//------------------------------// // Chapter 7 - Sunset // Story: Shattered Harmony Part 1 - The Call // by Phazon_Corrupted_Unicorn //------------------------------// Sunset Shimmer slumped into a chair, dropping her backpack onto the floor next to her. She sighed, ever since Princess Twilight had gone back to Equestria she’d wanted to follow. She wanted to go back and make up for all the horrible things she’d done. Life was hard here, being in high school. Sure she had friends, but sometimes she got the feeling that they were keeping something from her. She couldn’t quite put her finger on it, but something was amiss. Before she could think much more on it, her book buzzed. She reached down and fished it out of her backpack with the urgency and anticipation of someone awaiting a long lost friend’s letter. She flipped open the cover and fanned through the pages. Each page was filled with notes and spells, spells that she was unable to cast due to the lack of a horn. She rested a hand on her forehead, right where her horn would be if she was a pony, as she flipped through the pages. Memories flooded back to her, memories of sitting alongside Princess Celestia and learning, practicing spells, and studying. She smiled at them, then she found the page she was looking for. It had hoofwriting scrawled on it, hoofwriting that didn’t look like Princess Twilight’s. She quickly read the words, then read them again, and again. Each time she couldn’t believe what she was reading. In rainbow ink the words It’s time to come home, Sunset. Go to the portal at your namesake. There you will find a way to repay all that Princess Twilight has done for you. I’ll be waiting for you. She slumped in the chair, resting the book on her lap, as she processed the words. What way could she repay Princess Twilight? She glanced at the clock, then realizing that they don’t really have time in Equestria, she looked out the window at the sun, perched above the horizon. She didn’t even think twice. She threw her book into her backpack and slung it over her shoulder, running out the door. She locked it behind her, then stashed the key in her backpack. She ran down the stairs, taking them two at a time, and launched herself out of the apartment building, running as fast as her legs could carry her. It took her about fifteen minutes of running, lucky she was so close to Canterlot High, when a smile broke across her face as the familiar statue came into view. She ran down the sidewalk and stopped right in front of the mirrored side of the statue. She rested a hand against the cold stone and gasped for breath. She was a Unicorn, not an Earth Pony, and thus not known for her stamina. She finally regained her breath and she glanced up at the sun to see it setting behind the mountains. “Well, I didn’t think you’d got my message in time.” The voice made Sunset spin around. She didn’t see anyone behind her and she glanced from one side to the other. “Who are you?” she asked. “Who am I?” The voice asked, and Sunset almost pictured the voice raising a hand to their chest and acting shocked, “oh that’s right. You were gone before I broke free. But I’m sure you would still remember me, you did like to take walks in the Canterlot Gardens. And I’ve heard so much about you, Tia really didn’t keep quiet about you. Sweet Sunset, a student with such potential. It was a shame when you decided to divert your attentions from helping people to seeking power. Little did you know that by taking that path, you’ve unconsciously achieved your goal! Unlimited power! You had it in your hands, you still do, but it’s just so weak and unrefined. That’s why I’m here, to help you strengthen it. And to help you repay Princess Twilight for all that she’s done.” “Yes, but who are you?” Sunset demanded, staring around. “Oh, there’s no use in trying to find me,” the voice said, “I’m in a place you wouldn’t expect. Besides, I’m here to let you back into Equestria.” “You can’t,” Sunset stated, folding her arms, “the portal’s closed for another seventeen moons.” “And here you are, keeping track of the phases,” the voice said, amused, “besides, I like to think of myself a little above the natural Order of things.” “Above order?” Sunset asked, “what do you mean?” “Don’t worry about it, my dear. Let’s just get you back to Equestria so you can help save the world, eh?” A sound, like someone snapping their fingers, rang out from very close by, making Sunset jump. She spun around, looking this way and that, until she stopped right in front of the mirror. It was rippling, just like when Princess Twilight came through last time. She approached it slowly, not believing it, and pressed her hand up against the glass. It slid right into the statue and Sunset gasped, pulling back her hand. The portal was open, but why, and how? “Now now, no time to dawdle. Time’s ticking!” the voice said and she felt two hands on her back. Before she could turn around to see much more than the sight of a red and yellow eye, she was shoved forward and into the mirror. : : : As Discord shoved Sunset into the mirror, the five other girls watched. “Well, that’s done with,” Discord said, dusting off his hands. “Thanks Dissy!” cheered Pinkie. “Yes, thank you,” Fluttershy whispered. “It’s no problem at all,” Discord replied, waving a hand. He brushed off his brown suit, then straightened the sleeves of his shirt, first the left, blue one, then the right, gold one. Rarity almost fainted at the sight of his fashion sense, but he just sighed. That hadn’t changed in all the years he’d known these ponies. “Well, I’d better be off!” he said, strolling up to the mirror, “got to go save the world and all that!” He stepped into the mirror and the portal closed behind him, reforming into the clear surface it had originally been. “Do you think they’ll be okay?” Fluttershy asked. “Of course, darling,” Rarity replied, “even though she’s with that ruffian, Discord, their past has already been determined by the fact that we’re here now. We win, and there’s little more to think about. Come now, let’s go see what other fashions this world has. I’ve heard Pr-France has some wonderful designs!” : : : Sunset Shimmer tumbled out of the mirror, running into another person and eliciting a gasp of surprise as the both of them sprawling onto the floor. Sunset struggled to untangle herself from the knot of limbs she’d found herself in as she heard the loud thud of doors hitting the walls. “What is going on here!?” a familiar voice shouted, “Trixie, I’m holding court right now so please try to be…” Sunset turned to look through the light blue legs at the familiar sight of Princess Twilight Sparkle standing in the doorway, mouth agape at the sight of two ponies tangled up on the floor. “Sunset?” Twilight whispered, slowly walking into the room, “how did you get back here? The portal’s closed, and the key is sitting in my bedroom.” She glanced up at the niche where a special book would be sitting in order for the portal to work, only to find it vacant. “That’s because, my dear Twilight,” the familiar voice said, causing Sunset to look around and Twilight to sigh and shake her head, “I opened it for her.” “Discord.” The single word made Sunset’s skin crawl and her eyes to shrink into dots. She shrank away from the world and tried to find a corner to cower in. “D-Discord?” she stammered, her eyes darting about, “as in the God of Chaos, Discord? As in the God of Chaos that almost destroyed all of Equestria just because he was bored, Discord?” “That would be the same,” Twilight sighed, “though this time it’s just, annoying as heck Discord, or always getting into trouble Discord, or my personal favorite, ruin my free day with my favorite foalsitter, Discord.” “Oh come now, Twilight, you had a wonderful time! And Cadenza didn’t mind, so why should you?” Sunset glanced fearfully around, trying to see the speaker. “Because,” Twilight said, the tips of her mane turning red and curling, “you ruined my day with her! You had us drag your sorry flank all the way to the edge of Equestria to get a stupid flower, only to find out that you weren’t really sick!” “Ah yes, I remember that now, it was such an enjoyable time.” Sunset gave a yelp of surprise as her shadow pulled away from her and formed into a tall, serpentine creature. Color flowed into it, forming Discord who turned to look down at the frightened Unicorn. His nose stopped inches from her muzzle and he grinned down at her. Sunset tensed up, ready to run if he tried anything. Then Discord took a deep breath. “Boo.” The single word made Sunset’s eyes roll back into her head and she collapsed on the floor, passed out cold. Discord roared with laughter at the sight of the mare unconscious, tears rolling down his face as he rolled over and over in the air. “That was hilarious!” he said, catching his breath after a while, “I like her. Can I keep her?” “No you can’t,” Twilight stomped her hoof on the crystal floor, making the room ring with the sound of a triangle, “what is she doing back here anyways? Why did you bring her back?” “Oh Twilight,” Discord said, swimming through the air and curling around Twilight, “I could tell you, but that would change everything. Just know this: there are very few times that I have ever acted harmoniously, and these next few months will be one of those times. As for why she’s back, she’s going to play a very big part in Equestria’s future. She’ll be more of a help here and now than she will be there and then. Now then,” he said as he untwisted himself from Twilight’s ethereal mane, “I’d better be off, there are other things that require my attention. Princess, it’s been a joy and a pleasure.” He bowed to her, then shot off through the wall and out into the sky. Twilight just shook her head. She turned and stuck her head out into the hall, calling for a trio of guards. “Let the nobles know that a friend has returned and I wish to make her as comfortable as possible,” she said to one guard then, turning to the other two as the first ran off, “there is a Unicorn unconscious in there,” she said, gesturing to the room behind her, “I want you to take her to a spare bedroom. Stand watch outside her room and inform me the second she awakens. Don’t let anypony disturb her, she’s just met Discord.” The two guards nodded in understanding, Discord had changed their coat colors to pastel patchwork for a day when he’d met them their first day on the job. Twilight stepped out into the hall and headed for the Hall of Friendship and the Council room beyond while the two guards stepped into the room and retrieved Sunset. They left the room and quickly found a empty bedroom. They laid Sunset down on the cloud mattress, then stepped outside and took up guard positions, closing the door behind them.