Sunset's New Look

by ThomasZoey3000

Sunset's New Look

Author's Note:

This is a fan-made story I wrote up to explain Sunset's new appearance following the video 'My Past Is Not Today'.

Equestria Girls Short
Sunset's New Look
(Set In Between Sunset Shimmer's Time to Shine and Friendship Games)
Written by: ThomasZoey3000

Sunset was enjoying a small ice cream cone from Sugarcube corner when she heard her cell phone buzzing. She picked it up and looked to see a text message from Rainbow Dash, and by the looks of what was written, she was excited about something.

"Principal Celestia has just informed me that the new team uniforms have been ordered and will be arriving real soon. None of this would've happened had it not been for you and your brilliant mind Sunset. Thank you so much."

Sunset smiled and chuckled as she replied back, "it was a team effort Rainbow Dash, but you're welcome anyways."

Less than a week ago, Canterlot High had a big fundraiser to help raise enough money for new team uniforms, as the original uniforms were just too old to be of any use anymore. Sunset had come up with the idea while at a slumber party with the girls and pitched the idea to Principal Celestia, who said if it could be pulled off, the fundraiser could go on. Despite some hiccups along the way, the fundraiser turned into a big success.

"It sure does feel good to have helped others," Sunset thought to herself. "Of course I wouldn't be experiencing this feeling had it not been for Princess Twilight and my friends." She suddenly realised she had forgotten to mention the events to Princess Twilight. She reached into her backpack, pulled out the journal and a pen and started writing away.

As she wrote away, Flash Sentry walked into Sugarcube Corner. He waved to Sunset, "did you hear about the new team uniforms?"

"I sure did," she answered. "I just got a text message from Rainbow Dash, and she seems to be the most excited about this."

"I can imagine she would be," he chuckled. "Personally, I don't think anyone can wait another minute to see those uniforms. It'll make the team look different compared to before."

He then walked off to get some ice cream. Those words though repeated in Sunset's mind. She looked into the window beside her, she could just see her reflection and she sighed unhappily. She didn't look like someone who had changed and learned a great deal about the magic of friendship. She instead looked like the old version of herself, the evil one that destoryed friendships and ruled the school with an iron fist, sort to speak.

"You know what Flash, they're not going to be the only ones who will look different."

Flash was confused, but before he could ask what she meant, Sunset had cleaned up her spot and after giving Mrs Cake a tip for good service, she walked out into the city. She was a girl on a mission, to change her appearance from the bad girl she was, to the helpful girl she is now.

Bells rang as the spa's front door opened. Sunset looked around to find there weren't many people in there, just two waiting on a nearby couch and a person with pink hair and a white head-band at the counter.

"Hello and welcome to Canterlot Spa, how can I help you?" she asked Sunset.

Sunset walked up to the counter, "I have a question. Can you guys dye hair colors?"

The pink haired woman; Aloe nodded, "we sure can." That was a sigh of relief to Sunset, "what would you like? Different colors? Lighter tones?"

"Lighter tones sounds really good to me. It certainly would be better, and new to see."

"Very well, we'll take care of you in a short while, please have a seat."

Sunset waited, but she didn't wait too long as she was soon called in.

Some time later, Sunset came out smiling. Instead of bold red and yellow colors in her hair, she instead had a lighter shade of red and a lighter shade of yellow. She took a look in a nearby mirror.

"This is perfect," she said happily. "Everyone's going to love this."

"Glad we could help," said Lotus Blossom, which Sunset knew was the twin sister to Aloe.

She payed for the lighter hair colors, and left a tip for a job well done. Then she left to attend to the next big change; her outfit. Her black jacket, which had some stitches in it, purple shirt and orange skirt, as well as her boots with the purple design at the bottom just would not fit well with the new hair colors.

"I could always go to Rarity's shop and get something from there, but then I would be spoiling the surprise for her. And what if the other girls are there too? But I don't know..." she trailed off from her thoughts as something caught her eyes. It was a light blue shirt with a tan skirt underneath and blue leggings to go along with it. They seemed to scream "BUY US!"
Sunset looked at her reflection of her old outfit, then back to the clothes in the store window.

"Those will do nicely." And she walked into the store.

A short while later, she walked out smiling once more. Now there was only one thing left, replace the boots and jacket. But she barely walked a block before seeing the perfect replacements. High heeled boots with orange stripes at the top and metal buckles in the middle. The jacket above them had the same design. Smaller than her actual jacket granted, but it did look good. There wasn't any thought, she went in.

The next day, the five girls were gathered by the soccer field. They had recieved text messages from Sunset to go there and wait for her arrival.

"I wonder what she wants us to meet her here for," said Applejack.

"Beats me Darling, but I'm sure we'll find out when she gets here," said Rarity.

Rainbow Dash though was getting a little impatient, "The new uniforms will be arriving any minute, and I want to be one of the first ones to see and get them."

Applejack rolled her eyes. As she turned to speak with Rainbow Dash, she saw the other girl's jaws drop open, "What? What's going on?"

"It's Sunset. Look Darling," gasped Rarity.

Applejack looked and gasped too.

Sunset stood before her friends with her lighter hair colors, new jacket and high heeled boots. Added with them were her blue shirt, tan skirt and jean blue leggings.

"So, what do you guys think? I personally like this new look."

The girls walked over towards her with smiles, "cool jacket Sunset, though it's a bit small," said Rainbow Dash.

"Perhaps smaller in size, but it still fits like a glove and doesn't have the small of burnt concrete, and it certainly goes with the boots. Though I will admit it's going to take a while to get used to walking with high heeled boots."

"I know that for a fact," said Rarity. "I tripped the first thirty times I wore high-heeled boots."

"And your hair, it's lighter than usual, but it still shows the beautiful colors of a sunset," commented Fluttershy.

"Thanks Fluttershy. It was the first thing I had changed last night."

"And I have to admit, the outfit certainly does look great on you Sugarcube," commented Applejack, "and you don't normally hear me talking about fashion like that."

"Yeah, that's suppose to be my job," said Rarity.

"You look great Sunset!" cheered Pinkie Pie.

"Thanks, I'm glad you guys like the new look. I just hope this new look will show the whole school that I've changed, just like how the new team uniforms will make the teams look different."

They were due to find out as an annoucement was made "Would all teams please report to the Principal's office, the new uniforms have just arrived."

The six girls made their way into the school. Right away, they found lots of students, mostly team players near the front enterance way heading for the principal's office. Many looked to Sunset and her new look.

"Hey Sunset, nice look," called Lyra Heartstrings. "Looks stunning."

"Great combination there Sunset," called one of the soccer players; Kick Start.

The other team players all complimented her too, and even Vice Principal Luna had to admit the new look was fantastic. Flash Sentry was quite surprised when he saw her, "you look different."

"I know, and it's thanks to what you said last night."

"What I said?"

"Yeah, so thank you Flash."

"Uh, no problem," he said nervously and blushed a little.

After that, Sunset's life did change for the better. Of course it wasn't all because of the outfit, her new and improved outlook on life and friendships were playing a key factor, but pretty much no student looked to her with worrying faces or angry stares. Instead, they were filled with cheerful smiles and on occassion, a wave.

Yes, it was clear that the old Sunset Shimmer had left for good, and in her place was a new Sunset Shimmer. A better version of the girl from Equestria, ready to help any one. Little did she know that she would soon be playing a big role in changing another person's life in the upcoming Friendship Games.

Comments

[SilverStar7]

This story has a lot going for it, but I think the middle section is a bit rushed.

I really like the use of the uniform fund-raiser as a parallel to Sunset seeing the value in a new look. I think that's the strongest element of the story and gives an organic genesis for the idea of changing styles. Having Flash be a part of that also helps to frame the idea of Sunset looking to her past and recognizing a desire for change, as Flash was a part of that past. It gets the story started on a strong note.

Unfortunately, the shopping section is paced awkwardly. Slice of Life stories are generally slower, focusing more on the minor details of everyday life by their very nature. This type of story could be done rapid-fire, but it would require laser targeted focus on key elements while the story moves at a regular, fast pace. The pacing here seems to start slow, pick up, and then slow down toward the end. If this sort of pacing is the goal, I would do that by starting with the shopping already in progress and Sunset simply remembering elements of the text messaging and Flash's comment as the story goes on in flashbacks.

A slower pacing option could involve Sunset examining each change. For the spa scene, this could be done via dialogue with Aloe over what her new look should be about. For the shopping, it could be Sunset thinking about what each piece of the outfit means for her future. Assigning a value to each item beyond simple looks would add a mundane significance to the story. Since the result of the decisions is already known to the audience (presumably readers have seen Friendship Games, and it is in the cover art), the conclusion of the story is not really that interesting. The journey of how to get there is what matters for a story like this.

The final section is also strong. Sunset going with her new look to her friends shows the idea that that is the future she is moving towards. It contrasts with her attitudes in the past, in which she was solitary, by having the first thing she does involve her friends. And ending with Flash's reaction provides a solid book-ending to the story, while also showing that Sunset is not doing this because she is running away from her past, but simply that she is looking toward the promise of a better tomorrow.

Overall, this story got a number of big picture things right. It's just a matter of keeping a consistent pacing while focusing on the right details to bring it to the next level.

Congratulations on your first story and I hope you found this review to be helpful!

[ArcanaMaverick7]

This was a nice story. It's a pretty good explanation for Sunset's appearance in The Friendship Games, Legend of Everfree, and Magical Movie Night. And the lighter tones of her hair fading would make sense for the Summertime Shorts where she wears her old outfit. Mix that in with Rarity doing repairs to her old jacket and clothes, and you have a reason for her look in those shorts.

[Dragonrim]

He pai te korero! I aroha ahau ki te whanaketanga o te tangata me te huarahi i whakawhiti ai koe i waenga i nga tirohanga! Ko to ahuatanga i hari ai ahau, a tumanako ana ahau kei a koe te pai! Kia tupato kei waiho e koe te ranu i roto i te horoi!

[Magic135]

I always wondered how Sunset got her new look, now I know.