All These Shining Lights

by InkyTalon

Rating: teen
Tags: Sunset Shimmer, Princess Celestia, Twilight Sparkle, Sad, Drama, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Starlight Glimmer, Romance, Equestria Girls
Length: 20407

Princess Celestia has fallen victim to an unknown illness, and she has one final test for Twilight Sparkle: to bring Sunset Shimmer home. And who better to get Sunset back on her hooves than Twilight's new student, Starlight Glimmer?

Princess Celestia has fallen victim to an unknown illness, and she has one final test for Twilight Sparkle: to bring Sunset Shimmer home. And who better to get Sunset back on her hooves than Twilight's new student, Starlight Glimmer?

A story containing themes of grief, regret, and growth. Beloved characters will have their dark or flawed qualities emphasized as they struggle with grief and trust.

Also containing themes of friendship, romance, and drama --- and also some much needed humor here and there! PLEASE do not leave a nasty review if you hate the idea of romantic chemistry between Sunset Shimmer and Starlight Glimmer, or implied feelings between other characters.

(Story takes place just after the events of EG: Friendship Games and the Season Six premiere, and before the Season Six finale)

Published 2022-03-19 18:50:00 UTC
Last updated 2022-03-27 18:23:09 UTC

Ch 1: Canterlot Castle

Twilight Sparkle trotted through the halls of Canterlot Castle, her purple hooves softly clopping against the marble floors. The purple alicorn always loved a visit to the castle, for it was this castle she loved the most.

Sure, her own was beautiful and majestic, but this one held so many fond memories of her time living here with her former mentor, Princess Celestia, back when she was growing up and before she let friendship into her heart. And of course, this castle was involved with many of Twilight’s earliest adventures with her Ponyville friends.

She was reminded of this as she slowed her trot to a walk, as she passed by the stained glass windows in the Main Hall. Each was a reminder of a step of her journey. From defeating Nightmare Moon to becoming a Princess, she accomplished it all with her friends by her side.

The two newest stained glass windows showed her friends using the Rainbow Power to defeat Tirek, and the reformation of Starlight Glimmer. Twilight smiled, sitting on her haunches and admiring the windows as the morning sunlight passed through them and bathed her in colorful hues.

She was glad her adventures were far from over even though she was royalty now. And she’d gained herself a student so early in her Princesshood, which she was sure made Celestia proud.

Celestia… oh! Twilight was reminded why she was here in the first place. She wanted to visit Princess Celestia and let her know how her teachings with Starlight were going. She moved on from the Main Hall to the throne room and looked around, but the Princess wasn’t anywhere in sight.

Huh… I guess I should have had Spike send a letter telling her I was coming… She scolded herself for her lack of planning. She was usually so good at that.

“Princess Twilight,” came a sudden voice from behind her.

“AH!” Twilight jumped with a shriek, her wings going rigid from shock, as she turned on her hooves to be face-to-face with the Princess of the Night. “O-o-oh, Princess Luna! You startled me. Nice to see you!”

“Likewise,” Luna replied with a slight, weak smirk. “I did not mean to frighten you, but I suppose I have a knack for such things.”

“In the best possible way, Luna.” Twilight assured softly with a friendly smile. Twilight then noted that Princess Luna looked very tired, seeing the dark circles under her eyes, almost black against her already dark-blue coat.

“So… what are you doing up and about in the morning? Don’t you usually rest this time of day so you can do your work at night?”

“Yes, usually…” Luna frowned, looking away. “I’ve been a bit occupied with my sister. She’s been feeling… unwell.” Her formal voice was laced with an unsettling sadness, which made Twilight uneasy.

“Oh no… is she sick?” Twilight asked, worry taking over her features.

“Yes, I believe so… but I do not know what is ailing her. We have been around for many, many moons, but we’ve never encountered anything like this. All I want to do is arrange her a doctor’s visit, but she wouldn’t let me yet. But it is good that you’re here; she actually said she wanted to see you, Twilight.”

“Me?” Twilight appeared confused. She knew a lot about diseases, she’d read about them… but she was no doctor. What could Celestia need from her? “Well… can I see her?”

“Of course. Follow me.”

Luna turned, and started walking out of the throne room with Twilight following close behind.
“She seems to have something else weighing heavy on her mind, and I think that is what she is reserving for you.”

Twilight noticed that Luna’s hoofsteps were slow, almost dragging, and that she carried a weary sadness to her movements. Twilight couldn't help but sympathize with Luna. If Shining Armor was ever in bad health, she’d be sick with worry, too.

Luna’s horn began to glow a sparkling light blue. “Since I am not sure what is wrong, I will be using a health bubble to prevent any bacteria or viruses from spreading…” A translucent dome of shimmering magic began to surround them in a barrier as they approached a room.

That’s odd… Twilight thought, puzzling. I don’t remember Celestia’s quarters being in this wing of the castle.

But Twilight shrugged it off when she noticed a symbol in the shape of a sun cutie mark on the door.

I guess she wanted a change of scenery?

Luna opened the door with her magic, and it creaked open. Twilight wasn’t prepared for what she saw.

The white alicorn Princess lay on a bed that was… more than a bit small for her, it seemed, since her hooves stuck out a ways past the foot of the bed. The bedframe also had a sun cutie mark on it, identical to the one on the door… but now that Twilight looked at it, it looked different from Celestia’s cutie mark.
Celestia’s normally beautiful, flowing mane was limp, motionless, and mangled, and devoid of color. It made Twilight angry to see such a majestic and powerful alicorn so weak. It wasn’t fair.

“Princess Celestia!” Twilight shouted in despair, beginning to run to her, but she’d forgotten about the health bubble and she crashed against the dome.

“Patience…” Luna reprimanded as she placed a calming hoof on Twilight’s shoulder, taking steps toward her fallen sister. “Please keep your voice down.”

“Sorry…” Twilight apologized. When she was beside her former mentor, she stared at her sorrowfully for a moment, just… disbelieving.
“Celestia?”

Princess Celestia’s eyes cracked open slightly, turning her head towards the purple alicorn. “Twilight…” a very weak smile showed on her muzzle. Dots of sweat speckled her coat, especially on her face. “I’m glad you’re here…”

Twilight furrowed her brows in sadness. The princess looked incredibly drained… of magic, maybe? Like when Tirek stole it? That would be awful, but Twilight would rather that be the case instead of a dangerous illness.

“Princess… what happened to you?”

“I.. I am ill… I fear I won’t be able to resume my duties. Luna had to raise the sun for me this morning…”

Twilight shook her head. “No, Princess… I mean yes, please get your rest, but you’ll get better. In a day or two. You have to…”

“...One would hope.” Celestia inhaled slow and hoarsely, gazing upon her former student. “I refused to see a doctor just yet, so I could see you.”

“Why… why would you do that?”

“Because… a doctor might have me isolated while he does his treatments. Who knows… who knows how long that would take? No… this can’t wait.”

“What can’t wait, Celestia?” Twilight bit her lower lip, placing her hoof against the barrier of Luna’s health bubble.

“In case… In case I do not make the journey back into health—”

“You will, Celestia! Don’t say that!” Twilight protested in desperation, her eyes burning with the threat of tears. Princess Celestia was an alicorn, and besides that… she couldn’t leave her. “That’s impossible!”

“Twilight!” Celestia scolded her with all the authority she could muster, but she winced, for raising her voice caused her pain.

“Twilight, let me finish. The way I am feeling right now… I fear it may be very possible. I have unfinished business, and I will not pass peacefully without it being resolved. Even if I do make it… this has been put off long enough.”

Twilight swallowed hard, tears now freely streaming down her face and staining her lavender fur dark.

She was struggling to accept that horrible possibility… and she wasn’t sure she’d be able to yet. But she cared so much for her teacher and friend, and she genuinely wanted to hear anything she had to say.

“A-Alright,” Twilight agreed hesitantly. “Please, tell me…”

The elder alicorn began to stir in the bed, and she used her own magic to lift a pillow, and then a photograph from underneath. Her horn is functional, Twilight noted. Not magic-related.

Celestia levitated the photograph closer to Twilight so she could examine the picture. When she did, her violet eyes grew wide with understanding.

“Sunset!”

The picture displayed a bright golden unicorn filly hugging the leg of the much taller Celestia, appearing to be giggling with glee.

“This photograph captured one of my fondest memories of Sunset Shimmer, before she abandoned her studies and her life in Equestria.”

Princess Celestia sat up in bed with some effort.

“... I want to see her.”

“O-Oh…” Twilight blinked, looking at Celestia and then down again at the photograph. “Are you sure?”

“I am,” the Princess of the Sun affirmed with a nod. “I need you to contact her as soon as possible. She trusts you.”

Twilight nodded dutifully.

“I’ll allow Luna to call in a doctor now. That gives you a few days to bring Sunset home and get her settled. I will send a letter when I am permitted a hospital visit, or shortly after.”

“Okay.. I won’t let you down.” Twilight leaned her forehead against the barrier of the health bubble, wishing she could hug her, make her believe that she’d be okay…

“I know you won’t.” Celestia smiled, weak but genuine, relieved and full of confidence in her talented and accomplished pupil that she loved so much. She leaned her own forehead against the dome as well, getting as close to her as she possibly could. “Thank you.” she placed her hoof where Twilight’s was.

The two alicorns stayed like that for a few moments, before Celestia eased away slowly to lay back once more. “Goodbye for now, Twilight.”

“Goodbye…” Twilight whispered, stepping back and sharing a sad glance with Luna, who had been supervising. They both turned to leave Celestia to rest. When Luna shut the bedroom door behind them, something inside told Twilight to turn and inspect that symbol again.

The cutie mark was Sunset Shimmer's… now she recognized it for sure. That must have been Sunset’s old room, from when she was Celestia’s prized student before Twilight had that privilege. Twilight was surprised she’d never taken the time to explore it during the time she stayed at the castle.

The magic bubble around the two alicorns disintegrated once they’d gotten a safe distance away.

“Well,” Luna began solemnly. “I must go and locate the finest doctor in Canterlot. But there is one more thing that I suppose my sister didn’t have the energy to tell you.”

“Yes…?”

“If she does not recover, I will assume her duties as well as my own, as she had when I was absent for a thousand years. I had always thought we’d retire together–” Luna stopped when her voice had started to crack. She regained her composure, her face expressionless.

“It is probably not my place to tell you this, but I’ve no choice. Celestia had always spoken of you becoming our successor as Ruler of Equestria when you were ready. So if something happens to her… when the time is right… we would like you to rule alongside me before and after the moon sets on my time.”

Twilight gasped. “Ruler of Equestria? Me?”

“Yes. There is nopony Celestia would trust more in watching over the land she loves. But you needn’t worry about it yet… we don’t know what will happen, and I would allow you as much time as you need to prepare. And I would train you. Give it some thought.”

Twilight nodded once, hesitantly. “...Okay.”

There was no chance in Tartarus that she’d be able to prepare herself to rule anytime soon while Celestia was sick… she would have even more of a complete mental breakdown from the stress of it all. For her own good, she neatly filed away that idea in her mind, for her to return to and freak out over at a later date.

The Princess of the Night pushed open a castle window. “Good luck to you, Twilight Sparkle.” She leapt through, flying off.

“You too…” Twilight replied softly, but Luna was already gone. She herself was absolutely devastated that Princess Celestia had fallen so ill, but she couldn’t imagine just how hard it was for her sister…

Twilight spread her wings, flying out the window as well, but directing herself south towards Ponyville… with some effort. Her flying was still imperfect, but much improved thanks to Rainbow Dash’s frequent lessons.

She flapped clumsily until she managed to steady herself, and from there she soared through the air smoothly, casting her shadow onto the rooftops of Canterlot buildings as she passed over them.

It’s such a beautiful day, Twilight thought as she observed the sunlit landscape of Equestria, from the majestic mountain peaks to the sparkling rivers. It was such a clear day that from this height, she could even make out the distant settlements on the horizon.

It was a beautiful day, indeed it was, but it sure didn’t feel beautiful to Twilight. She only hoped that this task Celestia gave her wouldn’t be her last.

Ch 2: Starlight

Starlight Glimmer sighed softly, leaning her cheek against her hoof. "Your move."

"Alright!" Spike picked up a chess piece off the board, and tapped his chin, before smashing it into one of hers. "Checkmate!"

The lilac unicorn let out an exaggerated, bored groan. She couldn’t help it. “...Why don't we play something else? Or you know... do something useful?"

The young dragon shrugged. "I guess chess isn't your thing. But that's cool. You'll find something you like to do that isn't... enslaving entire towns to your philosophy and making them give up their cutie marks— ...And messing with the space-time continuum and dooming the fate of Equestria."

Starlight groaned again, getting onto her hooves and walking slowly out of her bedroom in Twilight’s castle.

"S-Sorry!" Spike exclaimed, shooting to his feet. "It's just kind of hard to forget..."

"It's fine. I guess I deserve that sometimes. After all, Twilight left me off without any other punishment... so it's not that bad."

"Aww, Starlight, you don't have to look at it that way!" Spike caught up with the mare and rested a claw on her shoulder. "Just... look at it as a reminder of how far you've come since then."

"And how far exactly have I come? I mean, I made up with Sunburst and helped fix the Crystal Heart, yeah, but I haven't done anything to really... prove myself yet." Starlight sighed once more, smoothing her hoof against the back of Princess Twilight's throne.

"You'll get your time to shine, Starlight." Spike reassured, hopping into his little throne beside Twilight's.

"I hope you're right, Spike." Starlight sat down in the space in between Spike's throne and Rainbow Dash's. Her ears twitched, hearing the castle doors open. "Twilight?"

The purple alicorn flew in and landed, a bit clumsily. "Hello..." She said, unable to contain her sadness.

"What's the matter, Twilight?" Her dragon assistant asked, running up to her.

Twilight payed Spike no mind, not even glancing at him.
"Princess Celestia…… she’s… she’s sick."

"Oh no..." Spike whimpered. "That's awful..."

Starlight looked down, not sure what to say. It really was awful.

Twilight inhaled deeply and slowly, trying to keep herself from getting too emotional. She had a task at hoof, one final test to pass.

"Spike, would you fetch me the magic journal, the one that I use to contact Sunset Shimmer and my friends at Canterlot High?"

"Yes ma'am!" Spike saluted and scurried off into another room.

Starlight looked up at Twilight questioningly with a puzzled frown. "Who's Sunset?"

The Princess of Friendship turned to Starlight, equally puzzled.

"I'm sorry? I thought I told you about her."

"Er... no." Starlight let out a small laugh. "Not once."

"Oh... well, Sunset's one of my close friends, but she didn't always used to be... you see, she's actually a lot like you. Even more like you than Trixie, even.”

“Really?” Starlight raised an eyebrow. Ponies she could really relate to were so hard to find… if not non-existent. Trixie, her now best friend, had been the closest. They shared so many experiences and hardships. The idea that there was somepony even more like Starlight struck her as… unlikely. But Twilight had her interest.

“She was Celestia's student before I was, until she went through a portal to another world. She stole my Element of Harmony and took it there. Then my Canterlot High friends- who are basically just like my friends here- and I defeated her, and reformed her. Since then she's helped defend that world against threats and she's been trying to understand the magic there."

"Wow..." Starlight smiled a little, fascinated by all this that Sunset had accomplished since her reformation. Certainly a lot more than Starlight, it seemed. "She sounds nice but... not really like me."

"Well, you two certainly had different motives, but all in all, you two are basically the same pony."

"Starlight Glimmer... Sunset Shimmer... well, our names are similar." Starlight noted. "And she's reformed. So... maybe."

Twilight shrugged. "I guess you'd have to meet her to see what I mean. Which you will, very soon."

"I will?" Starlight frowned in confusion. "She's coming to Ponyville?"

"More like coming back to Equestria." Twilight said, as Spike brought her the book she needed.

"Sooo... when you say she's in another world... you're not kidding?" Starlight blinked.

"Nope. And that's not the craziest part either. Everypony– …I mean, everybody there walks on two legs."

"Like Spike..?"

"Sort of. But not quite…" Twilight giggled softly, levitating a quill towards her. "They call themselves humans. They have no magic, but they do have plenty of interesting technology at their disposal." She began to write.

"Wow... that's... cool?" Starlight grinned sheepishly.

"Yeah, it's a little strange."

"Not to mention the portal transformed you into a human too. And me into a dog!" Spike added.

"That is weird..." Starlight said. "I can see why you don't talk about it a lot."

"Well... It's kind of become a force of habit to keep the portal a secret. It's safe here, kept out of the way. But I guess you're ready to know about it, considering."

"The portal's here? Where? Is it in that one room that's closed off?"

"Yes." Twilight continued scribbling her letter to Sunset.

"Wow... and Sunset's going to get that... how?"

The alicorn sighed with a smile. "She has a magic journal of her own. These two are connected. When I write on a page, it appears in her journal in the human world, and vice versa."

Starlight nodded, giving the questions a rest for now. She was sure that she could get more information out of Sunset later. If they became friends, that is. She hoped so. With Trixie always on tour with her magic show, and Discord not really being in her league... she hadn't hung out with anypony she could really relate to in a while.

"Done!" Twilight said, scribbling her name at the end of her letter, before teleporting the quill away with her magic and shutting the book. "We'll wait for a response. She usually replies pretty quickly."

Her student nodded again, tracing circles on the castle floor with her hoof. "What do we do until then?"

"I think we should wait near the portal, in case she comes right through." Twilight stood, gesturing for Starlight to follow her down the hall, carrying the book with her. "She'll need help getting back on her hooves. It's been many, many moons since she's been in Equestria for real. The last time she was here was when she stole my crown."

"Oh wow... Why do you think she hasn't returned? She came from Equestria…right?"

"Well... I think it's partially because she made friends there, friends she can't say she has here yet. And maybe some of it has to do with how guilty she feels about leaving her studies with Celestia to do... bad things. She's told me how terrible she feels all the time in her letters..." Twilight unlocked the closed door with her magic, revealing a room with a giant mirror as it's centerpiece.

"Ooo..." Starlight marveled, sitting on her haunches and looking up at the mirror. "So... even after she proved herself to her friends, and helped defeat those threats... she still feels guilty?"

"Well... yeah. She's probably going to carry that guilt for a long time... but she's changed for the better with her friends at her side, and that's all she needs to recover." Twilight sat beside Starlight.

Hmm, Starlight thought. Maybe Sunset really is a lot like me. She felt herself growing a bit more excited.

Twilight smiled warmly at Starlight, though sadness still showed in her eyes. "I think you two will get along fine. Which is why I'm taking this opportunity to assign you your next lesson."

"Of course," Starlight said.

"We have a few days... So in these next few days, I'd like you to make friends with Sunset, and do your best to help make her feel welcome. She needs all the friends she could get here."

"I'll do my best."

"Spiiiiike!" Twilight called, and the dragon was there within seconds.

"Yes?" Spike asked.

"Could you go out and contact my friends? They haven't met Sunset yet.. and now that I think about it, one of Pinkie's parties might be perfect to help welcome her back."

"On it!" Spike raced out of the room.

Twilight sighed softly once more. She hoped this would help get her mind off things. After all, it wasn't every day she got to have all her friends in one place.

She placed a hoof on the magical journal, and gazed up at the portal, wondering what adventures Sunset and her Canterlot High friends were having.

Ch 3: Sunset

Sunset Shimmer was leisurely walking down the street, alone, only hearing her boots clonking quietly against the pavement and the occasional car whizzing by. She pulled her leather jacket tighter around herself, for it was chilly today, and the wind was blowing.

Sure, she could be spending the night at someone's house, but she couldn't impose. Not every night, anyway. She had to make sure none of her friends watched her leave the school building; she didn't want them to follow her and see her like this.

She walked until she got to a space in between two brick buildings. She looked left and right, and slipped into the space. She breathed out a small sigh of relief. At least the buildings blocked out the wind.

Sunset pulled off her backpack, laying it on the ground, looking disdainfully at the mess of newspapers laying about crumpled and blown open.

She'd have to make her bed... again.

Sunset groaned and picked up the newspapers, smoothing them back out and folding them, stacking them up and laying them down.

She sat down on the bed of newspapers, which didn't provide the best cushioning, but kept her from having to sit directly on the concrete. Off came her leather jacket, and it lay over her; her blanket. She leaned back, folding her arms behind her head. Red and yellow strands of hair fell in front of her eyes, but she made no move to push them away.

Sometimes she wished it was easier to get a job around here, but in this small town, everyone knew what she did. All of her applications, she figured, were never looked at again. It was whatever. For the time being, she had Canterlot High to spend most of her time at… and as long as she was with her friends, that wasn’t too bad.

She only wished she had a few snacks at hand right now… maybe a drink. It was the weekend, so she wouldn't be fed school lunches... so she'd have to figure something out.

She failed at being a pony, and she‘s failing at being a human, too. Great.

"Sunset?!" came a voice as a figure walked into Sunset's living space.

"Applejack!" Sunset sat up, her leather jacket falling off her torso. "Agh... What are you doing here?"

"I was about to ask you the same thing. For a second, I thought you were comin' in here to do drugs or somethin'. This is a lot worse." The farmer said, getting down on one knee, getting eye-level with Sunset. "You can't tell me this is where ya live, sugar cube..."

"...I…" An embarrassed Sunset pulled the leather jacket back over herself, looking down and away, muttering. "I didn't want you or the other girls finding out..."

"I said you were always welcome to spend the night at the farm whenever you wanted, didn't I? And didn't Pinkie say you could sleep over at her house? And Rarity's? And Fluttershy's? Rainbow Dash...? What about Twi?"

"Look, Applejack," Sunset held up her hand. "I really appreciate it a lot, but... I can't just keep spending the night every night."

"Sure ya can." Applejack smiled reassuringly at Sunset. "I think I can speak for all of us when I say, our doors are always open for ya to Shimmer on in."

Sunset giggled quietly at that. "Heh... thanks." Smirking softly, she sat back up, and slid her leather jacket back on.

"C'mon, let's get you home." Applejack offered her hand.

Sunset nodded, reaching out…— but suddenly, something made a vibrating noise in her backpack.

Sunset blinked, holding up a finger. "Hold that thought..."

She reached into her backpack and pulled out her magic journal. "It must be Twilight!" Sunset exclaimed with barely-hidden excitement. She opened the journal to the freshly-written on page, reading it through.

Dear Sunset,

Hey there! Are you doing well? To be honest, things aren't going too great here right now... we could really use your help. It's not a world-takeover or anything, I promise. It'd be easier to explain in person.

How would you like to come back to Equestria for a visit? I miss you, and I also have somepony I'd like you to meet. It's really kind of important, so... if you'd consider it, I'd be really grateful.

Your friend,

Twilight Sparkle.

Sunset stared down at the journal again, furrowing her brows. She began to read the message a second time, just to be sure Twilight’s request was real.

"What'd she say?" Applejack asked, scratching her head. "You look a mite… worried."

Sunset stopped reading and cleared her throat, but her voice cracked a bit when she spoke. "I think Twilight wants me to come back to Equestria... for a visit."

"Oh..." Applejack said, taking off her cowgirl hat, looking down at it as she held it in both her hands. "Well... I think you should go. I mean... ya did come from that place."

"Are you sure?" Sunset looked up at Applejack… then smirked. "You're not upset that I wouldn’t be staying with you?"

"Course not, sugar cube. I promise. Though I always love havin’ ya over." Applejack grinned. "Just... If you decide to stay there, pay us a visit every once in a while?"

Sunset shook her head. "I don't think I'll stay. I'm not exactly loved there... But... Twilight needs me. Here." Sunset handed Applejack the journal. "Could you hold onto this? I'll probably write you."

"All right, Sunny." Applejack slid the book into her own bag. "Do ya want me to accompany you? To the portal, I mean?"

Sunset held her hand up again. "No, I'm alright. Just... could you tell the others where I’ve gone?"

Applejack nodded. "Yeah, sure."

"Thanks." Sunset stood, putting her backpack on over her jacket. The two of them walked out onto the street.

"Good luck to ya, Sunset." Applejack pulled Sunset into a warm hug. “Don’t you have too much fun and forget about us, ya hear?”

Sunset smiled into the hug, and when Applejack made that comment, she rolled her cyan eyes and gave Applejack an extra squeeze. "I'll be back soon." Sunset asserted playfully sternly, as she let go of the cowgirl and pulled away.
"Bye."

"See ya." Applejack put her hat back on and tipped it to Sunset, before walking in the opposite direction, headed for her farm.

Sunset took her sweet time making her way to the portal. Truthfully, she was extremely anxious.

Sure, she'd proven herself to this world— or at least, to the students of Canterlot High — that she'd changed. She helped fight off sirens during the Battle of the Bands and defended the school against Midnight Sparkle at the Friendship Games.
But for all she knew, she was still hated in Equestria. Sunset only hoped Twilight's Ponyville friends would like her.

She tried to calm her nerves as she arrived on school grounds and approached the Wondercolts statue. If they were anything like her friends here, she was sure they'd hit it off.

She looked at her reflection in the stone of the statue, which had been polished during its repair after Midnight Sparkle nearly destroyed it. She had noticed this many times before, but her colors seemed to be... fading. They used to be so vibrant, but they were slowly becoming dull. Which didn't look that bad, really. It helped her fit in more with everyone else.

But... she couldn't help but wonder if there was something magical to do with it. Maybe it was because she'd been away from Equestria for so long.

Maybe it was because she'd been away from Celestia for so long.

Sunset swallowed, and reached to touch the portal, and watched as her fingers began to pass through.

Here goes…

She took a deep breath, and took a step inside.

And if anyone had been watching, they would have seen Sunset Shimmer disappear.

Ch 4: The Party

Twilight paced continuously back and forth in front of the mirror, and then levitated the journal in front of her with her magic, flipping madly through the pages.

"Oh no… Why hasn't she replied yet? It's already almost six o' clock!"

A white unicorn approached Twilight, gesturing with her hoof to get Twilight's attention. "I'm sure she just got held up, darling."

A pale-yellow pegasus flew slowly towards them. "Rarity's right," Fluttershy said in her soft, hushed voice. "If you told her it was important, I'm sure she's not purposely trying to put it off."

"I guess you're right..." Twilight sighed, and then she smiled, a bit too widely. "I'm sure everything is fine...!" Her eye twitched…in a bit of an unhinged manner.

Fluttershy and Rarity shrank back a little. They knew Twilight could get a little comically anxious and fuss over the little details, but this was a little on the abnormal side.

"Everything WILL be fine when I can get the rest of these party decorations up!" Pinkie Pie shouted in desperation, bouncing up high to stick streamers on the wall. "It's just so short notice!"

"Why didn't you just use your party cannon, Pinkie?" Rainbow Dash asked, as she leaned up against the wall and rolled her magenta eyes. "It would have decorated everything in like, less than ten seconds flat."

"Well, I just reeeeeaaaally wanted this party to be super special! After all, we're going to make a new friend today, so her first party needs to have lots and lots of Pinkie care put into it!" The pink mare grinned with pride.

"That's awful sweet of ya, Pinkie." Applejack praised her. "Anyway, Twilight, ya got nothin’ to fret about! Sunset's comin', and she'll have a great time. I'm sure of it."

Twilight nodded with a nervous, less unsettling smile. She then trotted away to sit down by the refreshments table Pinkie had set up, and using her magic to lift a punch glass to her lips.

Starlight was across the room away from most of the group, sitting by Spike and chatting with him.

“Aww, don’t be nervous, Starlight. I’m sure you’re not gonna mess up your friendship lesson!"

“I’m not nervous about the friendship lesson!” Starlight hissed back defensively. A lie. “No Spike, it’s just… I love Pinkie’s parties, but sometimes… they’re just chaos.” She admitted to him in a whisper. Not a lie, exactly…

Suddenly, a loud poofing noise interrupted all their conversations, and a figure emerged out of nowhere. A very, very tall figure. Starlight looked up and gulped.

“Did somepony say… chaos?”

"Discord?!" Rarity squealed. "What in Celestia's name are you doing here?"

Twilight spit out her punch in surprise. "Gah!"

"Ah, haha! Didn't Fluttershy tell you?" The draconequus smirked mischievously, slivering over to Fluttershy and wrapping his lion paw around her. "She invited me to your little party. Who are we welcoming again? Sun-$%#* Sh-%##-er?" He chuckled darkly to himself.

"Discord! Such language!" Fluttershy shook her head. "I am very disappointed."

"It's Sunset Shimmer." Twilight rubbed her forehead with her hoof, annoyed. "And we need to welcome her politely so she can get back on her hooves. Without. A. Hitch."

"I'm sorry, I just couldn't resist! And yes, yes, I know. No chaos. Fluttershy made it very clear in her letter." Discord winked down at Fluttershy, letting her go. "You all insult me. I can control myself."

He transformed himself into a grey stallion with a dark mane. "Just look at how well I blend in."

Twilight smiled softly, rolling her eyes. He could be pretty funny sometimes. "Well, just be careful Disco—" Twilight's voice caught in her throat, as she heard the sound of magic bending and warping behind her. She twisted around to look.

The mirror was shimmering brilliantly, the surface rippling like water. All eyes were now on the portal, and everything was quiet.

After a few moments, a golden unicorn stepped out, wobbling on her hind legs, swaying about as she tried to regain her balance. She didn't stabilize herself until she was able to get down on all fours.

One of the first things Sunset could feel was the ache. Even though this was an entirely different anatomy than her human form, her joints were extremely sore. After she got her bearings, she smiled sheepishly at the group, taking a good look around. "Hey everyone..."

Starlight inhaled softly but sharply, seeing Sunset Shimmer for the first time. "Wow..."

"Sunset!" Twilight exclaimed, running up to Sunset for a hug.

Sunset smiled, wrapping her arms around Twilight. "Heh... how are you?"

"Well, I could be better, but I'm glad you're here. We all are." Twilight stepped back.

Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Rarity, and Fluttershy came up to Sunset next.

"Howdy, Sunset! I would say we ought to introduce ourselves, but... I reckon you can figure it out." Applejack said as she crossed her hooves with a smirk.

"Yeah..." Sunset blinked, before shaking her head as if to clear it. "Sorry if I seem a little... overwhelmed. It's kind of a lot to take in, going through such a big change and seeing all these faces."

"It's cool!" Rainbow Dash flew in, looking down at Sunset. "...What's that?" She pointed her hoof to the bag on Sunset's back.

"It looks like some kind of saddle-bag," Rarity observed. "Oddly shaped, but stylish nonetheless."

"It's uhh, a backpack." Sunset answered distractedly, as her eyes wandered to the mirror, seeing her reflection. She hadn't seen herself as a pony in a while… and it was an adjustment. She reached up a hoof to touch her cheek. She also noticed the colors to her wavy mane and tail were bright once again.

"... How awkward." Discord muttered, flapping his mismatched wings and hovering above Sunset, casually pushing Rainbow to the side, earning him a glare from the cyan pegasus. Discord grabbed Sunset by the waist and spun her around, dragging her out onto the floor. "You really don't need be so shy. We have Fluttershy for that."

"Uh... Twilight, who's this?" Sunset said as she was dragged past her, confusion in her voice.

"That's Discord." The alicorn stated.

"Discord?! He's come back from stone..?" Sunset bit her lip, panic rising within her.

"Don't worry, my little pony. I'm back but I'm back reformed. Just like you." Discord grinned, before snapping his fingers, making the lettering on a cake magically change from 'Welcome home, Sunset' to 'Former-Baddie Buddies', featuring a frosting drawing of Discord hugging Sunset, his beard blocking out her face. "You like?"

"Discord!" Fluttershy protested. "No chaos, remember?"

"Right-right-right. Apologies." He let go of Sunset, bowing before her playfully.

"Heh-heh..." Sunset chuckled nervously, taking a couple steps back. She didn't get it... was Discord the one who Twilight talked about in her letter, who she wanted her to meet? "Thanks, Discord... Thank you, everypony. I really appreciate it."

Pinkie Pie coughed, and silence followed. "... It's waaaaayyy too quiet in here. PARTY TIME, PONIES!" Pinkie slammed a record onto the DJ turntable and pressed play, and an upbeat party song began to pulse out the speakers. Pinkie then shut the door and shut off the lights, making the room dark, before switching on her club lights.

Immediately, everyone began to dance or at least bob their heads to the music. Sunset slowly smiled and joined in, swaying back and forth, somewhat clumsily, and tapping a hoof to the beat. This was all pretty overwhelming, sure, but who said overwhelming couldn't be fun?

The only one reluctant to join in was Starlight Glimmer. But did they really expect her to dance? It seemed like a bit of a waste of time.

She watched everypony, all of them dancing in groups. Rainbow Dash, Applejack, and Pinkie Pie were the most extravagant of the dancers in the room, taking up a large portion of the floor with their moves in dance-contest fashion. Rarity, Fluttershy, Discord and Spike were having their own little dance party in another corner. And Twilight and Sunset did whatever their equivalent to dancing was.

But here Starlight was, feeling like the whole ordeal was ridiculous. What happened to her having to befriend Sunset? She couldn't see how she could, with all the loud music and bright lights everywhere.

Or... maybe this was part of her lesson. Was dancing a required thing on the metaphorical checklist to becoming friends with Sunset? Spike had told her once before that even the steps that seem pointless could make a difference. Considering this, Starlight decided she'd give it a shot.

She trotted over to Twilight and Sunset, calling for them. "Twilight! Sunset! Can I dance with you?"

"Huh? What?" Twilight shouted, still dancing. "Did you say something, Starlight?!"

"I said, can I dance with you guys?!" Starlight shouted louder.

Sunset's ear twitched, and she turned, facing Starlight. This was the first time she'd really noticed her. "Oh hi!"

"What?! What did you say..?" Starlight shouted, the club lights dancing across her face, revealing a frustrated look.

"WHAT?!" Twilight yelled, stopping her dancing.

"I said... ugh! Nevermind!" Starlight turned, walking back to her wall, her ears pinned against her head.

Sunset blinked. "Twilight, is she okay?"

"WHAT?!"

Sunset groaned, using her magic to create a soundproof bubble, surprisingly without much struggle. "There." The thumping of music could still be heard, but it was now muffled. "I said, is she okay?"

"Starlight? I think she's okay. She was just probably frustrated we couldn't hear her. She's not exactly used to Pinkie's parties yet."

"Oh. Who is she, anyway?"

"She's my new pupil!" Twilight said proudly with a small smile. "She's the pony I wanted you to meet."

Pupil? Sunset felt something she hadn't felt since Twilight became the lead singer of The Rainbooms... a pang of jealousy. "She's your student? Wow..."

"Mmm-hm! You know, you should go talk to her. It looks like she could use a friend."

"I don't know..."

"Trust me!" Twilight pushed Sunset forward with her wing, pushing her outside the bubble. "You might find out you have more in common than you'd think!"

Sunset looked over her shoulder, about to scream 'WHAT' again, since she didn't hear that last part, but she decided against it.

The unicorn started to walk across the dance floor, but was violently bumped into by Rainbow Dash. "Sorry!" Sunset apologized hastily, squeezing past. Then Pinkie literally began bouncing off the walls, and bounced off the floor uncomfortably close to Sunset, making her freeze in her tracks. "S-Sorry!" She tried to speed up her pace to a trot, but tripped over Discord's tail, and fell over. "Gah! Sorry..." She groaned, rubbing her head.

Sunset looked up, seeing a hoof extending towards her. Sunset looked up, her eyes making out the hoof's owner to be Starlight. Sunset blinked, hesitating before taking Starlight's hoof, letting her help her up.

Starlight mouthed to Sunset, "Want to get out of here?"

Sunset thought about this for a second, and nodded, following the lilac mare out the door, happy to leave all the noise and chaos behind.

Ch 5: Friendship Lesson

"Follow me," Starlight whispered over her shoulder to Sunset. The lilac unicorn kept her hoofsteps light and careful, a small aura glowing on the very tip of her horn for a light source as she navigated the shadowed castle halls.

Sunset was still a bit disoriented coming out of that party. She groaned, tapping her hoof against her skull, as if it would ease the headache she now had. She didn't know where Twilight's student was leading her, but she was hopeful that it would be outside the castle. She could use some fresh air.

Thankfully, the two mares found themselves outside the castle doors. The night air was cool and dry.

Sunset looked up, being greeted by the sight of hundreds of stars. The stars here were so much different… she'd gotten so used to pointing out Cassiopeia and the Big Dipper. She didn't remember where to look for constellations here, or even remember what she'd be looking for. Just that simple realization made her nervous. Life in Equestria had already become so alien to her.

Starlight sat down on the castle steps. Sunset followed suit, and sat beside her, but she sat in a different, weird way. Instead of her legs being tucked directly underneath her, she had them splayed out, supported only by her hindquarters.

"So… the Castle of Friendship." Starlight started, glancing at Sunset briefly, trying not to stare at her weird position.

"What do you think?"

Sunset slowly formed a lackluster answer.

"... It's big," the golden mare simply replied.

Starlight chuckled a little. "Very big. It's been months, and I still get lost sometimes. Once, I tried finding the library, and ended up getting stuck in a broom closet."

Sunset sent a small smile in Starlight's direction, then gazed again at the castle behind her. Again, she couldn't help but feel a bit jealous. Twilight seemed to have all the luck.

Back when she was a vain and selfish person, this was all she'd ever wanted. Of course she'd heard about the castle. That had been easy enough, but now… actually seeing the evidence of Twilight Sparkle's accomplishments and growth, knowing that another student succeeded where she had failed… it wasn't so easy.

Feeling guilty, she quickly tried to suppress these feelings. She knew better now, knew where she had went wrong. It was her own fault. And she looked up to Twilight, adored her even, and that was far more powerful than her feelings of jealousy toward her.

Though she'd only spent a short amount of time with Twilight in person… she felt this bond… this chemistry with Twilight she couldn't explain. When she started using the journal to write to Twilight, sometimes she'd find herself staring at the pages waiting for a reply. And when she got one, she'd get this strange excited chill all over her body, something she hadn't felt before.

Sunset would always hold Twilight so dear to her heart as the one who changed her life for the better. The one who stretched out her hand to her, offered her a second chance when no one else would. A friend for life, surely… but Twilight was also something else to Sunset. Something… more.

But then this Starlight… Sunset glanced at her again. She's her pupil, chosen by Twilight to follow in her hoofsteps. Gets to study with her, learn from her, be near her every day.

This, Sunset thought, was far more worthy of her jealousy. She would give anything to be in Starlight's position. Of course, she did get to know Twilight better through the journal, and still got valuable advice, but it was leagues away from being her actual student.

"Uh… are you alright?" Starlight blinked, wearing a confused expression.

Sunset frowned, realizing she had been staring at Starlight, and silently prayed that she hadn't been glaring.

"Oh um, yeah, I'm okay. I'm just… my mind is still wheeling from everything."

"Hm. Yeah, I can't blame you. Must be a pretty jarring change." Starlight gave a sympathetic smile. "Do you maybe wanna talk about it?"

Sunset cleared her throat lightly. "Oh, well… where I came from... it's pretty different. But not so different at the same time-"

"I've heard. And I'll want to hear more about it, too, it sounds so interesting! But I think… maybe something else is bothering you."

Sunset felt taken aback. "How? You don't even know me."

Sunset flinched at her own words. She had sounded a bit nasty. She couldn't help it.

Starlight furrowed her brows, shifting away a bit.

"Well, I'm sorry for trying to help."

"No no, I'm sorry! Forgive me…" Sunset groaned, hiding her head in her hooves folded in her lap.

"I'm so sorry. You didn't deserve that, I know you're trying to be friendly. I'm just not always that great at this 'Magic of Friendship' stuff..."

"It's okay." Starlight drew in a deep breath. "I was a little forward, I'll admit that. I can be pretty impulsive. I don't always think things through."

She sat in silence for a few moments, wondering what she could say to break this tension. She then thought that perhaps, if she were forthright with Sunset and opened up a bit, maybe Sunset would feel a bit more comfortable and maybe open up in turn.

"To be completely honest… I'm not too good at it either. Magic is something I'm familiar with, but friendship? Ha! Trying to make a friend makes me nervous. It's just so complicated! So many things can go wrong, and it's so awkward trying to make an impression… Sometimes I wish I could just use a spell to hurry it along to save myself from the embarrassment. Pretty sad, huh?"

Sunset lifted her head, blowing her mane from her eyes.

"No… no, it's not sad. I think I know exactly what you mean."

"In fact, I'm so insecure about it that I probably wouldn't have came over to you at all, hadn't it been for the friendship lesson I'm supposed to do."

Starlight winced a little on the inside, hoping she wasn't breaking any rules by letting Sunset know about the lesson. But she felt like it was what she had to do.

"Friendship lesson?" Sunset turned to her, her voice full of intrigue. "What lesson?"

"Twilight tasked me to try to be your friend," Starlight said bluntly. "Make you feel comfortable here and everything. So... I really am sorry I was so sudden with the bonding stuff. I just really wanted to prove to her I could do it. I really look up to her, you know."

"Me too…" Sunset admitted quietly.

"So you get me, then! I definitely wouldn't want to fail her. But then again…" She looked up at the starry night sky, with a sigh.

"...I know I would probably feel really uncomfortable in your position. I want to make Twilight proud, but I also don't want to be in a forced friendship just because she wants it to happen. So if you don't want to keep talking, I'd understand."

Sunset shook her head, grinning. "Are you kidding? You already sound like the kind of pony I can really talk to. You don't know how much I appreciate you telling me that. That took guts."

The golden unicorn gently "punched" Starlight on the shoulder, playfully.

"But if we become friends, as much as I respect Twilight, we should do it our own way, not the Twilight way."

"I totally agree. Not because we have to, but because we choose to." Starlight nodded, her face lighting up with a grin mirroring Sunset's.

"Right!"

"Right."

The two ponies gazed at each other for a moment, both of them excited, but also nervous.

"So… what else did Twilight have you do as her student?" Sunset asked. "Just… out of curiosity."

"Well, not much really yet. A lot of it is just hanging out with her friends. I really like them! But I don't have as much in common with them. I struggle sometimes, but I'm getting better I think. The most notable thing I've done was helping to fix the Crystal Heart when Twilight's niece broke it."

Hearing all this, Sunset couldn't help but feel a little better, a little less jealous. It sounded as if Starlight hadn't accomplished a lot yet. But she'd try not to dwell on that any longer. If she wanted to be friends with Starlight, she'd just have to start hoping for her success.

She almost didn't hear what Starlight said next.

"But the most difficult thing I've done was visit my old best friend, Sunburst."

"Sunburst..?" Sunset's lips parted, staring wide-eyed at Starlight.

Starlight stared back, very confused. "Uhhh… yeah?" She smiled, a bit too wide. Weirded out.

"Sorry," Sunset apologized, blinking several times. "It's just… If we're talking about the same Sunburst… that's my little brother."

"Wha–? Small world! Or… worlds..."

"Yeah. How... How is he doing?"

"He's doing good! Wow, I… never knew he had a sister."

Sunset sighed.

"I don't blame him for never mentioning me. The whole family has probably swept the whole abandoning-Celestia incident under the rug. I haven't talked to them in years… they've probably practically disowned me by now."

"How come I never saw you? I've been friends with Sunburst since we were really young."

"Well, I left for Celestia's School of Magic when I was just a kid– er, filly. And he was just a baby. He probably only barely remembers me, if at all. I'm sure Mom just doesn't care to talk about me. She was always about making sure everything went just right…"

"Stellar Flare. Yeah, Sunburst was put under a lot of pressure by her, too. She was always telling him he needs to 'be prepared' and 'have a plan for success'... it's no wonder he flunked out of Magic School. He spent all his time reading about magic and never actually practicing it."

Sunset groaned, hiding her face in her knees again.

Starlight winced, and realized she might have said too much. This friendship thing really was hard.

"Hey… I'm sorry if I— that I made it worse."

"Nooo, you didn't…" Sunset assured her. "It's just… I can't help but see that the bad stuff I did caused a lot more harm than I realized. Mom was probably extra-overbearing on Sunburst because of me. Just more side effects of my failure…"

Starlight frowned, staring at her own hooves, thinking about what she should say to help Sunset feel better.

"I'm sure Sunburst and the rest of your family would be thrilled to know you've come home. I bet deep down, they really miss you. Celestia, too."

Sunset lifted her head up, meeting the lilac unicorn's eyes.

"You really think so?"

"Well, sure! Sunburst was really accepting of me when I visited again, even after all of the bad things I did. Granted, it was an awkward reunion to begin with, and it was hard for me to go see him at all. But it all worked out. It will for you, too."

"And… Celestia?"

Starlight frowned again, wondering if it was her responsibility to tell Sunset what was going on with the Princess.

Ultimately, she decided that it should be left to Twilight. They hadn't been friends long enough, and Sunset was already dealing with a lot of emotion here. Twilight would know better what to do, and when.

"You know… maybe it's better if you tackle things one at a time. Nopony expects you to come and give out a bunch of apologies all at once. Give yourself a break and some time to process."

"I think you're right." Sunset smiled, letting out a breath. "Clearly, or Twilight wouldn't have thrown that party."

"I think I hear the music quieting down now…" Starlight jerked her head towards the castle. "More our speed. Want to head back inside?"

The golden unicorn nodded. "Sounds good to me— …if… we stick together?"

Her aqua-green eyes fixed on Starlight's. Wide, hopeful.

At that, Starlight felt her cheeks grow warm beneath her fur.

"...Mmm-hm!" she replied in a squeak, before getting up and hastily trotting up the steps. "Let's go."

And the two ponies rejoined the party, sipping punch, eating cake, and chatting with all their friends… and the whole time, they indeed stuck together, and it made all the socialization somehow so much easier.

That is, until the party abruptly ended.

Ch 6: Betrayal

It happened so suddenly. Everything was interrupted by the sound of—...

…Sobbing.

Sunset and Starlight simultaneously snapped their heads to watch Rarity tearfully flop down, curling up into a ball on the floor and holding onto her tail, stroking it as if to comfort herself. A panicked Spike was rubbing her back.

"Where is my fainting couch when I need i-i-iiiit?!" she wailed.

Immediately the music cut off, and everypony rushed to encircle the distressed dressmaker to find out what was going on with her.

"Oh no! Rarity, what's wrong?" Pinkie Pie asked, sounding more serious and concerned than perhaps ever. The pink mare galloped over to Rarity, petting her mane, attempting to pass her a balloon. "A balloon always cheers me up…"

"What dumb, fancy stallion do I have to beat up?" Rainbow Dash asked daringly as she swooped in, punching the air with her hooves. "Nopony makes my friend cry!"

Rarity couldn't respond, only sobbed and wailed harder. Twilight stepped forward, appearing fearful… the knowing sort of fearful.

"Whatever it is Rarity, we're here for ya. We got your back!" Applejack chimed in, disguising her worry with her usual peppy can-do attitude. "You can tell us! We can fix it together—"

"PRINCESS CELESTIA IS SICK!" Rarity screeched suddenly.

The whole room went dead silent.

Pinkie Pie's balloon deflated noisily.

Rarity was panting and staring ahead sightlessly, feral grief twisting the features of her mascara-stained face.

"... Oh. I guess we can't." Applejack said slowly, looking down and taking off her hat, holding it against her heart.

"We're doomed, I tell you!" Rarity melted back into hysterics. "Doooomed!"

Sunset couldn't believe what she'd just heard. She was stunned, frozen. Couldn't speak or think. And then it hit her like a mallet… This is what Twilight asked her here for.

She felt like she was shattering… and almost by default her entire self burned with the emotion she knew best… anger.

She turned to Starlight, that anger blazing behind her cyan eyes. "Princess Celestia is sick? Did you know about this?"

The lilac unicorn shrank back, ashamed. She wished the floor would open up and swallow her whole. She could only think to give a nervous shrug and smile. "Eh-heh…"

Sunset shook her head, and sped towards Twilight, leaving a frazzled Starlight behind. She didn't have time for this. In her panicked mind, all Sunset could think of was Celestia, her mentor that loved and guided her, wasting away… and she needed to do something about it.

"I'm sorry, Twilight!" Spike rushed to explain. "Rarity and I just were talking, and I couldn't stop thinking about Princess Celestia, and—"

"It's alright, Spike. It isn't your fault." Twilight said, slow and somber. She alighted off the ground, flying to perch on top of the DJ set where all could see her. She closed her eyes, preparing her words.

Rarity gradually quieted down. Everyone in the room, even Discord, was watching Twilight with grave anticipation.

"It's true," Twilight said, her voice carrying a kind of authority and wisdom that neither she or her friends were used to.

"I am so sorry I didn't tell you all right away. With Sunset coming, I was thinking of her when I had Pinkie throw this party. I wanted her to be welcomed, for everybody to have a fun time, and for Spike and Starlight to have something to make them feel better. ...And… If I'm honest…"

Twilight lowered her head, her own deep sadness edging back into her voice.

"It was for me, too."

"Could it be a curse, like poison joke?" Discord asked, to everyone's surprise showing great concern. "Or a common illness, like the pony pox?" The draconequus snapped his fingers, turning himself a shade of blue. "Or like when I had the dreaded Blue Flu?"

Everyone glared at him at that.

"Oh right, I suppose I was faking that one," Discord admitted. He actually wasn't trying to make a joke that time. He'd just forgot. "But the point is... alicorns like Celestia live a long, long time. Isn't it something she could weather out?"

Twilight Sparkle shook her head.

"Nopony knows what has infected her, but it's serious and she's very weak. I visited her at the castle; I've seen her symptoms. It doesn't seem to be magic-related, or any kind of curse, or any illness ever documented in Equestria. I don't think it's anything anypony has seen before."

"What can we do?" asked Fluttershy. "Tell us, Twilight..!"

"We'll do anything for the Princess!" affirmed Rainbow.

Twilight sighed, appearing defeated. That authority and wisdom, that aura she carried as the Princess of Friendship… had gone. Her voice was hollow when she replied.

"I don't think there's anything we can do."

Fluttershy whimpered, and others murmured, but nopony doubted Twilight, as she'd probably read countless books on rare and magical diseases that can afflict ponies. Nopony, that is, except Sunset Shimmer.

"A doctor will be able to diagnose her, though, right?" Sunset asked. "Is she going to a doctor?"

"Yes, she is. She's probably getting checked into the Canterlot Hospital as we speak. She said she'd send a letter."

A letter? Even delivered by teleportation spells or by dragon fire, writing out and sending a letter just seemed so archaic and slow to Sunset. And risky… that letter could end up anywhere if there was any mistake. In her adopted world, all you needed was a cell phone to send a quick, instantaneous text to someone.

And then something far, far more worrying hit her… what if Equestria's medicine wasn't evolved enough, either? Technology in the human world was so advanced compared to here. What if Twilight was right, and Equestrian doctors couldn't treat the Princess?

With that in mind, a sudden, inescapable sense of duty fell upon Sunset, and she trotted over to her backpack, attempted to pick it up with her hooves, failed, and then promptly levitated it with her magic to put it on herself.

"What are you doing, Sunset?" Twilight flew down to meet her, confusion and worry riddling her expression.

"I'm going home."

Everypony gasped.

"You can't do that." Twilight said sternly. "You agreed to come here, and—"

"Celestia is sick, Twilight! Your ruler is sick. We can't just sit here and party and expect for it to go away, or trust your doctors to take care of it! You said it yourself – it's a disease nopony in Equestria has seen before. We have to do something."

Twilight Sparkle furrowed her brows, her ears flattening against her head as she stared at Sunset, appalled.

"If there was a way we thought could help, Celestia knows we would be fighting off whatever villain that cursed her, or travel to the ends of Equestria to track down the cure. So is this what you think is helping? Leaving when Princess Celestia asked to see you?"

Sunset had already started her walk towards the portal, but she froze at that.

Slowly, she turned to face Twilight. Her lips parted in disbelief.

"She asked… for me?"

"Yes, she did. She wants to see you. She misses you." The taller alicorn nodded, taking a step towards Sunset, her violet eyes pleading.

"We don't know how much longer she'll be with us," Twilight continued, her voice cracking with emotion. "She needs you, Sunset Shimmer."

Sunset had to take a moment to process this. Princess Celestia wanted to see her. Her, of all ponies. Had Celestia truly forgiven her for everything she'd done?

It was now that Sunset struggled with what to do. Every fiber of her being was being pulled to Canterlot, to Celestia. She wanted to run to her. If they really didn't know how long she had left…

… But these ponies didn't know what the human world's doctors could do. Sunset did. And if she didn't at least try to save her…

Twilight could hate her. They could all think she was a coward, think she didn't want to face Celestia. Even Starlight. That would hurt… so, so much. All she wanted was to be accepted by the inhabitants of this world. But she'd be wasting precious time trying to explain herself.

Sunset raised her head, a look of determination and no shortage of pain in her eyes.

"She does need me."

And with that, Sunset turned, and continued walking towards the magic mirror that would bring her back home.

Twilight watched her go, rigid and upset. The thought that Sunset would walk away from Celestia a second time was enough to make her momentarily forget all the good Sunset had done.

"I thought you had changed."

Sunset paused again, but did not turn around. The hurt and sense of betrayal in Twilight's voice was enough to absolutely break Sunset's heart. She could forget trying to impress Twilight, being her student, or being close to her ever again.

Fighting back the tears that stung at her eyes, Sunset leapt through the portal without looking back.

Starlight had been quiet that whole time, watching the sorrow and drama that unfolded from a distance. After Sunset got angry with her, she just… felt useless. She'd made the wrong call… again. She'd failed Twilight's friendship lesson, but more importantly… she'd failed Sunset.

Starlight had only just met Sunset, but she'd grown closer to the golden unicorn than she ever thought was possible in such a short amount of time. They got each other, maybe even more than she and Trixie did. And now she'd screwed it all up.

She shouldn't have second guessed herself, and been such a coward. Why was it so easy to follow her instincts when it comes to magical schemes, but so hard when it comes to friendship? She should have told her.

The lilac unicorn sat, defeated, as Twilight explained to everypony what was wrong with Celestia. Her gaze remained trained on Sunset, hoping the other unicorn would give her a second look, and forgive her. But she seemed far too upset and determined to pay her any mind. Who could blame her?

And then her teacher and Sunset were fighting, and it hurt even more to see that. She couldn't understand what had Sunset so determined to return to her world, but she couldn't believe it was to abandon Celestia. She just couldn't.

I thought you had changed.

This struck Starlight most of all. It was like a flashback to how Twilight treated Trixie when Starlight made friends with her. Twilight hadn't gotten rid of her grudge towards Trixie until she saw how important Starlight was to her. And clearly, Twilight still had doubts about Sunset. She wasn't trusting her, even though Twilight said Sunset accomplished so much.

What did that say about Twilight's relationship with her? Did Twilight secretly not trust her own student, even after all this time has passed? How many times would she have to rise up and prove herself, how much would she have to accomplish, before Twilight truly accepts her?

Starlight didn't want to think about it. Right now, Sunset needed a friend more than ever. Even Starlight, being rusty at friendship, could recognize that.

Without a second thought, she stood, and started galloping towards the portal.

"Starlight!" Twilight cried out to her student in alarm, reaching for her. But it was too late.

Starlight sprung, and she shut her eyes as her hooves and face passed through the mirror like it was nothing more a pool of water. She surrendered herself to the madly swirling vortex…

... and Starlight Glimmer was gone.

Ch 7: The Human World

"Whooaaa-ooo-ooo-oaaah!"

Starlight found herself in a trippy nonsensical void, spinning uncontrollably in a whirlpool of bright colors in all directions.

She could feel her body warping, stretching, changing. She couldn't feel any pain, and if she could, the shock of being sucked into another dimension, another world, would have overwhelmed that sense and all others.

All she could do was shut her eyes and cry out in surprise and fear as she passed from one world to the next…

Sunset, having just appeared on the other side, stood upright and began to brush herself off, straightening her jacket and wiping the tears from her eyes with her wrist.

Worry for Celestia and the loss of Twilight's approval was like a constant vicious stabbing to her heart, but she'd have to push that down for now… at least until she is finished with what needs to be done.

Briefly, she glanced around, surveying the outside of the school to make sure she hadn't been seen. It was nighttime in this world too, but there were lights on in the school — some sort of extracurricular activity must be going on. No one was outside though.

Taking a deep breath, she began to walk— only to be interrupted by the sound of magic behind her. She turned, and gasped, and before she could react, a figure passed through the portal and violently crashed into her.

Sunset tumbled onto the concrete, quickly flipping over onto her back and sitting up in a panic. She'd half expected to see Twilight there… but instead, she saw someone equally recognizable… just in human form now. Her lilac complexion and purple aqua-streaked hair was unmistakable.

Starlight curled up on the ground, quivering, unable to process her change in surroundings— and the change in herself — quite yet. She was breathing heavily, only catching a glimpse of Sunset through the hair obscuring her eyes.

"Starlight...?!" Sunset rushed to her side, placing a hand on Starlight's back in concern. "Are you okay?"

Starlight groaned, rubbing her head. "I… I think so…"

Sunset Shimmer stared down at her panting friend, taking a second to observe her new look. She looked different now; with a starry beanie atop her head, sleeveless vest jacket, ripped jeans, and boots.

Sunset, despite herself, was glad to see Starlight. A part of her was still angry at her for not telling her about Celestia's illness right away, but Twilight had done the same. Starlight was probably just doing what she thought Twilight wanted.

While she was enjoying Starlight's new style, and even though she felt a bubble of excitement rising within her at the prospect of showing her this world… now was hardly the time to hang out with Starlight.

Sunset sighed, and began hesitantly, but sternly. "Listen… I appreciate you coming, but you can just… go home now. If Twilight sent you here as part of her 'friendship lesson'—"

"No, I told you I was impulsive!" Starlight huffed through her panting. "Twilight didn't send me. I'm pretty sure she didn't want me to come." Shakily, she lifted her hoof to move her hair from her face… only to see that it wasn't a hoof.

"...Sweet mother of—"

"You… followed me on your own? Against Twilight's wishes?" Sunset asked in disbelief, feeling her heart tense at this show of loyalty from a pony she'd only just met. She knew how much Starlight hadn't wanted to disappoint her mentor…

"Yeah— uh, can we pause… for a sec?" Starlight shoved her hands in Sunset's face and wiggled her fingers. "What are these?"

"Hands. It's all going to feel pretty weird at first. But… I'm sorry Starlight— As glad as I am to see you, I just don't have time right now. You're only going to slow me down…"

Starlight took in a deep breath, letting it out slow. She needed to get a handle on herself. For Sunset.

"I'm sorry for everything that happened back there! And I'm sorry I didn't tell you about Celestia— I just didn't think it was my place. I was wrong."

Starlight repositioned herself onto all fours, gazing at Sunset with pleading dark blue eyes. "I can get a handle on this! I'm smart… I can do it. You said you wanted to stick together, so here I am. Whatever your plan is…"

Starlight bit her lip, her emotional vulnerability showing on her expression. "...I just… I just want to help."

Sunset stared at her for a few seconds, considering.

It was still a risk to bring Starlight along when she knew nothing about this world… especially when Sunset didn't have time to teach her everything about it.

But how could she turn Starlight down with those pleading eyes, and her genuine offer to help? Maybe having Starlight around would be exactly what she needed. A friend that could help her stay level-headed and calm… and who may prove to be useful.

"...Okay." Sunset finally agreed softly, with a nod and a small smile. "Thanks, Starlight… You can come."

Starlight let out a sigh of relief, and returned Sunset's smile. When Sunset offered her hand, Starlight took it after just a moment of shy hesitation.

Sunset pulled, helping the wobbly Starlight to her feet. "I'll coach you the best I can with the time we have, but I think the best thing to keep in mind is to try to lay low, play it cool. You know?"

Starlight closed her eyes, finding the focus to steady herself. Bipedalism was strange and new to her, but she'd do her best to get the hang of it as quickly as possible, and mimic whatever Sunset did. "Yeah, totally."

Sunset, her hand never leaving Starlight's shoulder for support, shrugged off her backpack and rummaged through it, pulling out her cell phone.

Starlight stared at this strange rectangular object in Sunset's hand, and gasped a bit as it lit up, colors and strange symbols appearing on it. "What's that?"

"It's my phone. Humans use these to communicate quickly over long distances— Damn!"

Sunset cursed as her phone screen went dark again almost immediately.

"What's wrong with it?"

"Battery's dead. I was gonna call the doctor's office."

"Oh… I guess we'll have to hoof it?"

"Yeah…" Sunset groaned as she put her phone away and put her backpack back on. The hospital was quite a ways away… "Well, we should get going. Just do what I do— one step in front of the other, okay? Just like walking in Equestria, minus two legs."

Sunset let Starlight take her arm so she wouldn't fall, and they began to walk— slowly at first, until Starlight began to gain confidence walking, and then the two of them sped up their pace.

They didn't get far before a sleek sports car pulled into the school driveway.

"Flash!" Sunset Shimmer exclaimed in a gasp, looking at Starlight, forgetting for a moment that Starlight probably didn't know Flash Sentry or his pony counterpart.

"Uhhhmm… you want me to flash… what?"

"FLASH!" Sunset shouted at the car, waving her arm to get him to see her. "Let us in, please!"

The handsome student in the car blinked when he saw his ex-girlfriend and someone else he didn't recognize flagging him down, but after a second he reached to unlock his car doors. He was going to roll his window down to ask what was going on, but Sunset had already began ushering Starlight into the backseat, climbing in after her.

"Thanks, Flash." Sunset panted, fastening her seatbelt and hurriedly helping Starlight with hers. "Sorry if this is a bad time, but we really need to go to the hospital if you'll take us."

"The hospital? Oh no, are you both okay?" Flash asked, both his thick brows raised in surprise and alarm in the rearview mirror.

"... We're fine. Starlight here just needs a… check-up. She's extremely past due for a visit."

Play it cool. Starlight went along with that, nodding overly-eagerly.

"... Okay. Sure." Flash hit the gas, driving out of the school parking lot and out onto the road.

While the car was moving, Starlight tensed, trying to mask her slight fear. Feeling herself move like this was a whole different kind of New and Overwhelming.

"It's just like taking a train to Canterlot." Sunset whispered sympathetically after noticing her friend was uneasy. "Just try not to get carsick. This won't take long."

Starlight nodded gratefully, sucking in another breath to calm herself, trying to enjoy the ride.

Flash, hearing whispering between the two girls but unable to make out the words, was feeling left out and awkward. "Uh, so hey, your name is Starlight? I haven't seen you around here before. What school do you go to?"

"Starlight Glimmer. Nice to meet you. And I don't technically go to school, but I am Princess Twilight's student in Equestria!"

Sunset sent Starlight a pointed look.

Oops… maybe I shouldn't be telling people that?

"Twilight?" Flash echoed back, unable to hide his own excitement at the mention of his pony world crush. "Did you guys just come through the portal?"

Sunset smiled tightly into the rearview mirror at Flash. "...Yes…"

"How is Twilight? Did she… mention me at all?"

"Why do you ask?" Sunset asked slowly, gritting her teeth.

"Heh, no… reason." Flash fixed his eyes back onto the road, a soft dreamy smile on his lips.

Sunset had to swallow her rising feelings of disgust. Truthfully, Flash Sentry's crush on Princess Twilight was… sweet. But it irritated Sunset to no end hearing about it, and she didn't really know why yet.

Starlight looked at Sunset, sensing the tension. She couldn't help but wonder if these two had some kind of history. She didn't know a lot about romance yet, but she knew jealousy when she saw it, and it was definitely there, burning in Sunset's cyan eyes as she stared ahead.

"... No, she didn't." Sunset finally answered, after a minute. "She's a little too busy, as the Princess of Friendship and everything."

Flash sighed dejectedly. "I figured. She has a lot on her plate, I'm sure."

"Yeah," Starlight agreed, carefully. "Especially right now. And… I live in her castle with her— and I'm really sorry, Flash… but Twilight never mentioned you."

Starlight hoped that what she'd just chipped in wouldn't escalate anything, but if Sunset really liked Flash… she wanted to assist in some way. What she said was truthful, anyway.

Sunset glanced at Starlight, a little astonished at Starlight's words… and grateful at this second display of loyalty. Did Starlight somehow know about her feelings for Twilight, even before Sunset had figured them out herself?

Flash sighed again, appearing heartbroken, but surprisingly… not surprised. "I get it. Thanks for the tough love… both of you. I probably really needed to hear that."

Sunset let out a breath of relief. She reached, placing a hand on the jock's shoulder, genuinely feeling sorry for him despite her jealousy. "I know Twilight values you as a friend, Flash. She just… has a lot of responsibilities in Equestria, so she's only very rarely going to visit. Maybe it's best if you try get over her… you know?"

Flash Sentry nodded, and smiled warmly at his ex-girlfriend — now real friend — in the mirror. "Uh-huh. I will."

Sunset smiled warmly back, leaning back into her seat. Starlight watched this exchange, feeling a little twinge in her heart she couldn't explain, but glad she could help make things better for Sunset and Flash both.

They traveled in silence for the next few minutes, until Flash pulled up to the hospital and parked.

"We're here," Flash announced, as he turned in his seat to look behind him at the two girls. "Good luck with your check-up, Starlight. And uh, Sunset… when you get time… do you want to maybe hang out and talk sometime?"

"Uh… yeah sure. Later, Flash." Sunset unbuckled her seatbelt and Starlight's hastily, hopping out of the car and shutting the door.

"Mmkay.." Flash watched them go. Alone again, naturally…

His car drove off, and Starlight and Sunset recouped in front of the hospital building.

"That was… interesting." Starlight admitted after a few seconds. "Both riding in that… thing, and the conversation. Are… Are you two—"

"We used to date, but I never really had feelings for him. I still don't." Sunset explained, as she led Starlight to the hospital doors. "I… sort of used him to become more popular in the school. Back when I was… you know… awful."

"Oh… I see." Starlight pondered about this, confused. What had made Sunset seem so jealous, then? "Well, at least you didn't brainwash him like I might have when I was bad. I brainwashed a whole town of ponies to make them give up their cutie marks and talents."

"Whoa…" Sunset blinked, then chuckled softly as she opened the door. "That's pretty impressive. I mean! It's bad, of course, but impressive."

Starlight grinned as they entered the waiting room, glancing around. "No, I get what you mean. I regret it, but at the same time… I'm secretly still proud of how I managed it…"

"You have talent! My magic was good, but I definitely wouldn't know how to do that. Must have been some spell." Sunset's smile faded. "I… did sort of use mind-control on Flash and the rest of the school, though… when I turned into a she-demon with Twilight's Element of Harmony."

"Wow, that's intense…"

"Mmhm. But let's not talk about it now… it's too quiet in here. Here–" Sunset took Starlight's hand in hers, leading her to a chair in the waiting room. "Wait here while I get us checked in."

Starlight nodded, climbing onto the chair, sitting awkwardly watching as Sunset approached the front desk.

Sunset leaned against the desk, regarding the nurse sitting there with a smile. "Hey…" she paused to read the nurse's name tag. "...Nurse Redheart."

"Sunset Shimmer. How can I help you?" Redheart smiled professionally, tucking a stray pale-pink strand of hair neatly into her bun.

"We, ah.. Starlight here needs a check-up, to… get her ears checked! Yeah."

Sorry, Applejack. Can't be honest in this situation…

"Does she have an appointment with us?"

"...No, sorry. My phone was dead, and–"

"That's okay." Nurse Redheart handed Sunset a clipboard of paperwork for her to fill out. "The co-pay is twenty-five dollars."

Sunset frowned, answering hesitantly. "We don't have any money right now…"

"Does Starlight have insurance?"

"... No."

The nurse sighed, and made a few clicks on her computer.

"Well… far be it from me to turn away someone in need of a check-up, but actually the doctor's schedule is full for the rest of the night. It's late. We can squeeze her in… hm… Monday at 8?"

"But that's three days away!" Sunset protested. "It's an emergency!"

"You just said she just needed a checkup, though…" Redheart leaned sideways in her office chair, glancing at the patient.

Starlight blinked and froze up, and then she covered both her ears and moaned unconvincingly. "Owww, my ears… the pain."

The nurse's brows furrowed, unamused. These kids… they'll make a fuss out of anything. They probably just want to get out of school for a few days.

"We're a small hospital with fixed hours. If it's a real emergency, call the ambulance," Nurse Redheart said cooly to Sunset. "Otherwise, Monday at 8."

Sunset's blood boiled, but she forced a smile. "No… Thanks anyway, Nurse Redheart."

"Have a nice day."

Sunset shook her head as she made her way back to Starlight, taking her hand and leading her out of the hospital.

They stopped just outside, standing together in the cool night air.

"Well, that was a bust…" Starlight lamented.

"Ugh, this is so frustrating! All I want to do is help Celestia and get her one of this world's doctors, and I keep hitting roadblocks! I should have known it wouldn't be that easy…"

"It'll be okay, Sunset… if I've learned anything, it's that you have to hold onto hope that things will turn out alright." Starlight rested her hand on Sunset's shoulder, comfortingly… and noted that she enjoyed feeling things with 'hands'. Fingers were quite sensitive compared to hooves.

Sunset sighed heavily. "I know. You're right. I just… don't know what to do now. I can't go back to Equestria empty-handed after just leaving like that…"

"Sure you can. What matters is you tried. But… maybe you won't have to. I might have an idea…"

Sunset lifted her head, looking at her friend questioningly. "You do? Tell me."

"A stakeout."

Sunset pondered this… and grinned at Starlight with newfound determination.

Ch 10: Horse Doctor

Twilight Sparkle jerked back in surprise as the first figure passed through the portal, along with a bulky black case.

It was… a unicorn, but not anypony she had expected or hoped to see. She recognized him from his Equestria counterpart… but she knew this version of him was a stranger, and didn’t belong here.

Doctor Ryder wheezed and heaved ludicrously as he writhed about on the floor. He grasped his hind leg, staring at his hoof with huge eyes.

“Oh my god, I’m a— I’m a— This isn’t scientifically or medically possible, I—”

Twilight stood, flaring her wings outward boldly to make herself appear larger and more imposing. Her violet eyes flashed with warning as she took a step forward.

“How did you find the portal to Equestria?” She demanded. “And what is this that you brought with you?”

The doctor was still very much hyperventilating, and useless to answer her questions.

“Where are my clothes?!”

Before Twilight could attempt to interrogate him further, her vision jolted to the portal to witness Sunset and Starlight tumbling through.

The two unicorn mares had been holding onto each other tightly for comfort inside the tumultuous portal. They crashed together onto the castle floor, their limbs intertwined. Sunset landed on top of Starlight, and their noses were pressed together, their horns brushing up against one another.

Starlight and Sunset looked into each other’s eyes for a moment, panting… entranced. But they both quickly snapped out of it, and disentangled themselves from each other hurriedly, clumsily stumbling onto their hooves.

“Starlight! Sunset!” Princess Twilight Sparkle left the doctor’s side and galloped toward them, and gave each of them a jubilant hug. “I was so worried! I’m so glad you’re both okay!”

Sunset hugged Twilight back stiffly, dazed and bewildered. Was Twilight… not angry with her anymore?

She didn’t have to wonder long, as Twilight began to usher out an apology.

“I am so sorry, Sunset… I was wrong to assume the worst, no matter how stressed out or sad I was. I didn’t know what you were planning to do…” She still didn’t. “... but I know you’re a changed pony. I’m the one who made a misstep, not you. A… really big one.”

The alicorn hung her head, her bangs falling in front of her face.

“Hey…” Sunset stepped forward and briefly hesitated, before touching her hoof to Twilight’s cheek. “Look at me, Twilight. I forgive you, if you’ll forgive me. I should have explained myself, but… I don’t know, I panicked and didn’t think I had enough time. Anyway… I think the despair of the situation hit us all pretty hard. You included.”

“That’s no excuse…” Twilight muttered, meeting Sunset’s eyes again.

“Maybe not, but… I think it’s okay for all of us to be acting a little… off, while we’re faced with this. Really. This is an uncertain time, but at the end of the day we’re friends, and nothing’s gonna change that.”

Princess Twilight Sparkle exhaled slowly, and her lips perked into a small smile as she looked up at Sunset, truly thankful.

Their sentimental moment was interrupted by another exaggerated, drawn-out groan from the doctor, as if to say Don't mind me, just living a damn nightmare over here!

Twilight blinked at him, frowning in puzzlement. “So… you brought him here, I’m assuming? I don’t know if you knew, Sunset, but um… we already have a Doctor Horse in Equestria… and he’s a Ponyville doctor."

Doctor Ryder Horse paused mid freak-out, his ears perking. Did he hear that right? Then he scrambled upright onto all fours.

“Oh, wonderful! I’ll just head back home then–” The doctor smiled and turned to hastily leave through the portal — but Starlight, unamused, used her magic to pull his tail and hold him in place.

“Not so fast.”

Dr. Ryder slumped his shoulders, and sent Starlight a glare. He’d forgotten about his car keys that they still had in their possession, anyway... so he’d just have to cease looking for an escape and face this like a man — or, horse…

“Well, Twilight…” Sunset explained. “You know how the human world doesn’t have as much magic, but it has really good technology?”

Sunset then gestured a hoof in the direction of the large black case. “That’s why I brought him. This equipment — and the guy who knows how to operate it…—”

“...might be able to treat Princess Celestia!” Twilight finished, her violet eyes growing wide with understanding. “I’m shocked I didn’t think of that! But… how did you convince him?”

“That credit goes to Starlight. It turns out… we make a pretty good team.” Sunset grinned over her shoulder at her new friend, and Starlight gave a shy smile in return, deeply touched.

“Ohhh!” Twilight crooned, pulling Sunset in for another, tighter embrace. “I’m so proud of you both!”

Once Twilight eased away from the hug, Sunset met the alicorn’s gaze with a serene and dreamy smile. Everypony in the room could see Sunset’s reddened cheeks, even through her golden fur.

Starlight Glimmer bit her lower lip as she saw this. Now Sunset's jealousy with Flash made perfect sense…

Twilight let out a soft reluctant laugh, then cleared her throat and turned away from Sunset, addressing the doctor. "Doctor Horse?"

Sunset gulped and backed away, embarrassed. Did she make a weird face? Stupid face…

"Doctor Ryder, if you don't mind," he countered, as he painstakingly attempted to push his glasses further up his muzzle. Stupid hooves…

"Doctor… Ryder," Twilight corrected herself slowly, then gave him a friendly smile. "I'm sure traveling to another world, and your change in shape, has you very disoriented. I know from experience. But as a Princess of Equestria, I'd like to extend my hoof in welcome."

Twilight reached out, and Dr. Ryder stared at her purple hoof for a moment, before awkwardly and clumsily shaking it. His smile, although hesitant, was genuine. He liked this one.

"Thank you. It is an… adjustment, to put it mildly. I just hope I can be of help. Where is the patient?"

"In Canterlot," Twilight informed. "We'll go in the morning. I think we all could use some rest."

Dr. Ryder sighed, and he wasn't sure if it was out of exasperation or relief. Spending the night here and sleeping as a pony hadn't been anticipated at all. But… he was indeed exhausted. They all were.

"You're sure Celestia will be okay until morning?" Sunset questioned Twilight carefully.

"I'm sure,” Twilight confirmed. “I got her letter; she’s gotten a room at Canterlot Hospital now, and they'll watch over her and take care of her until we can step in."

Sunset nodded, taking solace at that news. Princess Celestia was a ruler of Equestria, bringing harmony to her subjects, adored by all — there is no way the Canterlot doctors wouldn’t be extra, extra vigilant of her.

“Dr. Ryder, I really do hope you come to enjoy your stay here in Equestria. Why don’t I show you to the guest bedroom so you can make yourself at home? Follow me.”

The doctor fell in step beside Twilight as she led him down the hall to his room. Sunset and Starlight trailed behind.

Sunset gazed ahead at Twilight, and idly wondered where she’d be sleeping tonight…

Starlight looked over at Sunset thoughtfully. She didn’t like seeing Sunset struggle with her feelings for Twilight, and the insecurities that came with that.

Starlight had grown a little fond of Sunset in perhaps that exact way, but… that wasn’t important. Again, she just really wanted to help Sunset any way she could. What was important to her was for Sunset to be happy.

Starlight whispered into Sunset’s ear discreetly. “You should tell her how you feel.”

Sunset whipped around and gaped at Starlight, totally astonished, almost tripping over. Had she really been that obvious?

Instinct told her to immediately deny any so-called 'feelings'... but she didn't want to lie to Starlight… or herself.

After a moment she whispered in reply, very quietly. "I don't know if this is the right time…"

Starlight sent her friend a tiny reassuring smile.

"You'll feel so much better once you get it out of your system.” Starlight encouraged. “If not now, then… soon. Trust me."

Sunset swallowed hard, thinking this over… but that’s what caused her to wait so long to confess, wasn’t it? Overthinking. Maybe she should take Starlight’s advice and just do it.

She felt a benign little spark of confidence emerge within her, and Sunset came to the conclusion…

That she should seize it while she still had it.

Ch 11: Confessions

After wishing Starlight goodnight, Sunset caught Twilight just as she was closing the door to the guest room, leaving the doctor to rest.

"Twilight?" Sunset Shimmer's hoofsteps were light and slow, reluctant, as she made her way towards the Princess. "How's he uh, doing?"

Twilight turned to face Sunset, then glanced back at the door. "Okay, I think. A bit rattled, but a little kindness goes a long way, as Fluttershy says."

Sunset smiled weakly, and nodded. "G-Good, that's great."

"Is everything alright, Sunset…?"

"Mmm-hm. But um, I have… something I want to tell you, if now's an okay time."

"Oh?" Twilight blinked at Sunset, then smiled warmly. "Of course. You can tell me anything."

The alicorn and unicorn both sat on their haunches on the castle floor, facing each other.

No going back now… Sunset thought woefully, already feeling her anxiety skyrocket as Twilight looked at her expectantly.

After internally telling her heart to stop racing so fast, Sunset admitted, "I'm… really nervous about it, to be honest."

"About seeing Celestia again?"

"No— I mean, yeah, that too. A lot, I'll admit.. But… if our reunion ends up going well… I might end up visiting Equestria a lot more often when I'm not in school."

"Really? Oh, that would be wonderful, Sunset!"

"Yeah. I think so too…" Sunset gave Twilight a half-smile, then looked down, tracing circles on the floor with her hoof distractedly. "I'd get to see you way more, and that thought makes me really excited… because I…"

Sunset swallowed, and met Twilight's eyes.

Oh Tartarus here goes—

"... I like you."

"Like me? As in…"

"As in… I….. like you."

Twilight's lips parted, and she gasped almost silently. Sunset held up her hoof.

"Before you say anything… can I tell you why?"

Twilight Sparkle stared at her friend for a moment, processing… but then nodded, and tilted her head to the side curiously, ready to listen.

Sunset let out a slow breath, then began.

"I once had this mindset that getting what I thought I deserved…" Sunset glanced around and gestured at the colorful crystal walls. "...a castle like this, wings like yours…" She gestured back to Twilight. "...was what I needed to feel worthy. I didn't care what I had to do to make it happen, I did it because… if I didn't get what I thought I'd earned, by any means possible… I'd feel like more of a failure."

Sunset then smiled, looking down and then back at Twilight. "But you saw through that. You gave me a chance when no one else would. You offered me friendship when I didn't deserve it. And that kind of unconditional kindness and insight and forgiveness… I'd never seen it before. You knew what I really needed, and you… you gave it to me without a second thought."

The golden unicorn's lip trembled a little from the emotion she felt; reliving the moment when Twilight offered her hand to pull Sunset out of the pit, and show her a better way.

"Because of you, I had real friends at Canterlot High. They gave me belonging. And then you came back… and though I was a little jealous that the girls made you the lead singer and didn't include me in the band, I was just… so happy to see you again. Unbelievably happy. That night at Pinkie's… I felt a connection with you. We just… seemed to click. And when we sang together, stood hand-in-hand against the Sirens…"

Sunset drew in another deep breath. It was like she had just started to pour her emotion out to Twilight, but the more she did, the more she overflowed with it.

"... I couldn't stop thinking about you after that. No matter how hard I tried. And I had just found a home with the Canterlot High girls… but in the back of my mind, I wondered if I'd have a chance in Equestria… with you… someday. And… I know this is a bit of an awkward time to bring this up. But I'd um… really like to know your thoughts."

Sunset Shimmer, now finished, gazed upon Twilight to see her reaction to all this.

Twilight Sparkle looked beyond stunned. She didn't breathe; just gaped ahead blankly. Her gaze slowly traveled downward, staring at the floor but not really seeing it.

Oh no… oh no no no…

"... Twilight?" Sunset croaked, feeling her blood run cold. "What's… What's wrong?"

Had she said too much? Ruined their friendship? A thousand possible outcomes ran through Sunset's mind at once, and they were all bad. The last thing she'd wanted to do was make Twilight uncomfortable.

The alicorn now began to appear very deeply saddened. Crushed.

"I'm so sorry…" Sunset whimpered out, almost too quiet to hear. "I… shouldn't have said anything. Can we just… forget that happened?"

Twilight bit her lip, and shook her head. "No… I'm glad you told me, Sunset. It's me who's sorry."

Sunset frowned as she gazed upon Twilight, seeing the pain in her expressions. She wanted to move closer to her, comfort her from whatever troubled her so badly… whatever she'd caused.

But the golden unicorn stayed where she was, bracing herself for what Twilight was surely about to tell her.

Twilight wished she could have reacted any other way… she really did. She cared for Sunset so deeply…

Twilight didn't want anything between them to change. Twilight didn't like change… and she knew she'd inevitably have to see a lot of things change around her, if she's going to live for over a thousand years or longer.

But her friendships? They were sacred to her. She wanted to preserve them at any cost. And that's one thing that made Sunset's confession so hard for her… Sunset desired for their relationship to change and evolve, and Twilight… didn't.

And she didn't want to hurt Sunset, or ruin her dreams, and risk their friendship changing that way, too. What if they… drifted apart after this?

But there was more to it… much more. And Sunset deserved to know.

Twilight Sparkle inhaled, deep and slow, and exhaled… the way Princess Cadence had taught her. She had to be brave now.

Finally, she spoke.

"Well… you see, Sunset… I don't think I'm interested in having a special somepony… any special somepony. I'm not sure I… have that kind of capacity in me…"

Twilight bit her lip, tensing as pain gripped at her heart. She didn't want to let Sunset down, but she had to be honest. She only hoped Sunset wouldn't be too upset… she'd hate for their friendship to change, and she'd hate to hurt her even more.

Sunset's posture drooped and she drew in a shaky breath, but beyond this, she would try to disguise her heartbreak.

"I respect that." Sunset replied coolly after a moment, appearing downcast but accepting the rejection.

"I'm so sorry, Sunset. I'm so sorry. But you know how much I care about you, right?"

Sunset looked into Twilight's violet eyes, knowing she'll never have her, not in that way… but she'll always have Twilight's friendship and guidance, and that was equally as important to Sunset if not more. Sunset smiled softly, weak but genuine.

"I do." The unicorn soothed. She then couldn't help but ponder about what Twilight had meant… about 'not having the capacity'. It must be a reality Twilight might struggle with sometimes.

"Do you wanna talk about it? As friends."

"Sure. I'd like to talk about it with somepony… I never really have." Twilight gathered her thoughts for a moment, before continuing.

"I… have felt fleeting attraction for some individuals, male and female. Little crushes that come and go... like Flash Sentry. But they never really go anywhere and the feelings fade… and I think I'd rather it stay that way. I don't feel like I need a relationship, or for things to get physical with somepony in any way. My heart is happy with my friends and my books."

"Oh…" Sunset looked down at her hooves, recalibrating as she let Twilight's confession settle in her mind. She lifted her head to gaze off to the side, thinking… before turning sharply back to her friend.

"You know, if you're really satisfied with your life as it is… I think that's pretty powerful. I'm happy for you, Twilight. Really." And Sunset meant every word.

The purple alicorn smiled softly, grateful for Sunset's understanding. Twilight felt accepted, and oh Celestia, it was a lovely feeling.

She had felt uncomfortable with herself for not being as enthusiastic about finding a special somepony, no matter how many years passed by. When everypony around her expressed at least some interest in romance — even ponies like Rainbow Dash — it was… isolating at times.

She just… didn't feel like she needed it. And she definitely wouldn't be able to give somepony what they deserve in a relationship anyway, when she has to juggle her time between her duties as a Princess, and so many friends.

Sometimes she speculated if she was born this way, or if this was formed in childhood… being far too overly-studious to think about friendship, much less romance. She wondered if she was… broken, somehow.

And here was Sunset… justifying her. Validating her. Empowering her. Even after being rejected. Sunset really was a fantastic friend.

"I am satisfied. Thank you. Romantic love is very powerful, too, but it's not for everypony, I guess."

"Thank you for telling me this, Twilight," Sunset said. "I feel closer with you… now that we've gotten such personal stuff off our chests."

"I feel the same!" Twilight beamed at her with a bright smile. "There's nothing better than a good talk with a great friend."

While this conversation hadn't gone the way she'd previously hoped, Sunset was grateful for a chance to offer her acceptance to Twilight, just as Twilight had done for her.

The Princess placed a gentle hoof on Sunset's shoulder.

"And Sunset… I know you'll find the happiness you're looking for. I've researched love and romance heavily, and… the great thing about it is you can love again. Many times if you need to, until you find the one you're happiest with."

Twilight then grinned slyly. "In fact, I bet there's somepony — or somebody — out there that loves you right now."

Sunset perked up at that. "Really? Who..?"

"Beats me! That's for you to discover." Twilight winked at Sunset. "But I know you'd be so worth loving."

"Thanks, Twilight. That… that really means a lot."

"Of course."

The two ponies smiled at each other for a few moments, both of them feeling very emotionally vulnerable but… more free now. Like a burden had been lifted. And their friendship… strengthened.

Then Twilight pulled Sunset into a warm, happy hug. Sunset melted into the embrace and returned it. They accepted and loved each other… really loved each other, even if not in a romantic way. She wouldn't hesitate to call Twilight her very Best Friend.

Sunset pulled back, standing upright and rubbing the back of her neck with her hoof. "I guess I should head to bed— oh, where will I be sleeping, by the way?"

Twilight frowned thoughtfully. "Well… hm, the guest room's occupied… Maybe you could spend the night with Starlight? I know she'd be happy to share her space with you."

As would Twilight, but she was sure Sunset would appreciate having some time away from her to process through her emotions.

Twilight promptly directed Sunset to the location of Starlight's bedroom, and they said their goodnights and Sunset started on her way… but paused.

"One more question, Twilight…" Sunset began reluctantly, as she turned to glance in the alicorn's direction. "And you don't have to answer if you don't want to."

"Yes, Sunset?"

"By any chance… were any of those uh, fleeting attractions that you had...—"

Twilight smiled then, and gave a single nod. "One of them was you, Sunset." And though her feelings for Sunset had since faded away… they had been some of the strongest she'd felt.

Sunset grinned widely at that, and pumped her hoof in the air, exclaiming a quiet "Yes!" which caused Twilight to giggle. Sunset laughed too, and it felt so good to just let all those tensions melt away.

"Alright… Goodnight, Twilight."

"Sleep well, Sunset."

Sunset Shimmer tapped a hoof against Starlight Glimmer's bedroom door in a knock.

"Mrrrrr—" Sunset could hear Starlight's sleepy groan from inside as she stirred in bed and roused herself. "Oh! Um, come in!"

Sunset opened the door with her magic, taking a few steps inside. "Hey, Starlight. I was wondering… if it'd be alright if I sleep with you tonight. Dr. Ryder has the guest room…"

Sunset smirked with amusement. "...and I'm guessing he wants the two of us to stay as far away from him as possible."

Starlight Glimmer giggled from her bed. "Yeah, I can't blame him. But yes, you can stay with me!"

Sunset smiled gratefully, using her magic to take her backpack off and rest it on the floor. "Thanks."

Sunset took a moment to glance around the bedroom, admiring it. It was decorated with a few green, flourishing plants. Spellbooks (and books about understanding friendship) were stacked neatly in a wooden bookcase. Strewn along the lower wall were a few kites of varying sizes and shapes. Sunset Shimmer smiled to herself… Starlight's room was cute.

Starlight Glimmer slid out of bed, a little woozy from her tiredness. But she leaned in close to Sunset, excitement dancing in her dark blue eyes.

"So… how'd it go with Twilight?"

Sunset chuckled softly, rubbing her own leg with her hoof as she looked down.

"It went well, actually. Twilight and I had a really good talk. She didn't feel the same way for me, but you know… that's okay. I'm just glad to have her as my friend, and that's enough."

Starlight blinked. She felt sorry for Sunset… she knew that wasn't how she'd hoped it would go. But at the same time, she was impressed at how well Sunset was holding it together.

"Wow… you took it well."

"It still hurt a bit…" Sunset admitted reluctantly, biting her lower lip. "Rejection isn't easy. But Twilight was really nice about it, and you were right; it did feel good to get it out. And now… I can move on."

Starlight grinned a little wider. "That's great." She then turned away, and began to levitate a pillow off her bed.

"What are you doing?" Sunset questioned, raising an eyebrow.

"Well, I thought you could take the bed, I could sleep on the floor… It's no biggie."

"Don't be ridiculous." Sunset chided with a little laugh. "There's enough room in the bed for both of us. We both deserve to be comfortable after such a long day."

Starlight thought about this for a moment, then nodded, putting her pillow back in place. "You're right. As long as you're sure you're okay and don't need your space…"

"I'm sure." Sunset hopped onto the bed. Starlight followed suit, and snuffed out the candle on the bedside table. The two of them settled in and got comfy beneath the blanket they shared.

They said their goodnights and rolled onto their sides, facing away from each other… but neither of them could fall asleep just yet. It's not that they weren't comfortable, but they each felt a subtle pull to one another, with a meaning they couldn't yet place.

For Starlight, it was the strongest. She'd shared a bed with Trixie before during sleepovers here or in Trixie's wagon, and this feeling hadn't been present then. It was like… the space between her and Sunset was… electrically charged, if she were to describe it.

She considered maybe chatting it up with Sunset for a bit until she got tired again. That should work… right? Was Sunset already asleep?

But it was Sunset that broke the silence first.

"Hey… Starlight?" Sunset whispered softly, as she turned her head up to the side, seeing Starlight curled up out the corner of her eye. "Are you awake?"

"Yep," Starlight replied aloud, in her normal speaking voice. "What's up?"

Sunset rolled over in bed to face Starlight. Feeling Sunset move around, Starlight did the same. Their eyes met.

"I told Twilight this, too… but I think I might want to start visiting Equestria more. Granted… I hope that my reunion with Celestia goes well, and with my family later on… But I've been thinking…"

Starlight listened, her lips parting slowly.

"... I've been thinking that even if it doesn't go well, I'd still want to visit more. I didn't realize… how much I missed being a pony. And now I have two friends in Equestria that I'd want to see. Twilight and… you."

The lilac unicorn smiled softly, feeling her heart grow warm.

"That makes me really happy, Sunset. I'd… I'd love to keep seeing you, after all this is over."

"I'd love to keep seeing you, too." Sunset agreed, feeling her lips perk into a smile. "And… I don't know if you enjoyed being in the human world at all, but there's a lot to see and do. Would you… want to visit me there sometime, too?"

Starlight practically glowed as she gazed across the bed at Sunset. "I totally would."

Sunset beamed, feeling the excitement inside her grow as she thought of everything she wanted to show Starlight. "We'd have so much fun! We could hang out at the mall, go get ice cream, watch movies together… and I could have my friends meet you."

Starlight felt her cheeks blush, as she imagined spending time with Sunset in all these wonderful ways… even if she had no idea what a 'movie' was.

"That would be amazing. And maybe when you're here, I could help you brush up on your magic? Magic has come a long way, and I'd love to teach you some new spells. We could practice together!"

Sunset Shimmer smiled again, and her eyes began to soften as she took in the lovely happiness in Starlight's face. "I'd like that." She replied, her voice growing quiet, relaxed.

The two unicorns held onto this moment, their eyes locked in a gaze that would be hard to look away from.

Sunset, still smiling, lifted her hoof and faced it towards Starlight, never breaking that eye contact.

Starlight blinked a few times, then understood… and reached as well to affectionately touch her hoof to Sunset's.

Sunset's heart skipped a beat… and Starlight could feel her own thumping steadily in her chest.

"I'll admit though… this is a lot better with hands." Sunset murmured sleepily with a very soft chuckle.

"Mm. I bet it is." Starlight replied with an even softer laugh.

But this was still nice, very nice.

And they didn't dare budge, didn't dare break that sweet contact… as they finally, pleasantly, drifted off to a peaceful sleep together.

Ch 8: Doctor Horse

"Wow, time travel? For real?" Sunset exclaimed, impressed. "Now that's an accomplishment!"

The two girls were sitting on the curb side-by-side, watching the hospital keenly as the staff inside were closing down for the night. Their plan was to wait until the doctor came out so they could ask for their help directly. It wasn't the best plan, but it was all they had left.

Sunset had her arm wrapped around Starlight's shoulders. She hadn't really thought much of it; it was getting chilly out now, and she knew how frustrating that could be without a fur coat to keep you warm.

Starlight however, definitely noticed Sunset's closeness. Definitely. And it made her oddly nervous, in a strange, good sort of way. It was like her stomach was constantly full of… butterflies? Was that it?

And now, when Starlight looked at her... she realized that she thought Sunset was quite beautiful. It was a little odd that the realization came now, when Sunset was in such an unfamiliar form... but Sunset was still very, very pretty, with her fiery streaked wavy hair and her big, cyan eyes... her expressive face. Even her voice was attractive.

Catching herself, Starlight swallowed. "Uh— yeah, it wasn't too hard to alter Starswirl's spell…" Starlight finally replied with a soft little chuckle. "A little re-wording here, a tweak there…"

Starlight then rested her hand on Sunset's knee, and this… Sunset did think about. A lot. Did Starlight… realize that…—

— well, it wasn't any problem. Sunset was truthfully enjoying the touch, and the closeness with Starlight. It was… comforting.

"Y-Yeah…" Sunset murmured. Her thoughts were interrupted as she spotted movement out of the corner of her eye. Her head jerked up and she squinted in the dark. "Starlight, look!"

Out of the hospital's back door stepped a tall man, dressed in scrubs and a long white jacket and tie. A stethoscope hung around his neck.

Nurse Redheart stepped out behind him, and he waved to her as she left. He then bent to lock the door behind him.

"He sure looks like a doctor." Starlight commented in a hushed whisper.

Sunset nodded. "Let's go."

The two girls leapt up, jogging towards the man. He turned his head as he heard them approaching , regarding them with surprise until they stopped in front of him, between him and his car.

"Oh… hello." The man offered the girls a small smile. "We're closed, I'm sorry–"

Sunset nodded, panting. "Yes, we know, Doctor…?"

"Doctor Horse."

Doctor Horse? Seriously..? The parallels to Equestria are really starting to get ridiculous…

"I do realize it's a silly name. I actually prefer Doctor Ryder." The doctor smiled again patiently, adjusting his glasses. "Now what, um… what can I do for you? Do you have a question..?"

"We know someone that needs a doctor's help. Your help. Right now."

Dr. Ryder frowned and cleared his throat. Were these the girls Redheart had told him about a few minutes ago? The girls with — he'd quoted — severe cases of 'lazy-itis?'

Regardless, this was such a bad time… he just wanted to go home after his long day. When he responded, he attempted to keep his tone serious, but not unkind.

"... I don't know if you girls realize this, but this isn't how it's done I'm afraid. If someone needs medical help, they can call and make an appointment themselves, or have someone take them to my office during operating hours. Tell them that, and I'll look forward to seeing them."

Sunset's face grew red, and her fists began to clench in frustration. Starlight noticed this, and she stepped in between the two.

"No, listen to us, Dr. Ryder. There is no way Princess Celestia can call you. There is no way anybody can call you in that world."

"Did you say… Princess Celestia? Did you mean the Principal of Canterlot High?" The doctor squinted. "What world…?"

"There's another Celestia. You see, there's this alternate world — it's where I come from— and it's full of magic and ponies. I'm a pony." Starlight placed a hand on her chest as she spoke. "And the Celestia of that world is, too, and a princess. She's a ruler of Equestria, and she's very sick. Nopony knows what she's sick with, and that's why we need you to come with us through the portal so you can treat her."

"But you have to promise not to tell anybody about the portal." Sunset added, intensely and grimly. "It could put both our worlds off-balance at best, and it would be catastrophic at worst, if a bunch of people decided to try it out."

Dr. Ryder's wide eyes darted back and forth between the two girls, his lips parting.

"Oh… You think we're crazy.. Don't you?"

Dr. Ryder Horse straightened out his jacket, regaining composure. "It would be unprofessional to insult my patients directly… but yes. Or, I think you're pulling some ridiculous prank. If that's the case, you should leave these premises right now."

"It's not a prank! I know it sounds nuts, but can't you just trust us for a second?" Sunset hissed defiantly. "Helping people is your job!"

The tall man bent to Sunset Shimmer's level. His blue eyes flashed dangerously behind his spectacles, his patience at its end.

"Miss. I know my name may be deceiving, but I'm not a vet. If your (oddly-named) equine is sick, you call someone else. And if you're having delusions about some magical world, I can put you in touch with a psychiatrist… otherwise, I can't help you. Now if you'll excuse me…"

Dr. Ryder shouldered past them, fumbling with his keys so he could get into his car and escape this uncomfortable and frankly bizarre situation…

Sunset looked like she was about to blow her top. Starlight began to panic; Sunset's plan was falling apart. Starlight shut her eyes tightly, focusing to cast a spell on him to make him help them…

Oh, right. No horn…

Despite this, when her eyes opened again, her expression hardened with a surge of determination. If she couldn't use magic, she'd use her other talents…

Starlight Glimmer suddenly charged forward, swooping in between the car and the doctor, staring up at the tall man fiercely.

"You listen to me, 'Doc'." Starlight addressed him sternly, shaking a finger in his face. "Your job, your calling, is to treat people in need. How are you going to sleep tonight, knowing you didn't do everything you could to treat someone who was in dire need of your help?"

The doctor jerked away, stuttering, his glasses falling crooked on his face. "I-I…"

Starlight grasped the shivering doctor's tie in her fist, and reached her other hand to gently push his glasses back in place, grinning darkly. Sunset watched this, her jaw nearly dropping to the pavement.

"Are you going to wake up, right now, and do what you know is right? You have a special talent. You're going to cooperate, come with us through the portal, and use it… or you'll know you don't deserve this talent, or the title that comes with it at all. Got it?"

Panting, Dr. Ryder nodded his head after a moment, fear flickering in his eyes.

"So it's a yes, then?" Starlight asked, raising her eyebrow as she stared intensely into the doctor's soul.

"Y-...Yes…" He replied, slowly.

"Great!" Starlight grinned, suddenly peppy and cheerful, gently prying the car keys out of his stunned, frozen fingers. "Let's get started then. I'll unlock the hospital for you so you can grab everything you need, and then we'll head out! You can have these back…" She jingled the keys in the air, smiling more. "... when you're done."

Sunset stared at Starlight as she unlocked the back door to the hospital and Dr. Ryder disappeared inside hurriedly.

"Whoa, Starlight…" Sunset whispered incredulously as she approached her friend. "That was… incredible. He was a complete mess when you were done with him!"

"I was pretty great, huh?" Starlight grinned with smug pride, tossing the keys up into the air and catching them.

"Yeah. You… really have a way with words."

"Well, in order to convince a whole town to give up their cutie marks and adopt my philosophy… I kinda had to." Starlight admitted, as she walked behind Sunset to drop the doctor's keys in her backpack. "Spells aren't everything."

"I'm really glad you came." Sunset said, softly and genuinely. "I don't think I would have handled that as well as you did. I probably would have just… blown up on him. So… thank you."

Starlight's heart skipped a beat, and she was glad she was behind Sunset or she would have seen her blush. "I'm glad to be here," Starlight replied just as softly. "Really."

The band of three walked for a long time from the hospital to Canterlot High… about twenty minutes. They probably should have let Dr. Ryder take his car to the school, but what if he'd driven them straight to the police station? At least they had their doctor now, a lot sooner than Monday. They were making good time.

They were all tired once they'd finally arrived, but Dr. Ryder had it the worst. He was lugging with him a heavy, wheeled case packed full of battery-powered medical equipment and medicines.

I wonder what my wife is going to think of all this… The doctor wondered miserably, as he strained to drag the case, then stopped with Sunset and Starlight in front of the Wondercolts statue.

"You ready?" Sunset asked him with a half-smile.

Dr. Ryder wiped sweat from his brow, and groaned out his answer. "I'm really not…"

"Great, you can go first!" Starlight gestured to the Wondercolts statue with an encouraging smile.

Dr. Ryder sighed comically loudly, as he stared at the polished marble. "What, I'm supposed to walk into that?"

Sunset came up beside him and placed a hand on the exasperated man's shoulder. "You're doing the right thing. We'll be right behind you. And we'll help you any way you need."

"Yeah, you've got this." Starlight asserted.

Dr. Ryder sighed again, and nodded. He had no idea what to expect; he still didn't really believe any of this was real. But he sucked in a breath and straightened his posture, and took brave, charging steps to the portal as the girls cheered him on.

Once he'd completely passed through, Sunset turned to Starlight and took her hand.

"Together this time?"

Starlight smiled softly at Sunset, hyper-aware of this touch, the feeling of their fingers warmly intertwining.

"Together."

Ch 9: Twilight

Twilight Sparkle sat alone in the room with the Crystal Mirror, letting the coldness of the smooth castle floor seep through her hooves. This, along with her worry and regret, were all that was keeping her awake.

She’d sent a very hesitant Spike to bed an hour ago. Her friends had all left together, not long after Sunset and Starlight disappeared through the portal. None of them seemed to harbor any resentment toward her for keeping Celestia’s condition a secret… they must have known that she had planned on telling everypony eventually.

Either that, or they were all too upset at the news to be angry with her… as they really should be.

Twilight had told herself the party was for Sunset… for Sunset… but she knew she’d arranged it with hidden selfish intentions. Being terrified of the future had made her desire her friends’ company (and a healthy helping of punch) more than ever.

That was the true reason. She couldn’t handle the truth, and she was avoiding it at her friends’ expense.

Even the Princess of Friendship makes mistakes… all the time. How could Princess Luna have thought she was fit to rule Equestria, when she can’t even handle this one responsibility with a hint of integrity?

Perhaps, deep down at her core… she really was still that indifferent, socially-inept unicorn she’d been at the very start. And she was showing herself in ugly ways.

She was nothing without her friends. If she'd never met them, if they had never shown her their kindness, honesty, loyalty, laughter, and generosity… she would have ended up just like Moondancer, or perhaps even like Sunset Shimmer.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Is this what you think is helping? I thought you had changed.

Twilight recalled her own harsh words to the unicorn, and cursed herself for it. Sunset hadn’t deserved that… at all. Though a tiny, tiny part of her was still wary of Sunset… she knew Sunset had become a better person, and pony. She’d watched that change in her happen. She’d been there.

The alicorn’s wings slumped at her sides, and she sighed into the darkness. She had been stressing so much about a situation out of her control, that she’d forgotten to control herself… and now she could only hope that Starlight was being a better friend to Sunset than she had been.

She wouldn’t sleep. She’d wait here for them for as long as it takes, and hold onto the faith she truly has in them.

I’m so sorry. I’ve failed you, Sunset… Princess Celestia… everypony.

But true friendship will never fail. And I will make this right.

I promise.