Self-Reconciliation
Sunset Shimmer fidgeted in her seat.
“The plane’s not taking off for another few minutes,” she said to her friends on the laptop screen in front of her. “This is so nerve-wracking.”
“Aw, don’t worry, Sunny!” Pinkie Pie smiled. “Flights are super-duper fun! You can see the entire world from all the way up in the sky!”
“Wait, I thought you were fine with flying now,” Twilight Sparkle said. “Sure, your first flight didn’t go well, but you’ve definitely improved since then.”
Sunset put a hand to her forehead. “Why is it that no one ever listens to ‘we shall never speak of this again?’”
Twilight grinned sheepishly. “Sorry…”
“Heh, that was a flight to remember,” Rainbow Dash chuckled. “Everyone on the plane was dreading any bit of turbulence because they knew Sunset was gonna freak out!”
Pinkie giggled. “Remember how red Twilight’s hand was because Sunset was clutching it so tight?”
“Honestly, you two!” Rarity said. “Think of how your poor friend feels!”
Rainbow and Pinkie turned back to Sunset, who had her head on the tray in front of her. “Oops,” Rainbow said. “Sorry, Sunset.”
Sunset sat up. “It’s alright, I know you didn’t mean any offense. But I would rather just let that moment be a memory rather than something to relive.”
“Can do!” Pinkie grinned.
“Again, though, I thought you had gotten more used to flights,” Twilight said.
“I have,” Sunset told her. “It’s not the flight that’s making me nervous.”
“Well then, what’s eatin’ ya?” Applejack asked.
Sunset opened her mouth to respond, but Rarity spoke up before she could answer.
“You’re thinking about her, aren’t you?”
Sunset sighed. “Yeah… yeah, I am.”
There was an uncomfortable silence before Sunset continued. “It’s been almost two and a half years now. I have no idea what she’s gotten up to since she left. I don’t even know how she’s going to react when she sees me.”
“Well, she was the one that asked to see ya again, wasn’t she?” Applejack asked.
“Yeah, she was,” Sunset replied. “But I’m still nervous. This is the girl that I ruined my relationship with all because I was selfish, destructive, and thought she wasn’t doing enough. I broke her heart, and I stole her life. What am I even supposed to say to her when I see her?”
“Sunset, I have no doubt that whatever you decide to do, it will all be okay,” Twilight said. “You’re not a bully anymore, you no longer act like that. She wants to see you again because she heard you had changed. I’m positive that she will be more than willing to patch things up with you when you meet up.”
“Yeah!” Pinkie added. “All it takes is a few well-timed apologies and some hugs, and you’re all back to normal again!”
Sunset let out a short laugh. “Well, I don’t think it’s THAT simple, Pinkie…”
“You know what I mean!” Pinkie said.
“It really doesn’t take much, darling,” Rarity said to Sunset. “Just let her know how you feel, and say sorry for all the mistakes. It’s as simple as that.”
“You got this, Sunset!” Rainbow said with a thumbs-up. “I don’t know anybody who’s better at patching up friendships and relationships than you!”
Fluttershy brushed her hair away from her face. “Um… if it means anything… I think she’ll be really happy to see you again…”
Sunset smiled. “Thank you, girls. I really needed to hear this.”
“No problemo!” Pinkie replied. “Anything for our best friend!”
Rainbow then gave a short snicker. “God… I still can’t believe that you used to date your-”
“Dash,” Applejack interrupted, giving her a stern look.
“What?” Rainbow asked. “Come on, you gotta admit that’s a freaking riot!”
“Rainbow Dash, show some respect!” Rarity said.
Sunset rolled her eyes and smiled, watching her friends bicker.
“Why didn’t you tell us about her sooner, by the way?” Twilight asked to Sunset.
Sunset leaned back in her seat. “It was a really touchy subject for a long time. It still hurt to think about. And I mean, how are you supposed to tell your friends that you dated and drove away your- well, you know…”
“Fair enough, I guess.” Twilight said, nodding.
Just then, the takeoff announcement came on, asking all passengers to put away their electronic devices.
“Looks like we’re about to head out,” Sunset said. “Thank you for all the encouragement, I’ll check back in after I’ve landed in Baltimare.”
Sunset’s friends all said goodbye. “Good luck with her!” Pinkie said with a big grin.
Sunset closed her laptop and slipped it into her backpack. She looked out the window as the plane began to roll down the runway. She held her breath as it shot down the path and up into the sky.
Sunset closed her eyes and leaned back into her seat. Nothing much to do now but relax for a few hours.
Sunset stared at the text that had just appeared in her MyStable’s Direct Message feed.
Th3Displaced: Hey there, Shimmy. Remember me?
She clicked on the name of the account that sent the message, scrolling through the user’s top posts. Sure enough, it was who she thought it was.
Sunset’s hands trembled over her keyboard. Slowly, she sent a message back.
shimsham616: Sunny? Is that really you?
It only took a second for the other user to respond.
Th3Displaced: Sure is. It’s been a long time, hasn’t it?
shimsham616: That’s an understatement…
Th3Displaced: How have you been? I haven’t talked to you in years!
shimsham616: I’m fine, I guess?
Th3Displaced: You guess?
shimsham616: I just… didn’t think you would ever want to talk to me again.
Th3Displaced: Oh, right…
shimsham616: Did anything happen? What’s with this sudden greeting?
Th3Displaced: I found one of your posts while browsing MyStable. Sounds like a lot has been going on since I left.
Sunset chuckled softly.
shimsham616: You don’t know the half of it.
Th3Displaced: You have some friends now, it looks like?
shimsham616: Absolutely. The best friends that I could EVER have. I would be nothing without them.
Th3Displaced: And the rest of the school likes you now? The whole city even, maybe?
shimsham616: It may be hard to believe, but yes. I’m no longer a bully anymore.
Th3Displaced: Well done, Shimmy. I gotta say, that’s pretty darn incredible.
Sunset stared wide-eyed at her screen. Out of all the possible scenarios that could have happened from this user messaging her, she never expected it to be this one.
shimsham616: You’re really not mad at me anymore?
Th3Displaced: Is there really a point to be? We haven’t seen each other for so long, and you’ve clearly made a big effort to change your life. Honestly, I think I’m too impressed to be mad.
shimsham616: Even after all that I did to you?
Th3Displaced: Shimmy, if everyone else has forgiven you, why can’t I?
shimsham616: I ruined your life, Sunny!
Th3Displaced: And then I started a new one. From the looks of things, I’d say we both did.
shimsham616: You never should have had to leave, Sunny. I should have been better. I should have been more like you.
Th3Displaced: Shimmy, what’s in the past is in the past. You don’t need to beat yourself up over it. I mean it when I say I forgive you.
A tear began to roll down Sunset’s cheek.
shimsham616: I never thought I would ever hear you utter those words… thank you, Sunny.
Th3Displaced: You’re welcome. <3
A minute or two passed where no messages were sent. Sunset just sat looking at the kind words from her former lover, still trying to process the fact that she didn’t hate her anymore. Then another message came in.
Th3Displaced: So, um… now that that’s happened… I have a proposition for you…
shimsham616: Hit me.
Th3Displaced: Spring Break is coming up, as you might have heard…
shimsham616: I have heard that, yes.
Th3Displaced: I don’t suppose you would be willing to… come and visit?
Sunset’s eyes widened once more. Her hands froze over her keyboard for a few brief seconds before typing again.
shimsham616: You want me to come and see you? In person?
Th3Displaced: Yeah. After all that, I was really hoping I could see your face and hear your voice again. It’s been so long, and I want to really catch up instead of just messaging each other like this.
shimsham616: I… I really don’t know…
Th3Displaced: If you have other plans, or if you’re just not entirely ready to meet up again, that’s totally fine. I can accept whatever decision you make. But it would really mean a lot to me if you came.
Sunset stared at the last line of the message. Her shaking fingers wrote a reply before she deleted it and started over. The process repeated about seven times.
Sunset took a deep breath, then sat up in her seat and shook her head. Her eyes narrowed as she wrote her response.
shimsham616: I won’t disappoint you again. Of course I can come over.
There was a long pause before the other user responded.
Th3Displaced: Thank you so much, Shimmy! You have no idea how much I was hoping you would say yes!
shimsham616: I’ll have to make sure my friends know, but I can definitely do that. It’ll be nice to see you again as well. Where are you living now?
Th3Displaced: Oh, that’s right, I never told you where I was going! There was a reason for that, but whatever, doesn’t matter anymore. I live in this cozy little apartment in downtown Baltimare…
Sunset stepped out of the taxi and handed a wad of money to the driver.
“Thank you so much. No, no, keep the change, I insist!”
As the taxi sped off, Sunset approached the apartment building. She was impressed by how tall it was.
“What I wouldn’t give to live in a place like this…” Sunset murmured to herself.
She approached the intercom and pressed a button. The buzzer went off almost instantaneously, startling her.
“Come on up,” a voice came through the speaker. “The door’s unlocked, you won’t have to knock.”
“Thanks,” Sunset replied.
She opened the door to the building. The main foyer was empty, save for a short man mopping the floor.
The man looked up and smiled. “Why, hello, Ms. Shimmer! I could have sworn I never saw ya leave this morning!”
Sunset raised an eyebrow. “Um… do I know you?”
“What do you mean, do you know me?” The man asked. “Of course you know me! Mr. Higgins? The janitor? Surely ya haven’t forgotten me after all this time!”
Sunset still looked confused, before a thought occurred to her. “Oh, um, right,” she said with a blush. “Sorry, I’m a little out of it today. Uh, forgetting things left and right!” She nervously laughed.
Mr. Higgins laughed. “Ah, I don’t hold it against ya! Happens to the best of us! I won’t keep holding ya up now, y’all can hurry along now!”
Sunset gave a little wave as she walked away. “Well, that was awkward,” she muttered.
Sunset stepped into the elevator and went up to the fifth floor. After that, it was a quick walk to the end of the corridor. She stood in front of the door she was looking for. Her hands were shaking and her breathing was heavy yet again.
“You can do this, Sunset,” she told herself. “She doesn’t hate you anymore. She wants to see you. Just keep your cool. Don’t blow things again. You can do this.”
With a deep breath, Sunset opened the door to the apartment. She stepped in and looked around, amazed at how nice it looked. A kitchen on the left, a flat-screen TV and a comfy sofa in front of that, a guest bed sitting in the far-left corner, and a master bedroom around the corner on the right.
Just then, footsteps could be heard. Sunset’s head snapped forward to lay eyes on the girl that came into view from the bedroom.
The two Sunset Shimmers locked eyes, both in awe of each other’s presence.
“Shimmy,” one Sunset said.
“Sunny,” the other Sunset said back.
The two gazed at each other for half a minute before the Sunset in the doorway couldn’t take it anymore. She flung herself toward her double and tightly wrapped her arms around her. Tears were forming in her eyes.
“Oh my gosh, Sunny…” the girl whimpered. “I’m sorry… I’m so, so sorry…”
Sunny returned the hug. “I know, Shimmy. I know.”
“Get out.”
“…care to repeat that?” Shimmy said, glaring at her double.
“You heard me just fine!” Sunny shouted back. “Get out of my house, right now! I will not tolerate this anymore!”
“Can’t tolerate what?!” Shimmy snapped. “Me trying to give you a little bit of a freaking backbone?!”
“You got us suspended!” Sunny yelled. “You got into a fight with FOUR DIFFERENT STUDENTS! You have RUINED me!”
“You know they deserved it,” Shimmy sneered.
“I don’t care! My record is destroyed! You may have just single-handedly ruined all my chances into getting into a good college! I was all set to go to Everton in a few years!”
“For the love of Celestia, Sunny, you need to learn to live!” Shimmy shouted. “Get your head out of your schoolwork and start realizing that I’m doing you a favour!”
“A FAVOUR?!” Sunny yelled. “Has it ever occurred to you that maybe I LIKED the way my life was up until this point?!”
“Oh, yeah, that’s rich,” Shimmy spat. “You’re pathetic, Sunny. You only care about your academics and your future and you let people walk all over you. Just imagine what you could do if you were enough to be on top.”
“I don’t want to be on top!” Sunny shot back. “I don’t want any of what you’re saying! Why are you so insistent on tarnishing our name like this?!”
With that last line, something inside Shimmy snapped.
“OUR name?” Shimmy growled. “Let me tell you something right now, you little faker. Sunset Shimmer is MY name. A name that everyone should know is a name to be respected. A name that people should associate with power and dominance. A name that is worthy of an all-powerful ruler like I so very much deserve to be.
“But you… you are NOT Sunset Shimmer. You’re just an inferior fake. A cheap copy. You may have my face, my voice, my name… but you don’t deserve any of it. YOU are the one that’s tarnishing MY name, because YOU don’t have the will to take what you want and assert your dominance over anyone that stands in your way!”
Sunny shrunk back in horror as Shimmy screamed at her.
“You are the most PATHETIC excuse for a Sunset Shimmer that I have EVER seen! You have so much potential to be more like me and you SQUANDER it! I am honestly DISGUSTED at seeing you let everyone take advantage of you and let them knock you down! I took matters into my own hands because you’re NOT worthy of our name!
“I came here seeking to amass power and take it back to my world to show them who I am! And I am still dead set on making that dream a reality! And I am not letting a WEAK, WORTHLESS, INFERIOR COPY like you TAKE IT AWAY FROM ME!!”
Sunny crumpled to the floor against the wall behind her. Tears were beginning to roll down her cheeks.
Shimmy glared at her double. “Look at you. You can’t even stand up to me. Why did I ever believe I loved you?”
Sunny gasped in shock.
“If there’s anyone that’s ‘getting out’ right now, it’s you,” Shimmy snapped. “I don’t need you anymore, faker.”
Sunny’s face morphed into an anguished glare. “Fine. I don’t want to see you again anyway. You’ve already ruined my life enough.”
Shimmy watched as Sunny stormed to her dresser and packed a suitcase with her belongings. She lugged the bags down the stairs and made her way to the door.
“I thought I knew you, Shimmer,” Sunny spat, no longer using their nicknames for each other. “I thought you were a person worth loving. I never should have taken you in. Thanks for ruining my life.”
“And thanks for ruining mine,” Shimmy shot back. “Can’t wait to see how much you tarnish my name wherever you end up.”
With one final glare, Sunny slammed the door shut.
Sunset Shimmer was now alone in the apartment. She made her way to the window, where she watched a girl that looked like her storm away from the building. When the girl was out of sight, she picked up a picture of her and the girl together, stepped back, and hurled it out the window.
“Good riddance.”
The Sunsets spent most of the evening making amends. Sunny let Shimmy cry into her shoulder as he blubbered apology after apology.
“I’m such a terrible person… I should have never said any of those awful things… I don’t deserve you… I honestly don’t understand you can forgive me…”
“Oh, Shimmy…” Sunny said softly. “I already told you, it’s okay. You know how happy I was when I saw you online? I was overjoyed!”
Shimmy looked up with a sniffle. “Really?”
“You bet your pony plot I was! I was amazed at how much you had done! I mean, come on, saving the world from evil sirens, together with your friends? That’s a redemption in my book!”
“That doesn’t excuse everything I did to you,” Shimmy said.
“It does to me,” Sunny told her. “I’m telling you, there is no point in holding a grudge against you when it’s been years since we parted and when you’ve done so much to prove you’ve changed. You are not the person you once were. And I’m just so happy to have the girl I loved back in my life.”
Shimmy wiped her tears away. “Wow… how fitting that the person that I find more forgiving than myself… is myself.”
The twin girls shared a laugh at that remark.
“I missed you so much,” Sunny said.
“And I forgot just how much I missed you,” Shimmy replied. “How could I ever drive away a person so sweet and perfect as you?”
“Be careful, you’re starting to border on narcissism here,” Sunny giggled.
“Haven’t we both already done that?” Shimmy shot back with a grin.
Before the Sunsets could dissolve into playful banter, the doorbell rang.
“Ah! That must be the dinner I ordered!” Sunny said, getting up to answer the door.
“Well, well, someone sure prepared things in advance,” Shimmy said.
“Ha! What kind of a partner would I be if I didn’t?” Sunny replied.
She opened the door and took the food from the delivery guy. “Thank you so much. No, no, keep the change, I insist!”
Shimmy raised an eyebrow after the delivery guy left. “Are you sure we’re not exactly the same?”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Sunny put her own eyebrow up to match her double’s.
“I could have sworn I said the exact same thing to my taxi driver.”
Sunny then put a finger up to her scalp. “Great minds think alike, I guess!”
Sunny took the food out of the delivery carton and laid it out on the table. Shimmy sat down and surveyed her meal.
“Wow, my favourite dinner! How did you know?” She teased her twin.
“Gee, I wonder how I knew the favourite meal of the love of my life!” Sunny shot back.
The Sunsets laughed, then sat down to eat.
“So, I never got a chance to ask yet, what’s happened with you?” Shimmy asked. “You know all about my adventures by now, but what’s gone on in your life?”
Sunny thought for a few seconds. “Let’s see… after I left, I travelled for a bit looking for a place to live. I tried out Manehattan, Vanhoover and Fillydelphia, but didn’t stick around for long in any of them. I then found this place here in Baltimare and settled down.”
“It’s certainly a very nice apartment,” Shimmy said, looking around.
Sunny nodded. “There were a few schools in the area that I could have enrolled at, but I chose Crystal Prep because I used to go to the one in Canterlot before CHS and it was the most familiar.”
“There’s more than one Crystal Prep?” Shimmy asked.
“Yeah, there’s a bunch of campuses around the world,” Sunny answered. “I heard there’s one in Paris!”
“Interesting,” Shimmy said. “How is it? I would imagine it was a lot better than the one in Canterlot, seeing as there was no Abacus Cinch to deal with.”
“Yep, that was a major plus,” Sunny giggled. “Not only that, but the students there are super nice and barely stuck-up at all! I have a great group of friends that I would love to introduce to you!”
“I would love that,” Shimmy said. “Only problem, though… it’s gonna be real awkward to introduce your girlfriend that looks just like you to your friends, I’m sure.”
“Whoever said I need to do it?” Sunny asked with a grin. “You can just go to our next meetup posing as me! None of them will be the wiser!”
Shimmy laughed. “Just like old times?”
“Just like old times!”
The two girls shared another laugh.
“Well, it sounds like you have a pretty great life, Sunny,” Shimmy told her double.
“And I have you to thank for it,” Sunny replied.
Shimmy’s eyes widened. “Me?”
“While you driving me out still hurt… my current life was a result of that,” Sunny explained. “I wouldn’t have gotten to where I am now if you didn’t do that. So, a lot of good still came out of it!”
Shimmy nodded slowly. “Yeah… I guess that’s true.”
“And now look!” Sunny added. “I now have a new life, great friends, AND my girlfriend who is myself! I have the whole package!”
Shimmy snort-laughed. “Dammit, Sunny! I forgot how much you used to make me laugh!”
Sunny smirked. “Looks like I still got it!”
As the laughter died down, the girls finished their meals. “Now that is some good food,” Shimmy said.
“I’m glad you enjoyed,” Sunny replied. “So, is there anything else you’re up for or are you too wiped?”
Shimmy smirked. “Come on, Sunny. What do you think I’m up for?”
Sunny returned the smirk. “Gaming session?”
“Bingo!” Shimmy exclaimed. “How about a few deathmatches of Tirek’s Revenge?”
Sunny let out a bark-laugh. “Hell no! I need something I can actually win at against you!”
“Alright then, what do you have in mind?”
Sunny grinned. “I’m level 65 in Move or Die. There’s no way you can beat me!”
Slowly, an evil smile appeared on Shimmy’s face.
“Tell me, Sunny, does the name “EmpathyGoddess222” mean anything to you?”
A look of shock and horror appeared on Sunny’s face.
“You… you’re my MoD nemesis…”
“Game on, Displaced,” Shimmy said.
“Sunny?” I’m home,” Shimmy called, walking through the door.
Sunny bolted up from the sofa. “Where have you been? It’s been ages since class should have let out!”
“I just had detention, don’t worry about it,” Shimmy told her, dropping their backpack on the ground.
“D-detention…?” Sunny went white in the face and whirled around, planting both hands on her head. “No no no no no NO NO!”
“Sheesh, calm down, Sunny,” Shimmy said. “It’s just a detention, what’s the big deal?”
“I’ve never had a detention in my life!” Sunny shouted. “Not a single one! Do you have any idea of what this could do to me? My spotless record is ruined!”
“Sunny, come on-”
Sunny grabbed Shimmy by the shoulders. “What did you even do?!”
Still unfazed, Shimmy responded, “Some big guy was making fun of the outfit you gave me. So I punched his face in.”
Sunny was horrified. “OH MY GOD!”
She dove onto the sofa and put her face in her hands. “Why?! WHY couldn’t you have just ignored him and moved on?!”
Shimmy stared at Sunny incredulously. “He was making fun of us, Sunny. I wasn’t going to let him get away with that.”
“Shimmy, you don’t know what you’ve started,” Sunny said, looking back up. “We now have a blemish on our record, and whoever this guy is, he’s gonna come after us! I’m not prepared for this!”
“You don’t have to do anything,” Shimmy told her. “If he comes after either of us, I’ll handle it.”
“NO!” Sunny shouted. “No more fighting! And no more getting detention! I can’t afford any more mistakes!”
“A mistake?” Shimmy asked. “Is it a mistake to stand up for ourselves? Is it a mistake to teach people a lesson in the name of the person I love?”
Sunny stopped. She got up from the sofa and embraced Shimmy.
“I appreciate you thinking of me. But this is not how I do things. I’ve gotten this far, and I don’t want things ruined now. Please, don’t make trouble when you don’t need to.”
The twin girls parted. Shimmy watched Sunny head to the kitchen to start dinner.
“You need to grow a spine, Sunny,” Shimmy called to her.
Sunny only gave a quick glance at Shimmy before resuming her work.
“There must be some mistake,” Shimmy said to Sunny. “We must have taken a wrong turn somewhere. This can’t be the right place!”
“Why not?” Sunny asked.
Shimmy gestured to the restaurant in front of them. “It’s too fancy!”
Sunny laughed. “Surely nothing’s too fancy for my girlfriend, right?”
“How can you even afford this?!” Shimmy exclaimed.
“I can’t,” Sunny replied. “You’re paying.”
“WHAT?!”
“Shhh! I’m kidding!” Sunny giggled. “I’ve actually been saving up for an occasion like this for a long time. Just never knew it would be with you!”
Shimmy breathed a sigh of relief. “Good grief, Sunny.”
Sunny smirked as she dragged Shimmy into the restaurant. The twin girls sat down at a booth near the kitchen.
“I can’t believe you’ve done all this for me,” Shimmy said, looking around the restaurant. “I really don’t think I deserve this.”
“Shimmy, are you still feeling bad for what you did?” Sunny asked with a sad face.
“No, no, I just meant in general,” Shimmy replied. “Just… everything you’ve done for me so far has been spectacular! It’s everything someone could ask for! Are you sure worth it to spend this much just for me?”
Sunny smiled. “It’s worth it to me. I didn’t want to give you anything other than the best.”
“Well, that’s really sweet of you, Sunny,” Shimmy said. “But you know I would be happy with anything you give to me. No matter what.”
Sunny beamed.
A waitress arrived at the Sunsets’ table. “Good evening, my name is-”
She stopped short upon seeing the two girls together. “Um…”
Sunny raised an eyebrow. “What’s the matter? You act as if you’ve never seen identical twins before!”
The waitress blinked a few times before regaining her composure. “My apologies, I was caught off guard. You two look so similar, you could pass yourselves off as each other if you tried!”
Both Sunsets laughed, exchanging a knowing glance.
“My name is Clarice, and I’ll be your waitress for tonight,” the waitress told them. “Have you made your selections?”
The twin girls ordered their meals, and Clarice took their menus and returned to the kitchen.
“That’ll never get old,” Sunny said.
Shimmy suddenly looked surprised. “Um… do you think we can pull it off again?”
“What do you mean?” Sunny asked.
Slowly, Shimmy raised her finger, pointing behind Sunny. Sunny turned around to look.
Four girls in Crystal Prep uniforms were standing behind them, staring in awe at the sight of two Sunset Shimmers.
Sunny’s eyes widened. “Oh… hi, girls… what- what are you doing here?”
“We… wanted to stop by and surprise you and your girlfriend,” one of the girls said. “We weren’t expecting to see… two of you, though…”
Shimmy turned back to Sunny. “Looks like there’s no getting out of this.”
“Guess not,” Sunny conceded. “Shimmy, these are my friends; Starlight Glimmer, Moondancer, Vapor Trail, and Gabby. Girls, I’d like you to meet my girlfriend… Sunset Shimmer.”
The newcomers just stared.
“You might want to sit down,” Shimmy said, motioning to the booth beside theirs. “This is going to take a lot of explaining.”
The Sunsets recapped their entire story to Sunny’s friends, telling them everything from their first meeting, to living together, to the breakup, and finally their current get-together. Shimmy told them about Equestria and her magical adventures with her friends. The four girls listened with a mix of disbelief and fascination.
“So you’re a magical unicorn, huh?” Gabby asked. “What’s it like?”
“Very different from being a human, I can tell you that!” Shimmy replied. “I’ve been here for so long, though, that every time I go back to Equestria, I keep forgetting what it’s like to be a pony…”
“And there’s an alternate version of everyone in this universe, in your universe?” Starlight asked.
“As far as I know,” Shimmy answered. “In fact, I’ve met the other you. She’s a student of my friend Twilight.”
“Wow, really?” Starlight said. “Huh… can’t seem to picture myself as a pony.”
“Sounds like a really fun place,” Vapor remarked.
“Yeah, it’s pretty incredible,” Shimmy sighed. “Someday, I’m gonna take Sunny there, so she can experience the magic firsthand.”
Sunny squealed. “Eeee! I can’t wait!” All the other girls laughed.
“Well, it was admittedly really weird at first, but now, you two are so cute together!” Moondancer said. “What a story… two alternate versions of the same person brought together in one world.”
“It is still surreal, I can tell you that,” Sunny said. “This is the first time I’ve seen Shimmy in years. It felt like we were first meeting all over again.”
“I’m glad I was finally able to patch things up with Sunny,” Shimmy added. “If I went the rest of my life without mending our relationship, I wouldn’t have been able to forgive myself.”
“Well, then it’s a good thing I reached out to you when I did,” Sunny said to her.
“And I can’t thank you enough for doing so,” Shimmy smiled.
The twin girls embraced over the booth. Sunny’s friends let out a collective “aaawwwwww!”
Clarice then returned with the girls’ meals. “Dinner is served!” The Sunsets thanked her as she walked off.
“Well, now that your food’s here, we’ll let you have your date in peace,” Starlight said. “Hope you have a good time together!”
“We will!” The Sunsets said in unison.
Sunny’s friends waved goodbye and exited the restaurant. Sunny and Shimmy looked down at their food, and then back at each other.
“We didn’t tell them that it was actually me that met up with them this morning,” Shimmy said to Sunny.
Sunny put a finger to her lips. “Shhhh… that’ll be our little secret.”
“Also, this summer, you five are totally visiting us in Canterlot,” Shimmy added.
Sunny beamed. “Count on it!”
Sunset trailed behind the other Sunset. She wrapped her arms around herself, shivering.
“Come on,” she heard her other self say. “My place is just up this way. It won’t be much longer.”
Sunset glanced around the area. There were a few possible escape routes that she could use if needed. She then glanced back at her doppelganger and kept her eyes trained on her. She wouldn’t be trying anything on her watch.
Soon, the twin girls arrived at the other Sunset’s home. Sunset was surprised at how tiny it was. Sure, she knew it wasn’t going to be anything like Canterlot Castle, but she thought it would be a least a full-size house.
The other Sunset unlocked and opened the door, but then stepped to the side to usher Sunset in. Sunset hesitated for a few seconds before stepping in.
She took in the surroundings. There were two large windows that gave a nice view of the neighborhood, a small sofa in front of a large flat black thing she had never seen before, and a bed atop a large loft.
“Welcome to my humble abode,” the other Sunset said, coming in behind Sunset. “I know it’s not much, but I make it work most of the time.”
Sunset didn’t say anything. She was too busy surveying the area, searching for anything suspicious. So far, however, nothing seemed to be amiss. Of course, she was still in a completely unfamiliar world, so she remained on her guard.
The doppelganger put a hand on Sunset’s shoulder. “Hey, are you-”
Before she could finish the sentence, Sunset yanked her shoulder away, alarmed, and staggered away from her other self. The two Sunsets stared wide-eyed at each other, one in surprise and the other in fear.
The other Sunset put her hands up. “Whoa, take it easy. I didn’t mean to startle you.”
Sunset took a breath to calm herself. “I’m sorry, I just… I just thought…”
“You’re nervous, I get it,” the other Sunset interjected. “I know it must be terrifying to be in a brand new world, with a brand new body, and encountering some otherworldly version of yourself. This is uncharted territory for me as well, remember? But I promise you, you don’t have anything to worry about here. I’m not going to hurt you. I want to help you. You clearly need it and I feel pretty obligated to give it to you, seeing as… well, you’re me and all.”
Sunset continued to stare at her double, attempting to find sincerity in her words.
The other Sunset held her hand out. “I swear on my life, you will be safe here. I am going to do everything I can to make sure you survive. So what do you say?”
Sunset gazed at her doppelganger’s hand. Slowly but surely, she raised her own arm and took the other Sunset’s hand. The double made a motion to shake, but instead Sunset pulled her in for a hug.
“Thank you,” Sunset whispered.
“You’re welcome,” the double replied. “I promise you won’t regret this.”
The twin girls stayed embraced for a few minutes. When they parted, Sunset spoke up once more.
“So, um… if we’re going to stay together… should we be calling each other something? Since we may need some differentiation?”
The other Sunset pondered the question. “Hmmm… you could always just call me Sunny. I’ve always liked that nickname.”
“That works,” Sunset said. “So… what now?”
“Well, first, it looks like you could use some food,” Sunny replied. “I can order some takeout, and while we wait for it to arrive, I can answer any questions you have about this world. I’m sure you’re wondering a lot.”
“Yes, that would be nice,” Sunset agreed.
“Cool,” Sunny said. “Let me just place that order. What are you up for?”
“A nice hayburger would be great,” Sunset told her.
Sunny was confused. “A… what?”
Sunset blushed suddenly. “…perhaps I should tell you about my world too.”
“Yes… that would be nice,” Sunny replied with a raised eyebrow.
“Is this really necessary, Sunny?” Shimmy asked.
“I want to surprise you!” Sunny responded. She was covering Shimmy’s eyes and was leading her somewhere. “Just a few more steps!”
After a few minutes of blind walking and stumbling over things, the twin girls arrived at their destination. Sunny finally let go of Shimmy, uncovering her eyes.
Shimmy was met with a spectacular view of the land, the scenery stretching out as far as the eye could see. The endless forests and the sprawling skyscrapers could be seen for miles. It was a sight that could only be seen in person to get the full experience.
“Welcome to Soleil Peak,” Sunny said, putting a hand on Shimmy’s shoulder. “Possibly my favourite place ever.”
Shimmy gaped in awe. “This is incredible! I don’t think I’ve ever seen such a beautiful scene before! Oh, I have to paint this sometime!”
Sunny giggled. “I knew you’d like it.”
The two sat down on a rock and let their legs dangle. They looked to the sky to see the sun was going down, painting the sky with marvelous orange and purple colours.
“Seriously, Sunny… it’s astounding,” Shimmy said. “Thank you so much.”
“Couldn’t have picked a better time to come here,” Sunny told her, motioning to the sky. “We already have two Sunsets here… why not add a third?”
The twin girls giggled.
Sunny gazed at the horizon. “This place will always be special to me. No matter what I’m feeling, no matter what kind of day I had, I can always come to this place and feel happy and relaxed. There is no other place that will ever give me a true sense of joy as much as this place does.”
“I can imagine,” Shimmy replied.
“But this place will be special to me for another very important reason,” Sunny went on. “There’s one thing that I always think of every time I come here. Do you know what that thing is?”
“No, what?”
Sunny put a hand on Shimmy’s cheek. “It’s you, Shimmy.”
Shimmy smiled. “Really?”
“Absolutely.” Sunny pulled Shimmy in closer. “Even after we split up and I moved here, there was still a part of me that missed you. You were my everything. I held onto every precious moment we had when we were together. Every sunset that I spent here on this peak… I thought of you. I though of how much I wanted to see you again. I thought of how much I loved you.”
Tears were forming in Shimmy’s eyes. “Oh, Sunny… I wish we could be together forever.”
“We are,” Sunny told her. “No matter how far apart we may be, we will always be together. We’ve been estranged for too long. I want to make sure we never grow apart.”
Shimmy gazed into Sunny’s eyes. “I promise you… I will never let you go again.”
Sunny shed some tears of her own. “Ever?”
“Ever,” Shimmy answered.
And with that, the twin girls came together for a kiss.
The setting sun shone bright, illuminating the twin girls in streaks of orange. The two wrapped their arms around each other and melted into the kiss. They savoured the warm, fuzzy feeling that was now sparking through their bodies. They stayed embraced for almost a full two minutes before finally parting.
“I forgot what that was like,” Shimmy sighed.
“Glad I could help you remember,” Sunny replied.
“Just like you always have,” Shimmy told her.
Sunset Shimmer pounded on the base of the Wondercolt statue.
“Take me back! Please! I’m sorry I ran away! I never should have come here! Just let me go back home!”
The portal would not open. Sunset dropped to her knees and sobbed.
“Princess Celestia… I didn’t mean to… I’m so sorry…”
Suddenly, Sunset heard footsteps behind her. She whirled around to see a hooded figure approaching.
Sunset curled into a ball and held a hand out. “Please leave me alone! I have nothing! Just don’t hurt me!”
The figure stopped. “I’m not here to hurt you.”
Sunset hesitated before looking up. “Then what do you want?”
“I want to know who you are,” the figure responded. And with that, she pulled back her hood to reveal her face.
Sunset’s eyes widened upon seeing her own face staring back at her.
“Wh-what…? Who are you?”
“That’s what I’m asking you,” the girl said. “When you see a girl with your face and voice come out of a statue in a flash of light, acting strangely, you kinda want to know what’s going on.”
“W-well…” Sunset stammered. “Um… i-is your name Sunset Shimmer?”
“It is,” the other Sunset answered.
“That’s m-my name too,” Sunset told her. “I-I’m from another world… I came here seeking power… but this world isn’t what I thought it was…”
“Another world?” the other Sunset asked.
“Y-yeah…”
The double put a hand to her chin. “Under any other circumstances, I would think you’re crazy. But you do seem pretty lost, and I did see you just jump out of a solid statue, so unless it’s some kind of weird special effects thing I’m inclined to believe you.”
“You saw that?” Sunset whispered.
“Yeah, I did. And then I saw you head into the school. What did you even find that got you so upset?”
Sunset gulped. “Your… your history books. I read all about your kind. About your technology. About your weapons. Your wars. You humans are… horrifying.”
The doppelganger bit her lip. “Oh, geez… if you really are from another world, then that is one hell of a first impression.”
“I still don’t know why I’m even talking to you!” Sunset cried. “How do I know you’re not trying to lull me into a false sense of security?!”
The other Sunset slowly approached. “Hey, just calm down. I promise I’m not here to hurt you. It’s been a long time since anything you read about has happened. There are some terrible people in this world but not as much as there are good people.”
Sunset breathed heavily. “Why should I trust you?”
“Because I’m willing to help people no matter what their situation is,” the other Sunset replied. “I’m here to help everyone. And right now, you look like you need a lot of it.”
“I don’t…” Sunset started, before slumping down. “I don’t have anywhere to go. I’m trapped here for thirty moons. I don’t have magic. I don’t have my normal body. I’m surrounded by humans who could be dangerous for all I know.”
“Then come with me,” the double told her. “I’ll give you a place to stay.”
Sunset’s head shot up. “What?”
“You can come home with me,” the other Sunset repeated. “And you can stay with me for the time being. I’ll find some way to get you back on your feet and get you going until you can come back. I know you don’t trust me, but I swear to you, you have nothing to fear from me.”
Sunset staggered to her feet. “You mean that?”
“Of course. I’m not going to leave a person in need hanging. Especially if that person is… me.”
Sunset tried to make her way to her doppelganger, but stumbled and collapsed into her arms. “Sorry… I’m not used to two legs,” she told her.
The double looked confused, but then said, “Right, you’re an alien. You had a different body before.”
Sunset pushed away from the other Sunset, attempting to stand, but she swung her arms wildly. Before she could fall again, the other Sunset grabbed her and kept her upright.
“Easy, girl. Don’t want you hurting yourself before you get a chance to do anything here.”
Sunset let out a breath and put her arm around her double’s shoulder. “Thanks.”
“No problem,” the other Sunset told her. “Now let’s get going.”
“Where are we going?” Sunset asked, as they began walking.
The other Sunset smiled. “Home.”
As the plane rose into the air, Sunset Shimmer smiled at the photo in her hands. She read the writing on the back.
Wouldn’t trade you for any other version of me
Love you Shimmy <3