//------------------------------// // Chapter 5 - The Fool and The World // Story: Sunset Shimmer - Embodiment of Light // by Woomod //------------------------------// The Royal Guard stood around the meeting, spears pointed at the otherworldly pegasus. Tensions ran high for everyone but the two at the center. They seemed oddly calm, like a serene eye in a storm. Celestia walked forward, covering Sunset Shimmer with her wing protectively as she quickly composed herself. “No reason to antagonize her pointlessly.” Celestia thought to herself, “She hasn’t shown any hostile actions or intent so far.”  This was diplomacy after all, and Celestia knew diplomacy. “What are you?” Celestia asked politely. “I am Starcatcher.” The pegasus said. “You already said that. I asked ‘what’ are you, not ‘who’.” Celestia said looked at the pegasus. “But that is the answer.” Starcatcher said, “I am Starcatcher, just as she” - she gestured towards Sunset - “is Sunset Shimmer. No other description suffices.” Starcatcher explained patiently as if to a child. Celestia was taken aback, although she showed no outward signs of it. Not only had she not been talked down to in millennia, her answer made little sense as well. Sunset managed to push herself outside of the protected cover of Celestia’s wing, and was able to look at Starcatcher unhindered so she could ask a question that was more on her mind than Celestia’s. “Why are you here?” Sunset Shimmer asked. “I appeared on this world because the one called ‘Twilight’ willed me to.” Starcatcher said, “The wish that she sent me, her honest desires, her pure feelings; for those reasons I am here now.”  Celestia this time did step back. “Is she saying she could hear Twilight from another world entirely.” She thought surprised, how could you hear someone on another world entirely... “Never mind.” She chided herself, “Back to the matter at hoof.” “What did Twilight wish for?” Celestia asked. It was Sunset who spoke up. “What she always wishes for: knowledge. She wanted to know about me, and you came to answer her.” Sunset said looking at Starcatcher for confirmation. Starcatcher simply nodded. “Shall we, take this inside?” Celestia let out a relieved sigh. Twilight was overwhelmed. After all the build up and the guards, she did not expect this.  After the appearance of the strange Pegasus, Starcatcher, said pegasus was escorted by Celestia and Sunset into Twilight’s castle. Celestia had asked to use the main dining hall, which, to be honest, Twilight never used. It just felt too formal. Then they just sat down for tea and desserts. Both Starcatcher and Celestia were treating the entire thing as a quite normal affair while Sunset sat unreadable as she ate her artichoke and hummus salad. “Why did it have to be diplomacy?” Twilight idly wondered. She’d not had much experience with international politics yet, but what little she had she wasn’t fond of. Everyone was always guarded in such matters. Though, this was slightly different from those past experiences. While Starcatcher herself was a vision of serenity and grace, something that could serve as an amazing asset in politics, her table manners were...well ‘atrocious’ would begin to describe it. “Is there more Ice Cream?” Starcatcher asked with huge puppy eyes as she held out her empty bowl with her wing, her muzzle covered in the delectable dessert. “No, no more Ice Cream.” Celestia replied diplomatically. “I believe it is time you gave those answers you promised.” “Of course. Twilight.” - Starcatcher said turning to the lavender mare, - “first I’d like to thank you for the ice cream.” “Um...you’re...welcome?” Twilight blinked. “So what answers did you promise Celestia?” Starcatcher smiled at Twilight. “None. “ she replied, “I am here to give you answers, Twilight.” Celestia nodded. While she was not sure if whether or not to trust Starcatcher, but there was no reason to send Twilight into a state of panic. “Indeed. She has come to pay a visit to you, Twilight, not for my sake.” Celestia stated reassuringly. Twilight had a good idea of what sort of answers, but questions plagued her mind. “Answers about what?” Twilight asked quizzically. “About me.” Sunset replied plainly while sipping her tea. Twilight sighed. That was what she was expecting and what she was slightly afraid of. She didn’t understand why her. Though of course, if she was answering questions... “Why me?” She asked. “Because,” Starcatcher replied in her serene, otherworldly tone, “the most precious wishes are the ones made for friends.” “What are you?” Twilight asked. “I am Starcatcher, Just as she.” Starcatcher used a wing to point to Sunset Shimmer “Is Sunset Shimmer. No other description suffices.” Sunset actually expected Twilight to blink. She had been confused when Starcatcher gave that response too. Having had time to think about this, though, she managed to figure out what Starcatcher meant. “She means,” Sunset said, “either, A everyone is unique, B whatever we are, labels no longer have meaning, or C Both.” “B or C then.” Twilight stated as she began to think. Starcatcher was here for her sake; so she could know more. Just because she wanted knowledge, Starcatcher ripped open the boundaries of dimensions. “No, that’s not what I want.” Twilight realized. “What I want is to help Sunset Shimmer adjust to her new life, and that means more than just the knowledge.” She knew now what else to ask. “I have three questions.” She declared, “just three.” Starcatcher nodded waiting patiently. “First Question: Do you use the Elements of Harmony?” Celestia slightly cocked an eyebrow. “No. I perceive the Lights of Joy.” Starcatcher responded. Twilight nodded. That was an interesting way to phrase the answer, implying that her understanding was entirely different, not merely what names she might use. Her second question would need slight rephrasing. “So Sunset Shimmer perceives the Elements of Harmony while you perceive the Lights of Joy, But ultimately you both draw from the same source. Correct?” Twilight asked. Starcatcher simply nodded. Twilight then asked her final question. “Is Sunset Shimmer in danger?” “I do not know,” Starcatcher replied simply, “there are others out there, and we do not always agree. “However, it is unlikely that your friend is in danger simply from entering our world.” Starcatcher added as she gave Twilight a reassuring smile. “I believe that is your three questions.” She then stated. “All three you wished for, but the most pertinent question I presume you knew the answer to already without having to ask.” “Yes: how to best help her adjust.” Twilight replied smiling, “By being her friend.” Sunset looked up from her tea and salad, finally breaking her blank expression to look at Starcatcher. “Can I ask you question?” Sunset implored Starcatcher, “Just one?” “What is it?” Starcatcher responded. “Will I end up like you?” Sunset looked at Starcatcher meaningfully. Starcatcher returned Sunset’s meaningful look. “Is that how you see The Rainbow?” She said without breaking her tone. “No.” Sunset replied without hesitation. “Then you have nothing to fear,” Starcatcher replied. “just as I had nothing to fear.” Celestia walked with Starcatcher along the hallways of Twilight’s palace. She wanted to speak in private, and had made the necessary excuses to do so. “I apologize for the rude introduction, but considering what could have happened I felt it was appropriate.” Celestia said warmly. “There is nothing to apologize for.” Starcatcher replied, “There is no higher title, and no harder duty to live up to.” Celestia didn’t say anything for a moment as they continued walking. “You are right. There is no higher title, and no harder duty to live up to.” Celestia smiled. Meanwhile, back in the dining room, Sunset was chuckling. “What’s so funny?” Twilight asked as she shot sunset a look. “A being from another world shows up, and you only ask for three questions?” Sunset said as she kept laughing. “She was only going to answer questions that would let me help you,” Twilight explained, “and, furthermore, a very good, and very smart friend of mine told me that just knowing why isn’t always important.” Twilight then shot her a grin. “Not always, anyways.” “Fair enough Twilight.” Sunset said as her laughter died down. “About your question Sunset,” Twilight said looking at Sunset, “I didn’t get it…” Sunset took another sip of tea and grabbed a piece of cake taking a bite. “Because when I looked at her, I didn’t know if she was so full she was empty, or so empty she was full.” Sunset replied thoughtfully. “I don’t want to be like that.” Twilight blinked. “What does that even mean?”  Twilight asked completely confused. Sunset took another bite of cake. “Don’t worry about it. It’s not something I need to fear is it? Want some cake?” Sunset said offering a piece. Twilight looked pale. “Twilight, are you ok?” Sunset asked.