A sequel to All These Midnight Days.
Sunset Shimmer has returned from the Mirror Universe in order to work with her friend and mentor, Princess Twilight Sparkle, now the Ruler of Equestria, on a personal project, only to be waylaid by the announcement that her other friend, Starlight Glimmer, is soon to give birth. What a happy occasion!
However, not all is as it seems. And when the newborn foal bears more than a striking resemblance to a certain Alicorn, the very fate of the universe will hinge upon the greatest sacrifice a mother can be called upon to make.
And in the end, is one child's happiness worth the entire world?
Part of the Anarchyverse.
EDITED: 9/10/2020 - Improvement to opening narration.
Chapters (7)
(Reads description)
Oh. Oh. We've got a time loop to perpetuate here, don't we?
I figured this would happen to pregnant ponies. Imagine the struggles Pinkie will go through with Li'l Cheese.
I have several questions about the sap bubbles.
Huh. Shadowflash. There's a novel ship.
She's the one who makes you feel alright.
Yup. Very nasty paradox in the works. This should be good. Looking forward to more. (Also, now I want to see big Mac write the Farmer's Uplifting Primer.)
Not the twist I expected, and yet one that holds quite some promise.
Me: *thinks about the last time Starlight lost something she loved* Oh, crap. Equestria is f*cked!
Oh... Oh crap. Explains Sunset'scrazy magical power and intelligence, but damn.
So they are going to have to send her back in time, because Sunset is a causality loop.
Oh one hoof, they know it turns out ok, she is right there after all. And Celestia should be able to tell them about her childhood somewhat, but on the other...
It's their baby, and they have to give her up, loose her as their child, because she is far to important to two worlds to keep... Ouch.
This is going to make certain events and relationships really awkward.
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To quote: “Carrying a foal was the worst experience of my life! I spent a year not being able to enjoy pickles and ice cream! I kept craving salads, and my hooves swelled up, and Lil Cheese kicked like a mule while he was…”
In life, Apples. In death, Atonement.
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Well, here's hoping the next couple chapters do it justice.
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She handles loss the same way Anakin Skywalker does...
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Which ones in particular? Unless I missed an episode where Sunset pulls a "hey how you doin?"...
I want Mac to write the Farmer's Uplifting Primer.
Kind of hard to buy into a story with Sunset as an alicorn and not Starlight.
Seeing as Starlight deserves it more then her.
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That opinion's been going around.
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Well, if you read All These Midnight Days, you'd know Sunset would agree with you.
...
"Hello Sweetie."
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Oh crap. She's even got the same kind of hair!
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Coincidence? I think not...
This isn't the crap meeting the fan: this is the Augean Stables going into a wind tunnel.
Welcome back to the future Sunset!
To be fair, tomorrow is still not today.
The plot thickens as we get a sense of the complete loop. The question is, can Starlight bear to go through with it? Can the universe survive if she doesn't? And just what has Twilight trying to shout her house apart?
Looking forward to finding out.
Yeah, this about how one would think it would go.
Kinda miffed at Celesta that she didn't take Sunset in right at the start, I understand why, just not happy with her for doing it.
Sunset getting her cutie mark that early?!? How in the sam hill did that happen?!? I mean I'm sure we are going to find out as its coming up soon in the time line that seems to be spelt out for us, but good lord.
How is adult Sunset going to deal with this, let alone Sunburst and Starlight? Is this the cost of Starlight's screwing with time? Is that spell going to steal away her baby? It did just kinda leave on it's own after all.
AWWWW!!
This gonna be very good... or vey bad... or both.
Yes, probably both.
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There is a saying. The past is history. Tomorrow is a mystery. But today? It's a gift! And that is why it is called the Present...
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It is my goal in life to make you all love this baby, and then snatch it away.
She chose her daughter over the world, and it cost her her life.
Well now we know what cased the dead world timeline, joy.
Wonder if Celestia can take some solace in her being a horrible mother was destiny? Sunset had to run it seems, to bring that "happiness" to that other world.
Oh man, this chapter was sad enough and there's more to come I don't think my heart will take it
...but keep them coming, please
This is... wonderful.
And, I see a little clue because I know what the Ouroboros is.
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Don't worry. Next chapter should be a bit lighter... and the one after a lot bleaker... and maybe the one after might be slightly happier, maybe.
I really need to write something happy after this.
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"But don't you see? It was destiny for me to eat all this cake!"
"Get out of my castle!"
Good story so far, too bad it doesn't have more attention. Are we going to see Luna dealing with Starlight's Tantabus? We know that in the future Starlight's okay, raising Luster Dawn. So I was just wondering how much of the in-between we'll see, because I have to believe at this point if her Tantabus had been left unchecked it would have driven her utterly insane.
You'd think a being that partially embodies Laughter would have a better sense of humor. Or at least be able to read the room.
"Anathema" seems harsh. I'd argue for "Adversary" in the original sense. One who opposes not because they disagree with the plan, but to test and strengthen it through that opposition.
In any case, the choice is clear. The question is what it will take for Starlight to make it. And whether Celestia will ever speak up about how she feels like she's losing the daughter she never really had.
I see Trixie is doing well.
This is getting good, serious and interesting.
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"I am approximately 16.66666666666667%Pinkie Pie... whose sensibilities may have caused a deficit in my Sensitivity matrix..."
3.bp.blogspot.com/-cnj4NNHwuRA/Wzq4THm2ZPI/AAAAAAAAKgo/6gfxihQZ_8sKiIUN1CuA6MmMtQZYKvjtQCLcBGAs/s1600/Twilight_Sparkle_continues_to_cry_MLPTM.png
Yay a Sunburst chapter! I was wondering how he was feeling about this whole thing. Their conversation was so precious and seeing the little glimpses of the father he could be warmed my heart and broke it at the same time. But I guess he and Starlight will have a chance in the future since harmony implied they would have more, but still, giving up your first child is horrible. And poor Starlight but I'm with Sunset on this one that she will pull one last crazy stunt before giving up her baby I can't wait to read what happens next.
I love the idea of Twilight offering an entire demiplane as a baby shower present. As she grows in power, the distinction between her gifts and Discord's narrows down to how immediately useful they are.
Oof. There's a lot to unpack.
One of the better biological explanations I've seen for ocular derpery.
Given her niece, I wouldn't bet on it.
... Oh! Trixie considers Twilight one of her best friends? That's legitimately heartwarming.
Ah, the Wimp Lo school of magical education.
Wonderful scene with father and daughter. Sunburst got sidelined by Starlight's drama, so it's nice to see him get some dad time in.
As for what's coming up next... Well, we'll see in time. But it's definitely going to hurt.
I laughed so hard at that.
So in equestria girl world where magic is mainly from music she would archmage?
Oh, the feels! Poor Starlight. Poor Sunburst and Sunset/Sunshine too for that matter.
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Hello darkness, my old friend...
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I feel like you may be biased in Sunburst's favor. But, Starlight? Crazy plans? Nawww...!
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And I love how you can skew that either way.
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Was there ever any doubt?
And then Starlight takes the baby and runs the minute nobody's looking, I suppose.
Quite an interesting story.
I really like the connection with all your other works and how each have their own bit of insanity, although this one is more sad.
Poor Starlight can't catch a break. No matter how much good she does, if it's not herself, the universe itself keeps punching her down. This is literally a sacrifice of your firstborn kind of deal.
I was pointed to this story due to my own version of Sunset also hinting the word Sunshine when touching her past, so I wonder if there will be more coincidences between them. I especially wonder what your version of how she got her cutie mark will be.
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You may yet have your questions answered... tomorrow. Probably right around this time.
Thanks for giving my story a chance! Hope you enjoy the rest of the ride!
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Oh I'm on board now. I only left it for later because it didn't sound like the kind of story I normally enjoy. And it isn't but I'm invested anyway so kudos to you.
Honestly the only criticism I could give is that some of the jokes feel kind of out of place with the drama of the scene.
Also curse you now I want to write a baby foal due to how adorable Sunshine is
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My task is complete.
I am confused, I get Adult Sunset had visions due to touching her baby self, but did Adult Susnet turn into Baby Sunset? Like, did they switch places?
Booo.
There's an interesting detail. Especially since it apparently isn't something she should be proud of.
Good to know it's reviled in-universe.
In all seriousness, fantastically heart-wrenching chapter. Looking forward to the conclusion.
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No, Sunset just saw her own memories from a few moments earlier.
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Thank you, that makes sense
Well, that was certainly an experience for Sunset, at both ends of the loop.
For a second during that period where baby Sunset and adult Sunset's minds caught up with each other, I thought Starlight had swapped them or something. I should probably apologize to Starlight for that.
I find the chapter well paired with this at the end.
Most interesting. So that's her cutie mark. Should've realized that was how she got it.
Since it seems this still isn't over, wonder what will happen next. Probably a lot of talks and sadness.
This whole chapter is just me trying not to cry, only to cry harder.
Damn that ending was a sucker punch to the stomach. I honestly thought Starlight wouldn't go through with the plan, it's somehow even more saddening seeing her following it through. Wonderful chapter, can't wait to read more!
Well done.
Ouch
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Yeah, suddenly reliving your entire life over at a rate of 1-second-per-second can suck.
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i.gifer.com/origin/75/75a6a4f3d98f23665ba25b6dd880ac4c_w200.gif
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Sure you weren't thinking of this song? Yes. Sadness is a good guess.
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I worried a lot over getting the ending right, so... thank you!
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To make sure I fully understand, all that happened was Adult Sunset saw Baby Sunset's memories, and Baby Susnet saw Adult Sunset's memories, which is what gave Baby Sunset her cutie mark? They did not swap bodies?