Not much had happened with Sunset Shimmer and Starlight Glimmer after the get-together at Twilight’s. They spent most of the night watching whatever programs on Sunset’s television-monitor-thing peaked their interests. Starlight was surprised to see yet another use of this versatile device, though much like the movie showing, she was a little turned off by just how commercial a lot of it was.
Sunset decided to turn on a couple science documentaries, which were much more effective in catching Starlight’s interest than the books; after which Starlight showed interest in a few primetime sitcoms, where many laughs were shared. After a few hours had passed and the two yawned near-simultaneously, Starlight fondly looked back on her vacation. The intriguing surprises, the new yet familiar faces, and the many strong friendships she managed to forge... How was it almost over?
“Not going to lie, as interesting as this world has been,” said Starlight, “I’ll definitely be glad to get back to Equestria. There’s just so much I can’t see myself ever getting used to, and I certainly wouldn’t be able to handle living here…”
“Well, when you’ve lived here as long as I have…” Sunset replied.
The remark led Starlight to remember a particular question that was thrown around this morning. While she knew it had indirectly led to their little squabble before, her curiosity proved far too high to just let it go. “How have you done it, anyway? Surely you must have at least once felt the urge to return to your home after all this time…”
Sunset’s emotions took a much more depressing shift, giving a long sigh and bowing her head down. This sudden wave of emotion was not lost on Starlight, however she was only more eager to find out the answer than ever. Finally, deciding to take the concise approach, she quietly asked what Sunset secretly hoped no one would: “Do you miss Equestria?”
The only response she got was Sunset breathing even deeper. Starlight’s upper body began to tremble, fearing she has gotten on Sunset’s bad side yet again.
“Honestly, half of me does… but the other half doesn’t,” Sunset said eventually, still looking towards the floor beneath her.
“But wouldn’t you want to go back to where you lived for most of your life? I’m sure Princess Celestia will appreciate…“ She trailed off when she finally realized what she said wasn’t helping, and felt herself cringe with guilt over bringing it up.
Sunset Shimmer closed her eyes at the mention of her single biggest failure, left at a loss in how to respond. She always avoided talking about it when she could, but by now she knew she couldn’t bottle her emotions. A brief glance was enough for her to know that Starlight’s concern was genuine. Sure, her little group of six girls meant so much to her, but Starlight was something else. She was an Equestrian, just like she used to be, and one that also reinvented her life in some form. If anyone would understand, she thought, it would be her. Part of Sunset knew she had to tell somebody eventually, and this would quite possibly be the only chance she’d get of finally releasing it.
“It’s… not about Celestia. I mean, it kinda is, but not in the way you think.” Sunset brought her head back up slightly, but she still looked a little crestfallen when she continued. “When I lived in Equestria, I was very spoiled. I became used to having everything be handed right to me, which ultimately led to me being self-absorbed and just a big jerk to everyone... especially the Princess. And every time I think of Equestria, regardless of how much I might have been forgiven, I can’t help but think of my old, horrible self.
“But when those five girls took me in and taught me about friendship, despite how awful I was, I felt… reborn. My slate got wiped clean and I was free to reinvent myself here. When I defeated the Sirens and earned the respect of the school… I’ve never felt prouder.” She pointed at the picture in the center on the wall behind them, showing her and the friends wearing multi-colored outfits bathed in the waves of prismatic rave lights. “Everything that makes me happy right now is in this world. I would never trade my friends and life here for anything, and if that means I decide never to go back to Equestria… so be it.”
Starlight’s eyes were opened wide, surprised at her host’s backstory. She could now sympathize with Sunset even more.
Sunset continued, her eyes still shut but mouth slightly picking up. “That being said, I’d be lying if I said there weren’t times when I’ve looked back fondly at being at the top of my game with Celestia, weaving all sorts of magical spells… even something as simple as trotting on my hooves…” She slumped down and exhaled, and thought she was still smiling, tears formed in her eyes.
Starlight moved to sit next to Sunset, pulling her in for a small hug. She didn’t have to think for too long about how to respond, because she knew exactly what to say at this moment. “You and your friends have done so much for me during my time in this world. And if you ever wanted to enjoy yourself in Equestria again, you know Princess Twilight, her friends, and I would do the same for you. We can help replace those bad memories with happier ones.”
Sunset loudly sniffed, her eyes continuing to tear up slightly.
“You don’t have to move back there for good if you don’t want to, or even visit right away. But don’t feel like you have to avoid it forever only because of your past mistakes. When I returned to visit my old village, I was just as afraid of the bad memories being rekindled as you were, but if anything, … I enjoyed myself there and it let me leave it all in the past for good. It’s a lot like what I said on the first day - if you dwell on what you fear might happen, you’ll never get past it.”
Sunset took about twenty seconds to process all Starlight said. After she did, she smiled warmly toward Starlight, still teary-eyed, and hugged Starlight back. “Th-thanks so much for saying that. I’m… I’m really glad I brought you here. You really have been such a great person to talk to.”
Starlight smiled back. “You’re welcome. And you’ve been an amazing one, too.”
After that, they went through their evening routine, which this time went much more smoothly than the last two nights. Looking at Starlight confidently preparing the couch-bed all on her own with her new appendages, Sunset was quite proud of herself -- she always seemed to forget just how great a teacher she really was.
The following morning began quieter than the others. Starlight slowly woke up as the sun rays shone on her face. It was certainly much more comfortable than anyone, even Sunset Shimmer, forcing her awake.
Still under the covers, she stretched her arms as far out she could, followed by her legs and wiggled her fingers and toes. While the number of joints and parts was still a lot for her to take in, compared to the simplicity of the four pony hooves, she had for the most part grown quite accustomed to the sensation. In fact, she found herself enjoying the flexibility that came with it, and walking on two, long legs was surprisingly very efficient. It all almost made her miss having to give them up, but inside she knew that no matter how great it felt to experience completely new body, there was nothing that could replace her unicorn magic.
After spending a few minutes thinking about all she’d experienced, she heard the opening of a nearby door, and footsteps that were quickly revealed to belong to Sunset Shimmer. Starlight, slowly stepping out the couch-bed, was instantly put in a good mood when she saw the calm, pleasant look on Sunset. She then pulled the lever to fold the bed back in, which proved to be a bit of a struggle with how surprisingly tight and stiff the lever was.
“Not bad for someone who has only had three days to build their hand-eye coordination,” Sunset mused from the kitchen area.
Sunset shuffled some things inside her refrigerator, eventually pulling out an apple and slamming the door shut with her elbow. Starlight couldn’t help but be amazed as she observe Sunset’s grace in her movements. She found it hard to believe she had only spent a few years in this body.
“I wish I could move like that,” Starlight said. “Whenever I try to do anything with my hands, I look so… awkward,”
“I’d say you’ve been handling it much better than I did my first three days here.” Sunset chuckled, inserting some bread in the toaster. “You can only imagine how it must have felt for me to suddenly be stranded in this strange, unknown world without a friend in the world.”
Starlight simply stared in wonder, feeling sorry for Sunset.
“Well, anyway, I hope you like the little breakfast I’m preparing. I don’t know how you feel about toast, but it’s what I always love to start my day with.”
At that very moment, out popped the toast from the appliance. Starlight took a seat at the small dining table as Sunset took a few more minutes to prepare the meal. As Sunset served it, she sighed fondly. “I must say, it feels really nice to have someone to share all of this with. That’s why my friends all mean so much to me.”
“Yeah, I never realized it myself until I had friends around me,” Starlight said, carefully grabbing the bread with her hand. She was briefly caught off guard by how dry and crumbly the toast felt on her fingers compared to her tongue.
“Well, Princess Twilight said she was going to open the portal three hours from now. Is there any particular way you’d like to spend the last part of your little vacation?”
“Actually… there was one thing I had in mind.” Starlight said, after finishing her first slice.
***
“You’re leaving?!” Juniper Montage asked, just as she was getting into her theater uniform.
“Yeah.” Starlight said, standing in the middle of the lobby, while Sunset stood a few steps behind her. “I guess I should’ve mentioned I was only visiting here, and that I’ll have to get back to my home. I’m not sure when I’ll visit again, if at all.”
Juniper, now fully in her outfit, calmed considerably and folded her arms. “Oh. Well, I guess I could at least reach you by phone. Mind giving me your number?”
Starlight stood still like a deer in the headlights, thoroughly unprepared to answer. Everyone she saw in this world had one of these convenient mobile phones, so her saying she didn’t have one would’ve made her feel too unusual. She couldn’t just deny the offer either, since doing so would only make Juniper feel betrayed. How would she even respond…?
A skeptical Juniper raised an eyebrow as Starlight’s body trembled, struggling to think of a reasonable response. Thankfully, Sunset Shimmer stepped up to the rescue and addressed the elephant in the room. “Reaching her isn’t going to be that simple because… well, remember that pony dimension I mentioned a few days back?”
Juniper blinked twice, connecting the dots in her head. “...Wait, I didn’t just mishear you?! And… does that mean she’s…?”
Sunset nodded before Juniper could finish her sentence. “Yep, she’s a pony.”
The three simply stood in silence, with Juniper fluctuating emotions from bewilderment, to denial, amazement, then back to bewilderment. “But… but… that’s not even possible…” Her eyes widened as a particular memory popped in her head. “...I once researched these little mythical faraway lands for a movie my uncle was working on… one of those I think was of ponies… does this mean the myths were actually true?”
The girls’ faces remained immovable -- enough to hint to Juniper that she was indeed correct. All she could do was constantly pinch her thigh, each time tighter than the last. When it began to make her wince in pain, she instead took off her glasses to make sure she wasn’t hallucinating.
“Well, now you see why I wanted to keep this a secret!” Starlight said, turning to Sunset, “And I thought we were supposed to?”
“Nah, considering she’s already been exposed to their powerful magic, there’s no harm in telling her about it,” Sunset replied, focusing on Juniper while still speaking to Starlight, “especially provided she doesn’t try to spill it herself. Who knows what would happen if everyone suddenly knew about Equestria?”
Juniper, her glasses back on her face, stopped herself from hyperventilating, realizing that Sunset was talking about her. She said exactly what was on her mind at that moment: “I’m not sure if I will be able to… since, this is just so… unbelievable. However, I guess for the sake of the other magical ponies, I will try my best.”
Sunset gave her the thumbs-up, followed by Starlight doing the same, since she could only assume such a gesture was polite.
“Still,” Juniper continued, clearly looking tired. “I would still really like to have a means of reaching you. You’ve made me realize how great it was to have a friend like you around.”
“Well,” Sunset said. “Maybe I could help be the bridge between you and Juniper. I have this special journal that lets me talk to her through magic!”
Juniper stared with confusion once again, but rapidly shook her head to get her mind off it. By now, she knew that if she thought about it any harder, her brain would explode. “That… would be nice,” was all she could really say in response.
“In fact, how about we become friends, you and me?” Sunset asked. “I’d understand if you wouldn’t feel up for it, but trust me that Starlight and I are both very similar in so many ways that even we didn’t realize until recently.”
She stretched out her arm toward Juniper, who hesitated slightly but finally took it with a soft, genuine smile.
***
It was high noon at Canterlot High School, and despite it still being summer vacation, there were eight girls all lined up at the school’s signature statue… or, at least, what was left of it. Seven of them all gathered around Starlight Glimmer, who was just about to head back to Equestria. They were all glad to have made a new friend, and one from Equestria that had not long ago saved their lives at that.
“Here’s a leftover bottle of our apple cider as a souvenir!” Applejack handed over.
“And a blueberry muffin for the pony me!” Pinkie Pie shouted, throwing a plastic bag onto Starlight’s open hand.
“Be sure you let my pony self know just how much I kicked your butt in that video game!” Rainbow added on, which Starlight only rolled her eyes at.
“Those blue nails still look fabulous on you,” Rarity said. “You really did look quite nice for the movie premiere.” She took out of her pocket a small photograph, the one taken when Starlight was made the center of attention in their post-film photo shoot. Starlight was still impressed at just how well she took all that, and definitely knew the picture would make a great memento.
Fluttershy simply patted her on the back. “I’m glad we were able to help you and Sunset Shimmer embrace your differences.” she said.
Starlight gave a small smile, only to find Twilight take that spot, carrying her dog in her arms. “Spike would like to say goodbye, too.” she said.
“Nice to meet you, Starlight Glimmer! It sure was great to find out about what I’m like as a dragon!”
Starlight was still caught off guard at seeing Spike as something as small as a dog. However, with Twilight’s encouragement she petted Spike on the head, which the little guy obviously found therapeutic. And seeing Spike happy was enough to make Starlight happy.
“Thank you all, girls. I really can’t thank you enough for all you’ve done for me in this world. Through all the ups and downs, all the breezes and struggles… no matter the world, no matter the species… you six really are the best friends I could ever ask for.”
The six all “Aww”’ed and stepped closer to Starlight in an attempt to put her in the center of a huge hug. However, they did tone it down when they saw that Starlight was starting to suffocate from being overly squished.
Once she managed to break out of it, she walked toward the statue, where Sunset was standing, looking as pleased as Starlight ever remembered her seeing.
“I’m definitely going to miss you most of all, Sunset Shimmer.” Starlight said, punching Sunset’s shoulder.
“Me too,” Sunset said neutrally. “You remind me so much of myself, but in all the best ways. And even though these six,” she spread out her arms toward the others who started to listen out of intrigue, “will always be my favorite beings in existence, I’m so glad I finally have a friend I can relate to as much as you.” She gave Starlight a teasing tongue-in-cheek punch-back.
The two pulled each other in for the tightest hug of Starlight’s the entire vacation, when Sunset got an idea in her head and grabbed her phone. She held it out sideways, eyes still locked on it, with her arm held out far. She took Starlight’s side and had her look in the same direction right next to her. “Smile!” she said, and just before Starlight could process what was going on, a light beep came from the phone. Sunset returned it to its normal holding position, and pointed out the selfie she had just made with Starlight - who loved the idea of Sunset having something to remember her by. “Now you have your picture and I have mine!”
“Alright!” Starlight said. Right after she said this, however, the crowd suddenly grew quiet. Starlight Glimmer took this as a sign that it was time for her to go.
“I really hope I get to visit you girls again soon,” said Starlight. “Thanks to you, this vacation was some of the best three days I remember having.” She turned her back to them to face the portal, and slowly took a couple steps toward it.
When she reached the portal, she looked back once more to see the girls waving and cheering various goodbyes, all of which were clearly trying to fight a few tears.
She poked her hand through the portal, and sure enough, through the transparent “wall” she could view it as a hoof. So, she took her foot off the ground, preparing to step inside the portal, when…
“Wait!” Sunset Shimmer called out, just in time for Starlight to pause.
Sunset continued. “I’ve been thinking about what we talked about last night…”
On the opposite end of the mirror, Princess Twilight paced around her library, eagerly waiting for Starlight’s return. She had just opened the portal a few minutes ago and knew they would have a lot to talk about regarding their adventures in the alternate world. Just when she was growing tired of waiting, the mirror began to swirl, helping Twilight regain her anticipation. Sure enough, out came Starlight Glimmer, who launched across the room and, with a loud WHAM, crashed into a familiar pile of books.
The first thing Starlight heard after her landing was a light giggle from her teacher. “And to think I had just picked those books up,” said Princess Twilight, too amused to get the least bit annoyed at her organization being for nought.
Starlight Glimmer’s vision recovered as she dug herself out of the pile. After her escape, she noted her newly-regained set of hooves. Man, did it feel refreshing to have them back after dealing with all the complicated fingers, toes, and joints. She could only process so much, however, before the princess jumped in to embrace Starlight.
“Starlight, I’m so glad to see you back!” she exclaimed. “How did you like it there? I hope the new body and new world wasn’t too much for you! Did things end up well between you and Sunset?”
“One question at a time, please,” Starlight replied serenely, breaking the hug. “I’d love to tell you all about it, but honestly I don’t even know where to start.”
She trotted around the room for a bit, focusing on her hooves and posture. “It sure was interesting to have those hand things, and they were certainly quite useful. But, I’m really glad to be back on four hooves like I’m used to.”
“I’m sure it was! Not every day you find yourself turning into a creature exclusive to an alternate dimension.” All of a sudden, Twilight turned her eyes to the portal, which starting rippling and whirring once more. She pointed a hoof toward the suddenly active portal out of confusion. Starlight was quick to respond to this.
“Oh, well… Twilight, I hope you don’t mind I brought a friend of my own.”
Mere moments after she had finished her sentence, out of the portal came a light orange unicorn with a red and yellow-patterned mane and teal eyes, flying in the same arc as Starlight did seconds ago. Starlight was quick to catch her… only for the weight to crush Starlight’s body underneath her.
The orange unicorn quickly jumped off the pile, leaving Starlight even more dazed than before, and there in the guest’s line of sight was Princess Twilight. Both of their faces mirrored each other’s; that of shock, teary-eyes, but, most prominently, glee.
“Sunset Shimmer!” Twilight called, running towards her.
“Princess Twilight!” Sunset called back, throwing two hooves around Twilight’s neck as soon as the distance closed.
“Oh, it feels so good to see you after all this time!”
“I’m really glad to see you, too,” Sunset replied. “I was a little disappointed when you weren’t here to give me my new journal. I hope that friendship mission at least went fine.”
“Eh, I guess it was okay,” Twilight replied, with a slight frown. “Anyway, what are you doing here?”
“Well, after how well Starlight’s visit to my world came, we both felt it only made sense for me to…” She became a little afraid of what reaction will result from this. “…spend a few days here myself.”
“...You’re staying?!” Twilight said in disbelief. A nod from both Sunset and Starlight, appearing timid yet proud, confirmed the very response she hoped to hear.
“Woo-hoo!!!” she exclaimed, excitedly flying all around the room. You wouldn’t believe what I’ve been waiting for us to do together! I know Princess Celestia has really wanted you to pop by…”
“Princess Celestia?” Sunset’s legs shook.
Before she could let her worries get the better of her, however, she felt a hoof touch her back. Sunset turned her head to find it was from Starlight Glimmer, and the sight of her was enough for her to throw her worries away.
“Man… what I am even going to do without you?” Sunset said with a grin.
“Hey, if I can survive a few days as a person, you can survive a few days as a pony.” Starlight winked.
Sunset put her own hoof around Starlight, as the three ponies giggled and exited the room that housed the mirror. Sunset knew that Starlight would do all she could to make her feel comfortable back in Equestria, and as odd as it felt to have the tables turned on her, it also made her all the more grateful to have befriended somepony like her.
As long as Starlight was by her side, she had nothing to worry about.