The day felt like a dream to Sunset, like nothing that was going on felt real. It had been nearly two weeks since the incident in Canterlot City, and so far there were no signs of this mysterious organization that was seeking the Firestorm Protocol within Sunset and Twilight.
The fact that they hadn’t seen or heard anything didn’t really calm their nerves, it only meant that they were plotting something. At least that’s what Sunset would do if she found herself in that position, if she could play the devil’s advocate for a minute. They already demonstrated their power to the organization in taking down the rogue Firestorm, Blaze.
But all that wasn’t as important as what was going on with Twilight right now. All through the day Sunset would hear the students whispering, talking behind her back. It was nothing new, she was used to it, but it was what they said that was starting to get under her skin.
“Twilight Sparkle hasn’t been to school in the past three days.”
“Do you think Sunset Shimmer did something to her?”
“Of course she did! As much as she’s been hanging around with Twilight, she’s had more than one opportunity!”
“I wouldn’t doubt it either. Everybody knows Twilight pretty much browbeat her and won the Princess of the Fall Formal title.”
“Let’s not forget what she did to that girl who ran against her the year before Twilight came along!”
Ugh, seriously, are they going to blame me whenever something bad happens to her?!
Sunset suddenly found herself shoved against a locker, her backpack took most of the impact so it didn’t knock the wind out of her, but it still hurt her back. Sunset tensed when she saw a cyan arm fly by her and slam against the locker behind her, just inches from her head. Her aquamarine eyes followed that arm all the way back to its source, bringing her face to face with a pair angry rose-colored eyes.
“What the hell did you do to Twilight, Shimmer?!”
Apparently yes.
“Hello to you too Rainbow Dash.”
“Cut the crap Shimmer! Twilight hasn’t been to school in over three days! THREE DAYS! Twilight never misses school! She’s never tardy! So the only three explanations are she’s sick, went on a family vacation without telling anybody – which isn’t likely – or three, you did something to her and she’s scared of coming back to school because of whatever you did!”
Sunset looked to the rainbow haired girl with equal parts calm and annoyance. “Really, and what pray tell could I have done that was so bad that it would make Twilight not come to school? Especially when she’s got her own personal knight sticking by her, and no evidence to prove that I did anything to her?”
Rainbow Dash grabbed Sunset by the collar of her t-shirt, hoisting her up with her left hand while she kept her right balled up into fist. “So help me Sunset, if you did anything to her I’ll –!”
“Do nothing!” Sunset countered. “I haven’t done anything to Sparkle, and even if I did know why she’s not here, maybe she hasn’t said anything to you and your friends because maybe she wants to be alone right now!” The yellow-skinned girl quickly reached out and grabbed Rainbow’s t-shirt collar, getting her right fist ready to bury in the sports girl’s face. “So either get out of my face Dash, or I’ll make you!”
Without warning Rainbow Dash was suddenly wrenched backwards, away from Sunset. Sunset was confused for a moment, but then she recognized who it was that removed Rainbow Dash from her personal space. Applejack had grabbed hold of Rainbow by the collar of her shirt, dragging her back with her unmatched strength and making Rainbow flail around helplessly like a frisky cat trying to shake off its capturer.
“What in the Sam hill do you think you’re doin’ Rainbow?!” Applejack asked.
“What’s it look like?! She’s knows what happened to Twilight! Or worse, she did something to Twilight!”
“Rainbow, you can’t just go around accusin’ people of something without evidence! Even if it is Sunset Shimmer,” said Applejack.
Sunset brushed off her jacket and sleeves, correcting her wrinkled shirt collar before rolling her eyes at the attempt of the benefit of the doubt. “Well, at least somebody’s got a cool head.”
“I have to say, while I don’t condone Rainbow’s actions, we do however require some information.” Sunset looked to her left and saw Rarity, with Fluttershy hiding behind her and Pinkie Pie standing beside the fashionista with a worried look at seeing her friends in such an angry state. “You say you did nothing to Twilight, given recent events and Twilight’s evident growing trust in you…I at least am willing to give you the benefit of the doubt. But I don’t doubt that you do know something.”
Sunset averted her gaze from the porcelain-skinned girl. “If I did, I wasn’t meant to. If Twilight wants you to know then she’ll tell you.”
Sunset began to walk away, making Rainbow wiggle out of her blue jacket and cut Sunset Shimmer off before she could get any further. “So you do know something! Spill it! What’s wrong?! What’s so bad that she’s willing to blow off school for three days?!”
The fiery haired girl had had enough, she so wanted to transform and scare the living daylights out of everyone there, but the last thing she wanted right now was to give Twilight something else to worry about. “HOW ABOUT HER OLDER BROTHER DYING?!! IS THAT A GOOD ENOUGH REASON FOR YOU ALL?!!” Sunset shouted loud enough to echo through the hall.
Every student froze where they stood. Fluttershy clasped her hands over her mouth, trying her best to stifle a sobbing fit. Rarity just seemed stunned, unable to speak. Pinkie Pie’s curly, poofy hair had deflated and gone completely straight. Applejack looked as if she just got sucker punched hard in the stomach, given that she too had an older brother, she must’ve felt a sort of empathetic pain, unable to fathom losing her own older brother.
Rainbow Dash looked the most shook by this news, she just stared at Sunset Shimmer with wide eyes, her fists clenched and shaking, somehow unable to decide how she should express herself in this situation.
“H-How do you know that?” Rainbow finally spoke.
“I was there, at her house, when she got the news…you happy now?”
“No…”
“Good, neither am I.”
Sunset shoved her way past Rainbow, the athletic girl barely even registering what it. Despite her best efforts to not recall it, Sunset was unable to keep the memory from flashing before her mind’s eye…
3 DAYS AGO, TWILIGHT’S HOUSE…
“Just lie down like that Twilight.”
“This is really embarrassing…”
“How many times have we done this and you’re still embarrassed?”
“I guess it’s getting a little easier, but I can’t help it.”
“Well, I promise to be gentle Sparky.”
“Do you have to say it like that?”
“Gotta make using this biometric scanner fun somehow,” said Sunset.
Twilight laid on the workbench, a panel slid back, revealing the clear glass surface of the table. Her face was bright red as she remained still, in nothing but her underwear, which was completely embarrassing. Sunset was typing away at the keyboard, watching as the monitor as a green light flashed from the opposite side of the glass Twilight rested on.
The light went up and down the length of her body, like a photocopier scanning a document. An image of Twilight’s body appeared on the screen, stripping away the layers between her muscles, nervous system, circulatory system, bone structure, organs, and finally, the Firestorm Matrix at the core of her body.
Sunset had to admit, no matter how many times she saw this, it was still amazing. This glowing ball of atomic fire was housed within their bodies, and yet it was unreachable, ethereal and yet physical at the same time. She briefly wondered if this was how a unicorn’s magic would appear inside them, and if so, would Celestia’s be brighter and bigger? The computer monitor beeped and displayed it’s readings on a separate window. Sunset spun around in the chair and faced Twilight.
“Alright, all your readings show normal. Nothing’s changed since last week Sparky.”
Twilight released a sigh of relief, she then rose up got off the table. She covered her chest with her right arm, while using the other to cover her waist and crotch area. “Thanks Sunset, I really couldn’t do this without you.”
Sunset got up from the chair, she then grabbed a purple robe that was sitting on another chair and tossed it to the embarrassed girl. “Guess it’s better than having to ask some random stranger. And you know you don’t have to be that embarrassed about being around another girl in your skives, right? You’ve changed in the locker room haven’t you?”
“Well…yes, but it’s no less embarrassing. I usually try to avert my eyes and just stare at the floor, or directly at the locker. I guess I’m not as secure about myself as you are…”
The fiery haired girl smirked. “I won’t argue with you there. I do manage to grab a few boys’ attention. But, uh, not to sound weird or anything, but you have a pretty nice figure…for a bookworm.” Sunset rubbed the back of her head, a little embarrassed at the compliment she just gave Twilight.
The violet haired girl blushed a little, and pinched the slight opening in the robe shut as she unconsciously ran her right hand through her hair. “Ahem…um…thanks…Well, shall we get started with you next?”
“Yeah, sure.” Sunset quickly answered.
Twilight walked over to her rolling command chair and set up the scanner for Sunset. The rebellious girl threw her leather jacket onto the nearby chair, having kicked off her boots earlier. Sunset went to reach for the zipper of her skirt but paused a moment, glancing back at Twilight from over her left shoulder. The studious girl was typing away, keeping her back to Sunset.
For some odd reason, Sunset didn’t know if she was insulted or relieved. Regardless, she continued undressing, pulling down the zipper and letting the skirt fall to the floor. Sunset then pulled her purple sun embroidered shirt over her head and flung it towards her jacket.
Now standing in nothing but her black bra and panties, Sunset laid herself on the table. “Fire when ready Sparky.”
Twilight activated the scanner with a few keystrokes. The scanner immediately began taking in readings of Sunset’s biometrics. Twilight never said anything, but she was worried. Worried, because whenever she did scan Sunset, she noticed that her biometrics were…off.
Everything looked normal, bone structure, nerves, organs, blood vessels, everything. But when the scanner looked into the Firestorm Matrix, it was somehow interlaced with something else…another form of energy that was melding with the Matrix. This strange energy signature wasn’t connected to the Firestorm Protocol, but somehow stemmed from her physical body.
Twilight had long suspected that Sunset Shimmer wasn’t like normal girls, it’s what originally had drawn her to the rebellious youth. Figuring that somehow she may’ve found a kindred spirit, someone who she could…hopefully…one day, reveal her inner most secrets to; secrets that she would rather take to the grave than allow her other friends to find out. The scanner beeped a few times and gave the readings on another window like Twilights did.
“You’re done Sunset, all readings are normal.”
“As always.” Sunset swung her legs out and sat on the edge of the table, a contemplative expression appeared on her face. “Quick question, why is it that we need to be in our underwear to get scanned anyway?”
“Oh, well, things like leather and cloth muffle the scanners readings. It needs as much of your epidermis touching the glass during the scan to get as accurate a reading as it can. Which is why removing excess clothing is needed.”
Sunset thought about that. “In that case, wouldn’t being totally naked get you better readings?”
Twilight nearly jumped out of her seat at that suggestion. “OH NO! Nothing like that is necessary. Things like undergarments are made of loose fitting and thin material, so it doesn’t impede the scanner in anyway, I’m able to get a 99.9% accurate scan of our biometrics just as we are.”
“But you’re saying that you’d get a one-hundred percent accurate reading if we wore nothing at all?”
Twilight deadpanned from behind the chair. “Are you just looking for an excuse to get naked or something Sunset? I’m starting to wonder if you’re some kind of secret exhibitionist.”
By that logic you can call every citizen in Equestria is an exhibitionist, thought Sunset.
“I’m not, just asking a question is all Sparky. Don’t get your panties in a twist about it.”
Twilight blushed and huffed. “My underwear is not ‘twisted’ in the least! I believe I’m reacting appropriately to your suspicious nature of nudism.”
“Whatever Sparky, also, I’ve been meaning to ask you. I was wondering when we’d get to practice?” Sunset asked.
Twilight raised a curious eyebrow. “Practice what?”
“Using our powers. That Blaze guy almost came close to beating us, and he was just some thug. If a trained soldier or some actual sociopathic, serial killer was merged with one, then we’d have been killed! All I’m saying is, we should get to know our powers better. We already know that you got the transmuting abilities, while I got the oh-so-fun, plasma fire blasting abilities.”
“You don’t sound happy about that.”
“Hmm…”
“For the time being I’m playing it by ear. There’s no telling if repeated use of our powers accelerates some unknown harmful effect or integrates our bodies with the Protocol to the point that we wouldn’t be able to change back.”
Sunset sighed. “In other words, not yet.”
“No, not yet.”
“Oh well, anyway, let’s get some food. I think your mom’s making something good, I can smell from down here.”
Twilight waited for Sunset to get dressed and then went to grab her own clothes and put them on. Once both girls were clothed they made their way upstairs, entering the living room. But when they got up to the first floor, Sunset noticed Mrs. Velvet and Mr. Night Light standing at the front door. Twilight came up behind Sunset and looked over her shoulder.
“What’s wrong?” Twilight asked.
“Don’t know, your mom and dad have the front door open, and they’re standing right there.”
Twilight took a peek from behind Sunset. “Mom, Dad?”
The light gray woman and navy blue man turned around. Velvet had tears in her eyes, and Night Light had a pained look on his face. Sunset got out of Twilight’s way, feeling a little worried that the usually chipper looking woman was suddenly bawling. Sunset noticed two people standing at the front door, both wore military uniforms, and both wore solemn, sad expressions on their faces. Twilight broke away and moved quickly towards her parents.
“Mom, Dad, what’s wrong?!” Twilight asked.
Velvet, placed a shaky palm on her daughter’s cheek. “Oh Twilight…Shining Armor…your brother he’s…he’s gone…”
“‘Gone’…? What do you mean ‘gone’? He’s away on a mission, right? Did they lose contact with his unit or something?!” Twilight asked desperately.
Velvet shut her eyes, unable to speak the words that would make the reality hit harder. Instead she merely embraced her daughter tightly, releasing shuddering sobs.
“No…oh please no…he can’t be…Shining Armor can’t be…! No…NOOO!!!”
Twilight broke down completely, sobbing into her mother’s shoulder. Both lost the strength in their legs and slowly fell to their knees, holding each other as they sobbed together. Night Light fell to his knees as well, and hugged his daughter and wife the best he could while quietly crying, trying to remain strong for them both. The two soldiers continued to stand at the door, their stoic expressions said it all; they’ve more than likely made many of these kinds of house calls and had learned to keep their emotions in check.
Sunset felt like she needed to go to Twilight, she didn’t know how she could help her, but she felt like she needed to do something. But the reality was, she couldn’t. Sunset was a stranger, a guest in this world, and a stranger to Twilight and her family.
She was barely a good pony, and less of good person, she had no right – as far as Sunset was concerned – to offer comfort to this girl. Not when she for so long had considered her an enemy, and contemplated many ways in which to harm her or get back at her for dethroning her from the seat of power she had cultivated for herself.
So she just stood there, leaning against the wall, unable to do anything other than offer silent condolences.
PRESENT, CELESTIA & LUNA’S HOUSE…
Sunset sat on the barstool that was set up against the counter. The fair skinned and tall woman, Celestia, was wearing a simple white blouse with some goldenrod yellow slacks. It was often a jarring thing to see the Principal of CHS in casual wear, other than a suit. But then again, Sunset supposed, it wasn’t that different from the way Princess Celestia did things back in Equestria.
More often than not, the millennia old alicorn mare would remove her regalia and teach as such. Despite being a Princess, she saw it better to remove the intimidation of the crown and act more as a teacher to Sunset, appearing to her as any other schoolteacher would; wearing a tie and suit, or sometimes nothing at all as the fashion of choice back in her home dimension.
She was starting to think that the similarities between both worlds were more than just appearance, but for some reason, this Celestia was somehow more…approachable. Maybe it was because she wasn’t the leader of an entire nation, maybe it was because she didn’t have the ancient wisdom that came with living for hundreds of years?
Or maybe it was the lack of the angelic wings and long spiraling horn? Whatever the case may be, it didn’t deter the fact that Sunset had come to Celestia, just like she used to, in need of advice and guidance.
The older woman had brewed them some tea and had poured Sunset a cup. The two of them sat in silence for a while, sipping their tea. Celestia had long since mastered the art of patience, especially when dealing with troubled students, and often times rebellious troublemakers.
But right now, Sunset didn’t appear to be either one. If anything, she seemed…confused, maybe? Celestia figured that it might have something to do with Twilight Sparkle’s brother dying, even though she knew Sunset Shimmer wouldn’t admit it. It was best if Sunset brought the subject up, if Celestia did, she had no doubt that Sunset would flat out deny it and stomp out of the house.
“Are you okay, Sunset?” Celestia asked.
“I’m…I’m not sure. I’m don’t even know where to start…”
“Well take all the time you need, I’m in no rush.”
Sunset sighed at hearing that. “Seriously? I’m not keeping you from a date or some little important meeting someplace? I find it hard to believe that you really don’t have anything to do other than sit with me as we silently drink tea.”
“Sunset, when a student takes the time out of their day to come and visit me at my house, it must be for something they believe is important. And as a principal, educator, and because I have a bit of a mothering complex, I take the time to listen,” said Celestia.
“Wow, you’re freely admitting that you have a mothering complex?”
Celestia shrugged. “I see all the students as my children. I’m happy when they excel at something they thought was difficult and overcome a great challenge, and I get sad when I hear they are hurting each other or themselves. So, as I said, take all the time you need.”
Sunset let out a heavy sigh. “I just…I was there when Twilight and her family got the news. I’ve never seen anyone so sad before…so heartbroken…I felt so helpless, like I needed to do something – anything to help her, to make her…not sad anymore!”
Celestia found that intriguing. “I don’t mean to sound cynical Sunset, but a few weeks ago you barely cared at all about Twilight, in fact, you were vehemently opposed to being anywhere near her. Let alone care about her.”
“This was different! I…Okay, I may dislike a little bit less than I did a couple of weeks ago! A life or death experience can have that effect on a person! But I never…I’d have to be the most cold hearted bitch on the planet to not feel anything when I saw her mother, father, and Twilight herself break down like that! I know what everybody says about me, I know and I don’t care! But it’s not like I can’t feel sad for someone if something like that happened…the problem is…”
“The problem is you don’t think you have the right to feel sad for Twilight, or to comfort her.”
Sunset looked back to Celestia with shock at how she was able to discern her core concern. “Y-Yeah…I hated her ever since the Fall Formal, and since then I’ve only ever thought of how to get back at her! But recently, I’ll admit, she’s not as bad as I would’ve thought. A bit nerdy, bit on the shy side, and…for once…someone who didn’t give me a death glare. I’ve been wanting to get back at her, I don’t have the right to say things like ‘I’m sorry for your loss’ or ‘It’ll be alright’!”
Celestia placed a comforting hand on Sunset’s shoulder as she smiled gently at her. “Sunset, you don’t have to say anything to Twilight. Sometimes actions speak louder than words. And believe me…sometimes words aren’t enough…” Celestia took that same hand and put it over her stomach, making Sunset raise a curious eyebrow. “Do you know where my mothering complex stems from?”
“Not having a mom growing up?” Sunset asked cautiously.
Celestia chuckled. “No, no, Luna and I had a wonderful mother and father. Our Father died in an accident, and our Mother lived long enough to see Luna and I start our teaching careers. But it’s mostly because…I’m not able to have children Sunset.”
Sunset’s eyes grew wide with shock as she bolted upright out of her stool. “Wha – Wait – You mean you can’t have kids?!”
Celestia nodded her head solemnly. “I wanted to eventually meet the right person Sunset, and together raise a family. Bearing this in mind I went to my doctor to make sure I was physically able to have children…you can imagine my reaction when they said I was barren…”
Yet again, Sunset found herself in the same position as she did with Twilight’s family. Here before her was the counterpart to her teacher from Equestria, the mare who was practically a second mother to her and this human version who was the same, and she couldn’t say anything.
She turned her back on Celestia, said things in anger and left without ever saying or thinking “I’m sorry”. Maybe that’s why she kept the journal she brought back with her, as a way for her to say she was sorry, if she ever worked up the courage. But now she couldn’t say a word to this Celestia, only stand there like a statue.
“But it was Luna who helped me through that dark time in my life.” Sunset looked back to Celestia and saw her familiar smile. “We’ve been together through a lot, fought like all siblings do, picked each other up when the other was down, and defended the other whenever the situation warranted it.
I was the one who was oldest, and so it was my job to comfort my little sister when she was down, but in that moment, our roles were reversed. And just like you, Sunset, Luna wasn’t the best at saying things like ‘I’m sorry’, because she knew it was the last thing I wanted to hear her say.”
“So what did she do?” Sunset asked curiously.
“She did the only thing she could do, she kissed me.”
“Oh, a peck on the forehead kind of thing?”
Celestia giggled. “Nope, I mean on the lips.”
Silence reigned within the house for several tens of seconds, during which time Sunset’s right eye was twitching uncontrollably. She shook her head several times trying to wrap her mind around the fact that Celestia’s little sister, Luna, had actually kissed her.
“S-She was overzealous or something right? She meant it on the cheek, right?” Sunset asked, hoping she misunderstood.
“Not all, she pressed her lips against mine and held them there for several seconds. As I recall she was a little more aggressive than I would’ve liked, pushed me on my back and laid on top of me the whole time.”
“C-CELESTIA WHAT THE HELL?! You…I mean…the stories and rumors…I never believed them but now…! Oh my god I…!”
“Sunset.”
“WHAT?!”
Celestia brought her right hand before Sunset’s face and flicked her gently on the forehead, catching the fiery haired girl by surprise. Sunset then noticed that infamous “troll face” of hers as Celestia’s lips curled back into a mischievous smile.
“Gotcha!”
“You. Totally. Suck!” Sunset exclaimed.
“Sorry Sunset, but the air was getting a little too heavy, decided to lighten up a bit.”
“By lying about you and your sister making out?!”
“I find my humor where I can, but we’ll have to go over that bit about the rumors and stories about me and Luna later.”
Sunset mentally face palmed herself. There was no shortage of colts and fillies, mares and stallions that created wild theories about Princess Celestia and how she had an incestuous relationship with her younger sister, Princess Luna. They may be immortal alicorns, but just because they’ve lived many lifetimes together, doesn’t mean that that time would erode the fact that they were sisters! Or suddenly make the prospect of such a relationship enticing, right. Right?
“But honestly, Sunset, Luna held me. I fought against her, tried to slip out, but she wouldn’t let me go. Luna held onto me, firm and strong, and through that one action she made it clear that she wasn’t going to leave my side, she was there for me Sunset, and sometimes that’s all that matters.
I completely broke down right then and there and cried my eyes out. I even remember waking up in her arms, having cried myself to sleep, and Luna stayed with me that whole time. I felt so happy, knowing I had a little sister who cared about me so much, it made me realize that I wasn’t alone in this, that I could still be happy. Do you understand Sunset?”
Sunset rubbed her right arm, feeling that she did understand, she just wasn’t sure if it would be something she could do. “I do, and thanks. I’ll see you Monday at school…”
“Sunset.” The rebellious girl stopped in her tracks. “Do the best you can.”
Sunset Shimmer glanced over her right shoulder, flashing Celestia a small but quick smile before heading to the front door and leaving the household. Celestia sighed, but was confident that the spirited girl would do the right thing. Just then she heard footsteps coming down from the stairs, she turned around and saw Luna trudging her way to the bottom. She wore a black t-shirt that read “Gamer For Life” on it, matching her black underwear, and yawned loudly as her bedhead hair swished back and forth.
“Did you just now get up Luna?”
“Mmm-hmm…”
“Were you up all night playing that Advanced Battlefield or whatever?”
“‘Advanced Warfare…” She corrected. “Finally got to Four Star General rank, no thanks to some damn noobs who don’t know how to flank…or the importance of strategy, ugh!”
Celestia rolled her eyes. “Really Luna, do you have to play all night through on Friday?”
“Worth it.”
“Oh, is that so?”
Celestia got up from her stool and walked over to her younger sister who had started a pot of coffee. The midnight blue woman squeaked in surprise when she felt her older sister’s arms drape around her midsection as Celestia rested her head on Luna’s left shoulder.
“Even worth not coming to see me in the middle of the night?” Celestia asked.
Luna grinned. “If you were that frisky then you should’ve showed some initiative and made me tear myself away.”
“Hmm, so you’re not opposed to a distraction?”
“If it was a good one, no.”
Celestia held onto Luna tighter, bringing the younger woman closer to her body, and nuzzling the side of Luna’s cheek as she did so. Luna’s face grew hot, but she didn’t dislike any of this.
“Sister, what’s gotten you so affectionate today?”
“Sunset Shimmer came over.”
Luna deadpanned. “Oh, was there something she needed.”
“Yes, help figuring out how to console Twilight after her brother’s death.”
Luna sighed. “Poor Twilight…and pray tell, what did you tell Sunset to help her?”
“Oh only that you made out with me, ripped my clothes off and made passionate love to me.”
Luna nearly crushed her coffee mug in her bare hand, the porcelain of the cup letting out some creaking sounds from the younger woman’s death grip. “YOU. DID. NOT! I didn’t even rip your clothes off! I just…don’t make me sound like some aggressive pervert! I…I can’t believe you even told her something like that!” Celestia had the “troll face” face again, making Luna deadpan for a second time. “You really do have a bad sense of humor, Sister.”
“Well, I’m partially lying. I did tell her you kissed me, but I played it off as a joke.”
“Still, that’s too dangerous! She could spread such a rumor around the school! We live together, and we are the Principal and Vice Principal of the school! Even a rumor such as that would make them look into us!”
Celestia put a finger to her little sister’s lips. “Luna, she wouldn’t say anything, I can tell. And besides, she reminds me a lot of yourself when you were her age.”
Luna scoffed, “Oh please, I was nothing like that she-demon.”
“Hmm, lest we forget, Nightmare?”
“Bring that up again and I’ll show you what a ‘Nightmare’ can do.”
SPARKLE RESIDENCE, SUNDAY…
Sunset had stopped a block away from Twilight’s house, her motorcycle running as she sat there, still contemplating whether or not this was a good idea. There was still some doubt in her mind, she didn’t know what she could do to help Twilight. She never lost a relative before, her grandparents had already passed away by the time she was born, and everypony in her family was fairly young in age and had no illnesses that she recalled.
“Dammit Shimmer, you’re a block away! Just go!”
The fiery haired girl flipped down her visor and drove on the rest of the way. Sunset slowed when she approached Twilight’s house, feeling more anxious the closer she moved her bike up the driveway.
She parked it against the side of the porch like the last time she was here, hung her helmet on the handlebar, and walked towards the front door. Sunset stood before the door and raised her right fist up to knock, but she was beat to it when the door swung open and revealed Twilight Velvet standing there.
“Sunset Shimmer? I thought that was you,” said Velvet.
“Oh…um…Hi Mrs. Velvet…sorry if this is a bad time.”
“Oh no dear, it isn’t, come in.”
Velvet stepped aside and let Sunset enter. The vibe in the air was completely different from the warm and welcoming atmosphere she was used to feeling when she came here. It was heavy with mourning, and sadness.
“I’m glad you’re here Sunset.”
“You are? Is something wrong?” Sunset asked.
“Well…Twilight’s taking this as hard as I expected it…she’s closed herself in her room and hasn’t come out for a while…”
Sunset looked up towards the stairs. “Have uh…Have Twilight’s friends come by?”
“Rarity, Fluttershy, and Pinkie Pie came by, but she didn’t come out. They stayed for a bit, but I told them to try again soon. Applejack came by as well…although, I think it’s hard for Applejack as well. From what I understand she also has a big brother, and I guess, this brings up some fears for her own family.”
“And, uh, Rainbow Dash?”
“Oh, she’s was here until a few minutes ago. She stayed for quite a while, even sat on the porch for a little while longer before heading home.”
Wow, Rainbow really is like her knight or something, probably would’ve broken down the door if she thought she could drag her out, thought Sunset.
“I guess me giving it a shot would be out of the question?” Sunset asked with trepidation.
Velvet shook her head and smiled at Sunset. “You can try dear, actually I think seeing you might help her a little.”
Sunset wasn’t sure if her being there would really do anything to help, but there was no harm in trying. Everyone at school hated her, what was one more person. Sunset felt a pain in her heart when she thought about that. With her blessing, Sunset ascended the stairs.
She stopped at the top step and looked down the hall. On her right was Shining Armor’s room, the room of the big brother she never got to meet. From what she heard from Twilight and her parents, Shining Armor was a soldier, part of a Special Ops team. From what she was able to find out, Shining Armor was deployed on a mission the day before she and Twilight worked on their project together, out on some secret Black Ops mission or another.
That sucks, they probably don’t even have a body to bury.
As Sunset took that first step down the hall, she felt something tugging at her. She recognized this as the Firestorm Protocol within her, as if it were calling out to the other half of its divided Matrix. Instead of heading to Twilight’s room, she walked towards Shining Armor’s. The door was cracked open, making Sunset weary of going in. When she didn’t hear any crying from Twilight she cautiously opened the door.
What she found was Twilight, sitting cross legged on Shining Armor’s bed and holding a picture frame. Sunset gently rapped her knuckles against door, signaling her presence. Twilight briefly acknowledged her presence and even smiled for a moment before the sadness overtook her again. Sunset rubbed her right arm, she had no idea what to say to her, or what she should do.
If she went to her, would Twilight yell at her to get out? She was essentially standing on hallowed ground, an outsider to this place. Sunset took a step forward, her boots thudding slightly against the floor. When she didn’t react, Sunset kept going. Little by little Sunset got closer to the bed until she was just a few inches from it.
Taking a calming breath, Sunset gently sat on the bed, causing the mattress to move a little from the added weight of another person. Sunset looked over to Twilight, she was wearing her pajamas, the same ones she wore when she first stayed over at their house, and the top three buttons were undone, indicating that Twilight had started to button the shirt up, but stopped halfway through. Her eyes were red and puffy from crying, and her hair looked frazzled. Even in such a disheveled state, Twilight still had a dorkish cuteness about her.
Sunset lowered her gaze to the picture in her hands. It was of Shining Armor, she looked about twelve or so, her brother in his early to mid-twenties. The location was a theme park of some kind, Twilight had the biggest smile on her face, riding atop the shoulders of her older brother as he too smiled broadly.
“That was the first amusement park I ever went to…” Sunset stifled a gasp when she heard Twilight talk after being so quiet. “I was so scared of going out to a place with so many people…but Shiny stood by me the whole time, he held my hand, kept me safe, and pushed me into the scariest roller coaster I’ve ever been on in my life!”
Twilight had a big grin on her face as she told this story, making Sunset feel a little less awkward. “Sounds like he liked to torture you.”
“Quite the contrary, he got on with me. It was most fun experience of my life! The rest of that day was a blur, it was all fun, and just…my Mom, my Dad, me, and…my brother…”
“Twilight…”
“He saved me…he gave me a family…everything I have now…I owe it to him! And now…he’s gone!” Tears started to fall on the glass of the picture frame as they streamed down Twilight’s face. “You were the best of the best Shiny! You promised me you’d come back! You’re not supposed to break your promises to your little sister!”
Sunset couldn’t take it anymore. Without even thinking she lunged forward and embraced Twilight, bringing her into a tight hug. Twilight’s eyes went wide with surprise at the sudden contact, but at the end she couldn’t hold back.
The distraught Twilight pushed into Sunset, making them both collapse onto the bed. Sunset continued to hold her closer, allowing Twilight to cry into her chest. For several long minutes she held onto Twilight, and for the first time since this whole thing happened, she didn’t feel helpless.