//------------------------------// // Chapter Sixteen // Story: Equestria Girls: Reimagined // by Candle Light //------------------------------// Equestria Girls: Reimagined Chapter Sixteen by Candle light based on a story by Meghan McCarthy The fact that the gymnasium was had been completely trashed didn’t stop the students of Canterlot High from resuming where they had left off. Once the DJ had put on some tunes and the strobe lights were back in place, the Fall Formal dance was back in business. As for Twilight, she was content just watching everybody have fun, soaking in the happiness that she had helped create. “Nice to finally be able to talk around people,” Spike said, coming up next to her. “By the way, have you tried the punch? Too bad we had to throw most of it at Sunset.” “I’m sure she feels the same,” Twilight chuckled. “Where is she, anyway?” “I heard her tell Celestia she was gonna make a few phone calls to Mr Rich. Not sure where she went after that.” “Oh, there she is!” Twilight spotted. “And she’s talking to Scribble Dee! Come on, Spike.” Twilight picked him up, and they made their way past the dancing students, many of whom cheered as she passed. Scribble looked up as she saw her approach. “Oh, hi, Twilight.” “Hey,” she replied. “Having a good time? Did you two talk it out?” “Nothing much to talk about,” Sunset told her. “We’re pretty much strangers. I just… thought I’d apologize in person, that’s all.” At this, Scribble let out a small sigh. “Listen, Sunset, I think I’m speaking for most of us here when I say it’s gonna take us a long while to get over the things you’ve done. I’m not saying this to be mean, but I really do think you’d be better off going back to your own world.” “I can’t,” she said. “Now that I understand the weight of what I've been doing, I-I have a responsibility to this school. I’ll never be able to move on if I don’t I set things right. Not to mention… I feel like this is the only place where I can learn about the ‘magic of friendship’ again.” “Makes sense, I guess…” Then Scribble added, “Look, I don’t know if the two of us can ever be friends, but… we don’t have to be enemies, either. Let’s... let's just see how things play out, okay?” “Yeah. Sounds good.” The conversation was replaced by the background music for a short moment, but just as Twilight was about to excuse herself, “Twilight, I’ve decided to come home with you and make the apology to Princess Celestia. I owe her that much.” “You know what?” Twilight said. “I don’t think there’s any hurry. You can come apologize whenever you feel ready. I know these things take time.” Sunset looked like she was thinking it over, then smiled. “Thank you. I… now that you mention it, think I do need more time…” “And speaking of time!” said Pinkie Pie, appearing out of nowhere. “It’s almost time for Twilight to go home to her own world, so less chatting, more dancing!” “Isn’t the music a bit slow for dancing?” “I think I know somebody who’d want a slow dance with you.” Only now did she notice that a good portion of the crowd had backed off from the dance floor, looking at Twilight with anticipating eyes. Alone in the middle of the floor stood Flash Sentry, holding out his hand towards her. “May I?” Twilight, feeling a blush coming on, replied, “You may.” Flash Sentry, it seemed, was someone who liked to underestimate his abilities, because he knew exactly how to dance. Twilight, who wasn’t used to this slow, deliberate style of dancing, felt like she would trip at any moment, but Flash always compensated, matching his movements to hers. “I really like you, Twilight,” he whispered. “I know this will never go anywhere, so I’m just gonna just say it. Sorry, I’m making it weird, aren’t I.” “No, that’s alright,” Twilight whispered back. “I think you’re a wonderful person. I can’t thank you enough for what you’ve done.” “This dance is a nice way of saying it. At least now I’ll have something to remember you by.” “It’s not like I’ll never see you again,” Twilight assured him. “Now that we know the portal’s safe, I can come visit.” Flash beamed at her. “I'll hold you to that.” *** “Well, I guess this is it,” Applejack said. “We sure as hay are gonna miss ya.” Her five friends and Sunset were standing by the portal, given their farewells to Twilight. It was time to go home. “Just remember, it's perfectly safe to visit,” Sunset said. “You could drive an army of dragons through it, and the magic wouldn’t waver an inch.“ “Dragons, she said,“ Rarity commented. “It's going to be a while before I wrap my head around that.“ “One of many things,” Fluttershy said. “I can’t believe Sunset is our friend now… no offense.” Sunset brushed it off with a smile. “None taken. I had it coming.” “I’ll see you again,” Twilight promise. “I wanna know how everything pans out, and make sure Sunset doesn’t try and take over the world again.” Sunset frowned. “Too soon?” “Too soon.” “Well, guess you can’t stand around here forever,” Rainbow Dash said. “You should get going.” “You’re right,” said Twilight with a sigh. “As much as I’d like to stay a while longer, I am a Princess, and my duty is with my people. Celestia and my other friends must be worried sick about me.” “Say hello to my other me!” Pinkie Pie said. “I will. Right then…” She turned to the portal, but turned around to cast a final look her friends, so similar to the ones back home, yet different. She pulled them into a big group hug. It lasted only five seconds, but it said everything that needed to be said. A smile on her lips, she turned around, and with Spike right behind her, stepped through the portal. *** She was still on her hind legs when she stepped out on the other side. Finding a sudden loss in balance, she dropped to all four of her familiar pony hooves. She almost let out a gasp when saw the pony versions of the very same friends she had just left behind perking up in front of her. “Twilight! You’re back!” Rainbow Dash said. “And you got the crown!” cheered Rarity. “I knew you could do it!” Pinkie Pie said. “Although were pretty darned worried about ya,” Applejack said. “Spike told us you’d become some kind of weird creature with hands and no fur.” “I’ll tell you everything,” Twilight promised. “But first, I’d like to see Princess Celestia.” “I am already here,” the Princess said as she walked into the room. Their eyes met, and the worry in her face was plain to see. “I’m relieved beyond words to see you back safe. But tell me, what became of Sunset Shimmer?” “You’ve got nothing to worry about,” said Twilight. “Sunset Shimmer is in good hands. Turns out all she needed was a friendly reminder of the magic of friendship.” “Hah!” Applejack said, pointing at Rainbow. “You owe me five bits.” “Am I the only one who’s starting to think that shtick is getting kinda cliché? Guess I can't argue with results, but is that how all of our adventures are gonna end?” “If it makes you feel any better,” Twilight said, “Sunset turned into a demon and brain washed the whole student body before I could talk her down.” “You know what, it does. Now that’s a story I wanna hear!” *** The conversation moved to the throne room, where Twilight, in the presence of Celestia, Luna, Cadence and Shining Armor, told them the full story of what had happened in the mirror world. Spike had given them enough details already that it didn’t take too long. “I see,” Princess Celestia said. There was a glistening of tears in her eyes, a rare sight for the proud Princess of the Sun. “So Sunset Shimmer has found her place at last. If only you knew how much this means to me…” “As a former students myself, I think I have a good idea,” Twilight told her. “I still can’t believe the Arch Mages were mistaken about the portal,” Luna said. “We shall have to bring the mirror back to Canterlot for study.” “And to keep it away from anyone who’d want to use it for their own gain,” Shining Armor added. “In the wrong hooves, it could bring all kinds of trouble for both worlds.” “We’ll keep it safe,” Celestia promised. “It is the means of which my former student shall one day come see me again. I will wait however many years it takes. Shining Armor, I want you to prepare to transport the mirror back to Canterlot. Cadence, if you would send a message to the representatives that the fourth Princess has returned, and tell them that we can start the summit in two days.” “At once,” both said at the same time. Princess Summit? Twilight had completely forgotten that was a thing. But funnily enough, the prospect didn’t frighten her all. The crown sat snugly on her head, like it was meant to be there. Plus, Celestia had said two days from now, and she could certainly use a day off. “If you don’t need me,” she said. “I’d like to go to bed. I’m exhausted.” “Of course,” Celestia said. “No one deserves a rest more than you.” On her way out of the chamber, she passed a guard pony that rang a certain bell in her head. She stopped abruptly, then scrutinized his face, making him look very uncomfortable. “Flash Sentry?” “Yes, ma’am?” Twilight gave him a smile, then turned to the group and said, “Say Cadence, would you mind giving this stallion a promotion?” “Sure, but why? He hasn’t done anything particular to stand out.” “He’s stood out plenty,” she told her. “I’ve seen what’s in his heart, and this stallion is one of the most compassionate ponies you’ll ever find.”