“So where do you think Flora ran off to?” Musa asked the group as they waited at the fountain in the middle of the city square. Sunset had to admit that it was beautiful with both magical and mechanical properties to it, celebrating the Company of Light that the plaque said was the group that defeated the so-called ancestral witches. It had all the family crests of each member cared for around the fountain, and Sunset had picked the one that looked just like her cutie mark to stand near and look at it in confusion.

“She said she would be right back, she just wanted to grab something.” Tecna replied, looking back up from the holographic computer she was using. Putting up three images of the three girls that had attacked them in the middle of their group had startled Sunset from her thoughts as she looked first at the images, then to the girl herself who had displayed them. “Anyways, these are the three girls who attacked us. Apparently they will be starting their second year at Cloud Tower this year. They are in the school’s top three spots for students.”

“If that was the top three, then they must not be teaching them anything useful.” Sunset snorted in disdain. She could still feel their powers, and while they weren’t exactly weak, to Sunset they seemed to be like fillies using bubble wands pretending the bubbles were magic. And yet they were walking all over the girls as Tecna’s shield wasn’t going to last much longer and that brat thought she could get away with going after Flora like that? Nobody goes after Sunset Shimmer’s fri-companions like that!

“I’m not sure about that Sunset, I was worried what that ice queen was going to do to Flora.” Stella admitted, “While the rest of us have had a lot more experience one kind of another preparing us for things like this, Flora’s family has shielded her a little too much. This was her first fight ever. I’m actually shocked you were able to calm her down because she is usually the level headed one of the group that mother hens the rest of us.”

“I do not mother hen you girls!” Flora gasped in shock as she walked up to them, holding a wrapped package in her arms. “I just worry about you.”

“We know, girl, it’s why we love you.” Musa said with a grin, pulling Flora into a side hug.

“Anyways, there names are Icy, Darcy and Stormy.” Tecna explained, looking towards Sunset when she snorted at the names.

“What, no Marcy? Someone decided to break the cycle with the third one?” Sunset asked, earning a few giggles from the others. “I’m guessing their outfits had their initials. Why? Are they expecting to lose their clothes or forget their names?”

“I wouldn’t mock them too much. While you were able to handle them with ease, they were strong enough to beat us.” Musa said, her expression turning serious.

“Actually, I believe it is more that they caught us off guard. While we did have that altercation when recruiting Sunset, it was easy and we had not only Sunset, but the Specialists there. If we work on our teamwork, I’m sure we would stand a better chance against those witches.” Tecna said.

“Speaking of witches.” Flora said softly, walking up to Sunset and pushing the wrapped package into Sunset’s arms. “Thank you very much for saving me back there. I’m very sorry for breaking down the way I did after. I’ve never faced anything like that and I was so scared.”

“Hey, don’t worry about it. I would have done the same for any of your girls.” Sunset said with a confident smirk, even if it wasn’t reaching her heart just yet. As much fun as she has had today, she still couldn’t trust them just yet.

“Still, you saved me even after those horrible things I said about dark fairies.” Flora said.

“Flora, it’s okay. I know you were scared, but I promise I will never hurt you on purpose.” Sunset said, getting a watery smile from the girl.

“Thank you Sunset.” Flora said softly.

“Come on, open up the gift! We want to see what’s in it!” Musa said, looking over Sunset’s shoulder.

“Okay, give me a second.” Sunset sighed, carefully tearing the red paper off the box and finding a sleeveless leather vest inside, shocking her. She had to give up her jacket for now as it was in bad shape and she was afraid of making the king look bad if she didn’t present herself in a decent light. She almost didn’t even let the others talk her into getting most of the outfits she did, especially the one she had on. She didn’t think it was royal like, yet Stella insisted that it was fine and Sunset did have to admit that after being around Rarity, she knew what to look for in clothes. Her new outfit was a lot higher quality than Stella’s own and the blonde wasn’t wearing anything princess-like so figured it had to be okay.

“Don’t worry, it isn’t real leather.” Flora quickly explained, “This is a magically created material that is just like real leather, but has spells weaved in to protect against low level spells and has enchantments to keep it from getting damaged easily and to help keep it clean.”

“Wow, girl, that had to be-“ Musa whistled, before Flora covered her mouth.

“It’s beautiful, thank you.” Sunset smiled, slipping it on. It fit perfectly and she no longer felt weird without her beloved leather. And it being sleeveless made it a lot more comfortable as the weather here seemed unnaturally perfect.

“I just thought there was something missing from your outfit, then I remembered seeing that earlier.” Flora said, “And I also wanted to get you a gift to show my appreciation for saving me and to apologize for what I said.”

“Flora, don’t worry about any of that. We just met and you didn’t know. As far as you knew the dark fairy really was a monster.” Sunset said, cursing the Rainbooms mentally for infecting her with their need for constant hugs. Not that she was really against it.

“Thank you, Sunset.” Flora said, returning the hug.

“Bloom, come to me.” A ghostly voice called out from ahead of her. Looking around, all she could see was what seemed like a landscape that you would see underwater as her hair floated around her. It seemed like her movements were slowed down by some kind of resistance on her body as a fish flew by her head.

“What the hell is going on?” Sunset mumbled to herself. She could feel the water around her as she figured out that it was water, yet she didn’t feel wetness from it. It just felt like heavy air around her and she was clearly breathing.

“Please Bloom, we don’t have much time.” The voice called again, urging Sunset forward towards it.

“Who are you?” Sunset asked, making her way forward slowly as she looked around.

“My name is Daphne, Bloom.” The voice of the now identified Daphne called out.

“Look lady, my name is Sunset Shimmer, not Bloom!” Sunset called out as she stopped in front of the golden glowing woman that had warned her before.

“Your birth name is Bloom.” Daphne said with a sad smile, reaching out to cup Sunset’s cheek with a sad smile. “I looked so long for you, but when I sent you away, the attack from the witches caused my spell to misfire and you were sent to a different world than the one I intended to send you to.”

“I think you have the wrong person.” Sunset said, a sad look filling the woman’s face.

“I don’t, I know my magic signature on you as well as the-“ Daphne explained before Sunset bolted upright in her bed to see Stella’s hand on her arm where it appeared the girl was trying to shake the fiery haired girl awake.

“Are you okay, Sunset?” Stella asked, worry filling her voice. Sunset had to admit that it felt good to actually have someone care enough to check on her if they thought she was having a nightmare.

“I was just having this weird dream where this golden woman was telling me Sunset wasn’t my real name.” Sunset said, blinking away her sleep as she stretched.

“That does sound weird.” Stella said, yawning a little.

“Wait, you heard me from your room?” Sunset asked in shock.

“No, I was heading back to my room after spending some time in the gallery where my cousins are painted.” Stella sighed sadly, “Whenever I can’t sleep I spend some time in there looking at my family’s paintings and wonder if I will ever be as good as my ancestors or family. Tonight I was looking at my aunt and uncle as well as my cousins.”

“What are they like?” Sunset asked as Stella moved to sit next to Sunset so they could lean against each other a little.

“I don’t really remember them. I’m told Daphne used to babysit me when I was first born, but when her little sister was born their world was attacked and destroyed. Many claim the Queen went crazy when the ancestral witches attacked. I think they are just using her as a scapegoat to fuel their own agendas as daddy has told me time and time again that auntie wasn’t like that.” Stella explained, “I never got to meet Bloom, though daddy wants to believe that she is alive. I hope she is, because I have always wondered what it would have been like as we were supposed to be raised together and be like sisters.”

“I know I’m not her, but I’m your sister now and I’ll be here if you need someone to talk to.” Sunset said, her head spinning. That was the name of the golden woman and the name that was supposed to be Sunset’s birth name according to Daphne. That is if this was all real and not some weird dream. And yet if it was a dream, that would be a lot of coincidences.

“Thanks, Sunset. The same goes for you. We are family now, and I’m not letting you forget that.” Stella said, conviction clear in her voice. “I’ll find a way to prove you can trust us. That you can trust me.”

“You know, sis, I’m starting to think I can, at least a little bit.” Sunset said softly.

“Wouldn’t it be awesome if you did turn out to be my baby cousin? Then it would be official that we are family by blood.” Stella explained.

“Blood doesn’t always equate to family.” Sunset sighed.

“Sounds like there is a story there.” Stella said, taking Sunset’s hand and squeezing it.

“Yeah, maybe.” Sunset admitted quietly, chewing her lip as she thought about how much she should tell the blonde. “When I was a filly, I thought my mentor was my mother because of how similar our magic was and how similar our cutie marks are.”

“Filly? Cutie marks?” Stella sputtered out, holding back giggles. “Sunset, if you don’t want to talk about your past I understand. You don’t need to joke about it or make up stories.”

“I’m not making it up. When I was young I was a pony, a unicorn to be exact, living in the world of Equestria. Though I’m not sure if that is just the country’s name now or the actual world’s name.” Sunset explained, seriousness in her voice.

“You aren’t kidding, are you?” Stella asked, she was clearly shocked.

“Do you hate me now? Think I’m a disgusting barnyard animal?” Sunset asked so softly that Stella almost didn’t catch it. The blonde quickly pulled the fiery haired girl into a hug.

“I’ll never hate you and who cares what you were, or even are. There are countless numbers of species out there and it doesn’t matter which one you are. All that matters is that you are my sister now, so stop trying to escape that fate. I won’t let you!” Stella swore, happy when Sunset hugged her back. “Do you want to talk about the rest of it?”

“Yeah, I think I will if you promise you won’t tell anyone because you will be the first person I told everything to. I don’t want this to spread around.” Sunset said as the two settled in for a long story where the two eventually fell back asleep after a roller coaster of emotions.

Author's Note

I forgot to include a picture of Sunset's new outfit last chapter so I have went back and added it as well as put it here. It's a picture I saw on Deviantart and loved it. However, Sunset here does not have any blue in her hair and she doesn't have a cutie mark pendant either. Also, as of this chapter she also has a leather vest like the one she wears in some of the Webisodes.

Also, a big thanks goes out to Sunny Scriber for editing this chapter. Also, thanks to ScisetShimmerEvan and Seven Fates for showing me fixes than needed to be made in earlier chapters.