Well, we don't all have magical horns.
I've been meaning to move these older books
to my reference section for a while.
Got to keep the new books front and center!
Thank you both for your help.
Are you kidding?
After all you've done for me,
this is the least I can do.
Oh, please. I haven't done that much.
Nah. You just taught me the value of friendship.
Not much at all.
I may have offered some guidance,
but you are responsible
for the pony you've become.
I'm proud to call you my student and my friend.
Now we just need to get rid of these boxes.
Spike, can you—? Spike?
What's that?
Is it a bird?
Is it a parasprite?
It's... it's... incoming!
Oh. I usually get letters by dragon.
It is the fastest way to get mail!
For me? Who'd be sending me a letter?
It's... the ponies from my old village.
Are they in danger?
Are they upset with you?
No... It's worse!
They've invited me to the annual Sunset Festival!
Uh, hey there, everypony.
Uh... Hey, Starlight. What are you doing here?
I-I... I was invited. To the Sunset Festival?
Uh, yeah,
but we didn't think you'd actually show up.
You didn't think we really wanted you here, did you?
But... I... apologized.
I thought everything was fine.
Please...! Stop...! Stop!
What happened?
Is anypony there?
Princess Luna?
W-What are you doing here?
Dreams are my domain, Starlight Glimmer.
I am here because you need me to be.
Oh. It's only a dream.
It may only be a dream,
but the feelings in it are real.
Great.
So I guess I'm more afraid
of going back to the village than I thought.
What do I do now?
I have been helped time and time again
by six very special ponies.
They helped me overcome my past.
You're fortunate to have them as friends.
I suggest you share your concerns with them.
I see much of myself in you, Starlight Glimmer,
and I can tell you from personal experience
that things do indeed get better.
...and Princess Luna said I should tell you
all how I was feeling.
So... there it is.
I'm afraid to go back
to the village for the celebration.
But why, darling? You went back to apologize.
They accepted. Everypony has moved on.
But have they?
They don't really know how much I've changed.
Or even worse, maybe
I haven't changed as much as I think I have!
Trust me. You are a totally different pony now.
I mean, you were pretty awful.
Rainbow Dash!
What? She was! It's a compliment!
I don't think they would've sent the invitation
if they didn't want you to come.
I'm sure they'd be happy to see you.
And getting an invitation
to a party and not going?!
That's like... I-It's like...!
Well, I don't know what it's like,
but it is definitely bad.
Just be honest with them.
I'm sure they'll understand
where you're comin' from.
I understand how hard this is for you.
Maybe if you took a friend along,
it might make things easier.
Somepony you trust who would look out for you?
Thanks so much for doing this, Trixie.
When Twilight said I should bring a friend,
you were the first pony I thought of.
Great idea, Princess Twilight.
Asking me –
Starlight's best friend –
to help her on this difficult journey
really shows how wise
a princess you have really become.
Thanks, Trixie.
I was talking about me.
The festival lasts a whole week,
but I'm sure we won't stay that long.
Oh. I don't know, Starlight.
Time really flies when you're spending it
with your best friend!
There it is! The town where you—
Magically stole everypony's cutie marks,
replaced them with equal signs,
and forced them all to hide their natural talents? Yes.
I was going to say where you came from,
but yours is a more... emotionally traumatic answer.
I just want to... blend in.
Being just another pony in the crowd enjoying
the Sunset Festival with my friend.
Sounds good to me! And if things get weird for you,
just let me know.
I've got your flank.
Is that a promise?
Not just a promise.
A great and powerful promise!
Well, I couldn't ask for more than that.
If we're gonna do this, let's do it.
Oh! Starlight, you came!
We were worried you wouldn't be able to make it!
Are you staying the whole week?
We have different events planned each day!
How is it living in a castle?
It is so good to see you!
Oh, yeah. These ponies are terrifying.
It's good to see all of you, too.
You got here just in time.
We were having some debate about these banners.
Which do you think feels more 'sunsetty'?
O-Oh, you don't need me to decide that.
Whatever you think is probably best.
Uh, well, how about helping us with the routes
for the relay races tomorrow?
Can you take a look?
Oh, I-I shouldn't.
You all go ahead.
I-I just want to enjoy the festival.
But you will be a judge
for the baking competition, right?
We had a few questions about the order
of the acts for the talent show.
And the unicorns have a fireworks show planned!
We could really use your help!
No!
The Great and Powerful Trixie
would like to thank you all
for being such an amazing audience.
Sadly, it is time for us to depart.
Goodnight, fillies and gentlefoals!
I was horrible when I led that town!
I was ready for them to not trust me, but...
I wasn't ready for them
to put me in charge again!
With my past,
I should never be in charge of anything!
So you messed up. Big deal.
Don't you ever tell another pony I said this,
but even Trixie's made mistakes.
I know!
The trick is to just move on
and pretend they never happened.
I feel like that's almost good advice.
Hey, uh, Pinkie Pie!
Hey... you!
So... you're probably wondering
why I'm back so soon.
Where were you?
I... went to my old village?
For the festival?
Ooh, sounds fun!
How was it?
It was kind of a disaster.
I came back early because I freaked out!
Ooh, sounds awful! Bye!
That was... strange.
Isn't she always strange?
Yeah, but not like that.
I'm back early.
Ah. Welcome back?
Have you two noticed Pinkie
acting a little strange?
Pinkie Pie always acts strange.
Told you.
Anyway, I wanted to talk to all of you.
Things didn't go the way I thought
they were going to go at the Sunset Festival.
What happened?
I kind of freaked out
and ran out of the village.
You freaked out and ran away from a festival?
That's the funniest danged thing
I've heard all day.
Let me guess. The decorations were terrifying!
...Applejack for friendship business.
Hello, ponies.
We need Rarity and Applejack.
Very important friendship business.
I have to say,
I'm really not as impressed with your friends
as the rest of Equestria is.
I need to talk to Twilight!
Twilight? Hello?
What do you want?
Twilight's very busy!
Spike, I really need to speak with her.
Make an appointment!
She's a princess, after all!
What's wrong with you?
Why are you being so—
Rude? I think a certain dragon
didn't get his nap today.
Yeah, right. Whatever.
Sorry.
He's been acting a little off all day.
I think he missed a meal or something.
He's not the only one.
Everypony's acting a little strange today.
Yes, it's definitely been one of those days!
How are you?
Not great, actually. You're probably wondering
why I'm back from the village so early.
I didn't want to bring it up,
but yeah, it did seem strange.
Did it not go well?
The townsponies kept asking me things,
like they expected me to be in charge again.
But being a leader is the last thing I should ever be.
So we left.
Very suddenly. In a literal puff of smoke.
Wow, you should definitely
never go back to that village.
What?
If you were worried
what they thought of you before,
it's probably way worse now.
I'd cut my losses.
That's... surprising advice, coming from you.
Trust me. I'm the Princess of Friendship.
You don't need those ponies.
You can always make more friends.
Ah! Speaking of friends,
if you'll excuse me,
important business to attend to!
Cut my losses? That can't be right.
Hey, I wanted to apologize
for my behavior earlier.
Party Favor, can you hear me?
I told you you can never speak to them again!
What are you all doing here?
Making sure you do what I said!
I'm your teacher, aren't I?
Didn't I say to never come back here?!
Yes, but that just doesn't seem right.
You aren't acting like yourself.
Something is wrong!
A dream? This is another dream!
Starlight Glimmer...!
Princess Luna?
Starlight Glimmer!
Princess Luna, where are you?
Starlight Glimmer, there is no time!
You must get help!
What? What are you talking about?
This is just a dream!
Not here! In the waking world!
They've taken my sister and I!
It's worse than the last time!
Your dream called to me,
and I was able to break through!
You must find help!
What are you saying?!
Who's taken you?!
Be careful who you trust!
You need all the help you can find!
The changelings have returned and—
Princess Luna!
They're back!
Trixie? Trixie, it's Starlight!
Are you awake?
Of course, Princess Celestia...
I'd love to perform for peanut butter crackers...
Trixie, wake up!
Starlight? What time is it?
It's late.
I think I figured out what's wrong with my friends!
I have a whole list of things
that are wrong with your friends.
We can go over it in the morning.
No, Trixie, we're in danger!
Okay, fine!
Aside from lack of sleep, how are we in danger?
I think the—!
What did you tell me never to tell another pony?
Starlight, if you woke me up to play guessing games—
After we left my village,
what did you tell me to never tell
another pony you said?
That even Trixie makes mistakes.
Trixie, there's no time for this!
What did you say?
That even Trixie's made mistakes!
Okay? Are you happy?!
Yes. Sorry.
I just had to make sure you weren't...
one of them!
One of who?
A changeling!
I think they've taken
Princess Celestia and Princess Luna!
What?! Are you sure?! I mean, what do we—?
We have to tell Twilight!
If I'm right, then it's too late for that.
Is it ready?
Just one more.
Queen Chrysalis!
Ugh. I can't take any of you
seriously when you look like that.
Oh, right.
Much better. Now report!
Everything here is going according to plan!
We've replaced the six ponies and their dragon,
and have taken control of the castle!
Excellent.
And I've just received word that the princesses
from Canterlot have successfully
been replaced as well.
We thought too small last time.
One ponynapped princess wasn't enough.
With all the most beloved ponies
of Equestria taken care of,
nopony can stop us!
I can't deal with this!
I'm just a performer!
This is...
This is princess-level stuff!
But the changelings have all the princesses...
We're doomed!
Maybe not.
Uh, Queen Chrysalis said they only took
Luna and Celestia and obviously
Twilight and the others...
but maybe Cadance is still safe.
Our best bet is to get to the Crystal Empire
before the changelings do.
That way we can—
There's no help coming from the Crystal Empire.
Thorax?
Yes.
Your wings look... different.
I guess they do.
How do I know you're not
some other changeling pretending to be Thorax?
You were there when Spike defended me
to the ponies of the Crystal Empire.
Princess Twilight said—
As the Princess of Friendship,
I should set an example for all of Equestria.
But today it was Spike who taught me—
Okay, okay. I believe you.
We don't need the whole speech.
Trixie, this is Thorax.
He's a reformed changeling.
He's on our side. Understand?
Hi. It's a pleasure to...
If Starlight says you're on our side,
I believe her.
But maybe just stay over there for now, okay?
What did you mean there's no help?
Did the changelings get Cadance too?
They took Cadance, Shining Armor,
and Flurry Heart!
Sunburst sent me here
to get Princess Twilight's help, but...
but it sounds like it's too late for that, too!
So... what should we do?
Yeah, Starlight. What are we gonna do?
I... I don't know!
There has to be somepony else
who can handle this?
There is nopony else!
Everypony with powerful magic is already gone!
You know whenever ponies
talk about powerful magic,
they always leave me out.
If I weren't so evolved,
I might decide to take it personally.
Well, isn't this quite the combination
of secondary characters?
Where are Twilight and the girls?
First, how do we know that you're really you?
Shall I continue?
Chrysalis and the changelings are back.
They've ponynapped all
of the most powerful ponies in Equestria!
Celestia, Luna, Cadance, Shining Armor,
Flurry Heart, Twilight and her friends.
We need to—
They took Fluttershy?
Yes!
Where?
The Changeling Kingdom.
With you on our side, I can—
Odd. I was trying to take
us right to Fluttershy,
but there is no Fluttershy.
I think I have a pretty good idea
where she might be...
I'd hoped never to see that place again. Now what?