Sunset Shimmer: Student of Magick

There was a definite pink on the horizon when Sunset felt two people enter her room. There had been a couple nurses checking on her after Pearl left, but the souls of these two visitors burned as Sunset's did. Pearl's spark was there, as was a glowing pink and purple spark. The latter was bright and clear, the dark clouds of unhappiness and red tint of buried rage that had enshrouded it for so long finally gone.

Sunset pulled herself back into her body, unaware she had been drifting. The hospital had not faded, yet she had been able to see the souls of those around her.

"Sweetie Belle?"

The response was a pair of arms gently wrapping across her chest. The teen applied just the right pressure to make her presence known without irritating Sunset's injuries.

A high-pitched murmur replied, "Thank you."

Though she was stiff, Sunset's right arm did not hurt as much of most of her body did. She was able to lift it to pat Sweetie Belle's head.

"How do you feel?"

"Amazing. I can't believe how different everything looks and feels. Is this what it's always like?"

"Ya'll learn how ta balance that 'n ignore all the extra input. It'll just go ta the back of yer head."

"No wonder you seemed out of it all the time after you Awakened," Sweetie Belle chuckled. Her face fell, though not from the depression that had haunted her. She was regarding Sunset. "I can feel where you're hurt and how bad it is. How were you able to help me when you're in such a bad state?"

"Because you're my best friend."

"You have no idea how much I appreciate it. If you hadn't come when you did, I would have given up completely. You've saved me so many times, Sunset, and I just wish I could help you."

"You've Awakened. Just being able to say that and feel the magick in you helps more than you can imagine. Which Path are you on?"

"I ended up in Stygia. I thought Alchemists are focused on Death and Matter. Wouldn't broken bones and injuries be for the Life Arcanum? Why can I feel and see the damage you've taken?"

"They overlap," Pearl explained. "Ah've never studied Death so Ah'm not sure if they're different fer the two of us, but Ah feel injuries as bein' damage ta the person's Pattern that mah magick lets me fix. Ah think Death looks more at how it can break a Pattern altogether."

Sweetie Belle shivered. "I wouldn't want to hurt someone. I want to use my magick to make things better."

"Hayseed, ya ever hear of Shiva? The Hindus from India worship her. She's their Goddess of Death 'n Destruction. In order fer mah plants ta grow their best, Ah gotta rip out the ones that ain't makin' it 'n trim back extra branches. Death 'n destruction have their place so's somethin' new can come in. It's like Midnight points out: Death just means change. Ya understand?"

"Yeah, I just don't really think about it. Death isn't usually a good thing, whether it's death or change."

"I hear that," Sunset wheezed while trying to chuckle. "For the record, I'm glad I'm alive ... even if it hurts."

Pearl laid a hand on Sunset's shoulder. "Ya want me ta work on ya? It's gonna take a lot of Mana, but Ah could have ya back ta normal by tonight."

It would be so easy; the pain would be gone and she could forget the hospital. Sunset shook her head as best as the brace allowed.

"It's not that I don't want to owe you, Pearl, but I'm worried that I'd lose myself fast if I start counting on magick to fix everything."

"Ah respect yer concerns. Use magick fer what's important or when ya need it, but never let it be yer crutch. T'ain't nothin' wrong with havin' a little fun with it, neither, so long's ya remember moderation. Still...." Her voice fell silent as Sunset felt some of her mentor's magick flow into her body. She did not resist it, and she felt some of her bruises healing and the pain lessening. "Don't mean we cain't take the edge off fer our friends. Yer on yer own from here."

"Thanks, Pearl."

"Do ya feel up ta talkin' 'bout yer Gnosis dream now?"

"I think so."

She described the dream, though she did not mention her pony and demon counterparts. The unending picnic, Sweetie Belle's appearance, the merging of selves, and the end of the dream were not difficult to relate, but she found herself faltering when it came to sharing how she had felt throughout it. She stumbled on the words for the tranquil nothingness.

"Do you know what it means? Oh, is that a bad question to ask?"

"I don't mind talking about it, not with you two. It'll probably seem silly for a 'profound moment of clarity,' but I'm pretty sure I know what I was trying to tell myself."

"Ain't nothin' silly 'bout it. Ya learned somethin' that enlightened ya, 'n Ah'll take on anybody that would say otherwise."

"Alright." Sunset chuckled, but quickly stopped as the pain resurfaced. "That picnic was just a setting. I was going through repetitive motions without thinking about them. Sparky was off to the side, not taking action since I wasn't. When Sweetie Belle came on the scene, she forced us to stop. We had to pay attention to something, to think again.

"I wouldn't say that I've been stagnating, but I haven't been moving forward. All these things I've learnt and people I've met, and I've been trying to stay the same. That's not how it works; it's like what the Adamantine Arrow teaches: 'Existence is War.' Living is a struggle to survive. If you're not changing every day, you're dead.

"My merging with Sparky is the main point. I went into her, not the other way around. Magick changed how I see the world, but I'm still Sunset Shimmer. I might call myself Sparky sometimes, but that doesn't have to mean being two different people.

"Talking with Night Star actually helped me think about that. I haven't fundamentally changed. Just because I can see what someone is feeling doesn't make me someone else. I hang out with my friends, old and new, and I'm still Sunset Shimmer. Instead of fighting to keep two lives separate, I need to embrace how they affect each other."

"No masques?" Sweetie Belle asked with a small, knowing grin.

"No masques. There's value in protecting my identity from unscrupulous people, but that applies to the non-magickal world, too. I don't think there's anything wrong with behaving differently in the appropriate situations, just that I shouldn't try to be someone else and lose sight of who I am."

"Well, haystack, Ah think yer ready ta take on the world."

"If it's all the same to you, I'd rather just take on these injuries for now."

Pearl laughed. She reached into her bag and placed a new, unwrapped mobile on the rolling tray. It was the newest model iPhone, one Sunset had skipped because of the need to save money.

"Mah graduation gift fer ya, since yers was ruined in the accident."

"No way, I know how much those cost."

"Don't worry yer bruised head about it. Ah ain't takin' 'no' fer an answer. Ya need a way ta keep in touch with yer friends, 'n ya've more'n earned it."

"Alright, you've twisted my arm. Thank you."

"I know you need to sleep, but you should probably call your insurance people first."

Sunset nodded. "Can you look up the numbers?"

"Ah'll do the talkin' if'n ya'll tell 'em it's okay. Ah'm known fer drivin' a hard bargain."

"I'd appreciate that. Thank you again, Pearl."

"No need ta mention it, haystack. When Ah take apprentices, they become mah family. It's why Ah'm so particular about who Ah take."

She did as promised, taking the call into the hallway so Sunset could rest. The warm glow of Pearl's kindness and Sweetie Belle's Awakening combined with the drugs and the aftereffects of Pearl's magick to exact their toll. Sunset felt sleep trying to lasso her. She knew resisting would do nothing for her and surrendered to it, losing herself in a dreamless darkness.

She woke stiff, but otherwise feeling much better than she had. It was fully morning by then, cheerfully warm sunlight streaming into her room. Sweetie Belle was dozing in the recliner while Pearl was relaxed in another chair, holding her tablet. When she saw Sunset's movement, she turned off the screen.

"Just in time. They're comin' ta take ya fer X-rays 'n some other tests. How're ya feelin'?"

Pearl's voice woke Sweetie Belle, who sat up.

"I'm feeling better. Between what you did and just getting some sleep, I think a lot of the smaller aches are gone."

"Ah got some news while ya were sleepin'. That accident was the darnedest set of circumstances Ah've ever heard of, 'n that's sayin' somethin'. The driver that hit ya stole that car. The owner didn't even notice until the cops came ta ask about it. The truck's driver saw a man fleein' the scene. We got the police on it, but Ah don't think they're gonna have much luck. There was Awakened magick at the scene. A Witch we don't know was the thief. We don't think he was after ya, but that was some mighty weird timin'."

"You think he could have been a Seer?"

"Cain't rightly say. He's not in our Consilium or the local Assembly. We're gonna put out an alert, but don't hold yer breath. Not a one of the Guardians has been able ta trace him."

"At least my insurance will cover this. I'm guessing I'll need another car after that, though."

"You and automobiles." Sweetie Belle's mirth quickly fell to guilt. "I can't believe I wasn't wearing the charm bracelet. If I'd had that, you wouldn't have gotten hurt."

Old habits did not vanish in hours. Sunset knew that better than most. She settled for comforting her friend in the hopes that her new appreciation for herself would override her guilt.

"I promise that I will never blame you for not wearing it. Midnight even said it's never going to be perfect, so the accident might have happened anyway. Please don't blame yourself for this."

Sweetie Belle did not smile, but the guilt receded. "You're right. I'll work on not blaming myself for everything while you work on getting better, okay?"

"Sounds like a good deal to me."

A few minutes later, a nurse arrived to wheel Sunset to the examinations. The scanning and poking only took an hour. She received praise twice for cooperating so fully despite her condition. One of the technicians promised that a doctor would be stopping into Sunset's room later with results before wheeling her bed back into place.

While Sunset had been gone, Love Tap and her entire family had arrived. Button Mash was sharing the recliner with Sweetie Belle so they could both hold Pixie. Though Sweetie Belle was officially discharged, she was still battered. A flailing baby would not help her bruises though - to see the joy on her face at holding her daughter - Sweetie Belle may as well have been unharmed, even when Pixie smacked one of her tender ribs.

Love Tap welcomed Sunset back to her room. "We were just talking with Sweetie Belle. Would it help if she and Pixie stay with us while you recover?"

"If it won't be a problem. Are you okay with that, Sweetie Belle?"

"I know you're going to need a lot of rest and stuff. I'll come by every day to help out, though."

"I appreciate that, but just come by when you can. I'll be able to take care of myself."

"Would you like to say hello to Pixie?"

"Definitely."

Button and Sweetie Belle attempted to stand together, the boy simultaneously trying to hold his daughter and to assist Sweetie Belle. Gibson, who had been lurking in a corner, gave a frustrated groan.

"You two stay there. I'll get her."

He scooped the baby from their arms before they could respond, cradling her gently as he approached the bed so that Pixie could see Sunset smiling at her. Sunset held her good arm up so that she could tickle Pixie's stomach and play with her toes.

"Looks like you'd make a good daddy someday, too," she teased.

Gibson flushed a bit, returning the baby to her parents. "No way, not after watching them. I'll just be the cool uncle. You baby-lovers can have the messes and crying. And the diapers." He shivered.

Pearl, who had been sitting quietly with her tablet again, stood. "The room's gettin' a mite crowded 'n Ah've got a farm ta run anyways. Call me if'n ya need anything, ya hear?"

"Roger. Thanks for staying with us, Pearl."

"What're friends fer?"

Chip held a small bunch of balloons with bright, cheery colours and positive words. He gave them to Love Tap, who tied them to Sunset's rolling tray.

They visited for another hour before Pinkie Pie sent a message to Sweetie Belle that she would be there soon "with the girls." Love Tap decided to clear the room and allow Sunset's other friends to have time with her. Before leaving, she forced Sunset to promise to let them know if she ever needed anything without holding back.

Sunset had a few minutes of quiet time alone before Pinkie Pie sprang into the room with more balloons. To her credit, the party girl controlled her volume and carried herself as someone conscious of being in a hospital. She had, indeed, arrived with others: Rarity, Applejack, Apple Bloom, Scootaloo, and both Twilight Sparkles. When they were all in the room, Princess Twilight closed the door while Sci-Twi slipped her backpack from her back and lowered it to the bed next to Sunset.

"Okay, I'm letting you out now. Don't jump on Sunset or anything, though."

"We know," one of the Spikes groaned as both heads popped from the opening.

While it was generally easy to differentiate the two iterations of Twilight, even when they attempted to make themselves look the same, only Fluttershy and the Twilights seemed to be able to differentiate one Spike from the other with a glance. Sunset could only accomplish it by using her Mage Sight.

Once Sunset had again affirmed that she was mending and already feeling much better, the group visibly relaxed and took turns giving her details of the outside world as though she were a prisoner held captive for months. Once the disparate group finished, Rarity cleared her throat and approached the bed.

"There is one other thing. When we heard what had happened, we got together and decided to 'chip in,' as it were, to help." She presented a manilla envelope. "When we mentioned it to some of our other friends and former classmates from CHS, quite a few decided to contribute."

Sunset took the envelope, feeling a considerable bulge of what had to be money. Even if most of it consisted of small denominations, it had to be a large sum.

"You have no idea how much this means to me, but I promise that I'll be fine. My health insurance and auto insurance have everything covered."

"Your insurance?" Rarity objected. "Surely this is the fault of the other drivers?"

"Well, it was really only one of them. The guy in the truck had the right-of-way and he wasn't speeding, so the police aren't placing the blame on him and neither am I. Unfortunately, the driver that rear-ended us had stolen the car and fled after the accident. The police are looking for him, but the owner's insurance isn't going to cover this and I wouldn't expect the owner to pay for it, either. I talked with my insurance people, and I promise: Everything's fine."

"Shucks, Ah guess we was all worried fer nothin' on that. Still, we all put in ta help. We're not takin' 'no' fer an answer."

"Pearl said that exact same thing." Accepting that she would not win, Sunset placed the envelope back into Rarity's hands. "Thanks, girls. Get that to Sweetie Belle; she'll take care of it until I go home."

"So, darling, I do have some exciting personal news, if you don't mind."

"Of course not."

"I might have a sponsor!" She was nearly bouncing like Pinkie Pie. "A rather fabulous woman came to see me yesterday evening. She introduced herself as Night Star and said she had seen my work at the university's fashion show. She was very precise when she was critiquing my designs and asked if I want to apprentice under Proper Hemline. Oh, Proper Hemline is a popular local designer. I love her work; it combines warm and down-to-earth with this extraordinary, understated glamour."

"What part of that's a 'sponsorship'?" Applejack asked.

"Proper Hemline does not just take on apprentices, you know. She will, but she is very exacting and never holds back on her thoughts. Not many last under her. Night Star is one of her investors, which is why she can arrange for us to meet. It is hardly guaranteed she will accept me, but I never thought I would even get a chance."

"Yer family's connections couldn't get ya in there?"

The rest of the group gasped, but none of the girls could think of a rebuke before Rarity replied.

"I know what you think of me - and I know that I have earned it - but I am not going to use back-door secret handshakes to get myself noticed. My work earned at least passing attention on its own merits. I want to earn any spotlights I may get."

Applejack did not apologise but did not press the issue. Rarity did not address it further, so no one else said anything. Sunset offered a grin.

"I'm happy for you. You will keep me informed, won't you?"

"But of course."

It was getting into the afternoon when the girls decided to leave. They had been visiting for several hours, and Sunset was drifting back to sleep despite one of the nurses cutting back her painkiller drip. With promises to visit again and to assist as Sunset recovered, the injured teen was again alone.

Fluttershy arrived later with Rainbow Dash. Both girls worried over her, not allowing Sunset a word. Though she tried to wait for them to settle, Sunset finally ordered them to sit.

"Girls, I'll be okay. Thanks for visiting, but please just settle down. Now, Fluttershy, what are you doing here?"

"When I heard what had happened, I asked for an extension to visit. My professors were nice enough to give me a break." She blushed. "They, um, they said that I'm one of the most gifted veterinary students they've ever had, so they were sure I'd be fine."

"She hopped a bus last night. Our Fluttershy, on a bus all night, just to get here."

"I'm sorry. I would have been here sooner, but I couldn't afford a flight and the train doesn't run anywhere near here."

"Don't put yourself out for me. Are you sure you'll be okay with your classes?"

Fluttershy nodded. "I'll be studying while I stay with Rainbow Dash."

Sunset started to nod, but paused. "Wait, Dash, aren't you living in the dorms?"

"Yeah, but I'm staying with dad until Fluttershy goes back. Her parents are gone on a trip, so I didn't want to leave her alone in their house."

"What about your brother, Fluttershy?"

"Okay, I didn't want to leave her alone with him. He'd just stress her out."

"He's not that bad."

"You didn't refuse to stay with me."

"Well, no, but I thought it'd be nice to have a slumber party like we used to."

Sunset enjoyed their visit, but she knew they could see that she was fading. Dash took advantage of a lull in the conversation to suggest they return the next day.

They were leaving when the door opened to admit Trixie.

"What are you doing here?" Hostility dominated Dash's voice.

"She's my friend."

Perhaps she had not heard Sunset or the darker side of herself was taking control, but Dash spat, "Get out of here, Trixie."

"Rainbow Dash, don't make a scene in a hospital." Fluttershy's tone was firm and rebuking, apparently surprising even herself. "If Sunset says Trixie is her friend, then she's free to visit."

"Wait, you two are friends? When did that happen?"

"Rainbow Dash."

Fluttershy was quieter, but the pleading delivery snapped her childhood friend from the belligerent attitude. Rainbow Dash rubbed the back of her neck as she looked down.

"I'm sorry, Sunset. Sorry, Trixie. It's none of my business. We'll go now."

"Apology accepted," Trixie said. "You don't need to leave on my account."

"Nah, we've had a chance to catch up and all of that stuff. Catch you later."

Once they had gone, Sunset gestured as best she could to a seat.

"How did you know about the accident?"

"Sweetie Belle messaged me. You seem much more ... chipper than what I expected for something like this."

"It sucks when I think about it. I'm going to be down for a long time and I cannot express how wonderful morphine is. For all of that, it opened my eyes. I have some wonderful friends who are like family to me, and you've all dropped whatever you were doing to make time to see me. I'm sure I'll be grumbling when I have to start rehab, but things could be a lot worse. It would so much harder to go through this alone."

Trixie seemed to be taken aback. She fiddled with her skirt for a moment before changing the topic.

"I have my aeroplane tickets now, and my new passport just arrived. I should be excited, but it feels wrong to be leaving when you're hurt. Is that what I should be feeling?"

"I can't control that. For what it's worth, I'd feel bad if you don't go because of this. How have you been?"

Trixie sighed. "More of the same, just boring old routine day after day. Maybe I'm fooling myself that going to Australia will change anything, but I just keep hoping."

"Maybe you should go hang out with Sweetie Belle and Pixie for a while. Let them get you smiling and then take that with you to Australia."

"I think I will try that. Thank you, Sunset."

Trixie did not linger much after that. Sunset had been fighting to keep herself awake even when Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy were visiting. Trixie left a 'get well soon' card with a friendly smile as she departed.

The quiet was pleasant in its own right, as Sunset was not alone due to abandonment. It was merely an absence of others, giving her the opportunity to sleep and to allow her body to heal itself. She would have gladly done so if her other self had not selected that time of peace to speak.

'All these people coming just to see you, even giving you money; it warms our shrivelled, blackened heart, doesn't it?'

'What do you want?'

'Skipping the pleasantries? Whatever. Have you noticed the pattern yet?'

'A pattern where? I'm too tired to play games right now.'

'Gods, Shimmy, it's like you don't even believe in having fun. Fine, I'll spell it out for you: There have been way too many coincidences around us ever since we came to this world. A buttload of them. Our life has been far too easy; even when crap hits the fan, it's like someone went and covered everything in plastic first.'

'If you think everything I've been through has been easy, you're a masochist.'

'Oh, please, I'm a sadist and proud of it. I have you as a role model, after all.'

'Did you come out just to annoy me?'

'Not this time. I don't like being a puppet any more than you do, and that's what we've become. Look at everything that's happened so far and tell me you can't see it.

'Pay close attention, Sunny: It all started when we jumped through that portal to escape Celestia, stole the crown, and had to deal with Twilight Sparkle and introduced Equestrian magic to this world. Sirens show up, we beat them with more magic. The Friendship Games and the other Twilight? More magic.

'Then we get to this world's magick. At the beginning, Flash and his groupies had us pinned down. We were bound, gagged, and naked. There we were, completely at their mercy, when Ace and Clash showed up just in time to save us from that. Of course, they also drove us into Awakening.'

'I stole the crown and drew the Sirens and Sci-Twi to our school. My introducing Equestrian magic and the fallout from it was what drew the hate spirits and led to my Awakening.'

'Still, all of those situations resolved a little too neatly, don't you think? That was just the half of it, anyway.

'I guess you think Pinkie Pie is a Changeling by coincidence, then. Oh, then Sweetie Belle just happened to wake up in time to learn about Pinkie Pie and our magick. Ace and the others helped save us again. How convenient that Pearl noticed the pregnancy when she did, huh? Then we need to consider that Sweetie Belle is pretty unusual for a Sleepwalker, and that she was just the right match to be the support you needed while you were still getting your balance.'

'So you think everything around my Awakening and after was all planned somehow? How could someone make Sweetie Belle into a Sleepwalker? Even if someone could, why do it years before I got here? I'll admit Ace and Clash are really good at dramatic entrances, but they'd have to know every time. Even if they used her magick for it, Midnight told us that Fate doesn't always work like that.'

'Not for regular Mages, no. If you could see everything from up above and pull all the strings with the ability to see how each one interacts, yes.

'Come on, you're supposed to be smart. It all makes sense. Sweetie Belle just happened to find both pieces of that amulet, which let Ted come to help her out when you failed. The thrice-damned accident? Those flower puffs being in the Consilium? Why can't you see it?'

'It's not that I can't see your point, but it seems like a lot of work just to get me into this position. If that Exarch or whatever is manipulating my life, what would the end-game even be?'

'I don't know. He ... or she - or it, really - wants you for something. Even if all of these things have been pure coincidence, I'm no happier being a slave than you are.'

'How can I possibly have something that an Ascended god can't get?'

'The ultimate question. Then again, maybe I'm just the paranoid part of you.'

They were both silent after that. Sunset filed the idea for later examination. There was a high probability her other self was correct on a few of those points, but even knowing definitively changed nothing. Even combined, the Awakened were less than fleas to an Exarch. She only stopped thinking about it when the need to sleep overpowered her.

She had been resting just over an hour when the promised doctor finally arrived with her test results.

Once she was fully alert, he stated, "I'm afraid I have both good news and bad news. Where would you like to start?"

"Always get the bad stuff out of the way first."

He nodded. "The scans of your leg showed that the damage was more severe than we first believed. While it is still early to predict - and everyone responds differently in physical therapy - the odds are high that you will have a permanent limp and will need a brace and possibly some support for longer distances."

"Like a crutch or a cane?"

"A cane. Your knee was shattered and is not setting correctly. Several ligaments were torn. That said, there are two options available.

"First, you could undergo surgery. That would attempt to ... 'put everything back together.' It does have better-than-even odds of helping, but the recovery time is quite long and it would only be a partial 'fix.' You would be looking at multiple procedures. The second option is a total knee replacement. It would also have significant recovery time and would not be a permanent solution. In any case, conservative early guesswork places you at several weeks of rehab. You would need to wear a knee brace at all times and avoid heavy lifting."

"What's the difference, then?"

"Long-term pain. The surgery would extend the amount of time that you could walk without a cane, though it would see a gradual deterioration. The knee replacement would let you get back to normal faster, but you would still have certain limits. Also, because of your age, it would likely wear out and need replacing at some point in the future."

"The replacement sounds like the better option, but I want to talk more about both."

"I'll have a specialist come and talk to you tomorrow."

"What's the good news?"

"Your knee aside, you are recovering quickly. Everything is on the mend, and you shouldn't have any complications. Once you decide what you want to do about your knee, we can estimate your recovery and rehabilitation timetable."

"Thanks, Doctor. I'm sure everyone will be thrilled to know I'm doing this well. Is there anything else I need to know?"

He glanced back at the chart. "No. Without the accident injuries, you are quite healthy. All of your labs and tests came back clean. If you'll pardon my tongue in cheek, you're as healthy as a horse."

Sunset winced. "You do know what they do to horses with broken legs, right?"

"Ah, yes, poor choice of words on my part. Still, it's good you're taking everything so well. Good attitude and familial support can improve recovery times. If you need anything, please use the pager. I'll be back to check on you again tomorrow."

As he was leaving, Ace and Midnight were entering, followed by Clash. Midnight ran to the bedside, reaching for Sunset's hand before pausing. Sunset took the girl's hand with a warning not to apply pressure.

"Thanks for coming. I hate to ask, but could one of you please get a message to Flawless Sword? I'd hate for him to show up at Pearl's to take me to training while I'm here."

"Don't worry, I called him as soon as I heard the news. What's the prognosis?"

Sunset explained what the doctor had told her. Her friends nodded, expressing disappointment about her knee but happiness that everything else would recover.

"And now that you know about your knee, have you changed your mind about Pearl's offer to use her magick?"

"She told you? Well, it doesn't really matter. I was tempted and probably will be again, but I can live with this. Honestly, I'm just worried about my Order initiation. After getting psyched up for it, now I won't even be able to do it."

Ace gave small chuckle. It was friendly, as though Sunset had made a joke without realising it.

"Trust me, you'll be fine. Do you really think they can't work around whatever limits you'll have? I'm sure they'll still come up with other tests for you, but I don't doubt you'll be passing those with flying colours."

Clash finally spoke up. "You're good at using your head. A pack might value strength, but someone who knows how to use what's there the best is valuable. From what I've heard, those Arrows will be glad to have someone like you, even if you can't move as well."

"I need to stop making it so easy to read me. Is there anything else I need to know?"

They looked to one another. Ace nodded to Midnight before leading Clash from the room and closing the door.

"There's something I need to tell you." Midnight pulled a chair to the side of the bed and knelt on it to bring herself to eye level with Sunset.

"Whenever a new Mage shows up around the Consilium, the Guardians of the Veil check them out. We watch them and talk to them and other stuff, whatever works best for our Paths. Since I'm a Witch, I use my cards. Marble's a Witch, too; she uses astromancy and pyromancy.

"We aren't allowed to use True Names if we know them unless things look really bad. Marble asked me to do some readings for you since we had already gotten to know each other. I'd have at least some sympathy to help."

"I'm guessing whatever you found is why we're talking now."

"I didn't get anything. No matter what I try - even your True Name - I can't read for you. It's like my cards fight me; I even got paper cuts from them. The only way to get anything is to look around you, like reading for myself about challenging you to that poker game. I've never had that happen before. I can read for Sweetie Belle just fine, so I know it's just you. When I told Marble, she and some of the others tried ... and they had the same problems. One of the Guardians even burned himself when his incense stick burst into flame in his hand. There's something a lot more powerful than we are shielding you."

Sunset was unsure how to reply. She had a decent guess as to why Midnight encountered such difficulties, but she had no idea how to explain it. If she admitted to having a deal with an Ascended being, she would forfeit her life.

"Obviously, we all want to know why you're hidden. There are a few guesses, but none of them seem right."

"Did you come to ask me about it?"

"If you know and can tell me, I won't complain. Look, we're curious. You've become a Mystery, and those of us who know about it are probably going to keep trying to figure it out.

"You don't have to worry about it unless we find proof that you're a bad guy. We already told the Hierarch, and he wouldn't have let you stay in Consilium this long if he thought you were a Seer or Scelestus. Unless you're a really great actor, we've decided that how you've been so far is good enough to believe in you."

"For what's worth, I can honestly say that I don't know anything about it."

That elicited a giggle. "I didn't mean to make you worried. Trust me, if you were in trouble, I wouldn't be telling you. We're too close, so Marble would send someone else."

"I know you guys aren't assassins unless you absolutely have to be, but I do have to admit that this whole thing makes me nervous. Still, I do trust you. I'll probably be thinking about it for a while, I'm not going to borrow trouble."

"Promise?"

"I promise. It's not like I don't have other things on my mind right now, anyway."

"Thanks, Sunset. Do you mind if I set up a party with Sweetie Belle for when you get to go home?"

"Go for it. Just make sure to get Pinkie Pie involved. I'll need some processed sugar after all the bland hospital food."

With another giggle and a promise, Midnight called her brothers back into the room. They each wished her well before they left. Sunset laid back, ready to sleep.

'There's my Sunshine,' her other self whispered. 'Lying to a little cutie like that and then telling me that we're nothing alike.'

'You might have good advise sometimes - and you were able to shoulder the pain so I could help Sweetie Belle - but we're still very different. You're a monster.'

'Pot calling the kettle black. I'll say it until you admit it: I am you. You released me once. You'll do it again. Just keep telling yourself that you're a perfect little girl and blame me for everything. I'll be waiting for the day this dark corner can't take anything else and you have to let me off the leash.'

'That will never happen again.'

'Didn't you say it yourself? "All Mages are broken first." News for you, Sunny: This world's no more sunshine and rainbows than Equestria was. At least the humans know how rotten they are. You can keep clinging to those bright places like a moth, but remember what happened with Rarity and her family ... or Rainbow Dash.'

'Those were the exceptions and I'm wiser now because of them. Rarity may not be perfect, but we're rebuilding on a true friendship now. Dash knew to say something before she got to where I've been.'

That horrible demon laughed mockingly. 'Keep clinging to those bright lights. Some of them might even be real. Don't worry your pretty little head; even when everything does fall apart, I'll still be there for you. I am you.'

'Say what you want. Sweetie Belle is brilliant now that she's cleared the skeletons from her closet. I'll do the same. You won't be there forever.'

'Don't forget that the brightest lights create the darkest shadows. Sleep well, Sunny. I'll be here.'

TO BE CONTINUED