Time to time.
..are cute when you don't know what to say. Anyway, I'm going to meet Rarity. I asked if you could join, but she said specifically, ’no troubles and strifes!’ She needed some time without AJ I think.
Ah. Figures.
She wanted some 'real girltime'. She said, and I quote, ‘Darling, it’s been practically AGES! I miss you terribly! We NEED to meet! Please say…
...a book? She is only six months!
Getting familiar with books at a early age is always beneficial.
Now you sound like the princess.
Which one of them?
...The one whose counterpart is not our former principal.
Hee hee… You could just say Twilight.
I know, I know, it's just that…
... was a good idea.
Thanks.
I love you, you know that, don’t you?
Of course. But I love you too, so...
...I will always find you! Always...
always...
always...
“HUH?” The man at the desk shuddered. He blinked a few times before he was fully awake. Last night had been a messy and busy affair, but there was no excuse for falling asleep when one was one duty! He pinched his nose. That dream had been there again, the one about... about... Why was it so hard to remember? It had all been so clear, and now... He had dreamt about something other than the war, at least he was sure of that.
War was nothing but hell. Being a soldier was, at its core, about dealing with said hell. The question could be asked if one had done right by surviving, or if getting killed was the main point of any war. The man at the desk sighed, reached for his cup and took a drink. The taste of cold tea with all the sugar at the bottom made his tongue squirm but he emptied it anyway. He looked out the window. The faint sound of semi-automatics blasting, engines running, and the occasional soldier screaming could be heard, even through the thick glass. The man at the desk straightened his moustache for perhaps the tenth time today and rested his face on his fists.
His name was Sonnenuntergang, and he bore the title of Oberstleutnant in the 37th artillery regiment of the Holsteinland army. He was 57 years old to the day, and had been in the service of Holsteinland almost all his grown life. He wore the army’s grey uniform with medals, white patches, and blue shoulder boards. His shirt and tie were neatly kept; the only thing missing was his hat, which was neatly placed on a small table next to the door. His office was very spartan in its decor. A large desk with a telephone and a lamp, a comfortable chair behind it and two very uncomfortable ones in front of it, a few maps on the walls, the said table, and a painting showing a rural idyllic meadow with a setting sun. The only thing that stood out was the cheap guitar that hung on the far wall, that he kept as his only personal item. Perhaps it was childish, but it soothed him. A soldier was not to be childish. His father had been an officer and his father before him… there was really nothing else he could do. He wasn’t very interested in politics, but he had been raised with the opinion that a soldier was loyal to his country first, last and middle. And therefore, with the rise of Hynkel, as the loyal soldier he was, Sonnenuntergang had paid his respects. He knew what kind of person Hynkel was of course, but, loyalty… He once more rested his chin on his fists and glanced at the thick walls and roof of his room. The fortress was old, and had stood through more than one conflict.
The lock of Holsteinland. The lock that was just about to be cracked.
He had been placed as one of the officers in charge of the defense of the southern region of Markstein, his specific placement being one of the officers in charge of Fortress Schnapsfürmich under the command of Oberst Hest. It was said to be Holsteinlands greatest stronghold and the last place the enemy would reach… A louder sound, probably from a grenade, leaked through the window. He straightened his moustache for the eleventh time and sneered.
His mind began to wander, in search of more pleasant things than cold tea and grenades. Beautiful sunsets. Ice-cream. Classic guitar. Horses. Cheese.
Cheese... oh yes, cheese! The dream was back in his mind, and much clearer this time. Well, as clear as it could be of course. He smiled, and leaned back in his chair. He shouldn't, of course, but he was dead tired of this war and he could afford a few minutes dodging his duties. He was Oberstleutnant, for Odins sake!
The dream had been with him for many years now. It had started when he was a mere boy of fourteen. It had been blurry and uncertain but still vaguely pleasant, probably the reason for why it stayed on his mind. And as he grew older, more details came. Cheese... He smiled. The taste of melted cheese was the first thing that would stand out clearly when he woke up. Then came the taste of something sweet and sour... When he had reached the right age, he understood that it was wine. Then came the immense feeling of being admired wearing a uniform, and it had been most pleasant when real life decided to mimic that part. All the little girls in his hometown... And after a few more years when he dared to admit it, the boys... There were more details surfacing as the years passed, but only recently he started to hear words. Stray words at first, after a while sentences, and now, the dialogue between two people. It was all connected, the tastes, the feelings, the words... The conclusion was there, within reach. However, since he came to Schnapsfürmich, it all had started to crab. If he only could focus just a little more things would perhaps begin to fall into place and... A brief blue flash passed for his eyes and the dream went away from his mind.
There was a fast knock on the door, violently dragging him back to reality, and Oberfähnrich Mond entered without waiting for an answer. Mond was something that stood out in the fortress. He was young, somewhere in his early thirties, average height and a bit chubby. He sported a thin little moustache and had the whitest, toothiest smile in the whole army. He also kept his uniform cleaner than anyone, and his entrances were always… Well, not against protocol but… you always raised an eyebrow when he entered. There was something about him that… just made you look.
And then you looked away. Sonnenuntergang wasn’t very fond of the young officer, but he had to admit he did his job. Sort of.
“Heil Hynkel!”
“Yes yes… what is it, Mond?”
“Herr Oberstleutnant! We have the prisoner ready for interrogation now!”
Ah yes… the prisoner. The reason for all the fuzz last night. That was indeed something that stood out, even from the chaos of war. A lone equestrian soldier had sneaked into the fortress, armed with a single revolver and nothing more. Embarrassingly enough, he had found his way much further inside the fortress than you wanted to report to your superiors. But it was strange. He didn’t seem to have a plan, or even to be acting on orders, because the guards that found him reported that he walked around "like a drunken elk" and appearing so exhausted that he could barely speak. After a completely fruitless interrogation, he had been placed in the dungeons to recover. But now it was time, and Sonnenuntergang had specifically ordered that he was to be the first to talk to the prisoner.
"Damn ponee. A brave fool, but a fool without a doubt. This whole business is damm odd. Showing up just like that, practically asking to get captured? He MUST be hiding something, Mond, he has too. Ah well… he will give us answer sooner or later. Let’s go, Mond.”
“Jawohl, Herr Oberstleutnant.” Always with the titles… we are losing a war here, Mond. Screw titles.
The young under-officer always followed only a few steps behind the Oberstleutnant whenever he was accompanying him through the many staircases and corridors of the fortress. Not a few steps out of respect, but only so few that if he abruptly stopped, Mond would walk into him instantly. Ever since the young officer had come to the castle, it had been this way; Mond had always tried to be close to him, and more often than not, too close. It was really kind of creepy. But a real Holsteiner didn’t budge for simple anxiety. Sonnenuntergang brushed his anxiety away, and headed for the staircase. But he stopped as he heard Mond clear his throat behind him.
“Perhaps we should take the elevator, Herr Oberstleutnant?” There was more than a hint of insinuation in Mond’s voice, and Sonnenuntergang could feel his face heat up. He knew perfectly well why Mond wanted him in the elevator, and he had a “No” on his tongue. It was slow, it felt like a coffin and it smelled of dead… somethings. However, the dungeons was twelve floors down and it would be much more comfortable to take the elevator. Very much so. His knees wasn’t as they used to be, and so Sonnenuntergang swung round.
“Perhaps. Well, lead the way, Mond!” It was a short walk down a wide corridor to find the elevator. It had been installed a few years back and it looked like someone had blown a hole in the wall with dynamite and then hidden it with a misfitting steel door, way to modern to blend in with a 19th century fortress. 17th century even, if you looked at the walls furthest down in the basement. Mond pushed the “AB”-button with a glove-clad finger, and then they waited. With a “clunk” and a great whining from the engine, the elevator began to move to their level at 9th floor. Sonnenuntergang looked straight forward at the display, as each level lit up as the elevator came closer. He did not look at Mond. When the elevator arrived, he was quick to open the door to let Mond in first. He gave him no time to protest, just shoo’d with his hand, and then he entered, facing the door. But if he had hoped to be undisturbed by Mond, he soon found that he was mistaken.
“Herr Oberstleutnant… May I ask you something?”
“Yes”. Better get it over with.
“Do you believe in destiny?”
He had to turn his head and look at Mond. Yes, the question had been serious. When he didn’t reply, Mond begun to speak in a rapid manner, “I am thinking… If it was faith that put just us in this fortress. If it was meant to be Hest, Rosenglück, Strudel, Waldvogel...You and me.” The last thing was said in a neutral tone, but Sonnenuntergang felt his annoyance rise.
“Look here, Mond. Even if we do share a ...common interest, if you are that desperate to find an arsel to kiss in the literal meaning, I am pretty sure Feldwebel Tarte wouldn’t mind.” He turned back so that he wouldn’t have to see Mond’s reaction. There was silence in the elevator again, but not for long.
“I… apologize for speaking so frivolous, herr Oberstleutnant. I assure you that I didn’t mean to hint… Ehrm. I meant more in a general meaning.” No you didn’t, but I’ll humour you.” Indeed?”
“Yes. I meant… do you believe in destiny? That things are already planned or that some people are meant to be together? If there is someone out there, a soulmate or something of that kind…”
“Look here Mond! You are deeply overstepping your rank here! The only one I’d be com… the only one I would agree to discuss these matters with is Oberst Hest and only if he pulled rank! I have had enough of you! You stop this nonsense now or I will report you! Understood?”
Mond stood at attention, his face flustering read with controlled anger.
“Jawohl, Herr Oberstleutnant! Heil Hynkel!”
“Good.” He was silent for a few seconds, then he added, “But just to put your fantasies to death, no. I do not believe in faith and that nonsense. A man makes his own destiny. The world is too absurd to have a master plan, unless Loke had a bigger impact on the world than we think.” There was a sigh behind him. Of… relief? Damn it, he was suppose to chew out the man, not give him comfort! And yet… Mond felt much more calm as he stood at attention behind him. Sonnenuntergang did not say “at ease” for the rest of the journey but it was not more than a few minutes before they reached the castle dungeons level. A few more corridors, and they were there. Cell number VII. A guard saluted them and produced a key to open the old iron door.
“Danke, soldat. I assume you have been guarding him this morning? You have given him something to eat, as ordered?"
"Jawohl, Herr Oberstleutnant! Bread and coffee."
"Good. As you were then."
"Just a moment!" Mond spoke up, "Make sure we are undisturbed. In case there is an...accident with the prisoner.”
“Jawohl, Herr Oberfähnrich,” The guard replied and retook his position next to the door.
As Sonnenuntergang entered the small room, he was surprised to see the man sitting at the table, putting down a tin mug as they entered. Not that he looked strange; he was a fairly young man, not over 30. He had a three-day shadow, and his uniform had seen more than one muddy pile. His dark hair was unkempt, and there were battle scars on his neck, but overall he looked pretty good considering… and more than that, there was something familiar about him…
Enough! Strange or not, we need answers!
“Alright, jo filthy Equestrian swine,” Sonnenuntergang addressed the prisoner in a heavy accented Equisch. “Ve have some questions to jo. And do not zink jo can just keep jor mouth shut und hope vi vill show mercy. Ze coffee und bread vas just to make sure jo vouldn't die too early... Ve have dealt with jor kind before, and Ve do not expect jo to cooperate. Vi will get answers from jo even if jo refuse… Vi have vays”
The young man nodded. “I understand perfectly. But relax, Herr Oberstleutnant. I will answer all your questions, and your colleague’s too, if he has any.”
Sonnenuntergang looked in surprise at the man. “Do jo know vho I am?”
“Oberstleutnant Sonnenuntergang. I know. And even if I do not know your rank, I know your name… Mond” Sonnenuntergang glanced at Mond. The man seemed to been taken aback by the ponee’s words. Strange. He decided to begin immediately.
“So. Jor name.”
“First Class Lieutenant Twinklestar. Equestrian Marines. 26 years old, born and raised in Baltimare. I went to primary school in the southwest district, and…”
Mond brought down his fist on the table. Why was the man so nervous? “DO NOT mock us, Lieutenant… Ve do not care about your schools! Vhat are you doing here? Vhat is your mission?”
“Well… I don’t want to disappoint but… I’m not really here on a mission."
"Not a mission? Are jo insane, vo runs head first into a varzone VITHOUT A MISSION?"
" I actually deserted." He gave a small smile, "My captain does not know I am here.”
“Vat? Are you a traitor? Have you planned to join our side?”
“In a way, but… not like you think. I actually came for you… Herr Oberstleutnant.”
The young man dropped all his military manners and spoke with a soft, emotional voice. “The moment I saw your picture in the paper… It was that one time you visited Equestria, you... Well, not you exactly, you were only a part of the Kanzlers bodyguard but… there was a photo of the Kanzler and the president shaking hands but one could easily recognize your profile right behind the Kanzler. I was just a boy of fifteen. But I knew. It took a few years but… I am here. For you.”
Mond rose up from the table. “YOU!” Mond had lost his usual accent, and his voice had changed. Higher pitched. and...
“Yes. Me.” The young equestrian had rose from his seat as well. Mond began to walk to and fro over the floor while gesturing at Twinkle.
“How!? HOW! I thought I had it this time! That this would finally break and I could return home.”
“You can. Just let me…”
“NO! I refuse! I will not…” Mond tried to draw his pistol but his opponent was faster. There was a sound of metal rustling and… *BANG*. The sound of a revolver rang through the room and Mond dropped his pistol and grabbed his shoulder. “You… you… Where did you even get…”
“The guard was bored and didn’t mind trading his weapon for a few cigars. Let that be a lesson, Herr Oberstleutnant. Never hire smokers."
"Vat is ze meaning of dis! Vat are jo..." but Twinkleshine interrupted him, but did not speak to him, but to Mond.
"I was a bit worried that you would recognize me to early, so I had to pretend to be almost knocked out. But Faust was with me, and I was thrown here to recover. And they shouted at me that you, " He turned to Sonnenuntergang, "was to interrogate me next morning. And... We can talk about that later. It seems like the resurrection has begun, as usual!” Twinklestar pointed at Mond with his gun and Sonnenuntergang stared in silence at the scene. To the Oberstleutnant’s surprise, Mond’s hair began to change and became long, silky, and white, and his dark eyes changed to a watery purple. He glared at Twinklestar in anger as the blood began to smear his uniform and he breathed heavily.
“You...you think you have won this! But Trixie REFUSES to be defeated! I will get you next time! NEXT TIME YOU HARLOT!” From his pockets, Mond (…or was it Trixie? That name did seem familiar) pulled out something round, and held it up to the light. It started to glow in his hand. Twinkleshine drew his breath, cursed low and grabbed Sonnenuntergang hand and pulled him down on the floor, while kicking the table over, hiding them behind it. The light was gone as soon as it had appeared, and Mond was gone as well.
“Damn. I was sure he had it in the other pocket. Ah well, one does gets better and better at not getting pulled away.”
The young man stood up, and offered Sonnenuntergang his hand to help him up, but he just stared at him. Twinkleshine looked disappointed. “You still don’t recognize me?”
Sonnenuntergang backed away. “Should I?”
“I hoped you would by now but… sometimes it takes longer. It’s different from time to time. I could try a few things to help you regain but we are in a bit of a hurry. But don’t worry babe, this always works.” The young equestrian officer leaned over Sonnenuntergang and planted a kiss on his lips. Sonnenuntergang tried to push him away, but suddenly a strange feeling of warmth and happiness overtook him. He caught a glimpse of how the young man’s brown hair changed. It grew longer, down to his shoulders and shifted into a deep purple with a green streak. Then he felt a strange itch on his own scalp as his hair grew longer, so long that it briefly covered his eyes. The only thing he could see for a few seconds was how his hair had shifted into a red nuance with yellow stripes... before it slowly shifted back to the usual grey. It was still longer though, and he had to use his hand to push it away. The strange ponee was still leaning over him, smiling. Again, their lips met, but with much less hesitation this time. Then suddenly everything faded into pink and then ...
Love can make you do stupid things, but it can also make you do things you’d never dream of.
For the fifth time that day, Sunset Shimmer looked out over the parking lot. It was raining, she wasn’t allowed any more coffee breaks, and it was at least 45 minutes until she could sneak home. And that was if she was lucky.
Love gave me a chance to live a different life. And love… took me here.
She sighed, and turned her attention back to the parking lot. For the biggest part of the day, that parking lot was her focus. Sunset Shimmer worked as a security guard for ABAB. They specialized in industrial areas, warehouses and parking lots. Not the most exciting of jobs, but one of the few firms that would accept an employee with slightly shady papers. Well, at least she had a valid driver’s licence.
Sunset’s life in this world of two-legged creatures had not been completely easy after graduation. She got accepted at a few universities, but there was that question of money... She needed a job, and while Principal Celestia had helped her as much as she could, and Derpy had helped her fake a few papers, job opportunities were not that common. Sure, she could return to equestria and have a completely different life but...
Then the phone rang. “Sunset Shimmer.”
“Hiya Babe. It’s me.”
“Hi Star! Off work?”
“Just got out. I was thinking pizza today. How about that?” Sunset frowned a little. There was a tendency for fast food a bit too often.
“I don’t know… There’s some fish in the refrigerator that needs to be eaten.”
“Oh. Hee hee… um... here I thought that my lovely wife would like to celebrate her birthday with something a bit more fancy than boiled codfish but… to each their own I guess. So I’ll head home to start the potatoes and…”
Sunset smiled at her wife’s unique blend of sarcasm and awkwardness. It was cute even after all these years, and she usually fell for it. But she had to be the adult this time. “Starlight. My birthday is not until Saturday.”
“I really want pizza... Pleeeease…”
Sunset sighed. She looked down at her belly and thighs. They would be much happier if they’d be served the fish. On the other hand… it was raining after all.
“Ok. But you’re paying.”
“Yes! Oh, I will totally pay, babe! Anything for your birthday! See you at Sloppy’s! Bye!” Starlight responded with such a rush of words that Sunset didn’t know what to say other than “It’s not…!” No answer. Sunset looked at her phone. Starlight had really hung up on her. She sighed. There was not much to do. Starlight had adapted to this world really fast, and her manners were up to par with most humans. Including the every-day rudeness. And yet… they had been together now for… 9 years, was it? Life was okay, she couldn’t deny it.
It did suck that she couldn't give her education 100% and this job was the definition of boring. But it paid for her studies and allowed her to read if she was sneaky about it, so... yeah, life was ok. She glanced back at her phones. In some areas, it was more than okay. Her relationship with Starlight... top notch.
Ever since her first visit to Canterlot High, Starlight’s fascination with the human world had only grown stronger and stronger until she had finally decided to move there permanently. That had surprised both Sunset and Princess Twilight, but Starlight had explained it like this: “No matter what I do, and no matter how kind you are to me Twi… I feel off in Equestria. I feel like… I broke off with this place so long ago. And I can’t rebuild that. I have tried and it just won’t work. But here… this world doesn’t know me. I feel… free. I can be myself.”
Princess Twilight had been sad, but she accepted. Trixie and Maud had also been sad, but they could understand Starlight’s longing for freedom. And to her great surprise, so did Sunset. Finally there was somepony there that had put words to the feelings she had felt but didn’t know how to address. All these years she had thought she wanted to go back…
But when she heard Starlight’s explanation everything fell into place. Equestria was home but… it was off. This world… she had made it her own. She could go back and try to rebuild, but why do that when she had everything here?
She looked over the parking lot again. Alright, EVERYTHING was perhaps stretching it. But really, what more could you ask for? A decent paycheck, a good home, a degree in the making, three cats and a lizard.
Ok, she had to admit it was a bit off from ruling Equestria with an iron hoof and life could be more exciting at times. But it had given her a dream wife. That single pro weighed up all those cons.
Not that she didn’t have doubts from time to time. Did starlight really love her so much that she accepted "just an ok" life?
A buzz on the radio disturbed her thoughts. “Boss. 3419 is in place. Anything to report?”
For a moment she hesitated. There was that bloke in that flannel shirt who Sunset had caught leering at her a few hours ago, but she shook it off. Losers weren't offenders. She took the speaker and lifted it to her mouth. “Roger that 3419. No, nothing. You have the evening shift, right?”
“Hah! Night shift, boss. I’m here until morning. But this time I didn’t forget my charger! Heck, last night shift I was so damn bored I almost wished for a break and enter so that something would happen at least.”
Sunset grinned. “Be careful, you might get what you wish for. Well, I’m off. 3128, Sunset Shimmer out.”
“3419, Northern Song in place. Have a good night, boss.”
Boss. The one small perk she had. Sunset was in charge of a small cohort of security guards that was responsible for looking after the Hollow Shades area in Canterlot. 9 people, not counting herself. The job was mostly the same as the others, but she was also able to spend two hours a day behind her desk, valuable time she used for assignments from uni that she masked as reports. Also, she was payed 15 bits more a day. And that was always something.
Starlight worked as headmistress at the Royal Garden Kindergarten. She had worked her way up from 'advanced babysitter' to not having to interact with the kids at all. She could just sit behind a desk and look good and professional in a suit. Starlight had been smart, and faked her identity in another country, and then applied for citizenship. Sunset had more than once cursed that she didn’t think of that. And once or twice Starlight just happened to bring that up… “I used to run a village and I almost outdid a princess. You were a high school bully. With good grades, but still. Not surprising you didn’t think that far ahead.”
Smug little b… I love her, I really do… but she can be so…
In that moment, she arrived at the pizza place. She could see Starlight behind a table. A warm feeling came over Sunset when she looked at her wife. Eh. with my history, I can take a few jabs. Especially from someone who mind controlled her friends. By mistake!
She locked her car and entered the restaurant. Starlight rose from her place, hugged her and gave her a kiss. “Hi babe! Still in uniform I see! Trying to seduce me?”
The small doubt from earlier had not gone away completely, but she decided to ignore it. She wasn’t going to let that ruin a good evening. “I still can’t believe you find this outfit sexy. YOU are sexy. That skirt suit… Rarity has really done it again.”
Starlight leaned closer and kissed Sunsets nose. “It’s not how the uniform looks… it’s who’s inside it…” Sunset smiled. Simple words, but spoken by Starlight, it always made her feel good, and she returned the kiss, but on the mouth this time.
“How was work?”
“Eh. Mostly nothing. A meeting, and dealing with the budget. The most exciting thing was… I have a date on Tuesday!”
“A date? Without me? I thought you loved me..." Sunset looked away dramatically.
"You want me to prove it? Let me just switch shoes and I be in Trottingham in a blink!"
"Trottingham?"
"Yes. 500 miles to Baltimare, 500 more to Trottingham. That's how far I go to... ouch!"
"No bad jokes before dinner!"
"You're no fun. But it is true though. I would, if you asked me. Or if I had to."
Starlight looked completely serious, and her change from half-joking made Sunset blush... "Ah... um...SO... your date?"
Starlight smiled again. "You are cute when you don't know what to say. Anyway, I'm going to meet Rarity. I asked if you could join, but she said specifically, ’no troubles and strifes!’ She needed some time without AJ I think.”
“Ah. Figures.”
“She wanted some 'real girltime'. She said, and I quote, ‘Darling, it’s been practically AGES! I miss you terribly! We NEED to meet! Please say yes!’”
“Wow. It hasn’t even been six months since last time you met. And here I thought she was BUSY!”
“I KNOW! It’s just so fascinating when she gets the urge to be social. How was your day by the way?”
“Meh. As exciting as always, the parking lot didn't crack to reveal a passage to Tartarus today either. But I finished my assignment AND I did get an idea what to give to Pink and Coppers’ little girl.”
“Let me guess, Sunset, a book? She is only six months!”
“Hey, getting familiar with books on a early age is always beneficial.”
“Now you sound like the princess.”
“Which one of them?”
“The one who’s counterpart is not our former principal.”
“Hee hee… You could just say Twilight.”
“I know, I know, it's just that… Twilight is the friend that comes for tea. The princess… It's been a while. I’m not used to calling her Twilight anymore. It’s weird.”
“Oh, don’t let her hear that. She would come running here faster than lightning to solve your friendship problem.”
They shared a giggle. Soon after that two large pizzas, one with pepperoni and olives and the other with beef and onions, was placed before them, as was a bottle of wine and two glasses.
“Thanks, Bulk.”
“YOOOU’RE WELCOME!”
Starlight poured up the wine as Sunset dug into her pizza. “Beef and onions again?”
“I happen to like it. And at this age, Starlight Glimmer, I care more about what I like than what others think.”
“You kinda always have.”
“True, Buuut now I don’t have to hide it behind a fake hipster attitude.”
Starlight gave her a raspberry and Sunset couldn’t help but widen her smile. She drank her wine and sighed. “This was a good idea.”
“Thanks.”
“I love you too, you know that, don’t you?”
“Of cou..."
“aHA! Here you are, just sitting shamelessly in the open.”
Sunset looked up from her drink at the intruder. She didn't recognize the clothes, which looked like a second hand wood-cutter’s outfit, but she clearly recognized the face. “Trixie?”
Trixie hmpfd. “So you finally recognize me! That’s rich!"
Sunset frowned. “Of course I would! You and Maud visited last month!”
Trixie threw her hands in the air. “Yeah that’s just typical!! Mistaking me for my pony counterpart! Thank you very much, jerk!” Sunset frowned.
“Okay, so this world’s Trixie then… Sorry. It's been… nine, ten years? Why are you here? And what do you mean, finally?” She looked at Trixie from head to toes. "Oh. You was that guy sneaking around the lot before?" Trixie nodded, then she striked a pose, a wide legged stance with her fist raised to the roof.
“TRIXIE... is here… to get what she deserves!” Silence. Apparently Trixie was waiting for a response.
“...Pepperoni Pizza?”
“No, YOU! SUNSET SHIMMER! I have loved you for so many years! And then this… this...THING comes from another dimension and steals you from me!”
Sunset and Starlight both stared at Trixie. Sunset’s jaw had dropped almost down to her knees and the room was completely silent for several minutes. In the end, Sunset decided that someone had to say...something at least. So she tried.
“Trixie, I had no idea… you never told me…”
“No, because you were already together with HER then!”
“But… if I was already together with Starlight… then she couldn’t steal…”
“DON’T bring logic into this discussion!”
Sunset leaned her head to the right and gave Trixie an evaluating look. The hands… the unsteady legs… the eyes... “Trixie...are you drunk?”
“Maybe. Doesn’t matter! I’m here to settle the score! And I am going to leave with Sunset or curse the both of you to insufferable pains!”
“Trixie, you’re embarrassing yourself…” Starlight butted in, but Trixie slapped her and leaned over to face Sunset.
“OW! WHAT THE…”
“Don’t patronize me! Now listen to me! We could have had the perfect life, Sunset! I would have toured the world and you would have been at my side all the time. And made Trixie tea and told her how great she was.”
“Trixie… it takes a bit more than that to love someone…”
Trixie kept staring. Sunset’s words didn’t seem to catch on.
“SO?” Now she turned to Starlight. “You think you have this great love! But I KNOW, Starlight Glimmer. I KNOW! I have spied on you! What kind of a life is this? A security guard that struggles with grades and the headmistress of a kindergarten! Who spend their days with boring, nauseating jobs and waste their evenings playing in a stupid rock band, flying kites, drinking tea, eating pizza and petting cats!”
Sunsets earlier doubt came back and hit her like a sledgehammer. Trixie was drunk and she only knew about a few significant details, but it still hit Sunset in the guts. She had a weak reply on her tongue when Starlight rose and shouted at Trixie.
“Hey, there is nothing wrong with that! We are happy!”
“You can’t be happy with a simple security guard!”
“I am! And I don’t care about what you say! Sunset could drop out of uni and spend her days cleaning toilets! She could even be a changeling or an alien and I would love her anyway!” Sunset emptied her wine in one go and stared at her wife. Wow.
“Oh REALLY?!” Trixie took a step closer to Starlight, but Starlight rose from her seat and stared back at Trixie.
“YES REALLY! No matter who she is, no matter where I am, I will always love her!”
“Let’s see about THAT then!” Trixie took something round from her pockets. “Trixie has learned some of this worlds magic over the years! This charm, or for you, this CURSE…” She paused for dramatic effect, “will show you! Let us see if your love is a strong as you say!” She raised the charm and recited as it started to glow, “Separated by time and place, Listen to the words that Trixie say, Fly away far through time and space, let’s see if true love always finds its waaaaaa---aay HEY! This wasn’t supposed to…”
The charm flashed with a pink light and started to grow in Trixie’s hand. It began to devour more and more of Trixie and soon she was gone. But before anyone of the others in the room could react, an arm shot out of the sphere and took Starlight and pulled her inside. And then another grabbed Sunset. Then, the pink light was gone as if a switch had been turned and all that was left was ¼ of a pizza.
The old grey haired Oberstleutnant opened his eyes and looked into the eyes of the young ponee. That kiss… His lips were too dry and the moustache felt different but…
“Starlight?” The young soldier nodded and smiled.
“Hi babe. Took some time to find you this time. I hope you didn’t wait too long for me.”
The old officer smiled. “Never too long. But Trixie got away again.”
Starlight Glimmer shook his head. “Let her run."
"What?"
Starlight kissed him again. "To be honest, I have no real rush to break this curse.”
Sunset raised a grey eyebrow. “What? Really?”
“Yeah! I mean… look at this! This magic is awesome! We have seen ancient Roam, Neighpon, Scandineighvia during the viking age… “
“You don’t want to go back to our normal boring life, you mean? Like Trixie said.” No matter where he was or who he was when Starlight found her, the feeling of dread from that night was still there just at the beginning...
“Sunset. I don’t care about that.” And as all of the other time, it was gone the second Starlight spoke to him again. “Sure, we could have had a much more exciting life back home if we just bothered to and... heck, just talk to Tw... Princess Twilight and there’s always been some dragon or a demon or some evil storm king she has to deal with… but I choose my life, and I would choose it again, because you would be there. Because the day you choose me… was the happiest day of my life.”
Sunset just blushed, and played with his newlygrown hair.
“But it’s not about that because this way… I get to experience life with you over and over again! I get to choose you again and again, and I get to fall in love with you over and over again… Herr Oberstleutnant Sunset Shimmer. I must say, I like this uniform too.”
He kissed him again. Sunset blushed, and the looked at her wrinkled hands and frowned. “I’m a bit older than last time…”
Starlight put a hand on his shoulder. “Last time was a completely different matter, what do you expect? Beavers don’t live that long! Heck, we were lucky to get six months! This time you should last at least ten more years…”
“I am a Warmacht soldier, Starlight. When this war is over… My past might catch up on me.”
“Then I will have to do my best for the burden of having a young equestrian lover to wear you out before they find you.” Sunset couldn't help but giggle and playfully hit Starlight's shoulder, but then she got serious.
“We need to go. The battle will reach us soon, if the reports are to be trusted. Also, if I remember Ms. Inkwell’s history lessons, the troops of Holsteinland surrendered just a few weeks from now. How do we even get out of the country?" Starlight rose, and shook the dust from his leather jacket. “I have a few options prepared. Escape through Prance or Casablanket or even Iceland… We don’t have to choose right now, but we still need to be quick getting out. Soldat Hartz has promised to look another way but the rest of your men... If you have some cash, go get it and leave the rest. I have a motorcycle ready a few miles away.”
Sunset rose on slightly unsteady legs. “I can’t help being a bit scared though…”
“About what? You can drive it if that helps. Or are you scared about going back to the university? You have, what is it now? 50 years of experience. You'll get that degree in no time!"
“Ha ha. Starlight, I'm serious! I mean… If you don’t find me the next time…”
Starlight Glimmer took Sunset’s head between his hands and pulled him closer for another kiss. “I told you then as I told Trixie. I will always find you. No matter who you are, no matter where I am. I will always love you.”
He kissed him again. “I will always find you.”