Torn Between Worlds
By Flash Frame
Chapter 1: Graduation Blues
Teal eyes gazed out over the front of the school, framed by red and blond curls. A golden-yellow graduation cap sat upon those crimson and golden locks, the rest of her maize skin hidden behind the graduation gown.
'Seven years... two years since Princess Twilight kicked my ass and set me back on the right path.' thought the fiery haired teen. Seven years since she, Sunset Shimmer, had come across the threshold of the mirror and appeared in the world of the humans. She had been in her early twenties in Equestria, but the Mirror had reverted her to the age of a fifth grader. She'd been able to pull some strings though, and had been living fairly comfortably with the identity she'd been able to co-opt. It had taken some doing too, but a bit of magic at the right times had seen her through.
Sunset was jostled from her thoughts when the pink haired teen that was Pinkie Pie practically rocketed herself into Sunset's side. "WE DID IT SUNNY! WE GRADUATED!!!" the teen shouted for all the world to hear. One by one, the rest of her friends appeared next to her. Applejack gave a hearty whoop, Dash yelled out how awesome it was, Fluttershy gave a quiet, but enthusiastic "Woo hoo" and Rarity simply looked quite pleased with herself.
"Yeah, we did, didn't we Pinkie?" Sunset turned her eyes to the front entrance of the school. An entrance that, two years ago, she had reduced to rubble. The new bricks still shone like new against the old facade of the front that had remained, a testament to that Fall Formal event.
Applejack noticed the focus Sunset had on the school. "Now ain't no time get all teary eyed Sugar-cube. we made it through High school, what else can tha world throw our way we can't get past?"
Sunset turned to look at the blonde, teal eyes searching jade for a moment. "That's what I'm afraid of AJ... what now?"
The weekend was relaxing, graduation done and over with. That meant the teens had the summer to themselves, all having decided to use the time to figure out their futures. Many had things already well on their way. The six girls all relaxing for the current afternoon at sugar cube corner.
Pinkie Pie was planning on continuing work at Sugar Cube Corner for the Cakes, while looking into local schools that she could get a degree in culinary baking. “So Auntie Cup offered for me to stay working at Sugarcube Corner while I keep looking around for a collage that has a great culinary program!” Pinkie exclaimed as she hopped by, carrying a tray full of treats and the various drinks the girls had ordered.
“Well ah’m stickin around to run tha farm of course. Granny Smith’s gettin along in the years and me an Big Mac can handle it, with Bloomie’s help too, we’re pretty well set, an the orchard brings in more than enough money through the year.”
Rarity smiled to Applejack. “That’s wonderful darling, personally I’m so glad Photo Finish’s pictures got my designs out to the world. Ohh the responses I’ve gotten have been positively glowing!” she practically squealed her own delight before clearing her throat and regaining her composure. “I suppose I should see what kind of programs are nearby for fashion, it never hurts to refine one’s technique.”
“Oh, I’ve seen your designs in a few magazines mom has floating around the office.” Fluttershy’s soft voice held a warmth for her friends accomplishment. “I know I’m going to keep working with the shelter in between my time in the Veterinary medicine program at Canterlot U.”
Rainbow Dash was riding a full sports scholarship to Canterlot University for soccer and had decided to major in Sports Medicine, to the surprise of the others. She just grinned, “You know, it’s just awesome, helping the next generation be awesome!”
Sitting there, as the other five talked about their plans, Sunset Shimmer hadn't felt this alone since that night she'd been blasted into a crater those two years prior.
Sunset had been no slouch in her studies after her reformation. With friends that cared about her, she'd pushed herself to become the best in academics once again. She'd found a rather strong affinity for mathematics and theoretical physics, which to her, was this world's version of magic. She'd made the honor roll for the last two years, and had even won a couple of awards for helping out around the school. Things which she felt strong pride in. But she found herself lost now. An alien in a world where her friends all had plans, yet her own ambitions had been set back two years prior.
"What about you, Sunny?" said an expectant voice. When Sunset didn't look up, Rainbow Dash waved a hand in front of the other girls face. "Yo, Earth to Sunset Shimmer!" When Sunset's eyes snapped up, Dash chuckled. "Damn girl, you look like someone kicked your dog."
Fluttershy gasped at that. "N..no one kicked your dog, did they, Sunny?" she asked hurriedly, causing Dash to shoot a look at Fluttershy, which caused the pink haired teen to shrink back a bit.
"What? No, I don't even have any pets. " Sunset let out a long sigh. "Girls, I feel...lost."
Rarity blinked. "Whatever do you mean, darling? I know you got that scholarship to CU for that physics paper you wrote." She sipped at her drink before leaning forward. "You do plan on attending, do you not?"
Sunset shook her head. "Yes. I mean no. Gah!! I don't know, Rarity." She ran a hand through her fiery locks. "I mean, I thought I was going to... but, I dunno. Part of me feels like I should go back to Equestria." she sighs. "I've, been waiting till the mirror opens naturally to decide if I should or not, and it's coming up in just a couple of months."
The other girls all took a collective gasp. Applejack spoke up. "Now, Sugar-cube, y'all weren't planning on just ditchin' us all, were ya?"
Sunset shook her head quickly. "No, no way, AJ. I wasn't going to leave without letting you girls know." She sighed. "It's just... I didn't exactly have this planned out. I'm still an alien in a world that's not my own, and while I love you guys, and I love it here... this... isn't really my home." she admitted, casting her eyes to the table and her untouched shake in front of her.
The others seemed to mull this over, all sitting back in thought. Rainbow Dash spoke up. "Seriously, after all this time, you still feel like you don't belong?" she asked, seeming almost insulted by the notion.
Sunset grimaced at that, but shot back. "It's not like that Dash!" she grumbled. "I've been here for seven years, ok? SEVEN YEARS!" She put emphasis on those words. "I've had to relive my teen years here, and for most of that, I was a raging bitch because I didn't get what I wanted back in Equestria," she grumbled as she slumped in her chair.
Tears welled up in her eyes, as Dash looked her over, her annoyance turning quickly to concern for the ex-unicorn.
"Look Sunset, I..." Dash began as Sunset shook her head, getting up, picking up the red helmet by her side.
"Don't worry about it, Dash. Look I need to go. It's late, and the graduation kinda drained me. I'm gonna head home and try to get some sleep." With that, Sunset got up, and headed out the door of Sugar Cube corner, leaving five others looking sadly at the lone chocolate shake that had been left behind, untouched.
Wind whipped past Sunset Shimmer, causing the hair that stuck out from her helmet to flair behind her as she rode her motorcycle. It wasn't anything special. but it was hers. She focused on the road before her.
Riding helped to clear her head. It was something she'd taken up in the last year. Something she'd taken to fairly easily. Sometimes she just rode and ended up someplace that would get her mind off of her worries.
Tonight seemed to be one of those nights as she pulled into a space in front of the school. Kicking the stand down and leaning the bike onto it, she removed her helmet and let her eyes once more fall on that front entrance to the place that had nearly been a third home to her for seven of her years.
Sunset sighed as she left the helmet on her bike and walked onto the grounds. Her boots fell on the grass as she walked towards the statue of a rearing horse. Of course that statue also housed the portal to Equestria. She moved to the side that held the mirrored surface that acted as the portal's entrance. Her eyes fell on it. She could practically see the small, colored unicorn that she'd been born as. Wide eyes, warm fiery colored mane and tail. She caressed her fingers over the image she saw.
"Remembering the good times, Miss Shimmer?" came a voice from behind her that caused the teen to jump. Turning, her eyes fell on Vice Principal Luna.
"Miss Luna....I..." Sunset started as the vice principal waved her down.
"Please, Sunset, you're a graduate of CHS. I think you have earned a more relaxed posture around me." She gave a hint of a smile... before her eyes turned serious once more. "Something troubling you?" she asked as she moved up beside the former unicorn.
"Yeah... you could say that, Luna." Sunset's eyes gazed into the mirror surface of the portal. She could almost see Luna's Equestrian form she thought. She took a breath. “Have you ever felt, like you don’t belong like, everyone else is moving forward, and you’re just kinda stuck, watching them pass you by?”
Luna’s eyes met those of Sunset Shimmers and she nodded. “Oh, I know very well how that feels Sunset, some could say better than most.”
Sunset blinked in confusion. “Seriously?”
“Seriously, Sunset, I know the feeling.” The vice principal crossed her arms as she looked at the statue, the statue that had brought Sunset into their lives, as well as Princess Twilight. The portal had brought both danger, and wonder. “When I was younger, younger even than you, my parents doted on my sister constantly.” she sighed a bit. “Every accomplishment she made was lauded, held to the highest, while I felt completely ignored, despite my own significant accomplishments. I felt ignored, alone, isolated.” she looked down. “And I hated Tia for it.” she said gently, shaking her head. “I envied her, I wanted that praise, that respect.” she looked up. “And I tried to take it from her, because I was so angry.”
Sunset listened quietly, while not exactly the same, she could see feeling lost and alone when everyone paid attention to one’s sister. “So...what happened, you and Celestia seem to get along fine now.”
Luna nodded. “We do, but this was years ago, well over thirty years ago, we were young, and I was stupid. I reached out for attention, went through something of a dark phase, and well… it came to a head when me and Tia got into a fight.” She shakes her head. “Tia’s not an inherently violent person, oh she’ll fight to protect what she cares about, but she doesn’t just get violent for no reason. I tend to be a little more, hot headed.” she smirks a little. “I… kinda stole her boyfriend at the time. Discord… I seduced him and Tia caught us.” she shakes her head. “And we fought, hard… all my emotions threw me into a frenzy and her sense of betrayal hit full swing and we just slugged it out. In the end, I lost. Lots of hateful things were spewed between us, I took off after that, ran away from the problem for a few years, till I figured out that, I’d been a huge pain, and frankly, my own accomplishments could stand on their own.”
Sunset nodded, “That’s true… but I don’t see how that pertains to my feeling of loss, I’m an alien on a world where I technically don’t belong.” She sighs a bit. “Heck you and Celestia only let me stick around because of Princess Twilight!”
Luna shook her head. “No Sunset, we let you stick around because we knew it would be good for you, and after your defeat, you looked like you wanted to change. Celestia always saw your potential, and she wanted to see if the girls, and your own desire, would push you forward, and look at you, your physics paper was the talk of Canterlot’s scientific elite, and you have a full ride scholarship on science to Canterlot U.” she reaches out and rests a hand on the younger’s shoulder. “Sunset, I know you’re an alien here, but you’ve proven you’re a good person, you’ve helped others, selflessly in some cases, and you worked hard to better your grades, and yourself. You’ve more than proven you belong.”
Sunset sighed, and gently shrugged away from that hand. “Thanks Luna, but, if that was the case, I think I’d feel a bit more like I belong here.” She looked to the older woman, who had a look of sadness behind her typical stoic mask. “I’ve gotta get home, thanks Luna, for the talk, and… I’ll think about what you said.” With that, the former pony turned, heading for her bike.
Luna watched as she walked away from the school, “You’re a good person Sunset, don’t make any rash decisions.” she said softly to the air around her, as she turned, and headed into the school proper.
Night came quietly to the County of Equestria. Stars shimmered overhead in a beautifully natural display. Nowhere was this more apparent in Equestria County than on the lands of Sweet Apple Acres. The Apple family owned and operated farmland was tucked in the southern end of the county line, well away from the lights of Canterlot.
Sitting on the upper floor of the rather large, red barn, two shapes were bathed in the soft light of the full moon. Applejack's arm was snaked around the rather thin looking shape that was Rarity. Holding the purple haired fashionista close as the two shared a bottle of sparkling cider, and enjoying the gentle warmth of the summer night air around them. Despite the calm evening, both of their minds were on their mutual friend.
“Ya reckon we were a bit insensitive to Sunny's issues at the bakery? Ah mean, tha girl really did seem lost with all this.” That southern twang, normally musical to the pale girl in the other’s arms, was filled with concern.
“I was wondering much the same, darling,” Rarity admitted, shaking her head. “I do love Sunset dearly. The girl has been an absolute dream of a friend since that time. I would say, she and I have become quite close socially, but I really can’t relate to this issue.” She took a sip of her cider and sighed. “To be displaced from your entire species, to
have essentially been adopted by us, for lack of a better turn of phrase.” Those purple locks bounced as she shook her head. “I don't even know where to start trying to help her.”
Applejack nodded, resting her head on Rarity's shoulder. “Ah know what ya mean Rares, ah tend to forget that Sunset's technically an alien at times too.” She let her fingers find the soft digits of Rarity's, glad not to be lost alone in this issue. “Ah think we should talk to her in the mornin. Make sure everything's ok.”
Rarity turned, purple eyes gazing into jade green. “And you wonder why I fell for you,” she teased. Leaning in, their lips met, their plan for their friend having been finalized for the moment, they lost themselves in each other.
Sunset's eyes fell on the moon, her eyes tracing the patterns within the large celestial body. Very unlike the moon she had been used to in Equestria. “ Tsuki no Usagi, Rabbit of the Moon.” she said quietly to herself, noting the image she tended to see. She found it interesting that on this planet, there were several legends of the moon. North America tended to favor the “Man in the Moon” story, which asserted that the face of a man was on the moon. The Japanese however, tended towards the idea of the story of a rabbit in the moon, and to her, that's what she saw.
“You know, Usagi Tsukino is the name of the main character in Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon.” The voice was connected to someone that Sunset hadn't expected to run into. Derpy Hooves smiled, her eyes, normally affected by the rather strong case of strabismus, were aided by the pair of glasses that Sunset had bought her not long after her reformation, a repentance for having broken the girl's pair in middle school. It had been a stroke of luck that Sunset had ended up living in the same apartment complex as Derpy.
“I can't say I knew that. I’ve never seen it.” Sunset admitted, looking over from her spot sitting on the edge of the roof of her apartment building. “Wasn't expecting anyone up here tonight.” She turned to face Derpy a bit better. The blonde girl smiled lightly.
Derpy moved to stand next to Sunset, looking out over Canterlot's cityscape. It wasn't big, but big enough to have a couple of 6 story buildings, one of which being this complex. “I come up here to think... Seems we both do.” Derpy's sigh as she looked out showed Sunset just how frazzled the other teen was.
“Yeah, seems like it.”
“Post graduation blues I guess.”
Sunset's raised eyebrow made Derpy chuckle. “I think all of us get it. We just spent most of our lives in the school system. Now, that's over, save for college, but even with college, many of us will have to pay our own way. Even with my tech savvy, it worries me, you know?” Most thought Derpy was relatively stupid, or retarded due to her strabismus, regardless of the fact that she had an above average IQ, and those that knew her personally knew of her strength in programming and tech on the whole.
Sunset nodded at that. “Yeah, that's true.” Well not entirely for me, Sunset thought. 'Most would never believe I'm in my 30's.'
Derpy and Sunset simply sat in silence, as the moon passed through the sky, two people conflicted with where life would go from here. But for Sunset, she had to wonder... what world needed her most?
Author's Note
Whew... this chapter has been... well sitting pretty much finished for a while. I struggled with a few things I wanted to do, ended up adding a whole scene, and refused to remove another.
At the end of the day, I'm happy enough with where this sits, to actually upload it now. And that Rarity/AJ scene, well, let's just say, if I go very far with Torn Between Worlds... AJ and Rarity may even get their own spin off.
