Chapter 7
Twilight and Sunset sat across from each other at the center table in the library. There was silence between them, and it wasn’t because of the fact they were in a library. No, the guards standing attention at all possible entry and exit points caused the silence. Flash Sentry patrolled around the room and each time passed Twilight, he gave her a smile with the occasional wink. Twilight did her best to ignore it as she read, and Sunset glared at Flash each time he came into her view. She would then bury her head in her book, trying to focus on her reading.
A knock echoed through the palace. Twilight looked up and got out of her seat. As she made her way to the exit the guards came closer to join her. Twilight frowned and sighed, putting a hoof to her forehead. “I can get the door.”
Flash came around putting a hoof around Twilight. “We are here to protect you, Princess. It could be an assailant!”
“It’s the middle of the morning,” Twilight deadpanned. “I highly doubt an assailant would attack in the broad daylight.”
“We can’t be too careful, Princess.” He smiled at her.
“Ugh,” Sunset grumbled getting up from her seat. “I’ll get it, Twilight.” She trotted past the two of them, glaring daggers at Flash.
Twilight nodded with a light smile. “Thank you.” Sunset walked out of the library and down to the front door. She opened the door and saw Derpy wearing a blue mail pony hat and a green saddlebag with a muffin sewn on it. Her head was locked between the guard’s spears. The two guards were looking at her ready to kill if needed. Derpy, however, wasn’t fazed and looked at Sunset with a bright smile and her eyes in different directions.
“Hi there, Sunset Shimmer!” She said with a cheery gin. “I’ve got a package here for Princess Twilight.”
Sunset smiled at the wall-eyed mare. “I’ll take it for her Derpy. Thank you.”
“Okie-dokie.” Derpy sang, hoofing the package into Sunset’s telekinetic grip. She sniffed the air and her eyes went wide with excitement. “Do I smell muffins?”
“Um…” Sunset sniffed. “Actually, yes…” She looked inside and spotted a tray of muffins on a stand near the door. A note hanging above them read.
In case of mail delivery, give to Derpy.
“Huh…” Sunset levitated one with her magic. “Here you go Derpy.”
Derpy happily took the muffin in her hooves and inhaled the scent. “Mmm, banana nut muffin! Tell Princess Twilight I said thank you.” She walked off, taking a bite into the muffin.
Sunset closed the door and walked back up to the library with the book in tow. “A package arrived, Twilight.”
“Who’s it from?” Twilight asked.
Sunset turned the package around and saw the royal seal of Princess Celestia. She felt her stomach lurch and tie itself in a knot. “Celestia.”
“Oh?” Twilight trotted over and tilted her head. “I wasn’t expecting anything from her.” Before she could take it with her magic, a guard stepped in front of her.
“It could be a trick, princess!” The guard said.
Twilight sighed and telekinetically moved the guard to the side. “You stallions need a vacation.” She unwrapped the package and inside was a dark red book with a note attached to it. She took the note and read.
Dear Twilight,
General Iron Claw was most grateful for our help during the skirmish with the changelings. As a sign of trust and good faith, he has given us one of Star Swirl the Bearded’s books that was lost after the Nightmare Moon incident 1000 years ago. I think you will find this book fascinating and it should also make a fine addition to your library.
Also, I would like you to come to Canterlot in a few days. I understand you are busy, but there is something I wish to discuss with you upon arrival.
See you soon.
Sincerely,
Princess Celestia.
Twilight honed in on five words: Star Swirl the Bearded’s books. Her mind did a backflip. “Oh…. My… yes!” She squealed. “Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes!!” She bounced on all hooves in a circle around Sunset.
Sunset fell back on her hooves. “She gave you… one of Star Swirl the Bearded’s lost books?!” She clopped her hooves. “What’s it about?!”
Twilight stopped bouncing and looked at the cover. “Theories on the Portal and Cross Dimensional Travel!” She squeaked.
“So, how he first figured out how to create the portals connecting Equestria to other realms?” Sunset said in excitement.
“Yes!” Twilight flipped through the first few pages and gasped. “It even has his own personal hoof written notes!” She took Sunset’s hooves in her. “You’ve read some of his other works, right?”
Sunset nodded. “Yes, when… erm, when I was Celestia’s student.” She stuttered a little remembering how she had gone behind Celestia’s back to look into Star Swirl’s explanations and theories on the first mirror portal and dark magic. Twilight, however, snapped her out of it, by grabbed her cheeks.
“You. Must. Read. This. With. Me!” Twilight said with wide excited eyes.
“Wait, really? I thought you would lock yourself in your room for the next few days for alone time with that book.” Sunset giggled.
Twilight blushed and coughed. “Well… normally, yes, but you have knowledge on Star Swirl’s works! I never get to do intellectually reading with anypony.”
Sunset patted Twilight’s head. “Calm down Twi, I would love to.”
Flash chuckled. “Aw, it’s like you're being a big sister, Shimmy.”
“Stuff it up your flank!” Sunset hissed.
Twilight frowned, but still giggled. “Maybe I should start calling you that, Shimmy.”
Sunset shot Twilight a glare, and then it turned into a smile. “You know, I wouldn’t mind.” She smiled.
Twilight blushed a little and looked out the crystal window. “It’s a beautiful day out, want to go outside and read?”
Sunset smiled. “Sure, we can stop by Sugarcube corner and get some sweets.”
Twilight nodded beaming. The pair went to exit, however, the guards followed. Twilight grimaced. “Alone?”
“Sorry Princess, it's our mandate to stay beside you at all times.” One of the guards said.
“I personally don’t mind.” Said Flash walking up beside Twilight and winking at her.
Twilight rolled her eyes and sighed. Then an idea struck her, she looked to Sunset and grinned. “So, Sugarcube Corner first, yes?” She gave a wink and charged her horn.
Sunset smirked with a devious grin. “Yep.” Her horn lit and she brought it close to Twilight’s. Teleportation magic across long distances took a lot of magical energy, and could have a side effect of scorch marks from the hyper second flash burn. However, when Sunset and Twilight’s horns touched, there was a single spark and then a bright flash. In an instant, they were standing in the castle library, the next they were standing outside of Sugarcube Corner.
They parted, dusting themselves off, and broke into a fit of laughter. Sunset wiped a tear from her eye. “Oh, if only we could have seen the looks on their faces.”
Twilight giggled and they walked stepping up to the counter. Pinkie Pie was nowhere to be seen.
“Is it safe?”
The two mares jumped back to see Pinkie Pie behind them, hanging upside down from the ceiling. “Pinkie, what are you doing up there?” Asked Twilight.
Pinkie Pie leaned down and spoke in a hushed voice. “Well, duh, you came in here without your entourage, which means you two are obviously hiding from them… is it safe?”
Sunset rubbed her forehead. “Yes, Pinkie, it's safe, you don’t need to whisper.”
“Okie-dokie-lokie!” Pinkie Pie pulled herself right side up and then in another second, she popped up from behind the counter. “What can I get you girls?”
Sunset shook her head looking from the ceiling to Pinkie Pie repeatedly. How does she keep doing that?! She thought. “We’ll have a dozen cupcakes and two hayshakes please.” Twilight went to grab some of bits from her saddlebag but Sunset put a hoof up. “I’m buying.”
“Sunset, you don’t have to, we’re both eating it.” Twilight insisted.
“Still buying.” Sunset smiled, handing Pinkie a hoof full of bits.
Twilight smiled. “Well, thank you, then.”
“OOOooo~” Pinkie sang. “Some ponies out on a date, hm?”
Sunset’s face turned the color of her mane and she threw her hooves up in the air. “Pinkie! No! We’re not on a date!”
“Then what are you doing and why did you get rid of Twilight’s guards?”
Sunset sighed. “We’re going to read a new book out in the field, have some sweets and we wanted to do this alone.”
“Sounds like a date to me!” Pinkie sang again.
“It’s not!”
“Denial isn’t just a river in Saddle Arabia.”
Sunset face planted against the counter’s display case. “Just…. Get us our food Pinkie, please?”
“Okie-dokie-lokie!” She bounced off into the kitchen.
Sunset lifted her head from the case with a red mark on her forehead. She looked to Twilight, whose cheeks were slightly tinted red and her ears were tucked behind her ears. “Um, Twilight... you okay?”
Twilight snapped out of her momentary daze. “Huh? Oh, um, yes! Just… really hungry!” She smiled awkwardly. Pinkie Pie bounced back out with a box and two hay shakes in to go containers.
“Here you are! Go have fun, you crazy little fillies!”
“Pinkie!” Sunset barked. She took the shakes and box. Lifted the lid to inspect the cupcakes she noticed they were formed in a heart formation. Sunset put the lid down, blushed, and glared at Pinkie Pie. “Really?”
“Really what?” Pinkie asked, obviously.
“Oh… nothing.” Sunset grimaced. “C’mon, Twilight.” The pair trotted out of Sugarcube Corner. They broke off behind the store, keeping close to the wall, making sure to keep a watch out for the guards. If they were spotted, they were doomed. The pair made their way through the streets out into the fields near the Apple Farm. There was a tree that had enough trees to provide a nice shade under it. As they sat under it Twilight laid the book down carefully and opened up ever so slowly, savoring the moment, to the first page. Sunset levitated out two cupcakes from the box and gave two to Twilight.
“So if the magical energy crosses the polar axis of the transdimensional plane, then it is theoretically possible for the travel between worlds to exist...” Twilight read aloud.
“However, the magical energy can only be achieved when the celestial moons across both dimensions are similar. Meeting causes a space-time ripple, which thereby allows the magical energy to pass. Without the space time occurrence, the energy is unable to cross.” Sunset continued.
Twilight rubbed her chin with a hoof. “So this is why there was a time limit to the portal being open. The moons from both worlds only reach that exact spot across the plains every 2.5 years.”
Sunset pointed a hoof to another section on the page. “But that doesn’t explain the enchanted books.”
Twilight materialized a small notepad with her magic and flipped through it. “I’ve been wondering about that as well. The two books were designed to transmit messages over a magical wavelength across this dimension. According to Star Swirl’s text, the magical energy shouldn’t be able to reach across another dimension.” She jotted down a few notes.
“Perhaps because your element was brought to the human world, it left a magical resonance, which was strong enough to feed the message I sent back through the transdimensional plan to Equestria.” Sunset offered.
Twilight gasped and jotted down more notes. “That is an excellent theory! Perhaps there’s something in the book we can use to solidify that!” Twilight clopped her hooves together and put the notepad away. She turned the page and began reading. As she began to read, Sunset stopped listening. She just watched Twilight. As Twilight had said, she never had an intellectual equal to study with, and the same went for Sunset. During her times with Celestia, not even the professors at Celestia’s School For Gifted Unicorns could keep up with her. Even though she herself enjoyed the knowledge given to her, it was nicer to have someone else to study with.
But Twilight made it better than just studying. Twilight made it a challenge. With professors Sunset didn’t have to take a moment to think, her counterpoint, retort, and finishing statement were already generated before the Canterlot Professors could begin speaking. With Twilight, however, she had to think, but not instead of trumping and shaming her like she did the professors, she was conversing with someone who considered her an equal. This made her smile and a warm feeling grew in her stomach. The way Twilight was so focused when reading was mesmerizing, but her moments when she would pause and squeal in delight at a new fact were absolutely adorable.
“Sunset?” Twilight waved a hoof in front of her face. “Sunset?”
Sunset shook her head, snapping out of her days. “Huh? What?”
“It’s your turn to read.”
“Oh, right, um…” She looked at the text. “Where did you leave off?”
“Weren’t you listening?” Twilight raised an eyebrow.
Sunset’s face blushed and she looked away. “I got… distracted.”
“By what?”
Sunset hesitated before she spoke. “Back during the band competition we were at Pinkie Pie’s house. After we talked in the kitchen, you wanted to say something to me, but said never mind. What was it?”
Twilight shook her head, then looked away. “O-oh. Nothing important.”
“It looked like it was. C’mon, what was it?” Sunset pressed.
“Nothing. Don’t worry about it!” Twilight tapped her hoof on the ground and kept her gaze elsewhere.
Sunset furrowed her brow and pouted slightly. “Does it have to do with Flash?”
“What about him?” Twilight blushed.
“It’s plainly obvious that you like him.” Sunset muttered.
She gulped. “Well, the human version of him a little, but the pony version of him… I don’t know.”
“He seems to like you.” Sunset growled.
“Why are you bringing this up?” Twilight spoke sternly. Her eyes locked with Sunset’s.
She hesitated for a moment. “I don’t like him…”
“Really? I hadn’t noticed.” Twilight teased poking her side, however, Sunset’s grimace didn’t change. “Are you… jealous?”
Sunset’s head met the ground and she sighed. “No.”
“Well, I can understand holding a grudge against him, but you seem hold a higher level of hostility, especially when he’s around me… which is all the time.” Twilight added.
“Does it matter?”
Twilight frowned. “Yes it does. I don’t like it when my friends fight. When Discord turned all of my friends into their opposite selves, I could only watch in horror as our friendship fell apart.”
Sunset lifted her head slowly. “You actually consider him a friend?!”
“Yes, I do!” Twilight growled.
“Why?!”
“Because I do have a little crush on him!” Twilight shouted.
Sunset stopped, the color flushed from her face and she could feel something inside her breaking. Those words caused her stomach to turn inward and tie into a knot. “So it was about Flash…”
“What?”
“That night at Pinkie Pie’s place… what you didn’t want to say was about Flash.” Sunset mumbled, standing up on all fours.
Twilight shook her head. “What?! No. It wasn’t about Flash at all, it was-“ but Sunset had already lit her horn and teleported herself off at the bottom of the hill and was off in a gallop. Twilight threw the book in her bag and ran off after her. However, Sunset kept continuously teleporting ahead and was soon lost among the buildings. Twilight stopped at the edge of town. She looked left and right, but saw no sign of Sunset. “I need Rarity.” She took off in a gallop to the boutique.
Sunset burst through the castle doors with a scowl on her face. She was sweating slightly from the multiple teleports from the field to the castle. Thoughts of confusion and anger swam through her mind and she didn’t understand it herself.
Twilight’s my friend. Sunset thought. I want her to be happy. So why does the thought of her liking Flash… She shook her head and growled under her breath as she trotted through the center throne room of up the stairs. I’ll admit that I don’t like Flash but… that’s the past right? The questions and thoughts kept her distracted to not see where she was going. This was evident as she bumped into a solid metallic object. Looking up, she felt her stomach jerk back and her muscles tense.
“Sunset!” Flash said startled. “Where in Tartarus did you and Twilight go?!”
Sunset growled and looked away. “We just went out to the field to read…”
“And where is she now?” Flash growled, there was a touch of concern in his voice that made Sunset’s anger swell.
“Don’t know…” Sunset trailed off.
The next thing she knew, there was a short sword resting at the tip of her muzzle in between her vision. “What have you done with her?”
“Me!?” Sunset growled and knocked the sword away.
“Yes, you!” Flash pressed, moving forward, causing Sunset to step back. “I read the reports about what you tried to do to Twilight when you stole her crown. How do I know you didn’t just lure her away to harm her?!”
“Are you that bucking stupid!?” Sunset yelled, stomping her hoof down on the ground. “What would I gain from that?”
“A lot! For one, you would get rid of the mare who has accomplished everything you could not.” Sunset clenched her hooves tightly as she glared at him. Flash continued backing her against the wall. “Also I’m not blind! I saw you glaring at Twilight the other day when I was talking with her! You would also be getting rid of the mare that I like!”
“Don’t. You. Dare.”
“Face it Sunset! You have reason to get rid of her because you’re jealous!” Flash finished.
That was the final nerve. Sunset reeled up, clenching her right hoof tightly, and punched Flash square in the jaw, sending him flying back in a tumble of limbs. She panted hard and her horn glowed with magic energy. “I’m. Not. Jealous!”
Flash got up rubbing his hoof. He spat out blood from his mouth. “Alright… all bets are off now!” He sheathed his sword and charged Sunset. Sunset followed suit with fire burning in her eyes.
A bell rung as Twilight entered Carousel Boutique. She looked frantically around the room and spotted Rarity, Spike, and Fluttershy. Rarity was making adjustments to an elegant floral green dress Fluttershy was wearing and, little to Twilight’s surprise; Spike was serving as a pincushion… again. He was the first to notice her. “Hey Twilight… whoa, you look like a mess.”
“Thank you Spike.” She deadpanned brushing her mane back.
“Is something wrong Twilight?” Fluttershy asked.
Twilight breathed slowly, collecting herself. “Sort of, though I’m not sure how to put it.”
“It’s about Sunset, isn’t it?” Rarity spoke; Twilight swore she caught a hint of… excitement in how Rarity asked the question.
“Yes.”
“Well, come and have a seat dear, and we can talk about it.” She motioned to Spike, magically pulling the pins out of his scales. “Spike, be a dear and get us some tea.”
“Of course, Rarity.” He bowed gracefully to her and walked into the kitchen. Twilight rolled her eyes and sat down Rarity’s couch.
“So…” Rarity began slowly. “What happened?”
Twilight sighed. “I’m not sure how to exactly explain it. But we were just out in the reading alone and—”
“Oh yes!” Rarity said. “Pinkie told us that you two were on a date.”
“It wasn’t a date.” Twilight deadpanned.
“You’re blushing, Twilight.” Fluttershy said softly.
“Anyway!” She continued. “She asked me about something I didn’t tell her back in the human world, and then made accusations that it was about Flash. She then got angry because I consider Flash my friend, and I have a little crush on him. When I asked her if she was jealous, she stormed off. I’m not sure where she went now.” Twilight looked down at the ground.
Rarity and Fluttershy shared looks with each other and then looked back to Twilight. Spike came out with a pot of tea and served them.
“Thank you, Spike.” She levitated a cup and sipped. “Alright, well what don’t we know?”
“Pardon?” Twilight took a cup of tea.
“From what I understand Sunset has some grudge against Flash Sentry, what is it?” Rarity asked.
Twilight bit her lip hesitant. She wanted to leave that information in the past where it belonged. However, thinking about the rage Sunset had gave her the feeling this information could be helping. But it still nagged her that she was betraying a friend’s trust by telling personal information like this. She gulped and spoke softly. “Flash cheated on Sunset when they were dating…”
Silence. Rarity blinked a couple times and Fluttershy let out a small gasp, putting a hoof to her mouth.
“Oh… my” Fluttershy said quietly.
“Quite.” Rarity began, “Well, that certainly explains a lot.” Rarity tapped a hoof to her chin. “In my personal opinion, I would say to stay away from Flash, however, I’ve had my fair share of misjudging ponies. Everypony deserves a second chance.”
“Then what do I do?” Twilight looked to the ground. “This isn’t a friendship problem I have any knowledge in. Sunset is mad at me, and she won’t admit to her jealousy of Flash’s affections.”
“No Twilight, that’s not why—“ Rarity put a hoof over her mouth.
Twilight looked up, raising an eyebrow. “Why what?”
“N-nothing darling!” She grinned nervously.
“Rarity, what is it?” Twilight pressed. Rarity’s eyes darted back and forth. Unfortunately, her wish for gossip was now turning against her and she found herself between a gem and a hard place.
“Her jealousy might not be directed at Flash.” Fluttershy spoke. Twilight looked at her with a confused look. Fluttershy drew back a little all eyes on her now. Rarity had shared with her what she discovered the other day at the picnic and now she wish she hadn’t known. Being in the spotlight was never her strong suit. “But… it’s not for us to say.” She bit her lip.
“So, you’re basically saying I have to solve this on my own?” Twilight sighed.
“No, but perhaps you should talk to a professional about this.” Rarity offered. “You do happen to have a sister-in-law who is highly knowledgeable in this particular field.”
Twilight’s ears perked up and a smile grew on her face. “Celestia does want me to Canterlot in a couple of days. Perhaps Cadence could meet me there.” She clopped her hooves together excitedly. “Oh, this is the perfect opportunity to see her!”
“And to get help on the situation remember, Twilight?” Rarity reminded.
“Oh! Right that too.” Twilight blushed a little and finished her tea, then stepping down from the couch. “Thank you, girls.”
“Anytime, Twilight.” Fluttershy smiled, waving a hoof.
Sunset didn’t bother using her magic. She was too enraged to concentrate. Her hooves flew left and right slamming into Flash’s armor. The metal absorbed most of the blows, but he still was knocked back. Flash countered and shifting his weight as he grabbed Sunset’s hoof dragged her down to the ground and twisted it. Sunset yelped in pain, but flipped her lower half over him, bringing her back hooves down onto his back. Flash buckled slightly but didn’t collapse. He threw himself against the wall. Sunset yelled as her body collided with the hard crystal surface. Gritting her teeth, she wrapped her hooves around his neck and put him in a headlock.
Flash gasped for air, he threw his hoof back into Sunset’s gut, and with the armor plating around it Sunset felt the air leave her lungs. Sunset released her grip, and Flash took hold of her hooves flipping her over his shoulder. She hit the ground and groaned in pain. Flash pounced and pinned her down. Sunset struggled under his grip but stopped as Flash drew his sword putting it to Sunset’s neck.
“This… is over…” He panted, breathing hard. Sunset’s eyes thinned and she shoved him off, except this time with magic. She seized him in a light blue aura and slammed him against the wall taking his sword and putting it to his neck.
“You were saying…” She gritted her teeth, still slightly winded from the gut shot.
Flash cringed as he struggled in her grip. “See, you haven’t changed… not one bit.”
Sunset growled. “Shut up!” She seized his neck and started squeezing. Flash gasped for air and brought his hooves up gripping his neck. Sunset gaze burned with hatred and anger as she tightened her grip. She could forgive the Flash from the human world; he had simply broken up with her. But this one had done worse, breaking her heart, and now trying to take away her best friend. This felt too familiar, the power over one's life. She had to admit she found pleasure in this, the control she had once again.
But then she heard a gasp, not from Flash, or a guard returning from searching. “Sunset…” Twilight spoke. Sunset’s head turned, and she saw the horror on Twilight’s face, the fear in her eyes, her lower lip quivering and her hooves dancing with a slight tremble. Immediately, Sunset let go of Flash, who fell to the ground gasping for breath.
“T-Twilight, I…” Sunset started.
“Get out…”
Sunset’s blood ran cold. Those two words rang through her head slowly. “W-what?”
“I said get out!” Twilight yelled. She ran over to Flash and helped him up.
“Twilight, I know this looks bad, but I didn’t mean-“
Twilight whirled around on her and screamed, “I thought you had changed. Now get the buck out!”
Sunset had never heard Twilight scream or curse like that, and she felt something inside chest break. She had done what never wanted to do again; she let her anger get the better of her, and almost committed another Fall Formal. She turned and ran down the hallway as fast as she could. Sprinting for the library, she took a hard turn down the corridor and bolted through the large doors. She levitated the enchanted book from its pedestal and into its slot above the portal. A glowing aura shined in the mirror and she charged through it.
It was nighttime in the human world when she came out. She was on her hands and knees with her hair covering her face. There was silence all around as her tears fell onto the sidewalk.
onto the sidewalk.