//------------------------------// // Chapter 12 - Two sides of the mirror // Story: Wherever the Light Shines: Part 3 // by MLPSolarDash1907 //------------------------------// Meanwhile, on the other side of a particular mirror lies a school called Canterlot High. As she closed her locker while holding some books, Sunset Shimmer, pony turned human, smiled at all of the various students that chatted with one another either discussing studying or just hanging out. Sunset smiled and waved to Micro Chips and Bulk Biceps and hi-fived Sandalwood as he passed by. Then, she began to walk down the hall, the final bell of the school day rang as Sunset began to reminisce. She couldn’t help it, but every time she walked down the halls, she remembered how students cowered in fear of her and wanted to avoid her, but now she sees most if not all of them smiling and waving at her. It reminds her of how far she’s come since those days. Then, she bumped into someone. Both grunted as Sunset kept her footing. She shook her head and saw she’d bumped into a familiar blonde-haired girl with misaligned eyes. “Oops, sorry Derpy,” said Sunset, reaching down for her. “It’s okay,” Derpy smiled, taking Sunset's hand. Sunset pulled her up and the girl continued with, “I just don’t know what went wrong.” “Well, things are a lot more right for all of us here,” Sunset smiled. Derpy giggled. “That they are. Stay awesome, sunshine!” She walked off and Sunset’s smile grew. Sunset resumed her walk, seeing more of the various students of Canterlot High. As she did, the last word Derpy said to her began to repeat itself in her mind. Sunshine... She recalled a little conversation she and Mystic had on the train ride to the Crystal Empire to find Starlight. That conversation on the train stayed on her mind for reasons she hadn’t spoke of to Twilight or the others. “I had an old friend,” Mystic’s voice echoed. “I don’t talk about her much.” “Who’s that?” asked Sunset. “Her name was Sunshine Smiles. You would’ve liked her. She was the sweetest and the wisest filly you’d ever meet.” Sunset remembered how Mystic seemed to have a bit of a sad smile on her face when she talked about Sunshine, leading her to believe that something awful might’ve happened to her friend. As Sunset turned left, lost in her mind, she also remembered how Twilight and her friends tried to become friends with her. While Fluttershy on the other side was successful, the shy pegasus never spoke about making the progress Sunset ever did. Mystic never opened up to anypony else about her past, even when she asked Fluttershy and Twilight, she never could get to that conclusion. I wonder why Mystic connected with me like she did... she thought. The way all of them described her and the way she acts I don’t see how she could’ve connected with a complete stranger so fast... “Hey Sunny!” came a familiar raspy voice. Sunset was snapped out of her thoughts when she saw a familiar blue girl with rainbow hair. “Hey, Rainbow Dash,” replied Sunset. “Where’re the others?” “Out in the lobby,” replied Rainbow, throwing a basketball in her hands and catching it. “We were gonna go to the movies later today and then go shopping for the event coming soon.” “Oh, right,” Sunset smirked. “The sequel to the Daring Do movie we were in a while back, huh?” “Yep!” Rainbow laughed. “And it’s gonna be even more awesome than the first!” “Because you got more than just a brief cameo?” “Right!” Rainbow smacked Sunset’s back. “This is gonna be the best movie ever!” “Don’t let the stardom go to your head.” “Wouldn’t dream of it! See you outside!” Rainbow bolted off in a flash, leaving a trail of rainbow behind her. Sure, you wouldn’t... Sunset thought. As Sunset entered the lobby, she saw Wallflower Blush leaning up against a wall. She waved at her and the girl waved back with a smile on her face. Sunset noticed that a tannish athletic boy with blue eyes walked up to her. She kissed him on the cheek and both walked off, holding hands. “Oh!” Sunset’s eyes widened, surprised but then a happy smile grew on her face. Sunset approached the doors and opened them. At the base of the recently reconstructed Canterlot High statue, she saw her friends, the Rainbooms, talking with one another. When Sunset reached the bottom of the stairs, Applejack saw her and waved her over. “There you are!” Rainbow cried as Sunset joined them. “Come on, we’re burning daylight to get to the movie!” “The movie starts in an hour, Rainbow Dash,” said Applejack. “Exactly! We need front row seats if we’re gonna catch the best of the experience!” “Didn’t we get VIP tickets from Mr. Zoom?” Fluttershy asked meekly. “Not the point! There’re probably other VIP people that wanna hog all of the best of the best for themselves!” “I can only imagine what those people might be like,” Sunset said to herself, slightly amused. “Okay,” Rarity stepped forward. “How about this? Why don’t I take Rainbow to the theater and pick out the best seats while all of you go get the popcorn and sodas?” “Sounds awesome!” Rainbow cried, taking Rarity’s arm. “Gotta go!” “Rainbow!” Rarity shrieked, “Don’t ruuuu--” Her sentence turned into screams as Rainbow bolted off in a streak that matches her name. “Okay then,” Sunset remarked. “I’ll go get the snacks!” Pinkie cried and she was off in a flash, too. But then she came back and grabbed Fluttershy’s arm. “Fluttershy, come help me!” “Don’t run!” Fluttershy cried. “Okay, let’s race walk!” Pinkie said and began pulling Fluttershy along. “Ah’d better go with’em in case they get into trouble,” said Applejack, going after them. Sunset and Sci-Twi looked at each other and broke out into giggles. “How about we don’t rush things,” said Sci-Twi. “Agreed,” replied Sunset. “Well, let’s talk as we walk!” Sci-Twi began walking down the sidewalk. Sunset joined her. “Are your friends in Equestria doing okay?” Sci-Twi asked. “You mean aside from being ripped apart by lions and nearly consumed in darkness by a foul beast, they’re doing just fine,” replied Sunset. “I still need to hear all of that you told me about again.” “For the third time?” “It sounds like an exciting adventure!” Sci-Twi defended. “It was, but you’re starting to sound like Rainbow.” “Hey, at least I’m not running everywhere.” “True.” Suddenly, Sunset remembered something. “Are we beginning to get some ideas for the Principal and Vice Principal’s twentieth anniversary?” she asked. “I’ve begun a list!” Sci-Twi beamed, pulling out a notebook. Sunset giggled. “Of course, you did.” “I can’t wait for it! It’s going to be so much fun!” Sci-Twi cried. Just wait until the lists and perfection kick in... Sunset thought, mostly for herself. “Oh!” Sci-Twi faceplanted. “I momentarily forgot to pick up Spike in about ten minutes!” “Don’t keep him waiting,” said Sunset. “I won’t. He had to go to the vet.” “Yeah, just a rotten tooth in the back of his mouth.” “Yikes,” Sunset cringed. “Well, if he ate fewer sweets, he wouldn’t have gotten the cavity,” Sci-Twi huffed, crossing her arms. “I warned him multiple times.” “Try convincing Pinkie to eat fewer sweets,” Sunset smirked. “Now, that’s just asking for trouble!” Sunset laughed. “Give him my best. See you at the theater.” “I’ll be there!” Sci-Twi said with a smile. And so, Sci-Twi left Sunset to walk. She began to think about Mystic again. “It feels like I have some kind of connection with you, Sunset,” Mystic’s voice echoed. “I’m not used to that kind of thing.” “Maybe you’re finding a true friend in me,” Sunset’s own voice echoed. That’s probably the case... Sunset thought. But was unable to convince herself if that was true or not. Regardless of their connection, she’s happy to have met her and she feels as if things might get better between them. Sunset opened the door to her house. She let out a pleasant sigh as she placed her backpack on her nearby couch. She walked into the small kitchen, thinking of Mystic, and hoped that what she asked of Twilight would soon be fulfilled. Sunset pulled out some canned, meat-free pasta, opened it up, put it in a bowl, and put it in the microwave. She heard something vibrating from nearby. Sunset put a minute and thirty seconds in for her quick meal and walked over to her journal. She fished it out of her bag and opened it to reveal a recent message from Princess Twilight. Hey, Sunset! I’ve got the new magical journal you’d requested! Shall I bring it to Mystic? Sunset smiled, Twilight followed through as usual. Because of her and Mystic’s connection, Sunset suspected she’d want to speak with her. Without a second thought, she wrote, Yes. I would love to communicate with her. Good. I’ll go find her right away. Sunset smiled, climbed onto the couch, and laid on her stomach, waiting to speak to Mystic again. Mystic read through the third chapter of the school textbook again. She had a notepad nearby and a cup of coffee for good measure. She levitated her quill up and underlined something related to the Tree of Harmony’s properties. “Hey, Mystic,” said Twilight. “Yes?” Mystic looked up from her book. “I’ve got something for you,” said Twilight, levitating something to her and placing it in her hooves. Mystic took a few seconds to realize it was a journal that had what looked like Sunset’s cutie mark on the cover. “What’s this?” “It’s a magical journal,” Twilight explained. “You can communicate with somepony anywhere on the globe by writing in the pages and their replies appear afterward.” Mystic’s eyes widened. “Provided if they’re holding the journal.” She sheepishly chuckled. “Wow,” Mystic marveled, opening the journal to reveal the blank pages. “This is something I’d never heard of!” She looked up at Twilight, “Where did you get this?” “Oh, Princess Celestia has some,” Twilight giggled. “But you wanted to communicate with Sunset while she’s away, don’t you?” “It would be nice.” “Well,” Twilight pointed at the journal, “Ta-da!” The gears in Mystic’s mind clicked. “I... I can speak to Sunset with this?!” “Well, not verbally, but yeah.” Mystic levitated her book, put it aside, and put the journal onto the table she had been using. “Thanks,” replied Mystic, “I’ll see if she’ll reply sometime.” “You’re welcome, see you later,” replied Twilight and she left Mystic. Deciding to take a little break from her studies, Mystic opened the journal to the first page. Heh, she chuckled. Might as well see what this is about. She levitated her quill up and wrote – Hey, Sunset, it’s Mystic. Are you there? She waited for a little bit. Then, some writing began appearing on her page. Hey Mystic! You finally got the journal, didn’t you? Holding back a gasp, Mystic smiled and figured out that they more than likely planned for her to talk with Sunset, wherever that might be. Yeah, it’s quite a gift. Thanks. I had to have some way to communicate with my friend. Mystic smiled. I’m glad you thought of this. Anyway, what’re you up to? Uh, is that what you’re supposed to ask? LOL! Those letters caused Mystic to furrow her brows in confusion, Well, I’ve had a fun, yet busy day today with my studies and hanging out with my friends. What about you? What’s a LOL? Mystic raised a curious eyebrow. Oh! Sorry, it’s a saying. It means laugh out loud. Mystic blinked and wrote, Oh. What’s going on where you are? Learning anything new? Mystic let out a laugh, Hay yeah. Twilight’s very thorough. Don’t let her overwhelm you. Never! Mystic briefly paused and wrote some more. Twilight finally worked up the courage to stand up against Mr. Bullion and expelled his sons from the school, Mystic wrote, smiling at the thought. Oh, really?! I’m so happy she managed to stand up against him! She might’ve had a little push to do so from somepony. Mystic wrote a winking face. There was a brief pause. You encouraged Twilight? Yeah, more like gave her a push. Wow, I’m proud of you, Mystic! I was just tired of all those losers mooing is all. Still, it was very nice of you to give Twilight some encouragement. I didn’t really do much, Mystic thought, but decided not to write that down. She began thinking about what else to say. Hey Mystic, can I ask you something if you don’t mind? A small feeling in her gut rose in Mystic’s gut. This was likely about something personal. Shoot. She wrote. Have you practiced any of the exercises we talked about? And there it was. Mystic lowered her head, remembering some parts of the talk she and Sunset had on the way to the Crystal Empire. She felt her horn, but felt no aching from it or her head. “I don’t need pity.” “I’m not saying you do, Mystic,” Sunset’s voice echoed. “But what you have inside you is a terrible anger. It’s okay to be angry but trust me, you don’t want it to get out of control.” “I’ve moved on past my anger! I’ve reformed my life!” Mystic squeezed her eyes shut. “And you’re sure your anger and past trauma hasn’t come out in some other form?” Mystic looked up to see that there was no reply in her journal. “Am I supposed to forgive that monster for all the suffering he caused me, Sunset?” “What I’m saying is, that hatred can make you bitter and that bitterness could turn you into the very thing you hate if you don’t get it under control. I am all too familiar with that.” Mystic? Sunset wrote back. Mystic snapped out of her thoughts and wrote back. Sorry, I was just thinking. About? Mystic sighed. Sunset, how could I possibly forgive somepony like Hong? There was a pause. Should you forgive him? That’s up to you, Mystic. But even if you don’t, like I mentioned, you can not hate him anymore and ponies who did you wrong in the past. Holding onto hatred won’t make you feel any better. Is that what happened to you before you changed? There was another pause. Yes. I held onto hatred and it grew until I was nearly consumed by it. I was so blinded by it, I was bitter, lonely, and wanted revenge. I thought it would make me feel better if I fulfilled my revenge. It was through Twilight’s leadership and my friends’ ability to forgive and help me find my way. Mystic read those words several times over, trying to take them in. But... I still don’t think I could do what you did, Sunset. It’ll take time, but just try, Mystic. Don’t make the mistakes I did that you’ll regret for the rest of your life. Forgiveness and letting go of hate? Mystic thought. A small thought arose that her hatred towards Hong is what fueled her desire to defeat him. And she hadn’t thought much of forgiveness since... Sunshine. How did you get so wise? Mystic wrote, slightly cringing after she let her thoughts out. Ha! I only learned from my friends and Princess Twilight! Mystic rolled her eyes. I should’ve guessed. She looked at the pages she’d written on and tried to think of something else to say. What she had been told by Sunset lingered but thoughts of keeping in line with the program and studying began to emerge. Then, she decided to write something she was curious about. Do you think I could come see you where you’re staying at some time? There was a pause. Mystic waited for what seemed like a minute. I’m not sure how that would work out, Sunset wrote. But I’ll have to talk to Twilight about it. Why? Is it dangerous? Mystic wrote back. It’s more complicated than that. I would love to have you, but A pause. Conditions make it to where it isn’t as easy as that. Mystic sighed, feeling a little frustrated. All right, fine. Thank you, Mystic. I hope you’re not too upset. No, just a little fire coming out of my horn right now. Mystic wrote with a smirk. Ha ha very funny, missy. Well, I would love to continue to write, but I need to keep in line with this stupid program that General has me on, Mystic wrote, knowing it was partly Twilight but put the blame on Hong. Hong is just a bully and a coward as far as I’m concerned, Sunset wrote, which Mystic chuckled at. Just keep your head down and do your best so things will work out for all of you. All right. Bye Sunset. Later. Mystic’s smile grew as she closed the journal. I will visit you one day, Sunset. Wherever you might be. Sunset just laid on the bed, looking at what Mystic last wrote. Her heart slightly raced as some sweat trickled down her forehead. I wish I could just... tell her about this place... she thought, closing her journal. Sunset didn’t know how a visit from Mystic would go in the world she called home. That filly was fascinated with exploring and she’d likely get carried away. But she had faith she’d get along with her friends and the people at Canterlot High. Sunset laid on her back, recalling a conversation she and Twilight had before she left Equestria again. “Mystic and I connected, sure, but what if she found out about the other world?” Sunset asked. “I don’t know... but I guess it became inevitable when you became her first real friend,” replied Twilight. No regretful thought came to Sunset, but sometimes she wonders if she might be putting this world and Equestria in more danger than what she thought. I’m glad the people on the boat agreed to keep Equestria a secret... Sunset thought, remembering how a bunch of citizens had to go through the portal at school to get home. She sat up on her bed and cricked her neck, accidentally knocking down one of her school books onto the floor. With an annoyed roll of her eyes, she picked up the face-down book, and then a sheet of paper fell out of it. Curious, Sunset knelt and picked it up, flipped it over, and saw written in crude black marker--- "GO HOME, EQUESTRIAN!" Sunset gasped her mind beginning to race a million miles an hour. Another one?! And in my locker?! And they knew the combination to it on top of where she'd come from?! Who was responsible for this? The only saving grace was that she believed they did not know about the portal. But she shuddered, crumpled, and threw away the letter. Did someone still hate her? Why? She's done so much. I can't tell the others about this with the celebration coming up, she thought, going to the kitchen, We'll deal with it afterward. Whatever happened, Sunset hoped she could deal with it.