//------------------------------// // Chapter VI // Story: Family Matters // by TheKing2001 //------------------------------// Aria “So what’s life been like?” I asked Sunset with an uncharacteristic smile. It had been forever since I had seen her. It was nice to see her again. “It’s been okay. What about you?” Sunset shot back as I cursed internally. “Complicated,” I said finally as Glimmer Shine snorted. “Talk about an understatement of the century,” the grey pegasus grumbled under her breath and fluttered her wings a bit. “It was worse than Tartarus here for a short bit but we got things sorted out. I presume you aren’t staying permanently?” “No,” Sunset admitted as Glimmer raised an eyebrow slightly. “I’m just here for my sister and Twilight. But meeting my technical co workers is always a plus. Silverspeed and the twins seem nice. They’re the only three I’ve really had an opportunity to talk to, other than you and Aria.” “They’re okay. Your room is here,” I said as we stopped outside of a room with Sunset’s name on the door. She stared at it and brushed it with a hoof as I laughed quietly. “Wow. Twilight really went all the way, didn’t she?” Sunset asked with a smirk as she opened the door and examined the interior of the room. “That she did. Your sister also helped design it based on what she figured you’d like.” “I can tell.” I fell silent as I examined Sunset. She didn’t seem entirely different except for one thing. “What’s with the crown getup?” I asked curiously as Sunset shot me a confused look. “Uh what are you talking about?” Sunset asked and I pointed a hoof to the fiery orange and red crown she wore. “The crown you’re wearing,” Glimmer Shine commented as she stared too. “My geode!” Sunset exclaimed as she felt her head, examining the crown in front of her. “I was wearing my geode when I crossed over. So was Lyra, Bon Bon, Trixie and the other three. But why did mine turn into a crown?” “I don’t know,” I admitted and gave a shrug. “Ask Twilight. Maybe she would know? She didn’t say anything at all about it?” “No,” Sunset said and shook her head. “No one did. But we were kinda focused on my sister more, not what was on my head. I wonder what the other geodes turned into.” “Who knows?” I shrugged. “Have a good night Sunset.” “Goodnight Aria. Good night Glimmer,” Sunset smiled as she shut the door and the light turned off. “So how’s Sunset? What’s she like?” Sunbeam asked curiously as I looked at all the others staring at me curiously from their bunks. “She’s doing okay. Naturally worried about her sister,” I answered as I pulled my blankets over me and yawned. I had just gotten in yesterday from Canterlot early in the morning and was exhausted. “And as for what she is like, she’s probably one of the most caring people I know. She’s not all strict, she’s very mischievous when she wants to be. Cates about her friends, fiercely loyal to them and the Princess of course.” “Where has she been this whole time?” Shoeshine asked curiously as she fluffed her pillow a bit. “I swear I thought I saw one of those monkeys in that portal a few months ago that sounded and looked a lot like her.” I looked away as Silverspeeds eyes bore into me. “I have no idea what you’re about,” I lied and looked back. “Are you sure?” Indigo asked and gazed at me intensely. “Because those weird things were all over Equestria in the sky and I swear I heard someone that sounded and looked like you and your sisters there too.” I stared back with an equally amount of intensity and opened my mouth to speak. “Because she was,” a voice came from the doorway and we all looked to see Sunset standing in the doorway with a pillow in her magic. “I was, Adagio was, Sonata was and so was Lyra along with Bon Bon, Trixie and the other three I came here with.” We all watched her silently as various expressions played on the others faces. Sunset tossed the pillow above Wallflowers bunk and peered at her. “Care if I sleep above you?” Sunset asked with a smile. “N-no of course not,” Wallflower mumbled as Sunset gave an appreciative nod. She teleported into the top bunk and stretched out. “So wait,” Sunny Flare waved her hoofs in the air. “You’re a monkey?” “They’re called humans,” Sunset corrected as she slid under the sheets. “A monkey is a racial slur there. I wouldn’t say that. I’m originally from Equestria but I live there by choice. Plus, Twilight has me protecting that world from any magical creatures from Equestria crossing over and harming the people that live there.” “Makes sense based on what Aria has said so far about you,” Blitz commented casually as she brushed her mane aside. “That explains why none of us saw you enter the castle and you just appeared with those other mares.” “Mhm,” Sunset said with a shrug. “The portal is upstairs.” She levitated her crown geode thing off, placing on a nightstand nearby hers and Wallflowers bunk beds. We all looked at each other before Lemon Zest coughed loudly. “So why exactly aren’t you sleeping in your quarters?” Sugarcoat asked and rubbed her eyes with her hooves. “I’m super used to sharing a bed with my girlfriend and well, I don’t really like being alone is all. And I’m afraid of the dark a bit. Rainbow and Cloudkicker call me Nightlight back home sometimes. And no offense, while you are all gorgeous mares, it’s no Derpy,” Sunset admitted sheepishly as she turned red. “I’m straight anyway,” Sour Sweet chuckled as Sunset nodded. “I know your counterparts. So does Aria, Adagio and Sonata,” Sunset admitted as she pointed to Sunny Flare and Indigo. “It’s kinda surprising knowing you guys are royal guards here.” “I knew that voice sounded familiar!” Lemon Zest shouted as we all chuckled. “It was freaking me!” “Our counterparts were awful to that poor girl,” Sunny Flare mumbled as she looked away. “I would have never treated the Princess’ counterpart that way.” The others nodded as I yawned. “I’m going to sleep now. I think I’ll sleep in here more often. After all, a leader does sleep where her co workers sleeps,” Sunset said casually as Glimmer gave an approving nod. “Goodnight everyone.” “Goodnight,” we all said in unison. A loud snore came from Wallflowers bunk as we all looked at her before looking to each other, bursting out laughing. I didn’t think she of all ponies snored. You know what they say, watch out for the quiet ones.