Twilight sighed as she shared a booth with the pony that she had teamed up with to win the competition. They didn’t really win a lot of money, but the bits thrown at them helped increase the amount. She really didn’t need it though and she had given it to the mare, but she wouldn’t take it unless Twilight let her buy them a drink first out of it.
“So, as I said, my name is Sunset Shimmer.” Sunset said, looking around quickly as if paranoid that someone overheard her. It made Twilight wonder if some pony was tracking her or something. Not that Twilight blamed her; they were probably searching for her as well by now.
“My name is Twilight Sparkle.” Twilight said, sighing into her now half empty mug after taking a long drink form it. The eyes of the other mare widened in shock upon hearing Twilight’s name making the darker colored pony worry a little.
“I knew you looked familiar.” Sunset said, her eyes narrowing on Twilight making the purple unicorn’s worry grow even more. “What are you doing slumming it here with the rest of us. Shouldn’t you be in your nice cozy quarters, little Miss Princess’s Student?”
“I haven’t been her student for awhile, and I doubt she even cares for me except as some pony to do her dirty work.” Twilight huffed out. It was true, she was starting to feel like that was the only reason Celestia even bothered with her was because of the Element of Magic. The Princess saw her as some attack dog after seeing how powerful her magic was because she was stuck leading five untrained ponies into battle with three of the biggest threats to Equestria so far. The third was the only one she wasn’t directly involved in defeating with the elements, but it was enough to make her question her mentor and friends. Especially after the way they treated her at the wedding.
“So she chased you away to?” Sunset snorted, throwing her mane back over her head. “Wow I really wish I still had hands.”
“Hands?” Twilight asked, cocking her head to the side in confusion as Sunset merely giggled at her.
“It’s a long story, though I’m more surprised that you are more curious to what I said about hands than what I said about the Princess.” Sunset said, shaking her head in disbelief.
“I didn’t really want to pry.” Twilight said sheepishly, not wanting to admit that she was a little more interested in the new word than she was about gossip about her now former mentor.
“Sure you didn’t.” Sunset scoffed while rolling her eyes. “I was her personal student…just…like…you. In fact I was there the same time you were.”
“What? But I never saw you before!” Twilight gasped out, not sure if she should believe this new pony.
“Oh I was there, Celestia kept me away from you for some bull story or another. She changed the reason often enough. She made me so many promises…promised that she was going to be my mother and…I would be her Princess. A real Princess and would someday rule with her.” Sunset said, her voice becoming softer and filled with pain as she hung her head a little. Twilight reached over and put her hoof on Sunset’s own and smiled as the fire maned pony looked up at her, slowly returning the smile. “She started neglecting me more and more after you came. She didn’t need me…didn’t want me anymore, and even told me to get out of the castle when we had an argument. Tell me, what mother does that to their daughter?”
“What about your real parents?” Twilight asked before she could stop herself, the smile Sunset had dropping at the mention of family.
“I never had any…the Princess took me in and took care of me until she got bored of me.” Sunset sighed, “I…I ran from the guards who were ordered to escort me out of the castle. I…ran into a magic mirror that opened a portal for three days every three years. My life…really sucked there. For three years…I…sorry, I really don’t want to get into it.”
“It’s okay.” Twilight said, stroking Sunset’s own hoof. “I looked up to her as a mother even though I already had parents. There was an emergency recently and still the Princess ignored the threat and pushed for the wedding between Princess Cadence and my older brother forward. I found out that Cadence was an imposter and tried to warn every pony. No pony believed me, they abandoned me and my own brother disowned me over the fake. How could Princess Celestia not realize her own niece was missing and replaced with that…thing?”
“Those creatures? The changelings?” Sunset asked, shock filling her voice as she stared at Twilight without any doubts.
“Yeah, their queen trapped me in the caves under the castle and I could have died. I found the real Cadence though and we escaped. We barely managed to stop the invasion, but did I get any apologies or words of encouragement? No! I didn’t get anything but an apology from one pony that didn’t even sound halfway sincere. When the Princess told me to prepare for the real wedding and they left me alone…again!...I just walked out. I’ll show her I don’t need her! I don’t need any of them!”
“I…don’t really know much about this friendship thing…but how about we work together? We can team up and show the Princess that we can survive without her hypocrisy.” Sunset suggested making Twilight laugh a little as she finished off her mug.
“And how do we do that?” Twilight asked softly, though she was a little interested. She wanted to become successful on her own and defy the destiny the Princess tried to force on her and show every pony that she was no puppet.
“We did good singing tonight, every pony loved us.” Sunset suggested, “We could always try and be singers. I bet we could make a killing.”
“Yeah, and have the Princess breathing down my neck trying to drag me back home. Forget it!” Twilight snorted. There was no way she was going to go back and deal with the Princess and her crap.
“Twilight, we are unicorns. And if I’m right, you are very powerful. All we have to do is cast illusions over us while we sing. No pony will recognize us, and we can do something fun while sticking it to the so called Princess.” Sunset said, making Twilight slowly smile. It would be hard, the magic required to hold illusions over them could be a lot, but it could work. There were a few theories of Starswirl that she might be able to refine to make things easier even. If she could get a hold of a couple Celestial Gems and someone very adept as illusion magic, then maybe things could work out better than she thought.
The gems were rare though, but they wouldn’t even need a big gem. A small piece combined with a normal gem would be enough to get it to work if she was right. She wasn’t exactly the best at illusion magic, but she was passable enough to keep them over the two of them while performing. She would just need some pony very skilled to help create the matrices inside the gems to create what she was thinking about.
“You know…it could work…but singing? It might be fun, but I doubt we could make a living off of it.” Twilight said slowly, liking the idea, but weighing the negatives in as well.
“Sure it will be hard at first, but trust me, when we get our names out there then people will be paying us lots to perform for them.” Sunset said making Twilight cock her head to the side again.
“People?” Twilight asked slowly making Sunset facehoof.
“Never mind, are you in or out?” Sunset asked.
“In…I’m in.” Twilight said grinning, Sunset joining in with one of her own.
“Good, now all we have to come up with is our performer identities. I can’t let my name get out really. I don’t want the Princess to know I’m back yet.” Sunset said.
“I know my name for when we use the illusions.” Twilight grinned in a teasing manner, “I’ll be Shimmering Jem…or Jem for short.”
“Okay.” Sunset giggled, catching on to what Twilight was doing. “Call me…Sparkling Melody…or just Melody.”
“I can buy an instrument or two, but we will need money for train tickets and a place to sleep.” Twilight said.
“I can use the winnings for food, but we might have to rough it with the sleeping arrangements until we start making more money.” Sunset said making Twilight swallow nervously. She would do it, but it was a little scary. “And we should just buy a guitar for now, we can do enough with one until we get going.”
“It’s settled then, we will show her that we aren’t puppets.” Twilight said.
“Or useless. We will make her regret the day she abandoned us.” Sunset said.
XXXXXXX
A black unicorn with a pink mane and tail stood on the corner of a village about three hours away from Canterlot by train. Her cutie mark was a pink gem with a few starbursts around it. Next to her was a white unicorn with purple mane and tail with blue musical notes surrounding a guitar. In her magic she held up a guitar, playing it slowly as the black unicorn took a deep breath.
“Good evening ladies and gentle colts, my name is Jem and my friend here is named Melody. We’re just going to play a little song for you and we hope you enjoy it.” Jem called out, fighting to keep her nerves calmed down. She wasn’t drunk like she was when she first met her partner, so her nerves were playing havoc with her composure. An encouraging smile from Melody gave her the strength to take a deep breath and begin singing.
“It's a hard, hard life, there's no help along the way. It's a hard, hard life, it's a struggle night and day. It's a hard, hard life, and the weak do not survive. It's a hard, hard life, hard to keep your hopes alive.” Jem sung out, a small crowd starting to gather around enjoying the music. As the music continued more and more ponies came to see what was going on and tossed bits into the open guitar case on the ground.
Melody, or Sunset in her real form, enjoyed the attention as it made her feel good. It made both of them feel good and she couldn’t help looking at the pony in a new light. She knew what Jem really looked like, knew it was Twilight Sparkle, but she couldn’t help feeling a pull towards the pony. Of course she thought the mare was cute, but listening to her sing seemed to open her eyes…and heart even more.
She couldn’t help letting her magic waver a little as she realized that she was feeling attracted to the pony a little. More though than she really should be, especially after just starting their new…life?...together. She didn’t want to mess things up with her, Twilight being the first friend she ever really had.
Swallowing the lump forming in her, she pushed the feelings and thoughts out of her mind and just concentrated on the music letting it carry her along.
"Ponies stand in your way, but you push past them running for your life. And if luck goes your way, you may outlast them in this hard, hard life!"
I really do like the premise of this story. Twilight just leaving after the whole of her friends would rather trust the word of a pony they just met (and was being a huge jerk to all of them they entire time they've known her) over the word of their friend that they've known for much longer (and has helped them with the many, many problems they run into on an almost daily basis) makes a lot of sense.
Sure she might have gone a bit overboard with the 'she's actually evil, get away from her' thing, but still, you'd expect at least one of them (especially Celestia, Shining is mostly excusable due to being mind controlled) to ask a follow up question instead of instantly disowning her. You'd think Celestia, what with her however many millenia of wisdom, would see something is wrong with her niece/fellow princess.
Also Sunset just giving up and going back to Equestria after being stuck without friends/money/a decent place to live in the EG world is a pretty neat idea. although I do wonder how she made it back through the mirror and snuck out of the castle without anyone noticing
Really enjoying this so far, but I think Sunset might be hopping on the SunLight train a little fast, considering it looks like she's only known Twilight for a few days. (at least it seems like its only been that long in story)
Also caught this at the start of paragraph two of Twilight saying why she left
I think there should be a 'the' between 'in' and 'caves'. And you spelled 'could' as 'cold'.
Is this supposed to a sort of MLP version of Jem and the Holograms?
5612405 Sorry, I'm not really the best at pacing but I'll try to slow it down. Glad you like it so far.
5612480 Thanks, glad you like the idea so far. I never really liked how they all treated Twilight during the whole wedding fiasco, and really think they all deserve a tongue lashing at the very least. And Sunset, I can very easily picture this happening to her if things went the opposite was that they did in the movies. If she went after the wrong people she could have very easily ended up in an even worse situation, she kind of got off very lucky in the movies. Still, I loved the movies and Sunset in them, though I have to admit the Rainbow Rocks one I liked better as I like thinking of her as a good bad girl lol. As for how she made it back, it was actually lucky that she came through in the middle of the invasion so she escaped through the chaos of everything happening and made it out of town earlier than Twilight so had some extra time in the village before Twilight ended up there. Sorry if she seemed to develope feelings for Twilight too quick, she's not really in love in love, more of a very intense attraction. They share a similar past in someways so have that connection already and Sunset pretty much just finds Twilight, well...hot lol.
5612493 Thanks, I'm fixing that now.
5612609 You are correct sir. This is like Twilight taking Jem's place though Sunset will also be hiding behind an illusion. There won't likely be Misfits or anything though.
5612493 Thanks again, it's now fixed.
5612786 Okay, I kinda figured her sneaking through the castle had something to with the changelings, and thanks for clearing up the whole 'Sunset has feelings for Twilight already' thing, when you put it that way it makes much more sense considering Twilight is probably the first reasonably attractive mare she's met in the past three years.
Ditto on the movies. I liked the first one (it took several viewing however, I had a lot of trouble getting over how cringe worthy it could be at times) and I loved Rainbow Rocks from the get go. Sunset however, I was indifferent to in the first one as she was admittedly kinda generic. Then came Rainbow Rocks, and now she's my favorite non-background pony, and third favorite pony overall. (Sorry Sunset, but nopony can dethrone Octavia from her rightful spot as #1, and as long as Tavi's first, Vinyl isn't moving from second either.)
5612799 No problem. Glad to help
Awesome story you have im now hooked and ready for more keep up the good work even if there is a few mistakes, this was an epic chapter
5612749 Thanks, any tips would be greatly appreciated. I just find it hard to pace stuff as I tend to move too fast or too slow, it's so hard finding a good pacing.
5612881 Thanks, I want to show that Sunset is attracted to Twilight but afraid to try and get together with her or try to have a deeper relationship. At the same time I want Twilight to be kind of naive in those things like she was with first having friends. I do like Vinyl, and I may have her paired up with Octavia in the story, but Octavia won't play a big part like Vinyl will. Though maybe she could help then out some.
5612890 Sorry about the mistakes but it's great that you are enjoying the story.
5612968 Heh heh, to be honest I kinda forgot Vinyl was going to be in this story when I said that in my last comment.
It's fine if Tavi doesn't play a big part here, I was just saying the reason why Sunset isn't my favorite pony, is all.
5612054 Oh, nice!
Well this was a very good, and interesting chapter, i am rather surprised that Sunset and Twilight were both being taught by Celestia around the same time, i don't normally see that in stories, and it is a nice change to see, though both the fact that she kept them from seeing each other and Twilight's reasoning that she was just a weapon for Celestia, both facts together does kind of put's Celestia in a bad light.
Sunset and Twilight's idea to create new identities is rather good since starting a band would attract attention, and at this point that is something they don't need, and i will say that the Celestial Gems do sound like a interesting concept, i wonder what there other uses are.
I also really like how there pretty much using the second half of each others name for there stage names, finally i will say that i am very happy that the parring is Sunset and Twilight , just be careful with not going too fast with it, though it is somewhat understandable for Sunset to already start feeling attached to Twilight since she has been basically alone for years and Twilight is probably the first one to show true kindness to her since she left... other then the guy who just wanted to get into Sunset's pants.
Overall i will say that i really liked this chapter, you did a good job on it as well, and i hope you don't mind if i add this story to a group or two that should enjoy it, but if you say no then i won't.
I like this story. The premise is interesting and I can't wait to see how this plays out. The Sunlight, while moving a little quickly, is well done. Can't wait for the next chapter.
On a side note, I had to look up Jem and the Holograms to remember what it was.
5613011 lol thats ok, we all have our favorites and reasons for it. Hope you keep enjoying the story
5613049 Thanks, I'll try and see if I can make the pace go a little smoother
5613749 Thanks
5613907 Thanks, my personal head canons always has Sunset and Twilight studying at the same time because they are the same age in the movies it seems, or close to it. I know she is supposed to be older, but my head canons won't listen lol. My most common head canon for it is Celestia is protecting both of them and giving Twilight more attention to help get her magic under control and keeps them seperated so Twilight doesn't have another powerful surge that could hurt them. As for Celestia using Twilight as a weapon, I'm not sure if that's what she really means, sometimes I think it is and sometimes I think she doesn't mean to but circumstances causes it. Either way I can easily see Twilight getting fed up with it at some point. There's actually a few other uses that they will have, including involving a character that will be an OC yet not an OC at the same time. I just need to work out what kind of personality to give them, I'm thinking kind of like Sonata's but maybe one a little more serious similar to Twilight and Sunset.
Thanks, glad you liked their stage names. I know I wanted Twilight to use Jem, but I was having trouble deciding what to use as the other part. In the end thought this would be kind of cute lol. It will be a few chapters at the very least before they even get closer, but there will probably be some cute waffy moments here and there until then. As for the guy, I can easily see Flash being that type and actually have a head canon based around it that explains while Sunset becomes like she is after coming to the human world and it is largely his fault.
And thank you so much, I'd be happy if you added it to any groups you wanted.
5614776 Glad you are enjoying it so far and glad that you like the pairing, even if it does seem a little fast in a way. lol I have to watch Jem with my gf so I kind of learned about it pretty fast lol.
5618221 If the story keeps going the way it is, I'll definitely enjoy reading more of it.
Also, since I blanked on mentioning it earlier due to lack of sleep, I think it's really cute how Twi and Sunset use each other's last names as part of their stage names.
5618221 Yeah i can see that happening, so Celestia keeps them separated so there isn't a accident were either of them get's hurt and keep them focus on there studies, and yeah i could see Twilight getting fed up with being sent to deal with each new threat to Equestria, heck i even found a Fanfiction on this site were Twilight voices her opinion of Celestia's plan to send her to the crystal empire, which turn's into a chapter long rant.
I wish you luck with the OC, having someone like Sonata but not actually the same around might be fun, and it is impossible to use the original in the story, so i really hope your OC is not only good but is well accepted by the fans.
Yeah the names did come off as cute, and the cute waffy moments sounds good for now before you start any romance between them.
As for Flash, i am very interested in seeing what your plain for him is, since i can see him as that type of guy as well... which i guess is another drawback of him being a Gary-stu that was only put into the movie so Twilight would have a guy to dance with at the dance.
And thanks i hope the groups help your story become even more popular.
5618918 I'll do my best to keep it going this good. And glad you liked them using each others names.
5620117 It's so easy to see these things happening when you think about them. Celestia as old is she is is far from perfect so can likely mess up like them pushing both Twilight and Sunset away in different ways without meaning to. I don't really doubt that deep down that she really loves them, I'm sure she does, but she's a princess and between all of her other duties as a ruler it can easily make her even more prone to mistakes. The OC is going to be kind of hard and I have a feeling some may love her while many others will hate her, especially because of what she is going to be. I'm trying to think of ways to later on actually do more with her in the story and...well give her more of a life than she will start out with. Maybe a short encounter with Discord...And as for Flash, he really won't have to do with in this story except maybe flash backs or Sunset talking about him. My GF keeps wanting me to write out my head canon combined with some of her ideas as a story between when Susnet comes to the human world and the first movie. That won't be happening though until I finish some of the stuff I'm already working on lol Thank you very much for adding it to the groups.
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Yeah, her duties would be able to distract her and lead to mistakes being made with her two students, It could be interesting to see Celestia's reaction when she finds out about the Twilight and Sunset's current mind set about her.
Well hopefully your character goes over well, i have hope for her as long as you don't make a
Mary Sue type character... though i have faith that you won't.
Discord would be interesting, though i wonder how they would meet him without him being freed, and it is good to hear that we won't be hearing much from Flash in this.
Well i wish you and you GF luck with whatever you two are planning, hope you can make your plans for the story work.
Well in truth i was surprised that you updated this so soon since you had already said that your other two stories take priority, and you welcome, i hope the groups help this story become popular.
Love this story. You write the best stories Twilight Nightmare hope more soon
5624365 I'll be updating this story more often for the next few weeks. I won't be making the OC mary sue for sure, in fact she will be pretty naive about some things. She won't be a total OC though, her name will actually be a character already in Jem, but I will be completely remaking her personality and what role she plays. So I guess it will be half an OC and half a character already around. Discord might be a huge help in my plans for the character though. Thanks
5627996 Thanks, hope you keep enjoying
5648309 Wow thank you so much
tshirthell.com/shirts/products/a341/a341_thumb.jpg
Interesting idea so far, even if Twilight's reaction to the wedding thing seems a bit overly harsh and I disagree witht he Tyrant Celestia implications. Either way, you've caught my attention.
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Well it's believable when you bring in the fact that she was likely intoxicated during her conversation with Sunset, so her emotions are likely exaggerated at the time.
6354812 Alright, that makes sense.
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6356137
Why do all of these comments have downvote S? They are just thinking about Twilight's emotional state?
6026162
it’s a story though author gets to choose
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Its probably from people that refuse to see reason and just want to hate Celestia.