Spike and J-35 rounded the corner of the building and saw the door to the mess hall. Spike smiled. "Ooh this is exciting. I can't wait to get this party started."
J-35 beeped and spun her head around in agreement. She was particularly excited for the role she was playing in the party. Last week, Sunset had come to her asking for her help. She had planned on proposing to Starlight today and she needed to find a spot where the ring would be safe and hidden where Starlight would never find it. The box was small enough so J-35 allowed her to hide the ring within her compartment space. When the time came, J-35 would take the ring out of the compartment and make sure Sunset could grab onto it with her magic unimpeded. J-35 and Spike passed a crossway and right past Sunset and Starlight.
Sunset and Starlight called out to them. "Hey spike, J-35!"
"You don't need to run. There's such a thing as fashionably late!"
Spike and J-35 stopped in their tracks and turned to see Sunset and Starlight catch up to them. "Starlight, Sunset. Hey."
J-35 beeped and booped. Spike and Starlight raised an eyebrow. "Anyone speak droid?"
Sunset nodded and chuckled. "She asked how our day was. Starlight and I had an awesome day, courtesy of the genius that is my wonderful marefriend."
Spike chuckled. "Does this have to do with the secretive plans?"
Sunset nodded and turned to starlight. "Can I tell them?"
Starlight nodded. "Go for it."
Sunset smiled. "Awesome! So, starlight asked me to follow her this morning. She lead us straight to the Holodeck." Sunset explained as the four started walking towards the mess hall. "At first I was confused as to why she brought us there. She said that she had something for me. Turns out, she coordinated with Sci-Twi in the Alternate Universe to make a program of Canterlot City and the gang from across the portal."
Spike smiled. "That's awesome."
Starlight nodded. "And the best part is that the gang created by the program KNOW they're holograms. Which will make talking to them a lot easier."
Spike beamed. "Wow. And here I thought Twilight from across the portal couldn't top the robot dog she made for my counterpart."
J-35 beeped into the conversation, confused.
Sunset chuckled. "Oh, that's right, you have no idea what We're talking about J-35. Well, to put it simply, there's a another dimension parallel to our own. But, Equestria has become Earth essentially and all the Equine are humans. Well, mostly. As far as we can tell, dragons are dogs over there."
J-35 spun her head to look at Spike, as if she couldn't believe what Sunset said. Spike chuckled. "Believe it J-35, I may not look like a dog, but Sunset can prove it."
Sunset nodded. "Yeah. Stop by our dorm later and I'll show you a picture from my journal I use to communicate with the other dimension."
J-35 beeped yes to that invitation as they entered the mess hall. Inside they found it spruced up for the occasion. Pink and red everywhere, roses on every table, and hearts everywhere you looked. Starlight, Sunset, and Spike chuckled as they immediately recognized the decorating style. "Pinkie pie."
"Who else could do all this between lunch and now? And she was in Paris most of the day."
"Never underestimate the ultimate party planner."
Sunset nodded. "In ANY universe. Anywho, hey Honey, wanna go grab us a table while I get our dinner?"
Starlight nodded. "I'll have the—"
"Double serving salad with extra rice and no onions. Just the way you like it."
Starlight smiled. "You know me so well."
Sunset moved in and kissed Starlight on the cheek. "You bet I do."
J-35 beeped something before rolling off to the replicator, using one of her utility arms to motion of Sunset to come with her. Starlight arched an eyebrow, but giggled. "Wonder what has her motors all supercharged today."
Spike chuckled. "Probably just the day. It's one of those feel good days after all."
Sunset nodded. "Yeah. Probably just that. Anyway, Spike, I think I see Jessica and Twilight over there with our friends. Starlight, how about we sit over there?"
Starlight nodded. "Alright. Be quick with that salad will you Sunny? I'm starving."
Sunset nodded. "I'll be at the table before you can say Valentine." With that, Sunset walked off after J-35. She soon reached her droid friend at the replicator. Sunset chuckled. "If your here then you must want to order something."
J-35 beeped and booped. Sunset smiled. "Oil it is then. A can of oil, and two double serving salads, one with extra rice and no unions."
The replicator phased in the order and Sunset picked up the can and levitated it down for J-35. "Here you go J-35."
J-35 extended her grappling arm and plucked the can out of the air. Beeping a thanks to Sunset in the process. Sunset chuckled. "Anytime J-35. Oh, before I forget, do you have that, ahem, thing, I wanted you to hang on to for me?"
J-35 opened up her compartment door and extended an arm with a small black box latched onto it, Sunset smiled. "Great. Thank you SO much for doing this J-35. I owe you big time."
J-35 beeped out a no problem before retracting the arm sealing the black box in her compartment. Sunset nodded. "Now, Jessica told me that you had an extensive library of songs loaded into your processor?"
J-35 beeped out a yes. Sunset smiled. "Perchance, do you have 'With You' by Ronan Keating?
J-35 pivoted on her legs in a nod. Sunset beamed as she leaned in to whisper. "Perfect! When I get to the last verse, that's when you reveal the ring for me to summon with my magic. Got it?"
J-35 extended one of her arms and bent it up in a salute. Sunset leaned in and nuzzled J-35 where there would be a cheek. "Thank you J-35. I really do owe you big time."
J-35 beeped out in reply. Sunset chuckled. "I can see why Jessica says you're a good friend. Now, lets get over to that table before Starlight gets suspicious."
"Suspicious of what?" Sunset jumped back when she heard a voice from behind. She turned to see Pinkie looking at her with a smile that Sunset KNEW meant she knew something.
Sunset shook her head. "PINKIE! did you have to sneak up on me like that?!"
Pinkie laughed. "I wasn't trying to sneak up on you silly. I just happened to be behind you. Anyway, suspicious of what?"
Sunset shook her head. "Not saying anything. You are the LAST pony who I want knowing about my plans right now."
Pinkie chuckled. "If you're worried that I told Starlight you were planning on asking her to marry you tonight. She has no clue. Pinkie promise."
Sunset's eye twitched. "How did..." Sunset sighed in defeat. "Never mind. I stopped questioning Pinkie Sense as soon as I became friends with the AU Pinkie."
Pinkie beamed. "Oh, that reminds me. How did you like Starlight's dimension hopping Holodeck gift to you?"
Sunset sighed and turned to J-35. "You go on ahead J-35, tell them I'm talking to Pinkie."
J-35 rolled off as Sunset turned back to Pinkie. "Starlight told you about that?"
Pinkie shook her head. "Didn't have too. Pinkie Sense."
Sunset chuckled. "It's literally impossible to keep secrets from any Pinkie Pie, is it."
Pinkie nodded. "Pretty much."
Sunset rolled her eyes, but smiled. "It was amazing to see the girls again. I was bummed when they had to cancel over the holidays."
Pinkie nodded. "That was too bad. But fear not, Starlight had a plan."
Sunset nodded. "That she did. It may not be the real thing, but thanks to the program's self awareness feature, it's as real as it's gonna get this side of the portal. Starlight's made me so happy in our time together, I just hope I can do the same."
Pinkie wrapped a foreleg around Sunset. "Don't worry. You're gonna rock it today Sunset. Just promise me one thing."
Sunset arched an eyebrow. "What's that?"
"I want to plan your wedding. I already got so many ideas for it, like having it here on earth, Rarity already has wedding dress designs—"
Sunset cut her off by a hoof to the mouth. "Let's just see how tonight goes. We'll let you know what we decide."
Pinkie nodded. "Oki doki Loki. now, replicator, a plate of noodles and two croissants." While the replicator phased in pinkie's order, Sunset took hers and trotted on over to the table where her friends were already sitting, and sharing how their day went. As she got closer, she heard chuckling.
"No way. You actually got Sunset a holodeck recreation of Canterlot City?"
Starlight nodded. "Yeah. Albeit with the help of Sci-Twi, who had a much better chance of coding together holodeck subroutines than I did."
The whole table chuckled except Ivan. "Sci-Twi is Twilight's human counterpart, correct?"
Sunset nodded. "That's right Ivan. And, did Starlight tell you that the holograms if they girls are self aware, as in, they KNOW they're holograms?"
The whole table gasped. "What?!"
"They KNOW they're part of a computer simulation?!"
"That's not supposed to happen!"
Starlight and Sunset chuckled. "Well, there's really no rule or law saying that you can't create a self aware hologram. Not here."
"And certainly not in the Alternate Universe. Thank Celestia for that because otherwise this wouldn't have worked."
Luke raised an eyebrow. "Starlight, how exactly did this happen?"
Starlight giggled. "Let's just say it's lucky that Sunset didn't read any message addressed to me in her journal. I contact Sci-Twi over the holidays as soon as they canceled on us. I asked if she would be willing to code a program for an Alternate Universe piece of hi-tech equipment. Naturally she practically exploded with excitement and readily agreed to it. I told her the program had to be a virtual representation of Canterlot City with the appropriate amount of activity. Other than that she could go nuts. And go nuts she did when she added the self aware virtual versions of her and the girls."
Sunset raised an eyebrow. "You mean that wasn't your idea?"
"Sci-Twi said it would mean more to you if you could spend time with them without needing to set travel time aside for them. They know you can't just hop through the portal whenever now."
Sunset chuckled. "And that's why she's the smartest of the AU gang. Always thinking of things that no one else knew was needed."
Starlight chuckled and nodded. "That she does. And I'm thankful to her for helping me give you the perfect gift."
Sunset chuckled. "You didn't have to go to so much trouble. I would've been happy to just spend the day with you."
Starlight chuckled. "Yeah, but again, I know how much you miss the gang across the portal so I figured I'd work with them to get this together for you. Besides. It's worth it to see the smile you had on all day. Ooh I wish I had brought a camera."
Sunset and Starlight chuckled as a thought hit sunset. 'Well, if everything goes to plan in the next hour or so, you'll be seeing that smile multiplied by a lot more often.' Sunset was getting nervous just thinking about it. She was really going to do it, and this time the demon wouldn't be killing the mood like last time. 'So long as Jessica and Twilight don't try that Alicorn Winter Waltz routine tonight.' Sunset didn't blame them for what happened, there was no way they could've known it would play out like that. But that incident killed the romantic mood and ruined Sunset's plans, until now. The ring was in position, the song was picked out, and Sunset noticed that Jessica was wearing her necklace, the only thing that stopped the demon from projecting herself in any way shape or form. "I wonder how far along the mind manipulator is?" Sunset was about to ask when they all suddenly heard music coming from the stage.
T'Nea beamed. "And now starts the dance party." Everyone nodded as they positioned themselves to better see the stage. And the performers.
...
...
...
...
About a half hour of love songs and love themed tunes later, it was time for Cosmic Harmony to make their contribution to the entertainment. "Alright CH, lets rock on."
Rainbow smiled and nodded. "Aw yeah. Come on Rara, Spike. Let's sing our hearts out."
Fluttershy and Applejack arched an eyebrow. "Rainbow?"
"Rara?"
"What's going on?"
Rainbow and Rara chuckled. "Just a little collab with Cosmic Harmony. To celebrate the occasion.
"Hope you like it AJ."
Spike nodded. "As for me... Jessica, could you maybe..."
Jessica understood where Spike was getting at and pulled out her phone. After a little scrolling down, she pressed the button that would connect her phone to the communications station used by Sweetie Belle. While everyone else started for the stage, Jessica and Spike stayed back to make sure Sweetie answered, which she did in a few seconds as the screen blipped on to show the white unicorn. "Sweetie Belle, Hi. How're you?"
Sweetie smiled. "Hey Jessica. I'm good. You?"
"Never better. Hey, Spike wanted me to call." Jessica passed the phone off to Spike, who took it and smiled. "Hey sweetie. How's it going?"
Sweetie chuckled. "Good. Are you guys still at the party?"
Spike nodded. "Yeah. But I've been working on something that I want you to see. Heading up to the stage now actually."
Sweetie grinned. "You're going to sing for me?"
Spike nodded. "Yeah. Just let me set you up to the right viewing angle." Spike turned to Jessica. "How do you..."
Jessica chuckled and reached behind her phone's case to flip out the stand. She set the phone down in the direction of the stage. "There. Can you see the stage alright Sweetie?"
Sweetie nodded. "Yeah. I can see the stage. Break a leg Spike."
Spike nodded as he and Jessica made their way to the stage. Rarity took the opportunity and scooted in front of the phone. "Hello dear sister. How have you been?"
Sweetie chuckled. "I've been good Rarity. Hearts and Hooves day was good for me. What about you and Pinkie?"
"Oh it was fantastic. You'll never believe where she took me. Oh it was so romantic."
Sweetie chuckled. "Paris, France. The most romantic city on earth."
Rarity's mourn dropped. "How could you possibly know that?"
"Pinkie told Spike and Spike told me."
Rarity shot pinkie a look. "Way to ruin the reaction I wanted to get from Sweetie Belle."
Sweetie chuckled. "Don't worry. I'm still jealous. I've always wanted Spike to take me to Prance. But you and Twilight said that we were too young to go on our own."
"You are." Rarity deadpanned. "Dragons age differently, and you are still a filly, perhaps when you are both older."
Sweetie rolled her eyes. "Fine. Just shoot the love train off the rails why don't you."
Rarity chuckled. "Just doing my job as your big sister." She heard the tapping of a microphone and lit up. "Ooh. They're starting!" She scooted out of Sweetie's sight so she could see the stage.
"Alright folks. Everyone having a good day?" Luke was met with a lot of cheering.
Jessica chuckled. "Good. Now, some very good friends of ours asked us if we could do musical accompaniment to their special Valentine's Day performance to their special someponies. And we figured, why not? So here are your singers, Rainbow Dash, Rara, and Spike! Ivan, go!"
The song came to an end and the crowd was going wild, clapping and cheering. Applejack and Fluttershy were smiling like dorks, and Sweetie Belle was cheering. They watched as Cosmic Harmony, Rainbow, Rara, and Spike took a bow and get off the stage. Though Rara stayed on it. Fluttershy jumped onto Rainbow as soon as she returned to the table and gave her a big and passionate kiss. "That was amazing! I had no idea you could sing like that!"
Rainbow chuckled. "I guess you bring out many hidden talents. Also, AJ, Rara will be along after she helps Sunset out."
Applejack and Starlight raised an eyebrow. "She's helping Sunset out?"
Starlight looked to where Sunset was sitting, only to find the space empty. "What the, how did she slip away?"
While Starlight was confused, Sweetie and Spike were having their own conversation. "Spike That was amazing! Ooh I wish I was there in person."
Spike nodded. "Thank goodness for interstellar communication technology. Hey Jessica, is is ok if I step out with your phone so I can talk to Sweetie in private?"
Jessica nodded. "Just don't kiss the screen. And watch the battery level. Last I checked it was at 50% and video calls tend to be power hungry."
Spike nodded and took off with Jessica's phone. Back over to starlight, she was trying to find out what Sunset was planning. "Does anypony know what Sunset's up to?"
Rarity giggled. "Oh, you'll find out soon enough darling."
Over on the stage. Sunset took a deep breath. 'This is it.' Giving a light nod to Rara, who nodded back from the piano, she stepped up to the mic and cleared her throat. "Hey everyone. I'm, Sunset Shimmer, and I've been thinking about doing this for a while. A year an a half a go, I fell for the most beautiful mare in the world. And she's made me happier than ever in my life. Starlight, thank you for all the memories, and I hope that I can return the favor right now. Would you step forward please?"
Starlight, only imagining what was happening, got up out of her seat and walked up to a few meters from the stage. Sunset continued. "Starlight, there's something I've been meaning to ask you, and after some debate, this is how I'm gonna do it. Rara."
Rara nodded and starting playing.
(Imagine a girl singing and replace hand with hoof and man with mare, otherwise same song)
As the song reached its final verse, J-35 opened her compartment and extended the small black box, sunset, who had gotten of the stage to stand directly in front of Starlight by that point, lit her horn and used her magic to summon the box. The instant Starlight lay eyes on the box, her brain connected all the dots and realized what was going on, as did everyone else who had two functioning brain cells. All starlight could do was cover her mouth with her hooves and let the tears flow.
The song eased out and Sunset looked into Starlight's tear filled eyes lovingly. "Starlight glimmer—" she opened the box to reveal a silver ring with a gem on it. The gem was carved in a way where Sunset's cutie mark was one half, and Starlight's was the other. The perfect merger. "—will you marry me?"
Starlight was in total shock. This was the last thing she expected Sunset to do today, because she didn't notice any signs that it was coming. All the same, Starlight's heart was beating faster than ever with joy. She answered Sunset in the only way she could. The only way she ever wanted. "YES!!" She tackled Sunset to the ground in a bone crushing hug and pulled her into a passionate kiss. The cheers and applause of their peers around them fell on death ears.
Over at their table the gang was smiling as they cheered. T'Nea actually had a tear of her own in her eye. "My god that was so romantic."
Luke chuckled. "Yeah. And who knew Sunset had such a beautiful voice all on her own."
Twilight chuckled. "She really does."
Jessica nodded. "I agree. Also, J-35?"
J-35 swerved her head around to look at Jessica. She let out a questioning beep. Jessica smiled and raised her hand out. "Up top. You are awesome." J-35 beeped happily as she extended one of her arm attachments and high-fived Jessica.
Back to where the newly engaged couple was finally getting off the ground. Sunset took the ring out of the box and carefully slid it onto Starlight's horn. Once the ring was in place, Starlight grabbed her in her forelegs in another hug, crying tears of joy. "This is the best day of my life. Thank you Sunset."
Sunset smiled as she returned the hug. "Anytime hon. Anytime." They stayed that way for a good minute, not even caring that the cheering had died down and people were starting to return to their own conversations. The world could've frozen over, and they wouldn't have cared. All that mattered in that moment was that they had each other. And they both knew it would stay that way forever.
................
‘Dear AU Gang,
Whoever has the journal right now, make sure the others see this because this is a message for all of you. How was everyone’s Valentine’s Day? Mine and Starlight’s was fantastic. Thank you girls so much for helping her with that VR program. I had an absolute blast, but holograms can never replace the real thing. Hopefully I can set some time aside to come and visit. I miss you guys. Oh, and guess what? Guess who is now engaged and set to be married in the future? That’s right. Starlight said yes! Pinkie, since I know you’re gonna want to, we’d really like it if you would help the Equestrian Pinkie Pie plan our wedding, which you are all invited to of course. Anywho, I’m exhausted so I’m gonna wrap this up. Hopefully you are all doing well and I hope to see you something soon.
Love,
Sunset Shimmer.