//------------------------------//
// Aftermath of Equestria Land. 
// Story: The Trial Concludes 
// by Zerocool7785 
//------------------------------//

Sunset just put up her latest episode of Shimmer Code up on her YouTube Channel. Her and Juniper had reviewed the latest Daring Do game based on the movie. Sunset thought it was appropriate as part of her send off.
The Rainbooms and Crusaders and Trixie were sorry to see both Starlight and Juniper go. Trixie and Starlight had been connecting very well and now she had to head back to Equestria, saying she would be back with Princess Twilight for the girls' graduation.
A bigger event had happened since then and The Rainbooms started to wonder if they were cursed. Equestria Land had opened and as usual Equestrian Magic had interfered. 
Applejack and Rarity almost called off one of the closest friendships in the group. Sure Sunset and Twilight were closer but they were dating. Applejack and Rarity were not.
 Luna had seen her daughter and her friends destroy Vignette’s phone but things like this were getting out of hand. Abacus Cinch, Gilda and The Dazzlings were still out there. Even worse was that weird Cigarette Smoking Man showing up occasionally. He said he was protecting Sunset and Twilight. 
Luna’s recollection was interrupted when Apple Cinnamon started rubbing her thigh. Luna looked over at him and smiled and laid her head on his shoulder. Apple Cinnamon made her happy. Now that he was in Canterlot they saw more of each other.
“Penny for your thoughts. I’d offer more but I’m short on change.” He said.
“I was thinking about Equestria World. People thought that that was some stunt but that was my daughter and her friends being careless about using magic again.” Luna said.
“Uh Oh Sunset’s gonna get it now.” Apple Cinnamon teased.
“No I can’t really punish her for this but I am going to tell her she needs to think before she acts.” Luna said.
“Luna, don't worry about that right now. Just enjoy the moment.” He said putting his arm around her.
“Should you be driving with just one hand?” Luna asked,
“Relax honey. I got this.” Apple Cinnamon said. He had to admit he was tired but knew Luna was exhausted too. It had been a long day at Equestria World and now the Rainbooms were huge on Snapchat and Apple Cinnamon felt left out. Luna’s daughter was famous for good reasons now and so was his cousin. He looked over at Luna and she was sound asleep.

*				*				*

Applejack had dropped Sunset and Twilight before taking Rarity home; they had some talking to do and it was best done privately.
Sunset was also nervous she had taken Monday off from work as she had her third and final attempt to get her driver’s license. Her and Twilight were hanging out in her room. Laying on the bed talking 
“I don’t get it Twilight. I took the permit test once and passed. The driver’s test I can’t seem to get it. Applejack, Rarity, and Fluttershy have all helped me. So has mom and both of my aunts.” Sunset said.
“Sunset relax!! Doing something on paper is one thing, actually transitioning it into real life. That’s something different. Too many deviations can happen. 
“Well variations aside…”Sunset began.
“No, not variations and deviations. You see Sunset variations can be compensated for mathematically, deviations you never know when they are going to happen.” Twilight explained.
“That’s what I love about you. You are so adorkable.” Sunset said, giving Twilight a quick kiss. To Sunset and Twilight hanging out like this not just as friends but as lovers it was awesome.
Sunset laid back with her head on her pillow. After that she extended her arms and let Twilight lay her head down on her chest and Sunset wrapped her arms around Twilight. This was something they both had secretly been wishing for and here it was. Neither could be happier.

*				*				*

Applejack and Rarity had just dropped off Twilight and Sunset and now were on their way home. Both were silent for a little bit until Applejack (who was driving) finally spoke up.
“I hope Sunset passes her test tomorrow, we both worked with her and so did Fluttershy.” Applejack remarked .
“I do too, but let’s talk about the matter at hand.” Rarity replied.
“Alright but just let me say first that Ah was completely wrong sugarcube you are something special and for me to say you were not was completely wrong of me. Ah have to apologize for that.” Applejack said.
“Darling I must also apologize Vignette was blowing smoke up my chimney or up something else as you probably wanted to say. You were also right I lost sight of what truly matters which was our friends well-being. Vignette really played me for a fool. I was swayed by her “flattery”. Rarity added.
As they approached Rarity’s house Sweetie Belle was outside jumping rope somewhat clumsily. Pulling into the driveway Applejack had to smile as Apple Bloom was the same way but she helped her sister get better.
“You need to help Sweetie Belle with jumping rope.” Applejack quipped.
“Yes I can see that.” Rarity replied back.
“Friends again?” Applejack said, extending her hand.
“Friends.” Rarity replied, shaking her hand.
Their handshake quickly turned into a huge hug.
“You know your family and my family should get together for dinner and invite Vignette. She says she has tons of followers but no friends and we did offer to be her friends. She’s a little old for one of our slumber parties but a nice double family dinner would be just the thing.” Applejack replied.
“Great idea, darling. I will set it up with my family. You work with your family and we will go from there. I will call her in the morning.” Rarity replied.
The girls parted as friends once again. Little did they know what was happening elsewhere in town that night.

*				*				*
“What do you mean no??!!” Adagio exclaimed.
“Exactly what I said. NO!!” Cinch replied.
“Listen we have applied and been accepted and done everything you wanted because you insist Twilight can get us our magic back. Now we have one night that we are going to play our set at the Starswirled Music Festival.” Adagio replied back.
“Yeah we are going on just before Post Crush. They are reuniting for one night only.” Sonata added. 
“I don't know who Post Crush is and I don’t care!! My decision is final!” Cinch said.
“Oh well I guess you don’t need our help then.” Aria said.
“True she doesn’t.” Adagio said.
“Yeah what they said.” Sonata added in standing up.
“This is blackmail!!” Exclaimed Cinch
“No, it is a compromise, let them go, we should look for something else before the school opens.” Gilda said.
“Like what?” Cinch sapped back.
“Finding that portal and sealing it off. I have a feeling it is near the school.” Gilda replied.
‘Why do you say that?” Cinch said.
“Don’t you find it weird that the girls all hung out at the statue in front of Canterlot High School. Well, what used to be a statue anyway. I think the portal is in that area. I think it might even be the base of the statue.” Gilda said.

*				*				*

Rarity’s House…
“So if I understand this, you want to invite Vignette Valencia to dinner?” Cookie Crumbles asked.
“She said she has never had friends and I doubt at her age she is into sleepovers and hanging out at someone’s house. So I figured we should have dinner with the Apples and invite her.” Rarity explained.
“If it’s ok with Granny Smith and the Apple Family then it is ok with me.” Cookie replied.
“Thanks mom!” Rarity said.
“Why don’t you ask Vignette first and find out what she likes to eat.” Cookie suggested.
“Oh yeah that would be a good idea.” Rarity said, taking her phone out.
After talking with Vignette Rarity found out that she hadn’t had a home cooked meal in a long time and thought of all things meatloaf sounded good. Rarity then called Applejack to set up a big two family dinner.

That night…

Vignette had just got off the phone with Rarity. To say she was shocked was an understatement. She was actually thrilled. She had learned to relax some and realized she would need friends her own age. Still Rarity and Applejack were a great start. 
Even after everything she did to Rarity and her friends they wanted to have her over for dinner, a family dinner nonetheless. Tomorrow was going to be interesting.
Until now she mostly ate at coffee shops and restaurants. Now she could sit down with people not at a business brunch or dinner but just to enjoy a meal.
“I guess I should go casual.” Vignette said.
She grabbed her new cell phone and remarked on Twitter that she Is going to a casual dinner after her jeans and t-shirt casual look she posted on snapchat.
After that she decided to get some rest and get ready for another day at Equestria Land and with Rarity’s not her designs for the parade. The park closed early on Sunday. Then she could head to Sweet Apple Acres for dinner. 

*				*				*

Manehattan University…

Juniper had settled into her life at Manehattan U and was learning the campus and considering it was summer she only had two classes to attend. All students had to attend a Student Success class in small groups sitting around with an advisor but she liked it.
The class helped her to open up, but hearing about students with good home lives, especially some that lived nearby was hard. If she had family living nearby she wouldn’t have to live at school. Still she only had a few relatives scattered around and none in Manehattan.
Despite taking that and her reading and writing classes that had little homework, Juniper was lonely; she couldn’t wait until next fall when she knew at least Rarity was coming to study fashion.   
She wasn’t sure if Pinkie Pie and Flutterhy were still coming here (to study entertainment and veterinary medicine) but that she was hoping for. She really wished Starlight was around but knew she had her life in Equestria. 
Juniper was crossing the campus just having got her books for the fall semester and one of the classes was Film Theory, another one was for Drama class. As well as having to do her basic stuff like English, history, math and one of her sciences. (Manhattan U required that you do a physical science and a biological science) Juniper chose Biology this semester and would look at the physical sciences next semester.
She sat down in a nice semi-secluded section of the university on the yard and placed all her books in all her bag she had to get back to her dorm room. She had a private dorm room this year but next year she was going to try and get a dorm room with Rarity. 
While organizing her stuff she saw two brown boots walk in her direction and she looked up as it had startled her. Her fear quickly became rage.
“Hello Juniper.” Said Canter Zoom.
“Why don’t you go away, now you come to me as I am getting back on my feet. Where the fuck have you been?” Asked Juniper.
“Juniper I was scared I didn’t know what to do.” Canter replied.
“All I ever wanted was your love and your support. I barely got that. You hardly ever came to any of the school plays, so you don’t know how good I was. Maybe you were right. I was too young to play Daring Do but I could have had a small part, maybe even a line.
No, you shove me into a movie theater and then I was taken over by some demonic force or “Magic” as the Rainbooms call it and they helped me. I finally had some real friends, but my family threw me out.
I showed up at Sunset’s place. Her mom and aunt took me right in and got me financial aid, a two-year scholarship and helped with my college application. I slept on their couch a few nights. 
They were more like family than you ever were. I was a fucking obligation to you. Only taking me in as a little girl because you felt you were obligated.” Juniper  finished her rant.
“Now Juniper…”Canter Zoom started.
“Save it! I can’t even call you uncle anymore. All I have to say is a real family loves and supports their members. Helps keep them on a good path. Sure you and your late wife made sure I did my homework, brushed my teeth and went to bed at a good hour. But to you it was always a job, at least Aunt Martha pretended to care.
In closing all I have left to say is damn you, damn you to hell. You are dead to me until time makes you so.” Juniper said without any hint of emotion.
With that she turned around and walked away and headed for her dorm building.