Transplants

by bahatumay

Rating: teen
Tags: Slice of Life, Equestria Girls, Wallflower Blush, Sunset Shimmer, Twilight Sparkle
Length: 4946

Sunset Shimmer and Twilight Sparkle write each other about Wallflower Blush.

When Wallflower Blush gets injured, Sunset Shimmer and Twilight Sparkle use the journal to talk about her recovery.

Written for the Twilight Files Contest.

Published 2022-08-04 23:10:01 UTC
Last updated 2022-08-04 23:10:01 UTC

March 25th, 7:43 am

That is really deep for three am.

Oh good. I was worried it just sounded good in my head because I was tired. And some ponies might think there were too many -ly words there at the end.
Anyway, how was the party?

It was fun! Pinkie kept the garden theme but called it a Gardening Club event, and we made some get-well-soon cards for Wallflower.

That’s great! I can have Spike collect them later. I’ll be on nursing duty—they said if all went well she could be released this morning, so he’s getting one of the extra rooms ready for her.

Oh, good. I hope she’s doing well and sleeping well, too.

I'm sure she will. We have nicer pillows than the hospital, at any rate. 😉
Also, I did end up asking about her mark. She said it was just a flower and she likes flowers.

I don’t think that’s completely true.

Me neither, but I didn’t want to push her about it.

No, that’s a good idea. She’ll talk about it if she wants to.
But I really, really, really want to know.

Ha! I promise I’ll ask again if it comes up.

March 14th, 8:13 am

Hey, any update on Wallflower?

Hey Sunset! I was just about to write you. She’s out of surgery and resting now. They say she should make a full recovery, but it will probably take some time, and they’re still keeping her sedated for now. They had to do a lot of internal reconstruction and she’ll be on a liquids-only diet after she wakes up for a bit, but from what I was told, everything went fairly well.

That’s great to hear. I was so worried. I had no idea how going through the portal with those injuries would work so I’ve been freaking out this whole time. Will you tell me when she wakes up?

Of course!

March 15th, 7:11 am

Sorry, I’ve been antsy all night… any updates on Wallflower?

No need to apologize! Nothing yet, but the doctor is expecting to bring her out of it later today, so I should have an update soon. I’ll keep you updated.

Alright. I’ll be watching. 👀

Don’t forget to eat in the meantime. You’ve got to take care of you, too. 🍎

Thanks.

March 15th, 4:21 pm

She’s awake!

Oh, good! Everything went well, then?
How did she handle having four legs and no fingers all of a sudden?

Very well! Only a little scream.
That went on for a while.

😬

She thought she was dead for a while, too, so that was odd.

Haha! That change was definitely a little freaky the first time.

Wasn’t it? Did you try walking on all fours at first, too?

I’ll have you know that I came out of the portal standing upright and walking like a normal human. 🧍‍♀️

You always were a quick study.

Yeah, well, at the time, I was more driven by spite and fantasies of revenge than an urge for knowledge.
Anyway
I’m assuming they’re keeping her on bed rest for a while?

For at least a week, if not longer.

Alright. Keep me updated!

Definitely!

March 24th, 9:48 am

Wallflower can walk completely on her own now, but the doctors don’t want her to be released too quickly, just to be safe. And going through the portal is right out.

That makes sense, especially if her treatments were magical. I’m not sure how that kind of thing would transfer over. I’ll tell the other girls.
Pinkie will have to delay her ‘welcome back’ party. It was supposed to be today.

She’ll find another theme in no time, I’m sure. She’s always ready to have fun. 🎈

She sure is.
So I’ve been wondering, what’s Wallflower’s cutie mark?

A tall, wilted flower, with white petals, one leaf near the base, in a small brown pot.

Huh.

?

She has the same Motif here, but I guess I’d thought she’d chosen something depressing for being alone and her actual cutie mark was something like sunflowers or something like that. 🌻

Sunflowers?

She’s been wearing more sunflowers recently. When she’s not wearing that sweater, I mean.
I’m probably just overthinking it. I guess I was hoping her cutie mark was something… happier? Maybe?

Cutie marks aren’t really happy or sad. They just are.

Ok, but I’m not sure how a wilted flower could be seen as anything but sad. 🥀

I’m sure I’ll think of something fitting, witty, and insightful to say; but not right now. Later, when I’m in the bath.

Ha! Isn’t that how it always goes?
But seriously. I hope her special talent isn’t, like, being alone or something.

I sincerely doubt that. Neither ponies nor people do well alone. I’ll have to a
I can’t ask how she got her cutie mark. She’s from the human world.

Ha! I mean, you could, but I’m not sure how people here choose their Motifs, since there isn’t magic here, but everyone has one. I mean, everyone. And it’s crazy how each counterpart here and there have the exact, same symbol, I mean, what are the odds?
Aaaaaand that’s a rabbit hole I don’t think I want to go down so I’m going to head out good bye Twilight

March 25th, 3:04 am

Wilted flowers are just as valid as healthy flowers. They can be just as beautiful. They’re not broken. They just need a little more of a tender touch to bloom like they inherently can.
And in her garden, she’s the one with that gentle touch, bringing back the beauty others didn’t see. She needs it in return, sure, but she gives it first, and she gives it unhesitatingly and unquestioningly.

March 26th, 4:33 pm

Hey, thanks for the sushi!

I’m glad you liked it! Thanks for taking care of Wallflower. Did she like her cards?

When I came back to her room, she was gone.

She WHAT?

I found her outside on the balcony, looking down at the gardens.

Ok. She did love gardening here.
But what the heck were you thinking, starting a message like that? “She was GONE”??? 😠

Ah!😅 Sorry!! I definitely phrased that poorly! She’s doing better. Obviously. If she can leave and explore on her own.
And yes, she did like her cards.

Thanks. And thanks for the heart attack. 😠

March 27th, 11:45 am

We went down to check out the gardens for her morning walk today. She didn’t want to leave. I thought it was just that she didn’t want to climb back up the stairs, of which there are copious amounts in this castle for some reason, but it was definitely her wanting to stay in the garden.

She does love gardening. Roseluck and Muffins are taking care of her spot here for when she gets back.

I’m sure she appreciates that. It’s been a unique situation.

How’s she handling being a pony?

She’s still adapting. She’s walking steadily, but I’ve seen her get up from her stomach and instinctively try to walk on her hind legs twice now.

Happens to the best of us.

April 3rd, 9:34 pm

Hey, Twilight? You up?

I am. What’s on your mind?

Not much.
How much longer do you think she’ll need to stay? Just wondering.

She’s welcome here as long as she needs to be.

Ok.
But she’s coming back soon, right?

I don’t want to push her to leave, and especially not when she’s still recovering. It could be a few weeks, still.
Don’t worry. She’s doing just fine here, Sunset. I promise, we’re taking good care of her.

That’s not
Never mind. Tell her
We’re excited to have her back.

I will.
Are you doing ok?

I’m just fine. I promise. 😁

April 6th, 2:41 pm

I wish I could send pictures through this journal. I found Wallflower in the garden with her forehead pressed against a sunflower, trying to make it grow.

What, was she trying to figure out earth pony magic?

She was. She finds it all fascinating. I’ve even given her a few of my lectures on the subject. She’s a great audience.

That’s great. Really. Can’t use it here, but still.

No, but she’s definitely invested, and I think it’ll help her heal as she focuses on other things. I’m actually thinking about introducing her to the Flower Trio tomorrow.

Something tells me that’s not a sandwich.

No, they’re a group of ponies that grow flowers down in Ponyville.

Sounds ok.

I can just see them reacting to her cutie mark. The horror!

…?

Oh, right, you wouldn't get that reference. They tend to freak out over every little thing, including a wilted flower.

And you’re sure they won’t freak out about a human-turned-pony rolling up in their garden?

Well, what they don’t know won’t hurt them. Besides, she has a flower on her flank. Wilted or not, they’ll probably accept her as one of their own right away.

Ha! Well, be careful, I don’t want her mauled by a vicious flower or something.
Wait. Are those actually a thing? I thought the biting plant monsters from the Friendship Games were just regular plants mutated by the corrupted magic but now I’m not so sure.
I mean, I spent all my time in the castle. I don’t think I even saw an earth pony, except for some of the guards.
Are they?
Twilight?
Twilight.
...
Twilight, please.
Your silence does not fill me with confidence, Twilight.

None that she’ll see, how about that?

That’s probably as good as I’m getting, huh?
Just make sure she has all her limbs intact when she comes back through the portal. I’m not sure how that would transfer over, either.

April 9th, 10:13 am

How’s Wallflower doing?

She’s acclimating well. Her flower arrangement skills need some work, but she’s picked up the growing part just fine.

That’s good, I guess.
How about her healing? Is she going to be able to come back soon?

Honestly, I’m not sure she’s planning on going back anytime soon.

But she has to!

It sounded like she was an adult in the human world, or at least old enough to make her own decisions?

Not like
Never mind. We miss her here. That’s all.

I understand! She’s a good friend. The Flower Trio love her.

That’s good. Hope to see her soon.

April 22nd, 7:05 pm

Hey Sunset, you there?

Sure am. What’s up?

Wallflower is coming back.

What did you say to her?

I didn’t say anything.

Did she find the journal?

I don’t think so. I keep it secured in my room.

Ok. I’ll be at the portal soon.

April 22nd, 8:13 pm

She’s back here and safe. She’s crashing on my couch for tonight.
Did she say anything about coming back? It just seems a little sudden, I guess.

Not really. She likes talking about her plants, but she’s not one for small talk. She just told me she had to go back and she had recovered enough that she could, and we left it at that. I didn’t want to push her.

Ok.
And you’re sure she didn’t find the journal?

I’m sure. You’re not going to be able to blame yourself for this one. 😉

I wasn’t going to blame myself.

I hope not. 🙂
I’m just thinking you’ve got a strong sense of empathy. I know she’s in good hands with you.

I hope so.

You’ll do just fine. I promise. But if you’re ever uncertain, I’m always here to help.

Thanks, Twilight. I got this.

April 24th, 9:31 am

How’s she doing?

Heh. That’s my line. 😉
She’s doing well. I caught her scratching at her neck and I thought it was from the surgery but I guess it’s more she hasn’t needed to wear clothes for a bit.

Oh yeah. That whole clothes thing is a bit of an adjustment.

Other than that, I think she’s coming around. She came bowling with us last night. Barely broke 30, but I think she had fun.
Is that a thing in Equestria? Bowling, I mean?

Sure is. The CMCs helped a pony get his cutie mark in bowling last week, actually.

How does that work without fingers?

Surprisingly well.

🎳I find your answer vague and unconvincing.

Author's Note

Possibly relevant.

April 30th, 8:14 pm

Hey, did Wallflower seem a little off to you? Before she left, I mean.

Off like how?

I don’t know. She’s a little quieter. More pensive.
I mean, she was always pretty quiet.
Never mind. I might just be overthinking things.

She was pretty quiet here, too, but recovering from what happened to her might have just taken a lot out of her. I’m sure it was traumatic, even if she doesn’t remember specifics.
Maybe she misses Equestria? She had a good time here.

Maybe. We’ll just have to show her she can have a great time here, too. I’ll talk to Pinkie. I’m sure we’ll come up with something.

May 3rd, 4:12 pm

Wallflower liked the Flower Trio, right?

I’d say they were friends, yes. Why?

It’s probably nothing. Just overthinking things.
Nothing’s really changed, I guess.
Never mind.

Did you expect a change?

No?
Maybe?
She just seems just as quiet as before, if not more so.

In fairness, she went through a traumatic experience. I don’t know how humans evolved, but ponies were prey, and things that hurt us stick longer in our minds.
Do you think she’s ok?

I was going to ask you that.

I think if she’s not, she needs to know she can trust you.

So don’t push her?

Exactly. Don’t worry, Sunset. You’ve got this.

May 18th, 10:12 am

I got the girls together and I wasn’t the only one who had noticed something was off with her.

Was it Fluttershy?

Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie, then Rarity. Rainbow Dash took a little prompting, though.

That sounds about right.

So now we’re trying to figure out how to support her, and say goodbye without actually pushing her away or making it sound like we don’t want her here.
Somehow.

That does sound like it could be delicate. She’s probably embarrassed about it, especially since she just got back.

That’s true. Any advice?

Let her do most of the talking. And let her know that no matter what, you’ll always be her friend. Set that as the baseline and let the rest just flow.

😐 You make it sound so easy.

You care about her. That’s the important part. As long as she can tell that, I’m sure it’ll go well. 😊

May 20th, 7:04 pm

Hey Twilight!!

That looks excited. Did it go well?

There were a lot of tears. But I think it went well. I started by asking if she was happy here. She thought I was asking about the taco joint we were in and she looked around and was like ‘I guess’. I decided to just go for it and grabbed her hand and asked if she missed it. I didn’t even have to specify. She just broke down.
She thought she could push through it on her own. But she never wanted to come back here in the first place. And then she felt bad for saying that.
But I mean, I get it. She found a place she could be her, and I think that’s really all we want, right? Some place where we can just be… us. I found it with friends here, she found it with plants there.
That sounded better in my head.

I understood. 😉 And it’s not just plants, I promise. She’s getting equine interaction, too.

You know, I think a part of me thinks a part of her thought she didn’t deserve to be happy.

😟

I know, right? She’s great. Sure, she’s better at talking with plants, but she deserves good things, and she’ll find them there.
Yeah, I’m already talking like she’s gone back.

We are. 😉

I guess it’s a done deal, then.
I mean, I know it’s not the end. But it does feel a little ‘final’.

Like I said, the portal is open. And really, if she helped you change, she’ll always be a part of you.

I like that. Thanks, Twilight. Having you to help me has been amazing.

I don’t think I’m doing too much. I think you’re much better at this than you think you are.

I hope so.
Welp, got to go, I need to kick a friend out of the group for good! 😉

😒

Well, I thought it was funny.

May 23rd, 7:47 pm

She’s packing a couple things, but she should be done and at the portal in a few minutes.
Random question: do you have dirt cups in Equestria?

What, the crushed up chocolate sandwich cookies mixed with pudding and topped with a gummy worm?

Yeah, those.

Never heard of them.

Ha! Well, Pinkie made a bunch for her goodbye party. We had everyone there. Her Gardening club, all of us, Bulk Biceps showed up, he’s always a party guy.
Pinkie also suggested she attend naked.

What?

She said it was to get Wallflower ready for Equestria again. I think she was joking? but I couldn’t be sure. Part of me is doubting it even was our Pinkie.

That sounds like a noodle-baker for sure. 😉

❌
No! None of that! ❌❌
Either way, I think she finally got closure.

Sounds good. I’ll go meet her there. I can pick up some sunflowers on the way, I think she’ll like that.

Me too. It’s kinda silly to say, probably, but could you make sure they’re really nice? She deserves good things.

Well, she’s just going to eat them when I give them to her, but sure.

I can’t tell if you’re still joking or not.
Twilight
Twilight?
Fine. Keep your secrets.
And tell Wallflower
We’re all so proud of her.

June 30th, 2:23 pm

A little flower told me you had a visitor today!

I did! I was going to tell you.
I’ve never seen her so happy. She loves being an earth pony. I barely said anything. I didn’t have to. She told me all about having magic and her friends she made and the flowers she’d grown and tasted (apparently daisy sandwiches are her favorites) and the arrangements she’s learning to put together and how she’s the bravest of the Flower Friends without even trying and how they love her just for being her. I swear she was glowing. She loves her life now, and I’m so happy for her.
I think I’m ok now. I thought I’d feel a little bad that I couldn’t help her, but actually I don’t. She’s happy now, and I’m happy she’s happy. She bloomed.

She did. And she’s beautiful.

March 22nd, 2:43 pm

Hey, Sunset! Another update for you. She’s off bed rest and she’s already able to stand and walk a bit now. The nice thing about having four legs is it’s easier to balance when you’re unsteady.

This is true.

She also managed to eat something solid earlier. Apparently, the fruit is better here, but she was not going to eat hay.

You can’t see me, but I laughed hard at that. It was so strange having everything here be made with meat. I mean, that’s weird, right? Who comes up with that?

It is! I don’t know, but I try not to think about that too much.

Me neither.
Sushi is good, though. 🍥

I’m going to have to try that next time I come over.

Are you planning on coming over soon?

Honestly, I hadn’t been; but it would be nice to give her an escort back to the human realm, just to ease her transition back.

True. I feel a little bad that this is how she learned about the pony world, though. 🐎

I don’t think you should feel bad. You quite literally saved her life.

I don’t know. I mean, I wasn’t ever planning on bringing people back through the portal, but if I was, I think I would have made it more casual, you know? More relaxed. Less life-threatening. More sights to see than the hospital.

That’s fair. Don’t worry. She’ll be up again in no time, I know it.

March 13th, 7:46 pm

How is she?

You got her here just in time. She’s still in surgery, but she’s in good hooves now.

Oh good. Sorry I had to leave so fast afterwards. I was parked in a loading zone and the rent-a-cops at the mall are jerks.

It’s fine! They rushed her into surgery right away, so you wouldn’t have been able to do much else, anyway.
What happened? They said it looked like she’d gone four rounds with a manticore and lost every time.

She got hit by a truck. I guess he didn’t see her.

That was one of her main complaints, wasn’t it? Feeling invisible?

It was.
IS! Is. I meant is.

I know. 🙂 Don’t worry. She’s in good hooves here.

Alright. If there’s anything I can help with, just let me know.

March 31st, 3:44 pm

Hey, Sunset! Remember how you were asking how Wallflower was handling being a pony?

Yes?

She finally tried hay.

And???

She liked it.

Ha! Rarity owes me five dollarydoos.

You bet on whether or not she’d like hay?

In my defense, that’s not how it started. I was just saying that there’s a lot of hay in Equestria. Ponies like hay, ponies eat hay, that kind of thing. Rainbow made a crack about Wallflower growing her own, and Rarity didn’t think she’d eat it even if it was presented to her in hayburger form.
That said, I’d pay good money to see Rarity try hay.

I’m comparing what I know about your Rarity to how our Rarity would respond to something like that, and I think I would, too.
But seriously. Pony food is just better.

Cheeseburgers. 🍔

…ok, that’s fair.

How’s Wallflower doing, recovery-wise?

The bruises are starting to heal and she’s not limping or coughing as much anymore. She’s not sleeping as much, either, and she finally accepted one of our game night invitations.
And by that, I mean she got roped into one of Spike’s O & O games. She rolled up a druid.

I’m going to pretend I know what that means.

Nature-loving magical being.

Should have guessed.

It was just a one-shot and I had work to do so I couldn’t join, but it sounded like she had fun.

Good to know. I’ll have to see if anyone here plays. The name is the same here, anyway. I bet the rules are similar across dimensions even though magic is real in one and doesn’t exist in the other.
Ok that’s gonna bake my noodle if I keep thinking about that. Good night, Twilight.

April 20th, 8:54 pm

Hey, I have another update. I offered Wallflower a position as a groundskeeper for the School of Friendship. She’s still learning about her earth pony magic, but apparently a big part of it is just caring about the plants, and she does that part just fine. She seemed excited, but said she’d have to think about it.

I’m glad she’s having a good time, but she can’t stay there permanently.

Why not?

What do you mean, why not? She’s a human. She belongs here, in my world.

In your world?

`. /
~ \/
,\

Did you forget that you were born a unicorn, Sunset?

no

Sunset, is something else going on here?

I just…
It’s not
I don’t
Give me some time to pull my head together and I’ll write more later.

Of course. Take all the time you need.

April 21st, 11:50 pm

I can’t help but think she’s running away from her problems, kindof? I know she still feels invisible sometimes and maybe she doesn’t have a very tight relationship with us, but we’re working on that. I mean, we’re her friends. We’re here for her. We can help her. I mean, I have great friends here. And if I can do it, I think she can, too. I really think she can make it here.
And I guess a part of me feels guilty because I think it’s my fault that she’s like that. I think I drove her away. I mean, not just me, but yes me. Kinda. If that makes sense?

I don’t think it’s your fault, or anything you did. She doesn’t blame you for anything. Not that I can tell, anyway.
I seem to recall you not having many friends at first, too.

I didn’t have friends because I thought friendship was a waste of time. She doesn’t have friends because she’s got the self confidence of a wet tissue.
Don’t tell her I said that.

I won’t.
You’re not wrong. But don’t tell her I said that.

Ha!
But seriously. I think another part of me doesn't want her to go back because I don’t want her to give up on us. I think I can help her. I mean, I’m her friend, and I don’t want to lose her.
But even just writing that, there’s a lot of I, I, I and I know that’s not right. And if I was a good friend, I would worry about what she wants. What’s best for her. And support her.

You’ve come a long way, Sunset. That whole last paragraph was like you reading my mind.
It’s good that you care about her, though.
Did I ever tell you about Pinkie Pie and her yovidaphone?

That’s not a real word.

Ohhh yes it is. So Pinkie, our Pinkie…

May 15th, 11:53 pm

Please say you’re awake.

I am. What’s happening?

I need some help with Wallflower. She didn’t come back right away, so I figured she was at the garden at the school, right? She was there, with her feet half-buried in the dirt.

Like earth ponies do to feel the earth?

I think so. But she was also naked.

And people aren’t supposed to be naked there.

Nope. And people don’t stand in the dirt like that, either. But she wasn’t even embarrassed. She just looked at me and asked if I miss it.

Being naked?

Being a pony.

Yeah, now that I write that out, that does make more sense.
What did you say?

\
I told her the truth. I don’t think I do.
I think here was where I’m meant to be. Even though I’m positive I have a human counterpart somewhere over here that probably has her own friendship problems but I don’t think my noodle can take that baking tonight.

Do you think here is where she’s meant to be? In Equestria, I mean.

I don’t want to. But she’s not blooming here, and it sounds like she was blooming there. Did bloom? Bloomed? Bloomeded?
That’s not even a real word anymore
~~Apple Bloom~~
I don’t know.

You don’t have to come to a conclusion right now, and neither does she. It could just be a temporary thing. I still miss Canterlot High every once in a while, and I wasn’t there very long at all.

But what if it’s permanent? What if
I don’t even know what I’m trying to say.

That’s alright. No time limits here.
Just do your best. That’s all you can do.

May 17th, 4:13 pm

We talked a bit more. She didn’t say anything about it for a bit, but then we were working in her garden and I guess she feels safe there because she did. She came back because she didn’t want to feel like she’d given up. That she could make it here, like anyone else here.
But I think she misses it. Equestria, I mean. Like yesterday I was at Applejack’s and she had some hay bales sitting out and I pretended to eat some as a joke and offered some to her, just because she happened to be the closest at the time, and she actually leaned in with her mouth open like she was going to eat it. And I recognized that hurt look in her eyes.

You didn’t mean to.

I know. And I think she knew, too. But I mean
I don’t like it and it pains me to say it
write it I guess
but the longer I think about it, the more it makes sense.
She has to go back.
I mean, I know it’s logical, but it still… bugs me a bit, you know?

In what way?

I don’t know. It almost feels like I… lost, you know? Like I failed, somehow.

I’m not sure I follow.

After that whole Memory Stone thing, I promised I’d be nicer to Wallflower, and be her friend, or a better one, anyway, and now I can’t if she goes back.
I know what you said but I still think it’s partially my fault and so I have to fix it. But now I’m not going to get that chance.

You can come through the portal any time, too.

I know. But I belong here. I have friends, a life, activities, my art.
My everything. And she

Sunset?

And she belongs there. With her garden. The Flower Trio. She’ll be a great groundskeeper. She’ll make the school beautiful.
I’ve got to talk to the group about this. Be back soon. Thanks, Twilight.