Chapters Author's Note
This is a bit of a AU in Sunset house is different from what we see in the show also OCs usually make it a least a bit of a AU, anyway i hope you enjoy and please feel free to offer any advice this is my first MLP fic and first fic I’ve wrote in years.
Chapter 1
The halls of Canterlot High echoed with the last bell on this crisp Friday afternoon. The ring of the bell replace by the disjointed chorus of the entire student body as they milled out into the halls. The voices of hunderends of seperent conversations at once filled the air as plans were discussed and meet ups were arraigned. The students left the school all eager to begin there weekend, at least all but one of them. The air quieted as the halls now left almost empty, one girl stood at a locker putting up her textbooks.
Sunset Shimmer was just as excited to begin her weekend as her fellow students but equally nervous. It had only been about two weeks since the Fall Formal and her enslavement of the school slash transformation into a she demon. Her old enemies turned new friends were having a sleepover tonight. This wasn't the first sleepover as they had one prior sleepover at Applejack’s farm, she assume it was so if she tried to take revenge Applejack's brother would be nearby. Tonight however she would be hosting the girls at her place and she desperately hoped she got rid of all her plans for world domination she had drawn up or wrote down in the last few years. She finished at her locker and figuring there was no point in delaying any longer she made her way to the parking lot and Applejack's truck.
As expected all the girls were waiting there, Fluttershy feeding Angel, Rarity filling her nails, Pinkie sitting on top of the truck’s cab her feet just above the driver door handle, and Rainbow Dash and Applejack having a arm wrestling on the tailgate. Sunset put on a brave face as she approached five people who forgave a evil maniac far too quickly.
“Hey girls who’s winning A.J or Dash” Right at that moment Rainbow’s hand hit the pickup’s bed.
Applejack smiled “Who’d ya think, sugarcube.”
Rainbow rubbing her hand replied “Yeah well who handed you your ass in that race last week.”
Sunset was about to say something else when a pink head appeared in front of her, “Nervouscited” Pinkie stated with a smile. “That's what I call the feeling described in the second paragraph”. With that she hopped back up on top of the truck as if it wasn't as tall as her.
All the girls stared at Pinkie for a moment till Sunset chuckled “Well even though I have no idea what your talking about Pinkie, I guess nervouscited is a good way to describe how I feel about this sleepover I don't think I ever had a sleepover before last week.”
Rarity put her arm around Sunset. “Darling it's perfectly understandable to feel at least some trepidation at this, it is a new experience after all but I’m sure everything will work out fine.”
Rainbow Dash nodded “Yeah and we won't make fun of your place even if it is a shithole.”
Sunset had to laugh even as Rarity glared at Rainbow “Oh I’m not worried about that I was able to get a pretty nice place by selling somethings I brought from home beyond the portal. I’m actually looking forward to showing it off.”
Fluttershy finally spoke up “So if you don’t mind me asking are you saying that you own your own place.”
“Yeah I had some jewelry I never wore and some of the cash I brought over.” Sunset said.
“Well I’ll be look at you being all mature but I guess you you needed someplace to plot your evil schemes, erm, no offense” Applejack said sheepishly.
Great this again Sunset thought before replying “None taken, anyway it will be great I really can't wait to introduce you to my guardian. He’s great he’s the one who called all of your folks to make sure you guys could come.”
Applejack smiled relieved she hadn't upset her friend “looking forward to it now will all head home and Fluttershy will pick everyone up in her van that way there's plenty of room for us ‘n our stuff.”
Rainbow laughed “Yeah and I can’t wait to meet this guy who could put up with living with you for so long while you were such a bitch, umm, No offense”
Now it was Rainbows turn to blush but Sunset was so use to it the reply was a natural as breathing. “None taken, anyway I need to get home and get my place ready, see you guys later.”
As goodbyes were said sunset got on her bike and out on her helmet. As the engine roared to life she pulled her phone and selected Richard in her contacts and type a quick message.
‘Leaving the school now you got everything ready for the sleepover need me to pick anything up?’
A few seconds later a reply was received
‘Nope were ready to go and you better not be texting and driving.’
Sunset laugh at her friend
‘Never if I die in a wreck who will pay you’
The next reply simply said
‘I can’t go back to retail’
Sunset laughed as she put her phone way and rode out of the parking lot.
Something has gone wrong. We don't seem to have an archived copy of that chapter. “Oh the horror. This is truly the worst thing that could have happened I might die” came a wailing from the middle row of seats of Fluttershy’s van. The tension already a bit high from the girls crammed in with their sleepover supplies.
“Oh for the love of apples, will ya be quiet, so ya hair got a tad wet it ain’t the end of the world Rarity” Applejack said beside the of the distraught fashionista.
Rarity turned to her with a shock expression as though she had been slapped in the face, from her perspective she was just, verbally. “Well I never. For some of us we do more to get ready than simply wash the mud off our shoes and throw on some tacky cowboy hat.”
Now Applejack was the one to feel the sting of a verbal slap on her check. “Tacky? I’ll have you know this is a Stetson the first name in western hats and beyond that this hat was a gift from my Pa, my dead Pa. So sorry if my family heirloom ain’t up to your standards.”
Rarity realized her mistake and hung her head in shame “My apologies Applejack. I forgot your parents had passed. I truly do regret what I said.”
“It’s fine. I shouldn’t have been so rude myself I know how hard ya work on ya hair and it really did look very purdy before the rain messed it up. Also we weren’t talkin when ma folks died Sunset had already driven that wedge between us. Erm no offence Suns-” Apple jack looked around before realizing where they were. “Oh yeah she ain’t here I forgot hehe” Applejack mistake helped break the tension in the vehicle.
Pinkie in the backseat spoke up “hey Flutter’s you got any music we can listen to in this bad boy”.
Fluttershy smile a bit and once she was completely stopped at a redlight she reached for a cd and handed it to Rainbow. “If it’s ok with everyone this is a old mix tape of some of my favorite songs. Would you mind putting it in Dasie?”
Rainbow perk up from the passenger seat. “Hell yeah what’s a road trip without some tune’s. Lets rock!” She put the disk into the cd player and hit play it took a couple of seconds before the first track began and the van was filled with music.
The girls looked at each other before Rarity asked the question on everyone’s mind “Um, Fluttershy darling what exactly is this.”
Fluttershy smiled as she replied “Oh this is ‘Desert Night Melody’ by Ancestral Footsteps the instruments are a native american flute and a didgeridoo. Can’t you feel the peace and serenity washing over you as you become one with nature.”
Rainbow Dash slammed her head down on the dashboard, hard.
Richard walked back into the kitchen after shedding the raincoat and boots he had been wearing slipping back into his regular black dress shoes. Sunset looked up from the cupcakes she had been frosting.
“Did you find it?” she inquired.
Richard replied by dropping his spoils on the table “I found it but I don’t know if that really matters. It looks like it has given it last.”
Sunset looked at the tattered remains of her book bag “Dang that thing has seen better days but I left my books at school and so long as I can salvage my pencils and stuff it’s fine.”
“What about your notes?” Richard asked.
Sunset looked a bit nervous “Ha, yeah about that I never really used them I mean I take notes but I never look back over them. I either get it the first time or not at all and when I do study I prefer to just use the text books.”
Richard smiled instead of chastising her for not studying her notes “I was the same way in school also I doubt you could read your notes at all.” He playfully punched her arm. “with that chicken scratch you call handwriting”.
Sunset laughed “Like yours is any better. I frosted the cupcakes after I showered but they look like crap, I can’t get it to look even.”
Richard looked at the cupcakes a mountain range on each one with ridges and valleys. “Yeah, those look like trash but so long as they don’t taste like it besides they were never gonna look or even taste as good as Sugarcube Corner’s anyway. Remember always under promise and over deliver. You didn’t even tell them we were making cupcakes so as long as they taste decent they’ll be a pleasant surprise. Speaking of which you should text them and make sure they’ll still coming that storm is getting bad and it looks like power is out throughout the city.”
Sunset nodded fishing her phone out of her pocket. “Good ideal, I’ll let them know we have backup generators and still have power.”
As Sunset texted her friends Richard went up stars to finish getting ready for the night. It may just be a sleepover but it meant the world to Sunset. This was a golden opportunity to prove to her friends that she really has changed since the Fall Formal. So he was gonna go all out, he was already in his black dress pants and shoes and his favorite gunmetal grey button up. He put on tie that matched the red in Sunset’s hair and put his father’s tie clip with a ‘B’ on it the first letter of his last name. A elegant vest and a pocket watch.
As he admired himself in the mirror he laughed “I look like a train conductor from they eighteen hundreds.”
He could wear a more modern suit but screw that he had to live up to the stereotype of his job so he looked at to tailcoats he had laid out. “Hmm, should I wear my a common frock dress coat or a shadbelly. If this Rarity girl is as knowledgeable as they say a shadbelly might give it away but then again actually connecting those dots would be impossible. Shadbelly it is, even if they realize what it is they won’t get why I’m wearing.”
With his outfit selected and his white gloves in hand was adjusting his tie when he heard Sunset call out to him “Richard they’ll almost here.”
He left his room with Sunset standing off to the side “Ok Sunny show time”
“Uh are y’all sure were in the right place.” Applejack was staring out the window it was difficult to see through the rain but she could tell they were far from the humble farm she called home.
Rarity was staring out the window as well but as Applejack look on with concern they may have taken a wrong turn Rarity looked out in awe. “We are on Blueblood Bulevard why this is home to some of the most prestigious people in Canterlot the most elegant and sophisticated houses. Why the only street with more impressive homes is Roy-”
The computer voice of Rainbow Dash’s phone GPS interrupted her “In 300 feet turn right onto Royal Road then 400 ft till destination on the right.”
Rarity squeal of joy almost deafened everyone in the car. After recovering from the ear shattering noise Applejack learned forward to look at the phone in Rainbow’s hand “Ya sure were in the right place I don’t think Sunset lives on the same street as the mayor.”
Rainbow was a bit confused as well but being too stubborn to admit she was wrong “Yes A.J I know you live on a farm but surely you know what a GPS is and if it says this is the place this is the place. I put in the address Sunset texted me and I just texted her to double check like a minute ago.”
Rarity finally tore her eyes away from the beauty outside. “While I am happy to get to see such exquisite homes I must agree with Applejack the only home on Royal Road is far too expensive for any high school girl to afford. Even Filthy Rich couldn’t afford it when he tried to buy it five years ago.”
Again the GPS voice interrupted them “You have arrived at your destination”
Rainbow finally admitted “Ok maybe I got the address wrong cuz there's no way in hell Sunset lives in this.”
Richard smiled as he saw the van pull up at the end of the driveway and stop. He put down the binoculars and stepped away from the window. “There here, and they stopped at the end of the driveway everything is going according to my plan.”
Sunset groaned beside him. “Is this really necessary?”
Richard picked up two drop cords. “Oh yeah this is totally necessary.”
“It’s really not.”
“Yes it is”
“No, No it’s really not”
Richard capitulated “Ok it’s not but it will be cool as hel- um hades.”
Sunset sighed “ugh, first of all I’m a teenager you can cuss around me I know you cuss when I'm not around, second did you have to dress like that I told you that you don’t have to wear all that crap, and third please don’t scare off my friends being... you know, you.”
Richard turned to her “Ok first I don’t care if you're old enough to get the senior citizen discount at Applebee’s I won’t be the one to soil you innocent child ears, second I do have to dress like this I look ding darn dang good like this. I may look like a Victorian era train conductor but I look like the type of train conductor that all the ladies wishes would punch their tickets. If ya know what I mean.” Sunset made a fake gagging noise but Richard continued. “And third if you turning into a raging she-demon didn’t scare them off I sure as crimminy won’t.”
Sunset rolled her eyes “None taken”.
Richard was confused now “What?”
It took her a minute to realize the details of that exchange. “Sorry whenever my friends mention the whole she-demon thing they always follow it up with ‘no offense’ and I reply ‘none taken’.”
Richard nodded in understanding. “That makes sense but like, you did become a she-demon but you apologized and I forgive you so now it’s just stating a fact so sorry I didn’t say ‘no offense’ or whatever”.
Sunset shook her head “No. it’s fine it’s kinda refreshing actually”.
“Ok then now that that’s out of the way let's light this candle.” Richard brought the to plugs closer and closer till.
“Are you sure the back up generators can take that?” Sunset questioned.
Richard huffed as he turn to face Sunset “It’ll be fine don’t worry about it.”
Sunset reached into a drawer and pulled out a flashlight “Bet we’ll need this.”
Richard looked at the flashlight she waved in her hands. “The generators can handle it so it’s fine don’t worry about it.”
Sunset smirked “Bet.”
Richard glared “It’s fine”
Her smirk almost doubles in size, oh how Richard hated that that face right now it’s smug aura mocked him. “Then bet”.
He put the plugs down “Oh you want to- ok, ok.” He fished a twenty out of his wallet and licked his hand to wet his forehead and stuck the bill to his head.
Sunset replied in kind doing the same with her own twenty. “ready?”
Richard picked up the plugs “three”
Sunset glared at him determined to win “two”
Richard eyes burned with fiery determination “one”
Sunset’s face would have been intimidating if it wasn’t for Andrew Jackson chilling on her head still she smirked definitely “Go.”
Richard plugged the cords together the light flickered but soon kept the bulbs cast their judgement they glowed on and in the basement the generators hummed on.
“Ha told ya!” Richard yelled triumphantly.
Sunset stuttered “Well um technically the lights did go out for a moment so-”
Richard interrupted “No, nope, nah hah, stop talking pay me”.
Sunset groaned as she handed over the prize with it went a piece of her honor. “Fine but if your gonna do this just please don’t do the accent.”
Richard stuck the two twenties into his wallet as he turned away from Sunset to walk to the door. “No promises”.
“Ugh!” she groaned as he walked away.
Richard now stood by the door in the entryway he double check that his clothes were absolutely perfect before slipping on his white gloves. It had grown much brighter outside and the booming could be heard thru the walls. He downed a glass of water swishing it in his mouth and gurgling to get his voice ready. He stood ramrod straight his feet heel to toe. He pushed out his chest and stuck his nose up just a bit. It all fell apart as he laughed but he immediately returned to the pose and wiped all emotion from his face. Finally the doorbell rang out “Show time.”
The girls sat in the van staring in awe and disbelief at the home in front of them no one even paying attention to the to the Navajo man singing the ancient songs of his tribe. Applejack was the first to speak up “Ok this can’t be the place. Sunset invited us to a sleepover at her house but this here is what ya’d call a castle.”
Indeed the home in front of them did seem to have more in common with a castle built atop a hill overlooking the city while the details were obscured by the rain and the darkness, it was clear it had tall towers reaching into the sky and the gate to the long driveway was flanked by two statues of unicorns laying down their horns pointing towards each other.
Rainbow begin looking at her phone trying to find the text with the address Sunset had sent, Pinkie stared in awe while Rarity tried to snap a picture of the most famous home in Canterlot.
Fluttershy looked at the home nervously “Oh I hope we find Sunset’s home soon if this storm gets any worse I don’t know how safe it will be to keep driving.”
Rainbow having no luck finding the text through the sea dick jokes threw her hands up in frustration. “I don’t know where we’re supposed to go.” She leaned back in her seat feeling like she had let her friends down. Fluttershy couldn’t just take them all back home by then it really would be too dangerous to drive they were in this mess because she insisted she could get them there all so she would have a excuse to ride next to Fluttershy in a lame attempt to reconnect with her oldest friend.
Fluttershy put her hand on Rainbow’s leg, the only thing she could easily reach while in her seat belt on and Rainbow leaning up against the door. “It’s ok we'll figure this out some how”
Her soft voice was almost enough to calm Rainbow down till she remembered it was that same angelic voice she had let down which then just made her twice as angry at herself. “How unless Sunset starts shooting off fucking fireworks we’ll never find the damn place.”
At that moment Pinkie felt a shiver run thru her body a itch on her butt and a sneeze that refused to come out, it was obvious what this meant. She turned towards the house shouting “guys look.”
All the girls who had turned towards Rainbow Dash returned to the house to find nothing changed. Rarity hoping the legendary mystery owner of the home and subject of much gossip as no one knew anything about them was the most disappointed to see the same thing she had moments ago “Pinkie darling whatever are you talking about?”
Before anyone could reply fireworks shoot into the sky filling the dark stormy sky with color as the home lights up with columns of lights stretched to the clouds, the gardens light up with vibrant colors. Lasers shot from the unicorns horns spinning around as the gate they guarded swung open to let the van and the stunned girls in. On the house itself lights spelled out ‘Welcome To Sunset Shimmer’s Sleepover’.
All the girls jaws were on the floor of the van as the dark night became as bright as day it was like they were suddenly in Los Pegasus looking at the famous neon glow of the city. Fluttershy began to subconsciously drive forward like like a moth to all the light. Finally Rainbow kicked her feet up on the dashboard “Knew I was right” the others were still too shocked to disagree.
As drove up the driveway they parked the van under a drive through portico which gave them the opportunity stay dry as they got out and got their stuff. They work in stunned silence unloading the van before moving up the door.
They walked up to the door and Rainbow Dash pressed the doorbell. It was mere moments before the door was opened by a man in a tailcoat with white gloves. He showed no emotion as he looked a them down his nose. He spoke with a posh British accent “Greetings ladies I am Richard, Miss Shimmer’s personal butler allow me to welcome you to the Setting Sun Manor.”
Author's Note
Hope you all enjoyed it please leave a comment below and let me know what you thought. I’ll try to post a new chapter at least once a week on Wednesday as I start my work shift on Thursday
Sunset sat waiting for the girls in the main living room attempting to find a decent movie to suggest to her friends unfortunately her time in this world had been spent mostly on revenge plans and power fantasies not on the cinematic works of said world.
“Ugh why didn’t I sign up for Netflix” she said plopping backwards onto the couch to groan into her hands. She was didn’t get nervous or panic like a certain purple princess she got frustrated the moment something went wrong and acting like a total she-demon completely undermined the whole point of this sleepover. This sleepover had to go right there was too much riding on it for it to fail that was why she had worked hard way too hard honestly to ensure it would work out. Monday was spent frantically planning every eventuality, tuesday saw her accompanying Richard to the grocery store to help him choose their favorite foods, wednesday she rode with him out to meet with a shady guy in a van who sold almost certainly illeagal fireworks, and thursday she spent helping Richard set them and that light show up for the girls arivial. This was basically the first time she had time to ponder her preparations and feel angry at herself every time she thought of something she could’ve done better. She was about to go into one of her rage fits when she heard Richard’s footsteps coming closer, he normally was much more quiet often scaring the crap out of her by walking up on her without her noticing, he was making sure she heard now so she’d have time to mentally prepare herself before her friends were led into the room. She took a deep breath counted to ten before slowly exhaling she needed something to take her mind off the sleepover even while it was starting.
“And here we are ladies the lady of the house herself Miss Shimmer.” Richard said sounding fresh from across the pond.
Sunset ignored him and walked toward her friends “Hey guys find the place alright?”
The girl stood in silence looking at various things in the room Pinkie was in awe of the shiney crystal chandelier hanging from the ceiling, Rainbow Dash imagine all the uses of the size itself big enough to be turned into a basketball court, Rarity observed the mahogany walls and floral patterns carved into them, Fluttershy was drawn to the paintings of nature scenes on the walls, and Applejack noted that the room lacked a t.v but instead had a projector shining from the back wall casting a light on a screen lowered in front of one of the walls, Richard personally had always loved the persian rug in the center of the room even if it was a bitch to clean.
Sunset drew near the girls and put her hand only a inch from Pinkie’s face before snapping. All the girls left their trances instantly turing to their newest friend. “Earth to girls, I know it’s a lot to take in but Pinkie’s drooling on the rug.”
Pinkie wiped her mouth of the saliva and wiped her hand on Rainbow Dash standing next to her “Sorry Sunset I get distracted by shiny things.”
Applejack laughed “Well I reckon I know who’s buying next time we go out to grab a bit.”
Rainbow still trying to rid herself of Pinkie spit spoke “Did you rob Fort Knox cause if so I surprisingly cool with that if I get to chill here.”
Fluttershy hid behind her hair “It’s very lovely, um if you don’t mind me saying so that is.”
Rarity gasped and fainted on the couch moaning “Darling” as she fell.
Sunset laughed at her friends reactions “Yeah I didn’t mention that my home’s money is just pure twenty-four karat gold coins and I bought a few thousand of them, also gemstone’s are like super common there so I sold all that and invested in different companies including that super big tech firm Carrot I get free Myphones whenever a new one comes out.”
“So ya filthy rich?” Applejack asked fanning Rarity with her hat.
“No Filthy Rich is my neighbor I babysat his daughter last week. Just kidding I know what you mean and yeah I kind of am. Up until now I just horded it like a dragon no offence to spike.” she replied.
“So um have you given any thought as what to do with some of the money” Fluttershy asked shyly
Sunset smiled knowing where this was going. “I think I’ll donate some to charity, by the way I heard the animal shelter is beginning construction of a new state of the art shelter.” She winked at the quiet girl.
Fluttershy grinned knowingly at her friend “Yes I heard we received a very generous donation from a anonymous source who every it was I’m sure the animals are very grateful.”
“WHY DIDN’T YOU TELL US YOU LIVE IN THE MOST FABULOUS HOUSE IN CANTERLOT!” Rarity squealed sitting up so fast she almost hit Applejack in the head.
“Cause I knew it would be funnier if you didn’t know beforehand.” she was laughing at Rarity’s dramatic antics.
“I could totally play basketball in here.” Rainbow said.
Sunset smirked “Why play in here when I have my own court?”
Rainbow eyes turned to stars as she looked at Sunset.
Richard looked on as the girls laughed Sunset noticed Richard watching them and realized she had forgotten something “Oh yeah by the way I know he probably already introduced himself but this is my legal guardian, butler and dear friend Richard. Richard meet Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy, Rarity, and Applejack.”
“It is a pleasure to you ladies.” he said.
Pinkie got right in his face “Ooo Sunset’s got a fancy British butler.”
Sunset groaned “He’s not British he’s from Georgia.”
Richard smiled “Gotcha”
Applejack looked angry “Oh y'all grow peaches” she spat the world out like it had offended her after noticing the odd looks she was getting she awkwardly added “I mean not that there's anything wrong with peaches mind ya some of my best friends eat peaches.”
The girls were confused but Richard took it in stride dropping his posh British accent and dawned a new one he knew Sunset found equally annoying “Well actually did y’all know we grow more apple then peaches why not far from my home town is were the annual Georgia apple festival is held.” he now sounded like a member of the Apple family himself.
Applejack seemed relieved and tipped her hat in respect.
“Well Applejack’s weird fruit based racism aside, why don’t you all pick out a movie to watch and me and Richard will go grab some snacks.” Sunset suggested.
Applejack turned a bit red “I ain’t racist I just reckon ya can’t trust them other fruit folk like ya can a good god fearin Apple folk”.
Richard and Sunset ignored her as they left for the kitchen.
When they made it to the kitchen Sunset glared at Richard. “I told you not to do the damn accent and instead you do both the accents”
Richard faked offense “Well excuse me for trying to be the perfect butler, I swear no one appreciate my art. Oh and language by the way.”
“First you spend all week wasting my time and now your constantly annoy me I haven’t had anytime to worry about the sleepover.” Sunset pause realizing what she had said the pieces falling into place now that she said it out loud. “You were keeping my mind off it weren’t you.”
Richard smiled at her and she knew when she saw that smile she had nailed it. “I have no idea what your talking about. I’m just a snarky jerk who can’t take things seriously.”
Sunset laughed “Oh no doubt about that but still Monday I was stressing over this, but the rest of the week you drug me on all sorts of errands you’d normally do yourself, and when we were working on getting ready you kept me laughing or groaning at your antics and not thinking about the sleepover.”
Richard was about to make a joke out of the situation, he was never good with showing any deep emotions, when Sunset wrapped him in a hug “Thank you”
Richard smiled and hugged her back.
The night grew darker as the girls watched movies from Sunset’s limited collection, ate all manner of junk food, had a pillow fight and ribbed each other as only the best of friends can. Richard gave the girls their space checking in occasionally. He was in the process of bringing another round of cupcakes, Pinkie literally inhaling the last batch, when he heard something that made him stop at the door. The girls had been playing truth or dare for a while now, the game had already seen Pinkie eat a cupcake with her nose, Rainbow admitting she liked pedicures after they were done but hated having her feet touched, Rarity putting mud on her face, Fluttershy revealing she had once knocked her brother out with one punch and Applejack insisting that no one on her family got married after meeting at a family reunion. Now it appeared to be Sunset’s turn and the foolish girl had made one of the worst mistakes you could make in truth or dare, picking the wrong choice.
“I guess I’ll pick truth.” Immediately upon hearing this choice Richard pressed himself into the wall and peeped around the door frame. This was morally wrong on many levels but Richard was never a perfect person in fact some would call him a asshole. He embraced this role but he cared for Sunset, if the question was too personal he’d walk away or reveal himself to the kids.
The moment he heard Rainbow begin asking he knew this was probably not a conversation he had any interest in hearing he was prepared to walk away when he heard “Did you and Flash ever fuck?”
That got his interest, to him the question meant ‘dose a certain blue hair guitarist need to die’. He shouldn’t listen but fuck that he needed to know if he needed to plot a murder.
It took a moment before Sunset replied “No we didn’t I’ve haven’t really been interested in humans since I got here.” the girls nodded.
“So does Richard know?” Rarity asked.
“Know what? He asked as he stepped through the door this was as good a time to reveal himself as any.
Sunset smiled as the left corner of her mouth twitched up “That your cupcakes are amazing.” Sunset replied.
Richard smile “Of course they are because I’m the most amazing butler to ever butler.” he sat the cupcakes on the table and left the girls. As he turn into the hallway his smile dropped. ‘A lie, she smiles with the right side of her mouth when it’s the truth” He wasn't angry as much as he was intrigued.
After he had left Sunset looked at her friends guiltily. “He knows I turned into a she-demon with magic but not about me being from another dimension of ponies. I mean at the time I was a total jerk to him for years but he has been so forgiving I don’t want to scare him away. I’ll give him time to wrap his head around magic being real before I add on extra dimensional pony civilizations.”
The girls seemed to understand her reasoning but Applejack still had something point out. “I get why ya ain’t told him but it’s obvious y’all are pretty close I think he should know something that important about ya.”
Sunset hated to admit it but A.J had a point “Your right I’ve been meaning to tell him but I’ve been putting it off for awhile now. I’ll tell him before he heads out to his book club tomorrow.”
The girls accepted this and moved on with the game now Fluttershy asked Rainbow Dash “Umm truth or dare Dashie?”
“Truth” Dash replied confidently.
“Umm have you ever fantasized about having sex with me or any of the other girls?” Fluttershy asked hiding behind her hair.
Rainbow replied by choking on her cupcake.
Late into the night the girls retreated to Sunset’s room and after a final pillow fight they settled into their sleeping bags for the night. As the girls laid down and fell asleep. Richard stalked through the halls. Eventually moving to the back door and walking out the storm had stopped and the clouds had passed he walked along a stone path out into the garden and sat down under a gazebo enjoying the crisp fall air. As he sat enjoying the stillness of the night he was interrupted as Daft Punk’s ‘Get Lucky’ played from his pocket. Fishing out his pocket looking at the id before answering.
“I thought teens today only ever texted.” he teased.
A young girls voice on the phone replied “I called for a serious reason Hades can you be serious for once.”
Richard sighed “Let me guess Artemis, it’s as bad as I thought?”
Artemis sighed “Well it’s far from good they don’t just want you off the mission they want you fired from the agency.”
Richard nodded “Yeah I figured as much. Did they say anything at the meeting about any evidence they planned on using against me?”
“Other than your budding friendship with Target Charlie, no. Overall it’s pretty flimsy but with the Council ya never really know.”
“I can’t believe Zeus would risk all our progress just cause he’s mad he didn’t get team lead.” Richard said
Artemis hesitated for a moment “Look Hades, I know you won’t betray us but I also think I know why your doing this and I just worry your gonna get yourself in trouble over this.”
“I won’t lie and say that doesn't have something to do with this but Sunset is a good person she just forgot that for awhile. I know she can do great things and it would be a waste to throw all that a way. Plus she deserves a chance.” Richard told her.
“Just be careful, ok, but I got your back. Zeus doesn't know that you trained me when I first joined the agency, I’ll keep pretending I never worked with you before to keep an eye on them. I owe you that much at least Ric- er I mean Hades” she said almost screwing up the code names.
Richard just laughed “You don’t have to worry about the BS code names between us and if you ever need relationship advice you can talk to me.”
Artemis sounded nervous. “I- I have no idea what your talking about.” she said.
Richard was laughing his ass off now. “Sure you don’t my only question is, what does this Lyra Heartstring moan at night? Sweetie Drops, or Bon-bon?”
Special agent Sweetie Drops replied by hanging up.
Author's Note
Had to rush a bit more on this one since I volunteered to work overtime Wednesday but I manged to finish this up before I in. Anyway the next chapter will probably wrap up this story then I’ll make a quick one shot so I don’t get burned out to much on this one story. after that I’ll pick up with a sequel. Anyway any feedback is welcome and I hope you enjoyed this.
The first rays of light began to rise over the city of Canterlot drying up last nights storm. Sunset was the first of her friends up. She walked across a minefield made up of teenage girls sprawled out in sleeping bags across the room. She managed by some miracle to reach the door without stepping on a friend and slipped out the door. She went to the bathroom to complete her daily hygiene routine before stepping back out in a flesh set of identical cloths. She walked down the hall and into the kitchen. She began to prepare a cup of coffee opening the cabinet to get out the supplies she’d need. Watching the Coffee drip into the pot she ponder how she was suppose to tell Richard that she was a unicorn, That her home was a different dimension, that the closest thing she had to a mother was a immortal god ruler who raised the sun and has reigned for millennium. How does one start that conversation. As Sunset brain pondered this she began to pace and talk to herself
“Ok I need to tell Richard but how? I can’t go casual no I need to let him know this is serious. So I go up to him and say “hey we need to talk” or something but then what. I can’t just start with that so I let him know I want to tell him about my past. I wonder when would be a good time.”
“Here’s your coffee Sunset”
“Thanks Richard. I wonder if he’s even up. I guess I could always talk to him after breakfast.”
“Speaking of breakfast here’s some pancakes.”
“Thanks can you pass me the syrup?”
“Sure, did you want to talk to me now or after breakfast?”
Sunset paused looking up from her plate of pancakes she didn’t remember receiving the cup of coffee beside her or even sitting down at the table in the dining hall. As she pondered her new setting the hand holding out the syrup gave it a little to catch her attention. To her horror she followed the arm up till she meet Richard eyes across the table. “HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN THERE?!”
Richard seeing Sunset wasn’t taking the syrup sat it down as close to her as he could reach before taking a drink of his orange juice. “Well I was making the pancakes when you first walked into the kitchen I said good morning but you didn’t seem to hear me so i just keep making pancakes. I notice the coffee pot was full but you were too busy pacing and mumbling to notice so I fixed you a cup the way you like, you even said thanks when i gave it to you then went back to pacing. So I finished the pancakes and lead you into the dinning room and put the plate in front of you. That's pretty much the play by plan up till now.”
“So I guess I may as well tell you what’s up.” Sunset said playing with her food now nervously.
“Well if you want but based on what I heard you mumble I have a pretty good guess. I mean it makes sense with how you acted but you can’t help what you were born as. So I care about you no matter what you don’t have to be ashamed.”
Sunset jumped up and hugged her friend “Thank you so much for understanding.”
Richard smiled “If you need anyone to talk to you can tell me I know what it’s like coming out I’m bisexual myself.”
Sunset stood up “Wait you think I’m coming out of the closet.”
Richard nodded “I always figure you were bi if not full on lesbian. I know you dated Flash but you hardly ever let him even hold your hand so I figured you just dated him to keep your real sexulaity hiden. Plus that leather jacket is pretty much the same as flannel, the lesbian uniform.”
“Just because I wear leather doesn't mean I’m gay. I’m a pony thats what i was gonna tell you.” Sunset threw her hands up in frustration.
“Oh I already knew about the pony thing. Revenge against Princess Celestia was all you use to talk about plus I read the evil plans you had me throw out. Why did you go with the brainwashing plan I thought the biological attack was much more clever.” Richard asked shoveling pancake into his mouth.
“I couldn’t find enough anthrax. Plus the brainwashing was really more spur of the moment I knew Twilight’s crown was powerful I just hadn’t planned on how to use it. Then she came thru the portal to get it back. Princess Celestia never gets her hands, or hooves I guess, dirty so i figured Twilight would send some else to get it back and I’d have till the next time the portal opened to figure something out.” Sunset began eating her pancakes.
“Only thing I don’t get is where this portal is? It must be close for you to sneak thru without me noticing.”
“It’s the pedestal that the horse statue at school sits on. It’s only open for three moons every thirty moons.”
“So we don’t have to worry about dragons or something coming threw all the time just every month or so, that's reassuring.”
“Well it exits in the princess castle so I doubt anything will wander thru it randomly.”
Richard nodded they ate the rest of their breakfast silent the other girls making there way down one by one join them. Richard talked to them getting to know each of the girls. Applejack was the first to ask him a personal “So Richard ya got any family?”
Richard playfully grab Sunset in a headlock “Other than my annoying adopted brat here you mean” He realized Sunset as she blushed “No both my parents died when I was nineteen so at least I was a adult by then and could legally take care of myself.”
Applejack reached across the table and put her hand on top of his “I lost ma folks a couple of years ago it ain’t easy but ya seemed to have moved and I know thats what both our folks would want us to. Do ya mind me asking what happened?”
Richard smiled it had been a long time it hurt but it scared over. Now he could remember the good time and not just the pain. “I don’t mind my dad had drug issues and had taken about twelve prescription painkillers. He fell asleep while driving and crashed they both died on impact.” That's all they needed to know about for now besides the atmosphere was as somber as a graveyard. “Enough feeling down. Pinkie I hear your good at putting a smile on people’s faces”.
The Pink partier light up like a christmas tree. “You want smiles? Believe me I can do smiles.” She pulled out a disco ball from her hair and to everyone’s surprise and horror she ate it whole. She swallowed suddenly the room was lit with dancing multicolor light shining from her eyes.
After watching Pinkie’s absurdist physics defining comedy act with the laser show provided by her eyes. The girls continued hanging out. Again Richard mostly left them alone but did make sure to befriend each of them at least a little, he told Sunset much to her embarrassment that he wanted to be the ‘hip adult’ and that he had ‘swag yo’. With Fluttershy he talked about the animal shelter he volunteered at when he was in high school. Applejack wanted to know all about his home state’s apple festival. Rainbow and him bonded over their competitive streak in video games winning many matches on against other teams online. Rarity complemented his stylish butler outfit. Pinkie befriended him due to her uncanny ability to be friends with everyone.
They day continued relatively uneventfully just the same things any group of teenagers would do while hanging out. It was hard to believe one of them was a unicorn that had turned into a magical evil she-demon Richard noted. They braided hair, painted nails, and gossiped. The only thing even slightly odd was when Rainbow Dash found a old evil plan for conquering Equestria, but instead of being mad the girls just teased Sunset for the plan’s ridicurous ideal and heavy reliance on ninjas.
Around noon the girls said their goodbyes and began getting ready leave. Sunset said her goodbyes to each as they hopped in Fluttershy’s flowery hippie van. Rarity having the most to luggage was the last one to leave Applejack carring most of Rarity's clothes left the fashionista with just her purse to carry herself.
“I had a wonderful time, darling. I do hope we can do this again soon. Not only did I enjoy spending time with everyone, your gorgeous home has left me inspired to make some resplendent garments.” Rarity said to Sunset as the two stood by the doorway.
“Thanks Rarity if you ever want to come back to get over some artist block just come back.” Sunset said hugging the dressmaker goodbye.
“Thank you, darling. I must admit I will likely take you up on that offer sooner rather than later. I extend the same offer to you anytime you need a outfit made feel free to come to me anytime, the same goes for your Richard. While he looks quite dashing he was wearing a shadbelly both last night and today, the poor dear.”
Sunset was confused “Really he looks like the pictures i’ve seen of butlers. What's a shadbelly?”
Rarity face lit up excited to share her fashion knowledge. “A shadbelly also know as a weaselbelly for men, is a form of tailcoat. It makes sense that someone would think it looks like a butler’s outfit as media often shows butlers wearing tailcoats. A shadbelly however is only wore during certain events, not just regular formal wear.”
Sunset giggled a bit a weaselbelly but became confused again at the end “What kind of events do you wear a shadbelly?”
“A couple of different equestrian events, darling.”
If Sunset had been drinking she would have spit it out. “DID YOU SAY EQUESTRIAN?”
Rarity laughed “Not your equestria, Daring. In this world it means things dealing with horses. A shadbelly would mostly be wore to a horse show. Plus you said he told you this morning he knew about you being a pony maybe he wore it as joke? Now the others are waiting au revoir, daring” Rarity waved and went to hop in the car.
Sunset waved as the girls to they drove out onto the street the gate closing behind them. She breathed a sigh as much as she loved her friends she was glad the sleepover was over she had been stressing over it since they asked her to host. Now her mind was racing Richard her legal guardian and thus the one responsible for watching over her, a equine, always wore a outfit traditionally wore to watch equines. Sure it may have just been a joke but there was one thing that made her doubt that, she’d have to look into that something later.
So lost in her thoughts she almost walked right into Richard. “Did all your friends have a good time?”
Sunset jumped a bit having not noticed him till he spoke up. “Huh? Oh yeah they did. I guess I was worried about it for nothing.”
Richard gave her a little one arm side hug. “It’s normal to be a bit worry about making a good impression, especially if they already saw you at your worst before. They say ‘first impressions are everything’ so it’s not at all surprising that you were so nervous. The thing you need to remember though is that your a good person always wear deep down. It takes alot to change like you have and it takes a lot to forgive someone who hurt you. Fortunity your brave enough to change and from what I saw those girls are brave enough to forgive you.”
Sunset blushed “I don’t know if I’m as brave as you think I am but thanks.”
Richard hugged her tighter. “If I had a daughter, I’d wish she’d to be just like you.”
Sunset looked towards Richard and while he wasn't crying yet there was definitely tears in his eyes. She hugged him with both arms as tight ash she could. “I never had a father back in Equestria but if I did i’d like him to be just like you. So maybe we can make each other wishes come true? What do you think, dad?”
Richard kissed the top of her head as she buried her face in his chest tears dripping down his cheeks “I’d love that, daughter.”
The two hugged for a few minutes crying tears of joy. Finally Richard phone beeped in his pocket. He pulled away wiping his eyes “Shit.”
Sunset laughed between her tears “Language.” she teased.
Richard laughed as he checked his phone. “Fleur De Lis is almost here to pick me up she’s in our book club and her husband Fancy Pant’s is hosting today.”
Sunset finished wiping her tears away. “Okay. I’ll be working on my motorcycle.”
Richard took a deep breath trying to calm down after his little crying session. “Ok don’t use any dangerous tool till I get back.”
“I’m just going to try and get rid of the scratches from my crash yesterday so I won’t need anything like that anyway.”
Richard nodded “Ok then i’m gonna go to the bathroom and try to make myself look like I haven’t been crying.”
Sunset watched him walk away she to started to leave when she found herself calling out to him. “Hey Richard.”
He stopped just short of the corner. “Yeah?”
Sunset hesitated before speaking “Did you know about… you know never mind have fun at your book club.”
Richard looked like he was going to press her but to her relief he didn’t “I won’t Donut Joe thinks that the ending of the book wasn’t a tragedy while I think it is he seems to think you can just kill anyone if it’s convenient. Don’t trust him he may poison your donut.”
Sunset laughed “He does seem sketchy.” she said sarcastically “What book are you discussing?”
“‘Of Mice and Men’. He thinks Lennie deserved to die because he made a mistake.”
“What do you think about his death?” Sunset asked.
“I think George did what he had to but he only killed Lennie as a last resort and out of mercy. Lennie knew what he did wrong and accepted what was happening he couldn’t make up for his mistake.” Richard locked eyes with Sunset his eyes intense “You can however.”
Sunset stared back with determination. “I know and I will.”
Richard nodded “Good” He dropped his serious expression and smiled his carefree smile “Remember, If I die, kill him and take revenge for me.”
Sunset shook her head and chuckled “Your morbid. Go get cleaned up if Fleur sees your sensitive side she may divorce Fancy for you.” She winked at him.
“I know I’m irresistible. If I was Fancy i’d be too nervous to let my supermodel wife pick a guy like me up.” Richard walked away and to the nearest bathroom. His eyes were red from crying but that was a easy fix. He pulled off his tie clip and got to work.
A few minutes later Richard walked out of the bathroom without a trace of any sadness on his face. A text from Fleur confirms she’s outside. Richard walked to car and climbed in Fleur never looked over at him as he sat down and buckled up. So he chose to break the silence his eyes looking straight ahead out the windshield. “Aphrodite.”
“Hades. This meeting promises to be interesting at the very lest.” Fleur said.
They drove in silence to Fancy Pants’ and Fleur De Lis’ house she drove into the garage. They walked threw the door and into the foyer. They passed Fancy Pants as he walked down a hall he wore a elegant silk bathrobe drinking a coffee. Fleur kissed his cheek as she walked by. Richard greeted him “Hello Mister Pants. I apologize in advance if I have to make a mess, but if a mother fucker wants problems, I’ll have to solve them.”
Fancy just continued on his way replying over his shoulder. “Let's hope it doesn't come to that Mister Hades, but I understand if you must do what is necessary. Just try not to track blood.”
The two greek deities walked down a stair set into the basement of the mansion. Fleur pressed her palm against the wall and a blue light glowed her wedding ring glowed the same color. A section of the wall descended down into the floor creating a passage into a hidden room.
Fleur turned to Richard. “I understand if you have to defend yourself but try to keep this from becoming a bloodbath Hades.
“If anyone pulls a weapon it’ll be Zeus. If the council won’t get rid of me he may try himself.”
The model said nothing more as the two walked towards the only thing inside the room. A large mirror with engraved wooden carvings of two knights on either side of it. Wires and pipes ran from the back of it hook up to generators in other parts of the mansion. A shield displaying a Fleur De Lis, it’s owners name sake, above the top of the mirror. Richard pulled a lever causing sparks to fly as the mirror’s reflection of the world in front of it to distort. Together the model and the butler walked thru the mirror into the world beyond the glass.
Sunset had waited till Richard left before running to a small office space off one of the manor’s manny halls. Inside was a mahogany desk. The walls were covered with shelves full of trophies including pictures of Sunset receiving the Fall Formal crown for three out of her four years at Canterlot High. Once this was the room Sunset would come to plot her revenge against Celestia, now this was the first time she had been in the room since her defeat by Twilight and her friends. Sunset sat down at the desk and pulled open a drawer. Inside were folders with information on the staff she occasional contracted for her home. A gardener, a cleaning service, caterers, handymen, etc. Before it had also housed secrets of her classmates to be used as blackmail, those had all been shredded and burnt in a fit of rage at how she acted the day after the Fall Formal. At the very bottom was the one she was looking for.
Sunset put the file on the desk, still being new to computers at the time she preferred paper copies like she had back in equestria. She opened the folder and pulled out the employee information about Richard.
“Maybe Rarity was right and he wears a equestrian coat as a joke once he found out, but I was careful. I may have let me being from a different dimension slip, I may have even said somepony once or twice, but something just doesn't sit right. If I remember right I have a picture of him the day I first hired him.”
Sunset opened the file and looked at the photo of Richard from over three years ago. In it the slightly younger man smiled back at her Sunset looked at his clothes in detail. She pulled out her phone and googled shadbelly. She compared the two coats before long she came to a conclusion.
Sunset slumped back in her seat. “He was wearing a shadbelly on his very first day to work. He knew about equestria before he even meet me.” There was a lot more to her friend and guardian then she ever knew.
Author's Note
I’m back not dead. I’m so sorry for taking for ever to get this out. This is the end to this story but the journey has just begun. I want to make a series of stories following the world I’m building up. As always let me know what you think.
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