//------------------------------//
// Chapter 53: Ice Cream and a Story Fully Told 
// Story: A Search for Something More 
// by HAKDurbin 
//------------------------------//

For the next few days, I continue to go back and forth between spending time with Octavia and Sunset. Most of the time with Octavia is either at her house, the music room school, or at the Canterlot park where she feels we are the most secluded. Sunset, on the other hand, has been more active with more picnics or going to movies. Regardless of how I spend time with either of them, it always ends the same; they decide to cuddle next to me and ask to be held with all my might, showing how much they are scared to lose me for good and how determined they are to never let me go if chosen. I've grown to look forward to these moments the most because it's when I can be scared with them.
But no matter what problems either relationship has and no matter what has been done or left undone, I still don't know who I want to choose. My heart feels split directly in two, one piece wanting Octavia and the other wanting Sunset, and deep down, I know I'm making things worse by leaving all three of us in suspense.
Today is Sunset Shimmer's day. As soon as school ends with English class, I only have seconds to stand up and put my stuff in my backpack before Sunset already reaches me from her reassigned desk on the complete other side of the classroom, hugs me from behind, and gives me a big kiss on my cheek.
"Someone is in a cheerier mood than usual," I say, blushing from the kiss.
"I can't help it, babe, I missed you," Sunset replies blissfully while snuggling on my right shoulder.
"You say that every time," I say bashfully. "Even when we were dating, you liked to say that."
"And yet you still blush every time, and it's as adorable as ever," Sunset says flirtatiously. "Face it, Rough Draft, I'm never going to get tired of how cute you can be."
I can feel my entire face blushing, which makes Sunset giggle. I clear my throat to change the subject.
"So, what do you have planned today?" I ask.
"Several things actually," Sunset asks. "I was hoping we could start with something we haven't done in a long time."
"And that would be?" I ask.
"Getting some ice cream," Sunset answers. "And this time, we're eating in, so you don't have to worry about getting your pants decorated like last time."
I smile before I turn around to face her and wrap my arms around her waist.
"That does sound nice," I say. "Clearly, you're sticking to your theme of giving us better versions of past memories."
"You better believe it, mister," Sunset says proudly. "Competition or no, I'm always determined to make everything right with you whether I need to or not. As long as you're mine, I want you to see nothing but the best of me no matter what we do together."
"You say that like you're still looking for redemption," I say.
"Maybe I am," Sunset says with a shrug. "But I don't care as long as I am with you."
My smile grows at these words before I lean in for a soft kiss.
"And I with you, my sunshine," I say.
Sunset smiles at me sweetly and says, "We better get going while we're burning daylight."
"Agreed," I say.



****************************************************************************************



Fifteen minutes later, we arrive at the ice cream parlor via Sunset's motorcycle and place our orders. We grab a number and take our seats at a table while we wait for our ice cream.
"Do you think they still overflow their bowls with the ice cream?" I ask with a smirk.
"If they do, then it's a good thing we didn't place our orders to go with summer coming so soon," Sunset says, smirking.
I smile and nod before I say, "I'll never forget how embarrassed I was to have so much ice cream on my pants even after we laughed it off."
Sunset chuckles with her mouth closed.
"I love how even when I was a manipulative queen bee, I couldn't get enough of how cute you look whenever you're embarrassed," she says before she places her hand on top of mine. "I think it's moments like that, where I started to fall in love even though I never paid any mind to it."
"How so?" I ask.
Sunset squeezes my hand and says, "I may never have thought of it or recognized it in my heart at the time, but I remember watching you try to eat your ice cream at my apartment while you were still embarrassed," she begins. "You had this naive innocence that showed how much you cared for me enough to embarrass yourself like that. I remember having a small smile on my face, and my heart was feeling touched by your desire to love and be loved. I shook it off and went back to my act, of course, but I think deep down what I felt was something that I would desire mere months later."
My smile turns serene as I think about the times we spent together last spring.
"What might have been if you had let that feeling go further," I say.
Sunset frowns and says, "You have no idea how much I wish we can find out. If I had listened to what was in my heart that day, who knows what would have happened? Between the Spring Fling and New Years, I could have ended up spending eight extra months with you. No sabotaging Rarity, no brainwashing, no magic, no E.M.R. no you getting captured or shot or anything like that, just us falling in love."
"That sounds wonderful," I say, squeezing her hand back. "But then again, what about how sticking to your plan worked out for the best in some ways? Without you bringing magic, who knows what would have happened to Sonata or Twilight? Not to mention, I would be in love, but I would also be living in ignorance of who you really were. And the Rainbooms might never have become friends again much less become our friends, or Soarin and Caramel for that matter."
Sunset frowns and looks away at me sadly.
"That's true," she admits. "But I'd like to believe love and friendship would find a way. Maybe we are destined to help Sonata and Twilight and become friends with them and everyone else no matter what path I took. I don't know how, but I'd like to believe we are after everything we've experienced. But you are right that you would never learn about the real me, and that would not have been fair to either of us. I don't know what we would have done, but I'm sure about that moment I had looking at you with different eyes for the first time. So sure that I would risk it all if I could have those eight extra months whether you choose Octavia or me."
I smile as I kiss her hand and say, "Those extra months do sound tempting."
We stare at each other lovingly, thinking about what might have been until a waiter comes and delivers our ice cream. We thank them and dig in for a few minutes when something spikes my curiosity.
"You know, I've been wondering about something," I say. "Did you just tell the Rainbooms about your crush on me, or did they figure it out?"
Sunset stops eating her ice cream and chuckles before she answers.
"Actually, it's both," she says. "It's funny because Rarity and Fluttershy were the first to figure out because I was daydreaming about that moment we were just talking about."
"Really?" I ask.
"Really," she replies. "It was during lunch on the day of Pinkie's party actually. We just had a good laugh from a joke I told them, and everything was fine and dandy until I glanced at you talking to Soarin and Caramel. As I did, I suddenly remembered the moment I first started falling for you and, well, I kinda got lost in the memory."
"Ah, let me guess," I say with a smirk. "You were snapped out of the memory by someone trying to get your attention."
Sunset blushes lightly and admits, "Pinkie might have wanted my opinion about something for her party."
I chuckle before she clears her throat to continue.
"Anyway, I made up an excuse as to why I didn't say anything, which was fine for everyone except for Rarity and Fluttershy. When Pinkie, Applejack, and Rainbow Dash left to do something for a school project, Rarity went straight to the point, asking, 'Who's the boy?' I tried to deny it, of course, but Rarity wasn't having it. She made sure I got it through my head that she can tell when a girl is looking blissful over a guy she likes, and Fluttershy was there to back her up. Heh, I guess that was personal experience talking to her since Rarity figured out her feelings for Big Mac too. Anyway, both of them were excited to learn that I was giddy about someone, and when they asked who it was, I turned my head towards you and started staring at you blissfully again until I heard Rarity bluntly say 'no.'"
"No?" I ask.
"No," Sunset repeats. "I was shocked that she just shot the idea of us down just like that, but she didn't hesitate to say it was a bad idea. She didn't know that you were my minion behind what happened to her at the Spring Fling, but she knew how much you still hated me and thought it was best not to go after someone who felt that way. Fluttershy was more reluctant to shoot me down because she didn't want to crush my hopes in finding love, but she didn't think it was a good idea either."
I sigh sadly at this.
"Man, I let my hate get to me bad back then, didn't I?" I say.
"They weren't wrong at the time," Sunset says reluctantly. "Still though, I pretended to agree with their argument before the others came back, and that was that until I bumped into Pinkie Pie after seventh period, and we saw Caramel and Soarin walking ahead of us and looking unsettled. Pinkie decided to investigate and told me that they wanted you to go to her party to meet a girl that you might end up dating. I admit that made me a little more optimistic than I should have been because I thought that was my chance to find redemption and make myself the girl you were looking for. I took a risk and told Pinkie Pie my feelings for you, and luckily, she was completely on board with the idea. She took it upon herself to convince you to come to her party and thus I would try to talk to you. Admittingly, that wasn't the greatest way to approach you for the first time since the fling, but I guess I decided to hope rather than think over what was the best thing to say to you."
"Yeah, that still wasn't one of your better ideas," I say honestly before the thought occurs to me. "Come to think of it; I remember Pinkie Pie saying that it was your idea to have me compete in dance-offs to get some girls to be interested in me. That wouldn't by any chance have been an attempt to sabotage any chances with any other girls apart from you, would it?"
Sunset looks away embarrassed.
"I might have let my deceptive side get the better of me that night and told Pinkie that it was a good idea after Soarin filled her in on his and Caramel's plan," she admits. "I'm not proud of it for obvious reasons."
I nod in understanding and say, "Well, better you admit this now than while I still wanted to persecute you to kingdom come."
"True," Sunset says before she frowns. "Though it still is a shame that their plans worked after all. Even if it didn't work the way you, Pinkie, Caramel, and Soarin hoped, your dancing helped you grab Octavia's attention."
I grimace at her words and try to think of something until Sunset shakes her head.
"You know what? It doesn't matter," she says. "That part is in the past, and we still got together in the end."
I smile and say, "Agreed."
She smiles back before she says, "Now, where was I? Oh yes, confessing my feelings. So Applejack and Rainbow Dash didn't find out until about a couple days before Sonata's trial. We were hanging out at Sweet Apple Acres, and Pinkie Pie brought up my crush, which angered me at first until I realized I never asked her or Rarity and Fluttershy to keep it a secret. AJ and Rainbow were quick to side with Rarity and back it up with how you already started dating Octavia at the time. I told all of them that I knew how hopeless it was looking, but I still wanted to believe it could happen. Still, I made them Pinkie Promise not to tell you to make sure no one else would find out."
I stare at her, taking the rest of her story in.
"I wonder what changed their minds about me," I say. "Lord knows I had it coming to be hated, especially after all those things I said about you at Vinyl's house, yet they were kinder to me after Octavia dumped me."
Sunset gives me a small smile and retakes my hand.
"I guess they became more hopeful after you two broke up, and you finally forgave me," she says. "That or they felt they sort of owe me for abandoning me during the Anon-a-Miss incident."
I nod in agreement, but in my mind, I know I asked knowing Applejack, Pinkie Pie, and Rainbow Dash came to convince me to apologize to Sunset with her not knowing about it.
With that, we go back to eating our ice cream  until we finish it and I pat my belly saying, "They may overfill it, but the ice cream is still good."
"It sure is," Sunset says, giggling.
We don't say anything but stare at each other before I remember something.
"You know, I don't know what you have planned for the rest of the day, but I do have something I can do first," I say.
"And that would be?" Sunset asks.
I take my phone out and say, "Read the last of our story."
Sunset's eyes light up.
"You finished?!" She exclaims.
"I did," I answer. "I found some free time to work on it between school and spending time with you and Octavia. So if you'd like to find a bench at the park or something -"
"No way," Sunset says eagerly as she scoots her chair next to me and wraps her arms around mine. "The last time you read any of it to me was before the Friendship Games, and I don't want to waste another second waiting when you can read it to me right now."
I smile brightly at her eagerness and kiss her on the forehead.
"And this is part of why I love you," I say to sweetly.
"And I will love you more if you start reading," Sunset says eagerly.
"Fair enough," I chuckle before I clear my throat and begin to read.





***********************************************************************************






"You're feeling sad for killing me and my boys, Shimmer?" Mietta struggled to say. "Good. The light is only going to make you weaker and weaker until you can hardly even pick up your swords. Too much time in the dark will do that to you."
"And where will that leave you, Mietta?" Sunset Shimmer growled. "You're going to fade into nothingness just because you wanted power. You are dying for something you can't take with you."
"Nothing but the pleasure to know that you're doomed," Mietta wheezed. "You can't adapt to the light soon enough to face your former master or the rest of the Marauding Krayts. When they realize that we didn't return, they're going to march full force to the Republic city, and neither you nor your Jedi boyfriend will be able to stop it."
"We'll find a way, Mietta," Sunset Shimmer said firmly.
"Are you sure?" Mietta asked as her grip on her life continued to fade. "Is hope to be with him and follow his beliefs really worth holding on to?"
Sunset Shimmer frowned in hesitation. She turned to Rough Draft, who is far from the mouth of the cave, scouting as a million thoughts went over her head. Then she turned to her dying rival, knowing exactly her answer.
"He is," she said. 
Mietta stared at Sunset Shimmer before she coughed out a laugh despite the pain.
"Then he will doom you both," she managed to say before she whimpered one last time, and her head falls back.
Sunset Shimmer closed her eyes and sighed before she closed Mietta's eyes. She gently laid the lifeless body to the ground and gave Mietta, Satomeen, and Ash-Meq one last look before she exited the cave.
"Doesn't look like more are coming," Rough Draft said. 
Sunset Shimmer hummed in acknowledgment before she suddenly frowned and stared over at the mountains.
"No one is coming here, but I sense soldiers, droids and Sith far in the distance," she said.
"How many?" Rough Draft asked before he heard a beeping sound coming from his pocket. He took out his comlink, and a blue image of Senator Hania-adag Organa appeared on top of it.
"Master Draft, do you read me?" the senator asked eagerly.
"I read you, senator, what's wrong?" Rough Draft asked.
"Republic scouts have reported a mass Thul and Sith force making their way to the city," Hania-adag explains. "It looks like the leader of the Mauradering Krayts is commanding them."
"Barmas," Sunset Shimmer growled as she stood next to Rough Draft, instantly catching the senator's attention.
"Is that the special warrior with you?" She asked worryingly.
"She is, but I can confirm that she has indeed defected from the Krayts," Rough Draft answered. "We just cut down a small group of Sith who were chasing her down."
Hania-adag gave Sunset Shimmer a skeptical look before she shook her head.
"If you say that she defected, Master Jedi, then I'll believe you," the Alderaanian senator said reluctantly before she turned to Sunset Shimmer. "Sith, is there anything you can tell us about what we're up against?"
Sunset Shimmer frowned again before she said, "If the Krayts are launching this big of an assault, they must know about my defection and have convinced House Thul to attack the Republic and House Organa before I can be of any use to any of you."
Hania-adag sighed, frustrated.
"We might have enough firepower to handle House Thul, but we've lost too many Jedi thanks to you to face the Sith," she said. 
Sunset Shimmer winced at the senator's words.
"I know, and I truly am sorry," she says to the hologram of the Organa senator.
"Sorry doesn't protect us from our enemies," Hania-adag remarks. "Our commanders are already preparing our defenses, but I don't know how long we will be able to hold them off with the Sith leading."
Sunset Shimmer looked away sadly, and Rough Draft looked at her sympathetically before he turned to the senator.
"We're on our way, senator," he said. "And don't worry, we'll handle it."
"No offense, Master Jedi, but what can the two of you do against an entire army?" Hania-adag asked.
"Just trust that the Force will give us an idea that will help us do something incredible. Rough Draft out," Rough Draft said with a smirk as he turned off his comlink.
Rough Draft started walking away from the cave with Sunset Shimmer following him.
"Are you sure just trusting the Force is the best strategy right now?" She asked worryingly.
"No, but it's kind of procedure for Jedi to say that," Rough Draft answered with a grin.
Sunset Shimmer rolled her eyes.
"So I've gone from a side that exploits my power to one that just tells me to trust the energy that gives me my power," she grumbles. "I was hoping you have something a little more active in mind than that."
"Like the two of us intercepting the Thul forces and start cutting down anyone who has a weapon in their hand aimed at House Organa and then killing your former master, thus leaving the Mauradering Krayts leaderless and House Thul discouraged?" Rough Draft asked.
Both of them stop walking and stare at each other before the winged Sith pureblood grinned at the Jedi master mischievously.
"What about all that talk that peace is no good to you if your only means of obtaining it is destruction?" she asked.
Rough Draft frowned and scratched his chin in thought.
"You're right," he said. "I guess that idea becomes a habit after going to war against a dozen or so Sith 'empires' that attempted to succeed where Blumblood did not."
"Well, in your defense, I want the same thing out of habit too," Sunset Shimmer said with a smirk.
Rough Draft smiled back before he started thinking.
"Would Darth Barmas be interested in a duel for the fate of House Organa and the Republic's stronghold in Alderaan?" He asked.
Sunset Shimmer looked at him in surprise for a moment before she started thinking.
"He is a prideful man," she said. "Maybe if I can convince him to a duel, it can be just him and me, and the Krayts will be leaderless before they have a chance to step foot on Organa grounds."
Rough Draft smiled at the idea until he noticed Sunset Shimmer sighing in despair.
"But I don't know if I can do it," she said. "Without the dark side, I've started to grow weak, and I won't be able to adapt to the light in time just as Mietta predicted."
Rough Draft looked at the distraught Sith pureblood sadly. Then he placed his hand on her shoulder and said, "Don't let Mietta's words get to you. Yes, it may be tricky to adapt at first, but you can't let that stop you from embracing what I know you want. The light does not function the same way as the darkness, but that's also its advantage. We fight because we have more to live for than just what we can do by ourselves."
Sunset Shimmer gave Rough Draft an unamused look.
"That is the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard," she said. "Barmas and the Krayts would laugh if they heard that's my mindset after everything I've done."
"Maybe," Rough Draft admitted with a smirk. "But that can also be used to our advantage. I've cut down enough Sith to know that their pride and arrogance tends to be their downfall. If Barmas is as proud as you say he is, then use that to your advantage. Besides, what would a Sith as crazy as Mietta have known about the strengths of both the dark side and the light?"
Sunset Shimmer chuckled.
"Not enough to prevent getting herself, Satomeen, and Ash-Meq killed," she admitted.
"Well, there you go," Rough Draft said encouragingly. "Now, let's get to my speeder already. We don't have much time left."
Sunset Shimmer hesitated and said, "Are you sure that would be the fastest way to get there?"
Rough Draft looked at her, confused.
"Do you have a better means of transportation?" He asked.
Sunset Shimmer turned to her wings and spread them out.
"Well, I am pretty fast with these wings," she said. "And I'm willing to bet I am strong enough to carry you there with ease."
Rough Draft hesitated at this idea until Sunset Shimmer growled, "Please choose quickly, Master Jedi."
Rough Draft sighed and said, "Okay, let's try it. My speeder is probably too far for us to reach it and get there in time anyway."
Sunset Shimmer grinned and said, "Then hold on."
With a quick swoop, she grabbed Rough Draft from behind and started flapping her wings rapidly. Rough Draft whimpered in unease as his feet left the ground, and they got higher and higher until Sunset Shimmer spread her wings and flew forward. Rough Draft continued to be a little afraid much to Sunset Shimmer's amusement for a couple of minutes until he started to enjoy it.
"You've flown in starships, and this is what makes you a little uneasy?" Sunset Shimmer teases.
"At least on a starship, I have something secure to stand or sit on!" Rough Draft remarks.
Sunset Shimmer chuckled as she flew as fast as she could until they started to see an army of Sith cultists, House Thul soldiers, and battle droids. It doesn't take long before some of the soldiers begin to notice Rough Draft and Sunset Shimmer and started firing their weapons rapidly at them.
"Sunset Shimmer," Rough Draft said nervously.
"Just hold on," Sunset Shimmer commands as she dodges the blaster fire.
They continue firing for a few more seconds before a booming voice says, "Cease fire!" Sunset Shimmer and Rough Draft looked down to see a tall, fat man wearing heavy Sith armor standing in front of the army.
"Barmas," Sunset Shimmer growled.
"He doesn't look like much," Rough Draft commented.
"He's faster and stronger than he looks," Sunset Shimmer said. "He wasn't christened the Dark Lord of the Sith for nothing, so don't underestimate him."
Sunset Shimmer flew down and landed several feet away from Darth Barmas and his army of Sith and House Thul forces. Darth Barmas turned to face the defected Sith pureblood and the Jedi master, and grinned.
"Apprentice," he called out in a mocking tone. "I thought I taught you better than to run away, befriend a Jedi, and try to go against an entire army. Are you two so proud of cutting down that brat, Mietta, and her bodyguards that you think you can take all of us?"
"That would be the idea if things come to that, Barmas," Sunset Shimmer called out. "But, we have a proposition for you."
Barmas looked at her skeptically and said, "Choose your words carefully."
Sunset Shimmer sighed heavily before Rough Draft leaned into her ear and said, "Remember, think about the people you want to protect. Think about the Jedi, who was the first person to be kind to you. Use your feelings to guild you in battle."
Sunset Shimmer gave the Jedi master an appreciative look before turning back to her former master.
"I've come to bargain, Barmas," she called out.
Darth Barmas raised an eyebrow in amusement and said, "Did you now? Do tell."
Sunset Shimmer sighed again then glared at her former master.
"I have defected from the Sith," she announced. "I am no longer a slave to your sick plans. I am going to turn completely to the light and turn myself in to the Republic."
Many of the Sith warrior standing behind Darth Barmas laughed mockingly at the winged Sith pureblood, but Sunset Shimmer stood firm as she continued.
"I know you are doing this because my betrayal alters your plans and complicates your alliance with House Thul," she said. "It's me that you want, so I propose a duel. Just the two of us, the master and the apprentice. If you win, you may continue your attack, but if I win, you must cancel your attack."
Darth Barmas laughed loudly again.
"And what makes you so sure our forces will follow your terms should you succeed in cutting me down?" He asked mockingly.
"I'm not," Sunset Shimmer said bluntly. "But even if they don't respect the terms, they still have to go through your prized experiment and Jedi Master Rough Draft, the Sith Cleaver who is no stranger to doing well when the odds are against him. I'm willing to bet that even if you strike me down, he will have no problem taking at least enough of you down that by the time you kill him, you don't have enough men to lay siege to House Organa. And we're prepared to make sure that happens anyway if you refuse."
Darth Barmas frowned and turned to Rough Draft, who nodded at the Dark Lord and then to Sunset Shimmer.
"You have a lot of nerve, my former apprentice," he said. "Are you really willing to risk your life for a Jedi master and a lot of people who will probably never treat you kindly for the things you've done even if you stop us?"
But Sunset Shimmer only grinned and said, "Are you willing to risk your pride and reputation to prove that you are superior to your creation, or are you too scared to prove that you are stronger than your former apprentice in front of the Krayts and House Thul?"
Darth Barmas grew furious at Sunset Shimmer's words.
"Very well, you wretched abomination," he growled.
"Barmas, this is not part of the deal," a House Thul commander shouted as he ran over to Darth Barmas' side. "They are obviously trying to stall you so that their allies can strike at us."
"Know your place, Commander Calemex," Barmas growled. "I will do what I please, and House Thul has no choice in the matter."
"You're pushing your luck, Barmas," Commander Calemex growled. "House Thul has been more than patient with you and your cultists, and you have not delivered your promise to the letter. I am ordering you to -"
But Commander Calemex didn't get to finish his sentence as Barmas ignited his lightsaber and sliced the commander's head clean off with one quick, clean stroke. The House Thul soldiers quivered in fear while the Sith warriors merely chuckled in amusement. Barmas turned to Sunset Shimmer and Rough Draft and began walking toward them with his lightsaber still on. Sunset Shimmer gave Rough Draft a caring look before she walked over to meet with her former master.
Once Barmas and Sunset Shimmer are only a couple of feet apart, they stared at each other in silence for a minute before Sunset Shimmer ignited her two crossguard lightsabers and made a fighting stance while Barmas just stood there and sneered at his former apprentice.
"Begin," he said plainly.
Sunset Shimmer didn't hesitate to let out a battle cry and begin her attack. Much to Rough Draft's surprise, however, Darth Barmas blocked her attacks with ease. Despite his significant appearance and wielding only one lightsaber, Barmas proved to be very quick as he quickly blocked every attack from Sunset Shimmer's lightsabers. The winged Sith pureblood continued to swing at her master again and again to no avail, and Barmas just looked at her with an amused grin as she started to grow tired.
"Impressive attempt," he said mockingly. "Now it's my turn."
With a quick swoop, Barmas changed his stance from defense to offense, catching Sunset Shimmer off guard. She barely reacted in time to begin deflecting her former master's attacks, but she can't hold out forever, and they both know it.
Barmas let out a loud battle cry and, with a mighty swing, used his lightsaber to knock one of Sunset Shimmer's lightsabers out of her hand. The crossguard weapon flew out of her hand and landed several feet away from them. She didn't have any time to reach out to it with the Force as Barmas continued attacking and so had to use her other lightsaber with both hands. Sunset Shimmer tried to gain the upper hand, but Rough Draft can tell that she is not used to wielding one lightsaber with both hands. At this point, Barmas is forcing Sunset Shimmer to retreat as he swings his lightsaber at her more and more.
Finally, with one mighty swing, Barmas knocks Sunset Shimmer's second lightsaber out of her hand, sending it flying and landing right next to Rough Draft. She quickly spread her wings, attempting to fly over and grab it, but Barmas anticipated that. Before she could leap off the ground, Barmas grabbed her by one of her wings and used it to force her down to the ground. Sunset Shimmer only had a moment to groan in pain before her former master pushed her head to the ground with his foot. Rough Draft's eyes widened in fear as Barmas laughed maniacally.
"My dear apprentice, I thought I taught you better than this," he said. "But then again, I can't say I am surprised. I knew from the moment you hesitated to kill that Jedi witch that you are damaged goods. You may have been a successful experiment, but I have no use for a beast that can't fulfill their purpose to the end."
Rough Draft didn't say anything. He just stood there, feeling helpless because he can't interfere with the duel. Sunset Shimmer looked at him worryingly with her head still forced to the ground. They stared at each other as if they both feel that this is the end for her.
Suddenly, as Barmas prepared his lightsaber for the final blow, Sunset Shimmer smirked at Rough Draft, looking like she has an idea before she closed her eyes and took a big breath. Rough Draft looked at her curiously until he saw one of her lightsabers that laid far away from her begin to levitate. Rough Draft and even some of the House Thul soldiers and Sith cultists only had a moment to realize what she was doing before the animated lightsaber ignited and flew straight into Darth Barmas' back.
Barmas yelled in pain as he lifted his foot from Sunset Shimmer's head. Rough Draft sighed in relief until he noticed dark energy flowing around Barmas. It didn't take long to realize that the Dark Lord was trying to heal himself with the dark side despite the yellow blade coming out of his stomach. But then Sunset Shimmer stretched out her hand, and her second lightsaber flew right into it. Barmas was too focused to notice before she turned on her lightsaber and stabbed him square in the chest. Barmas' body began to sputter as he struggled to keep himself alive.
"You know the dark side can't save you this time," Sunset Shimmer said as she calmly stares at her dying opponent. "But I'm glad that you're still trying, Barmas. I want you to know that I always hated you and everything you wanted out of your experiments and your crusade. Becoming your apprentice and agreeing to be one of your experiments were nothing more than a means to an end because all I wanted was power, whether I got it from your help or not. But what Master Rough Draft has shown me in the short time that I've known him in person has given a better sense of purpose that began when I was forced to kill that poor Twi'lek. I know I have much to learn, but I feel it in my heart that I've been freeing myself more and more ever since that day. But even if Rough Draft and I die facing your men, I will die knowing that you will never live to see your efforts reach past Alderaan. No matter what your followers do, you still die knowing that everything you've worked on and wanted to be seen as your legacy across the galaxy becomes nothing as you become nothing."
Barmas' eyes widened, and he grinded his teeth as he tried to fight through the pain and raise his lightsaber again to strike Sunset Shimmer down. Sunset Shimmer, however, didn't flinch as she knew that he didn't have much longer to live despite the dark energy flowing through him. Finally, Barmas' hand gives in and drops his lightsaber, and his face of anger and pain melted as he let out his last breath of life and tumbled to the ground.
Nothing is said or done for a moment. Sunset Shimmer stared at her fallen master with contempt while Rough Draft sighed again, relieved to see the Sith pureblood victorious. He walked over to her and placed his hand on her shoulder, supportively. She turned to the Jedi as tears of relief fell down her face before she dropped the lightsaber she was holding and hugged him with all her might.
"Well done," Rough Draft complimented.
Sunset Shimmer smiled and broke the hug to give Rough Draft an appreciative look before she turned to the army of Sith and House Thul forces.
"Anyone want to go back on our deal?" She asked boastfully.
But instead of retreating, the Sith cultists laughed again.
"Nice try, traitor, but Barmas never ordered us to commit to your deal," one of the Sith warriors said. "Kill them!"
The Sith ignited their lightsabers, and the house duels soldiers and battle droids aim their blasters at Rough Draft and Sunset Shimmer. The two of them ignited their lightsabers and made their fighting stances prepared to defend themselves against the army.
Suddenly, right as the Sith and House Thul soldiers and battle droids prepared to charge, a series of explosions come right in the middle of their forces. Those who survived only had a moment to act before a wave of blaster fire came from behind Rough Draft and Sunset Shimmer and hit several more soldiers and Sith. Rough Draft and Sunset Shimmer turned around to see an army of House Organa soldiers and a handful of Jedi marching towards their opponents. Unprepared for the attack, the Mauradering Krayts, and the House Thul soldiers and battle droids begin to run away. Rough Draft laughed out loud, and Sunset Shimmer stared in amazement as their enemies fled while still under heavy fire.
Eventually, the remaining House Thul and Sith forces were too far away to pursue, and the House Organa soldiers and Jedi cheered in victory. Sunset Shimmer let out another breath she didn't know she was holding before she hugged Rough Draft tightly. The Jedi master was taken aback before he evolved and hugged her back.
"Thank you," Sunset Shimmer whispered in his ear.
"You're welcome," Rough Draft whispered back before he hears someone clearing their throat. Rough Draft and Sunset Shimmer broke the hug and turned to find Senator Hania-adag Organa dressed in armor and has her arms crossed.
"Master Jedi," she said bluntly.
"Senator," Rough Draft said before turning to Sunset Shimmer. "This is -"
"The special warrior, I know," the senator interrupts before turning to Sunset Shimmer. "I saw you cut down your former master. I appreciate the time you gave us for the surprise attack."
Sunset Shimmer gave the senator a small smile.
"I appreciate that, ma'am," she said. "And I'm willing to turn myself in."
Rough Draft frowned at this idea, but Senator Organa just smirked at the winged Sith pureblood.
"That won't be necessary," she said.
Sunset Shimmer was surprised at the senator's words, but then she nodded, respectively.
Eventually, Rough Draft, Sunset Shimmer, Senator Hania-adag Organa, and the other Jedi/Organa forces begin the trek back to the city. As soon as they reached the city, a fellow Jedi came to meet Rough Draft and inform him that the Jedi Council are waiting for a report. Rough Draft turned to Sunset Shimmer with a concerned look, but she waved her hand and shook her head as a way of assuring him that she'll be fine by herself.
Sunset Shimmer waited for about a half an hour with Hania-adag to keep her company. She was deep in thought about something before Rough Draft returned with a content look on his face.
"The council was about as skeptical as I expected with your defection," he said. "I had to fight a philosophical battle with them to ensure that it's possible that you can come to the light."
"Sounds both exhausting and boring," Sunset Shimmer said bluntly.
Rough Draft chuckled with his mouth closed.
"It's not as thrilling as an epic duel," he admitted. "Anyway, the bottom line is they're willing to listen and see about accepting you to the Jedi Order under -"
"I'm not going to Tython."
Rough Draft looked at Sunset Shimmer, surprised as she gave him a regretful look.
"You're not going to Tython?" Rough Draft asked.
"I can't," she replied. "I may be turning back on my kind, but that doesn't mean I'm ready to be a Jedi. Not yet, anyway. I need to fix things here first."
She turned to Hania-adag and gave her a humble look.
"Senator, I know I can't undo the things I have done to the Jedi and your people," she said. "But, I'd like to help with your struggle against House Thul and the other Sith in your world if you'll have me."
Hania-adag hesitated before she said, "I can't speak for all of my people given the lives of loved ones you've taken away from them, but if Master Bonnia and the other Jedi are willing to forgive you and allow you to help, I'm sure we can figure something out. You're more than welcome to help, Master Draft."
Rough Draft frowned sadly.
"I would love to, Senator," he said. "But..."
Sunset Shimmer turned to the Jedi Master and looked at him sadly.
"You have to leave," she said, dreading his response.
"Immediately," Rough Draft admitted. "There are rumors of other Sith cultists making a secret military factory in the Outer Rim. I am to go there as soon as I was to drop you off at Tython."
Sunset Shimmer and Hania-adag frowned at this news. No one said anything for a moment before Hania-adag sighed.
"Well then, we must not keep the Sith out there waiting," she said before she bowed to Rough Draft. "Feel free to visit Alderaan anytime, Master Draft."
"Thank you, Senator," Rough Draft said as Hania-adag left to leave both him and Sunset Shimmer alone. Neither of them knows what to say to the other for a couple of minutes.
"So I guess this is goodbye," Sunset Shimmer said.
"I wish it wasn't," Rough Draft said.
"I do too," Sunset Shimmer said she walked closer to him until they are face to face. "But it looks like duty must come first. Do you think the Council will understand if I stay here?"
Rough Draft shrugged and said, "They'll be displeased, but I've gained more than enough favors from them to let this slide for once. Still, though, I thought that you...that we..."
Sunset Shimmer placed her hand on Rough Draft and caressed his cheek. He only had a second to react before she pecked him on the lips.
"I know," she said. "Maybe some other time."
Rough Draft sighed and said, "Yeah, some other time."
Sunset Shimmer nodded before Rough Draft reluctantly turned around and began to leave. But before he exits the hall, he gives Sunset Shimmer one last look.
"May the Force be with you, Sunset Shimmer," he said.
Sunset Shimmer gave him a small smile and said, "This may be a Sith farewell, but may the Force ever serve you."
Rough Draft smiled before he reluctantly leaves. He makes his way to the spaceport, hops into his fighter, and with a few buttons pressed, he lifts the fighter off the ground and began flying away.

*********************************************************************************



When I finish, I turn to Sunset, who frowns.
"Not fond of the ending?" I ask.
"It wasn't what I expected," she answers. "But I know you're in a position where it feels like the right ending, just like when it came to your story with Octavia."
I give her a sad smile and say, "Well, at least our story doesn't end with you turning out to be a force ghost the whole time."
"Wait, is that how you ended her story?" Sunset asks, surprised. 
"Yeah, I did," I say, scratching the back of my head. "Might not have been the best ending either in hindsight, but hey, at least both Octavia and I agree that it's still better than just another story of me easily destroying another Sith Lord."
"That's true," Sunset admits. "In any case, I'm glad you took the time to finish ours, but it should go without saying that I hope there's more to come."
"Duly noted, sunshine," I say before we peck each other on the lips. "So, with our story fully told, what else do you have planned for us?"
Sunset grins flirtatiously.
"Oh, I thought we would do something you'd never be able to do with Ms. Melody," she says. "Something that can only be accomplished through magic."
I raise my eyebrow, intrigued.
"Oh? And what would that be?" I ask.
"I think we both know the answer to that, Mr. Draft," Sunset says in a matter-of-fact tone.
"Just have to follow you and find out?" I ask smirking.
"You are learning, babe," she says with a chuckle before she takes out her wallet and places her tip on the center of the table. "Come on. I've already found the perfect spot."
I smile as she takes her backpack, grabs my hand, and drags me out of the ice cream parlor. She leads me to an empty alley not far from the parlor, and I smirk as I have a good idea what she's up to. She opens her backpack and unsurprisingly takes out our skydiving suits, but when she hands me mine, I notice something odd about it.
"Sunset, did you do something with my suit?" I ask. "The buckles are pointing forward instead of backward."
"Oh, I might have tinkered with it a little," Sunset says with a devious smirk as she puts her skydiving suit on. "Now hurry up, the sun is getting ready to set."
I stare at her, confused with what she's up to until I sigh and obey. Once we were both in our respective skydiving suits, I turn to Sunset, who still has her devious grin. I stay puzzled until I look at my readjusted suit, and I blush as it hits me.
"Sunset," I begin before she puts her finger on my lips and buckles our respective suits together so that our faces are only inches apart.
"I hate that I can only see half of your face when we fly," Sunset says, smirking. "I figure we should fix that mistake with our third flight, don't you?"
My face is beet red, but I nod robotically.
"Wonderful," Sunset says as she wraps her arms around me. "Hold on tight. Oh, and you might want to shield your eyes."
I continue to blush as I wrap my arms around her and snap my eyes shut. I can tell she's giving me a loving smile before she rests her head on my shoulder and takes a deep breath to focus. With a flash that my eyelids thankfully cover, Sunset's wings and tail appear on her back. I open my eyes slowly to readjust to the brightness before Sunset lifts her head to look at me sweetly.
"Ready?" She asks.
I take a moment before I smile back while still blushing.
"Ready," I answer.
Her fiery wings begin to flap, and our feet leave the ground. Already I feel goosebumps as we get higher and higher, having almost forgotten what it's like to fly. I look down as I watch all of Canterlot grow smaller and smaller.
"How high are you taking us?" I ask.
"Oh, a little higher than usual," Sunset answers with her signature smirk.
I start to become more nervous as we go higher than we've flown before until I feel a set of lips press on my cheek. I look at Sunset, who gives me a kind smile.
"Don't worry, I got you," she says before she looks up to focus on her wings. I feel a little better from her comforting kiss and hold on to her tightly.
The next thing I know, I feel some kind of mist passing through us, and it takes a moment before I realize we're moving a cloud. When we reach the top of the cloud, Sunset spreads her wings and leans forward so that we're floating still.
"Okay, babe, we're here," she says.
I look at her confused until I turn my head, and my mouth drops. I realize we are flying above a whole field of clouds. Most of it covers the sun while it is already giving them a colorful glow of yellow, orange, pink, and purple. The colors mesh together so beautifully that you could mistake the view for a painting.
"Beautiful, isn't it?" Sunset says, staring at the view with a serene smile.
I turn to her and smile back.
"Yes, you are," I say.
Sunset's eyes widen, and she turns to me, blushing.
"Hey, no fair," she says playfully.
"Yes, it is," I say teasingly. "You made me blush with that kind of talk many times. It's high time I got you back."
Sunset chuckles, still blushing as she says, "I guess it is. Now, quit teasing and kiss me."
I grin and caress her cheek before we both dive into the kiss. She lets out a soft moan as we hold each other and move our lips rapidly against each other. We let out all of our love in each kiss, wishing this moment alone high in the clouds can last forever.
When we finally part, Sunset and I smile brightly at each other before we turn to watch the sun continuing to set, our cheeks touching as we hold on to our embrace. When the sun completes its departure, it grows dark and Sunset, and I look up to see the many stars shining in the sky.
"It's a shame that this is the only way we can see all these stars from home," I comment, admiring the view.
"It really is," Sunset says as she rests her head on my shoulder while we watch the view. "But know this, Rough Draft; no matter who you choose, my love for you is as endless as the stars in the sky."
I smile and rest my head against hers.
"I'd ridicule you for saying something so cheesy if you were the writer instead of the hero between the two of us, and it didn't get to me anyway," I whisper in her ear.
Sunset giggles and whispers in my ear, "It helps that it's true, babe. I will make sure you never forget it no matter what path we take."
"I won't, sunshine," I say. "And that's a promise."
With that, she leans in for another kiss as we continue our embrace and enjoy this moment alone, in love, and practically walking on the sky.
...
Heh, heh. Skywalkers.