Celestia tried to focus on the road while the rain continued to drip down the windshield. The rain always made her a bit sad. Not only did Luna go to grad school in the fall, but it reminded Celestia of the day...She disappeared.
"Mommy, it's raining!"
Celestia turned her head towards the window, where Sunset had her face and tiny hands pressed against the glass. "It sure is, Baby."
Celestia could see Sunset's mouth formed into a wide grin. "How about we go play?"
Sunset gasped, and then ran to the coat closet, grabbing her little pink raincoat and Celestia's larger purple raincoat. Sunset giggled as her mother put her arms through the sleeves.
As soon as Tia opened the door, Sunset ran into the yard, giggling and splashing through the puddles. Tia took her hand and the two ran through the yard.
For hours they played in the mud and ran through the rain, opening their mouths to the sky and taking off their coats to feel the rain flow through their hair.
"Okay Sunset, I think it's time to go back inside. I don't want you catching a cold."
"Okay Mommy."
Celestia ran from her car to the grocery store as quickly as she could. As much as she never wanted to go shopping, as soon as she did...She felt content. She could buy whatever she wanted.
Sometimes Luna teased her about how often she shopped, but Celestia always said the same thing, "Everyone deserves rewards, Luna."
"Mommy, can we buy some fruit snacks?"
Celestia pulled the orange box out from the cart. "Baby, I thought we decided on fruit leathers."
"But Mommy..."
Celestia petted her daughter's hair. "I'm sorry. Maybe next time."
Sunset frowned, her eyebrows knotting. Celestia could see that she was in deep thought. "But yesterday I did all of my ABC's first try. I deserve...A reward." She reached for the fruit snacks on the shelf.
Tia smiled. "Well...Mommy likes the the fruit leathers better. Maybe we should just get both.
Celestia picked up one the green boxes of fruit snacks and turned it over. "So much sugar..." She whispered to herself. "Oh, I shouldn't have let her talk me into these things."
She placed the box in the cart.
Soon enough, she had strolled through all the aisles. Her cart, she noticed a while ago, was never quite as full.
She turned the corner too quickly. Her heart fell to the floor, as did her mouth, it seemed. Her eyes brimmed with tears, and she wanted to fall to the ground and cry.
She saw her. Standing there, with her gorgeous red and yellow hair tied up, with her face beautifully aged-With the bright ruby ring on her finger.
Celestia took a split second to pull herself together. You do that every time, she thought. There's no way it could be her.
"Sunset!" Celestia called. The woman looked up from what she was reading. "Long time no see!"
"Celestia!" Sunset pushed her cart towards Tia. "Oh, I've missed seeing you everyday."
"As have I." Celestia smiled. "You know, ever since you and the Rainbooms graduated...Life has been incredibly boring."
"Well, I hope Twilight is bringing some light to your life."
Celestia thought of the brilliant, young, newest science teacher at Canterlot High. "Oh, certainly. Not as much as you, sweetie."
After a moment of silence, Celestia asked, "I suppose it's a bit brash of me to ask but...Would you like to get a cup of coffee? I'd pay, of course, but I'd love to catch up."
"Oh, definitely. Adagio and I have been doing so much lately...I've been dying for a cup."
"Wonderful."
"Mom, could I try some?"
Celestia put down her mug. "Coffee?"
"Yeah."
"I didn't know you liked coffee."
Sunset shrugged. "I dunno. All the other kids at school drink it, so it must be good."
Celestia shook her head. "Trust me, it's not. I've got an addiction."
"Please?"
Celestia slid the mug across the counter. "Alright."
Tia grinned as Sunset delicately held the mug and took a sip. A frown stretched across her face, and the two exploded with giggles. "Never mind! That's gross," Sunset said, shoving the mug back to her mother.
"Told ya so."
"Celestia?"
Tia snapped back from the memory. "Oh, sorry Sunset." She was looking out towards the window of the little coffee shop, watching the raindrops go down, down...
Sunset turned her head. "The rain makes me so darn tired."
Celestia smiled. "I miss the days when we'd play together in the rain." She turned to Sunset. "Don't ever get old."
Sunset covered her mouth with her hand and let a quaint laugh escape, but then frowned. "Did she like the rain?"
"Oh, she loved rain. It was her favorite." Celestia's eyes brimmed with tears. "The puddles, the gloomy sky, and then the rainbows..."
Sunset placed a hand delicately on Celestia's. "I'm sorry-"
"It's alright. I just...I just miss her so much..."
"I know how you feel," said Sunset. "Missing someone, knowing how you'll never see them again...I mean, I really, really think she'll come home-"
"Do you mean your mother?"
Sunset said nothing for a moment. "Yes. But...in a way, I can't complain. Celestia was incredibly disappointed in me by the time I left...And if I hadn't left, I'd have never met Adagio."
"Don't be ridiculous! There's nothing you can do to make your mother disappointed in you forever. I'm positive that Celestia misses you everyday."
Sunset looked up. "I'm sorry. I can't even imagine what you are going through. I shouldn't talk about myself."
"Oh, Sunset." Celestia looked into her blue eyes. "You are so young, so naive...You should realize that everyone has pain. It's okay to talk about it."
Sunset said, "Tell me about your pain. Let it all out."
"What do you mean she wasn't at school today?"
Celestia held the phone tightly, her fingers itching for something to do. "I saw her get on the bus this morning."
"I'm sorry, Mrs. Shimmer," the woman told her. "Sunset was probably just skipping school. Every child does it once."
"No, no. My Sunset would never." Thunder clapped and rain splatted the windows. "Besides, she would have been home by now nevertheless."
"I don't know what to tell you, ma'am."
"I am a parent. I haven't seen my child in twelve hours. Can I speak to the bus driver?"
"No, ma'am. He has gone home for the night. Bus drivers aren't allowed to leave until all of the children are dropped off at home."
Celestia said nothing. "Ma'am?" asked the monotone voice.
Celestia hung up.
"Please, you have to help me."
"What seems to be the problem, ma'am?" The slightly overweight police officer sat behind the other side of the desk, his hands folded in his lap.
"My daughter, Sunset Shimmer, is missing. I haven't seen her in twelve and a half hours."
"And when did you see her last?" The officer received a piece of paper and a pen.
"This morning, at eight o' clock. She got on the two hundred thirty-three bus to Canterlot Middle School."
"Can you give me a description?"
Celestia tried to get the perfect image in her mind. "About five foot-three, red and yellow hair, usually worn down, sparkling blue eyes. She was wearing a green turtleneck and skinny jeans."
"Does she have a cellphone?"
"No."
"Does she have any friends or someone who may have seen her out and about?"
"No." Celestia paused. "Not that I'm aware of."
The officer raised an eyebrow, so Celestia added, "She tells me everything."
The officer nodded. "And your name and relationship? Phone number?"
Celestia handed him her hastily scribbled number. "My name is Celestia Shimmer, I'm her mother. This is my home phone, cell phone, work phone, work email, and home address. From eight-thirty 'till six I'm working at Canterlot High School. Ask anyone for Principal Celestia and they'll direct you."
"Last question, does she have any other family members? A father? Siblings?"
Celestia nodded. "My sister, Luna Shimmer. Her information is there as well, but I'm afraid she's out of town."
"Thank you very much, Mrs. Shimmer. I'll send out a search party right away."
"And I waited."
Celestia ended her tale. She could see that Sunset was about to cry, covering her mouth with her hand and with the other, repeatedly wiping away tears. "Oh my God..."
"And they never called. Never visited, never came to the school...I don't know. Maybe they forgot. After a few days, I began looking myself. But we never found her."
"Celestia, please, if there is anything I can do..."
"No, no. What's been done has been done." Tears rolled down Celestia's cheeks.
Celestia picked up her purse and stood, leaving some money on the table for the coffee. "I'm sorry that this was such a sad conversation. I hope we'll see each other again. Feel free to visit anytime."
As Celestia walked away, Sunset sobbed into her hands for the mother who's heart she could never heal.
Celestia was tired.
Sleepless nights of waiting were really beginning to take their tole...as Celestia had fallen asleep at her desk again.
A knock on the door awoke her. She took a moment to fix her hair and rub her eyes. When she saw herself ready, she quietly said, "Come in."
A small girl with red and yellow hair opened the door.
Celestia screamed, jumping around the desk to tackle the girl, hugging her tightly and kissing her forehead. "Oh my God! You don't know how much you worried me! God Sunset...Please don't ever leave me alone again!"
Celestia could hear Sunset's pulse rising. "Oh no, I'm so sorry!" The girl said. "I know I was supposed to come in here and register yesterday...But the counselors told me that you were upset about your daughter and you kept falling asleep and I didn't want to disturb you...Oh please forgive me! I had no idea!"
Celestia let the girl go. She looked exactly the same, she was wearing the same turtleneck and jeans..."You're not Sunset Shimmer?"
"I am."
