Back with two planned chapters of my EQG1 rewrite!

 

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Chapter 12: I’m On My Way

 

Sunset Pie Shimmer chose to return to Canterlot via the early-morning express, so she kissed each of her family on the cheek, laid down her diary and supplies on the bedroom table with a note on top, and left. Written was as follows:

 

Mama, Papa, Solsty, here’s my diary. Write to me and Pinkie-Mommy in the other world by using the magic quill. After each message, the diary will glow and flicker. I’ll write to you the second Pinkie-Mommy arrives with hers.

 

Love you so much. See y’all in two days!

 

Sunset Pie Shimmer

 

She arrived in Canterlot and entered the closed castle safely. Because it was only 7am, she toured the castle for a quick breakfast and then skipped along to her old study. Closed books lay everywhere. Nearly every shelf on the second floor was completely empty. Everypony was sound asleep on the first floor in makeshift cots, some of them snoring and making funny noises. Giggling quietly, she slowly closed the door, walked back into the castle and passed the Throne Room.

 

A few steps after passing the doors, they opened, and Celestia walked out.

 

“Good morning, Sunset.”

 

“Morning, Princess. Y’heard me coming, didn’t you?”

 

“Philomena sensed your presence.”

 

“Oh.” She peered inside the room. Philomena perched on her stand beside the throne. As she trotted towards her, she said, “Long time, no see, Philomena.”

 

With a kind squawk, Philomena bowed.

 

Sunset checked her watch. 8am. “Hmm…I got some time.” With her tail, she unveiled a lime green ball, and she started shaking it high above her. “Philo, Philo,” she whispered.

 

Philomena’s ears rang, and she immediately wiggled her tail.

 

After a couple of quick side-peaks, she flicked it to her right and whispered, “Go!”

 

Wings expanded, Philomena launched herself off the stand and darted after it.

 

Just as it descended, Philomena snagged it with her beak and cawed loudly.

 

“Great catch, Philo!” cheered Sunset and clapped her hooves in excitement.

 

Cawing again, Philomena dropped her treasure as she glided over and by her. As she turned around to land, Sunset jiggled the ball again, and Philomena’s yellow eyes stared hard at it. Green and bright, it hugged the end of Sunset’s tail, and it swayed as Sunset wiggled her hips.

 

“Catch!” called the unicorn and flung it to her right again.

 

Wings flapping rapidly, the phoenix flew after it. Yellow eyes glared at the ball as it reached its apex. She descended a little at a high speed and ascended.

 

Then, the ball began to tumble.

 

CAW!!!

 

Talons squeezed the ball as she zipped by. As Sunset and Celestia cheered, Philomena grinned and landed on her stand with her free right claws.

 

Sunset galloped to the throne, jumped up, and stroked her back. “Bravo, Philo! Great girl. Please play with it while I’m away, okay?”

 

Philomena nodded, still grinning.

 

Giggling, they nuzzled their heads, and Philomena wrapped her wings gently around her neck. When they let go, Sunset jumped down and galloped out the door.

 

Celestia: You miss playing with her.

 

Sunset: Definitely. *happy sigh*

 

Celestia: Reminds me of a little unicorn I know.

 

Sunset: Used to know.

 

Celestia: Filly or mare, you’re still you, Sunset.

 

Sunset *resigned*: I…guess you’re right.

 

Celestia: So, do you want to talk for a few minutes?

 

Sunset: Well, since Pinkie-Mommy won’t be at the statue till nine, maybe a talk won’t hurt.

 

Celestia: You don’t want to talk. I can tell through your voice.

 

Sunset: *sigh* Not at all.

 

Celestia: Sunset, I know you’re hurting. *looks down* You have every right to be.

 

Sunset said nothing.

 

Celestia: You don’t have to talk, Sunset. I understand. *stopped walking as Sunset continued, her muzzle looking down* Do you want me to leave you alone?

 

Sunset stopped and sat down. “Princess…” she patted beside her, “…please come over.”

 

Celestia walked over.

 

“I’ve been thinking… You don’t believe you’re a monster…do you?”

 

Celestia kept her head down.

 

“Princess…”

 

Celestia sighed. “I expected really hard feelings from you. If you believe you shouldn’t, don’t. You have every right to be…” Her voice faded into a whisper, but it perked again. “Maybe you’re right. Maybe I am a monster.”

 

An amber hoof caressed her chin and slowly pulled her neck to her till their muzzles were approximately five inches from each other. “You hurt me eleven years ago. Do I know if this pain will ever go away? I don’t.”

 

Celestia’s eyes watched the floor.

 

“Princess, look at me.”

 

She did.

 

“But no matter what I say…no matter what you think…you’re not a monster.”

 

She lunged, wrapped her front hooves loosely around Celestia’s neck, and allowed her eyelids to slowly close. Off-white fur felt as warm as the summer heat and as light as a bright, orange glow. Celestia’s heart pumped rapidly. For the first time in years, her crown felt lighter.

 

As a small tear trickled down her left cheek, Celestia wrapped her left hoof around Sunset and closed her eyes. Green eyes never shrank. No eyelids snapped open. No gasp. Instead, she leaned forward and hugged her a little more snugly.

 

Their embrace lasted for over a minute when Sunset opened her eyes and leaned back. “By the way, y’have a little search party to continue, don’t you?”

 

She hummed and nodded in reply.

 

As they let go, Sunset asked, “Princess, can I ask you a favor?”

 

“Yes, please.”

 

“Monday night…can we meet for dinner and tea here?”

 

“Yes, yes, yes!”

 

“Yay! Awesome!” She looked at her watch and gasped. “Oh, shoot! I’ll be late! Bye, Princess!” She zipped down the hall, but skidded to a halt instantly. Chuckling out of embarrassment, she looked back and asked, “Where’s the Reflection Room?”

 

Princess Celestia chuckled. “I’ll take you there.”

 

Her horn glowed, and in a series of fades, both ponies soon arrived inside. Unlike before, neither of them needed to light up their horns, as two bright orbs of light levitated about a foot from the ceiling. Aside from the brightness, nothing changed exception the placement of the presentation desk, which was in the center of the room and right in between of the door and mirror.

 

But the glass case was missing.

 

“Wait a sec!” exclaimed Sunset, walking over to the podium. Sitting on top was a book with two quills on its left and a closed bottle of ink opposite it. Her cutie mark was embroidered on the middle of the familiar brown cover. A light gray sack hung on a tack on the lower-right edge. “Is that—?”

 

Celestia smiled. “After we adjourned from our meeting in Grazewood, I believed you needed an extra diary to help you communicate with your loved ones more easily,” she explained as Sunset grabbed them with her magic. “If you want to communicate with just one diary, I linked each with letters. The one you’re holding now is Diary A. Pinkie’s there is Diary P. The Shimmers’ is Diary S. To activate the spell, write the letter in single-quotes before writing your message.”

 

Sunset dipped a quill in ink. “Not case-sensitive, is it?”

 

“No.”

 

Smiling, she wrote her note in the latest fresh piece of paper.

 

‘P’ & ‘S’

 

Hey, Pinkie-Mommy and Mama and Papa Shimmer! I’m writing to all o’ you in a brand-new journal!

 

Don’t worry about the letters on top. Princess Celestia magically linked each journal with a letter. Mine is ‘A.’ Pinkie-Mommy, yours is ‘P.’ Mama and Papa, yours is ‘S.’ Contact any journal specifically by writing the letter in single-quote (look above) above your message. I’ll explain better in a little while. Meantime, write the letter somewhere on the cover in a visible color, preferably permanent.

 

Right now, I’m in Canterlot and will be crossing through the portal shortly.

 

Love y’all! XOXO!

 

Sunset Pie Shimmer

 

She dried the quill with magic and put it in her sack, a little smirk on her face. “You linked a journal with mine, didn’t-cha?”

 

“You know me too well. Mine’s Diary C,” replied Celestia. “Don’t worry, mine is completely empty and won’t be contacted unless you write in my diary link.”

 

“Hmmmmmmm…” Conspicuous eyebrows furrowed forward in a slight angle as she faced her. Green eyes dulled. Mouth shifted. A cheek puffed with air. Her right front hoof lightly tapped the floor.

 

“Hhhhmmmmmmm…” Certain eyebrows furrowed forward in a slight angle. Purple eyes shone brightly.

 

Sunset’s cheek muscles strained, and her lips competed with her puffed-up cheek… But oxygen wasn’t containable.

 

At last, she broke into a smile, exhaled, and laughed. “Okay, okay, I believe you.”

 

After checking her bag to make sure she was packed, she put the diary away and then checked her watch.

 

“8:43. Time t’go.”

 

She put the sack around her back and began walking toward the mirror. As she stepped closer, attention to her horn increased. With each throb, she shivered, and bit her lip to not grumble outwardly.

 

With a heavy sigh, she stared at the mirror. One foot away. Red and gold around towering shatterproof glass. A reach to cross the bridge and back in Canterlot City—

 

She looked back.

 

“Princess Celestia?”

 

She never moved. Her muzzle, irises, and smile gleamed. “Yes, Sunset?”

 

Smiling, she put her left hoof on her mouth, kissed it, and blew it towards her. “Thank you.”

 

Celestia nodded in reply.

 

With glistening eyes, Sunset leapt forward and vanished through King Arion’s mirror.

 

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Chapter 13: May I Have This Dance?

 

At 8:46, Sunset arrived back in Canterlot City. She can feel her human extremities again: the toes within her shoes and especially her fingers. But her horn was missing. If there was some kind of spell to include some wand to replace it, then maybe the sensation on the middle of her forehead will become more tolerable. Unfortunately, nobody was here, so she informed both parties of their arrival, this time by not writing in the code letters. While she waited, she sat down at the steps where Old Iron stood on guard.

 

“Hey, Old Iron!” she called, drawing his attention. “I’m waiting for family. Mind if I—”

 

“—sit and wait?” he interrupted with a small smile. “No problem.”

 

Sunset sat down and waited.

 

Sure enough, her journal flickered, and she opened the page.

 

Hi, Sunshine! So glad you’re safe. It’s been a few hours, but it still feels so empty without you. Keep in touch!

 

With love, kisses, and a comb,
Mommy Shimmer

 

Smiling, Sunset wrote back to her:

 

Hey, Mama. Nice, warm summer day here in Canterlot City. Currently, Pinkie-Mommy isn’t here, so I’m sitting on the steps of Canterlot High— That’s the school I go to. Usually, Pinkie-Mommy’s really early. I wonder what

 

Suddenly, the journal glowed, and she turned the page.

 

‘A’

 

Sunny-Hunny! So cute a nickname. Shall I call you that from now on?

 

Stay at CHS! I’ll be there in five minutes!

 

Love,
Pinkie-Mommy

 

Sunset chuckled and wrote back.

 

‘P’

 

Sunny-Hunny…I’m gonna get used to that. I’ll be waitin’!

 

Underneath flashed her human and pony forms with a massive grin.

 

A hand on the page, she flipped it back, crossed out the last one-and-a-half sentences, and completed it.

 

Hey, Mama. Nice, warm summer day here in Canterlot City. Currently, Pinkie-Mommy isn’t here, so I’m sitting on the steps of Canterlot High— That’s the school I go to. Usually, Pinkie-Mommy’s really early. I wonder what Pinkie-Mommy will be here soon. I’ll talk to you later.

 

XOXO,
Sunset Pie Shimmer

 

Sunrise replied back below.

 

Love you!

 

Giggling under her breath, she packed it, squeaked the bag between her legs, and leaned on the door, hands behind her head.

 

Sure enough, five minutes later, the Pie van rolled to a complete stop in front of the school. Pinkie jumped out and ran to Sunset, Sunset ran to Pinkie, and they met with the ritualistic greeting, several kisses along the face, and one tight hug, causing Sunset to choke out, “I can’t breathe.” When she let go (and blushed from embarrassment), she hugged Cloudy (who drove the van) hard, and they kissed the others’ cheeks and the nose. When Sunset asks where the others are, Pinkie tells her, “Oooh, you’ll see, Sunny-Hunny.”

 

Sunset playfully rolls her eyes and wraps her arms around Pinkie-Mommy’s shoulder as they all return to the van and head straight for Sugarcube Corner. There, nobody was sitting outside. But inside, it was a small gathering party. All of the ReMane Five were there waiting and greeted her back with big hugs and nuzzles on the forehead. There, they had lunch and talked about what was going on while Sunset was gone. As Pinkie walked to the back, all four admitted that everything felt…quiet. CC felt a little lonely without her.

 

“A little, Fluttershy?” scoffed Rainbow Dash. “More like a lot. Sunset, Pinkie moped while you were gone!”

 

“We all moped, Rainbow Dash,” said Rarity. “Well, both figuratively and literally.” A groan. “Drafting a concept for a new wardrobe was way more difficult than I imagined.”

 

“Well, think about it,” said Rainbow Dash. “How long’ve you known us, Sunny? Five…six years?”

 

Sunset sipped. “Just about.”

 

“And how long have y’known Pinkie and you, Fluttershy?” Dash shrugged and collapsed her hands on the table. “Since you arrived in CC.”

 

“Give or take a full moon or two,” added Applejack.

 

“You’re a part of our lives, Sunny,” said Fluttershy.

 

Pinkie peaked her head from the behind the desk. “Annnnnd when Twilight and her equine Equestrians find and fix that blasted spell, she’ll remain part of our lives!”

 

Everyone shouted in agreement.

 

“So,” she flashed a tray with two-dozen neatly-presented square cookies on top, “lemongrass cookies, everyone?”

 

Everyone cheered as they took a cookie and bit into them. There were two types: a plain lemongrass cookie and a lemongrass cookie with a hint of ginger to give it a little spice. The cookies felt and tasted soft, so you didn’t have to immediately spend extra cash for milk or request for water. It was like a cake, and it’d only recently come out of the oven. All six enjoyed it, and Sunset was especially pleased, especially the one with the ginger. Pinkie grinned, giggled, and messed up her head of hair in appreciation. Then she picked out a little paper bag and revealed some skinny anise cookies, one for each. A sweet cookie with nice anise flavor. But there was one left, so Pinkie halved it and gave the bigger half to Sunny-Hunny.

 

Tap, tap, tap.

 

Emerald green eyes looked back.

 

Apron and latex gloves donned, Limestone’s bright green eyes daggered towards her younger sister.

 

“Well, well, well, little Sunny’s back,” she snipped.

 

Then her lime green eyes shone softly; brows stopped furrowing, and lips smiled.

 

“What took you so long?”

 

Sunset smiled, stood up, and wrapped her arms around Limestone, who hugged her right back. A light tear shed down Limestone’s cheek and landed on Sunset’s shoulder, and she pulled Sunset more tightly, not allowing her to move.

 

Suddenly, Sunset coughed and squirmed. “Lime…can’t breathe.”

 

Immediately, Lime loosened her grasp, but she kept her arms around her.

 

“Sorry, Sunny.”

 

“It’s okay. I’m already experienced in bruise-worthy hugs.” She side-glanced at the now sitting Pinkie, who blushed. “I missed you, Lime. And your tired, sweaty workaholic-yness.“

 

Limestone chuckled and kissed Sunset’s forehead. “I missed you, too, Sunset.”

 

Sunset pecked her cheek right back. “Sooooo…workin’ with Pinkie-Mommy, I presume?”

 

“Yep!” reminded Pinkie as she brought over a chair. “Cookie, Lime?”

 

Limestone hummed. “Well…I almost killed myself preparing your cookies and then almost killed you, Sunny. Why not make it three for three.”

 

As Applejack and Sunset chuckled, Limestone sat down in between Sunset and Fluttershy. With a calloused hand (much to Rarity’s discomfort), she grabbed four cookies and bit into them. As she chewed, her taste buds and brain tingled, and her smile curled more upward.

 

“Mmm…impressive.”

 

Minutes later, Limestone checked the time and went back to work in the kitchen. But not without taking a couple of more because she liked them so much.

 

They stayed for about one hour (mostly talking and eating snacks) before splitting up. While Sunset’s friends had to leave for work, Sunset, Pinkie, Cloudy and Limestone (whose shift ended) met up with Maud to head to the Indigenous Museum in Bucebeaux Terrace. While Cloudy, Limestone, and Pinkie split into one group, Maud and Sunset went by themselves together. The near-empty, yet rich, museum contained thousands of artifacts from inside bulletproof glass, from headdresses to arrows to ancient masks, among other things. Some exhibitions included beadwork, dolls, and wooden masks painted and placed on the makeshift walls. Sunset barely talked; yet when she did, she never heard herself speak. Maud’s side-gaze at her younger sister never ceded, and she cracked a smile.

 

As they headed towards the Capital Dome within the terrace, Maud extended her hand. Sunset held it right back, and they walked through the hallway together.

 

Two hours after arrival, they picked up Igneous from a community center and returned home to catch some R&R. During their break, Sunset and Pinkie-Mommy communicated with Dawn and Solstice via Sunset’s journal in Sunset’s room. After Dawn and Solstice left, Sunset wrote a little note to Celestia asking her to inform her if they find anything to write back to her ASAP. Celestia said, “Yes,” and Sunset put it all on her computer desk.

 

Pinkie: *looking at her smartphone, giggles* Can’t wait for tonight.

 

Sunset: Me, neither. What are we doing tonight, anyway?

 

Pinkie: You nagged me about it all day.

 

Sunset: More like once or twice, Pinkie-Mommy.

 

Pinkie: Oh, I’m joshing you, silly! Here. *pats on the bed*

 

Sunset sits down beside her.

 

Pinkie: Now, remember Acorver County?

 

Sunset: Pinkie-Mommy, everyone remembers Acorver. It’s an hour drive from here.

 

Pinkie: Nononono. Not that. Remember, say, four years ago? New Year’s Eve?

 

Sunset: *taps her chin* Hmmmm, I think— *gasp* Waitaminute!

 

Pinkie: *giggle* Eeyep! *jumps off bed and starts swinging hips side-to side* A ‘Jam-All-Night-in-Fallwood-with-Our-Friends’ party!

 

Sunset: *jumps up and off the bed* Fallwood?! The Fallwood church?!

 

Pinkie: *slides across the bed* Remember now, Sunny-Hunny?

 

Sunset: How couldn’t I?!

 

Sunset & Pinkie: Basement-dancing, *swing hips side-to-side* here *hips bounce* we come! *hips bounce off each other again*

 

Downstairs, Maud and Limestone were hand-washing dishes when they heard Pinkie and Sunny laughing upstairs.

 

Limestone: *leans to Maud and whispers in her ear* Just as I expected.

 

Maud: Mm-hmm.

 

5:30. Everyone began to leave, Igneous opening the door for his kids as Cloudy went in the garage.

 

Pinkie was one of the last to leave.

 

Pinkie: Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooooooh, ooooooooh! So excited! *jumps down flight of stairs and lands solidly below before her sisters*

 

Igneous: Careful, Pinkamena. Don’t hurt yourself.

 

Pinkie: Sorry, Dad.

 

Limestone *smiling*: We’re all excited, Pinkie. *rubs her head*

 

Pinkie: Nononononono, Lime-y! Oh, nononononono! We’re so nervicited! *mouth trembles*

 

Sunset *jokingly*: Now where did I hear that word before?

 

Pinkie: The other me, perhaps? *wink*

 

Sunset: *laugh* Pinkie-Mommy, y’know me too well.

 

Igneous: *looks back inside* Ready, Marble?

 

Marble: A moment, Dad. Ready! *runs out wearing sleeveless, white trench coat tied over long-sleeve silver-colored glittered shirt with soft, lightweight, light green khaki pants and soft crimson boots; a scrunchie held her hair back*

 

As she walked down the stairs, Igneous locked the doors, and the kids approached the ramp leading to the garage, where the door was slowly opening. Once the door completely retracted, Cloudy slowly reversed the van down the driveway and stopped just before hitting the curb.

 

One by one, everyone filed in, starting with Maud and Limestone for the back, Igneous for the front, and Pinkie and Sunset for the middle. Marble’s eyes locked at the ground, wringing her purse like a soaked rag.

 

Cloudy: Marble, are you coming?

 

Marble says nothing.

 

Cloudy: Is something wrong? Are you okay?

 

Marble: I don’t know, Mom… I don’t know if I can come.

 

Pinkie: Why, Marb?

 

Marble: Pinkie, you know why. You know how anxious I am ’round crowds. I can’t deal with them!

 

Pinkie: Marble—

 

Marble: “Marble” nothing, Pinkie! *sigh* Sorry. Go to Sunny’s party. I’ll go elsewhere. *reaches in purse to take out smartphone*

 

Pinkie: Sunny-Hunny, everybody, can I have a minute, please?

 

Sunset: Sure. *scoots legs to the side to let Pinkie out*

 

Pinkie stepped out of the van and placed a hand on Marble, who stopped dialing.

 

Pinkie: Marble, you’re right. I should’ve let’cha in on Sunset’s surprise party. I was so excited about planning it, your stage fright never crossed my mind. *holds Marble’s hand* I’m sorry for being inconsiderate.

 

Marble: No, Pinkie. It’s my fault I have stage fright.

 

Pinkie: Nononononono, Marble. It’s not your fault. Never your fault. *hugs her tightly around the neck* Nobody’s fault.

 

Marble: Pinkie, you’re hurting me.

 

Pinkie: *nervous chuckle* Sorry, Marb. *loosens grip* Better?

 

Marble: *sighs happily, loosely wraps her arms around Pinkie’s back* Better… What time is it?

 

Pinkie: *twists wrist to show watch and time behind Marble’s head* Five-thirty-six.

 

Marble zipped into the car and buckled up on Sunset’s right.

 

Marble: Well, we don’t wanna be late, do we?

 

Silence fell.

 

Limestone: *peaks head from the back* Will you be okay?

 

Marble: Heck, no! I wanna throw up…! But how can I support everypony if I’m not there? *holds Sunset’s hand* And you, Sunny.

 

Sunset: Thanks, Marble.

 

Maud *as Pinkie slides into the van*: Marble, you said “everypony.”

 

Marble: I did? Oops! *blushes, chuckle*

 

Pinkie: *slides door shut* Marble, ready?

 

Marble: *nodding* Mm-hmm.

 

Cloudy: Ready, kids?

 

Pie kids: READY!!!

 

Both parents cringed, and Cloudy scrubbed her right ear with her pinkie finger.

 

Igneous: *chuckle* A little too ready.

 

Then they drove away and onto the outer-county freeway. Along the freeway, Pinkie watched the sun shine brightly on Canterlot City’s Midtown skyscrapers, park, and northern-CC buildings. All the while, Marble held Sunset’s right hand and rested her head on her shoulder.

 

Igneous: Everything all right back there, Marble?

 

Marble: *light, happy sigh * Well…stomach’s holding up.

 

Igneous: If you feel too uncomfortable in the crowd, don’t worry. Let any of us know, and we’ll help.

 

Marble: Thanks, Dad.

 

Meanwhile, Pinkie checks up on her text messages and voicemails in her smartphone, and Marble starts humming a quiet tune with her eyes shut.

 

By 6:45pm, they drove passed Encee (a play on the “North Canterlot” acronym, and The Bronx reference) and arrived inside a town in Acorver County. One more turn later, they parked in front of a two-story-tall church on a quiet corner. A circular stained-glass window glistened from the on streetlamp, and a few other cars had already parked around it. One stairway led to the main church entrance, the other the basement underneath.

 

As several of Sunset’s friends watched from security camera installed above the main door, Sunset et al scurried out, and the kids followed Igneous and Cloudy down the stairs into the basement. Compared to the main floor, the basement wasn’t very pretty. The walls were a generic brown with a white floor and ceiling, but chairs were put to the side, and rows of tables lined up alongside with nonalcoholic drinks, water, and snacks on top. Arranging one of the tables was Starflower and Moonnight, Starflower’s mom [has the same mint green skin and lavender hair, but taller, older-sounding, and wearing casual clothes (white t-shirt, jeans, and leather sandals)]. As Moonnight greeted Igneous and Cloudy, the Pie kids looked around the dance floor. No disco ball, sure, but speakers were plugged in on the side. Lights hung in front of the stage. Vinyl Scratch, Flash, and Sandalwood tested musical equipment. Flash told Sunset they’re a little early, and they explained that they wanted to show up and not worry about traffic.

 

Applejack quipped about them not worrying about it, either, as she, Apple Bloom, and Big Mac arrived through the door. Then Rarity, Sweetie Belle, and Magnum. Then Fluttershy. Then Rainbow Dash. Soon, the basement was flocked with people, including VP Luna and Principal Celestia. With everyone signed in, Pinkie Pie took out the party cannon that she worked on building from a box underneath a table and let it fire. With a loud, squeaky pop, confetti shot into the air, and the party began.

 

Unlike the party in Sugarcube Corner, each person took their turns dancing to the beat of their choice, by either what was given to them or with a CD, mp3 file, or vinyl record handed over to Vinyl to play. With one big circle in the center, each took their turns dancing, either by themselves or with several partners come young or old.

 

But not everyone wanted to join. Marble stood from beyond the circle, humming to the tune of the march-like song played for a baton-juggling female name Whirlberry*. When Whirlberry finished, it was Pinkie Pie’s turn, and as her upbeat jingle begins playing, Marble eyes her own encased CD. Then the music changes, and Marble sees swirls of colors with echoes of taunts and insults, some of which took shape into heads. Teeth chattered. The insults became more abusive. A couple of soft steps back. A bump to the wall. She shakes her head violently; in front of her, Pinkie was just singing and dancing happily. She sighed and wiped her forehead with a spare napkin. As the song continued, her purple eyes darted to her disk. She tapped Flash’s shoulder, handed the disk to him, and whispered in his ear. Followed by nods to each other, he went to the back.

 

At last, Pinkie’s song ended, and she left the circle. Suddenly, Marble clapped from the back. Then two claps. Her hands casually slid the crowd to the side. As she clapped once, her left foot walked forward and clogged the floor. When she clapped twice, her right foot clogged the floor twice: her toe and then her whole foot. She kept up this pattern until arriving in the middle of the circle.

 

Then her chosen song began to play — time disappeared. Loose limbs. Feet tapped. Her hands clapped. Everyone clapped back, but she couldn’t see it — only hear. Her memory kept in tune with the music. Then when Flash entered as her dance partner, their moves synced. When she clapped, he clapped. The sides of their hips bounced upon internal command. Their hands touched as they spun in a circle together, their feet sliding across the slick parquet floor.

 

As Flash exited and Rarity entered, they found themselves locked in a tight hug for what felt like three seconds, then four, then five; their legs, heels, and toes kicked the floor as the drumsticks hit the drum. When cymbals crashed, they separated, but their hands locked, and Marble felt herself twirl as Rarity led. But as soon as Rarity led, Marble felt her own weight command Rarity, and the off-white girl twirled in Marble’s grasp. As people clapped, Rarity and Marble held onto each other’s wrists as they swayed and stomped, and the sea of brown and white from around the room glowed a bright, deep blue. During the chorus, they let go, but continued to sway, bounced their hips side-to-side, and snapped their fingers. Just before the chorus ended, Marble twirled Rarity, who danced out of the circle.

 

Finally, the bridge. Energy flowed through her nerves. Her muscles ached. Sweat protruded from the top of her head to her temple. But people clapped and cheered. Her conscience lightened. The mental straps that held her legs down loosened, but her torso tensed, and everyone’s faces blurred. But she continued to spin and closed her eyes. The more she crouched, the faster she spun.

 

“GO, MARBLE!” Maud yelled out.

 

Eyelids opened.

 

Arms slid inward.

 

She unbuckled the belt.

 

Knees straightened.

 

Back upright.

 

Energy surged.

 

The scrunchie that tied her hair slid off.

 

Like a disk, Marble’s trench coat spun into the air, grazed the ceiling, and landed into the crowd. A silver tail sewn to back of her shirt flapped. Red shoes polished the dot that consumed her twirl. Over her eyes, her bangs flowed, and the back of her hair stuck onto her arms and followed her.

 

Once the cymbals rang, her feet stamped the floor with a loud slam. The blurred cheers took shape, yet she couldn’t hear them. The audio and physical noise covered her, and with each burst of energy from the music, the more her eyes went to find a partner.

 

Then she saw Applejack and Maud dancing together and cheering her on.

 

She zoomed to them, grabbed them by the hand, and brought them both into the circle.

 

The bridge has been crossed, and what was on her mind, she didn’t know. But she didn’t care. Two other girls, happy in their own way, followed her lead, and all three whooped and cheered. Maud’s eyes opened wide and glistened in the spinning lights; a tiny tear trickled. As they twirled, Applejack nudged her hat off her head to Marble, who grabbed it and donned it as she slowed.

 

Finally, the music began to quiet. Maud and Applejack ran back to the side. Young Marble slowed her tempo and closed her eyed. Sweat began to pour. Finally, with one more repeated chorus, it silenced. Gray skin glistened in sweat. Her hair shone. Her clothes glued onto her skin. Legs finally cramped. One knee on the ground. Lungs pleaded.

 

Covered purple eyes uncovered and wandered around. Cheers roared within the basement. People clapped, yelled, and jumped. Loud pants softened; oxygen slowly refilled in her lungs. But exhaustion prepared to cramp her legs.

 

But she smiled and laughed.

 

With a grunt, she pushed herself to her feet and lifted the cowgirl hat off her head. Both hands over her heart, she spun slowly and bowed. When she stopped, six pairs of eyes ran over to her; their arms hugged her with as much passion and pride as a Pie would ever feel. And Marble hugged each of them back vigorously, including jumping into Pinkie’s arms.

 

Tonight, freedom uplifted her soul.

 

Back in Sunset’s room, her journal glowed.

 

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*In Friendship Games, there's an unnamed female character holding a baton during The CHS Rally Song. I decided to call her Whirlberry in reference of it and her berry-colored hair. Other names (which can be found here) include Sweeten Sour (used on Derpibooru) and Baton Switch. Here's the character's image:

 

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"Bucebeau Terrace" is a few NYC references:

1. Buce = Bucephalus. Alexander the Great’s horse: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bucephalus
2. Beaux = Beaux-Arts movement in NYC in the early-20th Century.
3. Terrace = “Audabon Terrace,” the old location of the National Museum of the American Indian.
4. Capital Dome = Inside the Alexander Hamilton U.S. Custom House and current location of NYC’s museum branch.
   

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Source: Fanfic concept: an Equestria Girls rewrite