As always, if you want to read the rest of the concept, click here or the "EGQ Fanfic Rewrite Concept" category link above.

 

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Ch. 8: Reunited

 

An annoying alarm clock rang at 6 o'clock next morning, and Pinkie immediately turned off the buzzer. She went to check on Sunset, but there was a note on the door instead.

 

Making breakfast, Pinkie-Mommy.

 

Love, Sunny

 

Her feet plopped down the staircase and into the kitchen. All the Pies were at the table eating hearty breakfasts, while Sunset Pie Shimmer and Igneous Pie cooked. For the first time in a few days, Sunset and Pinkie performed their ritualistic greeting, only Pinkie twirled; and they sat together (Sunset next to Marble) while they ate and semi-inhaled their meals giddily. The rest of the Pies didn't care; they were just glad Sunset was back to her old self again and that Sunset and Pinkie were still extremely close.

 

After everyone cleaned up and changed into their clothes, they were about to go on their way, but before Pinkie climbed in the van, Sunset held her back for a second and needed to talk to Pinkie-Mommy for a minute. While in front of the house, Sunset realized that while she was out, neither of them would be able to see each other or talk to each other. So she handed over her diary, magic pen, and quill. To use the pen, dip it in a bowl of ink and write a message. The other diary (in Equestria) will alert of her, and she'll write back, causing her journal to glow, too. She'll write to her as soon as she arrives in Canterlot and grabs the diary.

 

"Promise me: never lose that pen! If it's gone, you can't write back to me. No other writing tool will work on it. Promise?" She flashed her pinkie finger.

 

Pinkie connected with her own pinkie.

 

Afterwards, they drove off to Canterlot High, where Twilight, Principal Celestia, Flash, the ReMane Four, and VP Luna awaited. Sunset was very pleased to see all of them, and Rarity admitted it's tough saying goodbye.

 

"Whoa there! It's not goodbye, guys. Remember what I said, I'll be back in Canterlot City Saturday morning."

 

"Sorry, Sunset." Fluttershy clutched her own right hand onto her left wrist. One of her toes scraped the asphalt and scratched onto her other flip-flop. "It's just that…it'll be so… Oh, what's that word?"

 

"Don't know. Awkward?" asked Rainbow Dash.

 

"Maybe," replied Fluttershy. "Canterlot City will feel awkward with you there and not here."

 

"I'm sure Princess Celestia and you, Twilight, felt awkward when first coming here. By the way, did you two sign out of Grump Tower?"

 

"Mm-hmm. Last night."

 

Sunny shared a group hug with the ReMane Five (including pecks on the cheek) before doing the same with the Pies (and, yes, Pinkie was involved, too). Then Sunset and Pinkie embraced tightly, and Pinkie smooched her nose.

 

"Remember, write to me when you have Princess Celestia's diary."

 

"I promise." Sunset kissed her nose in return.

 

When they loosened, Twilight tapped Sunset shoulder and said, "Sunset, everypony's waiting."

 

Sunset said goodbye and walked into the portal with Twilight. Pinkie tried to hold on, but her grip loosened as the barrier kept her locked out of the portal.

 

When Sunset stepped foot in Canterlot Castle, her whole form changed, and she fell on her rump when she couldn't stand on two legs anymore. Big green eyes focused on her hooves, and she turned them to see all the golden fur covering them (and also feeling a sensation of where her fingers and toes used to be). She turned around and stood on her hindquarters, witnessing her pony-styled mane. Looking down, she noticed her tail and gently wagged her flanks to see it move. Then she looked back to see Princess Twilight, yelped in excitement, and fell back again.

 

"Y-Y-Yo-Yo—"

 

Twilight walked to her and placed a hoof on her shoulder. "It's all right, Sunset. You do—"

 

"You never told me you’re an alicorn princess!"

 

Eagerly, she hurried around Twilight and held a hoof onto her wings. Opening them. Closing them. Flicking them to feel the feathers. Babbling statements. Asking questions. Making Twilight feel uneasy.

 

Finally, Twilight shoved her hoof into Sunset’s mouth, skidding her excitement into annoyance.

 

"Party pooper," Sunset grumbled, her muffled voice escaping from the left corner of her mouth.

 

"Sorry, Sunset." Twilight pulled her hoof out and shook it to dry it. "I'm still not used to being a princess yet."

 

"I'm pretty sure you're not. After all, you've been in Pedestria for a few days."

 

"No! It's… Gah, never mind. It's a long story."

 

But Sunset's mind diverged when she decided to try on magic again to turn on some light. When her horn glowed green, the room illuminated. The Reflection Room — initially painted white — was covered in crimson and gold. Her sun cutie mark was painted above the mirror. The doors were etched in her silhouette, and Celestia's copy of Sunset's journal (along with ink and a magic pen) rested inside the glass covering.

 

"Um, Twilight, can I have those, please?" she asked, pointing at the sacred collection.

 

Magic unbounded, Twilight lifted the glass covering off, put it gently down, and floated the three items to Sunset, who attempted to hold onto the quill with her hoof with no success.

 

"I wish I had hands," she grumbled. "Buuuuuut…"

 

A green aura lifted her pen, which slowly descended into a pool of navy blue ink. After two ginger taps, she lifted it and started writing. When she finished, she wrote the following:

 

I'm inside Canterlot Castle. Will write to you back when I return to Grazewood.

 

Love, Sunny

 

P.S.: Sorry about my sloppy writing. Not used to writing without hands and with a magical horn.

 

She rested her quill, and Twilight used magic to carefully pack them. Meanwhile, Sunset gazed the room with her lit horn.

 

"Can't believe it. So much has changed since I ran away."

 

Twilight chuckled and cupped a hoof on her shoulder. "This is nothing."

 

Sunset blinked. "What—"

 

POP!

 

Out of the Reflection Room.

 

POP!

 

Into the Throne Room.

 

"—d'ya…"

 

Suddenly, a deep gasp.

 

Spike the dragon and five ponies that looked like her friends back in Pedestria stood before her. Sunset commented on all of it, and told Pinkie that she looked like Pinkie-Mommy. Pinkie was confused, but still giddy about being called a mom, or any kind of mom in fact. Before Twilight and Spike were about to explain the situation, Princess Celestia, Luna, Cadance, and Shining Armor arrived, leading to more shock. Not only was there another alicorn, but the fact that Luna was standing there in the flesh and greeting her.

 

"Oh, my God…! Princess Luna…the legend… It can't be true!" Sunset whipped her head around, her voice falling into a whisper.

 

Princess Luna bowed. "Ah, but that legend of the Mare in the Moon really is true."

 

Sunset, though, could not believe it. Front hooves held high, she touched Luna's muzzle, silky hair, horn, and crown.

 

Luna smiled and giggled as Sunset's warm touch tickled her chin. "Princess Celestia told me so much and so fondly about you. 'Tis a magnificent pleasure to meet you."

 

Princess Celestia walked over and bowed. "Welcome home, Sunset Pie Shimmer."

 

Sunset's eyes darted at the pink-tinted alicorn. Like fingers creasing skin inward, black eyebrows furrowed tightly. Her horn throbbed; a light green aura popped from the tip of her horn. But matching eyes gazed at the rest; Twilight, Spike, and the others behind her started to sweat. Cadance and Shining Armor watched, barely blinking at Sunset. Yet, Sunset's right hoof was still on Luna's muzzle, who watched over her firmly, yet without any curl in her eyebrows and with relaxed blinking.

 

Green met her near opposite again. Neither of them budged, Celestia still bowing before the ex-protégé. Sunset's eyebrow muscles, the tip of her horn, and her brain began to cramp.

 

At last, her aura subsided with tired eyebrows.

 

Instead, she bowed her head.

 

Everyone sighed in relief.

 

When Spike lightly elbowed Twilight's front left leg, she lowered her neck and ear to reach him.

 

"Is she smiling?" he whispered.

 

Twilight eyed Sunset's lips; each end of her lips curled upwards a few degrees.

 

"Mm-hmm," she replied with a nod.

 

A few seconds later, both Sunset and Celestia unbowed, and Sunset scratched her front right hoof with the other.

 

"It does feel good t'be back."

 

"Come, everyone." Celestia turned around and walked down the hall; the others followed.

 

As they walked to Sunset's family's quarters, everyone explained what happened during all that time, from the Elements of Harmony being freed to Luna's redemption to Twilight's ascension and subsequent coronation. It was Twilight's first assignment as Princess of Equestria since then, and Twilight felt the portal open through her horn.

 

"So, you, too? What kind of sensation was it?"

 

"I…how do I say it? Feels like somepony's tickling your belly, 'cept it's tickling the horn. But colder…and weirder."

 

"Hey, same for me! Rarity, you, too?"

 

Rarity grumbled and rubbed her temple. "Never have I felt such an odious tingling of magic. Hate it!"

 

"I think all of us harbor the same feelings, ma'am," replied Luna.

 

"But why does it happen?" asked Sunset. "Is it the alicorn material underneath our horns?"

 

"I don't know, Sunset Pie Shimmer," replied Celestia. "It's a mystery I've wondered for a long time now."

 

"Well, I don't have horns. But my spines tingled." Spike shivered and wiggled his back, swaying his spines with each snappy rotation. "Colder than the coldest day at The Crystal Empire."

 

The trek continued through the hall and up a spiral staircase to the second floor. Pearl white walls glistened in the candlelight, hooves muffled each time it pressed on the ruby-red carpet. Yet, the red reminded Sunset of the hummingbird; soft, buzzing of his wings cooed subconsciously. Within each navy blue pattern, why did they act like they were ready to flap?

 

So why did the colors suddenly look more saturated when they plodded through the door into another hall anyway? No candlelight exploded. Celestia's sun was too lazy to penetrate through the glass. But the glass was a pane; each oblong was etched. But there were no patterns. Indoor light flickered and glared, but the glare quieted. Sunset's gleaming eyes shut, but they opened without interruption, except for a giddy Pinkie Pie hopping on one side and Applejack walking along the other.

 

"Seein' a lot of orange just now?"

 

Sunset's scalp started itching, but resisted to scratch it. "'Scuse me?"

 

Applejack giggled. "I mean are ya feelin' happy?"

 

"I…yeah, I am."

 

"Feeling nervicited?" chirped Pinkie.

 

"Perhaps. Wish somepony hugs me right now."

 

"Aww! Why didn't ya tell us sooner!" The Bearer of Laughter launched her front up and hugged Sunset across her shoulders while they continued to walk.

 

But when Sunset tried to do the same, they fell over and plopped on the rug.

 

"Still not used t'this…" The thick carpet muffled her grumble, and her tongue pressed against it. Pony or human, fabric remained an unkind flavor. When the two Earth ponies helped her up, some fabric stuck on the side of her tongue, but the flavors of the saturated colors competed against her persistent taste buds. "If only I can walk on two legs…"

 

Pinkie Pie cupped a hoof around the back of her neck. "Don't worry, Sunny." Her voice soothed Sunset's tension like fingers caressing woven silk, and her prompt wink forced a smile out of the gold unicorn. "Mail me anytime, I'll help ya in a jiffy."

 

Princess Celestia whistled down the hall, and they ran over. The front had "Shimmer" stenciled in bright white on bright gold doors. Princess Celestia attempted to knock, but Sunset lightly tugged her tail and gestured her wish to knock, which Celestia granted. Sunset reached up with her hoof, cupped the right side of the loop, and banged it hard thrice.

 

"Come in!" called Dawn's voice.

 

Using her magic, Celestia pushed the door toward the room. Once Sunset was in full view, Dawn immediately launched himself at her, hugged her hard, and both fell on the warm floor. Tears immediately flooded the area; Sunset's fur felt heavy and smelled salty. But Sunset didn't care. She met him for the first time in eleven years, and she returned the tight hug. When Dawn contained himself just enough to stand, he marveled at how much her daughter grew…and he missed her. So he hugged her again, sobbed again, and smooched her cheeks. This time, Sunset's eyes began to water, and she allowed a tear to land on his amber-covered shoulder. Before they let go, she kissed his cheek in return.

 

Just as he let go, Sunrise raced over and embraced her alizarin crimson hooves around Sunset and kissed her all over the cheek as tears rained down. No sounds escaped other than loud, happy crying and blubbering about her daughter home. For a minute, Sunset blushed from embarrassment, but a mother's tender love was nothing to blush about. Before Sunrise was about to let go, Sunset tightened her grip around her biological mom, yet expressed no words.

 

"Shhhhhhhhhhh…" Sunrise's warm voice softened into a comforting whisper, her muzzle inches from her ear. "It's okay, Sunshine… It's okay."

 

Seconds later, she released her grip and ran around the room frantically to find her young brother. Suddenly, she felt a tiny tug on the end of her tail, and she looked back. A little colt, about half her size but with brighter gold fur and the same green color in his eyes, shyly greeted her. Upon sight, Sunset's eyes broke into tears, and she gently hugged her little brother. Little Solstice hugged her back and greeted her with a kiss on her horn.

 

"Sunset…you feel so warm."

 

"I missed you, Solsty… Oh…" She loudly kissed his cheek. "God, you're so beautiful. Please…don't let go."

 

"I won't…"

 

As they cried in their embrace, Sunrise and Dawn hugged and kissed each other, tears continuing to drip. By the door, no one laid dry eyes. Luna rested her head on Celestia's shoulder, while Celestia wrapped a wing around Twilight and Spike. Twilight and Spike hugged each other (the former kissing his head). Cadance and Shining Armor embraced, with Shining resting his head on Cadance's. The others held hooves in solidarity (with Applejack taking off her hat in respect).

 

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Ch. 9: First Day Back

 

After a half-hour of wet eyes and necessary magic to dry the floor, the Shimmers said goodbye to the others and arrived home in Grazewood via a Special Express (a train skipping nearly every stop in between Canterlot and Grazewood). On the train, Sunset and Pinkie wrote to each other back about the experience. Pinkie and the others felt very uncomfortable in the Pie house, and the others felt down knowing she wasn't there. Pinkie admitted straightforwardly that Pedestria doesn't feel the same and she missed her. Sunset told Pinkie-Mommy the same and couldn't wait to return on Saturday. A few minutes before their stop, Sunset promised to write back tonight and, hopefully, take photos so she can magically transfer them over.

 

Not even fifteen minutes after arrival at the train station, the Shimmers walked past some Grazewoods (all of which towered high in the sky and full of blue pine leaves in the canopy), up a hill, and at the house. It was like a cabin, but bigger and with an extra floor. A shed faced away towards the Grazewoods, while a big living room window watched the town circle and flourmill. The Shimmers' kitchen was on the same floor, but more to the back next to the main bathroom.

 

Instead, Sunset and Solstice were directed upstairs to the second floor. On one side was Solstice's room, which was covered in gold, pink, and yellow with a sea that matched their eyes. His toys lay on the carpet in the middle of the room from phoenixes to little dolls.

 

The other room, however, was padlocked, but Sunrise severing the metal with her magic, unlocking it, and Dawn nudged it open. Crimson paint on the door-side wall pierced through the blinds and glistened in the sunshine. (The ceiling, which was in the same color, lay within the cloud of shadows.) On the sides and far main wall, purple blended into crimson into amber and into green/moderate cyan. Her corner-to-corner rug was a swirl of amber, gold, and green with toys lying unkempt near her personal bathroom. Finally, her queen-size bed contained a deep brown headboard, a mint green blanket, no wrinkles, and a little mermaid doll. In other words, the Shimmers kept her room just the way they left it in hopes she would return. Sunset gazed around and remembered all the wonderful times she had with her toys; quickly, she became reminded of her life as a six-year-old unicorn. But she immediately found herself staring at the mermaid doll: No more than seven inches in length, the earthy green yarn structure had dulled and frizzled over the years. A scent of soil dried up, forming an invisible crust as anyone walked closer. But Sunset walked over, sniffed it deeply, and sighed happily.

 

"Hi, Lemon Grass."

 

She snuggled her forehead on the doll and gingerly hugged it, as if Lemon Grass was living, breathing, and capable of understanding her. Solstice watched while tugging Dawn's tail, bewilderment spreading across his muzzle and into his eyes.

 

Meanwhile, the Mane Six went home, and Twilight Sparkle and Spike completed rearranging the bookshelf after the 42^nd time. After days in Pedestria and in Canterlot, it felt very relieving to return to the Golden Oak Library. As they decided to shop (with Spike on Twilight's back so he didn't have to walk and fall behind), Twilight kept watching the afternoon sky, especially the sun as it descended from its zenith. Like an adult, mature dragon, he recognized her thoughts on Sunset. He wasn't sure how he understood it. Perhaps he took up some lessons of facial and mental recognition from Pinkie Pie or Rarity or impulse. But he knew she thought about it. Twilight isn't sure what to think and whom Sunset's current status will affect the most — Pinkie Pie in the human world or the Shimmers here. Spike isn't sure, either. Perhaps a talk with Rarity, Applejack, Cheerilee, or Derpy will help clear things out.

 

Elsewhere, Pinkie from Pedesria opened the door to Sunset Pie Shimmer's room to rediscover her room being empty. Clutching in her left hand, Sunset's diary stamped on her chest. Limestone's voice grew irritated, yet remained soft as she reminded Pinkie of how many times she visited her room. But Pinkie can't help it, and to be reminded of her not being there doesn't help it. Limestone grew more uncomfortable and wondered if she was becoming obsessed with Sunset, resulting in a tight glare. Pinkie admitted obsession, because she still believed she was the cause of all this. Limestone's edge relaxed, yet remained firm. With a gently hand on Pinkie's book, she brought it in and laid it on the desk (in front of the quill and ink) next to the computer. Then she walked out and closed the door; "Think about Sunny. Love Sunny. Miss Sunny," she told her younger sister. "But don't let it eat you. Do you think she would?"

 

"Lime, she's not dead."

 

"Doesn't change the point," she snapped. "Listen to me, Pinkie. Have fun. Enjoy your parties. Be happy. If you're happy, she's happy." Her voice faded into a gentle whisper. "Please…" she cupped Pinkie's left cheek, a tiny upwards curl in her lips, "…do it for her. For Pinkie-Mommy."

 

She kissed Pinkie's forehead and walked downstairs. A few seconds later, Pinkie followed.

 

Back in Grazewood, Sunrise and Sunset walked along the beach near their home. The sun set halfway on the ocean coast. Very little was said, except Sunrise admiring Sunset, how much she grew, and how mature she is. Sunset blushed from the compliments, but the compliments reminded her of parents back in the human world: always wanting to watch and be there as they grew up. Instantly, she felt a twinge of regret, and she looked down on the sand, using bits of weak magic to skip it. Sunrise wondered what was wrong, but Sunset shrugged it off. Yet, Sunrise knew something, but unsure what; Sunny, though, wanted to drop it. Sunrise granted her wish, sat down at a little mound in the middle of the beach, and patted on the sand next to her. Sunset sat beside her. The sky had begun to color from the blues of hours gone by to yellows, oranges, and purples. Each second Celestia's sun approached the horizon, the bigger and more apparent the hard sheen in the water. Ripples, waves, and the wind forced the reflection to not sway as one block, only as bits within the water.

 

"Haven't seen a sunset this beautiful in a while," said Sunset airlessly.

 

Sunrise sighed and stroked her daughter's right front leg. "Sunshine, I see these everyday. Throughout our lives, Dawn and I wanted to raise a foal as beautiful as one. Filly, colt, whoever… Sunset was our first foal's name." She turned to Sunset. "Gosh, you're so beautiful. Beautiful as a filly. Beautiful now."

 

Sunset peaked at the sand, eyes half-open. A tint of pink heated her cheeks.

 

"But…"

 

Sunset looked up. "What's th'matter, Mama?"

 

Sunrise continued to stare at the sunset, but her sky blue eyes lightly quivered like ripples far away. "But then you ran away…I didn't wanna watch 'em anymore." Facing towards her, her eyes glossed. "How can I keep looking at these sunsets when they remind me of you?! We thought you were dead, Sunshine! We thought we killed you!"

 

Blue eyes hid behind tightly shut crimson eyelids. She jerked her head away. Angry sobs ruptured the beach's calm. Tears dripped off her lashes and landed on the cool sand. Her long, wavy red and yellow ochre hair straightened, and its shine dimmed each second. The sunset's colors progressively changed as it set deeper and deeper into the sky, increasing its yellows and adding richer reds. But Sunrise never looked up; the warm colors chilled her, even with Sunset beside her.

 

Tap, tap, tap went Sunset's hooves as she walked in front. Lips frowned. Backs of her eyebrows drooped. As she revolved around her, she peaked at the sand; little spots landed erratically, her shadow not rich enough to camouflage the differences in moisture.

 

More tapping of her hooves. A turn of her body. A rotation. Finally, she sat, her body facing the sun. But her attention to her mother never quit. Green and blue were beautiful colors side-by-side, but blue was in anguish, and the sheen in Sunrise's hair was missing.

 

Then, she stroked her right side bangs with her left hoof. Warm. Fuzzy. Little hairs pierced it like teeth on a comb. But they never quite penetrated. Instead, they touched and tugged…all the way down to the end…and then back up with the same hoof. Sunrise's tears slowed, and her eyes began to open, revealing those sparkling sky blue irises that anyone could identify. But they, along with the rest of her head, still faced the ground.

 

Silently humming to herself, Sunset patted her right hoof on her nose, her attention still fixated on Sunrise Shimmer.

 

Now, what did she d— Aha!

 

She looked up at her horn.

 

A green aura shot from the tip and engulfed the rest of the unicorn's horn. A light sound enveloped the empty beach and drowned the crashing waves.

 

Then, she clicked her tongue.

 

The aura continued to glow, but the sound ceased.

 

"Hope this works," she thought aloud.

 

Oblong eyes focused hard on her hair, but they never stayed in one spot. A little green orb pointed at one spot and then moved left, down, up, and continued to create a pattern. Wherever she shifted her eyes, the orb of magic followed. Centimeter by millimeter, each movement crawled. Eyelids strained, muscles around tired. But fight that blink. Fight that yawn!

 

At last, the orb connected with the handle, and she gently held onto it with her right hoof like a horseshoe with a magnet. As her left hoof continued to caress Sunrise's hair from underneath, Sunset used her magical comb to stroke it from above. Long stroking underneath, short stroking from above.

 

Upon first contact, Sunrise paused. The comb tingled and tickled. A little shiver crawled down to the back of her neck. Graduating tears began to dry, and her blue eyes made contact with the bright sun.

 

Finally, she looked up and smiled.

 

"Thank you, Sunshine," she whispered.

 

"You're welcome," smiled Sunset, still combing her mother's hair. "No offense, Mama, but when you weep, you look like a mess."

 

Sunrise shook her head. "None taken. May I comb you, please?"

 

"In a minute. Don't wanna un-comb the other side." She switched to the other bang of hair that dangled on her left. Like her other pile of hair, she brushed the top with her magical comb and the bottom with her fuzzy hoof.

 

A minute later, she stopped and held it in front of Sunrise. "Here."

 

Gently, Sunrise grabbed it with her magical aura and hovered it above the younger amber unicorn's crest. Then, she started brushing one side of her back mane with her right hoof and the other with the magical comb. Unlike Sunset, Sunrise used long strokes on both sides, starting from the poll all the way down to the tip.

 

Sunset sighed contently, her smile a stain on her muzzle. "This brings back memories… How you used to comb my mane when I was a filly."

 

"Always one of my best. Remember how we used to comb each other's mane back in the day?" She transitioned to the Sunset's side bang, which hung furthest away.

 

"Like it was yesterday. Every — single — day." Although she did not have fingers in her pony form, she still felt their sensation being bound by her hooves. "After waking up, before going to sleep," she giggled, "after our baths together." She began to laugh. "The perfect bonding moment, as you used to say."

 

Sunrise laughed, too. "I could've done a regular comb, but you always hated it. You asked me 'Mama, can't y'make somethin' more personal?' And bam! The magical comb was born!" She exhaled quietly and started brushing the little bang wrapped around the left side of her glowing horn. "You have no idea how much I looked forward to this. I miss it sooooo much!"

 

"Yeah, I miss it, too…" She rotated her head to Sunrise, whose warm smile brightened the sunset and her own coat. "Mama?"

 

"Yes, dear?"

 

Sunset leaned forward and briefly laid her lips on the bridge of her nose. The warmth of her breath crept into Sunrise's brain and across her nervous system. But blue eyes never shrank or quivered in shock. Instead, she smiled, and her eyes gleamed in the setting sunlight.

 

Sunset pulled away and, with twinkling eyes, said, "I love you, Mama."

 

"I love you, too, Sunshine."

 

The elder Shimmer caressed her side bang slowly, starting from the poll and heading down to the tip. When she finished, she wrapped her right front leg around her daughter, kissed her daughter's cheek, and nuzzled her head on the front of her shoulder. The light wind slowed. Celestia's bright sun set closer to the horizon. Billowy clouds covered some of her star, but it was transparent enough to penetrate and reflect in the ocean.

 

Meanwhile, Sunrise's smile behaved like a stain. A small segment of her conscious nagged her to dim it like candlelight, but the greater portion shoved her doubts further and further back till they were all but forgotten. All that bonding in combing — it could've been silly. But it wasn't. One little activity. It could last for hours. Maybe throughout the night if they wanted to.

 

Unfortunately, Sunset deactivated her magic, vanishing her magical comb. On the other hand, did she need the comb right now? Probably not. But she always wondered how one little activity could unite a family so closely.

 

I don't know. Her smile widened, exposing her teeth. But I don't care.

 

When Sunset scooted closer, she lowered her head a little more. Then a ba-bump… Ba-bump… Ba-bump… Ba-bump… Slow. Tranquil. Colors silently cracking. Princess Celestia's sun disappeared behind the horizon. Sunset kept a watch on the sky, but she lowered her muzzle on her biological mother's head. Her left front hoof wrapped behind Sunrise's back and gently rubbed her pastern and back of her hoof up and down her chest. Slow lungs breathed in and out long breaths.

 

Sunrise gazed up at Sunset. Sunset gazed down at Sunrise. Sunrise yawned silently and closed her eyes. As her relaxed breath hummed a merry tune, Sunset brushed her left side bang with her right hoof.

 

Sunrise chuckled. After feeling Sunset's lips kiss her forehead, she sighed contently.

 

…For the first time in years, her sunsets were home.

 

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More to come.