Marshmallows crackled over the fire pit. The warm glow illuminated the faces surrounding it, belonging to a small group of girls camping over the weekend. It was summer, after the school year had ended, and on a weekend as nice as this one, the park was filled with campers. This was Sunset Shimmer’s first summer vacation with her friends, having been shown their friendship less than a year before. It was also the happiest she’d been in years.
“You ever gone on a summer trip, Sunset?”
Sunset raised her head. The question was asked by her friend, Applejack. “Nah, I wasn’t interested much in travel before.” She frowned, thinking back to the time where her primary concern was grabbing power. She wasn’t proud of that; quite the opposite in fact. She liked to think she was different now.
“You gotta try it sometime,” said Rainbow Dash. “Staying in the same place all the time gets boring. You gotta get out sometimes!”
“Do you go on trips a lot?” Sunset asked.
Rainbow shrugged. “Well, my family likes to, and who am I to refuse?” She looked back at Sunset. “Seriously though, you should consider going somewhere.”
“Honestly, I don’t even know where I’d go,” Sunset said. She’d certainly heard of places, but none of them particularly leaped out at her. Even now, she felt fairly content with where she was.
“Maybe you could go to Equestria,” Fluttershy chimed in. Sunset froze in place. She hadn’t really been back to the world where she grew up in years, as she hadn’t had any reason to. The only time had been to steal the crown, and she would rather forget all about that. That place meant something to the old Sunset, but the human world was her home now.
The other girls nodded. “That’s a good idea,” said Applejack. “You could visit Twilight.” More than anyone else, Twilight Sparkle was the one who had changed her for the better. Without Twilight, Sunset might still have been the sinister bully she once was. For that, she felt eternally grateful to the pony princess.
There was actually a version of Twilight in the human world where Sunset now resided, but she wasn't the same. It wasn't that Twilight who saved Sunset from herself.
Sunset considered the idea. Twilight would probably let her stay in the castle if she chose to go. It had been a long time since she had seen the place where she had grown up. When she'd first arrived in this world, she was shocked to find that her former mentor, the venerable Princess Celestia, was the comparatively inconsequential principal of Canterlot High. This world never ceased to confuse her since, with things she knew from Equestria appearing time and time again in unexpected forms.
"I'll think about it," she said, ultimately. "Could someone pass a graham cracker?" She couldn't make a s'more without the cracker, after all.
The statue loomed over the courtyard. Sunset Shimmer faced out towards the school, holding in her hands a hardcover book with a stylized sun on its cover. It was her primary link to Equestria, having a counterpart belonging to Princess Twilight which received whatever message she wrote in its pages. It had taken significant pressure from her friends and a good week of thinking, but she had been convinced to return to the land of her birth. She opened the book, and for a moment, she didn't know what to write. Eventually, she decided she would stick with the basics, briefly informing Twilight of her trip and asking for lodgings. The two would have plenty of time to talk when she was in the other world. She grabbed her pen.
Hi Twilight,
I'd like to come to Equestria for a visit. Could I stay at your place while I'm there?
Sunset Shimmer
Sunset closed the book, and looked up. The school grounds were entirely vacant, and the sun was shining overhead. She leaned back against the statue, the base of which retained a vague ripple to indicate the magical portal to Equestria which was contained within. Sunset relaxed, awaiting a response, and a few minutes passed before the book began to vibrate. Sunset opened the pages to see an equally brief response from the princess.
Hi Sunset!
I'd be delighted to let you stay! When would you like to come? I'm so excited to see you!
Twilight Sparkle
Sunset found herself increasingly eager to cross the portal, but thought it might be best to give Twilight a little time to prepare. Considering the conversational nature of their current messages, she figured that further signatures would be unnecessary. Knowing her friend's insistence on punctuality, she decided a little precision wouldn't hurt.
Monday, ETA 4:00. Will that be enough time?
Twilight's next message was more casual, befitting her status as Sunset's friend more than that that of Equestria's newest princess.
Sure, Sunset! I'll be sure to set up a room for you in the castle. Is there anything else you will be needing?
Sunset sighed, relieved. Finally, she left a final message.
Not too much, and we can talk about that later. I'll see you on Monday!
Twilight's reply was brief and to the point.
See you then!
Sunset closed the book and sighed, leaning back once again. She had the rest of the day ahead of her. She would have to tell her friends, she knew, but... not now. Leaning against the statue was proving rather comfortable, and she was disinclined to move.
Sunset Shimmer stood before the statue, prepared to depart. Behind her, she heard the sound of cars driving past the school, paired with the occasional jogger. The sky was clear and the sun was bright, and if there was one thing which Sunset would be glad to escape this summer, it was the sweltering heat wave that threatened to consume the city.
Behind her were her friends, or at least those who remained in town. Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, Rarity, and Applejack had insisted on accompanying her, particularly as they had just been hanging out previously. Rainbow Dash left on her vacation already, seeking to take advantage of the summer as soon as possible, and this world's Twilight Sparkle had left before the other six went camping and wasn't returning until the next day.
"Have fun!" Pinkie said.
"Yes, have fun," said Rarity. "Say hi to Twilight for us, will you?"
"See ya," Applejack said.
"How long will you be?" Fluttershy asked.
"I'm not sure," Sunset replied. "There's so much to see."
"Well, I hope you have a great time over there," said Applejack. "Tell us how it went when you get back, alright?"
"Will do," Sunset said, clutching her journal. "I guess I'll see you guys later." She turned towards the portal, but Fluttershy grabbed her shoulder. When Sunset looked back at her, she drew inward sheepishly, and pointed at the book. "Oh yeah, you should take this," Sunset said. We can keep in touch, and I kinda need that here to get back." Fluttershy nodded, and received the book when Sunset offered it to her.
"I'll write!" Sunset said, before turning around and walking towards the rippling wall at the base of the statue.
"You'd better," Rarity said. Sunset glanced back at her friends one last time, and then took the last steps into Equestria.
Then she fell.
Her vision was filled for a split-second with a flash of bright blue, before shifting to an unfocused view of what seemed like a purple cavern. The details soon formed into an expansive crystalline room, though they were blocked when Twilight's face appeared over her, in a form that Sunset recognized as that of a pony. The new arrival pulled herself through the portal and attempted to stand up, but collapsed again, her body not having adjusted to its own change in form. Sunset extended her newly reacquired pony front legs in front of her, looking over them and noting the return of her yellow coat. Twilight moved out of her way as she staggered to her hooves, waddling only briefly before her equine muscle memory kicked in.
Sunset resided now in a cylindrical room crafted from purple crystals. Almost every inch of its walls was adorned with bookshelves, only stopping at the height where the ladder which lay against the shelf on the far right of the room couldn't reach. Behind her was a mirror with a frame the shape of a greatly stylized horseshoe, studded with gems and fixed with wires that led back to a device which currently contained Twilight's own magic journal.
"Hi, Twilight," Sunset said, somewhat sheepishly. She remembered how, a few months ago, it had been Twilight who had struggled to get to her feet when she came to the human world. This train of thought led her to recall how she had helped Twilight up, which brought a warmth to her face which she desperately hoped wasn't obvious.
Thankfully, Twilight made no mention of it. "Hi, Sunset. How have you been?" she asked.
"Pretty good," Sunset replied. "This is my first summer with the girls." Sunset did not feel the need to mention that it was also her first summer spent without planning to conquer Equestria.
"Oh, yeah! How are they?" Twilight asked.
"Not bad. They were actually the ones that convinced me to come here."
"I'm glad they did. It's good to see you again, Sunset."
Their conversation was interrupted by a loud clearing of the throat from beside Twilight. Looking down, Sunset saw a familiarly-coloured baby dragon. "Spike?" she asked.
"Oh hi, Sunset!" he said.
"Spike?" Sunset was aware of Spike's true form as a baby dragon, but she was so familiar with him as a small dog that seeing him like this came as a surprise.
"The one and only. Long time no see! What brings you here?"
Sunset shrugged. "Well, the girls were telling me that I had to take a summer trip, and Equestria was easy to reach, so..."
"So you came to pay us a visit!"
Sunset nodded. "I haven't seen Equestria in so long. At least, not on such good terms…” She shook her head. She was here to enjoy herself, not to dwell on her unfortunate past.
“Yeah,” Spike said, “but then you got better.” Sunset smiled and nodded, reassured.
“Oh!” interjected Twilight. “Sunset, let me show you to your room!” She indicated towards the hallway before walking down, Sunset and Spike following. The halls were lined with the occasional portrait, many showing Twilight and Spike but some also showing her with ponies who looked a lot like Sunset's friends from Canterlot High. “I used to live in the town library, but it was destroyed by Tirek," Twilight explained. "I got this castle in its place, though how is a long story.”
“It must have been pretty exciting at first,” Sunset said. Twilight seemed like she was about to say something, pausing mid-step and sighing, but then Sunset halted as the rest of what Twilight said dawned on her. “Tirek? As in, the Tirek?” she asked, shocked.
“Yes, the Tirek. He was quite the adversary.” Twilight craned her head backwards to notice that Sunset’s jaw had dropped. Spike, bearing an unamused expression upon his face, looked between the two ponies and shrugged.
Sunset could hardly believe it. She’d read about Tirek, but during her time in Equestria, he’d been imprisoned in Tartarus long ago. The story was known to her, but distant. It was ancient history-or so she’d thought, at least until this very moment. If such a pony as Princess Twilight had encountered Tirek and survived… “Hold on. Not only did Tirek break free, but you defeated him?”
Twilight chuckled. “Honestly, dealing with some great threat to Equestria has become sort of a monthly thing for us.” If it were at all possible, Sunset’s jaw would have dropped even further. Spike rolled his eyes and attempted to shut her gaping mouth, and with some effort succeeded. This elicited further laughter from the princess.
"Wait, 'us'?" Sunset asked, finally. Did Twilight mean herself and the other princesses?
"Yeah, me and my friends. I really couldn't have done it without them."
"Are those your friends in this picture?" Sunset asked, pointing at one photograph of Twilight Sparkle and all five of Sunset's friends' lookalikes. Twilight nodded. "They really are the same as my friends, huh?"
"It was quite a shock for me at first, seeing humans who looked and acted weirdly like my friends back here. Oh, I'll have to introduce you! I'm sure you'll love them." Sunset looked at the picture thoughtfully. "Although, maybe we should get you settled in your room first," Twilight said. Sunset looked back at her and nodded, then continued following her down the corridor.
The room Sunset was staying in was one of many which Twilight initially hadn't understood what to do with. For the first month or so, it remained empty, aside from a couple decorations placed there in order to make it feel a little less bare. It wasn't until Twilight's first attempt at negotiations, engaged with Yakyakistan, that she realized it might be a good idea to have a guest bedroom, "just in case." The room was one of the smaller in the castle, left over after Twilight ran out of books to store, but it still had a fair amount of breathing room, even after the bed was placed. Beside the bed was a night stand, upon which sat a lamp post and an alarm clock. Across from the bed, a closet and drawers had been carved into the wall. A single window rested on the wall across from the door, opened slightly to let the outside air in.
“Er… I can’t help but notice you didn’t pack any bags. Would you like me to get you anything?” Twilight asked.
Sunset turned her attention from the room to her host. Since ponies don't usually wear clothes, she hadn't felt the need to pack any luggage, but this also led to her forgetting to pack a few hygiene items. “Uh, sure! I guess a mane brush, a toothbrush, and, uh… could I use your shampoo?” Sunset replied, feeling slightly embarrassed about her lack of luggage. She didn’t want to be a burden to Twilight. However, her host seemed unperturbed, writing down a checklist of what Sunset would need for her stay.
“Sure thing, Sunset.” She paused for a moment. “If your hair is a concern, perhaps Rarity would be willing to help.”
“Um, yeah, maybe she would.”
“I really should introduce you." Twilight was clearly introduced by the prospect.
"Well, can it wait until after dinner? I'm getting hungry."
"Oh, yes, of course. Spike, could you make us some tacos?"
"Tacos. Got it." The dragon exited the room.
Twilight looked back to Sunset. "I'm gonna go order those things for you. Please, make yourself comfortable."
"Order?" Sunset asked.
"I'll get some of my guards to do it. It's not like they have much to guard against here in Ponyville, anyways."
"Oh, right."
Twilight nodded and left the room. Now that she was alone, Sunset lay down on her bed and sighed blissfully. This vacation was off to a great start.
A few hours later, Twilight and Spike led Sunset out of the castle. As soon as the group was out, though, the extreme change in scenery caught Sunset off-guard. She had expected to emerge in Canterlot, or at least a city much like it. Instead, she found herself in a small, modest town with a distinctly rustic feel. She had never been there, but she had a feeling she knew where she was. “Are we in… Ponyville?” she asked.
Twilight giggled. “Yes, I live in Ponyville. Not what you were expecting, huh?” Sunset nodded. Twilight continued, “Well, it was a little surprising for me, too, given how much the castle contrasted with the town around it. Quite a change from my old home.”
“The library, right?” Sunset replied.
“Yes, the library,” Twilight said, with a slight glimpse of wistfulness in her eyes. Sunset supposed that having your old house destroyed would be sad to reflect on. The group arrived at a round, ornate building with a small tower rising out of its centre.
"Is this where Rarity lives?" Sunset asked. It felt strange that she would need to be re-introduced to someone she sort of already knew.
“This is the Carousel Boutique,” Twilight said. “This is where she lives and works.”
“What does she do?” Sunset asked.
“Oh, she makes dresses for ponies. So not unlike the Rarity you know. This Rarity is fairly well-known around here, and has even opened branches in Canterlot and Manehattan.”
“So she’s quite the accomplished pony, then. I can’t wait to... meet her.”
They stepped inside the Boutique, entering a main hall adorned with mannequins wearing impressive dresses. Around the room were strewn boxes filled with rolls of fabric, and on the walls were tacked various sketches which promised that the material would be put to good use. Initially, Sunset gazed at some of the dress designs, understanding why this Rarity was so popular. Soon Sunset’s eyes were drawn to the third pony in the room, whose head perked up from her sewing machine as she heard her new guests walk in. She didn't know how to react to seeing her friend in pony form, and so she said the only thing that she could say.
“Hi, Rarity.”