It was a hot day in the city of Canterlot and it was nearing the end of the last school before Summer vacation and all the students were just itching to have some fun in the sun. One girl in particular was feeling especially eager.
Sunset Shimmer was walking with an almost skip in her step as she headed towards principal Celestia’s office or rather her MOTHER’s office. She remembered the day like it was yesterday, sometime after the Battle of the Bands, Sunset was evicted from her motel due to new age regulations she had spent nearly a week on the streets before Principal Celestia had found her and after learning her situation had offered a place to stay with her at her’s and Luna’s house, about a week later she was adopted by Celestia and couldn’t be happier to have both an amazing mother and awesome aunt.
During her time living with the two sisters she learned about who they really were, they both had bit mischievousness to them but was all in good nature, and on top of that her aunt Vice-Principal Luna: the most strict woman in all of CHS, was a gaming geek and even had her own video game room in the basement which she eventually shared with fiery haired teen as long as she swore to keep quiet about. In fact Sunset had to keep her new familyship with Celestia and Luna a secret from everyone because Celestia feared that if the other students discovered how close Sunset was to her and her sister things might get really hard for her new daughter so Sunset swore she wouldn’t tell a single soul about their relationship, not even her friends.
But apart from that, Sunset was very happy living with Celestia and Luna but this wasn’t the reason she was heading towards Celestia’s office. She had completed all of her morning classes and Exams, said her farewells to her classmates and teachers, and was ready to head home but she had an idea for a Summer activity she’d been dying to try and just had to ask her mother about. She finally reached her office, she had to calm herself down or else she might start making a fool of herself, ‘Ok Sunset be cool, just go in there, and ask her. She promised she’d always be there for me if i needed anything so she’ll have to say yes’ she thought to herself as she took a breath.
Once she had calmed down she opened the door and saw her mom signing the last few report cards and was completely focused on her work. As much as Sunset wanted to not disturb her mother this was too important not to talk about. Sunset cleared her throat, catching Celestia’s attention as the principal looked up, “Hmm, oh hello Sunny.” She said, Sunset smiled with a light blush on her cheeks, it was slightly embarrassing to be called that nickname even after the last two months but it still made her feel loved.
“Hey mom, just wanted to pop by to see you.” Sunset replied.
“Well you came just in time, I just finished marking everyone’s report card.” She gestured to the stack of folders on her desk, “So have you said your goodbyes to everyone?”
“Not quite everyone, I figured I’d save the girls for last but I’ll do that later. Right now there’s something I wanted to talk to you about.” Sunset answered, approaching the desk.
Celestia blinked before she made a sly grin as she tapped her fingers on the folders, “Oohh, trying to convince me to give you your report card early?” She inquired, arching a brow before she shook her, “Tch, tch, tch. Young lady didn’t tell you, your relationship with me would get you any special treatment.”
Sunset eyes widen as she waved her arms in denial while smiling sheepishly, “Nononono! Of course!” She then gave her best mock baby eyes face, “That is unless you could let me have a quick peek?” She playfully tried to reach for the folders until Celestia whacked her hand away.
“Ah-ah-ah, you know you have to wait until the end of the day to get it, just like everyone else.” Celestia said wagging her finger teasingly at the pouting teen as she rubbed her hand. But Sunset just gave a smirk, "Well, can't blame a girl for trying."
The two laughed, enjoying the playful mom and daughter moment. Once they calmed down Celestia placed her hands together and spoke with warm smile, "So what did you want to talk to me about Sunset, needs some help figuring what to do this summer?"
Sunset shook her head but her smile just grew a bit nervous, "Actually I already know what I wanna do this summer, but I kinda need your help." She said rubbing the back of her head. "It's just, well you'd probably think it silly."
Celestia just smiled sweetly and walked around her desk and placed her hands on Sunset's shoulders, "Sunset do you not remember what I said when me and Luna took you in?" She asked as she saw Sunset glance off to the side, "I said if there's anything you need from me or her don't hesitate to ask us. You don't have to feel so nervous about asking for something you want, so just tell me what it is you want from me?"
Sunset looked up and met the serene, gentle and warm eyes of her mother that told her she had nothing to fear, So she took a deep breath and responded, "Well I wanted to sign for a sports competition being held on Canterlot beach."
Celestia was slightly surprised. Sunset always seemed to be more into educational events than sports but it was good that Sunset was trying out some new things, "Oh, well that's nice, if you need me to help you train I'm sure I can-"
"That's exactly what I need is for you to join with me." Sunset interrupted her. Celestia was a bit confused so Sunset went on, "The competition requires a tag team of one teen and one adult, and I figured this sport is right up your alley you'd be the perfect partner."
Celestia was still confused though.
'Right up her alley'? What did she mean? Celestia did have some decent skills in some sports but nothing to consider to be up her alley? not to mention most of the sports she played required whole teams of five to six people not just two. The only sport she could think of the fit Sunset's description was...
Her eyes widen slightly at the possible what kind of sport this Competition was about and she slightly dreaded it.
'No, she couldn't mean, could she?' She thought as she really hoped it was what she thought it was.
But she had to be sure.
So with a silent gulp she turned to her daughter and said with a slight shake in her voice, "S-Sunset just what is the sport for this competition?"
Sunset then took off her bag that she been carrying and pulled out a piece a paper, "Well, see for yourself." she said handing it over to her mother.
Celestia carefully unfolded her paper and held it up. Sunset that saw the shock appear on Celestia face, though the woman was feeling more than just shocked as she saw on the paper was a picture of beach with an adult and teenager riding a huge wave on surfboard with a date and entry requirements on the bottom. She slowly lowered the picture and looked at Sunset with stunned expression, "I-it-it's a, a s-surfing competition?!"
"Yeah!" Sunset nodded enthusiastically, "I mean, sure sports aren't really my thing but when first saw a surfing video I almost instantly was hooked. So I asked AJ and Dash to teach how to surf, so they did. We practice all spring working on some moves and," Sunset went on and on about how much she had been practicing and how much she truly loved surfing. She was talking so much that she didn't even noticed the fear building on Celestia's face as she bit her lip and her eyes dilated and darted around. The moment she saw the word surfing, serval old and unwanted memories started flooding back to her and she shut her eyes she heard sounds rushing. She heard the sound of crashing waves, the sound of people of talking and laughing. And finally the sound of her own screams as she was about to hit the-
"Mom?" Celestia snapped out of her reverie when she heard Sunset speak and looked to see Sunset's concerned face, "Is everything alright?"
"Oh, oh! No-no don't worry, I'm fine. I was just wondering why you wanted ask me to be your partner?" Celestia managed to get out, as she made a force-smile.
"Oh well, aunt Luna told me you were a pretty good surfer back in the day so," Sunset answered as Celestia's forced smiled disappeared as she had a stunned look on her face before it turned into a grimace.
"Luna told you what?" She said curtly as Sunset slightly winced. She remembered her mother say she didn't like it when Luna talked smack about her to Sunset behind her back.
Twiddling her fingers, "Well, I was actually planning on asking aunty to partner with me for the competition." She explained with a sheepish expression as Celestia listened with an irked expression and she crossed her arms. "Well, this Morning I went to Aunt Luna to ask her about the Competition and when she said 'no' I just kept trying to convince to enter with me but luckily I handled myself with grace and respect like a mature young lady."
*Few Hours Earlier*
"Pleaseeeee, Aunt Luna!" Sunset begged as she got on her knees and brought her hands together.
"I'm terribly sorry Sunset, but the answer is still no." Luna said not taking her eyes off the tv screen.
"But aunty!" Sunset whined as she kneeled before her aunt as said woman was sitting on the couch wearing black shorts and white shirt with the words "Over the Moon!" on the front as she held a game controller with a deadpanned look on her face as she focused on her game and not on the begging teen before her who had barged into her Moon Cave, asking her join her in a surfing contest.
"Please, Please, Please! I've been waiting all Spring for a chance like this!" Sunset pleaded, looking at her with a sad puppy face. However thanks to her years as a strict teacher and Vice-Principal Luna had built up a rock solid immunity to the 'sad puppy dog' face and barely batted an eye on Sunset.
"I understand that this competition is important to you but unfortunately surfing isn't really a sport I call myself good at." Luna explained, "So I'm afraid you'll have to look elsewhere for a partner."
Sunset let out a disappointed groan and started pacing infront of Luna and crossed her arms, "But I'll never find another find another, the requirements for the tournament say that the teams have to be one teen and one adult and apart from mom you're the only adult I know well enough to be my partner, So you have to enter with me." she told her aunt in a vain attempt to get her to change her mind as continued walking back & forth.
"Well, you should've asked Celestia instead me if that's the case." Luna huffed, not realizing what she said. Sunset stopped her pacing as her eyes widen in surprise as turned her head to Luna, "What do you mean I should've talked to mom instead?"
Luna let out gasp as she finally realized what she let slip out "Oops!" She said dropping her controller and slapped her hands over her mouth, She then started darting her eyes around as if looking for an escape route "Um, um! Th-that's not! I just-! W-What I-I meant to say was." she stammered trying to come up with an excuse.
Sunset approached her aunt as a new plan started forming in her head, "Do you mean to tell me that mom, use to be...a surfer?"
Luna Hastily paused her game as she smiled nervously trying to think of a lie but knew Sunset would be able see right through it. So she just sighed and nodded. Sunset had smile slowly working it way on her face, "Was she good?" she asked with slight eagerness.
"Yes, Celestia was actually one of the best pro surfers in the city." Luna said hesitantly as she saw a full ear to ear grin appear on Sunset face, she started to get worried as the excited yet creepy looking smile her niece was making, "Sunset, What are thinkin-"
"You just gave me the salutation I needed!" Sunset then started running for the stairs. Luna tried in vain to stop her, "Sorry to run but gotta get ready for the last day of school, see ya around Aunty! Enjoy your game!" Sunset called as she dashed up the stairs and waved goodbye to .
Luna gave a weak smile and waved back, as she saw her niece retreat upstairs before making a defeated expression mixed with shame "Tia is gonna kill me." Luna mumbled as she looked down knowing she was so dead.
'She is so dead' Celestia declared mentally as she couldn't believe Luna squealed about her hidden talent. She then turned to Sunset who looked at her with big eyes, she sighed she understood that this event was important to Sunset and she did say she'd always listen to whatever she wanted. But her own personal feelings about this surfing contest weren't the best. There was a reason why she hadn't surfed in so long, reasons she felt shame even thinking about, so she had to convince the girl that she couldn't participate "Sunset, sweetie I'm not so sure I can do this." She said running her hand through hair as she saw Sunset gasp.
"What?! but-but you have too!" Sunset exclaimed as she held up her pointer finger, "There are only a WEEK and half until the competition! The conditions on that date are perfect then so who knows when I'll have another chance!" She brought her hands together and pleaded to her mother, "You gotta enter with me mom! Who knows where I'll find another adult of your skill level!"
Celestia was flattered that Sunset thought so highly about her skills but her insecurities got in the way again, she had to come up with someway to get Sunset to let this go, then an idea came to her, "Well what if someone sees us? If your friends or anyone at CHS found out that you were the daughter of their principal just by seeing us compete with each other," She said hoping Sunset would take the bait.
Sunset did think about that but she just shook her head, "The rules didn't say the adult and the teen pairs had to have any family relations with each other. " She explained as a smile worked back on to her face, "So even if the girls or anyone else we know saw us they'd just think we're just a student and a teacher working together."
Celestia got a worried expression on her face as she knew Sunset had a point, but she just could participate in this contest with her. Then she had another idea, "Well, Sunset with my job as principal I have make sure things are prepared for next semester, like classrooms assignments, course choices, the student council-"
"Mom!" Sunset cut her off as she looked with more mature but still pleading look, "you promised me that whenever I need something you be there for me, that you'd always support me. Plus I want us to have fun doing something we both love doing, you do like surfing don't you?"
Celestia glanced off to the side and answered, "Yes, I do like it but-"
So please support me and be there for me with this by being my partner in this Surfing contest." She said before Celestia finished. Celestia was really conflicted now, she had promised that to Sunset and she could clear see that she really wanted this. But her demons of her surfing past still haunted her, she just didn't what do to. She couldn't let Sunset down by refuse to compete with her but she also didn't risk a repeat of what happened so long ago.
All she could do was try buy herself a little more time until she could come to proper solution to her dilemma, so with a sigh she answered reluctantly, "Okay Sunset, Just let me check to see if my schedule is free enough for me help you with practice, if is then I just might be able to enter the contest."
Sunset gasped long and loud before the biggest smile she ever had wormed it way on to her face and she dashed toward her mom gave her the biggest hug ever, "OHMYGOSH!!! Thank you Mom! Thankyouthankyouthankyouthankyouthankyouthankyou!" The bacon head girl cheered as hugged in her opinion the most awesome mom ever, "You have NO idea how much this means to me!"
Celestia gave a weak smile and hugged with a little more restraint than her daughter, wondering to herself how she got herself into this situation. But she had to play along with this whole thing for Sunset's sake, at least until she could find a way out of it. They said this way for a few minutes before the older woman pulled them apart and gave Sunset the most convincing smile she could, "Well, I suggest you get going to your other classes, don't want me adding any late for classes to your report card." she joked hoping to take some stress off her mind. Sunset laughed at her mom's little joke and turned to the door to head for class.
"Yeah your right, besides I promised my friends I'd spend the rest of the day with them after school was finished, so I probably won't be home until much later." She said before opening the door, "See ya later mom and thanks for doing this for me!" Celestia waved goodbye with a smile as Sunset left the room, but once she was gone Celestia's smile vanished and she leaned on her hands as she placed them on her desk and started taking deep breathes. She began muttering to herself, "What am I going to do? I can handle another fall like that? And if do I won't just be the laughing stock of Canterlot but also a terrible mother to Sunset for costing her first contest."
As much as she told herself she was just being paranoid she still couldn't help but worry. She also thought why she didn't tell Sunset the truth why she was so hesitant to accept her request. "Because no mother would dump her own personal problems onto to her child, it wouldn't be fair for her." she said solemnly.
"What wouldn't be fair for who?"
Celestia head shot up as she whipped around and saw Luna standing at the door with a clipboard in her hands. Normally Celestia would've relished having her sister but it was somewhat thanks to her that she was in this mess. So she scowled at the vice-principal who recoiled slightly, knowing what her sister probably mad about, "What are you doing here Luna?" Celestia growled out crossing her arms.
"Oh, just say hello and check on my favorite big sister!" Luna said giving a too wide smile as her sister walked closer and she in turn took a few steps back.
"I'm your only big sister." Celestia said monotonly, getting closer to Luna who just now realized how much bigger Celestia was.
"All the more reason you're my Favorite." She replied shinking down slightly under her sister glare, she chuckled nervously while bringing the her clipboard close to her face.
"Once school is over you and I are gonna have a serious talking about keeping secrets." Celestia said firmly, making sure her little sister knew she wouldn't be squirming her way out of this.
Luna gulped, "Oh dear."