//------------------------------// // Epilogue // Story: Retrograde // by RQK //------------------------------// Sunset Shimmer sat on the front steps of Canterlot High School, kicking her legs as she waited. The sun sank lower in the sky, casting golden light across the green. The shadow of the Wondercolts Statue almost reached the school walls now. The front lawn remained otherwise empty. Her mind remained relatively blank for the moment; perhaps there was actually a lot on her mind, but she had already sorted through it and rehearsed it. Only one real, calming feeling came to mind: resolution. This moment was where things moved forward. The glass doors behind her swung open and Princess Twilight stepped out. Twilight sat down right beside Sunset. Both sat in silence for a bit. “So now what?” Sunset asked. “Well, I guess that’s what we should probably talk about, huh?” “Yeah.” Twilight turned. “Sunset… you are right. I did love you. I do love you. You’re smart, driven, and confident. We both come from similar backgrounds and all. And once upon a time, you were a rock when I was distressed for not having all the answers. And then you became a rock of friendship for so many others. Even now, you are.” She paused as some words got caught in her throat. “We’re so alike. You are… somepony I’m so very proud to know.” “I understand that. I do.” “I love you. You are… the one I care about the most. I don’t know if you…” She shook her head. “Well, you figured it out, so…” Sunset chuckled. “It was pretty obvious, honestly.” “Really?” “You really tried to move mountains for me, Twilight. I am one hundred percent convinced… you are the Princess of Friendship and you would kill for me. You kinda sorta tried to.” Twilight groaned and fiddled with her hair. “I get the feeling we would have gone great together, you and I,” Sunset said. “It could still be possible. But we have to face the truth, Twilight. I don’t love you.” Twilight nodded solemnly. “I want to recognize that. I do. I want to recognize what we had. But… one thing I feel pretty sure about is that what I have now is not enough. All I have is the hoops we jumped through to get my memories back, and you trying to exact justice on my behalf, and you doing what you thought was right to keep me safe. Everything else is hearsay. “I don’t have the experiences anymore. And without those experiences, I’m someone different, Twilight. I’m changed. I’m not the same Sunset you knew a few weeks ago. And the fact of the matter is… I’m not going to be beholden to you. I’m not going to lie to myself and pretend to be a different person just to make you happy.” “No,” Twilight said with a solemn nod, “you shouldn’t. That wouldn’t be right.” Sunset sighed. “Just as long as you understand that. Then there’s that, at least. I just… wanted to make sure that was clear.” Twilight, looking somewhat pale in the face, then stood up and even stumbled down the stairs. “Wait!” Sunset managed to grab Twilight’s arm. “Where are you going?” Without looking back, she replied, “You… said what you wanted to say, right?” Sunset shook her head. “Are you kidding? Twilight, I’m just getting started.” Twilight hung in Sunset’s grasp. Sunset kicked her feet together. “I am changed, but so are a bunch of other people. Princess Celestia has sure changed. I think Wallflower Blush will change. Heck, the old me changed from the person I was when I ruled this school. People change, Twilight. “And I could change again. Things between us could change.” Twilight swallowed and finally looked back. Sunset stood up and, with a slight pull, prompted Twilight to face her. She looked into Twilight’s eyes and saw the slightest of shake in them. She tightened her grip on Twilight’s wrist, intent to not let go. “Twilight Sparkle… I do not love you. But… if you give me enough reasons to,” Sunset Shimmer said, “maybe I’ll change my mind.” A certain sparkle appeared in Twilight’s eyes and some color returned to her face. She stepped inward. Sunset giggled and grinned. “But hey, if it’s meant to be… you shouldn’t have any problems doing it a second time, right?” Twilight giggled in return. “Yes. You’re right. I shouldn’t.” She brushed her hair back as her cheeks turned flush. Now her eyes had fallen to the ground. “Actually,” she said, twisting one of her boots into the concrete, “would it be alright if I gave you a reason right now?” Sunset tilted her head. “Right now? Sure?” “It’s forward. Very forward. I don’t want to scare you!” “Uh, okay?” Sunset chuckled. “Do it. Just do it.” Twilight beamed and then she drew closer. Sunset saw her coming and leaned forward to meet her, propelled by a vague idea of what was about to happen. She finally spotted the quiver and movement of Twilight’s lips which prompted her to unconsciously reciprocate in kind. And Twilight closed her eyes. At long last, Sunset’s lips met Twilight’s as Twilight pressed herself against Sunset. A sweet, heated sensation feeling passed between the two. Tingles shot throughout Sunset’s body and she could feel her heart fluttering. Eventually her whole body loosened up and she let herself fall a little more into Twilight. She eventually closed her eyes and lost herself in the moment. After what felt like forever, Twilight finally pulled away. And the two looked into each other’s eyes, wondering what the other would say. Sunset let out a deep breath and then nodded. “Wow,” she murmured. “You were right. That was forward.” Twilight broke away. “I’m sorry.” “No. That was... nice. You taste good. That’s a… convincing reason, Twilight.” Twilight beamed again. Sunset spent a moment longer processing what she had just experienced and how she had felt about it. She then flashed a smile back. “From now on, keep giving me reasons, okay? Never stop.” “I promise. Cross my heart, hope to fly, stick a cupcake in my eye,” Twilight said, performing several fitting motions as she went. “Okay. Don’t let me down.” She paused to look toward the adolescent sun and straightened herself up. “Alright. It’s getting late and I should probably start thinking about heading home.” “Yes. Maybe I should do the same. I still have to work on those geodes and get those back to you all.” “Yeah. That’s right.” “But if you need me for anything… I’m just a portal away!” “Yeah. I know where to find you.” Twilight took a few more steps backward. “See you tomorrow?” Sunset swelled. “See you tomorrow.” With a wide smile, Twilight turned and ambled down the steps and across the lawn. Sunset steadied herself against the railing at the top of the stairs and watched Twilight approach the Wondercolts Statue. When Twilight Sparkle reached the base, she paused and turned to flash Sunset one last smile and one last parting wave before she walked into it, disappearing beyond the portal. Sunset Shimmer sighed with content and patted the rail as she broke away and turned. She walked up to the doors and disappeared into the school—into what was, not actually but still in many ways, her home.