Chapters Sunset Shimmer woke with a start. She glanced at her digital alarm clock.
02:00AM
*knock knock knock*
Who would be knocking on her door at this hour? Flash had left around 11 after their date. She hoped this wasn't another of Pinkie's or Rainbow's pranks.
"That better not be a raven knocking on my chamber door." Sunset called quite pleased with her own wit at this Celestia forsaken hour. She tied her bathrobe around her before looking through the peephole on her apartment door. All she could see was a red bow. She sighed before opening the door.
"Apple Bloom, what are you doing here at this time of night?" Sunset asked rubbing the sleep out of her eyes.
"Can ah stay here for the night Sunset?" Apple Bloom asked. Now that Sunset was looking at her, she could tell that the younger girl had been crying.
"Hey, what's wrong Apple Bloom?" Sunset asked, a touch of concern in her voice.
"AJ and ah had a fight, and I ran away from home!" Apple Bloom cried.
"Shshsh, why don't you sit on the couch and tell me about it." Sunset said, "Would you like something to drink, soda, tea, coffee?"
"Soda please." Apple Bloom replied, waiting for Sunset to sit down. While she was grabbing them each a soda out of her fridge she grabbed her phone off the counter where she had placed it to charge overnight and placed it in her pocket. Then she sat down on the couch opposite of Apple Bloom.
"Tell me what happened." Sunset said.
"Granny and Big Mac went to go visit Goldie Delicious 'cause she is sick, AJ was gonna go with 'em and I was gonna stay home by myself, but AJ decided that she needed to stay and watch me instead. I'm old enough to be by mahself for one night." Apple Bloom pouted.
"You know that AJ is just concerned about you, you're growing up fast and AJ is your big sister. And I realize that AJ can be overprotective. If I had had a big sister to look out for me, maybe I wouldn't have made some of the more questionable choices that I have made in life." Sunset explained. She was startled by something vibrating in her pocket. She pulled out her phone and looked at it. One name on on the screen.
Applejack.
Sunset held up her finger, signaling that Apple Bloom should be quiet.
"Yes Applejack." Sunset said, "AJ, calm down, she's here at my place. Why doesn't she stay here tonight and you two can talk thing over in the morning during breakfast, my treat."
Apple Bloom couldn't hear her sister's side of the conversation.
"Ok, we'll see you tomorrow morning at the diner... Well then call Pinkie and let her know you found her." Sunset said, "bye."
Sunset put her phone back in her pocket. She took a sip from her soda then looked at Apple Bloom.
"AJ is really worried about you, she called Pinkie. I guess Limestone was ready to burn down the city to find you." Sunset said, "in the morning we're going to talk to AJ, tonight we are going to get some sleep. You get the bed in the loft, I'll sleep here on the couch."
"OK." Apple Bloom said standing up and walking toward the stairs to the loft.
" Hey, Apple Bloom, why did you come to me and not one of your friends like Sweetie Belle or Scootaloo?" asked Sunset.
"Those would be the first places that AJ would look, and I don't know where Silver Spoon lives." Apple Bloom said, "and ah figured that you would be able to talk me out of it."
Sunset nodded before smiling. She looked at Apple Bloom and then said, " I'm glad that I could help you out."
"Oh, Sunset, what was that you said about a raven before you opened the door?" Apple Bloom asked.
"Just quoting one of my favorite poems." Sunset answered.
Scootaloo was focused on the piecies of plastic in front of her. Someone or something was trying to break her concentration. She felt something push against her leg. She jumped in her seat and looked down. There was a tortoise nudging against her.
"Tank!" Scootaloo cried, "what are you doing out of your aquarium?"
She heard laughter coming from her bedroom door. Scootaloo turned and looked and saw her sister, Rainbow Dash, leaning against the door frame.
"Heya squirt." Rainbow said, "you were so into what you were building you didn't hear me call your name. So what are you building?"
"The Enterprise-E." Scootaloo said holding up the box.
"I thought you already built the Enterprise." Rainbow said, pointing to a model that was suspended from Scootaloo's bedroom ceiling by fishing wire.
"That's the Enterprise NX-01, this is the Enterprise-E, they're completely different." Scootaloo explained, "you know what, I'll have dad explain it to you."
"You aren't kidding, you would wouldn't you." Rainbow said, sticking out her tongue, "oh, before I forget, mom wanted me to tell you to get ready, we're going out tonight, dad will meet us there."
That shocked Scootaloo, since Rainbow's family had adopted her She had learned that they only ate out on special occasions, they usually ate family meals at home, waiting for Rainbow and Scootaloo to get home from whichever sport practice they had that day.
"What's up?"Scootaloo asked as she stood up and grabbed the new hoodie that she had been given during Hanukkah.
"Don't know, mom just wanted me to tell you to get ready." Rainbow said.
Despite her many questions Scootaloo was unable to get her mom to divulge any information. Scootaloo's eyes went wide when the car pulled into one of Canterlots's more prestigious steak houses.
Once inside they were led to one of the private party dining rooms in the back of the restaurant. Inside were all her friends, her sisters friends, even Principle Celestia and Vice-Principle Luna. What really caught her eye was the banner proclaiming: CONGRATULATIONS SCOOTALOO!
"Wh-what is all this?" Scootaloo asked fighting back tears.
Rainbow spoke first.
"Its been six months since my parents adopted you, and well, Pinkie wanted to throw you a proper party."
==================================
Scootaloo couldn't sleep. She was waiting for the other shoe to drop. She got up and wrapped herself her blanket, then she walked quietly out of her room. Her room, she still wasn't used to that. As she passed the open door to Rainbow's room she could hear the older girl snoring. As she glanced she could have sworn that her pet tortoise was wearing ear muffs. She heard what sounded like the TV playing from downstairs and followed the sound. She found Rainbow's dad, Mr. Hothoof, seated on the couch facing the TV with a glass of milk and a plate of cookies on the coffee table in front of him. He looked at her when she entered the room.
"Can't sleep Scootaloo?" he asked. She just nodded, "well come here you can watch one of my favorite shows with me."
Scootaloo sat down on the couch.
"Help yourself to some cookies, I won't tell if you won't. Want a glass of milk?" Bow Hothoof asked the newest member of his family. Again Scootaloo only nodded.
"Neither Windy and Rainbow like this show, so it will be nice to have someone to share it with." Bow said after returning with a glass of milk for Scootaloo.
"What are watching?" Scootaloo asked.
"You'll see." was the last thing Bow Hothoof said before pressing the play button on the remote. Scootaloo heard a voice with a foreign accent say: "These are the voyages of the starship Enterprise, its continuing mission; to explore strange new worlds, to seek out new life and civilizations, to boldly go where no one has gone before!"
==================================
Scootaloo had loved the show she had watched and soon, it had become her nightly ritual to watch it with her dad each night. As time had passed she had grown closer to both of her adoptive parents and to Rainbow, she had nearly forgotten that a year ago she had been in foster care. She now had a family, a real family.
Some people don't believe in miracles, but Scootaloo wasn't one of them. She knew that miracles were real, because one had happened to her.
Rainbow looked up from her guitar. Scootaloo was standing outside her room.
"That sounds new." Scootaloo said.
"It's something Pinkie, Aria and I have been working on." Rainbow answered, "how was basketball practice?"
"Same as always. Coach Luna is driving us hard for the game against Crystal Prep this week." Scootaloo said.
"Yeah, Luna can be quite the task master." Rainbow said thinking back to her time on the junior varsity team when she had been a freshman. She wasn't going to admit it anyone, but Scootaloo was better at basketball than she was, if it wasn't for Scootaloo's age, she would have likely been on the varsity team. Scootaloo looked at her sister a moment.
"Mom's making lasagna tonight, I'm off to do my homework," Scootaloo said, "oh before I forget, Sorin wanted to know if you were free Friday night after the game."
Rainbow watched her sister turn from the door and head to her room. She was glad to have a sister. It had filled a void in her life that she hadn't realized had been there. She absent mindedly reached down and scratched Tank's chin as she thought back.
==================================
It had been two weeks since the battle of the bands at CHS. Rainbow found herself hanging out at the mall with Rarity, Applejack and Rarity's younger sister Sweetie Belle. Rarity and Applejack had just started dating, and Rarity had dragged AJ off to a nearby clothing store leaving Rainbow and Sweetie Belle in the food court.
"So, Sweetie Belle, why are you chaperoning the two love birds and not with the Crusaders today?" Rainbow asked the younger girl.
"Apple Bloom went to Manehatten to visit her cousin Babs and Scootaloo is meeting with her social worker today." Sweetie Bell answered.
"Social worker? Why does Scootaloo have a social worker?" Rainbow asked, a look of puzzlement on her face.
"Scootaloo is in foster care, didn't you know?" Sweetie said.
"No she never said anything to me." Rainbow said barely above a whisper.
"What do you girls think?" Rarity said suddenly. Rainbow hadn't noticed Rarity and Applejack walk back up. Applejack was wearing a red dress reminiscent of the one worn by Jessica Rabbit. The dress looked out of place on Applejack and the farm girl was obviously way out of her comfort zone.
"I really liked her socks." Sweetie Belle said after a while.
"Looks nice." Rainbow said. While she was physically present, mentally she was elsewhere.
Later that night Rainbow explained things to her parents.
"Rainbow you know that this is a discision that we all need to make," her mom had said, "and we need to take Scootaloo's feelings into account."
"I know, and Scootaloo already looks up to me," Rainbow said, "plus you are both the most awesome parents out there."
"We won't promise anything," her father had said after a while, " but we'll look into it."
The next few weeks had included meetings with the social worker but before long Scootaloo had been officially adopted by Rainbow's family.
==================================
Rainbow put her guitar away and stretched. Then she walked down the hall to Scootaloo's room. She picked up Scootaloo's basketball
"Hey Squirt, how about a game of one on one?"
It was a fairly normal Saturday evening in the Pie family household. Limestone sat on the couch wearing headphones listening to a heavy metal album while reading a romance novel, Maude was engrossed in a geology documentary on the TV. Silver Spoon had come over to spend time with her sisters and was playing one of Marble's favorite games; KeRpLuNk!, and lastly Pinkie was fooling around in the kitchen. Igneous Rock and Cloudy Quartz had gone out for the evening to allow their children to have some bonding time.
"Whatever you are making smells good Pinkamena." Limestone said.
"Mmhm." Marble said.
"What are you making Pinkie?" Silver Spoon asked.
"You'll see, or rather taste, soon." Pinkie giggled. "It's a recipe that Mr. Doodle gave me."
Limestone rolled her eyes Then winked at Silver Spoon and Marble.
"Hopefully this turns out better than your Tabasco spinach cupcakes." Maude said. Silver Spoon shuddered at the thought of such a pancake flavor and she thought she saw Marble turn visibly green.
"Yeah, those were pretty awful." Pinkie said. She picked up a block of cheese and a cheese grater and began to vigorously shred apart the brick of cheddar.
KER-CRASH!!!! Silver Spoon nearly jumped off the couch and then she realized the Marble had just caused all the marbles in the game to come crashing down. She looked at Marble and saw that she was giggling at her discomfort.
"Marble, you did that on purpose!" Silver Spoon exclaimed.
"Mmhmm." Marble said between giggles. Limestone rolled her eyes again, Maude said nothing as she returned to her documentary. Pinkie appeared and placed a bowl on the coffee table, then she reached into her hair and pulled out a bag of tortilla chips and placed it next to the bowl.
"Here." Pinkie said. Limestone, Silver Spoon and Marble all took a chip and took some of the dip and tried some.
"This is good Pinkie, what it is this dip?" Limestone asked.
"Five cheese ghost pepper bean dip." Pinkie deadpanned. Limestone Silver Spoon and Marble all stopped and looked the chips they were each holding.
"So hot." Silver Spoon said in a whisper. She, Limestone and Marble all jumped up at the same time and scrambled into the kitchen to get some water to cool down the inside of their mouths. The water only seemed to make it worse. Eventually they each had a glass of milk which relieved the burning each of them felt.
"Hungry Boulder? Here have a chip." Maude said. Silver Spoon watched as Maude put some of the dip on a chip and put it next to her pet rock.
There was a sudden knock at the door. Marble answered it and found Applejack, Apple Bloom, and Sunset standing outside.
"Ooh, chips!" Apple Bloom said as she dipped a chip into the dip. Silver Spoon noticed that the chip next to Boulder seemed to have a small bite taken out of it, and there was some condensation on the rock.
Author's Note
This one is a a stand alone story not apart of any story arc in this series, but is is still part of this series.
As always comments are appreciated.
Squirrels. Squirrels everywhere! They're after Twilight! No! Must. Stop. The. Squirrels! Spike awoke with a start. He jumped up onto Twilight's bed. She was fast asleep, a stuffed bunny that Fluttershy had given her was cradled in her arms. It was only a nightmare. Spike curled up at the foot of Twilight's bed and drifted back to sleep.
The sun was shining through the bedroom window when Spike awoke the next morning. Twilight had already gone downstairs. Spike walked to the kitchen to find that everyone was eating breakfast. Even Cadence and Shining Armor had come over. However from the sound coming from the living room, they had brought something else with them. He went to investigate and found his way blocked by a gate.
"What's this doing here?" He asked turning to look at Twilight.
"Oh Spike, that's to keep Flurry Heart from wandering all over." Cadence said.
"Who is Flurry Heart? Did you get a dog?" Spike asked excitedly not realizing that his tail was wagging seemingly with a mind of its own. Twilight looked at Cadence with a questioning look in her eyes and Cadence nodded. Twilight then reached down and picked up Spike the she unmatched the gate and went into the living room. The furniture had been rearranged to make room for a blanket that was sprawled out on the floor. Twilight's father, Night Light, sat in an armchair holding something. Twilight set Spike on the blanket then she turned to her father and carefully took what ever he had been holding and turned back to face Spike. She placed something on the blanket. To Spike it looked like Twilight, but smaller.
"That's not a dog." Spike said, tilting his head in confusion.
"No Spike, this is my niece, Flurry Heart." Twilight said. Spike cautiously sniffed at Flurry Heart. She looked at him and cooed and giggled. Then she reached her hand out and tapped Spike on the head.
"Aww." Twilight and her dad said simultaneously.
Author's Note
I wanted to write one about Spike the dog. Everyone loves puppies and babies right?
"Hold still darling," Rarity said, "you'll ruin the look if you keep fidgeting."
They were in Rarity's studio, which had begun life as a spare bedroom, but Rarity had convinced her parents to let convert the mostly unused space into a place where she could let her muse reign free. There were bolts of cloth stacked in one corner, clippings from various fashion magazines lined the walls. Tho was her space.
"I'm not comfortable in these clothes." Rainbow said.
"Aw, you look adorable." Aria said, which caused Indigo Zap to chortle.
"Why are you two my friends again?" Rainbow asked rhetorically.
"You know you love us Dashie." Indigo said, "so who is the lucky boy this time? Thunderlane or Soarin?"
Scootaloo suddenly looked up from her video game.
"Thunderlane?" she asked, " I thought you were dating Soarin."
Rainbow blushed.
"Can we just get this over with." Rainbow said in a low growl, the sooner I get out of here the sooner I can avoid unnecessary questions."
"Then hold still RAINBOW DASH!" Rarity said.
Rarity was finally able to get Rainbow to hold still long enough to get her dress fitted, Rainbow then left with her sister and Aria and Indigo. Rarity decided to take a break and poured herself a cup of chamomile tea. She sat sipping it when she heard laughter, it sounded like her sister, and a boys voice. Rarity knew that her parents wouldn't be thrilled if Sweetie Belle had brought a boy over while they weren't home. They were still adjusting to Rarity's relationship with Applejack. She looked at the pictures thumb tacked to one of the cork boards on the wall. One of her favorite photos was of Applejack dressed like Jessica Rabbit. Rarity had convinced Applejack to allow Photo Finish to do a professional style photo shoot.
"Sweetie, darling, you know mom's rules about brining boys home when they aren't here." Rarity said getting up. Opening the door she saw a couple tail turn the corner and Sweetie Belle was chasing it.
"Sweetie, what's going on?" Rarity asked.
Sweetie Belle stopped and turned toward her older sister.
"Twilight and her parents went to look at a college up in Manehatten this weekend, and they asked me if I would watch Spike." Sweetie Belle said as she bent over to pick up Spike, "and who could say no this face."
"Ok, just keep it down-," Rarity's phone began to ring, she reached into her pocket and saw that it was her father. She held up one finger signaling to Sweetie Belle to give her one moment, "Hello father. Yes. She is. You will. Ok we'll see you when you get home." Rarity put her phone back in her pocket. Before looking at Sweetie Belle.
"Mother and Father were invited to a party being held by the Spoon family tonight, so it's just us tonight." Rarity said., would you like it if I ordered a pizza dear?"
"Pineapple and pepperoni?" Sweetie Belle asked, her face lighting up.
"But of of course, darling." Rarity said, smiling at her younger sister.
"Yay!" Sweetie Belle exclaimed before chasing Spike once more around the house.
"Come here Spike,"Rarity said. She then proceeded to fold the cloth and tie it around the puppy's neck like a bandana.
Sunset and Flash were enjoying a quiet night. Instead of going out, Sunset had cooked dinner. Now they were sitting on her couch watching a movie together.
*knock-knock*
"Who could that be?" Sunset said aloud looking at Flash, who looked at her and shrugged, "the girls all know that we had a date tonight."
Flash got off the couch and went to the door and looked through the peephole.
"It's some girl our age, but I don't recognize her." Flash said.
Sunset thought that was odd, Flash new everyone at CHS. Who else would be showing up at her apartment at this time of night on a weekend. She got up and looked through the peephole, then she opened the door.
"Starlight! What brings you here?" Sunset asked Starlight Glimmer.
"I needed to talk to someone." Starlight said, "Trixie wouldn't understand, and Twilight tends to over analyze things."
Starlight then noticed Flash for the first time.
"Am I interrupting?" Starlight asked looking between Sunset and Flash.
"Yes," Sunset said, "but since you're here, how can I help with your problem."
Flash was confused, Sunset obviously knew this girl, and she knew Sunset. He was positive that she didn't attend CHS. The look of confusion on his face was as clear as glass. Sunset could see it.
"Flash, this is Starlight Glimmer, she is a friend from Equestria," Sunset said, "Starlight, meet Flash Sentry, my boyfriend."
Starlight was trying to make up her mind whether to stay or not. She decided to stay.
"Hearts and Hooves Day is coming up." Starlight said.
"There is a similar holiday here called Valentine's Day." Sunset said mostly for Flash's benefit.
"Well I want to ask somepony to the celebration in Ponyville, but I don't know how to ask him." Starlight explained.
"Well, if you know the stallion in question well, you should probably just ask him." Sunset said, "who is he?"
"My oldest friend, Sunburst." Starlight said.
"Wait, did you say Sunburst?" Sunset asked, a look of shock on her face.
"Yes." Starlight said, "do you know him?"
"Of course I know Sunburst," Sunset said, "he's my little brother."
Now it was Starlight's and Flash's turns to be shocked.
"He's your brother!" Starlight exclaimed.
"You have a bother?" Flash asked.
"Half-brother actually," Sunset stood up and went to a small wooden chest on her bookshelf. Taking a key from around her neck she unlocked and took something out of it. When she sat back down she placed an old photograph on the table. Starlight picked it up and looked at it. The photograph had been taken in Equestria. It showed a younger Sunset standing next to a much younger Sunburst. They both had huge smiles on their faces. She set the picture back on the coffee table.
"You both look so happy." Starlight said after a moment of silence.
"That picture was taken during a family picnic, the next day I went to Celestia's school for gifted unicorns." Sunset recalled, a single tear running down her cheek. Flash but his arm around his girl friend in an attempt to comfort her.
"Has it been that long since you've seen him?" Starlight asked. Sunset just nodded.
Sunset picked up the photo and looked at it longingly.
"I haven't thought about Sunburst in several months." Sunset said in a near whisper. Flash tightened his grip around Sunset.
"Have you thought about going to see him?" Flash asked, "I'm sure he would like to see you."
Starlight thought about what Flash had said.
"You should come visit." Starlight said.
"You think that would be alright?" Sunset asked.
Author's Note
The idea for this story came to me suddenly. Honestly Sunset and Starburst look a lot alike.
As always I appreciate questions and comments.
Sunset, Flash, Starlight, and the rest of the Rainbooms sat on the bleachers at CHS. Even though it was a Saturday, many students used the fields to play or hangout on the weekends.
"So let me get this straight," Applejack said, "you have a brother in Equestria that you haven't seen in years?"
"Decades really," Sunset said, "and he is my half-brother."
"Silly Sunset," Pinkie said, "you can't have only half of a brother. Well you could, but it would get messy and the police would get involved..."
"Pinkemena, you aren't helping." Rarity said before looking at Sunset, "well what are you going to do darling?"
"I want to go see him, but I don't know if he wants to see me," Sunset said, " last time we saw each other he was still a foal. We've both grown up and gone our own ways."
Sunset looked at her friends, she could see in each of their eyes that they would support her no matter what choice she made. Strangely, it was Twilight who spoke first.
"I think you should see him, he is your family after all." Twilight said taking off her glasses to clean them. The rest of her friends nodded in agreement.
"All of you think I should do this?" Sunset asked.
"Sunset, the others weren't there, but I saw you break down when you were telling Starlight and I about Sunburst." Flash said, "you need to heal some wounds in your soul."
Sunset looked at her boyfriend.
"You're right of course." Sunset said finally, "I'll do it."
"Ooh can we come too?" Pinkie said.
"Better not, I nearly destroyed Equestria once," Starlight said, "I don't want to be responsible for a world shattering paradox that destroys two worlds."
Everyone except Sunset looked at Starlight with wide eyes.
"We've all been there." Pinkie said handing Starlight a red velvet cupcake.
==================================
The journey through the portal had been uneventful, as had her reception at Ponyville, Princess Twilight had gone to Canterlot to visit her friends there.
"Sunset, what was Starburst like as a foal?" Starlight asked.
"He loved to play Dragon Pit." Sunset said, "and his favorite book was the illustrated edition of Legends of Equestria."
"Really? We used to play Dragon Pit when we were growing up." Starlight said.
"He also loved to watch me practice my magic." Sunset thought aloud.
"NEXT STOP THE CRYSTAL EMPIRE!" the conductor called, "ALL OUT FOR THE CRYSTAL EMPIRE!"
Sunset and Starlight disembarked from the train. Sunset marveled at the beauty of the Crystal Empire.
"Is that a statue of... Spike?" Sunset asked eyeing a large crystal sculpture of a familiar looking dragon.
Yeah, he's kind of a big thing here in the Empire." Starlight said and then she proceeded to tell Sunset the story of how Spike had saved the Crystal Empire twice.
"That sounds incredible." Sunset said as they approached the Crystal Palace.
"Well it's true." Starlight said with a laugh.
Once inside the castle they made their way to the throne room.
"Starlight, Sunset, how nice of you to visit, what brings you back to Equestria Sunset?" Princess Cadence asked.
"Um, we're here to see Sunburst." Sunset said nervously.
"That can be arranged, I believe he's in the castle library. Starlight, do you remember where it is?" Shining Armor said.
"Yes, I'll lead Sunset there." Starlight said.
Sunburst was so focused on the book he was reading that he didn't notice Starlight and Sunset enter the library. Starlight found a quill and used it to tickle Sunburst's ear, much to Sunset's amusement. Sunburst looked up.
"Oh hey Starlight, Sunset," Sunburst said, then he got a good look at who was with Starlight and his voice filled with anger, "SUNSET!"
"First you leave your family behind to go learn magic as Princess Celestia's student," Sunburst snarled, "then you run away from Equestria only to to return to steal Princess Twilight's crown? You have some nerve showing your face here!"
Starlight looked at Sunburst in shock, this was a side of him she had never seen before. Sunset on the other hand was on the verge of tears.
"I was ecstatic when I earned my cutie mark and was accepted to Celestia's school, it meant that I could be with my big sister again! But when I got there I learned that you had run away the day before." Sunburst continued, "I felt betrayed, and you broke dad's heart."
Sunset couldn't take it, she turned and ran, a trail of tears behind her. Starlight wanted to chase after her, to comfort her friend. But, there was something she needed to do first. She turned to face Sunburst.
"How. Could. You. Do. That. To. Your. Own. Sister?" Starlight seethed, " she came here to see you and to apologize. You have no idea what she has been through and you throw her away like an old candy wrapper?"
Sunburst was at a loss for words. He had thought that he would never Sunset again. And when he had he had been carried away by his emotions. He hadn't thought about what he was saying.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to say those things." Sunburst said.
I'm not the one you should be apologizing too." Starlight said.
==================================
Shining Armor found Sunset crying on one of the balconies overlooking the city. He could tell that she had been crying.
"Everything ok Sunset?" he asked.
"Sunburst hates me. Everybody probably hates me." Sunset said.
"That's not true, Sunset." Shining said, "Twilight doesn't hate you, in fact she thinks of you as a friend. She told Cadence and I what you did, both during the fall formal and against the Sirens, and we don't hate you either. Come with me, I want to introduce you to somepony."
Shining Armor led down the hall and into the nursery. Cadence was inside playing with a young foal. Both Cadence and the foal turned and looked at the new comers. The foal held our her forelegs toward Shining Armor.
"Bada!" she said.
"Sunset, meet Flurry Heart." Shining Armor said, "she doesn't hate you."
Flurry looked at Sunset, then at her father before looking back at Sunset. Then, much to Sunsets surprise Flurry spread her wings and flew over to Sunset, landing on her back and burying her face onto Sunset's mane. Both Cadence and Shining Armor grinned.
"Sunset can we talk?" Sunburst asked nervously from the door to the nursery.
Sunset turned and saw Sunburst standing in the doorway, Starlight was standing behind him. Upon seeing Sunburst, Flurry cooed excitedly and the flew to him and landed on him and hugged his neck.
"Not so tight little one." he said.
Shining Armor and Cadence left the room, taking Flurry with them. As soon as they had left Starlight ushered both Sunset and Starburst into the nursery, closing the door behind her.
Author's Note
This arc will end Journeys but I have two more stories/chapters for this arc planned. So stay tuned.
I had given some thought to tie this series in with the events of A Spoon for a Princess , since Flurry Heart was in this story, I still might. I don't know.
As always I appreciate questions and comments.
Starlight locked the door behind her. And then turned and looked at both Sunset and Sunburst. She was uncertain what to do, but then she remembered something she read in the Friendship Journal ; A true true friend helps a friend in need. Sunburst and Sunset were her friends. Besides the Friendship Map had sent her to solve a friendship problem involving Princess Celestia and Princess Lune, so fixing this should be a breeze, right?
"Sunset, why don't you tell Sunburst your side of the story," Starlight said, "since we already heard Sunburst's version."
Sunset hesitated for a moment and Starlight could see that she was trying to decide what to say.
"Sunburst, she I was Celestia's student, I was shown that in the future I could be one of the most powerful unicorns ever, possibly even an alicorn." Sunset said, "I became greedy for as much knowledge and power that I could get."
"Celestia saw this and decided take a slower approach to my studies." Sunset continued, "I felt that she was unfairly withholding that power from me, so I fled Equestria, abandoning you and our family in process. It wasn't until years later that I realized my screw-ups. I never meant to hurt you or dad."
Starlight and Sunburst listened to Sunset tell her story.
"I'm here to apologize, I know I can't change the past, but I hope that one day you will forgive me little brother." Sunset finished.
Sunburst was quiet for a long moment. Starlight could tell that he was mulling over what Sunset had told him.
"After you left, dad and I were devastated. You were never close to my mother, but even she missed you. Dad took it the hardest though." Sunburst said, "After a while he just gave up on living."
Sunset was on the verge tears.
"Daddy." Sunset quietly cried.
"He forgave you in the end." Sunburst said quietly, holding back tears. Suddenly Sunburst wrapped his forelegs around Sunset.
"I've missed you Sunburst." Sunset said.
"I've missed you too Sunset." Sunburst said, "and I forgive you."
Sunset felt a weight lifted off of her shoulders. Then she remembered something.
"Sunburst," Sunset said, "Starlight has a question for you."
Sunset looked from Sunset to Starlight. Starlight could feel her cheeks blush.
"Sunburst, I was wondering if you weren't doing anything, would be my special somepony for Hearts and Hooves Day?" Starlight asked.
Now it was Sunburst's turn to blush.
"You want me to be your special somepony?" Sunburst asked, "I was going to ask you."
"So that's a yes?" Starlight asked. Sunburst nodded.
"Yay." Sunset said to herself.
==================================
Sunburst went with Starlight and Sunset on their return trip to Ponyville. They were greeted at the castle by Princess Twilight. She looked happy that Sunset had reconciled with her family.
"I have a gift for the both of you." Twilight said to Sunset and Sunburst. She then used her magic the levitate a journal to each of them.
"Is this?" Sunset asked.
"It is." Twilight confirmed.
"What, it's just a journal." Sunburst said confused.
"What ever I write in mine will appear in yours, and vice-versa." Sunset said, "that way we can still communicate even though we are worlds apart."
"Most impressive." Sunburst said.
"Sunburst you are going to have to come visit me sometime, my friends would love to meet you." Sunset said.
"I plan on it, your world sounds interesting from what both you and Starlight have told me." Sunburst said.
Sunset gave everypony, including Spike, a hug before stepping through the mirror.
Author's Note
And this is the end. For now.
Sorry it is so short. I plan to have a longer sequel, though I don't know when it will be posted.
As always questions and comments are appreciated.
Applejack was furious. And worried. It had been fifteen minutes since Apple Bloom had stormed out of the house and into the night. Applejack thought back to the painful memory of her parents death. It had been at night. Apple Bloom had only been an infant at the time.
She picked up her phone and dialed Apple Bloom's number. She didn't pick up the first time, so Applejack tried again. This time she heard a noise coming from Apple Bloom's room and went to look and saw her sisters phone on her bed. Now Applejack was really worried. If Apple Bloom got lost, or worse, hurt, she wouldn't have a way of getting help. Applejack called Pinkie Pie.
"Hey, Pinkie, is Apple Bloom there," Applejack said, "we kinda had a fight and now she has left the ol' homestead."
"Ok, let me know if you see her." Applejack said before hanging up. She dialed another number.
"Uh, sorry to wake you Rarity" Applejack said apologetically, " has Apple Bloom shown up at your house? She hasn't. All right ah'll let you know when she turns up."
Next she called Rainbow Dash. From the sound coming from Rainbow's side of the line it sounded like Scootaloo was beating Rainbow at the newest Daring Do videogame. She couldn't call Fluttershy, she had gone on a romantic weekend with her boyfriend, Discord. Calling Twilight was also a bad idea, she would likely have an anxiety attack and Applejack didn't want to be responsible for that. After thinking for a while Applejack dialed a number from memory.
"Sunset ah hope ah didn't wake you but Apple Bloom and ah had an argument and know she has run off. Ah've called Pinkie, Rarity and Rainbow. None of them have seen her." Applejack said into the phone, "oh, she's there? Don't let her leave, ah'll be there shortly."
"Well if you think that's best. How does ten sound?" Applejack said, "ah better call Pinkie and tell her to Limestone call off the search. Ah know I can be a little protective of my sister. Can you tell that I love her? Thank you."
Applejack hung up the phone and sighed. She was glad that Apple Bloom was somewhere safe with someone she trusted. Applejack looked out the window into the night. She didn't let others know but nighttime frightened her. Her parents had had their fatal car accident at night, Apple Bloom had only been an infant at the time.
Author's Note
I don't enjoy writing Applejack or any of the Apple family. I never feel like I get the accent right.
Applejack arrived at the diner shortly before 10. She saw Sunsets car parked on the side of the street next to the diner. She walked inside and say Sunset and her sister seated at a blithe facing the door. Sunset was seated closest to the aisle while Apple Bloom was seated next to the window. They both waved Applejack over.
"Hey Sunset, morning Sugarcube." Applejack said taking a seat opposite of them. The waitress walked over and asked Applejack what she would like to drink as she put a cup of coffee in front of Sunset and a glass of chocolate milk in front of Apple Bloom.
"Coffee please, no cream or sugar." Applejack said, " where do we begin?"
"Why don't you start AJ." Sunset said.
"Apple Bloom, ah'm sorry about the way ah acted yesterday," Applejack said, "ah know I can be overprotective 'specially of you, but since ma and pa died a I've been afraid of losin' you and Big Mac."
Sunset could tell that Applejack was trying to hold back the tears. She reached across the table and gave her friends hand a gentle squeeze.
"Ah know that you are growin' up no matter how much ah may or may not like it, you won't be a kid forever." Applejack went on. Apple Bloom sat in silence, she couldn't remember her parents, she had been an infant when they had died.
"AJ, ah know that you miss ma and papa, and that you've had to raise me. But like you said Ah'm getting older." Apple Bloom said, "ah know that there will be times that ah need my big sister, but ah also need to experience things on my own."
Sunset was impressed with how mature Apple Bloom was acting, it had only been a year since the Anon-A-Miss incident.
"Ah have an idea sugarcube," Applejack said, "ah'll cut you some slack, and treat you more like your age, and you try not to grow up too fast."
"Deal." Apple Bloom said. She looked at her sister with tears in her eyes. Sunset hadn't realized how close the two apple sister were. She had been an only child back in Equestria and had been fiercely independent even when she had been Princess Celestia's student.
"Hey, what do you two have planned for the rest of the day?" Sunset asked.
"Nothin' really." Applejack said' "why?"
"Want to hang out, just the three of us?" Sunset said, "I never had a sister or a brother for that matter when I was growing up."
"Sure!" Apple Bloom said, "you're an honorary Apple sister!"
They had just placed their orders for food, when all three of them got a text from Rainbow Dash. The three of them all shared a look of surprise as They read the message.
Author's Note
This story ends the first arc in this story. This arc is:
Apple Bloom
There will be more stories put here that are Bart of the same continuity but are shorts and not full length stories. The next one I have planned is a one shot about the Pie family. Stay tuned.
