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The Issue of Multiple Sunsets

by Hopeful_Ink_Hoof

Chapter 18: Auntie Moon

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Celestia's sister and vice-principal, Luna, sat in the chair in Celestia's living room. She held a glass of water in her hands, one finger tapping on it in an absent-minded rhythm. She stared at the yellow and red unicorn that was lying sprawled out on the couch across from her. A small part of her attention was actually on said unicorn. Another small part was considering the small girl which had called her "Aunt Luna," who was currently taking a bath, while most of it was focusing on coming to terms with everything her sister had told her.

"So, just to be sure I understand this," Luna said slowly, turning to look at her sister. "A small, child version of one of our students shows up at your house, proclaiming you are her mother. You contact her friends, and they show up, along with --" she motioned toward the couch "-- an actual unicorn version of that same student. Then, not only do you refuse to allow the child to go with them, but insist on having the unicorn stay here. Is that all correct?"

"They had a siren version of Sunset Shimmer with them," Celestia stated. "Tied up and gagged in the back of a van. It also turns out that they had Adagio Dazzle with them. I could not in good conscience let them take an innocent with them in that state. More so since there were already other versions out, and I am willing to bet not all of them are kind, gentle, or friendly. The same goes for her." She motioned at the unicorn. "I couldn't let her get in a dangerous situation as well, even if she is able to take care of herself. On top of that, her being here kept young Sunset calmer, and if something happened, the girls would not have to explain having a unicorn with them."

"I understand," Luna replied. "I get why you would do it, and in your place, I would probably do the same."

Setting the drink on the small table, Luna leaned forward, lacing her fingers together as she rested her arms on her knees.

"What I'm worried about is you becoming emotionally attached to the young Sunset Shimmer. You have always wanted to be a mother, and tend to be quite emotionally attached to things rather easily."

"I do not," Celestia replied, straightening in her seat, and sticking her nose up slight.

Luna turned to face her sister fully, raising an eyebrow.

"Do I need to remind you of the bite marks I still have on my calf?"

"You took Philomena!"

"Yes," Luna said, "I -- a five year old child -- took Philomena -- your stuffed bird -- to use as a parrot while I played 'pirate,' which you -- three years older than I -- got so upset over, that you bit me on the calf hard enough to leave a scar, even all these years later."

"Hold on," unicorn Sunset called out. "You had a stuffed bird called Philomena?"

"Yes," Celestia answered. "Is that odd for some reason?"

"Not in itself. Do you remember what kind of bird it was?"

"I don't believe it was ever established. It was just a red and orange stuffed bird."

"Oh." Sunset gave a nod. "Because the two other Celestias I knew each had a pet phoenix by the same name." She tapped her chin, looking around. "Although, I suppose they don't exist in this reality."

"No," Luna replied, "or at least not more than as myth in these times if they ever truly existed."

"Which, in light of recent events, is a possibility," Celestia added.

Luna then motioned to unicorn Sunset.

"She also proves my point about my worry."

"Me?" Sunset asked.

"Yes," Luna answered. "According to your own story, you were essentially raised by the Celestia of your home reality, correct?"

Sunset nodded, then added, "And taken in by one for the world I went to."

"And while the latter had not occurred," Luna stated, "the Sunset Shimmer we know was also essentially raised by her Celestia. Young Sunset calls you her mom, meaning either she is your child, or you adopted her." She returned her full attention to her sister. "Either way, it does not change the fact she sees you as such. This does seem to me to indicate a pattern. One which you may have repeated, had you met Sunset at a younger age."

Celestia shifted, saying nothing. As much as she wished, she could not deny it. There had been something about Sunset that always affected her. So much so, that she had been far more lenient on the young woman than she should have been as Sunset's Principal. In retrospect, it may have been better if she had stepped in sooner, trying to provide discipline for Sunset to keep her from going as far as she did.

Although, she could not deny that it worked out well for Sunset Shimmer in the end.

The rest of the city not so much, what with the various magical events that had occurred since then.

Luna got up and walked over to her sister.

"I know you are doing the right thing but..."

She stopped talking as she heard the sound of a door opening.

Not long after, the child Sunset Shimmer came into the living room, dressed in an over-sized shirt and hair still wet.

"I'm done with my bath," she announced.

Celestia smiled and got up, moving past her sister and over to the child.

"Did you brush your teeth?"

Sunset nodded, giving a big grin to show her teeth.

Grinning back, Celestia reached down and picked up Sunset.

"Let's get you ready for bed, then," she declared, carrying the young girl down the hall.

Luna watched her go and sighed, rubbing at her head. She had been aware that her sister was going to get emotionally invested in having the child, but felt the need to try and warn her.

She made her way back to the kitchen, grabbing one of the remaining slices of pizza Celestia had asked her to bring over for dinner. It was suddenly very disappointing: the crunchy, crispy thin crust now tasted like a cheap, unsalted cracker; the tomato sauce that had been warm and tangy was no better than refrigerated ketchup; once hot and gooey cheese was now just so much greasy rubber; and the toppings (all vegetables for reasons that became obvious once she arrived) had lost all their flavor.

Luna did not know what exactly was going to happen, but if Sunset Shimmer's friends succeeded -- and she was pretty certain they would -- then the child version of Sunset would go back where she belongs. And that is going to completely and utterly destroy her poor sister.

Some minutes later, Celestia returned, smirking at her sister.

"Someone wants Aunt Luna to tell them a bed time story," she called out.

Luna felt that she should decline. Doing so would mean allowing herself to emotionally bond with young Sunset as well, and while not as prone as her sister of doing so easily, nor would it be as close since she was an aunt instead of mother, it would make it all the more difficult for her as well when the child was gone. That, in turn, would make it more difficult for her to be there for Celestia when things went bad.

At the same time, could she really say no? Would a child understand? Maybe. More likely she would not, and simply be hurt or upset that her aunt refused to spend time with her.

Deciding it would be better for her to be the one upset than a child, Luna made her way to the spare bedroom that young Sunset Shimmer was using. There laid the young girl, all tucked into bed and cuddling her unicorn. Sunset's face lit up at the sight of Luna, causing her to smile in return.

"So, you wanted me to tell you a story?" she asked.

"Yeah," little Sunset answered with a nod. "You're the best storyteller ever."

"Oh?" Luna asked, moving further into the room and raising an eyebrow. She sat down on the edge of the bed. "What about Mom?"

Sunset's brow furrowed and lips pursed before she answered.

"She doesn't count," the girl stated as though it were obvious fact. "She's Mom. She's the best at everything."

Luna had to make an effort not to roll her eyes in front of the child. A part of her vaguely remembered going through a similar phase herself, where a child saw their parents as all-knowing and all-powerful: they were the best at what they could do, and they could do anything and everything.

Now, she just need to come up with a story. Something that would be entertaining for a little girl. Something like a fairy tale. Hansel and Gretel? Sleeping Beauty?

An idea suddenly came to her. It would not be completely original, but with a few tweaks, a real life event could make quite the fun little fantasy story.

"Okay," Luna said. "I got it. Ready?"

Sunset nodded.

"Once upon a time, there was an entire kingdom made of crystal, ruled by a very harsh and stern queen..."

Next Chapter: Horse and dog show Estimated time remaining: 2 Hours, 43 Minutes
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