Sunset was caught in a far more uncomfortable situation than she would have ever liked to admit. Princess Twilight was looking at her with pity, while Fluttershy was glancing between them like a canary caught between two cats. Sunset's lackluster greeting also didn't appear to win any points with the young royal. "So... h-how are you doing Twi?"

Princess Twilight Sparkle, so young in her rulership that Sunset did not even know of her various titles, simply walked up, and enveloped the young woman in a hug. "I am so, so, sorry Sunset. I had no clue it was this bad."

Sunset was prepared for many things. If Twilight had begun yelling at her for messing up, she could have taken it. If Twilight had gone royal nerd and started planning, she could have taken it. Only now did she realize she had forgotten a key option; Twilight was sad, reduced to crying. Crying for what Sunset had been through. Sunset's arms were open wide, as she awkwardly closed them around her friend. "I-its alright Twi. Come on now. D-don't c-cry." Tears were threatening to escape from her own eyes now, despite her best efforts. "If you keep crying, then I'm gonna start crying. Then we've gone full shitty movie, j-just two d-dweebs crying in front o-of..." Her sentence died off as tears started to gather, and a soft sob made her jump in place.

That was all it took, and Sunset began actually crying, sobbing softly as tears poured straight into Twilight’s hair. Sunset, just for a moment, fell apart. These were not the sappy movie tears people think of when they think of an attractive young woman crying, but instead an ugly thing, powered by more than just lost love. Her sobs slowly got louder, as mucus and phlegm began mixing with the tears. "I-I just d-don't know why!"

Twilight patted her back, making soothing noises as Sunset cried. "Didn't I d-do everything alright? D-did I i-ignore them or s-something?"

Twilight smoothed Sunset's hair, trying to calm the girl. "It's okay. Sometimes friends mess up, and they stop being friends. It happens, you didn't do anything wrong."

Sunset let out a very tired sob, as the tears seemed to slow. "I-I just wanted friends, I'd never had that before."

Twilight nodded, keeping her calming tone. "And you still have at least one. Come on, let's get you home." Sunset looked ready to protest, but Twilight held a finger to her opening mouth. "My schedule is clear for a few days, and besides, I need to make sure you're living okay."

Sunset nodded. "Okay, there's a spare helmet in my saddlebags." Twilight noted how morose Sunset sounded, like all the energy from her earlier rant was gone, the sad reality crashing down on her. Sunset barely noticed the single footstep behind her, but Twilight did, shooting a glare at Fluttershy as Sunset led her towards her bike. Before Twilight looked away, she mouthed the word 'later', leading Fluttershy to solemnly nod, as the two walked to Sunset's bike.

Sunset didn't speak as she opened up her saddlebags, pulling out a simple black helmet, and handing it to Twilight, though she did spend a few minutes fussing over the fit of the helmet, adjusting it while unable to see Twilight's slight, yet still sad, smile. Sunset once again wordlessly moved, straddling her bike while grabbing her own helmet. Twilight looked it over. It was bright and colorful, like the girl herself. Red and gold whipped together over the smooth material, making it seem as if her very head was on fire. The only dark spot was the visor, which was black as night. After a moment, Sunset's voice came through. "Get on Princess, and grab onto my waist. I'm gonna be going kind of fast."

Twilight didn't respond, not out of rudeness, but instead at the sudden burst of noise that came from the vehicle they were on. She contained her questions, instead focusing on getting into the same stance Sunset had readied herself in, correctly assuming it was important. She did so just in time, the bike jumping forward with a high-pitched whine, followed by a small screech as Sunset leaned into a turn, causing the rear wheel to slide cleanly to the side. Twilight nearly screamed when the bike fully centered, and Sunset gunned it.

The conscious part of Twilight's mind suddenly became very small, fear and excitement assuming direct control. However, the ever-present scholarly side of her mind was taking notes. She noted it was almost like going into a divebomb, with the wind whipping past her body and the subtle lean to change direction. However, unlike a divebomb, she had no control, since that was fully ceded to Sunset. In between thoughts of fear and joy, several other notes were made; the fact that if Sunset hadn't changed this would be a perfect power-trip, the princess at her total mercy, the ideas of having a similar creation in Equestria. Then the instant refusal of that idea with the mere ghost of the phrase Cutie Mark Crusaders echoing in her mind.

Twilight had no clue how long they were on the machine, but when Sunset finally reached a full stop and sat up, they were in a less than high-end neighborhood. Twilight took the fact that she could tell the subpar living conditions despite her less than bountiful experience in this world’s living conditions was a decidedly negative thing. Sunset removed her helmet, before glancing down. She stared, and Twilight took a moment to try and think of what she was staring at, before realizing she still held the older girl in a firm hug. She sheepishly removed her arms, before getting off the bike. "Sorry about that. That was... an experience."

Sunset nodded, a ghost of a smile on her lips. "Yeah, I love riding this thing. She's old, back when most people would take these cruisers and slice 'em up, make them ride lower and sound louder, but I prefer to tune it. Make my little baby keep up with those little Neighsan bikes they use in races."

Twilight had absolutely no idea what most of those words meant, but she smiled as she took off her helmet anyways. "Well, it was certainly fast! Is this where you live?"

Sunset nodded, pulling her saddlebags off her bike and draping them over her shoulders. "Yep, did you bring that golden mortar and pestle? Mine was bought here, and the gold is flaking off."

Twilight nodded, reaching to check to make sure that her bag was still firmly in place. "Yes, and a few other things as well. I even managed to get that liquid rainbow you wanted." She paused. "What was that for anyway?"

Sunset hummed as she walked towards a small stairwell leading down in front of the building. "Might help with some work I've been doing, not sure yet. It'll be the first true blue experiment I've gotten to do in a while."

Twilight's eyes shined as she heard what was one of the many words that always got her excited. "Oh, really? What are you thinking."

Sunset let out a small chuckle as she calmly put a key in a small lock in a dented metal door. "Well, I was hoping I could shove it in a spray can so it would make a paint. That way I could have paint that would be in a shifting rainbow, like the way a raw rainbow pool will always shift its colors even if it's standing still."

Twilight began running equations in her head. "But, how? This world's magical field is so weak we can't really do much."

Sunset smiled as she moved into the apartment. "Well, I can still cast minor spells, so the planet’s ambient field should do a pretty good job of keeping the rainbow energized. Assuming it made it through the portal."

Twilight shrugged. "I don't know, it very easily could have been changed into something else, though if the ambient field is strong enough I can't think of any reason it would change." Twilight made her way into the apartment, her eyes casually noting details, and was immediately horrified. The couch had a rather large bloodstain on it, and the recliner had the telltale burns from a minor alchemical explosion. On the table in plain sight was a sewing set, but the way the needle had permanent stains betrayed that it had been used on flesh over clothes. Twilight cringed as she realized it may have been both. Her eyes paused at the kitchen, trying to find any more evidence of the horrors her friend might have gone through, but found it mercifully clean, whether due to deeper cleaning or a lack of wounds, Twilight couldn't be sure.

Sunset didn't seem to notice, moving slowly to the kitchen. "Well, I figure you wanna wash all my disgusting gunk out of your hair. The shower is across the hall from my bedroom. Head down the only hall, the door on your right."

Twilight nodded slowly, dropping her bag on the floor. "Okaaay, I'll go do that." Twilight was more than happy to leave as she moved quickly to the bathroom. She shut the door behind her and glanced the room over, looking over the clean porcelain on the shower and toilet. The sink was ripe with disinfectant, and a small closet sat beside the door she just shut. Upon opening it she found a healthy collection of towels, most of which were white, only few splashes of color betraying some either decorated or designed, even if they were hidden under the fabric mountain. After another second of intensive investigation, Twilight found what she was looking for; a medical kit.

She tried to quietly pull it out silently and managed to mostly succeed, nodding to herself in self reassurance. As she slowly rested it on the sink, Sunset's voice came through the door, causing her to jump. "Sorry, totally blanked for a second. Towels are in the closet, and some fancier soap and stuff are in the medicine box behind the mirror. Feel free to use it, I only really use it for fancy stuff or when I decide to get off my lazy flank and go to work."

Twilight grimaced, but managed to hide it from her voice. "Thanks, I was just looking at all the different stuff in here! Light bulbs never cease to amaze me!"

It was a weak lie, but also a mostly honest one; light bulbs without magic really did fascinate her. Her few experiments in it on the Equestrian side of the portal ended in quite a few cases of exploded glass and one case of a very concerned Spike. She heard an amused scoff from outside. "Ha, the royal nerd in the house." There was something else muttered after that, but Twilight had a mission, and nothing would distract her. She slowly opened the medical kit, and slowly became much more worried. Even in an accident-prone pony’s house, a medical kit was never full. A few odds and ends would be missing, with only the most vital components kept in full stock. This one had each container fully loaded. The only exception was a single roll of bandages, which had a sticky note marking it as used less than a week ago.

Twilight looked to it for a moment before zipping it back up, her mind racing as she placed it back into its tiny corner. She had a lot of evidence in front of her. Sunset had been hurt, and judging by the near-obsessive detail paid to her medical kit, as well as a spare sewing kit that had apparently been used to seal up some sort of wound, it was a recurring thing. Twilight began stripping her clothes, chewing her lip. It could just be Sunset's job. She had hinted it was dangerous whenever Twilight asked, but she also said she only went to work about once a week or so. Weekly injuries that were mildly expected wouldn't hazard sewing one’s self up in their home.

Twilight opened the small glass screen and stepped into the shower, barely noting its intricacies as she turned it to full heat. She grabbed the scentless soap and small bath sponge before washing herself mechanically. Her thoughts whirred about in her head, processing the plan she so desperately wanted to use. Sunset had been hurt, physically and mentally, and now Twilight wanted to drag her back to Equestria and let her heal. But there was a problem with that - she was fairly certain Princess Celestia had technically banished her. While the wording in the nearly decade-old note of Equestrian law was vague, it clearly stated that Sunset Shimmer was forbidden from Celestia's land. That was technically all of Equestria, right?

Twilight rinsed off the soap, grabbing the shampoo from its spot without thinking. She began rubbing it into her scalp, before running it through her long strands of hair, all the while formulating other plans. So she couldn't take Sunset back to Equestria yet, but, she could be freaking out over nothing. While there was plenty of evidence to support her claims, it was all circumstantial, and not much more. And the last thing Sunset needed was a confrontation right now. So what could she do?

She smiled as a single thought hit her, and she momentarily stopped what she was doing. Technically Ponyville was her land, and not Celestia’s. Therefore, even if Sunset was banned from Equestria, she could stay with Twilight for a while. Celestia may not like it, but as Princess of Friendship, it was her job to offer all her friends a helping hoof. She paused as she flexed her fingers. "Hand, a helping hand here. Right?"

She giggled as the plan fully formulated; she could invite Sunset back to her castle for a while, at least until she felt better about her situation, which Twilight already had some doubts about. She had seen Sunset's bank account, and honestly had a few questions about it. She knew it was all legally gained, but the how escaped her. How could a pony who was banished when they were barely eighteen get that many bits? Leaving her questions for later, she happily dried off before hanging the towel on one of the hooks beside the door, and when she exited the room, she was nearly jumping for joy. "SUNSET, I JUST HAD A GREAT IDEA!"

Sunset's head peeked around the corner with a small smirk, which quickly faded into a look of horror and her face going a deep red. Sunset fell forward, a solid thump signaling her impact with the floor as she covered her eyes. "BY THE HOLY LIGHT TWILIGHT! WHY ARE YOU NAKED?!" Twilight froze, before looking down at herself. Oh. Right. She didn't have any fur here. Her own face flushed, realizing she had just fully flashed one of her friends, but Sunset was one step ahead. "Clothes are in my room. Go!" Twilight hastily dove into the room opposite, hiding her face with her hands until the door closed behind her. Sunset's voice called out from the other side of the door. "Okay, my turn in the shower, just... grab some stuff from my closet, or something. And pardon the mess."

Twilight tried to respond, maybe apologise, but only an embarrassed squeak seemed to come out. She began moving towards the closet while investigating the bedroom on the way. The bed was unmade, with the blankets kicked to the end, only just clinging to the sheets. Twilight paused while looking at the wall opposite - instead of a TV, or a bookshelf sitting there, a painted mural was painted on the wall. Twilight couldn't tell the type of paint used, as it was something she hadn't seen in Equestria, but the art itself was beautiful. Two small flames, held in the hands of two beautiful women, each wearing the style of dress popular in the heights of Equestrian nobility, simply tailored and adapted for a human.

The one on the left was clothed in silk of the purest white, and the yellow flame was a bright and holy thing, appearing to bring the colors of the wall into a vibrant life. However, the one on the right was dressed in pitch black cloth, with her flames being a dark, demonic red, which seemed to overpower everything nearby. The flame itself standing tall, but everything touching it seemed lesser for the effort. Twilight raised a hand to it, resting her fingers against the red flame. "Sunset..."

Twilight shook her head, turning around to check the rest of the room. She paused at Sunset's fencing foil, a short spark of memory coming from it. She leaned over the bed, and let out a gasp, realising that this wasn't something from this side of the mirror. She could tell from the way the metal sheened, that this was Cloudsdale steel, and not the cheap mass-produced variety either. This was forged by a single smith, hoof crafted in the midst of a storm while the wind itself cooled the heated metal. Twilight desperately wanted to run a finger over it, if only to feel the almost peaceful way the metal seemed to wrap in on itself at the smallest level, strengthening it far more than a conventional forge ever could, but she resisted. Instead, she broke away, moving to the closet. Opening it, she found a small collection of clothing, and in the corner a small pile of pajamas. She grabbed the top pair and threw them on quickly, now caught in different thoughts.

There was absolutely no way Sunset could have stolen an authentic cloudsteel weapon before she left. They were weapons made to be used, and if somepony commissioned one it was for a purpose other than decorating their estate. Her brother's sword when he was assigned to lead the outlands division was cloudsteel and it was meant for slaying the various monsters that lived in the wild Wastes south of Equestria. She knew that the top Wonderbolts had cloudsteel spikes ringing their armor, allowing even minor blows against an enemy force could be crippling. Cloudsteel was a warrior’s choice, hardly being a thing of beauty. The wind and lightning made the metal look dinged and almost cracked, but it made the hardest steel that ponies could forge. Add in a few enchantments, and you suddenly have something that could reliably be brought to bear against the greatest of threats in Equestria.

This meant that every cloudsteel weapon was both well-maintained, and well accounted for. Stealing one would still make the news circuits in Equestria even now. Twilight checked herself over, confirming that she looked okay. With a nod she moved to the door, going back into the little living room and sitting on the chair, deciding explosive residue was better than old blood. Of course, she noticed Sunset had moved a small couch cover over the whole thing now, probably trying to avoid Twilight worrying about her. Using the period of peace, she began running theories through her head. Sunset had cloudsteel, and since it couldn’t have been stolen, it was rightfully hers. Which then meant Sunset had, while living in Equestria, had both the need and the bits to afford true cloudsteel, and then forge a weapon out of it. But all Princess Celestia had said was that Sunset had been a personal student. No hints whatsoever of being some acclaimed guard and Sunset had said outright she was mostly a pyromancer. That meant it wasn't for stopping dangerous summons, which was something Twilight had seen in action thanks to a young magus trying to summon up a familiar.

She was roused from her thoughts as Sunset exited the bathroom, still slightly damp. Twilight looked at the young girl as she walked calmly across the hall, before Sunset paused, looking to Twilight. "Aw, dammit. you grabbed my favorites. One sec."

Twilight looked down at her Pj's. She wasn't sure why these would be Sunset's favorite pair. They were a simple white, a small sun embossed on the chest. The material was rough as if made out of spare materials over actual clothing cloth. Twilight decided to shelve that thought, since there were already too many mysteries without enough answers. After another minute, Sunset came out, long-sleeved pajamas covering her arms, though they were about a size too small. Twilight wondered if Sunset liked tight fitting clothes. While the pajama's she wore now weren't particularly tight, if she had a bit more muscle, as well as a larger bust, it very well might be. Sunset sighed. "Okay, I put forward a motion, since you're bumming at my house we aren't talking about the big mess that is my life right now. Instead, we're going to talk alchemy, play games, and have an altogether unhealthy amount of sweet foods."

Twilight thought on that for a moment, before giggling. "Okay, we can do that." She was interrupted by a growl from her stomach. "But could we start with actual food? I may have skipped dinner to hunt down a bottle of rainbow." She gave a sheepish smile as Sunset freely laughed.

***

Twilight awoke to a song. She couldn't place it easily, but it was nice for the short amount of time it played, and after a moment Sunset's voice groggily spoke up, interrupting the tune. "Home of struggling artists, I make it, you steal it." Twilight rolled over, promptly falling off the couch she had fallen asleep on, landing right beside Sunset, who had apparently moved to the floor at some point between them falling asleep and now.

Twilight blinked a few times and saw Sunset on a phone, who she was talking to remained a mystery though. Sunset gave her a nod and raised a single finger to her mouth, signalling for Twilight to stay silent while she spoke. "What do you mean they want to do another run tonight?!" Sunset growled at the phone, her body tensing up in irritation. "Okay, so you got found out, and Mouse needs a payday, is it really that instant of a need? I don't have new routes planned, plus the heat might still be keeping an eye out."

Twilight raised an eyebrow as Sunset's expression fell. "Oh, that's why he couldn't make it. And it was your damn boss? Alright, call up Feint and she might have some routes planned. I'll draft the surprise email for our loyal watchers and try to get some gear together for us. I need a message of how many runners ASAP, and I swear by the Holy Light, if I get nabbed tonight I'm dropping your name faster than an obese man drops a health shake!" Sunset tapped the screen of her phone, crossing her arms with a huff.

Twilight raised an eyebrow at the exchange. "What was all that about?'

Sunset grunted, fully standing up and moving to the kitchen area. "Work. We normally only do one job a week, but some of the guys need to do a little extra. We're gonna go out tonight and see what we can dredge up. Doesn't help that Retna was the one who called me. Dude hates working alone so much I thought he just wanted to do it with some people. Again."

Twilight nodded. "So what is it you do anyway? You've only ever really hinted at it when we messaged each other."

Sunset opened the fridge, which conveniently hid her annoyed grimace. She had very intentionally never mentioned specifically what she did, mostly so she could complain about either of her nighttime activities without letting on too much. But, with Twilight right here, lying about the direct question was quite obviously not an option. She grabbed at the drawer which held her ever-present collection of energy drinks and frowned when she only felt one. Right, she still needed groceries. She sighed as she popped the tab on it. "Buck it, not like you can call the cops on me or anything. Under the TV, besides where the game console is there's a laptop. Open it up and press the power button. I'm gonna make us some cereal."

Twilight nodded and moved over to the TV cabinet, carefully opening it. Sunset smiled, grabbing a pair of bowls as she watched Twilight pick up several things first, before finally realizing the laptop was the thin blue rectangle. She opened it up and froze at the massive amount of buttons. Sunset spoke over the sound of off-brand Frosted Flakes being poured into a bowl. "Power button’s the grey one at the top left side."

Sunset watched as Twilight’s confidence returned, confidently pressing the power button and being amazed as the screen began to glow. While the computer did its startup, Sunset grabbed spoons, moving carefully so she didn’t spill her breakfast bounty and sat on the couch. She gestured for Twilight to sit beside her and raised an eyebrow as Twilight inspected the couch for a moment before nodding. She sat down heavily, making Sunset juggle the bowls to keep either from spilling.

With the meals stable, she passed one to Twilight while taking the laptop, beginning to type one handed. "So, as you may have guessed I don't have a ton of job prospects here, what with being an alien in both meanings of the word," Sunset smirked at her own joke, all traces of last nights uncomfortable meeting buried. "But I happened to find out that there are plenty of people willing to pay for a good show, and that I really hate the laws on graffiti here." She moved the mouse over to a file and clicked it a few times. "So I founded a wonderful little group that ran around making art pieces, and people pay to watch."

Sunset clicked play and set the laptop on the end table. Twilight began munching her food mechanically, while Sunset simply took the time to watch, thinking of her only two real friends. Both Twilight and Trixie showed up to prove they were loyal friends, and that was more than she could have hoped for. She checked the video, noting it was the one she did just the other night, and her eyes widened as she saw herself approaching the changelings.

She glanced between Twilight and the screen, before sighing. Lesson three under Celestia; when something has left your hooves, let it fall. It may be easier to fix than it would be to catch. She watched as Twilight's brow furrowed at the mention of their gang, and then flinched as her brows shot up when Sunset charged them. Looking over her takedown she had to admit, she impressed herself. Using her leg as a second arm to bring down one of the thugs wasn't something she had been taught. Her instincts had been doing their job and giving her an admittedly bombastic way to dispatch the two thugs in one fell swoop.

Twilight looked between Sunset and the screen, and the ex-unicorn suddenly remembered her friend who was raised in the palace was watching her running through back streets and winning street fights. She tried to give her a cocky grin, but instead, all that came out was a grimace. Twilight went back to the screen, and the disapproval quickly melted from her face as Sunset began her actual work on screen. Her bag filled with different pieces of cardboard, all cut into specific shapes. Some taggers used a specific mold for each piece, some could free-hand. Flanksy did neither. Flanksy used an insane amount of small molds, held up by hand and sprayed in a specific order to make her pieces, with free handing only being used for fine details and finalization.

Sunset could see Twilight taking mental notes of every sweep of her hands. Trying to memorize the shapes used and spot them after three other shapes had partly covered it, making the original shape seem useless except for the blend colors. Sunset decided not to let Twilight watch the last of the video, seeing her friend run from the cops might hit a sour note with a literal ruling body from another world. She reached over as soon as the piece was done, pausing the video, looking to Twilight as she finished off her cereal. "So, what do you think?"

Twilight sighed. "Well, it seems a bit... dangerous." Sunset winced at that, but Twilight seemed to think of something. "But I can tell you love it, and the finished piece was beautiful."

Sunset sighed. "Yeah, and I have to come up with another by tonight. I have a few I'd been thinking of, so I guess I'll have to use them."

Twilight began chewing her lip, and Sunset noticed she was wringing her hands together. After a moment Twilight spoke. "Yeah, well I'm sure you remembered I said I had an idea last night, right?" Sunset nodded, quickly making a neutral mask. She didn't think Twilight would talk about Anon-A-Miss in her home, but it was always better to be prepared. Twilight cleared her throat. "Well, I was thinking, maybe when you're done, you could come to visit me in Equestria for a bit."

Sunset's world froze. Visit Equestria? Get to see all of her old favorite places, maybe visit her doofy cousin wherever he was now? It was all she could have hoped for. And as soon as she got it, it came crumbling down. Twilight winced as she spoke her next line, clearly hesitant to say it. "I'm not sure how far Celestia's banishment went, but as long as you stayed in Ponyville... well, she couldn't touch you there."

Sunset suddenly experienced a horrifying mix of emotions. The first was confusion. She had never been fully banished, just kicked out of the castle. Which was honestly what she wanted anyway. Not quite the way she wanted it, but still. Then there was anger. Celestia would retroactively banish her? After all they had gone through? Then finally, hiding in the corner, was a sliver of happiness - her friend was willing to go up against Celestia for her.

These feelings didn't bust through her mask, however, and instead, she focused on what she felt was the most relevant questions. "Really? Did Celestia say I was banished?"

Twilight winced, obviously not on anything close to familiar ground right now. "W-well she hinted at it. And when I was trying to figure out if I should have said you had to stay here I found an old scribes note about it barring you from Celestia's land."

Sunset paused, trying to think. She frequently annoyed scribes, so it was probably one of them trying to get her banished with semantics. It sadly wouldn't have been the first time. But this did raise a greater question. "Twilight, before I say anything, I need to know one thing. How much did Celestia tell you about me?"

Twilight froze, confusion seemingly growing across her face as she thought about it. "Um, she said you were a former student, and you got really desperate for power. It kind of went unchecked, and you demanded to be made an alicorn."

Sunset froze. That’s what Celestia said? She felt her right eye twitch. "So she didn't see fit to tell you anything at all." Sunset exploded off the couch, slamming a foot on the ground. "DAMN IT! SHE ALWAYS DOES THIS!" Sunset stomped in a circle in her living room, and audible thud coming from each step. "IF I HAD BEEN HALF AS FAR GONE AS I ACTED YOU WOULD HAVE DIED! AND CELESTIA DIDN"T EVEN THINK TO WARN YOU I WAS A FREAKING RESPECTED MAGUS! IF I HAD FOLLOWED YOU ONE DAY AND DONE MY OLD JOB I WOULD HAVE KEPT THAT DAMN CROWN! DID SHE-" Realising she was just shouting at half of her friends, Sunset cut herself off, turning to Twilight. "Did she really just say I was her student?!"

Twilight froze. Sunset had been a magus? If so, then she was right. Without warning and without the ability to use magic, Twilight would have barely been a roadblock to Sunset if she had truly been trying to keep the crown. Which raised a million questions, but they were all unimportant; what really seemed to be important was this question. Twilight weakly nodded. "Y-yes, that's all she said."

Sunset froze, and like a fire after being hit with a wet blanket, deflated. "Fine. Then I'm gonna need to take you home. Today you're my messenger." Sunset slumped down on the couch, waving a hand. "Tell Princess Celestia that she either lied to me or you, and unless she gets off her cake-filled flank and comes to my house to say so, I'm gonna assume she lied to me."

Sunset paused, looking over her room. "And I won't step a single hoof - or any other appendage if she’s gonna look for loopholes - back in until then. And say this next part verbatim. In fact..." Sunset got up, and moved to a small desk in the corner, grabbing a notebook and writing in it. "Give this to her." Sunset signed it, before folding it and grabbing an envelope and holding her finger to it. After a moment there was a bright flash, and the letter sealed.

Twilight slowly reached out to grab it, taking it softly in her hands. Twilight looked between Sunset and the letter, with a million questions circling her head. Finally one broke past the others. Very softly, almost too softly to be heard, she spoke. "Am I allowed to come here?"

Sunset froze as if Twilight said something that was completely out of left field. Before Twilight could worry about what she just asked, Sunset ran towards her, wrapping her in a tight hug. "Twilight Sparkle, you helped me find myself in my darkest hour. I may have been doing what I thought was right, but the ends did not justify the means. The mare who saved me from myself is always - and let me say that again - Twilight Sparkle is always welcome in my home." Twilight nodded as Sunset squeezed her tight. "But unless Celestia herself comes here and tells me she lied to YOU, then I'm not coming back. And if she lied to me..." Sunset shrugged, before continuing. "I dunno. But I need to get you home. I have work to do."

With that Sunset let go of the young princess, and began grabbing the various tools she needed. After a moment she sighed and put it all on the kitchen countertop. Twilight couldn't be sure from her angle, but she thought Sunset was crying again.

Author's Note

Edited by Kitkataddel and posted 2/3/19. Bow before the post-editor in all their glory.