Presence of Mind, Absence of Body

She’s still shocked. It was just a few days ago, but she’s still shaking. She still had nine moons left, well, the lesser quarter of nine moons, but still. It hadn’t been long since she asked and then…

He’d let her see Sunset and Spike.

She might say the worst part was ending the visit, but really the worst part had been standing coldly in front of the door and working up her courage to knock. She’d been eager to see any of them, but she’d decided on Sunset—mostly because she was taking care of Spike. She hadn’t been sure what she’d say, or what Sunset would do. A small part of her wanted to run back and quietly wait for Sombra to teleport her.

Somehow, she’d managed to muster the courage to knock. It didn’t take long for Sunset to answer. Twilight had almost gasped when she saw the ma… woman. She looked pristine; like nothing had changed. Sunset had the same makeup, the same leather jacket, and the same suspicious scowl she always had with strangers.

Sunset didn’t recognize her. She’d answered the door and stared at her in unabashed confusion. Her first words were, “Who are you, and what do you want?”

Spike had been behind her, and he’d immediately ran by, knocking Sunset out of the way as he jumped into Twilight’s arms. She’d cried. He’d cried. Sunset covered her mouth and started crying as well.

Of course Sunset quickly apologized for not recognizing her. Twilight laughed and told Sunset that she hardly recognized herself. The hug was warm, and something Twilight missed. When Sombra hugged her, he was… too inhumanely hot, or just plain lecherous. Which was nice in its own way. But Sunset’s hug was actually loving. She felt human and real, and Twilight hadn’t realized how much she missed the simple platonic physical contact.

Twilight apologized right back. They didn’t have much time as she was on a schedule. Even so, she did let Sunset know that she was okay. Sunset told her that they’d all been getting the letters. Twilight wanted to stay longer, she wanted to know more, but just seeing them and knowing they got the letters was enough for now.

Instead, Twilight asked her if she knew what she needed to do. If Sunset was tracking the moons, and had made plans for the rest of their friends to go as well.

Sunset knew what she had to do when the portal opened. She apparently had a comprehensive plan, one that Twilight had told her not to share. Twilight would tell Sombra anything he asked.

Sunset hadn’t believed her. Twilight shook her head and explained that things were complicated. That it was best to not tell her the specifics. Just… She had to know that Sunset knew what to do.

Spike had grown worried. He was smarter than he let on. She treated him like a child all the time, he was her brother and adopted son, but he must have known her life wasn’t as nice as her letters might have said. She hadn’t put every detail in the letters. Or rather, she’d put hardly none. Simply putting her state of mind, and hope that everyone was doing well, and that she’d been thinking about them often.

Certainly the tattooed skin, the piercings in her ears and on her face, and even the way she carried herself told a different story. She hardly looked the slightly flabby bookworm anymore. If anything, she looked a little too dangerous to be friends with Sunset; whose favorite jacket is a ripped leather one with metal spikes.

Spike couldn’t tell everything, but he knew something, and he whined. That sound hurt her in a way she hadn’t been ready for. Then it was time. They hadn’t wanted her to leave.

“You don’t have to go back to him!”

“Yes, I do…”

She didn’t want to explain. She couldn’t really explain. All she could give were excuses. “He’ll kill you. Or worse.”

“We’ll find a way!”

“And end up like me?”

Sunset had stared at her when she said that. Really stared, until she had a flash of realization. She’d covered her mouth in disgust.

“He… didn’t?”

Twilight actually had to hold back a bitter laugh. Of course he did. Instead, she just silently shook her head and gestured towards Spike. He maybe hadn’t figured it out. Sunset clearly knew. At least, she knew the basics of it. But really, would sharing more about her sex life make anyone feel better? Twilight let Sunset be horrified at whatever she imagined.

It had to be better than reality.

Twilight locked eyes with Sunset, and put on her Princess voice, commanding her friend. “I need you to go to Equestria. I’ve survived. It’s only, what, seven moons left? I’ll keep surviving. You need to go for me, though. Take them all. He’s more dangerous now. You can not fight him. Not without help from home.”

Sunset had shook her head in denial. Spike had whined. Twilight sighed, dropping the commanding voice and pleading. “Don’t… don’t make my time be wasted. If he gets you too, it’s all wasted. He wont as long as I’m… complacent. We have an agreement. Please, Sunset. Please don’t make it all for nothing?”

With that, Twilight had handed Spike back to Sunset, who only stared at her with wide, sorry eyes. Then she’d left. Sunset had to hold Spike back, he was crying and trying to get back out. Twilight was crying, but she didn’t let them see as she walked away.

Sunset just stared. She knew what to do, and now Twilight was sure of it.

The visit had hurt, but it had also set her free in a way. They were okay. Spike was okay. There was a plan.

When she’d gotten back, Sombra had undressed her. He took his time, and she didn’t argue with him or resist. She let him tear everything without complaint. Her dress, her bra, her panties, and her heart. He was ruthless with it all.

That night had been long and shameless. She’d gotten quite a few enthralling pictures to look over in her book. It felt like a chapter in itself.

And now?

She has pictures. Pictures that shouldn’t make her cry, but do. That’s okay, though. That was their purpose. As time marches by, that’s how she’s going to remember.