High school has ended and the main 7 have since grown apart. One day Twilight from Equestria alerts Sunset that somethin big is coming. Now Sunset has to work to get the band back together... but everyone has changed so much, will they even care?
It’s about 20 years since the girls graduated and as life happened they grew apart. One day Princess Twilight Sparkle writes to Sunset Shimmer in the journal. Something is coming for them. Something big. Sunset is on a mission to find her friends staring with the two that stayed together even after all these years. After she informs them about the dire situation they set out to find the others but they barely even remember their old high school buddies. As for the rest, who's to say they're even willing to help?
*TIp tap. Tip tap.* Etoile woke up to the sound of rain beating on her window. She was excited remembering it was still spring break but that excitement was cut short as she heard her parents arguing about something downstairs. "damn it" Etoile’s parents didn’t argue often and if they were upset they always seemed to be able to work things out in a matter of minutes. Except when it came to her, which, if she had a guess, was what they were arguing about.
If Ah find out you lied to me or your mother one more time then Ah’ll have ya workin’ the fields faster than a hot knife through butter” ugh, Etoile rolled her eyes and scowled at the memory of her moms' threat to her ditching class. Again. “If Ma thinks she can get me working in the orchard then she’s sorely mistaken.” Said Etoile. Cloths, hair, makeup, and all under 10 minutes. Ha! She thought. Etoile was heading downstairs and smelled breakfast. “mmm”, she said, Eggs and bacon but as hungry as she was Etoile would rather listen in on her moms' conversation.
“Well then what do you think we should do? We’ve been having this discussion for weeks now, Months! You don’t want her working in the orchard and she’s not even going to school. She’s ditched the past week and a half!” Applejack said nearly shouting towards the end.
“Ugh. Of course, I don’t want her out in the fields. When will she have time for fun and friends? We can’t simply take that all away from her. Oop, watch the eggs darling. Well, I don’t know. it’s not like I can take her with me. Starting next week I’ll be packed with meetings, fittings, and shows. I’ll have no time to watch her.”
“Oh, she’s had her fun. And Ah’m 'bout done with it. But I do agree with ya on that last bit.” Applejack sighed and watched her wife walk over to get the plates out. “What if…” Applejack mumbled.
“What if what?” Rarity asked with caution. She knew the face Applejack was making. It was the face where she had an idea, but Rarity wouldn’t like it. Applejack gave her a look. “oh no!” Rarity declared. “She is not going to crystal prep! I don’t care how much it’s changed“ Rarity took a moment to calm herself and take a deep breath. “That place has always been filled with rude trust fund kids and I don’t want them turning my daughter into one of them.”
“Yeah but that new principal took over a few years back, Whirly harp or somethin’. Oh Ah, I don’t know. She’s the daughter of the old principal.” Applejack replied. “Her ma was starting to make the place better and I’ve heard with her taking over the place is even nicer”
“Oh pah Ku pfft” Rarity retorted. “Ugh fine. But I’m not saying yes. First I’ll want to tour the school and see just how, ugh” rarity mocked using air quotes “‘different’ it truly is and I expect you’ll be accompanying me?”
“’ Corse Rare” Applejack began “but do you think we should have Etoile come with us? I don’t think she’ll be too excited about the idea of moving schools”
“Well of course she won’t, but she’s hardly left us with any choice. We should definitely tell her what we’re thinking though.”
At that moment Etoile believed her moms were done talking and decided to come downstairs. Applejack and Rarity had her plate set and she began digging in. “Good eggs this morning,” Etoile said. She planned on waiting for them to ask her about crystal prep. She didn’t want them knowing she was eavesdropping, she’d probably get in more trouble. “Eeyup” AJ replied laying down her and her wife’s plates. “The chickens have been layin’ some real good ones lately.”
Silence
“Oh for heaven's sake!” Rarity shouted, alarming both Applejack and Etoile. “Etoile, as you know spring vacation is over by the end of the week.” Rarity now laying down her utensils and looking assertively at Etoile who took this as a challenge glaring back just as hard. “As you you also know you’ve been ditching class, letting your grades slip, and lying about all of to your Ma and me.” This conversation quickly became a glaring match. Whose face would be the first to fall?
Applejack, wanting to Intervene before things escalated cut in with “we got a call from your principal. Ya’ve been suspended until you can get your act together.” No reaction. “That also means you're grounded”
Etoile expected as much. She came prepared.
Rarity said “Your Ma and I discussed it and we are thinking about sending you to crystal prep” Finally. Etoile broke the contest with her Mom, I’ll just let her believe she won thought Etoile. In a condescending tone, she asked “oh really? So you just want to pawn me off to some rich snobs?”
This remark made Applejack roll her eyes “of course, not sugar cube. We’re gonna see if we can get a tour o'the school later today and we wanted to know if you’d like to come with us. The school is supposed to be a lot more welcoming then back in our day” Applejack said this to her daughter, yes, but it was directed equally at her wife.
“Pfft” grunted Etoile “Like I actually wanna go in that place. You two go, I’ll stay here and… milk the cows or something.” Etoile put her plate in the sink and headed up to her room.
AJ and Rarity gave each other surprised looks. “Well that went better than expected,” said AJ
“Alright, we’re leaving now! There’s food in the fridge and maybe try and check on the apples, make sure nothing has gotten into them. Oh and do wipe your feet when entering the house from outside. I just got this lovely new carpet and I will not have it be muddied up by you or your mother!” Rarity shouted up the stairs at her daughter.
“Mmhm, whatever” Etoile yelled back down. “Your gonna miss your appointment or whatever you wanna call it.”
“Oh shoot, she’s right. C’mon Rares we gotta get going” Applejack said trying to get Rarity out the door as soon as possible.
“Oh alright alright I’m going!”
Etoile looks out the window to see her parent's car drive off towards crystal prep. She tried waiting a few minutes for the rain to die down but that wasn’t going to happen anytime soon. Reluctant to go out in the rain and get all wet, Etoile still went towards the shed to church on the apples. Nothing looked out of place or like any critters get into it. As she was walking away from the shed to check on the apples near the back she noticed a car slowing down upon. Arriving at her house. The car went past a bit but the driver seemed to have made a mistake and backed up till it was in front of her house. Now usually Etoile would be rushing up to greet the person but this car she didn’t know, and she knew all of her family's customers. Whether it was her Ma’s Apple business or her Mothers fashion shop, she knew all the regular customers and this wasn’t one of them. She quickly hurried inside almost forgetting to wipe her shoes on the mat. She heard a knock on the door and looked out of her kitchen window to see a woman about her moms' age. She had light amber skin and wavey red hair with yellow stripes. Her eyes were kind of teal but bluer. Probably cyan if she wanted to get all technical as her mother would. Against what her brain was telling her to do she opened the door to see who exactly this was and why she was knocking on her door like the fate of the world was at stake.
“Hello is this where Applejack and Rar-“ it must’ve taken her a minute to realize she was talking to a kid. Or as Etoile preferred a teenager, she wasn’t a kid and didn’t wish to be addressed as such. Etoile didn’t know this woman but seeing her made her think she’d seen her somewhere before. She was wearing black leggings with a blue shirt and a black leather jacket. The jacket had to be Etoile’s favorite part of this lady’s outfit. It has long sleeves, the collar was out, and it had a cool looking pin on it. The pin looked like a sun, it was half yellow and half red, kind of in the way Yin and Yang are black and white. “Oh, Uhm. Sorry, I think I must have the wrong house. This isn’t where Applejack and Rarity live? Is it?”
Etoile didn’t know this woman and wasn’t about to let her inside. She couldn’t say this woman struck her as the murderous criminal type but she definitely was a bit… frazzled? “Why? Are you here for apples or clothes?” Asked Etoile.
"Wha- I-“ stammered the lady. “Uhh no. I just need to talk to them. If they do live here that is. This should be the place. Unless AJ sold the farm, which is about as likely as twilight giving up reading forever.”
This woman called her Ma “AJ” she only let her closest friends call her that. Although she didn’t know a twilight twinkle or whoever the woman said. Maybe this woman did know her moms. But she still needed more proof. “I can’t tell you for sure if they live here but I could probably direct you to them. Just tell me what you want to see them for and I’ll make sure they get the message that you're looking for them, Missss…”
“Oh uh, Sunset Shimmer. My name is Sunset shimmer.”
Sunset Shimmer. Now she remembered. She used to go to Canterlot High too! She had seen her name on stuff around the school as well as in her mom's yearbooks. That was basically the extent of her knowledge of Sunset Shimmer. “Well I’ll make sure they know you came by Miss Shimmer”
“Ok well, Thank you anyway. May I just shake your hand before I head off?”
Odd request but Etoile didn’t see any reason not to. “Uhh yeah. Sure” Etoile reached her hand out but when her hand met Sunsets she felt kinda weird. She looked up but Sunset’s eyes were glowing and her grip tightened a bit. Sunset pulled away from the handshake and the girl in front of her.
“Wow. A kid. They had a kid. You’re their kid?” Sunset was amazed, confused, and a little upset by this recent revelation. “And they’re gonna send you to Crystal Prep?”
“Yeah uhh. Why don’t you just have a seat on the porch swing over there and uhhhmm. I’ll be… right back” now it was Etoile’s turn to be surprised. She knew her mothers' had powers. Her Ma was strong and her other mother could project transparent diamond-shaped shields. This wasn’t news to her but this woman had powers too. Could she also do the “pony up” thing like her parents? So many questions raced in her head and she wanted answers. She grabbed her phone and called her Mom.
“Yes, darling what is it? You know Ma and I are touring crystal prep so I do hope this is important-“
“Uhh, mom. There’s this lady here. She says she’s looking for and Ma. She seems like she wants to talk to you, like, now. She had powers like you guys and she says her name is Sunset Shimmer. I’m actually kinda nervous. She went to shake my hand and her eyes started glowing. It nearly scared me shi- uhh" Etoile remembered how much her mother hated it when she used that language " 'nearly scared me to death. Then she knew I was you guys’ kid and that you were gonna send me to crystal prep. She’s sitting on our porch swing and I’m actually kinda nervous. Can you guys please hurry it up and get home?”
“Woah Woah Woah show down darling, you're talking a mile a minute. Who did you say was there?”
“She said her name is Sunset Shimmer. I think she went to school with you guys.” Etoile could her mom talking to her Ma but couldn’t make out what they were saying.
“Ok, sweetie. Ma and I are coming home right now. Don’t let her leave and don’t worry. She’s a very nice person. We‘ll be home in about 10 minutes. Love you, sweetie!”
“You too mom”
“Sunset Shimmer? Why ah haven’t heard that name in nearly 25 years!” Applejack Exclaimed. “almost didn’t know who you were talking about”
“Me too. It took me a second to realize who Etoile was talking about. But I have to say I am a little annoyed at her. She shows up unannounced and used her powers on our daughter.” Rarity scoffed.
“Well maybe it is an emergency,” said Applejack with a slightly lower and worried voice.
“Oh, I don't doubt that it is." Rarity replied matter of factly "I’m not too excited, however, in finding out what exactly that emergency entails."
Applejack and Rarity rolled up to their house and saw Sunset shimmer on the porch swing looking off in the distance with a worried look on her face. Etoile was sitting on the steps eating an apple. Rarity ran up to Etoile and gave her a hug, Applejack parked the car and did the same. Sunset was watching this until her and Rarity’s eyes met.
Rarity’s eyes started tearing up. Looking at her friend, so grown up and mature looking. Though she expected she looks similar through Sunset’s eyes. AJ walked over and took off her hat. “Ah-I'm really sorry that we lost touch Sunset. Ah mean. Ya didn’t even know we had a kid. It’s right shameful o'me to have let go of such a valuable and memorable friendship. Can ya ever forgive me?” Rarity appeared behind AJ, resting her hand on her shoulder. Sunset Shimmer looked at her friends. Her oldest and dearest friends, even if they did lose contact. Her hard-working, honest, southern friend. Her generous, stylish, fashionista friend who as delicate as she may appear could stand her ground. Sunset smiled at the thought of how on earth those two ended up together.“Oh, girls” Said Sunset pulling them in for a big hug which they gladly returned.
Etoile watched this all happen. Her moms and this random lady she didn’t know were hugging and crying and laughing and she was just sitting there wondering what the hell is going on.
After what seemed like forever Sunset pulled away and remembered what she came here to do in the first place and her smile quickly faded. “Girls. I hate to ruin this beautiful moment but I have something I need to discuss with you. Twilight, the one from Equestria, I got a message from her in the journal. We have a problem. A really big problem.
“Well, Ah’ll be.” Applejack said finding the object of her search. It was hidden behind a box of Christmas decorations, Etoile’s baby clothes, and her and her wife’s graduation gowns and hats. A smile crept onto AJ’s face as a flood of memories flooded her mind.
“What is it? Are they ok?” Asked Rarity. Applejack made her way down the attic stairs holding a box in her hands. It wasn’t a dusty old shoebox that could’ve easily been thrown out. It also wasn’t some golden, triple lock, thumbprint, and eye scanning protected box.
“Is what ok?” Etoile asked noticeably frustrated. “I’m still confused. What’s happened? Why do you guys need to get those weird necklaces out again?”
Rarity shot Etoile a look to quiet her and said “I don’t know darling. That’s what Sunsets’ here to tell us. She just said to get out geodes and she’ll show us.”
Etoile rolled her eyes. She still wasn’t too sure about this “Sunset” girl. She knew she wasn’t dangerous, at least she hoped, and she seemed pretty nice. That still didn’t mean Etoile had to like her.
“Why don’t ya go n’make sure she’s enjoying her cider? And see if she wants an’athin’ else?”
“Fiiiine” Etoile rolled her eyes and began walking downstairs to the kitchen. She walked in and saw Sunset looking intensely into a book. The book looked like a journal or diary, kinda old, maybe not used too often. She cleared her throat “Uhm. My Ma wanted me to see if you wanted more cider or anything else?”
Sunset looked up from her book, her thoughts interrupted. “Huh?” She asked not really having heard what Etoile said. “Oh, no thank you.” She forced a smile “it’s great”.
“You haven’t had any…” Etoile said observing the still full cup of cider. “Do you want something else? I think Mom still has some sparkling water.”
“Oh no, I’m fine sweetie.” Etoile gave her a look at her being called “sweetie”, sunset took notice. “Uh-sorry. I’m not too good with kids. Er, not that you’re a kid.” She was rambling, Sunset sighed. “I’m just,” she took a calming breath “kinda stressed. I haven’t seen your parents in over 20 years. We used to be super close but… I guess, we just grew apart.” Sunset looked up at Etoile who was wearing a blank expression.
It’s not that she didn’t care. Her mothers’ friend was clearly worried about something. If they needed to get those necklaces out again then she knew this might actually be serious. But at the same time this lady showed up at her house and now her parents are getting out those necklaces again. Etoile knew those things gave her moms their powers and even though she didn’t show it much anymore she loved them. She didn’t want them to have to fight anything or risk getting hurt. All these thoughts floating in her head give a nice resting bitch face, which often gave off the wrong vibe.
“Sorry” Sunset began apologizing “don’t mean to dump all this on you”
“Oh no it’s fi-“
“Here it i-“ Etoile was interrupted by her Mother who forcefully set the box on the table. Rarity’s almost slamming of the box made years’ worth of collected dust fly everywhere.
They all coughed and tried to shield their faces from the sudden cloud of dust.
“Ehh hehe” Applejack nervously laughed and rubbed the back of her head “sorry y’all. Guess we haven’t gotten them out in a while.”
“Oh, it’s fine. I don't use mine much these days either.” Replied sunset.
“Well, what did you need them for anyway?” Asked rarity.
“Welllll…” sunset began to pull her geode necklace from her shirt but paused. She looked at Rarity and AJ and hinted at Etoile. “Is she- how much does- can I?” Sunset didn’t know how to phrase her question without revealing too much. She looked through Etoile’s memories briefly just to find out what she needed but she didn’t know how much she knew about her parent’s abilities. She clearly knew something but just Incase, Sunset didn’t want to reveal anything her parents didn’t want her to know.
Rarity picked up on what Sunset was asking and quickly eased her nerves. “Oh don’t worry about her darling.” She looked over to her daughter with a trusting and loving smile “She knows the basics, what we felt necessary to tell her.” Turning back to Sunset, Rarity continued “We’re proud of what we did back in the day and were always willing tell Etoile stories if she asked.”
Unfortunately the subject never really came up and because of that, the memories had started to fade.
Recently as the years go by things have been getting harder. Etoile felt that her Moms expected so much of her. Her mother’s words reminded her of when times were happier. She looked at her mother, then her Ma, and smiled.
In that brief instant, when Etoile gave Applejack a smile. She felt a happiness that she hadn’t felt in a while. Her family’s legacy was apples and her wife’s, fashion. She always hoped her daughter didn’t feel pressured to continue that legacy. Applejack thought that pressure was why Etoile had been acting out more and more these past months. That smile, she didn’t realize how much she’d missed her daughters some till she saw it again.
Sunset relived, showed the rest of her necklace.
“Oh my” gasped Rarity
“Uhhh. I don’t remember them doin’ that.” AJ quavered.
Etoile looked at the necklace. It was pretty, red and orange with a sun in the middle that looked like the pin on her shirt. But it was glowing. She got a sense from the others that it wasn’t supposed to do that.
“Princess Twilight from Equestria wrote to me in the journal the other day. We used to comunícate often but now only have occasional checkups.” Sunset looked at Rarity and AJ and asked “May I?” Gesturing to the box. They nodded. With that Sunset Shimmer opened the box and showed the geode necklaces she and her 6 friends held so dear. They wore them everywhere, bore them around their necks like badges of honor. Now it seemed they were treated like simple accessories. Sunset slightly winced at her own shame.
“Why are they doing that? And who is, Twilight?” Etoile asked.
“Well, there’s a perso- a… I have a friend. It’s kinda hard to explain but she’s not from around here. She’s from a land of magic and she’s a very important leader there. We comunícate through this journal.” Sunset showed Etoile her journal.
Now that she had a better look at it she could see that it had a design on the front similar to Sunset Shimmer’s jacket pin and necklace. Jeez, guess she lives up to her name. The symbol on the journal was different though. Instead of a red and or red and orange sun, it was red and yellow on the left side of the sun but different shades of purple spikes on the left side of the sun.
“There’s another one and she has it.” Sunset continued her explanation. “One of us writes in it and the sees the writing on a page in their journal.” Sunset looked up to see if Etoile understood so far and by the looks of it she did. “Well as I was saying, my geode started glowing about a week ago and I decided to ask Twilight what it was all about. She said- actually why don’t I just show you” sunset said as she opened up the book and began reading the pages aloud.
It was a normal day. Sunset got up, got dressed, and today she thought she’d wear her necklace. She got this necklace along with her friends so many years ago. She sighed. Her friends, Sunset hadn’t seen or heard from any of them in years. There wasn’t a fight or something that forced them away, just life. Life happened, and before any of them knew it their daily check-ins became weekly, monthly, bi-monthly, yearly, never. Sunset walked over to the draw under her bed in the tour bus. Her friends and she used to be in a band, she never lost that love for music. She doesn’t play much anymore and she hasn’t performed since The Rainbooms broke up. She’s just happy to help out behind the scenes and be a roadie. Sunset went to grab her necklace but noticed it was… it was GLOWING!? The necklace gave her the ability to read peoples minds, yes it has her powers and was magic but it wasn’t supposed to glow! Sunset had no idea what to do, she couldn’t ask anyone because they’d think she’s crazy! A thought hit her, maybe anyone she asked would think she’s crazy. Sunset began to rifle through her draw and searched for her journal. She found it, this was a sorta new journal. She got a new journal once when she visited Equestria, that one had half of her cutie mark on the left and different shades of purple spikes like Twilight’s cutie mark finishing the left of the sun on the right. This book was basically the same but Sunsets cutie mark was the right half of the sun and Twilight’s the left. Apparently Twilight thought this was enough to differentiate between the journals, Sunset however couldn’t tell them apart so she wrote a big “2” on the inside of the newer one. She began to write.
Dear Princess Twilight,
I know it’s been a while since we last spoke, almost 10 months now. Well, I just wanted to check in to see how everything’s going. Last time we talked you said your nice Flurry Heart
“Flurry Heart!” AJ yelled out. “That’s the…principals… name.” Applejack got quiet at the realization of her sudden outburst. “Ahem,” She cleared her throat “heheh. Sorry, y’all. Continue” Rarity just rolled her eyes and just patted AJ’s back. Sunset giggled a bit and continued reading.
Last time we talked you said your nice Flurry Heart had just saved The Crystal Empire and earned her place as Princess. How’s she doing and how are her parents now that they can finally take a break?
Sunset nervously tapped her pen on the edge of the book. She was trying to start off with some nice small talk. She felt like it was taking Twilight forever to respond but that’s how it usually was. Sunset had waited a grand total of 3 minutes and was beyond antsy. She was pacing around the book which lay on the floor.
“Ok Shimmer! I know ya like to sleep in but it’s time ta get your ass outta bed and get to work” a woman’s voice with a Brooklyn accent called from outside the bus.
“I am up!” Sunset called back “Just uhh… cleaning my space!”
“HA! You actually trying to have a neat workspace?” Sunset could hear the lady chuckling to herself “I don’t care what you’re doing but ya better hurry it up”
Suddenly the page next to the one she wrote in, words started to appear. It was as if an invisible person was standing over the book writing in it.
“Okaaay just. Gimme a minute!”
Dearest Sunset Shimmer, I know it’s been a while but I’m so glad to hear from you! Flurry heart is doing just fine and my brother and sister-in-law are happily relaxing in Silver Shoals. Otherwise, things have been pretty boring around here lately, not much to say. What about you? How are you doing?
Well actually Twilight, I wanted to ask you something. You know those geodes that me and the other girls got when we defeated that camp counselor? Well, mine started to uhh. Glow. I was wondering if you have might have any way of figuring out why it’s doing that, there isn’t much over here about Equestrian magic.
Oh my. Uhm well. I don’t know much about the geodes you shared but I might know what’s causing the glowing. So remember when I said Flurry Heart earned her place as the new ruler of The Crystal Empire. Well, I never really said how she did that. The Empire was under attack, we still don’t know what exactly was causing the attacks but long story short it‘s dangerous. As for its defeat, Flurry cast a banishing spell with the assistance of her mother, Celestia, Luna, and I but in the end, it was her that saved the empire. We only use banishment as a last resort but were ultimately left with no choice. When we began to cast the spell something odd happened. The evil spirit nearly laughed at us, it started… glowing and caused our spell to create a portal. The portal succulent but it didn’t resist, I hadn’t even crossed my mind to say evil spirit may have purposely wanted to go to your world to wreak havoc there. I’m so sorry sunset. I truly did not mean for this to happen. What can I do to help? Maybe if I come through the mirror then I can help.
“C’mon!” The lady yelled again and banged on the door of the bus. “Get out here and help me! We gotta set up for Francis Times Two.” Sunset rolled her eyes. She loved her job and it paid well but the pair she currently worked for. Ugh, idiots. Francis and Frances. Sunset looked to her book and got up. She grabbed a backpack from her bed and stuffed the book in there. She ran out the door, deciding a quiet place would be better to talk to Twilight in. Upon waking out Sunset found herself in front of the lady who had been yelling at her to get out and start working. She was tall, not like a walking skyscraper but tall enough sunset had to look up at her. She wore their normal work uniform, all black. She had her brown hair with fuchsia highlights in a messy bun.
“Actually can you tell their manager that I’m sick today? Just have Steel Weights cover for me.”
“Steel Weights? Really?” The lady asked raising an eyebrow. Sunset looked at her pleadingly and the lady just rolled her eyes “Why are you calling in sick anyways? You’ve never used a sick day in all the time we’ve worked together.”
“Uhhh yeah, I uhhh” Sunset tried but couldn’t come up with an excuse quick enough.
“Lemme guess. It’s something impossibly complicated and hard to explain so it’s better if we just go with ‘you gotta leave?’”
“Yep!” Sunset said running off “thanks Tech, your the best gotta go now byyyeeeee!!!”
“How are you gonna get home?” The lady called out after sunset.
Sunset yelled back “Uhh I have some bus money”
When sunset got to the bus stop she pulled her book out again so she could begin writing with minimal distraction.
Twilight you can’t. This isn’t your fault, you didn’t mean for it to come to this world also, you have duties in Equestria. I can’t just ask you to leave all that to come to help me. Is there anything you know about this… creature that can help me find and defeat it? What are its weaknesses? Where did it come from! What does it look like?
Unfortunately Sunset I can’t say much about it. I don’t know where it came from and it doesn’t really have any weaknesses. There were a few spells that kept it at bay while we figured out the banishing spell, but Celestia and Luna performed those, and if I remember correctly there are any immortal Aliorns in your world. I could still show the spells if you want. I could also provide you with the spell we intended to use to banish it. As for its appearance, it doesn’t look menacing. It’s just a little puff of bluish-red smoke. But the thing that makes it so dangerous is the feeling you get. You can sense its presence, it’s like an emptiness inside of you, it makes you feel jealous, bitter, sad, angry, and alone all at once. Every bad emotion you’ve ever had in your life that’s all you feel. Flurry Heart had the light inside of her to repel the spirit up before we defeated it, all the citizens of the Empire were being terrorized by the emotional turmoil the spirit brought with it. I don’t think you can beat this thing alone Sunset, you’re going to need the help of the rest of the girls.
Well shit.
But Twilight we haven’t spoken in years. I don’t even know where they live, or if they’re even in this country anymore. How my supposed to find them?
Sunset, I know you’ve all grown apart but you have to find them. Only together can you defeat what’s coming. I don’t know what the glowing means or if it’s even happening to theirs. But what I do know is that your friends will help you figure it out. Go find them, I will write the spells to you when I have them all and do research of my own here. Write back if you have any more questions, updates, and when you defeat the spirit.
Heh, yeah, friends. Sunset scoffed. We all moved past friendship years ago.
Ok, I’ll do it. Thanks, Twilight, I’ll be sure to send updates as much as I can and I’ll tell you anything I learn that might help in your search.
“And then I put Sweet Apple Acres in my GPS figuring that this was a place that could never change.” Sunset closed the book “Seems I was right. I just didn’t expect you to be here, Rarity.” Sunset said with a hint of a surprise but a warm smile. “And you guys had a kid! She’s beautiful by the way.”
“Awww.” Applejack said. “Well, I’m glad to know y’all can still count on me.”
Rarity hugged Sunset and gave her a squeeze. “Oh darling, have I mentioned how sorry I am and how happy I am to see you after all these years?” Rarity asked still hugging Sunset.
“Only about 30 times since she got here” Etoile rolled her eyes “Anyways, who are the others? You and your friend were talking about the others. Are there more with powers other than you three?”
“Yeah” Sunset smiled “there were 7 of us. Your parents, me, Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, and the Twilight Sparkle from this world.”
Rarity and AJ looked at each other uncomfortably. They had forgotten the names of their old friends and were shamed at themselves.
“This world?”
“Heh yeah. It might get confusing at times but you’ll learn to roll with it” Sunset nudged Etoile who smiled at her.
“Well, where shall we start our search?” Rarity asked “Twilight, Flutterpie, or Lightning Dish?”
Sunset looked at them and said with a raised eyebrow “Twilight was the only one you got right”
Rarity blushed in embarrassment and said “ahehe yes well. Ahem” she cleared her throat to compose herself and the blush went down “you know what I mean. Which one should we look for first?”
“Hmmm. Well, Dash is probably some sports coach and I can’t imagine Twilight not researching how to invent cold fusion or something like that.” Since AJ and Rarity clearly didn’t remember too much about the rest of them, Sunset was merely thinking aloud to herself. “Fluttershy probably does something to do with animal care and of course pinkie would be a well-known party planner”
“I like parties and animals!” Etoile chimed in. “You said something about one of them being a party that panner. I’m not into sports or science but I do love animals. Can we try one of those?”
Sunset looked at Rarity and Apple Jack, they just shrugged and nodded.
“Yeah sure,” Sunset said turning to Etoile “I think Pinkie will be easier to find though. Do you have a computer or laptop here? I left my phone in my car.”
“Here. Use mine” Etoile handed her phone over to sunset.
“Ok uhhh.” Sunset looked up “party planners” and a few other variations of that before finally finding one that looked right. “Ahh here.” They all gathered around her “the home page on this one says ‘The bestest and most funest party you’ll ever have in your life. It’ll leave you smiling FIVEever! That’s even longer than forever. Email or call with the information provided below to book the best party in your life! We promise you’ll have a super extra fun time with us and it’s completely affordable! we do birthdays, anniversaries, quinceañeras, bat mitzvahs, and so much more! We’ll also take care of the catering’”
“Wow. There were a lot of exclamation marks.” They all nodded in agreement with Etoile.
“Well, that’s pinkie for ya” shrugged Sunset.
“Ok well hand me the phone and let me call in to get an appointment.” Rarity reached for the phone but AJ stopped her.
“Rare this here is serious. We can’t just call to book an appointment. All this stuff with our geodes is somethin’ that should be said in person” Rarity sighed and gave in.
“Fine but where do we even find this…” she looked over Sunsets shoulder to look at the website “Pinkie Pie? Does it say on the website where they’re located?”
“Look at the ‘about us’ section.” Etoile scrolled down. “There what does it say” she pointed at an ádrese at the bottom of the page.
“Here’s an address in case you want to send a letter or order a special custom one of a kind gag delivered to you!!!! We only take those requests by mail.”
“Hmmm. Odd but convenient.” Rarity thought out loud.
“Whooooeeeeee” Apple Jack called “Looks like we’re goin’ on a road trip to What Cheer.”
“You mean the What Cheer state?”
“Yeah. The state named What Cheer.”
“Is that far?” Etoile asked
“Not at all, darling. Just a few states over. Your mother likes to exaggerate”
“How are we gonna get there?” They all looked at Sunset and thought. She did bring up a good point, one which none of them had really given any thought.
“We can use my Glamper!” Rarity squealed and ran out of the room. They all knew exactly what she was talking about. Rarity had a big camper but it was all “glammed” out. It had 3 TVs, two bunk beds, one large one, a kitchen, a large bathroom, and an electric fire. “Oo we haven’t used it since Etoile’s 13th birthday! Ahh, I’m just so excited” rarity was running all over the house and already had 7 suitcases packed.
Apple Jack rolled her eyes “Now ah hope all those suitcases ain’t just for you.”
“Oh of course not darling. This one is for you, this one is Etoile’s, this one is sunsets, and the rest are for me.” Rarity smiled while breathing heavily. Alright, let’s get on with it!” Rarity was already out the back door and trying to pull the suitcases with her. AJ got up and helped her carry them and bring them to the glamper.
Etoile stopped and looked up at sunset. “When you all find this… thing…” She paused avoiding direct eye contact with Sunset. “Will you guys have to… fight it? Like, will anyone get hurt?”
Sunset could see that Etoile was worried about her parents even though she tried to hide it. She didn’t want to say everyone would come out unscathed or that they might die because she didn’t know. “Uhh. I- I don’t know. We should probably focus on just finding the others first.”
Etoile nodded and headed out the door back, sunset followed.
They had arrived. Rarity had hired a driver so on the way down Sunset quizzed Apple Jack and Rarity on their old friends. They had made progress but were still a bit rusty. At least now they remembered their names and basic personality traits.
“Wow” was all Etoile could say. When they walked into the building they were immediately shocked.
“I thought you said she was the fun one” Etoile whispered to Sunset. It was quiet. The foyer was clean, spotless. There was a big spiral staircase that led to a second floor. It was also polished nicely. The whole atmosphere was just kind of… boring. It seemed very professional and that’s what got to sunset the most.
Rarity saw a lady in a room just across from the entrance. She had silver and blue hair and was wearing glasses. She was typing very fast on a computer while also writing constantly on a note pad. Secretary. Rarity thought. “Hello miss, we are here to see Miss Pie.”
The woman at the desk stopped what she was doing, looked Rarity up and down then smiled at her. She went back to her computer and typed for a few seconds. “Uhm I can’t find you in the calendar. Do you have an Appointment?” The woman asked.
“Oh, uhm no actually. We were hoping to talk to her about a private matter.”
The lady looked at Rarity, back to her computer, and then at Rarity. “I’m sorry but if you don’t have an appointment I’m afraid Miss. Pie won’t see you”
The rest finally stopped looking at the decore, or lack thereof and joined Rarity. Just as she was about to protest they heard the sound of children laughing from down the hall.
“Oh no.” The lady at the desk said, “get down!” She yelled while ducking behind her desk. The rest of the group ducked down as the sound grew louder and the ground started to shake. Good thing they were quick about it, they got out of the way just in time
Four kids came busting into the room. One was a girl who appeared to be 17, the second a boy, he looked 11. The two others were twin girls. Maybe 5 or 7. They all had bouncy, curly hair and were on some sort of vehicle that shouldn’t be inside.
“Hehe. Sorry about that.” The first one said as she realized they almost crushed the people in the lobby. She had a high pitched voice but not that of preschoolers. Maybe a 4th graders. She also spoke very fast. “We were having a race. My name is Bubbly” she held out a hand. Bubbly was on a high wheel bicycle that had small rockets attached to make it go faster. “Oh. Maybe it’d help if I got off.” And so she did. Sunset took her hand and shook it, still a little shaken. Bubbly had her light pink hair tied messily into two big buns on the sides of her head.
“I’m Curveball,” said the boy who was driving a car. But as he said that the car’s wheels and floor detached themselves and the top of the car went up. It was like an accordion. His curly hair was brown and he tried styling it by shaving the sides and leaving the middle shone what short.
“And these here are the twins” Bubbly pointed to the two little girls riding unicycles. “Sunshine and Laughter! They can’t talk yet.” They all turn to Bubbly in surprise. Sure they were at least five years old. How could they not talk? Bubbly looked at them and knew they were about to start asking questions, questions she didn’t want to answer. “So you all must be here for a party or some gags? Which one? Oo or is it both?”
“Actually sugar cube,” it was Applejack who spoke first “we’re here t’talk to Pinkie Pie. Do ya happen t’ know where she might be?”
“Well let’s see.” Bubbly turned away from Apple Jack and to the secretary. “Yo Solver Bell!” She yelled now addressing the woman behind the desk. “Is mom at the factory today or is she out with any clients?”
“No” Sliver Bell sighed. “She’s just upstairs organizing her files and such. You know she really wouldn’t like you four doing that. You know how she hates you guys carrying on in the halls.
Bubbly just rolled her eyes and said “Just call her down. These people want to talk to her and she’s free. It’ll be fine.”
Silver Bell walked over to Sunset, Rarity, AppleJack, and Etoile who have remained mostly quiet throughout this whole thing. She whispered to them “Don’t worry. She might seem very ‘serious, no fun and games’ but trust me, she’s the best in the business.” Then she walked back over to her desk and continued with her work.
Sunset pulled the rest aside and said in a hushed voice “ok guys I’m seriously lost.” She looked at Etoile and said “she is supposed to be the fun one. She’s… spontaneous, crazy, hilarious, and definitely not… your typical businesswoman.” They all looked concerned.
“Kind of like those kids?” Etoile asked. “The oldest one even said ‘mom’. Maybe those are her kids?”
Sunset said “yeah probably. They remind me a lot of her.”
While waiting, the four kids in the lobby had been playing and joking with each other but immediately stopped. They got up stood straight in a line and smiled. Very fake smiles.
Applejack had noticed and looked in the direction the kids were staring at. Sunsets jaw dropped and the rest were stunned. They were looking at a pink woman in a suit. The suit was navy blue and she had white high heel shoes. Her hair in a tight slick bun. She bore a blank expression and looked at the four children.
“What did I say about roughhousing in front of clients?” She asked.
Sunset’s mouth might as well have been unhinged at this point. This was pinkie, she recognized her face, but at the same time, Sunset didn’t know who she was looking at. Rarity and AJ were shocked as well but a little less. She spoke in a monotone voice. No expression escaping.
“We‘re sorry mother,” Bubbly said a little less bubbly and a little more guarded. “Yeah really. We didn’t mean to” Curveball added. The twins nodded in unison. They all did this while maintaining their fake expressions.
Pinkie looked over at Sunset Shimmer and the rest and all they could say was
“Yes?” she asked turning away from her kids “her eyes widened slightly and she cocked her head somewhat. “Do I know you from somewhere?”
“Them yes,” Etoile pointed at her parents and sunset who stood, mouths agape, “but me, no. Do you remember Canterlot High?” she asked
“Yes. That is where I graduated high school. How did you know?” Pinkie blinked “wait… girls?”
“Y-yeah.” Rarity said practically in a whisper.
“I-I-” Pinkie was clearly caught off guard and before she knew it she was walking towards them.
In a fit of overwhelming emotions AJ, Rarity, and Sunset pulled her into a group hug. Pinkie froze for a moment not quite sure how to react. Yeah, she’s glad to see her old friends but at the same time… being with them is starting to unlock memories of a better time. A time she’s been trying so hard to forget.
Pinkie pushed away, breaking the hug and confusing the rest of the girls. Clearing her throat realizing she let her guard down, she straightened up.
“So are you here because you need a party planner or…” Pinkie swallowed, “ any of the other services we offer?”
They all shared a look and Sunset looked quizzically at the friend she knew as a happy, cheerful, and silly person. “N-No… we’re here to talk to you, we need your help.”
“Hm, yes well, I’m very busy so unless you’re here for my business then I will have to ask you to leave”
“Mooommmm” Bubbly spoke “They seem really nice”
Pinkie looked at her and said “Fine. You can show them around if you want. Just don’t bother me.” And with that, she left up the stairs and to the second floor.
“Ok, so this is the confetti room. We have about 47 different shapes of confetti.” Curveball was giving the tour and this seemed to be the last stop. “Ya know, squares, circles, triangles, flowers, balloons, animals, all that boring stuff.”
The door to the confetti room was light blue, this hallway contained the first rooms designed when the company was just starting out. The doors seemed to be colored in a yellow, blue, blue pattern. Definitely more colorful than the newer additions.
“Anyways, that’s all of it! Unless…” Curveball looked to Bubbly and the twins who shared a look then shrugged. “Ok, so you guys said you knew our mom in high school right?” He asked.
“Yes. Us three, your mother, and three other girls, we were the best of friends.” Rarity said with a smile. “Alas, time drew us apart.”
Bubbly spoke at a whisper. “Was she uhm…”
“Sorry, hon? Can ya speak up?” Apple Jack asked.
“Our mom… was she-” The twins were on either side of her and gave her hands a little squeeze. “Was she happy? Like- would you say those were the happiest times of her life? In high school?”
“I- Uhm.” All four of the children looked to Sunset for an answer. Clearly, something had happened between graduation and now, that made Pinkie so… “Y-yeah. She was happy. She always knew just how to cheer someone up and made the best cupcakes.”
“Soufflés…” Rarity whispered to herself.
“W-wait. What?” Asked Bubbly.
“Oh sorry, dear. I was just remembering how your mother would always try to make a soufflé for me during the winter. It didn’t always go as planned, you know how soufflés are, but when it did… mmmm.”
Etoile cleared her throat. “If you don’t mind me asking. What happened? Why is she so… serious?”
“Now Etoile!-“ Rarity began scolding her daughter for being so blunt and rude but was cut off
“No it’s ok,” Curveball reassured Rarity and AJ. “Bubbly remembers most but not much. I remember a little but Sunny and laughter probably don’t remember anything.” He sighed and continued talking “here, follow us in this room.”
Pinkie’s children went to the door at the end of the hall. It was an odd yellow color, almost like the cheese in a grilled cheese sandwich. They walked in and there was another factory but this one was way more lively than the others. The workers in the other rooms looked pretty happy, who wouldn’t when you get to work in a party factory all day, but they still looked like it was their job. These employees didn’t give off that vibe.
“This is our dad’s…” Curveball pauses and talks in a very showy, energetic voice. “specially crafted custom gag factory!!!” the twins and Bubbly laugh at him and Bubbly takes over.
“Dad was the one who started the company and this” she gestures to the silliness going on down below the stairs they’re on. “Is what he started with. He and mom built up the company but then…” Bubbly looked down at her little siblings. “Shortly after they had Sunshine and Laughter… Dad was at the bank to get some money for whatever reason, there was a robbery and dad died trying to protect one of the hostages.”
“Oh, my” Sunset gasped.
Applejack looked at the kids empathetically. “Ah know what it’s like to lose parents when yer just a youngin’, it’s a feeling that can’t be described and never really goes away. I’m so sorry y'all know what that feels like”
Bubbly smiled and looked at AJ with “Yeah. it was really hard at first but now we can talk about him and not be sad. Curveball and I talk about him all the time to the twins because we want them to know how great he was.”
“Well, I’m so happy that you all are at that point.” Rarity chimed in and took Bubbly’s hands in her own. “It took me a while to get to that point after my mother passed. You’re all very mature for your ages.” She said bending down to smile at Sunshine and Laughter.
“Ever since then mom was never the same. For a few weeks, she would spend her time either walking around the house or sleeping. She barely ate or talked to us. Then all of the sudden she started going to work again and interacting with the twins. She would always have a fake smile on, but we could hear her crying at night. Sometimes the girls couldn’t sleep and Bubbly or I would have to stay with them till they did. After a few weeks of that, she stopped and distanced herself again. She put on the hard exterior she has now and has been that way for years-”
Bubbly cut Curveball off. “When we first saw how sad she was we would try to cheer her up by talking about dad, be funny, bake a cake. Just like she and dad would do for us. That didn’t last long though. She couldn’t even think about dad and broke down if we mentioned him. She rejected any of our efforts and couldn’t even be a mother to her chil-” Bubbly seemed to be getting more enraged the more she talked.
“Bubbly!” Curveball stopped her before she could get herself any further. “Mom has been closed off since Dad died and… do you guys think you could reach her? We’ve all tried so many times but I think we just remind her too much of what she’s lost.”
“Oh sweeties, of course, we’ll try,” Rarity assured them. “but we haven’t seen your mother since a bit after high school.”
“But we’re definitely gonna try.” Sunset looked at AJ and Rarity and they all nodded
“An’thing to get the old Pinkie Pie back,” Applejack added enthusiastically.
“Hey uhm, I think I’ll just stay back here and chill with them” Etoile motioned to Pinkie’s kids. “If that’s alright with you guys?” She smiled at them.
“Yeah!” Bubbly and Curveball said in sync.
They laughed and curveball said, “We can show you the REALLY cool parts of this place, like where we got those cool vehicles we rode in on!”
“Be careful and have fun y’all” Applejack called to Etoile as she was quickly whisked away. She gave a hearty chuckle and turned to the girls. “Well, let's get on findin’ our way back to the lobby and up those stairs. We’re gonna get our friend back!” and with that, they took off to Pinkie’s office.
As soon as Pinkie was out of sight and earshot she ran to her office and shut the door behind her. She clutched her hand against her chest and felt her heavy breathing and rapid heartbeat. They’re here? AJ, Rarity, Sunset, and… who was that girl again? Did they say? “Whatever it doesn’t matter, as long as I don’t have to see them again.”
Pinkie went to a cabinet towards the back of the room and opened it. There was a box and she rifled through it. Pinkie began to wonder out loud. “Ugh!” she couldn’t find them. “Where are they, where are they?! I- I need my antide-” but her hand touched something rubber and familiar. Pinkie hoped it wasn’t what she thought but she squeezed and a squeak came from the object.
No. no no no no no no NO! “I didn’t know this was still here…” Pinkie said trembling. Why? WHY WHY WHY? Pinkie knew what it was and couldn’t bear to pull it out. To look at it. “But why?” she asked herself as she retracted from the object. She knew the reason, she just needed to say it. “Because it’s a reminder. All of this is. Of you Cheesy”
Her vision blurred and Pinkie felt something wet on her face, it was chilling and burned at the same time. She was crying and it took her only a fraction of a second to realize why. That was the first time she’d said his name since… No, this isn’t right.
“UGH, Pinkamina what are you doing? Stop it, you’ve wasted enough time on this. You have work do to, orders to fill, dates to set, party to plan.” That was that, no more tears. Pinkie put away her feelings and went to work like she’s done so many times now. Just work, because, it can’t hurt you, you’re in charge of it, you control the outcome. Just work.
“This place is a maze!” Sunset declared upon finally seeing the lobby. “That took like 20 minutes!”
“I haven’t been that lost since that time Big Mac tried t’ explain Ogers and… whatever that game was.”
“Ladies, before we go in there I suggest we devise a plan. We all saw how Pinkie was. She’s not the same”
“She’s also hidin’ something. Her kids told us that she’s been closed off, an’ ah mean… ya’ll saw her.”
“She’s gonna resist and deny it. She pulled away from our hug and practically ran out of there.” Sunset pointed out. “How should we approach this? Obviously, we’re gonna have to push but we haven’t seen her for so long. How do we even go about that?”
After a moment Rarity spoke up. “She’s fragile and we need to be understanding, stern too. Like you said darling, we need to push. For one we have to tell her about the geodes, and I know we promised the kids that we’d try to get her to warm up but,” she paused and looked at the other two. “I don’t believe we should get that personal just yet.”
“Ya got a point Rares. Right now we’re just people, who she hasn’t seen in years, suddenly bargin' into her life. We shouldn’t go askin’ all these personal questions and telling her how to be a mom.”
“ Welp! Sounds like a plan, and I'm tired of waiting, so let’s go!” Sunset said enthusiastically
“Uhm Sunset that really wasn’t a plan,” Rarity told Sunset with a nervous laugh.
“Geodes,” Sunset held up her index finger, “no personal stuff” she added her middle finger, “and push back” she raised her ring finger, and with that Sunset walked up the stairs where she saw Pinkie come from when they first arrived.
“Sunset, that still ain’t a plan” Applejack attempted to tell her while trying to catch up. “Those are objectives”
“Yes darling, a plan is a set of actions you’d take to-”
“Ok, I think that’s her door.” Sunset ignored the couple and pointed at a grey door as she reached the top of the stairs. It was the first door to the left and had three faded balloons that looked like they had been painted a lifetime ago.
The girls went quiet and walked up to the door. They didn’t hear any noise from the other side of the door so Rarity put her ear up to the door to see if Pinkie was in there. Nothing at first but then she managed to make out the familiar sound of pencil on paper. Then came the fast clicks of a computer keyboard.
“So?” Sunset asked.
“It sounds like she’s in there.”
“Ok, soooo…” The girls looked at each other and Sunset rolled her eyes and signaled for Rarity to step aside. Deciding to take the first step, she knocked on the door. Nothing. Sunset waited and knocked again, this time a little less patient.
“Kids if this is one of you then you know my rule about interrupting my work. Whatever it is will have to wait till after I’m finished planning.” Pinkie said from the other side.
Sunset wanted to get to the point and stop messing around. “Ugh Pinkie Pie it’s us! Open the door, we need to talk.”
The door quickly opened and Sunset and Pinkie were face to face. Both glaring at the other with discontent.
Pinkie looked at three of her oldest and dearest friends standing before her and sharpened her glare.
“Why are you still here? I’m assuming the tour is over, you may leave now.”
“Listen Pinkie Pie, somethin's goin’ on and we need yer help.”
“No.”
The door began to close but Applejack stopped it. Her strength kept it open against Pinkies will.
“It’s about the geodes and Equestria. Just hear us out. Please?” AJ pleaded.
“If I let you talk will you leave? I have a lot of work that needs to be done and I can tell you won’t let me get back to it unless I humor you. So yes come on in.”
Pinkie Pie looked at the group and pointed to some chairs in front of her desk. Applejack and Rarity sat down but there were only two chairs. Pinkie took her seat and motioned to a couch behind the chairs for Sunset to sit at.
“I’ll stand.”
They sat in silence, it was one minute at most but might as well have been an hour.
Sunset spoke. “Do you remember us?”
"Of course, I remember you girls, we all used to be the best of friends! Oh, you don’t know how much I’ve missed you, I need someone right now. I’m so sad and alone, it’s been so hard without you. I’ve been keeping it all in and I don’t even feel like the same Pinkie anymore. What is it you need? I’ll do whatever I can to help."
Yeah, a small part of Pinkie wanted to say that, deep down. She did remember them and she was happy they were here, but then those memories came back… She couldn’t let them, she wouldn’t remember. So instead she pushed that response out of her mind faster than it came.
“Vaguely.” She paused “I know that we went to the same high school. Did we have classes together?”
“You could say that.” Applejack scoffed.
"We used to be the best of friends. We went on so many adventures and learned so much from each other." As Sunset went on, she, Rarity, and Applejack explained to Pinkie who they were and who the others of their old group were. They told her about all the adventures they went on and how they all loved and learned from each other.
Throughout all this storytelling Pinkie listened and even began to warm up. The others could tell they were getting through to her and kept going. To tell the truth, she had forgotten some of their adventures and hearing all the things they used to do together and how close they were, Pinkie missed that. She just didn’t know it yet.
Some of the stories even got a chuckle out of her. This was the first time she really enjoyed anything since well... I think you know by now.
Finally, they got to Camp Everfree and told her about the geodes. This adventure was one of those Pinkie was a little fuzzy on. She remembered the big things like Gloriosa Daisy, and getting powers, but she had completely forgotten about the geodes.
“Do you still have yours? It should look like these?” Rarity pulled a jewelry pouch from her purse and took out three similar-looking necklaces except for the symbol in the middle. They were glowing in a pulsating rhythm. “Yours would be pink with three balloons.”
Now they explained why they were there. Sunset showed her the messages from Princess Twilight and told her why the geodes were acting the way they were and what they needed from her.
Remember when I said this was her first time really enjoying anything? Well, I meant it. Yes, all this reminiscing was making Pinkie smile but you have to realize that you can't make up for years of not laughing in just 40 minutes. Pinkie was still hurting, that's why she said what she said next.
“I haven’t gotten rid of most things from high school but it’s all been stored away. I don’t want to go digging up old memories but you all are welcome to if you’d like. Anything I had from high school would be in a storage unit near Fetlock Haven. I can give you directions if you’d like-”
Rarity cut Pinkie off. “Darling I don’t think you truly understand why we came here. We needed to warn you of all this but we also need your help. This won’t work unless all of us are there to stop the evil that’s coming. Please Pinkie Pie, come with us, help us find your geode, and gather the others.”
“Look you three, I listened to what you had to say and I even guided you to what you need. I’m not going to join you. My life is here, I can’t go run off on an adventure with you. I have my work, my kids, my…”
My thoughts I want to keep back.
“My life is here. I’m sorry but I just can’t”
It’ll hurt too much.
“Now you listen here sugar cube!” AJ was putting her foot down. “This not only affects the four of us, it affects our children as well! Do ya’ll want some almighty mystical thing comin’ after yer family? Cause that’s what’s gonna happen if ya don’t help us defeat it! Don’t you wanna protect them?”
“APPLEJACK! I AM NOT GOING TO HELP YOU!
“WHY NOT?!”
“BECAUSE I CAN’T OK! I CAN’T I just- “Pinkie’s voice cracked ”I- I can’t”
Something in Pinkie broke, of course, it was Applejack who took down the wall Pinkie had been putting up for years. She always did have a way of forcing others to stop lying to themselves or others.
Pinkie sat down and put her face in her hands as she began to cry. I mean really cry, for the first time in years. When AJ said that part about her kids, Pinkie realized how alone she’d left them. Ever since her husband died Pinkie had just disappeared. The thing she realized now that she failed to so long ago was that it wasn’t just her husband that died. Bubbly, Curveball, Sunshine, and Laughter had lost their father… and they might as well have lost their mother too. What was she doing?
“Come here hon” Applejack whispered, sitting down to comfort her old friend.
“Oh darling, We know it had to be hard, but we’re here now.”
“Pinkie Pie” Sunset lifted her head to look at her “I’ve missed you.”
Pinkie lunged forward and gave Sunset a big hug and continued crying. After all these years, she could still rely on her friends to be a shoulder to cry on. Even after all the time spent apart and how rude she was to them, they came back and wouldn’t let go.
The four of them sat there for a while embracing Pinkie in a much-needed hug.