"AOOGA," Cadance was snapped out her stupor by a loud honk from the road beside her. After having her explanation of who Sunset was cut off by the return of the aforementioned teen, backpack in hand, Cadance had gradually slipped into her personal thoughts as they all walked together towards Sunset's "hideout". On some level she acknowledged that the self-propelling carriages that zipped by them every minute or so were new and fascinating, but she barely spared them a glance as her brain attempted to process everything she'd observed in the past hour. The fact that Sunset was alive and breathing was just the tip of an iceberg that included ancient portals, Changeling plots, and a rumbling stomach that was definitely not in the same place it had been yesterday.
Cadance spared a glance towards her fellow Equestrians, noting that not a single word had been said by either of them since they'd left the school grounds. Twilight seemed to be almost as deep in thought as she herself had been, though instead of staring blankly ahead her eyes were tracking every new and fascinating thing that passed their way. Cadance imagined that Twilight was making a mental list of questions to barrage Sunset with later. As for Sunset herself, she was guiding them forward with a look of stony determination. Cadance could almost hear the gears turning in Sunset's head as she planned and replanned... something good or evil, Cadance wasn't sure.
As they kept walking, Cadance began to notice a gradual shift in the scenery. The more colorful storefronts they had first passed gave way to graying and decaying facades that looked dull even in the light of the rising sun. If human settlements were anything like their pony counterparts, they were now entering a "bad" part of town. Cadance stole another glance at Sunset to make sure they were going in the right direction. Sunset had the same look of determination as before, but now also bore a small smirk. A smirk, Cadance knew, that indicated Sunset had finished crafting a particularly conniving plan. A smirk, she realized, she had last seen before Sunset had embarked on her ill-fated quest into Celestia's personal library.
Before Cadance could ask about the smirk, however, Sunset suddenly stopped in front of a small store with two tables out front. Above the door hung a sign that said "Java Bean Cafe", with the letters seeming to ride the steam coming from what Cadance hoped and prayed with every fiber of her being was a depiction of a coffee cup. Sunset cleared her throat and pointed a thumb back towards the shop, "We're going to get food here, and then we'll head to the hideout. Just a quick warning, humans can pretty much eat anything a griffon can, so there will be some meat on display."
Both Cadance and Twilight had witnessed foreign dignitaries and their entourages eating meat on multiple occasions while living at the castle, so neither displayed the usual look of queasiness that ponies usually gave when told about cooked animal parts. Taking this as a good sign, Sunset led them into the small store. As the door let out a soft jingle, the heavy-set mocha-colored man at the counter raised his eyes to meet hers and offered a hearty bellow, "Ah, little Sunset, it's been a while since you've come by. Oh, you've brought friends? Great, great day!". As Sunset slung her backpack into the corner, he leaned over the counter and grabbed first Cadance's, and then Twilight's right arm into a vigorous handshake that would have made Applejack flush with pride.
Before either could recover, he turned back towards Sunset, who was blushing slightly, "Sunset Shimmer, aren't you going to introduce me to these lovely ladies?", he said with a grin.
"These two are uh... just a second", Sunset's face morphed into a grimace, "I just remembered something urgent. We'll be right back!" she said, grabbing onto her companions' arms and pulling them back out of the store and into a nearby alleyway.
"W- what was that all about?" Cadance stammered out as she and Twilight fought to stay balanced on two legs against Sunset's rough pulling.
Once they were a few feet into the alley, Sunset let go and turned back to face them. "Sorry about that, I just realized something important that I need to tell you. This world mirrors our own in a lot of ways. The city we're in right now, for example, is called Canterlot, and parts of the city are called things like Ponyville and Cantershade. As for the people-- that is to say, humans-- they also usually share the name and look of ponies from Equestria." Twilight's face displayed a roulette of emotions as she processed this information.
Sunset continued, "For example, the principal of Canterlot High School is named Celestia. She isn't a millennia-old princess who raises the sun, but she looks and acts a lot like the Princess. The reason you need to know this now is that if you use your regular names, somebody-- and it is somebody, not pony here-- might get suspicious about why there are two Twilight Sparkles running around."
"But wait," Twilight interjected, "Why does that even matter? If we just explain the situation to these, uh... 'people', then won't they try to help us get back to Equestria?"
"There are a few reasons why we can't do that" Sunset said, turning towards Twilight, "This world has almost no magic. Imagine if somebody came up to you and claimed to be from another dimension. You'd probably assume they were crazy, but you might give them the benefit of the doubt. Now imagine they claimed that in a world where dimensional travel, or even just instantaneous travel like teleportation, is considered pure fantasy! Even if some people did believe you, humans are more paranoid about unknowns than ponies are, especially when it comes to things like aliens. They'd be more likely to lock you up and study you than help you open a portal."
Twilight nodded, but then noticed another peculiarity, "I can accept that, but then why did that man back there still call you Sunset Shimmer? Is that not your original name?"
At this Sunset cringed slightly, "Well, I didn't really know that there were alternate versions of everyone here until after I'd given a few people my name. As for the other Sunset...", she hesitated, "among many other small differences between this world and ours, she, uh...", Sunset glanced away, "She's dead. I was curious about her once I realized she probably existed, so I did some research. She accidentally started a fire when she was seven, and didn't make it out of her house alive...", she trailed off as Cadance moved to wrap her arms around her.
They stood like that for another minute, with Cadance pressing into Sunset, who self-consciously looked anywhere but at the pink teen wrapped around her. Twilight stood off to the side, internally debating on whether to join the hug or not. Finally, she moved forward and quickly wrapped her arms around the two others, "I'm so sorry, I can't even imagine what that must feel like." She said, as Sunset finally moved to break free of their grips.
As they broke away, Sunset attempted to school her blushing face into something one might see at a business meeting, "Anyways, as I was saying, there's probably another Twilight and Cadance running around somewhere around here, so it'd be best if you came up with new names for yourselves. We should also get some hair dye later, so you don't look exactly like your other versions."
Sunset turned towards Twilight, "We'll start with you. Any ideas for a good name?"
Twilight considered for a moment, "How about... Dusk Shine? Or Starlight Glimmer?"
Sunset frowned, "Those are just alternate ways of saying the name you already have. I think it would be safer if you came up with something completely different. I assume your talent is magic, but surely you have some other hobby or talent you can make a name from?"
Twilight rubbed her chin, "Hmmm... Well, I've always loved books, and I ran a library back in Ponyville. How about... Codex Keeper?"
Sunset nodded, "That should work, just give me a second." She pulled out her phone and, as the other two stared, began typing away. After a few moments, she looked back up. "Okay, I didn't find anything about anyone else named 'Codex Keeper', what about you Cadance?"
Before Cadance could respond, Twilight cut in, "Wait, wait, wait. What exactly was that thing? I thought you said there wasn't much magic here!"
Sunset held the phone up so that Twilight could see it better, "There isn't much magic here, but humans have made up for that with their technology. I'll explain it more to you later since Java Bean is probably starting to think we ditched him right now, but it basically lets me access libraries worth of information almost anywhere I want to. The 'libraries' don't contain any information on somebody named Codex Keeper, so it should be a safe name. Anyways, Cadance?"
Cadance responded a bit hesitantly, "Well, I was thinking... Love Beat."
"Love... Beat?" Sunset asked, "Why that name in particular? Secretly wanted to pummel all those stallions that used to hit on you, eh?"
"No no no," Cadance said, waving her hands, "Even after I became a princess I'd sometimes dream about being a DJ. I had even asked my parents for a turntable for my birthday, but I ascended before that could happen."
At that, Sunset starting laughing to herself, "Heh, Mi Amore Cadenza, Princess of Raves! Was Love Beat going to be your stage name?"
As she attempted to withdraw into her own hair, Cadance made a passable Fluttershy impression, "No... It was actually going to be Cad-Z..."
Sunset clutched her own stomach and began to laugh loudly as Twilight watched her in disapproval. Eventually she composed herself and began typing away on her phone again. "Alright, that name should work. Codex, Cad-Z, let's go get some food." Snickering a bit more, she led them back into the coffee shop.
"Welcome back, welcome back! I was beginning to fear you'd ran off on me!" the mocha-man said. "Are you finally going to introduce these lovely ladies?"
Sunset nodded and motioned towards them, "The pink one's name is Love Beat, while the purple one is Codex Keeper. Love Beat, Java Bean. Java Bean, Love Beat..." she went on to introduce the two, with the respective parties each receiving another vigorous hand-shaking.
Java Bean beamed at them, "Ah, it does me so much good to see you out and about with others." He turned towards 'Codex' and 'Love Beat', "So, how do you two know my little Sunset?"
At this, Sunset began to silently curse herself, 'Idiot! Instead of teasing Cadance, you should have been creating a backstory. Better just say I just bumped into them...'
Before she could respond, however, Cadance seemed to have a flash of inspiration and suddenly uttered, "We're sisters!". She hesitated a bit before continuing, "I can't believe Sunset has never mentioned us! She's the oldest, then me, and then Codex here.", she said, ruffling Twilight's hair slightly while giving Java an awkward smile.
Java looked between the three girls in front of him. Cadance struggled to maintain her smile while on her right Sunset glared a hole into her head and, on her left, Twilight stared into space like a deer caught in the headlights. Suddenly, he leaned back and burst into a hearty laugh before staring back at them, "Little Sunset has always been so hesitant to talk about her family, I was almost afraid they didn't exist!", he didn't notice Sunset cringe, "It's a pleasure to meet both of you. So, what can I do you for?"
At this, Sunset gave Cadance one more heated glance before turning to Java and forcing a smile, "I'll just get my usual, but double the eggs."
While she spoke, Cadance and Twilight looked at the menu and at the items displayed on the counter. After a few seconds of deliberation, Twilight ordered, "I'll get an egg-and-cheese bagel and an iced coffee, please."
Finally, after what seemed like an entire minute, Cadance glanced back up to Sunset, "Is there a limit to how much I spend, or can I get however much I'd like?"
Sunset raised an eyebrow and peeked into her wallet, "This place isn't all that expensive, but I am a bit short on cash right now. You can spend... er... Ten dollars?"
Cadance scanned the menu one more time, and then nodded to herself, "Alright. I'd like a Black-as-Night Coffee, a cream cheese bagel, two early bird specials without bacon and..." she looked back up at the menu for anything cheap enough to keep her under ten dollars (she didn't really know what a "dollar" was, but she hoped it was related to the '$' symbols that appeared all over the menu) "... An apple bear claw."
As those around her stared at her, she looked back at them quizzically, "What? I haven't eaten a good meal in over two weeks, cut me some slack!" Java seemed like he was going to ask a question, but Sunset waved him off and began to pay the bill.
Once the bill was payed and they had sat down at a corner table, Sunset leaned across towards Cadance and whispered harshly, "What in Tartarus was that sister stuff about?"
Cadance shrunk back for a second, but then leaned back in with a determined look on her face, "Well, Twilight and I are practically already sisters. I was engaged to her brother and would have been married to him by now if not for the Changelings.", she leaned back slightly as her gaze softened, "And, as for you... I know you never really liked me, and that you thought I didn't really deserve to be a princess... But we lived together. My parents were the only family I had growing up, but after I ascended they started treating me like a ruler, not a daughter, so I... Kind of thought of you as a bratty older sister. Even if you never treated me that well, you were probably the closest thing to family I had in Canterlot."
At this revelation, Sunset balked, "B- what about Celestia? You're her niece!"
Cadance adopted a small frown, "I think you know as well as I do that I'm only her 'niece' because the nobility demanded it. I saw Celestia two or three times a week at most, and it was always for some formal event or special princess training, never for anything a family would do together. I was actually jealous of you. You got to have teatime with her everyday on top of all of her lessons."
Sunset flared in anger, not even bothering to whisper this time, "You, jealous of me? Celestia never saw me as anything other than a tool! I tried to get close to her, but every time I did she'd just find some way to distract me! She would never give me a straight answer unless I asked her directly, and even then she'd usually just say I 'wasn't ready'. When she showed up," at this she pointed violently at Twilight, "Celestia decided that I wasn't even that useful of a tool and started shutting me out!"
At this, Twilight began to rise to defend her mentor, but Cadance held her back as she began trying to calm Sunset down, "I'm sorry. I knew your relationship with Celestia strained at some point, but I never knew why. I think we were both jealous of each other for entirely wrong reasons. I thought Celestia considered you a daughter, and a part of me wanted to have that too, but clearly I was wrong. You thought because I was her adopted 'niece', that meant that Celestia actually treated me as family, when in actuality she knew me so little that she couldn't tell the difference between me and a two-bit impostor. We were young and oblivious, and if we'd just talked about this years ago, I'm sure we would have become close friends. So... Sisters?"
Cadance offered her hand. Instead of accepting it, though, Sunset quietly got up and walked into the bathroom, locking the door behind her. As Cadance and Twilight stared at each other in confusion, they began to hear Sunset's muffled voice, "Hahaha, Sisters! All this time, I only wanted... But it never... By Celestia! By Celestia! Oh, she'll..." a series of dull thuds came from within the bathroom and, after a minute of complete silence, Sunset calmly walked back to the table.
"After some thought, I think I'd like that very much." Sunset said, offering her hand to Cadance, who accepted it with some trepidation. "Sisters it is."
Before they could continue, Java came out of the kitchen with a large platter filled with food and bearing three cups of coffee. Laying it out on their table, Java whispered in Cadance's ear, "Take care of my little Sunset, please. I could tell she was hurting every time she came by here, but I could never get her to open up like you did just now."
After Java left, they all began to silently work on their meals. As Cadance digested Java's words, she looked around the table. Twilight seemed to be overtaken by inner turmoil from what she'd just heard about her mentor, and Cadance gave her a quick squeeze of comfort before turning her gaze to Sunset. She was robotically picking at her hash, her face scrunched in deep thought. Suddenly, her face softened and a slight smirk came to dominate her features. Cadance gulped, she knew immediately what that smirk meant. A new plan was afoot, and Cadance wasn't sure she'd like it.
Excellent chapter I'm guessing Twilight's rose colored view of Celestia might soon be shattered into a million pieces.
I forgot to mention in the author's note that I lied to all of you. Sunset doesn't trash the bathroom at all! She just bangs the wall a bit!
... Or maybe I didn't lie, and Java will be really peeved with her later. I'm a real innovator in storytelling. You all though it was a regular story when boom, Choose Your Own Adventure!
Pretty good though I am disappointed the human 5 won't play much of a role in the story after all. I mean human Dopplergangers of the ponies who "betrayed" Twilight, I have to believe there is something that could be done with that.
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Rest assured, the chapters that deal with Twilight will heavily focus on the human 5 and on how she thinks about them and, by extension, the friends that she's left in Equestria. Despite this, I just can't consider them "Main Characters" in the same way that the Dazzlings or SciTwi will eventually be. They're going to be solid supporting characters and a key part of the story, but as I said in the authors note it would be somewhat unfair to give them the tag when other characters will play just as strong a role. For example, and to spoil a bit, (though it probably wouldn't be a surprise to anyone) Vinyl Scratch will play a strong supporting role in regards to Cadance, yet you won't see her in the tags either.
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I can understand that, at least you're giving the tags some thought. So many stories tag the Main 6 when only 2 or 3 play a significant role in the story. It can get pretty annoying sometimes.
THIS HAS A SCHEDULE NOW!?!?!? I AM SO HAPPY NOW!!!!!1!!!1!!!!!
Also, you said panda bear facts? Even in 2013, the Encyclopædia Britannica still used "giant panda" or "panda bear" for the bear, and simply "panda" for the Ailuridae, despite the popular usage of the word "panda".
I figured that Cadence would have somewhat of a sisterly-like bond with Sunset with the few times they've talked together, but with how Celestia treated these two? That's a new low, even for her.
Also, are choose-your-own-adventure style fics even allowed here in Fimfiction?
Interesting take on Tia but makes sense. There is just one thing I have an issue with. Killing human Sunset. This has become tired trope to me and I come to consider it lazy writing. 'How to deal with Human Sunset? Ah just kill her.' Sorry if I am ranting a bit but soooop many writers do that move.
Overall I love this story ASN eager to we where it goes.
8701292 Pony! Sunset already established that her counterpart was dead before she came here.
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But every writer does this crap. I like to see some difference for once.
8701377 So do I. I've yet to find a fic where something other than Pony Sunset killing or finding her counterpart already dead is a thing. I mean, if two Twilights can exist on the same plane for five minutes, why can't Sunset? It would be pretty cool if Sunset took a page from both Pinkie Pies and switched... and somehow didn't catch the attention of Celestia or her army of glorified statues.
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There are several stories with the human Sunset Shimmer, but with most of them that counterpart is the focus of the story.
Sunset's human counterpart is never mentioned in canon, unlike human Twilight; so many stories feel they need to address the issue with doppelgangers, but don't want to spend a whole chapter or more explaining how Sunset avoided her own counterpart or dealing with shenanigans if she didn't. Considering the common fancanon for pony Sunset's past and cutie mark, having human Sunset die from an incident that pony Sunset was only saved from by magic or Celestial intervention is the obvious choice.
Also keep in mind that unlike Twilight or anyone else jumping through the mirror, Sunset has spent years building a life under her own name and face, and even getting some moderate fame lately. It makes sense that her human counterpart isn't alive anymore or at least not living under her own name (which would make most sources assume she was dead, anyway), otherwise we'd right back to shenanigans that take the focus from whatever story the author actually wanted to write.
If you're looking for a story about Sunset meeting Sunset, I recommend reading Magical Girl Sunny. If you want one of the rare instances where human Sunset is alive and doesn't immediately steal the show, try Oops, I'm Equine Again.
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I condider it lazy. Even a few sentences can deal with a living human Sunset.
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Sure, you can say that she's living on the other side of the country, but it'd just open three more cans of worms for me. If she's an orphan in an orphanage, how'd she get there. If she's living on the streets, how would anyone know or care where and who she is. If she moved there with her family, you're basically acknowledging that pony Sunset has a whole family she abandoned on the other side of the mirror. If she ran away from her family in Canterlot, you have to potentially address two families.
All of that are interesting concepts to be explored, but not something any author wants to deal with when they're trying to tell a completely unrelated story.
8701624
But that,is how it is. The orphan and dead have been over used.
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8701310
I will freely admit that my brushing off of Sunset's counterpart is somewhat lazy writing, and that I could have just as easily left her alive, but I killed her off for much the same reasons that River Road mentioned. If the human Sunset were alive, she wouldn't be able to play much of a part in the story other than providing filler in a story that I already feel will be perhaps too long.
Even though I wouldn't change anything with how I dealt with H!Sunset, I really appreciate it when people point these kinds of things out because I'm certainly going to be bearing it in mind in the future. The premise I have is already original enough, but that doesn't mean I should take any shortcuts with my characters (Sunset's a sad orphan, bla bla bla).
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I swear I've seen a few before, though they could just be holdovers from a time when they were allowed, I really don't know.
As for whether or not CYOA is a good format to use on this website? That's a solid no from me.
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one thign people forget that there is a clear time difference between the worlds. Twilight gets her wings when she is twenty but is aged regressed to at less 18 when she goes through and Sunset seems the same age physically as Twilight in Pony but has been in CHS for three years at that point says that time moves a bit differently between the worlds. THe likely senario is that Human Susnet is in her Twenties and has a job somewhere.
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With Celestia abandoning Twilight at the Caterlot Wedding and not believing her, I think that's already begun. Just that Twilight could be going through denial right now.
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Brushing aside her concerns about Nightmare Moon probably won't help either. Even if it was all part of the plan, it probably hurt Twilight.
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I actually don't think twilight is that old..I think most fans believe she is...but remember her world is under rule of a dual diarchy and still has spear wielding guards...it's possible getting a job doesn't require a specific age,only the skills needed. I mean,Shining is young but already guard captain? I'd place the the mane six in the 16-19 range.Rarity being oldest.
Also love this concept!
8710526
Figure started being taught by Celestia at 8, 18 by pilot and gets wings at 21.
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I always figured she was one of the younger of the group...simply matching to the Canterlot High ages. I mean,that rarity also works in clothing, Dash is essentially a girl trying to go Pro...Flutters,the animal shelter...etc
Its only in recent seasons we have them going big...Wonderbolts,Business Chain,Animal Sanctuary, ....applejack and pinkie need to step up XD....And twilight according to season eight spoilers...IS OPENING A SCHOOL?! Ah,and somehow starlight is teaching...who thought that was a good idea?0-0;
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I put her on the younger side and Twilight and Starlight teaching. I am getting lesson zero vibes.
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I was imagining when starlight relapsed and brainwashed people to do her friendship lesson...
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beware the equal sign.
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This StackExchange question has good answers.
Hm, this is looking very interesting. Not only are you tying a number of disparate plot threads together in the kinds of creative ways I haven't seen regularly in years, but you are also fixing/ignoring a number of pieces of stupidity while you do it and making some logical inferences about details behind the scenes to fill things out nicely. I'm definitely looking forwards to seeing where this goes which is not something I've said about a new story in quite a while.
Also, since you are very clearly ignoring the later stupidity that destroyed everything interesting and complex about the changelings, I think it would be fun to leave the Equestrian side completely dark to the audience until the moment the characters step through, and then totally flip expectations on their head by having everything already sorted out because Pinkie and Luna have befriended the changelings in the intervening months. This would tie in nicely with a variation of a silly one-shot idea I had years ago where a changeling would accidentally break into Luna's room during the invasion, she would declare it the cutest thing she's ever seen, and the shenanigans would spiral on from there with her bringing her new friend to the reception while being totally oblivious to the fact that there was an invasion at all. For you it would probably be more along the lines of Chrysalis accidentally seducing Luna and awkwardly dragging two grumbling sides together, but you don't have to clarify all the details because it'll only need a cursory explanation after the hilariously awkward scene of the cast of this story breaking into Luna and Chrysalis's bedroom and discovering the new status of "diplomatic relations" first hand.
Very interesting development.
So Sunset's relationship with Cadence may have started to mend, though it apparently may have made her relationship with Celestia even worse long term...
Good work.
Feels weird with cadence being younger than sunset. So used to her being the oldest of the three and most mature. Not bad, just different.
I just realised...it's going to take some time for the real Twilight (she's likely been replaced by a changeling) and Cadence to return to Equestria, right?
Well, not long after the wedding in canon, the Crystal Empire reemerged - I highly doubt Chrysalis-Cadence and a mind-controlled Shining are going to be able to create a barrier strong enough to keep Sombra out, or that faux-Twilight's going to be able to discover the Crystal Heart.
Oops - you screwed up, Chrysalis. Probably helped a war to begin - moron.
And even if your minion did find the Heart, and it was returned...wouldn't it also blow you back and expose you? The Heart, after all, symbolises love, so I imagine it to have a similar effect to the magic the canon Cadence and Shining used to defeat you. Oops, again.
Also, I imagine Chrysalis is going to take down Celestia - so not only is there the issue with the freaking SUN, but also Discord; the alicorn is the one who has him released to be befriended by Fluttershy. If that still does occur, and the three dimensional travellers haven't returned...the faux-Twilight's identity is going to be exposed when the Elements don't work. Oops.
Oh man this is really good.... quite rare in fact... unlike some stories that is just a different version of a set plot in other stories.
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I think Twilight is at least 20 to 22 years old...because Rainbow is 'canon' 21. You can tell by counting the candles on her birthday cake in the Cheese Sandwich episode. (Which is the low ball number as we only see 1/2 the cake)
I guessing that most of the cast is in their low 20s except for Pinkie as she's known to be younger than Fluttershy who should be about the same age as Rainbow.
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Pinkie is 16 Cannon Raity is the oldest if i remember what i read from Fausts wiki
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Yes, tie another person's story with your own oneshot, thank you, very cool.