Twilight Sparkle flipped her hood up over her head. She nearly couldn’t believe what she had brought herself to do. She had only been out this late once and it was with the permission of her parents only because she had Sunset with her. Now it was different. Twilight had actively snuck out, on her own and with a backpack full of tools. It wasn't for normal teenage reasons. There was no party. This was in the name of science. Twilight had read in one of her ‘research books’ that places that used to hold portals typically kept that magic, though a minimal amount. Luckily, the scientists had just finished upgrading one of her best inventions. She had improved and updated her E.M.E.R. In the beginning, the device could only read and locate magic, now it can grab and retain it.
A perfect new ability for what Twilight had planned. Her dog was in toe with her, they were almost to her rival school. Canterlot High School. A strange place that seemed to be a fester for abnormal anomalies. The large brick building finally came into few and the teenage girl shivered. From both giddiness in the progress of magical knowledge and from the way the cold fall wind brushed against her.
Spike bit at the wind and started to whimper as his mother led him to a spot in front of the school that had clear barriers to keep others out.
“Alright, Spike. This is it.” Twilight said, her voice filled with anticipation. The circular E.M.E.R was already buzzing and illuminating as it detected magic. The indigo-haired girl pushed her glasses up as the gears of her brain started to move. She was standing right over the past holder of the portal Sunset used to cross into her home world and yet it was as if nothing was there. Her reader was indicating something was there but no matter where Twilight pointed her flashlight she didn't find anything. Nothing glowing, sparkling, shimmering, or even dazzling!
That meant she would have to dig deeper. Twilight pulled her back off and placed it in front of her. Due to her family not being the handiest of people the best breaker she has was a hammer. Twilight just hoped it would end up aiding her.
Spike trotted over to her side when she called him over. Thanks to the headlight she strapped to his head she could use both of her hands easily.
All it took was a couple of strikes in different spots to find the weak point and the concrete cracked. A bright stream of blue magic bolted into the air and the device around the young scientist's neck bolted out and snapped open. With barely a blink the magic began to flood into the invention. It didn't take but a couple of seconds for all the magic to ball up and be enclosed in Twilight's possession.
She gleamed a big smile at her puppy despite his barking, “Be quiet Spike. We don't wanna get caught.”
The dog sighed at her but did as told. Twilight quickly packed her things before grabbing Spike's leash. She ran all the way home, as the thirst for knowledge consumed and elated her.
The faint light of a phone sat on the makeshift coffee table. The clock on the screen read two o’three in the morning. The TV was the only thing illuminating the townhome as Sunset Shimmer stared at the main character pulling out a new weapon to use against the main enemy. Her thumbs worked fast and in coordination on the game controller, aiding the hero in completing his mission successfully.
Twilight had given her an old game console and a video game called, ‘Tirek’s Revenge.’ Oddly the main protagonist looked like the theory drawings of The Great Wizard Starswirl from her homeworld. The redhead hadn’t realized how much she loved video games until now. They distracted her and gave her something else to focus on besides her nightmare. Well, she wasn’t sure if it was a nightmare but she certainly didn’t like it.
~~~
Sunset opened her eyes to find herself staring at a tall window that held a storytelling stained glass. Her face slowly dropped as the scene became clear to her. The glass image showed a screaming red demon being sent into a fiery below. A proud and determined lavender girl stood above the creature with five brave humans at her side.
Was this a fate she was meant to have? Or one she had made for herself at one point?
Sunset’s ears flicked as she heard hoof steps behind her, she didn't turn to see who they belonged to. The image in front of her captivated her attention too strongly.
The tall angelic figure stood silently next to her. Neither spoke or looked at each other. The silence lasted for long the regal figure decided as she spoke, “Are you proud of what you’ve done Sunset Shimmer?”
The small unicorn took another moment of silence before answering, “No.”
“Nothing? Are you sure?” The princess of the sun questioned.
“What is there to be proud of? I buried my life into studying to make my parents proud, only to learn that I hate everypony and they hate me. I’m mean, cruel, and undeserving of anything good. I… I’m so sorry for what I did to you, Princess Celestia. I wanted to make you proud but I became a stain on your successful record instead.”
Sunset could feel the equine goddess's eyes on her and it took a moment before her eyes lifted to the princesses. The unicorn had to hold back a gasp when she saw her formal teacher look at her with sadness.
“Sunset Shimmer, you truly believe this?” Princess Celestia asked with a gloomy disbelief.
“Yes.” She whispered.
“I was foolish Sunset.” Her past mentor said.
Sunset looked back towards the scene on the stained glass. What was the princess foolish about? Taking Sunset in as her student? Thinking that Sunset was a good candidate to teach? If that's really what the princess was thinking then Sunset didn't disagree.
“I wish I had known how to help you back then. I should have been understanding and I should have listened, and not blamed you. I apologize that you had become a lesson in how to be open ears for me. If it weren't for that we would not have our newest princess,” she paused and sighed before speaking again to admit, “If I could go back I’d do things differently. It was I that failed you Sunset. You do not fail me.”
Sunset chose not to respond as tears fell down her face. She stared hard at the red demon and for a second she could hear its screams of anguish.
“Sister,” a familiar soothing voice spoke, “you do not have much more time.” The midnight-coated alicorn informed before disappearing.
The princess looked back down at her first prized pupal with similar treks of teardrops soaking her furry face, “I hope you can forgive me Sunset. I still have immense hope for your potential. In this world, or another.” Her voice faded out leaving Sunset staring out a now clear window. The world outside was bright and yet Sunset felt nothing.
~~~
When Sunset's eyes blinked open she continued her dream self’s actions and stared at her ceiling. She hated the feelings and thoughts that the dream had brought. If it even was a dream. Had Princess Celestia found a way to intertwine this world’s dream realm with the equestrian one? She cared enough to use that as an opportunity to conversate with Sunset. The Princess had blamed herself for how the amber-coated unicorn turned out. The unicorn-turned-teenager bit back a growl. How dare she?
Sunset’s life was her own. Her decisions and actions were her own. Yeah, she wasn't proud of herself or how she handled things in the past. If she wanted to create a time spell and go back SHE would make different choices, not the Princess. How dare that couple thousand-year-old overgrown star tosser claim that Sunset Shimmer was a lesson in how to ‘do better.’ How dare she use her mistakes as a GUIDE for Sunset’s replacement?! Why did she need a replacement? If Princess Celestia truly felt sorry why did she say, ‘Oops let's try again!’?
Hot tears of anger ran down the side of her face and onto her pillow. “Why couldn’t Princess Celestia realize how much pain Sunset was in before she went all tyrant crazy? Why couldn’t the princess chase after her and bring her back? Why did somepony else have to be the second try? Why couldn’t SHE HAVE BEEN THE SECOND TRY?
The redhead buried her face in her pillow and screamed as loud as she could. Her throat ripped apart into the pillow and her frustration and pain had built up until she didn’t know what to do with it. She kicked her legs and flailed around to gain some sort of release. A minute later Sunset huffed into the pillow before throwing it off of her. She crawled off the bed and moved on all fours into she got to her loft’s stairs. She had to use the rail to pull herself up to the unnatural bipedal state her human body required.
That’s how she found her complete attention enveloped in her TV screen—hours passed of the blue light shining on her face until she turned it off. Despite her kitten, Magma, being fast asleep on the couch beside her, Sunset got to his level and ran her fingers through his soft fur. With nothing left to do and her brain power running off of Oreos the former unicorn finally noticed the sun was up and hazily got ready for school.
By the time she arrived at the educational institution the bell for the second class of the day rang and yet she had barely passed the corner to the entrance. She stopped to a halt as she caught the sight of blue glimmers poking out of a crack in the sidewalk. Sunset walked over to the incision in the asphalt that was still within caution tape of where the school's pride had once stood. Her fingertips ran through the sparkles of magic and a tingling feeling passed through her. What was magic still doing in this world? Hadn't Sunset erased it when she destroyed the portal?
The day had barely started and Sunset was already over it. The former mage took a deep breath and grumbled to herself as she walked into her school.
Sunset was officially pissed off. Or sad. Or both. It was reaching the end of the day and Twilight had yet to text her. Usually, the genius was the first to send a morning text but by the time noon rolled around Sunset noticed she still not had received one.
The fear that she had lost her only friend was gnawing at her. A month ago the former unicorn would have danced and sang about the occasion. Now? It made her want to crawl into a ball at the bottom of a giant crater and wait for that gentle lavender hand to reach out to her.
The bell signaling the last class transition of the day blared in the redhead's sensitive ears. She moseyed her way to her locker as she needed her textbook for the last class of the day.
“Um, excuse me…” A meek voice was caught by the natural-born pony's ears.
“...I’m sorry, I just need to get through,” the voice spoke again, getting quieter.
Sunset turned her head towards the voice and saw Fluttershy trying to sneak her way through a duo of girls who were too engrossed in their conversation to pay the shy girl any attention. The former bully made her way over without even a thought.
The girls noticed the stomps headed their way and started confused at first before their faces turned to defensive expressions.
“Hey, what are you-” One of the girls started until she was cut off by Sunset reaching between them, grabbing Fluttershy’s hand. The girls scoffed and went back to their conversation as Sunset led her quiet friend away. Wait. Friend? Was she officially calling Fluttershy her friend? Did the animal caretaker agree to that or would she be repulsed? Sunset found herself not wanting to find out so, of course, she’ll keep her thoughts to herself. Based on how things went with her opposing opinion with Twilight on bringing magic to this world, it was best she kept things to herself. Opening up seemed to barely ever go well. So far, it had been Twilight Sparkle of the human world was the only exception. How long would that last with Sunset’s big dumb mouth? If she kept opening it, her answer would be: not long.
“Thank you,” Fluttershy said gratefully, pulling Sunset out of her thoughts.
“You don't have to thank me, Fluttershy,” Sunset said as she started exchanging her school necessities, “Next time though, be louder and more assertive. They'll just continue to ignore you otherwise.”
The soft-pink-haired girl nodded like she’d heard it before, “I know… I just don't know how.”
“Do what I did and stop caring,” Sunset stated plainly as the warning bell went off. Fluttershy flashed her a disapproving look before changing the subject, “Um, I wanted to ask if you’d be interested in joining me at the shelter today?”
“You want me to join?” Sunset asked, closing her locker as she turned to the other girl. She smiled and nodded, “Yeah, Thanks to you we have people on the weekends but the weekdays are still on the empty side.”
The two began their walk to class and Fluttershy continued, “We unfortunately have a lot of animals today and some help would be greatly appreciated.”
They stopped by the door of Fluttershy’s class and Sunset didn't have to think too hard. She thought it might be a good distraction from herself and her problematic thoughts, “Okay. I’ll meet you there.”
Fluttershy’s mouth stretched into a beaming smile, “Oh wonderful!” The lanky girl hugged the former unicorn causing her to tense up as she wasn't used to physical affection. The bell rang causing Fluttershy to gasp and duck into her class, “See you later Sunset,” she said gleefully.
Sunset simply nodded before trotting off to her class, “Minitour crap!” she cursed as she hoped Miss Cherilee would let her in.
Sunset unlocked the door to her townhome and was greeted by the orange tabby that rolled onto her boots and meowed at her. She reached down the rubbed his belly, “Look at you getting chubby boy.”
Magma flicked his tail and purred at her fingers scratching in between his ears, “You wanna go make some friends? You can’t turn out like mommy.” Sunset said, finishing up the petting session. She pulled out her phone only to find it void of any notifications. She should have known.
Sunset placed down her school backpack and traded it for her mini travel one. She collected a few toys and a bag of food for Magma, placed them in the small black leather bag, and headed out the door with him following behind.
Ten minutes later they found themselves outside the building of the shelter.
When the tiny bell announced her entry the woman who had greeted her last time looked up at the desk.
“Oh, Sunset! Welcome in, how's little Magma doing?” The veterinarian came around the desk and crouched down to pet the friendly cat.
The redhead was surprised to hear that the woman knew her name. She hoped it wasn’t because of her past. “He’s doing good. Um, how do you know my name?”
Doctor Fauna smiled at her, “I remember reading it on the paperwork. So, what brings you in today?” she inquired as she stood up, showing off her height. Which wasn't very high, if it weren't for Sunset’s heeled boots they'd be the same height.
“I'm here to help out. Fluttershy mentioned you guys could use- oof!” A tight hug from the woman cut off Sunset. Only a second later the woman made a distance again but kept her hands on the leather-clad shoulders, “You are such a kind girl.”
Amber cheeks turned red from the older woman's words of gratitude, “I-i’m really not. I just owe Fluttershy.”
Fauna continued her smile as she stepped back over to the desk, “That doesn't mean you're not a sweet girl. Usually, people would not use their open favors to help at a shelter.”
Sunset's blush deepened as she rubbed the back of her neck. Luckily the back door opened revealing the girl she was here for. Fluttershy smiled at her as she placed a full container of dog treats on the front counter, “Hi Sunset, I'm glad you came!”
She fluttered over, her long white maxi skirt flowing behind her and immediately ducked down to give affection to the feline who looked happy to receive it, “Uh, Yeah. What do you need me to help out with?”
“Right to business. I like this girl.” Fauna commented, causing a small giggle from Fluttershy.
“Follow me, I figure helping clean the dog's rooms will be an easy start. The daycare section can be a bit…hectic,” the soft-spoken girl started as she led Sunset to the back. The amber-skinned girl brought her fingers up to pinch her nose close, “Does it always smell like this?”
Fluttershy shook her head, “No… well it doesn’t when things get cleaned. I’m sorry if it bothers you,” they stopped by a blue door that had dancing cat stickers on it, “If you’d like I can give you something different to do. I understand it can be too much.”
“No, it’s okay. I'll get over it.” Sunset answered.
“If you’re sure. This is our cat room, I’m sure little Magma will have fun playing with the other cats.” Fluttershy smiled at the cat that voiced his agreement happily.
“Hey, Fluttershy. I was told you were asking for me?” A girl said as she met the two. The girl had dark rosy-pink skin with curly magenta hair on top and dark blue curls under. She was wearing black joggers with a blue crop top that had a paintbrush and pencil-shaped into a heart. A large German Shepherd stepped up to her side.
“Oh, yes!” Fluttershy piped up, “Starrypaint, this is Sunset Shimmer. Sunset Shimmer, this is Starrypaint, she’s usually the only other person that comes on the weekends.”
Starrypaint smiled, “I enjoy helping these furry guys out,” she held her hand out, and Sunset took the shaking offering with a smile of her own.
“Starrypaint, I was hoping you could teach Sunset how to clean the kennels while the dogs are playing,” Fluttershy explained. Sunset had to admit she wasn't used to seeing the normally timid girl in a leader position but she was doing it well. She spoke like someone who knew what they were doing. If only Fluttershy used that at school, the ‘I don't know how to be assertive’ excuse didn't go far.
The girl with the shepherd smiled, “Yeah no problem. Does that mean you'll be in the group with them?”
Fluttershy nodded as she opened the cat room door and allowed Magma to trot in like he already knew the place, “Headed out there now,” her sweet voice sang.
As an hour of cleaning and instruction went by Sunset finally started to believe that the smell would get better. There were four massive rows of dirty dog rooms but luckily the dog-safe chemicals were doing their job. The former unicorn also found herself laughing and enjoying working with Starrypaint. The artist and dog lover had a sarcastic wit that was first to rival Sunset’s and her extra-large German Shepherd loved following them around and partaking in their playful conversation. Only an hour and a half later the two found themselves done. Sunset followed Starrypaint as she headed to offer Fluttershy a break from the rowdy dogs.
She pulled her phone out of her pocket. Sunset found herself fearful at finding her screen blank of any messages. The only thing looking back at her was her wallpaper: a photo of Twilight smiling brightly with Magma and Spike in her arms. Sunset tucked the phone back away and gripped her fist, allowing the pain of her nails digging into her palm to distract her from the tears welling up.
She walked through the door to the outside park as Starrypaint led her through. That's when she noticed a familiar small playful dog with purple and green fur.
The machine beeped and warped as an unnatural entity that manipulated it. The scientist tapped away on her desktop as she entered logs of data and continued to pour out onto the floor.
The girl pushed up her glasses and swiveled her chair around to roll over to the dirty Whiteboard that was filled with math equations, diagrams, and notes.
The full-scale mirror that Twilight had gotten her hands on, sat against the wall next to the board. Despite it being animate, the mirror somehow looked tired from all the testing being conducted on it.
The surface had shined, warped, and been distorted only to return to its original state on glass. Twilight tapped her expo marker against her chin. She was missing something. That had to be it. Some necessary components that she didn't have were holding her back.
Her phone buzzed but her brain didn't acknowledge it.
She stood up and raced over to her research book and notes. Twilight flipped through the book all about Multidimensional theory. Unfortunately, she had read every page of the tome multiple times and didn't find anything new she missed. The book was slammed shut. It was proving useless, after all this book had been made off of pure superstition. If things would go according to plan, that will change.
Twilight snapped back to her whiteboard, “What am I missing?!” She then looked to the mirror, “What is it that you need?”
As expected neither answered. Her phone buzzed again and finally Twilight heard it.
“I bet Sunset knows… but would she even tell me?” The lavender-skinned girl wasn’t too happy with her best friends' reaction to what Twilight wanted to do. The girl was from a whole other world. One full of magic that sounded like a paradise of frolicking ponies with no worries. Meanwhile, humanity was trapped in a dark and dreary world of tragedy, evil, and illness. If magic was at hand as regularly as it was in Sunset’s birthplace then things could be happy here too. Illness, homelessness, and starvation could all be solved! Medicine and science would skyrocket to greater heights and so much could be learned and discovered for the better. Why couldn’t Sunset understand that? Or did she and did she just not want her home to share its magic?
No Twilight. That's not fair to think of your friend. She may have started mean-spirited and cold but it was quickly seen that that was a ruse. Sunset Shimmer has turned out to be the most wonderful person Twilight Sparkle has ever met. She noticed when Twilight was down. When she had been through something- like when she gets harassed by the upperclassmen. Not even her parents or brother had noticed.
Sunset was just so beautiful and cool and not afraid to stand up for herself or others. She was everything Twilight wanted to be. If Twilight truly managed to bring magic to her world and invent ways to use it for the betterment of her species then maybe she could have the same confidence the fiery-haired teen had. Not to mention the fact that no one would ever doubt her skills again.
For the third time in a twenty-minute time frame, Twilight's phone announced it had another notification. The inquisitive girl walked over and pulled the device out for the first time that day. She found herself nervous- she felt guilty for never texting Sunset that Wednesday. Now she was sure the other girl was mad and probably wouldn't want to speak to her.
Twilight looked at the seizing phone and saw her mother was calling her.
“Hello?”
“Twilight! Finally dear. I was starting to get very worried!” Velvet's motherly concerned voice said, “I’ve been outside of your school for fifteen minutes. Won't you come along?”
Confusion set in and Twilight pushed her glasses up, “I thought Dad was picking me up?”
“I understand now that you didn’t read my text. He’s is stuck late at the university today so I’m getting you today, Twily.” Velvet explained.
“Oh…” Twilight trailed off, “Let me clean up I’ll be out soon, Mom.”
“Alright, Sweetie.”
With the agreement settled Twilight gathered her notes and other belongings before shuffling out of the lab closet and locking it behind her. As she rushed out of the large building Twilight saw the messages from Sunset she had missed all day. She decided to give her only friend a call later tonight to make up for what she had done (and hopefully get some information from her.)
Sunset smiled as Spike laid on his back eagerly taking all the belly rubs he could get, “You enjoying playing at daycare today Spikey?”
The dog looked at her and barked in a way to say ‘Yes!’ and Sunset laughed. She noticed the sky got a bit darker and the sun would soon make its journey below the horizon.
“I bet they’ll be here soon to get you, buddy,” Sunset said as she scratched his tummy. Light footsteps came from behind, “Aw, he’s a sweet guy.” Fluttershy’s light voice said.
“Soon we’ll be putting the rooming dogs up for dinner time,” she informed and when Sunset turned around she noticed the skinny girl's arms out, “Thank you so much for your help today, Sunset.”
Fluttershy almost cheered as this had been the first time Sunset hadn’t locked up when she wrapped her arms around her and she felt a light couple of pats on her back, “No prob, Fluttershy. It was nice to not be drowning in my thoughts for a couple of hours.”
The kind girl almost asked Sunset about her statement but was cut off by an announcement over the walkie, “I need Spike! He’s going home!”
Sunset smiled something small and almost fearful, “I’ll take him up.”
Fluttershy nodded and allowed her to pick up the excitable puppy. As more days went by and the more Fluttershy got to know her former bully the more complex the girl got.
When Sunset did reach the door, she couldn't stop her feet from coming to a stop just before she opened the door. Twilight was likely on the other side. What would she do when she saw Sunset with her dog? The other girl had ignored her all day today for a reason. Was she going to be mad to see Sunset inserting herself? When friends are mad you are supposed to give them space, right? Was this just another example of Sunset being a terrible person and forcing Twilight to look at her?
She felt her chest tighten and heard Spike whine, yet she still couldn't catch her breath.
“Sunset?” Fluttershy’s shy voice asked in concern as she saw the girl standing before the door with shaky shoulders. Her voice clearly caught the fiery-haired girl's attention as her head whipped around and she looked like she had seen a ghost, “Are you okay?”
Sunset took a shaky breath before shaking her head rigidly, “Y-yeah, I just needed a second.”
“Are you sure? What’s wrong?” Fluttershy asked.
Sunset shook her head, “Yeah, I-,” she sighed, “I know his owner… she’s kind of mad at me right now and I’m afraid she’ll be even more mad seeing me with Spike.”
Fluttershy thought momentarily with a finger to her chin, “Is this the person you’ve become friends with outside of school?”
Teal colored eyes shot open, “How-?”
The shelter caretaker giggled quietly, “I’m sure you would know that rumors and gossip spread fast around our school.”
Fluttershy had to admit, that she felt a spike of concern and fear at the angry and panicked expression on the former school’s tyrant.
“Ponyfeathers.” Sunset snarled under her breath- which did not go unnoticed by the other teenager.
“If I can offer some advice, Sunset,” the redhead lifted her eyes that had lost their venom, “I think if this person wanted to be your friend in the beginning then they still will. It’s normal to fight sometimes, but you don't have to let that- or your fear destroy your friendship.”
“But,” she tucked the purple dog closer to her chest, “I’m… afraid that I’ll do something dumb. Like get angry or upset her again and then she’ll never want anything to do with me again. I-I don’t want to lose her.”
A soft hand placed itself on her shoulder, “You need to trust yourself, Sunset. She chose to be your friend, just like I am. We know what we are signing up for.”
After a moment of shared laughter Sunset nodded as she scratched Spike’s head, “Yeah, you're right,” and then she smiled, “Thanks Fluttershy.”
The advisor smiled in return and Sunset turned to open the door before she stopped again, “Oh, and don’t tell anyone about her. Let that stay as just a rumor.”
Fluttershy nodded, “Alright, your secret is safe.”
Sunset offered a smile in gratitude and finally opened the door causing the young dog to yip excitedly as he leapt to his parent.
The girl that Sunset craved hadn’t noticed her yet as she rubbed her hyper puppy with glee. Sunset remained still, pulling on her fingers.
It didn’t take long for violet eyes behind glasses to find her teal ones and Sunset's heart skipped a beat negatively when the smile fell off Twilight's face, “…Sunset…”
The unicorn-turned-human attempted a smile that looked more like a grimace, “H-hey…”
Twilight stood up straight and started to play with the hem of her sleeve, “Hi, I wasn’t expecting to see you here.”
The redhead rubbed the back of her neck, “Yeah… I, um, volunteered for the afternoon. I didn’t know Spike would be here, that was a coincidence.”
“A lucky one.” Twilight responded with a smile that was laced with guilt, “Do… you wanna come over for dinner?”
Sunset’s heart flew with wings are powerful as the sun goddess she had once admired, “Yeah,” she said with a teary voice crack, “I’d love to.”
After hastily grabbing her belongings and Magma, the two headed out the shelter door. Sunset looked back at Fluttershy and Dr.Fauna smiling and waving her goodbye. Sunset, with fondness and satisfaction filling her soul, gave her a bright smile.