A Destiny of Their Own

by Hakuno

Chapter 3. Research Partner

It had been one week since Sunset had decided to stay in the human world until the portal opened up again. Since she was no longer a unicorn, she couldn’t feel the Harmonic Veil, which meant she would have to do everything as if she were a mere earth pony. But instead of letting herself feel humiliated, she decided to take it as the greatest challenge. If she could unravel the secrets of this world’s magic without her unicorn connection to it, then she would prove her superiority.

Firstly, she devoured each and every book in Celestia’s bookshelves. Her being a principal meant she had many educational tomes, which were perfect for Sunset to learn as much as she could about the human world. Since she was now basically an earth pony in terms of magic perception, she would need to instead figure out a way to detect the Veil some other way. And in order to do that, she first needed to understand everything humans could possibly know already, even if it was wrong. That way she’d at least have a frame of reference.

She was distracted from her notes when Luna pulled the chair next to her and sat down. “I still find it impressive how you can write with your mouth.”

Sunset spat the pen onto the table and straightened up. “It would be more impressive if I could use my magic,” she replied through her teeth. The loss of her horn was hard enough, but she couldn’t even feel her mana pool. It had to be there, of course, since she had Resonated with Celestia’s song a week ago, but being unable to feel it was worse than being unable to feel her horn. One was a physical limb, the other was a spiritual part of her very being.

“Are you sure you don’t want to learn to use your hands?”

Sunset rolled her eyes. Both sisters had been pestering nonstop to learn to use her hands for everything. Sure, the extra appendages called fingers looked like they provided extra dexterity, and Sunset had needed to learn how to dress and use cutlery and other stuff with them. The human mouth could only do so much, and her teeth didn’t feel nearly as strong as they should. She feared she’d break them if she stressed them too much.

“Fine,” Sunset relented. “Just let me finish this section first. I don’t want to lose track.”

Picking up the pen once more, Sunset continued reading the tome Luna had lent her. It was about Harmonic Resonance, or, as humans called it, Abrupt Melodic Impulse. Humans, stubbornly refusing to see the truth, tried to explain the phenomenon in a myriad of ways. Some simply described it as individual or collective hallucination. Others gave more thorough explanations that involved the body’s nervous system and the brain’s still majorly unknown functions. Either way, they all agreed that it was very difficult to study, since there was no way to know when it happened. Some people experienced it on a daily basis, others could go about their whole lives having sung only once or twice to this phenomenon.

That last part of information was indeed an appropriate description of Harmonic Resonances. It was impossible to predict. Well, almost impossible, as it were. A lot of ponies Resonated during important events of their lives. Getting their Cutie Marks, for example —which was one of the very few times Sunset had Resonated, was sure to get a lot of ponies singing, before, during, or after the event. Then again, the moment a pony got their Cutie Mark was impossible to predict.

Sunset leaned back on the chair, stretching her arms behind her head. “Why is it that you humans deny the existence of magic during research, yet write stories where it does exist?”

Luna froze mid coffee sip, then lowered the cup and looked at Sunset. “Well, magic is not scientific, now is it? It used to be the de facto explanation when something wasn’t understood. When scientists started figuring out how the world worked, we simply stopped using magic to explain everything.”

“Magic is scientific,” Sunset retorted with a huff. “It can be explained rationally, and it can be harnessed and used, just like any other source of energy.” Seriously, even earth ponies knew this.

“Maybe in your world, Sunset,” Luna said. “But here things don’t work like that. Sure, you found something that seems similar to something magical you’re used to, but here, it’s just something that hasn’t properly been explained yet. Just like everything else about the world.”

“But I’m telling you I know why Harmonic Resonances are a thing!” Sunset insisted.

Luna glared at her for a few moments. “Alright, please explain it to me.”

Sunset frowned. She didn’t like teaching, but she supposed she could at least do this much. After all, she needed the help of these humans, as much as she loathed to admit it. “Strong feelings can vibrate against the Harmonic Veil, and it vibrates back in turn, creating waves that resonate within an individual or a group, and these waves, which carry Harmonic Magic within, are so strong that they are forcefully expelled in the form of a song.”

Of course, many other factors were at play during a Harmonic Resonance, such as the personality of the individual, if it was a solo Resonance, or the importance of the event, if it was a group one. City wide Resonances were certainly common during holidays, and Sunset had caught herself humming a random chorus on more than one occasion.

“What’s the Harmonic Veil?”

Sunset blinked. Right, she needed to begin from there, didn’t she? Why had she thought of trying to explain an effect without going over the bases first? It was like trying to teach advanced spellcraft circuitry before teaching basic pulse theory. She mentally facehooved.

But just as she was about to continue, another voice interrupted her.

“Sunset, I think you’d like to know that your, uhm… book…” Celestia said, nervously glancing in the direction of the guest room. “It’s glowing and vibrating.”

Sunset’s heart skipped a beat. She got up, knocking the chair down, and ran towards the room, ignoring whatever chastising Celestia gave. Sure enough, the journal, which she had placed upon the nightstand, was receiving a message. Feeling short of breath and swallowing dryly, she picked it up and opened it.

Dear Sunset Shimmer, the message started. Sunset already felt a painful tug in her chest at the words, or lack thereof, as the princess skipped the ‘my faithful student’ part and continued the letter.

I hope this message reaches you in good health. After much thought, I came to realize that I was perhaps a bit unfair to you. I showed you the mirror, sparking that curiosity in you which drove you to research further, and then tried to deny you a proper explanation as to why exactly I was hesitant to share more knowledge. I am sure you can now understand.

The world which you now inhabit is magically inert. That much I have confirmed through my own investigation, though I have never dared step hoof. This is the reason why I did not want you to get so thoroughly involved. I don’t know what dangers you may face, and I worry you may get hurt. I apologize for pushing you into crossing the portal. I should have known better.

As the portal is due to open once more in thirty moons, I urge you to contact me through the journal to let me know you are safe. I will be expecting you back in Equestria. The guards chose not to press charges against you, so you will not be in legal trouble.

Please use this time to reflect, as I myself will, so that we can have a pleasant conversation upon your return. And, who knows? We could reinstate you as my personal student.

Yours truly,
Princess Celestia of Equestria

Sunset re-read the message several times, feeling her body shake more and more with every passing minute. She gritted her teeth so much she could hear them squeak.

How dare she?! The letter was full to the brim with condescension! The princess spoke as if Sunset had only reacted due to her actions, as if Sunset could not make decisions of her own! And what was that about maybe reinstating her as her personal student? They both knew Sunset was beyond that! There was no way in Tartarus that Sunset would ever study under the alicorn again.

Besides, Sunset knew something the princess didn’t. The human world was in fact not magically inert. This was just further proof that Sunset was on the right path to become an alicorn princess in her own right. By discovering the secrets not even the all-powerful sun princess could, Sunset was sure to achieve her goals.

She forced her mouth into a smirk, blinking away tears. She walked back to the dining room, where the two sisters waited for her. Sunset pointedly avoided looking at Celestia’s eyes and instead set her gaze upon Luna.

“I have a favor to ask.”

The following day, Sunset decided she needed to walk around town. The books could tell her only so much, and she’d always been more of a hooves-on pony anyway. She needed to experience a Harmonic Resonance again to properly study it. She had felt it a week ago, which meant there was a chance she could feel the Harmonic Veil as well. If she could understand the exact way the waves of magic vibrated, it was possible to compare them to those of Equestria. Depending on her own experience, she could draw hypotheses and properly start her research.

And thus, she asked Luna to give her a tour to the city. Luna agreed, mentioning that she was available only because it was the weekend. Sunset understood this, of course, and she didn’t mind. As long as she knew where the main landmarks were, she’d be able to go on her lonesome at later dates. This last statement prompted the woman to thoroughly explain to Sunset exactly which streets to take, at which times, and to never ever stray from them. Sunset wanted to roll her eyes, but she supposed that it would be remiss to ignore the warnings of the locals.

Having read all those encyclopedias, Sunset had come to be familiar with human’s technological advancements, but seeing the progress with her own eyes solidified it in her mind. They had taken the workings of a steam engine and perfected it so much that they had automobiles of all sizes and shapes and she spotted an airplane surveying the city. And if the books were to be believed, they had even managed to go all the way to the moon. Sunset was marveled by it. It seemed that their lack of understanding of magic had prompted them to perfect every other source of energy.

Which meant that there was a chance Sunset could use their technology to study the Harmonic Veil. But in order to do that, she first needed to study what they had developed. As it were, mathematics alone was a lot more developed than in Equestria. Sunset had to learn everything she could as fast as she could. After all, she only had thirty moons.

They arrived at a massive building, almost as big as the High School Luna worked at. The design was a bit more modest and thick pillars supported the higher stories. The Canterlot Public Library towered over her, imposing but inviting. Upon entering, Sunset was immediately filled with the scent of dust and sunlight, carried over by the few people that walked about, holding books and having whispered conversations.

“I will admit,” Luna said as she gazed over the main foyer, “a thirteen year old asking to go to the library is a very much welcome change.”

Sunset made a beeline towards the front desk, where an older woman of pale lavender skin and graying pink hair sat, quietly reading a book. “Excuse me.”

The woman looked up from her book and offered Sunset a smile. “Yes? What can I do for you?”

“I want to issue a library card,” Sunset said. While she had had access to the royal library’s sections, she was well aware that public libraries cared not for her status, and would always require her to have a card. Sunset’s top drawer in her night stand back in her royal quarters was full of library cards.

“Absolutely,” the woman said, leaning over her desk and placing her hands on the machine that sat atop. “If you give me your student ID, I can process it in five minutes.”

Sunset froze. Student ID? “Can’t I just give you my name?”

The woman eyed her. “I’m sorry, but I need a form of ID to process a library card. Honestly, it can be just about anything.”

So human libraries required identification cards? Equestrian ones simply took a magical signature sample… which Sunset should have thought would not be the case, as humans did not believe in magic.

“Perhaps this can help?” Luna said as she produced a small card of her own.

The woman looked at Luna, and her smile returned to her face. “Oh, Vice Principal Luna! It’s been a long time, hasn’t it? The job has kept you quite busy, I imagine. Though not enough to prevent you from helping young minds willing to learn, I see. Yes, I can register you as a tutor quite easily.”

“Thank you, Dusty Pages.”

The process of issuing the library card took around five minutes indeed. Dusty Pages took a photograph of Sunset, typed something on the typewriter look-alike, and another machine printed Sunset’s card almost immediately. The process had been only slightly longer than in a regular Equestrian library.

With her new card in her pocket, Sunset began her search for the best books that would teach her whatever humans had developed in terms of science. Luna was a big help, of course, as she was well acquainted with the topics, and it only took a few minutes for Sunset to carry a small stack of books towards one of the public desks. She brought out her notebook and her pen and got ready to read.

“I’ll be in the fiction area if you need me,” Luna announced, then left Sunset alone with her studies.

To Sunset’s surprise, human mathematics was so advanced that she had trouble wrapping her head around it. That, and she struggled to find practical applications. Maybe she could interview experts in the subject for that. The study of physics was something that surprised Sunset even more. Unable to use magic to manipulate the laws of physics, they had instead studied them so thoroughly that their understanding was beyond what Sunset had ever expected, even after reading Celestia’s encyclopedias. With this kind of knowledge, Sunset could revolutionize Equestria to a degree never before seen.

“Excuse me,” a voice said, rudely distracting Sunset from her notes. She turned around and found a human girl looking at her from behind thick glasses, with her hands on her hips and a big frown.

“What?” Sunset said, already angry at being interrupted.

“You’re damaging the books,” the girl stated.

“I’m doing no such thing.”

The girl pointed an accusing finger at Sunset. “Then what are you doing writing with your mouth?”

Sunset blinked, then looked down at the pencil between her lips. She grabbed it with a hand and lowered it, then glared back at the girl. “What’s it to you how I write? I’m taking notes in my notebook, not in the books.”

The girl, however, didn’t relent. “You could accidentally get drool on them. Those are public books, you know? People besides you read them. The idea of holding a book stained with someone else’s drool is gross.”

A flare of anger erupted in Sunset’s stomach. She stood up, finding that the girl was half a head shorter than her. “I’ll have you know I do not drool when I write. And I always take care not to damage books.”

Crossing her arms, the girl lifted an eyebrow and pursed her lips. “Well, I have no way of knowing that, now do I? I’ll have to let Missus Dusty Pages know and have you kicked out.”

“Hah! Do you even know who I am?” Sunset said, then immediately closed her mouth. Of course the girl wouldn’t know. They weren’t in Equestria anymore, which meant Sunset had no authority nor even her own earned reputation.

“I know you’re probably here begrudgingly working on a school project or another, wanting to finish as quickly as possible, and have no regard whatsoever about the library or the books or even other people who want to read those books.” And with that, the girl spun on her heels and began her way towards the front desk.

Sunset bit her lip. According to Luna, this was the city’s largest library by far. If she got kicked out, Sunset would have a much harder time studying human technology. She gritted her teeth, pushing her pride back, working through the remaining feeling of humiliation.

“Wait,” she said, and the girl stopped, turning her head to look at her. “I’m not damaging the books, but I can see why you’d think that. I was taught to write with my mouth, and only yesterday I started learning to use my hands, so I’m still not used to it.”

The girl lifted an eyebrow and looked Sunset up and down. “Are you… serious?”

“Yes,” Sunset said. Of course, she had concealed the fact she hadn’t needed to use her mouth for writing since she learned levitation.

“Alright…” The girl said slowly. “I… I’m sorry about that… But, really, you shouldn’t be using your mouth to write. You could also hurt yourself.”

“Sure,” Sunset said through her teeth. “Well, if that’s everything, I must return to my research.” She sat back down. However, she noticed that the girl hadn’t left. Sunset held back a sigh and turned her head to her again. “What now?”

The girl fidgeted, and a light blush appeared on her cheeks. “Well, you said you’re doing some research, but you have books on very different topics. I was just wondering what kind of research you were doing.”

Sunset shook her head. “You wouldn’t believe me, and I’d rather you not look at me like I’m crazy.” She had enough of that back at Celestia and Luna’s apartment. Even if they accepted that Sunset was from another world, which they had to since they had seen the portal with their own eyes, they still refused to believe that magic existed in this world.

“Why would I think you’re crazy?”

Sunset sighed. Well, she supposed that one more human looking at her funny was a small price to pay in order to continue uninterrupted. “I want to prove that this world does indeed possess a Harmonic Veil, but I need to understand your technology and scientific progress if I want to be able to build a machine to properly study it.”

“What’s a Harmonic Veil?”

Right. Humans didn’t even know that much. “To put it simply, the Harmonic Veil is nature’s own magical energy. It envelops the entire world, but not quite evenly, as it ripples and folds in certain places, creating zones where there’s a larger amount of magical energy. It can be interacted with by magically powered individuals or artifacts to create a myriad of effects, but it also can interact with the world and with individuals on its own. One of those ways is through Harmonic Resonance, though you humans call it Abrupt Melodic Impulse. When I learned of this, I knew there was a Harmonic Veil, but apparently you refuse to call it magic. My research, thus, aims to prove the existence of magic through the study of Harmonic Resonance.” She took a breath as she finished her explanation.

“You think magic is real?” The girl said. There was no mockery in her voice, but there was indeed clear disbelief.

“I know so,” Sunset said with a deadpan. “But anyway, I don’t care if you don’t believe me. Once I prove it, you’ll have to change your opinion.”

“Wait, hold on,” the girl insisted, eliciting a groan from Sunset that went unnoticed. “You think the Abrupt Melodic Impulse is actually a result of magic?”

“Like I said, I don’t think so. I know so,” Sunset replied. “If you’ve ever experienced it, surely you’ve felt it course through your body, drawn to your feelings, empowering them until you just had to sing. Surely you’ve realized that, no matter how bad you are at karaoke, your voice is always in perfect tune and pitch when you Resonate. You people want to explain it as a mere hallucination or something, but how then can you explain the perfection of your voice during that one moment?”

The girl cocked her head and looked up, humming as she considered Sunset’s words. “You know, I’m not an expert on Abrupt Melodic—”

“Harmonic Resonance,” Sunset corrected.

“... that,” the girl continued. “I’m not an expert, but I have noticed what you mention. I think it’s just such a natural part of life that I never really gave it a second thought, like how I breathe or how my heart beats.”

Sunset blinked. “Wait… You’re actually considering whether what I’m saying is true?”

“Well, the existence of magic does sound farfetched, but it is true that no one has been able to properly explain the root cause of Abrupt… I mean, Harmonic Resonance… Uhm… But I have a question. What does that have to do with all these books about physics and mathematics? If you claim it’s magic, then science…”

“Magic is scientific,” Sunset said, repeating what she had told Luna the day before. “If I can understand how your technology works, then I may be able to build a machine that properly detects the Harmonic Veil, and from there I’ll be able to interact with it and explain how it works with physical proof.”

The girl nodded absentmindedly. “But how are you so sure about all this? I mean, you sound like you’ve been able to prove it before…”

“I’m from another world where we use the Harmonic Veil’s magic energy on a daily basis,” Sunset explained, lifting a finger. “Though I can’t say if the reason you humans can’t feel it is simply because you’re not as sensitive to magic, or because the Harmonic Veil in this world is much thinner. I should be able to study this as soon as I can detect it.”

“You’re from another world?” The girl asked. “Are you…”

“Yes, I’m serious,” Sunset said. “If you’re going to ask that every single time I tell you something, then I don’t see the point in telling you anything else.”

“Wait,” the girl said. “You say that, how was it? Harmonic Resonance? You said that it’s a phenomenon byproduct of the magical interaction between people and the, uh… Veil?”

Sunset raised an eyebrow. “That’s on very simple terms, but yes.”

“And how do you intend to prove it?”

“That’s exactly what I’m trying to figure out,” Sunset said. “A woman Resonated near me a week ago, and I could feel it just the same as I could back in my world. That means it’s real, but me being a human too means I cannot interact with the Harmonic Veil anymore, so I need to find a way to detect the Resonance's waves, and from there… Well, I guess I’ll need to do a lot of experimentation.”

The girl stared at her for a moment. “You’re… not human?”

Sunset looked at the ceiling for a second. “No more questions. I already told you too much. This research is mine, now go away.”

However, the girl remained standing there. “I want to help.”

“No.”

“I know a lot about technology,” the girl offered. “Even though I’m just eleven, I’ve already been offered to skip grades and a scholarship to Crystal Prep Academy, though my parents want me to go through middle school anyway. I’m sure I can be of use!”

“No,” Sunset repeated. “I’m not sharing credit for this research with anyone.”

“I don’t want credit,” the girl insisted, stepping towards Sunset. “I just want to know. If what you say is true, then it will revolutionize the world, and by working alongside you, I could simply take whatever you publicize and immediately use it to advance progress or to create practical applications! It would get me into any college I’d want! Heck, I could even open my own research facilities! The dream of any scientist!”

Sunset was about to reject the girl again, but something about her little speech gave her pause. She just wanted to understand and study and do even more research. Just like Sunset herself when she had first started studying magic. And, well, she had to admit that having someone who understood human technology would be a great boon to shorten her research time.

“You won’t get any credit,” Sunset said, causing the girl to smile. “And you won’t pester me about your lack of belief in magic. This is magical research, and you constantly questioning everything I say will only drag me down and I’ll be forced to kick you out.”

The girl nodded firmly. “Understood. I’ll keep my opinions to myself.”

“And lastly…” Sunset bit her lower lip as she glanced at her stack of books. “I’ll need a crash course on… well everything about technology.”

“I can help you with that! I actually created my own syllabus back in first grade after I learned the school’s one during my first week. It should bring you all the way to high school level in only a couple of months… Well, depending on your current level, which I don’t know.”

Sunset considered it. “Sure, let’s give it a try.”

“Great! You can come over to my house if you want. My parents will be very happy if I bring a friend along!”

Sunset cringed at the word friend, but she supposed she could use this human girl to her advantage. As long as she made herself useful, Sunset could pretend to be her friend. After all, Sunset didn’t intend to stay in this world any longer than necessary, and she didn’t really care what the girl chose to do once Sunset was gone.

“I’ll ask Luna to take me there,” Sunset said.

That made the girl light up. “My BBBFF is waiting for me in the comics section! I’ll go ask him if I can have you over!” She was halfway down the hallway when she stopped, then returned and, with her face now a deep shade of red, she spoke again. “Uhm.. What's your name again?”

“Sunset Shimmer.”

The girl offered Sunset her hand. “I’m Twilight Sparkle. Nice to meet you.”

Reluctantly, Sunset grabbed the hand and gave it a light squeeze. “Sure.”

Author's Note:

A wild Twilight has appeared!

On another note, as you could notice with this chapter, there's going to be a lot of magical theory in this fanfic. I've done my best to sprinkle it and reiterate on it just enough not to feel like too much, but that it's easy to understand and remember.

All comments are welcome!

Comments

[JzanderN]

Sunset's not seeing that if we did find out magic actually existed and figured out how it worked, we'd just call it something else scientific. Magic will always be used to refer to something fictional.

[Junior14]

I'm liking it more and more.

[FanOfMostEverything]

This is the beginning of a beautiful friendship, even if neither friend would choose to describe it that way. Also, loving the magibabble. Internally consistent magical systems are always a delight to experience. Looking forward to seeing what these two can teach each other, and how meeting each other this early in their lives alters the course of their futures.

(Also, I kind of hope the Celestias begin writing to one another. It'd be good not just for Sunset but for them.)