A Past Returned

by TacoTues4Eva

Saturday Dec 24 k

“Are you okay?” Cadence asked as soon as she shut the door, giving Sunset a very worried expression which surprised the teen.

“I’m fine.” Sunset sighed, a lot of the anger draining from her as she kept reminding herself that this wasn’t her Cadence. This wasn’t the alicorn who helped push her over the edge unknowingly.

“You didn’t look fine.” Cadence said, caressing the side of Sunset’s face while looking into her eyes. “It helps to talk.”

“Why should I talk to you?” Sunset demanded, flinching away from her touch.

“Because I want to help you. I don’t like seeing anyone hurt, especially someone who is family to me.” Cadence said, getting Sunset to look at her in shock as she took a few steps back until her feet hit the bed and she fell down into a sitting position on the edge.

“You don’t even know me.” Sunset argued, narrowing her eyes at the woman.

“Blood doesn’t make family, love does.” Cadence replied, “A very wise person once said that.”

“I just said that.” Sunset groaned.

“Which makes you a very wise person, dear. Now why don’t you tell me what’s going on. Normally I wouldn’t push it, but apparently you have a problem with me. I don’t know what it is, but I’ll do anything to help you overcome whatever it is.” Cadence said, “You do realize that we are cousins now, right?”

“From what I understand, it’s through marriage.” Sunset deflected as Cadence took a seat next to her on the bed. The older woman rubbed Sunset’s back encouragingly while giving a supportive smile.

“And through love.” Cadence said, “Does this have something to do with that other world?”

“What are you…of course you know.” Sunset started to say before the knowing look made her pause momentarily before groaning. “How many people know about magic and Equestria?”

“More than you would think, dear. Our whole family knows what happened to Will, and while we are sad that she is gone, we are happy to welcome you into our lives as you are our family.” Cadence assured her.

“Fine, it does have to do with the other world! There are doubles of all of us there, or at least us from Canterlot.” Sunset explained, “I blamed the you there for stealing the pony who I thought of as my mom from me. I hated her so much, and a part of me still does no matter how much I keep telling myself it wasn’t her fault. It wasn’t her fault that Celestia didn’t want me, but knowing and feeling are two different things.”

“That’s true, little cousin, but knowing why is a good first step toward conquering your hate. I don’t know what happened there, but if that Celestia was too stupid to see the wonderful, beautiful and smart girl I see, then it’s her loss.” Cadence said, “You are special, Sunset. Don’t ever let anyone tell you differently. And don’t let anyone make you feel less than that. If they do, they aren’t your friends and aren’t worth your time.”

“What if somebody does and they try to apologize?” Sunset asked, her thoughts drifting to her Canterlot friends momentarily.

“It depends, everyone makes mistakes. Everyone can have a bad day and lash out at times, even when you have an argument with a friend. If those friends do apologize, and truly mean it, then they may be worth keeping. If somebody constantly makes you feel bad though, like you aren’t worth anything, then they aren’t your friends and aren’t worth your time. Especially this Celestia it sounds like. Would you like to talk about her?”

“Maybe another time, but I don’t think we should take too long. We are supposed to be having dinner soon.” Sunset sighed, “Cadence…thank you. I don’t hate you, I don’t even really hate the one from back where I grew up. I might just need a little time for my body to catch up to my mind.”

“It's okay, Sunset.” Cadence said, leaning in to kiss her forehead. Her eyes widened a little as she looked at the door as her eyes narrowed a little. The woman stuck a finger to her lips, signaling for Sunset to stay quiet as she got up and stealthily moved toward the door before swinging it open.

“Hello girls.” Cadence said, grinning a little as she yanked the door open. Sunset couldn’t believe what she was seeing, and a part of her was a little mad at first. Then she realized the way she was acting and knew they must have just been worried.

---

“He called again, Susie. I’m really thinking you should at least talk to Tony and listen to what he says.” Night Light said, digging through some paperwork in a filing cabinet in the small home office he had. “I’m sure I have those papers here somewhere, though I never knew I would need them.”

“I’m thinking I might at least talk to him, Light. I don’t like him, but I loved him at one point. We both said things we regretted in our fights near the end, before he took off on us. I don’t know if I’ll ever really forgive him for that, but maybe he grew up. I know I did, I learned some harsh lessons the hard way. If he’s changed, maybe it would be good for Sunset to get to know her father.” Susan sighed, chin resting on her palm while her elbow was propped up on the desk as she tapped a pen on it with her other hand.

“I understand where you are coming from, and if he is on the level he might deserve to get to know his daughter.” Night Light said, giving an exclamation of triumph as he pulled out a small stack of papers. “I’ll see about getting this filled out tonight, or tomorrow night at the latest since we really can’t do anything until Monday anyways.”

“How are you going to do it?” Susan asked, a little curious to what Night Light was planning.

“I’m going to get the papers filled out and ready to go so you can show them to Harold and Elizabeth if it comes down to it. I’m filling out a set for a simple transfer of guardianship to begin with.” Night Light explained.

“I want to adopt her so she knows she has a family. I don’t want her feeling as if she is just a guest.” Susan said, putting the pen down and straightening up to look over the desk at Night Light.

“And I’ll help with that, but first we need the transfer of guardianship and both of them to sign their rights over to you. Then I can get the adoption process started, and with everything else signed over to you, it should be rather quick and easy. I’m also filling out paperwork to file if it comes down to it to ask a judge for emergency temporary guardianship of Cornelia to be granted to you while we investigate allegations of child abuse. I will have to add Lillian to that too if you are willing to take her long enough for the investigation to finish.” Night Light said, “I just need a few more details from you and signatures, I can handle filling out the rest.”

“Of course I'll take Lillian in too if it comes to it!” Susan exclaimed.

“Good. Then let’s hurry and get your signatures so we can go eat.” Night Light grinned, “I think my wife managed to get a hold of a few of Granny’s Apple Pies. They sell out way too quick this time of year.”

Author's Note:

I wanted to thank Sunny Scriber for once again doing such a great job proof reading because no matter how much I try to find all the mistakes I still manage to miss a bunch of them. I also want to thank him for all the advice on improving my writing and scenes in the story to make it better as well as writing the descriptions for the girls new transformation. I also want to thank HarmonicPriest for all the help and story ideas he has given as well as the awesome omakes that can be found in the comment sections of Tuesday Dec 20 d, Wednesday Dec 21 d, Thursday Dec 22 b, Friday Dec 23 c, and the newest one on Saturday Dec 24 j as they are awesome! Thank you both very much!

I also wanted to thank HarmonicPriest for the suggestions on materials to use in making Susan's bracelet from the metals to the gems and the newest addition of alternate covers.

Comments

[HarmonicPriest]

11512797

Well, there is not much about Marble, in the cartoon, she was more in background and served as an advisor (sorta) when Pinkie was asking about Maud's boyfriend and got a broken heart in the "Best Gift Ever" special where she saw Big Mac and Sugar Belle under the mistletoe. In comics as far as I remember she was going to Abyssynia art college and she got a party from Pinkie and Cheese for that occasion... maybe there was something more but I don't remember.
Derpy with reality-warping powers, MUFFINS WILL LAST ... For about an afternoon since Dinky needs a balanced diet.

... One: Nice art; and Two: So Cornelia goes from being "Rarity foil" to more bad girl vibes ... I don't think I am the only one that is interested in this evolution...

*Blink* I don't think Sheffield or Canterlot are within Jerry's jurisdiction, it seems to be more of The Center's area of expertise ... and very much beyond said expertise, somehow I think they put a big red marker on Canterlot that reads "STAY AWAY! ESPECIALLY YOU MARTIN!"
As much as I would laugh about Sam Alex and Clover trying to make heads from tails in this city, I don't think there is any gadget that would help them keep their dwindling sanity score...
Hmm, you think president D.I.Scord might send WOOHP's agents for Sunset and Twilight observation just to giggle when they start to break from trying to comprehend what those two are mixing in the lab?

Who in their right mind would give Twilight a driving license... Riiiiight I forgot this is humanity we are talking about, carry on...

---

Eyup that anchor idea was sitting as an opening for more dimensional shenanigans in omakes ... but then CMC decimated it. I mean there are possible replacement materials but they are rather hard to get, and most of them involve either Discord or Lilian in making them, so at this point in time, this mighty portal sits on the reserves. Besides can you imagine if that would be activated? That would be an instant win the moment the villain tries to do anything.

It was hard to appoint what stuff which member wants to steal but finally, I got those selected:

-Twilight wanted something from a truly high place in the crystal tech tree, hard to find race more advanced in that tech than Protoss;

-Martin was steered by his nerdy collector side to finally become a group warrior, and Grid tech is a nice shortcut to that;

-Sunset has gone into high risk - a high reward idea with that Marauder axe, its sentinel/argent tech could be purified. Besides, it's an awesome weapon for a gamer girl, not as awesome as Crucible but that one is on Doomgod's list and his attention is better avoided(And some fanfictions about Doom marine in Equestria were awesome as hell, pun intended.)

-Cornelia strikes me as someone who would enjoy gory games as stress relief, and as someone who would go through all the lore pieces that are typically skipped. Besides Ishimura is an awesome starting base for any big adventure, it's basically self-sufficient on a big scale, it can be piloted with three people, has all the loot that you like, and has planet destruction capabilities. Much better than Death Star if you ask me, and all of that for the low price of clearing zombie infestation (Easy for spellcasters, and even easier with elements of harmony. That would be a nice deal: open portals and get two Ishimuras in one place, Mane six blast both with Friendship cannon and get to keep one. Easiest space tech uplift one can imagine.)
Shame that this idea is dead and dusted like crystal lenses.

Well, there are food testers in royal courts so it's logical that in a magical society, one needs someone to test packages like it's some kind of terrorist parade. Cadance wisely chooses one SOB that is perfect for this job, the best part is he's thinking that he's useful and privy to all the content that he can read ... that is if he was conscious/alive after opening such package.

I had an inkling for Lilian to do something with all this power, especially since she's destined to have a voice in her head...
and so finally she Let it all go (This song is earworm on the level of a Smile song) and she repaired global warming in SSS ranked style.

Eyup Fluters would do that without hesitation, but can you imagine Cornelia's reaction to Lilian's newest "puppy"?
Especially if somehow that could be Vanishing Hydra ...

---

Susan is collecting children like General Grievous lightsabers, why do I think that Sonata might end up being a fine addition to the collection?

Well, at least Sunny is aware of madness that is stewing and needs to be let out. Soon there will be an occasion for some stress relief...and I don't mean therapy...

[TacoTues4Eva]

11512889
Not much about her character, though at the same time sounds like she could be a clean slate to make an awesome character with at some pont. If Derpy promises me Strawberry Muffins and Chocolate Chip Muffins I will make her the keeper of every heart. Mwahaha

Thanks, it wasn't mine though, just a screenshot off google showing what I'm going for with her new look and she will have a bit of a different attitude such as reading the few comics she loves without Elizabeth treating her like crap over it. She will have some more bad girl vibes too and I'm actually debating having her take up the drums. Hopefully everybody loves what I do with Corny.

You are probably right, I bet M.O.M. would probably no better than to do that though because Martin would deffinately go if he was told not to lol. Probably not any gadgets or charms that could save heir sanity from circling the drain. It would be funny to see though. I can very easily see the pres doing that for a few chuckles, heck I would probably be begging him to if I was his advisor.

Twilight's parents are probably just happy she wanted a van and not a Delorean.

Too bad the CMCs managed to destroy it, but it might be for the best.

I love all of their choices, but I agree that I could see Cornelia being that way. Especially now that she is free to express herself and not having to fit a a mold that ELizabeth forces on her. I really love the ship and it would be awesome seeing two of them wrecking havok on future enemies. It would be easy to cleanse, and who knows, maybe the magic of friendship could turn the zombies into allies.

That's true, and I support Cadence's choice of guine...vict...umm...royal leter tester. At least the dipstick thinks he's getting brownie points with the princesses and intel on secret documents to keep him coming back. Hopefully there will be plenty of cur...err...special packages.

It is a total earworm and loved seeing Lillian do it to reverse global warming.

It would be awesome seeing Corny's reaction, probably involve some drooling and twitching until her brain rebooted.

Who knows, it might just happen actually.

Yep, and hopefully won't be disappointed in what happens and how it goes down.