Sirène Séduisante

An hour later Sunset Shimmer was waiting outside of the castle gardens as the rest of the girls spoke to Princess Celestia and Princess Luna. Sunset had wanted to join them but she still struggled much with talking to Celestia, her adopted mother. The one she had run away from years ago until she met Twilight and her friends who taught her how to become a better person. Her friends who had years ago kept her from using the Element of Magic to enslave Equestria. It was a foolish plan Sunset knew but she had been so angry with Celestia and so angry with the world. Sighing softly Sunset enjoyed the sight of the flora around her until she heard footsteps which alerted her to Starlight’s presence.

“You’ve got that look in your eyes. What’s on your mind?” Starlight questioned moving to sit down on the stone bench beside Sunset. She had yet to enter with the rest of their friends where Twilight was speaking to a certain sun monarch and Starlight and the girls had taken notice.

“Where did you come from?” Sunset asked instead of answering her question as she snapped her gaze away from the doors which lead inside. Starlight laughed in response and shook her head at her friend.

“Trixie got bored and decided to look for the kitchen.” The red and golden haired woman smiled a little in response.

“You realize that she’s going to get lost in here, don’t you?” She replied moving her back against the white wall behind her.

“Yes, but I’m sure she’s turning the baking supplies into teacups.” The violet and aqua haired woman stated glancing away when Sunset looked over at her.

“You must regret teaching her that spell.” She said with amusement.

“Not at all, it made her really happy.” Starlight sighed as she stretched shifting up when the door to the right of them opened. With interest she saw Twilight’s childhood friend Moondancer exit the castle interior from what looked to be the castle archives. She had her red, blonde, and violet hair tied in a bun and her large red glasses were slipping down her nose until she pushed them back up.

“Hey Moondancer, right?” Starlight asked with a pleasant smile as she stood to greet her. Moondancer as mousy as ever jumped at having her name called and she looked over to them with a shy look in her purple eyes.

“Yes! I recognize you. You’re Twilight’s newest student...oh and hi Sunset.” Moondancer continued her sentence drifting off when she finally noticed Sunset standing there. Sunset moved to wave and she smiled at her as best she could without being awkward. She figured despite the amends she had made with Twilight that Moondancer was none too happy to find out about all that Sunset did to Twilight when she was ‘evil’. Why she did not hold a grudge on Starlight too she did not know. Starlight’s transgressions were serious too, but then Sunset would be acting judgmental if she were to say anything.

“Hello Moondancer, it’s nice to see you again.” Sunset offered biting her lip and folding her arms. “What are you up too?” She asked noticing the books and scrolls in Moondancer’s arms.

Blushing since it was mentioned she cleared her throat before explaining, “ Something Twilight mentioned a few weeks ago. She has been wondering about the Sirens and their power, especially after you and the Elements battled them a couple of years ago. I have been looking into their extensive history, that is until their history stops. As we all know, Starswirl the Bearded sealed them away until they somehow escaped in the modern era.”

Sunset’s eyes sparked with interest and a bit of guilt hit her at the same time. Despite the fact that the battle with the Sirens had been a few years ago now, she still felt responsible for taking something the Sirens were born with. Even if they had used their power for evil purposes.

“It seems you are very knowledgeable. Perhaps I can join in on this study sometime? I bet we could get Starswirl himself to speak on the subject.”

Adjusting her wool sweater Moondancer nodded her head at that, “His input would be invaluable since he was there when the Sirens were in their true forms! If you could perhaps get in contact with Starswirl...well I would be most grateful.” Moondancer said her face reddening since she had gotten as excited as she did. “Your input would be useful too…” Moondancer laughed averting her gaze from both of them.

“I will try my best.” Sunset said in reply scratching her neck and nodding when Moondancer made her leave.

“Sorry to leave so suddenly, but it was nice making your acquaintance Starlight. Give Twilight my best regards.” She offered them both a shy smile before she went towards what Sunset knew to be the cafe located near the first floor kitchen area.

Looking over to Starlight, Sunset raised a brow when she saw that her friend was making a kissy face at Moondancer’s retreating figure.

“What are you doing?” Sunset questioned crossing her arms at her. Starlight giggled in reply and she shook her head.

“Are you telling me you missed that?! She totally has a nerd crush on you!” The girl in leather merely shook her head and she rolled her eyes.

“She barely likes me, besides she’s probably as straight as Twilight is.” Sunset rebuffed looking to make sure Moondancer hadn’t noticed what Starlight had practically been yelling.

“Uh huh, and all that Twilight Sparkle adoration was and is platonic.” Starlight commented remembering the story she was told of how much Moondancer copied Twilight in their youth.

“Hey if adoring Twilight makes you gay, then I guess we’re all lesbians.” The redhead jokes receiving a laugh from behind her which caused her to freeze where she stood. Turning her head her jaw dropped and her face reddened when she saw the rest of their friends, she let out a breath though when she saw that Twilight wasn’t standing there with them.

“Oh hey guys…” Sunset started with a cough smiling when Pinkie went to give her a big hug out of nowhere.

“Hello Sunset Shimmer.” A heavenly voice greeted her and Sunset’s jaw stayed open when she saw the motherly sun princess move into the garden beside the other girls, as always towering over them with her goddess-like lumbering height.

“Hi Princess.” Sunset greeted awkwardly still having trouble adjusting with their renowned relationship.

“I just wanted to tell you in person that your music branch for schooling has been accepted and after Twilight pitched it to the board last week, we think implementing it into the school of Friendship will be a marvelous idea.” Sunset’s eyes lit up and she looked around to see grins on all of her friends expressions.

“Oh wow, I almost don’t know what to say...thank you. I know this is a little good news in the light of well…” Sunset trailed off when she felt Rainbow put an arm around her shoulders.

“My niece, yes this is very unexpected.” Celestia said with concern in her eyes.

“It’s why we’re all going to the Crystal Empire, that is, if we all can right now.” Twilight started walking in as well, startling Fluttershy since she wasn’t expecting her to be behind her. Everyone looked to Twilight taking notice that she was now almost as tall as Celestia’s shoulder since she had been growing in height since her ascension as princess.

“I understand that we cannot all drop what we’re doing as there is the school and our jobs to worry about.” Twilight went on biting her lip when she felt Celestia touch her shoulder. She always knew when Twilight was worrying too much, it was a trait she saw often in her old student.

“Pish posh, Cadence is a dear friend of ours too... besides it’s almost the winter season! I can put out a line in the Spring!” Rarity said with enthusiasm.

“Yeah, and the Apples aren’t going to be doing anything! I’m coming too!” Applejack piped in leaning on Rarity with a smile on her face. Rarity looked at her with a matching smile of her own.

“Flutters and I are going!” Rainbow said holding up their joined hands smiling since her girlfriend was blushing in response to the PDA.

“Perhaps I should…” However whatever Starlight was going to say was interrupted by Pinkie who grabbed both her and Sunset’s hands.

“Twilight, you’re our family which makes Cadence our family too!” Pinkie said as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. “We’re all going!” She said cheerily buzzing with excitement because of the moment.

Smiling brightly and feeling warmed by how touching her friends could be Twilight nodded her head looking to Celestia before she called Spike to tell him they were going to make arrangements to leave first thing tomorrow to the Crystal Empire.