As the sun lowered below the roof tops Sunset Shimmer strummed her guitar looking up at the sky. She spent most of her evenings up here. She giggled softly over the fact that her favorite time of day was the same as her name.
"Hey, Sunset," called a voice from the open window.
"Yes, Starlight?" Sunset called back looking away as the sunset gave way to twilight.
"I think the food is ready."
"I'll be right there," she shook her head as she stood up and put her guitar back in it's case.
"I really don't know how you do this without magic," Starlight Glimmer said laughing awkwardly.
Sunset's kitchen looked like a tornado had gone through it. She couldn't help but laugh at the sight of Starlight covered in sauce, pasta, and was that flour? Starlight looked on the verge of tears when she saw Sunset laughing, but started to laugh too when Sunset pulled her into a hug wiping off the flour with a paper towel.
"Ok let's get this cleaned up," she smiled and started moving things around the kitchen to tidy it up. "Then we'll eat."
"Ok."
-A few hours later-
Sunset finished brushing her teeth and stepped out of the bathroom flipping off the light.
"Hey, Sunset," Starlight's voice came from the couch.
"Yeah," she answered walking over to look over the couch.
"Thanks," Starlight said with a soft smile.
"For what?" Sunset responded leaning her hip against the back of the couch.
"For letting me stay with you this past week. I've learned a lot."
"No problem," she said smiling softly and turning the lamp off. "Now it's time for bed. We've got to get you to the portal bright and early tomorrow."
"Good night, Sunset," Starlight yawned. "Shimmm."
Sunset fliched a little at the sound of her unfinished name. It brought back an old memory. She remembered Rainbowdash calling her SunShim recently, but she was so stressed out she hadn't fully paid attention to it. She sighed as she sat down on her bed and looked out the window.
"Good night, Shinshin," she whispered softly as a tear rolled down her cheek before she crawled under the sheets to fall asleep.
-the next morning-
"IT'S A THANKS FOR COMING SORRY TO SEE YOU LEAVE, BUT WE KNOW YOU HAVE TO PARTY!" Pinky Pie shouted as two party cannons went off somewhere behind her shooting confetti into the sky.
"Aww, thanks everyone," Starlight laughed as she hugged all her new friends. "You didn't have to do this."
"Are you kidding?" Rainbowdash asked brushing confetti out of her hair. "Have you never met a Pinky Pie before?"
"True!" Starlight laughed as she looked over at Pinky who was grinning so wide it looked like her face might explode.
"Come back and visit real soon," Apple Jack said as she hugged Starlight.
"Of course."
"And don't forget this, darling," Rarity said draping a bag over Starlight's shoulder. "I'm sure the other me would just love to see some of my designs."
"I'm sure she does."
"Goodbye everyone," Starlight said once more waving at everyone as she entered the portal.
"Oh, I do hope she'll be alright," Fluttershy said softly as she watched the magic portal close. "I'm always worried something might happen when anyone goes through the portal."
"Don't worry, Fulttershy," Twilight said as she pushed her glasses back up onto her nose. "I'm sure Princess Twilight wouldn't let anyone use the portal if she didn't think it was safe."
"I guess you're right," Fluttershy nodded in agreement before gasping as she looked at her watch. "Oh my goodness I'm late."
"Yeah, so am I," Rainbowdash said pulling out her phone. "I've got the opening shift at the store today. Gotta go!"
"I promised Big Mac I'd give'm a hand with his truck today," Applejack said with a nod over her should back towards her home. "Catch you girls later."
"I too have a prior engagement," Rarity said with an apologetic look. "I promised my parents I would take Sweetiebell to her singing lesson today."
"Well I guess that just leaves us," Sunset said as the other girls left. "Do you two have any plans today?"
"Nope," Pinky chirped as she started sweeping up confetti. "I'm just gonna get this stuff cleaned up and set up for the next party."
"There's no next party, Pinky," Twilight said adjusting her glasses.
"TWILIGHT!" Pinky shouted getting a very serious look on her face as she gripped Twilight by the shoulders. "There is always a next party!"
"Ooook, Pinky," Sunset said gripping one arm and stroking her hair. "It's ok. It's ok."
"But party," Pinky said softly as she let go of Twilight.
"Yes, yes," Sunset nodded. "Party planning. Remember."
"Yes," Pinky smiled and gripped her broom that Twilight offered to her. "Plan party!"
"Thanks," Twilight said tucking some hair behind her ear. "That was close."
"Yeah," Sunset laughed as they walked away from the portal. "You gotta remember to be careful around Pinky some times."
"So what are you doing today, Twilight?"
"Not much," she answered. "I'm meeting my brother for lunch that's about it."
"Shining Armor, right?" Sunset asked checking if she remembered his name correctly even though it hurt that it was almost the same as his.
"Yup," Twilight grinned happily. "He's my BBBFF!"
"BBBFF?" Sunset asked raising an eyebrow slightly.
"Big Brother Best Friend Forever," Twilight giggled blushing a little. "It's what I call him. He calls me Twily."
"That sounds.....nice," Sunset said quietly gripping her right arm and biting her lower lip.
"Are you alright, Sunset?" Twilight asked softly as she noticed her friends expression.
"I'm fine," Sunset said forcing a smile, but failing to hold it as Twilight continued to give her that searching look. "Ok I'm not."
"What's wrong?"
"It's just last night," she sighed as she stopped and sat down on a bench. "I thought about someone I hadn't thought about in a long time."
"Who?" Twilight asked as she down beside her placing a hand on top of her's.
"My BIG brother," Sunset answered feeling her heart start pounding harder against her ribs.
"You have a big brother too?" Twilight's eyes widened and she smiled brightly.
"Had a big brother," Sunset answered in a whisper tears filling her eyes. "His name was Shining Light."
"Oh, Sunset," Twilight whispered as she wrapped her friend a hug. "I'm sorry I didn't mean."
"No," Sunset shook her head holding Twilight as her tears flowed. "It's not your fault. Starlight just happened to say
something that made me think of him."
"What was it?"
"She didn't finish saying my name."
"What?" Twilight asked cocking her head to the side as Sunset pulled back from her.
"Your brother calls you Twily right?"
"Yes," Twilight nodded.
"My brother used to call me Shimshim," she blushed a little at the admission of such an embaressing nickname.
"Shimshim?" Twilight giggled. "That's adorable."
"I guess," Sunset smiled. "It all started because when I was younger I couldn't say his whole name and called him Shinshin."
"Awwwww," Twilight was bursting with joy.
"Ok," Sunset laughed at the sight of her friend. "That's enough of the sappyness."
"Fine," Twilight laughed as well before hugging Sunset one more time. "Hey why don't you join us for lunch?"
"Are you sure?" Sunset asked. "I don't want to intrude on brother sister time."
"It's fine," Twilight said as the bus pulled up. "Besides he said he might be bringing an old friend."
"Ok," Sunset said taking Twilight's offered hand. "Let's go."
-at the burger barn-
"You sure it's ok for me to be here, Armor?" a guy with red streaks in his yellow hair asked the blue haired guy across the table from him.
"It's fine, bro," Shining Armor said with a wave of his hand. "My sister has finally started making friends. It'd be nice if she gets along with one of my oldest ones."
"You sure about that, Armor?" he chuckled heartily pointing a finger at Shining Armor. "I mean I can be a pretty bad influence."
"I know," Shining Armor laughed as well. "I was hoping she would be a good influence on you just like I am."
The two looked at each other seriously for a moment then both broke out laughing heartily. They drew stares from the other patrons, but neither cared. After they calmed down Shining Armor noticed two familiar faces towards the front of the resturant. He stood up waving his hand to get their attention.
"Twily!" he called happily. "Over here!"
"He really does call you that," Sunset giggled at Twilight's blush.
"I told you," Twilight said pulling at her ponytail a little as they made their way towards her brother.
"Looks like she brought one of her friends along," Shining Armor said as he sat back down. "You two should get along. She's got a bit of a bad side to her too from what I've been told."
"Haha," he laughed. "Hey man a little bad doesn't hurt."
"Hey, Twily," Shining Armor said as he stood back up to let his sister into the booth. "I want you to meet a friend of mine."
"Hey," he said as he started to stand his glass in hand. "The name's Shining..."
He froze in mid sentence he looked from Twilight to the girl standing next to her. It felt like his heart had stopped. Standing there was a girl with red hair filled with brilliant yellow streaks. Her clear Cyan eyes were wide with shock as she looked at him.
Sunset's heart was pounding against her ribs again. This time even harder. She couldn't breathe. This wasn't possible. Why? How? Oh sweet Celestia!
"Huh, Sunset?" Twilight looked from her friend to the young man and back to her friend.
"Shimmer?" he gasped finally drawing a breath.
"Light?" she stammered in response.
"It's not possible," Shining Light said standing up.
"I'M SORRY!" Sunset cried and ran for the door.
"Sunset?" Twilight called after the running girl.
"Shimmer?" Light breathed as he looked towards Shining Armor and Twilight. "That can't be Sunset Shimmer."
"Of course she is," Twilight said shocked by the accusation. "I know my own friend after all."
"No she's not," Shining Light said his face a mask of anger. "My sister is dead!"
"What?!" Twilight took a step back in shock.