Man, I didn't expect this story to be as popular as it is! And while I appreciate the comments, I do encourage more thoughtful reviews. Tell me what you liked or didn't like, anything! Suggestions are also welcome as are questions! I think it would be fun for me to answer any questions you guys have about the story and characters. So, don't hold back, ask any questions you want and I'll answer one with each update! Just a caution though, I won't be answering any spoiler requests.

In the middle of the night, while her friends slept, Sunset carefully crept out of her room. She was having trouble getting to sleep. Maybe it was because she was back in Equestria and there was some kind of transdimensional jetlag? Maybe she was excited to finally be home and be around magic again. Or maybe it was because of this weird feeling she kept getting from this place. It was almost like it was familiar to her somehow. But that was impossible, right? She had never even been to Wu Xing or heard of it before now! How could some place that she's never been to feel familiar to her? She wandered through the halls of the palace, hoping that walking around would tire her out so she could get to sleep. She passed by another closed door, but quickly stopped and backtracked to it. She couldn't explain it, but it felt like something was drawing her to this door as she carefully pushed it open with her hoof. Inside, she found a large bedroom decorated with toys and furniture. The walls were covered in little sun emblems as a little bassinet with a mobile stood in the middle of the room.

"A baby room?" Sunset asked herself in confusion as she stepped in, looking around. She absentmindedly stepped on something as she explored the room, causing her to stop in her tracks. Drawing her hoof back, she noticed it was a little stuffed rabbit doll. It was light pink and almost looked brand new, like it had never been used before… or like it hadn't been touched in years. As she looked around the room, she sharply turned around when she heard someone clearing their throat behind her. In the doorway, she saw Prometheus with his eyes narrowed in a serious glare.

"What are you doing?" he asked.

"Oh! I'm sorry, I couldn't get to sleep so I thought I'd just… walk around for a bit," Sunset responded with a nervous laugh as she quickly made her way past Prometheus and out the door.

"I would advise against entering this room again. Princess Vesta would not take kindly to it," Prometheus said plainly as he shut the doors quietly.

"How come? I mean, who's room is that?" Sunset asked. "It can't be her bedroom; that looks like a baby's room."

"Princess Apolla," he answered.

"Princess Apolla? Who's that? I thought there were only four princesses in Wu Xing: Vesta, Neptune, Jupiter and Terra."

"There are. Apolla is… was Princess Vesta's daughter," he answered sadly.

"'Was'? What happened to her?"

"Sh-she was taken from us!" he cried angrily in a sudden outburst before calming himself down. "Shortly after Apolla was born, the Shadow Ponies attacked and managed to break through the barrier while it was weakened in Gold's absence. Vesta rushed to the front lines to keep them from abducting any of the fillies and push them back with her light magic. She saved countless lives that day, but the Shadows took advantage of her distraction and snatched Princess Apolla from her room."

"Oh… I'm so sorry," Sunset whispered.

"Vesta blames herself, but really, I am the one to blame. I failed to protect Apolla! And Vesta wasted her magic to bring a sorry fool like me back!" Prometheus cried, on the verge of tears.

"Bring you back? I don't understand!"

"I-I'm sorry, I've said too much already. You should return to your room and get some sleep, Sunset Shimmer. There is much for you and your friends to do and you will need all the rest you can get."

"Right… my room. Um, where exactly is it again? I kinda got lost," Sunset smiled innocently. "This castle is a lot bigger than the one in Canterlot."

"Ah, very well. I will lead you back to your quarters. Follow me." Sunset followed Prometheus through the castle as he led her back to her room until she stopped at a large door with five symbols arranged in a pentagon.

"What's this?" Sunset asked.

"That room houses the Aspects of Balance. It is rather difficult to explain, but their power lies here in their original forms as well as in Wu Xing royals. Every member of Wu Xing royalty is born under one of the five alignments. My apologies, but it is not for your eyes."

"Of course, I'm sorry."

"Your room is just at the end of this hall," he pointed with his front right leg.

"Thank you, Prometheus," Sunset said as she strolled down the hall and into her room. Prometheus was about to step away until he noticed a faint orange light coming from underneath the door. He carefully pushed it open and peeked inside. Inside were five metal plaques of the four princesses' cutie marks as well as a fifth featuring a silver sword and shield and a golden crown. The red insignia that resembled a flame was glowing brightly before dimming. Prometheus quickly shut the door and looked down the hall where Sunset Shimmer had gone into her room.

"Could it be?" he muttered to himself. Without a second thought, Prometheus spread his wings wide and took off towards Vesta's private chambers. He lightly knocked on the door and let himself in, as he had done so so many times before.

"P-Prometheus?" Vesta yawned sleepily, "What is it?" she asked, rubbing her eyes sleepily.

"I apologize for disturbing you at this hour, Princess, but I have some urgent news."

"The Shadowlands?" Vesta asked, quickly standing up, causing her blanket to fall off her body. "Are they attacking?"

"No, it's about Apolla." At the mention of her name, Vesta quickly stiffened and shot her gaze to the floor.

"...I told you to never mention her name again, Prometheus," she muttered angrily. Unbeknownst to her, the red gem in her bracelet began glowing ominously.

"You have to stop blaming yourself for what happened. I was the one who failed to protect her! Not you!"

"But it was my decision to leave the palace! They took her because I wasn't here! She was taken because of my decision!"

"A decision that you made that saved countless other fillies. The people celebrated you as their hero!"

"Then why was I the only one to lose everything that day! First Apolla, then you…"

"I wasn't strong enough to protect her! I deserved my fate. You shouldn't have brought me back."

"I already lost Apolla. I couldn't lose you too, Prometheus!"

"But, there's still a chance that she's out there! I believe that-"

"Enough!" Vesta shouted, her mane and the candles that lit her room quickly erupting in flame for a second. "We spent years searching for our little girl, Prometheus, and nothing! I'm tired of getting my hopes up only to have them crushed! My heart can't take it anymore. Our little girl is gone. Please, just… just let her go," Vesta tearfully pleaded as she fell back onto her bed. Prometheus sighed and walked up to Vesta and tenderly stroked her flaming mane with his hoof. As always, her fire didn't burn him. He dared not bring up the subject of Apolla again, knowing that the mere mention of her name was enough to bring her to tears and bring back all that pain and heartache they suffered through. But Prometheus had a sneaking suspicion about this 'Sunset Shimmer'.

I imagine there's nothing I need to say since this chapter says it all. You guys are smart anyway. ;)