"It's time to start this training right."
Celestia walked about Sunset's room with dozens of books and tomes flying through the air at intense speeds. The young thief sat at her desk unamused but still engaged with what was happening. She did not say anything to the princess and simply watched with vague interest.
The morning light shined on the Princess of the Sun as she read each passing tome's title. The books after inspection would go into two piles: one next to Sunset's desk and the other in a far off corner. The one further away was a much larger pile and growing much more rapid than the one by the thief. However, both piles were of considerable size.
"You'll read this. You can skip that. This'll be a good read. I like this one. I...Oh my, how did this get in here?" Celestia's cheeks went red and she put a pink and black book in the further pile.
"Heh, now I'm curious what that book was," Sunset chuckled.
"Only when you're older," Celestia replied quickly. And maybe not even then.
"You're seriously having me read all these books?" Sunset gestured at the pile next to her, which was at least three taller than her.
"You have plenty of free time."
"You mean no free time, right?"
Celestia looked away from the line of books floating around her. "Well, I must keep you doing something. Idle hooves are Discord's playground, as they say. If I just let you wander about with nothing to do, you may do something ill advised. Keeping your eyes in a book will keep your hooves from stealing something or hurting somepony."
"Hurt? I've only bruised a couple of lazy guards..."
"That's not the tale my maid told me this morning. Her whole tail was burned off."
"She...got in the way," Sunset rolled her eyes.
"And that's why you still have the anti-magic device on your horn. When you actually become responsible, maybe I'll let you go about without it."
Sunset raised a brow. "I'm responsible."
Celestia started to giggle uncontrollably. "Oh! That's a good one. I'm glad you have a sense of humor."
"I'm being serious, jerk," Sunset snarled.
"That makes it even more hilarious."
"Ugh! You don't know anything about me. What am I to you, some experiment? You say that I'm a pony, well then treat me like one. You belittle me! You treat me like I'm an inferior. Just last night you slept on the floor for me, now you do this? Did the last thousand years turn you into a slim-ridden hypocrite? If I didn't have my sick magic, you would have thrown me straight into prison without a thought! You even tried playing games with me before I burned your self-righteous flank! I'm not some stupid burglar! I didn't choose to be one, you know! It's not my fault I gotta go out there and make money! It's not my fault that I wasn't born wealthy! It's not my fault I'm not an alicorn princess that can get everything she wants because she looks pretty! You sit in this palace and believe the world likes you. You think your nation is a perfect utopia because you have a crown on your head. Have you ever been hurt? Have you ever suffered? I doubt it! You don't know how it is to lose someone. Because of you, life sucks out there in the city! Canterlot's my home and I never left it once. It's not a forgiving place. If you think that I'm some dumb thief that thinks she can steal whatever she wants, I'm not! I'm nothing but a consequence of this city's poor management!"
Sunset stopped her shrieking and started to breath loudly, her red face was only now starting to go back to its normal color. Celestia was not even looking at the thief. She was actually looking down at her hoof like there was a spot on it that needed removing. After a little moment, she finally looked up at the unicorn.
"Are you done?" she asked with complete disinterest.
"I can't believe you..." Sunset muttered with hatred.
"I heard every word you said. I'll dissect it all later. Right now is not the time to get emotional breakdowns. While you went on your little tantrum, I sorted out all the books. That pile next to you shall be the beginning of your training. There's much more in those books than mere magic lessons, so read carefully and destroy nothing. If you had been enrolled in the school, we would not need all this, but this is the route we must take."
Celestia turned around but stopped to look back over her shoulder. "One more thing, never ever say that I haven't suffered." With that, she shook her head and left the room, leaving a still steaming Sunset Shimmer staring at the closed door.
"Sunset, hold yourself better than that. It helps your posture and well, your back."
"Just take this thing off me!" Sunset growled.
"Alright, here we go," Celestia smiled.
The two were in the basement of the palace. The basement was a large, mainly unfinished part of stone and debris. It was deep in the mountain that the city of Canterlot rested on. It was dull and severely neglected, but it served the perfect purpose for what the two ponies were doing.
Celestia placed her hooves (which were lacking her regalia) on the anti-magic device. Carefully, she undid the small straps and unlocked it with a key she was levitating. The enchanted crystal within the device that created havoc for unicorn concentration was promptly removed from the leather straps and the device was removed completely.
Without a moment's breath, Sunset instantly charged up a fire spell and shot it at Celestia. The princess nonchalantly raised a shield over her and deflected the flames with graceful ease. Sunset kept the flames circling the bubble shield but then relaxed, letting the fire fade quickly in the air.
"So predictable," Celestia said when she lowered her shield. "Did you really think I wasn't expecting that?"
"I knew you were expecting it, I was hoping you weren't."
"Well, too bad. You'll actually hit me some time," Celestia giggled. "So, what do you think of this place?"
Sunset looked about without a frown. "It's kinda dull."
"Perfect place, no?"
"For what? I feel like this is a place where serial killers leave their bodies to decorate or something."
Celestia sat down and gestured at the vastness of the basement. "Actually, this used to be a crystal mine. You see, greedy unicorns found out that this mountain housed millions of crystals and gems. It was the jackpot of jackpots. It's one of the reasons Canterlot was made on the side of this mountain. Each gleaming crystal was so valuable that a whole city could thrive here despite the terrible trade routes and the isolation from the valleys below. Anyway, unicorns dug and dug deeper into the mountain. They ran the caves dry within a century. So now there are hundreds of caves like this one, abandoned and empty. About forty years ago, I decided to attach this mine to the palace and restore it somewhat. I thought it would be a shelter for an attack by a dragon or something. We never got around to using it."
"That doesn't explain why we're here though..."
"Do you think you can burn or break anything here?"
"Heck no. It's just rock and concrete."
"Precisely. I dissected your rant from this morning and decided that you have plenty of built-up anger within you,"
"Ya don't say?" Sunset said sarcastically.
"I do say!" Celestia chuckled. "Thus, this basement or mine shall be where you can let it all out. There's no guards here. No maids, or snoopy servants to hear us or judge us. You can be you. I can be me. You may not know this, but I wear a mask of seriousness and composure when I am in public. You know my playful side and my sarcastic one too. Now, I know you where a mask too. A mask of false bravado and a sort of tough persona. You can be the actual Sunset here. I'll allow you to come here whenever you want. You can mediate, you can sleep, and you can dream here. This is your palace."
"If it's my palace, why are you here?" Sunset was still displeased.
"At least have some gratitude. Why I am here is because of your anger. I can be rude at times. In my age, it's sometimes a problem. Here, you can burn nothing. So, you can attack me here and let off...hehe...steam. We can even practice combat magic here. Now, this will also benefit me, because I don't trust you. I expect you to burn my flank when I'm not looking. If I get burned, it shall be my fault for not being on my guard. Now, if you attack me anywhere but here, you will be punished still. How are those rules?"
"I think I'm liking where this is going..."
Wow, a positive thought, how quaint. "Good. Now we-"
While Celestia talked, Sunset charged another spell and fired it at the princess. Like the first, Celestia raised a bubble shield to deflect the laser that ricocheted and blew a stone to small bits. Smoke was floating from the thief's horn and she smiled with satisfaction.
"You can do better than that," Celestia taunted. "Fire away."
Sunset listened and fired again. The princess casually deflected that spell as well and the one that followed soon after. The young unicorn fired again and again, sometimes flames, sometimes lasers, sometimes other offensive spells. Even as she grew tired, she kept launching the spells. She began to pant and cast one last fireball before lowering her head with fatigue.
"Feel better?" Celestia asked.
"Yeah...Yeah I do..." she panted.
"I'm glad. This will also help take the energy out of you. Perhaps you'll study better when all your anger and energy are out of you. Since we've gone over everything to go over, I welcome you to your part of the palace."
"Can I name it?"
"Of course."
"The Cave."
Celestia frowned. "That's not very imaginative."
Sunset stroked her chin. "Well fine. The...cave? The big cave...The large cave....The rock cave, stone cave..."
"'The Cave' is just fine," Celestia interrupted.
"It's not just any kind of cave, but it's my cave, I like that," the thief nodded.
"I see. I give you one thing and you think you're a queen."
"Thank you," she replied with a sincere tone.
"What?" Celestia blinked. "Do you actually mean that?"
"Yes. I like it. It's pretty empty, but it's quiet and not full of royal stuff. I can see me coming here often."
"Well then, you're indeed welcome, young one. I hope it serves you well. If everything goes as planned, you'll be in this palace for quite a while and you'll probably need this place."
Sunset's eyes turned to pinpricks at Celestia's words. "I can't stay here for a long time! I gotta get out of here!"
What now? "Sunset?"
The thief gasped and ran for the exit of the basement. Not bothering to stop her, Celestia sighed. The guards will stop her. With the unicorn gone and about to get apprehended once more, the princess sat down on the cold stone in the deep quietness of the former mine. She still is keeping secrets. I'll pry them from her soon enough. If she wants to be any happier, she'll have to tell them to me.
"She's beyond some selfish need to leave, there's something else out there. By the Stars, she's acting like Luna did all those years ago. Every time I asked, she would leave, every time I pry, she would curse me. Dear Sister, I was a fool in my handling of your despair, now I must handle hers. She needs something you did not have. She needs friends."
I get the feeling that Sunset will be friendless until Twilight blasts her with the EoH. I give her props for trying to help Sunset but hindsight is 20/20. I wonder why not just let Sunset run with a "gem" and track her to see why she needs the jem.
7108528 "You'll find out why that's not such a good idea."
7108582
I eagerly await to find out why!
I know, the book is for Cadance!
7108696 "Was for Cadance."
7108582 Meh, This story's Celestia aggravates me. I feel that Sunset has a point. I'm hoping she will show Celestia up eventually.
7108717
hmm, did Celestia meet Sunset before Celestia met Cadance?
7108725 No matter what, one would not like my Celestia. Can't please them all. If I make her too harsh, some complain, if I make her too nice, others complain, if I make her too silly, still someone finds something to say.
I just hope that you will see that both characters are flawed and maybe even trying to help each other in some way. It's not about one winning over the other, it's about them becoming friends. And really? You say this AFTER Celestia gives Sunset this gift?
7108735 in this story, yes.
7108750 Be as that may, I wish Celestia wouldn't be so controlling. All I'm saying is that Celestia was acting a bit arrogant at parts in this chapter. Take away from that what you will. Also I am enjoying the story overall.
7108776 Well, you probably won't be cheering for Sunset by the end.
7108582 Please let this be an AU. I don't think me heart can take the heartache.
Hmmm...I didn't expect Sunset to break down so suddenly. If felt a bit out of character but...it had to happen eventually. As for Celestia, she seems really manipulative here...but that's how I usually see Celestia as. Interesting chapter, can't wait for more.
7108838 nope, not an AU. It already doesn't really connect with the Sunset Shimmer comic, but it's gonna be similar.
7108840 manipulative how? What and been going on was not working and they both knew it. All this is is a change of plans.
I am looking forward to a sunset and cadence interaction in the future along with other stuff that ponies will misunderstand with the sudden appearance of a new alicorn along with sunsets lack of formal manners towards Celestia.
7108899 It just felt...Celestia was stringing her along in this. But I see Celestia that way in the canon anyways.
Though I also see her wanting to train Twilight differently. Like this: Here. That's also manipulative if you think about it.
Does Celestia knows that pyromancers and caves are not a good idea? When Sunset will cast some significant fire spell, she`ll die from suffocation because fire burn all oxygen in closed area. Its a good way to get rid of Sunset.
Sunset says to her face that the ponies are suffering in the city. Celestia shows no caring about what is wrong in her city.
Maybe Sunset would make a better princess...
:)
7109097 That's assuming there is something to burn. Does a flame that literally comes from nothing have smoke? Even a flamethrower has fumes and stuff, but what about a magical flame. Huh.
7109328 Maybe there is more going on than meets the eye and Celestia is very good at telling truth from fiction.
7109097 Except for the mention of being used as a shelter in case of dragon attack, I would agree. But Celestia is smart enough to consider that if they were sheltering inside, hot smoke would be coming in. And in that case, one would take advantage of the fire to leave air vents at the top and intakes at the bottom. The former too high for Sunset to reach, the latter too small for her to exit through.
I really doubt Celestia has suffered. I'm deadly serious about this statement.
7109358 but, the smoke will still linger a bit more because of no wind and stuff. So it'll be fine unless Sunset decides to have a bonfire in there.
7109360 of course you do. What is your bias against her? Losing a family member is tough and having to live like it never happened is even harder. I know this from personal experience. Celestia sees some Luna in Sunset and she doesn't want it to end the same way.
All you guys are quick to judge Celestia, yet not the stubborn thief. Well, I hope it doesn't last.
7109385
"Lost a family member"? Oh my god!! Did Luna died!? Wait... She didn't. Nope, she didn't lose Luna. You only truly lose someone when that person dies. Sure, Luna went to the dark-side but that's Celestia fault. I wouldn't dislike Celestia if she tried to do something about it, but she didn't. In the show she sends Twilight to solve freakin' erverything. Okay, I get it, it's a couple of lessons and trials that Twilight must do to reach her destiny.
HOWEVER!
There's a time to teach and let your students learn by their own experiences, but there's always the time to act! In the season 2 finale and season 5 finale Celestia tries to do something fails MISERABLY! Okay, she have her limits, but to put all your hopes that things will follow your so beloved plan is utterly stupidity! Having faith in someone's triumph is a sign of trust, yet you always have to be ready to do something if whoever you believe in falls. And Celestia wasn't ready for none of the events that hapenned.
I'm not saying she's lazy or useless, nor that Celestia should be perfect. But that she should think more carefully about erveything. And be ready to deal with HER PROBLEMS. Luna is Celestia's problem. Not Twilight's, not Sunset's, heck, that's not even the Elements' problem.
AND, SPEAKING ABOUT THE SEASON 2 FINALE!
I can't believe the oh so smart solar princess fell to that bug queen's ridiculous scheme. I mean it was like she didn't know her own so called niece! For crying out loud, how long does she know Cadance and Twilight!? The only time Twilight "really needed her help", she pushes her oh so precious student away. AND DOESN'T EVEN PROPERLY APOLOGISES WHEN THEWORST HAPPENS!
Now, let's speak about Sunset.
Why I don't judge her so quickly? That's simple. My friend, does ANYONE BORN DESIRING POWER? NO! At some point of her life gaining more power become something so important that completely blinded her... And yet, we have no official story about how Sunset lost her way. No explanation why power become the only thing she believed in, no explanation why turning into an alicorn was her only goal, no explanation WHY being the best was so important for her.
At the end of EQG 1 Sunset admits that she didn't know that there was another way and in "Right There in Front of Me" (EQG 3 end song) Sunset sings: "There was a I time I didn't know where I belonged. I thought I need more. And that I couldn't get along". If this isn't evidence that she is/was misguided, then I don't know what this should mean.
Sure, I believe Celestia had tried to help Sunset. But the thing is: Like Twilight thought that not having a friendship report for her mentor spelled the end of her studies, So, I have the feeling that Sunset at some point thought she was failing Celestia, because her teacher won't advance her studies, so begins the quest to make Celestia acknowledges her. The way she does it? The only way she knows: Acquiring more power. Or. After meeting a pegasus that got turned into in a alicorn, she becomes enraged because all her hard work aparently meant anything, then she went mad.
Of course, those are only a few theories. I could be deadly wrong. But I don't care. I want to find out Sunset's past and that's the reason why it's easier to judge Celestia. We know her, we have information and evidance that she's a little manipulative, heck, your very story implies she have second thoughts about Sunset, while you are hiding information about Sunset.
WITH ALL THAT SAID!
To say I hate Celestia isn't right. But it's true that I don't like her. I want to know more about Sunset and you didn't give me (neither Hasbro Studios) a reason to not be insterested in her as a character, since (in your story) she seems to be worried about something, if not someone. Also, Celestia doesn't seem to be able to understand what her subjects go through erveryday, or at least she doesn't show if she cares or not, but that's not bad, since no one can fully understand one another, that's why we say we can relate to one another. Aka: Empathy.
*Sigh* I hope I made my point clear and that I didn't offended you my friend in way possible. Please, keep writing this story, let's see how this is going to end.
P.S.: I've lost people in my life too, okay? And by that I mean they died. My grandparents passed away as I was growing, my little brother barely remeber my grandmother and he never met my grandfather. Two very good friends of mine died because of terminal disease, but that's life. Death is a part of life. We just have to keep going. And that's why the thing I hate the most is immortality.
7112505 This story will not get into Equestria Girls. This is about what led to those events (and the mistakes both the teacher and the student commit).
If Celestia was perfect in her treatment of Sunset, then Sunset would not have ran away like she did.
Celestia does find amusement in teaching Sunset, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. You would have to admit that trying to teach someone that is not your own can be tiring, frustrating, and aggravating. She has chosen Sunset because she doesn't want such magical talent to go to waste. That's the main reason, everything else is bonus to her.
Actually, stone and concrete can burn, you just need to get the fire hot enough. So, with enough dedication, Sunset can bore a passage out of the mines (and that's assuming this mine has only one way out to begin with ...)
Whelp, we can see where Sunset learns her arrogance, manipulation and abuse of power from. When you add in her short temper and preference for solving every problem with Fire, it'll probably get pretty nasty in the end.
Hopefully Celestia will learn a few things from interacting with Sunny that will help her be a better pony, because it's looking like Sunset will be following in her cannon counterpart's hoofsteps
7112538 You'll find out why. It's pretty specific.
7108899 Will you make a sequel then?
7113331 I doubt I'll need one.
7113350 Please? Alicorn Sunset Shimmer? So few of those.
7113467 Um, this is the setup for Equestria Girls. Nothing after that.
7113494 Damn it. It shall end in tears. But I'm talking about her returning to Equestria.
7113815 I probably won't get to that. Time issues in real life.
7113860 NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! SAD THINGS!
7112525 Well, you're doing a good job of showing how it all came apart .
Celestia means well, but seriously, you'd have to work to find a worse way to "reform" someone as hostile as Sunset ...
That's actually a pretty smart move. One little problem solved (taking care of Sunset's anger, at least partially).
Now for the million other things that Celestia believes have to be addressed.
Sunbutt stop fighting with sunbutt.
I didn't mind Celestia before but this fan fiction really really makes me hate her. I understand now why Twilight feared her so much. It's sick. But I'll keep reading anyway cause this really good regardless.
I think your writing could use work. For example:
There are no guards here.
"Did you really think I wasn't expecting that?"
Also, your Celestia seems to have very few filters in private. This would work a lot better if she'd quit all the expository vocalizing regarding her plans.
P.S.
Celestia is behaving rather stupidly. You can't just give someone friends, they have to make them for themselves. Luna's problem, unless you explain otherwise, wasn't a lack of ponies to interact with.
I'm sorry to say, but I can't get into this story. The general idea might be interesting, but the thing that stands out the most to me as I look at this is that Celestia is OOC. The dialogue and reactions just aren't her.