Wednesday morning. Another day. Routines followed as always. Yet this was not routine. Twilight and Sunset had their experience with the face and their insights to share with the group. Pinkie and Sonata were planning on their coming out and revealing that Sonata was the other part of the Trickster. Adagio had already made arrangements for Shimmer to meet Sunset. Pieces were slowly falling into place.

Wednesday night. More training, more research, more homework and house work, and just work. More talking to girlfriends, boyfriends, and just friends. Meals with families. Regular life; normal life blended in and mixed with the extraordinary and magical. Tests to study for and monsters to battle.

Thursday, a regular day. All routine. Morning meeting. Sunset leaves and meets Valhalen and hangs with him a bit. The girls talk about TV shows, music, dating, parents, classes. It is comforting, this everyday small talk. It's like a security blanket which they can wrap themselves up in. Pinkie and Sonata talk about Mr. Pie coming to visit and the issues that raises. Twilight and Flash go off and start talking about taking their relationship to "the next level".

Two days. Mostly regular. Two days providing a much needed break. Two days to regroup and relax at the same time.

Then Friday. Friday was when everything had to be decided. Whether or not the sleepover would happen, if the boys would come, and if so, how long could they stay. It was also the day Sunset would be going out on her first date in over a year.

"Ok Rarity," Apple Jack started to ask, "so, what's going on with your parents? We havin' the sleep over or not?"

"It is a go Apple Jack. I've told you that. The only question was about the boys being there. And, well, they can be; but only until seven. Then they have to leave." The boys groaned which made Rarity angry. "Listen, do you know what Fluttershy and I had to go through just to get that much? The fact of the matter is boys and girls, together, at a sleep over can be trouble. I mean, how many of YOUR parents would let you come to a sleep over that they knew was going to be mixed gender? More than that, with your BOYFRIENDS? Huh? My parents are just doing what they think is best."

"Well what about Pinkie and Sonata?" Soarin asked more than a little annoyed. "They're dating. Why can they be both at the sleep over then?"

"Soarin, darling, not to be crude about it; but when was the last time one girl impregnated another?"

Soarin sighed. "Point reluctantly taken."

"And don't worry," Twilight added; trying to bring the mood back up, "we can all Skype then. You guys should have made back up plans. So you can get together at one of your houses, and then contact us. That way we'll still be in constant communication. No one will be left out of the loop."

"It's a good plan guys," Flash added. "It might not be what we wanted, but it's the best we're going to get. Which isn't bad."

"So what time then?" Rainbow asked.

"Be at my house by four. That'll give us three hours at least to be together as a group."

Everyone nodded in agreement.

"Ok then everyone, " Sunset said as she started walking off, "I'll see you all tomorrow at four." She waved good-bye, turned around, and walked off.

"What's up with her?" Rainbow asked again in curiosity and annoyance. "Each day she's been spending less and less time with us. What gives?"

Twilight wondered if she should say anything. So far she kept Sunset having a date a secret. She figured if Sunset wanted anyone to know, she'd tell them. But now with hearing Rainbow's question, she knew the others would start wondering as well. When people wonder, the gossip and gossip leads to division.

"She's met someone," Twilight just blurted out with a sigh. The others gasped and Twilight continued. "She has a date with him tonight. They met a few days ago. After she meets with us; she goes to meet with him. She may bring him tomorrow night. I'm not sure. I guess it depends on how well tonight goes."

"Why didn't she tell us?" Fluttershy asked.

"It's complicated," Twilight responded. "Besides, who knows how things are going to turn out. It could go all horribly wrong tonight and she never sees him again. Don't worry though. She knows what's important and what we have to do."

************************************************************************

Sunset walked over to Val's car. He was laying on the hood, sunglasses on, looking like a rocker out of a cheap 80's movie. The sight would have been pathetic if it wasn't for the fact she knew that he knew how absurd he looked. He was playing a part. He knew life wasn't about reality but perception. So for him life really was a stage and he created and played the part of Valhalen for the delight and/or horror of those around him.

"Hey babe, trying to get a tan?" Sunset asked with a smile and slight laugh.

"Why Ms. Shimmer, are objectifying me?" He replied back in faux outrage.

"Only if you want me to," Sunset said as she bent over and put her elbows on the hood of his car, placing her chin in her palms.

"Only on days that end in 'Y'," he said as he turned his head to face her.

"Ouch that was bad. You can come up with better come backs than that."

Val shrugged. "Eh, maybe next time. So, what's going on? We still going out tonight?"

"Well, have you been a good boy all this week?"

"Yep. I didn't pee on the floor or nothing."

"Better. And yes, we are. I'll be around at six to pick you up."

"Hold on, aren't I supposed to pick you up?"

"It's two thousand fourteen Val, gender politics aren't the same. Besides, I'm the older one."

"Cool, I'm all for women's lib, especially if they're the ones paying. Just don't give me mommy issues."

Sunset laughed. It wasn't that his joke was that funny; only that if he knew what exactly she really was, "mommy issues" would be the least of his worries.

"Glad to see you're so enlightened. Anyway, get that sweet behind of yours to class or no date ok?"

"Dang it, there are those mommy issues again. You're not going to spank me are you?"

"No," Sunset said sarcastically, placing her fists on her hips.

"Oh, darn. Well maybe later."

Sunset pointed to the school. "Go."

"Ok, ok, see you tonight Ms. Shimmer," Val got up and walked off. Occasionally looking back at Sunset and smiling. Sunset just shook her head, trying not to laugh.

Author's Notes:

This was a time jump chapter. One of the hardest things is knowing what to put in a story and what to leave out. Each day could have covered at least 6 different chapters. But as I said earlier, I don't want to get bogged down in "real time" writing. So I just condensed and glossed over some things to move the story forward. Next chapter is Sunset's date followed by the sleep over. Then some really dark turns. After that book 5 will just be catch up in Equestria and Book 6 will be the show down and resolution. So I'm hopping all of you will continue to stay with me.