One doesn't appreciate the wonders of Equestrian life until they've been away from it for a while. That's what Sunset Shimmer thought now that she was in her pony form once again, even if getting used to quadrupedal movement again took a few slips. But there was still something about her home away from home that tickled her heart.
The homework, the different laws and theorems of the other world, the bell's cacophonous chime every ninety minutes during morning and afternoon hours, and the teenagers who still thought it was funny to doodle obscene sketches on others' yearbooks were still clear in her mind as she slumped on the ragged green couch of her apartment. Sunset didn't miss it as she stared at the dusty grandfather clock, counting away the seconds. But at the same time, there was a slight homesickness in her heart.
If only she could be in two places at once. But with the Mirror Pool closed off for good after reports of a pink pony messing with it and the rumor of somepony somehow dropping a manticore in there thrice, that wasn't going to happen anytime soon.
"It's nice to be back," Sunset repeated to herself. She let her golden body sink into the green cushions and let out a relaxed sigh, the muscles in her limbs loosening up. She turned toward one of the few windows in her apartment, the morning sun shining its gold rays onto the floor and breathing life into the dust covered room. Though with only a living room, a small kitchen and bathroom, and a bedroom, it was rather lifeless to begin with. The pale, rotting walls were a ghastly sight as well, which didn't help matters. At least it was cheap to rent, but another thought popped into Sunset's mind without warning.
Canterlot was oddly welcoming of her return to Equestria and the pony world. Even Princess Celestia, the mare that she grew jealous of to the point of willing to put herself through high school to get a taste of power on her tongue, wrapped her with a hug. Just recalling that one, simple moment warmed Sunset's heart. However, she also couldn't help but sense something tickling the back of her mind.
It was as though Celestia knew what Sunset's adventures, no, misadventures in the other world were like. Any setting where she'd have to hear music that ranged from catchy and fun to tepid and awful couldn't be an adventure. Just thinking of what Snips and Snails rapped placed a bug in her stomach, her face turning green for a second. "At least I learned guitar," she admitted with a smile.
Sunset's ears twitched at the sound of papers flopping. Twisting her head toward the noise's source, she noticed a pile of letters and clippings resting on the tan carpeted floor. Sunset raised an eyebrow, then rubbed her muzzle. Did the mail arrive early? That's odd? Climbing out of the couch and stretching her forelegs with a yawn, she trotted towards the mass of assorted papers. With a glow of her horn, the papers all glided towards her, seemingly carried by the wind. Sunset couldn't help but crack a smile. It felt so good to be able to do that again. So much simpler than having to kneel down and pick it up.
Shuffling the papers before her, all of which had a green glow to them, Sunset studied each and every letter or pamphlet before her. "Let's see," she began. "A letter from Princess Twilight Sparkle. That sounds important." Sunset levitated the letter to a nearby desk. "That will be my keep pile." She circled to the next letter.
"An invitation to the wedding of Cranky Doodle Donkey and Matilda?" Sunset rubbed the top of her head, her mind trying to paint what she believed to be their appearances. "I don't even know them, but I'll think about it." She placed it in her keep pile and then reached the third letter.
"Grow your horn by seven inches with this magic pill." Sunset rolled her eyes. "Do I look like I need to compensate for something or go out on a boat ride?" She tore the letter up into two pieces, producing a satisfying rip as it split apart. "Next."
"Pet tigers, pythons, black widows, and poison moths available at the Dangerous Pet Store." Sunset covered her lips and giggled, wondering how anypony could ever control such beasts. "They aren't staying in business for long." She sliced the letter with her magic once again, cracking a grin throughout the process.
Sunset let out an elongated sigh. "What a waste. I may as well go do some shopping."
Then, without warning, three knocks echoed in the air. Sunset jumped up in surprise at the first knock, her ears twitching at all three. "I'm coming!" She cocked her head to the left, a puzzled expression on her face. "Who wants to see me at this time of day?"
Sunset approached the pale green door, her legs wobbling and causing her to almost topple over. Blushing and straightening herself out, Sunset placed her hoof on the door and pushed it open. The door responded by emitting a harsh creak as it clung onto its hinges, wiggling a tad as though it was tipsy. With the door wide open, Sunset squinted at the harsh light of the outdoors. Once her vision returned, she noticed her visitor standing before her with a stern posture. It was a normal unicorn mare with a note card underneath her hoof, though as Sunset studied her appearance and posture, it only took her a second to realize that she was anything but your typical Equestrian. Has Equestria changed this much? Or did I drink a little too much wine last night?
The unicorn had a pale, purple coat and her mane was a darker purple with bluish highlights. A wide grin adorned her face, though her facial muscles were visibly stressed. Though perhaps most telling of all was the mark on her flank. Instead of the usual, elaborate designs that most ponies wore, she had a simple, gray equals sign. Maybe she was a mathematician. But as boring and tedious as such a subject was to Sunset Shimmer, the monotonous voice of her algebra teacher in the other world returning to her, she knew that a pony gifted in math would have a more elaborate cutie mark. Maybe some long winded formula that explained why she goes from pony to human when crossing worlds might suffice, if something like that could be quantifiable.
"Greetings!" the unicorn shouted. "Have you heard the good news today?"
Sunset raised an eyebrow. "Good news? Did Princess Twilight save the day again?"
"Who?"
"You know, the recently ascended alicorn princess, the former bearer of the Element of Magic, the Princess of Friendship, and the hero of Equestria."
The mare, maintaining her eerie grin, blinked. Not a single word escaped her mouth.
Sunset felt a chill run down her spine. "You mean you don't know who Twilight Sparkle is."
"Can she get a taxi in Manehattan?"
Sunset massaged her muzzle, closing her eyes for a moment. "Um, I don't think so." She opened them up again and shook her head, recalling the story Twilight told her one day. "She can't. I don't know why, however."
"Perfect! Then she truly is a special pony. Maybe we'll cross paths one day." The mare let out a brief chuckle, its sinister edge turning Sunset's face slightly pale. "She'll be just what I'm looking for."
"How does that feature make her special and not the reasons I listed?"
The mare cracked a devious smile, making the air around Sunset seem thinner. "I'm just playing with you."
"Okay then." Sunset stared blankly ahead. "And what's the whole 'looking for' thing supposed to mean?"
The unicorn shivered, this time letting out an innocent giggle. "It's nothing."
"No. It's something. What is it?"
The mare clenched her teeth, shifting her eyes from left to right. "Um, I'm just trying to prove that turkeys can fly?" She nodded quickly, her lips now closed and curled into a rather smug grin. "That's it! My town is going to drop them from a height and prove that they can fly! Totally harmless."
Sunset's jaw hung agape. Forcefully closing it with her hooves, her widened eyes blinked a few times. "Uh, okay, but two things. First, what's the good news? Second, who are you?"
"I am Starlight Glimmer. And I'm—"
"Wait a second." Sunset formed a straight expression, her eyebrows furrowed somewhat. "Tell me your name again, please."
"Starlight Glimmer." Starlight tilted her head to the right, raising both of her eyebrows. "What's wrong with that?"
"For starters, it sounds a lot like my name, which is Sunset Shimmer."
"Which sounds a lot like Twilight Sparkle."
"Wait, did you—"
"Gotcha!"
Sunset let out a sigh as she averted Starlight's gaze, her cheeks flushing a little. Stepping back, she then looked Starlight in the eyes. "Now then, what's the good news?"
"Simple. Have you heard about the society I run?"
"Society?"
Starlight bobbed her head. "Yes. In this desert town I run, everypony is equal."
"I see. I imagine it would be tricky to have such a society, however."
"I have a way, but that's for another time." Starlight's eyes twinkled, her grin mischievous. "Anyway, when everypony is equal, jealousy won't come around to ruin friendships. We'll all be one in the same. The magic of cutie marks and the abilities they provide create too much conflict." Starlight approached Sunset and pressed her hoof on her chest.
Sunset's throat tightened, her face becoming taut. "Are you, um, coming on to me?"
"Well, you don't want anypony to be significantly better than you, right?"
Sunset averted her gaze from Starlight. "Um, sorry, but I'm actually interested in another mare."
Starlight rolled her eyes. "That's not my question, dear."
"Was that a Freudian slip?"
"I'm just trying to be polite is all."
"Whatever." Sunset gently moved Starlight's foreleg off of her. "Anyway, to answer your question, I was jealous of somepony."
"Of Twilight Sparkle, I presume?"
"How did you—"
Starlight laughed for a moment. "Please, you're not the first pony I've visited who was jealous of another."
"So you're a traveler looking for ponies to join you."
Nodding, Starlight's smile widened. "That's right. And I think you'd be a perfect fit. So what do you say, Sunset Shimmer?" Starlight spread her forelegs wide. "Will you join me?"
Sunset shuffled her hooves back an inch, her limbs becoming tense. "I'm not in the mood for hugs with ponies I've just met." She formed a grimace. "And I don't think I should trust you."
"Does this look untrustworthy to you?" Starlight's eyebrows bobbed up and down.
"Actually, it does." Sunset took a deep breath. "Look, I admire that there's something important to you and that you want to make a positive difference in the world. However, I'm happy with where I'm at. The pony I was jealous of, Twilight Sparkle, was also the same pony who taught me the magic of friendship. And even if we have our differences, we'll always look out for each other. It's because we're friends, and that's what friends do."
Starlight yawned. "Are you done yet?"
Sunset scowled at her. "Look, just don't hurt anypony in your quest."
"You have my word." Starlight nodded, her beaming smile painted on her face once more. "Well, I hope you soon learn that I'm right."
And with those parting words, Starlight slammed the door shut. Sunset flinched as the green wood nearly kissed her face. Straightening herself out, she turned around and trotted back toward her aging, green couch. Sunset threw herself onto the cushions, her body not sinking an inch as she collided with the surprisingly hard material.
"Ungh, who does she think she is?" Sunset asked herself. "Well, at least she seems harmless, if a bit erratic, but why was she so interested in Twilight Sparkle?" Sunset's eyes widened, her breath turning cold. "Oh boy, here we go again."
