Sunset Shimmer was having a very bad week.
Now, the week wasn’t terrible. She had just gotten back from Camp Everfree, and she and her friends had just gotten some new magic. As Rainbow Dash would put it, it was pretty awesome.
The problem is, she had no idea how this magic works, and each of them manifested their magic in different ways. The others were asking questions about this magic, and she didn’t have any answers. To top it all off, Principal Celestia was asking questions as well, and she couldn’t answer the vast majority of them.
Then, there was the whole “touching another person’s arm and seeing their memories” thing that tended to get in the way of social activity. Real buzzkill.
All in all, she was confused.
Right now, she was sitting at Sugarcube Corner, and chatting with her friends. She could see the necklaces that all of them wore, which were the physical manifestation of the magic. It was a constant reminder of her complete lack of knowledge.
She then felt a buzz coming from her backpack.
Her friends must have noticed it too, because they all stopped talking (except for Pinkie, but she only stops talking to inhale. Seriously, she talks in her sleep) and looked over at her bag. Sunset pulled out the offending object, a brown book with a symbol in the shape of her cutie mark on the cover. She opened it up, and saw that Twilight had written her a letter of sorts. Not the Twilight sitting just across from her, but the Twilight from Equestria.
Sunset, you won’t believe what just happened. Do you remember the story I told/wrote to you about the changelings invading my brother’s wedding? Well, they decided to come back for vengeance, and they managed to capture me and my friends. Fortunately, Starlight Glimmer (I’m pretty sure I told you about her) rescued us, but the insides of a cocoon are absolutely dreadful. I really need to take a break. Anyways, I was wondering if you would like to come visit. Just to relax.
“What’d she say, sugarcube?” asked Applejack.
Sunset then began to pass around the journal. As her friends read the letter, reactions varied from grossed out (Namely, Rarity and Fluttershy) to interested to shock. Sunset was contemplating accepting her invitation. Summer vacation would be coming in a week, and she could visit then, so she wouldn’t have to go back to school every day.
Once the journal made its round, it came back to Sunset, and she began to reply.
I would love to come back. We’ve had our fair share of excitement since you last visited, and I need a break. Summer vacation will soon be here, and I’ll be able to visit then. It about a week, I’ll come through the portal and visit. See you then.
Once Sunset closed the book, she looked up and saw all of her friends looking at her. “I’m going to visit her once summer vacation comes around.”
Pinkie Pie then says, “I think I speak for all of us, when I say can I come with you?”
Sunset looks over to the rest of her friends. “Do you all want to come?”
They nod.
“I don’t think you can come. There are exact copies of you on the other side, and I would rather not have you meet.”
Twilight (human Twilight, mind you) then points out one fatal flaw. “I’ve met my counterpart right after the Friendship Games. The universe didn’t explode. Why are you so worried?”
“Look, I know you all want to go, but I don’t think that it will be a good idea. I can just imagine things going from bad to worse very quickly. The magic is different, too. This could go wrong in so many ways.” Sunset said back.
Rainbow Dash then looked over at the former unicorn. “We will be coming with you, whether you like it or not. Believe me.”
Sunset shrugged. She had managed to get all of them to cease being friends before. Granted, she was a worse person then, but still, she liked to think she was good at standing her ground in an argument. There was no way they were going to convince her that they would come with her. No way in Equestria.
Later that day, Sunset was at Rarity’s boutique, and was getting measured for a new dress. Rarity insisted. Sunset was standing there, while Rarity was busy taking measurements. Now, Sunset liked to think of herself as a patient mare/girl, but Rarity sure seemed to be taking her time. Finally, the silence was broken by Rarity.
“So, are we going to talk about Equestria? I’m still dead set on going.”
Sunset sighed. “Why do you want to go to a completely different world where styles couldn’t transfer over?”
“Darling, just because the styles can’t go between doesn’t mean the ideas cannot. I always need inspiration, and this is a veritable gold mine, if I do say so myself.”
“How could you even come over? You can’t run a business from another world.”
“Simple, darling. I always take the first month of summer vacation off, so that is no problem at all.”
“Ugh. What about your family? Your parents? Sweetie Belle? What about them?”
“None of them live with me. I bought this when my dressmaking really took off. Sure, Sweetie comes over an awful lot, but she doesn’t live here. I’ve lived by myself for a few months now. So your argument is invalid, dear.”
“Fine, Rarity, but I don’t want to separate us. Either all of our friends convince me they can go, or none of you go.”
“Believe me, darling, there’s still a week. Don’t count us out yet.”
Sunset was hanging out before school started. She always stood near the statue/portal, if only to make sure no one made it through the portal. Both ways.
“Heya, Sunset.” Came the southern accent of a certain cowgirl who ran an apple farm.
“Hey, Applejack.” Sunset greeted back.
“Now, Rarity was tellin’ us you ain’t gonna let us go through unless we all convince you. Well, it’s mah turn.”
“Okay, AJ. First explain to me how you could take that much time off during the summer.”
“In case ya haven’t noticed, sugarcube, I don’t have a lot going on during the summer. Trees are all set until we pick them in the fall, an’ I hardly have any animals to take care of. Applebloom and Bic Mac can take care of the farm for pretty much the rest of the summer. To make a long story short, yes, I will have the time.”
“So that explains the amount of time you have. Never really paid attention to it before. But what about your family? What will you tell them?”
“I’ll tell mah family that I’m goin’ with you camping for a while. Sure, we were just camping, but that wasn’t real camping. I usually get off the farm for a while when I can. Too much time around apples tends to make you a bit wonky.”
“But why would you want to go there? Your counterpart does the exact same thing, at least that’s what Princess Twilight tells me.”
“Simple, sugarcube. I wanna know how this newfangled magic stuff works. Also, all my friends want to go, so I kinda hafta do my part.”
Brrrrriiiiiiinnnnnnnggggggg.
“Well, time for class. Seeya, Sunset.” Applejack said as she started walking towards school.
Sunset was starting to get a little bit worried. She was confident earlier that Applejack wouldn’t be able to spare the time. Now, she was slightly concerned. Still confident, but a little concerned.
That afternoon, Sunset was helping Twilight in her lab, doing…whatever it is Twilight does. Sunset honestly didn’t know what she did, or if it was even legal. She just helped clean up the messes and hold stuff.
Sunset decided to initiate this conversation, since if she didn’t, Twilight never would. “So, why do you want to go through the portal?”
Twilight meeped as if surprised, but calmed down quickly. “I want my counterpart to help me learn how to best use this magic. Also, so I can see something new and get something new to study.”
“Most solid reason I’ve heard so far. How will you make the time?”
“You act like my parents are really worried about me. They give me a lot of independence, just as long as I tell them what I’m doing. And before you ask, I’ll just tell them the truth. I haven’t really been able to hide the magic from them. They know about it, so I see no reason to hide the truth.”
“Wow. I guess most of us who live with our families can’t really keep it hidden. I bet AJ’s family knows about this, too. Maybe. Or not. She said she was going to say that we were going camping. So maybe not.”
“Or maybe her magic is just so subtle, they haven’t noticed it. Hers is just incredible strength when needed. Mine is levitation, teleportation, flight, and all sorts of different, flashy things. Naturally, it’s going to get noticed if you spend enough time around someone.” Twilight said to answer.
Sunset was hung up on one certain part. “You can teleport?”
A flash, and Twilight appears on the other side of the room. “Yes, why do you ask?”
“It took me two years to learn how to teleport accurately back when I had magic! You learned it right away?!”
“It’s probably because my counterpart can teleport accurately.” Twilight explains.
“Ah.” This conversation went almost exactly how Sunset thought it would. Twilight would just plain out-logic her and win. Sunset knew that would happen, but she figured that someone wouldn’t be able to go. Also, ask Twilight if she can teleport accurately. She assumed yes, but assuming makes an ass of u and me, so make sure.
“Angel, get back here!” Sunset shouted, as she went to chase down the rabbit. Angel had somehow managed to get out of his pen, and was now running off towards what he assumed was freedom. Unfortunately, Fluttershy flew over and grabbed Angel, before depositing him into a different pen.
“Thanks, Fluttershy. Those wings must come in handy if any animals escape.”
“It’s only Angel here that I have to watch closely. Since I can talk with them, they don’t really misbehave. Angel here just isn’t very domesticated.” Fluttershy says.
“Oh. So, why do you want to go through the portal?” Sunset knew that Fluttershy wouldn’t initiate the conversation, much like Twilight wouldn’t.
“I want to see if the animals over there differ from the animals here. There must be some huge differences, and I want to see them for myself.”
“What about the animals? Who will take care of them while you’re gone?”
“I’ve asked Zephyr to take care of them. He can be a little lazy, but if the animals bother him too much, he caves in.”
Sunset now had to reevaluate the girls standing in front of her. How could someone so sweet and shy be so evil when she wants to be? “Damn, Fluttershy. That’s cold.”
“Well, he is my brother. And he’s lazy. And he always wants to know if any of you are single. So I justify my actions. As long as he feeds the animals, it won’t be terrible.”
“Wait, he WHAT?!!!!!”
It was now the day before summer vacation. Pinkie had given an answer in about three seconds. It sounded like “I’mgoingbecausetherewillbetwoofmethereandIwanttoknowwhatshedoestomakeotherpeoplehappybutIguessitwouldbeotherponiesofsomethinglikethatbutanywaysMauddoesn’treallycareshetendstokeeptoherselfandjustmakessuretokeepaneyeonmewhenIgotoapartyandtherestofmyfamilydon’tliveanywherenearthecityandtheydon’tknowaboutthemagicsotheywon’tsuspectanythingandIjustwanttogettherealreadysocanschoolpleeeeeeeeeaseend!!!!!!!!!!!!”
It had taken Sunset about fifteen minutes to comprehend what she had said. Then another thirty to reassure herself that time was indeed flowing normally. Now, she was just getting done with soccer practice with Rainbow. Rainbow was barely sweating, and didn’t have her necklace on. Sunset, meanwhile, was just glad she was a goalie. A backup goalie, but a goalie nonetheless.
Soccer was a bit odd. It was hard to play in the winter, but school was out during the summer. Fortunately, the schools have their own soccer clubs for those that are serious about it. Such as Rainbow Dash. Sunset was there just in case the goalie who started got hurt. Fortunately, it rarely happened, but she was ready if it does. It happened last year. She recorded a shutout and 3 goals allowed in three games.
Rainbow walked over towards her. “So, I heard through the grapevine that the others have convinced you. So now it’s my turn.”
“Okay, I guess. Why do you want to go over there?”
“To get used to flying. I know I’m awesome at it, but it feels weird. If I have me as a coach, I’ll learn how to do it in ten seconds flat. Or maybe longer. I’ve never learned how to fly before.”
“Hmmmm…okay. I can buy that, somewhat. But how will you explain it to your family?”
“My dad and mom are pro soccer players. The first month of vacation is always full of games. Usually about 7 for each during the month. They trust me enough to take care of myself then. They probably won’t even notice I’ll be gone. And if they do, I’ll just tell them that I was chilling with you all or something. I’ll make it up.”
“Does your family know about your super-sonic speed?”
“They know I’m faster, but they haven’t questioned it yet. As long as I don’t wear the necklace, I don’t have super-sonic speed, I’m just faster than normal.”
“Huh. I guess that you and Applejack are similar in that regard. She seems stronger than she used to even without her necklace on.”
“Seems legit. So, have I convinced you yet?”
“No. What about soccer? What about the games?”
“Our first game isn’t for a few weeks. The summer league doesn’t start right away.”
“Well, that does it. I guess I’m taking you all with me. Even if I think it’s a bad idea.”
Rainbow fistpumped, then snapped her necklace into place. “SWEET! Now to tell the rest of them the news. Be right back!” And she took off running towards the others.
Sunset just sighed in defeat. She had assumed that either Applejack or Rainbow Dash would not be able to come. That’s what she got for assuming. They all seemed dead set with coming. Twilight had even expressed her approval (Princess Twilight mind you), and now Sunset had no argument against any of them. For all of her skills as a manipulator, she didn’t have anything to work with.
Two days later, all the girls gathered around the statue in front of the school. Some would be surprised to see some students at school during summer vacation, but none of the seven there had any complaints.
Spike would be staying with Twilight’s family while she was gone. He had more than his fair share of complaints.
Sunset was just writing in the journal, telling Twilight that they were all there. In a few minutes, the portal would open, and they would jump through to a new world for six, and a return for the seventh.
“Now, before you go through, I should tell you about Equestria. I’ve told you about the whole “different species” and “general lack of clothes” stuff. Shouldn’t have to go over that again. But, I will tell you that most ponies don’t use their hooves to pick up stuff. It’s either their mouth or magic. Also, no meat. So Dash, no hamburgers, but they do have hayburgers. It will take a little while to get coordinated, since you will be a quadruped instead of a biped. And lastly, try not to freak out when you see someone who looks just like you. Now, do any of you have anything that has to do with technology, like a cell phone?” Six head shakes. “Good. Now, once Twilight opens the portal, don’t go rushing through all at the same time. It’s a little dizzying, so just give the person in front of you a chance to reorient before going through. The last thing we want is a massive pileup and someone getting hurt at the start. Oh, one more thing. Don’t say anybody or somebody. Say anypony or somepony. Or someone or anyone. Also, no horse related puns, please.”
“We get it, Sunset. Seriously, I feel like I’m going through airport security to go to an international game. We can handle it, don’t worry.” Rainbow said impatiently.
Just then, they heard a woosh, and the portal opened. They could tell because Fluttershy had been sitting against it, and almost fell through.
“Well, if any of you want to back out now, it’s your last chance.” No one made any moves to leave. “Alright, now all you have to do is walk through the portal, and you’ll be there. I’ll go first. See you on the flip side.” And Sunset stepped through the portal, to go back to the land she was born.
One by one, first Rainbow Dash, then Applejack, then Twilight, then Rarity, then Pinkie, then Fluttershy all went through the portal, into an entirely new world, with only vague ideas as to how the world worked.