//------------------------------//
// Chapter 15 
// Story: Sunset Shimmer and the Castle of Everfree 
// by HAKDurbin 
//------------------------------//

The next few years were hard for the people of Everfree. 
As king, Rough Draft worked hard to show his integrity as the new leader of the country. He explained what the Celestial family did as best as he could to his allies, along with burying the bodies that were in the catacombs and starting a campaign for finding and destroying Horse Bills all over the world. The reveal of the counterfeit operation caused severe issues for not just Everfree but the global economy with nations doing everything they could to arrest the people who commissioned the fake bills. Some democratic leaders like Chancellor Neighsay were impeached or forced to resign, while monarchs who ordered the bills lost immeasurable trust and respect from their people, weakening their rule. Even Rough Draft's citizens struggled to adjust to him as their new ruler and that they had lost one of their royal families with the smaller family ruling. 
Thankfully, by Rough Draft's fifth year as king, the world was slowly adjusting. There were still many things to be done, and no one would ever find all of the counterfeit bills, but many of the nations of the world were able to bring their economies back into balance. With the general trust of his allies regained, Rough Draft finally shared the discovery of the ancient city to the other countries. The city became a popular tourist attraction, and historians and scholars wanted to discover more about the city, the floodgate, and how it was hidden. Rough Draft refused to say anything about the rings or the legend, but he was thankful that so many people found as much value to the lost city as he did. 
True to his word, Rough Draft also had much of Castle Everfree remodeled to remove all of the traps. The printing presses were destroyed, and the stairway to the printing room was boarded. A new altar was built over it that was not overly glamorous like the one before. Rough Draft made Applejack the head of the castle, and she oversaw hiring new staff and security. 
Sadly, during Rough Draft's third year as king, Winona passed away. She was nearing her fifteenth year when she was growing weak. Rough Draft was upset that he was there for only a third of her life, but at the same time, the loyal dog and her master were grateful that she was able to live the rest of her days by his side. Applejack and Rough Draft privately buried Winona near the abandoned shack, and the two of them visit her grave whenever they could. 
All the while, Rough Draft waited patiently for Sunset to return. Some of the princesses and other high-class women from other countries became interested in meeting him when the world began to believe in his quality as king. His citizens started to hope that he would find someone to marry if for no other reason than because they were worried that they might suddenly lose their last loyal family before he did. But Rough Draft refused to look for a wife, for he continued to believe that Sunset would find a way for the two of them to be together. He would see articles about her latest heists in the newspaper, which were amusing to read, but at the same time, he would worry about whether or not she'll be able to come back at the rate that she kept causing trouble for the world.
But then one morning during his fifth year, Rough Draft was sleeping in his bedroom when there was a loud knock on the door. He groggily got up and put on his bed robe before opening the door to reveal Applejack holding out a newspaper with a sad look. Rough Draft wondered what was wrong until he looked at the headline on the front page of the newspapers.

International Criminals Sunset Shimmer And Starlight Glimmer Killed In A Gas Explosion 

Rough Draft snatched the newspaper from Applejack's hands and stared at the page in disbelief. The article said that Sunset and Starlight were in the middle of a robbery in Baltimare when the bank was suddenly surrounded by police aided by Twilight and her squadron. They distracted the police with smoke bombs and then drove past them with their car, but the slug bug was only half a mile away before it exploded. By the time the fire department came, there wasn't much of the car left. It was examined that there was a gas leak that caused the explosion, but there wasn't enough evidence to say for sure. When Twilight had the entire area of the bank thoroughly checked and found no proof that Sunset and Starlight were still there or used the car as a distraction to escape, it was declared that they were in the car when it exploded.
Few words could describe how devastated Rough Draft was. His heart broke as he read the article numerous times, looking for some hint that it was a hoax. Applejack walked over to hug him before he started breaking down in tears. 
From that day on, the King of Everfree was spiritless. He forced himself to appear strong and wise in front of his citizens and his allies, but even if it was enough for the rest of the world, the people of Everfree could tell that something was different. Whenever he wasn't carrying out his duties, he would stay in the castle library and read, hoping that any of the countless stories it had to offer could numb the pain. 
Eventually, Applejack decided to try and force Rough Draft to find a wife for him. As head of the castle, she made appointments for Rough Draft to meet with princesses and high-class women. He was kind, patient, and listened to what they said as any man should, but he never agreed to a second meetup with any of them. The more he rejected, the more Applejack was worried about his well being.

********************************************************************************************

It was a year after the news of Sunset's death, and Rough Draft was in the castle library spending the Saturday afternoon lying on a sofa and reading a book. A record player quietly played music on a table near the couch as he read. He was reading a book about two adventurers going on a journey to find and destroy a white jewel that an evil emperor wants to control a terrible beast for his destructive desires. The story was perfect entertainment for a reader like Rough Draft, but he looked through the pages with a melancholy look in his eyes. 
There was a knock on the door, and Applejack quietly entered the library wearing a pine green suit. She walked over to Rough Draft, who kept his eyes on his book, pretending he didn't hear her come in. She frowned, knowing what he was doing, and turned off the record player to get his attention.
"Turn it back on," Rough Draft said, without looking at Applejack. 
"No, it's time for your next appointment," Applejack announced in a motherly way.
"It's Saturday. I don't have any appointments," Rough Draft said. 
"You do now," Applejack said. "There's a princess who just came to Everfree and wishes to meet you."
"Tell her she needs to schedule an appointment a week in advance like everyone else," Rough Draft said.
"Nope. I already accepted her request, and you're meeting her right now," Applejack said.
Rough Draft frowned and put his book down before standing up to face Applejack.
"That's not what we agreed on, Applejack," he said.
"Tough luck, Your Highness. You're gonna meet this lady, and you're gonna start a courtship with her," Applejack said.
"You can't make me start a relationship with someone I don't know, Applejack," Rough Draft said.
"Maybe, but I can try," Applejack said.
"And how do you know meeting her won't end up like with all of the other women?" Rough Draft challenged.
"How do you know it won't?" Applejack countered.
"You know how," Rough Draft replied.
Applejack sighed and said, "Look, Rough Draft, it's been a year. Do you think Sunset would be okay with you constantly refusing to open up to someone else?"
"I think she'd understand if I can't connect with someone else no matter how much I try," Rough Draft said.
"She'd also want you to be happy," Applejack said. 
"Happy? Happy? Applejack, Sunset is the only person I've been in love with for most of my life," Rough Draft said. "Why should we still be putting any of these women's hopes up when they're going against the memory of someone who risked her life multiple times to save me? It's not fair to them."
"I realize that, but you should still try," Applejack said. "Think of it this way; Sunset risked her life so that you could be free to live your life. Would you really be honoring her memory by not trying to live your life to the best of your ability just because she can't be here with you?"
Rough Draft flinched at Applejack's words. He still saw little hope in finding someone he would want to marry, but he would never want to dishonor Sunset's memory no matter what. As much as he wanted to go back to his book, he knew that he should make an effort for his beloved. 
"Fine," he said. "Where am I meeting her?"
"She's outside in the hall waiting to come in here right now," Applejack said.
Rough Draft looked at Applejack, confused, and asked, "She wants to meet in the library and not one of the courtyards? That's unusual."
"Well, she said she has a thing for books," Applejack replied.
Rough Draft stared at the head of his castle, still puzzled by the information. Many of the women who made appointments to meet him weren't the type to want to meet in a part of the castle that is not considered a proper place to meet potential suitors. He started to wonder if there might be something special about this princess that he might already have something in common with. It seemed like an opportunity Sunset might want him to take.
"Very well. Let her in," he said.
"Yes, Your Highness," Applejack said.
Applejack walked back to the library entrance, opened the door, and leaned her head outside, calling out, "Come on in, sugarcube." She moved back and held the door open for a veiled woman in a yellow and purple-pink dress to come in. Her body was covered from top to bottom, for the golden veil completely covered her head and went down to her chest, the sleeves of her dress covered her arms up to her wrists, she was wearing white gloves, and her skirt nearly touched the floor. Rough Draft would have confused the figure for an animated statue or puppet of sorts had not a soft voice come out from behind the veil. 
"Your Majesty," she greeted with a bow. "I am grateful that you have allowed me to see you on such short notice."
"Not at all," Rough Draft said politely with a friendly smile. "It would be abysmal of me not to make time for a foreigner in my kingdom, Ms…?"
"Oh, dear me. I haven't introduced myself. Have I?" The woman said, acting sheepish. "I am Princess Sunshine, if it pleases you, Your Grace."
Rough Draft flinched at the sound of the woman's name that made his heart feel like it had suddenly been stabbed by a nail that was hammered to his chest. Rough Draft quickly regained his friendly smile before Princess Sunshine lifted her head back up.
"Sunshine. That's a pretty name," he said.
"You're too kind, Your Highness," Princess Sunshine said.
"Er, please just call me Rough Draft," Rough Draft said.
Princess Sunshine was silent for a second, presumably smiling through her veil before she said, "Very well, Rough Draft."
Applejack smiled and said, "Well, I'll leave you two alone. Let me know if you need anything."
"Thank you, Applejack," Rough Draft said. 
The gamboge woman gave her king a bow before she left the room. Unknown to Rough Draft, she secretly glanced at him and smirked before she closed the door behind her. Rough Draft turned to Princess Sunshine, who was looking at the many books on the bookshelves. He took a deep breath out of hopes that it might help keep his cool around the woman with a name that was Sunset's nickname before he struck a conversation.
"So…" he began awkwardly. "Applejack said you have a thing for books?"
"I do," Princess Sunshine answered, still browsing. 
"Do you have a favorite genre?" Rough Draft asked.
"Oh, yes, I do," Princess Sunshine replied as she turned to face him with her hands clasped together. "I love adventure and suspense stories. They keep me wondering what happens next. Why sometimes I stay up later than I should at night because I'm so eager to know how a story ends. Each one is quite an experience. Don't you agree?"
"Yes, I do," Rough Draft answered. "I enjoy reading adventure books myself."
"Is that what you were reading before the head of the castle, and I came in?" Princess Sunshine asked, pointing at Rough Draft's book that he left on the sofa. 
"Yes, it is," Rough Draft answered. 
Princess Sunshine walked over to the sofa and picked up the book. She examined the front cover with an intrigued, "Mmm," and Rough Draft watched, still struggling to keep his cool. So far, she seemed like a nice person with similar interests as him, but he was still uncomfortable about her name. He began to wonder if he could eventually overcome his unease if he decided to pursue a courtship with Princess Sunshine. It would be a challenge to hide it from her, but he didn't want to hurt her feelings.
"Rough Draft, can I ask you something?" Princess Sunshine asked as she put down the book. 
Rough Draft broke from his train of thought before he shook his head, and politely said, "Certainly."
"Is there something wrong with my name?" Princess Sunshine asked, turning to him. 
 Rough Draft froze like a statue. Even though he could not see her face, he imagined Princess Sunshine looking at him with a hurt or skeptical look. For several seconds he was speechless, struggling with how to answer.
"Wrong, my lady?" He asked. "Why would there be anything wrong with your name? I said it was a pretty name."
"I saw you flinch while I was bowing," Princess Sunshine answered. "Something about my name bothers you."
"Uh, no, that's not it. I was just taken aback by what a nice name it is," Rough Draft fibbed.
"Don't lie to me," Princess Sunshine rebuked. "I don't appreciate being lied to, Rough Draft. If you're even half the decent man that I've heard you are, then I want you to tell me the truth. What's troubling you?"
Rough Draft winced and looked away shamefully. He didn't want to tell someone that he had just met about Sunset, but he owed an explanation after offending the woman. He sighed and faced Princess Sunshine sadly.
"I apologize, my lady," he said. "It's just that sunshine was a nickname for someone close to me."
Princess Sunshine gasped softly and held her hand close to her covered mouth.
"Oh, I'm sorry," she said. "Was it for a close relative or a friend?"
"A girlfriend," Rough Draft answered. "She passed away not too long ago."
"Oh, I see," Princess Sunshine said. "You automatically thought of her when you heard my name?"
"I did," Rough Draft said. "I don't want to hurt your feelings, madame, but it's hard to hear your name when my late-girlfriend is what I might always think about when I hear that name. She meant everything to me."
"I'm happy to hear that, babe."
 At that moment, Rough Draft's eyes widened, and his heart skipped a beat. Princess Sunshine's voice did not sound like it did before. It almost sounded like a different voice altogether. It sounded familiar. Sounded like the voice of someone precious to him. 
The king stared at the woman as she slowly lifted her veil to reveal Sunset Shimmer looking at the love of her life with a heartfelt smile. Her rose necklace was shown hanging around her neck. By the time Rough Draft processed what just happened, he was already rushing into Sunset's arms. 
The amber woman let out a moan of pleasure as her beloved pressed his lips against hers fervently. She wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him closer to deepen the kiss while he squeezed her. When they parted, Rough Draft studied Sunset's face to make sure that she was there. The king beamed as Sunset placed her hands on his cheeks, but then he frowned and suddenly slapped her upside the head. 
"Ow! What the heck, babe?" Sunset asked, rubbing the top of her head. 
"Don't 'what the heck, babe' me," Rough Draft rebuked. "What were you thinking, putting on an act like that? You should have just revealed that it was you right away. And you didn't keep your promise about being careful out there."
"I wanted to surprise you," Sunset said. "And I was careful. The whole thing with the car blowing up was completely a trick. Starlight and I planned the whole thing months before we robbed that bank."
"That shockingly doesn't make me feel better," Rough Draft said. "Do you have any idea what I've been going through?"
Sunset looked at him sadly and said, "Yeah, Applejack told me. I wanted to come back to you as soon as we were declared dead or at least give you a letter or something so that you knew what was going to happen, but I couldn't risk it. Starlight and I had to stay low all this time so that the world would believe that we're really dead while we created our new identities. If I wasn't careful, the whole thing would have been ruined, and I might never have been able to come back. I didn't want to risk it when the chance to be together with you again was on the line."
Rough Draft's anger weakened as he began to understand her explanation. Sunset's frown deepened as she moved closer to him and placed her hands on his cheeks again.
"I'm so sorry for all the misery you've been going through, Rough Draft," she said. "Not a day went by that I wasn't worried about what you've been going through, but I'm here now. I'm going to stay by your side always, okay?"
Rough Draft was silent again, making Sunset unsure of what his response was going to be. Then he smiled with his eyes watering and said, "Sunshine, I'm never letting you out of my sight again."
Sunset smiled back before the two of them kissed again. When they parted, they hugged each other with their eyes closed, Rough Draft's arms around Sunset's back, Sunset's left arm around his neck, and her right hand stroking his hair. Tears came down Rough Draft's face as he rested his head against Sunset's. For several minutes, they kept holding each other, treasuring the heartwarming reunion until Rough Draft broke the silence.
"So, is Princess Sunshine a genuine identity?" He asked. 
Sunset chuckled with her mouth closed before she pulled her head back and said, "Yep. That's legally my name."
"Does that mean you're in a royal family from a different country or something?" Rough Draft asked.
"Not exactly," Sunset said hesitantly. "You see, Princess Sunshine doesn't have a kingdom. She's just a princess."
"Uh, you can't be just a princess, Sunset," Rough Draft said.
"You can if your citizens are so eager for you to marry that they don't care who you choose as long as she has the title of princess or has a lot of money," Sunset said. "I've been hearing about how you've been attracting quite a few ladies for being the leader I knew you’d be and how not courting any of them is driving your people crazy. I don’t think what kingdom Princess Sunshine comes from is a concern for them as long as you court somebody. After all, they didn’t mind that it was so sudden that Adagio was wooing you as long as it looked like the royal families were going to be reunited.”
“I guess that’s true,” Rough Draft said. “And I guess the name Sunshine is supposed to be your legal name to make it easier for me on what to call you from now on?”
“Something like that,” Sunset said. “You can call me whatever you want when we’re alone, but calling me by my nickname wouldn’t be a bad idea for when we’re in public. Don't want to confuse them by calling me Sunset."
"Gotcha," Rough Draft said. "But what about Starlight. Where is she?"
"She moved to the Crystal Empire under the name Blazing Guns," Sunset answered. "She's a weapons specialist for the empire's army. Last I saw her, she's having a ball, handling all sorts of weapons. She's even started dating the emperor's right-hand man, Sunburst, or Sunblast, or something along those lines."
"And what about Fizzlepop?" Rough Draft asked.
Sunset looked at Rough Draft, confused for a moment until she remembered that Fizzlepop is Tempest's real name, and said, "She's still selling weapons and gadgets and stuff from the Badlands. We offered to make her part of the plan so that she could start a new life too, but she's content with where she is."
"I see," Rough Draft said. "And I suppose you're hoping to live here in Castle Everfree?"
"Maybe," Sunset said with a playful smirk.
"Then you should be aware that the king and the person he's courting can't live in the same place unless they are engaged," Rough Draft said.
"I do," Sunset said. "And I was planning to fix that. I'm not saying we should get married right away, of course. We should start our relationship again and develop it further first. We haven't been officially dating in sixteen years, you know."
"I completely agree, Sunshine," Rough Draft said. "So, there's just one thing for me to do."
Rough Draft took a step back and got down on one knee. He opened his mouth to speak until Sunset smirked and said, "What do you think you're doing, mister?"
"Uh, isn't it obvious? I'm proposing to you," Rough Draft said, confused. 
"No, you're not," Sunset said. "I made the suggestion, so I'm the one who is going to propose."
"But I'm the one who has to do it under law," Rough Draft said. "It's the king or prince who is supposed to choose his suitress."
"Babe, I may be going legit now, but no one has to know who proposed to who when it's just us here," Sunset said. "Besides, I'm the one with a ring."
Sunset stretched out her hand, and with a flick, a small, black box appeared. The king looked at her, surprised by the magic trick as she got down on her knees. The amber woman smiled as she opened the box to reveal a silver band.
"Rough Draft, I know I said something similar when I left, but you're the only thing I value more than any riches in the world," Sunset began. "We’ve been apart for most of the time that we've known each other, but now I want us to stay together for the rest of our lives. I'm never going to steal or manipulate anyone ever again, and I want to help you lead your people - our people to a brighter future. Will you marry me?"
The edges of Rough Draft's mouth curled up, and he looked deep into Sunset's cyan eyes as he said, "I will." Sunset beamed and put the ring on Rough Draft's right hand before the two of them started kissing again. They then hugged each other again, still on their knees with Sunset stroking her fiance's hair again as she rested on his shoulder. 
"Did you tell Applejack that you're going to propose?" Rough Draft asked.
"I gave her a hint," Sunset answered. 
"Of course, you did," Rough Draft said. "We'll need her to prepare a room for you to stay in while we're engaged."
"Sounds good as long as it's not the bedroom at the top tower," Sunset said. 
"As you wish," Rough Draft said. "Though I should note that there aren't any traps in the castle as I promised."
"Good," Sunset said. "And I want to have a private wedding before we publicly get married."
Rough Draft moved his head back to look at Sunset, still holding her, and asked, "Why?"
"So that I've married you as Sunset Shimmer and not Princess Sunshine," Sunset explained. "I want to have a separate wedding license that signifies that I'm Sunset Draft of the Lunar family."
Rough Draft smiled and said, "I like that idea. Though our family is going to be acknowledged as just the royal family and not the Lunar family since it's the only royal family left."
"Maybe, but I prefer to address it as the Lunar family," Sunset said. "After all, I'm going to be your wife, and as the queen, I'll have the duty to bear the next generation of your family."
Rough Draft grinned and said, "You already think about us having kids?"
"Well, we definitely shouldn't have kids as soon as we're married, but I've thought about it over the last six years," Sunset said while walking her fingers up Rough Draft's chest. "I was thinking we have a girl first, then a boy, and then a twin boy and girl so that we have two of each. Of course, since you're the one who was raised with loving parents, I'll need your help with learning to be a good mom."
Rough Draft chuckled with his mouth closed and said, "Well, we're going to be by each other's side for the rest of our lives, so we have to figure it out together. Besides, someone has to keep a close eye on our kids to make sure they don't develop habits of lying and stealing like their mischievous mother."
"Mischievous?" Sunset asked, pretending to be offended with her hand on her chest. "How dare you speak to me that way. I'm going to be the queen."
"And right now, you're just a princess," Rough Draft replied with a teasing smirk. "Heck, realistically speaking, you're not even really that."
"Excuse you, buddy, I may not be a real princess, but I still deserve respect as your fiance," Sunset said. 
"Heh. Yeah, you're right," Rough Draft said. "And even if you're not the queen of Everfree, you are the queen of my heart."
Sunset burst out laughing, holding on to her gut as tears ran down her face. Rough Draft waited patiently, still on his knees as Sunset curled into a ball as she laughed. 
"Did you get that from one of your books?" Sunset asked in mid laughter.
"I may have read something along those lines in one or two of them," Rough Draft answered, smirking.
"Bookworm," Sunset giggled.
"Thief," Rough Draft countered. 
Sunset continued to laugh for another minute before she calmed down and stood back up on her knees to look into the king’s emerald eyes with a fond smile. She then placed her hand on Rough Draft’s cheek before they lean their foreheads together as they stared into each other’s eyes. For the next several minutes, the couple cherished the feeling that their future was secure, already thinking about the days that they will eventually marry and start a family. Then, Rough Draft stood up, confusing Sunset as he walked over to a bookshelf containing several records.
“What are you doing?” Sunset asked.
“I was just thinking that we never got to finish our dance on my birthday all those years ago,” the king answered as he took out a record and turned to face Sunset again. “Since we’re back together with no need to keep our love a secret, I think now’s a good time to fix that. That is if my bride-to-be wishes.”
  Sunset looked at Rough Draft touched and said, “I’d like nothing more.”
Rough Draft smiled and walked to the record player to switch records. When he put the needle on the record and turned the player on, he held his right hand out to Sunset and said, “My Silver Gleam.”
“My Flaming Arrow,” Sunset replied as she took his hand.
Rough Draft pulled her close until their noses were almost touching and wrapped his arm around her waist. Sunset, in turn, put her free hand on his back, and the two of them slowly moved back and forth as jazz music started playing. Sunset snuggled her head on Rough Draft’s shoulder and closed her eyes as she felt Rough Draft resting his head against hers. The amber woman let out a blissful sigh and tightened her hold on her future husband, feeling complete. Her adventures as a master thief were over, and the adventure she waited so long to start with Rough Draft had finally begun. With a joyful smile on her face, she moved her head back to stare into the eyes of her most precious treasure before they leaned in for a kiss.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K-lr-lNOUgs 




	The end