The Sunny Side

Chapters

Lunch Talk
Sunset Rose
Disappearance
Out of Hell
Test Day
Separation

Lunch Talk

The Sunny Side
Chapter 1 - Lunch Talk

“Mom, have you seen my magic book? I thought it was wight on my witing table,” I called as I looked high and low for my book. My room, which is usually neat and tidy, now looked like Princess Luna and Princess Celestia had fought in it. Books, papers, pillows, sheets, you name it and it was out of place despite it being a wonderful day outside with almost no clouds out. I was more frustrated than I probably should have been since I still didn’t have my cutie mark while all the other fillies and colts were getting theirs one after another.

“I think your book is back in the sun room,” mom called back after I heard some pots and pans banging about. mom was a Unicorn with a blue coat, lime green mane and tail, and a cluster of jewels for her cutie mark.

“Thanks, mom. I’ll go check the sun woom,” I called and ran past my mirror before going back to fix my red and yellow mane and checking to make sure my amber coat didn’t need brushing and my tail, which matched my mane, was just as I liked it. I sighed at the sight of my blank flank. I shook my head before going to the sun room and finding my book next to the cushion I used when reading in there. “Found it in the sun woom, mom.”

“Was it where you were reading?” mom asked when she spotted me on her way through.

“Yes, but I could have swown that I’d bwought it with me to my woom last night,” I replied before I laid down and began reading my book. “Do you think I can get into Princess Celestia’s school for gifted Unicowns if I study and practice enough, mom?”

mom’s ear flicked and she looked a bit agitated but it passed too quickly to know for sure. “If you study and practice enough, I believe you will.”

“Yay! It’s the best school for Unicowns and I want to make you and dad proud of me. That’s why I want to get into hew school,” I replied with a big smile.

“We’re already proud of you but it is one of the best Unicorn schools in Canterlot, at the very least,” mom said and smiled back at me. mom always knew what to say to make me happy, calm, or relaxed and this time was no different. That is until I heard some fillies giggling outside and I remembered my problem.

“D-Do you think I’ll get m-my cutie mawk soon, mom?” I asked hesitantly with my ears drooping down. I’d heard her answer this before, but I couldn’t help but ask again since everypony else seemed to already have theirs.

“You’re still worried about your cutie mark, Sunset?” mom asked gently as she walked into the sun room.

“Mmhm, evewypony else alweady has theiws. I’m the last in class to wemain a blank flank,” I answered her. mom laid down next to me and nuzzled my cheek comfortingly.

“You’re just a late bloomer. Your cutie mark will come. You just haven't found the right sort of outlet yet for it,” mom said.

“Alwight, but can we go out to look at the pretty flowews again? That flowew that looks like my mane hadn’t bloomed the last we checked and I’d like to see if it has bloomed yet,” I replied.

“Hmm, tell you what. We can go and look at that flower during sunset in case it’s a specific sort of flower. Maybe it only blooms at a specific time of day,” mom suggested.

“Okay, do you weally think it is a special flowew that only blooms at cewtain times?” I wondered with a sparkle in my eyes.

“There’s only one way to find out,” mom replied and nuzzled me again before standing back up.

“So, how long until sunset? Five minutes? Ten minutes?” I inquired. mom chuckled at my enthusiasm and shook her head.

“It’s barely lunch time so another few hours to go,” mom giggled.

“Aww, a few houws, but that’s fowevew fwom now,” I pouted when I found out how long it’d take. I really wanted to see how that flower looked since my mane and tail look like it. Maybe I can get mom to style my mane like it once we see it.

“That may be so why not spend the time after lunch in playing with your friends?” mom asked with a soft smile.

“They’we gonna tease me about my blank flank. I just know it,” I replied. I like playing with my friends, but their teasing got old quick and they’d been doing it a lot recently.

“Why would they tease you? You haven’t mentioned this before,” mom said with a raised brow as she looked down at me.

“They stawted once some of the noble foals stawted teasing me. I know they’we only doing it because they don’t want to be disliked. So, I’ve enduwed it without telling you fow theiw sake,” I explained as I played with my forehooves.

“Even so, you still should have come to me,” mom said with a sigh.

“It’s all those noble ponies fault. They think they’we so much bettew than us and like putting othews down to make it seem like the weally awe,” I said bitterly as tears began to form in my eyes.

“They’re not better than us. I blame their parents for making them think that way,” mom said quietly before sitting in front of me and giving me a gentle hug.

“Do you think if my cutie mawk is awesome enough that they’d stop thinking they’we bettew, mom?” I asked with a muffled voice as I buried my muzzle into mom’s chest and hugged her back.

“It will be, my little ray of sunshine. They just don’t know how awesome you are,” mom answered.

“Thanks, mom. You always know how to make me feel bettew,” I said with a small smile.

“I wouldn't be your mother if I didn’t, know would I?” mom asked with a chuckle and let go of me. “I don't want lunch to burn so I'll call you when it’s ready.”

“Okay, what is fow lunch today?” I wondered. All of mom’s food was good, but some was better than others.

“Just something simple so toasted hay sandwiches,” mom said simply and trotted out of the sun room. Mmm, mom’s toasted hay sandwiches are really good. They’re nice and easy to eat.

“Alwight, toasted hay sandwiches fow lunch. They’we going to be gweat,” I said to myself and began studying my magic book as I waited for lunch to be ready. I’ll show those nobles what I’m really like once they see how powerful I really am and how much I know and they don’t. I studied and studied for what seemed forever and was just about to trot into the dining room when mom called from the kitchen.

“Sunset, lunch is ready,” mom called out from the kitchen and was unaware I had left the sun room already.

“Is dad going to join us today or does he have wowk wight now?” I asked from my chair at the table.

“He’s got work again,” mom sighed and brought in a couple plates with two toasted hay sandwiches apiece.

“Mmm, okay,” I said before grabbing a sandwich and was about to bite into it when I remembered something my teacher had said. “According to my teacher, evewy Unicorn has an aff...af...infinity fow a specific kind of magic. Dad has ice magic, but do you have an infinity for a specific magic?”

“It’s ‘affinity’, dear, and yes I do have one,” mom replied. “Would you like to know what it is?”

“Mmm, I might of the same affinity as you or dad and that’s how I’ll get my cutie mawk,” I replied with a smile.

“I don’t think so. I have more of an affinity for water magic and you … you seem more like a fire type of Unicorn,” mom told me with a thoughtful expression while chewing on a piece of her sandwich.

“Fiwe? What makes you think that, mom?” I wondered as I enjoyed my first sandwich. Mmm, mom’s cooking is great even with simple things.

“Well, the way you look for one. You have more of a heated look to you than any other kind,” mom said and gestured to me with her half eaten sandwich.

“So I should stawt studying fiwe magic to see if it gets me my cutie mawk,” I said in excitement.

“If you think that’s the way to go but usually cutie marks arrive when something strange happens to the filly that gets them or when it just happens with whatever they like doing best,” mom explained.

“Hmm, I see, but what do you mean by ‘something stwange happens’?” I asked curiously as I began on my second sandwich. mom swallowed the rest of her sandwich before answering.

“Usually it's when something unforeseen happens … like for example if a Pegasus were to do a sonic rainboom. If they did that, then their cutie mark would somehow reflect that,” mom explained further.

“Oh, okay. So, anything could give a pony theiw cutie mawk then. Hmm…” I said as I nibbled on my second sandwich in thought.

“That’s right but in most cases it’s when they do something they like doing a lot,” mom replied with a nod as she calmly ate one of her sandwiches.

“So, do you fink I’ll get mine wif fiwe then? I like doing those spells and I seem good at them,” I said as I got done to half of my second sandwich.

“Setting the curtains on fire is not being good with fire spells,” mom chided, seeming to have finished her plate.

“Aww, that would’ve made fow a cool cutie mawk, dough,” I pouted as I finished my sandwich. mom chuckled as her midnight-blue field of magic enveloped the empty plates and floated them into the nearby kitchen.

“It would but how can fire be a cutie mark? I mean think about it,” mom said with a small smile.

“Pwincess Celestia’s dah sun and dat’s fiwe,” I pointed out in hopes of retaining my fire cutie mark idea.

“Is not. It’s a giant ball of gas,” mom said immediately, attempting to close the subject.

“Nu-uh, dah sun’s fiwe. Why else can’t we look at it and it makes things wawm?” I argued as I set my forehooves on the table and balanced on my hind legs.

“Ultra violet rays and the gas is too bright to look at,” mom answered and seemed to mutter something to herself under her breath.

“Ultwa vioet ways?” I said in confusion.

“Beams of sunlight that can give you skin cancer,” mom said in a soft voice, and I noticed she was doing her best to keep some anger inside.

“Sowwy, mommy, I’m making you mad again,” I apologized as my ears drooped to the side and I slowly sat back down in my seat. mom breathed out slowly before hopping off her seat when she looked at the time.

“It’s alright, sweetie. Just try not to mention the sun around me,” mom accepted my apology as she walked around the table and over to me.

“Otay, mommy. C-can we still go to dah pwetty flowews?” I asked, those flowers were really pretty and I knew that I wouldn’t be allowed to go to them by myself.

“Mhm. I just need to check on your sister,” mom nodded before walking out the room.

“Yay! We’we going to dah pwetty flowews,” I cheered and clopped my hooves together happily. I heard mom giggle from down the hall, most likely from my cheers. I hopped down from my chair and went into the living room to wait for mom to come back from checking on my sister. She was a cute little thing, but she needed a lot of attention.

Sunset Rose

“Mommy? What’s the pwetty flowews called again?” I asked as we walked, with my younger sister riding on mom’s back, towards the flower field.

“Sunset Rose, which is close to your name,” mom smiled, being in the lead so I can watch my little sister. Speaking of, she was sucking on the tip of her hoof and staring around with purple eyes. My sister was lavender with a purple, pink, and violet mane and tail. She was a unicorn like mom and I so I was looking forward to helping her with her magic.

“Sunset Wose,” I smiled. “Do you fink Twily will like them as much as I do?”

“Mmm, it's hard to say what Twilight will like, but I believe so,” mom said thoughtfully and looked back to check on me and my sister. “Is everything okay back there?”

“Mhm, Twily’s just sucking on hew hoof and looking around,” I told my mother. mom nodded with a smile and turned back to the front as we left the city and headed towards the castle. Twilight gurgled around her hoof before laughing at something only she could hear and see. “Twily’s funny. Do you think dad will evew be able to come with us to see the flowews, mom?”

There was an uncomfortable silence for a good ten minutes before mom finally spoke. “... no, I don't think so, honey.”

“Aww, why not? Does he not like flowews?” I asked dejectedly with a bowed head.

“Not exactly,” mom winced at my tone. “He … he likes hanging out with his friends more.”

“Mowe than being with us?” I asked softly and I slowly stopped walking and began to sniffle. mom turned at hearing this and walked back the few steps she had gotten ahead.

“No, not more than being with us. With your father it's … complicated,” mom told me after levitating Twily off her back and over to me. Twily blinked at me before tapping my head with a free hoof. I recoiled a bit at her tapping, she hadn’t gotten used to being gentle yet so it felt more like a hit, and looked up at my mom with tears in my eyes.

“How is it compwicated? He eivew spends time wid us or wid his fwiends,” I said, a bit of anger getting into my voice.

“Shhh,” mom tried to console me. “Your father is a complicated stallion. He spends a lot of time with his friends, yes, but he also comes back home. When he does, and it's always late at night, he checks on you and Twily before going to bed with me.”

“So, he does wike spending mowe time wid his fwiends than wid us,” I concluded before running ahead towards the flowers. mom stayed silent but I could hear her pounding hooves run after me. I ran faster and faster as I tried to get away from my mom and to the flowers so I could hide amongst their yellow and red petals.

“Sunset!” mom called out. I ignored her and continued to run as I felt my tears soaking into my fur while the wind swept them backwards and into the air. When I finally arrived at the flowers, I ran into them and laid down with my hooves covering my eyes. I heard mom eventually stop at the edge of the field, and then some gurgles that got closer and closer. I knew it was my sister, but I didn’t dare take a hoof away to look, the flowers wouldn’t hide my eyes.

“Ba. Ba,” I heard Twilight when she reached me and tap my leg.

“You’we bottle is back home, Twily. Go back to mom,” I whispered to her. Twilight babbled a bit more before curling up against the same leg she had been tapping. I sighed and remained as I was, hoping that mom thought Twilight was just resting in the flowers and not against me.

“Sunset, if there's an unopened flower near you, try using your fire on it,” mom suggested. I heard her turn in the grass and felt the air grow slightly colder.

“I don’t cawe about the flowews, mom. I want dad to spend time wid us,” I said, revealing my location in the process.

“I'll tell him to do so when he gets home tonight,” mom sighed heavily.

“Besides, dewe’s nevew an unopened flowew,” I told her as I raised my head up and looked towards her.

“Goo goo,” Twilight gurgled from behind me.

“What’we you looking at dis time, Twily?” I asked as I turned my head to try to see what she was babbling about. I saw an unopened bud when the sunset’s light hit it while it's brethren opened up there leaves. I blinked at it and then stared, wondering why it wasn’t opening. “Dere’s an unopened flowew? Dere’s nevew an unopened flowew.”

“Goo,” Twilight babbled, seeming to agree with me, but she never really meant anything by her sounds.

“mom, dere’s a flowew that isn’t opening!” I called out and pointed at the flower. I found mom looking straight at me and for a second, thought I saw an uneasy expression but all I found was her smiling.

“Good. Try warming it up then,” mom encouraged me.

“Wawming it up? But fiwe buwns flowews? How’m I suppozed to do that?” I asked with a cock of my head.

“Yes, fire burns flowers, but if you manage to light your horn and slowly raise the temperature until it matches a sunset, then it might just bloom,” mom explained slowly.

“Match a sunset? Dat sounds weally hawd, but I’ll twy,” I replied before turning to the flower while standing up. I took a breath and lit my horn before pouring my magic into the flower to try to raise its temperature without burning it. As I poured in my magic, I began to shake, sweat, and grunt in exertion. This fine of control wasn’t something I’d really tried before, after all. I’d just let my magic go when I was using fire spells before.

Beside the flower, Twilight looked up at the castle, and giggled when she saw something. I kept my focus on the flower and gritted my teeth as I peeked out of my shut eyes to see if my efforts were doing anything. The flower, as slow as a snail, appeared to be blooming under my efforts.

“I’m doing it?” I said in disbelief before gasping. “mom, I’m doing it!”

“Go, go, go! Whoo!” mom cheered goofily. I chuckled at this and smiled as I continued helping the flower to bloom. The flower eventually fully unfurled, and I found my vision filled with white for a brief second for my troubles. I shook my head and looked around in confusion.

“mom? What was that flash?” I asked as I looked around me.

“Check your flank,” mom whispered happily from behind me.

“My flank? It’s blank, mom,” I said before looking back at my flank. What I saw made my eyes go wide as my smile split my face. It was my cutie mark! I’d finally gotten it! It looked like a red and yellow sunburst, but I knew it was the Sunset Rose I’d just helped to bloom. “I got my cutie mark! I got my cutie mark!”

Twilight giggled and babbled with me when a shadow fell across the field.

“Princess Celestia,” mom breathed in reverence from right beside me. She must have walked when I wasn't looking.

“Pwincess Cewestia? Where?” I asked as I looked around before gasping when I finally saw the Princess landing nearby. “Wh-what do we do, mom? She’s actually here.”

“We bow,” mom instructed as she did just that, only for the silence to be filled with Twilight’s joyous babbling. I nodded and followed my mother’s example in bowing before the Princess. I saw Twilight crawl up to my lowered face and sit right in front of it, regarding me curiously.

“It’s the Pwincess, Twily. The Pwincess,” I said in an attempt to make my sister realize who was with us. Twily continued looking at me only to end up suckling her hoof. I sighed and shook my head.

“Princess … Celestia?” mom managed to ask after some time of quiet had passed.

“Forgive me, my ponies. I couldn’t help but enjoy the little filly’s actions,” Celestia told us.

“Oh, er, Twilight’s?” mom chuckled nervously, her voice having a bit of a strain to it.

“Twilight… that name fits her,” Celestia said softly. “Please, raise your heads. Holding that position for this long probably isn’t comfortable.”

I followed mom when she gently tapped my neck. I returned to a normal standing position and couldn’t help but stare at the radiance of the Princess in the sunlight.

“Sunset?” mom asked, waving a hoof in my face. “Equestria to Sunset Shimmer.”

“Huh? Oh, uh, sowwy, mom. Seeing the Pwincess dis close stuned me,” I said with a shake of my head. The Princess giggled at this with a smile. mom sighed and smiled, levitating Twilight onto her back.

“Why did you grace us with your presence, Princess?” mom asked, a hint of snarkiness in her tone but it was too subtle to tell for sure.

“I was watching the sunset and the flowers here bloom from my room when I saw you three. I noticed how your daughter was using her magic and wondered if she’d succeed or not. I was amazed that a filly her age was able to make a Sunset Rose bloom and that she gained her cutie mark from it, no less. So, I decided to come down and congratulate her on getting her cutie mark and extend an invitation to attend my school if she isn’t already,” Celestia explained to us. When I heard this, my jaw dropped. Attend Princess Celestia’s school!? That’s what every Unicorn dreamed of! It’s the best school there is! I looked over at my mother with my mouth still wide open.

“Close your mouth, you'll catch flies,” mom said automatically, barely an emotion on her face. I quickly shut my mouth and stared at my mom. She’d never been like this before and it kind of scared me. I saw mom close her eyes and breathed out slowly. “How much do you want to go?”

“A lot, but I also want to be with you a lot,” I answered in a small voice.

“Is there an option where Sunset can go there and come back home?” mom asked monotonously, turning to face the Princess when she opened her eyes.

“Of course, we try to accommodate family circumstances. She may live at home and come to school each day like she normally does. This can change, if need be, in the future to a dormitory,” Celestia told my mother.

“Sunset ... you can go to Princess Celestia’s school,” mom announced but it sounded like she had a hard time saying it.

“Are you suwe, mom? You don’t sound vewy good,” I said uneasily.

“Yes, Sunny. I'm sure,” mom nodded, the first sign of an emotion since the Princess told us to stand.

“Thanks, mom. I’m really happy that I can go there, but still be with you,” I said as I hugged one of my mother’s legs. mom smiled softly when I looked up and hugged me close with her free leg.

“What is your name? I’ll have one of our staff bring the paperwork by later on for you to sign,” Celestia said to my mother.

“Sorry, Princess. My name is Jewel Shine,” mom answered with a smile and told the Princess where we lived as well.

“Well, Jewel, I’ll let you get back to your family time. I’ve intruded long enough,” Celestia said before taking off back to her castle.

“It's getting late. We'd better get home,” mom said and seemed to take off at a quick trot after levitating my sister onto my back.

“Okay,” I nodded and ran after my mother. Something about her seemed off after our encounter with the Princess, but I was too happy to worry about it.

Disappearance

“Hey, Sunset? Have a good day at school,” mom said with a smile after walking me up to the castle a few weeks after receiving my cutie mark.

“I will, mommy. I love you,” I replied with a smile and a hug.

“I love you too, sweetie,” mom said quietly when she returned my hug. I smiled and waved as I headed into the school, wondering what I’d learn today. Turns out it was advanced levitation in the morning, with math after recess, and then some more one on one time after lunch. It was challenging, but I made sure to do my best so mom would be proud of me. The day ended when the bell rang for the final time in the afternoon and I walked outside to see if my mom was waiting for me or not.

There was no sign of her yet, so I decided to wait a bit in case she was late. One of my teachers noticed this and asked if everything was alright. I told her that I was waiting for my mom and she sat down to wait with me since most, if not all, of the other ponies had already left. Ten minutes of silence passed and there was still no sign of mom. I was getting worried. She’d always come to get me since I’d transferred to the Princess’ school. A few more minutes passed before a white Unicorn stallion with a black mane and tail with a gradient of white to black on his muzzle and lower legs to his hooves stumbled up to the gates.

“Are you alright?” my teacher asked the Unicorn in concern.

“Oh … I'm fine. I'm just here to pick up Shunset,” the stallion answered in a slurred tone. “You wouldn't believe how many times I got lost.”

“With how you’re speaking, I can,” my teacher replied. “Go home for today. We’ll have Sunset stay here for tonight.”

“Even … uh … oh,” the stallion brought out a crumpled piece of paper in his mane with his magic and showed it to my teacher. She read what it said and looked at the stallion.

“You think I’ll let her go with you?” my teacher asked.

“Yes,” the stallion nodded matter of factly. “That … that is, ugh … Jewel’s writing. About her disssapewring.”

“I don’t care. I’m not letting Sunset go with you,” my teacher replied.

“Disappeawing? mom disappeared?” I asked in shock.

“And Twilightsss bawling her head off,” the stallion said.

“I-I’m going to go with my dad,” I told my teacher as I walked away from the gate.

“Are you sure, Sunset? You can stay in the dormitory tonight,” my teacher replied in concern.

“Yes, I’m suwe. Twily’s upset so I need to help hew,” I nodded as I got to my father.

“Very well, but know that you can stay in the dorms whenever you need to,” my teacher said.

“Bye bye,” dad waved a hoof with a toothy grin.

“See you tomorrow,” I said with a wave before beginning to walk back home with dad. He stumbled a few times and very nearly slammed his head into a pole but we managed to get home in one piece. “Dad, are you alright? You don’t seem well.”

“Nah, ‘s all good,” dad waved before collapsing on the couch when we arrived in the lounge.

“If you say so. I’m going to go check on Twily,” I said as I walked towards Twilight’s room. Twilight's crying got louder but it sounded like she was running out of breath. I quickened my pace towards Twilight, thinking she might be in trouble. I entered her room quickly and found Twilight bawling in the crib. I sighed in relief that she was just crying and levitated her out and over to me.

“Thewe, thewe, Twily. It’s alwight. I’m back,” I said softly to my sister. Her cries lessened and soon she was nomming on my mane. I giggled at this and smiled at her. “Twily, that’s not food, silly.”

Twilight appeared to protest by continuing to eat my mane. I shook my head and walked with her to the kitchen to get her something to eat that wasn’t my mane. The fridge had a fair few bottles of milk in it, looking like ten months worth of supply. I took one out and put a bit into one of Twilight’s bottles before giving it to her. I've seen mom do this a few times so it didn't look that hard. Twilight felt the bottle bump her cheek, making her turn. She found the bit and immediately began suckling. I smiled at her and inwardly rejoiced that I’d accomplished what I’d seen mom doing all the time.

“Feeling bettew, Twily?” I asked softly as I watched her drink her milk. When I said this, she gently let go and yawned before falling asleep. I chuckled softly before placing the bottle in the sink and the milk back in the fridge. Once I was sure the fridge door was shut properly, I walked back to Twilight’s room and placed her in her crib. Twilight curled around a stuffed toy with yarn hair, button eyes, and pink and white polkadot clothing on the legs. “Sleep well, Twily. Mister Fancy-Pants will keep you safe from the dark,” I whispered before returning to the living room to check on dad.

I found him snoring loudly, face down on the couch. Sighing, I grabbed a book, walked over to the vacant couch, laid down, and began reading.

THREE YEARS LATER

Over the last three years, I’ve attended Celestia’s school regularly, taken care of my little sister, and, most importantly, survived. I say that because my father, whom I thought loved me, has been drunk everyday and has been abusing me, calling me names, and making me do everything for him around the house. I live in a hellhole, but I keep doing it for Twilight. I can’t wait for the day she enters Celestia’s school and we can escape this place we currently call home.

“Bunny,” Twilight said proudly, pointing at me with a broad grin to match.

“Close, but not quite, little sister,” I grin at her. Twilight tilted her head, looking up at me. “It’s Sunny. Not Bunny.”

“Aww. Bunny id cooler!” Twilight complained. I chuckled at this and shook my head.

“Alright, you can call me Bunny,” I relented. Twilight cheered and hugged one of my forelegs. I returned the hug and smiled. “Did you have a good day, Twilight?”

“In ba doset?” Twilight questioned.

“Mhm, did you have fun?” I nodded. I’d told her to stay in the closet while I was gone. She didn’t quite understand why, but I knew dad would beat her too if he got his hooves on her.

“Id was boooring,” Twilight groaned. “Unbill dad banged the door.” I froze at this as my eyes shrunk to pinpricks.

“Twilight, did you open the door for him?” I asked in a serious tone.

“Mmm, a liddle,” Twilight confessed.

“Are you alright? Did he hurt you?” I asked in concern and panic as I looked her over.

“Afder he lefd. I obened id afder he lefd,” Twilight said happily. I sighed in relief, my body slumping more than usual when the tension left it.

“Good filly, Twilight,” I smiled at her. Twilight giggled and directed my attention to the book she had been reading in the closet. I looked at its title and found my sister’s purple aura grabbing it. “Twilight, have you been using magic to read?” I asked in surprise. I thought for sure that she’d take quite a while longer to get levitation down. Twilight shook her head and her magic faded.

“No. Ibs hard. I see you do ick all the dime,” Twilight sighed.

“You’ll get the hang of it, Twilight. I’ll help you practice since you already have the basics down from watching me,” I told her. Twilight beamed.

“Thank you, thank you, thank you!” Twilight cheered and began hopping around in small circles. I couldn’t help but giggle at her reaction.

“You’re welcome, Twilight. My goal is to get you into Celestia’s school with me,” I said.

“I ged do go do skool wid you!?” Twilight gasped.

“That’s my goal, but we have to work really hard for that to happen,” I nodded.

“How-” Twilight was interrupted by the front door slamming open loudly.

“Shammer… where are ya!?” Dad’s voice boomed throughout the house and by the sounds of it, he had been drinking. I sighed and cringed at the thought of letting him know I’m here.

“Harder than dad by a hundred,” I whispered to Twilight. Twilight’s eyes widened in shock and surprise. “It’s tough getting into Princess Celestia’s school, but I know we can get you in there.”

“Shammer!?” Dad called out again.

“Obay,” Twilight said in a small voice.

“Okay, I should go before he goes berserk. Stay safe, Twilight,” I said before walking out of the room to confront my father. Before getting to the front room, I took a deep breath and exhaled. I steeled myself and walked into the living room. “I’m right here, Dad.”

“Why didn't you come earlier?” Dad asked harshly, his eyes struggling to focus on me.

“I was making sure Twilight had everything she needed,” I answered.

“Twilight?” Dad asked confusedly.

“My imaginary friend,” I told him.

“Ah, right,... right,” dad said before collapsing into a heap, like he does most nights now.

“Just stay right there, drunkard,” I muttered as I looked at the heap that was my father. He was collapsed among a few discarded bottles I hadn't managed to clean up yet. Shaking my head, I began my daily chores of cleaning and cooking. About halfway through, I looked out the window above the sink and directed my gaze to the far off castle. Life would be better there for us.

No one would hurt us, no one would belittle us, we could learn and read all we could. The only problem was that we needed the power to accomplish that. Power to keep ourselves from being hurt, power to learn and grow, power to keep each other from disappearing. This is what drove me to excel to push my limits.

Out of Hell

“Sunny, take a look at what I can finally do,” Twilight whispered, holding a book in her hooves excitedly. I turned to my sister and looked at the book she was holding. It had been two years since she had shown me her magical aura surrounding that book. Since then, I have been teaching her levitation, beams, shields, and everything else I could to make her more likely to get into Celestia’s school.

“Look, look,” Twilight said excitedly as her aura enveloped the book and flipped it open to a random page. My eyes widened as I smiled.

“That’s great, Twilight. Can you turn pages, too?” I replied in excitement at her progress. Twilight poked her tongue out in concentration and even started to sweat a bit before she turned the page. “Wonderful, truly wonderful, Twilight.” Twilight giggled in delight at the praise. “We should celebrate this accomplishment.”

“How?” Twilight asked, tilting her head.

“Mmm, how about going out to eat tonight?” I suggested.

“Ooh … what's that?” Twilight asked in confusion.

“Oh, right. You don’t know about that yet. Going out to eat means having somepony else make us food in exchange for bits,” I explained.

“We don't have bits,” Twilight mumbled.

“That’s where our bumbling father comes into play. See, he keeps bits on him all the time. So, when he passes out like usual. I’ll take his bag of bits and we’ll go get something to eat,” I explained to Twilight. Twilight kept quiet and simply nodded. “Hmm, you don’t seem to like that idea. So, how about I just make your favorite food instead.”

“Eating out is good,” Twilight said softly.

“Alright, we’ll eat out,” I nodded. “Have you learned anything else while I’ve been away?”

“Not to open the door when you're gone,” Twilight squeaked. My eyes shrunk and I really looked at Twilight. One of her back hooves was standing funny and had a funny angle to it. I growled and stomped a hoof in frustration before levitating Twilight onto my back and walking towards the front door. “Wh-Where are we going?” Twilight whispered.

“To the hospital to treat your injury,” I answered. From the angle I knew the hoof was broken and needed medical treatment if Twilight was to walk properly without pain each time she took a step. Out the door, we found our father, passed out on the doorstep. I huffed at him and levitated the bag of bits he kept on him to me before continuing towards the hospital.

“I'm sorry. I had to go to the bathroom and he was there,” Twilight whispered.

“It’s alright, Twilight. It’s not your fault. It’s his fault. I’m just glad you’re not more hurt,” I replied.

“There's so many ponies,” Twilight said with widened eyes when we entered the main streets of Canterlot and headed straight for the hospital.

“Mhm, we live in a pretty big city,” I nodded. This was the first time Twilight had left the house since mom disappeared on us. I didn’t want her encountering dad if at all possible.

“Why is that pony looking at us?” Twilight said softly, pointing her hoof in front of my face to get me to look. I looked at where she was pointing and found a grey Unicorn with a white and purple mane staring right at us. When she appeared to realise we had spotted her, she looked away and went about her day.

“I’m not sure, Twily. Some ponies are just strange like that,” I said, making note of the mare’s description for the future.

“Okay,” Twilight said softly. A silence came over us as I continued to walk towards the hospital.

“How do you feel about taking a test, Twilight?” I asked after a little while.

“A test?” Twilight asked excitedly.

“Mhm, a test to get into Princess Celestia’s school,” I nodded with a smile.

“I'm not ready for that,” Twilight breathed.

“I believe you are, little sister,” I replied as the hospital came into view.

“You really think so, Bunny?” Twilight asked worriedly.

“Bunny? You haven’t called me that in a while,” I chuckled and nodded. “Yeah, I do. You’re at the level I was when I got in and it’s not a one and done deal. You can retake it if you happen to not get in.”

“I-I can?” Twilight gasped.

“Mhm, so long as you’re under seven years old. So, you’ve got this year and two more if you don’t pass this time,” I explained as we approached the front doors of the hospital.

“Three chances, okay,” Twilight said determinedly and quick glance back showed Twilight with her face scrunched up in determination.

“That’s my filly, but relax for now. The test is open for a little while for applicants who have to travel to get here. So, just concentrate on healing,” I told her as we walked into the hospital. The smell of disinfectant greeting us. Twilight took a deep breath in, then one out.

“That … is a really nice smell,” Twilight said finally.

“Really? Huh, it’s just ordinary to me,” I blinked in surprise as I approached the front desk.

“You try living in a closet for five years,” Twilight murmured.

“Sorry, Twi. Once you pass that test, you’ll never have to go back to that closet,” I told her.

“You promise?” Twilight questioned seriously. I nodded before looking back at her.

“I promise, Twilight,” I said, just as serious as she seemed. Twilight breathed and smiled.

TWO MONTHS LATER
“Bunny?” Twilight whispered hopefully, peeking her head out the closet only to notice a stallion-like shadow through the open doorway of her sister’s bedroom. She froze at the shadow when it moved towards her. The white coat of her father appeared in the door, grinning sloppily, as if one half of his face was functional while the other wasn’t. “D-Dad?”

“Oh, Twilight. There you are,” her dad said slowly, pronouncing each word clearly. He approached her and in his white magic, held up a black and white collar. “You’re coming with me.”

“No!” Twilight shrieked, her eyes widening. She lit her horn out of reflex and put up a weak purple shield around herself. Her father chuckled and tapped a hoof against it. The barrier shattered and Twilight gasped, backing up into the closet. Her dad levitated the collar closer only to drag her out, shivering and with flowing tears.

I was actually humming on my way home, humming. I hadn’t hummed since mom disappeared. Why was I humming? Testing opened today and I was able to get a slot for my sister for tomorrow. So, I was very happy and excited because I knew Twilight would pass it and we could leave our wretched home life behind us.

I walked into our home and scanned for my father as usual before going to my room upon finding no sign of him.

“Twilight? Coast’s clear, honey,” I said softly with a knock on my closet’s door. I didn’t hear a peep. Upon opening the door, I found the little stack of books my sister keeps by her had toppled over and a couple pillows were scrunched up against the back wall. Twilight wasn’t there, though. My mind kicked into high gear as panic told hold. Where was she? Was she alright? Did dad get to her? If he did, what’d he do to her? I raced throughout the house calling her name as I ran.

Not seeing her, anywhere inside, I checked out the backyard just to be sure. The yard itself was overgrown and weedy. The grass was tall enough to hide a small filly of Twilight’s size but what was odd was a shiny metal pole with a chain looped around it sticking up out near the back fence.

“Twilight!? Are you there!?” I called desperately as I walked towards the metal pole and chain. I heard a tiny squeak and the chain rustled a moment later. Worst case scenarios raced through my mind as I followed the chain. Twilight’s legs were all broken and she’d been dumped in the yard to hide it. Her jaw was broken, her body bruised and batter and that squeak was all she could muster after the beating. Twilight was profoundly hurt and possibly dying. I knew how my father could be and how bad he could get. I just hoped that my worst fears weren’t true.

“Bunny?” Twilight gasped when I followed the chain to my sister. She was curled up but her puffy eyes were happy to see me. The chain was connected to a black and white collar around her neck.

“It’s alright, Twi. He’s not here,” I said calmly as I undid the collar, but pure rage was burning within me, wanting to be released. How could he do this to his own daughter!?

“Ow!” Twilight yelped when I tried taking off the collar. “I th-think he super glued it.”

“Son-of-a!” I shouted as I lit my horn and melted away the chain connecting the collar to the pole. He was going to pay for hurting my sister like this! Twilight lifted a foreleg when the molten metal brushed past it on its way to the ground.

“We can cut the collar off … if we manage to work the knife behind it,” Twilight suggested quietly.

“No, we’re going to Princess Celestia’s school. They have glue solvent there. I’m not causing you more pain,” I said firmly as I levitated Twilight onto my back.

“Okay,” Twilight whispered and I felt her bury her face in my mane.

“Say goodbye to this place, Twilight. This is the last you’ll see of it,” I told her as we walked through the house.

“My Smarty Pants doll?” Twilight asked hopefully.

“Ah, of course. How could I forget? Let’s go to my room and we’ll pick up some necessities,” I replied before turning to go to my room.

“Yay!” Twilight cheered and hugged my neck tightly.

“Anything else you can think of that you’d like to bring with you?” I asked, my smile from earlier back in place.

“Starswirl’s book,” Twilight said after feeling her breathing for a few moments.

“The funny one about Starswirl the Breaded or the serious one about Starswirl the Bearded?” I asked.

“Both,” Twilight replied immediately. I giggled at her response. Of course she’d want both, should’ve known.

“Alright, both the books and Mister Smarty Pants. Anything else? I’ll be grabbing a few things too, but we should have room for a couple more items,” I told her as we arrived at my room. I immediately put on my saddlebags and levitated Twilight to the floor so she could grab her things. Twilight ran into the closet upon being set down and tossed out the two Starswirl books, her doll and a pillow with a group of three jewels on it. I grabbed my pillow with my cutie mark embroidered into it, a photo of mom and me, and a photo of Twilight and I before putting them in my bags along with Twilight’s items. We could fit everything in my saddle bags, but the pillows made it so I couldn’t close the flaps. Oh well, they’d be fine.

“Okay, that’s everything, right?” I asked as I looked around the room.

“Yes, that’s right,” Twilight nodded. “But with the pillows … lay them on your back, then me on top. That should close your item thingies.”

“You just want a cushy ride,” I smirked, but put the pillows on my back before setting Twilight on top of them.

“Nope. Your back needs to be cushy too,” Twilight protested.

“Well, I won’t say that they don’t help,” I chuckled and started towards the front door before thinking of something. I turned and went back to the backyard before casting my strongest fire spell to turn the pole and chain into useless lumps of metal. Satisfied with my work, we continued on our way to the school. “I’ve got you scheduled for the test tomorrow, Twilight.”

“You know that will cause a fire, right?” Twilight asked worriedly, turning my attention back to the lumps of metal.

“The grass is still green along with the weeds. They won’t burn too easily, but if it starts a fire then so be it. This house doesn’t hold very many good memories for either of us,” I replied.

“What about sleep?” Twilight asked softly.

“I’ll apply for dormitory life when we get there and ask for you to stay with me tonight,” I answered. Surely they’d let her stay with me since the her test was tomorrow. Especially after seeing the collar my ‘father’ had placed on her. I felt my sister lower her head and try to read out something.

“What is B-I-T-C-H-Y-S-L-U-T?” Twilight asked out loud and curiously. I stopped in place and looked at her in concern. She was looking down at her collar with her tongue poking out in concentration.

“They’re mean names our supposed ‘father’ uses for mares. One is based off of the name for a female dog. The other… the other isn’t something you should know as of yet,” I told her as I turned back around and continued towards the school.

“Then how do you know it? You’re only ten,” Twilight asked confusedly.

“He called me both of those names before and I made the mistake of looking them both up,” I explained softly as we got into a more crowded area of the city.

“I found the mare again,” Twilight said softly and pointed to the same grey mare from when I took Twilight to the hospital when we were closing in on the school. I turned to the mare and examined her a bit more. I didn’t really get a chance to do so because she quickly walked away but I quickly spotted three purple stars on her flank for her cutie mark.

“She’s such a strange mare, staring at us like that,” I muttered before continuing on. I made a mental note to ask around about that mare. This was twice that she’d been looking at us and fled before either of us could say a thing to her.

“She’s weird,” Twilight commented.

“I can’t disagree with that,” I replied. The school buildings could now be seen along with the front gate.

“It’s big,” Twilight breathed.

“Mhm, and only ponies who have business in the school can even get onto the campus,” I told my sister in hopes of making her feel more secure. Twilight held onto my neck as we walked up to the front gate. When we got to the front gate, I knocked on it and waited for a response.

“... maybe they’ve gone home?” Twilight asked quietly.

“There should be at least one staff member here to keep an eye on the ponies who live in the dorms,” I told her before firing a magical flare into the air to grab the attention of anyone inside the school.

“That could hurt somepony,” Twilight mumbled, looking up at the flare.

“You’d think, but it’ll burn out before it hits anything and anypony flying around will see it and be able to avoid it without trouble,” I explained as the flare in the shape of my cutie mark blazed above us.

“Hello? Is somepony there?” a stallion asked from the other side of the gate.

“Yes, my name’s Sunset Shimmer. I’m a student here and would like to come inside,” I told the stallion. I didn’t recognize his voice, though. He was probably just one of the teachers or staff I hadn’t encountered yet.

“School’s over for the day, Sunset. Did you forget something?” the stallion asked as he opened the gate for us. He was a steel colored Unicorn stallion with a green mane and tail. His cutie mark was a microscope. He blinked at seeing us and cocked his head to the side in thought. “Who might you be, my dear? I recognize Sunset, but you, little filly, are new to me.”

“I’m … uh,” I heard Twilight falter while fear edged her voice.

“Is everything alright, dear?” the stallion asked.

“She’s scared of stallions we don’t know, sir. She’s my younger sister, Twilight Sparkle,” I told him. I made a note to work with Twilight on the fear our ‘father’ had imprinted on her for stallions.

“Oh dear,” the stallion said in concern. “Why is she wearing a collar?”

“T-To … e-e-emulate a d-dog,” Twilight’s voice shook at the answer.

“We were playing pretend. I was the ‘master’ and she was the ‘dog.’ As we played, some super glue spilled onto the collar and it’s now stuck to her coat. Our father is out on business and won’t be back until much later. I was wondering if it’d be okay to use some of the glue solvent here at school to remove it,” I explained. A story was better than the truth at this point. I didn’t want anyone pitying us or thinking less of either of us before getting to know us for who we really are.

“Oh, of course. Right this way,” the stallion replied and ushered us inside the gate before closing it behind us. He lead us to a nearby classroom and got us the solvent. I opened it and got to work dissolving the super glue.

“I’d also like to apply to live in the dorms from tonight on, please,” I said as I worked on the collar.

“That’s very short notice, but I think we can accommodate you, Sunset,” the stallion nodded. “Oh, forgive my lack of manners. My name’s Steel Bearing. You can call me Mr. Bearing or Mr. Steel. I’m one of the staffers who stays late to make sure the students staying here are alright.”

“Thank you, Mr. Bearing. I’d also like for my sister to stay with me tonight. She’s got a test to get into the school tomorrow and I’d like to be able to help her prepare and get a good night’s sleep. She doesn’t sleep well when she’s alone, you see,” I told Mister Bearing. It was partially true and I’d make sure to tell the principal the whole truth tomorrow.

“Hmm, that’s an unusual request, but each room is made for two. So, I guess that’s alright,” Mister Bearing said slowly with a nod.

“I can sleep with you?” Twilight whispered in my ear. I smiled at her and nodded. Twilight smiled back softly before tugging at her collar with her magic. The collar slowly came away before accelerating a bit when any remaining glue lost its hold. Twilight’s breath caught a bit before she let it out and flung the collar into the trash can a bit forcefully, causing it to tip over.

“Good riddance to bad rubbish,” I muttered as I used my magic to right the trash can.

“Well, now that you’re done here. I’ll show you two to your room,” Mister Bearing said before walking out of the classroom.

“You’re going to pass, Twilight. I know you will,” I said as I redid our pillows and placed Twilight back on before following Mister Bearing.

“My throat hurts,” Twilight murmured, gently hugging my neck to stay on.

“Outside or inside? I’m guessing outside, though,” I asked as we wound down the hallway.

“The first one,” Twilight sighed. I nodded in understanding. Super glue would irritate the skin and the collar was as tight as it could go without choking Twilight.

“A nice bath or shower will sting a bit, but it’ll help in the long run. We’ll take one together when we get to the dorms,” I told her.

“A bath sounds nice,” Twilight smiled.

“Mmm, it does. We can take our time and relax, too. No one’s going to burst in and try to hurt us here,” I replied.

“Are you positive?” Twilight whispered.

“Yes, I’m positive. We have locks on the doors and there’s somepony here to make sure nothing happens to us. Tonight, that’s Mister Bearing,” I explained to Twilight. I couldn’t blame her for her reaction. Baths back home were always tense. We never knew when or if ‘dad’ would burst in and abuse one or both of us. Twilight buried her face in my neck and merely held on when I followed Mister Bearing onto the floor our room was on. It wasn’t much further until Mister Bearing turned and opened a door for us.

“Here you go, ladies. Your room. If you need anything, let me know. I’ll be glad to help as I can,” Mister Bearing said and gestured to the open room.

“Thank you, Mister Bearing. We’ll be sure to let you know if we need anything,” I smiled and entered the room before flicking on the light. There were two beds, two desks, and space for books and other personal items. The beds already had sheets and pillows on them and looked very comfortable. The desks were adjustable for a pony’s height and there was even an attached bathroom. I set Twilight down and turned to smile at Mister Bearing. “Thank you again, Mister Bearing.”

“You’re welcome, fillies. I’ll let you two get settled,” Mister Bearing said with a wave before walking off. Twilight wandered about the room with wide eyes before sitting in the middle of the floor.

“It’s big,” Twilight breathed.

“Compared to the closet, yes. Compare to my room, not so much, but we’re together and that’s all I care about,” I replied as I set our pillows on one bed and closed the door before locking it. I turned and found Twilight staring at me with a big grin.

“This is a palace!” Twilight giggled.

“Then that makes you a Princess,” I grinned at her before bowing. “What are your orders, Princess?”

“Bath time, Miss Shimmer,” Twilight beamed.

“As you wish, Princess Sparkle,” I chuckled and levitated Twilight off the floor before walking along with her into the attached bathroom. It had a toilet, sink, and a shower/bath in it along with other basic accoutrements such as towels, soap, and shampoo.

“Where’s the rust?” Twilight asked confusedly, looking down in the bath tub from the height she was at.

“There is no rust, Twilight. This is new or well cared for,” I answered as I began filling the tub with hot water.

“The water’s clear,” Twilight said in astonishment.

“Mhm, it is. The piping here is also well cared for,” I nodded and smiled at her. “Things here are going to be very different from at home. Everything here is well taken care of whereas ‘dad’ didn’t take care of things and I could only do so much.”

“That’s if I pass the test,” Twilight said quietly.

“You’re going to pass, Twilight. I know you will. You’re talented with magic and learns things very quickly,” I assured her.

“What should I do for the test tomorrow then?” Twilight asked with a small sigh as I filled the tub with cold water when the hot water got to the right height.

“Hmm, is there a spell you’re really good at?” I asked. I’d seen her perform spells, but even I didn’t know if she favored any of them.

“Not really. I couldn’t summon a shield strong enough to protect against dad, I couldn’t fight him because I was panicking too much, and I was out of ideas by the time he got this collar on me,” Twilight said sadly.

“Hey, that’s alright, Twilight. That’s alright,” I said reassuringly as the water got to a comfortable temperature and I shut it off. I smiled and gently set Twilight into the water. She plopped in and then breathed when she managed to keep her head above the water.

“Hello,” Twilight giggled.

“Hello,” I chuckled before joining Twilight in the bath. “We’ll have to wash your throat for it to feel better, but let’s enjoy the water for awhile.” I watched her brush her mane out of her eyes and I found a small cut on her forehead that was dangerously close to her horn. “Twilight, how’d you get that cut on your forehead and why didn’t you tell me about it earlier?”

“What cut?” Twilight asked curiously.

“This one,” I said and gingerly touched the cut with a hoof. Twilight hissed involuntarily.

“I don’t know where it came from,” Twilight mumbled.

“Hmm, that’s odd, but alright. It’s really close to your horn, but it shouldn’t affect anything,” I said in thought. At least it’d missed her horn. She wouldn’t have been able to use magic if her horn had been injured and we needed her to get into Princess Celestia’s school.

“How close!?” Twilight asked in a panic. I held up both hooves and showed her how close by moving them together until they were about the right distance apart. “That’s close.”

“Mhm, but it didn’t get your horn,” I nodded. “How about you try to summon something tomorrow?”

“How and what?” Twilight wondered, and I could see she was doing her best to not hyperventilate.

“Calm down, Twilight. It’s simpler than it sounds. You think of the thing you want to bring to you and will your magic to make it travel to you. The bigger the object the harder it is to summon. If it’s a pony then it’s even harder since said pony can resist the summons,” I slowly explained to her.

“What if … and I think a five year old summoning a pony will get me in … what if I somehow summon you?” Twilight asked. I smiled and mussed her mane.

“That would definitely get you in, little sister,” I told her. Twilight giggled and smiled up at me. “When you’re trying to summon me. Think of my cutie mark. Cutie marks are unique, so thinking of one you know will keep you from summoning a random pony.”

“And if I summon a random pony instead? Like d-d-dad?” Twilight asked fearfully.

“Then scream for help. I’ll be waiting outside of the testing area and will come to your aid in an instant. The teachers there should also help if you’re screaming for help,” I said as I gently hugged my sister. Twilight hugged me tightly and sniffled. I sighed and held her as I rubbed her back. I swore then that my ‘father’ would pay one day.

“We’d better get ourselves washed,” Twilight mumbled after a few tense moments of silence.

“Yes, my Princess,” I said softly before grabbing the shampoo and helping Twilight wash.

After our bath was done and we’d dried off, I started practicing with Twilight. I had her summon one thing after another; pens, paper, notebooks, her pillow, my pillow. We eventually got down to her trying to summon me. We worked until late in the night before calling it off and heading to bed. We slept together with me holding Twilight as we fell asleep.

Test Day

Today was the day of Twilight’s test. We’d worked really hard last night, but I could tell that Twilight was still really nervous about the test. So, when it came time to go get breakfast in the commons area I made sure she got whatever she wanted.

“Who’s the filly with the patchy neck?” One of my fellow students called out near our table. Thankfully, Twilight was busy eating to notice the question. I turned and glared at the pony.

“She’s my little sister and if you know what’s good for you, you’ll treat her nicely,” I told the student.

“Okay, jeez. Sorry,” the student replied sarcastically.

“What was that!?” I growled and lit my horn. Most of the other students in the commons area stopped what they were doing and looked at our confrontation.

“Nothing,” the bully shrugged.

“Sounded like a fake apology to me,” I told him.

“Well, it wasn’t. So live with it,” he replied matter-of-factly.

“I’ve had to live with a lot of things until now. A stupid bully who doesn’t know who he’s messing with isn’t going to be one of the thing I live with now,” I said as I glared at him.

“Bunny?” Twilight asked quietly, making the bully laugh.

“Oh, she speaks. Well good for her,” he laughed.

“I challenge you to a duel,” I said in a low voice. This colt was pushing it too far and I wanted to snuff any further attempts of bullying either Twilight or myself as quick as possible. The bully, to my satisfaction, looked shocked.

“Bunny … it’s time to go,” Twilight whispered, leaning over the table a bit.

“Yeah, you’re right, Twilight. It’s time to go,” I replied without taking my eyes off of the bully. Twilight didn’t move when she saw I wasn’t budging.

“Please?” Twilight insisted. I growled at the bully before sighing and nodding.

“Sorry, Twi. Let’s go, it stinks in here anyway,” I said softly as I began to lead her towards the testing area. Twilight kept close, doing her best to keep up.

“Can you slow down a bit?” Twilight asked from behind me.

“Oh, sorry, sorry,” I said as I realized how fast I was going and slowed down to match Twilight’s pace.

“What’s the matter with you?” Twilight asked in concern. I sighed as my ears drooped a bit.

“That colt got to me and I lost my cool, sorry,” I apologized. Twilight was silent when I noticed her rub her neck out of the corner of my eye. “How’s your neck doing? Still irritated?”

“It is. I thought you had come home so I stuck my head out. I was frozen when I realised it was dad. I think this happened a couple hours after you left,” Twilight said quietly. I swore under my breath.

“We’ll have one of the nurses take a look at it. We have a bit of time before the test and it’d probably be better to have you comfortable. No unnecessary distractions,” I replied. Twilight nodded.

“When I do my summon, what if I summon the Princess?” Twilight whispered.

“Then you’re really, really strong and will pass with flying colors,” I told her before grinning. “It’s that or you’ll be sent to magic pre-school.”

“There’s magic pre-school?” Twilight blinked in disbelief.

“Mhm, and it’s the bare basics. Things you already know how to do,” I smirked as I lead her towards the nurse’s office.

“Oh no,” Twilight breathed, her eyes widening in fear. “Not that.” I couldn’t hold it in any longer and began laughing. Twilight stared at me blankly for the rest of the journey to the nurse’s office.

“Sorry, Twi. I was joking with you. If you happen to somehow summon the Princess then she might just extend the invitation to attend here herself,” I told Twilight as we reached the nurse’s office and walked in.

“Hello, fillies. It’s awful early to… Oh dear, what happened to your neck?” the nurse asked in concern when she noticed Twilight’s neck.

“There was a super glue incident, miss,” Twilight mumbled meekly, pressing into my side.

“Super glue? Well, I have just the thing. A salve that’ll reduce the irritation and help it heal quicker. Come take a seat on the exam table,” the nurse said softly with a smile. Twilight looked at the exam table before walking up the provided steps and laying down on it. The nurse smiled at Twilight again and got the salve from on of her cupboards before walking over to the exam table. “Can you tell me your name, pretty filly?”

“Twilight Sparkle,” Twilight said quietly with a small smile.

“Ooo, that’s wonderful name, Twilight. I’m Nurse Nightingale. You can call me Nurse Night for short,” Nurse Nightingale told Twilight as she unscrewed the lid of the salve and began to gently apply it to Twilight’s neck. Twilight winced at the contact before sighing in relief when the cream soothed her. “Feeling better?”

“I’m feeling a lot better, thank you, Nurse Night,” Twilight said happily once the salve had been fully applied.

“You’re welcome, Twilight. I’m always here if you need help or just want to talk about something,” Nurse Nightingale smiled back as she put away the salve.

“Alright, thank you,” Twilight thanked the kind nurse once more.

“We appreciate it. Twilight was distracted by the irritation and she’s got a test today,” I said gratefully.

“Well, come on back if it feels bad again. Princess Celestia doesn’t like her students being in discomfort or pain,” Nurse Nightingale told us.

“Thanks, we’ll be sure to do that,” I replied as I helped Twilight off of the exam table and started back towards the testing area. Twilight leaned against me with a happy sigh when we exited the office. “Feeling much better, I assume.”

“Mhm. My neck kept me up for most of the night but it’s all good now,” Twilight replied in delight.

“I’m sorry to hear about you losing sleep because of it, but I’m really glad it’s better. Now you can take the test without it distracting you,” I smiled down at her. Twilight giggled at this. “What’s so funny, Twily?”

“Just the fact that I can be happy without the fear of dad,” Twilight said slowly.

“Yeah, it’s a wonderful thing, isn’t it?” I asked softly as we approached the testing area.

“It is,” Twilight agreed and a few moments later, we were at the classroom where Twilight was meant to perform her test.

“Okay, this is it. You can do this, I know you can, Twilight,” I encouraged her as we paused to the side of the teachers judging the test.

“I can do this,” Twilight said nervously before looking at the teachers. They were each looking boredly at their clipboards of notes on other candidates. “Um … e-excuse me?”

“Hmm?” the closest teacher hummed and looked in Twilight’s direction. “Yes? Can we help you?”

“I’m, um, Twilight ... Sparkle and I’m meant to be taking the test,” Twilight said nervously with a hesitant smile.

“Miss Sparkle?” the teacher asked before looking at the list. “Ah, yes. You’re right on time. Come stand in front of the three of us.” Twilight nodded, and after a whisper of more encouragement from me, walked down to the front of the room and looked back at the teachers.

“Hello, Miss Sparkle. Do you have a spell you’d like to perform for us? If you don’t then we can have you try to hatch a dragon’s egg,” one of the teachers said.

“I can perform a summoning spell …” Twilight began.

“Summoning? Alright, what will you be summoning for us today?” asked the third teacher.

“My s-sister … who is r-r-right beside you,” Twilight answered nervously.

“Summoning a pony. Well, that’s a feat to behold in one so young. You may begin when you’re ready,” the second teacher said. I watched Twilight console herself before lighting her horn up. It flickered for a bit in Twilight’s nervousness but then it brightened up. Her eyes were screwed shut in concentration as I felt her magic surround me. I relaxed and did my best to not resist Twilight’s summoning.

A loud boom was heard, and out the nearby window, a circular rainbow extended across the sky. Twilight’s spell faltered before her eyes glowed pure white. Her magic was lit brighter than before and I felt myself get pulled toward her along with the teachers and another presence that seemed more powerful than any I’d felt before.

I watched Twilight in concern as her eyes lost their glow and she bowed her head, closing her eyes while breathing heavily. I heard the teachers gasp while I watched Twilight be enveloped in a golden aura and get lifted off the floor. I looked around and my eyes widened when I saw that Princess Celestia was now in the room with us. That must have been what the teachers gasped about.

“I believe this little filly has passed the test,” Princess Celestia said softly as she looked at Twilight. Twilight looked back and shrunk under her gaze.

“Pr-Princess Celestia,” Twilight squeaked in surprise. Princess Celestia chuckled softly and smiled at Twilight.

“Hello, little one. How’re you feeling?” the Princess asked.

“Surprised. Tired. Drained. Um. Weirdly happy?” Twilight got out in a nervous splutter.

“Most of that is to be expected from somepony who’s magic when wild. For the happiness, I’d guess that you were able to summon me,” Celestia smiled. It was while the Princess spoke that I noticed something about Twilight.

“Twilight! Twilight! Look at your flank!” I told her in excitement.

“I was … trying to … summon my sister,” Twilight replied slowly and pointed to me before registering my words and managing to twist her head to look at her flank. There upon her once blank flank was a six pointed star with others surrounding it. She’d gained her cutie mark. “My cutie mark! I got my cutie mark!”

“Then a double congratulations are in order, my pony. For, you’re admitted to my school, as well,” Celestia told Twilight.

“I … what? I am!?” Twilight gasped. Celestia smiled and nodded.

“You may have been trying to summon you sister, but summoning me, who didn’t know anything about today’s test, is a harder feat to perform. So, you’ve passed,” Celestia said before looking at me and blinking in surprise. “Is that your sister over there?”

“Bunny? Yes, she is,” Twilight nodded and looked at me as well with one of the broadest grins I’ve ever seen her wear.

“Then this isn’t the first time we’ve met, my pony. I met your sister when she earned her cutie mark five years ago in the Sunset Rose field. In fact, I remember a very small version of you, too,” Celestia said.

“You do?” Twilight asked, turning back to Celestia so fast I thought she got whiplash.

“Mhm, I do. Both of you performed feats of magic far beyond your years and experience to earn your cutie marks. Summoning me for you and making a Sunset Rose bloom for her. What are your names?” Celestia replied.

“Twilight Sparkle, miss,” Twilight said with a smile.

“And I’m Sunset Shimmer, Your Majesty,” I told her with a bow.

“Twilight and Sunset. I’m sorry to say, but neither of you will be attending my school for gifted Unicorns,” Celestia told us. My world shattered. Not attend the school anymore? But, that was the plan. Attend school and get out of our father’s clutches. Yet, the Princess just doomed us to living with him indefinitely. I broke down and started crying and pounding the floor in frustration.

“You just said I was admitted, Princess,” Twilight asked confusedly. I was somewhat thankful that she didn’t break down in front of Her Majesty as well.

“I did, but then I changed my mind. For you see, attending this school would be wasting your potential. So, instead of attending here, you’ll both be my personal students,” Celestia said, but I didn’t quite make that out through my tears and pounding.

“Personal ... students?” Twilight repeated in shock and it took my sister’s voice to get through to my mind. I froze as the tears continued to stream down my face to stare at the Princess and my sister in disbelief of what I’d just heard. Personal students? That was unheard of.

“Yes, Twilight. Personal students. You and your sister will study and learn about magic and other things under my tutelage starting tomorrow,” Celestia smiled with a nod. I still couldn’t believe what I was hearing. It was too good to be true. Through the disbelief fogging my mind, I felt Twilight hug me tightly. I instinctively returned the hug as I watched the Princess approach us with her graceful, seemingly effortless stride. I blinked then looked down at Twilight. She was smiling even more than before. A question stuck in my head, though.

“U-um, Princess? Wh-where will we, uh, live?” I asked. So long as we didn’t have to live with ‘dad’, I didn’t care.

“You two move to a more personal and spacious room here on campus and will come to the castle each day for lessons,” Princess Celestia explained. I sighed in relief. We were still safe from the monster we called ‘dad.’

“You hear that, Bunny!?” Twilight asked excitedly.

“Mhm, I heard and it’s wonderful news. Wonderful, wonderful news,” I nodded as tears of joy replaced tears of frustration and sadness. I smiled down at my sister and tightened our embrace.

“Thank you, Princess,” Twilight smiled softly when she turned in my embrace to face Princess Celestia.

“Yes, thank you. We never expected to have something so… amazing happen to us,” I smiled up at the Princess.

“No need for thanks, my ponies. You’ve earned this through your hard work, dedication, and loyalty,” Princess Celestia smiled softly down at us. “Now, let’s get you two situated in your new accommodations.”

“I’m guessing we follow you,” Twilight grinned sheepishly.

“First, I’ll follow you so we can get your things together. After that, I’ll show you to your new room,” Princess Celestia explained.

“We, um, don’t have much, Princess,” Twilight murmured, looking up at me.

“It’s mainly just some things from home and our pillows. We, uh, weren’t the most well off before getting here,” I admitted and expected the Princess to scoff or laugh, but all she did was smile.

“We’ll have to remedy that a little at a time then. For now, let’s go collect what you two do have,” Princess Celestia said softly as she walked up to us. She wasn’t as tall as I remembered her, but she still towered over us.

“R-Right this way then,” I said nervously and began walking with Twilight towards our room while the Princess followed sedately behind us. The students that were still out in the hallways bowed as the Princess passed them and when she passed, they began whispering among themselves. Heh, the look on their faces was priceless as we walked by with the Princess. I’m sure I’d have to deal with some discrimination once they found out what had happened, but that was then and this was now.

When we got to our room, I watched Twilight walk to the bed we had slept in and grabbed Mister Smarty Pants in her mouth while looking at the picture of her and I. I couldn’t help, but sigh a bit as I gathered our other things in my magic and packed them into my bags.

“Do you have everything?” Celestia asked in a very motherly tone. Twilight turned to me with the toy still in her mouth but the picture and pillow were in her magic and on her back respectively.

“Fumsing wong?” Twilight asked me in a muffled, curious tone.

“Just remembering when that photo was taken. It was one of the few times we were both happy in the last five years,” I said softly as I took her doll in my magic so she could talk properly. Twilight licked her lips and then coughed.

“Fur is not good to eat,” Twilight coughed, holding a hoof in front of her mouth. I chuckled softly and shook my head.

“Go into the bathroom for some water before we go,” I told her. Twilight nodded with a smile and levitated the picture back onto the bed before walking into the bathroom. I smiled and waited for Twilight to return in awkward silence, shifting my weight from hoof to hoof, with the Princess standing in the doorway, the picture of patience and understanding. A few moments of this passed before Twilight came back.

“Bunny, the water tastes great! There’s no metallic taste to it at all,” Twilight said happily as she levitated her picture once more.

“Mhm, the pipes aren’t wearing down like ours are,” I nodded before freezing in place as I felt the Princess’ gaze roving over us.

“Hmm, we can discuss your situation as we head towards your new room. Of course, I won’t force either of you to say anything. Everypony has things they’d rather not talk about,” Celestia said after a moment of contemplation as she slowly walked off. I sighed and walked after her, matching Twilight’s pace.

“Did I say something bad?” Twilight blinked, tilting her head at my sigh.

“No, you didn’t, Twily. It’s just that ponies in our situation can be treated differently and I’d rather not get special treatment because of our circumstances,” I explained quietly, hoping the Princess wouldn’t hear.

“Doesn’t everypony have a dad like ours though?” Twilight asked in confusion.

“No, they don’t. Most ponies have a loving father,” I answered softly. Twilight bore a shocked expression and I saw her bottom lip tremble slightly. I sighed and walked closer to Twilight before nuzzling her. “It’s alright, Twilight. We’re out of that situation.” She seemed to calm down with a happy sigh and leaned into me.

“Do either of you two have any questions or concerns about anything?” Princess Celestia asked.

“How big is the room?” Twilight asked.

“Which room? You’ll have more than one in your new housing,” Princess Celestia replied. I gasped in shock. We were getting more than one room!?

“Our … bedroom?” Twilight questioned, the Princess’s words flying completely over her head.

“Your bedroom will be a little bigger than your previous room. You’ll have a small kitchen, some bookshelves, a second floor that you can do with what you will, a full bathroom, and a small living room,” Princess Celestia told us. My eyes boggled. We were getting our own house by the sound of it!

“That sounds ten times bigger than the closet I’ve been sleeping in!” Twilight exclaimed in surprise. I clamped a hoof over Twilight’s mouth, but it was too late.

“Closet? You’ve been sleeping in a closet?” Princess Celestia blinked.

“Boor my hoke life,” Twilight tried to say through my hoof. I sighed in defeat and took my hoof away from Twilight’s mouth.

“Hmm, what else can you tell me of your previous living conditions?” Princess Celestia asked.

“It was stinky, multiple bottles, um … brown water and … I think I smelled something off at one point,” Twilight said with a hoof on her chin, her tongue sticking out in concentration.

“We lived in a run-down house with our father, Princess. This place was luxurious enough as it was,” I said softly.

“What of your mother then?” Princess Celestia inquired. I winced and looked down at the floor.

“What mother?” Twilight interjected with a head tilt.

“Everypony has a mother, Twilight. Even me,” Princess Celestia said softly.

“Ours… sh-she disappeared. When I was five,” I said so quietly I wasn’t sure the Princess heard me, but she nodded slightly and slowed down to walk beside us.

“I’m sorry to hear that,” she said quietly before draping a majestic wing over the both of us. I wasn’t sure how to reply to this. I wasn’t sure I could reply to her kindness. So, I just walked along as I tried and failed to keep my tears in check.

“Your face is leaking,” Twilight said, peering in closely at me.

“Y-Yeah, i-it is. L-Let me t-try to fix that,” I got out before lighting my horn and attempting to dry the tears with some flame. All that happened, though, was a little light show. I couldn’t control my magic well enough to prevent myself from crying. I heard Twilight and the Princess speak about something but I couldn’t make it out over the sound of my heart pounding in my ears.

After what seemed an eternity, we arrived at a small building that was shaped like an onion. A narrow bottom that curved out before tapering to a point at the top. Princess Celestia opened the door with her magic and walked inside with us.

“Welcome to your new home, Sunset, Twilight,” Princess Celestia said and gestured around us as she turned on the lights.

“There’s lights,” I heard Twilight whisper before immediately going to the window and looking out. “Look! It’s the castle!”

“The castle is within walking distance from here. You’ll come to me each day for your lessons,” Princess Celestia told us as I joined Twilight at the window. The view truly was filled by the castle and it was a wondrous sight to behold.

“We walk to the castle? What about those pointy sticks?” Twilight asked, directing my attention to the far off spears at the gates.

“The spears? Those are held by the guards who keep ponies from entering the castle without permission,” I told her when I noticed what she was pointing at.

“They’ll have orders to escort you two to me until you’re more used to the castle’s layout,” Princess Celestia told us. That was a relief, getting lost was a big concern.

“Okay,” Twilight said happily.

“You two will also have access to the Royal Library should you not find a book for your studies within the small collection you have here,” the Princess said.

“Wait, we have books here?” I asked before looking around and noticing at least four bookshelves full of books. My jaw dropped. We had our own library in here!

“Books!” I heard Twilight squeal before she rushed over to the bookshelf on the far right. I chuckled and shook my head.

“You can read them as much as you like so long as you don’t fall behind in your studies,” the Princess told us.

“Bunny won’t let me,” Twilight grinned, turning back to face me.

“Oh, you think so, huh? Well, guess again. I’m with the Princess on this one, but you also have to eat and bathe properly, too,” I told her. I knew that she’d read for hours on end without a break if I’d let her.

“But those things aren’t necessary!” Twilight whined.

“Yes, they are, Twilight. You won’t have the energy to read without eating and bathing will keep you from accidentally smudging the print,” I replied.

“Awww,” Twilight sighed and sat on her haunches.

“Well, if you two don’t have any more questions at the moment. I’ll leave you to get settled. Let me know if you need anything,” Princess Celestia said with a wave before walking towards the castle.

“Alright, we will, Princess. Thank you again,” I called.

“Okay, bye bye,” Twilight waved and beamed at me.

“This is… awesome!” I cheered after I’d closed and locked our door. Twilight laughed and I felt her hug my leg tightly. I smiled down at her and returned the hug before a flash and thud came from nearby.

“What was that?” Twilight whispered, looking up at me with wide eyes.

“I’m not sure,” I answered as I looked around. I cocked my head to the side when I noticed a sealed scroll and a bag on the table. “Looks like the sound came from that bag on the table.”

“Um,” Twilight murmured and let go of me. She walked over to the table and rested her forehooves on the surface before tapping the bag with one of her hooves. A metallic clinking came from inside of the bag. “There’s something in here,” she reported before lighting her horn. Her magic disappeared inside the bag and brought out a golden coin.

“That’s a bit. The thing we used to get food to celebrate that one time,” I said in surprise as I walked over and took the scroll in my magic. “The scroll has the Princess’ mark on the seal.”

“What does it say then?” Twilight asked, her magic bringing out a few more bits from the bag. “It just keeps going!” I broke the seal and unfurled the scroll before reading it aloud.

“My students, Sunset and Twilight. I had forgotten to mention about an allowance you two will receive for materials, food, and miscellaneous other things. I’ve included more than usual should you need to buy some necessities. The normal amount will be supplied to each of you on a weekly basis,” I read, my eyes widening with each word.

“How much is here then?” Twilight whispered, shocked, and keeping the bits in her magic, upended the bag so they wouldn’t spill everywhere. “Whoops,” she said sheepishly when the bits proved a bit too much to handle and she ended up underneath a small pile of them. I panicked a bit and got her out from beneath the bits.

“Are you alright, Twily?” I asked in concern. Twilight coughed and a bit fell out of her mouth.

“How did that get there?” Twilight blinked and levitate the single bit up to inspect it.

“Mmm, magic,” I grinned as I set her on the floor. “You’re not hurt anywhere, right?”

“No, I’m not, but …” Twilight trailed off when we regarded the small pile on the floor that spilled over from the table. “That is a lot of bits.”

“She did say she’d included extra, but this makes me wonder how much she expects us to spend in a week,” I nodded as I stared at the pile of bits.

“We … could eat out again,” Twilight said quietly.

“I think she expects us to, actually,” I blinked as I considered the amount of bits. We could live for months off of this amount alone and we were going to get more next week!

“Wow,” Twilight breathed and placed the bit she had levitating with the others and walked around the table. “What’s that celebration? The one you keep taking me to every year?”

“Every year? That’s your birthday, silly,” I giggled. How could she forget about her own birthday?

“Not my birthday,” Twilight giggled. “The one where the Princess is present.”

“Ah, the Summer Sun Celebration. That celebrates the longest day of the year. The one where the Princess raises the sun after walking onto a stage?” I replied.

“Yeah, that one,” Twilight nodded.

“The Summer Sun Celebration. That day also has the shortest night of the year,” I told her as I put the bits back into the bag.

“Did we go to it?” Twilight asked. “I can’t really remember.”

“We’ve been once. The location it’s held moves from one town or city to another with each year,” I explained as I cinched the cords of the bag. Twilight nodded and walked over to the stairs before heading up them.

“There are beds up here!” Twilight called out. “And huge closets!”

“And here we are without a single bit of clothing to put in them,” I chuckled before walking after Twilight. “Anything else up there, Twi?”

“Just a big window to see the castle with!” Twilight said excitedly and I heard her bouncing up and down on the floorboards. I chuckled and shook my head with a smile.

“Which bed do you want?” I asked when I got to the top of the stairs.

“That one,” Twilight pointed when she stopped her bouncing to the one closest to the window.

“Alright, then that one’s yours,” I nodded as I levitated Smarty Pants and Twilight’s pillow onto the bed before bringing up our other things in my magic.

“Mmm … now what?” Twilight asked once everything was in place.

“Now we arrange our other things as we want them, go get some food, get some groceries perhaps, and come back to get ready for our new life as Princess Celestia’s students,” I said as I put my pillow on the remaining bed. This was the beginning of a better life for us.

Separation

It’s been a few weeks since we’d become Princess Celestia’s students and we’d gotten used to how things went on a daily basis. Wake up, breakfast, go to the castle, have lessons with the Princess, go back home for lunch, return for another lesson, go home for dinner, personal time, bed, repeat. It was a happy routine for us. Until one day that routine was shattered.

“Excuse me, Princess, but there’s a stallion at the gates who’s insisting on being your students’ father. He says he’s here to take them home,” a guard said during our afternoon lesson with the Princess. My eyes widened before hardening as I rose with my horn lit. I quickly glanced at my sister and found her rubbing her neck with her hoof.

“Bunny, don’t hurt him,” Twilight said quietly.

“That’ll depend on him, Twily,” I muttered as I began walking towards the front gate. I heard the Princess rise, but wasn’t sure what she was doing before I was out the door and running towards the gates. I didn’t want the Princess meeting with him. She already knew enough of our former situation. This would be the nail in our proverbial coffin that would end how she’s treated us so far and I didn’t want that.

“Sunset,” I saw him when I approached the guards and he looked as grungy as ever.

“What do you want?” I asked him.

“I want you and your sister to come home,” he said with a hard edge to his voice. “You two don’t deserve to be here.”

“We don’t deserve to be here!? WE DON’T!? No! You don’t deserve to be here!” I cried, my horn glowing brighter and brighter.

“I have every right to be here to collect you two,” dad growled as he stepped closer but stopped his approach when he looked up to see something behind me. “Princess …” he breathed in horror. I froze in place and my eyes shrunk as I let my magic die. The Princess? No, anypony besides her. Please, anypony but her. She was the one pony I didn’t want to see and/or meet my ‘dad.’

“Is there a problem here?” Princess Celestia asked, confirming my fears and causing me to begin shaking.

“Um, no, no problem,” dad shook his head vehemently. Liar.

“Then why in my wonderful Kingdom were you growling at my student?” Princess Celestia inquired as she stepped up beside me.

“Because I want her to come home with me,” dad said slowly when I felt a floating piece of paper lightly jab me in the back of my neck. I grabbed the paper with my magic and examined it. “Bunny, I toll the Pwincess about dad and she sent me home with a couple of … bards? …. Ah, here it is, guards. The Pwincess sent me home with a couple of guards. Twily.” I sighed in relief knowing Twilight was safe from the monster we called dad.

“Oh? Why do you want her to go home with you when she’s living in a home I provide for my students?” the Princess asked.

“Because she deserves a home with me and her sister, Limelight,” dad said, doing his best to get me to go back to my previous dwelling.

“Is that her sister’s name? Limelight?” Princess Celestia asked.

“Oh, wrong name, heh,” dad chuckled. “ I meant Bilight.”

“No, that’s a wrong name, too. Do you want to know how I know both of your daughters’ names, Frost Bite?” Princess Celestia asked as she took a step in front of me.

“Freezer Burn, actually, and, yes, I would,” dad corrected as he stepped back from the Princess.

“Well, Freezer, I know their names because they’re both my students. They live together away from a pony who super glues a collar to them and chains them in the yard. Away from a drunkard who abuses them,” Princess Celestia said firmly, this was the closest I’d ever heard the Princess come to being angry and it shocked me.

“Who told-” dad began but froze when he realised he was admitting what the Princess already knew and his pupils shrunk to pinpricks.

“Who told me? My teachers, my guard, my student. Did you think everypony was blind to the bruises, the patchy coats, the limps, and everything else you inflicted upon your own flesh and blood?” Princess Celestia said before the pair of guards at the front gates moved to either side of dad. I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. He was getting his just desserts!

“May I protest?” dad asked weakly as he shrunk in between the guards.

“Go ahead, I’m a fair ruler and will hear you out,” the Princess replied. He went to open his mouth but closed it when nothing came forth.

“Nevermind,” dad muttered.

“Then I condemn you to the dungeons to await a trial of your peers,” Princess Celestia said and nodded to the guards who took dad away to the dungeons. I made sure to glare at him as he and the guards walked past me.

“You’ll pay for this,” dad told me under his breath before he went out of earshot. I bristled and swore to myself to become stronger so that he could never hurt me or Twilight ever again, no matter what I had to do. The Princess told me to go check on Twilight and that the rest of today was free time to deal with encountering our father. I ran back to our home, not wanting Twilight to worry about me too much. When I ran inside and locked the door, I was pinned to the floor by a shivering weight that hugged me tightly. I gasped at the tight grip, but returned the embrace as best I could.

“Bunny … you’re back,” Twilight murmured, her voice shaking as much as her body.

“Yeah, I’m back and he’s gone. He got sent to the dungeons by the Princess,” I told her softly. I felt my sister roll off me and managed to get her face in front of mine. I saw her eyes were wet and puffy. I wiped away what tears I could before hugging her and gently stroking her back. “I’m alright, Twily. He didn’t touch me and he won’t touch you or me again. It’s all thanks to the Princess for locking him up.” There was no answer from Twilight except for her relieved sobs. By the time Twilight had calmed down enough to not be clinging to me or shake, it was dark outside.

“I want to sleep with you tonight,” Twilight mumbled finally and looked at me with a small smile.

“Alright, there’s plenty of room for both of us,” I said softly.

“Thank you, Bunny,” Twilight said quietly and smiled a bit more before looking outside. “Oh. I guess we’d better get to bed then,” she added and glanced at the moon.

“Yeah, we probably should. Come on, we’ll sleep in your bed next to the window,” I smiled and lead Twilight up the stairs. Twilight was slow but she stuck close when got to the top and headed over to her bed. Levitating my pillow over, I hopped into her bed and got under the covers. Twilight got in after and snuggled close, holding Mister Smarty Pants in her hooves and looked out the window. “It’s a nice night, huh?”

“Mhm, a very nice night,” Twilight agreed before yawning. “Goodnight, Bunny. Goodnight, Smarty.”

“Goodnight, Twily,” I said softly and held Twilight as she fell asleep.

FIVE YEARS LATER

Ever since that day, I studied as many fire spells as I could. As many potent battle spells as I could. Fire was feared on the battlefield and that’s what I wanted from my opponents. Especially, ‘dad.’ The trial had come and his ‘peers’ reached a ‘not guilty’ verdict. He’s back at my former home and waiting for the day that he can get ahold of Twilight or me. On that day, he’ll see what my studies have taught me. What he and this city made me become.

“Sunny, you’ve been looking over that book for the past month. Shouldn’t you go on something else?” Twilight asked from the couch in the small living room.

“Says the one who goes on research binges. Besides, there’s still a couple spells in here I haven’t gotten down,” I told Twilight. The book I was studying was ‘Battlefield Application of Fire’ and it held some interesting ways of using fire on your opponent as well as your ally. One such way was cauterizing wounds for your allies.

“Which spells then?” Twilight wondered, hopping off the couch and walking over to me.

“Well, the one I’m working on now is this one,” I said and pointed out the spell. “It lets me envelope myself in flame for both offensive and defensive purposes.”

“Speaking of flames … you’ve been studying a lot on flames, and that’s coming from me,” Twilight smirked before sitting in front of the book and looking down at it with me.

“It’s the kind of spells I’m best at and the Princess knows basically all of them. So, I might as well learn from the master,” I shrugged. I couldn’t tell her that I was planning to one day confront dad and use them on him. She’d try to talk me out of it.

“Why so many spells other than, ‘it’s what I’m good at’?” Twilight inquired in an incredibly bad impression of me.

“One, that was a horrible impression of me. I don’t sound anything like that. And two, is it wrong to want to master something?” I replied.

“No, not really,” Twilight shook her head. “Just wondering.”

“Well, I’m good at them and I’d like to master them. Besides, now I can cauterize your wounds without burning anything else,” I smirked.

“Oh, cool,” Twilight blinked. “You know what kind of spells I really like other than all of them?”

“Mmm, any Princess Celestia uses or recommends,” I grinned.

“Okay, that too,” Twilight blushed. “The spells I really like doing are the ones that help Unicorns move the earth if no Earth ponies are around.”

“Sooooo, you’re a Unicorn who wants to be an Earth pony,” I replied. Twilight’s tail flicked and she looked to the side.

“N-No, nothing like that,” Twilight mumbled.

“So, you want to replace Earth ponies with Unicorns,” I said.

“I said ‘in case’, not replace,” Twilight said in shock.

“What next? Weather so you can replace the Pegasi if they go missing?” I teased. I knew what Twilight meant, but it was so fun messing with her.

“How’d you know?” Twilight squeaked, a deer in the headlights look about her.

“Oh no, you’re one of those ‘Unicorn master race’ ponies,” I said in mock horror.

“I-I-I-I-” Twilight repeated over and over, her eyes looking left and right rapidly.

“Princess, Twilight wants to replace all the ponies with Unicorns. She says that Unicorns are better than all of the other tribes,” I said dramatically to the ceiling.

“What!? No!” Twilight squawked.

“She admitted so earlier, Princess. Please, smite her with your wrath,” I said as though praying.

“Heeey! You’re teasing me,” Twilight whined in a high-pitched voice from behind me. I couldn’t hold it anymore and cracked up laughing.

“Oh no…. She’s found me out…. Help, Princess,” I got out through my laughter.

“I don’t think the Princess will help,” Twilight said after a few minutes before feeling her magic try to tickle me.

“I’m not laughing anymore and now you start tickling me? Ah, that’s low,” I said as I resisted her tickling as best I could. Curse her remembering where I’m ticklish. It was supposed to be the other way around with me tickling her.

“You’re meant to laugh!” Twilight complained when she realised her tickles were fruitless.

“Resistance is not futile,” I said as it became harder and harder not to laugh.

“Yes! She’s breaking!” Twilight cheered and I felt her magic try to tickle me even further.

“Oh no, must build… book fort… to defend myself,” I said as I began trying to build said fort around Twilight. It was my only chance she was breaking through my defenses with her tickling.

“Come on, just a little more …” Twilight encouraged herself. I couldn’t hold it anymore and succumbed to her tickling, rolling back and forth on the floor while laughing.

“Yes! I broke through! Haha!” Twilight laughed triumphantly.

“T-Two… can play… this… game,” I said through my laughter before enveloping Twilight in my magic and giving her a taste of an older sibling’s tickle techniques.

“Oh no! She’s discovered my weakness!” Twilight shrieked before a thud and loud laughter was heard.

“Now… it’s a test to… see who loses… control first,” I laughed.

“Too late … you’re better,” Twilight giggled when her hold over me went away.

“Aha! The master tickler is revealed!” I crowed as I stopped tickling Twilight and laid down beside her. Twilight continued giggling and looked up at the ceiling, currently lying on her back with her forehooves curled up on her chest. “So, are you thinking about going into farming with your Earth spells?”

“I don’t know. I just find the spells really interesting,” Twilight admitted when she had calmed down and was breathing properly once more.

“Alright, I think I’ll try to find a way to… I don’t know, cook things en masse?” I shrugged.

“It’d be something different from your usual combat spells,” Twilight admitted.

“Yeah, but there’s something… It feels like something’s missing and I don’t know what it is,” I told her. This much was true. From everything I’d learned it felt like I was missing something.

“Something … missing? This is the first I’ve heard of it,” Twilight said curiously turning onto her side to look at me.

“Mhm, I’ve learned a lot beyond combat and flame spells and it feels like something’s missing,” I replied.

“Like what?” Twilight asked, getting and walking over to one of the bookshelves. “What do you think is missing?”

“Well, I’d say a sure-kill move if I was keeping to the main theme of my studies. Otherwise, I’d say… I don’t know… friendship? Love? Some bigger purpose?” I said. I truly didn’t know, but wish I did.

“Mmm …” Twilight hummed before magicking a book over to me. “Try reading ‘Sense of Self’ by A.D. Mildred.”

“Sense of self? Alright, I’ll give it a read,” I replied as I cracked the book open. I heard Twilight move to the table before going to the door.

“I’m going to see if I can get some snacks for us. We seem to be running low,” Twilight said.

“Alright, be careful out there. Come straight back if something happens or send up a flare and I’ll come running,” I told her.

“Will do. I’ll be back in a bit, Bunny,” Twilight said with a smile and left the house. I immediately closed the book and went to the window to watch Twilight go. I knew she could handle herself now, but I couldn’t help but worry. Once she was out of sight, I went to my personal journal and wrote down how close I was to confronting dad. I didn’t outright say anything, but a clever pony would probably figure it out if they read it. When I finished, I wrote a note for her and went into the castle to search the Royal Library for more books that could advance my plans.

I guess I was in the library for a good couple of hours when I heard Twilight call my name. I shut the book I was currently browsing and looked around for her.

“Twilight!?” I called as I looked around. I heard running hooves before a purple blob skidded right past me. I blinked in surprise before following said blob. It was Twilight panting and holding a book in her magic. My heart rate rocketed up. “Twilight, what happened!?”

“Nothing … yet … according … to your … diary,” Twilight breathed and looked up at me sorrowfully. “Why are … you doing this?”

“You weren’t supposed to read that, Twilight,” I said as I took my diary from her.

“Then why leave it in the bookshelf?” Twilight retorted.

“You hide a tree in a forest, Twilight,” I answered.

“I was putting a book back when I found this. It was in the wrong place,” Twilight said. “Next time, hide it in your closet or under the bed.”

“There won’t be a next time, Twi. Now that you know, I’ve got two options. Push up the time table or stop and I won’t stop,” I said before walking away.

“Why not? He hasn’t hurt us in three years,” Twilight said walking to stop me in my tracks.

“Why should he be free to do that to other ponies? To start a new family and abuse them too?” I asked.

“We’re free of him. We’re safe! Why can’t you see that?” Twilight said, her voice breaking a bit.

“Safe? When just seeing him could send either one of us into a panic? When hearing somepony similar to him makes us jump and look about in fright?” I replied as I tried to get around her and to the exit.

“Yes. Safe. The Princess is here. The guards are here. We’re protected,” Twilight said firmly, not budging in blocking me.

“Crutches. What happens when we’re no longer the Princess’ students? When we aren’t guarded by Equestria’s military and monarch? What then, Twilight? He’ll haunt our dreams until justice is properly served!” I told her before teleporting past and running towards the front gate only to crash into Princess Celestia. “Pr-princess? I’m sorry. I didn’t see you.”

“Twilight’s told me of what you’re planning, Sunset,” she told me and my eyes shrunk as I scrabbled to get away from her.

“Why wasn’t he punished!? Why was he allowed to go free with two witnesses to testify to his cruelty and illegal acts!?” I cried as I got my hooves under me. There was only one choice now that the Princess knew. I had to head towards the only other exit there was in the castle. I moved through hallways and multiple rooms before I found the room with a single mirror inside it.

“Mom, stop!” Twilight shouted mournfully as she encased me in a purple shield when I made it to the other exit.

“M-Mom?” I stuttered and faltered as the Princess caught up to us. In my falter, I didn’t realize how close Twilight was to me before I felt a tugging and stinging sensation in the base of my tail. I turned and saw her try to tug and draw me away from the mirror. “Ow! Stop it, Twilight. Justice has to be served.”

“No! You’re beaving! I bon’t wand you doo!” Twilight’s voice was thick with desperation through the mouthful of hair. “Srew jusdice! You’re nod beaving!”

“Stop fighting you two. There’s no exit here. Just a trap,” Celestia said as she walked closer to us. I knew it would be over once she got ahold of me. So, I began fighting towards the mirror, dragging Twilight along inch by inch. I heard her scrabble for a good hoofhold only for the hum of magic to interrupt me. I immediately found a pink shield hovering between me and the mirror.

“Lower the shield, Twi. I’m not going to be stopped. Not when I’m so close to exacting a just punishment for his deeds,” I said.

“No! I wond!” Twilight said forcefully. “I don’d wand you do go!”

“Do you think the Princess is going to let me stay now that she knows of my plans? I don’t think so,” I shook my head and pressed against the shield. It held firm and barely had any give to it. I heard a sigh before I felt myself being levitated off of the floor. Crap, Celestia got me. It’s over. I felt the pain in my tail lessen until it was no more. Twilight must have let go when she realised what was happening.

“There, that’s that. Now let’s go have some tea and talk about this whole incident,” Princess Celestia said. I saw the shield disappear out of the corner of my eye; too busy currently staring at my sister’s tearful face.

“Twi, I’m not your mom. I took care of you, but the mare you should want to be like is behind you,” I said softly.

“She’s float-t-ting in the air … tr-trying to get away,” Twilight sniffled sadly, looking up at me with wide doe-like eyes after shaking her head.

“No, Twi. She’s not. Princess Celestia is the better choice. She wouldn’t put you through this or plan what I’ve planned,” I sighed and went limp in Celestia’s magical grip. There was no way she’d be weak enough to let me teleport out of her magic.

“Yes, she is,” Twilight insisted.

“Stubborn filly,” I mumbled as I felt Celestia setting me down beside her.

“This conversation can continue on the way to the garden for tea,” Celestia said and began walking out of the room. “Come along, Twilight, Sunset.” Twilight continued looking at me, not willing to move until I did. Finally, I felt the Princess’ magic release me.

“Sorry, Twi. Grow to be like Princess Celestia,” I said softly before dashing towards the mirror once more.

“No!” Twilight shouted and began running after me but was only able to grab onto my tail with her teeth. It stung quite a bit, but I continued forward and winced when I felt some of my tail’s hair rip out and I tripped through the mirror. It shimmered and shone before dying out and returning to normal looking glass. Twilight was taken aback for a couple seconds before growling and ran towards the mirror herself, with the hairs still in her mouth. The glass held firm when Twilight made contact with it and she bounced off with a ‘oof.’

“I’m so sorry, Twilight, but the portal is closed and won’t open for another thirty moons,” Celestia said softly as she walked up to the distraught filly.

“No no no no! There has to be a way to bring her back!” Twilight pleaded, keeping the tail hairs in her magic.

“There is, but it is to go through after her in thirty moons,” Celestia said quietly. Twilight took in a few breaths before crying her frustrations loudly.

My rear hurt and for more than just Twilight pulling my hairs out. When I tumbled through the mirror I hit this really hard, white ground in front of this big building that reminded me of the castle. I sat in front of it for a little bit before hesitantly heading towards it.

The doors were glass and I gasped when I saw my reflection. I wasn’t a pony anymore. I was something… something else. I don’t know what I was, but I had very strange appendages, not a whole lot of fur except on my head, and weird clothes. Shrugging off my strange new appearance, I went to open the door with my magic. Nothing happened, though. Nothing at all. I tried again and again until I was pounding my head in frustration. It was then that I looked up and noticed I didn’t have a horn. Crap, no magic and a new body. Thankfully, the door was a push door and I got inside after pressing myself against it.

The interior of the building was vast and had a lot of banners, signs, and fliers on its walls. There was a display case full of trophies and other objects I wasn’t quite sure what they were. So, I ignored most of it and wandered the place. I wanted to find a mirror to get a proper look at myself. That door didn’t give me the clearest of pictures.

I eventually found a door with what looked like my clothing on it and walked in. Thankfully, there was a big mirror I could examine myself in. Or so I thought until I got closer and could only see the top of my head in said mirror. I sighed and began trying to get up to look into it anyway I could.

“Oh, hello,” I heard somepony speak in surprise after a flushing noise. I froze and slowly turned my head to look at whoever spoke. She had dark blue furless skin, almost midnight black hair, and some sort of cloth covering her body like I did. She walked to the sink next to me and washed her hands. After drying, she looked at me and smiled softly. “There’s no need to be afraid.”

“I’m disinclined to agree with you,” I said as I slowly began back towards the exit.

“I’m not going to hurt you. My name is Luna, little one. I can help you find your parents if you got separated from them,” Luna introduced herself and did her best to sound helpful. Take me to my parents? That was the first thing Celestia would expect me to do if I could get back.

“I’d rather die than go back to that abusive stallion who got off scot free,” I told Luna in a low voice before turning and running out of the room. It was a few minutes before I heard rapid steps behind me. I turned my head to look behind me to see that Luna was running after me. Great, a chase in an unfamiliar body that couldn’t even run on four legs. “Go away, I have to plan how to spend my time until I can go back and exact justice!” I heard Luna falter a bit before I was suddenly lifted into the air by dark blue … things. I kicked and squirmed in her appendages to try to get free and away from her.

“Can you stop?” Luna grunted, holding me at arm’s length. “I don’t want you getting hurt.”

“No, you’re going to take me back before I’m ready to face him,” I grunted as I continued to struggle. How were those things so strong? They didn’t look anywhere near as strong as they felt.

“Back to your farm? I only just met you,” Luna said confusedly, obviously doing her best to restrain me.

“I don’t live on a farm and you said you’d return me to my parents earlier,” I replied before sighing in defeat and ending my futile struggle.

“Yes, because you’re a little girl who is most likely lost,” Luna sighed in relief and gently placed me back on the ground but held my weird appendage in her own. On another note, what’s a ‘girl’? I tilted my head at Luna in thought and confusion before shrugging.

“You say some strange words,” I said.

“So do you,” Luna smirked before leading me back down the corridor. “You most likely don’t want to go back to your parents. That’s fine. My sister and I will talk over on what will happen with you.”

“Firstly, it’s not parents. It’s parent. My mom’s gone and my dad’s an abusive drunk. Secondly, who’s your sister?” I wondered as we walked along.

“She is the principal of this school, and her name is Celestia,” Luna said with a soft smile. Celestia!? How’d she follow me here!? That doesn’t matter, I guess. She’s here and that means I have to run and try to run I did. Luna wasn’t ready and her grasp slipped suddenly, making me trip and fall. I gasped and grunted as I hit the floor before doing what I could to get away from Luna.

“Hey, hey hey hey, what’s the matter?” Luna asked in concern, now keeping a gentle but tight grip on me.

“Princess Celestia can’t find me. She’ll ruin everything. You, her sister, finding me is bad enough now that I know you’re her sister,” I said as I tried to pull away or at least get further in the opposite direction of where we had been going. I heard some stifled laughter before Luna let it out.

“Tia is not a princess,” Luna suddenly laughed merrily.

“You can’t fool me, Princess Luna. The only one I know by Celestia is a princess,” I replied.

“That’s … absurd!” Luna laughed, getting really into her prank.

“What’s absurd is her hiding the fact that she had as sister for all these years. Nopony knows you exist,” I told her.

“Pon- of course people know I exist,” Luna giggled. “I’m the vice principal of the school. Sure, I don’t get out much but-”

“No history book mentions you. There’s no tapestry with you on it. Nothing even hints at Princess Celestia having a sister. I assure you, I’ve read all about her,” I interrupted Luna. Maybe that would get her to drop her act.

“I don’t know what history books you read, but none of them mention Tia as a princess. Only her fantasies do that,” Luna said, finally calming down.

“Fine, have it your way, Princess Luna. I’d rather perform thaumaturgical analysis on Diamond Dogs for the next year than be in the same room as Princess Celestia,” I told her.

“You have a really, really active imagination,” Luna chuckled and managed to pull me to a lit up doorway that was at the other end of the corridor.

“No, that would be Twilight. I’m the realist of us two sisters or didn’t your sister tell you about us?” I asked before looking at the door. My eyes shrunk at the sight of Celestia’s name on the door, but ‘Principal’ was indeed before her name. That confused me as much as it made me afraid.

“Who’s that?” Luna asked confusedly and it seemed genuine when she opened the door and made me walk inside ahead of her.

“My little sister, Twilight Sparkle. Your sister’s other personal student,” I said in a small, confused, and scared voice. Luna looked at the incredibly familiar mare behind the desk, with the small addition of her multicolored mane now flowing down her back.

“Do you have personal one on one time with students, Tia?” Luna asked confusedly when she closed the door behind us. Trapped with two beings I didn’t want to be with, great. This day just gets better and better.

“No, that wouldn’t be fair to the rest of the student body,” Celestia shook her head.

“Well, this little one thinks you do,” Luna told her, gesturing to me.

“I don’t think, I know. I’m on of them,” I said as I kept as far away from Celestia as possible.

“I don’t even remember meeting you before now, young lady,” Celestia said with a raised brow.

“I found her in the little girl’s room,” Luna explained. “I didn’t think kids her age would even get in here with how high the handle is.”

“Into the school or the bathroom?” Celestia asked.

“They were both push doors. How could I not get in?” I asked. Luna sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose.

“I think one of the final students left the door open a tad,” Luna said. “Still, her parents are nowhere to be found and she doesn’t want to go back to her farm.”

“I don’t live on a farm. I live right next to the castle,” I muttered.

“Are there any castles around here?” Luna blinked in surprise at me, while directing to Celestia.

“The only castles I’m aware of are in another country,” Celestia answered. How long were these two going to try to make a fool out of me!?

“Neither of your acts are going to get me to believe that you two don’t know exactly what I’m talking about,” I said angrily.

“This is the third time she’s said that,” Luna sighed.

“Have you found anything else out about her?” Celestia asked her sister as I silently fumed at them.

“She claims to have a sister named Twilight, whom you also apparently teach, and unless you’ve been teaching five year olds behind my back, I really don’t see it,” Luna said with a shrug and moved away from the door to sit in one of the seats in front of Celestia’s desk. I took this opportunity to try to get out of the door. I made a dash to it and began trying to reach for the knob. Frustratingly, I couldn’t get a grip on it no matter how hard I tried. Curse these stupid appendages!

“Well, I haven’t, but I think she’s probably telling the truth about her sister’s name at the very least,” Celestia said.

“Alright, we’ll take that as truth,” Luna rubbed her eyes. “She also said she had an abusive ‘father stallion’.”

“I don’t see any bruising on her,” Celestia said. “Of course, it could be beneath her clothes.”

“I think … she’s an orphan and dealing with grief,” Luna thought out loud.

“Possibly, but we can’t even ask around without a name,” Celestia replied. By this time, I’d run out of steam and gave up, sitting down against the door.

“Little one, what’s your name?” Luna asked gently, turning her gaze to me.

“Since you two insist on keeping your act up, I’ll play along,” I sighed and looked up at Luna. “My name’s Sunset Shimmer.”

“That’s a nice name,” Luna complimented with a smile.

“My mother gave it to me because my mane looks like a Sunset Rose,” I said softly and ran on of the appendages through my mane.

“Those flowers are incredibly rare,” Luna said quietly and looked at Celestia before looking back at me. “Until your parent comes looking for, and I think he will, why don’t you stay with us? They’re bound to come by the school sooner or later.”

“Is there a weapon I could use to defend myself then?” I asked. Luna was at a loss for words; shocked at me. “He chained my sister in the yard like a dog, beat me on a daily basis, and would do the same to Twilight if he found her. I won’t go back with him without a fight.”

“Um …” Luna mumbled and looked at Celestia for help.

“There are no weapons here, Sunset. Nor will there ever be. This is a gun and drug free zone. I’m not sure how much of what you’re saying is actually true, but the look on your face tells me you believe it’s all true,” Celestia said.

“It is true and he didn’t even get sentenced when he went to trial. That’s a gross injustice so I’m going to exact justice myself,” I told them before facehoofing. Crap, I just told them my plan, again!

“You’re five. That’s impossible at your age,” Luna commented.

“I’m not five. I’m fifteen,” I corrected Luna.

“This is a school for teenagers. We know what fifteen year olds look like and you definitely aren’t it,” Luna explained, crossing her arms over her chest.

“Fine, I’m five, whatever. Explain my terminology, my vocabulary then,” I replied.

“You read a lot of books to pass your time and soaked the information up. There are a few kids your age that are like that,” Luna shrugged before standing and leaning over to whisper something to Celestia. I watched Celestia nod and stand.

“We can’t leave her here,” I heard her say as she reached into a pocket and took out some keys. Luna giggled like a filly and grabbed the keys before hugging her sister. “Just try not to scare her with your driving.”

“Wha-? I don’t drive that badly,” Luna protested.

“Of course you don’t,” Celestia chuckled and grinned at her sister. I just sat there in confusion. Were we taking a chariot somewhere?

“I’m glad my sister agrees. For now, we’re taking you to our place. Unless you still want to wait for your father?” Luna asked, placing the keys somewhere on her and walked over to me.

“I didn’t want to wait for him in the first place unless I could properly defend myself or exact my justice,” I answered. Luna simply smiled and lead me out the door and towards the outside of the school. I followed her as best I could, but her strides were a lot bigger than mine. “How do you use those things so well?”

“What things?” Luna asked in surprise. “All I’m doing is walking.”

“Yes, but you opened that door like it was nothing while I couldn’t even get the knob to turn,” I replied as I trotted to keep up with Luna.

“You don’t have enough strength in your hands then,” Luna smiled.

“Hands?” I asked slowly with a tilt of my head. Luna raised it and waggled the stumps. “The not hooves with the not quite legs attached to them. Those are called hands?”

“Yes, they are,” Luna blinked as we approached the lone metal beast in the space outside the school. “Did you hit your head?” I froze in place and stared at the beast.

“Stop if you value your life and health,” I said out of the side of my mouth. Luna stopped in her tracks and looked down at me funny.

“Why?” she stage whispered.

“That metal beast looks like a predator and it’s just sitting there. Waiting for us to approach before it pounces on us,” I told her. Luna giggled and continued walking to the predator. My eyes widened at her audacity. “What are you doing? It’ll eat you.”

“Walking to the predator,” Luna grinned and took the keys out of her clothes before unlocking part of the beast and opening it up. The interior lit up and Luna waved me over. I blinked at all of this before approaching Luna.

“Are you a tamer?” I asked when I got to her.

“I wish, then I can get a boyfriend,” Luna laughed and helped me inside. She strapped a black belt around me before closing the entrance and walked around to the other side.

“What’s a boyfriend?” I asked in confusion.

“Since you’re into horses so much, I guess I can use that here. It’s more like a … coltfriend, I guess?” Luna said uncertainly, frowning slightly before sitting beside me. Once she was settled, she put the key behind the wheel and the beast roared to life. I jumped at the noise and looked around to make sure it wasn’t going to start secreting digestive enzymes.

“It’s just starting up, you’re fine,” Luna giggled and we were moving backwards before going fowards and turning.

“This is a very strange sensation,” I commented as I felt us moving, but didn’t hear the clacking of tracks, clop of hooves, or flapping of wings. “So, a colt is a boy here, okay. I haven’t had a coltfriend either.”

“You said you’re fifteen. I’m inclined to believe if you didn’t look and acted a bit like a five year old,” Luna told me. All these new surroundings made me think of Twilight, and her having a field day here. I sighed and slumped in my seat as I thought of how upset I’d made her by leaving.

“You can believe whatever you’d like,” I said softly. I didn’t hear her respond and the rest of the trip was held in an uncomfortable silence. We eventually stopped moving and Luna got out and walked around to my side to get me out. I didn’t resist and meekly let her guide me to wherever we were going. We walked up to a house and Luna let me inside first before flipping on a light switch. A hallway was illuminated, with a couple of end tables on either side and a few pictures of Luna and Celestia together upon their surface.

“For now, this is your home. I’m sorry for making you upset,” Luna said quietly, shutting the door behind us.

“It wasn’t you. I was remembering my sister and how she’d probably love it here. I left her behind and made her cry. She even called me ‘mom’,” I said, ignoring everything else about the house we were in.

“Why’d she do that?” Luna asked gently and directed me into the lounge and onto the couch, which was facing a black space on the wall.

“Our mom disappeared when she was really young. So, I raised her, protected her, and took care of her for ten years,” I answered. My emotions were starting to well up and I didn’t feel like suppressing them.

“I’ll get you some ice cream and tissues,” Luna murmured and left me with my thoughts. I sighed and looked down at my legs while thinking about Twilight and all we’d been through together. A few moments after Luna left and a couple thoughts in, I started to cry.

The two… um, I think they said they were called ‘women.’ They put me into a comfortable bed and told me to go to sleep since it was late. I could tell be the sun that it wasn’t that late, though. So, I just laid in bed trying not to think about anything besides what I had to do to get back home. It was during this that I heard muffled voices talking beyond my door. So, I snuck out and quietly approached the voices to see what they were talking about. It turned out that they were talking in the living room. Luna seemed excited about whatever it was while Celestia seemed quite calm and collected.

“Come on, this will be a great idea!” Luna said excitedly with a massive grin, having leaned back in one of the armchairs along with placing her … covered hooves? on the coffee table.

“It’s been less than a day, Luna. We can’t make such a big decision without more time to think about it,” Celestia replied with her ‘hands’ folded on top of her legs.

“So? Sunset obviously doesn’t want to go back home, otherwise she would have protested on the way here. Her words, while a bit whacky, I will admit, make me think that she’s telling the truth about her father being abusive to her. Plus, if we put her in the orphanage system, Sunset may wind back up with him or with an even worse family,” Luna told the calm Celestia.

“Luna, I’m not saying that we put her into a system that can’t provide children with proper homes every single time. I’m just saying that we should give this some time before we make the final decision,” Celestia replied patiently.

“How long has it been since you’ve been on a date?” Luna asked seriously.

“I don’t see how that has anything to do with this decision,” Celestia said with a raised brow.

“A few years, right? We’ve never been able to find someone for us. This is a perfect opportunity for us!” Luna tried to assert her opinion but it sounded like it was going the way she was planning.

“And I’m not disagreeing with you, dear sister. I just want us to think this over more before we commit to adopting Sunset Shimmer,” Celestia replied. I couldn’t believe what I’d just heard. Adopt me? Do they know I’m listening and are just saying that for me benefit?

“Fine, fine, we’ll think it over,” Luna grumbled and I watched her throw her ‘hands’ in the air in defeat and stood. “For now, I’m gonna see how she’s holding up. It must be quite the jarring reaction to be in a stranger’s house,” she added before heading to the hallway I was looking out from. Crap, I can’t let her know I’d been listening in!

I raced for the room she’d put me in and dove for the bed. A moment after I’d gotten onto the bed, I heard the door slowly open with a slight squeak of the hinges.

“Sunset Shimmer? Are you still awake?” Luna asked gently after knocking on the door lightly.

“Mhm, quite,” I answered as I sat on the bed.

“You must be used to staying up late then,” Luna smiled at me softly.

“I had to, to make sure Twilight would get some sleep. Especially if she’d been reading before bed. She’d read all night and into the next day if I let her,” I told Luna.

“It sounds like you are close to this Twilight, huh?” Luna thought out loud as she walked inside the room, flipped on the light, and sat on the bed next to me.

“She’s my only real family anymore… Well, maybe she doesn’t consider me family after I left her to come here,” I said softly and brought my legs close to me before wrapping my forelegs around them.

“You ran away? Why not take Twilight with you?” Luna asked in surprise.

“She was better off with your sister back at the castle. I had to come here to keep from getting in trouble for planning to exact justice upon my father. I would’ve preferred to have stayed with Twilight, but… I could tell that your sister would be the better influence on Twilight. I wanted her to grow up to be like the Princess. Not like me,” I explained. I don’t know why I’m sharing all this with her. Maybe I just wanted to vent my emotions about this whole thing.

“Why don’t you get some sleep? You’ve had a long day today,” Luna suggested quietly, resting her hand on my shoulder.

“I can’t sleep. There’s too many thoughts going through my head. The biggest of all is how to get back in thirty moons,” I told Luna. Seriously, why am I sharing all this with her?

“Thirty moons is roughly eleven years, maybe twelve years,” Luna said thoughtfully, tilting her head at me. “Why thirty moons exactly?”

“How in Celestia’s name am I going to survive for twelve years?” I cursed and shook my head. “That’s when I can go back and execute my plan to give my father the justice that the courts didn’t give him when he went to trial.”

“You are a very strange, and adorable, little girl and I don’t know about you, but I need to head to bed,” Luna told me with a small yawn. “We can continue talking in the morning, alright?”

“As you wish, Princess,” I nodded. Luna smiled at me and gave me a small hug before getting up and walking out, shutting off the light after her and leaving the door open a crack. I sighed and got under the covers before getting comfortable. I didn’t really feel tired, but I closed my eyes and tried not to think about things while relaxing. Twelve years… this is going to be one long sleep over. After that thought crossed my mind, sleep slowly claimed me as the world faded around me.