Ten burgers, fifty chicken nuggets, drinks, and enough fries to feed an army. Plus a dozen of those little cardboard-box pies, because why not?
Both girls used both hands to carry the bags outside. “Are you sure we can take all this on the bike?”
Ember walked a step ahead of Sunset. “No sweat. My saddle-boxes have way more room than you’d think.”
Sunset shivered in the windy dark. Canterlot rested in the awkward time between winter and spring, when the snow turned to brown slush and the sun was down by dinnertime. Chill plucked at her uncovered ears as they reached the large red motorcycle that was Ember’s new project.
Opening one of the storage compartments proved it large and deep, easily accommodating the mass of food. Ember wiped off the seat while Sunset checked her phone and quirked a frown.
“Applejack’s already there.”
“Applejack didn’t need to stand in line for food.” Ember yawned in and out, expelling cold mist reminiscent of smoke. “We ain’t got no one to impress. Don’t be nervous.”
Sunset gave a lame laugh, reaching for her helmet. “Well, we’re going to be making a first impression on someone.”
“The baby is two days old, Sunset. She’ll be asleep, eating, or crying.”
“Sucks that we couldn’t be there in the hospital.”
“Rules are rules.” Ember put on her own helmet, muffling her voice behind the black visor. “And my punk-ass is normally the last person who’d say that, but hospital workers put up with enough shit already. Plus I don’t want to be in the birth-story as the delinquent daughter who got arrested.”
“You’re not a delinquent,” Sunset said automatically.
“Technically sure because I’m twenty, but I know what I am.”
They boarded the motorcycle. Sunset tucked in behind Ember, holding her around the stomach as they cruised out the parking lot.
A red light next block gave Sunset chance to continue, yelled over the idle engine. “I’m twenty-one.”
“Yeah?”
“Guess that makes me the big sister.”
Ember’s helmet tilted as she glanced back. “Hang on, I definitely remember that being an estimate because the dates for your weird pony world and here don’t match up. Given that I’m tough, cool, and independent, I think I’m the big sister.”
“Yeah, but I’m responsible, empathetic, and mature, so I should be the big sister.”
The light turned green, and the bike’s loud rumble ended the conversation until the next stop.
This time, Ember took the lead. “But are we really sisters? Our parents never even married.”
“I’ve been thinking about that,” Sunset replied. “See, you and I might or might not be sisters. But we’re both definitely the baby’s sisters, because my mom is her mom and your dad is her dad. It’d be really weird to say we’re not sisters when we’re both her sister, so I think it makes sense for us two to be sisters.”
“So, we’re sisters because it’d be too complicated to not be sisters?”
“Pretty much.”
Green light.
“Works for me,” Ember said, gunning the engine.
Nothing else stopped them on the way to that new house. Larger than any Sunset had ever known – it seemed huge and impersonal next to the cozy little house she left behind. Her first real home, her own room. Just her, Mom, and Luna…
Now sold, to some strangers.
As ever, Sunset’s sharp mind set her straight. It was ‘cozy’ with three people living there. Things would have been a lot more cramped with five.
...Six.
Applejack’s truck was in the street. Sunset gathered the food along with Ember, then climbed up the creaky wood porch to the front door. There hadn’t been time to fix everything, and now with the baby it would likely creak a good while longer.
Sunset knocked. Ember snorted. “Dude, it’s our house.”
“Right, right.” Sunset worked her hand around the doorknob then shouldered it open. Mindful of the possibility of sleeping babies, she announced their presence softly. “Hi, everyone. The food’s here.”
Their new living room was spacious, and blurred into the entryway and dining room. It was also a mess of bright packages, stacked diapers, playpens, and other child-rearing debris that had not yet found a place.
Standing out from the rest stood a clear centerpiece: a cradle of solid, varnished wood, made by Applejack. With a device to let it rock automatically, courtesy Twilight. It took Celestia a while to stop crying when they dropped it off last week.
Greetings came from around a bend in the wall. Applejack and Adagio entered from the opposite way, from the kitchen. Applejack wore a gleaming grin and made to hand Sunset a bottle of apple cider, then on seeing her load set it on the table. Adagio tapped her phone.
“Howdy there… Big Sis!”
“Hey, guys.”
Sunset accepted help with the food, then a hug and peck on the cheek from Applejack. The pair immediately began fishing out burgers for themselves, while Applejack pointed to the bottle. “That ain’t the market version right there, hand-crafted with my own favorite spices. Shake it up a little first ‘cause it settles, then get ready for a kick. Congratulations.”
Her smile twisted up on one side, and she gestured with her head. “We can toast later. I reckon you have someone to meet right now. Daj and I will hang out here, nice and discreet. We’ll eat and go.”
“You don’t have to,” Sunset said. A cold pit suddenly found her stomach.
“Nah, girl. This seems like a family kind of thing, what with a new little one and all.”
Sunset swallowed hard, giving a quick nod. “You’re right. We should hang out here, give them space.”
Flat stares replaced both Applejack’s cheer and Adagio’s disinterest.
Sunset dodged eye contact. “They’re probably really tired from the hospital, and maybe want to be alone with the baby, and maybe I should just...”
She blinked. In that time, Applejack and Adagio had stepped to each side and gripped her by the arm and shoulder. Gently but firmly, they spun her to face the next room.
Sunset felt a nervous grin play on her face. “You too, Adagio?”
“Sorry, Sunset. I’m whipped.”
“No getting cold feet,” Applejack coached.
“All I’m saying is that I don’t know anything about babies and I’m not sure of my place in the coming family dynamic and it’s cool I’ll just come back tomorrow and–”
They began marching her forwards.
“Coming, Ember?” Applejack called.
“I’ll catch up,” Ember said around a gross mouthful of nuggets. “I’m starving, we’ll let my little sister go first.”
They approached the bend, where the first words of greeting had come. Sunset recalled that it turned towards a cozy den.
She reached around, placing her hands behind the others’ backs. “Go in with me.”
“Seems like a family thing,” Applejack said again.
“Yep.” Sunset took a step ahead, then turned to face them. Her jitters were gone, replaced by a smile. “And you guys are family.”
“Aw, heck.” Applejack covered her mouth with a hand and tilted her hat low over her blush.
Adagio rolled her eyes, though was not able to fully suppress her smirk. “Whatever. We’ll give you a moment, then sure, fine, we can say hi.”
Sunset gave a nod. She walked forwards, then hesitated one more time.
Melodic and soft, Celestia’s voice rounded the bend. “Sunset, come meet your sister.”
Sunset moved. The den was set up for Luna’s video games, with a computer desk, television, and comfortable couch. Celestia sat there with a tiny, tiny bundle in her arms.
She looked tired. Dark bags hung under her eyes, and her head rested flush to the sofa’s back. She wore pink baggy pajamas and a drowsy smile.
Torch sat by her, not looking much better. A half-assembled milking pump rested on the table to his side, along with a beer bottle. Luna – the only extra family the hospital let in – sat on her computer chair.
But Sunset only really saw her mother. Despite her exhaustion, the blues and greens of the woman’s hair seemed somehow bright and vibrant; her smile not just from wan fatigue but a relentless need to smile in spite of it.
Their eyes met, and Celestia grinned with wide, white joy.
She adjusted the little bundle in her arms, giving Sunset her first view of Sunny Starscout. Now not much more than a little orange face with a dusting of reddish hair. The eyes were closed, and the blankets moved with soft, rapid breaths.
Sunset took one step closer. Celestia raised her arms a fraction higher. And by this unspoken signal, Sunset crossed the rest of the way and accepted the baby into her hands. She held Sunny close, cradling her as Celestia did.
The eyes opened, showing a sparkling turquoise green. They watched Sunset, calm and curious.
“Hi, Sunny.” Sunset sniffed wetly, and knuckled her eyes with the free hand.
She sat down next to Celestia. A pale pink arm wrapped around her shoulder.
Sunset touched her forehead to Sunny’s, feeling the warmth of the tiny baby flow up into her. “My name’s Sunset Shimmer. I’m your big sister.”
She hiccuped, swallowed, rubbed her eyes again. “One of them, anyway. You’ll meet Ember in a moment. She’s nicer than she looks.”
The free hand gripped Celestia’s. Sunset raised the baby with the crook of her elbow and kissed her on the forehead.
“It’s a weird family, kiddo, but it’s great. You’re going to have one heck of an adventure with us.”
“But no monster hunting for her,” Celestia said.
“Definitely,” Sunset added. “She’s not allowed.”
Torch nodded. “Never. She won’t even be interested.”
Luna turned back to her computer. “You guys are funny.”
There's a part of me that's sad this is ending with so much more material that could be done, but I think I'm glad it has an ending. At least for now. As much as you sometimes want to let an AU run forever... there comes a time when it's best to cap it off with a neat little bow (and leave an opening for a timeskip sequel down the line, naturally). I'm gonna miss these crazy hunters and their shenanigans, though. I hope Pinkie's predictions about what's gonna go down 16 years from now rings true...
Good way to end it. I approve.
nice work
It was an amazing adventure and I'm glad I was able to accompany part of this journey
It is my headcanon that Sunset somehow regains her ability/curse to become a a SMOL alicorn... Right about when Sunny's 5 and going NUTS over having a pony to pet, love and cuddle. And Sunset's utterly unable to say no to her.
Also Luna's the only one smart enough to realize they couldn't have assured more that Sunny will hunt in they tried to raise her for that
I would have liked to see some closure on sunset starting to feel lonely again.
A satisfying ending to the AU (for now, at least)! Sunset deserved this sort of ending, where she’s surrounded by a loving family and people who deeply care for her. I liked the tie-in to G5 - as polarizing as he upcoming show may be, I have a soft spot for stories that pass the torch between generations. Enjoy the break, and good luck with your next project!
Awww i didn't want it to end but if it had to end this was the way to go about it. Nice :)
A beautiful way to end this story. It's been wild seeing this family grow, and so, so much fun to read about their shenanigans. Looking forward to whatever you might write next.
Man im sad to see it go but im glad it was here.
You made a great AU that was so fun. Top marks all around. Wish the Sunset/AJ/Dazzle relationship had more like closure. For like how it all ends up down line.
And Sunny will end up being the best hunter in life under Aumt Luna's teachings.
12/10
~Reggie
I love Luna so much.
It's a shame this is over, but I'm glad it ended WELL.
Oh well. I'm sure if someone comes up with a chapter that could have happened before the finale or after the finale, Rune seems like a lenient dude to let us publish stuff like that (if I do I'm asking for approval first though.)
Damn what a good ending, can’t wait to see what you got in store for us in your next story!
A good ending. Until the next one.
This story and all of its other installments have been amazing, I'm glad I read them.
Also Sunset and Ember as sisters is amazing, and I want more of that. Much more.
It's times like this that I whip out that old OotS quote, which I'm officially inducting into my quotes document now because it's always been kind of annoying for me to find again:
Didn't Pinkie just mention last chapter that she forsaw a doosie in 16 years that was setting up a potential sequel... which lines up with the time when little Starscout is of the age that Sunset was when she started down the road of monster hunting? This might be fun...
Thanks for the ride!
I need to check if I follow you so I can read the other stuff your planning!
Whaddayaknow? I didn’t. Doing it now.
Umm, she did used to live in a castle. Then again, there's a difference between a room you stay in, and a home you live in, I suppose.
It's wonderful how such a simple statement, spoken with such casualness, can convey so much to Sunset. There's no doubt or hesitation in Celestia when she calls Sunset "sister". Just like there's no doubt or hesitation when she calls Sunset "daughter. Sunset may be having this mini-crisis about how she fits into the family, but Celestia sees nothing but her daughters; plain, simple, and undeniable fact.
And then Sunset see her mother in return.
And little sister makes three. 😊 (Plus big sister Ember as well!)
A nice send off to a wonderful story! Is there room for more? Gosh, yes! Tons more! But this was a nice settling point, for Sunset at least, and there's lotsa possibilities for the fans and readers to flesh out in their own imaginations about how things go from here. And maybe, in the future, another part to the saga will be added. But if not, it's still been a great and fulfilling ride nonetheless!
...Also, Luna nailed it in the end! 😂
This ending is really good: a story about the passage of time, how relationships change, and how new families form can only end with new life in the form of a beautiful baby.
I sure am looking forward to a multi-chapter drama. Ooh boy! This was a helluva a wild ride and I think the anthology aspect with looser continuity really worked in the favor of this ‘verse. Each time a chapter came out, I had no idea what to expect.
I can think of no more perfect capstone for this leg of the journey. Marvelous stuff. Thank you for it. Here’s looking forward to whatever’s in store, in this world and others.
(And the identity of the baby is truly brilliant, even if it does lead to some very odd questions in Equestria. )
Is it too soon to note that in 15-16 years, the stars will be right and Old Ones begin to awake? Someone's gonna have to scout that out.
This is a lovely place to end this chapter of the tale and of this world. I do hope you'll come back someday though
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Maybe it's too early to call, maybe you'll never write it, maybe I'm just building wonderful headcanons that will never, ever see the light of day, but I, for one, can't wait for "Sunny Starscout Hunts the Undead!!!
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...Me too.
I have a suggestion, they are going to the hunter convention, but end up at villain-con instead! For reference, villain-con is a convention for super villains, so evil comic-con basically.
From the first story with Sunset getting introduced into the hunting business to this third installation, I loved it all! This series is honestly one of the best I've read in a long while. I really like everyone's character, how they've developed over time, and their bonds with with each other. You're really good at balancing out the humor and the heartfelt moments, and it's incredible. Thank you for posting your works and sharing them with us!
Had me tearing up by the end of the chapter. You've not only written three brilliant stories, but you've created an entire world, one of my favourite story series' on this site hands down
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Ahh, I'm so glad. <3
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I could go into a 15 minute long rant on Starlight in the most venomous and cynical tone I could, berating all her negative aspects and never acknowledging that she managed to save the group from Queen Chrysalis and actively is trying to do her best despite the fact that she has no idea of personal limits.
But I’m not Lily Peet, and I’m glad I’m not her, she seems like a jerk… but I still have my piece to say so I’ll be quick.
Starlight’s personality is a result of overly coddling someone and never allowing them to get hurt and learn from it, pain builds character (as dumb as it sounds) and Starlight never really had that big of a pain. Yes, I would have loved for Twi to bash her around a bunch (give me like a 2-3 minute clip of her just fleeing from Twilight’s wrath and getting smote) and maybe some actual consequences like idk, Imprisonment and maybe I’d like her more.
Call me vindictive if you want. Sometimes you need to smash a (w)horse in order for them to learn.
Ok I’m done.
You'd be surprised how much came about the way it is simply because people decided it was the least complicated way of dealing with it and so went with it.
And just.... Daaaaaaawwwwww as fun as the undead hunting has been, it's the family bits that really make this series so amazing. And this is a perfect way to cap that off.