Twilight Sparkle Was Shotby Coyote de La ManchaChaptersPancakes for BreakfastSunset in the RainI Always Dreamed of UnicornsLittle Beeps and Hanging BloodPancakes for BreakfastTwilight’s body on top of hers. Her taste. Her scent. Her heartbeat. Twilight moans, makes that face she makes as Sunset moves her hands up her lover’s sides, gently raising her shirt. A popping sound. The cold tile slams into her. Twilight’s body on top of hers. She can taste blood. She can smell the acrid bite of gunpowder. Her ears are ringing. Twilight is silent, her eyes closed. Sunset sees the shooter. Smoking gun in hand, staring, backing up then turning and running into the crowd. That’s me. A few people yell. Someone tries to grab her. Then she’s gone. Frantically, Sunset rolls her lover over, runs her blood-slicked hands up Twilight’s side, moving her shirt out of the way to see the damage. The bullet hole is black, there’s some yellow inside. Red is running out across the white tile. “Apply pressure,” she tells herself, pushing on the wound. “That’s what they always say. Apply pressure.” She has to stay calm, find some way to focus. Then, her mind catching up with the fact that there are other people around, she raises her voice. “Help! Anybody! Help, oh, God…!” Sunset Shimmer jackknifed awake, gagging and coughing, the taste of bile flooding her mouth. After changing into a T-shirt and sweats, Sunset padded downstairs with her blanket and the clothes she’d slept in. Once she’d resigned herself to sleep, however reluctantly, she’d meant to shower first. But somehow, she’d just ended up in bed, fully clothed. As she reached the top of the stairs, the rest of the previous night’s memory clicked in, including why she’d wanted the shower. Wishing to God she’d remembered before she came into view, she slipped on a mask of neutrality and descended the stairs. “Before anybody asks,” she announced, “I did not have a childish accident.” There were a few nods. “I woke up sick, too,” Fluttershy said softly. “I, um, made some ginger and chamomile tea. With some Saint Joan’s wort. I hope that’s okay.” Sunset smiled a little. “There any left?” “She made lots,” Rainbow nodded. “There’s about half a pot left.” “Sign me up.” Sunset made her way down to the basement and jammed the laundry into the washer. Dumped however much detergent. Turned the damned thing on. Went back upstairs. Passed everybody again on her way to the upstairs bathroom. Took a shower. Scrubbed her hands and nails with a back scrubber until all the red was finally gone. Knelt in the shower and silently wept, letting the water carry away the tears. After spending half the day and most of the night worrying about whether Twilight was going to survive, it looked like everyone else had slept through the day, too. The sky was almost dark and thunder was rumbling in the distance as the other girls yawned and made small talk, conversing about anything but what was on their minds. Well, except for Pinkie, who had taken it upon herself to fix breakfast for everyone. And looked like she had been up for hours. And had somehow been refreshed by whatever sleep she’d gotten. Not for the first time, Sunset tried to hate Pinkie Pie for being such a naturally energetic, cheerful person, and failed miserably. “Morning!” Pinkie chirped as Sunset came downstairs again. “Or evening! Whichever. Anyway, I made everybody breakie!” Then again, Sunset mused, today might be the day of success. Sunset poured herself a large glass of yellowish tea and obediently sat down while she sipped the stuff. Twilight would have insisted on calling it an ‘herbal infusion,’ she thought. She would have corrected Fluttershy in a heartbeat, pointing out that ‘tea’ was a specific plant commonly used in infusions. She’d probably have known when the stuff was discovered, and its traditional medicinal uses, and everything. She’d have… “Hey,” Rainbow said. “You okay?” “Not even remotely.” Rainbow squeezed Sunset’s shoulder. Despite herself, Sunset smiled a little as she put her own hand over her friend’s blue one and squeezed back. The plate Pinkie Pie put in front of her was the same as she was handing everyone else: bacon, eggs with cheese, English muffins dripping in butter, and a huge stack of pancakes covered in syrup and jelly. Sunset looked at it blankly. “Pinkie, if I try to eat this, I promise you I am going to throw up again.” “Can you just try a little?” Sunset looked up at her friend with tired eyes. “All over you.” Pinkie blinked. “How about just an English muffin.” Sunset considered this. “No butter.” “Deal.” “Fine.” After a dry muffin washed down with the rest of her infusion, Sunset found that she could, in fact, eat. Like everyone else in the room, she hadn’t eaten since the previous afternoon. To her surprise, she quickly found herself staring at an empty plate, her stomach more or less mollified. The house was very quiet, the Rainbooms alternating between looking at one another and messing with their plates. “Okay, elephant in the room time,” Applejack said. “We still doin’ this?” “I am,” Sunset said. “It’s not too late for the rest of you.” “Forget it,” Rainbow shook her head. “We’re in.” “Beyond question,” Rarity affirmed. Pinkie nodded. “Lead on, MacDuff.” Sunset sighed, running her hand through her hair. “You know that’s not the real quote, right?” “Well, um, I think we all remember the Scottish play,” Fluttershy said. “And the challenge that the main character gave. But let’s also remember, he was a little crazy.” Rainbow scoffed. “A little.” “And he destroyed everything he loved before the end,” Fluttershy went on, “including himself. It’s still not too late to stop. Twilight’s alive,” she said, forcing herself to look directly at Sunset. “What’s she going to think of all this?” There was a pause. Then, Applejack spoke. “Wow. That’s… kind of a low blow, there.” Fluttershy shook her head sadly. “I don’t care if it is or not,” she said. “I’m right. And you all know I’m right.” Suddenly, Sunset was standing, her hands balled into fists by her side. “Oh, fuck you!” The rest of the room stared, aghast, but Sunset went on before they could speak. “You don’t dare tell me what I know,” she snarled, stepping towards Fluttershy. “You don’t ever get to tell me what I know! Not now, not a hundred years from now!” “Sunset—” Rarity started. “No!” Sunset snapped at her. “No, I’m not going to be mollified, condescended to, or reigned in! If that’s why you’re here, then you can just get the fuck out of my house!” “And you!” Rounding on Fluttershy again, Sunset demanded, “Just who the hell do you think you are, lecturing me? You, with your perfect family and your perfect future and oh, God forbid anybody tells sweet little Fluttershy ‘no!’ What do you know about this? What can you know!? You know exactly SHIT!” Her voice continued to rise as she went on, “You talk to me when you’ve looked down at the ER and realized your hands still have her blood on them! You don’t even have a boyfriend, or a girlfriend, or whatever the fuck you’re into! You don’t know, YOU’LL NEVER KNOW--!” Sunset blinked. The room was silent. Fluttershy was just standing there, looking at her, struggling against her tears. “Oh, my God,” Sunset whispered, half-covering her mouth. “Oh, Flutters…” she crossed the room and the two embraced. “I’m sorry, I’m so, so sorry, oh, God, oh, sweet Celestia, I’m such a fucking bitch, I’m so sorry…” “It’s okay,” Fluttershy wept into her shoulder. “No, no, it’s really not,” she said, stroking her friend’s hair. “I just finished throwing a bunch of hateful, hurtful lies at the single nicest person I ever met, just because she’s my friend and trying to help me. And they were lies, all of them. And there is not a single goddamn thing about that that’s okay. And I am sorry. I really am.” “It’s alright,” Fluttershy sniffled. “You weren’t in your right mind.” Sighing, Sunset pulled away just enough to make eye contact. “I know where you’re going with that,” she said gently. “And it won’t work.” Fluttershy sniffed again, wiping her eyes. “Then I’m still going with you.” Sunset slumped a little then. For a moment, Fluttershy dared hope that she had won. Then, Sunset shook her head. “Well then, I guess we’d better head out while she’s still there.” “Y’know where the crittur is, then?” Applejack asked. Sunset nodded. “I know where she’ll be. There’s a lake in Canterlot Park, it corresponds with where I was found after I was born. It’s where I would be now, if I were her.” “Huh. Think she’ll be waitin’ for us?” Rainbow’s eyes narrowed. “God, I hope so.” Sunset grabbed her keys. “Let’s find out.” It was quickly determined, after Sunset dropped the keys twice trying to open the car door, that she was in no emotional state to drive. Miraculously, Fluttershy did not take the opportunity to re-start her argument, but instead insisted that Sunset travel with her, in her car. Soon, they were a small convoy of assorted vehicles, driving through the rain of a rapidly growing storm. The sound of windshield wipers, and the raindrops striking the small Tesla, were the only sounds for a time. Then, Sunset spoke. “So. Owls, huh?” Fluttershy smiled. “Owls are very friendly creatures.” Sunset glanced at her. “For you.” “And they love their families.” “And they see in the dark. And they stay awake all night,” Sunset observed. Then she added, “Watching people’s windows.” “Why, Sunset,” Fluttershy said contentedly, “I have no idea what you could possibly mean.” Sunset rolled her eyes and stared out the window. “Yeah. Me neither.” Several minutes passed. “Um, Sunset?” “Uh-huh.” “I need to ask you something. It might be a little, um, uncomfortable. Like, a lot.” Sunset slowly took in a deep breath of resignation, and let it out just as slowly. “Hit me,” she said at last. “I was thinking about, um, where it happened. In the food court. And in her side. Sorry,” she added, glancing at Sunset. Sunset nodded. “I think I know where you’re heading,” she said in a strained voice, “but go ahead.” “Well, um, it just occurred to me that, well, that her side was a strange place to shoot somebody when they’re sitting. And if this other girl is someplace where she was found as a baby, that’s, um, a really thoughtful spot…” Sunset waited as she looked out the window, arms crossed protectively over herself. It was easier than speaking. Fluttershy’s voice was almost inaudible when she asked, “She wasn’t aiming for Twilight, was she?” Throat closed, Sunset could only shake her head: no. A little after that, Fluttershy turned left onto the old gravel road. It was long and winding, and narrow as hell. But it was also a back way into the park that would not be gated closed at night. They drove the rest of the way in silence. Sunset in the RainThe park was old but well-maintained, with shelters and camping spots, several swing sets here and there, a couple of lakes for fishing and one for boating. There were paved roads crisscrossing the place, and neatly encircling each lake. The one that allowed boats had a pier. On that pier sat a figure, irregularly silhouetted by the storm. In her hand was a gun. And as the lightning flashed and the wind and rain tore at their hair and clothes, six young women strode down the pier towards her. She sat with her back against a pile, away from shore, facing to the side out towards the water. She didn’t seem to see or hear them as they approached. Her jeans were torn, her boots were worn, her jacket sported multiple patches. The rain had plastered her red and gold mohawk down across the side of her head. She looked thin, almost birdlike as she stared out over the water. The old revolver in her hand glinted dully in the lightning’s flare. Sunset stopped, and her friends halted behind her. Her own leather jacket whipped in the rain, her hair moving dully, weighed down by water. “I’m here,” she said. “Why don’t you use that thing again.” The smaller girl slowly looked over at her, then back out over the water. “I said, why don’t you try that shit again?” demanded Sunset. This time, the girl barely gave her a glance. “Fuck off.” Sunset stomped down the walkway at her counterpart, fists clenched. Behind her, Rarity and Rainbow Dash nodded to one another. One friend had already been shot; they weren’t about to let it happen again. There was a dull clatter and a sliding sound, and something dark and heavy skidded to a stop at Sunset’s feet. The revolver. Sunset kicked it back to her. “Pick it up.” “Fuck you.” “I said pick it up!” The other Sunset pulled herself to her feet. She reached down, picked the gun up. “So you’re here to finish me off, huh? Make it look good? This is how it ends?” She shrugged, smoothed her mohawk back more-or-less into line. “Fine. Why not. Just one question first.” Sunset’s eyes narrowed. “What?” “Just what the hell are you, really?” Sunset glanced back at her friends, then at her counterpart. “I’m Sunset Shimmer.” Something in the other girl snapped. “No!” In an instant, the gun was up again and she was firing, rapid shots, five rounds in less than a second and then clicking again and again on empty shells, all the while screaming, “No! No, you’re not! I’m Sunset Shimmer! I’m Sunset Shimmer, you lying, cowardly bitch!” Between them, a diamond-like shield had deflected the bullets, sending them out to the water. The smaller Sunset stared. “You… you’ve got magic powers, too? On top of everything else…” For a moment, she started to chuckle incredulously, then shook her head. “You know what, I… I don’t even care anymore. Fuck it. Fuck everything.” But Sunset was moving again. “I care,” she snarled, tackling the smaller girl, bringing her down. For several seconds they rolled and grappled in the rain, throwing punches, sliding on the slick wood beneath them. The other Rainbooms couldn’t tell who was winning, if either of them was, or even tell them much apart in the darkness and falling rain. “Lying bitch! I’ll kill you!” “You shot her!” “It should’ve been you!” “Why? Why did you do it?” “Because you fucking stole my life, you fucking cunt!” There was more slippery fumbling in the darkness. A cry of pain, several grunts, and something skittered along the width of the pier. The moonlight caught its glint just enough to reveal it to be a knife before it vanished into the water. Lightning flared again, illuminating them both. Sunset with a full head of hair, standing again with feet wide apart, holding the other Sunset in a choke hold, forearm rotated tight against her jaw. The girl’s boots slid rapidly and uncontrolled along the rain-soaked planks, her arms flailing wildly. Panic had set in. It wouldn’t be long now. In the distance, over the rain, Sunset could hear more struggling. Yelling. That would be Fluttershy. The others were probably holding her back. Sunset couldn’t make out what she was saying, but she could guess. Still, as her counterpart’s flailing became more panicked, and then weaker and more irregular, Sunset felt a grim, cold triumph. Die, you murderous bitch… you tried to take everything from me… she almost died because of you… you wanted this… just die, stop struggling and fucking DIE…! Then, one of the other girl’s hands gripped Sunset’s wrist. And with that contact, the world fell away for just an instant as her own power forced scattered fragments of the other girl’s life into her mind. How many times have I told you, you stupid brat? Dummy, dummy, dummy! What, did you hafta take lessons to be this stupid…? What the hell is this supposed to be? Some kinda horse? You crazy, girl? That your fuckin’ problem…? It’s for your own good, sweetheart. Be best if you’d just stop fighting… Lying bitch! I know what you’re up to…! Hey, girl, you got it? Jus’ lookin’ to get a little spin goin’, you know…? I’m sorry, Miss Shimmer, but you can’t take the placement tests twice. Besides, it looks like you aced them the first time, why would you take them again…? With a cry, Sunset released her enemy, dropping to her knees. The other girl gave a long, horrific gasp, rolled on her back, then onto her hands and knees, still gasping for air, coughing, struggling to stay conscious. “Nobody touch her!” Sunset cried as her friends approached. “I don’t… care what she does or says… nobody hurts her.” “What...” the other Sunset wheezed, “what the fuck... did you just do?” “That doesn’t matter,” Sunset said, crawling over to her. “You’re coming with us. You’re going to talk to the girl you shot.” The other Sunset looked at her in pure horror. “I can’t--” “You shut up! This isn’t about you! Or me!” Still on her hands and knees, Sunset pointed at Fluttershy. “That’s what one of the best friends anyone could ever have has been trying to tell me this whole time! I was just too pissed off, too stubborn, and too fucking arrogant to listen.” She leaned in close, and hissed through gritted teeth, “This is about a girl who never did anything to you, lying in a hospital bed. You almost killed her.” When the other Sunset looked away, she grabbed her face and forced her to look at her. “She has the right to know why!” The mohawked girl opened her mouth, then shut it and looked down, ashamed. Then, she nodded. “Okay,” she said, completely defeated. “Okay. You’re right. Just...” “No.” Forcing herself up, Sunset grabbed her counterpart by the jacket and dragged her to her feet. “No easy way out for you, Sunset,” she snarled. “You’re coming with us, right now. You’re going to look her in the eye. You’re going to tell her everything.” She shoved the smaller girl, staggering, towards Applejack, who caught her easily. “And then, you’re going to live with what you’ve done.” I Always Dreamed of UnicornsSunset hated hospitals. Even as a filly, she had hated them. Princess Celestia had taken her along once, when she was making an appearance at one. The place had just creeped her out. Having Twilight in one didn’t make the experience any better. None of this did. “How’s yer leg?” Involuntarily, Sunset glanced down. The bite on her arm, Fluttershy been able to close with a few butterfly strips. The stab wound in her thigh had required stitches before bandages could be applied. “Sore,” she said. “I still think you should get something that deep looked at professionally, dear,” Rarity said. “It’ll be fine.” Applejack and Rarity exchanged exasperated looks. A little further down the hall, the other Sunset, the human-born Sunset, was talking with Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie. Always looking down, arms crossed over her abdomen. Her face horribly bruised from strangulation and half-hidden by the hoodie she wore. Rainbow Dash sat on the bench next to Twilight’s room, watching the girl through half-lidded eyes. “I still don’ like it, Sunny,” muttered Applejack, glaring at the other Sunset from beneath her hat. “Why’re we lettin’ her near Twi again?” “Twilight was never her target. I was.” “An’ you can be so dang forgivin’ because why?” “Partially because I saw a few glimpses of her life while I was… killing her,” Sunset said uncomfortably, “and partially because, well, let’s face it: I’ve done worse. A lot worse.” Applejack raised an eyebrow, and Sunset leaned back against the wall, eyes on the ceiling. “I stole an irreplaceable artifact that an entire country relied on for their defense, leaving all their people open to invasion and worse,” She said. “I used it to gain magical power, and then started stripping away the free will of everyone around me, enslaving their very souls with the ultimate purpose in mind of conquering two entire worlds and crushing their various peoples beneath my tyrannical heel.” Applejack rubbed the back of her neck, uncertain. “Well now, when you put it like that…” “In doing so, I knowingly betrayed the trust of the closest thing to a mother I’d ever had. And once I had that power, anyone who could oppose me I was ready to murder out of hand.” “Aw, c’mon, Sunset. It’s not like that was really you.” Sunset shook her head. “I may have been under the influence of Twilight’s crown towards the end, but magic is like anything else: if you seek it or take it in voluntarily, you’re responsible for the results. And in my case, the results were catastrophic.” Sunset closed her eyes. “Hell, just that stunt I did with the front of the school, tearing it away like I did? It’s a minor miracle no one was crippled or killed.” She sighed. “When it comes right down to it, I lucked out more than anyone has a right to.” Sunset nodded to her counterpart. “She didn’t.” “Uh-huh. ‘Ceptin’ that in her case, Twilight paid the price.” “Yes. She did. Because when people like us fuck up, or get unlucky, or even just miss some little detail, it’s the bystanders and the people near us who pay.” Sunset grimaced. “Something Princess Celestia tried like hell to drill into me when I was growing up. I never really got it until now.” “Huh.” Applejack considered this. “Well, yer a better man than I am, Gunga Din.” Sunset ignored this. “Besides, I called on the way here. Twilight wants to see her.” Sunset nodded to the door to Twilight’s room, where Twilight Velvet was just emerging. “And it looks like about time for ‘Sunset’ over there to start paying her debt.” They chatted for a few minutes on how well Twilight was doing. Sunset spent the time deliberately not limping or favoring her good leg, meanwhile her counterpart looked the other way and tried not to be noticed. Then, after the older woman had left, the girls went in. The nurse gave them a very professional scowl and a strict warning about Twilight needing her rest, and then finally left, closing the door behind him. Twilight smiled at her friends, especially at Sunset. “Hey.” Sunset smiled back. Twilight looked pale, and tired. But for Sunset, a whole parade of nightmarish what-ifs melted away at seeing those violet eyes bright and focused again. “Hey, love,” she said. They shared a brief kiss. “Still up for another visitor?” “Sure.” Sunset stepped to the side, revealing the smaller girl behind her. Twilight blinked at the Sunset who had shot her as she pulled her hood back. Twilight took in the girls’ bruised face, the old scar on the left side of her throat, thin as a razor. The shame in her eyes. “Hi,” Twilight said. “I’m… I’m sorry,” said the human-born Sunset. “I know nothing can make it right, but I am. I’m so, so sorry…” Twilight’s voice was weak, but still clear. “Will you tell me why?” “I’ll try if you want. But I don’t know if it’ll make any sense to you. You love her.” “Just start at the beginning.” “Okay. The beginning.” She blew out a breath, ran her hand along her drying hair, putting it in line again. Sat down in a chair near the bed, but not within reach. AJ glowered, but said nothing. “The beginning. Well, in the beginning, they found me as an infant. Around where your friends found me tonight,” she said. “No birth records, no missing kid reports, nothing. So I went into foster care.” A pause. “Never really found a place. By the time I was fourteen, I’d gone to twelve different schools.” She took a breath, let it go. “I escaped into fantasy whenever I could. Unicorns. Dragons. Cats with golden eyes. I don’t know how many times my drawings and paintings got torn up or burned in front of me, with some ass-hat going on about my being crazy or my soul being in danger. One time, I got ahold of some old Anne McCaffrey novels. I loved them. I had to watch them burn on a barbeque grill. “So I’d retreat further into my fantasies. I’d dream of having magic, of exploring fantastic worlds and defending the innocent. Those were my good times. My escape. I mean, sure, aside from my artwork, some of the homes were okay. But some were…” She swallowed, looked away. “Some were less than okay. Let’s just say you should believe the rumors.” Fluttershy handed her a paper cup with water in it. She nodded her thanks, drank, and went on, holding the cup in both hands. “When I was fourteen I ran away again, but this time I was able to keep them from finding me. About six months later, I pulled my first robbery. A while after that… it’s amazing what you’ll do when you’re hungry. Like, really fucking hungry. There comes a point, nothing matters but food. You just don’t give a fuck anymore. I did whatever I had to, to stay alive and off the radar. “Once I had the contacts, I made a little scratch as a courier. I was cute then, beneath suspicion. Then, once I had enough cash, I started selling. After a while, I was cooking. I mean, sure, I almost got caught a few times. But I knew who my enemies were, and I stayed ahead of them. And everybody underestimated me. “But the thing was, I had a plan. I wasn’t going to be like this forever, you know? All my life, they’d called me names. Besides the usual slut-shaming, I mean. Stupid. Psycho. Crazy. Dummy. But I knew I only had to stay on the lam for a few years. Because once I turned eighteen, they couldn’t send me back. And then, I’d prove them all wrong. I’d show them that I wasn’t crazy. That I wasn’t stupid.” Her voice became more uneven as she continued, “I’d go to college, get a degree. Maybe I’d be a teacher somewhere. Maybe I’d go into law, be a child advocate. I could sell my paintings on the side, try to get recognized. And then, someday, when I had the recognition and the cred I needed that people’d listen to me, I could call out the bastards who’d tried to use me up instead of helping me. Stop them from hurting other kids. “I should have suspected something when getting my ID was so easy, but I didn’t. When everyone assumed I was getting replacements, I just figured things were going my way for once.” She shook her head. “Stupid. Still, I got it all: social security card, driver’s license, everything. With a legal identity, I could put my cash into a bank. Then I took my GED, aced it. No sweat. Then, I went for my college placement tests at Canterlot U.” The other Sunset stared. “Oh, my god.” A nod. “Yeah. They told me I wasn’t allowed to take the tests twice. And that I had already taken them, like, a month before. Buried the needle in everything, apparently. That was when I started looking for someone using my name.” She took in a shuddering breath, looked at Sunset. “I found you on MyStable a week later. A perfect me. Healthy. Whole. Unscarred, with a winning smile. Everybody’s hero.” The tears started coming, her voice shaking more as she went on, “Graduating with honors, top of your class. Surrounded by friends, a beautiful girlfriend who loved you, with a free ride scholarship to the same fucking college I’d picked. The one I couldn’t go to, because you were there. Just like I couldn’t go to any college, because your fucking transcript had my name on it! “And suddenly… it all made sense,” she said. She lowered her head, eyes screwed shut. “For the first time in my life, something made sense.” Her breathing came faster now, despite her attempts to control it. “You stole my life,” she cried. The words forced their way out of her, unwanted. “The life I should have had, the life I was denied… you came here from someplace, you took my place, you left me on that pier while you fucking took my life!” Sunset moved to her, put her arm around her. “No. No, I didn’t.” “Bullshit,” her counterpart wept. “Two Sunset Shimmers? You look just like me, only better. We could be twins.” Sunset said nothing. “I knew all about where you hung out from your MyStable posts. I don’t even remember going to the mall. I just remember thinking as I walked past the stores, over and over, ‘She stole my life. She stole it. That explains everything. It all makes sense now. She stole my life.’ I saw the two of you at the food court, laughing, and… I… I went up to you…” Sunset winced. “But then, she, she saw me with the gun… she got in the way. Knocked you down,” The tears came faster now. “She loved you so much, she would have died for you. And I almost killed her…” The human-born Sunset wouldn’t look up, or couldn’t. “I know you can’t forgive me, Twilight. But I… I really am—” And finally, with Fluttershy on one side of her and Sunset on the other, the ability to speak left her completely as she broke into uncontrollable sobs. Part of Sunset felt more than a little strange, comforting her own would-be assassin, the girl who had nearly killed Twilight. Not to mention the girl she herself had tried to kill not long ago. But what else could she do? She looked askance to her friends. All of them, even Applejack, gave her matching looks of helplessness. Then, over the sounds of penance, a faint voice made itself heard. “It’s okay.” With effort, Twilight scootched over on her bed a little. She reached out towards the mohawked girl, but she was still too far away. “Hey, did you hear me? I said, it’s okay.” She said weakly, arm still extended. “I forgive you. And for what it’s worth, our Sunset didn’t plan anything against you. It’s a long story, but she didn’t. I promise. We can prove it.” While the girl shook her head, Sunset squeezed her shoulders, adding, “Hey. Hey. Look. I didn’t steal your life. I didn’t. And I can prove it. But… I am sorry. For everything. I’ll go somewhere else for college. And I’ll help you get things sorted out, so you can go where you wanted.” She sighed. “And, in a way… I mean, look, I didn’t do this to you. Hell, even at my worst I’d never have put you through all that. And I’m not saying I’m responsible for what you did. Nobody can take that on but you. “But in retrospect, I should have at least tried to find you. I was just… too wrapped up in myself, even after things got better. And that’s my fault. I should have known you’d be out there somewhere, as soon as I saw that Principal Celestia didn’t have a—” She broke off, staring at Twilight, who was staring back at her with the same, stricken expression. “Sunset,” said Twilight. “And come to think of it,” Sunset said slowly, “maybe I can give you more opportunities, along with that proof that I mentioned.” With the coming of spring was the smell of freshly mown lawns, the sounds of singing birds, and the promise of longer days. The campus of Canterlot High was an architectural work of art, and the green seasons suited it perfectly. Still, on a Saturday there were few who felt like hanging around the high school, especially near some dusty old plinth. Then, along with the birdsongs and the winds whispering through the newly-green trees, there came the sound of young voices. Coming up the walkway were the Rainbooms, united again. Twilight, only just discharged, was grumpily being pushed in her wheelchair by Sunset. “But I can walk.” “Nope.” “You’re enjoying this!” “Uh-huh.” Rainbow Dash popped open a can of soda. “You really expect her to show?” “Yup.” Applejack grunted. “I dunno, Sunny. Y’beat her up pretty bad. She might skedaddle rather’n show up t’see you again.” “She’s not a coward. She’ll be here.” “No offence, darling,” Rarity inquired, “but how can you be so sure?” “Because Twilight asked her to. And she promised she would.” A few minutes later, the hunched-over figure of the human-born Sunset could be seen. As she got closer, it was plain that she looked like hell. The bruises on her face were healing nicely, but she also hadn’t slept much since the hospital. She went up to the Rainbooms, avoiding all eye contact. “Hey,” she muttered. Sunset stepped to her, and extended her hand. “Hey.” Her counterpart took it, and the Sunsets embraced. Not quite as friends, perhaps. But it was a beginning. When they stepped apart, the mohawked girl saw that Twilight was also extending her hand to her. Her hopeful smile was a question asked. The human-born Sunset answered her with a handclasp, then, uncertainly, kneeling down and giving her the gentlest hug imaginable. “I’m not made out of glass, you know.” “Taking no chances,” came the reply. After a moment, Sunset pulled away slightly, to allow eye contact. “How are you doing?” “Still hurts,” Twilight admitted. “Don’t let the chair fool you, though. I can walk. She just insists on pushing me everywhere.” Human-born Sunset stood, smiling. “Uh-huh. Girlfriend’s prerogative.” Twilight made a sound of frustration. “Urgh! That’s what she said. That’s exactly what she said.” The Sunsets exchanged a glance, then crossed their arms, shifting their backs towards one another. “She’s not wrong,” they said in unison. “Aaack!” Twilight clutched her temples while the others laughed. “And now I’m surrounded! Why, God? Why?” Just then, the base of the plinth took on an unearthly glow. A moment later, a purple-haired and violet-skinned girl stepped through. But for her hairstyle and lack of glasses, she looked exactly like… “Hiya, Twilight!” waved Pinkie happily. “What the fuck!” exclaimed the human-born Sunset. “Okay, easy, I think some introductions are in order,” Sunset said. “Princess Twilight Sparkle, this is Sunset Shimmer, the native Sunset of this world. Sunset, this is Princess Twilight Sparkle, a native to the world where I came from.” Sunset stared at Sunset in anguish. “I… you mean I was right?” “No.” The pony-born Sunset shook her head as she took her counterpart’s hands in her own. “No, you were only half right. You see, we were both foundlings. But in my world, I was adopted almost at once. Later on, we both ran away about the same time. But again, there was a difference: I got to start a new life.” She gestured to the plinth, still glowing slightly in the fading daylight. “When I ran away, this is how I came to your world. I never knew about you. So you had to survive this one, on your own, without any of the advantages I had. And you did. Which, by the way, is completely fucking amazing. “So, look, you can stay here if you want, and like I said, I’ll help you however I can. We could be long-lost sisters, or cousins, or whatever you want. I know a guy who can help with the documentation. But this is another option, if you ever want it. The world where I came from doesn’t have a Sunset Shimmer anymore.” She shrugged. “Maybe it needs one.” The human-born Sunset kept her face neutral while she processed this. “What kind of world is it?” The newest arrival spoke. “My world, and Sunset’s native world. I’m Princess Twilight Sparkle. In my world, I’m an alicorn—whoa, careful!” The pony-born Sunset caught her counterpart as she staggered slightly, her mind reeling. “You okay?” she asked. The girl seemed uncertain, but she managed, “Uh-huh.” “Good. Because, remember those pictures you used to paint? How you used to dream of unicorns in a magical world?” Slowly, the human-born Sunset turned to stare at her. “Well, um, now you could be one, if you want.” She fidgeted a little. “Okay, that sounded better in my head. Look, it isn’t a perfect world, believe me. My reasons for leaving may not have been noble, but I did have them. And the magic isn’t easy to learn. There’s a lot of frustration. And, um, some danger.” She glanced at the princess. “Okay, maybe a lot of danger.” As the stare continued, Sunset hurriedly added, “And I’m not trying to kick you out of this world, honest. I swear to God, I will do whatever I can to help. Anything. I’m just saying, this is always an option, if you ever want to take it. There’s no rush either way. It’ll still be here.” Still staring. “And, um, this would never be final if you don’t want it to be, either. Even if you ever did leave, and God knows I understand you thinking this is all completely crazy, but you could always come back if you—” “What, are you kidding? Come back? This world sucks!” And without another word, the girl leaped through the portal, vanishing in a burst of interdimensional light. “Well,” Princess Twilight blinked. “That was… decisive.” Sunset chuckled. “Yeah, well, remember who we are. This isn’t exactly a surprise.” With another burst of light, her counterpart suddenly reappeared through the portal. Grinning, she grabbed Sunset, kissed her, and then leaped back through, vanishing once again. As Sunset grabbed her girlfriend’s chair for support, blushing fiercely, Applejack snickered. “Feelin’ surprised yet, sugar cube?” “What about you, Twilight?” Pinkie winked. “You’re not jealous, are you?” “I dunno,” Twilight mused, tapping her chin thoughtfully. “That, or maybe I should make sure I can watch. I’m not sure yet.” Sunset buried her face in her hands “Oh, my god, I hate you all so much right now…” Princess Twilight, meanwhile, was studying various areas of sky. “Welllllllll. Ummmmm. Iiiiiiii… guess I’d better get back to Equestria!” she declared. “Looks like there’s a new mare in town, and I’m sure she’ll need some orientation.” Sunset gave a rueful grin. “Yeah, probably. Good seeing you, Twilight.” “Hey, you too,” the princess smiled. “Let me know how she’s doing?” “Of course.” There was a group hug, another surge of light, and she, too, was gone. “So, that was fun,” Pinkie perked. “Who’s for Chinese?” Applejack considered this. “I’m game,” she decided. “You know, that does sound lovely,” Rarity admitted. “Veggie, please.” “Tofu for Fluttershy,” Rainbow Dash grinned. “With spring rolls. We can mix-and-match the rest, as usual.” “Yeah, I’m for garlic veggies, myself,” Sunset said. Then she looked at Twilight. “What do you think?” “Well, I am more tired than I was expecting,” Twilight admitted. “But I’m also ravenous. And white rice and noodles are both easily digested. So, I think as long as I don’t have anything spicy or complex…” “Yay!” Pinkie cried. “Chinese food going-away party for Other Sunset at Twilight’s place!” “Why at Twilight’s place?” Applejack asked. “So she can crash out any time she wants, silly!” “But… the other Sunset’s already gone,” Fluttershy pointed out. “Oh, well,” Pinkie bounced happily. “More for us!” As their friends talked and laughed, the pair with the wheelchair fell slightly behind. Twilight gave the love of her life a calculating look. “So, you… ‘know a guy?’” “Kinda.” “Interesting,” she pondered. Then, “Who else do you know?” “Hmmmmm. Curious Twilight asking about illegal shenanigans.” Sunset leaned forward. “I sense danger.” “Hmmmmm. Cautious Sunset evading the question.” Twilight kissed Sunset on the cheek. “I sense opportunity.” Sunset stood upright again, giving an exasperated sound. “You’re impossible.” “No, I’m not. And neither are you.” She sighed happily. Reaching back, she put a hand on her lover’s arm while they wheeled towards the lot. “We’re both just very, very unlikely.” “It’s an unlikely world.” “It is,” Twilight agreed. She shifted slightly, resting her head on her girlfriend’s arm as she pulled it towards her, ever so slightly. The breeze smelled of grass and evening blossoms, and mixed pleasantly with the scents of Sunset and her jacket. Twilight breathed in as much of the moment as she possibly could, feeling very content as she spoke again. “Let’s go home.” Author's Note Continued in Breakfast at Twilight’s Also: Dave Bryant wrote this, in which his OC, Cook, is involved in the matter. Now I need to read his Cook stories... And, of course, the seminal story that starts it all begins here. Little Beeps and Hanging BloodBeep… Beep… Beep… Beep… It was hard just keeping her eyes open. Impossible, even. Was that her alarm? She needed to get up. Running late for school. Was she hung over? Maybe she was still drunk? Strange, she didn’t remember drinking anything. Beep… Beep… Beep… Beep… She had been going to fix breakfast for Sunny today. Wait. Was she? What day was it? “Twilight?” Twilight frowned a little. Mom? What was she doing here? It felt like she was wrapped in the world’s most massive, warm, fluffy blanket. Somewhere past the blanket, there was a little discomfort in her stomach, but somehow she didn’t care. She tried to sit up, but nothing happened. Why couldn’t she move? Beep… Beep… Beep… Beep… She got her eyes open again, kind of. The ceiling was bright, white, and had fluorescent lighting. Huh. Weird. Beep… Beep… Beep… Beep… “Somebuddy turnov th’ alrm,” she mumbled. “Honey?” her mother said. “It’s Mom. And your Dad. And Sunset is here. She’s been with you the whole time.” “Course she was. How’d you know?” Twilight managed to shift her half-focused eyes over to her right, saw a crimson IV bag and some blurry device beyond it. Hanging blood. She remembered reading that whole blood in an IV bag was called hanging blood. Huh. What a weird name. Past all that, the open window showed the blackness of night outside. “Hey,” Sunset’s voice was strained. “Hey, beautiful. Can you hear me?” Twilight blinked and looked to the left where the people were, clearing more of the fuzz out from her head. “We were at the mall,” she said. “We were eating. And I saw…” Her frown was incredulous. “She shot me.” Sunset bit her lower lip, hands on her lover’s arm, fighting back tears. “Weird,” murmured Twilight. “But it wasn’t… you know,” she sighed, looking at Sunset. “It doesn’t hurt.” Tears streamed down Sunset’s face. She put a gentle hand on Twilight’s shoulder. “I thought I’d lost you,” she said, her closed throat reducing her voice to a whisper. Twilight managed a smile and wormed her arm out from Sunset’s other hand enough to reach for her face. Sunset leaned forward a little, and Twilight cupped her cheek as she managed an exhausted smile. “Not getting rid of me that easily,” she said. “The doctors say you’ll be fine,” her father said. “Just get some rest. One of us will always be here.” “I’m all over it.” She thought for a moment. “So, where was I hit?” Sunset and Night Light shared helpless glances. Of course she would ask. Her mother answered, “The abdomen. Through the side. It went into your upper intestine, but it’s out now. It never went near your spine, and the doctors say you should have a speedy recovery. So don’t worry, okay?” “Right or left side?” Velvet looked to her husband and Sunset. “Right,” said Sunset. Twilight seemed to process this. “That’d avoid th’ abdominal aorta ‘n’ keep bleedout dangers to a min… imum,” She said sleepily. “And th’ ovaries, I think. Tha’s good.” She smiled at Sunset. “Wanna have kids someday.” Then, her eyes closed, smiling. Her breathing became deeper, more regular. Sunset made a sound, almost like a cough. Then, the tears she had been holding in for so many hours finally burst forth. She covered her face with her hands while she sobbed uncontrollably, in part from sheer relief. It took several moments for her to register that Night Light had put his arm around her, and turn to bury her face in his shoulder. The rest of the Rainbooms were in the waiting room, looking almost as exhausted as Sunset herself. Surprisingly, Celestia and Luna were there as well. Well, maybe it’s not that big a surprise, Sunset thought. Sirens, the Friendship Games, not to mention the Fall Formal and the months that followed… It’s not like we’ve exactly been normal students. “She was awake for a minute. Not long, but… she’s going to be okay,” she said. There was a flurry of relieved sighs and grateful hugs. After a few minutes, the Vice Principal put a gentle hand on her shoulder. “May I borrow you for a moment?” Sunset smiled at the inevitable. “Sure.” Together, they went to the nearby chapel. Luna closed the door after them. “And how are you holding up?” Luna asked as she embraced her. Sunset nodded. “Getting there.” Luna nodded as well. “Good. Look, I know you’re tough. Nobody’s doubting that. But… please call us, alright?” she said quietly. “Keep us posted? Just what’s going on, and that you’re still basically okay. And let me know if there’s anything I can do, or you just want to talk. About anything.” “I will.” “Promise?” “Promise.” Vice Principal Luna doubled as Canterlot High’s counselor. Sunset had always been more at ease with her when she’d first started at CU, since Luna hadn’t reminded her of her old mentor. And after the Formal, Luna had helped her through a lot of the worst times. Sunset had no intention of sharing a damned thing with her about what was coming, of course. But still, the older woman genuinely cared, and dialing her number was the least Sunset could do. Luna seemed to sense at least part of Sunset’s decision. She sighed as they pulled apart, smoothing out Sunset’s hair. “You take so much onto yourself. This wasn’t your fault. None of it.” Sunset raised an eyebrow. “This your idea of pep talk?” “For anyone else? No. For you?” The woman shrugged. “I don’t know. You’re a very unusual person, Sunset. You’re more sophisticated, in many ways, than anyone your age should be. You’ve had experiences that are unique this side of that magic portal of yours.” Her eyes pleaded. “But you’re still eighteen. And nothing you’ve done, in either world, has prepared you for this.” “It’s cool. I’ve got this.” Luna’s shoulders slumped in defeat. “Alright. Just, let me ask one last thing?” “Sure.” “You’ve studied a little psychology. I’m sure I don’t need to tell you what you’re going through right now. So please, don’t make any major decisions while you’re feeling like this. Give yourself a year before changing any plans. At least.” Sunset shook her head, feeling her mask starting to crack. “I told you, I’ve got this.” Luna grimaced. The girl before her managed a knowing smile, crossing her arms as she leaned on the wall. “So, is this the part where you drop the conversation to avoid turning it into a conflict?” Luna ran her hand through her hair, looking down. “Actually, I was going to remind you that my sister and I are your friends. You have our numbers, and there is no such thing as a bad time to call. School hours, three a.m., whatever. It doesn’t matter.” She looked over her glasses at her student. “Because we give a damn about you, and we love you. Fair enough?” Sunset sniffled as she pushed away from the wall. “Dammit, I was done doing this…” Luna hugged her fiercely, and Sunset clung to her for several minutes. “You know, you’re really good,” Sunset teased. And, still embracing, they both laughed through their tears. There were more farewell hugs exchanged between the Rainbooms and the sisters – especially between Sunset and Celestia – and the six friends soon found themselves at Sunset’s place. The living room, always a welcoming hangout before, now seemed full of shadows. Fluttershy turned on all the downstairs lights, even the bathroom. It didn’t help much. Sunset watched them from the base of the stairs as they spread around, arranged themselves as they had in the past. Only now, there was no talking, no smiles. No Twilight. Sunset cleared her throat. “Um, you guys aren’t planning on staying here all night, are you?” The five girls glanced at one another. “Maybe kinda,” Applejack admitted. “Look, guys, I’m not going to be good company,” Sunset said, putting out her hands to ward off the idea. “Seriously. My company is going to be for shit, and I don’t want to be comforted. I’m feeling, like, a major bitch fit coming on, and I’d rather you guys weren’t in the splash zone.” “That’s not where we’re heading,” Rainbow said, raiding the fridge for sodas. “Oh?” “You know who did it,” AJ said. “I could see it, when y’all were talkin’ to the cops. You kept it t’yerself. Which means you got a plan.” She crossed her arms. “We want in.” “Um,” Fluttershy interjected, “to make sure they get turned in to the police, of course.” Rarity’s eyes narrowed from where she sat, resting her elbows on their customary table. “Speak for yourself, dear. Someone tried to kill Twilight. I, for one, am not terribly picky about what state he ends up in.” “Yeah,” Rainbow tossed a soda to Pinkie while she pointed around her own “They may have a gun, but we’ve got magic. Why risk cops getting shot? I can outrun anything they’ve got, Rarity’s got shields—” “I got a cousin runs a pig farm,” Applejack supplied, “nobody’d find the body.” Rainbow Dash nodded slowly. “I was thinking more of your super strength, but yeah, that too.” Fluttershy stared at them, aghast. “Girls, what are you saying? This isn’t what our magic is for! It’s for helping people!” “Um, yeah, I hate to bust this particular bubble, Fluttershy,” Pinkie observed after drinking, “But my magic blows stuff up…?” Fluttershy frowned, hands on her hips. “That doesn’t make it a weapon!” Pinkie slammed her half-empty can on the table. “And it doesn’t not make it a weapon!” “Okay, stop!” Sunset stepped forward. “Just… just stop. I… I can’t…” She took a moment, waved her concerned friends away. She’d shed enough tears for awhile. She took a deep breath, grabbed the pain with her mind, and with practiced ease sealed it into a tightly locked box to deal with later. She cleared her throat. “Okay,” she said, her breathing normal again. “No. No to everything you all just said. No to all your plans. No to all your ideas. And no to however you think you’re going to help.” Her face was grim. “None of you need this. This isn’t a movie or a video game. This. Is. Real.” “No disrespect, but we’ve done real,” Applejack pointed out. “Coupla times. You were there.” “This is different.” Sunset made it a point to make eye contact with each of them as she continued, “Never mind that I was trained to fight in ways you weren’t, to deal with monsters and other threats. Never mind that I was raised with the idea that I might have to kill sentient beings, for any number of reasons, and you weren’t. Never mind that you could fucking die because you hesitated at the wrong time, and your enemy didn’t!” The room was silent. “This is a dark place I’m going, and there’s no getting out,” she said flatly. “It’s not some pony-up band battle, or an impromptu magical rescue mission. This is the kind of shit that stays with you. It’s a mark on your soul that never goes away. And I’m not dragging you down with me.” “No, you’re not,” Applejack agreed. “We’re going with you voluntarily,” said Rarity. “Or we could just follow you,” Pinkie suggested hopefully. “You’re not getting rid of us,” Rainbow pointed out. “You can’t. Besides, she’s our friend, too.” “I’m in, too,” Fluttershy sighed. “Sunset’s right. None of us need to go where this is heading.” She looked pointedly at Sunset. “Any of us. But if I’m there, I can help make sure none of you get hurt, and maybe help you see reason before it’s too late.” “Not gonna happen, sugar cube.” Fluttershy’s eyes narrowed in determination. “Then whatever your fate, I will share it with you.” “You really want that?” Sunset demanded. “You really want every day, having your own reflection looking back at you, reminding you of what you’ve done? Because I don’t want that for you!” “If we were to allow you to perform this deed alone, my dear,” Rarity said softly, “We would have that anyway.” Sunset looked over them all. Every one of them, equally unwavering. If she had to lay siege to Tartarus itself, the only one she’d rather have by her side than these girls was in a hospital bed. And with everything the seven of them had been through… And just how would she shake them, anyway? She couldn’t outrun Rainbow, even in a car. All the animals in the world were Fluttershy’s spies. And even if Sunset did somehow outmaneuver them both, Pinkie Pie’s ‘guesses’ tended to be supernaturally accurate. “Shit.” She stared at the ceiling, feeling her eyes start to leak again. Within her mind, her love for her friends, her desire to protect them, and her resentment towards them all raged against one another. “God damn it. God damn it.” And surging through it all, fueling every neuron as they surged, was the fear and hate she’d been nursing since the previous afternoon when that single shot had been fired. “Okay,” she acknowledged at last. “Okay. I guess we all have a right to revenge. And I know I can’t fucking stop you. Because make no mistake, if I thought for one second I could, I absolutely fucking would.” She took in another big breath, and let it out. “I think you’re all making a huge mistake, and I still don’t want you fucking involved. But okay. We do this together.” “Tomorrow.” Fluttershy addressed them all sternly. “My first act to keep all of you from getting hurt or killed, and hopefully get you to see sanity again, is to point out that we’re all too exhausted for any of this. We’re not doing Twilight any good if we get shot ourselves. We get sleep first. And then we do whatever we do next.” She turned to Sunset. “Arguments?” Sunset grimaced. “Okay. Logical. We sleep.” She turned, started up the stairs. “Then we find the bitch. And we fucking make her pay.” “Um, quick question,” AJ interjected. “Who’re we after? You see her face?” “Yeah, was it one of the Sirens?” asked Rainbow Dash. Sunset stopped. “No. And yeah, I saw her face.” Rarity frowned. “And you recognized her, correct?” Sunset’s expression was stone when she turned to face them again. “Hard not to,” she said quietly. “It was my face.” Then she turned away from her friends, and ascended into darkness.
Pancakes for BreakfastTwilight’s body on top of hers. Her taste. Her scent. Her heartbeat. Twilight moans, makes that face she makes as Sunset moves her hands up her lover’s sides, gently raising her shirt. A popping sound. The cold tile slams into her. Twilight’s body on top of hers. She can taste blood. She can smell the acrid bite of gunpowder. Her ears are ringing. Twilight is silent, her eyes closed. Sunset sees the shooter. Smoking gun in hand, staring, backing up then turning and running into the crowd. That’s me. A few people yell. Someone tries to grab her. Then she’s gone. Frantically, Sunset rolls her lover over, runs her blood-slicked hands up Twilight’s side, moving her shirt out of the way to see the damage. The bullet hole is black, there’s some yellow inside. Red is running out across the white tile. “Apply pressure,” she tells herself, pushing on the wound. “That’s what they always say. Apply pressure.” She has to stay calm, find some way to focus. Then, her mind catching up with the fact that there are other people around, she raises her voice. “Help! Anybody! Help, oh, God…!” Sunset Shimmer jackknifed awake, gagging and coughing, the taste of bile flooding her mouth. After changing into a T-shirt and sweats, Sunset padded downstairs with her blanket and the clothes she’d slept in. Once she’d resigned herself to sleep, however reluctantly, she’d meant to shower first. But somehow, she’d just ended up in bed, fully clothed. As she reached the top of the stairs, the rest of the previous night’s memory clicked in, including why she’d wanted the shower. Wishing to God she’d remembered before she came into view, she slipped on a mask of neutrality and descended the stairs. “Before anybody asks,” she announced, “I did not have a childish accident.” There were a few nods. “I woke up sick, too,” Fluttershy said softly. “I, um, made some ginger and chamomile tea. With some Saint Joan’s wort. I hope that’s okay.” Sunset smiled a little. “There any left?” “She made lots,” Rainbow nodded. “There’s about half a pot left.” “Sign me up.” Sunset made her way down to the basement and jammed the laundry into the washer. Dumped however much detergent. Turned the damned thing on. Went back upstairs. Passed everybody again on her way to the upstairs bathroom. Took a shower. Scrubbed her hands and nails with a back scrubber until all the red was finally gone. Knelt in the shower and silently wept, letting the water carry away the tears. After spending half the day and most of the night worrying about whether Twilight was going to survive, it looked like everyone else had slept through the day, too. The sky was almost dark and thunder was rumbling in the distance as the other girls yawned and made small talk, conversing about anything but what was on their minds. Well, except for Pinkie, who had taken it upon herself to fix breakfast for everyone. And looked like she had been up for hours. And had somehow been refreshed by whatever sleep she’d gotten. Not for the first time, Sunset tried to hate Pinkie Pie for being such a naturally energetic, cheerful person, and failed miserably. “Morning!” Pinkie chirped as Sunset came downstairs again. “Or evening! Whichever. Anyway, I made everybody breakie!” Then again, Sunset mused, today might be the day of success. Sunset poured herself a large glass of yellowish tea and obediently sat down while she sipped the stuff. Twilight would have insisted on calling it an ‘herbal infusion,’ she thought. She would have corrected Fluttershy in a heartbeat, pointing out that ‘tea’ was a specific plant commonly used in infusions. She’d probably have known when the stuff was discovered, and its traditional medicinal uses, and everything. She’d have… “Hey,” Rainbow said. “You okay?” “Not even remotely.” Rainbow squeezed Sunset’s shoulder. Despite herself, Sunset smiled a little as she put her own hand over her friend’s blue one and squeezed back. The plate Pinkie Pie put in front of her was the same as she was handing everyone else: bacon, eggs with cheese, English muffins dripping in butter, and a huge stack of pancakes covered in syrup and jelly. Sunset looked at it blankly. “Pinkie, if I try to eat this, I promise you I am going to throw up again.” “Can you just try a little?” Sunset looked up at her friend with tired eyes. “All over you.” Pinkie blinked. “How about just an English muffin.” Sunset considered this. “No butter.” “Deal.” “Fine.” After a dry muffin washed down with the rest of her infusion, Sunset found that she could, in fact, eat. Like everyone else in the room, she hadn’t eaten since the previous afternoon. To her surprise, she quickly found herself staring at an empty plate, her stomach more or less mollified. The house was very quiet, the Rainbooms alternating between looking at one another and messing with their plates. “Okay, elephant in the room time,” Applejack said. “We still doin’ this?” “I am,” Sunset said. “It’s not too late for the rest of you.” “Forget it,” Rainbow shook her head. “We’re in.” “Beyond question,” Rarity affirmed. Pinkie nodded. “Lead on, MacDuff.” Sunset sighed, running her hand through her hair. “You know that’s not the real quote, right?” “Well, um, I think we all remember the Scottish play,” Fluttershy said. “And the challenge that the main character gave. But let’s also remember, he was a little crazy.” Rainbow scoffed. “A little.” “And he destroyed everything he loved before the end,” Fluttershy went on, “including himself. It’s still not too late to stop. Twilight’s alive,” she said, forcing herself to look directly at Sunset. “What’s she going to think of all this?” There was a pause. Then, Applejack spoke. “Wow. That’s… kind of a low blow, there.” Fluttershy shook her head sadly. “I don’t care if it is or not,” she said. “I’m right. And you all know I’m right.” Suddenly, Sunset was standing, her hands balled into fists by her side. “Oh, fuck you!” The rest of the room stared, aghast, but Sunset went on before they could speak. “You don’t dare tell me what I know,” she snarled, stepping towards Fluttershy. “You don’t ever get to tell me what I know! Not now, not a hundred years from now!” “Sunset—” Rarity started. “No!” Sunset snapped at her. “No, I’m not going to be mollified, condescended to, or reigned in! If that’s why you’re here, then you can just get the fuck out of my house!” “And you!” Rounding on Fluttershy again, Sunset demanded, “Just who the hell do you think you are, lecturing me? You, with your perfect family and your perfect future and oh, God forbid anybody tells sweet little Fluttershy ‘no!’ What do you know about this? What can you know!? You know exactly SHIT!” Her voice continued to rise as she went on, “You talk to me when you’ve looked down at the ER and realized your hands still have her blood on them! You don’t even have a boyfriend, or a girlfriend, or whatever the fuck you’re into! You don’t know, YOU’LL NEVER KNOW--!” Sunset blinked. The room was silent. Fluttershy was just standing there, looking at her, struggling against her tears. “Oh, my God,” Sunset whispered, half-covering her mouth. “Oh, Flutters…” she crossed the room and the two embraced. “I’m sorry, I’m so, so sorry, oh, God, oh, sweet Celestia, I’m such a fucking bitch, I’m so sorry…” “It’s okay,” Fluttershy wept into her shoulder. “No, no, it’s really not,” she said, stroking her friend’s hair. “I just finished throwing a bunch of hateful, hurtful lies at the single nicest person I ever met, just because she’s my friend and trying to help me. And they were lies, all of them. And there is not a single goddamn thing about that that’s okay. And I am sorry. I really am.” “It’s alright,” Fluttershy sniffled. “You weren’t in your right mind.” Sighing, Sunset pulled away just enough to make eye contact. “I know where you’re going with that,” she said gently. “And it won’t work.” Fluttershy sniffed again, wiping her eyes. “Then I’m still going with you.” Sunset slumped a little then. For a moment, Fluttershy dared hope that she had won. Then, Sunset shook her head. “Well then, I guess we’d better head out while she’s still there.” “Y’know where the crittur is, then?” Applejack asked. Sunset nodded. “I know where she’ll be. There’s a lake in Canterlot Park, it corresponds with where I was found after I was born. It’s where I would be now, if I were her.” “Huh. Think she’ll be waitin’ for us?” Rainbow’s eyes narrowed. “God, I hope so.” Sunset grabbed her keys. “Let’s find out.” It was quickly determined, after Sunset dropped the keys twice trying to open the car door, that she was in no emotional state to drive. Miraculously, Fluttershy did not take the opportunity to re-start her argument, but instead insisted that Sunset travel with her, in her car. Soon, they were a small convoy of assorted vehicles, driving through the rain of a rapidly growing storm. The sound of windshield wipers, and the raindrops striking the small Tesla, were the only sounds for a time. Then, Sunset spoke. “So. Owls, huh?” Fluttershy smiled. “Owls are very friendly creatures.” Sunset glanced at her. “For you.” “And they love their families.” “And they see in the dark. And they stay awake all night,” Sunset observed. Then she added, “Watching people’s windows.” “Why, Sunset,” Fluttershy said contentedly, “I have no idea what you could possibly mean.” Sunset rolled her eyes and stared out the window. “Yeah. Me neither.” Several minutes passed. “Um, Sunset?” “Uh-huh.” “I need to ask you something. It might be a little, um, uncomfortable. Like, a lot.” Sunset slowly took in a deep breath of resignation, and let it out just as slowly. “Hit me,” she said at last. “I was thinking about, um, where it happened. In the food court. And in her side. Sorry,” she added, glancing at Sunset. Sunset nodded. “I think I know where you’re heading,” she said in a strained voice, “but go ahead.” “Well, um, it just occurred to me that, well, that her side was a strange place to shoot somebody when they’re sitting. And if this other girl is someplace where she was found as a baby, that’s, um, a really thoughtful spot…” Sunset waited as she looked out the window, arms crossed protectively over herself. It was easier than speaking. Fluttershy’s voice was almost inaudible when she asked, “She wasn’t aiming for Twilight, was she?” Throat closed, Sunset could only shake her head: no. A little after that, Fluttershy turned left onto the old gravel road. It was long and winding, and narrow as hell. But it was also a back way into the park that would not be gated closed at night. They drove the rest of the way in silence.
Sunset in the RainThe park was old but well-maintained, with shelters and camping spots, several swing sets here and there, a couple of lakes for fishing and one for boating. There were paved roads crisscrossing the place, and neatly encircling each lake. The one that allowed boats had a pier. On that pier sat a figure, irregularly silhouetted by the storm. In her hand was a gun. And as the lightning flashed and the wind and rain tore at their hair and clothes, six young women strode down the pier towards her. She sat with her back against a pile, away from shore, facing to the side out towards the water. She didn’t seem to see or hear them as they approached. Her jeans were torn, her boots were worn, her jacket sported multiple patches. The rain had plastered her red and gold mohawk down across the side of her head. She looked thin, almost birdlike as she stared out over the water. The old revolver in her hand glinted dully in the lightning’s flare. Sunset stopped, and her friends halted behind her. Her own leather jacket whipped in the rain, her hair moving dully, weighed down by water. “I’m here,” she said. “Why don’t you use that thing again.” The smaller girl slowly looked over at her, then back out over the water. “I said, why don’t you try that shit again?” demanded Sunset. This time, the girl barely gave her a glance. “Fuck off.” Sunset stomped down the walkway at her counterpart, fists clenched. Behind her, Rarity and Rainbow Dash nodded to one another. One friend had already been shot; they weren’t about to let it happen again. There was a dull clatter and a sliding sound, and something dark and heavy skidded to a stop at Sunset’s feet. The revolver. Sunset kicked it back to her. “Pick it up.” “Fuck you.” “I said pick it up!” The other Sunset pulled herself to her feet. She reached down, picked the gun up. “So you’re here to finish me off, huh? Make it look good? This is how it ends?” She shrugged, smoothed her mohawk back more-or-less into line. “Fine. Why not. Just one question first.” Sunset’s eyes narrowed. “What?” “Just what the hell are you, really?” Sunset glanced back at her friends, then at her counterpart. “I’m Sunset Shimmer.” Something in the other girl snapped. “No!” In an instant, the gun was up again and she was firing, rapid shots, five rounds in less than a second and then clicking again and again on empty shells, all the while screaming, “No! No, you’re not! I’m Sunset Shimmer! I’m Sunset Shimmer, you lying, cowardly bitch!” Between them, a diamond-like shield had deflected the bullets, sending them out to the water. The smaller Sunset stared. “You… you’ve got magic powers, too? On top of everything else…” For a moment, she started to chuckle incredulously, then shook her head. “You know what, I… I don’t even care anymore. Fuck it. Fuck everything.” But Sunset was moving again. “I care,” she snarled, tackling the smaller girl, bringing her down. For several seconds they rolled and grappled in the rain, throwing punches, sliding on the slick wood beneath them. The other Rainbooms couldn’t tell who was winning, if either of them was, or even tell them much apart in the darkness and falling rain. “Lying bitch! I’ll kill you!” “You shot her!” “It should’ve been you!” “Why? Why did you do it?” “Because you fucking stole my life, you fucking cunt!” There was more slippery fumbling in the darkness. A cry of pain, several grunts, and something skittered along the width of the pier. The moonlight caught its glint just enough to reveal it to be a knife before it vanished into the water. Lightning flared again, illuminating them both. Sunset with a full head of hair, standing again with feet wide apart, holding the other Sunset in a choke hold, forearm rotated tight against her jaw. The girl’s boots slid rapidly and uncontrolled along the rain-soaked planks, her arms flailing wildly. Panic had set in. It wouldn’t be long now. In the distance, over the rain, Sunset could hear more struggling. Yelling. That would be Fluttershy. The others were probably holding her back. Sunset couldn’t make out what she was saying, but she could guess. Still, as her counterpart’s flailing became more panicked, and then weaker and more irregular, Sunset felt a grim, cold triumph. Die, you murderous bitch… you tried to take everything from me… she almost died because of you… you wanted this… just die, stop struggling and fucking DIE…! Then, one of the other girl’s hands gripped Sunset’s wrist. And with that contact, the world fell away for just an instant as her own power forced scattered fragments of the other girl’s life into her mind. How many times have I told you, you stupid brat? Dummy, dummy, dummy! What, did you hafta take lessons to be this stupid…? What the hell is this supposed to be? Some kinda horse? You crazy, girl? That your fuckin’ problem…? It’s for your own good, sweetheart. Be best if you’d just stop fighting… Lying bitch! I know what you’re up to…! Hey, girl, you got it? Jus’ lookin’ to get a little spin goin’, you know…? I’m sorry, Miss Shimmer, but you can’t take the placement tests twice. Besides, it looks like you aced them the first time, why would you take them again…? With a cry, Sunset released her enemy, dropping to her knees. The other girl gave a long, horrific gasp, rolled on her back, then onto her hands and knees, still gasping for air, coughing, struggling to stay conscious. “Nobody touch her!” Sunset cried as her friends approached. “I don’t… care what she does or says… nobody hurts her.” “What...” the other Sunset wheezed, “what the fuck... did you just do?” “That doesn’t matter,” Sunset said, crawling over to her. “You’re coming with us. You’re going to talk to the girl you shot.” The other Sunset looked at her in pure horror. “I can’t--” “You shut up! This isn’t about you! Or me!” Still on her hands and knees, Sunset pointed at Fluttershy. “That’s what one of the best friends anyone could ever have has been trying to tell me this whole time! I was just too pissed off, too stubborn, and too fucking arrogant to listen.” She leaned in close, and hissed through gritted teeth, “This is about a girl who never did anything to you, lying in a hospital bed. You almost killed her.” When the other Sunset looked away, she grabbed her face and forced her to look at her. “She has the right to know why!” The mohawked girl opened her mouth, then shut it and looked down, ashamed. Then, she nodded. “Okay,” she said, completely defeated. “Okay. You’re right. Just...” “No.” Forcing herself up, Sunset grabbed her counterpart by the jacket and dragged her to her feet. “No easy way out for you, Sunset,” she snarled. “You’re coming with us, right now. You’re going to look her in the eye. You’re going to tell her everything.” She shoved the smaller girl, staggering, towards Applejack, who caught her easily. “And then, you’re going to live with what you’ve done.”
I Always Dreamed of UnicornsSunset hated hospitals. Even as a filly, she had hated them. Princess Celestia had taken her along once, when she was making an appearance at one. The place had just creeped her out. Having Twilight in one didn’t make the experience any better. None of this did. “How’s yer leg?” Involuntarily, Sunset glanced down. The bite on her arm, Fluttershy been able to close with a few butterfly strips. The stab wound in her thigh had required stitches before bandages could be applied. “Sore,” she said. “I still think you should get something that deep looked at professionally, dear,” Rarity said. “It’ll be fine.” Applejack and Rarity exchanged exasperated looks. A little further down the hall, the other Sunset, the human-born Sunset, was talking with Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie. Always looking down, arms crossed over her abdomen. Her face horribly bruised from strangulation and half-hidden by the hoodie she wore. Rainbow Dash sat on the bench next to Twilight’s room, watching the girl through half-lidded eyes. “I still don’ like it, Sunny,” muttered Applejack, glaring at the other Sunset from beneath her hat. “Why’re we lettin’ her near Twi again?” “Twilight was never her target. I was.” “An’ you can be so dang forgivin’ because why?” “Partially because I saw a few glimpses of her life while I was… killing her,” Sunset said uncomfortably, “and partially because, well, let’s face it: I’ve done worse. A lot worse.” Applejack raised an eyebrow, and Sunset leaned back against the wall, eyes on the ceiling. “I stole an irreplaceable artifact that an entire country relied on for their defense, leaving all their people open to invasion and worse,” She said. “I used it to gain magical power, and then started stripping away the free will of everyone around me, enslaving their very souls with the ultimate purpose in mind of conquering two entire worlds and crushing their various peoples beneath my tyrannical heel.” Applejack rubbed the back of her neck, uncertain. “Well now, when you put it like that…” “In doing so, I knowingly betrayed the trust of the closest thing to a mother I’d ever had. And once I had that power, anyone who could oppose me I was ready to murder out of hand.” “Aw, c’mon, Sunset. It’s not like that was really you.” Sunset shook her head. “I may have been under the influence of Twilight’s crown towards the end, but magic is like anything else: if you seek it or take it in voluntarily, you’re responsible for the results. And in my case, the results were catastrophic.” Sunset closed her eyes. “Hell, just that stunt I did with the front of the school, tearing it away like I did? It’s a minor miracle no one was crippled or killed.” She sighed. “When it comes right down to it, I lucked out more than anyone has a right to.” Sunset nodded to her counterpart. “She didn’t.” “Uh-huh. ‘Ceptin’ that in her case, Twilight paid the price.” “Yes. She did. Because when people like us fuck up, or get unlucky, or even just miss some little detail, it’s the bystanders and the people near us who pay.” Sunset grimaced. “Something Princess Celestia tried like hell to drill into me when I was growing up. I never really got it until now.” “Huh.” Applejack considered this. “Well, yer a better man than I am, Gunga Din.” Sunset ignored this. “Besides, I called on the way here. Twilight wants to see her.” Sunset nodded to the door to Twilight’s room, where Twilight Velvet was just emerging. “And it looks like about time for ‘Sunset’ over there to start paying her debt.” They chatted for a few minutes on how well Twilight was doing. Sunset spent the time deliberately not limping or favoring her good leg, meanwhile her counterpart looked the other way and tried not to be noticed. Then, after the older woman had left, the girls went in. The nurse gave them a very professional scowl and a strict warning about Twilight needing her rest, and then finally left, closing the door behind him. Twilight smiled at her friends, especially at Sunset. “Hey.” Sunset smiled back. Twilight looked pale, and tired. But for Sunset, a whole parade of nightmarish what-ifs melted away at seeing those violet eyes bright and focused again. “Hey, love,” she said. They shared a brief kiss. “Still up for another visitor?” “Sure.” Sunset stepped to the side, revealing the smaller girl behind her. Twilight blinked at the Sunset who had shot her as she pulled her hood back. Twilight took in the girls’ bruised face, the old scar on the left side of her throat, thin as a razor. The shame in her eyes. “Hi,” Twilight said. “I’m… I’m sorry,” said the human-born Sunset. “I know nothing can make it right, but I am. I’m so, so sorry…” Twilight’s voice was weak, but still clear. “Will you tell me why?” “I’ll try if you want. But I don’t know if it’ll make any sense to you. You love her.” “Just start at the beginning.” “Okay. The beginning.” She blew out a breath, ran her hand along her drying hair, putting it in line again. Sat down in a chair near the bed, but not within reach. AJ glowered, but said nothing. “The beginning. Well, in the beginning, they found me as an infant. Around where your friends found me tonight,” she said. “No birth records, no missing kid reports, nothing. So I went into foster care.” A pause. “Never really found a place. By the time I was fourteen, I’d gone to twelve different schools.” She took a breath, let it go. “I escaped into fantasy whenever I could. Unicorns. Dragons. Cats with golden eyes. I don’t know how many times my drawings and paintings got torn up or burned in front of me, with some ass-hat going on about my being crazy or my soul being in danger. One time, I got ahold of some old Anne McCaffrey novels. I loved them. I had to watch them burn on a barbeque grill. “So I’d retreat further into my fantasies. I’d dream of having magic, of exploring fantastic worlds and defending the innocent. Those were my good times. My escape. I mean, sure, aside from my artwork, some of the homes were okay. But some were…” She swallowed, looked away. “Some were less than okay. Let’s just say you should believe the rumors.” Fluttershy handed her a paper cup with water in it. She nodded her thanks, drank, and went on, holding the cup in both hands. “When I was fourteen I ran away again, but this time I was able to keep them from finding me. About six months later, I pulled my first robbery. A while after that… it’s amazing what you’ll do when you’re hungry. Like, really fucking hungry. There comes a point, nothing matters but food. You just don’t give a fuck anymore. I did whatever I had to, to stay alive and off the radar. “Once I had the contacts, I made a little scratch as a courier. I was cute then, beneath suspicion. Then, once I had enough cash, I started selling. After a while, I was cooking. I mean, sure, I almost got caught a few times. But I knew who my enemies were, and I stayed ahead of them. And everybody underestimated me. “But the thing was, I had a plan. I wasn’t going to be like this forever, you know? All my life, they’d called me names. Besides the usual slut-shaming, I mean. Stupid. Psycho. Crazy. Dummy. But I knew I only had to stay on the lam for a few years. Because once I turned eighteen, they couldn’t send me back. And then, I’d prove them all wrong. I’d show them that I wasn’t crazy. That I wasn’t stupid.” Her voice became more uneven as she continued, “I’d go to college, get a degree. Maybe I’d be a teacher somewhere. Maybe I’d go into law, be a child advocate. I could sell my paintings on the side, try to get recognized. And then, someday, when I had the recognition and the cred I needed that people’d listen to me, I could call out the bastards who’d tried to use me up instead of helping me. Stop them from hurting other kids. “I should have suspected something when getting my ID was so easy, but I didn’t. When everyone assumed I was getting replacements, I just figured things were going my way for once.” She shook her head. “Stupid. Still, I got it all: social security card, driver’s license, everything. With a legal identity, I could put my cash into a bank. Then I took my GED, aced it. No sweat. Then, I went for my college placement tests at Canterlot U.” The other Sunset stared. “Oh, my god.” A nod. “Yeah. They told me I wasn’t allowed to take the tests twice. And that I had already taken them, like, a month before. Buried the needle in everything, apparently. That was when I started looking for someone using my name.” She took in a shuddering breath, looked at Sunset. “I found you on MyStable a week later. A perfect me. Healthy. Whole. Unscarred, with a winning smile. Everybody’s hero.” The tears started coming, her voice shaking more as she went on, “Graduating with honors, top of your class. Surrounded by friends, a beautiful girlfriend who loved you, with a free ride scholarship to the same fucking college I’d picked. The one I couldn’t go to, because you were there. Just like I couldn’t go to any college, because your fucking transcript had my name on it! “And suddenly… it all made sense,” she said. She lowered her head, eyes screwed shut. “For the first time in my life, something made sense.” Her breathing came faster now, despite her attempts to control it. “You stole my life,” she cried. The words forced their way out of her, unwanted. “The life I should have had, the life I was denied… you came here from someplace, you took my place, you left me on that pier while you fucking took my life!” Sunset moved to her, put her arm around her. “No. No, I didn’t.” “Bullshit,” her counterpart wept. “Two Sunset Shimmers? You look just like me, only better. We could be twins.” Sunset said nothing. “I knew all about where you hung out from your MyStable posts. I don’t even remember going to the mall. I just remember thinking as I walked past the stores, over and over, ‘She stole my life. She stole it. That explains everything. It all makes sense now. She stole my life.’ I saw the two of you at the food court, laughing, and… I… I went up to you…” Sunset winced. “But then, she, she saw me with the gun… she got in the way. Knocked you down,” The tears came faster now. “She loved you so much, she would have died for you. And I almost killed her…” The human-born Sunset wouldn’t look up, or couldn’t. “I know you can’t forgive me, Twilight. But I… I really am—” And finally, with Fluttershy on one side of her and Sunset on the other, the ability to speak left her completely as she broke into uncontrollable sobs. Part of Sunset felt more than a little strange, comforting her own would-be assassin, the girl who had nearly killed Twilight. Not to mention the girl she herself had tried to kill not long ago. But what else could she do? She looked askance to her friends. All of them, even Applejack, gave her matching looks of helplessness. Then, over the sounds of penance, a faint voice made itself heard. “It’s okay.” With effort, Twilight scootched over on her bed a little. She reached out towards the mohawked girl, but she was still too far away. “Hey, did you hear me? I said, it’s okay.” She said weakly, arm still extended. “I forgive you. And for what it’s worth, our Sunset didn’t plan anything against you. It’s a long story, but she didn’t. I promise. We can prove it.” While the girl shook her head, Sunset squeezed her shoulders, adding, “Hey. Hey. Look. I didn’t steal your life. I didn’t. And I can prove it. But… I am sorry. For everything. I’ll go somewhere else for college. And I’ll help you get things sorted out, so you can go where you wanted.” She sighed. “And, in a way… I mean, look, I didn’t do this to you. Hell, even at my worst I’d never have put you through all that. And I’m not saying I’m responsible for what you did. Nobody can take that on but you. “But in retrospect, I should have at least tried to find you. I was just… too wrapped up in myself, even after things got better. And that’s my fault. I should have known you’d be out there somewhere, as soon as I saw that Principal Celestia didn’t have a—” She broke off, staring at Twilight, who was staring back at her with the same, stricken expression. “Sunset,” said Twilight. “And come to think of it,” Sunset said slowly, “maybe I can give you more opportunities, along with that proof that I mentioned.” With the coming of spring was the smell of freshly mown lawns, the sounds of singing birds, and the promise of longer days. The campus of Canterlot High was an architectural work of art, and the green seasons suited it perfectly. Still, on a Saturday there were few who felt like hanging around the high school, especially near some dusty old plinth. Then, along with the birdsongs and the winds whispering through the newly-green trees, there came the sound of young voices. Coming up the walkway were the Rainbooms, united again. Twilight, only just discharged, was grumpily being pushed in her wheelchair by Sunset. “But I can walk.” “Nope.” “You’re enjoying this!” “Uh-huh.” Rainbow Dash popped open a can of soda. “You really expect her to show?” “Yup.” Applejack grunted. “I dunno, Sunny. Y’beat her up pretty bad. She might skedaddle rather’n show up t’see you again.” “She’s not a coward. She’ll be here.” “No offence, darling,” Rarity inquired, “but how can you be so sure?” “Because Twilight asked her to. And she promised she would.” A few minutes later, the hunched-over figure of the human-born Sunset could be seen. As she got closer, it was plain that she looked like hell. The bruises on her face were healing nicely, but she also hadn’t slept much since the hospital. She went up to the Rainbooms, avoiding all eye contact. “Hey,” she muttered. Sunset stepped to her, and extended her hand. “Hey.” Her counterpart took it, and the Sunsets embraced. Not quite as friends, perhaps. But it was a beginning. When they stepped apart, the mohawked girl saw that Twilight was also extending her hand to her. Her hopeful smile was a question asked. The human-born Sunset answered her with a handclasp, then, uncertainly, kneeling down and giving her the gentlest hug imaginable. “I’m not made out of glass, you know.” “Taking no chances,” came the reply. After a moment, Sunset pulled away slightly, to allow eye contact. “How are you doing?” “Still hurts,” Twilight admitted. “Don’t let the chair fool you, though. I can walk. She just insists on pushing me everywhere.” Human-born Sunset stood, smiling. “Uh-huh. Girlfriend’s prerogative.” Twilight made a sound of frustration. “Urgh! That’s what she said. That’s exactly what she said.” The Sunsets exchanged a glance, then crossed their arms, shifting their backs towards one another. “She’s not wrong,” they said in unison. “Aaack!” Twilight clutched her temples while the others laughed. “And now I’m surrounded! Why, God? Why?” Just then, the base of the plinth took on an unearthly glow. A moment later, a purple-haired and violet-skinned girl stepped through. But for her hairstyle and lack of glasses, she looked exactly like… “Hiya, Twilight!” waved Pinkie happily. “What the fuck!” exclaimed the human-born Sunset. “Okay, easy, I think some introductions are in order,” Sunset said. “Princess Twilight Sparkle, this is Sunset Shimmer, the native Sunset of this world. Sunset, this is Princess Twilight Sparkle, a native to the world where I came from.” Sunset stared at Sunset in anguish. “I… you mean I was right?” “No.” The pony-born Sunset shook her head as she took her counterpart’s hands in her own. “No, you were only half right. You see, we were both foundlings. But in my world, I was adopted almost at once. Later on, we both ran away about the same time. But again, there was a difference: I got to start a new life.” She gestured to the plinth, still glowing slightly in the fading daylight. “When I ran away, this is how I came to your world. I never knew about you. So you had to survive this one, on your own, without any of the advantages I had. And you did. Which, by the way, is completely fucking amazing. “So, look, you can stay here if you want, and like I said, I’ll help you however I can. We could be long-lost sisters, or cousins, or whatever you want. I know a guy who can help with the documentation. But this is another option, if you ever want it. The world where I came from doesn’t have a Sunset Shimmer anymore.” She shrugged. “Maybe it needs one.” The human-born Sunset kept her face neutral while she processed this. “What kind of world is it?” The newest arrival spoke. “My world, and Sunset’s native world. I’m Princess Twilight Sparkle. In my world, I’m an alicorn—whoa, careful!” The pony-born Sunset caught her counterpart as she staggered slightly, her mind reeling. “You okay?” she asked. The girl seemed uncertain, but she managed, “Uh-huh.” “Good. Because, remember those pictures you used to paint? How you used to dream of unicorns in a magical world?” Slowly, the human-born Sunset turned to stare at her. “Well, um, now you could be one, if you want.” She fidgeted a little. “Okay, that sounded better in my head. Look, it isn’t a perfect world, believe me. My reasons for leaving may not have been noble, but I did have them. And the magic isn’t easy to learn. There’s a lot of frustration. And, um, some danger.” She glanced at the princess. “Okay, maybe a lot of danger.” As the stare continued, Sunset hurriedly added, “And I’m not trying to kick you out of this world, honest. I swear to God, I will do whatever I can to help. Anything. I’m just saying, this is always an option, if you ever want to take it. There’s no rush either way. It’ll still be here.” Still staring. “And, um, this would never be final if you don’t want it to be, either. Even if you ever did leave, and God knows I understand you thinking this is all completely crazy, but you could always come back if you—” “What, are you kidding? Come back? This world sucks!” And without another word, the girl leaped through the portal, vanishing in a burst of interdimensional light. “Well,” Princess Twilight blinked. “That was… decisive.” Sunset chuckled. “Yeah, well, remember who we are. This isn’t exactly a surprise.” With another burst of light, her counterpart suddenly reappeared through the portal. Grinning, she grabbed Sunset, kissed her, and then leaped back through, vanishing once again. As Sunset grabbed her girlfriend’s chair for support, blushing fiercely, Applejack snickered. “Feelin’ surprised yet, sugar cube?” “What about you, Twilight?” Pinkie winked. “You’re not jealous, are you?” “I dunno,” Twilight mused, tapping her chin thoughtfully. “That, or maybe I should make sure I can watch. I’m not sure yet.” Sunset buried her face in her hands “Oh, my god, I hate you all so much right now…” Princess Twilight, meanwhile, was studying various areas of sky. “Welllllllll. Ummmmm. Iiiiiiii… guess I’d better get back to Equestria!” she declared. “Looks like there’s a new mare in town, and I’m sure she’ll need some orientation.” Sunset gave a rueful grin. “Yeah, probably. Good seeing you, Twilight.” “Hey, you too,” the princess smiled. “Let me know how she’s doing?” “Of course.” There was a group hug, another surge of light, and she, too, was gone. “So, that was fun,” Pinkie perked. “Who’s for Chinese?” Applejack considered this. “I’m game,” she decided. “You know, that does sound lovely,” Rarity admitted. “Veggie, please.” “Tofu for Fluttershy,” Rainbow Dash grinned. “With spring rolls. We can mix-and-match the rest, as usual.” “Yeah, I’m for garlic veggies, myself,” Sunset said. Then she looked at Twilight. “What do you think?” “Well, I am more tired than I was expecting,” Twilight admitted. “But I’m also ravenous. And white rice and noodles are both easily digested. So, I think as long as I don’t have anything spicy or complex…” “Yay!” Pinkie cried. “Chinese food going-away party for Other Sunset at Twilight’s place!” “Why at Twilight’s place?” Applejack asked. “So she can crash out any time she wants, silly!” “But… the other Sunset’s already gone,” Fluttershy pointed out. “Oh, well,” Pinkie bounced happily. “More for us!” As their friends talked and laughed, the pair with the wheelchair fell slightly behind. Twilight gave the love of her life a calculating look. “So, you… ‘know a guy?’” “Kinda.” “Interesting,” she pondered. Then, “Who else do you know?” “Hmmmmm. Curious Twilight asking about illegal shenanigans.” Sunset leaned forward. “I sense danger.” “Hmmmmm. Cautious Sunset evading the question.” Twilight kissed Sunset on the cheek. “I sense opportunity.” Sunset stood upright again, giving an exasperated sound. “You’re impossible.” “No, I’m not. And neither are you.” She sighed happily. Reaching back, she put a hand on her lover’s arm while they wheeled towards the lot. “We’re both just very, very unlikely.” “It’s an unlikely world.” “It is,” Twilight agreed. She shifted slightly, resting her head on her girlfriend’s arm as she pulled it towards her, ever so slightly. The breeze smelled of grass and evening blossoms, and mixed pleasantly with the scents of Sunset and her jacket. Twilight breathed in as much of the moment as she possibly could, feeling very content as she spoke again. “Let’s go home.” Author's Note Continued in Breakfast at Twilight’s Also: Dave Bryant wrote this, in which his OC, Cook, is involved in the matter. Now I need to read his Cook stories... And, of course, the seminal story that starts it all begins here.
Little Beeps and Hanging BloodBeep… Beep… Beep… Beep… It was hard just keeping her eyes open. Impossible, even. Was that her alarm? She needed to get up. Running late for school. Was she hung over? Maybe she was still drunk? Strange, she didn’t remember drinking anything. Beep… Beep… Beep… Beep… She had been going to fix breakfast for Sunny today. Wait. Was she? What day was it? “Twilight?” Twilight frowned a little. Mom? What was she doing here? It felt like she was wrapped in the world’s most massive, warm, fluffy blanket. Somewhere past the blanket, there was a little discomfort in her stomach, but somehow she didn’t care. She tried to sit up, but nothing happened. Why couldn’t she move? Beep… Beep… Beep… Beep… She got her eyes open again, kind of. The ceiling was bright, white, and had fluorescent lighting. Huh. Weird. Beep… Beep… Beep… Beep… “Somebuddy turnov th’ alrm,” she mumbled. “Honey?” her mother said. “It’s Mom. And your Dad. And Sunset is here. She’s been with you the whole time.” “Course she was. How’d you know?” Twilight managed to shift her half-focused eyes over to her right, saw a crimson IV bag and some blurry device beyond it. Hanging blood. She remembered reading that whole blood in an IV bag was called hanging blood. Huh. What a weird name. Past all that, the open window showed the blackness of night outside. “Hey,” Sunset’s voice was strained. “Hey, beautiful. Can you hear me?” Twilight blinked and looked to the left where the people were, clearing more of the fuzz out from her head. “We were at the mall,” she said. “We were eating. And I saw…” Her frown was incredulous. “She shot me.” Sunset bit her lower lip, hands on her lover’s arm, fighting back tears. “Weird,” murmured Twilight. “But it wasn’t… you know,” she sighed, looking at Sunset. “It doesn’t hurt.” Tears streamed down Sunset’s face. She put a gentle hand on Twilight’s shoulder. “I thought I’d lost you,” she said, her closed throat reducing her voice to a whisper. Twilight managed a smile and wormed her arm out from Sunset’s other hand enough to reach for her face. Sunset leaned forward a little, and Twilight cupped her cheek as she managed an exhausted smile. “Not getting rid of me that easily,” she said. “The doctors say you’ll be fine,” her father said. “Just get some rest. One of us will always be here.” “I’m all over it.” She thought for a moment. “So, where was I hit?” Sunset and Night Light shared helpless glances. Of course she would ask. Her mother answered, “The abdomen. Through the side. It went into your upper intestine, but it’s out now. It never went near your spine, and the doctors say you should have a speedy recovery. So don’t worry, okay?” “Right or left side?” Velvet looked to her husband and Sunset. “Right,” said Sunset. Twilight seemed to process this. “That’d avoid th’ abdominal aorta ‘n’ keep bleedout dangers to a min… imum,” She said sleepily. “And th’ ovaries, I think. Tha’s good.” She smiled at Sunset. “Wanna have kids someday.” Then, her eyes closed, smiling. Her breathing became deeper, more regular. Sunset made a sound, almost like a cough. Then, the tears she had been holding in for so many hours finally burst forth. She covered her face with her hands while she sobbed uncontrollably, in part from sheer relief. It took several moments for her to register that Night Light had put his arm around her, and turn to bury her face in his shoulder. The rest of the Rainbooms were in the waiting room, looking almost as exhausted as Sunset herself. Surprisingly, Celestia and Luna were there as well. Well, maybe it’s not that big a surprise, Sunset thought. Sirens, the Friendship Games, not to mention the Fall Formal and the months that followed… It’s not like we’ve exactly been normal students. “She was awake for a minute. Not long, but… she’s going to be okay,” she said. There was a flurry of relieved sighs and grateful hugs. After a few minutes, the Vice Principal put a gentle hand on her shoulder. “May I borrow you for a moment?” Sunset smiled at the inevitable. “Sure.” Together, they went to the nearby chapel. Luna closed the door after them. “And how are you holding up?” Luna asked as she embraced her. Sunset nodded. “Getting there.” Luna nodded as well. “Good. Look, I know you’re tough. Nobody’s doubting that. But… please call us, alright?” she said quietly. “Keep us posted? Just what’s going on, and that you’re still basically okay. And let me know if there’s anything I can do, or you just want to talk. About anything.” “I will.” “Promise?” “Promise.” Vice Principal Luna doubled as Canterlot High’s counselor. Sunset had always been more at ease with her when she’d first started at CU, since Luna hadn’t reminded her of her old mentor. And after the Formal, Luna had helped her through a lot of the worst times. Sunset had no intention of sharing a damned thing with her about what was coming, of course. But still, the older woman genuinely cared, and dialing her number was the least Sunset could do. Luna seemed to sense at least part of Sunset’s decision. She sighed as they pulled apart, smoothing out Sunset’s hair. “You take so much onto yourself. This wasn’t your fault. None of it.” Sunset raised an eyebrow. “This your idea of pep talk?” “For anyone else? No. For you?” The woman shrugged. “I don’t know. You’re a very unusual person, Sunset. You’re more sophisticated, in many ways, than anyone your age should be. You’ve had experiences that are unique this side of that magic portal of yours.” Her eyes pleaded. “But you’re still eighteen. And nothing you’ve done, in either world, has prepared you for this.” “It’s cool. I’ve got this.” Luna’s shoulders slumped in defeat. “Alright. Just, let me ask one last thing?” “Sure.” “You’ve studied a little psychology. I’m sure I don’t need to tell you what you’re going through right now. So please, don’t make any major decisions while you’re feeling like this. Give yourself a year before changing any plans. At least.” Sunset shook her head, feeling her mask starting to crack. “I told you, I’ve got this.” Luna grimaced. The girl before her managed a knowing smile, crossing her arms as she leaned on the wall. “So, is this the part where you drop the conversation to avoid turning it into a conflict?” Luna ran her hand through her hair, looking down. “Actually, I was going to remind you that my sister and I are your friends. You have our numbers, and there is no such thing as a bad time to call. School hours, three a.m., whatever. It doesn’t matter.” She looked over her glasses at her student. “Because we give a damn about you, and we love you. Fair enough?” Sunset sniffled as she pushed away from the wall. “Dammit, I was done doing this…” Luna hugged her fiercely, and Sunset clung to her for several minutes. “You know, you’re really good,” Sunset teased. And, still embracing, they both laughed through their tears. There were more farewell hugs exchanged between the Rainbooms and the sisters – especially between Sunset and Celestia – and the six friends soon found themselves at Sunset’s place. The living room, always a welcoming hangout before, now seemed full of shadows. Fluttershy turned on all the downstairs lights, even the bathroom. It didn’t help much. Sunset watched them from the base of the stairs as they spread around, arranged themselves as they had in the past. Only now, there was no talking, no smiles. No Twilight. Sunset cleared her throat. “Um, you guys aren’t planning on staying here all night, are you?” The five girls glanced at one another. “Maybe kinda,” Applejack admitted. “Look, guys, I’m not going to be good company,” Sunset said, putting out her hands to ward off the idea. “Seriously. My company is going to be for shit, and I don’t want to be comforted. I’m feeling, like, a major bitch fit coming on, and I’d rather you guys weren’t in the splash zone.” “That’s not where we’re heading,” Rainbow said, raiding the fridge for sodas. “Oh?” “You know who did it,” AJ said. “I could see it, when y’all were talkin’ to the cops. You kept it t’yerself. Which means you got a plan.” She crossed her arms. “We want in.” “Um,” Fluttershy interjected, “to make sure they get turned in to the police, of course.” Rarity’s eyes narrowed from where she sat, resting her elbows on their customary table. “Speak for yourself, dear. Someone tried to kill Twilight. I, for one, am not terribly picky about what state he ends up in.” “Yeah,” Rainbow tossed a soda to Pinkie while she pointed around her own “They may have a gun, but we’ve got magic. Why risk cops getting shot? I can outrun anything they’ve got, Rarity’s got shields—” “I got a cousin runs a pig farm,” Applejack supplied, “nobody’d find the body.” Rainbow Dash nodded slowly. “I was thinking more of your super strength, but yeah, that too.” Fluttershy stared at them, aghast. “Girls, what are you saying? This isn’t what our magic is for! It’s for helping people!” “Um, yeah, I hate to bust this particular bubble, Fluttershy,” Pinkie observed after drinking, “But my magic blows stuff up…?” Fluttershy frowned, hands on her hips. “That doesn’t make it a weapon!” Pinkie slammed her half-empty can on the table. “And it doesn’t not make it a weapon!” “Okay, stop!” Sunset stepped forward. “Just… just stop. I… I can’t…” She took a moment, waved her concerned friends away. She’d shed enough tears for awhile. She took a deep breath, grabbed the pain with her mind, and with practiced ease sealed it into a tightly locked box to deal with later. She cleared her throat. “Okay,” she said, her breathing normal again. “No. No to everything you all just said. No to all your plans. No to all your ideas. And no to however you think you’re going to help.” Her face was grim. “None of you need this. This isn’t a movie or a video game. This. Is. Real.” “No disrespect, but we’ve done real,” Applejack pointed out. “Coupla times. You were there.” “This is different.” Sunset made it a point to make eye contact with each of them as she continued, “Never mind that I was trained to fight in ways you weren’t, to deal with monsters and other threats. Never mind that I was raised with the idea that I might have to kill sentient beings, for any number of reasons, and you weren’t. Never mind that you could fucking die because you hesitated at the wrong time, and your enemy didn’t!” The room was silent. “This is a dark place I’m going, and there’s no getting out,” she said flatly. “It’s not some pony-up band battle, or an impromptu magical rescue mission. This is the kind of shit that stays with you. It’s a mark on your soul that never goes away. And I’m not dragging you down with me.” “No, you’re not,” Applejack agreed. “We’re going with you voluntarily,” said Rarity. “Or we could just follow you,” Pinkie suggested hopefully. “You’re not getting rid of us,” Rainbow pointed out. “You can’t. Besides, she’s our friend, too.” “I’m in, too,” Fluttershy sighed. “Sunset’s right. None of us need to go where this is heading.” She looked pointedly at Sunset. “Any of us. But if I’m there, I can help make sure none of you get hurt, and maybe help you see reason before it’s too late.” “Not gonna happen, sugar cube.” Fluttershy’s eyes narrowed in determination. “Then whatever your fate, I will share it with you.” “You really want that?” Sunset demanded. “You really want every day, having your own reflection looking back at you, reminding you of what you’ve done? Because I don’t want that for you!” “If we were to allow you to perform this deed alone, my dear,” Rarity said softly, “We would have that anyway.” Sunset looked over them all. Every one of them, equally unwavering. If she had to lay siege to Tartarus itself, the only one she’d rather have by her side than these girls was in a hospital bed. And with everything the seven of them had been through… And just how would she shake them, anyway? She couldn’t outrun Rainbow, even in a car. All the animals in the world were Fluttershy’s spies. And even if Sunset did somehow outmaneuver them both, Pinkie Pie’s ‘guesses’ tended to be supernaturally accurate. “Shit.” She stared at the ceiling, feeling her eyes start to leak again. Within her mind, her love for her friends, her desire to protect them, and her resentment towards them all raged against one another. “God damn it. God damn it.” And surging through it all, fueling every neuron as they surged, was the fear and hate she’d been nursing since the previous afternoon when that single shot had been fired. “Okay,” she acknowledged at last. “Okay. I guess we all have a right to revenge. And I know I can’t fucking stop you. Because make no mistake, if I thought for one second I could, I absolutely fucking would.” She took in another big breath, and let it out. “I think you’re all making a huge mistake, and I still don’t want you fucking involved. But okay. We do this together.” “Tomorrow.” Fluttershy addressed them all sternly. “My first act to keep all of you from getting hurt or killed, and hopefully get you to see sanity again, is to point out that we’re all too exhausted for any of this. We’re not doing Twilight any good if we get shot ourselves. We get sleep first. And then we do whatever we do next.” She turned to Sunset. “Arguments?” Sunset grimaced. “Okay. Logical. We sleep.” She turned, started up the stairs. “Then we find the bitch. And we fucking make her pay.” “Um, quick question,” AJ interjected. “Who’re we after? You see her face?” “Yeah, was it one of the Sirens?” asked Rainbow Dash. Sunset stopped. “No. And yeah, I saw her face.” Rarity frowned. “And you recognized her, correct?” Sunset’s expression was stone when she turned to face them again. “Hard not to,” she said quietly. “It was my face.” Then she turned away from her friends, and ascended into darkness.
