Flash stared at the statue for the longest time, never moving an inch from where he stood. It was, he had to admit, a strange thing to consider. This statue, which was still a largely-unrepaired mess after the Friendship Games, had been here for as long as he could remember. But within its stone was the power to send you to another world. The thought gave him pause, to know that such magic was right under his and everybody else's noses this whole time. But, he also cracked a smile, letting out a sigh as he let himself dwell on what he knew was about to happen. And speaking of which, his attention was then diverted by the clear sound of somebody clearing their throats. Turning, his smile widened, as he saw the one standing behind him.

"You ready?" Sunset asked.

Flash nodded, taking a few deep breaths as he once more looked to the statue.

"Yeah. I just...I'm not sure what to expect."

Returning the smile, Sunset walked beside him, placing her hand upon his arm as she too stared at the portal before her.

"Imagine a roller coaster...times ten."

Flash looked to her with a raised eyebrow.

"Thank you. That makes me feel...so much better."

Sunset smirked at that remark, before then taking a clear step forward, prompting Flash to do the same. The former unicorn held out her hand, and Flash, getting the message, took it into his own. With that done, Sunset smiled to him before, at last, practically throwing herself through the portal, with Flash in-tow behind her. It was, it had to be said, pretty much exactly as Sunset had said, with sounds and light rushing past Flash at high speeds, to the point where he could barely take it all in. What he could take in, however, was the massive thud he felt as he emerged from the other side, crashing unceremoniously into a hard floor.

"Ugh! That...that will take some getting used to."

He reached up to nurse a sore spot on his head, only to stop dead in his tracks when he realised that what now touched that spot was, very clearly, not a hand. Slowly, he turned, and saw, to his utter shock, that an orange hoof now greeted his gaze. He froze in this moment, clearly struggling with the sight before him, but, after a few moments, he instinctively began to move his former hand. Sure enough, the hoof moved, though his face remained one of shock.

"And that...I don't think I could get used to."

A giggle caused him to turn to its source, and here, if possible, his shock deepened further.

"How did you think I felt when I first came to your world?"

The voice was as familiar as anything. It was Sunset alright, though the face that looked to him was not the one he had grown accustomed to. It was, just as he'd been told, a unicorn. A real, flesh and blood unicorn, complete with horn. Flash, naturally, struggled as he attempted to get to his hooves, but all the while, his eyes never left Sunset. He looked her over, never saying a word, but just taking in everything about her altered appearance. Her fur, her hooves, her tail, the symbol inscribed onto her hind legs. In the end, he said perhaps the only thing one could say under the circumstances.

"So...this is you? The real you?"

Looking herself over briefly, Sunset turned back to him and gave a nod.

"Yep. Well...in this world anyway."

Flash stayed silent for a further few moments, trying to think of what else to say in this situation. Soon, he just blurted out the first thing that came to mind.

"Um...you look good."

Sunset raised an eyebrow.

"Flash, how could you possibly know what's good-looking or not among ponies you've never seen before?"

He stumbled for a moment on this, before quickly saying what, in his mind, was the correct answer.

"...Because it's you?"

The unicorn mare blushed slightly, though it was coupled with both a giggle and a shake of her head at that, rather admittedly, corny thing her boyfriend had just said. Taking a few steps forward, she reached out a hoof, which Flash stared at for a few moments before, finally, just taking it. Sunset then helped him up, eventually getting him on all fours the way a pony was supposed to be standing. His knees were wobbly for a time, which she gave him a reassuring look over.

"Don't worry. It'll come to you...eventually."

Flash chuckled to that, albeit briefly.

"This...this is...um..."

Sunset giggled again.

"Trust me, you're preaching to the choir on that one, Flash."

Here, she took a few steps backward, continuing to look at him in an affectionate manner.

"Take your time. Just...try taking a few steps forward."

The former human nodded, looking down at his hooves, and still not quite believing all of this. He took a few breaths, before starting to move one hoof forward. Things started well enough, but after just a few steps, he began to stumble. He might have had his face planted into the ground again, had it not been for Sunset, who promptly used her magic to keep him from making that impact. Naturally, seeing himself bathed in a magical aura was quite a surprise for him.

"Is...is this your magic?"

Sunset nodded, using her power to get him back into a standing position.

"Yeah. It's been a while since I've used it though."

The aura faded once Flash was standing again, and here, he took a few breaths to clam himself.

"I...I'm not sure if I can do this."

Sunset rolled her eyes to that, walking over to stand beside him.

"Relax. It's like riding a bike. You'll get the hang of it."

This time, Sunset stood beside him as he again attempted to walk forward. Every time there was a slight stumble on his part, she reached over for him, helping to stabilize him. This went on for some time, a good five minutes in fact, before, at last, the newly-made stallion seemed to be getting his footing.

"Okay, I think...I think I can just about do it now."

Sunset's smile widened.

"I'm glad to hear it. Who knows? You might even want to try your hand at flying when this is over."

Naturally, Flash looked to her with confusion plastered all over his face. Slowly, realisation dawned on him, and he began to turn his head as far around as he could. There, just as he'd suspected, were a pair of wings on the side of his body, feathers and all. In that same slow manner, he turned to look back at his girlfriend, his face utterly deadpan as he spoke.

"Sunset? Do I have a pair of wings?"

Sunset nodded, prompting him to continue.

"...Huh."

The mare shook her head to this, before then gesturing to a nearby door.

"I hate to sound like I'm rushing you, but...I think they're probably waiting for us by now."

Shaking himself out of his still-surprised state, Flash nodded. He kept his gaze down as he started to walk again, making sure to be extra careful with every step.

"So...this is a Princess I'm meeting?" he asked.

Sunset nodded.

"Yes. We were never blood, but...she was the only real family I ever had."

Flash looked up to her, seeing the many emotions battle in her expression as she spoke those words. His own face softened considerably as he sighed, reaching out with one hoof and placing it upon her shoulder. When he spoke, it was with as soothing a tone as he was capable of giving.

"I'll try not to disappoint you."

Hearing that, Sunset was, briefly, taken aback, before simply letting out a small chuckle.

"I know you'll do fine, Flash. Though I admit I never imagined a day might come when I'd be introducing a boyfriend to my old teacher."

Both youths laughed together at that, and Flash, as ever, continued to make his way carefully towards the door, with Sunset beside him and keeping him steady. In the end, Flash uttered what were, perhaps, the most appropriate words to speak, given everything he knew he was about to be exposed to.

"Well...no pressure, right?"