//------------------------------// // Chapter 3 // Story: Memory Lost and Found // by BoredAuthor817 //------------------------------// “You're leaving me here?” Sunset Shimmer cried, “Why?” “You need rest, and Canterlot is not the place for that.” Sunset laid at her mentor's hooves. She rolled into her side in submission. “Why are you punishing me?” “Sunset Shimmer,” Princess Celestia stomped her hoof, “you will remain here as long as I see fit, and that is final.” “What about my studies? You just said I've lost nine weeks!” “We're making a slight shift in your studies. We're going to focus on something different for now.” That caught Sunset's attention. She rolled onto her stomach, tail swishing in anticipation. “Something different? A different kind of magic?” “Put simply, yes. I'm entrusting you to Twilight Sparkle to teach you the Magic of Friendship.” “Friendship?” Sunset gagged, “Who needs that?” “You do.” The unicorn let out a groan and went back to writhing on the crystalline floor in contempt. “That's enough, Sunset” Celestia snapped, “Come on, stand up like a big filly. Twilight is the Princess of Friendship—” “What?” Sunset's nose scrunched, “Another one? Where did she come from?” She had thought something seemed off about Twilight. But, given the more pressing situation, and the excitement, of the previous night, she had not paid much attention it. Celestia ignored her student but continued: “...and this is the Castle of Friendship. You're being left in good hooves.” “But,” Sunset quivered, “you are coming back, right?” Celestia's features softened. “I'll return as often as I can. I'll also have some of your things sent over to help you feel more at home. Now, I must be going.” Sunset grabbed her mentor, hugging her tightly. “Don't be gone for too long, please.” Celestia hugged her student back. “I won't. Now, run along. You don't want to miss breakfast.” Sunset pouted her whole walk to the castle kitchen. “I can't believe I'm being stuck here indefinitely.” She was abruptly stopped by a small, scaly body running into her. “Hey!” she scolded, “watch where you're going! What kind of idio—” Her voice trailed off as she noticed what sort of creature was before her. “You're a dragon” she said, simply. The creature seemed to be quite proud of the fact. “Indeed I am!” he said, extending a claw, “The name's Spike. Pleasure to meet you, Sunset.” “You know me?” “Yep,” Spike replied, picking up the scrolls he had dropped, “Twilight and Starlight told me everything. I'm glad to hear you'll be staying with us for a while.” “A few days” Sunset replied, “Not long.” Spike just smiled. “At any rate, we're glad you're here. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a couple of things to take care of.” Sunset frowned as she watched the little dragon run off. “He seems way too nice.” She made a mental note to inquire as to how a dragon came to live among ponies, and proceeded into the kitchen. Looking around, she saw Princess Twilight seated alone at the table enjoying a book. At her side, was a mug and a plate with the remnants of her meal. Sunset made her way to the table and plopped onto a chair. “Good morning, Sunset!” chimed Twilight, looking up from her reading, “You sleep well?” Sunset let out a yawn. “I suppose. Had some really weird dreams, though.” “Sounds interesting” Twilight smiled, resting her head on her hooves, “Care to talk about them?” “No. What's for breakfast?” Twilight waved towards the far wall to exhibit a small spread of breakfast delectables. “We've got some fruit and muffins. There's oatmeal in the pot.” She pointed to a small saucepan on the stove. “Jam, milk, and juice are all in the fridge.” “Really?” Sunset scoffed, “This is what you call breakfast?” “It's rather inclusive” replied Starlight, entering the kitchen. She bid good morning as moved to the breakfast buffet. “Maybe for you” huffed Sunset, “You two are old, and, wherefore, hopeless, but my brain is still developing. I need more than just a few pieces of fruit, and a slopping of creamed oats! I need fuel, fatty acids. You ever hear of eggs?” 'Ah!' Twilight smirked inwardly, taking a sip of her tea, 'Now, we reach the heart of the “problem”.' She kept her face inexpressive and spoke simply to the filly. “Everything here contains what you need. However, if you want eggs, you're more than welcome to make them yourself. They're in the fridge. Applejack brought them fresh the farm this morning. Same with the milk.” “And the apples” added Starlight, taking a bite of a large, yellow apple. Sunset growled. “I guess I have to get my own plate.” “That's how we do things around here” smiled Twilight. Sunset grumbled something under her breath, but stepped down to the floor and began filling a plate with fruit. She plopped the plate back onto the table and, begrudgingly, ate her breakfast. “So,” she spoke at long last, “Princess Celestia says you're gonna be my teacher for a while.” “That's correct” responded Twilight. There was another moment of silence. “So,” Sunset teetered, “where do we start?” Twilight held up a hoof. “First, you finish your breakfast. Then, we lay down some ground rules.” Sunset took one last mouthful of food before pushing her still half-full plate away. “Done!” “Rule number one:” began Twilight, “Everypony is responsible for her own mess.” She pointed to the discarded plate, “Scrape off that plate, and put it in the sink.” Sunset let out a snort, but did as she was told. “What next?” she asked, returning to the table. “Rule number two:” the princess continued, “Everypony has chores which will be carried out daily.” She levitated a scroll to Sunset. “You will be responsible for these being done every day. Spike, my assistant, will supervise. If you need anything, seek him out. I trust you two have met?” "Yeah, we ran into each other." Sunset unrolled the paper in her aura and began reading down the list. “Wash the dishes... Take out the trash... Sweep and mop the foyer...” she winced at the next one, “Scrub the bathrooms?” Crumpling up the list, she threw it at Twilight. “Now I know you're messing with me! I'm here to learn magic. What does any of this have to do with magic?” Twilight caught the paper in her own aura, and threw it back, hitting Sunset. It bounced off the unicorn's head and fell onto the floor. “Bathroom cleanliness is no small matter.” “What about my lessons?” “These are part of your lessons.” “What about the other part?” “I'll get to that. Rule number three:—” “No!” Sunset stood up in her seat, “No more rules! Princess Celestia left me here so I could study friendship magic. The sooner I master it, the sooner I can return to Canterlot. So, just teach me so I can go home!” Twilight's ear twitched and she closed the book with a boom. “Fine,” she said, coolly, “you want to be that way? Your lessons are done for the day. Go to your room. I'll see you at dinner.” Sunset almost fell off her seat. She opened her mouth to speak, but found no words to fill it. Silently, she jumped to the floor, and walked from the kitchen. Twilight let out a sigh as the door closed. “Well,” Starlight took a sip of orange juice, “that went well.” “You think I was too harsh?” “I dunno” she shrugged. “Maybe? Sunset clearly needs discipline. And you seem pretty capable of giving it.” “Believe me,” Twilight let out an exasperated laugh, “I get enough practice with Flurry Heart. But, adolescents are much different from foals.” She let out a groan and laid her head upon the table. “I just hope the girls in the other world are having a better start than us.”