//------------------------------// // 6 - Other fall // Story: Other // by andrizzi //------------------------------// Near an open window, Sunset was sitting on a desk lifting a book right in front of her with her magic, studying the content of its pages with great care. She knew well that all the happiness of her life depended merely on her own skills and that she could increase those only by applying her focus constructively. Of course, focusing would have been easier if she didn’t have to share the room with every other foal of the orphanage. Those thoughtless brats could have gotten outside to play but no, they had to be all noisy and annoying just a few hooves away. The most distracting of all were those three little pests, two unicorns and one earth pony, who were running all over the place with a ball. They were having a good fun playing with each other and tossing the ball around until the filly earth pony threw it in Sunset’s general direction. It wouldn’t have hit, the throw wasn’t even aimed at her, but as the red ball was to get over Sunset’s head a cyan aura wrapped it and kept it floating in midair, out of the reach of the foals. The trio rushed to Sunset without losing sight of their ball. The filly, who thought to be responsible for throwing the ball too close to Sunset, stood in the front and voiced her friends. “Ball!” The demand gained no reaction from Sunset, who simply turned a page and kept reading her book. “Sunset, the ball!” “What ball?” asked Sunset in a detached tone, without even looking at them. “That ball!” pressed the filly, pointing at the red ball glowing above Sunset. “I don’t see any ball.” “Please, Sunset!” The three little foals started to jump in place. “We want our ball!” Sunset looked at them with a smirk, floating the ball nearer to them. “You mean this ball?” “Yes!” shouted excitedly the three foals. “You want it back?” “Yeeeeah!” When the innocent chorus of young foals trailed off, Sunset turned over and threw the ball out of the window. “Then go get it,” she commanded condescendingly. The three foals looked at her with protesting faces but said nothing. Instead, they turned back and moved away from her. “Killjoy,” muttered one of the colts, barely loud enough to be heard. Sunset simply stuck her tongue out and blew a raspberry in their direction. Then she resumed her studies, satisfied with herself. But contrary to her belief, her peace didn’t last long. “Sunset Shimmer!” Sunset felt a shiver running between her shoulders as her caretaker called out for her. Had those little brats spilled everything out and wept about her? Or had she seen how she had behaved? Sunset put her book away and slowly walked towards down the room. Maybe she could have said that those foals had lied, or that she didn’t intend to toss the ball away. Yeah, she just had to do a couple of puppy eyes and she was going to be out of trouble. With refounded confidence, Sunset watched her caretaker, Foals Karring, and noticed that something was off. She wasn’t looking angry. She was… actually smiling at her. Very eagerly too. “Here you are,” said Mrs. Karring with a cheerful voice. “Would you please go into the other room, Sunset? Somepony very special has a big surprise for you.” Sunset needed just a second to fill the dots. When she did, her face lit up in a blink. She galloped to the doors without a second thought, holding her breath as she jumped for joy on the inside. She dashed through the doors, swinging them open, and searched around impatiently for her new family. But in front of her, she saw a figure that she would have never dreamed of meeting. Not under these circumstances. Sunset looked up with mouth agape, as in front of her stood the most majestic pony that ever lived. An alicorn. Her coat of a pink so light that almost looked white. Her mane an ethereal flow with the colors of the rainbow. Her enormous size a hint of her immense wisdom and maturity. “Hello, Sunset Shimmer.” The alicorn came closer and giggled. “Why do you keep your mouth wide open, Sunset? Do I perhaps look like a piece of cake to you?” Bewildered, Sunset moved her mouth in an effort to speak. “P… Princess…” A soft and warm hoof gently caressed her hair as the alicorn smiled brightly at her. “Please, just Celestia.” Sunset looked at Celestia in utter shock, her open mouth slowly turning into a full radius smile. She didn’t even notice Foals Karring arrive until she heard her voice. “Princess Celestia came to my office this morning,” said Karry, “she’s here in search of a foal to become her new protégé.” Sunset turned back and tilted her head. “A new what?” “A student, Sunset,” clarified calmly Celestia. “As you may know, several centuries ago I built a school in order to teach how to control magic to the younger generations of unicorns. But I also started to personally guide some of those unicorns into their growth, and it has been a long time since my last pupil required my assistance. “I think that you could be my next, if you wish to be. I can see that there’s a lot of potential in you.” Sunset didn’t reply right at the moment, she was looking up to Celestia with a mist of awe and puzzlement. As she was still thinking, Princess Celestia went on. “Of course, it’s not like I’m going to lock you in a tower to study all day. But you’ll have the possibility to transfer into my castle, attend my school, and of course I would become your legal guardian.” Hearing that made Sunset feel something inside of her heart. For a short instant, it was like something was stinging, like a needle, as a thought invaded permanently into her way to see the world. ‘She wants a student.’ But a short instant was all she needed to shrug off that feeling. “Of course I want to be your special student!” she exclaimed happily. “And I’m very good at controlling magic, Princess Celestia! I can show you.” Sunset looked around in search of something to enchant with one of her most difficult spells, finding a little bonsai on a desk. “There’s no need–” Sunset didn’t even hear Celestia’s words, much was her focus on channeling her magic through her horn. She was feeling like nothing could go wrong, like she was able to do anything for that moment. With a great glim of lights, Sunset cast her growing spell on the plant. “P- Princess, I’m so, so sorry about this…” Celestia, who was still dwindling the many branches that were filling half of the room, took a little break to reassure Foals Karring. “You don’t have to worry, my little pony. After all, there has been no real damage.” Sunset was sitting near the wall, looking down to her hooves while the two grown-ups were talking. She had no idea of what to do or to say now. Her spell had turned out to be even more powerful than she had expected, which was good. So powerful, in fact, that all the three of them had been suddenly under quintals of leaves. Which was bad. “S- so… d- did I pass?” Hearing the feeble voice, Princess Celestia quickly spun and watched the little filly. Sunset was pressing her front hooves together, shaking as she turned towards Princess Celestia. “Was it good enough? I didn’t mean to overwhelm you with it! It’s just… I don’t know, suddenly I was feeling so inspired, powerful, and confident that I just gave it all and… and…” Sunset looked down and lowered her head. “It has never happened before.” Sunset’s ears fell down as the Princess came closer, ready to be scolded and sent back to the other orphans. But her chin was slowly and gently pulled upwards by the hoof of Princess Celestia, who chuckled down to her and said, “And I doubt it will ever happen again…. Unless you get a second Cutie Mark.” Sunset furrowed her brows. “A second… ?” Without understanding, she followed Celestia’s gaze and, spinning her head, she saw that her body was different. On her flank, which she was sure to be amber that morning, there was the depiction of a sun. It was both yellow and red, split symmetrically in two half. But Sunset didn’t focus on the details, for one thought was taking up her mind entirely. “I GOT MY CUTIE MARK!” she shouted with joy. Her shrieks of excitement filled the room as she chased herself in a small circle. Only when her enthusiasm went down, Sunset remembered who else was in the room. Blushing lightly, she stopped her pace and looked to the two smiling ponies. Her embarrassment made room for surprise, though, when she noticed that the Princess’s eyes were slightly moist. “Princess?” Princess Celestia blinked several times, rubbing her eyes with a wing. “Oh, I’m sorry. I guess that all those leaves have irritated my eyes,” she said, always showing a tender smile. “My most vivid congratulations for finding your special talent, Sunset.” “Thank you, Princess Celestia,” said Sunset. “Does that mean that you’ll take me under your wing?” Celestia enwrapped Sunset in a warm embrace with her wing. “I would be happy to.” Without a second thought, Sunset launched herself around Celestia’s hoof, returning the hug. Wrapped in the warm feathers and fur, she couldn’t help but feel like a champion inside her little heart. Thanks to her talent and hard work, the Princess herself was going to accept her in the castle. And not just was she going to be rewarded but was also given a chance to climb up the top and prove herself upon everypony. Yes, Sunset was smiling for true happiness. Things were going uphill now. ***** Vortex of colors, bright lights and the feeling that everything was tearing apart. Only the first two faded when Sunset fell forward on her palms, out of the inter-dimensional portal. She was back on the human-world. The stinging sensation of the concrete against the skin of her hands was the proof of it. But even if she knew where she was, she felt lost. Sunset clenched her hands into fists as she supported herself on her elbows and knees. She didn’t stand up, though. There was a turmoil in her chest keeping her crawling on the ground, lived up by a multitude of emotions: disbelief, fear, sorrow, betrayal, anger. Sunset gritted her teeth and focused on the one that didn’t cause her even more suffering. Sunset pushed hard with her arms and quickly came back on her legs, determined to run back to her apartment. But her consciousness went fuzzy and her vision faded in black as she made the first step. Losing her balance, Sunset stumbled and fell with her hip over the left side of the statue’s base. Pressing her back on the marble, Sunset managed to stay on her feet as she slid down. Closing her eyes, she felt like she was sinking into the oblivion until her rump touched the ground, sending a shiver running through her body. Sunset shot her eyes open as she tried to recover her sense, realizing only then that she was panting and sweating. After a short moment, her body stopped to act abnormally and she was calm again. ‘Stupid circulatory system,’ she thought. ‘I went from prone to erect too fast.’ Once she was sure to feel fine, Sunset started to slowly climb up over the surface of marble. Finally steady on her feet, she checked herself over to make sure she was ok. But when she looked over her arm, she found a large tear over the sleeve of her jacket. Moving away Sunset grunted loudly as she examined the damage. ‘Oh. Fanfreakintastic. What I just had to face wasn’t enough, apparently. No, I had to ruin my favorite jacket as well! Exactly what I needed now, thanks a lot, harmony… or karma… or whatever else. Gah. Is there something more you would like to add so to make this day even more miserable?’ Celestia lowered her hoof and looked back at the point where Sunset Shimmer was standing just an instant before. No trace of her was left, except for a few sparkles of magic leavings. ‘A teleportation spell,’ thought Celestia, but where could have she gone? She had to think shortly about that, as a strange feeling of deja vu gave her the answer. “The mirror!” Celestia was about to trot forward, but she had no idea of where the mirror had been placed. So she turned hastily towards the one who knew. “Twilight! Where’s the portal?” Only after she finished her query Celestia noticed in which state Twilight was. Her former student was completely still, looking with shock at Celestia’s direction. “Twilight?” “Hm?” Twilight snapped off her trance and looked Celestia in the eyes. She simply looked at her blankly for a couple of seconds, then she brought a hoof to her forehead and suddenly started to panic. “Yes! The mirror!” Twilight lit up her horn and prepared to teleport, but then she stopped abruptly. “You don’t know where it is!” she shouted, before galloping down the hall. “Follow me!” And so, both the alicorns hurried through Twilight’s castle until they arrived at the room with the magic mirror. Unfortunately, there was no evident hint of Sunset’s passing. Twilight trotted a few steps forward and, lighting up her horn, cast the spell Detectia. A ray of purple right diverged from her horn and bathed the room, revealing more sparkles of cyan magic in front of the portal. “There are some residuals of her spell,” explained Twilight, “She must have teleported here and then...” Celestia looked at her, recognizing the struggled expression on Twilight as she left the words hanging in the air. However, Twilight was quick to recompose herself and looked up to Celestia. “I’ll bring her back, Princess Celestia. Don’t worry.” After she had spoken Twilight moved to approach the mirror, but she was stopped by Celestia’s voice. “Please, don’t.” Twilight turned towards her, bewildered. “What? But... Princess...” “I just don’t think that’s a good idea, Twilight. She’s most likely confused, hurt, and very angry right now. You shouldn’t speak to her while she’s in such a state.” “B- but–” Twilight pointed a hoof to the mirror “–we can’t just abandon her! If she’s suffering, then I should reach her and–” “And she won’t listen.” Celestia closed her eyes and let escape a sigh. “I think she made that clear.” Looking up again, Princess Celestia saw that Twilight still wasn’t convinced. Closing the distance with her former student, Celestia lent a hoof over her shoulder and looked into her eyes. “I know you want to help her. And believe me, your support on this matter is invaluable for me. But right now, all that you’re going to achieve by chasing her will only cause pain for yourself. Trust me, I know.” Twilight kept her gaze low as the words entered her ears, making her understand. Celestia gently caressed her shoulder as she was waiting patiently for a response. Finally, Twilight looked up with moist eyes and talked with sorrow in her voice. “There... there’s nothing we can do then?” Celestia looked at the portal again, in thought, and pointed at the book on top of it. “Is that my diary?” she asked, making Twilight nod in answer. “Can I assume that Sunset still owns her copy?” Twilight nodded again. Celestia used her magic and a pink aura brought the diary to her, opened to a blank page. She then took a pen from the desk in the corner of the room and thought in silence for a moment. Deciding it was better to be short and direct, she started to write. Sunset, We’ll wait for you. I know that you don’t want to see us now, but I also know that you’re not yourself at the moment. Also, you and I both know that you can’t ignore all your question about your past. Well, our past. I suppose you found it out somehow. I’m willing to tell you everything, Sunset. I promise I’m going to tell you the whole truth when you’ll be ready. You only have to come back when you feel like it. I’ll be waiting. Celestia. She decided to leave her signature simply like that and floated the diary back to its place above the portal. Sitting composed on her haunches alongside Twilight, both gazing intensely at the mirror, all that Celestia could do now was wait. However, she also noticed that Twilight’s eyes were still filled with doubt. Celestia sighed heavily and closed her eyes. “Princess Twilight?” asked she in the end. Twilight’s head spun towards her. “Yes, Celestia?” “Remember that little talk we had? About us being on the same level?” “Um” – Twilight rubbed her neck – “Yes?” “And do you remember that I’m not your teacher anymore?” Twilight looked a few times between the mirror and Celestia. “Are you saying… that I should go?” “No. I still believe that’s a bad idea,” said Princess Celestia before smiling at Twilight. “But while I hope that you’ll listen to my judgment, I also want you to remember that you should always follow your instinct… and your heart.” With her gaze low, Twilight took a moment to ponder about what she felt right on doing. But as soon as her eyes pointed the mirror again, she had made her choice. With a mingled feeling of proud and disagreement, Celestia watched Twilight standing up and approaching the portal. Nevertheless, she stopped her. “Before you go…” said she, “what are you going to tell her?” Twilight slowly turned her head back, and Celestia recognized in her eyes the look of somepony who was uncertain and also too afraid to ask. “Sit.” Twilight diverted her eyes from Celestia, and meekly said, “There’s no need to–” “I’m afraid there is,” cut off Celestia. Only after Twilight sat in front of her, Celestia began to unravel her story. Applejack caught her yawn and scratched her eyes as she went into Sugarcube Corner’s kitchen. She finally had had some time to rest and she wanted to join Rarity, Pinkie, and Fluttershy. She found Pinkie sitting right in front of the oven, looking intensely at her little ‘babies’ growing up, while the other two were busy with Fluttershy’s cookies. “Howdy, y’all,” she muttered with a strained smile. “Oh, well awake,” replied Fluttershy. “Hello, Applejack,” said Rarity. Pinkie Pie pushed herself backward and rolled on her back. Crumpling, she rolled until her head was between Applejack boots. “Hi.” Applejack looked down chuckling. “Sorry, Pinkie. Ah couldn’t help ya with the baking.” Pinkie shrugged. “That’s fine, you only have to taste after all. Besides, you were sooo sleepy that clearly you weren’t in condition to bake.” Pinkie giggled. “After all, better baked not than baked bad. Ahah.” Applejack waited patiently as Pinkie sniggered below her, but her friend didn’t show any intention of moving even after she calmed down. Instead, Pinkie kept watching her in reverse. “Sugarpie?” asked Applejack. Pinkie grinned maliciously and sang, “I can see under your skirt…” Just before an embarrassed Applejack could kick her, Pinkie rolled her way to the oven in reverse between laughs. She returned in the same perfect position, watching over her cupcakes. Grunting and rolling her eyes, Applejack reached Fluttershy and Rarity. “And what are the two of you doing if Pinkie’s cupcakes are in the oven already?” Fluttershy turned to her smiling, a little spot of flour on her cheek. “I promised Sunset to bake her some bran cookies for when she’ll be back.” “Aww, ain’t that nice,” chimed Applejack, cleaning off Fluttershy’s face with her thumb. Then, she focused on the ingredients scattered on the table. “So it’s chocolate, walnuts, and… oatmeal?” “Yes.” “For Sunset?” “. . .Yes.” A knowing grin spread across Applejack’s face. But just as she was about to say something, Fluttershy pointed at her and said, “Joker, no joking.” Rarity snickered, and Fluttershy turned to her as well. “Joker, no joking.” From her crouched stance, Pinkie inhaled loudly as she was used to before saying something funny. Fluttershy turned around and held a hand out in a blocking motion. “Joker, no joking!” Pinkie looked down as her posture deflated. “Oh, MAAN!” “But ya gotta admit,” scoffed Applejack. “Giving oatmeal to Sunset is pretty ironic.” “She likes it,” mumbled Fluttershy rolling her eyes, before returning her attention to her work. Applejack joined her, mixing and pelleting the ingredients, until Fluttershy said, “We need more chocolate snippets. Rarity, could you please break some bars with the grinder?” “Couldn’t Applejack do that?” asked Rarity, high pitched. Suspicious of her friend's attitude, Applejack replied bluntly. “Helping Fluttershy.” “Don’t worry, dear. I can handle this part while you diligently crush the chocolate at the other table.” “Oh, come on. Ah just got here,” complained Applejack. “Yes, but that little machine makes such an annoying noise.” Applejack could have relented, but there was something in Rarity’s tone that bugged her. “Well, Ah want to join and help my friend here.” Rarity shot Applejack a cold glare. “Really, now?” “Um, girls.” Abruptly, the two quarreling remembered that Fluttershy was between them. They looked her with wide eyes as she slowly backpedaled, holding the chocolate in her hands. “It’s fine. I’ll do that. Just… calm down, ok?” Without waiting for an answer, Fluttershy spun on her feet and went where the grinder was, on the other side of the room. When Fluttershy started the grinder, Applejack leaned over Rarity and whispered, “What was that about?” Rarity focused on rolling the oatmeal, without even looking to her. “Rare?” Insisting on not looking to Applejack, Rarity answered with a lecturing tone. “I don’t think you should stay close to Fluttershy.” Those words made Applejack’s heart stop. She felt her forehead covering in sweat, and her throat going dry like she was chewing sand. “W- what? W- why?” Rarity shot her a bemused look. “Seriously, Applejack?” She spun her head away and closed her eyes, outraged. “To say that I’m disappointed would be an understatement.” Now Applejack felt like she was swallowing a brick. ‘Sheknowssheknowssheknows…’ Finally turning towards her, Rarity threw her arms to the air. “I mean, come on!” she whispered. “Haven’t you learned anything from the last week?” Applejack stopped to tremble and her expression of horror was replaced by one of puzzlement. “I can’t believe how you attacked Sunset yesterday. How uncouth.” Applejack breathed heavily in relief, like she was expelling her soul from her lungs. But after a short moment of calm, anger started to build inside her. “Hey, hold on a sec! That wasn’t like last week at all,” she whispered back, offended. “Oh, no.” Rarity rolled her eyes. “You just forced yourself on her without even knowing what the fight was about.” “She was shouting at Fluttershy,” said Applejack in her defense. “And that’s why we’re still friends,” said Rarity, softening her tone. “But if you had used just half of your common sense, you would have understood that there was a problem.” Both girls looked each other in silence. Rarity leaned forward and whispered. “I’m mostly certain that something is eating Sunset pretty badly. I’ve tried to bring Fluttershy talking about it, but she keeps avoiding the subject.” Meanwhile, in the other room, Rainbow Dash was still blissfully snoring. Laying over one of the benches with her right cheek covered in saliva, she was tightly holding her backpack like a pillow. But her peaceful rest met its end as something nearby started to buzz and glow. Rainbow Dash shut her eyes harder trying to ignore it, but it was a battle that she couldn't win on her own. To save her nap, she had to call for help. “Phone vibrating!” “Which one?” asked Fluttershy from the kitchen. Rainbow Dash strained herself to open one eye, seeing the yellow light coming from Sunset's backpack. “It’s Sunset’s.” Fluttershy made her appearance on the threshold with a puzzled look. “Um, no. That one should play my song…” Fully awake by then, Rainbow Dash reached the bag and opened it. She found the source of disturb, which turned out to be the magic diary. Fluttershy's eyes went wide as Dash pulled it out, but she paid no mind to it. Instead, she opened the book searching for the new page out of pure curiosity, but Fluttershy snatched it abruptly out of her hands. Dash's rebuke died on her lips when she looked up and saw how aghast Fluttershy's face was as she hastily went between the pages. Finally, she stopped turning over the pages. Much to Dash's dismay, the concern in Fluttershy's eyes grew. “Oh no.” Alarmed, all the girls arrived from the kitchen and approached Fluttershy. “What happened?” asked Applejack. After a quick glance around her, Fluttershy grabbed hers and Sunset’s bags. “I have to go.” Rarity flinched in dismay. “What? But, Fluttershy…” “Sorry girls, this is important,” said Fluttershy as she headed to the doors. But before she could reach the exit, Rainbow Dash jumped over the bench and landed in front of Fluttershy. “Hey! If this is so important, why aren’t you telling us what’s going on?” Fluttershy put up a warning face. “Dash, this really isn’t the–” “No! I’m not going to stay here while you may need our help.” “I don’t need you!” Hearing that, Rainbow Dash widened her eyelids and opened her mouth in shock. Immediately after, her face turned into a stern look as she crossed her arms and threw herself back blocking the door with her shoulders. Both girls silently refused to step back, addressing cold looks to each other instead. They looked like willing to make a scene, and maybe they would have done it if Rarity didn't interject. She stepped forwards, gently laying one hand on Fluttershy’s shoulder. “Fluttershy.” Rarity paused and sighed. “What Rainbow Dash here is trying to say, in a terrible way and with a despicable attitude–” “Hey!” “–is that we’ve all been shocked by what we saw at the party. And while we don’t want to intrude between you and Sunset, we’re also worried about you.” Surprising even herself, Fluttershy diverged her sight and lowered her tone. “I can handle my relationship on my own.” “But this isn’t just about you, silly. Sunset is our friend too,” said Pinkie, popping out from her side. “Yes. And we’re worried about her as well,” agreed Rarity. “We all promised to Twilight that we would have taken care of Sunset, and I have this feeling telling me that she needs us more than ever.” Searching for and escape route, Fluttershy’s eyes darted in all directions before stopping on Applejack. The country girl was the only one who hadn’t add anything to the conversation yet. Scratching her neck, Applejack looked right to Fluttershy and said, “You don’t have to reveal us anything, if ya don’t want to. But we’re your friends.” She paused, grimacing slightly and keeping her eyes firm. “And Sunset’s, too,” she added then, sweetly. Seeing that Fluttershy was torn by doubts, Rainbow Dash moved away from the door and did one step forwards to confirm Applejack words. The arrogance displayed in her eyes faded, leaving room to true concern. There was a moment of silence as Fluttershy looked at her friends, unsure of what to do. In the end, narrowing her eyes with determination, she composed herself and walked to the door. None of the girls did anything to stop her. Instead, they just looked down with a sense of bitterness, even as they heard the front door opening. “Well, let’s go.” All and eight eyes perked up, seeing Fluttershy holding the door open for them. “It’s a long story, so I would prefer telling you during the walk.” On the sidewalk that would have driven her to her apartment, Sunset Shimmer kicked away a cobblestone that was in her path. Only to catching up with it after few steps and kicking it again. And again. ‘I can’t believe it,’ thought Sunset between a kick and the other. ‘Why can’t I believe it, moreover? She admitted it herself, I’m a noble bastard that got disowned by her parents. It’s pretty much what I already figured a long time ago, anyway. Who put me in that orphanage doesn’t make any difference. ‘I mean, sure, I would have never expected it was her!’ Sunset halted on her feet, looking down at the little piece of stone that was in touch with her shoe. Her face remained blank for a few seconds before morphing back into a frown as she resumed kicking the cobblestone forwards. ‘So what? Apparently, I didn’t know her as much as I thought.’ Sunset growled before strolling behind the cobblestone. ‘Why am I even brooding over it? There’s no purpose to do something so stupid. Actually, all today was just a loss of time. I should have stayed home and forgotten about everything. No, I should have never found out from the beginning.’ Her thought trailed off as memories of the past days resurfaced inside her head. She remembered the other Sunset who, accidentally, revealed her about the truth of her past. She remembered how that other Sunset looked nice, sweet and happy. And suddenly, more questions spurt to her. ‘Why was it so different for her and Principal Celestia? Oh well, I guess that was one of the differences between our worlds. Maybe this Celestia is simply more mature and less fake than my Celestia and, thanks to that, this Sunset had the chance to grow up with a caring family. And maybe, this Sunset turned out to be a good person and NOT mess everything up epically because she was LOVED!’ Clenching her teeth and closing her eyes shut, Sunset swung her leg with way more energy than she intended and sent the cobblestone flying away. Only for it to smash the window of a car, which promptly started to play a loud and annoying alarm. Sunset stood right in front of it, looking at the car with a half-lidded stare. Just for the few seconds that occurred her for rebooting her sanity and fleeing away. She arrived at the end of the sidewalk and turned the corner. Then, she ended her rush and took a couple of long breaths. ‘Damn it. I’m completely losing my mind. What am I going to do next? Throw fireballs from my hands? ‘It’s better if I don’t think about it,’ thought Sunset, resuming to walk. ‘But still, there are some oddities in this story if I think about it. Mostly about my doppelganger. I should call her and–’ Sunset shook her head ‘–no, there’s no reason to. It’s obvious that our stories are very different from each other’s. Besides, even if our past was somehow mirrored… well… ‘My past is not today.’ With a glance, Sunset saw the parking lot in front of her apartment so she allowed herself to lower her head and look at her feet as she went through the familiar route. Despite doing her best to block out the negative thoughts, the outlines of her mouth and eyes sank down in a frown. Everything about her was just down. Like her gaze, so focused on her feet that she didn’t even notice the five girls sitting quietly at the staircase. Not until she was just a few yards away. Once she acknowledged their presence, Sunset raised her head and looked at them blankly. Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash, Rarity, Applejack, and Fluttershy stood up and looked back to her. Sunset was surprised to see them all. Surprised… and a little intimidated. She didn’t have the best memories from the last time her friends ‘waited’ for her in front of her house. “Hi, girls,” said Sunset, hesitant. She took a step back, darting her eyes between all them. “Why… why are you here?” They didn’t respond. Instead, the insisted on looking to her silently or exchanged some quick looks between them. Sunset’s unease grew with every second. “I’m sorry,” she said, putting on a smile, “but… it has been a very long day so, if I could just go upstair and–” Fluttershy talked gravely, despite still trying to be gentle. “Sunset…” Sunset’s mouth went thin and flat as her eyes grew open. Again, she was struck with surprise as her girlfriend momentary avoided the eye contact. If Fluttershy was interrupting her, it had to be something bad. Before Fluttershy could bring herself to finish her sentence, Sunset scanned all the girls present in search for some clues. Only then, Sunset realized what kind of eyes they all were giving her. They weren’t angry. Or judgemental. Or lecturing. It was worse. They were sympathetic. Fluttershy showed an apologetic smile. “…they know.” Fluttershy knew she had to be brave. She wasn’t really good at it. She was quite weak and helpless in fact, but she just had to overcome her fears. Because her girl needed her. Unfortunately, Sunset was exactly what scared Fluttershy the most. She watched as her girlfriend was shaking, with an expression on her face that Fluttershy didn’t know how to read. Only her eyes, pointed straight at Fluttershy, showed a feeling of betrayment. The usual light inside them was dull. Taking a step back, Sunset opened and closed her mouth in bewilderment several times without emitting a syllable. “What?” she finally managed to ask. Fluttershy took a breath and talked calmly. “Sunny, I thought I had to tell them–” “WHAT?!” Frightened by the sudden yell, Fluttershy flinched back as Sunset clenched her teeth and closed her trembling hands into fists. Rainbow Dash was quick to jump right between them, shielding Fluttershy with her back and holding her hands out into a block. “Hey, hey, buddy. She’s just trying to help you. We all are,” said Rainbow Dash with all the consideration she could muster. Sunset turned her glare to Rainbow Dash, getting only a look of apprehension in response. Then, she hissed loudly and grasped her head with both hands, closing her eyes shut. Fluttershy saw Applejack and Pinkie as they tried to slowly get closer to comfort their friend, but Sunset shot them a glare so intimidating that they stopped right in their tracks. Then, Sunset re-closed her eyes and slowly massaged her temples, muttering to herself, “Okay. Okay? Okay…” The girls, unsure on how to proceed, could only exchange doubtful looks until Sunset finally turned to them again. “Fluttershy,” she said with a voice flat and cold. Hearing her name, Fluttershy peered over Rainbow’s shoulder with a nervous smile. “Y- yes?” “Go away.” Simple as that, seeing and hearing Sunset acting so cold and detached, Fluttershy felt her heart clenching painfully and tears climbing to the corners of her eyes. “B- but… I- I don't want to–” “You don't understand,” said Sunset, her voice lower and hoarse. “You have to go away.” Every single word pierced Fluttershy’s chest as she heard them, but she didn’t want to back off. She wanted to talk back, to say that Sunset needed her, to close the distance and give her a hug and tell her that everything was going to be alright. But Fluttershy could only stammer, next to tears, and Sunset raised her voice. “I’m NOT fine, Fluttershy. Can’t you see that I’m not fine? “So, could you please be anywhere else but next to me?!” Slowly and gently, Applejack took another step forward. “Sunset, try to calm down.” “I can’t! Take her away,” hissed back Sunset, narrowing her eyes. Meanwhile, Fluttershy stared in horror as Sunset bossed everybody around with threats. Her face was contorted in anger, her voice was filled with venom, and Fluttershy could see a raging fire inside her eyes. Fluttershy broke out from her staggering only when Rarity placed a hand over her shoulder. “Let’s do this how she wants. Dash, Applejack, please escort Fluttershy to her house.” “B- but…” Fluttershy’s protests were cut short by Rainbow Dash, who wrapped an arm around her and started to carry her away. “I’m sorry but… maybe she’ll cool down if we go,” said Dash, trying to sound reassuring. Behind them, Fluttershy could see Sunset following them with her eyes as they moved away. And, oblivious to Sunset, she saw Applejack leaning closer to Rarity for a moment. “Ya sure you got this?” she whispered. “I could–” Rarity bluntly induced Applejack after Fluttershy and Dash with a push. “Leave this to me and Pinkie.” And so, Fluttershy found herself to be escorted home by Rainbow Dash and Applejack. She wanted to retort. To come back and fix her girlfriend. But she knew she couldn’t do that. She knew she wasn’t brave. Sunset watched in silence as Applejack and Rainbow Dash walked away with her girlfriend. It was an immense relief for her since she didn’t feel obliged to hold back anymore. She knew she would have never forgiven herself if she had to start a fight with Fluttershy. But with the others, it was a different story. With a disgruntled expression, Sunset turned towards the only two friends who still remained. Pinkie, nervous and probably frightened, was fiddling with her fingers while Rarity was staring her, slowly furrowing her brow. “I really don’t want to say this, but you were exceedingly heartless just now.” A half-lidded stare was all that Sunset gave back to Rarity before walking past her, but a white hand forbade her to go further. She wasn’t going to reach her apartment quietly if Rarity’s grasp around her shoulder had something to say about it. “Sunset…” “Take your hands off me.” Sunset matched her words with a strong shrug and turning over Rarity. Rarity withdrew her hand but stood her ground and turned to Sunset, softly but also resolute. “Darling, we know that you’re going through a really bad moment–” Sunset crossed her arms and scoffed. “Oh, really? You know?!” “You know what I mean.” “Well, let’s see,” said Sunset, turning her eyes up while scratching her chin. “What could ever pass by that ‘sophisticated’ little head of yours?” Rarity gasped and narrowed her eyes. “Excuse me?” Before Rarity could press over or Sunset could answer, Pinkie finally found the courage to speak. “Please Sunset, don’t be like that. We–” “I’m talking with Rarity,” said Sunset, zapping Pinkie Pie with her eyes. Rarity closed her eyes and took a big breath, “I just think that you could use some support from your friends,” she said calmly. “We can help so much if you just let us–” “Ha! Are you really sure about that?” asked Sunset with more than a little mockery. “You think you’re an expert in dealing with the feeling of being made a fool for your entire life? From the only pony you ever looked up to, nevertheless?” “Modestly, I think I know a couple of things about heart aches.” “Ooh, now I see. You think that this is all like one of your drama fictions.” Sunset clapped her hands right over her shoulder and popped a heel up, looking up and high pitching her voice in a bad impersonation of Rarity. “Oh dear, I just found out that poor little Sunset has lived all her life like an orphan. But that’s ok, because I’ve read Oliver Twist so I know everything about it.” That little display was enough to leave Rarity agape and speechless, her face getting completely red in a blink. When she was over the shock, Rarity leaned forward and raised her voice to a shout. “Ok, that was offensive beyond measure! I’m just trying to be a good friend.” Sunset leaned forward too, giving Rarity a condescending look and filling her voice with feigned sadness. “And honestly, I’m sorry that you’re failing so badly.” “Girls…” called meekly Pinkie, in an attempt to divert their attention. But, despite knowing that she was probably going to regret it, Rarity couldn’t help but dig further. “What do you mean?” Sunset shrugged in nonchalance. “Don’t take it too bad, it’s just that you’ve always been a terrible friend.” Rarity gasped. “WHAT?! That’s preposterous.” “Yeah!” said Pinkie, hugging her friend close with one arm. “Rarity is one of the best friends ever.” “Please,” said Sunset rolling her eyes, “everyone barely endures all your whims of a presumed diva. And do we want to talk about your insistence on making us all feel like we’re mere plebeian in your presence?” “I- I don’t do that.” Rarity shot Pinkie a dubious look. “Do I?” Before Pinkie could answer, Sunset resumed her heated rant. “And there’s more. Deep down, you know you are a terrible friend and you desperately try to cover it by filling our wardrobe. You are so afraid that no one wants to be your friend that you try to buy them with gifts.” “T- that’s not true…” said Rarity. But Sunset knew that she was about to break down. “Speaking of which…” Sunset slipped off her ruined jacket from her arms and roughly tossed it to Rarity. “Here! Since you wanted to help so badly, now you can do the only thing you’re decent at. See ya.” Sunset arrived only on the first step of the stairs before Pinkie popped right in front of her. “Now, now, now. Don’t you think it’s about time to jump off the meanie train and, you know, maybe reconsider some of your words?” The nervousness inside her voice was poorly hidden. “The meanie train?” asked Sunset, cocking an eyebrow. With her smile dying off her face, Pinkie Pie turned a little pale and gulped. “I… I just... I just wanted to make you laugh a little.” “Laugh a little? LAUGH A LITTLE?” Sunset tossed her head back and burst out in a hollow laugh. “Why, yes! It’s so important to laugh. Always, right?! In fact, why don’t we all take a good laugh? “Even better, why don’t you plan a party, Pinkie? After all, that’s all you do. Every time. Whatever happens. So throw a party, Pinkie Pie! You could call it the ‘Sunny found her mommy’, and everyone will have a good laugh and we’ll have a good time! AND WE CAN GO HUNTING FOR RAINBOWS AND LEPRECHAUNS AFTER THAT!” Pinkie Pie, who was sinking deflated on herself, looked up to Sunset with pleading eyes and quivering lips. “Please don’t get mad, but… you know that I’m not good at reading sarcasm so–” Sunset’s eye twitched “–could you tell me if you were–” Sunset grasped her head in her palms and shrieked out loudly in frustration. Then, she towered over Pinkie, who fell back sitting on the stairs. “How can you be so STUPID?!” Pinkie’s eyelids began to watering. “Now, stop right there!” Rarity’s indignant voice reached Sunset’s drums. “Y- you can’t…” Sunset turned over to hush Rarity, but she stopped abruptly as her eye caught a figure crossing the street and moving towards them. “You’re not like this,” continued Rarity, noticing only after that Sunset was looking through her with wide eyes. Rarity spun her head in order to understand why Sunset was distracted and when she looked back her eyes were filled with terror. Sunset moved to go around her and, when Rarity tried to block her she pushed Rarity aside with enough strength to send her stumbling over the hood of a car parked near. “Sunset!” Rarity cried out of protest, but Sunset was deaf to it as she walked against Princess Twilight with a strong pace. Sunset’s felt she was all tense, and she was sure that her anger shined through her eyes. Twilight, instead, was proceeding slowly and uncertainly and her face was a perfect representation of concern. Once they reached a dialogue range, Twilight stopped and attempted to smile. “Sunset, I’m glad you went back to your apartment. I–” “Did you know?” Twilight’s smile died on her lips. “Excuse me?” “DID YOU KNOW?!” roared Sunset, extending forward with her shoulders. Twilight flinched back and hold her hands out. “Sunset… I had no idea,” she answered in true sorrow. Sunset remained silent for a short moment, scanning Twilight in search of any hint of lies. Finding none, she pulled back and crossed her arms giving Twilight a critical look. “And you are supposed to be Princess Celestia’s star student.” Twilight looked down and joined her hands in front of her blouse. “I’m sorry…” “For what?” “For… not knowing, I guess.” “Why? Would you have told me, if you knew?” “What?” Twilight’s head perked up and looked Sunset in bewilderment, stammering as she tried to comprehend that question. “I- I don’t know…” “Well, I do,” replied Sunset with sassiness. “You would have done exactly what Celestia had told you to do. Like always.” “Not like always,” retorted Twilight. “Actually, she didn’t want me to come here.” If Sunset thought that nothing could have made her feel more hurt than she already was, she had just proven wrong. And she must have made it obvious considering Twilight’s startled and panicked expression. “N- no, it’s not like that! She cares about you.” Sunset poked at Twilight’s chest with both hands. “I’m sorry, did I miss something?” she hissed, narrowing her eyes. “I still was at the part where you knew nothing.” “I- I just meant that she wanted to give you your time to calm down before getting in touch.” Sunset averted her eyes, unsure how to feel about it, but the only remarkable thing to see was Rarity, still on the stairs, kneeling in front of Pinkie Pie. “Then why are you here?” she asked at last. “Because we’re friends.” Sunset took a step back and opened her eyes wide. “Woah! Friends?! Which world are you living in, pray tell?” Twilight just stared her with a confused look, making Sunset grunt in annoyance as she realized that she could have meant it literally. “Don’t answer that,” bitterly said Sunset. “It was just figurative speech.” Even if Twilight got the message, she only frowned more. “I still don’t understand what you–” Sunset raised a finger, cutting Twilight off. “Tell me, when did we become friends, precisely?!” “It was… the Fall Formal.” “Oh, the Fall Formal,” repeated Sunset, feigning surprise. “You mean after I was crawling on the ground?” Twilight looked down, saddening at the memory. “…Yes.” “After you offered me your hand and your friendship?” Twilight looked up again, smiling in hope. “Yes.” “Just one more specific,” said Sunset, rising up an index. “Was it before or after you turned away and went through the portal?” Twilight’s smile died again. “What?” “Hey, I’m not the friendship expert. If you think that abandoning your new so called friend is a good way to start–” Twilight stomped to the ground in anger. “I didn’t abandon you!” “You sure? Because, apparently, today is a good day to confess that sort of thing to me.” “What are you talking about?!” asked Twilight on the brink of exasperation. “You know that I had no time left.” “Yes, I know. I mean, except the time to go dancing with Flash, but I’m not holding a grudge. Honestly. I just don’t understand why would you ever say that we’re friends.” Twilight opened her mouth to answer back, but no words came out of it. Instead, she closed her eyes and shook her head. Then, she looked back to Sunset with pleading eyes. “Sunset… please just listen to me. I can only imagine how much resent you’re brooding towards Celestia… “But she told me everything.” Sunset opened her eyes wide. This time, for real surprise. “After you left, she told me why she… did what she did. And there’s a good explanation!” Incredulous, Sunset tilted her head and watched Twilight with her mouth agape. “Wait, really?” Twilight lips curved up a little, and she nodded faintly. “There’s a good explanation?” asked Sunset. “Yes.” Sunset rested her hands on her hips and smiled broadly. “But… that’s great!” “That’s a relief,” said Twilight releasing a breath. “I KNOW! And here I was, thinking that there could have never been a good excuse for abandoning your child and then pretending to be a total stranger.” Twilight relaxed face turned into an uncertain one. “Um, yeah…” “But you have a good explanation!” continued Sunset with the pitch of her voice slowly rising. “That makes it totally different! Like, now you can tell me so everything will be ok and maybe we can all go back to Equestria. I can reconcile with my mommy and we can even sing a merry song in tune with everypony passing by while we go!” Sunset finished her sentence with a bright smile. For next few seconds, Twilight was gaping in front of her. Then, she suddenly recovered and smiled again. “Alright, so–” Sunset facepalmed. She took a deep breath and slid her hand low enough to open her eyes. “Twilight?” she asked, calmly and quietly. Twilight gulped. “Y- yes?” “THIS ISN’T HOW IT WORKS!” Twilight recoiled, her hands covering her ears with and her eardrums in pain for the loud shout. It was like she had been pulled back by Sunset’s rage only. As she was snarling to Twilight, Sunset heard the sounds of heels stepping behind her. Then she heard Rarity’s voice saying, “Sunset, you need to–” In a flash, Sunset swung on her wrist and pointed menacingly to Rarity. “Stay out of this!” she threatened, and she instantly turned back to Twilight. Shivering in front of her death glare, Twilight started to babble. “B- but I can assure you–” Sunset rolled her eyes and threw her arms up. “Oh, I’m sure she has! How can she NOT HAVE a good explanation! She’s Celestia, Princess of the daytime. You would even say that her farts are made of rainbow if someone asked you!” “Sunset,” squeaked Twilight, “just let me–” “NO! Especially not from you! Nor from any other lackey who worships her!” “I swear it’s not like that.” Sunset narrowed her eyes and pointed a finger towards Twilight. “Say one bad thing about her.” “Excuse me?” asked Twilight in disbelief. “One bad thing,” slowly repeated Sunset. “And I’ll listen to you.” Twilight moved her mouth up and down, with a look of pleading on her face. Shifting her weight from one leg to the other, she averted her gaze and started sweating from her front head. “Well?” asked Sunset with defiance. “W- well… she… “She…” Sunset granted Twilight enough time of silence before smiling wryly. “Yeah. I didn’t think so.” Humiliated and defeated, Twilight turned her eyes down as her body deflated. However, Sunset couldn’t stand seeing Twilight so downcast. “Aw, here. Let me help you out,” she said, closing the distance between them.Then she pointed her finger to Twilight again and raised her voice. “Princess Celestia IS A BIG WH–” The rumble of a motorcycle passing near spread over her words but she knew, from Twilight’s face, that she had been heard. Nobody did anything as the sound of the engine trailed off, nor when Twilight removed her hands from her mouth. She only produced faint whines at first, all her energy focused on not burst out crying. “You are very distressed right now… it’s understandable.” Twilight started to walk backward as her eyes got moist. “I’ll give you time to calm down and… I’ll see you again. Soon, I promise.” As soon as she said that, she quickly turned over and let out a sniff, quickening her pacing. After watching her go through a few steps, Sunset turned back to her apartment. But she found herself in front of a very disappointed Rarity and an incredulous Pinkie Pie. Sunset just cocked an eyebrow with a challenging look. Without a word, the two girls went past her and chased Twilight. Finally alone, Sunset crossed the parking lot, climbed the stairs, reached her door, and entered her apartment. But as she heard the click of the door closing behind her, she realized there was something weird about it. And yet it was just how she left it. Clean, ordered, with all the accessories and comforts. But what was she looking for, exactly? Only then, she realized that the only reason why she wanted so badly to get here was because she had nowhere else to go. Not a place to call home. Not a person, nor a pony to trust. Not anymore. Without a sound, she laid down and curled over the carpet.