//------------------------------// // Better Unsaid // Story: Reconciliation // by DigitalPhoenix //------------------------------// While the city of Canterlot was nearly as natural as its smaller neighbor, the parks were still a sight to behold. Large green expanses dotted with patches of radiant flora, and cobblestone paths lined with small statuettes gave the area a regal aura. It wasn't much compared to the private castle gardens, but Sunset often times preferred the simplicity. She was currently resting underneath one of the larger oak trees, watching Midnight conversing with her two siblings. Sunflower was still bouncing around, excited as ever, and it made Sunset wonder how the mare could only be over a year younger than her; she seemed to have a boundless energy that rivaled Pinkie Pie, though lacked the party pony's propensity for breaking physics. Comet, by contrast, was far more reserved. He shared Midnight's enthusiasm for learning, and still spent many of his nights looking through the telescope and charting the stars. Unfortunately, he was sometimes a bit too passive, unable to take a side in an argument or retaliate against smaller grievances. Sunset was certainly glad he didn't have to deal with any bullies growing up; Celestia knows how much damage that could've done. Sunset found her mother coming over to take a seat next to her. "I think they like her," Dawn said as she levitated a sandwich to Sunset, who happily took it in her own aura. "I'm just worried they might like her too much. Not gonna let my siblings try to steal my girlfriend." Sunset took a bite of the hay sandwich. Dawn chuckled. "Oh, I don't think you'll have to worry about that, dear. Neither have really given a thought to romance anyway. I can only imagine the disaster my home would be in if Sunflower ever brought someone home." They shared a laugh at the outrageous thought before falling silent. After a moment, Sunset felt a hoof on her shoulder, and looked to her mother. "You still have a lot to tell me." Sunset's pupils shrank, and a chill ran down her spine. "W-what do you mean?" Dawn gave her a warm smile. "I can see in your eyes that you have weathered a lot more than you let on." She paused for a moment. "That, and you're not exactly the best liar." Sunset hung her head, unsure of what to say now. How much did her mother know? How could she tell? Was it just mother's intuition or... ... "Mom, is anyone in our family... psychic in any way?" Dawn smirked. "No changing the subject, young la-" "Mom, this is important." Dawn's smirk dropped the moment she saw Sunset's expression, a mix of pleading and serious. She sighed as she brushed some hair from her face. "Psychic, no, but our family does have a history of being more intuitive with our surroundings in some form. Most chalk it up to part of our special talent, hence why you won't find it in any official family records, but I personally think it's something else." "Your sister always tells me about conversations she has with the flowers. When she was younger, we thought it was just an overactive imagination, but there's no doubt now she hears voices from her garden. Who or what they are is still a mystery, but they seem to be entities all unto themselves." "Your brother comes and goes with the stars. He was the one who confirmed Nightmare Moon's return a few years back. Celestia had called him in to study the star patterns, and he was hardly there for a day before he told her of a vision he had. She knew she had to send Twilight somewhere to make some friends, and Comet acted as her counsel. He never got to actually put forth anything, but somehow, by reading the stars, he could confirm to Celestia that she was making the right decision." "As for myself, it's nothing special. Just a deeper connection with family. It was handy for whenever you three decided to get into trouble, or were dealing with something at school. Saved me many a headache." Dawn turned to Sunset. "What does this have to do with anything?" Sunset contemplated how best to explain. "My friends and I were at a summer camp when a surge of Equestrian magic left behind several geodes, each granting myself, Midnight, and the rest of our friends new abilities. Midnight gained basic magic, though she's only been able to levitate back home so far, and I..." "It started as just being able to touch someone and see thoughts, memories and emotions. It helped me many times during a crisis when I had to find out what was going on, but then it just started to grow. Soon I was hearing thoughts without contact, sensing and broadcasting emotions, and now it's gotten to the point where I no longer need the pendant for my abilities to work." Dawn sat wide-eyed as she took in everything her daughter had said. "Full-on empathic powers?" She gave out a small laugh. "Never thought I'd ever hear of something like that. Learn something new every day, huh?" "It's not really something to joke about. I've had way too many problems because I couldn't get it under control." Sunset looked towards Midnight. "I got really lucky to have her." She returned her attention to her mother. "I know there is a lot I haven't said, but I never lied. Everything I said was true, just... missing some details that I can't bring myself to discuss yet. For now, I'll just say that my time with Celestia and after wasn't exactly all sunshine and rainbows... mostly because of me." "I did a lot of things I'm not proud of, and I've been spending the past year or so trying to make things right, one step at a time." Dawn brought her hoof around her daughter, pulling her into an embrace. "Sunset, we all do things we're not proud of. As long as you're trying your best to do good, then none of it matters." She stood and called the others over, Sunset hearing her mutter something about a surprise. She saw her mother return with a camera, announcing a family reunion photo. "Oooh, come on, Sunset, you can stand next to me!" Sunflower declared. "Actually," Sunset pulled Midnight to her side, "I've already got someone to stand by." "Oh, I couldn't. This is your family photo Sunset, I wouldn't want to intrude." Midnight felt another hoof on her shoulder, turning to face Sunset's mother. "And you're part of the family now." Sunset could've sworn she saw a small tear down Midnight's face before the shutter went off. The train ride back to Ponyville was rather calming compared to the hectic day that preceded it. All Sunset knew was that she really wanted to go to bed; she was absolutely exhausted. "So, what are we going to do tomorrow?" Midnight inquired as they departed the Ponyville station. "Can't think, too tired." "Seriously Sunset, we should plan ahead. Today went well enough since we knew exactly what we were doing, so we should make sure that tomorrow goes just as well!" Sunset sighed. 'Well, until I get up, you could see if Twilight is willing to teach you some magic." Sunset swore will never see a face more adorable than Twilight's excited expression. When they reached the castle's front entrance, Sunset reached out to open the door, only to find it quickly swinging her direction. "Woah!" she shouted as she jumped away from the door. "Oh, sorry Sunset, I just, uh, saw you coming and figured I'd greet you. I didn't realize you were already at the door." Sunset raised an eyebrow. "Uh, thanks? You know, it's kinda hard to get in when you're standing in the door like that." Sunset noticed Twilight's eyes darting around, never settling on who she was talking to. "Well, actually, Applejack is having a bonfire with the others, and I figured you might want to join them!" "No thanks, I'd rather just go to bed for the night." "Oh, well, uh, sorry, but you can't, because... the room is being renovated! Yeah, that's it..." Sunset stared at Twilight intently, trying to get a read on what the pony was hiding. Sure, she could've just used her abilities, but she didn't feel comfortable prying into her friends minds. Not to mention it was actually kinda funny watching Twilight squirm under Sunset's gaze. "The guest room is being renovated?" "Yep." "All of them? It's a pretty big castle, I'm sure there's another room we could stay in." Sunset attempted to take a step forward, only to be barred by Twilight again. "NO, trust me, you don't-" Her thought was interrupted as she felt herself enveloped in a golden aura and pulled back into the castle chambers, a small "meep" being the last thing that escaped her lips. With the entrance no longer barred, Sunset moved into the castle's foyer. "Twilight, what exactly is going-" Her heart dropped through her stomach as she saw who else was standing, waiting for her. Princess Celestia.