Setting Sunburst

by lola2901

Chapter One

“Your highness?” Sunburst said as he approached, clearing his throat. He looked up hesitantly as he spoke, chewing his lip. “May I speak with you please?”

Celestia lowered the paper’s she’d been reading, offering a smile. “Please, Sunburst, just Celestia will do.”

“Right-of course your high-Celestia,” he corrected himself, nodding absentmindedly.

She paused, raising her eyebrows. “You seem quieter than usual. Is everything alright, Sunburst?”

He hesitated, looking to the guards that stood to each of the princess’s sides. “Do you think we could maybe have this conversation in private?” he asked. His voice broke slightly on those last words, even as he did his best to keep his emotions in check.

Celestia paused, raising her eyebrows. She nodded to the guards, motioning for them to leave. “If you’ll please leave us? Thank you,” she said politely. She waited patiently for them to leave the throne room before turning her attention back to Sunburst. “We’re alone, now. Would you care to explain?” she asked gently.

Sunburst chewed on his lip, taking a long deep breath. He tried to think of anything else they’d need to do first, anything else to talk about first. But there were no more excuses to make, no more ways to push it off. “I was studying and reading, and I came across a spell. It’s a really difficult one, and I’m not sure I’m powerful enough to cast it myself.”

His mentor paused, clearly curious and concerned. “Well I’m sure it’s something you could learn with practice. What spell is it?”

He took a deep breath, trying to figure out how to explain, how to explain the favor he wanted. “It’s the-the gender swap spell. The permanent one designed by Haycart?”

Celestia’s concern melted into understanding, and she gave him a sympathetic smile. “I... see. It’s a large choice to make, one not easy to undo. How much have you thought through this?”

Taking a deep breath, he nodded, feeling a small shot of confidence. “I’ve been thinking about it for a long time, now. Almost as long as I’ve been studying in Canterlot, actually.”

“Have you spoken of this with your family and friends?” Celestia asked, standing and stepping down from the dais where the throne stood. “How about that one pony who you’re so close with? Starlight Glimmer, did you say her name was?”

Sunburst shook his head, wincing. “N-no. I haven’t told any of them, actually. My parents were never really-I never told them how I felt. Not even Starlight.”

Celestia nodded, looking out the nearest stained glass window. “Hm. I really think you ought to tell them,” she said, giving him a look of tired experience. “It’s important to be honest with the ones who matter to you most. It’s often the secret keeping that hurts the most.” She sighed slightly, turning to face him. “Do you promise this is what you really want? It’s not for ambitions or curiosity-you honest feel this is what you need?”

“Yes.” His usual confidence came back, for at least this once word. He didn’t feel right, felt like a stranger in his own skin. He wanted to feel real, not like a paper bag. “Even if you won’t do the spell, please, at least just treat me like-just, please?”

Celestia smiled, shaking her head. “Of course I’ll do it, Sunburst. Close your eyes, I’ve been told you’ll feel rather dizzy if you don’t.”

Sunburst lit up, smiling as he-no, she, closed her eyes. She took a few deep breaths, keeping herself steady as the warm magic enveloped her, gentle and soft, like a blanket that had dried in the sun.

It was over before she realized it. She felt different, and her new shape seemed awkward at first. Sunburst blinked her eyes open, feeling slightly woozy as she recovered from the spell.

“Well? How does it feel?” Celestia asked, offering a gentle smile. “It might take a bit of getting used to.”

“It feels-” she cut off, blinking in surprise at her own voice. It was still her’s, but it wasn’t so deep pitched, smoother. “Different.” Focusing, she used her magic to summon the mirror in her room, levitating it in front of herself. “It-it looks pretty different too!” she said, letting out a short surprised laugh. The white spots on her coat had faded away, leaving orange, and her mane had grown so long it curled at the end. Strangest however, was her cutie mark.

“It changed,” Sunburst said in surprise. “Why’d my cutie mark change?” she asked, turning to better look it over.

“I suppose it’s because your destiny isn’t what it once was,” Celestia said curiously. “It’s most definitely not a common phenomenon, but not entirely unheard of, either.”

“Change of destiny, huh?” Sunburst mused, breaking into a smile. “A new start. Celestia? I want to change my name, too. Could you please call me, um, hm. Sunset. Sunset Shimmer,” she decided confidently, squaring with her reflection.

Celestia smiled, nodding. “Of course. Congratulations, my faithful student Sunset Shimmer.”

---

Despite all the morning’s euphoria, Sunset couldn’t help the frustration boiling inside of her. She wasn’t going to tell her parents, not yet, at least. Not everypony was exactly comfortable with transgenders, and unfortunately, that included her parents. She’d figure out how to explain it to them, eventually.

She was more concerned about her letter to Starlight.

Starlight had always been there, her best friend every step of the way. In fact, it was thanks to Starlight she’d ever even gotten her cutiemark, that she’d ever even come to study in Canterlot.

But she wasn’t sure how Starlight felt with these sorts of things. What if she was upset? Or disappointed? Sunset winced, staring at the unwritten letter on her desk, setting down her quill as she struggled to think of what to write. She couldn’t write a letter and not tell her.

But what if it made Starlight hate her?

Sunset groaned aloud, pacing impatiently. She didn’t regret going through with this. She felt real for a change, felt like the person she was meant to be for the first time in as long as she could remember. She wanted to share this with Starlight, just like they’d always shared everything. She wanted to celebrate with her, hear she was happy for her.

She slumped, leaning her forehead into the wall. What was she supposed to say? How was she going to explain any of this?

Maybe it would be easier not to say anything. She couldn’t simply leave it. It felt almost as awful as lying to Starlight’s face. It would be easier to write the letter to her parents, the letter of blatant half truths.

She just... wouldn’t write to Starlight. No letters, not until she figured out how to explain everything without ruining everything. This was the better way.

This was the right way.

Author's Note:

Based on a personal theory of mine. It's based off the idea that Sunburst and Sunset Shimmer have extremely similar coloring and names, and that they both studied in Canterlot. The basic idea is Sunburst being trans, and the reason he grew apart from Starlight wasn't because of his cutiemark but because he was worried she wouldn't like him when she found out.

Comments

[MLPRainbowHeart]

Its an interesting read. Not really fan of gender-swap but its okay. I like it so far.. But I recommend you do your chapters longer. I like the idea and all. I will recommend it.

I'll give you an 8-10

[daybreak5465]

Good start I wonder though could Sunburst actually be sunset shimmer's brother? Has anyone noticed the resemblance ?

[Bronyboy]

Hmm.... I'm intrigued. Go on.

[zalla661]

OMG! That just blew my mind what you did there. Sunny? Really!?! Now you have my attention!

Please PM me when you get the next chapter out!

[zalla661]

6901806 everyone at first was convinced Starlight was the daughter of Twilight and Sunset for a while. But i can see that too.