Another 2 years later, Bowen continued with his homeschooling and is now enjoying some time studying or playing with Flying Hope. Suddenly, he heard two voices from another room, so he went to the wall to listen closely.
“So, let me get this straight, you’re telling me that the Young Prince is one of his human species, which are not related to this world?” asked the voice of a filly. “Yes, my son is indeed very special to me and I hope you two can get along with each other,” Celestia’s voice replied.
“Well, of course, meaning it sounds like fun, but at first I was kinda surprised to realize you had a son, but I really need to know everything about him and his species and culture!” The filly’s voice returned.
“Patience, my student. Bowen is just a new species never known to Equestria, but I don’t want you to study him. I just want you to be his friend, because of your status with friendship,” Celestia’s voice said. “And you’re allowed to ask him as many questions as you want, but he might not know everything about his species, so don’t raise your hopes so high just yet.”
“Okay!” The filly’s voice said, but suddenly Bowen got into his position by reading a book while sitting on his bed, until he decided to draw some pictures.
While he was coloring, he heard a knock on his door. “It’s open,” he said, and then he saw his mother entering the room, but he suddenly saw a unicorn filly with her. She had brilliant amber fur, a curled and bacon streaked mane and tail in vivid crimson and brilliant yellow, she had moderate cyan eyes, and a cutie mark of a red and yellow shimmering sun.
“Hi... I-I’m Bowen. Who are you?” he asked nervously. Sunset was somehow surprised that she found out that Bowen was what she expected him to be. “I’m Sunset Shimmer, one of the most talented unicorns you’ve ever seen, and will ever meet,” Sunset said. “Bowen, Sunset is my personal and faithful student and protégé. I was wondering if you both could try to get to know each other,” Celestia said, until Bowen nodded, and then she looked at Sunset. “Remember Sunset, you have classes in two hours, so take your time.”
“Sure thing, Princess,” Sunset said, and then Celestia left the room. “So... are you the one who my Mommy was talking about? The one who made that plant grow so high?” Bowen asked. “Yeah! Wait... how’d you know?” Sunset asked. “My Mommy told me about you, except you don’t have any friends,” Bowen replied. “Well, I am a natural on most things, but I really don’t do too well with friendship,” Sunset said. “But friends look out for you,” Bowen said, as he showed Sunset some of his stuff.
“I mean if you want, we can play some board games, draw some pictures, read a few books, or go in the gardens or play in the maze...”
“Pfft, oh please! Some of those kind of things are for children,” Sunset said. “But... but we are children,” Bowen said. “Well, not little cute type of children! I’m more like a little mature, but I’m a little softer on the edge,” Sunset said.
“Sorry... I just thought...” Bowen was about to cry. “Hey, hey, hey. Come on. Don’t do that,” Sunset said. “If you answer some questions about yourself, I’ll teach you how to be a little bit more mature, okay?”
“Really?” Bowen asked, as Sunset nodded in a softer way. “Okay.”
The next couple of minutes, Sunset asked him some questions about what he liked to eat, how fast he can run or how high he can jump, why he wears clothes every day and night, and asked other questions that relates to his species and culture. Once she was satisfied, she decided to keep the notes to herself, and then she took him over to the library.
“Sunset? Why are we here?” Bowen asked. Sunset rolled her eyes and sighed, “Because in order to be the the best of the best, like high above standards for example, you need to study, all the time if necessary and then that way , you will always be on the top and be better than anypony else!”
“But what about friends? You also need to spend time with them to be better also, because friends care for you, and they love you too. And hold a special place in your heart, like a family,” Bowen said. “My Mommy has delegates or other commoners as friends, even Commander Silver Spear.”
“Well, not everypony needs friends who are not as good as you,” Sunset said. “She only has her servants, and her guards. There’s a difference. Because I haven’t found anypony worthy enough to be considered my friend!”
“That’s because you’re taking it the wrong way,” Bowen said. “Oh, really?” Sunset asked, as Bowen knew in his heart that she was insane, but she was being a little bit nice to him. “I... I guess you’re right. I guess I’ll study hard, and grow up to. Be as cool as you... if it doesn’t take away my play time,” Bowen said.
“Good boy! Finally! I finally have somepony who actually understands and listens to me for once!” Sunset extended her hoof out and pulled him over for a half hug. “You know, I think you and I will get along just fine.”
Bowen smiled nervously, but he tried to hide how he truly felt about Sunset so that she wouldn’t notice. “Maybe if we try to get along by doing whatever either me or you want to do, maybe I can find something where you can consider me... your friend?”
“Yeah, I’ll think about it, but let’s try to be careful since it’s a little bit too soon to be thinking about that. So for now... to start, try reading these two books and see what you think when we compare our opinions next week. See you around!” Sunset said, and then left for her lessons. Bowen looked at her leaving the library, and then started thinking on what to do.
For the past following week, Bowen read every single book Sunset recommended for him to read, and even though it was very hard, it was obvious that her reading skills were now in a whole new other level, but he somehow wanted to be on Sunset’s good side, and have time to play with Flying Hope. With much more effort, he managed to finish every book or leave off on a few chapters so he can play with his best friend from early childhood, and it was somehow paying off.
One day, Sunset started to open more to him, as she started to tell him about why or how she didn’t have a family, how she grew up in the Canterlot Orphanage, and how nopony wanting to adopt her resented her heart, claiming she somehow knew she was destined for more greater things, until Celestia took her in and made her a student of her own.
He was so happy that they got to know each other well and little by little he started gaining her trust, but something inside him was saying that something was wrong with that filly, something dark. Over the past week, Bowen noticed something else about her: she was obsessed with something powerful hidden inside a secret room, but he didn’t know what it was.
One time, Sunset even once asked him to help her get inside that locked room, until they were caught by his mommy while trying to get the key to the door’s lock, until he made a swore promise to never do that again, and then Celestia told Sunset to never use him like that again.
The next couple of days, he would most of the time meet Sunset at the library for some study time or try some games that are at her standards including chess. Sometimes when they play chess, either Bowen or Sunset win the game.
Today, Sunset needed him to meet her there immediately, so he got dressed and got ready for the day. After breakfast, Bowen was walking over to the library, as he was sure she was already there before he got in.
When he entered the library, Bowen found Sunset reading another book, but he couldn’t see her face from behind. “Sunset? I’m here for our weekly meeting, and ready to discuss this week’s books,” he said, until he saw Sunset looking down. “Sunset? What’s the matter?”
“Bowen... I... I think... I might not be around here for much longer,” she replied. Bowen was suddenly shocked about what she said, “You’re leaving?”
“I’m not sure. Maybe, but I still don’t know or have all the answers, so I came here to say goodbye,” Sunset said. “No! This can’t happen!” Bowen said, hugging Sunset and crying on her shoulder. “I don’t want you to go! I don’t want you to leave me!”
“I’m sorry, Bowen. But it’s something I have to do. It’s my only option and it’s something that I have to do if I really want to achieve my true destiny,” she said, as they continued hugging.
“W-W-Will... W-Will I ever see you again?” Bowen asked. “You bet we will meet again, I mean we’re friends after all,” Sunset said, and then she hugged him again, and they kept hugging for several minutes, until it was time for her to leave.
“Well, I guess I’ll see you around,” Sunset said. “Remember, keep studying to become the best, and then you might accomplish something.” Bowen nodded, and then after one more hug, Sunset left him, and Bowen went back to the castle with a wagon full of new books Sunset recommended for him to read.
The next day, Bowen was waiting for Sunset at the library, but she never appeared. Bowen went to Celestia and asked her where Sunset was, but she told her son that Sunset ran away. She told him that she went to a very far away land, meaning she might never return, but Bowen knew she was lying because he wanted her to come back someday.
Celestia then told him why she ran off, and how it happened, until Bowen felt sorry for Sunset, and then he cried into his mother’s chest and hugged her neck as she hugged him back with her wing placed on him and then placed both her hooves around him. He had faith in Sunset, since she was destined for greater things because she was his second best friend.
Until then, it was the last time he saw her. The VERY last time.