A night's rest and pre-emptive (sloppy) barrier ward against the Pinkie Pie she suspected was inbound on her bedroom door later, Sunset rolled out of bed awkwardly onto her hooves, stumbling only slightly as she made her way to the lavatory to start the day. She wasn't certain, but she could swear that this world's light was more insistent somehow, piercing petty things like physical barriers to force wakefulness on sleepy eyes. It would make sense, in a backwards way, she supposed.
She was only partway through brushing her teeth when a dull crack and mental alert that her barrier had been hit jarred her into dropping her brush in the sink. Sunset rushed to her bedroom door, only to find a small...dragon, she suspected, on the ground on the other side, rubbing his now somewhat flatter nose. He sat up, giving her a look of annoyance as she dispelled the ward.
“Y'know, if you REALLY didn't want breakfast, you could'a just left a note or something on the door.”
“I'm sorry...Spike?” Sunset asked, getting a terse nod in confirmation. “I didn't mean to cause you trouble. I was trying to make sure Pinkie didn't find me before I was ready.” Sunset knew that Twilight's assistant (and also maybe child? She wasn't certain about the details) had been a dragon on this side, but this little violet creature with bright eyes and a yellow-green stomach wasn't quite what she'd been expecting all the same. Maybe something slightly larger or more intimidating? No, he'd been so small on the other side of the mirror, that wouldn't make sense (inasmuch as ponies becoming strange ape creatures did).
Spike stood himself up and dusted off his backside as he spoke, “Yeah, that won't end well. If you know anything about Pinkie, you know she'll get you whether you like it or not. It might even be worse when she does, if she's offended you've been trying to hide from her.” He stroked his chin as he considered the possibility.
Sunset shivered. If this world's Pinkie was at all like the other world's, then she'd find a way.
“...well, whatever. That's YOUR problem! My problem is finding out if you're hungry or not and bringing you to the kitchen if you are. So...you hungry?”
“Uh, sure. Lemme just go grab a brush really--” Sunset found herself cut off as he seized a foreleg and yanked her along.
“Nope, breakfast time now. I have stuff on the stove!”
One awkward hopping walk and almost falling down the stairs later, she found herself seated unceremoniously at a relatively simple round table with a plate of waffles before her, blinking owlishly as she tried to keep up with the process of her morning. Sunset Shimmer was a creature of habit when it came to mornings; wake, brush teeth, shower, brush mane, don clothes (when applicable), get breakfast, face day. It wasn't extraordinary, it wasn't fancy, and it did exactly what she needed to do to get a good start on her weekdays. This routine hadn't been interrupted in...months. Years. Even before she'd left for the other world, it'd been her ritual.
So it was with some surprise she realized she was seated at a table with breakfast in front of her with no effort on her part, not looking one-hundred percent ready for whatever the day would throw at her. It was frightening, in a way. Liberating too, but mostly frightening.
Sunset had grabbed a fork and was about to tuck in when a gentle arrhythmic report of hooves on stone announced her host. She looked up and was taken aback by the bleary creature that trudged to the table and flopped her face on the surface. Twilight looked like she hadn't slept at all, bags under her eyes, mane a frizzy mess, and a bathrobe draped haphazardly over her wings and shoulders in a way that couldn't have been comfortable. And she thought she didn't do well in the mornings, yeesh.
“Twi? You gonna be okay?”
She received a noncommittal groan in reply.
“Alright then.”
Spike chose to appear with another plate of pancakes and a cup of what looked to be black coffee from the kitchen proper. Sunset wrinkled her nose at the mug; she liked the smell of coffee well enough but the taste was entirely too bitter for her. Twilight, on the other hoof, seized on it almost as soon as it was within reach and immediately dumped the contents down her gullet. Sunset gaped; that cup had still been steaming hot, the liquid likely searing. Her astonishment only grew when Spike poured Twilight another mug, which she drank with equal speed before he poured a final one and went back to the stove. This final one she took a generous sip of and set down.
“T-Twilight? Are...are you alright?”
“Nnn...talk after one more cup.”
Sunset took this as a cue to get back to eating and determinedly not stare at her host, who nibbled at a much more sedate pace.
Some time later, in the castle archival chamber, she was still trying not to ask if Twilight always needed that much caffeine to get going. It seemed rude.
“So.”
Sunset started, looking up from the card catalog she was in the process of sorting. Twilight lay nearby on a cushion, gently setting aside a record-book and quill.
“So...?”
“Are you ready to go see the town today?”
Sunset sighed. Of course she'd remember.
“I was actually hoping...” She trailed off, Twilight's clear annoyance taking her aback. “...alright, fine. Sue me for not being super interested in the uncanny valley effect of meeting my old friends for the very first time again.” Sunset slumped on the desk, irritation coloring her voice. “I understand what you're doing, and you mean well, but I'm already nervous about having to talk to the Princess. I'm not really keen on having to try to make a good first impression with ponies I already know. Sort of.”
Twilight nodded. “I understand that, which is why I've put off sending the Princess a letter until you're ready. Which, as an aside, can't wait for too much longer.” Sunset's groan of frustration was interpreted as a cue to continue, “If you're going to live here, Sunset, you're going to have to learn to at least get along with the townsfolk, and more importantly, my friends. We do a lot together, and I won't have another friend of mine hiding every time one appears. Come on; we can afford to set this aside for a day.” She paused. “...can't believe I just said that. Anyway, let's go!”
“For the record, I object to this notion.”
“Objection noted. Come on.”
The pair made their way for the front door, passing Spike on the floor reading what seemed to be a graphic novel. He looked up, eyes glinting with interest. “Where're you two headed?”
“I'm gonna show Sunset around town, and see if we can meet some of our friends. You wanna come along?” Twilight answered, voice chipper.
Spike scratched his chin, noting Sunset's clear discomfort. “...I think I'll pass for now. I just got to the climax of this chapter. Maybe later me and Sunset can play a board game or something together!” He flashed her a grin, which earned him a small and grateful smile in return.
“Suit yourself! Come on, Sunset.”
“Alright...” Sunset responded with trepidation. Twilight craned her head around to look at her, a reassuring smile on her face.
“...You'll be fine. I would never lead you to trouble. Trust me, okay?”
While she couldn't say why, Sunset found a small part of herself overwhelmed with an ugly surge of guilt for doubting the earnest creature before her. Balancing it out was a small kernel of warmth at Twilight's continued and unwavering confidence in her friends and her home. Maybe...maybe this wouldn't be so bad.
This would be bad. This would be very bad.
Sunset's prior tentative hope had been dashed mercilessly against the rocks of anxiety as they approached Sugarcube Corner, which was mysteriously not a corner store at all. The townsfolk seemed to constantly be staring at her (New face, new neighbor? Because she's walking with the Princess? Because they're trying to size her up?), even if they were polite.
Ponyville was a fairly rustic community situated a stone's throw from the border of the Everfree Forest, a feared expanse of varied terrains characterized by uncontrolled weather, uncontrolled wildlife, and uncontrolled growth. The town itself was moderately sized; from what Sunset had gathered reading a dossier in a tourist's booklet it was a primarily farming community with a small population of rural and suburban ponies living fairly mundane lives. According to the booklet, Ponyville was said to have a unique charm helped by the fairly sleepy small-town atmosphere and overall friendliness of the community, which made it worth a brief stopover on the way to more major destinations.
Sunset could definitely see how the writer could draw those conclusions...or could have at one point, given the apparently legendary reputation the hamlet had taken on in the last five years as the home of the Elements of Harmony, and the seat of power for Equestria's newest princess, not to mention epicenter for the (hilariously) routine dangers the town encountered by dint of the first two things. The small-town feeling seemed to have been replaced with the sort of subdued bustle one might encounter in a smaller city.
Of course, none of that mattered to Sunset right this second. No, she was desperately scrambling for something to take her mind off of the mounting dread that hit her as she pushed through the double-doors and the service bell rang.
“I'll be right with you, dear!” A familiar voice rang out from what Sunset assumed was the kitchen. She was too busy rubbing a temple with her hoof as she tried not to let herself be overcome with the...similarity of it all. The layout of the shop was almost exactly the same, the smell was almost exactly the same, the baked goods, the tables, the windows, all of it. The only real discrepancies were differing furniture to account for different sorts of creature; a pony's body was after all not much like a human's from a practical standpoint.
“...This is surreal, Twilight. It's...almost exactly alike. Look, the little bell on the counter's even in the same spot.”
“Imagine how I felt when I first went through the portal!” Twilight responded, grinning.
“I may not have to...” Sunset closed one eye, half expecting Pinkie to appear behind the counter, hands slamming on the wood as she bounced in from...wherever it was she hid.
“...oh! Princess Twilight! What brings you and...” Mrs. Cake had chosen that moment to emerge from the kitchen, a bit of flour on her shoulders and dusting her mane. She cocked her head to the side as she regarded Sunset. “I'm sorry dear, I don't think I've seen you around before!”
“This is Sunset Shimmer; she's from out of town, and I'm showing her around today! Do you happen to have any of the cinnamon scones available?”
Mrs. Cake shook her head apologetically. “I'm sorry, dear, not today. We're almost out of cinnamon and we needed it for a special order later tonight. We do have butterscotch, though!”
“That sounds good; we'll take two!” Twilight nodded. As the confectioner turned to retrieve their order, she turned to Sunset and whispered conspiratorially, “In my opinion the scones are better on this side, but that could just be me being biased.” She leaned back and spoke aloud, “You wouldn't happen to know where Pinkie Pie is, would you Mrs. Cake?” Sunset's eyes widened in response.
“Hm...she should be back any second now! I sent her to the market to get some odds and ends our normal delivery didn't have—oh, I can feel it. Brace yourselves, girls.” Twilight nodded and seemed to stiffen in place. Sunset glanced at the proprietor and her host in confusion.
“Brace myself? Uh...”
She didn't get a chance to finish her thoughts as a vibrant blur exploded through the double-doors, the bell jangling and mysteriously not getting torn from its perch as the mare herself came to a sudden stop before Sunset, her blue eyes wide and scrutinizing as she scanned the amber pony. Sunset felt sweat starting to bead in her fur as a minute of silence dragged on between the two. Fortunately, Twilight saw fit to break the stalemate.
“Morning, Pinkie. This is Sunset Shimmer, my friend from 'out of town.' You remember me telling you and the girls about her, right?”
Pinkie narrowed her eyes at the mare in question once more before turning to Twilight, all smiles. “Yup! Princess Celestia's student before you were, really good at magic, really smart, not good at long-term decision making or thinking things through! You even have basically the same name and opposite color schemes! She's just like you!” Sunset and Twilight both winced, for different reasons. Sunset's wince became a grimace of discomfort as Pinkie turned back to her with a straight face and continued, her voice strangely flat. “And not like you. In all the ways that matter.”
Sunset felt a flash of anger at the implications she thought the pink pony was getting at, but it was washed away in a stronger surge of sickening vindication. If this Pinkie, who was so much like hers, disliked her so much on first meeting, it didn't bode well for any of the others. A strong urge to retreat back to the palace welled up in her mind.
“Alright, Pinkie. We get it. Mrs. Cake, can we get those scones to go? We've got a lot of places to see today.” Twilight made a point of giving Pinkie Pie a look of supreme disappointment as she grabbed the paper satchel and stepped around her friend, who seemed to deflate. “Come on, Sunset. Time's wasting.”
Pinkie blinked, shaking her head furiously. "W-wait a minute, Twilight--" She seemed crestfallen as Twilight ignored her, turning to Sunset with a face of mixed confusion and sorrow.
Sunset wove around the party pony, trying to ignore the strange expression that she was receiving from her as she said, “Maybe we can talk later...? Bye.”
Outside the shop, Sunset caught up to Twilight, who walked with barely concealed annoyance, wings twitching in what she assumed was a physical tic of irritation.
“Twilight, maybe we should've...Twilight? Are you okay?”
“I should be asking you that, Sunset. I...” Twilight paused, collecting herself. “I'm sorry about Pinkie. I don't think she meant any harm, but she doesn't have a filter and...ugh.” She went quiet again, once again arranging her thoughts. “That's not right. I guess she remembers more clearly what I told them about the first time we crossed paths than the others. Still not fair to you.”
“No, it's fair.” Sunset replied, her mouth set in a grim line. “For all she knows, I'm still somepony who tried to take your Element from you and kill you, whatever else I did. I'd be leery of me, too.”
Twilight stopped and turned, Sunset bumping into her in surprise.
“You don't really think that, do you?”
Rubbing her snout, Sunset blinked. “Well, yeah. I'm not gonna try to downplay what happened. I'm in a better place now, sure, but it doesn't erase that I've done terrible things. Of course ponies with second-hoof information on me will be worried. Seeing is believing, Twilight. None of them were there for the bad or good things I've done, and helping to keep magic in control in a world that might as well not exist to ponies doesn't really balance out attempted murder of somepony you care about.”
Twilight's expression had gone hard, which made Sunset balk. A quick mental review told her she hadn't been wrong in anything she said. The lavender alicorn approached and poked Sunset in the sternum with her hoof, her voice reprimanding.
“Sunset Shimmer, you should know better than anypony how far you've come. You're not wrong, but it doesn't change that ponies lack the right to judge you without having seen what you have or haven't done.” Twilight's face softened somewhat, as she finished, “...I expect better from my friends, and I hoped for better from you. In any case, let's go. We can see about Carousel Boutique, find out if Rarity's in.”
Sunset watched her turn to go and made to follow, briefly hesitating.
Carousel Boutique was an interesting change of pace in architecture for Ponyville. An ornately detailed, circular ordeal with great attention paid to the decorations framing shop windows, all carefully designed to draw the eyes inward and through the glass at the dress forms within, each showcasing a different example of the owner's craft and skill.
Growing up, Sunset had never understood the draw of clothing of any sort. It was usually mildly restrictive, itchy, and only served to hamper one's ability to appreciate the air and sun on one's coat. It wasn't until her self-imposed exile to the human world that she'd gained an appreciation for clothing (not least because of the various taboos surrounding nudity there). It was a way for one not only to protect themselves from the elements but also a way to express oneself in a way that was immediately obvious and took almost no effort. She could recall the jacket she'd favored on the other side, itself a comfortable and almost omnipresent weight on her shoulders that to her let others know she was someone who wasn't to be trifled with, even after her change of heart.
For these reasons, she found herself looking around with interest, eager to see how her friend's counterpart conducted herself regarding attire in a world where most of your clientele did not wear clothing with any regularity. She wasn't surprised to see that most of the designs seemed to favor more formal occasions or special events, but the care of the creator was evident in each stitch and hem. Some things didn't change, at least.
A clear voice sounded from the stairs rounding the room, above the pair. “Welcome to Carousel Boutique! What can I—oh! Twilight, darling, to what do I owe the pleasure? And who is your friend?” Sunset was comforted, if still mildly put off, by Rarity's uncanny similarity to her human counterpart, ivory coat and violet mane immaculately set as she stepped around Sunset, sizing her up (and likely considering colors that would work well with her amber coat and fiery mane).
“Good morning, Rarity! I'd like you to meet Sunset Shimmer,” Twilight replied. “You remember me talking about her, don't you?”
Rarity, to her credit, hesitated only for a short moment looking directly into Sunset's eyes with a set of deep blues that seemed to pierce the latter's soul. Rarity smiled, seeming to like what she found. “Oh, I remember. Quite the hubbub you made on the other side of that mirror! What brings you to Ponyville, Miss Shimmer?”
Sunset faltered on the reply, daring to feel relief. “I...I guess you could say I'm doing some soul-searching, as trite as that sounds. Twilight was kind enough to give me a place to stay and employment while I'm here for a few months.”
“Is that so? Well, I hope you find what you're looking for, darling. Perhaps when you have free time you could come by the boutique? If I can help in any way, I'd love to, and moreover, I'd like to see what I can think up with your positively lovely coloration. Is the bright yellow in your mane natural?”
Sunset grinned. “Yup, been a fire-maned filly all my life. Princess Celestia once said it was probably why I was so energetic!” She chuckled, the memory combined with Rarity's honest approval making her feel lighter than air.
Twilight chimed in, “Well, I'll leave you two to get acquainted. I have to use the restroom!” and turned to go. Almost as soon as she was out of earshot, Rarity turned back to Sunset, her smile taking on a calculated edge.
“So then, Sunset Shimmer. 'Doing a little soul-searching', as it were? And what does that entail, hm?”
Sunset blinked, the sudden change in tone taking her by surprise. “I was...unfulfilled, where I was. So Twilight offered to let me stay with her while I tried to get reacquainted with what my cutie mark is trying to tell me.”
The fashionista nodded, the answer apparently meeting with her approval. “Hm, yes. I can see why you would need to do that. Have you met any of our other friends yet?”
Sunset's face fell. Rarity must have noticed, because she placed a hoof on Sunset's shoulder reassuringly. She then guided the amber unicorn's eyes to hers, a pensive expression on her face. “That's a yes, then. Try to be patient with them, Sunset. They really don't mean any harm...but they don't know what it's like, either.”
“...you do?” Sunset queried, mystified.
“I know you far better than you might think, darling. Twilight, too. I'll tell you about it when you come over for tea on Wednesday, yes? You should consider asking Twilight about her episodes. In the meantime, if you ever need to talk or vent, then I will listen, and she certainly would, too. I understand you get along very well with the other versions of us on the other side, but remember that we and they are separate ponies with separate experiences regarding you. Don't take what you might hear to heart, and try to keep an open mind.”
Rarity's smile became soft and genuine. “I may not be the Element of Honesty, but I consider myself a reasonably good judge of character. I can tell you mean well, and that you care about Twilight, at least. That's good enough for me. Ah, and speak of Discord and he appears! Feeling better, darling?”
Twilight had chosen this moment to reappear, what looked to be a minor anti-moisture cantrip on her hooves. “Yep! Too much coffee, heheh...”
“You always drink too much coffee in the morning, dear! It's not good for your nerves, you know.” Rarity spoke in a only moderately chastising tone.
“Well, I have to find SOME way to wake up! The Princess specifically forbade wakefulness charms after the Zombie Debacle of '89 on campus!” Sunset grimaced. She'd been present for that particular mess. Twilight didn't know the half of it. “A-anyway, we've still gotta visit AJ and Fluttershy, so we're gonna get going. Thanks for having us, Rarity.”
“You're most welcome, Twilight. You too, Sunset. Remember, Wednesday around noon!”
“Ah, yeah. I'll see you then.” Sunset agreed hesitatingly as she turned to follow Twilight.
Once outside, Twilight quipped, “Already got a date with Rarity set up?”
Sunset spluttered, “Wh—a da—no! It's not like...ah. Sorry. You meant a regular sort of date. Yes. I guess? I sorta got volunteered. Or told. Voluntold?” Sunset frowned. It was as good a word as any. “Let's go with that.”
Twilight nodded as they walked down the road. “Sounds like Rarity. I'm honestly a bit surprised, I half expected her to be sizing you up for a dress once I got back from the restroom.”
“Yeah, well. She asked me a bit about why I came, so we got sorta diverted. Also, while I'm thinking about it, she asked me to ask you about...an incident of some kind? She wasn't really specific.”
Twilight frowned, thinking. “Incident? We've had plenty of 'incidents' since I moved here; feels like once a week there's some new crisis that needs us to drop what we're doing and save the town. Any other hints?”
Sunset grimaced. “She said she understood me better than the others do, and that you would too, which I suppose refers to basically everything from our first encounter up until you stopped me. Which is the part that's confusing me, because it's not like either of you have ever had a psychotic episode and abused magic not meant for use on sentient creatures for nefarious purposes.”
Twilight stopped. “...weeeeell...”
Sunset stared at Twilight. “...You're kidding.”
“I was in a really, REALLY bad place that day. I'll tell you about it when we get home, but Rarity will have to tell you her story.”
The pair resumed walking as Sunset digested her host's words.
The alicorn/unicorn duo found the youngest member of the Apple clan first, rigging a set of mildly rusty chains around a partially rotted tree stump. Apple Bloom's canary fur was glossy with sweat as she worked, the iron links sitting heavily on her small frame as she rounded the roots and scooped hoof-fulls of soil out from beneath the sturdier ones, only to thread the chain through the resultant cavity. At Twilight's cheerful greeting, she stood straight, turning about and wiping her brow.
“Good morning, Apple Bloom. Working hard today?”
“Ya know it! This'll be the first fall that I'm officially allowed to help with applebuckin' so I gotta build up my strength and help get everything ready. Y'all lookin' for Applejack? Hey, who even are you, anyway?” The filly (young mare, Sunset mentally corrected herself) approached the fence and stood up on the rail, scrutinizing the golden unicorn with a critical eye. For Sunset, the uneasy familiarity/strangeness combination had returned in full force. She even SOUNDED exactly the same as the other one, right about the same cusp of marehood. Sunset could even see that she was about to hit a growth spurt; come spring she'd be a lanky thing.
“Ah, Sunset Shimmer. I'm a friend of Twilight's from out of town; she's showing me around. I take it you're one of the Apples, then?”
“Sure am! You ever hear of Sweet Apple Acres where you come from?” The farmer-apprentice's eager query made Sunset smile.
“I'm from very, very far away, so the only word I've got of it is from Twilight in her letters, but she only ever says good things.”
A new and simultaneously familiar voice chimed in, “Darn right she does. We take pride in our work here at the farm. Howdy Twilight, Miss...?” Sunset turned to face what could only be Applejack. Straw colored hair, a somewhat more vibrant orange than she'd expected, same warm forest green eyes, even the freckles and omnipresent hat.
“This is Sunset Shimmer, Applejack! She's Twilight's friend from out of town, she says!”
And with those words earnestly stated the mare's eyes hardened up, a genial smile becoming considerably more frosty as she glanced between the lavender and amber ponies. “Well, don't that beat all. I reckon I've heard Twilight talk about you before. 'Bloom, you mind going and fetchin' Big Mac? You got this stump hitched up well, but you ain't quite big enough to pull it out yourself yet.”
Apple Bloom chirped an affirmative and trotted off, leaving the trio to resume their stare-off.
“Mind explaining why she's here, Twilight?”
“I think Sunset can speak for herself.” Twilight responded, her tone carefully neutral.
Applejack turned to face Sunset, who winced under the farmer's uncompromising gaze. “I'm visiting Twilight and doing some research on this side, trying to get my sense of purpose back. She's letting me stay with her and do some archival work for room and board while I do. I'm not here to cause trouble, one way or another.”
Applejack narrowed her eyes. Like her sister, she examined Sunset carefully, but this looking-over felt less like familiarizing oneself and more like a threat-assessment. Another pulse of anger rose in her mind, indignant at this treatment. These were supposed to be her friends—but they weren't. These weren't her friends at all. These were Twilight's friends. And they owed her no camaraderie or favors. The miserable hollow sensation reappeared in turn.
“...well, if Twilight trusts you, that'll have to be good enough. You don't seem like you're up to no good, but if I catch even a whiff of trouble from you--”
Sunset was unable to restrain a snappish “I get it, okay? I won't be bothering you.”
“Sunset! Applejack, that's uncalled for and you know it! Come on, now.” Twilight patted her shoulder, and immediately Sunset felt a surge of guilt rise up.
“I-I'm sorry. I know you're just looking out for your friends, and I...”
Applejack paused, frowning. She then raised a hoof and interrupted. “Naw, don't worry 'bout it none. I was...being uncharitable there myself. If we can let the likes of Discord roam free, I think somepony walkin' around with the best of us should probably be given the benefit of the doubt. I guess I just got a tad overzealous, y'know? It's my home. Lemme try again: Th' name's Applejack. It's a pleasure to meet any friend of Twilight's, however you met.” She extended a hoof, an apologetic smile on her face.
Sunset hesitated momentarily, but found herself with a similar expression as she took the hoof in her own, getting a firm, powerful shake. “A pleasure to meet you again for the first time, Applejack. I hope we can get along.” The farm pony raised an eyebrow in response, but didn't push the issue.
Twilight hummed happily. “See, that wasn't so bad, was it? Now we've only got to visit Fluttershy and see if we can find Rainbow Dash.”
“Well, it's nearabout midday. Why don't y'all stick around for lunch and you can see Fluttershy on a full stomach? Rainbow'll turn up on her own time like always, I reckon. Besides, the best way to understand a pony's to share a meal with 'em, Granny always says. Course she also says that timberponies appear during the full moon, so take that with a grain of salt.” Applejack offered, her tone inviting.
Sunset and Twilight glanced at each other and back to AJ, nodding simultaneously. Sunset could've sworn Applejack had a strange look on her face for a moment but grinned and beckoned them through the gate toward the farmhouse.