//------------------------------//
// Colors 
// Story: Ashes to Inferno 
// by Sun Aura 
//------------------------------//

“So,” Rainbow began, giving Sunset a mischievous grin as soon as Twilight was through the portal. “What’s up with you and Flash now?”

“What’s up?” Sunset yawned, the excitement of the day before finally catching up with her. “We’re talking?”

“I think she means ‘are y’all going to get back together’,” Applejack rolled her eyes.

“Bad idea,” Pinkie nodded. “Like, okay, Twi’s probably never going to actually get with him because dimensional stuff but you got to give time before you try and make out with your friend’s sort-of ex.”

“Technically, he was Sunset’s ex first,” Fluttershy pointed out.

“Okay, but there’s like a bunch of rules with that,” she said. “Like, Twi and Sunny weren’t friends yet when that started, and does it even count if the relationship was fake anyway?”

“It doesn’t matter,” Sunset cut them off. “Because Flash and I never were, and never will be, romantic.”

“No possibility at all?” Fluttershy wondered.

“Really,” Rarity interrupted. “I think after she says it once, we could perhaps lay off for a moment?”

“That’s…. odd,” Rainbow frowned.

“Yeah,” Applejack raised an eyebrow. “Usually you’d be first in line to set them up.”

Rarity didn’t answer. She only shrugged before giving Sunset a look that held a clear message. ‘Should I tell them or…’

“Okay, let’s clear this up easily,” Sunset sighed. “Flash and I will never be together because I am gay. Like, very very gay. Never been interested in a guy, Human, Pony, or otherwise. That puts the breaks on any romance.”

There was a beat of silence, before everyone came to the same phrase.

“Well then.”

“Yeah, yeah,” Sunset rolled her eyes. “Figured you all would be okay with that.”

“Don’t worry, we are,” Applejack assured.

“We can have a little ‘coming out’ party later,” Pinkie said. “Or at least a colorful cake.”

“So,” Rainbow began, going back to that grin. “What you’re saying is we should go for the other corner of this love triangle and try to set you up with Twilight.”

Everyone else groaned, before turning and walking to their respective houses for some actual sleep.





Monday was a lot like the Battle Aftermath. And Sunset loved it. Okay, there was still a handful of wariness since it doesn't go away in one blast of Magic. But for the most part, their classmates seemed to be reacting to her like they did anyone else. 

“Sunset,” Rarity began. “You look… different.”

“Well, I’m happier,” Sunset replied, waving to some other students. “It’s kind of easy when people actually like you again.”

“No, she’s right,” Applejack said. “I can’t place my finger on it.”

“Is your outfit different?” Fluttershy asked. “It looks a bit darker.”

“No,” Sunset said. “It’s still my usual. Though maybe I should update it.”

“Did you get a haircut?” Rainbow guessed.

“That’s it!” Pinkie exclaimed. “Your hair!”

“But I didn’t get a haircut?” Sunset said, hand instinctively reaching for a curl near her ear.

“Not cut, color!” she insisted. “Usually your hair is #DC002A with #EBE226 stripes, but now it’s #D3374C with #E8F18F stripes!”

“Did you…..” she stared at her. “Did you just list the Hex Code for my hair off the top of your head?”

Pinkie only nodded. Ignoring more of her strangeness for the moment, Sunset inspected a lock of her hair. She was right. Well, who knows about the exact color, but it was different. Yet at the same time, it was so familiar.

She had remembered her hair being lighter, back when she was a kid. It had gotten darker as she got older, which happened to a lot of Ponies. But for it to change back overnight was unheard of.

“I don’t….” Sunset tried to think of something to say. “I didn’t dye it.”

“It’s probably some kind of Magic,” Rainbow shrugged.

“This is actually perfect!” Rarity grinned. “I had an outfit ready for you, but I ended up using the blue instead, and I think it will fit much better with this color!”

Sunset wanted to protest, because Magic didn’t change hair colors on a whim. Then again, the Magic she knew didn’t cause minor transformations whenever used. And very few Magics were activated by song.

Perhaps there was something different about this world.