//------------------------------// // Searching For Answers // Story: Daughter of the Phoenix // by Solstice Shimmer //------------------------------// The next day I met up with Twilight at the train station. She told me we had to go to her castle in Ponyville to be able to travel to where Sunset Shimmer lives. I had no idea why, but I wasn't going to question her. There was absolutely no one at the station when I arrived and it seemed that the train was quite empty as well. I chuckled softly. Privileges of being friends with a Princess I guess. She smiled at me when she saw me walk onto the train. This train ride was, of course, out of courtesy to me since I couldn't fly to Ponyville like she could. I sat across from her and set my saddle bag down on the ground. "Good morning." "Morning." I replied. I wasn't really fully awake but oh well. That's what coffees for right? "It should be a fairly short ride." She told me. I shrugged and laid down on the seat. "Doesn't matter how long it is. I'm gonna go to sleep." I yawned. Twilight chuckled. "Not a morning pony are you?" I shook my head. "You can sleep." She said. "I'll be quiet." I closed my eyes, taking her offer wholeheartedly. My dreams were simple so I slept peacefully. It was probably about an hour or so later when I felt Twilight gently shake me. "We're here." She whispered. I grabbed my saddle bag and groggily followed Twilight towards where her castle was. She spoke to a few ponies as we walked, but I ignored everypony. When we reached her castle we went into a large room where a mirror stood. It seemed to be hooked to some sort of machinery or something like that. It fascinated me. Why would she have a mirror like this? Seems a bit funny. Must be important somehow. "Would you like a coffee or something before we go?" She asked. "You look like you could use the caffeine." I nodded, smirking a little. She walked out of the room to get some coffee so I was left standing there with just my thoughts. Well I wonder how this is going to go? I know Twilight says she's changed, but there's still this uncomfortable feeling I have. I'm honestly not too sure what to think of Sunset Shimmer. The stories Princess Celestia told me were not super informative so I can't rely on that. I guess I'll just have to find out. Twilight returned with two cups of coffee and a small box of doughnuts. She smiled as she set the doughnuts down on the table that was sitting in the middle of the room. "I assumed you'd be hungry as well." She said. "You assumed correctly." I took a powered doughnut and took a bite from it. She giggled as she grabbed a napkin and gave it to me. I took it, wiping away the powder from my mouth. I quickly finished my small breakfast so we could go. I didn't want to hold this off any longer. "Ready?" She asked. "Ready." I said. Twilight walked over to the mirror I was questioning earlier and grabbed me with her magic. "The other world is through this mirror." She said. Ummm. Okay. Magical portals in mirrors. That's sounds reasonable enough. Before I could protest she pulled me into the mirror and off we went. We spun in circles as the magic made us fly through the dimensions. It took me by surprise, but once I got used to the feel of this new magic running though me I calmed down. It was barley five seconds when we fell onto solid ground. I groaned softly. Ugh. My head. I raised my hoof to rub my head but was surprised to not see a hoof at all. It was like dragon claws except with no scales or claws. And when I rubbed my head another thing worried me. Where's my horn?! I felt someone touch me and I flinched. Twilight was standing on two legs and she had what should be her front hoof on my shoulder. "I know. I know. It's weird, but it's okay. You've just become human that's all." I breathed slowly then looked over the rest of my body. My tail was gone along with my cutie mark and I was wearing clothes. They weren't super fancy, just dark blue jeans, black boots and a dark pink t-shirt. I ran my, whatever it was through my mane thankful that it hadn't changed. Still blonde with that awful pinkish red dye. It's length seemed to have grown a bit, but that didn't bother me. I looked up at Twilight with an uncertain look. As if she just knew I wanted an explanation she quickly told me all the basic information of being human then helped me to my feet. This new body would take some getting used to, but it wasn't really too bad. I was still me, I just walk on two legs now and I have these things called...um.....hands? I believe that's what Twilight said. It was early morning in this world so not many ponies.....I mean people, were awake. That was a relief. No need for unwanted attention. I examined my surroundings seeing a large building in front of us and a statue behind us. Out of curiosity I stuck my foot into the statue. Sure enough that was where the portal was. Twilight walked towards the building so I followed her. "Is this where we're staying?" I asked. She shook her head. "No we're getting a ride to a friends house." "Why not got to Sunset Shimmer's?" I asked. "She doesn't have a house to herself. She lives with Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy." "Oh." Wait a minute did she say- "I forgot to tell you. Some of the people here are like the ones we know in Equestria. So don't be freaked out." I nodded. Man. This dimension is strange. Suddenly a loud roaring sound scared the living crap out of me. I looked up and saw two people riding some sort of machine that was on two wheels, coming towards us. "It's them." Twilight said. "They're riding motorcycles." Them? Who is them? They both were wearing helmets so we couldn't see their faces. They stopped their motorcycles behind the statue and I assumed they turned them off because the loud roaring stopped. They first one took off her helmet revealing her rainbow colored mane and a smug smile. This has to be Rainbow Dash! She waved at us as she put down her helmet. The second person didn't move or take off her helmet, she just sat there frozen on her motorcycle. Rainbow said something to the girl and then ran towards us. "Heya Twilight!" She said. "Bout time you showed up!" Twilight rolled her eyes. "You both were ten minutes late." Rainbow shrugged. "So? We're here now aren't we?" Twilight laughed. Rainbow looked at me, smiling. "You must be Solstice. I'm Rainbow Dash." She said as she held out her hand. I had absolutely no idea what to make of that. Why was she doing that? "Take her hand and shake it." Twilight whispered in my ear. I did as I was told. Was this the way they greeted each other? Interesting. Rainbow Dash looked over her shoulder then back at Twilight. "Maybe you should-" Rainbow gestured towards the other girl. Twilight nodded then looked at me. "Stay here." "Alright." I said. What was wrong with the other girl? Was she just shy? Maybe it was Fluttershy. She wasn't really super friendly the first time I met her either. Twilight walked towards her and seemed to be speaking to her. Rainbow stayed quiet as she leaned against a pillar and stuck her hands in her pockets. We waited until Twilight beckoned to us to come to them. "Guess we're going home." Rainbow said and ran towards her bike. I walked after her, not really sure about what was going on. I stood in front of the girls and leaned my weight on one leg so I could be a bit more comfortable. Twilight stepped away from the bike and stood next to Rainbow. The girl on the bike just stared at me for a second then she removed her helmet. That's when her cyan eyes locked on my own as she moved her crimson and golden blonde hair away from her face. Oh my Celestia..... She rose from her bike and smiled a little as she walked towards me. It was as if time froze for a second. I just stood there with my arms crossed, unsure of what to do. She stopped in front of me and smiled. "Solstice." She breathed. "Hello." I barley managed to whisper a greeting. Sunset looked over me and chuckled. She noticed that my hair fell, covering my face. She hesitated for a second the gained the courage to brush the hair away from my face gently. I felt like I should be uncomfortable with what she was doing, but for some reason I was completely fine with it. "My Celestia, your so beautiful." She said as she ran her hand through my hair. I felt my heart crumble a little as I looked into her eyes. Why was I being so soft? Shouldn't I be infuriated with her? I mean she abandoned me! She left me with those awful excuses for parents! She....she. Sunset put her hand on my cheek and sniffled. "Oh Solstice. I'm so sorry." The apology took me by surprise. It was as if she had read my thoughts. Tears threatened to spill, but I tried to stay strong. Then as if she couldn't take it anymore she pulled me in her arms and held me. Well....this is totally not what I expected. She cried softly as she smoothed my hair. I slowly hugged her back and I felt something wet on my face. Was I crying? There is no way. Sure enough the longer we stood there and the more of what she said sunk in I let myself go. She held me closer when she heard my soft hitched breathing from my pathetic crying. "You left me." I whispered between sobs. "No." She grabbed my shoulders and pulled me back so I could look at her. "No. I didn't. I've always wanted you, Solstice. It has broken my heart that we haven't been together. It was just so complicated back then." "Then?" I asked. "Yes. I'll tell you everything, Solstice. Absolutely everything. But please...." She put her hand on my cheek again and wiped away the tears from my eyes. "Please know that I never ever would have given you up, Solstice. You have always been the best thing that has ever happened to me." Great! More tears!! Sunset pulled me into a hug again. "Oh Solstice. I'm so sorry, my little sunbeam." She whispered. "Come on." I lifted my head to see Rainbow Dash put her hand on Sunset's shoulder. "Let's take them home."