“And that’s how I invented the red jalapeno cupcakes I love!” Pinkie finished her story.
“Very fascinating,” Mystic muttered, drinking a glass of punch.
“I hope you enjoy our little time together!” Pinkie said, hopping over to the other side of the suite that Mystic had been in for the past hour. She saw the Young Six laughing and playing with each other in one of the bedrooms. Smolder and Yona were both jumping on the bed. The unicorn cracked a smile at that. She looked towards a tall window where Applejack, Fluttershy, and Rarity were all sitting on cushions.
Everypony else aside from the busy Twilight showed up, Mystic thought, pouring herself another glass, But where the heck has Sunset turned up? I hadn’t seen her all day.
Other than the time they had arrived, Sunset hadn’t come to her to at least talk or say hello. Curious, she stepped up to the three ponies next to the window.
“Howdy Mystic,” said Applejack. “Enjoyin’ yerself?”
“I guess,” replied Mystic, “But have any of you seen Sunset since we’d arrived?”
Applejack, Rarity, and Fluttershy looked at each other with uncertain looks before they shook their heads at Mystic.
“Odd,” said Mystic, “I guess I’ll find out more what she was up to later.”
“Maybe she had some business to take care of?” Fluttershy softly suggested.
“Beats me.”
Mystic turned and began walking back over to the refreshment table. To her right was a third room of the suite. She caught glimpse of Rainbow and Pinkie having a cupcake stacking contest. I know who my bits are on in that.
“Hey Mystic!” Gallus called. Mystic paused and turned to face him. He had a smile on his face. “Do you want to come for a fly around the city? All of us are going to take in the sights!”
Memories of flying high above Ponyville in her fight against Rainbow emerged. She didn’t want to say it, but she had been nervous when she was lifted off the ground like that.
“Nah,” replied Mystic, “I think I’m just going to relax for now.”
“Suit yourself,” Gallus said with a shrug, “You don’t know what you’re missing!” Mystic just waved him off and he left her. When she turned back to the refreshment table, she made her way over to the fruit punch again. However, when she looked at her reflection, she paused--
--Only to see Cierra’s disapproving look staring back at her. Mystic squeezed her eyes shut but when she opened them, Cierra was gone. Looking up at her horn, a frown formed on her features.
Mystic remembered saving other ponies’ lives and accomplishing feats she didn’t think she could’ve done. All of it was done with her dark magic.
Why am I wrestling with this issue? Mystic thought, hardly paying attention to the other ponies in the room.
“What if you have to save other ponies’ lives with your dark magic, Mystic?” Cierra’s voice echoed, “You can’t just stay on the sidelines and hope some miracle would happen.” Mystic rubbed her horn, “Always take action. Never stop.”
Even though she is gone... it feels like she’s still around, Mystic thought, stepping away from the punch bowl. Like my past and how I tried to escape from it.
She tried sitting down and do a little breathing exercise Twilight taught her. In and out. In and out. But her mind was still running rampant on what could happen if she did use her dark magic to save others.
But what would happen to her?
She looked back over to the bedroom where the Young Six were playing and saw an open window.
Maybe I should’ve gone with them anyway, she sighed. Mystic tried relaxing and letting her muscles loose from the tension.
Everything will be fine, everything will be fine, she thought, trying to assure herself. She grew to hate this situation even more. She had never felt so ‘un-Mystic’ like in such a long time. Maybe I do need to get out of here.
Mystic shivered as a cool breeze blew through the city streets. Good thing I at least wore my outfit.
She had been outside for the past five minutes and now had managed to get away from the castle grounds. The moon glowed in the beautiful starry night onto the cobblestone roads and sidewalks. Lights came from almost every window in the surrounding marble buildings. Mystic continued her walk, looking to her right to see a couple of spires, their golden tips shining brightly in the darkness. She saw the road went uphill. Curious as to what was up there, Mystic walked to the top.
When she got up there, she could see the bright lights of the middle and lower districts of Canterlot. It looked like an almost exact recreation of the night sky.
Wow, she thought, a smile breaking out on her features. I’ve not felt this peaceful in a city before, Mystic thought, taking in the sights. In fact, when was the last time I had been in one? She didn’t count that other “city.” But as she looked around—
It’s not peace that I feel, Mystic thought, But... What is it? She paused for a second. Stability. Yeah, that’s it.
The city was the most stable place she’d ever encountered. Its mere presence symbolized what harmony and friendship were all about. She smiled at the thought of stability along with the unity of all creatures and ponies as friends.
It sounds wonderful, Mystic thought, But... she slightly dropped her smile, I’m just not able to find myself accepting friendship into my heart.
She heard laughter and cheering in the sky above. Mystic looked up to see the fliers of the Young Six carrying the non-fliers as they made their way across the streets above.
That does look like fun, Mystic thought, a wave of regret coming over her. But how would they even carry me? She shrugged the regret off and continued on her way.
But she felt the issues surrounding her dark magic returning. Was it wrong to use such methods in such situations when they might be needed?
Suddenly she felt as if she had run into somepony. She grunted as she felt flat on her flank, followed by the clattering and thuds of various objects.
Shaking the stars from her vision, Mystic saw a yellow-orange stallion looking around with a disdained look on his face.
“Oh my gosh!” cried Mystic, “I am so sorry!”
“It’s okay, it’s okay,” said the stallion, getting to his hooves. Mystic stood up after him and saw that he had been carrying a few boxes and shopping bags. To keep her mind distracted, she began picking up the stuff he had dropped.
“Let me help you with this,” she said.
“No, it’s really okay,” said the stallion.
“I insist,” Mystic assured him, picking up the last of the bags. “I think I owe you something.”
“You don’t, but thank you anyway,” the stallion said as Mystic turned around, seeing that his horn was surrounded with light brown magic.
“So, where are we taking these to?” Mystic asked.
The stallion flicked his reddish-brown mane and picked up the boxes. “At a new house down close to the lower district.”
“You mean you’re all the way up here in the upper district?” Mystic’s eyes widened.
“Oh no, this is the beginning of the middle district,” said the stallion, “The upper district is on the other side of the castle.
Mystic blinked. “Oh.”
The journey through the middle district was silent which Mystic found a little uncomfortable due to her wandering mind. But when she looked at the stallion, she noticed he looked to be in his mid-fifties and he had a cutie mark of a chisel and hammer.
“Do you like to build things?” Mystic asked.
“I sure do!” the stallion smiled. “It’s been my special talent ever since I was a colt. But what I loved doing the most was engineer work.”
“You’re an engineer?” Mystic asked.
“Yep!” the stallion chirped, “Or, I was one. I’ve retired.”
“Oh, really?”
“I’ve majored in all kinds of building classes, but the one that stuck to me the most was engineering and fixing up places like Canterlot. But I decided to get a change of pace. Both the wife and I have.”
Mystic smirked, “Nothing wrong with that.”
“Oh, where are my manners?” the stallion shook his head, “My name is Apollo Cyrus.”
“My name’s Mystic,” replied Mystic. “It’s just that.”
“Interesting name,” Apollo smiled.
“So, what made you want a change of pace?” Mystic asked.
Apollo briefly paused, and Mystic noticed a slight look of sadness in his eyes for a split second.
“There were all kinds of reasons,” replied Apollo, “The main thing was getting older and not being able to keep up as I used to. But my brain is still as sharp as it ever was even in my youth! I could ramble on and on about all of the details!”
“Gosh, could you have been a professor?” Mystic giggled.
“No, I couldn’t bear giving those rambling long lectures,” Apollo said with a wink. Mystic chuckled at his small joke. “What about you, Mystic?”
“I’m just a wanderer, happening to be in Canterlot at a very odd time,” replied Mystic.
“Whenever is there not an odd time here in this city?” Apollo lightly nudged her. “Trust me, I’ve lived here my entire life and I can say about every day is an odd one!”
“You should’ve seen the oddities I’ve seen,” replied Mystic.
“Awww, there’s nothing I wouldn’t hear without a bit of an open mind.”
“Fair point, I guess,” Mystic smiled a little wider.
“Hey, we’re here!” said Apollo, pointing across the street.
In front of Mystic was a house that looked smaller than most of the other houses she had seen. It was white like most of the other houses with a reddish roof. It only had two storeys and an outdoor balcony on the upper floor.
“It’s spacious enough,” said Apollo, both he and Mystic walking across the street. “We had to sell a lot of the stuff we had before, but we’ll always have plenty of bits to support ourselves.”
“It’s probably modest than what you probably had before,” said Mystic as they approached the front door.
“You wouldn’t believe it.” Apollo opened the door, allowing Mystic to step inside.
When she stepped inside, she was greeted with a den containing a comfortable-looking couch, lounge chairs, and a fireplace. To the right were stairs leading to the second floor where there were rails that would give a pony a view of the first floor.
“You can set them down on the other side of the den,” said Apollo, closing the door behind him. Mystic did that, placing them next to a bookshelf with several knickknacks and Celestia commemorative plates. Mystic turned back to Apollo, only to suddenly see a dark orange mare standing next to the stairwell.
“Honey!” the mare scolded, “How could you get somepony else to help you?”
“Hey! She offered her assistance!” replied Apollo. “An act of good will if you ask me!”
“Oh, you probably just talked your way into it like you always do,” the mare gave an obvious playful smile. “That’s the Apollo charm, isn’t it?”
“Ahh, the Apollo charm isn’t the prime it used to be!” Apollo waved her off, looking away in fake disappointment.
“You’re right,” said the mare, coming over to him, maintaining her smile. She placed a loving foreleg around him, “Because it can never be improved or lessened.”
“That’s more like it,” Apollo said with a smirk as both ponies turned to Mystic.
Mystic saw the mare’s eyes were turquoise and full of happiness.
“Thank you for helping my insatiable husband,” she said.
“He’s not so bad,” Mystic smiled.
“He’s a mess!” the mare turned to her husband and booped him on the nose. “I’m Sun Glow by the way.”
“Mystic.”
“Nice to meet you.”
“You’re just moving in?”
“Yes! I think it’s about time,” Sun Glow chuckled, stepping over to Mystic. “Say, as another way to say thank you, do you think you could join us for some cookies and lemonade?”
“Did you cook chocolate with mint chips?” Apollo asked.
“Apollo! Don’t be rude in front of our guest!” Sun Glow chastised.
“Actually,” Mystic said, hoping for more distraction, “I think I’d love to join you two.”
“Really?” Apollo asked, “Because most ponies would want to refuse an invitation.”
“I’m not most ponies.”
“I’ll go get them out of the oven,” Sun Glow smiled brightly.
Mystic sat in one of the chairs, taking a sip of her lemonade. Sun Glow and Apollo both were sitting on the couch at Mystic’s insistence.
“Mmmmmm,” Mystic hummed as the lemonade washed down her throat. Her tastebuds were alive from the sweet and sour goodness. “Is this real lemonade?”
“Yes, it is,” Sun Glow smiled, “It’s an old family recipe.”
“Best I’ve had.”
“You should’ve tried her mom’s version of it,” Apollo chuckled.
“And what’s that supposed to mean?” Sun Glow glared.
“I don’t know,” Apollo shrugged, “She had some sense of a new style, I guess.”
“Oh, you!” Sun Glow grabbed a small pillow with her magic and thumped it against his head. In response, Apollo ruffled his wife’s orange and blonde mane. “Don’t act like a child in front of our guest!”
“And you’re not?” Apollo challenged.
“Why, I never!” Sun Glow huffed, turning around and crossing her forelegs.
Mystic could only smile at their relationship, amused by their antics. “Are you always like this?”
“Only when we were in the streets,” said Sun Glow.
“She loves me,” Apollo took another bite of a chocolate cookie.
“I still have a knowledgeable database in magic, Apollo,” Sun Glow turned back to him with a small glare, “And I know how to use it if ponies aren’t behaving so well.”
“I’d like to see that,” said Mystic.
“Don’t encourage her!” Apollo said in a panicked tone.
Mystic only laughed in response.
“See? She knows bad behavior when she sees it,” Sun Glow said, a smile forming on her muzzle. Mystic playfully shook her head and took a bite of one of the chocolate chip cookies. As she ate, her gaze went up to the mantle of the fireplace where she could see various pictures of the two ponies in their younger days. They were in a picture after high school, college, their wedding, and...
Mystic paused when she saw a filly with a very familiar fiery mane.
“Wait...” Mystic’s eyes widened.
“What is it, dear?” Sun Glow asked.
“Who is that?” She pointed to the particular filly in the picture.
“Oh,” said Sun Glow, “That’s our little daughter.”
Mystic couldn’t believe this. Suddenly, it clicked. These ponies were Sunset Shimmer’s parents. What in the world? She never mentioned having them before...
“Do you know what became of her?” Mystic asked.
“We don’t know,” replied Apollo, a sad look in his eyes, “She was a successful student at Celestia’s school but then she just vanished one day.”
“Oh, my,” said Mystic, looking at the picture again. “I’m sorry about that.”
“It was a long time ago... we hope each day for her return,” said Sun Glow, frowning.
Sunset hasn’t made up with her parents? They don’t know she’s alive and well? Mystic thought, unable to believe that about her best friend since she came to Ponyville.
“Have you looked all over for her?”
“Of course, we have,” Sun Glow said, shutting her eyes tight. “We’ve searched everywhere from Vanhoover down to Appleloosa!” Apollo brought her in for a side hug.
“I see,” said Mystic, “What about... looking in scarcely populated areas or the woods?”
“Tried that,” Sun Glow ran a hoof down her face.
“Why are you asking us all this?” Apollo asked.
Mystic had to think of an answer, “I was just curious. I mean, both of you look happy in this home and you do in this picture too.”
“We should’ve been there for her more,” Sun Glow sniffled.
“Oh, honey,” Apollo brought his second foreleg around her.
However, she pushed him back, “I can’t handle this much more!” She opened her eyes, revealing tears rolling down her cheeks, “I just want our little girl back! I don’t know if she’s alive or if she’s...” Mystic felt a jab of sadness at her heart.
“Honey, she’s alive,” said Apollo, “She has to be.”
“What if she isn’t?” Sun Glow sniffled, wiping her tears, “I’m thinking our mistakes have caused our luck to run out.”
“Sunset is always with us, and she...”
“Spare me the pep talk, Apollo!” Sun Glow stood up, “We know she wasn’t the sweet girl that we knew when we last saw her.”
Mystic could barely contain herself. She is alive! Why hasn’t she gone back to her parents?!
“She always will be whether if she knows that or not,” said Apollo.
“Oh, look at us!” Sun Glow facehoofed, letting out soft sobs, “To think this move would...”
“I think you should look again,” Mystic blurted out. Both ponies looked dead at her.
“What?” Apollo asked.
“I-I mean, there could always be other places you hadn’t checked and...”
“Wait a minute,” Sun Glow sniffed, “Why were you so interested in our daughter’s picture and asking us questions?”
“I...”
“Do you know something about our Sunset Shimmer?”
If there was any doubt in Mystic’s mind about her suspicions or the picture was a coincidence, it was gone like a vapor.
“Well... maybe?” Mystic nearly slapped herself.
“Then what is it?” Sun Glow stepped forward with a desperate look.
Mystic gulped. She was being held up by these two ponies. She wanted to find a way out of this, but she knew how perceptive they were. She knew she also couldn’t keep it in because of their behavior.
“Because... I’m a friend of hers,” replied Mystic.
Both ponies gasped. “You’re what?!”
Mystic flinched. “I know her.”
“Sunset’s alive?!” Sun Glow screamed.
“Where is she? Don’t you be lying to us!” said Apollo. Both ponies looked pleading and desperate.
“Okay! Okay!” Mystic cried, “She’s alive and well. She’ll be at the Convocation tomorrow tonight.”
Sun Glow grabbed Mystic by the shoulders, looking left and right vigorously. “Does she know you’re here?” She looked back at Mystic.
“Uh...” Mystic shuddered, feeling uncomfortable. What did I get myself into?
“Well?” said Sun Glow.
“No,” replied Mystic. “I was just wandering the streets of Canterlot hoping to clear my mind.”
“Where is she now?”
“Far as I know, she’s at the castle.” Which was a lie. She had no idea where Sunset was.
Mystic felt as if she were under a spotlight as both ponies looked at her, slack-jawed, and in disbelief. Seconds felt like minutes. Mystic just sat there, slightly shrinking under their gaze. Sun Glow turned to Apollo.
“Let’s talk for a minute,” she said. Sun Glow stepped away from Mystic and into the kitchen soon followed by her husband.
As they talked with each other, several thoughts and implications ran through Mystic’s head.
What have I done? Why did I just say that she’s around? Mystic rubbed her temples. I could’ve toughed out their emotions. But who knows how they feel about her being here and not speaking to them?
She didn’t know exactly how to feel about this. It was none of her business but she couldn’t help but feel a little upset at how good Sunset was at wisdom yet failed to reconcile with her parents. But Mystic shoved the thought aside.
Sun Glow and Apollo came out of the kitchen.
“Young mare, thank you for your information,” said Sun Glow, “We’ll handle things from here.”
“And it’s getting late,” said Apollo, “I think it’s getting time for bed.”
Mystic looked up at a nearby clock to see it was nearly ten at night. “Oh, all right.” She stood up from her seat. “I think I’ll show myself out.”
“Have a good night,” said Apollo.
Now back walking in the streets, Mystic just kept thinking about what had happened.
How is Sunset going to take that? Should I confront her over not telling me about this?
She didn’t know what to do. It was even more frustrating to know that she wanted a peaceful walk turned into sending her into another unfamiliar situation.
“Meeting up with strangers, Mystic?”
Mystic held back a yelp, turned around, and saw Tempest standing close by.
“Oh,” Mystic composed herself. “Tempest, isn’t it?”
“I go by that,” replied the broken horned unicorn.
“Oh, is it not your real name?”
“No, but my real name is irrelevant.”
“Wait,” Mystic paused. “How long have you been standing there?”
“Long enough,” replied Tempest. “I’ve been watching you for a little while.”
Mystic felt creeped out by that fact. But she did her best to hide it. “And why did you figure-”
“Because I feel as if I need to say something to you,” Tempest cut in.
“Oh, uh,” Mystic took an awkward step back, “Will I see you at the Convocation?”
Tempest shook her head. “I’m not really one for social gatherings.”
“Me either,” replied Mystic.
“May I ask why you’re going anyway?”
“It’s complicated,” Mystic rubbed the back of her head.
“Does it have to do with the ponies from beyond Equestria?”
“Uh, yeah,” Mystic nodded. “Like I said, it’s complicated.”
Tempest cracked a smile, sending a chill up Mystic’s spine. “I think you’re an interesting character, little filly.”
“I-I think you are too,” Mystic said, cursing herself for letting herself stammer.
“Remember back when we first met?” Tempest asked, “About how I told you danger was around every corner?”
“How could I forget when we first met?” Mystic asked with an awkward grin, “I-I mean, it’s not every day you see a...”
“Broken horn?”
“I was going to say a unicorn with a beefy stature.”
Tempest barked out a laugh.
“Like I said, you’re an interesting character,” said Tempest, quickly composing herself to her usual cold demeanor. “The reason I said what I said, was because of your body language.”
“I guess I’m just communicating without knowing, huh?”
“Yes,” said Tempest, sending another chill down Mystic’s spine. Tempest took a couple of steps forward, Mystic stood her ground. “In the rise of your popularity, Mystic, and because of my own experiences, I believe you need to realize that you’re not as stable as you make yourself out to be.”
“I think otherwise,” said Mystic.
“Of course, you do,” said Tempest. “But you’ve got a distant and sad look in your eyes about every time I saw you or some of the time when I was speaking with you.” Tempest narrowed her eyes, causing Mystic to take a few steps back. “And you just showed me how nervous you are when it comes to that sort of thing.”
“It’s not any of any concern to you,” Mystic glared at her.
“I’m just here to say what I need to,” said Tempest, her tone became rigid, stepping closer to Mystic, making the mare wish she had her machete just in case. “You need to open up your eyes, Mystic. Before it is too late for you.” Her eyes narrowed again. “Don’t let yourself be taken out by your inner demons.”
The towering figure of the bulky pony caused Mystic’s heart to drop. She hadn’t been terrified of a single pony before yet here this mare was, making her nearly shake like a leaf.
“Keep your head down,” said Tempest. The purple mare stepped back to where she was standing the first time and slinked into the shadows as if she were never there.
“Whoa...” Mystic breathed. She galloped down a few blocks, just wanting to get away from where she had her encounter. She later slowed down to a trot and did her best to try and forget about it.
Well, I think my night out is over, she thought, coming to a stop.
Mystic concentrated her magic, vanishing from the spot she was at and reappeared a few blocks from the castle.