//------------------------------// // Chapter 2 // Story: Foreign Correspondence // by Stormie-squall //------------------------------// As Sunset walked through the halls of Canterlot High, she hummed a familiar tune. The Rainbooms’ song was right- friends really were everywhere as she walked the halls. Although some were still a little wary of her (especially Scootaloo- that girl had heard too many ghost stories), the vast majority had come to like her again after she’d helped save them from the Sirens. “Hey, Sunset.” Rainbow Dash sidled up next to her and nudged her playfully with her shoulder. “Pretty catchy tune, huh?” “Yeah. Your band’s pretty good, Rainbow.” Sunset knew, even without looking, that Rainbow was puffing her chest out in pride. “Yeah, I know,” she chuckled. “I wrote it with you in mind, you know. I mean, after that whole demon fiasco and turning the school against each other. I hoped that it’d catch on and people’d start doing what it says.” “You mean like a Siren song?” Sunset teased. “No!” Rainbow said quickly, gasping. “It wasn’t like that, was it?” Sunset laughed. “No, Rainbow. Even if your Equestrian magic did have some effect, it was only a good one. I guess it was the magic of harmony.” “Twilight calls it the magic of friendship,” said Rainbow. “So it makes sense for it to make people friendlier with each other. Oh, and your book’s vibrating.” Sunset gasped and reached behind her to take the book from her bag. In her haste, she opened it upside down so at first couldn’t read the writing. Once she’d righted the book, she walked to the lockers and leaned against one to read. The greeting made her squeal in delight, louder than she’d intended. She blushed and covered her face with the book. To my personal student, Celestia told me to use that greeting. Is it okay? Anyway, I know that you’re (hopefully!) on your way to class, but I wanted to talk to you. Or, write to you. Before I left, I gave the girls a notebook each with the same spell on it that Celestia has on this book. Fluttershy wrote to me and told me how upset you were when I left, which is why I decided to write this now. Do you want to talk about it? (Write about it, ugh this is confusing!) If not, that’s okay. It took Luna a while to open up about her past too. But if you do, I’m more than ready to talk you through it. You can always talk to me, okay? Or if you don’t feel comfortable doing that, you can tell Fluttershy and she can tell me. Did you know that my Fluttershy befriended a former villain too? Nopony else would trust him, but she took him under her wing. He’s Discord, the lord of chaos, and he’s living in my friend’s cottage. Let me know if you want to chat. Or not. I can wait. Your teacher in friendship, Princess Twilight. Sunset frowned at Twilight’s words. She’d started rambling, a habit that Sunset knew all too well. Twilight, Have you slept at all since we last wrote to each other? Your faithful student, Sunset Shimmer. P.S. Yes, I will talk to you. If you can help a princess who was banished for a thousand years, you can surely help a mare who got too power-hungry and turned evil for a few years. Sunset had almost had to force herself to write the post-script. Would Twilight still want to help her if she knew the truth? Knew what she’d tried to do and what she’d ultimately done? She swallowed past the lump in her throat, and turned her watery gaze back to the book when it vibrated in her arms. You sound like Spike. Your teacher, Twilight Spa- The message trailed off, a spot of drool covering most of it. Sunset chuckled. She could just see the purple alicorn fast asleep, using the pages as a pillow. She’d done it more than once. More than a few pages were stained with drool from late-night messages to the princess. “Excuse me.” Sunset looked down to the little red-haired girl tapping her foot impatiently. “Yer standin’ in front of mah locker.” “Oh,” said Sunset, moving away. “Sorry about that, Apple Bloom. I was just writing to my friend.” “And ya couldn’t do that at yer own locker?” The youngest Apple pointed with her thumb towards the locker two doors down and across the hall. Sunset blushed and scurried over there, ignoring the laughing Rainbow Dash. While school had once dragged on for Sunset, she found herself to be enjoying it again now. Sure, there was no magical theory or lessons on how to use magic or self-defense classes, but normal human classes had their own kind of magic. And Sunset soaked it all up like a sponge. Hospitality was the one class where Sunset struggled slightly, but not because of the subject or even the cooking. Rather, it was who she had to work with. “Trixie, please stop throwing burnt toast at me,” she growled, brushing crumbs off her shirt. Another slice landed right on her face. “It is the only thing that Trixie can cook in a wheelchair,” the other girl huffed indignantly. “Well, maybe you shouldn’t have tried climbing over a bleacher three feet off the ground.” Trixie mimicked her, and more bread went down in the toaster. “And do you have to burn the toast?” Sunset asked, glaring at the offending appliance which was quickly filling the room with a vile smell. “Yes,” said Trixie. “It is like in Trixie’s song.” Sunset groaned. She was certain that Celestia was punishing her. Or maybe this was one of Luna’s tricks. Another piece of toast hit the back of her head, and Sunset fervently wished that she could burn it to ash. At last, free period came around and Sunset joined the other girls in the senior study room. She sat on a table, brushing crumbs from her hair and clothes. Fluttershy sat on a beanbag, cuddling a fluffy white bunny, Rarity gave herself a manicure, Rainbow Dash read a book that Twilight had lent her, and Pinkie Pie bounced in with a tray of steaming cookies fresh from the oven. Applejack followed her with bottles of soft apple cider from her farm. “Soup’s on!” Applejack announced, and dropped down onto the sofa next to Rarity. The poor fashionista found herself with nail polish on her nice skirt, and screamed. “Applejack! You did that on purpose!” She glared at the farmer. “You know it,” Applejack chuckled. “Aw, relax, Rares, ya got plenty of skirts like that one.” “Well, yes, but that doesn’t mean that I can just go spilling nail polish on them willy nilly,” said Rarity with a huff. Pinkie Pie, meanwhile, had pronked over to Sunset. “Hey, Sunset!” she called. And then she frowned. “Why’ve you got crumbs in your hair?” “Ugh, Trixie was throwing burnt toast at me in hospitality,” said Sunset, brushing the crumbs out. “I thought I’d got them all.” “You mean like in her song?” asked Rainbow, putting her book down. Sunset was surprised to see that she had a marker in it- Rainbow wasn’t the most enthusiastic about reading normally. “Yeah,” said Sunset. “She started singing it under her breath eventually. I could’ve told the teacher but you know what Trixie’s like.” Rainbow snorted. “Do I ever. She’d have been all ‘oh no miss, Sunset is simply framing Trixie. She is making fun of Trixie because Trixie is a cripple’”. Her mimicking of Trixie was met with laughter all round. “She’s lucky I went to check on her,” said Fluttershy. “In all the chaos, nobody else heard the sound she made when she fell.” “She’s just lucky it was only broken legs and a cracked fibula,” said Rainbow Dash. “A fall like that could’ve paralysed her, or worse.” Sunset was glad that she wasn’t the only one confused at Rainbow’s sudden knowledge. “What?” asked Rainbow. “I want to be a personal trainer. They’ve gotta know these kinda things.” “She’s right,” said Fluttershy. “I have to learn these things to be a vet. Although I don’t look forward to seeing animals in pain. And losing a patient…” Her eyes teared up and Pinkie quickly zipped over to her. “Aw, don’t cry,” she said, gently taking the bunny and handing it to Sunset, “you’ve got the magic touch, ‘Shy, I’m sure you won’t lose any patients. And if a person decides to have their pet put to sleep, you’ll be able to talk them out of it.” Fluttershy wailed at that and clutched Pinkie tight to her. Now Sunset knew why she’d been handed this soft little bunny. She stroked its ears as Fluttershy cried it out on Pinkie’s shoulder. Of course, because the universe hated her, Sunset’s book vibrated as soon as the bunny went to sleep in her arms. She groaned. “Rainbow? Can you grab my book for me?” Times like these, she missed her magic. Levitation would definitely come in handy at times like these. “Sure.” Rainbow placed the still-vibrating book beside her, then took the bunny and sat back down on one of the comfy chairs. Sunset opened the book, her belly twisting in a nervouscited (pony Pinkie’s word, apparently) bundle. Dear Sunset Shimmer, I feel a lot better after my sleep. How’s your day been so far? Reading over my last messages, I feel so embarrassed. Sorry you had to see that. Anyway, are you ready to talk about it now? Also, have you heard of Discord? Your teacher, Twilight Sparkle. Sunset grabbed a pen out of her bag and clicked it on, then wrote back. Dear Princess Twilight, You don’t need to be embarrassed. I’m surprised you haven’t read the old messages that I sent to Celestia. I sent many late-night messages to her. I can’t talk about it right now, I’m sorry, Fluttershy’s too upset to play the role of comforter. Maybe tonight? I’ll invite her over for a sleepover, or I’ll go to her house. I have heard of Discord- Celestia and Luna defeated him a long time ago. I liked that story. So he’s out now? And living with Fluttershy, of all ponies? Your faithful student, Sunset Shimmer. Rarity eyed Sunset knowingly. “What?” Sunset asked. “You were smiling the whole time you read her message,” said Rarity. “Seems like you are over Flash.” “She’s my only link to Equestria,” said Sunset, not even sure if she was telling the truth or lying. “She’s home to me.” Rarity cooed in delight, but Twilight had written back. Sunset, Okay, I guess I’ll find out everything tonight. You won’t mind if I tell Celestia, will you? She kind of has a right to know, being your old teacher and everything. I haven’t read your old entries yet, and I won’t without your permission. And yes, Discord is living with Fluttershy in her little cottage on the edge of the Everfree Forest. She keeps him under control because they’re friends. He’s still the same old Discord, but he has rules now. Why was Fluttershy crying? Twilight Sparkle. P.S. What about your dou- never mind, I’ll ask tonight. Sunset shot a look at Rarity, who was outright grinning at her. Damn that girl and her eye for match-making. Although even she couldn’t deny the fact that she felt warmed up like sunshine whenever she read messages from Twilight. The feeling, however, was quickly eclipsed by mounting anxiety. “Hey, Fluttershy,” said Sunset. “Can I come over tonight for a sleepover?” “Slumber party!” Pinkie Pie screeched, leaping to her feet. “No, Pinkie,” said Sunset. “I’m sorry, but I’m going to be writing something to Twilight and I’d like some privacy.” “I completely understand, dear,” said Rarity. “Something private.” She fluttered her eyelashes. “No,” said Sunset, glaring at her. “Not that kind of private. It’s the ‘sobbing on a friend’s shoulder’ kind of private.” “Ohhh,” said Pinkie. And then she brightened. “But then we can have a sleepover at my place tomorrow night!” “Sorry, I can’t,” said Rainbow, “I have an anatomy test the day after.” “Oh.” Pinkie deflated, complete with the sound of a balloon deflating as she sank onto the sofa and then slid onto the floor. “So, are we on for the sleepover?” asked Sunset. Fluttershy nodded as she brushed a strand of long pink hair behind her ear. “Yes, I can have you over tonight, Sunset.” “Thanks, Fluttershy,” said Sunset with a smile. “You’re a great friend.” She just hoped that Fluttershy was up to hearing this.