Berry's Sunset

Berry Punch knocked back the whiskey bottle, feeling the pleasant burning sensation in her throat. These days, alcohol was her only friend. So what if she was just a freshman? Drinking got rid of the lonely feelings, the self hatred she held within herself. She shook the thoughts off as she took another pull of the bottle. The sun was setting behind the school she went to. In front of her sat the Wondercolt statue.

"I wander of therss a reallll hurse in dat der stat-hic-statue." She drunkenly said, giggling to herself as she pictured a horse posing there for eternity. The statue started to glow and a swirl of purple and pink was in the center.

She squinted at it, her eyes bloodshot. "Wut da hell? The aliens arrrre coming!" She screamed, then giggled. "Hehe, I saids cumming." A girl shot out of the statue.

"What in Equestria, where the buck am I?" The girl on the ground demanded. She saw grass and her eyes widened. "Huh. Grass. I am kinda hungry." She leaned forward and started chewing the grass before spitting it out. "What the hay!?"

"Dats not hay silly, dats grass." Berry announced as she rubbed her eyes. "I musta drank more than I thought, I swear i just watched a girl get ejected outta a fuckin statue."

The girl on the ground looked up at Berry swaying drunkenly on the bench and screamed, scrambling backwards.

Berry covered her ears. "Oi, matey. I'm drank ova here, don't be screamin." The girl breathed in and out for a few moments.

"W-what are you? Where am I? Princess Celestia? Somepony help me." The girl curled up.

"I'ma Berry. But between ya and meee, I wanna be a bird. Flyin high and free. Ya on Earth, mystical alien thingy." Berry announced, taking another sip of her alcohol.

"Earth. Huh." The girl looked down at her hands. "Where are my hooves?"

"Yur what now?" Berry asked, swaying.

"My hooves." She repeated.

Berry drunkenly giggled. "Ya must mean hands and feet. Yur probably drunk too." She pointed at the girls hands. "Yhose are ya feet. And those", she pointed at the feet. "Are ya hands." She smiled triumphantly, then dropped her smile. "Or maybeee it's versa vice. Vice versa? I dunno the sayin."

"Vice Versa." The girl automatically corrected before looking down at herself. The fear was slowly starting to leave her system.

"Whats your name?" The girl asked suddenly.

Berry was mid drink before stopping and thinking. "Berry Punch. Whatta bout you?" She asked, angling a bottle her way.

"Uh, I'm Sunset Shimmer." Sunset answered.

"Nice to meet you, Sunshim."

"Sunset." She corrected.

Berry waved a hand. "Sunshim, Sunset. Same thang. You want a drank?" She offered a beer.

"I am thirsty, water sounds nice." Sunset admitted. This girls voice sounds like she's drunk off her plot, but she's like twelve looking, Sunset thought to herself as she reached for the beer.

She took a sip and immediately spit it out.

"What is this?" She demanded.

"Beer." Berry replied as she sipped again.

"And why exactly are you sitting here drinking alone?" Sunset asked as she tried the beer again and grimaced.

Berry shrugged. "I only drink when I'm lonely." From the look on Sunset's face, it was evident she could relate. "Sunshim?" Berry drunkenly said.

"Yeah?" Sunset asked as she took another sip.

"I'm glad ya came from, well wherever ya came from." Berry announced.

Sunset tensed and got ready to either fight or run away based on her concern about why this strange creature was interested in her appearance.

"What, why?" Sunset asked, her eyes darting back and forth around them.

Berry took a long sip before answering her. "Like I said, I only drink when I'm lonely. Now that yur here, I don't gotta anymore." She tipped the bottle Sunsets direction a tired smile and looked like she was gonna cry. "I really need to use the bathroom." Berey stumbled to her feet and started putting all the bottles in her backpack.

"Berry Punch, why are you still on school property?" A familiar voice called out and Sunset froze in fear.

"Come on!" Berry yelled to Sunset before drunkenly stumbling in the direction of her apartment.

Sunset decided to trust this strange creature. Besides, she could always manipulate her into giving her more information about this place and shelter, plus food. She started running after her on her hands and knees and soon passed the drunk girl.

"Uh Sunshim?" Berry asked.

Sunset stopped and looked behind her. "Aren't we supposed to be running, not talking?"

"Yur walking kindaa weird. But it looks funn." Berry dropped to her hands and knees and ran the same way Sunset was home, with the new arrival a few seconds behind her after a moments hesitation.

"Where on earth is that girl?" A pink girl with yellow hair muttered angrily as she paced back and forth in the small apartment holding a crying child.

"This is the fourth time Berry hasn't came home on time, frustrating." She glanced down at the baby. "Pretty annoying, isn't it Ruby?" A crashing sound alerted her to the door. She gave a sigh of relief. No matter how annoyed she was at Berry, she was relieved she got home safely.

She walked to the door and pulled it open.

"Berry, it's almost ten pm. Where have you-?" She stopped midsentence at the sight in front of her. Berry was on her hands and knees and reaching for the door handle with her mouth before her sister opened it. Her sisters eyes flicked behind Berry and saw a similar Sunset, struggling to hold her laughter in.

"I know I shouldn't ask this, but what on earth are you two doing? The other girl demanded rolling her eyes.

"Aye Cherry Berry." Berry Punch grinned. "When did you get so tall?"

"You're on your hands and knees. And drunk. Again." She sighed. "Get up and get inside." She glanced back at Sunset and sighed again."Both of you."

"Cherry, you won't believe what happened." Berry gushed. "She launched out a concrete statue." Berry giggled while Cherry rolled her eyes.

"Sure she did, because that's totally possible." Cherry said sarcastically. "Berry, you can't keep coming home drunk like this. You're setting a bad image for your daughter." She gestured down at the sleeping baby she was holding.

Berry slumped against the wall while Sunset awkwardly stood there watching.

"I know. I can't help it, yanno." Berry muttered. "Hold that thought." She stumbled to the bathroom and both girls winced at the sound of vomiting.

"So," Cherry turned her focus to Sunset and her eyes narrowed. "Are you the one supplying her with alcohol?"

"No, nothing like that. I just got here, I don't even know where here is." Sunset admitted.

"Well, you're currently in our apartment. I'm honestly not sure I trust you about not supplying her with alcohol. But if Berry brought you here, she must trust you enough." Cherry sighed, then narrowed her eyes again. "But if I do catch you giving her alcohol or any pills, you will be out. Am I clear?"

Sunset nodded. Nice, I just wound up in this weird bucking world and I already get a place to stay? Epic, she thought to herself.

"How long can I stay here?" Sunset asked carefully.

"Well, do you have anywhere else to go?" Cherry pointed out.

Sunset shook her head. "Uhmm, no?"

Cherry sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose as best she could while holding a baby. "We only got two rooms, you can bunk with either me or Berry. But I presume you will choose Berry because you know her more than me."

Sunset nodded and Berry rejoined them, wiping the side of her mouth.

"Remind me to never drink again." Berry groaned and Cherry sighed.

"I set water aside in your room along with some Ibuprofen. Take them." Cherry ordered her younger sister.

"Yesh mom." Berry muttered before stumbling along. She stopped and grabbed Sunset's hand.

Sunset flinched before being dragged away by Berry.

"Where are you taking me?" Sunset nervously asked.

"To the bedroom duh. But not like that." Berry laughed. "Just to-hic-sleep."

She rammed into her door and groaned rubbing her head.

"Stupid damn door." She muttered. Her eyes lit up. "I forgot Ruby. Wait here." She speed off to the living room. A few short moments later and after some raised voices, she came back into the room head drooped.

"Cherry won't let me sleep with Ruby tonight. Says the smell of alcohol isn't good for a baby." She smacked herself in the head, repeatedly. "I'm an awful mother." She flung herself onto her bed. Sunset sat on the floor, observing her fingers. Berry lifted her head and stared at her guest.

"You okay?" She slurred out.

"Yeah. Just don't know why I have these."

Berry giggled. "You're a human, all humans have em silly." She appeared to be thinking and then corrected herself. "Well, unless you're born without one or got one chopped off."

Sunset shivered. "Morbid, but okay."

Berry slid under the blankets and sighed. She lifted one side and stared at her guest again. "Can you sleep with me tonight? Up here? I don't wanna be alone. Not again." She whimpered softly.

"I don't even know how to get up there." Sunset exclaimed.

Berry tossed the blanket over to one side before shuffling out of bed and falling over.

"Are you okay?" Sunset asked. Berry nodded yes.

Berry grabbed Sunset's hands and pulled her. "Alright. Now walk this way toward the bed." Berry instructed. Sunset complied and fell forward onto the bed.

Berry clapped her hands together. "Great job, Sunshim." She sat down next to her on the bed and pulled Sunset's legs onto the bed. "Now just lay on ya side." Berry instructed and Sunset complied again. Berry slid in next to her and pulled the covers over them both.

"Berry?" Sunset suddenly said.

"Mhmmm?" Berry mumbled, face in the pillow.

"You forgot your water and your pills." Sunset reminded her. Berry sat up and groped around her night stand for the water and pills.

She pulled them to her and tossed the pills in her mouth and drank half the glass of water before collapsing back on the bed.

"Nighty night, Sunshim." She muttered.

"Uhm, goodnight?" Sunset replied. A few moments later, she heard snoring coming from next to her. She lay there thinking for a few moments before gasping. Berry wrapped an arm around her and snuggled up next to her snoring still. Sunset soon fell asleep.

"Oh my head." Berry groaned as she laid in bed, her eyes still closed. "I had the wildest dream last that night that a girl came out of a statue too. What the hell was that about?"

She felt something next to her and cracked open an eye. Sunset was passed out next to her, one arm hanging off the bed. "Ahh!" Berry yelped and slid off the bed. "Hmm?" Sunset muttered before opening her eyes and taking in the sight of Berry on the floor staring at her.

"Yo-you're real!" Berry exclaimed, pointing a shaking finger.

Sunset yawned. "Yes, I am very much real."

"But how? You came from a statue. Or am I still asleep? Oh god, what if I died from alcohol poisoning and you're the devil sent to punish me? You do have fiery hair." Berry said.

Sunset held a hand up. "Please. Too many questions and it's too early in the morning."

"Sorry." Berry whimpered, rubbing the back of her head.

"But I will answer the how. I came from Equestria." Sunset replied.

Berry looked up. "Equestria? Why come here?"

Sunset got nervous. "I did some bad things. I came to escape my past. And to be fair, I didn't even know what was on the other side. I just leapt through the mirror and here I am."

"What type of bad things? Did you kill someone? I can't have a murderer around my daughter." Berry stated indignantly.

"No! I didn't murder anypony, I'm not a killer." Sunset exclaimed.

"Anypony? Don't you mean anybody?" Berry pointed out.

"Uh, yeah." Sunset nodded.

Berry folded her arms and fixed a crease in her skirt. "Now what bad things did you do?"

Sunset sighed. "Fine. I tried to force the ruler of my land into making me a princess, when she refused, I screamed at her and said I hated her. After she went to asleep, I decided to run off. She didn't even say I never would be one, just that I needed to work harder. I worked my flank off to get where I am, from that tiny village in Equestria to the princess' student."

Berry nodded, listening. "That's a lot to take in and deal with in one night. I've seen and done worse drunk."

Sunset looked at her. "You're taking this very well. Kinda concerning."

Berry waved a hand. "I've seen some crazy shit before. This is pretty crazy too, don't get me wrong but like it's not high up on the list. I once stood on the beach in Mareorida and thought I saw planes and boats disappear before my eyes."

"What's a plane?" Sunset asked.

"Don't let Cherry hear you say that." Berry warned. "She's obsessed with aircraft. Wants to be a pilot or a stewardess. Anyway, picture a bus. But instead of being stuck on the ground, it can fly and has wings."

Sunset nodded. "Like a pegasus."

"Uh, sure. Yeah, like a pegasus." Berry smiled.

"How old are you anyway?" Sunset suddenly asked.

Berry chuckled. "I'm sixteen. How about you?"

Sunset put a finger on her chin. "Sixteen. I'm pretty sure at least."

The two sat in silence for a bit before Berry broke it. "How long are you gonna
be here?" She asked.

Sunset shrugged. "I'm not sure. The portal is closed so I can't return home for a long time."

Berry nodded and grinned. "This can be your home!" She exclaimed.

Sunset looked around. "I don't have anywhere else to go. But your sister doesn't seem to like me much."

"Pfft, Cherry has always been uptight. She's like that with everyone." Berry snorted.

Sunset gave a slight nod. "If you're sure."

"I am certain." Berry announced. "I gotta go check on Ruby. Be back shortly. And I'll bring food."

Sunset smiled at the prospect of food. She looked around the room after Berry left. She took in the dark pink walls and the red dresser. There was a few paintings on the walls, mainly of different bottles and a few grapes. On the nightstand sat a white clock. She looked down and admired the hardwood flooring. The door opened and she glanced up. Berry stood in the doorway, holding a baby. She shut the door and strode to the bed. She sat down gently.

"Meet Ruby." Berry smiled as she gazed down at the baby who pulled on her pinkie finger.

"Awwww." Sunset gazed down into the baby's green eyes. "She's adorable. How old is she?"

"Eight months." Berry smiled sadly. "One of the best things to happen to me."

The pair sat admiring the baby before Berry broke the silence.

"Do you wanna hold her?" She asked smiling over at Sunset.

"I don't know, I'm just getting used to hands." Sunset stammered out.

"Don't worry, I'll help you." Berry assured her. She scooted closer to Sunset.

She laid Ruby next to her on the bed safely away from the edge. She put Sunset's hands in the correct position.

"Alright I'm gonna hand her to you now, when I do, put your hand under her neck to keep it stable." Berry instructed.

Sunset nervously nodded as Berry gave a satisfied smile and slowly put Ruby in Sunset's hands.

Sunset instinctively moved her hand under her neck while Berry observed.

Ruby gazed up at Sunset and smiled at her. She waved with her fist and Berry giggled.

"I think she likes you." Berry teased.

"I think so." Sunset agreed softly. A few moments later, Ruby started to cry and Sunset started to panic.

"What did I do?" She asked Berry in a panic.

Berry chuckled. "She's hungry. I brought a bottle just in case. Speaking of food, I also brought some breakfast." She gestured behind her before reclaiming Ruby and sticking a bottle in her mouth.

Sunset cautiously picked up a strange round black item off the plate.

"What in Equestria is this?" She asked Berry, holding it up.

Berry glanced over and her eyes lit up. "Oh! Those are olives. They're my favorite vegetable. I didn't know what foods you liked so I put cheese, olives, crackers and an egg sandwich from the other night."

Sunset cautiously tossed it in her mouth and chewed before her eyes lit up. "These are amazing." She said grinning as she popped another in her mouth.

Berry matched her grin before returning her focus to her daughter. She quickly brought her up to her shoulder and started patting her back gently. Sunset watched, fascinated.

"What are you doing?" Sunset asked.

"Burping her. After feeding, you're supposed to gently pat or rub them on the back. It helps get rid of air babies tend to swallow during feeding. Or at least that's what the nurse said I should do at the hospital after giving birth. The pamphlet says that too." She nodded towards a pamphlet on her desk that said Guide To Motherhood.

Sunset nodded and kept watching. Until Ruby spit on the towel over Berry's shoulder. Sunset wrinkled her nose in disgust.

"Ew. She just vomited on you." Sunset pointed out.

Berry nodded. "That's pretty common after burping a baby." She wiped Ruby's mouth off and gently laid her down. She tossed the towel into a laundry hamper.

The two sat in comfortable silence while Ruby explored the bed under Berry's watchful gaze.

"You know, last night you said you were an awful mother." Sunset spoke up and Berry tensed. "I don't think you are. I think you just make mistakes, like everypony. Watching you this morning, proves you're a good mom to me." She smiled at Berry, her first true smile in a long time.

Berry let the tension out and smiled back. "Thanks, Sunset."