Resort Island Adventure

Chapters

Chapter 1: Think About It
Chapter 2: Plans and Doubts
Chapter 3: Reunions and Plane Rides
Chapter 4: Odd Welcomes and Awkward Partings

Chapter 1: Think About It

“Twily?” Cadance, retired-principal of CPA, announced her arrival. She scanned the apartment, wondering if she got the right one when she heard a loud crash from the other rooms, followed by a familiar squeak.

Shaking her head in nostalgia, Cadance took out her spare key, shut the door, and made her way towards the source.

“What happened in here? It looked like a typhoon hit and missed,” she teased as she helped her sister-in-law up.

“Hahaha, very funny Cady but you know after all these years it’s still not,” Twilight Sparkle said, dusting herself off.

“I stand corrected then,” the pink haired woman then booped the purple girl on the nose, “it was hilarious.” After a beat, the elder of the two shifted her expression in a concerned one. “We’re really worried about you.”

“What’s there to worry?” Twilight stood up and went over to her work station. She knew they were about to start their usual dance yet after all these years, she still know how to dance around it. “I’m a successful thirty-two year old woman who has enough to live on and I reached my life’s goal by seeing my inventions featured and sold in the business market. What’s there to worry?”

“You said ‘what’s there to worry’ twice now.”

Twilight groaned. “I’m being serious here, Cady.”

“And I as well,” purple eyes furrowed in worry, “Twilight, you never contact us aside from holiday cards, sending gifts or money for Flurry’s education, or even go out in general.”

“I go out,” Twilight weakly defended, back still turned to the other.

“Conferences don’t count.” Cadance then sauntered across the room, picking up a picture frame of two smiling girls. “We want you to go out and have fun again.” She sighed. “We just can’t see our Twily anymore.”

“I’ve grown up,” was the clipped response and Cadance knew she hit a sore topic but still, she persisted.

“There’s growth and then there’s development,” she narrowed her purple eyes at the back of the lab coat, “and I know you know those are not the same thing.”

“Just what do you want from me? An apology? An age regression?”

“What we want is for you to relax and take a break from this suffocating environment,” the older woman swept a hand across the room, “and act like a good family member, like a good friend again.”

At the silence that followed her, a pink hand shot up to rub the bridge of her nose before the elder of the two sighed. “I should have realized it sooner the moment you stopped greeting me in our usual way,” another sigh, “maybe then I could have helped you heal faster.”

There was a shuffling before Cadance produced an opened envelope alongside a flyer. She set the two down on the night stand, next to the picture depicting seven teenage girls, before hovering by the doorway.

“I found and opened your mail for you, it’s a plane ticket that’s already been paid for along with an all access pass. The resort in the ad seemed like a nice enough vacation spot.”

No response.

Cadance shook her head. “Know we’re always here for you even if you don’t think we’ve been there. Just, try to think about everything I said. Please?” Twilight still had her back turned and had started fiddling with her equipment once more.

A resigned nod, then Cadance shut the door close.

“You need to chill,” Agent Tempest Shadow exclaimed without ceremony, entering the house of an annoyed Sunset Shimmer. Why was Sunset annoyed? Because the other just entered through the window and was now nonchalantly pouring herself a glass like she owned the place.

Calming her rapidly racing heart, Sunset glared at the newcomer. “Can’t you enter through the front door like a normal person?!”

“I could,” Sunset saw the smirk hidden behind the rim glass, “but where’s the fun in that?”

“You are incorrigible,” was the deadpanned reply.

“And you are working yourself thin.” A pause before turquoise eyes scanned the teenage appearance, “well, you know what I mean.”

“Unsurprisingly, I don’t.” Sunset scratched her head in frustration before she took a deep breath to calm her temper with Tempest amusedly watching the whole time. “Just what do you want? I’m already off the clock and I have to submit my latest work before I hit the deadline.”

“You mean the finished comic book right there on your desk?” a dark purple hand aptly pointed to said object. “Yeah, you can’t fool me Shimmer.”

Finishing and setting down her glass on the coffee table, and just beside the coaster because she knew it will annoy the hell out of the other, Tempest stretched before producing an envelope and a flyer.

“Tickets for ‘Resort Island’?” Sunset raised a brow. “You’ve got to be kidding me.”

“I shit you not.” Tempest grinned. “Boss upstairs wants you to take time off; see the sights, take a skinny dip, heck even fuck a barmaid if you can.”

“You are shameless.”

“I never said I wasn’t,” was the retort followed by a snicker as a memory popped up. “Besides, I wasn’t the one who scared that banshee shitless two days ago.” She then smacked a hand to her knee as she doubled over in laughter, “you really are something She-Demon.”

Wiping a tear away, she settled down once she eyed the unamused expression of the other. “Oh don’t be like that. You know I don’t make the rules.” She flicked the items onto the coffee table. “For what’s it worth, I heard the Intel team talking about weird energy readings from that place. Could be a fluke or not but it’s something to excite you right?”

Sunset eyed the items before she ran a hand over her face. “I don’t know Tempest,” she sat on the couch before she begrudgingly moved the glass on the coaster. “W-what if I get recognized?”

“Well,” Tempest started as she sat on the opposite couch, crossing her legs. “You can say you’re related to Sunset Shimmer or you’re her daughter.” She shrugged as she toyed with her Mohawk, “I really don’t get this immortal unicorn shit you have.”

“Alicorn,” Sunset automatically corrected and after all these years she still could not believe it either.

Harmony deemed her worthy enough to give what she was after for so long but with a price that she later regretted. Immortality came with the shtick and though she had considered going back to Equestria, it never felt like home to her again. There in lied the problem though, although she chose to stay she didn’t know she would also stay the same. Now here she was after graduating college years later, still in a teenager’s body. At least she could pass for eighteen so that she can live on her own.

A flash of familiar amethyst eyes reared itself back inside her head, drawing a knotted feeling in her. “I’m not going Tempest,” Sunset made up her mind. “I’m content with where I am and if the chief wants me off the clock for a few weeks I don’t mind.”

“Yeah about that,” Tempest awkwardly rubbed the back of her neck. “You kinda have to anyway; her orders and all,” a pause before she added, “and she’ll have my ass if I don’t convince you to leave.”

This time, Sunset snorted as she eyed her work partner. “You would like that, with all the flirting you’ve been doing.”

“Yet she still doesn’t get the hint,” Tempest wistfully stated, making Sunset roll her eyes.

“Temps, she’s married.”

“Meh.”

Sunset shook her head as she leaned further onto her sofa. Already she was starting to think up on ways how to get Tempest to leave. She appreciated the concern of the people in her work place but barging in on this? It was just too much.

“Is…this because of your ex?” Tempest did not falter even amidst the sudden sharp glance sent her way.

“I think you should go,” Sunset growled.

A warning.

“No,” came the other’s stubborn refusal as turquoise eyes warily eyed the clenched fist that was slowly starting to become red. “Not until you tell me if it’s because of her you’re refusing to go.”

“She has nothing to do with this and you know it!”

“Why must you lie to me?” the agent exasperatedly said then ducked in time as a glass sailed dangerously past her head and impacted against the back wall, shattering with a loud crash. Once she recovered, Tempest stared at her partner in disbelief. “Dude, seriously?!”

“I’m not gonna tell you again,” demon eyes narrowed into barely unbridled rage, “leave.”

Tempest eyed the hunched and panting figure, observing the tears brimming at the corners, a pained expression hidden behind a mask of anger. Adjusting the ruffles and wrinkles on her black shirt, she nodded. “Fine I’ll go but there’s one thing I hope you’d never forget.”

“What? That you’ll be there for me? That everyone at HQ is willing to lend an ear or shoulder to cry on!?” Sunset scoffed. “I’ve heard it all before.”

“But you’ve rarely heard it from me.”

Silence permitted the room until Tempest continued.

“You’re hurting and as your partner it’s also my job to make sure you’re fit to take on the paranormal, extraterrestrial, and the supernatural. This,” she pointed to the shattered glass and the claw marks on the couch, “is someone who needs closure…or at least a change of scenery.”

Tempest tapped the ticket and flyer on the table, matching Sunset’s burning stare. “Think about it.”

Author's Note

Age:
Twilight Sparkle - 32
Sunset Shimmer - 18, Chronologically - 35
Tempest Shadow - 35

Author's Note:
Am really not gonna lose a few brain cells wondering about Sunset's weird portal age thing so I picked an estimate.

Hope you liked it anyway.

Chapter 2: Plans and Doubts

“Was it really necessary to drop me off, Cadance? I’m perfectly capable of driving by myself.”

“Nonsense,” the pinkette replied in turn, grin never once faltering after the other’s seventh complain. “I rarely get the chance to do so and besides! A hardworking hard worker like yourself shouldn’t be lifting a finger on your First. Ever. Day-Off.”

“…you’re patronizing me aren’t you.”

“What? No. I wouldn’t dare try to patronize someone as smart as you. I mean, I’m practically an idiot compared to you, especially in the concept of relaxing.”

Twilight sighed but she knew she deserved all the sass from her sister-in-law right now. Still, as the scientist took to staring out the window, that didn’t mean she would sit there and take it all. Deciding to change the subject after her eyes played tricks on her when she saw a brief flash of a familiar cowboy hat and fancy purple hair, Twilight turned to the other and decided now was the time to say it.

“I just want you to know…I’m only on this trip because you all wanted me to, not because I want to.”

Cadance hummed, nodding as she watched the road. “Good enough for us.”

“Really?” Twilight stated, deadpanned. “You’re not at least a bit guilty for guilt tripping me?”

“I wouldn’t say wanting my sister-in-law to relax could be counted as guilt tripping but if it got you on a plane to a resort island, then no I’m not even remotely closed to feeling guilty.”

“I honestly don’t understand why you’re all insisting this, it’s completely unnecessary.”

This time, Cadance exasperatedly sighed. “We’ve been over this Twily, it’s not going to change our minds.”

“Not even when I’m on a breakthrough on finding a cure for all types of illnesses?” Twilight hopefully asked.

The other shook her head. “Not even if you found the ability to be immortal.” Then Cadance parked the car to the side, staring at her relative with a soft look. “What you have been doing ever since you graduated Twi, it’s great I’m not going to lie but it had been all for the world. Right now, can you focus on something more important?”

Twilight scoffed as she gripped her handbag tighter. “What could be more important than the world, Cadance?” the scientist muttered, then she looked up as a pink hand was on her shoulder. Amethyst eyes glanced at pained light purple ones.

“Don’t tell me you honestly believe that there’s nothing else that matters than the world,” the pink hand squeezed tighter, “tell me you don’t believe that.”

Twilight couldn’t bring herself to look anymore. She saw the airport through the car’s windows and took off her seat belt. Cadance sighed at the other’s abrupt silence before she followed suit and made her way to the back. The former admin of Crystal Prep could only stare as the person she watched grew up take out her suitcase and started pulling it towards the doors.

Biting her lip, she didn’t want to end it like this, so she ran up and pulled the woman into a hug. Cadance felt the other freeze up upon the unexpected contact, so she squeezed tighter, trying to pour every bit of love she got into the embrace. When she pulled away, she could only stare sadly at the neutral expression on the other.

Twilight fixed her glasses, nodding to her sister-in-law.

“Expect to hear from me after three days. Thank you for the ride, I believe I can take it from here.” Then she turned, not looking back to see the saddened gaze following her.

“I-I can’t do this.”

Tempest raised a brow from her position leaning against a beat-up jeep. She eyed the nervous teen standing close to her, anxiety practically radiating out of every inch of the smaller girl as Sunset stared at the doors leading to the airport then around the hustle and bustle outside the building.

“It’s like I’m sending a kid off to her first day at kindergarten,” Tempest thought with a grimace. Movement from the corner of her eye made the agent’s mood do a one eighty however when a very pretty female gazed at them with an odd soft look.

Briefly side eyeing her partner, Tempest fought a small smile threatening to form. With the semi-identical look of a black skull shirt and jeans ensemble and paired with the same colored eyes, the agent pieced together that to an outsider’s point of view she might as well look like the teen’s older sibling.

Or her mother.

The scary thought briefly occurred to her, but Tempest decided to delude herself with the latter idea instead. Shuffling, the agent made sure to make a show of placing her hand on top of Sunset’s head, ruffling it like an older sibling would to their nervous kin.

Sunset’s momentary panic did subside for the time being when she now focused her energy on glaring at the other, completely missing a glimpse of rainbow and pink hair that passed by.

“Chillax Sunshim,” Tempest lazily stated, continuing to ruffle the annoyed girl’s hair. She briefly glanced at the same pretty female who gushed at the sight before focusing back on her partner. Hey, she might as well kill two birds with one stone. Pushing thoughts of her inevitable conquest later away the purple woman then continued, “you’ve ridden planes before, didn’t you?”

“Yeah,” Sunset responded as her hair was now messed up. Grunting, she pushed her partner away as she fixed her hair. After a few tugs and hand movements she added, “but it’s not that.”

At Tempest’s look, the teen looked away with a huff. “Okay, not entirely because of that. I’m more nervous of being recognized right now.” Cyan eyes then continued to stare around the place, eyeing everyone going about their day and none the wiser of a formerly magical pony in their midst nor of two agents of an organization aimed to handle the supernatural threats standing by beside a beat-up jeep.

“We got you a new passport,” Tempest drawled.

“That’s not enough.” Sunset then eyed the other. “Also, ‘Sunshine Shimmer’, seriously?”

Tempest shrugged. “Hey don’t blame me, I didn’t pick it.” She looked up and down at the teen. “Although it couldn’t hurt to have a backup plan when the ‘strong genes’ excuse doesn’t work out.”

The older agent placed a hand under her chin, mulling for a bit before moving towards the back of her car. Opening the trunk, she rummaged around before letting out a faint “Got it!” and produced a large sun hat and big shades. Pleased, she wasted no time in slapping the hat on the teen’s head, ignored the groan, and then placed the shades for last.

“Now you can't be recognized,” Tempest stated as she crossed her arms. A minute later, she was fighting the urge to laugh out loud.

Sunset, for her part, glared at her partner. This was not what she had on mind. Still, the sight of her co-worker threatening to hold back laughter brought a small smile on Sunset’s lips.

“And considering how I nearly hit her stubborn head with a glass, I guess I deserve it,” she thought with a hint of guilt. She was thankful she still had someone to consider as a friend, even one such as annoying like Tempest Shadow, and who had forgiven her when she went (in Tempest’s words) “demon mode” and lost control of her temper.

Sunset lightly touched her hand at the reminder, cyan eyes staring at the amber hand that she knew on worst days have shifted into red claws. She still couldn’t figure out how that came to be. Shouldn’t she be using good magic since she was an alicorn now? The unanswered problem frustrated her, and not even Princess Twi-

Shaking her head, Sunset pushed her thoughts about the pony princess away and settled with watching her partner keeling over. Unimpressed, the fiery haired teen asked with a bored, “Are you done?” to which was promptly replied with a soft wheeze and then an out of breath, “almost.”

Tempest wiped a tear away, hands on her hips and let out a “Phew” before faint chuckles were all that was left. “Sorry. I gotta say though, you looked more ridiculous than Grubber did when he wore it as a disguise.”

“Wait, Grubber wore this?” Sunset asked with a grimace.

The older woman waved a hand away in dismissal. Her phone vibrated after a beat, signaling a text.

“Shit, no time to change now kiddo,” Tempest stated after she read the message. She started pushing the disgruntled teen towards the doors. “Anxiety gone, here’s your lunch and make sure to use protection. Have a fun trip!” The agent said in one breath, ignored the embarrassed cry from her partner, and shoved the lunchbox she prepared on the teen’s fumbling hands.

Cyan eyes watched as the faint red and gold blur disappeared among the cluster of people going in. Tempest let out a relieved grin. “Mission accomplished Agent Shadow. Job well done,” The purple woman congratulated herself with a pleased smile, dusting her hands off as she went back to her jeep.

Her phone vibrated once more, this time signaling a call. At the number, Tempest sighed before answering with a lazy, “Yello?”

The person from the other end started speaking, to which the agent aptly replied with a, “Yep got her on board and inside the airport now.”

The caller asked something.

“All I can say is that I piqued her interest enough, not gonna be excited when she calls to say it was nothing but a fluke though.”

When the voice responded, the agent rolled her eyes.

“Yes, I made sure the others got theirs too. Although I gotta ask, how’d you managed getting those?”

Tempest furrowed her brows in concern. “Huh, and you sure you can trust this one?”

Worry filled tones spoke over the speaker, urging Tempest to shush the person on the other end as she tried to act casual, especially when the pretty lady from before started walking towards her.

“Alright, sorry. It's just the professional in me but it might be nothing really. I’ll try to update you with info that’s not entirely classified before I send a team immediately if something bad did come up. If I were you though, I’d trust them to work it out all by themselves. I mean, they did it before, right?”

The voice from the other end let out a murmur of worry alongside begrudging agreement. Tempest rolled her eyes before replying with a neutral “Sure. Anyway, I’ll be going now-

The voice on the other end spoke hurriedly.

“Yes yes. No need to thank me and all that shit. I’m happy to help.”

The call ended, making Tempest rub her head with a hint of guilt. Shaking her head afterwards, she silently convinced herself that she was doing the right thing. When she came face-to-face with the person who was eyeing her and her ‘sister’ earlier, the agent’s guilt was forgotten as she grinned. A beat before she shifted it into a charming smile.

Smoothing back her mohawk, Tempest said in greeting, “Hey, I’m Fizz or as my little sister likes to call me, ‘best sissy.’” The person before Tempest giggled, twirled a lock of her hair, and allowed the purple woman to escort her towards the direction of a nice romantic café.

As she opened the door to let the other one in first, the agent looked back one last time at the direction of the airport.

“Good luck kid.”

Author's Note

A/N:
I split the previous version into two chapters instead. It was quite longer for my liking so I did a little trimming.

Chapter 3: Reunions and Plane Rides

“I’m going to kill her.”

The low growl of the statement went unnoticed by the hustle and bustle inside Canterlot Airport as Sunset Shimmer, clad with ginormous shades and a sun hat, trudged through the terminal lobby with a look of contempt.

“One job. One. Job. I asked her to do one job and what did she do?”

By this time Sunset didn’t care when some gave her odd looks, continuing her path with a childish lunchbox of a cartoony pastel unicorn etched smacked dab on the center in her iron grip.

“Tempest Shadow thinks she’s just hilarious, doesn’t she?” Sunset muttered under her breath before side eyeing the object that was mocking her. She already tore the sticky note of ‘Enjoy your trip, Kiddo’ to shreds when she found it taped on the side of the metal and though it was kind of therapeutic, it didn’t ebb any of the annoyance she had at her partner.

Throughout her mental plotting of Tempest’s inevitable demise, Sunset now found herself colliding with another person which then made her instincts shoot up like a bullet. Her hand automatically reacted and gripped on the other’s waist before the person fell, dropping the lunch box with the other as it rested on the stranger’s hand until the action resulted into a tango-like dip. Once the adrenaline wore off, cyan eyes looked down on surprised amethyst ones.

“Shit…” Sunset found herself breathlessly swearing as she recognized those brilliant orbs anywhere. They didn’t sparkle as bright like she remembered but that didn’t register to her now as she continued to gawk like a mad man. A beat passed before her brain and actions caught up to her and so like any sane person when overcame with the revelation, she lost her grip.

“Ow!” Twilight screamed as she was unceremoniously dropped. She glared up at the blurry blob of orange. “A warning would have been nice,” she grumbled, rubbing her rear.

Sunset on the other hand stayed to the side, palms starting to sweat as she fought to process it all. It did occur to her that the adult in front of her was blindly looking for her glasses and that -oh boy- people were now stopping to stare.

Rubbing her neck, Sunset glanced around before she spotted the missing object. Bending down to retrieve it, she approached the woman and knelt to put her glasses on. Sunset honestly didn’t know what she was doing. She could have started running away instead of taking time to place the pair of glasses on the other person, but the gesture was just natural for her.

“Too late now,” the teen sardonically thought.

Once Twilight adjusted her glasses, she squinted and eyed the teenager in front of her. Sunset nervously watched her and discretely sighed in relief when it appeared that Twilight didn’t recognize her yet as the woman let out a begrudging “Thank you.”

“Maybe the disguise did work,” Sunset thought and eyed the people who resumed their own business. Turning back to the woman the redhead might as well help her up, so she offered an amber hand to which Twilight took.

If only they both stopped there.

Sunset held her breath as did the other, cyan eyes observing how the purple woman seemed to freeze when their hands made contact.

“I should have stayed in a convent, or at the school, or even Equestria. Anywhere but here right now really.” Sweat started pouring down her brow.

The teenager saw the split second of nostalgia in those amethyst eyes, a brief glimpse of light into them, before it was gone and shifted to one that Sunset could admittedly never tire of. It was Twilight’s calculating look whenever she tried to make sense of Equestrian magic, or when she thought she could try and decipher Pinkie’s Pinkie Sense when they were in CHS.

Begrudgingly, alongside her body’s sudden stiffness, Sunset did not move as she was given the chance once more to see that exact same expression in front of her and her heart loathed to admit it, but she still found it endearing.

Then, she saw it.

Amethyst eyes widened in recognition, purple hand hovering but not fully retracting, as they stared at the amber hand. Slowly, the woman’s head looked up and found sheepish yet nervous cyan orbs, hidden behind ridiculously large shades. She eyed the streaks of yellow and red not hidden by the sun hat, and then to the gangly appearance fitted in a black T-shirt with a skull print and blue jeans.

“Sunset?” came Twilight’s shaky voice.

The girl smiled despite the anger and pain that followed, never knowing how good it felt to hear her name again. Oblivious to how the same could be applied to the woman, Sunset spoke up in reply with her signature side smirk.

“Hi, Twilight.”

There were no other words after that once the corralling of other people forced the two to pick up their stuff and move along the human current. They followed the crowd, walking side by side unconsciously as they headed to the seats near the terminal gate in silence.

Sunset side eyed the other who had taken to sitting on the edge of the bench and cradling a purple hand. She knew she should say something. Anything really. Even just commenting on the woman’s bracelet of…was that a dog bone?

Cyan eyes discretely tried to make sense with the odd choice of design, but the purple woman continued to fiddle with it like a comfort blank which convinced Sunset to leave it be for now.

Both simply sat on the metal bench in silence, afraid to ask their unspoken questions. Just what could be said really? An apology might be a good start, but both didn’t know if they would be the apologizer or the recipient of an apology. Both still had unsettled pain from their history, that much was obvious to them, but still couldn’t let go of the belief of being in the right.

And it was clear to the other too.

Either way, they remained sitting in silence, too shocked and too overwhelmed to do anything but.

A tuft of familiar pink curls passed by the two before it seemed to have spotted something of interest as it backtracked and before long it promptly glomped Twilight and Sunset into a sudden hug.

“P-Pinkie?” Sunset struggled to get out.

“P-Pie?” Twilight followed, having the same problem as they squirmed out of the intense bear hug.

Once she set her prey free, the woman with large pink curls yet unforgettable manic grin greeted them with an intense look of joy.

“You remembered me!” the woman’s matured voice was a stark contrast to the high pitch ones they’ve been used to yet remained welcoming all the same. She was far from the small kiddie-like teen based from the summer blouse ensemble she was wearing that emphasized how much Pinkie had indeed blossomed into a full-grown woman, albeit with the same mischievous air.

“How could we forget one of our best friends from High School,” Sunset stated as she lightly grinned and then moved a bit back from the intensity in Pinkie’s gaze.

“You both never tried to contact me,” the tone previously soured soon shifted into a sweet one as Pinkie Pie did a light jump and squeezed herself in between the two. “That’s okay though, I know how life gets to really suck the fun out of our adulthood but now all of us are here so that we can be the Main Seven again!”

Sunset raised a brow. “Main Seven?”

“Wait,” Twilight adjusted her glasses as she eyed the other, “what do you mean by-

“Darlings!”

Three heads turned to see two other women joining them. One on the forefront was a tall slender version of Rarity dressed to the nines even after all these years, with her arm hooked alongside the ‘yang’ to her ‘yin’. In contrast to the attention-grabbing outfit of the fashion designer, Applejack remained the same with her signature hat and humble clothing of a flannel and jeans. Both, evidently, were holding hands and sported matching rings that glinted as they crossed the carpeted area.

Rarity wasted no time in dropping her things as she pulled the gob smacked duo into another hug.

“Oh, it’s simply been ages dears! How have you two been? My look how you’ve grown Twilight. I mean I follow the news of you being a top scientist, but I never got to see you up close!” the purple haired girl then paused before Twilight could give a definitive response as Rarity ruffled the hair of a grumbling Sunset, “and who’s this cutie? Does she love leather jackets and riding metal death traps as well?”

“Hilarious, Rares,” Sunset retorted, pushing away the alabaster hands gripping her cheeks like a niece-deprived aunt. Not even remotely mad but couldn’t help teasing (either due to being reunited by old friends or simply the joyous atmosphere), Sunset let out a vicious grin as she made a show of eyeing behind Rarity. “Did you get fat?”

The answer was immediate as Rarity’s expression of utter offense became known and it was nostalgic for the grownups with how the disgruntled woman sputtered and glared at the teen.

Applejack sighed at the sight of the elder woman now strangling the neck of a laughing teenager. Setting down the rest of their carry-ons, Applejack offered a casual wave to the scientist and did not seem to mind the child-like woman who promptly attacked her with another bear hug.

“Yes Pinkie, I already said I missed you,” the farmer assured, patting her on the head.

“It’s just,” here the pink haired woman’s eyes started becoming watery, “I missed you guys for so longgggggg!!!!!” Cue the waterworks and inevitable damp in Applejack’s fifth shirt.

Catching Twilight’s eye, Applejack conveyed how their friend was okay and how she was used to it by now. While calming the hysteric woman, the farmer addressed the other before she could get thrown in jail for child abuse. “Rares, would ya stop that and help me find another shirt? Pinkie drowned another one.”

“In a moment sweetie, after I Beat. Some. Sense. into this ruffian with distasteful jokes!” Rarity said over her shaking a slightly dizzy yet chuckling Sunset.

“Ha-Hahah, you’re right HAHAHA,” Sunset tried to say over her aching sides, “it-it wasn’t a joke. It was an observation!”

The shaking of the teenager intensified after that statement.

Twilight all watched this with a small pang in her heart. A long forgotten…feeling of something bubbling in her chest and she couldn’t fathom why it suddenly felt warm.

A hand poked her shoulder, which made Twilight turn and came face to face with a smiling Fluttershy who offered a wave.

“Hello Fluttershy, it’s nice to see you again,” the scientist earnestly stated. Fluttershy demurely nodded and walked around the steel bench to take up the spare seat.

“Nice to see you too, Twilight.” Then she tilted her head at the people beside them. “It’s also nice to see our other friends, even if one of them was trying to kill a teenager.”

Brows furrowed, Twilight stared as she saw not a hint of recognition or joking. “That’s Sunset, Fluttershy.” Amethyst eyes finally saw the gears kicking into place and Fluttershy suddenly turned apologetic.

“Oh dear, I thought she’s your-umm… never mind. It was a mistake on my part.”

Curious, Twilight was about to inquire further when a sudden rainbow blur passed by. Blinking, she noticed the pink haired woman was gone from her seat and was now standing next to a prismatic short haired woman.

“Don’t run off like that Shy, you could have gotten lost or hurt.”

“I’m fine Dashie, I know you’ll just break into the announcer’s room and call my name over the comm.”

Dashie rolled her eyes yet smiled all the same. “Really wish you didn’t bring that up sometimes. I broke in once. Once.” Then she finally noticed a pair of amethyst orbs staring at them. Blinking, raspberry eyes glanced at the scientist, then to the balling woman against a blonde one, until it landed on the odd pair of people looking like they’re wrestling.

“Egghead?” The short haired woman found her voice, lightly cracking, as she eyed the grown-up versions of her friends.

Twilight promptly looked unamused by the name she was called. Before she could voice her distaste, she was suddenly swept into a group hug by a bout of speed. The women all made sounds of surprise before they turned to the source who initiated the embrace.

“I missed you guys,” Rainbow admitted over her tears to which she hurriedly wiped away. The rest of the Rainbooms smiled at this, returning the sentiment with a few of their own before they all pulled away just as Rainbow Dash aptly cried out a “Whoa, is the kiddo Sunset?”

“Oh great, another person giving me grief about my appearance,” Sunset said then shook her head as she bumped fists with the older woman. “Nice to see you again, Pride Flag.”

“Same here, Bacon Bits. Still small actually so the nickname suits you fine.”

“You say that because you still can’t kick my butt.”

“I would but then again, I’m not one to pick fights with children.”

As the insults were exchange, Rarity rolled her eyes as she let out a “Psh, you’re both acting like children.”

Applejack stared, deadpanned, at her with a retort of “Really, dear?”

“’Dear?’” Fluttershy echoed as she came over to hug the two and proceeded to lightly smirk when Rainbow Dash absentmindedly uttered a ‘Yeah?’ amidst a headlock with Sunset. Shaking her head fondly, the veterinarian then turned to the chef in their group and welcomed the hug she was pulled in.

Twilight saw the rings before Applejack showed them as the farmer offered a heartfelt shrug. “We’re married, we’ve been married for five years now.”

“Five years!?!” Pinkie cried out, hands gripping her hair in horror. “But that means I’ve missed out on your wedding! And your anniversaries!” The retired party planner fell with a sob. “I’m the worst friend ever!” Fluttershy patted the distraught woman.

Applejack scratched the back of her head while Rarity furrowed her brows. “That can’t be right. You’ve attended at least our wedding if I recall correctly.” The fashion designer then unsurely turned to her wife. “We’ve sent invitations to our dear high school friends, didn’t we?”

The farmer looked up as she wracked her brain. “To be honest, everything was a blur back then. With my large kin and your fru fru pals alongside the actual wedding itself- I…don’t know.”

Fluttershy awkwardly toed the floor. The sound of Rainbow Dash and Sunset still scuffling in the background provided a hint of ease as she managed to admit, “Well, Rainbow Dash and I wouldn’t get the invite at that time even if you did send one. We don’t live in Canterlot anymore.”

“What?!” Pinkie exclaimed, drawing more looks from the people near them as her attention was now on the startled demure woman. “When did that happen?”

“S-seven years ago.”

Pinkie Pie furiously scratched her head. When she looked like she was about to explode, she simply took a long deep breath and then grumbled out, “I’ve been gone for way too long. That’s the last time I work a job in Griffonstone.” Then she proceeded to mumble about cake counts and balloon amounts.

“Well, regardless of not being able to attend the ceremony itself I still say congratulations to the both of you,” Twilight evenly stated as she walked over to take a closer look of the rings, noticing it wasn’t a diamond or any other typical gem but their geodes. A set of purple and red were perfectly cut together and merged. “How did you manage to do that?”

“Well,” Rarity blushed as Applejack shot her with what would be a definition of ‘bedroom eyes’ but Twilight hurriedly waved her hands as she elaborated.

“I meant the rings; how did you mold them exactly like your geodes? It’s so perfect and the craftmanship is so detailed.”

“Honestly, the rings are our geodes.” Applejack rubbed her head, “As for how it went from necklaces to rings of one half of each, we’ve got no idea. Just one day after-

“After what we promised not to speak about in public nor in polite company!”

-yeah that, we just found them in the morning stuck in our wedding rings. We left it like that ever since.”

“Fascinating,” Twilight breathed then jumped back in shock as Pinkie Pie appeared from behind and threw confetti everywhere.

“WE’RE ALL TOGETHER AGAIN THOUGH SO THAT’S WHAT MATTERS! WOOO!”

Twilight blew out a stream of confetti from her mouth, looking disgruntled as she eyed the mess and belatedly saw how they were the only ones in the area being stared at. Pinching the bridge of her nose, Twilight hoped none of this madness would reach the newspapers.

“Sorry to cut this happy reunion act short but I just got to ask before I forget,” she eyed each one when she had their attention, “what are you all doing here?”

Not that she wasn’t glad to be seeing, let alone, talking to the people from her high school days but she could be forgiven for being suspicious.

“Well, we’re on vacation,” Rarity answered and held up a flyer that Twilight nauseatingly recognized. When she noticed the others doing the same thing, the scientist hoped this wasn’t one of Cady’s schemes (knowing the woman like she did) and was just really a coincidence that these other women (and teen) were given the same thing she was given.

“I got ours from a team mate who we helped a while back,” Rainbow explained, side hugging the animal doctor.

“Really? I won mine from a raffle draw,” Pinkie then rubbed her chin, “that I didn’t even remember joining in.”

“I got mine from my boss,” Sunset stated as she raised a brow, ignoring the questioning stare aimed her way as she groused, “This is too unlikely to be a mere coincidence.”

Applejack sighed, pulling on her Stetson. “Don’t tell me this is due to some magical villain again. Thought we left that behind us now.” Green eyes glanced at Rarity’s stomach before looking up to her wife’s comforting smile. The farmer returned the grin along with a kiss, promptly ignoring Rainbow and Sunset’s unanimous ‘Yuck’ and fake gagging albeit with a hint of nostalgia.

The blonde rolled her eyes at them once she pulled away. “Settle down you two rascals. Magic or no, I’m still planning to have a relaxing trip with my wife.”

“Well rogue magic or whatever, we won’t most likely find any in there,” The only teen assured as she slung her backpack on once their flight was called, “and if my intel’s turned out true then I’ll handle it. No need to drag you guys out of your peaceful life.”

“Thanks Sunset.” AJ nodded as she took her and Rarity’s things while Twilight eyed the redhead in skepticism.

“Just where did you say you got your Intel?”

Sunset frowned at the accusation in the tone. Old memories and unsettled pain unconsciously resurfacing, she grunted before replying with a clipped, “I didn't but if I did, it's still classified.”

Rolling her eyes at the unexpected hostility, Twilight scoffed as she took her things. “Of course, it is.” She started for the terminal gate. "It's always is with you."

Six pairs of eyes watched her go before five pairs stared at annoyed cyan ones. After a beat of silence, Rainbow Dash was the first to comment as she eyed the frustrated teenager.

“Man, you still sure know how to talk to a woman huh?” the professional athlete teased.

Sunset glared.

The plane’s interior was filled with dozens of unruly teenagers, laughing and shouting over the music as they burned through the deserts and snacks served by the attendants. The few adults could only try to sleep through it all, looking entirely out of place amongst the sea of youths.

Sunset, mood soured prior to earlier, scowled after rejecting the sixth offer of playing from another group. Her frown deepened further as she heard the laughter of Rainbow Dash behind her.

Twilight matched the other’s expression of annoyance, but it more had to do with the lack of peace and control in the area. “Who are in charge with these unruly bunch?” Twilight asked herself as another ball sailed past overhead and was caught by a teen.

Another reason for their sour moods to consider was their seating arrangement. Being in the aisle seat, Twilight would always have to duck out of the way of the running teenagers and avoid them when they’re trying to engage a game with her ‘daughter’ that she had long given up explaining to the dimwits.

Sunset was about ready to pounce on someone just for the seventh use of the daughter comment but was mercifully held back by a sheepish Pinkie who spoke for Sunset’s stead.

All in all, both were obviously unhappy with the arrangement but at least Pinkie- bless her heart- was seated between the two and had decided to be the unofficial buffer.

“So,” she asked over a mouthful of the airline food, “this island resort. Is it newly opened or what?”

Twilight aptly flicked a stray bit of food off her blouse before answering the woman. “It’s an island owned by one of the Million families, the youngest if I’m not mistaken, who had decided to convert it to a public establishment.”

Sunset leaned against the windowsill as she watched the clouds, partly paying attention. At least, until a magazine smacked her on the face. The redhead glared up at Rarity who was smugly brandishing the periodical.

Sunset asked with a deadpanned “What?” and then she saw the cover of the magazine.

A young looking male with curly green hair dressed in adventure clothes stood posing for the picture and, oddly enough, he was gesturing towards the ruins of what Sunset guessed to be Egypt with a wide smile like he won the lottery.

“Bill Million loves mysteries and the supernatural. I heard he has a collection of numerous artifacts and relics which he paid trillions for.” Rarity, ever the one for gossip, tapped a delicate finger on the words printed on the magazine. “Nearly spent all his family’s fortune for over some silly rock. The tabloids believe this resort is just a way for him to earn more for his expensive hobby.”

“You follow this bozo?” Sunset asked with a raised brow before Rarity scoffed.

“Of course not!” then the fashion designer tapped her chin in thought, “but I do recall making some of his outfits, yet I couldn’t be so sure. This Bill Million character rarely appears in the public’s eye except for charities and other multi-billion company events.”

“So, a shut-in rich dude opened his island to strangers to get more hobby money,” Sunset summarized as she leaned against her seat, glared at the person kicking behind her, before turning back to Rarity. “Man, why do I have a feeling I’m not gonna like him at all?”

“Come on, Sunset,” Pinkie started before she giggled and corrected herself, “I mean ‘Sunshine’.” She ignored the rolling eyes, “Why don’t you stop being a little miss grumpy pants,” and the glare as she pinched the teenager’s cheeks, “and just relax!”

“I’m gonna get more food!” Pinkie announced after a beat. She scooted out of a disgruntled Twilight’s way and went to the back of the plane. Three pairs of eyes stared after the woman's abrupt disappearance before Rarity shrugged and went back to her seat.

Once the chef left, the two remained where they were, bodies stiff, as they tried not to side eye the other. It remained silent for the two of them until Sunset couldn’t deal with the kicking behind her anymore and promptly pulled at RD’s hair, taking a few strands when she went back to sit properly and looking pleased with herself.

Twilight couldn’t help the unconscious smile that tugged at her lips, fueled more so when she heard Fluttershy scolding a whining Rainbow Dash behind them.

“Ah so she still smiles then,” Sunset teased but was only met with a new frown and blank stare. Raising her hands in defense, the redhead shrugged before going back to her looking out the window. Let no one say she didn’t try to be civil.

Twilight did not know why the other was bothering to speak with her. Like they were friends. Sure, she knew what happened between them was in the past and she might as well have been blamed partially for the fall out, but she couldn’t just remain civil! She was hurt too and that didn’t give Sunset the right to just waltz back into her life and casually talk to her like nothing happened…because something did happen… yet the stubborn, pigheaded, idiot-

Amethyst eyes roamed the other, taking in the slumped posture and hair cascading down Sunset’s back, most noticeably the shaking hand restlessly tapping on jean thigh. Twilight found herself with an unsolicited feeling of softness as she eyed the nervous tick. Even after all these years, the older woman couldn’t forget….

A purple hand automatically crept forward, hesitant yet determined as they found their target. Due to the longer nature of the woman and smaller space, she managed to intertwine her fingers with the surprised teenager without a problem.

Ignoring the questioning cyan orbs, Twilight took out her book from her carry-on as she evenly replied with a “It’s only because I hate plane rides.”

“and seeing you scared,” A younger Twilight would add but that girl was gone now, replaced by an older more mature woman who was only on this trip due to her family’s urging.

Still Twilight begrudgingly guessed, as she felt the other relaxing slowly, the younger Twilight seemed to not have disappeared entirely after all…

Because Twilight could not bear the thought of her sun losing its light due to her inaction.

Not again.

Not this time.

Author's Note

See previous Chapter for Author's Notes.

Ages:
Rarity – 35
AJ – 35
FS – 32
RD – 31
PP – 30

Chapter 4: Odd Welcomes and Awkward Partings

The plane landed with a soft rumble before its engines died down until the flying contraption made it on the private lot. Once it finally stopped and the passengers were given the go ahead, the newly reunited Rainbooms stood to the side as they waited for their things.

A guide was ushering the rowdy groups of teenagers to their intended destination while the families lagged behind to take in the sights.

And what a lovely sight indeed.

With the sun smiling down on the new arrivals, it gave a breathtaking view of the beach. The soft sways of the tree leaves and rustling sounds were therapeutic, like the cool breeze itself caressed the awed people in its welcoming rays. The teenagers managed to settle down, promptly running towards the hotel to dump their stuff so they can enjoy the waves. The waters by the side crashed against the shore, roaring with an invitation for the more daring of the vacationers.

Rarity fell onto Applejack as a burst of speed swept passed her, frowning as she let out a scolding “Rainbow Dash!” that did not reach the other’s ears. Fluttershy apologized in her stead before demurely following her companion.

A pink blur popped up beside the married couple. “Oh yeah, beach day!” Pinkie exclaimed as she took out her sunscreen out of her cleavage and then began pouring the protection on herself, to Rarity’s horror.

“What?” the woman asked as she eyed the bewildered faces. “I couldn’t put stuff in my hair anymore because of the hairnet so I settled for the next best thing.” Pinkie then took out a pair of shades next before she casually strutted down the wooden path.

Shaking her head, Rarity turned to her wife and saw a small pleased grin on her freckled features. Following the other’s gaze, Rarity couldn’t help but smile as well when she saw the last two going down the airplane. She honestly thought she never would have seen it again, the gentle way Twilight assisted Sunset and the redhead’s embarrassed shrugging. Once the last two made it towards the married couple, they proceeded to act like nothing happened, awkwardly coughing and shuffling one foot and another.

“So, anyway thanks for waiting,” Sunset said as she tried to change the topic, choosing to ignore the exchange of looks from the married couple, and waved a hand. “Shall we?”

Groups of all ages had smiles on their faces as they exited two more planes in the lot, ushering another batch of vacationers. The four members of the Rainbooms had continued after the entourage but oddly enough, they found their friends held back by a man with curly green hair.

“What’s going on?” Applejack asked as she was the first to reach the three. She was looking at Fluttershy when she asked this, but the man let out a tittered laugh before gazing at the farmer with a look of awe that made her uncomfortable.

“Oh, the hard-working owner of Apple Imports and Exports, my what a pleasure.” He then gave a bow before he caught sight of the rest, letting out a squeal of delight. “Oh goodness you all are really here!”

“Yes?” Twilight found herself saying with a raised brow before moving back a bit as her hand was snatched in reverence. “What are you-

Bill Million looked up at bewildered amethyst orbs with such sparkling eyes that it momentarily cut the scientist off mid question. The man dipped down and kissed the hand before he bellowed, “The great Professor Sparkle! I can’t believe it, I have followed your success ever since I was in college. I even attended one of your seminars about robotics. Such an honor!”

Then he spun before Twilight could get a word in as he turned to Rarity. “And the elegant Rarity Belle, best fashion designer in all of Manehatten and if I may be so bold, I would say in the whole country even.”

Rarity let out a pleased smile, waving her hand as she uttered a “Oh flattery will get you anywhere with me, young man.”

He let out a charming smile at her words. “Bill Million, please.” He then glanced at the last of the Rainbooms with a hint of confusion. “Is this Sunset Shimmer? You…happened to have not aged a day!”

Sunset froze, not prepared to be recognized so soon. Before she could get a word in Pinkie Pie stepped in with a side hug. “Oh, this one? I’d be happy to tell Sunset that. She’ll be glad to know her daughter takes after her.”

The previously surprised man stared for a moment before his grin widened. “This is her daughter then?”

Rainbow jumped in, ruffling the annoyed teen’s hair. “Yep, little Sunshine Shimmer. Ole Sunset got sick and couldn’t make it, so she texted us to watch over her kid in her stead.” The athlete grinned conspiratorially. “Strong genes, am I right?”

Bill Million nodded enthusiastically. “Indeed. The resemblance is uncanny.”

“I get that a lot,” the redhead managed to say before she pointed a finger at him. “And just how come you know so much about the Rainbooms?”

“Um, actually he’s a fan. Wait, I mean ‘super fan’ according to him,” Fluttershy added, with Bill nodding enthusiastically as he scrutinized each woman. “He’s heard of the Rainbooms as a kid and had been a supporter ever since.”

The prismatic haired woman turned to the rich aristocrat, not minding how he now devoted his attention on her with a zealous, “Yes Ms. Dash?”

She asked, “So you a super fan huh? What was your favorite song then?”

Bill Million opened his mouth but Rainbow held out a hand, “Wait don’t tell me,” and then the athlete crossed her arms with a self-assured smile. “It’s ‘Awesome as I Wanna be’ isn’t it?”

Applejack rolled her eyes at that as she set her luggage down. They might be here for a while now that that can of worms has been opened. Or mouth to be specific.

“Honestly all your songs were fantastic,” Bill started in reply to the older woman’s boasting before he gazed at the redhead, “but I do find myself fixated on your mother’s tune.” The male’s admittance earnestly shocked the athlete yet before she could speak up in her pride’s defense a strong working hand clasped itself on Rainbow’s shoulder.

As the athlete toppled over, Bill, nonplussed, continued.

“Her song, ‘My Past is not Today’ had garnered my eardrums. I have replayed that song nonstop for the past 400 600 times if I can recall correctly.” Sunset slightly backed away as his eyes seemed to glitter with unshed tears. “The raw emotion of regret and guilt intertwined with a defiant stand of a new path. The past is in the past oh how true is that indeed and it shouldn’t define anyone. Sigh, such enlightenment.”

Then Bill Million seemed to have recovered and realized the odd stares aimed his way. He smiled goofily as he blushed. “My apologies, I never got to talk about my passions like this before and I may have harbored a tiny desire to see you all in the flesh, but I never got the chance to attend one of your performances.” Then he produced back stage passes as he sheepishly asked, “So uh, that is…if you all do not mind playing again?”

A beat passed with no one saying a word until the farmer seemed to be the first to recover.

“Let me get this straight,” Applejack raised a brow, finally letting it sink in as she pointed, “you were the one who sent out our tickets?”

Bill had the foresight to look guilty just as Twilight pinched the bridge of her nose in annoyance. Seeing this, the rich man knelt without thinking and clasped his hands together in a pleading gesture.

“Oh, please don’t be mad Professor! I only wanted the chance to hear you all play but when I asked if it was possible to book a slot, I belatedly heard you’ve disbanded your services!” He set a hand against his forehead. “You could imagine the devastation I felt at that moment.”

Pinkie Pie shuffled closer to the fashion designer, discretely whispering a “He’s even more dramatic than you on a good day.” Rarity absentmindedly agreed.

“So you stalked u- my mom and the rest of them?” Sunset asked with a raised brow.

“Well technically I hired someone to do so-

Sunset glared at him.

-but it appears it doesn’t change anything and may I just say that you have a scary glare that it feels like I’ve disappointed not just my ancestors but my unborn descendants too so I’ll just cower and cry now,” Bill ended his statement by doing what he said and curled into a ball.

Six pairs of eyes stared at Sunset.

“What?” the only teen raised her hands in defense, “I just glared! I didn’t mean to make him bawl his eyes out!”

Fluttershy slowly walked up to the teen, placing a hand on the other’s shoulder. “Remember how we joked about you still having the ‘Queen Bee’ glare set on default?” She whispered before adding, “the one that even drove students to shove themselves inside lockers?”

“Yeah?” Sunset whispered back, earnestly not following. The rest of the Rainbooms opted to comfort the bawling aristocrat in the meantime.

“Well, we were half joking. You still have it on…and you just did it to this poor soul.”

“Oh…”

A light-yellow hand patted Sunset on the back. “It’s okay. Like I did with ‘The Stare’ you’ll learn to avoid using it on accident.” They stared at the curled form of Bill. “Our friends recovered from it after a year so I’m sure the effects will wear off in a week or two.”

Sunset paced for the eighth time inside the available space of the hallway. The rest of the Rainbooms opted to let the teen pace around. Occasionally they would find their friend bringing a mirror up at eye level and glare at the reflection before cursing under her breath.

“Am I the only one who didn’t know Shame Comas exist?” Pinkie started, the first one to break the silence.

As Sunset buried her face in her hands, Twilight adjusted her glasses with a terse, “They don’t.”

Rainbow, with a duct tape plastered across her mouth due to proving that age did little to change her unhelpful side comments, chose that moment to take it off. After inwardly screaming through the pain she stated with a grin, “Not until Sunset came along.”

When the teen groaned into her hand, Fluttershy shook her head before returning the duct tape to its rightful place, purposefully ignoring the muffled “Oh come on!”

“I don’t blame Sunset one bit to be honest,” Applejack spoke up from her seat on the metal bench. “Something about that guy just rubbed me the wrong way.”

“Well be that as it may,” Rarity stated from beside her wife, “that doesn’t mean it right to traumatize the poor thing.”

Rainbow Dash pulled the duct tape off again. “You’re just saying that coz he paid for our trip.”

Rarity answered with pursed lips before looking away with a muttered, “and that.”

“Excuse me?” A voice interrupted, drawing the attention of the group of women (and teen) as they stared at a fit tangelo haired woman wearing an employee’s uniform. When she had their attention, she offered a friendly smile as she asked, “Are you the ‘Rainbooms’ by any chance?”

Pinkie popped up in front, waving with an energetic “Yeppy roo!” Then she pulled out a cake with a ‘Sorry for putting your boss in a Shame Coma!’ and held it out to the other person.

The woman surprisingly took it without question and handed it to the teen employee without so much as blinking at the unexpected offering. The woman continued, “Ok good. Well I’m Autumn Blaze. I work for Bill-

“Is he okay?!” Sunset blurted out. When all eyes were on her, the fiery haired girl looked down with a blush from her outburst. “Sorry, I just couldn’t wait any longer,” she muttered.

Autumn Blaze stared at the teen for a while before chuckling and moved to ruffle the red and gold locks. “Well aren’t you sweet. How about you take my younger friend out for a smoothie to relax while we adults talk? Call Todd of the Fruit Stand and mention me, my treat.”

Sunset furrowed her brows, not expecting to be dismissed so soon and by a stranger no less! She was about to retort with some strong words before a purple hand clasped itself on her shoulder. Sunset looked back just as Twilight spoke with a nod of agreement aimed at the woman.

“I think that’s a great idea. Sunshine, why don’t you go ahead? We’ll just catch up at the hotel.”

The rational part of Sunset wanted to believe that the statement was just to keep her cover, something that she even asked her friends to do prior to boarding the plane even, but it didn’t lessen the sting of being set aside just like that.

Still, as she observed the urging stares and nods from the other women, Sunset merely offered a stiff nod of her own before excusing herself and following the teen employee out.

Autumn Blaze watched the two teens leave before turning back to the assembled women with a wider smile, with the grin more aimed at the scientist. “You are a natural parent. I have no kids, but it’s never been an easy feat trying to tell the younger ones what to do.”

“She’s not mine,” Twilight tersely replied. She had long since given up explaining further how she wasn’t Sunset’s mother. She tried avoiding looking over her shoulder in order to glare at the prismatic haired woman who snickered at the employee’s statement.

The tangelo haired woman, unfazed by the short response, remained grinning before nodding as she addressed the rest of the Rainbooms. “Well anyway, I just want to tell you all that Bill’s fine. Just took a great hit at the self- esteem department and inhaled a lot of dramatic particles,” she explained off handedly.

“So, everything’s fine?” Rarity asked, just to be sure.

Autumn nodded as she waved dismissively. “I’ve spent too much time with the bozo since childhood that I know all his quirks. Trust me, he’s fine. Props to the kid though for making him faint like that. Haven’t seen a great hit like that since prom night,” she ended with a laugh.

Fluttershy furrowed her brows. “So, if that’s all you have to say then why did you let her leave?”

The other raised an appeasing hand. “I mean no offense. I think it’s just not something we should encourage, right?” She answered the veterinarian’s question, but she aimed a wink at the stoned face scientist.

The Rainbooms, sans Twilight, shared a glance.

Adjusting her glasses with a slightly nervous hand, Twilight offered a curt nod before stating, “I see. Well if that’s all then we shouldn’t keep you.”

Autumn smiled wider once again. “Trying yet failing to dismiss me aside, I was actually sent here to formally show you around. Plus, to give you these.” She produced seven backstage passes.

“I hope you wouldn’t actually mind playing again,” Autumn stated as she distributed the passes. “I mean, I’m not that kind of person but it seems fair to at least fulfill the wish of a dramatic idiot who got put into a Shame Coma,” the tangelo haired woman lingered a bit longer with giving Twilight her and the teen’s passes, “right?”

When the scientist seemed to be at loss for words, Rarity stepped in with a diplomatic, “I think that’s fair enough indeed.” She turned to the rest, “Wouldn’t you say so dears?”

Rainbow Dash let out a grin. “Heck yeah we are! I haven’t heard myself play in years!” She aptly threw the now useless gag away. “I bet I’m at least at 20% awesome.”

“Really?” Applejack commented, exasperatedly looking at the proud athlete with a nostalgic deadpanned expression. The farmer turned to her wife. “We’re really playing again?” Before she could hear wife’s response, the freckled woman nearly toppled forward as Pinkie enthusiastically jumped on her back from behind.

“I’m good as any too!” the energetic woman exclaimed before pulling out a map of the island resort. “Just as long as I still have time to visit the Snack Hall!” The chef licked her lips as her eyes glazed over, “so much snacks.”

“Shoot, fine then.”

Fluttershy, in contrast to the animated proclamation, simply offered a tiny nod beside the eccentric pinkette. Before long, all eyes waited for Twilight who was the only one left who had not given an answer.

Adjusting her spectacles once again, the scientist huffed before narrowing her eyes at the grinning woman. “Just so we’re clear, one concert and we’ll never do this again?” At the amused head nodding, the purple scientist sighed before finally offering her agreement.

“Great!” Autumn stated as she clapped her hands together. Her smile dropped when she saw the two passes on the scientist’s hand. “Oh right. You’re down with one member, right?”

“Negative,” Twilight responded. “Sunshine can fill in her mother’s place in the band.”

“Uh, didn’t I already tell you Miss Twilight?” Said teen’s voice spoke up, surprising the adults. ‘Sunshine’ paid no mind as she slurped her smoothie, walking towards the group with the teen employee beside her. Taking an obnoxious long slurp, she smacked her lips in satisfaction before adding, “I can’t play to save my life.”

Pinkie blinked. “What?” The rest of the adult Rainbooms seemed to follow.

“Thanks for the vote of confidence but I know you’re just acting like I can play to spare my feelings or my mom’s.” Sunset added with a roll of her eyes, further cementing the exasperated teen act. “I have ears you know?”

“Darling, are you sure?” Rarity asked, stepping forward to place a hand on the teen’s shoulder.

“Is this part of your cover?” The silent message conveyed.

Sunset clasped the hand of the person who she first apologized to post Fall Formal. Unconscious memories of the one she begrudgingly asked to repair her favorite leather jacket began to resurface but the next memory stirred up old feelings of missed warmth.

While few rarely pointed out, the fashion designer almost effortlessly exuberated an aura of maternal care, regardless of Rarity being aware of it or not, and it was something a tired old rebellious teen needed at that time…. which was why Sunset allowed herself to risk the facade just to assure the other.

The fiery haired girl squeezed the hand. “Yeah yeah. I’m sure.”

“Trust me.”

Applejack seemed satisfied enough in her end as she watched the exchange with subtle curiosity. “Okay then, just stay in the audience where we can see ya.” Pinkie giggled as Sunset rolled her eyes once again. Fluttershy offered a tiny smile before she looked at the athlete who seemed to be still processing.

When it clicked, Rainbow let out an ‘o’ before chuckling. “If you say so kiddo.”

Cyan eyes found amethysts next, with the latter pair intensely gazing at the teen like trying to solve a puzzle.

A frustratingly stubborn puzzle.

Huffing, Twilight addressed Autumn, “I stand corrected then.”

The employee giggled. “I can see that. No worries, I’ll just get in contact with a backup and I’ll just update you guys if I got one all set up.”

“Awesome,” Rainbow commented before putting her arms behind her head. “So, when’s the gig?”

Smiling, Autumn held out her hand, to which the teen employee dutifully placed a clipboard, before flipping through the pages. “All I got here was a written ‘midnight’, ‘rainbooms’, and an ‘oh my stars’ which I think could only mean that you’re booked to play at midnight in order to have a lot of stars.”

The adults, sans an unamused Twilight, snickered at the joke while the two teens unconsciously rolled their eyes.

“And our instruments?” The scientist asked with crossed arms while simultaneously wondering if the woman was just committed to her job as a smiling employee or decided that all her smiles should be directed only at Twilight… not that she counted or anything.

“I’ll handle it. I’m pretty much in charge with all the performances out here what with my being a performer myself.”

“Really?” Sunset asked, to which this earned another fond ruffle of her hair.

“You betcha. Fire dancer to be specific.” The fit woman couldn’t help puffing herself out proudly. “The Niriks, my family, have been living in this island for ages. We got to work for the Million family after Bill’s great grandmother helped us out with a problem a while back and we’re trying to return the favor ever since.”

Autumn lightly deflated when all Twilight offered was a noncommittal, “Interesting.”

Trying to momentarily shrug off her lapse, the fire dancer continued, “So yeah, you guys have nothing to worry about. That said,” Autumn directed them towards the exit, “why don’t we get you all to the hotel so you can rest first. Welcome to Resort Island by the way and we hope you enjoy your stay.”

“I’ve been liking it since we got here,” Rainbow complimented as she followed their newly obtained tour guide. “So, when can we practice?”

Autumn dutifully answered, “For practice, it’s entirely up to you. You guys are booked to play at midnight but…” She tried to get the pretty scientist to at least stare at her as she looked over her shoulder to say, “I hate to have you guys spend the day practicing instead of enjoying the sun.”

Rarity and Applejack walked beside Autumn, unintentionally (or not) covering Twilight and the red-haired teen as the farmer stated, “That’s mighty kind of you but don’t worry about none. We’ve kinda know the songs by heart already so we’ll just need a bit of relearning how to play as a band again.” The fashion designer nodded in agreement.

Pinkie then began rapid firing question after question to which Autumn generated a surprising capability to keep up and even provide statements that left Pinkie speechless. The rest of the Rainbooms tipped their hats off in silent respect to their tour guide at that.

With the other Rainbooms choosing to distract Twilight’s (at least in Rarity’s head) admirer, Twilight and Sunset lagged at the rear of the group. There was a contemplative look in Sunset’s eye to which did not escape the older woman’s notice which made Twilight choose to walk slowly alongside the teen.

Shuffling a bit closer, Twilight whispered a, “Why did you lie about not knowing how to play?”

Sunset told herself she didn’t jump in surprise to the other’s appearance. She chose to eye the tour guide instead before she hesitatingly admitted, “Something about all of this bothers me, but I can’t say why. I just thought it might be best if not all of us will be on stage.”

The young adult fully expected the older one to shoot down her suspicions, but she was gladly surprised when the scientist seemed to be mulling the idea over.

A small pang in Sunset jumped excitedly at the thought. They were almost having a civil conversation! Maybe this was her chance to fix things between them?

“I mean, a fanboy orchestrated this all just to have us play for his resort. Something about all that felt really off,” Sunset added, trying to get the hope out of her tone. Choosing to have something else to do, she took out her phone before grumbling at the weak signal.

Running a hand through her tresses, Sunset stated, “I think I’ll investigate for a bit, just for my peace of mind.” A beat passed before cyan eyes then dropped to the ground as they unsurely glanced at amethyst ones.

“Come on Sunset, this is your chance! A chance for- what did Shadowbutt call it? Ah, closure!”

“You’re welcome to join me as…. thanks for the thing you did back at the plane. You didn’t have to do it but you did.” Then Sunset looked to the side as she tried to hide a blush at how high school that sounded, oblivious how her statement made Twilight, who was caught off guard as well, stare.

Recovering, the purple woman cleared her throat as she forced her gaze forward. All appearances of ease slowly washing away as she replied, “I-I appreciate the invite, but…” Twilight sighed as she stopped.

The teen followed suit with a curious tilt of her head. “What’s wrong?” “Dang it Sunset, we were so close!”

“Us,” Twilight promptly answered. At the other’s expression, the scientist tried to elaborate. “We…can’t act like nothing happened between us. We both know that, don’t we?”

“Yeah,” Sunset started out slowly while she mentally forced her heart to stop beating erratically. “I mean, it still stings but I think I can find it in me to forgive you.” And it was the truth. Sunset fought to believe her statement if only if the awkwardness and cold air between them could stop. She just wanted her friend back.

“But I can’t,” Twilight stared at Sunset, “both myself and you.”

Cyan eyes narrowed. The erratic beating stopped as a rising old numbing sensation replaced it.

“I thought I was supposed to act like the immature one.”

A purple hand squeezed the metal dog bone bracelet while amethyst eyes glared. “Really? Figures that’s a very hypocritical thing you would say.”

“We’re not having this conversation in a hospital hallway.”

“We’re not,” Twilight corrected through a clenched jaw. “What we’re having is a conversation about how we are not going to be acting like nothing happened.”

“So, what, you want us to ignore each other?” Sunset asked incredulously.

“No. What I want is for you to stop trying to fix us.”

“’Trying to fix’- I’m not trying to fix us,” Sunset shot back as she glared at the other.

A lie.

“I was being civil.”

Another lie.

Twilight snorted. “You? Civil?”

“Yeah,” Sunset found herself saying. She sure as heck wasn’t one to take the diplomatic route when something went wrong but she changed now and before her eyes Twilight did as well, but not for good. “I’m being civil which you’re completely the opposite of right now apparently.”

Twilight exhaled for a long minute, shutting her eyes as she pushed a hand to massage her head and muttering, “stubborn as ever.”

Sunset, hearing the words, couldn’t help but jab a finger at the other as she seethed, “You’re the one being stubborn. I was fine talking to you, regardless of how you’ve hurt me, and going through with this stupid vacation regardless of your being here or how you much of your excessive badgering about something that’s completely a secret annoys me.”

The teen huffed, drawing in a long breath before letting it all out as she briefly glanced at the slight reddening of her right hand. Huffing once more, Sunset shook her head and turned on her heel. “Forget it. Do whatever you want, hate me for all I care, or resent me for my secrets. Whatever. I’m staying on this trip because I missed my friends. If you can’t handle me being here, then you should just leave. Isn’t that what you wanted anyway?”

At the silence, Sunset scoffed before going on the other direction.

“Whatever. I’m going to scout the island and be on time to watch the concert. Tell them don’t worry if you give a damn about your friends…” Sunset looked over her shoulder to glare at the scientist, “like you have been doing for the rest of the years I bet?”

The jab given and received, Sunset shook her head and bolted out of there.

Twilight stared at the teenager’s back as she disappeared out the hallway. A soft pang in her heart urged her to say something but no other words came out but a simple unheard, “Okay.”

The group of women arrived at the hotel. The friendly staff members immediately hurried to pick up the luggage. Autumn Blaze politely excused herself before leaving them in the capable hands of the employees dressed in the company’s uniform polo shirt and slacks for the mean time. The few porters who began to pile up the baggage on the luggage cart staggered under the weight of the bags from Rarity’s side, much to Applejack’s exasperation.

“I’ve told you to pack light!” The farmer scolded. Rarity simply smiled and batted her eyes at her lover before letting out a small pout when her charms were promptly deflected.

Rainbow fake gagged at this exchange before whirling around when she did not find her gagger-in-crime. She turned to address the egghead.

“Hey, where’s the kid?”

Pinkie comically popped up behind her with a look of stricken horror, crying out, “We lost the child! We’re irresponsible adults!”

Twilight rolled her eyes at the pink one’s antics, choosing not to correct or say anything about the use of ‘child’ in the chef’s statement. Responding to the athlete’s question as the employees took her things, Twilight replied with a sharp, “She went ahead to scout the area.” The scientist crossed her arms as she walked up to the group, before looking down in thought of the conversation she had with said ‘child.’

Rainbow Dash scratched at her head as she mouthed a confused “Scout?” but a split second later she nodded in recognition. It was something they had to get used to Sunset doing ever since college, the athlete managed to recall. None of her other friends seemed worried at that time though, maybe except the doting girlfriend at that time of course, and Rainbow was confident enough that the fiery haired teen would come to them if she needed help.

“Oh,” Pinkie started before looking relieved. A minute in and then she reflated her grin into Cheshire levels as she said, “So, what do you guys wanna do now as our first ‘Rainbooms Reunion’ activity?”

She did a backflip and changed into diving clothes. “Underwater adventure?” She zipped towards the married couple wearing a coconut bra and long grass skirt as she swung her hips. “Hula dancing?” Before finally ending up hiding behind Fluttershy donned in an explorer outfit, pointing her flashlight at Twilight. “Mystery solving?”

Amethyst eyes blinked, unimpressed, at her friend. She mumbled her thanks to the employee who walked up to her to give her room key before she replied, “I’m planning to spend the day inside my room, working on my cell jammer.”

“What!” Pinkie exclaimed, transforming back into her regular clothes.

Rainbow Dash rubbed her head as she apologetically told the eccentric woman, “Yeah me and Shy were planning to check out the waves, do some surfing alongside some R n R.”

“What!”

Rarity eyed Applejack before she received a nod. She turned to the disgruntled Pinkie. “Well Applejack and I were planning to hit the spa after checking our rooms as well, then we’ll attend the bingo game later. You’re welcome to join us then.”

The pink haired woman lightly pouted, eyes shifting into eerily spot on impressions of dog eyes. She suddenly straightened up however when she caught sight of what was written on a passing whiteboard being wheeled by the employees.

“Wait, there’s a dessert hall here?!”

Everyone coughed by the pinkie shaped dust that slowly faded. There was no sign of the eccentric chef anymore in their sights.

“Well,” Rarity began as she fanned the last of the dust away. Some things never changed it seemed.

A beat passed with no one saying anything.

Not knowing how to part ways from here, Applejack coughed out a strained, “So…”

Rainbow Dash nervously chuckled, trying to shrug off the random bout of awkwardness. Had Pinkie been the one keeping the uneasiness away? Fluttershy lightly toed the tiled lobby floor, moving from side to side as she lightly smiled at the other women. Twilight simply did not meet anyone’s gaze, choosing instead to fiddle with her carry-on.

As the awkward silence continued to befall upon them, Rarity coughed once more before saying, “So…shall we meet up again by, say, dinner time before a brief practice run then?” When everyone else gave immediate affirmative nods, they went their separate ways…almost leaving cloud dusts in their wake as well.

Author's Note

Autumn Blaze - 28
Bill Million - 28