My Past Is Complicated

“What happened?” I groaned as I rubbed my eye with a hoof. Feels like the worst hangover ever times a thousand. Not that I have much experience with hangovers of course. Instantly a grey face was shoved against mine.

“Finally! You’re awake!” Derpy turned slightly red when we both realized her wing was still around me. I felt another face rubbing against my mane.

“Hey Sunny,” Mom said from behind me. “How are you feeling?”

“Like I just got ran over by a semi truck, it then backed up and ran me over again,” I grumbled. “What the hay happened?”

“That Starlight stole your mark. Twilight is chasing her down,” I twisted my head to look at Applejack pushing a glass of water my way. “Drink.”

“Thanks,” I pressed the glass to my lips and started drinking. I pressed myself back against mom. I don’t know how I didn’t feel her hooves around me. “I’m just gonna go back to sleep.”

“Are you sure?” Mom asked. “You’ve been out for hours. We have your mark thingy.” I perked up and looked at her.

“Where?” I asked. Maybe I could get it back on and quit feeling so shitty.

“In the jar. But a certain somebody won’t let me break the jar and see if that works,” Earth Lyra glared at Moondancer. Moondancer let out an exasperated sigh.

“As I’ve said, it’s risky. While I’m not sure I trust Sunset Shimmer, I would hate to be in her hooves and lose my cutie mark. We are not breaking the jar,” Moondancer snapped.

“I need to talk to you all,” I muttered. Minuette rolled her eyes and pressed a hoof to my muzzle.

“We get your cutie mark back after Twilight gets back. Then, we talk. And it better be good.” I felt mom’s hooves squeeze around me tighter as I felt her head withdraw from my mane. Based on the nervous step back Minuette took alongside Twinkleshine and Lemon Hearts, Mom was giving them a dirty look.

“Of course, any conversation with you must be good!” Lemon Hearts added hastily with a worried expression.

“I don’t have the energy to do anything,” I groaned as I laid on my bed curled in a ball. Mom insisted on laying with me so I currently had a foreleg resting on top of me while Derpy sat across from me in a chair reading a book. “I don’t feel emphatic for anyone either. Empathy is like my thing! It must be connected to my cutie mark as well as my personality.”

“Twilight should be back soon,” Mom promised. “Don’t worry. This will all be over soon.”

“Don’t say it like that. Makes me think I’m dying and I don’t like that,” I chuckled.

“Okay good point,” Mom smiled.

“What do you think that Starlight meant by taking away something from Twilight?” Derpy asked worriedly. “She’s a pretty crazy character.”

“I have no idea. Twilight is a strong unicorn, almost as strong as me. Starlight won’t get away with too much,” I answered. I may have been exaggerated my magical strength to some ponies but it’s true. I’m a little bit stronger than Twilight believe it or not. We did extensive tests when I visited last time before my friends and family came over and I blew Twilight away literally with all the magical tests she and Spike came up.

“I hope so Sunset,” Derpy sighed. “It’s been quite crazy day.”

“Welcome to another day in Equestria,” I joked. “We have magical monster attacks on Tuesday, world ending events on Friday. Take your pick.” We all three laughed at that.

“What about monster team ups?” Mom asked with a grin.

“Oh those are a national holiday. Happen every other month,” I winked with my own grin.

“Have you ever fought any monster?” Derpy asked.

“No unless you qualify the giant ant I found on my bed back in Canterlot near the castle. Which I did tell ponies to make me look better back then,” I admitted. It mostly worked. Most asked for further details while others wholeheartedly believed me still to this day. Apparently a lot of ponies wanted to believe the princess’ student was a super capable pony. It did help a lot with my image. I just took the story and well exaggerated. If others could do it and get praised for it, why couldn’t I? It had made sense at the time. Now? Not so much.

“I’m serious. Have you?” Derpy focused on me with a serious expression.

“Do the sirens count?” I asked curiously. If not, then no.

“Not really. They are just harmless girls now as you said. Aren’t they you’re friends anyway?”

“Okay then no I haven’t. And yeah they are. Sonata is awesome. She reminds a bit of you to be honest. Just a super wholesome shy girl.”

“I’m still a bit scared of Adagio and Aria. They are intimidating. Especially after the hallway thing,” Derpy admitted.

“What hallway thing?” Mom asked worriedly.

“I’ll tell you later,” I reassured her and she visibly relaxed. We fell into comfortable silence as Mom started stroking my mane. I oddly loved when she did that, in both worlds

“What was it like?” Mom suddenly asked.

“What was what like?” I asked.

“Getting your cutie mark removed.”

“Oh uh you don’t wanna know. Trust me.” With a sigh, mom rolled me over till we made eye contact.

“You were clearly in pain and I want to know about it. So please tell me.” I let out a sigh.

“Imagine getting a part of you forcibly removed like a tooth without any type of pain reliever. It was a burning feeling. I hope you never feel anything like it,” I pressed my face into her neck.

“I wish it was me instead of you. It’s my job to keep you safe. When I get my hands on that mare, I don’t know what I will do.” I let out a laugh.

“In this world, it’s my job to keep you safe. In your world, you can keep me safe. And be easy on Starlight please.” Mom gave me an incredulous look.

“How can you say that? She physically harmed you!” Mom demanded.

“It’s what Twilight would do,” I said simply. We stared at each for a moment before Mom sighed and nodded.

“Okay. But I’m still going to have a conversation with her.”

“Okay that’s fine. Just don’t scare her too much,” I begged. Derpy gave a cough as she pointed out the window.

“It’s getting dark. Can I uh sleep with you two again?” Derpy turned red and I tilted my head curiously. She was doing that a lot. I was going to have to ask her about it tomorrow.

“Yeah.” Derpy trotted over shakily as she jumped up next to me with surprising agility. We had decided that me being in the middle was the best way to get attention from both of them. Derpy and mom nuzzled me from both sides as I pulled a blanket over us with difficulty. I miss magic. I hope Twilight gets back soon.

“Goodnight you two.”

“Goodnight.”