The Cutie Mark Crusaders had left Sweet Apple Acres and were on their way into town to find something fun to do when Rainbow Dash zipped up to them in a breathless blur. "Scoots!" she cried. "You gotta come quick...castle...your dad...holy horseapples, you're never gonna believe..." She swept Scootaloo up, threw her on her back, and took off.
Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle exchanged puzzled glances before galloping off after them.
"Rainbow Dash...!" Scootaloo cried. "What...is...this...about?"
"You'll see!"
* * * * *
Twilight sat heavily on her favorite reading cushion. "I'm having a lot of trouble processing this," she said. "You mean to tell me...Sunset Shimmer, the only unicorn I've ever met who was as powerful and talented as me, was born to pegasi? And not just any pegasi, but THE most important pegasi in Cloudsdale? And that she's Scootaloo's older sister?!"
"That sums the situation up quite succinctly," Summer Storm said.
Twilight shook her head. "This is...this is too weird!"
Summer Storm shifted. "Your Highness...I'm led to believe that you have a means of keeping in contact with my daughter. Of...of visiting her. Or perhaps...of bringing her here?"
Twilight nodded warily. "I do," she said, nodding to the ornate mirror on the opposite end of the library. It was surrounded by various magical machinery, all of which was presently inert. "But...Summer Storm...is that really a good idea? After all this time?"
"It might not be," Summer Storm said, "but I don't care. I want to see her. I...I need to see her." He swallowed heavily. "Besides...doesn't she deserve to know she has a sister? We...we lost touch after she enrolled in Celestia's school."
Twilight sighed. "And I don't have any right to stand between you and your family," she said. "Alright, I'll—"
The doors burst open, and a rainbow blur rushed in, depositing a smaller orange blur on the floor. Scootaloo skidded across the crystal floor like a curling stone, blinking dazedly before coming to a halt. She looked around in confusion. "Dad?"
Summer Storm chuckled. "Hello, Sunrise," he said.
"Summer Storm, have you...ever told Scoot—I mean, Sunrise—?"
"No," Summer Storm said. "I...thought it might do more harm than good."
"I understand," Twilight said sympathetically.
"Told me what?" Scootaloo asked, blinking.
"Come here, Sunrise," Summer Storm said. Scootaloo trotted over to him and sat down, her tiny wings buzzing. Summer Storm looked down at her. "There's something your mother and I have been keeping from you, and...I hope you won't be angry with me when you find out the truth."
"What, that I'll never fly? Because...I've kinda known for a while," Scootaloo said sadly.
Summer Storm coughed awkwardly. "Well...that, yes, but...this is something else." He looked her straight in the eyes. "Sunrise...you do have an older sister."
Scootaloo blinked. She looked from her father, to Rainbow Dash. "Is it—?"
"Sorry, squirt," Rainbow said. "My dad's nowhere close to as important as your dad."
At Scootaloo's crestfallen expression, Summer Storm laughed. "That would have been perhaps too contrived," he said. "No...the sister you have never met is a unicorn, with a rather complicated past."
"A unicorn?" Scootaloo asked, blinking.
"Yes," Summer Storm replied. "You understand now why you have never met her. We could not raise her in Cloudsdale."
Scootaloo winced. "Yeah."
"But we have not had contact with your sister for many years," Summer Storm said. "And until now, we had no way to reach her. But...now, Princess Twilight has the means to make our family whole again."
Twilight frowned. "Summer Storm...I hope you're not expecting her to want to come stay," she said. "She's...she's made a life for herself there. She has friends...she won't want to give that up."
Summer Storm sighed. "I understand," he said. "And I will respect her wishes. I just...I just want to see her...one more time."
Twilight sniffled. "I'm sure she'll...I'm sure she'll be happy." She stood up. "I'll contact her imme—" She trailed off. "No. I'll go see her immediately." She teleported away in a magenta flash, then reappeared clutching a thick book with Celestia's Cutie Mark on the cover. The book levitated into a niche in the machinery surrounding the mirror. The various machines began whirring to life, arcing and spinning and weaving sheets of pressed magic and making all sorts of interesting noises as Scootaloo and her father watched curiously.
Finally, two arcs of energy struck the surface of the mirror, which seemed to suck all the light from the room as its surface rippled and swirled.
"Ooooh," Scootaloo said. "What's that?"
"It's a portal to another world," Twilight said. "The world your sister lives in." She took a deep breath and strode toward the mirror. "Hopefully, it won't take me long to find her and convince her to come back..."
The others watched as Twilight stepped into the mirror and vanished.
Five seconds later, they all charged in after her.
* * * * *
Twilight wobbled for a moment before righting herself on two legs. She took a deep breath and looked up at Canterlot High. "Okay," she said. "It's Sunday, so I'm pretty sure nobody's at school..." She frowned, looking around. "Let's see...the nearest place is Rarity's boutique, so maybe—"
"Oof!"
"Whoa!"
Twilight's eyes widened. She turned slowly to look behind her.
Three people lay sprawled out on the ground in front of the portal: Rainbow Dash, Scootaloo, and a massive man who was clearly Summer Storm. "Oh no no no no no," Twilight moaned. "WHAT are you three DOING HERE?"
Rainbow sat up, rubbing her head. "Heheh...sorry," she said. She looked down at her long, slim arms. "Whoa. Freaky. So these are 'hands', huh?"
"I wanna meet my sister!" Scootaloo said. Then she blinked and looked down at herself. Then she screamed. "AAAAAAH! WHAT THE HAY HAPPENED TO ME?!"
Summer Storm gingerly picked himself up, brushing off the tailored suit he wore. He wobbled slightly on two legs, then looked down at the two girls, then at Twilight, and raised an eyebrow. "Well..." He coughed. "This is...unexpected."
Twilight threw up her hands in exasperation. "Rainbow Dash, you knew better than this! What did I tell you about—"
"Oh, chill, Twilight!" Rainbow said. She frowned as she brushed her back with her hands. "Aw man...no wings? Well this blows!"
"What's going on here what happened to us why do we all look so weird is that really you Rainbow Dash what happened to my hooves what's—" Scootaloo babbled, staring in shock at her hands.
"Scootaloo, calm down," Twilight said. "I know it's a bit...strange. The first time always is." She knelt down and took hold of Scootaloo's hand, gingerly pulling her to her feet. "Just...stay calm and try to stay on your feet, okay?"
Scootaloo gulped and nodded. Twilight let go; Scootaloo's knees wobbled, but a hand on her shoulder steadied her. She looked up at her father, who smiled encouragingly at her.
Rainbow stood up, wobbling alarmingly back and forth before finding her center of gravity. "Okay this is weird," she said.
"It really is," Twilight agreed. She sighed. "You really all should go back to Equestria now."
"Your Highness," Summer Storm said, "I fully intend to meet my daughter today. If...if this is the world in which she has made her home and found her happiness, then this is the world in which I will meet her."
"I just followed Dad through," Scootaloo said. "Big swirling portal thingie means adventure!"
"And you KNOW I've always wanted to see this side of the mirror," Rainbow said.
Twilight groaned. "Fine," she said. "But stick close to me and...and be careful. There's another Rainbow Dash here and another Scootaloo here, we don't need you two getting confused for them." She frowned. "Follow me," she said, leading them off down the road.
Fortunately, it wasn't a long walk to Carousel Boutique. The three Equestrians who had never visited the human world before had difficulty walking at first, but with Twilight's patient coaching, they were soon able to keep their balance and maintain an even pace.
Twilight opened the door and looked inside. She saw Rarity rearranging a display of boots, a studious frown on her face. "Rarity?" she called out.
Rarity turned and beamed. "Twilight, darling!" she said, rushing over to the door. "Do come in! Why, we had no idea you were coming! Or...if Sunset did, she didn't say—"
"No, I didn't...I mean, this was a very spur-of-the-moment visit," Twilight said.
"Holy PONYFEATHERS, is that RARITY?!" Rainbow yelled, staring in wide-eyed shock.
"I see you already ran into Rainbow Dash," Rarity said. She frowned. "I thought you were helping Applejack today?"
"Rarity, this is the other Rainbow Dash," Twilight said. "From my world."
"Oh." Rarity blinked. "Oh my." She smiled at Rainbow. "Ahem. Well...welcome," she said. She looked pale and distraught. "Ahem...we honestly weren't entirely certain we believed Twilight about...well...our counterparts," she said. "Even with Sunset Shimmer backing her up on that." She frowned. "There isn't another Rarity with you, is there?"
"No, there isn't," Twilight said. She coughed. "But our Scootaloo is here..." She gestured to Scootaloo. "And her dad, Summer Storm."
Rarity smiled. "Well. You look quite presentable, good sir," she said.
"Thank you, young lady. And you look rather elegant and lovely." He paused, then tilted his head. "At least, I assume so. I've honestly never laid eyes on...whatever it is you're called before."
"Humans," Twilight supplied. "Listen, Rarity...we're actually looking for Sunset Shimmer. Have you seen her today?"
Rarity pursed her lips. "I'm not quite sure what she's up to today, honestly," she said. "Hold on...I'll text her." She pulled out her phone and spent a moment rapidly composing a text. A moment later, her phone beeped. "She's at home doing laundry," she said.
"Would...would she be okay having guests?" Twilight asked.
Rarity texted Sunset again. A moment later, she nodded. "She says it's fine. I told her you're here. She says she's looking forward to seeing you." She tilted her head. "I didn't tell her about these three, of course, because I don't know what you're all doing here. If...if I might ask...why are you looking for her? I mean, I do hate to pry, but..."
"I'm her father," Summer Storm said. "And I haven't seen her in many years."
Rarity's eyes widened. "Oh. Oh my." She frowned, then looked at Scootaloo. "But I thought you said—"
"That's right."
"But then that would mean—"
"Yes."
"Oh...I see..." Rarity coughed. "Excuse me a moment, darlings. I feel rather..."
She fainted.
Rainbow sighed. "Man, even THIS Rarity? Geez..."
While they waited for Rarity to regain consciousness, Twilight picked up Rarity's phone and, after a moment's fumbling, texted Sunset.
Sunset Shimmer? It's Twilight. Rarity just fainted. I don't actually know where you live or how to get there.
Hey Twilight. Why didn't you tell me you were coming? I'll send a cab over to Rarity's place to pick you up. You're at the boutique, right?
Yes.
Okay. Sit tight. A cab'll be there by the time Rarity wakes up, she can give the driver the address.
Thank you.
No prob. It'll be so good to see you again!
A minute later, Rarity came to. Twilight explained that Sunset had already called a taxi for them.
"So that...thing you were playing with...it works like the magic journal?" Rainbow asked.
"More or less," Twilight said. "Except it's technology, not magic. I don't understand it really, but I saw the girls using their phones enough the last two times I was here to figure it out. Kinda."
"So you were actually just communicating with Sunset Shimmer?" Summer Storm asked.
"That's right." Twilight paused. "I...didn't tell her you were here. I didn't think it...would be appropriate."
Summer Storm nodded. "You know her better than I do," he said with a sigh.
While they waited, Rarity quickly changed Scootaloo into a new, fancier outfit for meeting her sister, an experience Scootaloo found strange and confusing. She found herself wearing a knee-length fuschia skirt, a cream-colored blouse, black tights, and glossy fuschia maryjanes. Not long after, the cab arrived; the four Equestrians managed, with difficulty, to squeeze themselves into it. Rarity gave the driver the address, and they were off.
"Whoa," Rainbow said. "This thing is loud!"
"It's shaking a LOT!" Scootaloo complained.
The driver frowned into the rear-view mirror. "Well excuse me," he said. "I got a tune-up scheduled for tomorrow."
"Sorry, sir. They're not used to cars," Twilight said.
The driver gave her an odd look, but shrugged and turned his attention back to the road. "Just glad the fare's prepaid," he muttered.
"Twilight? What...what's pulling this thing?" Rainbow asked.
"Nothing's pulling it," Twilight said. "It runs on its own. Look, just...don't worry about it, alright?"
"If you say so..."
Several minutes later, the cab pulled up in front of a small apartment building. There were only six apartments, all of a medium size; the building's worn sandstone facade was constructed in a distinctly Southwestern style. Each apartment had its own veranda with an intricate, eye-catching wrought iron balustrade. The stairs leading to the second floor were broad and made of dark red bricks. The same dark red bricks surrounded flowerbeds that covered the property, in which shrubs and flowers and interesting plants flourished.
The four Equestrians got out; the driver barely waited for them to close the doors before speeding off.
"Nice place," Rainbow said.
"She lives upstairs in number five," Twilight said, recalling what Rarity had told them at the boutique. "Umm...be careful with stairs," she advised as she walked over to the stairs. The others followed her; they cautiously ascended. Once they were all in front of the designated door, Twilight rang the doorbell.
"Just a minute!" they heard from inside. A moment later, the door opened. Sunset Shimmer stood there, wearing a magenta T-shirt and blue jeans. "Twilight!" she said happily, grabbing Twilight's hands and pulling her inside. "It's so good to see you!"
"Hello, Sunset," Twilight said, hugging her friend. "I've brought along someone who very much wants to meet you. Oh, but first...this is my world's Rainbow Dash," she said, motioning Rainbow to enter.
Sunset blinked. "I thought you weren't letting your friends from Equestria come across because it's too confusing?"
"Yeah, well..." Twilight laughed nervously. "You know how impulsive Rainbow can be."
Sunset laughed. "Yeah, I do." She held out a hand. "Hey."
Rainbow took it hesitantly and shook it. "Umm...hey," she said. "Nice to meet you..."
Twilight took a deep breath. "And...and now, the reason I'm really here," she said. She motioned for Summer Storm and Scootaloo to enter; they did so, standing just inside the door awkwardly.
Sunset blinked. "Okay, Scootaloo, I know from school...unless this is the Scootaloo from Equestria?"
"That's right," Twilight said.
"Okay. But this guy..." Sunset frowned, brow furrowing.
Summer Storm, for his part, was staring at Sunset Shimmer with unabashed wonder. "Is...is it really you?" he asked softly. "Sunset Shimmer?"
"That's right," Sunset said. Her frown deepened; confusion was written across her face. "Your voice...I've heard it before..."
"You have indeed, but not for many years," Summer Storm said. He took a step forward. "Even...even in this strange, alien form...your beautiful mane is unmistakeable..."
"Sunset," Twilight said, "this is Summer Storm."
Sunset's eyes widened. She took a step back, pale and trembling. "...Daddy?"
"That's right," Summer Storm said.
Sunset took several more steps back, nearly tripping over her own feet. She sank into a leather chair in the middle of the living room. "How...why...?" She looked at Twilight.
Twilight smiled gently and explained how Summer Storm had come to her and told her everything. "And...and he wanted to see you," Twilight said. "As soon as he found out that was possible now..."
Sunset swallowed heavily. "I...I see," she said. She looked up at Summer Storm. "Daddy...I'm so sorry. You...you must be so disappointed...so angry..."
Summer Storm shook his head. "I was, for a time," he said. "Then I was simply very sad. And now...now that I've spoken to both Princess Celestia and Princess Twilight, have learned what you've built for yourself in this world, how you've grown and changed..." He smiled. "I'm just glad you're alive, and safe, and happy."
Tears welled in Sunset's eyes. She threw herself out of her chair and hurled herself at Summer Storm. "DADDY!" She embraced him tightly, crying into his chest; he held her tightly, tears falling from his own eyes.
Rainbow's eyes welled up with tears and she sniffled. "Oh man...this is makin' me cry...not cool..."
Twilight smiled, her own eyes wet, as she watched father and daughter mend years of distance and heartbreak.
After a while, Sunset took a step back, sniffling; tears streamed freely down her cheeks. "Daddy..." She laughed, shaking her head. "You know...I honestly hadn't thought about you and Mommy in...well...years!"
Summer Storm sighed. "We didn't exactly involve ourselves in your life, even before you chose to leave Equestria." He shook his head. "We made so many mistakes with you, Sunset."
Sunset shook her head. "I made the mistakes," she said.
Twilight coughed. "Summer Storm? Tell her the other part."
"Right," Summer Storm said. "Sunset...there's somepony you should meet." He turned to Scootaloo and nodded.
Scootaloo stepped forward, fidgeting slightly. "Um, h-hi," she said.
Sunset Shimmer's brow crinkled. "I, uhh...I do know this world's Scootaloo," she said. "But..."
"Her actual name is Sunrise," Summer Storm said, "and she's your little sister."
Sunset's eyes widened. She gasped as she looked at Scootaloo, who nodded. "My...sister?" She shook her head. "I have a sister?"
"That's pretty much what I said," Scootaloo said.
Sunset tilted her head. "Are...are you a pegasus?" she asked.
"Yeah," Scootaloo said. "So...I live at home with Mom and Dad." She frowned. "But I spend most of my time in Ponyville. That's where I'm Scootaloo. I'm only Sunrise at home."
"Scootaloo can't fly," Summer Storm said. "And she wanted to live like a normal filly, not...not as the daughter of somepony rich and famous. So every day, our butler takes her to Ponyville, then brings her back at the end of the day."
"And it also keeps the elites from knowing you have a handicapped daughter?" Sunset asked.
Summer Storm winced.
"Sorry," Sunset said. "That...that was uncalled for."
"Umm...why don't Rainbow Dash and I let the three of you have some time to yourselves?" Twilight asked. "I can show Rainbow some of...some of the cool stuff in this world..."
Sunset nodded, smiling. "Thank you, Twilight," she said. She pointed down the hall. "There's a TV in my bedroom, you can go back there and...you know how to work it, right?"
"I'll figure it out," Twilight said.
"Okay. Remote's on the beside table."
Twilight dragged Rainbow Dash away. Sunset, Summer Storm, and Scootaloo spent hours talking...