Starswirl Academy

"Twilight, what on earth are you doing here? Not that we're not happy to have you!" Rarity added. "Well," Twilight said, "I've come to say good-bye, haven't I? You guys won't be near the portal before and I won't be able to visit!" She said, sipping her smoothie. They were at Sugarcube Corner. "Oh. Yeah. I guess you're right. Wow." Sunset said. Silence. None of the mane six had thought about this. "But Sunset Shimmer has her book! We can still arrange stuff!" Pinkie Pie smiled. Applejack sighed. "But we aren't going to all be near Sunset Shimmer. Arranging a time where all of us, including Twilight can meet in a common location? Ha. We'd be lucky to see you once a year, Twi." "Unless Sunset Shimmer comes with one of us to a college!" Rainbow Dash exclaimed. "But Rainbow Dash-" Fluttershy started, but Twilight didn't hear her. "Where ARE you going, Sunset? Everyone mentioned a college but you." Sunset rubbed her face. "OH, I JUST DON'T KNOW! I CAN'T CHOOSE!" Twilight looked startled. "Sorry. I've just been so stressed trying to make a decision." Sunset apologized. "Oh." Twilight said. Sunset could have swore she winked at her. Sunset looked at Applejack, Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, Rainbow Dash, and Rarity. She cocked her head. Twilight shook her head and mouthed the words "later". Sunset Shimmer rolled her eyes but tried to join in the conversation. "And then I said 'oatmeal, are you crazy?' " Pinkie Pie was saying. Sunset laughed. "What?" Rainbow Dash smiled and sighed. "Just Pinkie being Pinkie." Sunset smiled and they happily chatted with Twilight about the recent game. Rainbow Dash was in the middle of telling a story ("And then, just when the team was about to lose, Bam! I swooped in, stole the ball, scored a goal, and we WON! ") when Twilight interrupted. " Congrats Rainbow, but it's getting late. We should probably be heading to bed. I just wish I had somewhere to-" Sunset rose her hand awkwardly. "You can stay at my place if you need to. It's just me there." Twilight smiled. "Thanks." She said gratefully. Rainbow Dash leading the way, they headed off, still chatting amongst each other, and Sunset made out to follow them- until Twilight coughed and gave her another look. Sunset Shimmer raised an eyebrow, but she lagged behind until everyone else was out of sight. Twilight smiled. "Sorry, but I wanted to tell you the news in person!" Sunset could tell she was excited, she was practically squealing. "Okay, so when I heard, I KNEW I had to come her right away!" Sunset Shimmer looked slightly offended. "So you DIDN'T come here to say good-bye? Oh." Twilight Sparkle shook her head. "Of course I did! I was coming, this kinda just well ,um, moved up all the importance." Sunset smiled. "So what's this news? You look like you're going to wet yourself if you don't say it." She laughed. Twilight took a deep breath. "Okay, but you can't freak out, or someone will here you, just try to withhold at least SOME of your excitement, K?" Sunset sighed. "You're winding me up, just say it, I won't freak out, or whatever, okay?" Twilight nodded. "You've-been accepted-into-are you SURE you're ready for this? Okay, okay! Into... STARSWIRL ACADEMY! AHHH!!!!!!!" Sunset frowned. "That's not funny Twilight. What's the real news, okay?" Twilight shook her head. "I'm serious!" Sunset's eyes widened as it dawned on her. She looked like she could barely breath. "WHAT?!? Starswirl Academy? As in, like, THE Starswirl Academy?" She asked. "No, Discord Starswirl Academy!" She replied. Sunset paused. "Wait, what?" Twilight smiled at her scared face. "No, Sunset Shimmer, I'm joking. Besides, Discord's cool now. He came back, and he was a jerk, but Fluttershy fixed him, and then he was like evil again, but then he was nice again, though he's still obnoxious." Sunset mouthed 'What?' and Twilight sighed. "Yes, Starswirl Academy, Starswirl Academy, that academy." Sunset sat down on the pavement, clutching her head in disbelief. "But, Starswirl Academy is the top shelf! They taught The School For Gifted Unicorns! They taught Princess CELESTIA! It's every unicorn's dream to even be considered! I hear they use Starswirl The Bearded's OWN methods there! And your saying I. Got. IN?!?" Twilight nodded. "It's your choice to go back, or stay here. But this is a big opportunity, and their giving your spot away if you don't come back tomorrow." Sunset bit her mouth. I guess this IS too big to say no, isn't it? Of course I want to go! Ooh! Are you going too, Twilight? "Twilight looked down awkwardly." Well, um, no, cause um, well you know, uh- ahem. Princess. "Sunset Shimmer blushed. "Oh. Heh, heh. Right. So, when do we head out?" Twilight yawned. "I figured we could crash here, and head through the portal tomorrow. I'm betting you want to be awake for your first day back in Equestria." Sunset nodded. "OK! Let's head out. Come on, I'll show you my apartment." Twilight wrinkled her nose and looked worried. "What do you mean? What about your parents? Aren't they here too?" Sunset shook her head. "They died. After that, Celestia kind of became my role model, and my sister got put in a foster home when I couldn't make enough money to keep her. Social Services came." Twilight noticed tears streaming down her face. "What's wrong? Are you okay?" Sunset shook her head. "It's my sister. I haven't been able to find her anywhere here! She's not in this place's counterpart of her foster home, and I'm worried something happened to her! I've been looking for her everywhere! BUT I CAN'T FIND HER! But it'll be okay, right?! I can check on her back in Equestria! I hope!" Sunset moaned and buried her head. Twilight smiled at her. "Hey, come on! I'm sure she's fine. But we should head home, alright?" Sunset wiped her jacket sleeve across her face and nodded. Twilight gave her hand a quick squeeze, and Sunset nodded as she headed off. Twilight followed behind her as Sunset Shimmer led the way.