//------------------------------// // Thursday Dec 22 f // Story: A Past Returned // by TacoTues4Eva //------------------------------// Sunset sat in her room after their guests had left and her mother went to bed as she thought about what to do with the copied diagrams sitting in front of her. The list of materials Twilight had, even with the small amounts on hand, was mind boggling. Plenty of it would be perfect for crafting the bracelet they decided on, and should also channel the energies needed. It would, of course, easily overload if it was fed too much energy, but it wouldn’t do anything dangerous if that happened. The worse case scenario would be the mana circuits or gems burning out if overloaded, which would just mean it would stop working. Ray was sitting on her arm overlooking the drawings and measurements as Sunset debated on what to do. She really didn’t feel like putting her drafting desk together, her computer desk would be plenty good enough to just look over the drawings. She tried to figure out just how she was supposed to get them to Princess Twilight, she needed the gems within two days and was afraid to trust the Princess checking the journal quickly. She would need to sketch them over into the journal as well, which would waste even more time and she really needed to get the three stones that would be the finishing touches on their first project if it would be done in time for Christmas. “Too bad I couldn’t just teleport to Ponyville and talk with her face to face.” Sunset sighed, feeling the Heart react to her wish and float up from its hanging position to hover before her face. Ray looked a little freaked out as he tried to skitter away, but Sunset managed to grab the frightened gecko and put him back in his terrarium. Moving to the center of the room, Sunset could feel something in the Heart guiding her actions. She knew it probably wasn’t one of her best ideas, as she still wasn’t exactly too sure what the little jewel was, but she felt as if she could trust it. Holding it up to her lips she whispered, “Guardians Unite.” After breaking free from her cocoon, Sunset found herself in her previous guardian outfit making her wonder if maybe the earlier power boost was just a one time deal or if she just didn’t put any extra magic into the Heart as she had back at the mall. Shaking the thoughts out of her head, she decided figuring that out later would be best so she could concentrate on what was in front of her. “So, you can take me to Ponyville? I thought Equestria was sealed off from here except for the portal?” Sunset mused, studying the gem before she walked back over and picked up the copy of the bracelet’s plans. Turning back to the center of the room, Sunset slashed the Heart through the air and creating a portal that looked like a large white crack. Moving closer she could see blurry images from the other side that looked a little like…several ponies gawking at the phenomenon from their side. Once again she wondered if she was making a huge mistake before taking a deep breath and stepped through the tear in space. Thankfully she was standing in a small town with multicolored ponies going back and forth despite it being dark out. She wasn’t sure if she was in Ponyville though as she didn’t see any signs, but she could see an out of place crystal spire not too far from where she was, which was possibly part of a castle. Hopefully Princess Twilight Sparkle’s castle as Sunset knew for a fact it wasn’t Princess Celestia’s in Canterlot. Before she could get a word out, the ponies staring at her began screaming and running from her as fast as they could, alerting Sunset to what could be a problem, she was still human. She knew she should have thought about that as Sunset was sure the magic in the mirror portal was what caused the change in species when stepping through. Huffing out in frustration, Sunset let the Heart guide her in closing the rip behind her so no ponies accidentally stepped through, as well as her mother. She could see it now, “Hi mom, welcome to magical pony land.” Susan had been very supportive over everything that has been thrown at the woman so far, but Sunset was afraid this would be the final straw. “Halt human!” A voice called from above drawing Sunset’s attention to a dark blue alicorn flying down at high speed and landing in what must have been an intimidating stance. The new alicorn wasn’t acting friendly, yet she wasn’t acting threatening either. “How did thee come to be here?” “Are they just handing out wings now?” Sunset deadpanned, “You know what, I don’t even care anymore. The whole reason I even wanted the stupid things to begin with was to prove to that nag I was worthy of being loved just as much as that pink menace.” Sunset visibly winced after that came out of her mouth as it had been a long time since feeling that way towards Princess Cadence. She had stopped blaming the pink pony for stealing Celestia’s attention after the Fall Formal and having to face and reevaluate pretty much her entire life. Perhaps it was old habits, or maybe the fact that yet a new pony had acquired what eluded Sunset all those years ago. “We’re afraid thou have us at a loss.” The alicorn said, straightening back up after hearing the grumblings of the teen. “I’m not here to cause any trouble, I just came to visit Twilight Sparkle. She’s a friend of mine.” Sunset explained. “Excuse us if we are not quick to take thy word for it. From thy attire and manner of travel, it is clear thou art from Kandrakar.” The alicorn said, the pony looking as if the word left a bad taste in her mouth. “Actually, I’m from Earth. I’ve never been to Kandrakar.” Sunset explained, earning a glare from the alicorn. “Who are you?” Princess Twilight asked, landing next to the other alicorn. “It’s me, Twi, Sunset Shimmer.” Sunset replied, shifting nervously as the new arrival scrutinized her. Sighing, Sunset held out the Heart and willed herself to return to normal. At first her body glowed a pink color, then it shattered like glass leaving behind the firey haired teen. “It really is you!” Twilight gasped. “Yeah, I kind of got drafted to be a protector of the realms.” Sunset groaned, giving air quotes. “Why are you human anyways? Or…whatever you just were?” Twilight asked, her head cocking to the side cutely in confusion. “And why do you look so different?” “It’s a long story, Twi, though I’m not so sure I have a lot of time to talk about it tonight. I was hoping I could get you to do a favor for me before my mom finds me missing and freaks out.” Sunset explained. “Thou shall make time!” The other alicorn snapped. “Luna. It’s okay, this is a good friend of mine. She’s okay.” Twilight said, giving a reassuring look to who Sunset now knew was Princess Luna. She felt the urge to face palm again, it was so obvious yet her emotions were feeling a little unstable already. And now they were being worn down even more at being in the world she grew up in. “We trust Princess Twilight Sparkle, we don’t trust thee! If thou try anything untoward our friend, not even our sister will stop our vengeance!” Princess Luna snarled. She took one step back when Sunset walked over to her and lowered to her knees so she could mostly be eye level with the pony. “Princess Luna, I would never harm Princess Twilight Sparkle. I owe her my life and would give mine to protect her. I also wouldn’t harm a pony anyway as I grew up here in this world. I might not have the best memories of being here, but they weren’t all bad.” Sunset swore, shock flashing through Luna’s eyes at the seriousness of the teens eyes. The shock grew to worry at seeing the mischievous glint flashing through the redhead’s eyes before Sunset reached up to pinch Luna’s cheeks saying in a cutesy voice, “Besides, how can I hurt something soooooo cute!” “Thou shall unhand us this minute!” Luna sputtered, pushing Sunset’s hands away with her hooves making Sunset giggle. “I always wanted to do that.” Sunset said with a grin directed to Twilight who face hoofed. “We shall leave thee alone for now. We shall be watching though, so do not try our patience by pulling any trickery.” Luna said. “Maybe we better go to my castle, we are getting too much attention out here.” Twilight suggested. “Actually, I can’t stay for long, but I’ll visit tomorrow night for awhile. I know gems are pretty abundant here so I was hoping you would be able to find me three of them. I kind of need them in the next day or two.” Sunset said, handing the sketches to Twilight who took them in her magic and looking through them. “This is genius, Sunset! This would give ponies who can’t actively use magic a way to defend themselves from minor magical mishaps!” Twilight exclaimed as she bounced excitedly back and forth on her hooves. “You are more than welcome to keep the schematics, they’re copies.” Sunset said, “I don’t know how I’ll pay you for them, but if you can help me get them I’ll do anything you ask.” “This will be easy. Rarity finds cart loads of gems and gives most of the fire rubies to Spike for snacks and any magical conductive ones to me. She keeps the ones with minor magical potential to enchant before adding them to the clothes she makes.” Twilight explained, “I can probably have them by tomorrow night with the enchantments you need on them.” “Thank you so much Twi!” Sunset cried out as she launched herself at the purple alicorn and wrapped her arms around the alicorn to hug her.