> Romantic...Other Worlds?
>  by TheHardie-Boy
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> Jake and the Fiery Unicorn (by Peni Parker)
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Jake Taylor was reading in the castle library. It was rare that he had the castle all to himself, so he decided to make the most of the peace and quiet by catching up on some Daring Do books. At the moment, Starlight was on the road with Trixie, Twilight was in Canterlot with Rarity on a friendship mission, and Spike was at another rousing guys night with Big Mac and Discord playing Ogres & Oubliettes (which Jake was invited to but declined since Discord had magically turned him into an elder lich the previous guys night).

“Ah,” he happily sighed as he adjusted himself on the couch in order to get even comfier. “I love my marefriends more than anything, but I’m glad for the occasional alone time. Being the boyfriend of two mares isn’t always easy.... Why am I talking to myself like this?” he wondered.

Ignoring his own rhetorical question, Jake went back to reading his Daring Do book. He had just gotten to the part where Daring Do snuck into Dr. Caballeron’s camp to retrieve a golden statue when he heard a crashing sound coming from down the hall.

“Hello?” Jake asked as he put his book down, unsure whether he’d actually heard a noise or if his mind was just playing tricks on him.

A few seconds of silence passed before he decided to investigate. As Jake got up from his seat and made his way towards the library doors, he couldn’t help but wonder what the noise could have been.

’Could Twilight, Starlight, or Spike have gotten home early?’ He thought.

As Jake looked out the library’s doors, he turned his head to the right and saw nothing. When he turned his head left, however, he saw what appeared to be an amber colored unicorn with a crimson and yellow mane stumbling out of a room on the other side of the hall.

“Hey, are you okay?” Jake asked as he made his way over to the disoriented pony, wondering who she was and where she came from.

“Y-Yeah, I’m fine,” the strange unicorn said as she slowly lifted her head. “The portal just threw me out a bit too…AAAAHHHH!”

“AAAAHHHH!” Jake screamed as he fell backwards, startled by the unicorn’s sudden outburst.

The strange unicorn just stared at him with a look of total shock.

“Y-Y-You’re human!” she blurted out.

“Um, yeah, last I checked,” Jake calmly replied as he got back on his feet, sensing the strange unicorn’s distress. “I’m Jake Taylor, and you are?”

“I’m...Sunset Shimmer,” the unicorn introduced herself as she calmed down a bit.

“Well, it’s nice to meet you, Sunset Shimmer,” Jake commented as he extended his arm.

Sunset Shimmer extended her right forehoof as Jake took it in his right hand and shook it.

“Y-Yeah, nice to meet you too,” Sunset said back, a hint of confusion in her voice.

Jake couldn’t help but get a strange feeling from Sunset. He was used to ponies freaking out a bit when they saw him for the first time, but this was different. Sunset’s reaction hadn’t been purely because he was a human; after all, she clearly knew he was a human. No, Sunset seemed to be startled by something else.

“So, um, Jake,” Sunset spoke up. “Would you mind if I asked you a few questions?”

“Uh, no, I guess not,” Jake answered.

“Why are you here? Where did you come from? Were you born in Equestria? If not, how did you get here and how come you didn’t turn into a pony? How long have you…” Sunset began spouting off so quickly Jake couldn’t get a word in edge wise.

As Jake listened to Sunset’s seemingly endless series of questions, he couldn’t help but chuckle a bit. The whole situation reminded him of his first encounter with Twilight.

“Um, did I say something funny?” Sunset inquired after slowing down her questioning and picking up on Jake’s amused state.

“No, no, it’s just, you’re reminding me an awful lot of Twilight right now,” he confessed.

“You know Twilight?” Sunset asked with a bit of surprise, before coming to an obvious realization. “Of course you know Twilight, you’re in her castle.”

“Yeah, Twilight and I are in a relationship,” Jake admitted.

“WHAT?!” Sunset inexplicably shouted. “Are you saying you and Twilight are in a…relationship-relationship; like boyfriend and girlfriend?!”

Jake had to take a moment to recompose himself after Sunset’s sudden, and loud, question before he could answer.

“Well, it’s…complicated,” he started to explain. “You see, I am in a relationship with Twilight, but I’m also in a relationship with a pony named Starlight Glimmer.”

“Woah, woah, woah,” Sunset stated as she placed her left forehoof in the air. “You’re telling me that you, Twilight, and this Starlight Glimmer are in a three-way relationship?” she asked in disbelief.

“Sort of. It’s kind of a long story, but the short version is that they both fell in love with me, and I fell in love with both of them, so now we’re in all in a relationship together,” Jake clarified.

Sunset just stared at Jake with a vacant expression as she tried to process what she’d just heard.

“Are you kidding me?” she said so softly it was practically inaudible.

“Sorry, what was that?” Jake asked.

“ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!” Sunset repeated, once again inexplicably shouting, as she turned around and yelled down the hall with a white-hot fire in her eyes. “TWILIGHT HAS A BOYFRIEND AND A GIRLFRIEND?!”

“W-Well, I-I’m not sure I’d c-call Starlight Twilight’s g-girlfriend…” Jake tried to interject.

“I CAN’T GET A SINGLE DATE BUT TWILIGHT IS IN A THREE-WAY RELATIONSHIP?!” Sunset continued, completely ignoring Jake. “UUUUUUGGGGGGHHHHHH!”

Jake didn’t know what to do. Sunset was clearly upset, and he wanted to help her, but he didn’t know how.

“Um, Sunset, maybe you should calm down a little,” he gently suggested.

Sunset turned back around to face Jake. She was breathing heavily from all her yelling and had a frustrated look on her face, and strangely enough, tears in her eyes.

“I-I’m sorry if I what I said upset you,” Jake stated, trying not to sound nervous. “B-But it’s probably best if you just calm down.”

As the tears continued to flow from Sunset’s eyes, her face slowly changed from one of frustration to one of sadness. She fell onto her rump and placed her forehooves over her eyes, trying to cover up her distraught state.

“I-I’m sorry I y-yelled like that,” she tried to say through her tears. “I-It’s just, h-how come Twilight g-gets to have two lovers, but I c-can’t even get one?”

The thought crossed Jake’s mind to once again state that Twilight and Starlight weren’t in an intimate relationship, but he quickly dismissed it. Instead, he approached Sunset, got down on his knees, and embraced the amber unicorn in a warm and supportive hug.

“Shhh, it’s okay,” he reassured her. “Just let it all out.”

Sunset lowered her hooves from her face as she returned the hug and placed her head against Jake’s chest. Her tears began to stain Jake’s shirt, but he didn’t care; he just wanted Sunset to feel better.

The two of them sat in the hallway for about five minutes as Sunset cried out her feelings. When Sunset’s tears started to dry up, she broke the hug and stood up on all four hooves, but avoided direct eye contact with Jake.

“T-Thank you, I needed that,” Sunset gratefully, but sullenly, stated as she turned around and started walking towards the room she’d emerged for earlier. “I’ll just be going now, sorry I bothered you.”

“Sunset, wait!” Jake said before she got too far.

Sunset turned around to face Jake but didn’t say anything in response, still trying to avoid eye contact.

“You don’t have to go,” he said as he approached the mare. “I know we just met, but if you want to talk about what’s going on I’m willing to listen. I promise I won’t be judgmental or anything.”

Sunset finally made eye contact with Jake and, upon seeing the sincerity in his eyes, decided that maybe it would be good to talk to him.

“O-Okay,” she said with a slight amount of hesitation.







Jake and Sunset were sitting together in the library. It had been about ten minutes since Sunset had agreed to stay and talk about her recent outburst and breakdown, though so far she hadn’t said a word. Jake contemplated getting the conversation started but figured it would be better for Sunset to make the first move.

“Sorry again for all of that,” Sunset finally spoke up. “It’s just, the whole reason I came here was to ask Twilight for relationship advice, and when you told me about how you, her, and this other mare are all in a relationship together, I got a little…jealous.”

Jake nodded his head in acknowledgment but remained silent.

“I mean, I’ve been trying so hard and for so long to find someone who will love me, and it’s just so frustrating,” Sunset continued as fresh tears started to form in the corners of her eyes. “W-what if there’s something wrong with me? What if…what if I never find someone?”

Sunset closed her eyes in an effort to stop the tears, but they started to flow anyways. She felt embarrassed at crying in front of Jake again, until she opened her eyes to see Jake sitting right in front of her, his hands on her shoulders and a serious look in his eyes.

“Sunset, listen to me,” he sternly said. “There is nothing wrong with you. You just haven’t found the right someone yet is all.”

Sunset felt her tears begin to dry up as the power of Jake’s words rang in her ears.

“And even if you never do find someone, you’ll still have your friends,” Jake continued as a small smile crossed his face. “Friends like me.”

Sunset’s eyes went as wide as dinner plates.

“Y-You consider me a…friend? Even after the way I’ve acted today?” she asked in sheer disbelief.

Jake simply nodded his head as small tears started to form in his own eyes.

“Of course, I do,” he said. “And I hope that you can consider me a friend too.”

Once again, tears formed in Sunset’s eyes, only this time they were tears of joy. She quickly lifted her fore hooves and wrapped them around Jake’s neck in a hug.

“I can see why Twilight likes you,” she softly said. “You’re a really nice guy.”

Jake returned the hug as his own tears of joy started to flow.

“Well, I try,” he jested, happy that his new friend was feeling better.







Twilight Sparkle was just returning home from her friendship mission in Canterlot with Rarity. It had been a long day, and she was eager to have a relaxing evening with Jake, knowing that Starlight and Spike, in all likelihood, wouldn’t be back anytime soon.

As Twilight opened the front door to the castle, she swore she could hear laughter coming from the library. One of the voices was clearly Jake’s, but the other she couldn’t place. Wondering who else was in the castle, she made her way over to the library.

“Hello, Jake?” Twilight asked as she poked her head into the library.

The sight that Twilight saw filled her with mixed emotions; she saw Jake sitting on the couch with Sunset Shimmer to his left, the two of them looking at what appeared to be the scrap book Twilight had given him for Hearths Warming.

’What is going on here?’ She thought with varying degrees of confusion and apprehension.

“Oh, hey, Twilight,” Jake said as he noticed his marefriend in the doorway.

“Hey, Twilight,” Sunset reiterated.

Twilight forced a smile as to not let her emotions show.

“Sunset, so good to see you!” she said as she approached the two, trying to sound as natural as possible. “I see you’ve met Jake.”

“Oh, yeah,” Sunset affirmed. “I actually came here to talk to you, but it turns out Jake is a really great listener and was able to help me instead.”

“Really? That’s great,” Twilight said through her forced smile as she took a seat to Jake’s right. “So, what are guys doing now?”

“Oh, I was just showing Sunset some of the pictures from my travels,” Jake explained.

“It’s really quite astonishing how many places he’s been,” Sunset commented. “I can’t believe you went to the Dragonlands and came back in one piece.”

“Well, I found that beneath their fiery exterior most dragons are big softies, not unlike a certain fiery unicorn I know,” Jake said as he gave Sunset a small nudge with his elbow.

“Oh stop, you’re embarrassing me,” Sunset retorted with a giggle as a small blush appeared on her face.

“Ahahaha,” Twilight nervously chimed in. “Wow, you two really seem to have become close in such a short time.”

“Hey, like I said, Jake’s a great listener,” Sunset said as she wrapped her hooves around Jake’s arm, causing Jake to now smile and blush as well.

Twilight took notice of just how close Sunset was getting to Jake and wrapped her own hooves around his other arm.

“That he is,” she said as she began to nuzzle his arm as well. “I’m so glad that he’s my boyfriend.”

Sunset gave a coy smile upon hearing Twilight emphasize the word ‘my’.

“From what I understand you already share him with another mare,” she slyly commented. “Maybe he wouldn’t mind having a third girlfriend?”

Sunset’s less-than-tactful suggestion caused Twilight to cease her nuzzling and stare daggers at the mare on the other end of the couch, while Jake’s eyes widened to their limits as he blushed even more.

“Alright, that’s it, come on, Jake,” Twilight authoritatively said as she got up from the couch and used her magic to pull Jake’s hand behind her.

“Wait, where are we going, Twilight?” Jake asked as the two of them crossed the room.

“We’re going to bed, and we’re going to cuddle like we’ve never cuddled before because you are my boyfriend,” Twilight replied.

“But what about Sunset?” Jake asked.

“She knows the way out,” Twilight pointedly stated as she turned around. “Good seeing you again, Sunset!” she half-heartedly shouted at the mare still on the couch.

“Um, uh, goodbye Sunset,” Jake also shouted as he and Twilight exited the room.

Sunset laughed a bit at the scene that had just unfolded in front of her.

“Goodbye, Jake,” she shouted back, unsure if he could actually hear her.

“Be seeing you around,” Sunset continued, much more impishly, as she got up and made her way to the portal room, a coquettish smiling forming on her face as she did so.
> Expansion? ...Maybe?
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

For the last couple of days, Starlight’s been kinda down, understandably so. I mean, it’s not like she knew she would develop feelings for Twilight.

Speaking of which, Twilight was having a rather...hard time figuring this all out. I would go into better detail, but I’m not exactly a mind-reader.

I wanted so badly to try to help, but I had absolutely no idea what to do. Starlight confessed, so all that was left to do was for Twilight to figure out how she felt. There was nothing I could do to make it easier, other than provide comfort.

Anyhow, right now, Starlight and I were snuggled up under a blanket in the library, reading a book together. I was doing my best to take Starlight’s mind off of her worries, and as far as I know, I was succeeding. She wasn’t sad or distracted. She seemed really happy.

Starlight had her head rested against my shoulder, warming it up. She also had her hooves around me as I had one arm wrapped around her.

A few hours into reading, there was a loud flash, followed by a crash, from another room. Starlight tightened her hooves around me as we both looked toward the door to the library.

Through the door walked a familiar unicorn with a familiar red and yellow mane and a familiar orange coat.

“Twilight has really gotta either fix the force from the portal or stop putting stuff right in front of it,” the unicorn mumbled.

“Well, I’ll be darned. I didn’t expect to see you here today, Sunset Shimmer,” I said with a small laugh.

Sunset suddenly blushed. “Oh, h-hey, Jake. How’ve you been?”

“Fine, and you?”

“F-Fine,” she stuttered.

Starlight looked at me with a questioning look, clinging to me for dear life.

Sunset looked to Starlight and gasped. “Oh, uh, sorry. You must be...Starlight Glimmer?”

Starlight looked cautiously at Sunset and slowly nodded. “So...somepony wanna catch me up here?”

“Oh, right. I’m Sunset Shimmer,” Sunset said, extending her hoof.

Starlight hesitantly shook it. “So...how do you two know each other?”

“Oh, uh, a few days ago, Sunset came, and we had a little chat. Speaking of which, how did it go with that guy you wanted to ask out?” I explained.

Sunset blushed furiously upon hearing my question. “A-Actually, I kinda got over him before I got the chance to ask him out.”

“Oh, well, that kinda sucks. Anyhow, if you’re here to talk to Twilight...” I paused to glance at Starlight, who looked down. “...she’s a little busy right now.”

Sunset’s blush somehow managed to increase as she rubbed the back of her head nervously. “I-I actually came here to talk to you.”

Starlight looked at the unicorn with a shocked expression.

“Me?” I asked.

“Heh, yeah. You see, ever since you talked to me the last time I was here...you’ve just kinda been on my mind a lot-“ Sunset started.

“Woah, woah, woah. Where are you going with this?” Starlight sternly cut off.

“Oh, you’re the other mare. Great,” Sunset muttered to herself.

“‘Other mare’? How much do you know about me?” Starlight asked, getting off the couch to walk towards Sunset.

“Not much...just that you and Twilight share a relationship with Jake,” Sunset said with a sheepish smile.

Starlight eyed Sunset with apprehension. I felt the tension in the room increase threefold.

“Starlight, why don’t we just hear what Sunset has it say? Maybe it’s not exactly what you think it is,” I said, trying to calm Starlight down.

“It’s not that. It’s just, you look familiar,” Starlight told Sunset.

“R-Really?” Sunset asked.

“Yeah, I’m pretty sure we’ve met before,” Starlight answered.

“Wait a minute, now that I think of it, so do you,” Sunset agreed.

“So you two’ve already met?” I asked.

The two mares ignored my question as they studied each other’s features.

“I know! You were my brother’s best friend back in Sire’s Hollow,” Sunset perked up.

“Your brother’s best friend...oh, now I remember you. You’re the mare who held me down and swatted my flank with a broom...repeatedly,” Starlight deadpanned.

“Well...you wouldn’t get out of my room!” Sunset retorted.

“Sunburst invited me over!” Starlight countered.

“Girls! Calm down! Now, how do you two know each other?” I asked.

Starlight turned to look at me. “Well, remember when I was telling you about my fillyhood friend Sunburst? Well, this is his sister.”

“Oh,” I said with a chuckle. “So, anyhow, what were you saying a minute ago, Sunset?”

Sunset’s blush from before returned with a vengeance. “I-I-I...y-you see, umm...I, uh, think this would be better if we were...alone.”

“Why? Whatever you have to say to me, you can say in front of Starlight,” I replied.

Sunset took a deep breath. “Iwashopingyoucouldextendyourrelationshiptome!”

“O-Okay, a little slower,” I pleaded.

“I...was...hoping...” Sunset began.

“Just say it already!” Starlight begged.

Sunset groaned. “I was hoping you could extend your relationship...t-to me.”

In that moment, I felt as if a ton of bricks hit me right upside the head. Sunset was an undeniably attractive mare...but we hardly even knew each other.

“W-What? Why?” I asked.

“It’s just...when we met, you were just so easy for me to talk to, and you were just so nice to me for no reason. So when I heard about your relationship with Twilight and Starlight, I just thought...I don’t know, why not me too?” Sunset stammered.

“I, uh, but we...we hardly know each other. We only met like...four days ago!” I countered.

“Well, how long did it take you to fall in love with me and Twilight?” Starlight smirked.

“For Twilight, two years. For you, two...days,” I said, realizing her point.

Starlight rolled her eyes.

“Wait, you’re not against this?” Sunset asked.

“Well, to be honest, no. I think this would be great to help get my mind off of...other things,” Starlight answered.

I quickly shook my head. “So you’re actually willing to share me with not only Twilight, but a mare you just met, only you knew since you were kids?”

“When you say it like that, it just sounds weird,” Starlight answered.

“That’s because it is! No offense, Sunset, but I don’t even know you that well! All I know about you is that you and Twilight have some weird history together that she wont talk about! Besides, there’s almost no way Twilight would allow this,” I countered.

Sunset sighed. “I knew it was a long shot.”

“Hold on. Jake, I see how you were looking at her a minute ago. You can’t possibly look me in the eye and tell me you don’t think she’s at least a little hot,” Starlight said smugly.

I felt my face heat up as Sunset looked back at me. “W-Well, I-I’m not gonna lie, you look...kinda hot...but that doesn’t change the fact that I don’t know you or that we have nothing in common.”

“Oh, we have more in common than you think,” Sunset replied.

“And if you’re worried that you hardly know Sunset, I’m pretty sure that issue can easily be dealt with,” Starlight added.

“How?” I asked, rubbing the bridge of my nose.

“Simple: you two can spend some time together!” Starlight answered.

“That’s a good idea,” Sunset agreed.

I wanted to say something, but my mouth wouldn’t cooperate.

“So, you and Jake can spend, say, a week together, and after that, you can tell for sure if you really wanna be part of our herd!” Starlight cheered.

“Herd?” Sunset asked.

“That’s what we call our relationship,” Starlight explained.

“Oh. So, yeah, I think that would work. The only thing is, do we tell Twilight?” Sunset asked.

“Probably a good idea. But like I said, she’s busy right now.” Starlight repeated

“Right. So...should we just start kissing or something-?”

“No! I mean, just like...get to know each other. Anyhow, I’ll leave you two alone, so you can talk,” Starlight said, leaving the library.

Sunset looked back at me. “So...wanna like...cuddle or something?”

I recovered from being left out of the conversation and looked at the amber unicorn, seeing that Starlight had left. “Wait...WHAT JUST HAPPENED?!”
> Eh...we'll see. But first...! (by Peni Parker)
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

“So...wanna like...cuddle or something?” Sunset asked as soon as she and Jake were alone.

“Wait...WHAT JUST HAPPENED?!” Jake replied, confused out of his mind.

Sunset took a small step back, having been slightly spooked by Jake’s sudden outburst.

“Whoa, easy there, Jake,” she comforted, taking few steps forward and placing a hoof on his leg. “We don’t have to do anything you’re not comfortable with. How about we just sit and talk for now, alright?”

Jake simply nodded at Sunset as he started coming to his senses again. Both of them then took a seat next to each other on the couch.

“I’m sorry I freaked out like that, Sunset,” Jake apologized. “It’s just, all of this is happening so fast that I’m having trouble coming to grips with it.”

Sunset turned her head to the side, avoiding eye contact with Jake out of regret.

“Yeah, I’m sorry too, about everything tonight,” she stated as she rubbed her left hoof with her right one. “Things didn’t quite go as I’d hoped. I wanted to be alone with you when I told you how I feel, but I got into it with Starlight, and then I just blurted it out and, ugh, I’m so bad at this!”

Sunset quickly stopped rubbing her hoof and brought both her hooves up to her face out of embarrassment. Jake could sense his friend’s distressed mood about how the night had unfolded so far and, wanting to comfort her, placed his left hand on her shoulder.

“It’s fine, Sunset, really,” he reassured the fiery unicorn. “I’m sure it must have been hard for you to confess your feelings, but I’m glad you did.”

As soon as Jake said that, Sunset lowered her hooves and stared Jake straight in the eyes in mild disbelief. Did she hear him correctly? Did he really just say he was glad that she’d confessed to him?

“You…you are?” She asked aloud as she inched her face closer to Jake’s.

“Of course,” Jake affirmed as he moved his hand from Sunset’s shoulder to her mane, stroking it lightly. “You’re my friend, Sunset, and even though we haven’t know each other long, I really do like you. I would be happy to have you as my marefriend.”

While Sunset was enjoying having her mane stroked, the sheer joy she felt from hearing Jake’s words was unlike any feeling she’d felt before. Her eyes started to tear up as she quickly pulled Jake into a hug.

“Thank you, Jake,” she said as she cried her tears of joy. “You have no idea how much I needed to hear that.”

Jake returned the hug as he too started to tear up a little, happy that Sunset was feeling better.

“So, since I’m officially your marefriend now, do you feel like cuddling?” Sunset eventually asked.

Jake didn’t answer right away. In fact, much to Sunset’s surprise, he broke their hug and looked her in the eyes. She could see that Jake’s eyes no longer contained joy and happiness, but rather sadness.

“Sunset,” Jake very solemnly and gently said. “I said I would be happy to have you as my marefriend, but I can’t just make you my marefriend, not yet at least.”

Sunset felt her heart sink in ways she never imagined possible. Just as quickly as she’d felt happy at Jake’s words a few moments ago, these new words filled her with despair. She started visibly shaking, taking stagnant breaths, and once again started crying (this time tears of sadness).

“Wh-What do you mean?” she asked, trying not to have a complete breakdown. “I-I don’t understand.”

“Sunset?” Jake asked out of genuine concern for Sunset’s current well-being. “Sunset, listen to-“

“W-Why is this happening?” Sunset continued to ramble, lost within her own decaying mental state. She brought her hooves up to sides of her head in a futile effort to make the pain in her mind stop. “It wasn’t supposed to be like this. IT WASN’T SUPPOSED TO BE-”

“SUNSET!” Jake shouted as he grabbed both of Sunset’s shoulders, trying to snap her out of it.

Upon hearing Jake’s thunderous voice and feeling his touch, Sunset calmed down a bit. She slowly lowered her hooves from her head, though her breathing remained stagnant and her eyes were still producing tears.

“Listen to me, Sunset,” Jake stated, trying to sound as stern, but compassionate, as possible. “I want you to be my marefriend, with all my heart I truly do. But before that can happen, there are some things that need to be cleared up, okay?”

Sunset stared silently at Jake with glossy, tear-filled eyes for a few seconds before slowly nodding her head in acknowledgement.

“Okay,” Jake said as he pulled Sunset into another comforting hug. “I’m sorry that I upset you like that. The last thing I ever want to do is hurt you.”

“Y-You don’t have anything to apologize for, Jake,” Sunset softly and sorrowfully replied as she returned the hug. “I’m the one who lost it. I’m so messed up.”

Jake broke the hug ever-so-slightly, enough so that he could stare Sunset in the eyes.

“You’re not messed up, Sunset. You’re just sensitive, and there’s nothing wrong with that,” he asserted before placing a small kiss in Sunset’s forehead, just below her horn.

Sunset involuntarily broke the hug completely and scooted a few inches towards the other end of the couch. She could feel a small blush cross her face that she tried, and failed, to conceal by covering it with her right hoof and turning away from Jake.

“Um, t-thanks, Jake,” she embarrassingly mumbled, barely above a whisper.

The cute sight made Jake give a small giggle as he scooched closer to the flustered unicorn.

“What are friends for?” he stated as he started scratching Sunset just behind her right ear.

The feeling of having her ear scratched caused Sunset to completely forget about her embarrassment. She lowered her hoof from her face and closed her eyes as she enjoyed the sensuous act, a small smile forming on her face.

“Hmm, that’s nice,” she inadvertently said aloud, but didn’t really care.

Once again, Jake gave a small giggle, giving Sunset a little *boop* on the nose.

“Okay,” he said as he stopped scratching, much to Sunset’s dismay. “We really need to get some things out in the open before we take this any further.”

Sunset looked Jake square in the eyes and steeled herself for what was bound to come.

“Alright, ask away,” she sternly stated.

Jake too tried to steel himself for what was to come. He knew what question he needed to ask first, but didn’t really want to ask it out of fear for what the answer might be.

“What’s the deal with you and Twilight?” he finally asked.

“W-What do you mean?” Sunset replied in a manner that suggested she knew exactly what Jake meant. “We’re friends, there’s no ‘deal’ between us.”

“I think there is,” Jake retorted. “When you were here last time you playfully suggested that maybe I wouldn’t mind having a third girlfriend and then Twilight got upset and dragged me off to bed with her, emphasizing that I’m her boyfriend. That tells me there’s some history between you two that I don’t know about.”

Sunset broke eye contact with Jake and stared at the floor, not saying a word.

“Sunset,” Jake spoke up. “If we’re all going to be in a relationship together, I need to know about any bad blood between you and Twilight. I promise I won’t judge you.”

Sunset gave a long, deep sigh as she resumed eye contact with Jake.

“It’s not something I like to talk about, or even think about, but we fought over a guy once,” she began to explain. “See, there was this guy named Flash Sentry. I used to date him but we broke up, and then Twilight started to get a crush on him, and he kinda liked her back too, but he wasn’t really over me. Even though Flash and I never really got back together, Twilight still blamed me for never having a chance with him.”

Everything was starting to make sense to Jake now.

“I told her that I’d told Flash I didn’t want to get back together though,” Sunset continued. “And in the end, Twilight and I agreed that there were no hard feeling about the whole thing, but I guess some wounds run deeper than you might initially think.”

Jake could see the feeling of guilt on Sunset’s face.

“It’s alright, Sunset,” he tried to comfort her. “You didn’t do anything wrong. You knew your friend liked this guy, and you didn’t do anything on your part to try and take him away from her. You’re a very noble and considerate mare.”

A smile once again began to form on Sunset’s face as she heard Jake’s words, as well as a small blush.

“If you say so,” she commented.

Jake reached out his right and stroked his fingers through Sunset’s mane.

“I do say so,” he reaffirmed.

The continued flattery only made Sunset’s blush grow darker as she gave a girlish giggle.

“So, anything else you want to know?” she asked.

Jake did have a number of other questions he wanted to ask, but wasn’t sure which to go with next.

“Um, do you live here in Ponyville?” he went with.

Sunset didn’t give an immediate answer like Jake had expected. Instead, Sunset just stared at him with a look of confusion.

“Wait, you don’t know where I’m from?” she eventually said.

“Uh, no, I don’t,” Jake replied, now confused himself. “Should I?”

Sunset just continued to stare at Jake, not quite sure how to explain things.

“O...kay, well, it’s kind of a long story,” she stated.

Sunset then told Jake her story, everything from when she abandoned her studies with Princess Celestia up to when she accepted the magic of friendship.

“So, yeah, while I was born in Equestria, I technically live in another world,” Sunset ended her tale.

Jake was speechless, dazed, flabbergasted. Sunset’s tale was, to be sure, an incredible one, but there was one element of it that he couldn’t help but fixate on.

“Let me get this straight,” he said in a way that suggested he was exerting a significant amount of self-control over his emotions. “You’re telling me that in all the time I’ve been in Equestria, Twilight has had a magical mirror portal that goes to a human world?”

“Um, yes?” Sunset nervously replied, sensing the rising emotions within Jake.

Without warning, Jake quickly stood up from his seat and angrily stomped over to the library doors, completely forgetting about Sunset for a moment.

“TWILIGHT!” he shouted as he stormed down the castle hallway.







Starlight Glimmer was in the kitchen, enjoying a late night snack of tea cakes when Twilight Sparkle entered the room, looking half-dead and dragging herself over to the fridge.

“Whoa, what happened to you?” Starlight inquired as she put her tea cake down.

“Guy’s night,” Twilight tiredly clarified as she took a bottle of cider out of the fridge and chugged the whole thing.

“Um, what?” Starlight asked, not understanding what Twilight of all ponies would be doing at Guy’s Night.

“Discord got carried away and brought an army of paper skeleton ponies to life that started ransacking the town. Princess Luna and I just spent the last two hours fixing everything,” Twilight explained as she put down her now empty bottle of cider.

“That must have been fun,” Starlight sarcastically commented as she went back to eating her tea cake.

“Yeah, super fun,” Twilight just-as sarcastically stated as she took a seat at the table opposite Starlight. “Do you know where Jake is? I could really go for some cuddling right now.”

Starlight quickly finished her tea cake before answering.

“I think he’s still in the library with Sunset Shimmer,” she responded.

“WHAT?!” Twilight angrily shouted as she sat up in her seat and pounded her fore hooves onto the table.

Starlight nearly fell out of her own seat at Twilight’s sudden outburst. Given how exhausted the alicorn princess had been just seconds before, she couldn’t fathom how Twilight suddenly had the energy to erupt like that.

“WHY IS SHE WITH JAKE?!” Twilight asked as Starlight regained her composure.

“W-Well,” Starlight began to nervously explain. “Sunset came here asking if she could join our herd and, I said I was okay with it, but Jake had a few reservations, so I left them alone to get to know each other better.”

Twilight didn’t say a word, she just stared at Starlight with an infuriated expression and a twitchy eye for about five seconds before getting up from the table and stomping out the door. As soon as she left Starlight breathed a sigh of relief, until she heard Twilight yell from just outside the kitchen.

“SUNSET SHIMMER!”
> A reluctant agreement
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

I walked through the halls in a brisk fashion. I was steamed at Twilight for not at least mentioning that she had access to a human world. 

I thought of a few possibilities as to why she didn’t tell me, but they kept turning out worse than the last. There was just no excuse for this.

I rounded a few corners and found my way to the Map Room, which was empty. I retraced my steps until I found myself in the kitchen, where Spike was attempting to make dinner.

“Hey, Spike, have you seen Twilight anywhere?” I asked, trying to hold my temper in front of the dragon.

“Not since I got back from Guys’ Night. Discord got carried away and summoned a bunch of real skeletons the Twilight and Princess Luna had to clean it up. Best guess, she’s in the library,” Spike answered.

I shook my head. “No, I was just there with Sunset.”

Spike tilted his head. “Sunset Shimmer? She’s here?”

“Oh yeah, she’s probably still in the library if you wanna say hi. Anyhow, I gotta go find Twilight,” I said, turning toward the door to see Starlight had walked in.

“Twilight? Umm, she’s on her way to go scream at Sunset in the library,” she said, wincing.

I facepalmed. “Of course she is.”





Sunset ran through the halls, trying to find Jake. 

“Why does this castle have to be so big?” Sunset said to no-one in particular.

She wandered for a few more minutes until she somehow wound up back in the library. 

“Oh, who am I kidding?” she said aloud, hopping onto the couch and lying down.

A few minutes later, the door to the library shot open, startling Sunset enough to knock her off the couch.

“There you are!” said the angry voice of Twilight Sparkle.

“Oh hey, Twilight. Jake was just looking for-“ Sunset started to say.

“What do you think you’re doing here?!” Twilight cut off. “First Flash Sentry, and now you try to steal Jake too?!”

Sunset rolled her eyes and groaned. “For the millionth time, I. Don’t. Like. Flash! We’re just friends! And I’m not trying to steal Jake from you either!”

“Then why do you keep coming over to see him?!” Twilight asked.

“What is the big deal? You already share him with another mare,” Sunset countered.

Twilight took a deep breath and rubbed her forehead. “The big deal is that...*sigh* I don’t know, okay? But I still want to know why you keep coming over to see him!”

“I like him, okay? I came over to...to ask him if he extend what you and Starlight have with him to me. Starlight was okay with it,” Sunset admitted.

“Wait, Starlight was okay with this?” Twilight asked, confused.

“Yeah, don’t ask why,” Sunset answered.

Just then, the door to the library swung open again, startling both mares.

“Twilight, good, you’re here. We need to talk. Now!” Jake said, angrily.

“Jake, what’s going on?” Twilight asked.

“Just...sit down!” Jake ordered.

Twilight quickly and quietly did as Jake told.

Jake brought up a chair to sit across from Twilight. Sunset stood to the side of the couch.

“Why didn’t you tell me that you had access to a human world?” Jake asked, the fury in his voice ever-so present.

A few beads of sweat rolled down Twilight’s face. “I-I didn’t think it was important.”

Jake rolled his eyes. “Please. You expect me to believe that you never even thought that I might like to see another human after not seeing one of my kind in over four years?!”

It was at this time that Spike and Starlight entered the library and stood beside Sunset.

“I-I thought you were okay with your life in Equestria,” Twilight stuttered.

Jake let out a sigh. “I am, really. But I still can’t help feeling...misplaced. My life here, with you, is amazing, but still...imagine being stuck in another world where you were the only one of your kind. You’d get lonely too, even if you did have a lot of friends.”

Twilight tried to respond as a tears rolled down her face.

“Now, seriously,” Jake said, much more calmly. “Why didn’t you tell me about your portal? I won’t judge you.”

Twilight looked away from Jake as more tears ran down her face. “I-I didn’t tell you about the portal because...because I-I didn’t w-want repeat o-of what happened two years ago,” Twilight admitted.

Jake felt a twinge of sympathy for Twilight. He got up and took her in a deep hug. “That’s completely understandable. But it still hurts that you felt like you need to hide this from me. You don’t have to worry about me leaving you again, you got that?” Jake demonstrated his point by giving her a kiss on the forehead.

Twilight looked up at Jake with teary eyes. “I-I’m sorry, Jake.”

“It’s okay, you were scared and you had every right to be.” Jake looked at Sunset. “But...I would like to see this world.”

“Really?” Twilight asked, rubbing the tears out of her eyes.

“Just for a week. Don’t worry, I won’t put you through before, I promise,” Jake said.

“This kinda reminds me of me and Sunburst,” Starlight mumbled.

“What do-you know what, story for another day,” Sunset said, waving her hoof at Starlight.

Twilight sniffled a few times before getting off the couch. “Well...if you want to go see Sunset’s world...I guess I can’t stop you.”

Sunset gave a little squeak of excitement, earning her mixed looks from everyone in the room. “Sorry.”

Spike gave a yawn and stretched his arms. “Well, I don’t know about you guys, but I’m gonna hit the hay.”

Starlight put a hoof to her mouth and yawned as well. “Same here. See you all in the morning.”

Sunset and Twilight looked up at me. “So...” Sunset began.

“I’m gonna stay here tonight and come over to your world tomorrow. You go ahead and go back for now, and I’ll see you tomorrow,” Jake said.

“Alright. See you tomorrow,” Sunset said, leaving the library.

Twilight and I were left alone. There was an awkward silence throughout the library. 

“So...” Twilight said, breaking the silence. “Can I ask you something?”

“Sure,” Jake replied.

Twilight rubbed her right forehoof with her left forehoof. “Sunset said something about extending our herd to her and that Starlight was okay with it.”

“Yeah?” 

“A-Are you okay with it?” Twilight asked.

Jake looked away form his marefriend. He knew this question was coming, but he wasn’t really sure how to answer it.

“W-Well...I told Sunset I would be happy to bring her into the herd, but I’m still not sure to be honest. I kinda suggested that I spend a week in her world as kind of like a trial of some sort,” Jake admitted, rubbing the back of his head.

“O-Oh,” Twilight said.

“I-Is that okay?” Jake asked.

“I-I guess. I mean, I already share you with Starlight, but...I guess it’s gonna be lonely without you here, now that we’re, you know...” Twilight explained.

Jake knelt down and cupped Twilight’s cheeks. “Listen to me. No matter what happens between me and Sunset, you will always be in my heart. I love you, and nothing can change that.” 

Twilight wrapped her hooves around Jake as the two of them hugged.

The hug lasted for a few seconds before Jake stood up. “Come on, it’s your night with me. Let’s make it a good one.”
> This was...unexpected
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Today was the day. I was going through the portal to Sunset Shimmer's world. I call it that instead of Earth because Twilight told me that the world on the other side of her portal didn't really match my description of my old world. 

Anyhow, Twilight gave me a few heads-ups for when I cross through, such as Sunset will look like a human and that I'd be appearing right in front of a school. It was Saturday, so I didn't have to worry about interrupting anything. 

Twilight also told me that she has a journal that she can use to communicate with Sunset without going over there in case of emergency, though I made her promise not to use it too much. She told me that Sunset would be waiting for me on the other side.

I looked directly at the portal. It was a mirror, so I was just staring at my own reflection. 

"Nervous?" Twilight asked me. 

I looked back at her, Starlight, and Spike. They were all here to see me off. 

"No," I replied. "It's just gonna be weird, being with my own kind after so long."

"I-If you want, I-I could go with you for a few minutes just until you get used to things," Twilight offered.

I shook my head. "Nope, I am doing this on my own."

Twilight hung her head in defeat. "A-Alright then, I hope you have a good time."

Seeing the sad look on one of the faces I'd come to love, I couldn't help but frown. I knelt down and cupped Twilight's cheeks in my hands. 

"I promise you, I won't leave you like I did two years ago. And no matter what may happen between me and Sunset, I will always love you." I demonstrated my point by giving her a kiss on the forehead, below her horn.

Twilight threw her hooves around me in a tight hug. "I know, I'm just gonna really, really, really miss you," she responded, tightening the hug with every 'really'.

I chuckled as I let go and walked over to Starlight and hugged her too. 

"See you in a week," she said in a much more cheery tone than Twilight.

I simply responded by giving her a kiss in the side of her head.

I then stood up to face Spike.

"Have fun, Jake. And tell Sunset I said hi," Spike said, waving a claw.

"Thanks, buddy, and I will," I responded.

With that, I finally looked back at the mirror. I put my hand against the surface, and it sunk in just a little. My hand felt cold and a little numb in the other side. I wasn't sure if the portal was instantaneous or not, so I didn't know if my hand was sticking out in Sunset's world.

I finally decided to stop putting it off and stepped through. To answer my own question, no, the trip was not at all instantaneous. The second I stepped through, I was falling through a vortex lined with rainbows. Only, I wasn't technically falling, I was moving forward. And I wasn't just moving straight in through. No, no, no, I was swirling though. It felt disorienting as all hell. Part of me thought Twilight hadn't prepared me for this on purpose, but I didn't have time to think about that. 

The trip, disorienting as it was, was at least short, and I felt myself being pushed out, onto solid ground. I skidded to a halt on one foot, still a little dizzy.

"See what I mean? There has got to be a way to fix that," I heard a familiar voice ask behind.

With a hand rested on my forehead, I turned around to see a girl about my height with a familiar skin tone and a familiar hairstyle. She was wearing an aquamarine skirt and a black, leather jacket, along with some dark blue leggings and some black heels. An odd combination when you think about it, but it seemed to work.

"S-Sunset" I asked.

Sunset simply stared as I got a better look at her. 'If I thought she was hot before... Wait, whoa, whoa, no, no, no, that makes me a-'

"Y-You're...younger," Sunset stuttered, interrupting my thought.

Sorry, what?

"I-I-I...I'm what?" I managed to stammer out.

Sunset searched her pockets until she pulled out a smartphone. She hit a few buttons and swiped a few screens until she showed me the screen.

The screen was on selfie mode, so I could see myself. Sure enough, as Sunset had pointed out, I appeared younger than before. I was a bit shorter, and my skin had gotten a little brighter and smoother. My hair was also combed back and covered in gel, so much so that I there was sunlight bouncing off of it. I was wearing the same clothes as before, a pair of jeans, a white shirt, and a brown jacket. 

"Huh, didn't see that coming," I said to myself. Now that I heard myself, I sounded younger too.

"Well, the portal does kind of make those who go through it older or younger. For instance, when Twilight came here, she was my age, but in Equestria, I'm a few years older than her," Sunset explained.

"It's like the portal knows where it is and adjusts its users accordingly," I said, motioning toward the high school.

Sunset followed my gaze and nodded. "I see what you mean. The is where I go to school, by the way, CHS, short for Canterlot High School."

I looked at Sunset with confusion. "Canterlot? What do you mean?"

"Oh, Twilight didn't tell you?" I shook my head. "Well, a lot of the places here have the same name as in Equestria. And did Twilight tell you about my...friends here at all?" I shook my head again. Sunset chuckled before she continued. "Oh, well, a few things you need to know. First, we refer to Twilight as Princess Twilight. I know it may seem a little weird to you for...obvious reasons, but you'll see why. Second, my friends will look and sound...and act extremely familiar, but keep in mind that you don't know them. You've never even met them."

"What do you mean? What are you hiding?" I half-joked.

Sunset gave me a wink. "You'll see."

Just then, her phone buzzed.

"Oh, well would you look at that. I just got a text from my friends, and they were wondering if I wanted to hang out at the mall," Sunset said.

"Do your friends know about me?" I asked.

"A little bit, but they don't really know about you're...relationship status, if you know what I mean," Sunset answered.

"Yeah, I'm not entirely sure how anyone would react to my...relationship," I agreed. "Anyhow, I'd love to meet your friends."

Sunset tilted her head and smiled. "Really?"

"Yeah, why not?" I smiled back.

Sunset shrugged. "Okay, but like I said, you don't know them, no matter how familiar they look. Anyhow, if we hurry, we should be able to catch a bus to the mall. I'd drive us, but I don't exactly have a car...or a license."

"That's fine. I had my license before I appeared in Equestria, but I wasn't really big on using it," I responded.

"Alright, let's go. The bus stop's not too far from here."





A few minutes later, Sunset and I were walking around the mall. She said she got a text from her friends, telling her they were in the food court, which was all the way on the opposite side, so we had a bit of walking to do.

"Just out of curiosity," I started. "Have you had any boyfriends in the past?"

Sunset stayed silent, but I noticed her look away from me with an ashamed look on her face.

"Everything okay?" I asked, slowing down a little.

Sunset sighed. "Yeah, I've had a boyfriend before, but I kinda treated him...very, very poorly."

"It's alright, you can tell me. I promise I won't judge," I said, taking her hand in mine.

Sunset stayed silent for a moment. "Remember what I told you, about abandoning my studies with Princess Celestia and coming here?" I nodded. "Well, I figured that I'd need to...climb the ranks, if I was ever gonna, you know, succeed in what I had planned to do. And I figured, why not dating? Anyhow, remember the guy I told you about, who Twilight liked?"

"Yeah, you said his name was like, Flash Central, something like that," I said, nodding my head.

"Close, Flash Sentry. Anyhow, when I first came to this world, Flash was the most popular freshman in CHS...so I decided to use that to my advantage. I kinda...dated him for a while, so I could become a bit more popular." She withdrew her hand form mine. "But whenever we were together, I'd just...order him around and treat him like crap." She paused. "We've become friends again, and I know that all that's in the past, but...I just can't help but feel guilty whenever I see him." By the time Sunset had finished, there were tears forming in her eyes, and she couldn't make eye contact with me.

I could feel how sad Sunset was, so I stepped forward and wrapped my arms around her, one arm around her back, and the other on the back on her head.

"It's alright, I'm glad you told me. I know that it's hard to let go of something that personal, but it's not like he hates you or anything like that. You said he wanted to be friends right?" I said, lightly stroking her hair.

Sunset backed away just enough to make eye contact. "Y-Yeah."

I moved both of my hands to her shoulders. "Then there you go. Just be his friend."

Sunset smiled and leaned forward to hug me, standing on one foot even. "Oh, thank you so much, Jake! You're such a good listener."

I chuckled as I returned the hug. "Some say it's my best quality."

We continued walking, our hands still joined. 

"So, why'd you wanna know about my relationship with Flash?" Sunset suddenly asked.

I tilted my head and smiled. "Just to see who I should talk to, so I could take you on a date."

Sunset stopped and blushed furiously. "D-Date? I-I-I th-thought this w-was just a...t-trial."

I turned and smiled at the embarrassed, but cute teen. "It is, so how are we gonna find out if we should be in a relationship with a real date first?"

"I-I-I honestly wasn't expecting that. I really figured we would just kinda...hang out for the week and decide," Sunset admitted, still blushing.

"What good is a relationship trial without a relationship?" I smirked...until I realized something. "Yeesh, I sound like Twilight."

We both stood there, laughing, until something behind me caught Sunset's eye.

"There're my friends. Come on, let's go introduce you!" Sunset said, grabbing my hand and walking toward a group of girls.

One of the girls noticed us and waved. "Hey look, Sunset's here," I heard her say. I don't know why, but she sounded extremely familiar.

Once we got closer, I got a good look at the six girls waiting for us.

First, the one who spoke had lavender skin and dark purple hair with a light pink streak that ran though it. She wore glasses,  a striped shirt, and a skirt.

Another girl wore a white shirt with a soccer ball in the middle, along with dark blue vest, a pink skirt, and black shorts underneath. She also had cyan skin and rainbow colored hair.

A third girl wore a simple, white shirt. She had butterscotch skin and long, pink hair that curled over her face.

Another girl wore a white buttoned shirt with a blue scarf and some jeans, along with a cowboy hat. She also had bright skin, with freckles on her cheeks, and short, blonde hair.

There was also a girl who wore a teal shirt and a dark purple skirt. She also had a pair of what looked like diamond earrings. She had plucked eyebrows and perfectly curled dark purple hair.

Finally, there was a girl who wore a white and pink tank-top and a poofy pink skirt. Her skin was a bright shade of pink, and her hair was very bubbly and a slightly darker shade of pink.

Once I went through each description in my head...my head stopped working. 

"Um, you alright there?" asked the girl with the rainbow hair.

I blinked a few times before darting my head for Sunset, to the girls, to Sunset again, and this went on for a few seconds.

"I-I...uh, I just...wha-wha...I-um...I......WHAT?!"
> Mirrored (by Peni Parker)
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

"I-I...uh, I just...wha-wha...I-um...I......WHAT?!" Jake Taylor babbled as he tried to process what he was experiencing.

When Sunset Shimmer told Jake that her friends would look, sound, and act extremely familiar, she neglected to mention that they would look, sound, and act almost exactly like his friends in Equestria. The similarities were uncanny, so much so that Jake was having trouble wrapping his head around the cosmic-level implications that they might represent.

“You alright there, sugarcube?” the girl in the cowboy hat, who was obviously Applejack, asked him. “You’re lookin paler than a chicken in a fox den.”

Jake quickly turned to Sunset as he struggled to keep his composure.

“Sunset, can I, uh...can I talk to you for a moment?” he asked, sounding like he was about to have a full-blown freak-out.

“Uh, sure,” Sunset calmly replied, sensing Jake’s current state of distress. “Be right back guys.”

As Jake and Sunset walked over to a nearby fountain, the girl in the teal shirt and dark purple skirt, whom Jake had figured was Rarity, spoke up.

“What a strange fellow,” she commented.

“I’ll say,” the girl with the rainbow hair, clearly Rainbow Dash, agreed.

“I don’t know, I think he’s kind of…cute,” the girl with the glasses, who could only be Twilight, commented.

Once Jake and Sunset were alone by the fountain, Jake made all of his thoughts and feeling known.

“Wha-What the hell, Sunset?” He remarked in a muted, yet unsettled, manner.

“What? I told you my friends would seem familiar,” Sunset reminded him, trying to sound as calming as possible.

“Yeah, well, ‘familiar’ isn’t the word I would’ve used,” Jake retorted, his voice growing in volume. “They’re literally my friends from Equestria, just as humans.”

“Jake, calm down,” Sunset tried to tell him before he created a scene.

“I mean, is this whole world is just some kind of spin-off of Equestria?” Jake continued, ignoring Sunset.

“Jake!” Sunset sternly exclaimed as she told hold of both his shoulders. “I need you to calm down.”

Jake stared at Sunset and managed to calm down a little. Once she let go of his shoulders, he took a seat on the edge of the fountain.

“I’m sorry, Sunset,” he apologized. “It’s just, this whole world has been a bit of a shock so far. Twilight told me it wasn’t exactly like the world I came from, but I wasn’t expecting it to be so much like Equestria.”

Sunset sat down next to Jake, feeling a bit responsible for his current state.

“I’m sorry too, Jake,” she said. “I should’ve been more direct and forward about my friends. This may be a world of humans, but yes, it’s very similar to Equestria in a number of ways, including the people. Forgive me?”

“There’s nothing to forgive, Sunset, you didn’t do anything wrong.” Jake explained as he took hold of Sunset’s right hand, causing the girl to blush. “Now come on, I’d like to go meet your friends, for real.”

Sunset didn’t say anything right away as she was too focused on Jake’s hand holding hers. Even though this wasn’t the first time there’d been physical contact between them, there was something different about them holding hands. It made her feel warm…in her heart.

“O-Okay,” she eventually, and bashfully, replied as the two of them stood up and made their way back over to Sunset’s friends, still holding hands.

Sunset’s friends had been discussing various things amongst themselves while Jake and Sunset were off talking by the fountain. The bubbly pink girl, Pinkie Pie, was the first to notice that the two friends were on their way back over to them.

“Oh my gosh, look! They’re holding hands!” she pointed out to the rest of the group.

All of the girls gave an audible gasp upon seeing Jake and Sunset holding hands.

“Oh my, are they dating?” The long, pink haired girl, Fluttershy, asked.

“I bet they are~!” Rarity flamboyantly remarked.

“Come on guys, they’re not dating,” Twilight nervously spoke up. “If they were, Sunset probably would’ve told us. They’re just…close…is all.”

The group stopped talking as soon as Jake and Sunset were within earshot.

“Sorry about that, guys,” Sunset apologized to the group.

“Totally my fault,” Jake interjected. “I have, um, social anxiety sometimes. Anyway, it’s nice to meet you all. I’m Jake Taylor.”

Both Jake and Sunset couldn’t help but notice the various suggestive stares they were receiving. That’s when they noticed they were still holding hands. They quickly ceased the gesture and tried to down-play any meaning it held.

"So...what was that?" Pinkie asked in a suggestive tone.

“Uh, I was just holding Jake's hand to, um, help with his anxiety,” Sunset nervously explained, but the blush on her face suggested otherwise.

“Sure you were, Sunset,” Rainbow Dash acerbically remarked before turning towards Jake. “I’m Rainbow Dash, and that’s Applejack, Rarity, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, and Twilight.”

The girls gave various ‘Hello’s and ‘Hi’s to Jake before they proceeded with the inevitable barrage of questions.

“So, Jake, how do you know Sunset?” Rarity asked, in an almost prodding fashion.

Jake was unsure how to answer Rarity’s question. Sunset had mentioned that her friends knew a little about him, but he wasn’t sure if she’d told them about how’d been living in Equestria for the last four years. He looked over to Sunset as if pleading with her to field the question.

“Oh, Jake and I met when I went to visit Princess Twilight. He lives with her,” Sunset brazenly said.

“What?!” the group collectively exclaimed.

Even Jake was a bit surprised. He hadn’t expected Sunset to reveal that he was from Equestria just yet.

“You’re from Equestria like Sunset?” Fluttershy meekly asked.

“Well, not exactly,” Jake replied, feeling like he’d just gone from the frying pan, directly into the fire. “See, I’m actually from a different human world, and I somehow ended up in Equestria four years ago. Twilight...Princess Twilight took me in, and I’ve been staying with her ever since. Well, except for the parts where I traveled Equestria for a while.”

“You’re originally from another human world?!” Twilight stated as she invaded Jake’s personal space.

“Um, yeah,” Jake clarified, feeling a little uncomfortable with how close Twilight was to him at the moment.

“Oh. My. Gosh! I have so many questions!” the glasses-wearing girl excitedly shouted. “What’s your world like? Is it similar to this one? How exactly did you end up in Equestria? Did you become a pony while there? Have you had relations with ponies? What are…”

“Okay, Twi, I think you’re overwhelming Jake a bit,” Sunset interjected as she backed the girl up a few steps.

“S-Sorry,” Twilight embarrassingly apologized.

“It’s fine, Twilight.” Jake assured her. “I’ll be happy to answer any questions you have. How about we all get something to eat and talk?”

The girls all agreed to Jake’s suggestion and headed to the food court. Once they got some food the questions resumed. Much to Jake’s relief, the questions weren’t too personal. They were mostly things like “How do you like living in Equestria?” and “Do you miss your world?”. He was afraid that Twilight or one of the others would ask about his relationships with ponies again, but thankfully no one did. Eventually, Sunset’s friends left one-by-one for various reasons, telling Jake that it was nice meeting him just before leaving. Soon enough, it was just Jake, Sunset, and Twilight.

“I have to go to the bathroom, be right back,” Sunset said as she got up from the table, leaving Jake and Twilight alone for a few minutes.

“Hey, Jake,” Twilight solemnly spoke up once Sunset was gone. “I’m really sorry about earlier. I let my curiosity get the better of me and got carried away with my questions. I shouldn’t have asked you about such personal things.”

“It’s alright, Twilight.” Jake ardently replied. “I understand your curiosity, I was the same way when I first got to Equestria. I was so full of questions that I started rambling and Princess Twilight actually had to put her hooves over my mouth to get me to stop.”

Twilight giggled at the thought of Princess Twilight doing such a thing to Jake.

"Also, I live with Princess Twilight, remember?" Jake added.

Twilight went from giggling to full-on laughing at Jake's comment.

“You’re a really nice guy, Jake,” she sweetly remarked after she had calmed down.

“Well, I try,” Jake humbly jested, causing the two of them to share another laugh just as Sunset returned.

“Wow, you two seem to have become friends quickly,” Sunset commented as she sat back down at the table, wondering what it was that Jake and Twilight were laughing about.

“Well, Jake’s just a really sweet guy,” Twilight said as she slyly placed her left hand over Jake’s right hand, causing Jake to involuntarily shiver.

Twilight’s actions didn’t go unnoticed by Sunset.

“Okay, well, we really have get going now, right Jake?” She anxiously said as she once again got up from the table, this time grabbing Jake’s left arm and dragging him behind her.

“Um, yeah, I guess so,” Jake confusedly replied. “See ya', Twilight.”

“Goodbye, Jake,” Twilight called out back to him.

As Sunset dragged Jake through the mall, he got the strangest feeling of déjà vu.







Sunset took Jake back to her apartment, where she proceeded to vent her frustrations about what had just happened at the mall.

“Ugh, I can’t believe Twilight got that fresh with you!” she shouted, pacing back and forth in front of the couch Jake was sitting on, wearing purple pajamas with her Cutie Mark on her chest. “This is supposed to be our time to get to know each other better, our date!”

“Well, you never actually told her that, Sunset,” Jake calmly pointed out.

“Yeah, well…” Sunset tried to come up with a retort but couldn’t. Jake was right; Twilight had no way of she and Jake were dating. “Okay, fair point. But I’m still not happy about it. You’re only here for a week, and I want to spend as much of that time with you as possible.”

“I know you do, Sunset.” Jake replied as he got up from the couch and pulled Sunset into a hug. “I want to spend as much of this week with you too. But I also want to get to know you’re friends. If we’re going to be dating, I have to make sure you’re not running around with any psychos or serial killers.”

Sunset was initially confused by Jake’s words, but quickly figured out he was joking about that last part.

“Haha, very funny,” she sarcastically stated as she returned the hug.

Jake and Sunset hugged in silence for a good minute before Sunset broke the hug.

“It’s getting kind of late, how about we turn in for the night?” she craftily suggested.

Jake looked over to a nearby clock and saw that it was getting late. Plus, it had been a rather eventful day, and he was feeling a bit tired.

“Sounds good to me.” He agreed. “So, should I just take the couch then?”

“Oh, I don’t think so,” Sunset seductively answered as she once again grabbed hold of him, this time dragging him up to the loft, where the bed was. “You’re bunking with me," she added with a wink.

“W-What?!” Jake apprehensively remarked as he felt his heart skip a beat.

“What’s the big deal?” Sunset playfully asked as they reached the top of the loft. “I know you’ve shared a bed with Princess Twilight and Starlight in Equestria.”

This was true, Jake often slept with either Twilight or Starlight on any given night back in Equestria. But they were...well ponies.

“Y-Yeah, I have,” Jake nervously stated. “But honestly, I’ve never shared a bed with a human girl before.”

And just like that, Sunset realized just what kind of uncomfortable position she’d put Jake in. She quickly dropped the seductive girlfriend act.

“Oh my gosh, I’m so sorry Jake, I didn’t even think about that,” she apologized. “Please, don’t feel that you have to share a bed with me if you don’t want to.”

“No, no, I do want to, Sunset. Trust me, I...do” Jake profusely assured her as he took hold of her shoulders. “I’m just nervous is all.”

Sunset could feel Jake’s sincerity at wanting to share a bed with her.

“I understand,” she told him a she placed her hand on Jake’s cheek. “We’ll take things slow tonight and figure things out as we go along, okay?”

“Alright,” Jake said as he smiled and let go of Sunset’s shoulders.

The two of them got into the bed, Sunset on the left and Jake on the right. They faced each other as the wrapped their arms around their partner in a warm and loving embrace, Jake caressing Sunset's cheek, and Sunset wrapping one of her legs around Jake's.

“Hmmm, this is nice.” Jake happily commented.

“Yeah it is.” Sunset agreed as she nuzzled her head into Jake’s chest.

Soon enough, both Jake and Sunset drifted off into a peaceful and happy sleep.
> Bonding and a rather...awkward conversation conversation
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

I woke up, somehow remembering where I was. Sure enough, Sunset was still snuggled up against me. For once, the sun wasn’t shining directly into my eye, so I stayed down for a few minutes until I got restless.

I wiggled a little to pull her closer. Her head was still buried in my chest, so I moved her so that her head was just below mine...only to realize that she had terrible morning breath.

I held down an audible *gag* as pulled the blanket off me and got out of bed. The gel was still in my hair from the day before, and it was driving me absolutely crazy. I hadn’t worn gel a whole lot in my lifetime, just for the...what was it called? The “Grand Galloping Gala?” something like that. I don’t know; I was bored out of my mind after Twilight invited me as her plus one a few years back.

No, not Twilight, Princess Twilight. I’ve really gotta get that under control. I know it’s gonna be annoying when I get back, because I’ll probably be used to calling her “Princess” by then, even though she’s my marefriend...and okay, it’s way too early for this much thinking.

I looked over at Sunset’s alarm clock and saw that...it wasn’t actually that early, just the normal time I got up. I made my way to the bathroom to get a shower...only to realize I hadn’t brought any extra clothes from Equestria. 

Between this and meeting Sunset’s friends, I was 0 for 2 now. 

When I got back to the bedroom, Sunset was stirring awake, groaning a slowly opening her eyes.

“Jake? Jake, where are you?” she asked, rubbing her eyes.

“I’m right here. H-Hey, you don’t happen to have any...deodorant do you?” I asked sheepishly.

She slowly sat up and stretched her arms. “Deodorant? Uh, yeah, I have some, but why do you...what’s so funny?”

I was looking away from her, snickering. Sunset’s hair was sticking out, ninety degrees to her right, and it looked hilarious.

“It’s my hair isn’t it?” Sunset deadpanned.

I nodded, keeping my eyes closed as to not break out laughing.

Sunset gave an audible huff as I heard her get up and walk past me. I opened my eyes and heard water running in the bathroom. 

I slowly walked over and knocked on the door. “S-Sunset?”

“Oh, right. Um...don’t look. I’ll hand you the deodorant,” Sunset said on the other side of the door.

The door opened, and I got an ever-so-small glimpse. The room was a little steamy, and I saw just a little bit of Sunset before quickly looking away. 

'Yeah...we’re not there quite yet'

I felt something poke my arm and cautiously grabbed onto it. Luckily, when I heard the door close, I felt relieved. I took a look at what Sunset handed my: a stick of deodorant.

“Thanks, Sunset,” I said through the door.

“No problem, Jake. I don’t usually take too long in here, so I’ll be right out, and then you can use it if you need to,” Sunset replied.

Nothing to do, I went into the kitchen and looked for something to eat.





A few minutes later, I had come up with nothing for breakfast. If only Spike were here. Then again, he’s a baby dragon in Equestria, so I’m not entirely sure...how old he’d be. I was 27 back in my world, but the portal made me younger, so...again, too much thinking.

I had taken to sitting on the couch and reading a book. After a few minutes, I heard the door to the bathroom open and the door to the bedroom close.

Another few minutes later, Sunset came out, wearing a new outfit. She had the same black leather jacket as before, as well as an orange shirt underneath. She also wore a purple and orange skirt, with a pair of black boots.

Her hair was done up in the same style as yesterday, but it still looked a little wet...as well as the rest of her body…

Sunset chuckled. “You, uh, got a little...situation going there.”

I shot up from the couch and turned to the side, blushing with embarrassment. Sunset started laughing even harder. 

“It’s not funny!” I said, but Sunset kept laughing. “Stop it! Stop laughing!” At this point I could admit it was a little funny, and was just messing with Sunset. 

“Oh-ho, I’m sorry. Anyway, did you get anything to eat?” Sunset asked.

“No, I’m not really big on cooking,” I replied.

“That’s fine. I’ll get something started here. I am starving,” Sunset said, walking into her kitchen-that-was-really-just-an-extension-of-her-living-room.

“I’m gonna go freshen up a little and wash the gel out of my friggin’ hair,” I said, exaggerating the last part. 

“Yeah, you go ahead and ‘freshen up’,” Sunset called as I walked down the hall.

“Shut up!” I called back.





A few minutes later, after I got rid of the stench of my sweat from yesterday and the gel out of my hair, I walked back into the kitchen.

Sunset was at the stove, making what looked like pancakes, and singing to herself.

“Makin’ pancakes~
Makin’ bacon pancakes~
Take a bacon, and I put it in a pancake~
Bacon pancakes, that’s what it’s gonna make~
Bacon pancakes~!”

I smiled. Sunset sounded really good. If I didn’t know any better, I’d say she was in a band.

Sunset kept signing to herself as she finished making pancakes until she turned around with two plates of pancakes and another plate of...could it be? 

“Oh, hey, I made bacon and pancakes. I hope you like them,” Sunset said, placing the plates on the table.

It was. It was...bacon!

“You look a little...distracted there,” Sunset stated, pulling me out of my daydream.

“S-Sorry. It’s just, you have no idea how long it’s been since I’ve had bacon,” I sheepishly replied. Then something occurred to me. “You eat meat? Aren't you like...appalled by meat since you’re, you know, a pony?”

“No, I don’t eat meat, but I figured you might since you’re human. And no, I’m not ‘appalled’ by meat; I’ve long come to accept the fact that people here eat meat,” Sunset replied.

I put a few pancakes on my plate, as well as a few...okay, a lot of slices of bacon, and took a bite.

It was good, but I made sure not to get carried away.

“Anyhow,” I said, getting Sunset’s attention, who was cutting her pancakes. “You’re a good singer. Do you perform?”

“Oh, yeah. I’m in a band with my friends, in fact,” Sunset answered.

I mentally facepalmed. “What do you call yourselves?”

“The Rainbooms,” Sunset replied, matter-of-factly.

I chuckled on the inside. “Let me guess: Rainbow Dash started it?”

Sunset laughed a little. “Well, duh. They actually started the band before I was their friend, and then there was the whole incident at the Fall...Formal,” she said, a frown on her face to finish.

“That was the when you...you know, right?” I asked just for clarification.

Sunset simply nodded, unable to look at me.

I scooted over and wrapped my arm around her for a comforting hug. “Hey, that’s in the past. I wasn’t there, so I’m not gonna make a big deal about it, okay?”

Sunset rested her head on my shoulder. “Thank you, Jake. I can’t believe I was the one to accidentally bring that up. Usually, it’s one of my friends, who always say ‘no offense’, and I pretend not to be offended, even though it hurts and…” I could hear her start to cry.

I patted her head with my free hand. 

“I’m so messed up,” she said between sobs.

“No, Sunset, you’re not.” I held her chin up with my hand. “Sure, you’ve made a lot of mistakes, but like I said, I wasn’t there for that, so, quite frankly, it doesn’t really matter to me.”

Sunset smiled at me through teary eyes. Looking at her like that, I couldn’t help but think of Starlight back in Equestria. These two had so much in common. 

Nevertheless, I decided to change the subject. “So, any plans for today?”

Sunset blinked the tears out of her eyes. “Well, my friends and I did have plans to see a movie, so I guess you could come if you wanted to. Why do you ask?”

I paused a moment. This next part was gonna be the sheer definition of awkward. 

“Well...I kinda wanted to tell them about our...relationship…” I said.

“Really? Okay, then,” Sunset interrupted.

“You didn’t let me finish. I want to tell them about our relationship, and...my other relationships,” I finished, wincing toward the end.

Sunset actually shook a little. “W-What? Don’t you think they’ll think it’s, oh I don’t know, weird?”

“Maybe, but I have a reason for it, and I don’t think you’re gonna be the biggest fan of it,” I answered.

“This oughta be good,” Sunset muttered.

“Well, I know for a fact that you saw how your Twilight was yesterday,” I began, pausing to let her think.

Sunset rolled her eyes and groaned. “Don’t remind me. Now I really see why Princess Twilight acted the way she did.”

“Yeah, well, I know that you didn’t like it, but it felt awkward as all hell for me. So, I figured if she knew about my...relationship status, she’d, for lack of a better term, back off,” I explained.

“Okay, but why not just tell them about us? Why tell them about Princess Twilight and Starlight too?” Sunset asked.

“Well, you see, remember when I told you about my travels across Equestria when we first me?” Sunset nodded. “Well, as it turns out, Twilight had a crush on me ever since I left, and that crush only intensified when I returned. The whole time, though, I had no idea. So...I kinda fell in love with Starlight first.”

“I’m not following,” Sunset interrupted again.

“When Twilight found out, although, I’m still not sure how, she spent the next two days straight in her room, crying. If I tell your Twilight about just us, I’m afraid she might do the same. But if I tell her about me and my Twilight, I have a feeling she’d be fine. A little weirded out, but fine,” I finished.

“Okay, I guess that makes sense. I’ll text my friends and tell them we want to get together for that movie, and you can tell them then,” Sunset said, pulling out her phone.





A few hours later, all of us were outside the movie theater, talking about the movie we just saw. 

Considering the plot, which was just a severely cliche love story, I didn’t have much to say.

After a while, I knew I would have to bring up what I wanted to talk about, but I had no idea how. I also knew it was gonna be extremely awkward, but that would be unavoidable. Also, it’s not like I hadn’t had my fair share of that already today.

During the movie, Twilight volunteered to sit next to me so I “wouldn’t be on the end”. I could tell Sunset was a little peeved about it, but she kept it down. Anyhow, Twilight kept subtly slipping her hand over mine the entire friggin’ movie, and I didn’t want to hurt her feelings, so I just pretended to ignore it.

“Do any of you girls think that could be applied to real life?” asked Rarity, pulling me out of my thoughts.

“Well, maybe. Jake, you’re from another human world. What do you think?” asked Fluttershy.

‘Cruel irony’

“Well, I-I guess the techniques used in the movie could, uh...be used in today’s...modern society, but-”

“Jake, are ya’ okay? You seem more anxious than a group o’ ants at a picnic,” Applejack cut off.

I glanced at Sunset, who subtly nodded, so her friends couldn’t tell.

“There’s...something I think I should tell you all,” I admitted.

“Ooooooo, mysterious,” Pinkie said, twinkling her fingers.

I rolled my eyes before I could continue. “The reason I’m here...remember when you saw me and Sunset holding hands yesterday?”

I noticed Twilight’s eyes move toward the ground, while the rest of her friends eagerly nodded.

“Well...I’m kinda here as like-”

“A date?!” Pinkie asked excitedly, earning annoyed glances from everyone except me

Everyone looked back at me with anticipation. 

“I, uh...guess you could call it that,” I said, sheepishly rubbing the back of my head.

Twilight’s shoulders drooped and her eyes looked like they were about to fill with tears.

“Hold on, didn’t you say you lived in Sunset’s old world? I’m surprised you would want to give up your life there,” Rarity said.

“Well, there’s more,” I responded.

The table became dead silent. I wasn’t sure how to say this next part.

“Umm...remember yesterday when one of you asked about my relationship with ponies in Equestria?” I asked.

A few of them nodded, while a few of them slowly shook their heads.

“Well, I’m also...in a relationship with Princess Twilight...as well as another mare,” I admitted.

“I’m sorry, but are you saying that you’re dating Princess Twilight, as well as cheating on her with not only Sunset, but another girl as well?” Rainbow Dash, clearly confused.

“Well, no-” I started.

“That’s what it sounds like to me,” Applejack cut off, Rarity and Fluttershy nodding as well.

“Well, actually-”

“They share him,” Sunset cut off.

Everyone looked at Sunset like she was crazy, including Twilight, to my surprise. 

“They what now?” Applejack asked.

“They share him,” Sunset repeated.

“I-It’s true. Princess Twilight shares me with another mare as their boyfriend,” I added.

Rainbow Dash shook her head. “I-I-I’m sorry, how does that work exactly?”

I chuckled a little. “Don’t ask me. It’s really confusing. It just kinda...works. I don’t really know how, but it does.”

“And now you’re here to be Sunset’s boyfriend too?” Rarity asked.

“Well...yeah,” was all I could say.

“Al...right then, as long as yer’ happy, Ah guess,” Applejack sighed.

“Asking questions obviously isn’t going to help. Although...you aren't dating us over there, are you?” Rarity asked.

I shook my head furiously. “No, no, no, I’m not I'm just friends with all of you over there.”

“Well...I guess I’m happy for you two then. Although, I wouldn’t mind if we didn’t bring this up ever again,” Twilight spoke up.

‘Well, that mission’s officially accomplished’

“I think I agree with Twilight. All this thinking kinda hurts,” Rainbow added.

“So, then I guess we could go do something else. It’s only noon,” Sunset said, looking at her phone.

“You know, I don’t know about you guys, but I could really go for some ice cream right about now,” Rainbow Dash suggested.

All of us nodded in agreement and got up to go, Sunset and me holding hands.

The two of us lingered behind the others a little when Twilight called us to talk to her.

“I’m...not gonna lie, I was kinda attracted to you, Jake, when we first met, so sorry if I made you feel uncomfortable at all,” Twilight confessed.

Sunset and I chuckled. “Yeah, we noticed. Don’t feel bad about making me uncomfortable, you had no idea,” I said.

“Yeah, but be honest, did you tell all of us that so I would back off?” Twilight asked.

I couldn’t help but blush with embarrassment, and Sunset did the same.

Twilight chuckled when we did. “It’s fine if you did.”

I sighed. “Yeah, we did. Don’t take it the wrong way, though. The right guy for you’s out there, he’s just not me.”

“Hey, you guys coming or what?” Rainbow called to us.

We all looked and saw that we had stopped walking, and they had gotten pretty far ahead of us.

“Come on, I need some mint chip in me,” Sunset said.

We all shared a giggle and caught up with the rest of the group.
> Moving Forward
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The rest of the day was spent eating ice cream and talking about past experiences. I told very little about my childhood, especially the death of my parents. I had never met any of my friends’ parents in Equestria, save for Twilight’s, so these stories were still somewhat new to me. 

For instance, Rainbow Dash told of a time when she and Fluttershy went to the zoo, and Fluttershy ended up somehow communicating with one of the gorillas. She didn’t have any pictures of it on her phone, but I could imagine it was adorable; it is Fluttershy we’re talking about, after all.

Anyhow, once the sun started going down, Fluttershy, Rarity, and Pinkie Pie had to leave, so now it was just me, Sunset, Twilight, Applejack, and Rainbow Dash.

“Just out of curiosity, Jake, how exactly did you and Sunset meet again?” Twilight asked.

Before I could answer, Rainbow Dash pulled out her phone and held the camera toward me. I looked at her with a confused expression.

“What? You know Rarity’s gonna wanna hear this. I’m recording it for her,” Rainbow explained.

“Umm, sure,” I replied. “So, I met Sunset when I was hanging out alone in Princess Twilight’s castle; everyone else was busy, and I wanted some time to myself. Anyhow, I’m sitting in the library, and I hear this loud crash from another room.”

“Wait, are you saying that Princess Twilight has her own library?” Twilight cut off excitedly.

“Well, it is a mirrored version of you we’re talking about,” Sunset teased.

Twilight blush, embarrassed. “Oh, right. Go on, Jake.”

“Anyhow,” I continued. “Like I said, I heard this loud crash from another room, so I went to check it out. And there was an amber coated unicorn with a red and yellow mane that I had never seen before wobbling around, recovering from the crash. So, I asked her if she was alright, and at first she doesn’t notice me. But when she saw that I was a human, she started nailing me with questions.”

We all looked at Sunset, who started blushing furiously. 

“So we sat down, and we got to talking. She said she came to talk to Princess Twilight about something, but...kinda lost it when she heard that Princess Twilight had, direct quote here, two lovers. I got her to calm down, and we got to know each other a bit more, until Princess Twilight got back to the castle. Then…” I paused a moment to stifle a laugh. “Sunset got the genius idea to mess with Princess Twilight by grabbing onto my arm and suggesting...maybe I could have one more girlfriend.”

All heads went back to Sunset. I started laughing, and Sunset quickly joined in.

“Ah’m gonna assume Princess Twilight’s reaction was somewhat humorous,” Applejack stated.

“It’s...you haven’t known Princess Twilight quite as long as I have. I love her...but I also love messing with her,” I said in between laughs.

“You should’ve seen her. She literally dragged Jake off the couch into her room, saying ‘we’re gonna cuddle like never before!’,” Sunset added.

By this time we were all laughing. Rainbow Dash even started banging on the table. As far as I could tell, they all knew how easy it was to mess with Twilight, as well as how…rewarding it was.

Unfortunately, after we all calmed down, Applejack’s phone buzzed. She pulled it out and looked at it, a frown forming on her face. 

“What’s wrong?” Twilight asked.

“Applebloom got a project from one of her teachers, includin’ glue, paint, and glitter. She an’ her friends tried working on it on their own, and I think y’all could figure out the rest,” Applejack answered.

Sunset, Twilight, and Rainbow Dash cringed and shuddered at the farmer’s words.

“Oh boy, there’s a group of Crusaders here too?” I asked.

“Yeah. Judgin’ from yer reaction there, Ah’m assumin’ you know plenty of mah sister and her friends’ antics,” Applejack replied.

“Oh, you have no idea. The Crusaders back in Equestria are just...I love ‘em to death, but they can be a bit...much sometimes...most of the time,” I explained.

“Trust me, we know what you mean. Good luck, Applejack. See you Tuesday,” Twilight said as Applejack waved goodbye and left.

“I should get going too. Scootaloo’s probably gonna be texting me any minute now,” Rainbow Dash said, standing up.

We all said our goodbyes as she left.

“I guess I’ll leave you two alone then. This is your date, after all,” Twilight said, standing up as well.

“Wait, you don’t have to go,” Sunset said.

“Yeah, we can find something to do,” I added.

Twilight waved a hand and scoffed. “Please, I don’t wanna be a third wheel to you two. Have fun.”

“If you’re sure,” I said as Twilight walked away. I looked to Sunset and said, “Just out of curiosity, has she ever met Princess Twilight?”

“Just once. It was...regardless to say, weird. It was right after a bit of a...magical crisis, so Princess Twilight just burst through the portal and caught us all by surprise. She said something about a time-travelling pony and that it was the weirdest thing she’d ever seen...until she saw Twilight,” Sunset answered.

I cringed, knowing what she meant by “time-travelling pony”.

“You alright?” Sunset asked.

“Umm...that  ‘time-travelling pony’ just so happens to be...umm, Starlight,” I hesitantly answered.

“What?!” Sunset yelled, catching a foot of air.

“I’d honestly rather not explain it without her permission. If anything, just ask Princess Twilight next time you see her. Or, you have that journal she told me about,” I explained.

“A-Alright. I guess I can’t be too quick to judge because of the whole, you know. But still, she’s your girlfriend, not mine,” Sunset replied.

We sat there in awkward silence for a minute. We just...ran out of things to talk about.

“So uh...back to my place then?” Sunset asked.

“Uh, yeah...sure,” I answered.






Once we got back to Sunset’s apartment, I realized that we had run into a problem. There was nothing to talk about. Normally, I wouldn’t consider this a problem, but I never actually noticed it with Twilight or Starlight. Not that it hadn’t happened, but it never really...presented itself as a problem. But with Sunset, it was pretty clear. And it wouldn’t be good if this whole thing worked out.

I could tell Sunset was worried as well, because she had her eyes closed, and it looked like she was thinking hard.

“You...okay?” I asked, resting a hand on her shoulder.

Sunset popped her eyes open and looked at me. “Do you like me?”

“W-Well, yeah, duh,” I said, chuckling.

“I mean...do you want this to work out? Because it feels like we’re at a dead end,” Sunset asked.

“Of course I want this to work out. Why don’t you tell me what’s bothering you,” I said, turning my body to face her.

“It’s just, I’m afraid I’m...how do I put this, suffering in comparison,” Sunset explained.

“I’m sorry...what?” I asked, on the verge of laughing.

“I feel like I can’t...draw you as much as Twilight or Starlight. It feels like, compared to them, I don’t mean much. Don’t get me wrong, the last few days have been amazing, but I just don’t know if I’m...I don’t know, meeting your standards?”

I took a moment to let Sunset’s words sink in. It kinda made sense, in a strange sort of way. She was worried she wasn’t good enough for me.

In quick response, I pulled her close into a deep hug. She was a little surprised at first, but she slowly wrapped her arms around me too. I began stroking her fire-colored hair with one of my hands.

I pulled apart enough to look at her and said, “Sunset, you don’t have to worry about that. This week is all about me and you, not Twilight, not Starlight, just you and me. I’ll be honest, I’m not sure how this’ll all work out, but I have a really good feeling about us. I want you to be my girlfriend, really I do.”

Sunset looked down, and up at me again. “It’s just hard. Like, where do we go from here? What if it…doesn’t work out?”

I softly caressed her cheek. “Let me tell you something. When I first fell in love with Starlight, I had no idea what would happen. Part of me even thought she would blow me off just because we were different species. But when I found out that she felt the same way, everything fell into place.” I pulled her close once again, and whispered in her ear, “I don’t know where to go either, but that shouldn’t get in the-”

I was cut off by Sunset’s phone dinging. 

“...Damn, I was on a role there,” I said to myself.

Sunset blushed out of embarrassment. “S-Sorry, just a text.” She looked at the phone and squinted for a second. “Rainbow Dash asked if we wanted to go dancing with her and...Soarin.”

“Who’s Soarin?” I asked.

“One second, I’m asking Twilight,” Sunset said, typing something into her phone.

“I feel like I’ve heard his name before, but I don’t know where,” I mused.

“Same here,” Sunset agreed.

A few seconds later, Sunset got another text. She looked at her phone...and looked away, facepalming.

“What’d she say?” I asked.

“It’s Pinkie asking me who Soarin is,” Sunset answered.

A few seconds later, Sunset got another text. She looked at the phone and nodded to herself.

“Applejack says that Soarin’s the guy that Rainbow Dash has a crush on. Ring any bells?” Sunset explained.

“None whatsoever,” I responded. “Wait, wold do you mean Applejack told you?”

Sunset chuckled. “Apparently, Twilight asked Fluttershy, who asked Pinkie, who asked me and Rarity, who asked Applejack.”

I couldn’t hold back a laugh, and Sunset had trouble holding one down as well. 

“Dancing sounds fun. Gonna warn you, I have absolutely no experience,” I warned.

“Neither do I,” Sunset admitted, and we both broke down laughing, a direct contrast to a few minutes ago.

’Maybe this can work, after all’





Sunset and I walked up to the place Rainbow Dash had named. It wasn’t a bar or anything, just a restaurant with a dance floor. Outside was a big blinking sign that said “Dance Night on Sunday”. Inside was a brightly lit interior. The sun was going down, so that was pretty much the only reason I could see (I have terrible night vision). 

“Hey, there you guys are!” shouted a familiar, raspy voice.

Sunset and I both looked over to see Rainbow Dash approaching with a tall boy with extremely light blue skin, dark blue hair, a decent pair of pants (which I could barely claim to be wearing myself), and a Texas tuxedo. 

“This is Soarin,” Rainbow Dash introduced.

“Nice to meet you. I’m Sunset Shimmer,” Sunset greeted.

The boy gave a small bow and said, “Nice to finally meet you. Rainbow’s told me a little about you, and there was also the whole Fall-”

“Stop talking,” Rainbow cut off, putting her hand over his mouth.

I looked over at Sunset, who mouthed “Thank you,” to Rainbow, who nodded back.

“I’m Jake Taylor. Nice to meet you,” I greeted, extending my hand.

“You too. Soarin Skies is the name, don’t wear it out,” he responded, shaking my hand.

“So you guys wanna go inside? I’m freezing out here,” Rainbow suggested. 

With that, we all made our way inside, where we were instantly greeted by a hostess. “Welcome to Shaky’s. Dance night will begin in just a few minutes, so you’re here just in time.”

We all found an open table and ordered a few waters. 

“So, Jake, I haven’t seen you around CHS. Where you from?” Soarin asked.

“I, umm…” I trailed off.

“We come from the same place. He’s just visiting,” Sunset answered for me.

I opened my mouth to correct her, but she wasn’t technically wrong. We made small talk for a while until the lights dimmed and focused on the dance floor. 

“Alright, party people. It’s time for Dance Night!” shouted who I assumed was the DJ.

The room was filled with cheers, and I noticed that this place was packed. 

“Have you guys ever come here before?” I asked.

“Nope, this kind of a...first date,” Rainbow Dash answered, her eyes positively glowing at Soarin, who blushed on the spot.

“Are you serious? I’m so happy for you two,” Sunset said, getting up to give Rainbow a hug.

“Thanks. I just thought with you and Jake here, I might as well take a chance,” Rainbow added.

“Wait, do you mean you and Jake are dating?” Soarin asked.

“Sort of,” I answered.

“Anyhow, I’m glad she did. Being totally honest, I’ve kinda had a crush on Rainbow ever since we met in fifth grade,” Soarin said.

“Well, I’ve got a good feeling about you two,” Sunset said.

“For tonight’s theme,” shouted the DJ, regaining our attention. “80’s Rock!”

The building felt like it was shaking from how loud everyone was cheering. 

I looked at Sunset and shrugged. With that, the four of us made our way to the dance floor.



As the music started, I just did whatever I could. There was no doubt I looked absolutely stupid, but then I looked around, and so did everyone else. 

Rainbow and Soarin were dancing in what seemed like perfect synchronization. I looked at Sunset, who had a huge smile on her face. She was having a great time. She was also dancing real well. I loosened up a little and began to have a great time as well. As the song reached its chorus for the second time, everyone seemed to cheer along with it. I knew I was gonna have trouble hearing after this, but I lost myself to the music regardless.

As the song came to a close, I slowed down a little, winded. The others had trouble catching their breath as well, but we all had smiles on our faces. 

“Jake, you never told us you were such a good dancer!” Sunset yelled over the crowd.

“Wait, you think I’m a good dancer?!” I asked out of shock.

“Are you kidding? You were awesome! You’ve got some real moves!” Soarin agreed.

“If that’s what you guys say. I gotta go use the restroom, be right back,” I said, making my way through the crowd.

The bathroom was significantly quieter and more isolated than the dance floor, and sure enough, my ears were ringing.

As I made my way out the door, a boy with a black leather jacket, yellow skin, and blue spiky hair came in. 

“Excuse me,” I said, stepping out of his way.

“No problem,” he responded. “By the way, I saw you dancing out there. You’re really good.”

“So I’ve been told,” I said as I made my way back out to the dance floor.

“We’re gonna play something a little slower for y’all,” said the DJ, as the music started up once again.



As the song started, Sunset’s face flushed red as I returned.

“You, uh...ever slow dance with someone?” I asked.

“Once, a long time ago, though,” Sunset replied.

Rainbow Dash and Soarin were already embraced and swaying softly to the rhythm.

I looked back at Sunset, who couldn’t seem to make eye contact with me. 

“You alright?” I asked.

“The last person I danced with...I hurt bad. I’m just...worried-” Sunset said, but I put a finger over her mouth.

“It’s fine. We don’t have to do this if you don’t want to,” I said.

“No, I really do want to...I’m just really nervous is all,” Sunset explained.

“I’ll do my best,” I said, wrapping my hands around her waist. 

She slowly put her hands around my neck as we began swaying to the music as well. She couldn’t look at me at first, but as the song went on, she made direct eye contact with me. 

And just like that, my whole world stopped. Sunset had a smile on her face that lit a fire in my heart. Her eyes shone like a light, and nothing seemed brighter. 

I knew right then that this would work. No doubt it would be hard, even harder than my relationships with Twilight and Starlight since Sunset lives here. But still, I knew that we would overcome any difficulty that arose.

Sunset apparently felt the same because her smile suddenly turned from hesitant and worried to wholesome and sincere. Her features lifted from scared to happy. She leaned into me and completely wrapped her arms around me, resting her head against my chest.

I response, I wrapped my arms around her and rested my head atop hers. We stood there, embracing each other and swaying to the soft melodies of the music.

By the time the song had ended, we had no intention of letting go of each other. We broke our embrace, but still held our hands together. 

“You two look like you just had the time of your lives,” Rainbow joked.

“What’s it to you?” Sunset countered.

“Nothing, I’m...just saying” Rainbow said, her hands up in defense.

Sunset looked back at me. “You...wanna go back to my place?”

“I’d like that very much,” I responded.

“You two have fun. We’ll see you later,” Sunset told Rainbow and Soarin as well began making our way off the dance floor.

We looked back again as the next song started, and Rainbow and Soarin began dancing again.

“I had no idea Rainbow had a crush on him,” Sunset said to herself.

“I’m happy for them,” I said.

We turned around and ran into the boy I saw earlier in the bathroom.

“Sunset...didn’t know you were here,” he said in a dejected tone.

“F-Flash, w-what are you doing here?” Sunset asked, her tone falling.

’Oh boy, that’s Sunset’s ex-boyfriend. This is not gonna end well’
> Well...I'd say it's official
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The three of us stood inside the club, dead silent. I don’t know why I wanted to run into this guy for advice. It’s relationship 101: don’t go messing with your date’s ex.

Sunset had a look on her face that just screamed 'help!' I couldn’t imagine what was going through her head. She told me about her past relationship with this guy, so I’m gonna go out on a limb and say she didn’t want to run into him. 

And, oh God, he saw me dancing with her. This was gonna get really bad, really fast.

Flash Sentry had a similar look on his face that Sunset had: terrified. I’m not entirely sure what he’s scared about, but I didn’t want to stick around to find out.

I grabbed Sunset’s hand and quickly tried to walked past Flash. “Nice meeting you, but we should really be-”

“Flash! I got you a root-beer float. I’m not sure if you like those...Sunset Shimmer?!” said a new, familiar voice.

Sunset and I both turned our heads to see a girl with light blue skin, silver hair, a blue jacket, and a blue skirt. She had a shocked look on her face, as if she were caught doing something she shouldn’t have.

Judging from her appearance and her voice, there was only one person this could possibly be.

“Trixie?!” Sunset and I asked in unison.

“H-Hey,” Trixie responded sheepishly.

“Th-This is awkward,” said Flash, rubbing the back of his head.

“We really should be-” I started to say.

“You and Trixie?!” Sunset cut off in a stern tone. I flinched a little from how serious she sounded.

“What? I’m aloud to have a life outside of ‘generic boyfriend-guy’,” Flash responded with his own stern voice.

‘Well, this conversation has taken a turn for the unsalvageable’

I could tell Trixie was thinking the same thing because she was...I’m not really sure what to call it, but she was turning her head really fast and kinda walking in place.

She grabbed onto Flash’s arm and gave a tug. “I really think we should be going, Flash.”

Flash ignored her. “So, you gonna introduce me to your date?”

Sunset’s expression changed from stern to embarrassed, and she blushed a deep red. She said, “Th-This isn’t really what I’d call a d-date.”

I looked at Sunset with a look of confusion.

‘Wait, w-what?’

“Please, I saw you two dancing,” Flash countered.

“Can we please sit down!?” Trixie yelled, grabbing our attention. “Sorry, I just feel like I’m gonna explode if I stand here any longer.”

“I think that’s a good idea,” I agreed, hiding my distress from Sunset.

“Sure. Look, there’s an empty table right there,” Flash said.

Flash and Trixie walked toward the table, but I grabbed Sunset’s arm before she could join them.

“What you mean ‘you wouldn’t call this a date’?” I asked in a tone just loud enough to hear over the music.

“Well, I didn’t mean to upset you-” Sunset started.

“I thought we were trying for a relationship here. Do you have doubts?” I cut off.

Sunset gave a sigh. “Of course not. Can we just talk about this later please?”

“Fine,” I gave in.

We both joined Flash and Trixie, the latter looking very anxious.

“Guess my first question is...w-why?” Sunset asked.

“Long story short is, the Crusaders set us up on a blind date, and we didn’t want them on our cases,” Trixie admitted.

“At first, we were just gonna leave and take whatever the Crusaders had to dish out, but we decided to give it a try,” Flash added.

‘Everyone seems to be on a first date tonight’

Sunset actually chuckled a little, much to my surprise. “Well, those are the Crusaders for you.”

“What about you two? How’d you guys start?” Trixie asked.

“This is Jake. He comes from where I come from,” Sunset said.

“You mean that other world? I thought ponies danced like...you know, how Princess Twilight did back at the...you know,” Flash replied.

Sunset’s face paled, but all I could think of was Twilight dancing like a pony in human form. I couldn’t have held back a laugh if I had wanted to.

“I-I didn’t know you knew about that...other world,” Sunset said sheepishly.

“It’s not that big a deal. It’s not like I’m gonna go through that portal thing or whatever and hook up with Princess Twilight again,” Flash said nonchalantly.

‘Damn right you’re not gonna...wait ‘again’?’

“I’m honestly a little surprised you haven’t done that already,” Sunset said.

Flash shook his head. “Nah, after what you said at Camp Everfree, I realized you were right. She lives there, I live here; it just wouldn't work.”

“You alright there? You look a little pale,” Trixie asked me, getting my attention.

I shook my head, clearing it of thought. “Yeah, just a little-”

“Flash and Princess Twilight kinda had...thing the first few times she came here,” Sunset explained.

I tilted my head in thought. Now that I think of it, Sunset did tell me about how Twilight got mad at her for ‘stealing’ him away.

“You know Princess Twilight?” Flash asked.

I nodded. “Well, I kinda...live with her.”

Flash and Trixie both became shocked at my response. 

“She also has a castle, so…” I added.

Flash and Trixie nodded.

“Well, it was nice meeting you, Jake, but it’s getting a little late. Sorry for the whole awkward moment,” Flash said, getting up with Trixie.

“No problem. It was nice catching up, and let me know if it works out,” Sunset responded, standing up as well.

Flash shrugged, and Trixie gave a ‘more-or-less’ sign with her hand.

I stood up as well, and Sunset and I made our way out of the club. 

“Flash and Trixie; never thought of that,” Sunset said to herself.

“She seemed...way different than I expected,” I mumbled to myself.





Once we arrived back at Sunet’s place, Sunset took off her jacket and tried to rush into the bathroom.

“Nice try. Where do you think you’re going?” I called.

Sunset slowly walked back out. She had a sad look on her face that made me want to forget about what she said, but I knew that we would have to talk about it if there was any hope for us.

“Well? Why wouldn’t you have called that a date?” I asked, folding my arms across my chest.

Sunset kept her eyes on the floor as she let out a sigh. “Look, I’m really sorry I said that. Flash just caught me off guard, and I panicked, and I have no idea why that came out.”

I closed my eyes and let out a breath. The breath wasn’t fast enough to be identified as a *huff*, but fast enough to keep Sunset’s attention.

“Look, Sunset,” I said, sitting down on the couch. “Stuff like…that doesn’t just ‘come out’. There is obviously a reason you said that. You can tell me; I promise I’ll listen.”

Sunset sat down as well, and buried her head in her hands.

I scooted a little closer to her and put my hands on her shoulders. “I do like you, Sunset, and I want this to work out, but if you’re having problems, I need to know.”

Sunset slowly looked up at me, as if she were having trouble facing me. I did my best to give a reassuring smile.

“I guess...I-I didn’t want to get my hopes up,” Sunset said after a minute of silence.

I wanted to ask what she meant, but stayed silent.

Suddenly, Sunset shot up from the couch and started pacing. “It’s just, look at how slow we’re moving. I know for a fact you and your herd have done more than us. You even admitted that it only took you two days to fall in love with Starlight. We’ve known each other for two or three weeks now, and it still seems like a ‘will-they-won’t-they’ situation.” It was at this point that Sunset’s eyes started tearing up. “I really want this to work out, I really do. But…it’s just all so uncertain. We haven’t even had our first kiss yet.”

I took a moment to process everything she had said. It all made sense, but I still couldn’t think of why she would be having these worries. I don’t...but then, I’m not her, am I? 

I stood up and looked into her teary, turquoise eyes. “Our first kiss?” I said, holding her by the arms. “If that’s what you’re worried about, problem solved.”

I pulled her close and pressed my lips up against hers. She was shocked at first, but she quickly leaned into me. Her arms wrapped themselves around my torso, and my arms wrapped around her shoulders. 

Any anger or frustration I had for her were gone.

The kiss was...different than any other I had before. Sure, part of it was because Sunset was human, but something felt...different. It honestly felt like...fireworks. I remember my first kiss with Starlight felt a little similar, but it felt much more tame. My first kiss with Twilight felt amazing, but not nearly as intense as this. It felt more like a long burning candle growing into a roaring fire. This...this just felt as if something that was begging to be released was finally let out of its cage.

The intense kiss held for a few moments longer until Sunset quite literally melted into me. I’m not kidding. Her knees buckled, and her body fell limp. I held onto her as much as I could.

Sunset had a goofy grin on her face, flimsy smile and eyes half lidded. “W-Wow,” she managed to mutter.

“Am I really that good a kisser?” I jokingly asked.

Sunset subtly nodded her head. “Uh-huh.”

I did my best to hold her up. I wasn’t sure if she was just messing around, or if she actually fell limp from the kiss, but either way, I found it hilarious. 

I picked her legs up and carried her to the bedroom. 

“Can you even think clearly right now?” I asked as I lay her down.

“U-Uh-uh,” she mumbled.

I chuckled as I got under the covers with her. I gave her another peck on the cheek, doing my best to keep from laughing. 

“Think you’ll remember any of this?” I joked.

“I-I dunno,” she responded. If I didn’t know any better, I’d say she was high.

I hugged the limp teenager who lie next to me. “Either way, I know this is gonna work out. Don’t you worry ‘bout a thing.”

“O-Okay,” Sunset replied.

I gently stroked her cheek until she succumbed to her burst of euphoria. Her eyes slowly closed, and her smile settled down, but still remained.

I stopped stroking her cheek and looked at her. For some reason, watching her sleep filled me with joy, like the girl I had come to...love...was at complete and utter peace. 

“I love you, Sunset,” I whispered right before I fell asleep.
> The Next Step
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sunset woke up and saw Jake was still happily asleep. Last night was mostly a blur for her, and she had a killer headache. 

’Let’s see. The last thing I remember is...arguing with Jake’ Sunset thought dejectedly.

Sunset then looked at the position she and Jake were in. She had her arms wrapped around his waist, and her head on his chest. He had one of his arms wrapped over her back, and there was a smile on his sleeping face.

’Okay, something had to have happened. I could’ve sworn Jake was mad at me last night’

Sunset shifted a little to lay on her back next to Jake to concentrate. Little by little, it all started to come back.

’H-He...kissed me. He said...he loves me’

Sunset looked back at her boyfriend and couldn’t hold back a smile. She remembered the kiss, her euphoric state afterward, Jake’s carrying her to bed, all of it.

She wanted to stay there for a while longer, but she suddenly thought of another question.

’Is that even possible? I mean, I’ve never done anything like that with Flash, but then again…’

Sunset got out of bed and walked into the living room, but not before giving Jake a kiss on the side of the head and whispering in his ear, “Be right back.”

Jake stirred a little, but didn’t wake up.

Sunset got out her journal and held a pen up to the page.

’How am I even supposed to ask this?’

After a few minutes of wondering how to open the conversation, Sunset eventually started writing.

Princess Twilight, you there?

The journal stayed dormant for a while. Sunset just guessed Princess Twilight wasn’t awake yet. She closed the journal and got up to get breakfast started when the journal glowed, signifying a response.

Sunset sat back down and opened the journal.

Yeah, I’m here

Good, there’s something I want to ask you

Before you do, I want to apologize for lashing out at you like I did. I was really just afraid of losing Jake again like I did two years ago

Sunset paused. She wasn’t expecting that. The question she wanted to ask would be a little harder now.

It’s fine. I completely understand. Believe it or not, Twilight over here actually got a small crush on him too. Don’t worry about it though, she’s over it.

How is he?

Great. He’s asleep right now, but he’s having a great time over here. By the way, did you not tell him about my friends on purpose?

Maybe. Just thought I’d give you a potential laugh. Sweet Celestia, I miss him to death already

Don’t worry. I’ll make sure he loves you just as much when he comes back

Thanks, I guess. So what was it you wanted to ask?

Sunset paused again. She knew the only way to ask this was all at once.

This is gonna be really personal, but don’t take this the wrong way

Alright, I’m all ears, or eyes in this case

Have you and Jake…

Sunset paused again. She just couldn’t bring herself to ask such a personal question.

Have Jake and I what?

Sunset looked toward the bedroom. She could still make out the faint sound of Jake’s heavy breathing. 

Sunset took a deep breath and kept writing.

Have you and Jake...done it?

Sunset winced, afraid of the possible response. The journal remained dormant way too long for her not to worry.

Finally, after about two agonizingly long minutes the journal glowed once again.

We have not. Honestly, I really, really want to, but I highly doubt it’s even possible, due to our difference in species

Sunset let the words sink in. She looked back at the bedroom, wondering if what Princess Twilight said was true.

Sorry to hear that. I’ll tell you what, my anatomy is still the same over here as in Equestria. I don’t know if it’s possible either, but if it is, I’ll try to push Jake in that direction

Thanks, I guess

Sunset heard Jake give a small grunt from the bedroom. “Sunset? Sunset, where are you?” Jake called out.

Sunset quickly turned back to the journal.

Gotta go. Jake’s waking up

Alright, nice talking to you, and tell him I said ‘hi’

Sunset quickly closed her journal and slid it under the table. “Out here, Jake.”

Jake walked out into the living with a groggy look. His light brown hair was a little messed up, and his blue eyes were a little bloodshot. Nevertheless, he smiled when he saw Sunset.

“How’d you sleep?” Jake asked as if he already knew the answer.

“A-Amazing...I-I could barely remember anything when I woke up,” Sunset replied, her smile growing every second.

Jake’s smile grew as well. “Do you now?”

All Sunset could do was nod. 

Jake sat down next to her. “Good, because I meant every. Single. Word. You know that, right?”

Sunset felt her heart rate increase as she became giddy. “Y-Yeah.”

Jake chuckled and gave her a peck on the cheek before getting up and walking into the kitchen. “So what’s on the agenda for today?”

“N-Normally, I’d have school today, but I have today off. I was thinking we could go to the beach or something,” Sunset replied.

“Well...I’d be all for going to the beach, but I don’t exactly have a swimsuit,” Jake replied, looking through the fridge for something to eat.

Sunset facepalmed. ’Think, Sunset, think. There has to be something we can do’

“How about……are you afraid of heights?” Sunset asked.

“Not in particular. Why do you ask?” Jake called back.

“There’s a great skydiving place not too…” Sunset began to respond.

“Woah, woah, woah, can you even afford that?” Jake cut off.

Sunset was about to respond when she realized Jake was right. She didn’t have that kind of money, and she highly doubted Jake did. “Nevermind.”

“I think I may know something we could do. Is there, by any chance, something like a...miniature golf course anywhere in town?” Jake asked.

“I think I’ve seen one a few times. I’ve never tried it, though,” Sunser responded.

Jake walked back into the living room, not having found anything to eat. “Well, there’s a first time for everything.”

Sunset perked up a little. “Sounds good. Let me get breakfast made, and we’ll go.”

“Alright, you do that, and I’ll go get my old wallet,” Jake responded.

Sunset tilted her head in confusion and followed Jake. “Woah, wait, you have a wallet?”

Jake stopped walking and turned around, a hand on the back of his head. “Y-Yeah, I still had my old wallet from my old world when I was taken to Equestria. I brought it here since I didn’t want you to pay for everything while I was here.”

Sunset chuckled and walked back into the kitchen.





A few hours later, Jake and Sunset were at the first hole of the miniature golf course. Jake had offered for Sunset to go first. She put her red ball down on the mat and tried to line up the club.

“Sorry if I’m taking too long, I’ve never played this before,” Sunset told Jake.

“No problem. My parents took me mini-golfing once when I was four. Here, let me help you,” Jake responded.

Sunset was expecting Jake to walk up behind her and wrap his arms around her, but instead, he crouched next to her, adjusting her grip, straightening her stance, and turning her club.

“Now, just keep your head down, and give the ball a nice little tap,” Jake instructed.

Sunset took one last look at the hole before lightly stroking the club back and forth. The hole was a simple straight line, with no obstacles to get in the way. The ball rolled toward the hole and a nice speed.

“Come on, go in,” Jake cheered.

The ball got closer and closer...until it rolled out of the lip.

Jake threw his arms into the air and turned around, frustrated as if that were his shot.

Sunset, however, stood still, unable to believe what had just happened. “Are you kidding me?”

“Even with all the planning in the world, this game can still screw you over,” Jake said aloud.

Sunset still didn’t move, save for her fists beginning to clench. “The ball was going toward the hole, but it didn’t go in.”

Jake noticed that Sunset’s face was starting to turn a little red. “Umm, Sunset-”

“Are you friggin’ kidding me?!” Sunset yelled.

Jake got up and rushed over to his girlfriend. “Calm down, it’s just a game.”

Sunset took a few deep breaths, slowly unclenching her fists. “You’re right. It’s still annoying, though.”

“Let’s just finish this hole. It should get fun after this,” Jake said, walking up to take his shot.





Sunset and Jake were having fun come the eighteenth hole. Too bad it was almost over.

“This was the most fun I’ve had in awhile, and that’s really saying something,” Jake admitted.

Sunset watched as her ball went into the finishing machine and scoring her two strokes. “Really? I thought you liked it in Equestria,” she replied.

Jake set his ball down and lined up his shot. “I do, especially since I returned to Ponyville, but it’s extremely rare that I get to do something so simple and fun.”

Jake’s ball trickled through the circle and ended up getting him three strokes. 

“What do you mean? I thought you said Equestria was a huge step up from your old world,” Sunset said as the two went to return their clubs. 

“Trust me, it is. But...I still kinda miss being around my own kind. I just feel like...I fit in here,” Jake explained.

A thousand thoughts ran through Sunset’s head; ’Crap, he wants to stay. Twilight’s gonna be furious’, being the most common. 

“So what do you wanna do now?” Jake asked, pulling Sunset out of her thoughts.

Sunset’s eyes darted around, trying to look for something to do. Her eyes rested upon a race track.

“There,” Sunset said, pointing to the track.

“Go-Karts? Okay,” Jake said, leading her over.

They paid for their tickets and got on board. There weren’t any other people lined up, so the pair had the track to themselves.

“Now, what you do with this, is you push down on the gas and steer,” Jake teased as he put on his helmet and sat down.

“No, what I do with this is kick your butt,” Sunset teased back, doing the same.

The lights turned green, signifying the start of a practice lap. The two slowly went down the track, getting used to the mechanics of the karts and familiarizing themselves with the track. Once they got back to the starting line, the karts picked up speed. The two of them sped down the track, making sharp turns and drifts. Sunset started out in front of Jake, and she was trying to stay in front. On the third lap, she tried to turn too fast and hit the wall, allowing Jake to pass her.

Jake turned his head toward her and blew her a kiss as her passed her.

“Oh, it’s so on now,” Sunset said, getting back up to speed.

The last two laps were filled with frequent passes and rough turns. As the final finish line grew closer, the pair slammed their feet on the gas. After the end of the race, the karts lost speed as Jake and Sunset did one last lap.

After they got out, they went over to a slow motion picture to see who won. It was neck and neck as the two karts sped across the finish line. The shot was shown at three angles: one from the right, one from the left, and one of a bird’s eye view.

In the end, the screen went yellow, signifying a tie.

“Well, we both suck,” Jake joked.

“That was so cool!” Sunset cheered, barely able to hold herself together.

Jake laughed at the teen, as the two of them walked inside of an arcade. They took in their surroundings as games roared and people ran by.

“Fifteen minutes, whichever one of us has the most tickets wins?” Jake challenged.

Sunset smirked. “It. Is. On.





By the time fifteen minutes, which turned into three hours, ran up, Sunset had the most tickets by one.

Jake was playfully sulking as they returned to Sunset’s home. He really had no hard feelings, he was just messing around.

“I said it once, I’ll say it again,” Jake said as they entered. “That was the most fun I’ve had in years.”

“I keep forgetting that there’s nothing like that in Equestria,” Sunset replied.

“Yeah. Man, this world is amazing. No wonder you rarely come to Equestria,” Jake said.

Sunset didn’t reply right away. 

“Sunset? You okay?” Jake asked.

Sunset stayed quiet, gathering her thoughts. She didn’t know how to respond to that.

“Hello? Earth to Sunset?” Jake said, snapping his fingers in front of her face.

Sunset blinked and snapped out of her thoughts. “Jake, sit down. We need to have a talk.”

Jake tilted his head in confusion, but complied. Sunset took a seat across from him.

“Have you ever...looked at Princess Twilight in a passionate way?” Sunset slowly asked.

“Well, yeah, she’s one of my marefriends, and she’s been my best friend for years. Of course I love her,” Jake responded.

“I don’t mean just love. I mean...have you ever thought about...taking your relationship with her to the next level?” Sunset asked.

Jake took a minute to think over Sunset’s words. “What do you mean?”

Sunset sighed. “I mean...I’m just gonna say it. Have you ever thought about having sex with her?”

Jake’s eyes widened, but stayed still for a while.

“I-I’m sorry. I swear I’m not asking out of jealousy. I was talking with Princess Twilight this morning, and asked her if you two had done it. She said she wanted to, but didn’t think it was possible,” Sunset explained.

Jake sighed and lay back on the couch, rubbing his face. “I can’t believe it. I’m making the same mistake with Twilight that I did two years ago.”

“What do you mean?” Sunset asked.

“I’m dismissing her feelings because I didn’t think it was possible,” Jake explained. “Like when I left Ponyville two years ago, and didn’t think it was possible for Twilight to like me that way. Honestly, I haven’t even thought about having sex with her because I didn’t think it would work.”

“And if it would work?” Sunset asked.

A lone tear rolled down Jake’s cheek, and he smiled. “Of course I’d want to. I love her more than anything, save for you and Starlight. She’s always been there for me.” Jake suddenly pulled Sunset into a deep, intimate hug. “Thank you, Sunset. When I get back, which I know will have to happen, I’m going to talk to her about that.”

Sunset’s face turned completely red. 

’Mission accomplished’

Sunset suddenly cleared her throat, and Jake let go. “I’m just gonna order a pizza for dinner. I’ll be in the bedroom.”





“~Oh, Jake~ Could you come in here for a minute?” Sunset called out in a certain tone that made Jake hesitate.

Jake slowly made his way into the bedroom. He opened the door just a little. There was romantic music playing and slightly dimmed lights aglow inside. 

"Come all the way in, why don't you,” Sunset said in a slightly seductive tone.

Jake gulped and opened the door all the way. He felt any and all physical feelings of any kind leave his body when he saw Sunset.

She was on her knees on the bed, wearing black stockings and a black, slightly see-through robe. She had a passionate smile on her face, and her body was also moving in a circular motion that seemed to hypnotize Jake where he stood.

“Like what you see?” she said in the same, seductive tone.

Jake tried to respond, but words failed him.

Sunset motioned for him to come all the way inside and close the door. Jake did, his facial expression unchanging. 

Sunset stood up and walked toward the hypnotized human. “I also told Twilight that I’d see if it was possible,” she said, running her hands over his shoulders and walking around him in a circle. She turned Jake around and pushed him onto the bed, so he was laying on his back. With an internal chuckle, Sunset undid the robe and let it fall to the floor, revealing a rather tight-looking pair of bra and panties.
> Change of plans
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Today was the day. I was finally getting the chance to see the world...of Equestria. Twilight and Spike were helping me pack the rest of the stuff I’d need. I wasn’t sure how long I’d be gone, but I was for damn sure coming back. 

We were at my house, and we were also moving some of the stuff I wasn’t taking with me over to Golden Oaks Library. Twilight was still strangely distraught about the whole thing, but I didn’t know why. I knew for a fact she was gonna miss me; I was gonna miss her too; but she had plenty of other friends. Either way, I knew she’d be fine. 

Spike finished zipping my pack closed, giving a loud sigh. “All done, Jake. Is there anything else that needs to be moved to the library?”

I looked around at my house. What was once filled with pictures and trinkets and books and furniture was now empty. I couldn’t believe that I was actually leaving, though part of me told me not to go.

“I...think that’s everything, Spike. Thanks for helping out,” I said, scratching the little dragon on the head.

Spike giggled as I knelt down to give him a hug. “Gonna miss you, bro.”

I chuckled a little when Spike called me “bro”. The two of us were extremely close, almost as close as he was to Twilight. 

Speaking of which, Twilight walked in the front door with a small, but noticeable frown. “H-Hey, guys.”

“Hey, Twilight. Is all the stuff from Jake’s place secure at the library?” Spike asked, breaking our hug.

“Yeah. Spike, would you mind giving me a minute to say goodbye to Jake?” Twilight requested.

“Of course,” Spike said, walking out the door.

Twilight closed the door behind the dragon and faced me, looking like she was holding back tears.

I knelt down to her and gave her an even tighter hug. “Look, I know you’re gonna miss me, and I’m really gonna miss you too. But this is just the best thing for me right now.”

I could hear as Twilight began to sob as I tightened the embrace. “I could never thank you for everything you’ve done for me. All I can do is say thank you, for being my friend and being there for me.” I could feel tears start to roll down my cheek and saw some fall onto Twilight’s coat.

Twilight pulled apart enough to face me and said, “I-I know there isn’t anything I can say to keep you from going, but I need to tell you something.”

Seeing Twilight like this broke my heart, so I sat back and nodded, signaling for her to continue.

“F-For a long time now, I’ve been feeling something whenever I’m around you. I’ve never felt like this before, and for a while, I had no idea what it meant. But now, I think I know what that feeling is,” Twilight lamented.

“A-And?” I asked.

“Jake...I love you. And I don’t mean like I love my friends. I love you, with all of my heart,” Twilight confessed, her eyes filled to the brim with tears.

I couldn’t find the words to respond. Twilight Sparkle, my best friend, and a princess at that, just confessed that she had feelings for me.

“H-How long?” I managed to ask.

“A few months now,” Twilight said in between sobs.

’A few months?! How did I not notice’

Twilight looked down, making circles with her hoof. “I’m sorry. I’m not trying to keep you from leaving, I just-”

“Why didn’t you tell me this?” I cut her off.

Twilight looked back up at me. The look she gave me just melted my heart. I could see it now. I could see the love she had for me in her eyes.

“I-I was afraid that if I told you, especially now, you’d get mad and not want to be my friend anymore,” Twilight confessed.

Once again, words temporarily failed me. “Twilight...I-”





I was abruptly woken by the obnoxious sound of an alarm clock. I grunted and looked around. Sunset was clinging to my side, a wide smile on her face. She was slowly beginning to wake up as well. 

’It was all a dream’ I thought to myself.

It was then that I realized I was wearing...well, nothing. I shuddered as the events of last night came rushing back to me. 

Sunset reluctantly got out of bed, and I shuddered as I saw that...neither was she. I swear, my heart skipped at least three beats right then.

“Uh, Sunset?” I said.

Sunset looked at me and turned a deep shade of red. She quickly grab my shirt off the floor and used it to cover herself. “Y-Yeah?”

“D-Did we...do it?” I asked.

“Yes, we did, Jake. Do you not remember?” Sunset responded.

“Not really. My mind kinda stopped working after you took off that robe,” I confessed.

“Umm...why don’t I get ready for school and we’ll talk about this later?” Sunset requested.

I felt my face heat up a little more. “G-Good idea.”

After Sunset left the room, only one question ran through my head.

’What would have happened of Twilight had confessed her love for me before I left?’





I was sitting on the couch as Sunset came out of her room with her backpack. She took a seat across from me and looked at me.

“Now, I know the conversation we’re about to have is bound to be a little awkward, but I’m willing to put up with it if you are,” Sunset stated.

“Of course,” I agreed.

“Good. Now, what exactly is the last thing you remember?”

I thought on this for a moment. “Let’s see, the last thing I remember is being pushed back onto the bed, and you taking off that robe. After that, everything gets a little fuzzy.”

Sunset nodded. “Mhmm, why do you think that is?”

I chuckled a little as I felt myself heat up again. “Well, that one’s obvious. You’re a total babe.”

Sunset blushed a little and smiled. “Aww, you’re sweet. Any other questions?”

“Well, first I should ask the obvious. You aren’t gonna get...pregnant, are you?”

Sunset shook her head. “No, no, no, I’m on the pill; you’re fine.”

“Okay, that’s really my biggest concern. Though, I do have a few more questions.”

Sunset pulled out her phone. “Alright. I have some time before I need to get going. Ask away. And don’t be afraid of things getting awkward; that’s impossible to avoid right now.”

I knew the first thing I wanted to ask, but I for some reason couldn’t get the words out. “Was I...good?”

Sunset’s gaze turned somewhat dreamy, like she was having a daydream right there. “Ohhoho, Jake, you were amazing. Once we got going, you really took charge. I can’t begin to tell you how much I enjoyed that.”

“Well, now I wish I remembered it,” I mumbled to myself. “Now, don’t take this the wrong way, but did I...shout any of the wrong names?”

Sunset snorted before completely breaking down in front of me, falling to her side on the couch. “N-No, Jake, you didn’t shout any of the wrong names.”

I let Sunset calm down a little, joining in myself for a bit, before I asked my next question. “Why?”

“Well, don’t take this the wrong way, but I kinda told Princess Twilight that I’d see if it were possible for you two to get intimate like that,” Sunset explained.

“Oh? And is it?” I asked.

“Yes it is, and considering how much you two love each other, she’s gonna like it just as much as I did, if not more,” Sunset smirked.

I looked down. How could I never notice Twilight might want to be more intimate with me?

“I have one more question, but I’m looking for advice more than anything with this one,” I said, rubbing my neck.

“Shoot.”

I took a breath and said, “Last night, after we...finished, I had a dream. It was about something that happened two years ago, before I went on my journey across Equestria. Twilight confessed her feelings for me, but that’s not how it happened in real life. What do you think that means?”

Sunset tilted her head and thought for a moment. “That’s an easy one. You love Princess Twilight the most.”

I shook my head furiously. “No, no, that can’t be it. I make it a point not to hold favorites.”

“I get it, Jake, but hear me out. From what you and Twilight told me, she was your best friend for years, long before she met me and my friends. And, I think, subconsciously, you’ve loved Princess Twilight long before you think. And it makes sense, I have no hard feelings. And I doubt Starlight would either,” Sunset explained.

I looked away on thought. What Sunset said made sense; knowing Twilight loved me for all those years, I love her that much more. She means more to me than the world itself. Of course, that’s not to say I don’t love Starlight and Sunset too.

 I pulled Sunset into a hug. “T-Thanks, Sunset. You really put things into perspective for me. I don’t know how to thank you.”

“I know the perfect way you can thank me,” Sunset replied, pulling apart to see me. “Today, while I’m at school, talk to Princess Twilight, using my journal. Then, when you go back to Equestria, I want you to show Princess Twilight the best time of her life.”

My heart skipped a beat when Sunset finished. 

Sunset stood up and pulled her backpack over her shoulder. “I’ve gotta get going. Since I have school the rest of the week, I wouldn’t mind if you decided to go back early, so long as you say goodbye.”

With one final blown kiss, Sunset walked out the door.





I sat on the couch, Sunset’s journal next to me. I was trying to figure out what to say to Twilight to tell her how much I love her.

Twilight? Are you there?

I took a moment to read the conversation Twilight and Sunset had the day before. Yep, Twilight has been wanting to get closer to me.

Yeah, I’m here, Sunset

I raised the pen to the page and prepared to write.

Actually, it’s Jake

Oh, hey, Jake. I thought you didn’t want me to use this to talk to you

I know, but I wanted to talk to you

Umm, okay. How’ve you been?

Great. You?

Good

I paused to think of something to keep the conversation going.

I miss you

You have no idea how much I miss you too. It’s been lonely here without you

How are Starlight and Spike?

Fine. Speaking of Spike, though, have you met my counterpart’s dog?

No, why do you ask?

One, it’s Spike’s counterpart; and two, get this, he can talk

I looked up from the journal. Did she just say the Twilight here had a talking dog? I shook it off and kept writing.

Can I tell you something?

Of course!

I’m sorry I left you

Jake, I’m the one who tried to hide the portal from you

It’s not that. I meant, I’m sorry I left two years ago

Oh, well you have nothing to apologize for. You said it was the best thing for you at the time

Well, I was wrong. You were the best thing for me. You still are the best thing for me

Is it not going well at Sunset’s?

I chuckled a little as a tear fell onto the page. 

’Same old Twilight’

Things are great over here, but what I mean is, I could never possibly tell you how much I love you, or how sorry I am that I left you before you could tell me how you felt, and even more sorry that you didn’t get to tell me yourself

Jake, I don’t know what to say

I’m gonna come back tomorrow, at the end of the day. When I get back, I promise to never leave you again

What about Sunset?

It was her idea

I tried to imagine Twilight’s reaction to reading this in Equestria. 

Oh Jake, you have no idea how much it means to me for you to see that. I love you, and I can’t wait until you get back

I closed the journal and hugged it like it were Twilight herself.





Back in Equestria, Twilight wrapped her hooves and wings around her journal as if it were Jake, with tears rolling down her face. She could in no way contain her excitement.

Suddenly, the doors to the library opened, revealing Starlight Glimmer.

“Hey, Twilight. Is something wrong?” Starlight asked.

Twilight shook her head. “No, things couldn’t be better right now.”

Starlight walked up to the couch and took a seat next to her mentor. “What’s going on?”

“Jake said he’s coming back tomorrow instead of the end of the week,” Twilight said through her tears.

Starlight’s face lit up like a lightbulb. “That’s great! But, are things not going well with Sunset?”

“Jake said they were fine. In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if Jake considered her part of the herd. I’m just so Happy Jake’s coming back early.”

Starlight and Twilight hugged on the couch until they left for their bedrooms.
> Goodbyes and New Beginnings (by Peni Parker)
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

“You’re sure it’s okay if I come with you to CHS for the day, Sunset?” Jake Taylor asked his newest girlfriend as she gathered her things in her backpack for another day of school.

“I’m sure, Jake,” Sunset Shimmer blithely replied as she put a textbook into her backpack. “Why do you think it wouldn’t be?”

“Because I’m not a student there,” Jake pragmatically stated, feeling that maybe Sunset had forgotten that little fact.

“Well, neither was I when I first came to this world,” Sunset began to explain. “But I just showed up one day and the next thing I knew I was a student. Same thing with Princess Twilight.”

“That’s…strange,” Jake commented, feeling a tad confused that anyone could just show up at CHS and become a student without going through any administrative stuff.

“Yeah, maybe,” Sunset replied as she finished packing her backpack and slung it around her shoulders. “Come on, we better get going.”

“Right,” Jake said as he opened the door for Sunset, taking one last look around the apartment before stepping outside and closing the door behind him.

It was Jake’s last day in Sunset’s world, and he was feeling a mixture of emotions. One the one hand, he was glad that he would soon be back in Equestria with Twilight, Starlight, and all his other friends, especially Twilight. But on the other, he knew he was going to miss being with Sunset. She was an amazing girlfriend, and he was sad that he wasn’t going to be spending near as much time with her after today.

“You okay, Jake?” Sunset concernedly asked as the two of them made their way to CHS.

“Y-Yeah,” Jake hesitantly answered, rubbing the back of his head. “I just have a lot on my mind right now.”

“I get it,” Sunset sympathetically answered as she linked arms with Jake. “But believe me when I say that everything will be fine. You’re a strong guy, Jake Taylor, and you can handle whatever life throws at you.”

Jake couldn’t help but smile at his girlfriend after hearing her kind words.

“Thanks, Sunset,” he said before planting a small kiss on his girlfriend’s cheek. “You’re right, everything will be fine.”

All Sunset could do was give a cute little giggle and blush with embarrassment after being the recipient of such a public display of affection.

“So, what’s the plan for today?” Jake inquired.

“Oh, right, the plan,” Sunset hectically said as she remembered the plan she’d created with her friends the previous night. “The plan is that you’re going to spend each period with a different one of my friends. We all worked it out so that you’ll be with at least one of each period. Then, at the end of the day, we’ll all see you off through the portal.”

“Wow, really?” Jake asked, amazed that Sunset and her friends were able to work out the logistics of making sure he got to spend time with each of them. “I’m impressed, Sunset.”

“Well, Twilight did most of the work figuring out the rotation,” Sunset admitted. “But we all just really wanted to make sure we got a chance to spend a little more time with you before you left.”

“I’m glad,” Jake sweetly praised as he gave Sunset another peck on the cheek. “I’m really going to miss you all.”

“Stop kissing me in public,” Sunset giggled as she unlinked arms to give Jake a playful jab. “It’s embarrassing.”

Jake couldn’t help but give a small chuckle at the blush that was growing on Sunset’s face.

“You know you love it~” he playfully replied as he went in for another kiss, only for Sunset to dodge it and plant one on his cheek.

“Gotcha~” She bewitchingly whispered in Jake’s ear as he now dawned a blush on his face.

“Yeah, you got me,” Jake replied as he pulled Sunset into a very close hug and stared into her beautiful turquoise eyes. “And I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

The intimate moment Sunset was currently sharing with Jake brought back memories of the passionate night they’d recently shared, and it made her heart race.

“You know, if you wanted, we could go back to the apartment and just spend the entire day having fun together,” she seductively said as she stared back at Jake with bedroom eyes.

Now Jake’s heart was racing as well.

“Sunset, Jake!” Twilight Sparkle’s voice could be heard yelling from just down the street.

Jake and Sunset quickly broke their hug and tried to look as natural as possible as they turned around to see Twilight running up to them.

“Good morning!” Twilight cheerfully greeted them once she was close enough.

“M-Morning, Twi.” Sunset said as nonchalantly as she could, which wasn’t very nonchalant at all.

“Morning.” Jake said a bit more convincingly.

“So Jake, did Sunset tell you about our plan for today?” Twilight asked, giving no hint that she’d witnessed the intimate moment the couple had just shared.

“Yeah, she did.” Jake confirmed. “And she told me you were the one who worked out most of the details. Nice job, Twilight.”

Unsurprisingly, Twilight began to blush at Jake’s praise.

“Oh it wasn’t that difficult,” Twilight humbly responded. “It was easy to create an algorithm once I knew everyone’s class schedules and…”

“Okay, well, we better get going so we’re not late,” Sunset interjected as she grabbed Jake’s hand. “You’re with me first, Jake, let’s go.”

“O-Oaky,” Jake confusingly replied as Sunset started moving. “See you later, Twilight.”

“See you later, Jake,” Twilight called out back to him.

As Jake was dragged up the street by Sunset, he got the strangest feeling that he’d been through this scenario with her and Twilight before.







All in all, Jake’s day at CHS had been a good one. Like Sunset had said, he managed to spend each class period with either her or one of her friends. He’d had first period math with Sunset, second period history with Rarity, third period science with Twilight, lunch period with everyone, fifth period art with Pinkie, sixth period shop with Applejack, and finally seventh period economics with Fluttershy and Rainbow. By the end of it all Jake was even more impressed with Twilight’s scheduling, since not only had he gotten to spend time with everyone but he also never had the same class twice.

But now it was the end of the day, and everyone was gathered around the Wondercolts statue to see Jake off back to Equestria.

“Thank you all for everything you’ve done for me during my visit,” Jake heartfully expressed to the group. “I’m really going to miss all of you.”

“We’ll miss you as well, darling,” Rarity replied.

“Uh-huh,” Fluttershy softly agreed, nodding her head.

“It’s been great havin’ you ‘round, partner,” Applejack chimed in.

“We really hope you’ll come back and visit sometime, Jake,” Twilight spoke up.

“Yeah, don’t be a stranger, dude.” Rainbow Dash concurred.

“I promise I’ll throw you a big party on your next visit!” Pinkie exclaimed as she threw some confetti into the air. “WHOO HOO.”

Despite being slightly confused where the confetti came from, Jake couldn’t help but laugh along with everyone at Pinkie’s over-the-top, super hyper antics.

“Promise you’ll come back and visit?” Sunset asked once the laughter died down as she lovingly looked Jake in the eyes.

“Of course I will,” Jake replied as he stared just as lovingly back at Sunset.

“Um, why don’t we give Jake and Sunset some privacy, y’all.” Applejack suggested, picking up on the growing intimacy between the two.

Everyone else nodded in agreement and headed towards the school, leaving Jake and Sunset alone to talk.

“So, this is it, huh?” Sunset ardently stated.

“Yeah, I guess it is,” Jake answered as he broke eye contact with Sunset, feeling the full weight of the moment.

Without any warning, Jake felt Sunset’s arm wrap around him in warm and loving hug, placing her head against his chest.

“I know you’re nervous about returning to Equestria after everything that’s happened between us during your visit,” Sunset began to say as her eyes filled with tears. “I know you’re afraid of how things are going to be with Twilight and Starlight, especially Twilight. But all you need to do is this; show them how much you love them, like you did with me. Everything will be all right.”

Almost instinctively, Jake hugged Sunset back as tears of his own started to flow down his cheeks.

“You’re a really great girlfriend, Sunset,” Jake tearfully said. “I’m going to miss you so, so much.”

“I know, I’ll miss you too,” Sunset said as she lifted her head from Jake’s chest and once again looked him right in the eyes. “But just remember, this isn’t goodbye, it’s just goodbye until next time.”

Then, almost as if Jake and Sunset were reading each other’s minds, they leaned forward and shared the most passionate kiss they’d ever shared together. It lasted for a good minute before Sunset broke it.

“You better get going,” She remorsefully said. “They’re probably getting worried about you.”

Jake simply nodded as she stepped in front of the portal, turning around one last time to get a glimpse at Sunset.

“I love you, Sunset Shimmer,” he said. “Oh, and one more thing. Next time I’m here, I gotta here you and the girls play...and see Twilight’s talking dog.” With that, Jake finally stepped through the portal.

“I know. I love you too, Jake Taylor.” Sunset said back, though she was pretty sure Jake couldn’t hear her through the portal.







“I’m getting worried.” Princess Twilight Sparkle restlessly said as she paced back and forth alongside the mirror portal, starting to hyperventilate a bit. “Jake should’ve been back by now. What if something terrible happened to him?”

“Breathe, Twilight, breathe.” Starlight Glimmer gently instructed her friend as she placed a supportive hoof on her shoulder. “I’m sure Jake’s fine. He probably just got caught up in saying goodbye to everypony over there.”

“Maybe,” Twilight unconvincingly stated. “But maybe I should go over there just to be sure.”

Twilight started to make her way over toward the front of the mirror, when all of a sudden, it activated, throwing Jake out like a bullet out of a gun, clear to the other side of the room.

“Seriously, someone please fix that thing,” Jake hazily said as he laid on the floor.

“JAKE!” Twilight worryingly shouted as she quickly flew over to her boyfriend, looking him over from head to toe once she reached him. “Are you okay? Did you hit your head? I’m so, so sorry. I promise I’ll do something about that portal.”

“I-I’m fine Twilight,” Jake replied as he got to his feet chuckling at his marefriend. “I’m just a little shaken up is all.”

“Oh thank goodness!” Twilight exclaimed, wrapping Jake in a tight hug, now that she knew he wasn’t hurt, a hug that Jake reciprocated without hesitation.

“Hey, don’t I get a hug too?” Starlight playfully asked as she too made her way over to Jake.

“Of course you do, Starlight. C’mere,” Jake answered as he lifted his left arm and wrapped it around Starlight once she was close enough.

“We’re so glad you’re back,” Twilight said through tears of joy.

“It’s good to be back.” Jake replied as she hugged his two marefriends tighter.

Jake, Twilight, and Starlight all hugged in silence for about two minutes.

“So, anything interesting happen while I was gone?” Jake eventually asked as he broke the hug.

“Oh who cares about what happened here,” Twilight said with a wave of her hoof. “Tells us about what happened with you in Sunset’s world.”

All of a sudden Jake’s happy smile faded, much to Twilight’s and Starlight’s confusion.

“About that,” he began to very solemnly say. “I want to tell you both everything, but there’s one thing I need to tell you both right now and what it means for our relationship.”

Twilight and Starlight looked at each other with puzzled expressions, but didn’t say anything before returning their attention to Jake.

“While I was over there, I found out that I love Sunset and that I want her to be a part of our herd,” Jake began to tell them. “Not only that, but you should both know that Sunset and I became…very intimate during our visit. But it doesn’t mean that I care about her more than I care about either of you. In fact, being intimate with Sunset made me realize just how much I love you both, and how I want to show you just how much I love you.”

“You...you mean you…” Starlight began to say in astonishment.

“Yes,” Jake said as he felt tears form in the corners of his eyes. “I want to become intimate with both of you.”

And with that, Twilight and Starlight also started to cry as they buried their muzzles into the sides their boyfriend.

“Oh, Jake, you have no idea how happy I am right now,” Twilight spoke up.

“Me too,” Starlight added.

“I love you both so much more than words can describe,” Jake replied.

There was about a minute of silence, aside from the sounds of happy crying, before Starlight broke off from the hug.

“I guess I should be heading off to bed then,” she commented as she headed for the doorway.

“Wait, Starlight,” Twilight called out as she too broke away from the hug. “It’s your night with Jake, remember? We agreed that you’d be the one to have him his first night back.”

“Yeah, but that was before all this talk of intimacy,” Starlight responded as she turned back around. “Twilight, I know you’ve been waiting for this much longer than I have, so it’s okay. Spend tonight with Jake, I can wait one more night.”

Fresh tears started to flow from Twilight’s eyes, happy that Starlight was willing to let her spend the night with Jake.

“Thanks, Starlight,” she gratefully said.

“Just don’t get too crazy, you two,” Starlight playfully remarked as she left the room. “I’m only willing to wait one night.”

“Goodnight, Starlight,” Jake yelled out into the hallway.

“Goodnight, Jake,” Starlight could be heard yelling back.

Now that they were alone, Twilight and Jake just sort of stared awkwardly at each other for a few seconds until Twilight spoke up.

“So, should we head to my bedroom?” she unadroitly asked.

“Yes, I think we should,” Jake replied as he unexpectedly picked Twilight up and carried her out of the room.

“Oh my,” Twilight stated, surprised. “You’re getting me so anxious”

“Good~” Jake answered as seductively as he could as they reached Twilight’s room. “Because I’m about to show you just how much I love you, Twilight Sparkle.”

“I can’t wait,” Twilight remarked as she opened the door with her magic.

Once they were inside, Twilight closed the door with her magic, and braced herself for what was undoubtedly going to be one of the greatest, most amazing nights of her life.