//------------------------------// // Setting Sun // Story: Trot Buddies! // by shortskirtsandexplosions //------------------------------// “Alright, alright everybody!” Spike's voice could be heard echoing down the busy, bustling chamber. “Some of us are here from two worlds! So why don't we keep things simple, shall we?” He flung his claws in one direction. “Ponies from Equestria on this side of the banquet tables...” He flung his claws in the other direction. “Strange upright clothed monkeys from non-Equestria on this side of the banquet table. You'll see there's more room there cuz there's more of you.” “Awwww shucks, Spike...” Applejack trotted up to him, adjusting her hat. “They done counted roll call about a gazillion times! Reckon if anythang gets more confusin', Sunset and the Princess will sort it all out by the end!” She winked and waved a hoof. “Why not just let 'em mingle for a bit?” Spike squinted suspiciously at the farm mare. “How do I know that you're the real Applejack?” “Don'tcha mean the Equestrian Applejack?” “That too!” “Well, I ain't the upright monkey Applejack!” “How do I know you're not making a practical joke?” The mare's green eyes squinted back. “Do ya remember who yer talkin' to?” “I've been to the human world. It's a silly, rambunctious place. Even by Element of Honesty standards.” Just then, an identical blonde freckle pony trotted briskly by. “Howdy, Spike! Howdy, me!” She smirked aside. “By the way, I think you're a mite cuter than the dog Spike! But dun tell Twilight!” “... … ...” Spike scratched his spines, then shrugged at the eye-rolling farm pony at his side. “Y'know, to be fair, until I was five winters old I thought you ponies all looked alike.” Flash Sentry smirked. He turned around to brave a visit to the banquet table, when— “How are you doing there, Flash?” Sunset Shimmer asked. “Whoah—!” The teenage pegasus jumped back, chuckling breathily. “Hey there, Sunset! Uhm... you are my world's Sunset, right?” “... … ...” Flash winced. He smacked himself in the head. “Right. I forgot...” “Don't hit yourself,” she insisted. “Everything is...” She bore a wry grin, glancing off at the bustling lengths of the room. “...very, very complicated at the moment.” “Don't I know it.” Flash gulped. “I've been standing back and just watching and still it all gives me a headache.” “Is that all you've got?” Sunset asked. “A headache?” “Maybe?” Flash blinked curiously at her. “Why?” Sunset bit her lip. She toed the ground with a humble hoof. “I've... … ...not been very good at my usual empathy lately.” “Oh, don't be so hard on yourself.” “No. For real, though. I've been a real butt as of late.” She rolled her eyes towards the far end of the room. “I'm supposed to be a heartfelt, inspiring leader and still I somehow let ponies like Trixie get to me.” “That's perfectly okay.” Flash smirked. “If the Pope was trotting along with us, Trixie would get to him too. Cuz she's Trixie.” “I shouldn't even be trying to use her as an excuse.” Sunset sighed. “Flash... Flash...” She gazed at him intently. “I'm... sorry for all the stress I've caused you today.” She gulped hard. “I could have prevented so much trouble from happening if I had just collected my senses more and slowed down some—” “You've had a lot on your plate, Sunset. You always do.” “I just hope you have it in yourself to forgive me for—” “Already done.” Flash smiled at her, winking lightly. “You'd think I'd let one bad day shake my faith in you?” “... … ...” Sunset exhaled, shrugging a heavy weight off her shoulders. “I don't deserve you, y'know?” “From the way I see it...” Flash gazed drunkenly across the busy room. “Nobody does.” Sunset chuckled. “Well, don't start believing that...” “Yeah, I know, because then I'd never climb out.” The two were silent for a brief time. “I... I can play chaperone, y'know?” Sunset said quietly. Flash gave her a curious look. “'Chaperone?'” “Yes. Just before we escort everyone here to the portal, I can... y'know... have a word with her. Buy you both a few minutes to touch base and—” “No, Sunset.” “But—!” She arched an eyebrow. “This is your one opportunity, and don't you want to know what she—” “I don't want to know what she's said to you since.” Flash solidly shook his head. “And I do not wish to talk to her. Thanks, but no thanks.” “... … ...” “I mean her no disrespect,” Flash said. “But... you said it yourself. I have to let go. I don't need to be... humored or placated—especially after the weird stuff that went down today. I'm fine, Sunset... and I have every belief that I'm going to get better.” His jaw set tight. “But that's not gonna happen if I fall back on past dreams. I'm glad for all she's done, and I'll always be... but I am not going to speak to her. Not now, not anytime soon.” “... … ...” “Okay...?” Flash asked, his ears perking. Sunset took a breath. “Okay,” she said quietly. With a sigh—something mixed with more than a bit of melancholy—the mare leaned forward and gave him a soft, friendly nuzzle. “I'm proud of you, Flash. I really am.” He smiled and patted her withers gently. “That means a lot to me.” “Yes.” She leaned back with a glossy-eyed smile. “I suppose it does.” Violet colors flickered in the distance. Sunset was being summoned by the Equestrians-that-be. “Oh... uh...” Sunset fidgeted in place. “I gotta—” “Go on ahead.” Flash gestured. “Your hour is upon us.” “That's every hour at this point,” she said, stifling a groan. “See you at the portal departure, Flash...” She trotted off briskly. “Won't be long now!” “I'll hold you to that!” he said, waving with his hoof. He leaned back with a smile. And it was around then that he noticed a fuzzy blue shape to his side. “Well, hello there,” he said with a charming grin. “How was your friendly chat with the lovely Miss Glimmer?” “Starlight Glimmer is many things...” Trixie glared at the stallion. “But who are you to call her 'lovely?'” “... … ...” Flash blinked. “Uhm...” “Nice haircut. Where'd you fly in from? The Plain and Boring Convention?” She marche straight past him with her chin turned up. “Hmfff!” Flash squinted at her. He noticed a starry cape and a wizard's cap adorning her figure. “And why are so many ponies standing around in Trixie's home?!?” she growled. “... … ...and who's been hogging all of Trixie's peanut butter treats?! Spike?!?!?” “Little busy right now, Trix—” “Too busy for the Grrrreat and Powerrrrful Trrrrixie?! Trixie comes back from her magical tour and it's a madhouse! Who invited all these ponies?!?” As the argument resumed, Flash turned to look in the opposite corner of the room. There he saw an identical—and decidedly happier—Trixie talking with Starlight Glimmer. Starlight levitated a book between them and excitedly pointed at a slew of scrap photos. “Phweeeeee...” Flash exhaled, then limped off. “I'm having some refreshments, dammit.”