> At Peace > by JustNewHere > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- > But I am not. > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- “Darling, what are you talking about?” Rarity was the first to recover, hands going to Sunset’s shoulders. “What is this about being scared now?” “Is it another equestrian magic problem?” Applejack asked next. Pinkie piped in, squeezing between the fashion designer and apple farmer, “are we going to sing about life lessons again?” Sunset hugged them tightly. “No, listen, you may not believe me, but I recently got a message.” “From Twilight?” Rainbow asked, slightly concerned especially at the unusual behavior of her friend. “You can tell us anything Sunset, if it’s bad then we kick its butt!” “Or try to reason with it first,” Fluttershy said beside her. Twilight adjusted her glasses before nodding and adding, “and that is if it does have a butt that we can kick.” Simultaneously, they all waited for a response, but the thing was, Sunset was no where to be found. That confused them, and all were oblivious to the fact that one by one so have they along with the school, the yard. Everything was gone. Until all that was left was blankness. Sunset opened her eyes, staring up sadly to the hooded person in front of her. Sitting up, she crossed her arms, hugging herself tightly with a small whimper. “Is…is this it?” A melodic voice, friendly, calm, and serious all the same replied, “Yes.” The figure remained silent before pulling the crying redhead into a hug. “I do not know the fraction of fear you’re experiencing but know that I too have suffered from a similar experience. I am trying to understand what you’re feeling Sunset Shimmer as of now.” “I-I guess I’m overwhelmed for starters,” Sunset sniffed, rubbing her tears away before looking down. “Even with your warning, I still find this heavy pit in my stomach, threatening to burst and…” shudders wracked her body. “I’m so scared.” “It was sudden and unexpected, but such is the way things are,” the figured stated with an apologetic tone. “I heard stories about you,” Sunset changed the subject, if only to focus on something else, “the one who’s timeless. You’re immortal, practically older than even the oldest alicorn I know.” “I think I have met the one you speak of, if I can remember correctly,” the stranger replied. She ran a pale hand to her hair, seeing it change color from time to time along with the raised hand. “I am and always will be.” Sunset didn’t seem to understand but she managed an awed, “You’re…an inspiration to everyone.” The woman smiled under her hood, “Flattered, though I do hear from time to time to be forgotten and if not, being called a ‘controversy’ last I recall.” Sunset nodded at that, taking deep breaths, and focusing on the voice of the other. Finally, she managed to reel in her fear. She toyed with her geode, now useless and nothing more than an accessory when she felt no magic in it. “So, what happens now?” “That is something I cannot say.” The figure placed another hand to Sunset’s. “But know I will guide you; I am honestly surprised you’re the first to be here.” “They’re not done yet,” the figure nodded, knowing who Sunset were referring to, as the redhead continued, “while mine was forcibly cut off and since I’m like the star or something, I guess it makes sense I end up here first or…I just don’t know.” The figure hummed. “I am also surprised you are not asking where exactly is here.” Sunset shrugged. “Does it matter?” The stranger sadly smiled. “I guess it doesn’t.” The figure pulled down her hood, letting the ever-changing hair and skin color to flash in skin tones and hair colors before Sunset. “I feel you will be remembered, Sunset Shimmer, so do not look so down. Even I am confident that you might come to like it here at least, you have those you know who will eventually follow when it is done.” “I guess,” Sunset said offhandedly, toeing the white floor. No mark was made by the action, so the redhead continued, “you are the only one, right?” For a minute, it looked like the stranger frowned, looking down in sadness, but a smile remained to be seen. “I am and I have long ago made peace with it.” “C-Can you at least tell me what’s it like?” Sunset knew she didn’t need to elaborate. The woman smiled before nodding. “I can describe it in one word for you just as I said; peace.” She then held out a hand. First it was pale, then white, before slowly growing dark then back again, repeating the cycle. Sunset stared at it in wonder. “Peace, because my purpose has been fulfilled.” She tilted her head at the teenager. “I was made to inspire, bring joy to everyone who met me. Simply put, I was also renewed to fit with the expectations I needed to meet, but my purpose is all the same.” The woman leaned closer with a serene smile. “I inspire and change, lives included.” She drew back to the awed girl, glad she managed to calm the redhead's fears. “And it seemed you and your friends have as well.” The woman seemed to be looking beyond Sunset and she nodded before wearing her hood again, “and I think I have said what I needed to say, good luck Sunset Shimmer.” Sunset nodded before looking at the figure, thankful but curiosity urged her to at least try to ask, “C-Can you at least tell me your name? I don’t know but you sound familiar, and I feel like I really have met you ever since, and not just now.” The hooded woman looked back with a nostalgic gleam. “You have, both in voice and in character.” At the other’s confusion, she simply chuckled. “Well, how about my name then. It’s less confusing that way.” She fully turned to the teenager, a rectangular door opening behind her as she said with a confident grin. “I am and always will be… Barbie.” The name seemed to resonate throughout Sunset’s core and the area where they were, ending with a shuddering boom. When Sunset blinked, the woman was gone but she didn’t feel any fear, not anymore. Another blink, and she found herself looking at the sudden appearances of her friends. Relief washed over her and she made haste with helping them up, smiling all the while. She’s fine. They’ll be fine.