There's Another Unicorn In My House
Sunset slowly came to, hearing the shrill beeping of the alarm clock next to her. An amber hoof came out from the top corner of the blanket and swiftly tapped the top of it, returning the room to a near silence, save for the morning tide, seagulls and... Sizzling?
She swung her hind legs over to the edge and got out of bed, and was fortunate enough to catch a glimpse of herself in the mirror before she went to open the door, finding that she had quite the bedhead, wondering if she had looked like that from her few hours in the sleeping bag, too. She turned to her chest at the foot of the bed, and pulled out a brush. Trotting over to the mirror, she ran the brush through her mane and tail, getting herself presentable in a couple of minutes. She was also wondering about the appearance of her horn; it was now a bone white, instead of being covered by the felt-like coat in the same color as the rest of it. It didn't seem to affect its performance, though. Finding herself acceptable, she returned the brush to her chest, close the lid, and then made her way to the door. She took a breath, then opened it and stepped out into the hall, where the sizzling sounds coming from the main room was now joined by an inviting smell. Walking down the hallway, she found Sunny standing in front of the stove with a cast iron pan, who turned her head at the sound of hoofsteps.
"Good morning, Sunset. Have a good night?" The earth pony asked.
"Yeah, thank you. Something smells great," the unicorn replied.
"Thanks, breakfast will be ready shortly. Hope you like pancakes!"
"Heh, I guess some things never change, pancakes sound fantastic" Sunset commented as she sat down at the table, remembering quite a few pancake breakfasts, not just in the castle with Celestia, but also with her friends in the mirror world.
Sunny was getting the pancakes plated up when there was a knock at the front door, followed by it opening a moment later, and the unicorn from yesterday popped in. Sunset tried to recall her name. Izzy, right?
"Morning, Sunny!" Izzy greeted enthusiastically.
"Morning," came the reply from not one, but two ponies, and the earth pony gave the amber unicorn a curious glance.
Sunset's cheeks tinted red.
"Ugh, I was afraid of that eventually... 'Sunny' has been an occasional pet name of mine..." Sunset admitted as she began twiddling her front hooves in embarrassment as Izzy came over to sit down at the dining table as well.
"Honest enough mistake," Sunny offered, returning her attention to the pancakes. A couple minutes later, she came to the table with three plates stacked with pancakes, and went to the fridge to return with a pitcher of orange juice.
"So," Sunny began, cutting into her serving of breakfast. "Now that we've all had a good night's sleep, we can finally hopefully start to clear some things up for you."
"Ooh, do you have your '142 Questions For A Unicorn'?" Izzy asked, taking her first bite, with Sunset's eyes widening. Sunny chuckled.
"No, no. A lot of those have actually been answered by now. But from what I've gathered from Twilight's journal, you're Sunset Shimmer, and you were Princess Celestia's student before she was, if I remember correctly?" Sunny asked.
Sunset nodded.
"For just a little over four years, I jumped into that magic mirror after she removed me from my position as her student and banished me from the castle... Back then I was hellbent on revenge," Sunset told them. The trip down memory lane wasn't exactly pleasant, but she figured that her hosts deserved to know as much about her as they wanted, especially if her era was as far gone as they believed.
"What's on the other side?" Izzy asked.
"A parallel universe, but it's mainly inhabited by bipedal creatures, called humans, instead of ponies," Sunset answered.
"So how long were you over there for?" Sunny asked, writing down Sunset's answers as she gave them in the newest page of her journal.
"Just under four years. I enrolled at a high school. A statue base on the front entrance was the other side of the portal."
"Wait, a high school? How old are you?" Sunny asked.
"28..." Sunset muttered. "I know, I know it sounds weird. I guess I looked the part, but I think I needed that kind of experience. When I was that young, I wasn't the slightest bit interested in making friends, and for the first year, I still wasn't; I wanted to create and control cliques of students, and I was pretty good at it. Then at the beginning of my second year over there, I returned through the mirror to steal Princess Twilight's magical crown. I was successful, but she caught me in the act, and chased me through the portal, and eventually got it back. After that, I started to change my ways. It took me most of my second year to make amends for how nasty I was during my first year. But when Equestrian magic kept seeping through to that world, both from the statue portal and other sources, I was the only one who had any kind of expertise on it."
Sunny furiously wrote down Sunset's explanation as they ate.
"So, why did you come back?" Sunny asked, looking back up at her.
"Nothing seemed to stem the flow of magic, so knowing that me and my friends were graduating, the principal warned me that they were going to be building a sarcophagus of sorts around the statue base to seal the portal away, and that if I wanted a guaranteed way home, I would have to go right after graduation. It was the only sure way she would be able to protect the school and its students once we were no longer there."
Sunset paused to take another bite of syrup-covered pancakes.
"I had been periodically homesick for the better part of two years, but at the same time, I didn't want to stomach the thought of leaving the friends who had done so much to help turn myself around. So, for most of my fourth year, I didn't think about it. I considered staying over there, then, with only weeks to go before graduation, my counterpart showed up; the Sunset Shimmer from over in that world. Right then, I knew I couldn't stay over there without seriously screwing up cosmic balances or whatever. So, I packed up what I believed was safe to bring over, and came back through after heartfelt goodbyes. Princess Twilight had offered me the position of Archmage in her court, but... It's pretty obvious that isn't happening now."
She took another bite of pancakes.
"You said you and your dad had been researching my era? Is he here, your dad?" Sunset asked.
"My dad... Is no longer with us. He passed away a few years ago," Sunny said, her expression turning somber for a moment.
"Oh, I'm sorry," the unicorn offered in reply.
"It's alright. I'm sure he'd be proud of everything we've accomplished, and still accomplishing."
"I'm just amazed that Princess Twilight's castle is covered by the Everfree Forest, and Ponyville's gone, and not some shimmering beacon of unity," Sunset commented.
"Well, about that... 'Unity' is something Equestria hadn't heard of in generations. My activism didn't make me too many friends in town, and it wasn't until Izzy showed up until we decided to go off and find out what had happened to cause the races to split," Sunny said.
"Hard to imagine the pegasi taking Canterlot from the unicorns... Unless they didn't have magic," Sunset replied.
"That's... Probably exactly what happened. Sunny found a letter from a 'Princess Flurry Heart', in the Crystal Empire that claimed that a city of clouds came down on Canterlot, followed by a lot of unrest. Unicorns couldn't use magic, pegasi couldn't fly, and earth ponies had to work incredibly hard to farm enough food for everyone," Izzy offered.
"We just came back from the Crystal Empire, and I think they did something up there. Something to stop supernatural world-enders called 'Windigos'. I think in order to do that, they had to remove magic from everywhere in Equestria, and it cost them the city; it's nothing but a frozen wasteland all the way up there."
"So Sunny, I take it you're some kind of historian or archeologist?" Sunset asked, finishing the last of her pancakes.
The earth pony nodded.
"I help run a museum downtown. If you want me to show you what we've gathered, that can be arranged if you want to meet me downtown around 5:30," Sunny offered, sliding a pamphlet across the table to her.
"I think I'd like that, thanks," Sunset replied. "Until then, I think I will take your advice, take it easy, and go see about getting an terrarium for Ray, along with some food for him for the next few days."
"Feel free to use the cart out front, I'm not using it today," Sunny replied.
Sunset finished her glass of orange juice in a couple more gulps, then took it, her plate, and silverware over to the sink, rinsing them off and setting them aside to be washed.
"And to be clear, if I'm staying here for the time being, don't hit me with the 'guest' nonsense. I'll cook, clean, and do my part," Sunset told her. "So, 5:30 by the... Maretime Bay Museum of History?" Sunset asked, after she had unfurled the map and looked at it for a moment.
"That's the one," Sunny replied.
"See you then," Sunset said, heading for the front door.
"Oh, I almost forgot, here," Sunny said, tossing her spare key towards the unicorn, who caught it with her magic. "Izzy and I are headed out after breakfast, so we probably won't be here when you get back with your things for Ray. Oh, and... Here," Sunny tossed her a small bag containing 100 bits. "Before you say anything, I'm sure any ancient currency you've brought with you is worth more than that."
Thanking them and pocketing the key and bit bag in her saddlebags, Sunset Shimmer exited through the front door. A moment later, they heard the wheels of the cart roll down the front walk.
"I don't get it, Sunny. Unloading the truck at CanterLogic isn't going to take that long. Why are you making her wait until this evening? Doesn't the museum close at 5?" Izzy asked.
Sunny nodded.
"I think a private viewing of the Guardians of Harmony wing is more appropriate in this case, Izzy. These are places she's been and ponies she's talked to as recently as two days ago, at least in her time frame. Things might get a little heavy for her when she sees all of that, and I'd rather not have her surrounded by other patrons if that happens."
Managed to get this chapter done after not getting, well, anything done yesterday.
Thanks for reading and suggesting and commenting and for just plain being here!
Sincerely,
Miles
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Sunsets gonna need some tissues
Can only imagine the waterworks when she sees the statues of Princess Celestia and Princess Twilight, knowing that she never got to say goodbye to them.
11129235
They're more cutouts than statues.
Awww, sweet Sunny (the Earth Pone). I hope Sunset will be getting hugs after her tour
Ok, I’m here after reading the rest of the forgotten series. Haven’t seen the new movie yet, but I love the world you’ve set up. Can’t wait to see it through Sunset’s eyes!
Again, a really good job on the exchanges, characterizations and future chapter set-up in all the right places. Very certainly respected Sunset's recap of her time with Celestia and then in Canterlot High (especially the implication that twelve years passed on Equestria over Sunset's first year in the human world and Sunset admitting a part of her past that she would rather forget) and also understood Sunset's reaction to Sunny's admission about what happened to her father and the lead-off to the museum tour.
Not much I can think of (beyond the ideas I and other reviewers already have), but I'll definitely be looking forward to more. Still, I understand the need for quality over speed and also understand if you need to take breaks for personal reasons.
Minor nitpick: by definition, an aquarium is filled with water. What Ray needs is actually a terrarium.
"Just under four years. I enrolled at a high school. A statue base on the front entrance was the other side of the portal."
"Wait, a high school? How old are you?" Sunny asked.
"28..." Sunset muttered. "I know, I know it sounds weird.
It is still kind of interesting how fast Equestria time then our time in the human world again it's kind of like The Chronicles of Narnia the third one at least
11129275
Ugh!
I had originally written terrarium, but Google gave me the impression that it was just for plants.
Fixed!
I guess that makes sense but poor sunset she's going to feel a lot when she sees all this
11129276
Prince Caspian is actually book four. The Horse and his Boy is number three, and that takes place during the Pevensies reign. I still understand your point though.
So it looks like the day has started for a sunset after coming home to Equestria and she be living with Sunny she's going to have a hard time fitting into this world sense this is all new to her and pretty much the ponies and creatures she knows are pretty much gone which that's pretty sad I wonder how she's going to feel when she sees the stuff in the museum I guess we'll find out next time
11129286
Oh yeah you're right I forgot about that it's just been a long time I ever seen that movie 😅
I have a question, is Sunset still has cutie mark on both side of her flank? And none of the ponies haven't realised it yet?
11129349
I haven't thought to bring it up yet.
I'm loving where this is going!
I hate to be the one to bring up continuity issues, but there's a bit of one about Sunset's time at Canterlot High. They reference that Sunset and the girls are in their senior year when the first Equestria Girls movie takes place. They back that up with pictures of Sunset as the Princess of the Fall Formal for the prior three years.
It's not a story-breaker, but it's noticeable.
11129388
My headcanon was that the pictures on the wall weren't JUST the Fall Formal.
In What A Long Strange Trip, it was Freshmen Fall Formal, Freshmen Winter Waltz, Freshmen Spring Fling, so all of them happened in the first year.
11129392
Fair enough! I'm still enjoying the fic, so differences in headcanon are easy to let slide.
OK, I won't fault Principle Celestia's logic here, but... sarcophagus? Really? In America?
11129431
Not an out-of-place term in a Post-Chernobyl world
I don't think Sunset losing her horn fuzz was nessiacry, I would expect G5 unicorns lack it because they where born with out magic, of it's tied to magic wouldn't Sunset keep her's as when was never with out magic? Also would mean new born unicorns born after reunification would have horn fuzz again.
11129431
The word just means Stone Coffin, they probably called it that because it sounds more impressive than "Stone Box" when making a proposal to build it. Does mean the author doesn't plan on using the mirror portal again,how ever that doesn't full discount a cross over, thier are natural portals still, but it kills the possablity of quick visits, going to the Human world now is an expedition. So file it away for future sequels the Humane 6 aren't on the table.
What we have here is an understatement. It really was just yesterday for Sunset so it's not as if she's going to like it when it really hits her that everyone she ever knew is dead. She's not Fry, after all.
11129542
Indeed. After all she had a good relationship with everyone she knew, something Fry didn’t have.
11129542
Great, now I'm imagining that scene with Sunset and I can't stop giggling.
11129552
Celestia, baby! Where ya goin'?
*In a carriage with filly Twilight.*
"It's not working out, Sunset."
I wouldn't blame Sunset for breaking a little when she really comes to terms with what has happened. Not a full fracture just a slight white line. I really hope she will be ok.
Why did Chernobyl come to mind as the first thing when I read this.
Also in this modern Equestria. With the other powerful magic uses all now a thing of the past and magic having just respawned... Wouldn't that make Sunset the most magically powerful pony in the entirety of Equestria as far as we know? She is the last of the Celestia trained unicorns.
A thought, the mirror portal has a habit of changing ponies or creatures to forrms adapted to living in their environment. So, since the ponies are different now, Sunset has a different form.
Ha! I wondered when the Sunset / Sunny confusion would hit!
Well, should of guessed izzy would call you think that pinkie pie would.
He sure sould.
Wow, at least we know flurry heart is still alive. 😕
That could be a good theory on why they didn't appear when the three tribes split. 🤔
Good thinking sunny. 😊
A thought, the mirror portal has a habit of changing ponies or creatures to forrms adapted to living in their environment. So, since the ponies are different now, Sunset has a different form.
Also loved the chapter! Please do more, ill try to think of ideas, you had a plot bunny to chase in the prequel to to this Sunset Shimmer arc
11129812
Flurry is not alive in this story. An old letter does not mean someone is alive in the present.
11129906
oh, damn it!
11129916
An alternate story may come in the future where she survived.
11129917👍
11129542
I wouldn’t say EVERYone,
11129917
BRING BACK DISCORD!
11129952
There were hints that someone is still around in some form during Sprout's insane rant in the movie so there is that.
11129955
?
11129955
I’m listening to believer while i wait for a response
11129971
There's a word that kept flashing on the screen while he was singing that song: DISCORD.
A suggestion
Sunset has forgotten magic perhaps she could teach the unicorns it's ways or at least pass a few tricks to izzy
11129906
And she could teach the pegasi
and the earth pony magic can remain lost f. Or sunny can rediscover it. Here's hoping the show actually explores it heck
11130065
Really?
11130135
Blink and you'll miss it but the word shows up on monitors for just a second during Danger, Danger. He's around but in a different form.
That should be, gave.
I think that first part should say either, “A little over four years ago, I jumped into that magic mirror,” or “For a little over four years, I lived in the world where that magic mirror sent me to.”
I believe you meant, “AS far gone.”
One last thing, that should be an, a, not an an.
Anyways, this was a nice little read. Don’t think you have to finish this ASAP, take all the time you need for yourself to brainstorm. I’m sure, in due time, you’ll figure out where to go from there.
I don't recall it being plainly stated in this story or the previous one, so thought I'd ask. Did they bring the Crystal Heart back with them from the Crystal Empire? That'd certainly be an artifact worthy of putting in a museum exhibit, but if it's still making the Crystal Empire at least bearable, it might be best left behind until future expeditions there are complete. Not to mention it might be difficult to transport with Izzy being the only unicorn in the group.
11131005
Yes they did bring it back.
11130139
Hmm. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .