Sunset shook off the lingering vestiges of sleep quickly as déjà vu struck her, the scene playing out in an eerie echo. She snatched her blankets off roughly with a magical pull, twisting around to get a look at her back. A bare set of shoulders greeted her (though they were a bit rumpled from having been slept on for hours). She sighed in relief, taking a moment to wind down before clambering from her bed and making for the bathroom to wash up for the day.
Sunset was struck with another wave of vertigo as the sense she'd done this all before overcame her with greater force. She blinked slowly and went about brushing her teeth and mane simultaneously, making certain her reflection in the mirror was the same as it was the day before. She paused as she examined the bridge of her muzzle, squinting. Did it seem slightly more...pink than normal?
She paused, a chuckle escaping her as she spat out her toothpaste. Here she was, obsessing over minute details that weren't even problems she realistically had to worry about. It wasn't like her body would change overnight while she slept, even IF it would eventually. She knew enough about magic to know that wasn't how it worked.
…definitely.
Probably.
“...” The brush stopped mid-stroke.
She stared at her reflection, eyes boring into the image of the mare across from her.
Sunset huffed, brow furrowing in annoyance. This was stupid. If not knowing that she was an alicorn (albeit one that didn't look the part) hadn't affected her before, why would knowing it make her change now? It would've started showing already. It would've been apparent the moment she stepped through the portal. She hurriedly finished, dropping the brush on the counter roughly and closing the washroom door with a bang.
She had just opened her room's door when she bumped into a small shape, looking down in surprise at Spike.
The boy greeted her with an icy stare. “Sunset Shimmer.”
“G-Good morning, Spike.” She hesitated, large emerald eyes piercing into hers. “Something I can help you with?”
“There sure is, Sunset. There sure is.” His entirely too-jovial tone set off alarm bells in her mind; what had she done? Was Twilight-- “You remember your little project in the kitchen downstairs?”
Sunset's face went blank as her kitchen escapades came back to her. Initially, relief surged through her and she sighed, only to be replaced by guilt and dread as Spike scrutinized her intensely. “Ah, yeah...sorry about that, Spike. We left really suddenly, and--”
“Ah bup-bup-bup!” The young drake held up his hand, a look of pure fury on his face. “Come with me.” And with that, he turned to go, his pace as clipped and severe as the stubby little child could manage, Sunset trudging along behind with head low.
The sight that greeted them in the kitchen was a horror she could not have foreseen.
Sunset gaped at the crusted, charred bits of her experiments clinging tenaciously to dishes that seemed discolored and bent unnaturally in some places. Forks and spoons and spatulas nearly unrecognizable under layers of hardened...something sat haphazardly in bowls filled with some vile smelling concoction of dish soap, water and the burnt odor of an oven left unattended. The mare paled; had she really left this here?
She struggled to remember previous experiments, in this world and the other. An fresh wave of guilt met her as she recalled the state of her workspaces. Her work ethic and intellect might've been beyond reproach, but her 'hooves-on' approach had definitely left little time for cleaning up. She glanced at Spike, flinching when she saw he was staring at her pointedly through the lenses of a gas mask he'd produced from...somewhere. He pointed at the catastrophe, the subtle shake of anger in his finger saying more than any words could.
Sunset looked back to the mess and sighed. She conjured a towel from her room with a quick yank, tied her mane back around her horn carefully, and set to work.
An hour later and Sunset had made hardly any headway into the calamity, privately swearing that she would never again leave a workplace in such a lamentable state (and knowing guiltily that she was probably less sure about that than she sounded in her head). She was midway through mentally trying to hurriedly devise a spell to prize blackened dough from ceramic when Twilight pushed the double-doors aside, looking blearily at Sunset, who paused as the alicorn took in the sight.
Twilight blinked owlishly, furrowed her brow and raised a hoof as if to speak, wakefulness coming back to her more rapidly as she stared. She put her hoof back down silently, apparently unable to find words. Finally, a small flush emerged on her cheeks.
Sunset raised an eyebrow, muttered a greeting and set back to work, furiously scrubbing the plate in her hooves even as four others received a similar treatment from ethereal duplicates of the brush she held, the cyan light of her work not quite overpowering the morning sun streaming in from behind the sink.
“...Sunset?” The tremulous query made her look up again, momentary annoyance replaced with a nervousness of her own when she took in Twilight's uncertain, reddened face. She blinked twice and put the plate aside, wiping her hooves as she carefully released the others and paced around the island to look Twilight in the eyes.
“What's wrong?”
Twilight lowered her head and hoofed at the ground listlessly before answering, her voice quiet. “Last night...”
“...what about it?” Sunset felt a seed of fear take root in the back of her head.
Twilight seemed unable to meet her eyes at first, but screwed them shut and inhaled before looking to Sunset, plaintive. “I didn't...imagine last night, did I?”
The question took the other mare off guard. A silence stretched between them as Sunset stared.
And just like that, the irony of the situation caught up to Sunset in what seemed to be a running theme for them these past few days, prompting a chuckle.
“It's not funny, Sunset! I'm serious--” Twilight muttered.
“I know, I know. It's just,” Sunset amended, “I wasn't sure myself, you know?” At Twilight's reddened look of surprise, she continued. “There was this...I'm not sure how to describe it. A sort of haze on the memory, like it was a wishful thinking. But if we were thinking the same thing, well...”
Twilight's face broke into a small, precious smile that clutched at Sunset's heart as she closed her eyes, relief on her features. “I...I see.”
Sunset inhaled deeply and said, “Now...I don't know official procedure on this kind of thing, considering my track record is pretty spotty, but...I'd say that was a pretty good start.” She finished, nuzzling Twilight affectionately. “We can work the rest out as we go.”
The alicorn leaned into it before making a face and pulling away, muzzle scrunched. “Ew! Sunset, you're all sweaty!”
“Well, I mean, I have been working really hard in here.” Sunset grinned, a magical tug pulling Twilight close. “Come on, gimme a hug.”
“Sunset, no! I swear, what is it with you and getting me all dirty?!” Twilight failed to suppress a giggle as the other mare wrapped her hooves around her and gave her a comically large 'mwah' to the cheek, halfheartedly trying to fight her off. “I just took a bath, darn it!”
“And now you'll have to take another one! Feel my suffering, Sparkle!”
“Is this what I have to look forward to? Months of you getting all--”
“AHEM.”
The pair paused, looking at the doors. There stood Spike, tapping his toes impatiently.
“If you two are done, I need this kitchen cleaned. Since some of us are bad at it, I'll take care of it myself.” He stared at Sunset with as much fury as he could muster in his little face. “You should go get cleaned up. Uh, both of you, I guess.”
Twilight frowned as she detached herself from Sunset. “What for, Spike? It's Thursday, there's nothing scheduled--”
“Shining Armor and Cadance are coming, they sent a letter.” He cut her off, deftly flensing crusted on scum from plates with his claws with an ease that made Sunset experience a powerful pang of envy. “Wow, Sunset. This is...you owe me for this one, Shimmer.”
“No argu-wait, who did you say was coming?” Sunset blinked. She looked at Twilight, who had frozen in place, a worrisome tic making itself known in her right eye.
“Twilight's brother and sister-in-law.” Spike answered, glancing at his 'sister' with a raised brow. “Twilight, relax. Do the breathing thing.”
The alicorn nodded hurriedly and inhaled deeply, putting a hoof to her heart and exhaling while waving it away. Sunset tilted her head quizzically; she'd seen her do that once before, hadn't she? Twilight repeated the action with a lengthy sigh, and turned to Sunset.
“I don't suppose my human counterpart has an older brother that's married?”
“Yeah, I'm pretty sure she does, but I've never met him. She certainly spoke of him like his name fit, though.” She snorted. “Shining Armor...heh.”
Twilight gave her a wry look. “To be fair, he really is very gallant. In any case, I guess you're gonna meet him today...you've already met Cadance, so this is as good a chance as any for a good second impression.” She took another long breath, as though priming herself. “...right. Okay. We can handle this...oh no! What are we going to tell them about us?!”
Sunset frowned. “What's there to tell? We're going to give a closer relationship than friendship a sincere try because if we do any more awkward flirting with one another we just might die of embarrassment?”
“Sunseeeet!” Twilight whined. “This is serious! Cadance is the Princess of Love! She'll know right away!”
Sunset chuckled and turned to Spike. “You good here, Spike?”
The drake gave her a silent thumbs up as he concentrated on cleaning at high speed with his other claw. Sunset was simultaneously impressed and worried; this was the sort of mastery that only came with long effort, so Spike must've been tidying up after Twilight for a very, very long time. Another gnawing seed of guilt cropped up in her mind; her earlier resolve to avoid messy workspaces if she could help it was given some sincere reinforcement. At the same time, she might have to have a talk with Twilight about her own sloppiness.
“Alright. I'm gonna go hit the shower. Twi, is the guest room still clean?”
“Of course. We haven't used it since Princess Celestia last came to visit.” Twilight responded smartly, apparently glad to have someone else take charge for a change.
“Would you make sure it's still tidy? Spike, how much time do we have until they arrive?”
He looked up from the sink out the window, narrowing his eyes at the sky. “According to the letter, they plan to arrive around noon, so just about two hours if I'm estimating the time right. I'll have this done in thirty minutes and get lunch going.” He glanced over to Sunset, his expression confident. “Trust me, I've done this a few times.”
“Gotcha.” She frowned. “Twilight, did I actually make you smell?”
The other mare sniffed a wing, a confused look on her face. “Um, no. I don't think so?”
“Maybe you should hit the shower too, just in case.” Sunset sat on her haunches and rubbed her chin with a hoof. “I'll try to be quick, but will there be enough time?”
Twilight blinked, and then chuckled. “Sunset, in case you forgot, we can bathe simultaneously.” She paused and flushed. “In our own baths, I mean. We have more than four bathrooms.”
Spike craned his head around to look at Twilight, puzzled. “Why would you need to clarify that?”
“She'll tell you when you're older, Spike.” Sunset replied, a grin on her face. “Alright, team. We have a plan, let's execute it. Spike, I'll be back down to help you as soon as I get clean. Twilight, once you're done, check the guest room as we planned. Meet in at the door at just about noon. Ready?”
A pair of confident 'Ready!'s responded and she smiled. “Okay. Break!”
Eleven fifty-five found the trio loitering around the main doors, Sunset now properly clean (and maybe just a little dolled up--it didn't hurt to try to look good for the family of your host), Spike tapping his foot impatiently and Twilight circling between them, nerves getting the better of her. There was something amusing about someone in as lofty a station as Princess of Equestria being consumed by something as menial as a visit by family, Sunset decided. At the same time, there was an underlying sense of concern. If she was royalty, a ruler of her kind, why would she be so nervous?
Did her anxiety over Celestia's approval really extend to every aspect of her life?
She didn't get a chance to muse further as a powerful, rhythmic knock on the door echoed in the hall. “I got it.”
Sunset pulled the handle with a quick tug of magic and was rewarded with the sight of two crystal ponies on the doorstep, one mare and one stallion. They both wore expectant faces, though the stallion seemed to have a slight crease to his brow, as though he were waiting to see something he wouldn't like.
“...um, hello. This is Twilight Sparkle's residence. May I ask who's calling?”
The mare looked at the stallion, a smile on her features. “That's her.”
“We'd like to come in, if it's all the same. We're here to visit.” The stallion stated, his expression wry.
A sense of wrongness came over Sunset as she looked at the pair. She could feel some kind of magic around them. If she had her guess right, it was an illusion. “...who are you?”
The stallion's face turned steely, his eyes hardening. “I'm her brother and this is my wife.”
Sunset scowled. “I'm reasonably sure her brother is a unicorn, not a crystal pony. Also, if you're supposed to be Cadenza you're doing a terrible impression of her. She's easily a third again as tall as that. Also not a crystal pony.” She began gathering a series of defensive spells, her voice harsh. “If you're looking for trouble, you looked in the most unfortunate place possible, mister.”
The stallion's face changed to a strange kind of smile, apparently relishing the challenge. “Yeah? And who're you supposed to be, her bouncer? I'm warning you, miss. You're in over your head here.”
“Alright, alright, stop. You're both pretty.” The mare cut them both off, stepping between them with annoyance and calling over Sunset's head. “Twilight? Do you mind giving us a hoof?”
Sunset was pushed aside as Twilight appeared next to her. “Cadance? Shiny? Oh, I'm sorry! She didn't know, we forgot to tell her. Come in, come in!”
Sunset was ushered backwards as the two crystal ponies were invited in, momentary surprise and annoyance now supplanted by open alarm. “Twilight, they're--”
“Wearing disguises, I know!” Twilight smiled. “Look!”
Sunset blinked as the ponies flickered, like an image on a screen before the illusion fell away completely and revealed a larger than usual unicorn stallion with a white coat and a mane of varying shades of navy. Beside him was a mare, abruptly much taller with a long, curling mane with cream, violet and magenta stripes over a nearly offensively pink coat sporting both wings and horn.
Sunset took a moment to drink in the visual information before her, dull shock slowly being overcome by stark horror as sweat beaded in her mane.
“Oh. Oh no.”
“Still wanna try me, Miss?” This could only be Shining Armor. To Sunset's honest surprise he looked exactly as classically knightly as his name implied, with a strong set of features and a piercing, confident gaze set over a muscular, toned form that could only belong to a trained soldier. This was somepony who could wear plate armor like it was nothing.
And behind him...Mi Amore Cadenza. Sunset felt a brief rush of anger, but it was half-hearted and was easily dispersed into uncertainty as the alicorn spread her wings and stretched her limbs.
For months Sunset had been furious that Cadenza existed. After all that she'd worked for, all her talent, all her proficiency, Cadance had managed to ascend to alicornhood before her. A pegasus that knew nothing of magic, in the name of stopping a two-bit witch! It was frighteningly easy for Sunset to recall the cold, sticky envy and rage, the emotions somehow feeling unclean to her now. She grimaced as the disdain and open hostility she'd displayed back then returned in force to remind her just how petty and hateful she'd been...and despite that, there was still a small, strange seed of jealousy in her stomach when she looked at the other mare. Sunset started as Cadance brushed past her husband to look her in the eye with a mysterious smile.
“Sunset Shimmer. It's been a long time.” The other mare's eyes were analytic as she took in Sunset. “...You're looking very youthful for somepony who should be my age. Good genes, perhaps?”
Sunset recovered enough to blurt out a reply, “More like an trip through space-time. Why are you two coming here in disguise?”
“Because doing it openly is a bureaucratic nightmare. So many forms to fill out, parties to notify, letters sent, announcements made...So much heartache over simply going to see family. Also, dodging the press.” Cadance chuckled, her smile a bit less disconcerting. “I trust your time was spent...well?”
“...it was definitely spent. It's really picked up in the last few months though.” Sunset replied, a small smile of her own forming involuntarily. “I see you're still doing well. Skinnier than I remember.” Her mouth drew to a thin line. “Wow, that came out mean. I meant--”
Cadance threw her head back and barked a laugh. “Hah! You've changed, Sunset. What happened to you out there?” From anypony else, that might've sounded sarcastic, but to Sunset's annoyance she managed to sound entirely sincere and politely inquiring.
“A lot...but we should move this somewhere else. The guest room?” She glanced to Twilight, who nodded in confirmation.
“Wait, so you didn't tell her you were gonna get married until two days before?” Sunset asked from her seat, incredulous.
Shining had the decency to look sheepish as he responded, “It...it wasn't one of my prouder moments.” He coughed and swiftly tried to change the subject. “In any case, after the...business with the changelings,” Sunset noted a pained looked in his eyes, like a bad dream not quite shaken off, “The wedding went well. Twilight even sang us a lovely song!”
The mare herself flushed and waved a hoof. “It wasn't that good, Shiny.”
“It really was, Twilight! Come on.” Cadance prodded the smaller pony with a grin. She went to pour herself another cup of tea before noting that the pot was empty. “Oh, whoops.”
Spike, ever dutiful, jumped into action. “I'll get it.”
“Spike, let me get it. You've been working all morning.” Sunset stood, shooting the drake an apologetic smile.
“...Shiny, why don't you lend her a hoof? You know how I like my tea.” Cadance supplied, an interested expression on her face.
Shining Armor rolled his eyes. “Hon, we're still guests. You can't be that specific when it's being offered for free, family or not.”
“Pleaaaase?” Cadance fixed her husband with large, dewy eyes. Sunset furrowed her brow; surely that wouldn't--
“Fine, fine. Lead on, Miss Shimmer.”
Sunset nodded and the pair made their way to the now pristine kitchen. She internally was stunned at how quickly Spike had brought the place back from the awful state it had been in, but at this point she resolved not to question it. She found that the ponies (and dragon) she knew in Equestria were consistently surprising in what they were capable of. She continued musing as she automatically set the kettle on the stove, reaching into the cabinets for the tea jars. So distracted was she that she almost didn't hear Shining Armor clear his throat.
“So, how long have you and my sister been a thing?”
Sunset nearly dropped the jar she held in her kinetic grasp, whipping her head about with eyes wide. The stallion behind her crossed a hoof, his expression appraising.
“...well?”
Sunset found herself flushing as she carefully put down the containers and turned to face him. “W-well, not long. It's only been a night since we made it an official 'thing', if that's even a word you use for it. We've been good friends for...months, really.” She smiled to herself. “...how did you know?”
Shining Armor grinned. “Instinct. I've done that song and dance before.” He sighed as he looked past her into space. “She was always so reserved and distant with others, but she's always been so earnest and sweet. A bit snarky, maybe, but you know how it is when you're pretty sure you're the smartest thing for the surrounding ten miles.” He looked back at Sunset pointedly. “You more than anypony should know.”
Sunset's expression turned sour. “I take it you know my reputation from back in the day.”
“Sure do. To be fair, I was just a cadet then, but there were plenty of rumors about the bad-tempered personal attendant the Princess kept on hoof. Cadance vented about you a lot; said you gave her a lot of undue trouble for things outside of her control. That said, you seem pretty relaxed to me now, so I'm not gonna bother you about that.” He shifted and seemed to increase in stature, his stance hardening. “But you're dealing with my baby sister. I'm not going to do the whole 'I'll-beat-you-up-if-you're-mean-to-her' thing because frankly, she'll wreck you harder than I will in an open fight.” He chuckled, a trace of bitterness in his voice, before returning to her, his voice pleading. “Just...please. Don't hurt her. She carries wounds with her for a long time, even minor ones. I think that's why she trusted books before other ponies as a filly and why she was always so distraught when Princess Celestia scolded her.”
“W-what? I'm not going to hurt her! I--” Sunset babbled, aghast. She was cut off when Shining continued,
“I know you won't, willingly. I can tell. You seem to have changed, because the reputation you had doesn't suit the mare I'm looking at.” Shining paused, and then continued. “I'm not gonna tell you stay with her forever. That's a stupid thing to ask, unrealistic. I'm asking you to be patient with her. If you find it doesn't work, please, don't part with her bitterly. She'll never forget it or let it go.”
Sunset was silent, taking in the stallion before her, his expression mournful and his shoulders slumped. He really cared for Twilight...another pang of envy hit her, wondering what it must be like to have siblings who loved you so much.
“I can't promise that we're going to be forever...heck, we just started this relationship thing!” Sunset remarked dryly. “...but I want to try. She's...she is...” Sunset struggled to find the right words, but Shining held up a hoof.
“Nah, save that for my wife. I've said my piece, and if I know her, she's gonna corner you and grill you herself. Princess of Love and all that.” He chuckled. “Anyway, obligatory big-brother-confrontation over. Let's get this tea in there. I'd bet you anything Cady just did the same to Twilight.”
As soon as her Sunset and Shining closed the door behind them, Twilight felt rather than saw Cadance close the gap between them, enveloping the smaller alicorn in a hug that would've surely been bonecrushing for anypony without earthen endurance, a muted squeal coming from her.
“Wh-! Cadance, what--”
“I'm so proud of you, Twilight! My little sister's finally grown up, oh gosh...” She theatrically wiped a non-tear from her eye with a hoof and released Twilight, who smiled at her sheepishly with a blush. “And what a catch! Why didn't you tell me she was so cute?”
Twilight dithered in her seat on the couch as Cadance settled down next to her. “W-well...I mean, how do you put that into letters? I--ugh!” She flushed brightly as she covered her face with her hooves.
“No, it's fine. I getcha.” Cadance bounced her eyebrows at Twilight. “So, are you two...” She paused, looking to Spike, who watched the exchange with a bored expression.
“Oh, no, please. Continue. I'd love to hear this sappy conversation about my older sister-slash-guardian figure and her 'best friend' that's living in the same castle. I'm sure this will be tons of fun.” His voice dripped sarcasm, only the slight tinge in his cheeks displaying his embarrassment.
Cadance laughed, her face rueful. “Sorry, Spike. It is kind of a girl-talk...We'll save it for another time. How have YOU been, Mister Hero?”
Spike grinned, his chest puffing up dramatically. “Oh, the usual. Saving lives and keeping Twilight from falling apart without my expert care. Honestly, I'm not sure what she'd do without her Number One Assistant.”
Twilight was tempted to defend herself, but honestly, she really did depend on the drake. When she thought about it, she was assaulted with a range of emotions. There was a small comfort in knowing that he was always there for her, but there was also a measure of guilt. Ever since he'd been old enough to hold a quill and smart enough to understand her intent, he'd been pressed into service as confidant, assistant, scribe, chef, maid...he really was a multi-talented little dragon. Knowing that he was only as capable as he was because she was so needy was sobering, she thought. Twilight had hoped that with becoming a Princess she would be better able to take care of herself, but more than ever she relied on Spike.
As always these ruminations reminded her that he would grow up, one day. He would need to be able to spread his wings (maybe literally, if they ever came in). She couldn't feel her face falling as he regaled Cadance with his latest tales of 'heroism', only returning to the world when he called for her.
“Twilight? Are you okay?”
Just like that, the considerations fell away, and she put on a smile she didn't quite feel. “Hunh? Oh, I'm fine! You were saying?”
“I was just telling Cadance about the--er, hold on.” He held up a clawed finger and put one hand on his stomach, brow furrowed in discomfort. After a brief moment, he turned away and belched a small gout of flame, a scroll coalescing from it. “Urgh, sorry. Mail call!”
Twilight blinked as she seized the letter, noting the solar emblem of Celestia on the wax seal. She opened the letter and began reading aloud, but was taken aback by the opening line.
Dear Twilight and Spike:
If you are reading this letter, I am sorry to inform you that it is meant for Sunset, but as yet Spike is the only available dragon post! Kindly give it to her, without reading it yourself (I know it really is tempting, believe me). I will be in touch with you another time. I'm trusting you to deliver it!
Have a lovely afternoon, Celestia
Twilight had to forcibly stop herself from progressing past 'Dear Sunset' beyond that, screwing her eyes shut and rolling the parchment back up. She glanced at Spike and Cadance, making a show of shrugging with a rueful smile as she placed a minor adhesion charm on the letter to keep it sealed.
Inside, she was roiling.
Why would Princess Celestia send a letter directly to Sunset that she wasn't to look at? Was it a private matter between them? What could be something that she didn't want Twilight to know between them? Was it something bad? Something related to the sirens? Her worry must have shown on her face, because Cadance gave her a small, bracing pat.
“Don't worry too much about it, Twilight. It's probably something minor. What if it's about getting her official banishment repealed?”
“Yeah! You want me to go give this to Sunset now?”
“Give what to me now?”
All three looked up in surprise as Shining and Sunset re-entered the room, a tea-kettle and tray held in the former's magic. He placed it gently on the table between them as Spike held up the offending letter, his expression sheepish.
“Letter for you from the Princess!”
“From the Princess? For me?” Sunset frowned, examining the letter. Twilight felt a strange flutter of nervousness as she scanned the small warning at the top, a small kink of her brow noting the oddness. When Sunset continued down the page and her face went stony, only to pale at the end, Twilight's nerves were replaced by a cold, clawing dread. Sunset startled and rolled up the parchment, looking up at the assembled group and hastily donning a smile.
“Sunset? Is...is everything alright?” Twilight knew she wouldn't get a straight answer, but...
“Ah...peachy. I'm gonna go put this in my room and compose a reply. Be back in a little while!” With that she turned and left the room, a yawning silence left behind. Cadance was the first to break it.
“It's probably nothing, Twilight. Relax, have a seat.” Her voice was soothing, reassuring in a way that most ponies couldn't manage. For a moment, she thought as she sat, dredging up the best confident expression she could manage, she almost believed it. She wasn't quite listening when Shining Armor spoke, her attention divided.