//------------------------------// // Chapter 2- The Geodes // Story: Getting the Band Back Together // by Betsy //------------------------------// “Well, Ah’ll be.” Applejack said finding the object of her search. It was hidden behind a box of Christmas decorations, Etoile’s baby clothes, and her and her wife’s graduation gowns and hats. A smile crept onto AJ’s face as a flood of memories flooded her mind.  “What is it? Are they ok?” Asked Rarity.  Applejack made her way down the attic stairs holding a box in her hands. It wasn’t a dusty old shoebox that could’ve easily been thrown out. It also wasn’t some golden, triple lock, thumbprint, and eye scanning protected box.  “Is what ok?” Etoile asked noticeably frustrated. “I’m still confused. What’s happened? Why do you guys need to get those weird necklaces out again?”  Rarity shot Etoile a look to quiet her and said “I don’t know darling. That’s what Sunsets’ here to tell us. She just said to get out geodes and she’ll show us.”  Etoile rolled her eyes. She still wasn’t too sure about this “Sunset” girl. She knew she wasn’t dangerous, at least she hoped, and she seemed pretty nice. That still didn’t mean Etoile had to like her.  “Why don’t ya go n’make sure she’s enjoying her cider? And see if she wants an’athin’ else?” “Fiiiine” Etoile rolled her eyes and began walking downstairs to the kitchen. She walked in and saw Sunset looking intensely into a book. The book looked like a journal or diary, kinda old, maybe not used too often. She cleared her throat “Uhm. My Ma wanted me to see if you wanted more cider or anything else?”  Sunset looked up from her book, her thoughts interrupted. “Huh?” She asked not really having heard what Etoile said. “Oh, no thank you.” She forced a smile “it’s great”. “You haven’t had any…” Etoile said observing the still full cup of cider. “Do you want something else? I think Mom still has some sparkling water.” “Oh no, I’m fine sweetie.” Etoile gave her a look at her being called “sweetie”, sunset took notice. “Uh-sorry. I’m not too good with kids. Er, not that you’re a kid.” She was rambling, Sunset sighed. “I’m just,” she took a calming breath “kinda stressed. I haven’t seen your parents in over 20 years. We used to be super close but… I guess, we just grew apart.” Sunset looked up at Etoile who was wearing a blank expression.  It’s not that she didn’t care. Her mothers’ friend was clearly worried about something. If they needed to get those necklaces out again then she knew this might actually be serious. But at the same time this lady showed up at her house and now her parents are getting out those necklaces again. Etoile knew those things gave her moms their powers and even though she didn’t show it much anymore she loved them. She didn’t want them to have to fight anything or risk getting hurt. All these thoughts floating in her head give a nice resting bitch face, which often gave off the wrong vibe.  “Sorry” Sunset began apologizing “don’t mean to dump all this on you”  “Oh no it’s fi-“  “Here it i-“ Etoile was interrupted by her Mother who forcefully set the box on the table. Rarity’s almost slamming of the box made years’ worth of collected dust fly everywhere.  They all coughed and tried to shield their faces from the sudden cloud of dust.  “Ehh hehe” Applejack nervously laughed and rubbed the back of her head “sorry y’all. Guess we haven’t gotten them out in a while.”  “Oh, it’s fine. I don't use mine much these days  either.” Replied sunset.  “Well, what did you need them for anyway?” Asked rarity.  “Welllll…” sunset began to pull her geode necklace from her shirt but paused. She looked at Rarity and AJ and hinted at Etoile. “Is she- how much does- can I?” Sunset didn’t know how to phrase her question without revealing too much. She looked through Etoile’s memories briefly just to find out what she needed but she didn’t know how much she knew about her parent’s abilities. She clearly knew something but just Incase, Sunset didn’t want to reveal anything her parents didn’t want her to know.  Rarity picked up on what Sunset was asking and quickly eased her nerves. “Oh don’t worry about her darling.” She looked over to her daughter with a trusting and loving smile “She knows the basics, what we felt necessary to tell her.” Turning back to Sunset, Rarity continued “We’re proud of what we did back in the day and were always willing tell Etoile stories if she asked.”  Unfortunately the subject never really came up and because of that, the memories had started to fade.  Recently as the years go by things have been getting harder. Etoile felt that her Moms expected so much of her. Her mother’s words reminded her of when times were happier. She looked at her mother, then her Ma, and smiled.  In that brief instant, when Etoile gave Applejack a smile. She felt a happiness that she hadn’t felt in a while. Her family’s legacy was apples and her wife’s, fashion. She always hoped her daughter didn’t feel pressured to continue that legacy. Applejack thought that pressure was why Etoile had been acting out more and more these past months. That smile, she didn’t realize how much she’d missed her daughters some till she saw it again.  Sunset relived, showed the rest of her necklace.  “Oh my” gasped Rarity “Uhhh. I don’t remember them doin’ that.” AJ quavered.  Etoile looked at the necklace. It was pretty, red and orange with a sun in the middle that looked like the pin on her shirt. But it was glowing. She got a sense from the others that it wasn’t supposed to do that.  “Princess Twilight from Equestria wrote to me in the journal the other day. We used to comunícate often but now only have occasional checkups.” Sunset looked at Rarity and AJ and asked “May I?” Gesturing to the box. They nodded. With that Sunset Shimmer opened the box and showed the geode necklaces she and her 6 friends held so dear. They wore them everywhere, bore them around their necks like badges of honor. Now it seemed they were treated like simple accessories. Sunset slightly winced at her own shame.  “Why are they doing that? And who is, Twilight?” Etoile asked. “Well, there’s a perso- a… I have a friend. It’s kinda hard to explain but she’s not from around here. She’s from a land of magic and she’s a very important leader there. We comunícate through this journal.” Sunset showed Etoile her journal. Now that she had a better look at it she could see that it had a design on the front similar to Sunset Shimmer’s jacket pin and necklace. Jeez, guess she lives up to her name. The symbol on the journal was different though. Instead of a red and or red and orange sun, it was red and yellow on the left side of the sun but different shades of purple spikes on the left side of the sun.  “There’s another one and she has it.” Sunset continued her explanation. “One of us writes in it and the sees the writing on a page in their journal.” Sunset looked up to see if Etoile understood so far and by the looks of it she did. “Well as I was saying, my geode started glowing about a week ago and I decided to ask Twilight what it was all about. She said- actually why don’t I just show you” sunset said as she opened up the book and began reading the pages aloud.  It was a normal day. Sunset got up, got dressed, and today she thought she’d wear her necklace. She got this necklace along with her friends so many years ago. She sighed. Her friends, Sunset hadn’t seen or heard from any of them in years. There wasn’t a fight or something that forced them away, just life. Life happened, and before any of them knew it their daily check-ins became weekly, monthly, bi-monthly, yearly, never. Sunset walked over to the draw under her bed in the tour bus. Her friends and she used to be in a band, she never lost that love for music. She doesn’t play much anymore and she hasn’t performed since The Rainbooms broke up. She’s just happy to help out behind the scenes and be a roadie. Sunset went to grab her necklace but noticed it was… it was GLOWING!? The necklace gave her the ability to read peoples minds, yes it has her powers and was magic but it wasn’t supposed to glow! Sunset had no idea what to do, she couldn’t ask anyone because they’d think she’s crazy! A thought hit her, maybe anyone she asked would think she’s crazy. Sunset began to rifle through her draw and searched for her journal. She found it, this was a sorta new journal. She got a new journal once when she visited Equestria, that one had half of her cutie mark on the left and different shades of purple spikes like Twilight’s cutie mark finishing the left of the sun on the right. This book was basically the same but Sunsets cutie mark was the right half of the sun and Twilight’s the left. Apparently Twilight thought this was enough to differentiate between the journals, Sunset however couldn’t tell them apart so she wrote a big “2” on the inside of the newer one. She began to write.  Dear Princess Twilight,  I know it’s been a while since we last spoke, almost 10 months now. Well, I just wanted to check in to see how everything’s going. Last time we talked you said your nice Flurry Heart “Flurry Heart!” AJ yelled out. “That’s the…principals… name.” Applejack got quiet at the realization of her sudden outburst. “Ahem,” She cleared her throat “heheh. Sorry, y’all. Continue” Rarity just rolled her eyes and just patted AJ’s back. Sunset giggled a bit and continued reading.  Last time we talked you said your nice Flurry Heart had just saved The Crystal Empire and earned her place as Princess. How’s she doing and how are her parents now that they can finally take a break?  Sunset nervously tapped her pen on the edge of the book. She was trying to start off with some nice small talk. She felt like it was taking Twilight forever to respond but that’s how it usually was. Sunset had waited a grand total of 3 minutes and was beyond antsy. She was pacing around the book which lay on the floor.  “Ok Shimmer! I know ya like to sleep in but it’s time ta get your ass outta bed and get to work” a woman’s voice with a Brooklyn accent called from outside the bus. “I am up!” Sunset called back “Just uhh… cleaning my space!”  “HA! You actually trying to have a neat workspace?” Sunset could hear the lady chuckling to herself “I don’t care what you’re doing but ya better hurry it up” Suddenly the page next to the one she wrote in, words started to appear. It was as if an invisible person was standing over the book writing in it.  “Okaaay just. Gimme a minute!”  Dearest Sunset Shimmer, I know it’s been a while but I’m so glad to hear from you! Flurry heart is doing just fine and my brother and sister-in-law are happily relaxing in Silver Shoals. Otherwise, things have been pretty boring around here lately, not much to say. What about you? How are you doing? Well actually Twilight, I wanted to ask you something. You know those geodes that me and the other girls got when we defeated that camp counselor? Well, mine started to uhh. Glow. I was wondering if you have might have any way of figuring out why it’s doing that, there isn’t much over here about Equestrian magic.  Oh my. Uhm well. I don’t know much about the geodes you shared but I might know what’s causing the glowing. So remember when I said Flurry Heart earned her place as the new ruler of The Crystal Empire. Well, I never really said how she did that. The Empire was under attack, we still don’t know what exactly was causing the attacks but long story short it‘s dangerous. As for its defeat, Flurry cast a banishing spell with the assistance of her mother, Celestia, Luna, and I but in the end, it was her that saved the empire. We only use banishment as a last resort but were ultimately left with no choice. When we began to cast the spell something odd happened. The evil spirit nearly laughed at us, it started… glowing and caused our spell to create a portal.  The portal succulent but it didn’t resist, I hadn’t even crossed my mind to say evil spirit may have purposely wanted to go to your world to wreak havoc there. I’m so sorry sunset. I truly did not mean for this to happen. What can I do to help? Maybe if I come through the mirror then I can help.  “C’mon!” The lady yelled again and banged on the door of the bus. “Get out here and help me! We gotta set up for Francis Times Two.” Sunset rolled her eyes. She loved her job and it paid well but the pair she currently worked for. Ugh, idiots. Francis and Frances. Sunset looked to her book and got up. She grabbed a backpack from her bed and stuffed the book in there. She ran out the door, deciding a quiet place would be better to talk to Twilight in. Upon waking out Sunset found herself in front of the lady who had been yelling at her to get out and start working. She was tall, not like a walking skyscraper but tall enough sunset had to look up at her. She wore their normal work uniform, all black. She had her brown hair with fuchsia highlights in a messy bun.  “Actually can you tell their manager that I’m sick today? Just have Steel Weights cover for me.”  “Steel Weights? Really?” The lady asked raising an eyebrow. Sunset looked at her pleadingly and the lady just rolled her eyes “Why are you calling in sick anyways? You’ve never used a sick day in all the time we’ve worked together.”  “Uhhh yeah, I uhhh” Sunset tried but couldn’t come up with an excuse quick enough. “Lemme guess. It’s something impossibly complicated and hard to explain so it’s better if we just go with ‘you gotta leave?’”  “Yep!” Sunset said running off “thanks Tech, your the best gotta go now byyyeeeee!!!”  “How are you gonna get home?” The lady called out after sunset.  Sunset yelled back “Uhh I have some bus money”  When sunset got to the bus stop she pulled her book out again so she could begin writing with minimal distraction.  Twilight you can’t. This isn’t your fault, you didn’t mean for it to come to this world also, you have duties in Equestria. I can’t just ask you to leave all that to come to help me. Is there anything you know about this… creature that can help me find and defeat it? What are its weaknesses? Where did it come from! What does it look like? Unfortunately Sunset I can’t say much about it. I don’t know where it came from and it doesn’t really have any weaknesses. There were a few spells that kept it at bay while we figured out the banishing spell, but Celestia and Luna performed those, and if I remember correctly there are any immortal Aliorns in your world. I could still show the spells if you want. I could also provide you with the spell we intended to use to banish it. As for its appearance, it doesn’t look menacing. It’s just a little puff of bluish-red smoke. But the thing that makes it so dangerous is the feeling you get. You can sense its presence, it’s like an emptiness inside of you, it makes you feel jealous, bitter, sad, angry, and alone all at once. Every bad emotion you’ve ever had in your life that’s all you feel. Flurry Heart had the light inside of her to repel the spirit up before we defeated it, all the citizens of the Empire were being terrorized by the emotional turmoil the spirit brought with it. I don’t think you can beat this thing alone Sunset, you’re going to need the help of the rest of the girls.  Well shit.  But Twilight we haven’t spoken in years. I don’t even know where they live, or if they’re even in this country anymore. How my supposed to find them?  Sunset, I know you’ve all grown apart but you have to find them. Only together can you defeat what’s coming. I don’t know what the glowing means or if it’s even happening to theirs. But what I do know is that your friends will help you figure it out. Go find them, I will write the spells to you when I have them all and do research of my own here. Write back if you have any more questions, updates, and when you defeat the spirit.  Heh, yeah, friends. Sunset scoffed. We all moved past friendship years ago.  Ok, I’ll do it. Thanks, Twilight, I’ll be sure to send updates as much as I can and I’ll tell you anything I learn that might help in your search.  “And then I put Sweet Apple Acres in  my GPS figuring that this was a place that could never change.” Sunset closed the book “Seems I was right. I just didn’t expect you to be here, Rarity.” Sunset said with a hint of a surprise but a warm smile. “And you guys had a kid! She’s beautiful by the way.”  “Awww.” Applejack said. “Well, I’m glad to know y’all can still count on me.”  Rarity hugged Sunset and gave her a squeeze. “Oh darling, have I mentioned how sorry I am and how happy I am to see you after all these years?” Rarity asked still hugging Sunset.  “Only about 30 times since she got here” Etoile rolled her eyes “Anyways, who are the others? You and your friend were talking about the others. Are there more with powers other than you three?”  “Yeah” Sunset smiled “there were 7 of us. Your parents, me, Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, and the Twilight Sparkle from this world.”  Rarity and AJ looked at each other uncomfortably. They had forgotten the names of their old friends and were shamed at themselves.  “This world?” “Heh yeah. It might get confusing at times but you’ll learn to roll with it” Sunset nudged Etoile who smiled at her.  “Well, where shall we start our search?” Rarity asked “Twilight, Flutterpie, or Lightning Dish?”  Sunset looked at them and said with a raised eyebrow “Twilight was the only one you got right” Rarity blushed in embarrassment and said “ahehe yes well. Ahem” she cleared her throat to compose herself and the blush went down “you know what I mean. Which one should we look for first?”  “Hmmm. Well, Dash is probably some sports coach and I can’t imagine Twilight not researching how to invent cold fusion or something like that.” Since AJ and Rarity clearly didn’t remember too much about the rest of them, Sunset was merely thinking aloud to herself. “Fluttershy probably does something to do with animal care and of course pinkie would be a well-known party planner”  “I like parties and animals!” Etoile chimed in. “You said something about one of them being a party that panner. I’m not into sports or science but I do love animals. Can we try one of those?”  Sunset looked at Rarity and Apple Jack, they just shrugged and nodded.  “Yeah sure,” Sunset said turning to Etoile “I think Pinkie will be easier to find though. Do you have a computer or laptop here? I left my phone in my car.”  “Here. Use mine” Etoile handed her phone over to sunset.  “Ok uhhh.” Sunset looked up “party planners” and a few other variations of that before finally finding one that looked right. “Ahh here.” They all gathered around her “the home page on this one says ‘The bestest and most funest party you’ll ever have in your life. It’ll leave you smiling FIVEever! That’s even longer than forever. Email or call with the information provided below to book the best party in your life! We promise you’ll have a super extra fun time with us and it’s completely affordable! we do birthdays, anniversaries, quinceañeras, bat mitzvahs, and so much more! We’ll also take care of the catering’” “Wow. There were a lot of exclamation marks.” They all nodded in agreement with Etoile.  “Well, that’s pinkie for ya” shrugged Sunset.  “Ok well hand me the phone and let me call in to get an appointment.” Rarity reached for the phone but AJ stopped her.  “Rare this here is serious. We can’t just call to book an appointment. All this stuff with our geodes is somethin’ that should be said in person” Rarity sighed and gave in.  “Fine but where do we even find this…” she looked over Sunsets shoulder to look at the website “Pinkie Pie? Does it say on the website where they’re located?”  “Look at the ‘about us’ section.” Etoile scrolled down. “There what does it say” she pointed at an ádrese at the bottom of the page.  “Here’s an address in case you want to send a letter or order a special custom one of a kind gag delivered to you!!!! We only take those requests by mail.”  “Hmmm. Odd but convenient.” Rarity thought out loud.  “Whooooeeeeee” Apple Jack called “Looks like we’re goin’ on a road trip to What Cheer.” “You mean the What Cheer state?”  “Yeah. The state named What Cheer.” “Is that far?” Etoile asked “Not at all, darling. Just a few states over. Your mother likes to exaggerate”  “How are we gonna get there?” They all looked at Sunset and thought. She did bring up a good point, one which none of them had really given any thought.  “We can use my Glamper!” Rarity squealed and ran out of the room. They all knew exactly what she was talking about. Rarity had a big camper but it was all “glammed” out. It had 3 TVs, two bunk beds, one large one, a kitchen, a large bathroom, and an electric fire. “Oo we haven’t used it since Etoile’s 13th birthday! Ahh, I’m just so excited” rarity was running all over the house and already had 7 suitcases packed.  Apple Jack rolled her eyes “Now ah hope all those suitcases ain’t just for you.” “Oh of course not darling. This one is for you, this one is Etoile’s, this one is sunsets, and the rest are for me.” Rarity smiled while breathing heavily. Alright, let’s get on with it!” Rarity was already out the back door and trying to pull the suitcases with her. AJ got up and helped her carry them and bring them to the glamper.  Etoile stopped and looked up at sunset. “When you all find this… thing…” She paused avoiding direct eye contact with Sunset. “Will you guys have to… fight it? Like, will anyone get hurt?” Sunset could see that Etoile was worried about her parents even though she tried to hide it. She didn’t want to say everyone would come out unscathed or that they might die because she didn’t know. “Uhh. I- I don’t know. We should probably focus on just finding the others first.”  Etoile nodded and headed out the door back, sunset followed.  They had arrived. Rarity had hired a driver so on the way down Sunset quizzed Apple Jack and Rarity on their old friends. They had made progress but were still a bit rusty. At least now they remembered their names and basic personality traits.  “Wow” was all Etoile could say. When they walked into the building they were immediately shocked.  “I thought you said she was the fun one” Etoile whispered to Sunset. It was quiet. The foyer was clean, spotless. There was a big spiral staircase that led to a second floor. It was also polished nicely. The whole atmosphere was just kind of… boring. It seemed very professional and that’s what got to sunset the most.  Rarity saw a lady in a room just across from the entrance. She had silver and blue hair and was wearing glasses. She was typing very fast on a computer while also writing constantly on a note pad. Secretary. Rarity thought. “Hello miss, we are here to see Miss Pie.”  The woman at the desk stopped what she was doing, looked Rarity up and down then smiled at her. She went back to her computer and typed for a few seconds. “Uhm I can’t find you in the calendar. Do you have an Appointment?” The woman asked.  “Oh, uhm no actually. We were hoping to talk to her about a private matter.”  The lady looked at Rarity, back to her computer, and then at Rarity. “I’m sorry but if you don’t have an appointment I’m afraid Miss. Pie won’t see you”  The rest finally stopped looking at the decore, or lack thereof and joined Rarity. Just as she was about to protest they heard the sound of children laughing from down the hall.  “Oh no.” The lady at the desk said, “get down!” She yelled while ducking behind her desk. The rest of the group ducked down as the sound grew louder and the ground started to shake. Good thing they were quick about it, they got out of the way just in time  Four kids came busting into the room. One was a girl who appeared to be 17, the second a boy, he looked 11. The two others were twin girls. Maybe 5 or 7. They all had bouncy, curly hair and were on some sort of vehicle that shouldn’t be inside.  “Hehe. Sorry about that.” The first one said as she realized they almost crushed the people in the lobby. She had a high pitched voice but not that of preschoolers. Maybe a 4th graders. She also spoke very fast. “We were having a race. My name is Bubbly” she held out a hand. Bubbly was on a high wheel bicycle that had small rockets attached to make it go faster. “Oh. Maybe it’d help if I got off.” And so she did. Sunset took her hand and shook it, still a little shaken. Bubbly had her light pink hair tied messily into two big buns on the sides of her head. “I’m Curveball,” said the boy who was driving a car. But as he said that the car’s wheels and floor detached themselves and the top of the car went up. It was like an accordion. His curly hair was brown and he tried styling it by shaving the sides and leaving the middle shone what short.  “And these here are the twins” Bubbly pointed to the two little girls riding unicycles. “Sunshine and Laughter! They can’t talk yet.”  They all turn to Bubbly in surprise. Sure they were at least five years old. How could they not talk? Bubbly looked at them and knew they were about to start asking questions, questions she didn’t want to answer. “So you all must be here for a party or some gags? Which one? Oo or is it both?”  “Actually sugar cube,” it was Applejack who spoke first “we’re here t’talk to Pinkie Pie. Do ya happen t’ know where she might be?”  “Well let’s see.” Bubbly turned away from Apple Jack and to the secretary. “Yo Solver Bell!” She yelled now addressing the woman behind the desk. “Is mom at the factory today or is she out with any clients?”  “No” Sliver Bell sighed. “She’s just upstairs organizing her files and such. You know she really wouldn’t like you four doing that. You know how she hates you guys carrying on in the halls.  Bubbly just rolled her eyes and said “Just call her down. These people want to talk to her and she’s free. It’ll be fine.”  Silver Bell walked over to Sunset, Rarity, AppleJack, and Etoile who have remained mostly quiet throughout this whole thing. She whispered to them “Don’t worry. She might seem very ‘serious, no fun and games’ but trust me, she’s the best in the business.” Then she walked back over to her desk and continued with her work.  Sunset pulled the rest aside and said in a hushed voice “ok guys I’m seriously lost.” She looked at Etoile and said “she is supposed to be the fun one. She’s… spontaneous, crazy, hilarious, and definitely not… your typical businesswoman.” They all looked concerned. “Kind of like those kids?” Etoile asked. “The oldest one even said ‘mom’. Maybe those are her kids?”  Sunset said “yeah probably. They remind me a lot of her.”  While waiting, the four kids in the lobby had been playing and joking with each other but immediately stopped. They got up stood straight in a line and smiled. Very fake smiles.  Applejack had noticed and looked in the direction the kids were staring at. Sunsets jaw dropped and the rest were stunned. They were looking at a pink woman in a suit. The suit was navy blue and she had white high heel shoes. Her hair in a tight slick bun. She bore a blank expression and looked at the four children.  “What did I say about roughhousing in front of clients?” She asked.  Sunset’s mouth might as well have been unhinged at this point. This was pinkie, she recognized her face, but at the same time, Sunset didn’t know who she was looking at. Rarity and AJ were shocked as well but a little less. She spoke in a monotone voice. No expression escaping.  “We‘re sorry mother,” Bubbly said a little less bubbly and a little more guarded.  “Yeah really. We didn’t mean to” Curveball added.  The twins nodded in unison. They all did this while maintaining their fake expressions.  Pinkie looked over at Sunset Shimmer and the rest and all they could say was “P-Pinkie…?”