//------------------------------//
// When the sunset fades away... 
// Story: Shadow of Loyalty and Laughter 
// by Prismfire Productions 
//------------------------------//

It was a cool, crisp day in Ponyville and on the outskirts of town the Elements of Harmony, Starlight, and Spike had decided to take a break from their busy and slightly less chaotic lives in order to have a lunch date with Princess Celestia and Princess Luna in the Canterlot gardens behind the castle. Everything was going as they thought it would, everypony was engaged in bits of small talk. "I don't know about you darlings, but it does seem like the weather is a little too cool for this time of the year." Rarity said while wrapping her scarf around her neck tighter every time the wind blew.

"Yeah well we are scheduled for a colder than normal winter so get used to it Rars." Rainbow replied with a shrug of her withers. "I personally don't like it either, only reason I don't complain is because it makes perfect "fireplace and chill" weather whenever Pinkie invites me over for hot cocoa." No sooner than the words left her muzzle she shoved her hoof into it as Pinkie nearly choked on her hayburger. 

"Dang it Dashie....." Pinkie grumbled when she was able to finally able to catch her breath. "You triple-swore Pinkie Promised you were going to wait until the time was right."

"Yeah, and Rars brought up the weather which is technically on topic considering that is when our quality time is at it's best, ESPECIALLY when we are under a tin roof during a light thunderstorm." Rainbow replied with a sly smirk knowing she just one-uped the pink mare sitting beside her, who burned a shade of red brighter than the apples on Applejack's cutie mark as Rarity's eyes turned into those of a dirty minded individual looking for any dirt they could get their hooves on.

"Oh ponyfeathers....guess there is no need in hiding it now huh?" Pinkie then reached into her mane and pulled out 2 rings, putting one on herself and the other she hoofed over to Rainbow, who put it on the same time as she did. "We will be married for 2 years on the 8th of next month..." 

Everypony just stared at the couple for a few minutes before Twilight spoke up. "No wonder you two are so worried about each other whenever we go on quests or have to fight a villain every season." That earned a glare from Pinkie while the others, except Rainbow since she was snickering, looked at her confused. "Sorry Pinkie, I know normally that is your kind of thing, but I couldn't resist messing with someponies' minds in the name of scientific research to see how somepony would react to something outside the norm."

"That's the ONLY reason why I'm letting it go...just...this...once..." Pinkie said in almost a growl before calming down. "Anyways, sorry we didn't have a proper wedding but we didn't want to risk a certain Queen from doing something stupid..."

"And yet she did anyway and now Thorax rules over the changelings." Celestia interjected. "Also, there is a pony who I want you to extend your friendship towards, and it is a pony Twilight knows very well." At that moment, a unicorn with an orange coat, red and yellow mane, and sunburst cutie mark came trotting over to them from inside the ballroom and Twilight couldn't believe her eyes.

"Is that really you Sunset Shimmer? Why are you back on this side of the portal and not at Canterlot High?"

"Summer Vacation, and it just isn't me that came here." She motioned behind her and the other Elements couldn't believe their eyes, coming towards them were exact duplicates of themselves, the only difference being that each of them had their manes in twin loop pigtails as a way to identify the groups apart. "While at Camp Everfree, me and the other Rainbooms each learned some new magic and Principles Celestia and Luna thought it would be a good idea to come and learn from you how to control it. Although I got to admit I really did miss this form."

"Don't blame you a bit, I remember how thankful I was to come back here after my first visit to the..."h" world...." Twilight whispered to make sure a certain mint green unicorn mare did not hear. "How about we have dinner tonight and properly catch up?" 

"Sorry Twi but I got a few things to do tonight, so how about lunch tomorrow instead? Cross my heart and hope to fly; stick a cupcake in my eye that I will make that arrangement on time if you agree to it." Sunset said in an apologetic tone knowing how bad it hurt Twi's feelings that she was putting off some time she wanted so bad herself but hoping the fact that she Pinkie Promised would curb the blow. Thankfully it did just that.

"Well....you did Pinkie Promise so I guess it will be ok. I got some catagorizing to do myself anyway so see you at 11:30." 

"Sounds good to me." Sunset then hugged Twilight before Twi took off for the Castle of Friendship with Spike on her back due to a quick teleportation spell she used on him. Everypony chuckled before Sunset noticed Rainbow and Pinkie's rings. "Say, I didn't know you two were married, where are the lucky stallions?"

"We are married to eachother Sunset...." Rainbow and Pinkie answered in unison. Now under any other situation that would have instigated a fight, but due to the fact Sunset had no idea of the truth both mares decided to let it go. Their counterparts from the Rainbooms were speechless to the point they walked off to stand in the nearest corner they could find to think about their lives.

"My apologies....but anyways we best be going, I need a nap and show the others the guest suite in the castle where they will be staying." Sunset said in a low tone and after saying their farewells the Rainbooms left behind her as did the others due to it being close to afternoon court but Luna pulled Rainbow and Pinkie off to the side before she left.

"Remember you are training tonight..."

"We know your highness, and thanks for the time off..." The couple said with a bow. Luna left the two and they simply decided to nap under the largest tree to pass the time. That night after Celestia went to bed, they both went to Princess Luna's chambers dressed in their full Lunar Republic uniform. 

"Oh hello girls, I would like to introduce you to the newest recruit due to the increase in security as we prepare my subjects." Luna said with a smile as a mare stepped out of the shadows in the corner of the room. Rainbow and Pinkie couldn't believe it, it was a mare who they just saw hours ago....


Sunset Shimmer