Sunset and Twilight were in Sunset’s basement setting up her YouTube channel: Shimmer Code.
“The way I see it Sunet we can do it with one camera if you don’t want to be in front of the camera and play the game. To have people watch you while you play it would take a lot more work.” Twilight said.
“What do you suggest I do?” Sunset asked.
“Introduce the game then, go to let them watch the game and only cut back to you if need be. We only have one camera and I doubt YouTube is going to pay you.” Twilight said.
“This is going to be harder than I thought. I guess I’ll open the episode and then do the playthrough. Aunt Chrysalis said I can do a playthrough of most of the older games in one night.” Sunset said.
“Well, some gamers get sponsors, but they are also traveling to tournaments and stuff you don’t have time for.
So you got your headset, and several games, a couple of systems and your laptop if you want to open a live chat while you stream. Maybe even set up a way for people to make a donation.” Twilight informed her.
“You don’t seem like the girl gamer type. How do you know all this?” Sunset asked.
“I read it in a few magazines and did some research online. So if you want to be successful they are going to need a box with your face in the corner of their screen. Now I updated your laptop and you should be ready to sit down here and play. If I can do some way to project the video game. Sunset this is all a bit new to me but I’ll have it ready.” Twilight added.
“Thanks for all the help Twi, I could never get this off the ground without you.” Sunset said hugging Twilight. Twilight gladly returned the hug.
“Awww look at you two.” Luna said coming down the stairs into the basement.
The girls quickly broke the hug and took a step back, “Mom as if.” Sunset said.
“I prefer guys Ms. Luna.” Twilight said.
Standing behind Twilight, Luna gave Sunset as if to say “seriously.”
Both girls felt their heart break as they both said they didn’t love each other.
“Mom please I love Twilight as a friend, a sister, and would do almost anything for her. But romantically no.” Sunset lied.
“Ms. Luna, I feel the same way about Sunset, I love her like family and would do anything for her.” Twilight lied, now wondering if she ever had a chance with Sunset.
“Well I was coming to ask if Twilight wanted to join us for dinner?’” Luna asked.
“Let me call my mom but I would like to very much.” Twilight said.
“While she makes her call, is this gaming channel going to be possible along with your school work and a job when you get one?” Luna asked.
“Shimmer Code is going to be good but it’s just for fun. Uploading twice a month. I’ll figure it out.” Sunset assured Luna.
“Okay well it's dinner time. Twilight?” Luna asked.
“Mom and dad are so happy that they said yes to eating here.” Twilight said.
“Why are they so happy?” Sunset asked,
“Because I have friends and am doing normal teenage things.” Twilight replied smiling.
“I know how your parents feel. I was the same way after the fall formal, seeing Sunset being nice and hanging out with her new friends.” Luna said putting her arm around her daughter.
“I see now why you adopted her.” Twilight remarked.
“Sunset needed me and I needed her.” Luna said making Sunset turn bright red.
“Mom, stop it you’re embarrassing me.” Sunset complained.
“I’m your mother. That's part of my job.” Luna explained walking away.
Luna quickly served the girls the vegetable lasagna she cooked.
“I think it’s great you and your mom actually show affection like that.” Twilight said while eating her meal.
“It’s something Luna taught me to do. I have to say you’re doing better than I did after my transformation.” Sunset said.
“I’m not doing that great, I still have nightmares and Midnight Sparkle tells me things that I’m scared are true.” Twilight said.
“Like what kind of things?” Asked Sunset. Luna also looked up concerned.
“Like how my family and friends all hate me and think I’m a freak and other things.” Twilight confessed. She didn’t want to mention when Midnight Sparkle teased her about her feelings for Sunset.
“Twilight, Sunset Satan told me the same stuff. Luna was only being nice to me out of pity and my friends weren’t really my friends and used to scare me pretty bad.
None of it is true though. The Rainbooms, Trixie, The Crusaders, hell, even Flash Sentry are all on your side. No matter what Midnight Sparkle tells you it’s not true. Everyone is here for you and nothing can change that.” Sunset explained.
Twilight just sat there and hung her head and looked really depressed. Sunset couldn’t stand it and walked over and put her hand on Twilight’s shoulder. Twilight looked up at Sunset and smiled and rubbed her hand.
“Tell you what Twilight tomorrow in the Music Room I’m gonna make a major announcement. I want you there to hear what I have to say.” Sunset told her.
“I’ll be there, I promise you.” Twilight said.
“Well Twilight, how about I take you home?” Luna said finishing her meal and seeing the girls had finished thiers.
“What about dinner, I should help clean up.” Twilight said.
“Nonsense that’s Sunset’s job.’ Luna said, waiting to see Sunset’s response.
“Mom if you take one of my friends home I want to come for the ride.” Sunset said.
“Luna, let Sunset go with you. I'll clean up.” Celestia said entering the dining room.
Twilight got up from the table and offered her help once again. Celestia again politely declined. Twilight grabbed her bag; she had two assignments to finish at home but was glad to be able to help Sunset.
Twilight grabbed her bag and headed out to the driveway Sunset walking right behind her. Both got in the back seat as Luna got in and started the car up. She noticed as she drove Twilight home that her and Sunset hardly talked.
“Sunset, Twilight I expected you two to be gabbing away about whatever teenagers talk about today and you two are quieter than your friend Fluttershy.” Luna said.
“I’m still new to the whole friend thing. I'm not sure what to say.” Twilight admitted meekly.
“Whatever is on your mind Twi. We can talk about clothes, boys, fashion, school and how the Vice Principal is a real hard ass.” Sunset laughing at the last part.
“Not funny and that hard ass is also your mother, don't forget young lady.” Luna said kidding back.
“Oh are you going to get in trouble for that remark?” Twilight asked.
“No mom and I have a weird sense of humor.” Sunset told her.
“Good I was worried.” Twilight replied.
“Well here we are Twilight, have a good night.” Luna said.
Sunset got out of the car with Twilight and gave her a hug goodbye.
“Thanks for your help tonight Twilight, it meant a lot.” Sunset said.
“Glad I can help you get Shimmer Code off the ground. I look forward to your announcement tomorrow.” Twilight said walking away into her house. Sunset sighed and walked with her head down and shoulders slumped. After slowly walking back to the car she sat down in the front next to Luna looking depressed.
“Oh for Pete’s sake, when are you going to ask her out already??!!” Luna exclaimed.
“How about never, never sounds good.” Sunset said.
“Why?” Luna said pulling out of the driveway.
“Hmm I don’t know maybe…because she doesn’t like me. That’s a good reason why.” Sunset said.
“Oh, Bullcrap she slept in your arms twice now." Luna retorted.
“O.K. One she was scared and cried herself to sleep, she was holding on to the one person who had gone through what happened to her. We were both raging she demons.
Two it was 19 degrees, and I don’t know why she had a summer weight bag, she was shivering. I told her to get in the bag with me and yes I snuggled with her to warm her up and keep her warm. I put my hat on her and everything.” Sunset said.
“Uh huh.” Luna replied.
“Plus she doesn’t like me like that.” Sunset said dejectedly.
“I’m not so sure.” Luna replied.
* * *
“So?” Spike asked.
“So what?” Twilight asked getting her homework out.
“You confess everything to Sunset?” Spike asked.
“No. I helped her set up Shimmer Code.” Twilight replied.
“Why didn’t you tell her?” Spike asked.
“For the last time Spike! SHE-DOES-NOT-LIKE-ME!!” Twilight told him getting annoyed. A few seconds later she regretted getting angry at Spike when she heard him whimper.
Twilight ran over and picked Spike up in her arms and was rocking him. She remembered he looked at her like this when she was Midnight Sparkle tearing the very fabric of Space and time apart.
“I’m sorry Spike, it’s just even though I read about it in different books. I don’t understand attraction, especially to my own gender. I should know this and my brain does not get it.” Twilight complained.
“Maybe you should talk to people instead of researching it.” Spike suggested.
“Talk to who about it?” Twilight asked back.
“Try your mom and dad, or your brother and sister-in-law they are all in love. Wouldn’t they be good places to start?” Spike asked.
“I guess, now onto school work. The best part of the day.” Twilight said.
* * *
Arriving at home, Sunset went into the house followed by Luna. Luna decided to talk to Sunset considering she had wanted to discuss the situation with Apple Cinnamon.
“Sunset we need to talk.” Luna said as Sunset started up the stairs.
“What about?” Sunset asked.
“The other day, Apple Cinnamon and I.” Luna said.
Both Luna and Sunset went and sat down in the lounge/living room. Sunset sat on the recliner and Luna on the couch. Luna was going to break the ice when Sunset spoke up.
“Mom I just can’t believe you would just jump in bed with another guy after what happened when you were 18. Why would you just go to bed with Apple Cinnamon? Because he gave you a ring that he probably got out of a gumball machine?” Sunset asked.
“I’m surprised you’re not more mad at me.” Luna said.
“I would be, but what I say doesn’t matter anymore. You’re going to date him and marry him anyway. Regardless of what I say.” Sunset replied.
Luna wanted Sunset to be happy, but at the same time she wanted Apple Cinnamon. This was a tough decision for her so she threw the ball in Sunset’s court.
“What do you want me to do?” Luna asked.
“I really don’t like him and want you two to break up, but I know that would destroy you. Especially now that you have slept with him. I guess I have to ask why? Why did you sleep with him? Because he gave you a ring?” Sunset said sullenly.
“It was just supposed to be a make out session, Not what it ended up turning into. It was the passion. Sunset not to gross you out but I hadn’t been that hot since I was 18. I hadn’t planned on this.” Luna explained.
“I understand that mom. I want you to be happy, I really do. I’m not gonna be happy about this but I will have to learn to live with it.” Sunset admitted.
“Sunset let me make this offer to you. Before you write Apple Cinnamon off for good. Why don’t you spend some time with him. Let him take you for a day and approach that with an open mind like you did with your Aunt Celestia. What do you say?” Asked Luna leaning forward on the couch awaiting Sunset’s reply.
* * *
The Next day in the halls of CHS…
“So what did you say?” Twilight asked.
“I told her fine.” Sunset replied.
“Begrudgingly?” Asked Twilight.
“You mean reluctantly?” Sunset asked, stopping at her locker to get her books out.
“Yes that’s what I said.” Twilight said.
Closing her locker and walking towards the music room, Twilight insisted. “Well what did you say?”
“I’ll tell you when we are done navigating these busy hallways here in the school.” Sunset told her. Sunset stopped by Trixie’s locker who was also getting her books for the morning.
“Ready?’ She asked,
“Trixie is ready to do this. Let’s go.” Trixie replied.
“What are you two doing?” Twilight asked.
“You’ll see in a second.” Sunset replied.
Entering the music room, the girls saw all The Rainbooms and The Crusaders
“Howdy ya’ll.” Applejack greeted her in her country twang.
“Darling we got your text and are so anxious to hear the big news.” Rarity added.
“Yeah Sunny I can hardly wait, I’m literally bouncing with anticipation.” Said Pinkie who looked like she was about to come unglued.
“Okay, okay everybody. Trixie and I both have announcements Trixie will go first.” Sunset said taking a seat along with everyone else.
“The great and powerful Trixie has decided she better tell you this sooner than later…”Trixie began. Then Trixie took a deep breath. “...I’m gay a lesbian.” Trixie finished.
Silence filled the room then Pinkie spoke up “Do you guys realize what this means?”
“What?” Asked Sunset.
“We need to have a coming out party for Trixie!!” Pinkie exclaimed.
“No we don't. My mom doesn’t know yet and I’m not sure how I am going to tell her. Or how she will react.” Trixie replied.
Sunset stood up then and said “The other big announcement is about me. I’m going to come out too. I'm Bi.”
Silence once again filled the room except for Trixie who already knew and hoped maybe now she could have a chance with Sunset.
“Amazing I was kind of wondering about her. Still she never said what she did say about Apple Cinnamon.” Twilight thought.