The Odd Explanation

by Michael_Ravencroft

Rating: everyone
Tags: Original Character, Comedy, Flash Sentry, Sunset Shimmer, Twilight Sparkle, Slice of Life, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Other
Length: 9069

Or, what happens when your family thinks you're into polygomy.

Things are going quite well for the new family of five, Stella is steadily accepting both Sunset and Flare into her life, and Sunset and Flare are starting to adjust to their new life living together in the castle. But there's just one teeny, tiny little problem...the In-Laws. Twilight's parents, along with Shining Armor, Cadance, and their two daughters, Skyla and Hope, are coming down for a friendly little family get-together, and now all Tartarus breaks loose! How will Twilight and Flash explain Sunset to them?! How will Stella explain Flare to Skyla and Hope?! Brace yourselves friends it's going to be a bumpy ride!

Consider the "Other" tag for those ponies not able to be listed.
All Next Gen characters are the creations of Faith-Wolff (story artist for The Bridge: A Godzilla-MLP Crossover)

Published 2015-03-09 22:50:01 UTC
Last updated 2015-04-21 19:01:47 UTC

Everything is certainly fine...or is it?

Everything is certainly fine...or is it?

Twilight awoke really early this morning, she didn’t know why but she found it hard to get back to sleep. Deciding not to waste this time, Twilight quietly and as stealthily as she could, worked her way out of the bed, being careful not to wake her husband. Once she was out, Twilight stood there at the edge, gazing upon her sleeping stallion, his scruffy blue beard, which she would never admit – given the many times she heckled him to trim it – she liked his beard, and that it made him seem more rugged.

The Princess of Friendship then quietly exited their bedroom and left to walk about the castle. She decided to stop by Stella’s room, wanting to see how her daughter was doing. Twilight figured she’d still be sleeping, but that still never stopped her from checking on her before. The alicorn mare made a few turns down various hallways until she ended up at the doors to her daughter’s room. Using her magic, Twilight opened the door and ever so quietly entered.

The room itself reminded the alicorn mare a lot of her old room at Canterlot Castle, before she moved to Ponyville. The room was split into two levels, and had a foyer, along with another room separate that acted as the main bedroom. There was a couch in the middle of the room, right across from a fireplace. Currently not in use since it was the middle of spring. To her right the wall was turned into one long bookshelf, with various books on magic and astronomy, even books on scientific theory, mathematics, chemistry, alchemy, and everything else from fiction to nonfiction books.

The wall of books wound all the way, continuing until it hit the staircase that led to the second floor. Twilight knew where she would find her daughter, but decided to check just in case. She made her way to the door that led to the main bedroom. Peeking inside, her suspicions were confirmed when she saw that the bed was still made and untouched.

With a chuckle, she closed the doors and flapped her wings. She ascended to the second floor, landing lightly on the carpeted floor. The upper half of the room was turned into a mini-observatory. Stella’s passion for stargazing saw to it that Stella’s room would have telescope for her to see the night sky and all its heavenly wonders. Twilight remembered how Luna was extremely gleeful to have a pony so interested her work.

To Twilight’s right was a writing desk with a lamp on it, the cubbyholes and drawers stuffed to the brim with Stella’s various notes, writing and mapping utensils. To her left was a star map, showing the different positions of the stars and constellations, Twilight could even see her shorthoof notes scribbled onto the sides and near circled parts. It amazed ponies how she could read, what others have dubbed “chicken scratch”, but then again, when Twilight got into serious research mode, she did the same thing. It wouldn’t be fitting if she couldn’t even read her own daughter’s notes.

Lastly, a large and long telescope protruded through the crystal panels, leading all the way down to where Twilight would find her daughter passed out, and surprisingly, with a guest. Stella Nova, the light-gray unicorn mare, was sleeping soundly, and right across from her slept her half-sister, the pegasus mare Flare Sparks. A journal and pencil rested between them, opened up to show Stella’s notes and observations. Twilight smiled warmly at the two, feeling happy that Stella was sharing in her hobbies with Flare. Even though Twilight knew that it might not be her thing, it was still heartwarming to see Flare spend time with Stella, no doubt Stella made the stargazing interesting, but Twilight knew it was not for everypony.

It was times like these that she couldn’t believe all three of them believed that Stella and Flare were secretly dating each other. Somehow word reached somepony about Stella hanging out with a new mare in town, it then passed on several times after that, devolving into its final form when it reached the castle, and the words “Stella” and “marefriend” were used in conjunction with “pegasus mare”. Twilight, Flash, and Sunset somehow assumed this meant they were in an incestuous relationship, making Twilight research tons of psychological and parenting books alongside Sunset and Flash to learn how to best approach the subject.

Imagine their embarrassment when both mares told them that they had just gotten through explaining to their friends that that was not the case, and now having to deal with the same accusation from their own parents. Twilight knew that Stella and Flare were embarrassed, but not as much as the three of them were afterwards.

One giant misunderstanding, thought Twilight.

Her horn lit up, levitating a blanket that was resting on the couch below and brought it up to drape over both mares. A content smile formed on their lips, making Twilight’s smile broaden. She had to admit, they did look cute together like that.

Aaaaaaaaannnnd moving on!

Deciding to get out the room before the old part of her mind started to go into “shipping mode”, Twilight continued her rounds with a visit to the other wing of the castle, where Sunset Shimmer resided. The Princess of Friendship made a few more turns through the halls before arriving at the East Wing of the castle. She spotted the room in question, it bared Sunset’s cutie mark so it wasn’t that hard.

Twilight, like before, stealthily entered the mare’s room. Sunset’s room was modest, despite how she used to act when they were younger. Twilight had offered to accommodate her in a larger room, something closer to the way Stella’s room was. But she refused, in Sunset’s mind she was still a guest, even though the five of them had that portrait done of all of them as a family, Sunset herself was still trying to adjust to that.

The alicorn mare entered the room, spotting the doors to the main bedroom. She opened the doors with her magic and entered, seeing Sunset Shimmer, her mane undone, lying in her bed as her chest rose and sank with each breath. Twilight walked in and stood at her bedside. Both of them were former students of Princess Celestia, both had to learn a lesson in the Magic of Friendship. For Twilight, it was through Celestia’s guidance that she ended up in Ponyville, well, guidance and fate. Found the five mares who would become her best friends for life, connected by the magic of friendship, the powers of harmony, and a bond formed during a sonic rainboom.

Sunset learned her lessons in friendship much later, the first was when Twilight and the parallel human versions of her friends defeated Sunset and purified her of her dark ambitions. The second was when they faced the Sirens, and Twilight left her there, feeling that a new time in Sunset’s life was beginning. Twilight had wondered if Sunset and she were always destined to be the other’s friend. They were both very bright, gifted in magic, and ironically enough, both fell for the same man/stallion, and even had daughters.

If we were both picked by Celestia at the same time, and studied together, I wonder, would we be here, like this?

“Flash…”

Twilight flinched, wondering if she had been found out. It was then that she noticed Sunset crying, and her heart sank.

“Flash…please don’t leave me…oh Celestia please open your eyes…! Don’t leave us alone…!”

And yet, it was something like this that made Twilight wonder how life could be so unfair. She was an alicorn, a Princess, married to the stallion she loved, surrounded by friends, and had a wonderful daughter. Sunset had her husband tragically taken from her, the human versions of her friends all left to pursue their life’s goals, it wasn’t as if they left her alone on purpose, Twilight had no doubt in her mind that if they were around they’d gladly help her. But as it stood, Sunset was alone, in a world that she barely belonged in, and with little to try and help her raise Flare.

Twilight reached out with her hoof and gently ran it through Sunset’s mane in a soothing and comforting fashion. The whimpers and tears of the yellow mare lessened after a few seconds, her sleep returning to a semblance of peace. She knew it was hard for her, even though coming to Equestria was Sunset’s decision, the fact that she saw her dead husband every day and married to another mare was probably nothing short of painful. Even though Sunset knew that this wasn’t the same Flash Sentry she loved back in the other world, Twilight figured it still did nothing to stop the aching her heart.

I promise you Sunset, you and Flare will be happy with us. I won’t leave your side, I won’t abandon you or her. You’re a part of this family, and you always will be.

Twilight leaned down and gently kissed Sunset on the forehead, making the unicorn mare smile in content.

Twilight finished her rounds about the castle, and noticing that it was still early, headed towards the balcony that overlooked the town. Once there she stood at the edge of the gold guardrails, watching as the sun rose over the horizon, bathing everything in its warm, golden light. The birds were starting to chirp in the distance, she even saw a few of them flying up and around into the skies. Twilight could still scarcely imagine her life being like this when she was just a young filly, or all the dangerous, wacky, sad, and more often than not funny adventures she and her friends have had over the years. Heck, getting married and having a foal wasn’t even on the list of her life goals.

Yes, she had a list for her future drawn up – by her – at age seven, it’s Twilight.

The sun’s rays caught the morning mist, and made the town shimmer and glow as if renewed, like a phoenix at rebirth. The words to an old song appeared in her head, a song she felt was right for this moment.

“♪ Morning in Ponyville shimmers~
Morning in Ponyville shines~
And I know for absolute certain~
That everything is certainly fine~♪”

*POOF*

Twilight’s little aria was stopped when a letter appeared in front of her. She quickly grasped it in her magical aura, staring at it curiously. It didn’t bear the insignia of Celestia’s cutie mark nor Luna’s, or Cadance. Twilight unraveled the letter and held it aloft to the light to read it.

Dear Twilight

I know I don’t have to do this, but as a mother it’s a habit, but I’m sure you know that by now. Anyway, I was just sending this to remind you that your father and I, along with Shining Armor, Cadance, and your nieces, are coming over for that family get together we planned a couple of months back.

Now I know you don’t need a reminder, so just consider this a formality and throw it away. Oh but before you do, I needed to tell you that we’ll be on the first train to Ponyville. Actually I just sent this letter so by the time you get it we’ll be at Canterlot station and there in Ponyville in just a couple of hours.

Love you much.

Twilight Velvet

Twilight lowered the letter, her pupils having shrunk to the size of pinpricks, and her left eye twitching erratically. The right corner of her mouth spasmed like it wanted to smile but was having trouble achieving it. And then, in a fashion that was reminiscent of her Number One Assistant, Twilight proclaimed her reaction to this startling news in one word.

“NNNNNNNNNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!”

Famliy meeting in the Hyperbolic Time Dimension

Many a strange thing happens in Ponyville, but that was par for the course when you had Princess Twilight and her friends living here. They’ve witnessed the rise of a long forgotten Nightmare. Seen the chaos brought about by the awakening of a defeated foe from years past. Even bared witness to the defeat of Tirek and the rise of the castle of friendship, marking their little town as the capital of friendship.

And those were the majorly BIG events. There’s also the parasprites, Trixie Lulamoon enslaving the town, the Ursa Minor attack, that day when the town was getting over run with vines from the Everfree. Oh and yes, there was that one little event where Rarity went crazy with dark magic and began making everything in town “fabulous”.

So it was no stretch that the citizens had come to expect weird stuff to happen, learning to just roll with it. For instance, normally when the castle of the Princess of Friendship up and vanishes, it’s usually cause for panic. But for them it was another one of Princess Twilight’s days. Where was the castle you may ask? Well…

“STELLA WAKE UP!!!”

The light-gray unicorn mare awoke with a start, her eyes bulging out of her skull as she looked to and fro. Stella’s gaze finally settled on her half-sister, Flare Sparks, staring at her with a panicked look in her eyes.

“Flare what’s wrong?!”

“I-I woke up and I thought it was still night or something, but when I looked outside well…well…look!”

Flare pointed her hoof to the window, Stella looked towards the direction she indicated and gave a curious look. Stella used her telescope to scan the outside, pointing it down, to the sides, and back up. The entire area was just one, big, gigantic, swirling mass of purple and rose colored light. There was no bottom, and there was no top. An endless expanse as far as the eye could see.

“See! I told you! Something’s wrong, what is that out there?!”

“It’s a pocket dimension.”

“A pocket dimension?”

“Yeah, it’s basically empty space between dimensional planes. You can store pretty much anything here or anypony, so long as the atmospheric conditions are similar to ours we could even float out there without worrying about air. It’s also great for storing things.”

Stella demonstrated this by lighting her horn and picking up the journal on the floor. A small tear in space opened beneath it and the journal vanished within it. Her horn flashed again the same tear appeared, revealing the same journal.

“See.”

“I…Stella…I don’t know how you can be so nonchalant about all this! I know I may not have fully adjusted to all this magic stuff, but you can’t tell me that this is normal?!”

The young unicorn sighed. “Actually it is. And I know who and probably why this happened.”

Flare raised an eyebrow at that. Stella motioned for the pegasus mare to follow her, and really, Flare wasn’t going to leave her side right now. They might still be in the castle, but the castle itself was floating in nothing, and right now, Stella was the only one with magical power to possibly protect her and or get them out of this mess.

The two mares traveled down the hallway. It wasn’t long before they reached the main foyer, Stella was pleased to see that her father and Flare’s mother were already there. Flare separated from Stella and ran to her mother, hugging her tightly.

“Mom, what’s going on?! Why are we here?!” Flare asked.

“Shh, it’s alright Flare, I think we’re okay. Right Flash?”

Flash nodded his head. “Oh yeah, don’t worry we’re perfectly safe.” He then walked over to his daughter and both gave a sigh. “Your mom put us in the Hyperbolic Time Dimension again, didn’t she?”

“Yes, yes she did.”

Sunset looked curiously at the father and daughter. “‘Hyperbolic Time Dimension’, as in a dimension that accelerates time?”

Flash nodded. “Yeah, Twilight discovered this dimension when she was poking around with the portal you came through. It apparently accelerates time to the point that a second back in our own dimension is equivalent to an hour here.”

Flare blinked. “That’s…That’s impossible!”

“Not really, there are a number of dimensions hidden around us, usually inaccessible without the right spell or device. Pocket dimensions like this that have anomalous time-space conditions is quite normal.”

Flare and Sunset looked to each. Sunset understood what Stella was saying, her time as Princess Celestia’s student and the knowledge acquired during that time never left her, although she did have to brush up on a few things when she came back.

“So the real question is, why are we even here in the first place? I assume Twilight did this right?” Sunset asked.

“The last time we were in here was maybe a couple of years ago. Twilight wanted more time to work on some of her research and the paperwork that usually piles up. I tried to do as much I could, but Twi’s better at it. Anyway, we were in here for two whole years.”

Sunset and Flare’s eyes went wide. “You mean…Princess Twilight kept you all here for two years?!” Flare asked.

Stella chuckled. “Oh that’s nothing, the time before that we were in here for at least…what, ten years, fifteen?”

“I lost count after seven.” Flash admitted.

“Soooo…did you guys age at all?” Sunset asked.

“Oh yeah, I now know what I’ll look like when I’m a twenty-plus-year-old mare. And…um, ahem, I liked what I saw.”

Flare was starting to get a bit freaked. “So we’ll still age here?! But wait, you two don’t look older. Or is that some kind of illusion spell?”

“Nah, once we’re out our bodies will return to the age we were when we left, so we could be here until we were all old ponies and we’ll come back looking like what we used to be.”

Flare and Sunset let out a sigh of relief, at least they now they knew this wasn’t permanent, and if they’re there longer, at least they don’t have to worry about what age they’ll be when they get back home. Suddenly Sunset sensed a buildup of magical energy, she looked to her left at the same time as Stella, watching as a sphere of magic formed and burst apart.

Twilight stood at its epicenter, her mane frazzled and eye twitching in panic. “Oh good, you’re all awake! Great, we have a major problem!”

“Whoa, whoa, settle down Twi. Whatever it is I’m sure –”

“My parents, brother, Cadance, Skyla, and Hope are coming to spend some time with us! And they’ll be here in the next couple of hours!” Twilight interrupted.

Flash Sentry went still as a statue, his right eye twitching erratically like his wife’s. “Okay…yeah, that’s a problem.”

Stella had to take a moment to fully take that in. “Grandma…Grandpa…Uncle Shining…Aunt Cadnace…Hope and Skyla…are coming here…IN TWO HOURS?!”

“YES!” Twilight exclaimed. “Well, more like in five days while we’re in here.”

Sunset looked worriedly to her longtime friend. “Twilight…you haven’t told them about me and Flare yet have you?”

“I never got the chance! I was concentrating on helping you and Flare adjust to living in Equestria, and now in the castle! I’ve been meaning to, but…how do you go about telling your family something like this?”

The five ponies went silent. Twilight had a point. Just how did one go about explaining to their family that your husband has another wife and child, but from a parallel universe where that version of him tragically died? And what’s more, how do you tell them that you decided to take in said mare and child and have them all living under one roof as a family? To any logical pony this sounded like a recipe for disaster.

Twilight could see her mother and father disapproving of her choice, wanting to keep Sunset and Flare with them was like inviting your husband to openly cheat with another mare, at least that’s how Twilight knew they’d take it. Flash on the other hoof was in a much deeper pile of manure, Shining Armor was already a little testy of a guard he worked with and trained marrying his little sister, and knocking her up, but that was way into the marriage later. Flash had heard about how overprotective of her big brother she was, and in truth that’s what saved Canterlot from a changeling invasion, but the two siblings were of a similar mindset. Hey, at least Flash came out and told his former CO that he was dating his little sister way before they got married, unlike somepony Twilight and Flash could mention.

Stella was in an equal amount of distress. Hope and Skyla were practically like sisters to her. How would they react to Flare? Would they accept her or would this be a repeat of how Stella herself acted when she first got the news? Flat out denying that her father from a parallel world sired another daughter, and with a mare that was her mother’s best friend. Stella could still see the look of sadness and hurt in Flare’s face in her mind when she said the things she did, she had never hurt a pony like that before, heck, Stella never intentionally or unintentionally, physically or emotionally, hurt another pony. But she did in that moment, denying Flare the sister she was so ready to have in her life. Now magnify that times two, and Stella hurt worse.

Sunset was having her own worries as well. The implications of what their situation looked like could and would be easily misconstrued as Twilight or Flash’s attempt at creating a royal harem or herd! Granted herds weren’t illegal, but they weren’t exactly accepted. This could cause a huge scandal for her friend and her family. Honestly, what does that say about a Princess who allows a mare who obviously has feelings for her husband and has a daughter, living under the same roof with them? Sunset looked to Flash for a moment, she wouldn’t deny that every time she looked at him her heart was both elated and forlorn at the same time.

This might be Flash Sentry, he may sound, act, and have the same mannerisms and quirks as her Flash did, but he wasn’t. This was Twilight’s Flash, her husband, not Sunset’s, and yet that didn’t stop her heart from feeling this pain. There were times when Sunset didn’t trust herself to be alone with him, afraid she’d do something that could ruin everything for her daughter and herself. Now it seems that something else was probably going to tear their family apart.

“What about Princess Cadance?” Flare asked.

Stella, along with the three other adult ponies, looked to the pegasus mare.

“What about Aunt Cadance?” Stella asked.

“Well…isn’t she the Princess of Love? I heard that she’s very accepting and understanding of certain kinds of love and relationships. Personally, I wouldn’t think she of all ponies would have a problem with this.”

Twilight, Flash, Stella, and Sunset looked between each other in contemplation.

“She has a point, Cadance probably would be the more understanding pony about all this,” said Flash.

“Not only that, but I think she’d pick up on it the moment she walked in here. Cadance’s magic can sense strong feelings, and I don’t doubt that Sunset’s feelings will be easily found out,” said Twilight in an analytical tone.

Sunset hung her head low. “Sorry…”

“Nonononononononono! I didn’t mean it like that! I’m just saying that Cadance will be the first to know even if we come up with some convoluted plan to keep them from figuring it out until we can properly explain.”

“That’ true, remember how she kept trying to give us a moment alone and always had this weird twinkle in her eye?” Flash asked.

Twilight face hoofed. “Oh yes, I do indeed. However, I think she was wanting us to do more than just talk and enjoy each other’s company.”

Flash blinked. “Whoa, that explains that box of –”

“OKAY THAT’S ENOUGH! I DON’T WANT TO HEAR ABOUT HOW YOU GUYS HAD ME!” Stella interrupted.

Flash and Twilight blushed and rubbed the back of their heads in embarrassment. Flare sat next to her half-sister and gave her a comforting pat on the back as she watched Stella’s blush lessen.

“So the question still remains, do we tell them now and get it over with? Or do we just put it off and come up with some plan to keep them from knowing while they’re here?” Flash asked.

Sunset stepped forward her face was half-determined and half-sad. “Look, Flash, Twi, I don’t want to cause trouble for you, I never wanted that. If it’s easier, I can take Flare and we can just hide out at Applejack’s farm for a bit, or we can wait until they’re all at the castle and Flare and I can slip out and stay at Canterlot for a couple of days.”

Twilight stamped her hoof hard on the floor, brow furrowing. “No! We’re not doing that to either of you! I’m not ashamed of you living here, and neither should you feel that way! This is your home too, and I’m not kicking you out because it would be ‘easier’ or the ‘simpler solution’!”

Hearing that gave both mother and daughter a feeling of joy in their hearts, and made Stella just a little more prouder to have her as a mother.

“Well…do we just hide them in the castle then? It’s pretty big, and maybe we could cast an invisibility spell on them?” Stella asked.

“Nah, your uncle will definitely sense it, if not your aunt. Shining Armor brushed up on a lot of invisibility detection spells, as well as ways to spot illusion forms after the whole changeling thing. He’d spot Twilight’s spell and he might accidentally attack Sunset and Flare.”

Flare and Sunset gulped.

“Or we could dress up as maids of the castle? I noticed some spare uniforms for the different shifts that come in,” suggested Flare.

Flash’s face went red. At that moment he got a swift hoof to the back of his head, from Stella and from Twilight. “What was that for?”

“You know why,” said Twilight.

“You’re such a perv Dad,” stated Stella.

Sunset blushed at the thought that Flash was imagining her in a maid outfit, and was now wondering if her Flash back in the other world had the same kind of thought process. The yellow unicorn shook the idea out of her head.

“Looks like five days in here is going be needed after all,” said Sunset.

The plan's in motion! Phase One: A confession, of sorts.

The train whistled as it entered the station, steam hissing out of the engines as it came to a halt. The doors to the passenger cars slid open, allowing the ponies inside to disembark. From the train, two unicorns exited. One was a light gray mare, with a mane striped white and purple, and a cutie mark of three purple stars. The other was a blue stallion, with royal blue mane, and a cutie mark with a star and crescent moon. These were the proud parents of Shining Armor and Twilight Sparkle, Night Light and Twilight Velvet.

Right behind them was a white unicorn stallion and a pink alicorn mare. His strong physique contrasted nicely against his wives slender and lithe form. These two were the Prince and Princess of the Crystal Empire, Shining Armor and Mi Amore Cadenza, or Cadance as she preferred. Right behind them were two other ponies.

One was a white pegasus mare, her wings, at the base were white, but they faded into a royal blue color closer to the primaries. Her mane and tail was a combination of yellow and navy blue, held together in a gold ribbon similar to that of the crystal ponies that twirled around it. Upon her flank was the image of a crystal heart, with a pair of golden wings fanning out from it. She was the eldest daughter of the rulers of the Crystal Empire. Her name was Mi Querida Esperanza, or just simply, Hope.

The second was a pink unicorn filly, she was blank flanked, a bit of her pale yellow and purple mane was done up in a bun, with violet eyes that held a bit of shyness, but with a great sense of maturity. Her name was simply Skyla, and she was Hope’s little sister.

The four ponies gathered their things for their three-week stay and proceeded towards the Castle of Friendship. Hope, the bubbly mare she was, was excited about seeing her favorite cousin, and spending so much time with her.

“It’s been a while since we all got together, I can’t wait to spend time with Stella,” said Hope.

“Mmm-hmm, I know what you mean, I miss seein’ your Aunt Twily.” Shining Armor commented.

“I just hope she’s ready for us, I mean, she has been busy last I heard,” said Cadance.

“Oh, what might that be?” Night Light asked.

“Dunno, but whatever it was it was hush-hush stuff, but I’m sure it’s nothing outrageous. Aunty Tia must’ve sent her some paperwork on what they went over in the Day and Night courts.”

“Well I’m certain Twilight and Flash could handle it,” said Velvet. “Which reminds me, Shining Armor, no messing with Flash while we’re visiting.”

Shining Armor rolled his eyes at that. “Geez Mom, I’m a grown stallion, I’m not going to do anything foalish.”

“I mean it, I know you like to give him a hard time, but you need to lighten up a little. I know she’s your little sister and that you’re looking out for her like she did you, but Flash isn’t a changeling dear, you checked and Cadance checked.”

Shining Armor groaned, he hated being reminded of the Wedding Day Invasion. “I know…I know.”

Hope and Skyla chuckled at their father’s embarrassment, and even Cadance couldn’t stifle a light giggle. The five ponies continued through town, heading towards the Castle of Friendship. The town’s ponies greeted them, either being bowed at or just given a friendly greeting. Cadance and Shining Armor made it a point not wear their regalia on a family outing, they may be royalty, but right now this was not a visit from the Prince and Princess of the Crystal Empire, this was just a visit with three generations of the Sparkle family staying over and having a good time.

When they arrived to the castle they noticed that…well…there was no castle. Jaws and luggage dropped the moment this was seen, a whole crystal castle was missing. Each pony looked to each other and then back to the hole in the ground where the castle once stood. A breeze blew through, along with a random tumbleweed as the ponies of Ponyville went on about their daily business.

“THE CASTLE’S GONE!!!” Shining Armor yelled.

“Oh my gosh, where are Twilight and Flash?!” Velvet asked frantically.

“And Stella?!” Hope and Skyla chimed in.

“We uh…We need to call somepony! C-Cadance you should call Princess Celestia,” said Night Light.

“N-Now calm down everypony, there doesn’t seem to be any sign that the castle was blown up –”

“BLOWN UP!!!” The four other ponies cried in unison.

“I didn’t say that it was! Only that there’s no sign of it having had happened!” Cadance clarified.

Shining Armor looked to and fro and found a passing by stallion. He quickly enveloped him in his rose-colored aura and dragged the stallion, unceremoniously, towards him. “Why haven’t you called the Royal Guard?!”

“Um…why would I do that, Sir?” The stallion asked.

“Because the castle is gone, that’s why!”

The stallion looked to where the Castle of Friendship used to be. “Oh yeah, that. Nothing to worry about, it’ll make an appearance pretty soon I’m sure.”

“‘Make an appearance’?! What kind of –?!”

Just then a flash of bright magical light shined over the area. Within the blink of an eye the Castle of Friendship returned without scratch on it, as if somepony had just put it back the way it was. Everypony’s – except the stallion and town’s ponies – jaws dropped straight down and through the ground.

“There ya go. This happens at least once or twice a year, usually. That Princess Twilight, never a dull moment in this town with her as our Princess, I love this town. Well, you folks have a pleasant day.”

The stallion walked away and went back to his business, leaving behind a stunned family. The doors to the castle opened up slowly, and standing behind them was Flash, Stella, and Twilight, all wearing big happy smiles at the sight of their family.

“STELLA!” Hope shouted.

“Hi Hope, it’s great to see you – GAHACK!!!”

The unicorn mare was suddenly bowled over by the pegasus mare, the two of them tumbled about, turning into a ball of chaos before the two of them stopped. Stella waited for the room to stop spinning before she got her bearings. Once everything was back in proper alignment, she found herself hugged fiercely by Hope, who was now on top of her.

“You guys really worried us,” said Hope.

“What, why?” Stella asked.

“The castle was gone and nopony seemed to care! We thought something bad might’ve happened!”

“Oh…” Twilight rubbed the back of her head in embarrassment. She then turned to the approaching members of the family and gave them an apologetic smile. “Sorry about that, guess I lost track of time and forgot to relocate the castle back into this dimension.”

Cadance walked up and nuzzled Twilight playfully. “Always got to give somepony a heart attack, don’t you Ladybug.”

Twilight blushed. “Cadance,” she groaned.

Shining Armor, Skyla, Velvet, and Night Light trotted up the stairs and gathered ‘round the husband and wife.

“Flash, s’up,” said Shining Armor, holding out a hoof.

“Hey, Shining, just a little of the same old, same old,” said Flash, hoof bumping his brother-in-law.

“Honestly, Twilight, if you weren’t ready, you should’ve sent a letter and told us, you didn’t have to put the whole castle in another dimension sweetie,” said Velvet.
Twilight rubbed the back of her head nervously. “Actually…there was another reason for this, and it was too important to ignore.”

“What would that be?” Night Light asked.

Hope got off of Stella and joined their parents. Stella looked to her father, and Flash to Twilight, all three giving silent nods. “We’ll explain in the foyer, there’re some ponies we’d like you all to meet.”

The rest of the family looked confused, but shrugged and let the family of three lead on. The large family walked down the corridor and stopped before a pair of large double doors. Stella walked up to the door and gave three knocks, making the others cock in eyebrow as to why she was knocking in the first place. She paused for about thirty seconds and used her magic to push open the doors.

Inside was a hearth, unlit of course, couches and recliners made of soft, wine red fabric were stationed around a crystal table. Underneath it was a purple carpet, embroidered with intricate and ornate gold designs. But that wasn’t what drew their attention. Standing before the table and chairs were Sunset and Flare. Both had nervous grins on their faces, Flare, despite the courage she had mounted beforehand, couldn’t help but hide behind her mother like a scared foal.

Sunset didn’t blame her daughter, she wanted to hide too. But she was the parent, and for their plan to work, she had to be strong and as inconspicuous as possible. The family entered the foyer, looking curiously at the pegasus and unicorn. Twilight, Flash, and Stella broke away to stand next to them. Flash and Twilight stood on Sunset’s right, while Stella stood on her left, closer to Flare.

“Everypony, I’d like you to meet a very good friend of mine. Her name is Sunset Shimmer, and this is her daughter, Flare Sparks,” said Twilight.

Sunset tilted her head down a bit in a small, respectful bow. “Hello everypony.” Sunset turned her head to look at her daughter. “Flare, sweetie, come on now.”

Flare shyly exposed her head and part of her upper body from behind her mother, she looked as if she was going to retreat back like a turtle into their shell, but Stella slowly offered a hoof to Flare. She looked to it and then up to Stella’s encouraging eyes. The pegasus mare gently grabbed hold of her hoof and allowed Stella to pull her from behind Sunset and sit next to her.

Flare then gave a slight bow. “Hello…”

Hope crouched down a little to whisper to her little sister. “Flare is so cute, she’s like a scared little puppy dog,” she gushed.

Skyla giggled a bit, she had to agree with her older sister, she did seem very shy, but it was cute the way she did it; although, she did wonder why her cousin seemed to be holding onto her hoof so tightly.

“‘Sunset Shimmer’…wait a minute, wasn’t that the same mare that stole your crown when you and your friends still had the Elements of Harmony?” Cadance asked.

Sunset winced at the memory, but denying it would only make her look bad. “Ahem…y-yes, that was me. I stole Twilight’s crown back at the Crystal Empire some years ago, during the Princess Summit.”

Shining Armor sat on his haunches and hit the flat of his left hoof with his right. “Ah-ha, so you were the reason why I had to chew out the Guards about the lapse is security when I was away in Canterlot! Ha, had to practically make ‘em all go through basic training again.”

Flash groaned a little. “Yes…I remember that fondly, thanks Bro.”

Sunset raised an eyebrow at that, Twilight leaned closer and whispered, “Flash was on the Guard detail back then, and he was stationed at the Crystal Empire. So…”
The yellow unicorn mare blushed and face hoofed herself. “I am so sorry.”

“Excuse me, Twilight honey, you said she stole your crown and yet you just called her one of your best friends. I’m a little confused,” said Night Light, eyeing the mare in question dubiously.

“Yes, well, Daddy, Sunset took my crown into a magical mirror that acted as a portal to another world; a parallel world where everypony here has a counterpart in that other world.”

Twilight used her magic and created a 3D recreation of what the other world was.

“I was dropped out in front of a school, called Canterlot High School. It was a place for teenagers, and well…when I got there, I wasn’t exactly a pony anymore.”

The hologram showed CHS, the quad, the statue, even the streets, houses, and some of the buildings further back. What appeared next was Twilight herself, in human form. Now Flash and Stella had heard about Twilight’s exploits in the parallel world, and what her body turned into when she got there. But this was the first time they had seen a depiction of it.

It was a strange sight indeed, an hourglass frame, no hooves, no tail, a flat muzzle, no coat, and definitely – and quite possibly the most frightening thing for Skyla, Velvet, Night Light, Shining, and Cadance – no horn.

“Aunt Twilight, you had no horn?!” Skyla asked.

“Nope.”

“Then, how did you use magic?!” Shining Armor asked.

“She couldn’t, that world had no magic,” answered Sunset.

“So…what did you turn into exactly?” Hope asked.

“Something called a ‘Hu-man’. They’re mainly a bipedal lifeform, no fur, wings, hooves, tails, horns, and as Sunset said, no magic. You can imagine my reaction when I got
there…”

Twilight blushed as she recalled her mini freak out and screaming into the open air at what she’d become, and the awkwardness of figuring out what her new body was. The alicorn mare shook off the feeling of the transformation from a pony body to a human one and continued.

“Anyway, I tracked down Sunset to this place and…needless to say…”

Sunset placed a hoof on Twilight’s shoulder, silently telling the alicorn mare that she would continue from here. “I was a tyrannical girl back then…I ruled that school with an iron fist, or iron hoof as it were. I belittled everyone, and even broke apart friendships and set others against themselves. I was someone they feared…and in my selfish mindset back then, all I cared about was power, and the authority I garnered from it.”

Various expressions could be seen appearing on the six ponies across from them. Shining Armor was even more cautious of this mare now, after hearing her confess to such a thing. Night Light and Velvet couldn’t believe that a mare could be so harsh, other than Nightmare Moon, and yet they still couldn’t get over the fact that their daughter called Sunset her best friend. Cadance and Hope, however, were of a different mindset.

Hope always saw the bright side of things, and always looked to the good in everypony. She could pick up on the level of contempt in Sunset’s voice at her recalling of her actions, it wasn’t the contempt of somepony having to confess to their past misdoings, it was more like she hated herself for what she did and regretted it.

Cadance could sense the good in Sunset as well, her heart was full of love. Her daughter took up the majority of that love, the kind that Cadance herself was very familiar with. A mare who loved their daughter that much, and had love for the two ponies next to her as well, couldn’t be as bad a mare as she was telling them.

Skyla was still on edge, she didn’t want to outright label this mare as “bad”, but she wasn’t sure yet if she could say she was “good” either.

“When I went to retrieve my crown, I heard that it was taken by the Principal of the school, and that it was to be awarded to the girl who was voted Princess of the Fall Formal, which was a big dance they were having there.”

Sunset saw the confused looks and clarified. “Princess over there doesn’t carry the same weight as it does here. It’s mostly just a title and nothing more, kind of a prize for being the most well liked person in the school. And…well, I don’t blame them for voting for Twilight.”

“Well I didn’t win the crown alone. I found the counterparts to my friends, Applejack, Pinkie Pie, Rarity, Fluttershy, and Rainbow Dash there. And together they helped me win the crown,” said Twilight.

“But I didn’t let you keep it for long.” Sunset watched as Twilight changed the hologram to depict what happened next. “I threatened to destroy the portal and trap the both us there in that world, but Twilight was willing to selflessly sacrifice her chance to go back home if it meant that I wouldn’t have the Element of Magic. Needless to say, I wrestled the crown away from her and when I put it on…”

Sunset looked to Twilight, the alicorn mare was unsure if she wanted to show that part. But the fiery maned mare nodded her go ahead. With a reluctant sigh, Twilight shifted the hologram, showing Sunset as she put the crown and transformed into a monstrous she-demon.

The scene played out, showing the Demon collect energy and fired it at Twilight. But that’s when it happened, her friends gathered around her, and the Magic of Friendship ignited. The scene continued and showed as the Elemental Rainbow rose up and shot down on the Demon. The scene shifted again, showing Sunset in the crater, beaten, disheveled, and crying.

“I didn’t know there was another way, all I wanted was respect and power, but my eyes were opened that night. I knew that power may’ve been what I wanted, but what I needed was friendship. Twilight left that night, and I was left in the hands of her friends.”

Cadance rubbed her chin contemplatively. “So that’s how it went down back there, you were a little vague on the details.”

“I didn’t think you’d believe me, I just gave you the bare essentials of what happened,” said Twilight with a blush.

Sunset looked to her daughter, she had told Flare about her greatest mistake when she was old enough to understand. But it was just words, she never actually showed her how it went down, and now that she did, Sunset was afraid of what her daughter would think of her.

Flare seemed to understand the plight of her mother. She leaned closer to Sunset, nuzzling her neck comfortingly, as if silently saying “It’s alright Mom, I know that’s not you anymore.” Sunset relaxed upon the contact and nuzzled the top of her daughter’s head in return.

“So…that’s it? Instant best friends?” Shining Armor asked.

“Heh, heh, not quite,” said Flash.

The hologram shifted again, displaying Twilight, Sunset, their friends, and the Sirens. “Sunset called me from her world, and asked for my help to save the school and the city from the creatures known as the Sirens. In the end, it took all seven of us to defeat them, and proving that Sunset had learned the true meaning of friendship and the magic it holds.”

The hologram showed the seven girls rising into the air and firing a beam of light into the clouds. The clouds parted and showed an alicorn made of light rear up as it flared its majestic wings. It then fired a beam of light from its horn and blasted the Sirens and their Hippocampi avatars, ending the hologram.

“I chose to stay behind in that world. It became my home, and I had friends there now,” said Sunset.

“She taught me a lesson in friendship that day, and in the same breath, became a dear friend to me,” said Twilight.

The family took a moment to let that sink in. Twilight had gone up against a number of threats with her friends in the past, going through one harrowing adventure after another. But this one was just, wow.

“Okay, well, that clears that up, I guess,” said Night Light.

“So, Miss Shimmer, are you just visiting then?” Velvet asked.

The moment Velvet asked that she immediately regretted it, seeing the solemn faces that befell her daughter’s family.

“Actually I…I can’t go back, well, I could…but, it just wouldn’t be home anymore,” said Sunset.

Flash Sentry sighed and decided to spare Sunset the telling of this tale. “Sunset married somepony special to her back in that world and had Flare. Flare was barely a year old when her husband…died in an accident.”

The eyes of the six ponies before them went wide with shock. Cadance and Velvet were hit hard, not imagining what they would be like if their husbands were taken from them so soon in life. Hope and Skyla had scooted a little closer to their father, feeling a bit protective of him now.

“I had no idea what happened to Sunset. We used to communicate via a magic journal that connected us between the worlds, but she suddenly stopped writing to me. When she did well…it was covered in tearstains and her writing was evident of someone who was in distress. I quickly went back to that world and found out what happened. In the end, I made the decision to bring Sunset Shimmer back to Equestria, I just couldn’t leave her alone, not after hearing what she went through.”

“But…what about your friends, surely they helped you or are wondering where you are?” Shining Armor asked.

“I’m sure they would’ve – no I know they would’ve helped if I asked. But all of them had families of their own, dreams they were fulfilling, I couldn’t ask them to drop everything and help me raise my daughter. I tried to do everything on my own, but that world demanded too much of me, I was a young single mother, and I didn’t know who else to turn to. I left them all a note telling them where I went so that they wouldn’t worry about us.”

Sunset hung her head low, even now, recalling those events from years back was still painful. Twilight extended a wing and draped it over the mares back in a comforting fashion, eliciting a grateful smile from Sunset.

“After a couple of years Twilight told me about what happened, needless to say I was a little shocked by all of it. And in the end we made the decision for Flare and Sunset to stay with us,” said Flash.

“Believe me it wasn’t a…easy decision. I was a little upset and said some things to Flare and Sunset, but in the end I realized I was being selfish, and now they’re here with us,” said Stella.

“So you see, Shining Armor, Cadance, Mom, Dad, Skyla, Hope, that’s why I didn’t postpone anything, because I was so concentrated on what was happening I forgot to say anything. I know we said that this would be a time for family, but, if you don’t mind, I would like to include Sunset and Flare.”

The six looked between each other, as if having psychic discussion about the matter. In the end, Velvet separated from the others and stood before the, relatively, young mare. She then reached out a hoof and gently placed it against Sunset’s cheek, the yellow unicorn flinched slightly, but eased into the touch. Sunset then spotted Velvet’s gentle and warm smile.

“You two have been through a lot, I can’t imagine the pain of the loss that you’ve suffered. But I can venture a guess.” She glanced over to her husband, shuddering at that thought of losing him. “Sunset Shimmer, I would love it if you and Flare joined in our little family get together.”

Flare’s ears perked up as a broad smile threatened to split her face. Sunset shed a few tears and covered Velvet’s hoof with her own. “Thank you Mrs. Velvet.”

“Oh, dear, just Velvet is fine. You’re friends of the family now,” said Velvet.

Shining Armor walked up to Sunset next. “Sorry for the suspicious looks and all, no offense.”

Sunset chuckled. “None taken, believe me I’m used to.”

Twilight, Flash, and Stella all smiled along with the rest of their family, but they weren’t out of the woods, not by a long shot.

EARLIER, AT THE HALL OF JUSTICE…Nah just kidding.
Five minutes (Hyperbolic Time: 20 hours) Earlier…

Still within the alternate pocket dimension, Sunset, Flash, Twilight, Stella, and Flare all sat in the foyer, after hammering out the details of the plan about four and a half days ago, had spent the latter part of their time cleaning up the castle and getting it ready for the arrival of the family. They all met in the parlor, closer to Twilight’s study, for one more meeting to go over their plan.

“So, are we all clear on the plan before I bring down the spell?” Twilight asked.

“I don’t know Twi, this could end badly,” said Flash.

“I’d have to agree with Flash on this,” said Sunset.

“But it’s the easiest and possibly the best way for them to accept you. We tell them half of the truth, about how you and Flare came to Equestria, and about who you are. WE just leave out the part where Flare’s dad is my Dad from a parallel world, and the part about him being married to you, Miss Shimmer,” said Stella.

Flare rubbed her right foreleg nervously. “I don’t think lying to them is the best thing though.”

“What we need to focus on is letting them get to know you, both of you. These next few weeks will give you and your mother a chance to get to know my parents, brother, and sister-in-law,” said Twilight.

Stella walked up beside Flare and placed a hoof on her shoulder. “And give you a chance to get to know your cousins. Don’t forget, you’re part of our family now. They’re your Aunt, Uncle, Grandparents, and cousins too. Just be yourself and they’ll like you just as much as I do.”

Flare smiled at that. For a long time it had only been her mother and herself, but now she was part of a bigger family, and it felt wonderful. It was still odd to know that her birth father was dead back in the world she left behind, and to see that same man, in pony form, standing right across from her and talking to her every day. At the very least, he didn’t shy away from her displays of daughterly love towards him. And she got a half-sister out of this, she always wanted a sibling, and Stella was the best she could’ve ever hoped for.

Now though, she was about to meet grandparents, an aunt and uncle, and even two cousins. She was nervous and excited at the same time. But deep down afraid that they would have the same reaction, if not worse than what Stella showed when they first met each other.

Sunset was of the same mind, she wanted this all to go well. She wanted to be here, to stay close to Twilight and Flash, to give her daughter everything she deserved. But doing so would mean telling them about what she did when she was younger, and possibly ruin their opinion of her right off the bat before they got to know her. Still, her daughter was worth it and so was staying with Twilight and Flash, for all of it, Sunset would try her best to get them to like her.

“Alright Twilight, I’m ready to this,” said Sunset.

“M-Me too,” agreed Flare nervously.

“Don’t worry you two, Stella and the both of us will stay close to you. When the time’s right, before they leave, we’ll tell them who you were married to, and who Flare’s father is. Until then, we keep this under wraps,” said Flash.

Everypony nodded.

Twilight nodded, channeling her magic into her horn. “Alright, here we go.”