Chapter 42: Rainboom Reunion
"Alright, little to left," Sunset said moving her hooves to the side, "A bit more, back it up, not too much. Stop, that's good." She said with a smile as she directed the Pegasi sisters on how to move a certain mirror into the Crystal Brighthouse.
"Finally." Zipp groaned with a roll of her eyes. "I thought we'd never place this mirror down."
"Oh, I think it's good, Zipp." Pipp said with a smirk as she landed in front of the mirror while looking at her reflection. "Keeping up your image is important." She said with a smirk as she fling her mane.
"It's not that or that kind of mirror, Pipp." Sunset said as she used her magic to move Pipp away from the mirror. "So keep your distance from it."
"Aw, sad." Pipp groaned with a frown.
Just then, Twilight, Sunny, and Hitch came in with some snacks. "We got the food you requested, Sunset." Hitch said while gesturing to the few bags they have.
"Down to the list?" Sunset asked as Twilight held up the check list.
"Every last one." Twilight said with a smile.
"Neat." Sunset nodded with a smile.
"And got some smoothies." Sunny added while bringing out some smoothies.
"Better." Sunset nodded. "Misty, Izzy, how's the sign coming?!" She called out, which they looked up and saw the two Unicorns levitating a sign that said 'Welcome Friends' to be put in place.
"Just about, finish, Sunset!" Misty called with a smile as she and Izzy placed the sign in place.
"Sign set up and glitter cannons ready! Check!" Izzy cheered with a salute.
"Glitter cannons? I didn't ask for those." Sunset said with a brow.
"I know! I just wanted to spice things up!" Izzy said cheerfully.
Sunset giggled slightly, "Well, I know one of our guests will enjoy that." She said in amusement.
"You never told us about those friends, Sunset." Sunny noted, as did her friends while Twilight kept a knowing smile, knowing what Sunset was prepared for. "Are they from around here?"
"Or are these one of your society friends coming over to visit like Sonic?" Pipp asked with a small smile.
"No, and no." Sunset said with a smile as this made her friends, san Twilight, look at her confusion. "I'm not talking about friends from Equestria or from the Society, but my old friends that I haven't seen in a while before I came back to Equestria."
"Really?" Sunny asked with an interesting smile.
"You're talking about the other world that was similar to Equestria but different when you first told us on our first adventure?" Hitch asked, recalling how Sunset confessed she came back to Equestria from another world when they were searching for the Unity Crystals to bring back magic to Equestria.
"Yep. The very one." Sunset said with a smile before turning to Twilight. "Twilight, you got that device you made last time ready for the mirror?"
"With how advanced Equestrian Technology is, it was easy to rebuild." Twilight said with a smile. "You were lucky to have returned to Equestria the first time around when the portal was opened."
"Yeah, still not sure how the portal remained open without somepony accidentally phasing through it." Sunset admitted while rubbing her head. "Eh, probably the thirty moons thing."
"Sounds right." Twilight nodded in agreement.
"Anyway, go get the device. I'll get my book." Sunset said as Twilight nodded as she rushed downstairs to the basement while Sunset rushed up to the bedroom while the others huddled around the mirror.
"I still can't believe Sunset came from another world through this mirror." Misty said while looking at the mirror that brought Sunset.
"Well, technically, she is from Equestria. She just spent most of her life through whatever world that mirror leads to." Sunny stated. "She told me that she made tons of friends and memories there. Which is nice to know that she wasn't completely alone when she came back."
"But didn't she say that she was from ancient Equestria along with Twilight?" Izzy asked while rubbing her mane. "And Sunset was a unicorn when she met us, how can she be alive after so long?"
"Don't you remember, Izzy?" Zipp asked with a brow. "Sunset told us that time moves differently between here and there through that mirror. So what feels like only a couple of years or something to us, it's even longer than that in Equestria." She explained.
"Oh right." Izzy realized with a smile.
"Well, whatever time Sunset came back to Equestria from that world, she was a bit elderly when we met her." Hitch said with a frown. "She was losing energy, a bit tired, and rusty on her magic from what I remember. She nearly fainted just by teleporting us over a small gap to Bridlewood. What's to say her friends will be questioned by how young she is again?"
"More strange than them being magical talking ponies?" Zipp questioned with a brow.
"Okay, good point." Hitch said sheepishly while Sparky babbled.
"Don't worry, guys. Sunset told me that they're familiar with Equestrian Magic, and they know about Equestria thanks to Twilight when she first traveled there." Sunny assured them with a smile. "And any friends of Sunset and Twilight are friends of ours."
"Well, that's comforting." Misty said with a smile. "Saves us the awkwardness."
"Stand back, ponies!" Twilight called as the group yelped when they stepped back as Twilight brought in a machinery arch that was roughly similar to the one she had back in her time with the mirror, but a bit more advanced as Twilight used her magic and placed it in place in front of the mirror. "There we go! All set." She said with a smile.
"Whoa! Twilight! That's an impressive unicycling item." Izzy commented with a smile.
"That thing is wicked!" Zipp called with wide eyes as she inspected each piece.
"I was just lucky that I remembered how to make it." Twilight said with a smile and a shrug.
"How does this even work?" Hitch asked with a brow. "Because I don't see any instructions on here."
"Just wait until Sunset comes back with the book." Twilight assured with a wave of her wing.
Sunset then came back with an old looking journal. "Found it. You know how to work this with my old journal, Twilight?" She asked as she gave her journal to Twilight.
"I did it with mine last time, so it will work again." Twilight said.
"Is it some kind of spell you need to activate this thing?" Pipp asked while gesturing to the machine and mirror.
"Nope. I just need to place it here…" Twilight said as she flew up and placed Sunset's old journal on a platform where it was secured as she flew down to the level. "And a flip of a switch. Did you tell them to come over, Sunset?"
"Sure did. I just spoke to them. I told them to give me a minute for the portal to open." Sunset nodded.
"Then let's get started!" Twilight cheered as she pulled the lever, which activated the machine that is causing magic to exit Sunset's journal, which moved around the arc machine as Sunny and the others looked in awed at what they were seeing as they watched the magic travel through each of the components before stopping at the pointers pointing at the mirror, which shot magic into it as a bright flash blinded them.
A moment later, the Mane 8 uncovered their eyes once the light faded as they looked and saw a purple portal swirling in the mirror, which made Twilight and Sunset cheered while the others looked in awe at what they're seeing.
"Yes, it worked!" Sunset cheered.
"Was there ever any doubt?" Twilight asked with a wide smile.
"Not one bit!" Sunset added as the two shared a high hoof.
"You… you two created a portal through a book and into a mirror?" Zipp asked in amazement.
"Wow. That's amazing!" Misty said in awed. "Not even Opaline could do that!"
"Oh, opening a portal is easy. It's who's coming through it that will be even more exciting." Twilight said with a smirk. "Alright, Sunset you better go get them."
"Sure thing." Sunset said with a smirk as she walked up to the portal. "They should be by the statue by now. Be back in a flash." She said.
"Will Sunset be back soon with the whole time differences?" Sunny asked in concern.
"As long as the portal remains open, she'll come back the same time she left." Twilight assured with a smile.
"That's good to hear." Sunny said with a small smile. "Though, I wonder who she'll bring."
"I bet they'll be a lot of fun!" Izzy cheered with a hop.
"I hope they're friendly." Misty said nervously.
"Oh, I have a feeling you ponies will enjoy them greatly." Twilight said with a smirk.
Sunset walked up to the portal, took a breath before walking through it and disappearing.
Inside the portal, Sunset yelled as she forgotten how the portal be as she swirled around in the portal stream as she went through it all the way to the end of the portal.
Sunset then came out of the portal, landing face first on the ground. "Ugh, I forgot about that feeling. Didn't miss it." She muttered as she got up on her knees and rubbed her face, which she realizes she has hands on as she looked at herself and saw that she was back in her human form as a young adult. "Huh, I forgot how great I looked as a human." She said with a smirk. "I didn't think I missed that."
"Sunset? Is that you?" Twilight's voice spoke up, which made Sunset perked up, and knowing that's not Equestria Sunset since she's back in Equestria.
Sunset turned and she gave a smile, seeing that it was none other than the Rainbooms, the human counterparts of Twilight's old friends, the original Mane 6, who are a bit older in their late middle age like how Sunset used to be before she got her youth back when she became an Alicorn.
"Sunset!" Pinkie Pie cheered as she then tackled Sunset down, which made her yelp as the two fell to the floor as Pinkie hugged her tightly. "It is so great to see you again! It has been forever!" She cheered in joy.
"Gah! It's… good to see you too, Pinkie." Sunset muttered with a strained smile. "Can I have my lungs back, please?" She strained.
"Okay!" Pinkie said with a smile as she let go of Sunset, who took a breather before she was caught in a group hug with the rest of the Rainbooms, who were chattering in joy at seeing Sunset again while Sunset gave a smile at the feeling.
After the hug, the Rainboom separated before they noticed Sunset's young age. "My word, Sunset, what kind of moisture have you been using, darling?" Rarity asked while touching Sunset's cheeks. "You look as if you are ten years younger."
"Ow, ow. Okay, Rarity, you can stop that." Sunset cringed as Rarity let go while Sunset rubbed her cheeks, having forgotten how clingy Rarity can be.
"Sorry, dearie." Rarity said with a sheepish smile.
"But she's right, Sugah." Applejack said while inspecting Sunset. "Why, you look almost like how we used to be back in CHS."
"Eheheh, yeah, it's a long, very long, story." Sunset said with a sheepish smile.
"Well, you have been in Equestria for a long time." Fluttershy said while rubbing her hair. "And you did tell us to meet you here for our yearly meeting."
"Well, that, and I also came here to pick you girls up." Sunset said with a smile.
"Really? For what?" Rainbow asked with a brow.
"I came so we can have a more exciting reunion, back in Equestria." Sunset revealed, which surprise the Rainbooms.
"Wait, we're going back to Equestria?!" Rainbow asked in excitement.
"We're gonna see Twilight?!" Pinkie added excitedly.
"Yup, and some new friends we made." Sunset said with a smile..
"Uh, not that I don't mind seeing myself again, and trust me, I would," Sci Twi said with a small smile before she gave an uncertain one. "But, aren't we gonna run into our doubles like last time? It might cause trouble and will be slightly awkward."
Sunset frowned, "You, don't have to worry about that," She said a bit solemnly.
"Why's that?" Sci Twi asked while she and the others looked at Sunset in confusion.
"I'll give you the answer after we go through the portal." Sunset said, knowing they'll have to see it to believe it. "I don't want Twilight or the others waiting any longer."
"Well, if you say so, partner." Applejack said with a shrug.
"Well, let's go! I can't wait to go back to Equestria!" Pinkie cheered as she rushed into the portal, which surprised the others as they all gave knowing smiles.
"Classic Pinkie Pie." They all said as they shared a small laugh and followed Pinkie through the portal.
At the other end of the portal, Pinkie stood there while looking around with a wide smile before she turned and saw the portal glowing again, which then launched the rest of the Rainbooms out, tackling Pinkie down as they groaned a bit while Pinkie poke her head out of her friends as she gave a cheery smile.
"What took ya so long, slow pokes?" Pinkie asked with a squeal.
The Rainbooms groaned a bit as they got off each other while their pony forms were a bit aged as they were. "It's been a while since we've been through a portal, Pinkie." Rainbow said while rubbing her head. "Cut us some slack." She added while struggling up to her hooves, "Oh, my back."
"Boy howdy, we're not as spry as we used to be." Applejack grunted as she stretched her back hoof, which cracked them a bit as she did the same for Pinkie, Fluttershy, and Rarity while Twilight stretched.
"You old ladies alright?" Sunset teased her old friends with a smirk.
"I watch who you call old dar-" Rarity trailed off as her jaws dropped, soon the other Rainbooms followed as they saw that Sunset in her Alicorn form. "My word, you are so dazzling, Sunset." She said in a breath taken.
"S-Sunset, you're… you're…" Sci Twi stammered.
"Yep." Sunset said with a smirk as she spread her wings. "Pretty cool, huh?"
"Cool? More like awesome!" Rainbow cheered with a wide smile.
"H-How can, I mean, you were…" Sci Twi stammered as she tried to process her brain.
"Yeah, that's one of the stories I'll tell, but first. Say hello to my friends! Both old and new!" Sunset declared as she gestured to the rest of the Mane 8, while Twilight smiled at the sight of the Rainbooms while Sunny and the others looked on with their jaws hanging at who they were seeing.
"Hi, girls!" Twilight waved to the Rainbooms.
"Twilight!" The Rainbooms cheered as they rushed up to Twilight and gave her a reunion hug, which made Twilight smile fondly as she missed the hug of her old friends, even if there's another her and that they're just their counterparts.
Sunny and the others stammered while Misty broke the silence. "Uh, are those the.. I mean, are they even the…" Misty tried to say while trying to find the right words for what they're seeing.
"Sunset's old friends are really here?!" Zipp exclaimed in complete shock.
"Great glitters! This just made the sparkle brightest then the sky!" Izzy cheered loudly.
"This is so gonna go into monogram." Pipp said in shock as she consciously took a picture with her phone.
"Can you really believe this is happening, Sunny?" Hitch asked, but Sunny just stammered and looked on with wide eyes while her jaw was still dropped, which surprised Hitch as he waved a hoof over his marefriend's face, but she didn't react one bit. "Uh oh. Sunny's broken."
After the Rainbooms separated from Twilight, Sci Twi stepped forward. "It's nice to see you again, Twilight." Sci Twi said with a smile.
"Great to see you again too, Twilight." Twilight said with a sheepish smile. "It's a good thing you're a Unicorn and I'm an Alicorn to avoid confusion."
"Yeah, and well, heheh, it's kinda already with the two of us here. And I wear glasses." Sci Twi said while adjusting her glasses. "Though, I can see you have a new look." She added, noticing Twilight's new color streaks.
"Benefit to being reborn." Twilight said with a smile.
"Reborn?" Fluttershy asked with a brow, as did the other Rainbooms.
"I'll explain later." Twilight said as Sunset stepped in.
"Oh, anyway, let's not forget our other friends here." Sunset said as she gestured to Sunny and the others. "Rainbooms, meet Misty, Zipp, Pipp, Izzy, Hitch, Sparky, and last and never the least, Sunny. The friends we made when I first returned to Equestria." She greeted them with a smile.
"It's nice to meet you all, right Sunny?" Hitch said but got no answer, "Sunny?" He asked, turning to his still shocked marefriend. "Huh, that's a new personal record." He commented.
"Is she okay?" Fluttershy asked in concern.
"Oh, she's fine." Izzy waved off. "She's just excited to see all her idols here in the flesh!" She exclaimed with a wide smile.
"Idols?" Rarity asked with a frown. "Why we are more than just idols. We're-"
"You're Rarity!" Sunny yelled, which startled the Rainbooms and her own friends as they flinched back as Sunny quickly went to each Rainbooms. "And you're Rainbow Dash! Applejack! Fluttershy! Pinkie Pie! And…" She then gasped before she sped up in front of Sci Twi, who flinched back. "And you're another Twilight! Who was a Unicorn before she became an Alicorn!" She called in pure excitement before she gave a thoughtful look. "Minus the whole glasses thing, but still Twilight Sparkle all the same!" She cheered as she gave a squeak while Sci Twi gave a sheepish chuckle.
"Okay. So, you know us. And to avoid confusion since there's two of me here, call me Sci Twi." Sci Twi said as she gently pushed Sunny back a bit. "Nice to meet you, uh, Sunny?"
"Looks like someone told this pony all about us." Rainbow said with a smirk.
"Actually, she knows your counterparts, so she does know you, in a certain point of view." Sunset said with a small smile and a shrug.
"More than you can imagine! Especially to the two Alicorns before me!" Sunny cheered while gesturing to Sunset and Twilight, who gave sheepish smiles from the compliment.
"Is she always like this?" Fluttershy asked Twilight and Sunset with a weirded expression.
"Only when she's in her fan mode." Twilight said with a sheepish look.
Sunset then walked up to Sunny with a sheepish look. "Sunny, remember, Ponies not Popstars," She said, reminding Sunny to stay calm.
"Right, ponies not popstars. Ponies not popstars." Sunny repeated while calming down. "Well, now that your here, let's get this party started!"
"Yes times a thousand!" Izzy cheered as she pulled a line, which shot glitter cannons as the glitters fell from the ceiling, which surprised the Rainbooms from that.
"Yippie times one zillion-!" Pinkie cheered before there was the sound of a guitar string breaking and a audible crack as her mane went jagged and she held her neck. "Gah! I'm not as flexible as I used to be." She muttered.
Rarity sighed and turned to Sunset, "Sunset, Darling. I do not want to sound ungrateful, but I'm afraid we will not offer much enjoyment in the state we're in." She said solemnly.
"Yeah, we're too past our Prime to have fun like we used to." Applejack said with a frown.
"I'm not. I'm still kicking." Rainbow said as she did a few kicks, but cringed a bit as she held her back. "That was just a sprain." She muttered.
"We're not like the old days, Sunset." Fluttershy said with a frown. "I don't think our bodies can handle much excitement. We were lucky to survive the portal."
"Oh, don't worry girls. I have just the thing to help," Sunset said as she pulled out a jar of familiar red glitter with the symbol of big pony and a foal.
Pipp's face turned to terror as her gaze closed in on the jar's logo while thunder and lightning crashed in her ears along with the haunting sound of child-like laughter. "Sweet Ponyfeathers! The Glitter of Evil!" She yelled as she swiped the jar away from Sunset, which surprised the Alicorn as she quickly brought in Izzy's flame thrower and burned the jar, but after the flames died down, Sunset appeared with a shield around her and the jar while giving a glare at Pipp.
"Pipp, what are you doing?" Sunset questioned.
"What are you doing?! Don't you know what that glitter does?!" Pipp said while holding her head, "It's just like that movie! We're doomed Ponies! DOOOOOOMMM-!" She cried out dramatically.
"CALM DOWN, MARE!" Zipp yelled, startling Pipp as she waved her legs wildly before crouching down in fear.
"Wow, she's as dramatic as you are, Rarity." Rainbow commented, while Rarity gave a look.
"How dare you." Rarity said with a huff as she raised her face high.
"I'm sure Sunset knows what she's doing," Zipp said confidently before turning to Sunset in worry, "Sunset, please tell me you know what you're doing." She whispered worriedly.
"I was getting to that." Sunset said as she picked up the jar. "After the two incidents with this magic glitter Sunny first made sometime back, I've been using it and fine-tuning the formula and through my research I've been able to perfect the De-aging Glitter."
"De-aging what now?" Applejack asked in surprise, as were the other Rainbooms. "What in the sam hills is Sunset talking about?" She asked the other ponies.
"Well, heheh." Pipp started with an awkward smile. "You see, when Sunny was first trying to practice her magic, she made this sparkly magic glitter that is like super dangerous because if you get sprayed you totally turn back into filly!" She cried out before she heard Hitch clearing his throat and turned to see him giving her a look as she corrected herself. "Or a foal!"
"Wait, really? That glitter can de-age you?" Sci Twi asked in shock while adjusting her glasses to inspect the jar. "Is this how you are so young, Sunset?"
"Actually, I got my youth back when I became an Alicorn." Sunset said with a shrug and a sheepish smile. "But my friends here had gotten a double dose of this glitter." She added while gesturing to the six ponies, who gave sheepish chuckles from that experience. "And let me tell ya, them being foals wasn't exactly a picnic." She shuddered.
"You had a picnic with baby ponies? That's adorable!" Pinkie said with a smile.
"Not what I meant, Pinkie." Sunset said with a playful rolled eyes.
"Uh, Sunset, mind telling us why you kept that stuff or what you're gonna use it for?" Hitch asked in concern while gesturing to the glitter jar.
"I was hoping this reunion would come, so I thought I would make something for my old friends if they ever come visit, and possibly be jealous that I'm young again." Sunset said with a smirk.
"We weren't gonna be jealous." Rarity said with a look as Sunset gave them a brow, while the Rainbooms gave sheepish looks.
"Well, maybe a little." Sci Twi admitted while rubbing her neck.
"Thought so." Sunset said with a smirk. "And that they wouldn't have much fun like how we did when we were little, so I thought if I have my youth back, then why not give them theirs as well?"
"Wait, you mean…?" Fluttershy started as she and the other Rainbooms' eyes widened from what Sunset is saying.
"That's right, girls. You all are gonna be young again thanks to my portable fountain of youth!" Sunset declared while holding the jar out, which made the Rainbooms cheered in excitement. "Alright, who wants to go first?" She asked as she opened up the jar.
"Me! I want to be young and gorgeous again!" Rarity called as she trotted up to Sunset and reach out for the jar, which Sunset placed a hoof to her face and pushed Rarity back. "Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!" She called as Sunset kept her hoof back.
"Wow, she is like you, Pipp. You do that with your phone." Izzy commented, while Pipp rolled her eyes.
"Rarity, Rarity! Take it easy!" Sunset said as she pushed Rarity back a bit. "This glitter is very sensitive. Too much and you'll revert back into babies." She warned, which made Rarity give a sheepish chuckle.
"Point taken." Rarity said sheepishly.
"Just get in line, girls. I'll apply them to your faces." Sunset instructed, while the Rainbooms quickly formed a line as Sunset grabbed some glitter from the jar. "Okay, step forward." She said as she then started applying the de-aging glitter into each of the Rainbooms' faces. First Rarity, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, and then Sci Twi as she adds the right amount of glitters to their faces. "Okay, just need to give a moment to work and then-" she trailed off as the Rainbooms then glowed before a bright light blinded them, which made the Mane 8 cover their eyes from the flash before it faded. "Or we could get lucky, it works right now." She corrected herself.
After the flash cleared, the Mane 8 looked at the Rainbooms in the dust of clouds anxiously, hoping that they aren't foals, but once the dust is cleared, they saw the Rainbooms not as foals, but as young adult ponies as the Rainbooms look at themselves in awed and surprise.
"Wow, it worked." Zipp said in awed.
"Oh, look at this, darlings! I'm back to my young gorgeous self again!" Rarity cheered while holding her mane in pure joy.
"Oooh, doggy!" Applejack called as she buckled her legs side to side. "I feel refreshed as a newborn cow in the silo!" She cheered with a smile.
"Haha! I've never felt this good!" Rainbow cheered doing a flying flip.
"I feel like I have have millions of parties at once!" Pinkie cheered as she cartwheeled around.
"I never felt better." Fluttershy said while looking at herself with a smile.
"No wrinkles, no grey hair, and now back pains…" Sci Twi said while looking at her body. "We're as if we just graduated high school!" She called in amazement.
"And you look the same as when I last saw you girls." Twilight said with a smile as she then turned to Sunset. "Nice job, Sunset. It's better than trying to practice a de-aging spell."
"Yeah, this is better, less exhaustion and saves time." Sunset said with a smirk as she closed the glitter jar and put it away. "And I'm glad you girls are enjoying the gift."
"Sunset, this is the best gift you have given us!" Sci Twi called with a smile.
"Well, better get ready, because it's time to party, Equestria style." Sunset declared as they all cheered in excitement.
(Legend You Are Meant To Be Song)
Throughout the day, the Mane 8 and the Rainbooms were engaging in different activities and having fun with each other. Pinkie was currently doing arts and crafts with Izzy as Izzy managed to move in tandem with Pinkie's random logic breaking movements, while Senior B joined in as they made catapults, craft towers and even a craft cannon that fired glitter and streams everywhere.
(Sci Twi and Sunny)
I used to think that stories were just that
Set in stone, concrete as a fact
It didn't dawn on me
That I could change history
(Sunset and Twilight)
Now I know I'm writing my own song
Fight my way to the ending that I want
I'll turn a tragedy
Sunset and Twilight were with Sci Twi and Sunny as they all started skating across Maretime Bay while Sci Twi had trouble scating while in pony form, but Sunny and Sunset came up to her and helped balance her out as they shared smiles as they continued skating while doing some tricks along the way.
(Sunset, Sunny, Twilight and Sci Twi)
Into an epic fantasy
(The Rainbooms and Mane 8)
Hey, hey, hey
You can be a hero (hero) too
Oh-oh-oh
Take my hand, I'm here for you
Sometime later, the Mane 8 and Rainbooms then started singing together while the Rainbooms started playing their instruments Sunset bought while playing a familiar tune the Rainbooms knew all too well as they sang their hearts out.
Come away with me
Be the legend you are meant to be
You'll always be ever free
They sang as some pictures of the activities they did, like having a fun time at the beach, playing volleyball, swimming, and tanning together in circle formation in two groups.
Oh, oo-wah, ah-oh, oo-wah, ah-oh, oo-wah
To be the legend you are meant to be
Oh, oo-wah, ah-oh, oo-wah, ah-oh, oo-wah
To be the legend you are meant to be
(Fluttershy and Misty)
There was a time when fear would hold me down
'Cause I let it chain me to the ground
Fluttershy and Misty were by a beautiful meadow while some critters around surrounded Fluttershy, which she smiled while Misty looked in surprise that Fluttershy is a critter magnet like Hitch is, which make sense why Sunset think Hitch's is related to Fluttershy, as a couple of birds flew in and placed flower crowns on their heads, which made the two smiled brightly.
(Rainbow Dash and Zipp)
Look at me now, I'm soaring high
It's never boring in the sky
Zipp and Rainbow flew in the air while racing each other side to side with challenging smirks, while Rainbow finally having gotten used to flying with wings thanks to some practice in her ponyform back in the human world as the two Pegasi flew so fast that they were leaving a gust a strong wind while leaving their trails while circling the sky while ponies down below looked in awed at the two speedy pegasi.
(Applejack and Hitch)
When I know I've got friends on my side
Whatever trials, I'll take them all in stride
With Hitch and Applejack, the Earth Pony stallion was taken the country mare a tour around Maretime Bay while wearing his sheriff hat with Sparky on his back as he showed Canter Love Studio, the movie theater, and his station while also keeping up with his Sheriff duty, which impressed Applejack at how he maintain order and clean in his town, while also noticing how critters like him like how Applejack sees Fluttershy do.
Sparky giggled before he saw a candy cart coming by, which made him look on with sparkles in his eyes as he laughed and ran towards it, which made Hitch panic. Before Hitch could do anything, Applejack took out her signature lasso and used her teeth to toss the ring over Sparky, trapping in and yanking him back, which Sparky tried to break free but Applejack was stronger then she looks as the cowmare brought the grouchy baby dragon to them while Sparky had his arms crossed that he didn't get a treat.
Hitch looked in surprise at how Applejack caught Sparky and how strong she is when Sparky dragged him like a ragdoll before as Applejack gave Hitch a smirk as she tilted her hat, which made Hitch return the smirk as he tilt his hat as well at Applejack's accomplishment.
(Rarity and Pipp)
Together we will shine so bright
A radiant brilliance in the night
Rarity and Pipp were at Mane Melody exchanging fashion ideas. Rarity came out from the Mane style mirrors sporting a new punk style with green and yellow highlights and Pipp was seen wearing a purple ball gown and matching wide brim hat with a feather, the two posed and took plenty of selfies with each other as they looked at them and gave double high hooves with bright smiles.
At the Maretime Bay's Town Plaza, the Rainbooms and the Mane 8 sang together with wide smiles while the ponies of Maretime Bay were shocked to see the Rainbooms that are like the legendary Guardians of Harmony as they cheered them on.
(The Rainbooms and Mane 8)
Hey, hey, hey
You can be a hero (hero) too
Oh-oh-oh
Take my hand, I'm here for you
As they sang, their Cutie Marks began to glow as the two groups began to glow in magic.
Come away with me
Be the legend you are meant to be
You'll always be ever free
The ponies danced together while the two pony groups sang while pictures were taken, of when they were watching a movie together, having a pillow fight, or having a group picture of them together in front of the Brighthouse.
As they kept singing, the Rainbooms, san Sunset, then glowed brighter than the Mane 8 as they levitated up with their instruments, which surprised everyone as they suddenly went into a new form, which is the Rainbow Forms Twilight and her friends went as when they defeated Tirek as Sci Twi became an Alicorn as the they all looked in awed while also singing along.
Oh, oo-wah, ah-oh, oo-wah, ah-oh, oo-wah
To be the legend you are meant to be
Oh, oo-wah, ah-oh, oo-wah, ah-oh, oo-wah
To be the legend you are meant to be!
They finishing singing as their Cutie Mark magic of both groups shot up into the sky, which created fireworks as images of their Cutie Marks shined in two different groups as they lit up the night sky while everypony all cheered at the ponies for the song.
That evening, the Mane 8 and the Rainbooms returned to the Brighthouse with huge smiles on their faces from the exciting day they had. "Oh! That was amazing!" Sunny cheered with a huge smile.
"That was the most fun I had, in a long, long time." Pinkie said happily.
"I know, right! It's even better than the other times we had fun!" Izzy cheered as she hopped beside Pinkie.
"I know, right!" Pinkie cheered with a hop.
"So, I'm really, you're ancestor?" Fluttershy asked Hitch with a slight surprise look.
"That's what Sunset said." Hitch said with a shrug. "I mean, it makes sense since I'm the only pony who can understand animals, like you." He said as Sparky babbled while waving his arms. "Well, except having a baby dragon and all." He added with a chuckle.
"Oh, what an adorable little dragon." Fluttershy said as she petted Sparky, who giggled at the touch.
"And I'm kinda surprised you own a fashion shop, young Pipp." Rarity said with a smile while looking at her new mane look. "I'm a fashionista myself, but as a designer. But you are an excellent spa." She complimented.
"From one fashionista to another, I am honored." Pipp said with a smile, which Rarity returned.
"I can't believe you actually pulled off a Sonic Rainboom," Rainbow told Zipp, "Thrice!" she added.
"Well, the first time wasn't intentional, but yeah, I pulled off that legendary trick." Zipp said with a proud smile. "I'm sure you have done something similar in your world."
"Well, almost, but still the same." Rainbow said with a shrug. "But you are as awesome as me!" She added with a smirk. "Nice to see another who takes after me."
"And I can see that there's always a thriller pegasi in a group." Zipp said with a smirk as the two high wings with each other.
"Wow, you girl have been through a rough patch with that evil bad Opaline feller." Applejack said to Misty in surprise and sympathy, having been told of Misty's backstory and when Opaline raised her.
"Yeah. And trust me, she was as heartless as she was cruel." Misty said while rubbing her left hoof.
"Well, you're in good hands, or er, hooves in this case, now, Misty." Applejack said with a smile. "And you have picked your friends over that tyrant, which is mighty brave of you."
"You really think so?" Misty asked with a small smile.
"Trust me, I never lie, you're not the first shy partner who found the courage in her." Applejack said while looking at Fluttershy, which Misty understands what she meant as she gave a smile.
"I can't believe Equestria evolved into an era like our world." Sci Twi said while talking to Sunset, Twilight, and Sunny. "Last time we were here, it was more like an old school kinda era."
"Yeah, I reacted the same way when I first came back to Equestria." Sunset said with a chuckle.
"That's what happens when time moves differently between worlds." Twilight said with a smile. "You can never know how long it's been from one end to the other."
"I'm still surprise that the guardians of harmony, even their doublegangers, are here and from other world!" Sunny squeal in excitement.
"Heheh, catchy name, but thanks for that." Sci Twi said with a giggle.
"Still, it's great to see you girls again." Sunset said with a smile.
"Same here, Sunset," Sci-Twi replied, "But I need to ask. With all the time you spent back here in Equestria, have you ever thought about, coming back to our world?" She asked.
Everypony turned to Sunset upon hearing this, the Mane 8, especially Sunny, looked concerned if Sunset actually would go back to the Human World again. Sunset was quiet for a moment, thinking about what to say before she answered.
"I'm not gonna lie, Twi. There are times when I keep thinking of going back, back when I felt out of place in Equestria, since, you know, out of time and all." Sunset said with a frown. "With how advanced and different Equestria is now, it felt like I don't belong here, or that it needs me, but over time, it still felt like home, and a bit similar to how your world is now, which takes a bit of getting used to by the way." She added with a small giggle before she continued. "But, even if I want to go back, I might outlive my friends again, like how I did before I came back." She added with a frown. "It was thanks to Sunny and the others, and how we worked together, it felt like I was really home again. And I see them as my family." She added as she turned to the Mane 8, who gave heartfelt looks from that.
Pipp sniffled, "I'm not crying, you're crying," She wept while pointing to Zipp.
Zipp playfully rolled her eyes and nudged her sister. "Nice try, sis. But we all are." She said while trying to resist the tears.
"So, while the human world will always be my home, Equestria is where I truly belong, along with the friends I made here." Sunset said to the Rainbooms. "Now, I'm not saying I'll cut all ties with you and the others back in the other." She quickly said with an assuring look as she continued. "But, if there's anything any of us need, we'll always call in the bestest friends." She said, which made the Rainbooms smile from her words. "Even farthest apart, friendship still carries on, it always has."
"Sunset's right." Twilight said with a smile as she stepped forward. "While we don't get to see each other often, I know that no matter how far we go, no matter where we end up, or what world we're from, friendship is always stronger. Like how I always think about you girls even after years apart."
"Besides, with the portal open, you all could just come by and visit often." Sunny suggested with a hopeful smile, while wanting to see Sunset's friends, who are the counterparts of the Guardians of Harmony, come by so often.
The Rainbooms looked at each other for a moment while in thought before they had the same idea before they turned back with a smile. "If it's your choice, Sunset, then we'll honor that." Applejack said with a smile.
"Just be sure to text us often." Rainbow told her with a friendly bump on Sunset's shoulder.
"Or at least visit us, darling." Rarity added with a smile.
"If texting works in both worlds." Fluttershy said with a sheepish smile. "Do they?"
"Ooh! Do they have magical phones that work in different dimensions?!" Pinkie asked in excitement.
"Pinkie, there's no phone that can do that." Sci Twi said before giving a thoughtful look. "Wait, is there?" She asked the ponies.
"Uh, no. There's no such phone like that." Sunny said with a sheepish chuckle.
"But that is a good idea." Pipp said with a smirk while looking at her phone, wishing they can call from other worlds.
"But we do have the next best thing." Twilight said with a smirk. "A classic. Sunset, do you finish them?"
Sunset nodded as she brought out six different colored books with the Rainboom's marks on the covers, "These are replicas of my Magic Journal." She explained, handing one book to each of the girls, "I've synced them to each other along with my own. With these we'll be able to contact each other in no time. And the best part, unlike texting, no signal is required." Sunset, pulling out her own journal with her cutie mark on the cover.
"Awesome!" Rainbow cheered.
"Now this is something." Applejack said while looking at her book.
"My, what a fine detail this cover is." Rarity commented with a smile.
"I always wanted a magic book." Fluttershy said with a smile.
"A book phone! Awesome!" Pinkie cheered in excitement.
"Now this is a book I have never gotten before." Sci Twi said with a wide smile. "Thank you, Sunset."
"Your welcome. What are friends for?" Sunset said with a smile. "Besides, I wouldn't want to forget my favorite girl band." She added with a smirk.
"And if our books ever get full, we'll let you know and we can come back to Equestria so we can replace them." Sci Twi said with a smile. "Deal?"
"Deal." Sunset said as the Rainbooms all gathered around in a group hug, surprising her before she smiled and enjoyed the hug.
"Aw, you guys. Let me get in on it." Izzy said as she and the rest of the Mane 8 joined in the hug while Sparky hugged Sunset from on top of her head.
After a while of hugging, Twilight opened the portal back to the human world before the Rainbooms realized something. "Wait, what about, uh, you know, our young state?" Fluttershy asked, gesturing to the young forms the Rainbooms are in. "What are we gonna tell our friends and family back home?"
"Yeah, I think they'll question how we look young again." Sci Twi said with an uncertain look.
"More questionable than how Equestrian Magic flows around CHS and a talking dog?" Sunset asked with a brow and a smirk as the Rainbooms thought for a moment.
"You know, she has a point, darlings." Rarity said with a shrug.
"Let's just tell them we encountered some magic that gave us our youth back." Rainbow said with a shrug. "I really missed having to do cool stunts and sports without any aches or pains!" She added with a wide smile.
"Isn't that lying, Rainbow?" Applejack asked with a brow.
"Hey, it's not a complete lie." Rainbow said with a shrug.
"She got a point." Pinkie said with a nod. "I mean, it was magic, right?"
"I guess that is sorta true." Applejack said with a sigh.
"But just in case, if you guys wanted to know more about the jar, here's the notes of it." Sunset said as she gave Sci Twi the note that told details from the de-aging glitter. "There's even an anti-dote on it if you girls ever want to revert back to your original ages."
"Thanks, Sunset." Sci Twi said with a smile. "You really have learned and grown much since we last saw you."
"Well, I learned from the best, and not just Princess Twilight and the others." Sunset said with a smile before she gave Sci Twi a final hug, which she returned as everypony smiled as the two mares separated. "See you around, Rainbooms."
"See you, Sunset." Sci Twi said as the Rainbooms gave her one final smile as they each step into the portal one by one as Sci Twi was the final pony to go in before she gave a warm smile to Sunset, her counterpart, and her friends as they all smiled back as Sci Twi entered the portal as Twilight then closed it as the machine turned off, closing the portal as it was a normal mirror again.
"I still don't trust that glitter." Pipp said distainly.
"Has anypony told you, you're paranoid?" Sunset commented to the princess.
"Sunset, I thought you of all ponies would understand that that Deaging Glitter causes nothing but strife and chaos whenever it's touched." Pipp told the alicorn.
"That's only because you ponies took way too much glitter that it reverted you all to foals." Sunset said with a smirk, not noticing Sparky had climbed onto the shelf above her with the Deaging Glitter across from him, "And also, it's only dangerous unless you don't know how to use it. Besides, I've been perfecting this glitter after learning of its aging effects."
"You wouldn't be saying that if you got hit by it." Pipp accused her while Sparky looked at the Jar with interest.
Sunset snorted as Sparky reached for the Jar but accidentally pushed it to the edge make it tip, "Maybe that's because unlike you ponies, I'm responsible enough, quick enough, and smart enough to know how not to use magic glit-" She couldn't as the jar fell and broke spilled all the glitter over her. "Oh no." She muttered with a look of dread before a magic dust cloud appeared, covering Sunset while the rest of the Mane 8 looked in surprise.
"Sparky!" Hitch scolded while looking up and saw Sparky on the shelf, who gave an innocent look.
"Oh, Sunset's gonna be mad at that." Misty muttered.
"Uh, I don't think she will anytime soon." Twilight said in concern before gesturing to the dust clearing, which showed Sunset, who is now an Alicorn filly, sitting on the ground while just staring at her friends, who looked in shock by this.
Pipp however, gave a smirk as she leaned towards Filly Sunset. "Oh, it looks like the tomato is on your face this time, Sunset. Not so careful now, huh?" She taunted as Filly Sunset's lips started quivering.
"Uh, Pipp, you shouldn't have done that." Twilight said in fear.
Pipp then realized her mistake when she saw Filly Sunset's face, "Oh no, nononono! Please whatever you do, don't-" She begged while putting her hooves together.
"WWWWWAAAAAAAAAHHHHHH!" Filly Sunset cried out with tears coming out, which made a sonic wave that spread over the Brighthouse while the Mane 8 covered their ears from the loud tantrum before Twilight quickly placed Filly Sunset in a soundproof bubble as she cried in silent while the rest of the ponies looked on with wide eyes while their manes are frizz out while Sparky fell before landing on Sunny's back.
"Alicorn fillies have very powerful lungs and magic." Twilight said naturally while was familiar with this with Flurry Heart.
"Anything else you wanna mention to us!" Zipp said loudly, "Random magic burst! Ooh, mega burps! I'm sure we'll be facing some of those pretty soon!" He yelled sarcastically.
"Zipp, you are yelling very loudly!" Twilight said with a wince.
"Oh really?! I can barely hear myself!" Zipp stated, pointing to her ear, "Because that's what happens, when standing next to a CRYING BABY ALICORN!" She exclaimed aggravatedly.
"Okay, okay! Stop it! You're scaring her!" Sunny yelled while gesturing to the crying Filly Sunset, who flinched back after hearing Zipp yell as she covered herself with her wings while facing away.
"Yeah, I made this soundproof on the outside. Not on the inside." Twilight said with a look. "She can still hear."
"Sorry!" Zipp said with a sheepish look as Sunny walked up to Filly Sunset.
"Hey, it's okay, sis." Sunny said with a comforting smile while Filly Sunset kept weeping. "It's alright. No need to cry." She said as she gave a soft look to Filly Sunset, which made the baby alicorn calm down while still weeping a bit as Sunny turn to Twilight and nodded her head, which made Twilight lowered the barrier, freeing Filly Sunset as the others flinched and covered their ears just in case, but Sunny then held Filly Sunset in a motherly way. "It's alright, everything is gonna be fine." She said softly, which made Filly Sunset look on with sparkling eyes and a cute smile at Sunny.
The others watched in surprise. "Wow, Sunny, that was impressive." Izzy said with a smile.
"When you spend time taking care of Sparky, you pick up a thing or two." Sunny said with a smile while still holding Filly Sunny. "And it pays off."
"And now I'm kinda glad Sunset didn't become a filly like the rest of us thanks to that glitter." Pipp said with a sheepish tone. "She would've driven me and Zipp to the nut house."
"I think she was even more stressed when all six of you became foals." Twilight said with a cringed look, having seen that happening when she was a spirit in an amulet.
"Oooh, yeah, point taken." Hitch said with a cringing.
"Uh, should we do something about Sunset as a filly?" Misty asked with a concerned look while gesturing to Filly Sunset.
"Pipp and I know how to fix this." Zipp said with her hoof raised. "But it's gonna take some time to make." She added while she and Pipp gave sheepish smiles.
"Don't worry, we got all the time in the world." Sunny said as she looked at Filly Sunset with a smile as Filly Sunset giggled. Though they now had to deal with a baby Sunset, they all had a wonderful time with her old friends and knew to call on them whenever they needed help.
End of Chapter 42.