Sunset Shimmer Discovers Her Feet

Chapters

Act’s 1, Poor Unfortunate Souls
Act’s 2, Oh Yeah?!
Act 3, Changes
Act 4, What Are They, Feet?
Act 5; Dense as a Bucket
Act 6, Video Rage & First Night Dinner Dates
Act 7, The Second Day Date
Act 8, Trying To Kiss The Girl
Act 9, Sun Setting
Act 11, Those Poor, Unfortunate Souls!
Act 12, True Love
Act 13, Happy Endings
Act 10, Too Late! It’s Opening Night...

Act’s 1, Poor Unfortunate Souls

This was a horribly stupid idea. Then again, what else was she suppose to do? After the display Celestia, queen of the mermaids, put on for her when Sunset Shimmer told her about rescuing that stupid, beautiful, human, she felt like she had no choice. What else was she supposed to do? Just take it? Like the good little princess she was? Celestia never listened or understood her before. So when those eels told her that there was a way to get everything she wanted, well, in her state of mind, the offer was all too tempting.

“This way,” the purple and blue moray eels said in unison as they directed Sunset into the fossilized remains of a Leviathan.

Taking in a gulp, Sunset swam into the belly of the beast. Along the way, she came across the withered souls of those before her, who couldn’t pay the price for the sea witch’s magic. Sunset let out a yelp when one of them reached out and latched onto her arm, begging her to turn around. With a strained pull, she was able to break free.

“Come in, come in, dear child,” a voice rang out to Sunset as she no sooner got over the shock. “We must not lurk in doorways. It’s rude.” From the shadow, emerged the sea witch, Adagio. Her with long curly blonde hair and tentacles flowing behind like snakes after their next meal. “One might question your upbringing.”

“Now, you’re here because you have a thing for this human,” the witch said before Sunset could comment. “Royalty no less. Not that I blame you,” she added with a smirk. “Well then, angel fish, the solution to your problem is simple. The only way to get what you want, is to become a human yourself.”

Sunset gasped. Somewhat thinking that to be a possibility, but not actually believing it could be true.

“Can you do that?” Sunset asked for confirmation.

“My dear child,” Adagio said with a predatory look, swimming up far too close to the little mermaid than was comfortable. “It’s what I live for. To help ‘poor unfortunate souls’ like yourselves.”

The next thing Sunset knew, there was a musical number, where Adagio sang about how she ‘loved’ helping poor souls. However, she also made no small stress of the price to those who couldn’t pay.

“Now, here’s the deal,” Adagio said, dragging an unsettled Sunset Shimmer towards her cauldron with a tentacle. “I’ll make you a potion that will turn you into a human for three days.” She illustrated with her magic. “Before the end of the third day, you got to get your human to kiss you. Not just any kiss, mind you angelfish. The kiss of true love. If you succeed, you’ll remain human, permanently.”

Sunset watched in wonder, as an image of herself appeared running wild and free on human legs! It was almost too good to be true.

“But, if they don’t,” Adagio continued, the lights shifting from a warm red to a cold blue as Adagio spelled out the display Sunset saw. “You’ll turn back into a mermaid, and...” She paused to let her words sink in as the mini Sunset Shimmer was dragged into the cauldron. “You’ll belong, to me.”

Sunset shrank back. Three days? If she could get a kiss, then all her dreams would come true. However, if she failed, she would lose her soul? Sure, she was hurt, but was she really that desperate?

“Oh, and few other things to consider!” Adagio interrupted before Sunset could think it over more. “Firstly, it will mean you can never come home, but that’s life, isn’t it? On top of that, we haven't discussed the matter of payment. Now I’m not asking much!'' She said, halting Sunset’s protest. “And, just the smallest of things. You won’t even miss it. What I want from you is,” She lifted up the mermaid’s chin, and in the most sinister way she could, said, “your voice.”

Sunset’s eyes widened in horror, before narrowing her gaze. “Yeah, no.”

Adagio frowned. “Pardon?”

“I said no. No thanks.” Sunset confirmed, pushing away Adagio’s hand.

“No? What do you mean no?!” Adagio asked, raising up her arms for emphasis. “You can’t say no!”

“I just did,” Sunset said as she pushed one of Adagio’s tentacles off her. “You seriously think anyone would be stupid enough to fall for something like that? And don’t give me some, your a busy woman to try and rush me. You need me more than I need you.”

“Well, um,” Adagio stammered. “You’ll still have… body language?” she meekly offered.

Sunset slapped her forehead, then called out past the fourth wall, “Twilight!”

. ☀️🐟🐟🐟🎣

In the CHS auditorium, Twilight Sparkle the human, let out a sigh. “Yes, Sunset?”

Her best friend, Sunset Shimmer, also a human, although had once been a unicorn, slapped the script with the back of her hand. “Twilight, you can’t seriously expect anyone would buy this, do you?”

Besides her, one Adagio Dazzle, former siren now human, tisked. “Oh you’d be surprised what boys will do if you promise to show a little skirt.”

“Adagio,” Twilight warned.

“What?” Adagio said, hands held up, “I was just trying to be, what do you call it? Oh! Being funny.”

Twilight took in a breath and looked around the circle of chairs that made up the cast for this year’s musical, The Little Mermaid. Featuring, but wasn’t limited to; Adagio Dazzle, Sonata Dusk, Aria Blaze, Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash, Applejack, Sandlewood, Derpy Hooves, Flash Sentry, and of course, Sunset Shimmer. Who would play the role of Ariel. With Twilight Sparkle as the musical’s director.

“Okay, fine,” Twilight admitted, adjusting her glasses. “It does sound… A little unrealistic.”

“Said the magical pony girl,” one of the extra’s coughed.

Twilight shot a glare in his direction. “That aside, if it’s going to be enough of a problem to where you don’t want the role—

“No!” Sunset said quickly. The last thing she wanted to do was let any of her friend down after auditioning and being told she was perfect for the role. “I’m good. Apart from the whole, make-someone-fall-in-love-with-you-in-a-short-amount-of-time-without-your-voice-or-lose-your-soul, I like everything else about this chick. Don’t know why, but this Ariel really speaks to me.” And she meant that in more ways than by the fact she herself was a unicorn turned human.

“You mean being strong headed, especially when competitive, and,” One of the students started to absentmindedly say, when Rainbow Dash kicked them in the knee.

There was a moment of awkward silence between the students groans of pain, before Twilight suggested, “Why don’t we take a little break, everybody? Stretch our legs, get a drink, and meet back in five minutes?”

When no one objected, and even started to rise from their seats, Twilight whispered to Sunset, “Hey, what matters isn’t who you were, but who you are. And right now, you’re one of the best friends a girl could ask for.”

Sunset smiled softly, feeling a flutter in her heart to those words. “I know, Twi. But what can you do when you’re forever trying to reform from your past actions?”

They looked towards the Dazzlings, noticing Sonata getting a text message. When Aria and Adagio seemed to ask about it, Sonata colored and excused herself for the auditorium.

“Yeah,” Twilight snickered. “Crazy times we live in.”

There was a pause, the two of them looking awkwardly at each other before Twilight sputtered, “I need a drink!” and walked off.

Sunset shook her head in bemusement , then sat back into her chair. Opting instead to spend her break time reading ahead in the script to see what happened next.

. 🎭 🧜‍♀️ ☀️ 🌟

Author's Note

*a bit of experimental writing, so best in mind, but feedback, of both story and grammar, is still more than welcomed...

A new story and adventure beings! And what better time to put out a new, what will eventually turn into a romance story, then the month of Lurve ❤️
So awhile back, I stumbled upon a crossover artist by the name of Zarnoxs. And while his main stick is placing Melody in the same scenes as Ariel was in TLM (the little mermaid 1) he was also keen and open on taking requests to put other characters from shows in those same places. Then last October he got on a kick to do a bunch of cartoon girls in the foot scene, which started with me suggesting he’d do Sunset Shimmer in that scene. Which afterwards become one of his most fav’d and viewed pictures, not to my surprise ☀️
Afterwards, I knew I had to write a story around the picture, and almost did for Fimfictions Jingelmiss. However, both when I realized the story I had in mind would be too long for it, and if I waited I could get more art from Z, I put it off and took time to edit things out. I also decided I was going to try and one day adapt this story into a dramatic reading and bring on other artists (see link at bottom if you’re interested in becoming one/sponsoring this) and months later, here we are.
This story is fully written, just a matter of posting at my own pace and when I can get art, so don’t worry. This won’t be like my other works that go on forever hiatus even if uploads will be irregular. That said, I hope you enjoy, and special thanks to one Arielfan for editing this and posting chapters to DA when I can’t 😓
And especially one Grumpy Kirin for being among my first sponsors for this 🥰
🧜‍♀️

Act’s 2, Oh Yeah?!

Sunset Shimmer stared hesitantly as she read over the terms of the contract, her tail flicking back and forth nervously trying to read the terms over. However, before she could get to the finer print, a fishbone quill appeared in front of her. Looking around nervously, she realized this was the moment of truth. Should she sign, or swim away? Was this really worth it? Was it worth giving away her life as a mermaid for some silly dream? Sure, Celesita could have been irritating, but not all of their time together had been bad. And if she signed the contract, she would never see her again. There would be no more lessons, no more late night readings, no more sea horse riding...

No more Celestia telling Sunset to get her head out of the clouds. No more Celesita forcing Sunset and her other pupils to put on stupid musical recitals that did little more than boost the sea queen’s already massive ego. No more telling her what was, and wasn’t good for her, and what to and what not to do. There certainly wouldn’t be a repeat of their confrontation in her grotto with what this contract had to offer her!

As if reading her mind, Adagio taunted the little mermaid on. Saying what a sad, little, unfortunate soul, Sunset was. Which to Sunset Shimmer, came across as being asked;

“You afraid, little princess? Rather go running home to your mommy?”

‘Oh yeah?’ Sunset spoke to Adagio with a glare. Much to the sea witche’s delight, having tapped into the mermaid’s ego and pride.

‘I’ll show you. I’ll show you all!” Sunset grabbed for the pen, acting like she was reading it over, when in truth, her mind was already made up. Maybe it was her pride and ego talking, but honestly, she felt like she had nothing to lose. Nothing to gain by staying in this world where she didn’t belong. All it would take, was the first step into a new one. That said, she was only able to sign her soul away by not looking at the contract as she did so.

🖊🖋📝 ✒️✒️

“You don’t think I sounded corny?” Sunset asked Twilight, tucking in her hair after their first reading session.

All in all, the rest of their little rehearsal went rather well. The dazzlings were still behaving, Pinkie Pie only caused one explosion, Flash helped Derpy get her head out of a fire bucket, Sunset made a few more criticism with the story (but still loved it) and Rainbow Dash slapped Aria with a fish.

“Of course not!” Twilight assured with a smile. “You were amazing. That said; the ‘illogicalness’ going to be an issue.”

Sunset rolled her eyes in bemusement. “Hey, it’s a fairytale. It doesn’t always have to be ‘logical.’ Such a story is allowed to be a bit out there at times as long as it has a happy ending.”

Sunset bit her lip as she thought about how the story had ended. Being from another world, this was the first time she had heard of the little mermaid’s story. Supposedly the original and movie version had different outcomes that she was keen to see. However, the version she had just read ended up hitting closer to home than she would have liked to admit. Which was something even Twilight could pick up on from Sunset’s change of demeanor.

“Hey, don’t let Aria or anyone tell you differently.” Twilight said, believing that was the topic on Sunset’s mind right then. She slowly reached out her out her hand to Sunset’s shoulder. “You’re an amazing person, the past dammed, and one of the greatest friends I could have asked for. Despite being thick-headed at times.”

Sunset smirked, figuring it was better than correcting her. Besides, it was nice to hear that coming from the little bookworm.

“Thanks, Twi.” Sunset said, patting Twilight’s hand. “And I know you’ll make a great director.”

Twilight looked nervously down at her shoes. “I guess.”

“Hey, don’t give me that, Sparky!” Sunset assured as she placed a hand on Twi’s chin, forcing the girl to look up. “Remember, it’s just a school play. Not saying we shouldn’t try our best! Just saying so as a reminder not to get overly stressed if things aren’t perfect. Alright?”

“Ye… Yeah.” Twilight stammered. A blush forming on her face. “Guess I’m one to talk about you being thick-headed at times.”

They both laughed to that, before Twilight said hurriedly, “Well, I got to go. Night, Sunset!” With that, she walked off in the opposite direction Sunset was going.

“A dork, but, my cute little dork,” Sunset mused with a yawn. She was eager to get home, but she first needing to stop by her locker to get her math textbook. Upon unlocking and opening her locker, a bright glow emanated from one of books. Pushing her other novels aside, she picked up the all too familiar journal that connected this world to Equestria. Not thinking twice about it, she flipped open the journal to see what Twilight, her human friend’s pony princess counterpart, had to say.

‘Hey, Sunset! I got a letter from Celestia today. Nothing bad, but after your last visit, she notified your parents about your whereabouts. They took awhile to respond, but are now asking if—

Sunset didn’t bother with the rest. Opting instead to slam the book shut, throwing it back in and closing the locker loudly. For a moment, she was tempted to see what else her par— What Twilight had to say. And maybe even...

Sunset shook her head and forced a smile. It, or her parents, weren't going anywhere. She had far more important things to do. Like... She had to memorize her lines. Yes. She simply couldn’t let the human Twilight Sparkle down. No, she simply had to devote all of her attention to the play right now!

With a nod, Sunset walked away from her locker, pulling out her script as she did so. Time was a wasting, after all!

📓 📓 📓 📓 📔

Author's Note

Two down, a dozen to go!...
Again, a bit more an experiment in writing. So while criticism and dislikes are welcome, bear in mine when doing so ^^’
Speaking of which :) Please give a WARM welcome ExplosionMare to the cast as a pre-reader and editor! 💥

And as before, this project still needs artist and sponsors such as with this lovely Grumpy Kirin here! ^.^
If you’d like to help in either way, see the link below;
https://www.fimfiction.net/blog/938372/sunset-shimmer-little-mermaid-art-map
Oh, and if by some chance you came here because you say it was featured, humor myself by letting me know XD ⭐️

Act 3, Changes

“Hey, Sunset!” Rainbow Dash called as she and Twilight held up a piece of plywood. “Could you please give us a hand with this?”

Even after calling her name four times, Sunset still didn’t respond. Instead, she had her feet dangling off the orchestra pit, eyes fixated on a familiar book in one hand and a pen in the other, holding both indecisively.

Should she respond, or should she ignore? Sunset tapped the pen on the book. Was it right, or was it wrong? It wasn’t fair, that was for certain! Why did she have to feel such guilt over this? She had been living on her own for years now, and everything—

“SUNSET SHIMMER!” Rainbow Dash called so loudly, Twilight nearly let go of the plywood to cover her ears.

Having finally heard her, Sunset jerked upwards, slamming the journal shut, looking at the precarious situation her two friends were in.

“Sorry, sorry! Yeah?” Sunset added with a forced smile.

“Um...” Rainbow Dash started, almost forgetting for a second why she wanted Sunset’s help to begin with.

Twilight let out a grunt of pain.

Oh right! The set piece they were working on, and the fact they wouldn’t be able to hold it for much longer...

“Could you please give us a hand and screw this thing in?” Rainbow asked, motioning to the drill at their feet. “If it’s not too much trouble,”

“Sure. Sure thing!” Sunset exclaimed, springing to her feet and rushing over to help. “I’m always more than willing to help!” She smiled, but frowned upon picking up the drill. “Unlike what some people would say,” she said between screws. “I’m very compassionate, smart, caring...” her voice became harsher with each screw she drilled in. “Able to take care of myself, and don’t need to be told I’m a child, or that I can’t—

“You okay?” Twilight asked once the weight on her shoulders lessened.

“Peachy!” Sunset said through gritted teeth. “Why do you ask?”After she had drilled in several more screws, she noticed Twilight’s reaction to her tone and let out a sigh. “Sorry, Twi. It’s nothing,”

“Doesn’t sound like nothing,” Twilight mentioned as she brushed herself off.

“I promise, it is,”!Sunset huffed as she set the drill down, putting on a forced smile. “It’s simply been the most magical day of sunshine, rainbows, and leprechauns!” Her voice became higher pitched as she clasped her hands and held a foot in the air. “Oh and I watched the movie version of this play last night. Really loved it! Although I do have some notes. Especially with that ending,” Sunset’s voice became sharper. “I mean, did Triton really think he could just waving his fricking magic wand and that would somehow make up for having traumatizing his daughter? Pushing her to make stupid choices without so much as a sorry?!”

Rainbow and Twilight looked uncertainty at each other, then back to Sunset.

“Okay, well, you clearly seem to have a lot on your mind,” Twilight determined.

“No shit!” Sunset snapped, before realizing what she said. “What? No! I mean... Sorry, guy. But see! Not so hard.”

“Really, Sunset, what’s the matter?” Twilight asked, reaching a hand out to her friend. “If something’s wrong, we’d be more than willing to listen,”

“I’m fine, Twilight,” Sunset assured, turning her back. “It’s absolutely nothing about nobodies,”

“Sunset,” Twilight frowned, putting a hand on Sunset’s back. “Please, whatever’s wrong, let us help you!”

“Just leave me alone, dammit! I’m not some stupid kid!” Sunset snapped, turning sharply and swatting Twilight’s hand away.

Rainbow’s jaw dropped as Twilight pulled back in shock, Sunset breathing heavily.

There was a pause.

Sunset’s eyes widened. She held up a finger to try and say something.

“I... I, um, I…” After a minute, she said, “I got to go! See you girls later,” With that, she stormed over to the pit, grabbing her backpack and the journal before she left.

“Sunset!” Twilight cried, rushing forward. She was held back by Rainbow Dash.

“Hey! Let me—”

“No! Twi,” Rainbow said firmly. “Just let her go.”

“You can’t be serious,” Twilight deadpanned as Sunset ducked out of view. “She’s clearly upset and needs our help!”

“I know,” Rainbow agreed with a sigh. “But take it from personal experience; If you try to do anything now, as good hearted as it may be, you’ll only make things worse. Give her some space to cool down for a while and let her come to us. Okay? She will, or at worse, we’ll confront her about it tomorrow.”

Twilight frowned, and started to protest, before admitting defeat. “Fine. I’ll trust you. For now…”

Rainbow nodded and patted Twilight’s shoulder. “Hey, I promise, everything will be fine,”

“I hope so,” Twilight muttered as she looked in the direction Sunset had stormed off in.

🧹🔨🛠 🔨🧹

“Now, sing!” the sea witch commanded.

Sunset tried to swim backwards at the hauntingly green, magical hands that Adagio had summoned. However, she was held back by the whirlpool she found herself trapped in,!and a sudden desire to do what the witch commanded. Which would hopefully be the last time she had to listen to anyone ever again.bNot sure if she should be singing a particular song, Sunset merely began to hum her strongest note. Something she had done thousands of time with Celestia—

She ignored those pleasant memories, in small part upon noticing a glow coming from her neck.

“Keep singing!” Adagio commanded, the hands moving forward.

It was then Sunset found that she couldn’t stop, even if she wanted. Which clearly she didn’t! Not even as those sinister hands crept closer towards her.

This is what I want, right? Sunset asked herself, as those hands became uncomfortably close.

Before she could respond, one of them wrapped around her waist as the other slid into her mouth. She let out a gasp from the sudden intrusion but continued to sing. As the hands retreated, they pulled from her mouth a golden orb that was chimed the tune she had just been singing.

What the hell? Sunset gagged, holding her hands to her neck as she watched the green hands carry—what she came to realize was her voice—towards the shell necklace Adagio wore.

Once her voice was secured, the witch began to cackle. Adagio’s laughter developed a maddening tone as the room changed from a swirling vortex of sickly green to a menacing yellow. In a panic, Sunset tried to back away again from the foaming cauldron that separated her from the crazed witch. However, before Sunset could do anything about it, one of the foaming columns shot out of the cauldron and ensnared her. Sunset threw her arms up into the air, as if to shield herself as a yellow bubble swallowed her whole.

In a panic, Sunset tried to reach out to the walls to try and escape, but the bubble held her captive. She tried to think, say, or do something to get herself out of this situation. However, her thoughts were interrupted as the witch’s magic started to course through the little mermaid's body. Sunset’s face twisted to reflect the agony she felt as the magic circle around her body, contracted ,and contorted the poor child to and fro. Pain ripped across Sunset’s entire being, stinging her down to her very molecules as the spell started to alter her being. All Sunset could do was wordlessly curse. There was no one to blame for what was happening to her now but herself. She knew that. The torture began to make thinking difficult. However, that was nothing compared to what was to come.

It happened sharp and quick. The bones in her tail grinded and altered. It was a miracle—or more likely a curse—that Sunset hadn’t passed out from the agony. There were a series of bright flashes, and after each one, her tail halves kicked outwards as they transformed into a pair of human legs. First her right leg, then her left one, followed by a right foot, then a left one. Each sickening pop of the transformation making Sunset Shimmer’s skin crawl. Once her legs had formed, the magic softened, allowing Sunset to breath.

‘Is it over?’ To Sunset’s horror, the bubble started to shrink, closing in on her.

Help me! she mouthed. Not that it would have done her any good as she was now curled into a ball.

Just as Sunset thought she would be crushed, there was another round of flashes as the spell continued, adding the finishing touches to make her fully human. Sunset grabbed onto her stomach as her gills disappeared, her body changing from being able to breath water and air, to only air. There was one final flash, and to Sunset’s relief, the bubble popped, and the pain of the transformation passed. Only for her new, air only lungs, to fill with water. Cheeks swelling up, Sunset reached upwards and started kicking her limbs about, trying in vain to move anywhere, somewhere, nowhere.

Why, why, why?! Stupid, stupid girl! Sunset thought to herself, her mind becoming hazy.

Guess Celestia was right. Pride was my downfall….

🧜‍♀️🪄 🪄🪄🏃‍♀️

Author's Note

Again, this story is lot of risk taking in terms of structure style and what not. I’m aware of this, and NOT afraid of criticism (MORE than welcomed to it in fact!) This is just a ‘so you know’ if you wanted to give feedback.

Anyways, I’d like to thank the artist DrawOneScene for offering to create the amazing artwork of Sunset losing her voice despite his busy irl schedule ❤️
https://www.deviantart.com/drawonescene/art/Sunset-Shimmer-can-t-stop-singing-873882839

Also don’t forget, I still need a lot of artist such as him, both commissionsable and who’s be able to help out for free, so if you’re interested in either click this link https://www.fimfiction.net/blog/938372/sunset-shimmer-little-mermaid-art-map

AND PLEASE don’t forget how some art made so far would not be possible without sponsors such as Grumpy Kirin, whom I’m hoping to turn his fan fic into a dramatic reading within a few days https://www.fimfiction.net/story/485559/life-with-a-nirik
As well as our newest sponsor, Peppermint Papa https://www.deviantart.com/vahshircatdreamer
If you wish to join them and get your own shout out in the credits as a sponsor, either check out the same art map link above, or say so in the comments.
Until then, hope you’re enjoying so far and even if it’s not saying you wish to sponsor, feel free to comment below what you liked and disliked about the story. It really is why I do what I do! ❤️

Oh! And one more link ^^’ Thanks to ExplosiveMare, notes from the pre-readers is back in the comments as well! 🎉

Act 4, What Are They, Feet?

“I’ll be honest,” Twilight complimented after she showed Sunset her mermaid costume for the play. “I’d thought you’d protest more,”

Most of the outfits had recently arrived, and when Twilight realized that the mermaid costume was nothing more than a green tail with a fabric shell-shaped bra, she felt it was only fair to mention it to Sunset to make sure she’d be okay with it. Having set it up on a model in the costume room, Twilight showed her the outfit and went on to explain some of the implications. For example, the scene such as the moment when her feet showed might be taken the wrong way by boys (and even some girls) around their age. To Twilight’s surprise, Sunset showed no discomfort or lack of interest because of it. Not that Twilight wasn’t relieved, but still!

“I mean, not like they’re going to see anything they shouldn’t. Right?” Sunset said, adding a smirk as she leaned against the changing rooms makeup mirror.

“Of course not!” Twilight said, a little faster than she would have liked as her face reddened. “I mean, no, never! Geez, Sunset, this is a school production!”

Sunset burst into a fit of laughter. Once she calmed down, she said, “Really, Twi, I don’t mind. For one, it’s not as if I don’t know about boy’s fantasies about me anyways,” She stuck out her tongue. “Plus, you forget I came from a world where clothing was optional,”

“Oh? Oh! Right,” Twilight chuckled, before recalling her own time as a unicorn. “Guess that would help,” She tugged on her hair for a bit before noticing how quiet Sunset had gone. “So, how are things?”

“Huh? Oh! Yeah.” Sunset nodded, before fixing her gaze onto the mermaid tail. “Just reminiscing a bit about my old life while I’m at it. Been doing so a lot lately. Come to think about it... did I apologize for the other day?”

“About six or seven times,” Twilight said, bemused. “It’s okay. You don’t have to tell me, but I still want to help if I can.” She kicked at the ground. “We’re friends, right? Isn’t that what friends do?”

“I...” Sunset stammered, feeling on the verge of tears. She didn’t deserve this. Any of this! She didn’t deserve friends like Twilight Sparkle. She was a selfish blow hard who only pushed away those she cared about out of arrogance and pride! And yet, the way Twilight looked at her with those violet eyes, those adorable cheeks, that gorgeous hair, and that beautiful smile, Sunset couldn’t help but feel grateful. She wanted right now, more than anything, just to hug Twilight for all she has done.

So she did.

Twilight eyes widened at the surprise hug. At first, she felt Sunset shaking, so she wrapped her own arms around Sunset. She was content to simply hold her until she was ready to talk.

“Thanks,” Sunset said after some time had passed. She pulled away, wiping at her nose. “Sorry,”

“It’s fine,” Twilight said as she tugged at her dress. “I promise not to bring it up again,”

“No, Twi! It’s just...” Sunset took in a breath. “Say, want to head to my place? Maybe we can order a pizza, play some video games and do dumb teen stuff? After I calm down, I might tell you everything,”

Eyes widening, Twilight stammered. “Sur… sure. Only…” To hide her nervousness, she smirked. “...we’re ordering pineapple,” Twilight said with a puff of her chest. “You owe me that much!”

“Ugh!” Sunset said in mock disgust. “You are evil! Pure evil, Sparky! But I guess I had it coming,”

🍕 🍕 🧜‍♀️ 🍍 🍕 🍕

Things were a blur to Sunset. One moment she was drowning, the next her head was veering towards a rock. She gagged on some sea water as she pulled herself upwards to catch her breath. The first thought going through her mind once she could think clearly was;

‘I’m alive! Gods, I’m alive! I never want to go through that again,”

For a moment, she forgot why she had even endured such pain and almost died. It had something to do with spiteing Celestia, right?

With a groan, she lifted her head up, and tried to look around. Upon moving her hair out of her eyes, she recognized this was the same stretch of beach she had deposited that beautiful human she had saved. The human that Queen Celestia so unfairly disapproved.

“Did you rescue a human?” Queen Celestia demanded.

“Well, I...” Sunset shrank back from Celestia’s glare.

“I consider myself a reasonable queen,” Celestia said, taking a deep breath. “I’ve given you plenty of space—

”Space?” Sunset clenched her fist. “Space?! You, giving me space!?” Her face heated up. “That’s a laugh!”

Celestia dare talk to her about giving her ‘space?’ Did she mean that one time they hadn’t talked for three months, only because she was busy on a diplomatic mission? Oh! How Celestia loved to brag about that and ignore the fact that as soon as they had one-on-one time again it was the same old, ‘Sunset, get your head back in the water and obey my rules!’

“Don’t you raise your voice at me like a child!” Celestia snapped.

Sunset’s mouth hung open. However, she was too mad to care anymore. If all Celestia would do was see her as a child, then why bother trying to please her anymore?

“Stop acting like you know what’s best for me!” Sunset snapped.

“You are a mermaid, Sunset Shimmer! You’re confused and ignorant, but still one of my subjects. I love you, Sunset, but you need help, you need to be properly guided or—

“Well what would you know about being in love?” Sunset clasped her hand over her mouth. Too late she realized how over the line, even in this circumstance, that might have been.

“I see…” Celestia’s nodded. Then she sprouted a look that made Sunset’s blood run cold. “Well, I am going to get through to you one way or another, be it you willing or kicking and screaming.” She looked around in furry at the various human artifacts that lined Sunset’s grotto. “And if this is the only way to protect you, then so be it!”

Sunset’s protests went on deaf ears as bolts of lighting branched throughout the cave….

Sunset flared through her nostrils and flipped herself onto her back, resting a hand on her head. In doing so, she pulled herself up further from the water, and paused as something that wasn’t her tail rose with her.

Her jaw dropped, as she stared at the clearly human knee sticking out of the water and at the pair of appendages where her tail should have been.

A thousand emotions ran through her at once. The only thing Sunset could do was see if this was real. She commanded one of the limbs to fully lift out of the water, and stared in awe as it obeyed, revealing a human leg and foot. Still stunned, she experimentaly wiggled her new toes, and beamed as her foot did so.

The life she left behind, Celestia, the pain she had endured, the deadline that loomed over her head, even the thoughts of her prince were put on hold. For the moment, nothing else mattered to the little mer- the little human!

She had made it! It had worked, she was here....

She would show them.

🦵🦶🦶🦶🦵

Author's Note

*to be cleaned up and edited with notes from the pre-readers later

We’re finally here! The chapter with the picture that started this whole story!
And yet it’s not what I’ll be talking about in this A/N :3 XD
If you got early access through ArielFan’s DA page, you may have noticed the additions added to the story. Most notable here is how I included the grotto destruction scene as part of a flash back.
One of the reasons why I consider TLM as my favorite is because of how close to home the story hits me in comparison to my own relationship with my dad. Especially recently with me being a brony. Honestly, the grotto destruction scene is one of the hardest scenes in all of cinema for me to sit through 😣 and I know I’m not the only one who can relate to Ariel (and in this case Sunset’s) pains of having such a ‘loving’ parent. So while it was difficult for me to wrote, im glad I did as this story turned into just as much a coping mech as a passion project ^.^

Which if you’d like to be like
Saita The Kirin
-and KokoraTora and our newest sponsor https://twitch.tv/tribal_typhoon for making art in this video possible!
If you wish to be a sponsor like them, or wish to contribute your own art to the story; fallow the link posted here. ❤️

Act 5; Dense as a Bucket

“You know, the more time passes, the more I see why you casted Flash as Eric,” Sunset said to Twilight with a shake of her head. The pair watched in amusement as Derpy Hooves tried to get Flash Sentry’s head out of a bucket.

“I mean...” Twilight waved a hand as Flash ran into a wall while Derpy profusely apologized. “Eh, never mind,”

“I'm just saying,” Sunset said as she blew on a strand of hair. “For someone who’s so dense they disregard the girl of their dreams simply because she couldn’t talk, I have no trouble seeing them getting their head stuck in a bucket trying to impress another one,”

Twilight nodded as Flash held his foot in pain after stubbing his toe into a wall. “Well, there wouldn’t be much of a story if they had just kissed then. That aside, the point is how Eric, and the prince in the original story, were so focused on finding the perfect girl, they couldn’t see the perfectly fine one right in front of them. That girl happened to be the person they were looking for all along. Thus, the story is a metaphor for loving what you have rather than obsessing over what you don’t,”

“Uh-huh,” Sunset nodded while they watched Flash fall onto his back, knocking his bucket covered head against a pillar while Derpy held a hand to her mouth in both horror and amusement.

Sunset smiled as Flash waved a hand at Derpy, trying to act like nothing was wrong. That was before he realized his hand had brushed against her face, causing him to rise up quickly, bumping their heads and sending the pair to the ground.

“I mean, I guess things worked out for them in the end,” Sunset commented, before a thought crossed her mind. “Actually, doesn’t that moral cancel itself out since when, in this version, he only falls for the mermaid after she gets her voice back?”

Twilight griminced. “Well, okay. But, before he got brainwashed, he was talked into letting go of that hunt. And then he fought the entire ocean to be with her. That has to count for something...”

Twilight’s eyes shrank at the realization of something important she couldn’t believe she had forgotten from weeks ago. “Oh gods, I forgot you and Flash were a couple!”

Now, the difference between a friend, and a great friend, is knowing how to calm your friend down without saying ‘calm down’ (Which is something you should never say anyways).

Hyperventilating, Twilight threw out dozens of apologies before Sunset placed a hand on her shoulder.

“Twi,” Sunset said in a firm, but soft tone. “Take a breath. Please? For me,” she added with a twinkle in her eye. “Nice and slow. There we go!” Sunset waited until Twilight's checks were puffy.

“Now let it out, slowly. Do it three more times,” As Twilight did so, she added, “While I was a little nervous at first when I saw the casting list, me and Flash had a mature conversation about it, and we’re cool,”

“Oh,” Twilight said after her third breath. Her eyes turned to Flash and Derpy, the ladder of whom was now trying to remove the bucket as Flash groaned in pain. “So, and this is just a curious thing, do you…” she paused and pulled at her hair. “...still like him?” The fact Sunset didn’t answer right away hit her harder than she would’ve liked.

“Well, I wouldn’t say no,” Sunset admitted with a shrug as a plunk sound rang out and Flash lifted his head from the bucket. He paused for a moment, said something to Derpy, causing the girl to blush. “But we’ve pretty much moved on by this point. Plus, I wouldn’t want to get in the way of whatever they have,”

Twilight blinked as she looked from Sunset to Flash and Derpy who were now warmly smiling at each other.

“Why do you ask?” Sunset said with a nudge to Twilight. “Jealous or something?”

“No! I mean...” Twilight coughed as everyone stopped looking at Derpy and Flash to look at them. “Don’t you all have things to do?” Twilight chastised.

There was some muttering, but soon enough, everyone went back to what they were doing.

“Teenagers,” Sunset said as she ruffled Twilight’s hair. “You give an inch, they swim a mile,”

“Oh stop it!” Twilight protested as she batted Sunset off, and the two had a good laugh. Then Sunset’s backpack began to glow and vibrate.

“Ugh,” Sunset sighed as she pushed away from Twilight.

Sadly, Sunset had never gotten around to telling Twilight the truth the last time they hung out. While Twilight was eager to find out what was wrong, she at least knew better than to push the matter. Besides, she had been more than happy to simply spend the night playing video games with one of her closest friends. Not worrying about life, grades, making the play perfect, or even what made Sunset so upset.

“Pizza and video games again tonight?” Twilight asked, taking in a deep breath before asking.

Sunset’s eyebrow raised, before smiling at the same pleasant memories with Twilight from their last little hangout session.

“Okay,” Sunset nodded, then smirked. “But no pineapple this time, Sparkle! I’m not debating you on it!”

🪣 ❤️ 🦀 📣

They say love is blind and that hindsight is a bitch. The once mermaid Sunset Shimmer was currently getting a hard lesson in both of these regards.

Having wrapped herself up in what she was certain to be the most popular human attire, she believed she did not have long to wait to find her princess. Much to her surprise, however, the princess’ dog found her instead. The little scamp barked and chased her onto a rock.

“Spike!” his owner called out, letting out a startled gasp as she saw him playfully barking at Sunset. “Spike! I’m so, so sorry, miss!” she apologized, picking Spike up and chastising him. “He’s friendly, I swear, he just gets a little excited at times.”

In response to that, Spike licked one Twilight Sparkle and jumped out of her arms, landing right next to Sunset. Both girls stared fearfully, before relaxing as he nuzzled up to Sunset’s hand.

Twilight giggled as Sunset rubbed behind the pup's ear. “He really seems to like you.” She then turned her attention to Sunset, who held in her breath as Twilight looked her up and down.

“Um, do I know you?” Twilight asked, adjusting her glasses to look at her more closely. “You look familiar.”

Sunset played with her hair and nodded. This would be easy! Sunset beamed, taking the suddenly nervous looking, princess’ hands.

“Oh, I’m, er,” Twilight said through a forced smile. “I mean, well...what’s your name?”

Sunset started to speak but was quickly reminded what she gave up to be here.

“Huh?” Twilight blinked at the wordless mouth movement. “You can’t speak?”

Sunset nodded sadly. However, she wasn’t worried. She was more than confident her true love could reason she lost her voice in an accident or something else smart. After all, it was the girl's intelligent remarks that night she overheard from the boat before the storm. The human had talked about her love of knowledge and understanding, despite her peers’ disapproval. Twilight wasn’t some dumb human princess, Sunset knew. She had a powerful intellectual that would draw the conclusion that Sunset was still the one who had saved her that night.

And then Twilight said, in a rather relieved tone, “Oh. Oh! I guess you’re not her then,” She quickly backed away from Sunset’s hold on her hands and picked up Spike. The puppy was seemingly wearing a human expression on his face that said; ‘Seriously?’

“I should get going,” Twilight said with a bow. “Terribly sorry to have bothered you, miss,”

Sunset's eye started to twitch. This was the human she went through all that pain for? The reason why she could never go home? This was the idiot she had made those sacrifices for? The one who she Literally sold her soul to the devil to be with! Oh fuck no. No. No, no, no. NO! She hadn’t come all this way to be turned down by some dense human nimwit. Not if she had anything to say about it.

Sunset leaned forward, intent on grabbing Twilight by her shirt collar and (even if she had no idea how) give this human girl a piece of her mind. Instead, Sunset lost her balance and flailed her arms wildly as she started to fall off of the rock.

“Whoa, careful there!” Twilight shouted. In alarm, she reached out and caught Sunset. After helping the girl up to eye level, they looked each other in the eyes and found themselves short of breath.

“Anyways!” Twilight cut off, breaking the trance. “How about I get you cleaned up? My treat. Um, I mean, set up! By that I mean, well, it’d be rude to just leave after mistaking you for someone else. No that sounds… What would you want? Wait! That’s even worse. Oh! I mean, would you do stuff with me? Wait! Did I word it in a way to imply-

Twilight continued on babbling as she walked Sunset to the castle. Sunset merely shook her head in bemusement as she held the cute human close. Maybe this Twilight Sparkle was an idiot—she was one to talk—but, Sunset decided, she was her adorable idiot.

Besides, it wasn’t as if she had much of a choice...

🐶 🧜‍♀️ ❤️ ☀️ 🕰

Author's Note

Happy Easter 🐣 👋
I’ll be honest, I’ve never hated Flash, but I’ve always disliked Eric (even as a kid). The former being how I got into EQG, the ladder’s dense-ness being a large inspiration for this story.
Anyways, the art use in this story is brought to you by JadeThePeguis, and give a warm welcome to Eevee Miscellaneous 🌟
And as always, a HUGE thank you to the sponsors who made these art pieces possible;
-Admiral Typhoon: https://www.twitch.tv/tribal_typhoon
-Saita the Kirin: https://www.fimfiction.net/user/365788/Saita_the_Kirin/stories
-Fanura Joy: https://www.youtube.com/user/Natorni/featured
-Peppermint Papa: https://www.deviantart.com/vahshircatdreamer
If you’d like to contribute to this story as either a sponsor or artist Click Here, or comment you like to help below

Act 6, Video Rage & First Night Dinner Dates

“Really?” Sunset said, tilting her head. “Octavia Melody and Sonata Dusk?”

“I mean, they weren't doing anything to suggest they were actually a couple,” Twilight said as she ran a finger over her friend’s video game library. “But they were by themselves and clearly giggling,” She paused over a game. “Why, you think they wouldn’t work out?”

“I guess they have the whole music thing going for them,” Sunset shrugged, leaning against her sofa. Sunset genuinely smiled. This was nice. Just her, her apartment, her best friend Twilight Sparkle, video games, pizza in about an hour, and harmless gossip about the love life of their fellow classmates and reforming sirens. “Then again, I wouldn’t have thought Octavia Melody and Vinyl Scratch would have gotten along so well,”

“Aren’t those two related?” Twi questioned. “I actually thought they were cousins.”

Sunset was about to respond when her backpack started to glow. Neither girl said anything for a moment. Then Sunset reached into her bag, pulled out the friendship journal, and tossed it aside, where it landed under one of the TV trays before it stopped glowing.

“So what game you got picked out, Twi?” she asked quickly, sitting up straight.

“Um...” Twilight said nervously, running her hand through Sunset’s game collection. “How about...Tirek’s Revenge?”

“Perfect!” Sunset snatched the game from Twilight and raced over to put it in. “Let’s get our game on!” As the game loaded, she looked over to Twilight who was shifting anxiously. “It’s fine. I’m fine. Can we just have some fun?”

Twilight began to protest for a moment, but decided to let it go. She knew that pushing things with Sunset wouldn’t do any good, and honestly, Twilight simply wanted to enjoy her time with Sunset.

“Okay,” Twilight nodded, a wicked smile crossing her face as the game’s music started to play. “But, you ready to get creamed?”

“In your dreams, Sparky!” Sunset stuck out her tongue as they picked their characters. “Now get your game on!”

“Oh, you’re going to get it!” Twilight laughed as the screen went,

‘Ready? FIGHT!’

The girls let out their war cries.

🥊🎮🥊🕹🥊

“So, you just bring home a mute girl you happen to find on the beach who looks similar to that girl that rescued you, and it’s no big deal?” Shining Armor clarified, the smugness in his voice undeniable.

“I mean…” Twilight said, continually looking out the dining room window. “It seemed like the right thing to do,” She scowled at her brother. “And don’t you get any ideas! I just felt bad for mixing her up with somebody else I owe a favor to. That’s all,”

Shining Armor crossed his arms and looked down to Spike who merely shook his head.

“Okay,” he replied, looking back up at his sister. “I mean, that’s nice of you, Twily, but-

“Aren’t you supposed to still be feeling bad for planning my birthday party during a hurricane?”

Shining Armor said nothing, as that very fact had been eating him alive for the past several days. The party, the storm, forgetting Spike on the boat, not being able to stop Twilight when she went back for him, no matter how much his wife told him he couldn’t have done anything.Then when, bless the gods, they found his sister on the beach, rambling about some golden goddess who saved her. After, many young women stepped forward claiming to ‘be the one’, only to not be so and were clearly looking for his sister's favor. Which didn’t help at all for Twilight’s anxiety. They were always uppity, spoiled brats, who saw a friendship with Twilight as little more than a means to an end for her crown. Experiences that had taught Twilight to never try to make friends.

Then, out of the blue, his sister found some girl on the beach who looked like this mystery girl and, hell, decided to help her? It was an odd sight for Shining Armor to say the least. Even more so to see Twilight genuinely happy to be talking to someone outside her family, and someone who seemed just as eager to listen. It was more than enough for him to put aside his own personal feelings of his sister's harsh comment to keep this golden opportunity of passing by.

“Hey, I deserved that,” he said, after a sigh, patting Twilight on the shoulder. “I’m just saying, Spike seemed to like her,” He smiled as the puppy on the floor gave a little yip in approval.

Twilight rolled her eyes. “Oh yes, it was clearly love at first sight. Better get on with the wedding!”

Before Shining could comment, his wife, Princess Cadence, let out a little cough from the doorframe. “Come on, dear! Don’t be shy.”

Twilight turned, her face lighting up at the firey-haired beauty that walked forward. Her sister-in-law did a marvelous job in getting the girl cleaned up. Not a trace of seaweed in her hair, skin radiating from the bath, a pink dress that fit snuggly upon that body-

“Thank you!” Twilight blurted, coughing upon feeling her brother and Spike smirking at her. “I mean, you look nice,”

The girl smiled and bowed her head.

“Doesn’t she?” Cadence beamed, walking up behind them. “I must say, your poor friend was quite a wreck. You’d think she lived in the ocean her whole life. Thankfully, I was able to find the pretty face under all that sand!”

“We’re not friends,” Twilight explained plainly, winching at the look the girl was giving her upon saying that. “Oh, no! I mean, I, no, I didn’t mean that to be personal, miss. I’m sure you have family and friends looking for you,” Her stomach twisted when the girl looked away at that. “No! I mean—

“What my sister means to say,” Shining said, stepping in, “is if you’d like to stay for dinner and the night, we’ll gladly loan you one of the quest rooms,”

“We would?” Twilight questioned.

“We would?” Cadence said confused, before it clicked. “I mean, yes of course we would!” She leaned in to whisper loudly to the girl, “And don’t worry, when my sister in law acts in such an adorkable way, it means, deep down, she likes you,”

“Cadence!” Twilight shouted, face read at both women’s amusement. However, Twilight found her heart melting at the girl’s soundless giggles. Oh, how her face shimmered and radiated, and made her tummy—

“So, dinner, what are we having?” Twilight said, spinning around, acting like the males of the room weren't acting any cheekier.

👗💖👗💖👗

“No, no, NO! God damnit, NO!” Sunset hollered, standing on her couch as she kept pressing buttons furiously.

Right as Twilight landed the final blow, the screen screamed KO!, Sunset threw her face into the sofa and screamed to the heavens.

The doorbell rang.

“Oh! Pizza’s here!” Twilight perked up.

“AAAAHHHH!” Sunset cried, her face still buried as she kicked her legs in the air.

“Oh there, there,” Twilight smiled, patting her friend’s back. “It wasn’t that bad of a loss,”

Sunset muttered something that sounded like swearing, and Twilight stood up to get their dinner. As she did so, Sunset sucked in a breath and pulled herself up.

“You really have an issue with losing,” Twilight commented as she brought the pizza to the couch.

“I didn’t notice,” Sunset muttered.

“Aw, a sore loser, are we?” Twilight giggled, only to take it back when she noticed Sunset tensed at that. “I mean, I’m sure you’ll get me next time,”

“Don’t patronize me,” Sunset breathed through her nose. “Sorry, Twilight, but yes, I realize I have a problem.” She nibbled on her pizza then said, “I ever tell you why that is?”

“Huh?” Twilight blinked. “Um, I don’t think so,”

Sunset blew at her hair. “It—” her eyes drifted to the journal, glowing once again. “Well… it has a lot to do with my parents,”

Twilight straightened herself up. “Your parents?”

“Yeah,” Sunset cringed. “I mean, no!” She brought a hand to her forehead. “They weren't abusive if that's what you’re thinking. Well, physically or intentionally anyways,” She began to rub her temples, before feeling Twilight scoot over.

“Hey, we don’t have to talk about it if you don’t want to,” Twilight assured, squeezing her friend’s shoulder.

“No, I…” Sunset started, before melting at her friend’s gaze and sighing. “It’s complicated. As cliché as that sounds. The super short version I can give was they were somehow both the type who wanted what was best for me, and never satisfied with what I did at the same time. Which kind of, as you’ve seen, gave me a bit of a complex,”

Twilight simply nodded, feeling this wasn’t a time for jokes.

“And they were hypocrites most of the time too,” Sunset laughed weakly. “I bet they want to tell me that they’re disappointed that I turned into a raging she-demon and nearly took over the world, while also chastising me for not being successful in that little endeavor at the same time,” Her fist clenched. “But hey, all for love, am I right?” she turned to see Twilight frowning. “Sorry,”

“No, I’m glad you told me,” Twilight leaned into Sunset, looking at the journal which was still glowing, but much more faintly. “I’m guessing that’s them trying to reach you,”

Sunset shrugged. “It’s mostly been your counterpart playing middle mare in this whole thing.”

“Oh.” Twilight tapped on the couch. “What they say?”

“Um,” Sunset gave a weak laugh. “I hadn’t really seen it. Princess Twilight said they just learned through Princess Celestia about my whereabouts after my last visit,”

Twilight put a hand to her chin. “Maybe they just want to know what happened to you?” she offered, tugging at her skirt. “You know? Make sure that you’re okay.”

Sunset blew at her bangs. “That’s rather optimistic thinking.”

“They’re still your parents,” Twilight pointed out.

“That doesn’t mean I owe them anything,” Sunset said, crossing her arms and looking to the side.

“I never said that,” Twilight assured. “I know how this might sound, but you don’t owe anyone forgiveness. Not even your family,”

Sunset stared. “Wow, Sparky, that was rather deep,” She smirked. “Where did you learn it?”

“Cadence, believe it or not.” Twilight said with a wave of her hand. “That said, she did also say that it doesn't hurt to at least hear a person out if they’re going through the trouble to apologize. Then you can judge for yourself. Personally, even a half-assed apology is better than none. Best case, it’s them admitting what they did wrong, at worse, it’s something you can hold them to if they do it again.”

“Maybe,” Sunset said, a moment of indecision as she looked from Twilight to the journal. “Still, I don’t know. It’s, well, I mean—

Suddenly, Twilight shoved the game controller into her hands. “How about a few more rounds and you can think it over as you learn how to lose graciously?” Twilight beamed that adorable smile Sunset had come to love.

Sunset sat there for a moment. A million emotions ran through her. Maybe, with her best friend by her side, she could at least humor her parents by seeing what they had to say. And like Twilight said, she didn’t have to forgive them, but at least hearing what they had to say couldn’t hurt.

“Who said I was going to lose this time?” Sunset bopped Twilight on the nose.
“And don’t you go easy on me just because you think that would make me happy, Sparky!”

Twilight giggled. “As if!”

Sunset smiled, looking to the closet, but focused her gaze on Twilight, before going back to the game.

🍕🎮🗡📖

Sunset had to admit, aside from Twilight being rather dense, she thought things were going remarkably well so far. Once being handed off to Twilight’s sister in law, a princess Cadence, to be cleaned and dressed, the older princess went on and on about how excited she was at the idea of Twilight making a friend. To which Sunset found herself liking this woman rather quickly. She was very kind and encouraging, made sure she didn’t feel overwhelmed with all her new experiences of being a human, and seemed to be smarter than Twilight, which was nice.

“Thank you so very much for saving my sister, by the way,” Cadence smiled as she pulled a pink dress over Sunset’s head.

Once the dress was pulled over her head, Sunset stared at her dumbfoundly.

“I know Twilight insists you're not the one just because you lost your voice in what I could only guess must have been a traumatizing shipwreck,” “Cadence let out a sigh. “But do know, we owe you a lot for that.”

Lady, if I didn’t need it to be Twilight, I would kiss you right now!

“It’s just,” Cadence let out a little sigh. “Go slow with her. I think you two would make great friends, if I’m being honest.”

Hopefully more really, really, soon, Sunset grimaced.

“She simply never had a friend her own age before. Too many girls only care that she’s a princess rather than a sweet girl. With that said…” Sunset felt the dress tighten at her waist. “...if you’re only after her crown like all those other brats, I’ll break your heart into so many pieces, even the gods couldn’t put them back together!”

Sunset’s eyes widened in fear as she held up her hands and shook her head. No! I don’t care about any of that! I’d love her regardless of some stupid birth rights!

Cadance quickly perked back up and nodded eagerly. “Good! Now come along dear,” She took Sunset’s hand and led her out into the hallway. “Oh, don’t be shy,” she insisted, pushing Sunset into the dining room, and towards a now very flustered Twilight Sparkle.

Once introductions and her living arrangements had been made, they were sat down. To Sunset’s delight, there were dinglehoppers arranged on the table.

So, human's comb their hair before meals? she shrugged and grabbed it, running it through her hair. Well, when in the human world, I guess.

She combed for a second before noticing there was an uncomfortable silence at the table. Looking up, she saw Twilight giving her an odd glance, Cadence staring with her jaw dropped, and Shining Armor looking dumbstruck.

Worried, she gave an awkward smile and quickly set the comb down.

“Um, so…” Shining said awkwardly, raising his pipe to his mouth. “Where are you from?”

Before anyone could point out Sunset couldn’t answer, Cadence said, “Must you smoke at the table, dear?”

Shining rolled his eyes. “It was just a puff,” he promised, setting the pipe down within Sunset’s reach. “It’s not as if—hey!”

Sunset’s eyes widened in delight at the instrument. Eager to give it a try, she brought it to her mouth, and right as Shining tried to stop her, she blew, shooting black soot into Shining's face.

Sunset’s eyes widened, but relaxed when she turned to see Twilight laughing.

“I mean...” Twilight coughed, when all eyes turned to her.

“Why, Twily,” Cadenced beamed. “That’s the first time I’ve seen you smile in weeks!”

Sunset perked up.

“Well, I mean...” Twilight said with a blush. “Shining is a dork.”

“I resent that!” he protested as he cleaned up his face.

“That he is.” Cadence nodded. She turned to Sunset, giving the girl a wink.

“Although, it’s funny that he’s been by your side for the past several weeks, and when you're new…” Cadence cleared her throat. “When this lovely young lady came into the equation—

“So where do you come from?” Twilight said, before realizing Sunset couldn’t talk. “Oh, oh, drat! I mean, no! Hehe. Er, I mean, maybe you could write it down or something, or maybe if you wouldn’t know how to use a map. Wait, would you even know-

Sunset stopped paying attention as an idea crossed her mind.

Write it down….oh. Oh hohoho! Ha! Perfect! Oh, this is perfect! Hahaha, take that, you stupid sea witch and Celestia. Not thinking things through my flipper!

She tugged onto Twilight’s shoulder.
“What, what? Oh no, am I babbling again? I’m so sorry, I know it can be annoying, but I can’t help it. I mean, did the chicken come first? Or is it possible elephant seals grew their trunks just so one day we could call them—

“Um, Twilight,” Cadence cleared her throat. “Perhaps you could see what she wants?”

Twilight blinked and turned her head.

Sunset shook her head in bemusement, before making a writing motion with her hands.

“Oh?” Twilight paused. “Oh! So you can write?”

Sunset nodded enthusiastically.

With that, Shining called one of the servants to fetch a quill and paper. It arrived not a moment later. Sunset brought the pen to the paper then paused, thinking about how to best word the fact she was the one who saved Twilight from that storm because she was a mermaid, and that Twilight needed to kiss her within three days to remain human without coming off as crazy. In the end, she decided to simply write down,

Yes, I’m the one who saved you, Twilight. Kind of lost my voice a short while ago. My name is Sunset Shimmer.

Smiling, she passed the note to Twilight and waited for a response. For the praise, admiration, and the love Twilight would show. That was, until Twilight looked at the writing, and with a confused expression asked,

“I guess you can’t write English then?”

The pen snapped in Sunset’s grasp.

To be fair, she should have figured it would have been too easy for humans to write in Atlantean, despite somehow being able to speak it. Life really wasn’t fair and cruel sometimes. But at least Sunset could still curse inwardly.

“Well that’s a shame,” Shining Armor frowned, before it seemed like he was coming up with an idea of his own. The look he gave his wife seemed to suggest it was a great one.

“Still, I suppose for someone as smart as you, Twily, it would be easy to figure out what language she writes in?”

“I suppose,” Twilight hummed to herself, looking the words over from several angles. “Although if I didn’t know better, I’d swear this is some combination of Greek, Mesopotamian and… Syrian? Huh. Then again, it’s been awhile since I’ve touched either language.”

“Is it now?” Cadence added, supposedly figuring out what her husband was thinking. “Well, perhaps if you can figure that much out, it wouldn’t hurt for you to help your friend learn how to read and write English as well?”

“Then maybe you can take her to the town library tomorrow on a date to see if you can’t learn more?” Shining threw out quickly, adding in an innocent whistle.

“Sure, sounds fine,” Twilight simply nodded, focused on Sunset’s scribbles and not realizing what she had just agreed to for several seconds. Once she had, she jerked up. “What? No! I mean…”

Twilight paused, looking to a now very excited guest.

For a brief second, Sunset frowned at some wisdom Celestia had once bestowed upon her.

Always be on the lookout for how to turn your problems into solutions, Sunset Shimmer...

She shook her head and refocused on how perfect this all was.

I get to spend more time with Twilight, hopefully bond and get to learn about the human written word while I’m at it! This is officially the best day ever!

That was, until she looked at Twilight’s nervous stature and shrank back. She was worried she may have seemed too eager. However, upon seeing her puppy dog eyes, Twilight let out a sigh.

“Well… I suppose I could,” Twilight tugged at her hair. “Been awhile since I’ve been to the town library. I mean, would you want to join me, miss?” Twilight let out a squeak when Sunset threw her arms around her, much to Shining and Cadence’s bemusement as their dinner plates were brought in.

🦀 📝 ✍️ 🥘

Author's Note

Dose anyone know how to copy and paste comments made on your google docs? Been making Notes a real chore >.>

Anyways, thank you SCG for the EQG chapter art, which is also being used as a temporary cover, just to see how different pics go for awhile.

Also thank you ArielFan for the early birthday gift (may 4th) and for MythKaz for drawing it! won’t be used for the dramatic reading, but is still awesome!
And as always, such art is made possible by donors such as,
Admiral Typhoon, Saita the Kirin, Fanura Joy, & Peppermint Papa
If you’d like to help out as well, either with art or by sponsoring, ask so about it below and thanks for reading 🌟

Act 7, The Second Day Date

“Okay,” Twilight said, taking in deep breaths. “You’re just taking Sunset to the town library to see if you can figure out where she comes from. Nothing to get worked up about for a…person you’re helping out.”

‘Sunset’ Twilight though. She wasn’t thinking about how beautiful the name was! Rather, she was thinking about how she had found it out.

Shortly after dinner, she took the girl to the castle’s study to see if she could try to give her a basic crash course in English. It was when they were going through one of Twilight’s favorite books as a kid when Sunset pointed excitedly at the picture of a sun. After a little game of charades, Sunset’s name was revealed to Twilight. Oh, how exciting it was when they both made that discovery! Sunset wanted to learn more about Twilight’s world after that. Twilight was more than excited to teach her. She would never say it out loud, but it was the most fun she had with someone in a long time. That was, until the following morning when Shining and Cadence found them snuggled up to one another on the floor in what could only be described as a book fort. Now, here she was, washed up, but ready to spend the entire day with her new friend-project!

Twilight frowned. Was it really that hard to just call someone a friend?

“You’re looking good for your date.” Cadance said, sneaking up behind her.

“Gah!” Twilight cried, holding a hand to her chest.

“Sorry, ladybug.” Cadance mused.

“It’s fine,” Twilight blinked and crossed her arms. “And it’s not a date.”

Cadance thought about that. “Right, silly me. You’re just going to go into town for some studying.”

“Yup.” Twilight nodded.

“Just two friends enjoying the day out.”

“Yup- I mean no!” Twilight retorted, flustered.

Cadance frowned. “Twilight, I understand why you’re weary of letting people in, but really, would it be so bad if you gave this girl a chance?”

Twilight shuffled. “I guess… but what if she hurts me, like those other girls?”

Cadance pulled Twilight in for a hug. “Then I’ll banish her, throw her into a dungeon, a then throw her in a dungeon in the place I banished her to!”

“I’m being serious, Cadence!”

“Who says I wasn’t?” the glint in her eyes sent a shiver down Twilight’s spine. “All I ask is that you have a good time.”

Twilight breathed through her nose. “We will.”

“And by that I mean, don’t spend all your time at the library. Show the girl around, try some other things as well.”

“I… I’ll consider it.” Twilight answered, avoiding Cadance’s eye contact as she said it.

“Good enough for me. Now come along, dear!” Cadance took Twilight’s hand and led the way. “Shining is waiting with her in the stables.”

Meanwhile, in said stables, Sunset was patting one of the horses and feeding it an apple while reflecting on last night. How she had gotten Twilight to figure out her name, learning more about the human language, waking up in Twilight’s lap, to the girl’s embarrassment of her siblings...

“Good morning again, Sunset,” Shining Armor said, walking up behind her. “A horse person I see.”

For whatever reason, something about that caused Sunset’s mind to flip. She shook her head and smiled at him.

“I’d ask if you’re excited, but I guess unlike my sister, you are.”

Sunset nodded eagerly again, before frowning and tilting her head.

“Hey,” Shining assured. “You’re not doing anything wrong. Quite the opposite in fact. Hopefully this little, um, excursion, will open her up more.” He walked up and placed a hand on her shoulder. “I’m honestly rooting for the both of you and trusting you to keep her heart safe.”

‘Thanks’, Sunset thought as she let out a sigh. ’Means a lot. Hopefully I’m able to get through to that little dork as well. Not as if my very soul or proving Celestia wrong is on the line or anything.’ The sad part was, it was a very close call on which of those two would be worse.

“All set?” Cadance asked, leading a suddenly flustered Twilight into the stable.

“Oh yeah,” Shining said. “Just giving her the ole fatherly-big brother talk.”

“In any case,” Cadence said, slapping her husband across the head. “Have good time, you two!”

“Ye… Yeah,” Twilight said, face burning as she tried not to look at the ravishing Sunset in that beautiful blue dress as she climbed into the carriage. “I’ll see you both later.” She said, made speechless for a moment as Sunset climbed into the seat next to her. “To the library!” Twilight said, quickly ushering the horse forward.

“So,” Cadance said as she waved them off. “Too soon to start planning the wedding?”

“Meh, let’s wait until they at least become friends first,” Shining mused as he took his wife’s hand. “But, I don’t see why we can’t start looking for a marriage gift.”

Cadence gleefully giggled.

Meanwhile, the duo pulled out of the castle courtyard and onto the road. Sunset stared at the green pastures, fields, and the people who passed by in wonder. She got a little bit too curious on how the contraption they were riding worked without water to tried to push against it.

“Hey, hey, hey!” Twilight cried, pulling Sunset back into the carriage. “Excitable type, aren’t you?”

Sunset fell back into her seat, brushed her hair back, and gave Twilight a cheeky smile.

Twilight chuckled, before breathing in and focusing on the road.

Sunset started to reach out and pat Twilight’s shoulder then paused, not wanting to push her luck.

Twilight, meanwhile, kept thinking, ’I’m just taking her to the library so we can find out where she came from, then do a few other things with her around town so Shining and Cadence don’t harp on me about this later.

So why are there butterflies dancing around in your stomach?

Hush you! It’s all from the excitement of figuring out that language Sunset wrote. It seems to have origins from separate cultures.

You silly, silly girl.

As Twilight went to war with herself, Sunset moved her bangs from her eyes and sighed.

’Well, that was a rush. But hey! Twilight got to save my life for a change. That has to mean something. Right? No! Don’t focus so much on trying to get her to fall in love with you. Just make the most of today, and pray we form a bond by the end of it.’

Tapping her finger on her seat, Sunset eyed the reins.

Twilight noticed this. “Oh! You want to give it a try?”

Sunset nodded eagerly.

Handing them over, Twilight started to give her instructions, only for Sunset to slap the reins, causing the horse to race forward.

Twilight let out a yelp, as the acceleration knocked her onto her back.

’This is awesome!’ Sunset shouted in her mind, as she caught some air as they went over a hill. ’How am I doing Twi… Twilight?’ Looking over, she saw that Twilight was pulling herself up, frazzled.

“May… Maybe I should just drive?”

Sunset let out a cheeky grin and handed the reins back over.

After a short while, they arrived in town. Even if Sunset could have spoken, she was rendered speechless at all the sights and sounds that confronted her.

’Look at it all!’ Eyes widened, she tried to take in everything about this world she had only read about or seen firsthand through all the artifacts that drifted down into the oceans. She was fascinated by the humans running around, children playing games with chalk on the pavement, the various human contraptions, and the smells that hit her nose. Turning her head, she saw a collection of buildings that had several baked goods out on display that made her mouth drool.

’Is this heaven? Did I actually die back in Adagio’s cave? That would honestly make more sense.’

“Here we are,” Twilight smiled as she drew the carriage away from the bakeries and to a building with a book painted above the front door. “Canterlot town library. Here!” Twilight offered a hand, which Sunset graciously accepted as she stepped down.

“Right!” Twilight said quickly, face heating up as she pulled her hand away. “Let’s go see where you come from.”

Sunset sucked in a breath, but still smiled. ’I mean, it’s still a human library!’ She couldn’t help but look at the tasty looking bread across the street with disappointment that they weren’t heading that way instead. Although with luck, she would have many chances in the future.

“Okay,'' Twilight muttered, absentmindedly as she ran a finger through the shelves, looking at Sunset’s earlier note. “Let’s see, Greek, Mesopatain, Liberian, Liberian…Do we even have anything written in Liberian? Ugh! This library is too small.”

Sunset stared dumbfounded at, what to her, seemed like an endless mountain of books. This was considered small by human standards? There was countless amounts of knowledge at her fingertips and the only thing that kept her from it was time and the ability to read the human written word.

’Is there a way to test if I’m in heaven or not? Can’t complain either way.’

“I guess this will do.” Twilight said as she picked up one final book. “Now then,” she walked to a table, forgetting about Sunset for a moment. Sunset hadn’t even realized as she had discovered what a rolling ladder was. After playing on the contraption for several minutes, she soon realized she was alone, with Twilight in a corner flipping through the books.

’Ah right! Got to get Twilight to fall in love with me if I don’t want this to turn into a hell. Not going to help if she has her nose in a book the entire day.’ She had a funny feeling that would happen if she didn’t step in.

’Alright, I just have to summon up all my social skills to win the nerd over… Ah fuck! I was never a social mermaid to begin with.’

She was reminded of a time when Celestia had suggested she should obsess with humans less and try to make friends. She had cringed at the memory.

Hey now! It can’t be that hard. Right?

Smiling to herself, she walked up behind Twilight and tapped her left shoulder. Twilight blinked, looked to her left, then right to a bemused Sunset. She then rolled her eyes and went back to her book.

Frowning, Sunset sat down next to her and rested her hands on her chin, smiling at Twilight. She eventually noticed and raised an eyebrow. “You need something?”

Sunset opened her mouth and was reminded of the handicap that made things a lot more difficult. Thoughts of Celestia saying ‘I told you so’ made her skin crawl, which must have been noticed by Twilight.

“You okay? No, wait!” Twilight frowned. “Sorry, I can’t imagine what…. Huh, maybe I do know what it’s like not to have a voice.”

Sunset tilted her head.

“Well I...” she paused, blushing at Sunset, then mulling over something over before sighing and putting the book down. “Okay, so between us, I’m not the best at making friends.”

’Oh?’

“I’ve… Let’s just say being a princess causes people to look at you and judge you differently. Many just see becoming your friend as some kind of game and when you don’t want to play back, you’re just made as a joke for others to talk about behind your back. I mean, is it so wrong that, for whatever reason, I can’t seem to click well with other girls my age?” her fist started to clench. “I want more in life than just to be the eye candy of someone else one day, and somehow that’s a bad thing!”

As Twilight took a breath, Sunset placed a hand on Twilight’s. When she looked up, she saw a face that displayed understanding, not pity.

Truthfully, Sunset knew almost that very same pain! Even if she couldn’t tell Twilight that in regards to all the times she was teased for being such a smart mermaid geek instead of a good little princess herself.

“You… You don’t think that’s wrong?”

Sunset shook her head.

Twilight felt her heart flutter. This girl…

Suddenly, there was the laughter of children, causing Sunset to look over to a part of the library where a bunch of kids had gathered. They were watching some sort of show where two tiny humans were acting.

Twilight noticed Sunset’s interest. “Oh! You’ve never seen a puppet show before?”

Sunset shook her head.

“Well,” Twilight looked anxiously between her books, the show, and Sunset’s eagerness. “I suppose a short break wouldn’t hurt.”

Sunset let out a soundless squeal as she made her way over as Twilight followed behind in bemusement. ’That girl. She can be so adore- curious! Yes, a curious little thing. I can admire that without-‘

Twilight’s thoughts were cut off as she watched in horror as Sunset walked up to the booth, studied the tiny humans, and then traumatized all of the children present by pulling one of the puppets off of the hand. Sunset looked perplexed as several of the children started to cry, immediately catching the attention of the adults.

“Run, now!” Twilight commanded, taking Sunset by the hand and racing out of the library.

Once they were several blocks away and Twilight could catch her breath, she screamed, “What the hell was that!”

When Sunset didn’t answer, Twilight continued, arms in the air.

“You… You can’t do that! What was even going through your head? I’ll be lucky if I’m ever let back into the library after that! Why couldn’t you have just stayed back at the castle?” Upon seeing Sunset’s wilting gaze, Twilight softened. “Sorry.”

Sunset held her hands behind her back.

“Just… Guess you’ve never seen a…” she shook her head. “No, that’s still no excuse!” She took in a breath and leaned against a wall. “Gods, I’m terrible at this.”

Sunset lowered her head.

Twilight bit her lip in thought. “Sorry I… I’m not good at making...” she took in a breath. “Friends.”

Sunset perked up, but held in her excitement like her life was on the line (which she knew it was), knowing this could be a very important breakthrough.

“I, well, let’s say people can be very judgmental of me,” Twilight looked over to Sunset and flustered. “And yet, you don’t seem put off by the fact I yelled at you after ignoring you for the past hour. I’m pathetic, aren’t I?”

’A bit dense, but pathetic? No.’

Hesitantly, Sunset took Twilight’s hand, relieved that she didn’t pull away. She began rubbing it and tried to tell with her face as best as she could, ’You’re not, Twilight. I like you, and would be happy to be your friend, flaws and all.’

Twilight seemed to enjoy that enough that she began to tear up a bit, before chuckling. “Well, while I’m sure I won’t be banned for life, we should probably avoid the library for a little bit. Might as well do that extra curricular activity Shining and Cadance want me to do,” she closed her eyes, “Ah hell! With my... my friend. If you’d be okay with that.”

Sunset nodded eagerly and pulled Twilight into a hug.

Twilight blushed and, giving into her desires for a bit, hugged back.

“Alright,” she said, pulling away, thinking for a minute. “Um… Have you ever had ice-cream before?”

Naturally, Sunset had not. Twilight led her, hands interlocked, through town until they found a place that sold the treat. Sunset’s eyes widening in delight at her first bite. Twilight laughed at the display of the best thing her friend had ever tasted.

Friend.

It was a word she never thought she’d actually use for anyone. Yet as much as she wanted to put her defenses back up, something about the way Sunset enjoyed her ice cream made Twilight not want to. The more she thought about it, the more she had to wonder what was so bad about trying to make friends if she could feel this happy around one.

“Golly! Is it Princess Twilight Sparkle I see?” A voice which reminded Twilight why not said.

“Oh, Cozy Glow, hi!” Twilight said, shrinking back.

Sunset perked up, looking at the finely dressed girl who looked to be about two or three years younger than Twilight. She hated her immediately.

Cozy walked up to the pair, looked over Sunset, then turned her attention back to Twilight. “What’s this? Taking the mystery girl on a tour?” she held a finger to her chin. “Golly, that’s sweet of you.”

Twilight blinked. “It...it is?”

“Yeah, makes sense since no one else would want to be your friend.”

Twilight’s shoulders shrank as Sunset’s eyes dilated.

“Makes sense after what a disaster your birthday party was. I mean, geez, how pathetic is it that, as a princess, you can’t just demand a safer party?”

She then turned her attention to Sunset. “So this is the mysterious girl everyone is gossiping about?” Cozy let out huff. “So you wash up on the beach and somehow that makes you Twilight Sparkel’s ‘best friend’? Big deal, you little tramp.”

Sunset clenched her fist but somehow kept herself in control for the moment.

“I mean,” Cozy went on, “If that’s the type of company you wish to keep, that’s your problem. It makes sense you’d want to be with someone whose own parents likely threw her overboard because she was a muted freak. But I digress.” She closed her eyes and let out a laugh. When Cozy opened them, she saw Sunset standing right in front of her. Despite the yellow girl being taller and glaring daggers, Cozy didn’t look at all phased.

“Aw, are you going to go crying to your mommy now?”

Sunset took in a breath, knowing full well what she was about to do was a bad idea. However, she was prideful as it was, and it had been hard enough to repress when she insulted both Twilight and herself. That last bit had been a bit too much for her to not let this little brat get away scot free. And so, Sunset leaned forward, smiling and never breaking eye contact with the little brat, she pulled at the hem of Cozy Glow’s shirt and shoved what remained of her ice cream into the girl’s bra.

Cozy Glow didn’t react right away. She was possibly too stunned that someone would do such a thing. The cold and sticky feeling in her chest, however, brought her back to reality with a scream.

“You… You… YOU DARE!”

Wordlessly laughing, she turned heel, grabbed Twilight’s hand, and ran for it.

A few blocks later, once the pair came to a stop , completely out of breath, all Sunset could think of was,

’Idiot! If you don’t get thrown in jail, then good luck ever getting Twilight to like you now!’

To her surprise, what she started to hear was Twilight laughing.

“I… Oh wow, I both can and can’t believe you did that!” Twilight held a hand to her head and started to pace. “Oh, I’m sure this could only lead to bad things, but, well…”

Sunset watched with worry as Twilight’s face started to contort.

“Well… if I’m being honest, she was a, was a, well, she was a...

Twilight turned to Sunset, who was smirking at her, as if daring her to say what she wanted to say about Cozy Glow.

“She was a big… a big grouch!”

Sunset let out a cough and began to soundlessly laugh at Twilight’s poor attempt to use big girl words.

“Stop it! I trying to be angry!” Twilight squeaked, face turning red. “I guess I am having somewhat of a panic attack, and yet,” she started to laugh. “Oh, what a rush. I feel like sitting down. Sitting down sounds like a good idea right now. Don’t you think?”

Sunset grinned, took Twilight’s hand, and led her to the ground. The two girls soon threw themselves into a fit of laughter.

Once Twilight had calmed down, she slowly turned to Sunset, who was heavily breathing after her own soundless fit. Twilight smiles, looking at those same blue eyes that had clearly looked back at her when she had come back from the dead. The way her hair flowed in the wind as their faces began to move towards one another caught her attention immediately.

Sunset seemed to mouth something, pulling Twilight back into reality.

“Right, so!” Twilight said, quickly standing up, only to look down at a dejected Sunset.

Thinking quickly, against every reason she had not to, Twilight offered her hand to Sunset and carefully said, “Hey, you’re a great…” she swallowed, fighting against every barrier she built, to eventually say, “A great friend.”

At first, Twilight felt a sharp pain in her chest as she uttered those words. Part of her mind screamed at her that she was an idiot and that anyone who wanted to be a ‘friend’ of her’s was no better than Cozy Glow. And yet, hadn’t Sunset, if that’s really all she was, just done the last thing someone would have done if all they cared about was Twilight’s status? With that, she allowed herself to smile, upon seeing her friend’s, —yes, friend!— face light up.

While Sunset had a feeling being called a ‘friend’ by the person you were crushing on would be a bad thing, from what she gathered, she knew this was nothing short of massive progress. The trick was crossing that friend bridge, but the fact she now had this reclusive girl considering her a friend, a friend she cared about as much as she cared back, was a great start.

She took Twilight’s hand and pulled the girl into a hug, relieved when Twilight hugged her back.

“You’re something.” Twilight said, wiping away a tear.

Sunset smiled. This was nice. While she would need to seriously step up her game, she now felt like she had something to work with and victory was possible.

Suddenly, something caught Sunset’s ear. Turning her head to the sound, Sunset’s eyes widened to the size of dinner plates, looking towards a square, where humans were beginning to dance to a band.

“Huh?” Twilight perked up. “Oh! You like music? That’s a local band. Flash Drive I believe they’re called. Whoa!” Twilight cried out, as Sunset grabbed her hand, pushing her towards the crowd. Twilight dug her boots into the ground in protest.

Sunset turned around and noticed Twilight was nervously fidgeting.

“Oh, um… I don’t do well with crowds. Plus, I’m not much of a dancer to boot. But if you want to go ahead, I’ll be right here.”

Twilight’s heart sank when Sunset’s frown.

The idea of dancing, at first, had only been something she’d wanted to do, with or without a deadline. But now after getting to know Twilight, there really wasn’t anyone she’d rather dance with.

“Well, I,” Twilight gulped, thinking things over. She knew people would stare if they went out there. Yet, she couldn’t push away the butterflies dancing in her stomach as her friend started to deflate even more.

“Okay,” Twilight nodded, taking Sunset, now beaming, and leading her into the crowd. They arrived right as the song went from something catchy to something more slow paced. “Oh, I love this one!” Twilight brightened up, before shrinking at all the eyes that had turned to her in recognition. She ignored them, focusing on those same teal eyes that...

’Look similar. Still not her, and that’s a good thing.’ Twilight told herself, setting Sunset up. “Right, here. Put your left arm here, and right arm there. Great! Now, step to you left.” They began moving in tune to the song. “Good… whoa there!” Twilight laughed. “Slow down a bit. Don’t worry, I got you. Now, left, left, right, left, pull back, and forward, spin a little, repeat.”

For the next three minutes, the world outside of a two foot radius did not exist for the two girls. Somewhere in that time, they both decided, if there was an afterlife, if it didn’t have dancing, or the each other in it, then they didn’t want anything to do with it.

🐴 🥖 📖 🎭🍦💃

Author's Note

Always live life to the fullest... this chapter is dedicated to a IRL associate who’s funeral I’ll be attending today, and whom I considered a fandom sister online
https://www.deviantart.com/summersketch-mlp/art/I-want-my-little-sister-back-VENT-875946245

If you’d like to help sponsor this story like Admiral Typhoon, Saita the Kirin, Fanura Joy, Peppermint Papa &Arielfan90 have, help out with the art needed for this project, and in doing so join the new discord group I’ve made for such people, comment below, and see you in MerMay

Act 8, Trying To Kiss The Girl

“Alright, hang tight you two!” Twilight shouted towards the mechanical rowboat from the stage’s breaker box. “Nothing dangerous, this shouldn’t take long. So if you wouldn’t mind waiting, we can pick back up when Chips and I are done.”

“Sure thing, Twi!” Sunset shouted back. When Twilight didn’t respond, she looked to Flash. “So, since we probably got some time, what’s the story with the bucket head from yesterday? Don’t tell me Ditzy has you that flustered already.”

“Oh haha,” Flash laughed, leaning up against the rowboat. “Er, kind of wasn’t watching where I was going.” He laughed while scratching his neck. “Which to my defense was because I kept her from running into a door!”

“Aw, that’s so sweet!” Sunset teasingly coed, clasping her hands. “I’m sure your grandkids will tell that story over and over again at every holiday meal.”

Flash reddened and shrank into his seat. “Yeah yeah! Well,” he sat up, smirking. “What about you and Twilight?”

It was Sunset’s turn to color. “Wh- I mean, what about us?” she crossed her arms and lifted her chin. “We’re great friends, and,” To her dismay, the music to the current song they were re-enacting picked up where it had left off.

You got to kiss the girl, whoa, whoa!

“If you say one of the thousands of things I know you want to say right now, I’ll clobber ya!” Sunset warned.

“Okay, okay!” Flash exclaimed once his laughter had died down. “But I don’t think your reaction is helping any ‘best friend’ arguments.”

Sunset sighed in defeat. “Fine. How likely is it everyone but Twilight knows I have a thing for her?”

“Eh, I'd say it’s less obvious than me and Derpy, but maybe just a bit more known than Sonata and that girl from the orchestra she secretly makes out with after practice.” He paused to rub his chin. “Then again, I guess that display of yours may have really pushed you two up the gossip chain. Hey now!” Flash said, reacting to Sunset’s frown. “You’re telling me, Sunset, the Sunset Shimmer, is scared to ask out her crush?”

“I am not!” Sunset fumed. Regaining herself, she calmly said, “Well, she means a lot to me. More than any of my other friends. More then, um, no offense, than you did when I asked you out.” Doing so as a means to take over the school aside, it wasn’t as if there hadn’t been more popular choices for her arm candy in that time. It helped convince herself that it hadn’t been a loveless relationship. Which honestly it wasn’t, but it still ate at her.

“I see.” Flash nodded.

Sunset cringed. “I’m sorry. I know how awful that sounds just to get the point across that I have a lot more to lose with Twilight if things go wrong.”

Flash warmly smiled and took one of Sunset’s hands. “Hey, for what it's worth, we dated, we’re the romantic leads in this play, and nothing’s awkward between us now. Can’t say how much that helps, but I’m sure if we’re cool, you and Twilight can handle anything.”

Sunset’s face lit up as she recalled the good times she and Flash had together.

The boat then lunged forward. “Is it working?” Twilight called out.

“Yeah, Twi!” Sunset jumped, pulled her hand away and let out a cough. “Great job!”

“Hey,” Flash said before they continued the scene. “You rock. Any guy, or girl, you date will be happy. And that especially means Twilight. I really mean it when I say best of luck to you.”

Sunset smiled. “Thanks, Flash. Same to you.”

*art by Pauly Sentry

🚣 💜 🦀 🎶 ♥️

Okay, so things could have gone better, Sunset thought to herself, brushing her hair. Memories of the day played through her mind.

After the dance, Twilight made it clear she wanted to go somewhere quiet to get away from the crowds. Sunset was all too happy to oblige, and they soon found themselves on the edge of a lagoon.

“I can’t believe it’s still here!” Twilight cried out, walking up to a boat on the dock. “Er, kind of silly, but my brother and Cadence would take me out for rowboat rides when I was a kid if I, er.,. Was having a particularly bad day.” She sighed. “Last time I was out here, I was 13, and Shining was trying to get me comfortable with the idea of him and Cadence getting married, promising he’d still always be my best brother forever.”

Sunset raised an eyebrow.

“I, um…” Twilight kicked at the ground. “...don’t do well with change.” Hands behind her back, she asked, “You want to go for a ride?”

Sunset had been all too happy. The entire setup was seemingly built just so she and Twilight could have a romantic moment. The best part was, they nearly did! For the entire trip, Twilight had been rather quiet and Sunset was happy to let Twilight be. Yet, every so often, she would look up at Sunset, only to avert her gaze when Sunset noticed. Then the boat drifted into a secluded part of the lake when Twilight pulled the oars in.

“I’m, um, sorry.” Twilight said, hands in her lap.

Sunset tilted her head.

Twilight looked away. “Well, we were supposed to be helping by figuring out where you came from, then things happened, and now we’re no closer to solving that mystery. Ugh! I forgot to put those books back before I left.” She smacked her head. “I know, I’m terrible, aren’t I?”

Sunset would have burst out laughing right then and there if she could have. She then would have told Twilight that she had an amazing day, and her past didn’t matter. Instead, she scooted closer to Twilight and took the human’s free hand.

Twilight lowered the palm on her face to see Sunset looking firmly at her, trying her best to say without words, ‘I had a great time today with you.”

Face heating up, Twilight found her other hand resting into Sunset’s grip. The two stared into each other’s beautiful eyes, faces aglow. They found themselves moving closer to one another, faces inching forward…

Then the boat flipped over.

Sure, there was nothing stopping Sunset from trying to kiss Twilight after that. And she did! But with the excuse that it was getting late, Twilight simply took her back to the castle.

“How was your da-evening?” Cadance asked when the two walked in.

“It was…” Twilight looked to Sunset, then with a nervous smile, answered back. “Good.”

Sunset set her dingel-hopper down on the nightstand and sighed. Not a bad day, but after all that, all Twilight could say was ‘good’? It was enough to make her storm off after Twilight and make her re-evaluate her words. Seeing as how acting grumpy wasn’t doing her any good, though, she stood up, went to the balcony, and decided to stare up at the night sky.

Why hadn’t she tried to bargain for more days with that damn witch again? Oh, right; because she was a pride-filled, love-sick, angry moron. And now, she only had one day left.

Hey, don’t lose hope! It’s not over.

You really believe that?

She likes you! You know that, right?

Really? Then why was her day just ‘good’?

She’s just... If the roles were reversed, wouldn’t you be just as hesitant?

Sunset tried to think of a counter, but couldn’t. Much of her own life had been antisocial due to never fitting in with any of the other mermaids. If only...

There was a yelp from down below that drew Sunset’s attention away from the stars. Looking downwards, she saw that Twilight had stubbed her foot on something. After a moment of pain, she looked up to see Sunset looking down on her. The girl gave a nervous wave to which Sunset waved back, doing her best to smile reassuringly. It was nothing more than to try and let her know she wasn’t mad or anything. It then seemed like Twilight was going to say something, but she merely backed out of view, her blush clear as day.

Then again, Sunset thought to herself with a smile and yawn. Anything can happen in a day. Still, even if not, it was worth it.She smiled to herself and pulled the curtains closed. Yeah, no matter what happens, it was worth it...

Twilight, meanwhile, found herself breathing heavily against the castle walls, reflecting on the day she and Sunset had shared.

“Want to talk about it?” her brother asked when Twilight refused to join them for dinner.

“It was a good day, I promise!” Twilight insisted, tugging at her hair.

“I see.” Shining nodded. “So, are you two friends now?”

Twilight took a minute, but soon nodded. “I...I think so.”

“Anyone who could stand up to that brat Cozy Glow is a friend in my book.” He chuckled until he saw Twilight’s horrified expression. “Relax, you’re not in trouble. Knowing the Glow family, they’d rather have this die out than make a big deal about it.” he breathed. “Guess that’s not the issue?”

“It’s one less thing to worry about.” Twilight rubbed her hands. “But yeah. I can’t—

“You’re thinking too hard about it, Ladybug,” Cadence chimed in, surprising them both. “Sorry.”

“It’s okay,” Twilight said. “I...I like her, a lot. Fine, I said it! She makes me happy, but…” Fist clenched, she stood up. “I need some air to think. I—

Shining started to protest, but Cadance held him back. “Alright. But some additional food for thought; I know you have your fears and if Sunset is a true friend, she’ll understand. Just don’t think she’ll assume you want to be friends if you keep her at arm’s length.”

Twilight said she understood, then found herself wondering outside. She didn’t watch where she was going and stubbed her toe, then saw Sunset from her bedroom windowsill before backing away. Why was it so difficult for her to let someone in? Truthfully, it was the happiest she’d been in a long while. Only...

“She’s not the one who saved me.” Twilight told herself. “So I don’t owe...

She shook her head and leaned against a wall. Was that really what this was all about? Being honest with herself, even without a voice to confirm it, she felt almost confident Sunset was the one. That was the real reason she first helped her out. She told herself she was being nice for mistaking Sunset for another girl instead of being life-debuted to clear her conscience. That’s all she wanted to do at first ever since she found that girl. Then they got to know one another, they danced together, Sunset stood up for her, made her smile, made her stomach tingle-

Twilight held onto her stomach. Was she that afraid to admit that she might have been falling in love? Twilight had never been the most social of people. The idea of letting anyone in absolutely terrified her. She preferred to get lost in one of her adventure novels that couldn’t harm her. To get away from the social games her peers would play to try to rise up, and the dirty methods they would use to gain popularity. More often than not, they used her nervous ramblings as the butt of a joke.

Books made her happy! Being alone made her happy! Not having to worry about what people—or a person—thought about her made Twilight happy. At least, she thought so. Then she met Sunset, and in less than two days, the girl had broken down almost every wall she had built up around her heart. It was that last bit of stone that fully kept Sunset out. That one little block years of anxiety had created a deep foundation for. The worst part was, it was one only she, and no one else, could move. Others had tried and eventually gave up.

“And what if...” Twilight spoke out loud as she reflected on her sister’s words. “What if she up and leaves tomorrow because she thought I was rejecting her?” She narrowed her eyes. “Like everyone else I push away. But, would that be so bad if she wasn’t in my life, and I just went back to the way things were before?”

Twilight sucked in a breath.

Yes, she admitted. Yes! The more she thought about it, the more she hated the idea of not having Sunset in her life! Twilight also knew that, if she didn’t act soon, she’d risk that very outcome happening.

“Maybe...” she thought to herself, looking in the direction of the obscured patio, and smiled. “Maybe if she’s still awake, I could show her the stars, or read her another book? Or two?” If anyone was around, her smile would have been infectious.

Inwardly, she thought, And maybe I can put the last of my fears behind me and fully let her in. But, do I want to? Yes…yes I do! I really want to, there! I said it. I want to be with Sunset!

Her fist clenched tightly. I want to spend more time with her! Forever if I can. I don't care what we do! As long as it’s with her. I want to hold her, to let her hold me, let her kiss me…Oh gods, do I want to kiss her! Those last thoughts warmed her core.

Taking in a deep breath, Twilight started towards the castle when a voice rang out in the distance. A rather familiar voice.

“It couldn’t be!” she mouthed, walking in its direction just to be sure. Today of all days...not that it changed anything! Still, just because her heart now longed for Sunset, she had to at least know for sure and thank the girl. It would be the bare minimum she could do.

She looked down to the beach where the song was coming from and saw a curly haired woman dressed in black, strolling along the sand.

Huh, Twilight thought at first. Voice sounds the same and she kind of looks like Sunset, maybe?

A part of her felt sure enough to let the woman be, another, suddenly stronger part, wanted to reconfirm. She walked down towards the beach. As she did so, it felt more as if this lady did match the features Sunset had.

But...I was sure her hair was a mix of yellows and golds like Sunset.

Can you be sure? A voice in the back of her mind asked. Wasn’t the sun in your eyes?

“I guess,” Twilight said out loud. “But, wasn’t her hair at least straight?”

No, Twilight waved it off as she got closer. Thinking about it, her hair was definitely curly. Still, something didn’t feel right. It was almost as if she had a picture of two different girls in mind. One being the one in front of her, the other... Wait, who again?

Twilight came to a sudden stop, as the past two days started to become fuzzy in her memory.

Something’s wrong Twilight realized, holding a hand to her head. Why was it that she was having a hard time recalling what she and Sunset had done all day? It was... It was the best, best... What was going on? Should she leave?

Why? a voice whispered. You think someone is using ‘magic’ to mess with your mind?

Twilight laughed at the idea. Of course such things were silly, but then why... Why was she so worried about this? She didn’t care about this woman. It was Sunset she wanted to be with.

“Girl’s more strong-minded than I thought.” Someone said. “Better try a different approach.”

Twilight took a step back. Thinking she should just leave, but still wondering if this really was the person who saved her life than she-

“Bingo!”

Twilight blinked, and held a hand to her head. Upon pulling away, she felt a sinking feeling in her gut. The woman who saved her life was right there, and she was distracted by something else? How selfish she was. Besides, it wasn’t as if the castle and that other girl who hadn’t saved her couldn’t wait. This was far more important. What mattered now was discovering the identity of the stranger who saved her life! To give her...something. Yeah, maybe it didn’t make sense, but Twilight owed this woman her life, so she could suck it up. It was the least she could do. Besides, she was rather pretty, Twilight thought, as she raced forward to the source of the voice.

“It’s you!” Twilight cried, throwing her arms around the women. “I thought you weren't real. I thought...” she pulled back from the hug and frowned. “Weren't your eyes teal on the blue end? Or would that be green? Then again, if we’re talking about the color theory—

“Don’t be silly,” Adagio groaned, forcing so much magic upon Twilight’s mind, a tentacle slid out of her dress. “They were always this way. A side effect from nearly drowning. Everyone knows that. Now for goodness sakes, stop babbling you little, um, angelfish!” Only when Twilight nodded in understanding did she allow herself to smile.

“Oh? Oh yeah! You’re right.” Twilight smiled, her violet eyes shimmering yellow. “Silly me. Guess I forgot to take into account the side effects of ingesting seawater.” Adagio put a finger to her lips before she could say more.

“Just be happy you found me.” Adagio glared before perking up.

Twilight nervously chuckled. “Of course.”

“Now then,” Adagio coed. “I believe you owe me a favor,” she took Twilight’s hand and forced more magic into the princess' already vulnerable mind. “Would your heart be enough?”

“But, I…” Twilight blinked several times. “I love, love...”

Taking in a deep breath, Adagio asked, “Who could be more important than the person who saved your life?”

Twilight thought about it hard. There was someone else...right?

Adagio was about to put more magic into the spell, when she asked, “You wouldn’t want me to leave, right?”

“I... I...” Twilight looked downwards, but answered, “No.”

Adagio breathed a sigh of relief. “Good girl. Now, be happy.”

“Of course.” Twilight slowly nodded as she embraced the woman. “You are as beautiful as I remember.” Twilight cooed, embracing her savor. “I... I don’t know how to thank you.”

“It’s okay,” Adagio said, pulling Twilight in as she tucked her tentacle back into her dress. “I’m here now.”

🐚 🎶 🐚

Author's Note

So... happy birthday to me, MerMay the 4th be with you
🎂 🧜‍♀️ ⭐️

Special thanks to my sponsors who are making the future dramatic reading like this possibly by having artist such as Pauly (first ever artist I commissioned official for a project 🥰)
Admiral Typhoon, Saita the Kirin, Fanura Joy, Peppermint Papa & Arielfan90
If you’d like to help out, comment below ❤️

Act 9, Sun Setting

“What do you mean he’s not coming!?” Twilight screamed.

Derpy gulped, “Sa… Sorry, Twilight. Fla.. Flash said it, it was a family emergency. Aunt was in a bad accident. Ma… Might be back Saturday, but he definitely won't be here Friday or for opening night on Thursday.” Which, being Tuesday, would be in less than three days.

“He… He said he was very sorry, but family comes first.” Derpy let out a dreamy sigh. “What a family man.” She then frowned upon seeing several strands of Twilight’s hair sprout up from, and even fall out of their directors head.

“Um, Twilight,” Derpy slowly asked, reaching an arm out. “Are you okay?”

“No! I am not okay!” Twilight laughed while Derpy and the other cast members started to take several steps back. “I’m hysterical!! I’m without a prince, and I’m hysterical! I skipped breakfast because I didn’t think anything bad would happen today, and now I’m hysterical!! I stepped on a crack and walked under a ladder, and I’m hysterical! So why don’t we just say Macbeth while we’re at it! Hehe! That’s a funny sounding word. Macbeth, Macbeth, Macbeth, Macbeth, Macbeth, Macbeth! Weeeee! Hahaha Hahaha!!! Hey, what else could go wrong? Cliche, but who cares?! Why don’t we start wearing shoes on our head and turn our pants into shirts?!”

As Twilight carried on, near the back of the crowd, Pinkie Pie sighed. She looked around the set, and picked up one of the foam fishes that decorated the set.

“Excuse me, pardon me! Hey, how are you doing?” Pinkie said, making her way through the body of students. “Pardon. Oh! Your sister like my birthday gift? Or wait, is that next week? Anyways, excuse me, coming through. Pardon me. Thank you.” She got to front as Twilight was going on about something to do with ladybugs and quesadillas.

“I mean it’s like everyone forgets I also love vanilla cupcakes!” She screamed upwards, oblivious to her pink friends advance. “Why is it everybody is more fascinated with what I’m fucking afraid of, rather than—

With an indifferent expression, Pinkie Pie raised up the fish, and smacked it across Twilight’s face. The loud swat was followed but pure silence as no one dare say anything until reality caught up to Twilight.

“Did,” Twilight started as she rubbed her cheek. “Did you just slap me with a fish?!”

“Yes. And I’ll do it again!” Pinkie declared. And so she did.

Sunset Shimmer walked into the auditorium to the sound and sight of the fish slapping Twilight across the face a second time. Her mouth dropping open in a way one would imagine a person might do in such a scene.

“What the?” Sunset started to question.

“Flash can’t be here for opening night and Twilight’s reacting the way you’d expect her to,” Rainbow Dash filled in.

“Ah,” Sunset nodded, racing towards her distressed friend.

“Hum… You need me to slap you a third time?” Pinkie offered, raising the prop. “For luck.”

“That won’t be necessary, Pinkie!” Sunset said, taking the fish and throwing it away from Pinkie Pie. “I’ll take it from here. You all do… Something.” She addressed the crowd. “Twilight, how about we step outside for a bit?” she offered her.

Worn down from her rant, Twilight could do little more than allow Sunset to guide her out. As they walked away, Sunset glanced at the crowd with a look that said; ‘fallow, and you die’...

📣📣📣🌤🌇

This couldn’t be happening, Sunset thought. And yet, here she was. Standing alone on the shipping docks, watching Twilight’s wedding ship sailing into the setting sun like a bad joke. The worst part, she hadn’t even been invited! Simply tossed to the side as if their time together meant nothing.

Sunset opened her mouth and tried to scream. When nothing happened, she began to stomp on the wooden planks. All while trying, and failing, to get the swear words she wanted to come out of her mouth. Suddenly, as she brought her foot down hard onto the planks, the wood shattered. Pausing from her meltdown, Sunset peaked through to see the waves swirling about.

She started to laugh. When no laughter came, she threw her hands over her head, and slumped down on a nearby poll.

Was her voice really that important?! The only thing Twilight cared about? Well, that was okay. Who needed someone that self centered? She’d rather take her chances in the sea witch's garden instead! That would show everybody. She hoped when those like Twilight and Celestia found out what happened to her, how it was because of them she was damned, that their guilt would eat them alive!

Until then, she had nothing better to do but curl up into a ball, and cry.

💔🌅🌅🌅💔

Thankfully, as Sunset walked Twilight outside, no one had to put her little unspoken threat to the test.

“Okay,” Sunset instructed as she led Twilight outside. “Twi, would you be willing to–

“Don’t tell me to take a fucking breath!” Twilight spat, slapping Sunset’s hand away. “I didn’t think to have an understudy, anymore than I thought about you and Flash being the romantic leads. And why? Because I’m stupid! Because I didn’t want to hurt someone else’s feelings by making them do all the work for nothing! Because I was thinking how to be a good person rather than a good director and now… Gah!”

Twilight threw her hands on her head and crashed down on the doors steps.

Having taken all of that in, Sunset simply allowed Twilight to cry as she thought about how to best approach this. Once Twilight’s sobs had started to die down, and she had a, hopefully, good enough game plan, she sat down besides her.

“Look, Twi, we’ll think of something. Worse comes to worse, we delay the opening night to next week or something.” When Twilight scooted away, Sunset sighed. “Okay. I know this may not be the best advice, but I really don’t have anything better.” She took in a breath. “It’s just a dumb high school musical. Not the end of the world like some of the other problems we face.”

Twilight looked over to Sunset, her face unreadable.

“You’re doing a great job as director, I think.” Sunset threw out as she tried to make herself look small.

After a moment, Twilight started to laugh. It was small at first, but soon, it became very loud. Before Sunset could decide if she should or shouldn’t laugh along, Twilight pulled her into a hug.

“Oh am I an idiot!” Twilight declared once she could form words. “Sorry,” she said, pushing away. “Guess I still have trouble focusing on what’s important in life. I actually, for a minute there, wished Flash’s aunt would die faster so he could make it back here in time. Oh wow!” She fell onto her back. “I am the same shut in Crystal Prep brat I was before coming here!”

“Well,” Sunset said as she awkwardly scratched her neck to that. “If it helps; I’m too much of a coward to talk to my parents because of what I last said to them.” She laid down next to Twilight on her side. “Telling them I wished they would die might have honestly been an improvement over what really happened. Guess we can both be horrible people together.” She rolled onto her back, and took Twilight's hand.

“You're not,” Twilight sighed, squeezing onto Sunset’s hand. “From what you told me, they were at fault too. No matter how ‘out of love’ it was.” She sat herself up, still holding onto Sunset’s palm. “Which does not cancel out what you did, but the fact they wanted to reach out has to mean something.” She took in a breath when Sunset said nothing. “Come on, I promise to stop worrying about the play if you promise to send them a message.”

Sunset arched an eyebrow. “That seems like a rather unfair deal.”

“Well I know you’ll say yes because you’d do anything for me.” Twilight said, sticking out her tongue.

Sunset chuckled. “You’re too good for me, Sparky.” With a smile as she sat up, she added, “Don't ever change.”

☀️ 🏫 🏫 🏫 ⭐️

Author's Note

Four chapters to go...
And it’s not to late to become a sponsor like

Admiral Typhoon, Saita the Kirin, Fanura Joy, Peppermint Papa & Arielfan90 or contribute with art if you’d like to help

Act 11, Those Poor, Unfortunate Souls!

Sunset always knew Celestia was stupid. Then again, Sunset figured the Queen was already a moron for even coming.

At first, like the child she was, Sunset had pleaded for help over the stupid mistake she made. She begged for forgiveness as Celestia tried and failed to destroy her dam contract. However, being of magic, not even the might of the triton could undo her foolish. After some additional gloating and a wave of Adagio’s hand, Sunset’s the contract around Sunset, pulling the terrified mermaid down to the ocean floor to her fate. Or so it seemed.

Opening her eyes after being sucked downwards, Sunset found the golden light of Adagio’s magic still circling around her as the queen and witch discussing something she couldn’t make out. Her body slowly morphed into one of those things she had seen in Adagio’s lair.

What! Sunset asked, her arms shriveling up. Can’t I just spend my damn eternity in peace?

Adagio took a bit of amusement in holding out the contract to Celestia, knowing this was what she wanted with Sunset all along. Sunset smiled at how upset that hag would look when the queen declined in horror. Her jaw slacked as Celestia lifted her triton and signed on the dotted line.

This…This is some kind of sick joke! Sunset reasoned. That witch is tormenting my mind to make my punishment all the worse!

However, as she grew back to normal size and regained her mermainian physique, she watched the golden magic that had encased her zoom towards Celestia and reduce her down to the same tiny, shriveling creature she had been reduced to before.

“N…no,” Sunset screamed over Adagio’s laughter. “NO!”

It felt like hours of watching Celestia’s transformation. Her arms pulled into her torso and her face contorted in pain as she was pulled downwards to her fate.

Once the golden vortex had cleared and the headpiece piece of the unshruken crown settled on the floor, Sunset hesitantly swam over to the former queen. She recoiled upon seeing the green head of a polyp, one of the sea witch’s many poor souls, sticking out from the headwear.

“Cel… Celestia?” Sunset breathed, leaning down next to the creature.

Celestia closed her eyes and looked away.

“You...You idiot!” she snapped, pounding a fist on the ground. “You think this is some noble sacrifice to make up for all shit you put me through or something? Why couldn’t you have just let me be happy?!? Was that too much to ask?”

Sunset’s stomach flipped as Celestia looked at her with pitting eyes. She felt her breath grow heavy. Why was she blaming Celestia when this was all her fault? She was the one who signed that contract! She should be the one with the punishment, not Celestia. Now, the whole ocean was going to pay and it was because of her own obsession with humans and inability to simply push what made her happy-

“-is mine!” Adagio laughed, breaking Sunset’s self-loathing to pick up Celestia’s crown. She placed it on her head, then went for the triton.

Fist clenching, Sunset said. “You… You monster!”

Maybe, she thought, as she raced forward, she could at least do something good. Get Celestia’s trident from the sea witch and undo everything. Even if no one forgave her, she could at least die with a clean conscience. I’m her blind rage, Sunset had forgotten that the sea witch was an octopus. Before she got a chance to yank the trident away, the witch used one of her tentacles to yank Sunset off, throwing her hard on the ocean floor.

Writhing in pain, Sunset struggled to open her eyes. The trident, burning bright yellow, was pointed directly at her face.

“Don’t play with me, child!” The witch warned. “Contract or no, if I wanted to, I could-

Adagio flinched as something sharp flew past, grazing her arm. Both she and Sunset looked up to see Twilight, throwing a second spear at Adagio. Adagio’s eyes widened even though it missed completely.

Has everyone taken stupid pills today? Sunset shouted inwardly.

Outwardly, Sunset cried “Twilight, get away from here!”

More on the need to breath than the need to flee from danger, Twilight started to swim towards the surface.

“Say goodbye to your lover girl,” Adagio teased, aiming the glowing trident at her friend.

“NO!” Sunset roared. No one else was going to suffer because of her. Without thinking, she pulled on Adagio’s hair, knocking off the crown.

Adagio, in her vanity, forgone her intention to designate Twilight to mortality in order to get her crown back. In doing so, she allowed Sunset to escape, but not before slapping the witch in the waist with the bottom end of her tail.

“Oh,” Adagio grunted, watching the two girls swim to the surface as she rubbed her face. “That’s how you want to play, huh?”

She crackled, the water around her blackened.

Twilight broke through to the surface, coughing as she looked to her rowboat, which was several yards away.

“I’m going after her,” Twilight said to Shining Armor. “Don’t try to stop me or follow me.”

“Twily, be reasonable!” her brother begged. “Let’s get some ships with cannons and-

“There’s no time!” she screamed, tears forming in her eyes as she breathed heavily. “I… Ugh! Why did I let that thing fuck with my mind? Why didn’t you stop me from getting married? You were clearly against it from the start and I simply felt too shitty like I owed something rather than…” she punched Shining in the chest several times before falling to her knees. “...having friends and being happy.”

“Twilight,” Cadence said, picking her sister up, and pulling her into a five-second hug. “Here.” To both Twilight and Shining Armor’s surprise, she handed Twilight several spears. “Go. Turn that bitch who hurt you into sushi and save your true love!”

“You can’t be—” Shining started to protest, but a stern gaze from his wife shut him up. “I mean… Be safe, LSBFF.”

“Thanks, guys,” Twilight said, climbing into the rowboat without a second thought. “I already lost her once, I’m not going to lose her again!”

A second later, Sunset’s head broke out of the water next to her.

“Twilight,” the mermaid glared. “For someone so smart, you can be really dumb.”

At first, Twilight wanted to retort about saving Sunset’s life. Instead, looking upon her friend, her heart ached. She threw her arms around Sunset instead.

“I’m sorry,” Twilight apologized. “But, I suppose this makes things 2-1 with us?” she added with a laugh.

Sunset shook her head. “You're a dork. You know that, right?”

Twilight’s face heated up, but she still held onto Sunset tightly. She wanted nothing more than to stay in the embrace and forget all of her problems. Her leg brushed against Sunset’s tail and brought the human back to reality as she pulled away to have proper eye contact.

“I have so many questions, but maybe this isn’t the best time?”

“Yeah,” Sunset nodded, swimming Twilight towards the rowboat. “But if we survive this, I’ll tell you everything.” She frowned. “You shouldn’t have come for me.”

“No, I did,” Twilight said sternly. “It’s my fault.”

Sunset looked at her. “What are you talking about? I’m the one who made a deal with a devil.”

“Which I could have gotten you out of if I… If I wasn't such a scared idiot!” Twilight screamed, her leg brushed against Sunset’s lower half again. “All I wanted at first was to repay you for saving my life, then I pushed you away thinking you’d just take advantage of me! I was so guarded that by the time I realized you were the best thing to ever happen to me, and that you actually cared about me, I didn’t want you to leave, and then it was too late.”

Sunset wanted nothing more than to comfort the little human. Assure Twilight that there was no way she could have known and wasn’t unfair in being wary of a stranger she just met. Point out how wonderful Twilight made the past three days for her and that, either way, it had all been worth it. However, a yellow glow beneath them suggested this wasn’t the time.

“Well we can both be miserable idiots and figure out who fucked up more later.” Sunset said, firming her grip. “Right now, you have to get out of here. Now!”

“What? No! I’m not leaving you! After all this, not now, not ever again!” Twilight declared.

“And I’m not letting you die for my mistakes!” As Sunset said that, she noticed the waters around them starting to bubble.

The next thing they knew, they were being lifted out of the water by a yellow rock. No! It was the tip of the crown of the sea queen.

Twilight got over the shock first, pulling onto Sunset’s wrist, telling her they needed to jump. The two narrowly avoided breaking the human high-diving record and themselves. When the pair reemerged, they held each other tight at the behemoth that was the sea witch.

“You pitiful, insignificant, fool!” Laughing maniacally, Adagio slapped a tentical at the duo intending to kill, but missed and simply separated the two. Not that she minded playing with her food.

“Now I am the ruler of all the ocean!” Dipping the triton into the sea, Adagio summoned forth a massive hurricane, which caused a whirlpool that rose sunken ships from the deep. “The waves obey my every whim! The sea and all its spoils bow to my power!

The two girls swirling around the story for a while, before coming onto a rock by chance. Holding onto it, and each other, for dear life.

“Go!” Sunset begged, unable to break Twilight’s grip. “It’s me she wants, not you!”

“Hey, this is just as much my fault as yours!” Twilight protested over the wind. “And even if it wasn’t, friends don’t abandon each other, no matter how stupid they’ve acted. I love you, Sunset, and I’d do anything for you, and I’d know you’d do just as much for me if the roles were reversed.” She took the mermaid’s hand. “We’re in this together!”

Sunset started at Twilight, as speechless as she had been for the past three days as they stared into each other’s eyes.

“Well… fine,” Sunset relented, a coy grin plastered on her face as she shouted over the wind. “But if you get yourself killed, I will never forgive you!”

“Well… same to you!” Twilight spat back.

“Fine!” Sunset said.

“Fine!” Twilight countered.

They went back and forth at it several times, and as bizarre as it was for the situation they found themselves in, they laughed as if everything was normal.

And then that moment ended, as a bolt of lightning struck the rock, throwing them apart.

⚡️👑⚡️👑

Author's Note

Still may be only 2 chapters left, but might also add another one because one I wanted to show off the art Cylla made (one of the first artist I wanted to commission for this project)
and because I felt like the next part has a lot more I want to add and don’t want to stop this story’s momentum. So join me next week as we begin to wrap this story up!

As always, thank you to my sponsors
Admiral Typhoon, Saita the Kirin, Fanura Joy, Peppermint Papa & Arielfan90 feel free to ask how to become like them and join the discord group in the comments below

Act 12, True Love

Adagio laughed as she stood on the platform with the trident in her hand, arms in her hands, laughing evilly.

“You poor, unfortunate souls!!” She belowed, enjoying every second of her ‘victory.’

Having been ‘tossed’ to the side and into the stage curtain, Sunset couldn’t help but shake her head at how the former siren was eating up her role. Perhaps a bit too eagerly, Sunset worried.

“Better go put her in her place,” Sunset chuckled, walking out onto the stage behind Adagio, and picking up the foam casted shell.

‘This still feels horrible anti-climatic,’ Sunset thought to herself as she threw the shell to the ground. ‘Then again, at least I get to do something in this version. Oh well. No time to work out something else now.’

There was a crashing sound effect, which was Adagio’s cue to die. Instead, she was still cackling madly. As it became more clear that she wasn’t going to stop—evident from the face palms Sunset caught of Sonata and Aria from the wings—Sunset leaned down and started to pick up a fish prop. However, she paused to think about it, and went for the starfish instead. Hurling it into Adagio’s back. The siren glared an annoyed look at who had dare stop–

Her scowl disappeared at Sunset’s raised eyebrow.

With a sigh, she looked back to the audience and, with the most monotone acting Sunset had ever heard, said

“Oh no, I’ve been defeated by the power of love. Aaaahhhh.” Which was the cue for the lights to flash while Adagio stepped down from the stage.

“Hammy much?” Sunset teased as they got eye leveled.

“Oh can it,” Adagio deadpanned. She shoved the lobster into Sunset’s hands and stomped indignantly into the wings. Knowing this wouldn’t be the last she would hear of this.

Shaking her head in bemusement, Sunset climbed up onto set for her next thing. Her palms grasping tightly onto the rails as she ascended.

The show was almost over. Which meant, her confrontation with her parents would soon follow. For the most part, she had been able to keep her composer. Although there was an incident during the ‘Part Of Your World’ reprise.

She had looked up, and happened to catch her parents staring at her through the stage lights and nearly skipped over her lines. Fortunately, Twilight, being ‘unconscious’ and lying right next to her, peaked open an eye, noticed Sunset’s nerves, took an educated guess of what had stunned her, and gave Sunset’s hand a reassuring squeeze. Which helped in getting Sunset through the scene.

“Doing alright?” Twilight asked the next chance they were in the wings together as the ‘She’s In Love’ number was going on.

“Yeah,” Sunset said. “It was... They didn’t look too judgmental at me. I think.”

Twilight squeezed her shoulder. “Well even if they were judging you and thinking you were doing terrible, then screw them.”

Sunset smirked. “Twilight Sparkle!

“What?” Twilight playfully answered. “I’m a big girl.”

Sunset stuck out her tongue as her cue began. “Sure thing, Sparky.” They then looked at each other, Sunset admiring how beautiful Twilight looked when blushing.

She gave Twilight a hug. “Thank you.” Twilight hugged her tightly back, and then Sunset practically skipped out on the stage.

Later that night, she was commented on how amazing her ‘love struck’ acting was for that scene.

As Sunset climbed into position, waiting for the spotlight to shine on her, she looked through the crowd, and caught her parents who were focused on where the spotlight was as opposed to where she was. Noticing how the two seemed to be smiling and enjoying themselves. Maybe... Then again, it wasn’t too uncommon for them to look happy, and then something would come up, and they would remind her of what they expected out of her life.

Breathing heavily, she looked over to wings, where Twilight was tucking her hair into a bun. She caught Sunset's gaze, and quickly gave her a thumbs up.

Letting out a sigh, she got into her acting mode as the spotlight shone on her.

🎭 🦞 👑 🔱 🎭

Heaving, Sunset dragged Twilight’s unconscious body to the shore a second time. It was a hard fought battle, but somehow, they had survived and came out on top. Deposing the girl being washed up on the beach, the way her tail would brush against the human's legs riled up a lot of emotions. After checking to make sure Twilight was still alive, she swam to a nearby rock to lie down. Far enough to give herself some space, but near enough to keep an eye on Twilight.

“Now what?” Sunset spoke, rubbing her neck. With a sigh, she picked herself up and gazed at her beautiful friend.

Would it even be possible for them to be together? It was clear Twilight cared and loved her back in the same way, but would that even matter? Why couldn’t life be fair and circumstances allow her to be happy? Wasn’t her fault the things she enjoyed caused disdain from other merfolks and that they could let her be.

“You really do love her, don’t you?” As if to mock and make things worse for Sunset’s, a familiar voice spoke from behind her.

“Oh, um, Celestia,” Sunset said with a gulp as she turned to face her mentor/mother figure.

She tried to say something along the lines of if she was okay. Instead, all she could say was, “Why?”

When Celestia didn’t answer, and in the time it took Sunset to realize she needed to elaborate, rage had overtaken her.

“Why? WHY?!” She slammed a fist into the water. “Why did you do that back there? Trade your soul for mind?” She slapped seawater into Celestia’s face. “I know you make dumb decisions all the time, but that seemed to really cross the line of idiotic!” Haggering from her outburst, Sunset tried to make herself small by crossing her arms. “You should have left me to face the consequences.”

“I should have. Yes.” To Sunset’s bewilderment, Celestia nodded in agreement. “Indeed, it would have been the wise thing to do. But I think we can both attest to not thinking clearly when emotional.”

Sunset looked away.

“I had no way of knowing that things would work out the way they did,” Celestia continued. “Still, if I had a chance to do it again, this time for sure knowing things would have ended badly, I still wouldn’t have hesitated.”

Sunset quickly perked up to that. “Really? Even for a stupid child like me who thought she knew better?”

“Especially for someone like that.” Celestia said with a smirk. “Besides, I’m one to talk.” She closed her eyes and frowned. “After all, it was I who’s pushed you into making those choices to begin with.” Celestia let out a sigh and opened her eyes. “If anyone is truly to blame here, it is me for trying to repress your growth out of fear you would get hurt, instead of allowing you the independence you needed.” As she said that, Sunset saw Celestia starting to cry. “I shouldn’t have acted the way I did just because I had convinced myself it was ‘out of love.’ And for that, I am truly sorry for not respecting your lifestyle choice, my dear Sunset.”

Sunset stared agape. Never thinking she’d see, Celestia, of all people, offering such an apology. Not out of obligation or trying to justify her actions, but of genuine remorse for hurting someone she cared about.

“Hey, I was the one who signed that stupid contract out of anger. And I can admit, I’m a bit…. Stubborn headed at times. But… I forgive you,” And Sunset meant it as well. Despite still feeling sore about a lot of things, one she didn’t want to have to regret was ending on such bad terms with Celestia.

Slowly, Sunset reached a hand out. When Celestia didn’t jerk away, Sunset placed it on her shoulder. However, she soon lost herself and threw both of her arms around Celestia, which Celestia did in turn. They spent the next several minutes apologizing to one another while admitting to their faults.

“I am very proud of the strong beautiful independent lady you're become, Sunset Shimmer,” Celestia commented once they pulled away.

“Th... Thanks,” Sunset said, wiping away at her face. “Means a lot.” The two of them paused and looked to Twilight as they heard the sound of the human girl starting to wake up.

“So, what now?” Sunset said, crossing her arms behind her back. “Believe me! I don’t not want you in my life anymore. It’s just, I, what I mean to say is, not that I’m not grateful, but Twilight.” She let out a sigh, looking over her shoulder at the unconscious human. “I’m not sure how it would be possible, but, she really makes me happy, and...

Celestia placed a hand on Sunset’s shoulder, and nodded in understanding. “Well, in that case, I suppose there’s one last problem to solve.”

Sunset tilted her head. “And, what would that be, your majesty?”

Letting out a breath, Celestia answered, “Me learning to deal with how much I’m going to miss you.” With that, to Sunset’s astonishment, Celestia placed the tip of her trident into the water, aiming the tip towards her pupil.

Sunset’s jaw dropped as the magical golden energy made its way towards her. Once she realized what Celestia was doing, Sunset couldn’t help but let out a joy filled glee as the magic encased her submerged half.

Whereas Adagio magic was cold and nearly had ripped Sunset apart, Celestia magic was warm and comforting, as it gently unzipped Sunset’s tail and altered her scales into human skin.

“Thank you!” Sunset cried with tears of happiness, throwing her arms around the queen as she felt her toes touch the sand beneath them.

Celestia held back tears of a different kind.

🔱 👧 ❤️💧🔱

Author's Note

A lot of this story was my way of coping with the issues I have with my own father. In many ways, this chapter is a fantasy of how I hope things may turn out for us…
Hey, dreams do come true sometimes in real life.
Anyways, thank you all for sticking around, join me next time for the finale to this story!
And be sure to give love to my sponsors
Admiral Typhoon, Saita the Kirin, Fanura Joy, Peppermint Papa & Arielfan90 ask below how you can become one

Act 13, Happy Endings

Smoke rose up around Sunset as the lights flickered. Like clockwork from all the practice, she stood up, removed her tail, and waited for the lights to settle. Between the flashes, she once again looked to her parents, and swore they were holding hands, and having the same emotions she pictured Triton had in this very moment. Were they really sorry for all they done? Did they actually want to make things right with her? Was it possible they were getting the message of the play at this very moment? She supposed she’d be finding out soon enough.

The lights stopped blinking right on cue, and Sunset Shimmer, still playing the part of the little mermaid, turned human by her own parents. Who, while said parent was not fully on board with their child's lifestyle choices, could see that it made them happy. Or at least knowing that repressing and fighting it would do more harm than good for the child. Yet, despite their fears and worries about what might happen, they allowed their kid to live their own ways.

With how well the play spoke to Sunset, she couldn’t help but wonder if Triton had a backstory where he was in a rock band as a teen in a time period where such music was considered very deviant by the adults.

“Ar… Ariel?”

Smiling, Sunset looked to her left to see Twilight as Eric. At that moment, seeing the most beautiful girl in all of Canterlot High. Grinning widely, Sunset raced towards Twilight like she had rehearsed.

Unfortunately, in her sudden rush of excitement, she failed to consider a few things. Namely that Twilight wasn’t as tall, or strong, as Flash had been when they rehearsed. So, when Sunset leapt up into the air, only realizing what was going to happen once it was too late, instead of graciously being swung around, the two girls fell to the floor with a yelp to the audience's alarm. Thinking quickly, Sunset pulled Twilight into an embrace, and whispered, “Go along with it,” and started to roll around the stage.

Laughing happily, giving Twilight—and the rest of the cast—time to figure out what she was doing. Once it clicked for Twilight, she started to giggle along with Sunset. Holding her friend close as they rolled back and forth for several seconds, before Sunset came to a stop with Twilight on top of her.

“It’s you,” Twilight said, looking down and into her Sunset’s eye, stroking her beautiful friend’s chin as if nothing had changed. “It really is you. Ariel, I’m so sorry I didn’t—

Sunset cupped Twilight’s cheek with her own free hand.

“It’s okay, Eric,” and, as tempted as Sunset was to throw in a line about what an idiot, but what a beautiful idiot, her ‘princess’ was, she held back.

They looked at each other, breath quicking at the closeness for the kiss. The stage kiss. As they leaned in, all they had to do was turn their faces slightly to avoid lip contact. Instead, something stirred inside of them. Both of their pent up emotions throughout the past several weeks, how they had been there for each other when they needed it, all of it suddenly came to the surface. So, when their faces came together, they allowed for their lips to touch, and pulled one another into an even tighter embrace.

The crowd cheered.

💜🧡💜🧡

As the mermaid and the human princess broke the kiss, the crowd of both humans and Mer-folk applauded.

It was a tremendous occasion. One that would be talked about in the history book at the start of the new relations between land and sea. For Sunset and Twilight, it was simply the happiest day of their lives.

“Oh, welcome to the family!” Cadence squeed as she pulled Sunset into a tight hug during the reception. “And my little Twily,” Cadence cooed, moving on to the lavender bride. “Told you the non-shoulder pads would look much better.” She left out the part where it may have been tacky to wear the same outfit you nearly married another woman in, as Twilight had almost done. “You look so ravishing.”

“Isn’t that the truth.” Sunset snickered.

“Cadence, Sunny!” Twilight said, trying to hide her flustered face.

Everyone laughed, before there was a cough from the side of the boat.

“Yes, well,” Queen Celestia interjected. “It is no lie, you two do make such a beautiful couple.”

Twilight smiled, but caught the briefest of cringes from Sunset before perking up and walking over to the Queen of the sea.

“Than… Thank you so much.” Sunset said, wrapping her arms around Celestia. “I love you.”

“I love you two.” Celestia assured, and then turned to Twilight who froze up. “I take it you’ll take care of my little Sunset?”

“Wi…” Twilight coughed and puffed out my chest. “With my life.”

Celestia smiled, but then looked from Twilight to Sunset, and in a non-salient tone said, “Oh no, some of your makeup got smudged.”

“It did?” Cadence began, before catching a look from Celestia which seemed to tell her something. “I mean yes!” She took Twilight and Sunset and pushed them in the direction of the cabins.

“They—” Shining began, before picking up that something was up. “I mean, oh dear.”

“Why don’t you two go get yourselves cleaned up, and we’ll take care of things up here till then,” Cadence encouraged, giving Shining an assured look before going over to Celestia to exchange stories of when the brides were babies with the rest of the family.

Hand in hand, Twilight lead Sunset down below to their honeymoon suit, which had already been stiff full of wedding present and flowers.

“Crazy day, huh?” Sunset laughed as she sat on the bed and fidgeted with her crown.

“That would be an understatement,” Twilight teased, before rubbing her wife’s arm. “You doing okay?”

Sunset tensed. “I mean… I almost destroyed the world and it feels like I’m being rewarded for it.” She awkwardly laughed. “I know, it sounds silly to think and dwell on, but still.”

Twilight sternly frowned at Sunset, turning Sunset’s head to face her’s. “Hey, we all make mistakes. We’re all hu—Eh, I guess now we’ll need a new saying. Anyways!” She let go of Sunset to adjust her glasses.

“Maybe we can both agree to disagree?” Sunset mused, giving her wife bedroom eyes.

“Sure. But,” Twilight said with a blush as she allowed Sunset’s lips to once again press against hers. And they might have stayed like that a longer while, if Twilight didn’t stop to think,

“Maybe we can pick this up later?” she said, using all her willpower to push Sunset off of her. “Wouldn't want the guest to worry about us.”

“Oh? Oh right!” Sunset said sheepishly. She started to stand up, but Twilight held her back for one more moment.

“You good?” Twilight asked. “For real?”

“For now, and with you, always.” Sunset pulled Twilight onto her feet and into a hug. When the two brides pulled back, they gazed into each other's souls and, before having to go back to the party, brought themselves together for a type of kiss that only those of true love could accomplish.

💞 🤵‍♀️ 💖 👰 💞

“Hey, knock it off you two!” Rainbow Dash said, lightly kicking at the merry couple.

The two stars had still been lip-locked as the curtain fell. Although the show was far from over, evident from the additional scene—added to the stage adaptation so the leads could change costumes— was playing out from the other side of the curtain. Sunset and Twilight broke their kiss at this news, looking wide eyed as they scrambled to get off one another.

“We get it, you’re gay,” Rainbow commented. Having been given the short straw among the cast in needing to deal with the two when it became clear that they weren't going to break apart on their own will. “And we’re all very happy for you, but save the sex for after the wedding. Okay? Now come on, hop to it! Go, go, go!!”

“Right, right!” Twilight said as she helped Sunset to her feet. Lost in so much thought, neither realized what Dash had said until they made it into the changing room. By then, it was far too late to slap their friend with a lobster or something for her comment.

“Well, that was,” Twilight began, only to blush as Sunset stepped out of her silver gown.

“Yes?” Sunset asked.

“Um,” shaking her head, Twilight turned around to slip on her tux top. “I mean, great moment of improve back there.”

“Yeah, sorry about that,” Sunset mouthed as she slipped into the wedding scene dress. “So… You think my parents are enjoying the show?” Sunset asked, eager to bring up any other topic. Even that.

“No doubt,” Twilight nodded encouragingly. “Will you be able to face them?”

Sunset paused. “I… I’ll try. At the very least,” she took in a breath, and held herself up. “I promise, no more running or putting this off. I owe them that much for coming.” She felt Twilight slip a hand into her own.

“Hey, you won’t have to face them alone. I’ll be right beside you.” Twilight said with a squeeze.

They stood there, hand in hand, gazing into one another before there was a loud knocking on the door.

“Anyways! Ready to get married?” Sunset asked with a nervous laugh. “I mean, normally I’d like a date or two first, but I guess with both of our families here, it would be more covenant.”

Twilight giddied. “I suppose that sounds economical… So, that was, well, a real kiss back there? It’s okay if not! I didn’t mean to assume, not that it be wrong! Things just kind of happened, and my brother says I should exercise more, and that I—

The difference between a good friend, a great friend, and an even better girlfriend, was being able to learn quickly what could get your partner to relax without needing to say ‘relax’. Which AGAIN, is something you should NEVER do. Regardless, at that moment, Sunset found out the best way to do so with Twilight, was with a quick kiss on the lips.

“When this show is all done and I sort things out with my parents, dinner and a movie?” Sunset offered as she pulled away. “Pizza, but no pineapples.”

Holding a hand to her lip, it took a moment for Twilight to say anything, with the widest grin Sunset had even seen on the girl. “Half pineapple, but, I’ll let you pick the movie.”

“It’s a date then,” Sunset coed. “Now come on, Sparky!” she said, taking Twilight’s hand. “We have a bunch of people waiting for us to get hitched, so let’s not disappoint.”

Twilight was far too smitten to say anything else smart. Instead, being pulled by her girlfriend, yes, girlfriend! No, not just a girlfriend, but one of the best friends Twilight ever had. A feeling Sunset shared all the same with what they had been through. Honestly, it was miraculous that it took them this long to get together romantically! Well, much like with her parents, it wouldn’t do to dwell on the could haves and hadn’t. There was only the now, and what you did with it. Such as the many kisses Twilight and Sunset shared while waiting in the wing for their cue to go on.

Smiling at one another, hands held together, never wanting to let the other go, the two lovers walked out onto the stage, singing along to the closing number with the rest of the cast, to thunderous applause, ready for whatever life had in store for them next.

📣🍍🧜‍♀️🦵📓✒️🎭👑💖

The End

Author's Note

Final Authors Notes

Act 10, Too Late! It’s Opening Night...

“Wow,” Twilight breathed as she looked through the curtain. “Big crowd.”

“Why wouldn’t it be?” Sunset smirked. “Hey, could you double knot these shells for me?”

“Um, right,” Twilight nodded as she walked over, taking in a sharp breath at Sunset’s bare back. “You sure I can do this?” Twilight asked, rolling up her white sleeves when they got in the way.

“I wouldn’t have suggested you play Eric if I didn’t think you couldn’t.” Sunset assured as she spun around when Twilight was done.

“You really don’t think anyone’s going to make that big a deal out of Eric being played by a girl?” Twilight nervously laughed.

“Excuse me,” a dry voice said from behind them. Jumping, the two girls turned to see Maud, staring blankly at them in her tux. “Theatre has too few boys. Although, women weren't originally allowed to be actors. So it balances itself out.” She took Boulder out of her shirt pocket. “Here, pet the rock. I heard petting a pet helps.”

Slowly, Twilight did as Maud suggested.

“Better?” Maud asked.

“A… little.”

“Good. Now break a leg. Not literally of course.” Without another word, she walked off.

“Um, yeah,” Sunset laughed awkwardly. “That.”

Twilight sighed. “Well, yeah, but this is the… you know...” she frowned and blushed. “...romantic lead, so there’s potentially more issues.” Twilight began to tear up.

“Come on now!” Sunset ordered as she lifted up her friend's chin. “You know I hate seeing you cry, Sparkle.” With that, she was rewarded with a smile from Twilight. “Sure, I can see some people having issues with the prince being a...” she blinked. “Princess... Dammit, Twilight! I swear, I wasn’t thinking about Princess Twilight when I suggested you do this!”

To Sunset’s relief, Twilight let out a laugh. “Guess that makes us even for you casting Flash in the first place.”

Seeing as how her adorkable, human Twilight meant it whole-heartedly, Sunset chuckled. “Yeah, I guess. Still...” Curious for no reason, Sunset stole a glance at the crowd. “I hope Flash is okay. I can understand why family would be…”

Her eyes widened as she quickly stepped back from the curtains. “Oh gods, fuck above a holy grail dammit! Nope, nope, nopenopenopeNOPE! Sorry, Twilight, but I can’t go out there! You’ll have to find someone else!”

“What? Hey, HEY!” Twilight said as she realized how serious Sunset was by grabbing the girl by the shoulder as she tried to walk away. “What happened?”

“It would seem your actual princess half decided to surprise us with her presence. Along with who I’m guessing isn’t principal Celestia, and my parents.”

Twilight’s eyes widened. “Really? I mean, you sure?”

“Well then, that would be one fucking hell of a coincidence!” Sunset took in a breath, pacing back and forth for a bit, then nodding to herself. “Yeah, nope! I am really sorry about this, Twilight,” She started pacing back and forth with her arms behind her head. “I can’t do this, I can’t go out there! I’m not ready to face them again! I can’t, I won’t, I can’t, I won’t, I—

The next thing Sunset knew, a foam fish was being slapped across her face.

“Pull yourself together, woman!” Twilight commanded, lowering the prop. “You’re freaking Sunset Shimmer! You can do anything! And you would never let your friends down on such an important night!”

Blinking, she rubbed the spot where she had been slapped. “Did you just… No, I deserved it.” Sunset said as she leaned against the wall, slumping to the floor.

“Hey, don’t be like that,” Twilight said in a comforting voice as she knelt down next to her friend. “Whatever happened between your parents, however you think they feel; they came. And not just from the other end of town, but through a different dimension! Into an alien world just to see their daughter again. Hey, I’m not saying that makes everything magically okay, but whatever issues you have with them, it has to mean something.”

“You…You think?” Sunset said as she wiped away her tears.

“I know so.” Twilight nodded determinedly.

Sunset took in a deep breath and grinded her teeth. She noticed Twilight had a spark in her eyes. “You’re right.” she said, fist clenched. “So let’s give them the best performance a bunch of high schoolers can give!”

“Yeah!” Twilight beamed. The two of them went back and forth on the ‘Yeahs!,’ before they laughed and pulled into a hug. When they pulled away, still smiling, they stayed together for a while. Holding hands, they looked at each other, thinking, “How lucky am I to have a friend like her in my life?” Then, as if they were a pair of magnets, their faces started to inch towards one another.

“Two minutes to curtain!” someone shouted, breaking their trance. “Places!”

“Oh, um,” Twilight said, taking a step back, blushing madly. “I should, uh, get ready for the opening number.”

“Yeah,” Sunset nodded, her face as red as Twilight’s. “Should also make sure I didn’t ruin my makeup before I go on.”

They both smiled awkwardly at each other but quickly walked away to get the show on the road, but not before looking back at each other to give a friendly wave.

❤️ ♥️ ❤️ ♥️ 🎭

It wasn’t too late! Sunset said to herself between breaths as she climbed up the anchor ropes of the wedding ship. She was nearly pulled back down to the sea by her soaked clothing several times.

No! she screamed after such a close call. Inches from the deck. I’ve come too far to give up without a fight! My soul be damned, if only I can see Twilight one last time!

Heaving, she finally pulled herself up onto the boat into what could only be described as chaos unleashing. All kinds of sea creatures and humans were running about making a mess.

Twilight was easy enough to find. She was the only person standing perfectly still at the altar like nothing was wrong.

Twilight she started to call out, before reality hit her. Okay, she told herself, racing over to her friend's side. Maybe if I just plant one on the lips... she pondered, touching Twilight’s arm. I can apologize later when my soul isn’t on the–

“Can I help you?” Twilight asked.

Sunset jumped back. She was honestly not expecting a response with how brainwashed Twilight was.

“Excuse me,” Twilight said. “I’m in the middle of something…. Do I know you?”

While she now knew Twilight was under a spell, the words still stung Sunset’s heart.

“Oh no, wait!” Twilight said, stepping off the altar to stand next to the mysterious girl. “I’m sorry! It’s nothing personal. I’m just really bad with names. But,” hesitantly, she took Sunset’s hand. “Something about you feels familiar. Am I sounding crazy?”

To Sunset’s delight, Twilight started to blush.

“Um, oh dear. Look, I’m honestly not very good at making friends. Opening up to people. I’m still flabbergasted that anyone would want to marry me! Actually, I wonder what Adagio sees in me. Well, she did save my life and she’s normally nice.”

Twilight blinked in confusion at that. Her eyes flashed back-and-forth from yellow to violet. “I mean, I know it’s just wedding stress, but did she have to kick my dog? No idea what’s been getting into him. Or with my brother and sister. You think they would be happy I found someone! Then again, is kicking my dog excusable? Why isn’t it? Oh, what am I saying! Ugh! This is what I mean.” Twilight rubbed at her head. “Now I’m sure I won’t hear the end of this from Adagio about how I shouldn’t have said that! But, I owe her, as pious as that sounds. Is it so wrong that I have trouble being socially acceptable and–

Sunset brought a hand up and held Twilight's face, silencing the girl with a smile. Same old idiotic dork that I love.

As irrational as it was for Twilight to feel the way she was feeling for a stranger, she allowed herself, for once, not to think. Whoever this girl was, she wasn’t put off by her rambling. If anything, she enjoyed it. She smiled back at her as she kept holding onto her hand. Twilight found herself leaning towards the girl, as irrational as it was. To her delight, the girl was leaning in as well. Closing her eyes, Twilight started to–

Twilight pulled back and placed her free hand to her aching head.

“Get away from her!” Adagio huffed. Looking worse for wear, commanded, the shell necklace she wore glowing the same bright yellow. “She’s not the one who saved you, I did! That’s why you love me. Not her! Don’t be such a stu–Silly, girl!”

Yes, Twilight thought as her headache began to subside. Adagio was the one who saved her. Adagio cared about her when one else did. When no one else bothered to get in the water when she was drowning. That was why she wanted to-

Twilight's eyes widened when the mysterious girl raced towards her bride, a look of righteous fury, and started to grab at her Adagio’s shell necklace. Wait, if that pendant was so important for Adagio to wear at their wedding, why hadn’t she ever told her about what made it so important before?

“Get off me, you little brat!” Adagio cried out. Slapping Sunset across the face.

In that moment, while it didn’t make a lot of sense to Twilight, Adagio’s actions—the person she thought she loved—pushed Twilight over the edge enough to put ‘logic’ to the side. Instead, for once, trusting her emotions.

“Leave her alone!” Twilight cried. She raced forwards and, to Adagio's surprise, thinking Twilight was still fully hypnotized and talking to Sunset, shoved her away.

As the witch fell backwards, she let go of her grip on the shell. Sending it and Sunset flying through the air. Which, unlike the Adagio, had someone to catch her.

The shell flew through the air, shattering upon impact on the ground. The beautiful voice from before rang out through the ship as a golden orb floated towards Twilight and Sunset. As it did so, the fog from the witch's spell started to clear from Twilight’ mind. Things Twilight thought to only be a fantasy, turned into real memories. Where Adagio’s face had been in her memoirs in that fateful day, Sunset’s face–

“Sunset!”

It was Sunset! That was the name of the girl in her arms right now. Sunset, the girl who made her smile. The girl she had allowed closer into her heart than anyone else before her. Whom she wanted to spend time, maybe even forever if possible. Sunset was the one, who in only a few days, Twilight had fallen in love with. It didn’t matter if Sunset hadn’t saved her life. She could live without the voice, if it meant she could be together with Sunset for the rest of her life.

That said, as the two of them got to their feet, arms still draped around one another, Twilight couldn’t complain when that angelic voice floated into Sunset’s mouth instead of her ‘brides.’

“-Aaaahhhhhaa!” Sunset sang out.”Twi,” she crocked, holding her neck. “Twilight?”

“Sunset,” Twilight breathed, holding a hand to her lips. “I… I honestly thought it was you,” she said with a sniffle. “Believe me! I just, even if you could have talked, I was so scared about opening up to anyone. But, but then I got to know you, and I was still scared, but I was more scared of what would happen if I pushed you away! If, if I didn’t have you in my life. The thought was even scarier. I was going to say so last night, but then-

“It’s okay,” Sunset assured, bringing a hand to Twilight’s face. “I couldn’t imagine a life without you in it either.”

Speechless at such declarations, the two girls brought their faces together, only for Sunset to arch backwards in pain.

Adagio started to laugh. “You’re too late, princess.”

To Sunset’s horror, as she looked out to the dark sky, saw that Adagio was right.

“You’re too late!” Adagio cheered at her victory.

Twilight stared in alarm, trying to keep a hold of Sunset, but found herself unable to do anything as Sunset fell down onto her tail.

Indeed, they were too late.

🏃‍♂️ ⛅️ 🧜‍♀️

Author's Note

Sponsored by;
Admiral Typhoon, Saita the Kirin, Fanura Joy, Peppermint Papa & Arielfan90
If you’d like to contribute, comment below, and if you have time feel free to make Sunset as a mermaid for MerMay and I’ll see about putting all art made in a sort of credit scene