//------------------------------// // The Awakening (1) // Story: Falling Through the Mirror // by StarlightEmber //------------------------------// Chapter 1 Darkness. It was a strange and ominous thing. It creeped through every crack and absorbed the light. The murkiness was clouded and it filled Sunset Shimmer’s eyes as they slowly peered open. She looked around, dazed and confused on what was happening, and where she was. The smell of forest filled her lungs as she stood up slowly on her feet hooves. She paused, her hooves. She screamed, ’What?!’ She examined the rest of herself. “Oh no no no no, this can’t possibly be right!” But it was, and the former Canterlot High student stood there in the forest and had a small spas attack. “How the buck did this happen!” She looked around and took a deep breath. “Okay Sunset get it together, you are not going to lose it; you just have to figure out where in Equestria you are. Literally.” The orange unicorn lit up her horn, it felt good to use her magic again. She had missed it more than she had realized. She saw a clearing up ahead and trotted towards it. From there Sunset Shimmer could see a small cottage in the distance, she decided to go knock on the door and ask for some directions. As the unicorn got closer she noticed many animals and birds of all sorts hanging around the small house. She knocked on the door, it reminded her so much of- just then the door opened a bit with a little “squee.” Sunset cleared her throat, “Hello? um I am a little bit lost do you think you could give me directions to the nearest town?” The door opened fully and cowering there was a small timid butter colored pegasus. “Fluttershy?” Sunset questioned the mare who was standing in front of her. “How do you know m-y-y n-name?” she stuttered. Sunset Shimmer smiled. ‘This must be Ponyville’ she thought to herself. “Hello Fluttershy, I’m Sunset Shimmer.” A look of confusion and terror spread across the other mare’s face. Flutttershy barley made out the words, “You’re the Sunset Shimmer?! As in the one who took Twilight’s crown?” Sunset sighed, she horribly regretted that decision. It not only made everyone in the school hate her, but also attracted the attention of The Dazzlings. “That’s the one-“ she was cut off by a loud scream and Fluttershy falling onto the ground and curling up in a little ball on the floor. Sunset quickly cut in; “That was in the past Fluttershy, in the other dimension, you and I are good friends.” Fluttershy opened her eyes. “Really?” She questioned the other mysterious mare at her doorstep. “Really.” She said. Fluttershy stood up slowly, “how did you get here?” She said with all of the strength she could muster. Sunset let out a sigh, “I have no idea, which is why I must speak to Twilight Sparkle. Could you show me where her house is.?” Fluttershy pointed to a massive castle that was glowing in the moonlight, it looked like it was made of a gorgeous crystal. “Wow” is all she said though. “It’s a little bit big for me, but it is very beautiful.” Fluttershy said. Sunset Shimmer thanked Fluttershy and started making her way down the path to have a chat with Equestria’s newest princess. Sunset could not believe how beautiful it was here. She had never been to Ponyville before and even in the dim lit moonlight, she could sense the peacefulness. The mare made her way down the path until she could clearly see the tall castle that belonged to Princess Twilight Sparkle. As she approached the massive doors she hesitated. ‘What if Twilight won’t talk to me, or makes me leave?’ She shook the thoughts from her mind, reached out her hoof and knocked as forcefully as she could. For a few moments there was no sound, and then the door opened slowly with Twilight standing groggily in the doorway. She looked as she had not been asleep; her mane was tangled and unruly, and she had minuscule bags under her eyes. The mare suddenly became aware when she saw who it was who was banging on the castle door in the middle of the night. Twilight’s mouth dropped. “Sunset Shimmer?!” she exclaimed. It just could not be possible, no way no how this was happening. She was standing there with her mouth agape until Celestia’s former student spoke up. She began, “Oh Twilight, thank goodness! I have no idea how I got here and I saw your castle and-“ Twilight wasn’t really listening though. She could not wrap her mind around how she got here with ought the portal. She stopped the mare on her porch from talking. “Please come in, I think you better explain all of this to me with all of the details.” Sunset thanked her and followed her inside. It was massive. Tall vaulted ceilings, crystal chandeliers, and it all sparkled in the light, and every shadow looked like works of art in the darkness. While they were walking Twilight explains to Sunset about how she got the castle out of a magic chest defeating Lord Tierk. After the two had trotted through the halls for what seemed like ages they made it to a small sitting sitting room with a three chairs and a large plush sofa. Twilight sat down gracefully on it and patted the spot next to her. Sunset Shimmer sat down beside Twilight and began telling her tale about waking up in the Everfree Forest, to meeting Fluttershy, and even her steps she took all the way up to the front door of the castle. Twilight sat and listened absorbing every detail that the other mare spoke and tried to make sense of it. After she realized Sunset had finished talking she sat up straight and turned towards her former enemy. She spoke, “Sunset Shimmer, that is quite a story-“ Sunset butted in, “Every word of it is true I promise.” Twilight continued, “I believe you, but I just don’t understand how you got here.” Sunset blushed, “I have no idea Twilight, that’s why I came to you for help. I have no idea what to do!” She buried her face into her hooves. Twilight took a long deep breath and gathered her thoughts together. She then spoke up, “How about I show you to a guest room, and we can talk about it in the morning, with a cleared head.” Sunset Shimmer lifted her head and nodded. She had not realized how exhausted she was until that very moment. The purple princess got up and the other followed suit. After winding through a few halls and going up a flight of stairs, the pair arrived at a room and with her magic, Twilight opened the door. The room was beautiful with a plush bed, bathroom, and a vanity. Sunset Shimmer turned around. “Thank you so much for your kindness Twilight Sparkle.” Twilight smiled, “It’s no problem.” And she closed the door. Sunset sighed a sigh of relief and laid down on the bed. She was asleep instantly.