//------------------------------// // Chapter 4 Wednesday Cont. (Edited) // Story: A Whole New World // by Knight Light //------------------------------// Sunset “Maybe I’ll head over to Sugarcube Corner and get a bite to eat. A double chocolate milkshake might be a good way to calm my nerves.” Sunset mused silently. It might be good to see the Cakes, one of the only ones who knew about some of the nicer things she had done this year. Not even Vice Principal Luna’s evidence folder had everything in it. Besides, Mrs. Cake always seemed to know how to soothe her nerves and she needed to get Pinkie Pie’s pharmacy information. Thankfully her last period was a free one so she could skip out with no worries and have time to visit the café before school let out. It didn’t take long to reach Sugarcube Corner, a small bakery and café where many students stopped by in search of a quick bite or a place to just hang out with friends. A place where Sunset didn’t come to often except when she had a doctor’s appointment for either Moonie or herself, or when she could stop by during slow times. Pushing the door open she was suddenly assaulted by the wondrous, delicious smells that wafted from the kitchen where the Cakes were likely hard at work. “Good afternoon, we’ll be right with you!” Mrs. Cake called from the back as the bell over the door alerted the woman to the presence of a customer. “Take your time!” Sunset called back as she browsed the display case before stopping on a special treat that she didn’t get the chance to grab here that often. It was something that the Cakes only made on occasion, but with the new remodel they promised to make them more often. It was just a surprise that there were even any left this late in the day. “So where’s little Moonie?” Mrs. Cake asked as she walked out of the back with a smile for Sunset. “She’s at home with Granny Peach, I kind of just needed some time alone.” Sunset admitted sheepishly, hoping the woman wouldn’t push it. “What happened?” Mrs. Cake asked crossing her arms and giving Sunset the look. It made Sunset shiver a little as it was something every mother knew, and despite being a mother herself now, Sunset was still a teen and fully susceptible to its fearsome power. “I kind of had an argument with my Vice-Principal.” Sunset sighed in defeat, tearing her gaze away from the peanut butter and chocolately treat calling her name. “Well, we are all caught up and Mr. Cake can man the register for a few while we grab a quick snack. Go on out and grab a booth and I’ll be there momentarily.” Mrs. Cake said with an encouraging smile. “Sure.” Sunset said with a shrug of her shoulders before hopping into the booth farthest from the door, the one she always took. After getting settled in Sunset wondered if perhaps this was a bad idea. Sure coming here was always a nice thing to do, but she couldn’t help worrying about the consequences if she ran into a mob of students coming in. It didn’t matter that there was an assembly and the teachers constant preaching against bullying lately, all some of the students cared about was getting back at those bullies who hurt them. Even if they were becoming bullies in the process. Yeah, she could handle herself, but she was worried about the place. “I have your favorites.” Mrs. Cake said as she slid a tray with a chocolate milkshake with whipped cream and a cherry and a peanut butter bar in front of her as the woman took a seat herself across from Sunset with a muffin and coffee. “Oh wow, thanks.” Sunset said as she had to fight the urge to just grab the treat. “Your very welcome honey, don’t forget you own part of this place.” Mrs. Cake said. “No, I told you I only did it because I didn’t want to lose Moonie’s favorite place to get cookies from. She’d be devastated if you closed down. I don’t want any real ownership of the place, just for you to keep supplying my little girl with sugary sweets.” Sunset said softly, trying to keep her voice down in case people overheard. It may have been the slow time of the day, but customers still came in and out. Note to self, pick up a dozen or so for Moonie’s sleepover with the twins tomorrow night. “Then I’ll repay you when we can.” Mrs. Cake said as she sipped her coffee. “Like hell you will, there is no way I am going to take anything from you for that. You are one of the only people I can fully trust and I help those people that I trust.” Sunset said seriously, nodding her head before taking a rather large bite of her treat and fighting the moan of pleasure as the peanut buttery goodness assaulted her taste buds. “This is really good!” “I’m glad that you are enjoying it.” Mrs. Cake giggled before her expression sombered a little. “Sunset, you don’t have to keep being alone.” “I attacked Pinkie Pie today.” Sunset admitted, heading off the path the conversation was going by admitting what she had done. “I’m so sorry.” “What did you do?” Mrs. Cake asked while she studied Sunset, a slight disappointed look crossing her face though she kept it in check. Something Sunset always liked about the woman, she could be emotional but she always heard the whole story before passing judgment. “I know you didn’t, but is there anyway that Pinkie Pie could have found out about my situation with you?” Sunset asked, wondering if perhaps Mrs. Cake was behind it though she doubted it and pretty much believed Pinkie Pie’s claim. From her studies it wasn’t uncommon for those with severely watered down witch genes to not develop the magic a normal witch would have, instead sometimes gaining visions or other mental abilities. They could be blocked off with the right medications such as antidepressants or medications to combat bipolar or other mental disorders. “None, I never talk about it during store hours and when I talk with my husband about it, it is only after we have closed and Pinkie Pie went home for the night.” Mrs. Cake explained. “She told the girls about my situation and she was pretty accurate. I kind of got her alone and pushed her against some lockers, threatened her to keep her quiet about that stuff. She told me about her meds.” Sunset said as she washed some of the peanut butter down with her chocolately milkshake resisting another urge to moan in pleasure. Damn, if they tried they would put Starbucks out of business. “Yeah, Pinkie Pie has some issues with her parents. They try their best with her, but I’ve already told you before how religious they are and how strict they are with her. They believe that praying will heal everything, but the good Lord doesn’t help those who don’t try to help themselves. And to make matters worse, they just don’t understand Pinkie or her depression, and their insurance stopped paying for her normal medications saying she needed to be switched to a similar, cheaper one.” Mrs. Cake said shaking her head in disgust, not that Sunset could blame her. It was disgusting how insurance and politics hurt people so much and they didn’t even care. And to add hurt onto it, the girl’s parents sounded like real pieces of work. It made Sunset wonder just how a religious family could have witch’s blood anywhere in it. “Her parents just don’t know how to deal with her anymore so we are talking about letting her move in here with us if Maud doesn’t take her in. It’s really sad.” “I offered to help her with that after she told me something similar about the insurance. I know someone at Crystal Prep who may not be an expert in visions, but she knows more about the stuff than I do.” Sunset said, “Of course there is also the option of maybe finding the right herbs to help her, or even providing the funds to get the medications she needs.” “Why do you want them to see you as some kind of monster, Sunset?” Mrs. Cake asked sadly. “You may be a witch, but even I can see you have such a good heart. Even when I met you during our classes together I could tell you had a good heart.” “Yeah, Lamaze class is a great place to learn about the real you.” Sunset joked with a roll of her eyes earning a laugh from the older woman. “Anyways, I was a monster. I was horrible to every person in that school when I first started. It was people like Granny, you and my daughter who helped me get over being that angry, selfish brat.” Sunset sighed, “And now, now I can’t trust them to know about Moonie. There are so many of them that might hurt Moonie to get to me for what I did.” “You don’t have to tell everybody, but you don’t have to be alone either. I know you are friends with that singing group you girls like as well as that magician.” Mrs. Cake said as she finished her muffin and was nursing her coffee. “Friends is such a strong word really, I prefer allies or acquaintances.” Sunset replied with an exaggerated scholarly air in an attempt to lighten the mood more only to earn a sad look from the older woman. “One of these days you will learn that you don’t have to be alone, that it is okay to open your heart to the idea of friendship. I know my niece would love to give you a chance. Despite her problems, she is a very loving girl who has a knack for seeing the good in people. And you have a lot of good that you seem intent on keeping hidden deep down.” Mrs. Cake said, “Though I do want to know why you are skipping school exactly.” Sunset sighed as the conversation came back around to why Sunset left the school, which a part of her really didn’t know about. “Actually it was last period and as you know it is a free period for me.” Sunset said getting Mrs. Cake to give a grateful smile. “Well, I’m happy you decided to come spend it here, we don’t get to see you that often.” Mrs. Cake said. “Are the twins still invited tomorrow night?” “Of course, Moonie is looking forward to it. I’ll also try to come more often.” Sunset said as she pulled a twenty out as Mrs. Cake was shaking her head no. “I won’t freeload, you know that. Besides, it was worth every cent. Just send some cookies with the munchkins and keep the change for a tip.” “Sunny.” Mrs. Cake sighed taking the money so Sunset wouldn’t keep arguing about it knowing that she would do it. “It’s fine, you know how important it is to me to do this. Though you can do me another favor. You know what pharmacy Pinkie uses?” Sunset asked getting a nod in confirmation in reply. “Good, please text me the information for it when you get a chance later. I need to go do a few things before I can head home.” “Sunny.” Mrs. Cake called out as Sunset began to leave getting her to look back. ”Please take care.” “I will, you to.” Sunset said, giving a smile back as she returned toe wave from Mr. Cake as well. Thankfully Sunset made it out and down the block before the loud voices of students heading towards Sugarcube Corner to unwind after school. A part of her almost wished that she could be a part of that, to be able to have a few people she could call friends and be able to hang out and just joke about normal things. She knew better though, she was far from normal all the way from being from another world to being what could be classified as a witch, though she was different from one. She was also a teenage mother who loved her daughter very much and would put Moonie’s happiness before Sunset’s own. Heaving a sigh, Sunset pulled out her phone feeling it vibrate. Checking the messages she noticed she missed one earlier. The gifts she special ordered for Moonie as an extra present was finished earlier than expected and ready for pickup. She was happy about that since she was worried about how long they would actually take to complete. The toy store’s owner warned her that the level of detail she was asking for could mean that the project could run into delays. Seeing it actually finished early made her day so much better. Scrolling farther down she was surprised to see Mrs. Cake had already sent the information Sunset wanted. Smiling she forwarded it to her lawyer asking her to look into setting up a tab for Pinkie Pie’s medications and seeing if the pharmacy still had the regular scripts on file. She knew it wouldn’t be so easy getting all the information, but she could get the tab set up at least and let Pinkie Pie know it was there. Hopefully it was just what Sunset suspected and the medication would keep the party girl from blurting out people’s secrets like that. It may not be on purpose, but it had the potential to cause even more damage than Sunset ever had. Princess Cadence “Just great.” Cadence groaned as she rested in the gardens soaking up some much needed sunlight after spending so long in those caves. She had come straight here after breaking off from Luna letting the other alicorn go off and do some private things, not that Cadence minded as she was really looking forward to resting out her in the calm and quiet. A quiet that was shattered by the voices of several mares and a dragon. Oh Joy. “The egghead still hasn’t showed up back home, Princess Cadence.” Rainbow Dash said as she landed on the ground with the other elements of harmony. The fact that they were the so called elements was the only reason she didn’t immediately call the guards and just have them thrown out. Well, all but one. “Don’t call Twilight that!” Cadence snapped as she stood up, stretching and working out the kinks as she felt a surge of anger at the Pegasus who dared belittle her little sister. Even if such a title was only in name for the time being. “What. It’s just a nickname.” Rainbow Dash huffed. “Sugarcube, perhaps it would be best to refrain from upsetting the nice princess.” Applejack hissed out only to be ignored. “What? Egghead is my nickname for Twilight, she loves it.” Rainbow Dash said waving a hoof in dismissal. “Listen to me you arrogant little nag!” Cadence snorted shocking the others in the group. “I may not have been around you and her, but I know how much that word hurts Twilight because it was the same word all of those stuck up ponies called her making her cry so much when she was a filly. If I even hear you utter that word around me one more time, I swear I’ll buck your sorry plot into the sun!” “Sorry princess!” Rainbow Dash squeaked, all of the group looking a little scared by Cadence’s attitude. She had to admit it felt good being angry like this and venting her frustrations on some pony deserving of it. “Please forgive Dashie, she’s just worried.” Pinkie Pie said softly before ducking behind Rarity when Cadence turned her steely gaze upon her. “No, I don’t think I will forgive any of you.” Cadence snorted, “Well maybe one of you since I’m sure he has a reason for his actions, though I am very disappointed in him.” “You don’t hate me?” Spike asked, slinking forward as he looked up at Cadence with a teary eyed expression. “Of course not Spike. I’ve seen the interactions between you and these nags, and I have my own theories of what happened. I do expect an explanation later and a choice; either you realize what you have done and prepare a real apology for Twilight or you can go and stay with your so called crush.” Cadence said giving Spike a little smile before frowning at Rarity. “Darling, what are you looking at me for?” Rarity asked, swallowing nervously as the alicorn’s glare intensified making the unicorn eep out. “Don’t feed me that you snobby little priss.” Cadence seethed, “I’ve seen the way you toy with poor Spike’s emotions within ten minutes of really meeting you. You should be ashamed of yourself! Spike is a child in dragon years and you are a full grown mare!” “But-“ Rarity started, but was interrupted by Cadence silencing her. “Be silent!” Cadence yelled, her voice nearly becoming a roar. “Each of you are guilty of crimes against Twilight from everything I’ve heard. And while I normally reserve passing judgment on others without getting the other side of the story, I’ve seen enough of your group to know some of you are no better that the plot kissers I’ve come to know in Canterlot.” “Princess Cadence, please, we really care for Twilight.” Fluttershy squeaked out, barely heard with how soft she was speaking. “I will not forgive any of you for what you have done to Twilight until the time she herself does. I’ve read all of her letters to Auntie Celestia, so I feel I already know you lot a lot better than you may think. I know I haven’t been around you all that much, but I have been enough to know the letters were most likely not exaggerations.” Cadence said, “While some of you may genuinely feel regret for your actions at the wedding and may even feel real friendship toward Twilight, the others are a lot more suspect.” “If I may ask your highness, who do you think has genuine feelings for Twilight?” Applejack asked with confusion, yet a curious expression. “I’ll tell you who I find the most suspect, Rainbow Dash and Rarity.” Cadence said glaring at the two. “I’ve hear you kissing Spitfire’s plot even after Twilight disappeared trying to get in good with the Wonderbolts. As for you Rarity, I’ve seen how you twist poor Spike around your hoof and kiss any plot who you think can further your career. How you kept bragging about how ponies would know your name far and wide after hearing you designed my wedding gown. Well guess what, I won’t be needing your services for my wedding!” “But! But Princess! Please rethink-“ Rarity pleaded only to be shut up with an angry snort from Cadence. A part of her did feel bad for being this harsh with the group, even if she felt they deserved it right now. She wanted to drive home how bad they messed up and hopefully get them to actually seriously think things over. If perhaps they did and proved their sincerity to her, then maybe she would be willing to deal with them. The only ones she wasn’t going to rip the heads off of were Spike since she was sure what happened there was entirely the baby dragon’s fault, the shy Pegasus who really did seem like such a kind soul, and Pinkie Pie who was just to earnest to actually meant any harm intentionally. Cadence wasn’t even too sure that Pinkie Pie could harm anyone if she tried with her more innocent seeming outlook on life. The others were all suspect, and Cadence didn’t want to deal with any of them except for Spike until they got their acts together. “Spike, stay here with me. The rest of you, I assume you haven’t rested much since traveling back from Ponyville. Go to your rooms and think over every thing you have ever done for or to Twilight since meeting her. Seriously think about what was going through your heads when you turned your backs on her.” Cadence said, shaking her head wondering why she was even giving them this chance. “We will speak more in the morning and if I like what I hear then we can talk.” Ignoring any parting words by the dejected mares as they trotted off in a sullen mood, Cadence turned to Spike with a sad look. “Spike, why did you do it?” “I don’t know Cadence.” Spike sighed, “I didn’t mean to hurt Twilight I just went along with every pony.” “With every pony Spike, or with one in particular?” Cadence asked, searching for the truth in Spike’s eyes and the blush that started appearing on his cheeks was all the confirmation Cadence needed. “Spike, we need to have a different sort of talk later. Just answer me this; do you regret what you did?” “I do! I hate myself for abandoning Twilight! Now she’s gone and hates me!” Spike sobbed burying his face in his claws. “I hate me!” “Shhhhh, shhhh Spike, she doesn’t hate you.” Cadence whispered as she wrapped her wings around the small dragon and pulled him into a hug. “It will all be okay Spikey, I promise.” Sunset “They look beautiful.” Sunset said in awe, her eyes glued on the stuffed pony plushie in her hands that was an exact likeness to her true form. If she didn’t know better she would wonder if Patch Work was actually from Equestria and knew her before coming to this world. She really didn’t believe she gave enough details for this, but once again the old man had outdone himself. “Only the best for my best customer.” The man said stroking his long beard as he gave a hearty chuckle. Some of the kids around here called him Santa Clause with good reason as the man looked like he could really be the jolly man with an attitude to match. Running a small toy store who preferred quality over quantity only helped further the harmless misconception. “Somehow I doubt I am your best customer, but I do know where to go for good quality stuff.” Sunset said with a smile, giving the man one of the few licenses to craft My Little Pony toys. Sure she let a large toy company mass produce them, but she made sure her lawyer got Patch Work a royalty free license without letting on who the creator really was. And the real My Little Pony enthusiast almost always ordered from him as he did the best job on the toys. “Well, you and that cute daughter of yours is. It was a pleasure making these for little Moonie and it was a cute idea that you came up with making My Little Pony toys based off the people who ordered them. I have a feeling it is going to be a huge hit with kids wanting a customized one of themselves.” Patch Work chuckled. “Well, they are worth every cent.” Sunset said with a grin as she slid the plush pony back into the bag with the ones based off of Moonie and Granny Peach. They had set her back a good amount, but they were worth it even if they cost about ten times as much as those low quality ones she had seen at larger chain toy stores. They were one of the few mistakes she had actually made, agreeing to let the company make toys when shown concept art only to learn that she was stuck with letting them be mass produced now because of the license she granted them. Thankfully it was nonexclusive. “Thank you so much for hurrying the order up.” “It was my pleasure, you better head home though it is getting dark.” Patch Work suggested waving toward the window where the light from the setting sun was shining through. She would have done been heading home of it wasn’t for her hanging out around across the street waiting for a girl she knew from school with a little sister both inside the toy store to leave. They took far longer than she wished, and the time it took to get the tab set up and text Pinkie Pie of the news it was far later than she wanted to stay out. “Thanks, I’ll see you later.” Sunset smiled, her purchases already paid for and walked out the door with bags in hand as Patch Work waved and wished her well. Checking the clock on her way out let her know that the bus for home would be pulling in to make a pick up within five minutes and it would take ten to go around the block. Of course it would only take two minutes if she cut through the alley the toy store sat on. The alley that was cast in shadows with very little light. What the hell do I do? I don’t want to wait another hour for a bus out here when it is going to be dark! Not that she was afraid of the dark, she knew the only creatures around here that haunted the night were less than the fingers she had on her two hands. And those people were of the nonthreatening variety. No, it wasn’t the things that went bump in the night that scared her. It was dark alleys where the humans strayed into looking to fulfill their vices and addictions that bothered Sunset. Especially with her nightmare from the night before reminding her of the reason why she stayed away from then usually unless in a hurry, and even then she was cautious. Less than a minute left! Damn it! Taking a deep breath to stop the shaking she just realized she was doing, Sunset closed her eyes a moment as she heard the bus and ran. She hurried down the alley and saw the bus slowing to the stop at the other end and almost made it until she heard a noise. At first she froze in utter fear, panic gripping her heart as she ignored the urge to flee. The noise was a whimper, a feminine sounding whimper behind the dumpster. It could be any number of things, and yet something inside her knew. There was someone scared, terrified behind that dumpster on the other side of the white picket fence that called out to her. It could have been somebody hurt, hurt like she once was or even worse. She knew she should walk away just incase it was a trap of some sort, and yet she found herself ignoring the bus pulling away as her feet cautiously carried her into the gate and slowly around the dumpster where a girl had her knees hugged to her chest crying into them sat rocking back and forth. “Are you okay?” Sunset asked softly, putting her bags down and reaching out for the girl who shied away while drawing into herself more. “Please, why won’t you just leave me alone! All I want is to figure out how to open the portal back up so I can go home!” The girl sobbed, finally looking up at Sunset with a tear stained face. Her eyes were so red and puffy and there was a look of hopelessness in her eyes that made Sunset’s heart go out to her. What got her the most was that this girl was the exact image in a photo she had seen hours ago in the photo on Luna’s desk. She was filthy, as if she hadn’t had a bath in days which make Sunset wonder because she hadn’t seen any missing person reports. “Wait! You said portal? What portal?” Sunset asked, her mind grasping onto that one word that the girl cried. Was this girl? No, she couldn’t be! She looks just like her though… “In that statue.” The girl whimpered. “The portal to Equestria?” Sunset asked slowly as she studied the girl’s expression waiting for any kind of recognition and couldn’t help cursing mentally when the girl’s eyes went wide with surprise. “You believe me?” The girl asked looking as if Sunset’s answer was the most important thing in the world. “I should, I came from there years ago.” Sunset sighed. “Look, it isn’t safe staying out here, come with me and I’ll get you something to eat and a place to get cleaned up until we figure out what to do.” “This could be a trick!” The girl gasped shaking her head and scooting back away from Sunset. “If I’m right you were a student of Princess Celestia and your name is Twilight Sparkle.” Sunset said, though a part of her was hoping it wasn’t so. She was a mirror image of the human Twilight that she had seen when looking into that family just to see who she was here. For a long time she hated Twilight Sparkle and blamed her for everything. Looking down at her now though would have made any anger she had go away if it hadn’t already. “How do you know me?” Twilight asked. “I used to live in the castle when you were first brought there.” Sunset said holding out her hand. “I want to help you, but I can’t unless you trust me. Come on Twi, give me your hand and I promise I will do whatever I can to make sure you get home safely.” “I’m not sure if I have a home.” Twilight muttered making Sunset’s anger flare though she managed to beat it down for now. No reason scaring Twilight any more than she already was. Thankfully she took Sunset’s hand after looking at it and back to her own a few times. Sunset decided it would be best to ask about the comment later and get Twilight home for now. “Sorry, I haven’t had much to eat.” Twilight sheepishly said as Sunset helped her to her feet and her stomach decided to let itself protest it’s current neglect. “Well, the bus won’t be back for an hour and we can get something to eat real quick while we wait.” Sunset said with a smile as she grabbed her bags and led Twilight out of the alley.