Return to Equestria: The Rise of Roam
Sunset Shimmer
The message in the journal had troubled Sunset excessively.
Dear Sunset Shimmer,
I know that we had planned on your excursion to Equestria in a few weeks time. However, I fear that your visit must be postponed for the time being. Whilst I look forward to your visit, and so do our friends, a most serious rumour has reached Canterlot, and the Princess’ are convening to discuss it.
I write this to you now in case the situation becomes dire enough that I am forced to take certain measures. I do not wish to cause you any alarm.
I hope to write back to you with good news on the subject. Until then,
your friend, Twilight Sparkle
“And ya’ll don’t know anything about what might be going on?” Applejack asked. “Like from when ya went back last time?”
Sunset shook her head. “Everything was fine.”
“Are we really going to have to deal with that Discord guy?” Rainbow Dash asked. “That guy was a different shade of weird.”
“He was all different kinds of shades,” Pinkie observed. “None of his clothes matched.”
“That’s not what I—“
“Um, well, I think he might be nice,” Fluttershy said tentatively. “Deep down, you know?”
“He said that he was reformed,” Sunset said uneasily. “And if the historical record is anything to go by, he would usually have turned this world inside out by now if he wasn’t. Still,” she looked around gravely at them all. “I’d feel better if you guys just kept an eye on him.”
All of their friends were there who could come. Even Aria, her story notebook under her arm, stood in front of her, a frown on her face. All of her friends were frowning actually. Only Sonata, her hand clutched in Sunset’s own, looked eager and determined.
“You’ll text us all the time, right?” Pinkie asked plaintively.
“I don’t think mobile service crosses dimensions, Pinkie,” Sunset said kindly.
“If they did, the roaming charges would be horrendous,” Rarity agreed.
“I have an idea,” Sunset said brightly. She pulled out the magical journal, and tore the page out with Twilight’s message on it. Folding this up and stuffing it into her bag, she handed the journal to Pinkie Pie. “You keep that. If you write in it, I’ll be able to read your messages in Twilight’s journal and reply to you.”
Pinkie’s eyes filled with tears. Before Sunset could read the signs properly, she leapt forward and threw her arms around Sunset’s shoulders. Then Sonata, Rarity, Fluttershy, and all of her friends jumped in too. Even Aria, looking furtively around to make sure no one was looking, put an arm into the mix and patted Sunset’s shoulder.
“Hopefully we won’t be too long,” Sunset said reassuringly, as they all let go. “If it’s a big problem, we’ll send you a message to tell you about what’s happening.”
“If it’s something big, shouldn’t we come too?” Rainbow asked.
“Ya’ll just wanna see what pony land looks like,” Applejack said, smirking.
“Nuh uh!” Rainbow snapped, colouring up. “Sounds lame.”
Applejack said nothing, but smiled to herself in victorious silence.
“Well, we’ll see you later then,” Sunset said. She took Sonata’s hand as they all waved, Pinkie clutching the journal and crying loudly over it. For a moment, Sunset gazed at her friends, feeling an unaccountable sense of longing for all of them. And then she saw, just behind them, a fluttering white handkerchief.
“Bye, Discord,” she called over their heads.
“Be well, Sunset Shimmer,” Discord said dramatically, waving the handkerchief daintily. “Our prayers go with you, from your fondest of friends.” So saying he pulled said friends into a patently too large a hug and arranged his pinched face into something approximating elegant despair.
Sunset almost laughed. She looked at Sonata for a moment, and then they both turned, and walked into the portal together, the stone warping and rippling as they passed through.