#bevinbrand

The Eye of the Ice Storm

The format of this chapter definitely feels different. As such, I’ll be doing some back and forth or collect different elements of the chapter to talk about it all in one section.

Sunset Shimmer, if only briefly, considered starting a new life in another dimension, with no plan whatsoever, in order to avoid her feelings. Again. She could make a break for it. Would it be hard to assume a new name? She didn’t mind the sound of Sundown Smolder. If she could guarantee there were other universes besides Equestria that she was capable of travelling to, as she and Twilight had theorized, she would have been seriously tempted.

Sunset’s might just be coming to our dimension… just a hop, skip, and a jump away to a world where people aren’t as pastel. Although that name wouldn’t work here.

If, of course, that didn’t mean leaving behind her friends and girlfriend. As the lot of them let out from Solstice Shiver’s counselling office, Sunset didn’t feel like facing the group of people keeping her in this dimension

Be much easier to leave them and run away if you distance yourself from them and make them think you don’t like them anymore.

Everything you’ve done is extraordinary and you don’t even know! When I was your age⁠—” With grunting effort, he managed to stop himself before spinning off into a story from the Day and how it was back when he was in it. “You’re categorically gravitational at this school.”

I sure hope he gets the chance to talk about this. It’s nice finding someone who shares the same rare interest as you. Actually… Solstice’s been pretty alone in this hasn’t he? I don’t doubt that there’s some magic information/texts/research out there because things have been coming through for a while now (e.g. Dazzlings, weird rocks). But how much research has he been able to do? How many people has he been able to talk about this with? How alone does he really feel, even now at this age and with this experience?

Whatever category of natural disaster she’d managed to achieve, Sunset had to agree: whether she wanted to or not, she ruled this school.

I also appreciate that Solstice didn’t even use disaster-terminology – he clearly doesn’t think of her that way but it doesn’t stop Sunset from interpreting it as such. Moreover, it’s a comparison to a celestial body – the sun, stars, moon, planets themselves. A compliment especially with Sunset having been raised by Celestia. No one’s more gravitational than that.

Solstice let a sigh fall through his nose, and nodded, his smile pressed into a thin line. “I’m always tired, too.”

;~;

Sometimes, you just know what someone else is feeling. Cause you’ve been there. They give all the same words and looks.

 Solstice collected his hands in front of him. “How you deal with your magic is your decision. I can’t make it for you. I think I can help you help your friends, but that’s up to you. Whenever you’re ready.” “... I’ll think about it,” Sunset promised, because Celestia be damned, a part of her nearly wanted to say yes⁠—if only to help him deal with what Equestrian magic had put him through. And, have someone to come to for guidance who knew how bad it was. But her eyes fell away. “But, honestly? … I don’t think I will be.”

COME ON YOU’RE BOTH OVERLOADED AND OVERBURDENED JUST HELP EACH OTHER OUT IT’LL WORK OUT SO WELL! AND ALSO WHAT ARE YOU DOING BLAMING YOURSELF FOR THAT YOU WEREN’T EVEN AROUND!!

Much like the portal she ran through all those years ago, Sunset Shimmer walked out the door and couldn’t look back.

And yet, she went back anyway.

Following the careful tck-bm of the door closing shut, she massaged her temples with her palms. Out in the hall, her friends gathered in a speculative circle, which she had to push straight through.

‘Speculative circle’ – circle imagery! All eyes on her! Eye of the ice circle storm!

That’s when she heard Rainbow Dash use Flash Sentry’s voice against her: “Um. What? What do you mean you don’t want to go to counselling? I’d kinda like to be back in my body thanks??? You said you’d fix this!”

Oh bruh imagine the guilt of this – with Flash being the ex who broke up with her and the good lad who’s never done anything wrong in his life?

Flash set his jaw to the side, rubbing one of his well-defined biceps. “Well... don’t we owe it to everyone to try?”

There it is! Poor guilt-ridden lad wanting to make everything right and support everyone as best he can.

“It can help with more than you think.” Fluttershy laid a pink hand on Sunset’s arm, then, terrifyingly, managed to make the shallow blue waters of Pinkie Pie’s eyes appear chilling as northern ocean depths, like she could see right through her. “Sunset, you’re not afraid of counselling, are you?”

Describing it as northern ocean depths – cold and chilling because it’s chilling to Sunset, but Fluttershy is one of the warmest people around. Can really mess a person up when that’s how you see them, but the fact that its Pinkie isn’t helping. 

It’s a little funny that it’s Fluttershy in Pinkie’s body saying this. Fluttershy is too shy to say too much a lot of the time. There’s oceanic levels of depth to her she doesn’t let other people see. But it’s something she’s very familiar with. And the language used here is something I wouldn’t say would be a good description for Pinkie herself – not that she’s shallow but rather she just isn’t afraid to speak (or share) her mind. Not an ocean depth but more like the Amazon jungle of a lot going on.

What new meaning is created when someone is (literally in this case) in your life? When your perspective of someone else must change, given different context (here the context is that its coming from a different body). What new meaning am I creating by reading the story in this way?

“Uh, yeah we have,” Applejack told her, using a tone of voice so sassy it was almost hard to believe Fluttershy’s voice could vocalise it. “That’s kind of what friendship is?”

XD thanks AJ. That speech was good but felt very contradictory. Talking about feelings with friends? That’s not what friendship is about! IT’S ABOUT KICKIN’ ASS. WHAT THE FUCK IS A WEAKEST LINK IN A CHAIN? WHAT DO YOU MEAN IF ONE OF US ISN’T DOING WELL AND HAS EMOTIONAL NEEDS THAT SHOULD BE ADDRESSED IT’LL AFFECT THE ENTIRE TEAM’S PERFORMANCE?! Also Sunset like, fr you got Trixie to help you with a friendship problem where your friends forgot you.

“MmmI don’t know...” Pinkie Pie twiddled her manicured fingers and their purple nail polish. She noticed eyes on her and a smile burst back to life. “Not that we’re not super-duper amaze-tacular at friendship, but we’ve tried doing it our way already. Lots of times! Can’t say we didn’t give it the old CHS try! But, maybe that doesn’t work for everything? Maybe there’s some things you can’t fix on your own and maybe that’s okay, too. Maybe this is one of those maybe things.”

And there’s Pinkie’s chaotic jungle vibe. What’s out there? Sure there’s stuff we know, stuff we know we don’t know, but what about all that other stuff we don’t know we don’t know? Pull back the brush a bit and explore a lil deeper to find if its something you can’t fix on your own!

Fuck... I’m every bit as selfish as I used to be and you’re all too good to see it. And then a sick certainty settled inside her. I’m going to lose you. And I’ll deserve it.

I’m reminded of that lil webcomic I saw on tumblr once, it went something like this but with an added panel of “Oh my god I tricked you into liking me and thinking I’m a good pers-” “No”

Then, what would normally be Timber’s voice rose from the quiet. “Okay.” She heard footsteps coming towards her as well as Rainbow Dash asking, “It is???” Twilight placed a hand on Sunset’s tensed up shoulder, and she grimaced at how Sunset flinched. Standing between Sunset and their friends, Twilight said, “Okay. If you’re not comfortable going to counselling—” And there was enough eye contact that Twilight didn’t have to ask. “—maybe we can try an alternative. I think outside help is still a good idea.”

Sunset seems to still be having a lot of trouble accepting Timber as her ‘new best friend’. Hearing this gentleness from Timber but in Twilight’s voice, the flinch… she’s not so good with it. Or it’s the reaction from being on the pause – wondering if that was okay.

If ever there was a penthouse that embodied bubblegum pop music, Sunset supposed she’d found it. In addition to being a legitimately upscale place that made Sunset’s wallet ache just thinking about it⁠—enjoying a vista view of the snow-glittering city over a now frozen infinity pool on the balcony from the comfort of a loveseat by the fire⁠—Hearts and Hooves Day was alive and well in each tasteful, love-themed decoration.

Omg, is this who I think it is. Legit never expected Cadance to be the choice, but thinking about it, it only makes sense. I was expecting Celestia, but Sunset made it pretty clear she wasn’t okay with that earlier.

Also

SHE’S GOT A POOL DECK WITH AN INFINITY POOL?!

What she liked even less was that it gave the others time to properly change and now Twilight had dressed Timber Spruce’s body up in what Sunset could only guess would have been Twilight’s dream for the doofus back when those two were dating: in other words, like that science-fictional time-traveler with a PhD that Twilight often geeked out to Sunset about.

Oh my gods, she’s cosplaying. What a fuckin nerd. Adorable.

At least Flash had the decency not to piss Sunset off without meaning to (and she knew she couldn’t necessarily blame Timber and Twilight and that’s what made her even grumpier about it), but even he seemed pretty intent on flexing his muscles. In his case, quite literally. If there wasn’t a snowstorm outside, Sunset couldn’t be certain that Flash wouldn’t have shown up in a muscle tee. Instead, he settled on a varsity sweater tight to his biceps with CHS in big letters, likely for some sort of sport (though Sunset didn’t know what for and doubted Flash did either).

Sunset here claiming she can’t blame Timber and Twilight and its making her grumpy… makes even more sense that she can continue to target Solstice as someone to blame since he’s someone she decided not to like in the first place. And maybe also because she doesn’t realize she’s relating to him, and is therefore also attempting to place the blame on ‘someone like herself’.

And maybe AJ’s muscles are just that huge and Flash doesn’t have anything else that fits!

Enjoy it while it lasts, I guess? Sunset couldn't tell if that would make things worse or better when he got back to his own body. Out of anyone, though, she thought Flash had earned a little body positivity. As a treat

Fuck yeah he sure does! But you yourself got to experience that briefly too, and it only made you envious, Sunset. Will it mess with his confidence when he loses it? When he realizes how far off it is to achieve that?

A ding and a walk down a lavish hall later, they arrived at a door emboldened by the golden numbers 2013. Twilight knocked on the door and stepped back to play with her hands. In normal circumstances, Sunset would have grabbed one of those hands to interrupt her brainy girlfriend’s thoughts before they could race too far ahead of herself, rub little circles in the back of her hand to bring her back down to earth or squeeze to let Twilight know she was right there with her. They managed to say a lot with a touch.

Ah 2013… a truly magical number indeed. Happy 10th anniversary EqG! I’m only some months late depending on when I post this.

Ah yes, you say a lot depending on what your love language is. Which I’m guessing Sunset’s is physical touch. Hopefully Twilight feels the same way, I might need to go back and check, but she seems to be a words of affirmation kind of gal, always anxious and needing reassurance. Not that there’s only one love language for everyone (or that there’s merit behind it, idk it makes sense but then again so did the Myers-Briggs personality types and I heard those are bunk so I’ll take this with a grain of salt.)

Sunset and Cadance grinned at each other, not unlike how they had across the table over Harvest Moon dinner. Then she did the same to Timber and it irked Sunset to no end.

Sunseeeeeeeeeeeet! Just can’t help it, can you?

I gave her the number of a good counsellor, at least,” he said, rubbing his neck. Sunset would have normally assumed that was a joke, but he’d been texting his sister every hour on the hour. Fantastic. Another name on the list of people her magic had sent to psychotherapy. “Warpath Gloriosa is a scary beast. You’re a braver woman than I.”

I’m assuming it really was a joke. If it WAS a real number, would it have been Solstice’s, since magic therapy and all? And he’s out here saying counselling is good for everyone EXCEPT himself? In which case… yeah I get it: “All my friends should go to therapy but not me because you know there’s nothing really wrong with me haha why are you giving me that look?”

Because she had to. He was her new best friend, after all.

Definitely what best friends do! Get very mad and be polite so as to not communicate you’re mad. Totally! But maybe talk to Rarity about how to be mad and polite and communicate effectively?

Cadance led the way inside her apartment, which was how Sunset found herself overlooking the heavy blanket of snow tucking the entire city in. From all the way up here, it was easier to tell that beyond the city’s limits, the weather wasn’t nearly this… dramatic.

I like the words “tucking in” being connected with a blanket of snow, it makes sense for this time of day, but also makes it feel nice. Snow can suck but when there’s a proper amount of it, it makes for a good cozy, hygge, feeling. I also like the use of the word ‘dramatic’, it makes it feel like there’s a connection to Solstice with his background in the performing arts.

Then again, Sunset thought she should maybe leave that job to Cadance. A photo rested on the mantle in an elegant heart-shaped-frame: Shining Armour, still young enough to be wearing his Crystal Prep uniform hugging Cadance in a death-grip as she wore what Sunset now recognized as a Nightfall Reach uniform, military caps raining around them like so many tossed graduation caps.

The broad sword engraved with hearts hung over it looked like it could also do some damage, too, if need be. Timber whistled at it before taking a seat.

Okay… this caught me totally off guard. Like, it’s both surprising and not. Royal families often take on military service, but Cadance? Princess (In Equestria) of Love??? I know I’ve expressed that soldiers are some of the most human people you’ll ever meet, and Pony!Cadance’s been pretty badass on a number of occasions, but I guess I never pictured her in a uniform and going through all that comes with it. It does also add another reason for Nightfall Reach to be Sunset’s most likely path. And also like that nod to Pony!Cadance handling Sombra.

“It’s really nice,” Sunset told Cadance. She didn’t want to not say anything, but Twilight had also told her before that Cadance was a reason she knew she also liked girls. Sunset had been the major revelation, but in hindsight, some things made a lot more sense. Even if Twilight was past all that junior high pining (that she’d only recently recognized as pining), having her first crush engaged to be engaged to her brother had to be rough.

OOoooof. Maybe it is, but maybe it’s not! Maybe Sunset is just assuming as much because she’d be jealous.

Twilight wrung her hands over and over, as if they were tripping over themselves as a laugh spilled out. “Well, I’m sure he would’ve warned me if he had time to see me in person. Or let me know he’d been in town. This is face-to-face news!” She smiled just tight enough that it must have hurt. “Regardless, I’m really happy for you two. Really!” “That’s good,” Cadance told her. “I’m glad to have your approval. I promise you, when there’s an engagement ring involved, I’m not letting you find out when we send out the wedding invitations. I don't want us to become a Weddings and Funerals kind of family."…

With this part in mind, I’d like to think that it’s not really her being hurt by the revelation, but the notion that she hadn’t yet been told by her brother, and she’s realizing now what the Weddings and Funerals type of family looks and feels like, and that it’s the way her family was headed. Both Sunset and Timber were unfamiliar with it, both the ones Twilight’s dated. They couldn’t have told her, and here Sunset could very much have misinterpreted Twilight’s feelings.

She still didn’t trust Flash’s little brother Scout after the first time the little skunk filled her boots with shaving cream for being mean to Flash⁠—which she probably deserved, but still. Little twerp.

Don’t you just love when siblings look out for siblings, regardless of how annoying they might or might not be? I do. Fuck yeah, go Scout!

She liked to think she may have even charmed them⁠—once upon a time she’d been excessively good at diplomacy with foreign dignitaries (even well after she was just the cute little filly with the big teal doe eyes poking her chin over the table in war rooms), but that usually required putting on a bit of an act. Just being herself and winning people over? Connecting with them genuinely and that being enough? She was only really comfortable calling it nice, but Celestia damn it if it didn’t feel really, really nice.

Family longing everywhere. It seems like one of the few times Sunset didn’t have to have any sort of barrier around her (as indicated in the various title cards). Really, if you can’t be honest with someone, how can you have an honest experience with them? Feel truly accepted to be part of the herd family?

I’m also totally picturing filly Sunset doing just that, but it also is a little jarring knowing that they were war rooms that Sunset was being exposed to/taught that at such a young age (makes sense for preparing her for war but the girl deserves a proper childhood! And another hint at going to NR!). I know it might have also been Celestia taking Sunset to work like some parents gotta, or even Sunset’s curiosity compelling her to sneak in to get a peek at something exciting.

Cadance bowed her chin, the way adults did to look kids in the eye. “And how do you four feel about the fact that your ex is dating one of your friends? Is that hard?” Out of all of them, Flash smiled, chuckling through his words. “I don’t know, I like seeing Twilight and Sunset happy. They’re so good together. Sunset’s worked super hard to be a better person from who she used to be and Twilight never used to have any of the friendships or romantic stuff she has now⁠—it’s hard not to root for them.”

SAME.

Flash’s comment here is why I’m skeptical that Twilight might not have been upset at Cadance engaged to be engaged. Even if only it was a crush, it can be nice seeing people you care about truly happy when they’re with someone they love. And here Flash is cheering them on yet again, and so very proud of how far they’ve both come. He was there since the beginning, watching (and helping when the opportunity arose) them both grow. Even though he wasn’t the one to make them happy. At least he got to be happy later though!

“Our pasts are not today.”

Boom. Reference made.Mic drop. That’s all folks!

Twilight stayed quieter than Sunset anticipated.

When Sunset looked over, she found her girlfriend had one arm clutched by the other hard. Fire crackled, logs shifting.

*Lone person coughing in the crowd.*

Timber’s eyebrows pressed together, floating up as if levitating. “... Are we friends?”

Damn. What a question. It does make me wonder a broader question. What makes a friend? Sure, it’s different for everyone. But it’s also not like a romantic relationship where the norm is to declare that you’re now dating (with some exceptions that come with how different people communicate and interpret what qualifies as now ‘dating’ in a relationship). How do you differentiate between a co-worker you get along with and an actual friend? What do you need to know first to say they’re a friend? What makes someone a best friend? Or an acquaintance? And for this situation in particular, what needs to change, be communicated, or overcome to have your ex be considered your friend?

Did those nightmares about Gloriosa ever even go away?”

My man had nightmares about Gloriosa? That’s going to be extra rough knowing how Warpath Gloriosa is. When he disappeared, she did say she was going to murder him if he wasn’t dead. I can imagine that anger might drum up certain traumatic thoughts about demon Gloriosa.

We could’ve figured out long distance for college, if it came to that.

Sidebar for this little nugget that tells us she’s confident that everyone going off to their own distant paths in life won’t be rough their friendships or romantic relationships. Girl, Sunset can’t even handle being away from her for this part of the school year. But then again, the two didn’t exactly get much time to be together before these shenanigans.

“So once you and I finally had that, I protected it.” Having let go of the pillow, she pressed her balled fists to her chest, but that position must have made it harder to breathe. Noticing this, Twilight unfurled her hands, looking at her fingers. “I guess at my own expense.”

Niiiiiiiiiiiice.

It manifesting in reality in that moment I mean. Not the dramatic trauma of both parties harming themselves for the good of another to the point where it causes lasting damage like that. Very not nice.

She rubbed her face. It twisted Sunset’s heart to hear Twilight’s voice choke up, even despite the fact that it was Timber’s voice doing all the emoting. “Gah, I’m sorry. Sorry. Oooh, I’m a mess at being someone’s ex. But that’s what I’m upset about, too. I don’t think being exes is something we can pause.”

You and me both, Sunset.

Being exes is hard enough as it is, but y’know the therapy squad here is doing it better than most. Most people I know at least. Also expanding on this idea that The Rainbooms+ all have this opportunity to see themselves differently, because they can also see each other differently. The way Sunset treats and sees Twilight might be conditioning to the way she treats and sees Timber. This can help soften her attitude towards him.

“... I want to be,” Twilight offered. She hugged the pillow tighter and used the soft part of her palm to dry her eye. “I think we’re still learning how, but I-I-I don’t know. I don’t want to lose you.”

Bevin’s choice of scene to draw here really hits hard. The fact that it’s both of them, but simply in each other’s bodies does help quite a bit. You can see how worried about each other they are, it doesn’t even matter that they’re in each other’s bodies because they’re both feeling terrible about things. And it shows that she really fuckin’ needs a hug right now.

All Timber gave her in response was a listless, “Yeah. I know.”

Sometimes, that’s really all you can say.

“So, you don’t want to lose each other. That’s a place to start,” Cadance told them gently, but Sunset was getting mad that it wasn’t coming from Timber. Out of all the times to drop his indomitable enthusiasm, he had to pick now? A goofy pun, a smarmy line—anything? Nothing to stop Twilight from worrying herself sick?

Whoops, looks like the barrier/armour someone put up as a defence mechanism to avoid feeling vulnerable has all but disintegrated. Wait til yours comes down, Sunset.

“I didn’t say that, either!” Twilight argued, the frustration starting to mount in a hoarse way that Timber’s voice rarely if ever approached.

Twilight, fam. You and Timber both said y’all just sorta stopped talking to each other about stuff and wanted to protect each other. When things stop being said, things start being inferred. There's a lot to say that's only being said right now.

I want you to be proud! And you two make a great couple. I’m so happy for you!

Okay so hey she's saying happy for these two, and I’m assuming she’s happy for Cadance and Shining too, it’s just the other things around it that she has a problem with.

If Sunset did run through a new portal, start a new life with a new name. Would she always have that same effect? Was she just a destructive force bringing magic wherever she touched?

Implying that bringing magic is an act of destruction and no creation follows it >:C. Guess that’s what happens when you’re trained for war, trained to destroy.

Timber nodded, distantly. However far away he was made his purple eyes dim to a grey, like mist over distant mountains.

That is… concerning. Like the mlp season 2 premiere where everyone actually turned grey. But it’s a great way to portray it happening non-magically.  

Even if it hurt, Flash nodded, too, and much more enthusiastically, with more life in him. “Of course. Anything that makes everybody more comfortable, we’ll do. If it’s hard, we can give you space. That makes sense, right?” He looked to Cadance for confirmation, who nodded.

Flash wanting to support everyone in earnest, but it comes back to bite his relationship with his boyfriend. Not that it’s wrong, even Cadance agreed.

Which left Sunset to try to empathize with a brick wall and she was starting to get frustrated.

Sunset’s second greatest challenge. The first being herself. Solstice has his work cut out for him.

Sunset avoided his eyes and tried to scowl, but couldn’t quite get there. “You two made each other so happy. You were a good guy. Twilight lit up around you. She had this, just, seriously beautiful light in her eyes, like until now she couldn’t believe someone could really love her like that but then, here you were doing it!

And there’s another one! We’re getting a lot of “I’m happy for the other couple” statements in this chapter. But here compared to Flash and Twilight pining over Sunset/Twilight(s) and Cadance, its certainly envy – what Sunset thought Twilight must have been feeling since she felt that way about Twilight and Timber. She supported them as a couple because they were happy. And with this being from Sunset's POV, she’s trying to empathize but gets it wrong. Which… isn’t great for the girl who’s whole thing is empathy. A challenge if you’ve never been there before, or even if you have and you pretty much assume that they must be feeling the same thing you did when you were in that position. Twilight at least had time and two romantic partners to get over Cadance. Flash… had it a bit harder since he's proud of how far both Twilight and Sunset have come, but he was never the one to be responsible for that happiness. I’d expect that to tear him up inside a good bit, but I do think he’s genuinely happy for them, and it doesn’t tear him up as much as it does for Sunset.

Couples took to the floor, and that left Sunset on the side with the rest of her friends apart from Rarity, who tapped Applejack on the shoulder for a dance.

Okay, so I know I was doing some Rarijack shipping before… certain hints at the future stories discussing the difference between platonic and romantic relationships made me suspicious of where we’d see that in this story.

And now following with all the aroace stuff that comes across my feed these days, I've come to suspect that they’re totally platonic.

Anand Giridharadas was right, repetition really is effective in changing people’s way of thinking.

I blame you, Bevin, I hope you're proud of yourself.

He raised an eyebrow that drove her insane.

IT’S THE DREAMWORKS EYEBROW

I love that even in these moments she’s irked to no end. I’m not seeing it as those moments of jealousy or jokes at random times that drivers her insane as much as the idea that there’s someone who does feel the way she does, and knows her feelings well, and also knows when to call you out. And that eyebrow is a signal that that’s just about to happen. Someone like her that knows her and can hold her accountable.

Also

I fuckin’ love the way the cold is described here. Such a beautiful and haunting narration that gives life to it. A beast in of itself, of the feelings swirling within. The coldness found in feeling alone, literal and figurative. Timber being eaten alive by the biting frost of this beast, of the loneliness he must be feeling. Almost comforting when you look at it from afar, safe in a warm and loving environment (that is, Cadance’s suite, fireplace, tea, and general bubble-gum pop and love atmosphere), but when you get out there, actually feel what’s being felt on the inside by the other person – its not a comforting blanket tucking in the city at night. You’re separated by a glass, by a front someone’s putting up, by a prickly exterior to armour yourself so you never really know what’s going on inside, or out there in the cold.

Each one of those warm squares belongs to somebody. Even the snow sparkles in the streetlights. It’s really something.”

Timber seeing the warmth other people have. The warmth he feels like he doesn’t have. Seeing the sparkling of snow (which is something indeed beautiful) and he is always seeing the silver linings and the good in other people and things, but not something he gives to himself enough.

Sunset’s here, trying to convince him that he does have that warmth, even though he feels like he doesn’t. Its in the literal and the metaphorical.

“What the hades are you doing out here? You can’t talk to Twilight like that and leave. She has anxiety. Your boyfriend’s worried. Come on. We’ll figure this out, you know that. Friendship finds a way, it’s cold as hell out here…”

Timber probably knows Twilight has anxiety and Flash is worried, but Twi set up a boundary again and so he’s doing as he thinks she wants. The bit about hell is both funny and illuminating. For one thing, she just mentioned hades, and then later she mentions hell. Got that merging of local slang from two worlds. Second, hell’s not seen as cold. Sure, it’s something anyone and everyone would say as part of swearing, but here it plays to the very real feeling of ‘coldness’ that comes with loneliness. That loneliness is an emotional hell.

And he’s out here. Freezing. That in of itself is dangerous, but he walked over the frozen pool to get there and is leaning on this railing. It’s all hazardous. Its all terrifying to an observer, especially since you might be thinking that they might be thinking of the worst thing they could do in that moment. Listening to a lot of Rise Against, I’ve come across one song that resonates and has different me associating it with this scene.

But then, when she walks up to be next to him, to really see what he sees. He can still see the beauty and good things behind all that. She even leans on the railing herself too. She risks it to show he’s there with him. And she can see what he sees, feel his feelings. Empathize. The feelings that a view like that can elicit – something of awe, peaceful, and a sense of defiance against the worst of the storm that makes it worth standing out there in the cold. Views like that “vista view of the snow-glittering city” – could be reminiscent of the time he spent flying with his dad.

I admire the choice of imagery drawn here as well. We just saw Timber and Twilight up close and emotional. But now we’re seeing just these legs. Legs for daaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaays. And not just legs! But all those warm squares too. The city. The snow piling on, the blizzard intensifying. Everything piling on poor Timber. The streaks in the glass like spotlights or shooting stars. The glass there, keeping the city visible to us at this perspective, but making it clear that Timber is separated from it all. He sees himself so distant from it all. Able to see that glimpse right into someone’s life with such depth that any best friend would have but- he’ll always be separated from them.

But he’s also not! Because Sunset’s there with him in the frame! Just barely. Her boot is blurry and out of focus, doesn’t even take up a quarter of the image. But she’s really there, on his side of the glass with him. He just doesn’t realize it in the way that matters - that Sunset may very well be that best friend that doesn’t leave.

And we see that in the title card too! Except that the title card doesn’t have that same railing. Maybe for dramatic effect/better visibility by excluding less important details, but also maybe because the railing was barely safe, not even intended to be leaned on. Just a guideline to tell you the edge was there. Judging by the way their hair and the snow is blowing, it’s more at their backs/to the side. Either way it’s pushing them more towards the edge. Because you know, that’s clearly Timber and Sunset in the picture in their own bodies. That’s what things are really like. Sunset even mentions that it was only in that moment she remembered that Timber was in Twilight’s body. The lines between her “best friend”s is blurring as she’s seeing them both.

I'm calling OSHA as I write this.

Also, I noticed the way the snow starts in the top right corner and swirls around into the centre of the ‘c’ in ‘Ice’ in the title. Very cool. It’s like it’s trying to carry Sunset and Timber down into it, but being in the eye, they’re relatively safe… for now. I suppose they’re probably safe because they’re in Cadance’s refuge, emotionally and physically. Okay well not totally emotionally but safe-er at least. It’s a safe space, a space where you can be vulnerable to others and yourself and handle all your feelings better, in a more healthy way.

Also, what the hell is up with that one skyscraper? The one that’s ALL lit up and pointed upwards?? It was in an earlier chapter title card. WHY’S IT KEEP COMING BACK. WHY DOES IT HAVE SO MANY LIGHTS. DO YOU NEED THAT MANY LIGHTS ON ALL AT ONCE?

Honestly, Timber’s also making so much more sense now. This whole pattern of friends leaving? Compare to Sunset earlier in the chapter:

Fuck... I’m every bit as selfish as I used to be and you’re all too good to see it. And then a sick certainty settled inside her. I’m going to lose you. And I’ll deserve it.

Timber’s not even selfish. He’s very kind and generous. But still no matter how much he tries, he still loses them anyway. Its certain because its already happened so many times. What does Sunset even think then? She hasn’t lost anyone yet. Does this solidify her conviction to leave first? How will that make Timber feel?

I’m finding it hard to share all my thoughts on the matter in the end. I could’ve probably written much more, but it would’ve been too muddied with my own feelings and experiences. Between these four… all I can give is my own listless,

“Yeah. I know.”

Hard not to relate to indeed.

While Sunset is struggling with finding her own destiny, Timber already knows his because that’s how it has gone for so many years. Could it change? Sure, of course. But how much of himself and what he currently has would have to change for that to be reality? Would he have to give up what his parents worked so hard to build? Would he have to abandon Gloriosa as she tries and handle Camp Everfree on her own? Even when they just barely got out of it, albeit with outside help, but will that help last?

The sound of a sit-com rose like smoke from the TV in Sunset’s living room.

Where there’s smoke, there’s fire.

Tonight? Sunset, as usual, cursed internally. She’d almost forgotten.

Me too like HOLY SHIT THAT’S TONIGHT? I THOUGHT IT WAS WAY OFF.

Twilight raised an eyebrow. “Wouldn’t it be much more convenient to have our outfits here? The portal’s right outside, I assumed we’d just go straight there after school. We don’t want to be tardy, right Timber?”

I’m with Twilight on this. Never know what could go wrong between the Gala Galleria and the portal. And she’s still trying to make sure it doesn’t seem like she’s totally shutting him out, even if she’s setting boundaries.

Rarity tittered. “Yes, well, you know how this school is, dear. Best not to chance these things with magic afoot!

Also a fair assessment. Guess there’s no winning when it comes to Murphy’s Law.

It weighed heavy in her chest to think this might be the last time she saw all of them. She wished she had more time, just to spend with them like this. Her favourite dorks.

Lightning’s out of the bottle Sunset. You going back doesn’t mean the magic goes back. It only means you leave them to handle it alone >:CCC

Solstice nodded, but he looked so exhausted it was hard to tell if he’d gotten the message or not. He patted Flash on the shoulder. “It’s quite brave of you, then. Come along then, son.”

First, gotta mention how brave it is of Flash. He’s got so much potential. It’s coming up here and there, hinting at what he’s really capable of. I’m proud of him.

If we reflect back on how Sunset’s been feeling useless, we might be able to infer that Solstice himself felt like this for most of his life. If he himself experienced these magical issues, but having it be so scarce, he couldn’t really do much with what he knows about therapy and magic. But now he got what he wanted, to feel useful and actually help people with this skill he’s developed. But now he’s the exhausted one. He’s burning out. And if we think back to his past that Sunset saw, how the stresses of his daily life affected him, it might be that these negative emotions allow a darker side of Solstice to emerge.

After seeing a certain reblog about empathy without boundaries being self destruction, I’ve been thinking about that in the context of this story more. Solstice has a chance to use this talent/skill (which he praised in the last chapter) at last to help people who need him. He gets to give them a chance he didn’t have. But this part here about how exhausted he looks, and it adds up to the rest of what we’ve seen from him. He may himself be becoming the villain, causing this anxiety among the students about magic, and he doesn’t even know it. It’s not villainous, it might just be his brain trying to protect him, as so many traumatic events cause people’s brain to do things to just bury them, and end up altering themselves. Solstice is “always tired too”. How can he really have a handle on his powers if he’s always tired? And that mantra: “Peaceful, calm surrender…” The first two words seem fine, but surrender is portrayed as generally accepting the circumstances, allowing yourself to surrender yourself to the moment. But damn it sure sounds like it could be a demand of some pesky heroic teens.

“Yup,” Timber said, not really looking in her direction. “Just here for my boyfriend at this point.”

“Oh. Okay,” Twilight mumbled, and pushed one of his curls behind her ear in a way that made Sunset’s heartburn straight out of her chest.

And not his ex nor ‘new best friend’ :C

“All my feelings can be summed up with expletives. Damn. Ass. Fucked. Fuck. And some Equestrian swears that wouldn’t make sense out of context. Screaming them out always seemed to work until now.”

Same. Sunset can be the Princess of Cursing

Sunset softened, feeling the little drippings of her melted heart fall from her ribcage. She hugged what would normally be Timber Spruce tight to her chest because, after all, this was her best friend. “Sorry to worry you.”

The buildup to this moment, this hug, has been really great this chapter. Sunset flinched at Twilight’s touch. Then she longed for it at Cadence’s. And they’ve been struggling this whole time to not say anything, but it’s only now when they do get to touch that they’ve been able to communicate honestly as they needed to, that Twilight was able to convince Sunset to have a session with Solstice.

And come to think of it, I feel like Timber’s love language might be quality time. He’s pretty dedicated to spending time with his loved ones as much as possible – he lost quality time with family when he lost his parents. And he has to pack it all into one summer at camp before they all leave. But the way he shows his love might also be Acts of Service, because he does a lot for others. Flash’s might be words of affirmation – he needs that reassurance, but that’s also why it stings when he asks the others to try therapy. It would also reflect him being in Applejack – the Element of Honesty – at this time.

Absolutely loving this structure as a whole, constantly finding myself going back and forth from the beginning and ending sections, the way the middle swirls around these particulars in that centre, that Eye of the Ice Storm – where it’s a middle ground of Sunset wanting to touch, but having to spend more quality time with Timber just looking out at the vista, watching sitcoms, and then sitting next to him and watching sitcoms together. She was eased into it, just enough to be able to accept Twilight’s hug. So then everything returns right back where it started, with all these reflections and changes during that time. Beautiful.

It’s hard enough as it is to communicate and understand someone else’s love language. Doing so with a friend? When you don’t know what their limits are or how they perceive certain actions? How each person defines that you are now friends with the other? Makes it even harder. I’ve had one friend for like 6-7 years, she told me her love language was physical touch, and therefore the cuddling she did with her boyfriend was special to her. It took me only until a few months ago to realize that she was communicating that same love language to me by poking me all the time. And here I thought she was just fucking with me since personally, poking was a siblings way to get on your nerves.

And the fact that she’s hugging Twilight in Timber’s body – she’s mentioned a heck of a lot of times how they’re both her best friend. The final line being ‘…this was her best friend…’ hammers Sunset’s attempt to adjust to being Timber’s best friend even further. It’s hard to tell exactly who she’s referring to, because yes it’s Twilight, but also after all these revelations with Timber? After that initial flinch? It really seems like she wants to give him a hug, but can’t quite do it yet.

Sunset forgot the basic blueprints to breathing.

HAH

From the start of the chapter…

Independent from her, her heart catapulted into her mouth and she found herself unable to say anything when she saw Solstice’s eyes burning so cold that vapor billowed off the sides like dry ice. The thin strips replacing his pupils reached down and awoke some instinctual urge to run, but she could see the gentle slope of his smile hadn’t changed.

“You’re right. It’s getting worse and that’s scary.” He gestured towards his eyes. “That’s also why I fight so hard. I have to master it, because if I don’t, I’m not the only one who pays for it. But look.” He screwed his eyes shut tight, and with a few mumbled nothings about calm and peaceful surrenders, he opened them green. Himself.

To the end of the chapter…

Sunset watched her leave the closet and got up to stand in the doorway, watching her walk down the hall. Good timing, too. Solstice came out with Flash⁠—who went over to hug his boyfriend and sit next to him⁠—and welcomed Twilight in with open arms. Twilight spared a look back to Sunset, giving her one last smile before entering the office. Solstice noticed her, too. Any other time, Sunset might have chalked it up to a trick of the light, or her mind playing tricks on her. But she knew him better than that. Solstice Shiver’s eyes lit supernaturally bright, aflame and instructing her instincts to run before he shut them, and entered the office.

Where, if Solstice’s other self is Sombra who’s causing the ice storm, his eyes supernaturally bright – the eye of the ice storm.

The only thing she bothered to do was hold Scruffers closer, who seemed to think Twilight was very sick and in need of guarding while Sunset was away. “Mrreow,” he said, and butted his head against her as if to ask, Where’s Sunset?

Best cat. Love this sort of pet behaviour. Part of me feels though that Scruffers genuinely knows this is really Sunset. Like, Scruffers brought Sunset’s foal blanket, for Twilight? Nah fam, the boy knows.

What does Scruffers turn into when he goes into the portal? Does he stay the same? Or does he become a dragon? I’ve seen some stuff featuring Ember being more cat-like in EqG - that’d be amazing. Maybe he turns into Philomena? Which would be weird from a bird to cat standpoint, but maybe it’s not a one-to-one creature ratio, but rather a trait-to-creature change. Spike ever loyal, becomes a dog. Which pets are as loving but mischievous/dramatic as cats? Other than huskies I suppose. To paraphrase an infamous tumblr post:

Cats are small but they can commit as many crimes as they want – that’s the deal they made with god.

With that context, I can better talk about the cover picture for this Chapter. I see the title of the chapter presented much differently than last time, but its still reflective of my thoughts regarding the shading on her face in Chapter 8. The word Rebel and Cause reflecting  those sort of opposites with how they’re presented. Rebel being dark and hollow, but Cause being light and solid, almost filled in you could say. Sunset being the rebel in this case - she’s feeling hollow, empty. And the upper half of the picture, the darkness looms over her. Or depression, or both. It’s hanging like a cloud ready to take over, but the only thing giving her any sort of protection from it is her foalhood blanket, which not necessarily described as having any sort of Celestial imagery on it - does. It reminds her of that time when she had things figured out in life, and when it seemed like she had a mother-figure to look out for her, even when she won’t admit it. The sun is literally keeping the dark at bay.

Not only that, but the word Rebel itself looks like it could be described as having silver linings like a cloud would. Okay I guess it’s more like gold linings but hey that’s even more valuable than silver! And it’s more reflective of sunlight!

In addition, the whole “without a” part is full coloured but so faded it can hardly be read. Sunset’s having so much trouble connecting herself to a purpose. Connecting Rebel to Cause. If she can, then she feels she’d be able to fill that Rebel with more colour, have that sense of purpose again.

Furthermore, the word Rebel itself has the B more faded than the other letters, except maybe the L. But even the L is a bit more visible, or perhaps it fades with the background, as Sunset herself feels herself fading away.

But that B! Fade it away enough, and the word starts to look like Reel.

Which can be defined as:

“To be thrown off balance or fall back.To stagger, lurch, or sway, as from drunkenness.To go round and round in a whirling motion.”

She sure was thrown off by the whole revelation last chapter, and clearly has no way of moving forward with any strength or confidence, not even to get out of bed. And she feels like she’s back to square one. Round and round she goes...

Last Chapter, Sunset was shown to us, but it could have been Flash too. Or Other Sunset. This chapter, we have Sunset shown to us, but it could also still very well be Solstice.

And if we jump ahead to later in the chapter, we come to realize that Solstice has experienced similar feelings. The only thing keeping the darkness at bay was his stage family. Not only that but (and I’m only noticing this now after I already wrote those other parts you’ll read later on in this post) Radiant Rogue is a major member of that family. More to that point, he described Celestia as radiant in this chapter. So we have two radiant characters, essentially both sun figures too, keeping the dark at bay for Solstice. Another point to this is that Radiant Rogue is a variation of Radiant Hope. But why Rogue? Maybe because Rogue the word Rogue is similar to Rebel? This image is implied to be Sunset, but it could very well be Solstice under there too.

Looking back briefly at those other cover images (And realizing I missed a whole damn lot!), I do see that pattern of Sunset's relationships all being stopped or interfered with by some sort of barrier. We’ll start with a more negative viewpoint (maybe from Sunset’s perspective?).

Chapter 1 - A letter. Not an in-person invite. But a letter. One-way communication. No opportunity to have a conversation.

Chapter 2 - Timber’s is in the centre, he’s standing in between Twilight and Sunset, figuratively, but it looks literal.

Chapter 3 - It looks like she finally has that connection! Open and honest communication with someone, a relationship. She feels she can be happy, because she’s being accepted (I’m drawing on some stuff by Brené Brown now). But then we know what happens to stop that. But also, Dinner with the Stars is a title that, while implied to be Twilight, also implies the impossibility of being able to reach and touch the stars. There’s a barrier. A distance. And yet... we know of one star that touches us, that literally makes us less depressed if we don’t get enough of it. A star that’s has a personification in the form of Sunset’s mother figure.

Chapter 4 - Mirror, another barrier to look at, but you cannot reach through to touch. To connect. ALSO THERE’S A FREAKIN CACTUS! Bu that cactus isn’t just prickly, the pot itself allows you to hold and carry it, but never touch it. It protects the vulnerable and sensitive parts of the cactus. But if you break that part, that shell, that armour, will it last?

Chapter 5 - The picture looks like Sunset, but its Twilight’s colour in the body there. Literally walking in someone else’s shoes, but still not being able to actually connect to their soul. The most vulnerable parts of the person. All that jazz. The connection happens through a barrier, a filter, where it doesn’t mean as much.

Chapter 6 - THE EDGE is on a separate bleacher seat... thing... from the rest of the title. On a whole other level separate from the others. Also, THE EDGE is darker, its implying that moment where they meet under the bleachers to talk. They’re separating themselves from each other, but they’re also separating themselves from the game - a fun thing, an activity with their other friends.The barriers continue.

Chapter 7 - Silhouettes, reflections, what looks like a gate, a whole key and everything! More barriers! More struggles to connect with each other! Gotta get the key of trust first to allow someone to bare their whole full genuine self!

And that brings us right back to Chapter 8 and 9, wherein I just talked about a bunch of stuff. With Chapter 8 we see Sunset through a filter. A narrative filter since this is her perspective? Or maybe it’s more.

Although there’s probably more, in that, maybe the radiant sun blanket is holding them back from being open and honest with others. Maybe their pasts are weighing them down, and the darkness is simply there because they’re creating it themselves by covering their heads so they can’t see the truth. The barriers I mentioned might not even be barriers, but maybe they’re shells, shields, walls that are being put up. Maybe these are opportunities for connection and understanding that are being ignored and shut out. Which brings us to the potential positive angles of these title cards.

Chapter 1 - A simple letter is an invitation - “You’re welcome to talk more, but you don’t have to if you’re not ready.”

Chapter 2 - Timber’s standing in between them, but maybe he can be there to better connect them on matters they’re avoiding?

Chapter 3 - They are holding hands, there is a connection, even with Flash there. But there is a loose end that they haven’t talked about that stops the open connection, and that’s how they feel about their exes. That’s something they need to talk about (and then they show up!).

Chapter 4 - They’re walking in each others shoes now, it is an opportunity for that connection. Same with the next Chapter (5), but with a different person. Opportunities for conversations that need to be had but are ignored. Even thinking back to Twilight’s asthma, Flash’s body image issues, Sunset’s lack of running laps, Timber’s lack of socializing with other teens. All opportunities to feel what it’s like for the other person. But maybe they’re afraid of connecting like that? What if there are still feelings there? What do you do with those feelings when you’re already with someone else?

Chapter 6 - Even though they’re on different levels of the bleachers, that doesn’t mean they can’t connect with each other. In fact, they unite in their excitement for the game, they’re rooting for Timber. They’re on different levels, but the purpose of that is so everyone can see. It’s an open invitation to connect. But meeting behind the bleachers to talk about how they need to disconnect from each other first? Maybe it’s for the best. Maybe not.

Chapter 7 - they both have their feelings locked away. They both need to open up. Where’s the key in all this? Can they connect? Can they open themselves up?

So uh yeah. That’s my way of saying great job, Bevin! Took me a while to actually catch up on all that and I’m sure there’s so much more but hey!

Sunset's eyes flew open and she swore loudly enough to wake any remaining neighbors. She was no stranger to ripping the blanket off in sheer panic, but she wasn't as accustomed to someone holding out tofu bacon and a hot cup of coffee for her.

Okay, so Timber’s pun and hospitality addressing her vegetarianism? 10/10. Sunset’s care for her gf overcoming her desire to stay in bed? 10/10.

The callback to Timber’s thoughts about the point of getting out of bed for bacon? 15/10

The heat burned the roof of her mouth as she stumbled through her morning at full tilt on icy roads, but the rush got her to class. Dishevelled and experiencing heart palpitations, but in class.

Sunset plz. You’re literally gonna kill yourself since A) Icy roads, and B) Asthmatic, and C) It’s not even your body! You do not have permission to get this body killed! It’s on loan! Don’t mistreat it ;~;

But as class went on, Sunset continually re-realized she'd stopped paying attention. Problem was, she found herself profoundly apathetic to what should have been at least a fun challenge. Usually after daydreaming in the middle of a lecture, she could reinvest herself easily, almost effortlessly if the topic actually had something interesting to wrap her mind around. Nothing could get a hold on her.

Sunset’s a quick study! And/or has ADD/ADHD. I heard the military is good for people who need routines set in their lives, wink wink nudge nudge

Dear Celestia, this pause is making me soft, she thought, staring out the window to the icicles hanging from the roof above, ready to pierce her heart as if plucked from cupid’s quiver. But, she couldn’t deny the facts: I miss my princess.

Absence makes the heart grow fonder.

“No, Miss Cheerilee,” she reported. She couldn’t imagine the Sparkles having any problems, the few times they were all together under the same roof. Twilight’s mom, racing off to international adventure and bestsellers, her dad, head ever towards the stars and pioneering interstellar advancements, and her brother always shipping off to new ports. Sunset hadn’t ever known a more impressive set of people all in the same family.

Damn. Twi’s really got the pressure on her too. Look at all she has to live up to. I’m sure it’s all just to make a good impression on you, Sunset. Sounds like they don’t have enough quality time to spend with each other though.

Twilight and all the rest of her friends had futures ahead of them. What did Sunset have besides a past she couldn’t seem to keep behind her?

Get more friends in a similar position! Timber and Flash seem to be ‘round there already :)))))

If so many people are getting the help they need, I should feel happy for them, shouldn’t I? Sunset grimaced, watching Scootaloo leave before she had to explain herself to Sunset. Celestia, I’m being selfish again. They’re having problems I can’t fix and I’m pouting about it. Some friend.

It’s nice to feel needed, isn’t it? But ya can't give your best all the time, it's no longer your best if you try to do that while exhausted. Make room for someone else to help if the opportunity is there.

Solstice waved goodbye to the sophomore student and as soon as she was out of sight, his expression collapsed into exhaustion. Shutting his eyes, he took a deep, steadying breath, ran a hand back through his dark, fluffy hair, and pushed the breath out as forcefully as it came. “Peaceful, calm surrender… peaceful calm surrender…”

This guy sure looks overwhelmed. Maybe some of that money to build brand new school infrastructure of the highest quality could also go towards maybe a second counsellor? Oh hey maybe ask Sunset for help, she seems to feel like shit for not being there to help and there you are taking it all on anyway. Have a mentor/intern/apprentice!

When he reached for the sign-up sheet to call the next student to his office, Solstice startled when he noticed icicles forming on his fingertips and even more so when he found Sunset behind him.

“Ahhh! Twilight Sparkle!” Terrified of the teenage figure before him, he grasped an over-productive heart. “I-I’m sorry, do I...? I don’t have you on my list. Did you come to set up an appointment? I’ve been hoping to speak with you and your friends.”

Ah yes, I can read the headlines now: SOMBRA EXPOSED! TERRIFYING TEENAGE MENACE FOUND IN HIGH SCHOOL! WHAT IS THE GOVERNMENT DOING TO COMBAT THIS MADNESS?!

The concept of magic being dependent on a season struck Sunset as strange, but then, pegasi controlled the weather back in Equestria. She could imagine how it would be evolutionarily advantageous to have extra magical energy to craft winter storms.

Okay okay okay okay okay okay... hol up...

First off. He’s just playing off that he has magic.

Secondly - seasonal magic? Yes evolutionary advantageous BUT-

What about seasonal mental and emotional effects? Seasonal depression? Due to lack of Celestia sunlight? Magic being emotion based would cause it to flare out of control if certain mental and emotional aspects cannot be managed. Also like how emotional/mental aspects end up affecting the body too.

“You, that is, er⁠—” Solstice cleared his throat, looking quite a lot warmer now. Minus the beard and fancy accent, Sunset could’ve easily confused him for any other teenage boy around school. He fumbled with his tie with his still frost-bitten fingers. “I quite like the new haircut. A bold change, yes? You look radiant.”

Warmer… Radiant… literally frost-bitten fingers oh my!

Also what a dork. Adorkableness going right up into adulthood. It’s Sunset and Twilight in the future.

Also, on thin ice. He sure is, that ice about to get thinner the longer he looks at Celestia.

“Thank you. It’s like you said. A bold change can be a good thing.”

How bold are we talkin’ here?

Are we talking “accidentally switching bodies and living life in each other’s footsteps” kind of bold change being good, or more like “everyone is leaving high school and going off to do their own thing and I might join the military” kind of bold?

Once it had filled just under the brim, Principal Celestia handed Solstice a full mug of steaming hot coffee⁠—quite literally steaming. The sort of temperature lawsuits were made of. The mug, possibly meant for children, sported a snow-themed Whimsy princess character. Solstice held it in both of his hands and took a grateful sip. How he hadn’t burned his tongue off, Sunset didn’t know, but Solstice smiled at the principal. “Thank you, Tia.”

Principal Celestia smiled, amused. “There’s harmony in the halls at Canterlot High and I have you to thank for that.” Noticing Sunset’s gaze, she cleared her throat. “And as your colleague, I believe I should remind you to take your contractually obligated lunch break. For your own mental health, of course.”

You know Sunset, all I do when I face my troubles is... Let it Go. I don’t hold it back anymore. I just, turn away and slam the door. Just let it go, you know?

Maybe Sombra's adjusted to the warmth over time to feel something that mimics the warmth of another person. Is he lonely?

Heeeyyy, even adults have problems accepting the positive changes they’ve made and achievements they’ve reached, even in the defined career that they set out to do, even even in cases where the counselor themselves might need a counselor! Or maybe just a decent partner to bring them back down to Earth every once in a while. Hmm, a sun-related person bringing their SO back down to earth and reminding them of how great they are... Why does that sound familiar? Sunset? Twilight? Do you know anything about that?

Twilight sliced her PB and J sandwich without crusts in two (with utensils she always came prepared with; Sunset would have teased her about it if it wasn’t so frequently useful)

It IS useful AND sustainable! I keep a set of folding camping utensils in my bag at all times!

Also this red flag checklist? Top tier.

Do what I do Sunny and just shave your head! No bed head troubles!

And at least you ate something. Not eating anything would make that flag redder than red. Extra red. Red Plus. Redder than Twilight kissing Sunset for the first time. That’d be a well-read-red.

“Back up, how is this not a good thing?” Rainbow Dash stood herself up as if to address an assembly in the gymnasium, a habit of hers ever since around the time Applejack became co-captain of the football team. Took the two of them time to figure out how co-captaining worked, but these days the two of them moved in astonishing harmony out on the field.

I was gonna brush by this but the anecdote felt too detailed to not just let it slide. Given that, Sunset has leadership qualities of her own among the girls, but is also trying to get Twilight to embrace leadership, could it be a hint at the two of them Co-Captaining the Rainbooms? Or maybe hints for The Ex-Files?

“No, I totally am,” Dash told her, fists to her hips, “today’s is cromulent.”

PFFt

Nothing better than a totally useless word of the day calendar to give you words like cromulent. That will surely come in handy throughout your life. Y’know maybe it actually does and I just don’t read enough to see that word.

Sunset sighed, her face sinking into her hands. She didn’t mean to be a miserable sulk about it, but she thought it better than unloading all of what was going on in her head on her friends. They didn’t deserve that. She should have come into the lunch room bopping along to the beat of an upbeat life, lifting them up instead of taking them all down with her. Wow, I’m a failed protégé, a bad friend, and I don’t technically exist. Triple-threat.

Oof

Born with predestined purpose only to have purpose ripped away and now you realized too late and have to deal with existential crises.

Even though it sounds like her friends are saying all the right things, they’re just not getting through to her. Applejack trying to empathize but making it too unrelated (wrong person to empathize with, but there are others!)

Rarity huffed despite Applejack’s low-toned chuckling. “I hardly think it matters how it happened. The mechanics are not what’s in question here!” She’d crossed her arms and set them firm on her chest. A moment passed before she added: “... Sunset, dear, was it a dragon?”

Sunset snorted, her smirk pressing up against her hand. “Pretty sure I’d figure it out if I was half-dragon, but I can’t really speculate on the rest.

HOW DO YOU KNOW?! You were always good at pyromagics! IT’S SCRUFFERS ISN’T IT! SCRUFFERS IS A DRAGON IN THE OTHER UNIVERSE AND HE’S YOUR DAD! THAT’S WHY HE KNEW TO GET HER BLANKET! Thinking about it again,  what if it really is Philomena that Celestia sent to keep an eye on Sunset? And Celestia really does love her like a daughter, but wants Sunset to have the freedom she thought she never actually had growing up in the palace, and thus doesn’t want to interfere with that?

She can’t speculate on the rest, but I will.

Also, top tier choice of scene to draw Bevin. Love the little details of the food and everything that everyone was doing as described by Marvel in the lead up to this pic. Flashlight and the sandwich, Flash “Sun”try and the dumplings, energy drink Rainbow Dash completely failing to look like anyone other than herself, Rarity as Timber, dressed up all prim and proper and likely pretty much how Flash Sr. saw her. All the best stuff.

Clutching her head, Sunset stammered a fleet of unintelligent noises. One of her friends asked if she was feeling faint, but she didn’t have the mental power to decipher who that wasn’t already devoted to the thought blaring its sirens and powering through her mind like an ambulance through a thoroughfare, everything in its path pulling to the side: I shouldn’t exist.

Yaaaaay existential crises! But shouldn’t you exist? Are you not in the perfect place to exist? Your destiny was lost in one world, and now you’re in a world where destiny doesn’t matter and you can apply what you do have however you want! AND there ISN’T another Sunset, this is a free pass! You’re not uprooting anyone by taking their place or their destiny even. You can do the things you thought you would find yourself in!

How much of her thoughts should she actually share with her friends? How much should she burden them with this?

Hey hey HEY HEY HEY

...What the heck, am I reading about Sunset or other people who may or may not include me???

Sunset seriously doubted her body had ever saluted anyone as a genuine sign of respect before, but the weirder image was that Flash wore his lightning-struck shield emblem tee.

I know Sunset’s here seeing the awkward ex-sharing-clothes thing but all I see is foreshadowing of Sunset joining the military.

It was possible she didn’t know what did.

:c

Sunset shook her head. “Holy Tartarus, all of you are still in the wrong bodies? Why am I the only one who went back to normal!? What kind of bullshit is that!? This doesn’t make any sense!” Sunset groaned so hard she had to sit down. She did so, plopping down hard on the top step of the orchestra stairs, and sinking into herself.

Well, Timber knew which body to send Sunset after their bonding journey. But probably hasn’t bonded enough with everyone else. Sure he dated Twilight, but did he know her? Seemed a bit off since he forgot about Twilight’s inhaler and made Sunset go through the obstacle course in Twi’s body.

Alright tho, gonna try and guess the character swap reasons. I know some of these I’ve mentioned before but of course the more I think about it the more specific examples I can draw on for my reasoning:

First Rainboom Body Swap

Character: Rainbow Dash. Character’s Body: Fluttershy

Reflections since the First Switch

Does sort of make her more kind to Flash

Character: Rarity. Character’s Body: Timber Spruce

Does make him see who he could be (does Timber even have a suit? Or did she generously go out and buy a great  looking one for him and show him what he could look like?)

Character: Applejack. Character’s Body: Pinkie Pie

Applejack was irritated by Pinkie getting 2 questions while hers was used up. Now, Applejack is getting a laugh  out of Pinkie’s comments in this chapter (and considering the other “We’ll  tell you when you’re older” joke Timber and RD made in a similar context of  ‘who you love’.)

Character: Fluttershy. Character’s Body: Rarity

Fluttershy is dressing more like how  Rarity would - if it’s to be polite then that’s very Rarity (yes also very  Fluttershy) but it does let Flutters behave differently, it gives her  a chance to dress how she thinks Rarity would dress, and she could feel good  about how she looks, and be more confident (even if it doesn’t show all the  time). She IS model material as we know in the ponyverse.

Character: Timber. Character’s Body RD

RD did hit Timber before the switch. Maybe  he was A) Still thinking about how much that hurt, and B) wanted to keep that  feeling of confidence that Sunset had of not caring/being popular at the  school, and also keep his own athleticism that he took for granted before. He  DID just mention that he experienced gym class as Sunset where everyone’s  eyes were on him in a different light than he’s used to. He knew RD was super  athletic already but the punch probably rammed that thought home in this moment.  And of course he had those experiences of being athletic and popular/loved  by all at the soccer game.

Character: Twilight. Character’s Body: Flash

Could be “Hey what did my GF see in this guy  before? Does he have something I don’t?” Again, confidence/jealousy issues.  And Sunset shouted “No!” right before the switch when Tim and Flash were touching  hands – for Sunny this was because she saw Flash about to amplify it, but if Twilight in that instance saw Sunset not being over Flash, leading to Twilight  thinking Sunset was jealous that Flash and Timber were together. With this in  mind, we can look back at Sunset being mad at Timber this whole time from Twi’s perspective – she doesn’t see the real reason Sunset has a problem with Timber  (being that she’s Twilight’s ex) – Twilight sees Sunset’s problem with Timber  as the guy who took away her old ex – Flash.

Character: Pinkie. Character’s Body: Applejack

Pinkie prolly has to go to the farm and do  chores and stuff. Learn to have a work ethic and things. Reflective of the Magical Mystery Cure episode, but in that context, Pinkie already had a job/career, but here she might just need to learn to work.

Character: Flash Sentry. Character’s Body: Sunset

Flash having dated Sunset, cheering her on and  wanting to be like her – brave superhero and all that who doesn’t care about what  anyone thinks. I mean even more so if you just look at how they both approach gym class – Flash is all embarrassed about it but Sunset’s got big “fuck you  I have my reasons”. A very-not embarrassed attitude that Flash might be  envious of. That was one of the things Flash heard right before the switch.

Second Rainboom Body Swap

Character: Twilight. Character’s Body: Timber

Help her understand him better so they can  both officially move on, and Twilight realize Sunset’s actual reasons for  previously being mad at Timber?

Character: Timber. Character’s Body: Twilight

Timber wanted to get to know Twilight better  after spending so much time with Sunset in her body, he realizes Sunset knew  Twilight better and was... envious maybe? Or felt shame for not knowing?  Regardless, Timber is no longer going to be spruced up.

Character: Flash. Character’s Body: Applejack.

“Flash hid a giggle behind his hand like a  demure southern belle afraid of the sound”

Interesting to use this comparison of a  ‘southern belle’ for Flash (foreshadowing is my guess!). Then again, the  switches happen when Sunset is involved, and this story is told from her  perspective. Maybe Sunset’s empathy powers and perception of her friends at  that time has something to do with it? The therapy squad could also be  feeling for Flash after the whole gym class thing, maybe they wanted him to  feel strong for once and sent him into AJ? Maybe this experience will let him  see what it’s like to be strong like AJ, and those feelings will entice him  to go down the path that leads him to his dad’s career/pony universe guard  equivalent?

Character: Pinkie. Character’s Body: Rarity.

Could have something to do with the  ‘between-worlds’ limbo comment. Bevin’s artistic skills coming into play here  really shows everyone’s reaction, and Rarity is the most offended out  of all them for bringing that up.

Character: Fluttershy. Character’s Body: Pinkie.

Could be a sort of general perception from  Sunset/how very opposite those two are from each other on the shy-outgoing  scale. The same comment that got an intense emotional reaction out of Rarity  might have done the same to Fluttershy, again given Bevin’s form of  show-not-tell :)

Character: Rarity. Character’s Body: Rainbow Dash.

Rarity’s emotional reaction also resulted  from RD bringing it up in the first place. Flash in this context isn’t so...  direct. It’d garner less of a reaction because well, there’s 3 things you  don’t talk about in polite company: politics, religion, and sex. Yes yes  they’re all friends and everything so the polite company isn’t the same and  they’re teenagers but with Rarity I think polite company is everyone  everywhere all the time. But she didn’t go into Pinkie or Flash’s body  because she actually didn’t mind that the question was asked since she  followed up with wanting to know if it was a dragon. The topic was  already there and it was RD’s fault, but with that elephant now in the room  it’s kind of “Oh well it’s already out there might as well ask”

Character: Rainbow Dash. Character’s Body: Flash.

Could be a result of Flash’s support for RD  lately. The high five in the last chapter after that “We’ll tell you when  you’re older” probably had him feeling like one of the girls, and so in joining RD on a few more of those instances as support - going along with it  even if he’s still staying a bit more shy/tactful about it. RD has to  understand Flash better instead of enticing him to keep going along with her  shenanigans and let him be his own person. Again, it could probably help in  general in the long run if RD feels what it’s like to be Flash, to be taken  down a notch with the gym class and the sweets and self-confidence issues and  such. I have a feeling that the co-captains will be teaching Flash to be  detective/guard material, or at least helping him become fit for that career.

Character: Applejack. Character’s Body Fluttershy.

Could again be an angle of Fluttershy’s  shyness vs AJ’s own general confidence in herself. Again, this is from  Sunset’s POV, so maybe Sunset’s (and/or Timber’s) influence and perception of  their friends could be that “hey maybe that person needs some time in that  other person’s shoes” in order to understand what they’re going through, and  who’s the best fit for helping them become the best version of themselves when  they switch back.

Thinking of Rarity as Timber and making a good impression on Flash Magnus while dressing pretty much the opposite how he normally does; Flash cheering on Sunset and seeing how far she’s come as a whole, wanting to also go far; Twi being the opposite of Timber in terms of appearing confident and having leadership skills and being able to chill; Flash being RD, again because of confidence and her being the one to show Flash that she can keep dreaming big and trying to be the best; Applejack’s hard-working nature contrasting with Pinkie’s overly fun attitude (all work and no play vs all play and no work); Fluttershy being Rarity is reflected in Rarity’s own confidence in her self, her looks, etc.)

As a whole it does bring them either down a notch or up a notch, they get to see how they would look if only they had the confidence, athleticism, kindness, strength, etc...

TLDR: I DUNNO MAN. It could be their immediate interactions that generate certain emotional responses from each other (as could follow magic story laws) or it could be the therapy squad’s perception of their friends that leads them to thinking X needs to learn from Y.

Pinkie Pie raised her hand. “Ooo! I know this one! It’s Timbo!”

“Yea—” He stared, his smug smile dislodged. “I have a nickname now?”

Timbooooo. Timbit. Timberland. Tima-lim. TimTim. Timothy. Timothy has gone to school and loves it. TS (Nope). Sprucey boy. A literal tree. Timbo Spruceo. Tim Tam. The Big T. Timber Tot. One of the girls now. Timbert. Timber Spruce… Tim Ruce… Truce. Limber Timber.

The students of Canterlot High heard tell of many legends about what went on behind that prohibited extra-wide door. Some said hot tub. Others said it was the hiding spot for the retired (debatably haunted) Wondercolt mascot suit, Horsey the Horseshoe. Pinkie always wanted to believe Horsey was in the hot-tub.

I can be a force greater than even Pinkie Pie herself.

Personally, Sunset had more realistic theories. Like massage chairs for every staff member.

Look Sunset, they probably need it. Teenagers and their shenanigans and wanton magical destruction of school property and hormones and stuff.

What they really have is a secret button they push to reveal a hot tub, waiters, cocktails, pheasant, robes, a big screen TV, and personal... masseuses? Masseusesses. Masseusai? Massagers? WHATEVER THE PLURAL OF MASSUESE IS

Also

Horsey the Horseshoe?

That shit was definitely haunted the day it was named. But it’s better than a banana outfit you find in the trash... I’M LOOKING AT YOU FACULTY OF ENVIRONMENT!

You can’t expect me to believe Countess Artemis wouldn’t take swift, brutal revenge against her sister. That’s so unrealistic!”

And Artemis, a Moon Goddess

Pinkie Pie reached for the platter, sticking Rarity’s tongue out in the process, only to reconsider with narrowed eyes. “Hold on a second, buster. Are these poison cookies? J’accuse!”

Oh my god, Pinkie’s becoming just like Rarity, she’s speaking FRENCH!

He’d stocked the office with comfy, overstuffed purple couches which her friends piled on and around, playing right into his therapist trap. Sunset herself leaned against the wall in protest.

PURPLE COUCHES! IT’S A TRICK SUNSET, HE’S TRYING TO GET YOU TO THINK ABOUT YOUR PURPLE GIRLFRIEND.

“Is Solstice Shiver your real name?” Flash stood in front of Timber, as if to shield him. “What else have you been hiding?”

Dawwww!! Flash is protectin’ the bf! Hero/guard material right there!

Also it probably is his real name, why would he change his last name to directly reflect his powers?

“I have an Aunt that would take that as a compliment,” Flash hummed. Then, in explanation: “She’s a lot.”

I just... this fuckin’ scene. Just the way they talk like, well, teens. XD

And damn, I am intrigued yet not at all surpirsed, Flash. Family is just like that sometimes.

As Rainbow Dash frantically checked herself for signs of life, Rarity raised a polite hand. “Yes, I do agree with Fluttershy. We should like to be courteous while we’re confronting you about your intentions at our school: Would you say vampire is the preferred term?”

Rarity is like, the epitome of respect.

“Fascinating! A magical power that can almost exclusively be used for good!”

Almost.

...lead role instead of the supporting man or the coveted Tree #3 and he’d be damned if he didn’t steal the show.

Oh my gods

Tree #3...

18/10 thank you for making me remember the Dave the Barbarian joke.

He could use any fear to his advantage.

In both this world and another~

“Th-thanks, well, that’s why some of us are on-stage talent and some aren’t.” Radiant Rogue pushed a rose-coloured curl behind her ear.

Radiant Rogue? Some sort of alternate Radiant Hope??? (Yes this is what I originally wrote before my evaluation of the title card)

Solstice found himself practicing breathing exercises to stay calm. Splashing water in his face in the bathroom would just smear the hard work of the poor make-up artist, he couldn’t do that.

Of course not, not to his love~

Sunset experienced a year’s worth of painful, burning shame in a single spin of a kaleidoscope: Solstice exhausted in class from fitful nights. Checking his eyeliner to find his pupils narrowed to slits, and trying to pass it off as Nightmare Night contact lenses. Shying away from everyone in case he froze them solid or his fingers turned to claws, and what if he lost control?

;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;

He just like Sunset fr. His dad is... well, not good. So he has the stage crew as his family. Everything he wants and needs right there, and then all taken away. All his dreams. Everything.

I mean this is a beautifully done piece by Bevin highlighting all the struggles in one image. But I want to bring attention to the crown specifically. Once again paralleling Sunset and Twilight’s crown. Except he rejected it for his friends and family. Sunset took it, stole it. She had no friends or family to risk hurting. Nothing to lose. Solstice had no choice in the power he had, couldn’t even control it.

And it took him away from his passion, what he built his life up to be, and what he wanted.

Instead he took a different path, completely different from the skills he’d cultivated. Content with helping people like him follow their dreams when he couldn’t follow his own.

What does it mean for Sunset then, now that there’s someone she could confide in? Someone who’s been down that path? Someone who can have empathy for her? Other than possibly Timber at least. I mean someone with an actual degree in this stuff. Or more like, someone from her generation she can relate to, as well as someone who’s got lots more experience than both do. It’s hard finding someone who’s both your generation and has experience in surviving what you’re facing.

The revelation wasn’t exactly comforting to everyone and Sunset couldn’t blame them. Twilight held a hand over her mouth, as if experiencing an echo of Solstice’s worst memories. Or, in some cases, lack thereof.

Damn, sucks when there’s no BBEG who needs an ass kickin’ and can suddenly make everything better. BBEG might just be regular guy with a magical (or mental) health disorder.

Sunset Shimmer wanted to scream. She did so internally.

*wheeze*

At the same time, Sunset and Timber said, “No.” Twilight and Flash said “Yes.” They looked at each other.

Timber said no???

He really is just like Sunset! And has trouble socializing due to being so isolated from people like him and only being the strong leader among campers and the like and being open-minded but not giving anyone else a chance to be open-minded to him!

I already love this pic. Sunset looking cool af, ready to go out to explore the City. Except that, I just remembered it wasn't really Sunset now was it? But it is seen through a mirror, so it reflects the real person inside. Admittedly, I’m not knowledgeable on art. Now this picture could just be based on how shading/lighting works in this scene, but I also see the shading splitting Sunset’s face down the middle. The two sides of Sunset. And/or Our Sunset and The Other Sunset.  Also check out that skyline!

Also also! It could just be Flash! Reading ahead y’know I realize that he’s out there with the others too, looking for Other Sunset. Maybe he likes being Sunset because he actually feels cool and confident and everything that he admires in her? The other two sides of Sunset, the physical and the immaterial.

There was a different path out there for her. The human Sunset confirmed its existence—even if that counterpart didn’t have it all figured out herself.

But you’re already on a different path, aren’t you? And you yourself don’t have it all figured out! Albeit it is a different start, but what’s stopping you from pursuing the path you think you could have taken? Is it that you just need a sign? A living cutie mark in the form of the other you? If you find the other path that the Other Sunset is taking, what would that do? Would it feel right in taking her path too?

She would’ve preferred to take her motorcycle, but given the winter storm, it would’ve been a friskily brisk ride. Too brisk to risk on long distances.

Too brisk to risk!

Too cold to feel bold!

She’s young, not old,

but that winter storm,

will have her slowed!

Then again, the sun finally started to peek through the clouds, and even as a winter chill clung to their bodies like wet clothes, the hope of warmth broke through. The staff parking lot smelled like the salt melting the mini-mountains of ice ploughed to the back, the breeze telling tale of voyages yet to be sailed. But then, the school’s back entrance decided instead to have fun with them and reveal Principal Celestia talking to a nodding, attentive Solstice Shiver, who had undone the top button of his dress shirt.

Oh okay I see how it is. You have this description both about Sunset but ALSO about Solstice and Celestia. Celestia warming everyone rn as the sun does, because she warms Solstice (who may or may not be influencing the weather, yes?)

Also, HE’S DRESSED LIKE THAT IN THIS WEATHER? THERE’S DEFINITELY SOMETHING SHADOWY SHADY GOING ON.

… Okay, they had zero defense against being found out.

Zero defence indeed. Get ready for a knockout. Sometimes you just gotta give up and let Red Eyes Black Dragon Sombra’s gonna blast away your life points.

Rainbow Dash whispered in Flash’s ear whom first looked at her to confirm he’d heard right, then turned to Applejack to repeat, “We’ll... tell you when you’re older?”

Yes! RD and Flash bonding time! Especially since it’s a neat little callback to an earlier chapter. Flash is slowly becoming one of the Rainbooms.

After a solid extra second of working through complex equations...

This and her reaction when she finally realized what was going on made me laugh, always nice seeing Twilighting. And I thought they just turn teachers off after school? Sure is easier to think that way.

Man, it’s cramped in there! You sure you need all those books?”

All those books can double as a weapon! The best weapon in the world. Make sure you practice your swinging, and also workout your back because it can be heavy... and also also make sure Spike isn’t in there when you do said swinging.

"Yup, a while ago, but yup!"

Amazing. Gloriosa didn't say no backsies or set a time specific to when he could use it sooooo its all good! Loopholes in sibling antics.

Timber frowned at Flash who was currently in Sunset's body but also not in Sunset's clothes. His hoodie looked especially baggy on her frame, but, Sunset supposed, he must've liked it that way. "But uh, how are you going to catch the scent?"

Hmmm... or maybe Flash is still feeling body dysphoria of his own? Not only switching from one person’s body to another, but making it a body of the opposite gender too can eliminate any sense of euphoria you might have had if you like being your other gender. Sunset was Timber, but she was also used to being a pony. Totally different body, so maybe a male body just didn’t phase her compared to that. Poor Flash, first the chub troubles and now this. And maybe he’s ashamed? Doesn’t feel like he deserves to look like Sunset since he looks up to her and the other girls so much.

“Shimmer Beta? Sunshim the Lesser?” Pinkie thought aloud, rubbing her chin. “Sunset 2: Electric Boogaloo? Mmm nah. Sequels are rarely as good as the first.”

Oh my god pinkie, these are great. Gold for sure... and maybe the sequel in this case is veerrrrry not good. Very evil. Evil twins amirite?

As Timber rounded the jeep to the driver’s side and Sunset opened her own door, she let a smile flow onto her face. “Promise not to get too excited when you see the other me? I’m the jealous type.”

Eyup, you sure are Sunset. No doubt about that. But also what if she is hotter than you? Maybe she’s been exercising? Twilight sure did date someone who seemed to be exercising. It could be that the other you is hotter to her. That sure would not help the self-confidence.

Not to be outdone, Sunset shrugged. “Can’t. I’m not in my pants.” And she shut the door before her comeback could be out-sassed any further. 

Checkmate! Love the sass between all these jokers.

“But you’re going to need to be open-minded.”

Sticking the Everfree-mobile into first gear, Timber’s eyes glittered like a treasure lost in the bracken of the woods. “Lucky for you, that’s my specialty.”

!

It sure seems like it! But what does that mean for this story? Other than he’s  a good... camp counselor... But there’s a lot of potential for where this could go with an open-minded lad like him. Sunset couldn’t have been forced to bond with a better boye.

No dice in her old haunts like the aviary a town over that reminded her of the phoenix aviary she used to hang out with Philomena in, or the tea house a town after that (however they did find a lovely jasmine vanilla tea).

In seeing what Sunset thought could have been potential places to visit, it really feels more like an exercise in bonding with Timber rather than actually trying to find Other Sunset. Philomena and tea? If she wasn’t raised to do all these  things with this Celestia, what are the chances the Other Sunset would have similar interests? Unless its some other high authority figure. Then again, Sunset said as much and they’re just places on the way to the actual more likely destinations.

Ex-Principal Cinch was now a secretary there and the less power that woman had over impressionable youths, the better.

Oh and I totally see this as Sunset taking the opportunity to have the smug satisfaction of seeing what happened to Cinch for herself - I’m sure a conversation with Shining Armor might have come up about what became of her.

As they pulled onto the interstate, they passed a scruffy looking man with a hat constructed from tin-foil and a cardboard sign that read The End of Days is Nigh! All Hail the Crack in the Sky!

ALL HAIL THE GLOW CLOUD CRACK IN THE SKY

“Yep, just. Just living out some childhood dreams over here, don’t mind me.”

Aww... they better go on a real road trip after this mess is over! It’d make for a great summer vacation. After all he’s done and everything and all I’m sure is going to happen, Timber deserves it.

“I’m gonna go ahead and assume that’s not a zeppelin?”

Seems like Timber isn’t the only one experiencing new things. I was judgey at first but really it’s easy to just... not know things when it’s hardly comes up in your life, and of course Timber’s been very isolated, it’s jarring to see just how isolated. And same with Sunset. She’s experiencing things in a similar way to Timber since most of her life, all she knew was high fantasy Equestria, and most of Timber’s life has been the isolated backwoods forested areas and Canterlot City. 

She’d heard Rarity talk about taking one to Prance after high school, at the very least on vacation if not more

IF NOT MORE?! SHE REALLY EMBRACING THE PRANCE/PRENCH LIFESTYLE TO WORK THERE? Look I know it’s regarded as a fashion capital BUT WHAT ABOUT APPLEJACK???

*The Ex Files theme plays*

Okay I was assuming they were a thing but also more like, just me shipping it.

“I have! Well, not that kind.” Blindly snagging the last trail mix, he focused more on changing lanes than Sunset. “I don’t remember much but my dad used to take me up in his water bomber or the rescue chopper when I was little. Never when there was an actual wildfire in the forest ‘cause y’know, good dad, but he’d let me see the whole valley from up there. Gloriosa says I loved it.”

Hmmm... Timber doesn’t just teleport to random places. Okay well it seems like it. But he has teleported to places that are either A) Higher than the average teenager should be without safety equipment or B) Places you’d travel via plane. Waking up with his bed in the lake might or might not be a result of teleportation, but if it was, it can still be connected to his dad because water bomber. Connecting that feeling of awe/the sublime during those moments in nature with a parent can create powerful emotions that work especially well with magic.

Eh. Looks pretty weird to me, but hey, if the girls end up in colleges across the country or all over the world, I guess I could give it a shot.

Sunset, if you do go flying… avoid Pearson.

Also thinking about this and how likely it is for them to be in schools all over the world. I feel like it would fit their pony counterparts in that, even though they move on to their own personal journeys, they’ll still stay connected to each other.

Timber’s smile waited, patient and unassuming. “Lore-building. I feel you.

First of all: “Lore-building”? Dork term. Second: Timber being essentially what he said his specialty was - open-minded. Thirdly: The “I feel you” and then talking about his own experience... literally empathy for Sunset - Empathy for the Devil. (Note: I noticed this in particular only after having read Chapter 9). And THEN he deflects the conversation topic back to Sunset’s court, making sure that he was trying to show that he has an idea of what she’s going through, but doing what he can to not make it about him.

“So you basically got one of those Mom heart tattoos?”

Hey it’s the part! :D

The part she didn't say out loud was: I thought she wanted to adopt me. She didn't feel like getting emotional over silly filly fantasies.

;~;

Imagine that. All that opportunity and validation and then, a line is drawn. You still don’t have a family. Then you try your best to get what little love you can from the closest thing to a parental figure and then its gone and the opportunity is given to someone who already has a loving family.

I’m also totally picturing Sunset as either a Halo Spartan or a Witcher... or Samus Aran - taken at a young age and trained to be the ultimate warrior. She pretty much was, except the PG version. Not necessarily stoic like those fellas (although I’m not familiar enough with Samus’ personality) but still ambitious to be the best of the best and then… someone actually shows them love and then they’re like ??? “What the fuck is this? I’m going to die for you now. Also kill for you. Oh wait that’s bad? Okay I’ll violently maim for you instead! Oh that’s bad too? How about if I only do it emotionally?” Would not want to be SciTwi and Wallflower.

"Oh yeah. Total heart eyes. Listen, I'm not saying I know when she started to have a thing for you, but she did explain Midnight Sparkle by raving about the angel who saved her so…

Empathy from the Angel

It’s all a matter of perspective, isn’t it?

“Welcome to Nightfall Reach Military Academy.”

Been trying to figure out the naming behind this. I mean it’s kinda badass already but took some looking up tbh. Legit didn’t even think of ‘Nightfall’ as a synonym of ‘sunset’ and ‘twilight’ so now there’s that. But in looking up ‘reach’, well, there’s a lot there. As a noun, it can be an ‘individual part of a progression or journey’ or the ‘extent or range of knowledge’, as a verb it can mean to strain after something, or simply reach there, their destination. It can also mean reaching out, reaching out to someone (Sunset reaching out to Timber’s a good fit!), or to stretch out or extend. Or heck it could be all of them. Knowing that this is essentially where their knowledge ends as to where Other Sunset could be, it could be Sunset straining after... a whole heckin lot tbh. And it could be her trying to connect with Timber. It could be more as these aren’t even all the definitions! Or perhaps this is where nightfall reaches, and goes no further. For in the dark of the night, the Moon commands the tides, but the tides dare not pass beyond the fortifications and defenders of this bastion.

Or you could be a nerd like me and think it’s a Halo reference especially with that previous thought I had about Sunset being a spartan.

Or or it could just be a cool name with the word reach in it, like Dragonsreach.

And between you and me, it wouldn’t shock me if someone thought the other me needed to straighten up and fly right.

Okay, so there’s the whole Nightmare Moon war thing, being part of the guard because she thought her mom was, and the thing where she wanted to protect the Princess. Like, there’s some things that don’t feel like they add up here. The whole “mom was a guard” thing itself could be made up. Sunset wanted to protect the Princess... why? Because Celestia was the only one who took care of her. If she hadn’t, then would she have wanted to do that? Protect the only person that showed her love (even if she didn’t outright adopt her). Would there have been someone else who replaced Celestia like that in this world?

Sunset’s hope that, someone out there she didn’t know about was really looking out for her other self, and decided she could do with some discipline. So, what would’ve happened had Celestia not taken her in? Would someone else have? Would she have gone to the military as the only way to get opportunities others are afforded when they have social support systems/people looking out for them? Something similar to the life she’s currently facing? She did say she had a talent in pyromagic, but does that translate to warfare here? Could be fireworks instead! Or a firefighter. Controlled burns. She could see Timber a whole lot more!

And then there’s Timber. I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s just letting her go through with this so she could get a taste of what her life might have been and could still be.

And Sunset here is the one who she herself thinks she might need to straighten up and fly right. Based on how she lives her life now, that could be reason enough to join. Doesn’t need to be a total hooligan constantly breaking the laws like smashing garbage cans, spraying graffiti, sneaking around campus in a full stealth suit, or... running across a snowy battlefield carrying your companion through to the other side and sacrificing yourself along the way...

...okay maybe she’s perfect for the military.

Love how everything is now a mission when they reach... Reach…

That’s kind of my thing. Rainbow ‘history buff’ Dash, they call me. You can spread that around.”

Callback to the pony version where RD had such a hard time with Wonderbolt history. Poor poor Dash, but actually, poor Timber. He’s now joined the military and will be going off to war... the prank war.

Sunset hadn’t ever tried super hard in gym class, but if her future after high school involved a military academy and being part of something greater than herself, she wouldn’t mind hitting the punching bag a little more. Or even running a lap or two.

Who’s to say this won’t be the direction Sunset takes regardless? She’s trained for war as it is! Maybe all the skills she’s developed over the years won’t actually go to waste. Yay soft skills!

Speaking into a mic bending around from his headset, the tour guide performed his every sentence as if he were a professional wrestler in Rainbow Dash and Applejack’s favourite televised league, Worldwide Wrestling Theatrics (they insisted it was just a name). “I hope you’ve all enjoyed the museum portion of our tour, because it’s time to move on! Iron Will believes there’s no greater pleasure than watching the junior cadets perform a sunset salute to end another peaceful day.” He flexed so hard it looked painful.

Oh my god it’s Iron Will. I can see how he’d make a great Drill Sergeant too. And oh my god World Wide Wrestling Theatrics. And hey! Sunset salute! The nightfall connection!

And maybe foreshadowing? A true Sunset salute as the cadets salute their commanding officer, Sunset Shimmer? She could still be a counselor there! Or social worker.

She doesn’t have to even be any of those tbh. On the surface it doesn’t seem like empathy to be particularly great for the military, but having that sort of virtue in this context makes it all the better, because you’ll have a lot of power, but the empathy can keep you responsible and accountable to yourself and others - those under your command, those you may have to fight, and all the civilians in between. To quote Romeo Dallaire:

“You know, soldiers are very unusual people. On the outside, they are the hardest, most demanding, severe people, but underneath that, they are the most human, the most feeling, the most emotionally attached people who exist.”

And

“I have often been criticized for being an 'emotional' leader, for not being macho enough, but even during this early stage in my career, I believed that the magic of command lies in openness, in being both sympathetic to the troops and at the same time being apart, in always projecting supreme confidence in my own ability and in theirs to accomplish whatever task is set for us.”  

These are traits that Sunset has, and would work well in that sort of life. She’s thinking about the impact that magic has on the entire student body now - not just her friend group. And it’s also something Sunset lacked before she came to this world. And of course Celestia had to learn from her mistake  it by telling Twilight to go make friends.

Folks joke about how “Haha they defeated the villain with the magic of friendship! So cheesy!” happens in media, but that has so much merit in the real world, in so many aspects of life is friendship and the qualities of being a good friend something that is so relevant to making life better for everyone, for succeeding, and for overcoming some of the greatest problems of our time.

The notes sunk into her like the lake-buffeted breeze at her back. To her, that would always be the call of Canterlot Castle.

With all that’s similar here, might she truly feel at home in this place? Might this be where she wants to go?

Sunset continued to swear profusely and quite creatively as she followed Timber, wriggling on her belly under a low set of bars. She was almost glad she wasn’t in her own body; she doubted her steady diet of pizza pockets, toaster strudel, and leftover takeout would have served her well here. Sitting around streaming video games really did a number on the body, she guessed. That aside, Sunset Shimmer had exactly enough muscles to pick up a girl in her arms and swing her around. She had the queer amount, and that was about it.

Okay, with this in mind, it might not be where she wants to go anymore XD.  Or maybe she’ll realize that she’s been put in enough situations that need her to be more fit that she should change that. Question is: is this a hurdle - something that she can and needs to overcome in order to be who she wants to be - or is it a barrier - something that just stands in your way that tells you to not bother with pursuing, because its a sample of a a life that you don’t want. 

“The queer amount” - that’s the power of love, baby!

Timber managed the rest of the hurdles with almost too much ease, and Sunset thought it was stupidly unfair that he got Rainbow Dash’s agility and natural speed.

More of Sunset’s jealousy here. I mention it not just because the laundry list of people she’s jealous of gets longer, but also because its another instance of her being too hard on herself. Yes, her body’s not in great shape, but Timber was the one who shocked the whole gym class by running a lap in her body. He didn’t bring it up that her body was able to handle it, only that everyone was shocked she did it. Its not that she’s not capable, but she doesn’t even want to try, and when she has to try to she shifts the blame and loses confidence.

Timber Spruce slammed down onto the platform with wild eyes and a purse around his shoulder. Smiling feebly, Sunset would have cheered if she had any lung-power left. He saw her and the relief was palpable in his laugh, especially as he dug out Twilight’s back-up inhaler and guided it into her hands, helping her take the first puff.  

Timber comin’ in clutch! That would be a better joke if it was actually a clutch.

Ngl this moment had me anxious for a sec there. And hey! I called it! Chalk one up for Other Marvel!

And I’m seeing reflections of the first time Timber landed in front of Sunset via teleportation, only with opposite feelings from her.

And I wouldn’t have figured out the teleporting thing if I didn’t have a good leader.

Leaaaderrrrrrrrrr

It’s your destiny

Commander Tempest.... okay with the explosive energy and fireworks connection that Pony!Tempest had, pyromagic might really not be too far off here. Really appreciate the inclusion of characters like these, no Other Sunset yet but there’s a certain satisfaction in knowing where these other characters end up. Now where’s the Other Starlight Glimmer? Pony-themed Russia? Prussia? Wait no, that was an actual thing.

The tall barbed-wire fences of the Tartarus Juvenile Detention Centre rose ahead and Timber took his hands off the steering wheel. “No. No way. Uh-uh. I’m turning the car around.”

Ooooooooh yikes. All or nothing, eh Sunset? Either you’re somewhere where you can be at your prime with all the skills needed to excel in a noble field among comrades (on in this case, friends since ‘respect for friends’ is one of NR’s core tenets) or... the opposite. Or I guess all those little places in between that you visited only once. Wild how that works. If someone didn’t push her to NR, then she would have just been a delinquent the rest of her life?  

“Yeah, well, you’re not anymore and this is way too mean to yourself. To both of you! Other Sunset could be in lots of places! A motorcycle shop, leather jacket emporium, an ice cream parlor⁠⁠—I mean everybody likes ice cream, right?”

Yeeess my boy! Point out those middle paths! And point out where she might be wrong! He entertained her thoughts about NR, but this is where the line gets drawn.

The guard led them to a full-body metal detector, which meant Sunset had to forfeit her phone and the emergency sextant Twilight had in her pocket, but otherwise, they got through without issue. Timber did so under protest, pouting all the way.

I’m just picturing the guard now. Like “who tf just brings a sextant everywhere they go?”

The guard considered it, hemming and hawing. “Well. No Shimmers here, but we have a Glow. Could that be who you’re here to see?”

Ngl, it didn’t register with me that this was Cozy Glow until I started writing this thing out. That child is scary. What crimes did she commit in this world? Attempt to steal the nuclear codes?

Nothing that we could find, but we’ll keep looking, Twilight assured. She has to be somewhere.

That was it for a long while, maybe an hour or so. Then, out of nowhere, Sunset’s phone decided to blast Right There in Front of Me, the ring-tone she’d set for Twilight’s phone. Sunset’s heart leapt. “Hello?”

Maybe the Right there in Front of Me was for her reflection in Bevin’s art piece at the beginning! In the mirror! It’s just her that’s in front of her. She’s standing in her own way.

“—ber Brambleton Spruce, about 6 foot 3, 17 years old but acts 10, and he hasn’t been answering his phone!

Brambleton! I know I mentioned it last time as being funny but this time, I remember a certain comic featuring the Kingdom of the Deer, and Bramble was a character there! And of course I remember that Sunset visited Thicket with Celestia!

Went back and read that comic and it’s very reflective of Legend of Everfree! So it only makes sense! That and we had a potential name drop for Timber’s mom here but the deer mom/queen was never mentioned. But also also, Bramble seems like a different character than Brambleton here

Regardless, I think maybe it does show how people change when they can connect with different people and ideas. Bramble would likely have not gone beyond the forest until the events of the story made that happen, and Timber really didn’t leave Everfree either until recently. But Timber was essentially raised to welcome people to the forest instead. He said being open-minded was his specialty. Bramble was very much not open-minded at the start of the comic arc. But by the end that seems like it changed.

I don’t know what happened to Bramble after that story or how he changed other than the epilogue which implied he became more open, or what Timber was really like when his parents were around. Still, we can put two and two together and say that, even if they followed the same path, they both still changed, much like Sunset has. And if they didn’t, then the other universe isn’t so much of a reflection of the pony realm’s characters as Sunset thinks it is.

(And reading that comic hits waaaay too close to home rn. If only we had a hydra in the Greenbelt.)

“Just trying to be thorough!” Twilight promised, waving her hand as if to ward off the omen. “Although, that one was a relief not to find her in...”

It’s okay Twilight! I thought the same thing! You never know... like there’s cars in this universe ffs. Okay yeah there’s also not random magical monsters destroying the town on a weekly basis. OKAY YEAH THERE ARE MAGICAL DEMONS EVERYWHERE BUT ITS MORE LIKE, MONTHLY AND ONLY STARTED RECENTLY.

Leading them up the stone steps to city hall, Flash led the charge into the overly grand, heavy-doored entrance-way. A confusing statue of a horse and its pioneer human rider seeming to shake hand/hoof boasted the peaceful town motto at the statue’s base: Keeping Things Stable. The dream tax-payers built, Sunset supposed. And the one teenagers made fun of.

Omg what. WHAT. I... I don’t... I can’t....

what

lmfao but... this city is where the portal to Equestria is. And said portal isn’t just in a random spot in nature. It’s literally in a man(?)-made piece of architecture. Maybe both horses and humans made it??? I honestly never thought about it until now but ehhhhh????????

A bit of a pipsqueak, really. He held up a recording device. “Mayor! Mayor, over here! How much danger are the people of Canterlot City really in?”

Betcha he’s got a British accent too pfft.

The resemblance between Flash Magnus and Flash Junior still threw Sunset off.

Yo

Yooooooooooo

YOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

All things considered, this is yet another case of the parallel’s between parallel worlds being different. It’s not just that Flash Magnus is the father of Flash Sentry instead of the ancestor, but also that Pony!Flash and Human!Flash are different people too. Guard in one, and guitarist/baker/hates gym class in the other. And it’s not that the Pony!Flash can’t be those other things, it’s a question of whether Human!Flash will be following in his dad’s footsteps to be that equivalent of a guard. What he is now, and what he will be in the future, are two things that can indicate again that this could be very different from the other universe, or the future can be very different from what the current path looks like.

Either one is possible, and both contradict how Sunset’s seeing things.

Similar to Timber/Bramble, Flash here might simply not have experienced the turning point in his life that brings him to be the equivalent of a guard. He’s constantly trying to be one of the girls, cheer them on, because he looks up to them, how brave and awesome they are at fighting big bads. He might still get that opportunity that changes everything for him.

Also

Flash can be referred to as Junior. hehehe

Magnus laughed. “Oh, I like you. Kids today, with their baggy pants and stupid hats. You’re one of a kind! You know, I think you’d even do well on the force. Where’d you find this one, deputy?”

Omg, deputy. It’s just like, another way to say Junior.

“We don’t know what to tell you kids. There is no other Sunset Shimmer.”

Okay, no other Sunset Shimmer? Fr? But waiiiiit... Sunset was an orphan, she might not have even known her parents, who would have even given her the name Sunset Shimmer?

*Checks bonus features*

Okay so we’ll never know anyway, dangit. Doesn’t mean that there isn’t one! Just that we won’t see her in this story. Maybe Tempest does know the Other Sunset, and maybe she does have a similar countenance/impression that should could see in Sunset-in-Twilight’s-body?

Global comments

Adding some global comments to shorten this thing a bit because Marvel’s writing here would keep me here all day and this post would be much much longer.