Partners in Crime

The year is 1929, and Appleoosa is in the worst state it has ever been in years. The heat is always unbearable, so most folks stay inside their homes, but it doesn’t keep out the heat. The one person who doesn’t even care is Twilight Sparkle. She’s been here for as long as anyone knows and always working at the old diner near her house. Her mother suggested that she get a job. And get a job she did. It’s not boring, but it’s not fun either. And today, she’s just clocking out for the day to check on her friend Fluttershy. Twilight takes off her apron, stepping into the blinding sun and heat. She’s already sweating, so she pulls her purple and pink hair into a bun and rolls up her sleeves. Damn this heat.

Twilight wipes the sweat off her brow as she enters Fluttershy’s home. The house has a cramped yet cozy atmosphere. The furniture is old and dusty, like it hasn’t been used in years. Twilight can hear Fluttershy coughing up a storm upstairs, so she goes to the kitchen to make her something, a kind gesture. But to her surprise, she sees someone at the stove. It was a girl with curled red and yellow hair. And she was already making Fluttershy’s favorite drink — hot chocolate.

“Who are you?” Twilight asks, crossing her arms.

The girl turns and looks Twilight up and down before smirking. “Who are you?”

“You first.”

“Well I was here first.” Sunset puts her hands on her hips.

“You don’t live here.”

“Really? I had no idea.” Her statement drips with sarcasm. “And neither do you, sweetheart.”

“I know, Fluttershy lives here. She’s my friend.”

“She’s my best friend.”

“You makin’ her hot chocolate? It’s her favorite.”

Sunset turns back to the stove. “You would know. And I bet you can make it better than me, considerin’ you’re a waitress and all.”

“Did my uniform give me away again?” Twilight says with false surprise.

“I see you two have gotten acquainted,” says a hoarse but soft voice. Fluttershy leans against the wall, a weak smile on her face.

“We didn’t mean to disturb ya, Fluttershy,” says Sunset, holding out a mug full of hot chocolate complete with whipped cream.

“No harm done. I’ll leave you to it.” Fluttershy goes back upstairs to her room, mug in hand, and leaves the two alone. There’s a moment of awkward silence before Twilight speaks up.

“I’m Twilight Sparkle. It’s nice to meet you.” She holds out her hand for Sunset to shake.

“Sunset Shimmer,” she replies.

“So, Sunset. How did you meet Fluttershy?”

“I met her while I was on the run from the law,” she says simply. “Since I had nowhere to go, she let me stay here. We’ve become fast friends.”

“She’s never mentioned you when I was around.”

“I’m kind of a secret.”

“Secret from who?”

At that moment there was a pounding on the door. Sunset immediately tenses up, taking Twilight’s hand. “We might need to run.”

“From who?!” Twilight yanks her hand back just as the door flies off from its hinges. Celestia’s guards point at Sunset.

“Sunset Shimmer, you need to come with us by order of the Princesses.”

“What makes ya think that’s gonna happen anytime soon?” She smirks, grabs Twilight’s hand again, and jumps out the open window to her car. Twilight gets in the other side, all while shouting at Sunset to explain.

“No time to explain, sweetheart,” she says as she drives down the street, laughing.

* * *

After the guards were ditched in a flurry of dust, Twilight takes the time to catch her breath. She looks over at Sunset who just laughs.

“What...was that?!” Twilight shouts, her eyes wide.

“Isn’t it obvious? I’m a criminal and you’re on the run with me.”

“What makes ya think that I’m runnin’ anywhere with you?! Take me home. Now!”

“The guards are back there. If you wanna get yourself caught, go ahead. I’m not goin’ back.”

“I’m gonna get caught?”

Sunset nods. “Yes ma’am. As long as you’re with me, you’re considered to be aidin’ and abettin’. And I’m pretty sure you don’t wanna spend your life stuck in a dingy jail cell, now do you?”

Twilight opens her mouth to speak, but closes it quickly. Sunset does have a point... She sighs and stares out the window, thoughts and questions swirling around in her head.

“So, Twilight. Tell me about yourself.”

“Why would I tell you anythin’?”

“Because I asked nicely.”

She sighs, then nods. “Well, my father died when I was young. We’ve lived here all my life.”

“Is that it?”

“Yeah. My life isn’t exactly interestin’. What about you, then?”

“My life? Boy, you’re in for a ride. I started stealin’ chickens when I was nine, tryin’ to give my family some food. The first big thing I stole was a bike. It never went well. And ever since then I’ve been in hot water with Celestia herself.”

“Wow. What else have you stolen?”

“Cars, clothes, food to keep my family fed.”

“You really are bad,” says Twilight sarcastically with a roll of her eyes.

Sunset laughs. “And you’re a goody two shoes.”

“Because my Mama raised me right, thank you very much.”

“My folks never really care, as long as I don’t do anything stupid.”

“Well then I’m guessin’ they’re pretty disappointed in you right about now.”

“You don’t have the right to talk about them like that. I bet your Mama is wonderin’ where her precious daughter is.”

“Let’s just drop it, alright? Please, take me home.” Twilight goes back to staring out the window.

“I’m sorry. I’m kinda tense as it is, with the law on us and all. I’ll take ya home. And I might pick ya up tomorrow? We do need to apologize to Fluttershy. And we do need to be careful about the law, of course.”

Twilight nods. “And then let’s just go our separate ways. I really don’t want to get tangled up in your life.”

“You already are, Twilight. Might as well enjoy it.”

* * *

It’s already nightfall by the time Sunset pulls into the driveway of Twilight’s house, the warm glow of the lamp in the kitchen casting shadows on the dirt road. Twilight hops out and smiles slightly at Sunset.

“Ya know, you’re not bad, Sunset.”

“Neither are you, Twilight.” She winks and drives off.

Twilight waits until she can’t see the dirt flying up before going inside, tired after a long day. She goes up to her bed and falls into a deep sleep full of dreams.