//------------------------------// // Chapter 3: Reunions and Plane Rides // Story: Resort Island Adventure // by JustNewHere //------------------------------// “I’m going to kill her.” The low growl of the statement went unnoticed by the hustle and bustle inside Canterlot Airport as Sunset Shimmer, clad with ginormous shades and a sun hat, trudged through the terminal lobby with a look of contempt. “One job. One. Job. I asked her to do one job and what did she do?” By this time Sunset didn’t care when some gave her odd looks, continuing her path with a childish lunchbox of a cartoony pastel unicorn etched smacked dab on the center in her iron grip. “Tempest Shadow thinks she’s just hilarious, doesn’t she?” Sunset muttered under her breath before side eyeing the object that was mocking her. She already tore the sticky note of ‘Enjoy your trip, Kiddo’ to shreds when she found it taped on the side of the metal and though it was kind of therapeutic, it didn’t ebb any of the annoyance she had at her partner. Throughout her mental plotting of Tempest’s inevitable demise, Sunset now found herself colliding with another person which then made her instincts shoot up like a bullet. Her hand automatically reacted and gripped on the other’s waist before the person fell, dropping the lunch box with the other as it rested on the stranger’s hand until the action resulted into a tango-like dip. Once the adrenaline wore off, cyan eyes looked down on surprised amethyst ones. “Shit…” Sunset found herself breathlessly swearing as she recognized those brilliant orbs anywhere. They didn’t sparkle as bright like she remembered but that didn’t register to her now as she continued to gawk like a mad man. A beat passed before her brain and actions caught up to her and so like any sane person when overcame with the revelation, she lost her grip. “Ow!” Twilight screamed as she was unceremoniously dropped. She glared up at the blurry blob of orange. “A warning would have been nice,” she grumbled, rubbing her rear. Sunset on the other hand stayed to the side, palms starting to sweat as she fought to process it all. It did occur to her that the adult in front of her was blindly looking for her glasses and that -oh boy- people were now stopping to stare. Rubbing her neck, Sunset glanced around before she spotted the missing object. Bending down to retrieve it, she approached the woman and knelt to put her glasses on. Sunset honestly didn’t know what she was doing. She could have started running away instead of taking time to place the pair of glasses on the other person, but the gesture was just natural for her. “Too late now,” the teen sardonically thought. Once Twilight adjusted her glasses, she squinted and eyed the teenager in front of her. Sunset nervously watched her and discretely sighed in relief when it appeared that Twilight didn’t recognize her yet as the woman let out a begrudging “Thank you.” “Maybe the disguise did work,” Sunset thought and eyed the people who resumed their own business. Turning back to the woman the redhead might as well help her up, so she offered an amber hand to which Twilight took. If only they both stopped there. Sunset held her breath as did the other, cyan eyes observing how the purple woman seemed to freeze when their hands made contact. “I should have stayed in a convent, or at the school, or even Equestria. Anywhere but here right now really.” Sweat started pouring down her brow. The teenager saw the split second of nostalgia in those amethyst eyes, a brief glimpse of light into them, before it was gone and shifted to one that Sunset could admittedly never tire of. It was Twilight’s calculating look whenever she tried to make sense of Equestrian magic, or when she thought she could try and decipher Pinkie’s Pinkie Sense when they were in CHS. Begrudgingly, alongside her body’s sudden stiffness, Sunset did not move as she was given the chance once more to see that exact same expression in front of her and her heart loathed to admit it, but she still found it endearing. Then, she saw it. Amethyst eyes widened in recognition, purple hand hovering but not fully retracting, as they stared at the amber hand. Slowly, the woman’s head looked up and found sheepish yet nervous cyan orbs, hidden behind ridiculously large shades. She eyed the streaks of yellow and red not hidden by the sun hat, and then to the gangly appearance fitted in a black T-shirt with a skull print and blue jeans. “Sunset?” came Twilight’s shaky voice. The girl smiled despite the anger and pain that followed, never knowing how good it felt to hear her name again. Oblivious to how the same could be applied to the woman, Sunset spoke up in reply with her signature side smirk. “Hi, Twilight.” There were no other words after that once the corralling of other people forced the two to pick up their stuff and move along the human current. They followed the crowd, walking side by side unconsciously as they headed to the seats near the terminal gate in silence. Sunset side eyed the other who had taken to sitting on the edge of the bench and cradling a purple hand. She knew she should say something. Anything really. Even just commenting on the woman’s bracelet of…was that a dog bone? Cyan eyes discretely tried to make sense with the odd choice of design, but the purple woman continued to fiddle with it like a comfort blank which convinced Sunset to leave it be for now. Both simply sat on the metal bench in silence, afraid to ask their unspoken questions. Just what could be said really? An apology might be a good start, but both didn’t know if they would be the apologizer or the recipient of an apology. Both still had unsettled pain from their history, that much was obvious to them, but still couldn’t let go of the belief of being in the right. And it was clear to the other too. Either way, they remained sitting in silence, too shocked and too overwhelmed to do anything but. A tuft of familiar pink curls passed by the two before it seemed to have spotted something of interest as it backtracked and before long it promptly glomped Twilight and Sunset into a sudden hug. “P-Pinkie?” Sunset struggled to get out. “P-Pie?” Twilight followed, having the same problem as they squirmed out of the intense bear hug. Once she set her prey free, the woman with large pink curls yet unforgettable manic grin greeted them with an intense look of joy. “You remembered me!” the woman’s matured voice was a stark contrast to the high pitch ones they’ve been used to yet remained welcoming all the same. She was far from the small kiddie-like teen based from the summer blouse ensemble she was wearing that emphasized how much Pinkie had indeed blossomed into a full-grown woman, albeit with the same mischievous air. “How could we forget one of our best friends from High School,” Sunset stated as she lightly grinned and then moved a bit back from the intensity in Pinkie’s gaze. “You both never tried to contact me,” the tone previously soured soon shifted into a sweet one as Pinkie Pie did a light jump and squeezed herself in between the two. “That’s okay though, I know how life gets to really suck the fun out of our adulthood but now all of us are here so that we can be the Main Seven again!” Sunset raised a brow. “Main Seven?” “Wait,” Twilight adjusted her glasses as she eyed the other, “what do you mean by- “Darlings!” Three heads turned to see two other women joining them. One on the forefront was a tall slender version of Rarity dressed to the nines even after all these years, with her arm hooked alongside the ‘yang’ to her ‘yin’. In contrast to the attention-grabbing outfit of the fashion designer, Applejack remained the same with her signature hat and humble clothing of a flannel and jeans. Both, evidently, were holding hands and sported matching rings that glinted as they crossed the carpeted area. Rarity wasted no time in dropping her things as she pulled the gob smacked duo into another hug. “Oh, it’s simply been ages dears! How have you two been? My look how you’ve grown Twilight. I mean I follow the news of you being a top scientist, but I never got to see you up close!” the purple haired girl then paused before Twilight could give a definitive response as Rarity ruffled the hair of a grumbling Sunset, “and who’s this cutie? Does she love leather jackets and riding metal death traps as well?” “Hilarious, Rares,” Sunset retorted, pushing away the alabaster hands gripping her cheeks like a niece-deprived aunt. Not even remotely mad but couldn’t help teasing (either due to being reunited by old friends or simply the joyous atmosphere), Sunset let out a vicious grin as she made a show of eyeing behind Rarity. “Did you get fat?” The answer was immediate as Rarity’s expression of utter offense became known and it was nostalgic for the grownups with how the disgruntled woman sputtered and glared at the teen. Applejack sighed at the sight of the elder woman now strangling the neck of a laughing teenager. Setting down the rest of their carry-ons, Applejack offered a casual wave to the scientist and did not seem to mind the child-like woman who promptly attacked her with another bear hug. “Yes Pinkie, I already said I missed you,” the farmer assured, patting her on the head. “It’s just,” here the pink haired woman’s eyes started becoming watery, “I missed you guys for so longgggggg!!!!!” Cue the waterworks and inevitable damp in Applejack’s fifth shirt. Catching Twilight’s eye, Applejack conveyed how their friend was okay and how she was used to it by now. While calming the hysteric woman, the farmer addressed the other before she could get thrown in jail for child abuse. “Rares, would ya stop that and help me find another shirt? Pinkie drowned another one.” “In a moment sweetie, after I Beat. Some. Sense. into this ruffian with distasteful jokes!” Rarity said over her shaking a slightly dizzy yet chuckling Sunset. “Ha-Hahah, you’re right HAHAHA,” Sunset tried to say over her aching sides, “it-it wasn’t a joke. It was an observation!” The shaking of the teenager intensified after that statement. Twilight all watched this with a small pang in her heart. A long forgotten…feeling of something bubbling in her chest and she couldn’t fathom why it suddenly felt warm. A hand poked her shoulder, which made Twilight turn and came face to face with a smiling Fluttershy who offered a wave. “Hello Fluttershy, it’s nice to see you again,” the scientist earnestly stated. Fluttershy demurely nodded and walked around the steel bench to take up the spare seat. “Nice to see you too, Twilight.” Then she tilted her head at the people beside them. “It’s also nice to see our other friends, even if one of them was trying to kill a teenager.” Brows furrowed, Twilight stared as she saw not a hint of recognition or joking. “That’s Sunset, Fluttershy.” Amethyst eyes finally saw the gears kicking into place and Fluttershy suddenly turned apologetic. “Oh dear, I thought she’s your-umm… never mind. It was a mistake on my part.” Curious, Twilight was about to inquire further when a sudden rainbow blur passed by. Blinking, she noticed the pink haired woman was gone from her seat and was now standing next to a prismatic short haired woman. “Don’t run off like that Shy, you could have gotten lost or hurt.” “I’m fine Dashie, I know you’ll just break into the announcer’s room and call my name over the comm.” Dashie rolled her eyes yet smiled all the same. “Really wish you didn’t bring that up sometimes. I broke in once. Once.” Then she finally noticed a pair of amethyst orbs staring at them. Blinking, raspberry eyes glanced at the scientist, then to the balling woman against a blonde one, until it landed on the odd pair of people looking like they’re wrestling. “Egghead?” The short haired woman found her voice, lightly cracking, as she eyed the grown-up versions of her friends. Twilight promptly looked unamused by the name she was called. Before she could voice her distaste, she was suddenly swept into a group hug by a bout of speed. The women all made sounds of surprise before they turned to the source who initiated the embrace. “I missed you guys,” Rainbow admitted over her tears to which she hurriedly wiped away. The rest of the Rainbooms smiled at this, returning the sentiment with a few of their own before they all pulled away just as Rainbow Dash aptly cried out a “Whoa, is the kiddo Sunset?” “Oh great, another person giving me grief about my appearance,” Sunset said then shook her head as she bumped fists with the older woman. “Nice to see you again, Pride Flag.” “Same here, Bacon Bits. Still small actually so the nickname suits you fine.” “You say that because you still can’t kick my butt.” “I would but then again, I’m not one to pick fights with children.” As the insults were exchange, Rarity rolled her eyes as she let out a “Psh, you’re both acting like children.” Applejack stared, deadpanned, at her with a retort of “Really, dear?” “’Dear?’” Fluttershy echoed as she came over to hug the two and proceeded to lightly smirk when Rainbow Dash absentmindedly uttered a ‘Yeah?’ amidst a headlock with Sunset. Shaking her head fondly, the veterinarian then turned to the chef in their group and welcomed the hug she was pulled in. Twilight saw the rings before Applejack showed them as the farmer offered a heartfelt shrug. “We’re married, we’ve been married for five years now.” “Five years!?!” Pinkie cried out, hands gripping her hair in horror. “But that means I’ve missed out on your wedding! And your anniversaries!” The retired party planner fell with a sob. “I’m the worst friend ever!” Fluttershy patted the distraught woman. Applejack scratched the back of her head while Rarity furrowed her brows. “That can’t be right. You’ve attended at least our wedding if I recall correctly.” The fashion designer then unsurely turned to her wife. “We’ve sent invitations to our dear high school friends, didn’t we?” The farmer looked up as she wracked her brain. “To be honest, everything was a blur back then. With my large kin and your fru fru pals alongside the actual wedding itself- I…don’t know.” Fluttershy awkwardly toed the floor. The sound of Rainbow Dash and Sunset still scuffling in the background provided a hint of ease as she managed to admit, “Well, Rainbow Dash and I wouldn’t get the invite at that time even if you did send one. We don’t live in Canterlot anymore.” “What?!” Pinkie exclaimed, drawing more looks from the people near them as her attention was now on the startled demure woman. “When did that happen?” “S-seven years ago.” Pinkie Pie furiously scratched her head. When she looked like she was about to explode, she simply took a long deep breath and then grumbled out, “I’ve been gone for way too long. That’s the last time I work a job in Griffonstone.” Then she proceeded to mumble about cake counts and balloon amounts. “Well, regardless of not being able to attend the ceremony itself I still say congratulations to the both of you,” Twilight evenly stated as she walked over to take a closer look of the rings, noticing it wasn’t a diamond or any other typical gem but their geodes. A set of purple and red were perfectly cut together and merged. “How did you manage to do that?” “Well,” Rarity blushed as Applejack shot her with what would be a definition of ‘bedroom eyes’ but Twilight hurriedly waved her hands as she elaborated. “I meant the rings; how did you mold them exactly like your geodes? It’s so perfect and the craftmanship is so detailed.” “Honestly, the rings are our geodes.” Applejack rubbed her head, “As for how it went from necklaces to rings of one half of each, we’ve got no idea. Just one day after- “After what we promised not to speak about in public nor in polite company!” -yeah that, we just found them in the morning stuck in our wedding rings. We left it like that ever since.” “Fascinating,” Twilight breathed then jumped back in shock as Pinkie Pie appeared from behind and threw confetti everywhere. “WE’RE ALL TOGETHER AGAIN THOUGH SO THAT’S WHAT MATTERS! WOOO!” Twilight blew out a stream of confetti from her mouth, looking disgruntled as she eyed the mess and belatedly saw how they were the only ones in the area being stared at. Pinching the bridge of her nose, Twilight hoped none of this madness would reach the newspapers. “Sorry to cut this happy reunion act short but I just got to ask before I forget,” she eyed each one when she had their attention, “what are you all doing here?” Not that she wasn’t glad to be seeing, let alone, talking to the people from her high school days but she could be forgiven for being suspicious. “Well, we’re on vacation,” Rarity answered and held up a flyer that Twilight nauseatingly recognized. When she noticed the others doing the same thing, the scientist hoped this wasn’t one of Cady’s schemes (knowing the woman like she did) and was just really a coincidence that these other women (and teen) were given the same thing she was given. “I got ours from a team mate who we helped a while back,” Rainbow explained, side hugging the animal doctor. “Really? I won mine from a raffle draw,” Pinkie then rubbed her chin, “that I didn’t even remember joining in.” “I got mine from my boss,” Sunset stated as she raised a brow, ignoring the questioning stare aimed her way as she groused, “This is too unlikely to be a mere coincidence.” Applejack sighed, pulling on her Stetson. “Don’t tell me this is due to some magical villain again. Thought we left that behind us now.” Green eyes glanced at Rarity’s stomach before looking up to her wife’s comforting smile. The farmer returned the grin along with a kiss, promptly ignoring Rainbow and Sunset’s unanimous ‘Yuck’ and fake gagging albeit with a hint of nostalgia. The blonde rolled her eyes at them once she pulled away. “Settle down you two rascals. Magic or no, I’m still planning to have a relaxing trip with my wife.” “Well rogue magic or whatever, we won’t most likely find any in there,” The only teen assured as she slung her backpack on once their flight was called, “and if my intel’s turned out true then I’ll handle it. No need to drag you guys out of your peaceful life.” “Thanks Sunset.” AJ nodded as she took her and Rarity’s things while Twilight eyed the redhead in skepticism. “Just where did you say you got your Intel?” Sunset frowned at the accusation in the tone. Old memories and unsettled pain unconsciously resurfacing, she grunted before replying with a clipped, “I didn't but if I did, it's still classified.” Rolling her eyes at the unexpected hostility, Twilight scoffed as she took her things. “Of course, it is.” She started for the terminal gate. "It's always is with you." Six pairs of eyes watched her go before five pairs stared at annoyed cyan ones. After a beat of silence, Rainbow Dash was the first to comment as she eyed the frustrated teenager. “Man, you still sure know how to talk to a woman huh?” the professional athlete teased. Sunset glared. The plane’s interior was filled with dozens of unruly teenagers, laughing and shouting over the music as they burned through the deserts and snacks served by the attendants. The few adults could only try to sleep through it all, looking entirely out of place amongst the sea of youths. Sunset, mood soured prior to earlier, scowled after rejecting the sixth offer of playing from another group. Her frown deepened further as she heard the laughter of Rainbow Dash behind her. Twilight matched the other’s expression of annoyance, but it more had to do with the lack of peace and control in the area. “Who are in charge with these unruly bunch?” Twilight asked herself as another ball sailed past overhead and was caught by a teen. Another reason for their sour moods to consider was their seating arrangement. Being in the aisle seat, Twilight would always have to duck out of the way of the running teenagers and avoid them when they’re trying to engage a game with her ‘daughter’ that she had long given up explaining to the dimwits. Sunset was about ready to pounce on someone just for the seventh use of the daughter comment but was mercifully held back by a sheepish Pinkie who spoke for Sunset’s stead. All in all, both were obviously unhappy with the arrangement but at least Pinkie- bless her heart- was seated between the two and had decided to be the unofficial buffer. “So,” she asked over a mouthful of the airline food, “this island resort. Is it newly opened or what?” Twilight aptly flicked a stray bit of food off her blouse before answering the woman. “It’s an island owned by one of the Million families, the youngest if I’m not mistaken, who had decided to convert it to a public establishment.” Sunset leaned against the windowsill as she watched the clouds, partly paying attention. At least, until a magazine smacked her on the face. The redhead glared up at Rarity who was smugly brandishing the periodical. Sunset asked with a deadpanned “What?” and then she saw the cover of the magazine. A young looking male with curly green hair dressed in adventure clothes stood posing for the picture and, oddly enough, he was gesturing towards the ruins of what Sunset guessed to be Egypt with a wide smile like he won the lottery. “Bill Million loves mysteries and the supernatural. I heard he has a collection of numerous artifacts and relics which he paid trillions for.” Rarity, ever the one for gossip, tapped a delicate finger on the words printed on the magazine. “Nearly spent all his family’s fortune for over some silly rock. The tabloids believe this resort is just a way for him to earn more for his expensive hobby.” “You follow this bozo?” Sunset asked with a raised brow before Rarity scoffed. “Of course not!” then the fashion designer tapped her chin in thought, “but I do recall making some of his outfits, yet I couldn’t be so sure. This Bill Million character rarely appears in the public’s eye except for charities and other multi-billion company events.” “So, a shut-in rich dude opened his island to strangers to get more hobby money,” Sunset summarized as she leaned against her seat, glared at the person kicking behind her, before turning back to Rarity. “Man, why do I have a feeling I’m not gonna like him at all?” “Come on, Sunset,” Pinkie started before she giggled and corrected herself, “I mean ‘Sunshine’.” She ignored the rolling eyes, “Why don’t you stop being a little miss grumpy pants,” and the glare as she pinched the teenager’s cheeks, “and just relax!” “I’m gonna get more food!” Pinkie announced after a beat. She scooted out of a disgruntled Twilight’s way and went to the back of the plane. Three pairs of eyes stared after the woman's abrupt disappearance before Rarity shrugged and went back to her seat. Once the chef left, the two remained where they were, bodies stiff, as they tried not to side eye the other. It remained silent for the two of them until Sunset couldn’t deal with the kicking behind her anymore and promptly pulled at RD’s hair, taking a few strands when she went back to sit properly and looking pleased with herself. Twilight couldn’t help the unconscious smile that tugged at her lips, fueled more so when she heard Fluttershy scolding a whining Rainbow Dash behind them. “Ah so she still smiles then,” Sunset teased but was only met with a new frown and blank stare. Raising her hands in defense, the redhead shrugged before going back to her looking out the window. Let no one say she didn’t try to be civil. Twilight did not know why the other was bothering to speak with her. Like they were friends. Sure, she knew what happened between them was in the past and she might as well have been blamed partially for the fall out, but she couldn’t just remain civil! She was hurt too and that didn’t give Sunset the right to just waltz back into her life and casually talk to her like nothing happened…because something did happen… yet the stubborn, pigheaded, idiot- Amethyst eyes roamed the other, taking in the slumped posture and hair cascading down Sunset’s back, most noticeably the shaking hand restlessly tapping on jean thigh. Twilight found herself with an unsolicited feeling of softness as she eyed the nervous tick. Even after all these years, the older woman couldn’t forget…. A purple hand automatically crept forward, hesitant yet determined as they found their target. Due to the longer nature of the woman and smaller space, she managed to intertwine her fingers with the surprised teenager without a problem. Ignoring the questioning cyan orbs, Twilight took out her book from her carry-on as she evenly replied with a “It’s only because I hate plane rides.” “and seeing you scared,” A younger Twilight would add but that girl was gone now, replaced by an older more mature woman who was only on this trip due to her family’s urging. Still Twilight begrudgingly guessed, as she felt the other relaxing slowly, the younger Twilight seemed to not have disappeared entirely after all… Because Twilight could not bear the thought of her sun losing its light due to her inaction. Not again. Not this time.