The Life and Times of Sunrise Shadow: Seeking a Princess

Sunrise decided to go and visit Pinkie Pie. Normally someone with as much energy as she thought pinkie had wouldn't be her first choice but she wanted to try and distract herself from the previous night. She felt close to all her new friends certainly, but something about being enveloped by Twilight's wing and snuggling close to her felt too perfect. Of course Twilight was a princess and she was just a common unicorn there's no way Twilight would be interested in her, right?

"Hiya Sunrise, what can I do ya for?"

"Hey Pinkie, I don't have much to do today and the rest of the castle has their own plans. I was wondering if I could help you or something?"

"Sure, you any good at baking?"

"I've never tried honestly."

"Well there's a first time for everything, come back here to the kitchen and we'll make some cookies."

Sunrise decided to work hard the earth pony way rather than use her magic and with Pinkie's help measured and mixed the ingredients perfectly before rolling out the mixture into a dozen cookie shapes. After placing them in the oven and setting a timer the two ponies retreated to Pinkie's room to talk.

"So whatcha wanna talk about Sunrise?"

"I don't know really." Sunrise responded looking a little forlorn.

Pinkie noticed her frown "Hey Sunrise I know I'm not the smartest pony in the world but i can't stand to see my friends frown. If there's something bothering you then tell me, I'll do my best to help."

"Thanks Pinkie. There is something but I don't think anyone can help me."

"Oh please it can't be that bad. C'mon, tell mama Pinkie all about it."

Sunrise sighed heavily. "Last night there was a thunderstorm, a severe one. I was scared and screamed. Twilight took me to her bed and snuggled me all night. She kept me safe and warm, I felt something in my chest it was trying to tell me I have feelings for her. But it's nothing, I'm just a common unicorn and she's a princess. It would never work no matter how much i want it to. I don't know what to do. Starlight told me Twilight would be interested in another mare but I just don't see what i can do."

Pinkie thought hard for a few minutes "well if it were me I'd just come out and tell her how I feel, I'd follow my heart not my head. But it might be tougher for someone who thinks as much as you do Sunrise."

Suddenly the timer went off "Ooh cookies are done!"

They enjoyed a few cookies together and Sunrise bagged up a couple just in case.

"Thanks for trying to help Pinkie. I just don't know who could help me. I've never really been close enough to anyone that they know how i think. Except one person but she'd be far too busy to listen to me."

"If you mean Princess Celestia, i know from experience she's always happy to talk to a friend. And it sounds to me like you two were more than just teacher and pupil. Go talk to her silly."

Sunrise caught the train to Canterlot. She had a few hours to speak with the princess before the last train back to Ponyville.

She approached the castle "Halt! Who goes there?"

"Hello, my name is Sunrise Shadow. I was a student of Princess Celestia and i was hoping i could talk to her." One of the guards went inside a moment and promptly returned to escort her to the princess.

Celestia rather than the throne room instructed the guard to bring Sunrise to a little side room prepared with some tea and armchairs. "Ahh Sunrise, please have a seat I'm sure you have much to tell me."

Sunrise spent the next hour telling the princess about her first few days in Ponyville and all the new friends she made. Blushing profusely while recounting the thunderstorm story. Celestia listened intently and occasionally gave a soft chuckle.

"So I imagine there's a reason you came to see me? You could have just written a letter if you wanted to talk about your friends. Why see me in person?"

"Because Princess, I know you're the only person who really understands me and my unique talents. Whenever i picture a certain mare in my head my heart swells with joy and I know I feel something special. But my mind tells me it would never work. I don't know what to do and I was hoping you could give me some advice."

"Well first thing's first, who is this mare?"

"Twilight Sparkle"

"I didn't quite catch that Sunrise."

She took a deep breath. "It's, Princess Twilight Sparkle."

Celestia smiled "so you have feelings for the princess of friendship? But tell me, are you certain of this? In the past your heart has guided you down the wrong path, and your mind down the right. The inverse is also true. The duality of your talents and knowledge is what gave you that cutie mark. Is your heart telling you your feelings, or your mind? Or maybe both? I just want you to be certain this Isn't a simple foal's crush. You never had an opportunity to properly grow with your peers and I see a little childlike wonder in your eyes even now. I would hate to see your heart be broken by a rash decision."

"Believe me Princess i thought these things myself. No matter how hard i tried to convince myself this was just a silly crush or a dream i would never achieve, I simply couldn't deny my true feelings."

"I'm glad you spoke with me Sunrise. But I think there's another who could perhaps help you more than I can. She knows Twilight personally and has experience in matters of the Heart. I can call her here or you can go to her. If you wish to speak to her that is."

"I'll go, where is she?

"The Crystal Empire."