Different Paths

Chapters

A Rocky Path
An Untaken Path
A Lost Path
An Angry Path
A New Path

A Rocky Path

Sunset Shimmer screamed as she tossed a nearby cushion at the mirror, huffing loudly as she straightened her suit. Glancing over her shoulder to see Rarity raising an eyebrow at her. Sunset was more than tired of that perfect princess' condescension. "What!?" Rarity scowled at her fiancee, as she was snapped at. Huffing slightly she went back to painstakingly applying her make up to properly present for the wedding.

"Really darling, you'd think that I was planning on trapping you in a pit instead of planning to marry you today." Rarity understood stress, but she couldn't help but feel the least bit hurt at this acting out. She was the drama queen and she wasn't acting like this. She was the one doing Sunset an extremely large favor.

Sunset scowled at her soon to be wife, picking the pillow back up and tossing it on the couch before turning on Rarity. "Well, it's not like you're perfectly composed either Rarity! Let me be stressed!"

Rarity rolled her eyes at the accusation. "I am perfectly composed darling. Why not go vent to Applejack, I'm sure she would be happy to give you some advice."

Sunset scoffed as she crossed her arms, eyeing the perfect alabaster girl before her. "You know Rarity you're not as perfectly calm as you're letting on!"

Rarity smiled. "Of course I am darling. I am the very picture of composure." She wasn't trying to infuriate Sunset but it was her personality to never show any error she ever made, or at least never admitting to her... Unless she was having a breakdown, but she certainly wasn't having one at the moment!

Sunset growled slightly. "You know my prissy princess you aren't really endearing yourself to me here."

Rarity let a small portion of her annoyance break past her facade of the perfectly happy bride. "Oh stop being such a pill Sunset! It's not my fault we needed to rush into this marriage!"

Sunset's eyes widened for a moment before she glowered. "Rarity! I... It's... You can't just throw that into my face! I didn't plan for this to happen!"

Rarity stood up quickly, pushing off her make up counter to approach Sunset. "Oh yeah, well neither did I! We've only been dating a month Sunset! A MONTH! That's not long enough to decide to get married!"

Sunset resisted the urge to grab and shake Rarity, only raising her voice in response. "Yeah, it's not like I could do anything else! I mean if you want me to go back to Equestria and just end it here I can!"

Rarity opened her mouth for a moment to agree wholeheartedly but then swallowed, shaking her head. "N... No darling... I'm... I'm sorry." Rarity walked back to her chair and sat down, pulling it back to her mirror and simply sitting in front of it now.

Sunset let out a gentle sigh and walked up behind Rarity, wrapping her arms around her from behind. "I'm sorry Rarity, I shouldn't have put this on you."

Rarity smiled, a little forced but still a smile as she reached up and patted Sunset on the hand. "No darling, I agreed. It was better than losing you to Equestria."

Sunset gave Rarity a small squeeze around the shoulders as she took in a deep breath, smelling Rarity's shampoo and smiling faintly. She really did love Rarity, this was just so much stress to put on their relationships so early... "You're sure I can't just take a citizenship test or something?" Rarity shook her head, though they both knew the answer. "Yeah, Twilight woulda found anything like that wouldn't she have?"

Rarity picked her makeup brush back up. "Yes darling, I'm sure that once the wedding is over we'll be able to work it out. Remember happy faces." Rarity forced another smile for Sunset who forced one in return, letting go of Rarity and taking a few steps away.

Sunset could tell this fake marriage was really tearing Rarity apart. They had been flirting for months. Freaking months! If Sunset had hs the courage to open up the first time she got the hint from Rarity they very well could have been ready for this landmark. But noooo, she thought there was plenty of time, she had ignored the obvious problem. She wasn't from this world, and while Equestria was locally known the government of the USA didn't know about it. She couldn't tell them she was a magical creature from another world, best case scenario their lives would be turned upside down and all her friends would be under constant observation by the government. Worst case... Well, humans had nuclear weapons.

Sunset walked back over to Rarity and leaned in, giving her a kiss on the top of her head, where there would obviously be no makeup. Rarity gave her first genuine smile to Sunset. This wedding would save her place in this world... But... She wasn't sure it was worth it. It very well could ruin her relationship with Rarity. Sunset down up and gently rubbed Rarity's cheek, staring into her eyes quietly. Rarity smiled gently for a short time before frowning. She didn't pull away but Sunset did stop. "What's the matter Rarity?"

"You're smudging my make up." Though Rarity would usually not be overly annoyed by her girlfriend smudging her make up this was her wedding day.

Sunset Shimmer smiled gently. "Oh, well that doesn't matter."

Rarity rolled her eyes and scowled, Sunset's flippant attitude was rubbing her the wrong way at the moment. "Only because you don't have to redo it!"

"Oh, you'd have to redo it anyway, it'd get all messed up." As Rarity opened her mouth to snap at Sunset again she interrupted Rarity. "Your dress."

Rarity frowned, crinkling her nose as she tried to figure out what exactly Sunset meant. "What about my dress?"

"You're not wearing it."

After a pause Rarity groaned loudly and picked up a cloth, dampening it with water and starting to wash off her face. "Dang it Sunset! You sat there knowing I was doing this and you couldn't tell me!? What, after we're married are you going to let me walk into a pit of snakes if I don't notice it!?"

Sunset scowled at Rarity. "It's not my fault you're so obsessed with your looks you can't see an hour ahead!"

Rarity stood up angrily, pointing to the door violently. "Get out Sunset Shimmer!" Rarity collapsed back in front of her makeup mirror. Laying her head down on the open area she wrapped her arms around her head, crying quietly. All she wanted was to live a happy little life. Get married to someone who she loves and loved her, boy, girl, old, young, rich, poor, human, pony, she didn't care! She had had hopes that that might be one of her best friends Sunset, but this wasn't that... It was tearing them apart.

Sunset scoffed and walked out the door, slamming it loudly behind her, only to blush faintly as she saw Applejack and Fluttershy staring at her. Raising her hand with a nervous chuckle she waved. "Uh... Hey, you two." Applejack gave Sunset an annoyed look and motioned backward with her head to a man in a nice suit, and dark sunglasses. Sunset groaned loudly as she saw the man, shooking her head. "Three..." Sunset scowled at the representative of the federal government. "What? This is my wedding!"

The sunglassed man was completely calm in the face of Sunset's hostility. "Yes, miss Shimmer, I'm here to make sure everything is on the up and up." He tucked away a small piece of paper in his pocket. "You're lucky I'm letting you have this wedding before I file the paperwork, you really should be more grateful."

"... Yes... Thank you..." Sunset's tone made it obvious that she held no actual thanks for the man she was speaking to. "What do you want?"

The man clicked his tongue. "Nothing more than to confirm that you two are actually getting married for the traditional reasons not that you two are trying to game the US immigration system. I'm sure that my lack of an invitation was simply an oversight."

Sunset clenched her fists at her side but nodded. "Of course. We only had your business card, couldn't very well send the invitation to your office could we?"

The agent smirked but nodded. "Very good reasoning there miss Shimmer, such personal mail would have been quite inappropriate." Nodding towards the door that Sunset Shimmer had just come through. "Though that sounded like trouble."

Sunset grimaced a little, of course, the bastard had to hear that fight. "Oh, just wedding jitters." Sunset made a throwing away gesture with her hand, smiling and not letting any of her annoyance reach her face. "Brides have their license to be dramatic on their wedding day."

The man nodded. "So it would seem." He raised a hand to look at a pocket watch he pulled from his inside pocket. "Well, I will see you in two hours then Miss Shimmer." He started to turn before pausing halfway. "Oh, don't forget I will need a copy of the license for my files." With Sunset's curt nod he finished his movement and walked out of the back hallways of the church.

Sunset let out a loud groan as Applejack and Fluttershy, who had been staying out of the issue approached. Applejack nervously raised a hand to Sunset's shoulder. "Uh... Hey Sunset, I know this ain't the best time to bring this up..." She looked nervously at Fluttershy who gave her an encouraging nod and Applejack looked back at Sunset. "I'd be willing to marry you so you could stay too."

Sunset stared at Applejack and groaned. "Applejack! Is this -really- a good time to... To what even? Are you saying you have feelings for me?"

Applejack's eyes widened and she quickly shook her head. "Oh no, sugar cube! I just meant... Well, I ain't got no romantic prospects is all, and this has to last two years or it'll be invalid... Rarity's a might of a social butterfly so... God forbid it doesn't work out for you two but... She'd... I mean she might..."

Sunset groaned again, at least Applejack wasn't in love with her but really, she thought of this now!? This actually might have been a better idea but it was too late to change plans now that the agent knew about her current plan. "Thanks, Applejack but that'd be too suspicious. We can't make this look like I'm marrying for a greencard you know."

Applejack smiled and nodded. "Ahh, I see your point Sunset." Then she grinned a bit, thinking it might be good to lighten the mood. "At least this didn't happen a year ago." Both Fluttershy and Sunset tilted their heads at Applejack who grinned. "Well if it happened before the new prop passed we'd have had to ask Big Mac." After a few moments both the others burst out laughing and Sunset gave Applejack an appreciative grin.

An Untaken Path

Fluttershy left the two friends to start chatting, knowing that Applejack was just trying to distract their friend from her problems that were popping up now. Fluttershy herself slipped into Rarity's impromptu dressing room to talk to one of her closest friends. She was close with all her friends but she'd always been especially fond of Rarity, even during their large scale spat. Fluttershy had for a short time even entertained her own fantasies about dating the pretty fashionista, but that had simply never seemed to pan out, and Fluttershy had accepted that. She just wanted her friends to be happy, but she wasn't sure they were. She slipped next to Rarity where she was laying back on a small couch with her eyes closed. "Hi. Rarity."

"Hi, Fluttershy." Rarity cracked an eye open and looked up at Fluttershy. "How are you doing today darling?"

Fluttershy giggled gently as she looked down at Rarity. "That's my line Rarity."

Rarity sighed loudly and scooted up a little, laying back as she leaned the back of her head against Fluttershy's legs. "Oh, I don't know darling... It's just... It's very stressful." Fluttershy nodded, starting to rearrange Rarity's hair in a more proper way to make sure it didn't tangle. At least, that would be how Fluttershy would justify it if asked. "I promised to help Sunset with this and I've no intention of losing her to Equestria."

Fluttershy nodded, if the options were to lose Sunset or marry her Flutershy'd be the one in the wedding dress today. But Fluttershy had been watching, not just in the past month of the supposed engagement, but before that. Rarity did enjoy her time with Sunset, but Fluttershy didn't think that Rarity felt the same for Sunset that Sunset felt for her. "But you don't love her?"

Rarity shot up liked a bullet, flushing brightly and shaking her head. "I-I never said that darling!" Fluttershy looked nervously to the side but Rarity sighed, continuing. "Darling, you can't tell Sunset! She..." Rarity pursed her lips, blowing air into her cheeks nervously as she glanced at the door.

"She does love you, very much." Rarity nodded in response to Fluttershy's statement.

Rarity sighed and laid back down on the couch, this time her head landing right in Fluttershy's lap, much to Fluttershy's delight. Rarity closed her eyes as she continued. "I'm sure that I'll learn to love her. I mean other countries make arranged marriages work, and she really is a dear." Fluttershy nodded, going back to fixing Rarity's hair. Fluttershy knew that she'd be keeping her secret, but it was not helping her to listen to Rarity go on about not wanting to marry Sunset, then the almost literal, punch in the gut came. "I guess that I'll never get to tell the girl I really want to take out somewhere how I feel will I?"

Fluttershy took a good ten seconds of being completely breathless to respond, feeling like she had indeed been punched in the gut by the statement. "I... Uh... Well..." She swallowed nervously as she grasped at what seemed to actually be some slim hope of her getting her own heart's desire. "There's... Two years... Is all you need..." Fluttershy couldn't bring herself to say divorce but the implication was rather obvious.

Rarity sighed and nodded, rubbing the bridge of her nose. "I know darling... I just don't know if I could do that to Sunset. I mean... Unless she... Stops feeling so strongly for me I'm going to be stuck."

Rarity's eyes flew open at Fluttershy's uncharacteristically strong response. "You can't Rarity!" At Rarity's raised eyebrow Fluttershy blushed and adopted her usual more quiet voice, but still spoke with more passion than is usual for her. "You can't just... Just give up your happiness for someone else!"

Rarity was still taking a moment to regard Fluttershy's strong reaction to this subject. She made a mental note to address it more attentively after the wedding, Fluttershy looked like she was struggling with some of her own issues. But Rarity would address the elephant in the room first. "You do that yourself all the time darling."

Fluttershy's eyes widened and she flushed brightly, forcing herself to calm down. There was absolutely no way that Rarity knew how she felt about her. And even if she did, this wouldn't be how or where she brought it up! Swallowing Fluttershy managed to talk in a mostly reasonable voice. "Wh-Why do you say that Rarity?"

Rarity grinned a bit. "Oh, little miss 'I hate crowds but I always go to all of Rainbow Dash's games' doesn't know what I mean?"

Fluttershy sighed in relief, having her beliefs confirmed. "Well that's different, it makes her happy and it only puts me out a little! It's not like I'm at the game the rest of my life." She smiled as she still absently ran her fingers through Rarity's hair, long after any practical use had long passed. Rarity didn't seem to notice, understandable with all the things on her mind.

"Oh, you're right darling... Just... Ugh. Bad luck we couldn't have stuck her with... I dunno, you or Twilight or something."

Fluttershy blushed brightly at the thought of being the one getting married but then frowned slightly. "Why us Rarity?"

Rarity flushed a little herself, biting her bottom lip. "Oh... Sorry, darling I was just talking without thinking don't worry about i..." Fluttershy frowned and gave Rarity her patented glare, which caused the other girl to squirm slightly before sighing. "Fiiiiiine. I mean you two don't seem overly interested in romance darling. Twilight is always focused on Science, and you... Well, no offense darling, but I've always thought you could use someone a bit more assertive to look after you. I always thought it might be Rainbow Dash but..." She snickered to herself, thinking about Rainbow Dash's well-known exploits.

Fluttershy nodded and smiled herself as Rarity mentioned Rainbow Dash. Despite the rumors, Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash had never gotten together, and neither really had any interest in it. "Hehe, no Rainbow Dash for me Rarity. I've..." Fluttershy blushed a little, knowing she should just leave it there, leave it alone and give Rarity no real reason to think on it further, but she couldn't stop herself. She couldn't shake the feeling that if everything went as planned tonight she might lose her chance with the person she'd had a crush on for years. "I've always hoped for someone... A bit softer than her." Fluttershy couldn't stop herself from staring down into Rarity's eyes at that moment.

Rarity nodded, her mind processing the information and storing it away for later use to help her shy friend, missing the attempted implication by Fluttershy. Rarity took in a deep breath and let it out in a small huff, smiling up at her friend. "Well, thank you for the talk darling. Sometimes just getting things off your chest helps, doesn't it?" Fluttershy nodded in response, agreeing wholeheartedly that it did. Though Fluttershy might have been able to do a bit more of a thorough job if she hadn't been so shy about it. Rarity sat up and dusted herself off of imaginary dusk, standing up. "Ok, darling! This is no time to lay about and feel sorry for myself! I have a friend to help don't I?"

Fluttershy smiled and stood up, nodding in return, though she couldn't keep herself from feeling just the slightest pang of sorrow, she could still be happy for her friends. She smiled as she looked over at the wedding dress hanging to the side of the room. "Well, isn't it about time to get you ready Rarity?"

Rarity looked at the wedding dress, her smile faltering for a moment but then she nodded in determination. "Yes, yes it is darling."

A Lost Path

The ceremony had been beautiful, as perfect as Rarity could have hoped. Her family there to support her, her looking radiant and beautiful, Sunset herself had been quite striking in her suit. All her friends there as bridesmaids and groomsmen. Rarity's favorite pastor, the one who had baptized her doing the ceremony. Rarity had not kept up with her religion as she grew older but she'd always have a soft spot for the kind old man who'd helped raise her. Despite everything being perfect Rarity couldn't help but feel put out by the entire course of the wedding. She smiled, she greeted people, she laughed, she danced, she did everything that was required and expected of her. But inside, she knew it was all a lie.

This wedding was fake, it was a sham, she did love Sunset Shimmer, but she wasn't in love with Sunset Shimmer. This was a ploy to save her friend and allow her to stay with them. Rarity had to keep reminding herself that there was a reason she was doing this. A reason she was deceiving so many people. While most knew the marriage's expedience was because of that infernal government agent that even now Rarity could see lurking in the crowdm they all believed that it was still planned and legitimate to their feelings. Rarity knew it was legitimate to Sunset's, but Rarity's... She shook her head and did her best to smile as Sunset brought her another glass of sparkling cider. She had two years of this, of being very close with her friend, or of learning to love Sunset. She hoped she could pull either one of those off.

Sunset cut into her thoughts. "What's the matter Rarity?" Sunset's gentle hand squeezing the bride's own.

Rarity shook her head, smiling as best she could, forced and obviously strained. "Oh darling, the wedding, the marriage, it's just very stressful you know."

Sunset smiled and nodded, leaning in to give Rarity another kiss but Rarity turned her head, at the last minute so Sunset caught her cheek. Huffing slightly Sunset decided to try and not make an issue out of it since Rarity was obviously just stressed over the wedding, but Sunset would give her all the encouragement she could. "I love you Rarity."

Rarity couldn't look Sunset in the eye as she responding, keeping her eyes locked out over the crowd of guests. An action natural enough to pass off as normal. "Darling, you know I do love you... Right?"

Sunset frowned at Rarity, that was not how you usually responded to someone saying they loved you... "Yeah... We did just get married here Rarity."

Rarity bit her bottom lip as she glanced away from Sunset, letting out a low sigh. She knew she shouldn't do this here and now, but she couldn't live this lie a moment longer. It was far from ideal but it was better than her screaming and running out of her own wedding. That would certainly attract more attention. "Darling I do love you... But... I'm... I'm not in love with you..."

Sunset froze with her own cider at her lips, before lowering it and looking at Rarity for a long minute of silence. Thankfully no one seemed to want the attention of the newlyweds at that moment. Sunset said in a low hiss. "Really Rarity? Now? You tell me this -now-? You couldn't have done it before the ceremony!?" Sunset was hurt, and she knew she'd be bawling in the bathroom in about ten minutes, but at this moment she was just angry at being toyed with, and her heartbroken -after- she had been promised by the woman of her dreams that she would be with her forever!

Rarity grabbed onto Sunset's hand, clasping it hard. "S-Sunset... I... I'm sorry but we... I-I'm still going to help you to get to stay here! I-I promise!"

Sunset pulled her hand out of the other woman's grasp, scowling at her, hissing. "You really think that's what I care about Rarity!? The woman I love, on our wedding day, told me she doesn't love me!"

"B-But I d..."

"Not how it counts to me Rarity!" Sunset got up and quickly stormed off. Rarity bit her bottom lip and looked out over the crowd, it didn't seem like anyway was giving particularly special attention to the fact that Sunset had just stormed off, but Rainbow Dash did get up from her nearby table and go after Sunset. Rarity wasn't sure if that was a great idea but she couldn't very well tell her to stop without drawing attention to the fact that Sunset had stormed off.

"Heya Rarity." Rarity let out a small yelp as Pinkie Pie now occupied the seat that Sunset had been in just a moment before.

"Uh... Hi Pinkie..." Rarity was not only surprised by the sudden appearance of her pink friend, she was not very happy about it either. She liked Pinkie, but she was so... Out there at times she couldn't very well... She sighed, it might be better just to get it over with. "What Pinkie Pie?"

Pinkie smiled and waved to someone in the crowd that Rarity couldn't make out. "Well someone told me that you might need someone to talk to you know!"

Rarity frowned, had Fluttershy or Applejack sent Pinkie to talk to her? It might have been Twilight but she wasn't the most emotionally perceptive of people. But Applejack or Fluttershy would have come themselves... So who would have sent Pinkie... "No... That's fine really darling I don't really need any..."

"You know, things are always worse when you hide from them!"

Rarity was taken aback by the usual happy go lucky girl giving her such advice. "Well... Yes, darling... But there are... Times when discretion is the better part of valor you know."

Pinkie tilted her head to the side then shook her head. "Nu-uh! Like Applejack says honesty is a better policy! I mean, in that case, you and Sunset wouldn't have just had a fight over Fluttershy!"

Rarity shook her head. "We didn't fight over Fluttershy Pinkie... Wait, why would we have fought over Fluttershy!?"

Pinkie tilted her head in confusion. "What? He said that you two were fighting because you found out that Fluttershy had a crush on you!"

Rarity shot to her feet, and it was all she could do to not yell the next sentence. She sat back down, calming at least her voice. "She what!?"

Pinkie frowned. "What? You didn't know? But he said... Hey!" Pinkie shot up and stormed off into the crowd looking a lot more angry than Rarity had ever seen her more than three times before.

Rarity was glad she wasn't on the receiving end of Pinkie's anger at the moment, but all this new information, Fluttershy had a thing for her!? She had always thought that having the cute shy girl on her arm would have been ideal, both for the practical reasons and because she did so enjoy Fluttershy but she'd always seen Fluttershy pining after Rainbow Dash. After she realized that they were just friends she'd nestled Fluttershy comfortably aside from actual romantic consideration. She scanned the crowd but couldn't see Fluttershy. Getting up she went to find that shy girl before someone else did and made Fluttershy hide from everyone under the sun. Normally Rarity wouldn't worry about Sunset yelling at Fluttershy, but right now... If Rainbow Dash had apparently heard what Pinkie had head and told Sunset... Fluttershy could be in trouble if Sunset found her.

An Angry Path

Shortly after Sunset made it back to the dressing room Rainbow Dash burst in after her. Finding Sunset with her face in her hands and sobbing for all she’s worth. Rainbow Dash slowed down a bit and walked over, sitting near Sunset but still allowing her some personal space. Rainbow Dash scratched her arms nervously. "So... Uh... What's up?"

Sunset looked up, sniffling as she considered trying to lie, but then she simply realized she didn't really care at the moment what Rainbow Dash knew or thought of her. "Rarity told me she doesn't love me..."

Rainbow Dash's eyes widened for a moment before hardening and narrowing. "Why that little...!" She started to get up before she felt a hand on her arm, looking down to see Sunset simply shake her head. Rainbow Dash sighed as she sat back down.

Sunset did manage a small, sad smile. "Thanks for that Rainbow Dash but it's not her fault. She said she was happy to do it so I could stay... She never said it was because she loved me. I mean she could have chosen a better time yeah but marrying someone before they say "I love you"... Uh... Not the best plan." Sunset had kind of glossed over that in her head, assuming that a few dates meant the Rarity also loved her. But she realized Rarity had seemed to have fun but hadn't really been particularly into the dates, then they got interrupted by this drama. She turned to Rainbow Dash, her crying slightly more under control.

"Oh Rainbow Dash! It was so obvious! Rarity dropped multiple hints! Even Applejack must have figured it out earlier! She offered to marry me instead of Rarity!" She sighed, wiping her eyes, her sobs having fallen off but her tears still flowing silently. "I've ruined everything haven't I?"

Rainbow Dash shifted, a little uncomfortable with how much emotion had just been dumped on her, she wasn't sure what she had been expecting but that man in the suit had warned her that Sunset and Rarity were fighting about having heard about Fluttershy having a crush on Rarity. Much to Rainbow Dash's shame, it seemed that Mr. Shadow was paying better attention to her friends than she was. "Oh... Well... That's... A completely reasonable thing to fight about that's for sure..." Rainbow Dash nervously rubbed har arm, huffing to herself. "So... Whatcha gonna do? I mean if you don't wanna marry... Uh... I mean if it doesn't work out me or AJ could do it. I mean AJ offered and I won't have any drama with us. I've gotta focus more on training for at least two years, not on boys or girls anyway..." Rainbow Dash would have continued but she trailed off at the touch of Sunsets hand on her arm again.

"Thank you Rainbow Dash but that's unneeded really... Rarity has agreed for the sake of me staying, and it'll look better to Mr. Shadow if there's not such a big hubbub after the wedding. It'd look like we're trying to game the system."

Rainbow Dash shook her head. "Don't be too hard on Mr. Shadow Sunset, he's just doing his job." Sunset stared at Rainbow Dash for a few moments. "I mean besides, he does seem to care. He told me you and Rarity were fighting after all."

Sunset was going to annoyedly list off all the reasons that Mr. Shadow was a terrible person but then Rainbow Dash mentioned that he was paying a lot of attention. That was his job, but then telling her friends so they'd do things. And he had been with Applejack and Fluttershy right before Applejack made the offer earlier. Her eyes widened as she stood up. "Oh, that bastard! He... He's planning something! He's... I don't know what this game is but he's been screwing with us!"

Rainbow Dash stood up and shook her head in confusion. "What are you talking about?"

Sunset scowled, though not at Rainbow Dash. "We'll be figuring that out shortly!" Sunset's sadness was replaced with righteous indignation. Mr. Shadow was screwing with them for some reason, and she was placing all the fault for her relationship with Rarity going down in flames squarely on his shoulders. Even though it might not have been the right place, Sunset didn't care! She was fully focused on that until she burst out into the hall and looked about to reorient herself. What she hadn't expected to see was Rarity and Fluttershy, but it was a welcome sight of back up despite her current feelings of betrayal from Rarity. "Oh thank goodness!"

Both Rarity and Fluttershy jumped back from each other looking at each other but Rarity quickly walked over to Sunset. "Oh, Sunset! I..."

Sunset put a finger up to Rarity's lips and smiled faintly, shaking her head. "We will have a lot to talk about I'm sure, but right now, I need your help to deal with Mr. Shadow." Rarity raised an eyebrow at that, Fluttershy walking up nervously behind her.

Rainbow Dash caught up to the other two, smiling a bit as she saw the three of them together, completely peaceful. "Ahh, I can see your point Sunset." The three other girls looked back at her. "I mean if you two had actually been fighting about Fluttershy you all wouldn't be standing here all companionable."

Sunset arched and eyebrow. "Why would we fight about Fluttershy?"

Rarity lunged forward trying to cover Rainbow Dash's mouth as she answered. "That Fluttershy has a thing for Rarity." Fluttershy let out a quiet screech and Rarity took a few steps back, biting her bottom lip.

Rarity raised her hands in a placating gesture, that from Sunset's perspective looked defensive. And it looked like Rarity was now blocking Fluttershy bodily from Sunset, like she was defending her new girlfriend. "Now... Now Sunset I can explain, we weren't..."

Sunset exploded, all thoughts of Mr. Shadow banished from her mind. "You what!? Weren't going to tell me you two were a thing!?" Rarity and Fluttershy were shaking their heads but it did nothing to placate the angry ex pony. "Well, that's fine Rarity! I'm sure you two will be happy!" She turned, storming off. "I'll tell everyone the wedding is canceled! Then I'm going home! At least the princess will be happy I'm home!" The other three girls stared at each other for half a minute before they all tried to catch up to Sunset.

A New Path

Sunset stormed up to the DJ's station where gentle background music was being played and grabbed the microphone. "Hello everyone!" Her voice was announced throughout the entire wedding. "Rarity and I would like to thank you all for coming! However since..." Sunset shimmer trailed off and stopped herself from saying 'cheating whore' she was angry but she couldn't do that. "Since we are a little behind schedule we'd like to thank you all for your patience." She sighed as she put the mic down and started to storm off. She was really pissed off, but she wasn't a monster. She wouldn't ruin Rarity's reputation, especially since she was leaving so it wouldn't matter to her anymore. She was quite thankful that she hadn't had a microphone outside the changing rooms. She would have not had so much restraint then.

Sunset saw Rainbow Dash, Rarity, and Fluttershy all hurrying after her. Turning to avoid them she turned right into a large black suit. Looking up slightly to see the perpetually heavy dark sunglass-wearing agent of the government. She sighed as she looked up at him, and he smiled, looking down at her. "Trouble?" She wouldn't have put it past him to have some gloating in that voice. He had been right, she wasn't going to be staying in the country after all.

Sunset made a throwing away gesture with her hand, trying to walk by the man saying. "Yeah, this isn't going to work. I'll have a ticket out of the country by tomorrow, that work for you?"

The man smiled and raised a hand, putting it on her shoulder and holding her in place. "Oh, I don't think you'll need a ticket to get back to Equestria Sunset Shimmer." Sunset Shimmer froze. She looked up and her eyes widened as red energy began to seep from behind his heavy sunglasses. Raising his other hand darkness began to flood the area. It was hard to make out around the area, but there were flying objects, tables, chairs, tresses, everything in a massive whirlwind of darkness. When her vision cleared Mr. Shadow was no longer a man in a suit.

King Sombra stood, still tall, but no more suit, no more sunglasses. Now the tall man had glowing green eyes, a massive main of black hair, and a wicked grin on his face. His body covered now in armor instead of normal clothes, along with a large cape to complete the look. He still held Sunset by the shoulder and smiled at her. "Welcome to my new world Sunset Shimmer." She pulled away violently but was surprised to find that he simply let her go. She figured out the reason when she looked around. Seeing her six friends gagged by shadows, and hoisted into the air, restrained and unable to act. "This will be my new empire. I, King Sombra, claim this world. And soon, all other worlds."

Sunset took a few steps further from King Sombra and looked about. The immediate area had been shifted, but she knew that if she could free her friends she could still fight the king. But her thoughts were interrupted by the king speaking again. "I have been watching you Sunset Shimmer." She looked back up at the king, who was walking up to his impromptu throne. "And you would make a fine lieutenant to command my armies!" She blinked, opening her mouth to speak then closing it. "Experience has taught me that I need more than mindless slaves to conquer Equestria. I need powerful warriors, who will, of course, be greatly rewarded from the spoils."

Sunset took a moment before answering. "You... Want me to fight for you...?"

King Sombra smiled. "Yes! Though I could find others, you would be my first choice! I, unlike your teacher, will not keep the secrets of power from you! You could be my warlord Sunset Shimmer, spreading my power throughout this world, throughout Equestria, and others! You would be second in authority only to me, and..." He smiled, raising a hand, which held seven small crystals on it. Sunset looked down, eyes widened, realizing that she didn't have her necklace on, then remembering, she and Rarity took them off for the ceremony, and apparently Sombra had taken the others. "I will return your powers! You would have claim to the choicest of lands, the most splendid of loot..." His eyes wandered over to the struggling group of girls he had captive, specifically the alabaster skinned one. "the first choice of slaves."

Sunset frowned, about to tell him to take a flying leap but then she stopped, thinking about the possibilities of... Everything. Her hesitation was all that Sombra needed to continue. "You once dreamed of returning to Equestria and showing your former teacher how much you've learned? Do so! Do so with the army of an empire at your back! Show that pathetic little kingdom what true fear means! You want Rarity? I give her to you. You want Celestia to be your prisoner? Take her, she is yours. You wish to rule Equestria? Do so in my name! Take whatever you want, your word will be second only to mine!" He leaned forward, holding out her crystal. "All you need to is take my offer!" Sombra knew that without the other crystals, Sunset's magic could not match his own, so really this was no risk.

Sunset took a few steps up towards the offered crystal, only to hear muffled screaming as her six friends protested. Sunset looked over to them, frowning a little as she narrowed her eyes at them then looked back at King Sombra who smiled and started up yet another monologue. It was all Sunset could do to keep from rolling her eyes, this king sure did like to hear himself talk. "Yes, they protest because they would drag you down with them into their defeat. But you're stronger than they are Sunset Shimmer. You have but two paths to choose from now. You can choose defeat, and surrender to become a slave in my army like your friends. Or you can choose victory! And rule at my side as my inheritor!" Sunset's eyes had wandered back to her friends before snapping back to King Sombra, widening. "Yes Sunset, be my heir. I have no son, no daughter, no mate. Come to my side, and rule at my side, claim all that is mine when I go to rule the next world as well!"

Sunset hesitated another moment, still hearing her friends muffled yells and screams to her, but then she smiled, reaching up and reaching her hand towards the offered crystal. "I get to keep three of them."

Sombra threw his head back and laughed in victory as the crystal was taken from his hand and Sunset put it back around her neck. "Agreed! You want Rarity, who else? Rainbow Dash and Applejack? They would make excellent personal bodyguards. After being properly motivated."

Sunset grinned, the dark flash behind her eyes only causing Sombra's grin to grow wider as she answered. "No, Rarity, Applejack, and Fluttershy. I want to make her watch." Sombra let out another wicked laugh, nodding his approval as Sunset turned and walked towards the prisoners.

"Oh very good! That! That is the kind of wickedness that you cannot teach! It must be cultivated from a soul that truly knows how the world works!" King Sombra stood up, taking a moment to put the remaining crystals around his own neck. "Now, we can't spare time for you to fully enjoy your new slaves, the military of this world is likely moving and we must respond. But we can spare a few minutes for you to gloat, it is only proper."

Sunset grinned as she walked directly towards the target of her heartbreak today, Rarity. Rarity squirmed and whimpered as she was approached, pain, sorrow, and betrayal reflect in her eyes. Sunset raised a hand to Rarity's chin, holding her gaze. Then Sunset's face broke into a genuine, soft smile as she leaned her forehead against Rarity's. Saying gently. "I love you Rarity. And I release you." Sunset wanted to say goodbye to all her friends, but as Sombra had said, there wasn't time, so she had to say goodbye to who was more important to her.

Sunset whipped around, shooting a long line of energy out of her hand at Sombra, who just laughed mockingly as he battered it aside. "So you've chosen the path the defeat and slavery." Sombra started to walk down his impromptu dais. "Very well." He pointed to the bundle of crystals he was now wearing. "You could not defeat me with only my own power, let alone with the powers of your friends."

Sunset smirked, taking a step away from Rarity. If she was Princess Twilight or any of the other princesses he'd be right. Her friends were human, not ponies. Humans had no inherent magic as all ponies did. They couldn't have that power surge forth despite the absence of their elements and gems. She was alone in facing all the powers of her friends and King Sombra. But Sunset Shimmer wasn't Twilight Sparkle, she wasn't Princess Celestia, she wasn't pure. She raised a hand, gathering a ball of glowing magical energy in it. She poured everything she was into that ball, her love, her anger, her very soul. For that is one of the forbidden magics she had learned. To sacrifice your life force for greater magic power. She raised a hand, looking back at her friends, all watching her intently as she gave them a smile. "I choose a new path Sombra. And it goes through you!"

As she harnessed the last of her life force, leaving nothing up to chance that Sombra might survive, she started to glow brightly. Ethereal wings billowed out behind her, a horn made of light extended from her forehead and she grinned. In her last moments, she was as she had always wanted to be, how she had always pursued any knowledge to find how to become. Were these last few moments at the end of her life enough for her? Sunset nodded, smiling widely as she raised her hand, it was enough. With a magical blast that hadn't been seen even in Equestria, Sunset Shimmer released her spell. Letting it fly forth in a concentrated beam right towards Sombra. Though he tried to reflect it, it pierced right through his chest, and he exploded in a puff of shadow. This time, Sunset was certain he was gone, scourged away by light stronger than the sun itself.

Sunset felt it then, she was not human any longer, she had poured all of that into her spell. She raised a hand to see that she was now only light, she was fading with the last remnants of her spell. She turned her head, though she didn't have ears, she felt like she heard a distant song, calling her onwards. Turning she saw a figure, a hooded figure, tall and imposing, but holding out a hand, offering to take her with it. She smiled as she took a step forward, only to pause, hearing a quiet, broken, "Sunset..." She turned to see Rarity looking up at her from the ground. Sunset smiled, she could no longer hold any grudge against anything Rarity had done, or what she thought Rarity had done. King Sombra manipulated them into fighting, it was not their fault. But also, in the grand scheme of things, it no longer mattered.

Past all the fighting, the emotions, and the arguments. After they had their fun, went on their dates, hung out and played games. After everything that happened, there was, and would always be their friendship. Sunset was now light, she couldn't speak. Even as she reached out, to take the bony hand offered to her by the creature she knew to be the Grim Reaper, she turned her head, locking eyes with Rarity. Raising a hand to incorporeal lips, she blew her wife a kiss. Turning slightly Sunset inclined her head to all of her friends. She then turned away from them, following her escort to the next world. She'd see her friends again eventually, but until then, this was the end for them. And she couldn't think of a better one.