#nova spark

A spotlight shines on an old photograph of Sunset's birth, showing younger versions of her parents

‘Sunset’: I was born to Morning Shine and Glistening Dream. My mother, Morning Shine, was a high-ranking unicorn officer in the guard, and my father, Glistening Dream, was a brilliant unicorn scientist. They currently still live to this day in peaceful retirement at the paradise that is Silver Shoals

Nova: Parents, huh... 

The two in the photo look quite happy,  Nova looks at the picture and thinks for a moment 

Nova: Wait… Glistening Dream was her father? The whole science wing of the school was named after him for his research on magical artifacts and their uses among other things! And her mom was a guard… what a lineage to live up to. (I have to wonder how they took the news about Sunset… of course with the dragon tear, they can speak with her when they desire. Must be nice to have that kind of relationship…) Can you describe the next display, Sunset A.I.?

The next display is about Sunset's upbringing and early childhood.

‘Sunset’: These are pictures and/or toys related to my time when I was in Magic Kindergarten. I had just turned 3 when I began to astound both teachers and classmates alike at how fast I was learning. The combination of my father's smarts with the quick decisiveness of my mother made a combination that was quite noticeable even for as young as I was. It wasn't long before my parents were thinking of enrolling me in Celestia's School for Gifted Unicorns. 

It was quite difficult for Nova to not let out a squeeing noise when she saw the pictures of young Sunset. But it was clear she found them all quite adorable. 

Nova: An early bloomer, why am I not surprised? (Granted, that was kind of a trait I despised in other ponies back then... But I never got the vibe from Ms. Shimmer that she was lording her power over anypony else. It's probably why I liked her so much, she was an exception to the other early bloomers I'd known.)

The next display to be spotlighted was of Sunset's entrance exam. A photo of a determined little filly can be seen with some other assorted items

‘Sunset’: My entrance exam was a wonder upon wonders, the display of power I showed almost seemed a bit dangerous for the judges. Ever since then, they made sure to keep the judges a good distance away from the testing students.

Twilight briefly remembers the distance the judges were. Probably was a good thing too, as otherwise they may have been turned into plants just as her parents had for a brief time.

‘Sunset’: Some of the debris that resulted from my entrance exam is in fact here displayed at the museum.  I did not have to hatch a dragon egg nor was it the usual standardized testing given to most potential enrollees, I was simply asked to perform my magic at the highest raw power I could muster at that age. Princess Celestia herself was even in attendance, as she had heard of an up and coming filly that peaked her interest.

In the photo, way in the back a glimpse of Celestia watching Sunset performing her magic can be seen. Even by just this photo, it was very evident Celestia was already well impressed in this frame forever captured in time.

Looking at Sunset's entrance exam makes her think of her own 

Nova: You know, I always found the panel to be so nerve wracking, it's a lot of pressure to put on a foal! I dunno about you, Sparkle, but they always struck me as very judgmental. I mean yeah that's their job but it felt so cold! 

She looked at the debris on display and chuckled 

Nova: This would explain why they went for a more varied approach by the time I was entering the school. Probably didn't want anyone else to get blasted. Though I have to wonder if my test fell under the normal standardized testing or if it was a unique one. I didn't have to do any of the dragon hatching stuff either. I had to bring a rare plant back to life with magic. They gave me a week to prepare for it as well. Thankfully the method I went with had worked. 

She looked back to Twilight 

Nova: They didn't expect me to know about how to combine earth pony farming techniques with a magically charged crystal. Of course, unlike Sunset here, I don't think Celestia was there to watch.

I believe you told me that you had to do the egg hatching thing right? That's how you brought Spike into this world, I know that much. I mean I was wandering through town at the time and then seeing the giant rainbow in the sky followed by a dragon bursting out of the school! It's kinda hard to forget. (Though I remember it more for… other reasons.) For just a moment, she does shoot a glare at Twilight before shaking her head (No… what happened isn't her fault, I know that now.) 

...Now that I think about it, why were the tests randomized like that? Were they catering to the students ahead of time or were they already aware of the latent potential in some of the ponies? You spent a lot of time around Celestia, did she ever give you an answer? 

Twilight: I didn't know until close to 5 years ago. Apparently, Celestia had been given Spike's egg by a younger Malakhar in Saddle Arabia along with a deceased mother dragon. When Celestia took it back home, she had a strange dream where a voice, that seemed to be most likely the spirit of the dragon from beyond the grave, to grant the egg its perfect mother, as well as Celestia's next student. And well, the stars apparently aligned for it to be me of all ponies.

I kinda hate retelling this story, as I don't like to sound as if I was some conceited chosen one destined for greatness. I know you've held such feelings before about me, and out of context I imagine that's how exactly it sounds. But magic works in mysterious ways in Equestria after all, Starlight found out the hard way how important it was that I met the other elements of harmony for example. She too thought I had an ego about myself and my friends' importance to the safety of Equestria. 

Nova: Given all of the crazy things life has put in front of you, it's hard to not get that idea. Think about it, the leader of our nation was told in a dream that you would be the prime candidate to not only hatch the egg, but eventually succeed her? I mean, how do you think it feels? And then to add on top of that, you've gone and beaten down more dangerous villains, and became a genie too! And it all just so happened within a relatively short time frame! 

Nova takes a deep breath

Nova: I won't lie, part of me is still bitter, holding onto that resentment from childhood. After Sunset left, we were all striving to be Celestia's next personal student. Some of us for noble reasons, others not so much. I remember working to the bone trying to keep up with the rest of the class or find ways to jump ahead. I can still hear my mother berating me for not being good enough to get the spot. I'll admit, my own reasons for wanting the positions could be seen as selfish too. 

I wanted to be just like Sunset, she was always so kind and encouraging to us, even to someone who shouldn't have been in that school like me. On top of that, I wanted Celestia's admiration too. But even with all that hard work, we get told that not only would none of us qualify, but a first year would be taking the spot? It hurt, I don't have the raw magical power like you, Starlight or Sunset have. I thought I did everything right, but I'd leave the school soon after anyway, so who knows what could have been.

But I also don't think you should feel ashamed in retelling your story. None of us get to choose how fate works, even if as a scientist, the idea of our own destinies not being in our control infuriates me. What happened to myself and anyone else isn't your fault. Look, you earned that crown and those wings. It doesn't matter what 'destiny' chose for you. You went and made it your own. 

She smirked 

Nova: I don't see you as the one who ruined my life anymore, but I'll still be working to best you.

Twilight smiles, thankful for Nova's grown maturity over the past few years. Soon the tour continues as the next display is lit up. It's about Celestia's early days as Celestia's student. Adorable pictures of Celestia with a filly Sunset could be seen all across the wall. 

'Sunset': These are all memories of my first years under Celestia's tutelage. For a while, she was almost like a foalsitter or even another mother for me. While we still did serious training when needed, she still let me be a filly and play at the castle. The many toys you see here at the display were the actual toys I played with back in the day!

And... if you notice a very burnt jack-in-the-box... let's just say that was the result of a nightmare night prank meant to try to spook a young me. Heh heh. 

Seeing more of a young Sunset makes it even harder for Nova to not squeal, after her outburst earlier, she's trying her best to reign in her enthusiasm. The mention of Celestia being a caretaker or even a second mother makes her eyes twitch for a moment. After what she'd just told Twilight, she can't help but feel jealous for a moment. But it also makes something click in Nova's mind. 

Nova: Huh well look at that, seems you were following in Sunset's hoofsteps in that regard as well. An alicorn caretaker! Sheesh, I never had a chance then! All of them were taken up! (How could I have ever hoped to compete with that...?)

Upon looking at the jack-in-the-box, Nova whistled 

Nova: Wow, she really trashed this thing! I don't recall any of us trying to pull a prank on Ms. Shimmer but I definitely wouldn't have wanted to be on the receiving end of that blast

The next section highlighted was about Sunset's camaraderie with classmates. In particular of note, were more photographs of a young Sunset and a young white unicorn with a mane cut similar to Twilight's.

‘Sunset’: This section depicts the relationship I had with my fellow classmates. I was the top student, but at least as a filly I still had plenty of time to socialize and get to know them. Sometimes helping them out if they were struggling with an assignment. 

I particularly connected with a white unicorn by the name of Twilight Velvet. None of my fellow classmates had quite my potential, but I could tell Velvet had some hidden innate ability in her. She just had trouble bringing it out, and I assisted in helping her discover a great portion of her hidden power. If she wanted to, she could have very well become a great mage.

However, she would decide to live a more humble life despite her latent potential. But that potential was far from wasted. As Twilight Velvet would give birth to Princess Twilight Sparkle, as well as Prince Shining Armor who'd himself father Princess Flurry Heart. 

This section provides something of a smile from Twilight. She hadn't even known her mother knew or was even friends with Sunset back in the day. She completely understood why she hid it though for the same reasons Firelight hid her from Starlight. Those most personally close to Sunset wanted to respect her wishes for privacy after she stepped down as Celestia's protege.

Now that it was safe to leave it all in the open though, Twilight can be more proud of her mother than ever before. And learn some context about how she herself had tons of magic potential even prior to her transformation into a genie and/or an Alicorn princess. And with her relationship with Starlight, the bonds of their friendship clearly have continued into the next generation. It's enough for Twilight's eyes to well up in joyful tears just thinking about it, no matter how many times she's visited this museum

Nova: Twilight… Velvet?  

Nova thinks for a moment, the name and the look of the mare seeming familiar to her. When the 'A.I.' mentioned what she'd done, it clicked. 

Nova: Oh wow, now I know who she is. Ms. Shimmer would bring her in for some magic lessons from time to time! Funny, looking at her like this, it's obvious she's your mom.

You two could be mistaken for twins, well you could have been at some point anyway. I had no idea then, but of course in the few times I did see her, you hadn't been around yet, Sparkle. 

Nova has a small smile on her face as she recalls those days 

Nova: Hm… didn't think I actually had that many fond memories of school. I didn't realize your mom had hidden potential within her either. Bet you're pretty proud of her huh?

Twilight nods.

Twilight: Yeah, obviously most of these memories depicted were from long before she even met my dad. And although my hime cut is pretty iconic for me. It wasn't even all that unique for Canterlot hairstyles. Ponies like my mom, and Moondancer had it without my influence.

I suppose it has become more popular than ever since I became a Princess, though.

Heh, I wonder if my mom became something of a daredevil partly because of Sunset's own adventurous personality. I have to imagine the two went on some crazy adventures at some point. Hm, come to think of it... my Mom did write a good amount of adventure stories. Even winning the Daring Do award for at least one of her book series. It's quite possible her stories were inspired by some of her days with Sunset. Although she certainly changed the names to be entirely fictional as to not entirely give away it was her and Sunset.

Nova: Oh believe me I know, I can't go through Canterlot anymore without seeing somepony with your manestyle. It's not like it's a bad style, but it's clear ponies want to emulate you. Guess it's because with Celestia and Luna it was pretty much impossible to get that flowy mane look. 

She chuckles and jokes around

Nova: Don't you worry though, you won't be catching me trying to steal your manestyle.

And I've read some of your mother’s adventure novels, they're all pretty good. Hehe, I wouldn't be surprised if they were based on some real life experiences!

She let out another laugh but also sighed after. This talk about parents, Nova couldn't help but think of her own and it made her bristle. But this wasn't about her right now and she didn't want it to distract from the tour that the Sunset A.I. was giving. Glancing over at said A.I. it felt surreal, just getting to walk alongside her once again but now that she was getting a closer look something seemed off. Something she hadn't thought about until now.

Nova: Huh… that's strange... 

She starts to circle around the A.I. as if she's looking for something specific.

As Nova walks around 'Sunset', the A.I. almost seems to react a bit nervously before stopping itself. And politely asking.

‘Sunset’: What is it, visitor? Would you like me to pause the tour, or lead you to the next exhibit?

Nova: No don't worry, this will only take a moment... 

She continues to circle around before stopping next to Twilight 

Nova: The Sunset A.I. is modeled after her or I at least assume you got her spirit to be a model to get the most up to date look. So why does it seem.... 

Her eyes narrowed for a moment as she looked down at Sunset before exclaiming

Nova: I've got it! I know what's been throwing me off this whole time, I hadn't realized it before and I know it must be silly, but the two of us are actually taller in comparison to Sunset! 

She laughs

Nova: I thought maybe the sizing or something was off but that's also my brain jumping back and forth between my memories and now. The last time I saw her in person was when she was much bigger than me after all. Plus since you and I are taller than average mares, I must've just assumed she'd be as well being Celestia's former student and all. I thought she might have gotten some magical boost like at a pre-alicorn level or something. to make her taller. Sorry, I didn't mean to pause, it's just one of those minute details that would have bothered me otherwise. Please continue the tour! 

Twilight tilted her head, and raised an eyebrow.

Twilight: I... guess so? She did die pretty young though. She had been close to my age from 5 years ago when her tragic death happened. As such her default form is as she was in those final years of her life. Most spirits' default form are the age they died, though they certainly have the ability to turn back the clock and make themselves look like their younger selves if they want to. Just of course, sadly for Sunset... there isn't a lot of years to change between.

But yes, the hologram is meant to look just like Sunset's spirit form as we normally see her.

As Twilight was explaining and getting Nova's attention, what is supposedly the AI expresses a quiet 

‘Sunset’: Phew... 

Before it sits back up straight.

Nova: Like I said, I know it's silly to have thought about it. But since we've been here my mind just goes back to how I last saw her. She was always someone I looked up to literally and emotionally. Seeing the statue out front, thinking about old memories, it really put me back in that headspace. And seeing the hologram, it makes me face the passage of time in a way I hadn't considered before. So much has happened from then to now for all of us. 

She shakes her head

Nova: But enough of that, let's continue on! This section is something I've been waiting for!! 

‘Sunset’: Alright, next up... is the largest section in the museum. All dedicated to my heroics, adventures, and travels from my pre-teen years to the late teens. Records of the villains I've fought, brought to justice, and/or reformed. Documents of negotiations I was involved with by Celestia's side. Facts about the wild animals I survived encounters with. And souvenirs from all around the world that came from many places outside of Equestria that I've been to.

Please, take your time going through. This will have an extended timer on the tour due to this section's size before we proceed to the sections depicting my family, and my final years alive.

The 'A.I.' leads them into a much larger hall filled with photos, artifacts and even models of Equestrian monsters and villains alike. Nova's eyes lit up and she couldn't stop her tail from wagging. She darted back and forth between things she'd recognized or had been told about. Any exhibit about Equestria's creatures fascinating her greatly 

Nova: Aaaaaahhhh oh my god, this is a sample of a Grootslang!! I had no clue she'd gone up against one of these. You can only find them in Farasi as far as I'm aware! Oooh!! look, look! These are Roc feathers! Just look at the massive size of one of these! Is that a model of a kelpie over there too?! 

For just a moment, she was like a filly in a candy store, when she realized that she might be going a bit too overboard, she stops herself and clears her throat. (Dammit, I lost myself in my excitement again…) 

Uh… heheh m-maybe I should let the A.I. do the tour

Twilight smiles, though assures Nova she's free to explore

Twilight: Don't worry, as the hologram said there's a lot more time to look at things here. Though the hologram does have something of another function here. With so much to look at, you're free to ask it to elaborate about any individual part of this section if you so wish. It should have something to say for just about everything here

Nova: Oh is that right? Excellent! Well then uh…

She scans around for something she may not know about or at least only has a limited knowledge on. Eventually something does catch her eye, a rather large changeling in a display case. He looked more menacing than Queen Chrysalis ever did. 

Nova: Who… who exactly is this? I've never seen a changeling like him before. 

She looked around for a plaque or something that would at least state his name but there's nothing, only a display. "Sunset A.I. can you elaborate on this display?" 

'Sunset: Certainly, visitor. I'd be happy t-

The 'A.I.' oddly seems to freeze mid-sentence, pupils shrink as Nova chooses THAT one of all of the displays to highlight. Odd behavior for an A.I.

Twilight acts quickly to try to excuse the odd response.

Twilight: Oh! Aheh heh... looks like a bit of a glitch in the system. This IS newer technology we're dealing with after all!

Twilight's excuse gives the A.I. time to fix itself and attempt to say as much as it can with a straight face.

‘Sunset’: Ah... yes... him... this... this is none other than Tarsus the Terrible. He was once one of the leaders of an old changeling hive. But he was an awful tyrant that was confrontational with most of the other leaders. He was determined to spread the changeling hive into an empire of his own making. And... he was willing to sacrifice anyone who stood in his way. Even his own family... and his own race...

I... defeated him... but... then... b...ut... the...n...

Suddenly the 'A.I.' seems to turn away, staring at the wall. Eyes unblinking, a hologram nor a spirit should need to breathe but it almost looked like it was hyperventilating anyway. 

Twilight frowns once again, she once again tries to make the same excuse from earlier

Twilight: Oh gosh, it's glitching up again! I'll... contact Stellar that this part of the display needs to be fine-tuned. How about selecting a different display for it to cover, Nova?

Nova's eyes narrowed. The way the "glitch" happened would have made sense… if the A.I. didn't change her expression while doing it. But she also thought it could be more advanced, capable of showing emotions similar to how Sunset would react. Either way, Nova was now more suspicious of this but she was given the answer to her question eventually.

Nova: Tarsus… hmm he makes Chrysalis sound benevolent by comparison. Going so far as to destroy his own kind… tch, another power hungry type. Strange that I've never seen any history books on him before but there's still a lot we have to learn about Changeling history... Hm?

Nova turns back when Sunset has another "glitch" and starts to hyperventilate.

Nova: (Alright, this isn't normal behavior for an A.I. glitch or no glitch. Is Twilight hiding something from me? Why would she though? I'll keep a closer eye on this A.I. for now.)

Sure...glitches are bound to happen... Sunset A.I. Why don't you tell me more about this display here? If I'm correct, it shows your first time helping Celestia out with her school.

Her eyes were now locked onto ‘Sunset’, looking to see if she'd display any more odd behavior.

As the ‘A.I.’ is still turned away it gives her some opportunity to attempt to save face. Not turning to face Nova or Twilight until the normally neutral expression is back on her face.

‘Sunset’: Oh! That display is about my many return trips to Celestia's school, when I would be tasked with visiting Celestia's new generation of gifted unicorns. I enjoyed seeing and occasionally teaching all the little prodigies some tricks they could do with their magic. It warmed my heart to see a smile on every one of their faces.

Nova: Oh yes, you or at least the real you was always delighted to teach us new skills. I paid attention to everything you'd told us, and in turn we'd sometimes teach you new ways to… to...

In the photograph, there were actually some faces of the fillies that Nova could very well recognize. Gasping, she wonders if maybe, just maybe...

Sure enough, she can catch a glimpse of herself as a filly in her seat farther in the back. Sitting attentively with a beaming grin as Sunset addresses the entire class.

Nova freezes as she looks closer at the picture of her own class… and there she was, smiling away. Even if it's a bit hard to notice, she can see the large rounded glasses she used to wear as well as the braces she once had. Seeing this picture, in Sunset's museum of all places, it filled her with different emotions. 

She covered her mouth with her hoof, letting out a strained laugh which also sounded like she was about to cry. 

Nova: That's… me… a picture of my class was… was important enough to.... (We were so happy to be taught by her back then… even with the rough home life there was still hope in our eyes that we could carve a better future…) 

Her focus had fully broken from Sunset 'A.I' as she tried to keep herself composed.

As Nova was drawn to the picture of her class. Sunset turned to Twilight, giving her a wink. Indicating a signal that she was ready. As Nova continued to stare at the photo. She could hear a voice, briefly wondering if she was getting a flashback through a sudden daydream.

Sunset: Please raise your hooves, if you have any more questions for me, class!

Nova's ears perked up at attention when she heard Sunset's voice, though it didn't sound as 'artificial' as the 'A.I' was trying to sound before. A corner in each of her eyes seems to water up as she truly hears her hero's voice for the first time in a long time. Twilight and Sunset could see that Nova was indeed about to raise a hoof too, but she stopped herself. However, she clearly was shaken by the change in tone as she turned around. 

Nova: M-ms. Shimmer?! 

She blinks for a moment, seeing only Twilight and the 'A.I.' which confuses her for a moment. 

Nova: (There's no way…) 

She gulped nervously and went along with this act, now choosing to raise her hoof. Things were now making more sense in her mind, but she had to be sure. 

Nova: Are… are you the real Sunset?

The spirit of the great hero nods and smiles.

Sunset: It's good to see you again... Nova…

Nova: AHHHH!! I KNEW IT!! 

Her voice echoes through the hall but she no longer cares about embarrassing herself I… I knew that was no glitch earlier! You're… you're really... 

Nova can hardly hold herself together. This was the one mare whom she'd respected for her entire life, getting to see her again after all these years, she can't help but cry. 

Nova: I knew about spirit summoning, b-but I didn't think you'd ever want to see a former student like myself… 

She wipes some tears from her eyes before looking to Twilight. 

Nova: This was your idea, wasn't it? You suck… so much… but thank you... 

To Twilight's own surprise, Nova actually hugs her 

Nova: I won't… I won't forget this, Twilight.

Twilight beams a smile, slightly giggling. She gladly returns Nova's hug.

Twilight: Could just be Pinkie's influence on me. I wanted to surprise you as much as possible!

Nova: I'll get you back for this one, Sparkle! Just you wait! 

She tries to sound like her normal self but with that wide grin and the tears in her eyes, it's hard to take her seriously. Her focus quickly shifts over to Sunset. Seeing her spirit for the first time, it was almost overwhelming. All she could do for the first moments was just smile at her, she clearly wanted to say something but she was stunned.

After a few moments passed, Nova had looked off to the side, as if someone else had spoken to her before she took a deep breath to calm down. 

Nova: So... miss ‘A.I.’ heheh… I can't believe you got me with that… I really never thought I'd see you again, Ms. Shimmer… I dunno what Twilight has told you about me but we've got a bit of catching up to do.... I-I did take your techniques to heart! My magic is definitely leagues better than what it was back then!"

Sunset: That's wonderful, Nova. I'm glad my brief moments of giving lessons were of great use to you. And you've grown so tall. You stand nearly a head bigger than me! What ingredients did you include in your growth formula? Heh heh

Sunset snickers from her light-hearted joke

Nova: You kidding? You and Celestia we're the only ones wanting to push me to be the best I could be! Where I was during those days, I needed it more than you could've known... (Even if I did go down a darker path when I left the school…) That's why it hurt so much when you left. But I do understand why you did what you did, so don't think for a second that I'm mad at you.

She laughs a bit more nervously about the comment on her height. 

Nova: Hahaha yeah… would you believe me if the height was more of a bonus and not the intended result?" She wagged her elongated tail in front of Sunset 

Like I said, we have a LOT to discuss.

Sunset notices the tail, and instantly recognizes it as being similar to that of a tatzlwurm. Which funnily enough, was another of the creature models found here.

Sunset: Is that... a Tatzl tail? Heh, I admit I have some memories of some close calls with them. I was nearly eaten by newborn Tatzlwurms fresh out of their eggs... I survived thanks to using a stink spell that made it feel like I was indigestible. The babies were fine though.

Twilight herself kinda grimaces at the thought of Taztlwurms. She and Cadence had been attacked by them, she was a genie at the time so there wasn't too much trouble repelling the giant worms. But it still wasn't pleasant being near those jaws.

Nova: Oh! You do recognize it! Heh, but of course you would. It is indeed a tatzl tail! It may not have been how I wanted the experiment that caused it to go but I've come to love it all the same. 

She looks back at her tail with a smile. 

Nova: Yes they are quite carnivorous, operating purely on instinct but they can actually become quite useful when befriended.  I find the tatzls to be greatly misunderstood beauties. Those large, powerful bodies, the split jaws with their tendrils that can dart out in a flash and their burrowing capabilities just to name a few traits! But of course the same could be said for all of those deemed to be 'monsters'. I've taken it upon myself to research and catalog every creature known or unknown in Equestria and beyond. But that's always been the case, even back when I was still in your class.

Sunset: That's quite interesting! I'd love to see what you've cataloged thus far some day, see if you've come across what I've seen in my many adventures. And of course any new ones that I never discovered.

Nova: R-really? I'd love to show you everything I've discovered! Had I known I'd be seeing you, I would've brought my journals! More than that though, I'd love to run a few experiments with you as well! ....er. if we get the chance of course, I don't want to rob you of your time with your loved ones or anything like that. 

She scratches the back of her head 

Nova: (I do have a specific experiment that I want to try... But I don't know if Sparkle would let me if I mention it)

Sunset: That sounds wonderful, next time we meet you can plan with Spike, Starlight, and/or Twilight to set up some time for us to see eachother again. Or, next time my daughter summons me with Spike's dragon tear, she could bring me down to Canterlot and just visit you with just the three of us.

Anyhow, now that I don't have to copy the mannerisms of the A.I. we can continue through the Museum like normal if you'd like. And although this was Twilight's plan for the most part. This isn't even the first time I've done that to ponies. I particularly love doing this trick on Nightmare Night here at the museum, when you really think about it... it's fun to be the spooky ghost sometimes. OoooooOOOOOoooooooOOOOOO!

Sunset waves her hooves around with a mischievous smile pretending to be a stereotypical scary ghost. Though it just looks cute with her pony appearance.

Nova's tail wags excitedly 

Nova: Yes that would be an absolute blast! I've been working with the dragon tear myself and I'd love to show you my discoveries! And while I have not personally met Starlight yet, from what Sparkle here has told me, she would probably not object to some experimentation 

She grins from ear to ear. This more bubbly side of Nova is quite the rare sight, being around Sunset, it's almost like she's a filly again, looking to impress her teacher.

Nova: Oooh, going for a haunted museum vibe? No offense, Ms. Shimmer, you can't spook anypony with the cute ghost approach! If you really wanna sell it, you've gotta try possessing some of the displays or some of the ponies! Hehehehe maybe call in some other spirits too, have them join in on the fun!

Sunset: Awww, but Nova... being cute AND spooky is part of the fun! In fact... Why don't I become even cuter!

Sunset closes her eyes and her spirit fades into a glowing white silhouette. The spirit starts to shrink, and before both Twilight and Nova's syes. Sunset was now a spirit of her filly self from back in the day, just as cute if not cuter then what was seen in the photographs from earlier. Sunset even beams a big grin and her eyes shine like a puppy's to flourish her cuteness. Twilight can't even resist awww'ing at Sunset's small form herself. 

Nova's eyes widen as she watches Sunset shrink down. It was a complete role reversal now, Sunset was the filly and Nova was the adult. 

Nova: Oh… oh my Luna… SHE'S SO ADORABLE!!

Her tail wagged even faster now as she tried to rush up and hug her. Her hooves slipped through the ghostly frame but she didn't care. Sunset meanwhile playfully closes her eyes and sticks her tongue out.

Nova: Look at how precious she is, Sparkle! Look at this face! I didn't even know spirits could control how they looked! Well I can certainly say you'd be giving patrons heart attacks, but not from fear! It would be from a cuteness overload!

After Nova's attempt at nuzzling the tiny Sunset, she stands up, trying to compose herself. Though she's still just as giddy from this burst of cuteness from Sunset.

Nova: Heheh look at us, it's like I'm the teacher now! Are you ready for your first lesson, Ms. Shimmer?

The smaller Sunset giggles, and even her voice has become higher pitched to match her younger appearance

Sunset: Careful now! I was a wild child in my most youthful days~. Wasn't just satisfied with being the top student, I was a pretty good prankster that messed around with the more snippy teachers. It endeared me to the other classmates, sometimes I swear some of my ol' teachers only tolerated me because I always had the best grades... plus my status as Princess Celestia's protege. 

She winks as she then begins to fly around Nova fast, the small spirit from her hips on down a ghostly tail. Making Nova dizzy as she tries to keep track of Sunset. Eventually, stopping in front of Nova's face crossing her hooves, a smug smirk on her face and her ghostly tail half waving slowly below her

Sunset: Hehehe, I did this alot with Princess Celestia too for fun using the flight via self levitation spell. Unlike some of the teachers there, she loved it whenever I was having fun like that.

Twilight: Heh, that sure sounds like Celestia. Especially on her attitude towards the Grand Galloping Gala.

Nova: Heh not a surprise, outside of you and maybe a few others, the teachers were always sticks in the mud!

Nova tried to follow Sunset's movements, but only found herself falling to the floor in dizziness.

Nova: Oof… you know… I never could make the self levitation thing work. I mean I know most unicorns can't but that doesn't mean I wanted to give up. As for the gala? Psh, the gala always was awful, just a bunch of snobby ponies trying to elevate their own status. Hah, I remember always either sitting in the corner waiting for it to end or just wandering off. So I see nothing wrong with spicing it up!

She snickers as she stands back up.

Twilight: Yeah, not even I could get a real hang of self-levitation before I was a genie outside of when my magic went haywire at my entrance exam. It frankly blew my mind when I saw Starlight was capable of it when I saw her do so when we were traveling through time. Though now I know who she inherited it from, and it makes perfect sense now.

Sunset then sinks herself to the ground and turns her ghostly tail back into her hindlegs and tail. Before closing her eyes, and regaining her adult form from before.

Sunset: Self-levitation spell is impressive on the outside, and with enough practice a lot of fun to use. But at the same time... it's not always the most practical choice of spell, because it does take a lot of focus to maintain it for a lengthy amount of time. Not to mention things can go badly when combining it with even the most simple spells if you're inexperienced with it, such as when things went haywire in Fi-Fi's basement when Starlight got her cutie mark. Self-levitation is like lifting your own body weight, most can only do it in small bunches of time but you eventually lose your grip. Which is why sometimes unicorn babies can do it with ease but then lose the ability to later.

Nova: Unfortunately the power required and the ability to carry one's own weight are major factors. I might be physically capable, but my magic still isn't enough. But you two already know that.

Nova sighs and scratches the back of her head.

Nova: I know it's not the most practical. When I've… done experiments with flight, wings clearly win out each time. But still I'd love to fly like that too… someday.

But anyway… Now we can continue the tour on a more personal level! I hope you won't mind, but I may still be asking a few questions along the way. Though if it's something too painful, you can just skip on it. I know what section we're about to get to...

Sunset assumes Nova is referring to the section about her death and sighs.

Sunset: No... no worries. I've long come to terms with my death. Especially now that I can be summoned down whenever my family and/or friends find it convenient to. Even though I can walk around in Equestria any time I'm summoned back down, this museum is still for all intents and purposes supposed to be in memoriam for me. Museums dedicated to all deceased and/or missing historical figures must inevitably cover their ultimate fates. I've gotten used enough to talking about the events that would ultimately end my life...

As weird as it sounds, it's not the displays about my death that haunts me most out of this place... it's another display... and you probably remember which one that was, since I almost blew my cover when you asked me to talk about it...

Twilight nods

Twilight: We understand, it was obviously a very painful memory for you. Even spirits can still have PTSD about some awful moments in their life. We know that much.

Nova gives Sunset a more understanding look. She tries to put a hoof on Sunset's shoulder but she's aware it wouldn't connect. 

Nova: Of course, it must still be odd to speak about even if you're able to be here alongside us now. But to think that the things you experience in life can still haunt you when you pass, it's like something out of a horror novel. But if that's what haunts you…

She looks back to the display of Tarsus 

Nova: ...it must have been a truly awful experience, but I won't press the issue further." (It won't stop me from looking into it myself though. It's a good thing evil spirits can't be summoned with the tear.) 

Twilight: At the very least, Nova. You can fully Q&A Sunset as we either look around more at this section about her heroics, then the section about her family that includes memorabilia of both Firelight and Starlight. Not to mention some of Sunburst's family due to Sunset's brother being Sunburst's father. Then we can get around to the final section about Sunset's fate.

Nova: Right... 

She nods at Twilight, looking to the more happy things rather than the darker parts of Sunset's history for now.

She walks over to the display showing off Firelight and Sunset together. And some pictures further down with an infant Starlight too. 

Nova: I know you left to start your own family and such but when exactly did you meet Firelight? He was definitely never around in the school with you. I mean you were always swamped with missions or teaching, how did you ever find the time?" 

Sunset smiles, the subject of her dear husband was definitely a much appreciated topic.

Sunset: I first met Fi-Fi just by happenstance during a routine mission where Sire's Hollow was one of my stops. He was at first just another civilian. Though he seemed to have eyes for me the moment he first saw me. I was very much on nerves at the moment, he began to walk up to me, and before he could barely say a second word to me. I ended up suplexing him!

Heh, that even sort of almost became a bit of a running gag. Fi-Fi once told me he wondered if he's becoming a masochist for how many times I suplexed him while we were dating, ha ha. I felt awful every time... but he was a good sport about it. It was part of what charmed him to me. He was willing to deal with the bruises to be around a mare like me... it understandably scared other stallions away. Not that I was ever considering others, Fi-Fi was the only one for me.

Nova: You, nervous? 

Nova asks in disbelief 

Nova: I guess anything really is possible! Of all the things that could shake you like that, I never thought it could be your future husband! 

She couldn't hold in her laughter at the mention of Firelight getting constantly suplexed by her. 

Nova: AHAHAHA You suplexed him?! What did he try to tickle you or something? And he liked it? Love makes ponies do weird things I swear... But hey, you found yourself a durable one! Please, PLEASE tell me there's a picture of it here… 

She looked back and forth on the display to see if they had captured any shots of this… and she eventually found it. Of Sunset's wedding day, her in a lovely flowing dress and Firelight in a now scuffed suit, being suplexed with a smile on his face 

Nova: OH DEAR SWEET LUNA, I FOUND IT! Look at that face, he loves it!

Sunset shrugs

Sunset: Hey, from my perspective at that moment. He snuck behind me, I couldn't know if he was some sort of assassin or some other kind of lowly criminal trying to mug me or something.

And Sunset blushes, but smiles as Nova notes the wedding pic.

Sunset: Hehe, even at our secret wedding it was basically tradition at that point. A public wedding risked a changeling invasion on a scale close to the actual one that happened in Canterlot with Twilight's brother and Princess Cadence. But still had to take our fair share of photos, including that one. Of course... some changelings did find out about us eventually. But... Chrysalis herself knew I wasn't a pony to be messed with. All changelings retreated as quickly as possible if I found them out. And I knew a thing or two how to tell a changeling from a real pony.

Nova: Fair, you probably had to always be on guard for surprise attacks. Still this is hilarious. Shame it didn't become a pony tradition, if the ones you love can't handle a suplex, they're not the one for you! 

Nova laughs at her own joke 

Nova: I'm honestly not surprised a changeling was at the wedding though, even if it's not a large gathering, weddings generate a lot of love. They practically can't help themselves! Or at least that's how it used to be anyway. The changelings of today are invited rather than crashing the party. 

She pauses, thinking back to when Chrysalis invaded Canterlot. The Canterlot invasion… 

Nova: (I remember that day, their focus may have been on the wedding itself but they still went after the town's ponies as well. 

Though I was able to get some wonderful samples from changelings because of it… though maybe I shouldn't tell her that.)

Crazy that you also went up against Chrysalis too. I would think she'd stay far away from you. (Then again, perhaps she was going after some kind of revenge with that king from earlier? But why fight for someone actively trying to kill you and your species?) 

You and Sparkle here are sharing your villains? Let me have a go at one of them! Reformee versus villain, I want to see who'd come out on top! 

She said with a smile, not realizing that she'd let out the implication that she'd become evil herself for a bit.

Sunset: I probably would have been able to bring Chrysalis to justice sooner had it not been for the fact she developed that anti-magic force field that cancels out all magic except for the changelings own.  It would have been a suicide mission had I tried going in as long as the hive was protected by that. Frankly, it very much impressed me that my daughter managed to overcome that with only a few friends. Though she did naturally need a lot of inside help from Thorax.

Once Nova had realized what she'd said, she let out a sigh of relief that Sunset hadn't pushed her on it.

Nova: I'll admit, I wish I had gotten a chance to study the anti magic myself, imagine that kind of trick to be used on villains like Tirek? I heard it was powerful enough to even shut down Discord's powers, an ability like that would be dangerous in the wrong hooves. Still… I can't help but wonder what could have been done with it. But yes, because of your daughter and her friends, the changelings have undergone a metamorphosis that we're still trying to understand to this day. I'd argue though they may not be a subspecies or offshoot mutation but perhaps an original form. Though I don't have enough data to make that claim 100%.

Sunset: Your guess is actually correct, Nova. I've actually seen the Changelings before they became what they were under Chrysalis' reign. I didn't see them in that form for very long, mind you. But they weren't always dark and full of holes. That didn't start becoming widespread in the hive until after... a certain incident tragically cut negotiations between the hive and Equestria short. And this wasn't the event that I froze up earlier about in relation to King Tarsus, although I suspect he had a hoof in this incident too.

This museum doesn't have any memorabilia from the old attempt to negotiate with the changelings. Because as soon as terrible things started happening, me and Celestia were forced to retreat back to Equestria. And Chrysalis, or some other changelings likely burned any of the papers representing the attempt to negotiate. Likely under false pretenses that I was to blame for the incident...

Nova: W-what?! They weren't always… like that? 

She fumbled about in the pockets of her lab coat, hoping she may have had a small notepad on her, she squealed in delight when she did find that she had one on her and began furiously writing this information down. 

Nova: D-do you realize how big of a deal this is!? It's never been recorded anywhere that changelings used to have forms similar to what they have now or that negotiations even happened. Or if they do exist, they're in a part of Canterlot I'm most likely banned from or not allowed in. But that's besides the point! The historical significance alone is massive, not to mention that they've undergone evolutionary changes multiple times within a short timeframe! 

She spoke at a rate that could put someone like Pinkie to shame. This sort of excitement was similar yet different from her excitement of seeing the Sunset museum displays. That thirst for knowledge, the drive to know more, she'd displayed similar behaviors back in Sunset's class all those years ago as well. Some old habits die hard with her. 

Nova: Ms. Shimmer, please, if there's any more you're willing to tell me, I'm ready to take more notes!"

Sunset: Heh heh, funnily enough Nova. I'm not the one you should be talking about Changelings with. You REALLY need to see my daughter, Starlight! Twilight here tasked her to study the changelings ever since she started ruling in Canterlot. I already told her everything I knew, she'll know a ton more than I do right now, I'm sure. 

Nova: Is that right? 

Nova glances over at Twilight 

Nova: Once I'm done researching the dragon's tear, I'll be wanting an audience with your student.

She gave a look that said she wouldn't be taking 'no' for an answer. 

Nova: Plus it would give me some insight on the daughter of my teacher! I can imagine why the information would have been hidden though, many ponies still have some fear in their hearts of them going back to what they were like during Chrysalis' reign. A sad, close minded thought process really, but you can't just fix years of tension in a snap either. That information if not given a full context could make relations worse and not better... Still I'd love to hear what Starlight has to say on all this, I'm already looking forward to hearing her findings and making some of my own! 

Twilight tilts her head and smiles.

Twilight: I'd be more than happy to give you a chance to see Starlight! Believe it or not she's actually here in Sire's Hollow right now. She's just visiting her father currently, or rather at her old childhood home. If you're lucky she may even come by any second now. Naturally, as the daughter of Sunset. She has an exclusive VIP membership to this place. Able to go in and out, even when museum hours are closed. When we're done here, I bet she'd be more than happy to tell you what she's gathered.

Sunset: I must warn you however, we're not sure how the current changeling hive will feel about this info yet. Most of them were born dark and full of holes, so they don't even know their "new" forms are actually their true forms. It could be a lot for them to take in, especially since the context would lead to them asking questions that only one changeling could answer... and that said changeling is still petrified in stone.

The enthusiasm comes to a halt when Sunset mentions the only one who would have information regarding changeling history, Chrysalis 

Nova: Chrysalis? She's the only one who'd know? ...so the information is lost to time then... 

Nova looked down in disappointment.

Nova: (I highly doubt they'd release her from her stone prison and even if they did, she'd never reveal such information. She was always hellbent on taking down everypony from what I'm aware of. Though if she was part of the original negotiations and only did what she did out of revenge… maybe there's a chance? I mean… I was once driven by revenge but I dropped my own desires for that… perhaps Chrysalis is in a similar situation? I may just be assuming the situation and comparing what happened to me. It is nowhere near the same as what happened to the changelings so it may not even be correct but…) 

She was lost in thought trying to process this.

Sunset smiled with Nova's enthusiasm, she remembered that behavior from Nova when she was at the school. She thinks it's very cute that Nova still can channel such overwhelming scientific excitement. Though Nova's glee turns to disappointment as she realizes that some info would require letting Chrysalis free. Sunset tries to pat Nova on the back... only for it to of course just move through Nova as if nothing was there.

Sunset: Ooops, a heh heh heh... even after all this time I forget I can't touch everypony...

At the very least she hopes the gesture was all that mattered.

Sunset: Even if Chrysalis is never freed, I do wonder if when the time is right and we can tell the current hive of the Changeling's full past. We can just learn from those who have passed that Chrysalis likely knew. Many members of the new hive should still have the family blood necessary to summon them. The dragon tear that you are studying is a key to many of the world's secrets thought lost to time!

Nova: Really? Oh then that meeting might come sooner rather than later! Though I'd prefer not to barge in on a family meeting. I'm sure that's more important than giving a random unicorn she's never met some information on changelings that is kept secret y'know? 

There's a slight grimace on her face when talking about family but it fades quickly enough. 

Nova: If she chooses to come here though, then I wouldn't mind talking now! 

She can at least appreciate the gesture that Sunset tried to pat her on the back just like she'd tried to do earlier. 

Nova: It's fine, actually... 

She whispers and winks to Sunset 

Nova: I have been looking into a way to make that no longer an issue buuuut I still need to run some tests. So it's not a guarantee, but it may be possible for you to touch others who aren't directly related to you. Just keep that between us for now though, ok? If you're up for it, we could try to give that a trial run after the tour.

Focusing back on the changeling situation, Nova is pleased to hear that some information can still be gleaned from other members of the changeling families that have passed on. 

Nova: Ah yes, I hadn't thought about that part. Familial ties that are strong enough could be the key. I hadn't factored it into my thoughts since my luck with summoning has been hit and miss. With the exception of one or two members, any family of mine is either still alive or… not up there. (and personally, I'll guess the latter) 

She didn't sound sad about saying that, as if it was something she'd expected

Sunset is intrigued by Nova's suggestion of something that may remedy the ability to only touch family members or close friends. Though she isn't 100% sure if it will work as Nova intends. She whispers back

Sunset: I'll... take your word for it. But... there's some things that just can't be reversed about death no matter what we do. Just giving you the heads up in case you get excited about trying whatever this is and it doesn't work at all. It wouldn't be your fault. Even with the ability to summon spirits, death still comes at a cost.

In some ways, Sunset was also making sure she doesn't get her own hopes up. She still has some of the mindset of a ghost of somepony who died way too young. So much they wanted to do with a body of flesh and blood, but can never do so now.

Nova: You're right about that, I'm not saying I can bring you back to life. But if my theory is correct, you'd be able to roam around in a living body… at least for a little while. You showed me back when I was a filly that nothing was impossible. That if I truly put my mind to something, I could make it a reality. I, a unicorn who had no business being in Celestia's school due to my lack of raw magic power yet you inspired me to find alternative ways to make up the difference. Despite everything that I've been through, I never forgot that. So consider this an attempt at me returning the favor. 

She sounded determined and quite sure of herself, even without a proper test yet, it's as if she knew she could do this. 

Nova: But let's finish up the tour first, yeah?

The group now arrived at the section describing the end of Sunset's short life. Her battle against Cozy Glow and her family. Nova stared down at the replicas of them and her fur began to bristle and… darken? Perhaps it was just a trick of the light, but it was a clear shift in demeanor from Nova's mostly bubbly self since she'd gotten there. 

Memories of Nova's reaction to Sunset's death flashed in her mind as she saw the image of Cozy Glow and her family.

It had been some time in her early years of being  'reformed', Nova had gotten herself a newspaper that had an article about Sunset. This had been the first confirmation of anything regarding her in years so of course Nova was going to pick it up. Even with the advent of spirit summoning now, Nova can still feel the heartbrokenness and rage she had from reading the article. The scream she'd let out when she read the news. Looking at this display, it made all those feelings bubble back to the surface.

Nova: You know...when I found out what had actually happened to you, I couldn't believe it. I didn't want to believe it... Even though it had been years after your own death when I along with the rest of Equestria found out… I had gotten so angry. I wanted to get my lab coat and take these ponies out myself. Make them my permanent test subjects… make them suffer for what they've done…

A bit of Nova's older wickedness showed for a moment as her fur continued to darken. 

Nova: (You took her away from this world....from us…)

Sunset just quietly nods, understanding Nova’s anger.

Twilight and Sunset didn't think Nova's sudden color change was too strange, as they knew Pinkie Pie darkened when she was in a sad mood. Plus Sunset herself always looked at the figures of her murderers with disdain. She knew it was important to have them there still, as to give the visitors an idea of the faces of the evil that ended her life. But it didn't make her any less bitter. She's at the very least glad that her death was not in vain, even if Cozy being sent to the future nearly had a shot of them winning in the end after all. But it was Twilight's School of Friendship that ultimately foiled Cozy, twice at that.

Sunset: Well... now that we're here. Once again I can be asked just about everything related to my final moments.

Over there on the display, you can see the letter from the royal guard informing me that this devious trio had been found, the stone that Cozy dropped on my head. The jar containing my broken horn... the only remaining part of my body left. Various factoids about Nightmare Cliffs, Cheque Mace and Glitterani's crimes prior to my murder, and a look at the devastation that Cheque Mace and Glitterani's dark magic did as their own deaths created two devastating hurricanes in the South Luna Ocean.

Nova takes some time to grimly look at Sunset’s horn displayed in a jar, and a little bit of the stone that had broken it. Dried stains of Sunset’s blood still on where it had struck Sunset’s horn. The horn in the jar was all that remained of her lifelong idol’s body, this horn was once capable of immense magic and now it was only the most grim reminder of Sunset’s fate. As a unicorn herself it also made her slightly queasy on the inside. As a broken horn can be just about any unicorn’s worst nightmare. And it was all because of the demon of a filly that was Cozy Glow, who had fooled Sunset into believing she was nothing like her parents. Nova briefly turns her head toward the figure of the smallest of the three perpetrators. 

If she had known what Cozy had done, Nova would have offered Twilight anything to have her chance to serve her own justice be done to her. Her age be damned.

Don't forget though, that there is also a more positive part of this section, that of relating to the Soul Shield. Telling of my new role as protecting the planet along with every good and normal living being that has ever lived. Not to mention a replica of Spike's dragon tear, that allowed me to return to walk on the planet once more.

Nova's tail snapped and cracked like a whip, her pupils dilated, it was as if she didn't hear Sunset speak for a moment. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, her head moved as if she were talking to someone else before the colors faded back to normal. The moment of anger now passing. 

Nova: Tch, these 3 can burn for all eternity... 

After taking another deep breath, she looked back to Sunset who was still describing the display. For a moment she imagined the horrified faces of Cheque Mace and Glitterani as they too met their fates, relishing in their terror. Thoughts of what she would like to do to them swirled in her head for a moment before she looked away. (They're dead now, I can't dwell on this. It's not a good look in front of her…)

The mention of the good Sunset is capable of even after her death does put a bit of a smile back on her face. 

Nova: The adventure never really ends huh? Even today you're still protecting all of Equestria... 

(I wonder, when my time comes...would I be allowed to go up there? Or have the things I've done in the past already sealed my fate? ...I'd rather not think too much about that. I know I can change what happens to me...)

She gulped nervously before looking at Sunset. 

(I do have a question about the shield, Ms. Shimmer, when you're up there, what's it like? Are you able to interact with all the other spirits? Is it a combined consciousness? Or something else entirely?)

Sunset: When you go up there, you're greeted by the spirits of your deceased family and/or friends. When I died, my Grandparents from both sides of my family and earlier generations were there. It's... certainly a shock... especially when dying as young as I did. My extended family did their very best to calm me, explaining the afterlife in full detail. I.. was too upset to listen to them at first. I had a family I wanted to take care of and nourish... if anything. It helped that the default state of a soul in the soul shield is in a subconscious sleeping state. Cause I'm not sure how long it would have taken for me to get over my death if we spirits were always fully conscious.

As for interacting with spirits for the most part I'm just with any friends or family who have also passed.. I had a dog that I really loved when I was a filly. Being licked by her again for the first time in so long was in hindsight the beginning of calming down after my untimely death. It is occasionally possible to interact with spirits that I never knew in my life. Though most of them are the more "elder" spirits you could say... like Jinn for example. Perhaps the longer some being's been dead the more they can interact with the rest of the shield. Our cave pony ancestors have learned how to speak more like modern ponies as a result you could say.

Getting back to the state we're in most of the time though. We of course take the shape of something akin to comets. Which on special nights can be occasionally seen. Though never the entire shield, otherwise the whole sky would be white with all the bright souls from all of time..

Twilight suddenly herself has a question.

Twilight: Wait... Jinn is an elder spirit even though her death was closer to 1000 years ago? I mean.. that IS still a long time. But in context of the planet's entire history? That feels too recent.

Sunset: Oh. That's because for Soul Shield purposes... under a sheer technicality, her GENIFICATION was her death!

Twilight's eyes went wide as she grimaced.

Twilight: WAIT WHAAAAAAAAT?!

Sunset blinked

Sunset: Is something wrong, Twilight?

Twilight takes some time to breathe doing her usual exercises.

Twilight: Heh... sorry... it's just... that seems to imply that to the Soul Shield that I'M technically dead. Or half-dead I suppose... I... may need to abscond for a little while as I navigate this existential crisis soon...

Nova: Family and friends huh...? (Well... I can at least think of a small group that could greet me there maybe. I-if I'm able to go years from now.) 

Interesting that pets and the like could be seen as well. Heh, I wonder how many of the creatures I've interacted with over the years are up there? 

This thought put her heart at ease, the dread of potentially having no one to greet her was now put to rest. She became fascinated at the prospect of speaking with ancient ponies and spirits 

Nova: Seriously?! Oh the stories they must be able to tell! This goes beyond just ancient Equestria, the entire planet was a completely foreign place compared to now! And being a comet or comet like… that actually sounds pretty nice. Shooting across the skies, seeing the world... 

Nova looked just as stunned as Twilight at the revelation of genification being a technical death. 

Nova: EXCUSE ME!? (Yikes, and here I was wanting to see if I can dabble in that power myself…) 

She rushed over to Twilight and poked at her with her hoof 

Nova: Does the same apply to you? I mean I can touch you so… either you register as a close enough friend... (Nah, no way I've barely known her personally for only a few years) Or you're not dead... 

I'm confused though, how is being genified a cause of technical death? Is… is the process like the 'death' of the pony but a 'rebirth' into the genie form at the same time? I HAVE SO MANY QUESTIONS!

Sunset shrugs

Sunset: I mean... Genies are half-spirit, right? It just might count because it is still at least partly turning into a spirit. Twilight does technically have the powers we have up there. But because I suppose she became a bit of a hybrid between alive and dead. She's able to grant the wishes of living beings, whereas we only grant the desires of the planet itself.

Nova: That's just… remarkable. 

Nova paced around, muttering 

Nova: The information was right there all along, nopony ever just put two and two together. Of course Twilight and any genie for that matter are essentially living spirits. So that would mean they are 'dead' in the sense they can interact with both planes of existence. Of course that does raise questions regarding what a 'natural' lifespan of a hybrid genie would be. It's clearly longer than any normal mortal pony that's for sure, and on top of that an alicorn boost would easily make her life even longer. 

Dammit, how am I supposed to see the end results when I won't naturally live that long? ...heh guess that'll be something for me to look into. 

(I wonder if that means the spiritual experiment I want to run with Sunset would work the same with Twilight...? Mmm... Questions for later…)

She realized she was rambling a bit and got lost in her own head. Twilight looked like she was having a bit of an internal crisis with this newfound information. Nova puts a hoof on her shoulder 

Nova: Don't freak out on this, think about it, it's something new to research and look into! Isn't that exciting in itself! A whole new kind of mystery to discover! I mean you've been a genie for a good while now right? If this is news to you, imagine what else you may not know about those traits!

Twilight has a hoof on her head still trying to contemplate this. But she does admit Nova has a point here.

Twilight: I'm not even sure a genie has an end to a lifespan really. Jinn still just got herself wished free. It's totally possible that the moment I became a genie, or at least when the time limit had run out. I became a true immortal. Perhaps it being a sort of half-death the reason I can't die is well... I'm at least partly already dead.. though at the very least if I were to choose one day to let go of my geniehood. I'd be back to fully alive status. Of course... I'd still be an Alicorn on top of that but you get the idea. But I think Alicorns are only immortal in terms of dying of old age. 

Right now if something awful happened to me like being stabbed in the heart, I'd only be forcibly sucked back into my bottle. Whereas if something unfortunate like that happened to Celestia, Luna, Cadence, or Flurry Heart which knock on wood I hope never happens... they could still be sent to the soul shield that way.

Nova: I mean technically we could put a stress test on you but… that really doesn't sound like fun for either of us. I may have wanted to rough you up some time in the past but that? No, even for the sake of science, I think it's a line too far. I need you around so I have a goal on who to surpass! (And… well, I kinda like having her around... she's more fun than I once thought) Still you ever want to test some genie powers, you know I'll be more than willing to get some notes hehehe. 

And don't think for a second something terrible is gonna happen to the princesses! With all of you protectors of Equestria around? You guys would put a stop to anyone stupid enough to try. 

She said with a grin

Twilight: Well anyhow... I'm more calm about it now... but I think I'll still head off for a brief time. Maybe I'll use some portal gum to check how Spike's handling things back in Canterlot. I'll be back soon, you two!

Twilight waves, and heads off as she leaves Nova and Sunset alone in the museum.

Nova waves to Twilight as she heads off. She looks back to Sunset with a smile 

Nova: So...now that we're alone, care to hear about my little experiment?"

Sunset pauses for a moment.

Sunset: I... guess so... but before we do this. I'm going to need you to explain this spell you have in full detail before I agree to whatever this is. If it's derived from a Dragon Tear in some fashion though. It has to be something pretty potent. After all, Dragon Tears are crystallized soul magic. The type of stuff us spirits are made out of.

Nova: Not to worry, none of it is going to be dangerous to you! Given what you just said about the nature of genies being essentially living spirits, I'm more certain than ever that this will work! You've given me the crucial bit of information I've been missing this whole time!

Using the notepad she had earlier, she draws some images to better explain her plan 

Nova: You see here, we've got the dragon's tear and that's what allows us to communicate and summon spirits but also is crucial to how genies like Twilight can exist in the first place. I know I'm simplifying it but you know what I mean. So what's the main difference between you two? Besides the living, half-living… whatever status she's in. It's the fact that a spirit unlike a genie isn't tied down to a vessel. In simplistic terms a vessel is just something that holds the spirit in. 

She smiles

Nova: Can you see where I'm going with this? What if I were to allow you to inhabit a vessel? But I'm not talking about a bottle, jar, or something like that. I'm talking about a living body, a willing participant to be your temporary vessel? Nopony ever said a vessel had to be an object, I believe it could be something much more. You recall a little while ago when I joked about you possessing ponies or objects, that's actually not far off from what I'm proposing here. If it works, you'd have control over a physical body and be able to move around in the world with all the senses you've missed out on as a spirit!

Sunset: Hmm... I suppose... that could be plausible... all living beings themselves have soul magic in them, even if it's not fully brought out unless they're genified or they die. Genie vessels themselves have the dragon tear that enhanced them merge with the genified pony's soul magic. So it might just be a matter of bringing in a spirit to at least temporarily merge with the soul magic inside another.

Nova: Precisely, you'd be piggybacking on a pony's already existing soul magic and combining it with your own to create a temporary bond!" 

Sunset: But... who'd even be so willing to let me inhabit their body. Even if I'm "Equestria's greatest hero", I'm not sure that many ponies would jump at the chance at the idea of a ghost being inside them...

She couldn't help but laugh at Sunset's question. 

Nova: Who else? You're looking at her! I'm no stranger to self experimentation either. You're correct that most ponies would recoil at the thought but you're one pony I could make the exception for. 

(And...well I'm already used to that kind of loss of control in a sense. But she may find that out if this works.) 

Nova: But I'm not saying this as some fangirl. It's as I told you before, Ms. Shimmer, I want to repay you for the kindness you once showed me long ago. But if you're uncomfortable with the idea, you can just tell me so.

Sunset gasped

Sunset: R...re...really? You'd... offer to let me into your mind and/or body? Are... you sure... and I mean... ABSOLUTELY sure about this?

The spirit is somewhat both flattered, and nervous about it now that Nova is seriously offering it.

Sunset: I... won't say no just yet... but there is one thing we should put into consideration... Assuming this all works as planned... I can't be in your body for more than 3 days. That's the time limit before Twilight's genification became permanent for 1000 years. I could end up being in you for a long time if we don't keep that in mind. Disconnecting and then reconnecting could in theory circumvent that limit, but I am as dedicated as being a part of protecting this planet with the other spirits as I was with protecting Equestria when I was still alive. So as much as I'd love to, I shouldn't always be inhabiting your body just so I can have all the joys of having all the senses of a living being again.

But... if it works. It'd... be a nice occasional thing to do every now and then...

Nova: Whaaaat? You're saying you don't want to be part of me for 1000 years? Extend my own life a little? You wound me! 

Nova chuckles before her expression changes to a more serious one

Nova: In all seriousness though, I'm fully aware of what we risk if we're not careful. And I would hate to pull you away from your mission as I'm sure you'd feel the same about taking me away from my own scientific endeavors. While the intent here is to let you have fun, I'll be sure to keep track of the time we have. Unlike a few other experiments, I have no desire to try pushing that three day limit without a guarantee of your safety.

She looks away for a moment and mutters to herself 

Nova: And… I wouldn't want you to be dragged down with me if I couldn't make it up there when I pass...

But hey, if it does work on a consistent level, I wouldn't necessarily mind you coming in more often as long as I'm not too busy! So… is this a yes then?

Sunset chuckles a little

Sunset: Come now, if you're kind enough to share your own body.  You're just about a shoe-in for the Soul Shield. What decides between becoming a spirit, or dark magic that remains on the planet isn't about judgment of what you've done in the past. It helps to have done more right then wrong, but any wrongs committed can be nullified as long as you can self-reflect and have genuine remorse. That's the big difference between those who become dark magic and those who go up in the soul shield. Those with temperaments like Cheque Mace and/or Glitterani were never going to apologize. But ponies like my daughter, who traveled back in time with the intent to change history could still atone for themselves

I did remember you mentioning about being a reformee earlier, but I didn't want to pry to you about that. Can't expect everypony to be about as pure good as me, Celestia, and Twilight.

As for if it's a yes... I'm leaning on it for sure. Buuuut, I have one more question... how is this even going to work? It's not like you can orally eat me.

Sunset stretches her hoof into Nova's head. The hoof phased right through Nova's snoot and mouth, with the bottom of her hoof coming out of the back of Nova's head.

Sunset: And before you mention it, your tatzl tail's probably not going to be able to do the trick either

Sunset says as she walks behind Nova, having her hoof phase through the tatzl tail to demonstrate that as well 

Nova initially looks like she still has some doubts of where she may end up, but Sunset would know more about the soul shield than any other pony, her reassurance puts Nova at ease. 

Nova: Is that right? Hm… maybe there's a chance for me after all. In time you'll learn about the things I've done, but I have genuinely changed from then. I can't call myself some beacon of hope or a hero of Equestria, I've not done anything to earn such a title. But I do what I can. Thank you Sunse… er Ms. Shimmer."

She giggles at Sunset's attempts to get inside her though she starts to sweat at the mention of her tail having the capacity 

Nova: Y-you know about that?! (Alright what did Sparkle tell her? How much does she know about me now?) 

She nervously laughs it off for now. If the experiment works, she'd have plenty of time to press her on it.

Nova: C-consumption by normal means isn't possible as you uh are attempting. I could try to swallow the dragon tear piece I have but at best that would just literally put you inside me but not have you possess me. 

The thought does make her laugh as she imagines it.

Sunset giggles

Sunset: Nova, if you're a tatzl hybrid, it's kind of obvious that tail of yours is an alternate consumption method. Perhaps you could hide that fact from ponies who aren't familiar with Tatzlwurms, and thus think it's just a unique style of tail. But you know I'm somepony who's literally came face-to-face with them.  

Nova: Heh...guess I can't hide anything from you huh. I mean you already knew it was a tatzl tail, but I didn't think you knew about THAT part. 

She blushes, trying to keep her thoughts clean 

Luckily for her, the focus shifts back to how this will all work. 

Nova: What I was thinking was channeling you through my horn but using the tear as a sort of conduit. I'd channel my magic into it, latch on to your magic specifically and pull you back in. Think of it like a genie returning to its vessel. This will also be what allows me to expel you from my body before the time limit is up. As a spirit you're pure magic in a sense so, I just have to bring you into my very being. I will still be able to speak with you in our collective mindscape so it's not like you're locking me away either."

Sunset patiently listens as Nova explains the method would actually be through Nova's horn.

Sunset: Ohhhhhh, I see now. Yeah, that totally makes a lot more sense then what I was thinking, ha ha. 

It does sound a bit unfair though to earth ponies and pegasi if this is only possible through a unicorn/alicorn horn. But then again, only dragons can use Dragon tear's to summon. So who knows, maybe each species and/or race of ponies have a special ability that only they can do when in possession of a Dragon Tear. Dragon Tears are still too rare to find out if that's the case, but may be something to look into in the far future.

I suppose you can show me where you place the dragon tear to start this off. Do you like, attach it like a ring/horn bracelet, or some other method?

Nova: When it comes to other species I think it can still be possible to be done by earth ponies and pegasi. But they'd need to focus on where their specific magic is channeled, if I had to guess, their hooves and wings respectively. This is still very uncharted territory but I'll be looking into other species being able to do this special summoning if this all works out. And I was thinking of putting the tear shard into a horn ring. As that would be the most direct contact I can have with it without just embedding it into my horn directly. I wouldn't want to remove the ring while you're in me either but that's more of a precautionary measure. I did bring my shard with me as I thought Twilight would have wanted me to return it before we went on this trip. But I don't have a ring I can use. After all I didn't think I'd actually be meeting you today...you wouldn't happen to know where I could get one I can modify, do you?"

Sunset: Hm... I may actually have a horn ring somewhere back in the section about my heroic deeds and/or adventures. Being a unicorn, I had my fair share of accessories after all. Though, I can't get it myself because... well...

Sunset waves her hoof through a wall next to her. 

Sunset: Plus, of course it's locked up tight in the display cases. And even if you try to use magic to teleport the item out, it will trigger an alarm. We're going to need somepony who works here to get it. I think the receptionist's desk should have the keys to just about any exhibit. We can ask her permission. 

Nova giggles 

Nova: It's the best option we've got for right now that doesn't involve thievery so we might as well ask. This is your museum after all, I think if they'll make an exception for anypony it'll be you. They wouldn't miss one ring, we're not asking to take anything else. I'm sure it'll be fine.

The two take the short walk back to the receptionist, Nova can't help but laugh as Sunset just phases through the walls rather than choose to follow the path. Once at the desk, Nova greets the mare there with a smile. 

Nova: Hello again, I'm sorry to bother you but we had a bit of a question regarding a particular item here. Would you mind if we took out the horn ring Sunset once used for about three days? 

Without Twilight with her, Nova was expecting an immediate and obvious 'no' to her question.

Receptionist: On what grounds, Miss Spa-

Sunset's head and neck suddenly jumps out from the wall behind the Receptionist

Sunset: She has my full permission!

The Receptionist shrieks and falls off her chair

Receptionist: GAAAAH! S… Sun… Sunset?! Oh my Twilight,  how many times have I told you not to scare me like that?! I adore you as a hero, I took this job for a reason... but you keep giving me the heebie jeebies! One of these days I'm going to get a heart attack from you, and I'll have QUITE the words for you up in that soul shield!

Sunset giggles

Sunset: Hehe, who knows. Maybe that's my goal?~ OOOOOooooOOOOOOoooooo!

Sunset waves her hooves around like a fake scary ghost again. And the receptionist sighs. she cheers up though. Sunset freaks her out sometimes, but she's worked here long enough that there is some charm to getting to know the very spirit that this museum was dedicated to. She didn't expect her to be the pranking type, but it's made her work days interesting on occasion.

Receptionist: Well... if Sunset says you can, Miss Spark... I suppose that's the highest possible authority, and she trusts you. Here you go, this key should open the compartment that contains the ring. Make sure to put it back when you're done though.

The urge to burst out in laughter as the receptionist fell over nearly brought Nova to tears. She didn't get to see this side of Sunset much if at all as a filly so to see it was a delight. 

Nova: Oh dear, is this a normal occurrence here?

(To think Ms. Shimmer had this playful side to her all along. I always saw her as the stoic or motherly type. It's refreshing to see that I've still got a lot to learn about her.)

Nova holds a hoof up as the receptionist agrees to this request. 

Nova: Don't you worry ma'am, I will treat it with the utmost respect! I wouldn't ever dream of tarnishing anything of Ms. Shimmer's. That is a promise. 

She says as she takes the key with her magic. The excitement of being able to not only experiment with one of Sunset's belongings, but Sunset herself was welling up inside. She could barely hold it in with how fast her tail was wagging behind her 

Nova: Now then, let's go get that ring!

Sunset: Right!

Sunset follows Nova back to the museum area to retrieve the ring

The receptionist adjusts her glasses to its normal position, leaning back in her chair.

Receptionist: I really should ask Mrs. Flare for a raise...

Nova gets to the case in question in a flash, with the key in tow, she quickly unlocks it. The ring isn't that old that it would crumble but Nova was still sure to be careful with it as she removed it from the case. 

Nova: Perfect hehehe, we have all we need now! First let me make sure this will actually fit my horn... 

She floats the ring up above her horn and slowly slides it down, any bit of resistance and she'd pull it up, but to her own surprise, it fits perfectly! 

Nova: Aha! It fits! I didn't realize we had the same kind of size! I will be able to work with this! 

She slides the ring back off and pulls the dragon tear shard that she had on her. Already working on putting them together. 

Nova: Ok so all I need to do is combine the two here and I'll be able to use it on you! Are you ready to give this a shot? I understand if you're still nervous. 

While Nova was the one asking, she too was shaking a bit. Perhaps out of her own nerves of not wanting to mess up in front of her former teacher.

Sunset is a little nervous about this, but Nova has been real kind to her thus far. She knew by now Nova wouldn't do this if there was any chance of things becoming too uncomfortable.

Sunset: Yeah... I suppose I'm about ready. Though if it works like how a genie is pulled into a vessel. Perhaps I should do... this...

Sunset floats herself up into the air, does a few majestic midair flips as everything below her hips merges and becomes a long, curvy, ghostly tail.

Sunset: I know that the process probably would have morphed my lower half anyway. but if I'm expecting to be sucked into your horn. Might as well be prepared for it. 

Nova: Heheh g-good, getting yourself ready. Ok… ok let me just... 

Nova takes some deep breaths to calm her own nerves, once more she shuts her eyes and it looks as if she's talking to someone who's not there, but whatever she's thinking does reassure her. 

(We've got this, I know we do...we can make her proud of us.) 

Looking far more confident after an internal pep talk, Nova places the ring on her horn, some small blue sparks surge from the ring as it connects with Nova's magic. She looks up at Sunset with a smile and braces herself. 

Nova: I hope you're ready to take control of a body again because once this is done, you'll be in charge! 

Her magical aura lights up, showing the cinnamon brown colors for a moment before being channeled into the ring and changing to a light blue, similar to the sparks that she'd made. She locks onto Sunset's form and a beam of light hits the end of her ghostly tail. Nova trembles as she feels her magic connect 

Nova: I've got you! Now...I just have to pull you in. 

The blue sparks now surround both mares, Sunset can feel a tingling sensation all around her very being but it's not unpleasant. Her ghostly tail begins to stretch and warp as it gets closer to Nova's horn. Pulling her in like a magnet. Nova's focus is purely on making sure the spell goes off without a hitch, her eyes closed so while she may not see what's happening, she can certainly feel it. At first it's like two opposing forces clashing but her own magics start to mix and swirl with Sunset's, going from what feels like a wild thunderstorm shift over to a warm yet strong fire. Sunset would be able to see herself slowly becoming part of Nova's magical aura itself before being sucked further into her horn directly. 

Nova: I-It's working! I can f-feel it! How...how are you holding up, Sunset?!

Sunset: Oh gosh...!

Sunset shivered somewhat, feeling the tingling as the first connections were made, but she reacted calmly as her tail approached Nova's horn. The moment her ghostly tail touched Nova's horn a sensation that felt like a jolt that was somehow both tight, but pleasant. Sunset had experimented before with entering into stuff smaller than her. Though when she did, it was nothing like when Twilight went into her bottle. 

This feeling wasn't too unfamiliar though, the process of a genie going into a vessel is somewhat similar to transforming into the subconscious state of the comet-like forms in the atmosphere. As noted, when Twilight's inside her vessel she's technically in that same form. Just condensed into a small vessel, but feeling just as relaxed in there as a spirit traveling the soul shield. The suction is a bit slower than the comet form transformation since the latter doesn't involve any sort of shaping, and this is being manually done by Nova.  Though because it took longer, it kind of felt even better then transforming into her comet form. As it was sort of like a massage for the soul, quite literally since she was all soul.

Tiny embers and static electricity occasionally swirl around Nova's horn as the two's more elemental magic seems to be doing its own little magic duel around where Nova was pulling Sunset in. As if the two were deciding which was more dominant. Would Nova's lightning prevail since she would be the host body? Or would Sunset's fire since Nova is willfully letting her take control. Or maybe they weren't battling at all, just trying to find a way to coexist with each other. Whatever was going to happen, the two would find out soon enough 

Nova: Hah.... hah.... 

Nova trembled as their magic continued to dance around each other. She could feel herself instinctively wanting to keep control but she quickly shook that thought away. This had to go off without a hitch, her fear of losing control could not prevail here. Her lightning and Sunset's fire stopped clashing and soon began to move in sync almost like a dance. For a moment, the fire would shift to a blue flame and the lightning would turn into a reddish-orange bolt and back to their normal colors. Swirling together in a harmonic fashion. As Sunset's form was taken further in, she could hear Nova's voice yet she wasn't speaking aloud… what Sunset was hearing was her thoughts!

Nova: (Don't let her down, don't let her down, don't let her down… we can do this! I can do this! I have to!!)

It was faint, but there was a second voice, it sounded somewhat similar to Nova but at the same time it was like a different entity entirely. 

???: (We're almost there, finish strong! We can rest when we're done!)

On the outside, more of Sunset was dissipating into Nova's magical aura, it became more soothing for the both of them as the process continued. The dance her lightning and Sunset's fire had was now coming closer as they blended together, essentially becoming a new element itself. It filled both mares with a gentle warmth. Nova could feel it in her chest as it radiated through her. It seems her body was now fully accepting Sunset's magic as a part of it rather than seeing it as an invader. She blushed a bit as more and more of Sunset came into her. 

Nova: Mmm.... A-almost there... 

Sunset gasped a bit as she felt herself becoming slowly thinner and longer. With a less solid body and waving a bit wildly, it was much easier to shape her into Nova's magic then a genie that's still partly solid as Sunset was entirely made up of soul magic.. She is spiraling almost like she's stuck in a tornado, but at a much slower speed. She hears Nova's thoughts, although being sucked into her horn is kind of too strange of an event for her to really focus on that.

Nova meanwhile was beginning to feel something more. Sunset's magic empowering her, the power that had impressed Celestia so many years ago. A raw magic that surpassed even Twilight's, at least before she ascended. The kind of power that Starlight had inherited, that allowed her to do tricks that even Twilight even after ascension such as flying purely through levitation. So much was being absorbed into Nova's body, she was beginning to wonder if she could even take it all in... 

The warmth on Sunset's side was still gently easing her into Nova's horn, however for Nova, she was now hitting a wall that she had not factored into the equation. All of Sunset's raw magic, it was far beyond Nova's own expectations. Unlike Nova's only slightly above average magic, this made her feel like she was going to overflow and be lost within it herself. She began to tremble again, feeling dizzy, sweat dripped down from her forehead as she could feel herself overheating. If she lost focus now, there'd be no telling what would happen to Sunset! Random sparks began to fly from her horn as she tried to force it together 

Nova: AGH!!

(It's… so much… energy. Is this what it's like t-to have this kind of raw potential?!) 

She looked as if she were about to topple over. Her tail smacked the ground multiple times, doubts started to creep into her mind. The fear of not being able to handle it after all, to be so close yet still out of reach. It's something she'd dealt with her whole life and it frustrated her. 

Nova: (NO, NO, NO, NO!! NOT WHEN I'M THIS CLOSE! But this magic… it's... it's too much! I can't… It's like I'm still some weak filly!) 

Just then something pops into her mind, a memory from years ago. She saw herself in her old classroom with Sunset standing in the front. 

Sunset: Remember class, anypony can be born with high levels of magic, but it doesn't make you superior. Our magic may come from the horn, but it's part of our whole being. It's how you use your magic, not how much of it you have. Relax, and let the magic inside guide you.

Nova's eyes widened. The self doubt made her want to give up. But this memory combined with her resolve of who she was doing this for made her stand tall once more. 

Nova: (No, I've got this. I just have to try a different approach.) 

She lifted her head high, extending her magic from her horn to her entire body. The pressure building within her starts to even out. She no longer feels like she'll be burned but rather become the fire itself.

Sunset herself could hear Nova recalling the memory, and although she had faith Nova could do this on her own. Just in case, she tries to exclaim some extra encouragement, even as she's being forcibly pulled in odd, but pleasant ways. 

Sunset: Nnngh! Y… yo… You can do it, Nova! Don't lose focus! You have all the power you need, don't let the flames burn you. BE the flame! FIND your flame!

Nova: Yes… I WILL! 

Now with Sunset's encouragement along with her restored confidence, her magical aura began to look like a fire itself, Sunset's essence swirling and spreading through all of it. No longer fearing the magic flowing through her, Nova found it much easier to take in. It felt as if Sunset were standing right beside her. She could literally feel her presence within her. With one last pull, all of Sunset's magic made it into her. For a moment her irises flashed the same color as Sunset's before it turned back to normal. The magical aura also shrank back down to her horn and then sucked everything that was left into it. 

Nova: I… I.. did it... I really did… it... 

She soon falls to the floor, feeling the control of her body slip from her.

Now within the recesses of Nova's mind, Sunset would still be able to communicate with her and see her when she closes her eyes to focus. But she'd also find that other Nova-like entity as well who, like Nova, was currently passed out.

As Sunset's head enters, Sunset seems to speak but is muffled as her mouth enters Nova's horn. Though Nova can soon hear what Sunset was trying to say from within her mind

Sunset: G… go… good job, N-nova...

Sunset allows Nova some time to recover from the use of such an intense spell. But soon finds the essence of what Sunset assumes is some sort of Alter Ego. It wouldn't be long until Sunset would be given more control. But Sunset at least wants to satisfy her curiosity.

Sunset: H-hello? Who are you?

This alternate Nova slowly wakes up and gives a wide smile to Sunset, with darker fur, her piercing red eyes, lightning bolts under her eyes and even sharper fangs compared to Nova. On first glance, one might think of her as an evil entity. But Sunset would recognize her as a more 'complete' hybrid of a tatzl. She is also stroking Nova's mane with a hoof. 

???: That's a more complicated question than you think, Ms. Shimmer… er you know what, you're already in our head, I'm just calling you by your first name. 

Her tone was a lot different from Nova's, far more brash. 

Fury: You can call me, Fury. I gotta say, I'm pleased to be able to meet you, Sunset. I mean technically you've met me, but you also haven't? Like I said, this is more complicated to answer. Long story short, Nova's tatzl transformation caused us to be two separate… beings? Souls? Whatever. 

She shakes her head. 

Fury: Either way I'm here in the back of her head when she needs me or when I want to screw around for a bit. It's also why we were certain that we'd be the prime candidates to act as a vessel. We're kinda used to it. You'll find that because we're in a metaphysical space like this, pretty much anything is possible in here , such as our communication. 

Fury seemed to be just as intelligent as Nova was, even with a different personality. Fury taps Nova's face. 

Fury: Hey, I said you can rest when you're done, not sleep. Sunset's here, the plan worked! 

Fury looks up back at Sunset 

Fury: If you think she was freaking out when she saw you out there, you can only imagine what she was like in here. And that's not even going into any long standing thought's she's had about you, heh.

Nova: Don't you start… Fury. You were just as excited… you cried too. 

Nova groaned as she woke up. 

Nova: I'm glad this all worked… hehe, I see you uh… already met Fury. I know this might be a lot to take in all at once. But I did tell you we've got a bit of catching up to do. 

Sunset: I suppose we do...

Though Sunset makes a sudden realization that makes her frown.

Sunset: Wait... if we're sharing the same body now... we might not have to wait long to catch up... our... memories are about to flood into each other any second now, isn't it? Oh gosh, Nova... I'm so sorry... you're going to see what I froze up about related to Tarsus...!  Not to mention... my last moments alive.... exactly as it happened....

Both Nova and Fury look concerned as they hadn't thought that part through 

Nova: Then that means you're going to see… oh no....

Not a moment later, a torrent of memories begin to flood through the mares' minds, images projected all around them of the experiences they had but also the feelings that came with said memories. Nova and Fury saw themselves standing against Tarsus but he looked different from the display, even more wicked and deadly. They could feel fire practically burning their fur with the next part of the memory.

Nova: Oh dear Luna… that's why… All those changelings they.... 

Nova and Fury held each other, keeping themselves standing as more memories flowed into them. Tears streamed down their faces as they felt what Sunset did at that time. 

Nova: W-wait what was that? Who was that?! were there two of ...ngh! 

Nova holds her head as the memory of Sunset fighting Cozy Glow and her family comes into view. The intense heat is now being replaced with sheer cold from the rain of a raging thunderstorm. Anger bubbled up within Nova and Fury, their more tatzl nature making itself known, they knew they were capable of rage like this, but never expected it from Sunset. Then they felt cold, the intense pain of being struck in the back of the head, their horn breaking. More pain coming out of an attempt to use magic anyway, but some form of satisfaction in having sent Cozy away by sheer luck via Time Travel.

Before the utter despair of witnessing from a first person view as Glitterani dragged herself and Sunset off of Nightmare Cliff’s, and Nova and Fury felt that last burning sensation in Sunset’s mind before everything went black.

It caused them to gasp for air as they were reliving Sunset's death.

Sunset meanwhile would have a similar experience, starting with memories of Nova's mother berating her and showing her a letter of 'banishment' from Celestia's school. The sheer heartbreak and anger she felt at that point, towards Celestia, Twilight Sparkle, and herself. They would soon shift over to the darker 'experiments' she's run on ponies she deemed wicked and the pain she felt when she became a tatzlpony 

As more painful memories flowed into them, they got a better understanding of what the other had gone through. The internalized sadness and anger from Sunset and the self loathing but also the anger towards the world from Nova. 

But then… it began to fade as more positive memories took their place. Nova and Fury feeling elated, they were in their class, this time from Sunset's perspective. Watching as all of the foals asked questions and grew to be better magic users. The scene shifts over to when Sunset met Firelight for the first time, and the suplex that followed. Jumping further to their wedding day and the eventual birth of Starlight. Even the reunion that she had with her family, it made the horrid memories seem so distant. The two tatzl mares were crying, but now out of joy rather than pain.

For Sunset, she could also see a memory from Nova's school days, how she felt when she was around Sunset or Celestia. She thought of them more highly than her mother and it was clear to see, it was as if she saw them as almost surrogate parents. The scene shifts to some points during her darker days when Nova had met some lifelong friends, those who kept her from truly falling into total despair. And even seeing post tatzlification how Nova began to take responsibility for her prior actions. All culminating to when she had met with Celestia right after Twilight's ascension to the throne. The relief she could feel when Celestia not only remembered her, but forgave her for her actions.

The memories would soon fade for all of them, Nova couldn't bring herself to look at Sunset, despite experiencing the good memories. She was scared to see if Sunset thought less of her now. Fury spoke first, still holding onto Nova. 

Fury: That was… that was intense... 

Sunset's eyes were full of tears. With mixed emotions about Nova's memories, it takes some time to ponder how to respond. But when she finally thought of how to, she walked up to Nova's side with a determined look on her face. Nova initially was scared that Sunset was going to scold her. Especially, for what were once her very differing opinions of Celestia… as well as the many experiments that at points went a little too far.

But what Nova got instead,  she couldn't have ever expected.

Sunset grabbed her in for a hug, a very motherly hug. And says nothing, for a good while. She lets Nova let it all go crying into her shoulder, in her hooves before finally speaking. 

Sunset: It's ok, Nova, It'll all be ok...

She does look over Nova's shoulder to talk to Fury. 

Sunset: You too Fury, join your twin sister, or however you two describe each other.

Sunset let a hoof free to let Fury to join in on the hug.

Nova trembled as Sunset got closer. Fury, despite not showing it, looked as if she was ready to defend Nova but gasped when Sunset went in for a hug instead.

Nova's eyes widened, more tears fell from her eyes as she returned the hug and just let everything out. Nuzzling against Sunset

Fury: Oh please, her my twin sister...? I mean… hah, that's not really... 

Fury tried to brush it off at first. 

Fury: I-I've had to relive those memories over and over… you think I need to… need to.... dammit 

The facade fell as she too went in for the hug and cried along with Nova. Considering the size of them, they practically enveloped her… but they needed this. Them being two sides of the same coin, they both felt the same pain. To have Sunset forgive them for what they've done. It was a relief like no other. After a short while, the two let go of Sunset and stand.

Nova: Thank you, Sunset… thank you. You probably saw, but I kinda did the same thing when I told Celestia and... 

She sniffs, trying to hold herself together, she's already let out more emotion today than she'd intended to. 

Nova: I'd say you don't know how it makes me… I mean us feel, but you did just get all of our thoughts and feelings so… you already know. Heh… And um, about the feelings I had regarding you and Celestia. I uh… it was just the thoughts of a filly trying to fill a void so... 

She stammered, still being a bit shy about her feelings being out in the open like that.

Fury: I think we're past the point of awkwardness now. No shame in what we feel, Nova. 

Sunset: No worries, the two of you. I've been in this situation before, when Starlight's admitted all her own dark deeds in the past. Everything that happened because I unfortunately wasn't there for her. Just like her, your guilt should never feel fully absolved. But as long as you can acknowledge what you've done is wrong. You'll come out as a better pony... 

Sorry if I'm repeating myself a bit here, but I'll mention that's something that beings like King Tarsus, or the evil family that plotted my murder was never capable of. And that's why they entirely lost any consciousness when they died, their souls becoming nothing but a temper tantrum of dark magic that takes it out on the world and becomes less effective as time goes on and/or efforts are put into stopping it.

But you two don't, I promise that the day you end up in the soul shield... which while I still hope is a long time from now. You'll be welcomed, perhaps I'll even be there to greet you when you do.

Nova looks more at ease now. Sunset's words touch her and Fury's heart. 

Nova: Of course, we've still got a lot of things to make up for. But ultimately we're doing what we do for the sake of Equestria, not just for the benefit of ourselves anymore. Will I still have my moments of weakness? Sure, who doesn't have those? I mean do I see some alicorn wings in our future? Psh, no. But I still intend to measure up in my own way to get there. Twilight isn't my enemy but you heard me out there, she's someone who I strive to surpass! A goal and even if I someday reach it, that doesn't mean it's the end. I want to unlock my full potential as well as the potential of everyone out there! 

Fury wipes some tears from her own eyes. 

Fury: I'd say we've got a better understanding of you now more than ever before. It's like we just lived each other's lives in a short microburst. Though uh...hey m-maybe one of us should take control of the body now. I don't want the museum staff to think the ring was cursed and we died or something by putting it on.

She continues to sit down quietly with the two while still within an unconscious Nova's mind. Though she does eventually get that wake-up call by Fury to begin to take control.

Sunset: Oh... pardon me. But... since I'm all new to this... mind telling me how I take control?

Fury and Nova laugh as Sunset asks how to take control. 

Fury: Oh that's easy! Luckily, we're used to swapping in and out. We like to visualize it here as having a control panel that you can use. Nova, help me adjust her into position, will you?

Nova: Right. 

Nova nods and gets Sunset to a blank spot in their mindscape. 

Nova: All you need to do is stand right here, hold your hooves up like this and close your eyes. The consciousness you have in here will swap back to the body. You'll still be able to hear us just fine. You saw me interact with Fury earlier I'm sure. Our combined magic should have given you access to cast any spell you and I know and then some! I'm sure it also may have had a change on our body too, you saw our memories so you know we can assimilate things like that.

Before Sunset takes full control, Fury chimes in one more time. 

Fury: I tend to be in and out, we don't want to backseat too much but uh… try NOT to get angry, when that happens our body transforms to look more like mine and the anger transfers over along with control so...yeah it's probably best to not do that. Even if you might look neat as a tatzl yourself, Sunset.

Sunset nods, listening to Nova's explanation, standing where she's directed. She does grimace a bit at Fury's mention of not getting angry, she may be a goody two-shoes even by Pony standards but she's had her anger issues in the past.

Sunset: I'll... keep that in mind. You two might have to try to hold me back when it looks like I'm getting upset... I'll... admit I've gotten a bit salty just playing games for instance... Seriously, buck Mare-nopoly...

She grumbles mentioning a board game known for testing friendships.

Changing subject though, she turns toward Nova one more time.

Sunset: Just remember, this is still your body. If you need it back at any point, just tell me. I don't wish to be a burden by basically being a hogging roommate here... and just by the memories I received… I know you two have had something of a rivalry. You two play nice, you hear?

The last 2 sentences are spoken like a true mother’s warning to her kids.

Fury: Oh don't worry, we're pros at that… as long as the anger doesn't transfer between all three of us. I'm sure it'll be fiiiiiiine 

Fury says with a heavy amount of sarcasm.Nova does take this a bit more seriously though. 

Nova: I know… and hey, if there's something we're not ok with you doing, we'll make it known. Besides this is the first time in years you've gotten to have a physical body, you should enjoy it!

She bristles at the comment about her and Fury needing to play nice.

Fury: Fiiiine 'mom'! 

Fury responds first, pulling Nova into a hug. 

Fury: I'll make sure missy over here doesn't try to override your control. I know how she likes to have it all.

Nova: Why did you just call her.... 

Nova blushes 

Nova: F-fury! Don't make it weird! B-but fine, I promise not to cause… too much trouble here. B-besides, we'll be focused on guiding you through the ins and outs of how our body works! We've got this, Sunset. If you focus hard enough, you can also essentially mute us if need be. We'll see and hear everything you do! Now p-please try to move around, make sure the connection works!

Sunset giggles, after Fury jokingly called her mom.

Sunset: Alright... thanks, both of you. It really does mean a lot to me...

Sunset took a deep breath, closed her eyes and focused on taking control. Holding her hooves up as Nova instructed.  It takes just a moment of focus, before Sunset's eyes open again fast, glowing bright white. Outside the body, 'Nova’ seems to start moving again. Slowly getting back up. Changes however begin to appear,  Nova's mane and the end of her tatzl tail starts fading into a bright yellow and red. Nova's coat color changes to a shade of turquoise. The tip of Nova's horn turns as yellow-orangeish as Sunset’s coat. Nova's eye color fades from brown to green. The mane changes to reflect attributes of both Nova and Sunset, with the addition of a flame motif. The spark of Nova's cutie mark shifts into a sun, the bolts around it now looking more like flames.

With the shift complete, Sunset still feels a little woozy. Some remaining weariness on Nova's body from performing that spell perhaps. But Sunset manages to find her footing soon enough. She looks around her museum, then at herself. No more transparency, she could feel the wall. She quickly goes to a mirror to see herself, even noting how there was no echo to her voice anymore. Her eyes welled up in joyous tears as the realization hit her.

Sunset: S... sh.... she did it... I... I... I'm alive again!

Once the joy subsides, she grabs her clipboard and writes some results down “Alright, that’s enough fun. I wish for you to turn me back into my previous form”

Starlight looks baffled by this second wish “Wha…but you just wanted me to turn you into an alicorn! Now you want to turn back?” 

Nova shrugs “I wanted proof beyond a doubt of your capabilities and I got that! Simply put, it’s not going to really matter when I’m a genie right? If anything I can always add wings to my body should I desire. That and everyone will have the same level of power as a genie right? You’re not intentionally making every other genie weaker, so if I feel the need for a purely cosmetic change, I can make it then.” 

“I…yeah you do have a point there. An alicorn doesn’t match up to genie magic anyway. My encounters with all of Equestria’s royalty proved that” Starlight chuckles and grants Nova’s wish, changing her back into a unicorn tatzlpony. “Come on now, I can’t be spreading a message of equality if I underpowered everypony else. Granted past me did something like that when I kept my cutie mark despite taking others but this is different! All genies are made equal in geniequestria!” 

Nova cocks her head “Is that right? Good to know. But I do have some final questions regarding your endgame here. When we’ve turned everyone into genies what happens then? Do you just put the princesses back in charge, go back to our prior lives just with genie magic?  Do you call yourself the grand supreme empress of genies? I mean you still haven’t explained why the equestrian royalty is actively taking orders from you. Sure the transformation makes them realize being a genie isn’t so bad but what are you doing that’s compelling them to listen? Because while you said it’s not mind control…it sounds very close to it. At least that’s what I’ve gathered from what I saw and what I can assume from your stories. Unless I’m misunderstanding, because I don’t mean to offend, but if we are to be EQUAL partners I’d prefer not to be a puppet. Forgive me Starlight, but I want to be 100% sure before I make my wish. I’ve encountered ponies who’ve made promises before only to stab me in the back so I’m sure you understand. You said the transformation makes ponies understand but I’d like clarification on what that means.”

Starlight glares at Nova, this line of questioning clearly getting under her skin. She grits her teeth “Careful with that assumption, as I’ve said multiple times already, my genifications aren’t mind control! Twilight Sparkle made that same claim, but no, they are still themselves! Fluttershy is the prime example that she’s not being controlled! In the princesses case…they just needed their minds to be…twisted a little bit. I don’t know how many times I need to say it!” She huffed before taking a deep breath. But it was this exact phrasing that raised the red flags Nova was worried about.  “In your case though because you already align yourself with Geniequestria will not need any sort of twisting. You’ll be you! The transformation just brings your inner desires and feelings out!” She sounds frustrated, Nova touched a nerve one too many times. Internally she’s more upset than she lets on “ugh why does everypony think it’s mind control!? She’s starting to sound like Twilight… But she’s a smart mare, she should understand”

Sahara, who was still watching this exchange, had some kind of spell ready. She watched as the tone shifted. “Oh no, Nova, why did you have to ask that…? Hold on just a little longer, I’m coming!” Sand begins to swirl around the large lamia before she vanishes 

A tense silence fills the room, Nova clearly doesn’t appreciate the comparison to Twilight Sparkle. She slams her tail on the ground “So what happens to my friends then? Will their minds change if they don’t agree with Geniequestria? And the same goes for everyone else! You can’t tell me that some will have their minds forcibly changed while others don’t! How is that equal?!” 

Starlight gets in Nova’s face “Don’t you start turning on me now! It is NOT mind control! Look, you and I both know there is going to be some resistance to a change like this! So I have to be forceful with them, but the ends justify the means! Geniequestria will be a better place for it! Don’t tell me you’re getting cold hooves? What, are you too afraid to do what needs to be done?! Maybe it’s no wonder why Celestia chose Twilight over you. At least she has conviction”

“What did you just say?!” This was the last straw, she slams her tail on the ground, hard enough to even crack the floor. “Afraid? AFRAID?! I AM STICKING TO WHAT I BELIEVE IN! I've met ponies like you before, Glimmer, and they always end up getting what they deserve!” Her fur begins to darken again “Brainwashing, mind twisting, I don’t care what you call it! I’ve gone down that road before, I’m not saying that I’m above it.  But it will not create the ideal world you want, it never ends well! If you want to make a new world that’s truly equal, that’s not the way to do it! You are fooling yourself if you think otherwise! You could easily just let the ponies who don’t want to change live on their own and let them live their mortal lives and just wait them out! It sounds to me like you’re using all of Equestria to take your grudge out on Twilight and her friends!” 

A strange calm comes over Starlight, yet unlike her anger, this puts Nova more on edge “You are just like Twilight. I really thought we connected, Nova.” She grabs a test tube from a nearby table. “Perhaps you’ll understand, once you see things my way, when you’ve truly experienced what I have to offer. I like you, so I'll give you one more chance, what is it you really want here? What is your real desire? Unless you're just going to waste your potential and prove Celestia right.” 

“I’M NOTHING LIKE HER!” Nova roars. She doesn’t know how to take this tone shift, she’s still too angry to think properly. “How dare you?! Were you not paying attention to me earlier?! I'm doing this because I believe ponies can be brought to their full potential! It’s because I wish to be better than Twilight ever could be, to prove to Celestia and everyone else who’s doubted me, wrong!” She huffs a few times, a silence fills the room. Her eyes then widen as she realizes what she just said. She starts to back away as Starlight smiles “I really hate you right now…”

“Yeah, but I can fix that” Starlight holds the small test tube towards Nova, her genie spell already starting to pull Nova towards it. “I know you asked for the other flask, but think of it like this, it’s still something science based for your vessel! You wanted to see if vessels can be changed anyway right? Consider this an experiment of my own! Maybe this will teach you to know your place!” She laughed as Nova coiled her tail around a nearby exposed pipe from the hole Starlight made earlier. “Huh you’ve got a bit of dexterity with that tail don’t you? Maybe you should’ve kept those wings earlier, you might’ve stood a better chance!”

“That was not the vessel I chose, nor is that the genie wish!” Nova can feel herself being pulled in, despite holding onto the sturdy pipe. She feels herself being lifted into the air and her body stretching, starting with her hooves. She’s both terrified and intrigued by the process “H-how in the? Fascinating, my body is stretching and…. No! I won’t be a servant! I’m me! Nopony else!” 

Starlight shakes her head and starts to laugh “Relax, you’ll come to enjoy the process, everypony does. You need to calm down though. I think you’re gonna pop a blood vessel with those red eyes you’re getting. You should have just kept your mouth shut if you really wanted this vessel. And maybe you weren’t paying attention, any wish can be made into a genie one. You might not be part of my game, but I’m done playing yours!” 

It’s at this time when sand starts to swirl in the room, Starlight finds it difficult to see, her eyes squinting “Agh! Hey, maybe you should invest in some time to clean up the place, where’d all this dust come from?!” She tries to make it go away with her magic, but can’t seem to do so. “Whatever, it’s not going to save you, the process already has you in its grasp!” She doesn’t realize that the sand is moving with purpose, Sahara has now arrived on the scene. She stays out of sight while her sand is doing all the work.

“no…I’m too late to stop the transformation…but I can alter it!” The sand flows into the test tube, changing it from the inside out. It now looks more like a blend of the two flasks Nova originally had in mind for her vessel. The neck spiraled, ending in two openings with its base being more conical. With the sand still in the air, Starlight cannot see any of these changes occurring. She can however hear when Nova finally makes contact with the vessel.

“Sahara, I…I should have listened to you, I’m sorry!” She thinks to herself. With her hooves now being pulled in, Nova knew it was only a matter of time. She had shut her eyes initially. But when the sensations started to hit her, she opened them wide. Now seeing all the flying sand around her, it didn’t take long before she realized what was going on. But before she could call out to her lamia friend, her tail uncoiled from the pipe, now being pulled towards the bottle’s second opening. With two points of entry, the process was now faster. All the sensations Starlight spoke of, Nova realized how true it was “oooooh~ This….this feels incredible~”

This is what Starlight was waiting to hear, she may not have seen it properly but she knows when a pony was giving in to the transformation. She let out a laugh “You see, Nova!? I told you it was good! Just let the bottle do all the work and soon we’ll be able to enact our plans!” 

“Ooooh yes this is unlike anything we’ve felt before~!” Nova could feel her body being quickly sucked into both openings, her legs and tail were fully elongated and merged into one long tail as she was sucked in. It was making her body shift back and forth between the normal and dark blue colors Though she noticed something off, her mind, her opinions on Starlight and her concepts of equality. They weren’t changing. But right now she was so focused on the sensations of being pulled in, she really didn’t have time to dwell on that fact. Her body was quickly sucked in, leaving only her head, that last pull brought her over the edge as she let out a moan that echoed through the halls “Aaaaaaahhhh~” To starlight it sounded like there were two voices moaning at the end but perhaps it was just the echo. Had she been able to see, she would have spotted what looked like two Novas for a brief moment being sucked in. Followed by a very audible SCHOOOOMP! The bottle’s ends were sealed with toppers that looked like Nova’s cutie mark…her original one anyway. A new cutie mark emerged on the now filled vessel, it was Nova’s spark now being sucked into a flask. The sand subsided as well, Sahara watching from the shadows hoping that what she did, worked. 

Starlight, now being able to see again, looked very confused by the bottle she was holding “Heh defiant to the end huh? Well it looks like you got an even better vessel from the one you wanted!” she gave the bottle a little shake “But you see, it ends the way I knew it would. I don’t know how you changed the vessel but that cutie mark means my spell worked! Sorry for being rough but I think you get my point now right? You're a smart mare, but you needed to calm down and see things my way. Now we can talk more about our partnership for Geniequestria” Before opening the bottle she spots the notes Nova had been taking and picks them up “let’s see what you really thought about me…. All these experiment ideas, and what’s this about a unique kind of vessel experiment, with..oh OH” She blushes and puts the notes down “Maybe I’ll let her do that one on her own. I didn’t know her tail was capable of that…” She says to herself before removing one of the stoppers from the bottle.

The bottle shakes and sparks, a laughter can be heard coming from it before Nova re-emerges, now fully genified. Like Starlight she has a veil covering her face along with new leggings but it seems she has some different jewelry as well as maintaining her lab coat, though it flowed more like a cape now, merged with the standard genie attire. Nova doesn’t say anything as she looks herself over before giving a toothy grin at Starlight “Mmm nah I think I'll be doing my own thing thanks. You can keep your geniequestria." 

She looks smugly at Starlight. "I asked if a genification had ever gone wrong, seems like Fluttershy isn’t the only one who didn’t go your way! I told you, overconfidence can lead to disaster!” she laughs. “Tell you what though, I can't really do anything to you and you have no power over me so in a sense you gave me exactly what I wanted despite your backstabbing. I'll admit the transformation was far more wonderful than anything I've experienced. The feel of the suction on my body and the magic coursing through me….oooh! But since you tried to pull a fast one on me, I cannot forgive that. So here's a new deal, I won't get in your way as long as you don't get in mine." Starlight doesn't look too pleased 

“W-what!? No! You said you’d be on my side! You SHOULD be on my side! You shouldn’t be able to resist wanting to spread geniequality now! There’s no way you could have resisted that! I knew I should have just genified you from the start!!”

“As I suspected, you were just appealing to my curiosity. You never saw me as an equal, you saw me as a tool!” Nova said in a hurt tone. “It’s a good thing I have some friends in high places.There’s no point in fighting, Starlight. We’re truly EQUAL now, my free will is intact. I promise that I won’t go after Twilight Sparkle or go try and ungenify anypony if that’s your concern. But I won’t be helping you either.” She glares at Starlight “So I thank you for the upgrade, but stay out of my way. That is unless you want to become enemies, maybe then I’ll decide to help Twilight and her friends hm? You so graciously told me about how we genies work, I’m sure they’d love to hear it too.”

“You wouldn’t dare..” Starlight can’t believe what she’s hearing, her eyes twitched, she wanted to send Nova flying, teach her a lesson. But she was right, they couldn’t do anything to each other with equal powers. “Fine, but you get in my way, and I’ll bring Celestia and Luna here. Tell them everything you’ve done! Make you an enemy of Geniequestria!” She spat, both mares staring angrily at each other. 

Unlike the first staredown, only Nova laughs this time “Then it seems we do have some form of understanding! Don’t you worry one bit, I will keep my promise, Starlight. In fact I’ll be watching eagerly to see how it all unfolds. I do still want to see what happens when Twilight gives into this power…or perhaps she’ll find a way to beat you! Either way it’ll be a fun show for me! With that being said, I know you’re a busy mare and I do apologize for taking so much of your precious time. I’ll be quite busy with experiments myself. I do need to see if my theory on using a dual necked bottle will work. Though I have no need to show you now, besides I don’t think 3 against 1 is really that fair.” She looks to the side of the room “Sahara, would you be a dear and take our former guest outside?”

“With pleasure!” 

“Three against one? But we’re the only ones here!” Starlight looks confused before she’s surrounded by sand “And who’s Sahara…aaagh! Not again!! What is this!?” Starlight soon finds herself back outside in Canterlot where she initially met Nova. A large shadow looms over her. She looks back to see the lamia known as Sahara. Her eyes glowing gold, her mane flowing in the wind. She towered over Starlight “You….who are you?! Nopony could have changed my genie spell!” She preps a bottle to genify this newcomer, holding it up but nothing is happening. “Why?! Why doesn’t it work on you!?”

“Can’t you tell? Are you not able to see what I truly am?” She laughs “You can’t genify a genie sweetie. Unlike you, I was born this way. There are more like me as well, we do not take kindly to those that would harm our loved ones. Nor do we try to control the mortal world like you seem to be doing. You remind me of Catrina, you even have her lamp. I wonder, will you end up going mad like her? Only time will tell I suppose.” Starlight glares back at the lamia. “Again with the comparisons to this Catrina! I’m nothing like her! I’m not trying to hoard all this power to myself. I’m spreading it equally! Making this world a better place to be!” 

Sahara sighs “Better for the world, or just better for you? You are still shaping the world into what YOU want, not what others want. What gives you the right to decide that? To change the natural order of things?” She pauses, Starlight’s eye twitches but she doesn’t respond. “I have no doubt that you may reach your goal, but be warned, this power can easily corrupt. I can feel it within you too. We will be watching you closely, Starlight Glimmer.” She vanished as quickly as she arrived. Leaving Starlight alone to process what just happened. 

“Tch, that is the last time I follow somepony into a random lab! At least she’s a genie now though…” She huffed “As long as she keeps her promise, I’ll keep up my end. Watch your back, Nova. I’m not going to back down, I know what I’m doing is right.”

Back in the lab Nova waited for Sahara to return, expecting to get one nightmare of a lecture. But instead of all that, when Sahara teleported in, she received the tightest hug the lamia could muster “You blue, overly curious, idiot! I almost lost you! You’re so lucky I changed things when I did!”

Nova smiled at Sahara “I had no power that could’ve stopped it, if it wasn’t for you. I’d probably just be her puppet, spouting all this nonsense of geniequestria. I would have even tried to genify you, though I know now that wouldn’t work.” Sahara sighs, knowing her secret is out. “I’m sorry for not listening. But I’ll admit this new form brings new potential for experimentation! And as a fellow genie, I hope you’ll be a part of them? When I saw your sand flowing into the bottle, I finally realized what you truly were. I can’t believe you hid it from me all this time. But now, we can move forward together. This is only just the beginning!” 

On Nova’s end, she cannot believe what she’s hearing, she stumbles back in shock, knocking over a shelf. “Genify canterlot?! Pillars of Equestria? Catrina? How does this mare know that name? And then…Celestia’s a genie and she’s….taking orders from that mare? Impossible, she’s really fallen so far to take orders from some random unicorn? No no that can’t be right…Could that be an imposter? It has to be! Perhaps she’s a doppelganger similar to changelings?” Nova realizes she may have spoken too loudly and quickly moves away from the window. She doesn’t want to be spotted, being caught in the forbidden section is already bad enough, but she feared encountering Celestia even more. Her mind starts to race with questions. “Could this be what Sahara was trying to warn me about? I couldn’t find the book on Catrina…still this mare, if Celestia’s taking orders from her, assuming that is the real Celestia. Could she be the progenitor of the genies? And genification on such a grand scale…it’s like she’s making ponies evolve to a new level of being too…” She bites her lip, holding onto the ankh that Sahara gave her. “Sorry Sahara, but I must know more, I have to study her! Maybe get my hooves on those genie traits at the same time.”

On the outside of the castle, Starlight finds herself alone walking in the garden, visibly frustrated from her meeting with Celestia. She’s about to teleport away when she hears rustling nearby. She takes a few more steps and hears the rustling continue. “You know if you're trying to sneak up on me, you’re making a mistake. Clearly you don't know who you're messing with!” She turns and sees…nothing, there’s nopony there. “Hm…maybe I’m hearing things. I could have sworn maybe Twilight was trying to follow me here, pull something drastic” She shrugs “Well you're right on that first part, I don't know who you are, which is why I want to learn more!" Nova says from directly behind Starlight. 

Starlight jumps back, surprised to see somepony able to sneak up on her. She can see how tall Nova is compared to her as well, reaching nearly Luna’s height. “What in the…?! How did you…ugh no matter, Celestia may not want to genify everypony right now, but I don’t think she’ll mind if I genify one pony” She brings out a genie bottle and is about to open it when Nova gets closer to her. “Ah so you are the one behind this! But don't be so hasty, I've got a proposition for you! I'm more than willing to gain those genie traits but…I want to learn more from the progenitor herself first! I think I can actually be of use to you if you're willing to hear me out. Besides judging by your reaction to thinking I was that purple nuisance, Twilight. We have much to discuss.” 

This confuses Starlight and she lowers the bottle for now. “You’re against Twilight too? ...I’m listening. What are you proposing?” 

A wide smile comes across Nova’s face “Oh plenty, but we shouldn’t discuss it here in the open. There may be other ponies around, can’t have them listening in on future plans for geniequestria now can we, Miss…?” 

Starlight’s a bit shocked Nova knew of geniequestria despite not being a genie herself but something compelled her to listen to what the mare had to say. In her mind she thinks “well if it gets me an ally why not indulge, even if she tries to refuse, I’ll make her one of my genies anyway. ” She smiles back at Nova. “You can call me Starlight Glimmer or just Starlight. Lead the way then, Miss…” 

“Nova, Nova Spark. I think you and I will make good friends, Miss Starlight” She chuckles as she leads the way to her lab.

Some time later…

Starlight looks amazed at this hidden lab as Nova leads her through it.The dull hum of machinery echoes around the duo. Despite the large size, everything appears to be pristine and clean. “Hard to think this place is just underneath everypony’s noses. And you say you run it by yourself? How?” 

“Oh I’ve got plenty of automated systems in place, it’s quite manageable for me! I’m just used to it!” Nova says nonchalantly.

“Huh I’m glad I didn’t bottle you up immediately and left, I would’ve missed out on seeing this! But you haven’t answered me fully yet. Why did you sneak up on me and why are we here?” She asks as Nova stops in front of a door leading to a room with some tables and beakers. 

“Well I should apologize, when I see a creature or trait I want to study, I'm like a predator on the hunt. And in this case you were my prey!" She laughs “Oh but don’t take that in the literal sense, it’s just a joke. I’m not going to bite you or something like that, I just crave knowledge. Please have a seat” She says, offering a chair.

Starlight simply leans back, choosing to float in midair rather than sit down. “I’ve got my own way of making myself comfortable as you can see, thanks for the offer though!” She’s floating above Nova, eying her up and down “I hate to bring down the mood but you better be telling the truth when you said you had something to offer me. As a genie, there’s not much I can’t already do or get. I may have the free time to humor you but I don’t want to waste it either”

Nova smirks and pulls out a clipboard from one of the nearby tables “That’s good because I don’t want to waste any time either. Although, I’d like some preliminary information about you first. Being the progenitor of all the genies, you must understand that I am curious to know more about the mare intending to change this world. So Miss Glimmer, tell me, how did you become a genie and what you're planning on by turning others into genies? I mean you sound like you're all over the place, that must mean you haven't had the time to write any of it down have you? If you're going to be changing the course of equestrian history, someone should record it for future generations don't you think?” She asks with a smile. “That is something I can offer immediately, recording such valuable information is crucial for all would be genies as I’m sure they’d love to hear the full story wouldn’t they?” Starlight pauses to think for a moment “She’s not wrong, things have been going so quickly I really haven’t had time to do any of that. And if it means making my mark on history that’s good too.” She gives a kind smile in return to Nova “You make a good point, you mentioned earlier that you weren’t a fan of Twilight either. I’m shocked, here I thought all ponies, especially ones here in Canterlot, were fans of the princess.” 

This elicits a laugh from Nova “Ha! Please, that purple nuisance has had it too good for too long. It’s high time someone put her in her place. I still cannot believe Celestia chose somepony like her as her student…” There was a tinge of bitterness at that last remark but Nova goes back to a happier tone “But you must’ve had your own history with that mare, yes? Why don’t you start from the beginning?” She asks with a pen at the ready

“Alright, I’ll try not to embellish my greatness too much, but it all started back in the village I used to run…”

Some time passes until Starlight gets to her fight with Twilight. “So then she and I fought in the forbidden section of the library, I’ll admit I was pretty scared when she first used this lamp against me...” She says, holding up her lamp, allowing Nova to see it for the first time. The design clearly intrigued her as it didn’t look anything like Celestia’s bottle or the one she was going to use when they met outside. “But when I felt the power just course through my entire being? Ooooh that’s when I knew she messed up.” 

Nova stops her for a moment “So you two are the reason why that place was a mess! And here I thought somepony besides me was trying to ransack the place! And let me guess, that lamp was just right there in the open with no security right?” She asks with a laugh “I was just there, and that place had just a bunch of those magical trinkets just sitting out in the open for anypony to grab! It’s like the princesses wanted them to be stolen or something! I can’t believe Twilight would be so stupid as to use something she had no idea what it would do, and she’s supposed to be a genius? What a joke!”

Starlight joins in on the laughter “I know right? For some genius, she makes some grade school level mistakes! It even sucked up something called the.. ‘crystal of corruption’? Whatever it was made me even more powerful! And when Trixie accidentally released me, my plans could begin in earnest. I think you’d like her too, though just warning you now. She’s my marefriend and neither of us are willing to share.” She says playfully. 

Nova chuckles “well darn and here I thought I had a chance.” She jokes back, internally however the mention of the crystal has her concerned. “That was an object belonging to King Sombra wasn’t it? She doesn’t have the look of one who uses dark magic but that’s concerning. I’ll need to see some more of her motives.” In her notes she writes that important bit of info down to study the history of the crystal later. She keeps a smile on her face despite her concerned thoughts. “So let me see if I’ve gotten this down so far. You went from having your one friend never write back to you, which was a dick move of them. To hating cutie marks, to then ruling over a town, which you referred to as… ‘Our Town’? Being beaten by Twilight, afterwards you stalked her until you two fought in the Canterlot Library where she unknowingly turned you into a genie and then this Trixie then freed you by accident where you two fought but also fell in love? Is that right? What happened after that, and what about your plans for Geniequestria? How’d that all come about?”

“I’ll get to it, I’ll get to it!” Starlight lets out a small sigh “Really breaking it down into bullet points by the way, kinda cheapens the series of events, but yes that’s how it happened. And before you say anything, I did NOT brainwash Trixie into loving me, I cannot force love upon somepony.” There was some frustration in her voice as she said that, clearly she doesn’t like the topic of genifying being equated to brainwashing. “But I’m not done yet, once Trixie was on my side we had a bit of fun in my old town, genifying all the ponies there and let me tell you it was so gratifying to bring them back into my fold. “Of course just one town wouldn’t be enough. I realized after my fight with Twilight that my view on cutie marks was indeed misguided. I can admit that now, but to make ponies truly equal was to bring everyone to the same power level, something I could do by genifying them. So after my reacquiring of Our Town, I set sights on some personal revenge first, catching up with my old ‘friend’ Sunburst who is named Sunstone after her genification.” She chuckled “Oh I should have mentioned that all stallions are being transformed into mares.”

“Personal revenge I can get behind, I fully understand those desires. And while it doesn’t really matter to me that you’re changing the stallions into mares, I’m confused as to the logic behind that choice, did they want to be changed?” 

“Weeeelllll…. Not exactly at first, but they didn’t want to be genies at first either.” Nova raises an eyebrow at this “But think about it, I want everyone to be equal, so all stallions become mares upon being genified!” Nova shrugs, writes down some notes and gestures for Starlight to continue “From there I used Princess Cadance’s love for her husband as leverage to transform the both of them into genies, I even made the Crystal Heart their vessel, and from there, the entire Crystal Empire!” 

“Hold on just a moment, wind that back a little” Nova interjects “You’re saying you got Twilight’s brother and her Sister in Law?” She asks in a stunned tone “Here I thought they’d be more of a challenge.”

“Mmmhm, now Shining is known as Gleaming Shield~! Oh you should have seen the look on Twilight’s face when I told her!” Starlight says, bursting into laughter

Nova joins in the laughter “Huh I’m surprised she didn’t try to blast you on the spot for that! But beyond that, you said you put them into the crystal heart, that’s no small thing, that means those bottles and your lamp aren’t the only possible vessels? Can anything be made into a vessel?” She asks, looking far more invested in this topic.

“Oh I did the same for Trixie, using her hat though. But yes, as long as it has a proper opening and a way to seal it, it can be used as a vessel. The inside is essentially an infinite space, it’s a home away from home!” Starlight pauses and looks around the room they’re currently in, seeing all the vials, test tubes and flasks, she’s pretty sure why Nova was curious about vessels. “I’m guessing you’d like to pick one for yourself rather than use one of my bottles? Keep it with your sciency theme you’ve got going here?” 

Nova nods eagerly, her eyes sparkling at the thought “Oh absolutely! If that’s the case, I’ve got one in mind! Give me just a moment…” She gets up from her seat and heads to a nearby cabinet. “No…no…maybe…no…aha!” Fumbling around for a bit, she finds what she’s looking for and holds it up “This one here would be perfect! And you say it would be a near infinite space? Oooh I could set up a whole new lab in mine!” She holds up what looks to be a dual necked Claisen Flask which while just as big as one of Starlight’s bottles, the choice of two separate openings confuses her.

“Hmm I can work with this, but why this bottle specifically? You don’t really need two entrances or exits.” 

A smile creeps across Nova’s face “If it’ll work the way I think it will, it’ll be easier to explain after the fact. Trust me, it’ll be a fun surprise. I was going to use this standard conical flask, but I think this one will be more fun. But back to your story, you just took the Crystal Empire, what happened next?” She asks, sitting back down.

“Alright then…uh so after the empire was transformed, that’s when the storm king’s fleet was coming near, taking this as an opportunity to show off what a genie is capable of, I went up there alone to single hoofedly take him down myself!” Nova looks on in a bit of disbelief but says nothing “You see the storm king was nothing more than a big blowhard! The real challenge was his general, Tempest Shadow. She had these orbs that could turn me into stone and if I was hit, I don’t think even my magic would be able to save me.”

Nova holds up her hoof “So what you’re telling me is that there are still some weaknesses that need to be worked out? Those orbs sound quite dangerous but it gives me something to look into when I am a genie. It could be a fun first experiment!”

Starlight brushes it off “Psh no need, I converted Tempest over to our side. She was only working for the Storm King because he promised to restore her broken horn with a spell. But of course that was a lie. I however was able to truly restore it when I genified her!” This made Nova intrigued. 

“So becoming a genie can restore broken limbs and appendages? Interesting, I hadn’t thought of medical applications here. That’s good to know! What about the storm king? You didn’t transform him too did you?” 

Starlight shook her head “I considered making him a genie but he was nothing more than a pony hating jerk. And Tempest wanted some much deserved revenge so she turned him into stone and now he’s a permanent lawn ornament!” Starlight says with laughter “Oh and you’ll like this next part, from there I freed the princesses…to then transform them into genies! Oh the way Celestia just gave in, I won’t soon forget it~ She tried to fight it at first, but when it set in, she submitted like the rest” She expected Nova to be just as cheery but she saw a bit of sadness in the blue mare’s face “What? Did I say something that bothered you?”

There was nothing but silence, Nova seemed to be lost in her own thoughts at this revelation. When she finally did speak, her tone was more hollow than it had been before “So that’s how it happened…” She writes down some notes, visibly crossing something off her list as well. She continues thinking to herself “it must still have involved a twist of the mind…Celestia would never give in, would she? I guess all those years with Twilight softened her up significantly. There goes my chance at taking her on...what does that transformation feel like to cause such a shift?” Looking back up at Starlight she asks “You didn’t happen to get a sample of the Storm King did you? I ask only for genetic reasons, his species isn’t something I’ve cataloged yet.” Starlight just shakes her head “Pity, but it’s not much of a loss if he didn’t even have any actual power. And at least you know when NOT to genify someone. Forgive me, the Celestia I knew clearly seems to be long gone, so that information took me by surprise. I saw the results myself from the window in the library. So she’s not an impostor at all, that was the real one I saw there.” 

“Ohh so that crash we heard was you? What, were you a fan of hers? You know I can get you two to meet up after I change you if you want? Maybe spend some time in each other’s bottles hmm~?” Starlight says with a cheeky grin

Nova shakes her head, her face turning a little red “WHAT?! NO!” She quickly clears her throat, turning away from Starlight so that she wouldn’t see her blushing face. “ I…I mean no, I’m upset because now my own revenge may never be fulfilled” This makes Starlight tilt her head in confusion “Twilight may be our common enemy, but my true goal was to get revenge on Celestia herself” This makes Starlight lean forward, the information clearly grabbing her attention now.

“Hold on, explain. You can’t just say that and expect me to not have questions. Besides, I've been the only one telling a story here, but what about you? What's your angle in all this? Who exactly are you, Miss Nova?” Starlight asks, getting up to Nova’s face though she’s more playful than overly serious. “Don’t think you’re just getting all this information for free, missy.”

Nova lets out a sigh, thinking to herself “I’ll just give her the major details, no need for specifics.” She looks at Starlight, “alright sit down because this might take a while.” Starlight, having already invested so much time in telling her story and connecting with Nova, doesn't worry about wasting time anymore and genuinely wants to hear more. She leans back and relaxes.

“Go ahead, I’ve got plenty of time. I want to hear this. Not many ponies are brazen enough to actually state distaste for the main princess! So what happened to you?”

“Let’s just say my mother put me onto a path I don’t think I ever fully got off of. She was rotten, cruel and only cared for herself.” This made Starlight squirm, the story already sounding quite familiar to her. “She only cared to elevate her own status, using me to do so as well. Giving false praise only because she knew it would inspire me to go further in Celestia’s school which in turn would elevate her among the social elites. I thought Celestia might be able to fill that void if I worked to be better than every other student, but…that hope was clearly misplaced too. They were naive wishes of a child.” Nova spends more time recalling her school days leading up to what her mother did after she didn’t become Celestia’s personal student. Along with some of the hardships that came from it. “You want to know why I do what I do? It’s to prove them all wrong, prove to them that I can surpass Twilight, surpass Celestia, and show that I never needed any of them…” She said, shaking. 

Starlight hovered over to her and put a hoof on her shoulder

“You know I can understand where you’re coming from. Seems we have bad mothers in common. Mine was…well she sounded like she would’ve been good friends with yours and I do not mean that in a good way. But you’re not alone now, I can help make that dream of yours come true! In Geniequestria, nopony will ever have to experience inadequacy from their lack of magic. Everyone will be on a level playing field. And hey you can still have a level fight with Celestia or whatever it is you actually wanted to do to her. I could really use somepony of your expertise and life experience by my side” 

Nova gives a small smile “Thank you, Starlight.” She rubs her eyes and lets out a small laugh “You know it’s funny, had my dreams come to fruition. You and I wouldn’t be having this conversation right now. We’d be against each other as enemies. Life Is strange like that I suppose. And unlike Sparkle, I don’t think I would’ve been as merciful in our first encounter. But that’s basing things off of my personality as it is now. Who knows what I could’ve been like.”

“Is that so? It’s too bad we can’t settle it in a fair fight right now, I’d wipe the floor with you with my powers!” Starlight chuckles “You know, had I followed Sunburst to Celestia’s school, we might’ve been rivals for that personal student spot too. And I think we both know who would have gotten it between the two of us” She said in a playful manner.

“Oh you mean me right? You’re so kind to admit that! You’d be surprised at what I’m capable of despite being magically weaker. Maybe I could still take you on in your current state, it’s unwise to underestimate your opponent.” She smirks back at Starlight. There’s a silence as they stare at each other, it’s unclear how much they were being serious or if they were sizing each other up at this very moment. The silence is cut when the two of them burst into laughter “No point thinking about that scenario though! Still it’s because of our circumstances that we are able to meet in a kind manner such as this. I apologize for taking up more of your time, but there’s one thing I did want you to do before we had gotten sidetracked by our stories. I would like you to finish telling me what else you’ve accomplished so far but more importantly, I want to know the powers we will all have. Call it an early genie manifesto and instruction manual for everyone to easily comprehend what they can and cannot do. As I’m sure you’re not going to every individual pony who becomes a genie right? Even with your powers, there’s no time to be explaining to everyone each time. This will make the transition easier for everyone and may convince non genies to willingly transform without any forcible mind bending or whatever it was you needed to do to get the equestrian royalty on your side.” This offhand comment about mind bending does make Starlight’s eyes twitch but she does get what Nova meant and let it slide for now. “Will you be willing to participate in a small experiment or two along with answering some more questions on what it’s like to be a genie?”

Starlight nods, eager to get on with Nova’s ideas “Sure thing! This is my specialty after all,but you know it could just easily be answered by you becoming a genie right now.”

“Yes but that would show bias in my results and I’d prefer for the original genie to be the baseline. Now then let’s start back on the topic of vessels” Nova gets up and moves closer to Starlight and her lamp. Starlight watches her very closely “you said there’s an infinite space within and I assume that’s from the magic, but how durable is the vessel itself and what happens if it were to be damaged or even break? Also is it possible to have multiple vessels? Is it like how hermit crabs can change their shells?” She asks with her clipboard at the ready.

“No one I know has tried to have more than one vessel, but it is possible for a genie to go into another’s vessel! Trust me, it’s very satisfying to pull someone in with you~” She winks “To be honest I’m not sure if it can be damaged or broken. They’re all quite durable, sure mine isn’t a glass bottle like what I’ve been using for almost everypony else, but the properties are the same.  It’s not like anypony has tried to do that to theirs either…why do you ask?” 

Nova looks up at Starlight “I want to be aware of any possible weak points so that nopony can exploit them on us, it’s not smart to assume we will have a guaranteed victory because of our power. Overconfidence leads to disaster, just look at all of Equestria’s previous villains for example. If we know our weaknesses, we can work on making countermeasures.” She puts the clipboard down “Think about this, what would happen if someone were to grab your lamp or somepony’s bottle while they slept? What happens to a genie that’s shaken up like a bottle of soda? Does that disorient us, mess with our magical ability? If they hold the bottle, do they have power over us?” She leans in closer to Starlight’s lamp, fascinated by how the cutie mark is spread across it. “These things are crucial to a genie’s being so it’s best to keep it safe right? And just look at yours here, it’s quite intricate, look at the way your cutie mark stretches across it and…actually what is that writing on there? Does that say Catri…” Nova’s about to touch the lamp but it’s at that moment she’s sent flying back by Starlight with a massive amount of force.

WHAM!!

“DON’T YOU TOUCH IT!” She roars as Nova collides with the wall. The unicorn mare, taken by complete surprise as she falls to the floor shortly after, unmoving.

-On a sunny and bustling street of the great city of Canterlot, a well-dressed young mare strolls along with her head held high, humming a cheerful tune. In one foreleg she holds a lace parasol, twirling it above her every so often. She moves as though she is a sight to be envied, the elegant curls of her hair bouncing along her back with each peppy step. As she passes by ponies she offers sweet smiles and friendly greetings, earning many back in return. As she rounds a corner, taking in the beautiful sights of the grand city, a display of stylish dresses in a shop window on the other side of the street catches her eye. The mare admires them, contemplating whether to cross the street to get a better look. But due to being distracted she squeaks as she bumps into something - the back of somepony sitting hunched over at a table, just outside of an ice cream shop- Heather: *feels a tinge of annoyance for the blunder and the eyes she had drawn, but puts on her best sheepish smile. She speaks with an accented voice, one meant for a proper lady of social standing* Oh I'm so very sorry, love! I wasn't quite paying attention- -Heather cuts herself off as the other pony sits up and turns around. She soon finds herself wide-eyed, tilting her head back further and further just to find the pegasus' face. And there, she sees a familiar set of green eyes staring back at her. Heather's own eyes almost bulge at the sight of Monochrome Dashielle, nearly a foot taller and...very much in-shape, if the toned muscles underneath their light coat say anything. She's ready to briskly leave, forcing the run-in to end there, until- Monochrome: *calmly appraises her, closing the sketchbook in their hooves* Hello Heather. Heather: *internally curses, knowing she can't ignore a greeting of familiarity now, not with so many ponies within ear-shot. She forces a smile* Monochrome! Hello! *looks them up and down again* I...didn't recognize you! -Heather nervously shifts her eyes. Some ponies glance their way, surely curious of someone of high stature like her speaking to a normal citizen, but thankfully they continue on their way. Her attention only returns when she hears the pegasus hum- Monochrome: *stoically glances down at themself, then back at her* Yes...I suppose puberty was kind. Heather: *tenses, absolutely loathing the jab. Yet manages a stiff laugh* I suppose it was! Monochrome: *stares at her smile before meeting her eyes* ...I see you haven't changed much. -Heather desperately wants to scoff, or roll her eyes, but knows such ill-temper would land her in deep water. Canterlot, after all, is vast and so unlike the schools she had attended and proudly stood at the top of. Ponies here, especially in the higher classes, are willing to believe and chatter about the tiniest of things, reputation of a pony be damned. She has no choice but to keep in check her desire to tell off those who manage to insult her or get in her way. So she opts for option two: sweetly put them in their place- Heather: *gives a cheerful, sugary grin* Oh Monochrome dear, don't be so silly! So much has changed, actually~ You wouldn't believe it! *takes a step back so Monochrome can get a good look at her and all of her glory, dressed with only the finest of fabrics* Moving to Canterlot after I graduated Friendship Academy was truly a dream, darling~ It didn't take long for me to meet the love of my life! *proudly touches the golden ring hanging from her neck* You are looking at one Lady Heather Tart Reed~ *waves a hoof* Or Heather Reed for short. Mister Reed is a darling noble stallion. You should've seen us! We started off as business partners and just fell absolutely in love! Our company has been growing rapidly and successfully ever since~ Monochrome: Wow. Heather: *barely holds back her smirk* I know~ So much has happened in only a few years! Monochrome: No I mean you....actually managed to get married. Heather: *feels a vein twitch in her head. She pushes out a giggle* Of course I did! My dear is just absolutely smitten with me. *twirls her hair around her hoof* I have him wrapped around my hoof, really~ Monochrome: Huh. Poor guy. Heather: *plastering back on her sugary smile she rests her hooves on her cheeks and makes a show of glancing over Monochrome's form* So what about you, sweetheart? I don't see a ring on you. *flutters her eyelashes* Don't tell me you don't have a partner yet! Oh how awful! -Monochrome calmly stares back at her, and for a moment, Heather thinks she's struck them- Monochrome: *hums and glances off to the side* He's a partner. Just not the kind you're thinking of. He's one of Canterlot's most brilliant minds, actually. -With great timing, both ponies hear the bell of the ice cream shop chime as someone exits. Looking up, they see a short purple stallion wander out. He holds two ice cream cups within his magenta magic, scrutinizing the larger of them with squinted blue eyes-

Nova: Okay, so they didn't have my carrot spice gelato, so I caved and got their weekly special...

-Heather almost cringes at the treat. It's some sort of red velvet and milk chocolate ice cream sundae, littered with dark swirls of fudge and topped with large brownie chunks, strawberry syrup, and black and white sprinkles. She watches the stallion stare at it with a mix of awe and fear-

Nova: Chrome, if this kills me, tell my mom- *finally looks up and stops, noticing another pony with Monochrome* Oh...uh sorry, didn't know you had company.

Monochrome: I wouldn't call her that.

Heather: *smiling wide, she tilts her head and speaks through gritted teeth* Oh, Monochrome, you're just...an endless sea of wit, aren't you? Monochrome: *corner of their mouth twitches* It's all I have nowadays.

Nova: *snorts, light-heartedly rolling his eyes* Not true, but okay.

-Heather finds herself going quiet as she watches the unicorn stallion place the cups at Monochrome's table. A weird feeling of familiarity continuously gnaws at her as she stares at him. The brilliant colors of his mane strike her, yet no matter how much she tries, no sense of recognition hits her as she scans his face. It's almost as if she's failing to register it, compared to everything else about him. She's tempted to ask him if they've met before.

Heather then glances at his cutie mark and softly gasps. As an avid admirer of the princesses, she can recognize that brilliant spark from anywhere.-

Heather: (!!) *straightens excitedly* Nova Spark! Prince Nova Spark! Of course!

-Nova Spark tenses as Heather's exclamation garners attention and murmurs from surrounding ponies. The onlookers nosily try to take a peek, as they naturally would with a royal nearby. However, to Heather's surprise, Monochrome stands and moves to Nova's most exposed side, blocking the view of the staring ponies. Mo sends an uncomfortably intense stare back at them, forcing a number of them to flinch or look away, if not making them give glances sparingly.

Nova relaxes a bit, but not for long. Heather tucks her closed parasol under her arm and steps forward to happily take Nova's hooves into her own. She almost misses the deliciously irked look that crosses Monochrome's face as she does. This is her chance to impress the eavesdroppers and bystanders with oh-so-wonderful pleasantries and familiarity. She's sure that as she is now, she can finally charm him- Heather: *gives her award-winning sweet smile* Oh Prince Nova, I knew you looked familiar! It's so good to see you again! The glasses are quite a look! Nova: *stares at her, wide-eyed, before slowly turning his head to make eye contact with Monochrome, as if searching for some answer* Monochrome: *sighs heavily and shrugs, waving a hoof at him to go on* Nova: ....*turns back to Heather just as slowly* I uh...do I know you? Heather: *giggles. She can only guess how different she looks from her old drab self* 'Course you do, love~! We went to the same Friendship Academy! I was Heather Tart back then! Nova: .... Heather: We worked together during a few group projects~? Nova: ....*slowly raises an eyebrow* Heather: ...*sweats, smile slowly straining* Y-you and I earned some of the highest test scores in our grade, deary! Remember? -Mentally, Heather finds herself recalling that they went to Friendship Elementary too. But of course he wouldn't remember that. He was always so interested in...Eventide. So much so, Heather could never capture his attention for long. Oh how she had loathed that. All because Eventide had connections with his family. She patiently waits for him to ponder over it. Even if he can't remember right away, she knows a well-trained prince like himself would have the common decency to at least feign recognition.- Nova: *breathes in deeply, shoulders rising...only for his whole posture to fall at once, staring at her cluelessly* Yeah no, I got nothing. Sorry. -Heather can't stop her eye from twitching. Hearing a snerk, her gaze then shoots up to find Monochrome hiding half of their face behind their sketchbook. She doesn't need to see their mouth to notice the amused crinkle of their eyes. Who knew the prince was so...blunt. But even if ponies are listening in, she still has a chance to recover. If anything, his memory failure would just look bad on him.- Heather: *quickly pats his hoof* Oh don't worry! It has been a few years, my prince! Nova: *strains a smile, one that looks nothing but forced and awkward* Stick with 'Nova'. Heather: *laughs* How modest of you! But isn't that a little too familiar, Prince Nova- Monochrome: *sighs in annoyance, shooting her a look* Maybe just respect a pony when they tell you what they prefer to be called. Nova: Agreed... Heather: (!) O-oh, of course! My apologies! *feels a bit nervous, seeing the uncomfortable edge to Nova's posture. Quickly changes the subject, bringing back her peppy tone* So what's been happening on your end, Sir Nova~? I'd love to know! Nova: *perks up a bit* Oh. Well... *glances over at Monochrome. He lightens up, smiling brightly* Chrome and I are working on a big project together. So that's exciting. -A vein bulges in Heather's head. For Monochrome, of all ponies, to be working with a prince- Heather: *voice becomes a pitch higher* W-what kind of project? Monochrome: That's a secret. *seeing Heather shoot them a tense look, the corner of their mouth lifts* All a part of the partnership, dear. Nova: Yep! Heather: *laughs stiffly* W-well, that's great, Sir Nova! *tightens her hold on his hooves. At least now she had an opening to truly impress him* I actually have a partnership myself with my dear husband! *winks* Surely you've heard of Reed Enterprise, our rapidly growing corporation right here in Canterlot! We've been quite the talk on the streets and in the local newspapers~ Nova: ...no actually. Heather:  A-ah...well! That's quite alright! If you've only been visiting, of course it would be difficult hearing about us! Nova: *tilts head* Actually, I've been living here in Canterlot for...two? Three years now. Heather: *sucks in a sharp breath*......and you've...never once heard of us.

-Nova and Monochrome exchange a matching blank glance, simultaneously returning their attention to the earth pony after- Nova and Monochrome: No...

-Heather can physically feel her pride cracking. Her ears then catch a few whispers. Tensing, she's forced to remember the passing ponies and those still lingering nearby, no doubt listening in on this mess. She grits her teeth, determined for some way to save this conversation- Heather: (!!) A-anyway! That reminds me! I'm holding a party tonight at our penthouse, to celebrate our new office building! If you're free, you absolutely should drop by~ *lifts her head proudly* You'll see many familiar influential faces, knowing you~ Miss Rarity and Fancy Pants himself will be attending! Oh they'd be just elated to see you, I'm sure! Nova: *winces* Thanks. But I'd rather just...you know...stay home. -Nova bobs his head in a continuous nod, his mouth pressed into a tight line while Heather waits for more of an explanation. ...none comes. Only awkward, empty silence fills the air between them-

Heather: Please, at least consider it! *eyes flick nervously, landing on Monochrome* (!) I'll even invite Monochrome! You could both come together! -Though the thought of Monochrome attending exasperates her, Heather is convinced for a short moment that the offer has to be a selling point. However, something akin to a record scratch occurs. Nova shuts his eyes and shakes his head vigorously, as if uncertain if he had heard her right- Nova: Wait wait, stop, hold up- *eyebrows draw in as he pulls his body a significant distance away from her* You invited me to some party, right in front of Chrome, and you were about to leave them out? Heather: *caught off guard by how offended he looks, as if she had personally insulted him. She stumbles over herself for a proper response* W-well I just- I didn't think they'd enjoy such a scene- Nova: Because they're not royalty, like me. -With eyelids half-lidded, Nova raises a brow-

Heather: *feels a bit of panic, realizing attention is returning to them* Of course no- -Heather suddenly feels something dry and...leathery against her leg. Glancing down, she's greeted by the sight of a large tortoise, dressed with goggles and a strange mechanism on its back, as it ever-so-slowly pushes its head into her foreleg, actually managing to move it back. Startled, Heather releases her hold on Nova to jerk away from the wrinkly thing- Heather: What is that doing here?! Nova: *frowns* Well that's weird...never seen him do that before. Hang on, buddy- *attempts to pick the tortoise up, only to grunt as he struggles with its weight*....C-Chrome... Monochrome: *releases a breathy laugh, moving between the ponies to pick up their tortoise* Tank...were you trying to protect Nova from the strange lady?

Tank: *slowly nods his head* Monochrome: *smiles fondly and rests their head against his* Good boy. -Heather doesn't stop herself from finally shooting a glare at them, but swiftly drops it when Nova turns back around, eyeing her- Nova: ...I have to say. Inviting ponies based on social stature alone is pretty shallow. And, like...a pretty awful way of making friends, I'd think. *glances away* I mean, I'm really not the 'life of the party' like you're probably imagining. -Heather gapes, utterly dumbfounded. She then finally hears it; distant snorts of laughter, eagerly exchanged murmurs, a soft "damn" and "yikes". The earth pony's face burns horrendously, that word echoing in her head. 'Shallow'. At once she wishes she could snap at him, for the impudence and sheer indecency.- Monochrome: Nova...*eyes the table* I'm sorry to interrupt with tragic news, but... Nova: *follows Mo's gaze and yelps, seeing his ice cream cup almost completely melted* Oh come on... I was looking forward to that. Monochrome: *frowns at Nova's look of disappointment. They gently place Tank down and, reaching into their saddlebag, they hand the unicorn a few bits* Just go get another one. *pulls the melted cup towards their body* We can try it together and...have sugar comas later, I guess. Nova: *snorts* Gee, how comforting...*shakes his head smiling* Thanks Chrome. *awkwardly looks back at Heather one more time* I...guess that's it. Enjoy your party, uh... Heather: *voice takes on a flatter tone*  Lady Heather, sir. Nova: *eyes her warily* Yeah...bye then. -Nova proceeds towards the ice creams shop, entering it once more. Sitting there seething, Heather can't believe how much of a crude, ill-mannered stallion the Friendship Prince actually is. Nearby, Monochrome raises a brow at her.- Monochrome: Something wrong? He was just being honest. I thought a beacon of honesty like yourself would appreciate that. -Heather shoots a withering look at them, gritting her teeth to hold back words as she silently fumes. Monochrome cracks a smile, a glint in their eye- Monochrome: *leans their head down to meet Heather's gaze evenly, softly whispering* Nice try, but...turns out I'm not afraid of you either. Heather: *releases a soft growl, followed by a soft 'hmph' as she stands* If you would excuse me, I have actual business to tend to. Good day. -With that, Heather dramatically opens her parasol and elegantly trots away, ignoring ponies in the immediate area as she hides away her injured pride. Monochrome simply takes a spoonful of their melted ice cream, barely containing a growing satisfied smile that they give to Tank- Monochrome: Hopefully that'll humble her. For a while at least.

We momentarily skip ahead to present day, to see what Heather is up to. We have one pony who's making a name in high society, and another who couldn't care less about that world after abandoning it. Put them together and you get one very, very amused Monochrome. ...who, with all of the drama going on, I almost forgot was originally written to be petty as fuck. To those they think deserve it, at least. As seen in their introductory chapter, "Overpriced".