Sunset,

Please write when you get the chance! I don’t know what’s going on, but Pinkie suddenly had the biggest meltdown I’ve ever seen from her ever. Started ranting about needing to get to you and that you were in trouble. I know you’re in the East right now, so I don’t know if this will even reach you, but please, write and let us know you’re okay.

Rainbow Dash

*****

Sunny! Please be okay. Please please please write us! I know somethings wrong! You have to write back! Please! I know you’re in trouble. Write back! Please! Please! Please! I’ve never felt a doozy like that before! Please! You have to be okay! You have to be okay

Pinkie

*****

Sunset,

Pinkie’s gone crazier than usual. I don’t know what’s gotten into her, but she’s been ranting about how you’re in trouble, and that we need to find you. Write back when you get the chance, just to put her mind at ease. Miss you, sis. Festival just wasn’t the same without you.

Love,

AJ

*****

Sunset,

We just heard the news. Please write back and let us know you’re okay. Everyone’s worried. Let us know you’re alright as soon as you can.

Love,

AJ

*****

Hey Kiddo,

Bad news. I’ve made the arrangements with Raven and your oath-sister’s families. You’ll be seeing them two weeks after you get back from Roseluck’s place. Don’t ask to bring them to Mt. Liakeed. We’re already pushing things with Raven as is.

Try to have fun, okay.

DW

P.S. Don’t mention my name to your oath-sisters. You know why.

*****

Dear AJ, Rainbow and Pinkie,

I was told by one of Raven’s agents that she’s letting you visit. You have no idea how much I’m looking forward to seeing all three of you. Sorry to worry you. I don’t know what you’ve heard, but I’ll explain what happened when you get to Heliopolis. I know you want details. But I’d rather tell you myself. Just know that it was thanks to Raven and Roseluck that things didn’t turn out worse. And they could have.

I can’t tell you how much I’ve missed you. Philomena’s been looking forward to finally meeting all of you too. A bit of warning though: she doesn’t like anyone but me touching her. Pinkie, I’m saying this for your benefit specifically. You’re not fireproof. No, that isn’t a challenge either. I know she looks very huggable, but I’m asking you as a favor: respect her space. I don’t want to watch Raven practice renewal magic on a full-body burn wound.

See you in a couple of weeks.

Sunset

*****

Two weeks.

Two weeks had passed since her return to Mt. Liakeed. Two weeks since the end of the Fall Havest Festival. Two weeks since Queen Celestia had placed her in the White Room to ensure every trace of chaos-taint had been purged.

The memory of the Queen's expression branded itself in her mind - first a subtle, anxious worry, melting into quiet relief. It was the second time she’d seen the Queen show that much emotion. 'Surreal' was the only word she grasped to describe it.

After, she returned to her lessons with a new sense of purpose. She counted each of the fourteen days, tracked the hours, spent hours in the forge aimlessly hammering out sheets of metal to burn off the anxious energy in anticipation for today.

Because today, her oath-sisters were coming to Chromos.

No lessons.

No appointments.

No fancy clothes, or proper etiquette, or having to live up to expectations of her station.

Nothing except being herself, getting away from the Cathedral of the Sun, and spending time with the most important people in her life.

That was, at least when Raven and Dyllis arrived.

She tried being patient, but the excited mass roiling within could only be tamed so much. She'd risen at the first light of the Sun, preparing in its early, cool pale light. She ate, bathed, dressed in the same well-worn and well-loved clothes she brought with her before the Ascension, and by the hour's end was ready to go.

The only problem?

She still had two hours left before they would leave. Sitting on the couch with a book in hand, it didn't take long for her patience to completely burn off. She tapped her foot, drummed her fingers, flicked her attention between the door, the clock.

When that got boring she looked instead to her windows, the sun outside, and Philomena perched on the back of the couch.

She looked at the clock again. Less than a minute had passed.

Her leg bounced faster.

What’s taking them so long? Sunset sent as she tossed her book down, shot to her feet and paced.

I don’t know. Seneschal stuff?

Sunset stopped and glared at Philomena, who just stared back smugly. But she’s late! She’s never late!

She’s not ‘late,’ Sunset. She still has forty minutes before she’s ‘late.’

Sunset shot a look at the clock, sending an irritated shove to Philomena when she realized her bondmate was right.

Don’t act like you’re not excited about this. I can feel it.

I am. But I’m also trying to be the calm and rational one in this bond. As usual.

Sunset was about to retort, but stopped herself. As much as she was loath to admit it, she knew Philomena had a point. Crossing her arms and turning her back, Sunset pouted. I find that assertion very dubious, feather-butt.

And you’re being impatient again, sun-butt.

Sunset wheeled around, puffing out her cheeks and stomping her foot to emphasize her sending.

You’re storming right, I'm being impatient! Can you blame me?! I haven’t seen my oath-sisters – my real, honest to Celestia and Harmony oath-sisters – for a quarter of a year. I’ve missed them so much, it was killing me. Dreaming darkness, it almost did kill me. After everything we went through, I need – no, I deserve to see them! Despite not having spoken aloud, Sunset’s breathing was heavy, like she’d just run from one end of the cathedral to the other.

You’re right. You do deserve to see them, Philomena sent with a nod and a wave of sympathy. But acting like a brat isn’t going to make it happen any faster. Or encourage Raven to make it a recurring thing.

Fine, Sunset sent with a huff, walking back to the couch and flopping down. I still think we could have done it earlier.

I’m sure Raven has her reasons. Philomena looked thoughtful for a moment. Reasons that don’t amount to ‘making you miserable.’

You’re not going to let me out from under that rock, are you, feather-butt? Sunset sent and slumped back into the cushions, leaned her head back and covered her face in her hands.

Not until it stops being funny, Philomena teased.

Lowering her hands, Sunset glared at Philomena. Then, let out a soft chuckle, she cracked a smile and sent a playful shove through their bond.

Standing, Sunset walked over to her workbench and pulled out a set of practice runestones and her etching tools. Well, as long as we’re waiting, I may as well be productive.

Better that than watching you get yourself worked up at least.

Glad you’re enjoying the show, Mena, Sunset sent with a sarcastic poke, setting her rune etching guide onto its stand. Sitting down and grabbing her carving pen, she spent a few minutes reading the instructions. Once she felt she had them down, she began engraving a tier three rune she was currently mastering.

Sunset’s concentration was broken some time and one and a half practice carvings later by a knock on her door. Tossing her pen and runestone down on her workbench, she shot to her feet, sending her workstool to the ground as she flew to the door, nearly slamming into it in her haste. Without bothering to compose herself, she all but tore the door open to find Raven and Dylis on the other side.

From Raven’s quirked eyebrow, Sunset knew she’d heard her… enthusiasm.

“I trust you’re ready to go, Sunset?” Raven asked, the barest touch of a smirk on her face.

“Yes! Yes! I’ve been ready for hours!” Sunset cheered, composing herself at a combination of Raven’s deadpan stare, Dylis’s annoyed headcock, and a sharp shove from Philomena. “I mean, yes, Raven, I'm ready.”

“Good. Shall we then?”

“Yes, Raven,” Sunset said, a bright, glowing smile spreading across her face as she held out her arm for Philomena.

*****

The sky-rail ride from Mt. Liakeed was longer than usual. At least, that’s how Sunset felt. More than once, she found herself at the front of the sky-car, watching as the walls of the Corona slowly grow closer and closer. Only to head back to her seat and sit, her leg bouncing impatiently before rising again to check if they’d arrived.

“Sunset,” Raven said to her as she returned to her seat yet again, “I understand you’re excited, but we’ll arrive when we arrive.”

“Can you blame me?” Sunset asked, her fingers drumming on the seat impatiently.

“No, but you’re also building yourself up to a wildfire. Try to relax. You’ll get to spend the next couple of days with them.”

Sunset only half-paid attention to Raven, her focus on the glacially slowly approaching wall of the Corona in the distance.

“I’m just happy you’re letting me see them at all, instead of keeping me locked up in the cathedral.”

“It crossed my mind. Roseluck and Dawn Wings argued against the idea.”

Silently thanking both of the women in question, Sunset smirked mischievously. “Maybe I should ask them for lessons on persuasion.”

“That’s not going to happen, Sunset.” Raven’s voice softened as that crooked half smile of hers graced her lips. “I have enough stress headaches in my life. I don’t need any more.”

A short, nervous laugh escaped Sunset’s throat. “Well, headaches or not, I’m just glad that they convinced you.”

Raven leaned back in her seat and reached up to Dylis, who rubbed his head against her hand. “It wasn’t that hard, honestly. I said it crossed my mind. I didn’t say I ever really considered it. And after the events of the festival, I doubt keeping you ‘locked up’ in the Cathedral would have been a good idea.”

Sunset let out a soft sigh while Philomena fluttered down to the seat cushion next to her, then hopped into her lap. “I’d rather have gone to Golden Tree. But I think I finally understand why I can’t.”

“That’s very mature of you, Sunset.” The corner of Raven’s mouth twisted down slightly. “This had to happen for more reasons than you know.”

A lump formed in Sunset’s throat. There was unsettling, almost ominous what Raven had said. It got her full, undivided attention for the first time since they’d entered the sky-car.

Sunset carefully asked, “What do you mean?”

“Sunset, you nearly died from Chaos-tainted ul’muri. Right now, you’re wounded. And wounds like those, will fester and rot if we don’t treat them. Your oath-sisters are going to help the healing process.” Raven’s voice was solemn as she leaned forward, lacing her fingers together and resting her chin on the resulting arch. “But understand that treating them won’t be pleasant.”

A familiar sense of ice crept its way into Sunset’s gut as she processed what Raven had just told her.

“I don’t like the sound of that.”

“Sunset, what you’ve gone through is not something that’s ever going to truly go away. I can treat the wounds, but there will be scars.”

Sunset shrank back a little. Philomena tried to comfort her, sending feelings of love and safety while snuggling against her belly. Wrapping her arms around Philomena, she pulled the phoenix closer, savoring the warmth of her bondmate’s presence and feathery body.

Eventually, Sunset forced out a reply. “General Sentry said something like that too. Something about the scars he carries from his fight with Hydea.”

Raven nodded, closing her eyes and taking a deep breath in through her nose and out her mouth with a sigh. “He’s right. And it is because I failed him that I’m trying not to make the same mistakes with you.”

That… didn’t sit right with Sunset. What Hydea had done to General Sentry was unfathomably cruel. As much as she didn’t like him, even he didn’t deserve what that hag had done.

“But you didn’t fail him. It was Hydea’s fault. Not yours.”

“That’s not what I meant, Sunset.” Raven closed her eyes and shook her head. “I’m talking about what happened after he returned.”

All of Sunset’s thoughts came slammed into a boulder. Staring at the Royal Seneschal, she tried to make sense of what she’d just claimed. But no matter how she tried, she couldn’t.

“When he returned?”

“Yes, Sunset. When he returned with Hydea’s severed head, he was gravely wounded physically, mentally… and spiritually. I could have done something for him, but refused to. Made excuses that Solaria needed me. It did. But I could have made the time to help him. He and I, we’d already been fighting for decades, but it was never more than the bickering of siblings. The Blight War changed that.”

Raven paused and leaned her forehead against the back of her hands. Hopping off his perch, Dylis landed next to her and rubbed his head against her elbow, trilling softly. A tight knot formed in Sunset’s chest at the sight. In her lap, Philomena mirrored the gesture, while sending feelings of comfort and love. Sending back a wave of gratitude, Sunset gently petted her bondmate’s head.

“Why?”

“Far too many reasons for me to get into. But, the boulder in the sand was Sweet Stuff. When she died, I was despondent and angry, memories of the Splintering and the deaths of my fellow phoenix-born driving themselves to the surface. So I blamed General Sentry. Told him that if he’d just been quicker, Sweet Stuff would still be alive.”

Raven took and let out another slow breath.

“The two of them were close, Sunset. I have my suspicions of just how close, but neither of them ever confided in me, and I wasn’t going to pry. It wasn’t my place. By the time I learned exactly what Hydea had done to him, it was too late. Had I not let my bitterness blind me, things may have been different between us.”

Raven removed her glasses and rubbed her temples, sighing sadly.

“I won’t let that happen to you. Not if I can help it. So, we’re going to treat your wounds before they metastasize. Cleaning out the necrosis won’t be pleasant, but it's necessary. No matter how much it might hurt. Do you understand?”

Sunset swallowed down the rock in her throat, nodding at Raven.

“I guess.”

“You’re going to be fine, Sunset. I promise.”

“If you say so,” Sunset said, an uncertain quaver in her voice as she hugged Philomena tighter.

*****

Pulling into the terminal, the four of them transferred to a new sky-rail heading to west Chromos. Sunset's feet trudged along the walk. Her mood - what had been that morning the brightest shining day - fell to gloomy dusk.

She and Philomena spent much of the second branch of the trip trying to figure out exactly what it was that Raven meant by “treating her wounds.” Did it have to do with her hallucinations? They were infrequent, but Sunset still had brief flashes of the ulmuri’s visions. Could that be what Raven was referring to?

But how did that relate to her sisters? Was their visit to prove that they didn’t want her gone? Sure, the idea of their rejection terrified her, but didn’t their letters show that they still loved her? If they didn’t, they wouldn’t be so worried. If they wanted her gone, they wouldn’t be coming to Heliopolis to see her.

So how was this visit supposed to help her heal?

Try as they might, neither she and Philomena could figure it out. They were still tumbling around the idea by the time they exited the sky-rail and transferred to a carriage. Riding through the streets and neighborhoods, Sunset tried to put Raven’s words out of her mind. She had more important things to think about than some nebulous wound that she needed to recover from. It could wait until later. Her oath-sisters were more important right now.

Sunset stared out the carriage windows. In the distance, the she saw the telltale glint of sun on a band of prominence knights hovering above a high marble wall. Hovering with them were three brass wyverns, including the massive form of Vanlethar, the drake who escorted her to and from the Eastern Territory.

Her previous excitement returned in full force. All the heightened security could only mean one thing: they had almost reached their destination.

It took far too long for Sunset’s liking for the carriage to reach the park’s gate. She wanted to rush out the door the moment they came to a stop, but restrained herself. She didn’t want to leave Philomena behind. And she didn’t want to do anything that would make Raven decide this was the last time her oath-sisters could visit for the next decade.

Offering Philomena her arm, Sunset followed Raven and Dylis through the line of prominence knights at the park’s gate. The moment she stepped through, the sight before her sent a jolt of warm nostalgia and blast of icy trepidation up her spine and into the base of her skull where they battled against one for dominance.

Before her were hundreds of gnarled yet majestic oak trees growing in a sea of golden bunchgrasses across gently rolling hills. Further in, she caught sight of other trees and shrubs on the slope of a hill or along creek and river corridors. A warm breeze wafted across the landscape, ticking her nose with the familiar smell of drying leaves, dirt, dust, and the unmistakable perfume of blooming vumili and wild roses. The only thing that was out of place was the winding stone walkway leading from the gate off into the distance.

She stood dumbfounded at the sight. It… it was the Western Territory. Down to the last tiny detail. As though a slice of her home had been carved out, transported, and dropped into the heart of Chromos.

You okay there, sun-butt? Philomena’s concern laced the sending as she nuzzled up against the side of Sunset’s head, trilling softly.

I… I’m seeing this. Tell me I’m seeing this. Sunset desperately tried to reconcile with what was before her.

You are.

Philomena’s confirmation broke her out of her stupor.

“Raven?” Sunset nervously asked. “Has this always been here?”

“Yes, Sunset, it has. And before you ask, I was going to bring you here eventually as a surprise present when you regained your magic. I’d even intended to have your oath-sisters and other friends from Golden Tree in attendance.”

“I'd rather just know about it to begin with,” Sunset pouted.

Raven’s expression didn’t change, but Sunset could tell that she had slipped into teacher mode when she said, “And did you give me a reason to think you’d stay focused on your studies if I had told you about your prize beforehand?”

She’s got you there, Sunset.

Your opinion is noted, feather-butt, Sunset retorted with a shove through their bond, while sighing, “It might’ve motivated me, you know.”

“Perhaps. Or you would have obsessed about it and lost focus on your studies. Which do you think I judged was the most likely outcome given your behavior and attitude?”

Sunset looked away, face hot and chest tightening. “I guess I see your point.”

A hand touched Sunset's shoulder. She tensed and glanced up, relaxing upon seeing the sympathy in Raven’s eyes.

“You’re here now, Sunset.” Flipping open her pocket watch, Raven nodded to herself. “Your oath-sisters should be arriving soon. You don’t want to keep them waiting, right?”

Sunset had a nagging feeling that Raven was trying to distract her, but chose not to throw twigs onto that fire.

Besides, she was right. She wanted to be there when her oath-sisters arrived. After all, she owed them all several months worth of hugs and fun. And that was a debt she was more than happy to pay off.

“Right,” Sunset said, nodding enthusiastically.

Rising into the air, Raven offered her arm to Dylis, who climbed on and took to the sky moments later.

“Then, shall we be on our way.”

Following Raven’s lead and helping Philomena off her shoulder, Sunset nodded. Once above the trees, the four of them flew towards a large lake in the distance. Drawing closer, Sunset picked out new details along the lake’s shore. A small number of Western style wood and stone cabins scattered along the large, open, grassy shoreline. The entire area was dotted with the telltale glint of prominence-knight armor, feathers, scales and carapaces. And several large, circular stone slabs embedded in the earth. Sunset’s excitement kindled brighter as they drew closer; the sight reminding her of Golden Tree’s festival grounds.

Sunset, look!

Philomena’s excited sending pulled Sunset out of her fixation. Opening their bond, she accepted Philomena’s unspoken request to share her vision. There, in the sky what had to be kilometers away, they saw a small, brassy shape.

That has to be them! Excitement swirled around in Sunset’s chest. As did a small, nagging sense of dread. One she pushed aside. She was just nervous about her visit. Nothing more.

Sunset tried to ignore the amused feeling coming through the bond as Philomena sent No, really? I would never have guessed that.

Smirking to herself, Sunset turned over in the air, flying backwards to look at her bondmate. Well, I’m the brains of this operation, so that makes sense.

You keep telling yourself that, sun-butt.

I don’t need to tell myself something that’s true when I know it's true, Sunset sent with a giggle, one that grew stronger when Philomena sent a shove through their bond and let out a soft hiss of annoyance.

‘Just a few more minutes,’ Sunset thought, staring at the metallic speck in the distance, happy images of her oath-sisters swirling in her head. ‘Just a few more minutes.’

*****

The dull thud of her shoes drummed in Sunset’s ears as she paced back and forth on one of the circular stones. Behind her, Raven and both phoenixes were relaxing on the deck of one of the cabins, the former drinking tea while the latter had their attention fixated on her. Through their link, she could tell Philomena was very amused by Sunset’s impatience. Something she suspected Dylis was doing as well, given the look on his face.

She did her best to ignore them, instead looking to the sky every few minutes as the brass wyvern carrying her sisters grew ever closer. Tempted as she was to fly up to meet them, she restrained herself. She’d been patient this long.

She could wait a few more minutes.

Slower than she thought possible, the wyvern grew larger and larger, until she could see not only her, but her escort of prominence knights. Then the howdah on her back became visible, and Sunset found herself once again bouncing on the balls of her feet.

The drakiana began to descend towards the far side of the gathering area, and Sunset saw three familiar splashes of color just peaking over the edge of the howdah. Seeing them, a strange, unpleasant feeling crept its way into her throat and into the back of her mind. She pushed it aside. She was just nervous. That was all.

Unable to contain herself, Sunset leapt into the air and raced towards where the drakiana was going to land. Through their link, she felt Philomena’s mirth at her inability to control herself. But she didn’t care.

Her oath-sisters were here. That was the only thing that mattered.

She’d crossed half the distance to the landing site as the drakiana landed and lowered herself to the ground. Once settled, a sun-touched stood from within the howdah, opened the side door, kicked down a rope-ladder, and stood back to let the other passengers off.

And her world suddenly and violently slammed into a metal wall.

Rainbow Dash was the first to disembark, not even bothering with the ladder. Instead, she took to the air, hovering above the howdah to take in the facsimile of their home.

‘C’mon, Shimmer, don’t be shy. We just want to undo the biggest mistake we ever made in our lives.’

Bands of icey, primal terror constricted Sunset’s chest freezing her in mid-air, her eyes fixed on Rainbow Dash.

She couldn’t breathe.

Sunset? Sunset, what’s wrong?

Applejack descended the ladder, wobbling unsteadily once her feet touched the ground, then dropped to her hands and knees, her fists gripping the grasses.

‘If yah loved us, then yah wouldn’t have started ah feud with ah bunch ah nobles yah had no chance tah beat.’

Her breaths came in short, shallow gasps, flashes of blue-robes, obsidian blades and bloodied eyes fighting with the world before her.

Pinkie vaulted over the side of the howdah, laughing as she somehow slid down the drakiana’s tail and off the bladed tip, somersaulting in the air. Landing on her feet, Pinkie was at AJ’s side moments later, rubbing her back comfortingly.

‘You took everything from us, Sunny. So now, we’re going to take everything from you.’

The sound of her heart hammering in her chest drowned out everything else around her.

Memories of dead and dying trees, rancid winds, a destroyed Golden Tree, and the nothingness that was the entity came roaring back. Gone was the park. The gathering stones. The lake. The drakiana. All that she could see was the Chaos-corrupted landscape she’d barely escaped from with her life.

Slowly. Unconsciously. She started drifting backwards.

Sunset! Sunset, calm down!

Rainbow spotted her and waved, shouting “Hey, Sunset!”

Pinkie and AJ’s attention turned towards her.

“SUNNY!” Pinkie cheered, jumping into the air, she began running towards Sunset, arms outstretched and ready to grapple Sunset to the ground.

“Sunset!” AJ called, staggering to her feet and slowly jogging after the other two.

The dam broke.

The hammering in her ears became a roar.

All rational thought left her, and was replaced with blinding panic.

“NO! STAY AWAY!” Sunset screamed.

Sunset!

Sunset turned and sped off in the opposite direction as fast as she could. She heard the other girls’ dismayed cries. They were only a distant whisper through the haze of her flight.

*****

Soft, pain filled sobs filled the oaken grove.

Sunset didn’t know how far she flew. Or where. Only that when the haze finally lifted and her rational mind reasserted itself, she’d found herself in some distant corner of the park, hugging her legs to her chest and crying into her knees. Peripherally, she felt Philomena approaching, her worry almost as overwhelming as Sunset’s own guilt. She wanted to reach out, but Sunset kept their bond only open enough to feel Philomena. Not hear her sendings.

She knew that if she did, Philomena would try to reassure or comfort her. And she didn’t want that right now.

Because she’d burnt things to the ground with her oath-sisters.

She knew it.

Just reduced them to ash and blew them away in the wind.

Did they think she hated them now? Would they even want to talk to her? Would they ask Raven to send them home?

Scenario after disastrous scenario played out in her head. And all of them had one thing in common.

The thing she was most afraid of was coming to pass.

Her oath-sisters were going to leave her.

Philomena’s presence reached it’s zenith as the sound of wingbeats reached her, followed by a gust of air to her left. Moments later, a warm body press against her side, the sound of worried trilling filling her ears along with Philomena’s head rubbing against her hand. From the pleading sensations, Philomena wanted her to open their bond enough to share their voices.

A new sound reached her ears: the crunch of drying grass being crushed by something landing. Philomena’s nuzzling stopped, a string of worried shrieks and warbles directed at the new arrival, along with a few garbled words in phoenix-speak, and a sense of relief trickling into Sunset’s mind.

The newcomer didn't say a word as they walked over to her. Instead, they sat down to her right, the sound of crunching grass and crinkling of bark telling Sunset that they’d leaned back against the tree’s trunk.

The three of them sat under the oaks for she didn’t know how long. Part of her never wanted to leave. To just sit here and wallow in her own misery until she starved. Only to dismiss the idea as a soft, feathered body pressed back against her hand and warbled sadly. If she died, that would kill Philomena too. And no matter how much she hated herself, she couldn’t do that to her bondmate. Extending her fingers, Sunset felt Philomena rub her beak against the extended digits, a pleasant tickling sensation running up them as the phoenix began nibbling them gently and affectionately.

“How mad are they?”

Sunset braced for the answer that was going to come, a nasty, sick feeling twisting around in her guts like some sort of oily snake.

“They aren’t.” Raven’s calm, dispassionate tone might have normally annoyed her. But this time, she found it inexplicably calming. “Just confused and sad that you ran away the way you did. But mostly worried about you.”

A part of her felt relief. Another felt worse.

“Why? I wanted to see them. I’ve wanted to see them every day since I came here.” Sunset curled in tighter, trying to make herself as small as possible. “So why did I shatter like that?”

“You know why, Sunset.”

Sunset gritted her teeth and took a deep, ragged breath as Philomena sent waves of calm, trying to keep her from exploding again.

“You knew this would happen, didn't you? When you were talking about scars, this is what you meant.”

“It was one possibility, yes.”

“You could have warned me.”

“I did. I warned you that you were wounded, and we would need to treat the wounds before they scarred over.”

“By letting me ignite and run away from my oath-sisters?”

“Yes. Heartless as it may seem, it was the best way to help you.”

Red hot fire erupted in her chest as Sunset finally lifted her head and glared at Raven, snarling “Have dreams, Raven! I don’t care if it was the ‘best way’ to ‘start the healing process’! You could have told me something. Given me a warning! Anything!”

To her chagrin, Sunset’s tirade just washed over Raven like a breeze against a boulder. After a moment, Raven leaned back against the tree and looked up to the sky.

“I would love to be able to dream again, Sunset. I did, before the Splintering. I… we still would, if not for the Traitor denying us that gift.” Raven’s voice took on an icy edge, even as her demeanor remained the same. Sunset had to suppress a shudder. Not just from the tone in Raven’s voice, but from her revelation. The idea of dreaming… it was revolting. It wasn’t a gift. It was an invasion of her mind and a distortion of reality. Like the ulmuri.

And Raven claimed to miss it?

“As for telling you, if I had, you would have fought it. Tried to push it down and control it. That’s not what you needed. You needed to flush the wound out. Now that it's been cleaned, you’re ready for the next treatment.”

Sunset let go of her legs, extending them out and leaning back against the tree. The moment she was settled Philomena jumped into her lap and snuggled up against her belly.

“And what is that?”

“By going back, facing your fears, and spending time with your oath-sisters.”

A harsh, humorless laugh burst from Sunset’s throat.

“You make it sound so easy. How am I supposed to do that when I panic when I’m around them.”

“Sounding easy and being easy are two very different things, Sunset. You should know that by now. Healing is going to take time and effort. But if you don’t take the first step, you won’t heal. And if you don’t heal, you’ll lose them. Permanently.” Raven turned her head slightly to look over at Sunset. “Unlike you, they’re not immortal.”

Sunset went rigid, eyes wide as her gaze and attention snapped on Raven. A deep, oily dread welled up and boiled through her veins.

"What did you say?”

"You heard me."

It wasn't an accusation, neither angry nor demeaning. Simply a statement of fact

The dam holding back the tide in her chest broke, the dawning horror of Raven’s revelation nearly driving her to tears. Again. She stared down at Philomena, trying to focus her thoughts enough to grasp the magnitude of it. Of all the changes in her life, her immortality had been the one that felt the most distant. So much so that she hadn’t really considered exactly what it meant. She couldn’t. It was too big. Too daunting.

But as much as she wanted to deny it, she couldn’t.

Her oath-sisters. Her friends. Her family. Tender Heart. Lyra. Flitter. Lilac. Lily. Daisy. Bronze. Pinkie Pie. Applejack. Rainbow Dash.

The people she cared about. The people who mattered the most in her life. They were mortal. Someday, they’d grow old and return to Nitor.

Yet she would remain. Potentially for thousands of years.

Philomena tried to comfort her with warm sendings of love, hope and joy, but they did little to pierce the mounting frigid horror gripping her mind. Finally reopening their link, Sunset sent, Mena, they’re all going to die someday.

I know, Sunset. Philomena’s sending was soft and sympathetic.

I… I can’t take that. I can’t. They mean as much to me as you do.

Philomena remained quiet, continuing to send sympathetic feelings to her distraught bondmate. Sunset hugged Philoemna to her chest, fighting back more tears.

Raven squeezed her shoulder, yanking her from the despair.

“What am I supposed to do, Raven?” Sunset hiccuped. “I don’t want them to die.”

“There’s nothing you can do about that, Sunset. All you can do is cherish the time you have with them so that you don’t regret it when they’re gone.”

“That’s not fair. Why do they have to die when we live forever?”

Raven closed her eyes and shook her head solemnly.

“Those aren’t questions I can answer, Sunset. No matter how many times I’ve asked them over my life. All I can tell you is that regret is a terrible burden for an immortal.” Raven rubbed her shoulder sympathetically. “I don’t want you to have to bear that pain, especially so early.”

Lowering her head, Sunset gazed into Philomena’s eyes filled with worry.

I hate when she makes sense, Sunset sent.

She has a habit of doing that, doesn’t she?

She does. Doesn’t make it any less annoying.

So, where does that leave us?

I’m afraid it leaves us asking her what to do next, Sunset sent, while asking Raven, “So, what do I do?”

“I already told you.”

“And after they leave? What then? You said it yourself. They’re not immortal. How am I supposed to–” Sunset stopped mid-sentence, a hopeful thought entering her mind. A vain hope, perhaps, but one she was willing to grasp at. “Raven, could they stay with me on Mt. Liakeed?”

Sunset’s heart sank as Raven shook her head.

“You have your studies to attend to. If your oath-sisters stayed, they would be a distraction,” Raven paused for a moment. Sunset could see the ideas being born and dying behind her ancient off-orange eyes. “How about we make a deal, Sunset. I’m willing to arrange visits with your oath-sisters–”

Instinctively, Sunset opened her mouth. Raven raised a finger, silencing her before she could respond.

“Let me finish first. I’m willing to arrange for them to visit if you meet a study goal. Every month, both the Queen and I will give you an objective. If you meet our expectations, I’ll let you visit with your oath-sisters for a day. I might be willing to extend it to two days, if you do especially well.”

Sunset couldn’t believe what she was hearing. It was almost too good to be true. Which, she realized, it probably was. There were always layers with Raven.

“What’s the catch?” Sunset asked, trying to keep her voice calm.

That hint of a smile returned to Raven’s face.

“If you don’t meet your monthly progress requirement, you don’t get a visit until you’ve caught up with the previous month’s goal and the current one.”

Tumbling things over in her head, Sunset realized what Raven was saying.

“But, that means if I fall behind, I’ll have to work even harder to catch up,” Sunset protested.

Raven nodded. “It does. Consider it motivation to not fall behind. We won’t make it impossible to complete each month. But they will be enough that you have to stay focused on progressing if you want to earn your visit.”

With a sigh, Sunset leaned back against the tree. “There’s a lesson in there too, right?”

“Very astute, Sunset.”

“And if I turn down the deal, I don’t get to see them until I finish my training?”

“Or I deem it a worthwhile reward for a particularly exceptional milestone.”

Once again tumbling the ideas around, Sunset wanted to groan. What choice did she have, really? As awful as her shattering had been, she still wanted… no, needed her oath-sisters in her life. Especially in light of Raven bringing the consequences of their mortality into the light. Taking Raven’s deal meant she’d have a way to see them. It just meant she’d have to work for it.

She almost found herself laughing at the thought.

Story of my life, Mena.

Oh? You mean having to work for everything?

Yea. I only stopped because I didn’t have a goal I cared about. Or because I was being stubborn and hot-headed.

You? Stubborn and hot-headed? No, that’s silly.

Funny, feather-butt. I just need to choose my words carefully. Raven’s not a kirintal, but I’m not going to jump in carelessly. That’s one lesson I’ve learned the hard way.

“I… would like to take that deal… but I’m only going to agree to it after we sit down and figure out the details. But I’m… open to the idea.”

The expresion Raven’s face shifted to an amused and pleased half smile. One that Sunset suspected was rarer than natural true-iron. “That’s a good response, Sunset. And, I give you my word that when we do, we can find an arrangement that we can both be happy with.”

Rising to her feet, Raven offered her a hand. One that Sunset took after letting Philomena climb onto her arm and transferring her to her shoulder. “Now, we should probably get back. Your oath-sisters need to see you just as much as you need to see them. Especially Miss Pie.”

Sunset chose to ignore the implication, hoping that Pinkie was alright.

*****

Trepidation clawed at Sunst’s chest, gnawing her guts like a thousand little insects. She and Raven approached the lake, the air feeling thick as mud as they flew.

What was meant to be a joyful reunion with her oath-sisters had soured into something else. She didn't know what it had become yet, but so far, she didn't like it. How she was meant to handle it, she knew even less.

A month ago, she wouldn't have trusted Raven when she’d said that things were salvageable. She wouldn’t have trusted Raven with much of anything, if she was honest with herself. Yet, after everything that had happened, and the lengths Raven had gone to to save her life? She was willing to believe her. She wouldn’t be using the promise of further visits from her oath-sisters if the situation was hopeless.

So she flew a few meters behind Raven, letting her lead the way to where Pinkie, AJ and Rainbow were waiting. Once they arrived, Raven would go first, talk to the girls, and bring them over. And hopefully she could avoid panicking again.

They flew over the lake’s surface, the shoreline with the cabins growing ever closer. Nearing the shore, Sunset spotted four familiar swatches of color sitting on the porch of one of the cabins: Dylis, along with her oath-sisters.

Once again, the visions returned. As hard as she tried, she couldn’t separate the girls in the distance from the nothing-eyed phantoms. Yet, the moment the visions began to form cracks in her mind, a wave of hot, righteous rejection and dismissal slammed into her, welding the cracks shut.

That’s not real! Philomena sent, along with an offer for Sunset to see things through her eyes.

Taking a deep breath and focusing on her meditations, Sunset relented, the new perspective parallel to her own. Through Philomena’s eyes, she saw the girls in greater detail than she could with even developing sky-runner sight. The sight made Sunset’s heart sink. AJ was hunched over on the porch’s steps, her hat in her hands, slowly turning it as she stared down at the ground, looking drained and morose. Next to her, Rainbow was holding Pinkie, one of her wings draped around the taller girl’s shoulder, holding her against her chest. Even from this distance, Sunset could tell that Rainbow was trying to be stoic, but barely holding it together. And then there was Pinkie. She was oddly still, her hair completely straight and flaccid as she stared off into the distance, looking as though she didn’t understand what was going on, or what to think.

This is reality, Sunset. Do they look like they want to hurt you?

No, Sunset admitted.

Taking a few more deep breaths, Sunset pushed the visions aside. As she did, Philomena’s sight faded, leaving Sunset with only her own. She was right. They weren’t real. The three girls down at the cabin, they were the real ones. Not the phantoms.

“Why don’t you wait there,” Raven said, pointing to one of the gathering stones. “Is there one of your oath-sisters you want me to bring first.”

“Actually, could you bring all three at once, please.”

Raven nodded. Without another word, she flew off towards the cabin.

I’m going to wait with my brother, if you don’t mind, Philomena sent, eyeing the banister where Dylis had perched. I don’t trust Pinkie not to get grabby.

She isn’t that bad, Sunset sent as she began to descend.

Your memories of her non-existent self-control say otherwise, sun-butt.

Landing on the stone, Sunset sent a poke to Philomena, as well as a feeling of irritation and defiance. She has self-control when she wants to.

I’ll believe it when I see it.

Sunset refused to dignify Philomena’s comment as she landed next to the gathering stone. Sweeping it off with a hand, she sat on the edge to wait. Raven landed by the cabin not long after, the girls rising to greet her.

Sunset rolled ideas around, trying to decide what to say to her oath-sisters when they arrived. What could she say? She wanted to apologize, but she couldn’t think of anything that wouldn't sound hollow. Should she let them speak first? Did she just want to hug them? Let them hug her?

This wasn’t like when they had fights, or a prank went too far. She’d run away from them like they were Chaos-spawn. No. They were her oath-sisters. Her best friends. Lily and Daisy forgave her for yelling at them. Why wouldn’t they forgive her for igniting after what she’d gone through?

‘Because they’re just waiting for an excuse,’ she thought.

Sunset shook her head, forcing away the idea.

Eyes up, sun-butt! A sharp poke from Philomena yanked her out of her brooding and back to Nitor. Swallowing hard, she ran through her meditations to center herself. Raven was coming.

Along with the girls.

Sunset felt herself cracking as they drew closer. Yet as the fear mounted in her chest, she both ran through her meditations, and opened her bond with Philomena. A steady stream of reassurances that she was safe came flowing in like soothing, mountain water, filling the cracks and sealing them up. It didn’t seal them completely, but it made them manageable.

At less than five meters away, Raven stopped and gestured for her oath-sisters to approach. Tentatively, the three of them stepped around her and walked the final stretch. Watching them approach so cautiously… It felt wrong. Unreal. Rainbow wasn’t flying, her wings instead folded tightly against her back. Pinkie’s normally wild mess of curls was completely flaccid. And AJ looked… hollow somehow, like a once proud tree that had grown sickly and diseased.

Her breathing started to grow shallower, every grain of her willpower focused on keeping the cracks sealed as her oath-sisters grew closer. It was like trying to hold a piece of broken metal together with spider’s silk and strings. Though enormous effort, she managed to do so.

Three meters now.

The girls stopped, shuffling in place. Sunset clenched her dress in her fists and shut her eyes, taking a few, shuddering breaths and letting Philomena’s sendings banish the visions surging back to the surface.

“Sunny?…” Pinkie whispered plaintively, accompanied by the sound of a step forward.

The desperation in Pinkie's voice stabbed a javelin of ice through her heart. She hated when Pinkie was upset like that. When any of them were upset. Yet she was barely keeping herself together.

“Please,” Sunset stammered, her eyes remaining pinched shut, “…just… just give me a moment.”

“Okay, sugarcube,” Applejack said softly. “Whatever yah need from us.”

“What she said,” added Rainbow.

“I understand, Sunny.”

Taking one more deep breath and running through her meditation techniques, Sunset opened her eyes. The girls were still there, their earlier sorrow replaced with worry. But the visions kept coming. Flickering in and out of her mind. With tremendous effort, Sunset rose to her feet.

Mena, I need a favor. I need you to keep me from taking control of my living-flame. No matter what, don’t let me hurt them. Can you do that for me?

A wave of sympathy came. Of course, Sunset. I promise.

Thank you, Sunset sent as she felt Philomena’s presence grow stronger through their link. It was a strange sensation. She’d never given her control like this. She’d never needed to. But under the circumstances…

Drawing another deep breath, Sunset began to approach her oath-sisters.

Two meters.

The girls kept as still as possible. Pinkie was hugging herself and looked to be on the verge of tears. Rainbow had her hands folded tightly across her chest, a pained frown on her face. Applejack seemed the most composed, her hands at her side and her hat tilted back. A face creased with concern.

One.

Tentatively, Sunset stared at her oath-sisters, Philomena’s presence in her mind keeping her grounded. Another deep breath flowed in then out of her chest. Lifting her hands, Sunset slowly approached Rainbow, reaching out to touch her. She could see the long, bloody cut on Rainbow’s face, the one bisecting her eye. She knew it couldn’t be there. But it was.

She had to be sure.

“Sunset?” Rainbow asked nervously.

Sunset flinched back.

“Dash, please, can I… can I touch your face. I… I need to know what I’m seeing isn’t real.”

Rainbow’s brows furrowed in confusion. Then she nodded. “Okay. Go ahead.”

Trembling hands reached for Rainbow. The tips of her index and middle fingers softly landed on Rainbow’s cheekbone. She could feel Dash flinch slightly at the contact, but she held her ground. Cautiously, she drew her fingers across Dash’s cheek towards the base of her nose.

“It’s not there…”

“What’s not there?” Rainbow’s voice was barely a whisper.

“The cut. It’s not there,” Sunset said with wonder.

Stepping back, she turned to Pinkie next.

“Can I?”

“Of course, Sunny. Go ahead.”

Reaching up, Sunset caressed Pinkie’s face, searching for the gash below her eye. And found none.

Sunset turned again. Applejack nodded. “Like yah gotta ask. Do what yah gotta do.”

“Thank you, AJ,” Sunset said, reaching up and touching Applejack’s face. And once more found nothing.

“It wasn’t real. It really wasn’t real.”

“What wasn’t real, sugarcube?”

Sunset didn’t respond with words. She couldn’t. Lunging forward, she wrapped her arms around the taller girl’s chest, holding her tight as she began to weep uncontrollably. In an instant, Applejack’s strong, sturdy arms were around her. Holding her. Protecting her.

“Ah’m right here, Sunset. You’re safe, sis.”

“It wasn’t real. It wasn’t real,” Sunset muttered to herself as she squeezed down harder on Applejack. Two more bodies joined the hug, along with two pairs of arms and one pair of wings.

“We’re here, Sunset,” Rainbow said.

“We love you, Sunny,” Pinkie sobbed. “We’d never want to hurt you. We swear.”

Sunset bawled even harder, the warmth of her oath-sister’s hug dousing the inferno of her fear and doubt with a deluge of love. The fear that had plagued her was still there, nagging in the back of her mind. But it was so small now. Like the distant buzzing of a tiny fly being drowned out by the roar of a linnorm.

"It wasn't real," she kept on mumbling. "It wasn't real…”

*****

The Queen’s Sun was at its zenith by the time Sunset managed to compose herself enough to walk back to the cabin. Or rather, be helped to walk there by her oath-sisters. It was a strange experience for her: the small pangs of panic warred with the warmth and safety of being surrounded by her family. Raven eventually joined them, but kept a respectful distance. Something that Sunset was grateful for.

There was no chatter as they walked. No talk of what they’d done the previous day. No planning for their next misadventure. No friendly teasing. Only uncomfortable and awkward silence. It felt wrong. Yet, after everything that’d happened in the last hour or so, none of them wanted to break it.

When they reached the cabin, Raven cleared her throat. “Would you girls like something to drink? Perhaps the cider you brought, Miss Apple?”

They all nodded, each muttering an affirmative.

“Then make yourselves comfortable. I’ll be back with your drinks.” Raven paused for a moment. “Would you prefer hot or cold?”

“The cider Ah brought is best hot, yer Grace.”

“Very good.” With that, Raven walked into the cabin, quietly closing the door behind her, and leaving Sunset alone with her oath-sisters. The four of them stood there awkwardly, unsure of what to do next. It was strange, and wrong in almost every way Sunset could think of. These were her oath-sisters. Things shouldn’t be like this.

And yet, they were.

Sunset felt Philomena in the rafters above, concern leaking through their bond. Sunset sent feelings of gratitude, then reassurance when Philomena’s concern grew stronger.

“Okay, Sunset, what happened back there?” Rainbow asked as she took a step back. There was Rainbow’s usual brashness and impatience in her voice, but also not an inconsiderable amount of worry.

“Dashie!” Pinkie gasped, attention shifting between Rainbow and Sunset.

“Rainbow!” AJ barked, “That’s…”

“Girls, this is getting us nowhere,” Rainbow retorted. “You saw what happened. For some reason, she’s scared of us. And I want to know why.”

“You could be a little nicer about it though,” Pinkie admonished.

“Sometimes the direct approach is the best approach. You know that. I know that. She knows that,” Rainbow nodded her head in Sunset’s direction. “Standing around moping isn’t going to blow the dirt off the bedrock, is it?”

“Girls,” Sunset said softly, drawing her oath-sister’s attention.

“What is it, sugarcube?” AJ asked, putting a hand on Sunset’s shoulder.

“Can we… sit down?” Sunset finally asked, indicating the steps leading up to porch with a finger.. “I… I owe you an explanation.”

“Sunset, yah don’t ‘owe us anything,” AJ said, emphasizing her point by giving Sunset’s shoulder an affectionate squeeze.

For the first time since she’d shattered, Sunset found herself smiling a little. That was just like AJ. Yet…

“No, Dash is right. This… this isn’t getting us anywhere.”

“Sunny, are you sure?” Pinkie muttered.

“Yes.” Sunset said meekly with a slow nod.

Her sisters shared a brief look with one another. Silently nodding, the four of them walked back to the steps and sat down, Sunset in the center, with Rainbow and Pinkie on her right, and AJ on her left.

Clasping her hands in her lap, Sunset stared down at the cabin’s wooden steps, her head a conflicting mass of feelings and thoughts. Where should she begin? How should she explain what happened? Could she explain it?

Try as she might, she couldn’t.

“I’m sorry, girls,” Sunset finally said, wringing her hands and curling in on herself, “I… I’m trying to… to explain. But… I can’t. There’s just so much that happened. I just don’t know where to start.”

“Why not just start from the beginning?” Rainbow asked, putting a hand on Sunset’s shoulder. Sunset flinched slightly at the contact, but Rainbow didn’t pay it any mind.

“I… I can’t, Dash. Even thinking about it nearly shatters me.”

“I don’t mean with whatever happened to you, Sunset. I mean the entire Festival. Honestly, I was kinda curious what it was like before… y’know, before everything went to Chaos. Maybe start there?”

Managing to turn her head and look at Rainbow, Sunset tumbled her words around. She was right. As painful as her poisoning was, it was just one part of her trip. And maybe telling them about the good parts would help prepare her to talk about why she’d run away from them.

“Ah think Dash’s got ah point, Sunset. An’, to be honest with yah, Ah was kinda hoping tah hear about your trip before we learned what happened. Ah know Pinkie was.”

“Is that true, Pinkie?” Sunset asked.

“I was. But… you’re more important right now, Sunny,” Pinkie said, her voice devoid of her usual exuberance. “You don’t need to talk about it for my sake. But, I know when I’m down, talking about happy things can help.”

Sunset shook her head and sighed. “The trip wasn’t exactly an entirely happy one, even before the ulmuri.”

“Ulmuri?” Rainbow asked.

“Ul’muri is the compound that the Endless Decay gave Sunset.”

With a start, the four of them turned to see Raven standing at the door, the tops of a large, steaming jug sticking up over the obstruction of the tray’s edge.

“Yah mean the poison, yer grace?”

Raven shook her head, approaching the girls and setting the tray between Rainbow and Sunset. On it were the four mugs, the ceramic pitcher filled with hot Sweet Apple Acres cider, as well as a small plate of what looked and smelled like Pinkie Pie made cookies. Standing back up, she regarded the girls.

“Ul’muri isn’t a poison. At least not in its natural state. It’s a sacred medicine used by the kirintal. Nightcrawler, the leader of the Endless Decay, turned it into a poison using Chaos-alchemy. Just another in the long line of blasphemies that monster has committed.”

Turning back towards the cabin, Raven began to walk off, leaving the four Westerners stunned in her wake.

“But you needn’t worry about that. You only need to worry about Sunset right now,” Raven said over her shoulder as she opened the door of the cabin and entered, Dylis flying in after her before she closed the door.

“What was that?” Rainbow asked as she continued to stare at the closed door.

“Don’t let it bother you, Dash. She’s always like that,” Sunset said, grabbing one of the mugs and pouring herself a tall, steaming serving of the hot cider. Without waiting for the others to serve themselves, she slowly downed the contents of the vessel in a single, long drink. The steaming hot liquid tasted like pure bliss as it flooded her mouth and danced across her tongue, happy memories of time spent with her family bubbling up to the surface. She almost broke down into tears again, but managed to keep herself composed.

With a heavy sigh, she stared at the ceramic cylinder intently. Next to her, the others had filled taken their own shares, but hadn’t drunk any yet. Instead, they watched her with renewed worry. Reaching back, she grabbed the pitcher again and refilled her mug.

“I guess the best place to start is with the trip out east,” Sunset finally said, still staring at the murky, reddish brown liquid. “We left The Cathedral of the Sun the day before the festival was set to begin…”

And with that, Sunset began to tell her oath-sisters everything that had happened. The trip on Saetha to Rose’s Blossom. Meeting up with Lily and Daisy. Her foolish act of defiance against Raven and the disaster that was her first formal meeting with the kirintal. And her dressing down by Raven.

She paused briefly to nibble on one of Pinkie’s cookies, savoring the familiar flavor of candied fruits and nuts in the sweet confection.

She continued, recounting the first day of the festival. Her near breakdown when the Easterners began bowing to her. Losing repeatedly to Lily and Daisy at the games, and the incomprehensible practices they had regarding prizes and competing. Watching Master Vitrics work his craft, and the trap Duchess Rich laid for her. The puppet show, and the revelation of the inaccuracies of the story by the sky-strikers of all people.

“When we arrived at the mixer – that’s a gathering for nobles to gossip and play their political games – I started to feel sick. At first, I thought it was just the day catching up with me. But, I was wrong…” Sunset’s voice trailed off, her hands starting to shake as the memories began to come back. It was only Philomena and her oath-sisters’ presence that kept her from shattering right then and there again. Rubbing her face with the back of her sleeve, she flew forward into the storm. “It turns out that one of the servers, I don’t remember her name, had given me the ulmuri in my meal before we’d gone out. It took a little while to take effect, but once it did, the world went mad.”

“Went mad?” Pinkie asked.

“Yes. At first, I just felt sick. Then… then I started hearing your voices calling out to me.”

“You… you heard us?” Rainbow asked.

“Yes.”

“But we weren’t…”

“I know you weren’t, Dash. It was the ulmuri. It made me… it made me start hallucinating. Experiencing things that weren’t there. That weren’t real. Trees made of bone. Biting worms growing from the ground like flowers. A blood-red sky. And monsters. Monsters that turned out to be the other sun-gazers at the mixer. Philomena tried to help, but the ulmuri… overwhelmed me. I tried to run, but Raven stopped me by putting me to sleep.”

“She did what?” AJ asked, dumbfounded. “How’d she do that? That sorta magic don’t exist…”

“Apparently, it does. I just doubt anyone but Raven could use it,” Sunset said. “When I woke up, I was somewhere else. Somewhere worse…”

Haltingly, Sunset told them about her experiences while under the effect of the ulmuri. How she found herself in the dead and twisted version of the Western Territory. The first time the entity came after her. The slow, painful trek to Clear Spring. Finding Tender Heart and everyone dead. The moorguant that was once Lyra’s attack. How she had to kill Lyra. The entity’s return. The slow, painful trek to the ruins of Golden Tree. Her encounter with the deformed and Chaos-warped Bronze Hammer. Which led to her being trapped in the Pie Rock Farm as the Entity descended upon it.

Sunset paused in her retelling, taking a long drink from the mug of spiced apple-cider in her hands. Glancing at her oath-sisters, Sunset couldn’t keep going. What happened next… it was what almost broke her. It would have if not for Philomena and Roseluck’s timely intervention.

“After walking down the corridor for I don’t know how long, I came to a domed room. That’s where I saw the three of you. There was an oath stone. You were dressed in midnight blue. And each of you had cut your faces from forehead to cheek, right through your left eye…”

Her words hung in the air for a painfully long moment. Looking out of the corner of her eyes at her oath-sisters, she saw dawning horror taking root, growing stronger by the moment.

“You mean?” Rainbow gasped.

“I do.”

“Fire an’ light,” Applejack muttered.

“Luckily, that didn’t happen. Right as you were about to take my eye, Roseluck learned what I’d been given, and started to cure me. And that let Philomena enter the hallucination to save me. We… we managed to hold you off long enough for Roseluck to finish getting one part of the ulmuri out of my body, and free me.”

“By the Empress, Sunny. And… and after that, you were okay, right?”

“No, Pinkie. Things got worse the next morning when Roseluck told me that the ulmuri had Chaos-tainted me.”

“What!?” Rainbow shouted. “Chaos-tainted? But… but how? That’s a death sentence.”

“Fortunately for Sunset, Roseluck is one of the few aside from the Queen who knows how to remove Chaos-taint. Though it’s not something she can do easily. Or painlessly.” Once again, the girls turned to face Raven, arms crossed over her chest and Dylis on her shoulder. At Sunset's confusion, Raven explained, “I was concerned, and came to check on you. I can bring out some more snacks if you need.”

“No, thank you, Raven,” Sunset said with a shake of her head. “But, I wouldn’t mind some more cider.”

“Gladly,” Raven said as she went back into the cabin.

Watching her go, Sunset almost wanted to smile a little. If she didn’t know Raven any better, she might have thought the timing of her intervention was a coincidence. But knowing Raven the way she did, there was no doubt in her mind that Raven had planned it. For once, Sunset was genuinely grateful for it.

“So… Roseluck cured you? How?” Pinkie asked.

“With something she called a Chaos-purgative. Trust me, you don’t want to know what went into it. All you need to know is that having the Chaos-taint pulled out of me was the most agonizing experience I’ve ever had. And I had to hold still for the entire process, or it would have killed me.”

“Killed?!” All three of her oath-sisters gasped.

“Yes. It would have liquified my insides if I’d moved at all. Fortunately, Philomena saved my life again by helping me endure long enough for Roseluck to get the Chaos-taint out. Once her spell was complete, I ended up puking the corruption out. Which sounds more pleasant than it actually was.”

Silence hung over the four of them like a thick blanket of choking, black smoke. Turning her mug in her hands, Sunset felt completely drained. Yet, she felt like a great weight had been taken from her back and tossed aside. Though she feared that the weight had been shifted to her oath-sisters in the process.

“By the Queen’s light, Sunset.” Rainbow Dash said, breaking the silence and wrapping a wing around her comfortingly. “I’m so sorry. We should have been there with you.”

Sunset leaned into Rainbow, even as the echoes in the back of her mind buzzed.

“It’s not your fault, Dash. We all got blinded by what happened. Even Raven.”

“But you needed us. So we should have been there. But we weren’t there! I don’t care why or how.”

“Yah can say that again, Dash. And yah mean tah tell us that this…ulmuri stuff… it made yah think we didn’t want yah as our sister anymore? And that we were gonna’ break our oath with yah?”

Running her finger along the lip of her mug, Sunset stared at the ground and sighed. “It did. Even after Roseluck cured me, the echoes still keep coming. If it wasn’t for Philomena, I’m sure I’d be in an even worse state.”

“Is that why you wanted to feel our faces?” Rainbow asked.

“When I saw you, you looked like you did in my ulmuri-induced hallucination. I needed to feel your faces just to be sure that what I was seeing wasn’t real.”

Silence settled over the four of them, the weight of Sunset’s revelation slowly sinking in. Glancing back and forth without raising her head, Sunset saw that both Rainbow and Applejack were having a hard time comprehending what she’d told them. She couldn’t blame them, honestly. She was still trying to understand, and she was the one it happened to.

More concerning was Pinkie. Of the three of them, she’d spoken the least, her expression distant and strangely lost. Like she couldn’t understand what was going on.

The sight was wrong in so many ways.

“Pinkie, please say something. What’s on your mind?” Sunset asked.

The earth-weaver didn’t immediately respond. Instead, she stared at Sunset, her face twisting into a pained, teary-eyed frown.

“Sunny… how do we fix this? What that meanie did to you… we love you. We love you so much. And… and that poison made you believe we hated you.” Pinkie’s voice cracked as the tears began to well up in the corner of her eyes. “How do we make this better? How can I fix this so that you can smile again?”

Letting out a low sigh, Sunset hung her head again. It hurt so much to see Pinkie sad. It was like a crime against Nitor itself. Pinkie was joy incarnate. A beacon of happiness and cheer that could drive away any sorrow.

She wasn’t supposed to be so sad.

“I don’t know, Pinkie. I don’t know. I… I love you too. All of you. But… it was so real. I know it wasn’t. But it was real to me.”

Once again, silence stretched between them. Philomena tried to cheer her up with sendings filled with love, but it did little to lift her spirits.

“Can… would it be alright if I hugged you, Sunny? Would that make you feel better?”

“I… don’t know, Pinkie. I think it would. I want it to. But this isn’t the sort of thing a hug can fix.”

“Can I try?”

The tiniest hint of a smile formed on the corner of Sunset’s lips. That was just like Pinkie. Always trying to make everyone around her smile. Standing up and holding out her arms, Sunset said, “Sure, Pinkie. Come here.”

Pinkie didn’t bounce to her feet and rush Sunset like she normally would. Instead she simply stood, walked over, and pulled Sunset into a soft hug. It lacked the energy of a normal Pinkie hug, yet Sunset found herself melting into the embrace. Silent tears formed in her eyes as she clung to Pinkie.

“Can we get in on that?” Rainbow asked.

“Mhm.”

Two more bodies soon joined into the embrace, surrounding Sunset with their familiar warmth.

The feeling. It was exactly how Sunset remembered it. Comfortable. Joyful.

Safe.

And yet…

And yet, something was nagging at her.

Something that kept her from enjoying the hug from three of the most important people in her life.

Something Raven had said.

One day, she’d never get to experience this again.

One day, her oath-sisters would be gone.

With only their memory left as she lived on, possibly for thousands of years.

The thought was too much, her silent tears turning into full blown sobbing as she clung to Pinkie Pie.

“It’s okay, sugarcube. We’re here,” Applejack drawled.

The words inadvertently struck a nerve, Sunset’s crying breaking down into full blown wailing. Her legs giving out, she slumped down, the others gently lowering themselves to the ground with her.

“I love you. I love you three so much. Why? Why! Why do you have to go?!”

“We’re not going anywhere, Sunset,” Rainbow reassured her.

“But you will. You’ll go away when you go back to Golden Tree. And you’ll go away when you die.”

“What? What are you talking about?” Pinkie’s voice betrayed her confusion.

“I’m… Pinkie, I’m immortal. Like Raven. And the other Phoenix-born,” Sunset managed to say, her sobs dying down. “Someday… *sniffle* someday you’re going to return to Nitor. And when that happens, I’ll lose you. Forever.”

A pained shudder ran through her oath-sisters, the magnitude of what Sunset was saying sinking in. Philomena extended her presence into Sunset’s mind, giving her what comfort she could.

“Sunset,” Applejack said, breaking the silence, her voice low and pained, “when ma and pa died, ah thought that ah’d be sad forever. Ah still ahm, in ah way,” Applejack’s voice was slow. Measured. Like she was choosing her words very carefully.

“Oh, AJ, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to…”

A gentle squeeze stopped Sunset’s apology in her throat.

“None ah that, yah hear? Ah wasn’t bringin’ it up tah make yah feel worse, sis. Ah was bringin’ it up because when they passed, Granny told me somthin’. Somethin’ ah needed tah hear. ‘They may ah’ gone back to tah Nitor, but they’re still around’ yah hear. You. Mac. Bloom. Yah are proof they lived. Tha farm. The trees. Yer memories of em’. They're still there in all ah them. They may have gone back tah tha land, but as long as yah remember em’, they’re still here.’”

The four girls huddled in tighter, Applejack’s voice barely above a whisper as she continued.

“We may be gone someday, but if what granny says is true, we won’t be gone. You will remember us. You can be our immortality, sis. As long as yah remember us, we won’t be gone.”

Sunset felt the girls loosen their hug. She wanted to protest, only for Applejack to reach up, gently turning Sunset to face her. Sunset wasn’t sure she wanted to look AJ in the eyes, but found she couldn’t break the spell of the earth-weaver’s compassionate stare.

“We ain’t goin’ anywhere for ah long time yet? So… how about we make sure yah have lots ah good memories. Both for today, and fer tomorrow. Can we do that for yah, sis?”

Sunset nodded numbly. “I think… I think I’d like that.”

Author's Note

So, it finally happened. Sunset got to see her sisters. Now, things didn't go according to her plan, but it probably will turn out for the best.

Just one or so more main chapters and an epilogue or two, and we're going to be wrapping up Phoenix-born Rising.