Part II: Family

Chapter 8: The (Partial) Truth

Shining Armor was the first person awake in the Sparkle household. He thought back to the events of yesterday and the day before that, with Sunny. He couldn't help but worry about her. The look she had on her face, it looked as if she lost someone, but she had already said that her parents were sick. What if it was a terminal illness, or she had lost them already, but couldn't bring herself to terms with it? The way Cadance had described what happened with her, and how she felt, he couldn't help but wonder about Sunny. If she did lose her parent, would she be able to find anypony as Cadance had? He needed to talk with somepony about this, but the only person he could thing of was Cadance, and she wouldn't be over for a few days. Shining and Cadance had become close friends while she foalsat Twilight. He mostly talked to her after school before his parents got home. In the end, he decided he needed to talk to Cadance about it, so, he got up, and began to make his way to the castle. He had visited her there a few times, mostly when something happened at his parent's work, and they needed a foalsitter, but this was the first time he went to see her when it wasn't about foalsitting.

When he arrived at the palace, he was greeted by a couple of the royal guards, who recognized him. Though they didn't know about his aspirations to be a guard, from what they saw, they knew he would make a good addition. "Here to see Princess Cadance?" one of them asked.

"Yes," Shining replied, answering with enough sternest yet softness in his voice that would befit a guard, but still with enough urgency as to let him in.

One of the guards brought him to Cadance's quarters. After being assured that the Princess was awake, Shining knocked on the door.

Cadance opened the door. "Shining! It's good to see you," she said, before giving him a hug. "Are your parents needed at work today?"

"Actually, no. I actually wanted to talk to you about something," he said, after hugging her back.

"Oh?" she said, surprised. "Come on in, from your tone, it sounds important to you."

"It is," he replied, stepping in. He had never actually been inside her room. Most of the time, he just told her that his parents needed a foalsitter, and then he waited outside the door for her to get ready, before leaving with her. The room was big, though not bigger than expected, she did live in a palace after all. He was in awe of how it looked, before being pulled out of his thoughts.

"You wanted to talk to me about something?" Cadance asked.

"Yes. It's actually about somepony I just met a couple days ago. Apparently her parents are ill, and she seems worried about them. I know that I went through something similar when mom and Twily were in the hospital, but she seems worse, as if something has already happened, or will inevitably happen."

"And you wanted to talk to me because you know that I've gone through something similar, and would know better how to handle it. I could give you some advice, but, if perhaps something is happening as you suspect, it might be better if I talk to her myself. What is her name?"

"Her name is Sunny Glow. And thank you for the offer, I'm honestly not sure that I would be able to help her if something like that did happen. I was able to make her feel better the other night, but I fear it will not be enough," he said, with a concern in his voice.

Cadance always liked that Shining wanted to help other ponies. It was an admiral trait in anypony. She also thought about the name of this filly, Sunny. No, there was no way that Sunset would somehow wind up with the very family she foalsat for, and that she would need Princess Cadance's help of all ponies. She took a look back at the mirror that she was now keeping in her room. "Sure, I'll go. I don't have anything planned for today. I'll have the guards let Celestia know where I've gone. Anything else I should know about this filly?"

"Well, when she broke down the other night, it was after I asked her if she had any siblings. She said she wasn't able to talk about it, even after I was able to calm her down. It may be a touchy subject for her."

"Okay. I'll keep that in mind," Cadance replied, before they both headed out.

Both Twilight and Sunset had woken up after Shining had left. Night Light and Twilight Velvet were sleeping in, so Twilight and Sunset kept quiet. They had played a little bit, but were currently reading books on magic. They both wanted to learn everything they could about magic, though for different reasons. For Twilight, it was for the joys of learning, but for Sunset, it was to learn about it, and more about the place she now was, as well as being absolutely fascinated that it actually existed.

When Shining arrived back at home with Cadance, his parents were still asleep. So, Shining and Cadance went up to Twilight's bedroom to see if she and Sunny were awake. Cadance went to Shining's bedroom. Though she knew that Twilight would be happy to see her, she figured it was more important to talk to Sunny before getting the young filly excited. Shining had suggested that they talk in his bedroom, so that way they wouldn't have as many interruptions.

Shining went into Twilight's bedroom and found both her and Sunny reading. He smiled, it was an adorable sight. Twilight looked up from her book to see her brother. "Shining!" she said in an excited whisper, as she ran up to hug him. Sunset looked over to see that sight, and smiled at it.

"Hey, Twily, do you think I could have Sunny for a little bit?" he said, in a more serious voice.

Twilight nodded. "Is this about the other night?" she inquired.

"Kind of, yes. But remember, mom and dad are still asleep."

Sunset walked over to Shining, worry on her face.

"Don't worry, you're not in trouble or anything," he assured her, before they both left the room. Twilight quickly returned to her book.

Shining and Sunset walked over to his room. Shining gestured to let Sunset in first. Sunset walked in to find an Alicorn. This was the second one she saw in as many days.

Cadance was looking around at Shining's room to distract herself, when she heard both Shining and Sunny walk in, and the door close. She turned around, and started to say, "Shining, did you get Sun-"

She stopped suddenly when she saw that the filly before her was none other that Sunset Shimmer. She stood there for a few seconds before asking, "Shining, could you give us some alone time? It might go a bit smoother if there were just two of us."

"Um, sure," he said, before leaving the room.

Sunset looked confused, and slightly worried. "Sunset Shimmer?!" she heard the princess in front of her say in shock.

Sunsets eyes widened, with worry. She figured that she would be found out, but not this soon. Soon she would be cast out, or be put in jail for coming to Equestria illegally. "How... how did you know my name?" Sunset asked, worry in her voice.

"Do you really not recognize me?" Cadance asked, the look of surprise still visible on her face.

"Am I supposed to? Is it because you're a princess? But then why would you recognize me, let alone know my name?" Sunset said, in a panic.

Cadance was able to regain her composure, before putting her hoof on Sunset, trying to calm her down. "So, you don't remember me? Did the mirror do something to you?" Cadance asked, concern still clear in her voice.

Sunset, however, was still panicking. "Mirror? What mirror? Did that mirror I looked at give me some sort of hallucination? But then why would you know about it?"

Cadance looked at Sunset's flank, and saw that it was indeed blank, as it was in Celestia's spell. Cadance assumed that the mirror might have changed Sunset, but, looking at her, it was as if she was looking at another Sunset. Celestia said that the mirror led to another world. What if this other world somehow had another Sunset? But that was impossible, wasn't it? And the fact that this Sunset appeared right after the other Sunset left, made it even more impossible. "Sunset, what are your parents' names?" Cadance asked, hoping to see what this Sunset did know.

This hurt Sunset, not because of the person asking the question, but the question itself. "My... my mom's name is... was Sunstar Glow. My dad's name is Firelight Shine," Sunset answered, tears welling up in her eyes.

Cadance knew that these were indeed Sunset's parents names, but, the way she said it, with her mom's in the past tense, and her dad's in the present, as well as no mention of Celestia. Cadance knew that Sunset's parents died in an accident, together, but what Sunset had just said seemed to imply otherwise. She put her hoof under Sunset's chin, to comfort her. "Sunset, it's okay, it's going to be okay. Think of the stars, young one, think of the stars." This had comforted Sunset after she lost her parents before being adopted by Celestia, hopefully they would work now.

"The... the stars?" Sunset mumbled.

"Yes, the stars," Cadance said.

This appeared to calm Sunset down. The stars had always been special to her, how they symbolize great things, but still being so small in the sky.

Cadance still knew that there was only one way to know the truth about this Sunset, to ask her directly. She also knew that, if she indeed was from another world, she would be terrified of the ramifications. But, if she was the Sunset she knew, then she might talk about her last memories before the mirror. "Sunset, you're not in trouble, but what do you remember from before the mirror?"

Sunset, however, hesitated. She might not be in trouble now, but she could be if they learned she was from another world.

"Sunset, please. What happened before the mirror? If you tell me, I promise to help in any way I can, but I can't help you if you don't tell me what happened."

Sunset hesitated again, but this time, she spoke up. "I was running, I was running and leaned up against a statue, and the next thing I remember, I'm in front of a mirror."

"So, you fell through the portal?" Cadance asked, hoping to clarify things.

Sunset started to panic again. "A portal? But how? And why would it change me? And how does that make you know who I am?" Sunset had temporarily forgotten that Cadance was still there, but realized it after her last question, and put her hoof over her mouth.

"Don't worry, young one, you are not in trouble. It was an accident. What were you running from?" Cadance asked, hoping to find more answers.

Sunset somehow felt as if she could trust this pony, but she didn't know why. "My dad," she admitted.

"Your dad? But why?"

"Because I would have gotten more bruises had I not run off!" she snapped, before suddenly cowering away.

Gears turned in Cadance's mind. So one of her parents were alive on this other world, and yet not as kind as how her Sunset had described him. She considered how the young filly would react if she knew there was a way home. However, before she had a chance to asked, she heard Sunset plea with her. "Please don't lock me up or make me go back. I'll do anything. I... I just can't bear to see him, not how he is, and I'm not sure what will happen this time." There was a worry in Sunset's voice.

Cadance considered what Sunset was saying for a few moments, and that something bad could happen to her if she were sent back. Not only this, but Cadance knew the portal would not open again for another 29 moons. "I won't make you go back, Sunset. But, you will need a place to live. I can make you all the legal documents to live here, but please try not to tell anypony where you're from, it might make you seem crazy. And, there is another thing I have to tell you. There was another Sunset Shimmer, on this world. Both of her parents died. The legal records should not be too hard to find, but you will at least have to tell the family you're staying with at least the partial truth. I'm sure that they'll even let you stay with them for a few days."

Sunset nodded at this, but tears welled in her eyes.

"I promise, everything will be okay. Just say strong. It will get better. I lost my parents when I was young. Fortunately, another family found me, and loved me as their own. I'm sure you will find a family just as great," Cadance said, comforting her.

"Thanks, Princess," Sunset said, drying up, not knowing what to call her.

"No problem, and it's Cadance. There's no need to call me Princess here," the pink alicorn said, before heading to the door. "Do you want to tell them about your predicament, or shall I?"

"I can try, but, do you think you could help?" Sunset asked.

"Of course. I know this can't be easy, but I am sure that it will be okay."

Later, the entire Sparkle family had gathered in their living room, with Cadance and Sunset standing in front of them.

"It's about time I told you the truth," Sunset said. "The truth is that my name isn't Sunny Glow. It's Sunset Shimmer. And my parents aren't ill, they... they..." She couldn't complete what she had to say.

"A little bit ago, her parents had an accident," Cadance picked up, helping Sunset. "Her parents didn't make it. She was never put in an orphanage, but now that we know, she will need to find somepony to adopt her. In the meantime, while I make the arrangements, do you think she could she could stay with you? I hope I'm not asking too much."

Everypony else was surprised. "Do you think you could excuse us for a few minutes while we discuss this?" Night Light asked.

"Of course," Cadance said, before leading Sunset back upstairs.

Sunset was worried that they would say no, and she would have to find someplace else to stay while Cadance made the arrangements. Cadance could see her worry, and decided to distract her. She decided to help Sunset practice some magic, even though she was pretty new at it herself.

After about an hour, they were called back downstairs. Everypony was where they were, with Cadance and Sunset standing up front again. Twilight Sparkle had a huge smile on her face, though Sunset was unsure that they would include her in the conversation. Shining even had a smirk on his face. However, it was Night Light's and Twilight Velvet's stern faces that worried her.

Twilight Velvet was the first to speak up. "After much deliberation, we have decided that you cannot stay with us until you find a family to adopt you," she said.

Sunset's head dropped, having known that they might deny her staying with them after she lied to them.

"But, this is because we have decided to adopt you," she continued. "It took some convincing, but Shining did make a strong case for you. And, we feel like you would make a good addition to the family."

Sunset looked up with shock. She couldn't believe what she heard. "Really?" she asked.

"Really," Night Light said.

"Well, this turned out better that expected," Cadance said.

"I'm getting a sister! Yes! Yes! Yes! And it's Sunny, er, Sunset!" Twilight Sparkle was definitely the most excited, as she jumped up and hugged Sunset.

Sunset looked up, and saw Shining smile at her. "Welcome to the family, Sunny," he said. "Can I still call you Sunny?"

"Yes," she said. Everypony then came together in a group hug, with Sunset in the middle.

After many smiles and much hugging, Cadance spoke up. "Don't worry, I'll handle the paperwork. And Sunset, like I said, it's going to be okay."

"Thanks Cadance," she said, with a massive smile on her face.

"Now, I should probably get back to the castle," Cadance said.

"Cadance, wait!" Twilight cried.

"Of course I wouldn't forget," she said to Twilight.

"Sunshine, sunshine, ladybugs awake! Clap your hooves and do a little shake!" they both sang together, while doing the dance.

"Bye, everypony!" Cadance said, leaving, as the Sparkle family did one more group hug.

Author's Note

Okay, I know it's Wednesday, but I just couldn't wait!

I present to you, the beginning of Part II: Family!

This one definitely lightened the mood, especially with that ending. If you haven't read it yet, what are you doing in the Author's notes. Go. Read it now!

I had a lot of trouble figuring out how I should start the chapter, with a dream or with Sunset's thoughts, but after I while I found that Shining's perspective was the best way to start.

Cadance was also something that I had not planned for this chapter, but revealing at least part of the truth was too difficult and felt too forced without her, as well as that last part.

I had planned this from when the second chapter I had the Sparkles in, and I knew I had to let it build. My initial plan was just to have none of the mane characters until far later, such as when Sunset was grown up, but this idea came to me while writing, and it felt so much better. I might explore that other idea at a later point in time, but this is what called me.

I hope everyone enjoyed it! I still have no editor, so any mistakes you notice and comment on, I will do my best to fix! See you all next Friday, unless I get overexcited again.