> No Memories Just Disappear Forever > by pinky102368 > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- > A Nostalgic Walk to Work > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- A young woman paced down the street. Anyone could take one glance at her, and instantly recognize her current emotion: Stress. Hands cuffed into a fist, she gradually increased her pace into a jog. "I cannot be late again!" She muttered. She halted immediately at a 'don't walk' sign at a crosswalk. "No! Not this one! This is the longest stop light in the whole freaking town!" She stood there, her face twisted with annoyance as cars passed by. While waiting for the light to turn into the white stick figure, she heard someone call her name. "Sunset Shimmer! Hey there!" Sunset turned around; to the direction of the voice. The tall figure standing there had a face that she recognized immediately. "Oh, hi Trixie." She replied. "Glad to see that you got stuck at this crosswalk too..." Trixie said. She walked up to Sunset and nudged her arm a bit. "...or we could jaywalk." Sunset rolled her eyes. "Trixie, don't you remember what happened last time?" "It's not like that was my fault! The dogs ran over the street, not me!" "And it cost you your dog-walking job." Sunset reminded her. Trixie grumbled under her breath. Sunset Shimmer just giggled. "So, where are you off to?" Trixie smiled from ear-to-ear. "I got that super-important magician gig!" "Wow, that's very impressive! I'm so happy for you!" Sunset Shimmer exclaimed. "It is rather impressive..." Trixie said as she looked up at the sky with dreamy eyes. Sunset looked behind her blue-skinned friend and just noticed her wagon full of supplies. "When are you going to learn how to drive? It will be much easier to carry your stuff in the trunk of a car, rather than in your small wagon!" Sunset pointed out. Trixie looked at her friend. "I could say the same thing about you. Driving would be much faster than waiting at this darn crosswalk... Where are you off to, anyway?" She added. "Work." "Oh, it's Monday, isn't it? Time goes by fast when your practicing your routine!" Trixie said, referring to herself. "Yeah. And I'm going to be late again." "That's why we hate Monday's, isn't it? Kinda makes you wish we were back in college--we couldn't get fired there!" Trixie exclaimed with a giggle. "Or better yet; go back to high school! Canterlot High was a nice place, wasn't it?" Sunset felt like she had nostalgia slapped into her face. "Yeah, it was, wasn't it? Well...after I was reformed from being a bully, of course!" "Hey, I wasn't any better! I was so full of myself back then!" Trixie put her hand on Sunset's shoulder and smiled deviously. "But at least I never turned into a raging she-demon!" Sunset narrowed her eyes and gave her a playful smile. "No need for reminders! That's something from high school that I rather forget..." "Me too...hey! Look! We can cross now!" Trixie said, pointing at the white stick figure light. "Awesome! Maybe I won't be late this time!" Sunset winked at her friend. "Well, I better run. Literally. I'll see you after work!" "See yah!" Sunset nodded a 'goodbye' and then sprinted across the street. She jogged as fast as she could in her high-heel boots down the sidewalk to get to her work. But now she was lost in thought. Yes, I do miss high-school quite a lot, don't I? I was successful, I had fun, and most importantly...I had the best friends I ever had! Sunset stopped dead at the thought of her old friends. She couldn't quite remember them, even though they made so many great memories. The only one she could really remember was Pinkie Pie. I remember the time when Pinkie Pie literally threw her head into the cake on her 18th birthday! She was so happy to be an adult...and the last one to turn 18 in our little group! Pinkie Pie is a hard person to forget. She could literally telaport all over a room; just like a cartoon character! Sunset tried to remember her other friends. "There was Rainbow..." She couldn't remember Rainbow's last name. But she could remember when they went to the Daring Do convention... She literally squealed like a little girl when she saw A.K. Yearling at the autograph booth! I still can't believe she was willing to spend twenty dollars just to get her autograph! "And that fabulous girl...I can't quite remember her name...Remedy? Radiant? I can't put my finger on it...but she always wore the nicest clothes...that she designed herself!" Sunset muttered under her breath. I do remember when she exhausted herself when making all of us our own dress for the graduation party...I felt so bad for her. She just said "it was worth it" in her lovely accent... And there was that country girl. Working hard, and being honest... Honesty. Honesty was one of the Elements of Harmony. Magic was the Element of Harmony that she was most familiar with. The Element of Harmony that she stole from her most best friend (but not at the time) Princess Twilight Sparkle, a pony princess from another dimension that Sunset knew as Equestria. Twilight Sparkle. How could she ever forget her? Twilight was the person--or pony--that she ended up falling in love with. But the Twilight that she loved hasn't even seen this world in quite some time... Sunset shook her head violently. "Oh, come on Sunset Shimmer! You're 24 now! No time for remembering people you will never see again...darn Trixie for making me feel nostalgic!" But as Sunset started jogging to work again, she couldn't help but feel side-tracked. Such good friends, such wonderful memories. It started making her wonder... Why did they have to separate and forget each other in the first place? > Looking Back > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- "You're late again, Sunset Shimmer?" "Yes, don't bother me about it!" Sunset snapped. The man shrugged. "It's just...you don't want to get fired, do you? You told me you're barely getting paid enough already. If you were fired, what would you do?" "I won't get fired! Just don't bother me about it, Party Favor!" Sunset yelled. Party Favor shuffled his feet. "Okay then..." "Hey! Party Favor! Get your butt over here!" An all-too-familiar voice shouted. "C-coming!" Party Favor faced Sunset. "I gotta go. See you!" Then he quickly walked off. Sunset nodded a 'goodbye' and then spun around to grab her vest hanging on a hat rack. "Another day, another dollar..." She muttered. "More like another nickel." A teenager wearing the same color vest 'reference joked' as she passed by. I never wanted this stupid part-time job at this stupid supermarket... Sunset Shimmer thought to herself. I wish I was able to get into theater... Sunset Shimmer remembered when she tried to audition for acting. She completely blew it. She can still remember those disappointed faces staring at her when it turned out she was terrible at acting. After that, she kept switching between different part-time jobs. Right now she works at the best-paying supermarket in town. She also plays her guitar for tips, self-published a few books, and Trixie always lends her some money. It helps pay for her house, taxes, and other living conditions at least. Sunset Shimmer walked to the backroom of the market to grab the boxes filled with stuff. Her job was placing bought objects in their designated places, and being a cashier. She was about to lift a large box filled with apples when her cellphone started ringing. She reached into her pocket to grab her cellphone and check who was calling. It read 'Trixie Lulamoon.' Sunset; slightly annoyed, but also relieved that she had some excuse to not start working yet; pressed the green button to answer her. Holding her phone up with to her ear, she spoke to her friend. "Heyo Trixie, what's up?" "Hey Sunset. I meant to ask this when we were talking at the crosswalk, but, I didn't want to make you late for work..." Trixie said; slightly muffled through Sunset's iPhone. "Eh, you wouldn't have done much damage. I'm already late." Sunset replied. "What? You ran off with plenty of time!" "I blame you." Sunset teased. "You made me feel nostalgic for my old friends." "What? How?" Trixie said, confused. "You mentioning Canterlot High..." Sunset sighed. "Seriously? You get nostalgic way too easy." "It doesn't matter...hey, so what did you want to ask me?" "I was wondering if we could meet at the café to celebrate me getting the gig after your work today!" Trixie exclaimed. "Sure! I'm not doing anything later today! So, work is over at six o'clock today...so, six o'clock?" "Six? Isn't work over at five?" A slightly puzzled Trixie said. "I was one hour late, and I want my full pay today. So I'm working late." "One hour late? You were reminiscing your high school friends so much that you were one hour late? What the heck, Sunset!" Sunset Shimmer giggled a little. "And I'll probably be remembering them at work today too. Yah know, because--" Trixie cut her off. "--because you like to get lost in thought at work, I know!" Trixie giggled a bit. "I remember when you told me about that...very adult fantasy you had that one time when you used to be a waitress. You told me it in so much detail...like that part when that women came to join you and the man, and you wanted to--" "Ah-hem!" Sunset said loudly into the phone. Trixie laughed. "Right, safe for work phone conversation--" All of a sudden, a very muffled background noise came from the phone. "What was that?" Sunset wondered out loud. "Oh, that was just the person who offered me the gig. I need to start the show now." Trixie explained. "See you at the café! Bye-bye!" "Bye." Sunset said; with a little less emotion than she meant to express. Then she hung up. "Ah-hem. Sunset Shimmer, if your done talking to your girlfriend, you should get back to work." Sunset turned to her left; startled by the voice. Was it the manager, about to scold her again? No, it wasn't her manager. It was her "friend" Silver Spoon. She used to attend Canterlot High as a freshman, but her parents moved her to Crystal Prep; a private school; before Sunset Shimmer could even notice her. Now she goes to the most expensive--and best--college in the whole town. She works at the supermarket to earn some extra cash. "Oh, it's just you, Silver Spoon. Aren't you supposed to be in class?" Sunset said with relief. "Oh, it's the new semester. My schedule is different. My first class isn't until two o'clock on Mondays. Thirty minutes after my shift is over." Silver explained. "Thirty minutes? That's cutting it kinda close, isn't it?" Sunset asked. "I can make it at least five minutes early." Silver Spoon said, confidently. "But, no time for small talk. We should get back to work now." Sunset looked uneasy. "Heh, heh...right." Silver Spoon nodded, and then proceeded to lift a box full of many cereal boxes. Sunset Shimmer lifted her own box filled with apples, and then headed out of the backroom to put the apples in the fruit section of the supermarket. As she was walking there, Sunset began to do what she always does at work: get lost in thought. She wasn't joking when she told Trixie that she was going to try thinking about her old high school friends at work. Trixie just...got her into the mood. That country girl...Apple Whack? Apple Sack? Apple something... Sunset thought as she dumped the cardboard box of apples onto the table where apples are kept. She was an apple farmer, wasn't she? She lived at Sweet Apple Acres...that's probably where these apples came from. Sunset Shimmer carried her empty box back to the backroom to put it down and lift a new one. She chose another box of apples; since her old apple farmer friend was in her mind at the moment. Carrying the box of apples, she headed back to the table where apples are kept...only for $1.49 each! I remember when we practiced Twilight's musical counter spell against the evil band--the Dazzlings--in one of Sweet Apple Acres' barns. That's when I first met Apple Sack's little sister! Apple...and then something to do with a flower...that was her little sister's name. She was so sweet! Sunset Shimmer dumped the apples onto the pile of apples; and then headed back to the backroom to grab one more crate. Ugh, I feel so guilty for not remembering most of my old friends' names! They probably didn't forget each others' names... Sunset thought with shame as she lifted one last cardboard box filled with kiwis. Carrying the box of kiwis to their designated place; Sunset kept remembering many memories of her old friends. And that shy girl...all I remember about her name was that the word 'shy' was in there somewhere. She was so kind...which makes sense, since she represents the element of kindness. She loved animals. I remember the time she invited all of us to the animal shelter to help take care of the sick animals. One of the most energetic cats got loose and started running all over the shelter...it took us forever to finally catch that tabby! Sunset chuckled to herself under her breath. Sunset Shimmer dropped the box off in the backroom and then headed to her register. She worked at register #4. As soon as she got there, she put her right elbow in the counter, and rested her chin on her hand. Now she waits for the supermarket to open. My most best friend; Twilight Sparkle. She was so talented, smart, nice, and beautiful. I'm surprised the only other person to fall for her was my ex-boyfriend, Flash Sentry. Too bad every time she came, it was either because of a crisis, or I was asking for help. It was the other, human-world Twilight that I got to hang out with more. Sunset giggled a little. She was the same as pony Twilight...yet, not the same. I could never feel the same way about her that I felt about pony Twilight. But Radiant--Remedy? Rare? Whatever that fabulous friend's name was--suspected that human Twilight was crushing on me. Heh heh...I remember my exact response--"Radiant, this is real life, not a shipping fanfic! It seems unlikely that she would crush on me!" All of a sudden, an announcement could be heard on the intercoms, interrupting Sunset Shimmer's thoughts. "We will be opening in five minutes! Have a great day at work, everybody!" The announcer exclaimed. Yeah, like I'll ever have a great day at this supermarket. At least I have my phone... Sunset Shimmer gasped. Her iPhone! Since Sunset doesn't take many pictures (or delete a lot) she might still have pictures of her old high school friends! Sunset Shimmer pulled out her cellphone and pressed on the app labeled "photos." She searched through her camera roll; swiping her fingers on the screen to look at each and every one. Except for pausing to check if customers were coming in and taking two-second glances at some hilarious pictures and selfies of Trixie and Silver Spoon, she never stopped swiping at the pictures unless she recognized one of her old friends in one of the photos. "Am I seriously trying to swipe to photos from six years ago? I may not have even uploaded them from my old phone from six freaking years ago onto my new phones!" Sunset grumbled to herself. "Unless they saved and transferred from iCloud or something..." She added. Sunset kept swiping through the photos, just in case. She quickly deleted a few inappropriate ones that she found on the Internet and saved onto her camera role for some reason. She finally stopped when she recognized a picture of a teenage girl--a very familiar teenage girl--with hot pink hair and light pink skin throwing her head into a cake with the banner 'Happy 18th Birthday!' Behind her. "Oh my God..." Sunset breathed. "I can't believe I found a picture from six years ago! iCloud is a wonderful thing, isn't it?" Sunset looked at the picture some more. It was from Pinkie Pie's (at least Sunset's pretty sure that's what her name is) 18th birthday. It was such a fun party...Pinkie always threw the best parties, and we wanted to surprise her with an amazing surprise party. She loved it! Sunset grinned a little at the photo. She silently wished to herself that she could go to another one of Pinkie Pie's parties. Sunset swiped the image away with her finger to see the next photo. It was another photo from high school; no doubt. It was herself wearing a gorgeous gown with six other teenage girls smiling and wearing beautiful gowns as well. They were undoubtedly Sunset's old friends. "This was the 12th grade prom!" Sunset whispered. "There's me, Pinkie Pie, Rainbow, Radiant, Apple Sack, human Twilight, and Shy..." She pointed at each girl as she stated their name. That prom was so fun...Rainbow and Pinkie danced like insane people in the middle of the gym. Everybody watched, and it turned into a dance competition! Everyone was chanting the name of the girl they were rooting for--Pinkie or Rainbow--as they competed against each other. More people were chanting for Rainbow though, since she was the popular one. But the one who won was Pinkie Pie! Her reward was a free slice of apple pie--made by Apple Sack! Sunset swiped her finger to reveal the next photo. It was an image of Rainbow, human Twilight, and Radiant looking in the dark hallway that Sunset once confronted pony Twilight in to bully her about 'not fitting in' before Sunset was reformed. "Why did I take a picture of this?" Then she remembered. Oh, this is when some jerk stole Twilight's glasses and my phone. We were looking around for my phone and her glasses in the dark hallway. It turns out that the girl helping us look--and took photos of us looking--was the one who stole our possessions. She was using my phone to take pictures, and was wearing Twilight's glasses--that she didn't even need, so her vision must have been blurry with those glasses on--so that's where this photo came from. That jerk took this photo. The girl admitted that she took our stuff and gave them back. She told us her reasons for taking our stuff, but I forget the reason. It was a stupid reason, I remember that. Sunset thought with annoyance. Sunset swiped to the next photo. It was just a picture of Sweet Apple Acres with Apple Sack and her little sister Apple Flower in front of it, posing for a picture. "Oh, I remember taking this. I was helping Shy and Radiant with their photography classes." Sunset muttered. "They couldn't be in two places at once, so I took a picture of Sweet Apple Acres while they were taking pictures elsewhere. It was totally cheating!" Sunset Shimmer playfully added. Sunset Shimmer was about to swipe her finger to reveal the next photo; but someone shouted her name. And they did not sound happy. "SUNSET SHIMMER!" Startled, Sunset dropped her phone. She heard a loud 'smashing' sound from the phone as it hit the ground. Sunset would've cursed to herself; since it sounded like the screen of her phone broke; but she just stood there, petrified as she faced the woman in front of her. It was her manager, who just caught her using her phone during her shift. Sunset Shimmer blushed and nervously perfected her posture. "I apologize for that, ma'am" Her manager did not look happy. Scratch that--she never looked happy. The emotion Sunset Shimmer's manager was displaying now was rage. "Sunset Shimmer, you are not allowed to use your phone during your shift. Didn't you notice at least five customers pass you because they saw you texting or something? You will give us a bad reputation." The manager said, sharply. "It will not happen again." Sunset said with fake confidence. "You said that last time. I also noticed that you were late today." She narrowed her eyes. "Again." She added. "I know. I was sidetracked while walking here. I apologize. It won't happen again, I swear." Sunset felt like her manager, Spoiled Rich, could smell her fear. "It better not...because if it does, you will be fired." Sunset Shimmer gulped. She couldn't afford to be fired. She would lose her home--Trixie probably wouldn't give her enough money to pay all of her bills. She was lucky that she was keeping her home now--Spoiled Rich paid a generous amount of money to her employees. The easiness of the job and the amount of pay made this job seem ideal. However, it is actually quite terrible working conditions. Insurance isn't provided, and there are zero breaks. It's mostly heavy-lifting boxes full of stuff, and it's an extremely religious establishment: Closed on Sundays; allowed to not serve gay or lesbian or trans people, can't work here if you are confirmed trans, gay, lesbian, or bisexual (Sunset has to keep her sexuality--bisexual--secret from this store for that one rule), no birth control aloud, and no saying God's or Jesus' name in vain here. It was extreme. "T-thank you f-for giving me another chance." Sunset stammered. Spoiled Rich is a terrifying manager. "Don't thank me yet. You will be payed ten dollars less an hour now. I may even demote you...but I'll think about the latter." Spoiled Rich said with such a fierce tone. Sunset nodded respectively. "Yes ma'am." "Keep working hard, Sunset Shimmer, and I may just change my mind about lowering your pay and demoting you." Spoiled Rich said, in a slightly calmer tone. She nodded, and then walked away. Sunset thunked her head onto the counter; barely missing the cash register; and groaned. "Jeez, it's just a freaking supermarket! That woman needs to calm the hell down!" She mumbled. Sunset Shimmer slowly rose her head and forced a smile onto her face. She needed to look polite for the customers. Hey, this doesn't mean your day is completely ruined, Sunset! Remembering my old best friends...that was the greatest I felt all month. I can still think of memories while I just stand here. Sunset Shimmer stood at cash register #4 while thinking of her old friends. She never realized how much she misses them! The fun they had together, the memories they made together... Then she got an idea. She picked her phone off the ground. Ignoring the the cracked screen, she pressed 'contacts' and pressed on 'Trixie Lulamoon.' She pressed the button that sent her to the text messages she had with Trixie. Then she typed a new text. "Hey, Trix, I just got the greatest idea. I think it's time to have a reunion with my old high school friends." Sunset smiled, and then put her phone back into her pocket. About two hours later, Trixie texted back. "ARE YOU SERIOUS????!!!!!" Ignoring the unneeded amount of punctuation marks, Sunset replied with a short message. "I am completely serious. More on this at the café." Sunset Shimmer couldn't wait for the workday to end and meet up with Trixie. Sunset already knew where Apple Sack lives; and Trixie can figure out where everyone else is with the power of the Internet. It was finally time for the 'mane' 7 to get back together and rekindle their friendship. > Café Conversation > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sunset Shimmer opened the café door, unveiling the full eating establishment. A small bell rung to signify that a new customer--Sunset Shimmer-- was coming in. She looked around at each table. A few tables and booths had one or two people sitting at them. Sunset scanned the room for Trixie. Trixie was waving her hand up in the air, trying to get Sunset's attention. Sunset Shimmer smiled and sat right next to Trixie in the booth. "So, you're not late! That's gotta be the first!" Trixie said as she playfully nudged Sunset's arm. "I'm never late when I'm excited!" Sunset exclaimed. "Or when I'm hungry..." She added, licking her lips. "Are you excited to talk with me, eat, or to talk about your old friends, like you said in the text?" Trixie asked. "All three." Sunset replied. "Well, I already ordered two slices of chocolate cake; one for me, and one for you. So your hunger is covered." Trixie said. "Great. And you're here, so the 'talking to you' part is covered too." Sunset stated. "Right. So, you wanted to talk about your old friends? What is there to talk about?" Trixie Lulamoon asked. Sunset Shimmer shrugged. "I already told you; I want to try and have a reunion." Before Trixie could answer, a waiter walked up to their booth, holding a tray of two slices of cakes in his hands. He quietly placed the slices onto the middle of the table, nodded, and then walked away. Trixie squealed and slid one of the slices of cakes towards her. The scratching sound of the plates against the wooden table bothered Sunset's ears; but she didn't say anything. She just smiled, picked up the other slice of chocolate cake, and placed it right in front of her. Trixie picked up her fork, stuck it into her slice of cake, pulled a piece off with it, stuck the fork into her mouth, and then devoured the small piece. "I absolutely love the cakes here!" she mumbled, her mouth full of cake. Sunset Shimmer rolled her eyes. "I love the cakes here too; but at least I am still being polite about it!" Trixie stared at her friend for a moment. Then she just rolled her eyes; stuck her fork back into the cake; and then devoured another small piece. Sunset Shimmer gave Trixie a playful smile; then began to eat her own slice of cake with her fork. "So, anyway..." Trixie mumbled with a full mouth, "About having a reunion with your old friends," Trixie paused to swallow and to wipe her mouth with her napkin. "Can't you wait for your high school reunion?" "I am not waiting that long! Besides, people tell me that high school reunions suck anyway." Sunset Shimmer replied. "You already waited six years...why not an extra four?" "There is a difference between ten years and six years, Trixie. It's better to meet now, rather than later." Still not convinced, Trixie just took another bite of cake. "Whatever you say, I guess." Sunset Shimmer meant what she said. She is not going to wait another four years to meet up with her friends again when she is starting to remember them now. Besides, she probably wouldn't even go to a high school reunion. And what are the chances of all of her old friends being there? What are the chances of anyone being there? If people haven't seen each other in ten years, there is usually a good reason. "Also, I already know where one of my old friends probably still lives! I can meet her now! If I wait longer, she might move!" Sunset Shimmer announced. "And which friend is this?" Trixie asked, doubtfully. "Apple..." Sunset trailed off. It would be embarrassing to call her 'Apple Sack' in front of Trixie; since Apple Sack is probably not her name. And saying her name wrong could make Trixie even more doubtful about Sunset getting back together with her friends. Trixie rose an eyebrow. "Apple? I thought her name was Applejack..." Sunset Shimmer felt something click in her brain. Yes! Applejack! That was her name...I can't believe I forgot it! "Yes, Applejack is her name! She's part of the Apple family and lived at Sweet Apple Acres...and probably still lives there. I can still meet her easily!" Sunset Shimmer exclaimed. "I suppose since she's part of the Apple family and was born at Sweet Apple Acres, she probably still lives there..." Trixie said, thoughtfully. "Exactly." Sunset Shimmer responded, confidently. Trixie stared at her friend's confident face and sighed. "You really want to make this happen, don't you?" "I really do." "Well, I still don't think this is going to turn out well, since you haven't seen each other in six years and all, but I'll help you." "Thank you, Trixie." Sunset Shimmer responded gratefully. Trixie slumped back in her seat. "So, how can I help?" "You are very well known on the internet," Sunset started, "I was hoping if you could gather some information about how my friends are now." Trixie shrugged. "I can try..." Sunset smiled and embraced Trixie into a hug. "Thank you so much!" "Jeez, calm down!" Trixie pushed away the embrace. "Now, what are you going to do?" "I will tell you my friends names, where they lived when I knew them, and I am going to visit Applejack at Sweet Apple Acres!" Sunset Shimmer replied. "Alright-y then..." Trixie took another bite of her cake, and then reached into her pocket to grab her cellphone. "I'm in the 'notes' app right now. What are their names?" Sunset Shimmer sighed. "I think...Applejack, Pinkie Pie, Twilight Sparkle, Shy, Radiant, and Rainbow." Trixie tapped her finger on the screen of her phone a few times. Sunset couldn't see what she was doing, but she assumed that Trixie was typing their names down. A few seconds later, Trixie put her phone back into the pocket of her sweatshirt and sighed. "Alright, I got their names. I'll do research a bit later." "Thank you again, Trixie." "Don't mention it." Sunset Shimmer sighed and took a bite of her cake. She decided to change the subject to make Trixie a bit happier. "So, how did your magician gig go?" Trixie smiled proudly. "It was great! The applause was loud, and everybody came to get an autograph at the end of the show!" Sunset Shimmer smiled. "That's good." "They even asked me to perform for them again on Wednesday!" Trixie giggled. "I also get paid a lot at these kind of shows, so I could lend you a few extra dollars then usual." Sunset Shimmer shook her head and put her hands up in defense. "No no! I couldn't--and wouldn't--except that!" "Fine then...more money for me!" Trixie playfully smiled. The two friends chatted and gossiped for about two hours. They kept ordering smoothies and little snacks until Trixie had to leave. Sunset Shimmer waved goodbye, and Trixie left. Sunset was about to 'pack-up' her stuff and go, when Mrs.Cake approached her. "How are you dear?" she asked with a friendly tone. "I'm fine, thanks. You?" Sunset Shimmer asked. "I'm great, thank you. But, um, you see, I seemed to overhear your conversation with your friend about two hours or so ago, and--" Sunset interrupted. "--were we that loud? I'm so sorry!" "No no, it's not that. I just..." the women shuffled her arms a little, "...I tend to overhear everybody's conversations a lot, I'm sorry." "Um, it's fine!" Sunset lied. On the inside, she was extremely annoyed. Nobody should be doing something like that--especially if you own the place you're doing it at! "And, you see," Mrs.Cake continued, "I come to understand that you want to meet up with your old friends from high school?" "That is correct, ma'am." "Including Pinkie Pie?" "Yes..." "Well, I know where Pinkie Pie lives at the moment if you were looking for her..." Mrs.Cake stammered. Sunset Shimmer's heart jumped with excitement. "Really?" "Really. She moved to the state capital, Olympia. She told me she moved there to start a Chucky-Cheese-like place, and to start her own bakery." Sunset thought for a moment. "Olympia, huh? That isn't too far away..." She looked at Mrs.Cake's face. "Thank you for the information, Mrs.Cake." "No problem." Sunset Shimmer waved 'goodbye' as she opened the door and left the café. Okay, so I have Trixie researching on the internet, and I defiantly know where Pinkie Pie lives...and Applejack probably still lives at her farm. Sunset Shimmer smiled and started walking to her home. This reunion dream of mine is starting to look more and more of a reality. > Meeting an Old Friend > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sunset Shimmer threw off her covers and sat up. She stretched and yawned. She kicked her feet to the side of her bed and stood up. Today’s the day! She thought with excitement. Immediately after waking up and getting out of bed; Sunset noticed her vision was blurry. She should probably get that checked out. She blinked it away as she walked to her kitchen. The walk to the kitchen was extremely short. She just needed to walk down a tiny hallway heck, she barely considered it a hallway at all. It was more like a rectangular room to connect her bedroom to the kitchen. After walking into her kitchen, Sunset opened up a cupboard to grab a box of cereal. She poured the cereal into a bowl and sat down at her small table; without bothering to put the cereal box back into the cupboard. Using a plastic spoon, Sunset Shimmer began to messily eat her cereal. She could’ve made herself the eggs that she bought yesterday, but she was just too excited to cook anything. Today was the day she would go to Sweet Apple Acres to talk to her old high school friend, Applejack. She just hoped Applejack wouldn’t be too surprised. She didn’t set up a meeting or call her or anything...it’s not like she could, anyway. She had zero contact information. All Sunset could think of while she devoured her cereal was meeting Applejack. What should I wear? What should I say? Does she even remember me? Sunset froze. Does Applejack remember her? I better hope she does… Sunset Shimmer finished her cereal and placed her empty bowl in the sink to wash later. Sunset made her way back into her bedroom and opened up a drawer of folded clothes. She picked out a cute-looking white shirt that had an image of her cutie-mark in the middle of a black heart. She threw the shirt onto her bed and then pulled out some simple jeans to throw onto the bed as well. Sunset Shimmer threw off her nightgown onto the ground, and then pulled on the shirt and jeans onto her body. She looked at herself in the mirror. Simple and cute. This will work. Sunset made her way into her cramped bathroom. She washed her mouth with some mouthwash, and then brushed her hair. This is what she always did every morning...the only difference this particular morning was that she was rushing. After making herself look presentable for the public, Sunset Shimmer made her way to the frontdoor. She grabbed her jacket off of the hatrack and threw on her boots. She took a quick glance at her phone to check the time. 9:00 o’clock...perfect! Since my shift doesn’t start until 12:00 o’clock on Tuesdays, I should have plenty of time to stop by Sweet Apple Acres! Sunset Shimmer opened the frontdoor and made her way to the longest stoplight in town. She was lucky enough to get there when the white stick-figure symbol was still being shown. She crossed the street and walked down the sidewalk. She followed the directions from Google Maps on her phone to get to Sweet Apple Acres. I still can’t believe this is actually happening! She thought with excitement. I am actually making my way to the farm where my old friend lives...and I’m actually going to talk to her—after all of these years! As she continued to walk to her destination, she kept thinking of all the possibilities of the meeting. Will Applejack be confused, or surprised? Or maybe relieved? Will she just shrug it off and treat Sunset like some random person that decided to stop by? So many possibilities! Whatever happened, Sunset Shimmer was excited to find out. “You have arrived at your destination,” a robotic woman’s voice said from Sunset’s phone. Sunset Shimmer smiled and looked at the beautiful, large farm of many acres of land in front of her. Sunset Shimmer couldn’t quite remember what the farm looked like before, but she assumed that it had not changed much. She walked through the archway with a sign next to it that read, ‘All visitors come by the main barn.’ The main barn, hmmm...it’s probably this large one right in the middle of the farm! Sunset thought excitedly. Sunset couldn’t help but skip to the entrance of the barn. She had planned this visit right before she went to sleep last night; and her feet practically pulled her over in anticipation. Sunset stopped at the entrance. There was a large arch in place for a door—very easy to peek inside. The ground was just flat and sandy. Fresh vegetables and fruits in baskets were lined up in rows with price tags hanging over them; probably hanging from a string attached from the ceiling. A desk with a cash register on top of it could be seen in the back of the room, a few feet away from the back wall. A young woman with red hair could be seen standing at the desk. How would she react if I asked her where Applejack was? Sunset Shimmer wondered. Sunset Shimmer just took a deep breath and entered the barn. She walked up to the woman at the desk like she would to any other cash register in a store. I think I recognize this woman… Sunset Shimmer thought. The woman had familiar short, red hair that went to her shoulders. She had a large pink bow atop her head, connected to a headband. “Hello there! Welcome to Sweet Apple Acres! We specialize in apples, but we have other fresh fruits and vegetables you may enjoy!” The woman said in a familiar country accent. Sunset Shimmer nodded. “Um, yes! Hi! I’m sorry, but I’m not really looking for fruits or vegetables here—” The woman interrupted. “—We also have fresh meat, if you’re interested!” she said, in an almost desperate tone. “Uh, no thanks...I’m not the biggest fan of meat. You see, I’m…” Sunset hesitated for a moment. “...I’m looking for someone.” The woman’s eyes widened. “Really? I’ve never been told that…” she muttered. “Who?” “Her name is Applejack. Is she here?” Sunset Shimmer asked. “May I ask what your name is?” the woman politely asked. “I’m one of her old friends from Canterlot High. Sunset Shimmer,” Sunset replied. A large smile appeared on the woman’s face as her eyes widened. “Sunset Shimmer? The Sunset Shimmer that helped defeat the Dazzlings? The Sunset Shimmer who ended up defeating that evil creature at the end of the Friendship Games?” Sunset smiled. She could never forget helping her friends defeat the Dazzlings, an evil band with the intent of having everyone under their control from Equestria. Forgetting the defeat of Midnight Sparkle and welcoming a new friend, this world’s Twilight Sparkle, into their little group was hard to forget, too. “Yes...that is me,” Sunset Shimmer said with slight awkwardness in her voice. The young woman smiled. “Well, don’t yah recognize me?” She spread her arms out wide. Sunset Shimmer looked up and down at the woman in front of her. She looked very familiar, but Sunset couldn’t put her finger on it. Not wanting to embarrass herself, Sunset Shimmer just nodded. The woman gave a tiny smile and slightly narrowed her eyes. She obviously knew that Sunset was lying. Sunset gave up her act. “Okay, I’m sorry, I don’t know who you are.” Sunset noticed that she didn’t even sound awkward. She just sounded blunt. “You look familiar, though,” she added. The woman just gave a large smile and widened her eyes in happiness. “It’s me, Apple Bloom!” Sunset Shimmer almost face-palmed herself. Apple Bloom! It’s Apple Bloom! How could she forget Applejack’s little sister? I even looked at a picture of her yesterday! Sunset Shimmer looked at Apple Bloom’s smiling face that was probably looking for a reply. How should I respond? “Ohhhhh!” Sunset Shimmer finally said. “I can’t believe it’s you, Apple Bloom! How have you been?” Sunset almost cringed at her own sentence. It sounded so fake. Apple Bloom chuckled. “I thought I recognized you, Sunset! I’ve been great, just going to the same college that my big sis did...how are you doing?” Sunset kept her friendly posture and quickly thought of what to say. She wasn’t living the best life. She actually has to ask a friend to help pay her bills! But overall, she felt she was doing okay. Should I be completely honest and say, “I’m not doing the best,” or just say “I’m doing fine?” Sunset Shimmer wondered. “I could be doing a lot better, but I’m fine,” Sunset replied. “I have a job and a place to live, so it’s all good.” Apple Bloom nodded. “I could be doing better in my classes, I suppose. So I guess we both could we doing a lot better!” “Yeah,” Sunset Shimmer said with slight impatience in her voice. She came to talk to an old friend, not someone that she barely knew! “Are you doing anything pony related?” Apple Bloom asked. “No, not really,” Sunset responded. It was the honest truth, she hadn’t been doing anything even remotely associated with Equestria, the dimension that she originally came from. Even though the human world came off as...boring, at times, she wasn’t interested in associating herself with Equestria anymore. She had tried returning, and it didn’t turn out well. “Yeah, same with Applejack. It’s been awhile since I’ve seen her with pony ears and a tail.” That doesn’t make any sense... Sunset thought. Then again, nothing related to magic in this world makes sense. “That’s disappointing, I guess.” Sunset Shimmer looked around a little. With the most patient voice she could possibly make, she asked, “So, um...where is Applejack?” “Oh...right!” Apple Bloom said with a slightly embarrassed look on her face. She turned her head around to the back door behind her. “Be right back.” Then the girl ran off into the back room. A few minutes later, Sunset Shimmer couldn’t help but smile when she heard a loud voice that she recognized from six years ago coming from the back room. “Who could be so important that you have to interrupt mah chores, Apple Bloom?” It was definitely Applejack’s voice. She sounded annoyed, and Sunset was hoping to herself that she would be a lot happier when she actually spoke to Sunset. “You’ll be thankin’ me for interrupting your chores after you see who’s here!” Apple Bloom replied. Sunset held back a chuckle. Applejack replied with something inaudible to Sunset. Apple Bloom replied with a mumble. “Fine, fine!” Applejack shouted. “But don’t expect me to be impressed with who’s here.” The two sisters came through the backdoor, back into the main barn where Sunset stood. Apple Bloom put a gigantic smile on her face as she pointed her finger at Sunset. “Are you sure about that?” Sunset Shimmer just put on an awkward smile and waved. Applejack’s eyes widened. “Well I’ll be…” she muttered. Sunset Shimmer gave a perky expression. She waved towards her old friend. The only thing that looks different about her is her clothes! Sunset observed, noticing Applejack’s extremely short shorts—definitely wouldn’t be allowed in a high school—and a tank top that revealed her belly. I guess she’s been working hard and sweating a lot… “Sunset Shimmer!” Applejack exclaimed. “I can’t believe you’re actually here!” She approached Sunset and didn’t hold back when she gave her a tight hug. But the hug only lasted a second or two before Applejack pulled back. “You are Sunset Shimmer, right?” “Yes, yes I am, don’t worry!” She laughed. Applejack shooed her sister away, and waited until Apple Bloom was in the backroom before talking. “Well, howdy Sunset!” She put a hand on her old friend’s shoulder. “So, what brings you here?” “Well...long story short, I wanted to try and see you and the rest of the gang again. I assumed that you would still live here, so I came here first,” Sunset replied. “I see.” Applejack nodded. “I’m glad you decided to do this; I’ve kinda been missing you...well, along with our other old friends, of course.” “Missing me?” Sunset looked puzzled. “I’ve been living in the same house that I’ve been living in since high school. I just assumed you forgot about me!” Applejack laughed. “Forget about you? Unlikely! You see, we just thought that you went back to Equestria after you weren’t accepted into that fancy college you had your mind on.” “Oh…” Sunset held back a long grunt. After graduation, she had tried applying for the best college in the town. It had the best program for her skill level in most academics. Unfortunately, they didn’t accept her application. She couldn’t find any other colleges that suited her, so she just gave up finding one all together. “I did go back to Equestria. Well, tried to go back.” Applejack looked concerned. “What happened?” Sunset Shimmer sighed. “Well, I didn’t have any friends in Equestria; you know that. All of the ponies that I recognized from Celestia’s School for Gifted Unicorns recognized me too; and just treated me like the jerk I was to them.” “Ouch.” Sunset nodded. “Princess Celestia is not how I remembered her...I can’t really explain why that is...but I think the fact that Princess Luna came back from being Nightmare Moon and is back in Equestria factored into it.” Applejack nodded, still listening to Sunset’s tale. “And…” Sunset continued, “...technology has advanced so much that it’s scary! It’s not that I didn’t understand it—this world’s technology is still much more advanced—it’s just a bit overwhelming to come back to a world that went from having flipbooks to full-length animated features.” She sighed. “There is one other reason I came back, but it’s a bit silly.” Applejack rose an eyebrow. “I doubt it; but what is it?” “Age differences.” “Elaborate on that.” “So I left Equestria when I was fourteen years old. Over here, that’s the beginning of high school or the end of middle school. In Equestria, that would be a young adult. About college age.” “Ah, I see. So when you went back as eighteen years old, you had to get used to the different ages of maturity again? That ain’t silly; don’t worry.” Sunset Shimmer nodded. “Thank you…” It feels good to be talking to Applejack again...she might look a little different, but she has the same honest kindness. “Anyway…” Sunset Shimmer looked around. “...enough about me. Let’s find some chairs, because there are some things I need to catch up with you.” Applejack pulled out some chairs from the back room that she previously argued with Apple Bloom in. She set them in a corner of the large barn, and then the two friends sat down, preparing for a long chat. “Well, I guess I should start with what happened in my university…” Applejack started. Talking with Applejack again was the best Sunset Shimmer felt all year. Sure, reminiscing was fun, but actually meeting with a friend you haven’t seen in six years—and having a friendly chat with them—was a whole new thing all together. It felt like nothing changed. Whenever Sunset laughed at some of the funny events Applejack told her; or whenever Applejack sympathized with Sunset’s everyday life during this little chat, Sunset Shimmer felt like she was in a high school classroom again; trying to catch up with what her friend did over the weekend before the bell rung. She almost couldn’t believe that she thought that Applejack would forget about her when she went to meet her. “Apple Bloom did what?!” Sunset Shimmer had a huge smile on her face as she listen to Applejack’s amusing story. “Yep; and it really pissed off Big Mac too. He got all over-protective and tried banning Tender Taps from the farm. But the ban didn’t really mean anything, since they went to the same school.” Applejack chuckled. “I’m just laughing because he’s freaking out over his sister getting a boyfriend in high school! If it was middle school I would understand, but flipping high school?!” Sunset Shimmer laughed. “That’s just how my brother is! Ridiculous, ain’t it?” Applejack agreed, laughing. They kept telling each other stories and friendly-teasing each other like most best friends would. Time flew by fast. Before they knew it, it was almost time for Sunset to get to her job. “Woah...dang, we’ve been talking for just a little less than three hours!” Applejack observed. “Yeah...I guess we just hit it off!” Sunset Shimmer was still surprised at how well this visit went. She literally just walked in, asked where Applejack was, and then started talking with her old friend. It almost felt too good to be true. Sunset Shimmer stretched and sat up out of her chair. “Well, I have to get to my shift in a half an hour or so, so I should probably get going.” Applejack sat up as well. “Yeah; wouldn’t want you to be late again. It was absolutely fantastic to see you again, Sunset Shimmer. It would be great if you could come by again this week, or somethin’.” “It was fantastic seeing you again too, Applejack. I am so glad that this visit went off without a hitch.” Sunset smiled. “But I don’t think I can visit again this week. I have my job and things like that. But I’ll definitely be seeing you again sometime this month! Maybe I can even have at least two of our old friends come by as well!” Applejack stared at her friend for a few moments before speaking. “Have at least two or our old friends come by? Unlikely.” Sunset Shimmer rose an eyebrow. “How so?” “Well…” Applejack walked up to the desk that Apple Bloom stood at hours ago to help customers and leaned against it. “...it would be next to impossible to get a hold of them again.” “Oh, don’t worry, I got Trixie to find whatever she can on the internet, and I know that Pinkie Pie moved to Olympia.” Sunset replied. “That’s not what I meant. Finding enough information to locate them should be a little on the easier side. It’s convincing them to talk to you, or anyone else in our cliche again.” “What?” Sunset asked, a bit confused. Applejack sighed. “A lot of things happened after you lost touch with us.” “What? What happened?! A group of friends who blasted rainbow lasers with their friendship and turned a she-demon back to her normal self with those lasers couldn’t have just separated because of a stupid argument!” Sunset exclaimed. “No, no. It was much worse than a stupid argument.” Applejack took a quick glance at her watch and sighed. “I guess we have to squeeze in another story before you go.” Sunset leaned on the desk. “Yes, please tell me what happened!” She knew how she got separated from the group (and seem to forget the names of the people in said group), but she couldn’t think of anything that could separate the rest of the gang from each other. “The first one to abandon us was Fluttershy,” Applejack started. Out of all of the people to abandon their friends first, Sunset least expected Fluttershy to be the one. She was such a timid girl that would beg forgiveness whenever she thought she made anyone feel anything worse than ‘just fine.’ Applejack continued. “We went on a vacation. We originally planned on doing everything together at this vacation, but felt that was unreasonable, so we decided to spend three hours doing whatever we wanted and would meet up again at a restaurant. Apparently Rainbow Dash wanted to go rock climbing. She somehow convinced Fluttershy to tag along, and got her to rock climb with her. The thing is; they didn’t have a pro watching or anything. Rainbow Dash literally just wanted to get to the top of a mountain.” “This is just getting better and better…” Sunset Shimmer mumbled, sarcastically. “Now remember, I wasn’t there, but apparently Rainbow Dash got rebellious and did something stupid, and Fluttershy ended up falling.” Sunset Shimmer gasped. “Was she okay?!” “Well...she didn’t die, if that’s what you mean. But she broke both of her legs and got put in the hospital immediately. We were all shocked and distressed for Fluttershy when we found out what happened. The doctor even said that it was a miracle that she was still alive. After she got out of the hospital, she pretty much stopped acknowledging that we existed. “ “Oh my God...did she heal correctly?” Sunset prompted. “I don’t know; she never told us anything. The worst part is that this is not the first time one of us got her seriously hurt...this must have been the breaking point. Rainbow Dash felt really guilty—and she should; I mean, she made her best friend fall off a cliff—so she started ignoring us.” Sunset rose an eyebrow. “Ignoring you because of guilt?” “She said she didn’t want to get the rest of us seriously injured because of her, so she left us.” “Oh, wow…” Sunset sighed. “What about the rest?” “Don’t worry, the rest of this story isn’t nearly as dramatic. Rarity pretty much got a whole chain of boutiques running all over the country after graduating from college, so she moved away to keep all of her businesses running,” Applejack explained. “What about phone numbers? Wouldn’t you have her cell-phone number?” Sunset asked. “Sunset; haven’t you tried calling her after graduation? Whenever I try calling, it says the number is disconnected or somethin’. She must have gotten a new phone number and didn’t tell us.” Sunset Shimmer wanted to reply with something that sounded wise or made it seem like she was more confident about contacting Rarity than she really was, but all that came out was, “That...that sucks…” Applejack nodded in agreement. “A similar thing happened with Pinkie. She moved to the state capital to do…” Applejack gazed at the ceiling, thoughtfully, “...the truth is, I don’t know why she moved to Olympia exactly, but she did, and whenever I try calling, she never answers.” “Does it say that the phone number is disconnected, or does she just not answer?” Sunset couldn’t think of why the latter would be possible for someone as bubbly as Pinkie Pie. “I think she just doesn’t answer...which is very surprising, considering…” Applejack answered. “So, since you know where I am, I think that about covers what happened to the gang. So, yeah...probably won’t be getting back together anytime soon.” Sunset Shimmer gazed at Applejack in awe. This was so much to take in! She had so many questions that Applejack probably didn’t have the answers to, and was silently panicking about the whole idea of bringing the gang back together after learning about all of this information. The worst part was that Sunset was almost positive that Applejack was not exaggerating, since Applejack is the Element of Honesty. In the few moments of Sunset’s shock and confusion, she remembered that Applejack didn’t mention a very certain person in the group. “What about Twilight?” she asked. Applejack glanced at her with a slightly confused expression on her face. “Twilight? Like, the Equestria Twilight? I think it’s obvious what happened to her…” Sunset shook her head. “No, I mean human Twilight. This world’s Twilight.” Applejack rose an eyebrow. “You don’t know what happened to Twilight? The rest of us I can understand losing touch with, but you losing touch with Twilight Sparkle?” Sunset’s patience was wearing thin. “Yes, yes, I suck. What happened to Twilight?” she prompted. “I actually don’t know. She went to this extremely fancy college that my family could never even dream of affording. We just completely lost touch with her after she went to that college.” Typical Twilight… Sunset thought. “Twilight’s story is the most believable, to be honest, despite you having the least amount of information on it…” “I tend to remember more about and care about more severe things...like a friend falling off a cliff,” Applejack implied. “That seems natural,” Sunset said. Applejack just nodded. Sunset sighed. “I don’t care that it will be difficult; I am going to get the gang back together!” “Didn’t you listen to the story? It’s pretty much impossible!” “Nothing is an impossible, Applejack. I should know; I come from a world with magical talking ponies.” Sunset said with confidence. “Magical talking ponies are different than human drama, Sunset.” “You’re missing my point!” Sunset snapped. “Then what is your point, Sunset?” Applejack asked. “My point is that it isn’t impossible to get the group back together! I know it isn’t!” Sunset exclaimed. Applejack sighed. “...Whatever you say…” The two friends just stood around awkwardly for a few moments before Applejack looked at her watch. “Oh boy...you should probably be heading to your work. If what you told me about what happened yesterday had absolutely zero exaggeration; then you should get going before you get fired for being late.” “Yeah…” Sunset muttered. Sunset Shimmer was starting to make her way out of the barn door when Applejack asked her one quick, final question. “Sunset, why are you so set on getting a high school group of friends back together?” she asked. Sunset Shimmer stared at her friend for a few moments before replying. “Because these great memories don’t deserve to be forgotten. No great memories just disappear forever; and those memories are coming back to me now. That can’t be for no reason.” “So you’re saying that this is fate?” “Essentially, yes.” Applejack hesitated a few moments before replying with, “Yeah; I get you.” Sunset nodded and then sprinted out the door to get to the supermarket as quickly as possible; repeatedly telling herself to not get distracted on the way there. But all she could think about was uncertainty about this whole thing. Applejack is probably right...my whole idea is starting to look impossible. She thought to herself. Then again...things that look the most impossible in life can sometimes be the most likely to become possible...but if that is true… ...Then why am I starting to doubt it?