This story is a sequel to What My Destiny is Telling Me
While this story is set in continuity with What My Destiny is Telling Me (and, by extension, The Final Conversation), it can be read on its own, as there is a quick recap of the first story in the text.
Sunset Shimmer's world changed, very literally, the day she fled through a magic mirror and became stuck on the other side. It changed again shortly afterwards, when a desperate search for shelter landed her at a home that, at the urging of their eldest daughter, took her in as family.
Sunset knows she owes a lot to Rarity, not merely in giving her a home but in helping her grapple with the darkness that lay inside her. Yet she still struggles to find solace in her new realm, the unicorn mind within her still struggling with being trapped in a human body -- and worse, potentially adjusting to it. Rarity can see the turmoil in her sister, and wants to help, but knows it's not going to be an easy conversation to have.
But it's a necessary one, for both their sakes.
Set in an alternate universe in which the timeline diverges after Sunset leaves Equestria. This story also deviates from the depiction of Sunset's past as portrayed in the comic The Fall of Sunset Shimmer; some details of said past are instead depicted in The Final Conversation.
Pre-read by The Sleepless Beholder and Dewdrops on the Grass. Written for the Bean's Writing Group prompt "Stargazing".
This story is dedicated to Ninjadeadbeard.
Cover art from a piece by SarcasticLeaves, who could not be contacted as they are no longer in touch with the MLP fan community. Should they contact me and request its removal, I will oblige.
Featured on 2/28/23-3/4/23!
This was so good. I had to take their conversation in the bathroom a little slow at some points as some of the things they said hit very, very close to home for me for my own reasons. The ending wraps things up very sweetly, too. Phenomenal work, thank you for sharing.
I honestly didn't expect a follow-up to WMDITM, and I am not disappointed. It would make sense that after a while, Sunset would miss her Pony body and Rarity's advice is definitely something we all need to hear.
SEQUEL!!!!!🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉
Favourited because you made me cry
I know it pains to miss your home Sunset. And it will take a while to go back.
Change is scary at times
But you are not alone in this
All the bumps along the road, thats what makes life worth living
Lovely stuff, both Sunset's entirely understandable dysphoria and Rarity's considerate way of helping her. I do love how much the older sister attitude honed by Sweetie Belle works for Sunset at this point in her life. Rarity's exactly what she needs, a guide much closer and more relatable to her than Celestia ever could be. Thank you for another great installment of this AU.
https://youtu.be/9AfYK1fKngU
Change is scary at times
Thanks for another chapter.
I don't think that'll help Sunsets current situation.
in Equestria in the tip of my horn,*
Yep.
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She's growing =)
Bless Rarity, dude.
You really do have yourself a strong series of fics here. Definitely looking forward to anything else that comes from it!
Rarity and Sunset really work well for each other.
"First, I didn't had a reflection. Then, I had a reflection of a nervous and confused girl only sligthly resembling me. Then, the reflection seemed to have been called and went away, only for my current reflection to appear." Sunset turned to Rarity. "In this world, there are no reflections. There is another world behind them, a world that tries to prevent anyone from entering them. When I came, they didn't had a copy of me yet. Now they watch me whenever I look away, because they know I know."
Rarity blinked.
"Do you want to know what world is behind that mirror?" Sunset asked, offering her hand.
Rarity slowly nodded as she took it.
"On the count of three. One, two, three."
Rarity screamed and closed her eyes as they jumped straight to the mirror. Rarity felt how the glass broke in pieces, and for a moment, she thought that Sunset had just gone crazy, that they would just get splinters and bruises all over their arms and head, but then she felt how she fell down, how the temperature dropped, how the atmosphere darkened.
They were now behind the mirror.
…
…
I just wanted to make a joke…
I don't think I have seem these thoughts before in a fic. Very interesting
I got personally got confused at first who spoke what. I guess I'm used to " at the end indicating new person speaking.
Princess Celestia, writing on a journal: "How is my student doing?"
"Learning the lessons you asked her to," came the reply from the mirror version.
A nice, heartwarming story with the focus about how Sunset would feel about being in a stranger's world with a different body. Something I think I personally read for the first time, but setting a high standard if I ever come across one with the same premise
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It is two different speakers. Rarity says "And that's... bad." as a clarification of Sunset's meaning, and then Sunset replies.
Very glad you enjoyed!
I can't image what it feels like to look at yourself and feel... wrong. I'm narcissistic, but I've never hated the way I look. But I do understand because this was how my brother apparently felt for yeeeears. Stories like these are good so that others don't feel so alone.
woof. all the dysphoria feels during that mirror conversation.
A genuinely compassionate non-romantic relationship? Discussions over identity and the self? Good on you, Eileen!
Looking back on this story, I realized that this song fits with Sunset, or the middle to be exact:
What a beautiful story, and what a beautiful theme. I love how you tied together the senses of longing and apathy, which otherwise seem so distant. I really love how you were able to resolve both with a message of finding meaning and worth in what you have by caring for it. It's very insightful, and very heartwarming. And now that I see it, it's hard to imagine this wasn't a big transition for Sunset.