Falling Shimmer

by RisingBluePhoenix


Chapter 2

"... and that's how we saved Equestria from the Storm King," said Twilight, finishing her story.

The girls were walking down the hallways of Canterlot High, students walking past them getting to class or simply hanging with friends. Once in a while, a student here and there waved at Twilight, greeting her welcome.

"That was such an awesome story!" exclaimed Rainbow Dash, pumping her fist in the hair. "I can't believe the other me can do a... what is again?"

"Sonic Rainboom," answered Sunset Shimmer.

"Yeah that! I wonder if I could do that with my geode..."

"Might not be the best idea Rainbow," said Sci Twi, stopping Rainbow Dash's train of thought. "From what I've just heard, it seems that if you did perform a Sonic Rainboom here in our world, it could very well cause a lot of damage to structures and people."

"Awww!!!!"

The girls laughed at Rainbow's expression before Rarity spoke up.

"So what happened next darling? What happened to your new friends such as Fizzlepop Berrrytwist or that dashing Capper you mentioned?"

"Rarity, he's a cat," reminded Starlight Glimmer.

"I know!" blushed Rairty. "It's just the way Twilight described him made him look so charming."

Twilight chuckled. "Well to answer your question Rarity, they're doing good. Capper decided to change his ways and opened up his own clothes store in Clugtown thanks to Rairty- I mean my Rarity from home!"

"Captain Celeano and her crew are now a approved trading ship by Princess Celestia, traveling around the world and getting resources for the good of Equestria. They haven't changed their pirate ways of course."

"Queen Novo and Princess Skystar went back to Seaquestria to rebuild Mount Aires with the rest of their people. Skystar visits Pinkie Pie every day, and they're really close friends. Pinkie's actually thinking about introducing Skystar to the yaks soon."

"Grubber and the rest of the Storm King's army went back home beyond Equestria. Grubber told me that he and his people were going to go back to just farming and mining ore. The last I heard from him was that he opened up his own Bakery called "Grubber's Grubs"."

"What about Tempest Shadow?" asked Sci Twi.

"Tempest Shadow, aka Fizzlepop Berrytwist felt guilty about hurting her own kind and begged the princesses, myself included, for forgivessness. We of course did, but Tempest still wanted to prove herself somehow, so I suggested to Cadence that Tempest be trained by my brother in the Crystal Empire to be a royal guard. She writes to me everday about her progress and she's doing great, my brother saying that her horn and her personality will make her the best guard to ever exist."

"Seems like everyone is doing good then," said Fluttershy, smiling.

Twilight nodded. "Yeah. Yeah they are."

"What about you Sugarcube?" asked Applejack. "How are you doing?"

"I'm good, despite my heavy load of work. I'm just glad to be here with you girls, especially you, Twilight," replied Twilight, looking at her human counterpart.

"Wait really?! Why?" asked Sci Twi, surprised.

"We never really talked or hanged out remember? I really want to conect with you. I mean we're almost practically sisters if you think about it," said Twilight.

"Sister! I've always wanted a sister! Not saying that Shining or Cadence are bad of course!" exclaimed Sci Twi, blushing.

"Oh great. As if one egghead was bad enough- hey ow!" said Rainbow Dash, her foot stepped on by Applejack.

"We should have a party after school! I'm calling it "Welcome back to Earth" party!" said Pinkie Pie, bouncing up and down.

"That sounds great Pinkie," said Sunset Shimmer, smiling. "I can't wait after school where we'll all-"

"What's that?" asked Starlight Glimmer pointing ahead to a poster on the wall.

The girls gathered around the poster. It displayed their school's symbol, Crystal Prep's symbol, and two other symbols at a stadium. The title read as such

The Tournament of Champions

"What's a Tournament of Champions?"
asked Starlight.

"Sounds like the Friendship Games," said Fluttershy, suddenly remembering Sci Twi's presence. "I mean, no offense?"

Sci Twi rolled her eyes as Twilight read the fine print below the title. "It says here that the tournament is a friendly competition between the four schools of the Canterlot City school district."

"There are other schools then CHS and Crystal Prep?" said Rainbow Dash, dumbfounded.

"There are," answered Sci Twi, who was now checking on her phone. "There's us, CHS, in the western part, Crystal Prep in the east, Hollow Shades High in the south, and finally Storm Academy in the north."

"How come we never here from them?" asked Applejack.

"Well from Shining and Cadence told me, they keep themselves mostly because they're private schools. Only a select few can go those schools," explained Sci Twi.

"Isn't Crystal Prep a private school?" asked Rainbow Dash.

"It was when Abacus Cinch was in charge. But thanks to Cadence now, anyone is welcome to enroll in CP."

"There's more," said Twilight, bringing back everyone's attention. "It says here that the Tournament requires forty students from the school district. If anyone wants to sign up, they have to ask their school principal to register."

"That sounds dumb"

Everyone turned to Sunset, who was leaning on the lockers, her arms crossed and looked annoyed.

"Why does I sound dumb Sunset?" asked Starlight. "It sounds like it could be fun."

"If it's anything like the Friendship Games, it would just be a huge rivalary between schools. Sure CHS and CP are on good terms now, but it doesnt mean the competition has. And what's more, you have thousands of people watching you and your teammates, either cheering you on or booing you down," explained Sunset.

"Thousands?" whispered Fluttershy, her legs shaking.

"I'm sorry girls, but its the truth. The Friendship Games was the exception becuase I wanted to help you out, but this time no. I'm done with school competitions, games, and silly old rivalaries."

"I agree," said Sci Twi. "The last thing we need is another person studying magic and turning into a crazed altar ego of themselves and tearing up the fabric of reality itself."

Twilight walked over to Sunset and placed her hand on Sunset's shoulder. "It's more then just that is there?"

Sunset looked down. "Everything we faced from the Sirens, Midnight Sparkle, and Gaea Everfree, we've taken them down."

"But..." continued Twilight

"The Memory Stone. Just one small rock nearly tore everything apart. I lost my memories of everyone to save them so that they could still have their friendship. And after it all, I'm just tired of seeing ourselves fighting magic on a weekly basis, not knowing if one of us gets hurt or worse."

"So what you're saying is that the you're scared of something like that happening again?" asked Starlight.

"Basically yeah, but its more then just that. I brought magic into this world, which caused everything, from the Stone to the Fall Formal. I did this because I was an arrogant, selfish unicorn who valued power and status more then people's lives."

"Sunset, it doesn't matter anymore. You've made up your mistakes and have become a better person. You're aren't the same like when we first met," said Twilight.

" It sometimes makes me wonder what could have happened if I didn't changed," said Sunset.

"You have to stop blaming yourself for this. Regardless of everything, me, Starlight, and the girls still call you out friend. You're better then the old you," said Twilight

Sunset sighed. "You always know what to say to cheer me up, huh Twi?"

"It's my thing," said Twilight, mock punching Sunset. "Now stop being so hard on yourself alright?"

"If her highness demands it, then I must," said Sunset, bowing to Twilight.

"Sunset!" shouted Twilight, her cheeks red with embrassment. "Not here!"

The girls laughed and Sunset and Twilight joined in, not a care in the world for them.