Panting heavily, Cheerilee stood inside her house, looking for any sign of Sunny Skies, but was greeted by a living room devoid of any creature, however, she could smell something. Her ears twitched as she began to hear something, something sizzling, and something that smelt amazing! A beautiful aroma of butter and cinnamon goodness wafted in from the kitchen, and as Cheerilee took a step towards the smell, a smiling face appeared around the kitchen doorway.
“Hello Cheeri, I hope you don’t mind, but your note said I could help myself, so I made some pancakes. If you’re… Is everything alright Cheerilee?” asked a now perplexed Sunny Skies.
“Sunny I’m sorry Ididsomethingstupid andnowsomeponiesarecoming andIloveyou andIknowIdon’tknowanythingaboutyoubutthatdoesn’tmatter Ican’tletthemhave yousopleaseyouhavetorunbeforetheygethere!” Cheerilee blurted out as she closed the distance between her and Sunny Skies.
The words of the borderline hysterical schoolmare took aback Sunny.
“You love me?”
“YES! And I’m sorry I screwed everything up, but I don’t care that you’re a changeling so please, you need to escape before she gets here!”
Sunny blinked back at Cheerilee, turned and walked back into the kitchen, as Cheerilee followed her inside, she discovered the pegasus had returned to the stove and was removing a pan from the flame. Pancakes now safe from burning, Sunny walked to the table and sat down, with a wing she gestured towards the opposite chair, “Ok, I think we need to talk.”
Caught off guard, Cheerilee found herself walking to the table, and sitting down.
“Ok, could you please repeat what you said, I heard a few things that I’d like to be sure I heard correctly before I react.” Said Sunny calmly.
Where do I even start
“I made a mistake, there was a presentation in town, it was about the Changelings, and I realised that everything said, matched our relationship. We met around the time the Changelings started moving into Canterlot, you avoid telling me anything about yourself and just look at you, you're a mess! There is no way any pony would have allowed you to walk around in your state. I’m no doctor but I'm sure your wing should be in a sling at least”
Sunny looked like she was about to interrupt, but when Cheerilee mentioned that she’d avoided talking about herself, Sunny cringed and simply listened as the earth pony continued.
“So I told this unicorn that I thought you might be a Changeling, but I began to realise that, even if you aren’t the pony you’ve said you are, I’ve loved the time we spent together, I get so nervous waiting for your next letter, and to see you again, and not knowing what happened to you this last week has been unbearable. So, I don’t care if you’re a Changeling, I won’t let them harm you, because I love you.”
Silence fell over the pair, as Cheerilee collected herself after pouring her heart out, she focused on Sunny to try and read her reaction. Sunny’s eyes were wide in shock, and while a hoof was hiding the fact her mouth was agape, she did not manage to prevent her wings from shooting out in shock.
After a few moments, Sunny sighed, “I guess I owe you an apology and an explanation.” Her ears began to twitch, and pivoted towards the front door, “But first, I should inform your friends that you are safe.”
With that, Sunny left the kitchen, it was only then that Cheerilee began to hear the sound of galloping hooves… Twilight was here!
Cheerilee scrambled to her hooves and darted towards the door, but it was too late, stranding in the doorway was Twilight Sparkle, with Applejack and Rainbow Dash with her, and was that Rarity hiding behind them?
“Good morning, would you be Sunny Skies?” Asked Twilight.
“Good morning to you too, and yes, can I help you?” Replied Sunny Skies.
“My name is Twilight Sparkle, and If you don’t mind, we have reason to suspect you may be a Changeling, would you allow me to perform a simple magical scan to determine whether you are a pony or not?”
“A magical scan?”
“Yes, I'll be using an alignment variance scan. You see, alteration magic can be detected by scanning the variance between the target's body and the body their mana depicts they should have. Its main use is to test for magical viruses, but Changeling magic can be detected using the same methods.”
“I see, but if I had some other form of alteration magic on me, wouldn’t that corrupt your findings?”
“Oh no, the date produced from Changeling magic is rather unique, I would even know if the target had a Changeling spell and an alteration enchantment. You see-”
“AHEM” Coughed Rainbow Dash who was glaring at the unicorn.
“Oh, sorry, could I cast the spell Miss Skies?”
Every pony looked towards Sunny. Applejack and Rainbow Dash looked like they were about to pounce on her, yet Twilight was calmly waiting for an answer, while Rarity was cowering behind Applejack.
“Of course, I’d be interested to hear what you find.” Said Sunny.
There it is, it’s all over, I'm sorry Sunny
Twilight closed her eyes, and a lavender light began to emanate from her horn simultaneously, a slight lavender sheen coalesced Sunny’s coat. Seconds passed, with only the dull whine of magic filling the air, every pony held their breath, waiting on Twilight's verdict.
“Hu, that's odd.” Said Twilight, “There is definitely alteration magic emanating from Miss Skies.”
Rarity gasped, but before Rainbow Dash and Applejack could pounce, Twilight continued, “However it’s not Changeling in origin, though neither is it unicorn, I've never seen an enchantment structure like this before, while I can see similar markings to unicorn magic, there are several other elements that I can’t identify, this is amazing, could you please tell me more about the spell miss Skies?”
“Certainly, however, I believe Cheerilee deserves an explanation first. How about this, try to figure out what you can, and tomorrow I’ll provide a full explanation, unless you can figure it all out of course.”
Twilight beamed, “Oh a challenge! You're on, I’ll work on it out and see you tomorrow to see how far off I am, thanks Sunny bye every pony!”
With a woosh, Twilight had galloped from the scene before any pony knew what was happening, making a B-line to her library.
With the local “Changeling expert” gone, that left Cheerilee, Sunny Skies, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, and Rarity standing around awkwardly.
“Ahem” Coughed Rarity, drawing everyponies attention. “I do believe we have determined that there are no Changelings here girls, so how about we leave and allow Cheerilee and Sunny Skies to talk, pleasure to meet you by the way Miss Skies, I do hope we get the chance to get to know one another.”
And with that, Rarity turned and walked away. Applejack and Rainbow Dash gave each other a look, but after giving Cheerilee and Sunny Skies a nervous wave, they both chased after Rarity.
Cheerilee was stunned, she’d almost set four ponies on the pony she had been dating, yet Sunny had calmly dealt with the situation, but why wouldn’t she? She was innocent after all.
With a sigh, Sunny closed the door and made her way to the sofa.
“I think, we need to talk.”
And there it was Cheerilee thought to herself, she had been short-sighted, foolish, and an altogether terrible pony. Sunny had journeyed here battered and bruised, and Cheerilee had accused her of being a Changeling.
“I think I’m falling in love with you too.” Confessed Sunny Skies.
“Eh?” Cheerilee replied with all the grace of a drunken Pinkie Pie.
“I’m falling in love with you, but also, you’re not wrong, I have been lying about who I am.”
“Wh-What do you mean lying?”
Sunny gestured with a wing for Cheerilee to sit on the sofa, which she did without another word. Minutes passed before Sunny spoke again.
“I’m not Sunny Skies, nor is there a Sunny Skies as far as I'm aware.”
“But, they, you…”
“Changelings are not the only creatures who can change their appearance with magic,” interrupted Sunny, her eyes looking down at her hooves. “Had I appeared in my true form, I doubt we would have become friends, let alone…”
Cheerilee was confused, it made no sense, yet it also made all the sense in the world, but she needed to know more.
“Why?”
“Thats… Well, like I said-”
“No, I mean, why me?” Startled, Sunny turned to look at Cheerilee, yet the school mare continued. “Why did you choose to speak to me? Continue seeing me? Even visit me while… aren’t you hurt?”
“I’m not as injured as I look, though I don’t think I should be flying around anytime soon, mostly I just ache. As for why I spoke to you, I saw somepony else who was lonely, I had intended to spend a night relaxing as Sunny Skies, to drown my loneliness in cider for a single night, but then you asked to meet me again, and I thought, just one more day couldn’t hurt, but I couldn’t stop.”
“So, you enjoyed being Sunny?”
“No, yes. I hate myself for lying to you, but I couldn’t stay away, and I feared if you knew what I really was, that I’d lose you, but when my sister found out what I've been doing, she… she kicked me out, until I spoke to you, properly.”
“I see, I didn’t know you had a sister. How much of Sunny is real? I mean, I know Sunny isn’t real, but was everything an act, or is the pony I got to know over the last few months, the real you?”
The pair looked into one another's eyes, but within moments, Sunny flinched and returned her gaze to her hooves.
“I don’t know, it’s complicated, as Sunny I'm nothing like who I am every day, but at the same time..” Sunny took in a deep breath and once again looked Cheerilee in the eye, steeling herself, she continued. “As Sunny, I’m free of who I need to be, of who I’m expected to be, when I’m with you, I’m the pony I wish I could be. I know it sounds silly, but, I-I can show you, who I really am, you deserve to know, and whatever you decide, that's fine with me, I’ll accept it! If you never want to see or hear from me again I promise I’ll never come near Ponyville, but… If you’d be prepared to give me another chance, it would mean so much to me.”
It was Cheerilee’s time to break eye contact this time, this was so much to take in. One on hoof, if… whoever this mare was, (if she even was a mare) was sincere, then the only thing that ‘Sunny’ lied about was her name and appearance. On the other hoof, what if Sunny was secretly something like Discord? What if Sunny had been Discord, could she bring herself to forgive the Draconequus for making her teach an assortment of sapient fruits how to tap dance?
Ok, that was silly, after all the times they’d spent together, Cheerilee didn’t believe those feelings were lies, and if she loved Sunny for that, then surely she could love another pony… or creature.
“I would like to see, who you really are, please,” Cheerilee said slowly.
“Ok, you might want to close your eyes first, unraveling the spell causes me to shine rather brightly. I’ve looked into trying to reduce it but -”
Sunny was interrupted as a pair of lips met her own in a quick kiss.
“I love you, but I want to meet the real you.”
“Ok.”
As Cheerilee closed her eyes, Sunny began to glow, brighter and brighter. Outside, ponies were surprised at the sudden light show emanating from the school mare’s house, but quickly went back to their own business, it wasn’t Tuesday after all.
As the light died down, Cheerilee gingerly opened her eyes and looked upon the pony who now sat beside her.
“Oh, oh my… you”.
***********
“I’m telling you Rarity, this Sunny Skies must know a genius, I’ve never seen such spellwork!” Said Twilight Sparkle. The unicorn had been working hard since her encounter with the pegasus, trying to unravel the mysteries of the alteration enchantment on the pegasus, but she just couldn’t unravel the core aspect of the spell, she didn’t understand how, or what it was even doing! So, as agreed, she was going back to the source for the much-needed knowledge.
“Darling, please, the only ponies awake right now are us, the Apples and Princess Celestia. Can’t we wait just a few hours, we don’t want to wake them up after all.” Pleaded Rarity. The fashionista also had a sleepless night, though her insomnia stemmed from anxiety regarding her friend rather than the intricacies of an unknown spell, she thought that an early morning walk, followed by a cheeky slice of cake at Sugar Cube Corner would help soothe her nerves, at least until she could pay the ‘hopefully a couple’, a visit… at least that had been her plan until she encountered Twilight.
“Of course, you can go back to your walk, and Cheerilee can sleep in, but Sunny promised me answers, and I’m going to get them Rarity! This spellwork is like nothing I’ve ever seen, I.MUST.HAVE.THE.ANSWER!”
Rarity gulped, she’d seen Twilight like this exactly once, what she, the other girls… and most of Ponyville called… Lesson Zero.
“Ok Twilight, we can see if they are awake, however, if we don’t get an answer, we are going to have to come back later.”
A few more hairs sprang free of Twilight's already messy mane, “Fine, but no more than 1 hour!”
As they finally arrived at Cheerilee’s house, Twilight teleported to the front door, and knocked, hard for several seconds.
***********
Something made noise.
It was an annoying noise, because it was loud, and demanded attention she didn’t want to give.
In the back of her head, something said she should do… something, but she couldn't think what that was. It didn’t matter though, she was comfortable, behind her, was a warm, comfortable thing, which had wrapped her in heavenly niceness. The loud thing would go away eventually.
She groaned, the warmth around her had begun to pull away, and where comfortable thing had been, had now been replaced with a horrible cold void. Life was cruel.
Warmth enveloped her, it wasn’t as nice as the comfy thing, but it wasn’t bad. As she began to feel weightless, and the sensation of being moved registered in her brain, she considered opening her eyes, but then she felt herself being draped back onto the comfy thing, so life was good again.
The comfy was moving, it was slightly annoying, but it was still comfy, so she didn’t care. She also didn’t care when it started walking downwards.
She did care however when, with a click, something bright attacked her eyes, with a groan, she buried her face into the comfy thing.
“P-P-P-PRINCESS CELESTIA!?” Shouted a new loud thing.
“Good morning Twilight” Said the most beautiful and soothing voice to ever grace her ears. “Did you manage to work out my spell?”
“Y-Y-Your Spell? Do you mean… were you Sunny Skies?”
“Indeed my most faithful student, and good morning to you Rarity, I do hope we can be friends, Cheerilee and Twilight have told me so much about you.”
Rarity? She knew a Rarity.
“But of course, your highness.” Said a new voice, oh that was Rarity.
“Excellent, but when it's just us friends, would you please call me Sunny?”
“But of course your high… Sunny. Might I ask, is Cheerilee alright? I was hoping to speak to her.”
Cheerilee? That was an important name, but why?
“I’m afraid not, she seems to be refusing to wake up, but I did bring her down in case she was needed.”
Her comfy thing… her princess began to rotate, meaning more of the sun assaulted her eyes. She loved the sun, so she decided to bury her face into her sun a bit more, but the other sun was been very mean.
“Oh my, is she alright?” Asked a concerned voice.
A concern that seemed to be directed at her, had she caused that? Maybe she should abandon her attempt to return to blissful sleep.
“Oh I'm sure she will be fine, she just spent too much time admiring the sun last night.”
… Cheerilee sat bolt upright, she did not hear what she thought she heard right!? Cherilee was now very awake, and she began to take in her surroundings.
She was nestled on Celestia’s back, and they were standing at her front door. On the outside of said, open door, were Twilight Sparkle, whose mane was giving her flashbacks to a very… eventful Tuesday, and Rarity, who was currently a deep shade of crimson… Rarity was blushing, which implied that what she thought she just heard, was probably accurate.
“Oh, oh my.” Whimpered Rarity.
“But there isn’t a sun at night.” Said a very confused Twilight.
As Rarity, and Cheerilee both turned deeper shades of red, Celestia spoke, “Regardless my little ponies, now that Cheerilee and I are awake, we should get ready to face the day, perhaps we could have breakfast together in 1 hour? I’ve been wanting to try some of Pinkie Pies cakes without everpony making a fuss over me, oh, and please don’t tell anyone I’m Sunny Skies outside of the other elements, thank you.”
“Certainly, your Sunny-ness.” Said Rarity, “Come on Twilight, let's go sort out your mane.”
Rarity's horn ignited into a pale blue, and she began to drag Twilight away, sadly, before Celestia could close the door, Cheerilee heard one last thing from Twilight.
“But I don’t understand, what sun? Rarity, how could she …”
Whatever else was said, was mercifully cut off as Celestia closed the door.
A moment later, a golden glow picked up Cheerilee, and gently deposited her on the sofa, once she was safe, Celestia burst out laughing.
“Oh my stars, Rarity’s face, oh, oh my, I’ve heard that line so many times, but I never thought I’d enjoy saying it myself this much!” Celestia cried with laughter.
“You, you… I can’t believe you just did that, dear... you, I have to teach her sister, how am I going to look her in the face tomorrow morning?”
“I’m sorry, are you ok?” A now more sombre Celestia asked, “I tend to get a bit carried away with jokes when I’m not holding myself in check.”
Cheerilee smiled, she’d never expected to hear something so crass from Celestia, but from Sunny? The alicorn had a valid point about her identity, had Princess Celestia walked into the bar that day, she would have been bowing with everypony else. Had she barreled into Princess Celestia, and ended up on top of her after running around Canterlot, the city guard would have probably tried to throw her in jail, but instead, she got to meet Sunny Skies, and eventually, Celestia, the carefree mare, who loved to joke around, who cared deeply about everypony, and was also a teacher! But the best thing was, that Celestia was a fantastic big spoon!
“I think, I’m going to be much better than ok.” Smiles Cheerilee
Fin?
Ending A cleared