Chapter 2 – A Life Away
2
Canterlot High School
Near the Portal
9:58 a.m.
Sunset Shimmer hated waking up early during the summer.
It had been a long week. A long week. It was a few weeks ago, but that was a long week. Finals rolled in after weeks of stressing and studying, and overall, Sunset felt she did fairly well. If a solid “A” in every class was fairly well, that is. Sunset couldn’t speak for the rest of her friends, but they’ve been having study groups every night to prepare for that week, so it shouldn’t have been too bad for them.
She always worried about Pinkie Pie and Rainbow Dash, though. That Friday after class they looked to be freer than birds, more so than the birds that instantly rested upon Fluttershy’s shoulders the second she stepped out of the school. Sunset couldn’t help but feel the same way. All that studying seemed to pay off. They all passed with an “A”. It was a long school year, a lot of crazy adventures and magical chaos, and finals week was a pain, but it was over. School was out, and summer vacation had arrived at long last.
Sunset and her closest friends, which consisted of Twilight, Applejack, Rarity, Pinkie, Fluttershy, and Rainbow all spent that Friday night celebrating with pizza, video games, and fresh soda that could fill Canterlot High’s soccer team. Oh, and Spike, Twilight’s talking dog. But no one needed to know about that. Later that night, Sunset wrote in her journal to Princess Twilight Sparkle in Equestria. They wrote for hours, even after everyone had turned in for the night, just to make sure everything was settled and confirmed for the next few weeks.
That was a few weeks ago. It came so fast.
Sunset still couldn’t believe she was going to do it.
“So, let me get this straight again,” Rainbow Dash yawned, cracking her back as she and her friends approached the Canterlot High statue directly in front of the empty school yard. The early morning sun burned everyone’s tired eyes. Everyone’s hair styles were poorly-done, even Rarity’s, but they managed for the occasion, dressed in the same outfits and dresses as they wore yesterday. Their usual attire. Everyone looked absolutely exhausted, which was expected after a long night at the movies. They saw a comic book movie. Those were always weird, but Pinkie really seemed to enjoy it, spouting off about her “Phase 4 theories” or something like that after the film had ended. Sunset didn’t know or just didn’t care enough to delve deeper.
Twilight adjusted her large glasses, holding onto Spike with both arms and shaking him gently. Spike yawned rather loudly in her arms, Twilight following suit. Even Sunset joined them, turning her weary gaze over to Rainbow Dash, who looked just as tired as everybody else.
Sunset Shimmer hated waking up early during the summer. She and all her friends. But it was important.
Dash continued, scratching the back of her head. “You’re gonna be abandoning us to be spending a week of summer over in another dimension with alternate versions of us, who are actually magical ponies that can talk and fly?”
Sunset tightened her grip on her bag. “Yeah, that’s… pretty much it, albeit minus the ‘abandoning’ part,” Sunset giggled.
Rainbow still looked unamused with her answer, crossing her arms and raising a brow. Her cracking voice was weary from the early morning endeavor, even as she said, “So… you’re replacing us?”
“Rainbow Dash!” Rarity exclaimed, flicking the girl’s blue ear. Dash yelped in response, socking Rarity’s shoulder, to which she replied with a punch of her own. Before it could escalate, Applejack separated the two, chuckling to herself.
“Now, now, calm down, girls,” Applejack drawled, pushing the two away and standing between them. She chuckled, tipping her hat to Sunset. “We’ve known this was comin’. Sunset has been plannin’ this here trip fer weeks now. Is that right?”
“Yep!” Sunset said and brought her bag forward, smiling and reaching into it. She pulled out her journal, flipping randomly through the pages, stopping just after the first few. “I’ve actually wanted to do this ever since Twilight—not you, Twilight; pony Twilight—first left this world, but never really… found the courage or the right time to do so. Mostly the right time to do so.”
Everyone raised a brow.
Sunset frowned. “Okay, I’ve never really had the courage to do this! But come on! It’s kind of… you know… scary having to go back and face everypony you’ve left. Especially after everything I’ve done. Especially…” she paused, gripping the book’s edges and holding it close to her chest.
She sighed, “Especially with my former teacher.”
The group of seven each shared a saddened look with one another, all eventually turning towards Shimmer.
She tightened her jaw, frowned, and nodded. “But my last time meeting with Celestia seemed to go well, back during the whole… Memory Stone incident.”
“Don’t remind us,” Rainbow groaned, crossing her arms.
“And Princess Twilight and I have been discussing this for weeks now, and we’ve both decided that now would be the best time to do so. School’s out, Equestria has never been safer, and it just…” Sunset sighed again, this time with a smile. “Now, it just feels right to do.”
It was quiet for a moment, everyone taking in Sunset’s words and the beautiful scenery that came with the rising summer sun. Then, Pinkie happened. She bounded forward, stopping directly in front of Sunset. “Sooooo… it’s a welcome home party, then?” she asked, leaning forward, hands behind her back. “That’s what you’ll be welcomed home to, right? A welcome home party?”
Sunset chuckled. “Well, Twilight did mention that Pinkie has been planning something in Equestria…”
Pinkie took that as the biggest breath of fresh air she’s ever taken, fist pumping in celebration. “Yes! Just the right way to do it! Oh, I am goooood. Even when it’s not technically me, I am goooood.”
Everyone laughed. Even Spike who had decided to wake up fully.
That laughter was broken apart when Pinkie suddenly lunged forward, wrapping her arms tightly around Sunset and nearly cracking her spine. Sunset caught her breath and nearly dropped her journal, hands pressed down on Pinkie, desperately trying to push her away so she could breathe again.
“Oh, please don’t stay in Equestria forever!” Pinkie cried, tears beginning to form in the corners of her tightly-closed eyes. “We have so many plans this summer!”
“Calm… down… Pinkie!” Sunset gagged. Pinkie took that as a clear sign to ease up. She took in several calming breaths the moment Pinkie let loose on her grip, gently patting the girl’s pink, fluffy hair. “It’s just for a week, remember? I’ll be back before you know it.”
“It better be just one week!” Rainbow exclaimed, stepping forward. “You can’t forget our trip to Florida! The waves are gonna be huge this year!”
“And our trips to the day spa, darling!” Rarity shouted, hand held out to the sky.
“And our camping trips,” Fluttershy offered to the conversation, smiling when everyone shouted in agreement.
To each of them, Sunset smiled in response. Nodded as well. And said, “I promise.”
The group shared a massive hug, as if that was her promise being nullified amongst them all. Spike leapt forward and licked Sunset’s face. Sunset giggled in response, picking Spike up and hugging him. She handed him back to Twilight once the group broke apart, who turned to Rarity after she stepped forward to Sunset.
Watching as Sunset placed her journal back in her bag, Rarity said, “Who knows? During your time back in Equestria you can catch up with your parents again!”
And just like that, Sunset’s smile faded.
An awkward silence filled the air, but she didn’t pay any attention to her friends or what followed after Rarity’s statement. Sunset thought only of her parents, how she hadn’t seen them since she left Equestria. She never really had a… strong relationship with her family. She dreaded what they must have thought of her now, what with leaving home without warning, stealing Princess Twilight’s crown, never visiting or sending letters to them. And now she was coming back, ready to apologize and put the past behind them. But that was just with Celestia.
Sunset wouldn’t doubt if her parents didn’t even know she was coming back. Still, she forced a smile. A sad one, and said, “Yeah… maybe.”
Applejack shoved her elbow in Rarity’s side, earning a painful yelp from the girl. Rainbow stuck her tongue out at Rarity, smiling as she did so.
Noticing her expression and ignoring the others, Twilight laid her hand on Sunset’s shoulder. “I know you don’t like talking about your parents…” Twilight said, holding Spike with one arm and caressing Sunset’s shoulder with the other, “but if there was ever a time to fully make amends, then you should take every opportunity you can.”
Sunset gripped her bag’s strap, eyes still not focused upwards. She felt Twilight’s grip on her shoulder, how warm it was. How friendly it appeared to be. She smiled at that, finally bringing up her gaze to those glasses and messy purple hair. “Thanks, Twilight. I’ll keep that in mind.”
They ended in a hug, quickly followed by everyone else. This group hug lasted longer than the last, not really promising anything, but signifying a strong goodbye, and an even stronger friendship.
“We really are gonna miss you,” Fluttershy whispered, voice cracking.
“Can you say longest week ever?!” Rainbow exclaimed.
“LONGEST WEEK EVER!” Pinkie screamed.
They all laughed and broke away. Containing her chuckles, Sunset stared at each of her friends, at the wonderful people she’s met, the ones that managed to change her life so much in the best possible way. She really was going to miss them. The last week of school may have been the longest week ever, but deep down she felt like this next one would be even longer. If that was possible.
She kept that in mind as she approached the portal. Looking back, she saw Twilight and the others waving their final goodbyes, even Spike. Twilight gently caressed her geode necklace while holding the little puppy. Sunset felt her own hand move without command towards her neck.
She wore her necklace, the red geode with the sun design still embedded within it. Gently caressing it at first, then gripping it tightly, Sunset smiled, much more confidently then before. With that confidence, she spun around and slowly entered the portal within the stone block.
She held onto her geode even as she swirled through dimensions.
Equus
Ponyville, Equestria
Home of Princess Twilight Sparkle
10:09 a.m.
Her mind always felt a bit woozy from using the portal, but not this time. Sunset Shimmer was greeted by the unfamiliar feeling of four hooves, a swishing tail, lack of fingers, and a protruding horn from her forehead the moment she stepped out of the light to rub it. She continued to smile as she felt the horn, ensuring her of the portal’s continued success.
Which also meant…
Opening her eyes after entering the bright light and swirling colors, Sunset flinched and allowed herself to adjust to the light before fully opening her eyelids. A stained glass window on the far left of the room was wide open and bright morning sunlight spilled inside the large library she had seen once before. Within the library, books lined the walls and sat in large piles at the edges of the room, and other than that the room was spotless. Well, save for eight colorful spots directly ahead of her.
Once her eyes had fully adjusted to the assault of the morning sunlight, Sunset blinked a couple of times and rubbed her eyes. She was met with several smiling faces, ones belonging to Princess Twilight Sparkle, Spike, Starlight Glimmer, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, Applejack, Rarity, and Rainbow Dash.
On cue to her arrival, Pinkie Pie bounded up and down in a cartoonish fashion, being stopped by Applejack who draped her hoof across the pony’s backside, keeping her to the ground. The farm pony smiled warmly, still holding Pinkie who could hardly contain her own smile. Rarity fluttered her eyelashes, offering a dazzling smile to the arrival of her fellow unicorn. Fluttershy weakly waved her hoof, hiding half of her face and smile behind her long, pink mane. Rainbow hovered above the group, forelegs crossed, smirking and winking down to the unicorn. Three took a step forward, one of them being Starlight and the others being Spike and Twilight, all of them smiling, Starlight’s own being much wider than Spike’s. Sunset returned the favor to Starlight. She brought her gaze forward, meeting the Alicorn’s gaze.
Sunset flinched, however, when a hulking suit of golden and red armor landed behind the three that approached her. Sunset took a cautious step back, eyes widened in shock, horn glowing and at the ready. She was stopped by Twilight’s hoof shooting outwards, assuring her of the safety of the situation. Twisting her neck back, Twilight smiled warmly to the large metal suit behind her. Starlight and Spike followed. Sunset just stared, her horn dying.
The suit was, as she noticed earlier, colored dark red with hints of gold on its arms, legs, and face. It’s eyes and chest glowed a bright blue, the chest especially with its circular design right over where its heart should be. The suit stood taller than the other mares, bringing its gaze down to Princess Twilight. It carried a familiar book with a sun design on its cover. When it spoke, the voice that came out of it completely surprised Sunset. It sounded feminine, a fluid young voice escaping its bulking shape. And it… she said, “Portal deactivated, Twilight.”
Not even her mouth moved when she talked, but Twilight didn’t seem all that disturbed. In fact, she smiled and nodded in response, facing the unicorn once more. Managing to bring her gaze away from the suit of armor for a second, Sunset met Twilight’s gaze, calming under the princess’ warm and welcoming grin.
And what she said. “Sunset… welcome home.”
Sunset Shimmer’s smile returned, forming a curious smirk. Directed at, yes, the seven ponies and one baby dragon, but more specifically, the Mark 45 Iron Man armor.
“Guess you guys got a bit of a story to tell,” Sunset chuckled.
Starlight smirked. “You could say that.”
Stats
Page generated in 0.043 seconds
Total duration
1,081 users online
2,012,244 hits today, 2,561,572 yesterday
FIMFiction
My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic Fanfiction
Designed and coded by knighty & Xaquseg - © 2011-2024
Follow & Support Us
Support us
SubStar
Chat!
Discord
Follow us
Twitter
MLP: Friendship is Magic® - © 2024 Hasbro Inc.®
Fimfiction is in no way affiliated with or endorsed by Hasbro Inc.®
Sunset, meet F.R.I.D.A.Y. You got a lot of catching up to do back in Equestria
And of all the times to take a week to visit equestria it just had to be then, I hope she doesn't end up breaking her promises to her friends.
Welcome back home, Sunset Shimmer! You have a lot of catching up to do.
So Sunset is spending one week of the start of her Summer vacation in Equestria to visit and spend time with her friends there and make some personal amends, leaving her human friends for a while promising that she will come back soon. Though I fear that her homecoming visit may take longer than she promised.
You know, I hope you do a callback to the first story when Tony poked through the Mirror Portal and have Sunset maybe bring up how she and her friends got frightened and creeped out when Horse-face Stark poked his head out of the portal.
Hello, F.R.I.D.A.Y.! I bet Sunset might be a little jealous that Twilight has her own AI in a suit of armor.
Nice now that sunset meet Friday I can wait for the next chapter
Sunset, Friday, Friday, Sunset, yes!! Here already?! Awesome and Super Hyped!! Can't wait for more! Next up, Sunset, meet the man, brown skinned human from another world who's a billionaire, playboy, super-genius, and philanthropist extarordinaire, Tony Stank, A. K. A. Iron Man! Love calling him that name though And then meet, the world's mightiest heroes, the Avengers!! Man oh man this is gonna be sweet!! Plus oh, shit, can't wait for Sunset to hear from Twilight about the horrible experience she went through with accordance to the Civil War incident, and the Sokovia Accords, she would be like "What?" And face frozen in shock and stuff!
Wow...this is gonna get interesting!!! Mark v and sunset! What could be better!
So do alternate human dimensions through mirror portals count as part of the universe Thanos wants to balance?
Well done!
Sunset is written extremely well
I have to say that I'm fearful for her on this trip it's not going to go how she or any of them think
i.imgur.com/h4QHiYb.gif
The Main 6, Starlight, and Sunset always liked to think that the magic of friendship was a powerful force that can overcome any obstacle. But the threats they've faced, Nightmare Moon, Discord, Queen Chrysalis, Tirek, The Pony of Shadows, King Sombra, the Dazzlings, even the latter two themselves, they wanted the same things: control and destruction.
Thanos is on a whole different level from those guys, what he wants is actually natural and is understandable. So can the magic of friendship be enough to stand against the Mad Titan himself?
8953198
Well, they won't go down without a fight. Every Nation in Equestria: Changelings, Yaks, Griffons, Dragons, Hippogriffs, and all other sentient races will be drawn in.
Rainbow Dash is probably right, this is probably gonna be the longest week ever. And not for the fun reasons I imagine.
Hopefully the Equestria Girls world isn’t on Thanos list for balancing...
YES!!! Sunset has returned to Equestria! I wasn’t expecting her to show so early in the story, but I’m sure as heck not complaining! And you’ve seemed to have gotten her character pretty spot-on!
Ha! If she was shocked to see F.R.I.D.A.Y., I can only imagine how she’ll feel when Twilight tells her about everything that has happened, from the Avengers helping to protect Equestria from Ultron, to the ponies going to Earth and getting caught up in a Civil War! I’m especially anxious to find out how Celestia and Luna reacted when they found out about the latter.
Okay, it’s been established that this takes place after EG: Forgotten Friendship, but when does it take place in the MLP universe? The start of Season 8? Has Twilight already opened her Friendship School? I’m eager to find out.
I do hope we get to meet Sunset’s parents before the... well, you know.
Another great chapter, JD! Keep up the good work!
8953141
As long as he has the Space and Reality Stones, yes.
8953228
If the Space and Reality Stones are not on his gauntlet.
Alright can't wait for chapter 3
Do you by chance have a schedule of when each chapter gets released
8953251
It is set after Molt Down. JDprime22 confirmed it.
8953421
Oh, cool. So Spike’s already got his wings!
Thanks!
Calm down Sunset, there should’ve been a budget Iron Man in your Equestrian movie so you could get an idea that F.R.I.D.A.Y is harmless-in this case.
And yeah, you have a LOT of catching up to do, but not all of it. Not the disturbing Earth Civil War stuff but yeah, a lot of things to catch up on. Really enjoyed this chapter!
8953431
yep, and he'll need them in the upcoming fight!
8953488
Let’s not forget his now stronger dragon fire! Spike is packing some serious heat... no pun intended.
...
Okay, it totally was.
8953594
BWAHAHAHAHAH!
Man Sunset even without Thanos that’s just asking for trouble.
I somewhat doubt that Sunset.
So Sunset is finally in the MCU!!!..... in a fanfiction but still and she met Friday. She’s definitely got a lot of stories to listen to. Wonder how she’ll react to them.
8953659
She's gonna know that these humans are ones she had never seen in her life, they're not just humans, they're superheroes, Earth's Mightiest Heroes, plus an Æsir Asgardian, and talk about the devestating blow the Mane 6 received in Civil War.
8950695
To continue your quotes from the Long Live Infinity blog:
"No. You fools will open your eyes. It will always be a folly of what you do. Because no matter what type of power you muster, no matter how many you are... no matter how much painful and harsh your words and your insolence you can always throw at me, all you want... no matter how much boldness and confidence you so build within yourselves... in the end, (places left hand in a snapping position) with a simple snap of my fingers, the ones you've grown attached so much... will be snuffed out their existence... along with your senseless arrogance... and your pitiful confidence... and that wretched little wreak of filth you call friendship... half of you will still exist, and that half, will come, to regret... and take back and swallow in their throats what they have tossed me with... and their useless little pride... and that half... is the lot... of you. Today, it is time for you, to taste what truly is like to be losing (snaps fingers without Infinity Gauntlet) In the end... no matter what you do... I win..
Not sure if i asked this but will certain (or any) ponies be invited to a certain billionaire's wedding?
Sunset is going to hear an interesting but sad story...
8953981
A very, very long and damnedest heart-crumbling one.
8953788
Twilight-"Maybe we will fall. But there are those in this universe who simply refuse to cow like sheep before a ravening wolf."
8954182
Thor: "And we're all not the sheep, we're brave, fearless, and valiant, like the mighty warriors we are, we stand together... never splinter apart... and we remain headstrong, as still as the very sturdy walls of Asgard herself... and we are more than what he thinks of us as spineless cowards, and we're not about to fall down without a fight, not now... not on this time. We will show our greatest enemy that we had now confronted what we're truly capable of. Here we are not going to turning back, we will remain as hard as the utmost brightest steel to the end. If we fall, then we fall for what is right, what is truly pure, and if we can't save this world, and all of the very realms that count on us and puts their fates in our hands..."
Rainbow and Rogers: "Then we can be very DAMN sure we can AVENGE them!!!"
T'challa: "JIBAMBE!!"
Rogers: "Avengers,"
Rainbow: "Everypony, and everybody,"
Starlight: "Altogether."
Equestrians: "For Equestria!!!"
Wakandans: "Wakanda forever!!"
T'challa: "JIBAMBE!!"
Rainbow: "It's time to kick some "ass"."
Rocket: "(Chuckle) Now that's the tone o' words I was lookin' for."
Groot: "I am Groot."
Rogers and Rainbow: "Assemble!!"
All: "Assemble!!!"
JIBAMBE!
8952878 Let's hope she can keep said promises.
8952903 Now that you mention it, Sunset telling Tony about the horse that came from the portal sounds hilarious. I might include that after all.
8952925 Thank you!
8953141 The Equestria Girls world is in another universe, so they're safe.
8953154 A tad unfortunate, but that's how it usually goes. Especially with what's coming...
8953198 The magic of friendship... the most powerful magic of all... can it withstand the power of the Infinity Stones?
8953228 I think our favorite humans will be safe.
8953251 Thanks! And yes, this story takes place after"Molt Down".
8953391 Probably every three days, depending on how long the chapters are.
8953487 Thanks!
8953659 Sunset in MCU confirmed!
A man can wish...
8953836 If any survive.
8954581 JIBAMBE!
8954641
Actually now I gotta ask, would you show how Thanos got the Power stone? I mean it was already said that they got it from another planet two weeks ago (when they were on Thor's transport ship) but a curious thought. I highly doubt you would do it.
8954651 Very interesting. Wait and find out...
8954641
8954641
Wakanda forever!
8954641
I partially doubt they will be safe there oblivious, but some of the remaining Avengers and surviving ponies might resort moving to that world just to hide, recuperate and cook up a plan to stop the Titan.
8954690
What do you think?
8955208 Sounds pretty good. We'll see if that comes to pass.
8955232
And about that Sunset reacting to Twilight telling her about the Sokovia Accords and Civil War incident that devestatively cost them friendship I said earlier what do you think?
8954641
So none will be with him and Pepper when he met Doctor Strange or are you planning a different direction with the story?
8955410 I'm planning a different direction.
8955451
Different direction eh? That oughta be interesting. So anyways, how 'bout it? Your thoughts?
You say that the Equestria Girls Universe is safe but Thanos can do anything with the Infinity Stones, if he encounters Sunstet Shimmer, then he would know the existence of another universe and perhaps when he's done with the MCU/Pony universe, maybe he'll make one last stop before settling on his farm.
8955596
Actually, if you go by that one comic, the Infinity Stones wouldn't work in The Equestria Girls universe.
Remember Darkseid getting a hold of the gauntlet, but it wouldn't work because it only works in its home universe.
Guess since an Element of Harmony coukd work there, don't see why the stones wouldn't.
8955451
Fair enough
Good job of writing from Canterlot High and Equus's viewpoints!
I just can’t wait till the guardians of the galaxy get involved
8956074 Thank you!
8956205 Me neither!
8956708
You're welcome. ;)
8956708
I don't know if you will, but I think Twilight's gonna tell Celestia and Luna the flip side of their stay in Earth, such as Stark's home being more technologically advanced and of course, some little words of knowledge that was lectured to her by Stark, like how his world works, how it is run purely by nature and physics, not reliance upon magical beings and magical forces, and of course, the true nature of the stars, and how they look, how big and fiercer than they look, and how they are more colorful than they look, and the fact that stars also appear together in multi star systems, and the Sun being bigger than the planet and not being controlled by someone, same going with the moon, as well.