Chapters Chapter 1 - Birth Of A New Sun
Chapter 1 - The Birth Of A New Sun
Once upon a time you died a death you will never remember. You believe this will be the end. Fortunately, the light heading your way growing brighter and larger seems to promise otherwise. As the empty void around you fleas from the light, you begin to feel familiar sensations. Unfortunately, one of them you wish you could have been left without. A pit in your newly forming gut tells you there was something in your past life you were denied. Something small, yet so crucial, it's absence leaves a hole you wish to fill, even as you begin your new life.
As you open your eyes you see a feminine equine with a horn on it's head standing above you. Her coat is a bright orange and her mane is a mix of yellow and red, the rest of her obscured by a cloak. A name comes to mind even though you can't remember meeting her before. Not that you remember much of anything of your past life. "Good, your breathing." She proclaims. "A spell this complex has a tendency to require a few practice casts to work out the kinks. Fortunately for you, I am more talented than even I gave me credit for. You should know my name, but just to get introductions out of the way my name is Sunset Shimmer. Do you have a name, or am I going to have to give you one?"
As you absorb your situation and the information given to you, you begin to look over yourself. "I don't remember if I..." Before you finish your sentence, you begin to realize a horrifying fact. As your eyes widen and your breath quickens, you look from Sunset to yourself again and again, each time the fear in your gut growing larger and larger until this information can not be denied. You are not only her species.
You. Are! HER!!! "AAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!"
"As much as I can see finding out you are a clone can be rather scary. I am going to have to ask you to please shut the hay up." A small amount of fear is replaced with contempt at her words. "I created you to help me with my research, not to wake up the whole castle." As you place your eyes back on Sunset you notice a dome of light surrounding the two of you.
Your fear is fully consumed by contempt as you stand to your hooves. "What?" You scream. "Your just going to name me after yourself?"
"I don't see why not." She huffs. "I am your creator after all. I brought you into this world, therefore, I get to name you as I please."
Your contempt disappears as your eyes widen again, this time misted with tears as you begin to recall her words. Creator? Brought me into this world? "Does... Does that mean your my M-mom?"
Sunset's frown deepens as her eyebrows harden. "Don't call me that. I will not be your mother. Maybe I did give you life, but you are a fully functional individual, and I will treat you as such."
"Oh." You hang your head as you begin to feel that pit in your stomach resurface stronger than before, your tears flowing faster as you contemplate why you even care, only to come up without an answer.
Sunset gives you a studying glance before then giving you a knowing smile. "I created you with all of my knowledge, so you should know what I want, where I can find what I want, and how you can help me get what I want. Correct?"
You eye Sunset with a questioning glance. "You want to learn about the mirror and ascension and you believe we can find the information we need in this library."
"Yes exactly. Now we've wasted enough time. We could be caught at any moment and I don't think Celestia will be very happy finding me in the restricted section. Never mind with a second me. And seeing as you seem so insistent on seeing me as your mother. If you help me find a way to ascend, I'll let you ascend as well, and I will adopt you as my daughter."
Before Sunset can say another word you wrap your hooves around her in a tight embrace. "Thank you thank you thank you."
"Let go of me right now." She commands.
Realizing your mistake you quickly let go of her and hang your head, tears once again leaving your eyes. "Sorry Mo- I mean Sunset."
Sunset holds her temple with a hoof trying to relieve some of her anger. "Lets just get to work now shall we? Your not going to become anypony's daughter if Celestia finds us here and decides clones are too dangerous to allow them to exist."
Your heart stops for a moment as you think of the implications. "Y-you don't really think she would-" You swallow a lump in your throat.
"In all honesty. I don't. But then I've come to realize, I don't know as much about her as I thought I did. Now, come on and help me find answers."
Looking through book after book you begin to discover the extent of the knowledge that has been pushed upon you little by little, as though the books themselves were teaching you about not just how to use them properly, but the very world you now inhabit and the secrets of magics you could never have imagined. As the information continues to enter your brain, you drop your books and hold your head in an attempt to stop the rising pain.
"Hey." Sunset calls out as she trots back your way. "We don't have time for this." As you turn back to her with a pleading look you see her horn light up as your head begins to calm. "That should help with the pain. I'll give you a few minutes, but..." Looking back to the book in Sunset's view you wander what she's found. "WHAT THE HAY IS THIS?!" She screams.
"Princess." You hear a guard call out from afar before he gallops away.
Looking in the direction the guard left for only a moment, Sunset turns her gaze back your way. "Go hide as best you can." Without another word you gallop off to find a place to hide behind the wall of an open doorway.
As you hear the sound of hooves getting closer you begin to feel your fear resurface. Peeking from the doorway you see the one pony you hope you will never have to meet. As large as two or three of you, a coat as white as clouds, and a mane bright and colorful flowing with magic, her head adorned with a long horn and large wing connect to each side of her barrel. "Celestia." Grasping your muzzle you hope nopony heard your announcement.
From your hiding place you watch as Sunset and Celestia argue amongst each other. "Liar." Your fear grows again as Sunset throws her book at Celestia. As their conversation goes on you see Sunset grow angrier until she breaks into tears her features revealing sadness, only to soon become angrier than ever.
Author's Note
A story I came up with after reading so many Sunset Shimmer fanfics. Updated to reveal Twin-Sun has no cutie mark.
Chapter 2 - Hidden Sun
A few minutes later you note that, apart from yourself, the library remains empty of occupants. Deciding now would be the best time to act, you leave your hiding spot to look for a few more books to study. The book Sunset had been interested in seems like an obvious choice. Next you gather a book about a powerful relic used by an evil sorcerer named Grogar and a book you can't help but find fascination in yourself about something called the elements of harmony. And finally, a book with a recipe for an age reduction potion.
Before you can begin reading your small collection of books, you hear hooves running back towards the library. In a panic, with books in hoof, you hide in the closest hiding spot you can find. Under the table, right in the middle of the room, covered only by a table cloth. It doesn't take long to find out who's hooves you hear. "Twin-Sun." You hear Sunset call.
You lift the cloth so you and Sunset can see each other. "I'm down here."
Sunset snaps her gaze your way before proclaiming. "I'm leaving through the mirror to search for answers. I need you to continue your own search on this side, understand?"
You nod your head. "Yes ma'am."
Sunset gives a small huff and hardens her gaze at you for a moment before giving a commanding look. "And remember. When we ascend, only then will I adopt you."
With her commands firmly in your mind, you watch as she steps through the mirror. "Don't worry mom. I'll make you proud." Just as you finish your own proclamation, you hear the frantic clopping of another pony's hooves and drop the cloth to again hide yourself from view.
You hear the other pony stop were you last saw Sunset before then hearing the sound of magic taking shape, or perhaps losing shape. "No!" You hear Celestia scream at which you feel your fear increase. "It can't be closed, not now of all times." You hear the sound of a hoof touching glass. And then you hear sobs. "Sunset. What have I done?" Your fear diminishes as you listen to the sad display. "Stay safe Sunny."
As you hear hoof steps leave the library, you risk a peak to see Celestia leaving, a trail of tears in her wake. Calming yourself, you put on the cloak Sunset gave you and return to your task. You are about to take the books out of the library, when information surfaces, telling you there are enchantments to prevent this or making magical copies of the books themselves. You find some paper and a quill, and summon ink from Sunset's room. You lay yourself down, open the books before you and copy anything you deem important.
After hours of writing you summon a satchel to gather your papers into before casting another spell brought to your mind, this one making it harder for others to notice you. As you step out of the restricted library, you hear your stomach growl as if to beg for food. Spell or no spell, such a noise will make it almost impossible to escape the castle undetected. With little choice other than to move forward, you make your way through the library carefully watching for guards.
You see a unicorn guard standing spear in hoof in front of the entrance. You gather a nearby book in your hoof and chuck it at a bookshelf causing many of it's contents to spill out before ducking behind another. "Huh?" The guard asks before moving to inspect the mess. "What was that noise?"
As the guard searches the library for the perpetrator, you make your way out, and slowly make your way down the hall making sure you are not followed. As you turn around, you give a small gasp as you notice you nearly bumped into a guard...
As you look closer you notice it was just a suit of armor. Sighing in relief, you continue down the hall, taking extra care not to make the same mistake in front of any armor with inhabitants greater than 0.
As you near the exit of the castle you see four guards standing in place. Two outside, and two in the hall leading outside. Thinking this would be the worst time for your stomach to speak it's opinions on the value of your life, you head back toward the kitchen.
You decide to use paper and quill to make an order for what your thoughts tell you is mother's favorite breakfast item, apple fritters, before setting said order on a nearby table. You watch as a waitress comes by your table and take your paper just as your stomach lets her know of it's unwillingness to wait. "Sunset?" The waitress asks. "Didn't the princess banish you?"
You give her a pleading look "Yes." You answer. "But she said I could get something on the way out."
"You really think I'm going to buy that. Especially while your wearing something like that?"
"Ummm."
The waitress gives a small sigh. "I'm going to feed you this time. But I'm going to make sure you leave when your done. And don't think the princess isn't going to hear about this."
You nod your head. "Thanks."
As you eat your fritters, the waitress sits with you. "So?" She asks. "What did you do to get kicked out."
"I'm pretty sure what I did is classified information."
"That bad huh?"
You shrug your shoulders. "I think I was trying to learn things she thinks I'm not ready for. I'm not really entirely sure."
"How can you not know what you did?"
You turn your head away from her. "It's complicated."
"I've got time for complicated. I happen to be on brake."
You look back at the waitress with a worried glance. "What do you think Celestia thinks of clones?"
"Clones?" She asks with confusion on her face. "Is that what this is about? I could see why Celestia would be weary of them given how bad a changeling infestation can be, but if we're talking about cloning ones self, I don't see much of a problem with that." She puts a hoof to her muzzle in thought. "But then again, I haven't been around nearly as long as she has, so If she says clones are bad, I guess I'm just going to have to trust her."
You sink a little into your seat "Oh."
"But hey. I bet if you were to tell the princess..."
"NO!" You scream as you jump to your hooves.
The waitress just stares at you a moment in shock. "Now Sunset." She scolds you "This is no time for you to protect your pride. If the princess thinks you've done something wrong, you should at least hear her opinion. Who knows. If you respect her opinions, she may just see were your coming from with yours and change her mind."
Before you can continue your conversation, a guard enters the kitchen to see what the commotion is about. "Sunset?" He proclaims. "The princess has ordered you banished from the castle, please stop procrastinating and leave."
"Huh" You think to yourself. "Did what happened with Mom not reach the rest of the guards yet?"
"Am I going to have to call for the princess?" He threatens.
"No. I'm going." As you leave you notice the guards aren't nearly as interested in you as you had imagined.
Just as you leave the castle, a certain princess makes her way to the kitchen. "Bring me your freshest carrot cake." Celestia orders.
"Good afternoon princess." The waitress greets. "Before I get to your order I feel I must inform you that Sunset was in the kitchen but a moment ago and has only just left the castle."
Celestia looks to the waitress with wide hopeful eyes. "Sunset Shimmer was just here?" Before the waitress can answer, Celestia bols as fast as she can to see her little sun.
As you walk down the concrete path you hear hooves galop your way and look back to see it is Celestia. "Sunset Shimmer." Celestia calls to you. But before she can reach you, you clutch your satchel to your chest and teleport far away almost on instinct.
Author's Note
I'm trying to show some of Twin-Sun's Knowledge in this chapter along with her inexperience. I'm thinking this story might work better in first or third person. Any thoughts?
Chapter 3 - Sun's Turbulent Sky
Chapter 3 - Sun's Turbulent Sky
One moment you were watching Celestia running toward you, the next you feel your own magic envelop you before hearing a pop sound and finding yourself above a trash can, knocking it over as you fall in face first.
After searching your mind for information on the pony in front of you and finding nothing, you decide to expand said knowledge with a question. "Who are you?"
With that one question, his expression changes once again, this time to one of sadness. "I realize you hardly interact with others, but to hear you don't even remember my face hurts a little." He sighs and recomposes himself before continuing. "My name is Silver Smith. Your father is one of my investors. I also consider him to be a friend."
"Sunset has a father?" You think to yourself. "Why don't I have that information? Seems like something that should be important."
Silver Smith walks in back of you and pushes you forward. "Alright now filly, let's get you home."
As you begin walking on your own, another question enters your thoughts. "Did you know Su-, I mean I got kicked out of the castle?"
"You were the princess's personal student. News this big tends to get around fast when ponies social lives live and die on social relevance." Your ears droop as you process this new information.
You find yourself walking, alongside Silver Smith, up to a large home surrounded by other large homes, all with their own gates and decently sized lawns. The door opens a few moments after Silver Smith knocks to reveal a stallion with an amber coat and a mane and tail a mix of yellow and light blue. "Good afternoon Silver Smith." The stallion of the house welcomes.
"Good afternoon Sunlight Mirror." Silver Smith greets back as he waves you forward. "I caught your daughter eating out of my trash and decided to bring her home."
Sunlight Mirror gives you a hug before moving back to meet your gaze, his hooves still on your shoulders. "You were eating garbage? have your mother and I not taught you manners?"
With no information to draw a conclusion from, all you feel you can do is shrug your shoulders. "I honestly don't remember."
His lips droop into a frown before he answers. "Sunset Shimmer." He gives a thoughtful look before he begins anew with a sigh. "I suppose your mother and I haven't given you much attention have we? And it only got worse since Celestia took you on as her personal student. Come in we'll talk more inside."
As you and Silver Smith head inside a unicorn mare with a light blue coat her mane and tail a mix of red and yellow and a cutie mark of a gold coin being painted walks down stares to meet Sunlight Mirror. "I want a divorce."
"What?" Sunlight asks in surprise.
"You heard me. I want a divorce. I know the ponies you do business with no longer want anything to do with you anymore. You and I both know what that means, and I need a pony who can take care of me and my filly."
"Your leaving me because of money?" He exclaims.
"Mom always told me I was a fool for marrying a stallion who doesn't live by their cutie mark. You had money so I figured she didn't know what she was talking about, but it looks like I was the one who didn't know after all." At her words you look to Sunlight's flank to see a mirror with light shining off of it. She then turns to you. "As for you young lady. We need to work to get you back into Celestia's good graces."
Your eyes go wide at the idea of confronting the alicorn in question. "No thank you. I have other plans."
"Other plans?" She questions. "Do you not know the position you were in as her student?"
Sunlight moves between you and the mare. "Painted Coin, if she doesn't want to go back to being Celestia's student we shouldn't try to force her."
Painted Coin gives her soon to be ex a sneer and a huff. "Well it's not like you'll have much say in the matter when I take custody anyway."
"I don't want to talk about this in front of our child, can you just save this conversation for later?"
"Fine." Painted Coin Huffs while heading out the door. "But while you sit on your flank, I'm going to start looking for a lawyer."
After holding his head in his hoof for a moment he looks back to Silver Smith. "Smith, your heading down to ponyville soon, right?"
"Yes." Silver Smith responds. "Tomorrow in fact."
"Do you think you could take Sunset with you. I really don't want her around all this drama and I still need to make plans for the future."
"I suppose I could do that if Sunset is okay with it."
"Sure, why not?" You answer.
"Good, but Before you go." Sunlight calls for a maid "Please give my daughter a bath."
As you walk down the street Silver Smith gives you a question. "Do you have any business in ponyville or would you like me to give you some work while we're down there?"
"Actually." You begin. "Do you know how to get to the Everfree Forest?"
He turns his head in your direction with surprise on his muzzle. "What would a filly your age need to go into the Everfree Forest for?"
Your ears droop at his words. "Well. I need ingredients for a potion."
"And exactly how important is this potion?"
You give a sigh. "I've been given a fresh start and I want to make the most of it."
Silver Smith gives your words some thought before giving an answer. "I suppose I can understand that."
You ask your next question with hopeful eyes. "So you'll help me."
"Now look here. The everfree is no place for a filly your age. If you absolutely must have those ingredients, I'll hire somepony to gather them for you."
"I can take care of my-"
Before you continue, Silver Smith cuts your words off with a hoof. "I don't want to hear it little missy. Your father put me in charge of you while we're at ponyville and I am not going to just allow you to go into a monster infested forest. Besides, my policy would never allow me to forgive myself if something happened to you while you were in my care."
You look back to him with a questioning look. "What's a policy?"
He looks at you with a smile. "That little filly is something I'd love to explain." His eyes gleam with pride. "A policy is basically just a list of morals for somepony to live by. Something to believe in to keep them on the right path."
You look at him with surprise. "Like a cutie mark on paper?"
Silver Smith gives a small chuckle at your comparison. "I believe a pony should live by more than just what their cutie mark tells them to. A policy they can believe in and live by. My policy is simple. Tell the truth as often as possible and give help to those who need it. Oh and remain loyal to those you love. I added that last one the day I married my wife."
As you recall the information your brain has on file about cutie marks, you look back to your own blank flank to contemplate what your own will be before taking a look at Silver Smith's cutie mark, a silver ring inside of a ring cast. "I don't have a cutie mark to tell me how to live." You think to yourself. "Maybe that just means I need a policy more than other ponies."
Author's Note
A few more characters added in this chapter. I updated the previous chapters to reveal Twin-Sun has no cutie mark. I did however include a line in this chapter to give that information so those who have already read them won't be in the dark about it.
Chapter 4 - Policy Of The Sun
Chapter 4 - Policy Of The Sun
Silver Smith makes himself known as you and he enter his home. "Honey, I'm home, and I brought a guest."
You watch as a unicorn mare walks your way from what you can tell, from the appetizing aroma, is their kitchen. Her coat a lovely white and her mane and tail a brilliant silver. Her cutie mark is a cash register floating on water with a white flag depicting a silver ring sticking out of it. "Welcome home Muffin." The mare greets before giving her apparent husband mouth to mouth. Looking your way she then asks. "So who might our guest be?"
You contemplate whether you should tell them your real name or not when Silver Smith makes the decision for you. "This is Sunset Shimmer, Sunlight Mirror's daughter. She needs a place to stay for a while for reasons I think you and I should speak privately about."
"Hello Sunset. My name is Silver Sales. Dinner will be done soon. Why don't you go freshen up while you wait." After giving you directions she then turns to her husband as you leave. "I still have a meal to prepare, do you mind talking while I cook?"
"Not at all." He answers. "Lead the way my lady."
As you stare at yourself in the bathroom mirror, you ponder your situation, how you got here, and the meaning of your existence. Looking back to your flank you recall your conversation with Silver Smith. You take a seat on the toilet and with your magic remove a paper from your satchel to study, it's contents telling of artifacts called the elements of harmony. You can't recall why you decided to copy notes on the book, all you can say is it just seemed to speak to you.
"Honesty. Kindness. Laughter. Generosity. Loyalty." As you recall these elements, you can't help but think back to the topic of policy, the elements themselves seemingly creating the blueprints for a policy all there own. Well accept for the element of magic. "Then again these are relics of great power." You reason. "Perhaps they need the user to be powerful."
You take out a new paper, a quill and ink and begin writing up a paper you title "The Policy Of Harmony".
As you look back to the element of magic and measure it against the other elements, you begin to rethink it's purpose. With an idea of how you can fit it in with the others, you put your quill back to work.
Before you can truly appreciate your work, you hear Silver Sales call from the door. "Dinner is ready Sunset."
"I'm coming." You call back as you put your things away before flushing the toilet.
When you open the door you see Silver Sales standing before you. "Please wash your hooves before you leave the bathroom."
At that moment your brain sends you another bit of information that you wish it would of given you before you had embarrassed yourself. "Y-Yes ma'am." You answer with said embarrassment spread across your face as you slowly shut the door.
As you enter the dining room you see the two adult ponies of the house sitting at a rather large table alongside two younger unicorn ponies, one of them a filly who looks to be your age. Her coat is silver and her mane and tail are a full pink. The other is a colt who you can tell at a glance is younger than the filly. His coat is black and his mane and tale are silver.
"Take a seat Sunset." Silver Sales commands. "Eat your fill before it gets cold."
As you take your seat you look to see the food spread around the table. Plenty of options meet your gaze. However what truly catches your eye is what could very well be the best food on the table, if not in existence. A steaming plate of baked apple slices with a heavy scent of cinnamon.
As you reach out for the apples, a wooden spoon meets your hoof with a smack. "Dinner first." Silver Sales scolds. "You can have desert when your finished."
While you take from acceptable dishes, Silver Smith decides to introduce his family to you. "Sunset, these are our foals." He says pointing his hoof at the colt. "This is our son Silver Shade." He then points to the filly. "And this is our daughter Polished Silver." After introducing his foals, he then points your way. "Kids, this is Sunset Shimmer. She'll be staying with us while we're in ponyville."
As you look toward Silver Smith you recall the conversation you had with him that led you to write up your own policy. You wonder then if you should tell these ponies the truth about yourself. They could tell Celestia about you and then you'd have to face her. On the other hoof Silver Smith values honesty, the element that also happens to be at the top of your list. Besides you are searching for a way to ascend. Alicorns aren't just powerful, they are royalty. Surely such beings need good morals to rule their kingdom. If you don't start trying to live by those morals, how long will it be before you just give up on them. And then how will anypony be able to see you as worthy to rule anything. And then Sunset will never adopt you.
With a gulp and trembling hooves you decide to take the risk and trust the ponies before you with your future. "I... I have something to confess."
The ponies at the table all turn their eyes your way only making your anxiety worse. "Is something wrong filly?" Asks Silver Smith.
"I... I..." You take a deep breath to calm yourself before Clamping your eyes shut and blurting out. "I'm not Sunset Shimmer."
...
"Well then who are you?" Asks Polished Silver, her hooves crossed with a glare that shows irritation.
"Sunset?" Asks Silver Sales. "What are you trying to say?"
"My name isn't Sunset Shimmer." You answer. "Sunset Shimmer is my mother. My name is Twin-Sun Shimmer."
Polished Silver gives a snort. "Twin-Sun Shimmer? How very original." She says with sarcasm and rolling eyes.
"Polished Silver." Silver Sales warns.
"Please mom. you don't know her like I do. Sunset Shimmer will do anything it takes to get what she wants. She doesn't care who she hurts along the way. It's because of her that my friends stopped talking to me. Do you know how long it took me to convince them that I had nothing to do with the rumors she started?" She asks pointing an accusing hoof at you. "And now she's trying to get out of everything by claiming she's not the pony who did those things."
"But it's the truth." You say. "I'm a clone that Sunset created to help her with her research." You stand your front hooves on the table and turn so the others can see your flank before lifting your cloak. "See. I don't even have my cutie mark yet."
"So you hid your cutie mark?" Polished Silver asks. "Did you paint over it or is this a spell you came up with?"
"Polished Silver." Silver Sales scolds. "Stop antagonizing her." Silver Sales then turns her angry gaze your way. "And as for you young lady. Please sit down. Guest or not, you are in our care and I will have you spending the first day in ponyville locked in the guest room if this behavior continues. Am I understood?"
"But I-"
"Am I understood?"
Your ears droop as you sense the seriousness in her voice. "Yes ma'am."
"Good. Now if you wish to continue this, we can do so later in private."
"What?" Asks Polished Silver. "So you believe her."
"Sunset is a very powerful unicorn. Princess Celesita doesn't just take in anypony as her personal student after all. And we don't know why she was banished from the castle. For all we know, this may be the very reason. Of course we'll have to see a specialist to know for certain if she's telling us the truth."
"A specialist?" You ask with eyes wide open. "Will Celestia find out?"
"Most likely. Yes." Silver Sales answers.
"Yeah." Polished Silver taunts with a grin. "And then we'll all know your a liar."
"Polished Silver." Silver Sales berates. "Go to your room."
"But mom!"
"Do as your mother says." Silver Smith Commands. "Or maybe you would like me to take you outside and have you running laps around the estate."
With pure horror in her eyes, Polished Silver bolts to her room without another word.
Author's Note
And so Twin-Sun begins her journey to ascension.
Chapter 5 - Sun's Trip To Ponyville
Chapter 5 - Sun's Trip To Ponyville
You sit in the train heading for ponyville. Silver Smith sits next to you as you stare out the window watching the far off scenery as it seems to slowly move. Silver Sales sits on the seat in front of you, Polished Silver and Silver Shade sitting on either side of her. Silver Shade stands to peer out the window, his hooves firmly against it.
"So, Sunset. I mean Twin-Sun." Silver Smith begins. Polished Silver huffs and almost voices her argument before a stare from her mother reminds her of what almost happened the last time she went down that road. "Have you given any thought of your future?"
"My future?" You ask as you turn your eyes to his.
"Clone or not, it's never too early to start thinking about your place in the world."
Silver Shade searches through his bag before placing a book into your view, it's cover art featuring an earth pony mare in sunglasses, two long tails sticking out of the short dress she wears. She stands resolute before an ominous building in the distance, the faces of a griffon and a unicorn stallion above said building. The title reads Double-Tail Brazen and the Dangerous Duo.
"Why does she have two tails?" You ask.
"She doesn't. She just wears it in a way that makes it act like two to help her get out of tuff situations. I haven't been able to figure out how to do it yet though."
"That's just fiction." Polished Silver interjects. "Besides your good with magic, so why would you need two tails anyway."
"Your good with magic?" You ask.
"I'm the first unicorn in my class to use telekinesis." Silver Shade brags. "But I didn't get my cutie mark until the day I took Polished Silver's chair from the dinner table and used a spell that made it look like it was still there." Silver Shade gives a snicker before showing you his cutie mark. It features a transparent dagger surrounded by a silver mist.
"I'm pretty sure a dagger implies criminal activity." Polished Silver accuses with a smirk.
"What?" Silver Shade exclaims in offence as Polished Silver laughs in his direction. "No way. I'm gonna be the one stopping the bad guys. You'll see."
"Young lady." Silver Sales warns. "Apologize this instant or when we get to our ponyville home your father will have you running till lunch time."
Polished Silver looks to her father for help. "It was only a joke." Her father pulls out a whistle silently telling her she won't like the punch line. Her ears droop before she looks back to her brother with a sigh. "I'm sorry I called you a criminal."
"Mom says a hero should be forgiving." Silver Shade explains. "So I forgive you."
"That's my little hero." Silver Sales praises as she messes her son's mane before giving his forehead a kiss. Silver Shade gives a laugh at the attention.
"Polished Silver?" You ask "What's your cutie mark look like?"
Polished Silver looks your way "You want to see my cutie mark?"
"Yeah. Yours is the only one I haven't seen yet."
"Please Sunset." She huffs before showing you her cutie mark. "Ringing any bells?" Her cutie mark features a silver ring surrounded by what seems to be a magical aura.
"What's it mean?"
"I may not be as good at magic as my brother, but I still managed to get into Celestia's school for gifted unicorns because of my gift for enchanting objects." She stares back at you. "But then I've never known you to give much interest in other ponies talents. Your pretty good at acting. Maybe you should try joining the drama club."
"Polished Silver behave yourself." Her mother warns. "I'm not warning you again."
At that moment a giant rainbow could be seen spreading across Equestria with the sound of an explosion in the distance.
"Wow." Silver Shade exclaims his hooves again against the window. "Hey mom, what is that?"
"I don't know." Silver Sales answers. "But whatever it is, it looks quite lovely."
"Yeah." You agree, your eyes fixed on the rainbow. "And powerful."
You step out of the train trying to read a map of ponyville you got from a service attendant. "How do you read one of these?" You ask while rubbing your head and turning the map from one position to another in an attempt to make sense of the position of each area on the map.
"Put the map away for now." Silver Smith commands. "I want to get us situated into our ponyville home before we do anything else. I'll teach you how to use it later tonight."
After putting your map away you follow Silver Smith and his family to a house you feel is surprisingly small. "Why is it so small?" You ask.
"Most ponies live in homes around this size." Silver Smith answers. "We just live in an expensively large house back in Canterlot. When we come down here, we like to live like the common ponies to keep our minds in perspective. Besides, it's much cheaper to own two homes like this."
Silver Sales walks up to the door, key in her magic. Turning the key she opens the door to reveal a home as modest on the inside as on the outside. "Come on in everypony." She invites. "Put your things away and wash up. We're eating out for lunch today." Silver Sales looks to Polished Silver. "Polished, show Twin-Sun to her room."
Polished Silver gives an annoyed groan. "Fine." She turns to glare at you. "Follow me miss clone."
You enter to see a moderately sized room. The room is rather plain with nothing much other than a full size bed with a small bed side dresser with a lamp atop it and a large book shelf full of books. "The blanket is double sided." Polished Silver explains. "If you don't like blue, the other side is pink." Polished Silver points to a nearby door within the room which you open to reveal a small restroom, a luxury tub taking up almost half the space. "Mom likes her guests to have plenty of privacy. You'll find the closet right next to the restroom." You leave the restroom to open a closet twice the size of said restroom, clearly telling you Silver Sales priorities.
After taking care of your business, you make your way to the living room to wait for the others. Before you can sit down, you hear a knock at the door. "Delivery for a miss Shimmer." The pony at the door announces.
You open the door with your magic to find a pegasus stallion in a blue uniform. "I'm miss Shimmer." You answer. The stallion gives a sigh before putting a large suitcase aside, pulling out a large bag and draping it over you. In panic, you begin to run around in circles screaming for help before you are stopped by a pair of hooves which soon take the bag off of you to reveal Silver Smith in a black suit.
"What's the meaning of this?" Silver Smith screams at the delivery pony.
"Sorry about that." The delivery pony apologizes. "New law from Prince Blueblood. If a minor answers the door, we are to drape a large bag over them. The bag must not be see threw as per his orders."
"What?!" Silver Smith exclaims. "Why would he make such a law? She could have hurt herself. And what if she couldn't breath in that thing?"
"Believe me sir, we know. We put enchantments on our bags to give the little ones air. Unfortunately, it is the law and we must obey it or lose our jobs. Blueblood already had 3 of my colleagues fired for disobedience. We have already brought this up with Celestia so I doubt it will last much longer."
"I'm guessing Blueblood is trying to look like he cares about the foals, am I right?"
"Most likely sir." The delivery pony collects the bag and gives a large suitcase to Silver Smith. "Have a good day sir." He turns your way. "Again I do apologize little miss."
Silver Sales and her two foals make their way to the door as the delivery pony makes his leave. Silver Sales is wearing a light blue dress. Polished Silver wears a similar dress in yellow. Silver Shade wears an adorable black suit that looks just like his father's. "Who was that?" Silver Sales asks as Silver Smith shuts the door.
"Delivery pony. He brought Miss Shimmer a suit case."
You pick up a letter attached to the suitcase and read aloud. "Some clothes to help you feel more comfortable along with some magazines and toys the sales clerk said a filly your age might enjoy. Love Dad."
You open the case to see at the top a pink dress and a small cardboard box full of cards, the latter of which you watch float over to Silver Shade. "Cool. You got the Rapidash deck. I got the Zebstrika deck" He looks back at you with a grin. "I challenge you to a pokemon battle." Polished Silver gives a small snicker which she muffles with a hoof.
"Maybe later." Silver Smith looks your way. "Take your things to your room for now and you can put them away later."
"And put on that pink dress." Silver Sales insists. "I'm Sure it'll look lovely on you."
Chapter 6 - Sun's Dinner And A Book
Chapter 6 - Sun's Dinner And A Book
You enter a restaurant right behind Silver Smith and his family, the atmosphere somewhat fancy. You can see that while most of the ponies inside are wearing clothes, nopony seems to be wearing clothes quite as fancy as what you and the Silver family are wearing.
"Good afternoon." The pony at the front desk greets. "A table for four I presume?"
"Five this time." Silver Smith responds.
"Very good monsieur Smith." The pony beckons another to him. "Take our guests to their seats."
"Follow me." The waiter takes you all to a table sat in the middle of the room and we are given five menus. "And what can I get you all to drink?"
"Waters all around." Silver Smith answers. "And I would like a glass of cider."
"I'll take a cider as well." Silver Sales announces.
"Apple juice." Silver Shade proclaims.
After You and Polished Silver decide water is enough for the two of you, the waiter sets off to get your drinks. After which you begin to look around and notice other ponies staring. "Is it normal for everypony to stare at us like this?" You ask.
"Don't worry too much about it." Silver Sales says. "We aren't just here to eat but also to let the ponies know we are in town."
You look to Silver Sales. "Is that why you wanted me to wear the dress?"
"That, and I do think you look lovely in it." You give a small blush and look away. "If you're uncomfortable with this we can go back to the house, we can leaves these clothes at home and go somewhere else to eat."
You shake your head vigorously. "No. I don't want to ruin things for you like that."
"Perhaps you can go to the ladies room and remove your own clothes before we eat?" Silver Smith offers.
"No." Silver Sales argues. "That would single her out from the rest of us and would only make the problem worse."
Silver Smith put his hoof to his chin in thought. "Perhaps we should have discussed our plans with you before we had left. I do apologize for putting you in this situation. To make it up to you, how about we find ourselves a nice shop in town when we are done eating and I'll let you buy anything you want, within reason of course."
"Do we get to buy anything too?" Silver Shade asks.
Silver Smith gives a nod. "Within reason, yes." Silver Shade gives a large grin at this news.
"What's all of this for anyway?" You ask.
"Every year we come down to ponyville to sell less fortunate ponies cheaper jewelry the rich ponies would never except. We polish them and make them as pretty as possible so the less fortunate feel like it's something like what rich ponies buy. This way, ponies who normally can't afford it can buy our merchandise."
"Why do you sell bad jewelry to ponies?"
"It's not that it's bad. Rich ponies like to buy things most ponies can't. You make something pretty expensive enough and rich ponies will buy it to feel superior to others. Every now and then you take what is too low of quality for them and reduce the price and ponies with less feel like they bought something normally reserved for the rich. Of course some ponies prefer our products to have utility, which is where my wife comes in."
Silver Sales gives a smile before embracing Polished Silver in a hug. "I'm good with enchanting, but my daughter will soon be better than me."
Polished Silver gives a blush and a shrug. "I'm still learning."
The waiter comes back and serves you and the Silver Family your drinks before taking your orders.
After paying the bill Silver Smith walks up to the front desk with us close behind. The pony at the desk gives Silver Smith a coupon book. "20 25% off coupons each for any one meal at our restaurant as usual."
Silver Smith gives the pony a nod. "Thank you my good stallion." As you and the Silver family walk down the road Silver Smith asks. "Anypony have an idea of where we should go?"
"Can we go to the toy store?" Silver Shade asks.
"I'd rather go to a book store." Offers Polished Silver.
Silver Smith looks your way. "Where do you want to go?"
"A book store sounds nice." You answer.
"Aaaawwww." Silver Shade cries.
Silver Smith picks up Silver Shade in his magic and places him on his back. "If you want to go to the toy store that badly, I'll take you while your mother takes the girls to the book store."
Silver Shade gives his father a hug. "I love you dad."
"I love you too son." Silver Smith gives his wife a kiss. "Do you want to meet back at the house or at the town center?"
"I'll meet you back at the house my sweet." Answers Silver Sales.
"As you wish my sunflower."
"Welcome to Ginger Treat's Books and Snacks." The mare at the counter welcomes as you enter the store, Silver Sales and Polished Silver already inside. "We are having a sale, buy two books get one free."
Silver Sales turns around to address you and Polished Silver. "The two of you go ahead and look around and find some books you like, and you can get some snacks too if you want." Silver Sales looks to Polished Silver. "And if I catch you fighting you'll be leaving with nothing."
You split up from the others and search through one end of the book section as Polished Silver searches the other. You see many books in the fiction isle ranging from high fantasy to science fiction and even some pokemon books that remind you of the cards Silver Shade seemed so interested in. You see a fantasy book depicting a giant fire breathing wolf, a what looks like a sea pony with a horn surrounded by a sphere of water, and a dragon pony hybrid standing on two hooves and wielding a lance in it's two claws. It's wings seem to be that of a pegasus and it is covered in high tech armor. With your interest peaked, you look at the title reading Monster Team Alpha. Book in hoof you then move to non-fiction.
In the non-fiction section you find books about athletes and how to become an athlete, books about history and historical artifacts, and books about all kinds of skills you can learn.
An employee walks your way. "Can I help you with anything ma'am." He asks.
You give some thought before asking your question. "Do you have anything that can teach me how to read a map?"
"Follow me." The employee walks to another isle of the non-fiction section before pulling out a book. "I think you could make use of this book." He gives you a book on camping for beginners. "It'll give you plenty of information on how to read a map and even how to make your own compass, which will be quite essential for any map."
"Thank you, but do you have anything more direct?"
The employee turns back around to search through the books again and pulls out a book on map reading and navigation. "This book will teach you everything you need to know about the more advanced stuff."
You look down to the book and ponder on whether or not you need anything else. "I think this is all I need, thanks for the help."
"Very well ma'am, have a good day."
"You too."
As you walk up to the counter you see Silver Sales talking to Ginger Treat. "Did you find everything you need?" Asks Ginger Treat.
"I think so." You answer as you give her the books you want.
Polished Silver walks over to give her own finds to the sales pony.
"Does anypony want to get a snack for later?" Silver Sales asks. You pick up a bag of taffy and show it to Silver Sales as Polished Silver takes a bag of chips. "Put them on the counter. And I'll take a three extra bags of taffy for me, my husband, and my son."
As Silver Sales pays for the books and snacks you see something that catches your eye. "What's that?" You ask, pointing a hoof at said item.
"This?" Ginger Treat asks bringing the item closer into view. Laying on the counter is a metal medallion with a purple six sided star engraved into it, a twine string strung through a hole at the end of one of the stars points. "It's just a hearths warming ornament. The symbol represents magic. We are throwing them away to make way for new products so you can have it for free if you really want it."
"Thank you ma'am." You thank her as you pick up the ornament to take a closer look at it.
Silver Sales opens the bag now containing your books in front of you. "Lets put that away until later." You put the ornament in the bag and follow Silver Sales home, Polished Silver close behind.
Back at the Silver's home Silver Smith and Silver Shade are already home. Silver Shade is playing with a pegasus guard toy you presume to be new while Silver Smith looks up from a book he is reading before coming your way.
"Did you girls find anything interesting." Silver Smith asks.
"Fantasy and romance books." Polished Silver announces.
You pull the ornament out of the bag. "I found this."
Silver Smith looks over the item. "Is this a hearths warming ornament?"
You put the ornament around your neck. "I got it as a symbol of my new policy."
"Policy?" Silver Smith asks before he remembers. "Oh I suppose you took our talk seriously then didn't you? Do you have this policy of yours written on a paper I could see?"
"Yes." You answer as you hoof him said paper.
He looks over your policy before giving a nod of approval. "I like it, but I'm going to have to ask you to leave most of the protecting to the adults for now." He looks over your ornament again before giving back your policy. "Would you mind if I spruce up that amulet of yours? Something with such a meaning behind it deserves better than twine."
Author's Note
Twin-Sun gets a new ornament to wear around her neck in commemoration of her new policy. The power of hearths warming completes you.
Chapter 7 Play Time With The Sun
Chapter 7 Play Time With The Sun
You lie on the guest room bed as you look down at the ornament you recently obtained, it's twine string replaced with a much stronger and more beautiful silver chain courtesy of Silver Smith. The ornament it's self has been polished and protected with an anti-stick enchantment to keep it clean along with the chain.
You place the ornament back around your neck and begin reading the book on map reading and navigation Silver Sales had bought you. With how much knowledge Sunset left you with on studying, you find that you don't really need to use the book on camping for it's easier map reading lessons. Still, you think to yourself, you might find need of it for other things. Learning how to make your own compass might come in handy.
Pulling out your map of ponyville, you begin to make sense of things as you find the compass symbol on the map, the symbols indicating destinations, and the names and numbers for the streets. You then locate the Everfree forest and begin to plan a route.
As you finish your plans you hear the door open and look up to see Silver Shade enter the room with a toy castle on his back. "Wanna play with me?" He asks as he sets the castle in front of the bed.
"What are you playing?" You ask as you leave the bed for a closer look at the castle.
"Guards and monsters." He opens the castle to reveal a playset. A Celestia figure stands on a throne with three guards, each one a different tribe, below her in a room you think is ment for training. Two wooden wolves along with a large star covered bear are found in another section which opens to look like a forest. The other section opens to reveal a dungeon which houses a pony in a dark cloak and a three headed dog.
Silver Shade takes the hooded pony and hoofs it to you. "He's the bad guy who controls the monsters." He explains before giving you the monsters and taking the soldiers for himself. "Your the evil pony and the monsters and I'm the guards who save the day."
"Sounds fun." You agree as you grab the hooded pony and a wooden wolf with your hooves.
"Oh and mom says using your magic when playing is good practice." He demonstrates by lifting the guards from his hooves with his magic and placing them on the ground still in his magic and ready for battle, plastic swords and spears at the ready.
You reply by placing the figures in your own hooves on the ground and enveloping them in magic along with the other wooden wolf. "Surrender now." You demand, while you have the hooded pony walk in front of the wolves. "With my army of monsters I'm going to put Celestia in the dungeons and take Equestria for myself."
"I don't think so." The unicorn guard shouts. "We are the royal guards and heroes of Equestria. If you want to hurt the princess you'll have to get through us first."
"As you wish heroes. Attack the guards my pets." As you give the command, your two wooden wolves race from behind you straight for the guards. One attacks the pegasus while the other attacks the earth pony.
"We're not afraid of your timber wolves evil doer." The unicorn proclaims. "For Equestria." As the other two ponies defend their home and princess from the timber wolves, the unicorn charges toward the hooded pony. Plastic meets plastic as the unicorn and the hooded pony cross swords. "Evil never wins. Give up now and maybe we can reduce your sentence."
"Never!" The hooded pony bellows before casting a lightning spell on the earth pony. "Get the princess." You command as the timber wolf now free of enemies make for the castle.
"No!" The unicorn calls out. "Don't worry, I got this." The pegasus proclaims as he leaves the timber wolf to make his way for a ballista and aiming it at the timber wolf running toward the castle. "Your not coming any closer to our princess." The pegasus fires a large bolt straight at the timber wolf removing it from combat.
"Nooo!" You shout.
The pegasus moves to the other timber wolf along with the earth pony and take that one out too before making their way to the hooded pony. "Surrender now evil doer."
"It's not over yet." You warn them as a giant bear covered in stars stomps up behind you.
Before the battle can go any further Silver Sales enters the room. "It's about time for dinner everypony." She announces. "Put your toys away and get ready to eat."
"Can we play a little longer. We just got to the battle with the ursa."
"Alright but try to hurry. You have school tomorrow."
And so the battle continued with the ursa ultimately defeated and the hooded pony once again behind bars.
You sit at the table eating another meal with your hosts when Silver Smith asks. "Silver Shade, I hear you were playing with Twin-Sun earlier."
"Yeah." Silver Shade admits with pride. "We had a lot of fun."
"He didn't interrupt anything did he?" Silver Sales asks.
"No." You answer. "I had already finished when he asked me to play."
"Are you working on something?" Silver Smith asks.
You look up at him with a little gilt in your eyes mixed with a bit of fear. You ask yourself whether or not you should admit what you're up to when his glare sharpens, causing your ears to droop back. With tears in your eyes you decide to come clean. "I've been learning how to read maps."
"Your eyes tell me there is more."
You begin pressing your hooves together as you slouch in your seat. "I drew up a route to get to the everfree."
"I told you I would hire somepony for that didn't I?"
You slouch further. "Yes."
"Stop slouching and sit straight." Silver Sales admonishes. You do as she says and look straight into Silver Smith's disapproving eyes.
"I'm still willing to hire somepony for the job." Silver Smith adds. But if I find out you've gone in the forest without permission, I'll ground you for the whole time we're here and send you're father a letter."
You nod your head. "Yes sir."
"You made a good policy Twin-Sun. We can't just pick and choose when we get to abide by our policy. Otherwise what does it really mean?"
You give Silver Smith a questioning look before glancing down at the amulet around your neck as you hold it in your hooves.
"Polished Silver." Silver Sales addresses. "I'm putting you in charge while me and your father are gone tomorrow."
"What?!" Polished Silver exclaims. "You mean I have to watch her?"
Silver Smith nods. "After this I'm not sure We can completely trust her not to go in the forest." You droop your ears again at this news.
"Why don't the two of you find something fun to do together." Silver Sales suggests. "And please try to get along."
You look up with clear interest. "Can we go to the library?"
"Are you looking for more information on how to get to the forest?" Silver Smith asks.
You shake your head vigorously. "I want to know more about clones."
Polished Silver rolls her eyes.
"That sounds fine." Silver Sales answers. "Polished Silver, do you have anything you would like to do tomorrow?"
Polished Silver gives it some thought. "Can we go to the spa?"
"Is that okay with you honey?" Silver Sales asks her husband.
"Yes that's fine." Silver Smith answers. "Sounds like we've all got a plan. And Twin-Sun. I'll be needing a hair from you to take to the specialist tomorrow. It's necessary to find out whether or not you are indeed a clone."
"Um." You remember Sunset's warning about Celestia and how the specialist will be informing her. "Do you think maybe we could wait a while for that?"
Silver Smith gives you a confused look. "I suppose we could wait a day or two. But we can't wait too long. There are laws about this sort of thing Twin-Sun."
Your eyes go wide. "Laws?"
"Yes laws. now lets finish our dinner. And Twin-Sun." You look back to Silver Smith. "When we're done, I'm taking you to a friends place so they can explain to you just why the forest is so dangerous."
Later that night Silver Smith takes you down to the local farm to have the Apple family tell a story about timber wolves that leaves you shivering in Silver Smith's hooves. A mother and father sit on a couch with their recently born filly in hoof and their older son and daughter on the floor as they all listen to the older mare tell her story. That night as she tells her tale, a group of timber wolves venture outside the forest. The timber wolves are scared off by a certain phoenix on a mission. The phoenix makes it's way back to it's partner for said mission, a mare in golden armor.
"Did you find her?"
The phoenix answers with a majestic caw and a nod.
"Good. We need to send word to the princess at once." Taking a letter out from a satchel in her magic she writes a short message before the phoenix sets it on fire. The embers make their way to Canterlot.
Chapter 8 - Sun-Mare Oranges
Chapter 8 - Sun-Mare Oranges
You find yourself walking through the everfree forest, the moon high over the night sky. You look back to your notes to recall the ingredients you came for. With the information firmly memorized, you switch your notes out for a map and a makeshift compass.
"According to my notes, most of the ingredients can be found close to the edge of the forest." You remind yourself.
Walking past trees and through bushes, you walk deeper and deeper into the forest. Your trek finally bears fruit when you come across the first ingredient. "There you are." You remark as you pluck and inspect your prize before placing it in your saddle bag. "One down, and the Apples made this sound dangerous."
You look behind yourself to see any hint of the outside world vanish as the forest seems to expand and surround you all at once. As your breath quickens, you turn your head from one end of the forest to another trying to find an exit. You hear rustling in the bushes and quickly turn in an attempt to find what made the noise. "Whose there?"
With an understanding of how stupid it was to give away your position like that rushing to your brain, you immediately fall to the ground as silently as you can and hide amongst the grass as timber wolves seemingly jump out of nowhere and begin to survey the area.
"Timber wolves." You think to yourself. "Like from Granny Smiths story?" Filled with fear and tears beginning to form in your eyes, you begin to recall her tale and think what might come of you. Before you can fall any deeper into despair you shake your head furiously. "No. I have to get out of this."
You begin searching for an escape and find a far off cave. "If I can make it there I can cast some fire spells on them without fear of the others taking me from the sides." With a plan in mind, you teleport as close to the cave as you can before making a run for it as fast as you can manage."
No need to look behind you, it takes only a few howls and the sound of wooden paws beating the ground to know you are being followed. Luckily you had teleported close enough to the cave that it took only moments for you to reach the entrance and begin casting fire spells at the timber wolves, making short work of them.
After you feel you are safe enough, you plop your flank to the cave floor for a well deserved rest and let out a sigh of relief. "Maybe coming out here on my own wasn't such a great idea after all." Unfortunately you would not get to ponder this much longer, as you hear from behind you, the breathing of what you can only presume is a large creature.
You stand to your hooves and turn your body to see what is behind you. Standing there only less than a yard in front of you is a giant bear made of stars. Before you can say or do anything, a pony dressed in black with a black hooded robe walks in from behind the ursa. "So you managed to make quick work of my timber wolves did you?" She askes in a surprisingly melodic voice.
You step back only fear resulting from hearing such a voice. "It can't be."
"Oh but it can." She says as she takes off her hood to reveal herself as none other than Princess Celestia. She points her hoof at you accusingly. "Get the clone!" With a terrifying roar, the Ursa lunges at you claws first.
You scream at the top of your lungs as you sit up in your bed. Before you can calm down, you hear running coming from outside your room as the door shoots open, Silver Smith bursting into your room. "What happened?" He asks with concern on his face.
You finally begin to calm down as realisation sets in. "I just had a nightmare is all." With a forced smile, you try to convince him that it's no big deal. Unfortunately, the tears falling from your eyes give away your true feelings about your situation.
Unconvinced, Silver Smith turns to his wife. "Do you think you can help her, I imagine it would be easier for her to work through this with a little girl time."
Silver Sales gives a confident nod. "Of course dear."
As Silver Sales enters the room Silver Smith looks to his own foals who had come to see what the noise was about. "As for you two, it's almost morning, so we might as well start getting ready."
With a scowl Polished Silver leaves to her room as Silver Shade looks to his father. "Is she going to be okay?" Silver Shade asks.
"Don't worry son. She just had a nightmare. Now go get ready for school." With a nod Silver shade leaves for his room.
Silver Sales conjures a hoofkerchief to wipe away your tears. "Would you mind making some room for me?" You scoot to the side of the bed and Silver Sales lays herself beside you before opening her forlegs, inviting you to snuggle. "Care to talk about it?" She asks as you embrace her.
"Remember how Silver Smith told me not to go in the forest?" You ask.
"That was a dream. What we do in dreams is of little concern to reality."
"I know. I just ment that I still had thoughts of going anyway."
"Are those thoughts still there?"
You end your embrace and lay yourself back into Silver Sales before fidgeting with your hooves. "Kind of." You admit. "But they aren't as loud anymore."
"Good." She praises.
"Princess Celestia attacked me in my dream. I think I felt betrayed, and I don't understand why."
"Well, I'd feel pretty betrayed too if the princess attacked me for no reason."
"But I don't even know her. And I don't think I've been around long enough to see her as much of anything yet, have I?"
"Maybe it's because of memories Sunset passed onto you." She provides as she leaves the bed. "Now why don't we get you in the shower so you can wash the rest of those bad thoughts away."
You hop out of bed with a chuckle and a nod. "Yes Ma'am."
Silver Sales opens the door, steps out of your room and points down the hall. "The bathroom is just over there." She then looks your way quizzically. "Do you know how to use a shower Twin-Sun?"
"Sunset's dad had a maid give me a bath before I came to your place. Are showers any different?"
"They are similar." After teaching you to turn the shower on and off she then leaves for the door. "Expect me and my husband to be gone when you get out. And please try to get along with our daughter."
"Yes ma'am." You agree before Silver Sales leaves you to your shower.
As you step out of the bathroom refreshed and ready for the day, you smell an aroma that leads you to the kitchen where you find Polished Silver and Silver Shade eating pancakes. You sit in front of a free plate of the sweet breakfast item you presume to be for you before plunging your fork in for the first bite.
"Good aren't they?" Asks Silver Shade.
You give a nod of agreement. "Very."
"The day spa doesn't open till 10:00 AM." Polished Silver explains. "On the other hoof, the library opens at 8:00 AM. I'd rather relax at the spa before we head to the library." She then stares in your direction. "If you want to go to the library first, we leave at 10:00 and we won't be going back." At this she looks back to her food and takes a bite.
"I don't think I'll need a lot of time." You answer. "I know the kind of book I need, and I'll just ask for help finding it."
Polished Silver gives an annoyed sigh. "Fine. Just remember, we won't be going back, so you'd better find what you want before 10:00. And if your just getting 1 book, I'll let you use my library card so we can leave as soon as possible." Polished Silver looks to Silver Shade as he finishes his last pancake. "You better get going before your late Silver Shade."
Silver Shade swallows the last of his orange juice before hopping off the chair and walking to a nearby closet. "Bye Oranges. See you later."
"Oranges?" You ask.
"Yeah, cause if you put two suns together, they look like oranges."
Polished Silver bursts out laughing. "Oranges. that's the perfect nickname for you. I don't know why I hadn't thought of it."
You give a huff and look back at Silver Shade who opens the closet door and walks inside. "Silver Shade, what are you doing?" You exclaim as you run over to see him step on a small round platform in the middle of said closet.
"Bye Oranges." Silver Shade waves before you watch him vanish right before your eyes.
You look back to Polished Silver in surprise. "You weren't kidding when you said he was good with magic. He just teleported. And at his age."
Polished Silver rolls her eyes. "C'mon Oranges. Don't tell me you've never heard of a teleport pad. Surely your dad has one."
"Stop calling me Oranges. And how many times do I have to tell you I'm not Sunset?"
Polished Silver folds her hooves together. "I don't see why I should believe you are who you say you are unless you can give me proof. And I'm not gonna stop calling you Oranges, it's just too perfect a nickname for the so called Twin-Sun Shimmer."
Author's Note
I hope you all like oranges. I rewrote some of this chapter to make things line up better.
Chapter 9 - Sun's Potion Lesson
Chapter 9 - Sun's Potion Lesson
"Here is your book ma'am." The librarian hoofs you a book titled everything you need to know about clones and shape shifters. "Will that be all for you ladies?"
"Yes." You answer. "This will be perfect. Thank you."
"Your very welcome. You may read at one of our tables. Please return it here when you are finished."
Polished Silver takes a plastic card in her magic which she sends to the librarian.
The librarian takes the card and writes it's information in a book before levitating the card back to her. "Please return it within 1 month."
"Thank you." You thank Polished Silver as you smile at her.
Polished Silver rolls her eyes as she walks with you out of the library. "Don't think I did this for you Oranges. I've got better things to do than sit around a library all day."
"Oh. Okay." You reply as your smile vanishes.
The two of you then go to the day spa, spending an hour getting yourselves pampered.
As the two of you make your way home, an earth pony mare trots your way with a question. "Hello there young lady, might you be Twin-Sun Shimmer by any chance?"
"Yes, that's my name." You answer. "Who are you?"
"My name is Potion Brew. A pony named Silver Smith hired me to gather ingredients for you."
Your smile returns in full force. "And you got them already?"
"Actually. I had them in stock when he came to me. However, when I realized what they would most likely be used for I had asked your father to let me tutor you a bit, to prevent any unwanted side effects."
"Side effects?!" You exclaim as you look over your notes. "I don't remember reading about any side effects."
Potion Brew holds a hoof out towards you. "Mind if I take a look?" You give her your notes. "Just as I thought. You didn't bother to read far enough to get to the side effects did you?"
You rub your neck with a hoof in embarrassment. "Umm. I didn't really want to be around that place too long and just wrote down what I thought I would need."
Potion Brew gives a sigh. "Ponies your age are too eager to finish their work far too quickly. When it comes to brewing potions, a mistake made because of impatience can cost you dearly." Your ears droop as she scolds you. "Now, your father payed good money, so let's get you home so we can begin."
"Yes ma'am." You agree.
"Bye the way." Polished Silver interrupts. "Silver Smith is my father. Oranges here is just a guest."
"Oranges?" Potion Brew asks with a puzzled look.
With a grown and a face hoof you answer. "It's a nickname she likes to use."
"Do you have any proof my father employed you?" Polished Silver asks. Potion Brew produces a paper proving her claim. "We were on our way home just now. Would you follow us and teach her at my place?"
The three of you soon get to your host's home. Potion Brew begins setting up her equipment, all the while explaining the process and any safety measures to you. "Now before we begin we are going to need to do a few things." She explains.
"What do I do first?" You ask with confidence.
"First, we put on our protective goggles." She answers hoofing you a pair of goggles before putting a pair of her own around her eyes. "Next, we measure."
"Measure?" You ask.
"Yes, measure. And before we measure, we must first know how much of our ingredients will effect us in what way." The surprised look on your face tells Potion Brew, you never gave that any thought. "Did nopony teach you any of this when you began your studies?"
"Mom was more of a magic pony than a potion pony and I just decided I wanted to make a potion I read about."
"So you have no idea how this will effect you?"
"It'll make me younger, right?" You ask with a nervous smile."
"Yes, but it will also make you older."
You give her a confused look. "How does that work?"
"Your body is not the only thing that ages as you grow older, your innate magic does as well."
"Innate magic?"
"Yes, your innate magic is a form of magic we are all born with, separate from our residual magic. You see it is our innate magic which interacts with the thaumic energy around us that makes the residual magic we typically use to cast spells. However it is our innate magic that naturally controls how we age."
"So we age because of magic?"
"No. As we grow older our innate magic reduces the effects of the aging process by half until our bodies reach the age of 25. Can you tell me how old you would be at this point?"
"25?"
"No." She answers with a shake of her head. "Remember, your innate magic has your body age at half the natural rate."
You smile at your realisation. "So I'd be 50."
"Exactly." Potion Brew gives a nod of approval. "And after this our innate magic stops the aging process all together for the next 125 years. And after that a ponies innate magic will stop influencing age, too old to do so any longer, it just focuses on creating residual magic."
"How long do ponies live after they start aging again?"
Potion Brew puts a hoof to her chin. "I'd say ponies typically live another 60 to 75 years after."
"Wow." You reply in astonishment.
"We're getting off topic now. I'm only telling you all this because this potion of yours uses the innate magic as a power source."
"Why can't the potion use my residual magic?" You ask.
"Of course, you can make a potion that uses the residual magic, but these aren't permanent like potions that use the innate magic. We don't completely understand why this is, but many theorize that potions like these are best when you use the innate magic because of it's natural effects on the age of a pony. You can also cast spells, but just like potions, they aren't permanent unless they use the target's innate magic."
"I think I understand."
Potion Brew gives another approving nod. "Typically, for every year you restore to your body, your innate magic loses a year. So you see, you get a year younger but at the same time, you lose a year you would have other wise have had to live. And then you have to consider the fact that twice as much innate magic is used to age the body at half speed than is used to keep it at the same age. So you see reducing the body's age below the point it stops aging will mean losing more than just a year of your life."
You give a gulp at this new knowledge. "Oh." However you soon calm down as you remember your quest to become an alicorn. "Do alicorns age the same way?"
"I'm pretty sure they are immortal, but they definitely live a lot longer than the average pony. So tell me little one. Knowing all of this, are you sure this is the potion you want to make?"
You give a confident nod. "Yes, I'm sure."
"Let me be honest with you. I told you all those things to convince you to try some other potion. This potion is dangerous kid."
"Don't worry too much about Oranges." Polished Silver interjects. "She's apparently a clone or something."
"A clone?" Potion Brew asks.
You give a sigh and decide you might as well tell her. "Yes, but I don't want to be my creators clone." You look into Potion Brew's eyes with renewed vigour. "I want to be her daughter."
Potion Brew looks back into your eyes seeing nothing but honesty. "I believe clones are created with the same amount of innate magic a new born foal would be born with. In that case there are only two more questions I must ask before we begin." You give her your full attention. "How old are you and how much younger do you wish to be?"
You search your mind for information on Sunset's age. "I'm 26, and I want to be 10 years younger."
"Only 10?"
"I want to be young enough to be her daughter, but old enough to be useful."
"So if we want to reduce your age by 10 years, how many years do we reduce the age of the body?"
You think back to what you were just taught. "5 years." You answer with enthusiasm.
"Good." Potion Brew praises. "And remember, that's 5 years off your innate magic. And on top of that, your innate magic will have another 5 years it will have to age your body at half the natural rate. Over all, that's 10 years you won't get to live in this world. Are you willing to accept that?"
"Yes, I am." You answer with confidence.
"Very well. I'm going to start you off with a few easier and cheaper potions." Potion Brew starts by teaching how much of which ingredients will have what type of and how much of an effect on you. "Remember that precision is key." Unfortunately, your first attempt had resulted in a small explosion. "Slow down, it's not a race."
It takes nearly a few hours, but eventually Potion Brew decides you are ready for the age reduction potion. "I did it!" You exclaim in excitement, as you hold out your creation for all to see.
"Good job Twin-Sun, you are quite the fast learner aren't you?"
"My mom taught me how to study."
"I see she did a wonderful job. Where is she now? I would like to congratulate her on raising such a lovely filly."
Your mood lowers a bit at this. "Well, she created me to find information here while she looks elsewhere, so I don't really know where she is right now."
"Oh." Potion Brew's own mood drops as she remembers you are a clone. "Umm. Twin-Sun..." You look up at Potion Brew as she is about to ask a question. A question you will never hear as she seems to perk up perhaps thinking it would be better not to ask. "Never mind. why don't you go play while I clean up our mess."
You shake your head. "No. I want to help."
"Very well." Potion Brew agrees with a chuckle. "You let me handle the glass and flammables and you can take care of the rest."
"Yes ma'am."
After clean up, Potion Brew gives you enough ingredients to make another age potion. "Silver Smith payed good money for your supplies and tutoring and I can't leave you with less than what was payed for. And here is a list of potions to practice with. Their ingredients are quite common around Equestria, so you should be able to find plenty to finetune your brewing."
"Thank you." You thank Potion Brew with a quick hug as she pats you on the back.
"I can already tell you'll become a great potion pony, and I'd love to see the mare you become someday. But, I do have my own business to take care of and I must get going."
"I understand." You let go and watch her walk away.
Before she leaves the property, she turns to give one last statement. "I hope your mother sees what a wonderful daughter she's made, one of these days."
You give a confused look, thinking to yourself "How can she not already know?" However, you don't get much time to ponder this as you spot a golden chariot heading your direction. With full knowledge of who must be on said chariot, you slam the door shut. "SHE KNOWS WHERE I LIVE!"
Author's Note
I rewrote some of this chapter to make things line up better.
Chapter 10 - Visit From Sun Princess
Chapter 10 - Visit From Sun Princess
Polished Silver walks over to ask. "What are you talking about now Oranges?"
With your back and forlegs barricading the door, you look to Polished Silver with a panicked look. "Princess Celestia! She knows I'm here."
Polished Silver walks to a nearby window. Moving the curtains aside, she peers outside to see Celestia herself walking toward her home, a phoenix perched on one of her legs, and a female unicorn guard at her side carrying a bird cage in her magic. "Wow!" She exclaims with excitement in her voice. "It really is the princess."
"Please." You beg with pleading eyes. "You have to make her go away."
Polished Silver rolls her eyes. "You really think I'm going to miss a chance to meet the princess herself. Besides, you should know by now that I'm not going to believe the clone lies. I don't care how much you try to fool yourself or others. I'll never believe it."
Before you can give a response you hear a knock at the door. "Hello." You hear the princess call out. "Is anypony home? I'm looking for a pony by the name of Sunset Shimmer. If you're in their Sunset, I want you to know your not in trouble, I just want to speak with you."
Polished Silver looks to you. You give her a shake of your head to tell her no. "I'm sorry princess, but the door doesn't seem to want to open at the moment." You give a sigh of relief before you see a mischievous look cross Polished Silver's face renewing your dread. "I'm going to have to ask you to teleport yourself inside please."
"Very well. Please stay as close to the walls as possible. I would like to avoid any accidents."
You run as fast as you can and close your room door before you hear Celestia pop into your host's home. You begin searching through your things for a dress to wear.
Polished Silver enters your room with a smirk still on her muzzle. "What are you doing Oranges? The princess herself came all this way to see you, and you just run straight to your room?"
You put a pink top on before following it with an orange skirt that has a pink and yellow streak running down one side. "I can't let her see I don't have a cutie mark. She'll know right away what I am."
"A liar."
You look back at her with a serious expression. "Look I get it. You don't like me, and you don't believe me. But I can't let her see that I don't have a cutie mark.
"Your talent was magic, right? So why not just cast some magic and get your cutie mark back already."
"Thinking back on it." You think to yourself. "It does seem possible that I would have the same talent, especially when considering what she wants me to do." You walk to the book shelf and telekinetically pick out a book on magic. Turning the pages you stop on teleportation. You recall teleporting from Celestia when you were escaping her castle, and teleporting away from those timber wolves in the forest. Of course, the first incident felt more like instinct than anything else, and the second was only a dream. Still you can see how this spell could be useful in the future.
Closing your eyes, you recall the spell as best you can. However, the information just doesn't come as easy as with other things. "I guess I have to learn the harder things without mom's help." You admit with a sigh.
Polished Silver taps her hoof to the floor. "You done yet Oranges?"
"Do I have to go out there?"
"You're not getting out of this. If you don't go to her I'll bring her to you. Your choice."
You gulp down as much of your fear as you can. "F-fine I'm going."
"Good. I'll meet you out there."
As she walks out the door, you begin thinking of how you might pass yourself off as Sunset. Looking back to the book you had picked out you presume that maybe if you just study most if not all of the time, Celestia might not even realize you aren't her. "I don't have any better ideas, so it'll have to do." With the book firmly in your magic, you give one last gulp before leaving your room.
You enter the kitchen to see Celestia sitting at the table with an excited Polished Silver on the other end asking the princess questions. Looking to the stove, you see a guard preparing food and a phoenix in a bird cage preening it's feathers. "I-I can come back later, if I'm interrupting."
Celestia stands from her seat and walks to you, a smile on her face. "No Sunset, I came to speak with you. Please, sit with us."
"Thank you princess." You thank her with a bow.
"Well now. Who are you and what have you done with my Sunset?"
"W-What?" You fearfully look up to the princess, sweat beginning to form on your face as your book hits the floor. "Did she really catch on to me that quickly?" You question in your head. "What do I do now?"
Princess Celestia gives a laugh. "Oh relax Sunset. I'm only teasing you." She gestures for you to rise before moving in for a hug. "But seriously Sunset, I am very proud of you. Only a few days and already you seem to be learning."
Polished Silver rolls her eyes. "Please, for all we know it's just an act to get back into your good graces."
Celestia sits back into her seat and magically moves another seat close to herself before gesturing you to sit in it. "Perhaps, but I am willing to give her the benefit of the doubt."
You pick your book up off the floor and place it on the table as you sit in the seat offered to you and begin to think to yourself again. "She thinks Sunset has changed? Maybe I don't have to keep myself withdrawn from her. Then again if she thinks she changed to quickly... Why did she send her away for any way? Maybe I could ask? No that would definitely be suspicious."
"Sunset, are you alright?" Celestia asks worriedly.
You snap out of your thoughts and open your book to the section on teleportation. "Yes, I'm fine. I'm just thinking is all."
"And what are you studying, if I may ask?"
You look back to Celestia realizing that she probably believes Sunset knows the spell you're learning, given that you used it in front of her. Still, seeing as she seems ready to give you leeway, you decide to take a chance. "I'm studying teleportation." You look back to your book and begin studying. You begin to think it might not hurt to have a teachers help before you then realize that it might not be a good idea to give her more reasons to think you know less then you should.
"Would you like some help Sunset?" Celestia's smile falls as you look up to give her a look that tells her you are worried it might be a bad idea to say yes. "Or I can leave you alone to study on your own."
You begin to question to yourself. "Maybe I'm being too paranoid. Maybe Mom was wrong about her." With hesitation, you decide to take another chance and voice your decision. "No. I'd like your help.
Celestia smiles and takes a seat next to you. "I see you've had somepony put your cutie mark on your top." You flinch at the word cutie mark. Looking down, you see that your mother's cutie mark is engraved on your shirt. Your eyes water as the shirt you're wearing reminds you of her. "Are you alright Sunset?" Celestia asks with concern.
You rub your eyes, and look back at Celestia with a smile. "I'm fine. Just thinking about the past."
Celestia embraces you in a hug and brushes your mane with a wing. "Don't worry Sunset. I've already forgiven you, and I'm sure everypony else will too, once you've shown them you've changed.
A pang of guilt tells you it is wrong to let her believe you are somepony you aren't. However, your mother's words, along with Silver Smith's talk of Laws remind you that this is about survival. "Surely harmony can't be too mad at me for lying if it's for survival, right?" You ask yourself. "Until I know for sure Celestia won't kill me when she finds out what I am, I can't risk it.
The guard places three meals on the table. "Enjoy your meal." She bows to Celestia before letting the phoenix out of it's cage and feeding it some bird seed. She then moves herself to another seat where she can eat her own meal while keeping watch over her princess.
Celestia magics three forks over to herself and the two fillies at the table. "Let us eat for now and we will study when we are done."
The information Sunset left you may not be enough to allow you to cast the spell instantly, but it makes learning it easier, as if she were here helping Celestia teach you. Still the lesson goes on for quite some time as you attempt to make sense of the spell. You try to pass your lack of knowledge off as trying to review the lesson in order to better understand the spell. Hours pass and finally you begin to feel as though you have it down.
You get up from your seat and focus on the other end of the room, readying your magic for the spell. "Here goes nothing."
"Remember to focus on nothing but your target destination. We don't want any accidents."
With Celestia's warning a new bit of information enters your brain, slightly distracting you from your casting. Unfortunately at that very moment Philomena had decided to prank the guard, dumping a few seeds down the neck of her armor before flying around the room to avoid capture. The small distraction in your head was enough that you didn't notice the guard finding herself directly in the line of fire right as you had cast the spell.
You vanish from your position, only for a cyan and gold magic bubble to appear where the guard had been, the two colors swirling erratically as the bubble expands and contracts just as randomly.
Celestia grabs Polished Silver in her magic and places Philomena back in her cage and ducks under the table with them. "Stay under the table and stay low." She commands.
Celestia watches the bubble closely for signs of what's to come. As the colors begin to settle on which takes which side and the bubble expands and brightens, Celestia erects a force field to protect herself and her two charges. The bubble bursts with a bang, the shockwave breaking furniture and glass. You and the guard are flung into different directions, smashing craters into opposite walls.
You pull yourself out of the wall and look around, wincing as you notice the damage you've caused is not small. Hearing running hooves, you turn to see Celestia running toward you with Polished Silver by her side. "I'm sorry." You apologize.
Polished Silver gives a huff. "You should be." She answers anger clear in her voice. "Look at all the damage you've done."
At her words, your ears droop and tears fall from your eyes. Celestia wipes your tears away and lifts your head so your eyes meet hers. "Don't worry now, it was only an accident."
"But Princess."
Celestia holds a hoof out to silence Polished Silver as she watches the guard return to her side. "It was only an accident, partly caused by my guard and my pet."
Philomena hangs her head at this while the guard bows. "I apologize to all of you for my carelessness."
Celestia gives the guard a nod and an order. "Ember Shield, send a letter to the castle finance staff to assess and pay for any damages caused due to this accident."
Ember Shield bows once more. "Yes princess." She then pulls out a paper and quill and begins writing.
Celestia puts a wing around you and holds you close. You hug her back and begin to question why Sunset ever thought Celestia was so bad and before long you begin to ask your mind what their relationship was like before.
Your mind responds by flooding itself with memories. Images pass through your mind one after another all of which depict Sunset and Celestia. Moments of learning, of scolding, of crying, of comforting, of praising. As countless other images pass by, only three words enter your mind. Best mother ever.
Your mind begins to flood itself with something new. Love. Love for the best mother you've ever known, Princess Celestia. Tears fall down your eyes and you give a content smile as you embrace your mother with a tight hug. Celestia tightens her own legs around you and promises. "I promise to do better by you this time."
You think back to Polished Silver's comment on what your cutie mark might be and on the magic Mother helped you learn. "Maybe my talent is magic." With this realisation, your flank glows bright for only a few moments letting out a small magical sound. A sound and flash which Celestia takes notice of.
Author's Note
I hope you enjoy the Twin-Sun and Celestia moments.
Chapter 11 - Escaping The Sun
Chapter 11 - Escaping The Sun
"Did your cutie mark just glow?" Celestia asks. Polished Silver perks up at this, eager to see what happens when she finds out about your cutie mark.
With most of your attention on these unexplainable emotions, you find yourself unable to do more than simply embrace the bliss of a mothers love, only understanding the question enough to say - "Hmm?"
With a hoof, Celestia lifts your eyes to meet hers. "Your cutie mark Sunset. I saw a glow, as though you had just re-earned it."
Staring into her eyes, you begin to realize that you are not in your mother's hooves, but Celestia's. As you process the emotions you now know are not your own, you don't seem to take much notice of Celestia's question until she speaks her next words.
"May I see your cutie mark? I must admit that I am curious to see what the flash was about."
At Celestia's words, your eyes move to look to your flank, widening in fear soon after.
With a malicious grin on her face, Polished Silver trots her way over. "Here Princess, let me lift her skirt for you."
"No no no. Don't look at it." You scream as you run back to your room.
"What?" Celestia asks. "Did something happen to her?"
"Come on Princess, let's get her to spill the beans already." Polished Silver insists.
"No." Celestia sighs. "If she doesn't want me to know, then I'll respect her wishes and hope she tells me later."
"Hmph." Polished Silver pouts.
Polished Silver enters your room to see you packing your things into your saddlebags. "Hey Oranges, you can stop packing, Celestia decided to let you keep your secrets." She let's you know, clearly upset things didn't escalate further.
"I can't stay here Polished." You reply, your eyes filled with tears as you're flooded with more emotions than you can handle.
Polished Silver looks into your eyes and tries to make sense of what she's seeing. "You know, from what I've seen, I'm pretty sure she'd forgive whatever you've done. And I can tell you're ready to change. Nopony willing to do something evil would cry over something like this, especially if they knew they got away with it."
You look back to your things. "No polished. She would be willing to forgive mom, not me. I'm just a clone, a clone of the very pony she sees as family. If she finds out what I am." You gulp not wanting to imagine the kind of things she'd do to you.
"But the way you hugged each other. No way that was all fake."
"No, it wasn't fake. All of those emotions were real. They just weren't mine. What you said about me. You were closer than I'd like to admit. I'm not a liar. I'm the lie. Lies can't be allowed to exist."
Polished Silver just stands there trying to make sense of everything. "This... This is real... Isn't it?"
You look back to Polished Silver seeing her own eyes filled with tears and horror. "Are you okay?" You ask.
"You really are a clone aren't you." Polished Silver sits herself down as she accepts what she had believed impossible. She hangs her head in shame. "And I treated you so horribly."
You envelope Polished Silver in a hug. "I forgive you."
"What?" Polished Silver asks in disbelief.
"Well, I don't know what mom did to you, but I can tell she must have hurt you. And you thought I was her, so I understand."
"I hate to be the one to tell you this, but your mom was a jerk."
"I know." You admit as you get back to packing. "But she made me and even promised to be my mother, so can she really be that bad?"
Polished Silver has questions about that. However, seeing that just talking about her seems to cheer you up, she can't bring herself to voice these thoughts. "Even if you are a clone, I'm sure Celestia would be willing to help you with any problems you might have."
You stop packing for a moment. "Mom warned me Celestia might not approve of my existence. Your dad told me there are laws about clones. I checked the book on clones I bought, and it says clones are illegal in part because of their changeling like ability to imitate a pony. I don't know what a changeling is, but clearly ponies fear them enough that they fear us clones due to how similar they see us. And this is all before mentioning that I am the clone of the pony that the princess herself sees as family. I just can't risk it, especially with mom's emotions influencing my behavior around Celestia."
You finish packing and levitate the saddle bags onto your back. "Fine." Polished Silver sighs in defeat. "But I'm still watching over you, so where you go I go."
You look back to Polished Silver and give her a smile. "Thank you."
"Yeah, yeah. Just let me go convince the princess to leave and I'll get myself ready. And I hope you know we're most likely going to be in big trouble for this."
Moments later you hear a nock at the door followed by Celestia's voice. "Your friend tells me you wish me to leave, that I am making you uncomfortable?"
"I'm sorry Princess. I'm just not ready right now." You answer, a bit of fear entering your voice as you hope she doesn't enter the room.
"I see. Very well Sunset, I shall leave." You let out a breath you didn't realize you were holding. "But before I do, I want you to know that I am willing to adopt you as my niece."
"Your niece? Why?"
"When I sent you away, that wasn't just to teach you a lesson. It was also an attempt to remind myself that our relationship is one between teacher and student. I was trying to undo a bond between us that I had aloud to grow, a bond I believed improper. However, I believe what had transpired after only proved to hasten this bond to the point that I can no longer deny it. This and the knowledge I have come to find that your parents have neglected their duty toward you and pawning their responsibilities to you on to me have lead me to make a decision."
"A decision?"
"Yes Sunset. I would like to formally adopt you as my niece. We can talk about it now, or if you still wish it, I can leave."
You take some time to think. Remembering why you ran into the room in the first place, you turn to the mirror and lift your skirt to look at your cutie mark hoping it was Sunset's. Unfortunately, it is not. your cutie mark is a pair of suns, one orange, the other yellow, both of them touching the other. You can't let Celestia see this cutie mark, but you think maybe you could do something for your mother before it's too late. "I would love to be your niece." You say as you open the door.
Celestia smiles and embraces you once more. "We will hold the event tomorrow in full view of the public."
Again you feel Sunset's emotions attempt to take over. You back away and suggest. "Actually... I was hoping maybe we could do it now in private. I want to be your niece now."
Celestia is a little disappointed that you rejected her embrace but gives you a nod and leaves to have her guard send the necessary paperwork. "It could be some time before the right ponies get here Sunset."
"My hosts have a teleport pad." You show her the closet which houses said pad.
Within half an hour, ponies come through the portal pad into your host's home. Silver Shade comes through with them and sits on a couch with his sister to watch with her.
Legal ponies sit themselves at the table helping you and Celestia sign on the correct lines. Meanwhile, Silver Smith and Silver Sales return home to see the conclusion of the event. Polished Silver and Silver Shade meet their parents at the door. "Hey mom." Silver Shade greets. "The princess adopted Oranges as her niece."
"What?" Silver Smith and Silver Sales voice their surprise both at once.
"Why don't you go to your room and play Silver Shade?" Polished Silver suggests.
"But I want to see what happens."
"Just go play and let the big ponies do their business."
"Mom." Silver Shade whines.
"Listen to your big sister." Silver Sales answers. "If she wants you to leave the room, I trust it's for a good reason." Silver Shade groans in frustration, but obeys and goes to his room to play.
You and Celestia meet your hosts at the door as the legal ponies all go back through the portal pad, their job done. Silver Smith and Silver Sales bow to their princess. "Good afternoon princess." Silver Smith greets. "I hope the kids haven't given you any trouble." Celestia gestures them to rise, and it is only now that they realize that some of their property has vanished. "Were we robed?"
Celestia shakes her head no. "I'm afraid there had been an accident earlier today. As the accident was partly caused by my guard, I will be covering the cost of repair and replacement."
Silver Smith and Silver Sales bow once again. "Thank you princess." They once again answer in unison.
Celestia turns her attention to you. "Now I am afraid it is time for me to take my niece back to the castle. We have much to catch up on. Please inform her parents."
You look back to Polished Silver. "Actually princess, do you mind if I stay for a while longer. Polished Silver and I have just settled our differences and I would like to get to know her better."
"You've finally made a real friend?" Celestia asks with pride. Silver Sales wears a smile of her own, just as happy the two of you have become friends. "Are you sure? I would be willing to allow her to visit with us provided her parents accept."
"Of course we accept, right honey?" Silver Sales asks Silver Smith, who quickly agrees.
"No thank you princess." You answer. "I'm just not ready to come back yet. Please understand."
Celestia gives a nod. "Very well Sunset, take as much time as you need. I shall return to the castle and make preparations for your return."
You bow to her. "Thank you princess."
Celestia gives a chuckle. "You may call me Aunt Celestia from now on." With that the princess leaves for her carriage along with her guard to return to the castle.
Later that night, you and Polished Silver leave her home and make your way to the train station. "You know Twin-Sun, we don't need to stowaway on the train. We can ask dad for money. We don't even have to tell him what it's for."
"No." You argue. "I don't want anypony to know where I'm going. I need to do what mom made me to do, and I need to do it before they find out what I am."
"Do you really even need her approval any more? I mean come on Twin-Sun, you're Celestia's niece."
You look back to Polished Silver a little annoyed. "I don't care about that. I didn't sign that document for me, I signed it for mom. Now I need this so she'll adopt me and when I call her mom it won't just be a fantasy." You wipe away a few tears before you realize. "Hey, when did you stop calling me Oranges?"
Polished Silver's ears droop as she looks away. "I only called you that to insult you. Now that we're friends, I don't want to hurt you anymore."
You smile at her answer. "It's okay Polished. I love mom, but I didn't really care much for the name she gave me at first. But it's kind of growing on me. Same thing for the nickname you guys gave me. So I don't really mind if you call me Oranges if you want as long as it's not to hurt me."
"Alright Oranges, if we're gonna do this then let's just do it already." With that done, the two of you sneak onto a train and find a place to hide yourselves from view. "I probably should have asked this earlier, but do we know where this train is going?"
As you realize that this was a poorly thought through escape, the train conductor yells - "All aboard."
Author's Note
Celestia has made Twin-Sun her niece believing her to be Sunset Shimmer and Twin-Sun's journey finally truly begins.
Chapter 12 - Young Sun
The train chugs down the tracks at a constant speed, the sounds of the engine and wheels on track becoming a comforting rhythm. For a time, Polished Silver simply keeps her eyes shut as she listens to the sounds around her trying to let them send her off to sleep. Polished Silver looks up to see you reading a book near a few cargo boxes, a lamp sitting atop one of them.
"Reading anything interesting?" Polished Silver Asks.
You jolt up in surprise and look toward the other pony you were too busy reading to remember was in the room with you. When the shock subsides, you lift the book to show her the book you got from the library. "I wanted to read up more about changelings, but this book doesn't really have a lot about them."
"So what's it say?"
"It mostly talks about how they are monsters who feed on a ponies love for the pony they imitate, instances of when they've taken over civilizations and their exile."
"They sound scary."
"Yeah, but why do they see clones so similarly? I don't feed on ponies."
Polished Silver gives this some thought. "Yeah, but if you clone enough ponies you could take over a civilization like changelings can."
"I bet ponies could do that without cloning. All you really need is a good costume."
Polished Silver chuckles at this. "Yeah I bet a Celestia costume would fool the nation."
You roll your eyes at her response. "Well, obviously you wouldn't try to be Celestia."
"I'm sorry. You have a point, but the idea of you trying to pass as Celestia just made me laugh."
You give a chuckle of your own before putting the book back into your saddle bags. "Okay, so maybe that does sound funny." You admit. As you put your book away, you feel your amulet leave your neck and turn to see it floating to Polished Silver. "Hey!" You shout as you run over to her.
"Shush, do you want us to get caught? We're stowaways, remember?"
"What are you doing with my amulet?" You quietly ask.
Polished Silver takes out her tools and begins making small sketches on your amulet. "Our talk of costumes and espionage got me thinking. If we get separated, I want a way to find you. So I'm sketching a tracking enchantment into your amulet."
She hoofs the amulet back to you and you inspect the changes. "I don't see anything." Polished Silver lights her horn and a small symbol appears on your amulet as bright as Polished Silver's magic. "Wow. that's so pretty."
As Polished Silver's horn dies down, the symbol disappears. "If the two of us get separated, I just have to use that spell and I'll be able to find you within a hundred miles, so long as you wear that amulet."
You look up at her in amazement. "An enchantment can be that powerful?"
"This is more of an intermediate enchantment, and it's only a beacon. My magic is what gives it range. I'm not exactly the worst when it comes to magic, but I'm no prodigy either." Polished Silver's expression changes to one of irritation. "Not like Sunset Shimmer."
A moment goes by before you decide to lighten the mood with a question. "So, when do you think the train stops?"
Polished Silver snaps out of her trance and looks toward the back door. "I don't know, but I hope wherever it stops, it's somewhere we can get a good night's rest." Polished Silver yawns and groans. "Even if it is, tomorrow will not be fun."
You look down at the floor. "Yeah, we probably should of tried to sleep on our way there."
Polished Silver puts a hoof on your shoulder. "I was too anxious to sleep right now anyway, and I doubt the trip will be much longer. How about we find a place to sit together and we'll eat a snack while we wait?" Polished Silver pulls a couple of apples out of her saddle bag and hoofs one to you.
The two of you walk over to a wall clear of any cargo and sit beside one another. You take a bite out of the apple and stick out your tongue as you decide apples aren't that great raw. Polished Silver rolls her eyes at your disapproving gesture. You set the apple aside and pull out a couple of chocolate bars, offering one to Polished Silver as you eat the other.
Polished Silver accepts the chocolate with a small chuckle. Her smile soon fades as she watches the flames of the lamp dance.
You eat the chocolate slowly, savoring the taste as much as you can. You open your bag back up and pull out a few more things sunset's dad left you. Two magazines, one promising advice on the latest fashion, the other a comic about a young mare who takes care of pets in a pet shop, and a smallish playset featuring two mares in a treat shop, the shop itself also being a carrying case.
You decide to open the playset and play with the dolls as they go out on the town, buying treats and talking fashion. Polished Silver takes her eyes off the flame to watch you play, taking a bite of your chocolate every now and then.
After a while of play, you begin to yawn and decide you are too tired to continue. You pack up the playset and put it back in your bag. As you put your things away you see the age potion near the bottom of your bag.
You pull out the age potion and look into it's contents, only now realizing what you may have thrust your one friend in Equestria into. You give a sigh and decide it would be better to keep the potion for later. However, before you can close the bag, the potion flies away from you and next to an irritated Polished Silver.
Polished Silver sets the potion back into your hooves. You look down at the potion, and then at Polished Silver, who gives a nod. Staring once more at the potion, you contemplate whether it would be ruder to put her through the responsibility of watching you as a younger filly, or to refuse her offer to willingly do so.
You look back at Polished Silver, her smile letting you know she is fine with whatever you choose. You uncork the potion and gulp it down and as you finish, you notice everything begin to get bigger.
After you put the empty bottle back into your bag, you feel yourself lift into the air, only to land right between Polished Silver's legs. Looking up, you see her smiling down at you, her eyes so much larger than you remember. She pulls out a brush and begins to brush your mane. You lay your head against her stomach, letting the beating of her heart sooth you as she continues brushing while the sounds of the train fade away and you soon fall asleep.
You slowly open your eyes to find yourself in a large bed. Your eyes widen and you quickly sit up and a pair of earmuffs fly off of your head and onto the bed. Looking around the room, you find yourself alone. You quietly make your way off the bed and sneak into the hallway. Hearing voices, you walk to a nearby staircase and find Polished Silver and a female pony with a black and white striped coat talking to one another while sitting at a table in a kitchen just downstairs.
Polished Silver looks up from her seat as you walk their way. "Good morning my sleepy pony." Polished Silver greets.
"Not good morning, but rather good after noon." The host states as she points to a clock that tells you it is a little past twelve. "Come sit with us, brunch will be done soon."
"Brunch?" You ask.
Polished Silver lifts you in her magic and sits you in the seat next to hers. "We had a long ride last night and ended up sleeping too long, so Arifa decided to turn our lunch into brunch."
A bell dings and Arifa takes the meal out of the oven and places three bowls of stew onto the table for the three of you. "And to make this lunch a brunch." Arifa pulls out a few donuts and places them before you and Polished Silver. "Here are some donuts to munch."
Your stomach growls as you see the food placed before you, as you go to grab a spoon to begin your meal Polished Silver raises a hoof to signal for you to wait. "Thank you for the meal." Polished Silver thanks Arifa before eating.
You process the situation for only a few seconds before turning to your host and giving her your thanks. "Thank you for the meal."
As you begin eating, Arifa smiles at what she has witnessed. "This does my heart much good. To see two sisters act as they should."
You look up from your meal with a hint of confusion. "Well act-"
"Thank you." Polished Silver interrupts. "I try to be a good big sister for her. Unfortunately, I'm not always able to live up to the task."
Arifa chuckles at her admission. "You cannot always expect to know what is best. Just do what you can and try to learn from your mess."
Polished Silver just sighs at this. "I know. But it doesn't make the mistakes I make any easier to forgive myself for."
You pause your eating to look up to Polished Silver. "I said I forgive you for that."
Polished Silver wipes your mouth with a napkin. "I'm not talking about that."
"Then what are you talking about?"
"Don't worry about it, just eat your food and let the big ponies talk."
"I am a big pony." Arifa gives a large laugh with Polished Silver joining in soon after. You respond to this by puffing your cheeks up in a pout.
After the laughter subsides, Arifa decides to ask. "Now that we have all calmed down, might I ask how you two found your way to our town?"
Polished Silver looks your way for a moment before turning her eyes back to Arifa. "Sorry, it's kind of a long story and we could use some time to collect ourselves.
You look to Polished Silver before placing your gaze onto Arifa and then back to Polished. You contemplate telling Arifa for her but decide maybe she has a reason not to.
Arifa gives a skeptical look. "I see. Then I shall let it be."
"Thank you."
After the three of you are done with your meals, Polished Silver lifts the dishes in her magic. Arifa walks herself to the kitchen sink. "Bring the dishes over here so I may clean, then take you and your sister for a bath so you may sheen.
"No." Polished Silver shakes her head in protest. "You made this lovely meal for us. The least I can do is clean some dishes."
"I am going in to town later today. Go give your sister and yourself a bath or I shall have to ask you to stay."
Polished Silver looks down at herself and over to you. "I suppose we could use a bath." Polished Silver walks up stairs with you following close behind.
Polished Silver fills the tub with warm water and steps in, plopping you in with her as she begins washing you. "Arifa seems nice." You say.
"Yes she is, but we can't make trusting strangers a habit. This was an emergency, so I didn't have a lot of choice. I'm lucky the zebra I found is the Sheriff's wife."
"What's a sheriff?"
"Ask him when you meet him. He's pretty nice too." Polished Silver spots a rubber duck and passes it to you to play with.
"This is for babies." You protest as you put it back where Polished got it.
"Sorry."
After Polished Silver washes you, you help her wash.
After your bath the two of you dry off and make your way back to your room where Arifa has laid your clothes down on the bed. You take your clothes and store them back in your bag.
Polished Silver pulls her own bag over her back and heads downstairs. "You're taking your whole bag with you?" You ask. "Are we leaving soon?"
"No." Polished Silver answers. "Well maybe. But for now I'm just selling a few things. I didn't bring money for supplies, but I did bring some things to sell." You decide to take your own saddle bag with you as well.
You and Polished Silver make your way downstairs and see Arifa waiting for you by the door with her own saddle bag on her back. "Let us leave if you are both ready. While we are in town I'd like you to stay close to me."
"That goes double for you." Polished Silver commands. "No wandering off."
You nod your head. "Yes ma'am."
Polished Silver rolls her eyes and ruffles your mane. "Don't call me ma'am. I may be older than you, but I'm not that old."
Author's Note
I had a few ideas about how to deal with the de-aging scene, but everything I could come up with either made one of the characters look like a jerk or go against future ideas. In the end, I went with a silent scene, and I think it works pretty well.
Chapter 1 - Birth Of A New Sun(3P rewrite)
Chapter 1 - The Birth Of A New Sun(3rd Person)
Half a month had passed since Sunset Shimmer learned about the mirror. She had asked every day for Celestia to teach her more about it, as it had shown her what she had been wanting for some time now. Herself as an Alicorn princess, standing right at Celestia's side. She believed it could give her this, or at least information on how to achieve it. However, each time she asked, Celestia would tell her to focus less on selfish ambitions and more on making friends, each time with a longer and longer sigh before she spoke.
The last time she asked about the mirror, Celestia merely stared at her with an expressionless look, the kind of look she would only give when dealing with the worst ponies. "Sunset Shimmer." Celestia commanded "If you ask me about the mirror one more time, I will dismiss you as my personal student. Now for the last time, go make some friends."
The way Celestia had looked at Sunset angered her and at the same time it had hurt her. This would not however stop her from pursuing her goals. Sunset thought about just going after information on the mirror herself, but a book she had found just a few months before she was shown the mirror promised help in her search if she could master a spell within it's pages.
Sunset walks into the forbidden section of the library and lifts the hood of her cloak as the door closes behind her. She takes a book from her saddle bags and begins to cast a spell, turning a nearby vase into an exact copy of herself, a female unicorn with a bright orange coat and a mane a mix of yellow and red. "Good, your breathing." She proclaims. "A spell this complex has a tendency to require a few practice casts to work out the kinks. Fortunately for you, I am more talented than even I gave me credit for. You should know my name, but just to get introductions out of the way, my name is Sunset Shimmer. Do you have a name, or am I going to have to give you one?"
The clone absorbs her situation and the information given to her and as she looks over herself, she admits. "I don't remember if I..." Before she can finish her sentence, she begins to realize that something is wrong. As her eyes widen and her breath quickens, she looks from Sunset to yourself again and again, each time the fear in her gut growing larger and larger until this information can not be denied. She can't pinpoint why this feels wrong but somehow she just knows. She is in her body, and yet, standing right in front of her... "AAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!"
"As much as I can see finding out you are a clone can be rather scary. I am going to have to ask you to please shut the hay up." A small amount of the clone's fear is replaced with contempt at her words. "I created you to help me with my research, not to wake up the whole castle." As the clone places her eyes back on Sunset she notices a dome of light surrounding the two of them.
"So." Sunset continues. "You have no name and no knowledge of being a clone?" Sunset places a hoof to her chin in contemplation and looks to the clone's flank to see no cutie mark. "Well, as I said before, kinks are to be expected when casting a new spell. Still, I suppose this isn't too bad a side effect. As for the name. I think I'll go with something simple. From now on your name is Twin-Sun Shimmer."
Twin-Sun's fear is fully consumed by contempt as she stands to her hooves. "What?" she screams. "Your just going to name me after yourself?"
"I don't see why not." She huffs. "I am your creator after all. I brought you into this world, therefore, I get to name you as I please."
Twin-Sun's contempt disappears as her eyes widen again, this time misted with tears as she begins to recall her words. Creator? Brought me into this world? "Does... Does that mean your my M-mom?"
Sunset's frown deepens as her eyebrows harden. "Don't call me that. I will not be your mother. Maybe I did give you life, but you are a fully functional individual, and I will treat you as such."
"Oh." Twin-Sun hangs her head as she begins to feel a pit in her stomach resurface stronger than before, her tears flowing faster as she contemplates why she even cares, only to come up without an answer.
Sunset gives Twin-Sun a studying glance before then giving you a knowing smile. "I created you with all of my knowledge, so you should know what I want, where I can find what I want, and how you can help me get what I want. Correct?"
Twin-Sun eyes Sunset with a questioning glance. "You want to learn about the mirror and ascension and you believe we can find the information we need in this library."
"Yes exactly. Now we've wasted enough time. We could be caught at any moment, and I don't think Celestia will be very happy finding me in the restricted section. Never mind with a second me. And seeing as you seem so insistent on seeing me as your mother. If you help me find a way to ascend, I'll let you ascend as well, and I will adopt you as my daughter."
Before Sunset can say another word Twin-Sun wraps her hooves around Sunset in a tight embrace. "Thank you thank you thank you."
"Let go of me right now." She commands.
Twin-Sun quickly lets go of Sunset and hangs her head, tears once again leaving her eyes. "Sorry Mo- I mean Sunset."
Sunset holds her temple with a hoof trying to relieve some of her anger. "Lets just get to work now shall we? Your not going to become anypony's daughter if Celestia finds us here and decides clones are too dangerous to allow them to exist."
Twin-Sun's heart stops for a moment as she thinks of the implications. "Y-you don't really think she would-" She swallows a lump in her throat.
"In all honesty, I don't. But then I've come to realize, I don't know as much about her as I thought I did. Now, come on and help me find answers."
Looking through book after book Twin-Sun begins to discover the extent of the knowledge that has been pushed upon her little by little, as though the books themselves were teaching her about not just how to use them properly, but the very world she now inhabits and the secrets of magics she could never have imagined. As the information continues to enter her brain, Twin-Sun drops her books and holds her head in an attempt to stop the rising pain.
"Hey." Sunset calls out as she trots over. "We don't have time for this." As Twin-Sun turns back to her with a pleading look she sees Sunset's horn light up and Twin-Sun's head begins to calm. "That should help with the pain. I'll give you a few minutes, but..." Looking back to the book in Sunset's view Twin-Sun wanders what she's found. "WHAT THE HAY IS THIS?!" She screams.
"Princess." A guard calls out from afar before he gallops away.
Looking in the direction the guard left for only a moment, Sunset turns her gaze back to Twin-Sun. "Go hide as best you can." Without another word Twin-Sun gallops off to find a place to hide behind the wall of an open doorway.
The sound of hooves getting closer can be heard in the distance as Twin-Sun begins to feel her fear resurface. Peeking from the doorway she watches the one pony she had hoped she would never have to meet enter the library. As large as two or three of Tin-Sun, a coat as white as clouds, and a mane bright and colorful flowing with magic, her head adorned with a long horn and large wing connect to each side of her barrel. "Celestia." Grasping her muzzle Twin-Sun hopes nopony heard her announcement.
From her hiding place Twin-Sun watches as Sunset and Celestia argue amongst each other. "Liar." Twin-Sun's fear grows again as Sunset throws her book at Celestia. As their conversation goes on Twin-Sun can see Sunset grow angrier until she breaks into tears, her features revealing sadness, only to soon become angrier than ever. Meanwhile, Celestia reveals no emotion until the end of their argument as her face shows more disappointment than anger, and her wings flare out with authority. As the guards take Sunset away Celestia looks in Twin-Sun's direction. Seeing no signs of any other intruders, Celestia leaves the library.
Author's Note
Here is a rewrite of the first chapter in 3rd person. Please post any thoughts you might have in the post https://www.fimfiction.net/blog/1055031/should-i-rewrite-twin-sun-shimmer-in-third-person
