It was a warm fall morning. Six of the seven members of the Rainbooms were currently busy loading their luggage into their bus on the school’s parking lot to get ready for their upcoming–
“ROAD TRIIIIIIP~” Pinkie sang. “Aren’t you all excited? Travelling across the country while being stuck in close space with the people you most care about. Is there anything better?”
“Callin’ it a road trip might be a bit much. We’re just drivin’ to Manehattan over the weekend to play at one of Rarity’s fashion shows. Ah doubt there’ll be too much free time,” Applejack spoke up.
“Yeah, you should look at what’s important now,” Rainbow interjected. “Like that we’re standing on the faculty lot and Vice-Principal Luna can do nothing against it. Ha, take that!”
In a different part of town, Luna sneezed.
“I think what Rainbow actually means is that we should focus on why we decided to meet up here earlier than originally planned,” Rarity offered. “During this trip we have to make sure that Lemon Zest really is the right girlfriend for our dear Sunset.”
“Y'all are still hell bent on doing this?” an annoyed Applejack asked despite already knowing the answer.
And most of the other girls nodded in response.
“Of course, dear! If watching and reading so many romances taught me anything, it's that people in love are unable to make any objective judgement regarding their partners. That’s why we have to take that role for Sunset. Do you want her to end up so heartbroken that she might end up leaving the town or country or even dimension? You know she can do that. Even Fluttershy agrees.”
Fluttershy was surprised for a moment when the attention shifted to her. “Ehhm… I just want to be sure that she’s not some kind of secret agent that wants to do weird experiments on her.”
“I kinda agree with Applejack on this one,” Twilight said. “Even before we knew of their relationship we got along perfectly well. We had lots of fun at the beach together.”
“What if she plans to tear our group apart by undermining our group activities and slowly conditioning Sunset to only spend time with her?” Pinkie theorized.
“Weren’t we the ones to invite her to this trip?”
“It’s not like I don’t trust her, darling. See it more like a test or a challenge to prove herself, like in a video game or a movie.”
“You mean we’re basically setting Lemon up on the simplified game version of the hero’s journey?” Twilight’s eyes sparkled more with every word. “And we’re taking up the role of the boss enemies she has to overcome to determine her worth for claiming the princess’ chastity. You convinced me. Count me in!”
Rainbow snorted. “I doubt there’s any chast–”
Rarity slapped Rainbow upside her head. “Leave her that innocence!” she whispered menacingly.
Applejack sighed. “So Ah’m alone on this one. Just don’t call me when someone ends up tied-up in a closet. And speakin’ of...”
They all turned to see Sunset and Lemon approach. “Look busy!”
“Alola, girls!” Lemon greeted them enthusiastically.
“Huh, didn’t expect to be the last ones.” Sunset looked around. “And you even prepared everything already. Then how about we start right away? Maybe we can beat the rush hour after all.”
“Oh, before we start I want to thank you all again for the invitation. It’s a great honor that you invited me.” Lemon actually bowed. “I swear that I’ll try my very best to not be a burden.”
“No need to be so formal, darling. We’re as glad to have you join us as you are.” Rarity smiled at her.
Lemon straightened up. “Alright, come on, Sunny. Let’s get our stuff inside so we can finally start this road triiiiip~” She grabbed Sunset’s free hand and dragged her into the bus.
Once they were out of sight the remaining girls huddled together. “Ready? Operation ‘Zest-test’ starts now,” Rainbow declared.
“Really?”
“What? It rhymes.”
First Boss: Twilight Sparkle
The trip was progressing smoothly over the highways. Applejack sat in the driver’s seat listening to country music on the radio and trying to ignore everything that might happen right behind her. Sunset and Lemon sat in a double seat not far behind her reading books. Or manga in the latter’s case. The remaining girls sat in the last row planning their first move.
Rarity called their attention. “Girls, I know each of you has her own ideas how a relationship works best, but we have to be careful so Sunset doesn‘t notice. We should have enough time throughout the day.“
“Can I try it?“ Twilight asked. “I had everything prepared in case you would convince me to help you.“
The girls pondered it for a moment and then nodded their approval.
“But don‘t forget, Twilight, subtle,“ Rainbow reminded her.
Twilight stood up and carefully walked through the moving bus towards the duo.
“Switch?“ Sunset asked Lemon.
“Sure.“ And the two switched book and manga.
“Sunset, Lemon, would you do me a big favor and both fill out these forms?“ Twilight handed both of them a stack of papers. These included several questions about their personal interests and rating their own and their partners traits on a scale from one to six.
Lemon gave Sunset a pleading look, so she turned to Twilight and answered, “Of course, Twilight, what are friends for?”
As Twilight walked back with a smile, Lemon’s look turned horrified. Sunset addressed the unspoken “Whyyyy?” of her girlfriend, “Can’t you see? Twilight’s probably in love and wants to collect data from a working relationship to know what she has to do. It was pretty tough getting this nerd to become social and I won’t stop now.” With a resigned sigh Lemon started working on her own test.
In the back of the bus Pinkie, who had spent most time so far writing in a notebook, asked Twilight, “So… your big plan is a test?”
“Not any test, it's based on several scientific researches into this topic. It’s the second best way I have to determine the compatibility of two people.”
“And what is with the first one?”
“Sadly I currently don’t have all the necessary resources for that one on hand. I’d need my lab, blood samples and vaginal smears.”
Twilight noticed the wide-eyed stares of her friends. When they became uncomfortable she looked down at her phone to avoid them. “Oh hey, Sunny Flare asked if I’m free this weekend. I’ll tell her we’re on a trip to Manehattan.”
After twenty-eight minutes and Lemon asking for Sunset’s answer on a question six times, the two finished their tests and gave them Twilight for evaluation. Eleven more minutes later she returned with the results and stood ready beside their seat.
Twilight cleared her throat. “After careful analysis of the data I’ve come to conclusion… that Sunset is the perfect partner for me!”
“What?”
“Sunset, you’re good-looking, social, funny and one of the few people that can keep up with me on an academic level. But that’s not everything. By looking through the data you can see that we were essentially made for–”
Twilight’s rambling was cut short when the bus made a sudden break and she fell forward nearly reaching the front row. Everyone ignored the colorful string of curses coming from the driver’s seat and looked at the knocked out girl lying in the passageway and mumbling random words.
“...Lemon… beat… the first boss...”
Finally Rainbow stood up, flung the bespectacled girl over her shoulder and carried her back.
“...The hero’s journey… continues…”
“So, that really helped her, huh?” Lemon asked.
“She can get a bit too invested in her research.”
“...Sunlight sliding…”
“Will she be okay?”
“She should be fine in about an hour. This is not the first time that happened to one of us.”
“…Nine plus… cat equals… Kokonoe.”
“If you say so.”
Second Boss: Fluttershy
During lunchtime the girls stopped at a Hayburger to get something to eat. Once everyone had a tray with their food, they started searching for a table.
That’s when Fluttershy spoke up, “It looks like there’s no table big enough for all of us. Sunset and Lemon, wouldn’t you two like to have your own table?”
“Are you sure? You don’t have to take us being a couple into consideration for everything,” Sunset said.
“Oh no, we insist.” The others just nodded, hoping Fluttershy has a plan.
Reluctantly Sunset and Lemon split off of the group.
“What’re we doing now?”
“Just watch.”
They watched as the two sat down at a table.
“Have you seen?” Fluttershy asked enthusiastically. “She didn’t hold out the chair for her! She can’t be a good partner if she doesn't do that, right?”
“Didn’t Sunset sit down on a bench–”
Applejack was stopped by Rainbow, who then proceeded to pat Fluttershy on her head.
“Well done, Fluttershy.”
Third Boss: Rainbow Dash
The remaining six girls sat down at a close table from which they could watch Sunset’s table.
“Alright, it’s time to test Lemon’s loyalty,” Rainbow announced while wringing her hands in a very cartoon villain-like way.
“Do Ah want to know what y’all have planned now?”
“I did nothing bad. I just called some friends to meet us here,” she answered while typing some messages on her phone. “It’s surprisingly useful that Twilight scheduled everything right down to the toilet breaks. She even shared it as pdf over her cloud. By the way, Fluttershy, you’ll go to the toilet in four minutes and twenty seconds. It’ll take a bit longer because of the lines.
“And the first one should enter… NOW.”
They turned to the doors and watched a girl with long platinum blonde hair with green highlights enter. She wore what looked like a navy tunic with a blue body belt, white stockings and knee-high boots.
The girl nervously looked around until finding Rainbow, who pointed at Lemon. With some hesitation she slowly walked past the table while the others focused on Lemon. When nobody noticed anything, Rainbow gave her a command to repeat it, which she slightly reluctant agreed. After the second time also brought no results the girl came to their table.
“Sorry, Vapor Trail, you did good, but no reaction.”
“Oh… thanks, I guess.”
“We should thank you for your help, darling. Though you might go before they notice something.”
“Actually… Rainbow promised me you’d take me to a convention on the way,” Vapor Trail said while pulling out and putting on a fitting witch hat. While everyone gave Rainbow angry looks they didn’t notice Lemon pointing at her.
Fluttershy stood up to go to the toilet and Vapor sat down in the free space.
“Don’t worry, the second girl will surely work. And to her I didn’t make any promises of that kind.”
The next girl entered and they immediately noticed the difference. Her short white hair formed fringes with purple edges that hung ahead of her face and she wore a brown leather jacket. She followed Rainbow’s signal and confidently walked between the tables. Unlike Vapor she didn’t seem to have any qualms about advertising her more prominent body features. She even pretended to drop something to give them a good view of her behind.
“Nope, no visible reaction,” Rainbow observed dejectedly.
“At least not on Lemon’s side.”
The girl approached the group table and held out her hand. Rainbow produced a bill out of her pocket and give it the girl, who left with a satisfied grin.
“Bribery, huh?”
“Actually she was a childhood-friend.”
“How many more will come? It looks like they’re finished soon,” Pinkie asked.
“One more guy to cover all bases. You’ll like him, he’s pretty awesome.”
Again all their attention went to the entrance. Though the messy guy that entered next caused the opposite reaction.
“Zephyr?!” most people sitting at that table nearly shouted.
“Who?” Vapor asked.
“Fluttershy’s good-for-nothing brother and self-proclaimed ladies’ man. How did he get here?”
“I have no– Oh shit, I accidentally wrote him instead of Soarin.”
“Why do you even have his number saved?”
“To know when not to answer the phone! And because Shy often forgets hers at the animal shelter.”
Vapor spoke up, “Ehhh… He’s approaching their table.”
The girls watched in horror as Zephyr ignored any subtlety and walked straight to Sunset and Lemon. They couldn’t make out what he was saying, but going by Sunset’s and Lemon’s expressions they didn’t want to.
“You think we maybe should intervene, Rainbow?” Twilight turned to Rainbow only to find thin air. “When did she leave?”
At this point Lemon and Sunset seemed completely fed-up. They slowly rose from their table and positioned themselves before the boy. When he opened his arms for a hug both girls took the chance to strike his groin with a perfectly synced double punch. With some high-pitched squeals he slowly fell to the ground. Lemon offered her hand, Sunset took it and they stepped over his body and left the restaurant.
The remaining girls at the other table took a look around before quickly standing up and following after the female couple, accidentally knocking over and dropping the tray of a girl with freckles and rose-colored hair.
Twilight stopped in the doorway. “Wait, was that Sour–” Rarity pulled her out before she could finish.
After five minutes on the highway they noticed someone was missing.
“We forgot Fluttershy!”
Ten minutes later the group reentered Hayburger. They found Fluttershy enjoying a milkshake while watching her brother cowering before Sour Sweet’s wrath. They watched for five more minutes before leaving for good.
Fourth Boss: Rarity
Back in the bus the girls were sitting in the same seats as before again. Sunset and Lemon were playing video games together while Twilight and Vapor were lost in a conversation about anime. Pinkie was completely focused in her notebook again.
“So, who wants to try next?” Fluttershy asked.
“I think it’s my turn to shine now, especially after the previous… less than stellar performances,” Rarity said.
Rainbow didn’t hide her annoyance. “And what is your great plan, oh dear mistress of love?”
“I’m glad you asked, my dear disciple. As you know I’ve indulged myself in the romance-genre since I was little girl, effectively turning me into a walking encyclopedia on that topic. Twilight’s approach was a good idea, but flawed in that science just isn’t able to grasp the concept of love. It can’t be measured with graphs and tests. It needs the touch of a real master in that field. And that’s what I’ll try.”
“Just don’t forget your seatbelt, love god.”
Rarity just raised her nose with a “hmph” and carefully walked forward. She sat down in the seat before the couple, put on the seatbelt and turned around to lean over its back.
“Dangit, Sunny, why are you so good with Yang and Yukiko?”
“Dunno, I just kinda feel a connection to them.”
“Hey, darlings,” Rarity got their attention. “Just out of curiosity, what are you guys currently thinking about?”
“The pros and cons of DLC in video games,” Sunset answered.
“The effect of non sequiturs in comedy,” Lemon responded.
“Maybe a particular person?” Rarity specified.
“Actually, Rarity, I’m thinking about you and why you’re asking us that,” Sunset replied.
“Samus Aran,” Lemon said.
Hmm, as lovers they should spend every minute thinking about each other, Rarity thought. That’s not a good sign for their future. Maybe they need a little push in the right direction.
“And what do you think about the other?”
“Well, I always have lots of fun with Lemon even though she can be very scatterbrained.”
“Sunset’s the coolest girl I know despite her fiery temper… heh, see what I did there?”
Or maybe a kick start.
“Would you kindly do me a favor and look into each other's eyes?”
The couple complied and found themselves staring into the eyes of the other. “And?”
“Just tell me what you see.”
Lemon started, “I see… ehh… two cyan eyes.”
“I see…” A subtle grin formed on her face and she gave her partner a small wink. “I see two orbs of brilliant amber shining brighter than the sun toward a wonderful future.”
Lemon caught on. “And now I see an expansive sea, the light of my eyes glistening across its surface.” She took Sunset’s hand and slowly guided it to cup her face.
Rarity inched forward as far as she could. Now it’s getting interesting.
“I’d fly into your suns no matter how much I’d burn my wings.” Sunset took Lemon’s other hand and held it close.
“I could spend months diving and getting lost in your ocean.” A blush formed on Lemon’s face, Sunset’s soon followed.
Abandoning the seatbelt Rarity came as close as she could to the spectacle. This is wonderful! Just like in Nightfall!
“Oh, Sunny!”
“Oh, Lemon!”
Their faces came closer and closer until–
Another sudden break shook the bus. The two both stopped their advances. Rarity lost her balance and fell backwards over the seat before hers. After a few moments in which nothing besides Applejack’s swearing could be heard Rarity slowly raised her hand and gave a thumbs up. “I’m fine!”
Sunset and Lemon watched as she slowly stood up and clearly embarrassed walked toward the back of the bus, where Rainbow’s laughing could already be heard.
“I can’t understand how so many people enjoy these unrealistic cliche romances,” Sunset spoke up.
“Though we got really into these cliches...” Lemon said.
A couple of seconds later Sunset added, “A bit longer and we couldn’t have stopped ourselves…”
“Eeyup.”
“Wanna play co-op?”
“Sure.”
Fifth Boss: Fluttershy Strikes Back
After a small detour to drop off Vapor at a convention, the bus got close to finally reaching Manehattan, but Applejack spontaneously decided to take a short break at the edge of a forest.
“Why are we doing this? We’re already way behind schedule,” Twilight asked.
“Yeah, I want this drive to be over as soon as possible,” Rainbow added.
Applejack slightly grunted while stretching against the bus’ side. “Sorry, but Ah ain’t risking an accident by getting tired. Y’all can take over drivin’ if ya want.”
Both took a look at the vehicle. “Nah, we’re good.”
“I’m with AJ on this one,” Sunset agreed. “Who wants to join us on a short walk?”
“Really? Walking through the woods?” Lemon complained.
“You can’t just laze around the whole day. So, who’s in?” she asked while ignoring Lemon’s “I can”.
Nobody raised her hand.
“Then just the two of us.” Sunset followed the path and Lemon followed with slumped shoulders.
“Do you think they’re deliberately giving us lots of alone-time,” the girls heard Sunset mutter before she was out of earshot.
“Who else feels like we accomplished nothing so far?” Rarity asked.
“It’s been less like a hero’s journey and more like an escalator ride up the villain’s tower,” Twilight answered.
“Twilight and Rarity got lost in their science slash fiction, I accidentally summoned the devil and Fluttershy– Where’s Fluttershy?”
As if on cue, Fluttershy came out of the bushes behind them. “Alright girls, I prepared everything. It will be great,” she announced giddily.
“What did you prepare?”
“You know how the climax of a romantic tale always has the hero protect their loved one from a bad guy or monster?” The others nodded, already dreading where this was going. “So I nicely asked a bear living here if he would attack Sunset, so Lemon can heroically protect her and prove her love. Isn’t that a good idea?”
“Yeah, sure,” Rainbow replied shakily.
Applejack slowly and silently disappeared in the bushes.
“You know, I’m suddenly in the mood to try driving the bus,” Rainbow announced. “I’ll go and already warm up the engine. Who wants to help?”
Most girls followed her.
“This will be so romantic,” Fluttershy said.
Sixth Boss: Applejack
The long day’s journey came to a close when the group of eight finally reached their hotel. While the others went ahead to carry up their luggage, Sunset and Lemon offered to help and support a wounded and battered Applejack to their room after she got into a ‘little accident’.
“And you really don't want to go to a hospital? You don’t have to think about the concert, if that’s your concern,” a worried Sunset asked.
“Don’t worry, sugarcube,” Applejack reassured her. “Ah just need a good night’s sleep and Ah’ll be good to go tomorrow.”
“It’s just a bit hard to believe that you hurt yourself so much by tripping while searching for us. Some of your wounds look more like you wrestled a bear or something.”
“Hehe, y-yeah, Ah… ehh… Ah fell down a small incline.”
“Hey Sunny, I can handle the rest alone. How about you go ahead and prepare a bed for AJ,” Lemon offered.
Sunset took the offer and left them alone in the corridor.
While walking in silence Applejack couldn’t help but think about what the others told her about Lemon being a bad influence or having ulterior motives. When these thoughts became too much, she couldn’t resist to ask, “What do ya think of Sunset?”
Slightly surprised Lemon pondered over the question. “Sunset’s great. She’s smart, caring, beautiful. It’s adorable how she can get excited about the smallest things from this world she doesn’t know. She loves trying out new and is open for nearly everything, which I find really cool. It’s hard to believe she’s supposed to have been cartoon villain-evil, because she’s the perfect girlfriend in every sense and situation, no matter if you introduce her to your parents or you’re spending some quality ‘alone-time’.”
“Do you love her?”
Lemon stopped and looked into Applejack’s inquisitive stare. “Of course I love Sunset!” Lemon said with a big grin.
Applejack smiled back. “That’s all Ah wanted to hear.”
They continued walking. After rounding the last corner they saw Sunset standing before the hotel room door.
“Genius, magical prodigy, savior of at least two worlds, but still forgets her room key,” Lemon taunted.
“I’ll remember this the next time you want to bunk at my place, because you ‘locked yourself out’,” Sunset retorted.
Lemon opened the door and they were greeted by a confetti cannon.
Seventh Boss: Pinkie Pie
“Welcome to the first edition of The Pinkie Match™!” Pinkie announced with her usual over-the-top flair. In the short time since arriving at the hotel, she managed to dress up in a white three piece suit with a red dress vest and a checkered top hat and gave her best game show host impression. Fittingly the whole room was adorned with hearts and the usual game show decorations, three tables already waiting for participants.
The three stared at that with different flavors of surprise on their faces. Applejack just said, “Nope,” limped to the closest bedroom and closed the door behind herself.
“I spent the whole day preparing and coming up with ideas for this,” Pinkie announced while holding up her notebook.
“That explains the relative silence today,” Sunset silently muttered.
“Oh man, that looks so cool!” Lemon marveled at the display.
Sunset wanted to disagree, but when she looked at Lemon’s infectious grin her worries melted away. “I may have no idea what’s going on today, but… why not. Let’s try it.”
They took a seat at the empty table and the game started.
“Alright,” Pinkie announced. “Let’s begin the first episode of The Pinkie Match™ by introducing our teams. First we have Team SunZest!”
Rarity, wearing a black knee-long dress and thighs as well as a short pink fur boa around her shoulders, walked up to their table to present them to the viewers. Lemon and Sunset waved in the direction of the wall, while the latter tried not to question where the sound of a cheering audience came from.
“Next up we have Team FlutterDash!” Pinkie and Rarity introduced Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash, who came out of one of the bedrooms and sat down at the second table.
“Sadly half of Team Rarijack is out of commission tonight,” Pinkie and Rarity looked down sad.
“Can y’all quiet it down a bit?” they heard Applejack shouting from the bedroom.
“But luckily we found someone willing to join last minute, which also spared our little Twilight from playing showgirl. Give an applause for Team SugarSparkle!” They introduced Twilight and Sugarcoat.
“Sugarcoat? What’re you doing here?” Sunset asked.
After some thinking she answered, “I was at the right place at the right time.”
Pinkie summoned all attention on herself again. “You’re probably already wondering what we’ll be doing tonight. So let me enlighten you. In a series of games we’re going to rate your compatibility and teamwork and rate it. And the team with the highest amount of points will win the big prize!” Rarity gestured at a big wrapped present on a seperate table.
“And with everything out of the way we can start with the first round, the Test of Knowledge!”
Rarity walked across the room holding up a cardboard sign reading “Round 1”.
“The rules are simple. I’ll ask Partner A a question and she’ll write the answer down on a card without anyone seeing it. Then Partner B has to write on her card what she thinks Partner A answered and then we’ll compare.
“Let’s start simple, Sunset, Fluttershy and Sugarcoat, what’s your favorite flower or plant?”
Everyone started writing immediately. After exactly sixty seconds Pinkie stopped the competitors.
“Now let us compare!
“Lemon says Sunset’s favourite flower is–” Lemon reveals her card “–sunflowers.
“And the right answer iiiiiiis–” Sunset showed hers with a smile “–sunflowers. One point for Team SunZest.
“And the other teams, Rainbow says… roses. And the right answer is… daisies. Sorry, no point for you. Twilight says Sugarcoat’s favourite flower is… lavender. And it’s… wrong. Ohhh, the right answer was mandrake, also no point for you.”
“Sorry,” Twilight said to her teammate.
“Let’s switch for the next question. Lemon, Rainbow and Twilight, what is your favourite music?”
While the girls were writing, Pinkie walked up to Rarity. “So… anything planned for after the show?” she whispered in Rarity’s ear suggestively. Though before she could reply the round ended and Pinkie’s focus shifted back to the main event.
“Sunset says Lemon’s favourite music is… ‘everything she can headbang to’. And Lemon says… ‘everything I can headbang to’, another point for Team SunZest!”
“Aww, you do know me,” Lemon threw her arms around Sunset’s neck.
“Fluttershy says… ‘rock’ and it’s… right. Sugarcoat says… ‘nintendocore’ and it’s… also right.”
“How did you know that?” a surprised Twilight asked.
Nobody could see the mental war going on in Sugarcoat’s head. “No comment.”
The round continued with Team SunZest getting nearly every point, while the other two teams got only about every other question right.
“And with this our first round comes to a close,” Pinkie declared. “Rarity, tell us the scores!”
“With pleasure, my dear, on third place we have Team SugarSparkle with five points, on second is Team FlutterDash with six points and on first place with nine points is Team SunZest!”
Sunset and Lemon gave each other high-fives.
“And now it’s time for round two… right after a short commercial break. Let’s give an applause for our sponsors.”
After the ‘commercial break’ the game continued with its next rounds. Originally Pinkie planned a big obstacle course with lots of crazy challenges across the way. To her dismay she lacked time, room and resources for that. Instead she made due with board and video games. Team SunZest dominated most of these rounds.
“And the winner of the first episode of The Pinkie Match™ is– drumroll –Team SunZest! Take your prize!”
Lemon ran to the wrapped package, ripped it open and pulled out two plushies.
“That’s everything?” a dissatisfied Sunset asked.
“Sorry, but we didn’t have the budget for more,” Pinkie guiltily admitted. “But you… also don’t have to help clean up.”
Sunset looked around the hotel room. Throughout the games they created a gigantic mess. “Sounds reasonable,” she yawned. “Come Lemon, all these games made me really tired.” They walked into one of the bedrooms.
“You don’t have to help either, Sugarcoat,” Twilight told her. “Thanks for helping us with… whatever that was.”
“Sure, just… ask if you need me again.” Nobody saw the small smile and blush on Sugarcoat's face when she left.
“It looks like they fit together very well,” Pinkie said.
“And Sunset looks really happy with her. I think we tried everything necessary,” Fluttershy added.
“Well,” Rainbow spoke up. “There’s one more thing we have to test considering Sunset is a… special person.” She gestured to everyone to huddle together. “Listen closely. What we five will do is–”
Final Boss: Everyone
When Lemon woke up the first thing she noticed was the absence of her favourite pillows. The second thing she noticed was that she wasn’t in the hotel bed room anymore, but instead lied in some kind of dark closet. And the third thing she noticed were her tied up arms and legs. Just when she finished recounting everything she drank today, five masked figures entered the room.
“Tell us everything you know about Sunset Shimmer!” One of them demanded while obviously trying to make their voice sound as low as possible.
“Huh? What’re you guys talking about?”
“Don’t play dumb. We know you spend a lot of time with her. You even accompanied her on this road trip. She was at the center of many mysterious incidents in the recent past and even appears to possess some strange abilities herself. Now tell us all you know or we’ll have to resort to force!”
“Okay, okay, you won. I’ll tell you everything.”
“Wow, that was fast,” one of them said.
“Sunset Shimmer is a wonderful girl I spent a lot of time with. And yes, she is special. The most special person in the world to me. But you probably want details so… when Sunset was a little baby the nine-tailed fox spirit was sealed in her body, her parents were the Gold Roger, the king of pirates, and Palutena, the goddess of light, who were both killed by the titans, after that the chozo raised her and enhanced her body with the blood of the saiyans and life-fibres, she has silver eyes, one of them bearing the brand of the exalt, there’s also a star-shaped birthmark on her neck, her right arm is in actuality the azure grimoire, her left hand has the symbol of the triforce of courage and she holds the power of the keyblade, she wields both the Aegis and the Shiny Rod in battle, because she owns the unique ‘dual-wield’ skill, she survived the Reapers Game, the Hunger Games and the Nonary Game, holds the title of the ‘Ultimate Hope’ and works part-time as a dragon maid… oh, and you really wouldn't like her when she’s angry.”
The others just stared at her through their masks while she finally paused to take a breath. “Wut?”
“I should also mention her great friends. Even if you spent your whole life searching you couldn’t find a better group of friends, holding together even in the biggest of dangers. They’re loyal, kind, generous, funny and ,most importantly, honest.”
At this point the masked figures seemed to look down in shame.
“But it seems they apparently don’t know that pop culture lied about domino masks hiding your identity.”
The five figuratively de-masked girls stared at her in shock. “Wha– How?”
“People always tend to forget I’m one of the top students of one of this country's best schools. Just because I rarely learn,” Lemon answered nonchalantly.
Rainbow, Rarity, Pinkie, Fluttershy and Twilight now literally took of their masks. “We’re really sorry.”
“It was all for Sunset.”
“We might have gone a bit too far.”
“We understand if you’re angry with us.”
“Can you forgive us?”
Lemon listened to their excuses and answered, “Nah, I can understand what you were trying here. You’re practically Sunset’s family and just want the best for her. I actually had lots of fun today. You always get into these crazy awesome adventure and I really want to be a part of that. And luckily nobody got injured... not heavily at least. So no, I’m not angry with you. Although I can’t say the same for the burning amazon behind you.”
The five girls turned around and came face to face with a fiery-haired pajama-wearing girl, who fixed them with the angriest glare her obviously tired eyes could muster.
They looked at her speechless until Lemon broke the silence, “Hi, Sunny.”
“So, I woke up, because I felt strangely light on my chest, and realised my girlfriend is missing,” her voice dripped with annoyance and displeasure. “Then I noticed most of my other friends were missing, too. And then I find them standing around my tied-up girlfriend. Not to mention I also owe AJ money now, because she was right about searching in the nearest janitor’s closet. Needless to say I’m very angry at the moment. Lucky for you I’m still–” she yawned “–too tired to deal with any of this, so I’m making you an offer. I’ll now take Lemon back to our bed while you’ll spend here some minutes reflecting on what you did as if I held an inspiring friendship speech. Tomorrow we’ll continue as if nothing happened as we always do. Fine? Fine.” With that Sunset turned around and left.
“Sorry girls,” Lemon said before, still bound, standing up and jumping after her girlfriend.
The girls did as told and after a few minutes of group self-reflection made the shameful walk back to their hotel room. Once all five of them stood before the door they came to a shocking realization.
Rainbow knocked at the door. “Eh… Hey, we… ehh… seem to have forgotten to take a room key with us. Could one of you please open the door?” Silence. “Hello? Sunset? Applejack? Lemon?”
Pinkie held her ear at the door. “Sounds like someone’s bouncing on a bed,” she said disappointed. “That’s what I wanted to do.”
“Let’s ask at the reception if they have a free room or we’ll have to sleep in the bus.”
The girls walked away. Except for Twilight. “And what about our stuff? I can’t sleep without brushing my teeth first.”
“Seems like you have a small problem.” Twilight turned around and to her surprise found Indigo Zap approaching her. “I’m sharing a room with Sugarcoat, but I’m sure we three can work something out.” Twilight looked in the direction her friends went, but then decided to follow Indigo, sending her friends a quick message not to worry about her.
The next morning a bespectacled girl with disheveled clothes quickly and quietly left one of the hotel rooms.
The rest of their weekend happened without any more incidents. Lemon proved very useful, helping with the concert and the fashion show. And after a busy day, the group of eight found themselves already on their way back from Manehattan, also without any major incidents.
Back in Canterlot, Lemon addressed all of the girls after they said their goodbyes. “I just wanted to thank all of you again. I had lots of fun on this trip and I hope we’ll do something like that soon again. You girls rock!” Sunset and Lemon took their leave. “So, Sunny, you wanted to show me something…”
Applejack looked at the remaining girls expectantly.
“Yes, AJ, you were right,” Rainbow muttered.
“Lemon is a very nice person.”
“She’s really fun to be around.”
“And Lemon does love our dear Sunset.”
“And the other way around can be proven, too.”
“Well, y’all learned your lesson, so we can all go home now.”
“Actually,” Twilight spoke up. “It might be possible that during the trip I might have met someone and–” But the others were already in their own worlds.
Rainbow was at her phone. “Gilda can be here in thirty minutes. Twenty if we pay her ten more bucks.”
Fluttershy was talking with some close animals.
Pinkie and Rarity were looking over the former’s notebook.
“The schoolyard should be big enough for a proper obstacle course.”
“This time I should wear something with sequins.”
Twilight stared at that with wide eyes. “Now I really see why all of this was a bad idea.”
Applejack let her palm meet her forehead. “Give me a break.”
Author's Note
Unlike the prequel this time I didn't have to cut much. Only Quibble Pants in a dress. I don't even know how the costume references got in... they just happened.
So yeah, the sequel that wasn't planned, but like last time I saw the announcement and the idea struck. I think at the time of posting this is the only sequel in the contest.
Oh, and I won't tell you what happened in Indigo's and Sugarcoat's hotel room.
...maybe one day...
