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// Chapter 23: No Train No Gain 
// Story: Equestria Girls - The Tale of Two Sunsets 
// by HumanSunset63 
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As the train began to make its way toward Canterlot with several more stops along the way, Derpy and Sunset had found a seat with enough space for both of them. Sunset took her saddlebag off before taking a seat, and having the occasional glance outside the window. The more she observed the scenery and landscapes as the train kept on moving, the more she began to feel that her aspiration for returning to Equestria permanently sounded like a good idea. She began to see so many unique and interesting creatures just roaming around, even some getting to know ponies a bit better. 

There were several unicorns in the same coach Sunset and Derpy were in, who were using their magic for casual, everyday uses, such as levitating a book. This also began to make Sunset really miss the days where she was accustomed to using a magical horn, which she always lost when she turned back into a human. Even up until now from her time in Equestria, it never really dawned on her that she technically could start using her magic instead of doing it the old fashioned way with hooves. The memory that best exemplified this lack of adaption for Sunset was when she first met Starlight, and was attempting to pick up a journal off the ground instead of simply using magic. 

On the subject of magic, Sunset had also realized she was out of practice from using magic for quite some time, at least the magic she naturally had in her horn. As a human, she had magic for a while with her geode, but really never got much use from it, outside of being able to read other people's minds. As such, returning to Equestria could potentially give Sunset more time for practice in magic, something she knew she was always gifted at. After all, she didn't simply become Celestia's pupil at one point for nothing. She just lacked the humility and acceptance of friendship in her past, which have certainly changed her life in the best way possible.

While putting this thought behind her, she began a friendly conversation with Derpy, curious on how life was, and if she overall enjoyed it here in Ponyville, as Maud was unable to give a clear answer earlier.

"So... Derpy?" Sunset began. "I'm just curious if you have any feedback on how things are here in Ponyville? I'm kinda new in town, and I was hoping for a secondary opinion on how you like it here, if I do potentially want to start living here myself."

"Oh, I don't actually live in Ponyville." Derpy replied. "My home's actually in Cloudsdale, but I have spent enough time in Ponyville to let you know it's wonderful! Outside of that grouchy mare we saw earlier, everypony I know here are mostly friendly and inviting. I would know from experience, being the pony who has to carry everypony else's mail, of course."

"That's nice to hear." Sunset smiled before pointing out Derpy's wings. "I haven't really talked with many pegasai, how's life when you have wings?"

"They feel like an extra set of hooves, and are the main reason I can get around so quickly. Though it does get exhausting after a while. "Derpy explained. "I'm kind of surprised that you haven't really communicated with many of us pegasai, we're all over in Equestria, not just Ponyville and Cloudsdale."

"Oh, I'm aware." Sunset began to elaborate, alluding a bit to her past. "It's just that, I haven't exactly always been the social kind of pony. I wanted to start changing myself for the better, so I decided that I should start getting out a little more, making new friends, that sort of thing."

"That's nice to hear, Sunset." Derpy said cheerfully. "I've actually made a few new friends myself who weren't even ponies. I'm not sure how it happened, but recently, so many other creatures became united with ponies, such as yaks, kirins, changelings, and hippogriffs. When you get used to the fact they're completely different creatures, they're pretty friendly."

"Changelings?" Sunset said, while looking outside her window. There were a few changelings walking by the train, even one of them waving at the ponies inside. "Is that what those bug-like ponies are? I remember Princess Twilight writing to me once about how they no longer had to feed on love once they embraced friendship, but they don't look like any changelings I remember."

"Yes, that's them, all right." Derpy confirmed, before suddenly realizing what Sunset just revealed. "Wait a second, you know Twilight Sparkle personally? The soon-to-be ruler of all of Equestria? Everypony's been talking about it every since both Princess Celestia and Luna said they're retiring."

"Oh, yeah." Sunset said, being reminded of the main reason she even came back to Equestria temporarily. "Let's just say, she's a good friend of mine, and also the one who taught me that friendship is magic. This train is headed to Canterlot, which is where the coronation will be held, and that's where I'm expecting to head once the ride is over. I dunno about you, Derpy, but I'm looking forward to spending a little time with her. We both write to each other quite a bit."

"Well, I am heading to Canterlot myself, but I'm not particularly close with Twilight, so it's mostly for attending the coronation." Derpy explained. "I'm also meeting a good friend of mine there, whom I haven't seen in ages. When you got all these responsibilities to live life, you can't always find time to be with your friends."

Sunset knew that Derpy's adult-mindset was something she was going to have to inevitably deal with, sometime after graduation. "I can't relate to that line of thinking anymore than I currently do." Sunset expressed, before thinking of a way to explain this to Derpy in a way that didn't bring up the human world. "I really do want to stay here in Ponyville for a longer period of time, outside of simply attending Twilight's coronation. But I still have close friends back in my old hometown, and I can't simply leave them behind."

Derpy put a hoof on Sunset before speaking up. "Hey, I can get where you're coming from. My friend in question is always busy working on inventions and traveling all over Equestria for research. The same could be said for me, who has to work the mail route every day, and having other jobs in the meantime. He and I are still the closest of friends, because we understand each other in having a life outside of our friendship, and because we keep in touch through mail. Even though we haven't spoken in a while, he'll always look like a million bits to me. This problem you're having right now, it's really your decision. I can't tell you not to, but maybe do what's best for you for the sake of your old friends too." Derpy advised. 

"That... that sounds like a pretty good start. Thanks for taking the time to talk with me, you've been a great help with trying to figure out this dilemma I'm having." Sunset said gratefully. 



Although this talk with Derpy was at least a start in figuring out her problem, Sunset still felt the need to discuss the matter with Princess Twilight, once she finally arrives at the coronation. After all, Twilight was titled the Princess of Friendship, and she would completely understand Sunset, if she were to become open about the human world. She would likely also have words of wisdom in regards to seemingly abandoning her own friends now that she's had to move to Canterlot to fulfill her royal duties.

Sunset also began to feel that, although it was likely due to her willingness to socialize and make new friends, perhaps this was also another reason to become acquainted with the residents of Equestria. Most ponies she's met so far have been rather friendly and inviting, to where this seemingly peaceful environment would make her feel more encouraged in doing what she always strived to accomplish, becoming a skilled magical unicorn. Sunset began to wonder if these ponies were always this kind, or if they had been influenced to be friendly under Princess Twilight's rule. If it was the former, then Sunset definitely regretted not making friends back then. She even had vague memories of ponies who could've been her friends back in the day, impressed by her magic feats and inviting her to have lunch with them. But it was all turned down, when she only focused on becoming Celestia's most gifted student, and saw nothing else of importance.

The feeling of being surrounded by friendly ponies was once again, abruptly ended by yet another familiar face, who tapped her on the back to get her attention. Sunset turned around and didn't even realize at first, it was another one of the Shadowbolts she knew back in the other world when she took her seat.

"Do you ponies think you could can it already?" Sunny Flare said, rather annoyed. "I've been working my tail off on dress designs lately, and I don't need to hear ponies blabbing for an eternity about friendship lessons! You two are giving me a serious headache!"

Sunset and Derpy gave her a dirty look, before complying to her request. "All right, I think we've had a good talk anyway, if it makes you feel any better, I'll take a quick nap." Sunset said as she turned back onto her seat, and closed her eyes.

"I do have to make a temporary detour at the next stop to pick up my friend." Derpy whispered. "If you're going to continue on the train, Canterlot is still 5 more stops away."

"Thanks, Derpy." Sunset whispered back, before continuing her nap.

It seemed like a good idea for Sunset to nap a little while, since she had been walking for most of the day, which included a draining sprint from her apartment to the CHS portal. She didn't want to meet Twilight at the coronation in a tired state either, so she decided this was the best solution at the moment.

A few minutes later, the train had arrived at the next stop. Both Derpy and Sunny Flare left the train, while Sunset kept on napping. Unfortunately for Sunset, she forgot she had a habit of oversleeping, likely from the long sessions of video games and streaming that sometimes kept her up until 3 or 4 in the morning. This lifestyle she had back in the human world overall didn't make her a morning person, to where she'd occasionally wake up during noon. This came back to bite her, as without Derpy around to wake her up anymore, Sunset's nap transitioned into a more heavier sleep, and she started to lack signs of waking up anytime soon, even though the stop at Canterlot was going to be approaching quite soon.