“I don’t know about you taking a cruise this spring.” Luna said firmly to Sunset.
“Mom I went to Starswirled the Bearded Music Festival and sure while it was three weeks to me, you let us go on that trip.” Sunset replied.
“Sunset that was a weekend trip, well to everyone else it was. Except for an Equestrian like yourself, I am afraid to think about what will happen on this ship.” Luna complained.
“Mom I have saved the school and by extension, the world twice. Not to mention Camp Everfree. I think I can handle going on a cruise. I didn’t do it by myself I had a lot of help from some girls you know very well.” Sunset added,
“I will have to have a conference with all of your friend's parents and see what comes up, but don’t be too optimistic.” Luna told her.
“Thank you mom you are the best!!” Sunset said launching herself into her mom with a huge hug.
“I don’t know how you talk me into these things.” Luna stated.
“It’s a gift.” Sunset remarked.
“It’s something alright. In the meantime, it’s going to be the holidays soon. We are going to have a huge dinner for Thanksgiving, after all, I’m expecting a dozen people.” Luna said.
“A dozen?” Sunset asked.
“You, Me, Apple Cinnamon, Aunt Celestia, Aunt Chrysalis, Potion Nova, Twilight, Her Parents, Shining Armor, and Cadence. Also, Juniper is coming “home” from College.” Luna rattled off the guest list.
“Do we have room for one more?” Sunset asked.
“Sure I guess, who were you thinking of inviting?” Luna asked.
“If Juniper is going to be here, let me see if Starlight Glimmer can make it. I think she would love to see Juniper again.” Sunset said.
“O.K. Are you going to write to Twilight about Starlight coming or go over there personally?” Luna asked.
“I think I have a trip to the base of the statue coming up. It’s better that I invite her in person or in pony anyway.” Sunset replied.
“O.K. but tell Twilight, because you were going to help her at Apple Family Harvest and Cider Making Fest.” Luna reminded her.
“Damn it I better call her.” Sunset said taking her phone out. Once Twilight picked up Sunset explained the situation to her.
“Don’t worry Sunset I heard about what the Flim Flam brothers do every year. I am coming up with a scheme this time to beat out the Flim Flam Brothers' treachery.” Twilight said.
“O.K. you get them. I’m going to go over to the statue to invite Starlight Glimmer for Thanksgiving she might want to join especially if Juniper is going to be here.” Sunset said.
“That is sweet and very thoughtful, we'll have to catch up with them soon.” Twilight said.
Sunset went into the kitchen and grabbed the keys. As she was walking back into the living room Luna took the keys out of her hand,
“Mom, what the hell?” Sunset asked as she spun around.
“I will take the car, it will look weird if a car is sitting alone at school on a Saturday afternoon. I will drop you off call me when you know something.” Luna said.
“Mom it’s gonna look weird if the Vice-Principal is sitting out there all alone. Why don’t you drop me off and do something normal? Besides, how am I going to call you from Equestria? I don’t exactly have cell service over there. ” Sunset informed her.
Luna hugged Sunset a gesture that Sunset returned and at the same time was confused about. But she loved when her mom hugged her. It was parental love that she craved her whole life.
“Mom, what was that for?” Sunset asked.
“I just like hugging my daughter. Besides you are right I might have an errand to run. ” Luna replied.
“O.K. drop me off at the school and when I’m sure no one is watching I’ll go through and leave my journal with you. This way you can contact me through Princess Twilight. Now, why don’t I grab it and we get going?” Sunset said.
“O.K. go grab your journal and meet me in the car.” Luna said.
Sunset ran upstairs and grabbed her journal out of her desk drawer. Then quickly ran back down the stairs grabbed her keys and locked the door. Then joined her mom in the car.
“Mom I wanted to ask you about something.” Sunset said as they started over towards the school.
“What’s that?” Luna asked back.
“I was thinking about getting a pet, not a dog or cat but something smaller and less hairy.” Sunset said presenting her case.
“Like what a turtle or something?” Luna asked.
“No nothing like what Rainbow Dash has. I was thinking of something small and not real hairy.” Sunset said.
“O.K. but no snakes. Got it?” Luna said as she dropped Sunset off at the school.
“Thanks, mom.” Sunset said as she hugged Luna, got out of the car, and headed over to the statue base.
At one time, Sunset walked over to the base of the Canterlot Wondercolt Statue. Sunset looked at the bottom and thought back to the destruction that her girlfriend had caused.
She thought about her and Twilight’s relationship and what a rollercoaster ride it had been. She could daydream about her girlfriend later right now she had to get to Equestria. Making sure no one was watching Sunset enter the portal.
Sunset landed with a thud in Twilight’s library trying to still stand on two hoofs. Rubbing her head and she got back on four hooves again. When the door opened. There stood Princess Twilight with Spike and Starlight Glimmer, both with surprised looks on their faces.
“You know Sunset I love seeing you here but how about some notice before you come over." Twilight lightly scolded.
“Sorry, I should have written but I need to talk to Starlight Glimmer about coming for a celebration in my world called Thanksgiving.” Sunset said.
“What is that?” Starlight asked.
Sunset took a deep breath and explained it to Starlight as best as she could. She explained the beginning of it, too what it was now. A parade in Manehatten, football games, and awkward family dinners.
“So who is coming to this big banquet?” Starlight asked.
“You, Me, Mom, Apple Cinnamon, Aunt Celestia, Aunt Chrysalis, Potion Nova, Twilight, Her Parents, Shining Armor, and Cadence. The main reason I’m inviting you is Juniper is coming “home” from College.” Sunset told Starlight.
“I would love to see Juniper again!!” Starlight said a big smile on her face.
“O.K. that was weird.” Twilight said.
“Relax Twilight. Juniper and I hit it off over there.” Starlight said.
“O.K. when is this feast?” Starlight asked.
“In about two weeks.” Sunset said.
“Starlight if you want to take a leave you may in two weeks.” Princess Twilight told her.
“I will write the details down when I know them but you might want to arrive a day early to surprise Juniper when we go get her.” Sunset told her.
“O.K. I will come to this feast let me know all the details.” Starlight said.
“I will see you then!" Sunset exclaimed
After visiting Twilight and Starlight for a little bit Sunset returned home. Upon arriving she took out her phone to call Luna. When someone else approached her.
* * *
The Cider-making party was a success thanks to Twilight after all her plans finally stopped the Flim Flam brothers. Shortly after the party Twilight headed home and after the party was over. Applejack and Big Mac, who had invited their boyfriend and girlfriend, were all left.
Luna had been driving around when she saw Apple Bloom heading out of Sweet Apple Acres by herself. She was wearing a light jacket and halfheartedly kicking a rock near the gates of Sweet Apple Acres. She had her hands in her pockets looking depressed.
Luna decided to see what was up she pulled over to the side of the road and rolled the window down.
“Hey, Apple Bloom you ok?” Luna asked.
“Fine.” Apple Bloom replied looking up and looking like she was going to burst into tears. Luna knew she was not fine at all and shut the car off, got out, and went around to where Apple Bloom was standing head bowed.
“Apple Bloom I can tell when someone is depressed. I learned that trick with Sunset.” Luna said.
“Vice Principal Luna can I ask you something?” Apple Bloom said sadly.
“Yes, you may,” Luna replied.
“Am I ugly?” Apple Bloom asked.
“No Apple Bloom why would you ask that question?” Luna asked.
“Why is everyone in love with everyone except me?” asked Apple Bloom.
“You are a sophomore in High School, you have plenty of time for sweethearts,” Luna replied putting her arm around Apple Bloom.
“I thought when my brother and sister and friends are all dating, I would be too. I guess I was wrong people are still leery of me. I should have jumped off the roof when I had a chance.” Apple Bloom said her voice breaking slightly.
“Apple Bloom don’t talk like that. Life is a precious thing you don’t want to throw it away. You are a bright young girl. You have your whole life ahead of you.” Luna said sternly pointing a finger in her face.
“School is fine in the classes, but socially I would love a boyfriend, it’s just no guy wants to be with me because of Anon-a-miss. I thought I paid for that.” Apple Bloom replied leaning against the fence.
“You paid the school, your family, even my daughter but the students didn’t forget. In one way Apple Bloom not to sound mean but do you blame them?” Luna asked.
“No, I don’t the only guy who has even looked at me was a seventh grader who started at CHS this year. I think his name is Sandbar.” Apple Bloom said.
“I met him at orientation, along with Yona, Smolder, Silverstream, and some of their friends. But you have an option there.” Luna mentioned.
Apple Bloom shot a look at Luna “I’m a sophomore, you don’t date some little kid. Figures a kid has a crush on me.” Apple Bloom lamented.
“You sound like Sunset before she found Twilight,” Luna remarked.
“Sorry, I’m not gay.” Apple Bloom said.
“Neither is Sunset or Twilight. They are bi and I love them regardless. If you want my advice, to distract yourself from feeling lonely and bad about yourself. Get involved in a project.
You know the girls are talking about doing a toy drive this Christmas, maybe help out with that. Or help your family come up with an idea for your yearly family Christmas card photo. Or do something else completely on your own. It’s an idea.” Luna said as her phone rang.
“I have to go pick up my daughter soon, Apple Bloom consider what I said,” Luna said getting in her car and driving away.
* * *
Sunset looked at the man standing before her. His black suit and blue tie, grey trench coat that matched his hair, and cigarette in hand.
“You must be the Cigarette Smoking Man that I have heard about.” Sunset said.
“I am known by many names.” He replied.
“So you want Equestria?” Sunset asked.
“It is my job and the job of the syndicate to make contact with Extra-Terrestrials.” He replied.
“Is that what you want with me?” Sunset asked.
“Have a seat on that bench and I will explain it to you.” He replied.
Sunset and The Cigarette Smoking Man sat down on a bench nearby. Lighting up a cigarette the smoking man told Sunset the truth.
“Alright kid here’s the deal. At any given time there are around 1,500 aliens on the planet. Most living in Manehatten and Canterlot and most are decent enough and trying to make a living so to speak.” The Smoking Man began.
“Cab drivers.” Sunset replied.
“No, not as many as you think. Humans for the most part don’t have a clue, they don't want one or need one either. They're happy, they have a good bead on things.” He said pausing for a minute.
“W-why the big secret? People are smart they can handle it.” Sunset inquired.
“A person is smart, people are dumb panicky, dangerous animals, and you more than most should know that.
Look at it this way 1500 years ago everybody knew thy Earth was the center of the Universe. 525 years ago everybody knew the Earth was flat and until the battle of the bands you thought you were alone on this planet. Imagine what you will know tomorrow.” The Cigarette Smoking man finished.
“So what do you want from me?” Sunset asked again.
“One day someone from the Syndicate, most likely me will have to go through that portal and make contact. We have been keeping an eye on you and your friends especially considering you now all have “magic” or more likely Extra-Terrestal technology.
Let me give you a nickel's worth of free advice. Cinch and the Dazzlings want this power for themselves. They recruited several Diamond Dogs to run the gem trade and make money and somehow got Gilda. The syndicate knows like I do that eventually, they will have found the portal.” He told her getting up to leave.
“What do I do then?” Sunset asked.
“Enjoy Thanksgiving with your family and I wish you the best with the toy drive. Let us worry about them.” The Cigarette Smoking Man replied as he walked away.
Luna arrived a few minutes later to pick up Sunset.
Epilogue for this chapter only, not the story…
After half a day on Thanksgiving Eve Celestia, Luna, Sunset, and Twilight piled in Celestia’s other car that hardly ever came out of the garage- a minivan, After stopping by the school briefly to pick up Starlight they left for Manehatten. There was a play being put on by the drama club before all the students left for the holiday. After a long drive, everyone arrived and headed over to the amphitheater.
Juniper’s name was fifth on the playbill, and she was in several scenes and had about 10 lines of dialogue. Juniper was scared but once she got on stage she nailed her performance.
After the play as Juniper had gotten changed backstage she saw all of her friends had come from Canterlot to see her perform on stage. After the play, Juniper went with Sunset, Twilight, and Starlight to get her some clothes and other stuff she would need for the Holiday. Due to Monday being a city holiday in Manehatten classes didn’t resume until Tuesday.
Sunset and Luna saw Canter Zoom at the play but didn’t tell Juniper and did their best to make sure she didn’t see him.
“I’m not kicking you out of your room this time.” Juniper said on the way back.
“Nonsense you and Starlight can sleep up there I’m taking one of the couches in the basement.” Sunset replied.
“How many couches do you have in the basement?” Starlight asked.
“Two, why?” Asked Sunset.
“Well I could take one of those and you and Starlight can have my bed.
“Or Starlight and I can take the couches and you can keep your room.” Juniper offered.
Sunset noticed Twilight was looking depressed and had to ask “What’s wrong hun?”
“You’re all going to have a great slumber party, and I will miss it.” Twilight said looking down.
“Okay, Twilight call and ask if you can spend the night.” Luna relented from the front passenger seat.
“If Twilight is hanging out with us then you two are going to take your bed." Juniper said.
The sleeping arrangements were Sunset with Twilight in her arms in her bed. Juniper on one couch and Starlight on the other. But for a while, they slept in each other’s arms too.