//------------------------------// // Home Again // Story: Fall Apart // by Shimmer Shy //------------------------------// Sunset emerged on the other side of the portal in Equestria, stepping out of the mirror on her hind legs. After a few moments of wobbling in the awkward stance, gravity got the best of her and all four hooves hit the ground. Before the unicorn could even take in her surroundings, she felt someone embrace her. She turned her head and recognized the purple alicorn princess, Twilight Sparkle, and hugged her back. "I'm so glad you came!" Twilight exclaimed, squeezing Sunset's neck harder. "Can't. Breathe..." Sunset choked and, with a nervous giggle, Twilight let her go. At that moment, Sunset finally had the chance to get a good look around her. The mirror obviously wasn't in the same place it was before. The room she was in had the same type of crystalline structure, but unlike the castle in the Crystal Empire, it was filled with books. This must be Twilight's castle, she concluded. "I'm sorry about what happened," Twilight tilted her head in concern, causing Sunset to flinch, lowering her head to cover her face with her mane. "You know, I can go back to help you sort it out." "No, I-I'm good. I think I just...need some time away." Sunset sighed, before her eyes widened in realization. "Oh, gosh! I think I left my book back at Canterlot High!" "It's fine, Sunset," Twilight reassured. "That's...actually kind of a good thing. Right now, the books are the only things keeping the two worlds together. I'm using Princess Celestia's to keep the portal open." She pointed at the slightly worn, brown book, which also had the Princess of the Sun's cutie mark on it. Sunset's expression didn't change. "Yeah, but I forgot where I left it. For all I know, it could be sitting on the grass, right next to the portal. Anyone could just-" Twilight held up a hoof to cut off Sunset's freak out. A sympathetic smile spread across her face. "We can worry about that later. I'm sure you've been through a lot today, and the last thing you need is another problem. Why don't I show you around a bit? To get your mind off of things." "Alright!" The glee Sunset felt shone in her voice and on her radiant face. Just being around Twilight raised her spirits, and she was sure she'd be feeling better in no time. The click of the pair's hooves against crystal echoed around the large room as they made their way to the exit. A pink aura surrounded the door as Twilight opened it with her magic, and when the both of them had entered the next room- "SURPRISE!" A terrified gasp escaped their mouths at the sudden exclamation, followed by a jump when they heard a loud pop. The next thing they knew, multi-colored confetti was raining down on them, sticking in their mane and tail. Once again in sync, Twilight and Sunset turned their heads in the direction of the source. Sure enough, the bubblegum pink earth pony stood at the side with her glimmering turquoise party canon. Pinkie Pie wore a wide, toothy smile on her face. Sunset Shimmer recognized the frizzy, fuschia hair anywhere, whether she was a girl or a pony. Not to mention the party canon. That was also a huge giveaway. Though she was happy to see the alternate version of her friend, Sunset couldn't help but feel a twinge of anger towards her. It wasn't only Pinkie, though. It was all of her friends, if she could even call them that anymore. She still couldn't believe the unkindness they were capable of showing, considering the fact that she had always known them to work things out together. But she knew she couldn't blame it on their pony counterparts. "WELCOME HOME, SUNSET!" Pinkie shouted at the top of her lungs, shaking Sunset out of her thoughts. She wrapped her arms around Sunset multiple times, only for them to unravel again. "I mean, I know I've never met you, well, I have, but that was when you were a meanie and you stole Twily's crown, but I'm still SUPER-EXTRA excited and happy to see you anyway!" She said quickly in her usual Pinkie way, leaving her panting for air. Sunset giggled lightly, unable to hold it back. "Thanks, Pinkie," replied with a grin. "Uh, hello! We're here, too!" came a slightly raspy voice from in front of them. Looking over, Sunset noticed six large, crystal chairs-thrones, rather-each with a different cutie mark embedded in them. They were positioned in a circle so that anyone sitting in them would be facing the middle of it. A smaller one was positioned next to the throne she assumed was Twilight's. It didn't take her too long to figure out the small one was Spike's. In the thrones sat four ponies (and one dragon, of course), the cutie marks on their flanks matching the ones on their seats. Rarity, Rainbow Dash, Applejack, and Fluttershy. She recognized each one without a cinch. Twilight headed towards the center of the circle, Sunset trailing behind her. There was a table in the center that seemed almost as if it had grown from the ground. This wasn't too unusual, but it drew the orange unicorn's attention somehow. On top of the table, though, was something she wasn't expecting. A round, chocolate-icing cake sat on the surface, not yet out of it's packaging. In red frosting, cursive writing spelled out, "Welcome Home," in addition to many other swirly and fun decorations. Sunset was fairly surprised at the effort her friends had put into her return. It wasn't exactly a big deal, but it made her overjoyed all the same. "You guys really didn't have to do all of this for me," Sunset said modestly, raising her eyes to look at the girls in turn. "Nonsense, Sugarcube," Applejack replied dismissively. "We just want ya'll to feel comfortable back here in Ponyville." "That's right, darling. Well, that and the fact that Pinkie Pie insisted on baking a cake for your arrival." Rarity was almost glaring at Pinkie. Pinkie obviously didn't notice this. "Guess what flavor it is!" Her face was scrunched up in a way that hinted that she was just barely holding back her excitement. "Um...chocolate?" Sunset guessed. "Nope. Try it!" She used her magic to open the plastic dome over the cake, grab an already-cut slice, and place it on a plate sitting next to the cake. She then used a fork to try a bite, which turned out to be surprisingly crunchy. "It's ROCK CANDY FLAVORED! Only the best for my besties!" She winked. The taste was actually astonishingly good. The rock candy bits gave it a nice texture combined with the chocolate frosting. "The point is, we're glad to have you here and you can stay as long as you like," Twilight added. "Thank you, girls. I mean it. And I'm...sorry about my first impressions. I hope I can make it up to you here like I did in the other world," Sunset explained. Thought you did, the voice inside her head whispered, but she pushed it to the back of her mind, hiding her thoughts behind the semi-fake smile plastered on her face. This was a chance to start over, and she would take it. She'd never truly thought about moving back to Equestria permanently. It never really seemed like an option until now, and the more she thought about it, the more she was convinced to stay. Canterlot High would be fine without her. She didn't matter to the students there anymore, as they had proved time and time again. But there was one negative to that decision. Facing whatever punishment Princess Celestia had waiting for her. Just thinking about her former mentor made her nervous again. She'd have to talk to her at some point, but Sunset was glad that time wasn't now. Instead, she enjoyed her "Homecoming Party" for the moment and hoped that things would turn out alright.