To read the other eight parts, click here or the "EQG Fanfic Rewrite Concept" category link on top.

 

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Ch. 6: Confronting the Past

 

At an unidentified locale, Sunset Pie Shimmer slept on a separate bed in Rarity's room (which was painted in purple, white, and baby blue), while Rarity slept in the other. But at around 6 o'clock, Sunny's phone rang. Instinctively, she stops the volume. But it rings again, so she picks it up and is surprised to hear Twilight Sparkle on the other line. They make some plans, and Twilight invites her for some breakfast in Midtown's Grump Tower followed by lunch at Pristine Café in the Haymill neighborhood east of the city and across the Midtown Bridge. Sunny accepts, so she quickly dresses, packs, and leaves to meet up with Twilight there, where they have a sit-down breakfast. Sunny had sunny-side up eggs, Liege waffles, bacon, and Greek yogurt. Twilight Sparkle had a cheese-with-mushroom omelette, cinnamon pancakes, and some ham. It was a pleasant conversation, although Sunset admitted into having an argument; she won't say what because it's too personal, but she reiterated the insult that resulted in Sunset leaving home last night. Twilight cringed and felt really sorry, but she believed they'll patch things up. Sunset isn't sure and she's still too angry at her right now, so she doesn't want to call anybody right now.

 

Meanwhile, Pinkie told the ReMane Four about the fight and how it ended (without spilling the Equestrian details). None of them were happy. One of them, Rarity, scolded Pinkie for insulting Sunset. Her sisters and parents are very disappointed in her, too. Siblings may fight, but she's never heard of Pinkie of all people say something that terrible. Pinkie shouts, "I know! I know! Stop telling me! You're making it worse!" But Rainbow Dash was harsh, and Pinkie wanted to charge, only to be held back by Applejack. After a few seconds of calm, AJ suggested that they all spend a little time together, and then invite Sunny over that afternoon.

 

Meanwhile, Sunset and Twilight went ahead to an upscale neighborhood in southeast Canterlot City (known as Alpha Village). Along Beta Boulevard, they passed several trendy places, from supermarkets to music festivals to wineries. When Twilight wondered why Sunset asked her to come over, Sunset explained that a while back, she was able to buy a small building. Like the rest of the neighborhood at the time, it was a little rundown. But the people here helped clean up the neighborhood and renovate the buildings, including hers. Right now, she's working on an independent project. Then, between Horsewick Street and Oak Street is a little one-story shop gated. She turned to see nobody looking and unlocked a statue. Then she swung its outstretched arm down and then up to raise the gate. Behind it were several bicycles (some with training wheels), helmets, pads, goggles, and lines of clothes with fabric to protect the human skin. They change into their outfits and then put on their pads and helmets.

 

When Twilight reveals she never rode a bike before, Sunset gives her a tip and lets her ride one with training wheels. They leave the premises (with Sunset locking the shop) and then bike their way up the avenue. Then they turn and approach a bike-only road; no cars, buses, or motorcycles are allowed. They pedal their way up the bike-only road and soon find themselves in the middle of a park. Trees of multiple colored leaves (including whites, yellows, and green) surround them, the antennas of skyscrapers only peaking through. They cross a bridge to another bike-only lane in between sidewalks. After a quick snack of ices, they continue and then start to speed up a little. Twilight was getting used to the bikes; after getting ahead briefly, she stopped, pressed a button to retract the training wheels, and then moved forward when Sunset caught up.

 

They traded places until Twilight decided to pedal faster ahead, losing sight of Sunset as the road curved. Suddenly, sunlight gave way to darkness within a dimly lit tunnel under an arch bridge. When she pops out from the other side, a three-level bridge (one for cars, bikes for the middle, walking people below) appears. When Twilight arrives at the bridge's foot, she looks down and feels nervous. Instinctively, she looks back — no Sunny, no wings. The face that the "walls" are wired gates made her feel very uncomfortable to the point of goosbumps. Suddenly, Sunset races by with a loud, free, childlike laugh, leaving a trail of wind behind her. Eyes furrowed with determination, she puffs and pedals after her all the way to the other side, where Sunset waits. The purple princess admitted feeling nervous, and Sunset understands; she was nervous when she first biked across the bridge, too. They continued and saw a big surprise: the ReMane Five walking along the side heading to the bridge. Sunset glared at Pinkie and raced away; Twilight smiled nervously and followed. Pinkie sulked.

 

They pedaled until the sixth light past the Midtown Bridge. Then they make a left into a very quiet area of the city. Rows of schools, one-family houses, and trees filled the street, except an occasional car, bus, and one outdoor café down the line. Sitting at one of the tables, Principal Celestia, and Spike.
When they slowed to a stop in front of the café, Principal Celestia lay her menu down and said, "Good afternoon, Miss Pie Shimmer."

 

"Um…afternoon, Principal Celestia," said Sunset, and she leaned to Twilight's left ear. "Twilight, I'm gettin' confused. Why are we having lunch with Principal Celestia?"

 

Twilight Sparkle sighed and blinked slowly. Eyebrows drooped a little. A hand held onto the bicycle handle.

 

"Sunset…I must tell ya something."

 

"I don't understand."

 

Twilight gazed at the cafeteria's entrance. The door was open, but it was dark inside. "Princess Celestia?"

 

A gold-colored shoe peaked from the shadows and onto the floor mat in front, followed by another. Then her hands, arms, head, and upper body appeared in the sunlight. Cupped on top of her head was her trademark crown.

 

Sunset gasped. Her irises shrunk to half the size of an American dime. "Princess Celestia…"

 

Princess Celestia stopped before them. "In the flesh, Sunset Shimmer," she said with a small bow. "It's been so long since we last met."

 

Sunset stepped one step back, her voice barely a whisper as Twilight held her hand for comfort. "What are you doing here in Pedestria? What's going on?"

 

Princess Celestia sat down next to the principal. "Do you remember what happened eleven years ago?"

 

Sunset looked down and morbidly replied, "Yeah…yeah, I do." Muscles tensed. Orange fingers twitched into a fist. Her eyes furrowed. "I ran away to get away from you!"

 

"Shh! Calm down, Sunset!" said Twilight.

 

"Calm down?! Princess Celestia locked my magic!" A gasp. "Don't tell me you know this MONSTER!"

 

"Monster?!"

 

Sunset whipped her head to Spike's direction. Whitened, tinted eyes glared at her.

 

"Princess Celestia wrote to you every week because she cared about you!" he thundered. "If she didn't, she, Twilight, and I wouldn't spend the effort searching for you."

 

"Spike, if you and the others cared, then you'll just leave me here in peace… And I let you sleep with me on my bed!"

 

"You had a nightmare, Sunset," said Spike as his greenish hue returned to his irises. "Twilight and this fire-breathing dragon weren't gonna let you suffer."

 

Sunset's tense muscles gave way to relaxation. "Spike, Twilight, do y'know why I suffer from 'em?"

 

They shook their heads.

 

"'Cause I still remember the day the teachers and student bullied me," said Sunset. "It's beyond the name-calling. They tripped me, slapped books on me, and used their magic to pin me as everypony tried to play 'glue the nose on the loser.' Do you know how it feels to be lonely in a school that wants to do everything but get rid of you?" She laughed sarcastically. "You can't.

 

"That's what happened to me that day. That's why I let my magic go out of control. Nopony came to help me! Nopony cared! And you." As tears puddled under her eyes, she pointed at Princess Celestia, who looked at her with a slight blue tint in her sclera. "I looked up to you. You helped me get through the first year when nopony would. You became another mother to me. So what did you do when I needed you?! You said, 'I'm going to regret this,' and locked my horn! Mama and Papa in Equestria gave you permission to VIOLATE me! VIOLATE!! HOW COULD YOU…YOU — MONSTER?!!"

 

Her legs numbed. Bones wobbled. Her upper body slumped onto Twilight. Both arms interlocked around her ribs, clutching at the back. Twilight's legs burned from the extra weight pulling her down, and they landed hard on the pavement. Fresh knees rubbed against the asphalt like wet wood splintering reddening hands. But Twilight Sparkle clutched one arm around Sunset while the other stroked her back and hair. Quiet tears flowed down her cheeks and mixed into Sunset's stream underneath.

 

Principal Celestia tiptoed her way to the crying duo, kneeled, and placed a hand on Sunset's shoulder.

 

Suddenly, Sunset jolted her shoulder, still leaning on Twilight. "Don't touch me!"

 

Princess Celestia walked over and knelt beside the crying duo. "Sunset Shimmer, I can't make up how I hurt you… You have every right to not forgive me…" Her voice trailed into a whisper; tears welled up. "I'm so sorry."

 

Sunset continued to cry on Twilight's chest.

 

"Sunset Shimmer, the portal to Equestria's open and won't close for twelve days." Spike's voice cracked mid-sentence. "Your parents back in Equestria are waiting. They miss you and want to see you again."

 

"And do what, Sp-pike?" asked Sunset, her blubbering voice clogged by Twilight's shirt. Mid-sentence, snot dislodged from her nose and accidentally swallowed it. "Pretend like it never happened?"

 

After continually stroking Sunset's back, Twilight spoke: "Sunset, please look up."

 

Sunset moved her head up, leaving a soaked puddle of tears.

 

"While you were here, Dawn and Sunrise parented a brother, Solstice. He knows about you. He wants to see you. Please…come to Equestria for him…"

 

Dry green eyes peered at Spike, who patted her leg softly for comfort. Then, she looked at the two Celestias. Neither of them moved aside from an occasional blink and car speeding by. A small tear dripped down Princess Celestia's right cheek and onto the ground.

 

The gold-skinned girl's eyes began to burn once again. This time, not of pain, but pure anger. "Princess Celestia, what will they say when I return? 'You failed me, Sunset. Good riddance to a failure!'? 'At least your little brother won't disgrace your family!'? Will they be like Pinkie-Mommy last night? 'Crestwood is better without you'? Will I get that, too?!"

 

Princess Celestia attempted to respond, but Sunset interrupted, "Answer me! Tell me the truth!"

 

"Sunset, calm down!" Twilight yelled; Sunset looked up at her. "Listen to me! You're not thinking straight. They really love you. They really, really miss you. They haven't seen you in over eleven years. Why would they hate you? They thought you were brainwashed…! For Celestia's sake, they thought you were dead!"

 

Afterwards, not one limb moved. Sunset's eyes remained in contact with Twilight's as Twilight retained a firm gaze at the vulnerable transplant. Both girls blinked. Red veins crept along the edges of Sunset's eyes. Old tears dried up on her cheeks and Twilight's bicycle outfit. Tightness from Sunset's fingers onto Twilight's shirt loosened. Cramping knuckles seared through her hands, and her shoulders flinched.

 

Grunting, Sunset crept her left leg forward and planted her foot down.

 

"Can't get up. Help me."

 

Twilight swung her right leg forward, and she pushed herself up, dragging Sunset's stiff weight up.

 

"Miss Pie Shimmer, let me help," said Principal Celestia and held out her right arm for support.

 

Sunset grabbed it, and all three were soon on their feet.

 

"Thanks, Principal," Sunset said.

 

Principal Celestia hummed in reply.

 

"I have to head back to East Ridge. I need time to think about it. Twilight, can you come back to the workshop with me, please?"

 

"Of course."

 

They skipped lunch, biked their way across the bridge, and back to the private workshop in the Alpha Village workshop. They changed into their proper clothes, locked the door, and went along their separate ways. Twilight retreated to Grump Tower, Sunset to the front of the Pie residence. But not before Sunset reopened her workshop door and took out her bike again.

 

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Ch. 7: Runaway

 

Once she arrived at her residence, she saw Pinkie Pie sulking on the front steps.

 

"Pouting to make me feel guilty, eh, Pinkie-Mommy?"

 

"Lay off the snark, Sunny! I'm still feeling guilty over our fight!"

 

Sunset scoffed. "'Our' fight? You spied into my diary last night. You wouldn't feel guilty if you didn't snoop into it."

 

"Sunse— Sunny. Please. Listen. You're my sister. You can trust me."

 

"How in God's name can I since you found out who I really am?"

 

"Because I love you! And I know you love me!"

 

"If you did, you wouldn't look into things that didn't— Ah, darn it. Never mind. Dragon's out of her lair. You know it, Principal Celestia knows it. Everypony else will, too."

 

"Will what?"

 

"I'm not a real human. I'm a pony. They'll think I'm a freak!"

 

"Nonsense!"

 

"I don't believe you! N— Pinkie, stay off me!" Sigh. "Twilight's right. Princess Celestia's right. Maybe it'd be best for all of us that I return to my real home, after all."

 

"But, Sunny, this is home!"

 

"I wish it was."

 

Sunset turned the corner and biked quickly away.

 

Pinkie Pie raced back into her empty home, swiped her phone, and panically dialed numbers to her friends and family. She told them that Sunset had run away. News surrounding it quickly spread to the rest of her friends, and Rocky Quartz called the police to report. News got to Principal Celestia and VP Luna, who called Grump Tower to alert Twilight Sparkle and Celestia. As VP Luna alerted Old Iron at CHS, the clerk transferred her call to Princess Celestia's and Twilight's room. As they conversed another plan, their phone rang. Princess Celestia picked up.

 

"Hello? What's wr…" She gasped. "Oh, no! Thank you." She hung up and immediately began to dial Pinkie's number.

 

"What's wrong?" asked Spike.

 

"Sunset Shimmer has run away," she replied frantically, causing the duo to gasp. "I think I know where she went. Twilight, Spike, run down to the clerk. Hail a cab for Canterlot High immediately! Don't wait for me!"

 

They raced out as Celestia dialed Pinkie Pie's number from her journal. Pinkie Pie blubbered a response, but Princess Celestia instructed her to take a deep breath and explain what happened. Pinkie did and told her she may be going to her real home in Equestria.

 

"That's what I thought. Pinkie Pie, tell some of your friends to head to Canterlot High. Wait in front of the statue. Email your most recent picture of her to your friends so they can print out flyers, and then head over to CHS. Twilight, Spike, Principal Celestia, and I will be there. Okay?"

 

They hung up. Celestia packed up and ran off to CHS.

 

Meanwhile, Twilight and Spike were in a cab racing down Outer Canterlot's streets. Every single light was green with no traffic in sight. At last, they spotted CHS. Twilight paid the fare, told him to keep the change, and they dove into the statue's base. Rainbow Dash guarded the door.

 

"Hey, Twil— What's wrong?"

 

"Dash…important! Have you seen Sunset?!"

 

"No."

 

"How long…have you guar…ded the door?"

 

"Since lunchtime. Now, breathe in, breathe out. What's wrong?"

 

"Sunset's run away!" replied Spike.

 

"WHAT?!"

 

"We don't know where she went! She may still be in Pedestr—"

 

"And she might be coming here!" yelled Twilight. "Rainbow Dash, don't move! Watch the mirror. If a guard passes by, alert him and make him tell the others. Look out for a golden-yellow unicorn with gold and red hair and that…" she pointed at the sun mark above the mirror, "…on her flank. If she comes here, keep her at bay. Don't write to me unless you or the others found her. Understand?"

 

"Aye-aye, ma'am!"

 

"No time for games! This is serious!"

 

"I am serious, Twilight."

 

"G'aaaaaghhhhhhhhh! Never mind. Rainbow, just do as I say. C'mon, Spike!"

 

They ran through the mirror and nearly collided with Pinkie Pie's knee. At least a dozen of Sunset's friends, including the ReMane Five, VP Luna, and the two Celestias, were there. In the background, CHS's front door was unlocked.

 

"Snips and Snails are preparing the flyers," said Flash.

 

A minute later, both teens wheeled two carts full of four-color-printed flyers with a high-res image of Sunset Shimmer. Starflower and Rarity examined a sample and okay'd them. Afterwards, they fanned out and began taping them on the poles. Each flyer contained her height, weight, skin color, hair length and colors, the clothes she wore, the prominent color and stripe pattern of her bike, spot of her last whereabouts, and phone number. As some flyers were taped up, others passed them and asked if they saw her (each of them admitting to not seeing them). They kept calling her, but they kept heading to voicemail. Soon, the mailbox was full, but they kept calling, texting, and searching for her.

 

In an unknown locale, Sunset Shimmer sat on a fuzzy step in a dimly lit room. Nobody was there except for a same-sex couple and a dad with his son, each of whom focusing on the glass as penguins swam to and fro. But Sunset's eyes never looked up. Her eyes concentrated on her cellphone as phone calls and text messages piled while on silent. Once she heard excited kids outside, she put her cell in her jacket pocket and walked out, towing her folded bike with her. She passed through several paths and animal lairs and cages, including seals, bats, and sloths, before reaching the rear exit. She walked through the turnstile, opens her bike, and pedaled forward deeper into the park. Little to no people jogged or walked along it. This area was quiet and full of secrets that only she felt could discover.

 

Meanwhile, the HuMane Six, Spike, Flash, Starflower, and Princess Celestia ran through the lower passage into a large terrace before a lake. They handed missing flyers and asked if they saw her (none with any luck).

 

Then, Twilight felt a hard nudge on her shoulder.

 

"Twilight, look!" Rainbow Dash pointed at a ledge left of the terrace.

 

In between the trees, they spotted Sunset biking by.

 

"SUNSET!"

 

Immediately, she ran over to the edge; the others followed.

 

Sunset heard Twilight's voice and peaked down with her right eye.

 

"Leave me alone," she mouthed and pedaled faster up the hill.

 

The crew ran up the stairs, but halfway through, Sunset whizzed by. Puffing harder than ever before, they ran faster. Soon, they made their way up and tried to run after her, but she was too far ahead. But Rarity called some friends at the northern end of the park and told them they spotted Sunset biking toward them. They ran through the pathway, out of the park and took public transport a mile-and-a-half north.

 

About two miles north of their near-confrontation is a lawn. Green grass curved along the hills from the hard, millions-years-old rock. Hundreds of tall trees surrounded it. Park benches alternated where people who sat faced, either the road or the lawn.

 

Her retractable bike, pads, and helmet lay along one side of the trunk. Leaves danced in the waft. Shadows danced off her scalp as she sat on a root. But she merely stared ahead. Kids played with each other. Either parents played with them or stood nearby; one mom flew a kite with her daughter.

 

Green eyes crept down. As her black sneakers sat to her right, grass blades lightly crumbled under the weight of her yellow socks. Toes wiggled within; little blades of grass beneath inhaled carbon dioxide. Little pores along her thighs squeezed as another breeze tucked under her knees.

 

Then, a buzz; she peaked right. A little ruby-throated hummingbird buzzed around a grove of marigolds and lilies. Little, loud buzzing from its rapid flapping rumbled into her ears, yet the little harmony refused to purge. Quietly, she rotated her body and watched it feed on the pollen.

 

For the first time in several hours, a little smile appeared on her face. A ping of energy raced through her limbs, up her back, and into her brain. But she didn't want to move, either. The little hummingbird's wing-enchanted song mesmerized her eyes too long. But for some reason, he had no interest in leaving. He jolted back, then forward to grab some more pollen, and then back again.

 

Suddenly, a descent and landed on a broken branch near Sunset's legs.

 

She looked at the bird. The bird looked at her. Sunset giggled and slowly extended a finger. The bird peered down at it, then back up into her eyes.

 

He hopped. His small feet touched her finger.

 

her arm gingerly bent inward and up to her shoulder.

 

"You're beautiful, hummingbird."

 

The hummingbird chirped.

 

"Thank you," Sunset whispered and extended her finger back to the twig.

 

Instead, he buzzed away.

 

Afterwards, Sunset stood up, grabbed her equipment, and walked up some stairs to a bridge nearby the main lower path. But halfway across, she dropped her bike equipment and gazed at the opening in between the line of trees. Sunlight reflected off the grass and canopy before escaping into the paths and into the tunnel below. But everything was so relaxing, she felt pain to move any further.

 

A group of footsteps approached the lawn, and she looked down at the road. The Mane Six, Princess C., Flash, Spike, and Starflower arrived. With nobody else around, they couldn't ask anybody where Sunset was, so they taped one flyer to a lamppost. Pinkie went to sit on a bench facing the lawn, and the others sat on the ground. Pinkie texted to Sunset, but Sunset didn't pick up.

 

Sunset prepared to leave, but the hummingbird landed on her coat pocket and pointed his beak to her closed zipper. She took it out to see her phone completely filled with text messages, emails, and phone calls. All were worried sick about her, and there was also a silent alert of her missing. She heard some voicemails, all of them expressing despair and hope she'd come home. These voices came from everyone: principals, teachers, kids from rival schools, friends from CHS and beyond, and her family. One of them being Pinkie-Mommy.

 

As she listened to each message, a tear dripped down her right cheek and onto the stones. A world she began to believe was becoming what Equestria — a world she believed would rather not have her exist… Frantic calls. Scared texts. A complete fear that she might do something she will forever regret. Was she really that loved? Did everyone truly love her so much that they would call her and text her, some of whom croaked through obvious weeps?

 

But crying from afar paused her thoughts. Pinkie leaned forward and wailed. A converging group of friends tried to console her, but their attempts only made her cry harder.

 

"Why did I have to tell her to go back to Equinia? I hurt her, Rarity. She ran away 'cause I told her we didn't need her anymore! I—kkhh—"

 

She continued sobbing hard while kneeling on the grass.

 

"Pinkie…she'll for—"

 

"D—! No hugs. No parties. No she'll-forgive-yous. Nothing! Leave me alone!"

 

Everyone hung their heads.

 

Twilight sat on the bench and bent forward; Princess Celestia gently held onto her shoulder and sat down beside her.

 

Toes approached the group and broke through the crowd. But nobody yelled or gasped. Sunset's quiet, bold walk was like a physical ghost, but her steps clapped the ground and crumbled the grass. One knee on the grass followed by the other. Sunset bent her head down and kissed her lightly on the forehead.

 

Pinkie's red eyes gazed at a smiling Sunset kneeling in front of her.

 

"Hi, Pinkie-Mommy."

 

Immediately, Sunset bent over and wrapped her arms tightly around Pinkie. Once more, tears flowed down her face.

 

"I'm so sorry, Pinkie. I'm so sorry for scaring you."

 

Pinkie wrapped her arms around her big sister. "You're my sister, Sunny. A pony, human, don't care. You're a Pie." She moved her head off Sunset's shoulder. "Sunny, look at me."

 

She did.

 

"Always remember, I love you."

 

Sunset cupped her left hand around Pinkie's cheek. "I love you, too."

 

She kissed Sunset on the nose and slumped on her chest.

 

As they hugged and cried, Snails silently took a photo of their embrace and sent it every searcher and the police under the subject, "Sunset Found."

 

All the while, the ruby-throated hummingbird perched itself on a loose elbow pad on the bridge ledge. Mission accomplished — he flew home.

 

With the search complete, the alert was silenced, and every flyer they could find was destroyed. A boy named Sandalwood offered to bring Sunset's bike and supplies back to her home, but she instead directed him personally to her Alpha Village workshop. As dusk colored the sky, they put away her bike, helmet, and pads; locked it, and then split up. When she and Pinkie walked away and down the avenue, the other Pies were there, and she hugged them all really hard. When they let go, they road in the van home, and she had her biggest meal ever: steak on top of a bed of papaya salad, bagels with cream cheese, spinach-and-cheese tortellini in marinara sauce, and strawberry ice cream.

 

After showering, changing into her pajamas, and brushing her teeth, she went into her room and found her diary lying on her bed with several cards sticking out. One by one, she read them, and each of them was support and love for her. As she read them, her journal glowed, and she turned to the page. Twilight Sparkle and Princess Celestia expressed their warmth, kindness, and appreciation for her. Sunset took out her magical quill, dipped it in ink, and wrote a thank-you message back along with her decision to see the Shimmers tomorrow morning at 9 AM and stay for three days.

 

Turning on her computer, she connected her phone to the screen, dialed numbers, and activated her computer's camera (named MuzzleVision). One by one, people started answering: the ReMane Four, Flash, Snips and Snails, Starflower, and Crystal Prep's Sugarcoat. They asked how she was doing, what she ate, how the Pie's have treated her since she returned, and trailed off the conversation into homework, summer school, and (when Pinkie Pie came in to join) even a party cannon that's still in testing. The last time they tried it, the walls of the garage fell over like cards, and Sunset, Pinkie, and Igneous got covered in soot.

 

Following some light-hearted bickering, Flash asked a serious question: Will she be leaving for the world she once called home?

 

"I don't know, Flash. I mean— Guys, listen. I'll be returning to Canterlot tomorrow morning."

 

"What?! No!" gasped Snails.

 

"But we just reunited!" Pinkie whined.

 

"Shh! Quiet. She's not done."

 

"Thanks, Sugarcoat. I'll only be gone for three. Then here for two, then there for two, and alternate cities every day till the portal closes."

 

"Buuuut…by then, you'll have t'choose where to…call home…" Rarity's words faded.

 

"Unfortunately."

 

"But…where?

 

Sigh. "I dunno. I mean, all of you here, Maud, Limestone, Pinkie-Mommy—"

 

"'Pinkie-Mommy'?"

 

"'Cause she's a mother figure, Snails," said Sugarcoat.

 

"Oh. Forgot." Snails wrapped his left arm around the back of his head and scratched his hair. "Really cute."

 

"Well, habits die hard, Snails."

 

"Guarantee this one won't, Sunny!"

 

"We'll make sure of that, gorgeous," added Rarity.

 

Sunset twirled some of her hair and looked away, blushing.

 

Pinkie giggled beside her.

 

"Mmmm… Kinda reminds me of what Apple Bloom called me when I was a young-un."

 

Rarity adjusted her camera. "Don't cocoon yourself, Applejack."

 

"Yeah, we're all friends here!" added Rainbow Dash.

 

"So don't blush," said Starflower. "Spill it!"

 

"Mmmm…Piggly-wiggly."

 

"What's so bad about that?" asked Fluttershy.

 

"Reminds me of my godawful hairdo as a kid."

 

"You mean…that pigtail 'do that Apple Bloom loved to pull on?" said Rainbow Dash.

 

"While at Mayberry Elementary Academy?" finished Sunset.

 

"Eeyup."

 

"Pickin' up your big bro's catchphrases, too, eh, A.J.?" said Pinkie Pie.

 

"Eeyup."

 

"Gonna keep saying that till Mooriella comes home, will you?" Sugarcoat deadpanned.

 

"Eeyup."

 

"Saw that one comin' a mile away," quipped Big Mac from the background.

 

"Hey!"

 

Everyone chuckled, and Applejack hid her face within her hat.

 

"Aw, such a shame you got rid of it, A.J. I loved that 'do!" whined Starflower, clasping her hands with sad eyes.

 

"And risk having her pull mah roots out?" The cowgirl tugged some hair on her bangs. "Uh-uh!"

 

"But it'll be so nostalgic!"

 

"Yeah, and Apple Bloom's thirteen years old now," said Rainbow Dash. "Will be way better than wearing neon yellow. Right, Rarity?"

 

Rarity scoffed and flicked her hair. "Well, obviously."

 

"But you kill it in neon, Dash!" Snips said.

 

"You're kidding me, Snips? I look ugly in it!"

 

"More like 'uglawesome.'"

 

"Not a real word, Snips," said Sugarcoat.

 

"Soooo? Hasn't stopped me!" squeaked Pinkie Pie giddily.

 

Sunset chuckled. "No, it hasn't."

 

"Obviously." Sugarcoat cracked a smile.

 

"So…" Sunset Pie Shimmer cleared her throat, "anypony h— I mean…anybody—"

 

"Don't worry if you say 'anypony,' Sunny," interrupted Flash. "We don't mind."

 

"Anypony, anybody, tomato, tomahto. Nobody gives a hoot. I sure as heck don't. You're still one of us," added Applejack.

 

"Thanks, guys. So, anypony else—" she winked at the camera; everyone chuckled, "—had a little nickname back when you were kids?"

 

"Not me," said Snips and Snails.

 

"Mine was a before-and-after, 'cause I read comics as a kid: Reading — Rainbow — Dash."

 

"Cool!" said Sunset and Pinkie together.

 

"Back in the day, Mommy and Daddy used to call me "Rarara." As she said her nickname, she shook her shoulders side-to-side.

 

"Reminds me of an ol' friend I used to know so well." Applejack flicked the crease of her hat. "Haven't talked to her in years, though."

 

"Have you checked MyStable lately?" asked Fluttershy.

 

"Not a social media gal. Too much abuse out there for me to tolerate."

 

"Ditto," Flash replied.

 

"I don't blame either of you. Nuh-uh!" said Pinkie.

 

Fluttershy raised her hand. "Sunset, can I ask a question…please?"

 

"Please."

 

"Ummmm…what's it like in Equestria?"

 

"Perhaps unlike any world you ever dreamed of. Cliché, I know, but apropos. Where I came from was a town called Grazewood. Think of the Redwoods, but with charcoal gray bark with blue pine leaves — and a flourmill at the northern edge. The Shimmers — Dawn, Sunrise, myself — lived on a hill in the south beside the ocean."

 

"Sounds beautiful," replied Fluttershy.

 

"Most beautiful place in the world." She glanced at her diary behind her. "Twilight and Princess Celestia told me Mama and Papa in Equestria have a brother there, too."

 

"…You never told us you have a brother," said Starflower.

 

"Found out this afternoon, Starflower, during my meltdown. Name's Solstice, apparently."

 

"So, like the winter and summer solstice." Rarity leaned forward. "Really beautiful name."

 

"Your family has some amazing names, Sunny," said Snips.

 

Sunset blushed.

 

Pinkie held her left hand. "The Shimmers must be amazing, too."

 

"They were. Was very close to them as a foal." She sighed contently and looked up at the ceiling. "Brings back memories. Wish I brought photos along."

 

"You have any from Equestria?" asked Flash.

 

"Besides my diary? Not sure." She turned to her bedside tables and back. "Lemme look."

 

As Pinkie talked with them, Sunset looked inside her bedside drawer. Finding nothing, she opened the door underneath. Inside was her traveling bag she took to Equestria. Dozens of photos lay in a neat stack.

 

"Here! Got some!"

 

She put them on the table and checked her desk drawers. More photos lay staked in one of them.

 

"Here's more!"

 

Sitting down beside Pinkie, Sunset looked through the photos and began showing them to her friends. Her pile of photos were an assortment, including photos of Dawn and Sunrise back when they were spring sweethearts, their marriage, construction of their Grazewood home, and the birth of Sunset.

 

As they looked, Sunset became more and more surprised. Some of these pictures she had never seen before, and to both see them and show them to her closest friends reminded her of the joy she had with them. Pinkie-Mommy's nurturing, the guidance she gave her and used them as they grew up together. The friendships with Flash, Fluttershy, off and on with Sugarcoat, Starflower, AJ, Dash, Snips, Rarity, and Snails. Her other friends that weren't on MuzzleVision. These weren't just friends. They were brothers and sisters, too. They were just as much family as Pinkie, Mama and Papa Pie, and the Shimmers.

 

But more importantly, she saw warmth in the Shimmers. Warmth in their smiles. Warmth in their kisses. Warmth in their shots with her. Warmth in Sunset's shots with Princess Celestia. Warmth with her longtime imaginary friend, a mermaid doll named Lemon Grass. Despite being one dimension away, their hoofprints — with some, her hoofprints, too — were over it. As if the Shimmers' glows from their horns or hoofprints stamped them without any ink. With each image she held, her fingers tingled and eyes trembled…

 

Halfway through the second pile, Sunset wrapped her free left arm around Pinkie's shoulders.

 

"Sunset? Pinkie?" Starflower paused herself to sip some water from a glass located beyond the edges of her screen. "Your relationship's too precious. When I heard you had a fallout, my heart broke!"

 

"Oh, indubitably, Starflower," added Rarity. "Please, pleeeease…never let this happen again."

 

Fluttershy raised her pinkie finger. "Pinkie promise?"

 

Sunset raised her head, lifted her right arm off her desk, and flashed her pinkie while she gazed into her eyes.

 

Brilliant blue eyes peaked at Sunset's finger and then back to green. Computer light reflected off shiny, open eyes; faint shapes and blotches of color of her other eight friends attempted to blend together.

 

Without as much as looking down, her right shoulder tensed, followed by her triceps, elbow, and forearm. A pinkie finger straightened and stiffened, but the rest of her arm ascended.

 

As she lifted her arm, nerves jolted into Pinkie's conscience as the tip of her pinkie caressed against Sunset's. Relaxation replaced tension, but neither Pinkie nor Sunset felt any emotional tension. No anger from either of them. Merely adoration.

 

Their pinkie fingers wrapped themselves against the other.

 

Immediately, Pinkie lunged forward and wrapped her arms around Sunset. A light tear escaped and landed on her sister's left shoulder.

 

"I'm sorry, Sunny… I'm so sorry…"

 

"Shhhhhhhhhhhh…" The amber girl's voice descended into quietude; one hand stroked her hair, the other up and down her back.

 

Sugarcoat cleared her throat. "Sunset, Pinkie, face me, please."

 

They looked up at the computer.

 

"I've had fights with friends and family before. Am I the most approachable? Of course not. Talk to the rest of Crystal Prep; they'll say the same thing." Following a sigh, she reached up and pulled her glasses off her face. "But everyone there knows about your love for each other. If that isn't proof…then what is?"

 

Everyone spoke and nodded in agreement.

 

The two sisters turned back to each other; Sunset used her thumb to wipe away Pinkie's tears.

 

"Don't need t'say it, Pinkie-Mommy," she said with glistening eyes. "I forgave you a long time ago."

 

She kissed her nose and rested her head on Pinkie's shoulder. This time, her left arm wrapped itself around Pinkie's torso.

 

In response, Pinkie caressed her older sister's hair, kissed her forehead, and rested her head on Sunset's.

 

They remained in that position as Sunset finished reviewing the rest of the makeshift album and told stories through the night.

 

---

 

More to come.