Sunset remained silent after Celestia finished, much of the stuff she heard was just how she got accustomed to the human world, it sounded like the life of a normal teen except for when she and the Rainbooms had to deal with the stranded magic from Equestria messing things up which seemed to pass quite often.

The main topics around her life drifted between her friends, school, her job, and later to her boyfriend and finally to her new family. Sunset still couldn't fall her head about those last two, her crush for Big Mac was still strong despite the blow she received when she saw him kissing Luna the very day Abigail messed with everyone's memories. She now was doubting if this was real or was part of what the human Sunset did. Whatever the case, she couldn't ask Big Mac at the moment due to him been missing and that drove another nail to her chest, the fact that she couldn't do anything to help him right now.

According with the Starlight girl, they tried to look for him using a handkerchief with a spell on it to search for him which end up guiding them where he was last seen, at the cursed bridge outside town before losing it. A heavy sigh escaped her, there was indeed a lot to take in but the time wasn't an issue as much as her own fear, fear that she wouldn't be able to be herself once more, fear that this part of her would be gone once more, replaced with ' other Sunset ' . Feeling somehow cold despite the temperature been warm inside the house, Sunset tried to subtract her body as much as possible. " I wish you were here, I never felt alone next to you ". Sunset said to the missing guy.

SWEET APPLE ACRES...

" Thanks for bringing me in Doctor Links, mighty appreciated ". Applejack said as the doctor drove her to the entrance of her home.

" Don't mentioned Applejack, your family has been very good to me during the years, you are more that just patients, you're friends ". The doctor said.

" Still, we are very glad to have ya as our friend too ".

" Give Granny my regards, and let me know if Big Mac is found ".

" Thanks Doc and goodnight ". Applejack turned around to leave when she saw her cousin Honeydew running toward her.

" Jackie! Jackie! Oh God, ah'm glad yer here, come quick, Granny is in bad shape again!".
Dew said panting.

" Granny! Crabapples! Doctor! ".

" I hear you, lead the way! ". The doctor followed the girl inside the house and not a second later he was checking Granny Smith. She was having a drop of pressure and her heart was beating slowly, luckily, with her medicines and a few tricks the doctor stabilized her again, after a while he and the rest let her so she could rest, Jonagold took first turn watching her.

" Applejack, I don't want to lose Granny, please tell me she's gonna be ok! First Big Mac and now Granny, ah don't want this! Ah can't! ". Apple Bloom broke in tears as her family got close to lose another member.

" Doctor, what happened, is this because of Mac been missing? ".

" It could be, despite her fortitude, Granny is not a young person, her emotional state does affect her health and another shock could put her in a worse condition ".

" Big Mac, we have to find Big Mac soon or Granny won't get better ". Applejack said.
" If ah just could talk with Lemon, she must know something! ".

" The chief's daughter? Hasn't she talked about what happened yet? ".

" Ah don't know, that's why ah was in the hospital, to ask her if she knew something important ".

" Hmm, I may be able to help you with that but from what I heard, she only wants to speak with Sunset Shimmer, at least that's what the nurse tending to her told me ".

" Then maybe we can talk to her, can we go tomorrow? ".

" Sorry Applejack, but by tomorrow it will be too late, I'm only available to help you today due to my other patients, if we wait for tomorrow you'll have to find another way by yourself ".

" Then what do ah do? I can't let Granny alone, ah need to watch out for her in Mac's place! ". Applejack pounded at the problem, then a solution came to her mind, she just hoped that her friend would be willing to cooperate.

INSIDE SUNSET'S MIND...

The walk had been short as the woman promised but still Sunset felt tired and cold. She managed to reach the end of the path and now she was in front of some kind of construction, it was kind of funny to watch the monstrous building, too wide and tall to miss, yet Sunset didn't saw it until it was almost in front of her.

Ignoring those details further Sunset looked around to find a door or gate that would allow her inside. Unfortunately for her, the path only went as far as the edge of the building, it didn't went around, it simply finished in the building which meant that she would have to drop to the water bellow which was higher than before, that reminded her of what Abigail's mother told her, about not doubting herself or the place could crumble. Somehow just thinking about that made her fill chills, she wrapped her arms around her body, her pink gown offering almost no protection of modesty despite been alone and with no wind at all. Bracing herself, Sunset led one smooth leg inside the water and then the other, just as she feared the temperature of her body dropped once more, not unbearable but still chilling. Taking a deep breath, she marched in.

REGAL'S RESIDENCE...
Back in Luna's room, Starlight was having trouble dealing with the gem, it did responded to her magic and absorbed some of it but only a little, the rest was been projected back to her which made her feel numb, then in a second it her magic was pushed back with a force, the girl yelled as her body was pushed away by a blue stream coming from the gem, to her luck and Luna's misfortune, she was send toward the older woman and both felt at top of the bed with a high pitched yell.

" Ok, that wasn't the way I expected things to go ". Luna said as she tried to untangle herself from Starlight.

" Sorry, agh! But, this is all new to me, I never messed with something like this before, I didn't know what could happen ".

" It's ok kiddo, you did help me out so, no harm done ". Luna stood up and helped Starlight up as well, then patted the girl in the back for comfort.

" Thanks, I'm happy to help any way I can! ".

" Luna! Starlight! Are you ok? I hear yells coming from the room, can I come in? ". Celestia asked.

In a hurry Luna took the gem and hid it in the locker of her pants and made a sign to Starlight to keep quiet. " We are ok Sis, just a little accident, you can come in ".

Back downstairs, Sunset kept drowning herself in doubts when something moved in her pocket.
She was surprised to find a cellphone in it, hers for the looks of it, when she opened she saw that it was Applejack who was calling. Sunset debated whatever to answer the call or not but after some thought she pressed the call button.

" Heya Sunset! Are ya feeling better? ". Asked the farmer girl, Sunset noticed a crack in her tone, the sign of someone holding tears back.

" He-hey Applejack, has, has something about Big Mac been found? Anything? ". Sunset felt her own voice cracking, her eyes also felt the sting of tears behind surprising her how emotional she was getting too, another proof of her sentiments for the tall blonde.

Applejack shook her head. " Nothing, but, ah kind of broke the plan and went to look for Lemon Zest, she, she may know something but ah couldn't talk to her, ah had to go back to check on Granny and Apple Bloom but ah still believe that Lemon is our best shot into know of mah brother ". Again Applejack's voice almost broke at the end.

" Lemon? Zest? ". Sunset tried to remember who she was, it was thanks to Celestia that Sunset could remember the green haired girl. " Is she able to talk? Wasn't she injured badly too? ".

" Apparently she's awake now, her father told me himself, but, well, he ain't so thrilled to see us 'round her, the guy almost went bunkers when he saw me ".

" Then how can we see her without getting kick out, even if her father doesn't see us the staff probably won't let us see her without a good excuse ".

" That's why ah'm calling right now, a friend of the family may be able to help us, but it can only be right now and she only want to speak with you Sunset, ah know is very sudden but please, for Big Mac, can you go and try talk to her? ".

" Applejack, I... ".

" Please Sunset, ah'm not asking this just because yer her girlfriend, but also because yer mah friend, please ". After her plead Sunset could heard the blonde sob making her almost join her.

" Ok Applejack, I'll do it, I'm sorry if I'm not behaving like always but-! ".

" Don't ya worry 'bout it Sunset, ah'm no position ta judge ya, all this have been difficult for everyone and ah'm know it must be specially hard on ya too, ah appreciate this, honest, ya just be careful and watch out for that guy, Lemon's Dad. Ya let me know if ya find something, ok? ".

" Will do Applejack, now then, explain what do I have to do ". Sunset listened as Applejack revealed her plan.

INSIDE SUNSET'S MIND...

" Gggrrr! You're kidding me, right?! ". Sunset growled in frustration, after so much walking Sunset was sure she completed the full turn around the weird tower, there was no way she hasn't found the entrance and yet she couldn't see any door, gate or window from which she could make it inside, worst yet, the dirt path was gone, simply non existent anymore.

Watching the odd looking building again she saw how high and how wide it was, again confirming that she wasn't going crazy, at least she hoped. " There's gotta be a way inside, but where? ". Sunset watched it again, then she lifted her hand and tried to summon magic to it, she was glad when she saw her hand shine. " Yes! ". She stretched her arm forward, hand open and palm facing forward.

She waited , and waited, but despite her will and intension the blast never came, her hand simply glowed. Then she tried the next best thing, she placed her palm over the wall, and it worked, Sunset jumped back, almost falling into the water when the wall dissolved, leaving in place a small human size hole, glad to have a way out of the water Sunset stepped in. Inside the temperature changed, it was warmer and Sunset felt better since the pink gown offered almost zero protection against the cold she was feeling.

Walking a bit further inside Sunset came to the center and to yet another head scratcher. She turned around and found the hole she used to enter gone, she was apparently trapped inside, now alone in the center of the tower with nothing but an empty room, or at least that's what it seemed until four door appeared out of thin air startling her.

After calming down she inspected the doors, each door was positioned toward a cardinal point with Sunset at the center. Each door looked different that the others, both in style, size and even a different symbol carved on them. " What now? ". Sunset asked aloud hoping for a bit of help but finding none.

Further inspection revealed that three of the door were sealed, while only one was open, it was the smaller door of them all, so small that Sunset had to bend down to reach, then she realized that the door wasn't human but pony size. Pushing the door open Sunset expected to find something come out but that wasn't the case, she then got closer trying to see inside but the hole was pitch black.

" I guess there's only one way to find out what's inside ". Taking her decision, Sunset crawled inside the hole and moved deeper.

NEONBUGG...

" Ya mare of a horn! Ah'm glad yer ok! ". A happy Applejack said to her friend as she hugged her.

" You think an invasion is crazy murderous bugs is enough to stop the fastest mare in Equestria? Please girl, you offend me just by thinking that! ". Rainbow returned the hug which remained her of her injuries. " Ugh! ".

" Ya still got dragged pretty bad ah see ".

Despite her bravado, Rainbow couldn't hide the pain in her body and wings. " Yeah, those bastards did a number on us, jocking aside, if it wasn't for Luna, the Royal guard and the Wonderbolts showing up we may be dead by now. Hey! Where's the great and powerful pain in the flank? She ok? ".

" Eeyup, she got a sting through the ear but the unicorn attending her said she only got a bit of venom on her so she's not in danger, but... She's gonna have a nasty scar, lost half of her ear ". Applejack said as she pointed to her own ear.

" Dang! ". The two mares turned to look at the ruins of the one happy city of the Changelings, the good ones, the bodies of both hives had been picked up and now the city was been patrolled by many Royal guards and the remaining soldiers of the hive, the reason was to secure the safety of the citizens but mainly due to the news that Crimson Javelin was still alive and free.

Not far from the two Element bearers and under heavy security were the heads of government discussing the aftermath and the consequences of the attack.

" The Royal guards are scooping every inch of the city with specialized magic that will detect if somecreature is shapeshifting, they also have alarms that will trigger right away so we can act quickly, if Crimson is still on the city or nearby we'll find her ".

" We are very thankful for your quick response and help with this whole fiasco Princess Luna, as you can clearly see after what happened here we can't keep a soft hoof in this affair with the Rebellion, while we knew that only the hive of my sister was interested in causing trouble for us we never considered their antagonism to be at the level of genocide, and that's a mistake my kind paid heavily, this attack, this invasion wasn't only directed to me and my brother but to any and all members of MY hive. There's no way we can overlook this transgression, not with a simple and light punishment ".

Luna listened calmly. " I understand, more that you may think, this... Sin, cannot be taken lightly as you said, but how far do you plan to take this matter King Thorax? ".

" War, war Princess Luna, we, my hive is declaring War at the Rebellion. We will ask the dragons, the Yaks and any other creature that had troubles with the them and We'll seek them out anywhere they hide ". Thorax said with determination despite how tired and hurt he was.

" Do you realize that the last War between the Sirens and the Hippogryph left both kinds in terrible shape? If you pursue this war chances are that you'll put your hive in further danger ". Luna wasn't present during such war, she was still trapped in the moon but the event was well documented by several scholars from Canterlot.

" I know that pretty well, but if the Rebellion keeps assisting Crimson Javelin in her pursuit of eradication, I'll do more harm to my hive by not acting first, thus why we must be the aggressors this time around. I think your sister will agree with this, after all, was she not the one who declared war against the Crystal Empire when sombra became a threat? ". Luna knew in that moment that she didn't have further argument against Thorax without soiling her sister's image.

" When my brother is healed up we'll go over further details, we would like to ask for your support as well but you have provided us with more help that we could ask for right now, please take this discussion with princess Celestia and let us know her thoughts ". With that Thorax retreated to get healed as well while Luna was left with a heavy burden, one that would shock Equestria whole.

" Tia isn't going to like this ".

REBEL'S HIDEOUT...

The chamber was silent like a tomb after witnessing the outcome, one of the leader of the Rebellion was dead, gone, and while they knew that Crimson was alive, her whereabouts were unknown and there was the chance that she would be captured or killed. Actions needed the be taken, quickly.

" Rawhorn, King Chomper, we need to secure the Changeling chamber right away, the hive must have felt the dead of Ebony. We need to seclude them until their frenzy pass!". Abigail commanded. " Rawhorn, take Adagio with you, it will be a good opportunity to gain more control over her gem ".

" As you wish ". The bull left with the orders without questions but the Royal dog and his guards didn't.

" Me don't like this, we weaker than before! ". The dog yelled.

" Not necessarily, while the Changelings provided good resources they were also a loose end that could have let us into trouble like this one, I wasn't particularly thrilled when Ebony asked for help with her attack in exchange for her alliance but it was necessary to keep her under our hoof, but now that she's gone we can make us of her remaining drones to further our goals, that is, if Crimson doesn't come back of course but if she does come back, we have to welcome her with open arms , right? ".

Abigail observed as something shone on the king's eye, that been greed. Her little rant was nothing more that a indirect suggestion to Chomper to eliminate Crimson should she try to return and by the shine in his eyes Abigail was confident that she succeeded.

" Diamond dog keeps eye out for ' friend ' , diamond dog makes sure she safe ". Chomper said with a few growls, he soon followed after Rawhorn leaving Abigail alone to her own thoughts. Many things would change now that power was reduced to a few less, she would need to use Emerald further yet but she was ok with that, despite her dislike of her she was perhaps the second strongest of the Rebellion, but still within Abigail's control.

Having nothing left to do in the room, Abigail did her way back to her chamber once more having to deal with her condition, bypassing the door to her room she made it to her personal bath, making sure she was completely alone she pulled the door open with her own magic, not the amulet's and walked in.

Inside, she found her captive just like she left him, the big red stallion was slumped in one corner. Once more she inspected him, making sure he was still unconscious, her eyes watched the shallow and slow breathing of his body, his injuries no doubt would jolt him with pain once he was fully awake and pass the barrier of numbness that his adrenaline provided him with.

Her eyes couldn't avoid watch two things in particular, his face where the lips that dared touch her were, and lower were his stallionhood was located, while she didn't got to mingle with many stallions she still knew their anatomy, including his reproductive apparatus but to see one so close was so strange to her, yet there was something appealing at the size, she just wondered if 'that' was supposed to be that big.

" Snap out of it you fool! You're not a horny filly in heat! ". She commanded to herself but she failed to not take another look. Taking her bath accessories she quickly cleaned herself, making sure to have the stallion in sight should he awake and try anything but the bath went uninterrupted.

While she dried her fur her mind went back to the new situation she was dealing with.
Despite the setbacks she was still able to operate around them and get something good out of it, the rest would have to be done carefully but she wasn't afraid. More that once did she came close to quit her revenge calling it stupid and/or an impossible goal and simply try to live a new life in Equestria, but each and every time, she would push herself up and see the injustice in that, in how admitting her path was decided it was like conceding victory to Celestia. Her life in the human world now belonged to the pony Sunset Shimmer so ' this ' was all she had left.

After drying herself she took one last look at the still sleeping stallion and took a deep breath, focusing on the amulet she guided the energy rush to her horn and from there to the stallion. The magic travelled like a wave of water and soon it made contact with the pony. Abigail observed as the magic moved all across the body of the stallion, from bellow making its way up until it reached the wounds on his legs. The magic lingered there until it started working, first zipping through the wounds and closing them, it also repaired the burned tissue, the burned fur didn't changed but it reacted to the magic as well, glowing temporarily.

Abigail focused in keeping the magic steady but it started to pull and push trying to break free. The magic continued to stir but for the moment Abigail kept it in check.
There was a change in the expression of the stallion, Abigail noticed his face form a frown, then change to complete discomfort, Abigail have this before when she first started using the amulet to manipulate other ponies, the magic from the amulet was trying to alter the mind of the target, she knew from her talk with Rawhorn and Adagio that the magic from the amulet was invasive and aggressive, always fighting whatever to dominate whatever it touched.

There was another slight shake in the stallion and his own magic became active pushing out the intruding magic, a red glow covered the stallion fully and pushed the dark red magic of the Alicorn amulet away in one single stroke, Abigail was quite impressed that an earth pony had magic this strong, but watching the size of the stallion maybe it was not about strength as much as quantity, Abigail was completely sure as she didn't have that much knowledge about earth ponies apart from a few books, still, it was a surprise for her, more so when a second pink magic came out to push as well.

This, now was a shock for the mare, if the red magic was impressive this pink one was incredible, the magic from the amulet was pushed out completely and Abigail felt it almost running away from it, this never happened before despite only lasting for a minute at most. The force of the magic rushing back to the amulet was strong enough to send her flying against the wall behind, Abigail let out a scream of terror as her body slammed hard on the other side, her eyes lost focus as the stallion's came back to life.

FARSIDE HOTEL...

Twilight felt shivers in her entire body when Timber started kissing her legs, mov9ing up he reached her pelvis and softly kissed her bellybutton and the small mount protected by the panties, the pressure was soft but it was enough to arouse her womanhood even more, she felt something inside her throb.

By now her nipples were so hard even the smallest touch hurt them, she was breathing hard and her skin was on fire. " Can I? ". Twilight who was covering her face with her hands peeked through her fingers and saw Timber holding her panties with both hands asking permission to remove them and expose her most private parts once and for all.

" Ye-yes! ". The girl said and nodded with shyness. The boy gulped and pulled the underwear down, he observed his handiwork as the piece of cloth travelled down the smooth legs of his girlfriend. When they were out of the way his eyes looked back to the sacred place only to find it now hidden under one hand.

The action made the young man smile, no matter what Twilight did, for him even the smallest of her actions was the cutest. With a door grip he removed the defending hand, once in his own hand he kissed the hand surprising the girl, the smell of arousal and sourness was present in it. Finally, with no obstacles on the way, the green haired guy could admire the fleshy gates of his girlfriend, wet and ready to be taken.

" Do you like it? ". Twilight asked while pointing to the modest patch of pubic hair in her pelvis which was perfectly trimmed into a inverted triangle for with the lower tip pointing at the location of her pussy.

" Yes! I mean, is perfectly uh, a perfect shape, yes! ". Timber said tripping verbally once more. This time it was Twilight who giggled founding his rambling adorable, but her mind returned to the gutter.

Her eyes feasted on his erection, a solid rod of flesh and blood perfectly hard, having seen Big Mac naked once by accident, like the rest of the girls apparently, she knew that Timber was both shorter and thinner in the penis department but Twilight didn't care, this was her man and she would take it as he is, let Sunset deal with her own man! Was her though as she watched hungry to his partner hanging erection. As nimble as he could, Timber worked his way up to the girl, kissing everything along the way, Twilight loved when he did a much needed stop at her chest to play with the erect nipples and her tender orbs of pleasure, he found them just breathtaking, soft, firms despite Twilight lack of exercise, bouncy, and they made Twilight produce the more sexy moans he ever heard in his life!

The bliss just escalated when their mouths joined once more, while they traded saliva, their hands continued to explore each other, the girl's hand couldn't resist the tentation and grabbed the dick, the smooth and hot foreskin combined with the musky pre-cum already zipping out from the tip making made the sensation unique for her.
At the same time, Timber's hand played near the entrance of the pussy, touching and rubbing the wet lips of her vagina.

As the new lover continued their assault at each other, above them Emerald got her plan into motion, she sang again to let her magic roam free once more and send it toward their room, the magic mist poured from her and moved across the room escaping under the door and into the hallway, then from there to the crack in the elevator shaft and down bellow then coming at the door of the room of the couple, finally passing under the door into the room,.

Absorbed in pleasure as they were, neither of them detected when the room was invaded by the insidious mist, but Twilight magic sensibility reacted to something, unfortunately, this reaction came at the same time that Timber boldly moved one finger inside her pussy making her gasp in shock.

" T-Timber! ". Finding the reaction of his girlfriend exhilarating, he repeated the process causing Twilight to shake violently at the same time increasing his own arousal. Finally having enough foreplay, Twilight used her own telekinesis to pull Timber's hand away from her swelling vulva. " Now! Please, let's do it! ".

The words yelled so boldly and provocative were like a godly command to him. " Ok, just let me put this on ". Timber struggled at but at last he managed to put the condom in place just breaking three between tries. He moved over her and placed his pelvis above Twilight's, timidly, Twilight opened her legs to allow him a better entry, after finding the optimal position the two locked eyes one more time and gave each other and unspoken message of readiness.

Timber lowered his member down to meet that wet lips of Twilight's fleshy cave. The now ' not virgin anymore ' girl gasped when his dick penetrated her inners, his thrust was sloppy at best, but been the first time for both none could judge, nor could their minds detect it over the pleasure and pain that both experienced. As progress was made and both shifted to accommodate better for the task pain become pleasure instead, Twilight again covered her face as her boyfriend continued to pound her against the mattress, her face red with embarrassment and heat.

Timber grunted as he worked his way to his first orgasm, Twilight meanwhile was beginning to learn how the control her own moves to match them with her partner, doing so reduced the effort her hips and legs were doing. " I-I'm close! ". Timber roared and a second later his thrust became erratic and more forceful that before, in a single motion he took Twilight by the waist and and drove his dick as deep as he was allowed anatomically.

Both lovers fell back on the bed all covered with sweat and breathing heavily, their bodies shivering as the heat in their bodies started to fade. Twilight could feel her pussy still throbbing, desiring to have Timber's phallus inside once more.

" That was... It was... I can't describe it! It was the best I ever felt! Ever! ". Timber said between gulps of air. Twilight had to agreed completely, remembering the description Sunset give her it was vague but her expression told her more, and no doing it Timber

" Yes, I, me too! I, oh holy sciences above! I want to do it again! Can we, do it again? ".

" Of, of course Twilight, just let me, get some energy back ". The couple rested for a bit completely unaware of the danger that lurked just above them.

Right a floor over, Emerald felt her magic envelope the room and soon she received the feedback from the mist, when she got it, it almost threw her out of the bed. The last thing she expected was to feel her target orgasm like a virgin. The rush of emotions she got flooded her entirely like a broken dam.

Sirens were susceptible to overloads of emotions, specially if they weren't the ones they were used to. In Emerald's case positive feelings were like a poison for her, while she appreciated lust and sinful desire she did it more for the physical aspect, the animalistic approach, sex was to have fun and procreate, not the smoochy stuff teens and pathetic romantics liked to made of.

So, when she absorbed those feelings of true love, mutual respect, her stomach felt like throwing up and her head started to spin, she felt sick to her core and her magic took a horrible drop in reserves after getting mix with the toxin know as 'love' . She needed time to recover from the infection.

REGAL'S RESIDENCE...

" Absolutely NO Sunset! You just woke up from God's know what now, it's pretty late already and you need to rest! I'm not letting you go to the Hospital to get in trouble, even if it to help Granny Smith and Big Mac is too risky to expose yourself to more troubles until you are in better shape! No, and it's final! ". Celestia said after Sunset explained Applejack's plan to get her inside and try talk with Lemon Zest.

" But this could help bringing him back! I already promised Applejack! Miss Celestia,
I appreciate your concern for my health but I can't let this changes pass by! ".
Sunset tried to use reason to convince his adoptive parents.

" Again, I understand perfectly Sunset, but what you're asking is literally be delivered to the mouth of the wolf! Not only you're not well in condition to be outside at this time, but also Chief Grass is just hoping to size you for interrogation! It's just insane! ".

" I need to go, that Lemon girl will only talk to me, this can be the best clue we have to find out what happened and also we could help Big Mac and Granny Smith, Granny is in bad shape according to Applejack, don't you care for her? ".

Celestia felt a punch in the guts been asked that one. " Of course I care for Granny! She's the closest Luna and I have to a mother and Big Mac is one of my best friends! But as much as I love them I can let you go March into danger for something we aren't sure is going to work! As your mother i-! ".

" You are NOT my mother! ". Sunset yelled suddenly stopping Celestia from finishing.

Slowly, Celestia's face morphed from shock, to comprehension, to sadness, each one bringing pain to her heart and Sunset felt also a huge pressure in her chest watching the transformation that she caused.

" I, I'm sorry Miss Celestia i-! ".

" Is ok, you don't need to say more, Miss Shimmer, I'm sorry for forgetting my place ".
Celestia turned around to leave but found her sister blocking her way.

" You done yelling? We could hear you even from above ". Luna watched her sister and niece and saw both looking away, but in the brink of crying. " Listen, how about I take Sunset to check on Grass daughter? That way she can do what she needs and you don't have to be worried about her ". Luna proposed.

" I appreciate it sister but you don't need to-! ".

" Yeah, I don't need to, but I will do so, sis, I do understand that you are worried for YOUR daughter, but you can't give up the first moment she goes all rough on you like a whimpy girl. And you young lady, do not disrespect YOUR mother, you hear me? Even if she didn't baked you in her own oven she pretty much did make sure you were ok, even before adopting you and after, for all we know you could have end up at the mercy of some pervert or a psychopath, or a pervert psychopath after you crossed that portal so no more back talking, Am I understood? ".

Sunset nodded, her head jerking back and forth scared of Luna. " Good, now, anything you want to say little lady? ".

" I, I'm sorry, I sorry for acting rude to you, I'm... I'm not doing good right now, still, I shouldn't have talked like that ". Sunset said embarrassed for her act of disrespect.
She felt more guilty now after remembering how much Celestia helped her after she arrived in the human world. Her self pity was interrupted when a hand patted her shoulder.

" It's ok, Sunset, and I'm sorry for getting overprotective of you, I know how tough you are and by all accounts you and the Rainbooms are good enough to take care for each other, but, I just couldn't help myself worrying ".

" Thanks, for everything ".

" Just a guardian's duty ". Celestia turned to her sister. " Can you take her there? I'll like to call the Apples and see how is Granny ".

" No problem sis, leave it to me, if that idiot Grass think he can get his way with our families he has a knee coming for his crutch! ".

" Is that supposed to make me feel confident in your supportive skill? Please, look after this child will you? ". Asked Celestia.

" I told you I would look after her! ". Reclaimed Luna.

" I'm asking Sunset to watch over you! ". Celestia cleared out.

" Hey! ".

" Well do ". Sunset responded.

" Good, then go, I hope you find something ". After saying their goodbye they took Luna's car and drove toward the Canterlot's General Hospital making light talk along the way.

" What happened with Starlight Glimmer? I didn't saw her after she went upstairs with you ".

" Oh that? Nothing important, she helped me with something but she felt pretty tired afterwards so I let her take my bed, but she's gonna be fine, I'm sure, I hope ".

" O-kay? ".

NEONBUGG...

" Didn't we inspected this area already? ". Asked a unicorn from the Royal guard as he used his magic to move some rubble to check for any suspicious signs.

" I think you're right, still, we have to comb the whole place before calling it quits, Princess Luna said that some of the evil Changelings may have survived and could be hiding in the tunnels of the city, that we couldn't leave until we make sure the city is safe again ". Said his partner.

" that's gonna take a while, damn, still, what happened here is pretty mess up, bucking evil bugs attacking their cousins and almost destroying them ".

" Not only that dude, this is pretty hush hush, and it any be a lie, but some of the guards that were in the big meeting said that we may have a war on our hooves ".

" WAR?! ".

" Sssssshhhh! Shut up dude! Nopony is supposed to know that! ".

" Sorry sorry! Still, war? Buck! How the heck did we end up in this? Before, all we worried was Discord doing its crap, annoying ponies, been a douche, nothing out of the ordinary, but now? Now we have a freaking war about to pop out? Buck! I'm too young to get into this mess! I'm still a virgin for Celestia's sake! ".

" What?! No way, you haven't used your stick even once? ".

" Shu-shut up! Like you are one to talk! ". Responded his partner with indignation.

" Well, just so let you know... Uh? ".

" Know? Know what? ".

" I, I think I saw something move over there, under that scrap of wood ". The guard pointed with his hoof.

" Shit! Ok let's call the rest! ".

" No wait! I think it was nothing ". He started approaching the scrap pile.

" I'm still calling for backup ".

" Don't, if we call them and it turns to be nothing they'll make fun of us and we may even get demoted! ".

" But we have orders of-! ". From the pile a few pieces fell off making the two unicorns jump back. With that piece out of the way, the guards could now see what moved the scrap, a small brown mouse trapped under a heavy looking wood pile was struggling to get free, the rodent squeaked when it was discovered but due to been trapped all it did was hurt itself more.

" Oh dang! I almost got a heart attack ".

" I almost wet myself, but I totally didn't! ".

" Uh, sure. Poor little guy, it seems in pain ". The unicorn made his way over the pile to help the little mouse.

" Hey, we should keep our distance and report this! ".

" Nah, I got this ". With his telekinesis, the guard removed the piece out of scrap letting the mouse able to move once more. " There you go you little one, now you're free ".
Now free the mouse didn't seemed afraid of the horned horse, the mouse watched him curiously and then ran up his leg and end up in his back squeaking in delight.

" Look at you, you got a new friend ".

" It seems so, and to think you were afraid of it? seriously? Look how cute it
i-gaaaahh! ". The unicorn yelled in pain when something bit him on the neck.

" What going on? Why are you yelli... Oh no! ". The other unicorn moved to see what happened to his friend and found a huge spider sinking its fangs at the neck of his fellow guard. " Take it off! Take it off! ". Before either unicorn could have done something, a sickening crunch sound erupted from the neck of the unicorn, next, he was lifted off the floor, not by the spider but now by a middle size dragon, closing its powerful Jaws in one go the head of the unicorn was ripped from the body.

Stunt in shock the other unicorn did in fact wet himself now, when the dragon threw the broken body of his friend, he didn't even registered when the tail of the dragon shot right through him. His last vision before dying like his partner was seen the dragon turn into a nightmarish spider-like Changeling. " My sssisssster! Where, isss, ssssheeee?! ". The creature asked with her serpentine tongue dancing a mere inch of his face.

" Helpgaahg! ". The unicorn tried to scream but couldn't over a cough of blood. Still before passing out, from his horn a burst of magic flew and exploded a few feet away from them, a signal to call the rest of the guard and Luna herself.

The spider Changeling threw the unicorn and ran away from the location hissing.
" Sssisssster! ".

INSIDE SUNSET'S MIND...

At the distance inside the small corridor Sunset saw a small light, but after a while of crawling the light became stronger indicating the end of the tunnel. She renew her effort and finally she reached the end, when she came out she felt flat in her face and chest with a puff. " Ouch! Ugh, where am I? ".

More questions came when she tried to stand up and her head bumped the ceiling of the room where she came out. " What is this place? ". Sunset took a moment to look at the room she was now, it was a large room filled with at least 20 small sized beds, all of them aligned in two rows, both rows were pressed against the largest walls of the room and we're perfectly perpendicular to each other. Next to each bed was a small wooden trunk, a single door located in front of Sunset and a few meter car from her.

" This place, it looks familiar somehow ". As soon as Sunset said that, the door bursted open and three fillies made their way inside, laughing and playing happily, the fillies each went to a different bed and from the trunk they each pulled out a toy and then went back outside.

When Sunset saw them she fell on her butt and yelled in surprise but apparently the little ponies couldn't see her at all for they didn't reacted to the giant pink skinned creature in front of them. Sunset saw this and tried to interact with something in the room and see if he could, it turned out she couldn't, every time she tried to touch something within the room she would simply phase through the object like a ghost of sorts. Sunset tried again when a new group of fillies made their way in, like before laughing and playing, however, this new group did talk.

" You hear the news? Have you seen her? You think she came to see us? ". Asked one of the fillies, the youngest of the bunch.

" I saw her! I saw her! She looks so pretty! The colors in her hair are so beautiful! ". Said the other filly.

" You think she came to adopt one of us? Imagine, how cool would be that?! ".

" Living with Princess Celestia, that would be like a dream come true! What arenas waiting for anyway, let's look for her! ". Like the previous fillies they too left the dormitory.

" Princess Celestia? Adoption? What's all this? ". Sunset wondered more confused by the second about why her mind would show her this. Seen no answers would come if she waited, Sunset crawled toward the door, in her way out she noticed something curious with one of the beds, again she didn't know why but looking at the rest of the beds something stood out from the rest, it was the only bed without a cutie mark carved in it, the rest did have it as did all the fillies she saw so far. After that discovery, Sunset moved out of the room, it didn't surprised her when instead of touching the door her hand phased through it.

Once outside the room she was able to stand straight rather than bending her back. Still, she couldn't recognize the place no matter how much she tried to remember, this was supposed to be part of her memory and yet she couldn't. " Where do I go now? ". Sunset asked herself, then remembering that the fillies mentioned Celestia been in this place she made find her her next task.

Walking around the mysterious place Sunset came around different areas and rooms, a huge bathroom area, another one that resembled a classroom and a few more that included a huge dinner room and a small recreation area. Despite her best efforts she still draw blanks in her mind every time she tried to remember.

In one of the room Sunset found a couple of adult mares busy with cardboard boxes.
" Did you finished packing your stuff? I haven't! ". Said one of the mares to the other.

" Just barely started, this was so sudden that so far I have only got enough time to pack a few things, we still have a lot of things to wrap, and don't get me started on the library, that room is gonna be a pain! ".

" Ugh, yeah, hm, by the way, is that little bookworm still in there? ".

" Bookworm? Oh, you mean miss little know it all? Yeah , she's still there, you know pretty well than that's the only place that filly likes, she doesn't have any friends and all she does is read and read, of course she is there ".

" That's pretty sad you know, having nopony to talk to, and now that each girl is gonna be send away she's gonna be lonelier than ever ". Said the first mare.

" Sad? I don't think I ever saw her speaking with the other orphans here, it was just her books on magic and that was it! ".

" I guess, anyway, we have to go to the Director's office after this room, I think that by then she and the Princess will be done ".

" Ok ". The mare's continued wrapping and packing a different assortment of items, but Sunset didn't care about that, she heard where the princess was and now she needed it to find her. She hurried back and looked elsewhere.

As she looked for any sign of the Director's office her mind sorted out some of the info the mare's discussed in front of her. The main points where that she was in an orphanage with 20 fillies or so, that Princess Celestia was here for some business and that the place was going to be abandoned soon apparently.

As she walked around she came across more of the fillies, all of them playing around, conversing, some doing stuff by themselves but still smiling and happy. Sunset felt a sense of nostalgia watching them, she missed her own friends and their company. Fluttershy's soft voice, Pinkie's goofiness, Applejack's outdated country references, Twilight's dork side, Rainbow and how easy was to mess with her, and Rarity and her useful beauty tips. Of course there was much more to them than that, they were the sister she never had.

She missed her mother and Aunt as well, Human Celestia was Luna were along Granny Smith the best adults she had ever met and ever since turning a new beginning she came to respect them and appreciate what they did for her.

Her last thoughts were for the man that loves her with his heart and she wanted to see again, few were the times that she wondered if given the chance to repeat her life, would she change something to end up in a different path? But ever since she fell in love with Big Mac not once did the idea crossed her mind again. Her life was in Canterlot, in the human world, with the people she loved mad that loved her back.

In her search Sunset end up once more in another room, she crossed the door and peaked inside to see if this was the Director's office, but it wasn't, she saw several bookshelves accommodated close to one another in a file formation, the library.

Disappointed of getting the wrong room again Sunset turned to leave but a voice from within the library made her stop. " This is too hard! ". Sunset thought for a moment that she imaginated the voice but then she heard it again. " Ugh! How am I supposed to learn better spells with this old books! There's have to be another way! ".

The voice was different from how she remembered, the angry tone of a filly that got easily frustrated if she did get her way, a voice from so long ago that she could swear she would never heard again. Angry, defiant, rude, but full of determination. " There's have to be something I'm missing! ".

' N-no, it can't be '. Sunset tried to find an explanation for what she heard but and she could, but that was the problem, that her mind was already accepting it without much of a fight. Her feet began to move by themselves taking her deeper within the library, a chill ran down her spine as the voice echoed again.

" Yes! I knew I could do it by myself! I'm better that anypony in this ugly place anyway!".
The voice sounded so smug, so full of itself, like a child gloating just because she learned something new and believed than that made her better that the rest of the world. She walked around the shelves until she was in front of a small study table, and there she was..

Just like she dread, she found the pony She knew she would find, even if part of her refused to accept what she was seen. Seating alone in the almost dark room, was her filly self, practicing a new spell and smiling because she succeeded.

Sunset watched the small creature that she once was, her mane was a bit longer that she remembered, her body was so tiny any other filly was able to push her around if they tried, her eyes shone with a hunger for power and knowledge long gone, replaced by love and friendship. But here and now, it was alive.' It's me, Sunset Shimmer '.

" Hm?! ". Sunset froze when her younger self turned around in her direction, for a second both their sight connected and older Sunset thought that the filly would scream at her, but that wasn't the case.

" Sunset Shimmer! I have been looking for you, I thought I told you to remain in the dormitory until you were summoned! Why aren't you there? ". Walking through Sunset, an older looking mare scolded Filly Sunset for her disobedience.

" But Miss Pop I was bored and I wanted to see the books again, besides, is not like somepony is gonna adopt me, nopony have since I got here ". Filly Sunset said with indifference in her tone.

" Is that the way to talk about that young lady? Every filly here would be beyond glad that they could be adopted, and here you take it like it's nothing? Seriously, I don't know what did she saw in you ".

" Who are you talking about? ". Asked the filly to the Director of the orphanage.

" You'll see, now come with me, and fix that attitude of your, and by the princess, watch your manners ". The mare didn't say anything else and started walking back to the door, filly Sunset jumped of the table and followed her, when she walked near Sunset and she jumped back on reflex, scared of making contact with her past self.

The two ponies left the library and when Sunset recovered she hurried after them. For a heartbeat she thought she lost them but then she heard the yell from her filly form ahead.

Following the yell and through a corridor she come to a room with a single large door that she must have missed earlier. Before her hand could phase through the door she stopped, even more uncertain of what she would find inside, or who she would find inside. ' I can't hesitate like this, standing trapped here i can't help anyone! '.

Sunset crossed the door, and there she saw what she feared.

" Hello Sunset Shimmer, do you know who I am?" Asked Princess Celestia to filly Sunset.

CANTERLOT GENERAL HOSPITAL..

After passing a security checkpoint, Sunset and Luna arrived at the hospital, before going they called Dr Links who in turn waited for them at the main door. " Good to see you Sunset, Miss Luna, sorry but we have to hurry, I heard a nurse saying that Chief Grass would be back soon so this is the best moment to speak with Miss Zest, please follow me ".

Sunset and Luna followed close to the doctor. " Is he close to the Apples? I don't remember him ". Said Sunset in whisper.

" The doctor of the family, and yes he knows you and that you are Mac's girl ". Sunset simply nodded.

It didn't took long for the three of them to pass, Dr Links did good in his word and soon they were pass security. " Listen, I need to take care of some patients, Miss Luna, it would be best if you stay down here making guard and let Sunset go ".

" Alright, just call me if something happens, ok? ".

" I will Miss Luna ".

" Aunt Luna, even if it takes longer, now go ".

Sunset nodded and took the elevator with Dr Links. When they reached the correct floor the doctor pointed Sunset toward the room that she needed to go while he when to another one. In front of the door she knocked a few times but got no answer, then decided to call for the girl. " Lemon Zest, are you awake? It's me, Sunset Shimmer? Can I come inside? "

Sunset waited just a couple of seconds before the Chrystal Prep girl called back.
" You can come in ". Sunset walked in and found a girl around her age seating in the medical bed, her face was pale and her multi toned green hair was messy. " I was waiting for you ". The girl tried to stand up from the bed but Sunset beat her to it.

" No no, that's ok, I'll come closer ". Sunset moved next to the bed watching the girl who watched her in return, her eyes looked kind of vacant even though they were almost piercing her. Sunset let Lemon start the conversation but she didn't, instead, she kept her eyes on her which made her uncomfortable.

" You look different ". Lemon said finally taking Sunset by surprise.

" What? ".

" Your eyes, last time we saw each other, before the attack, your eyes were full of... I don't know, light? " While she spoke she never took her eyes off her. " You look different now, distracted, lost, can't say for sure but I know you don't look the same but... I understand, it must be because of him, right? ".

" I, I don't know what to say, you were there, tell me, what happened? What happened with Big Mac? What happened in the bridge? Please ".

" We were taken there from the Warehouse place, we were attacked, first me, then Big Mac, it was too fast, he tried to protect me but I was used to hurt him, they used me to subdue him, then they took us to the bridge, two men, one woman, the woman was in charge,red hair, attractive, evil, she spoke as if she knew who Big Mac was, she used magic, her voice, she used it to take us out ".

" I was attacked first by one of the her companions, he, he took something from me, I, I can't feel, I can't feel anything, not from my father, not from my friends, not by myself!
Almost empty, you could hit me now and I wouldn't care ". In a second, the girl started crying, her face twisted into anguish. " He tried to save me! He fought back, but she, she hurt him! Attacked him as I watched hopeless! He... He tried, something, he succeeded, big explosion of, col-lors! ".

" Calm down! You, you're getting to emotional! " Sunset reached out to calm Lemon down but she slapped her hand away.

" No! You, he wanted to go back to you! Back with you! And she, that bitch! The bridge! Find, him, find, her! ". Lemon took Sunset's face with her hands and pulled her. " Make, her, pay! ".

" Ah! ". In the moment Lemon touched her Sunset's mind reading powers triggered, the image of Big Mac disappearing in the explosion passed to her, and a second later, the face of the siren, her smiling face as she proclaimed Big Mac as hers.

Tears flooded out of Sunset's eyes, rage overtook her again, not only hers but Lemon's too, something else boiled from inside, a voice, a voice claiming her as well.

' Hello Sunset Shimmer, do you know I am? I have come to take you with me, you see, I need an apprentice, a pony I can teach some of my magic, and I believe you are the right filly to fulfill this role, so, would you like to come with me? '.

Lemon saw as Sunset backed away, her hands covering her face, cries turned into growls, red skin took over peach skin and pitch black flooded white in her eyes.
" Yes! I'm free again! ". Sunset claimed in victory.

END OF CHAPTER.

Author's Notes:

Well folks, it finally happened, Coronavirus arrived in Houston.
But more scary than that is the stupidity that came with it, people in every store is fighting for water, hand sanitizer, food, toilet paper and many other things that have nothing to do with infection and the sort, just yesterday I saw an old lady break her walking came over a man's head just because he coughed near her, then someone else pulled out pepper spray and the thing passed from a brawl to an all-out-war! Jesus!

Anyway, schools, museums, and the Rodeo are cancelled, even my workplace will only operate for 3 more days before closing down until the " outbreak " is under control. Just crazy folks.

Anyway (again), thanks for reading and sorry if the story is moving at snail's pace but I got just so many things happening at once, Two Sunset's stories, Twilight and Timber's night, the Changeling war, a lot. But as soon as I pass certain point I'll go a bit more faster. Until next chapter! ( New PokePon chapter coming after chapter 38!).