18. Argumentative Allusions
Argumentative Allusions
Sunset
My laughter petered out. Leaving me in silence. I wanted to continue to laugh. After all, this is what happens when I get my hopes up. When I dare ask for something more than I deserve. This was just the perfect reminder. The perfect continuation of my tale.
“The demon upon returning to its darkened domicile finds that the Princess it had captured had escaped,” I whispered out into the darkness that surrounded me. “All that is left for the demon to be felled for the story to end on its happy ending.” My words grew louder as I felt my blood begin to catch aflame. “But this is MY STORY.” I once more caught ablaze.
The darkness was once more removed from my view. I was once more alone. So what? I had survived it once, I would survive this. I had to ascend to Alicornhood and then I would have eternity to convince Princess Celestia that I was her rightful daughter. I let the smile fall from my face. There was no one to see it.
I manipulated my sack and satchel off my back and laid them to rest against the wall. Looking towards the bed that I had last seen in use with an Alicorn upon it. I had indeed promised that I would not hunt her down. It down! I had promised that I would not hunt it down. I would allow the parasite to find Princess Celestia, then and only then would I recapture it. Moving towards the bed my front left hoof impacted what I initially thought was a rock.
Glancing down I instead saw it was a brilliant pink crystal. Oddly symmetrical and it almost shimmered in the light of my flames. Where in Princess Celestia’s name did it come from? This cave was far too close to the surface to have been naturally formed. I couldn't remember any gem deposits when I had initially scouted out this cave. However, because there was a river close to here not but a few years ago I could be wrong.
But that still didn't explain what it was doing laying on the floor. I couldn't recall it being here when I had incinerated the cave or when I had cleaned up the remains. I could have missed it sure, but the shade of pink was fam-. The parasite! This must have been what impacted my shield. I glared down at the crystal that didn't even have the grace to lose its luster.
Rearing my hoof back I let out a paltry amount of frustration upon it as I kicked it. Watching as it glittered through the air, hoping that it would irreparably shatter before it smacked against the ground. It sounded wrong, however. Instead of the sound of scraping rock, it was much closer to the screech of metal.
Glaring at the crystal as I summoned it over to me. Running numerous diagnostic spells over it, after all, why would the parasite create a crystal that makes the wrong noise? After discovering nothing about the crystal that could have produced such a noise I instead turned towards where the crystal had impacted the ground of the cave.
Moving so that I was standing before the impact site of the crystal I once more dropped it against the ground. Once more I was provided with the scratching of metal. Frowning I grabbed the crystal and the earth that it had impacted, and with a mental tug, they were wrenched from the ground. However other than pink crystal and the rock I had ripped out what appeared to be a metallic cabinet… Wait. I remember this. Instantly my heart began to pound as I lowered the cabinet down to the ground gingerly. Cleaning off the rock that had surrounded it I moved to open it. Frowning as the lock didn't even twist. Fine, I was a Unicorn, I had the greatest of all tools available to me, magic.
With one more mental command, the lock was separated from the no longer locking cabinet. Pulling it open I praised Princess Celestia that I was not entirely forsaken. Perhaps my luck was turning around, after all, I had in my infinite wisdom sequestered away what appeared to be eight large bottles of Sweet Apple Acres hard cider.
I could clearly remember what Princess Celestia had always said whenever I had asked about the drinks that the Ponies drank that made them act like a large foals. She had explained it as a beverage that returned a Pony to a foal's mind in large enough doses. That explanation was sufficient to keep my filly self far from it. However eventually much like everything Princess Celestia said it was far from the truth.
I now know it as a drink that Ponies drank to enjoy the night more, or in my case turned to when they were beaten down too hard by the world. While I would normally scoff at consuming such a beverage, the circumstances to try seem appropriate. It was unlikely that Princess Celestia or any on her payroll would encounter me even in a much more inebriated state. Twisting open one of the bottles and immediately coughing as the air was quickly filled with the smell of a pungent lemon.
Grimacing at the bottle, I quickly cleaned the air. Scoffing, here I was hesitating. Still showing concern over a Pony that once cared for me. The only Pony that ever shared her warmth. Either drink it or not Sunset. Glaring at the bottle once more I levitated it over before I tasted it.
If Ponies chose to drink this to enjoy themselves they were far stupider than I expected. When I finally finished cleaning my tongue of the vile liquid that I had sequestered away, I once more took a sip from it. Being much more prepared for the “taste” this time I managed to not want to claw my head apart. Swallowing the liquid that did not taste much like cider, I realized that the drink however vile brought a warming sensation.
Frowning, I checked over the bottle to see if it was poisoned. Nothing showed up on my spells. Well, I wasn't a Pony that would deny the warmth. No matter where it came from. Once more I took a sip, enjoying the way that the cool liquid burned as it went down. It almost reminded me of how I tried to impress Princess Celestia by brewing liquid flames. She had been impressed and then horrified that I had consumed some of the potions.
“Cheers” I muttered to myself as I finally bit the bullet, taking a large swig of the vile liquid. My only solace was the warmth that the bottle provided. There I was in a dark cave, drowning my sorrows with the bottle. What would Princess Celestia think? The thought gave a prime reason to once more take a hefty drink.
I'm not sure how long I spent, but before I realized it the bottle was empty. Frowning as I shook the bottle that had just been full. Fine, I had plenty more. I turned back towards the cabinet and frowned. I didn't recall locking it. I could faintly remember ripping the lock off. Strange, had I perhaps reattached it?
I sent all manner of spells to open the lock, but none of them worked. I heard the faint sound of hooves against the cobbled floor of the castle. “Please give me a moment. I am trying to figure out this lock.” I told the Princess of the Sun without even looking up from my most recent challenge. Perhaps I would be able to teleport the cider out from the cabinet without having to open it? That could work. The theory proposed, plan laid out, I prepared to enact it but a voice interrupted my attempt.
“Sunset?” Celestia asked her tone, taking a concerned tilt. Wait, Celestia isn't here. Ice sluiced down my back, as I remembered that I was alone. This was a hallucination caused by the drink… So be it. Turning around I could see the one Pony that cared for me standing at the mouth of the cave.
I forced myself to continue to stand instead of falling into a bow for two reasons. The first was that this was a hallucinatory creation of Celestia that I was projecting onto reality. The second reason was much simpler. I was unsure if I could get back up.
“Yes, Princess?” I guess even the hallucinations of Celestia wanted something of me. Much like the real version. Celestia paused as she stared at me for a moment her eyes flickered around before narrowing when they found the empty cider bottle.
“Sunset Shimmer, did you truly get yourself drunk?” The white Alicorn before me sounded dumbfounded. Too bad this wasn't the real Celestia. I would have loved to see her like this. Well, this was close enough. I just shrugged at the Pony that raised me. My mother opened and closed her mouth, but no words came out.
“I don't want to hear anything from you.” My words slurred together strangely. Taking a few tries to get my point across. This wasn't the real Celestia. This was a figment of my imagination. Turning back to my task I once more tried to get rid of that somehow infallible lock. Wait, I had thought about using teleportation. Taking a moment to clear the haze that was clouding my mind, failing, but attempting nonetheless. I ran through the formula and fed it magic.
Odd. The cabinet was still there. The lock was still there. The cider was still in there. Why didn't my spell do anything?
“Sunset please don't use magic while you are drunk,” Celestia demanded finally breaking from the stupor that she had found herself in. Turning around to see that Celestia once more had a frown written upon her muzzle. Even my hallucinations of Celestia didn't love me. Now all I needed was her shade and I would have a royal flush. “Sunset, why don't you go lay down? You look like you have gotten no sleep again.” She gestured with a wing towards the cot I had long ago prepared. Tearing my gaze from it, I glared at the hallucination. I was not that easily tricked.
“No.” I denied the Solar goddess to her face. I was waiting for the admonishment that was soon coming however for some reason Celestia instead just huffed and shook her head. “Aren't you going to demand I listen to you?” I couldn't help but ask, even as my words once more slurred.
“It's not like you ever listen to me.” Celestia snaps annoyance crystal clear in her pink eyes. “Fine if you don't want to sleep, perhaps you can tell me what the plan is.” She once more demanded as she trotted forwards a few more hoof steps.
What was my plan again? Oh yes, ascension. The tapestry of the two sisters. The castle.
“Planning to head around Equestria, maybe beyond trying to find where the Alicorn sisters fought.” I smiled at the Pony that was my mother. I didn't slur my words that time. I was the greatest and deserved ascension. Celestia seemed to agree by the way that she froze, her mouth open. Eventually, she got herself under control.
“That’s why you wanted to go treasure hunting. It all makes sense now.” She exclaimed as if she didn't already know. Perhaps this Celestia didn't know because the real Celestia didn't know and I knew that. I think. “Wait the Alicorn sis-...” Celestia trailed off. Perhaps she was remembering the two of them? She was the only Alicorn around back then.
“Yep, I found the tapestry in the restricted section. There was a reason that it was hidden and I figured out why.” I nodded my head as I explained not liking the way that my horn started to get cold. Conjuring a small flame to warm myself I once more frowned as the size of the flame was off.
“Damnit Sunset! What did I say about magic?” Celestia once reminded me that I was not listening to her demands. I didn't have to follow her orders. She wasn't even Celestia. Well, she was, but not the real one. “Thank you,” Celestia said for some reason. “Alright so the plan is to go around looking for a way for you to ascend, are we ever going to head back to Canterlot?” Celestia of course reminded me that I had fled. That I had once more broken what little trust was left in her.
“I wasn't planning to head back until I had ascended and you reclaimed it.” I narrowed my eyes at the hallucination that stopped nodding. “Why did you say we? You're not real.” It was at this point that Celestia gave up any pretense of royalty and cradled her head in the same wing that she had used earlier.
“Remind me why I am not real again Sunset?” Celestia asked, her words spoken in a droll tone. Could a hallucination gain sentience? Something to test at a later date.
“Because as you keep reminding me I am inebriated.” I don't think I said that last word correctly, but Celestia understood. She always understood me. Even when I was unable to talk. “You are a drunken hallucination.” Celestia sighed but removed her head from the crook of her wing.
“Well then if I am a drunken illusion and this is all in your head why don't we keep talking until you fall asleep.” Celestia damns it. This hallucination of Celestia is just as cunning as the real deal. “Come on Sunset wipe that frown from your face, after all, you wouldn't be seeing me if you didn't like me.” Celestia’s voice was warm but at the same time distant.
I frowned more at her words, but all I received in return was a chuckle.
“Fine, you are in my mind, what do I want to talk to myself about?” This conversation was beginning to hurt my head. Could be the cider. Or more likely a combination of both of them acting in tandem. Celestia frowned, pausing a moment before once more speaking.
“What happened back at Canterlot Castle?” Of course, she would start with that. Rip off the bandaid why don't you mother? My second most recent failure. Groaning slightly I began.
“Well you went off to Celestia knows where-.” That was a mistake. I knew that she didn't like Ponies using her name like that. “- the guards were out searching for the parasite who disappeared right after you left. Then there was a panic. A portal had been ripped open in the middle of your throne room. From there came a horde of intruders and ruffians. I attempted to close it but nothing I threw at it did anything.” Taking a breath, I continued, “When the parasite reappeared I, for some reason, that only you know saved it.” I managed to say all of that without slurring my words. She must be proud of me.
However, Celestia was passive the entire time but she kept her attention on me. I was the only one in her eyes at the moment. For a moment I could once more pretend that we were the only two Ponies on Equus. However, Celestia as she always does shatters the illusion of perfection that I had found myself in.
“Sunset, quick question but who am I?” Why was Celestia asking that? Was she alright?
“Your Cel-. Princess Celestia.” I caught myself. I knew that we weren't that close anymore. If we were ever that close, to begin with. Only the amused watchings of an immortal allowed a filly to have some semblance of normalcy. Celestia frowned but didn't say anything immediately “Princess is everything alright?”
“Sunset…” She started but didn't finish instead her voice listless dropped off. Ah. I knew how this went. I had once more failed. So be it. I wasn't perfect like her. I tried and tried. Nothing ever changed. I was still a failure in her eyes.
“Before you begin I did save the parasite and she should have already been found by your guards.” I quickly got out in a vain attempt to mitigate the disappointment that she would soon be showing. Wait. Wait. I did burn her. It! I burned it!
I burned it.
I burned the newest Alicorn Princess.
I once more harmed the Niece of the celestial goddess herself.
Celestia was in front of me.
Oh.
So this was how my story ended.
…
I could no longer feel the warmth of the cider pooling in my stomach. All I could feel is the cold chilling wind beginning to pierce through my coat. Looking forwards and meeting her gaze. I slowly spoke, not allowing the drink to impede my last words. “For what little it is worth I have always loved you.” My last words were spoken I closed my eyes and waited for oblivion to take me.
Perhaps I would be forever trapped in the snowfields that I had long been lost to in my dreams? Hopefully, that damn cottage where I had been found was not a part of my afterlife. I never wished to dream of it again. I was far more than the near-dead thing that I had been found as. I was Sunset Shimmer, daughter in all but name of the Sun herself.
“Sunset, I'm not Celestia.” She spoke in a slow, almost methodical way as if she was afraid of me. Why would Celestia ever claim to not be herself? Why would Celestia ever be afraid of me? “Sunset it's me Cadance.”
“The parasite left. She did the smart-. It did the smartest thing that she could ever do. Left before I killed it.” I snarled out. “Don't worry Princess, I promised her that I wouldn't chase her down. She-. It should already be safe and sound.” I didn't want to color my final moments with thoughts of the parasite.
I heard a grunt of pain but I didn't dare open my eyes. What if something had harmed Celestia? She could be in danger. Ripping my eyes open once more I could see Celestia holding a single wing out again. Not the one she had used earlier. It was held there between the two of us. However, I could see cloth stuck upon it.
With that, the snow from my eyes finally melted away. There in the place of Celestia was the parasite herself. Her pink coat was scuffed and marred from the burns I had given it. Her purple eyes shone even in this cave.
This was my life. I hated it. Why did she come back? I wasn't asleep was I? I didn't recall the darkness swallowing the Sun. Eventually, the parasite decided that she had enough of me adjusting to this new reality.
“In future reference Sunset the next time you tell some pony that you will be back in an hour, actually be back in an hour. Otherwise, they may go out looking for you in case you have managed to hurt yourself.” She said, her words sickly saccharine. Looking once more at the sadly empty bottle in a vain hope that there were other droplets of the warm ichor within.
“Why didn't you leave?” I all but croaked out refusing to look at the pony before me.
“Sunset, you saved my life.” She answers and I can once more hear the smile that rests upon her lips. “I'm not sure what that counts for in your little head, but that counts for a lot in mine.” The soft neigh of pain drags my eyes from the bottle to the Alicorn who had just retracted her wounded wing. “Plus I don't believe that I was the one who bandaged myself up.”
“In case you somehow missed it Princess but I did nearly once more incinerate you. You shouldn't have come back.” I spoke, forcing my blood to once more heat even as the words tasted like ash in my mouth. She should have stayed gone. I didn't need her. I didn't want her. I would have been perfectly fine if she had left and not returned. It would have been better for the two of us to be once more cleaved apart. “It would have been better for the both of us.”
Cadance sighed lightly, shaking her head, her still burned mane clung to it as ash did the recently burned. She was both. Once more thanks to me.
“I know you're drunk, but that is a rather stupid thing that you just said even for you Sunset. In case you haven't noticed I am rather wounded-.” I would have spoken up but she held up her good wing to silence me. “- I'm not finished. I even with your map would have to trek through unfamiliar territory with a wounded wing. Did it even occur to you that I may not be able to use the map and compass?”
She didn't know how to use a compass and map. She was an Alicorn for Celestia’s sake. I could have sworn we were around the same age. How had she survived to ascend? How had Cel-Princess Celestia not taught her? “I do know how to use them, but the fact remains that after you save some pony a Princess nonetheless you are responsible for their future safety.” She concludes merrily chirping that statement that I knew was more fiction than fact.
“You still have your strength.” I pointed out to the irritating pony that refused to realize the situation that she had returned to. “Why did you come back? I-. You should have already made it to the next town.” Ignoring the throbbing coming from my skull, I once more flooded my veins with liquid flame. Did I have to personally deliver her to Princess Celestia myself?
“Sunset, do you want me to leave?” She asked in a much calmer voice. The cheer went away in a flash. Replaced with a somber edge that made me want to tear my horn off. Why would I want to be once more abandoned? Why would I want her to stay? No. This was never about what I wanted. This is about what should happen.
“That doesn't matter, what is important is that you shouldn't be around me. I nearly…” Just whisper those last few words. Yet when I tried even the molten fury froze in my veins. Become the demon you were always meant to be. Embrace your destiny as fate has decreed.
Cadance’s mouth formed a small smile. Pausing to collect her thoughts.
“You didn't. Sunset, did you burn me on purpose?” She then asked. No, I was attacking her shade. “Did you harm me while I was asleep?” No, but I was so close to severing the strings of her life. Didn't she realize that every moment she is around me is a chance for me to finally claim what was rightfully mine? “Did you instead choose to save me from certain death?”
“You shouldn't even be here. You should be stuck to Princess Celestia’s flank. Embraced by the entirety of Canterlot… Just think about it. We aren't friends. Our alliance means almost nothing. I just foal-napped and then proceeded to nearly flash-fry you.” She was going to speak up but I rushed out my final words. “When you were asleep do you know why you woke up with your wings attached to you? Because I don't.”
She clicked her mouth shut. Her eyes hardened becoming more infrequent pools and more crystals formed under the pressures of the conversation. “For once in your life make the smart decision and leave me.” I all but whimpered out. She wouldn't get that lucky again. I was passing up the opportunity to become an Alicorn. I was losing the chance to become some pony who mattered to Princess Celestia.
Yet for some reason that continues to elude me, I have refused to take it. Is it because I have been enthralled by the pony before me? Is it because deep down I am clinging to the remnants of the pony that stood in Princess Celestia’s shadow? I don't know and I hate that I won't take the only correct action. To take fate into my own hands before I could once more become forsaken. “Just leave while you still can.” Before I finally come to my senses and rip those wings off your sides.
“Fine!” Flames flickered alive once more. My blood burned the blockading ice that rested in my veins. Thank Celestia she was doing the smart thing. Then instead of immediately fleeing she continued to press her luck and once more spoke. “Tell me that you want me to leave.” Her eyes held a familiar sharpness that I have often seen hidden in Princess Celestia’s eyes. However strong those purple crystals that were hanging in the Alicorn's eyes before me, I could see the brittleness. The falsified strength. The fear of rejection.
One word. One measly word and I could set my life back on track. I could work from the shadows collecting power and artifacts. Preparing for my inevitable ascension. All I had to do was whisper one pathetic word and abandon the pony that came back to me. Celestia would be rapturous with glee.
“I hate you.” The words were a strangled mess that didn't carry the hatred that I normally emitted through them. Yet the pony before me once more ignored those words. She instead smiled for some reason that I am certain Celestia didn't even know.
“You don't mean that.” She beamed at me before continuing. “I think after Celestia that I am your favorite pony.” I stared at her for a moment, reconsidering my life.
“You…” I just sighed. Turning from the pony that continued to astound me with her decisions. “What are you doing to me?” I whispered. Thankfully the Alicorn before me chose to ignore that question. “Make yourself at home again,” I said as I turned around. Oh, so I pulled the drawer that held the cider out of the cabinet which made more sense. Before I could continue to look at the remaining bottles of cider they were quickly covered in a faint cyan as they flew back to the Alicorn that continued to remain here.
“No more drinking, do you have any idea what I thought when I came back and smelled that.” I could hear the frown in her voice. “After all you said you would be back in an hour and then never showed back up. I was worried that you were injured or dead.” Not many things under Princess Celestia’s Sun could injure much less kill me. “When I made my way back to the cave I could smell the drink. Along with the pony that had all but abandoned me.”
“I did not abandon you!” I all but snarled out as I whirled around to once more face the parasite. “I allowed you to leave before I cut you into pieces. Tore apart your mind searching for insights into your ascension. Ripped your wings from your flesh. Brought you to the brink of death before ending you.” My blood boiled at the accusation. How dare it accuses me of abandoning it. I was not Princess Celestia.
The parasite smartly backed up. Her eyes once more found my own. Focusing in on the purple void of her eyes I let the flames bleed back into myself. Casting the cooling charm to accelerate the process.
“Touchy subject?” The Alicorn foolishly asked, I humored it with a nod, however. “Noted.” She said with a nod. She then coughed slightly “Moving on from… well that. So other than going around and looking for the castle of the Alicorn sisters. Is there anything else we are going to do?”
“If you are going to be moving with me -” that was a strange set of words that I just spoke. “- we should probably wait until your wing heals. We have no idea how bad the assault on Canterlot Castle was. Much less if any other places were attacked. It would be better for you to be in top shape to trek through the wilds.” It would be prudent to figure out how far the chaos had spread and to avoid it where we could.
Cadance frowned, I could see the contention well from within her eyes. What? I had offered the time for her wing to heal. It would be time that I could use to teach her some sort of battle magic. “I could use the time to show you how to defend yourself with your magic.”
“Would it be so bad if we checked in with a few towns and helped out where we could?” She hesitatingly asked. Oh yes. She still cared about the ponies that cared only for what she could do for them. She would hopefully grow out of it sooner than later. Looking at the filly that had managed to ascend. I hope that I didn't act like this with Princess Celestia.
Turning from the pink Alicorn I sighed as I nodded. Ignoring the thanks from the infant goddess that was proving to be far more infantile than divine.
“Get some rest. You’ll heal faster while you sleep.” I ordered the pony that was still thanking me. I continued on my way until I made it over to a wall of the cave. I could hear my accomplice pause and turn towards me. “Just get in the bed.” She was the one who was injured. Out of the two of us she needed it more and I had l slept in worse places before.
I kept my eyes closed, preventing my gaze from finding the soon-to-be defenseless Alicorn. I could hear the faint pounding of my heart as I was but steps away from the Alicorn who held the promise of my future. All I had to do was seize it with my magic.
…
…
…
What in Celestia’s name was I doing?
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That was a good chapter. I wonder what the real Celestia is doing now.
Good chapter. For a moment i believed it was the real Celestia
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There was an urgent message from Manehattan regarding a giant cake monster...
Marvelous, I love this characterization!