Sunset couldn’t help but giggle at the scene unfolding before her. Pinkie, in her fit of over exaggerating sadness, found herself square on the floor balling her eyes out. “Pinkie, please stop crying. No really, you’re making me sad too.”

“But…b-but…you’re gonna leave me…and I’m going to have no one to throw a party with.”

“Except literally everyone else.” Sunset replied.

“Come now darling.” Rarity cut in as she placed the crying teen’s head within her lap. “She’ll only be gone for 2 weeks at the most. You have survived plenty worse without one of us.”

“Rarity’s right.” Applejack added. “A tad overdramatic don’t ya think.”

Pinkie continued to sob desperately into Rarity’s skirt, to Rarity’s dismay, Sunset sighing upon packing the last of her things into a bag and slinging it over her shoulder. “Pinkie you can calm down, I’ll only be gone for two weeks, not forever.”

Despite being emotionally distressed, it seemed the words coming from Sunset herself got through to her. “R-really…only two weeks?”

“Yes, only two weeks, and I’ll even bring back some souvenirs, equestrian’s delight.”

Pinkie’s sadness became an instant smile, popping up like a jack rabbit with a bounce of happiness only this containment of utter energy could emit. “Oh my god, yes yes yes! I will take that offer. What’s the cake made from, what do they use for parties, what--”

“Pinkie please, it’s not really that different from the human recipe. Parties and cake stay just the same.”

Sunset shook her head, such a switch in personality so quick, it was funny. "But maybe if I eat something from Equestria, I’ll permanently get wings, or a horn, or maybe even..."

With each new suggestion, she seemed to grow ever more excited, so much so that she began to jump up and down in her excitement. To the point, where the apartment was noticeably shaking. Rarity was quick to grab Pinkie’s shoulders and gently bring her to sit in a chair just beside herself. “Pinkie darling please, calm yourself.”

“But Equestrian food…”

“You’re having another sugar rush dear, just take a deep breath, you can throw her a party when she gets back."

For the first time in a while, Pinkie was relatively calm…ish. She was still giddy like a school girl but had since ceased her tremor inducing rush. “Whew, I kind of lost it for a second. Still suuuuper excited though.”

Sunset giggled. “Long as you don’t drill a hole through my floor, you can be as excited as you want.”

“Yay!”

“Say sugar, we should get going for school, gonna be late for your 2 weeks off.”

“I wouldn’t miss it for the world…or the other world.”

“You’ve never talked about the other world up until now Sunset darling. What’s it really like?”

“Uh…ponies everywhere, walking on four legs is kind of the norm there, the usual.”

“Walking on four legs?” Pinkie added. “Sounds fun, can I come?”

“Yea, no Pinkie. Considering there would be two of you, Celestia would be really mad at me, even more so than when I left the first time.”

“Darn.” That smile never left her face as happily exited the room. “Come on slowpokes!”

Applejack was quick to grab her bag and follow suit. “Better catch up. You coming Rarity?”

“Certainly. We’ll be outside Sunset.”

“Thanks for keeping me company guys.”

“Anything to get Pinkie to stop crying dear.”

Silence, that was all she heard now. She couldn’t help but think about the similarities between both the worlds. It's crazy to see how something as amazing as a different world didn't change the way they are. I know I only briefly heard about the pony versions from Twilight, not like they’re much different from these versions, but I can’t wait to actually see them in person. Course Celestia will have to come first, and she’s probably still mad at me for the whole She-demon incident. No time, faster I get there, the better. She quickly rejoined Rarity, Applejack, and Pinkie Pie shutting the front door upon leaving. The conversations continued as the four continued their walk to school but Sunset just wasn’t in it. She was way to excited, and scared, and nervous, and all the words she could think of that mean anxious.

Soon the four arrived at the front of the school noticing the rest of the gang sitting on the steps. Applejack was first to greet with a wave. "Hey ya’ll!"

Rainbow was first to take notice, standing and returning the wave. “Hey guys, we were just waiting on you.”

Sitting alongside Rainbow was Fluttershy, and surprisingly Twilight, who had been a bit of social stand off the last few days. Sunset was quick to extend a friendly hand toward her. "Uh…hey Twilight, how are you doing? You’ve been kind of…distant the last couple of days, I was a little bit worried.”

"Oh well you know…just…getting used to talking to so many people. Kind of new for me and everything. Actually, I was curious.”

“Hmm? About what?”

“Fluttershy told me that you plan on going to, that other world I kind of tore a hole in. What was it called again?”

"Equestria, and don’t worry they patched all those holes."

Twilight nervously chuckled and adjusted her glasses. "Right, Equestria. I’d love to study it, the chemistry of how those cutie marks works, the environment, everything.” She adjusted her glasses again but this time, a look of uncertainty was clear. “But…after what I did, could I even consider myself…”

“Oh no you don’t.” Rainbow cut in. “You’re not playing the guilt card now, besides, I don’t think they know what you look like over there anyway.”

Sunset smiled. “She’s not wrong. And every pony is really nice, way over the normal scale you’d find here. They’d forgive you in a heartbeat if they could.”

Twilight shrugged. “That definitely inspires confidence.”

“Course, there would be two Twilight’s and—”

“Right, not something that sits right with princesses correct?”

“Yea, sorry about that.”

“It was worth a try.”

“Guys, we’re gonna be late, let’s go let’s go!” Pinkie said as she rapidly dashed inside.

Everyone looked at each other in confusion. “She does know we still got 5 minutes, right?” Applejack asked.

“Oh Pinkie, what will we do with the girl?” Rarity sarcastically remarked as everyone made their way inside.

Twilight giggled at the sight, Sunset tapping her shoulder and making a gesture toward the entrance. “Want to get some quick breakfast before class?”

“S-sure.”

They all continued inside to attend their classes. After school, the girls met up in the band room listening to Rainbow rant about her history class. "So, I get up to show flash a replay of that amazing shot I did, and the teacher gives me detention. Can you believe it?"

Sunset couldn't help but give her an annoyed look. “Dash, you were in a classroom kicking a soccer ball around or did you forget that it nailed the teacher right in the face?"

Rainbow nervously rubbed the back of her head. "Well, see the way I kicked it wouldn't have hit him.... if he didn't move into its path."

Everyone was quick to sigh and shake their heads, all except for one absent mind. Sunset was first to notice the vacancy in magical girls within the room. "By the way, has anyone seen Twilight? She kind of disappeared after this morning.”

“We’re just as lost as you are.” Rainbow added. “Didn’t see her on the track, or the gym either.”

“The Library and Science Lab were vacant as well.” Rarity continued.

Twilight was nowhere to found making Sunset slightly drop her head and sigh, a concerned look on her face. “I hope she’s just reading a really good book or something.”

“Considering you leave in about ten minutes when school officially ends, I’m sure she’ll be right on time to wish you goodbye.”

Pinkie hummed at that thought. “Twilight’s not the fashionably late type, unless she really got caught up in something, then always the late type.”

Fluttershy quickly rushed to comfort Sunset with a hand on her back. "Oh, please don't think too much of it Sunset, I'm sure she’s on her way right now.”

Sunset smiled a bit. "Yea, that is like Twilight I guess. I'm overthinking this aren't I?" They all nodded as she smiled and brushed her hair aside. "Thanks guys. She is a A+ student after all, always busy and such.” Suddenly the bell rang cutting their conversation short. “That’s my cue. You guys ready?” With slightly unsure nods, they exited the front of the school and stopped next to the portal, sadness painting all of their faces. Sunset turned toward the portal and touched it just to make sure it was there. “Alright, final hugs guys.”

Each one of them was quick to line up and proceed with their temporary goodbyes. Rainbow was first to jump into Sunset’s arms. “I’m so gonna miss your rocking vocals.”

“And?

“Your awesome skills on the soccer field.”

“Rainbow…”

“Alright fine, and you ok.”

“Was that so ha—are you crying?”

With that realization, she jumped back, turning back to face away from everyone. “N-no, I was just got dust in my eye.”

Sunset rolled her eyes with a smile. Rarity and Fluttershy took their turn together, easing into the hug and holding it for a prolonged amount of time. “Stay safe over there darling. And please take lots of pictures, I’m dying to see the fashion that a pony might wear.”

“And please greet all the little animals for me.”

Sunset made a curious hum in response. “I can’t really speak to animals like the other you can but it’s worth a shot.”

Applejack was quick to dogpile the hug as well. “Don’t forget to get in some good practice while you’re at it. You’ll need it for the track after you get back.”

“And here I thought Rainbow was obsessed with sports.” A laugh ensued between all of them before Sunset was suddenly hit with a force of a truck, Pinkie the culprit. “P-Pinkie…you’re hurting me.”

Pinkie was embracing Sunset hard enough to crack pavement, her eyes literally waterfalls of tears. “I’m gonna throw the biggest, craziest party ever when you get back!”

“I... I look f-forward to it Pinkie, just stop crying…and breaking my spine.”

She was quick to release Sunset upon realizing this, but her tears still remained. “I just can’t wait for the cake!” she said as continued to sob. “It’s going to be so good!”

Sunset let out a giggle before taking a step back to search for the one person she hoped would show. Twilight was still nowhere in sight, and there was no hint as to what would’ve kept her. Sunset internally sighed before turning to the portal and sticking an arm through. Everyone was quick to initiate one last group hug before she stepped through responding in unison with their goodbyes. “You take care sugar.”

“Do be safe dear.”

“Make sure my other self is just strong as me.”

“Please make sure the animals are ok.”

No response from Pinkie, she was still crying...

Sunset gave one last smile to the group before stepping into the portal once again. “See you guys in 2 weeks.” The portal allowed her full entry before closing behind her. Everyone listened to the silence for a moment, their eyes still fresh with sadness.

Rainbow broke the silence that just passed. “Well, I guess we got to figure out what to do now that she’s out, like find a new lead singer until she gets back.”

Rarity got up and started back into the school. “Rainbow, that’s rude, you should feel ashamed.”

“Ok ok, not replacing the best singer we’ve ever had got it.”

Applejack hummed in agreement. “I reckon we can still practice though. Just gotta imagine she’s singing the lyrics.”

Rainbow shot up, her guitar suddenly in hand. “Heck yea!”

Rarity couldn’t help but think about Twilight’s absence to such an important event. “Perhaps we should find Twilight first. She’ll at least want to know that Sunset has departed.”

They all nodded, taking their leave back into the school. As the door closed however, the portal rippled a little before finally settling.