//------------------------------// // Chapter 8 - Copper returns // Story: A Blackened Sunset // by MLPSolarDash1907 //------------------------------// Sunset was sitting on the couch in Emerald’s living room reading one of her books. Three months passed and Sunset’s belly grew even larger. She’s five months into the pregnancy, only five more to go. It’s the beginning of fall and it began snowing some in the village. Emerald had told Sunset they were in a more weatherly ‘unstable’ area of Equestria and that it can rain and snow without warning. Sunset scoffed, wishing she’d known that earlier because she was sitting outside reading one of her magic books and before she knew it, she was getting drenched in rain. During these three months, she had to take it a little easier due to her belly growing. Sunset smirked, remembering one day how some of the village’s kids came over to play some board games. After some convincing from Emerald, she begrudgingly played. While she did enjoy herself some, she made sure not to get too attached to the kids, but that was a little difficult when she has her own child on the way. She did attend some social gatherings and exchanged different thoughts and feelings, but they were rather distant and ponies showed how connected they really are in this village. Sunset closed the book, having finished the final chapter she wanted to read for the day. Emerald almost treated Sunset like her own daughter, making her breakfast, helping her when she needed it, and even told her some of the stories she’d mentioned to the mare beforehoof. Sunset couldn’t bring herself to constantly reject the mare’s help even though it damaged her pride a bit. It made her feel a little guilty to be this was because Emerald’s very courteous and caring, even when Sunset doesn’t accept her as a friend. Then, one day, as she was sitting in the kitchen, Celestia arrived for her monthly visit, and this time, she told her that Copper finally talked to her and wished to see Sunset. “What?” Sunset’s eyes widened, Emerald heard what Celestia said and slipped outside. “I mean he wants to see you, provided if you give him permission,” Celestia explained. She placed a hoof onto Sunset’s shoulder, “I know this is sudden, but it took him a long time to come to me and ask.” “Way too long...” Sunset mumbled. “He said that if you don’t want him to come, he understands and that he won’t blame you...” Sunset held back a snarl. Curse that Copper, still acting all sweet and shy like he did. He should’ve come with her right when she’d told him what happened. They’d promised to stick together! But now, hearing this, he’s probably expecting a rejection from her. Sunset processed this, still angry and resentful to him, but... maybe with this she can at least get a slither of the reason why he left. Sunset looked up at Celestia. “Send him over.” “You... what?” Celestia’s eyes widened. “A little surprised?” Sunset asked, “I am a little bit too. But if I want answers, this is probably my only shot. So, can you send him in?” “Of course,” said Celestia, “Are you sure?” Celestia always looking out for me, Sunset nodded again, “I am.” With a nod, Celestia stood up and walked out the door. She spoke to Emerald. After she’d heard the news, Emerald looked surprised and over at Sunset with a bit of a concerned look before turning back to Celestia and giving a nod. Sunset spent the next twelve hours anticipating Copper’s arrival. She didn’t know how this meeting was going to go down, but she decided to brace herself for it. Celestia told her that he’d arrive sometime in the afternoon and to try to resolve things with him. Sunset told her okay but isn’t going to hold her breath. Emerald gave her the space she needed to prepare and will tell her when he arrives. Sunset didn’t read or do anything, she just waited for what felt like an eternity. Finally, in the middle of the afternoon, Emerald knocked on the door before she entered. “He’s here,” she said simply. Well, here we go. With a sigh, she sat stood up from the bed and followed Emerald. She felt a little nervous but firm. She knew she’d have the upper hoof if things got out of hoof. They entered the den and she spotted Copper sitting on one of the chairs, looking tired and worn out. He had bags under his eyes and a somber expression on his face. Sunset formed a disappointed look on her face. It had been five months since she begged him. Emerald had Sunset sit down in the chair next to the fireplace. “I’ll leave you two to discuss this,” she said. Sunset watched her head to the door, open it to the outside, and shut it behind her. ... Nopony said anything for what seemed like hours. Copper just kept twiddling his hooves, not looking Sunset directly in the eye. Sunset had her gaze on him but didn’t turn directly at him. With all the time they had together, all the fun memories together, it’s come to this. Sunset began getting impatient with Copper, feeling a twinge of anger come to her again. “N-Nice seeing you...again?” Copper said. Nice seeing you again? Sunset thought angrily, That’s what he greets me with after all that happened? Sunset cleared her throat and turned to face him, “What do you have to say, Copper?” “Well...I...I apologize...” he said, catching sight of Sunset’s belly, “Whoa... you...” “Are fat?” Sunset glared. “No... you’re looking good...” “Well... I...” “You abandoned me,” Sunset said with a snarl. “I know...” Copper whispered. “I begged you, pleaded with you...” “I know...” “How could you do such a thing?!” Sunset asked, her voice almost angry. “I’m sorry okay?!” Copper cried, “I was scared! I was ashamed!” “I was too ever since that night! I didn’t want to accept it, but now I have and I’m owning up to what happened!” Sunset leaned forward a bit, “And where were you?” “I know there’s no excuse for what I did, and I spent a long time wishing I could take it back...but...” “But what, Copper?” Sunset asked in a firm, calmer tone, “That you didn’t want to take responsibility and face the music?” She sighed, “Did you ever still love me?” “Of course, I did and I still do!” Copper protested, “I couldn’t process what happened!” “You certainly don’t act like you do or even care that I had to deal with this situation. Your actions when I came to see you seem to heavily imply that.” “I love you, Sunset!” “Then why did you abandon me? Why Copper? No excuses this time!” Copper paused, unsure of how to put it into words. Sunset’s look hardened a bit as she waited for an answer. Copper was about to say something until-- “Unless you came here to play this nonsensical game of being silent, then maybe you should high tail it out of here,” Sunset growled. “Hey, you’re not totally innocent here!” Copper snapped all of a sudden. Slightly taken aback, Sunset glared daggers, “I know that I am not. I have taken full responsibility for this, I had to deal with my parents and them being upset with me for it. And to top it off, I hadn’t even seen you until now. So...” She gritted her teeth, “Why Copper?” “Because of Celestia!” Copper let out. Sunset’s eyes widened, “What?” “Because of your status as her and the Princess herself!” Copper explained, frowning, “I was afraid to approach her, let alone tell her what you and I did the night before. When she requested my presence, I panicked!” “Why were you scared of Celestia?” Sunset asked, “You’ve met her multiple times and she’s anything but scary.” “But what if she’d banished me? What if she’d never let me see my family again?! What would she do to me?” Sunset blinked, realizing what he was talking about. The gossip on what the almighty, scary Celestia would do to ponies if they did certain things. “Not to mention, on what happened that night! I didn’t know how in Equestria she’d take that! I couldn’t bear to see her not after that night!” Copper cried, “It’s just a scary thought!” “Copper...” Sunset said calmly, “Why in Equestria would you ever listen to such nonsense?!” “It’s not nonsense!” “Oh, really?” Sunset scoffed, “Because I told her what happened and look at me!” “Yeah, you’re special!” “I am not ‘special’ as you say! I am another pony like you are!” “Please? Personal protégé?” Copper waved his foreleg, “Yeah right! And who am I? Just some lowdown, deadbeat stallion?” “You’re a deadbeat for what you did to me!” Sunset growled, “Not to mention you’re still here even after Celestia knew! She didn’t track you down and try to banish you or worse did she?” “Probably just wants to strike me without a moment’s notice!” Sunset gawked at him, “I can’t believe you! I can’t believe you left me because of some gossip!” “I said I was sorry!” “But you haven’t owned up to what’s your responsibility Copper! You haven’t done anything to help me at all!” “And I’m anti-social and I don’t know how to handle certain situations!” “You need to grow up out of that and be a stallion already!” “Says the pony who began flirting with me!” “Hey! You got into that! Don’t tell me you didn’t fall for me first! You admitted you had a thing for me before our vacation!” “Yes, I did but...” “But nothing mister!” Sunset roared, causing Copper to flinch, “Everything you told me, I expected a much better explanation than all of this!” “Sunset, please, have mercy on me! I regret not being there for you!” “And you told me this after five months into my pregnancy? What were you doing huh? Letting yourself go? Manipulating other mares into sleeping with them?! Is that it?!” Sunset snapped, her pupils dilated and snorting very harshly. “No! I...” Copper sulked, “I am...” “Leave.” Copper blinked and looked at Sunset, the mare having a much calmer look, but still angry, on her face, “What?” “Get out of here.” “Sunset...” “No!” Sunset snapped, making Copper jump out of his seat, “I want you gone!” “But what about my... our baby?” “Our baby?!” Sunset snarled, she stomped right up to him, getting right in his face, “You think you can just call the baby ‘our baby’ when I am five months pregnant? Do you have any idea of the emotions I’ve gone through and having to hold my own? It’s a good thing Celestia and Emerald are here for me, unlike a deadbeat idiotic backstabbing bum like you!” “Now, hold on!” “Out!” Sunset levitated him up, opened the door, and tossed him outside. “And I don’t want to ever see you again!” Copper stood up, looking sad. Sunset turned around and didn’t even look at him anymore. “You don’t know the shame I went through...” Copper mumbled. Sunset didn’t respond, she just glared at him, shook her head before shutting the door. When she did, thunder rumbled outside. Sunset sat down in her chair, her look softening. Before she knew it, she was weeping again. Soon after, Emerald came back in. “Sunset, what happened?” she asked. Sunset just looked at her with tears in her eyes. Emerald’s eyes widened. Before she could say or do anything, Sunset spoke up, “I don’t want to see him again. He’s such a backstabbing idiotic deadbeat.” She looked away, “And he didn’t own up to his responsibility...” Emerald wanted to question and help her, but how could she? It wasn’t her choice to have Sunset talk, but she believed it would best if she gave her some space. “I’ll do as you ask... I’m here for you,” she said, almost automatically. Sunset just nodded and turned away, looking down at and rubbing her five-month pregnant belly.