//------------------------------// // An Unexpected Meeting // Story: Sunset's Secret // by BoredAuthor817 //------------------------------// It felt good to be in the castle. Though not really a place she wanted to be, it was a nice break from the school and the small town surrounding it. Besides, Starlight had perfected the art of tea cakes. For some reason, Sunset could never get enough of them. “Pinkie Pie's secret recipe” Starlight had boasted, “She only gives it to her closest friends.” “...Which is pretty much everybody” joked Sunset. “Perhaps, but I'm among the few she can trust to give these little bits of baked batter justice and life.” “Wait...these aren't gonna start dancing in my stomach, are they?” “What? No!” Sunset let out a chuckle as she recalled the memory. She wondered about the library, getting used to the equine body. She had arrived a bit earlier than planned and Princess Twilight, Starlight and Spike were all out running errands. Though, she didn't mind. Running down the rows and rows of books was always a treat. Every so often, she would come across one she's never seen before. This time was no exception. Sunset came across a blue book with silver trim. She pulled it out and read the title: Star Jumper and other Deep Sky Adventures. Sounded interesting enough. Sunset curled up on the couch and opened to the first page. “Oh, hey Sunset! How long have you been here?” “Long enough to get to a good part of a book” Sunset playfully grumbled. She finished the paragraph and closed the book with a marker in the place she left off. “Princess” she bowed. Princess Twilight let out a laugh. “Sunset, you know you don't have to do that!” “Yeah, but it's still fun just to watch you get embarrassed.” “What?” Twilight's cheeks blushed. Sunset smiled. She won. “See? You're doing it now.” Twilight became flustered and Sunset laughed. “Never mind!” Twilight gave Sunset a playful jab in the ribs. “Come on,” she pulled the unicorn along, “I've got a surprise for you!” Sunset looked around as Twilight dragged her along. Not that she could help it, the Alicorn had a very strong magical grip on her. However, the more she looked, the more she became unease. “Uh, Twilight? Why are there so many guards here? You never have guards here.” “Oh, they're not here for me” the Alicorn responded gleefully. “Then who...?” “That's the surprise!” The two stopped in front of the doors to the throne room. Twilight gave Sunset a quick going over and tidied her up some. Sunset's heart began to race. “Twilight,” Sunset said, her voice shook, “please tell me Princess Celestia isn't behind those doors!” Twilight just gave a wide smile. “Twilight,” Sunset's voice was barely audible through her panicked breaths, “what have you done?” “Nothing!” smiled Twilight, “Princess Celestia was just passing through on her way back from something-or-other and I mentioned something about tea...” Sunset began to slowly walk backwards towards the library, towards the mirror, back to the other dimension. “Sunset, wait” Twilight's voice was calm and gentle, “It has been over a year since the Fall Formal. Ever since then, Princess Celestia has been desperately wanting to see you again.” She doesn't want to see you! A voice called out in Sunset's mind, Nobody will want to see you! Just go through the portal and never come back! “Sunset?” She doesn't know, nobody knows. No pony knows. You can still continue this. Continue this lie? You are in too deep; you must continue. “Sunset Shimmer!” Twilight shook the unicorn and Sunset snapped back to reality. “Is everything okay?” Sunset's mouth was dry, her heart raced, she felt the pounding vibrations within her chest. Sweat began to form at her brow. “Look, Sunset” Twilight began, seeing her friend in serious distress, “Maybe this was a bad idea...you can go back through the portal. We can reschedule this for when you're ready. I can tell Ceslestia you were called back for an emergency.” “No” Sunset said, weakly, “Sooner or later, it had to come to this.” She gave Twilight a weak smile “I'm ready.” With a smile, Twilight opened the doors. Sunset Shimmer peered meekly from behind the Alicorn. Princess Celestia and Starlight were seated at the table chatting away and laughing. Starlight was the first to notice the pair and waved. Celestia noticed and turned to face the newcomers. The entire room fell silent. Princess Celestia looked lovingly at the unicorn hiding behind Twilight. Slowly, the amber unicorn revealed herself and approached the great white Alicorn. Her head hung low, her steps slow and heavy. Suddenly, Princess Celestia yelled out “Stop right there! Guards!” Sunset let out a muffled cry. Tears welled in her eyes. She knows... “Princess Celestia!” Twilight cried out in terror. Sunset heard the sound of hooves run around, stopping in front of her. “What are you doing?” “Step aside, Twilight. You, too, Starlight Glimmer.” “But she's our friend!” Starlight protested. “She may be the Sunset Shimmer you know, but” Celestia's voice choked with tears, “she's not the Sunset Shimmer I know.” Twilight and Starlight gave each other confused glances. “She's right” a weak voice replied. Twilight and Starlight parted to reveal a broken unicorn. She had fallen to the floor, tears flowed down her muzzle. “I'm sorry.” she whimpered, “I'm so very sorry.” “Who are you?” Celestia demanded. Her magic, which had been engaged for a while, intensified. The unicorn raised herself a little off the floor. “My name is Sunset Shimmer. I was born in what you call the realm on the other side of the portal. I am no unicorn, or pony, nor even Equestrian. I am human.”