Sunset Shimmer had imagined many scenarios about her return to Equestria. She expected to find a dozen guards with their spears pointing at her and Princess Celestia standing tall, giving her one last look before throwing her to the dungeon. She then dismissed that idea and imagined Celestia ordering the guards to stand down and then approached Sunset, either to scold her or to give her a hug. She expected to be sent back to the academy, to be put under house arrest, even to be exiled from Canterlot; what she didn't expected was to be dragged by Twilight Sparkle all the way to Ponyville so she can assist a party for a six year old.
“Come on Sunset Shimmer. You could try at least smile,” Twilight said, offering another cup of punch. “Pinkie put a lot of effort into this Celestia’s-former-student-gone-wrong-but-now-she’s-good-again party.”
“Yes, I can tell that placing the streamers and the balloons was a very difficult task.”
“Sunset…”
Sunset rolled her eyes and accepted the drink. She had promised to behave but that didn’t mean she had to enjoy the party. After all, she didn’t know any of these ponies, even if some did resemble her friends.
Friends. The word still made her smile and she didn’t know why.
“What?” she asked when she noticed Twilight staring at her and smiling too.
“You’re finally smiling.”
“Hmph!,” Sunset said, hiding her blush with the drink.
“I’m glad you have decided to spend this cycle in Equestria. I have so many questions for you. How are the girls in the other world?” Twilight asked.
“Fine,” Sunset replied but when she noticed the sad look on Twilight's face added, “The graduation party was really nice. My Pinkie did a much better job with the decorations and my Rarity makes us all matching dresses.”
“That’s lovely. I’m happy to hear that.”
Sunset put down her drink. She didn’t intent to sound so possessive about her friends, that was her old personality creeping out and looking for a fight. Twilight however ignored that and kept smiling. Sunset couldn’t quite understand her, she thought that after all the terrible things she did, stealing the crown and threatening her and her friends, Twilight Sparkle wouldn't be able to forgive her and treat her like a friend; however, it seemed Princess Sparkle was able to do so and more. That was the only explanation Sunset could muster as to why Discord of all creatures was invited to the party and treated just like any other pony. Sunset almost fainted when she saw him but nopony else was bothered by his presence, aside from the occasional scolding when he let his magic let loose.
“Uhm Sunset, how’s...I mean, have you seen...well, I suppose it’s obvious he was at the ceremony but...about Flash Sentry…”
Sunset raised an eyebrow, amazed that Twilight was now blushing and stuttering.
“He’s fine. Although, I don’t know why you worry about him. You seem to have found a suitable replacement.” Sunset said, pointing at the pony Flash Sentry who was casually chatting with Big McIntosh and other stallions.
“He’s not a replacement! I mean, he has the same name and similar personalities but Flash Sentry is not a copy of the other Flash Sentry”
“So, you don’t see your human friends as replacement for your pony ones?”
Again, Sunset didn’t intend to sound cruel, it was a small part of her, the part that was afraid that Twilight Sparkle might steal her friends, that she actually cared for and held dear to her heart, the same fear she felt when the other Twilight made herself present, the fear that the other Sunset might show up one day too; that was the part of her talking.
“Of course not. They're my friends too but they’re not replacements,” Twilight said, offering once again a smile. “However, since you’re going to stay in Ponyville this cycle, you better start making friends with this set of girls.”
Sunset nodded and took another sip before her brain processed what she just heard. Then she choked on her drink. “I’m going to do what?”
“Don’t worry. Princess Celestia already made arrangements for you to stay in an inn. In the meantime, I’ve prepared a series of topics for you to talk to my friends and make some of your own. We can check them out after the party,” Twilight said, giggling like a school filly.
Sunset sighed. So Sparkle was one of THOSE students, those who could devour half a library during an all-nighter. Sunset enjoyed studying and searching for new knowledge but since she was a natural talent she never needed to stay all night, risking her beauty, to pass any test. And after befriending the humans in Canterlot High despite her attempt to control them, Sunset figured that befriending the ponies of Ponyville will be a piece of cake.
******
“GET OUT!”
Rainbow Dash grabbed a raincloud, threatening to soak Sunset Shimmer unless she turned around and leave.
“How rude! I was merely trying to help you.”
“You call boss the entire weather team and make fun of Derpy helping?” Rainbow barked, the entire weather team behind her nodding along.
“I was just offering some useful observations and it’s not my fault that mare can't keep the course of a thundercloud straight. You should reconsider having her around,” Sunset said, unable to see she was hurting the pegasus’ feelings.
“Look, I know that Twilight is giving you the chance to make friends. And I know all about your little history in the other world, including what you tried to pull there,” Rainbow said, getting Sunset’s attention. Sunset was aware that not everypony was informed of her story, except Twilight’s close friends of course.
“Usually, I will tell you to leave town but Twilight helped me see that everypony, or anybody,” Rainbow stretched that last word, alluding to the griffon that was helping that day in weather patrol, “deserves a second chance. But if you're not going to be of any help here, you better go and find some other pony to help.” Rainbow finished adding air quotes to the last word.
Sunset looked at Rainbow, thinking that with her arms crossed like that, she resembled the human Rainbow. Still, her pride got in the way for her accepting her fault.
“Fine, I can tell when I'm not wanted. But so you know, I’m not the only one with a bad attitude. With manners like that, it’s no wonder your only friend is a griff-”
Sunset didn’t finish the sentence because Rainbow made the cloud pour a rainfall over her head.
*****
“This is a disaster! All the different types of fabrics are piled on each other, the needles are sorted with no consideration of length and don’t get me started on the buttons!”
Rarity sighed, already tired of Sunset’s constant criticisms.
“How can you find anything in this mess?”
“It’s called organized chaos, darling. I know exactly where every fabric and roll is and can pick it when convenient,” Rarity explained but Sunset wasn’t even listening. “Twilight told me that you used to help my namesake on her boutique. Were you that judgmental of her work method?”
“I didn’t need too because she knew how to run a business. And she was just the assistant at the store.”
“Sunset dear, I know your heart is in the right place but you’re not really helping me. You’re actually...being a hindrance. Why don’t you go help Sweetie in the corner?” Rarity said, dismissing her with a gesture.
Sunset growled, fighting against the impulse of using her magic to order the mannequins to dance around. Instead she turned around and joined the little filly on her arts project.
“What are you exactly doing?”
“Today, me and the other Cutie Mark Crusaders will try to get out marks in Disco Dancing, so I’m decorating my roller blades with glitter,” Sweetie said, showing her work with a proud smile.
Sunset struggled against the impulse of critiquing, of saying this filly how horrible those blades looked, how anypony who wear them will look like a clown, worse, a rodeo clown; how she will surely trip and make a fool of herself and her friends, more than they already were trying to get their marks for something so ridiculous and childish.
She tried not to say a word.
“Sweetie? Where are you going? Why are you crying? Sweetie Belle!”
She really tried.
******
“And with this new administration plan your farm will finally be able to compete with the other business in the area. Your primitive work power has been keeping you down. You should have accepted the offer from those sales ponies and acquired the machine for cider. I also recommend getting rid of the old mare, she contributes nothing to the harvest and actually stales productivity by taking so long preparing the jam. Here’s a list of suitable retirement places, she should be with ponies her own age. It’s for the best.” Sunset said, handing the papers to Applejack and taking an apple before leaving, failing to see the angry looks in the Apples’ faces.
“Now now, family. Ya all know that any friend of Twilight is a friend of ours…” Applejack said, right before Sunset casually threw the chewed apple over her head, hitting Applejack in the head. “Any friend of Twilight…”
*****
“Oh hello, please come in.” Fluttershy said, welcoming Sunset into her cottage.
Of course, the first thing the unicorn did was scrunch her face in a smug gesture, but at least she cleaned her hooves on the doormat.
“You don't look so good. Did you get lost in the way here?” Fluttershy asked, alluding to all the branches and leaves in Sunset’s mane.
“I’m fine.” she replied, not wanting to go into details about the many apples that were thrown at her.
“Well, I’m glad you could make it. I actually have a few questions for you. If you don't mind that is…”
Sunset sighed but decided to humor the shy pegasus. IF she was anything like the Fluttershy she knew, she will spend the entire day weeping unless she got some answer.
“What do you want to know?”
“Oh, it’s about the animals in the other world. Do you know how many species are they? Do they live in the wild or do the humans take care of them? Are different types of the same species?”
“They’re pretty much the same species that here, with the exception of creatures like manticores and such.”
“Okay. Then, about the humans…”
“What about them?”
“How are they? Twilight didn’t give me any specific details. Do they live in groups or families? They have Cutie Marks like us? Are different species of humans like we have pegasi or unicorns? Twilight told me they don't have magic, but they do have some magic boxes that show images. You know what those are?”
She seemed to be really interested about them, Sunset was a little shocked. “They’re not so different from us. The only real difference is that they have hands and wear clothes on a regular basis.”
“Oh my, that sounds uncomfortable. I mean, I like wearing clothes for special occasions, but I don’t see myself restricted by them by wearing them daily.”
Was she serious? Sunset couldn't tell if this mare was cleverly sarcastic or ridiculous naive.
“Oh well, I have more questions but I don’t want to bother you anymore. Twilight told me that you wanted to help me with my chores. Have you ever worked with animals?”
“I helped a friend of mine with her animal shelter. Once.”
“That’s wonderful. I'm sure you did a great job.” Fluttershy said. She was being honest but Sunset felt a little embarrassed by the comment and blushed. “You can help by distributing the food. There are bowls in that corner and the food is right next to them.”
Fluttershy hovered to them to some birds while Sunset approached a group of squirrels, who were waiting for their food. Sunset levitated a bag of chestnuts and poured them in the bowls for them, the critters not even bothering to make a thank you gesture. Sunset harrumphed, not surprised that animals were as rude with her as the ponies. She missed the fact that animals in the other world didn't act so interesting. Although she had heard the rumors about the dogs in the local pound being rather clever. Ridiculous, of course.
Almost as ridiculous as her being there in the first place. She honestly would have preferred for Celestia to send her back to the Academy, even Magic Kindergarten sounded like a better deal than this. She was once at top of her class, it would take her no effort to graduate with honors. Maybe she could make some friends there, even some fans. There had to be stories about her, the best student Celestia ever had. Second best, actually. She wasn't the one who finished Starswirl’s last spell and earned the title of Princess. No, she was a thief who stole a crown and ran away to hide. She was nothing but a spoiled child who escaped from her house when she didn't get what she wanted.
“Hey hey, stop fighting! There’s plenty of food for both of you! There, that's better.”
Dumb squirrels. Sunset watched them finally sharing their food and smiled. They were a lot easier to deal with than ponies; at least they listened to what she had to say. She had always got along better with animals.
Yes, even back there…
****
Sunset ran across the street, her boots getting dirty with every puddle she stepped in. The big ones cause such a splash that her skirt got dirty as well. The rain and the wind were making a mess of her hair and makeup too but she couldn’t do anything about it. Her jacket was busy being used to cover the little puppy on her arms.
Sunset saw the puppy inside the box, abandoned. No name tag, no collar. Left alone in the rain, nobody to take care of him. It was cold, hungry, and probably sick. Sunset took him and ran off to the nearest shelter. To find someone that could help him, that could save him.
The girl behind the counter looked familiar, Sunset was sure she had seen her before in school but couldn't remember where. The school paper when she joined probably? She didn’t have time to care. She handled the puppy, ordering, which was her way of begging, for her to save him. The girl took the puppy and disappeared behind a door, leaving Sunset alone in the room, a puddle forming around her. She was soaked wet and cold, very cold.
Sunset rubbed her own arms, trying to get some warmth while water kept running down her face.
*****
“Hi Fluttershy, how’s everything going?” Twilight asked, coming along with Spike.
“So far everything’s perfect. My animal friends are getting along with her. Between you and me, I think she has a natural talent for them.”
“Yeah, a natural talent to kidnap them.” Spike said.
“Spike!”
“I don't know about that. Angel and the rest seem to like her all right,” Fluttershy said, while Sunset rolled her eyes and agreed to bunny’s demand to slice the carrots for his salad.
Spike however, wasn’t impressed and crossed his arms.
“You know Spike, when Sunset captured you; I was terrified of what she might do to you…”
“No wonder, considering what she did once she got the crown.”
“Yes, but she still let you go and didn’t tell any of the humans that you were a talking dog.”
“She was probably just covering herself, in case you told them all she was really a pony too.”
“Maybe, but I like to think that Sunset isn’t as bad as she likes us to think. Princess Celestia once selected her as her pupil, so she surely saw something in her that we can’t. Something that maybe even she can’t see.”
Spike huffed; he always did it when Twilight started lecturing him and acting like she was a Princess, which she was now. However, when faced with both mares pleading faces, he could do nothing but sigh and he approached the unicorn.
Sunset raised an eyebrow at the dragon that sit next to her and crossed his arms, but said nothing and kept slicing the vegetables.
“Hey…” Spike said but Sunset kept working in silence. “I just wanted to tell you that I don't like you. You caused a lot of troubles for Twilight and tried to snatch me that night.”
Sunset kept quiet. What could she say for her defense when she had done all those things?
“But if Twilight is willing to give you a second chance, I suppose I should too. I don’t want to be your friend but it’s not like you have plenty of those around here…”
“...it must be nice.”
“Huh?” Spike asked.
“To have an assistant. I could have had an assistant but I failed the test. I tried to hatch the egg, but it didn’t work. I insisted on taking the test but I failed at it. I blamed the test, saying it was dumb and that it wasn't my fault. The Princess said it was okay, that it wasn’t my fault and it wasn't meant to be. But it was my fault, it was.”
Sunset went quiet again and Spike played with his claws, unsure of what to say. Does that mean that he could have been Sunset’s assistant had she passed the test? He didn't know what to think of that. He looked at Twilight who was smiling at him, prompting him to keep talking to Sunset. She was too far away to hear what they were talking about.
Spike looked back at Sunset and tried to imagine his life as her assistant but couldn’t. He just couldn't imagine a life without Twilight. Then he remembered that Pinkie mentioned than in the other world there was another Twilight with another Spike. Sure, he was probably a non-talking dog, but he was there for her. Doesn't that mean that he was always meant to be with her?
Spike didn’t understand a lot about magic and every time he tried to ask Twilight about things, she either confused him or told him that Princess Celestia knew everything was going to work out. He was a bit confused about that, how come the Princess could know about stuff before it happened but didn’t know about the Changeling Queen? Twilight said the Princess could sense things but wasn’t omni...something. He asked if he was the same as the Pinkie Sense but then Twilight went into a long speech about science and “precognition” and Spike got bored. But he got the important thing, that the Princess always knew that he and Twilight were going to be together.
But what about Sunset? Did the Princess know that she was going to escape to the other world? He figured that she didn’t, otherwise she would have tried to stop her. But if the Princess was insisting that Twilight help Sunset make some friends, maybe that means that Sunset wasn't so bad after all?
“Here,” he said, handing a bowl to Sunset. “He likes pickles on his salad.”
Sunset was surprised but she accepted the bowl and handled it to Angel Bunny who quickly devoured it.
“Thank you.”
Spike blushed a little and kept helping Sunset with the food.
Twilight and Fluttershy smiled and went into the kitchen to make lunch.
