Author's Note: This story may differ from the show slightly once Season 4 airs on Saturday (ermahgerd, only three days!). If that proves to be the case then this story becomes AU.

Any who, ON WITH THE STORY!

Magnus sat at a table in Sugarcube Corner, watching as Trixie and Twilight talked. They had only arrived back at Ponyville a few hours ago and were set to leave for the Crystal Empire in a few days.

When Trixie had stepped out from behind the throne, Twilight and her friends immediately took the defensive. When Magnus inquired about this, he was surprised to hear Trixie explain the situation. She spun a tail of the two times she had visited Ponyville, the first as a travelling magician whose tale tails of adventure had gotten her into trouble and the second as a power hungry madmare bent on defeating Twilight. She then apologized to Twilight personally. Twilight's wings, which had been raised defensively lowered slightly. She had looked to Celestia for an explanation.

Celestia explained that Trixie was still suffering from some of the effects of the Alicorn Amulet and had come to Celestia for help. She had only recently been fully rehabilitated.

Not long after this the group, now including Trixie, headed for the train station. The ride back was silent. Twilight had agreed to give Trixie one final chance.

When they had arrived in town, everypony there saw Magnus. Celestia had said it would be best if he stayed visible, seeing as he would be helping with this journey. Magnus agreed to this, saying it was probably for the best, although many of the Ponyville citizens bombarded him with questions.

Now Magnus simply watched the old rivals talk to one another. In front of him was the box that Celestia had shown Twilight, the one containing the fragments of his sword. Celestia had figured that connection out immediately and had returned the fragment and hilt to Magnus. Luna mentioned that the other shards had fallen elsewhere in the kingdom, though she thought one had fallen near the Crystal Empire.

"Mr. Magnus?" Magnus snapped back to reality and looked over to see Mrs. Cake standing there.

"Yes ma'am?"

"I was wondering if I could get you anything. You've been sitting here for nearly two hours."

Magnus smiled, "A glass of water, I suppose."

Mrs. Cake gave him a motherly look, "I don't think so." She walked off and shortly returned with a fruit salad and a milkshake. Magnus sighed in defeat. He figured that, no matter the species or world, mothers were mothers and there would be no arguing. It certainly didn't help that his stomach once again decided to betray him and start growling.

Magnus looked at the food and realized that there were no utensils. He shrugged and muttered something under his breath and produced a fork. Mrs. Cake blinked, but shrugged it off and went back into the kitchen to finish an order that someone had placed for three-dozen cupcakes.

Magnus began eating his salad, relishing the fresh fruits and vegetables. The milkshake was new to him however. He placed the straw in his mouth and took a sip. The drink, however, seemed to rather thick. He sucked harder on the straw. When the flavor hit his tongue, Magnus was met with a wonderful flavor. He began drinking it happily—although he soon learned not to ever drink it too fast. He clutched his head as the brain freeze hit. It subsided within a few minutes. Magnus cautiously took another sip of the milkshake and resumed eating his salad.

He looked back up to see that Twilight had a wing wrapped around a now sobbing Trixie. He could just barely understand the heartfelt thanks above the sobs. Magnus smiled.

"Twilight!" Spikes voice echoed through the door. Twilight, along with the other customers, looked up at the baby dragon.

"What is it Spike?" Twilight asked.

"Some weird boxes just showed up in the library. I was busy looking for a book for Octavia when there was a bright flash. Next thing I know, there's like, twenty boxes sitting in the floor."

Twilight took on a confused look, "Strange. Unless the princess has taken to sending me large packages via magic, I'm not sure…" her voice trailed off as she looked to Magnus. "Might you know something about these boxes, Magnus?"

Magnus shook his head, "I've been here the whole time, though I must admit I'm just as curious as you are."

"Well," Trixie said, her voice still shaky from her sobbing, "no use sitting here talking about it. We might as well see what these are."

"Oh and one more thing," Spike said. He produced a piece of cloth from the bag he was carrying. He undid the wrapping to reveal a piece of metal.

Magnus's eyes went wide, "That's one of the blade shards." Spike handed the fragment to Magnus who placed the shard below the one he already had. The two pieces began to glow brightly. When the glow subsided, the two pieces had fused together. Magnus closed the box and picked it up.

"How did you do that?" Twilight asked.

"I didn't," Magnus replied heading for the door. "This sword is magical. Should it ever be split into shards then it'll fix itself when the shards are next to each other. Now for those boxes."

Magnus was busy going through another box. Strangely enough they seemed to be filled with things from his world. Even more surprising was the fact that all of the contents were things from his office and quarters in the Guild. Most of the boxes were filled books on obscure magic and alchemy. The others contained clothes and several different glass vials that Twilight recognized as items used in alchemy and herb lore.

"Hard to believe all of this made it here," Trixie said as she examined one of the boxes full of books.

Magnus was ecstatic. These were some of the items he had been worried about falling into the wrong hands. The box he was currently going through contained several artifacts, including a trinket that was precious to him—a small amulet in the shape of a wand. He put this on and tucked it away.

Twilight looked out the window. It had gotten late faster than she had expected. She was about to suggest continuing this in the morning when a familiar laugh sent chills up her spine. It was a laugh she hadn't heard since she first moved to Ponyville. Magnus's eyes were glowing brightly again, though the look in his eyes was sinister.

"Something dark approaches," he said as he made his way for the door. Twilight and Trixie followed after him. Twilight noticed a rather long staff in his hands. The handle of the staff was made of silver with golden runes running up its length. The top of the staff was shaped much like a starburst with a topaz gem set into it.

When they got outside, Twilight saw all the ponies looking up in terror. She followed their gaze and fear gripped her heart. Floating above the town was an Alicorn mare that she thought had vanished for good. Her coat was one of the darkest shades of cerulean that Magnus had ever seen. Her mane and tail were a brilliant Persian blue with a light violet aura around it. Her eyes were a moderate cyan with catlike irises.

The mare laughed again, "Guess who's back?"

Twilight shook her head, "This can't be happening."

Magnus looked down at her, "Why, who is that mare?"

"Nightmare Moon."

BOOM! Bad guy! Cliffhangers! What more could a story need. Hopefully I'll have the next chapter up, only this time, no small time skips.