Slow Dance
Notes strummed on a guitar broke the silence in the barn. Early evening sunlight illuminated the space with soft yellow rays.
“Slow dance with you, I just wanna slow dance with you.” Sunset sang quietly as she played the tune.
She had withdrawn from the party for some quiet time. Getting overwhelmed happened less frequently these days, but Sunset had learned the signs and knew that she had to get away for a while.
“I know all the other boys are tough and smooth-.” The lyrics were some of her favourites, picked up from a cartoon Luna had introduced her to. That she saw herself in the character that sang the song was beside the point.
Not even touching on the fact that their objects of affection were also so alike.
This party had, of course, been Pinkie Pie's idea. Designed to help cheer up a doleful Twilight Sparkle. Her breakup with Timber still upset the scholar. Sunset did not begrudge her friend those feelings.
What had gotten on top of her had been Rainbow's well meant comments to Twilight; “No worries Twi' a girl like you will find an awesome new guy easy!” The athlete had grinned and started naming boys they knew. That had prompted a smile and a chuckle from Twilight and heartache for Sunset.
“I wanna slow dance with you.” Sunset finished the song with a sigh. Placing the guitar down against the hay-bale she was sat on. It was Applejack's guitar, the one that sat nearest when she had entered the barn.
“Want to talk about it Sugar cube?” Applejack said, surprising Sunset. The farmer had entered the barn quietly and spotted her friend. “Sorry, Ah heard your playing. Pretty blue.”
“Seems like it.” Sunset tried to smile, it was very weak. “I didn't want to be a downer. Sorry for not asking to use your guitar.”
“Ain't a problem, what's mine is yours.” Applejack joined Sunset, sitting beside the redhead. “You don't have ta hide anything sugar cube. 'specialy being sad.”
“Thanks AJ.” Sunset wiped at her eyes, a tear had escaped despite her best efforts. She sniffed a little, feeling more tears waiting to fall.
“Aw, sugar cube.” Applejack put an arm around Sunset. “Too much goin' on in your head?”
“Yeah.” Sunset sniffed again. “I just- I don't stand a chance, do I? Pining after a straight girl.” She laughed, it was a touch bitter. “I had more hope when I thought she was ace.”
“Sunset,” Applejack pulled the other girl closer, tightening her hug. “You don't know if you have no chance until you ask.” She smirked, “Ah thought you were courageous enough to try at least.”
That put more of a smile on Sunset's face. “AJ, there us courageous and there is foolish. Even if Rainbow thinks they are interchangeable.” It was a sly smile, a tease really. “Besides, I am not predatory, I want to let her settle her emotions again. You know?” It was giving away her crush, but she could trust Applejack.
“Noble suits you, Shimmer.” Applejack chuckled. She looked at her bass and over at Sunset's guitar, left out from the pre-party band practice. “You want to jam a while? Ah know music make you feel better.”
“Sure AJ, I want to play some more. There's an extended version of the song.” Sunset pushed off the hay-bale to pick up her guitar, Applejack joined her, bass in hand.
“Slow Dance With You.” They sang together, playing the tune.
-*-
Rainbow heard the music first, over the noise of Pinkie Pie shouting and cheering Rarity's attempts to smash a piñata, she had keen hearing. While Rarity, Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy were busy with the party game, she headed for the barn. Twilight close behind, they had been chatting after all.
At the structure, she could hear the singing, two voices with the two guitars. “Huh, that is where AJ and Sunny got to.” Not wanting to disrupt them too much, she went to the window.
“They're both great musicians.” Twilight was beside Rainbow, watching the two girls playing. Clearly they were enjoying themselves, the lyrics gave her a strange pang in her heart though. “That song-”
“From Adventure Time.” Rainbow grinned as she interrupted. “I could totally see Sunny rocking the Vampire Queen look.” She wasn't concerned at all, Sunset and Applejack were hardly singing to each other.
“I know where it is from.” Twilight poked Rainbow, a little indignant. “It is beautiful though.”
“Yeah.” Rainbow agreed, switching her focus to Applejack, a blush rising on her cheeks. “I'm gonna ask her on a date next week.”
“What!” Twilight sputtered a moment, a surprising stab of jealousy at that. Until she noticed Rainbow's focus. “Applejack likes girls?”
“I don't know, I'll find out.” Rainbow shrugged, not looking away. She smiled, “Got to ask to know, right?”
“Yes, uh, you sort of have to.” Twilight agreed, things formulating in her mind. “Come on, I don't think they would like us spying, right?”
“Nah, not likely.” Rainbow moved from the window. “We can fetch 'em or let 'em come back to the party later.”
“Uh huh.” Twilight agreed, still thinking. Thinking about Sunset.
Again.
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Nice to see this story continuing. I wonder how both Sci-Twi and Rainbow are going to handle the question they want to ask?
Go for it Sunset.
Well... I wouldn't mind at all if AppleDash was canon, but I don't think the final episode was 100% conclusive on that. It was definitely a great moment though. It certainly allows for the possibility. Perhaps it was as close as actually confirming it as they were allowed to go (although we did see the Lyra/Bonbon marriage proposal in the background in another ep). Either way, I kinda like that its still not 100% sure. Could be they are just very close friends living together still.
Anyway, poor Sunset. At least someone else knows now. That probably helps a bit, having a listening ear.
Happy Frieza Day!
Merry Christmas!!!!!
Aw.
I see you are still trying to kill us whit the feels.
This was a very nice chapter. Bonus points for the song.
appledash may be canon in pony land but rarijack is whats in EG >.< i want rarijack
its fine really good chapter
I LOVE that song and when Marceline sang it, so I was excited to see it here 😆
Hey its my favorite two ships for MLP! Loved the chapter, can't wait to see whats next
I’m very glad they didn’t come to the sitcom conclusion that AJ and Sunset were an item.
I know you built this chapter around the AT:DL song but my brain for that last scene went to disney with kiss the girl for the two outside just like 'gah make the kiss, do now '
10602800
I meant before she got hit with the blast. It is never explained just how far the magic reaches, but given that most magics have a specific range, it would not be impossible to say that Discord was outside of the initial wave.
All I’m saying is that it would have been a neat way to give them some more bonding time as they try to fix the problem. Sunny and Discord chilling at his place since her Mom doesn’t remember her. Maybe Discord showing up at Celestia’s place with the Adoption papers, only to have to repeat the process every time she got wiped.
10602919
I could do another one that is full AU of the movie, if the idea strikes right. I wrote the chapter as if the events of the movie plot played out precisely as shown. A full AU that uses Discord and Chrys and my story could be fun. Of course, I would have to flesh out the idea and write it...
10604483
I definetly would read that!
For some ideas to flesh out...
- Her chilling with Discord would be a lot of fun. A cute little look into the life of a Judge, as he tries to care for a child who is suffering through a horrible situation. Hanging with Chrys would raise some fun questions, mostly from Luna as she would be most interested in why her girlfriend is hanging out with the problem child. I imagine Chrys would likely show her some tips and tricks of her trade, in exchange for some info on magic. (Remember when Chrys said she'd studied up on magic before visiting Equestria? Seems like a neat place to put some of that in.) Maybe she takes Sunset and Trixie out for some stress-relief, or Luna walks in on them binging *insert popular anime here*.
- Maybe Sunset doesn't manage to restore their memories in time. The clock runs out, and the memories are gone 'forever'. But the magic only erased local memories, and Gran calls one day asking how her favorite Grandaughter is doing. Maybe Pinkie's phone goes off, alerting her that Sunset's birthday is today, which is odd, because why would she ever remember Sunset's birthday?
- Maybe Twilight notes that with Starswirl having recently returned to Equestria, they have 4 of the brightest minds in Equestria working on a Memory Scrap Reconstitution Spell. But without a functioning device, progress is slow. Twilight recommends going back to the fundementals of friendship, and working from there. In the event the experiment fails, at least Sunset won't be without friends.
- Maybe Wallflower was doing this for a different reason. Maybe she found out about Sunset being the Principal's daughter. (Delivering on the Chekov's Gun you've set up) and decided to act on it?
Maybe she has a crush on Twilight and sees Sunset as a rival?Maybe she's Sunset's Half-sister?- Maybe Sunset has to start fresh with her friends and family. She knows Twilight, Moondancer, Celestia and Starlight are making progress on a reversal spell, something that can retrieve and recontain the lost memories. But until the spell is complete, she's going to work on rebuilding from scratch, but at least she has Discord and Chrys to rely on. The Rainbooms may not trust her completely, but they know she's not evil. The rest of the school has their reservations though.
- Maybe something happens. Whatever it is, it seems like Sunset is responsible. But she had been out watching Trixie's magic show with Wallflower and Twilight, trying to build some friendships with them. No one's sure who was responsible, but dissent is growing once again, and it seems the strange new student (Starlight, Stygian, Tempest, etc) may be at the center of it all.
- Or maybe nothing happens. Maybe she's left struggling through these relationships, wishing it could all go back to the way it was. Maybe she promises to help Wallflower, but has a hard time forgiving her for taking away the one thing that mattered in her life. Trixie is there for her, and helps her through these difficult times, but could things ever get back to the way they were?
These are just some ideas, obviously you don't have to use any of them. I'd write it myself, but every time I open a word document, my mind goes completely blank.
Whether you choose to write it or not, I want you to know I absolutely love this little corner of the universe you're running.
10604545
I am happy that people still like this little world I built, it is always nice to hear that people enjoy it.
Got to say, those are some cool ideas. More than one matches with things I want to cover in any story that really takes on the plot of Forgotten Friendship.
I have had one extra thought though, something to knock the three day time limit off: Sunset could have some artefact to put the memories in long term while they try and figure out how to get them back in everyone's heads. Sure, three days was good for the movie plot, but if I want to roll with some Sunset, Discord and Chrys shenanigans I do not want the pall of a hopeless situation. (I actually have one "Everyone forgets forever" story with my second origin of Sunset Shimmer tacked on, which I might also get around to writing!).
10604572
If the memories are to be contained and reinserted, we don't want to have Sunset automatically have them after the artifact is destroyed. There would need to be a bit of a hunt for them. Otherwise, it's all over in 4-5 chapters or so with little to no conflict between any parties.
Hmm... Who do we know in Equestria who deals in this kind of stuff, who may have a counterpart in the human realm...
Assuming they discover that the memories have not been destroyed, but rather released into the world and have to be tracked down and contained, before figuring out how to get them back inside the appropriate heads... Cozy Glow, Starlight Glimmer, Spike, Moondancer, Flash Sentry, and maybe a few more. The memories enter their minds, and if left too long, may become hard to distinguish from actual memories. Sunset's Geode, combined with a spell Twilight drew up, should be able to obtain and contain the memories. But not all of their new owners have good intentions for the memories...
Happy new year and thanks for continuing your story. As always it's a treat.
Adventure time, from all the time is my favorite cartoon. I've learn so many things about that show, and I could see Sunset Shimmer related as Marceline, like, even her father being a jerk and she losing her mom. Marceline treated Simon A.K Ice King as father, and nobody can change that.
Loved the chapter. XD
10679511
That show taught us all a great deal.
I relate to the ice king myself. Someone who lost so much and snapped, having lucid days but mostly lost in my madness and a void that never fills, a brilliance lost to ravings... Its a wonder I quote him rather often.
Figured pinkie would make an excuse to help her friend, classical pinkie pie for ya.
You will Sunset, you just have to believe in yourself.
Was wondering where the song was from, but didn't expect adventure time of all tv shows.
Guess rainbow has a crush on applejack.
Guess twilight is developing feelings for sunset.
Wait wait. Appledash is canon in the main series? When? Where? Must know.
11099683
Strongly Hinted at in the series final episode of Friendship is Magic and in the Gameloft game, the "flavour text" for the character Future Applejack mentions something about a future full of loyalty.
So it is as canon as it can be in this situation.