//------------------------------// // 43 – Returning Home // Story: Playing House // by Krickis //------------------------------// Chapter Forty-Three Returning Home ⠀ ⠀ She had to try one last time. It was pointless, but she had to try. Sunset dialed Fluttershy’s number. It rang several times, then Fluttershy’s voice came on. “This is Fluttershy, band manager for Bitchette. If you need to reach me or the band, please leave your name and number and I’ll get back to you as soon as I can.” Just like Sunset had expected. Just like what always happened when Sunset called Fluttershy. There was a beep, and Sunset left her message. “Hey, Shy. I wanted to try to get ahold of you one last time, because, well… I’m leaving today. Going back to Equestria. I know you’re busy, and I know I’m not supposed to do things like this anymore, but I… I just really wanted to hear your voice one more time. “I don’t really have long, I called a taxi to take me to CHS since I left my bike at Applejack’s last night. It’ll be here any minute, so I really should go. And it’s dumb, it’s not like I have anything left to say. I think we said everything we needed to say to each other last week before you left. But I… I guess I just wanted to say goodbye. I’ll miss you. Take care of yourself and be the best, most kick-ass band manager you can be. I believe in you. “That’s… that’s it, I guess. And… and now I’m just stalling, in the hopes that, I don’t know, you’ll call me back before I hang up? I don’t even know. Just… just whatever you do, take care of yourself. Love you, Shy. Always.” Sunset hung up the phone and looked down at it. Fluttershy was still there on her lock screen, smiling happily beside Sunset. They were showing off their tattoos, and they were in love. She reached her hand to touch her shoulder where her tattoo was under her jacket. It was supposed to mean forever, but it didn’t mean anything anymore. It wasn’t the only thing. Sunset tossed her phone on the bed – it wasn’t going to do her any good anymore – and crossed the room to the bedside table. She opened the drawer on it to pull out a little black box. The box was scuffed up and the hinges were bent. Whatever had happened to it in that car crash, it had certainly seen better days. But it was just a box, only meant to protect the ring inside it. She opened the box and looked at the ring, still perfect and pristine. The box had done its job, for all the good it did now. The ring was pointless now, another meaningless symbol of forever, but she couldn’t leave it. She closed the box and brought it to her backpack, shoving it inside before slinging the bag over her back. She walked into the living room and looked around. One last look at her house before she left it forever. Well, probably not forever; she would return with Applejack sometime to get some of her stuff out of it. But this would be the last time it was her house. Of course, it was supposed to be their house. Their home. Hers and Fluttershy’s. But that had been back when things were good, and that had been so very long ago. Now it was no longer a home, just a house full of memories that Sunset didn’t want. It was a relief when she saw the taxi driver pull up. She left the house without any sentimental goodbyes. She had already said goodbye to everything she needed to the night before. She walked up to the taxi and got in the back, informing the driver that she wanted to go to Canterlot High School. And that was that, she was on her way. She had once before made the trip from her house to CHS for what she thought was the last time. Everything had felt so strange then, but she had looked forward to going to Equestria. Now, she barely thought about Everton, but Equestria terrified her. To be more fair, her feelings on Equestria were mixed. Part of her was terrified, especially when it came to what she’d do about Celestia. But part of her was excited that no matter what happened, it would be somewhere without all these painful memories. As they drove, she chatted amiably with the driver. He asked what she wanted to go to a high school for, she said she was meeting up with an old teacher. It helped pass the time, at least. There wasn’t much time to pass, it wasn’t a long drive. Sunset instinctively went to check her phone to make sure she was on time for what she’d decided with Twilight, then realized she didn’t have it. It didn’t matter, she was able to see the time on the driver’s radio. They reached the school, and she thanked him for the ride. Then that was done with too, and all that was left was to get to the portal. She walked up to the statue in the middle of the courtyard, but she soon saw that wasn’t all that was left. She wasn’t alone, someone was already waiting for her at the statue. “What are you doing here?” Sunset asked Applejack. “Came to say goodbye,” Applejack responded. Sunset smiled. “That’s great, but wasn’t that what last night was for?” Applejack just shrugged. “Yeah, well, I came to say it again.” Sunset set down her backpack and stood beside her friend.  “Thanks.” “For what?” Although she had only meant for coming to see her off, Sunset thought of a better answer. “Well, for everything, I guess. You’ve always been there for me no matter what.” “Well, someone had to keep you in line.” “Yeah, well, I’m just glad that someone was you.” Applejack smiled. “Me too.” “And, you know, I am sorry for leaving.” “I know ya are. And I’m sorry for givin’ ya such a hard time over it.” Sunset shrugged. “Maybe someone had to do that too.” Applejack tipped her hat in front of her face, and for a moment, Sunset thought it was to hide the fact she was crying. But when she lifted it and looked into Sunset’s eyes, there wasn’t a tear in sight. “So… this is goodbye, I guess… For real this time.” “Yeah, I guess so.” “Ya know… It doesn’t have to be.” Applejack placed her hand on Sunset’s shoulder. Even if there were no tears, it was easy to see at a glance that it wasn’t because Applejack didn’t care. Sunset doubted anyone cared more. “I know ya need a change, but well… You don’t need to leave Everton to get that. Quit your job and move in with me, you can work on the farm.” Sunset smirked. “And camp out on your couch? Sorry, but not really rushing to do that.” “We can share my room, get a bunk bed or somethin’. It’d just… it’d be better than you leavin’.” Sharing a room with Applejack, living together, even the bunk bed. That all sounded familiar. She had lived a life like that once, in another time. But she had gotten burned chasing that life already, and she’d learned her lesson. “Part of me really wants to say yes, you know?” Sunset said solemnly. “But… I need to do this, AJ. I need to see where this path goes first. And I know what you think, but it’s not just about Fluttershy. I’m going home.” “Ya know, home isn’t just where you’re from,” Applejack pointed out. “I know.” “So then this isn’t your home too?” There was no malice to the question, no accusations. “I don’t know. Maybe you’re right, maybe Equestria isn’t really my home. But I don’t think I’ll find out until I try something else.” Applejack sighed. “Fine. But promise me one thing.” “What’s that?” “If this whole finding home thing doesn’t work out for ya, you’ll suck up your pride and come back to us. My offer ain’t goin’ anywhere, ya know.” “I know. And I promise, if things in Equestria don’t work out, I’ll come back here.” “See that you do.” Applejack smirked. “Ya know, after all this time, I still find it hard to believe. ‘Bout you and Equestria.” Sunset grinned. “What? We’ve dealt with Equestrian magic three times now, how can you still have doubts?” “Oh, I don’t doubt anything about Equestria. Just feels strange to imagine you came from there. I mean, how could someone like you ever be something as cute as a pony?” Sunset laughed and pushed Applejack playfully. “Hey, I’ll have you know I was a pretty badass wizard back in Equestria! Come visit someday and I’ll show you just how ‘cute’ I can be!” Applejack chuckled and pushed Sunset back. “Yeah, well, maybe I will.” They both laughed, and it felt good. It hurt, but it felt good. It felt like things might finally start turning around now that Applejack was back on her side. But that meant leaving the past behind, not taking it with her. “Hey, AJ, I need you to do something for me.” “What’s that?” Sunset slung off her backpack and pulled out the ring box. She handed it to Applejack, who opened it to look at the ring inside. “Oh gosh, Sunset, this is so sudden.” Even giving the ring away like this, Sunset couldn’t help but smile at Applejack’s reaction. “It was for Fluttershy. It was supposed to be, well…” “I know what it was supposed to be,” Applejack said solemnly. She closed the box. “So what do you want me to do with it?” “I… I don’t know,” Sunset admitted. “I just… I couldn’t leave it, but I can’t take it with me.” Applejack nodded. “Well, I’ll hold onto it. Time comes ya find ya need it for somethin’, you just let me know.” “Thanks, AJ.” Sunset held out her arms, and Applejack accepted the hug. “I’m gonna miss you.” “Same to you, Sunset.” They pulled apart and there was nothing left to say. “Go on then, get outta here before I find something else to gripe at ya for.” “Yes, ma’am.” Sunset put her backpack back on, then stepped towards the portal. She reached her hand out for it, then stopped. She turned to look back at Applejack, who was still smiling encouragingly. Sunset smiled as well, then turned back before Applejack could see the tears forming. Then Sunset took a step, and everything disappeared.