Sunset groaned and stirred, trying to move her eyes to where the light wouldn't disturb her sleep. Her drowsy mind cursed the window that faced her bed. The sun in this world was strange; its light wasn’t especially intense. In fact, every so often she'd catch herself staring at the glowing sphere. That didn't, however, mean that the light it gave off couldn't rouse her from sleep.
She flipped over, facing the other direction and pulling the pillow over her head. At least she could sleep in. Her thoughts went to her parallel, who was going to have to go through all Sunset’s problems while having to be on a tight schedule, and with no aid. She tried to blow a raspberry at her mental image, then recoiled at the taste of her pillow. With spit on her muzzle, she decided to give up on sleeping.
Getting out of bed, Sunset cast her aura over the blanket and straightened out. Then she trotted over to her mirror and lifted a comb to her mane. It had been two days since her lunch with Celestia and in those two days she'd learned to control her magic quite well, at least that was what Celestia kept telling her. Sunset felt she was adequate; she could do two tasks at once more or less, but she still wielded telekinesis clumsily.
During meals she preferred not to use it simply because half the time she'd miss her open mouth and hit herself in the face, spill something, or accidentally spasm and fling it across the room. She yelped as she felt the teeth of the comb scratch hard against her head, and in her surprise the bed behind her exploded - the mattress flew against the wall, the pillows fell onto the floor. Sunset turned and cried out, silently cursing herself as she kicked the bed frame.
She got to work putting it back together, replacing the mattress, the sheets, and the pillows. One task at a time was much easier, but she pushed herself to organize it all at once. She needed to practice. Her thoughts drifted to what she'd learned during the past two days.
Celestia taught her whenever she could, but she was the sole ruler of an entire country, so to say her time was limited was an understatement. During every lesson she gave, from history to etiquette to magic, Celestia always had another duty to perform, from reading and signing petitions to even discussing with nobles. Those were the worst times for Sunset; she had no idea what was going on half of the time, and one time a high-class unicorn tried talking with her while she was practicing. Fortunately, Celestia rescued her from having to respond. "Curse politics,” Sunset muttered to herself.
Thinking more about that moment, Sunset’s magic quivered. The blanket she was laying onto the bed felt heavier. Did the noble know about her? She decided she would ask Celestia later that day. "How many ponies know about what I really am?" She muttered the question to herself, keeping it fresh in her head. She knew a few did: the doctor, a few nurses, the physical therapist, Celestia of course, her "parents", and a private tutor.
Finishing her bed she made her way to the hospital's cafeteria. The food pony watched nervously from behind the counter as Sunset lifted a tray and carefully picked up some food, setting it on the still floating tray. Focusing on not spilling, she trotted over to a table. Taking her first bite, she chuckled. "No matter where you are it seems, there is always one constant: hospital food sucks." She laughed to herself as she continued eating, glad that by the end of tomorrow she'd be released and able to enjoy food with a bit more flavor.
When she finished, she headed back to her room. Her teacher would arrive in about an hour, so she crawled back onto her bed, facing away from the window. Her physical therapy was over; she'd "mastered" her control over her new body, though she still felt clumsy. Now all that was left to do was to get educated and up to speed with this new world. For now she was learning the basics. The more advanced studies would come when she officially started her role as Celestia's student. An honor yes, but one she still wished were simply some dream. She felt even worse because the only reason she'd received such an honor was because the other Sunset had earned it before her.
Sunset’s eyes stretched open suddenly. A soft knock at the door introduced her instructor, an older mare named Encouraged Minds. The older mare was a strict teacher, highly intolerant of failure, but the only tutor available in Canterlot at such short notice. Her grey mane was tightly wound in a bun, and her half-moon spectacles gave her an extremely prim and proper look, as if she checked herself with a ruler to make sure not a single tuft of her tan fur was out of place. She had glare that could likely silence a classroom containing even the most riotous of students. Sunset shuddered to herself. That first time was all it took, it scared her to no end. She even had a nightmare about it.
Oddly enough, outside of the classroom Em - as Sunset called her - took on a different personality, especially when Celestia was around. She was much kinder, cool and reserved. Sunset enjoyed her company out of class, and the last couple of days the two had lunch together in the cafeteria. There, Em taught her things about her own life. For example, Em had a twin who was the mayor of a little town called Ponyville. Sunset loved learning from her, but when they were in the classroom and her teacher-mode resumed, she couldn’t help but feel anxious, and glad when the lesson was over. After Em left, Sunset would be left to rest and recuperate from the day, and to go over her studies again. Then she'd go to sleep and repeat the cycle.
Tonight however was different. Sunset was in the middle of one of her nightly recapitulations when her door opened and a doctor walked a pegasus foal into the room. She helped the colt onto the bed next to Sunset’s, then stood and talked to him for a while longer. She tried not to eavesdrop, but then the doctor pointed a hoof at her and said, "Maybe you two could be friends."
The doctor gave the colt a kiss on the forehead. "Have a good night, Swift. Hit that button if you need anything."
"Good night, Bright," Swift responded.
Sunset looked at the colt over her notebooks, an eyebrow cocked.
"Oh. That doctor is my sister, Bright Cloud. I get that a lot when I have to share a room." Swift said while rubbing the back of his head and glancing at the floor. "Well, hi there. I’m Swift Flight."