Storm Clouds in the Sunlight

Twilight paced back and forth at the statue's base. She took in multiple deep breaths, trying to calm herself.

Princess Twilight had set up a time for her human counterpart to pass through.

That only added to this Twilight's anxiety.

It wasn't enough coming face-to-face with Sunset for the first time in four days, but there was also the excitement of transporting to an alternate dimension. Throw on top the transformation that comes with it, and Twilight was beginning to feel a little more than overwhelmed.

She looked to the group of girls that had gathered around. Like her, they were bundled up and moving in place, trying to keep warm in the chilly fall evening air.

Twilight wondered how they could move forward. Her actions Friday night had deeply affected their small band. While they still continued to hang around her, Fluttershy and Rarity had dissolved to give her the silent treatment. Rarity, she could stand. However, Fluttershy, who was normally quiet, was absolutely terrifying. The others seemed to tolerate her. Twilight wondered if maybe they pitied her because she would be alone otherwise.

She was aware of the incident in the previous school year where they had abandoned Sunset over a series MyStable posts. Though the accusation against Sunset proved to be false, the girls still seemed to hold some guilt from the episode. Perhaps it was this guilt that kept them from leaving. Still, unlike Sunset, Twilight was rightfully convicted of her crime.

A white glow from the base drew Twilight from her thoughts. The stone rippled as if it were water. Twilight watched, mesmerized. She jumped back when a figure popped out. Again, another reason to be amazed. Twilight adjusted her glasses as she viewed an alternate version of herself. She had an inward chuckle as she watched the pony princess adjust to her new form. “...and people think me awkward...”

She walked up to greet the Princess of Friendship. “Thanks for letting me pass through.” she smiled.

“No problem” waved the princess, “Anything if it means helping out you and Sunset. I just hope you know what you're doing.”

The human Twilight gulped and hid behind her scarf. She had a slight idea of what she was doing. But, she dared not tell anybody, or anypony.

“Well” continued pony Twilight, “Starlight is waiting for you on the other side. She'll take you Sunset.”

“Wait, you're not coming?”

The princess shook her head. “Don't want to risk anypony seeing us. Two of us running around in any given world at the same time is bound to get some attention. Besides,” she smiled to the others, “I'm in need of a break and this gives me some time to catch up with the girls!”

“Just send us a text when you get back” said Applejack.

“Okay,” Twilight observed the portal with trepidation “so...what do I...?”

“Just step through like it's any other doorway” instructed the princess, “You may want to lean a little forward when you do, it makes transitioning a little easier.”

“Right,” nodded Twilight, looking down at her hands and giving them a little flex. “hooves...” It wasn't but half a year ago that she first experienced a pony body. Despite the prior knowledge, it didn't help her feel any better. She took in a deep breath and, bowing slightly, took a step.

With the human Twilight gone, the pony Twilight turned to the group. “So, what happened between those two? Starlight knows, but she refuses to tell me.”

Rainbow put an arm around the princess' shoulders as they made their way towards the Sweet Shoppe. “Trust us, it's better if you don't know.”

“Funny, that's exactly what she said...”

As the princess had said, Starlight was waiting on the other side of the portal for the human Twilight to come through. Twilight landed on her front hooves with a grunt. She closed her eyes and took a moment to allow her brain and new body to align. She felt something on her shoulder. Opening her eyes, Twilight saw that Starlight had placed a hoof on her, trying to help her steady.

Starlight gave a smile. “Welcome to Equestria.”

“T-thanks.” Twilight adjusted her glasses. An often instinctual, natural action now seemed alien and challenging. She studied her hoof in wonder as Starlight let out a laugh.

“It takes some time to adjust. Trust me, you'll be walking like one of us in no time.”

“That's what Sunset said last time.” Twilight said, “Doesn't make this time any easier.” She took a walk in a small circle, trying to view the rest of her body. 'All my things are still horse things.' She studied her back. '...and still no wings.'

“I thought you had species that were similar to us in your world” said Starlight.

“We do. Still doesn't make it not weird. Have you no humanoids over here?”

The unicorn shrugged. “If there are, or were, no one has ever seen or made mention of them.”

“Interesting...” Twilight made a mental note for later. “So,” she pawed the floor, a new gesture which only seemed natural, “Sunset...”

Starlight's expression fell briefly, but she quickly regained her gentle smile. “She's in her room. Here, I'll show you.” She turned and lead the way out of the library and down a long hall.

“How is she?”

“No change. I'm afraid she's shutting down.”

Twilight felt her ears fall.

“Well,” Starlight stopped in front of a door, “this is it. I'll be downstairs if you need anything.” She placed a sympathetic hoof on Twilight as she walked away.

Twilight stared at the door for a while, gathering her courage and thoughts. She had spend the past few days thinking about what she would say to Sunset, but now, only a few feet away, all words failed her. Slowly she raised a hoof and, with a deep breath, knocked on the door.

She brought an ear to the door and listened. Silence. Maybe, Sunset didn't hear. Twilight tried again. This time, a groan sounded from within. “Go away.”

“Sunset...” Twilight's voice quivered.

“Not now, princess.”

Twilight's heart sped up and her mouth grew dry. Everything hinged on her next words. All within her conflicted to pursue or to flee. “I'm...” She reached deep and found her resolve. “I'm not the princess.”

There was silence again. Twilight could hear her heart pounding in her ears. She jumped when she heard a click and a creak as the door opened slightly. “Twilight?”

Twilight nervously pranced in place. “H-ey, Sunset...”

The door opened a little more and Twilight's heart jumped to her throat with a gasp as she viewed the pony within. The features were there, but this a far cry from the Sunset Shimmer she knew, human or pony. This pony looked tired and frail. “Sunset!”

“Wha-what are you doing here?” Even her voice wasn't the same. Gone was warm and melodic speech she once knew. What sounded from the pony's lips was raw and scratchy.

Twilight struggled to keep from choking on her tears. “Can we talk? Please?”

Sunset paused for a moment, then weakly nodded before opening the door fully to allow Twilight entrance. She followed Sunset into the dark room. Looking around she was curious so see how ponies furnished their rooms. To her surprise, it was rather empty. Maybe a piece of further here or there, but mostly open floor. She stopped when Sunset sat down on a rug in the middle of the room and motioned for the other pony to join her. Twilight looked around in confusion.

“Different bodies, Twilight,” Sunset said dryly.

“Oh, right...” The new pony took an awkward seat on her haunches. Finding it uncomfortable, she stood, walked in a circle and sat back down.

“So,” Sunset said, “you wanted to talk?”

“You haven't answered my letters.” Twilight blurted. It wasn't the first thing she wanted to say, but that is all she could get out.

“I haven't read them.”

Twilight's heart sank.

“I'm sorry,” Sunset rubbed the back of her head, “Yeah, sorry... I've been meaning to... just...” She looked away.

“It's okay.” Twilight smiled, “I get it.” It was a lie. But, if it helped Sunset open up, she would allow it.

“So?”

Twilight was pulled from her thoughts. “Well,” she teetered between her fore-hooves. She closed her eyes, wracking her brain to find the words that matched the emotions her heart was screaming. “I'm sorry” she stammered, tears welling in her eyes, “I'm sorry for what I did. I'm sorry for hurting you.”

Sunset said nothing, nor did her neutral expression change.

The silence unnerved Twilight. It filled her with anger. “What do you want from me?” she yelled, jumping to her hooves.

“I want to know why, Twilight.”

“Well, if you'd read my letters—”

Sunset's jaw clenched. “I want to hear it from you!” she spoke through her teeth, “Right here, right now!”

Twilight was taken aback. She turned away and grit her teeth. “Fine! I wanted you. I wanted your body on mine. I wanted to feel your love, your passion, your sex. I wanted you to take me. I wanted to give myself wholly to you.

“I told you I was ready, that I wanted it. You don't know my frustration every time you blocked my advances. If you loved me, you would have—”

“If you loved me,” Sunset raised her voice, “you would never have done that! Lest, even, consider it. You may have been ready, Twilight, but I wasn't. I thought I had made that clear.” She put a hoof to her head and gave a sharp exhale through her nose.

There was brief silence in the room before Sunset let out a laugh that sent shivers down Twilight's spine. “You know what? I'm happy for you! Twilight Sparkle: the most sexless, purest, modest bookworm in the all the multiverse has finally lost her virginity! Such an achievement! How many brainy nerds can claim they've ever come by the hand of another?

“No, I'm proud of you, Twilight. I only hope it was everything you ever wanted. I really hope that it was good for you. I hope you enjoyed it. I hope it's something you'll remember for a long time, 'cause I sure as fucking Tartarus can't!”

“Sunset” Twilight's voice quivered, “...please...”

“You even stopped to consider how I might feel, Twilight? How your actions might have left me?” She sucked the air through her teeth, fighting back her tears. “I felt violated, Twilight. You violated me.”

“Sunset, please! I beg of you!”

“Do you know what it's like to feel violated, Twilight?”

“Please...stop...” It was but a whisper, Twilight doubted Sunset had heard her.

“...or was all you told me about Midnight Sparkle just a lie for attention and pity?”

Twilight's voice got caught in her throat. Stumbling back, she couldn't believe the pony before her. Sunset, the one other being who could understand, had just gone there. If Sunset had meant to hurt her, she more than succeeded. Twilight felt a tightening in her chest. It moved to her throat, choking her to tears. She couldn't take it any more, the daggers were pushed in too deep in all the right places. Not wanting to give Sunset the satisfaction of seeing her in tears, Twilight fled the room.

She didn't know where she was going, only that she had to get away. In her teary blindness, she ran into a soft, fury body. Both landed on the floor in a heap. The sound of plastic skidded across the smooth stone floor.

Starlight laid on the floor for a while, trying to register what just happened. She eventually got to her hooves and began to investigate. “Twilight, what happen—” She stopped when she noticed the other pony's crying. Her ears fell flat and her head lowered. “Oh..” With gentle forelegs, she brought the other into a hug.

“Please” Twilight wept, “Send me home. I want to go back.”

“Okay. Hang on.” Starlight grabbed Twilight's glasses, which had landed some distance away, with her magic and summoned a teleportation spell. In a moment, they were in the library before the open portal. Starlight hesitated before allowing Twilight through. “You're sure you don't want to wait a bit? I'd hate to send you through like this.”

Twilight sniffled and nodded, “I'll be better once I get back to my side... and my own body.”

Starlight could only nod and gently guided Twilight back through the portal. Sure her visitor was safely through, Starlight turned her attention to Sunset. She was getting a little tired of individuals running into her crying, demanding to return to their original worlds.

She made her way to Sunset's room and was about to give the pony a rude awakening when she noticed the door was already open. Stepping closer, she heard a soft noise from within. Moving in as close as she dared, she realized that it was Sunset's weeping that she was hearing.

Starlight's heart softened. Upon reflection, she decided to stay quite, as she saw her words would only hurt further. Gently, she stepped away from the door and retreated to another part of the castle.

“Starlight!” said Princess Twilight, trotting up to her student, “What happened? The other Twilight came barging through the portal in quite a state.”

Starlight only shrugged. “Your guess is as good as mine. Sunset is no better. I—” She stopped when she noticed that Twilight was looking at something behind her. By the look on the alicorn's face, it wasn't something entirely good. Slowly, Starlight turned around and let out a yelp. “Sunset!” she tried not to make comment on the unicorn's current physical appearance. “You're up!”

Sunset gave a weary nod. Then, with her magic, handed Starlight a folded piece of paper. “Can you give this to Twilight next time you go over?”

Starlight took the note and, with a nod, placed it in her saddle bag. “I'll take it tomorrow.”

“You must be feeling better” Twilight smiled, “How about some dinner? There's still quite a bit of harvest stew left. We can put it into a bread bowl and—” But Sunset stopped her with a shake of her head.

“I'll just go back to bed.”

“Okay then,” the alicorn shuffled, “Let me help you back.”

“Please, Twilight.” Sunset raised her hoof. “ I'm sorry, but, I can't look at you,” She took a couple steps back, “much less be alone, or even, close to you right now.” She turned away and closed her eyes. “Please understand.”

Twilight tried her best to hide the hurt which gripped her heart. Holding back her own tears, she simply said, “I understand.”

Starlight put a gentle hoof on her mentor. “I'll get her back to her room.” She moved to position herself under Sunset and allow the other unicorn to put all her weight on her. In a flash, the two were gone.