Sitting in an empty room, Sunset remained still with her eyes closed. She was in the dining room of her own home, concentrating as she wondered how she was going to deal with what sat right in front of her. Her eyes opened and there sitting in the seat directly across from her at the table was a familiar red tinted image. Eyes that were black and cyan stared back at her.

She took a moment to examine the pointed ears and claws resting on the table as the image of a person she once was stared back at her. The two remained silent for several minutes before Sunset decided to speak up.

“You don’t belong here…” Sunset said, crossing her arms.

The demonic version of herself smirked and tapped a talon on one of her claws on the table as she sat unfazed by Sunset’s remark.

“Why don’t you just go then?” Sunset raised a brow.

The creature did nothing, instead, it sat there patiently, as if taunting Sunset. Pissing her off as it did. “Fuck! What is your problem!? Why won’t you leave me alone!?” She finally burst out with, standing up and banging her hands on the table.

Her demon self looked at the floor and then back at Sunset, that same obnoxious grin on her face.

“There’s nowhere for me to go… I’m right where I belong…” It spoke slowly as it tried to get under Sunset’s skin.

“You don’t belong in me… I’m through with you… I’ll never turn to you for help again… Why not just get out of my head and we can be done with each other?” Sunset growled.

The creature came to a confident stance and placed its claws behind its back as it began to pace the room, still wearing it’s overly confident grin. “You just don’t get it, do you, Sunset Shimmer?”

Sunset stood her ground and tapped her foot impatiently. “What’s not to get? You’re just some dark energy that still lingers inside me… I almost gave into you when I fought Adagio, but I’ve decided I don’t need you anymore. Why don’t you get lost? I’ll never be turning to you for help ever again, so staying inside my head is useless…”

The demon just chuckled as it shook its head. “I see… You really don’t get it then…”

“What’re you talking about…?” Sunset raised a brow, a bead of sweat running down her neck as she spoke.

It stepped closer and its sinister grin only widened as it watched Sunset take a step back to try and avoid it, but it continued its advance. “Dark energy… That’s just how it starts… You’ve reached the point where I exist now… I’m not just dark energy subconsciously influencing you… I am you.”

“That’s a lie!” Sunset retorted.

“Oh no, it’s very much the truth. I wasn’t just summoned from the depths of the underworld to control you… I was created by you. Your anger, your fear, your hatred, it all was used in making me. I’m a product of your own doing… You created me. You forged me piece by piece over the years.” It replied very coyly.

Sunset shook her head. “I would never make something like you!”

“Maybe not on the surface, but deep down… There was and still is a part of you that thirsts for greater things… The kind of things you didn’t think you could achieve on your own, that’s where I come into play…” It lectured as it began to circle around Sunset.

Sunset kept her eyes on the demon as it walked around her.

“We’re two pieces to a puzzle, Sunset. Eventually, you’ll have to accept me. I’m a part of you, and I always will be… We’re meant to be together… We complete each other… You just don’t realize it yet, that’s all…” It explained.

Sunset recrossed her arms as she replied, “That’s a cute story, but I’m afraid you don’t seem to realize that your chapter of it is done. We are never going to be joined again, for as long as I live…”

“And what if something should happen to Twilight again? What then?” It questioned.

“That’s my concern. I’ll take care of it.” Sunset growled, not appreciating the comment which sounded almost as a threat on Twilight.

“Last time you were barely able to do anything… Adagio kicked your ass many times before you beat her and even then you had help from your friends… What if they aren’t there? What if their help isn’t enough? You won’t be able to protect her on your own, and that is when you’ll need me…” The demon grinned.

Sunset hated even thinking about what it was suggesting. She had vowed to try and end magical mishaps and shenanigans as best she could so that Twilight would never be in that kind of danger again. Magic may have been a part of her life in Equestria, but it didn’t have to be a major part of it in the human world.

Deep down, she knew she would always be the safeguard for magic, but that didn’t mean her life had to revolve around it. She could escape it if she wanted.

“I promise… As long as I live… I will never call on you again…” Sunset shook her head.

The demon let out a few more chuckles as it nodded its head. “Keep telling yourself that… When the chips are down… I am expecting a call from you. I know you, Sunset… Because I am you. When the situation calls for it… You’ll bet on the horse you think has the greatest chance of winning… You’re not one to gamble on small chances… You always bet on the contender with the best odds…”

“Maybe you don’t know me as well as you think you do then…” Sunset smirked back at it.

“We’ll see about that…” The demon nodded.

Sunset closed her eyes and reopened them seconds later, not to much surprise she was sitting in her dining room by herself. The entire conversation with the demon was only in her head. She sighed and shook her head as she cleared her thoughts.

She was firm on her statement though. She knew she would not give into that monster ever again, no matter the odds stacked against her, she would rely on her own personal strength first and foremost. She couldn’t let the words of a demon get to her, she knew they were only trying to mess with her head.

Sitting there on the table under a laptop was the journal that Sunset used on occasion to write to Princess Twilight. She hadn’t heard a response from her in weeks, but she kept it by her side in case the Princess found the time to write her back, she didn’t want to be too far away so she could reply.

Feeling compelled, she slid the laptop off of the top of the book and pulled it in front of herself and flipped it open to a blank page.

Dear Princess Twilight,

I know it’s weird to keep writing you over and over when you’re not responding, and frankly, I’m starting to get a little worried that you might be avoiding me or something. I hope I’m just being paranoid, but I’d love to hear back from you soon.

Anyway, the reason I’m writing is I was hoping you had some reading material regarding demons… I know it’s an odd request, but I want to look into if there is a way to possibly remove the demon inside of me. I know it has never been done in the past, but maybe there is something in research material regarding them and dark magic that I could figure out. I’d gladly share the breakthrough with Equestria if I found it.

I get that I am technically asking permission to do something illegal in Equestria, as research on dark magic and demons is forbidden, but I was hoping that maybe since I am out of legal jurisdiction that you’d make an exception? It’s for a good cause after all, and if I find something, maybe you can utilize it in Equestria as well. Just think it over.

I just… I don’t want my life with Twilight to get messed up by something like that. The peace of mind of knowing that the darkness in me is completely extinguished would do me a world of good. I love magic, but I just want to live a normal life here in the human world. This is my home now, and I want to act and live like a human as much as I can. I want a simple and normal life with my girlfriend.

I promised myself that I’d never give into the demon inside of me ever again, but I would still feel better knowing that it’s out of me.

Consider it, please.

Again, I’d really love to hear back from you soon, I can only imagine how busy you are though.

Yours truly,

Sunset Shimmer

She sighed as she finished her letter waiting a few minutes, wondering if she would get a reply, then frowning when she did not. A part of her knew it was wishful thinking to assume that Princess Twilight at that exact moment would suddenly find the time to reply after weeks of silence, but it didn’t stop her from hoping.

Setting the book aside, Sunset came to a stand and decided it was best to get some rest before she went to her therapy session in a few hours.

A trip to Applejack’s home originally was just intended as a chance to talk and get a lot of negative feelings off of Sunset’s chest, but what it turned into was a long afternoon of hard labor that she wasn’t exactly dressed for. Fortunately for her after digging through both Rarity and Applejack’s old clothing she was able to find a pair of pants from Rarity that fit her, and a top from Applejack that fit her which she was able to change into.

While Rarity’s selection was far nicer, her bust was closer to Applejack’s which meant she had no choice but to go with something more simple. A button-up green plaid shirt which she rolled the sleeves up as it was still a size too large, and a pair of old torn up denim shorts from Rarity.

After finding a clothing selection it was tons of labor on the farm in the beating hot sun. They had spent all day tending to the trees, pulling out roots and checking the vegetable patches. Fortunately for Sunset though, Applejack didn’t have the time anymore to tend to a full orchard so she settled for four trees and a vegetable patch about eight by eight feet, but the amount of love and care she put into both was extraordinary. Sunset could only imagine what kind of work she’d be able to get done if she lacked a day job.

Finally sticking a shovel into the ground and wiping her brow, Sunset smiled as she observed the finished work that the two girls had accomplished together. Applejack stood at the edge of the garden and stared before giving an approving nod herself as she turned and smiled at her redheaded friend.

“I’ll be damned… The last time I invited y’all to help me out y’all were winded after eight minutes… Now… Ya’ barely look like ya’ were sweatin’.” Applejack whistled as she observed Sunset with admiration. “I’m impressed.”

Sunset shrugged. “When I was preparing to fight Adagio I had to get in top physical shape. I was running on the treadmill for an hour a day, doing eight hundred sit-ups, weight lifting, the works… After it was over, I toned it down a little but I still exercise all the time. At least an hour or so a day at least…”

“Really now… What kinda’ exercise equipment y’all got in that big ol' house?” Applejack asked.

Sunset shrugged. “There’s a full gym in the basement actually.”

“I suppose bein’ rich does have some perks…” Applejack nodded.

“I couldn’t see you being rich, AJ… No offense…” Sunset rubbed her neck hoping that comment didn’t come off as rude.

Applejack shook her head and her hand. “None taken. I think I’d lose my mind if I had no work to do ever… I’d spend all my time tryin’ to find work to do…”

“That sounds about right… I couldn't imagine you any other way.” Sunset giggled.

The familiar voice of Applejack’s wife called the girls over to the house. “Girls! I made iced tea!”

“Right on schedule…” Applejack nodded. “Y’all could set yer’ clock by her, I swear.”

“Does she make drinks when you finish working all the time?” Sunset asked with a raised brow.

Applejack let out a hearty laugh. “Yeah, after she’s done oglin’ me…”

“What do you mean?” Sunset replied.

A few snickers came out of Applejack. “Eh, she watches me work from the windows sometimes… Checkin’ me out and all and then she makes tea when she realizes I’m about to be done. She thinks I don’t know about it, but I’m totally keen to it.”

“She still finds you sexy, I suppose.” Sunset winked.

“I would hope so… She married me, so she’s stuck with me now…” Applejack smirked.

The two girls let out a few laughs as they made their way back to the porch where Rarity poured them both a glass and sat down at the small patio table with them. Applejack and Sunset both took a glass and raised it. Applejack gave the toast.

“To a job well done!”

All three clacked glasses before all of them took a long well deserved sip. Applejack emitting a sound of content as she finished. “Well, that always hits the spot…”

“You haven’t had what I am making for dinner yet…” Rarity grinned.

“This woman is tryin’ to fatten me up, Sunset… Her home cookin’ I’m pretty sure has crack in it!” Applejack faux-protested.

Rarity rolled her eyes and waved her hand. “Oh psssh-ah, darling. I just love to treat you, that’s all. Besides you burn off so many calories with work and then you forget to eat… I’m just making up for that.”

“Y’all got me there…” Applejack chuckled sheepishly.

“You two are too much…” Sunset smiled as she marveled at how in love her two friends were. In a way, it made her hopeful for her and Twilight.

Applejack took another long sip from her drink before setting the glass down and covering her mouth as she let out a small belch, much to Rarity’s chagrin as she gave her a dirty look which Applejack ignored.

“Say… You came over here originally to talk ‘bout somethin’, right Sunset?” Applejack asked.

Blinking, Sunset had to take a second to remember why she came in the first place. She got so into helping Applejack with her farm work that she had completely forgotten why she came for a few seconds, but then it came back to her.

“Oh! Right… That…” Sunset frowned as she remembered what it was.

“Is something troubling you, darling?” Rarity asked with concern in her voice.

“Yeah… I just… I still worry about the darkness inside me… I know it’s dumb to worry about it, and I know I will never give into it again, but I just sort of wish there was a way to get rid of it… I want to live a normal life with Twilight, but it’s hard with that looming over me, you know?” She admitted.

“What does Princess Twilight say?” Applejack asked before finishing off her glass and setting it down on the table.

Sunset bit her lip. “That’s just it… I haven’t been able to get a hold of her for weeks now… She’s gone completely radio silent… I’m sort of worried about her too…”

“She’s probably just attending some extended trip somewhere on official royal duties, you know what the royal life is like, always in demand.” Rarity reassured.

Sunset realized that she hadn’t thought of that. There was a good chance that Twilight was merely handling a problem that was far larger than normal for the royal family and that required extended time away. It wasn’t uncommon for Princess Celestia to go somewhere for weeks at a time to settle an ordeal.

“I guess that makes sense…” Sunset nodded. The more she thought about it, the more that conclusion seemed exceptionally logical.

“I bet she’ll write y’all back the moment she is available and she’s gonna guilt trip herself into oblivion for missin’ all yer’ letters,” Applejack added in.

Sunset let out a giggle as she realized that Applejack might have been more right than she realized. “I can already imagine her doing just that… She’s so predictable sometimes, isn’t she?”

“Yes, but we love her just as she is.” Rarity smiled.

“Very much so.” Sunset nodded in agreement. Princess Twilight was strange and quirky, much like her own Twilight, but she was lovable and you knew her heart was always in the right place, even if her methods were odd at times.

“Still… That leaves the subject of the darkness in me a bit harder to deal with… Princess Twilight is the only one who really has any hardcore knowledge on that kind of stuff and how to deal with it, and she is… For all intents and purposes incapacitated at the moment… So what am I supposed to do?” Sunset asked curiously.

Applejack sighed and reached across the table placing a hand on Sunset’s shoulder. “Listen, Sunset… Y’all got to stop letting that kind of thing haunt you. Sure it may be inside you, but as ya’ said, ya’ ain’t gonna give into it. So long as you know that, it can’t do nothin’ to ya’.”

Sunset opened her mouth to retort. “But-“

“Applejack is right, darling. You already have the situation under control. Nothing is stopping you from living a normal life with Twilight.” Rarity quickly added before Sunset even had a chance to object.

“I guess I’m still a little afraid is all… I almost gave into it when I fought Adagio…” Sunset frowned.

Squeezing Sunset’s shoulder tighter, Applejack shook her head. “Y’all can’t spend yer’ life in fear, Sunset.”

Sunset knew that Applejack had a point. While it was going to be difficult to get past her fears, Sunset could overcome them. Applejack was right, the only thing that was stopping her from having a normal life with the girl she was madly in love with was fear, and that fear was created from Sunset’s own paranoia.

She could overcome it, she had to, for Twilight and her future’s sake.

Dinner that evening with Twilight was a bit tenser than Sunset would have liked, naturally the thoughts of conversations from earlier lingering on her mind, and wondering how to break the ice on such an important night all combined for poking at each other’s food while sitting across from each other at the dining room table awkwardly.

Sunset bit her lip before opening her mouth to speak and internally scolded herself. Holy shit, Sunset. Just fucking say something, she’s your girlfriend she’s not going to scream at you.

“So…” Sunset began.

Twilight looked up from her plate suddenly and blinked. “So?”

“I uh… Went and talked to AJ and Rarity today… About… Well, some important stuff…” Sunset rubbed her neck, not exactly thrilled with how pathetic her attempt to start a conversation was going.

“How are they doing?” Twilight smiled.

“AJ and Rarity? Same as always. Two lovebirds who are head over heels for each other, it’s really cute actually…” Sunset smiled.

Twilight nodded with a chuckle. “Funny, Rarity said the same thing about us.”

“We’re not that affectionate in front of other people are we?” Sunset blushed and averted her eyes from Twilight’s gaze, but found herself looking right back at her in only seconds.

Twilight rolled her eyes as she took another bite of food and then swallowed before speaking. “You open doors for me, you never let go of my hand… I mean you are pretty over the top sometimes… That’s not even counting what goes on in this house…”

“I just like to treat you is all, I mean it’s not like buying you nice things will work because there isn’t the merit of working hard for them because I have all this money, so I have to prove myself in other ways…” Sunset smirked.

Twilight sighed and shook her head. “Sunset, you don’t have to prove yourself at all to me. I love you how you are.”

“I know, I know, but it makes me feel good to take care of you, you know?” Sunset smiled.

The bookworm actually did understand. Sunset always wanted Twilight to feel special anywhere they went and no matter what they did. It was the icing on the cake knowing that not only was she the only one to do such intimate things with Sunset, but also the only one who Sunset went out of her way for. At times, Twilight couldn’t even believe she managed to end up with such an attractive woman, someone who realistically should have been out of the league of a socially awkward bookworm.

Sunset was madly in love with Twilight, and Twilight could feel it every time they were together, in fact, it felt like the more time they spent together, the more they fell deeper in love with each other. They were perfect for each other, they seldom fought, and they had so much in common.

Sunset was smart, independent and more than capable of being leaned on when Twilight needed it. She stood up for Twilight, but knew when Twilight could take care of herself.

Twilight was intelligent, adorable and in tune with how Sunset felt. If anyone could tell what was bothering Sunset, it was Twilight. Sunset may have had powers that allowed her to sense the emotions of others, but the only one who seemed to be able to sense what Sunset was feeling was Twilight.

“There was… Something else I wanted to talk about actually…” Sunset began slowly.

Twilight blinked, sensing a difficult conversation heading her way. She braced herself and nodded. “Alright, what is it?”

“Well… I was thinking… About our future, you know?” Sunset said quietly.

“What about it?” Twilight asked, trying to sound as innocent as she possibly could.

“Well… I came to realize that Applejack and Rarity are right… I spend too much time being paranoid about what could happen that I should just do stuff and just let the chips fall where they may… I have to get out of my habit of trying to keep situations under control for no reason, you know? I have to stop letting my paranoia dictate what I do with my life…” Sunset rambled.

Twilight blinked and tilted her head. “Babe, is this going anywhere?”

“I want us to get married…” Sunset blurted out. In her head, she had planned this out so much more elegantly, but when the moment came, Sunset couldn’t think of a better way than just being straightforward.

Twilight’s face turned a bright red at such an outburst, but Sunset didn’t back down or shy away. Instead, she faced her lover with a serious expression of confidence. Sunset wasn’t kidding.

“W-wha?” Twilight stuttered.

“I’m not afraid anymore… I want us to have a real life… Get married, have a family together… I want us to have a semi-normal life…” Sunset said sternly.

Twilight’s face felt like it was on fire. “Sunset… I’m still in college…”

“That’s fine. I could drive you to class every day, you can move here and we’ll live together. We can have a wedding as big as you want, we can travel the world, whatever you want, babe…” Sunset stated.

Twilight paused and examined Sunset’s expression; it was unwavering.

“You’re serious…” Twilight said. The statement was more of an observation and not a question.

The redhead nodded. “I’ve never been more serious about anything in my entire life… I want us to be together forever…”

Twilight remained silent as she saw Sunset stand up and push her chair out. Her heart started racing as the attractive woman came to the other side of the table at Twilight’s side and got down on a knee. Twilight could barely hear anything else over the sound of her heart thumping louder than it had ever thumped in her life.

This was it, it was really happening. The moment that Twilight knew was going to come sooner or later, and despite her mental preparation, Twilight still somehow found herself completely blindsided by it.

“Twilight… I can’t promise an entirely normal life… But I can promise I will do everything I can to make you happy…” Sunset smiled as she took Twilight’s hand in her own.

Reaching into her pocket, Sunset retrieved a box that fit nicely in the palm of her hand and opened it, offering the immaculate object Twilight.

Twilight couldn’t even breathe when she saw the ring inside. Gemstones lining half of it, small but the right size for Twilight’s hand. Close examination of the metal told Twilight it was likely made of platinum, and on the edge on both sides, Twilight’s signature emblem was etched. It was gorgeous. It was singlehandedly the most wonderful piece of jewelry that Twilight had ever gazed upon. While she wasn’t much for accessories as say, Rarity was, Twilight was beyond stunned.

“Sunset.. I…” Twilight froze, not sure of how to word her response.

“Let’s make it official…” Sunset smiled. “Twilight Radiant Sparkle… Will you marry me?”

Twilight closed her eyes and took a breath or two before opening them to reply. “Sunset… I know a life with you will be far from normal… But to be honest… I’m ready for it. Whatever it takes… We’ll make it work, I promise…”

“May I?” Sunset asked as she retrieved the ring from the box.

Twilight nodded as tears welled up in her eyes. She couldn’t even believe she was crying at that moment, but her eyes would not stop leaking. “You may…”

Sunset gently lifted Twilight’s hand and extended her ring finger, carefully and slowly sliding the ring onto it and planting a kiss on the back of her hand.

Twilight felt a tear run down her cheek as she looked at the ring and how perfect it looked on her finger. She could see Sunset and her together for a long time just by looking at the ring, knowing it took everything Sunset had just to get the courage to ask her.

Twilight closed her eyes and smiled at how happy she was. In a single motion, Sunset had brought her to tears, but this time, they were tears of joy. Tears that were hopeful for the wonderful future the two of them were going to share.

“Let’s begin the first step to starting a family…” Sunset stated quietly.

Twilight wiped her eyes and nodded in agreement. “Yes… Let’s…”

A visit to Shining Armor’s home would prove to be a relaxing and exciting outing for Twilight Sparkle who was eager to discuss the events of the previous night with her favorite sister-in-law. Gossiping with Cadence was sort of a bonding experience for the two women.

Twilight brushed herself off and took a deep breath before straightening up and ringing the doorbell. She waited patiently for a few seconds before a familiar set of faces were standing at the newly opened door waiting for her. Shining’s lighting up just upon seeing Twilight. “Twily!” He exclaimed bringing her into a hug.

Cadence quickly joined in and squeezed the both of them. “We missed you, Twilight!”

“I missed you guys too! Sorry, it took so long to come out here, I still don’t have my own car…” Twilight rubbed the back of her neck.

Shining raised a brow and pointed to the expensive convertible parked in his driveway. “Then… What’s that?”

“Oh… That’s Sunset’s… She let me borrow it for the week because she knew I had a lot of running around to do and she had some stuff to take care of at the university that she owns, so she couldn’t be readily available to drive me around…” Twilight blushed.

“Damn… Those wheels probably cost more than this house…” He admitted as he whistled looking over the attractive car.

“Heh… Well… You know…” Twilight chuckled.

It occasionally dawned on her just how rich Sunset was compared to “normal” people. It was something that Twilight often forgot about because she was never really someone who cared too much about money or expensive gifts.

“Come on inside,” Cadence ushered.

Twilight nodded and followed the two into the house, eventually into the kitchen where Cadence had left her young child who was approaching two at this point. The young Flurry waved at Twilight from her height chair and made incomprehensible noises to greet her. Twilight merely waved back as Cadence walked over and began to try and clean the child’s messy face. Twilight surmised that it must have just been lunchtime for Flurry.

“It’s a pleasant surprise to see you here, Twily.” Shining grinned at his sister.

“That’s not the only surprise…” Twilight grinned as she extended her right hand displaying the fabulous ring that Sunset had given her.

Cadence screamed loud enough to rattle the house as she bolted over in excitement and grabbed Twilight’s hand, pushing Shining out of the way before he even had a chance to figure out what was even going on.

“OH MY GOD!” Cadence squealed excitedly.

“You’re… Engaged…?” Shining blinked.

“THIS IS SO CUTE!” Cadence yelled, pulling Twilight into a tight bear hug.

Twilight squirmed to get free but soon realized her efforts were a waste as Cadence had too strong of a grip. Finally, she released the girl and re-examined the ring.

“This ring is so unique! I love it! It must have cost a fortune!” Cadence rambled.

Shining managed to get close enough to look the ring over and whistle at how prestigious it looked. “That’s… Quite a set of rocks, Twilight…”

“So you two really are going to get married then!?” Cadence was practically begging for details.

Twilight nodded. “Yes, we actually intended on doing it as soon as possible…”

“Really? What’s the rush? You’re both really young… Are you sure it’s a good idea to rush into it? I mean I know you’ve been dating for a little over a year, but being married is… a big step…” Shining frowned.

Twilight shrugged. “With how much money Sunset has, I can finish school without worrying about struggling financially, and she already has a house… We sort of spent all of last night talking it over. We both sort of want to make the most of it right away because… We want to start a family together…”

Shining was dumbfounded as he stood there not knowing what to say as his baby sister blushed. His entire life he spent thinking he would be ready to fight any guy who tried to sleep with his sister, but here she was telling him that she wanted to get married and have children and he couldn’t think of a word to say.

“Isn’t that… A bit drastic?” Shining asked.

Twilight shook her head. “Most people want to wait until they are financially stable or own a house or whatever, but we don’t have to worry about any of that. I love Sunset, and I want to have a family with her… I want to be Mrs. Twilight Shimmer… I’d really appreciate your blessing…”

Cadence grinned and spoke for the both of them. “Of course, Twilight! You only live once and Sunset and you are both in a great position to get started on a family right away! If you don’t want to wait, you shouldn’t!”

Shining wanted to argue on the having children part, but he couldn’t think of a counter-argument against it. Twilight had a point, Sunset and she were going to be well off, and any help they needed they could hire.

“What about you, Shiny?” Twilight asked with pleading eyes.

Shining blinked, but said nothing.

“Do I have your blessing?” She asked.

He could never say no to her pleading eyes. His heart warmed and his face turned into a smile. “Sunset Shimmer has been the best thing that ever happened to you… She’s treated you so well and taken such great care of you… I can’t think of anyone who would make a better wife for you…”

Twilight grinned and nodded as she leaped forward into Shining’s embrace, squeezing him tightly. “Thank you, Shiny! I’m so glad you guys approve!”

“Have you told mom and dad yet?” Shining asked.

Twilight rolled her eyes as she let go of her brother. “Yeah, I told them this morning.”

“What’d they say?” Shining raised a brow.

Twilight blushed and looked away. “The just said… ‘Finally’,” Twilight replied.

Shining and Cadence couldn’t help but break into a fit of giggles.

The moment that Sunset revealed she was getting married to Rarity, the girl squeezed her so hard that she thought her eyes were going to pop out of the socket. It took a few seconds for her to catch her breath again, but Sunset adjusted herself and smiled at her friend.

“I’m sorry happy for you two! I always knew this day would come and I couldn’t be more excited. Twilight and you are made for each other…” Rarity nodded with excitement as she took a seat at the table the two were standing at.

They were out on the patio of Rarity’s house, sitting in front of an assortment of snacks that were laid out for the two of them. Rarity already helping herself to a few cookies and crackers.

“So have you picked a date yet?” Rarity asked.

Sunset shook her head as she placed her hands in her lap and just sat there watching her friend eat.

“We’re still trying to iron out the details, but I am thinking it’ll be several months before the actual wedding happens, you know?” Sunset explained.

Rarity swallowed the food in her mouth and nodded. “Well, let me know when you decide, darling! I’d love to design your outfits and please tell me it’s going to be a big wedding!”

Sunset rolled her eyes, expecting such an inquiry from her fashion-forward friend. “It’ll probably be expensive, but a small number of people, since we really only have our friends and Twilight’s family… Mine… Naturally isn’t going to show up, nor do I think they even care that I’m getting married…”

Rarity frowned and looked up at Sunset with a cracker in her hand. “Darling, I’m sorry… I’m sure in their own way, they care about you…”

Sunset just shrugged. “It doesn’t matter. They don’t care about me, so I’m not going to waste too much of my time being concerned over them… You win some, you lose some. In the case of my parents… I got duds, so it’s whatever.”

“Still… Maybe you should go and contact them to at least let them know what’s been going on in your life… Tell them you’re getting married…” Rarity suggested.

Shaking her head, Sunset sighed. “Even if I wanted to do that, which I don’t, it’s not possible. The mirror only opens naturally once every 30 moons, and Princess Twilight hasn’t responded to a single one of my letters, so I can’t get her to open it from the other side either. This is simply how it’s going to have to be…”

“It is a bit strange that the Princess has not responded in so long… I am a bit worried myself… Even if she is busy, she would usually have an assistant or someone contact you, right?” Rarity raised a brow.

Sunset nodded as she picked up a glass and poured herself a cup of tea. “Yeah… I usually talk to Spike or her student, Starlight Glimmer. Neither has been responding, so it’s hard to say what’s happening…”

Rarity nodded as she devoured more food. “So, you naturally haven’t told Princess Twilight about getting married then?”

Sunset sipped from her glass before answering. “I’ve messaged her about wanting to, but since she hadn’t responded to that, or seen it for that matter, I haven’t felt the need to tell her I actually went through with it…”

Rarity swallowed again and nodded. “I’m sure you’ll hear back from her soon, it’s not like her to leave her duties unattended after all.”

Sunset agreed, but there wasn’t much she could do. She would have to wait for Princess Twilight to respond and tell her what was going on and she’d be required to wait until that happened.

“You should focus on your wedding anyway, darling. You’re getting married! Why bother worrying about whatever it is Princess Twilight is up to? You’ve got more important things going on,” Rarity reminded.

She had a point.

“Thanks, Rarity. And I’m sure Twilight would be more than happy to have you design our outfits…” Sunset smiled.

Rarity grinned before picking up a small sandwich. “I may or may not have had plans on designing outfits for the two of you to get married in for some time…”

Rolling her eyes, Sunset sighed. “Of course you have…”

Rarity got a bit defensive at that statement. “Hey! You two have had love written on your faces for some time! I was just rooting for the both of you to work out!”

“I know… Thank you for that… It’s good to know that someone has always believed in us.” Sunset smiled.

Rarity only nodded as she shoved more and more food into her mouth, eventually causing Sunset to start taking some alarm. She had never seen Rarity devour so much food at one time, hell the girl barely ate in general, but her appetite had gone up substantially it seemed.

“Are you… Alright?” Sunset asked.

Rarity blinked before swallowing a bite of food. “Yes? Why wouldn’t I be?”

“It’s just… I’ve never seen you eat this much before…” Sunset remarked.

Picking up a napkin to wipe her lip, Rarity sat up straight and adjusted herself before clearing her throat. “Well… I suppose it’s alright to tell you… Since it’s going to be obvious pretty soon anyway…”

“Tell me what?” Sunset tilted her head in confusion.

Rarity smiled brightly and ran a hand through her recently short cut hair. “I’m pregnant.”

“W-what!?” Sunset blinked and shook her head. “Really!?”

Rarity blushed but nodded as she looked away bashfully. “Yes… Applejack and I decided to start a family. We got a donor and well… We’re expecting a child in the coming months…”

“How pregnant are you?” Sunset asked.

“A little over four months… Close to five…” She explained.

“You’ve been pregnant for months and you haven’t told us?” Sunset raised a brow.

Rarity sighed and shook her head. “We didn’t want anyone to know until we were certain that the baby was healthy. Then we sort of didn’t know the best way to break the news, but I promise it wasn’t meant to be some kind of secret.”

Sunset knew that Rarity was being honest, especially if Applejack would back her up, the most honest person she knew.

“Do you know if it’s a boy or a girl yet?” Sunset asked.

Rarity shook her head. “We are going to wait and be surprised.”

Sunset smiled and reached across the table to take Rarity’s hand. “I’m happy for both of you… You’re going to make a great mom, Rarity…”

Rarity blushed and nodded. “Thank you, Sunset… That means a lot to me.”

At that moment the only thing that came to Sunset’s mind was what kind of parent she would be. Twilight and she had talked about having children, starting a family and spending their future together. Would Sunset be ready to handle the kind of problems that a child with a mother from another universe would face?

Her eyes turned back to Rarity, seeing how happy she was, seeing how excited she was to be a mother. Just seeing that image in front of her, made all of Sunset’s doubt’s dissipate if not for just a few minutes. She could only hope she’d be as happy as Rarity was right now to be a parent.

The events of the past never really seemed to escape Sunset. She found herself standing there in the same parking lot she was a few years ago now. Time moved slowly, everything around her felt frozen as she turned her head after being teleported. There standing in the distance, the spitting image of herself, only wearing glasses stood.

Sunset attempted to scream in her direction, knowing what was to come, but no words came out of her mouth. She tried to move but found her body going slower than usual, her legs moved at a snail’s pace, and she could see ghosting of her arms as she tried to run. Everything moving slower than it should, and sure enough without fail, a bullet zipped through the air and pierced through Shimmer.

Pushing her body to go faster, Sunset attempted to get over to her sister in time, but another rang through the air, breaking the silence, then another and another until four shots had hit her in rapid succession.

She couldn’t do anything to stop it, she couldn’t get over to her fast enough, she was helpless. Shimmer crawled, dragging herself to try and get to safety, but just like before, four more shots for a total of eight impacted on the girl and pierced through her body with ease.

Sunset screamed, but could hear nothing out of her mouth as she watched Shimmer try to crawl once more only to give up and lay her head down on the pavement.

Finally, she was able to make it over to the bloody asphalt and lift the girl up. Flipping her over, Sunset blinked and felt her heart stop as she came face to face with what should have been her sister. Instead, long blue hair with blunt cut bangs looked back at her. Sunset trembled as she looked into the purple-tinted eyes of the girl who struggled to speak, getting out only her name. “Sun…set… I… love… you…”

“No… Twilight…” Sunset could feel tears streaming down her cheeks.

Twilight smiled and reached up, touching the young woman’s face as she spoke once more. “You… failed… to protect… me…”

Those words triggered something in Sunset’s brain, she gasped and found herself sitting up in her own bed. She quickly ran her hands across her body, feeling pajamas on her, now soaked in sweat. She panted as she sat up and hugged her own legs while she closed her eyes.

Another nightmare. It was hard to tell if it was from her own guilt and conscious or simply the darkness inside of her playing tricks on her. She thought for a moment that maybe she was in over her head in asking Twilight to marry her. She didn’t have what it took to protect her from the kinds of things that would want to do those who can use magic harm, right?

No. Sunset quickly thought. A while back she would have simply said all of these kinds of dreams were caused by her own thinking, her own lack of confidence, but just now she accepted the possibility that it was merely darkness inside of her trying to lure her back in. That was something she wouldn’t have even considered weeks ago. If she even humored the idea now, she was giving into it, giving it power over her.

Her therapy was working. The evil inside of her knew that, and it feared it. It knew if Sunset really kept trying she would eventually push the darkness into a place in her mind where it would never get out. She had the keep going, there was no time to doubt herself now, not when she was to marry the love of her life soon. She needed to be stronger than ever, she needed to keep on the path she was walking, there was no room for error, no room for detours.

Checking her phone she quickly opened a text conversation between her and her doctor and decided to send them a message letting them know she wanted to meet with them again tomorrow.

Once the message was sent, Sunset smiled and nodded as she set her phone down on the nightstand, proud of herself for not caving that easily. The path she was walking would lead her to being free from the darkness in her. She promised she was never going back, and she intended to keep that promise. Twilight deserved her at her best and nothing short of it.

Thinking about Twilight and their future gave her the strength to overcome. It gave her the strength to move mountains if she needed to, and she wasn’t about to let some darkness inside of her from a time when she was in a terrible place ruin the good place she now found herself in.

“Nothing is going to stop us from being together… Nothing…” Sunset smiled.

A lot of back and forth in this act, but surprise! Rarity is going to be a mom!

Also, Sunset popped the question.

Also pre-emptively: Merry Christmas to you all! It's strange to think this is the second Christmas that has passed since this story started, but thank you to everyone who reads this every week.