Moral Quandary
In the warm haven of the Sweet Shoppe, groups of friends and lone patrons talked amongst each other. Socializing, working, simply escaping the cold and sitting down for a hot drink and a pastry were all activities that were not uncommon in the shop. The outlier, though hardly noticed by any due to the busy nature of the shop at its peak hour, was the group of girls staring at a near-perfect replica of one of their dear friends, completely stunned into silence.
“What the f—“
Before the athlete could even finish her expression, Applejack slapped a hand over her mouth and dragged her back to the cushioned backrest of the seat. She shot the flustered Rainbow Dash a dirty look before releasing her.
Clearly sensing the tension, Shimmer rubbed her palms on the sides of her jacket. The longer she stood there, the more the area around her became heavy with the thick, overpowering smell of cigarette smoke.
Rarity not-so-subtly reached up to rest her head in her hands in a way that covered her nose, while Twilight’s eyes shot to Sunset’s and mouthed, “She smokes?”
Sunset half-shrugged and timidly grimaced in response, which made Twilight roll her eyes. Desperate to stop the tension, Sunset cleared her throat and stood up next to Shimmer, but kept a respectable distance between them. “Uh, so, this is what I wanted to tell you about. Or, I guess, who I wanted to tell you about.”
Surprisingly, Applejack was the first to break the silence, if only with a simple “Uh-huh”. She crossed her arms and leaned back in her seat, interested in whatever Sunset had to say.
At least, as far as Sunset could tell at least, Applejack was simply curious, and judging by the way her eyebrows furrowed slightly in the way they did when she was trying to figure things out, it wasn’t her angry look. That was good, that meant she was receptive. Pinkie Pie was happily sitting in her seat, looking quickly between Sunset and Shimmer and pursing her lips as she did so. Rarity had the best poker face that Sunset had ever seen, though she had covered half her face with the palm of her hand. Rainbow Dash was clearly flabbergasted, but Sunset couldn’t tell if that was going to pose a problem.
Unsurprisingly, Fluttershy had stayed quiet, though her expression betrayed a hint of confusion as she timidly looked down at her lap. She wasn’t good with meeting strangers, Sunset knew that. Most interestingly, Twilight had gone from averting her gaze to staring Sunset right in the eye. Her normally friendly appearance was hardened by her serious expression. She wanted Sunset to explain.
So she did.
“Okay, let me explain,” Sunset started. “And for the sake of easier understanding, I call her,” she pointed at her partner, “Shimmer. She calls me Sunny, but that won’t be relevant for now. Now, please let me talk and you can ask your questions at the end, capiche?”
“Sunny?” Rainbow Dash echoed with a smirk. “Don’t you hate that?”
“At the end,” Sunset repeated. “Got it, girls?” Everyone nodded in understanding, so Sunset took a breath and began her explanation. “It all started two months ago right at this very café.”
She went on to tell them about how they met, how Shimmer ran away and the chase that had led to. Everything after that was condensed—definitely skipping over a large portion of the night—but she got her main point across. She and Shimmer were dating.
“And you girls are my friends, so I wanted to tell you once we were sure that it was going to work out,” Sunset finished, glancing at Shimmer, who gave her a reassuring smile. She returned the gesture and looked back at her friends, who were all in various states of processing the information. “But just to make sure that it’s perfectly clear, even though Shimmer and I are similar, we are not the same person.”
Rainbow Dash’s finger tapped on the table five times before she slapped her palm down and shrugged, grabbing everyone’s attention. “Yeah, I think I’d fuck my clone.”
Shimmer failed to hold back a laugh but managed to at least turn it into a snort. The entire group groaned as Rainbow Dash countered with a defensive “What?”. Applejack simply pinched the bridge of her nose and shut her eyes, while Fluttershy actually smiled a bit.
“Rainbow Dash, I think you entirely missed the point of what Sunset just said,” Rarity pointed out, clearly annoyed by Rainbow’s brash words.
“You wouldn’t?”
“Rainbow Dash!”
The prankster once again gave a half-shrug. “Eh, you know what I mean. That’s cool, Sunset. I mean, considering everything we’ve seen in the past year, it’s not that bad. Whatever floats your boat.” She casually took a sip of her drink and turned her uninterested stare to the ceiling before adding, “Though, if she sucks at video games as much as you do, I’ll take it back.”
“Hey!” Sunset shot back, unable, though, to hold back a smile. “You just turn the console off whenever you’re about to lose, ya sore loser.”
“Nah.”
“Yep, you do,” added Applejack. “Remember that sleepover we had at Pinkie’s when we were tryin’ to write the song spell?”
“The what?” Shimmer echoed.
Rainbow Dash mumbled something in disagreement.
The farmer rolled her eyes and moved her gaze over to Shimmer. “Anyway, I’m not a liar, so I won’t say I don’t think it’s a bit strange, but if what Sunset says is true, then I believe her. Just gonna take some gettin’ used to, is all.” She offered her hand to Shimmer, who took it and received a powerful handshake in return. “I’d be honoured to have you over to try some of our Sweet Apple Acres cider ‘fore the winter season is over. Best in the tri-state area!”
Shimmer nodded and shook out her hand. “Sounds good, Applejack. That was your name, right?”
“It’s the name my daddy picked,” Applejack confirmed. She handed Shimmer a little business card from her back pocket. “Whenever you have time, just drive on down the main road out of town ‘til you hit County Road 23. I live just down there, ya can’t miss it!”
Sunset was delighted by how things were going so far. Rainbow Dash had been accepting, if a bit brazen about it, and Applejack had been welcoming despite being honest about her current thoughts on it. She had even taken the chance to promote her family’s business.
Ever the opportunist, Sunset thought, thoroughly amused, but it only meant good things. She for a fact knew that Applejack would never promote the business to someone she didn’t like, no matter how desperate.
She eagerly looked over the rest of her friends. Pinkie looked like she had something to say, but for once, she held her tongue and instead looked at Sunset as if asking permission. Though, before Pinkie could say anything, Fluttershy chimed in, “Oh, um, sorry, I just had a question and you said we could ask questions after you finished explaining…”
Of course. Sunset was actually a bit surprised it took so long for a question to be asked. “What is it, Fluttershy?”
“Well, Rarity and I were just kind of, um, wondering… well, don’t get us wrong, we both think it’s absolutely romantic,” she admitted with a bit of a rosiness to her cheeks, “but we got to thinking… Um, well…”
“How was your existence, erm, Shimmer, never a problem for our Sunset?” Rarity finished for Fluttershy, who simply nodded in agreement. “It would have been one thing if we were, perhaps, a bit older or not in school, but how did nobody notice there were two Sunset Shimmers around?”
“Oh that’s simple,” Shimmer responded, taking over the question that was asked of her. “I don’t live in the city, I live in the next city over. I also dropped out of regular school as soon as I graduated eighth grade, but I plan on getting my diploma online once I save up some money,” she explained simply. “I’m not big on checking the news and I keep to myself mainly, so it was never really something to be addressed until I came here to work on a client’s car. Well, it’s no wonder some people here seemed to look at me weird!”
For the first time since Sunset and Shimmer had arrived, Twilight actually seemed to have taken an interest in something. Her entire body twitched as she looked up at Shimmer, probably for the first time as more than just a passing glance. “You dropped out?”
There was not a hint of venom or malice in the question, though there wasn’t a trace of any emotion. The way one side of her lip raised higher than the other and her eyebrows furrowed to match betrayed her true question, though. Sunset and the rest of the group stayed quiet, though she was ready to intervene if necessary.
Shimmer seemed to notice as she crossed her arms defensively and turned her body to Twilight. “Someone had to pay the bills,” she explained coolly, though Sunset could practically feel the fire burning inside her. “As I said, now that I’m only providing for myself, I plan to get my G.E.D online. I’m not stupid.”
It seemed like a good time to intervene before things got hostile. She knew that her girlfriend was quick to anger—something they were both working on—so she stepped in and took hold of Shimmer’s hand, actively placing herself between her girlfriend and her best friend. “Woah, okay, she never said you were stupid,” Sunset pointed out, glancing at Shimmer. “She was just asking. She didn’t know.”
Shimmer’s intense glare only lasted a few moments until it faltered under Sunset’s equally icy stare. Abashed, the short-haired redhead found interest in a spot near the door. It appeared it had begun to lightly snow.
But Shimmer wasn’t the only one who needed to be given a death glare. Sunset turned her gaze to Twilight, who instantly shrunk into herself à la Fluttershy. “And you,” Sunset started, “don’t be so judgy! I get that you think it’s weird, I already told you I get it, but that’s no reason for you to act like this!”
“Why are you mad at me?” Twilight shot back, making Fluttershy inch away from her and toward Rarity, who seemed like she had to bite her tongue. “I didn’t even say anything mean. It was your girlfriend who got all defensive for no reason.”
The way she practically spat out the word ‘girlfriend’ made Sunset’s lip twitch. For a moment, she wanted nothing more than to snap at Twilight. To yell and defend Shimmer and what they had. But she wouldn’t. Couldn’t. Twilight was her friend. Best friend, at that.
Even if she’s acting like a total bitch.
Sunset bit her cheek and clenched her fist hard enough that she felt her nails dig into her palm. “You say things in a way that makes you sound judgemental,” she muttered through clenched teeth. “And I know you didn’t mean it like that, at least not on purpose. You just think using your head too much, but all that thinking doesn’t translate to, you know, thinking before you speak.”
The darkness on Twilight’s face cleared up a bit. “I know, my parents tell me that all the time. Just… give me some time to get used to it, okay?” She tried out a smile and looked at Shimmer. “I didn’t mean to insult you, I just… Education is important to me, and I guess I take it for granted. Plus, I have to admit, I may be a little jealous that someone else is taking so much of Sunset’s time.”
A half-hearted shrug was Shimmer’s answer once again. “Most people our age don’t have to worry about working enough to afford food and living for two. It’s fine, but I promise I’m not trying to make Sunny here into a delinquent,” she joked, jabbing Sunset’s bicep with the side of her fist. “She’s got that all covered by herself, with me or without me.”
“Hey,” Sunset interjected, shoving Shimmer playfully. “Not anymore!”
“Right, right, you’re a goody-two-shoes,” Shimmer declared mockingly. “And don’t worry, Twilight, we can most certainly share Sunset if that’s what you’re asking.”
Twilight squirmed backwards into her seat, seemingly practicing her tomato cosplay.
Rainbow Dash sniggered.
The rest of the table took this as a sign to metaphorically let out a breath and giggle, even Twilight. Everything went even better than Sunset had hoped, but she knew her friends were the understanding type. Even Twilight.
She gave the two of them fifteen minutes tops before they started to talk about some nerd television series or something like that. At her core, Twilight might be a bit antisocial, but the way her body language already eased up only meant that she was already softening up to Sunset’s girlfriend.
And hey, in Twilight’s defence, who wouldn’t love Shimmer?
“Can I ask my question now?!”
Pinkie’s outburst practically scared Sunset out of her own body.
“Can I call you,” Pinkie turned to Shimmer and waved her index finger at her, “Shimmy? If you get to call her Sunny, then I want to call you Shimmy!”
Shimmer blinked once. “Like the da—“
“Like the dance!”
Before Shimmer could object—and she knew she would—Sunset took it upon herself to respond, “Yes, please do.”
Shimmer hated that nickname. And that was why Sunset loved it. Finally, sweet vengeance.
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the idea for this cover is one of the proudest achievements of my life, and personally i cannot wait for this comment to come back to haunt me when i run for Senate in 2044
11309895
id vote for you, i dont even care if im not american or whatever the hell
I need a sequel!!!
rainbow is just like me fr
11309976
A sequel to the sequel? Thats crazy!!1!1!1!
11309986
Shes so relatable
11309999
I think they call that a series
Very nice fluff. Wholesome.
I bet that this is great, like the rest of your works, so I'll give it an upvote and be on my way. Toodles!
Rather like the long haired Sunset.
IF the Sonsets also share Twilight! laugh
Oh, i liked this alright, I even loved it. Just like I loved the previous story (both versions) Your writing keeps being top notch and you should feel proud of it!
That said, I really love what differences the two Sunset's have, and specially what they tell about Shimmer's life. The turtle neck hiding her neck, the more muscular physique from a rougher life, the vice that is probably caused by the stress of said life. It's all great details that expand the character without really saying much.
Amazing job!
11310409
Haha thanks for the vote of confidence and the upvote :)
11310490
the ULTIMATE polycule!
11310506
Hey thanks! I’m glad someone pointed out those little things. I put em in there but wasn’t sure if anyone would pick up on it. You’re absolutely spot on. Again, thanks for the kind words!
11310613
and rainbow's response was spot on
I for one, am really glad this got made. The story just didn't feel complete without introductions to the human six. Well done too.
11311023
thanks very much! Im inclined to agree, from the moment I wrote the first one I knew I wanted to write a meeting with the human six, or at least I had thought about it
Whether it's incest, masturbation, or just uber-narcissism, it doesn't change one thing: it's hot. 😘
Well, that’s certainly one of the cover arts of all time
This fic has my attention from that alone, and I have a feeling I’ll like it. Will give an update once I’ve read through it
Something I'd seriously like to see from one of these fics: what do they say to people when they are just randomly in public. I'm sure the sunsets largely wouldn't care, but they'd have to come up with an excuse at some point. Not that this wasn't good, I just think this faces the, "is this weird" question a lot more than others have in the past. Very fun.
11314015
Yeah that’s a good point. I don’t think I’ve ever really seen that aspect explored! Most of the selfcest fics I’ve seen are just… smut. I reckon they’d either just make some joke about it to confuse whoever’s asking or say they just happen to look alike or something. Thanks for the comment!
11314332
Most any that I've seen, (seeing that I don't usually go for the smutty ones) usually end too soon for my taste. They all have the same conclusion: "Wait, are we really considering this?" "Yeah I think we are." "Will this actually work?" "I guess there's only one way to find out." So I very much applaud you for at least going to that next step.
🌞 🌞 Yes?
So three way with twilight in the next story?
11339696
Haha, idk if Twilight would go for that. But maybe she just needs to get used to there even being two of em
It might have been a sequel that only a few wanted, but I thought it was great. I imagine if your muse strikes again these two might find themselves in another story. Well done.
11340314
Haha thanks for the comment! Who knows? I do find myself making sequels for random stories time to time… Maybe this will be one of those AUs that I write for whenever I have an idea :)
leather jacket and cigarette smoke, human Sunset is so cool!
it's different when Shimmer says it!
hell yeah!
ahaha love how straight to business Applejack is (and yes Applejack got both her name and hat from her dad, makes you think, etc.)
aww Twilight why you gotta be like that?
oof, so glad Sunset is there to understand Shimmer so well
oof, turned that one around! and a hint at why Twilight is so against this, haha
aww, such a fun Pinkie moment! great one to end it on, calling back embarrassing nicknames and showing the first step in Shimmer accepting being vulnerable to her new friends.
it was definitely the place to end it, i'd say, unless you wanted to devote another 10kw to resolving a conflict. now it's a sweet slice of life about how in a world where cartoon pony magic needs to be defeated by magic rocks and musical numbers, dating an alternate universe version of yourself is not weird at all and is in fact very good.
really glad i got to see another glimpse into the lives of my favorite version of the Sunset x Sunset ship, thank you so much for it jay!
11351272
I guess now I’ll have to write a 10k story as a conflict resolution. Scratch that, make it a 20k, just for the extra funs and feels. I’m glad you liked it tho! Haha, and surely you dont mean that comment about it being your favourite version of the Sunset x Sunset ship (aka the best ship out there).
And yes, Applejack is truly just a business gal and its totally just normal things for her defining features to be picked by her dad H M M M
yay! i loved how rainbow took 30 seconds before deciding she'd totally do the same thing
and then pinkie just wanted to pick a nickname
loved it, and love the cover art!
11360363
Hehe thanks for both your comments :) And you can thank Bike for the cover art, she commissioned me to draw it! It’s truly amazing
It's funny how every time something related to social media is referenced or some technology-related term comes up, I feel like I'm aging a couple decades. Ah well.
You wanted to know if I liked it. I did. I appreciate how grounded and nonplussed they all react to the news. 'I know it's weird-' - 'Yeah. So?' Made me smile. I somehow didn't expect Twilight to be the one having the most 'issues' with it. Then again, I didn't really expect anyone else in that role either. Eh.
The whole story is... tangible, if that makes sense? It's something that, for the most part, might happen in this world.
Thank you for writing!
11443206
Thanks again for the comment.
When I was writing this I thought it’d be funny to make it so that no one else really cared or thought it was weird. I mean, they’ve all been on the receiving end on evil equestrian magic and have seen Equestria, ponied up, and turned into ponies. Twilight it just a bit more logic based than that, and personally I like the idea that even though she knows magic exists, she still liked to be logical in a scientific way about everything. Plus maybe she’s a little jealous ;)
Again thanks for the comment :)
11444888
If anyone will figure it out, it's probably Twilight.
Neat. I was still trying to figure out if I just imagined a jealous undertone.
And hey, what was that quote again? "Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic." Maybe it's all just nanobots.
Apparently.
Still, it's better than what Rainbow did.
https://m.