A Collection of Moments

by wingedalpha

Rating: teen
Tags: Slice of Life, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Romance, Human, Sunset Shimmer, Twilight Sparkle
Length: 2540

How do we fall in love? Is it just a collection of moments? Sunset is about to find out.

How do we fall in love? Is it just a collection of moments? Sunset is about to find out.

Shipping: Sunset/Sci-Twi

Spoilers for Friendship Games

Published 2015-10-13 17:50:02 UTC
Last updated 2015-10-13 17:50:02 UTC

Who you like

Author's Note

Please note. I will use "Princess Twilight" to refer to the pony, and just "Twilight" to refer to the human.

Who you like

The party was in full swing. Sunset watched as Princess Twilight danced with Flash Sentry. She wanted to go over and cut in, but she knew she shouldn’t. As much as she liked Princess Twilight, there was no chance for them.

Sunset was about to turn away when she saw Flash lean in. Soon, Flash and Princess Twilight were kissing. Sunset felt her whole body go cold. Tears started to form in her eyes. Numbly, she found her way to the door and pushed it open. She barely registered the cool night air. All she knew was that she had to get away.

She had gone about half a block when she heard someone call her name. She turned to see Twilight running to catch up with her. “Sunset,” Twilight panted. “Why’d you leave?”

“I wasn’t really in the mood to party,” Sunset replied in a shaky voice.

“Sunset, are you all right?” Twilight asked.

Sunset didn’t want to lie, but she couldn’t tell the truth. She just looked away instead. “Did something happen?” Twilight pressed.

Sunset sighed. “Just another case of me wanting what I can’t have,” she said.

“What do you mean?”

“It’s nothing.”

“Does this have something to do with that other Twilight?”

She didn’t really want to, but Sunset forced herself to answer. “Yeah,” she sighed. “I’ve liked her for a long time, but she likes Flash. And even if she didn’t, we live in different worlds!”

“I know what that’s like,” Twilight replied. “The liking a girl who likes someone else part, I mean. Not the living in different worlds.”

Sunset perked up a bit. She didn’t know Twilight had a crush. “Really?” she asked. “Who’s the girl?”

Twilight blushed. “It’s a secret.”

“I can keep a secret, Twi. Promise.”

“I know. It’s just… well… I mean…”

“What?”

“It’s… it’s you.”

Sunset’s eyes widened. “Me?” Her mind was racing. How could Twilight like her? She looked at Twilight. She looked so much like the princess it drove Sunset mad.

Without thinking, Sunset grabbed Twilight roughly and kissed her. Twilight didn’t react at first, but soon she was kissing back. They stayed like that until the need for air asserted itself.

As Sunset caught her breath, she realized what she’d just done. Guilt overwhelmed her and she began to cry in earnest. “I’m sorry, Twilight,” she sobbed. “I’m so sorry.”

“Sorry?” Twilight asked. “Why are you sorry?”

“Because I shouldn’t take advantage of your feelings. It’s not fair for me to use you as a substitute for her!” Sunset exclaimed.

“I don’t mind,” Twilight said. “I’m kinda her.”

Sunset shook her head. “But you’re not her! You can’t really be okay with this!”

“Well, I’ll admit it’s not ideal, but…”

“No, Twilight. You’re my friend. I won’t use you like that.”

Twilight stared at her for a long moment. Finally, she sighed, “I suppose you wouldn’t be the girl I like if you would.”

An awkward silence passed between them. Twilight eventually spoke, “Do you want to go back to the party?”

“No, I don’t think I could take it.”

“Well, we could go do something else. I don’t really know what’s around here though.”

Sunset thought for a minute. “There’s a nice tea shop a few blocks from here,” she said.

“That sounds great,” Twilight replied with a smile.

Sunset smiled back weakly. She was glad her blunder hadn’t hurt their friendship. They walked in companionable silence. The tea shop was small and empty at this time of night. The two ordered and sat down at one of the tables.

As they sipped their tea, Sunset wondered aloud, “What do you like about me?”

Twilight coughed and blushed. “I… I like everything about you. You’re pretty, and smart, and nice. You care so much about your friends. And, well, you saved me.”

Sunset let out a short laugh. “I guess we both fell for our saviors.”

“What do you mean? How did she save you?”

“I mentioned that I made the same mistake as you. I stole a magical crown from Equestria, and when I put it on, I turned into a demon. Princess Twilight turned me back. I was a horrible person before I met her. I was cruel, and selfish, and only wanted power.”

Sunset sighed and put her head in her hands. She hated thinking about what she used to be like. Twilight looked confused. “That doesn’t sound like you at all,” she said. “If you were really like that, what changed?”

“Well, the magic that changed me back forced me to feel all the awful things I’d done, all the pain I’d caused,” Sunset explained. “I could hardly stand myself. If it hadn’t been for my friends, I might have done something… drastic.”

“Oh, Sunset!” Twilight exclaimed. “I’m so sorry!”

“It’s okay. It’s in the past where it belongs. I do my best not to be like that anymore. Though you’ve seen firsthand I don’t always succeed.”

“I’ve already forgiven you for that.”

“Thanks.”

The two went back to quietly sipping their tea. Sunset had just about finished hers when Twilight spoke again, “Um, Sunset, there’s something I’ve wanted to ask you for a while now.”

“What is it?” Sunset asked.

“Can… can I study you?” Twilight said in a rush.

“What?” Sunset yelled.

Twilight flinched. “I just want to do a few experiments,” she explained. “Ever since I learned you were from another world and have magic, I thought it would be a good idea to do some tests.”

“So this is strictly for scientific purposes?”

“Of course.”

“Okay, Twilight. But let’s work out the details later. It’s getting late and I’d like to get home.”

“That’s fine. I should get back to the party before Shining Armor comes to pick me up. See you later, Sunset.”

They gave each other a quick hug and parted ways.

Homesick

Sunset snapped back to reality as Twilight’s hand waved in front of her face. They had been studying in the library together when Sunset zoned out. She wondered how long Twilight had been trying to get her attention. “Sorry,” Sunset sighed.

Twilight’s face showed concern. “Are you okay?” she asked. “You’ve been spacing out a lot lately.”

“Yeah. It’s just…” Sunset sighed again. “I miss Equestria, that’s all. It’s really beautiful there and there are all these great spots in Canterlot. Though I think I miss magic the most.”

“But we have magic here,” Twilight replied.

“But it’s not the same,” Sunset said. “Magic in Equestria can do anything. I was always learning cool new spells.”

Twilight was silent for a moment. “Well if that other Twilight can come here, couldn’t you go there?”

“No.”

“Why not? Is it because you stole that crown?”

Sunset laughed. “I’m pretty sure Princess Twilight pardoned me. It’s just, well, if I went back there are some ponies I’d be expected to see. I’m not really sure I could handle talking to them again.”

“Isn’t there anyone you want to see? Your friends? Your parents?”

Sunset frowned. “No.”

“Why not?”

Sunset sighed. “I didn’t have any friends. As for my parents, I don’t like them very much.” At Twilight’s confused look, Sunset decided to explain. “My parents were social climbers. They taught me that everypony was there to be used. There were the ones above you that you manipulated to get a higher position, and the ones below you that you stepped on to maintain the place you already had.

“The only time they ever seemed proud of me was when I became Princess Celestia’s personal student. It didn’t last long though. That wasn’t good enough. They wanted me to attain a higher rank. I poured myself into my studies, hoping I could move up faster, but that only upset Princess Celestia. She wanted me to do other things too.”

The pain from the memories was beginning to overwhelm Sunset. Her breathing picked up and her voice took on a frantic tone. “It just seemed like no matter what I did I wasn’t good enough. When Princess Celestia said I couldn’t be her student anymore, I escaped into this world.”

Sunset’s panic transformed into anger. “That’s when I started planning to take over Equestria. I was going to show everypony I was more than good enough!” Sunset looked down and sighed. “But I screwed that up too. Guess they were right about me.”

Sunset put her head in her hands and tried not to cry. It was a losing battle. Suddenly, Twilight’s arms were around her. “I’m so sorry all that happened to you,” Twilight said. She put her hand under Sunset’s chin and forced Sunset to look her in the eye. “Sunset, you are more than good enough.”

Sunset gave her a weak smile and buried her head in Twilight’s shoulder. When she had cried herself out, she said, “Thanks. I needed to hear that. You know, I’ve never told anyone about that before.”

“Really? Well, I’m honored you trust me with this,” Twilight replied.

They stayed in the hug a while longer. Sunset couldn’t say why, but it made her feel warm all over.

Math class

Sunset and Twilight sat in math class together. The teacher had given them time to work on their homework and the two were taking full advantage of it.

Sunset looked over at Twilight. She always had the most adorable look on her face when she was concentrating. Sunset loved watching her work. Loved? Sunset shook her head to clear the thought. “Hey, Twilight, what’d you get for number fifteen?” she asked.

Twilight looked like she’d been broken out of a daze. “Uh,” she said, checking her page. “I got 35.”

“Oh good,” Sunset replied. “So did I. There were a lot of steps so I wanted to make sure I didn’t make a mistake.”

“Like you did during the Friendship Games?” Twilight teased.

“Hey, it’s harder with everyone watching,” Sunset defended.

Twilight laughed. Sunset’s stomach fluttered at the sound. “I have to agree,” Twilight said. “That was a lot of pressure.”

A shadow passed through Twilight’s eyes. Sunset frowned. “What’s wrong?” she asked.

“I was just thinking about how the Friendship Games ended,” Twilight sighed.

“That wasn’t your fault.”

“Everyone says that, but it feels like it was.”

“The guilt does get better. The nightmares, too.”

Twilight shuddered. “I hope so. It seems like so long since I’ve gotten a good night’s sleep. Have they stopped for you then?”

“Mostly. I still have them sometimes when I have a bad day. I know it’s hard, but eventually you just have to move on.”

Twilight sighed. “I figured as much.”

“If you ever need to talk about it, I’m here. I’m sure it would help to have someone who understands.”

“Thanks, Sunset,” Twilight said with a smile.

Sunset silently rejoiced that she had made Twilight smile.

Confession

Sunset waited at the Sparkles’ door. Twilight had wanted to have a sleepover at her house tonight. Twilight threw open the door and smiled.
“Hi Sunset!” she greeted.

“Hey Twilight,” Sunset replied.

“You’re the first one here,” Twilight told Sunset as they went to her room.

Sunset’s heart started beating faster. They were alone. She knew Twilight liked her, but somehow the idea of sharing her own feelings was still terrifying. She still didn’t know how it happened, but she knew she liked Twilight. Twilight noticed her tense silence. “Is something wrong?” she asked.

Sunset flinched. It was now or never. “There’s something I want to tell you,” Sunset said. “Before the girls get here.”

“What is it?” Twilight inquired.

Sunset swallowed hard. “Well, I…I…I like you!” The last part came out in a rush.

Twilight froze. “What did you say?” she asked.

“I like you,” Sunset repeated. “Like, more than a friend.”

Twilight looked confused. “I thought you liked the other Twilight,” she said cautiously.

“I do. I’m not going to lie to you and say I don’t. But I am capable of liking more than one person. You’re smart and kind. Not to mention adorable,” Sunset smiled. “And I think our shared experiences give us a bond neither of us could have with another person.”

Twilight looked close to tears. “You really mean that?”

“Of course I do!”

Tears of joy poured down Twilight’s face as she gave Sunset a winning smile. They leaned in and their lips met. They were interrupted by the sound of the doorbell. Sunset looked toward the door. “Should we tell them?” she asked.

“Absolutely,” Twilight replied.

They went to answer the door hand in hand.

Study time

Sunset’s jaw dropped as she looked at all of Twilight’s equipment. “Are we gonna need all this?” she asked.

“Probably not,” Twilight replied. “But it never hurts to be prepared.”

“So, what do we do first?” Sunset inquired.

“Well, I thought we could start with a physical. That way we can see if there are any obvious differences,” Twilight said.

“Um, okay,” Sunset said. She sat down in one of the chairs as Twilight gathered the supplies she needed.

Twilight approached with a thermometer and Sunset opened her mouth. Twilight frowned as she took the reading. She wrote it down and asked, “Sunset, are you feeling all right?”

“I’m feeling fine,” Sunset replied. “Why?”

“Your temperature is 100 degrees,” Twilight said. “I just want to make sure you’re not sick.”

“That’s a normal temperature for ponies. Is it not for humans?”

“No. That’s a fever for humans. Now I’m curious about your other vital signs.”

Twilight continued her checkup. Heart rate, blood pressure, reflexes. Every reading was correct for a pony, but not a human. “I guess I’m not as human as I thought,” Sunset said.

Twilight didn’t respond right away. She ran her hands along Sunset’s arms, legs, and back to feel the bones. She opened Sunset’s mouth and examined her teeth. Finally, Twilight sighed, “I don’t understand. Your vitals say you’re a pony, but all other physical signs point to you being human. Your skeletal structure feels right and you have the right number and kinds of teeth. What was it like when you transformed?”

“It’s hard to remember. Going through the portal is really disorienting. It didn’t hurt, but I did feel kinda sick after,” Sunset explained. “The weird thing is it gave me clothes. I wasn’t wearing any when I went through.”

“So the portal helps you blend in?” Twilight asked.

“That seems reasonable. But does that mean I’m a pony or a human?”

“You seem to be both. That type of hybrid shouldn’t exist, but you can’t argue with the evidence.”

“There are lots of things that shouldn’t exist here that are common in Equestria.”

“I guess. These results are fascinating, but I wish I had more points of data.”

“D’you want me to write to Princess Twilight? Maybe she and her friends wouldn’t mind coming over for some experiments.”

“You would do that for me?”

“Of course, you’re my friend.”

The two smiled at each other. Sunset wasn’t sure why, but seeing Twilight’s smile made her grin even more.