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Dancing With The Shadows

by Vocal Sweets

Chapter 36

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Chapter 36

Chapter 36

Luna, Cadence, Celestia, Flurry and Tiberius all lay on the soft carpet of the throne room, conscious. Luna, was the first pony to stir from her conscious state.

She groans for a moment, wincing in pain. “My head,” Luna mutters to herself.

Her eyes snap open, she realizes that night has had already fallen upon Canterlot and the rest of Equestria. The moon shining through the stain glass windows and casted the ponies shadows along the carpet. Luna slowly gets to her hooves and looks at where she was previously laying, and seeing that she was not alone.

“Sister?” Luna calls out, but Celestia still remained conscious.

“Cadence, Flurry Heart?” Luna asks, calling out to the other two alicorns.

Neither of them answered.

Another groan could be heard from the other side of the throne room. “Tiberius?” Luna asks.

“Aunt Luna? What happened?” He asks, his tone slightly raspy. His whole body ached and he felt overwhelmingly tired.

Three more groans could be heard throughout the room, signaling that the three alicorns were awaking from their own conscious state.

“Does anypony remember what happened?” Flurry Heart asks.

“The last thing I remember was yelling at you two before-” Cadence explains, but Celestia interrupts the pink alicorn.

“Tierk! Tierk was the one who drained our powers.” Celestia said, coming to the sudden realization.

“So would that explain why Aunt Luna and Mother’s mane looks limp. Because you have no magic?” Tiberius asks, looking at their manes.

Their manes were dull and limp, which contained, no flowing movement or sparkles throughout their manes.

“But if we have no magic, then that means-” Flurry Heart said.

“Did you see what I did? Look Mom! I raised the moon!” Amaris announced, her tone filled with pride.

But once she saw the scene before her. Amaris expression and mood shifted and changed into one full of worry. “Mom? What’s wrong? What’s going on?” Amaris asks, her expression worrisome, but her tone confused.

“Are you telling me that you heard none of the commotion that went on in here earlier?” Tiberius asks, his tone sarcastic.

Amaris blushes, slightly embarrassed. “Hehe, uh heavy sleeper?” She admits, her cheeks flushed pink.

“She gets that from you, you know.” Celestia said, her tone was teasing as her facial expression held a smirk all to knowing.

“Amaris, where’s your Uncle Discord?” Luna asks.

Amaris shrugs. “I’m not sure, haven’t seen-”

In a flash of bright light Discord appears. “You ranged?” He asks, but stops and notices the chaos that he just snapped in on.

“Woah! What happened to you five?” Discord questions.

“Tierk happened, that’s what.” Flurry Heart explained.

“How did Tierk manage to escape exactly?” Discord asks.

“I’m not sure, but however he did I fear that the worst is yet to come.” Luna said, her expression fearful.

***

“What do you mean my coordination is postponed?” Harmonia asks, looking at the scroll that Spike was holding.

Spike scanned over the letter. “It doesn’t say, kiddo.” He said, looking back over the letter once more.

“I have waited for my whole life, correction 14 ½ years of my whole life for my coordination to happen and now it is getting postponed without no explanation as to why.” Harmonia rants.

Spike looked at her with a sad expression. “I’m sorry, Harmonia I know your day was suppose to be special today.” Sadness was hinted in the dragon’s voice.

“Oh there is no need to be sorry. Because we are going to have my coordination one way or another, all of Equestria is going to be there! And I am not letting all of Mom and Aunt Starlight’s hard work go to waste!” Harmonia sadi, her tone rather determined and bold.

“But Celestia said-” Spike said, trying his best to reason with the young draconequus, but sadly she wasn’t taking no for an answer.

“We are having my coordination today and that’s final!” Harmonia stomped her hoof to the ground, her voice rather stern.

Spike sighed, knowing that their was no way he could talk her out of this now. “You are your mother’s daughter, alright. You both can be stubborn as mules sometimes.” He said.

Harmonia giggles. “Now we have less than ten hours before my coordination is beings! And I need to find the perfect dress before my coordination.” she explains.

“Why not ask Rarity to make you one? She is a fashion designer after all.” Spike said.

“Eh, I'll see what they have at one of the local shops. Maybe I can ask the girls if they would like to join.” Harmonia said, thinking out loud.

“Alright! Just be back before two fifteen.” Spike calls out.

Harmonia nods and poofs out of the room.

***

The door to the shop of the clothing store, tingled as the girls enter the store. “Welcome to Thread & Mend! How may I help you?” A zebra of black and white stripes, comes out from around the corner.

“Ah! You must be the daughter of Twilight and Discord. My name is Zecora it's a pleasure to meet you.” Zecora said, her tone rather pleased to see the young draconequus.

“Zecora? My mother has told me about you, but if you do herbs and special treatments, then why are you running a clothing shop in Everfree Forest?” Harmonia asks.

“Yeah, in a place where hardly anypony knows about it.” Ophelia interjects.

“I think this little pink mare can put your jumbling questions at ease.” Zecora said, giving a gentle smile at Confetti Pop.

Everyone turned to look at the mare.

“How did you even know about this shop anyways, Confetti Pop?” Honey Crisp asks, the pink earth pony.

“I actually met her son and daughter a few weeks back! They are the ones who told me about this shop and suggested that I visited.” Confetti Pop beams.

“Well where are they now?” Harmonica wonders.

“Oh! They are around here somewhere I assure, but please stay awhile check out some of the dresses on this isle.” Zecora said, walking down an isle of dresses.

The girls follow. “No wonder nopony isn't wearing anything.” Ophelia said, in a rather hushed tone.

“Sh! Ophelia that's rude of you.” Honey Crisp said, her tone rather quiet.

“Well it's the truth, darling.” She mutters.

Harmonia and the girls eye the row of tribal printed dresses and skirts.

“Your style is very…. Unique, Mrs. Zecora.” Ophelia said, trying her best to stay positive.

“I see that you are busy, please just walk over to the register once you are ready.” Zecora said, with that she walks away.

Harmonia sighs, quietly looking at her options. Ophelia notices the troublesome look held on the draconequus, and walks over to her.

She lays a sympathetic paw on her friends shoulder. “Darling, are you okay?” She asks, her tone gentle.

“I'm fine…. I'm just thinking about my coordination that is in a few hours. I just feel like once I'm crowned what if I am a terrible princess? I mean I may be The Princess of Friendship’s daughter, but I also belong to Lord of Chaos. I mean what if I get nervous and freeze up during my speech?” Harmonia said, ranting to the feline.

Ophelia just smiles at her, her tone gentle. “You won't. I'm going to tell you something, that my mother told me awhile back whenever I was feeling scared or nervous. I may be the Element of Generosity, but that doesn't mean I have to be generous to everyone and I maybe the daughter of con-cat, but that doesn't mean I flirt and con with everyone I see.”

“But you just con me out of my bits three weeks ago.” Harmonia mutters, making a blunt statement. Her tone rather small and innocent like.

Ophelia sighs and rolls her eyes. “That's not the point here. The point is you may have both parents genes within you, but that doesn't always mean you have to follow in either of their hooves steps. You can make your own path, but whatever path you choose is up to you.”

Harmonia then smiles at her friend. “Thanks for the advice, Lia.”

“Anytime.” Ophelia said.

Ophelia and Harmonia gazes at the display before them. “You know, my mother is a fashion designer. I'm sure she has something more in your style.” Ophelia said, her paws ran across the fabric and she looks back at Harmonia.

“Are you sure she wouldn't mind? I mean it being last and all.” Harmonia said, her tone bashful.

“I'm sure she wouldn't mind! She works well under pressure….. I think.” Ophelia said.

Zecora walks over to the draconequus and feline. “If you two have found something you like then go ahead and buy.” she said, looking at the two.

Harmonia and Ophelia both look at each other, wondering how to tell the zebra that they wasn't really impressed with what they saw all that much.

“You're dresses are very…” Ophelia said, trying to figure out the right word to say.

“Distinctive!” Harmonia said, thinking of a word on the spot.

“Yes! Distinctive.” Ophelia said.

“But?” Zecora said, her brow arched.

The girls remained quite. “If this isn't within your style, you can always go to Rarity who is always in style.” Zecora said, giving them a small smile.

“Are you sure?” Harmonia asks, fearing that she may have hurt the zebra's feelings.

“Of course! Now go.” Zecora said.

***

“My mom is currently at her Boutique in Manehattan.” Ophelia said.

“Well, we can teleport there!” Harmonia said, she was about to snap her paw, when Honey Crisp stopped her.

“Wait. don’t you think we would end up in another place like for example: The Dragon Lands? Remember when you accidentally teleported Confetti Pop to Yakyakistan?” Honey Crisp said, slightly nervous by her friend’s magical capability.

“Yeah that was super fun!” Confetti Pop beams.

And that was five years ago when that happen, I was trying to teleport her to Sugar Cube Corner. Besides I’ve gotten better with my magic.” Harmonia explains. “Now come on we are burning daylight.”

“Its only 11:30.” HoneyCrisp said.

“What are you a clock?” Harmonia said, her tone was humorous. She snaps her paw, in order to teleport herself and the girls inside Rarity’s boutique.

A bright flash illuminates inside of Rarity’s store. “See told you were worried for nothing.” Confetti said.

Rarity was taking orders from a customer. The girls watched as she greeted the customer goodbye. “Thank you for shopping at Rarity 4 You! Please come again.” she said.

She then turned back to attend to her business, she closes her eyes humming a tune to herself as she sews a few details on a dress she was making.

Rarity was known for her daughter sneak attacks, so she even knew when Ophelia was in the room- or as Rarity liked to call it “have eyes in the back of her head”.

“Hello, Ophelia dear.” She went back to humming, but stopped short after what she just said. She turned around and notice that her daughter was not alone. “W-what are you girls doing here?” She asks, her tone in disbelief.

“Dress shopping!” Beams Confetti Pop.

“Aunt Rarity, do you think you could make me a dress for my coordination?” Harmonia asks.

“We went to Zecora’s, a shop that she recently started and all of her dresses were too triable looking.” Ophelia explained.

“A dress? You came all the way to Manehatten for a dress.” Rarity said, her tone unamusing.

“Uh… yes?” Harmonia said, slightly confused by her aunt’s change in tone.

Rarity’s face lit up with amusement. “Well why didn’t you come to me sooner, darling? But it’s funny that you just mentioned about a dress, I actually have plenty here that you can choose from. Go find one that you like.”

Rarity ushers her niece off to a changing room, giving her various dresses to try on.

The first one was yellow with gold trimming around the waistline and at the end of the dress, the sleeves where poofy and see through, the whole dress glittered and sparkled. Her mane was in a elegant bun.

“Too yellow.” Ophelia said.

“Plus you look like you belong in a fairy tale called Beauty and The Beast.” Confetti Pop said.

The girls look at her in confusion. “Confetti… whatever are you going on about?” Honey Crisp asked.

Confetti Pop blinked. “Whoops, wrong fairy tale.” she said, her tone giggly.

Harmonia decided to not question her quirky friends antics and goes back into the changing room, only to reappear in another dress.

The second dress, was an icy blue, a long train that was translucent and see through the dresses silky exterior and the sleeves were long and see through. Her mane was in a fishtail braid.

Confetti Pop giggled. “Are you ready to let it go at your coordination ceremony, tonight? Or are you going to keep giving me the icy look?” Confetti Pop continues to giggle at her own joke.

Harmonia rolled her eyes. “You know if you wasn’t my best friend and if looks could kill you would be frozen by now.” the young draconequus said, slightly playing on to Confetti Pop’s little game.

Confetti giggles. “Good one, Harmony.”

Harmonia sighs and goes back into the changing room trying on the third dress. “Uh… I don’t think this is a dress.” she said, carefully coming out of the dressing room.

She was in a pair of baggy baby blue genie like pants and a top, its sleeves short and halfway off her shoulder. Her mane in a bubble braid, her mane held a headpiece at the top.

“Uhh….” Harmonia said, slightly speechless.

“Hey, at least you look like a genie.” Confetti Pop giggles.

“Are you going to do that every time she tries on a new dress?” Ophelia asks, slightly annoyed.

“Well I can’t help it if the author is a Disney fan.” Confetti said, still giggling.

“You know what? I’m just going to pretend what you said made sense.” Ophelia said, her tone deadpanned.

Harmonia takes off the outfit, with a snap of her paw. “This is hopeless.” Harmonia mutters, slouching a bit.

Rarity walks over to the girls. “I can’t help, but see that you are having a bit of trouble find the dress of your dreams, but I actually just finished this dress and I think you will like what you see.” Rarity hands over a black bag with the hanger sticking out of the top was a hanger.

Harmonia grabs the dress and goes back inside, she emerges once again. This time in a beautiful dress of silver, light grey, tone of sparkles creating an ombre effect. The dress was simply beautiful! Her mane remained straightened.

“Aunt Rarity! This dress is simply beautiful!” Harmonia said.

“Doesn’t Harmony look pretty Ophelia?” Confetti Pop questions.

The feline looks up from her magazine to gaze that the draconequus. Her eyes widen, and her cheeks held a slight tint of pink. “Harmonia, darling you look gorgeous!” She said, slightly baffled by her best friend’s appearance.

“T-thank you.” The draconequus said, her tone slight nervous.

“This dress was practically made for you!” Honey Crisp said.

“That's because I did make it for her.” Rarity said, giving a soft smile to the girls.

Harmonia hugs her aunt's neck. “Thank you!” Harmonia said.

“I will meet you all at the coordination! Now go!” Rarity said, her tone filled with excitement.

The girls hurry out the door, but Rarity calls back for Harmonia.“Oh! And Harmonia!” she said.

Harmonia pops back in for a moment. “Yes Aunt Rarity?” She asks.

She envelopes her niece into a tight hug, sharing a moment of silence before Rarity softly whispers into her ear. “I am so proud of you.” She said, in a tone so motherly and sincere it made Harmonia tear up just a bit.

“Thank you.” She whispers.

***

“Why are we here?” Phoenix asks.

“We came to the Tree of Harmony for a reason. If that really is “Aunt Twilight” then the Elements of Harmony should have been returned, right?” Kunzite explains.

The two makes their way into the cave where the Tree of Harmony stands. Kunzite flew over to the tree, Phoenix follows. “The Elements are still gone.” Kunzite mutters to himself, his pupils small as dimes.

“Ha! I knew it! That “Princess Twilight” is a fake!” Phoenix said, celebrating her victory on being right.

“Maybe you can celebrate your victory later, come on we have to find the Elements before it's too late.” Kunzite said, tugging on Phoenix's hoof.

Phoenix wonders to herself. “If that isn't Princess Twilight then who is that?”

With that question in the front of Phoenix's mind the pair both flies out of the cave and goes to look for the Elements.

***

The girls made it back to Canterlot in time even before it was two.

Everypony was waiting inside and some on the outside for the newly crowned Princess of Equestria.

Awaiting her ceremony. Harmonia, who was dressed in her elegant attire, watches with her nerves slightly jumbled, she looks down at the streets of Canterlot from her balcony.

“That is a lot of ponies.” Harmonia said, she was a bit nervous as she gazed down below.

“I'm sure you will do great!” said a voice from behind her.

Harmonia turns to face to face with her mother. “Are you sure?” Harmonia questions.

“Positive! Now if you will excuse me I have to go get prepared.” Twilight said, walking away and shutting the door behind her.

Harmonia takes a deep, slow and steady breath. “I can do this.” She mumbles to herself.

***

“Amiris, i need you do a huge favor for your mother and I.” Celestia said, looking at the young alicorn hybrid.

“Sure! What is it?” Amiris asks.

“I need you to crown Harmonia for today.” Celestia said, her tone calm and assuring.

“I'm sorry, you need me to do- what?!” Amiris said.

“Sweetie, you are the only here who can shapeshift. You can transform into Celestia and crown the young draconequus.” Luna explains.

“But what if I mess up?” Amiris said, fear rippled through her body.

“But you won't.” Luna said, she gave a soft smile to her daughter.

“But-” Amiris said, but Luna puts a hoof on Amiris’s shoulder.

“But you won't.” Luna whispers, giving a small smile and hug to her child.

She then shapeshifts into Celestia, both alicorns were proud that she was able to get her first time right.

“Now go make us proud.” Celestia said, smiling at her.

“Wait- I need cue cards if I know what to expect you to say.” Amiris said, she was about to send in flashcards, but Celestia stops her.

“No need to, just speak from your heart.” Celestia said, giving her a small smile.

Amiris takes in a deep breath and exhales, making her body relax. “Okay. I won't let you down.” Amiris said.

***

Harmonia looks though the glass windows, she saw everypony there except for her mother and Aunt Starlight.

“Where could they be?” Harmonia mutters to herself.

The music elegantly plays throughout the room. “I guess I will have to find them later.” Harmonia pushes back the thought of being sad and puts on a smile, one that is filled with anxiety, but also of uncertainty. However, other ponies could just sees this as her “best day ever”.

***

Starlight's ears flicker up from the music, as she knocks on Twilight's door. “Twilight, are you done yet? We are going to be late!” Starlight asks.

Twilight opens the door to her room. “Think you can come here for a few Starlight?” Twilight asks.

Starlight enters the room. “Sure, but you are going to have a lot of explaining to do to Harmonia and why you were late.” Starlight said, her tone strict.

Twilight locks the door behind her. “Oh! And so will you.” Twilight said, igniting her horn.

Twilight fires a blast at Starlight, Starlight dodging out of the way. “What the hay Twilight?!” Starlight snaps at the Alicorn.

“Oh you are going to pay for everything you did!” Twilight sneers, firing another blast.

Starlight quickly throws up a shield around her blocking Twilight's attack. Starlight then fires beam at Twilight. “What has been your problem? Seems like ever since you have came back from Sombra you seem to just despise just about everypony who cares about you!”

“You! You are my problem!” She sneers. She then attacks Starlight to the ground. Standing on top of Starlight as Twilight's hoofs pressed to her chest.

Starlight struggles to breath for a moment. As she tried to ignites her horn, anger seethe in her eyes at the Alicorn. “I have put up with your mood swings, your daughter and I have had your back even when others did not! And this is the thanks I get?!” She fires another beam at Twilight.

Twilight looks at Starlight with disgust. “You really do disgust me.” She mutters.

Starlight then gets to her hooves, firing a spell at Twilight, as she did the same. For, Twilight being much more more powerful than Starlight, but both having an equal matched advantage in magic skill.

“I will not let you ruin Harmonia's special day!” Starlight said, slightly grunting at how much power she was using against the Princess of Friendship.

“And you won't live to tell it!” Twilight teases, but her tease was more of a threat. She then fires a blast at Starlight so powerful that it sends Starlight half way across the room.

Starlight, was slightly drained from the amount of magic she has been using, but she was determined to not give up.

She paints, slightly tired. “Aw, giving up already?” She smirks.

“N-not a chance!” Starlight painting, her body was overwhelmed with tiredness and in a desperate need of a recharge.

“But if this is about Discord then you need to let it go! He's moved on! And you should too!” Starlight said, her tone full of stern.

“Like I said my problem isn't with Discord. It's with you!” Twilight fires another magical blast. This time knocking Starlight unconscious.

“Let's just say Equestria would be better off without their hero.” She spats at Starlight.

Twilight then smirks at the powerful unicorns lifeless body. “I- I did it!” She squeals, She then laughs to herself, so sinister and malicious that it almost sounded venomous.

The laugh then became more echoing and hallow, revealing it no other than to be….

Chrysalis.

***

“Ladies and Gentlecolts may I present for the first time ever Princess Harmonia Sparkle!” Celestia- who was really Amiris- announces.

The double white French doors open, reveal Harmonia her elegant dress flowing swiftly behind her.

Once Harmonia reaches the front of the crowded room. Celestia gently smiles at Harmonia. “Turn to face your subjects Harmonia.” Celestia said, her tone soft.

Harmonia did as she was told, and turn to face her adoring crowd. “Honored guest, family and friends. I present to you Princess Harmonia Sparkle! Heir to the throne of Friendship and Chaos! She is willing to be your new Princess!” Celestia announces, as she levitates the crown off the soft satin pillow that was beside her. Slowly levitating downward on Harmonia's mane.

“If anypony has a reason to object, let them come forth and be heard!” Celestia announces.

As if on cue, a beam of dark magic zips past Harmonia's mane, make her crown hit the floor with a loud, echoing clink.

The ponies in the throne room, gasped. A familiar voice rings throughout the room. “I object!” Spoke a sly voice.

Out from the darkness, came a chilling pony one, who Harmonia wishing she was not seeing. “Awe, what a shame! You didn't even invite your own mother to your big day? Such a pity!” Twilight spoke, her tone icy and cold.

“Twilight?!” The girls and her niece's and nephews said in unison.

“Hi! Girls.” Twilight shifts her gazes to them for a moment, her tone so disgustingly bittersweet it was sicking.

“But I… I thought you-” Harmonia said, trying to gather her thoughts.

“If you ask me, she's not ready to be princess, she's far too young and even unprepared. Therefore, I can still make a decision for you for I- Princess Twilight Sparkle can still rule over you.” Twilight said, lightly touching her daughters nose. “Now we can do this the easy way and you can come with me or we can do this the hard way.” She smirks at her daughter.

“Your choice.” She muses at her.

“No.” Harmonia said, her tone rather stren.

“No?” Twilight questions, her voice icy cold and haughty. “You really shouldn't have disobeyed your mother, Harmonia.” Twilight said, her voice light, dangerous and threatening.

Her eyes glowing. “Seize them!” Twilight calls out.

From all around them, shadows creatures emerge from the walls and floor, surroundings Twilight with glowing red eyes.

“Take care of them! But leave the draconequus and Celestia to me!” Twilight commands.

The shadows nods, completely under Twilight's control.

“Well what are we doing? Just don't stand there fight back!” Sunset commands.

Spike burns half the shadows, leaving them to vaporize. Illusion, Mystic and Trixie blast them with their horns.

The Mane six doing their best to stop the invasion themselves. “This is simply ridiculous!” Rarity said, upset for what has came upon Harmonia’s coordination.

Rarity continues to obliterate the creatures with her horn. “You're telling me!” Pinkie Pie said.

“Mother, what can I do?” Ophelia asks.

“Mother is kind of busy right now!” Rarity shouts, continuing to set the shadow creatures ablaze with light.

“Out of all the days you seriously had to ruin my special day?!” Harmonia shouts, tears aligned her eyes.

“Oh I'm not going to fight you.” Twilight coos to her daughter.

She is.” Twilight said, from behind her emerges a young alicorn about the age of nine she had the same coat as her Twilight, just darker, she looks at Harmonia with a devilish expression.

“Who are you exactly?” Harmonia questions, unaware of who this young mare was.

“Why I'm your sister! And we are going to have so much fun together!” Stormy said, her tone fake happiness.

“Now! Let's play.” She smirks, she launches herself at Harmonia with her magic.

Twilight surveys the chaos around her, rather pleased with her work. “Now time to extract my second revenge.” She mutters to herself.

***

The atmosphere was chilly, dark and in a place no one wishes to be.

“Come out, come out wherever you are. You two can't hide forever.” Twilight coos, as she stalks the empty hallways.

But they were nowhere in sight. “They really are cowards.” Twilight mutters to herself.

She then comes back up through to the throne room. She took quick notice that Discord was helping Harmonia, but he was behind her. “Bingo!” Twilight said. She smirks, as igniting her horn.

Discord notices this and then quickly notices that Harmonia was in the way as the dark magic was coming straight to her.

Discord quickly, without thinking leaps into action. “Harmonia, move!” He yells, as he quickly push Harmonia out of the way.

Instead of her getting hit by the spell it was Discord.

The room fell silent for a moment since that loud blast from Twilight was heard.

"M-Mom? What have you done?" Harmonia whispers, her tone rather shaky.

In a bright flash of white light, which slowly faded leaving Discord turned to the one thing that he despises of: being turned to stone.

“Dad? Daddy?! Daddy!” Harmonia screams, she utterly felt broken inside as well as the outside, she sat there crying in pain, agony and hurt.

Sunset walks over to her, she looks from Harmonia to Twilight. “You are truly sick.” Sunset said, her eyes narrowed.

But Twilight just shrugs. “I've been called worse, but if I was you I wouldn't be so quick to call somepony a monster, Sunset.” Twilight spats.

This left Sunset to think for a moment. “I'm not like that anymore and you know it!” Sunset shot back.

“If you ask me: Once a monster, always a monster.” Twilight sasses.

“Oh? Like yourself?” Sunset shot back.

Twilight watches observes the chaos around her saying nothing to Sunset. “Now time to find my next target.” She grins, stalking her way to her next victim.

Celestia.

Next Chapter: Chapter 37 Estimated time remaining: 1 Hour, 18 Minutes
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