//------------------------------// // Friday Dec 23 a // Story: A Past Returned // by TacoTues4Eva //------------------------------// “Is something bothering you, dear sister?” Princess Celestia asked, sitting down to enjoy her breakfast while her younger sister was eating her dinner. “Nay, dear sister.” Luna tried to deny. An intense, yet worried from Celestia changed the younger alicorns mind rather quickly. “We guess…I guess I’m just worried about Twilight Sparkle.” “Ah, so what did our newest Princess get into this time?” Chuckled Celestia, proud that her sister caught herself and tried to speak in the more modern dialect. “A strange person with wings came to visit her last night.” Luna said, making sure to stress the word person in disgust. “She was garbed in the dress of Kandrakar’s enforcers. I stayed out of sight and made sure nothing happened, she quickly went back through one of those folds of theirs.” “That should be impossible sister without the help of the Elements of Harmony. Just what did this person look like? What was said?” “She had chin length red hair with those breezy looking wings of theirs. She did say something really weird when I confronted her.” Luna explained, tapping her chin with a hoof as she tried to remember exactly what was said. “I heard her grumble about wings just being handed out now. Then she said she didn’t even care anymore, she only wanted them to prove to some nag that she deserved to be loved just as much as some pink menace.” The sudden sound of a fork hitting the plate drew Luna’s attention from searching her memories to looking at up at her sister, who had a devastated look on her face. It was filled with sorrow and loss with so much grief. Slowly, Celestia asked, “Did she say anything else, what her name was?” “She claimed never to have been to Kandrakar, but she changed from her enforcer form as they all do. She also claimed to be Sunset Shimmer, yet she would have used the mirror portal to come here, would she not?” Luna mused. “What have I done?” Celestia sobbed out, galloping from the room to leave a blinking Luna who was feeling very confused. With a forlorn look to her strawberries that she didn’t get to yet, Luna decided that her sister was more important. If just barely. Pushing away from the table, Luna trotted after her sister to provide what comfort she could and find out what was going on. She didn’t like the situation one bit, she didn’t like Kandrakar, and if she ever saw it again, it would be too soon. She knew her sister didn’t hold any grudges to parts of it including Kandrakar’s enforcers, Celestia believed that they did hold a very important place in the universe. It was just sad that the few often times ruined things for the many. She did have another worry, that being Sunset Shimmer. If she was one of Kandrakar’s enforcers, then that was reason alone for Luna to not trust the girl. Added to that was the crimes committed against Twilight Sparkle. Even if forgiven by said Princess, that puts Sunset on the top of the most dangerous beings that needed careful watching. Maybe she should plan to travel to the girl’s dreams and see if she couldn gleam something from them to help Luna decide what to do about the girl. Sunset wasn’t sure how to feel about being woke up by her alarm clock as it kept telling her that Susan kept peeking in to check on everything. On the one hand, she had actually grown to miss Geeves, but on the other, she forgot how freaking annoying the device could be when it could talk. She had already gone through her morning routine while trying to make plans for the day. Twilight was supposed to show up with Martin later today, the two were going to work on the skeleton of the device for Susan at the boy’s place first as he had some of equipment in his garage that couldn’t be kept here. Walking into the kitchen, Sunset heard a cacophony of greetings come from every direction and saw her frazzled mother sitting at the table nursing a cup of coffee. The woman looked jittery upon closer inspection, she even had several hairs sticking up out of place in her usually impeccably done hair. “Morning mom.” Sunset chirped, giving the woman a side hug and kiss on the top of the head in passing on the way to the refrigerator. Either because of the actions or the words, the older woman jumped in shock, letting out a startled eep. “Morning sweetie, we need to have a talk.” Susan said, the tone worrying the teen. “First though, do you have any idea why all the appliances are acting as if they are possessed?” “I’m sorry, I thought I got a handle on that until last night. I guess Twilight’s machine blocked that out, but then again, what about Marigold? I didn’t keep her here when I went out.” Sunset explained, getting a strange look in her eyes as she pondered the situation. “Maybe it takes longer for me to be around something for it to animate and Twilight’s machine could have been interfering with the actual animation.” “Sweetie, I’m not quite sure what your talking about.” Susan hesitated, reaching up and squeezing Sunset’s arm softly to get her attention. The teen moved over to sit next to her mother as she was a little worried about what kind of talk Susan wanted. If she was lucky it would be just this, but something had to eventually faze the older woman sooner or later, didn’t it? “I’m sorry, mom. Ever since Princess Twilight returned the Heart to me, anything with electronics come to life around me if I’m around them long enough.” Sunset explained. “At least I know I’m not going crazy.” Susan sighed, “I still want to talk to you about last night. I came to check on you and you were gone, I was worried sick. When I came back a little later you already returned and were asleep.” “Oh, that. I’m sorry mom, I can’t tell you yet.” Sunset said, she couldn’t help feeling a little guilty at the hurt look that passed through her mother’s eyes. “Sweetie, we need to tell each other things and be honest about what is going on in our lives. I lost one daughter because of lies and misunderstanding. I don’t want to lose you too.” “You won’t lose me, mom. Besides, you forgot the manipulation. If it wasn’t for that, then Will would have never left.” Sunset said softly, reaching over the hug the woman. “I can’t tell you what I was doing, it’s part of a surprise, but I can tell you where I went. Apparently the Heart can create rips in space and I went to visit Princess Twilight. I wasn’t gone long because I didn’t want you to worry.” “I’m sorry, honey. I’m not being pushy because I want to make you feel bad, I just don’t want anything to happen to you.” Susan replied. “I know, and understand mom. I promise before I go somewhere I’ll let you know, I just thought you were asleep when I left and I didn’t want to wake you up when I got back.” Sunset explained. “Thank you sweetie, but we both need to go somewhere this morning.” Susan said, a grin spreading that was making the teen worry a bit. It was the grin saying that the wearer knows the recipient isn’t going to like what is coming, but knows it is for their own good. “Since our trip to the mall got cut short, we never got to finish shopping for you a wardrobe. I think it would be best if we tried a different mall and Velvet suggested the Crystal Emporium in Canterlot. They have pretty much anything you could want or need, and sweetie, you need a lot.” “I don’t need that much, mom.” Sunset groaned. “Sunset, you need at least a dozen everyday outfits just to start with. Then there is formal wear as you will be attending some events with me for the company. You need formal shoes, also one pair of everyday shoes at least, if not more. You also need some at least two school uniforms that will have to be special ordered as well as gym clothes. You need socks, stockings, underwear and a few sports bras.” Susan listed off, smiling at the embarrassed groan from her daughter. “I’m sorry dear, but that is non negotiable. We can stop off and get breakfast on the way.” “I guess we can stop off at Sugarcube Corner, they are one of the two best places in town for pastries and breakfast stuff. Well, Donut Joe’s pretty much just has donuts and coffee. He caters to the older crowd.” “Aren’t you worried you might see somebody from that whole Anon-A-Miss thing?” Susan asked, worry clearly flashing through her eyes. “I doubt anyone will be there with school out. They get most of their business from students before or after school and catering orders. Only person who might be there is Pinkie Pie, she works part time there.” Sunset explained, “I’ve forgiven them mom, I still feel hurt over it, but I forgive them. I don’t think we can go back to being as close as we were right now, but maybe over time.” “I don’t know what I did to deserve such a loving daughter.” Susan said, getting up and kissing the top of Sunset’s head. “Come on, go get your stuff and we’ll get going.” “What’s wrong, darling?” Rarity asked, looking worried as Pinkie froze in the middle of handing the fashionista her drink. “I just got a feeling that somebody is talking about me.” Pinkie Pie chirped, rushing away to fill another order. “Sometimes I wonder about that there girl.” Applejack said, a teasing smile taking the bite out of her words. “Pinkie will be Pinkie.” Rainbow Dash laughed. “As I was saying though, Sunset gave me one of the Wonderbolt’s game balls from early in their career! It was hand signed by all of them and everything!” “Sounds nice for you, sugarcube. She gave me those gloves I’ve been lookin’ at, I just didn’t want to spend so much on them. They keep your hands cool in the summer and warm in the winter and have a ten year guarantee against damages. They’re pretty pricey, I really don’t think I deserve ‘em.” Applejack said. “She gave me this framed, hand pained portrait of Angel Bunny and me. I mentioned to Sunset that I would do anything to get Flanksy to paint one and somehow she managed to get it done. Nobody knows who Flanksy is, but Sunset managed to somehow get it.” Fluttershy sniffed. “I’m pretty sure she got Pinkie Pie a limited edition miniature scale Tardis signed by David Tenant.” Rainbow Dash said, “I feel crappy we didn’t get her anything special. I mean, I got her a stupid book.” “I actually carved her this lap desk since she likes drawing so much.” Applejack said getting low whistles of appreciation from the girls. “That’s better than my gift for her, I got her a gift card for the pet store.” Fluttershy groaned. “Girls, I’m sure Sunset would love all of those. It’s the thought that counts.” Mrs. Cake said with a smile as she brought over a sample tray of cake bites for the girls to share. “On the house, dears.” “How do we even find her to deliver them though? She blocked us!” Rarity whined. “I never blocked you.” A voice said in confusion getting their attention. Sunset was standing there with a nervous smile along with an older woman. With a unanimous cry of Sunset, the girls jumped up from the table to tackle the fire haired girl in a group hug.