A Tale of Two Sunsets (Featherfall -Fanfic)
Sunset's Isekai
A Tale of Two Sunsets (Featherfall - Fanfic)
By Wanderer D & I-A-M
"Aw hell, I don't think I can keep it in, babe!"
Sunset Shimmer grimaced as her fiance pushed her wheelchair with increasing speed. "Keep calm, Gil, I'm sure there's somewhere here where we can stop."
"I'm so stupid, we still had two stops to go, but I had to take the scenic route!"
Despite the urgency of the situation, Sunset couldn't help but smile and reach out to touch Gilda's hand. "Hey, you wanted to show me this area of town."
"I still should've known I'd need to go soon. I'm not five!" Gilda retorted, although Sunset could hear the smile. "Hold that thought, there's a bar right there… let's go in. You can order a drink while I take care of business, a'right?"
Sunset didn't even have time to look at the sign next to the door before she was pushed through and they entered the bar. The small hall before the bar proper was dimly lit, but they could both see the establishment was well taken care of, and seemed a little more classy than it had a right to be for the area of Canterlot City they had been trudging through.
Still, Gilda had to go, so she pushed Sunset into the bar and, without looking up, hurried down the bar and followed the signs for the restroom, before leaving Sunset alone.
"Welcome to Sunset's Isekai!" a voice said, sending a chill down her spine. Sunset rolled her wheelchair around so she was facing the bar, where a familiar figure was looking away from her, apparently replacing an expensive-looking bottle on the top shelf, right next to a neon sign of a cocktail glass with her cutie mark on the side that read "Sunset's Isekai".
The Sunset Shimmer across the bar twirled in place, grinning until she saw her. A mix of feelings ran through that face. Excitement. Surprise. Dawning understanding.
"How is this possible?" Sunset asked her counterpart.
The Sunset behind the bar blinked and shrugged. "Interdimensional Bar. I don't know what the actual chances are to have you—and was that Gilda?—be my first guests."
"Right."
There was an awkward moment of silence. "Um, would you like anything to drink?"
"Gin and tonic," Sunset replied, relaxing back into her chair and taking a second glance around. Even though the bar looked a bit worn, it was now clear it had opened really recently. The empty picture frames on the wall were a clear indication that Sunset—the other Sunset—intended to eventually fill the walls with memories that had yet to come.
So far there were only two pictures on it, and neither brought good memories to Sunset. One was of Sunset and a slightly older-looking Rarity, both standing outside the bar. Different enough not to bother her, but the other one was a group picture of Sunset and the others, including human Twilight, outside the school. A picture of what could have been.
"So how did it happen?" her counterpart asked, setting the Gin and Tonic on the counter and pushing it within reach of Sunset's hands.
Sunset tore her eyes from the pictures, momentarily debating how to bring it up. She gave her mirror image a wry smile and shrugged.
"A few steel girders would break anyone's back, savvy?" Sunset replied, and the pair of them shared an eerily identical smirk. "Not everyone gets lucky in life, and when we do it's always in different ways, one man's misfortune, right?"
"Fair enough," she replied, going back to polishing a glass. "Didn't you try to heal it though? You do have magic, right?"
"I do," Sunset confirmed, and after a pensive moment admitted, "and I could have."
A pair of dark eyebrows shot up.
"And?"
Sunset shrugged again. "What do you think happened?"
The Sunset Shimmer who stood behind the bar set the tumbler glass down that she had been polishing and stared hard at the one who was seated on the other side. Her eyes traveled over the cold metal bars that made up the wheelchair's frame, the soft padding, the blankets that covered her double's legs, and the care-worn look in her bright, sky blue eyes.
She noted, most of all, how relaxed that version of her looked.
There was an ease to the young woman, a lightness, like she lacked some fundamental weight from around her shoulders.
From behind the bar, Sunset Shimmer let out a slow, even breath.
"What would it have cost us?"
Shifting slightly in her wheelchair, Sunset smiled wanly as she looked up at her double and nodded.
"Far too much," she replied.
"It was the only answer I could figure," the bartender replied, relaxing a little and picking up a new glass to begin polishing it. "The only thing that ever stopped us from doing anything was deciding not to do it."
"We're stubborn like that," Sunset agreed.
"Better question then," her double asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Shoot," Sunset said.
"What the hell is wrong with how you talk?"
Sunset blinked, then started laughing, and the bartender joined in a breath later. For a few moments, they just laughed, one redhead leaning hard on her bar while the other gripped her armrests and cackled.
"Guess you mean, 'savvy'?" Sunset asked, and her double nodded. "Gilda uses the stupid word like a comma or a period half the time, and I spent months with basically no one but her to talk to."
"Aha."
As if summoned by her comment, they both heard the restroom door open, and Gilda walked out into the bar proper. "That's some nice restrooms back there, babe, I have no… idea… how—" She stopped and gaped. "How?"
Bartender Sunset smirked. "Hey, babe, what are you having today?"
"Oh, stop it." Sunset shook her head. Even though it was technically her, it was still weird someone else calling Gilda that. "She usually drinks cheap whiskey and coke."
Her counterpart raised her hands in a placating motion, her smile widening. "Oh, so that's how it is?"
Sunset took Gilda's hand when the latter had joined her across from her mirror image. "This is how it is."
Bartender Sunset sighed, her smile growing warm as she proceeded to fish up a bottle of whiskey. "I'm very happy for both of you. It also gives me hope!"
Sunset blinked. "Oh, so you and Rarity aren't…" she motioned with her hand at the pictures, which Gilda noticed and scowled at.
Bartender Sunset's face grew a mock glare. "Oh no. Rarity has much to answer for… specifically legal questions regarding this place. But no. I'm single." She motioned for them to sit at the bar. "But judging from your reactions, it seems that she's not much loved where you come from."
Gilda held up her hands silently, her brow furrowed with concern and something like strain.
“Okay just… just back up, yeah?” Gilda said as she closed her eyes. “Can we just talk about how there’s two’a you? Like, just for a second?”
Bartender Sunset crossed her arms, smirking. "Sorry, this is relatively new to me so I don't have a good way to explain it other than 'multiverse shenanigans', or possibly 'magic.'"
Sunset reclaimed her grip on Gilda’s hand.
“Now you know how I felt when you were in the hospital,” she said with a wry grin, “you having fantasies too?”
Gilda flushed scarlet, even showing past her dark complexion, and peals of laughter sounded from behind the bar.
“Wait, wait, what?” Sunset leaned her elbows on her bar and fixed Gilda with a curious look. “What happened?”
Gilda looked sheepish for a few seconds before taking the glove from her hand and revealing the prosthetic, and for the second time that hour Sunset’s eyebrows shot upward.
“Whoa.” She reached out tentatively, only continuing when she got a nod from Gilda, and set her hand on the cold Equestrian cloudsteel of the arm. “That’s incredible…”
“Yeah, that’s a word for it,” Gilda said with a grimace, “losin’ my arm messed me up pretty bad actually, had to get a kick in the ass from another me, savvy?”
Bartender Sunset nodded. "I'm sorry you went through that," she said, "but it seems you came out a lot stronger." She leaned back. "Sorry, I know that sounds a bit pretentious coming from me. But you two look like you've conquered everything thrown your way, although I'm still surprised you don't seem to…" she trailed off. "Oh…" She blinked as realization slowly dawned on her. "Oh… don't tell me it was them?"
Sunset felt Gilda's hand tightening around her own, but smiled. "Gil, babe, help me sit up on one of the stools? I think a story is in order."
"So, redemption, huh?" Bartender Sunset took a deep breath, putting some distance between the couple and herself. "Some people think that that's really unattainable, you know? That no matter how hard you try, how many times people might say they forgive you for something, you know deep inside they haven't… and probably won't." She sighed.
“Mhm,” Sunset agreed with a nod and a quiet smile, “I know.”
The bartender frowned at that reply, and her hands went down to one of the stacks for glasses, picking one up and running a clean rag along the rim. Both Gilda and Sunset could see it was spotless but, then again, that wasn’t really the point.
“You know?” she asked finally, and there was a touch of anger in her voice.
Sunset nodded again, though.
“Yeah, I mean… that’s sort of the point isn’t it?” Sunset said, leaning forward on the bar and meeting her double’s gaze fearlessly.
“Bein’ redeemed ain’t somethin’ you can just lean into until ya put enough hours in, savvy?” Gilda added, having taken a place at the bar and taking a tentative sip of her drink before giving a low hum of approval. “I mean, c’mon, that ain’t how shit like forgiveness or redemption or any’a that emotional crap works, y’know?”
The Sunset behind the bar paused in her reflexive cleaning, staring pensively down at her reflection in the crystalline glass of the tumbler she was holding.
“It’s not about where you’re trying to get to,” Sunset said quietly, reaching into her coat and pulling out the gemstone clasp of her Element, the gleaming ruby-and-topaz divided sun emblem. “It’s just about trying… it’s about pushing forward knowing there might not be anything at the other end of the tunnel because being a good person isn’t about being rewarded.”
Bartender Sunset's shoulders sagged. "You're right, of course. And I'm sure I'll meet other Sunsets who will feel the same. I went through the whole Anon-A-Miss thing as well, and even though we remain friends, the Memory Stone drove home how much the gang hated me before being blasted by magic. I'll always wonder whether they're really forgiven me… but Redemption isn't an easy thing… especially for those that seek it."
She put the clean glasses away and slowly ran her fingertips on the surface of the bar. "You know, I thought that opening this bar was an impulse decision. Just before you girls came in, I was having second thoughts about this whole thing. It's scary. And it's a big commitment of time and effort. It's a risk… and I'm sure I'll have awful days as much as I'll have good ones. But meeting you both has made me realize that nothing really worth it comes easy."
She smirked at their looks. "Oh, I know it's a well known saying, but internalizing it is different. With all you went through, I guess it makes my own issues seem petty in comparison, at least to myself. But that's not necessarily a bad thing, is it? It means that I can take that and turn it into something positive. There are many lessons I've still to learn, and maybe this bar with its weird inter-dimensional powers is the first step to achieving that."
Sunset's smile softened. "I'm glad you're starting to see what I meant."
Her mirror image shrugged. "Celestia raised no fool. Besides, you and Gilda are so adorable together that I might try and hook up with the next one that comes in, if she's single, or her partner is willing to share."
“No guarantee,” Sunset replied with a wry grin. “We’ve never been very good at sharing, have we?”
“Mm… guess not,” her double said with an equivalent smirk.
After a moment, the Bartender frowned and looked around her, taking a deep breath before looking back at Gilda and Sunset.
“Do you think we have to suffer to be redeemed?” she asked in a voice that was almost painfully small.
Sunset looked thoughtful as she let Gilda help her down into her wheelchair, pulling the covers over her legs as she did, and after a few moments looked up at met her double’s eyes.
“I think you might have to suffer to be kind,” she said quietly. “If you haven’t really hurt, really felt the kind of pain that leaves people broken I think that… it’s hard to really feel it, but maybe that’s just me, or us.” The pair of them scoffed at the irony of that, then Sunset continued. “But there’s a difference between trying to do better, to be better, and just martyring yourself on your cause.”
A few moments passed and Sunset nodded, her grip tightening on the covers that were draped across her numb legs.
“Yeah,” she said quietly, “I think that’s the real trap… when you’re breaking yourself to try to find redemption, you’re just doing it to make yourself feel better, you know?” Sunset glanced up and met her mirror’s eyes behind the bar. “That’s just being selfish, I think, but I do think we have to be kind to be redeemed… make of that what you will.”
Her bar-tending double nodded pensively. "You've given me a lot to think about… but you know, I think in the end, it's worth it to be kind and forgive ourselves as well… and from there find redemption." Her eyes sparkled. "Anyway, consider this on the house. You are my very first customers ever, after all, and I think you gave me more than the drink is worth… only thing is, I'd like to take a picture of you two… for the wall. And the memories."
Sunset and Gilda glanced at each other and nodded.
"Perfect!" Sunset took a camera from under the bar and went around while they set themselves for the picture. "Say cheese!"
Gilda closed the door behind them and again they were standing on the streets of Canterlot City.
"Gil," Sunset said, calling her attention.
"Yeah, babe?"
"Look."
Gilda followed the direction Sunset's finger was pointing at, and discovered the entrance to Sunset's Isekai was gone. "Damn. Y'think we'll ever see her again?"
"Well, she did give us her card," Sunset said, showing Gilda the transparent business card with the cocktail and sun cutie-mark/logo.
"Heh, well, at least we know it's out there," Gilda said, leaning down to kiss Sunset on the cheek. "Anyway, we should hurry if we don't want to worry Adagio and the others."
She started pushing Sunset's wheelchair again in silence, until Sunset spoke up. "How does it feel to know that there's another me out there?"
Gilda shrugged. "Gives me a headache, but I don't care. There's one Sunshine in my life that I care about anyway, and she's with me right now, savvy?"
And Sunset's smile was answer enough for her to know that her Sunshine did know.
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Cannot resist:
This is going to remind me so much of that Isekai Restuarant anime I remember watching a few years back.
And based off the first few chapters, I absolutely loved this. And what a way to give Featherfall a shout out.
Wow! I think I get it. Characters from many stories on FimFiction come to this bar. The Mane 7 of course, but they each have their own different stories and personalities in general. I love it!
9695533 Restaurant to another world?
9695545
Yes, that story. I started it, never finished it. (I never finish anything)
But this reminds me of that. And I'm really looking forward to more.
9695561 I binged watched the entire series in one go, there's also a similar one called Isekai Izakaya "Nobu" that came out a little while back.
In hooked
Alright, let' see where this goes.
Interesting. Sort of reminds me of Spider Robinson’s work.
Okay, that was damned good. I could tell which Sunset was which even without 'Bartender' there.
9695545
I love that anime! The only problem is that I get hungry every time I watch it...
9695545
This is good civ
This looks like an interesting premise! I'll be looking forwards to seeing what comes of it
Right, so, there's clearly a fic referenced here. Not exactly one I'm interested in reading, but I still have no idea what it is. Which is... a tad annoying, and has to be annoying for some other people too.
Regardless, this is a good, no, great start. A bar. A bar that will not visit other worlds, no, it shall be VISITED! And this poor Sunset will have to just... deal. I hope she learns to like her job.
(though, geez, forever? That's a long time. That's probably a Carousel Rarity right there.)
-GM, master of Squiddy.
So this is “A Restaurant From Another World”/“Isekai Shokudo” only as a bar with Sunset as the owner?
9695757
Could you please tell them to stop putting portals on top of portals? Ever since Anime Addventure went offline, multiversal navigation went from aggravating to insane.
9695777
The fanfic being referenced is Featherfall by I-A-M, and you're in luck. The final chapter was posted today.
This amuses me. I will follow.
I'd join the patreon and pitch a few fics, but I am short on funds at the moment. So I'll watch and let the crazyness unfold from here
"So far there were only two pictures on it"
Doesn't this conflict with the previous chapter's
"and several empty frames, save for one picture of the proud owner and her patron."
?
Or do the frames sometimes on their own show pictures to the customers to spur conversations, or something?
Don’t make enough to even consider becoming a patron at the moment, so I’m just gonna wonder what the next AU will be? I wonder if deadfic AUs will be considered?
This somewhat reminds me of Tales from the Barman on Twisting the Hellmouth, a BtVS fic where Xander opens a bar, only for characters from all over the multiverse to start randomly appearing. Each chapter has someone come in, and taking advantage of Xanders "Tell a story, Leave a Souvenir, and the drink is free" offer.
Part of what reminds me of that fic is that at one point, Xander's Wall of Souvenir's comes to hold the collective prison of several evils - but as a side effect, Xander is rendered the immortal owner of the bar in order to stand watch over said prison.
Didn't like getting spoiled for a story I haven't finished reading yet, but interesting premise. Maybe choose older moments to crossover with? Gilda losing an arm and getting it replaced by a magical one mustn't have more than three months or so. Or at least warn of how recent the spoiler might be. Not cool otherwise, on the level of a dislike.
9695545
that and this one
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isekai_Izakaya_%22Nobu%22
https://www.crunchyroll.com/isekai-izakaya-japanese-food-from-another-world
Alright. So it sounds like this is in the SOTS multiverse, and some time after the infinite carousel FoME mentioned on his side. I like it. I wonder if the League of Sweetie Belles team will make an appearance?
I'm eager to see who we will see.
GM sent me. The Songs multiverse is growing bigger by the day, huh?
I like the idea of this story, and execution is solid so far. I don't know the fic that this chapter in particular is referencing but I feel like you gave me everything I needed to know to follow along. That said, is there any chance you could or will be adding links to stories as you go?
*blinks, looks at the summary, grasps the concept...*
This... this reminds me... of...
Star Trek: The Captain's Table
Oh my dear sweet heaven this might be awesome and fantastic *faves before even reading*
Hmm... interesting concept. Seems to be coming off a bit negative so far so I'll hope that changes. By that I mean here we have a Sunset who was so lost for what to do with her life that she's suddenly a bartender because some Rarity said she makes a good cocktail. Another Sunset who could apparently only keep her happiness by staying in a wheelchair despite magic to... not do that. Sounds like multiple evil Rarities once you count the one this couple has a bad past with? And a stalker Spike... AND you mentioned Anon-a-Miss. Yeesh, downer multiverse much?
I'm curious to see where this goes, but so far it looks like a set up for a bunch of drunks hanging by a thread. If I wanted that I'd stop avoiding family reunions. That isn't me saying it's bad; you've got my upvote and I'll see ya next go round. Just... concern.
Also I'm seeing in the comments references to a multiverse setting this is a part of. Any truth to that? I'm assuming not Time Loops (they've already got a Bar). But I don't know many others unless it's going to be like TSC and just hit up particular fics (as the AN mentioned I think?)
Anywho yeah, engaging start even if I unironically want a drink after the downer character portrayals.
This is like that restaurant anime. That opens only on Saturday
9696294
Aw yeah, I love me some chicken curry when the day of Satur comes around
Hmm, I'm intrigued to see where this goes.
I feel like this is referencing other fics, but without any name dropping its hard to tell.
Could you put links to the referenced fics? Perhaps in the authors notes?
I wonder if straight up Isekai protagonists can come to this bar as silly chapters? At the very least I'm sure Sunny can understand where Kazuma is coming from being stuck with a useless goddess.
This feels so familiar, I swear I've seen a story with a premise like this before somewhere.
Ah well, I'm glad that you're writing it and I hope you continue to do so, it's been quite a good story so far.
Well, damn, I posted a blog awhile back regarding my thoughts about making a story with a similar premise based on VA-11 HALL-A at some point, and was even going to make Sunset the main character, but it looks like you beat me to it.
9696223
I remember that! Storms, it's been a dog's age since I've read those stories. I should see about digging up a set for myself.
9695777
I recall an old, very old, series of sci-fi short stories revolving around a hamburger joint somewhere in North Dakota. Apparently it was some kind of multiversal anomaly; no matter when/where you go, there will be some form of establishment in that exact spot, and it will be a safe place to get some food and rest.
An interesting collection of stories really, rife with that extraordinary ordinariness I so love as the new kid's confusion contrasts with the owner's utterly blasé stoicism.
9696601
You could have old Salvatore wander in here at some point, author permitting, poor man could likely do with a drink.
9696610
Ah, but seeing as that story is a self-insert and I don't drink, Salvatore doesn't either, though I suppose he could go for something non-alcoholic...
Then again, knowing me and how I'm open to trying new things, I might be willing to partake of a single drink, provided it's sweet enough. I do also have a massive sweet tooth.
9696256
Sounded to me like said magic was of the "let's make a deal" variety, and Sunset decided she'd rather not "get what she wanted, but loose what she had"
If she's at peace with it I'd say 'twas the right choice.
9696611
Seems to me that simply finding a spot where nothing's going to come flying out of nowhere trying to murder him would be enough of a treat. You can only die horribly so many times before you just need a break of some kind.
9696618
True enough.
9695849
I think one was added between chapters.
Hmm hmm...like most things you write, WD, you have piqued my interest.
I'm interested to see where this goes.
Sometimes it's not just the customers who need the bat. Sometimes the bartender needs the talk as well.
Fascinating concept. Multiverse stories are always an easy sell for me, and this concept has me deeply intrigued. Looking forward to more.
9695561 You know, I'm aware of that series, and have sort of wanted to watch it, but this idea has been in my head since Sparkle's No 1 Assistant. :P
I really didn't know that existed.
9695757 Yes, it is indeed a reference to that.
9695777 9695952 I mean, 3 months is a pretty long time for trying not to spoil something, but I do see your point. I'll add the original fic's name next to the chapter title.
9695835 Never heard of it. Where is it from?
9695949 So much for originality
9696256 It's not officially part of any continuity or universe. And no, it's not supposed to be too serious, but the idea is that some of the chapters might make you think a little about things.
9696537 There is no limit.
9696779
It was a good series, I enjoyed the first four episodes. I think the manga is still going, which is what I'd like to try.
What I need to do, though, is stop reading manga in my free time and start writing. How do you do it? How do you manage to write nearly everyday, but more importantly, manage all these ideas? Everytime I try to write I second guess which idea I should write and then not write anything. One of these days, I'm going to try and PM you cause I could use a lot of advice on time management and writing. It's brutal. Lol
I'm the second Dislike. Why? Because rasins.
9696931 Alright. More power to you. Let me know later if you ever read it if you actually liked it or not.
In Denver, there's a bar called Sunset Falls, and every time I go there it reminds me of Sunset because of the color coordination, but this bar has been around since like 2004, so it's not just a brony owns the bar and was like "yeah"
9696608
That sounds VERY interesting!
Any idea on authors / title / when it came out? Was it an anthology, or just short stories in various magazines?