Chapter 19 - Finally

“WHAT IN THE NAME OF TARTARUS?!”

Starlight let out a surprised squeak and Moondancer jolted from her stolen place on Rarity’s throne, the book she was reading with Starlight flying from her magical hold. She whipped her head upwards. “Twilight, what in the world?”

Twilight was pacing back and forth in front of her throne, her shared journal with Sunset firmly grasped in her magic. She read the words as they appeared on the page, willing them to come faster, to offer any sort of explanation for what Sunset was telling her.

Starlight got up from her seat next to Moodndancer and cautiously moved to stand behind Twilight. “Um, Twilight,” she said carefully. “Twilight? What’s going on?”

Twilight did not answer. She just continued reading.

Moondancer moved to stand next to Starlight. Finally, after a few more moments of agonizing silence, Twilight turned to her companions with wide eyes. “The human Trixie can pony up,” she said.

“And she’s an alicorn.”

Starlight and Moondancer’s jaws dropped.

“What?!”

“An alicorn? Are you sure?”

Twilight nodded, her eyebrows scrunched together. “That’s what Sunset said.” She continued pacing. “This is so strange, this world’s Trixie isn’t an alicorn. How is this possible? This shouldn’t be possible!” Her breaths came in short puffs as her mind malfunctioned.

Starlight and Moondancer shared a glance. The two moved to each side of their friend, each offering a comforting presence. Moondancer leaned up against Twilight’s left side, and Starlight wrapped a hoof around her from the right.

Moondancer magically took the journal from Twilights grasp and read the entry. She quirked an eyebrow. “Well,” she started. “This is certainly odd, but you have two very smart unicorns and one alicorn genius in the room. I think we can come up with a theory.”

Twilight blushed. She took a few deep breaths and gave her friend a shaky smile. “Thanks Moony. I needed that.”

Moondancer smiled back, handing the journal over to Starlight. “What do you think,” she asked as the other unicorn took the book in her own magic.

Starlight read the entry. Then she read it again.

“Huh.”

“What?” Twilight and Moondancer said in unison.

“This reminds me a lot of Starswirl’s Theory of Many Realities.” She set the journal down on Twilight’s throne and looked at her friends. “I mean, he did say that there were an infinite amount of alternate worlds aside from our own. What if-”

Twilight nodded, ruffled her wings. “Of course!” she exclaimed. “I mean, we already knew the human world was an alternate reality from this world, but you’re saying that maybe it’s more different than we thought.”

“Exactly,” Starlight grinned. “We thought it was an exact translation from this reality...”

Moondancer picked up on Starlight’s thought. “... But maybe it’s a translation of a different reality!” She adjusted her glass and shuffled her hooves. “Or even an amalgamation of a few!”

Twilight squealed excitedly. The three ponies looked at each other with wide grins.

“Heh,” Starlight half laughed. “So, I guess this means that in some alternate reality, Trixie is an alicorn princess?”

Twilight nodded. There was a lull of silence.

Then Starlight burst into laughter.

“Oh boy, our world’s Trixie would hate that,” the unicorn guffawed, a few tears spilling out of her eyes. Moondancer joined in with a few giggles...

***

Trixie the unicorn dropped the hayshake she was holding.

“Trixie senses somepony laughing at her expense…”

***

...“Definitely,” Twilight chuckled. Her smile faded after a few moments of shared laughter. “But what is she the princess of?”

Quiet fell once again as the three tried to come up with an answer.

Moondancer hummed. “I think we should ask Celestia. She might be able to shed some light on this.”

Twilight sighed. “Yeah you’re right. But in the meantime, I’m going to write Sunset back. I think she’d be interested in our theory.”

The three friends shared a smile. Moondancer and Starlight went back to their place on Rarity’s throne and resumed their reading. Twilight trotted back to her throne, picking up her journal and quill.

***

Sunset Shimmer woke with a smile. Spring sunlight filtered through the curtains of the guest bedroom- no, of her room- as she stretched and threw her blankets off. Her journal sat silent on her desk. She had gotten a message from Twilight the night before, but had fallen asleep before answering. “I’ll check it later,” she thought as she rose from her bed.

Sunset could hear the sounds of the sisters getting ready for school. Sonata making breakfast, Aria finishing her homework at the last minute, Adagio watching T.V.

It truly felt like a home.

She stood and changed into her clothes for the day; jeans and, surprisingly, a t-shirt. It was the first day of May, and almost a whole month since the red-head had self-harmed. The scabs had healed over into tentative pink scars. Her body was covered in them, but they were healing. Just like her.

She slipped on a sweatshirt over her torso. “Baby steps,” she thought. “Wearing short sleeves at all is brave. I should be proud, even though it’s a small accomplishment.”

Breakfast was its usual hectic affair, and soon the four were off to school. Senior year was almost at its end, bringing a whirlwind of emotions with it. But, for today, Sunset just let herself relax. It was Friday, after all; she and her girlfriend had some magic to practice tomorrow.

Adagio pulled her car into the parking lot and turned the engine off. The four got out, chatting as they walked to Sunset’s locker.

“I mean, how does the sun move if Celestia doesn’t do it? I just don’t think it make any sense!” Sonata’s confused comment was met with two face palms and a chuckle.

Sunset covered her laugh with a hand as Adagio threw up her hands in defeat and Aria tried to explain (“For the third fucking time, Sonata”) how the sun worked. She unlocked her locker and exchanged her books, humming to herself.

She shut her locker and came face to face with a certain blue haired magician.

“What’s got you all happy this morning?”

Sunset smiled at Trixie, leaning to give her a peck on the cheek. “I dunno,” she responded. “I guess it’s just a good day.”

The five began walking, Sunset and Trixie linking their hands together as they moved. Trixie leaned into Sunset lovingly. “Well, I’m glad.”

As they approached Sunset’s first period, Adagio tapped Sunset on the shoulder. Sunset turned, quirking an eyebrow. “What’s up?”

Adagio gave her trademarked smirk. “Aria, Sonata and I have a surprise for you after school.”

Sunset looked at Trixie, who shrugged. “Alright then,” she responded.

The shrill whine of the warning bell broke the friend’s conversation.

Sonata grinned. “We’ll see you later, Sunny!” She started to leave, dragging Aria with her. Adagio waved and followed her sisters.

Trixie snickered. “I guess we’ll see what they mean later,” she said, and Sunset laughed. “I’ll see you at lunch.”

The two kissed, and Trixie started off towards her class with a smile and a blush on her face. Sunset grinned as she took her seat. The bell rang shortly after, and Ms. Harshwhinny started her lesson. Not even the teacher’s usual strict attitude could dampen Sunset’s happiness that day.

***

The day’s classes passed quickly for Sunset. English, study hall, Latin, and finally, chemistry. School was over in the blink of an eye, and Sunset was out of her seat the minute class was dismissed. She dashed through the halls, quickly exchanging her books and running to meet her friend’s at Adagio’s car.

Sonata, the first one there, waved at Sunset as she approached. “Hey Sunny! You ready for the surprise?”

“Sure,” Sunset chuckled. “But shouldn’t we wait for the others?”

The youngest sister pouted. “I guess,” she said, drawing out her words dramatically.

It didn’t take long for the others to get there. By the time all five girls had congregated by the car, Sonata was practically bouncing with excitement. Trixie was trying not to laugh at the spectacle.

Adagio sighed as she arrived, unlocking her car. “Sonata, would you stop your bouncing?”

The blue girl shook her head. “Too excited! Can we show her the surprise now?” Sonata rapidly poked at Adagio’s shoulder. Sunset snorted.

The puffy haired girl shook her off, and Aria rolled her eyes. “No, idiot,” the punk said. She pulled Sonata away from the elder sister. “It’s at the house. We have to, you know, go there first.”

“Uhg, fine!”

The group piled into Adagio’s car. The ride to the apartment was filled with chatter as the girls exchanged stories from the day and Sonata vibrated in her seat, much to Aria’s annoyance. Once they arrived, Sonata was first out of the car. She open the passenger side door and grabbed Sunset, yanking her out of the vehicle the second her seatbelt was off. Sunset stumbled behind the girl as she dragged her into their home.

“Come on come on come on come on come on- Adagioooo, where is it?!”

Adagio face palmed as she, Aria, and Trixie entered the apartment. She closed the door behind her and threw her keys onto the kitchen counter. “Aria, would you be a dear and grab it before Sonata explodes?”

Aria snickered. “My pleasure, but seeing her burst would be a lot more entertaining.”

The pigtailed girl walked to the hallway where the bedrooms were, disappearing into her room. She came back holding a manila folder, which she tossed onto the kitchen table, where the others had sat down.

Sunset looked at it with curiosity. “What’s this,” she asked.

Sonata looked like she was going to die from excitement. “Just open it!”

Trixie smiled, resting her hand on Sunset’s atop the table. “Better do it, she might actually combust,” the magician whispered to her girlfriend.

Sunset laughed and reached for the folder. She undid the small metal clasp at the top and opened the flap. Her fingertips brushed against a single, thick piece of paper. Sunset’s eyebrows scrunched together. “All that excitement for a piece of paper?”

Sunset pulled the paper out, orienting it so she could read the text. Her heart stopped as she read the contents of the paper.

“Name: Sunset Shimmer. Sex: Female. Date of Birth: Seventh of June, 1999.

Place of Birth: Canterlot City, Canterlot.

Mother’s Name: Sunspot. Father’s Name: Solar Flare.”

She looked up at the Dazzlings, who were watching her reaction with smiles on their faces.

Trixie looked over her shoulder, scanning the paper that was still clutched tightly in Sunset’s hands. She gasped. “Sunset, this is...”

“A birth certificate,” she confirmed. The wonderstruck girl traced the words on the paper. “B-but how…?”

Adagio smirked. “We know a girl.”

“Her name is Chrysalis!” Sonata shouted helpfully.

Aria rolled her eyes. “We would have gotten it sooner, but the bastard insists on initiating contact first, and she goes off the grid often.” She gestured to the paper. “We have all the other official-type papers in the works as well. Obviously had to make up a ton of the information, but pretty soon you’ll be a real person in this worl-”

Sunset launched herself across the table, pulling all three former sirens into a hug.

“Thank you...”

***

Sunset looked up as Aria walked in with the refilled bowl of popcorn. She smiled and grabbed a handful, slightly disturbing her and Trixie’s comfortable blanket cocoon on the couch. On the screen, Lilo and Stitch was almost over. Stitch waddled over to the alien official in his alien handcuffs.

This is my family.

Adagio had long since fallen asleep on the ottoman, and soft snores could barely heard over the movie’s sound. Her curly hair fell haphazardly around her face, which held a peaceful expression.

I found it, all on my own.

Sonata subconsciously leaned into Aria as the punk sat down. Her magenta eyes were half closed. Aria slung an arm around the younger girl, pulling her close. She leaned her head on top of the sleepy girl’s own.

It’s little,

The five were surrounded by a happy, sleepy atmosphere. Their new Friday night movie tradition at Sunset and the sister’s apartment had been a welcome change to the stress of school and excitement of magic. It was nice just to relax together.

And broken,

Sunset’s sweatshirt had been taking off long ago, exposing her healing scars. Trixie idly traced the raised lines on Sunset’s wrist, her attention on the movie as it finished up.

But still good.

Sunset sighed happily, relishing in the feeling of Trixie snuggling closer to her. She looked around the room, taking in the sight of her friends. Her family. “Yeah…” She smiled, closing her eyes.

“Still good.”

Author's Note

I didn't really expect this to be the last chapter, but I think it fits pretty well. There will be an epilogue next week to help tie this in to the sequels I mentioned earlier.

Speaking of sequels! The future of this fic will include: a oneshot smut chapter between Trixie and Sunset, a side story centered around Adagio and Twilight, and a future story that ties it all together! The TwiDagio story and final story might be one big fic, but I haven't decided yet.

In other news, I have quite a few other fics planned! I'll be taking a small break so I can stockpile a bunch of chapters for everything, so that way I can stick to a consistent uploading schedule and I won't have big gaps between chapters like I did for this story! I think you'll like what I have planned

Honestly, this fic has been quite the adventure. I started not really knowing where it was going. I just wanted a way to take out some of my own depression, and it turned into something that I think is pretty cool. I'm excited to show you all what I have in store for this story

Thank you all so much for the continuous love and support I've received, and thank you for being patient during the breaks I needed to take between some of the chapters. I really appreciate everything you've given me.

I'll see you next time

~Bitty Bug