//------------------------------// // Chapter Twenty One // Story: Save The World, Duh! // by TheKing2001 //------------------------------// Twilight I sat next to Princess Celestia and Luna at a table on the opposite side of the street of Sunset and her friends. Sunset and I had spent a majority of the time catching up after I had dragged her to Redheart along with Cheerilee and her sisters. Sunset could be surprisingly stubborn about not going to hospitals and had insisted she was fine. The fact that Sunset and Celestia kept stealing glances at each other didn’t escape Luna or I as we both glanced at each other as if trying to make the other talk first. In the end, I lost. “You should talk to her,” I said finally as Celestia glanced at me. “You’ve been talking about wishing you could fix your relationship with Sunset. She’s right here. Here’s your chance.” “I can’t,” Celestia sighed sadly as she gazed at the sun. “Why not?” Luna decided to join in and raised an eyebrow. “I think you should. It might be what’s the term? Therapist?” “Therapeutic,” I corrected subconsciously as a faint smile tugged at Luna’s mouth. “And I agree.” “Sunset probably hates me,” Celestia admitted as she sullenly ate a piece of cake. “I didn’t teach her the same way I did with you. I thought a heavy hoofed approach was better and well it wasn’t. It just drove Sunset away. I’d hate me if I was in her horse shoes.” “I doubt Sunset hates you,” I pointed out with a frown. “Sure, you may have not been the best back then to teach her but look at her now. She saved the human world once, fought Chrysalis hoof to hoof without magic and was willing to give up her life for Equestria. That includes you. Her loyalty rests with the Crown even if she doesn’t live here anymore.” “You know when I saw her fighting Chrysalis without a care in the world, I couldn’t have been more prouder. I don’t advocate for violence usually but Sunset fought well. Her mom would have been proud of her if she was here today,” Celestia sighed and stared at Derpy and Octavia talking to Sunset. “I can’t just walk up to her and expect her to not flip. If she walks up to me, then I’ll talk to her.” “Fair enough sister,” Luna conceded as Shining Armor chased after Flurry Heart. “She does look happy. Does she not?” Celestia asked with a faint smile. “She is,” I promised. “I left her in good hands. Octavia and Derpy are good influences. Derpy keeps her grounded.” “Are you going to do what we four discussed?” Cadence finally chimed in from her spot to my left. “Looks her conversation with her friend and partner is over.” “Yeah,” I said and stood up. “I’ll be back soon.” I trotted over to the three mares laughing about something which was a complete one eighty to the serious looking conversation they were having a minute ago. “Sunset, can I borrow you for a few moments?” I asked with a warm smile. “It’ll only be a few minutes, I promise.” “Yeah sure Twilight,” Sunset shrugged with a smile. “Lead the way.” I looked back and forth and lead Sunset to a quiet empty alley way. “So first off thank you for at least trying to fight off Chrysalis,” I said and hugged Sunset. “I couldn’t be prouder. All of us. I don’t think I could have been able to have done that in all honesty.” “It was nothing,” Sunset said as she hugged me wincing. “I may not live here anymore, but I still come from here. My loyalty belongs to the princesses after all.” “And about that,” I took a deep breath and kicked the ground. “I talked with the other princesses and we can make you an alicorn.” “W-wait really?” Sunset stammered as her eyes widened. “Me?” “Yeah,” I agreed and nodded with a smile. “You’ve earned it. You certainly came a long way from the mare responsible for stealing my crown. You’d get your own castle and part of Equestria to rule. You’d have to live here permanently though.” Sunset’s face fell as she bit her lip and looked back to Derpy laughing with Octavia and the others. “Thanks but no thanks,” Sunset said finally and I clapped my hooves together. “Excellent! Let me get the other princesses and we can- wait what?” I asked in confusion. “Don’t get me wrong, I’m honored. Really,” Sunset said and rubbed her foreleg as she stared at the ground nervously. “At one point in my life, I’d have jumped at the offer in a heart beat. I’m happy with my life without being a princess. I’d have to live here without Derpy and my friends and my family. I’d also be immortal and I’d outlive them all. A life without my partner and family is a life not worth living.” “I understand,” I said with a sigh. “I’ve been trying not to think about the fact there’s a chance I could outlive my friends and family. Heart problems run in my family and well, mom is already complaining about her heart. Makes me worried. I respect your decision. If your ever change your mind, the offer is still on the table Sunny.” “Thank you. I hope you aren’t mad at me but I’m happy how things are going,” Sunset admitted sheepishly as she traced a circle in the dirt with her hoof. “I know even asking the others was a huge risk and I appreciate it.” I bit back a laugh. If only she knew Celestia had suggested it five seconds before I did. Celestia and I were the most adament out of all of us. Cadence and Luna quickly agreed after Celestia and I caught them up to speed. “I’m not mad at you,” I smiled warmly. “I could never be mad. It’s your right and I respect it.” “Thanks,” Sunset sighed as a mischievous smirk grew on her face. “So what are you Adagio gonna do when you get back to the castle?” I turned bright red and sputtered as Sunset burst out laughing.