"Far better that I have a student who understands the meaning of self-sacrifice, than one who only looks out for her own best interests."
- Princess Celestia
- Six Months Later -
"Sunset? You all right?"
"Hm? Oh, yeah. I'm fine. You worry too much, Rainbow."
Sunset pushed herself up by the palm of her hands, squinting as the motion brought her vision parallel with the setting sun. This new world never failed to surprise her with its quirks. No magic, copies of ponies from Equestria, and a sun that set at different times depending upon the season.
Cutting across the burning sky was the figure of a girl in a loose-fitting soccer kit, balancing a ball on the tip of her shoe. Rainbow Dash hadn't disappointed her reputation as a sports fanatic. In fact, this was the first time in over a week Sunset and her had found time to relax together in the evening. Of course, Rainbow's idea of "relaxing" was showing off while Sunset watched, but she could live with that.
And of course, she had been just as valuable an asset as Sunset had hoped. Though she felt somewhat ridiculous climbing a high school social ladder, the payoff was undeniable. It didn't hurt that she had quickly become Canterlot's resident academic prodigy - so much so that Principal Celestia had let her organize and deliver after-school remedial classes. Most of them were useless cretins, of course, but two - Snips and Snails - showed promise as underlings.
With an effortless flick of her heel, Rainbow Dash sent the ball flying into the air. She shot her arm out without even glancing up once, and seconds later it landed in the palm of her hand. Sunset shook her head in amusement.
"Neat. How long did it take you to learn that one?"
Rainbow's face split into a cocky grin. "A few hours. It's all in the angle. I'd show you, but I don't think Miss Goody Two-Shoes would have time in between her special classes and Principal Celestia ass-kissing sessions."
Sunset stuck out her tongue. "We'll see who's laughing in ten years when I'm relaxing in my palace and you're serving me coffee."
"You wish." Rainbow kicked the ball into the air once again, this time letting it fall to her feet. "I'm gonna be captain of Wonderbolts FC by the time you've graduated from whatever egghead degree you end up doing." Stooping down to pick up the soccer ball, she stuffed it into the duffel bag slung around her shoulder, before extending Sunset her hand. "Come on, get up. I'm bored."
"Well, what do you want to do?" Sunset asked, reaching for Rainbow's hand and pulling herself upright.
"I don't know, anything? We could steal some of my mom's beer and get hammered."
"You know we have school tomorrow, right?"
Rainbow pulled a face at the predictable response. "Ugh. Gilda wouldn't care about something like that."
"This would be the same Gilda in juvie for battery?"
"She didn't do it. Lawyer screwed her over." Dash muttered. "Doesn't matter anyway. Mom would definitely notice. We could go to Applejack's farm and steal some of their cider."
Sunset closed her eyes and shook her head. "Did you listen to a word I just said? Don't you have rugby practice tomorrow? Actually, aren't you in charge of rugby practice tomorrow?"
Rainbow waved her hand dismissively. "It's like, weeks till we have a real game. They'll be fine. I don't wanna just go home tonight." She scuffed her heel into the dirt. "Fine, you come up with an idea and I'll take a dump on it."
Sunset shrugged. "We could go see the new Daring Do movie."
"I already downloaded it. Spoiler alert, it sucks. I can't believe A.K. Yearling would put her name on hot garbage like that."
"We can go back to yours and play video games."
"Didn't I just say I didn't want to go home? Besides, I'm supposed to be studying at yours for next week's physics test."
"We could go to Sweet Apple Acres and beat Applejack to death with a hammer."
Rainbow chucked. "Nice idea, but she'd see it coming. I don't want to give her an excuse to shoot me in self defence." She scratched her chin. "How come I've never been to your place? You've been to mine like, a million times."
"My sister doesn't like to be disturbed when she's studying. Which is pretty much always. Besides, it's a two-room apartment. What's there to see?"
Rainbow gave a low whistle. "You're lucky to live with your sister. I bet she wouldn't give a shit if you got wasted and came home at three every night. My mom would crucify me." She flushed crimson the second the words left her mouth. "Shit. Sorry, I didn't mean to be... you know, insensitive."
"It's fine." Sunset gave a weak smile. Having supposedly dead parents was a great sympathy-spinner, but that sympathy could become grating after a while. "I don't know. I can call Flash and see if he's doing anything."
Rainbow groaned louder. "I'm not gonna sit here and play third wheel for you and Mr Perfect. Why don't you let loose for once in your life?" She seized Sunset's arm and began to drag her along. "Come on, these are the best years of our lives. You really wanna spend them studying for exams you're gonna ace anyway?"
Sunset shook the arm Dash had gripped, more amused than irritated. "And what about you?"
"Who cares about school? Don't need straight A's to be a fucking superstar. Look, that new Flim Flam place sells booze to anyone whose ID isn't drawn in crayon. Stop being such a wimp." Rainbow let go of her arm and began to tap her feet impatiently instead. Rainbow's die-hard loyalty might be admirable, but she was irritatingly impulsive. Sunset knew she would sulk for a week if she didn't get what she wanted tonight. Maybe longer.
With a deep sigh, Sunset nodded. "All right. But I'm not blowing off school tomorrow. And I'm not gonna cover your ass for you this time."
In an instant, all of Rainbow's energy was back, and she seized Sunset's arm once again. "Sweet. Good to see you still got some life left in you. Come on, I'm buying."
Sunset took another sip from the can of lager, watching with concern as Rainbow smashed her third emptied can against her forehead and tossed it over her shoulder before reaching for another can. She knew from experience Dash could drink her under the table three times over, but experience had also taught her Rainbow was even more hotheaded than usual when she drunk.
The skies had darkened quickly, leaving only the dim glow of the moon and the humming streetlights overhead as the only source of light around them. The harsh, vertical beams of light highlighted every one of Rainbow's facial features in shadow, and she could be easily mistaken for an actor illuminated by stage lights.
Dash ripped open the new can's tab and took a swig. Suddenly, she gave a low chuckle. "Well, this sucks." She tried to make a joke out of it, but she couldn't keep the misery out of her voice.
"I thought it was your idea?"
"It wasn't my idea to sit on a park bench and get hammered! Or..." She squinted. "Was it?" Shaking her head dismissively, she continued. "Whatever. It does.... doesn't matter." She glanced down at Sunset's practically untouched six-pack. "Please tell me you're gonna drink more of that."
Sunset poked the remaining cans with her foot. Rainbow loved to complain about Sunset's drinking - or lack of it. "We don't all have an alcohol problem to feed, Rainbow. I keep telling you to relax."
Rainbow grimaced in displeasure. Sunset supposed she should be more sympathetic, but this scenario had played itself out too many times for her to count. Rainbow would get too drunk, feel bad about it, then try to get Sunset drunk too so she would feel better.
"How can I relax properly when you're sitting next to me with a stick jammed right up your..." Dash trailed off as her head swivelled across the park. "Look who it is."
The hairs on Sunset's neck pricked up at the sudden shift in Rainbow's voice. She suddenly sounded more sombre, though her speech was still slurred. Sunset followed her eyes until she spotted her target. Of course.
Rainbow downed the remainder of the beer can she had somehow already managed to finish and crushed it between her hands. "Applejack."
There was no mistaking the blonde hair, cowboy hat and baffling apple-centric taste in fashion. Beside her was a broad-shouldered young man pulling a crate with "Sweet Apple Acres" painted on the side out of a pickup. Sunset had only seen him a few times before, but it only took a few seconds to recognize Big Mac. The presence of Applejack's six-foot four brother didn't seem to deter Rainbow one bit, who had begun to growl like a feral dog.
Sunset reached over and placed a firm hand on Rainbow's shoulder, trying in vain to redirect her attention. "Easy there. Just ignore her."
Rainbow responded by swatting her arm away, not taking her eyes off Applejack for a second. "As if. I never got back at her for getting me suspended."
She muttered the words, dropping her can and grinding it into the dirt as she did so before balling her hands into fists. Without warning, she sprung to her feet, staggering backwards as the blood rushed from her head. "Hey! Farm girl!"
Applejack's head turned around, her already grim expression souring further at the sight of Rainbow Dash hollering at her. She turned around once more, and Sunset saw her lips move as she muttered something to Big Mac. This only seemed to rile Rainbow Dash up further, and she took an unsteady step in the pair's direction. Sunset grabbed her arm again, more to steady her than restrain her.
"Rainbow, leave it." Rainbow's faltered. Her expression read that she'd like nothing better than to get in another fight with Applejack, but something in Sunset's voice gave her pause.
"We're not in school. You really want me to have to call your mom and tell her she has to pick you up from a police cell?"
Sunset usually avoided bringing up Rainbow's family, but this time, it worked wonders. Rainbow stopped struggling, though her eyes continued to shoot daggers at Applejack from a distance.
"Fine." Rainbow collapsed back on the park bench. "She better leave me alone. If that bitch tries to get in my face..." She continued to mutter under her breath.
"I think she got the message." Sunset breathed a sigh of relief and sat back down, grimacing as Rainbow picked up another can and tore it open. She closed her eyes and massaged her temples. A police cell would have been an optimal outcome. Rainbow might well have ended up in a hospital bed if she'd decided to fight half the Apple clan single-handedly.
Lying back on the bench, Sunset let her mind wander for a few minutes. Her serenity was broken by the sound of soft footsteps approaching. She slowly opened her eyes, almost jumping out of her skin at the sight of Big Mac standing only a few feet away from them.
"Ah! God damn it!"
Big Mac didn't look too pleased to be greeted like that, but still he didn't say anything, merely jerking his head in Rainbow Dash's direction. "Sunset Shimmer? I wanted to speak to you. Applejack don't think it's a good idea, but ah figured now might be a good time."
Sunset's head turned around to be greeted by the sight of Rainbow Dash passed out, still clutching her fifth can of beer. Great.
"I guess you'd be right." Sunset eyed Big Mac wearily. "Look, I'm sorry. She's had too much to drink, and your sister and her don't really get on."
"Ah've heard all about Rainbow Dash from my sister. And ah don't want your apology. You ain't done nothing wrong. It's her what should be apologizin', making a scene and all. But ah don't suppose that's likely." He raised an eyebrow at the expression on Sunset's face. "Thought as much."
"She's a real angel when she wants to be. So, what do you want?"
"Ah want her an' Applejack to put this whole thing behind them. Ah'm not expecting them to become best friends, but if the two of them could stop kickin' the shit out of each other every time they meet, that's good enough for me."
Sunset glanced back at the passed out figure beside her. As the two of them watched, Rainbow muttered something that sounded remarkably like 'Applejack' in her sleep, before making a violent punching gesture.
"That might take some work." She squinted at Big Mac. "Why now? I mean, this has been going on for months."
Big Mac threw his thumb over his shoulder. "We was just dropping off some cider for the restaurant across the street when Rainbow decides to kick off. Ah don't care about schoolyard fights, but ah can't have them going at it when we're working. If we start getting into brawls during deliveries, folks are gonna stop buying from us. Can't let that happen." He eyed Dash with dislike. "That beating your friend gave my sister a few months ago was bad enough. Had to make deliveries on my own for a week."
Sunset cringed with embarrassment. "Yeah, I remember that. I get it. I'll try to talk her out of... it." She finished weakly.
Big Mac still didn't seem entirely convinced, but he gave her an appreciative nod anyway. "Thank you." He turned and walked two steps before turning to face her again.
"Do y'all want a lift? Ah just..." His eyes rested on the unconscious form of Rainbow Dash. "Ah don't know if I'd feel right letting y'all just walk home. I'm sure Applejack can keep the peace for the journey."
Sunset paused, before nodding slowly. "All right. But don't tell Rainbow I let you drive us home. She'd never trust me again."
Big Mac gave her a sheepish grin, scratching the back of his neck. "You got it."
Sunset directed them to Rainbow's house first, anxious not to give Applejack a chance to get her own back while Rainbow was still sleeping. Applejack, meanwhile, said nothing during the ride, merely sat silently in the passenger seat, hat tilted downwards to obscure her face. Mercifully, Rainbow didn't wake up on the ride over.
Resisting the urge to simply drop Rainbow on the doorstep, ring the bell and bolt, Sunset spent a few minutes helping Rainbow's mother heave her up the stairs and into her bed. To her relief, Windy Whistles didn't even try to lecture her, merely muttered a few words of thanks and showed her the door.
The drive back to Shim's apartment was as awkward as ever. Applejack broke her silence to argue in hushed tones with Big Mac for most of the drive, and both of then kept slipping her furtive looks they thought she couldn't see. Sunset breathed a sigh of relief as they pulled up outside the apartment complex. She took her time waving her thanks, waiting until the pickup was safely out of view. She definitely didn't want them knowing what flat she lived in.
The light outside Shim's flat hadn't worked for a few weeks now, shrouding the door in darkness to the extent that she didn't notice anything was wrong until she was a foot away. A folded sheet of paper had been taped to the door. Sunset frowned. It certainly hadn't been there when she'd returned earlier this afternoon. Probably a neighbour complaining about Shim's atrocious parking. Again.
Slowly, she ripped the sheet loose and unfolded it, breath catching in her throat as she saw what was inside. A crude depiction of her in pony form, complete with horn and cutie mark, rested above a message scribbled underneath in rough, spider-like handwriting.
We know.
Sunset slammed the door behind her, heart pounding so fast it threatened to rip straight out of her chest. She gripped the note in her fist, before crushing it and letting it drop to the floor.
Who!?! She was certain she hadn't been followed through the portal - unless Celestia had sent somepony after her. No, impossible. Shim had been waiting for her outside the portal, she would have seen anypony else come through. Why wait until now to make their move? And why would they warn her? And who was 'we'?
Sunset fought to keep her breathing under control as she wracked her brains. Shim was the only person who knew about her real origins - she was certain of that. Could she have told someone else?
Of course, that must have been it. Silently, Sunset cursed herself for trusting a human. She should go into Shim's room now and murder her. She didn't have her magic, but a sharp kitchen knife would do the job. She could dispose of the body tomorrow and hunt down her co-conspirators later.
But there was still the possibility that Shim was innocent. She couldn't afford to make any rash moves - in fact, that note was probably meant to scare her into acting too quickly. Silently, Sunset dropped to one knee and picked the note back up. Unfolding the crumpled ball, she studied the picture more intensely.
It was pretty accurate. Too accurate. And there were details Shim couldn't possibly have known. Her manestyle was correct. Shim knew about her cutie mark, but Sunset had never mentioned the size and exact location. It was even the right way around. The handwriting was crude and childlike, as if the author hadn't much experience writing with their hand.
But if not Shim, who? Sunset slowly folded the note and slipped it into her pocket. Of course, there could be another portal she didn't know about. But if Celestia wanted her hunted down, she wouldn't play games with her. There were plenty of times her spies could have abducted her and dragged her back to Equestria. Unless this was their way of putting her on edge so she would be more likely to slip up. The more she considered this idea, the more she became convinced. This note was a psychological weapon, not a heads-up.
Sunset parted the curtain on the nearest window and stared through at the motionless night. Drawing the bolt across the front door, she slid down the wall and pulled her knees inwards, mind racing. She needed to be careful. To start, she should avoid being alone in the future. Like tonight. It was lucky Big Mac had offered her a lift. She would have been easy prey trying to drag Rainbow home by herself.
But it wasn't enough to just hide. She had to do something. If she didn't want to spend the next two years looking over her shoulder, she needed to find who had been sent after her and kill them. And to do that, she needed to lure them out.
Walking into the kitchen, Sunset pulled open the cutlery draw and pulled out a short, thick, pointed knife. Just the weight of it in her hand made her feel a little better. She ran the tip of her finger down the spine. It would be an unpleasant, bloody affair killing someone with it, but at least now she wasn't completely defenceless. If only she had her magic!
And what if they did? Sunset's heart skipped a beat at the thought. If her assailants had bought Equestrian artefacts with them, it was even more important to deal with them as quickly as possible. She knew she wouldn't stand a chance against a magic user in a head on fight, but if she could dispatch at least one of them and steal their artefact, she could face an army of Royal Guards without a scratch.
She strengthened her grip on the knife, feeling a sharp bite as her nails dug into her palms. For some reason, she gave a shaky laugh as she remembered how her biggest problem an hour ago had been Rainbow and Applejack's drama. Talk about raised stakes. Forcing herself to refocus, she slowly laid the knife down on the kitchen table. Before she made any moves, she needed a plan. And more than that, right now, she needed rest. She could strategize tomorrow.
She hadn't expected to be able to sleep so easily, but as soon as her head hit the couch, the strength drained from her body, and she found her eyelids drooping. Sleep followed quickly after, a blanket of peace extinguishing the fire that had been lit inside her.
Sunset tossed in her sleep, her dreams filled with anxiety and dread. More than once, she awoke in a cold sweat, scanning the darkness for watching eyes, expecting assailants to leap from the shadows and seize her at any moment. The moon rose further still in the sky as she slept, illuminating the world in a sombre glow. As it reached its zenith, a figure in jeans and a loose-fitting hoodie slipped out of the darkness surrounding the apartment.
Pulling a torch from their waistband, they flashed the beam in the direction of the apartment door, nodding in satisfaction when they saw the notice had disappeared. Phase one was a go.
Of course, it could have been removed by the twin, but it wouldn't matter. The target would get the message anyway. It took all their resolve to fight the urge to break the door down and seize her as she slept. The wrong move would be catastrophic. Better to wait for the right opportunity.
Celestia knows they'd waited long enough.