Shimmering Twilight

Twilight trotted down the hallway of Canterlot Castle, her eyes wide with wonder. "I really made it," she sighed out, still processing that it had truly happened. It had only been a few days ago that she had been living in her home with her parents, studying and practicing, just waiting for the entrance exam to be posted. And then, in an instant, her dreams had come true.

It had been quite an instant, causing a dragon to be hatched. She rubbed behind her head, imagining that moment. "Lost myself there."

A hoof slammed down in front of her, causing her to skid right into the attached leg. "Sorry." She looked up to see a fiery-maned pony, a teenager, glaring at her. "Miss?"

"Sunset," provided the larger pony, leaning in towards the smaller Twilight. "You're the one they snatched up, huh? Celly sure is fast about getting a replacement."

"Replacement?" She pushed her head back, trying to keep her eyes on Sunset, who was drawing close. "Are you a student?"

"I was," Sunset replied bitterly, pulling her muzzle away from Twilight and standing back up straight. "But what I want, Celestia wouldn't give. So I'm looking for my own way." She chuckled, looking Twilight over. "You're the best they could find?"

Twilight rubbed behind her head as she sank to her haunches. "I'm just me, um, Sunset. I hope to learn all about magic." She clapped her hooves, visions of what lay before her dancing in her mind. "Now that I'm in the school, I'll—"

"You're in the wrong place." Sunset's horn glowed, picking Twilight up and twirling the filly to face a new way. "The school is over there. This is the castle. You won't find any classes in here."

"Oh." Twilight drew out a book and made a note in it. "Thank you. I haven't learned my way around yet."

"Clearly." Sunset rolled her eyes. "Look, I'm sure you're nice and everything, but I have a mission here. Just, don't be so starry eyed, okay?" Sunset turned her muzzle away, letting a smile form. "Need a helping hoof? I know how to get to the school."

"Oh, yes!" Twilight clapped her hooves again. "I'd really appreciate it!"

Sunset nodded her head, starting to walk off, her motions sharp. Twilight followed after her. "So, what's your name, kid?"

"Twilight Sparkle." Twilight bounced with her name's mention, a bright smile on her face. "It's nice to meet you. Oh, um." She glanced away and back, some thought clearly there, but unspoken.

Sunset laughed at the expression. "What are you holding in? Out with it."

"Well, it's just." Twilight's voice got small, like she expected to be punished for what she was about to say. "You're not very nice, but you are helping me. I don't know what to think about you, Sunset."

Sunset raised a hoof to her chin. "Astute for such a small filly. Must be why they picked you. Look, I'm a bit peeved, but that's at Celestia. You didn't do anything I know of, other than being her next little pet. C'mon." Sunset motioned her over, smiling at her. "You might be my replacement, but that's no reason to be rude to you. I can still be helpful."

"Okay." Twilight followed her, her head turning to look over all the decor of the castle. Her eyes trailed over paintings and ornate windows as they passed them. Her attention slid forwards as they came out of the castle and followed a sidewalk. "Oh, the school is this way?"

"Just through this gate." Sunset tossed her head with a flick, her magic opening the gate not far ahead of them. "Celly's school for unicorns she likes." She rolled her eyes with the cynical words. "They do teach good magic here, won't argue that. What kind of magic are you looking forward to?"

Twilight's eyes lit up as she bounded forward. "Oh, I can't wait to read more about Equestrian history. It's so fascinating! But there's also the possibility of learning more about how magic can shape things, and that's so useful." She paused a moment to pantomime with her hooves. "Spells to make things, find things, or examine things. I want to do them all!"

"You've got a lot of drive." Sunset smirked, picking up the pace to match the younger filly. "I like that, even if you are her little protégé."

"I'm no one's protégé," Twilight huffed, her head tossing. She paused a moment. "Oh, wait. Yes I am." She looked away with a sheepish smile. "I forgot what that word meant a moment." She looked up at the school, both of them in front of it. "Oh yeah! This is the place."

"Uh huh." Sunset smiled, patting her back. "Have a great first day, okay?"

"You too," Twilight offered, turning her head. "I'll see you around, right?"

Sunset ruffled the filly's mane. "I think you will. Go on, don't want to be late, do you?"

"No!" Twilight galloped up the steps of the school, leaving Sunset behind.

Sunset shook her head, laughing quietly. "She's cute. Who am I kidding? Of course she's Celly's pet filly." She flicked her mane as she turned away. "And, maybe, just the right tool for this job." She chuckled darkly as she walked away from the school that had once been her own home.

She wasn't there every day, but often enough that Twilight stopped being surprised when Sunset Shimmer appeared, right around a corner or in her way with that curious smile. They would spend time together between classes, talking about the spells Twilight was learning. Twilight was eager to share what she had been studying, her rapid fire words making Sunset's head spin at times, while Sunset would give advice on ways to approach some spell or another.

"You are a fast learner." Sunset wobbled a hoof in the air. "I bet you're one of the best of the batch."

"There's another pony." Twilight tried to pantomime it with dubious success. "She's just as smart! I think she's older, though."

"Oh?" Sunset's eyes narrowed slightly. "And, do you talk about me with her?"

"Not everything!" Twilight chirped, a smile on her face. "Besides, she doesn't like talking about ponies. She's more of a, hm, book pony. She loves reading, maybe even more than me, and I thought you couldn't do that."

Sunset smirked, her eyes brightening. "More of a book pony than you? That's hard to imagine."

"Isn't it, though?" Twilight bounced with her laughter. "But, I like Moondancer.

Sunset leaned back with a nod. "Good to have a friend that understands you, right? I get that." She grumbled under her breath, recalling nopony that would fit that bill for her. "So, about that teleportation spell?"

"I was told to stop trying that one." Twilight looked away with a sheepish grin. "I keep messing up the spell and getting stuck in things. Last week, I got myself half stuck in a book and couldn't see anything. It took hours for the librarian to find and dispel me."

Sunset laughed at the mental image that summoned. "You poor thing. Maybe it's for the best. I was told teleportation is a very complicated spell." She put a hoof on Twilight's back. "Keep practicing. I bet you'll get the hang of it eventually."

"Thanks, Sunset." Twilight nuzzled into her friend's side. "I appreciate it. You're really nice to me."

"I'm just looking out for my friend." Sunset's smile brightened, at least for a moment. She took a slow breath, thinking of her darker intents. "Say, Twilight, they trust you, around the school, right?"

"Sure." Twilight looked confused. "I'm a student here. They expect me to be here."

"Right, right." Sunset let her eyes close, thinking over her plan. "Well, you see, I was doing some research. I thought of a way we could both surprise Celestia, it'll really put a smile on her face." Her smile was tight, but she kept up the appearance of happiness. "I need you to get me access to the library, though. There's a book in there that will let us pull it off.

Twilight clapped her hooves with naked joy. "That's easy! Just tell me what book you're looking for and I can check it out. They have to be returned in a moon." She waved a hoof at Sunset as if reprimanding her for even thinking of being late on that.

"That's just it." Sunset drew a sigh. "I can't check it out. I was already kicked from the school." She hung her head in mock shame. "It's a library book, and I need to borrow it."

Twilight pointed at herself even harder. "Tell me the name. It's not a secret, is it?"

"Sorry, but it is. I can't share the spell with you, and I can't let you take it from the library." Sunset leaned in closer, her face growing sad. "I really need your help with this, Twilight."

Twilight fidgeted in place with a little grumble. "If I can't check it out, and you can't either." She paused, doing a little circle in place. "Then how do we get the book?"

Sunset smiled at the question, her heart racing as she spoke. "We take it. Just for a little bit. Then, once we've done the spell, we bring the book right back and return it to the shelf."

Twilight made a shelving motion with a hoof. "Good! I don't want to take books from the library! What will a pony do if they want to check it out and it's missing? That would be awful! I've been so sad when the books I want are already being read."

"Exactly." Sunset patted Twilight on the back. "That's why it has to be quick. And, that's why you, Twilight, need to help me." She leaned in close. "Just stay late one day, all you have to do. Study something complex. Then, come to the back door, over there." She pointed at the one she meant. "And I'll be there to slip inside, grab that book, and we're done. Easy, right?"

Twilight thought about that, nodding her head. "Yeah. Yeah, that sounds like a simple plan. I'll do it." She gave Sunset a big hug. "You're the best, Sunset."

Sunset squeezed Twilight gently. "Right back at you." Her smirk was far more malign, but Twilight couldn't see it as they hugged together for a warm moment. "Tell me the day you can do it, and I'll be waiting, okay?"

"Right. I'll see you then, Sunset." Twilight got her hooves back under her.

"It'll be a pleasure." Sunset pulled out of the hug and trotted away. "I'll see you, Twilight."

Twilight waved as Sunset left.