//------------------------------// // 08 - Interlude // Story: EQUESTRIA GIRLS: Sunset's Not-Saga // by Soufriere //------------------------------// As day made its inevitable shift into evening, Sunset Shimmer and Sonata Duck, still stuck in an insane clip-art version of Ponyville, conferred amongst themselves. “We should probably find a place to stay for the night,” said Sonata, yawning. Sunset nodded in agreement. “Yeah. I’m starting to get tired too. This day seems to have gone on for months. How long have we been here anyway?” Long enough for me to completely forget that I wasn’t even close to wrapping up this storyline and for several people I know to die, replied the writer, making only his second appearance in the history of Sunset’s multiverse. Sonata jerked her head towards a nearby dark alleyway. Unnaturally dark. Her long blue ponytail taking a few seconds to catch up with her due to physics. “You look cute in that ponytail,” Sunset told her. “Ponytails are cute in general, so why do I always wear my hair down?” Not really up to me, the writer said. It’s y’all’s basic designs, and I’m lazy. So lazy in fact that I’m attacking this chapter in one go, almost literally pulling it out of my ass as I write. “That’s simultaneously impressive and stupid,” said Sunset. It’s also a lie. Turns out I was way too tired to keep my promise. So… fits and starts as per usual it is. Sunset scoffed. “You’ll never change. At this point you’re not even worth killing.” “Sunset,” said Sonata with a clear twinge of fear in her voice. “Are you not at all concerned about the disembodied voice coming from that alley? Or the cold green eyes glinting in what little light penetrates?” “Eh, it’s just the writer,” Sunset replied, flippant, before turning to him and saying, “Didn’t I kill you?” Well, yes. But that was a different timeline. I’m marginally impressed you two were able to drag me into this one, said the writer with at least some surprise. “That’s because this timeline makes no sense,” Sonata said bluntly. “Like I told Sunset before, and I know you know since you’re, like, the writer or something. Wait. Is that like a god?” In the sense that I created this multiverse and have a large amount of input in how things go, I guess you could call me one, the writer explained. And as for Sunset killing me, well, I got better. “So… Why am I here?” Asked Sonata. “If you control this world, you know I’m not supposed to be here. I’m working at the Burrito Barn. Or at least I should be.” Don’t worry about it. The Barn is closed for now due to a pandemic. In Equestria it’s Blue-Flu but in a marginally more realistic world like Canterville, it’s a virus called SEARS – Southeast Area Respiratory Syndrome. It’s basically influenza on steroids. Due to its high level of transmissibility, all restaurants and shops downtown are closed. Frankly you two are lucky to have been spirited away before it happened. “You’re telling and not showing,” Sunset snapped, irritated. “I thought you knew better than that.” Do you REALLY want me to spend multiple paragraphs going into detail about something that honestly has zero relevance to the plot at hand and probably won’t even exist when I shift focus back to the primary timeline? In this case, the infodump is more than sufficient. Anyway, you both look tired and have said as much. Why don’t y’all go crash at Twilight’s place? “And where, mister writer, is that?” Sonata asked, curious but also upset that the writer had failed to address the question about her presence in the story. You’re here because Sunset needed a friend to bounce conversation off of; she can’t be the only sane girl in this world. Also, the response from readers to my giving you a character arc was very positive. And you’re fun to write. All three Sirens are fun to write, but you’re the one who works best with Sunset, so, welcome to the crazy. As to the Twilight question, you both know her. Take a wild guess. “It’s that giant oak tree that has a ‘Library’ sign in front, isn’t it?” Sunset asked flatly. The writer did not respond. Sonata shrugged. “Well, let’s go and see if Twilight has a spare room. I mean, I don’t see how things can get much worse.” Nearby, Brad flailed violently, growling like the Tasmanian Devil. His suit had been ripped off to reveal a Predator body and dead blue eyes. “Quiet, you,” said Sunset.