//------------------------------// // Chapter 10: Remembering // Story: The Sunset of a Frozen Princess // by DaylightHobbyist //------------------------------// “We’re very sorry sweetie, you seem like a wonderful little filly, really, but we just don’t think we’d be able to properly care for somepony with your…unique abilities. Right, Honey?” a sky-blue unicorn mare said, motioning to her husband. “I can’t feel my face,” the stallion next to her said in a daze, completely unaware of what was happening around him, his face blackened with soot, what remained of his mane burning on certain ends. “…Right. We’re sorry, Sunset, but we just don’t think we’re the right ponies for you. I’m sure they’re out there somewhere though. Can we see the next foal, please?” the mare finished turning to the gray broad-shouldered mare sitting across the table from her. The gray furred earth pony gave a long-suffering sigh at the predictable result, readjusting her glasses in a poor attempt to mask her irritation. “Of course. Sunset, wait outside please.” “Yes, ma’am,” a dejected unicorn filly muttered, gingerly picking up the book she had brought to the room in her cyan magic, taking extra care not to put too much power into her magic. “The others aren’t like her, are they?” Sunset heard the blue unicorn whisper to her caregiver before she was even fully out of the room. “No. You’ll almost certainly find the other foals here far more manageable.” Sunset felt the tears welling up in her eyes before the next foal was even through the door. She had blown it. Again. Looking out the window of her second-story room in the dormitory she saw the unicorn couple she had met with earlier hail a carriage, a young pegasus colt walking happily between them. She watched their carriage depart until it rode out of the field of her view as if she was seeing her future ride away from her. “That was the fourth family this month, Sunset.” “I know, Mrs. Pen,” Sunset responded without even turning away from the view. “Do you? There are only so many ponies out there looking for somepony to add to their household. Even fewer that are willing to even see you anymore with how little control you have over your own magic. If you can’t get a handle on this soon, well, it’s difficult to say what will happen to you,” Mrs. Pen reprimanded, readjusting her ill-fitting glasses. “I’m trying,” Sunset responded, barely above a whisper. “Then you need to try harder. Your sixth birthday is only a few months away, Sunset,” the gray mare finished, leaving Sunset to stew in her thoughts. It wasn’t fair. It REALLY wasn’t fair. Sunset walked over to her bed and pulled out the two books on magic she kept stored underneath. The only two that she had been able to procure from the meager selection offered at Canterlot’s most run-down orphanage. Sunset briefly used her small hooves to flip through the pages she had memorized through sheer repetition in some unrealistic hope that she would find some crucial key component she had missed all those times before. She didn’t. Useless. It was all so USELESS! A loud crash rang through the room, both books angrily flung into the far wall with an excessive amount of force, courtesy of cyan magic. It was likely the books were now damaged beyond repair, but Sunset couldn’t find it in herself to care. It wasn’t as though they had ever been useful to anypony. Simple beginner level instructions meant for foals that could barely levitate anything heavier than the books themselves. Not a freakish filly that couldn’t use her own magic without destroying anything she touched. Maybe if she could just get somepony to teach her how to control her magic or at least some books on more advanced magic, she could learn to suppress her power. Then she could be like the other foals. Then, maybe sompony would actually want her. Maybe she could have a family. And maybe she could rule all of Equestria on top of it. It was about as likely as the rest of her old fantasies. The fact was that she didn’t have any of those things. Nopony in this part of Canterlot could teach her, and it was unlikely her, “caretakers” would be willing to part with the money for such a service any more than they were willing to give her some more advanced books that were written sometime this century. Even as young as she was, Sunset found it ridiculous how eager they seemed to be to get rid of her, but nopony wanted to put in the effort to help her. Sunset had spent as long as she could remember in this orphanage, and every day it seemed it would be where she would spend her entire childhood. Soon, she’d be past the desirable age for adoption and it’d only get more and more unlikely anypony would so much as look at her. If only she didn’t have so much stupid magic. Maybe she’d actually have a chance to get out of this place. Maybe her parents, whoever they were, wouldn’t have left her here to begin with. A wet feeling along her muzzle brought Sunset back to reality. At some point, she had started crying without even realizing it. The stream was quickly stemmed by a small foreleg roughly rubbing the tears away. Self-pity had never helped anypony. She had shed enough tears to know that by now. All she could do was practice and hope. Sunset made sure to clean any sign she had been crying off her face before she left for her favorite spot out back. A quiet area where her magic couldn’t hurt anypony while she learned to suppress it. She just had to keep practicing. Keep hoping. It was all she had. Sunset awoke with a start, her breaths coming heavily before quickly settling into a more sedated pace. Her mind catching up to the reality of the dark bedroom. That had been…interesting. Dreams were nothing new to her by any means. Sunset had thought herself intimately familiar with them in all their forms. Fantasies, memories, nightmares, but this had been something different. Dreaming of an old memory wasn’t uncommon. Sunset had experienced several dreams recounting her storied life when she closed her eyes to sleep. In all her years though, she had never dreamt anything so…vivid. Something so real and clear it was as though she was living through it all over again. So completely grounded and accurate in its details Sunset was positive she’d never have been able to recall such an old memory with such startling clarity if she tried right now. There had been nothing to indicate it had even been a dream. No inconsistent images or nonsensical imagery and events she’d need a trained psychiatrist to decipher the meaning of. Just a moment where she had been forced back into a different time from a different life. Most curiously of all, she had felt it. Rather than playing an observer, she had experienced all the harrowing emotions that came with that experience. It was like she had been a lost little filly all over again. A faint red glow that likely would have only been noticeable in the dim room’s dark lighting caught Sunset’s attention now that her mind had fully shaken off sleep’s embrace. The light faded as Sunset looked towards its only possible source. The Geode. The magic stone she had owned for roughly ten years had just been glowing of its own accord. Sunset had enough experience with the magical rock to know that such an occurrence wasn’t normal. Glowing meant magic. Magic that was being used for something. It had been years since the geode had used its magic without her first calling on it. Not to mention that in all the years she had owned it, Sunset had never known its magic to affect her own memories. Sunset was torn between her excitement at the new magical development and worry at the prospect of the geode going out of control once again for some unknown reason. Either way, the study of the geode in Equestria had just moved up significantly on her to-do list. Now that the strange phenomenon had been noted, Sunset had time to take note of the rest of her body. Looking down in the direction of the Geode, she could see that she was laying on her side in a rather comfortable bed. A typical situation for somepony waking up in the middle of the night. What was most certainly not typical was the long purple limb that was draped over her. The small oscillations of a soft pressure against her back accompanied by a faint snoring sound managed to eradicate whatever drowsiness remained in Sunset’s now fully alert mind. Last night’s events quickly rushed back to her. It appeared she was still in Twilight’s bedroom. In Twilight’s bed. In a position with the reigning monarch of the land that most creatures would agree was more intimate than most friends would engage in. Sunset felt her face heat up the longer she lingered on just how close the two had gotten in their sleep, a nagging voice in her mind annoyingly dwelling on just how unbelievably soft Twilight was. For both their sakes, Sunset made to put some distance between them, doing her best to scoot out from under her foreleg and off the bed. Twilight gave an audible whine of protest at the departing presence and quickly scooped Sunset into a far firmer and even more intimate hold than the one they had been in previously. Sunset was utterly helpless against the alicorn’s vastly superior strength and could only softly squeak in surprise as she was helplessly captured against the chest of the sleeping alicorn in a gentle but solid grip, Twilight wrapping around her smaller frame in a cradle. Sunset’s small blush flared up tenfold at the unexpected embrace. Twilight had wrapped both her forelegs around her in a way that firmly pinned her own forelegs against her sides. By all accounts, she was completely helpless. Unable to do any more than squirm around in Twilight’s hold. At this point, it was hard to imagine anything more embarrassing than her current situation. “mhm…where are you going, Smarty Pants? We still have to organize the candy library’s catalog,” Twilight yawned out in her sleep. “Of course, this situation could always get MORE embarrassing,” Sunset thought through the mortified expression she now wore. This was just outrageous. She was one of the most powerful and gifted unicorns Equestria had ever seen. One of the few ponies to have learned directly from Princess Celestia herself. One of the few ponies to have traveled between worlds. She had studied both magic and science across those worlds for years. Battled and studied magic most ponies had never even seen before. She once had plans to rule the entire world for Celestia’s sake! Now, look at her. Reduced to a purple princess’s snuggle toy! As if the universe couldn’t wait a second longer to rub salt into the wound, Twilight stirred once again to full-on cuddle her. “Did you do something different with your mane, Smarty Pants?” Twilight mumbled unconsciously in whatever blissful dream she was having, “I like it. So…warm,” Twilight sighed nuzzling into Sunset’s mane for good measure. Sunset prayed for whatever deity was listening to strike her down right now. Sadly, the universe wasn’t feeling very merciful at the moment, and Sunset continued to be wrapped in the unyielding, though admittedly still unbelievably soft, embrace. For a brief moment, Sunset considered just submitting and going back to sleep. Things truly couldn’t get any worse at this point. The visible clock on the far wall put a stop to that idea. Like everypony else, Sunset approximated the time of day by the sun’s light. Initially, she had assumed the night’s sky meant it was still time to sleep. Problem was, the pony responsible for the sun’s light was soundly asleep right behind her, and, according to the time, the sun was due to rise nearly an hour ago. The keeper of the sun had overslept. “Hey, Twilight…Twilight!” Sunset called out to the slumbering alicorn. Twilight gave no visual indication that she had even heard the relatively loud calls for her. The princess seemed to be a very sound sleeper, and from her current position, Sunset had no other way of rousing her. Sunset mentally went through the list of spells she could use to get out of her current situation. She may not have had any use of her limbs, but she could always depend on her horn with the right amount of focus and determination. As if sensing this, Twilight shifted her weight to lie more on her stomach, practically crushing the unicorn under her own weight and destroying any complex train of thought. “GAH…Twilight!? Get…off…of…me! Can’t…breath!” No matter how soft Twilight’s coat was, it did nothing to lessen what must have been over a hundred pounds of fur, muscle, and feathers, all doing its part to smother the poor mare that was barely half her size. Why did Twilight have to get so big? For her part, embarrassment had finally taken a backseat to rage. There was only so much of this Sunset could take before losing her cool, and, with a strength previously unknown to her, Sunset lifted Twilight up enough to speak clearly. The time for tact was over. “Hey, Twilight! Is that a quesadilla under your pillow!?” The result was insultingly instantaneous. Twilight shot up with frightening speed, still not letting go of her substitute Smarty Pants. “NOT THE CHEESE!” Twilight’s eyes darted around in a panic, desperate to spot the danger and cowering like a cornered mouse. Such a strong reaction out of such a ridiculous phobia. Sometimes, Twilight made it really hard for Sunset to believe she had been so soundly defeated by this complete dork. “Calm down, Twilight. It’s okay. You’re safe.” “Wha-Sunset?! Who…Where…?” “Just breath.” Twilight took Sunset’s advice without question and performed her usual exercises to calm herself. “Better?” “Yeah…I think so.” “Great…now I can’t believe I have to keep telling you this, but please put me down.” Twilight’s adorable nervous chuckle was almost enough for Sunset to immediately forgive being treated like a toy. Almost. Twilight gently set the unicorn down in front of her, trying her best not to stare at just how disheveled Sunset appeared to be. She didn’t do a very good job. “What?” “Oh, uhm nothing…it’s just…. Well, you look a little…” Twilight trailed off, reaching a hoof out to smooth one of the many strands of Sunset’s mane, each jutting out in one of countless nonsensical directions. Her efforts were received with little success and an ever more agitated Sunset Shimmer. “You know what. Maybe if I just…” Twilight rambled before effortlessly replicating the spell she had seen Sunset use last night to summon a brush to aid her. The gesture was met with immediate rejection, Sunset quickly backing away from the prospect. “Oh no. I’m not letting you anywhere near my mane after what you did to yours.” “Wha-come on, Sunset.” “Not happening, Twilight” Twilight visibly frowned at Sunset’s stubborn refusal. “Hey, I’m just trying to help. Your mane and fur are all out of place.” “Well, that’s what happens when you’re run over by an alicorn twice your size,” Sunset bit back. Twilight seemed to have forgotten that Sunset had a spell for this exact situation. A little magic and she’d be perfectly presentable. Sunset prepared to cast the spell before the look on Twilight’s face stopped her. The princess seemed surprisingly dejected at having her help refused, disappointment clear in her expression. Whatever threats her mane might have faced, it would be worth it to get rid of the sad look on Twilight’s face. “Alright, fine…just, try to keep it how I like it. I’ve got a certain style to maintain,” Sunset conceded, slowly scooting back into Twilight’s range. The look on Twilight’s face made whatever bad mane day she might end up having worth it. “There’s something you should probably do before you start, though.” “Oh, what’s that?” “The sun, Twilight.” “It’s been an entire hour now. Shouldn’t we be worried, Dad?” A young earth pony asked the pegasus putting the finishing touches on today’s pastries. “Nah, don’t you worry, son. Princess Twilight’s probably just overslept again. Though it has been a few decades since she’s done something like this.” His father’s assurance brought little comfort to his son, as he looked out in worry to the still pitch-black sky at an hour where the sun should have been fully risen. Surely something so unnatural couldn’t simply be the result of something so mundane. “Say, can you ask your Aunt Pumpkin if she remembers where we put the single-colored sprinkles? All I have here is rainbow sprinkles.” “How can you be so calm about this, Dad? The sun’s missing!” “Calm down now. This isn’t the first time something like this has happened. You’ll see. Any second now the sun’s going to shoot right up.” As if on cue, a faint and hysterical distant scream echoed through the air, just before the moon fell and the sun shot straight into the sky at an unreasonable speed, practically blinding anycreature watching with a sudden surge of daylight. “Told ya.” The Sun now risen, however abruptly, and with both ponies in a presentable state, Sunset Shimmer and Twilight Sparkle had decided to eat out for breakfast. One of the modest diners found throughout Ponyville being perfectly capable of fulfilling their needs. “So, what’s next after breakfast?” Sunset asked, though she already had a good idea of what Twilight had planned. “I was thinking we could head straight to Pinkie’s after we’re done here. If that’s all right with you,” Twilight responded in between bites of her food. “Whatever you want, Twi,” Sunset assured her, idly stirring her food. “Is something on your mind, Sunset?” Twilight asked. Sunset nearly jumped in surprise at the sudden change in conversation. “Huh? Oh, no. Don’t worry about me.” Twilight raised an eyebrow in a manner that clearly indicated she didn’t buy what the pony in front of her was selling. “Sunset, you promised we weren’t going to do this sort of thing anymore.” Sunset had to wonder when exactly Twilight had gotten so good at reading her. She hadn’t been particularly obvious that her mind was elsewhere at the moment, but the alicorn sitting across from her had easily picked it out. Never mind that she had a point. If she wanted Twilight to let her in, she’d have to do the same, even if it wasn’t particularly important. “I had a weird dream last night. That’s all,” Sunset conceded “What kind of dream?” Twilight prodded, not having any noticeable reaction to this information in particular. “A magic one.” Twilight cocked her head in confusion. “What exactly is a ‘magic’ dream?” “Something to do with this,” Sunset sighed, bringing her geode up with her hoof to give Twilight a clear view. “It felt like I was reliving one of my memories, and when I woke up this was doing…something,” Sunset finished lamely, not sure how to describe what she was talking about. “I take it that’s not normal,” Twilight commented, unfortunately, unfamiliar with the magic Sunset and her friends possessed. Sunset shifted the geode to look at it herself. “Well, no. It’s supposed to let me see the memories and emotions of other people, and presumably ponies, but it’s never made me see my own before.” “Well, it’s never been in Equestria for longer than a few hours before,” Twilight pointed out. “Who knows what sort of effect the magic of this world could be having on magic that’s been altered by the human world. We’ll probably need to study it before we understand exactly how it works in Equestria.” Twilight’s face smoothly shifted from analytical to concerned. “Until then, are you sure you should still be wearing it? If its magic is acting outside of your control, maybe it’d be safer to put it away until we determine it’s safe.” “Well, the best way to understand developing magic is to experience it,” Sunset shrugged. The clearly unhappy expression on Twilight’s face led Sunset to quickly elaborate on her thought process. “What I mean is, there’s no reason to think the magic in the geode is dangerous, and it’d be easier to learn how the magic is changing if I have first-hoof experience.” Twilight was well aware Sunset preferred a more active approach when it came to magic, in contrast to her own preferences for books and careful study, but it didn’t make Twilight any happier about the idea of Sunset using herself as a lab rat. “Just promise me you’ll be careful.” “Twi, when am I ever not careful? That’s rhetorical by the way.” The two briefly resumed polishing off their breakfasts before a sudden thought struck Twilight, and her gaze lingered on the magic stone hanging from Sunset’s neck. “Hold on…how’d you know I was afraid of….” Twilight started, quickly losing her nerve as she trailed off, unable to finish her question, mouth refusing to cooperate and a fresh blush falling over her face. “You mean quesadillas?” Sunset finished in an off-handed manner, not even bothering to stop eating. It didn’t help that she couldn’t have possibly been any louder without shouting in Twilight’s opinion. “Yes…that,” Twilight forced out, embarrassment being momentarily superseded by indignance. “I’ve never actually told anypony that. Not even my friends. How’d you know about it?” she questioned, her tone not necessarily accusing, but still skeptical. “Oh, well it was actually just a guess,” Sunset casually responded, still barely giving Twilight any more attention than necessary. “A guess?!” Twilight shouted loud enough for everypony else to take notice. Quickly realizing she was drawing attention, Twilight sank into their booth in embarrassment before pressing on in a strained whisper. “You’re telling me you just guessed one of my deepest and darkest secret fears!?” “Are we still talking about a dish made of cheese and tortillas?” The look Twilight shot her was surprisingly frosty and convinced Sunset to take this conversation at least a little seriously. “Look, I didn’t raid your mind if that’s what you’re thinking,” Sunset clarified. “As a wise man once said, ‘with great power comes great responsibility’. You don’t actually think I would do that to you, do you?” Sunset asked. Twilight quickly shook off her intensity. “No, no of course you wouldn’t. I’m sorry. It was just a little strange. So, you really just guessed it by pure luck, huh?” “I didn’t say that.” Twilight’s annoyance came back as fast as it had left. Sunset was messing with her again now, and she always seemed to know how to press her buttons. “Can you stop toying with me already and just tell me how you knew?” “Okay okay,” Sunset conceded, deciding to cut Twilight a break. “I didn’t exactly know, but I had a pretty good reference.” “A reference?” “You’re not the only Twilight I know, Twilight.” Twilight took on an astonished look as the pieces came together for her. “You two have a lot more in common than just looking like each other. I knew you were afraid of, heh, quesadillas because she absolutely flipped this one time when we had lunch at this Mexican place.” Sunset quickly became engrossed in recounting her findings, to the point she missed Twilight’s drooping expression. “I knew about her fear of ladybugs, for instance, because you told me they freak you out. It’s amazing how similar you both are despite growing up in totally different worlds. You both have the same reading preferences, the same nervous ticks, the same awkward smile, the same sparkle in your eyes when you get excited, heck, you even both have the exact same laugh!” Sunset listed off in obvious excitements. “So…we’re both just copies of each other?” Twilight said, a slight waver in her voice that somepony paying close attention might be able to catch. “What? Oh, no!” Sunset waved off. “That’s the best part. Despite all these inexplicable constants, there are so many facets of your personality that are also totally unique to you!” “…Like what?” “Well, for starters, the other Twilight is a MUCH better dancer.” “Wha-Hey! You of all ponies should know how hard it is getting the hang of moving around on two legs!” Twilight snapped. “I’m also the only one who knows that your little dance performance at the Fall Formal would have looked JUST as ridiculous if you were still on four legs,” Sunset shot back with a smirk. Twilight slumped back into her seat in defeat. “Is there anything else that’s different?” “Well, you’re both total worrywarts, but somehow she doesn’t Twilight nearly as hard as you do-” “I still can’t believe that saying caught on.” Twilight pouted “-and I’m pretty sure she could out-science both of us.” “So, she’s really just a better version of me then.” Twilight sighed. “No, she's a different version of you,” Sunset amended “She doesn’t know half as much about magic as a certain pony I know for instance. She’s no Princess of Friendship either. She’s not as confident, efficient, or experienced, and, between you and me, I don’t think she could handle a whole kingdom.” Sunset gave Twilight a small smile as she said this. “I think each world has its own take on things. They all look similar at first, but that doesn’t mean they’re the same. They’re like snowflakes. It might be difficult to tell them apart at first, but, once you look a little closer, no two are exactly alike. Each one has a structure that’s all its own, and that’s what makes it beautiful. Whether it’s a world or a Twilight Sparkle.” “You really think so?” Sunset only gave a simple nod in response. Twilight seemed to ponder Sunset’s words until a letter materialized just in front of her, completely redirecting her attention. “It’s from Spike. He says his work in the Dragon Lands is finished and he’ll be here before the sun sets…assuming I remember to lower it…funny,” Twilight informed Sunset while simultaneously skimming over the letter. “What was that about anyway? For as long as you must have been doing this, I wouldn’t think you of all ponies wouldn’t have a routine down by now,” Sunset asked with legitimate curiosity. “Well, I have attendants at the castle to make sure this sort of thing doesn’t happen, but I usually don’t need them. I don’t normally sleep through the entire night.” “What do you mean?” “I just don’t sleep for more than a few hours at a time. That’s all. It’s been that way for a few years. I’m not sure why I overslept this time in particular. I guess I’ll just have to be more careful from now on.” Twilight said, her own confusion evident. Functioning off only a hoof full of hours at a time was certainly feasible for an alicorn, but Sunset still didn’t think it sounded terribly healthy for anypony to get so little rest. Especially when the day demanded so much of her. She’d have to look into it more when they got home. “We can see about getting you an alarm clock later, Twi. We should probably get going soon. We don’t want to keep Pinkie waiting too long.” “You’re right, let’s go, Sunset,” Twilight stated, a determination overtaking her. Not a single moment would be wasted if she had anything to say about it. “Check, please!” “This one is my grandson and my great-niece at the Hearth’s Warming Pie family reunion at the rock farm.” Pinkie Pie said, pointing to one of the pictures in the photo album she was showing to Sunset. “They’re making their first Hearth’s Warming dolls.” Sunset craned her head to make sure she was seeing the photo correctly “Are those…rocks?” “What else are you going to use on a rock farm, Sun Shim?” Pinkie giggled, tapping Sunset’s muzzle. “Wasn’t that the year Limestone and Rainbow got into that big competition to see who could make the largest rock sculpture?” Twilight commented from just behind Sunset, watching along as Pinkie walked them through her house of memories Pinkie giggled at the memory. “Yeah. Poor Rainbow couldn’t tell a mineral from a mint, but you know Rainbow…” “She never backed down from a challenge,” Pinkie and Twilight said in perfect synch, punctuating it with laughter. “We sure had some good times didn’t we, Twilight” Pinkie lamented, eyes going glassy, flipping through the pages of the album. “Yeah. We did.” Twilight confirmed. Pinkie closed the album, finished with her stories. “It’s been a pretty wild ride. Lots of parties, cakes, and smiles, but also a lot of problems and stuff that just wasn’t a lot of fun. Lots of hellos and ‘nice to meet ya’s and just as many goodbyes.” “Yeah.” “Hey, Sunset?” Pinkie said as she turned to her new friend. “Yeah, Pinkie?” “You know me, right? A different me.” “Yeah, I do,” Sunset answered, unsure of where Pinkie was headed with this. “What’s she like?” The unexpected interest in her counterpart caught Sunset by surprise. “Oh, uhm, well she’s a lot like you, actually.” Sunset took a moment to think of how to best describe Pinkie Pie in a few words. “She’s got a ton of energy and enthusiasm. Sometimes she’s a lot to handle, no offense-” “None taken.” “-but she always means well. She’s crazy and a little all over the place, but she always comes through when you need her. She’s never afraid to be herself, no matter what anyone thinks, and she’ll do anything to put a smile on her friend’s face. I’ve learned a lot from her…she’s my best friend.” Sunset’s description seemed to satisfy the old pink pony, a content smile stretching across her face. A thought struck Sunset. “You know, I can send messages to her. Is there anything you’d want to say to her?” “Nah, let her live her own life. She’ll do juuust fine,” Pinkie waved off. “It hasn’t been all fun and parties, but I think it’s better that way. After all, what good is laughter if you don’t know what it’s like to frown? Y’know, if I had to do it all over again, I don’t think I would change a thing.” Pinkie paused a moment before reconsidering. “Weeell, maybe I’d stop myself from eating all that expired frosting I found in the back of Mrs. Cake’s cupboards. That was a doozy and not the fun kind.” Every mare present let out a lighthearted chuckle at Pinkie’s joke. The party pony more lively today than she had been yesterday. Almost as if the company brought back some of the life that had been previously missing. Cheese picked then to make himself known to the mares. “Hey, Mom. Guess who’s here to see you?” “Spike!” Twilight shouted, bounding over to the dragon so fast Sunset felt a gust of wind at her departure. The dragon returned the enthusiasm, readily accepting the hug directed at him in a tight embrace. “Hope I didn’t keep you waiting too long. Those old dragons are a stubborn bunch, but I think everything worked out pretty well,” Spike announced. “I’m just happy you’re here,” Twilight responded, resting her head on his shoulder. Quickly enough, the two separated to move back with the other two mares in the room. “Thanks for keeping Twilight in line, Sunset. I hope she wasn’t too much trouble,” Spike chuckled, expertly dodging the purple wing that swung at him. “Well, she’s been a bit of a hoof-full, but I managed alright,” Sunset shrugged “I’m right here you guys.” Spike slowly approached the bedside of the waiting pink pony, a subdued silence falling over the room. “Well, if it isn’t my favorite purple dragon,” Pinkie chuckled “Just out of the purple ones?” Spike asked halfheartedly, a small waver in his voice. “It’s great to see you, Spike.” Spike kneeled down and gently wrapped his arms around the old mare in a tender embrace, Pinkie doing her best to return the gesture despite his broad size. The two stayed in that position, content with each other’s presence. A full minute went by before Spike gently lowered Pinkie down and stepped away. “heh, all these old faces hanging around. I’d throw a party to celebrate if I was ten years younger.” “Come on, Pinkie. Everything’s a party when you’re here.” Rather than retreating to the castle, Twilight had decided to spend the night by Pinkie’s side. Spike, loyal to the end, stayed by her. The accommodations were not the most comfortable, but it didn’t seem to bother Twilight, Pinkie’s presence allowing the alicorn to seemingly sleep more comfortably on a mat of pillows than if she had been in her royal bed at Canterlot castle. Spike had taken up residence in a nearby armchair, drifting off some time ago while slumping into the cushions. The light of the house was dim at the late hour, everypony having turned in for the night with one exception. “Pinkie…Pinkie Pie,” a voice gently called out in faint hope of a response. “Need something, Sunset?” The quick response caught Sunset off guard, only barely managing to muffle her squeak of surprise so as not to wake Twilight or Spike. “You’re up?” “I had a feeling you might want to talk.” Sunset could only make out the silhouette of the pink pony in the dark, her expression hidden from view. “Well, shoot,” Pinkie prompted. “Oh! Well, I was kind of hoping you could elaborate…on the things you said last night I mean.” “I thought I was pretty straightforward.” “Well, yeah but I’m in a bit of a unique situation,” “You’ve got super awesome friends on both sides of the mirror and you’re still not even sure of what to make of your relationship with Celestia, right?” Sunset was torn between being grateful for the saved time and really wishing Pinkie wouldn’t do that. “Well, yeah. You told me to keep the ones I love close, and I get that, really, but how can I do that when some of them are always going to be a world away from me at any time?” There was a long pause after this question. For a brief moment, Sunset wondered if the old mare had drifted off to sleep on her until Pinkie broke the silence. “Do you miss your friends, Sunset?” Sunset knew the answer. She had known after her first day back. “Yes. It wasn’t like we saw each other every day anymore back in the human world but being here now…it’s harder than I thought it would be. That’s not even mentioning just how messed up time is now.” “That makes sense. Twilight said you all were like us. Like family…” Pinkie trailed off. “But you’re still here. Any special reason why?” Sunset didn’t answer this one, but she didn’t need to. Her own body betrayed her; eyes unable to avoid glancing back towards the sleeping alicorn. “Heh, figured as much.” “I can’t just leave her, Pinkie. Not now.” “That’s awful selfless of you, Sunset, but what about you?” “What about me?” “Yeah, what do you want?” “I have absolutely no idea. I know I like, no, love, magic, but I still don’t know what to do with that. I love my friends in the human world, but I don’t think I could be happy there. I thought I could find a place here, but now I’m just even more confused, and if I find it here, there might not be any place for them, and I don’t know if I could really be happy with that either. There’s just so much I don’t know anymore.” Sunset heard Pinkie fall into a mixture of giggles and coughs, her old body unable to keep up with her own mirth. “hehe…kaff…ha, oh boy. Sun Shim, you’re so much like Twilight it’s scary sometimes. I guess that’s the problem with being so smart. You always overthink everything,” Pinkie sighed. “I can’t tell you how to live your life, but if I’ve learned anything after all this time, it’s that following what you love is the best way to get to where you were meant to be. Sometimes you have to make it work, but if it’s something worth working for, you’ll get there. That’s all.” “That sounds sweet and everything, Pinkie, but I don’t know if you really get what I’m working with here,” Sunset stated, still unsure what Pinkie was getting at. “Maybe I don’t. I’m just a silly old pink pony after all. If half of what Twilight has told me about you is true though, you’re not going to let something trivial like time and space stop you, right? That doesn’t sound very Sunset Shimmer to me.” Sunset blinked. Pinkie’s words taking time to register. All this time, all these years, waiting for the answers to just fall into her lap. That really didn’t sound like her at all, did it? She was a problem solver. Someone who found solutions to things that weren’t the way they should have been. It’s how she had always been. Young, old, human, pony, good, bad, it had never changed. Not until recently. “Thanks, Pinkie. I think I get it now. I wonder if my Pinkie will ever be any good at sagely wisdom. Good night,” Sunset waved, trotting back over to take her place situated next to Twilight’s own makeshift bed. Pinkie leaned back, exhaustion becoming nearly impossible to push off any longer. “Yep, they’ll do just fine.” The rest of the week followed a fairly predictable pattern from thereon. Twilight would wake up, eat breakfast, and spend the rest of the day with Pinkie Pie. Sunset and Spike usually accompanying her throughout the entire day, becoming something of a royal entourage. It would have been quite monotonous were the pony they spent so much time with anypony else. Fortunately, no day spent with Pinkie Pie could ever be classified as boring, regardless of her old age. Barring that, Sunset still couldn’t find it in herself to be bothered by the repetitive schedule so long as it made Twilight happy. Or at least more at ease. However, having established a rhythm to her day meant that it was still surprising to have that rhythm suddenly disrupted. “You don’t want me to go with you?” Sunset asked. “I mean I wouldn’t put it like that per-say,” Twilight stuttered with a nervous look and a circular wave of her hoof.” Sunset was confused more than anything else, but if this was what Twilight wanted… “Alright, Twilight. If you don’t want me there, then that’s fine.” Twilight looked surprisingly panicked at her response “No! That’s not it at all. It’s not that I don’t want you there. You just can’t be there is all.” “You’re not making any sense, Twi.” Twilight breathed a sigh to collect her thoughts. “Look, this is the last day we’ll be in Ponyville before we have to return to Canterlot. You’ve been by my side this entire time, and it means more to me than you know, but just once I need to speak to her alone.” “Oh, Okay.” “Look, I know it doesn’t make any sense, but-wait? Okay?” “Yeah. She’s one of your best friends. It makes sense you’d want some time for just the two of you. I get it,” Sunset assured. Twilight was beginning to feel pretty silly for expecting Sunset to…well she wasn’t sure what she expected Sunset to do, but it had worried her all the same. “Thank you, Sunset. I’ve got a few…errands…to run, so I need to leave now. I’m sure Spike can help you if you need to find your way around town.” “Trust me, she’ll be in good claws,” Spike assured from behind them, flashing a thumbs up. “Alright, I’ll see you both later tonight.” Twilight bid, quickly rushing out of the room and presumably out of the castle, more in an effort to keep up her own determination than to get anywhere on time. “Does she ever just, I don’t know, settle down?” Sunset chuckled “Not as long as I’ve known her. Twilight’s always moving,” Spike affirmed. “Guess it’s just you and me today then, huh?” “Looks like it.” “So, what should we do today?” “You ever play Ogres & Oubliettes?” “Is that a video game?” “Board game actually.” “Hmmm, maybe later. I was thinking it might be nice to see more of Ponyville.” Spike felt that was reasonable enough, seeing as this was Sunset’s first time really seeing the city. “Anywhere in particular you had in mind?” “Well, there is one place I’ve always wanted to see for myself. Twilight talked about it a lot in our journal.” “Just name it, Sunset.” The rushing waterfalls could be heard in the distance as pony and dragon neared what was easily the largest structure in Ponyville outside of the castle. “So, remind me again why you couldn’t walk here on your own?” Spike asked over his shoulder. “Well, objectively speaking, it’s efficient. You knew where this place was, and we move faster this way,” Sunset listed off. “Besides, I’ve realized something. If you and Twilight are going to get ridiculously big, I might as well take advantage of it.” Sunset had to imagine she looked somewhat ridiculous, perched on Spike’s back in a convenient piggyback. It was nowhere near as comfortable or maneuverable as the Twilight express, but it still beat walking the whole way. “You mean Twilight’s been letting you ride her!?” “Forcing me to really, but yeah. You’re not jealous, are you?” “Oh extremely. Traveling by pony is only the most comfortable method of transportation in Equestria. Twilight used to give me rides all the time when I was little. Then one day she throws her back out and suddenly I’m, ‘too heavy’ to carry. Been stuck moving on my own ever since,” Spike sighed. “Guess being big isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.” “Yeah, well, there have to be some perks to being a squirt I guess.” Sunset couldn’t direct Spike as she could Twilight, but, on the bright side, she didn’t feel nearly as bad about smacking him. “Ow, hey!” Spike yelped, his laughter giving away his faked injury “Friends aren’t supposed to hit each other, Sunset!” “So, what are you going to do about it? Tell Twilight on me?” “You think I won’t? I could probably convince her you need a friendship lecture. A long friendship lecture.” Sunset actually felt her heart skip a beat. “You wouldn’t.” “Try me, Sunspot.” The relatively young drake was surprisingly good at intimidation tactics. Something he must have picked up dealing with Twilight. He was in for a rude awakening though if he thought Sunset would be as much of a pushover. She was easily five times as petty as his usual prey. “If I’m going down, you better believe I’m taking you with me, dragon boy. You’re not being very friendly yourself right now.” “Okay okay, truce.” Spike waved of. “Besides, we’re here.” Sunset looked up at the sprawling fields and crystal-clear waters in wonder. Simply spotting the building from afar didn’t do the grounds justice. The place was positively bustling with life and vibrancy. Easily the largest assortment of creatures she had ever seen, even including Canterlot. Some were playing and relaxing in the fields, others were studying in their own group of friends, there were even a few creatures swimming about in the waters surrounding the building which had a constant flow of busy students moving in and out at all times. Laughter and friendly chatter filled the air alongside kites and any creature with wings. This place was quite possibly the personification of the utopia Twilight had turned Equestria into. It was, quite simply, breathtaking. “Sunset Shimmer, welcome to the School of Friendship.”