Dan

Another little oneshot, hope you guys enjoy.
"Are you sure you're ready to go back to Equestria, Sunset?"
>Sunset turned back around, her eyes trying to imprint everything she could of this world
>Her life here, the good and the bad
>There seemed to be more bad than good, but that was alright
>She would leave soon, and the portal would be closed
>It was too dangerous to leave it open any longer, if anymore magic leaked out the consequences could be disastrous
>Sunset knew, perhaps subconsciously, that this day would arrive, and that she would have to make a choice
>She just didn't know it would happen so soon
>Sunset had refrained from telling her friends, they would try to get her to stray. Try to get her to be something she was not.
>Human.
>Twilight was waiting patiently in front of the portal for her, letting her take her time to remember
>Just to remember
>Sunset looked down, surprised when she noticed the little orange tabby that had become so familiar
>A little thing, barely bigger than her boots
>It lived in an alleyway she walked by all the time, and every time she saw it she gave it something to eat
>The cat had taken an instant liking to her
>He followed her nearly everywhere now
>He was also one of the few things she would miss the most
>Sunset bent down to rest on her knees, letting the cat rest his paws on her thighs
>It was sniffing her again, rubbing up against her and simply enjoying her presence
>His master
>But, more importantly, his very best friend
"I'm sorry, little guy."
>Sunset spoke, loud enough for the cat but too soft for Twilight
"I really did like you."
>She ran her hand through his scruffy fur
>He purred at the contact, resting his upper body fully on her thighs now
>Sunset smiled down at him, vaguely aware of the tears that stung at her eyes
"You know I never did give you a name, did I?"
>The cat seemed to know what she was saying, as he stared up at her expectantly
"How about... Dan"
>Dan purred contentedly at the name, nuzzling the hand that was scratching behind his ears
"We have to go Sunset, before the portal closes."
>Sunset nodded, standing up and pushing Dan off of her lap.
"Stay here, Dan, and try not to get in too much trouble, silly cat."
>Dan wound his way through her legs, softly purring before slinking off
>Sunset watched as the cat hopped up onto the horse statue's plinth
>He was looking down at them, almost as a guard, his vibrant green eyes peering at them in interest
"Goodbye Dan... Tell my friends I said goodbye, will you? I... I can't do it. I'm sorry."
>Sunset stepped through the portal after Twilight, wiping her tears with the sleeve of her leather jacket.
>Dan stood guard, unmoving over his master's and best friend's home.
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>Time passed, and, with it, Dan aged
>He was almost universally regarded as a constant by the school
>Never wavering from his position, guarding the Horse Statue
>Still and silent as a statue, the cat never moved from the plinth
>Dan hadn't moved, waiting for his master's return
>Waiting
>Even when his muzzle turned gray, and his eyes dulled, he waited for the one he loved the most
>The one who loved him first
>His master did not return, and he had closed his eyes for good long before the portal ever opened again
>Such was the life of Dan the Cat, beloved protector of the Stone Statue and the once-companion to Sunset Shimmer