Rediscovery

Disclaimer: I do not own My Little Pony, nor am I profiting off this literary venture.

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Sunset Shimmer had never told Twilight or himself where she lived. Or didn't live.

For all he knew she was homeless, sort of like he was.

He kind of knew where Pinkie Pie lived, he'd be able to recognize her house if he saw it, but he wasn't sure of the actual location. He'd been in a backpack for a good portion of the trip there and at the time he simply wasn't paying attention to things like street names or numbers.

He had two other options though.

Applejack, over at Sweet Apple Acres and Rarity, who even in this world had her own boutique.

He picked the option that didn't have him traveling outside the cities limits.

Carousel Boutique was listed in the phone book, both address and phone number. Finding a local map took a little more doing but he had made his way to the fashionista's business before noon.

He had to admit, it looked a lot different here in the human world.

It wasn't a fashionable little business slash home like it was in Equestria. Or if it was, it lacked the unique appearance he was used to.

At home it was designed like an actual carousel. Here, it was just another slate grey brick and mortar building with the name embossed over the front window. It looked to be two stories tall, but it was just a small partition of a much larger building.

A bell tinkled over head as he stepped in.

The front room was a mess, mannequins were all over the place in varying states of dress.

And varying kinds of dress.

A formal tux on one, half of a rustic outfit on another, some wore dresses whilst others were garbed in skirts. There was no order to the placement, a ball gown stood out starkly when surrounded by casual shirts and trousers.

"Just a minu~te!" Sang a sublime voice from the back room.

"Rarity?" He hollered back. Something about her voice sounded different, though it may have just been muffled by something.

"Yes, that's me! Welcome, welcome to my shop!" She came out of the backroom.

Spike felt his heart beat just a bit harder.

There wasn't anything particularly special with what she was wearing. A cream-colored turtleneck sweater and jeans. Very tight, embroidered jeans. She had her glasses on, though the almost garishly styled red frames were resting up in her hair.

Maybe it was the way she carried herself, maybe it was just her confidence. Either way, it was still stunning.

"Here you'll find clothing to meet your hearts fondest desire. All the clothing here is handmade and I can personally swear that every unique piece is sleek, chic and absolutely magnifique!" She was beaming, her arms were spread wide as to encompass the whole of her store. "Now how can I help you today."

"Well Rarity, I was looking for-" He stopped talking when she darted around behind him, humming to herself. He turned around to face her again. "Rarity, I was-"

"You have the most slender frame of anyone who's yet walked in." She continued walking around him, picking up her pace as he continued to turn and try to properly face her. "And that hair, please tell me that's not your natural hair color? Oh, who am I kidding, of course that's your natural hair color!"

"Rarity, I need-" He was interrupted as one finger pressed itself against his lips. He froze in place and allowed it to slide off as she finally got to looking at his back.

"Please, Darling, at your age? I doubt you'd know when you need a drink of water, let alone how to make the most of everything you have. No, that is why you've come to me!" He could nearly hear the ecstacy radiating from her voice. "Now, hmm... Narrow frame, narrow shoulders to go with it. Did you know your arms and fingers are longer than average for your height? Lanky, tsk. We'll need to draw attention away from that."

"Rarity, I-"

"Oh, I have been rather rude, haven't I? My sincerest apologies Mr... ah? I'm afraid I've not gotten your name yet." She sidestepped her way back in front of him, looking up and down at the space below his neck.

"I'm Spike, Rarity. I'm also a freshman over at Crystal Prep." He wasn't surprised when she looked up, meeting his eye. Emerald green stared into calm azure until her gaze broke.

"Spike is it? Well, no accounting for taste I suppose. Crystal Prep you said? I really must apologize but with their uniform policy it seems I won't be able to help you near as much as I'd hoped." She looked down, coming off of her inspirational high.

"That's alright. It wasn't my first choice but it's where I am. Listen, I'm looking for Sunset Shimmer. Do you know where I can find her?" He felt a knot tighten in his belly when she looked confused.

"Sunset Shimmer? Certainly a more fitting name than... Well, not as though you had much choice in the matter, now is it?" She blushed lightly as she caught herself.

"It's fine. I always thought my name was perfectly normal, so no problem alright?" He'd been getting that a lot since he came here.

"Anyway, I hate to say this but I'm afraid I don't know of even a single soul named Sunset Shimmer. If she's a friend of yours, you could probably find her online easily enough." She looked apologetic. She even sounded apologetic.

So why did Spike feel like his blood had turned to ice.

"That's... That's alright, Rarity. I just thought she might go to school over at Canterlot High."

"I truly am sorry, Spike. Can I help you with anything else?"

"Not, er, not right now. I'll be sure to come by again next time I've saved up a Bit though, alright?" He headed for the door, trying to wrap his mind around what he'd heard.

"That sounds marvelous, do come back soon!" She closed the door behind him.

He made it to the end of the block outside the boutique and sat down on a bench, his mind swirling around the pieces he'd seen.

She hadn't recognized his name. She didn't know Sunset Shimmer. He hadn't even thought to ask her about the others, if maybe they might know her.

He leaned back and looked up, the clouds drifting above and birds flying over.

He was alone.

Author's Notes:

I like handing out puzzle pieces like candy. If I'm feeling nice, they'll all be to the same puzzle.