The Unfortunate Strife at Sun Crest Cliff
By Short Quill
The luminescent sun lit up the evening sky in a long, expanding vastness of orange space. Through the air a slight breeze blew softly and gently across the grassy green hill side that was Sun Crest Cliff.
Yet as all was silent and serene; as birds happily perched themselves upon the solitary tree that stood at the cliff; as the grass lazily swayed amidst the summer day, there was an air of tension looming surely about the serenity.
For soon the most unfortunate strife would unfold.
The most gracious hazel nut figure of Shimmer Set stood looking out to the horizon. Her mane listed about in the wind, swirling like the cream it was so colored after. From the outside she seemed like the picture of peace, but inside was growing an increasing anxiety and something more.
Her sunset eyes opened with a start as the quiet around her was broken by trespasser behind her. From afar approached the sturdy and experienced white pony, Steadfast Shield. His charcoal mane betrayed his emerald eyes, glistening in the sun. His grizzled face smiled, the sun showing the devastating scar that ran across his lower cheek. As the earthpony drew closer it was apparent that he was trotting towards Shimmer Set.
"Steadfast," she gasped. "But I thought that you had died in the war."
"A fool's blunder, my beloved, for I yet live."
"Steadfast," she continued, but warily. "There is something I must tell you…"
Before she could reveal her secret, however, another figure came about the scene. There came a dashingly dressed unicorn, his handsome light fur and mane shown in the evening glow.
"Shimmer, my darling, I've come for our picnic." His eyes settled on Steadfast Shield. "Who is this?"
"'Darling,'" questioned Steadfast. "Watch your tongue, stranger, for that is my betrothed you speak to."
The unicorn's eyes betrayed confusion. "I'm sorry, but I, Regal Raiment, do believe that she is my love."
Steadfast's felt the pinch of betrayal as he turned to Shimmer Set. "My Sun, you would have relations with this twig of a pony?"
Regal felt offended by such words. "I assure you sir, I am no twig. I am the highest member among my peers in the arts of sword battle."
"Are you now?" Steadfast brandished his blade. "Care to prove that?"
Regal readied his own sword. "I dare say I do, cur."
"Enough of your dribble. Have at you!"
"No, please don't," Shimmer swooned as the battle commenced.
It was all for naught though, as both fell to each other's blade. Shimmer Set ran to each of their chiseled bodies, tears running down from her eyes.
"Oh why have I been so forsaken? For one was the love of my life, and the other was that who gave me my now growing seed. And now he will never get to see his brave, brave fathers, and I will be not of husband."
And so the sun sets over the unfortunate strife of Sun Crest Cliff.
But soon the ground shook like that of a mighty earthquake and some manner of beast was rising up straight from the bottom of the ocean. Shimmer looked upon the gargantuous fright as it soon dawned on her what it was. The great monster was non-other than the Sunflower of Sun Crest Cliff, said only to be a tale told to scare young foals into behaving. It's sharp teeth bare and claws at the ready it charged for the poor pegasus.
With only the sight of two swords by her hooves she quickly made haste for battle. Her wings expanded and she flew upward, narrowly dodging the creature's jagged jaw. Rounding back for its yellow head, she drove one of the blades straight into its eye. The great beast bellowed a roar of pain, swiping for the pegasus as it moved its free hand to yank the embedded sword out of its eye.
But Shimmer Set will not let such a thing recover and quickly flew high. Sword at the ready, heart racing with courage, she plunged downward with the blade, slashing right down the middle of the dreaded evil.
The entire flower split in half and from it poured out streams of lemonade, freshly made with the attention and care of a goddess. The most heavenly looking drink made Shimmer green with envy and she madly dove to sample such delicious delight.
As she indulged herself in the wonderful drink, a heavenly body rose for the remains of the sun flower. Seeing as the pegasus was distracted, it spoke to get her attention.
"Excuse me, ma'am."
Shimmer snapped herself out of her trance and looked towards the mighty being. She gasped as she laid eyes upon the divine being that was Princess Toothbrushtia.
"Hi, I need to get to the train station before morning. Could you point me to where it is. I have to get there so I can be on time for a meeting with the Turnip men to discuss this year's fiscal quarter."
Shimmer, seeing herself in such an unfitting state, quickly readjusted herself and bowed to the mighty toothbrush.
"It would be my honor, your greatness."
"Thanks," Toothbruhstia said. "Hey do you need help with something, by the way? I'd feel bad about not giving you anything in return for helping me."
Shimmer looked back to the corpses of her two beloveds. They had already began decomposing in such a short notice, to the point where only bones remained. A dog quickly jumped from the tree and snatched one of the bones in its jaw and ran off.
"No, I'm fine," said Shimmer as she happily led Toothbrushtia to the nearest train station. "By the way, what's the purpose to our existence?"
"Oh," Toothbrustia said, happily obliging. "Nothing, really. I was bored one day and made all of you for fun.
"Okay then, your graciousness" said Shimmer.
And they all lived happily ever after.
THE END