//------------------------------// // Work Cited: Shimmer, Sunset. "Dear Princess Twilight." // Story: The Sunlight Project // by Space Jazz //------------------------------// I said I wasn't proud of what I did, right? Of course I did, and I would keep doing it. I just couldn't help myself. It was there and I had to. It was unforgivable, morally reprehensible, just downright sick and twisted. But my hands acted on their own—another poor excuse I would keep telling myself to place the blame somewhere else. The different colors of ink in Sunset’s entries suggested multiple sittings. Each time, it was addressed to "Princess Twilight," whoever that was, and each time she wrote back. Maybe it was all written by Sunset. No, it couldn’t be. The handwriting was completely different on either side of the page. What if Princess was the mystery writer's first name? It wasn’t too much of a stretch to think that. Besides, Twilight was a common name. It was my mother's name, and it was my name, too. What did twilight even mean? It was just a time of day when the sun... set. What is a name anyway? It was nothing more than a collection of syllables put together as a means of identification. Who knows? Maybe one day names would be obsolete, and we'll all be using numbers. Maybe it was just a really unfortunate pseudonym. Yeah, that sounded about right. It was just a clever pseudonym used on an advice column: Twilight was synonym for Sunset, after all. It wasn’t too much of a stretch to think that. But why would she be talking to herself with a code name? It just didn’t add up. Be calm, Twilight. It's nothing. You never saw the book. You never got out of bed. In fact, you're still in bed, sleeping next to Pinkie and Sunset. It's all a dream caused by exhaustion from the night before. If only that were true. It was impossible or at least extremely difficult (it was never scientifically validated on which was true) to read in a dream. Most of the time text would be indecipherable, so I couldn't even lie to myself and be factually sound. The book was open, sprawled out on the floor like a tempting, seductive centerfold. It sat there, staring back and daring me to continue further, to delve deeper. There was bound to be one tiny piece of info that could make this easier. Just a slight mention outright confirming her attractions, likes, or turn-ons would be enough. I'm weak. I won't bother justifying it. It happened, and I felt terrible about it. I kicked the book away in disgust and watched it slide underneath a layer of filth left behind from the party. I wanted nothing to do with it. I wanted it out of my sight, but most of all I wanted to pretend I didn’t even open it. My head hit the wall, and I sunk further into the leftover confetti and streamers, picking bits and pieces from the floor and crumpling it up. Without thinking, I kept cleaning. Before I knew it, the hallway was clean, completely rid of the trash and leaving the shining book laying in the center of the hall. It was late now, much later than before. There wasn't any trace of the morning yet, but the crystal silence pierced my chest, judging my every action. I paused and tapped at the book with my foot, half-expecting it to come alive and sound a siren. In seconds, six half-awake girls would come running out from Pinkie’s room and realize what I was doing. I would and they would drop me as a friend, immediately kicking me out to the street to walk home in the night. But none of that happened. No alarm sounded, no one came, and no one saw me. I was left alone in the night to peruse the journal to my depraved heart's content. Dear Princess Twilight, You wouldn't believe the week The Rainbooms and I just had. As it turns out, we didn't really need your help—not that it wouldn't have helped, but it was nice to solve a magic related problem without relying on you as a crutch. I think we finally figured out what caused us to "pony up" at times. I'll be kicking myself for weeks for not seeing it earlier, but it just so happens to be caused whenever we display the truest part of ourselves. Really, in hindsight, it all makes sense. There's also something I want to tell you. It happened again, the thing at the Fall Formal. Though, this time, it wasn't me who needed the help. I felt it—the magic, I mean. Though it wasn't the same violent lust for power. It was light, warm, and almost like a daydream. I don't know how it was like for you back at the Formal, but it just felt right to forgive like you did before. Hopefully, you come back soon. The girls are really eager to see you again. I am too. There's a ton you have to see and hear in person. Your friend, Sunset Shimmer P.S. There's someone you have to meet. I won't say much, but let's just say she's someone after your own heart. My stomach dropped; I just felt wrong. She was confiding in someone, someone close, and I had no right to read what she had written in confidence. I hadn’t even learned anything other than evidence for my idea that Sunset had some previous baggage weighing her down. She mentioned me, sort of. Who else could she be talking about? Unless magic-related meltdowns happened every week. She kept my name out of it, which I was thankful for. Though I still had no idea who this Princess Twilight was, but I figured I would find that out in time if Sunset kept to her promise of introducing us. Still, whoever it was knew magic. Otherwise Sunset wouldn't have brought it up. I don't remember much from when I was that thing, but I remembered her talking me down, holding my hand, and appearing as a being of pure light. She was golden—radiant, to be exact—the living embodiment of righteousness. I couldn't help but think for days afterwards that Sunset Shimmer was a literal magical girl. Completely unlike me, the wretch who fell into temptation twice. My head hung low, and I skulked back into Pinkie's room. My throat was still dry, but water was above me right now. I tiptoed across the room and slowly slid my way back on the bed. •·.·´`·.·•·.·´`·.·☀·.·´`·.·•·.·´`·.·• I watched idly as a torrent of orange juice was poured into a large mug. The gentle, half-awake chatter floated through the air while Pinkie Pie and Rarity tended to the stove. The smell of frying eggs and roasting coffee filled the room, signaling a Saturday morning that was dedicated to accomplishing nothing other than a much needed recharge to tackle the incoming week. "Ah got a mean crick in mah neck from sharing the floor with Rainbow," Applejack complained, rubbing her neck. She took the seat next to mine and tapped at the counter, her nails clicking against the table. "It's not my fault," Rainbow Dash protested. "You were hoggin' the blanket." Their short-winded argument lasted a total of three seconds before devolving into a childish circle of "uh-huhs" and "nuh-uhs." With the slight clatter of porcelain, however, the argument subsided as the universal language of food diplomatically solved the conflict with the two now racing to see who could finish faster. "Done!" Rainbow announced, claiming the nonexistent first prize. "Ya didn't even clean the plate," argued Applejack. "Doesn't matter," the so-called "winner" shot back, standing up proudly before heading to the stove to get seconds. Unsurprisingly, she was batted down by Rarity, who chastised Rainbow Dash to at least wait until everyone else was served. She shrugged in defeat, resolving to just drop her plate into the sink before muttering, "Wasn't hungry anyway." I was nibbling at a toasted bagel, generously lathered in cream cheese as Sunset Shimmer came in. It was the first time her hair wasn't the perfect wave of fiery colors I had known; instead, it was a messy, unkempt wildfire. Personally, I thought it was an improvement—it made her seem just the right amount of flawed to be approachable. Sunset leaned against the doorway, graciously accepting a cup of juice. "I think I know what we're doing today," Sunset spoke up, letting the chorus of “What?” pour in as she took a sip of her drink. "A certain somebody might be showing up later today, and I figured it would be a good idea to wait for her at CHS." "Ooh, did she say anything?" Pinkie Pie asked. "Not exactly, but she did write back—sort of." Sunset answered. "She just said, 'Busy, come soon.'" "Exactly like that?" Rarity asked, sitting down at the table. "Yeah, pretty much. Though, it wouldn't hurt to have a picnic by the Wondercolt statue," Sunset proposed. "Or what's left of it," Rainbow commented snidely. "Rainbow!" Rarity chastised. "It wasn't her fault." "It's fine," I exonerated. "I'm sure she really didn't mean it." It wasn't fine. The comment actually kind of stung. Sunset walked over to the table, "How about this? We go home, shower, get changed, and meet at CHS in about an hour for a picnic?" "I kinda need a ride home," I said, suddenly cursing my insistence to wait on getting my driver's license. Crystal Prep was always in walking distance, and I never really minded taking the bus. Now, however, it was starting to backfire since I had to rely on the others for rides. "I gotcha, Twilight," Sunset said, right before grabbing my arm and leading me out the kitchen. On the way out I grabbed my bag, bulging with my school supplies and the crumpled vest and tie of my old Crystal Prep uniform. The outside air was brisk, and I began to regret accepting Sunset's ride; I would have much preferred the shelter and the heating provided by Rarity's hybrid or even Applejack's pickup truck that she borrowed from her brother. We rounded the entry way and stopped in front of Sunset's bike as I mentally prepared myself to climb aboard. I gritted my teeth, hoping the second ride up the hill wouldn't be as frightening as the first. It was. When we arrived to my house on the hill, I invited Sunset into my home. Luckily, my parents were off working. Their work ethic was unmatched, to say the least, and I never doubted that my workhorse tendencies came from them. The warmth of the house was welcomed and sorely missed thanks to the rush of the outside air. I dropped my backpack by the coat rack, resolving to pick it up after a much needed shower and change of clothes. "Mind if I raid your kitchen?" Sunset asked. "I'll make us both something for the picnic later." "Oh, sure, just take whatever as thanks for the ride. I'm just gonna hop in the shower really quick." "Coolio." I nearly ran up the stairs. I didn't feel right about leaving Sunset alone but I really needed the shower. And, after one quick recharging, I met back with Sunset who was still in the kitchen, fixing together sandwiches filled to the brim with vegetables. "I didn't know what you liked, so I just made two of my favorite," Sunset Shimmer said cheekily. She let out a breathy chuckle before she began rummaging the fridge. "You got any soda?" "No, sorry," I answered meekly. “My parents don't let me drink soda all that much. I have juice boxes in the pantry, though." "Aww, cute," Sunset cooed before diving towards the stock of food. I knew she was teasing, but I couldn’t help but feel my face heat up. Without hesitating, she pried open the container holding all the packs before tossing a handful of juice boxes into a basket. “Hey, do you have a blanket or something?” I nodded and dug around in a nearby closet, finding an almost textbook red and white checkered quilt. It was perfect. Smiling, I slung it over my shoulder and walked back to the kitchen. I gave Sunset an eager thumbs up, and before I knew it, we were back on the road. •·.·´`·.·•·.·´`·.·☀·.·´`·.·•·.·´`·.·• We were the first to arrive, showing up at least fifteen minutes before Sunset's recommended time. We set up the checkered quilt behind the statue; Sunset Shimmer insisted that it was the best place to set up, claiming that we'd get a fair amount of shade behind the wrecked Wondercolt. The sounds of the outside world was enough to keep us from getting impatient and too restless, providing the perfect background stimulus to keep from wanting to leave. My dog, Spike, sat on my lap as I gently stroked his back. His presence was therapeutic, to say the least. Although, he seemed to gravitate more to Fluttershy, which I assumed was because of her natural bond with animals. "Twilight," Sunset called softly, taking a reassuring sip from a box of apple juice. "Can we talk about something... back at the Games?" I nodded. "Sure. I've been meaning to ask." I paused. "I didn't really know how to talk about it." Sunset bit her lip, sending me an almost consoling look. "I guess since we're alone, it would be easier to talk about this." Her voice was resolute, almost as if she had made an ultimatum with herself. Wincing a little, I nodded again, agreeing with her reluctant sentiment. "It was definitely magic," Sunset started, pausing in thought, presumably to phrase her sentence clearly. "I felt it too—I felt exactly what you felt—not back at the Friendship Games but weeks before. When you changed into th—" "That she-demon?" I asked, flinching at the words that came out with a condemning harshness. Sunset closed her eyes and faced towards the ground. Running a hand through her hair, she leaned back against the stone podium. "Do you remember what I said to you back then? When we were floating?" I shook my head. "I said something along the lines that I wanted to help you." She stopped. "Like someone once did for me." We sat in silence for what felt like an interminable clump of minutes, but really it was no longer than a quarter of a minute. I held back choked breaths, and judging from her deep breathing, she was trying to do the same. "That someone," Sunset started again, taking in a hearty amount of reassuring air, "came through that"—she pointed at the base of the Wondercolt podium—"a portal from another world—another world with magic. Am I losing you yet?" Her question was forced through a chuckle to lighten the mood. "No," I squeaked. "She came through and, to make a long story short, she made me a much better po-person. I also became a monster—a she-demon, just like you did the other day. She was the one who saved me, and I think it would help if you met her." Princess Twilight, I thought, my eyes flashing instinctively. "But trust me," she said, "it's going to get weird fast." "Surely it can't get stranger than what happened at the Games," I said confidently, eliciting a chuckle from her. I couldn't help but crack a smile as I watched the curls on her head bob up and down with her giggle. I wanted to make her laugh again and again. One by one the girls began to join us. Pinkie Pie was first, dropped off by her older sister Maud. The physics-bending girl bounced her way over, somehow landing atop the stone podium. Applejack was the last to show up, grabbing a case of apple cider from her truck's passenger seat as she made her way over from the parking lot. Even though we had just spent the morning together, we talked as if we hadn't seen each other in weeks. It was calm, relaxing as we all began sharing some of the light dishes we made at home, ranging from Fluttershy's salads to a hearty bag of potato chips from Rainbow Dash, which she had admitted she bought on the way. Fluttershy quickly turned her attention to Spike, who was now wide awake and ready for attention that the animal caretaker was more than happy to supply. Off to the side, Rarity began fiddling with Rainbow Dash's hair. She lifted the multicolored hairs and began picking at the strands. "And how did you get gum jammed that deep in your hair... especially that far back?" "I dunno," she answered, grunting as Rarity tugged at her hair. "Maybe you slept on it," chimed Pinkie Pie, leaning over the edge of the stone statue. "Happens to me all the time." "I doubt that," Rainbow defended as she crossed her arms. "We've seen your room, Rainbow." Applejack took a sip of her cider. “I sure wouldn't be surprised if the pig pen at Sweet Apple Acres was cleaner than your pigsty." "Very funny." Rainbow said, her voice unappreciative. "GAH! Not so hard, Rarity." There was a slight giggle bouncing around the air. "Don't." The laughter died down as we sat in the newfound silence. Without any sort of warning, there was a tingling sort of sound, and our heads darted towards the Wondercolt, watching as a liquid ripple formed on the what I used to believe was solid stone. This was where things got weird—fast. I bolted to my feet in surprise as I caught a full look at the girl in front of me. For lack of a better, more logical explanation, I was staring at a parallel image of myself. Not an exact mirror, but the similarities were eerie to say the least. From her eyes to the same exact purple streaks in her hair, she was me, except for the fact she wasn't wearing glasses. "I'm so sorry I didn't get here sooner! I didn't get your messages until just now because I was caught in this time travel loop and, honestly, it was the strangest thing that's ever happened to me!" Once she was finished with her rapid fire monologue, she caught sight of me, and her jaw dropped in disbelief. Not that mine wasn't either, but at least I had some sort of forewarning from Sunset Shimmer. Unable to think of a thing to say, I smiled sheepishly and waved. "Make that the second strangest..." she murmured.