Sunset started the final day of the school festival as Chao Bao Zi’s first customer. Satsuki was still setting up - Chao and her allies had apparently vanished at the end of the party, and Ku Fei was nowhere to be found - and Sunset volunteered to help, if only to get her breakfast more quickly. They got to talking as they set up, and Sunset learned that Satsuki had indeed known about magic for a few years now, though she wasn’t involved in the Inner World herself. She’d also learned about the chef’s dream of opening her own restaurant someday.
All in all, it had been one of Sunset’s most normal and uncomplicatedly pleasant interactions with a member of her class to date.
Sunset had barely started on her breakfast when a voice stole away her focus. “A-hah! I thought I’d find you here!” Sunset stared as the seat across from her was taken by a certain half-asleep bassist.
“A-Ako?” Sunset almost fumbled her meat bun as Ako gave Satsuki her order. “Wh- How are you here? You and Decopin Rocket must have been the last ones to leave the party!”
“Yeah, that was pretty rough,” Ako admitted, stifling a yawn. “By the time we got all our instruments stored away, it was almost two in the morning. Then of course we helped Negi-sensei move everyone who had passed out on the roof indoors so they wouldn’t catch colds. I didn’t get back to my bed until almost four.”
Sunset checked the time - almost seven. “I reiterate, how are you here?”
Ako hid a massive yawn behind her hand before giggling. “Come on, Nichi-chan. You aren’t the only one who can go a day without enough sleep. I’ve spent enough nights up late practicing and cramming to know how to handle it.” She let out another yawn, though this one was smaller. “Besides, this is important.”
Sunset raised an eyebrow at that assertion, but decided to take pity on the poor sleep-deprived girl and waited until Yotsuba had delivered her her breakfast. A few sips of coffee and half an egg sandwich, and Ako was looking much more awake. “Okay,” Sunset finally ventured. “What’s so important?”
Ako blinked a few times before remembering her bleary-eyed assertion. “Oh! Right!” She frowned at Sunset. “Nichi-chan, have you had time to enjoy the festival at all?”
Sunset blinked at the apparent non-sequitur. “Huh?”
“I was thinking about it on the way home this morning. You spent most of the first day at the horror house, right? And spent a few hours advertising right after that. Then there was the Martial Arts Tournament which took you through yesterday afternoon. Then you followed me on my…” She trailed off and checked to make sure Satsuki wasn’t nearby before muttering the next few words. “... my date with Negi-sensei, followed by your tours with the Library Exploration Club and Chao’s farewell party.”
Sunset stared in bafflement for a minute. That… I mean, when you put it like that, I guess I haven’t really gotten to see anything. Sunset fought to keep a stupid grin off her face as a realization struck her. Wait! She’s been paying that much attention to me? “That pretty much sums it up, yeah,” Sunset finally said. “I mean, I did get Wildfire to take me back in time with him once yesterday, but that was just so I could help out with something around the World Tree.”
“I knew it!” Ako was frowning now. “While everyone else has been getting to have fun, you’ve barely been able to participate in anything.”
“Hey! It’s not like I was roped into the martial arts tournament!” Sunset defended. “I was perfectly happy to compete in that.”
Ako frowned. “Even though that Colonel Sanders was so much more powerful than anyone there? Nichi-chan, even with how strong you’ve told me you are, I don’t think you would have stood a chance against him.”
“...okay, yeah. His involvement kinda took about half the thrill out of the tournament. But it was still worthwhile.”
“Still, you’ve barely gotten to do anything. And what’s more, this is your first Mahorafest! Do you even know what you want to do for the last day?”
Sunset opened her mouth to tell Ako that she did have a plan, but found herself at a loss for words - between all of the fighting exhibitions and competitions being absorbed into the Martial Arts tournament and the early afternoon of the second day spent trailing Ako, Sunset’s carefully laid plan for the last day of the festival was shot to hell. And she knew enough from her pre-festival planning efforts that the festival was far too vast and busy to make the most of it by winging it; honestly, she didn’t even know where to begin.
Ako bore a triumphant smile as Sunset came to this realization. “And that’s why,” she said, finally arriving at her point, “I’m going to be showing you around the festival today!”
“...eh?”
Ako giggled. “Come on, Nichi-chan. It’s the least I can do to repay you for all your help yesterday and last night. Besides, Mahorafest is always more fun with a friend!” She beamed at Sunset. “What do you say?”
I say that that level of cuteness should be illegal this early in the morning. Sunset sighed and offered Ako a resigned grin. “There’s no real way for me to say no to this, is there?” Not that I really want to.
After all, it’ll make for a good first date.
*****
By the time they finished their breakfast, Mahorafest was in full swing once again. The streets were more packed than ever, the air full of the sort of frantic desperation to have a good time that always accompanied the last day of a celebration. Ako pulled Sunset through the streets towards the edge of the school, and Sunset quickly saw what they were headed towards.
“The parade?” she asked as they drew close, surprised. Mahorafest featured a three-day parade of floats, bands, and other showcases which wound its way around the edge of the festival all day and well into the night. Sunset had caught glimpses of it at a distance - mostly of the larger floats, massive balloons, and ridiculously realistic and colossal animatronics - but had had little time or interest to spare for it. She was surprised that Ako would choose something like this to show her on the last day.
Hearing the incredulousness in her tone, Ako smiled over her shoulder at Sunset. “Trust me. You’re going to like this.”
They finally managed to push through the crowds enough to see the parade passing by. An intricately decorated ocean-themed float was just passing them, complete with a large aquarium filled with live fish and girls dressed as mermaids. A marching drumline a couple dozen rows long followed the float, a team of cheerleaders on either side dancing a routine. Behind them was another float, too far for Sunset to make out the details.
“Okay,” Sunset said, “this is pretty cool, but I still don’t see what makes this particular part of the parade so special. Don’t get me wrong, I’m always a fan of cheerleaders in tight, revealing outfits, but there’s plenty of eye-candy throughout the festival.”
Ako rolled her eyes before pointing down the street a bit. Another float idled in the curve of the street, this one with an American Western theme. Sunset thought at first glance that it had broken down. “Try not to let the drummers and cheerleaders distract you,” Ako said. “Watch the floats.”
Sunset raised an eyebrow, but followed Ako’s advice. The ocean float was getting further and further down the street, approaching the western float. Sunset frowned as she saw it start to drift to the side. Is it giving itself more room for the turn? That doesn’t make sense; it has plenty of space. In fact, the ocean float was giving itself less space, quickly approaching the western float. She thought for a second that they were about to crash, but the western float began to move just in time, steering into the street.
What?! But there’s no way it has enough time to get up to speed! The drummers will run right into it, or they’ll have to slow down! Why are they- Sunset turned her attention back to the drumline, and her jaw dropped.
The front line of drummers had halted their advance, marching in place as they played. The cheerleaders had bunched up on either side of the drumline and were performing a more complex dance now that they were relatively stationary. Each line of drummers marched forward until they were almost touching the drummer in front of them before coming to a halt themselves. The drumline was getting more and more condensed as the float in front of them pulled into the street. A quick look around showed Sunset that most of the audience was focused on the cheer routine, not even realizing that two floats were switching out just a few meters away. Finally, just as the final line of drummers approached, the western float got into place and picked up speed. As one, the drumline began marching forward again, the cheerleaders slowly spreading out as their dance continued, uninterrupted. The float behind the drumline hadn’t even needed to slow down, though it had been a near thing.
Sunset was awestruck at the coordination. A quick look at the ocean float revealed the students who had manned it climbing out and preparing to dismantle it. Another group of students was approaching down a side street, their own disassembled float towed along behind them. Sunset’s jaw dropped as the realization struck; this same sort of transition was going to happen again, probably multiple times.
Ako began pulling her away again as the ocean float students began to drain the aquarium. “Come on! There’s another one this way!”
Sunset shook herself out of her stupor and planted her feet, pulling Ako to a halt. “I’ve got this! Just tell me where to go.”
“Where to- what do you mean- Ah! Nichi-chaaaaan!”
Sunset had smoothly scooped Ako into a bridal cary and leapt, easily landing on a nearby roof and dashing across the rooftops. After a few seconds, Ako got over her shock and started to direct Sunset. They reached another point along the parade route - an intersection of two major streets, and watched as two giant marching bands seamlessly swapped out for each other. Again Ako directed, and again Sunset was shown the perfect coordination of the parade.
“How are they doing this?” Sunset breathed with wonder. “These swaps are perfect! Better than trained guards could manage!”
Ako giggled at her shock. “They’ve put in a lot of practice. After all, no-one wants to be in the parade all day long. And no-one wants to stop the parade to switch people out. Classes and clubs that want to participate have to sign up almost half a year in advance and they practice for months before the festival. Pretty impressive, huh?”
“Impressive? It’s incredible!” Sunset marveled at the coordination of these students, working together more perfectly than most militaries could probably manage. She’d thought for months that her own class was ridiculously skilled and eccentric, but she had to admit, she’d underestimated the whole school. Not just their abilities and quirks, but their dedication to their crafts.
Ako beamed at her. “We’re just getting started!”
For the next several hours, Ako led Sunset around Mahorafest, showing off the cooperation and coordination of the students and teachers that staffed it. From stadiums and arenas that swapped out props and events in far too little time to be believed, to supply runners in back streets who managed to provide for twenty shops with every run, to plazas and courtyards that managed to have a half-dozen acts going at once without interfering with each other. There were even a few booths and stalls that rode on wheels, moving a few feet one way or the other as the day went on to make room for activities and attractions on either side. Sunset watched in awe from atop Mahora’s clocktower as Ako pointed out dozens of examples of this seamless coordination. Even those few times when different acts or events clashed, Mahora staff was always on hand in seconds to clean up the mess or fix the issue.
“I just can’t believe it,” Sunset muttered as she and Ako rested at one of Mahorafest’s many food courts, enjoying an early lunch break. “All of this… how in the world do they manage it?”
“The Mahorafest Planning Committee is very good at what they do,” Ako said, between bites of salad. “They work year-round to prepare each festival. For some of the bigger events, they plan years in advance. I hear they’re meeting tonight first thing after the festival ends to start officially preparing for next year, but you’ll see them throughout the festival taking notes and interviewing people already.”
Sunset sighed and leaned back in her chair, staring up at the sky. “I can’t even imagine. But I guess that would be necessary for something of this scale and precision. Heck, I know of wars that were launched, executed, and won with less planning than this.” She shook her head. “Forget our class, this whole school is insane.”
“In a good way?”
“Heh, yeah. In a good way.”
“Good.” Ako smiled in relief. “I figured the best way to show off the whole festival would be to show you just how much effort went into it. I mean, you can see how much individual classes and clubs dedicated themselves to their own events, but to see how much everyone cares…”
Sunset nodded. “Yeah, I get it. Good call.” She leaned forward and took a bite of her burger. “So, what’s next, then?”
Ako grinned.
*****
“ARE YOU READY TO HAVE A GOOD TIME! BECAUSE THE MAHORA CHEERLEADERS ASSOCIATION IS HERE TO GIVE YOU A SHOW!”
“Nichi-chan, you’re drooling.”
*****
“...okay, the deer in Nara were cute, but seeing this world’s horses is just weird.”
“But you still want to ride one, don’t you?”
“...yes.”
*****
“AND NOW FOR THE SECOND PHASE OF THE MISS MAHORA BEAUTY CONTEST, THE SWIMSUIT COMPETITION!”
“Nichi-chan, you’re drooling again.”
*****
“This is the strangest life line I’ve ever seen. And you have… multiple heart lines? And your sun line is longer than your five marriage lines put together! I’ve been reading palms for years and I’ve never seen anything like this.”
“Hehe, yeah. Weird.”
*****
“Welcome to the Mahora Fashion Club’s Fashion Extravaganza! Our first model is wearing…”
“...Nichi-chan.”
“Hey! You’re the one who keeps bringing me to these events!”
*****
Sunset had to admit as they left the Mahorafest Arm-Wrestling Competition - several grown men swearing vengeance behind them - that Ako’s selections of events and entertainments had been excellent. She’d been a little concerned that every event was tailored to her interests and that Ako wouldn’t be having a good time, but she’d assured Sunset that she was just happy to see Sunset enjoying herself.
“I still think it was a little unfair of you to use your ki against them,” Ako said, glancing back at the scores of muscle-bound men who were openly weeping at their humiliation. “Doesn’t that give you an unfair advantage?”
“Yes.” Sunset smirked as she adjusted the oversized championship belt around her waist. “But then, a tourney like that is unbalanced to begin with. No division by age, weight, height, or gender. They’re basically saying that anything goes.” She shrugged. “Besides, my last three opponents were using ki, too.”
“You mean the ones you smashed through the table.”
“I said they were using ki. Not that it was anywhere near enough.”
Ako sighed and rolled her eyes, but there was an amused smile on her face. “Still, didn’t you revel in your victory a little too much?”
“Hey, a lot of those guys were beaten out of the Martial Arts Tournament prelims, and most of them have been through my horror route. Well, ‘part-way through’ I should say. It’s not my fault they keep trying to beat me somehow.”
Ako giggled. “I guess you really don’t like losing, huh?”
Sunset shook her head. “It’s not that. I’m okay with losing, so long as my opponent earned his victory. Take the tournament, for example. I’m totally fine with having lost to Wildfire. He pulled out a few tricks I wasn’t expecting, and he outsmarted me in the end. There’s no shame in losing to a worthy opponent.” She grinned and clenched her fist. “That said, the next time we go at it, I’m gonna pummel him into the dust until he cries for mercy!”
Ako rolled her eyes again. “Competitive, then.” They shared a giggle as they made their way towards the World Tree Plaza. “Anyway, what was it you wanted to show me over here?”
Sunset delayed answering for a moment as she looked around the plaza. There. Takamichi. Considering how highly everyone thinks of him, I doubt he has backup. And I doubt he’ll suspect what I’m up to. “Have you heard the rumor about the World Tree’s abilities?”
Ako frowned as she thought. “Oh! You mean that rumor about the World Tree granting wishes on the last day of the festival? Or the one about it helping with confessions?”
“The latter.” They entered the plaza and Sunset and Takamichi exchanged nods before the latter returned to looking around the plaza for potential confessions. “It turns out, there’s some truth to it.”
“Eh? Really?”
Sunset pointed to Takamichi. “For the last few days, various mages from the students and teachers have been guarding six points around the World Tree, keeping people from confessing their feelings. For some reason, the World Tree likes to ‘help’ with these confessions and makes the target reciprocate. Apparently, Wildfire got caught up in its effects the other day with Nodoka.” She chuckled. “Shoved his tongue down Asuna’s throat for more than a minute before it wore off, apparently.”
Ako eeped and blushed furiously. “That’s… um… wow.”
“Heh, yeah. Awkward as hell for both of them. But it can be really dangerous if it forces false feelings of love on someone. Love is the most powerful emotion a person can feel, and any sort of power that messes with it needs to be used responsibly. Which is why we’ve been intercepting confessions these last few days.”
Ako frowned. “Oh. That…” She thought for a minute. “That’s too bad. I mean, I get it, kind of, but it’s too bad that people who have worked up the courage to confess are getting interrupted.”
Sunset nodded. “A lot of the mages are good at finding ways around that. Some are able to steer potential couples away before they confess. Others are so confrontational about what’s about to happen that the confession is all but given, but it isn’t voiced until the potential couple has fled the area. Some of them are just cut off, which is a shame, but it’s better than someone who doesn’t know what they’re doing getting caught up in a big mess.
“Then again, to those who do know what they’re doing, it can be a great boon.”
“Really? What do you-”
Ako’s voice caught in her throat as she met Sunset’s gaze. The yellow and red-haired girl was staring her right in the eye, her expression intense and focused. Out the corners of their eyes, they saw the World Tree begin to glow.
“I’m in love with you, Izumi Ako.”
You know Chao is about to force the world accept magic as reality in form of brainwashing, Sunset is clearly against it so how she would react to that and to the fact she is planning to become a dictator in all but name.
I mean I like to think Celestia (and Luna) take the crown after the "reign" of Discord that left Equestria traumatized for a untold time since time have no meaning during his rule and she(they) were the only one(s) that could put the pieces back and healed ponykind.
11210737
"Brainwashing" is a strong word. In any case, the effect is temporary.
As for "dictator", I disagree (as would Sunset). Chao isn't looking to take over the world, or even a nation. She isn't going to be a ruler. The way Sunset understands it, she'll become an influential and unifying figure. A celebrity and an icon, but not a dictator.
Nice set of updates, Looking forward to the next ones.
…. Really?
11210745
I don't know dude she is planning to make sure the world don't slip to chaos but this is a dangerous thinking because the world would be at her mercy and her senses of right and wrong and someone so self assured from they own righteous is a disaster in the making besides she will have no one that can stop her from going too far.
Sure she is not planning to become a dictator but only to make sure stability and peace returns but this is the same excuse behind every single coup in the world.
She will "take care" of the world but for how long this will last? She will say ten years, than given another and another. She has good intentions but the road to hell is paved by good intentions, she already has a army so she will be prepared to strong arm the world if not fit her vision, something she explain to Takamichi.
11210815
Perhaps. But recall that Sunset is from Equestria, a land ruled by a literal goddess. And she herself was an extremely powerful - and thus influential - figure. She's used to authority figures having massive amounts of personal power at their command and using the threat of it to make others fall in line. She earnestly believes that with power comes the responsibility to use it for the betterment of the world, and Chao seems to want to do that.
Plus, she figures she and other powerful mages will be able to dethrone Chao if necessary.
Note, I'm not saying that Sunset is necessarily right about any of this or that her philosophy is correct. But this is how she thinks and what she believes.
11210788
I admit, I haven't done as good a job as I should have building up to this. Then again, it's really my first experience writing any romance that isn't already well-established.
11210833
Well Celestia never claim domain to a entire world only to a nation.
I actually at least believe that Sunset would get in the case of Chao attempt to shape the world to her wishes will end up in failure, it's too big and complicate for a person to shape it, not even Celestia go world domination despite has the power to do it and I think she would, at least try, to impart this to Sunset that grand ambitions specially the ones that involve world domination more often than not ends in failure and is the people that suffer the consequences.
11210842
That's why Sunset isn't worried about Chao becoming a dictator. Taking over both worlds would be far too big a task; Chao is far too smart to even try. Chao only wants to lead them into open coexistence to prevent her catastrophe. Sunset has no long-term concerns regarding Chao; she figures that someone who's thought and planned and figured out time travel would be ready to stear the world correctly before bowing out.
11210938
That's was not my point. I was thinking more to the fact Chao despite not wanting to become a dictator she is going to become one and Sunset would see that, the world is too big and complicate to bend to a single person vision and Celestia may have try to explain this to Sunset in the past but she didn't quite understand why she she still rule one nation where she could have taken the world a long time ago. At best Sunset would have a clinical indifference towards Chao's goal until someone point how wrong is to force your worldview upon someone else despite having a good reason behind it.
Although someone else besides Sunset would point out just because you have good intentions and long-term goals plan it doesn't mean someone is wise and realize they action are going too far much while the very person that wants to "guide" the world was the one that plunge it in chaos in the first place.
I don't know dude, Chao is a bit of sore point towards me is that because I actually born in a country that suffer multiple coups in it's history and the aftermath is always the same no matter the reason behind it or how well mean the guy that assume power was.
11210835
Not that, the cliffhanger
11210971
*shrugs* Well, I guess Sunset will just have to see how it goes.
11210977
Oh. Right. That.
... I'm not apologizing.
I wonder if Sunset is trying to use her confession of love to Ako-Chan to bait Takamichi into a fight? Given the power of the World Tree, though; if so, then this might just backfire spectacularly.
Oh.
Yeah she was right about how dangerous Love can be.
11211037
She specifically said she was gonna to force him to fight her at full power.
I'm guessing that Sunset knows how to use the world tree to not brainwash someone?
Nodaka or Asuna? Pretty sure it's only supposed to be one.
11211268
Dude there is already two Alicorns in Equestria she is aware of, then with Twilight and Luna that's four. Sunset doesn't get along with Celestia, envies Cadence and will hate Twilight on sight cause she became an Alicorn first... WITH CELESTIA'S HELP! That just leaves Luna who won't be awake during most of the day and is Celestia's sister anyway.
Plus two sun goddess on the same country?
I always though that the reveling of magic would do more net good than bad. Even if it's just people not having their memories messed with or being transformed against their will because they accidentally let some one not in the know about magic. I always hate the we need to hide all information from the masses because they all to stupid attitude. Sunset seems to in my opinion see power as a responsibility to use, granted i don't think she thinks everyone has to use to help other, but stuff like the mage associations not only stops people from doing good but actively discourages it and goes out of it's way to prevent it.
11211445
Nodoka triggered the magic. Asuna got the kiss while protecting her.
11211501
I'd hold off on your assumptions about her relationships with the Equestrian alicorns if I were you. Remember, Sunset has already reflected on her actions and realized that her jealousy and her departure were foolish. Sure, there are huge fences to mend, and she'll definitely have... feelings about Twilight, but she won't be nearly as antagonistic as she was in EQG1.
11211445
Nodoka confessed, so he tried to kiss her, but Asuna protected her and, because of a poor choice of words, she redirected the spell on her and negi kissed her (witch broke the curse eventually thanks to her dormant anti-magic abilities)
That confession by Sunset....anyone whose read the manga knows this isn't gonna end well.
Also the drooling thing was funny but Sunset said she plays for both teams, yet that seems to imply she strictly is interested in women
11211619
She has a slight preference for the fairer sex. Thing is, with the schools being separated by gender, Sunset's classmates see her lesbian side a LOT more than her straight side. The only guys she has regular interaction with are her teachers and Kotarou. (Technically Chamo as well, but... ew.) These sorts of events are thus the ones that come to Ako's mind when she thinks about what Sunset might enjoy.
11211703
Fair enough I guess. Now it's just a matter of seeing how the fall out goes. Also if you wouldn't mind, maybe give my latest story a try if you could.
11211717
Sun and Stone, right? Sunset Shimmer, drama and sad tags, less than 10k words - should be able to knock it out in less than an hour.
Sure. I'll give it a look. Might take me a bit to get to it between homework assignments, but I'll try to leave my impressions in the next few days.
11211737
Thanks, appreciate it.
11211610
Makes sense... though the wording should make it more clear.
11212122
She could have, but that little incident isn't really that important to Sunset's story (or to Sunset herself, honestly). The only purpose it serves is to back up the point about the World Tree's power, so the details don't matter so much.
Plus, Sunset things it's funny to give as few details as possible so people can let their imaginations run wild and produce crazy theories of their own. Similar to how horror movies don't show the entire monster in clear light and why noodle incidents are never explained.
It's good to see the return, and Mahorafest has been a blast so far in this version of the world.
Very excited for the next leg of things. :3
11212122
I'm french, so I'm not sure what she say in english, but she basicaly wanted to say "if you want to kiss her, you'll have to go through me first", but she said "if you want to kiss her, you'll have to kiss me first"
11211503
11211565
There will still be a grudge, Celestia DENIED her the chance to be an Alicorn while she actually MADE TWILIGHT an Allicorn. Cadance is one thing, the love goddess did so on her own, even if it was a miracle that didn't end with Cadance dead. With how much this Sunset believes in Destiny she can easily accept that.
Also Celestia keep sending Sunset to fight monsters and while Twilight did some of that she still got way more magic research time that Sunset and 98% of the time Ponyville problems do not equal Warlocks, but are much tamer.
Twilight got the kid gloves treatment not the "Keep going to fight this dangerous enemies" deal.
11212458
Umm, it's not like Celestia didn't send Twilight to fight dangerous monsters too.
Just during the show, even if you ignore the whole Nightmare Moon situation, there was also that S1 dragon, DISCORD, Sombra, and arguably Queen Chrysallis and the Changelings (though that was more of an emergency than an actual planned thing). Plus, the way Twilight acts when going up against Nightmare Moon and the dragon does lend credence to the interpretation that she'd done things like that for Celestia before she went to Ponyville. Plus I'm pretty sure Twilight is younger than Sunset, so it makes sense that she hasn't done as much.
The main difference between both of their treatments is that Twilight actually listened to Celestia (to sometimes unhealthy and fanatical degrees) and took the 'Magic of Friendship' to heart, which eventually enabled her to be manipulated by Celestia into using it to ascend and become the goddess of Friendship=Magic.
11212458
To be fair, it was Sunset who chose the "fight monsters and warlocks" path until Celestia yanked her into R&D. But yes, while Sunset will want to reconcile, she and Tia will be having... words. Lots of them. In the royal Canterlot voice.
As for Twilight, as irked as Sunset will be, I see her as becoming more competitive than antagonistic. Maybe. We'll see what she's like when the time comes.
11212480
Well... it is a good thing Sunset knows she can actually Ascend thanks to Chao, so she will be antagonist but tone things down.
Because let's be honest, as confident as Sunset is in destiny, what if Chao told her Sunset didn't ascend? What if she told her she doesn't know about her because she returned to Equestria?
What if Sunset starts to doubt herself?
Somewhere, Cadence is doing the happy dance and has no idea why.
11212524
What if, indeed. :)
11212532
Shining: Um, Cadence? You've got that look again.
Cadence: What look?
Shining: Your semi-maniacal slasher-smile Goddess of Love shipping look.
Cadence: *checks reflection* Huh. So I do. Odd.
11212618
Are there any groups for fics like this?
11213025
Like this? I mean, there are lots of groups this fic fits into. Are you talking about anime/manga crossovers?
11213035
There is a Black Clover cross that also has "Sunset ends in another world, learns the local magic and makes friends", but has a lot more deaths of people Sunset cares about and a lot of Celestia bashing .. Besides that is actually quite good.
11213035
There's MysteryMan97's Sunset Expedition, a crossover with Space 1889.
11213215
Man, I wish A Unicorn in the Clover Kingdom wasn't dead...
I'm not really a fan of Black Clover, but the stuff in Equestria with Cadence was actually really interesting, even with the Celestia bashing, and I really wanted to see what would happen when Sunset came back.
Like, the relationship between Sunset and Cadence, and the way Cadence came to resent Celestia was just... really fun, y'know? I wish there was another fic that went in that direction.
11213380
There are many fics that make Sunset hate of Celestia perfectly logical, sadly most are incomplete/abandoned.
Heck I have read so many of them I could probably write my own.
Wish they ditched the stupid invented brother, it makes more sence for Sunset to not have any family. I mean so far only one story did anything meaniful with her invented brother at all, and that's ine of the discontinued stories.
11213511
The thing that made the Equestria parts of that fic stand out wasn't Sunset's hatred for Celestia, but Cadance's.
Like, it was interesting that Celestia's shitty decisions with Sunset affected more than just Sunset, and that Cadance actually had a meaningful relationship with Sunset before she went missing, and that she resented Celestia for it.
Plus, while you could certainly call it Celestia bashing, the execution of it made Celestia more of a tragic figure than anything, since she basically lost touch with the world and started believing that everything was predestined by destiny, as a sort of coping mechanism after the whole thing with Sunset, Twilight and Nightmare Moon, basically as a way to be in denial about driving away Sunset just like she did Luna; which ended up making her allienate Cadance even more.
Basically, the situation back in Equestria seemed really interesting, and that there were plenty of developments to be had as consequence of Sunset's return, which is somewhat unique when it comes to Sunset-focused fics since Sunset often feels sorta out of place in or tacked on in Equestria (a problem this fic doesn't seem to share, thankfully)... Unfortunately, there really aren't other good fics I can think of which focus on similar things.
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One of many reasons I included a surviving brother was to give Sunset living connections to Equestria. So many stories (including the EQG movies) have Celestia as her sole surviving connection, or at least the only one she cares about. This means that any desire to return to Equestria long-term after significant time in the other world and after making friends and connections there comes across as artificial. Very few stories that I've read manage to do it well (Spectacular Seven and SAPR come to mind). Meanwhile, my plan for Sunset has her being a significant player on both the Equestrian and Earth stages. But if she has no reason to go back to Equestria... This is also why I expanded a bit more on her history and career. I might not have offered many details, but I hope I've shown that she did have a life apart from just the castle and Celestia (even if she neglected all of it for the year leading up to her departure). Some people may say that Celestia herself is reason enough to go back, but I reject that notion for one simple reason: it wasn't reason enough in the canon.
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Yep