Sunset: Vignettes

by Milliardo5


II. Changes

It took more than a few weeks later before Sunset remembered about exercise again. Although she made it a point to try and walk almost every afternoon, she didn’t really get that much urge to get more into it until she and Sonata passed by a sports shop one time at the mall. She had continually promised Sonata that they’d go to the mall, but school and their home-based jobs had kept them from really going out. Until one Saturday.

Saturday was the one time during the week that they both had more time to do things aside from school and work, though for one reason or another both of them kept putting it off. Now Sunset realized that there wasn’t much to do at home, and they had both enough money to buy for their home.

“Well, at least we got two laptops, but we do need something else…” Sunset said as they walked around the mall. They both walked around a bit, not really eyeing anything to buy in particular, but then Sunset remembered that she would get into some type of exercise program. She stopped and turned to Sonata.

“I’ve been thinking”, she began, “maybe we need to get something to keep fit.”

“But we walk daily to school”, Sonata said.

“Not’s what I meant”, Sunset said emphatically. “We need something more, something which would keep us more fit than we are now.”

“Why’d you think of that?” Sonata wanted to know.

“You remember I took up walking a few weeks back”, Sunset recounted. “While doing it, I realized that we haven’t really had that much exercise. Look at Dashie”, she added.

“Hhmm…what about her?” Sonata wondered.

“Well, she’s fit, and she’s energetic”, Sunset said.

“But you’re also energetic”, Sonata said, meaning that as a compliment.

“No, I don’t think I’m doing enough when it comes to fitness”, Sunset said with emphasis. “Let’s go to the sports shop and see what we can find.” Sunset led the way, and Sonata followed closely behind. Sonata wasn’t exactly the physical type, Sunset figured, but she could be persuaded once she saw that it might be good. Or fun at least. They both went their way into the mall. Sunset knew just where the sports shop was, even though they haven’t been to the mall that often.

Finally they came to the shop. Sonata looked around as they went in. It wasn’t often that she went inside one, if she even ever thought of going into one alone. Sunset also felt like a stranger inside the shop.

It’s the sort of place Rainbow Dash would be at home with, she mused as both of them looked around. Sunset wondered if Rainbow Dash ever went there often. The store clerk came over them and smiled when he saw them.

“Well, it’s not often that we get teen visitors here”, he said.

“We’re looking for some good exercise equipment”, Sunset said.

“Well, this is your place here”, he said to them with a booming voice. “Finest sports shop in all of Canterlot City. What exactly are you looking for?”

“I’m thinking of starting a strength training program”, Sunset said after thinking for a few seconds. “What do you think would be good?” Sonata just gave her a strange look, but Sunset gave her a look that practically said for her not to ask any questions just yet.

“I can probably recommend for you a barbell set, complete with some plates. Have you tried lifting weights before?” Sunset shook her head. Not that she ever tried, either here or back in Equestria. She thought it strange that she never really considered having a strength training program before until she read one by accident in the morning while browsing online.

“Well, I could probably have you start on a 150 lbs. set”, the man continued, and Sunset gasped, but he just laughed. “Don’t worry about it, it will be just a barbell set with removable plates, and I can probably sell you an adjustable bench as well so you can have an all around workout.”

“Wouldn’t that be too much?” Sonata asked, but the man just shook his head.

“That’s probably not much for those who have been doing it for years, but you’re still starting, so there would be plenty of weights there for you to use up for the rest of the year”, he said.

“I think I’ll get that set”, Sunset said, convinced by his explanation. “And I might take a few dumbbell pairs as well.” She began selecting some pairs, which ranged from 6 lbs. all the way up to 20 lbs. The clerk nodded as he listed the items.

“I think you have most of what you need. Would you like to add a lat machine set to the bench?” he said as he pointed to a tall, tower-like contraption attached to one end of the bench, which had cables as well as a bar.

“I think that would be good”, Sunset agreed. They then went over to the counter to tally the price. After figuring out how much it all cost, Sunset and Sonata handed out the money to him.

“I don’t think you’d be able to carry all of those to your place”, he said, “unless you have some magic by any chance.” Sunset and Sonata looked at each other, then laughed good naturedly at what he said.

“Well, I’ll have them delivered to your place then”, he said. “I think you’ll be able to get them this afternoon, if that would be okay.”

“Yup, I think we won’t have a problem with that”, Sunset remarked. He then took out his calling cards and gave it to them.

“If you need more sporting supplies, then you know where to find me”, he said to them. “My name’s Boom Biceps.” Sunset then realized why she thought he looked familiar, or sort of familiar at least.

“So you must be Bulk’s dad?” she said rather loudly, which she didn’t mean to.

“Yup. You must be from Canterlot High then”, he said. Sunset affirmed that.

“I guess I’ll give you a discount”, he decided as he handed them back part of what they paid him. “Anyone from Canterlot High is good, and you’re always welcome here.” They both thanked him gleefully, then happily they went out to get back home as fast as they could.

“Do we have space for all that?” Sonata inquired as they walked home.

“Yup”, Sunset replied. “There’s much space at the back of the yard. It has some roof there where we can have all that equipment. It would be nice”, she added, “since it’s outside, and won’t be too hot.”

“So you had it all planned then?” Sonata said.

"Not really”, Sunset admitted. “I just figured some of it along the way, like where they should be placed.” They then continued on towards their home, and Sunset can’t wait to have the equipment arrive so she can set it up.



Late in the afternoon a delivery truck came by. Boom Biceps got out together with two of his assistants, and they unloaded the items.

“Where would we put all that equipment?” he asked as Sunset let them in.

“We have much space at the back”, she said as she led them through the kitchen, and out to the yard. Boom looked around, nodding with approval as he surveyed the area.

“Not bad”, he assessed. “We’ll get the equipment from the truck, then help you set them up and tell you a few more things about it.” He and his assistants then went and began unloading all that Sunset and Sonata bought. They then began to set it up, Sunset and Sonata helping out. While they set it up, Boom told them some of the exercises that could be done, and even demonstrated some of them. After all of the equipment had been set up and arranged, he thanked them and reminded them again of the store, after which they left.

Sunset then went upstairs to change to more comfortable clothes for working out. She had shorts on plus a sleeveless shirt. She did a few movements to warm herself up, then strode to the yard and looked at the weights. Boom had placed the barbell at its rack on the bench, the bar loaded with around 30 lbs. of weight, 15 lbs. on each end. Sonata came out to watch her. She had also changed to very much the same clothes that Sunset wore.

With a deep breath, Sunset went to the bench, lay down on it and underneath the bar, then for a moment stared up as she grasped the bar. She closed her eyes for a moment, then opened them and with a heave, took the barbell off its rack and then began to do some bench presses. After finishing a set, she smiled as she sat up.

She felt energized, and actually felt more alive. She realized that she just accomplished something, and then more eagerly she went to the next set of exercises.



After 20 minutes, she had completed all of her workout for the day. She was tired, but at the same time felt more lively. She knew that she had started something that would make her more fit. She couldn’t wait to tell the group about it. While Sonata started her own routine, she went to the kitchen to drink water and look what she could eat to fill her up.

Sunset then sent a group message to the others about what she and Sonata had just done. Rarity was one of the first to reply.

“Well, I couldn’t imagine myself doing that, dear”, she said in her message. “It would absolutely ruin my fingernails! But if it helps you”, she added, “then I guess there’s nothing wrong with it. Just look out for Sonata or she just might get crushed by all that weight!” Sunset laughed at that last one by Rarity.

Rainbow Dash also replied, and said, “Wow, I couldn’t wait to come over and try it out!” she practically said excitedly on her message. “It’s great that you have equipment there!” Sunset read a few other messages sent in by the group. She smiled as she put her phone down. They had made some progress in doing things, she reflected.

Of course, the toughest part was to keep to their program as much as possible, something that would prove to be a challenge in the coming days, but for now Sunset was at least happy that she had added something that could make a difference in her life…