Fanfic concept: an Equestria Girls rewrite

[Dark Qiviut 22,160]

There are three certainties in life: death, taxes, and me hating Equestria Girls. It's no secret in this forum that I have a burning hatred for EQG. I wrote a review for EQG1 and RR, each negative. Whether I'll write one for Friendship Games or not will be determined. At the same time, dating back nearly eighteen months ago, I had an idea of writing a fanfic that completely reconstructs Equestria Girls from the ground up. My goal here is to reduce the three certainties down to two again: take a tired, loathsome, stereotypical, obnoxious concept for a spinoff that I hated from the start and evolve it into something I like while keeping it in character of Friendship Is Magic.

 

Over a year ago, I planned an idea for EQG1, which never got off the ground. You can see part of it here. Another that I partially wrote was never published because I didn't like the direction and got too lazy to finish it. On Skype, a great friend and I about EQG's screwed-up timeline. As a result, I decided to revisit it, try to flesh it out again, and spend more time and effort into it.

 

Rainbow Rocks and Friendship Games will definitely be on the tab, and quite possibly The Holiday Special. All ideas will be posted in this thread as well as my main blog.

 

Already, I posted twelve blogs expanding this concept. They can all be found here.

 

For convenience's sake, here is a link of every blog so you can see the progress. Compared to Part 1, a lot of stuff has changed, so please read them all before delivering feedback. The first six parts are just laying out the concept and coming up with as many ideas as possible. Some of them to be expanded upon more, some to be discarded. Parts 7 onward are laying out and expanding the chapter summaries as well as OC summaries.

1. Part 1
2. Part 2
3. Part 3
4. Part 4
5. Part 5
6. Part 6
7. Part 7. This begins laying out the concept even more. This includes the title, fanfic summary, idea for the cover art, early OC summaries, and so on. Chapter summaries begin here (four of them — one prologue, three main chapters) and become expanded. Prose-centric dialogue begins here.
8. Part 8. Two chapter summaries. Expanding story here with more description in scenes and dialogue.
9. Part 9. Two chapter summaries. Expanding here even more.
10. Part 10. Two more chapter summaries. Elongating the chapters.
11. Part 11. One long chapter summary. There's script format, but I also dabbled with a complete prose-filled scene, refining the last scene in Part 4.
12. Part 12. No chapter summaries this time. Early OC summaries are rearranged and refined. Will be updated when necessary.
13. Part 13. Only one chapter summary. Most of the dialogue in script format.
14. Part 14. Two chapter summaries. A mix of script and prose.

The list here will be updated, and I'll be releasing parts as I go along.

 

Once the concept is refined, I'll begin to write the chapters in full-fledged prose. If you have any ideas to help refine the concept even more, including ideas for the Rainbow Rocks and Friendship Games rewrites, let me know in a comment. This is a concept I'm really passionate about and want to get it done and done well.

Edited May 25, 2016 by Dark Qiviut

[The Pixie 1]

Seems liek a good idea to me

[Dark Qiviut 22,160]

This is Part 13 of my rewrite concept, one chapter only.

 

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Chapter 11: Tomorrow

 

Philomena guarded a second entrance to her study, located to the left of the fireplace. Princess Celestia silently looked in her library of documents in a corner room. Currently, only the Royal Sisters could search them unless granted permission by Celestia herself, and a permanent, transparent bubble was placed around them both collectively and individually to prevent any destruction whatsoever. She found several scrolls related to Star Swirl, but no spells. Then came a knock from Princess Luna.

 

Celestia: Come in.

 

Luna: *walks inside* Found anything, big sister?

 

Celestia: I’m afraid not. How about you?

 

Luna: *shakes head* No.

 

Celestia: *takes out pearl white scroll with list of Star Swirl’s studies, crosses off Twilight’s and Luna’s* Two down, maybe several dozen to go.

 

Luna: Still finding some rooms, are you not?

 

Celestia: Too many to count.

 

Luna: How many?

 

Celestia: Hmm…maybe twenty-five. And not counting the ten or so I know of already.

 

Luna: Did Star Swirl ever take a break in his life?

 

Celestia: *chuckle* Oh, he took some.

 

Luna: Name one.

 

Celestia: Well… *pauses* He took a century off writing spells.

 

Luna: What did he do in between?

 

Celestia: I don’t know, Luna. He never liked talking to anypony. Always preferred to work for himself.

 

Luna: So, is that why he failed to complete the ascension spell?

 

Celestia: Well, like I said, he never truly understood friendship.

 

Luna: Or maybe he didn’t care.

 

Celestia: Perhaps. Luna…*looks down at the scrolls*…do you think Sunset will forgive me?

 

Luna: Why, of course. What makes you believe she won’t?

 

Celestia: Well…did you see how she reacted last night when Pinkie said we’re all friends here?

 

Luna: No.

 

Celestia: You felt it, though, didn’t you?

 

Luna: Yes.

 

Celestia: Did it…scare you?

 

Luna: A little bit. What’s the matter, Celestia?

 

Celestia: Pain. She’s in pain, Luna. She doesn’t show it, but doesn’t hide it, either. Do you think the others notice, too?

 

Luna: If they did, they didn’t exhibit it. Is that why she sat next to me?

 

Celestia: Well, Luna, she does have a fascination for you.

 

Luna: Wish that happened before I became Nightmare Moon. *giggle*

 

Celestia: So what do you think about it? Do you like it?

 

Luna: Celestia, I don’t know what to think. I cannot explain why, but she makes me happy.

 

Celestia: Apparently, Miss Pinkie Pie there raised her so well. From what Twilight told and wrote to me, I can say my guess was completely true. The two Pinkies are almost completely alike. Now she has Pinkie Pie’s biggest talent: making others happy.

 

Luna: But it feels like a different kind of happy, doesn’t it? I know Pinkie is affectionate, but Sunset acts like a sister or mother…even for her age.

 

Celestia: Mother… *caresses her own hoof on her muzzle* Reminds me of how close we were before she ran away. I miss that. *sighs wistfully* I wish we’re at least friends again.

 

Luna: So tell her.

 

Celestia: No, Luna! *disgruntled sigh* Sorry. Right now, she wants nothing to do with me.

 

Luna: And she’ll continue to want nothing to do with you unless one of you approaches the other. Neither of you will say no forever.

 

Celestia: After calling me a monster, I doubt it.

 

Luna: But she wrote notes to you while locked in Pedestria, did she not?

 

Celestia: Yes, but—

 

Luna: But nothing. Celestia, if she hated you, then why did she bring the diary or write to you? She’d burn it before running away.

 

Purple eyes looked down at the cool, white floor. White eyelids blinked. Her ethereal mane slowed its flow.

 

Luna: *cups wing around her back* Sister, you wondered if she’ll forgive you. So talk to her. Won’t hurt to try.

 

Celestia: *sighs sadly and longingly* I hope so.

 

Meanwhile, Twilight Sparkle was in Sunset’s study. It was dark outside, and the lone light sources came from the half-moon outside and two chandeliers with tiny light bulbs within. Like Twilight’s study, Sunset’s was two stories high, except there was a spiral staircase from the middle and a gradual incline along the side. The bottom floor had several bookshelves, all reaching from floor to ceiling and a bed snugged against the window. Upstairs, shelves full of books stacked along with a gigantic globe of Equestria in the middle and a sundial by the window. As Spike slept in a makeshift cot, she rummaged through each book, scanning the pages quickly, but not so rapidly in order to not skip it, and she used an extra piece of magic to scan with her horn. Book by book, she found nothing, but she continued anyway, emptying out shelf by shelf. After finishing one shelf, she looked up at the high, conical ceiling, where books stacked tidily all the way up to the top.

 

“It’s gonna be one long week,” she grumbled to herself and went to sleep in her own cot beside him.

 

Next morning, knocking on the door woke her up. The rest of her friends and Spike (who woke up early) came over and brought food for them all to eat outside. Twilight didn’t want to, but Spike and Rarity reassured her, anyway. After all, you can’t find a spell on an empty stomach. They had their meals, chatted briefly, and then went to work in Sunset’s study.

 

Later, Sunset Pie Shimmer was busy cooking outside on the beach in front of the house. Over a rock pile of fire, she was toasting some leftover banana leaves and radishes. When they were lightly charred, she yanked them away from the fire, cut the portioned leaf into strips, rolled the leaf tightly around each radish, and used a little maple syrup to glue the leaf together and calm down the spicy radish. She handed them over to her family, and they bit into it. You got that bite of the radish and that sweet of the syrup to compliment it.

 

“Sister?”

 

Sunset looked up. “Yes, Solsty?”

 

Solstice’s grin shone brightly. “May I have more, please?”

 

Sunset tossed her rolled-up radish into her mouth. “Amsholutely.”

 

She stood up, speared more radishes through a wooden skewer, and planted it beside the campfire.

 

Throughout the early afternoon, they continually devoured this concoction.

 

As they ate, Pinkie Pie in the human world was walking down a boardwalk bridge in a bay near her house. Staring out at the bay, seagulls dipped their beaks underwater to down fish, and Pinkie watching reminiscently. She turned to her right and paid attention to a bench behind a rail; a transparent flashback of thirteen-year-old Sunset and twelve-year-old Pinkie flashed as they sat in winter wardrobes giggling and eating ice cream together. There, Sunset played a tiny trick on Pinkie by tapping her on the right shoulder to distract her and sneaking a small spoonful of Pinkie’s ice cream. Pinkie was caught by surprise and then stole a little spoonful herself while Sunset giggled cheekily. The two kids took turns alternating the ice cream while laughing. When the flashback disappeared, Pinkie returned home and opened the garage door, where Cloudy was busy carefully stuffing untangled streamers into a half-open party cannon barrel.

 

“Hi, Mom! So, are they ready?”

 

Cloudy Quartz snapped the cannon closed. “Ready,” she replied with a grin.

 

Pinkie took out a paper cup of strawberry ice cream and scooped some into her mouth.

 

At the beach, Sunrise went back to work lifeguarding. Nopony swam so far off the coast; whenever anyone did, she’d use her horn to slowly pull them ashore. Luckily, nopony was stupid enough to try. Everyone sunbathed, built sandcastles, or played sports on the sand, either through volleyball or some other family activity.

 

Then, a little disk nailed her left rear leg, startling her. As she went to pick up the disk, Solstice’s aura grabbed it, and he flicked it back to Sunset and Dawn, who were running back and forth. Dawn grabbed it with his mouth and tossed it back towards Solstice, who dove and barely missed. But he retrieved it when it hit the sand and flicked it over. Sunset successfully grabbed it on the dive and was immediately tackled by a laughing Dawn and Solstice.

 

Sunrise peaked at them from the corner of her eye. Her tense lips cracked a chuckle, and she sighed happily. Man, how much did she wish to join them right now.

 

Unfortunately, she had at least three hours of work left.

 

But by 7pm, everyone had already retired for the night, and Sunrise was cleared for the day. But the Shimmers weren’t ready to leave yet. All four were far away from the shoreline, but they kicked sand around while trying to catch that old flying disk into their mouths without using their horns or hooves to cheat.

 

For possibly the second time all day, Solstice caught the disk. After he landed, he showed off his surprise.

 

Solstice *muffled*: I got it! I got it!

 

Sunset: Great job, Solsty!

 

Dawn: Excellent catch, son. *crouched down and wiggled his legs* I’m ready.

 

Sunrise and Sunset crouched down, too.

 

Sunset and Sunrise: Ready!

 

Solstice spat out the disk and twirled it with the bottom of his right toe.

 

Solstice *slyly*: Who wants a disky? Who wants it? You, *at Dawn* you, *at Sunrise* or you? *at Sunset, then flicks it gently across the beach* Go!

 

Sunrise, Dawn, and Sunset chased after it. Dawn picked up a hot start, but began to fade as Sunrise and Sunset took the lead. As the disk descended, Sunrise took the lead and jumped up to grab it. But before she could, Dawn leapt over her, grabbed it, and landed hoof-first.

 

He spat out the disk and slowly twirled it around his hoof with a cocky grin. “Rule number-1: Never count out a Shimmer. Rule number-2—”

 

“Last one to tickle him’s a rotten egg!” yelled Sunrise.

 

Dawn’s eyes shrunk. “Oh, dear…”

 

He zipped away as Sunrise hurried after him, chortling.

 

Fortunately, he didn’t run for very long; Sunrise wrapped her front hooves around his abdomen and pulled him to the ground. Then, she began to lightly jab at his belly, and he guffawed uncontrollably.

 

Sunset and Solstice watched several yards away and faced each other, big grins on their muzzles. She held out a hoof, and he tapped it with his own.

 

But before she could do anything else, he lunged forward, wrapped his front legs around her, and caused her to fall on her back. Then, like Sunrise, he vigorously poked at her belly. This time with all four hooves. Sunset squirmed, but her legs felt paralyzed, yet her tail flailed. Louds gasps of young laughter from her and little Solsty erupted. Loud enough for Sunrise and Dawn to stop their own tickle fight and watch.

 

That night, Sunset was in bed, leaning back on her headboard. Journal on her lap, she glued an image of herself blushing as her rump was covered in cherry jam from falling on the pie.

 

“You were waiting for it,” she wrote underneath and drew a smile.

 

Immediately, her journal glowed, and Pinkie’s writing faded in below.

 

“Thanks a lot, Sunny! You owe me a new cake!”

 

“My pleasure.” Sunset grinned wickedly.

 

“Wait ’til everyone sees this! They’ll be laughing like crazy! Wait! Maud’s here! B.R.B.”

 

Less than a minute later, the diary flashed again, and Sunset turned the page.

 

“Hilarious.

 

—Maud”

 

“Hey, Maud! How’s everything with you and the others?”

 

“I’m doing okay, Sunny, but it doesn’t feel the same without you here.

 

—Maud”

 

“Empty, isn’t it?”

 

“Very.

 

—Maud”

 

“But it won’t be for long!” Pinkie wrote and scribbled an image of all three hugging.

 

“Um…we never set up a reunion time, Pinkie-Mommy.”

 

“Oh. How ’bout 9 AM tomorrow morning?”

 

“Groovy idea! Maud, what do you think?”

 

“I think it’s fantastic.

 

—Maud”

 

“YAY!” Sunset scribbled a pony and human raising their front legs (and arms) in excitement beside it.

 

Knock-knock.

 

Sunset: C’min!

 

Solstice walked inside.

 

Sunset: Hey, Solsty!

 

Solstice: Hey, Sunny. Hey, what’s that? *climbs on the bed*

 

Sunset: My diary. *scoots over* I’m writing t’my family from the other world.

 

Solstice: Cool! Can I write?

 

Sunset: Sure! *dips pen in ink* Solsty, tell me what y’wanna write, and I’ll write it with your name on it.

 

Solstice: Cool! “Hey”…

 

Sunset: “Hey”…

 

Solstice: “Sunset’s”…

 

Sunset: “Sunset’s”…

 

Solstice: “Other family”…

 

Sunset: “Other family”… *writes his name down at the end*

 

“Hi, Solstice! I’m Pinkie Pie! It’s exciting to talk to ya!”

 

Solstice: *eyes the floating quill* May I—

 

Sunset: Oh! Of course. *exchanges the quill pen and watches*

 

Solstice: “Pinkie, you sound amazing. Signed, Solstice.”

 

Pinkie: “Awwwwwww, shucks! Wait, you’re Sunny-Hunny’s little bro! Oh, my gosh!”

 

*Sunset laughs, Solstice giggles*

 

Solstice: “Sunny says so many great things about you.”

 

Pinkie: “Aww!”

 

Maud: “Hi, Solstice. It’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m one of her older sisters, Maud.”

 

Solstice: “Hey, Maud. Name’s Solstice. Nice to meet you, too.”

 

Maud: “Hopefully, we will all meet in person soon.”

 

Solstice: “I hope so, too.” *turns to Sunset* In person?

 

Sunset: Figure of speech, Solsty. *kisses his head*

 

Maud: “I have to leave for work tonight. Sunset, Solstice, goodnight. —Maud”

 

Solstice: “Goodnight, Maud! Pinkie, Sunset, be right back. Dinner.”

 

Pinkie: “Okie-dokie-lokie.”

 

Solstice: *laughs, leaves*

 

Sunset: “Wonderful li’l bro, isn’t he?”

 

Pinkie: “Absolutely! Reminds me of another baby sister I know.” *writes a wink*

 

Sunset: *laugh* “I really miss you, Pinkie-Mommy.”

 

Pinkie: “We all miss you, Sunny. Boy, oh, boy, we got a marvelous surprise for you tomorrow! Can’t wait!”

 

Sunset: “I know you too well. You go all the way with your plans.”

 

Pinkie: “Maybe a little TOO far out of my way.”

 

Sunset: “What do you mean?”

 

Pinkie: “If I tell you, it’s not a secret anymore.” *writes a wink*

 

Before Sunset can write more down, Pinkie added, “Don’t worry, you’re gonna love it! Pinkie-Promise or your money back!”

 

Sunset: “Watching too many infomercials lately?”

 

Pinkie: “Understatement of the decade. Thirty-second commercials over and over and over and over again! Makes my hair flatten.”

 

Sunset: “Not the hair! NEVER flatten your hair!”

 

Pinkie: “Don’t throw a kenohorah, Sunny!”

 

Sunset: “Oy vey.”

 

Pinkie: “So, do your mom and dad there know you’re leaving tomorrow morning for two days?”

 

Sunset: “Shoot, I forgot! Be right back.”

 

Pinkie: “I’ll be waiting.” *scribbles a grin underneath*

 

As Sunset departed to tell her family her plans for the next two days, Pinkie laid the book down on the bed, walked to Sunset’s room, and stared at the deep twilight sky outside her window. Smile small. Eyes half-tired. And a red streamer twirling around her left index finger.

 

“Tomorrow, Sunny,” she murmured, smiling. “Tomorrow.”

[Dark Qiviut 22,160]

Back with two planned chapters of my EQG1 rewrite!

 

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Chapter 12: I’m On My Way

 

Sunset Pie Shimmer chose to return to Canterlot via the early-morning express, so she kissed each of her family on the cheek, laid down her diary and supplies on the bedroom table with a note on top, and left. Written was as follows:

 

Mama, Papa, Solsty, here’s my diary. Write to me and Pinkie-Mommy in the other world by using the magic quill. After each message, the diary will glow and flicker. I’ll write to you the second Pinkie-Mommy arrives with hers.

 

Love you so much. See y’all in two days!

 

Sunset Pie Shimmer

 

She arrived in Canterlot and entered the closed castle safely. Because it was only 7am, she toured the castle for a quick breakfast and then skipped along to her old study. Closed books lay everywhere. Nearly every shelf on the second floor was completely empty. Everypony was sound asleep on the first floor in makeshift cots, some of them snoring and making funny noises. Giggling quietly, she slowly closed the door, walked back into the castle and passed the Throne Room.

 

A few steps after passing the doors, they opened, and Celestia walked out.

 

“Good morning, Sunset.”

 

“Morning, Princess. Y’heard me coming, didn’t you?”

 

“Philomena sensed your presence.”

 

“Oh.” She peered inside the room. Philomena perched on her stand beside the throne. As she trotted towards her, she said, “Long time, no see, Philomena.”

 

With a kind squawk, Philomena bowed.

 

Sunset checked her watch. 8am. “Hmm…I got some time.” With her tail, she unveiled a lime green ball, and she started shaking it high above her. “Philo, Philo,” she whispered.

 

Philomena’s ears rang, and she immediately wiggled her tail.

 

After a couple of quick side-peaks, she flicked it to her right and whispered, “Go!”

 

Wings expanded, Philomena launched herself off the stand and darted after it.

 

Just as it descended, Philomena snagged it with her beak and cawed loudly.

 

“Great catch, Philo!” cheered Sunset and clapped her hooves in excitement.

 

Cawing again, Philomena dropped her treasure as she glided over and by her. As she turned around to land, Sunset jiggled the ball again, and Philomena’s yellow eyes stared hard at it. Green and bright, it hugged the end of Sunset’s tail, and it swayed as Sunset wiggled her hips.

 

“Catch!” called the unicorn and flung it to her right again.

 

Wings flapping rapidly, the phoenix flew after it. Yellow eyes glared at the ball as it reached its apex. She descended a little at a high speed and ascended.

 

Then, the ball began to tumble.

 

CAW!!!

Talons squeezed the ball as she zipped by. As Sunset and Celestia cheered, Philomena grinned and landed on her stand with her free right claws.

 

Sunset galloped to the throne, jumped up, and stroked her back. “Bravo, Philo! Great girl. Please play with it while I’m away, okay?”

 

Philomena nodded, still grinning.

 

Giggling, they nuzzled their heads, and Philomena wrapped her wings gently around her neck. When they let go, Sunset jumped down and galloped out the door.

 

Celestia: You miss playing with her.

 

Sunset: Definitely. *happy sigh*

 

Celestia: Reminds me of a little unicorn I know.

 

Sunset: Used to know.

 

Celestia: Filly or mare, you’re still you, Sunset.

 

Sunset *resigned*: I…guess you’re right.

 

Celestia: So, do you want to talk for a few minutes?

 

Sunset: Well, since Pinkie-Mommy won’t be at the statue till nine, maybe a talk won’t hurt.

 

Celestia: You don’t want to talk. I can tell through your voice.

 

Sunset: *sigh* Not at all.

 

Celestia: Sunset, I know you’re hurting. *looks down* You have every right to be.

 

Sunset said nothing.

 

Celestia: You don’t have to talk, Sunset. I understand. *stopped walking as Sunset continued, her muzzle looking down* Do you want me to leave you alone?

 

Sunset stopped and sat down. “Princess…” she patted beside her, “…please come over.”

 

Celestia walked over.

 

“I’ve been thinking… You don’t believe you’re a monster…do you?”

 

Celestia kept her head down.

 

“Princess…”

 

Celestia sighed. “I expected really hard feelings from you. If you believe you shouldn’t, don’t. You have every right to be…” Her voice faded into a whisper, but it perked again. “Maybe you’re right. Maybe I am a monster.”

 

An amber hoof caressed her chin and slowly pulled her neck to her till their muzzles were approximately five inches from each other. “You hurt me eleven years ago. Do I know if this pain will ever go away? I don’t.”

 

Celestia’s eyes watched the floor.

 

“Princess, look at me.”

 

She did.

 

“But no matter what I say…no matter what you think…you’re not a monster.”

 

She lunged, wrapped her front hooves loosely around Celestia’s neck, and allowed her eyelids to slowly close. Off-white fur felt as warm as the summer heat and as light as a bright, orange glow. Celestia’s heart pumped rapidly. For the first time in years, her crown felt lighter.

 

As a small tear trickled down her left cheek, Celestia wrapped her left hoof around Sunset and closed her eyes. Green eyes never shrank. No eyelids snapped open. No gasp. Instead, she leaned forward and hugged her a little more snugly.

 

Their embrace lasted for over a minute when Sunset opened her eyes and leaned back. “By the way, y’have a little search party to continue, don’t you?”

 

She hummed and nodded in reply.

 

As they let go, Sunset asked, “Princess, can I ask you a favor?”

 

“Yes, please.”

 

“Monday night…can we meet for dinner and tea here?”

 

“Yes, yes, yes!”

 

“Yay! Awesome!” She looked at her watch and gasped. “Oh, shoot! I’ll be late! Bye, Princess!” She zipped down the hall, but skidded to a halt instantly. Chuckling out of embarrassment, she looked back and asked, “Where’s the Reflection Room?”

 

Princess Celestia chuckled. “I’ll take you there.”

 

Her horn glowed, and in a series of fades, both ponies soon arrived inside. Unlike before, neither of them needed to light up their horns, as two bright orbs of light levitated about a foot from the ceiling. Aside from the brightness, nothing changed exception the placement of the presentation desk, which was in the center of the room and right in between of the door and mirror.

 

But the glass case was missing.

 

“Wait a sec!” exclaimed Sunset, walking over to the podium. Sitting on top was a book with two quills on its left and a closed bottle of ink opposite it. Her cutie mark was embroidered on the middle of the familiar brown cover. A light gray sack hung on a tack on the lower-right edge. “Is that—?”

 

Celestia smiled. “After we adjourned from our meeting in Grazewood, I believed you needed an extra diary to help you communicate with your loved ones more easily,” she explained as Sunset grabbed them with her magic. “If you want to communicate with just one diary, I linked each with letters. The one you’re holding now is Diary A. Pinkie’s there is Diary P. The Shimmers’ is Diary S. To activate the spell, write the letter in single-quotes before writing your message.”

 

Sunset dipped a quill in ink. “Not case-sensitive, is it?”

 

“No.”

 

Smiling, she wrote her note in the latest fresh piece of paper.

 

‘P’ & ‘S’

 

Hey, Pinkie-Mommy and Mama and Papa Shimmer! I’m writing to all o’ you in a brand-new journal!

 

Don’t worry about the letters on top. Princess Celestia magically linked each journal with a letter. Mine is ‘A.’ Pinkie-Mommy, yours is ‘P.’ Mama and Papa, yours is ‘S.’ Contact any journal specifically by writing the letter in single-quote (look above) above your message. I’ll explain better in a little while. Meantime, write the letter somewhere on the cover in a visible color, preferably permanent.

 

Right now, I’m in Canterlot and will be crossing through the portal shortly.

 

Love y’all! XOXO!

 

Sunset Pie Shimmer

 

She dried the quill with magic and put it in her sack, a little smirk on her face. “You linked a journal with mine, didn’t-cha?”

 

“You know me too well. Mine’s Diary C,” replied Celestia. “Don’t worry, mine is completely empty and won’t be contacted unless you write in my diary link.”

 

“Hmmmmmmm…” Conspicuous eyebrows furrowed forward in a slight angle as she faced her. Green eyes dulled. Mouth shifted. A cheek puffed with air. Her right front hoof lightly tapped the floor.

 

“Hhhhmmmmmmm…” Certain eyebrows furrowed forward in a slight angle. Purple eyes shone brightly.

 

Sunset’s cheek muscles strained, and her lips competed with her puffed-up cheek… But oxygen wasn’t containable.

 

At last, she broke into a smile, exhaled, and laughed. “Okay, okay, I believe you.”

 

After checking her bag to make sure she was packed, she put the diary away and then checked her watch.

 

“8:43. Time t’go.”

 

She put the sack around her back and began walking toward the mirror. As she stepped closer, attention to her horn increased. With each throb, she shivered, and bit her lip to not grumble outwardly.

 

With a heavy sigh, she stared at the mirror. One foot away. Red and gold around towering shatterproof glass. A reach to cross the bridge and back in Canterlot City—

 

She looked back.

 

“Princess Celestia?”

 

She never moved. Her muzzle, irises, and smile gleamed. “Yes, Sunset?”

 

Smiling, she put her left hoof on her mouth, kissed it, and blew it towards her. “Thank you.”

 

Celestia nodded in reply.

 

With glistening eyes, Sunset leapt forward and vanished through King Arion’s mirror.

 

---

 

Chapter 13: May I Have This Dance?

 

At 8:46, Sunset arrived back in Canterlot City. She can feel her human extremities again: the toes within her shoes and especially her fingers. But her horn was missing. If there was some kind of spell to include some wand to replace it, then maybe the sensation on the middle of her forehead will become more tolerable. Unfortunately, nobody was here, so she informed both parties of their arrival, this time by not writing in the code letters. While she waited, she sat down at the steps where Old Iron stood on guard.

 

“Hey, Old Iron!” she called, drawing his attention. “I’m waiting for family. Mind if I—”

 

“—sit and wait?” he interrupted with a small smile. “No problem.”

 

Sunset sat down and waited.

 

Sure enough, her journal flickered, and she opened the page.

 

Hi, Sunshine! So glad you’re safe. It’s been a few hours, but it still feels so empty without you. Keep in touch!

 

With love, kisses, and a comb,

Mommy Shimmer

 

Smiling, Sunset wrote back to her:

 

Hey, Mama. Nice, warm summer day here in Canterlot City. Currently, Pinkie-Mommy isn’t here, so I’m sitting on the steps of Canterlot High— That’s the school I go to. Usually, Pinkie-Mommy’s really early. I wonder what

 

Suddenly, the journal glowed, and she turned the page.

 

‘A’

 

Sunny-Hunny! So cute a nickname. Shall I call you that from now on?

 

Stay at CHS! I’ll be there in five minutes!

 

Love,

Pinkie-Mommy

 

Sunset chuckled and wrote back.

 

‘P’

 

Sunny-Hunny…I’m gonna get used to that. I’ll be waitin’!

 

Underneath flashed her human and pony forms with a massive grin.

 

A hand on the page, she flipped it back, crossed out the last one-and-a-half sentences, and completed it.

 

Hey, Mama. Nice, warm summer day here in Canterlot City. Currently, Pinkie-Mommy isn’t here, so I’m sitting on the steps of Canterlot High— That’s the school I go to. Usually, Pinkie-Mommy’s really early. I wonder what Pinkie-Mommy will be here soon. I’ll talk to you later.

 

XOXO,

Sunset Pie Shimmer

 

Sunrise replied back below.

 

Love you!

 

Giggling under her breath, she packed it, squeaked the bag between her legs, and leaned on the door, hands behind her head.

 

Sure enough, five minutes later, the Pie van rolled to a complete stop in front of the school. Pinkie jumped out and ran to Sunset, Sunset ran to Pinkie, and they met with the ritualistic greeting, several kisses along the face, and one tight hug, causing Sunset to choke out, “I can’t breathe.” When she let go (and blushed from embarrassment), she hugged Cloudy (who drove the van) hard, and they kissed the others’ cheeks and the nose. When Sunset asks where the others are, Pinkie tells her, “Oooh, you’ll see, Sunny-Hunny.”

 

Sunset playfully rolls her eyes and wraps her arms around Pinkie-Mommy’s shoulder as they all return to the van and head straight for Sugarcube Corner. There, nobody was sitting outside. But inside, it was a small gathering party. All of the ReMane Five were there waiting and greeted her back with big hugs and nuzzles on the forehead. There, they had lunch and talked about what was going on while Sunset was gone. As Pinkie walked to the back, all four admitted that everything felt…quiet. CC felt a little lonely without her.

 

“A little, Fluttershy?” scoffed Rainbow Dash. “More like a lot. Sunset, Pinkie moped while you were gone!”

 

“We all moped, Rainbow Dash,” said Rarity. “Well, both figuratively and literally.” A groan. “Drafting a concept for a new wardrobe was way more difficult than I imagined.”

 

“Well, think about it,” said Rainbow Dash. “How long’ve you known us, Sunny? Five…six years?”

 

Sunset sipped. “Just about.”

 

“And how long have y’known Pinkie and you, Fluttershy?” Dash shrugged and collapsed her hands on the table. “Since you arrived in CC.”

 

“Give or take a full moon or two,” added Applejack.

 

“You’re a part of our lives, Sunny,” said Fluttershy.

 

Pinkie peaked her head from the behind the desk. “Annnnnd when Twilight and her equine Equestrians find and fix that blasted spell, she’ll remain part of our lives!”

 

Everyone shouted in agreement.

 

“So,” she flashed a tray with two-dozen neatly-presented square cookies on top, “lemongrass cookies, everyone?”

 

Everyone cheered as they took a cookie and bit into them. There were two types: a plain lemongrass cookie and a lemongrass cookie with a hint of ginger to give it a little spice. The cookies felt and tasted soft, so you didn’t have to immediately spend extra cash for milk or request for water. It was like a cake, and it’d only recently come out of the oven. All six enjoyed it, and Sunset was especially pleased, especially the one with the ginger. Pinkie grinned, giggled, and messed up her head of hair in appreciation. Then she picked out a little paper bag and revealed some skinny anise cookies, one for each. A sweet cookie with nice anise flavor. But there was one left, so Pinkie halved it and gave the bigger half to Sunny-Hunny.

 

Tap, tap, tap.

 

Emerald green eyes looked back.

 

Apron and latex gloves donned, Limestone’s bright green eyes daggered towards her younger sister.

 

“Well, well, well, little Sunny’s back,” she snipped.

 

Then her lime green eyes shone softly; brows stopped furrowing, and lips smiled.

 

“What took you so long?”

 

Sunset smiled, stood up, and wrapped her arms around Limestone, who hugged her right back. A light tear shed down Limestone’s cheek and landed on Sunset’s shoulder, and she pulled Sunset more tightly, not allowing her to move.

 

Suddenly, Sunset coughed and squirmed. “Lime…can’t breathe.”

 

Immediately, Lime loosened her grasp, but she kept her arms around her.

 

“Sorry, Sunny.”

 

“It’s okay. I’m already experienced in bruise-worthy hugs.” She side-glanced at the now sitting Pinkie, who blushed. “I missed you, Lime. And your tired, sweaty workaholic-yness.“

 

Limestone chuckled and kissed Sunset’s forehead. “I missed you, too, Sunset.”

 

Sunset pecked her cheek right back. “Sooooo…workin’ with Pinkie-Mommy, I presume?”

 

“Yep!” reminded Pinkie as she brought over a chair. “Cookie, Lime?”

 

Limestone hummed. “Well…I almost killed myself preparing your cookies and then almost killed you, Sunny. Why not make it three for three.”

 

As Applejack and Sunset chuckled, Limestone sat down in between Sunset and Fluttershy. With a calloused hand (much to Rarity’s discomfort), she grabbed four cookies and bit into them. As she chewed, her taste buds and brain tingled, and her smile curled more upward.

 

“Mmm…impressive.”

 

Minutes later, Limestone checked the time and went back to work in the kitchen. But not without taking a couple of more because she liked them so much.

 

They stayed for about one hour (mostly talking and eating snacks) before splitting up. While Sunset’s friends had to leave for work, Sunset, Pinkie, Cloudy and Limestone (whose shift ended) met up with Maud to head to the Indigenous Museum in Bucebeaux Terrace. While Cloudy, Limestone, and Pinkie split into one group, Maud and Sunset went by themselves together. The near-empty, yet rich, museum contained thousands of artifacts from inside bulletproof glass, from headdresses to arrows to ancient masks, among other things. Some exhibitions included beadwork, dolls, and wooden masks painted and placed on the makeshift walls. Sunset barely talked; yet when she did, she never heard herself speak. Maud’s side-gaze at her younger sister never ceded, and she cracked a smile.

 

As they headed towards the Capital Dome within the terrace, Maud extended her hand. Sunset held it right back, and they walked through the hallway together.

 

Two hours after arrival, they picked up Igneous from a community center and returned home to catch some R&R. During their break, Sunset and Pinkie-Mommy communicated with Dawn and Solstice via Sunset’s journal in Sunset’s room. After Dawn and Solstice left, Sunset wrote a little note to Celestia asking her to inform her if they find anything to write back to her ASAP. Celestia said, “Yes,” and Sunset put it all on her computer desk.

 

Pinkie: *looking at her smartphone, giggles* Can’t wait for tonight.

 

Sunset: Me, neither. What are we doing tonight, anyway?
 

Pinkie: You nagged me about it all day.

 

Sunset: More like once or twice, Pinkie-Mommy.

 

Pinkie: Oh, I’m joshing you, silly! Here. *pats on the bed*

 

Sunset sits down beside her.

 

Pinkie: Now, remember Acorver County?

 

Sunset: Pinkie-Mommy, everyone remembers Acorver. It’s an hour drive from here.

 

Pinkie: Nononono. Not that. Remember, say, four years ago? New Year’s Eve?

 

Sunset: *taps her chin* Hmmmm, I think— *gasp* Waitaminute!

 

Pinkie: *giggle* Eeyep! *jumps off bed and starts swinging hips side-to side* A ‘Jam-All-Night-in-Fallwood-with-Our-Friends’ party!

 

Sunset: *jumps up and off the bed* Fallwood?! The Fallwood church?!

 

Pinkie: *slides across the bed* Remember now, Sunny-Hunny?

 

Sunset: How couldn’t I?!

 

Sunset & Pinkie: Basement-dancing, *swing hips side-to-side* here *hips bounce* we come! *hips bounce off each other again*

 

Downstairs, Maud and Limestone were hand-washing dishes when they heard Pinkie and Sunny laughing upstairs.

 

Limestone: *leans to Maud and whispers in her ear* Just as I expected.

 

Maud: Mm-hmm.

 

5:30. Everyone began to leave, Igneous opening the door for his kids as Cloudy went in the garage.

 

Pinkie was one of the last to leave.

 

Pinkie: Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooooooh, ooooooooh! So excited! *jumps down flight of stairs and lands solidly below before her sisters*

 

Igneous: Careful, Pinkamena. Don’t hurt yourself.

 

Pinkie: Sorry, Dad.

 

Limestone *smiling*: We’re all excited, Pinkie. *rubs her head*

 

Pinkie: Nononononono, Lime-y! Oh, nononononono! We’re so nervicited! *mouth trembles*

 

Sunset *jokingly*: Now where did I hear that word before?

 

Pinkie: The other me, perhaps? *wink*

 

Sunset: *laugh* Pinkie-Mommy, y’know me too well.

 

Igneous: *looks back inside* Ready, Marble?

 

Marble: A moment, Dad. Ready! *runs out wearing sleeveless, white trench coat tied over long-sleeve silver-colored glittered shirt with soft, lightweight, light green khaki pants and soft crimson boots; a scrunchie held her hair back*

 

As she walked down the stairs, Igneous locked the doors, and the kids approached the ramp leading to the garage, where the door was slowly opening. Once the door completely retracted, Cloudy slowly reversed the van down the driveway and stopped just before hitting the curb.

 

One by one, everyone filed in, starting with Maud and Limestone for the back, Igneous for the front, and Pinkie and Sunset for the middle. Marble’s eyes locked at the ground, wringing her purse like a soaked rag.

 

Cloudy: Marble, are you coming?

 

Marble says nothing.

 

Cloudy: Is something wrong? Are you okay?

 

Marble: I don’t know, Mom… I don’t know if I can come.

 

Pinkie: Why, Marb?

 

Marble: Pinkie, you know why. You know how anxious I am ’round crowds. I can’t deal with them!

 

Pinkie: Marble—

 

Marble: “Marble” nothing, Pinkie! *sigh* Sorry. Go to Sunny’s party. I’ll go elsewhere. *reaches in purse to take out smartphone*

 

Pinkie: Sunny-Hunny, everybody, can I have a minute, please?

 

Sunset: Sure. *scoots legs to the side to let Pinkie out*

 

Pinkie stepped out of the van and placed a hand on Marble, who stopped dialing.

 

Pinkie: Marble, you’re right. I should’ve let’cha in on Sunset’s surprise party. I was so excited about planning it, your stage fright never crossed my mind. *holds Marble’s hand* I’m sorry for being inconsiderate.

 

Marble: No, Pinkie. It’s my fault I have stage fright.

 

Pinkie: Nononononono, Marble. It’s not your fault. Never your fault. *hugs her tightly around the neck* Nobody’s fault.

 

Marble: Pinkie, you’re hurting me.

 

Pinkie: *nervous chuckle* Sorry, Marb. *loosens grip* Better?

 

Marble: *sighs happily, loosely wraps her arms around Pinkie’s back* Better… What time is it?

 

Pinkie: *twists wrist to show watch and time behind Marble’s head* Five-thirty-six.

 

Marble zipped into the car and buckled up on Sunset’s right.

 

Marble: Well, we don’t wanna be late, do we?

 

Silence fell.

 

Limestone: *peaks head from the back* Will you be okay?

 

Marble: Heck, no! I wanna throw up…! But how can I support everypony if I’m not there? *holds Sunset’s hand* And you, Sunny.

 

Sunset: Thanks, Marble.

 

Maud *as Pinkie slides into the van*: Marble, you said “everypony.”

 

Marble: I did? Oops! *blushes, chuckle*

 

Pinkie: *slides door shut* Marble, ready?

 

Marble: *nodding* Mm-hmm.

 

Cloudy: Ready, kids?

 

Pie kids: READY!!!

 

Both parents cringed, and Cloudy scrubbed her right ear with her pinkie finger.

 

Igneous: *chuckle* A little too ready.

 

Then they drove away and onto the outer-county freeway. Along the freeway, Pinkie watched the sun shine brightly on Canterlot City’s Midtown skyscrapers, park, and northern-CC buildings. All the while, Marble held Sunset’s right hand and rested her head on her shoulder.

 

Igneous: Everything all right back there, Marble?

 

Marble: *light, happy sigh * Well…stomach’s holding up.

 

Igneous: If you feel too uncomfortable in the crowd, don’t worry. Let any of us know, and we’ll help.

 

Marble: Thanks, Dad.

 

Meanwhile, Pinkie checks up on her text messages and voicemails in her smartphone, and Marble starts humming a quiet tune with her eyes shut.

 

By 6:45pm, they drove passed Encee (a play on the “North Canterlot” acronym, and The Bronx reference) and arrived inside a town in Acorver County. One more turn later, they parked in front of a two-story-tall church on a quiet corner. A circular stained-glass window glistened from the on streetlamp, and a few other cars had already parked around it. One stairway led to the main church entrance, the other the basement underneath.

 

As several of Sunset’s friends watched from security camera installed above the main door, Sunset et al scurried out, and the kids followed Igneous and Cloudy down the stairs into the basement. Compared to the main floor, the basement wasn’t very pretty. The walls were a generic brown with a white floor and ceiling, but chairs were put to the side, and rows of tables lined up alongside with nonalcoholic drinks, water, and snacks on top. Arranging one of the tables was Starflower and Moonnight, Starflower’s mom [has the same mint green skin and lavender hair, but taller, older-sounding, and wearing casual clothes (white t-shirt, jeans, and leather sandals)]. As Moonnight greeted Igneous and Cloudy, the Pie kids looked around the dance floor. No disco ball, sure, but speakers were plugged in on the side. Lights hung in front of the stage. Vinyl Scratch, Flash, and Sandalwood tested musical equipment. Flash told Sunset they’re a little early, and they explained that they wanted to show up and not worry about traffic.

 

Applejack quipped about them not worrying about it, either, as she, Apple Bloom, and Big Mac arrived through the door. Then Rarity, Sweetie Belle, and Magnum. Then Fluttershy. Then Rainbow Dash. Soon, the basement was flocked with people, including VP Luna and Principal Celestia. With everyone signed in, Pinkie Pie took out the party cannon that she worked on building from a box underneath a table and let it fire. With a loud, squeaky pop, confetti shot into the air, and the party began.

 

Unlike the party in Sugarcube Corner, each person took their turns dancing to the beat of their choice, by either what was given to them or with a CD, mp3 file, or vinyl record handed over to Vinyl to play. With one big circle in the center, each took their turns dancing, either by themselves or with several partners come young or old.

 

But not everyone wanted to join. Marble stood from beyond the circle, humming to the tune of the march-like song played for a baton-juggling female name Whirlberry*. When Whirlberry finished, it was Pinkie Pie’s turn, and as her upbeat jingle begins playing, Marble eyes her own encased CD. Then the music changes, and Marble sees swirls of colors with echoes of taunts and insults, some of which took shape into heads. Teeth chattered. The insults became more abusive. A couple of soft steps back. A bump to the wall. She shakes her head violently; in front of her, Pinkie was just singing and dancing happily. She sighed and wiped her forehead with a spare napkin. As the song continued, her purple eyes darted to her disk. She tapped Flash’s shoulder, handed the disk to him, and whispered in his ear. Followed by nods to each other, he went to the back.

 

At last, Pinkie’s song ended, and she left the circle. Suddenly, Marble clapped from the back. Then two claps. Her hands casually slid the crowd to the side. As she clapped once, her left foot walked forward and clogged the floor. When she clapped twice, her right foot clogged the floor twice: her toe and then her whole foot. She kept up this pattern until arriving in the middle of the circle.

 

Then her chosen song began to play — time disappeared. Loose limbs. Feet tapped. Her hands clapped. Everyone clapped back, but she couldn’t see it — only hear. Her memory kept in tune with the music. Then when Flash entered as her dance partner, their moves synced. When she clapped, he clapped. The sides of their hips bounced upon internal command. Their hands touched as they spun in a circle together, their feet sliding across the slick parquet floor.

 

As Flash exited and Rarity entered, they found themselves locked in a tight hug for what felt like three seconds, then four, then five; their legs, heels, and toes kicked the floor as the drumsticks hit the drum. When cymbals crashed, they separated, but their hands locked, and Marble felt herself twirl as Rarity led. But as soon as Rarity led, Marble felt her own weight command Rarity, and the off-white girl twirled in Marble’s grasp. As people clapped, Rarity and Marble held onto each other’s wrists as they swayed and stomped, and the sea of brown and white from around the room glowed a bright, deep blue. During the chorus, they let go, but continued to sway, bounced their hips side-to-side, and snapped their fingers. Just before the chorus ended, Marble twirled Rarity, who danced out of the circle.

 

Finally, the bridge. Energy flowed through her nerves. Her muscles ached. Sweat protruded from the top of her head to her temple. But people clapped and cheered. Her conscience lightened. The mental straps that held her legs down loosened, but her torso tensed, and everyone’s faces blurred. But she continued to spin and closed her eyes. The more she crouched, the faster she spun.

 

“GO, MARBLE!” Maud yelled out.

 

Eyelids opened.

 

Arms slid inward.

 

She unbuckled the belt.

 

Knees straightened.

 

Back upright.

 

Energy surged.

 

The scrunchie that tied her hair slid off.

 

Like a disk, Marble’s trench coat spun into the air, grazed the ceiling, and landed into the crowd. A silver tail sewn to back of her shirt flapped. Red shoes polished the dot that consumed her twirl. Over her eyes, her bangs flowed, and the back of her hair stuck onto her arms and followed her.

 

Once the cymbals rang, her feet stamped the floor with a loud slam. The blurred cheers took shape, yet she couldn’t hear them. The audio and physical noise covered her, and with each burst of energy from the music, the more her eyes went to find a partner.

 

Then she saw Applejack and Maud dancing together and cheering her on.

 

She zoomed to them, grabbed them by the hand, and brought them both into the circle.

 

The bridge has been crossed, and what was on her mind, she didn’t know. But she didn’t care. Two other girls, happy in their own way, followed her lead, and all three whooped and cheered. Maud’s eyes opened wide and glistened in the spinning lights; a tiny tear trickled. As they twirled, Applejack nudged her hat off her head to Marble, who grabbed it and donned it as she slowed.

 

Finally, the music began to quiet. Maud and Applejack ran back to the side. Young Marble slowed her tempo and closed her eyed. Sweat began to pour. Finally, with one more repeated chorus, it silenced. Gray skin glistened in sweat. Her hair shone. Her clothes glued onto her skin. Legs finally cramped. One knee on the ground. Lungs pleaded.

 

Covered purple eyes uncovered and wandered around. Cheers roared within the basement. People clapped, yelled, and jumped. Loud pants softened; oxygen slowly refilled in her lungs. But exhaustion prepared to cramp her legs.

 

But she smiled and laughed.

 

With a grunt, she pushed herself to her feet and lifted the cowgirl hat off her head. Both hands over her heart, she spun slowly and bowed. When she stopped, six pairs of eyes ran over to her; their arms hugged her with as much passion and pride as a Pie would ever feel. And Marble hugged each of them back vigorously, including jumping into Pinkie’s arms.

 

Tonight, freedom uplifted her soul.

 

Back in Sunset’s room, her journal glowed.

 

---

 

*In Friendship Games, there's an unnamed female character holding a baton during The CHS Rally Song. I decided to call her Whirlberry in reference of it and her berry-colored hair. Other names (which can be found here) include Sweeten Sour (used on Derpibooru) and Baton Switch. Here's the character's image:

 

---

 

"Bucebeau Terrace" is a few NYC references:

1. Buce = Bucephalus. Alexander the Great’s horse: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bucephalus
2. Beaux = Beaux-Arts movement in NYC in the early-20th Century.
3. Terrace = “Audabon Terrace,” the old location of the National Museum of the American Indian.
4. Capital Dome = Inside the Alexander Hamilton U.S. Custom House and current location of NYC’s museum branch.

Edited May 25, 2016 by Dark Qiviut

[Dark Qiviut 22,160]

Back with an idea. In two parts, I wrote about Princess Celestia and Luna telling the Mane Six and Sunset Pie Shimmer about King Arion and him writing the mirror to forge trade without traveling long-distance and threatening other's lives. At this time, I have forged a draft of King Arion's spell, which describes how it's made and who's permitted to access the portal.

 

---

 

Authored by Arion, Holy King of the Unnamed Land of Bridlemartis

 

The Mirror of Transport, Preamble

 

From the plentiful rainforests of the mainland to the permanent cloudscapes to arid countries ascending the crisp sky, Ponies of all races, and every Species known to The Land, have the ability to travel afar. Sentient and insentient Beings walk, run, eat, drink, and sleep every day. Sometimes a Being withholds survival after incapability of living in the conditions requiring them of mandatory service, either by him or via generous aid.

 

Along the equator, our Kingdom is perched on a faraway land deep in the sky. Unicorns, Pegasi, and Earth Ponies harmonize, travel, and live together to thrive a moral and self-healthy economy. Pegasi travel thousands of meters to faraway countries, many of whom are not ruled by Ponykind, but Otherkind, to create political relationships, trade, and forge peace to The Land. No Kingdom shall attempt to exclude or abridge the relationships, civility, and rights of Allkind, Pony or Other.

 

Under the leadership of King Arion, his arid land lives Centuries-long in harmony with Otherkind. Unfortunately, Pegasi living under King Arion travel far away, sometimes without food or water, for several days, and they return emaciated, oftentimes not surviving. His Kingdom cannot survive unless all Kingdoms come together to forge a brand-new technological policy.

 

Dozens of Unicorns, Pegasi, and Earth Ponies that once greeted Death are spiritually revived, for King Arion excavated graves of lost civilizations. Weeks died underneath sacred and secret witchcraft magically disguised and vented without guidance of those living in his Kingdom and The Land lest permitted and never to speak unto Death and King Arion greet as brothers. Only the Rulers of their Kingdoms are expressly permitted to read his bewitched secrets.

 

Two spells King Arion conjured for the Mirror.

1. An existing spell dating back several Millennia, created by a powerful unicorn witch named Constelle. Over twenty hours, King Arion’s horn transformed the cremated glass permanent from shatters, cracks, or weather, be there accidental, intentional, or a consequence of generational use or age.
2. This spell: the Mirror of Transport.

With the combination of Constelle’s and King Arion’s spell and two other ingredients, his Kingdom will prosper second to second, day to day, year to year. No more will Pegasi, Unicorn, or Earth force himself or herself to flee time or danger.

 

---

 

The Mirror of Transport

 

Trade is vital for our Kingdom’s survival. No Pony is capable to live there without cooperation of every Kingdom. Growing food and crops in the Unnamed Land is impossible. Therefore, under the use of a combination of Century-old sheepskin and cowskin parchment, embalmed under a careful brew of gremlin spit and water from the Holy Sea near the western border in the continent of Khasma, King Arion concocts a spell for simple mode of transportation for:

1. Delegates
2. Kingdom Representatives
3. Kingdom Diplomats
4. Kingdom Rulers
5. Free trade of supplies and goods
6. Citizens whose intent is to export and import
7. Guests under King Arion’s exemption
8. Water exportation and importation

Although twelve feet long, the Mirror is of colossal height: 20 feet high, covering the wall from the floor to the ceiling of a secret Room bewitched by King Arion himself so no Being other than the permitted would temporarily realize its existence.

 

Under leadership of King Arion, the Mirror is capable of traveling from country to country without flight, walk, or uncertainty of death. The process is as follows:

1. A permitted Being walks through the Mirror into a portal bridging either the home of the Mirror or any of the palaces in Otherkind’s Kingdom. He or She elects the portal of choice, either one of the Other Kingdoms or returning from whence he or she came.
   1. At no point will Anykind use the Mirror to enter a Kingdom in which He or She is prohibited from entering. Automatic curfews and locks are to be in place by the presiding rulers to lock intruders out.
   2. If at any point Anykind intrudes a Kingdom through the Mirror, the Mirror will arrest the Intruder in an Automatic Petrification latched onto the entrance of the portal by the Powers of the Rulers forged through Our One Council.
2. If not the Mirror itself and heading from one Kingdom to another, a permitted Being walks through the designated entrance into a portal bridging either the home of the Mirror or any of the palaces in Otherkind’s Kingdom. He or She elects the portal of choice, either one of the Other Kingdoms — including the home of Arion’s Mirror — or returning from whence he or she came.
3. The portal is a room of pink that is soft, warm, yet muted to comfort the visions of Everykind living in The Land. Depending on comfort of the Being, colors may change for Him or Her eyesight only. To grant permission, designate letter of permission to King Arion, who will grant it in separate sheepskin parchment.
4. There are five designated entrances to the portal, all permitted by the Rulers and Monarchs for usage. Each is located at the following:
   1. Parliament of Maretonia: A thriving Parliament ruling into prosperity without Monarchy, located deep in the Continent of Khamsa. Inside the Duke and Duchess’s temple, a hidden Throne Room within a dark, enclosed basement encircled with shelves full of books, parchment on a desk, and a black wall with the thrones facing away. Entrance is the black wall, permitted for Duke Mustednos, Duchess Lysinda, and Heir Prince Ematha only.
   2. Federation of Muniqi & Maanagi: The primary castle of the Khamsian country is in the epicenter in the enclaved Administrative Division in northeast Muniqi. There are four towers, one for Administrative meetings, one for privacy between the King and Queen, two for studies. In the shortest tower for studying, a doorknob is bolted within the bookcase. Touching and turning the doorknob activates the entrance. Walk through the bookcase to enter the portal. Be cautioned, for the Being must empty the bookcase before entering. Permitted for King Baharat and Queen Adabaalia only.
   3. Kingdom of Whitetail:  Deep in the continent of Cervidoe is Whitetail, a mountain-range country deep in the northwest of the Western hemisphere. One of the towns in the high range region of Denali lives Aspen, the forest Prince of Whitetail. Aspen spends time living in two houses, each with a cellar. One of them, furthest to the north, has a mirror-to-ceiling wall mirror. Walk through the mirror to enter the portal. Permitted for King Aspen only.
   4. Kingdom of Atropia: A faraway Kingdom of Warmth and Fire, protected by the youth and the wise. Aturpatian Dragons freely roam this beautiful land. As volcanoes erupt and bloom ash into the crystal-blue sky, ash trees eat away the excess and control weather throughout the Country. Ruling this Land, the Queen, Commander Tinder, who dwells peacefully on an island adjacent to the mainland, which used to be a volcano æons ago. The entrance: the end of the tunnel that leads to the volcano’s base; peer within the dark grounds of the extinct existence for a mural, etched in white ink, in the shape of an arch. Permitted for Queen Tinder only.
   5. Republic of Cloudsdale: Thousands of feet deep in the rich skies of the Divided States of Canternica, a City-State blooms flight. Thousands of Pegasi tear through Canternica’s skies and thrive to deliver a quality of Life for every Being below, come Pony or Other. Former Commander and current Ruler, King Q. Mulo Nimbus leads in a castle with Queen Incus within a makeshift cumulus cloud. Along the cold base of the castle: a hidden passageway surrounded by three walls. Walk through the South wall to enter the portal. Permitted for King Q. Mulo Nimbus and Queen Incus only.
   6. Kingdom of Ceresia. The most diverse and progressive Country in The Land. Every Being known to Everykind, from Ponies of all Races to Omvual Dragons to Wolves, balance the kingdom to help create a wonderland of beauty and peace. A Bihorned Sphinx, Queen Ceres, leads and guards the wondrous Paradise and splits her time in a cottage deep in the Orgro Forest and in her castle in the Festival capital of Cerealia. Beneath her Throne lies a secret passageway of glistening sapphire walls in that can only be accessed via a magic spell. Walk to the end of the passageway to meet the faraway wall; walk through that wall to enter the portal. Permitted for Queen Ceres only.

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The Mirror of Transport, Our One Council Members

 

Under Leadership of Every Ruler is the creation of a Council, whose purpose is for trade, peace, harmony, and diplomacy. No Member of Our One Council is permanent. At the discretion of King Arion or the Other Continuants of the Council, more Countries of their respected Rulers are permitted to access the Portal and join Our One Council’s powers that be or ejected if corrupted. Once Our One Council agrees to eject a Member, access to the portal and Mirror by Arion, Holy King of the Unnamed Land of Bridlemartis

 

Today, Our One Council is consisted of the following Members:

1. Ceres, King of the Kingdom of Ceresia
2. Q. Mulo Nimbus & Incus, King & Queen of the Republic of Cloudsdale
3. Tinder, Queen & Commander of the Kingdom of Atropia
4. Aspen, Prince of the Kingdom of Whitetail
5. Baharat & Adabaalia, King & Queen of the Federation of Muniqi & Maanagi
6. Duke Mustednos, Duchess Lysinda, and Heir Prince Ematha, Duke, Duchess, & Heir Prince of the Parliament of Maretonia.
7. Arion, Holy King the Unnamed Land of Bridlemartis & Spell Author of the Mirror of Transport

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Reference Guide for the spell:

 

Khamsa: Reference of Al Khamsa, used to classify desert-bred bloodline purity of Arabian Horses.

 

Muniqi & Maanagi: 20^th-Century writer Carl Raswan believed there were three strains of Al Khamsa horses: Kwhilan, Seglawi, and Muniqi or Maanagi.

 

“Federation of Muniqi & Maanagi” is a play on the current European federation Bosnia & Herzegovina.

 

Baharat: combination of spices.

 

Adabaalia: Portmanteau of two Islamic names for females: Aadab (hope, need) and Aalia (exhalted, noble).

 

Ematha: References Emathus, son of Makednos.

 

Mustednos: References Makednos, mythological ancestor of ancient Macedonians.

 

Lysinda: References Lysander, another term for “peace.”

 

Ceres: Roman goddess of agriculture and grain. Description based off “Cerealia,” a major festival to honor Ceres.

 

Q. Mulo Nimbus: Pun on “Cumulonimbus,” a type of cloud.

 

Incus: Latin for “anvil,” a cumulonimbus cloud with a flat, anvil-top shape.

 

Atropia: Based on “Atropates,” defined as “protected by fire.”

 

Aturpatian Dragons: “Aturpat,” which covers the same definition. Dragons who are protected by fire.

 

Bridlemartis: a play on "Britomartis," the Minoan goddess of mountains and hunting. Unnamed kingdom (later Arion Stratus) named after the idea of a desert kingdom thriving high in the sky.

 

Holy Sea: A play on “Holy See” and the Dead Sea.

 

Constelle: Play on “Constellation.”

 

Style of the spell is written this way after reading the style written for the Declaration of Independence, U.S. Constitution, and various constitutional amendments in its early years.

Edited June 24, 2016 by Dark Qiviut

[Dark Qiviut 22,160]

In order to lay out my ideas better, I went ahead and constructed a listed outline for this drafted chapter and will be doing it a few times over. After refining it in paragraph and script form, then I'll move on to the next chapter. Let me know what can be worked on to make it better.

 

Chapter 14: Spell Out “Tea”

1. Twilight and Celestia head to the Pie house that morning and tell Sunset they found the spells to King Arion’s mirror. One was complete (the spell; protected by a permanent shield). The other tattered, crossed out, and broken outside of a few words.
2. Sunset wants to help, but they tell her not to worry about it and instead enjoy her time there. Before she could protest, Twilight and Pinkie Pie cut her off. Remember, leave the worrying to them. Sighing, she relented, returned to Canterlot City, and returned home by bus.
3. The Mane Six continued to read the spell inwardly and try to piece it together. But as they do, Sunset has fun with her friends (and Pinkie, of course). In Canterlot City, Rarity and Sunset try out some non-vegetarian tacos at a takeout in a Mexicoltan neighborhood to see who could eat the hotter one. Afterwards, she met with Rainbow Dash in a railroad station in a quiet, northwest Encee neighborhood to capture photos of trains. But of all this time, the Mane Six were still trying to figure out how to properly write the spell, and Rarity was searching for old books of successful spells, like the invisible chain spell. Many of them were rhymed, while others didn’t, but they were complicated, and none of them had to deal with interdimensional teleportation. Frustrated, Twilight and crew head off to eat, leaving the spell behind in the Reflection Room.
4. After dinner in a restaurant with her family, she retreated to her room and wrote messages to Mama and Papa Shimmer, who can’t wait to see her tomorrow. Unfortunately, Sunset said she might not be able to see them; she’ll be too busy. Then, with hesitation and self-distraction, she wrote to Princess Celestia, asking what had happened. So far, nothing. Only research on how to write the proper spell for this, and no one has been able to figure it out. Sunny asked Celly if they were able to figure out the old version, but they couldn’t. And all of the content being crossed out by Star Swirl doesn’t help. Sunset decides that if they’re going to open the portal, then she needs to help, too, whether the Mane Six like it or not.
5. Next morning, she returns to her Canterlot dorm and searches for books there where she could find spells she knew of that worked. Spells included a sound reflector, shape-shifting, shatter-proofing fragile objects, gravity switching, object-drawing with magic, ability to breathe underwater, and personality swaps. But nothing exactly what she wanted. They all rhymed and were written in a general sense.
6. She went to find spells that had something to do with coordinates. This mirror wouldn’t trigger an interdimensional teleportation for nothing. With help from Twilight, they found a simple coordinate spell and read it. To trigger it, hit the copied spell with their magic; it won’t turn itself off unless they tell their magic to retract. They did just that, and they were able to notice the latitude and longitude coordinates down to the millionths. When Twilight asked where to go, they went back to the Reflection Room. When pointing at the mirror, they notice that the mirror was 40 degrees, 37 feet, and 58 inches to the north; 73 degrees, 63 feet, and 1 inch to the west. As Twilight writes it down, she returns to the Human World, turns on her smart phone, and researches the coordinates of the portal. The latitude and longitude of the base’s middle was exactly the same as the mirror. Immediately, she tells everyone (including Celestia) about this through the book and then returns to Equestria. They continue to analyze the notes from the current spell, which had words or phrases like “dimension,” “similar,” “travel,” “intermediate,” and crossed-out like “trade relations,” “relationship,” and “economic and agricultural growth.” Unfortunately, there’s no known spell to erase the cross-outs without damaging the parchment, and no one was interested in trying to invent one him or herself.
7. So they keep searching, yet as the others went for lunch, Sunset decided to work alone. But come 2pm, she starved for food and began to lose concentration. Deflated, but not defeated, she headed into Canterlot Castle for lunch in the royal café, where she noticed Princess Celestia and Luna eating and sharing their meals together with each other and their pets in one table. She admitted to all of them that she couldn’t find any luck. There were many spells, but they written in many ways, from Ancient Equestrian to foreign that she can’t find a single spell that’ll work while, for the most part, can’t use as inspiration to help write since she’d have to learn a different style. None of them were modern, simple, or both. If there were any good modern spells…
8. After lunch, Celestia, Luna, their pets, and Sunset went to Celestia’s private library in her study to search for some of the more modern spells. Some include:
   1. One-time teleportation spell that granted the person to teleport round-trip between the location where they cast the spell to any other location twenty feet or less.
   2. Create any kind of glass by taking a drawing and activating it with magic.
   3. Erasing non-permanent, week-old ink from paper.
   4. Automatic visual spell-checker. Say the word outright to activate it, where you can see the word spelled out for you. Spell cancels upon self-request, saying” “Stop!”, or after completion of word.
   5. Philomena called them over to the back of the room. There were several other spells there, including the ability to walk from one location to the other via its coordinates; just write down the latitude and longitude on a separate piece of paper or parchment and cast it; cancels upon request.
9. Sunset looks back at her piece of paper where she wrote the coordinates for both entrances to the portal; it may help her cast the spell. But she needs more, so they continue.
   1. Abbreviated force-field spell, adopted by one created two centuries prior. Dates back to 1234 P.C.E. (Post-Cultio Exanimationes) before when Celestia and Luna were still fillies.
   2. Later, Sunny writes a message to finds a book full of drafted spells by Star Swirl himself. Semi-sloppy penmanship, cross-outs, carets, incorrect spellings. She shows it to Luna and Celestia, catching them by surprise.
10. Celestia and Sunny found no clues since then, although they found other great, simple spells. But it was time for dinner, so they kept their clues out on the tables, and all five departed. As Luna prepares to set the sun and raise the moon, Sunny and Celestia teleport to a café inside Canterlot Castle. As they wait for their tea, they study the old spellbook. These spells were canceled out by the old symbol: a capital C marked over with an X. Gave them an excuse to read the spell aloud without activating them.
    
    However, it wasn’t just a spellbook. There were sections. One of them was his thoughts on how to construct some of his past spells, including the epitome of finality, the chime of remembrance, the one-week time-traveler, monsoon temperateness, humidity control, tide restraint, and a molecule-clashing shield in which touching it would make you shiver. As they read it, they noticed a lot of poorly-spelled words and grammar errors, often leaving notes along the margins.
11. Sunset remembers how elegant and excellent Star Swirl’s spells usually are, so to see him not write very well feels very out of character of him. When she asked how Star Swirl was like, she explained how he was always a stern, meticulous unicorn, yet chirpy and happy to work with others, especially when the work wasn’t strenuous. They didn’t talk much outside of partnership, but she considered him a mentor.
    
    But he always had a companion with him to help write out his spells. One of his secrets he kept hidden to anyone outside those closest to him was that he was never that good of a speller. Sometimes the words he saw flipped, or a word may be misspelled, but it may be too late to reverse, ‘cause they were always magically infused with ink on parchment. He could always write the words and orally spell it clearly, but he needed help. She doesn’t recall his name (his name being Silent Glister), but his companion would help him write out his spells and proofread them on scratch paper before finalizing them on parchment, him writing them out as Star Swirl orated.
    
    Celestia and Glister didn’t face each other, but she saw him once or twice near the end of his life. When Sunset asked why his partner doesn’t have a signature, she isn’t sure; she assumes it has something to do with the belief that he didn’t want to take credit for Star Swirl’s ideas or words.
12. As they have tea, Sunset considers Celestia’s words and tale and continues to look at her notes from early this morning. In the meantime, she reflected on their time together. Sure, it might’ve felt a little uneasy, and for valid reasons, but if they could team up together without problems, maybe their relationship was healing?
13. As they finished their tea, a scarlet letter rolled up like a napkin appeared instructing everyone to come to Celestia’s study immediately. Inside the confined quarters were spells dealing with dimensional travel and permanence, each of them have a version that’s worded complicatedly or simply, but work to the same degree.
    
    For the interdimensional travel, just write down the coordinates of where and draw the portal entrances. Cancel by command. So to try, they headed to the Reflection Room, wrote down one coordinate, and Sunset returned to the other world to detect a coordinate for Pedestria in front of the statue. Twilight used a test bubble to pass it through, but it looped through within the Reflection Room.
    
    So, Sunset recommended writing down the name of the country and city (Canterlot City, Pedestria) with the coordinates and Canterlot, Reflection Room for the other. Twilight retested; the bubble disappeared to the left of the podium, but reappeared in front of the statue closest to the school. Sunset tested her hand, only for it to transform into a hoof in Equestria before pulling it out to transform it back. So she walked through the portal and returned safely, and Twilight canceled the spell.
14. Everyone began to have ideas on how to write the spell and brought all of the simple spells they could find: the coordinate spell, Star Swirl’s diary, the spell that permanently keeps the Mirror pristine, Arion’s spell, visual spell-checker, and the intradimensional coordinate spell. There were whispers by everyone, including wonderment by Applejack whether the portal might trigger by a misspelling, grammar issues, or damage to the parchment. Or, according to Rarity, if it’s possible that they can rewrite the spell on the parchment. They’re not sure, but Sunset wants to try. Spike asks if he could write it, as his penmanship’s the best of the group.
    
    So, Twilights erases the original spell, and Spike starts to write it over, with him as the writer and Sunset, the Princesses, and Mane Six as mental orators via a silent oration spell that Celestia casted, splitting the spell into a few parts.
    1. The preamble. Includes the purpose and history of King Arion’s Mirror.
    2. The spell itself. Includes the location of the mirror, Pedestria’s entrance, and coordinates.
    3. Permission of entrance. No one born in the other world is allowed to enter the portal.
    4. Permanence of the spell. Changing the opening of the spell from once for two weeks every eleven years to forever.
    5. A backup. If statue is destroyed or relocated, a new portal to and fro Pedestria will replace it.
15. After a tense half-hour of writing, Spike completed the spell, and each of them signed their names and imprinted their Cutie Mark using a spell (for Spike, he didn’t need to). When Dash wondered if they could do it now, Sunset said no. Wait till the last minute the portal opens… Just in case. They respect her, and everyone heads to their quarters for the night.