A very colourful group of seven girls was entering the mall. It’s a sight that might be common in Manhattan, but they weren’t even a bit common themselves. They had embraced the magic of friendship a long time ago and had found many different ways to channel it. But this is not the point. On this beautiful day, all they wanted was to be normal teens exploring the newest Mega-Mall.

After an hour of window shopping and a few book and cloth purchases made by certain bookworms and a fashionista, the group set down at a small café. The shop wasn’t extravagant and there weren’t many people there, so the group got their food and drinks within a few minutes.

Pinkie Pie was trying to swallow her extra-large piece of cake with vanilla ice cream whole, nearly suffocating in the process. Rainbow had to give her a little slam on the back to give her pink friend a chance to breathe again. Rarities face was filled equally with concern and disgust. “Darling how often do I have to tell you to behave yourself? One day you might not be as lucky, not watching your manners while eating.”

Sunset sipped at her coffee, stiffing her chuckles with the hot brew. The décor was looking quite good. The walls were brightly coloured and there were a few mirrors placed around each seating area to prevent looks from strangers. The kaleidoscope like stained-glass windows reminded Sunset of the royal palace she’d once lived in.

Most of the other guests had gone some time after the loudly laughing group had arrived, but one person hadn’t. It was a woman with red, curly hair, three different shades to be precise. Some of the hair had turned a light shade of greyish red. She had flawless, dark orange skin, but her face was the one of a person that had gone through too much in her years. The elder woman wouldn’t even seem suspicious, if it wasn’t for her not so subtle interest in Sunset Shimmer.

Sunset tried to ignore the stranger, but what could she do when someone was watching her every move? It was nothing but disturbing she thought. Such people crept her out, so she stared back. She knew it was considered rude, but the stranger was the one to begin this staring contest. She gave in after some time, so Sunset was finally able to spend the rest of the time sharing laughs with her friends.

The woman was long finished as the group of seven was about to leave. She stood up and walked in their direction. Sunset wasn’t having it. None of the others had noticed it yet but there are some things that need to be said from time to time. And stalkers, however friendly they might seem, need to know when to stop.

“Ahem… Excuse me miss. I wanted to ask why you’ve been watching us. It is rude to do so you know?” Sunset said a little louder than usual, setting an emphasis on her last sentence. She began to regret it only mere moments later. The woman in front of her had began to cry. Guilt arose in the girl but soon turned into confusion, as the stranger pulled her in a tight hug, sobbing on the leather jacket. “Su… Sunny is this really you?”

Sunset had needed a long time to adjust to being hugged by anyone. Being hugged by a stranger was a bit… not concerning but definitely unusual, but this embrace didn’t feel strange at all. It was one of the warmest things, the girl had ever felt. It was just like with Celestia, only warmer and even more motherly.

The former equine had never gotten to know her true parents. She had poofed herself to Canterlot in a very strong magical surge erecting from a temper. A pedestrian had found her crying on the sidewalk and had brought her to the nearest orphanage, explaining the situation at hand. No one was ever able to find her parents and after a long time of searches and questions, the ponies at the orphanage gave up the search. Sunset however did not. The search for her parents was, what made her so desperate to learn about magic, one day probably even giving her a chance of finding her family in the future. It was when she gave up that dream, that power became all she was seeking.

She didn’t even want to think about the consequences on her mental health is must have had for her counterpart. Maybe something alike had happened to said girl, only less magical.

Twilight and the others still stood in the café, looking puzzled at the strange scene playing in front of them. “Does anyone know who she is?” Fluttershy asked quietly. The group shrugged at the question. “They look like mother and daughter, but Sunset said, she didn’t know her family.” Twilight added to the conversation.

The yellow-red haired girl took a step back. Even if this was her mother, it still wasn’t her mother. No one with a heart would be able to keep a mother from her true child and Sunset did have a heart. “How about we meet here again tomorrow? I’ll have time to sort my thoughts and you can try to find a way of telling me what exactly happened. I’m not the sappy type, so I’d appreciate if we could forget about today and the awkward moments and start over tomorrow?”

The young girl gave a smile as genuine as possible, knowing she might never talk to this wonderful woman ever again, but happy to give her counterpart something back. Both women were now trying to hold back their tears and hugged a last time, the elder one in dearest expectations of the next day.

“So… Who was that?” Rainbow asked, pretending not to have eavesdropped. “I think she is the counterpart to my mother.” There was sorrow in her voice and her friends tried to comfort her to their best effort. “So what to it?” RD commented blunt as ever, “Why did you tell her you’d meet her here again?” She definitely had eavesdropped.

Sunset let out a sigh. “I’m not going tomorrow,” Her friends eyed her with confusion. “Sunflare Shine is.”

Author's Note

Well here it is. My first english fanfiction. I've got a lot in mind for this story but with highschool I wont be able to update it too often. You'll propably get a chapter every two weeks.
I hope you enjoyed reading it and if you have any sugestions or thoughts, leave them in the comments below.