> Saddle Up, Sunshine
>  by Cardinal Dan Productions
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> Chapter 1: School’s Out
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


***A Waffen Pony Production***



***Part 1: Routine Roulett***


Sunshine Harvest kept her head down in class, low and close to her desk, brushing her rose-colored hair out of her eyes.

Unlike the rest of her peers at Canterlot High School, she had a physical feature that set her apart, a golden horn that grew from her forehead.

At home, on the farm, she was free to be who she was in a place where she was loved and adored by everyone, but at school, she was alone, an outcast.

No one talked to her or even looked her in the eyes.

Whenever Sunshine caught somebody looking at her, at her horn, they would quickly turn in the opposite direction, and that was the best part.

The worse was part was Dennis, her classmate in homeroom.

He actively went after her, verbally and physically, calling her names and shoving her against the lockers every chance he got.

Sunshine hated Dennis with a burning passion, him and his dumb friends that backed him up when he bullied her.

The principals were the only people at the school she could tolerate.

She would spend a lot of her free time in the offices with Luna and Celestia.

Together, they would talk about her studies and her life at Sweet Apple Acres.

Because her parents would rarely visit, Principal Celestia would also ask about Sunset and Applejack as well.

Sunshine had finished her final assignment for the year minutes before the end of class and was now waiting for the final bell to ring and end the day.

It was a big moment, marking the end of her junior year at Canterlot High.

Next year, she’d be a senior, and after that, she’d never have to return and face bullies like Dennis.

Maybe then, she’d be allowed to see Equestria for herself.

Sunshine shook the fantasy out of her head and returned to reality.

She wasn’t out of the woods yet.

The moment the bell rang, it would be a race to the parking lot.

She needed to get to her mom’s truck before Dennis got to her.

Her eyes were glued to the clock at the front of the room.

Second by second, she watched the hands travel in a circle until the minute hand reached twelve, setting the time at 3 : 00 PM.

The bell sounded, formally ending the class and the school day.

To make things even better, it was also Friday, the beginning of the weekend.

With her backpack on her… back, Sunshine bolted for the door.

The corridor was already buzzing with activity as other students dropped their books off at their lockers before heading out for the weekend.

Sunshine didn’t need to make such a stop, so she kept her eyes on the entrance of the school, a series of tall, glass doors.

She pushed the doors open and leaped down the steps, landing on the patio that lead to the school lawn.

Before her, she could see the grand statue that decorated the lawn, a majestic horse reared on its hind legs standing upon a huge pedestal.

Her moms always told her the statue was important, but they would never tell her why.

She stared at the stone horse, almost as though she was in a trance.

It was the sound of footsteps approaching from behind that caught her attention.

Her ears twitched, and she felt a rock coming straight for her.

Sunshine sidestepped, letting the rock fly right past her and land somewhere in the grass.

“Nice moves, freak. Where do you think you’re going?”

Her eyes narrowed, and she spun around, coming face to face with Dennis and two of his goons.

The anthropomorphic girl crossed her arms as she stared down the three human boys approaching her.

“Dennis, you’re aim’s getting better. Maybe next time, you’ll be able to hit the broadside of a barn. As for where I’m going… My business is my own.”

He ran a hand through his shaggy, brown hair.

That remark only seemed to frustrate him more, because he held out his other hand, and one of his buddies tossed him another rock.

“Surely, you’re going to be at the graduation dance tomorrow night. Right, freak? Only the biggest loser in the school wouldn’t show up.”

Sunshine put her hands on her hips.

“You’re not graduating this year, Dennis, and neither am I.”

The boy shrugged.

“Doesn’t matter. All students are invited.”

Then, he raised the rock.

“Someday, you’re gonna learn that you don’t belong here, but until then, I’m gonna hurt you and make you feel like the freak you are.”

Sunshine took a nervous step back, but with the statue behind her, there was nowhere else to go.

Even if he threw the rock, and it missed, she wasn’t sure if she could reach the parking lot on the other side of the school.

Then, there was her horn.

She had a wealth of magic at her disposal, power she could easily use to drive the bullies away with their shorts on fire.

It was an amusing idea, but Sunshine had promised to her parents never to use her magic outside of the farm.

Dennis was getting closer, and Sunshine was running out of options.

It looked like making a break for it was her best chance of making it to the parking lot with minimal injuries.

Just as Sunshine was preparing herself to bolt, the three boys stopped.

With wide eyes, they stared at something behind her, but before Sunshine could look to see what it was, she felt a firm hand rest on her shoulder.

She looked up to find a familiar face smiling down at her.

“Princess Twilight!”

The Equestrian beamed as Sunshine threw her arms over her shoulders.

“Mmmm… It’s good to see you too, Sunshine.”

After pulling away from the princess, she turned back around to discover that Dennis and the others had fled.

*Good riddance…*

Princess Twilight must have been thinking the same thing, because she crossed her arms as let out a long sigh.

“It looks like I arrived just in time. I’m sorry to see those boys were bothering you again.”

Sunshine tried to play it off cool, shrugging her shoulders as she and the princess walked away from the statue and around the school together.

“I can handle Dennis.”

Deep down, however, she was relieved the Equestrian came to her rescue.

Then again, Princess Twilight’s sudden arrival left Sunshine with more questions than answers.

“Not that I don’t like seeing you or anything, but why are you here? How did you know where I was?”

The princess smiled, but kept her eyes forward.

“I… have a few things I need to talk about with your mother, Sunset. I just happened along you on my way to Sweet Apple Acres.”

“From Equestria?”

Twilight bit her lower lip.

Sunshine knew all about the magical realm of ponies, dragons, griffons, changelings, and more, but the existence of the portal was a closely guarded secret that her parents and the princess kept from her.

She hated not knowing about the place Princess Twilight and her mother came from, but she knew she’d get to visit one day, maybe even stay there.

She’d do anything at this point to get herself as far away from Dennis as possible.

Then, a rusty, orange pickup truck came into view.

At the far end of the parking lot, her mother was waiting for her.


***Part 2: Daydreaming***


Applejack greeted them with a smile and a wave.

“Howdy, Sunshine!”

She looked back at the country woman and smiled.

“Hey, mom.”

Applejack’s gaze shifted towards the princess.

“Twilight, I wasn’t expectin’ to pick ya’ up from school today.”

Princess Twilight smiled sheepishly as she her old friend embraced her.

“I didn’t mean to drop in on you like this, Applejack, but I need to talk to Sunset.”

Then, her voice softened dramatically.

“It’s pretty urgent…”

Sunshine overheard them from inside the back seat, spiking her curiosity.

Moments later, Applejack and the princess joined her and climbed into the vehicle.

With a turn of the key, the engine roared to life, and a billowing cloud of smoke escaped the exhaust pipe.

They pulled out of the school parking lot and onto the main road, one that would take them all the way to Sweet Apple Acres.

While the grownups talked in the front, Sunshine rested her head against the window and looked out at the passing city.

The further they drove, the smaller the buildings were until eventually, the city of Canterlot thinned out completely.

It was replaced by rolling fields and pockets of thick forest that dotted the countryside.

Now that Summer vacation had begun, Sunshine had a lot to look forward to.

She and her moms had planned several family trips around the country.

Those were fine and all, but what Sunshine was really looking forward to was a visit they hinted at to be Equestria.

Her thoughts shifted again, and she found herself thinking about the school.

There were the principals, Celestia and Luna, but other than them, Sunshine didn’t feel like she’d be leaving anybody she cared about behind if she chose to stay in Equestria.

Then, there was Dennis, her worse enemy.

*Surely, you’re going to be at the graduation dance tomorrow night. Right, freak? Only the biggest loser in the school wouldn’t show up.*

Would she go?

Sunshine still wasn’t sure.

She had no reason to go, but the challenge set by Dennis seemed to call her, bringing out her inner desire to defy him at every opportunity.

She knew he was baiting her.

He’d be waiting for her like a tiger, ready to pounce at any moment.

Part of her almost looked forward to the confrontation that was bound to happen.

That settled it.

Now, Sunshine only needed a dress and one of her moms to drive her to the school.

*Alright, Dennis… I’ll play your game, and I’ll beat you at it, too.*


***Part 3: Home Sweet Apple***


The truck pulled off of the main road and turned onto a familiar dirt path.

The path was neighbored by a thick line of trees on the right and a horse pasture on the left with an old, wooden fence separating the path from the pasture.

From her window, Sunshine could see several of the equine beasts running and playing games of frantic chase.

She wanted to join them.

No saddle would be needed, just her favorite stallion and enough open field to let loose.

Then, she saw him, a massive hunk of a horse.

His name was Cider, one of Sunshine’s only friends since she was a little girl.

He was a foal when she was.

They grew up playing together, and there was nobody in the world she cared about more.

The stallion hugged the fence that bordered the dirt road and jogged alongside the truck.

Sunshine smiled and waved until the fence ended, forcing Cider to stop.

They were nearing the homestead now, and Sunset was waiting for them.

She looked up at Applejack.

“Mom, I want to go play with Cider. I’ll catch up with y’all later.”

Applejack had no objections, and she waved as Sunshine took off towards the pasture they had driven by on their way to the house.

Her feet kicked up dirt as she sprinted towards the fence.

Cider was already waiting for her, standing on his hind legs with his front hooves hanging over the fence.

He whinnied with excitement, a greeting.

Sunshine reached the fence and stopped in front of Cider, shaking her head and snorting loudly.

“You’re looking good today, Cider. You wouldn't believe the day I’ve had…”

The stallion stared her down through his big, black eyes and nickered affectionately.

“It’s a human problem. Even if I told you about it, you wouldn’t understand. It’s just… There’s this awful boy, and he’s been a jerk to me ever since I met him.”

Cider whinnied softly and fell from the fence, showing her his side.

“That’s a great idea. You know me too well, Cider. I’m always up for a ride.”


***Up Next: A Cup Of Cider***

> Chapter 2: A Cup Of Cider
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


***Part 1: Catching Up***


Sunshine didn’t return to the homestead until she had her fill of fast and reckless riding.

By the time Sunshine reached the porch, the sun had begun to set, and the sky shifted from a bright blue to a dark orange.

Sunset was waiting for her.

She looked up at her mother, who looked back with a smile on her face.

“Hey, Sunshine. I saw you out there. Did you have fun with Cider?”

Sunshine answered her mother’s question with a gentle nod.

“Oh yeah… I had lots of fun… Cider’s a good friend. He never lets me down.”

Sunset's grin widened as she leaned over the railing.

“A good friend?”

She whistled softly.

“That's an understatement, Sunshine. You’ve known Cider since you were a baby. The two of you practically grew up together."

Sunshine let out a low sigh and found a spot on the railing next to her mother.

"He's matured a lot since…"

Sunshine faltered.

A deep sadness began to swell in her chest as her thoughts turned to the past.

"… since Tremors passed…"

Sunset looked over and saw her daughter's upset expression.

Tears swelled in Sunshine's eyes as she thought about Cider’s mother.

Sunset placed a gentle hand on Sunshine's back to comfort her.

“I know… I miss her too… A day doesn't go by when I don't think about her. She got old, Sunshine, just like your father. There was nothing we could do.”

Sunshine wiped her hand across her eyes, trying to dry the tears that had accumulated.

She accepted her loss a long time ago, but the thought of losing a family friend still made her feel emotional.

Her father was a completely different story.

Sunshine never got to know him like she did Tremors.

"What was he like, my dad? I… I remember some, but…"

Sunset nodded her head as she pulled her close.

"You were very young, only five years old when he gave you a ride for the first time."

Sunshine nodded her head.

She didn’t remember what happened, but her moms told her the story several times before.

"I… I fell?"

"That's right…”

Sunset chuckled sadly.

“Your father wanted to impress you. He wanted to make his little girl laugh and cheer, but he was reckless. You fell off, and… I was beyond scared.”

Sunshine heard her sniffle and looked over to see her mother wipe her eyes.

"Oh… Sunshine, your father was a wonderful stallion. He was big and strong, but gentle… He was fierce and driven, but compassionate. When I was… in a time of need, he gave me all I ever wanted, and he gave me more. He gave me you, Sunshine."

She leaned into her mother's arms and let out a heaving sigh.

"Even though he’s gone, I still have a piece of him in me and in you…"

Sunset gently poked the tip of the anthropomorphic girl’s horn.

Sunshine couldn't stop her lips from forming a smile.

Her mother beamed and kissed her on the forehead, just to the left of her glowing horn.

"Come on, now…"

Sunset moaned softly as she released her daughter.

“Let's go inside. I'm hungry, and I'm sure you are too."

Sunshine nodded her head quickly, and she followed her in.


***Part 2: The Married Couple***


After dinner, Sunshine disappeared up stairs.

Sunset followed the sound of her daughter's footsteps down the hall until she heard her enter the bathroom at the end.

Then, she heard the sound of running water, confirming her suspicions that her daughter was taking a shower.

While she kept her eyes at the top of the stairs, Applejack came up from behind her.

"What's the matter, honey?"

Sunset shook her head and resumed working on the dishes at hand.

"Nothing's wrong…"

She let out a long sigh and evasively looked for something else to do.

“Big Mac, would you mind putting this in the cabinet above you? Yeah, that's the one."

"Eeyup."

Sunset handed him the clean pan she had just washed and dried.

"Thank you, Big Mac."

Applejack saw what her wife was up to, and she didn’t like it.

She quickly put herself in between Sunset and the sink.

Looking at her brother, Applejack motioned with her head for him to leave.

"Could ya' give us a minute?"

Big Mac nodded his head, and he quietly backed out of the room.

"Eeyup…”

Sunset looked at the floor in an attempt to avoid Applejack's gaze.

Applejack, sensing her wife’s stress, placed her hands on Sunset's shoulders and rubbed them gently.

"Somethin' is eatin' ya', Sunset… I can tell. Are ya' gonna tell me what it is, so we can work it out together?"

Sunset broke free of Applejack's grip, and she walked over to the window.

She looked out into the night, at the stable in the distance.

After a moment of hesitation, she exhausted a long breath and closed her eyes.

"I… I'm worried about Sunshine… I'm afraid she's going to turn out just like me… That young stallion, Cider, he means a lot to her. He has a special connection with her. Now that she's out of school, she'll be spending more time with him than ever."

Applejack managed a smile.

"Is that all? What's wrong with that?"

Sunset turned around to face Applejack and brushed the hair out of her eyes.

"I'm afraid she'll get some… ideas…"

She spoke with a whispered.

"What if she starts having thoughts about Cider that I don't want her to have?"

Applejack chuckled softly.

Sunset, expecting some kind of support, was confused by the country girl’s response and cocked her head.

"I'm afraid it's too late for that, Sunset. I believe that ball has already begun to roll."

Sunset's eyes widened, and she looked towards the stairs.

She looked like she was about to confront her daughter right then and there, but Applejack quickly caught her arm and pulled her back.

"What are you doing?!"

Sunset tried to shake herself free from Applejack’s grip, but her hands were too strong.

"Let me go! I have to stop this, now!"

Applejack yanked Sunset back, placing her back in front of the sink, pinned between her and the counter.

"Stop what, our baby's happiness? Sunshine loves him, Sunset."

Tears streamed down Sunset's cheeks as she tried to resist Applejack's grasp.

"He won't last, Applejack… He'll break her heart, just like Chief broke mine…”

Sunset tore her arm from Applejack and sat down at the table, feeling defeated as she buried her face in her hands.

"I don't want her to feel the pain I felt when he died…”

Applejack looked at the floor as a sigh escaped her lips.

She approached the table be sat down next to her wife.

Sunset looked up when she felt Applejack's hand on her own.

"I know ya' mean well, Sunset, but ya' shouldn't take away her happiness to protect her from pain. The whole reason we endure pain is to be happy."

Sunset looked up into Applejack's gaze.

"Let her go… Let her find happiness with Cider, if that is what she really wants."

After several moments of silence, Sunset slowly nodded her head.

"Alright… Alright, Applejack… You win…"

She stood up from the table.

"I'm going to finish cleaning up in the kitchen…”

Applejack followed Sunset with her eyes as she returned to the sink.

"Will I see you in bed?"

Sunset smiled and nodded her head.

In her mind, she could only imagine the fun they would have later that evening.

"Of course… Keep my side warm for me."

Applejack grinned and bolted up the stairs, eager to meet her wife in bed.


***Part 3: The Best Place To Think***


Sunshine turned closed the bathroom door and locked it behind her.

As soon as she felt secure, she turned the shower head on and began to strip.

She began with her muddy shoes, clumsily tossing them beside the door.

Next, Sunshine removed her jeans and panties.

A cool breeze chilled her legs and crotch, and she let out a soft, satisfied moan.

Lastly, Sunshine's fingers got to work on her shirt. Button by button, she tore away the cloth that covered her skin.

With the flick of her thumb, the strap of her bra snapped, and her breasts fell free.

She tossed the bra on top of the pile of clothes she kicked by the door.

Fully nude, Sunshine eyed herself in the mirror. Her eyes glossed over every inch of her body.

After her afternoon with Cider, something had begun to stir inside of her, a feeling she liked.

*He smelled different today… I wonder if Cider finds these attractive…"

Her hands moved up her body until they reached her breasts.

Her fingers brushed against her nipples, and she let out a sharp gasp.

*Whoa… That feels…*

Sunshine shook her head and fell against the wall.

"No, stop it... Stop this, now.”

The tiles felt cold against her bare skin.

Sunshine quickly looked away from the mirror and leaned over the sink. 

"What is happening… Why am I having these thoughts?"

Her thoughts betrayed her.

*You know exactly why. You want him. You know you do.*

Sunshine shut her eyes in an attempt to block out the voice in her head, her own voice.

*You want Cider, and Cider wants you. You know he does. He sees you as more than a friend. You've seen the way he acts around you. You've seen what he has to offer…*

"No… No."

Sunshine groaned as she opened her eyes and climbed into the shower.

"I… I shouldn't… He's my best friend… I can't just… I can't do something like that."

*Of course you can.*

Her thoughts persisted lustfully.

*Mom did it. The reason you’re here today is because she did it. It's in your blood, your Equestrian blood.*

Sunshine looked up at the shower head as the warm water coming out of it cascaded down her body.

*You were never meant to be with a human… You're the daughter of an Equestrian, a pony. You were meant to have a stallion mate, just like mom…*

Sunshine's hand groped her own breasts. Waves of pleasure raced through her body and sent chills down her spine.

"Mmmmm… Cider…"

She moaned softly.

*Did you not tell him to wait for you after you rode him? That sexy colt is waiting for you, right now. If you approach him, there is no way he can turn you down.*

With her free hand, Sunshine slid her fingers inside of her girlhood.

She could feel her heart racing.

There was no stopping herself now.

Sunshine gave in to her inner wants.

"I want him… I want him inside me…”

*Of course you do… You always have…*

Sunshine drilled herself aggressively, now.

With each thrust, she pushed her fingers deeper inside her slit.

First two, then three fingers to simulate the thickness of a stallion's member.

Sunshine wanted more.

She wanted to kiss Cider full on the lips and let him tear her slit apart.

"Oh, Cider…"

Sunshine moaned loudly now, completely negligent if her family down the hall and elsewhere in the house.

“Make me scream…"

Sunshine bite her lower lip as she reached her peak.

She felt her vaginal walls tighten around her fingers.

Cum dripped down her legs and flowed down the drain with the water.

Slowly, she retracted her fingers from her slit.

*So wet… All of this was because of him, because of Cider…*

Sunshine lifted her fingers up to her mouth and sucked them clean.

She moaned at the taste of her own cum and savored the feeling as it slid down her throat.

Sunshine's heart pounded in her chest, and her stomach fluttered uncontrollably.

Eager for more, she slid her hand back down to her crotch and began rubbing her slit.

"S-So… goooood…"

She inserted her fingers again.

Still teasing and playing with her nipples, Sunshine pumped her fingers deep inside of her slit, making sure to feel every inch of herself.

The pleasure numbed her mind, and Sunshine fell against the wall, relying heavily on it to keep her upright.

She did not relent and increased the power of her thrusts into her girlhood.

Sunshine was lost to the world around her, completely unaware of the hot pink glow radiating from her horn.

"Ah… Cider- Ah… Take me… Take- Ah… me as hard as you can…"

Sunshine reached her peak once again.

Her legs buckled, and she collapsed to the floor of the shower.

A soft moan escaped her lips as she sat on the tile floor.

Sunshine looked down at her slit, now completely soaked with her cum.

She shakily got to her feet and used the shower head to wash her crotch and legs clean.

When Sunshine had cleaned her lower body of the cum that stained her, she turned the handle to shut off the water.

She quickly stepped out of the shower and wrapped a towel around her body.

*I can't wait any longer… Tonight, that stallion is mine…*


***Up Next: Night Rider***

> Chapter 3: Learning Curve
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


***Part 1: Morning Coffee***


Sunset Shimmer gave Applejack a quick kiss as she carried two steaming mugs of freshly brewed coffee out of the kitchen.

Both girls sat down at the table, coffee in hand.

"That was… quite an evening…"

Sunset let out a light chuckle before taking a long sip out of her mug.

"I haven't felt this good in… years."

"You were pretty great."

Applejack agreed before drinking.

"It's been quite a while since we did something so exhausting in bed."

The cowgirls laughed together and shared a loving kiss.

Sunset glanced towards the newspaper on the table.

"Princess Twilight and I talked last night, before we went to bed."

Applejack cocked her head and frowned.

The sudden tone and conversation shift left her stunned.

"What for? Sunshine doesn't have any magic lessons during the summer months."

"I know… I know… I should have talked to you before talking to Twilight, but I'm afraid Sunshine isn't meant to be in this world. All of her classmates hate her, and… Well, Twilight and I think it would be best for her to leave this world… forever."

Applejack's thoughts immediately turned to the bullies that picked on Sunshine the day before.

"Yeah…"

She sighed softly.

"I think you’re right, babe.”

Now, Sunset was shocked.

She had a whole speech planned.

Afraid that she was going to half to convince her wife to part with their daughter, she had prepared a well-structured argument.

“You… seem to be taking this really well. Are you alright?”

Applejack smiled sadly.

“I always thought this is where we were going, Sunset. I knew she’d move to Equestria some day. This world never mixes with pony magic very well.”

Sunset felt a wave of relief wash over her.

“Okay, Applejack. I guess that just leaves the matter of telling Sunshine. She has that dance she told us she wanted to go to, so we should tell her after that. I don’t want her thinking about something that stressful before a party.”

Applejack shifted in her chair.

“About that… This dance Sunshine mentioned… I don’t want her to go.”

Sunset frowned at her wife’s blunt opinion.

“You don’t? You’re fine with her going to Equestria but not a school dance?”

Applejack folded her arms across her breasts.

“Equestria has its punks, I’m sure, but that school has brats like Dennis. I don’t want my baby to spend another second in his presence.”

Sunset placed her mug on the table aggressively, causing the vase and silverware to shake.

“She’s my baby too, and I say she’s going.”

Her wife gave in immediately, standing quickly as she took her coffee into the kitchen.

She couldn’t argue with the woman who actually birthed their daughter.

“Fine! Let her go! I just think that little tool is up to something, and I don’t want our girl anywhere near him.”

Sunset held her mug to her lips.

“He’s always had it out for her, and he’ll never change.”

She didn’t drink, but she saved herself from having to make eye contact with her wife, a silent act of defiance.

Then, she set her coffee down and shot Applejack a hard glare.

“Duly noted.”


***Part 2: Aftermath***


Sunshine inhaled sharply as her eyes fluttered open.

She felt cold and sore.

"Ohhhhh…"

Sunshine groaned as she combed her fingers through the dirt around her.

"Wh-Where am…"

Her sight came back, slowly.

She looked up at the horse pens around her.

Sunshine had slept the night away in the stable.

She tried to sit upright, but her arms and legs burned, and that was nothing compared to the pain radiating from between her legs.

Though it hurt more than anything she had felt before, she fought through the pain until she could get a better view of her surroundings.

Then, she looked down and observed her own form.

She was nearly completely nude.

Sunshine wore only her panties that were attached to one leg and her socks and shoes.

She looked around for her shirt.

Her shirt, along with her pants, sat by the door.

Still dazed and confused, Sunset crawled to her clothes, and she began putting them over her dirt-covered body.

As she dressed herself, memories of the night before came back to Sunshine, memories of Cider and the loss of her virginity.

Her head was on a swivel, spinning around in circles as she searched for her lover.

Sunshine felt something nudge her back, and she stumbled forward.

She quickly turned around to come face to face with the stallion she was searching for.

Sunshine smiled.

"Cider…"

She licked her lips as she caressed his snout.

"Come here…"

Sunshine grabbed his cheeks and pulled the stallion into a deep kiss.

She mashed her lips against his and moaned into Cider's mouth.

When she pulled away, a thick strand of saliva connected their mouths.

"Who's a pretty horse?"

Cider whinnied affectionately.

"That's right…"

Sunshine chuckled.

"It is you…"

She looked down at her filthy form.

"Uhg… I think I need a shower… There's a lot I need to think about."

Cider watched as Sunshine made her way to the door.

She stopped her hand just before she could touch the handle.

In the cold of the early morning, Sunshine could now think with a new clarity, a clarity she didn’t have when her mind was plagued by thoughts and desires of sex.

"I really enjoyed myself…"

Sunshine spoke softly as she looked back at her stallion.

"I hope we can have some fun again sometime."

With her last words hanging in the cold, morning air, Sunshine left the stable.

Huddling in her muddy shirt, she trudged down the hill towards the fence and the dirt road that would lead her back to the homestead.

Several sore minutes later, Sunshine arrived at the front door.

Stealth was her mission, now.

She cracked the door open, slowly and quietly, and she peeked inside.

Sunshine saw Applejack sitting at the table alone.

Her eyes glanced back and forth between the table and the stairs leading up to her room.

Sunshine let out a heavy sigh.

"There's no way I can make it without her seeing me…"

At that moment, Sunshine heard heavy footsteps approaching the door.

She panicked, and tried to flee across the porch, but the door opened before she could move.

Big Mac stood at the door, looking down at her.

"Sunshine?"

Sunshine froze, and she slowly turned around to face the man towering over her.

"Hey, Mac… I just got back from… my morning jog…"

Big Mac cocked his head to the side.

"Thanks for getting the door for me."

Sunshine laughed nervously as she slipped past him and walked inside.

"I'm really, really sore… I think I’ll go take a bath, or something."

"Eeyup."

Big Mac nodded his head, not giving her story a second thought.

He closed the door behind her and returned to the table.

"Sunshine?” Applejack looked up from the table.

"What on earth… You're filthy. What have you been doing? Where have you been?"

Sunshine brushed her muddy hair out of her eyes as she began climbing the stairs.

"Morning jog… I need a shower."

Applejack chuckled lightly.

"You sure do, Sunny. Ya' better get goin' before ya' track more mud on the floor."

Sunshine wasn't sure, but she could have sworn she saw Applejack wink.

Could she have known about her and Cider?

Sunshine shook her head and dismissed the thought as she trudged down the hall to the bathroom.

Sunset appeared in the doorway leading into the kitchen.

"Mmm… Don't take too long in there, Sunshine! Princess Twilight will be up soon, and I want her to take you dress shopping with Rarity for the dance."

"Sure thing, mom!"

Sunshine dashed up the stairs before closing the bathroom doors down beginning to strip naked.

"Mmmmm… Here we go again…"


***Part 3: Dance Magic***


Her mom and Twilight weren’t kidding when they told her Rarity was the best in the world when it came to designing dresses.

If anything, the fashionista’s exploits were grossly understated and underrated.

Instead of buying a dress for herself, like Sunshine had originally envisioned, Rarity opted to make a dress all by herself, and she accomplished the task in a matter of hours.

When Sunshine saw her gown, her breath was taken away.

The primary color was a healthy mix of orange and yellow, the hue of a setting sun.

Dark red highlights dotted the rest of the dress, providing accents and drawing attention away from the chest, which was split under her chin, allowing a generous amount of her cleavage to be seen.

There were no shoulders.

Instead, the dress wrapped around Sunshine’s neck and connected to her sleeves via lace bridges that protruded from her sides.

Then, to top it all off, there was the flowing cape gracefully following after her.

It began behind her neck and fell to her heels, not touching the ground.

Sunshine looked herself over in the mirror, spinning in circles and marking sure to catch a glimpse of herself in every possible angle.

In the dress, she looked like a princess, like royalty.

Rarity stood behind her, watching Sunshine as she admired herself in the mirror.

“Thank you, Miss Rarity. I… I don’t know what to say…”

The older woman brushed her words to the side with a modest wave of her hand.

“Oh, think nothing of it, darling. I owed your mothers a favor, and I was happy to deliver. Besides, Sunset Shimmer’s little girl deserves only the best.”

Then, she glanced over her shoulder, towards Sunset and Applejack, who were talking across the room.

Rarity leaned in close to Sunshine and lowered her tone to a whisper.

“Confidentially, my dear, who’s the lucky young man?”

That question startled Sunshine.

“Wha-What are you talking about?”

Rarity smiled mischievously as she gestured to Sunshine’s sexy form.

“I’m not your mother, darling. You can be honest with me. I promise not to tell a soul. Now, who is he? I wouldn’t have gone through so much effort to make you look this good if I didn’t think you had a line of gentlemen waiting for you at that dance.”

Sunshine smiled and shook her head as her cheeks turned pink.

“It’s not like that, Miss Rarity. I… I don’t have a boyfriend.”

Her thoughts briefly turned to Cider and the intimate sex they had shared the night before.

Was he not her boyfriend?

Sunshine wasn’t sure.

She liked the stallion and cared for him, but he had always been more of a friend, even since her days as a little filly.

“Hmm… Well, don’t be discouraged, dear. After tonight, you’ll have a man for sure. You already have the body…”

Rarity pointed to Sunshine’s chest and her exposed flesh.

“… I’m just making sure those boys at your school get the right idea.”

*What is she… ‘right idea’? What does she think I’m going to do tonight?*

There wasn’t a single boy at school that Sunshine liked.

Having sexual or even romantic feelings for one of them was ultimately out of the question.

She didn’t just ‘not like’ them.

She hated them.

Rarity could see the look of indifference in Sunshine’s eyes.

“I apologize, Sunshine. I didn’t think that you might be attracted to girls instead.”

Sunshine’s eyes widened, and her cheeks felt as though they were on fire.

*That’s even worse!*

“Then again, I shouldn't put it past you, darling. Your mother married Applejack, after all.”

Rarity laughed before pulling obliviously pulling the obviously discomforted Sunshine into an embrace.

“I’m only teasing, dear. You’re going to have fun, tonight. I just know it.”

Trapped in Rarity’s arms, Sunshine had a moment to question why she was really doing the things she was.

The only reason she wanted to go to the dance in the first place was because Dennis dared her.

He called her bluff, and if she didn’t show, she’d be letting him win.

Tonight was her chance to wipe his smug grin off of his stupid face.


***Up Next: The Menace***

> Chapter 4: Dance Magic
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


***Part 1: Princess Sunshine***


Sunshine Harvest must have spent an hour in front of the mirror, looking herself over.

In the dress Rarity gave her, she looked like a princess straight out of a fairy tail.

The gown hugged her curves and exposed a generous amount of her chest without being too revealing.

This was a school function, after all, but there was no doubt that she’d turn heads.

A firm knock on her bedroom door pulled Sunshine out of her thoughts and back into reality.

“Sunshine, baby, are you ready to go?”

It was her mother.

She quickly stuffed her breasts into the dress so they’d fit more comfortably and rushed to the door, opening it and coming face to face with Sunset Shimmer.

Applejack was in the hall too, standing behind Sunset with her arms folded across her chest.

Apparently, she still wasn’t too happy about her going to the dance.

“Yeah, mom… I’m ready.”

*I think…*

Her thoughts betrayed her, but Sunset didn’t know that.

With a kind smile on her face, she made a ‘follow me’ gesture with her head.

“Come on, then. I’ll drive you to the high school.”


***Part 2: Arm’s Length***


Being at School past the final bell was unusual, but walking through the entrance after the sun had fully set was a whole new kind of experience that felt surreal.

After her mother had dropped her off, Sunshine walked cautiously towards the school’s main entrance.

She could already hear music thundering inside, and purple lights flashed through the windows.

Sunshine spotted a few of her teachers in formal attire, talking amongst themselves while drinking from plastic cups.

Standing at the door was Principal Celestia herself, who greeted her with a bright smile.

“Good evening, Sunshine. I must say that I didn’t expect to see you here… You look gorgeous.”

Sunshine blushed at the compliment and flicked her red hair from her eyes.

“Th-Thank you, Principal Celestia… This was a gift from Rarity.”

Celestia pursed her lips and nodded her head understandingly.

“I should have known. Only Rarity could pull off something so stunning.”

Then, she leaned in close, and her voice lowered almost to a whisper.

“Tell me, Sunshine, do you have anybody in mind that you’d dress so nicely for?”

Sunshine thought of Dennis.

She wanted to see that brat’s stupid face when he saw her light up the dance hall.

“No… Nobody special. I’m just here to dance.”

Celestia cracked a sly grin and let out a chuckle.

“I see… Well, I hope you enjoy your night, Sunshine. Have fun in there.”

She waved to the principal as she entered the school.

*Oh, I will… You can count on it…*

As she walked past the rows of lockers, down the corridors that would normally be bustling with student activity during the day, Sunshine caught the attention of every one of her peers.

None could help stopping and staring at the Equestrian as she glided through the hall, towards the gymnasium.

She paid them no attention in return, though.

Keeping her head forward and her eyes on gym, she left a dozen fallen jaws in her wake.

The source of the music and lights was just ahead, as well as the source of all of her troubles.

Each step she took that brought her closer filled her with confidence.

If she could turn on every other student as easily as she had by walking by, then showing Dennis that she wasn’t just a freak to kick around would be no problem at all.

Sunshine stopped at the double doors that lead into the dance hall.

The blackened room was alive and thundering with beat-heavy music.

All around her, students laughed, danced, and moved to the beat.

The flashing lights overhead would sweep over her, and several boys stopped and stared.

One student’s date had to take him by his hand and remind him who he was dancing with by viciously stomping on his foot.

Sunshine stepped into the gymnasium and into the dance floor.

The power of the music was something else, because she couldn’t help swaying her hips to the beat as she drifted through the crowd of dancers.

Sunshine began to turn on her heels, spinning around and around and around.

She didn’t really care who saw, but a large grin displaying her enjoyment came over her face.

The smile didn’t last, because as she spun back around, her eyes landed on Dennis, and he looked back at her.

Her eyes narrowed, and her lips curled into a snarl.

Dennis didn’t look like himself.

Instead of his rough, messy appearance, he actually looked combed and dressed for the occasion, dawning a black suit and bow tie.

Then, there was the puzzled expression on his face, like he wanted to say something but the words were caught in his throat.

Sunshine had no such troubles.

She had made it to the dance, looking better than anyone else for that matter, and now, she was going to rub it in that little brat’s face.

Broiling with a combination of anger and joy in anticipation of the satisfaction of telling Dennis off, she stormed towards him, brushing occupied dancers aside as she zeroed in on her target.

She fronted Dennis, getting close enough to hear his deep breaths, and opened her mouth to unload her arsenal of insults.

At that moment, the music stopped, and a husky voice came over the loudspeakers.

“Now that’s the kind of energy I want to see, Canterlot High! I can see your Vice Principal in the back by the punch bowl giving you guys two thumbs up for that enthusiasm, but y’all are looking a little worn out, so let’s slow things down a little…”

The mood lighting changed immediately, going from a pop-like dark blue to a warmer pinkish-red.

Only too late did it dawn on Sunshine that a slow dance had just begun.

All around her and Dennis, couples were holding each other close and swaying from side to side.

She needed to retreat, to get as far away from Dennis as possible.

Dennis must have been thinking the same thing, because he too tried to back away, but they were both trapped in the center of the gym, standing awkwardly as the other students danced around them.

Sunshine watched for an opening, but no opportunity came.

Instead, the opposite happened, and a pair of dancers far too interested in each other to notice anything else. bumped into her, sending her straight into Dennis.

The two of them bumped into each other and into a forced embrace.

Sunshine’s spine shook as chills arched across her body.

She looked down in horror to see that Dennis had his arms around her waist.

*Let go of me… Let go of me…*

The words in her mind couldn’t make it past her lips, and to make matters worse, her horn did all of the talking.

What should have been a blood-red glow to signify her unbridled anger instead shined hot pink.

Dennis stared at her, eyes wide as he looked at her horn.

“Su-Sunshine?”

She shook her head, her lower lip quivering.

“I… I don’t…”

They were swaying from side to side, slowly and to the beat to the gentle music.

The drift from right to left grew deeper until Sunshine was being fully pulled by Dennis, almost following his lead as his arms guided her.

She bared her teeth and snarled like a beast.

Raising a foot, she tried to kick him, but as her leg came down, his moved, and the two of them fell into a spin.

They were locked together, and neither could budge from the other’s grasp inside the tight quarters of the dance hall.

The music was also picking up pace as they moved faster and faster.

Sunshine could feel her hair flowing behind her as Dennis spun her in circles.

With their hands clasped together, he threw her outwards, out stretching their arms before pulling her back in.

The Equestrian’s horn was pulsing now, flashing pink and even beginning to spark.

She was dancing…

With Dennis...

Worst of all, she was enjoying it!

*What am I doing?*

A circle had opened up around them as the entire student body watched in awe.

Holding onto Dennis’ hand for dear life, Sunshine leaped into the air, spinning completely before landing gracefully on her feet.

This time, it was her who pulled Dennis close, but he fired past her, and she fell back on her heels.

Before she fit the gym floor, he caught her with an arm around her back.

Sunshine felt hot where his fingers touched her skin, and a sharp gasp escaped her lips.

He then pulled her back up and twirled her in a circle before stopping right in front of her.

The music was in full swing now, and a fast-paced rhythm laced with heavy beats thundered throughout the gym.

Sunshine threw her head back, bending backwards and kicking a leg into the air as Dennis held her by the waist.

She then wrapped her leg around him and pulled herself back up, throwing her arms over his shoulders just as the song came to its climatic ending.

Silence filled the gym, but it was far from quiet.

Blood rushed to Sunshine’s face, and her heart pounded in her ears.

Taking deep, rapid breaths, she brushed her now messy hair out of her eyes to meet those of Dennis.

The two stared at each other for what seemed like an eternity, not once breaking eye contact.

Then, the entire gymnasium broke out onto cheers and applauds.

Even the DJ enjoyed their performance, clapping and laughing from his booth.

“What a sight! Everyone give it up for our two dancers in the middle!”

The stage lights above fell on them, and Sunshine suddenly felt very uncomfortable, but Dennis still didn’t let go.

Like her, his arms are still locked.

She needed a quiet place, somewhere to be alone.

Sunshine willed her arms to move, and she quickly shoved the boy away from her, putting distance between them.

Not saying a word, she turned around and made for the door, breaking through the wall of students that had surrounded them and leaving Dennis alone in the center of the gym.

Now that her heart had settled in her chest, she became more aware of how exhausted she was.

Dizzy from her irregular breathing, Sunshine stumbled through the hallway leading away from the gym.

As she passed the lockers, she spotted a couple of students making out in the corner.

Her thoughts shifted to Dennis, and turned to disgust.

When she realized they had seen her looking, she moved on quickly.

Finally, she reached the entrance to the school and stepped outside.

The cool air refreshed her immediately, and Sunshine found a bench to sit on, providing much needed respite to her aching legs.

Never before had she moved so quickly and vigorously.

She needed to think, and there was far too much for her to think about.

*What just happened?*

Sunshine didn’t have the stomach to stay any longer and thought about calling her mother to pick her up.

As she reached for the phone tucked within her dress, she didn’t notice the school doors opening up behind her or the sound of high heels approaching as they hit the sidewalk.

“Sunshine?”

She jumped out of her skin, almost throwing her phone over her head.

“Ah! Vice Principal Luna…”

The older woman looked down at her and smiled.

“I didn’t mean to startle you. I wanted to commend you on your dancing, but you ran off in such a hurry, I was afraid something might have been wrong.”

Sunshine smirked and shook her head.

“No… Nothing’s wrong, I’m just… very confused…”

“About Dennis?”

Sunshine’s eyebrows raised and she looked up at Luna.

“How did you know?”

Luna chuckled as she took a seat next to her on the bench.

“I was there, remember? I saw the whole thing. I thought your dancing was spectacular, by the way.”

Sunshine’s eyes narrowed as she replayed the events in her mind.

“I didn’t go in there to dance with him… He thought I wouldn’t make it to the party, so I wanted to show him up and prove that I’m not a freak… that I’m a person like everyone else.”

Luna pursed her lips.

“I know he’s treated you unfairly, Sunshine, but maybe you don’t know him as well as you think. What I saw in there was something special, and I think you both realized, if only briefly, that there is more to each other than you thought.”

Sunshine heart felt heavy in her chest.

“What are you saying?”

Luna smiled and brushed her skirt off as she stood up from the bench.

“I’m saying maybe you should talk to him. The party’s not over, you know.”

Then, she turned to walk inside, leaving Sunshine alone by the school.

Sunshine took a deep breath.

*You're right, Luna… This party is just getting started…*

Then, she rose to her feet, turned to face the doors, and walked back inside.


***Up Next: ***

> Chapter 5: The Menace
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


***Part 1: The Truth***


When Sunshine spotted Dennis again, he was sitting in the library alone.

He sat at a teble with his elbows on the surface and his face buried in his hands.

Sunshine pressed her hand against the door, grasping the handle and pulling it open.

Walking into the library, she drifted across the carpeted floor as quietly as a mouse.

He didn’t notice her.

Part of Sunshine wanted to turn around and walk back out, forgetting the whole thing, but something else seemed to be pushing her forward.

Her body moved on its own, and she reached towards him.

“Dennis...”

The boy shook with fear as her hand made contact with his shoulder.

He almost fell back in his chair, but he managed to catch himself.

Sunshine took a step back as he fired up from the chair, meeting her at eye level.

“Dennis, I’m sorry, I-“

“Sunshine, I just-“

They both stumbled over their words, interrupting each other before coming to silence.

Dennis appeared to be just as nervous as she was, and his head fell subtlety.

“You first...”

Sunshine blinked a few times and nodded her head.

“Yeah... Okay... “

She took a deep breath.

“I... I’m sorry about what happened back there. I actually enjoyed the dancing. I’ve never really done anything quite like it...”

Dennis nodded and absentmindedly rubbed the back of his head.

“Yeah, I thought it was kinda fun too... I still don’t even know what happened. Something just came over me...”

Sunshine felt the same way.

For the first time, she saw Dennis is a new light, not as a jerk or a bully, but as guy, a very nice guy.

“You... um, look good...”

Sunshine looked down, observing her form and realizing that her dress had slipped a little amidst their wild and frantic moves.

Quickly fixing her breasts, she chuckled and brushed her hair behind her ears.

“Thanks, so do you...”

The space between them seemed to close.

Sunshine wasn’t even aware that she was leaning forward until it was almost too late.

Her mouth was less than an inch from his when she opened her eyes, seeing that Dennis’ were wide open.

He wasn’t looking at her, though.

He was watching the door.

Sunshine spun around and saw the silhouette of a police officer standing outside the library door.

“That’s my dad... I gotta go...”

Then, he brushed past her, meeting the officer outside and walking out of sight.

It all happened so fast.

Sunshine felt something else, now, frustration.

*That little punk... He didn’t even say goodbye...*


***Part 2: Equestrian's Day Out***


The next morning, Princess Twilight came by Sweet Apple Acres to see Sunshine.

Instead of hanging around, however, the princess had other plans and requested that she go with her.

"So... Where are we going?"

Sunshine let our a soft groan as she climbed into Twilight’s car.

It was her best attempt at making small talk with the princess as they pulled out of Sweet Apple Acres.

Twilight kept her eyes on the road, but she smiled anyway.

"I thought I'd take you out to eat. There's a place your mothers and I enjoy in the mornings, a breakfast diner. Applejack first introduced your mother to the owner of the diner when she was still pregnant with you. You'll love it."

Sunshine turned her head and gazed out the window at the passing trees and cars.

They were nearing the city, now.

The buildings quickly grew bigger and greater between.

It didn’t take long to find their destination, and Twilight pulled into the parking lot of the breakfast diner she had told Sunshine about.

Sunshine stepped out of the car and looked up at the sign above the door.

"I think... I know this place. Mom took me here once, when I was little. I don't know why we've never been back..."

Twilight smiled at her and extended her hand, offering it to Sunshine.

"Perhaps your mother was embarrassed after you made quite the mess the last time she brought you here."

She raised an eyebrow towards Sunshine, and they both exploded into a fit of laughter.

“Let's get going. I'm starving."

Sunshine agreed and quickly followed her inside.

The atmosphere of the diner was the first thing she noticed.

The air was cold, but comfortable, the sound of forks and knives against plates chimed softly, and some lively music played in the background.

Sunshine immediately liked the place.

As they walked up to the counter, a loud voice boomed 

"Princess Twilight!"

Frightened by the voice, Sunshine nearly let out a scream, but Twilight looked unfazed.

Instead of showing fear, she laughed and approached the counter from which the voice came.

"Joe... It's good to see you again. How's Margaret?"

The elderly man behind the counter waved his hand dismissively.

"Oh... I know you didn't come here just to make small talk about my wife. You need something from me, don't you, princess?"

Twilight beamed at him.

"Yes... Food, actually. For myself, and for my young friend."

At last, Joe spotted Sunshine, and his jaw hit the counter.

"No..."

His face was full of shock and awe.

“No way... This can't be... This isn't really... Sunshine? Sunshine Harvest?"

Sunshine managed a nervous smile and slowly extended her hand.

"H-H-Hey..."

"Oh... Wow!"

Joe roared with laughter and shook her hand vigorously.

"Ha! You... You're so... big! Wow! When did you get so big, Sunshine? I haven't seen you since you were but a little lass. Oh, my... You have grown up so much."

Joe cleared his throat loudly.

"How is... Ehem! How is your mother? Is she here too?"

Twilight shook her head, extracting a disappointed look from the elderly man.

"Not this time. I’m just taking Sunshine out for a little... girl time."

Sunshine stayed quiet and watched as Joe reached underneath the counter and revealed two white coffee mugs.

"Oh... That's alright. I'm sure she'll come around again, when she's got the time. Now, enough about that. What can I do to help you fine ladies this morning? Can I start ya' off with some freshly brewed coffee?"

The size of the mugs was something to behold.

"Oh... Water, please... I... I've never had coffee."

That was the truth.

Sunshine preferred almost anything to coffee, having never tried the black liquid.

Joe made a look of mock surprise and shock.

"Yo-You... coffee... Never?!”

Twilight raised a hand to her mouth to hide her snicker.

“That's preposterous! Everyone needs to try fresh cup of Joe's joe in the morning at least once.”

"Mom never let me."

Sunshine admitted the truth as she glanced over at Twilight.

”She always said I need water or milk in the morning to get me up."

Twilight chuckled lightly. 

"Maybe, she wouldn't mind if you had just one cup. I think it would make Joe's day, if you said 'yes'."

Sunshine hesitated for a moment, but she eventually agreed.

Ecstatic, Joe pumped his fists into the air as he turned around to fill up the mugs.

"Uh... Three cream and one sugar, please."

Joe nodded his head, showing them that he had heard and understood her request.

Then, Twilight turned to face Sunshine.

"Let’s order our food quickly. We have much to discuss."

Sunshine’s chest began to twist.

"About me going to Equestria with you?"

Twilight frowned and nodded her head.

"Yes... I know this must be difficult for you, but-"

Sunshine cut her off.

"I know... I heard everything the other day... You think it's in my best interest to leave this world and go to a place I have never seen or known."

Sunshine frowned and looked down at the menu in front of her.

Twilight placed a hand on hers and softened her tone.

"It's not like that, Sunshine. Your mother and I just think-"

Again, she was cut off.

This time, it was by Joe and another employee behind the counter.

"Are you ladies ready to order? I gotta head back into the kitchen, but Dennis here will make sure y'all get everything ya' need."

*What?*

With that being said, Joe took his leave, and he dissapeared through the door into the kitchen behind the counter.

Twilight quickly turned to Sunshine again.

"I... need to use the ladies room. Just order without me. I'll be back soon."

Without waiting for Sunshine to reply, Twilight bolted from her seat.

Now, Sunshine sat at the counter, alone.

"May I take your orders?" The employee asked.

Sunshine's ears twitched at the sound of his voice, and she looked up from her menu.

It was who she thought it was.

"Dennis..."

Her breath shortened, and her face suddenly felt hot.

“I didn’t know you worked here...”

Dennis had a look of shock on his face.

His eyes narrowed, and he was soon glaring at Sunshine.

"Freak... What are you doing here?"

Sunshine’s eyes widened.

She had thought things between them might have changed.

After last night, after what they almost did, she figured he might have warmed up to her, but things appeared to be business as usual.

Sunshine glared back at him.

"What, does this diner not serve magical Equestrians? I came here to eat, obviously. What are you doing here, Dennis?"

The boy's menacing glare softened, and he gestured to the uniform on his body.

"My parents made me get a summer job working here. They want me to pay for my own gas an phone bill."

Then, his glare returned as quickly as it disappeared. 

"What do you care?"

Sunshine was ready to throw her fist across the counter and deck him in the jaw right then and there, but she showed restraint.

"You really gotta start working on a new insult..."

She let out a long sigh.

“Freak is really starting to get real old."

Dennis held up his note pad and pen.

"Is that your order?"

He pretended to write down her request.

"New... insults... for... Sunshine. Got it. Anything else?"

That bit stunned Sunshine, and she broke out into laughter, giving Dennis a dumbfounded look on his face.

"Wh-What is it? What's so funny?"

Sunshine caught her breath and wiped her eyes.

"You are... That was kinda funny. Can I tell you what I really want, now?" 

Dennis rolled his eyes and listened as Sunshine pointed out to him the things on the menu she wanted.

"... and don't forget the syrup."

Dennis groaned, earning a harsh look from her.

"So? What are you gonna do if I forget?" 

Sunshine snarled, and her horn began to glow.

"Do you really want to find out?" 

Eyes widened with fear, Dennis quickly retreated into the kitchen to place the order.

Princess Twilight returned moments later with a relieved look in her face.

"Did I miss the order? Ah... Never mind. There's Joe."

Sunshine watched as Twilight flagged him down, but her thoughts wandered.

*Did he forget about what happened last night I've never had a conversation like that with anyone from school. It felt... kinda good... And it was with Dennis...*

She frowned as she looked into the cup of black coffee in front of her, still untouched.

Carefully, she picked the steaming mug up and lifted it to her lips.

She took a small sip and quickly set the cup back down with a look of disgust on her face.

Twilight noticed and laughed.

"I know how you feel, Sunshine... I can't drink coffee in its darkest state either. You need to add cream or sugar to it in order to make the coffee desirable."

Sunshine dissmissed the idea and pushed the mug a few inches away from her.

"I think I'll just wait for my food...”


***Part 3: Frienemies***


Minutes later, Sunshine was sinking her teeth into a slice of warm, buttery toast.

Before she could stop herself, a long moan escapes her lips.

Dennis, who had just delivered the food to her, watched intently.

"Is it that good, pony girl?"

He let out a light chuckle.

Sunshine nodded her head as she swallowed the buttery goodness in her mouth.

*Pony girl... I kinda like that...*

"The toast is great, thanks. How’s your chest?"

Dennis scowled, probably remembering when she blasted him in front of the school with her magic.

"You're mocking me, now? It still hurts a lot, and I think you-"

Sunshine hit the surface of the counter, cutting him off.

"No... That isn't what I meant at all... Please, listen. I'm... I'm sorry, about that. You said some awful things, and I snapped."

Dennis' glare didn't fade away.

"You've said your fair share of hurtful things."

Then, his cold stare softened.

"But... Thank you, for apologizing. I’ve been thinking a lot about the dance, you know...”

Sunshine looked to her left, at Twilight.

The princess was busy with her food, chewing thoughtfully on a fork full of scrambled eggs.

She turned her attention back to Dennis and leaned forward.

"The truth is..."

Her voice lowered to a whisper.

"I need your help."

Dennis cocked his head and gave her a quizzical look.

"My help? What... What could you possibly want from me?"

"I’ve been thinking about the dance too, and I think this could work for us, but I need you to pretend to be my friend..."

Dennis wasn't sure he heard her correctly, and his face made that clear.

"You... wh-what?"

Sunshine's expression showed she was serious.

"You heard me. I need you to be my friend, or pretend to be... rather..."

Dennis looked over his shoulder before leaning closer to her.

"Why would I... Why would I want to do that, help you? What's in it for me?"

*Well, for starters, I won't punch your teeth down your throat with my magic...*

Sunshine rolled her eyes.

"I don’t have anything...”

Dennis looked at the counter, then back at her.

“How about that Sunmer reading project we have to do for English next year? You’re the smartest girl in class I know. If you help me, I’ll play along with whatever game you’re playing.”

Sunshine tapped her finger against the counter top impatiently.

*Did he just compliment me?*

"Well?" 

She let out a long sigh.

"Alright... You have yourself a deal..." 

He smiled at her.

It wasn't the cruel, devilish grin he normally wore on his lips.

Instead, Dennis wore a warmer smile.

Sunshine was about to open her mouth to speak, but a loud, deep voice boomed from the kitchen.

"Busboy, quit standing around, and get back to work!"

Dennis' smile faded instantly, and a look of terror replaced it.

"Gotta go."

He hadn't the time to say anything else before he rushed back into the kitchen.

Sunshine watched until the door closed behind him.

"Who was that?"

Twilight peered after the boy as she wiped a napkin over her mouth.

"Oh... That was just Dennis... He's... uh... He's a friend from school."

Twilight raised her eyebrows curiously.

"Friend?”

Sunshine beamed at her and nodded her head quickly.

"Yeah... That's why I don't want to leave. I'll miss my... friend..."

"Sunshine, I thought we agreed that moving to Equestria was the best decision."

Twilight turned her attention back to her food.

Sunshine gestured towards the kitchen window.

"What about my friend? Aren't you the princess of friendship? Shouldn't you understand something like this?"

Twilight let out a heavy sigh.

"Sunshine, I... We'll discuss this later... I need to talk to Sunset and Applejack about this.”

Sunshine stayed quiet after that, and she turned her attention to the bacon.

All the while she ate, Sunshine thought about Dennis, and her new friendship with the person she swore to hate.


***Up Next: Star Crossed***

> Chapter 6: Star Crossed
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


***Part 1: Triumphant Return***


With their bellies full and their heads heavy, Sunshine and Princess Twilight returned to Sweet Apple Acres, both feeling much happier with full stomachs.

"We have a 'Joe' in Equestria..."

Twilight groaned as she climbed out of the car.

"But he sells donuts..."

Sunshine held her stomach as she closed the car door behind her.

"Oh... Please, don't talk about food... I've had to much already. I can't think about eating. I don't even want to think about eating..."

Sunshine glanced towards the front porch and saw Applejack waving at them.

She then looked back at Twilight.

"Aren't you coming?"

Twilight nodded her head and half walked, half stumbled after Sunshine.

"I'm right behind you... I'm not twenty-one anymore, you know."

Sunshine chuckled and rolled her eyes.

"Aren't princesses immortal? Your age is no excuse for being slow."

Twilight made a sound similar to that of a horse snorting.

Sunshine was sure she would have to bolt to the safety of Applejack, but Twilight began to laugh.

"I'll race you to the steps, Sunshine. Then, we'll see who's slow."

Sunshine glanced at Twilight over her shoulder.

"Race? You're joking, right?"

Twilight shot her a smirk.

"Are you afraid you'll lose to an older woman?" 

She shook her head and laughed under her breath, pointing at Applejack.

“No, I'd rather not throw up all over my mom. Besides, I know I'd beat you."

Twilight rolled her eyes.

"You're no fun."

They had reached the porch.

Sunshine didn't know what time it was, but the sun had grown high into the sky.

"Welcome back, you two."

Applejack greeted them with a warm smile.

"How was your breakfast?"

Sunshine groaned as she climbed the steps.

"Can't talk about food... Can't think about food..."

Applejack cocked her head at Sunshine and shot Twilight a confused look.

"It was fantastic. We had a lot to eat..."

Applejack smiled.

"Well, that’s wonderful to hear, then."

Once Sunshine had gone inside, Applejack stopped Princess Twilight at the door.

"Did ya' talk to her about Equestria?”

Twilight nodded her head.

"Yes... I mean, I tried to, but she’s determined to stay here. I don't want to take her by force. I couldn't bring myself to do that, but-"

Applejack looked puzzled.

"She wants to stay? I thought she couldn’t wait to get outta here and go to someplace where she’ll fit in better.”

Twilight nodded her head and leaned against the railing.

"Well, yes. She said she couldn't leave her friends behind. She’s attached. Being the princess of friendship, I must agree with her."

Now, Applejack was really confused.

"Friends? Sunshine has no real friends around here. She only talks to Cider."

Applejack pointed out towards the stallion in the pasture.

Twilight saw the horse, and she shrugged her shoulders.

"That's not what I saw, Applejack. Sunshine was talking to somebody that works at Joe's place, some boy named Dennis. I didn’t hear what they were talking about, but they looked like they had known each other for a long time.

Applejack froze.

"Wh-What was his name?"

Twilight didn’t sense the growing danger in Applejack’s voice.

"Uh... Dennis, I believe. He seemed like a nice boy. Like I said, I didn't speak with him, but he and Sunshine were really getting along well."

Applejack shook her head.

"That... That can't be right."

Confused, Twilight followed after her.


***Part 2: Bargins Kept***


Sunshine let out a frustrated sigh and rested her head against the wall.

"Dennis, I don't know if now is the best time..."

<You said you'd help me with that summer project, Sunshine. That starts today. Are you going back on your word?>

Sunshine snarled into the phone, silencing the boy on the other end of the line.

"It's not that... It's just... My mom knows who you are, and she knows good and well that we are not friends. She knows I blasted you in the chest yesterday. We can't meet here."

<But... I'm already on my way. Can't we do something to prove to her that... you know... we are friends?>

Sunshine walked away from the door and sat down on her bed.

The conversation with Dennis had already begun to wear her out.

"Like what?"

She was beginning to sound more impatient.

<Well, we could pretend to be more than friends...>

Sunshine's eyes widened and her cheeks burned red.

"No."

Her response was quick and harsh.

"Absolutely not."

Her thoughts turned to Cider, her champion stallion.

"I... already have a boyfriend... Besides, I think Applejack would find that even less believable."

There was silence on Dennis' line.

<Whatever... You think of something, then. I'll be there in a few minutes with my book. You have a working printer, right?>

"Yes... Of course, I do."

Sunshine didn't wait for Dennis to respond.

She hit the red button on her phone, ending the call.

With a heaving sigh, she set the phone down on her night stand and stood up from her bed.

Sunshine approached her door and opened it, listening out into the hall.

She could hear the voices of her mother and Princess Twilight in the kitchen below.

Actually, to Sunshine, it sounded less like a conversation and more like a heated debate.

Sunshine listened closely.


***Part 3: Where The Sun May Set.***


"I'm telling you, this boy is the root of all of Sunshine's troubles!"

Applejack sounded furious.

"Last year, he gave her a black eye in a fight at the school. I mean... Sunshine also broke two of his ribs, but that little rascal started it for sure."

Twilight casually took a sip from a glass of water Sunset had just provided her.

"Are we all sure this is the very same Dennis? I know very well what I saw at Joe's place. Sunshine and Dennis were talking..."

She shot Applejack a look.

"Without throwing their fists."

Sunset cracked a smile.

Both her wife and her friend looked at her.

"Why don't we just meet this... Dennis? Before we go jumping to any conclusions about Equestria or Sunshine's choice of friends, I would simply like to see who his is."

Twilight nodded her head.

"I agree. If what Sunshine told me is true, Dennis is the only reason she wishes to stay here and not move to Equestria. It would be wrong on our part to dismiss Dennis without meeting him."

Applejack glanced out the window, towards the stable.

"The only reason, huh?"

Sunset cracked a smile as she placed a soft kiss on Applejack’s cheek.

“Well, honey, what do you think? Should we meet this little menace?"

The cowgirl turned back to face Twilight and Sunset, and she nodded her head.

"Yeah... We should meet him."

Sunset beamed and clasped her hands together.

"Then, we are all in agreement. Maybe Sunshine could have him come over for dinner or..."

There was a knock at the door.

All three women turned their heads and looked towards the source of the sound.

The knocking sounded again.

Twilight was the first to answer the door.

When she opened it, she came face to face with tall, freckle-faced boy with shaggy blond hair.

"Um... Good afternoon."

He spoke as confidently as he could manage.

"I'm Dennis, and I'm here to see Sunshine."


***Part 4: Meeting The Apple Family***


Applejack was fuming with anger, but Sunset Shimmer approached the boy with an open, extended hand.

"Ah... You must be the Dennis I have heard about. It is a pleasure to meet you."

Dennis, with his project book tucked under his left arm, shook Sunset's hand.

He managed a forced smile.

Twilight eyed the book under his arm.

"Sunshine is in her room, I believe. What is that for?"

Dennis held up the novel to show her.

"This? It's a summer reading project for school next year. Um... Sunshine and I were going to work on it together. I'm sorry if I came over unannounced."

Sunset smiled and shook her head.

"Oh... That isn't a problem at all, Dennis. It's nice to finally meet you."

Sunshine appeared at the top of the stairs, her horn pulsing green to show off her embarrassment.

"Dennis!”

She quickly rushed down the stairs and stepped in between the boy and her parents.

“There you are. Let's go upstairs so... we can... start that project..."

Dennis was pulled across the room and up the stairs by Sunshine.

Twilight and Applejack exchanged weird looks.

"That sure was... somethin'."

Twilight shrugged.

"I like him."

"I do too..."

Sunset let our a long sigh.

"He's not exactly the menace you told him to be, Applejack."

Applejack rolled her eyes and mumbled something inaudible under her breath.

"Why don't you make them some cold lemonade? Perhaps you can warm up to Sunshine's friend."

Again, Applejack grumbled under her breath, but she didn't openly object to her wife's suggestion, and Applejack followed her and Twilight into the kitchen.


***Part 5: Operation Project Front***


Dennis let out a muffled yelp as Sunshine pushed him into her bedroom and quickly closed the door behind her.

"I think that went well."

"You're an idiot."

Dennis shrugged his shoulders and set his book down.

Sunshine looked over her shoulder and saw the title.


*The Mare In Gold*
Waffen Pony


"That's the book you chose? Why? I’ve heard it’s awful."

Dennis chuckled.

"Really, Sunshine? Of all people, you should know not to judge a book by its cover."

Sunshine opened her mouth to respond, but she found that she had no reply.

Instead, she had a question.

"Me, of all people?"

"Yeah, you."

Dennis kept his eyes on his book and tried to avoid her glare.

"The... Uh... The horn, you know. Some people might misjudge you..."

Sunshine's glare softened.

"Some people?" Like... you? Are you saying you misjudged me?"

Dennis shrugged.

"Maybe... Maybe not. It's too early to tell, but after the dance last night, I’m starting to think I did...”

Sunshine nodded her head as she took the book from Dennis.

"Thats... probably the nicest thing youve ever said to me...”

She shook her head, quietly reminding herself to get back to the topic at hand.

“Now, what exactly do you need my help with? The book seems kinda straight forward.”

Dennis shot her a mean look.

"Har Har.”

He snatched the book back.

“I've read most of it already. It's just the ending that really has me stumped. It's like... the story isn't completely finished. I mean, it’s like it cuts off right before the climax."

Sunshine hummed softly as she looked at the pages Dennis was showing her.

"That's weird..."

Dennis closed the book and looked at the cover.

"I would choose a different one, but I feel like I’ve already committed to this story. What book did you choose?"

Sunshine reached over to her school bag and unzipped the top, pulling out a thick novel.


*Chains*
BookyBrony


"I started reading as soon as I got it a week ago."

She passed the tome-sized book along to Dennis.

"It's got me hooked. I mean, the guy who wrote it is amazing. I don't think I've ever read a more convincing story."

Dennis flipped through the pages.

"Is this a romance?"

Sunshine blushed and nodded her head before she took the novel back.

"It has some... Anyway, did you want to sit down, or did you plan on standing up the whole time?"

They both laughed, and Sunshine sat down on her bed while Dennis took a seat in a chair in the corner of her room.

"So..."

A sense of awkwardness filled the space between them.

“Do you think our fake friendship is working?"

Sunshine's chest instantly felt heavy.

*Fake...*

"Um... Yeah... I think it might be working."

Her voice sounded shaky and uncertain.

"I think my mom likes you. One of them, anyway...”

Dennis smiled meekly and cuddled with his hands.

"What about... What about you?"

Sunshine stayed quiet, and she pretended not to hear him.

*What about me? Am I starting to like him? I don’t know...*

At that moment, Applejack knocked on the door.

"Sunshine..."

She poked her head inside.

“I brought you two some lemonade."

*Oh... Thank you, Momma Applejack.*

Sunshine stood up and walked towards the door.

*You could not have arrived at a better time...*

She opened the door fully, and sure enough, Applejack stood in the hallway holding two glasses filled with a pale liquid.

Applejack looked in and eyed Dennis.

"Could I talk to ya' in the hall for a minute, Sunshine?”

Sunshine looked back at Dennis, who waved encouragingly.

She then nodded her head and followed Applejack into the hallway.

"What is it, Mom? Is something wrong?”

Applejack let out a heaving sigh.

"Sunshine... I'm sorry about your new... friend, but your mother and I still believe it would be best for you to join Twilight in Equestria."

Sunshine's heart sank into her stomach.

"I know this must be upsetting to you, but you must keep in mind that you have an ability no one in this world has, and that is dangerous to you and to everyone around you. Equestria is the only place you can feel... normal."

Sunshine almost dropped the glasses Applejack handed to her.

"You'll have all summer to spend with him."

Applejack tried to keep an encouraging tone.

"Princess Twilight can also help ya' arrange letters through the portal."

That didn’t sound like a good deal at all, spending the rest of her life in a land she wasn’t familiar with at all, far from the first human friend she’d ever had.

"Thanks..."

Sunshine cursed the day under her breath as she retreated back into her room.

She couldn't bare herself to look Applejack in the eyes.

She then closed the door, shutting her mother out.

Dennis took the glass Sunshine offered him.

"What was that about?"

She sat down on the bed, and she told him the story from the beginning.


***Up Next: One Final Effort***

> Chapter 7: One Final Effort
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


***Part 1: Coming Out***


Sunshine let out a long sigh.

"I... I'm sorry."

Dennis lowered his gaze and let out a soft sigh.

“I really am."

Sunshine rubbed her fingers between her eyes.

"Right... Right... Alright."

Dennis gestured towards the door.

"Should I just show myself out? My dad is on his way to pick me up."

Sunshine smiled sadly and shook her head.

"No... I'll walk you to the door."

Together, they left Sunshine's room and tracked down the hallway and down the stairs.

Sunset, Applejack, and Twilight watched them from the dinning room table.

*Don't look at them... They're watching you... Don’t make this worse for yourself by looking.*

Sunshine opened the door for Dennis and peered outside.

She could see his car just a little way down the dirt road.

"Well... Thanks for your help on the book project, anyway. Good luck with... whatever it is you're doing in... Equestria."

Sunshine gave him a crooked smirk.

"That's a lot of sweet talkin', Dennis... What happened to shoving me to the ground and calling me a 'freak'?"

Dennis winced at Sunshine's last words, but he remained silent.

She eyed the road.

Far up ahead, she could hear a car approaching quickly.

As it got closer, she could see exactly what it was, a police cruiser.

"That's your dad?" Sunshine asked.

Dennis nodded his head.

"Yeah... He loves to take work with him."

Sunshine could feel the eyes of her mothers burning into the back of her head.

She knew they were watching from the door, but Sunshine didn't take her eyes off of the police car approaching her and Dennis.

*This is it, my last chance... One final effort...*

Then, Sunshine quickly turned to face Dennis.

She took the collar of his shirt in her fist and pulled the boy into a kiss.

Taken completely by surprise, Dennis let out a muffled cry into Sunshine's mouth.

One second passed.

Then another.

After what seemed like an eternity, Sunshine pulled away and let go of Dennis' shirt.

She quickly glanced back up at the house to make sure her parents saw.

They did.

Sunshine could see the white in Applejack's eyes and the confusion in Sunset's and Twilight's.

Dennis had an equally befuddled look on his face.

"W-Wha-"

Sunshine hissed like a serpent.

"Just go with it."

The police car came to a stop in front of them, and the engine became quiet as a uniformed officer stepped out of the vehicle.

"Good afternoon, little lady."

He looked up at the from the bottom step with a sly grin.

Sunshine was about to reply when the front door swung open, and Applejack ran in front of them, placing herself in between her daughter and the officer.

"Sunshine, get back!"

The officer looked at the cowgirl, and his smirk vanished.

“You look familiar.”

She growled in return, showing her fists.

"Captain Simcoe..."

The officer raised an eyebrow.

"Have we met?"

He stroked his chin in a pondering gesture.

"Ah, yes... I remember... You were at Canterlot High..."

The smirk on Captain Simcoe’s face returned.

"It was very fortunate Principal Celestia was there to rescue you all those years ago. Otherwise, where would you be today?”

Sunshine and Dennis looked back and forth between Applejack and Simcoe like they were watching a tennis match.

Twilight and Sunset arrived and stepped in between the growing tensions.

The princess took Applejack in her arms and guided her back to the door while Sunset turned to face the officer.

"It was a... pleasure having your son over."

Sunset managed the calmest voice she could. 

"Oh, the pleasure is all mine, Mrs. Shimmer."

Simcoe offered her a slight bow.

"Perhaps my boy could spend more time with Sunshine? He’s told me many times how fond he is of her..."

Sunshine shot Dennis a shocked look, and the boy quickly looked away, his cheeks burning red.

"That would be wonderful."

Sunset nodded her head in agreement and even forced a smile.

"Thank you again for stopping by, Captain Simcoe."

"Please, just call me Simcoe."

The officer tipped his hat as a show of politeness.

"Come, Dennis."

The boy quickly followed after Simcoe, not daring to look back at Sunshine.

When the police car finally began backing away from the homestead, Applejack shook her way out of Twilight's grip.

"Don't you dare trust a thing that ass says. He and that little brat of his need to stay far away from Sunshine. The sooner she goes to Equestria, the safer she'll be."

Sunset looked at the ground beneath her feet, and she let out a long sigh.

"I... I don't know, Applejack..."

She watched the police car as it dissapeared down the dirt road.

"You saw Sunshine and Dennis k- you know... What if this boy really is fond of her? That's more than friendship, Applejack."

Applejack's nostrils flared.

"He's the cop I told ya' about so many years ago! He's the one that tried to starve me in a cell until I told him about the magic portal!"

Sunset shook her head.

"Let's sleep on it, Applejack. Come on."

Still infuriated, Applejack reluctantly followed Sunset and Princess Twilight inside.

Now alone, Sunshine stood on the edge of the dirt road.

The police cruiser had just turned onto the main road at the very end, disappearing from Sunshine's sight.

Her fingers drifted towards her mouth, and she stroked her lips.

"Dennis..."

The birds had grown quiet, and the chirping was replaced by the sounds of buzzing insects.

Sunshine turned around and began walking back towards the front door.

It seemed her final effort had somewhat worked.

She had certainly changed something in her mother's mind.

Applejack would be harder to convince, though...

Sunshine cracked a weary smile.

It was the beginning of Summer vacation, after all.

She had all Summer long to figure it out.

Plus, she still had Cider, her favorite stallion, but Sunshine's thoughts shifted towards Dennis.

"Hmm..."

She pondered recent events, her mind replaying the kiss over and over again.

He would be trickier to figure out, but Sunshine was never one to back away from a challenge. She was part Apple, after all.


***The End***

***A Waffen Pony Production***

> Epilogue: Sunny Summer Days
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


***Sunny Summer Days***


The morning was quiet. A constant, gentle breeze swept over Sweet Apple Acres, causing the fields and pastures to roll like ocean waves. It was Sunshine's favorite part of the day.

In the cool hours of the morning, before the sun rose to its greatest hight, Sunshine took to the horse pasture. There, she would lay in the tall grass and close her eyes, listening to the sounds of the farm. One sound in particular caught her attention. It was the gentle thuds of hooves against the grass.

Sunshine's eyes blinked open, and she found herself face to face with Cider. 

The young stallion stood over her, whinnying softly.

"Hey, sweet thing..." Sunshine muttered as she reached upward with her right hand. 

She stroked Cider's snout affectionately, extracting a series of nickers from him.

"You... wanna talk about what happened between us?" Sunshine asked. 

Cider responded with a confident snort.

Sunshine groaned as she rolled over and stood up on her feet. After dusting herself off, she turned back around to face Cider.

"You were amazing, Cider." She said with a crazy grin. "What more is there to tell?"

Her grin faded.

"I... I don't think I ever got to thank you..." Sunshine muttered. "What you did for me was unforgettable."

Cider whinnied and stomped his hoof.

"You're right." Sunshine agreed. "But you still deserve a proper 'thank you'."

She took the stallion's cheeks in her hands and kissed his snout softly.

"Thank you, Cider..." She whispered. 

The distant call of a horse's whinny sounded across the pasture. Cider quickly looked in the direction of the call. Then, he looked back at Sunshine.

"Go..." Sunshine said with a smile. "It's alright."

Cider snorted and playfuly knocked his forehead against Sunshine's before galloping away. 

Sunshine rubbed her head and watched him until he was gone. She then brushed the hair out of her eyes and began walking towards the stable.

It was a bit of a hike, but that had never stopped Sunshine before. It was a trip Sunshine used to make once a year, on her birthday, a little tradition of hers. Now, she hiked past the stable whenever she wanted to. 

On the other side of the stable, Sunshine continued to walk. The breeze was much stronger on the open fields before her. The wind blew her hair in every direction all at once.

Sunshine beamed, parting her lips and showing her teeth.

She could hear her mother's voice from years of 'tradition'.

*Come on, Sunshine... Let's go see daddy...*

At last, Sunshine reached her destination. 

"Daddy..." She muttered softly.

Sunshine sat down in front of the stone, and she gently rubbed her hand across the surface, feeling the cracks and the name inscribed into the rock.


* Chief *


"How have you been, dad?" Sunshine asked the stone. "I'm sure you know how I've been... Mom says you were always watching me, even after you... left..."

The stone replied with silence.

"Oh, guess what! I... I kissed a boy, yesterday. It was... something... something else. I don't even like the guy, but it still felt... nice... I'm rambling..."

Sunshine eyed the stone carefully, as though it was looking back at her.

"Well... I mean, he isn't all that bad... Not anymore, at least. Momma Applejack doesn't seem to like him at all. If he ever comes back, I'm going to have to protect him so Applejack doesn't feed him to the pigs." Sunshine chuckled.

After letting out a long sigh, Sunshine fell on her back, her head resting right next to the stone.

"I... I'm not exactly sure how I should feel, dad... I thought I hated him, but now... I mean, after talking to him, he seems to have changed so much. I don't even think he's the same person."

Sunshine stroked the stone next to her.

"You're a really good listener..." She said with a content sigh.

"Mmmmm... You have no idea..." 

Startled, Sunshine sat upright, and she looked up to see her mother standing over her.

Sunset smiled down at her and sat on her rump on the other side of the stone. 

"Mom?" Sunshine asked quizzically.

"I would talk to Chief for hours." Sunset explained. "Honestly, I had no idea of how much he actually understood, but I sure could understand him, just like you can understand Cider. That's a special gift, Sunshine, your gift. It's your Equestrian blood, my blood."

Sunshine grinned and looked up at the horn sprouting from her forehead. 

"That's how you and dad were able to make... me? It was all because of your pony blood?"

Sunset nodded her head as she rubbed the stone. 

"That's right... It was a bit of a shock to Applejack and me, when we first found out I was pregnant with you..."

Sunshine let out a startled yelp as her mother pulled her into a strong embrace.

"But I didn't regret it for a second..." Sunset whispered as she tightened her loving grip on her daughter. "When I first met Chief, I thought he was the greatest thing ever to happen to me. Then, you came along..."

Sunshine managed to free herself from her mother's grasp, and she broke away, gasping heavily for air.

"I always used to think running into Chief was just... chance. I thought it was only luck that saved me from... my heat, but seeing how everything turned out, having you, I cant believe in chance anymore. Equestrian magic, the power of friendship has no limits, Sunshine."

Sunshine looked over at her mother.

"You think magic lead you to dad?" She asked.

Sunset smiled and shrugged.

"Where did your magic lead you, Sunshine?" Sunset asked with a light chuckle. "That boy, Dennis?"

Sunshine's heart skipped a beat.

Sunset noticed her daughter's discomfort and laughed again as she got to her feet.

"Hmm... Wouldn't that be something..."

Sunshine watched as her mother began walking back towards the stable until she disappeared on the other side, leaving her alone with only her thoughts and a lot to think about.

*Wouldn't that be something...*


***Sunshine Harvest Will Return***

> Short 1: Dennis The Romantic (1)
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


***Saddle Up, Sunshine: Short***


"Stand up straight..."

Applejack repeated her wife’s instructions like a parrot.

"Stand up straight..."

Sunset grinned and brushed the hair out of her wife's eyes.

"Remember to take deep breaths..."

Applejack gave Sunset a cold glare.

"Oh, don't give me that look."

Sunset chuckled softly.

"I just want you to look nice for Sunshine’s friend."

"Don't I always look nice?" Retorted Applejack. "You're hurtin' my feelings."

Sunset planted a soft, but quick, kiss on Applejack's lips.

"I meant... I just want you to look nice for Dennis, Applejack. He's going to be our guest, and you're going to have to behave. Your last impression wasn't exactly a great one."

Applejack crossed her arms defiantly.

"Hey, I was tryin' to protect Sunshine from Simcoe, and his little... little offspring."

Sunset's gaze fell, and she bit her lip.

After several moments of silence, she let out a long sigh.

"That was seventeen years ago, Applejack. Maybe it's time you let that go, for Sunshine. I mean, there's something special going on between her and Dennis, and-"

Applejack shook her head violently.

"It's not that..."

Sunset cocked her head.

"What? What do you mean?"

"I mean, this isn't about Sunshine or Dennis... It’s Simcoe. He's dangerous, Sunset, I know it. He was there, the night I got Princess Twilight from Equestria... He saw us leavin' the portal. When I was in jail, it was all Simcoe asked about. He wanted to know about the portal."

Sunset paused.

Then, she threw her arms around Applejack, pulling her close and breathing deeply into her neck.

“Let it go, Applejack... If not for Sunshine, do it for me...”

The doorbell sounded, echoing throughout the house.

"He's here..."

Sunset looked over her shoulder at the door and turned back to face Applejack with a grin look.

"We'll discuss this later. For now, let's welcome Dennis, make him feel at home."

Applejack nodded her head.

She still wasn't thrilled about it, but she was willing to tolerate Dennis, for Sunshine's sake.

At the door, Dennis stood patiently.

Moments later, Sunset opened the door and welcomed him inside.

"Hello, Dennis."

She greeted him with a warm smile.

"Good afternoon, Mrs. Shimmer."

He sounded more polite than she remembered.

Sunset looked over Dennis' shoulder, out the door.

"Where... is your father?"

Dennis shook his head.

"He didn't drop me off. I rode the bus to get here.”

At last, Sunshine arrived, bounding down the stairs.

She came to a sudden stop in front of Dennis and her mother.

"Hey... Dennis..."

She huffed and puffed as she tried to catch her breath.

Sunset smiled and began backing away.

"Well, I'll leave you two alone. Good luck on that... project."

Sunset dissapeared down the hall where Applejack was waiting, and the two of them went into their bedroom.

Alone at last. Sunshine shot Dennis a mean glare.

"You're late."

Dennis shrugged.

"The busses were slow. So... Do you think Applejack likes me yet?"

Sunshine put on a silly smirk and shook her head.

"It’s hard to tell, Dennis. She looked like she was ready to pounce when you were last here.”

Dennis put on a frown and shoved his hands into his pockets.

"That's not funny. I gave it everything I had. I even tried to be really polite. Do you have any idea of how difficult that is for me?"

Sunshine lead Dennis up the stairs and into her room.

"Well, you've certainly made a good impression on my mother. She seems to really like you."

Then, she leaned in close to Dennis.

"She thinks we're in love..."

Her hot breath hit his cheek, causing the hair on his neck to stand up straight.

"Crazy, right?"

Dennis rubbed his own hands as he sat down on her bed.

"Well, you kissed me. It doesn't seem all that crazy to me."

Sunshine blushed, her cheeks burning bright red.

"I... I did that for my own reasons... It wasn't supposed to mean anything..."

Dennis looked down at his feet, and his expression shifted noticeably.

"Oh... Well, I'm glad you got what you wanted out of it."

Sunshine frowned at sat down next to him.

She could see the hurt in his eyes, a pain the she had caused.

*I don’t believe it... He actually meant it...*

Sunshine cursed her pride and placed a gentle hand on Dennis' shoulder.

"Maybe..."

She licked her lips with anticipation.

"It wouldn't hurt to... practice..."

Dennis looked up and gave her a confused look.

"What do you mean?"

She cleared her throat.

"It wouldn't hurt to practice... The kissing, I mean. If my mom thinks us being... in love will keep me from moving to Equestria, then I want it to look good."

Sunshine scooted closer to Dennis until their legs were touching.

Dennis looked her over, his eyes taking her entire form in.

“Are you suggesting what I think you’re suggesting?”

Her eyes narrowed as she leaned in.

“Do you want to keep asking dumb questions, or do you want to find out?”

With no more words to be spoken between them, she took his face in her hand and pulled him into a kiss.

It was stronger than the first one, deeper, more passionate.

Their lips parted and met again, again, and again.

Sunshine wondered if the heat in the room was rising, or if it was just her.

She mercilessly kissed Dennis, mashing her lips into his over and over again. 

As the seconds passed and became minutes, the kisses became longer, deeper, hotter, and sweeter.

Sunsine threw her left leg over Dennis' and straddled him, surprising the boy.

"Mmm... Su-Sunshine..."

He tried to speak between kisses.

"Wh-Wha... What are... you... d-d-doing?"

Sunshine pushed Dennis on his back, laying him down in her bed.

Still mounting his waist, she began unbuttoning her shirt and let out a moan.

"I... I don't know what I'm doing, Dennis... But I know I'm going to enjoy it..."

Dennis watched helplessly as Sunshine tore her shirt away and tossed it aside.

For him, her breasts were a sight to behold.

They were not nearly as big as her mother's or Applejack's, but they were more than a handful for Dennis.

Sunshine's breasts bounced vigorously as she worked to undo the straps holding her bra in place.

"Aren't you- Ah... going to help me get this thing off? Please? The sooner you do, the sooner we can get back to... practicing..."


***

> Short 2: Dennis The Romantic (2)
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


***Saddle Up, Sunshine: Short***


Having never touched a woman's bra in his life, Dennis was left clueless as to how to remove the one that covered Sunshine's breasts.

One the other hand, Sunshine was shaking both from fear and anticipation.

*What am I doing...*

She watched as Dennis clumsily tried to work his fingers around her bra.

*Why... Why am I doing this...*

As she continued to grind the boy beneath her, her slit brushed against his stiff member in the best way, forcing a moan out of her lungs.

*Oh, that’s why I’m doing this... Why do I feel this way about... Dennis? Do I... Do I love him?*

Sunshine's mind was flooded with conflicting thoughts.

Part of her thought about Cider, the stallion she made love to, while the rest of her mind told her to fuck Dennis like a wild beast.

"Mmmmm..."

She moaned again, louder than before.

"Dennissssssss..."

At last, the boy beneath Sunshine managed to unclip her bra, and he tossed it aside.

Sunshine's breasts fell free, bouncing and jiggling as she continued to grind her body against Dennis'.

"Whoa..."

Dennis gasped, looking up at her naked breasts.

"Mmm..."

Sunshine offered him a sexy smirk.

"Do you like them?"

She placed her hands behind her head and shook her chest, causing her breasts to bounce around.

*Cider made it clear what happened between us wasn't any more than a one night stand...*

Sunshine paused briefly and looked into Dennis' hungry eyes.

*Yes... I'm going to fuck him...*

Her mind was set, and her conscience was cleared.

She pushed Dennis into the mattress and forced her lips against his.

The kissing was great, but Sunshine was ready to move on to the next phase.

Both pairs of lips parted after a heated swapping of saliva, and tongues were exchanged.

Dennis, being on the bottom, threw his arms around Sunshine and rubbed up and down her back, occasionally going a little lower each time.

Eventually, his hands reached their target.

Sunshine let out a startled yelp when Dennis' hands began groping her rear.

"Hold on, grabby..."

Sunshine snorted like a horse before rolling off of him, and Dennis’ cheeks burned with embarrassment.

"I... I'm sorry... I didn't mean to..."

His voice fell silent.

Dennis watched was Sunshine unzipped her jeans and pulled them down to her ankles.

Within moments, her thin panties were gone too.

Sunshine Harvest stood in front of Dennis, completely nude.

She laughed at Dennis' expression and turned around so her rear was in his face.

"Don't apologize, idiot... I want you to do it again, now that there’s nothing in your way...”

Dennis didn't need to be told twice.

He placed his hands on Sunshine's naked butt cheeks and began squeezing them.

Like a clumsy child, he squeezed and gropped what she was offering him.

The pleasure for Sunshine was immense, but she needed more.

To complement the pleasure, she needed a little pain, a little sting.

"Spank me..."

Confused, Dennis cocked his head and shot her a weird look.

She looked over her shoulder at him.

"You heard me. I want you to spank me."

Still unsure of how hitting her would give Sunshine and pleasure, Dennis obeyed and repeatedly 'spanked' the pony girl.

With every hit, the smile across her lips grew wider and wider.

*I... I can't take this anymore...*

Horny beyond rational thought, Sunshine quickly spun around and began working on Dennis' pants.

"Wh-What? Was it something I did?"

Dennis had a hint of fear rising in his voice as Sunshine struggled to remove his pants.

"I’m sorry... I'm new to this..."

She let out a laugh as she pulled down his pants.

"I can tell...”

She could see what she wanted, a bulge in Dennis' boxers.

Sunshine licked her lips as she pulled his briefs down, revealing his throbbing member.

*Well... He's no stallion, but I really like what I see...*

She took Dennis' member in her hand and began caressing the shaft.

Dennis squirmed uncontrollably, kicking his legs back and forth.

Sunshine chuckled as she continued to rub him off.

"It feels a lot better when someone else is rubbing it, doesn't it, Dennis?"

The boy whimpered.

"Y-Y-Yes... It feels so good..."

Sunshine bit her lower lip as she leaned in towards the boy's cock.

"Mmmm... If you liked that, then you're going to love this..."

Without a second thought, Sunshine took his member into her mouth.

The tip, the shaft...

All of it.

Sunshine lowered her head onto Dennis' cock until her nose touched his belly.

She gagged a little, but she didn't dare relent.

Dennis let out a series of in audible sounds as she repeated the process, going down on his member again and again.

*Mmmm... This is a lot easier than sucking on Cider... I like this...*

Sunshine closed her eyes as she found her ryrhem.

Her right hand worked in sync with her lips, rubbing Dennis' member while her mouth swallowed the rest.

Stimulated by the pleasure, Sunshine's horn glowed like the sun, brightening the entire room.

Then, the magic emanating from her horn gave Sunshine an idea.

Without stopping her oral attack on Dennis's upper shaft, Sunshine summed a cloud of magic that engulfed the boy's lower shaft and testicles.

Dennis fell silent as Sunshine began fondleing his scrotum.

His fingers closed in tight fists around the bed sheets.

He was nearing his climax.

"S-S-Sunshine..."

He moaned in an attempt to warn her.

"Sunshine... I... I'm about to..."

Sunshine knew good and well what came next, and it was exactly what she wanted.

*Cum, Dennis... Cum in my mouth... Cum down my throat...*

Dennis bit his lower lips to keep himself from screaming as he arrived at his peak.

Sunshine went all in and took Dennis' entire member inside her mouth at the last possible moment.

She closed her eyes and cringed as thick loads of his cum fired out of the tip of his member, straight down her throat.

Pulling back slightly, her mouth quickly filled to the brim with the cum that continued to be expelled from Dennis' cock.

Acting purely on animalistic lust, Dennis forced her head back down as he released one final load into her mouth.

"Ah... Sunshine...”

Dennis groaned as his body fell limp.

Sunshine gagged and coughed, spilling cum down her chin.

Eventually, she managed to swallow the rest, and she looked at Dennis, wearing a huge smile.

"How was that?"

"Mmm... That... That... was... wow..."

Satisfied with Dennis' answer, she climbed on top of him, and they shared a gentle kiss.

Dennis cringed a little at the taste of his own cum on Sunshine's lips, but he didn't object.

"Mmmm..."

Sunshine moaned lustfully as she grinded her crotch against Dennis'.

"You're still hard... Good."

"Wh-What do you mean?"

She let out a sigh and rolled her eyes.

"I mean, it's your turn to please me, now..."

Dennis wasn't sure exactly what she meant by that, but he had a few ideas.

The lustfuly fire between them hadn't been doused, not even in the slightest.


***

> Short 3: Dennis The Romantic (3)
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


***Saddle Up, Sunshine: Short***


Dennis held his breath as he climbed on top of Sunshine.

His member grinded against the entrance to her slit, causing the both of them to moan together in harmony.

"Put... Put it inside..."

Sunshine whimpered softly, and her chest quickly rose and fell as her breaths became shallow.

"I... I want you inside of me..."

The expression on Dennis' face looked like a combination of cluelessness, disbelief, and terror.

"I can't believe this is happening..."

He shook his head as he looked down at the naked girl beneath him.

*Neither can I... Oh, Dennis, I think I'm in love...*

Sunshine quickly shook her head, trying to rid her mind of the thought.

*Mmmmm... He feels bigger than he looks...*

Dennis clumsily managed to get the tip of his member inside her slit, and he pushed his hips forward, thrusting the rest of his shaft inside Sunshine.

Sunshine and Dennis paused for a brief moment.

They fell silent as they felt their sex organs pulsing together, looking into each other's eyes.

*Why should I love him?*

Sunshine bit her lower lip while looking into Dennis' eyes.

*I hated him. I shouldn't feel this way...*

Dennis gentle caressed her cheek and brushed Sunshine's messy hair out of her eyes.

*Why... Why do I feel this way... Why are you doing this to me, you ass...*

She remained motionless as Dennis leaned downward and pressed his lips against hers.

Her muscles tensed up, and she felt paralyzed by the touch of his lips.

*That's... Whoa... De-Dennis!*

At last, Dennis began to rock his hips, pulling his cock out of Sunshine's girlhood only to thrust it back inside.

With their lips still locked together, Sunshine let out muffled moans.

She cried out into Dennis' mouth with every thrust.

Dennis breathed heavily through his nose as he picked up his pace, and Sunshine tried her best to move her body in sync with his.

She wrapped her arms around Dennis and dug her fingernails into his back.

Dennis snarled, but he didn't stop for a second.

He continued his attack and pounded Sunshine's slit relentlessly.

*He's so... gooooood... Oh, Dennis!*

"Yes... Yes... Oh, Dennis... Fuck me... Harder, Dennis... Yes..."

Dennis was huffing and puffing.

Being inexperienced, he was quickly drained of energy.

Sunshine was quick to notice the slowing down in his pace, and she cocked her head.

"I... I can't... I can't go on..."

Sunshine rolled her eyes and let out a disappointed sigh.

She quickly pushed Dennis off of her and rolled him over so he was on his back.

Then, she mounted the boy and sat on his crotch.

"We're not done, yet..."

Sunshine snarled like an animal.

"We’re not done until I get what I want..."

Dennis, still catching his breath, nodded his head uneasily.

He watched as Sunshine lowered herself down onto his cock.

"Mmmmm... Yesssss..."

She purred as the member dissapeared inside her. 

*I hate you, for making me feel this way!*

Sunshine moaned sweetly now, lifting herself up and lowering herself back down onto Dennis' cock again and again.

Dennis grinned as he watched Sunshine ride his member.

His eyes quickly fell to her breasts, which were bouncing wildly in every direction.

She noticed the hungry look in his eyes, and she gave him a sexy smirk.

"Use your... words, Dennis..."

She groaned, leaning forward so her breasts were hanging above Dennis' face.

"If you want them, just ask...”

Dennis flipped his hair out of his eyes before taking her left nipple in his mouth.

"I'll try to remember that..."

Like a hungry baby, Dennis suckled Sunshine's left breast while his free hand played with the other, pinching her nipple and groping the mound of flesh.

Sunshine bit her lower lip.

"Mmmm... Dennissssss..."

She was ready.

One last push was all that remained.

*Let's finish this...*


***In Another Room***


Sunset let out a frustrated groan as she eyed her body in the mirror.

"Applejack..."

The county girl looked up from their bed.

"Hm?"

Sunset spun around once more, paying close attention to her rear.

"Am I... getting bigger?"

She sounded worried.

“Please, be honest..."

Applejack took a moment to observe her wife.

"Well, your butt certainly looks bigger, if that’s what you mean.

Sunset frowned and quickly spun around to face her.

"Applejack, I'm serious. Am I getting... fat?"

Applejack raised an eyebrow.

The woman standing in front of the bed was the furthest thing from obese.

"What's this about, Sunset?"

Applejack sat up in bed and motioned for her wife to sit down.

"You're as lean as a mare in heat. Why are ya' so worried 'bout your figure all of a sudden?"

Sunset let out a heaving sigh as she joined Applejack on the bed.

"I don't know... I've been stress eating lately... I mean, I want our daughter to experience Equestria, to get to know her where she came from, but I can bring myself to separate her from her human friend... It doesn't help that she has... feelings for him..."

Sunset buried her face in her hands and rubbed her eyes.

Applejack causally shrugged her shoulders.

"Hmm... What about a compromise?"

Sunset looked over at her.

"Wh-What do you mean?"

Her wife smirked and rolled her eyes.

"I mean, why not let Sunshine visit Equestria for few days and let her come back? That way, she could see Equestria and still come home to see her boyfriend.”

Sunset pondered the idea.

"Hmm..."


***Inside Sunshine’s Room***


"I... I think I'm close..."

That was it!

That was exactly what she wanted to hear!

"Do it, Dennis... Cum in me..."

Dennis, now back on top, pushed his cock on and out of Sunshine at an aggressive pace.

Sunshine arched her back and embraced the hot sensations of sex.

She wanted every moment to count.

At last, Dennis let out a long groan as he reached his peak, releasing his cum deep inside of Sunshine's girlhood.

She threw her arms around Dennis and pulled the boy into a deep kiss while his member continued to fill her womb.

Moments later, the kiss ended, and Dennis' flaccid member fell out of Sunshine's slit, which was now dripping with his cum.

Both stayed in their positions, unmoving and basking in the afterglow of the sex they just shared.

"Dennis..."

Sunshine blinked several times as she looked him in the eyes.

Dennis, breathing heavily, stared back at her.

"Y-Y-Yeah?"

She bit her lip and looked up into his shining, green eyes.

"I love you."


***