//------------------------------// // Prologue // Story: A SciTwi Shimmer Christmas // by pabrony //------------------------------// “Brrrr!” I shouted as I lugged a dozen bags worth of groceries into my and Sunny’s apartment. I made my way into the kitchen, still covered in snow from the raging snowstorm outside, and dropped my payload onto the tile floor. “Sunny, I'm home!” I shouted toward the bedroom as I took off my earmuffs, coat, and boots. The only response that I received was a dull moan. With a soft chuckle, I put away the cold items before heading to the bedroom to see my wife. Along the way, I paused to straighten our wedding photo. I stepped back and admired it for a minute or two as my mind wandered back to our big day. “You may now kiss the bride,” said the justice of the peace. Sunny lifted the veil covering my face, leaned in and planted the most passionate kiss ever on my lips. Time stood still as our lips remained locked. I didn't want to release the hold as we shared that intimate moment together. That is until Shining Armor cleared his throat. “Twily, just because this is a nude beach doesn't mean you have to get frisky, ” he whispered. My eyes shot open as I realized that I had ahold of one of Sunny's butt cheeks. “Couldn't wait until the honeymoon, babe?” Sunset whispered with a smirk. I felt my face light up from embarrassment as our friends and family cheered and whistled. I shook my head at the thought of how I made a fool of myself at the most anticipated time of my life. Now, three months later, I still couldn't believe that I had gotten married on a nude beach. Although it was definitely an interesting experience, I wouldn't have changed a thing. With a small smile on my face, I finally entered the bedroom and saw that a bucket had appeared next to the bed while I was grocery shopping. “You feeling any better, Sunny?” I asked as I sat down at the foot of the bed. “No.” “I bought out the ginger ale section of the store for you,” I said. A queasy look had begun making its way onto her face as she forced a few words out. “Oh, haha. You humans…” She paused so that she could grab the bucket and began dry heaving into it. After a moment or two, she continued, “You humans and your cold and flu season. This is the second time in two weeks that I've gotten sick.” I just looked at her with a blank stare as the words escaped my mind. “Twi, babe, can you do me a favor?” “Sure. What do you need?” I asked, rubbing the back of my hand on her feverish cheek. “When I die in a few days from this, can you donate my body to science?” “Oh Sunny, you're not going to die. It's just the stomach flu.” She furrowed her brow. “Yeah and I ruined our first Thanksgiving as a married couple when I just laid on the couch at your parents’ house.” “Sunny, my parents, Shining and Cadence understood you were feeling under the weather,” I reminded her. “None of them were mad about that.” “I just feel bad that while you and your family were laughing and having a good time, I was relegated to the den, curled up under a blanket.” Without a word, I got up and walked to the dresser. I opened one of the drawers and removed a set of fleece pajamas. After discarding my sweater and stretch pants, I donned the warm sleeping garments and strolled to my side of the bed. “What are you doing?” Sunny asked as I got under the covers with her. Still not saying anything, I slid closer and wrapped my left arm around her. “Twi, you don't have to do this,” she protested. “Yes I do,” I replied as I pulled her fiery body against me and buried my face into the back of her neck. As we laid there in silence, I noticed something a little off. Instead of taking my hand like normal, I felt her arm move toward her face. Just as her arm stopped moving, I heard her let out a small sniffle. “Sunny, are you crying?” “Mmhmm.” “Why?” I sat up slightly. “Is there something wrong?” “It’s just… well, Princess Celestia will do this with her students when they get really sick like I am now.” I then understood why she was crying. Although she and the princess had made up earlier this year, there were still things that she missed about her childhood experiences. As I laid my head back down I felt a tear roll down my cheek. I’m not sure why it happened, maybe it was my subconscious empathizing with her. The sniffling continued for a few more minutes after I pulled her as close as possible to my body. “Are… aren't you worried about getting sick?” “Sunny, I love you and if it means getting sick from you every now and then, I don't mind,” I told her softly. “It's part of being a couple. I've seen it happen with my parents and with Shining and Cadence.” She didn't say anything right away. Instead, she finally took hold of my hand and pulled it tightly against her as someone would with a blanket. “I love you too, babe,” she whispered softly. I felt my eyelids beginning to get heavy as we laid there in the dimly lit room. A soft whinny escaped Sunny’s lips as she fell asleep. I let out a small giggle shortly before falling asleep myself. “Are you sure you want to do this?” Sunny asked as the two of us stood with Princess Twilight in her library. “I’m certain,” I replied, although deep down I was slightly nervous. A bright pink aura then appeared around the Princess’s horn while simultaneously creating a magic bubble around me. “Remember, this spell only lasts three days and cannot be recast for thirty moons,” Princess Twilight said. “Well, I know for a fact that it will be worth it,” Sunny said with a smile. I rubbed my eyes after being awakened a little while later by a pulsing red glow from under the covers. I released my grip from Sunny's hand and pulled the blanket down slightly. I lifted my head slightly to investigate the source of the strange glow. What I saw not only surprised me but also left me extremely confused.