Should she ask Princess Twilight for advice for future experiments?

No, the princesses, Twilight, or worse, Celestia, could never know! The shame was just too big and her pride as a protégé in the field of magic suffered a major blow this fateful day. Defeated by apples, balloons and butterflies. She shuddered mentally.

The rainbow tasted even extremely spicy when some got into her mouth, who knew?

A certain party planner stormed out of the house, looking for her target until the found it, "Shimmy, there you are! You wouldn't believe what I just discovered!" Pinkie Pie screamed hysterically, eagerly pulling the amber girl back to the house, "It's so wonderific!"

"W-what happened?!" the Phoenix Magic user asked urgently.

Applejack, Twilight and Fluttershy shared a knowing look. This situation gave the strong impression of simply Pinkie Pie being Pinkie Pie. Shenanigans would surely follow soon.

"Enope! Ah have chores to do, sorry Sunset. Have fun!" the cowgirl said with a mocking grin, holding her hat in front of her chest, as if paying her a final goodbye.

"Fluttershy and I will wait for you at the barn. You know, keeping Moondancer company," Twilight informed sweetly.

The shy druid was pulled away before she could offer any help of her own.

"Traitors! All of them!" Sunset thought in honest disbelief. She sighed and surrendered to her fate, "Alright Pinkie, what is so important that you have to call me anyway?"

"Oh silly, that would be telling! It's a surpriiiise~" came the musical reply.

Sunset Shimmer couldn't believe her eyes. The object of her holy quest was... a cupcake

"Are you kidding me? That is your emergency?!" she inquired in annoyance, an headache was already approaching. It was way too early for an overdosis Pinkie Pie.

The other teenager's smile widened, "Of course not! Look!"

Pinkie Pie grasped the resting geode around her neck, activating its magic with her touch. Suddenly she took the pastry into her hand and tossed it up into the air.

Panic and instincts took over in her. The by Pinkie Pie created explosions became more powerful since Camp Everfree and could cause, depending on the amount of sugar she used, heavy injuries.

"Pinkie! NO!" Sunset shouted, rushed to her friend and created a barrier of flames around them.

After noticing that nothing happened, the magician saw the melting remains of the cupcake upon her shield's surface before they vaporized, "H-huh?"

Pinkie giggled in excitement, "Isn't that great?! I can make things explode on command now!"

Sunset wasn't sure if she should be amazed or terrified by this revelation, but the scientific part of her mind wanted to know more, "How exactly can you control this ability of yours?"

Suddenly the chipper attitude of her friend vanished and a sly smile graced Pinkie's features, "I tested it with Maud and we found out that I can delay the explosion for about five minutes! Do you know that means, Sunny Bunny?"

The young woman's eye twitched with force, her voice neutral, "Don't ever call me that again."

Pinkie Pie pouted with inflated cheeks, "Spoilsport." She returned to her more happy attitude, "Weeeell, but you do know that I could help us when it comes to fighting the baddies and meanies, right?"

Sunset crossed her arms, "I have no idea about what you are talking about. I mean, yes, now you can control your magic to a certain degree. And?"

Letting sprinkle explode might have helped with the strange plant monster her friends encountered, but she wouldn't let the party lover charge the front without any real protection. Their foes were far too dangerous and she made it her task to protect those dear to her.

Pinkie closed the distance between them, taking the fiery magician at her leather jacket and whispered conspiratorially into her ear, "I'm talking about the real deal. I could dispose of unwanted guests."

Sunset's eyebrow reached orbit, hoping she was hearing wrong.

The pink enigma gestured with a wiping motion through the air, "Just imagine it for a second. One moment some big bad meanie pants are trying to steal our food, and BOOM! One sweet way to go, coming right up. Biting the dust is boring, chocolate is the future. What do you think?"

Pinkie's tone never left the noise level of a whisper.

Did her friend really just suggest that she could murder their enemies?! Sunset's brain needed to reboot, "You know what? I will just go away to meet with the others and we act like this conversation never happened. Good? Good." She left the kitchen not even a second later.

Pinkie PIe didn't understand her friend's reaction, then it clicked. Her eyes widened in shock and disgust, "Shimmy, wait! I didn't mean it like that. It was a joke!"

Two weeks ago Rainbow Dash said to her that she would get predictable with her jokes. An insult a master prankster as herself couldn't accept. So she did the only logical thing, asking for advice, begging, kneeling, the whole package. The chromatic athlete said that she should try out something new. Something unexpected.

It seemed she could cross 'black humor' from her list. It wasn't funny anyway.

Author's Notes:

Greetings my avid readers!

I hope you enjoyed the chapter.

Pinkie Pie just wants to play. Sunset simply misunderstood the poor girl. Typical.

Thank you very much for reading and stay tuned!