//------------------------------//
// Epilogue: Hangover 
// Story: Sunset Shimmer: Spider Queen 
// by Soufriere 
//------------------------------//

Sunset Shimmer: Infernal Queen of the Spiders, stood on the raised platform on one edge of Connemara Square, the traditional peoples’ space with a grand fountain in its centre and flanked on all four sides by grand public buildings, carrying in herself the utmost confidence. She had ditched her usual street clothes for a revealing – in both cleavage and leg – fire-patterned dress not unlike the one she wore during her demonic transformation several months earlier. Around her, dark clouds swirled as the sky turned the colour of marmalade. The flowers, towering over her head due to the groundskeeper using an experimental plant food accelerating growth, wept as Sunset’s very essence caused their petals to shrivel down to a texture much like cellophane.

Even with the ever-darkening atmosphere, the sun itself appeared to shine out from Sunset’s eyes. She smirked as she addressed the few hundred slaves citizens she had had her arachnid minions gather in the square.

“Members of the Canterville elite! As you lay prostrate before your Spider Queen, know that her glorious brain is finally cured of its many curses! Plus, our mighty overlord, the Great Worm Spirit, has revealed unto us that this universe was created for me! Everything in this world exists because of me! However, I am willing to be a merciful goddess, provided you carry out my every whim! To begin with, every second Saturday will be Free Burrit—”

Before she could finish her speech, Sunset Shimmer, the Spider Queen, Demigoddess of Mental Health and Sanity, was interrupted by an awful racket, a cry emanating from the hellish depths.

“Meow!”

Sunset adopted a look of panic. “Which one of you peons brought a cat?” she demanded.

The people, still cowering in fear of their new overlord, clandestinely looked at each other, wondering who may have sealed their doom. But no one had a cat.

“Meow~!” said the cat, more insistent. The Spider Queen grabbed her head as the infernal feline refused to stifle itself.

Suddenly, the square, the platform, the dais, the people, the flowers growing so incredibly high, all rapidly melted into a puddle of purple goo as the clouds parted to reveal an infinite blackness that quickly swallowed everything. Sunset had no time to react as she found herself hurtled into a cylindrical tunnel, the friction with the driving wind ripping off her dress. At the end of the tunnel she saw a light barrelling towards her, a loud whistle making clear that the freight train was anxious to say hello.

Instead of a sudden stop, she found herself bathed in light that quickly faded to a dull brown. A great warmth enveloped her as she felt something soft linger on her cheek, followed by a sensation brushing across her forehead and a gentle pressure on her right hand.

Eventually the brown nothingness gave way to a lighter but dull eggshell colour, matching her apartment walls. Sunset Shimmer groaned as she reluctantly opened her eyes. She was laying on her couch, covered by her throw blanket.

Sunset smacked her lips a couple of times, realizing quickly her mouth was dry. As she turned her body to instinctively reach out her hand and grab the bottle of water she always kept by her bed, still too out of it to realize she was not in her bed, the blanket slipped, revealing her naked breasts.

Orange, she thought as she stared at her chest, slowly blinking in an attempt to get her brain rebooted. Bulbous.

“Meow!” yowled the alley cat from somewhere on the outdoor fire escape.

“Mn. One of these years I’m gonna figure out who owns you, you silly freeloader,” Sunset croaked to the feline. “Or just toss my boot at you.”

She rubbed her temples as she moved into a sitting position, the blanket now slipping down to her lap. “Ugh, my head hurts,” she said to no one or thing in particular. “What time is it? What the hay happened after Pinkie’s party?”

An errant air current caused her to involuntarily shiver and cover her chest. Upon feeling bare skin, she looked down at her breasts in confusion. “Why am I naked?” she asked. Upon lifting the blanket to see that she was still wearing her white panties, she corrected herself: “Mostly naked?”

As she looked around her living room for hidden cameras – a task she did at least once per fortnight, but this time with more urgency – she noticed a glass and a full pitcher of water sitting on the repurposed cable spool she called a table. Next to that was a note written on pink stationery.



Dear Sunset,

Pardon my forwardness, but I let myself in while you were asleep. At Fluttershy’s request, I have provided you a glass and some water. Please drink it. And, I used your phone to access the Free Encyclopædia article on Jimsonweed. You should probably read it while you recover. Next time you feel like reliving your equine roots, do be mindful about what you eat. Also, I removed your brassiere to keep the straps or underwires from cutting into your lovely skin. I do hope you can forgive my impropriety. Looking forward to seeing you soon, dear.

Take care, my darling.
—R



Sunset smiled as she set the note down and poured some water. “They’re too good to me,” she said before taking the first of many drinks to rehydrate herself.