*POKE*
"Mmmph."
*POKE*
*Mmmmmmph."
*HARDER POKE*
"MMMMMPH!"
*MUCH HARDER POKE*
"MMMMMMPH!"
Sunset huffed in annoyance. How could anyone sleep so heavily? She would have to use more drastic measures. She slowly pulled the quilt back and slid her hands up his shirt, and made good use of her sharp nails.
It took all of a second for her to get the desired response.
Forte immediately began laughing and attempted to swat Sunset's hands away. His resistance only prompted Sunset to up her tickling intensity. As she did so, Forte attempted to squirm away but a fast acting Sunset straddled him; pinning him in place with her legs allowing her to relentlessly tickle his sides.
The tickling continued for several seconds, with Forte's pleas for mercy going unanswered.
"Please Sunny! I'm going to wet myself!"
"If I let you go, are you going to go back to bed?"
Forte shook his head vigorously.
Sunset stopped tickling Forte, much to his relief, and allowed him to get up. He quickly bolted for his en-suite bathroom to do his business, leaving Sunset in the bedroom. Since breaking up from school a few days prior, she and Forte had pretty much spent the entire time at Forte's house, catching up on school work and completing homework; getting as much as possible done and out of the way, leaving the rest of the holiday to do whatever they want.
Within a minute, Forte returned and headed for the bed.
"Don't you dare get back into bed! You don't want me to tickle you again, do you?"
"I wasn't going to, I was just going to make it."
Sunset helped him make it, given it was a double bed.....and she too had slept in it.
"Are you looking forward to today then?" Sunset asked.
"Sorta. Can't wait until dinner."
Sunset playfully rolled her eyes, "Imagine my shock."
The pair skipped breakfast, deciding to save their appetite for the Roast Dinner. As it was Christmas Day, they had slept in and this was too late for breakfast anyway. They received a flurry of Christmassy text messages from their mutual friends, in which they returned equally Christmassy messages; along with a reminder of their meet up later at the Dazzling's house. The pair now dressed, Sunset opting for a light blue woolly jumper with a snowman on the front, headed downstairs and into the front room. On the sofa's were two large sacks full of wrapped presents.
"The one over there is yours Sunset," Fio said, pointing to the sack in question.
"Mine?"
"Of course, you didn't think we'd leave you out now did you?"
"Sorry," she replied, her eyes beginning to tear up, "It's just that for the past few years I've spent Christmas alone."
"No need to apologise Sunset," Fio said softly, giving her a hug, "You're a part of the family now."
Sunset returned the hug, a smile forming on her face as the feeling of belonging overwhelmed her once again.
"Now, open your presents and enjoy yourself. If you like you can help me with dinner later."
"I'd love to. By the way, where's Travers?"
"He just had to nip to the corner shop for some more milk. We forgot to pick some up yesterday, he'll be back soon."
Fio turned around and walked away, giving Forte a hug on the way out. Sunset turned her attention back to her sack of presents, so full in fact there wasn't room to fit them all in. Before she could open any of them though, other people entered the room.
"Forte!"
Forte turned around, "Oma! Opa!"
Forte immediately walked over and hugged his grandparents, "Es ist schön Sie zu sehen. Hier möchte ich dich jemanden treffen."
Forte lead them over to Sunset who began feeling a little nervous at meeting more of Forte's family, particularly foreign speaking ones. Both of Forte's grandparents had a similar skin colour to her, and both stood around Forte's height. The man had white hair and the woman had greying hair cut short.
"Oma, Opa, Ich möchte euch Sunset vorstellen. Sunset, here are my dad's parents, Heinrich and Felicitas."
Sunset smiled warmly and extended her hand, "Es ist ein Vergnügen, Sie zu treffen Herr und Frau Heldentenor."
Forte's grandad took her hand delightedly, "Solch ein schönes mädchen. Es ist ein Vergnügen, Sie auch zu treffen. Hat Forte dir Deutscher gelehrt?"
"Ein wenig, aber ich spreche es nicht gut."
"Don't worry dear," Heinrich replied, "We speak Equusian."
"That's a relief," Sunset joked, "I wouldn't want to say something inappropriate."
"When did you get here?" Forte asked.
"We landed early this morning, had a nice sleep on the flight," Heinrich replied, "But we've just arrived here just now."
"Great! Did you fly on an A380?"
"Certainly. Lufthansa First Class."
At that moment Fio came back into the room, "Forte, do you think you could take your grandparents bags up to the guest rooms?"
"Sure."
"Mind if I help?" asked Sunset.
"Not at all dear," Heinrich replied.
Forte and Sunset walked into the hallway and took Heinrich's and Felicitas's bags upstairs. Once they were out of earshot, Heinrich leaned in close to Fio.
"So, how long before we start hearing wedding bells?"
A few minutes later Forte and Sunset returned to the lounge, both now wearing their light-up reindeer antlers....at Sunset's insistence. As they entered, they noticed some more presents at their respective sacks. Sunset was shocked to say the least. People she had never met before had bought her Christmas presents. People who must have had knowledge of her and Forte's relationship beforehand to buy said presents.
Felicitas walked over to Sunset and took wrapped an arm around, "Come on over here darling, don't be afraid."
Felicitas picked up a random present she had brought and handed it to Sunset, "Here you go, Fröhliche Weihnachten."
"Danke."
"Du bist willkommen mein lieber."
Sunset ripped off the wrapping revealing a box containing a large stein glass, causing her eyes to light up in delight, and a big Chesire cat grin to form on her face. Felicitas couldn't help but start laughing.
"You'll fit well into this family."
"MEIN GOTT!"
Sunset looked over to Forte, who like her, had received a large veer glass, though Forte's was a Weizen.
"Danke Großmutter!"
"Du bist herzlich willkommen."
The pair spent the next several minutes ripping off the wrapping to their presents. From Forte's grandparents they received more handicrafts and chocolates from Germaney, as well as some bottles of locally brewed ales.
As they began on the presents from Fio and Travertine, Travertine himself finally returned.
"I'm back!"
"Hi Dad! Grandma and Grandad are here!"
"Great! I'll be through on a minute!"
A minute later, Travertine did indeed come through.
"Hi Dad."
"Hi son, I see you're enjoying yourself."
"Well it is Christmas."
Travertine chuckled then turned his attention to his parents, "Mutter, Vater, Frohe Weihnachten, es ist toll dich zu sehen."
He walked over and gave his father a handshake and his mother a hug.
"Frohe Weihnachten Sohn, vielen Dank für uns hier," Felicitas replied.
She leaned in close to Travers' ear and whispered into it, "Wie lange vor der Hochzeit?"
Travers stifled a laugh, "Nicht zu lange, hoffentlich."
Suddenly and without warning, Forte left the room.
A worried Travers and Felicitas looked at each other with concern. Knowing his mother would be worried Forte heard her and subsequently upset him, he held his hand up to stall her and mouthed 'I'll go'. Travers left the room leaving an equally confused Heinrich and Sunset with Felicitas.
Going upstairs and into his son's room. Looking around to find him he spotted the lit up antlers on his son's head.
"Forte?"
Forte looked up, "Yeah?"
"Are you OK?"
"Yeah, why wouldn't I be?"
"It's just that you suddenly went off without saying anything."
"Oh nothing's wrong, I just remembered these," he said as he put a box on his bed.
Boxes filled with wrapped presents.
Travers internally breathed a sigh of relief.
Potential disaster had been averted.
"I'll be down in a minute," Forte said, "Just getting another box out, and Sunset's big present. I'll bring that down separately."
"OK, I'll let grandma know. She got a little worried when you just went off."
"Damn, sorry about that. I didn't mean to," Forte said with a little sadness.
Travertine held his hands up, "Hey don't worry about it, just let her know you're OK."
"I will do."
A couple of minutes later, Forte returned carrying three boxes stacked on top of one another.
"I've got presents here for everyone," he announced to the room.
He set the boxes down and began handing them out to everyone.
For his Grandparents he got them a bottle of brandy and whiskey each, along with a large jar of liquorice all-sorts. For his father he got him a wristwatch and a Desktop Mini Henry Hoover, and for his mother he got her an amethyst and silver necklace with matching earrings and a personalised Kilner jar of her favourite sweets. Milk bottles.
Sunset too had a fair share of presents. A pair of high quality BOSE headphones and some iTunes vouchers.
"Thanks Forte," she said happily, hugging him in front of his family, "I really like them."
"Well if you like them then you'll definitely like your other present I got you."
"Other present?" she queried, "There's more?"
"Yep," he replied, reaching down beside the sofa and picking up another wrapped box, "Here you go Sunny, Merry Christmas. You may want to sit down though."
Though confused why he said that she none the less did sit down, placed the present on the empty and tore away the wrapping. She sat opened mouthed at the present within. What she unwrapped was a brand new 15 inch MacBook Pro, with TouchID and i7 processor.
Sunset remained silent for several seconds, prompting fears in Forte that she didn't like it. He looked at her and noticed tears were beginning to form in her eyes. He sat down next to her and wrapped a consoling arm around her.
"Sunset?" Forte said, "Are you OK?"
Sunset turned to him, her eyes filled with tears, and smiled.
"I'm fine Forte, thank you. I love it!"
She gave him a tight hug which Forte returned happily, the pair remaining as they were for several seconds.
"Come on Sunny," Forte said, "We've still plenty of other presents to open."
"Yeah, speaking of presents; I have yours to give you."
Sunset walked out of the room, returning shortly with a present in hand.
"Here you go Forte," Sunset said, handing it over, "Merry Christmas."
"Thanks," he said, taking the present.
He began ripping off the wrapping paper, and upon seeing what it was a huge grin formed on his face; and Sunset found herself wrapped in a very tight hug.
"I take it you like it then?" Sunset wheezed.
Forte nodded his head vigorously.
Forte's present was an Ocarina, in the same colour and style as the Ocarina of Time.
About twenty minutes later, the pair had finished opening their presents. Sunset had gotten many new clothes chosen by Fio, some chocolate selection boxes, perfume and shampoos and hardback (signed) copies of the Daring Do books. All of them.
Forte received some new games for his Xbox and a new gaming PC, his current set up a little outdated and unsuitable for modern games. His new mammoth rig consisted of an Intel i9 7920X with 12 cores, two NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 Ti FE 11GB , 8x 8GB Corsair Vengeance RGB LED 3000MHz DDR4, three 4K monitors with built-on speakers, light up keyboard and gaming mouse. The PC Tower itself had internal lighting, bathing the interior in a lightning blue glow; a feature that matched the keyboard and mouse mat.
Expensive to most, but to Forte's parents; it's peanuts.
It had just gone 11am, and all the presents at been unwrapped and everyone was generally enjoying themselves. Fio, Felicitas and Sunset were in the kitchen beginning to prepare dinner, whilst Travers and Heinrich were getting ready to go for a walk. Forte was in the kitchen with Sunset, tying her Christmas themed apron in place.
"Have fun," Forte said.
"Where are you going?" Sunset asked.
"Going with my dad and grandad for a walk. We won't be long, I'll see you later."
Forte gave Sunset a quick kiss on the cheek and began to walk off, only to bump into his mother; she too, wearing a Christmassy apron.
"Hey sweetie, are you OK?"
"Yeah, fine thanks. Nice apron by the way."
"Thank you, Sunset bought us them."
"Us?" Forte enquired nervously.
"Yep," came a voice from behind.
He turned around and saw Sunset approach carrying another apron.
"Come on Forte," Sunset said cheerily, "You don't want to leave all of this for myself and your mother to do, do you?"
Forte valued his life too much to say yes.
Reluctantly sighing in defeat, he offered no resistance as Sunset tied the apron firmly in place and dragged him over to a chopping board on which were several carrots.
"Come on Pony Boy, chop chop."
"OK OK, just let me wash my hands first."
He walked over to the sink and washed his hands. As he dried his hands he saw his dad and grandad, and from the look on their faces they pitied his predicament. They solemnly removed their woolly hats and held them to their chests.
They left quickly before they too were roped into helping.
"Don't worry sweetie," his mother said, standing next to him, "For helping you'll get more dessert."
Forte just nodded.
More dessert sounded appealing.
He walked back over to the chopping board on the kitchen island, standing opposite from Sunset, and began chopping carrots into slices.
This better be worth it.
Two hours later, everyone was sat down at the dinner table in the conservatory. All the food was played out on the table ready for everyone to help themselves and dig in to. Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, carrots, pigs in blankets , roast potatoes and parsnips. The centre piece was the traditional Christmas turkey, as well as some roast beef for those that wanted it.
Oh and there was a jug of gravy.
Fio went around the room pouring everyone a glass of wine while they piled their plates high with food.
"Smells great," Travertine said as Fio went around the room, pouring everyone a glass of wine.
"Thank you, Sunset and Forte helped a lot."
"We were happy to help," Sunset said, "We couldn't have left you to do it all yourself."
Fio gave Sunset cuddle, "Thank you sweetie."
Forte meanwhile, turned to his father, "Did you enjoy your walk?"
"It was delightful," Travers replied, smiling, "You should have joined us."
"Something came up."
"Don't worry Forte," Fio said, "I greatly appreciated your help, and Sunset's. Cooking a Christmas dinner isn't easy."
Travertine stood up and began carving the turkey, his speed and evenly sliced slices an indicator he'd done it many times before. He carved the beef afterwards and soon everyone was piling their plates high.
"How has your new school been going Forte?" asked Felicitas.
"It's been going great. I made several new friends, including Sunset here; who later became my girlfriend. I'm getting the best grades I've ever had, not straight A's but still better than at my old school."
"He's also a part of the band my friends put together," Sunset added.
"Wonderful," Felicitas said, "What do you play? I know you favour your guitar."
"I play rhythm guitar."
"The band he's in will be recording their debut album after the winter," Fio said, "Ra-Ra is assisting them, "And it turns out, one of his friends is Rainbow Blitz's daughter."
"I think I remember," Heinrich said, "Rainbow Dash isn't she?"
"Yeah," Forte replied, getting his phone out.
He flicked through the screens and brought up the photo album.
"Here's my friends," he said as he handed his grandma the phone.
Felicitas looked the the photos for several seconds, "There's a lot of girls in these photos."
Forte's cheeks began to turn a light shade of red. His father however gave him a friendly slap on the back and started laughing, "Well of course there is! He's a Heldentenor, it's in his blood!"
"They're only friends," Forte defended, getting slightly irritated at everyone making a big deal out of the fact that most of his friends were girls.
"Of course dear," Felicitas replied, "There's nothing wrong with having lots of lady friends. Do you have any guy friends?"
"Errrr, not really. The first of my friends I met introduced me to her friends, which included Sunset."
"And now we're dating," Sunset added, wrapping an arm around Forte.
"You're going to your friends later aren't you?" asked Fio.
"Yeah, then we're visiting some of Sunset's friends out of town."
Forte's referring to Equestria caused a sense of dread to overcome Sunset. Though she knew Princess Celestia had forgiven her for her actions, the thought of seeing her in person terrified her. After what Sunset had done, she wondered if she could even face her former mentor again.
Christmas dinner had finished, with Forte getting the extra desert he was promised. Everyone had watched the King and Queen's Christmas message, and Sunset and Forte were now putting on their coats, getting ready to go and see their friends. At their feet were several bags containing presents for their friends, including some for Twilight for when they would go through the portal.
"Ready Sunny?"
"Ready," Sunset replied, tying her coat belt in place and picking up the bags.
Forte meanwhile turned to his family, "I'll see you all in a couple of days."
"See you later sweetie," Fio replied, giving her son a hug, "Have fun."
"I will do."
After saying goodbye to his dad and grandparents, Sunset also, the pair made their way into the garage and got into Forte's car.
"Looking forward to seeing the others?" asked Forte.
"Definitely. It'll be the first Christmas I've spent with anyone else, unless you include Hearth's Warming in Equestria."
"You've always spent Christmas alone here?" Forte asked.
Sunset nodded glumly, "I never saw Christmas as something worth celebrating, alone or with anyone else."
"What about now?"
Sunset smiled warmly and placed her hand on Forte's, itself resting on the gear stick, "Now, I couldn't imagine spending it alone, or not celebrating it at all."
"I too once felt that Christmas wasn't celebrating, given that I had no friends; but now, this time of year feels fun again."
The garage door opened and Forte drove out, the roads covered in a thin layer of snow. Despite being only 4pm, the street lights were on and the sky was inky black with considerable cloud cover.
"Have you ever driven in snow before?" asked Sunset, slightly nervous to the driving conditions.
"Only on the last day of term, but don't worry. I'll go slower than usual."
"Are you admitting you drive fast?"
"I don't drive fast!"
"Really?"
"Really."
Sunset looked over to the dashboard and smiled devilishly, "Then why are you doing 25 in a 20 zone?"
Forte looked at the dashboard and went wide eyed. He quickly reduced his speed and looked over to Sunset who was biting her bottom lip, doing her best not to burst into laughter.
"I was doing that on purpose to see if you were paying attention."
"Yeah, sure you were."
"Are you sure this is the place?" asked Sunset.
"I'm sure, it's the address Aria gave me."
The pair had stopped outside a semi-detached house in a sub-urban area of Canterlot. The house in question was adorned with Christmas lights, like most houses on the street, giving a very festive feeling to the area. The Dazzlings' house's driveway was already containing three other cars, one of which had taxi markings on it; identifying it as Adagio's car.
"How could they afford a place like this?" asked Forte.
"No idea, but we're not going to find out sitting here."
The pair got out of the car, taking the bags of presents with them, and approached the front door. Pressing the doorbell, the pair waited patiently for several seconds until the door opened revealing Aria.
"Hi Sunset, hi Forte."
"Hi Aria," Sunset and Forte said together.
"Come on in, everyone else is here," Aria said, fully opening the door and allowing them inside.
Forte and Sunset went inside, with Aria closing the door behind them, keeping the warm heat in. Forte and Sunset put their bags down and took their coats off.
"Let me take those," Aria said, "I'll hang them up for you."
"Thanks," Forte replied.
"Everyone is in the living room," Aria said, "Go on in and help yourself to food and drink."
Forte and Sunset followed the noise and soon found the living room. Going inside they saw the other two former sirens and their friends, all of them in the festive spirit with most of them wearing Santa hats, antlers and Christmas jumpers.
"Hey guys," Forte said.
Everyone looked over and smiled, Pinkie instead bounced over excitedly and hugged the two love birds.
"MERRY CHRISTMAS LOVEY DOVIES!"
"Merry Christmas Pinkie," Sunset wheezed.
Pinkie quickly let go and bounced back to the others.
"Come on over," Rainbow called out, "There's plenty of room."
After another round of festive greetings between the friends, Aria returned carrying bags full of presents and set them down on the floor.
"Can we finally open our presents now?!" Sonata whined.
"Now that everyone's here, yes," Adagio replied, taking some of the presents out and handing one to Sonata.
"Thank you Dagi!" Sonata squeed, ripping off the wrapping.
When she saw what it was,a book containing taco recipes, she squeed even louder and gave her sister a bone crushing hug. Meanwhile, Aria reached in, grabbing a random present, and checking the tag saw it was intended for the only male in the room.
"Here you go Forte, Merry Christmas."
"Thanks Aria," Forte replied, taking the present, "Sunset and I have a few to hand out as well."
Forte looked at the tag and saw it was from Aria, Sonata and Adagio. He removed the wrapping and saw a box containing designer cologne.
"Thanks girls," he said with a smile.
"You're welcome," Aria replied.
Several more presents were handed out to everyone, from everyone. No one was left out and everyone received some good quality presents. Everyone got perfume, or cologne in Forte's case, chocolates and a more long lasting gift. Forte's was a ICE Sporty watch in blue, Sunset had a similar one but in red.
"So that's the presents opened," Aria said, "Now how about we get the real party started?"
"I thought you'd never ask!" Pinkie replied.
A couple of hours had passed and the party was in full swing. An abundance of food, drink (mostly alcohol), and music helped set the scene.
The Dazzling's as it turned out were great hosts. If someone had come up to Forte and the girls and told them they'd be partying with the Dazzlings like they were long time friends, that person would have been taken away to the local funny farm.
Soon though, Sunset and Forte would have to leave; Twilight was expecting them.
The lounge was now a mess of empty plates and empty beer cans, mostly John Smith's Smooth, and slightly drunk teenagers; the law being that in a private setting, children as young as five years old can legally consume alcohol. As they were in a private setting, they were not breaking the law.
Good thing that Forte hadn't planned to drive afterwards.
He wasn't drunk, but considering the Kingdom of Equus has a 0% alcohol limit with severe penalties for drink drivers, he wouldn't be allowed to drive anyway.
Fortunately, the Dazzling's allowed Forte to keep his car outside their house; along with some of their friend's cars such as Rainbow's Ford Fiesta ST and Applejack's Land Rover Discovery.
The group of friends, all ten of them, were on their way through the snow to the portal outside CHS.
The closer they got to CHS, the more apprehensive Forte felt. He had travelled far and wide in the past, but now he would be going to another world altogether. And to top it all off he'd transform into a pony!
If he was being truly honest, he was genuinely curious to to find out what it would be like to be a pony.
And definitely interested to find out what Sunset looked like as one.
He was so lost in thought he didn't notice when everyone had stopped walking and subsequently walked into the back of Applejack.
"Ooof!" Forte groaned, knocking Applejack slightly off balance.
"Steady there partner," Applejack replied, "Feelin' nervous about tumblin' down the rabbit hole?"
"A little."
"Don't worry Forte, you'll be fine," Sunset replied, "Twilight will make sure of it."
Forte eyed the portal nervously, "She knows we're coming right now doesn't she?"
"I'm about to write to her and find out," Sunset replied, getting out her magical book.
She began writing and it didn't take long for a response to come back. Opening the book again, Sunset read the response and looked up to Forte, smiling.
"It's time, Forte," she said, extending her hand.
Forte took her hand and walked with her to the portal, stopping just before crossing the threshold and looking back at the others.
"I'll see you lot soon....I hope."
"Stop worrying Forte," Sunset said, "Everything will be fine."
"She's right Forte," Rarity replied, "Sunset would never do anything to put you at risk."
"I know, it's just going to another world is....a little overwhelming."
"Well," Sunset replied, "At least you'll have me, and Twilight, to guide you. When I came here, I had no-one but myself."
"You'll be fine Forte," Rainbow added, "Now go over to Equestria and show them how awesome you are!"
The other girls added their support to, eventually though; Forte felt tugging in his arm.
"Come on Pony Boy."
The girls once more said their goodbye's as Forte and Sunset stepped into the portal.
Forte groaned as he tumbled through the other end of the portal, ploughing straight into Sunset's flank.
"Sorry Sunny," Forte said, his eyes still closed.
"No problem Forte," Sunset replied, turning around, "After all-"
Sunset stopped when she saw Forte, who had finally opened his eyes, who had cobalt blue fur and an azure blue mane and tail. His cutie mark was a treble clef of lightning bolts.
"Wow," he said, looking at Sunset, "Not bad."
Sunset didn't reply.
"Sunny?" Forte said, noting her silence, "You OK?"
Before he could react, Sunset lunged at him and began hugging the stuffings out of him.
"You're so adorable!"
Forte could do nothing as he was being slowly smothered to death by a pony hug, complimented by Sunset constantly nuzzling him. Fortunately though, he was saved from another lady friend.
"Sunset! Forte!"
Sunset let go of Forte and turned around to Twilight.
"Twilight!" Sunset excitedly exclaimed, running over and giving her friend a hug, one which Twilight returned, "It's great to see you!"
"You too Sunset, Happy Hearth's Warming."
"Happy Hearth's Warming, Twilight."
Forte stood up and, on wobbly legs, tried to stay on his hooves.
"Forte!"
Forte looked up and saw Twilight approaching.
"Twilight!" he excitedly replied, giving her a hug, "You look different."
"So do you....sort of."
"Sort of?"
"I've met your counterpart."
Forte smiled, "Great! What's he like?"
"A bit like you. Really nice, handsome, intelligent."
"Twilight," Sunset said, "Are you blushing?"
"No!"
"Yes you are! You totally have a crush on Forte....or pony Forte."
Twilight dismissed Sunset's words with a wave of the hoof, "I don't know what you're talking about."
"No of course you don't," Sunset replied, smirking at Twilight.
Twilight squinted at Sunset, "Anyway, why don't we go to the main hall? My friends are waiting to see you."
Sunset and Forte began to follow Twilight out of the Mirror Room, or would have had Forte not tripped and planted his face, muzzle first into the floor.
"OOF!"
"Forte! Are you OK?!" asked Sunset worriedly.
"Yeah I'm OK," he replied, rubbing his nose with a hoof.
Damn, this feels weird, he thought.
He slowly got back to his hooves and and steadily walked forward, his legs still wobbling a little.
"Will you be OK?" asked Sunset.
"Yeah, I'll be fine. It doesn't feel to different than crawling on your hands and knees."
Sunset and Forte carried on following Twilight until they reached the main hall where, as Twilight said, her friends were waiting. Forte's jaw dropped as he saw Twilight's friends....that looked just like his friends. Only furry and with four legs and a tail.
"They look just like them," he muttered quietly to himself.
"I'm sorry?" Twilight asked.
"OH uh....I just said your friends look just like my friends. That is if you look past the different number of legs and what not."
Twilight giggled, "I know what you mean. I was surprised myself when I went to your world."
As Sunset and Forte came into view, Twilight's friends soon introduced themselves.
"Hey Twilight," Rainbow said, flying over, "Are these the friends you told us about?"
"Yes. Well two of them anyway. Ponies, here are Sunset Shimmer and Forte Heldentenor."
"Forte Heldentenor?" Rainbow queried, "Wasn't he that pegasus who you went on a date with?"
"It wasn't a date!" Twilight wailed, her cheeks going red, "It was just a conversation that just happened to involve going to a restaurant together."
"Sure darling, sure," Rarity teased, before walking up to Forte and walking around him, sizing him up, "So this is the handsome young colt that we've heard so much about?"
"You've heard about me?"
"Indeed darling. Twilight told us you were dating Sunset Shimmer, and that you are quite the talented musician."
Forte blushed and bashfully rubbed the back of his neck, "Well, I wouldn't say I'm talented."
"Nonsense," Rarity replied, "Twilight wouldn't misjudge you on your talents. She did witness it herself, did she not?"
"Yes, but-"
"Don't mind him Rarity," Sunset said, "Forte is quite modest."
"Anyway," Forte interjected, "What are we doing now?"
"Well, first I thought we could spend a little time together. I'll send Princess Luna a letter letting her know you're here."
"Princess Luna?" Forte queried.
"Yes," Twilight replied, "In this world she and her sister are Princesses."
"I don't think I'll look at Principal Celestia or Vice-Principal Luna the same way."
"I felt a similar way," Sunset replied, "When I first saw Principal Celestia.....at first I thought Princess Celestia had followed me through the portal, and for a long time felt very awkward around her. Speaking of Princess Celestia, does she know I'm here?"
"No," Twilight replied softly, "That's why I'll be writing to Luna to send a chariot. I thought we could surprise Princess Celestia."
"How......how do you think Princess Celestia will react?" Sunset asked quietly, almost crying.
"I think she'll be overjoyed to see you....and Forte too. Apparently she's been eager to hear more about him."
"Why would she want to hear more about me?" asked Forte, cocking an eyebrow in confusion.
"Well you are dating a former student of hers."
"Point taken.......do I have anything to worry about though?"
"No. She'd never harm you," Twilight insisted, "Princess Celestia is the kindest pony there is."
"So I have nothing to worry about?"
"No. Now, if you'll excuse, I'll send a letter to Luna."
Twilight walked away to her study, where Spike was, to write the letter; leaving Sunset and Forte with the girls.
Pinkie wasted no time in bouncing up to Forte.
"Hi there human-turned-pony Forte!"
"Err hi Pinkie,"
Pinkie gasped, "You know my name?! Are you psychic?"
"Errrr....no."
"Then how do you know my name, huh?"
"You look a lot like my friend....who's also called Pinkie Pie."
"THERE'S ANOTHER PINKIE PIE!"
I think I'm going to regret telling her that, Forte thought with increasing dread.
After yet another, although short, party, Sunset and Forte were on their way to Canterlot; courtesy of a chariot sent by Luna, pulled by thestrals. Or Bat Ponies as Forte called them. According to Twilight, Princess Luna would be waiting for them where she would then take them to Celestia, all under the shroud of secrecy.
After about half an hour of flying, they finally reached the castle. Overlooking Canterlot, Forte saw it was lit up in a festive manner just like his Canterlot, with roads and rooftops covered in snow and ponies singing carols and enjoying each other's company.
"Ponies tend to be more social than humans," Sunset said, "Probably with us being herd animals, rather than predators like humans."
"It probably makes ponies less violent I'm guessing."
Sunset nodded, "While we've had our bad periods too, it doesn't compare to humanity's past."
"Wow, putting it like that makes us sound like bastards."
Sunset giggled, "You're not that bad, but far better than you were in ages past."
The chariot touched down in a landing area in a darkened area of the castle, where, Princess Luna was waiting for them.
Hopping off the chariot and bowing down, Sunset introduced herself. Forte followed suit, if only to not embarrass Sunset.
"Princess Luna."
"Rise Sunset Shimmer, there is no need to bow," she replied gently, before turning to Forte, "The same for your colt friend. Though I appreciate the gesture."
The pair rose and looked up to Luna. For Forte, seeing his Vice-Principal as a pony princess was a most unusual feeling. Not one he could quite describe.
"You must be Forte. Twilight Sparkle has told us much about you."
"Are you sure she meant me and not my pony counterpart?"
"Forte!" Sunset scolded.
Luna just giggled, "'Tis quite alright Sunset Shimmer. To answer your question Forte, she was referring to you. I have already met your counterpart, as has my sister I believe. And, speaking of my sister, if you follow me; I will take you to her."
Sunset and Forte followed Luna into the castle, Sunset carrying a bag in her magic, and Forte was overwhelmed with how majestic the castle was. The pure luxury and splendour was unlike anything he'd ever seen. And to top it off, Sunset used to live here.
Forte continued gawking at the royal decorations, much to the amusement of Sunset and Luna, but managed to stay on course with them and soon they approached a tall gold double door. A door hand, also made of gold, was shaped like Celestia's cutie mark and split down the middle where to the two doors met.
The trio approached the door.
"Wait here," Luna said, as knocked on the door.
"Come in."
Hearing Princess Celestia's voice caused Sunset's heart to begin pounding faster and harder. Noticing his girlfriend was beginning to get worked up, he placed a comforting hoof on her shoulder.
"It'll be OK Sunny. I'll wait outside and give you time with your princess."
Sunset turned to Forte and hugged him, "Thank you Forte. That means so much to me."
Looking over to Luna, who was stood in the doorway, began waving her hoof; calling Forte and Sunset over. The pair began to walk over, and as they did so, the princesses' voices became more easily heard.
"I know it's late sister, but there is a subject who wishes to speak to you."
"Can it not wait until morning?"
"I'm afraid not sister."
"But court is closed today, as it has been on this day for decades. I'm sorry, but unless it pertains to something serious, our subject will have to-"
"Princess Celestia?"
Hearing those two words stopped Celestia in her tracks.
She knew that voice.
One that she had not heard in years.
Looking over to the doorway, a lump forming on her throat, she called out to a pony she thought she'd never see again.
"Sunset Shimmer?"
The mare in question slowly appeared from behind the door.
"Princess? May I come in?" Sunset asked quietly, her eyes beginning to water.
Celestia nodded, "Of course you may."
Sunset walked slowly in, Luna walked out and closed the door.
Alone together, Sunset walked slowly forward, and stopped just in front of Celestia.
The tears were beginning to build, for both Sunset and Celestia, and before she knew it; Celestia felt Sunset throw herself at her, wrapping her hooves around her forelegs.
"I'm so sorry Princess," she cried, "I'm so sorry, please don't still be mad at me."
Celestia knelt down and wrapped her hooves around Sunset, pulling her in for a hug; tears too, falling down her cheeks, "Oh Sunset, I'm not mad at you. I stopped being mad a long time ago."
"But I was so horrible to you," Sunset continued to cry.
"You were angry at my refusal to tell you more about the mirror. Perhaps if I had not been so stubborn....."
"No, I was too headstrong and threw back in your face everything you ever gave me. I don't deserve your forgiveness."
Celestia gently lifted Sunset's head up with a hoof under her chin, "My silly little pony, you atoned for your mistakes, made friends, defeated evil and are once again excelling at your studies.....I couldn't be more proud of you."
Tears began to flow more freely as Sunset heard those words.
All traces of fear and worry of Princess Celestia yelling at her and once again banishing her from the castle evaporated right then and there.
Celestia tightened her hug on Sunset, tears too, now falling freely from her eyes and down her cheeks.
"Welcome back...my little sunshine."
