Secrets in Equestria

Sunset returned to the library after speaking with Zecora and found the AMA (Arranged Marriage Act) on her desk by the window and her parents on the couch. Whatever they wanted, she could only guess. It was the middle of the day, what were her parents even doing there? “Shouldn’t you two be off threatening or blackmailing somepony or do you only do that with me?” Sunset’s sarcasm wasn’t appreciated.

“Don’t you take that tone with us young lady; we are doing our best to give you a good life. Now what color do you want your wedding dress to be? I think the turquoise would look stunning on you but maybe you would prefer the dark green. Whichever you choose is fine, it is your wedding after all.” Glisten said lifting up two dresses for Sunset to see. “They both come with”

“Enough! I’m not wearing either of them and I’m not getting married. Now leave me alone so I can pack my things, I’m going to Canterlot.” Sunset walked off but her parents followed.

“You insolent little foal, we are improving your semi-lowly life. Yes being Princess Celestia’s student helps but that is not enough.” Shining stomped a hoof on the ground. “Your mother has been working tirelessly to make this wedding perfect for you. You should consider yourself lucky your mother is even letting you choose a color. When your grandmother prepared your mothers wedding, she didn’t have a choice in the matter or a choice at all for anything. You will choose a dress to wear at your wedding and we will not take no for an answer.” The two parents turned but stopped when they heard Sunset’s comment.

Sunset was bright red with anger now and lost her temper. “I HATE YOU BOTH, GO ROT IN TARTEROUS!” Sunset didn’t have time to react before she felt a hoof hit her cheek. She crashed to the ground with tears in her eyes.

“One way or another, you will learn respect you ungrateful child. Consider yourself lucky that we haven’t disowned you.” With that said, they teleported out of the room.

Sunset stood up shaking and felt her cheek. “Screw them; I hope Pinkie kills them both.” She finished packing her things and made her way to the train station. She would talk with Honor Shield and convince him to not marry her. They had been good friends for sure but she didn’t love him, even a little. “I should have done this earlier; I just hadn’t had any time and this red rash or whatever it is, is embarrassing. Oh well, the sooner this happens the less I’ll have to deal with my parents.” When she reached the train station, she got her ticket and then froze. One little thought made her freeze. “What if my parents found somepony that I don’t even know?” She hadn’t thought about it but she should have. The thought of marrying somepony she didn’t know caused her to back away from the train. “If I don’t marry Honor, I’ll surely marry somepony I don’t know. This is bad, really bad.” Sunset turned and walked away when she heard a familiar voice. “It couldn’t be, could it?” Sunset turned around to find a cyan unicorn in armor. “Honor Guard?”

“Hi Sunset, can we go talk somewhere private?” Honor Guard took off his helm and smiled.

“I uh, yeah, let’s go to my temporary home. It’s a library.” Sunset lead Honor Guard to the library. Her mind was racing with thoughts of the wedding she didn’t want and how to possibly get out of it. At least now she could talk with Honor about it. This wasn’t going to be easy but she had to do it. Sunset was busy thinking and Honor Shield walked in awkward silence unsure of what to say. Sunset was so nervous, her body began to shake and sweat. Luckily, Sunset had managed to calm down before they reached the library. “So here we are, come in.”

Honor looked around and chuckled nervously. “Your parents aren’t here right?” Sunset shook her head. “Good.” Honor sat on the floor filled with relief. Sunset walked back and forth debating on how to bring everything up. “Sunset, we need to talk about this arranged marriage between us.”

Sunset looked at Honor at first with anger and then frustration and sadness. “I just have to know, why? Why would you volunteer for this?”

“Sunset, there are a lot of things screwed up about this arranged marriage. Truth be told, I love you Sunset and always have. The minute we met, I did everything I could to make you happy and then this AMA bull came up. I don’t even know how much I can say without getting jailed or killed for that matter.” Sunset stared at him curiously. Honor had volunteered but it didn’t sound like he was too happy about it. Apart of Sunset was happy about it and another part was kind of Disappointed. “I would say everything but I know who they have planned for you to marry if I don’t.”

“Tell me what you can then.” Sunset tensed up and began to shake anxiously.

“All I can really say is that somehow your parents blackmailed Princess Celestia. The AMA that you saw wasn’t ever in existence.” Honor shield flinched from the angry reaction that Sunset gave even if it wasn’t at him. She shot a burst of magic into the air and blew a small hole in the ceiling. “Sunset, please, I don’t know what to say.”

Sunset wasn’t sure what to do next but fall to the ground and cry. “This w-wasn’t wh-what I wanted f-for myself. It’s n-not fair.” Sunset wiped her tears away.

Honor Guard walked over to Sunset and wrapped his hooves around her and stroked her mane. “Let it out Sunset, don’t worry. We will figure something out.” What more could he do? Sunset was on the floor bawling into his shoulder. It’s not like he wasn’t used to it, this wasn’t the first time Sunset had done this. Back when she was at Celestia’s school shortly after he was assigned to Sunset, she had done this. Sunset had been picked on for being so studious. She ran back to her room where Honor Guard was waiting outside. Honor never did figure out what the bullies had said but it was enough to make Sunset cry for a long while.

When Sunset finished crying, she looked up at Honor Guard and smiled. “Thank you for always being there for me. You’re the only friend I’ll ever need.”

“I’ll always be there for you and look at it this way Sunset, after we uh, marry, your parents won’t get near you. I’ll make sure of that and don’t worry; I don’t plan on foals anytime soon. I would rather give it a few years or ten before that even needs to be thought about.”

Sunset chuckled and was happy to know that Honor had her back. She was just happy enough to cry. “Thanks Honor, I appreciate it.” Sunset wrapped her hooves around Honor and cried herself to sleep.