ACT 3 - TRAUMATIC MEMORIES

CHAPTER 7 - BURNING THE YEARBOOK

The feeling was becoming familiar now, comfortable. Even its absence felt comfortable too.

Maybe it was her own skin– And how being on it was easier.

The white armor she dawned day by day, perfectly comfortable. And now in most days, she didn’t even need it.

Twilight was right– The armor was a formality. It was of practical use, sure, but when spending time with friends, when going out, when being with her… She could just be Sunset Shimmer.

She fidgeted with her helmet slightly, as she walked the halls of Canterlot castle humming to herself– And upon seeing her own reflection, noticed she was smiling. For no particular reason. Just smiling. The night before was fresh in her mind, and she was smiling for nothing at all.

Dancing with Twilight at the Grand Galloping Gala at long last. And then, getting to hug her mother.

It was perfect.

Music was bouncing around in her head. So as she sat diligently waiting for her routine to begin, she began writing, while humming to herself. Taking out a small sketchbook, similar to the one Pinkie always used for her own songs, she scribbled.

“Back in the day, I used to walk these halls…!”

Again, she was just smiling. The white armor she dawned reflected the light of the rising sun, and she was just happy. Whatever this day held, she could take on anything.

“...Acting tough… but all alone…”

“Good morning, Sunset!” The doors of the Princess’s quarters swung open, with Twilight stretching her wings and yawning adorably, with a pep in her step and a smile on her face. “Oh! Are you writing for one of your songs with Pinkie?”

“Good morning, Princess. This one’s just for me.” She smiled incredibly warmly, beholding her love, as she came closer.

No one else was around at this early hour– Guards and servants were in other quarters. So they greeted each other with a slow, loving kiss.

A moment so incredibly perfect. One she had dozens of before.

Of course, neither of them could know it would be their last.

“How was last night, with Celestia…? Did you two…?” Twilight muttered in a breath, as they were incredibly close, both curious and hesitant.

“It’s complicated, but it, um, went well.” She kept grinning, as they leaned their foreheads on each other. “I’m glad you all pushed me to do it– Especially my old caretaker, honestly.”

“Oh, she must have loved hearing your guitar playing! You’re so good at it now!!”

“Ah– Shit. I forgot to talk to her about it…!” Sunset grimaced awkwardly, letting out ironic laughter. “Fuck.”

“It’s okay, next time, right?” Twilight gave her an encouraging smile. “You’ll see her again! So, what did you do with Celestia…?”

“We cried together, it was a bit messy, but I think we both needed it.” She exhaled, reminiscing. “It was heavy, like I expected, but… it ended on good terms.”

“O-oh my gosh, Sunset… You cried?? It must have been rough!” She backed up with surprise and worry, knowing exactly how drastic the circumstances would need to be for her love to cry. “Are you okay? How are you feeling…?”

“Better now. Much better.” And still, she smiled warmly, wearily, letting out a sigh. “It was good. We’re talking more today, hopefully…”

“So… Did you use the M word…?”

“Well… I couldn’t, really, I guess I didn’t have the chance to–” Her grimace became shameful, embarrassed. And Twilight interrupted her then and there with confidence.

“It’s okay. It’s okay, I understand. Baby steps, right? You’ve got time now.” She nuzzled her affectionately, assuringly. “No time like the present– You can work your way to it! Both of you!”

Slowly, with a reluctant nod, Sunset reached into her things– And from them, gathered two objects of extreme interest.

“...Mother’s day is coming up…” She spoke with a hesitant murmur. “And me and her, we had this tradition…”

She placed before them two coupons for ‘Triple Treat Threat’s Ice Cream Parlor’, for a yearly Mother’s day discount. There was a distinctive design for each, that made one coupon smaller than the other, with a drawing of a smaller filly accompanied by the larger coupon, that housed the drawing of the larger mare.

Twilight gasped, and smiled. “O-oh! Sunset, that’s a lovely idea! You get to invite her to a mother daughter thing, ease into it, and see how you both feel?”

“Y-yeah. And maybe then, well… maybe then I can discuss the M word with her.” She had a frail hesitation to her voice– One that held expectation, excitement and fear. “It’s… It’s gonna be hard, but… I think it’s the best way I can naturally ease into it.”

“It’s wonderful, Sunset.” They nuzzled each other affectionately, Twilight’s embrace eased her fears like they were not there. “I’m so happy for you two. You deserve this.”

“Y-yeah… But enough about me! Did you sleep well?”

“Oh! Um… Let’s go somewhere a bit more private, maybe!” She led the way, and her captain followed with ease. “I’ve got, um, a pretty big bombshell…!”

Servants and guards greeted them as they passed, and they’d easily wave back with glee– Quieting their subject of conversation, talking and walking silently. “So… I’ve been thinking about this for a while…!” Twilight murmured, with a genuine smile on her face that wouldn’t quit. “And I’d be lying if I didn’t say I dreamed of it a couple of times… I think… It's time to tell Celestia about us. You and Me. Um…And Luna too, of course.”

Sunset’s eyes widened. Her heart beat faster.

“With the whole mom thing, she’ll probably be in a good enough mood not to be mad that um, her older pupil has been, well, doing things with her new one. You know?” she awkwardly grinned, tilting her head.

Sunset nodded quietly, speechless.

“In fact… I think I’m ready to let all of Equestria know.” She muttered, looking down, folding her wings close. “Maybe next time I have a press conference and an announcement, we can kiss publicly and leave it at that…? No need to get into the details, just… Boom! Hihihi…! Let them speculate if they want, I don’t care, as long as it’s out there, you know…? No more stealthy visits to my room at night, heck, we could move into the same room…! Y’know?”

“Y-yeah. Boom!” Sunset chuckled dumbly, losing herself in Twilight’s eyes. “Um, why, um, why now? And are you absolutely sure?”

“I’m sure.” She led her way to a quiet balcony decorated with foliage and bathed by the light of the rising sun, where she felt the wind pass by, closing her eyes with a smile. “I… I was a bit scared, you know…? Before you. But I’m not scared anymore. I’m not scared of anything, Sunset.”

“I… I get it.” She nodded warmly, leaning closer. “I feel lighter, too.”

“Except, of course… I was thinking about how I’m going to earn the throne of Equestria someday, and… I realized I was feeling lonely about it. A bit… reluctant.” Twilight muttered quietly, with a fluster on her face gradually increasing. “And when I thought about you… I didn’t feel as lonely anymore, you know…? If I could keep that lack of fear through my rule…!”

“I’m here.” Sunset affirmed without hesitation, nodding, even closer now.

“So I was thinking… When we break the news to Celestia… We could ask her if she can take you as a pupil again…?”

Sunset’s heart froze, as did her thoughts.

“It’d just be… Well, you’re just perfect, you know? You keep me safe, you keep me company, you take such good care of me… You’ve done this with Celestia before, you’re uniquely qualified for the position, you know…?” She tilted her head, coming closer with hope. “S-so… I was thinking that after you earned your wings, we could… Keep doing this together…?”

Words failed Sunset. Thoughts failed Sunset. Her vision blurred as the greatest and warmest of feelings mixed with the coldest and most wretched of fears.

She spoke words automatically, without thinking, without planning.

“...You know I’m going to die, right?”

“What? WHAT? W-wHAT?!?!”Twilight immediately began shaking her, checking on her, touching her face and checking any openings on her armor frantically. “A-are you sick?? Are you hurt?? What’s happening, what what wHaT?!!”

That, at least, made her snap out of it. “SORRY! Sorry! Shit, I phrased that SO poorly. Fuck. I’m sorry.” Sunset looked away in utter embarrassment.

“S-sunset, what do you mean you’re going to die?! What are you saying?!?!” Breathing uneasily, she couldn’t help but shake her wings with worry.

“S-sorry, sorry, look, what I mean is… You know my job. You know what I do. My job is to keep you safe. And I’ll probably die doing it… You know?”

“You made me a promise!” She affirmed immediately, frowning. “When you pledged yourself to me, when you became my captain you promised me you would keep yourself alive so you could be with me! Sunset, what are you implying?!”

The Captain couldn’t make eye contact, as she shamefully looked away. “W-we don’t, look… We don’t always have the luxury of knowing when an enemy is going to deliver its final blow. And I’ll be honest, dying of old age fucking terrifies me, so…!” Watching her immortal lover remain young while she grayed felt like a cruel twist of fate, one she would rather never face.

Frantically, pleading, she came closer. “B-but you don’t have to! You don’t have to, Sunset, if we both become alicorns, we’ll be together, we won’t age–”

“--I’m not worthy.”

Silence.

Sunset forced herself to make eye contact. She forced herself to speak as earnestly as she could. “Look. I get it. You’re an idealist, you believe in me, and what you’re suggesting is… Beautiful. It’s everything, but… I’m not worthy, Twilight. I’ve done this before. I’ve done this all before, and… I failed.”

“B-but you can try again…! You can try again with me! I’ll be right here with you!”

“I-it won’t be enough, Twilight, nothing I did was enough. Look, I get it, but…” she shuddered, grimaced, and looked down. “...But I’m not worthy. I was judged before, and I didn’t pass, much worse, actually, and I don’t want to repeat history. I don’t know. Maybe that’s enough. Maybe what we have can be enough, maybe… Maybe things are better because they end.”

“I don’t want to lose you…!” She nearly pleaded, with her eyes begging Sunset to change her mind. “I don’t want this to end…!!”

“Me too… But so what?” She exhaled, shaking her head. “I’m still not worthy.”

“Look at how much you’ve grown, Sunset… Look at how better you are now…!” She placed a hoof on her chestplate, coming even closer. “You can do this. Look at me. WE can do this… Together…!”

And there it was, everything she ever wanted plus interest handed to her on a silver platter, and she was hesitating.

“...I’m scared, Twilight.” She muttered in a single breath. “I’ve lost everything before because I tried this. It– It can’t be meant to be, you know…? I… Things will just fall apart again.”

“B-but doesn’t it feel right? Doesn't it feel perfect? You and me, inheritors of the night and day…?” She tried to smile, despite how fearful she felt. “L-look, we… Together, we would never be afraid of the dark…!”

She couldn’t bear to reply, as the weight of the suggestions pressed down on her.

“...Sunset, I love you…!”

And now she froze completely.

The L word, no coercion, no ifs, no buts, no justification other than its genuine meaning.

This was undeniable, it was real, she meant all of it, and Sunset couldn’t ignore it.

It was a promise, if nothing else, a genuine demonstration of complete and absolute faith in the captain.

And she nearly passed out from the implications.

And, worst of all, above everything, she didn’t find the strength to say it back.

“U-um… Sunset, are you okay…?”

She hadn't even realized it, but she was leaning on the railing almost as if she was about to fall over. She felt cold, her heart beat fast and yet she felt completely unresponsive as her mind spiraled.

Twilight Sparkle leaned forward and hugged her tightly, whispering apologetically. “I-I’m sorry. It’s too much, I know. It’s too much. We don’t have to decide anything now. Sorry for dumping all this on you…!”

“C-can I…” Through shallow breaths, she mustered the strength to speak. “C-can I think about it? Sleep on it? I, uh, just–”

“It’s okay. It’s okay. I’m right here.” Twilight reaffirmed, still hugging her. “I’m right here, and we have time.”

And in that embrace, she wasn’t as scared.

All she ever needed was this.

Having it for a thousand years? Now that would be special.

That would be everything.

“Princess! Captain! We have an emergency!” A guard rushed into the ballroom.

Immediately, they undid from their embrace– Sunset, in a single breath, restored her composure. “What is it, Ribbon?”

“The Queens, they’re summoning the both of you– Something strange that has been found in the gardens.” He affirmed. “It seems to be urgent!”

“Roger. Thank you. At ease.” She replied, and looked back at Twilight. “...We should go.”

With a single hoof placed on her chestplate, she was halted, with the Princess huffing out almost with a frown.

The simple fact that Sunset hadn’t been capable of saying it back was not lost on her.

“This conversation is not over, Sunset. Okay?”

“O-okay. I just need to think about it. M-maybe, you know, after I settle things with Celestia…?”

“I don’t need a deadline, I just need to…” She murmured, shaking her head, and then just nuzzled her captain. “I just need you.”

“And I’m right here.” She affirmed without hesitation, nuzzling back, staving those thoughts away.

They made their way to the throne room, and every step Sunset took was a bit more stable. No, she wasn’t thinking about it. Those thoughts were too monumental to be addressed in a simple walk.

She was considering something simpler, of course.

Leaning on each other, walking through these halls together, and keeping her safe.

Could she do this for a thousand years…?

Absolutely.

They reached the throne room, and already, something felt wrong.

The two queens weren’t in their throne, instead, they were in the middle of the hall, towering over a strange object.

Approaching it made Sunset shiver with a certain anticipation and distaste– She could tell what this was about.

“Good morning, Sunset. Apologies that we couldn’t see each other under better circumstances, after last night, but…” Celestia muttered in almost embarrassment. “As you can see, we have an emergency…”

“Greetings, you two.” Luna affirmed, with a serious, rageful look on her face. “Do you recognize what this is?”

“An Umbrum vessel.” Sunset affirmed, gritting her teeth, and Luna nodded with the same anger.

Before them, was a piece of armor, a helmet. Something incredibly small, and yet, it was undeniable that it held dark magic within. It was sealed, its visor lowered, it looked worn, rusty, and it emanated a cold chill.

“G-gosh, wait, I’ve seen these before…” Twilight murmured pensively.

“In the Temple of the Moon… When you saved me.” Sunset affirmed, narrowing her eyes. “How did this get here?!”

“You there, guard.” Celestia looked at the corner, where he sat diligently, if not with a bit of hesitation. “Please repeat your story.”

“O-oh, it’s simple, really. A gardener led me to it, she said she found it fallen on the grounds… And I took it here immediately after!” He noted with concern.

“Impossible!” Sunset shuddered in anger. “We increased the power of the barrier, we specifically made it so no Umbrum vessel could pass– And this helmet sure as hell didn’t roll through the front gates– it couldn’t have fallen through the barrier, not even in tatters!!”

Twilight raised an important question. “...Which gardener?”

“Greetings, rulers of Equestria.” A cold, eerie voice emerged from the helmet, barely registering over a raspy murmur. “It was quite difficult to arrange this meeting, so I would appreciate it if it did not instill paranoia among you.”

“Curse you, curse you vessel of the shadows!!” Luna began sputtering immediately, flaring her wings. “Give me one reason I shouldn’t purge the darkness from within you and melt this steel for SCRAPS!!”

“Parlay.” The voice muttered, feigning intimidation. “I am here only to relay a message…”

Celestia held her sister back. “If you wish to parlay, this is a poor impression, infiltrating upon our home, Umbrum.” She herself had to suppress her anger. “Speak now.”

“Queen Luna has kept a tight watch over the dream world. She has halted our influence over Equestria and it’s denizen’s dreams nigh completely.” The helmet quietly whispered upon them. “As our reach and our powers diminish, we have gotten apprehensive of our future…”

“You should be scared.”Luna gritted her teeth, seething.“Terrified, even. As long as I breathe, you will not be able to infiltrate Equestrian dreams any longer– And look around you. We are more united than ever. You’ve lost.”

“Ease, sister.” Celestia assured her with a smile. “But she does speak truly. You are only here because you are running out of options, aren’t you?”

“We are weaker. And we do not wish to fade from the shadows of the moon.” Another hesitant whisper emanated from the helmet. “We have seen the changelings change. And we are wondering if it is possible… For us to try…?”

Twilight’s eyes lit up– She did not smile, but she did lean forward with great interest. “Y-you want to join Equestria as an official part of it? An ally? If that’s so, we have a lot of bureaucracy to go through! We need to ascertain how many of you are interested, I’ll need to discuss relations with a leader and a representative– Oh, and we’ll need to sort out travel to the dark side of the moon for personal relations–”

“Not here.” The helmet murmured quietly. “Our leader is ready for a parlay with one of your own. We can discuss everything in more detail then.”

“If it is a parlay you want, I will oblige you with this much.” Celestia tapped a hoof on the floor. “But if this is a form of trap…”

“Captain Sunset Shimmer.” The voice called out coldly. “Our leader wishes to meet with you. Alone. No weapons. No armor.”

With a light, angry chuckle, Sunset grinned. “You’re not getting me to step back into the temple of the moon alone, asshole.”

Luna was the second one to express fury. “If you think we will allow you to get your clutches on Sunset Shimmer once more…”

“You misunderstand. We are not asking you to return to the temple of the moon.” The voice shuddered apologetically. “We had a different idea. Neutral ground. Perhaps… That abandoned shack you know, at the edge of Hollow Point…?”

“...The ‘haunted’ house?” She raised an eyebrow in confusion. “Why?”

“It is sufficiently dark for our leader to manifest. And it will be harder for you or your lackeys to mount any form of ambush.”

“Us, form an ambush?” Luna flapped her wings angrily. “What use there would be, attempting to ambush GHOSTS?!”

Celestia narrowed her eyes pensively. “...That is the jist, isn’t it. They could not form a trap for Sunset. They cannot manifest outside of the temple… Not at their full might, or even close to it.”

“Only with vessels.” Sunset muttered angrily. “So unless they possessed some woodland creatures or have some warriors they took over…”

“...Then they are powerless out there.” Luna agreed, still huffing in anger. “They would be like phantoms. Apparitions. Able to speak, but unable to touch. Meaning… It is unlikely that this is a trap.”

“You are all incredibly astute. Please know that I am not lying. We truly simply wish for a parlay, to decide the future relations of Equestria and the moon.”

“Why me?” Sunset gritted her teeth.

“You are not an alicorn.” The response was cold and immediate.

With a sigh, the Princess of Friendship fidgeted. “If this was going to be a trap, they’d probably do something a bit more creative, right…?” She did think of many, many angles, trying to figure out what their intentions were. “After all, Sunset is the strongest unicorn in the world. A couple of ghosts couldn’t make a feasible trap for her…?”

“Our conditions are these. Your captain, alone, without weapons or armor, at the shack of Hollow Point, today.”

“Today?!” Sunset sat back, exhaling. “Taking a train there and back is going to take a full fucking day!”

“Then you better get going.”

“Silence, vessel.” Luna snarled out. “Sunset will not be falling for your trap.”

“Let us think about this, for a moment.” Celestia sat back, pondering. “If they truly do wish to make peace, that is not something we should simply ignore… Certainly, it did take a while for changelings to change– Why not Umbrum, as well? Even if it took a thousand years, It is like I always say–”

“Better late than never!” The three others snickered amongst themselves, imitating her.

Twilight nodded immediately in agreement. “Of course! I mean, we managed to reform changelings. Why would the Umbrum be any different?” She turned to Sunset, with a comforting smile. “Besides. I trust Sunset completely, I know she could broker peace between us– And that she won’t fall for any trap.”

“Maybe…” The gears in the captain’s head turned, as she glared at the helmet. “Maybe.”

“Sunset Shimmer...” Luna affirmed with concern. “If the Umbrum tell you that the sky is blue, they are lying. I do not trust them, not with a mile, nor an inch. And I do not think you should go.”

“Q-queen Luna, I know you have ample reasons to hate them for what they did to you, heck, Sunset shares the same reasons…!” Twilight stepped forward with tact and understanding. “But everypony deserves a chance– And this could be the chance to ease your burdens! Don’t you want to have an easier time dreamwalking…? If they’re not creating nightmares anymore, wouldn’t it be wonderful for you?”

“Nightmares will always exist, with or without the Umbrum.” She looked away in frustration. “...But yes, it would be easier.”

Celestia stepped closer to the captain, with worry and warmth. “It is your choice, little one. It displeases me that you will be gone all day, should you choose to accept this... But I have unending faith that you could accomplish it, should you choose to.”

“Thanks, well…” She smiled back, thinking strongly of it, spending precious seconds considering her next move.

“If we do not get our parlay, then we may as well consider this an act of war.” The shell murmured coldly. “We either have peace…”

“Shut up.” Sunset commanded, sitting down and thinking. She then turned to Twilight, with expectation, wanting her opinion.

“I think it might be worth a shot. I know you can do it, Sunset.” She nodded with confidence. “And well, if you don’t want to, we could always stay here, and talk to Celestia about that thing…?”

“Okay, I’m going.” She nodded firmly, and began removing her armor, piece by piece. “They can’t beat me, that much I know. And I can tell my guards to lockdown today. There’s nothing these assholes can do here either, heh.”

“Yes, indeed.” Celestia nodded with encouragement. “Those ‘assholes’ won’t stand a chance against you, should they choose to betray you…”

Sunset and Celestia both giggled enthusiastically at the swear, while the other two alicorn’s jaws were dropped with surprise.

“Get my armor back to my quarters, will you?” Sunset smiled confidently, placing the helmet on the floor.

“O-oh! I think you left a jacket, in my, um…” Twilight shot a quick glance between the two queens. “In my room…!”

“No need, I don’t mind going without it.” She nodded and shrugged. “I’ll try to catch the first train north, and be back in time for dinner if all goes well.”

“Oh! Starlight and Trixie are throwing a show on Canterlot here this afternoon, maybe you’ll be back in time for it? I bet they’d love to see the both of us!” Twilight smiled happily.

“Starlight and Trixie…?” Luna murmured pensively. “Aren’t those the idiots Twilight fought years ago?”

“Starlight is not an idiot.” Sunset and Twilight affirmed in unison, then giggled at their combined matched opinion.

“Still– Sorry, Twi. But Hollow Point is in the asscrack of northwestern Equestria– I won’t be back till nightfall.” She shot her Princess an apologetic smile. “But I wouldn’t mind making it up to you after…!”

“It’s a deal.” Twilight nodded with a mischievous smile.

“You should get going. He doesn’t like to be kept waiting.”

All four of them looked down on the vessel, frowning and judging.

“Queen Luna. Will you do the honors?”

With one swift enraged movement, The alicorn of the night crushed the helmet under heel, and with her magic, purged the darkness within.

“Alright. I’ll be back later, keep the castle neat while I’m out, will you?”

“See you soon, little one.”

“Be careful, Sunset…!”

“And keep both of your eyes open. I do not believe the Umbrum’s intentions to be genuine… On the contrary. I fear this is a sickening ploy.”

Truth to be told, the many hours of train ride were more than welcome.

She needed time to think. Time to process that morning.

The thoughts certainly spun around in a cacophony in her head– The amount of faith her love had for her, how much everything she always wanted was being offered to her… Plus interest.

She feared nothing, and she could win any fight. And yet, the thought of trying again made her shudder.

The landscapes passed by as she sat alone on her train cart– Not many traveled to and from Hollow Point. At the very least, she had privacy.

She still had the confidence from before… That smile. And she had gotten an excuse to not address the multiple bombshells Twilight had dropped on her.

“Hollow Point station! Last call!”

She stretched, and moved out of her seat swiftly. No jacket, no armor, nothing. She might get some strange looks due to her many scars, but she didn’t mind.

At least the pathway she would take took her off road.

Breathing in the afternoon air, she glanced around.

The town was nearby– She could visit it. The orphanage was not so far away either.

…But she had a mission to do. Visiting those two would be best done on a better day.

She wanted to return home as soon as possible.

It had been a long, long time since she had been to that ‘haunted’ house.

She beheld the small, quiet woods outside of the town of Hollow Point, and entered them, abandoning civilization.

Despite not fearing what was to come, she did feel some anticipation.

Luna was certainly right– The Umbrum were not to be easily trusted. But at the same time, it was absolutely true that they had backed their mutual enemy into a corner.

They were out of moves, out of options, and she needed to be ready for anything on this day.

And there it was, at a meadow full of dead leaves, with bushes filled to the brim with pale flowers in bloom.

It was spring, but felt like fall, by the cold afternoon air.

The lonely shack sat idly– The roof partially collapsed on one side, nearly every window shattered, wood moldy and old, as inviting as it had ever been.

She stepped onto the porch, and snickered. There was spray paint on the door.

‘Death awaits!!’

And besides it, some chalk drawings of cute creatures and ponies on the exterior walls. The clear sign of generation differences between teenagers and kids upon approaching a supposedly haunted place.

With little effort, she pushed the old door open, with it, a table on the other side nearly tumbled over, having previously barricaded it.

She let out a sigh. The ambience of the woods vanished, no more insects, no more birds. Just the noise of passing wind and creaking wood.

“I’m here.” She stated coldly, surveying the few shadows on the corners of the room.

No response.

The home was overturned and ruined, worn by time. There were only a few rooms, and she decided that she might as well explore.

Everything felt smaller now. So pathetic. Even as a child, she didn’t fear this old house– Now it was just the symbol of some other tale, one long over. She smiled, remembering other orphans pleading for her to stay, to not go, to not dare.

She ignored them without fear.

And didn’t live to regret it that time.

This time would be different.

She entered a larger, just as trashed room, with the curtains raggedy, yet covering the small windows. There was a counter, and several empty old bottles of drinks on the rotten shelves– The dusty piano on the corner implied this was once a place of parties.

With a grin, she looked behind the counter, at a message written here long ago.

‘Sunset Shimmer was here!’

“Feeling nostalgic?”

With a singular violent movement, she threw a chair towards the voice, shattering it on a wall.

She hit her target dead to rights– But an incorporeal target shrugged at the suggestion of a chair being thrown at it.

At the darkest corner of the room, avoiding the little daylight that shone through the windows on this cloudy day, was a shadow.

Sunset had to squint– It really did resemble a phantom. Completely incorporeal, it looked weak and small. Barely a unicorn– His small pitch black winds folded completely on his side, nearly fully see through, made of a seemingly dark fog.

“You look like shit.” Sunset stated coldly, absentmindedly grabbing a dusty bottle, inspecting it.

“It takes much effort for beings like me to manifest in Equestria like this.” He murmured, twitching, almost fading. “Even something as simple as walking here could make me fade away.”

“How about fucking off? How much effort does that take?” She replied instantly, not even dignifying him with a cold glance.

No response from the shadow, that continued to glare at her, barely corporeal.

With a sigh, Sunset leaned on the counter and raised an eyebrow. “So. You’re the big boss, huh? What should I call you?”

“There is no one true leader among the Umbrum. Not since Sombra was vanquished, centuries ago.” He did the closest to a phantom could to shrugging. “I am simply an Umbrum with a plan. When I was one of you, I was called Stygian.”

“Yeah, I recognize your fucking voice.” Sunset snarled, tossing the bottle at him, which crashed on the wall behind him, and reveling on how it shook his form, nearly making it dissipate entirely, only for it to reform slowly after. “You were one of the fuckers that was inside my head.”

“For two years, yes.” The shade nodded weakly. “For two years, you were one of us.”

“I was a prisoner.” she gritted her teeth, seething. “And what the hell do you mean, you were one of me?”

“A life left behind, long ago. My memory of it fails me.” He murmured, looking away. “But I was once a unicorn– banished, just like you.”

“Fuck off. You were the reason I got banished in the first place.” She picked up another bottle and threw it, to the same effect. “And if you try to do the ‘we’re not so different’ speech, I’m going to throw that piano at you.”

“Oh, we are nothing alike. I know my place, and I know my purpose, and I have never once faltered from it. You however, are a wolf among sheep. You’ve allowed them to tame you. They’ve made you a vegetarian, and you lie to yourself, every single day, that you are content in a life devoid of control. But you are a wolf. And you crave to bite.”

Sunset allowed herself a few seconds to simply sneer, and raise an eyebrow. “Great analysis, doc. But you forgot to take into account that I’ve never been happier in my entire life.”

“In servitude.”

“YES, IN SERVITUDE.” She cried out in anger. “I serve Canterlot, I serve the palace, I serve Twilight Sparkle, and I do it with a smile! I know my fucking place– I’m the Captain of the Royal guard, motherfucker! And I’ll gladly trade away control if it means serving people I trust!”

“You have not served yourself in a single day of your miserable life.” The shadow took a step forward, tilting his head. “Despite your dreams of ruling Equestria, you have done nothing but serve others. As a foal, Celestia. Then us. And now, Twilight Sparkle. Trading one master for another. You have never, ever had full control.”

“And what, you feel pity for me? Don’t make me laugh.” She rolled her eyes, readying another bottle. “Don’t forget, you wanted to make a puppet out of me. You’re worse than any other master I’ve served.”

“You had complete free will when we gave you our strength.”

Silence. Sunset raised a skeptical, enraged eyebrow.

“We did not control you, not even in a single day where you spent in our temple. And when you attacked the Canterlot palace… That was your choice too.”

“Yay. Your point?” She leaned back, flipping the bottle absentmindedly.

“Our point is that if we were to give you that power again… All we could give you is suggestions.” He tried stepping closer, but recoiled from the light on the windows. “What you could do with that power, with those wings… Is completely and entirely up to you.”

First, a snicker, then a chuckle, then full on laughter, and immediately after, she grabbed a chair and smashed it over the shadow, dispersing it, and watched it slowly reform.

“Seriously? THIS is why you called me here? You want to try to get back in my head, but Luna is keeping you out, so you resorted to asking nicely? You’re fucking pathetic.” She kept snickering and laughing. “And guess what, asshole. Even if I did accept it– There are three alicorns that could easily beat me down in Canterlot, ready and willing. Hell– Twilight beat me when she was only a unicorn. You’re out of moves.”

Silence. The shadow did not respond– If anything, Sunset thought she saw him smile.

“So there was never a parlay, then.” She blew raspberries, shaking her head. “I mean, I expected as much, but to think that your great evil plan was to ask me nicely to join you again… Not even any form of ambush– This is just funny.”

“This is the parlay.” The shadow affirmed without shame, without fear, with full confidence. “I am giving you this chance. Here and now. To join us. You will accept the shadows into your mind once more, and wield our power. You will return to Canterlot and convince your lover to do the same.”

“Or what?” She tilted her head without being intimidated whatsoever.

“Or we take it from you.”

“What?”

“Everything.”

Sunset narrowed her eyes, looking through the shadow.

“You’ve asked before, why you? Why you, and why here? Simple. We only wanted you away from Canterlot for a day. To give us time, should you say no. Time to take away everything you hold dear. And now we have it. You left Canterlot undefended, and you are at our mercy. So… What will it be?”

Once again, a snicker turned to a chuckle, and then she just stared at him, with a confident grin. “You’re a terrible bluffer. Or did you forget? I’m the captain of the fucking royal guard. Canterlot Palace is in lockdown, and what’s more, there’s three alicorns there, all who could easily and without a sweat stave off the likes of you. Unless you have an army of vessels to attack, I doubt you'll even get to scratch the city walls.”

She laughed out, picked up a bottle, and tossed it at him. “Why do you think I even risked coming here?? Because Twilight Sparkle can handle herself! And she’s going to be just fine if I’m away for a day!”

“If that’s what you truly believe, then take your time.” The shadow tilted his head, endlessly amused. “It gives us even more of it to execute our plan.”

“Ugh, where’s your bluff going now?” She rolled her eyes condescendingly.

“Oh, I wouldn’t want to spoil the surprise… but what awaits you back in Canterlot is complete ruin. For we have a witch in our ranks now.”

“Yay, another vessel. To reiterate: No one can beat Twilight Sparkle.”

“Not a vessel. An ally.” The shadow tilted its head with complete amusement. “The only being in Equestria that hates you more than yourself.”

That was a strange commentary, very specific. Maybe a bit too specific for a bluff.

“You’re curious, aren’t you. If all this is bluster or not.” Stygian smiled, and retreated to the corner of the room. “That curiosity will accompany you through the hours it will take you to return to Canterlot.”

“...Twilight Sparkle is incorruptible. You’ll never have her.” Sunset stated, with only a bit of hesitation on her voice. “And the palace is perfectly defended. You can’t have done anything just because I’m away. Hell… They don’t need me to protect it.”

“I think you’ll find we could only do what we did because you chose to leave.” The shadow chuckled in the corner maliciously. “And to think, Luna almost convinced you to stay… Heheh. It could have ruined everything. Ah… But now it’s too late.”

Sunset’s nerves were heightening. Anger began boiling inside her.

“Never fear. They will be better off without you. You hold Twilight Sparkle back. Have you noticed she never flies, when she’s with you?” Once more, her bared shadowy fangs in an eerie smile. “Not to worry. When the day is done, you will not hold her back ever again.”

“Okay. You know what?” She leapt over the counter, and towered over him, without fear, without hesitation. “Before all this shit you’re trying to pull, Twilight offered me to be a pupil of Celestia again. She offered for me to rule alongside her. She wanted me to earn wings, and be with her.”

She chuckled, shaking her head. “And you know what? She was right. I love her more than anything, I can’t believe I’d let my insecurities hold me back– If nothing else, I should accept the position out of pettiness towards you.” Her smile grew wide, as she tilted her head in a superior manner. “So after I get my wings, me and my family are flying up to your side of the moon and wrecking your shit personally. Expect us soon.”

“How wonderful, heheheh… Truly wonderful.” The shadow shuddered with laughter. “So our timing was impeccable, then.”

“I get it now.” Sunset smiled with teeth. “You’re afraid of me. Of what I could do with them. No wonder you singled me out– You’re afraid of having another alicorn to fight against.”

“You are right on the money. Before today, we had absolutely no way of hurting any of the members of your family… Of course, I had to offer you an out. But I was hoping you would say no. I was expecting it, even.” There was a rumbling of a chuckle coming from the shadow, quietly. “I wouldn’t want her to have cast that spell for nothing.”

“Spell? What spell? And who are you talking about?”

“Have I not made myself clear, Sunset Shimmer?” Stygian tilted his head, with an eerie smile. “Your life is over. We have taken all you love dear, here and now.”

“Psh. Fuck off. You don’t have a leg to stand on with any of your threats.”

“See for yourself, then.” He began fading into the wall itself, with an eerie chuckle. “See her handiwork. And before the day is done, you will bow to us.”

Right before he faded away, she tossed another chair his way, breathing heavily, feeling a boiling point.

Alone again. With only the sound of the distant wind, and the creaking of wood.

She didn’t believe Stygian’s threats. Not even a little.

But it was a long way to Canterlot.

So she galloped out of there.

Author's Note

This entire chapter is just. Dramatic irony, enhanced to unbelievable extents.

And I hope you're happy with the smaller size of the chapters bc from now on they won't be insanely huge, lol. They'll be decently sized like this! So we're on for a relaxing time :)

How ironic, that you say goodbye without knowing it. That things end without you noticing it.