> Across the Shimmerverse
>  by DapperLilArts
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> Pretty close to a Perfect day - PART 1
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


PROLOGUE






In a dark, dingy place, where few ponies ever thread, a certain someone was ranting like nuts.

They say revenge is a dish best served cold; But the correct term would likely be revenge is a dish best served when you have absolutely nothing to lose, and are also really petty. And this certainly applied to this particular Unicorn.

“Okay. Okay. This is it! Not even STARSWIRL figured this out. But I did!!! No one believed in me but here I friggin’ am!! If nothing else, after today, even if I die, or get killed, or get thrown in the darkest cell of Canterlot prison, or maybe Tartarus– Do they throw regular ponies in Tartarus? Nah, probably not. A-anyways. Even if everything else goes wrong, I’ll go down in history as a pioneer of the mystic arts!! A genius of technological marvels! A brilliant explorer of a brave new frontier!!”

‘Hermes’ was what he called himself; He was an moderately humble Unicorn scientist that studied travel based magic from a young age, and since those early years, he tried braving frontiers no one else dared; Mostly because no one else cared to. He was not particularly tall or built– like many in academia– His fur was a grayish brown that could resemble bronze in the right light, his mane was an unkempt white-ish blonde, and he wore glasses that had been cracked for a long time.

Moldy, unkept, abandoned, unfunded, breaking several safety violations, there were more than a few words one could use to describe the ‘observatory’ lab he had made his home, but above all else, ‘lonely’ would describe it most; to those that cared for companionship, of course.

“Yeah, yeah, no pony thought I could do it. No pony even dared to even try; The most brilliant minds in Equestria shunned me; Thought lowly of me, gave up on me, were… Like, super rude to me!!! But this will show everypony; everywhere! Hermes will be a name known in more than one universe!!”

There were litters of machines and paraphernalia littering the room all the way to the ceiling; To anybody else, they would be incomprehensible, but to this Unicorn, it was a perfect thousand-piece puzzle he had put together. 

And speaking of puzzles; He had a board full of notes, pictures, data, and evidence. Things that would seem pointless to others, but not to him. A myriad of information on this world and others; Mish mashed in organized chaos.

Pictures of places that no one in this world had seen, much less been; Pictures of ponies no one in this world had met, but very much knew.

Objects that made no sense; A shattered mirror pieced together that did not cast reflections was surrounded by coils, a telescope that could not see connected to dozens of wires, each of these with multitudes of runes engraved in them, all brought into sense and context with his magic, and his creation. Whenever the machines lit to life, they would shake the foundations of the room, dust would fall from the ceiling, and you could feel the energy on your skin.

“Payback; That’s just the cherry on top. At the very least, the world will know what I’m capable of! That I DID it! That I, Hermes, have discovered how to bridge the gap between universes!!! Not just one; but ANY universe! Even STARSWIRL gave up on this magic; On this technology!! But I didn’t.”

The dull sound of his hoofsteps echoed on the walls of his lab, as he moved from one place to another, frantically fiddling with devices; His magic floated gears, mechanisms, circuitries and runes all around him, with intentions only he knew.

The most important one at this moment was akin to a crown; A technomagical crown made to be retrofitted around the horn of a Unicorn, specifically with his Multitudes of wires, circuitries and runes all were exposed on it’s halo, as if you could see the innards of the machine. He looked at himself in a small mirror, making sure everything was fit properly, then unsuccessfully covered his face with a hood, clumsily trying to pull it forwards, only for it to slide off the machinery.

Magic and technology, meshed together to perfection, or as close as one could achieve, with these resources.

“Today’s the day; The best shot I'll have at her. She’ll be distracted; As will everypony, and amidst the festivities, BOOM. I’ll strike. Twilight Sparkle... I’ll make you pay for all the time you cost me; And everything you took from me. Revenge is a dish best served warm and toasty!! …If your wife isn’t around to turn me into mulch, that is. …NO! I thought of everything! I got this! Today’s the day!! Payback will be mine!!!”

He proudly posed and gazed at the ruin he called a lab, then, with all the determination a nerdy scientist with no proper social life could muster, made his way towards his destiny.

“Celestia be my witness. Twilight Sparkle, this will be the worst day of your life.”








Pretty close to a perfect day - Part 1







Waking up was so, so easy for Sunset Shimmer these days.

You know when you have something special you’re doing the next day, some sort of event, gathering, meeting a friend; Or even something as simple as knowing you’ll get to see something new?

Something to look forward to the next morning?

This was how she had felt every morning, for well over a year; for well over multiple years. 

And now, as she laid in bed, quite comfortably too, already feeling the invitation of the sun peeking behind their curtains, she chose to stay in there, and appreciate its softness and comfort. A premeditated laziness, one might say; She certainly would, as she waited for a delightful sound she was quite used to hearing.

And there it was, without further ado, A bell towed quietly above the building they slept on, which resulted in the sound Sunset oh-so-eagerly awaited for. She folded her wings close in expectation.

The cutest yawn in all of Equestria, one belonging to none other than her wife, Twilight Sparkle.

Feeling the light shuffles of the waking Alicorn forced a grin on Sunset’s face, even when she continued to pretend she was asleep. Every little grunt and cute sound made by the stretching of her partner got her closer and closer to giggling, but she held on, steadfast.

Another adorable yawn, as Twilight sat up in bed, without difficulty. Sunset remained still, making good usage of the king-sized bed they had cherished for ages now; A more than comfortable size for two growing Alicorns, after all. 

With every shudder and stretch of the fabric, she could feel her wife’s movements, scanning the room, and then resting her gaze on Sunset. 

“Gooood morning, my Sun…!” Akin to a kind whisper, akin to an pleasant invitation, Twilight spoke close, waiting for her wife to open her eyes.

And, mischievously, Sunset did no such thing. 

“Heeeelloooo, Goood morning, Sunsun…!” Another futile attempt, another loving, inviting whisper.

And stalwartly, she kept her eyes closed.

“Hey. Hey sweetie. Wake up.” There you go, she was starting to get demanding, here comes the best part.

The tiniest of smiles crept up in Sunset’s lips, just in time for her wife to plant a kiss on her cheek. “Wake up.”

Silence. Were she not pretending to be asleep, she likely would have dared, defied the Princess of Friendship to drag her out of bed. The best kind of defiance, really.

“Wake up.” A kiss.

“Wake up.” Another kiss.

“Wake up.” And yet another loving kiss.

Her indomitable warrior spirit was close to being broken under a barrage of loving kisses, and frankly, Sunset Shimmer was prideless enough to accept that sort of defeat, but she certainly wasn’t one to go down without a fight.

“Wake up wake up wake up wake up” Kiss after kiss, it was more than clear to her wife that this was yet another game being played by Sunset, and that she was not about to lose.

That final barrage was enough to force Sunset’s hand, as she opened her eyes with the widest, most pleased grin, and flipped over, pinning her wife down and unleashing her own barrage of kisses. “Well well well, look who’s awake!” That would have sounded more confident, if it was not being drowned in a savage attack of loving kisses.

Even after that vicious attack of loving smooches, even while being pinned down by her wife, Twilight Sparkle still maintained a certain professional composure. “Gooood morning. You’ve got a big day today; Lot’s to do, and I wanna make this absolutely perfect for you, Sunsun. What do you say?”

Finally, Sunset allowed herself to stop playing the game, hovering above her love with unending delight. “I’ll say this day’s already pretty damn perfect, if you ask me.”

“Oh really… Why’s that…?” With an eyebrow raised, a tilt of her head, and a mischievous smile, Twilight knew she was playing with fire.

Letting out a loving growl, delighted to be in that exact position, Sunset stretched her wings, but dared not to move an inch away from her love. “‘Cause from where I'm standing, the view’s pretty good.”

And there it was, a proper kiss on the lips, one they shared many times before, but much like the warm glow of dusk, or the gleam of the stars in the sky, never got old.

With mischievous giggles, Sunset would have taken it even further, but her wife placed a hoof on her mouth. “Down, girl!! We’ve gotta go get ready! I need to take a proper shower, and you oughta tidy up too. Let’s get outta bed already!”

Sunset let out the biggest pout and puppy eyes she could muster. “Aww… Aren’t we celebrating me today…? Why can’t I have a bit more bedtime with my wife!!!” She said, with a jokey tone, that certainly didn’t hide much of her desire.

“Because we have to make appearances, and a bunch of other stuff I wrote down on a checklist, I forgot– I'll go get it— And you gotta go tidy up. Mwah.” With one final kiss, Twilight teleported out of bed, and immediately started stretching and yawning once more. Sunset nearly tumbled away, cursing quietly for not being able to enjoy this moment for a little while longer.

Before entering their bathroom, Twilight gave her one mischievous wink and a tail graze. “Keep that energy in mind for tonight, Sunsun.”

And with that statement, and a dumb grin on her face, Sunset considered lowering the sun herself, right now.

But, responsibilities were responsibilities, and the best rewards were ones gifted after a long day of hard work. She hopped out of bed, and did her own morning stretches, while opening the blinds swiftly.

The sun didn’t blind her; It scarcely had ever, for years, now. The beautiful sights of Ponyville sprawled below those windows, and the light of the town almost reflected on the ceiling of their room.

And what a room it was. As Sunset made her way to the closet, she admired every bit of the environment. With a mixture of bricks and wood, the architecture was far from royal, but quality. A cozy, surprisingly humble place, considering its residents were two princesses. Closets, bookshelves, the comfiest chairs you could get to match tables meant for study, a king sized extremely cozy bed, and, one of her favorite corners, a comfortable vanity mirror with pictures of all their friends and the adventures they shared, and besides it, her Valkyrie armor was mounted on stand.

She had always followed her wife’s schedules diligently, and trusting on them, she took no rush on selecting an outfit for the day, delighting herself on hearing Twilight's hums in the shower echoing from the bathroom beside them.

She gazed at two potential garments, one finely put together fiery frilly dress, and one of her favorite leather jackets, that had gold spikes on it, no less. “Hey Sparkles, since the party is for me, do you think that I could–”

“--You could, but Rarity might attack you on sight!” Her voice echoed from inside the shower, knowing exactly what her wife was up to.

“Heh! I’ll burn that bridge when I get to it!” With a confident grin, Sunset took the jacket and its accessories, and laid them out in her bed, fully aware of the potential consequences of her actions.

“I could always hide behind Applejack, she’d be too distracted macking on her girl to actually criticize my outfit, heheh!” No response from Twilight other than delightfull giggles echoing from inside the bathroom, and Sunset took that as endorsement, as she prepared her outfit for the day.

But her gaze landed back on her armor, mounted in the corner.

She couldn’t resist.

With incredibly fluid rehearsed magical motions, she floated each individual piece of that armor set customly made for her, and adorned it, an action that took less than ten seconds. 

And now, looking at the mirror, it was as if she was prepared for war; Or at the very least to a battle with a legendary mythological beast, and she was a stranger to neither.

The armor covered her body nearly entirely, giving away very few weak spots; Allowing for a comfortable flexibility as well, with a mixture of plates, chainmail and cloth. It even covered the top part of her wings, giving her the appearance of having razor sharp feathers, from a certain angle. The helmet covered the horn as well, with its own metallic plating for it, Perfect for fencing, with her red/gold hair cascaded from under it. The metals were mixtures of bronze and gold, which matched her color perfectly; Enchanted steel made to sustain the highest of temperatures.

She had adorned that armor dozens upon dozens of times, There were dents and scars in nearly every plate, much like the Alicorn who wore it. And sometimes, she still felt as if it was maybe too big for her. As if she hadn’t earned it.

But the best feeling was when it fit just right. As if that armor was a part of her skin.

She glanced at a photo on the vanity, shying away from her reflection; The picture had all her friends smiling and gathered around her; And she smiled awkwardly, the first month anniversary of her ‘joining the team’ so to speak, Before Midnight Sparkle, before becoming an Alicorn, before everything. Pinkie had hastingly prepared a cake, and that younger Sunset wasn’t even sure if she deserved eating, after everything she had done. She looked small, shriveled into herself, even.

Looking away from the old Sunset to the current Sunset filled her with confidence.

“It’s gonna be a party, not a battle, you know?” The delighted giggle of Twilight echoed quietly in the room, snapping the warrior out of it, as she entered it with a towel wrapped over her mane. She joined her wife side by side, looking with pride at their reflections.

“Hey, if it’s a good party, I’ll get some use out of this.” Sunset smirked, nuzzling her wife; Or more an attempt at a nuzzle, as they bonked their heads with the enchanted steel of her helmet, resulting in both of them breaking into giggles.

Beholding her own reflection, Sunset’s expression changed a bit, and her wife could read her like a book; And if there was anything Twilight Sparkle was known for, was being a bookworm. “Sunsun. You more than earned it. You look formidable. Heck– Remember that time in the Hall of Unity, where you scared that griffon waiter so bad he almost soiled himself, and it was with just a glare?”

A mischievous snicker bubbled up immediately from her wife. “Heheh. That’s the last time that guy spills a drink on my Princess. That was a fun visit; I hope Celestia lets us tag along this year, too.”

The same kind of giggle bubbled up on the Princess of Friendship, following with those adorable snorts. “If her inviting Discord to some parties is anything to go by, I imagine she’ll appreciate us being there to make another mess next time too.”

Just reminiscing on the many disastrous parties they had participated in involuntarily caused a hearty chuckle to come out of Sunset. “Pff hey. At least we’re also professional mess fixers. We totally averted a diplomatic incident! Canterlot almost got sold, but we fixed it, heh.”

With better aim this time, Twilight nuzzled her proper. That nuzzle almost resulted in sparks, with its friction, Sunset could feel her joy, feel her love, as if they were her own. “That we did. Anyways, put the armor away sweetie, we gotta go get ready, lots to do!”

Sunset complied, Magically binding the armor inside her horn. One of the many perks of being an Alicorn, Is that where Unicorns would usually be able to store a bag, maybe a suitcase’s worth of contents magically within them, an Alicorn could push that much further with ease; Twilight herself nearly carried a library around with her, everywhere she went.

With a confident, gleeful demeanor, The Princess of Friendship beckoned her forward. “Let’s put on our duds and get to it! Big day!”

And as always, her joy was contagious. This was going to be a perfect day. “Ya ain’t gotta tell me twice, Sparkles.”





Their community center was, with all modesty, the best building in Ponyville. Sure, there might be some arguments to be made regarding that, but considering the beautiful columns that were literal trees that they built the structure around, all of which aided on it’s support, once you passed by the gorgeous, three-floor library, the arboretum/community garden, and even the recreational/visit area on the first floor, your arguments would likely fade.

And that wasn’t to mention the beautiful clock tower that shined for all of Ponyville, with bells that towed in special events. The fourth floor belonged to the princesses alone, it was where they resided, but they certainly didn’t mind sharing the rest of the building. Neither of the two needed anything more than this; Even if neither would shy away from living in Canterlot Castle in the future.

All that mattered was the present, and in the present, they were happy.

As was their usual routine, Twilight floated a checklist in front of them as they slowly moved by the hallways and rooms of their community center, greeting any of the early rising ponies that were visiting; There was always a certain calm hustle and bustle in the building, and they adored it.

And of course, Twilight was as organized and efficient as ever, as she listed their responsibilities for the day. 

“While I go check on the preparations with Pinkie on the sugarcube corner, you’re flying to Cloudsdale to find Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy and help them make sure the skies are clear; Applejack and Rarity likely already finished their tasks, but you and me can check on them respectively after, just in case!”

She spoke joyously, and Sunset regarded her with adoration, being a bit distracted. Just a bit.

“After 10 O’clock, Celestia’s coming by Ponyville, for that Alicorn space lesson you have today, you two can enjoy yourselves while I take care of all the rest of the preparations! Liiiike for example, checking on who RSVP’d; which, by the way, fun stuff; Spike’s coming from the dragon lands, and not only will my parents be coming by, but your parents will be here too!”

Once there was no reaction from Sunset, just that dumb grin, Twilight knew exactly what was happening. She wrapped her checklist into a tube and bonked her wife on the head a few times for good measure. “Stop! Being! Distracted! By! My! Big beautiful eyes!”

Nothing but giggles emerged from Sunset, delighted to have been so predictable. “Heheheh It’s not my fault!! You try being less adorable and gorgeous!!”

With a pout and a fluster of her cheeks, Twilight’s eyebrow was raised. “How much of that did you listen to?”

With a little smile and a tilt of her head, Sunset tried being cute to earn her forgiveness, almost with a purr, because she had listened to none of it. 

It worked.

The day was already looking up wonderfully. 





Deep, focussed breaths. 

Sunset and Celestia stood face to face, on the outskirts of town, ready to begin their lesson.

“Remember. The strength of the Earth Ponies, the elegance of the Pegasi, and the magic of the Unicorns; You need to master all of them to truly be able to call yourself an Alicorn.” There was always wisdom behind her words, but the kindness and gentleness that came with her lessons was what always kept Sunset smiling during them.

It still felt a bit strange at times, to be a pupil of Celestia once more, but what came above that strangeness was joy, regardless of her reservations. They were truly happy to work with each other again. 

These lessons were one of Sunset’s favorite things to do as an Alicorn. A full exploration of just how far she could go, how strong she truly could be. “...Right. And only when I unite those powers as one is that I can reach my true potential–”

“--While remaining humble.” They both completed together, in unison, which led to them both snickering.

After the laughter subsided, Sunset let out an exhale, not a bad one, either. “Well… I could write a book about being humbled.”

“And I wager it would be full of wisdom, Sunset Shimmer.” Celestia did not even hesitate, with that same pleased smile she carried often around her newest oldest pupil. “And I also wager Twilight would be first in line to read it. If I did not beat her to it, of course.”

“Good luck trying to beat Twilight Sparkle at reading a book, one written by her wife no less…!” They shared more amused snickers.

“Shall we begin?”

“We shall!”

Both of them breathed deeply, feeling the wind on their faces, feeling the grass beneath their hooves, hearing the quiet sounds of Ponyville in the distance, tuning out everything, feeling everything.

As they channeled the power of fire and light around them, gathering their energy, Celestia gave more wisdom, Readying herself. “You are a meteor that will never burn up, that will fly higher and higher; going up, up, up. Concentrate on that power and GO.”

Immediately upon that final word, they both took off in a corkscrew manner, shooting upwards into the sky at tremendous force, much like a meteor, but flying away from the planet instead of towards it.

Even after having done this dozens of times, it still felt exhilarating, channeling all of her strength to break the atmosphere, fly like a shooting star; Sunset was quite used to the idea of being surrounded in flames; She was utterly immune to them at this point.

“If you need assistance, do not hesitate to ask, Sunset!!” The voice of her mentor was barely audible on their ascent, and regardless, the Princess ignored her, despite being thankful.

She pierced the clouds like a fiery arrow, The wind viciously raged against her, but she did not falter. The higher up they reached, the easier it got, she could see the sky change from blue to a darker hue, and finally, for what felt like either ten minutes or ten seconds, she was utterly devoid of weight.

Exhaling steam, she shook her head, gaining her bearings, and letting out a chuckle, taking in the sights.

“Welcome back to the final frontier, Sunset Shimmer!” Celestia’s voice rang out gleefully.

Looking around at this place; The place of all places, was always a delight. She spun around on multiple axis, using both magic and her wings or even just bodily motions to move around, feeling weightless, And Celestia did the same, akin to almost prancing. She could see stars brighter than ever, the moon, closer than ever, and Equestria was her roof, this big beautiful blue and green planet that was her home.

They were now in Space.

It was quiet; But not completely, there was almost a hum that her planet emitted, as it spun.

And of course, the main event, the Sun.

Their Sun.

Celestia floated near her, with a giddy smile. “Never gets old, does it?”

With a grin from ear to ear, Sunset nodded enthusiastically. “Never. Man, I'm so glad I can stare at it without burning my eyes now.” She let out a chuckle. It was as if she could see the true nature of the star, bathe in its light fully, be one with it entirely, and in a way, it certainly was.

“Our Sun is forever giving. And just like me, you can draw power from it, be one with it. Bathing in its light and flames will give you strength, allow you to heal faster, make you stronger; And although it’ll take some getting used to, you will learn to raise and set it with ease, in that, I have the utmost faith.” She spoke every word with confidence and pride, not on herself, but on her pupil. Sunset wasn’t the only one that felt lighter than air.

Every word was kind. Every word gave her courage. Sunset opened her wings, almost akin to a solar panel, and allowed herself to bask in that light as much as she could. Flames and sparks flowed across her fur, as if they were part of her, and she glowed. And it felt incredible; One of the best sensations, like embracing a lover.

“Gosh, look at you–” Celestia’s words stuttered, as she smiled fully, beholding her student with pride.

“...Look at me…!” Sunset gave her the same warm smile. 

The Queen of the Sun let out a delighted sigh, almost holding back joyful tears, as she gazed back at her star. “You certainly imprinted with it phenomenally well; I am overjoyed to see how well you take up the power of the Sun within you, despite the interesting proficiency you have with it’s flames, as opposed to me with it’s light, I have no doubt you will master both, my student…!!”

“I have a good teacher!” She did not hesitate with her response, smiling back as she tried a couple of different spins and tricks with the weightlessness of space. She remembered fondly, the first time she did this with Celestia, and how back then, the Queen struggled a lot more to keep her delighted joy in check.

“Perhaps, if you’d like, tomorrow you could raise it?” She poked at her pupil, with a nudging delighted smile.

Letting out a nervous chuckle, the Princess had her doubts. “Maybe– I dunno, last times I did it, it was kinda—”

“The more you do it, the easier it’ll get, Sunset. And someday, it’ll be as easy as breathing…!”

With a short, happy chuckle, the Princess beheld the star once more. It felt hard to believe that one day this would be hers, and that one day, she could easily manage it. And yet, the mere thought of it made her smile.

They changed their stances, now, channeling their magic on their hooves so they could walk on space itself, making the floor they desired, something that was incredibly easy to perform with no gravity, a kind of magic made for Alicorns.

“Besides. It is not just the Sun that will give you strength, Sunset. Your strength will always come at its greatest from within.” She pointed at her Pupil’s heart, with that same earnest smile.

With a quick chuckle, the Princess delighted herself, making light of the situation. “Heh, yeah, I do fight really well when I'm pissed.”

“Your anger and your rage are certainly good places to draw your strength; after all, those emotions are akin to wildfires. Few would be able to subdue you… But you must always remember, that inner strength comes from every emotion, even joy.”

Tilting her head, Sunset followed her, a bit confused. “Joy?”

Celestia nodded, as she gazed at the constellations above them, with ease. “Yes, Sunset. Happiness. As an example, think of me– I spent 1000 miserable, busy years ruling alone… And then, when I tried training a pupil, somepony to someday take my place, I… I failed terribly…” 

“Really…? Who…?”

“You, Sunset.”

“Oh.” The Princess nearly burst out laughing on her lapse of memory, but contained herself, respecting her teacher’s teachings.

“Once Twilight freed my sister, brought her back fully, I could feel it. I could feel that good things were coming. And have I ever been so glad to be right… Because she brought you back to me, too…!” She beheld her pupil with love and pride, and Sunset looked at her with the same appreciation.

“...Twilight is everything…” Was all that the Princess could muster to say as her cheeks got red, thinking of her love and all she had done for everybody everywhere.

With a nod, Celestia gazed back at her sun. “I have never been more fulfilled and happy than I have been these past few years. I have gotten my sister back, I have gotten my original pupil back, and both of my students are excelling in ways I couldn’t have even dreamed of even with my wildest bursts of hope…! Equestria is safe, and it is thriving. And I am now more sure than ever that my legacy will stand firm… I could not be any happier.”

There was so much faith and trust in those words; they made Sunset’s heart flutter. She tried not buckling under the weight of that responsibility; And she never would again. “That’s… Really, really nice, but how does it help you fight…?”

A short chuckle came from the Queen, delighted to continue. “Because, dear Sunset, I am so happy, that I know for a fact that if there was anything threatening this happiness, I would not hesitate to face it, and to protect that joy, I would be capable of anything.”

Now that, Sunset could easily understand. “Hmm, yeah, I get it. If there was anything threatening Twilight, I would do absolutely everything in my power to crush it.”

The love that her pupils shared was an endless source of amusement, and even more of joy. “And I have no doubt you would be happy to do so, protecting your loved ones with all your might. And if you manage to unite your anger and your happiness into one single drive, I believe you would be unstoppable.”

That amount of faith in her still felt strange, but it simply made her smile. She chuckled, and let out a half joke, half truth. “Eh, power is awesome, but what good is it, when there just aren’t any good fights around?”

And yet, the Queen saw through that easily. She was well aware that her pupil loved a good battle, and never wanted that energy to be wasted. “Peace is what all great warriors strive for, Sunset. And do not worry; Trouble is always around the corner in Equestria; You can trust me on that; Although I believe trouble would think twice, before facing you.”

They shared giggles, and then agreeable nods, another lesson well taught. 

And it was time for the next one. “So– As your Alicorn powers go, how has been the development of your telepathy? I wager it has not gotten out of hand?”

With a nod, The Princess reminisced on recent events and discoveries. “Well, I wouldn’t call it telepathy per-se, as far as I know, whenever I’m having physical contact with someone, it’s as if I can feel their feelings; Though it depends on how loud they’re feeling it, I think. And I’ve been getting better at looking through memories, too; It’s almost like… It’s almost like I’m listening to the pony I’m ‘reading’ retell their own memories to me, in an incredibly short amount of time… It’s kind of freaky, but not bad, really. …Have you figured out why I got this power…?”

“All Alicorns are blessed with their own particular eccentricities, Sunset. This is only the latest and most surprising example of that. And personally, I believe we have only scratched the surface of what Alicorns are capable of doing...” She spoke, not listlessly, but with an almost sort of excitement.

That sort of statement was certainly bringing about a certain curiosity. Sunset, for a moment, wondered if, in her following 1000 years of rule, she would discover things about her and Twilight, that even Celestia and Luna were incapable of doing.

“And I have no doubt that you and Twilight will discover great things, on your future rule.” Who’s the mind reader now? Sunset chuckled nervously, trying to remain humble; Celestia really did know her well.

The Student considered speaking more of the subject, but held her tongue; She was about to mention how any sort of physical relation with a lover was certainly enhanced, when she could feel what Twilight felt, at the same time. Awkward, weird, she changed her mind on saying it instantly.

“O-oh, and there’s one more thing too. We found out that I'm not just able to read memories; I can show others my memories, too. Like– I can make others see what I've seen, feel what I've felt, the same way that I can see for others. It was a… Very strange discovery.”

With her ears twitching in curiosity, the Queen perked up, approaching her pupil. “Oh? Could you demonstrate?” 

“I-I’ll try.” they leaned on each other, and Sunset concentrated. With a jolt, and with her eyes glowing, she remembered something.


	It was my entrance exam to the ‘Princess Celestia school for gifted Unicorns’. I had studied for so, so long, so, so hard, for well over a year, and despite being just a filly, despite being nervous, I refused to show it. My parents were there to support me, even if they weren't sure I could do it. I went a tad overboard, getting frustrated when my spells didn’t work, and the resulting magical emotional burst I let out nearly burned the room down; If not the whole school. I thought everything I ever wanted was beyond my reach, but you saw more than just clumsy destruction in me. You saw my potential, and brought me in as your first Pupil. It was everything I had ever wanted.


With a giggle, Celestia recoiled. “My, that is incredible! It was like I was there! What an interesting power…! And well, what a nostalgic memory…!” Her giggles covered the delight she felt on being brought on a trip down memory lane. The first time she had met Sunset felt like eternities ago at this point… And she was a very cute little filly. The Queen considered pinching her cheeks, but restrained herself.

The Princess shrugged, trying to stave off the feeling of reliving such a memory. To her, a more interesting power would have involved explosions. “Pff yeah, it sure is something. I’ll get back to you when I’ve found an actual use for it.”

With an understanding nod, Celestia had no doubt. “I am certain that much like all else you’ve learned, you’ll wield it diligently.”

Sunset chuckled with a tinge of awkwardness. “You know, it’s kind of embarrassing– Some ponies around Canterlot have started calling me ‘The Princess of Empathy’, because of this power.”

“Oh? Do you not like it?”

Scratching the back of her head with her hooves, she got a tad sheepish, trying to hide her disappointment. “Well, Not exactly, It’s just… not what I expected. I suppose I’m still trying to figure out what I am, in that stance too, other than, well, an inheritor of the sun…”

“Hm… ‘Princess of Empathy’ is certainly not what I would call you, either; Even if it does have a ring to it.”

Sunset beheld her mentor with expectation, hoping for a purpose.

And Celestia caught on to that glance, with a smile. She let go of the invisible floor she had made for herself, and allowed herself to float recreationally. “Tell me, Sunset. When was the last time my sister visited you?”

“Well, we meet for training a couple times; And she visits Twilight for her training as well– Oh, you mean in my nightmares? Huh… I don’t know… I don’t remember? –Wait. Back before Midnight Sparkle returned. Holy crap, has it really been that long…?” She pondered, gazing at nothing, trying to recall.

With a joyful giggle, Celestia nodded. “Indeed. It seems that since all that long ago, Since your ascension to Alicorn-hood– And even with you eloping with Twilight– You have had no nightmares. No fears.”

“W-well that doesn’t sound right…?”

The Queen did not let up, demonstrating just how much faith she had in her pupil. “You adorned the mantle of the Valkyries— A lost mantle, mind you, and you earned it, Slaying a mythological beast, no less. It had been unheard of anypony slaying a Legendary Phoenix; And you did so, without fear.”

Again, Sunset attempted to be humble, trying to make light of her accomplishment of slaying that building-sized bird of flames, trying to not just accept flattery from the Queen of the Sun herself. “The land of dragons was in danger, I had to help— And I mean, it's just armor I wear, I don’t really like… Well, I’d like to, but I don't call myself a Valkyrie in public.”

But Celestia did not let up. There was a time and a place for humility, and Sunset had no need for it at the moment. “And yet, you have become a master of combat– You slayed a legendary Phoenix, earning you that title; the title of Valkyrie Phoenix. And with it, I think, you would have earned another. To me, at least… You are Sunset Shimmer, The Princess of Valor.”

Now that. That title. That stirred a fire within her. She considered, for a moment, her name going down in legend with that title. But shaking her head, she decided to reign it in, remaining humble once more. “Aww, c’mon. I have, like… fears…?”

Celestia suppressed a chuckle. “Name the last time you were scared.”

“W-well, first thing that comes to mind is when Twilight became Midnight—”

“Five years ago.”

“Still though, like. I’ve got. Phobias?”

“Name one.”

“Clowns are weird, I guess?”

“Aren’t you best friends with Pinkie Pie?”

“Shoot. You’re right. Clowns are awesome. Damn.”

With a hearty chuckle, Celestia delighted herself in floating mindlessly around her pupil, who was considering her words.

Sunset attempted to shift the subject away from praise to her, still, after all of that, attempting to remain humble. “Oh yeah! Me and Twilight never found out any book or anything at all that reported on what happened to the original Valkyries; Only ones that reported on how they fought, and what kind of magic they used… I figured you might know, since you were alive and ruling at the time…?” Sunset had spent hours studying and mimicking moves she had found on ancient, dusty books, adding them to her already wide skill set of fighting prowess

With a change in demeanor, Celestia fidgeted with her mane, the Princess of Valor could notice that she was acting a tad different; And she appeared to be blushing…?

“Ah, the Valkyries…”

A moment of silence Where Sunset tried deciphering her mentor’s gaze.

“...ahem. It is an interesting tale, but one better for another time. Let us get back on the subject, Sunset; We were talking about your strengths, were we not?”

“O-oh. Yeah.”

Fidgeting, wondering, and floating much the same, Sunset gazed above her, to Equestria, then back at Celestia.  “...I guess when we talk about strength, I still sometimes wish I was strong like you…”

“Why would you wish to be strong like me? When you’re strong like you! There is nothing more beautiful than that.” Celestia did not hesitate, coming closer. She poked Sunset in the chest, aimed at the heart, and a jolt went through the Princess of Valor.


Daughter.


Sunset blinked, considering if she had felt what she had just felt, but Celestia did not stop talking. “Trust me, it’s not about the amount of strength; it's about playing to your strengths. And you already do so incredibly. I hope, with time, that you will no longer have doubts.”

“S-sorry, old habits.” Sunset gave out a genuine smile, trying to forget the accidental mind reading she had just done of her mentor, no matter how good it felt, no matter how strange.

Chuckling, with the sheer lightness of how far she had come, she spoke, not with doubt or anxiety, but honesty. “I suppose sometimes I… Sometimes I still don’t feel worthy.”

“Me either.” Celestia gazed at the stars.

That Statement made the Princess’s ears twitch with surprise. She beheld her mentor, in expectation.

“We all make mistakes, Sunset. It is how we recover after stumbling that matters. You above all are a stalwart example of this; It is no wonder you are a Valkyrie Phoenix, having risen from the ashes again and again...” She gave her pupil a warm smile.

Finally, Sunset nodded, accepting the faith her mentor was placing on her. “...I guess you’re right. I’ve been… Weightless, for years. And I haven’t lost a fight since I beat Midnight Sparkle, either. It’s like I really have become fearless…”

Speaking with pride, containing her joy, she wrapped her lesson with a beautiful ribbon. “It suits you. You have become strong, truly strong, and yet, you have proven that you possess a kind heart. It suits you.”

“Y-yeah, I guess it… I guess it does…!”

Finally, with Sunset accepting that, the Queen of the Sun couldn’t resist anymore, embracing her pupil in a tight, loving hug.

“W-woah!!” They spun around in space a bit disoriented, as Celestia let out giggle after giggle. Her happiness was bursting out of her, And Sunset could feel it all.

“I am just so, so proud of you…!”


I am so, so happy to have you back.


It wasn’t just the loving embrace of her mentor, but the fact that her emotions were on the surface, and Sunset could read them, even unintentionally. She giggled, so Sunset giggled too. She felt pride, so Sunset felt it too. She felt joy, so Sunset felt it too.

That sort of parental approval was something that the Princess was still getting used to, even after five years of having it; And it fueled her in unimaginable ways.

The giggles subsided, and Celestia let go, with them both still smiling. “Well, I believe with that, our lesson today is over. What’s next on your day? Festivities in Ponyville, no doubt?”

Pondering, her gaze lied elsewhere, on the moon, no less. She stared at it, reminded of something. “Oh yeah! I’ve been meaning to ask, ‘cause I don’t get to talk to Luna often; How’s Twilight imprinting with the Moon? I always forget to ask her ‘cause uhh…” Because most of the time she spent with Twilight was loving Twilight, and not caring about much else.

“Ah, yes!” Celestia turned to the moon, much like Sunset, snickering. “Luna has indeed provided me with reports on how Twilight has been doing in her lessons; And as you and I know well, Twilight is an overachiever. Although Luna has told me her pupil struggled to fully imprint with the Moon at first. (I’ve been told she almost draws powers from the stars around her, not just the moon!) She has told me that not only Twilight already has mastery over the tides, but her control of dream magic is already quite advanced!”

With a quiet snicker, Sunset nodded. “Oh, that much I already know, heheh.”

“Really? How?”

“Oh– Um, I, Uh,”





Fluorescent lights buzzed, the AC hummed, and Sunset could not care less, leaning back on her chair and popping the collar of her spiked leather jacket smugly. She kept her wings unfolded, and gave out an-ever-so-confident grin.

The classroom was nigh empty, except for her, and her teacher, Twilight Sparkle; Who wore her usual overly buttoned fancy outfit, complete with tie, skirt, glasses, and held her hair neatly in a bob. Her wings were folded, with strong focus on discipline, as usual.

“Whatever.” Leaning confidently back on her chair, Sunset smugly rolled her eyes.

And the teacher would not accept such an attitude. “Whatever? Your insubordination requires correction, Shimmer. You are by far, my most unruly and unkept student. A certified trouble maker, if you will.”

Tilting her head, akin to a taunt, Sunset continued to smirk. “Put it on my tab, teach’.”

Approaching her with unwavering confidence, Principal Twilight stared her down. “Oh, I think I will. You’ve been a bad girl, and you require discipline.”

Leaning forward, unintimidated, nearly muzzle to muzzle, Sunset stared her down right back. “You know what they say about taming lions, teach’… They bite.”

But before this could go any further, a glowing portal opened in the classroom, and Princess Twilight Sparkle stepped through it. “Hey Sunsun! Guess what! Queen Luna taught me how to go inside dreams now! --O-oh. Um…?”

Sunset’s demeanor changed entirely, getting embarrassed and flustered upon seeing her girlfriend in her dreams of all places– her actual, real girlfriend. “U-uh.”

Beholding both of their outfits, and even the environment, Twilight tilted her head, containing a snicker. “So, um, what did I just walk into?”

Fidgeting with her hooves, Sunset tried finding the right words to maybe cover for whatever this was, but the teacher Twilight, AKA dream Twilight, beat her to it, with a confident, entertained smile. “Sexy teacher dream!”

Sunset facepalmed, and Twilight couldn’t help but break out into laughter. “HAHhahahihihi…! A-and is this a recurring dream?!”

“No!” Sunset tried covering.

“Yes!” Dream Twilight shamelessly nodded.

Even more laughter from her Love, and the dream version of her also amused herself quite a bit, joining on the snickers, and then continued. “Oh, this is nothing. You should see her ‘Knight in Shining armor/Princess rescue’ dream. It gets even raunchier.”

“That’s enough out of you, dream Twi…!!” Sunset desperately tried stopping her, flustering with embarrassment. 

With endless delight, the Princess came closer, smiling at her girlfriend with a lot of enjoyment. “Oh, this is delightful. I love these powers already. May I take over from here, me?”

The Teacher Twilight happily stepped away, with a confident smile. “Oh, by all means, me!”

With a cocky smile, the Princess waved her horn, showcasing her newfound knowledge of nightly dream magic in full display. The teacher Twilight faded away, not before stating “Have fun, you two!” And with the same glow and change of the dream, Princess Twilight was now dressed exactly like the dream version of her; In full teacher getup.

She adjusted her glasses, getting closer. “Now. Where were we?”

“Um… Discipline?”

“Oh yes. Discipline.”





“...Sunset? Hello?”

“--Twilight just told me about it. Yeah. She just told me. Normally.”

Shrugging with a giggle, Celestia paid it no mind, turning her gaze to the cosmos once more. “Ah, I am so happy for you two. I wonder how your rule will affect our Equestria; Being starkly different from two sisters ruling, of course…!”

Gazing at the stars, Sunset smiled. “...I’m not afraid. Whatever happens, we’ll deal with it.” They both exchanged caring looks, full of joy for their lives currently; And full of appreciation for Twilight Sparkle.

Turning back to the farthest cosmos, Celestia closed her eyes, and spoke listlessly, and yet, with a smile. “...One day, when our task is done, and you two are more than ready… me and my sister will brave the cosmos, and return to stardust once more… I have never had a chance at having a family, apart from her– But I am so, so happy that I will get to leave Equestria to you two. I couldn’t have possibly asked for a better legacy.”

Her joy was infectious, even if Sunset didn’t want to see her gone. “...Well, I hope you two stick around for a long time still. We’ll miss the hell out of you both, when you go…”

Celestia let out a couple of delighted snickers, pleased to be missed. “Do not worry, Sunset. We’re not vanishing simply; And besides, one day, one day very, very far from now, I have no doubt you and Twilight will do the same.”

For a moment, a brief, longing moment, Sunset wondered what it would be like, to fly across the cosmos together with her love for eternity. Becoming stardust together, Nebulae, after leaving behind a legacy of love in the world that belonged to them.

Then, blinking, she shook those thoughts off, because you can't make out if you’re stardust. Give it a couple thousand years.

They both remained quiet for a little while longer, simply admiring the view.

And then, a familiar feeling rose within sunset, as her horn glowed with a purple streak, and she looked down to Equestria. Her entire demeanor changed, ears twitching, tail whipping. “Oop. Twilight’s calling me.”

“Oh? How do you know?” Tilting her head, Celestia had noticed the magic that swirled around Sunset’s horn; Without her usual color.

With her face slightly reddened, Sunset fidgeted, wanting to go, but being respectful. “Oh, um, Cadance helped me and Twi put a spell together– We can call each other from nearly opposite corners of Equestria now. It’s mostly for emergencies, but–”

“--Heh, I should have known. See? You two are already discovering new inventive ways to use magic. Well don’t let me keep you, it is likely about today’s festivities! I will see you down there. Oh, and Sunset; Happy Anniversary.”

With a cheerful grin, Sunset nodded. “Thanks! Yeah, lots of people RSVP’d; Even my parents!”

Celestia’s demeanor changed entirely, with a frown. “Oh. Your mother will be there.”

The Princess raised an eyebrow. “Play nice.”

And the Queen frowned harder. “I’ll play nice if she plays nice.” 

She couldn’t help but chuckle, turning back to Equestria. “Heh. I’ll see you down there, Queen Celestia. Thanks for the lesson, it was incredible; as usual.”

She let gravity overtake her, flipping downwards, and descending upon Equestria at high speeds, akin to a shooting star, heeding the calling of her love.

And Celestia remained up there a little while longer, appreciating that she had never been this happy— Not in a thousand years.
> Pretty close to a Perfect day - PART 2
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Pretty close to a perfect day - Part 2






Another happy landing, and an explosive one at that.

As she flew down, she could see tents and parasols strung above tables all over Ponyville plaza, and that plenty of the townsfolk gathered around already, likely having noticed the shooting star that was Sunset flying down to the party at that moment.

Sunset’s arrival produced a massive gust of wind; and even her golden red magic hue flowed with a blast around through the party, akin to an actual meteor crash. She landed square center on Ponyville plaza, on a small clearing, and clearly Twilight was more than ready for her, holding the objects of the party down with her telekinesis, so they wouldn't be blasted away by the wind.

With nothing but smiles, Sunset spotted all of her friends, and they spotted her. A banner was above them, hanging on the entrance of the Community Center, alongside several gorgeous decorations, likely the work of Pinkie and Rarity’s combined talent. The banner read;  Happy Alicornaversary! 5 years of Princess Sunset Shimmer! Here’s to many more! She tried containing her giddy excitement, and instead gave them a confident smile, spreading her wings wide.

“Hello to everypony who isn’t Twilight, and a special hello to everypony else!” 

The entire crowd cheered for her arrival, even if the two Princesses only had eyes for each other.

Twilight teleported forward immediately, giving her wife a greeting kiss. They exchanged no words, they were unnecessary for Sunset, after all, she could feel her wife’s joy and happiness emanating from her with every touch, they simply enjoyed each other's presence, all while their friends approached, hounding them with affection. Every kiss felt like sparks, like fizzles of joy.

Pinkie was the first of her friends to arrive; So quickly one could have easily suspected her of teleportation; But Sunset knew better, exceptionally so, being capable of catching the Pink Pony’s famous tackle-hugs before it collided, giving her a strong hug of her own. 

“HEY BESTIE PARTY GIIIRLLL!!” She shouted, leaping into Sunset’s arms, being more than welcome to do so. Being in loving contact with Pinkie Pie felt very, very funny for an empath. “What’s up, bestie party master?” The Princess replied, as they both backed up and did an elaborate hoof-shake that ended with Pinkie being knocked to the floor with a chest bump; They clearly needed to rethink the ending of their hoof-shake, now that Sunset had gotten bigger. But of course, the Pink pony never minded it.

Rainbow Dash was the next one to arrive, with Fluttershy close behind. The former adorned her wonderbolts getup, and the latter, a simple cute party dress, that matched her style well, while also being accompanied by several birds that were either landed on her or flying around her.

And of course, the daredevil pegasus was the first one to speak up. “DUDE THAT LANDING WAS AWESOME!!! SIIIICK!!” And naturally, Sunset replied with the same kind of cocky smile, and they did their own kind of elaborate hoof shake, that even involved their wings flapping together. “That was for you, man!” They both laughed together, reliving its awesomeness. 

Fluttershy, giggling, approached the laughing duo, followed close behind by her bird friends. “Happy Alicornaversary, Sunset Shimmer! Dashie brought her Wonderbolt friends to do a presentation later today! And apparently there’s a chance that Starlight and Trixie will make an appearance to put on one of their shows, but we’ll see; They usually are kinda tardy.”

With enthusiastic nods, Rainbow got closer to her girlfriend. “Oh yeah oh yeah! And Flutters brought her bird friends to sing later, too!” After trying to name all of the bird friends of Fluttershy, whose names she had attempted fairly successfully to memorize, She eagerly pointed at the other side of the party, where a stage resided, ready for any band that’d like to perform; Which piqued Sunset’s interest immediately, with her ears twitching. “Wow, you guys went all out, huh?”

Vibrating with excitement, nearly hopping in place, Pinkie smiled HARD. “Of course, silly!! Today’s for YOU!!” 

And sharing similar excitement, but with a much calmer demeanor, Twilight added “We figured you might want to play sometime today; We have plenty of ponies that want to use that stage, but whenever you want to, you can!”

Without hesitation, Sunset hugged her wife, who reciprocated, with giggles. “You know me so well…!”


I wish everyday was for you.


Before they could undo the hug, Pinkie joined in, and that easily got Rainbow and Fluttershy to join too; And then, running towards them, late to the embrace, Applejack and Rarity hopped on it too. 

“Happy Alicornaversary, darling!! I hope you’ve enjoyed the decorations; My idea! And don’t think I haven’t noticed your outfit–!” The Unicorn stated, joining in the embrace, followed close behind. “HOWDY Y’ALL!! BIG HUG, C’MON!!” And just like that, Applejack wrapped her limbs around her friends and lifted them all into a delighted, cheerful hug; Sunset didn’t need to read minds to be able to tell that those two were distracted by making out, and that’s why they were the last ones here; Not that she minded, all her friends were together, and they were happy, so she was happy.

And, wrapped comfortably in the embrace of her friends, Sunset could feel all their joy, like it was her own. This day was pretty close to perfect.





“How's the coolest daughter in the world doing?? Cm’here, Mustard!!” Flare Shimmer, Sunset’s mother, ran towards her daughter, giving her a very happy hug. “Heya, mom!” That excitement was infectious, the Princess could feel it fully, smiling the same way as her.

Flare Shimmer was an older Earth Pony, who carried herself like she was much younger. She dressed in many similar ways to how Sunset usually would, with leather jackets all around, she was the original inspiration for Sunset’s style, after all; She even carried her electric guitar on her back, one that had seen many years of use, and covered her right eye with pony-tailed hair. It’d be rare you’d ever see her nowadays without a toothy smile. Despite her wrinkles, she always remained feisty.

“Heya, kiddo!” Gold Shimmer, Sunset’s father, approached with less of his Ex-wife’s excitement, but no less joy. He joined in on the hug, and they embraced each other quietly. Sunset always felt a certain surprise, having outgrown her parents so much.

Her father certainly carried himself differently from her mother. He was a tall Unicorn that covered his eyes with hair often and wore comfortable sweaters, being moderately soft spoken, with no particularly noticeable eccentricities about him. 



And nonetheless, this family was more united than it had ever been, after all this time.

With a quick glance away from her daughter, Flare smiled, looking at Twilight, who gleefully followed behind her wife. “And there’s the cutest daughter-in-law in the world!! C’mon, join in!!” Which naturally, she did. 

With a quiet snicker, Gold addressed the Princess of Friendship. “Lovely to see you, Twilight. I take it our daughter has been behaving?”

“Oh, you know, most days... But I never worry, after all, I’m an expert in discipline.” She gave Sunset a mischievous smile, who herself almost choked on a cough.

Flare let out hearty laughter, then addressed her daughter. “Heheh, I expected nothing less. You better be the coolest wife in the world too, ketchup!”

“Oh, she is.” Twilight smiled happily, nuzzling her love, who was more than happy to nuzzle back. “By the way, have you two seen my parents? Oh, and maybe Queen Celestia?”

With a nod, Gold pointed towards the end of the party, where several guests sat. “Of course! We were sitting at the same table; Nightlight and Velvet should be over in that direction. As for Celestia…”

“Oh. She’s here too?” Demeanor clearly changed, Flare frowned.

Her daughter raised an eyebrow. “Play nice.”

And Flare frowned harder. “I’ll play nice if she plays nice.” 

Twilight rolled her eyes, hoping not to have to break a mom fight apart soon; and hoping even more that the two of them could find common ground. “I’ll go check on mom and dad! You three enjoy yourselves. See you in a bit, my Sun.” Leaving her wife with a quick kiss on the cheek, she pranced away. 

Sunset watched her move away with a dumb grin on her face; One that her parents noticed. “‘My Sun’, eh?” Gold tilted his head, with a smile.

“I-it’s just a cute little pet name, nothing to it–” She lied, badly, flustering; And naturally, her parents didn't buy it. That ‘Pet Name’ was an affirmation, a promise, of a love that would last over a thousand years. It was also a bit embarrassing to be called that in front of your parents.

Suppressing her desire to cackle joyfully, Flare poked her on the chest, sending the little flurries of emotions her mother felt through her. “That’s my daughter, right there, heheh. You scored BIG time, kiddo– What, you gonna let her put you on a leash next?”


I’m so happy for you, kiddo. You deserve this in full.


Suppressing her snickers, and the desire to bite onto the leash commentary, (Which she likely would have in the past, regardless of its truth,) Sunset simply smiled and nodded. “Thanks, mom. I’m happy you two made it.” And that she was, incredibly so.

With a pleased nod, Gold Shimmer smiled back at her. “We wouldn’t miss it for anything, Ketchup. Oh yes– Flare brought her guitar, maybe after we get some snacks, you two could…”

And that mere suggestion already sparked excitement on the two mare Shimmers, whose ears twitched, as they both nodded together in eager agreement, even playing air guitar riffs together.

Surprised, Gold turned his gaze behind them, with a wave. “...Oh hello, Queen Celestia!”

All three of the heads turned at the tall Alicorn’s approach; And her quiet demeanor certainly was noticed, not behaving regally, simply professionally. “Greetings, Shimmers. Sunset, Twilight said you wanted to see me about something?”

Suppressing her instinct of saying ‘I don’t think I do?’ and blinking, she could tell what her wife was doing; Likely trying to get Flare and Celestia to get along. She turned to her parents, showcasing them. “Heya, Queen Celestia! Remember my parents, Flare and Gold?”

“Indeed I do. Hello again to you both!” She stated plainly and professionally, regarding Flare as if she was regarding an assassin, and the mother did the same glance back at her.

Sunset’s mother forced on another of her toothy grins. “Heeeyy Celie. We were just talking about how proud we are of our daughter, and how we love her very, very much. We were even talking about how we might play guitar together later! I taught her that.” Before she even wrapped a loving arm around her daughter, both of the other Shimmers snickered, knowing that Flare was not one to speak the word ‘love’ lightly.

Sunset felt a jolt of frustrated tense anger emanating from her mother as she looked at Celestia.

Clearing her throat, the Queen attempted to remain composed, nodding. “Of course. I, too, am also incredibly proud of Sunset. She has made truly astounding progress, even before her ascension. Did I mention that I took her to space today? Why yes, I’m teaching her how to fly through the cosmos!”

The emotions that Sunset felt from her mother did not change for the better, maybe even intensifying. “Oh that’s great, Celie, that’s great. Do you know how to play guitar? ‘Cause me and my daughter know; ‘cause we’ve played together, dozens of times. We might even do so today, on these festivities! And look at that, we even dress similarly!” She pointed at their same punk style, and Sunset couldn’t help but roll her eyes at her behavior.

With an eye twitching, the Queen tried her absolute best to maintain her royal composure. “No, I do not know how to play guitar. One certainly doesn't need such distractions, when she is busy training the future rulers of Equestria; Who are doing incredibly well in my care, by the way.”

“Play nice, you two.” Sunset tried stopping them, but little could go between those two mothers; She wasn’t even sure that they both heard her.

Flare’s smile wavered, and yet, remained full of teeth. “Really? Do you ever loosen up and have fun with her? Do you care about her?” And quickly and quietly, Gold attempted to poke her into backing up, and to stop antagonizing the Queen, but he certainly knew better than to expect it.

Nearly raising her wings, Celestia tried breathing deeply, but she very much could not keep full composure. “Sunset is my number one priority– As is Twilight. I’ve done all in my power to give them a comfortable, incredibly easy transition into being the rulers of our world–” 

“You never changed her diapers though.” The mother dismissively muttered.

Blowing air from her nostrils, and forcing a smile, Celestia had a comeback she had thought of for maybe months. “Did you know? She’s called me ‘mom’ more than a few times by accident. Fun fact, isn’t it?” It was absolutely true, and The Queen of the Sun refused to forget it, delighting herself endlessly with it.

Flare let out a quick snarl while preparing to unleash her retort; But she didn’t need to. Sunset could feel all of her mother’s anger before she herself even processed it.


You’re the reason my daughter overworked herself down to the bone with study. You’re the reason she vanished for so many years. Because she thought she wasn’t good enough for you. She’s better. You–


Sunset blinked and immediately stepped in between them, letting go of her mother and all the anger she felt.

Raising her wings between them, she stopped them both on their tracks. “Mom, STOP. And Celestia, stop taking the bait. Can we all just breathe here? It’s supposed to be a party.” She cared a lot about both of them; But it was really hard to surpass the ego of a Queen, and least of all, the ego of someone who raised Sunset Shimmer.

Both the mothers looked away in embarrassment, trying to cool off their anger. 

Gold Shimmer cleared his throat, knowing this would still be a long party. “Apologize, both of you. Please.”

The two mothers mumbled their own respective apologies.

Looking at her mother directly in the eyes, Sunset spoke plainly. “Mom. It’s not Celestia’s fault that I was banished, it was mine. It was my failure.”

Both of the mothers spoke in unison. “That’s not fair to you, Sunset! Hey stop copying me.”

“Down, both of you, please.” Gold quickly stated, resulting in them both crossing their arms and frowning. He continued, attempting to diffuse the situation. “Listen. What you can both agree on is that you love Sunset, right? Why don’t we just calm down and talk about something lighter?”

A brief moment of Silence, as both of them frowned in annoyance.

But Flare saw another chance, and she took it, nuzzling her husband lovingly. “Thank you Goldie, you always know just what to say. I love you.” Both of the other shimmers snickered, knowing full well how out of the ordinary it was to hear the word ‘Love’ from Flare’s mouth– It almost felt like it was a joke. They could immediately tell she was trying something; And Celestia was none the wiser.

“Speaking of which, Celie, how’s your love life doing?” Unfortunately for Celestia, she couldn’t tell she was once again being baited, choosing to believe Flare’s unassuming smile.

“Same as it ever was.” She looked away towards the party, not even considering that question for what it was.

The voice that Flare spoke with was dangerously close to condescending. “Oh, what a shame! A thousand years, and no reports of the Queen of the Sun ever being in love, it always surprised me, to be honest!” It took her all the energy she could have possibly mustered not to simply say ‘No bitches?’

Both Sunset and Gold facepalmed quietly.

And Celestia, almost flustering, scoffed and groaned. “Hey! I’ll have you know I've had more than a couple of flings over my years!” The word ‘flings’ was spoken in a way that implied that she was not good with any sort of slang; None of which inspired confidence in the truth behind her words.

All that Flare had to do was tilt her head and raise an eyebrow, with that same smile. And Celestia kept digging her own embarrassment grave. “I’ll have you know that I had a brief, yet passionate affair with an evil king from a mirror dimension! –H-he wasn’t evil then. He became evil after.” 

The three Shimmers blinked in confusion. And Celestia stuttered, continuing. “The gate between our worlds shattered, and he was consumed by darkness.” 

“That’s uhhhh… That’s a bummer, man.” For once, Flare was not making fun of her, this was her genuine reaction.

Fluttering her wings in frustration, Celestia refused to be made fun of; But unfortunately for her, it wasn’t hard. “And that’s not all! I also had a brief but very loving relationship with a Valkyrie, in the past!”

Grimacing with pity, Flare had to ask. “And then…?”

“...We didn’t get to do anything– She died.” Celestia facepalmed, realizing that she was setting herself up for even more embarrassment. Sunset regarded her with concern, wondering what did happen, all those centuries ago.

Flare sat back down, genuinely taken back, even if amused at the Queen's expense. “That’s just sad, man. No other way to put it.”

Once again, Celestia tried covering for herself, to little success. “W-well you can’t blame me– An Alicorn of my responsibilities, of my position, I simply have no time for things such as those. H-here, I’ll prove it! Sister! Come over here please!”

The Alicorn’s horn glowed almost akin to a lighthouse, beckoning attention, as she waved to her sister, on the other side of the party. Lots of heads turned and/or were blinded by it, groaning in annoyance, one pony even accidentally hit a wall, being surprised.

Quietly, Flare Shimmer whispered to her daughter, containing her laughter. “Why is she even hiding behind that excuse– You got married in less than half a decade of being an Alicorn!!!”

“Mom, stop bullying the Queen of the Sun, please.” 

In the distance, Luna quickly took notice, flying there and taking a drink with her, having it float beside her; A glass of what could be wine, or fruit punch, for all they knew. “Greetings, Shimmers. Is my sister making a fool of herself again?” 

“Am not.” Celestia quickly attempted to interject, moving on. “Flare here was giving me a bit of grief, you see–”

Nodding, Luna lowered her glass. “Oh, perhaps I can help, I have a suggestion.”

With ears flicking forward, Celestia leaned closer, hoping her sister would back her up; Maybe even, possibly, hopefully, help her roast Flare Shimmer back. “Yes?”

“Why don’t you, and hear me out here–” The Queen of the Night took a swig of her glass. “Why don’t you banish her to the moon?”

Even Sunset couldn’t help but snicker a bit at that one, joining the others in laughter. It was the rare occasion that Queen Luna ever cracked jokes, but on that comet-like rare instance, it was hilarious.

Blowing air from her nostrils, Celestia fell deeper in embarrassment, using her many thousands of years worth of patience training to remain as level-headed as possible, to questionable success. “We were just talking about romance and relationships, and I was explaining how Alicorns like us don’t have much of a chance to have such things!! Go on, tell them.”

“You don’t know everything I do, sister.” Luna stated plainly, covering her mouth with her glass, taking a swig.

Celestia’s eye twitched. She glared at her sister intently. “What do you mean by this. What do you mean?”

No response from her sister, who simply lowered her glass, and raised her eyebrow, with a sly smile.

“Okay that’s it. Where is my niece. She will sort this out.” Celestia immediately turned around and walked around the party with haste, shouting for Cadance leaving those four on their own devices.

Tilting her head, Luna shared a knowing smile with Flare. “See? No one gets on a sister’s nerves like a sister.”

“You're my man, Luna” they did a sort of awkward fistbump that only two old mares would do, but with hooves.

Rubbing his temples, Gold sighed. “Can you two stop embarrassing the Queen. Please. Honey, we are this close to causing a diplomatic incident with your jealousy fits.”

“I’m not jealous.” She lied. Naturally, her husband knew her well enough not to buy it.

Sunset nodded in agreement with her father. “It’s good to see you Luna; but Celestia was having a pretty good day before this– Can we dial it back?” 

Luna took another swig, amused. “I will, once she stops making it this easy.” 

“Hear hear.” Flare agreed quietly.

Blowing raspberries, Sunset rolled her eyes. “You two are so lucky Twilight isn’t here, the Princess of Friendship would chew you both up for this one.”

Giving her best pouty eyes, as part of the joke, Flare pleaded for her daughter. “Sweet little Mustard wouldn’t snitch on her mama, would she?” 

Try as she might, Sunset couldn’t stop but snicker at her mom’s demeanor. “Whatever.” 

They shared a brief moment of silence accentuated with laughter, taking in the atmosphere of the party. Sunset could see her friends in the distance, enjoying themselves in their own respective ways. Fluttershy’s bird choir was absolutely on point as usual; And Pinkie seemed to be doing another keg stand.

With her ears perked up and with a smile, Sunset remembered something good. “Oh! Mom! Guess what! I beat Queen Luna in a fight! Fair and square, too; It was just last month, in one of our training sessions!!”

Flare’s eyes lit up, with a proud smile, she traded looks with her daughter and the Queen. “Holy crap, I’m SO proud of you, Ketchup. is this true, Luna!?”

Luna hid her pride for her student and friend with her glass. “I suppose, statistically speaking, that you would win eventually, Sunset Shimmer.” She teased.

The entire demeanor of the Princess of Valor changed, as she got incredibly excited, smiling wildly. “OOooooHHhh Them’s FIGHTING words, Luna!! You wanna go again?? I’ll take you one here and now, I don’t care— I know all your moves, Nightwing!!”

Her excitement was certainly infectious. “And I won’t slip the same way again, Lightwing.” The Queen of the Night raised an daring eyebrow.

If there was something that brought Sunset Shimmer excitement, more than many other things, it was an invitation for a good fight. She was beaming.

Suppressing a chuckle, Gold tried intervening. “Kiddo, please don’t have an Alicorn fight on your own anniversary. I’m pretty sure Ponyville plaza couldn’t survive it.”

She pouted. “Awww but dad, the best parties are the ones where we beat the crap outta each other…!”

“Hear hear!” Her mother agreed with enthusiasm.

In a matter of seconds, Twilight teleported into the conversation, kissed her wife quickly, stated “no fighting.” and then teleported away, back into the party elsewhere.

Sunset’s demeanor changed completely once more, as she sat back down, with an dumb grin. “Welp! No fighting, then.” She obeyed implicitly. 

Her mother let out a boo as a joke. And then, at long last, after a thorough search, Celestia returned to the conversation, with her niece, Cadance, the Princess of Love following behind; Who was quick to greet Sunset. “Hello again, my favorite Lovebird! Where’s your other bird?”

“You just missed her; Heya, Cadance!” Sunset let out a warm smile, pleased to see the Princess of Love again.

“Aww, bummer. I’m sure you two won’t keep your hooves off each other for long, so–” But she was interrupted, by Celestia grabbing her, lifting her, and pointing her like a gun towards Luna.

“Okay, dear niece; Scan her.” The Queen of the Sun commanded, and Luna didn’t even flinch, simply giving her glass another swig.

“Scan her what– What is going on here exactly?” Cadance raised an eyebrow, confused at why she was being held akin to a metal detector.

It was clear that Celestia’s patience was running thin. “My sister claimed she has had love affairs recently; And I strongly doubt the validity of that statement!!! Go on, tell me I'm right!”

And yet, with mere seconds of love magic inspection, Cadance turned to her aunt, with a grimace. “Well, um, then I wont say anything.”

Even just Celestia’s look of terror-filled surprise was enough to send Flare into a snickering fit. 

Looking a bit closer, Cadance nodded in approvement. “If it makes you feel better, it was more of a affair than love; A handful of them, though– OOF” Her aunt dropped her on the ground.

“We speak of this no longer.” Celestia stated plainly, with a blank look, regarding her sister with what one could presume is rageful envy.

As soon as Flare’s laughing fit was done, she poked her daughter. “Yo, Mustard, the stage is clear, what say you and me go and shred for a bit? Wanna play your favorite?”

Despite the annoyance of her two mother figures fighting, she couldn’t help but be excited for this part; She didn’t have as much chance to play recreationally nowadays, and playing with her mother was even better. She materialized her own guitar from her horn. “Actually mom, I was thinking we could play your favorite?”

A genuine smile appeared on her mother’s face, as both of them brandished their guitars. “Coolest. Daughter. Ever.”

“YO PINKIE!” Sunset shouted, and seemingly out of nowhere, Pinkie materialized herself next to her; Which certainly would surprise most; But the Princess of Valor knew her too well for that. “HIYA Sunsun!! Hiya, miss Shimmer! Hiya mister Shimmer, Princess Cadance, Queen Luna and Queen Celestia! You rang?”

After the surprise of the Pink pony simply manifesting out of thin air, Flare gave her a confident smile; Pinkie was Flare’s favorite out of all of Sunset’s friends. “We sure did, Rockstar.”

And brandishing her guitar, Sunset gave her friend a knowing nod. “Me and my mom want to shred. You in?

Gasping with joy, Pinkie smiled hard. “YEAH YEAH LET'S GO!! Bye mister Shimmer bye Luna bye Celestia bye Cadance!!” The three of them ran out onto the stage.

“B-bye, then.” Celestia barely managed to mutter.

And right then Sunset turned around and waved properly. “Bye mom– I mean Celestia!”

Despite the wave of embarrassment she had been bathed in, the Queen of the Sun felt that be replaced with relief, the moment she heard that word, counting that as a small victory, and let out a quiet smile. Her gaze accompanied her oldest pupil getting on stage.

“You girls be wise, now!” Sunset’s father stated, before nodding a respectable goodbye to the three royals near him and leaving to find a comfortable spot in the crowd.

The three Alicorns idled for a little bit, each with their own level of awkwardness over the current events. 

Luna was the first one to speak up, finishing her glass. “All in good fun, sister?”

The Queen of the Sun, an Alicorn who was over 1000 years old, was pouting. “Hmpf. Could you not be treasonous in front of Sunset, please?  …I’m going to go look for Twilight.” She wandered off, trying to stave off the embarrassment she felt over the last few conversations.

Luna and Cadance appreciated a moment of silence, until the Princess of Love spoke up. “For the record? Good for you. I’m glad you’re putting yourself out there. Celestia could learn a thing or two from it. You and me? We gotta have a girls night sometime.”

Both of them exchanged snickers, knowing that the Queen of the Sun certainly would likely never want to join something of the sort.





With a giddy smile, Twilight sat at a good distance of the stage, waiting for her wife to start playing. Besides her, were Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash, praising the shy pegasus for having just finished her musical number with her bird friends.

“Tell your Wonderbolt friends that you can all start performing as soon as Sunset and her mom are done playing!” 

With a wide grin, Rainbow’s eyes lit up. “Awww YEAH. Thanks, Twi!” She turned to her girlfriend. “Kiss for good luck, babe?”

What proceeded was not a kiss, but something a bit more passionate and fierce, as Fluttershy pulled her close and unleashed a long and passionate muzzle to muzzle display of affection, and once she let go, Rainbow looked as if she had been slapped, but to both of the other mare’s entertainment. “W-woah…! …Um!”

It was certainly a shock to see the shy Pegasus doing such a display. She sheepishly smiled. “What? I’m in a good mood…! Let’s go, Dashie. You’re gonna do great…!” They shared giddy nods, and flew away together. “Good luck!” The Princess of Friendship accentuated.

“What’s the next performance, darling?” Rarity questioned, as she joined Twilight at the table, with Applejack close behind her.

“Sunset’s playing with her mom and Pinkie– You two want to sit with me?”

With a mischievous giggle, Rarity winked at her love, who cleared her throat. “Um– No thanks, Twi, Me n’ Rares will find our own seats elsewhere!” Applejack stated, a bit flustered.

What she actually meant was that she and Rarity would find a comfortable place somewhere to makeout, regardless of the performance that would or wouldn’t be happening soon. And Twilight could obviously tell, knowing her friends well. She simply smiled and raised an eyebrow.

“See you later, Twilight. Let’s go, Applejack dear!” Rarity proclaimed, while grazing her tail alongside the Farmer’s flank and moving on.

“Bye Twi! Tell Sunset her playin’ was great!” Applejack followed close behind.

The Princess of Friendship simply sighed in delight, watching her friends walk away. The atmosphere of the party was so light– Everyone was having fun, especially her wife, and that’s what mattered most.

“Twilight.” Celestia stated plainly, sitting next to her.

“Hi, Queen Celestia! …So, everything went okay?”

“Hmm.”

“That bad, huh?”

She could see all over the Queen’s face that she had been thoroughly irritated. Without further ado, the curtains opened, And the Two Shimmers strummed their electric guitars loudly, while Pinkie accompanied them with drums, with an incredibly excited rhythm.

Twilight smiled widely, seeing her wife wink at her from the stage, as she got completely in the zone. She turned to Celestia, who was watching the show intently.

“Sooooo….. I take it bringing Luna into the conversation didn’t help?”

“Another casually treasonous display from my next of kin.”

“Surely it wasn’t that bad?”

“...She made fun of me.”

Twilight suppressed a giggle, knowing that despite her many years of experience, Celestia still had the same emotional fragility as even a normal pony would; regardless of all her grand qualities.

They both looked at the stage intently, where Sunset and her Mother shared a mic.




WHY WOULD I BE, STANDIN’ STILL

WHEN YOU GOT BLOOD THAT I NEED TO SPILL?

OHHH YEAAAH I’M LOOKIN’ FOR A THRIIIIIIL

I   A M   O V E R K I L L !!!!!!!!




And of course, Twilight couldn’t keep a loving grin out of her face, gushing at her mentor. “They play so well together, don’t they?”

“I’m not jealous.” She lied, poorly, observing the two of them be incredibly happy on their display.

Taking a moment to think of what to say, the Princess of Friendship got a little bit closer, giving her mentor a comforting bump. “You know she values having you back even more than you do, right? Trust me. I know.”

A brief moment of quiet, as Celestia stared forward quietly.

“You’re not gonna lose her. Not again, not ever. She loves you, and I do too.”

The Sun Alicorn couldn’t help but smile, hugging her pupil, appreciating her wisdom. “Thank you, Twilight. The student has become the teacher, I see!”

“Pff, give me a decade or two still, I’m not in a rush.” She stated, turning her gaze back to her love, who was continuing to shred, joyfully. “I don’t mind us taking our time.”





The sun lowered, and the party’s energy lowered with it, even with its still loving liveliness. The two wives sat together on a table, distant from the other party goers, enjoying eachothers company, flank to flank. They watched the wonderbolts flying above them, performing an encore of tricks on the afternoon sky.

The gleeful murmurs of happy ponies, their laughter and snickers and even music accentuated their conversation; And despite that, they felt like they were alone; Like there was no one in the world but them.

They sat, leaning on each other; And to Sunset, who could feel emotions, this was something she always delighted herself in doing. Despite she, herself, being the one learning to harness the Sun, Being able to feel her wife’s feelings on skin-to-skin contact felt akin to being sat next to a comfortable fireplace; A much fuzzier and cuter one, at that.

She let out a listless sigh, with a smile, and her wife took notice. “What are you thinking about?”

A sly smile appeared on Sunset’s lips. “Read my mind, Sparkles.”

Nuzzling her, The Princess of Friendship made a cute humming noise, as if she was actually casting some magic, which she was not. “You’re thinking About… how lucky you are.”

With a wide eyed snicker, Sunset nodded. “You know, that’s not actually that far from it. Good guess!”

“I learn from the best, hihi.” Her wife knew her well.

Only a brief moment of silence passed, before Sunset nodded and continued, a bit more seriously. “...Sometimes, I forget that this is all real. I feel so lucky to have all this, I just… It almost doesn’t feel like it’s true. It feels like it’s a dream. Like a daydream…?”

With a quiet nod and a smile, Twilight knew better than to simply allow her wife to feel insecure. She moved a strand of hair away from her Sunset’s eyes. “I know what you mean, But it’s real, my Sun. It’s real and it’s good; Everyday is a gift with you, and we’ll have a thousand years of this to look forward to…!” 

Trying to make light of those feelings, Sunset nuzzled her. “You’re awfully poetic today, Sparkles.”

“What? I’m in a good mood…!”  She smiled sweetly, nuzzling back.


A thousand years doesn’t feel like enough time loving you. An eternity might satiate me.

Yes. but if we cherish every second, it might be close to enough.

Close enough.

Close enough.


That resulted in Sunset getting even closer, with a loving smile. “Just sayin’, we don’t have to stop at a thousand…” 

Even the suggestion sent a jolt of eager joy and excitement through The Princess of Friendship, and her wife felt it; As Twilight immediately said “And for the record, if this was a dream, I’d make it even better.” Her smile turned mischievous, and Sunset followed suit, getting even closer.

“Oh really? And how would you make it better, Sparkles?”

“Well for starters, i’d–” 

A single firework sounded off, and both of their ears flicked back, Sunset turning her gaze away immediately, more aware.

With a groan, The Princess of Valor distanced herself from her wife only a little. “There isn't supposed to be any fireworks while the wonderbolts are flying– I better check out who’s making a misfire. I hope it’s not Pinkie…”

Twilight let out a small giggle. “Pff yes, I’m hoping our friendship reduces her pyrotechnic tendencies.”

“Cover me?”

“Of course, Sunsun.”

Sunset took off savagely into the sky, and Twilight easily held all the objects nearby down with her telekinesis, a maneuver they had both already rehearsed plenty of times.

Her flight was brief, and low. She kept her eye on the fireworks tent, wondering what had happened. Getting a bit closer, she could see a couple of ponies confused at the misfire.

She inspected the surrounding party for a little bit, mimicking the way Rainbow Dash would often scout Ponyville, ensuring all was well and okay. 

She noticed something that did not raise much alarm at first. The gaze of the ponies around the firework tent led to a hooded figure, who was galloping away from the fireworks tent, and into the party, bumping into a bunch of other party guests, not exactly blending with the crowd.

The moment it raised an alarm was when Sunset saw the hooded figure glance back; Directly at her, and then continue moving forward… On the direction of her wife.

She didn’t waste time speculating, she simply flew down to be beside her wife, to take a better look at the suspect.

She landed, and Twilight could only state “Back already?” Before the magical impact happened.

The hooded figure shot some sort of strange magic blast towards Twilight, and yet, Sunset was in front of her, taking the whole hit.

She got thrown back, crashing against the table they were sitting by, much to both their shocks.

The Princess of Friendship inspected her wife thoroughly, relieved to find no wounds, and see her well awake, and managing to stand.

The hooded figure loudly and gleefully professed his victory. “A-HA! Gotcha! I, Hermes, finally have achieved my ultimate vengeance!!! You shall wander forever, Twilight Sparkle!!!” The crown-like halo machine around his horn fizzled and sputtered smoke, seemingly malfunctioning from having fired once.

“What’s the big idea, asshole?!” Sunset snarled, getting up and staring him down; Ready to tackle him.

But besides her, Twilight’s eyes widened with concern; To something that her wife did not notice.

There was a magical glow enveloping her.

“Sunset…?!”

The Princess of valor started levitating, and not by her own choice; As a strange magic swirled around her; And she herself was very confused and shocked; Not being able to do anything about it.

That panic increased even more when her limbs started fading.

Hermes, from the corner, fidgeted in surprise. “U-um, uh oh, I missed.”

Bit by bit her body seemingly vanished, and she had no idea what was happening or what she was feeling; And the rest of the party gathered around slowly, utterly concerned, having no idea what was happening. 

Sunset did the last thing she could do. “I don't know what's going on– I love you, okay? I love you!! I love you so much–”

And then, she faded, like she was never even there.

Twilight watched in staggered grief, as the few sparks that remained turned to air, right where her wife was, merely moments ago.

It was as if the light of the Sun itself dimmed. 

Celestia ran over, having felt it; As well as all their friends and family.

In the corner, Hermes started panicking, considering a getaway, fidgeting with the device atop his head. “C’mon, reload, reload, reload…”

Twilight’s gaze turned from grief to rage, as it moved to the cowardly Unicorn fidgeting with whatever that device was. 

The air itself got electrified, as her eyes glowed; With her magic, she intensified the gravity on him, and then dragged him across the floor closer to her, crashing on several chairs and tables along the way, then bringing him to eye level, incapacitating him entirely.

Objects around them started floating erratically, as the Princess's rage could be seen generating sparks around them. Hermes whimpered, as he felt as if his entire body was pressing in on itself, his bones risking being crumbled to dust at any moment.

With a snarl, The Princess flipped him upside down, nullifying his magic with her own, looking eye to eye, tears bubbling in her eyes, but rage, endless rage, being her primary drive.

“WHAT DID YOU DO TO MY WIFE.”





Sunset Shimmer rematerialized, collapsing on a cold stone floor, And immediately let out a sigh of relief, as she patted herself, lifting hooves and raising wings, checking for wounds, being glad to find none. “I’m alive! Oh thank goodness I'm alive, I'm alive…!”

Letting out a huge shuddered exhale, she looked around, in confusion.

She was in some sort of jail cell, in fact, it looked like it was Canterlot prison. 

“Twilight?! I’m here, Twi–”

She stopped, after turning around, eyes widened. 

Before her, stood another pony, an Unicorn, one that was very familiar. After all… It was her.

Sunset Shimmer, dressed in a prisoner garment, with her horn bound, stared right at the Alicorn version of her that just dropped from nowhere, looking at her in immense confusion and disbelief.

They both spoke in unison.

“What the fuck are you?!”








> Decaying by Choice
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Decaying by choice







Life as a prisoner suited Sunset Shimmer. At least, that’s certainly what she believed.

For starters, there were no more responsibilities or stakes. Her one and only directive was to sit in a room, sit in a yard, sit in a cafeteria, and not interact with anybody, unless it was necessary. Training, working out, anything of that sort was merely a pastime by choice, and luckily for her, few dared to attempt to demand her attention. In fact, a place like this was perfect for someone for which being a bully came naturally to.

“Welcome to the land of the permanent sun, where the flowers are melted and the future is fun,”

Though it was not a problem. Other ponies knew well enough to leave her be, and what's more, Canterlot prison was a correctional facility, it was exceedingly comfortable, and made to improve the lives and dispositions of those in it, until they were free to go.

“The freeway lizards ain’t feelin' so good, on a one-way trip back to West Hollyhoof, let's go–”

Which was the only issue for her, really; Because this is exactly where she belonged. But it was certainly not a challenge to extend her stay. After all, all you have to do to stay in a place like this is to break something, or someone. And Sunset Shimmer was an expert at both, and more than eager to do so.

“It feels so good to have a, perfect song, it feels so good to be in total control…!”

It was, in a sense, almost akin to being in a permanent state of meditation. Not introspection, but rather, the absence of it, thinking of nearly nothing at all. Except, of course, her creativity was hard to suppress in a place with an absence of purpose. So she wrote songs. So she drew.

“It's so convincing, that something's missing, the sun is kissing, my face, and erasing my doubts,”

And naturally, to an ex-student of Celestia, it was easy to circumvent magical binds. She sat in her cell, in one of the highest floors of Canterlot prison, in a day like any other, feeling the rhythm of a melody that played in the distant cafeteria, and wrote her own song for it. Her horn was bound by a magic-nullifying cuff, but that was not enough to stop her, naturally. She pressed it against a wall and channeled its energy fiercely at the furthest tip, and made it work akin to a blowtorch.

“I'm going out, with a bang, and the fangs, of a parasite, I'm feeling alright, alright, alright, alright,”

Sure, she could have asked for a pencil and a sketchbook. But no. As if. Her art had the need to be something else; To be an imposition. And it sure as hell wouldn't be drawn with her mouth. She burned the tip of her horn, ignoring the pain, embracing it even, and made the walls of her cell into a canvas; moving her entire upper body, sometimes even rotating herself on an horizontal axis while remaining in contact with it. At times, she brought her bed closer to the wall, just so she could reach higher. This was her kind of meditation, being utterly in the groove.

“Alright, all night, alright, all night, alright, all night, alright, all night, alright, all night,”

A prisoner from another cell interrupted her groove, offering commentary on the fact she wasn’t exactly being quiet. “Is the song over? Is that how it ends?”

“Work in progress!” She barked, blinking, huffing, annoyed to have been pulled from her work.

“I like it! It’s interesting. ‘Metaphorical’? I guess? I don’t get it but I don’t need to.” The prisoner added, apologetically.

“Thanks, Corkscrew.” Sunset responded plainly, not wanting to make this into an actual conversation.

Another prisoner, in another cell next to her, had a different opinion. “Are ya done yapping? That song made no damn sense at all. What's with the lyrics–”

“Nopony asked for your OPINION, Peanut! Fuck off.” She barked in response instantly, dismissing any criticism. 

“Right back at ya, Shimmer.”

She did not bite back. The best way to get her fellow inmates to shut up was to simply not respond; Unless they were face to face; Then she’d break their face. She returned to the center of the cell, observing her work, thinking of what she’d do next, what she’d change, considering spreading it to all the walls and even the floor. Before she could continue, fireworks sounded off in the distance, making her ears twitch, bringing her attention to the window atop the cell.

Blowing raspberries, she tried focussing on the wall before her, but as the explosions sounded in the distance, it drew her to them. She moved the bed towards that wall, jumped on it and held the bars to support her view; Using her back legs to lean her on the wall, and her front legs to hold onto the bars on the window.

In the distance, Canterlot castle was shooting fireworks into the sky. “Whoopdy fucking do.” She groaned, lingering.

And she continued to linger. Her expression softened, as she observed the shape of the castle towers in the distance. Her mind unwillingly brought her to think of how it was to walk within its walls. 

“Ugh!” 

She purposefully hit her head against the bars, and forced herself down. No more looking. And when she was on the floor, she bucked her bed for good measure. Bending the steel of its support a bit, but not much else.

Calm deep breaths. Close your eyes, and think of nothing.

Return to your art…

“Shimmer!” A familiar voice approached her cell. She instinctively exhaled, but did not respond.

Flash Sentry sat outside her cell, with his usual lighthearted demeanor, and wearing full royal guard getup. She sat, and raised an eyebrow. “What?”

Despite the coldness he was being given, he gave her a warm smile. “I don’t need a reason to check on my favorite prisoner, do I?”

“Whatever.” She looked back at the wall, trying to tune him out, with little success.

He tilted his head; Not critically, but in surprise, looking at the burn scratches in the wall. “I see you’re defacing another cell. How do you keep doing that?!”

With a look of feigned innocence, she rolled her eyes. “Oh me? I dunno man these things just appear in my walls. Crazy right? Maybe I’m haunted. Like by a ghost.”

That actually got a chuckle out of him, but it wasn’t hard to amuse the guard pegasus. “What is that, anyways, some sort of fireball with teeth?”

She was not surprised that someone wouldn’t get her art and its meaning, but it was still a tad disappointing, a disappointment she suppressed with a shrug. “Hell if I know, man. It’s just here.”

“Well how lovely. If it’s not you misbehaving, I can give in a good word and lower your sentence–”

That statement was not a joke to her. With a snarl, she instantly lunged at the cell bars, ignoring the pain of how hitting her head on them violently felt; shaking its foundations, and igniting the tip of her horn, pointing it at his neck. He flinched, but only a little.

She said nothing as she did this.

“Huh. So that’s how you do it.” He said, looking at her horn ignited akin to a soldering iron. 

Swallowing her rage, she didn’t move an inch. “I’m not in the mood for your shit, Flash. Leave me alone.”

And of course, he didn’t. His gaze was one of stern concern. “Like I said. I don’t need a reason to visit my favorite prisoner.”

No response other than her ears twitching over the sound of more fireworks.

“And besides– I got you something.” He smiled again, and with a wing, reached out into his bag, and took out a little wrapped object, unfolding it in front of her.

It was a cupcake.

Leaning her head away from the bars, Sunset smirked dismissively. “Oh great. Dessert.”

“Some crazy pony brought like a thousand cupcakes to that party happening in Canterlot castle right now. Thought I'd bring you a little something!” He handed it through the bars with a smile, and after some hesitation, Sunset took it.

On inspection, it was an overly colorful miniature cake, full of sprinkles and almost like a rainbow.

With a shrug, she took a bite. It was incredibly sweet; But surprisingly not nauseatingly so. She felt the taste of multiple different kinds of fruit, and what seemed like multiple different kinds of chocolate; And maybe even a certain spice?

She grimaced, denying its enjoyment. “Crazy is right. Who the fuck puts this much sugar in anything?”

He tilted his head and smirked. “If you don’t like it, you can give it back.”

Her response was to defiantly eat the rest in a single bite, and chew it all while making eye contact.

“That’s what I thought.” That made him chuckle; because she almost choked.

A moment of silence passed, as she finished eating, laying on the floor casually.

“Did you bring me a cupcake?” A prisoner asked in the cell beside them.

“Aww, sorry, Corkscrew. Next time, I Promise!” The Guard responded, genuinely apologetically.

Letting out sarcastic laughter, Sunset condescended from inside her cell. “Cupcakes are for special prisoners only, bud. And for some inexplicable reason, this idiot thinks I'm it.”

Flash ignored that comment, turning back to his old friend. “Want to know what the big party is about?”

“No.” She lied, turning away.

And naturally, he didn’t take the hint. “Some kind of Celebration regarding the Princess of Friendship. I guess she took down another bad guy or something with her friends, saving Equestria again and stuff?”

“Don’t talk to me about her.” She responded, coldly. Incredibly cold.

“...Celestia is there.”

“Flash. Shut the fuck up.” Now she turned to face him. And her anger was not rehearsed, it was almost like a plea. There was untamed rage behind her eyes, and with a sigh, The guard nodded, giving in.

More silence.

He waited, for a little while longer, before changing the subject. “Want to hear what me and my girl did last weekend?”

Nothing but sarcasm in her tone. “I would rather be locked up in Canterlot prison. Oh wait…!”

“Sick burn, Shimmer!” 

“Thanks, Corkscrew.”

“Medium burn at best.”

“Fuck off, Peanut.”

With an exhale, Flash rolled his eyes. “It must be exhausting to act like this all the time. Don’t you ever get tired?” It was a genuine question, hoping to get a genuine answer, a hope that would not be met.

“Dude, i’m laying in a cell. I’ve got stamina for days. So are you leaving me alone, or what?” She tilted her head, laying on the floor, with a sarcastic smile.

“...Yeah. Bye, Shimmer.” He answered plainly, and turned around and started walking away.

Watching him walk away removed the smile from her face. Her ears twitched, as the sounds of the fireworks ringed louder, and her breathing got uneasy.

She didn’t want to be alone. Not now.

“...So have you shown your new girlfriend that you play guitar yet?”

He stopped, and smiled. Now that was the Sunset Shimmer he was hoping to talk to.

Turning around, he gave her a warm smile. “Oh yeah. I serenaded the hell outta her; She was super into it, too! Mostly laughing though– I guess most mares aren’t used to getting these kinds of overly lovey-dovey stuff done towards them. I was kinda nervous about it, ‘cause in any retrospect, it felt so embarrassing and dumb.”

“Dumb can be pretty cute– And you could write a book about that.” Her smile was actually kind, as she nodded. “So what song was it?”

With a bit of a fluster, he scratched his head. “‘Love boat.’ We were actually on a boat; Like, on a romantic ride through the Canterlot canals– I didn’t just– Yeah.” 

Sunset let out a groan, but she was still smiling. “Aww dude, that’s like. Prehistoric! You sure you shouldn’t have played something more modern? I figure chicks would be into that more, nowadays.”

He chuckled along, nodding. “Pff maybe. But she’s a classy lady, so I had to play classy.”

And that made her chuckle some more, with a genuine smile. “Flash Sentry, ‘Classy.’ Never thought I'd see the day. Well, that’s one lucky lady. Happy for you, man.”

Another warm smile, “Thanks, Sunny. I appreciate it.”

“Ew, don’t call me that.” That little pet name reminded her of the time they used to date, no thank you.

A prisoner teased her from another cell. “Heheheheh Sunnyyyyyyy!” 

“Shut up, Peanut.” She barked back.

They shared a bit of comfortable silence, accentuated only by the fireworks. 

Flash inspected her with concerned eyes, top to bottom. Full prisoner garments, hair cut short, and bags under her eyes. “...Do you… Do you ever wish you had made different choices? That you weren’t… Here?” He asked, genuinely.

She spoke simply, as these were facts. “Oh, I'm not leaving. In fact, Peanut is on top of my shit list. When the end of the month rolls around for my evaluation, I'll break a couple of her legs.”

“Sunset, that’s not–” He exhaled, reigning it in. “That’s not what I mean. I just meant like… Don’t you wish you could have done things differently…?”

Gritting her teeth, she tried her best not to be angry. She tried her best to entertain. “Are you asking me about regrets, or are you asking me about time travel?”

No response, as he sighed, wondering if asking this was a stupid idea.

But that silence urged her to continue. “I’ve been in this prison for like… Six years. All I have are regrets. Maybe in some other world I would have done better. But I doubt it. It is the Sunset Shimmer way to fuck everything up for myself and others. My trademark, really.”

He tilted his head in concern. “You could always try again…?” 

“That’s a funny joke. There’s nothing to try.” She looked away dismissively.

He tried his best not to be exasperated. “Why don’t you just– Why can't you just behave, and then leave?!”

“You’re asking why not, while I’m asking why would I?” She responded, with a forced smile at him. No, that statement was not objective, it was deflective, and above all, it was a subject-ender; One that wasn’t her usual angry outburst. 

Whether either of them liked it or not, this conversation was over.

With a sigh, he leaned his head against the bars. “Well… I’m gonna fly back to the party, I feel bad, so I’m gonna bring some of these guys some cupcakes. Want another?”

“I could take it or leave it.” She lied, with her mouth watering at the idea of tasting more of those bizarre, strange desserts.

“See you later, Sunset Shimmer.” He gave her a frail smile, and walked away definitely, and she did not respond, simply turning to face the wall with her art again.

And there she remained. Attempting to ignore the sound of the fireworks, attempting to focus only on nothing.

“Welcome to the land of the permanent sun…”

Until something happened.

With a strange, bizarre flash, a pony simply materialized in her cell, falling to the floor.

And it was not just any pony…

“I’m alive! Oh thank goodness I'm alive, I'm alive…!” The newcomer exasperatedly proclaimed, as she patted herself, checking herself for wounds.

That voice, and that mane, it was unmistakable, Sunset Shimmer was looking at herself.

But of course, not really, because this Sunset before her was an Alicorn. An image that was almost offensive to the Prisoner; Large wings, larger body.

“Twilight?! I’m here, Twi–”

That name, being said by that voice, and that face, with wings, the Prisoner was completely and entirely flabbergasted.

Their eyes met, and they were both equally confused.

“What the fuck are you?!” They both said, in perfect unison.

A brief moment of silence, interrupted by the Princess, with a flash, suddenly adorning full valkyrie armor, and raising her wings menacingly, her horn aglow.

With magic, she pinned the Prisoner against a wall, and snarled. “Are you a changeling?! Where am I! TALK!”

Sunset’s demeanor changed from frustrated confusion to utter fear, as she was entirely overpowered by Alicorn magic. “A-am I a changeling?!! Dude YOU’RE the one that just APPEARED in my cell!! What the fuck is going on?!?!”

The imagery of herself, significantly taller, significantly burlier, covered head to toe in armor, was nothing less than terrifying, from this perspective. “WHAT DID THAT HERMES GUY DO TO ME. WHAT–” 

The Princess stopped, with her ears twitching. The fireworks… 

With a single, fluid motion, she easily hopped over to the window, and gazed outside. 

“...Canterlot…? What am I doing in– There’s no party scheduled here today…?!” She muttered, in utter confusion. She jumped back on the cell, with a loud thud, making the prisoner flinch. “Twilight. Where is Twilight?!! And what the hell are you– Some sort of– mocking illusion of me?!”

Unfortunately for her, the Prisoner was as confused as she was, unable to speak, as she sat against the wall, making no sudden movements, in surrender.

With one forceful motion, the Princess pinned the Prisoner further against a wall, and scanned her memories, an act she nearly instantly regretted.


I am Sunset Shimmer. This is my home, my forever home, the hole I deserve to rot in, and I will be here forever, paying for everything I've done. No pony could ever pry me out of these bars. I was not worthy of Celestia. I was not worthy of Twilight’s crown. And now I will pay that price forever, for as long as I breathe–


“What the hell is wrong with you?!” The Princess backed up, with a grimace mixture of disgust and pity.

“What did you just do to me?!” Her other self responded, utterly confused.

Mulling on the disbelief, on the confusion of having just seen through memories of another version of her, she looked around in concern, and then her eyes landed on the wall, with the Prisoner's art burned into it.

“It’s… It’s us… When we stole her crown…!?” With an exasperated exhale, the Princess studied the burns on the wall intently.

What the art was, in fact, was the demon version of Sunset Shimmer, a snarling, vicious thing, hair akin to flames, baring teeth and crooked horn, demonic wings burned on that wall.

“You… you just… Choose… this…?!” with a distraught head tilt, the Princess scanned the cell and her other self from top to bottom.

The Prisoner, still leaning against the wall, didn’t want any part of this, whatever it was. She forced her mind to attempt to not rationalize, or even consider an answer to why in the world this was happening, and instead, simply spoke softly. “D-dude. You’re an Alicorn– So just teleport out of here and just leave me be, okay? I don’t want any trouble…!”

The gaze of the Princess narrowed even further, baring her teeth. “Do mom and dad even know you’re alive?”

“Cupcake time, everypony!” Flash Sentry’s voice gleefully echoed on the halls of the prison, and both the Sunset’s looked in that direction, naturally recognizing it. “That crazy pony gave me like– Dozens of them in this super tightly packaged thing–”

He stopped, regarding Sunset’s cell. In utter confusion, ignoring the cheers of the other prisoners. The Valkyrie looked at him in utter disbelief. “Flash?! What is going on here, do you know what’s happening?!”

His confused and concerned look switched between the two Sunset’s. “U-um. Shimmer, why is there two of you– And why is one an Alicorn, in full battle getup–”

The Princess did not wait for him to finish, using her magic to bring him closer, a bit too violently, and as he squirmed against the bars he was just slammed against, in disbelief, she touched his shoulder.


I am Flash Sentry. And I try, so often, to make her think differently. But Sunset Shimmer has always been as immovable as a tree. Even with the Princess of the Sun herself asking me to check on her, week after week, it’s not enough. I will never be able to convince her to try–


“You’re not my Flash!?– What the FUCK is going on?!” The Princess yelled in disbelief, as she teleported the guard inside the cell, pinning him against a wall.

“For what it’s worth, you look awesome in armor??” Was all he managed to mutter, as she loomed over him menacingly.

Then, her first option came to mind. Teleporting out of there was easy, flying out of there was easy, but there was one thing that needed to be done before anything.

She channeled her magic, and cast the spell that would call Twilight Sparkle to her side, the same one her wife had used to call her to her side earlier that day.

Nothing happened.

“C’mon, c’mon Twi, c’mon…!” Gritting her teeth, She started getting desperate, and used the spell again. 

And again, and again, and again… “Where are you, where are you…?!”

Her ears twitched, her hide shivered, and she ignored the prisoner beside her asking what the hell was she doing.

She could sense an Alicorn coming.

With a flash, Princess Twilight Sparkle teleported into the outside of the prison cell, with a flustered gaze and tail whipping about.

“U-um– Did somepony call me here? Because I felt–” Turning, she saw the three residents of that cell.

Flash was the only one in there that behaved normally, nodding respectfully and giving the Princess a salute. The Prisoner backed herself all the way into the corner, muttering desperately “not her, not her, not her…!” All the while the Princess of Valor didn’t behave much differently, with a battle stance ready, her wings quivered in expectation and shock.

“Y-you’re not my wife…!!–” Was all she could muster to mutter, with a mixture of disbelief and despair.

That was indeed not her wife. This Twilight Sparkle was notably smaller, and she did not carry herself with nearly as much calm confidence as her wife did. Her hair was on a fancy bob, and she wore a party dress.

Both of them evaluated each other in confused, flustered silence. The Princess of Friendship’s heart beat faster, a natural side effect of their calling spell. “Y-you… Aren’t you…? Sunset Shimmer…?! Why are there two of you…? And an Alicorn, no less…?”

“Not her, not her, not her…!” Sunset Shimmer cowered in the corner, and faced a wall, eyes closed, trying to be as small as possible, hoping she would be invisible, with weak, unsteady breaths.

The Valkyrie did no such thing. With one single magical motion, she teleported  the Princess inside the cell, and scanned her memories too.


I am Twilight Sparkle. I will rule alone, a rule of friendship, and I just left a party in my honor in a hurry– Because I felt the strangest, deepest, most passionate calling I have ever felt. I don’t know what’s–


A task that did not last long, due to the Princess of Friendship politely and kindly asking her to let go.

That request, from that voice, made the Valkyrie yield instantly. “Sorry! Sorry. I’m sorry.” She muttered, inconsolable.

“You’re… Not my wife… Did you… Replace her…?!” Studying her from top to bottom, Sunset loomed over her, in silent grief; seeing all these imperfections, these differences, from scent to shape, it wasn’t her. She didn’t understand what was going on, but looking at this impostor was heartbreaking; And it didn’t help that from the brief scan of her memories, she could tell this Twilight Sparkle ruled utterly alone, outside of her friends.

“L-look, I don’t know what’s going on, but… That Sunset Shimmer in the corner, that I know. But you…? You’re not from here, are you…?” She speculated, studying the Alicorn before her; Her touch made the Princess of Valor flinch.

Her gaze turned to the art on the wall, unable to make sense of it, and then to the Sunset in the corner. “It’s been six years, hasn’t it…? Are you okay, Sunset Shimmer?”

No response from the Prisoner, who just cowered in the corner of her cell, covering her face.

“U-um… Has this prison treated you well…?” The Alicorn tilted her head with pity and concern.

Now the Prisoner managed to speak, just barely, through almost with a desperate whisper, not making eye contact. “...Could you three please get the fuck out of my cell…?”

“That’s it.” The Valkyrie turned to her smaller, shriveled self, and grabbed her fiercely, almost akin to a headlock.

“W-what are you doing?! Let me go!! Why can’t you all just LEAVE?!” 

“We’re taking this higher.” With a flash, the Princess of Valor teleported them both out of the cell, leaving the other Princess and the guard behind. She took flight outside of the prison, with one singular purpose; Canterlot Castle.

“STOP!!! TAKE ME BACK!!” The Prisoner desperately pleaded in her grasp, unable to escape it no matter how much she squirmed. Sunset Shimmer flew towards the castle at high speeds, ignoring her other self’s fears. and without a hesitation, picked the party room, and burst through a window.

She landed with impact, directly in the middle of the festivities, even knocking a table aside, sending dozens of plates crashing down.

The party was beautiful, as many Canterlot parties were. Banners, tapestries, Chandeliers, and many fancy party guests, this looked much like any other party, and yet, there were subtitle differences she could see here and there. Her nerves were high, as was her adrenaline, she was in full battle mode as her eyes shot in all directions, inspecting everything.

And of course, the party guests were utterly baffled at the armored Alicorn that just savagely burst in the party.

Familiar faces looked at her with no familiarity. Her gaze landed atop the party and her nerves spiked even further. Celestia, wearing a lovely party dress, glared at her with utter disbelief.

“Why, why, WHY?! Anything but her!!! Please just take me back–” The Prisoner desperately pleaded in her grasp. With magic, she dragged Sunset across the party with her as she galloped towards the Princess of the Sun.

“CELESTIA!” She shouted, pleading for this to be her Celestia, and not some bizarre impostor like everyone around her. 

“A-a… A Valkyrie…?” The Princess questioned in the distance, in disbelief.

Guards around the room immediately took action, galloping and flying towards Sunset, in an attempt to stop her from continuing her run towards their princess. Unfortunately for them, they were dealing with a Valkyrie.

She dodged each attack and countered them without losing speed. Each blow was like a sledgehammer delivered with the swiftness of a dagger, and any magic cast at her was either easily deflected or countered.

She reached Celestia, with a look of confusion and despair. The Prisoner she brought with her squirmed in a panic, with whimpers and yelps.

“Please– You have to help me– I don’t know what’s going on, is this really you, or–” But she could tell. Merely by the gaze of utter confusion and shock. That was not her Celestia; And she herself was speechless, slowly coming to the realization of who was the armored Alicorn in front of her.

Bringing the Prisoner closer, she put her in a headlock again. “WHY ARE THERE TWO OF ME?! WHAT’S GOING ON?!”

The Princess and the Prisoner's eyes met, in utter despair. “Let me go, let me go, let me go,” Sunset desperately pleaded, averting her eyes and shaking like a wild animal, but the Valkyrie ignored her fears, ignored her pain.

“S-Sunset Shimmer…!? You’ve ascended…?” Gazing at her wings, her armor, her enhanced size, Celestia gasped, and yet, she knew that wasn’t her Sunset. Her Sunset was currently having a panic attack at the mere sight of her.

“HEY ASSWIPE! BACK AWAY FROM CELESTIA!” A familiar voice made Sunset’s ears twitch, as a Pegasus flew towards her at high speeds. She didn’t bother to look, dropping the prisoner on the floor, and delivering a swift right hook to the pegasus that tried tackling her, intercepting her immediately.

Rainbow Dash tumbled on the floor violently, nearly unconscious. 

“SHIT! Sorry, Rainbow! I didn’t know–” But her ears shot back again. Applejack, Rarity, Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy were all running towards her, with fighting intent. A shiver went down her spine, and she did all she thought was viable at the moment, and Lunged at Princess Celestia.

The moment they touched, Sunset showed her her own memories, in a desperate plea of demonstrating what had happened, in a desperate plea to understand what was happening.


Please. I don’t know what’s going on. One minute I was with my wife, in a party, 5 years of my Alicornaversary, and in the other, I’m here– You just gave me a lesson only a few hours ago, we embraced the sun together…?!

Why are there two of me? Why was she in prison? Where is my wife? What is– 


“Stand down, everypony, NOW!!!!” With her bombastic Canterlot voice, Celestia commanded all of the ponies about to lunge at the Valkyrie to stop; And they followed that command implicitly.

Her demeanor changed entirely as her gaze rested back on the Princess of Valor.

“My… You… Sunset Shimmer… You would inherit my sun…? Together, you would inherit the sun and the moon… A rule of love…!” She mumbled, eyes teary, gazing at the Princess before her, with grief.

“Please… What is going on…?” Gritting her teeth in utter confusion, Sunset gazed back, desperately in need of answers.

With a long exhale, Celestia’s gaze alternated between the two Sunsets. “You are not my Sunset Shimmer… She is. You are from another world… Another universe.”

That made the Valkyrie sit down, head spinning in utter confusion. She was far, far, far away from home.

“Y’all mind tellin’ us what’s goin’ on here? Who’s this other Alicorn, Princess Celestia? And who’s her shivering twin over there?” Applejack tilted her head analytically, confused, pointing at the oversized armored figure and the prisoner.

On the floor, Rainbow Dash spat out a tooth, and groaned and mumbled incoherently; Fluttershy ran to her aid.

“Excuse me darling, but what is this fashionable armor you’re wearing? It’s simply divine!” Rarity approached the Valkyrie slowly and cautiously, studying it.

“Not the time, Rares!” The Farmer quickly corrected her, receiving a blow of raspberries as a response.

It was bizarre. Her friends looked at her as if they didn’t know her. And they didn’t, they really didn’t.

On the floor, the Prisoner cowered, her eyes desperately glancing at every direction in sheer panic, her heart beating miles per hour, as if she was surrounded by vicious predators. Every single pony in that party was looking in her direction, and she wanted to simply disappear– A panicked prisoner stood out immensely in this environment, and just glancing at Celestia made her stomach twist. Her heart raced even more when Pinkie Pie addressed her. “Hey, are you Sunset Shimmer? Did Flash bring you more cupcakes? It’s really nice to meet you!”

That was the last straw for the Prisoner, who, with the sheer panic and anxiety she felt, and the unintentional adittive of the overly sugary cupcake she had just eaten recently, vomited on the floor then and there, shocking all of the ponies that were staring at her. Celestia regarded her with concerned pity, which only served to make her feel worse.

As she let out a frail yelp, seeing an opportunity, with ragged, panicked breaths, she took off, in any direction that wasn’t here, at a panicked lightning speed, towards any window or door she could bolt out of.

But it was short lived. Her other self teleported right in front of her, stopping her in her tracks, and pinning her against the floor with a single hoof. “STOP RUNNING FROM YOUR LIFE! WHY ARE YOU SO AFRAID?!” She yelled, utterly enraged at this other version of her.

Squirming, gritting her teeth, The Prisoner thrashed pointlessly in her grip, attempting to punch her face with her hooves, doing no damage. “L-let me GO asshole!!! What the fuck is your PROBLEM!!? JUST LET ME GO!” 

“My PROBLEM is that I’m an Alicorn Princess that is happily married and will inherit the sun– And you are a cowering sniveling thing that chose to rot in a cell, and SOMEHOW, WE’RE THE SAME PONY!!”  Her screams echoed in the halls of the party, as all the party goers watched in disbelief.

Thrashing still, savagely and yet meaninglessly the prisoner attempted to free herself from her grasp. “I DONT GIVE A SHIT IF YOU’RE HAPPY– JUST LET ME GO!!”

“HOW DARE YOU BE AFRAID OF TWILIGHT SPARKLE– THAT’S SUPPOSED TO BE YOUR WIFE, YOU WORTHLESS SACK OF SHIT!!” Sunset Shimmer screamed so loud it brought about a hush within the party. 

All of Twilight’s friends gazed at the insane display in confusion, and behind the two Shimmers, Twilight watched in equal shock, having just teleported in.

Celestia was the first to break that silence, as she teleported closer to the two, speaking calmly. “Sunsets… it’s okay. Please, no more fighting. Let us discuss this elsewhere…”

She offered a hoof to the Valkyrie, who accepted it. Together, the three teleported away from the party.

“Did that big scary lady say ‘wife’...?” Fluttershy asked, while helping Rainbow sit up.

“It sure as hay sounds like she did?” Applejack scratched her chin in confusion.

“I suppose it could have been kind of romantic– If that other mare had not vomited. Eugh…” Rarity backed away from the puke with haste.

“Twilight! Girl! Why didn’t you tell us you were getting married?! Congrats, girl!” Pinkie hopped to her friend, who was staring at nothing, in complete confusion.

The trio reappeared in a balcony, high in the castle, where all was quieter. The Prisoner, still panicked, did not manage to formulate proper words in the presence of Celestia, all she did was curl into herself, eyes shut.

“I’m sorry, I don't know what’s happening, I’m so sorry, I don't want to be here, just take me back to my cell, I'm so sorry–” She apologized endlessly, in pained mutters, unable to make eye contact.

“Sunset Shimmer… It took an interdimensional traveler intervening for us to finally see eachother again– Please, there is no need to fret.” The Princess of the Sun spoke softly, calmly, pleading for her old student to center herself.

Shivering, fearful, she did not reply anything other than apologies, wishing to be anywhere but here.

The Valkyrie took a deep, long breath, calming her own nerves, exiting her combat stance and demeanor. She gazed at this version of her with utter pity.

“Sunset Shimmer… May I see your face clearly, if you please…?” Celestia asked the Princess of Valor kindly, with her head tilted, urging this unknown version of her pupil to let go of her defenses.

With an exhale, Sunset returned her armor to her horn, and there she stood. The differences between the two Shimmers were staggering, but so were the similarities.

“...You’ve grown so much… Look at you…!” the Princess asked, with a mixture of quiet prideful mourning and grief. 

Because of course, this was not her Sunset. Her Sunset was a shivering, cowering mess on the floor, panicked at the mere sight of her.	

“Celestia… What is happening? Why am I here? How do I get back home…?” 

The Alicorn of the Sun let out a sigh, and walked over to the edge of the balcony. “I’m afraid I have no clear answers, Sunset… But if I may offer a theory– You were cursed. Cursed to be cast upon another universe, my world… And I am afraid I have no idea on how to get you back to your home… Not now, anyway. Perhaps this requires deep research– I could summon Twilight, and we can go to the royal archives together.”

That last statement passed through the Valkyrie like a cold breeze. She shuddered, unable to make sense of anything, unable to think properly. On the floor, the Prisoner felt even worse.

Her gaze turned back to her other self, who was covering her face. “So this Sunset just… gave up…?! She just chose to stay rotting in a jail cell for the rest of her life?”

Approaching the two of them, Celestia let out a listless sigh, gazing at her Sunset. “...Yes. She did not accept any of our offers and second chances. She chose to extend her sentence indefinitely… Violently, if I may add. I tried sending her only friend to visit her often, to convince her that there was another way, and yet…”

Gritting her teeth, the Valkyrie closed her eyes, reminiscing on having shifted through her other self’s memories. “Flash tried, so hard… But I’m too stubborn. I was always so fucking stubborn…”

The Princess spoke once more with a mixture of pride and sorrow. “...That you were. But I suppose that in your world… You had the courage to carry on. And to think, you even married my other pupil…!” She felt, deep down, a form of envy, that was truncated by her sorrow over the state of her own Sunset.

But before they could continue, the strange glow enveloped the Valkyrie once more, as she floated against her will and her limbs began to fade. “Oh no, goddamnit, not again…!”

“Oh no– I believe it’s happening again! I was afraid of this–” Celestia studied her, trying to decipher what was going on; Sunset’s limbs were vanishing one by one.

The last thing the Princess of Valor could do was address her other self. “Don’t you DARE go back to that cell– You HAVE to try! You HAVE to become me! Don’t you–”

And just like that, she was gone, vanishing once more.

Celestia and her old pupil were alone.

All that Sunset did was lay on the floor, quiet, shivering.

“Sunset Shimmer.” Celestia stated, sternly and plainly.

The shivering stopped, the unicorn managed to open her eyes and meet her gaze. “I’m sorry, i’m so sorry, please just take me back to my–”

“No.” Another stern, and decisive motion from the Princess, as she sat next to her old pupil. “You are no longer welcome in my Prison. I will no longer enable your desperate attempts at running from yourself.”

All that Sunset could do was mutter.

“If you wish to do so… You are free to go. Go anywhere in Equestria you would like. Perhaps return to your parents, but…” Celestia bit her lips, as if preparing herself for what she was about to say next. “But if you would have me… I would like to have you as my pupil once more…”

The mere suggestion turned a knot in Sunset’s stomach. “W-why?? I don’t deserve it– I didn’t then, I don’t now! I-I’m not her, I’m not, I’m just not–”

With a softer tone, Celestia moved strands of her pupil’s hair away from her eyes. “Didn’t you see…? Didn’t you see what you could become…? You have to try, Sunset…”

“I-it’s too late…!” Grimacing with fear, Sunset recoiled from her touch.

“No. It never is. Your other self has shown me that– Despite her mistakes, she carried on, and became stronger than ever. Her world needs her, and now I see that mine needs you. She carried on, and now you need to, too. I’ve missed you, Sunset Shimmer– Will you be my pupil once more? Will you allow me to give you purpose, once again…?” Celestia planted a kiss on her old pupil’s forehead, in an attempt to calm her.

The shivering stopped completely. The offer shocked her. It uprooted her fears and insecurities and allowed them to be in plain view.

She sat there, with ragged breaths, understanding just what was offered to her.

Now all she needed to do was make a decision.
> Thanks, old man!
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Thanks, old man!







Sunset Shimmer let out a bored yawn as she walked through the empty yet lovely halls of Canterlot castle. Another day, another dutiful standing around task.

“Nice of you to join us, sleepyhead. It’s past lunchtime, you know that?” Flash Sentry raised an eyebrow, but maintained a smile, as he waited for her besides the large doors of the throne room.

She rolled her eyes with a smile, joining the group. “Forgive me for not leaping at the chance to stand around with you three knuckleheads– Also, the cafeteria had some friggin delicious apple fritters today. How long has the Princess been in there?”

“Like, an hour.” Indigo Zap stated, suppressing her own yawn. “Another one of Celestia’s inspiring speeches to her or something, blah blah.”

“You are literally being paid to be here– You should show some more patience and enthusiasm!!” Bon Bon poked her, judgmentally.

“I’m being paid to follow orders, there’s nothing in my salary about a customer service smile!” Indigo stated mockingly.

“Heh, I’m with Indigo on this one.” Sunset agreed, taking a seat, leaning against the wall. The four guards sighed, and took their respective positions, waiting for the Princess to exit the throne room.

Fiddling with her armor absentmindedly, Sunset tried distracting herself with idle conversation. “So what is it today, training? Lecture?”

Stretching, Flash suppressed his own yawn, since that seemed to be going around. “Lecture. Likely something regarding the latest bad guy she beat down.”

“Probably just a congratulatory lecture, though. And the old man is in there too.” Bon Bon added.

“And we’ll just escort her somewhere after?” The Unicorn tilted her head.

“Yep. Knowing her, to the library.” Indigo snickered, and Sunset snickered too– The Princess was indeed predictable like that.

Leaning further against the wall, Sunset closed her eyes. “Well, whatever, I'll just rest my eyes, if you three don’t mind. Wake me up when those doors open.”

“Whatevs, bro–” Indigo was responding, but she was interrupted thoroughly, Jumping in surprise, At the sudden flash of light among the four guards.

A flash that birthed the Princess of Valor, who crashed against the floor.

“DARE GIVE UP–– Augh! Fuck! Ugh– Celestia?!” She stated, spreading her wings, and looking around in surprise, an act that the guards certainly flinched from, beholding the strange Alicorn that just literally dropped out of thin air.

The two Sunset’s eyes met, in complete confusion; The Alicorn less so. “So I'm in another universe, huh? Well at least I'm not a prisoner in this one. What are you– a Canterlot guard?”

“What the fuck are you?!” The guard exasperatedly responded in complete utter confusion, regarding the Alicorn version of her from top to bottom in disbelief.

“Oh hey Flash’s here– Um– She’s not still dating you in this universe, right?” Sunset concernedly asked, and the only response the pegasus could give was an exasperated, jaw dropped shake of his head. “Well good, that seems to be a constant. You dumped her, right?”

“N-no!” the other Sunset attempted to deflect.

“Yes.” Flash stated plainly, confused, and the other two guards nodded in agreement.

Not daring to approach, Bon Bon pointed at the Alicorn. “O-okay, this is endlessly strange– She’s your spitting image– Except she’s super tall and buff, wow. A changeling wouldn’t do this…!”

With a flustered grimace, Indigo tilted her head analytically. “Sunset, why didn’t you tell us you had a hot Alicorn twin sister?”

“Because I don’t?!?!?” The utterly flabbergasted guard didn’t have much time to react, as her Alicorn self touched her, and ran through her memories.



I am Sunset Shimmer. I am so glad that I abandoned my studies with Celestia to be just a royal guard– Flash was right. It was too stressful for me– And not just that, I was unfit for it. I was unworthy. I was too weak. This role is more fitting– A mere guard, one of a thousand. Who cares about fulfillment? I am–


Gritting her teeth in disdain, Sunset let go. “--Ugh… Unbelievable. Well, it’s better than being a prisoner, I guess. I remember when Flash offered this to me– I was too stubborn to take it. And I certainly didn’t regret it…”

“WHAT are you talking about, WHAT did you just do to me, and WHO the hell are you?!” The Exasperated guard took a fighting stance, accentuated by her nervousness.

With an uninterested smile, the Alicorn turned around. “I am leaving! I need to go find a Sundial– If this Canterlot castle is like mine, I know where to go. Bye.” And so, she began trotting away.

Indigo, still utterly in disbelief and even flustering a bit, pointed at her. “Um. That’s a security concern. Right? Should we uhh… Do something about this?”

“I’m not picking a fight with an Alicorn.” Flash stated plainly. “Let’s get the Princesses–”

“Princess of Friendship, coming through!” The doors swung open slowly, as one of the guards inside announced her arrival.

Sunset Immediately stopped on her tracks, Ears flicked back, wings fluttering with anticipation, as she involuntarily turned to look at the large doors.

…And then let out a groan of disappointment.

It wasn’t Twilight.

“Greetings, guards! Shall we go to the library?” Princess Moondancer stated, spreading her wings gleefully. 

The Princess of Valor took only a handful of seconds to study her. It was certainly Twilight’s old friend Moondancer– Not wearing her glasses, with longer, loose hair, and a pair of wings. She was, however, much smaller than Sunset, and her wife, for that matter.

Blowing raspberries, Sunset rolled her eyes, and started making her way through the hallways of Canterlot castle. Another disappointing universe.

“U-um Princess, uh, we have a, uh, situation?” Flash attempted to state, pointing at the Alicorn, still utterly flabbergasted. Lucky for him, Sunset was pretty hard not to see, and the Princess obviously took notice, her jaw dropped, seeing the oversized Alicorn disappear turning a corner in the hallways before her.

“W-what the heck– Was that an ALICORN?!” She managed to mutter. Her gaze rapidly switched between the guards who agreed, then landed on Sunset, who was currently covering her face with a hoof sheepishly. “You there, guard— Why does she look like you?!?”

“I am not affiliated with her…!” Sunset managed to mutter from under her breath, just audibly enough. 

Shaking her head as if to wake herself up, Moondancer yelped. “Guards!! Follow me!! After that Alicorn!!”

They were going to struggle to catch up, though. Sunset was already a fast runner; even more when she knew where she was going. She galloped through the halls of Canterlot castle, sometimes, when taking a sharp turn, literally running on its walls to help with the change of direction. The guards and the workers she passed by were utterly shocked, but she paid them no mind.

And in short order, she made it to a balcony that overlooked the gardens. This was indeed Canterlot, with many similarities, and few notable differences from the one she knew. But luckily, as she overlooked the edge, she spotted exactly what she wanted.

A Sundial.

Narrowing her eyes, she took count. “Okay, okay… It’s 4 something right now– when I was with Twilight it was… around 2 or 3…?” She gazed at it intently, as if counting the seconds, her mind racing. For all she could tell, time flowed the same in between universes, but that was only one reason she was looking analytically at this sundial. 

Her ears barely flicked back as she heard the Princess of Friendship beckoning her from inside the halls. “Y-you there! Stop!!”

With a look of minor inconvenience, Sunset turned her head only slightly, only to ensure she wasn’t about to be attacked. Which she wasn’t, for the other Princess’s sake.

“I-I have some questions!! Stop there, Alicorn!” Moondancer clumsily attempted to sound demanding as she stood next to Sunset.

“Hmm.” Barely even turning to her, the Princess of Valor still kept her gaze strictly in the sundial below.

A little intimidated, Moondancer cleared her throat. “Why do you look like this guard!” She said, while levitating the other Sunset closer, pointing at her, and she looked utterly helpless, being flung around by her Princess’s magic, disinterested in being there.

“‘Cause I am her, but from another universe.” It was a plain disinterested statement.

“Wh– Another universe?! Why did you come here?! And why are you so– Aloof?!” Scrunching her muzzle, the Princess couldn’t help but take it personally. 

“I didn’t come here on purpose. I’m cursed, and if my hunch is correct, I won't be here for long, so if that’s all, I'm kinda focussed here, so…” Sunset waved her hoof dismissively, her mind clearly elsewhere. If she was only going to be in a universe for a short period of time, there was no need for her to care about anything other than understanding her condition, and finding a way to cure it, and to return home.

However, for the Princess of Friendship, that attitude did not sit right. She placed the guard Sunset on the floor, who promptly skittered back to the entrance of the balcony. With a pout, Moondancer lit her horn, and puffed her chest. “L-listen here, y-you. I’m responsible for the safety of Equestria, and you’re suspicious–”

“You point your horn at a Valkyrie, you best be ready to kill.” Sunset Shimmer towered over her, speaking low, almost akin to a growl, with her gaze sharply piercing through the little Princess…

…Who promptly shut up, and took a few hoof steps back for good measure, shivering with intimidation. “U-um, okay, let’s start over…! I’m Princess Moondancer– The Princess of Friendship! And you are…?”

With an exhale, Sunset leaned on the railing. “Sunset Shimmer. Princess of Valor.” Her gaze briefly shifted to the other Sunset, who muttered things exasperatedly to the other guards, and then shifted back to the Princess. “Where is Twilight Sparkle?”

Blinking a couple times, utterly confused, Moondancer stumbled over her words. “M-my old friend T-Twilight? Why do you want to know about her? S-she’s a teacher here in Canterlot– Why do you ask?”

A small smile appeared on Sunset’s lips, as she thought of the idea of her wife as a teacher– Certainly one that amused her, and made sense. She considered, for a moment, using her calling spell, just to see if the teacher would come here, but dropped that idea, needing to focus on the sundial. “She’s… My wife. In my universe. She’s also the Princess of Friendship.” The look she gave Moondancer sent out a pretty clear message.

“O-oh. No wonder you’re acting like… Yeah.” Sheepishly, the Princess fidgeted.

Dismissively and exhaustedly Sunset mumbled, while keeping her gaze in the sundial. “Any chance you know anything about multiversal or interdimensional magic…?”

“Um… No. That stuff has always been utterly theoretical. B-but! I know somepony who might! Follow me!” her demeanor changed to more eager, as her tail flicked about.

“Sorry, but I have to be near this sundial. I’m not moving.” And she did not, staying to sit on that spot, with the same gaze.

“O-okay. I’ll just bring him here!” Princess Moondancer was wise to not press Sunset on the matter, as she teleported out of there.

Watching her go felt strange. Sunset did not know her universe’s Moondancer very well– Twilight had introduced them, in an attempt to reconnect with an old friend, but considering their differences in lives, she figured she wouldn’t see much of her, but she was at least aware her universe’s Moondancer was happy.

She considered, for a moment, how there would likely be more universes where another pony upstaged her wife and became the Princess of friendship instead, an idea she didn’t like.

A mere few seconds of silence passed, before Sunset turned her head and glared at her other self, the guard, who stood nervously near her friends.

With one singular magical motion, the Princess brought her other self closer, forcing her against the railing, staring her down eye to eye. 

It was a gaze of distaste. Disappointment. “Look at you. Utterly complacent. Ugh.”

“W-what’s your problem, man?!” The guard squirmed against her magical grasp, to little success.

Sunset spread her wings wide, and tilted her head. “Look at me. Look at what you could be. You have to try…!”

That did not elicit the reaction she hoped, as Sunset simply barked back. “You’re not somepony I could be– you’re somepony I could have been. I know my place, okay? Congratulations on being Celestia’s perfect little pupil, but that ain’t me!!– I’m more than comfortable where I am, okay?!”

Grunting in frustration, Sunset’s patience was running thin– And what's more, she could tell that her other self was lying. This had been a long day, and dealing with herself being so bratty was not being helpful. She released the other Sunset from her magical grasp, and exhaled. “...Whatever. Go live your shitty life, other me. I don’t care if it isn’t as fulfilling as mine.” She lied. She cared. 

She cared so much that out of two universes she had seen, she was living poorly.

She cared so much that out of two universes she had seen, she wasn’t with Twilight.

“Whatever!!” The Guard scoffed, adjusting her armor and walking away back to her friends.

“What did she say?” Flash tilted his head analytically, having been unable to make out what they had discussed.

“It… Doesn’t matter.”





Only a brief amount of time passed, before flashes of light bathed the balcony, and two ponies arrived. Sunset’s attention was immediately drawn, and her jaw dropped.

“S-Starswirl the Bearded?! You’re alive in this universe?!” Her shock led to a smile, and a genuine one at that.

“That– That is a loaded question, young lady…!” The old man’s eyes were widened, studying the Alicorn with her gaze. Besides him, Moondancer proudly presented one of her teachers.

“Heeeeere you go! Starswirl, meet Sunset, an Interdimensional traveler!” With a giddy smile, she pointed at the Princess of Valor.

Not missing a second, Sunset’s horn glowed, and from it, she materialized a book– Not just any book, Starswirl’s biography of spells. “Hey, could you sign this? My wife is a huge fan of yours! It would mean the world to her! She uhh– She makes me sleep with it.” She said, containing a chuckle, becoming more eager by the second.

Taking the book with his magic, he riffled through its pages hastingly, analyzing it. “Incredible– It’s indeed spells I've cast and written, but I never wrote this book…! It even has my handwriting, in some of these…! Another strong indicator of the truth behind your origin, young lady…!”

Sunset manifested a quill from inside her horn, and gave him a genuine toothy smile. “Sign it please! –Have it out to Twilight Sparkle.” She could barely contain her excitement.

With a light, hearty chuckle, Starswirled signed the cover, and handed it back to her. “I see, Moondancer’s old friend… Here you go, young lady! I hope she likes it.”

“Thank you!! She will– If she…” Her face sank, and her gaze landed on the sundial again. “If she… Ever gets to see it… Or me, again...” And at that moment, the reality of her situation dawned on her once more.

A moment of silence, before Moondancer stepped out. “Oookay, I, um, am going to check on the guards. Starswirl, try helping her, will you?” She was frankly, quite intimidated by the other Alicorn, and decided her focus was better spent elsewhere.

“Of course, Princess.” The old man nodded, turning his attention to the other Alicorn as his Princess walked away.

“Quite curious…” He continued. “Your enlarged frame implies profound affinity with your Alicorn element– Or destiny, I’d rather say.” His old eyes scanned her thoroughly. “And what’s more, surprisingly larger than Moondancer…”

Sunset let out a tired exhale, reminiscing. “Me and my wife have been training with Celestia and Luna, respectively– In order to inherit the sun and the moon. And we do it quite well.”

“Hmm, I see…! Your support for each other must have quickened, if not improved the process…” He fidgeted with his beard pensively.

Clearing her throat, Sunset tried her best not to be rude. “I, uh, might be on the clock, here…”

“So, explain to me your circumstances—” Before he could even finish asking, the Princess of Valor touched his shoulder, and with it, showed him her most recent memories, catching him up on exactly what her day was like, and what she knew of the recent events.

Suppressing a cough, his eyes widened. “W-woah! Interesting power, you have! Okay then– I see, I see. You are attempting to time how long you will remain in each dimension, are you not?”

She nodded slowly, gazing at the sundial below. “Yes. And if it’s the same time for all of them, I can plan around it– My biggest concern right now is sleep.” Her gaze steeled forward, Narrowing her eyes, she kept her firm focus on time. “If I only spend one hour in each universe, It’ll be hard to actually sleep properly, especially accounting for any… problem the next world might have.”

The old man fidgeted with his beard, studying the Alicorn with his gaze, then turned to look at the other Sunset in the distance, who was now being questioned by the Princess. “Indeed, including your other selves waking you up, merely to ask what is happening. It is indeed a predicament…”

Blowing air from her nostrils, she looked back at him. “And there’s an even bigger problem. How the hell do I go back home? Do you know anything about dimensional travel?” 

“I am afraid that all of my studies over that subject were two-way trips, doors to a specific universe, not to any and all, like your current problem. In the end, I realized that my research of alternate universes was pointless, if not just dangerous, and that I should just focus on the issues that plagued my world, and my world alone.” He spoke with wisdom, and concern.

Gritting her teeth, she felt a tinge of disappointment. “Ugh. I sure agree– I wish I had that choice. Now there lies another problem– No one in the multiverse can help me–”

“--If all of the ones that could have studied this magic, gave up like me, or, your other self isn’t near them. And with only one hour…”

“...I couldn’t possibly hope to actually figure a way out of this, even with help. Goddamnit…!” She felt her hopes dwindling, and her frustrations rising, as her breathing got unsteady. She looked at the horizon, to mountains familiar, yet unknown, and past them, to a sun that wasn't hers, and yet, resonated. “This really is a fucking curse. Gotta hand it to that Hermes guy. It’s personally designed to be inescapable; And to wear me out. Ugh, what am I going to do…”

“One must indeed wonder…” Letting out a weary sigh, Starswirled reached in from his cloak, and took out a smoking pipe, lighting it up with one easy, quick motion of his horn, and taking one poof out of it.

This elicited an eyebrow raise from the Valkyrie, and the old man noticed it, as he handed the pipe to her. “Want some?”

With a slight grimace, she tilted her head. “Eh… No, I need to keep a clear head.”

“Suit yourself.” He said with a smile.

“Actually, what the hell. Gimme.” Changing her mind, she realized given the circumstances, smoking whatever that was was the least of her worries. She used her magic to take it, and inhaled.

She suppressed a cough and shook her head in surprise “Wh— What the hell did you even put on this?!”

With a hearty chuckle, the old man took the pipe back. “Oh, some of this, some of that...”

“Dude. I've smoked with actual dragons, and this is… stronger. Yeah, one is enough.” She let out one effective cough and smacked her lips, hoping that this wouldn’t have that negative of an effect in the next hour, in the next universe. 

And of course, she considered how funny it was that her wife’s idol was a stoner.

And that she had shared that with him too.

But the amusement faded quickly, as her eyes rested on the sundial once more.

And the old man noticed, as he took another pensive drag of that pipe, then cleared his throat. “I do have an offer– Less of an idea, more of a suggestion of an idea, really. As you showed me your memories and experiences, one thing seemed quite clear: Your wife is exceptionally cunning and intelligent, likely rivaling my apprentice Moondancer, in that, I have no shame in admitting.”

A smile involuntarily appeared in her lips, anytime Twilight was mentioned. “You’re damn right she is. I bet Sparkles could figure out this kind of multiversal magic effortlessly. Ugh, I wish she was here with me…” She looked down, having been separated nearly two hours, and already feeling heartache.

“...But don't you see? She is in your world, aware of where you’ve gone, and how. By my guess, she is looking for ways to get to you!” The old man affirmed, before taking another drag.

She blinked in surprise; Not having thought of that up until now. “...You’re… You're right! It’s only a matter of time before she finds me– I know she will! Until then, I just have to– Survive, really. Easy.” She let out an exhale, with a smile. If there was one thing she could always count on her wife, was to solve a magical problem, and make it look easy, too. The idea that her wife wasn’t looking for her wasn’t even a possibility anymore.

“Indeed! I suppose this is a strategy most left to only hoping, but considering the memories I saw of you, I would be hard pressed to doubt your Twilight Sparkle.”

“Heh… Yeah. She’s unstoppable– The smartest Twilight in the multiverse, no doubt.” She said as much, and she believed it wholeheartedly; Her gaze landing in the sun in the distance, thinking of her love.

With her ears twitching, she looked back behind her, at the other Sunset, and the Princess that questioned her. Just looking at this lesser version of her made her teeth grit.  “I guess I’ll just have to… Wait. Ugh. While seeing more failed versions of myself. This is going to suck. Like a personal hell made just for me…”

The old man exchanged looks between the two Sunsets, and then, had an idea. “If you’ll permit me, I might give you another suggestion, disregarding the potential fallout of tinkering with the multiverse.”

Raising an eyebrow, Sunset listened intently at his wisdom. “You felt great disappointment in seeing these two versions of yourself. And yet, here you are, a complete success. Perhaps you could use this chance, to aid the universes you pass by?”

She blinked, considering his words in silence.

“Being in prison certainly was a dire scenario. And considering what little I know of you, I cannot imagine there are many versions of you that are happy and fulfilled out there. But here you are, even now, in a unique position to change that.” He nodded with a smile.

Her gaze landed on her other self once more, and reminisced on her prisoner self she had seen. “You’re right. Wow. I just– I can help myself! Even if just for an hour, I can make a difference, if I can even push other versions of myself to try harder– Maybe this whole mess would be worth it. To know that somewhere, in another world, things improved for me– Maybe this won’t be so bad!” A smile appeared in her face; As she considered that she might be the happiest Sunset Shimmer in the multiverse, and wondered if that was really the case, she realized she wouldn’t mind at all, looking for that answer.

And along the way, maybe help herself.

“Indeed, it is certainly a more enjoyable pastime than just awaiting your wife to rescue you! And quite good usage of all your capabilities, if I may add.”

She couldn’t help but chuckle, seeing exactly what her wife idolized on the old Unicorn. “Damn, you’re just– Heh, Twi wasn’t kidding. You’re pretty damn wise. I’m glad I got to meet you, old man. If every other universe trip ends like this, I wouldn’t mind this mess at all.” 

“I’d certainly like to think so, miss Shimmer. Now, if I may, perhaps you would like to start with this one?” He spoke, while pointing at the other Sunset Shimmer.

With an exhale, the Valkyrie walked over to her.





The guard made her way back to her friends, scoffing at what her other self had told her. “What did she say?” Flash tilted his head analytically, wondering just why Sunset had that look in her face.

“It… Doesn’t matter.” She gritted her teeth, breathing uneasily; Suppressing just how much jealous anger she felt at seeing not only a better version of herself, but having that version rub it in.

Bon Bon, Still keeping a worried pair of eyes on the Alicorn, whispered, as if almost being stealthy. “Will she uhh… Will she cause trouble?”

“She’s an asshole.” Sunset spoke through gritted teeth, side eyeing her other self.

Snickering, Indigo poked her mockingly. “Wow, a Sunset Shimmer from another universe, an asshole? What a surpriiiise! I’m shooocked! Utterly–”

She couldn’t finish, as Sunset shoved her against a wall angrily, and she was about to bite back; But Flash quickly split the two apart. “EASY! Easy!! Hey! Same side here! Sheesh!”

Sunset couldn’t speak, she just groaned, scoffed, and suppressed the urge to scream. Everything was going so well, so normal. And just one bad day like this, and it was like she was younger again, being told she wasn’t good enough, and giving up on her dreams because she agreed.

And she never stopped agreeing with it.

She just didn’t say it. 

“FUCK you, Indigo!!”  She snarled loudly.

“Jeez!! What’s got your tail twisted, man?!” Her not-exactly-friend recoiled, genuinely taken back.

Flash quickly held his old friend, stopping her from going any further. “HEY! Stop it! Apologize, right now, please!”

And Bon Bon stared her down also, frowning. “Yeah! You’re way out of line, Sunset. Apologize.”

With a huge, frustrated exhale, she barely muttered the words. “Urgh. Fine. I’m sorry.”

Indigo blinked a couple times, seeing that rage for what it was now: Impotent. “It’s okay man… I’m sorry for pushing you.”

Sunset didn’t respond, just looked away, with a frown.
Analytically, Flash observed his old friend, then spoke softly. “...Hey. What did she say to you, really?”

“...Not much. She said I’m complacent. She said I could have been her if I had tried harder.”

“Oh…”

“She’s right about the first thing.”

“Sunset, c’mon…”

But they all stopped, being drawn to the flashes in the balcony, with the arrival of Moondancer and Starswirl. They watched the events quietly, without commenting on anything, such was the way of Canterlot guards.

Until Moondancer left the conversation, and walked towards the guards.

“You there! Guard!” She pointed at Sunset, almost accusatory, and the Unicorn’s eyes shot in multiple directions, wondering if it was her that was being addressed. 

“Yes, you!” She approached her, quite close, and spoke almost at a whisper, as not to be heard by the others in the balcony. “Y-you other guards are dismissed. Everything’s fine. You there. Shimmer, right? You stay.”

The three other guards left reluctantly, and Sunset remained, watching them go quietly.

Moondancer studied the guard with her gaze, trying to understand just what she was. “Alright, Sunset. I’ve got a question for you. How is it another version of you is a Princess? Surely, there is some choice in your life–”

“...I was Princess Celestia’s first pupil.” Sunset admitted, defeated.

That was news to Moondancer, whose eyes widened, and jaw dropped. “W-what?! Celestia has never had a pupil other than me?!” 

“That she told you. She has a lot of secrets– And the fact her first attempt at having a successor failed is one of them. I was it.”

“What do you mean?”

Sunset looked away. “I wasn’t good enough, so I quit. Not much else there is to it.”

“Hm. I don’t believe you. This requires further study. You require further study.” Moondancer came even closer, narrowing her eyes.

“P-princess, I promise you, there is nothing special about me.” The guard stated, desperately hoping for a way out of this.

“Nuh-uh. Clearly there is.” She pointed at Alicorn conversing with Starswirl on the balcony. “She’s anything but ordinary; and she’s you.”

“Another me!! Not me!!” But that wasn’t enough to dissuade the Princess, who pouted analytically. “I’m taking you to see Celestia. We’re sorting this out together.”

“Please, anything but her–”

“Hey, other me.” The Valkyrie was suddenly right next to them, startling them both.

No response from the other Sunset; Who just flinched and recoiled slightly; Having to look up to see her other self was intimidating.

With an exhale, the Princess of Valor had a much warmer look to give her other self. “Listen up. I’m sorry I snapped at you– I can’t blame you for giving up, I can't blame you for failing– ‘Cause you’re me. ‘Cause I almost gave up too… But maybe I can help.”

Slowly, she reached out a hoof, and her other self accepted it.


Let me show you an example; Let me show you how others forgave you, let me show you how others accepted you, let me show you how others loved you.

And let this be a sign, a notice, that things can get better, if you pick yourself back up after stumbling, and keep fighting.


Sunset blinked, shaking her head slightly, having just been shown dozens upon dozens of short memories of people she didn’t know loving her, accepting her, being proud of her. “W-woah.”

With a sigh and a smile, the Valkyrie nodded. “Yeah… I know, right?”

Suddenly, a glow started enveloping the Princess of Valor, and she scoffed in annoyance. “Damnit, it’s happening again. Starswirl, tell me the time!”

The old man hastingly looked at the sundial, then back at her. “It’s only been an hour!”

She exhaled, closing her eyes, as she started levitating against her will, and her limbs slowly faded away once more. “Well, shit. I guess that’s all I get, then. Good luck, other me! Keep fighting!” And the guard nodded slightly, still getting her bearings.

Starswirled approached her, with a calm smile. “May luck be on your side, Sunset Shimmer! May you see your love again!”

“Thanks, old man!”

Merely moments after she vanished, Sunset looked at the princess. “Um…Moondancer?”

“Yes?”

“I think I'm ready to see Celestia now.”

> I Light the Night
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


I Light the Night.







Twilight hadn't struggled with authority for a while; She had given up on anxieties and fears a long time ago, and simply didn’t consider the weight that rested on her shoulders, day after day.

But as she nervously adjusted her glasses, looking intently at a map of Equestria, the Unicorn came to the startling realization, one that she had avoided considering for a while.

The realization that she had no plan. 

And soon enough those old anxieties crawled at her.

The group of rebels that surrounded her was feeling restless, weary, and yet somehow, hopeful. “Well, C’mon, Twi. What’s the plan? We gotta do somethin’...!” Applejack, who towered over the other rebels with her height, tried nudging her to speak. 

But instead, she just gave her a reason to deflect. “What happened to your armor, AJ?” She asked, looking at the Earth Pony; Whose body armor was covered in gashes and splinters, and with it, she ignored the dozens of other ponies that surrounded that table, surrounded her, that waited for a plan.

The Ex-Farmer blinked, surprised at Twilight’s complete deflection. “Oh, well, Timberwolf ambush. Don’t worry, I’m fine; But it ain’t good that the creatures of everfree are antagonizin’ us even more than Nightmare Moon is! Sheesh…”

“Please, go get your armor checked and repaired; I can’t have one of my best, walking around like that!” She spoke authoritatively, but her voice often cracked.

“Well, yes ma’am– Y’all tell me what the plan is when yer done, ya hear?” The Ex-Farmer walked out of the tent, looking back in concern.

And soon enough, all eyes were on the Unicorn again, who looked at the map of Equestria, pretending to be formulating a plan.

She chewed on her lip, eyes closed, for a brief moment, being capable of pretending the crowd of ponies was not there. “C’mon Twi— If Anypony can come up with a plan to get back at that hag, it’s you!! We gotta get our friends back!!” Rainbow Dash proclaimed from the crowd, eager, confident, not realizing just how unstable the Unicorn was feeling.

“If Nightmare Moon captured all of them, it’s only a matter of time before one of them coughs up the location of this base– We have to strike now!” The Pegasus proclaimed, and plenty of other of the rebels nodded and affirmed in agreement.

“How could we possibly raid her castle!?”

“We don’t have the numbers–”

“Should we be evacuating this camp?!”

“Her forces would spot our mobilization easily; We can’t just cut and run!!”

“A frontal assault would be stupid–”

“Should we be doubling our defenses?!”

“I’m scared!!!”

“What are we going to do!!?”

Twilight shrunk into herself, as all of the ponies around her discussed endlessly. At least, with them being distracted like this, she had more time to pretend she was formulating a plan.

“EVERYPONY QUIEEEEET!!!” Rainbow shouted, Flapping her prosthetic wings around, garnering the attention of the whole tent. “Twilight has never let us down, and she’s not about to now, so show some backbone and pay attention, will ya?! Jeez!!”

A hush fell within the tent once more, and all eyes were on the poor Unicorn once more.

“C’mon Twi… They got Flutters, they got Pinkie… What’s the plan?”

She was about to snap– Dangerously so. She was mere seconds away from shouting that she had no hope to give them, that there was no plan.

But lucky for her, she didn’t have to.

With an eerie flash in the tent, all of the ponies gasped in surprise, as the Princess of Valor landed right on the table above the map to Equestria. 

“Urgh! Solid surface again, shit–” She muttered, dusting herself off with her wings. A mere glance around her made her raise an eyebrow. “Huh, am I interrupting something?”

Her ears twitched immediately upon hearing a familiar stutter– She turned her head, a bit too fast, and found herself face to face with Twilight sparkle. “Twilight!! Oh my gosh— Wow, you’re so small as an Unicorn– It’s– Adorable! And those glasses, wow, they’re really cute!!” She nodded, aggressively, with a dumb grin on her face, slightly flustered.

Twilight certainly looked quite different from her wife; A small Unicorn, with messy hair on a bun, wearing glasses that had been cracked from usage over the years.

Every single pony in that tent was speechless. With merely a couple of glances, Sunset evaluated what was happening, and looked back to the Unicorn. “So are you like the boss here? Gosh, look at you... Always the leader, huh? I expected nothing less!” She spoke warmly, with pride– Even without the full picture, she couldn’t help it; And the Unicorn was speechless, at this oversized Alicorn towering over her with a loving smile.

“Come to think of it, if I appeared here, then…” She turned on the table, looking around at every pony in the crowd. “Sunset Shimmer? Is there a Sunset Shimmer here? C’mon, me!”

And she didn’t have to look for long. Among the crowd, there she was, another version of her, adorned in battle gear like the rebels around her, with an utterly dismayed and shocked look in her face; Purposefully keeping herself quiet. “There you are, me!” 

With one magical motion, she picked herself up– Her other self, floated her over the crowd, moved the crowd away from Twilight, then placed her other self right next to Twilight. “There. That’s better.” She said with a sly smile, then sat down on the table properly, beholding those two.

All of this only served to confuse every pony in that tent even more.

The other Sunset immediately took a step or two away from the leader and covered her face with a hoof, grimacing in confusion.

Rainbow Dash was the first to speak up. “Umm– Not to be rude, but who the hell are you?”

“Woah Rainbow, sick metal wings, dude.” with a nod, Sunset admired her friend’s battle scars; That Rainbow Dash was indeed very different from hers, weary from years of fighting, but seemingly with the same attitude.

“Thanks! Wait, how do you know me?!” But unfortunately for the Pegasus, the Alicorn turned back to Twilight and her other self.

“Sorry if this is confusing, i’m–”

And finally, Twilight managed to speak. “WHO ARE YOU HOW DO YOU KNOW ME WHERE DID YOU COME FROM HOW ARE YOU AN ALICORN AND WHY DO YOU LOOK LIKE THIS RANDOM SOLDIER YOU JUST PUT NEXT TO ME????!!” Her voice shrill, close to panicked, indicating just how utterly confused she was.

In almost a slurred tone, intercut with giggles, Sunset pointed at her other self. “Hey, just asking, do you think this random soldier next to you is hot?”

The tiniest gasp came from Twilight’s mouth as her voice broke. “What!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”

That just elicited a loud reaction from her other self, who shouted “WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU?!”

Shaking her head and blowing raspberries, the Alicorn flapped her wings. “Sorry if I seem a bit weird– Whatever I smoked with Starswirl in the last universe is definitely kicking in.”

“Starswirl!??!! L-last universe?!” Those two things piqued the little Unicorn’s interest intently, as her mind raced. Someone in the crowd understandably asked “Smoking?”

“Hangon, I just need to check something.” The Princess of Valor reached out and touched her other self, bringing her closer with magic.


I am Sunset Shimmer. And I failed Celestia. Maybe if I had been a better pupil, Nightmare Moon wouldn’t have returned– Maybe if I had been a better pupil, I would have been there to stop it. But I wasn’t. I was exiled. And now I do whatever I can to help the resistance, and not one pony here knows the truth about me. I am–


Sunset's eyes widened with concern, and she then moved to touch Twilight, confirming what she had just seen.


I am Twilight Sparkle. I was an apprentice of Celestia-- was, because Nightmare Moon returned and imprisoned her. Since then, I've formed a resistance, and I try day after day to fight to someday free my mentor--


“Nightmare Moon?! She’s taken over this world?!” The Alicorn’s hide shivered with anticipation and anger, as her wings raised, and her brows furrowed.

Both Twilight and Sunset nodded, in utter confusion.

“Well then. Today’s your lucky day.” With one single hop, Sunset Shimmer jumped over the whole crowd, and landed on the exit of the tent, and walked out of it with steely determination.





“Honestly darling, you ought to be less careless. Look at you, all bruised…” The Seamstress stated, as she hastingly yet efficiently applied the repairs to the body armor that the Ex-Farmer wore.

Looking down, being careful not to be poked by her horn, Applejack tried her best to maintain composure. “I’m fine, Rarity. Could ya hurry it up? I think somethin’ big must be happenin’ on the meetin’ room right now, and I don’t wanna miss it.”

“Protection demands patience, darling. And nothing’s more important than your safety– Surely the strongest of us should keep herself properly protected when fighting!” She spoke strongly, plainly, demanding the attention of the Earth Pony, and almost getting it.

“Yeah, yeah…” The Ex-Farmer’s gaze trailed off the tent they were on, attracted by noise coming from outside, just in time for her to get a glimpse of a certain Alicorn. ”W-woah– Who’s that?!” 

“Eyes on me, darling.”

With that single statement, Applejack completely forgot what was going on outside, and allowed the seamstress to continue her dutiful work. “Eeyup.”

And with the final touches, Rarity booped Applejack’s snoot. “There! Top form once more. Now next time you’re in a scrape, try ducking, if you please.”

“O-okay. Thanks, sugarcube–” But both of their gazes turned to the entrance of the tent, as a curious Sunset Shimmer poked her head in, wings and all.

She took only mere moments looking around. “Excuse me, which way to the exit of your little base?– Woah, hey Applejack. You look badass in armor. Hi Rarity! Figures, you two would be dating in this universe too.”

With a little nervous chuckle, the Ex-Farmer shook her head. “Oh, we ain’t datin’-- we’re just friends!”

With a plain look on her face, Rarity took a few seconds to look at Applejack, analytically, from top to bottom.“Hm. Would.” Then she simply turned and moved back to her work station.

“W-what was that, sugarcube?!”

Snickering, Sunset turned around and continued on her way; The rebel base was quite interesting, lights and tents extended all around what resembled some sort of cave covered in vines and moss. Sunset could tell easily, that wherever this place was, it was situated in the Everfree forest. On all her treks through that forest with her friends, she got quite familiar with the scents and sounds.

There were a surprising number of ponies there, all usually either wearing battle gear, or torn clothes. She saw plenty of familiar faces, in unfamiliar ways, and they all looked at her like she was a comet– Gawking in surprise at the tall Alicorn walking among them. 

And behind her, followed plenty of ponies, but Twilight specifically; And the other Sunset Shimmer followed along. “E-excuse me! A-Alicorn!!! Would you mind explaining to me who you are and what you’re doing and where exactly are you going?!”

And besides her, Sunset’s other self was following closely, in extreme curiosity. “Are you me from an universe where I didn’t fail Celestia?! Where I succeeded as her pupil??” Which made Twilight’s ears perk in even further curiosity and confusion; She obviously did not know that there once was another pupil of Celestia, failed or otherwise.

Snickering, The Princess of Valor allowed herself to stop, touching Twilight’s and her other self’s shoulders, allowing her to see through her own memories, if only for a moment. “Here, let me show you both.”


It happened today, actually. Me and Luna were at the same party, happily conversing with my parents, and I remembered something good; That after years of training with the Queen of the Night, I finally beat her in a fight– And a fair and square all-out one, too. And I almost challenged her again too– But my wife stepped in, kissed me, and said “No fighting.” And of course, I obeyed.


“W-wife?! M-me?! Wife!!? Y-you?!” Blinking, flustering, sweating, Twilight’s eyes shot from the two Sunsets as she stuttered making sounds almost akin to squeaks, while the other Sunset’s jaw was utterly dropped, in equal flabbergasting. “H-holy crap– So you failed, b-but…!”

“Yep. I tried again. And eventually it stuck. And it helped that I was doing it to be with Twilight, too.” Her gaze was warm and amused, as she looked at those two, both equally confused. Twilight adjusted her glasses nervously, face red as a tomato, averting her eyes from the tall Alicorn that stood in front of her.

All which was endlessly entertaining to Sunset. “Gosh you are so cute as a Unicorn, Sparkles…!” but she shook her head, snapping out of it. “FOCUS! Okay, exit’s… Thisaway?” And she turned and kept going forward.

The two ponies chased after her, Twilight herself being incredibly concerned still. “W-wait!! How will you remove the Nightmare magic’s hold over Luna?!” 

“Oh, let’s just say I'm uniquely qualified for it– I’ve done similar before, for a friend.” She snickered, reminiscing. 

“W-what?! Who?!”

“Rarity.”





Most of Ponyville had gone into hiding, or were preparing for the battle against the forces of the moon; The shadows had already made their intentions known– Total domination of Equestria, but one thing was clear, they wouldn’t be able to claim Princess Luna again.

Luna and Twilight were attempting to discern the plans of the shadows that lurked there, both in the Community Center of Ponyville, but they knew a threat was imminent. Sunset, Applejack and Fluttershy remained out and about in Ponyville, at a rooftop, quietly surveying the skies for any signs of the upcoming invasion.

One thing had already happened– One terribly unfortunate thing.

Rarity had been taken by the shadows, and was somewhere lost in the moon.

“W-why did I even agree to be out and about with you two– We are in so much danger–” Fluttershy shivered slightly, in unease, observing the dark night sky. It was unquestionable that this would be dangerous.

Sunset, keeping her steel gaze on the moon, folded her wings close. “You’re here if things can end peacefully; Me and AJ are here if things get ugly– Don’t worry, we won’t let anything happen to you.” That was certainly an assurance, but not by much.

Applejack snarled, surveying the horizon. “Oh I ain’t lettin’ them take any more of us– And if I find out they hurt my sugarcube, I'm gonna wring their necks.”

“Atta girl– I don’t know if they have necks, but that’s the spirit.” The Alicorn nodded confidently, proud of her friend's bloodlust.

Shuffling closer to her friends, the Pegasus considered their options. “M-maybe we can do a simple parlay…? You know… Not have to fight a bunch of evil shadow monsters from the moon, and resolve this peacefully…?” 

“If there is a way, I’m sure Twi and Luna will find it– But we have to be prepared for the worst too.” The Alicorn reassured her, knowing full well things could go bad.

Blowing air from her nostrils, Applejack continued to poorly suppress her anger. “I vote violence– They took my Rarity, and I’ll lasso the whole dang moon before lettin’ her get hurt–”

But just then, they were interrupted, something akin to a meteor made of smoke landed on the outskirts of town– A wave of shadows spread.

“Stay sharp.” Sunset’s nerves raised, as she prepared for a fight.

The shadows spread out– Into what appeared to be a battalion of creatures of the dark, and they entered Ponyville.

And right in front of them, a tall, dark Unicorn with suspiciously fabulous hair led the quiet charge.

Sunset’s eyes widened.“Is that…?”

“Citizens of Ponyville! Rejoice, for you will be the first ones to be assimilated into the rule of the shadows– The moon is your sovereign, and it is time for MY age, the age of NIGHTMARE RARITY!!” The tall dark Unicorn waved her enormous, fabulous constellation mane, and her horn lit the surroundings with a pale blue light. 

With a grimace, Sunset realized this just got a lot more complicated. “Oh, crap.”

Fluttershy’s eyes widened in panic. “O-oh no!!! What do we do?!”

Gleefully, Nightmare Rarity continued to proclaim her victory, waving her mane fabulously. “It is time to surrender, darlings! The age of the shadows is here–”

“I SURRENDER!” Applejack raised a hoof, and immediately slid down the rooftop and jumped in the town square.

 “AJ no!!!” Fluttershy gasped. “A-applejack what the FUCK” Gritting her teeth, Sunset remained on cover, unsure of what the best choice of action would be.

Ignoring them, the Farmer ran to the plaza, standing right in front of Nightmarity. “Ah, excellent! Our first surrender. What is your name?”

“--Sugarcube, it’s me, Applejack?...” She spoke in disbelief, looking at her love, so twisted by the shadows. Rarity’s eyes glowed like gemstones as they twitched. Her fur was pitch black.

“Don’t ya remember me…?” Tilting her head, Applejack approached slowly, in concern. Nightmarity flinched, but got closer as well. “I… Know you…?” She asked softly.

Extending a hoof, she touched Applejack’s fuzzy chest, in confusion, attempting to remember, as she studied the Farmer analytically. “It’s me…!”

Shadows surrounded Applejack, but none advanced, all the while the Dark Unicorn observed her closely, feeling her fur with a hoof. “I know you…” Looking each other eye to eye- Blue and green meeting with hesitation.

Leaning in, Nightmarity rubbed her muzzle against Applejack’s neck and inhaled– Which transitioned to her nuzzling the Farmer affectionately then and there. She then recoiled, but still kept their muzzles close as she looked deep into her love’s eyes with a smile. “I know you. You’re mine.”

“E…Eeyup…?” Was all Applejack could say in reaction, as she flustered into oblivion.

With one swift and easy magical motion, Nightmarity cast a pale blue magical chain on Applejack’s neck, and pulled it, turning around. “We’re retreating for now– I’ve got what I want right here.”

All the shadow creatures surrounding them grunted in confusion and annoyance, as Applejack willingly followed her love, bound by a chain. With a pale yet powerful magical glow, Nightmarity cast the shadows into a swirl, and they all flew upwards towards the moon.

A hush fell into Ponyville, interrupted only by the sound of a pony, somewhere, celebrating. “Yay they’re retreating!!”

On the rooftop, Sunset grimaced in annoyance. “What the hell was that?!!!”

Fluttershy nodded with a small smile. “Wow, Applejack is so smart! She infiltrated the forces of shadows for us! And even made them retreat!”

Blowing raspberries, Sunset rubbed her temples with her wings. “That was absolutely not what just happened– Ugh, I guess at least she’s gonna keep Rarity occupied. C’mon, we gotta go tell Twilight and the others.”





“R-Rarity?! She was taken over by the shadows in your universe??” Fidgeting, Twilight followed the Valkyrie close.

“It’s a long story, but don’t worry about it, me and my friends fixed it.” Suppressing a chuckle, Sunset reminisced on the fact that the moon invasion was stalled– massively, too– By the simple fact that her two friends couldn’t keep their hooves off each other, even when one of them was corrupted by darkness.

She was, however, still looking for an exit, and just her luck, a wall of vines shook and moved; showing the pale moonlight outside, leading where to go. And from that wall, Zecora passed through. “Twilight! Just the pony I wished to see! And right after Nightmare Moon’s forces nearly caught me–”

“Hey Zecora!” The Alicorn passed by her with a friendly wave of a wing, and left through the vines, with Twilight close behind.

The Zebra blinked several times in surprise and shock. “I am not sure if this is a curse or luck– but that is an Alicorn. What the fuck?”

Sunset Shimmer breathed deeply, inhaling the nightly air– She knew that this was supposed to be day– But because of Nightmare Moon, it was eternal night. And she was about to change that.

They were at the edge of a grassy cliff, overlooking the Everfree forest; And Sunset could already sense where Nightmare Moon resided, in the Canterlot castle of this world. Twilight, behind her, stuttered through a question. “S-Sunset– Are you really going to just go and fight her?!”

Letting out a confident and calm chuckle, the Valkyrie nodded. “Relax, Sparkles. I got this. Also– I only have an hour here before I'm thrown into the next universe, so I don’t got much choice. And hey, if I die, nothing will change for this universe either way!” 

Her gaze alternated between Twilight and her other self, who regarded her with concern and confusion, and she ignored the few ponies that chased after her in curiosity.

“Also, I’ll make this quick– But you two have a lot of common ground, both being apprentices of Celestia– and I’m married to the Twilight Sparkle of my world– So when Nightmare Moon is defeated, you should hit it off! Celestia would adore having two pupils at once, especially with Luna around. Trust me, I know!” Her grin as wide as it could be, she nodded at them both enthusiastically, with a toothy smile.

They simply exchanged quick nervous flustered glances, unable to speak, and behind them, Rainbow dash was utterly flabbergasted. “Hey dude– I get that you’re an Alicorn and all– But how exactly are you alone going to defeat–”

But she was interrupted. With a flash, Sunset adorned her Valkyrie armor, and even in the pale moonlight, she shined with a golden glow. Every pony on that cliff’s jaws dropped as they looked at the bronze-clad Alicorn, who herself was ready for any fight.

She took merely a second to smirk back at them. “I’ll burn that bridge when I get to it.”

In a singular moment, she charged energy, and, with one massive wind blast, she flew off, even toppling some of the ponies around with her shockwave, shooting into the sky like a meteor, with one singular determined direction.

“H-holy crap. That’s fast.” Was all Rainbow could mutter, as she watched the fiery shooting star.

The ponies on the cliff watched, utterly flabbergasted, the Valkyrie cruise towards Canterlot with unbelievable speed.

Fidgeting nervously, adjusting her glasses, and even flustering a bit, Twilight looked at Sunset, who sat next to her, with the same confusion. “You… you were an apprentice of Celestia, like me…? All this time…?”

She nodded quietly, speaking softly. “Y-yeah. I was…”

There was a tinge of sorrow on Twilight’s voice, as she considered all the years she fought thinking no pony in the world would understand her pain. “Why did you never tell me?! I could have– Maybe together, this would have been easier…”

Shaking her head, she spoke softly. “I’m sorry, Twilight, it’s just… I was her apprentice. I failed her. I wasn’t about to share that with just anypony, even my replacement, but… I had to help somehow.”

“W-well… I know now. And gosh, it’s nice to know I’m not alone…”

“Y-yeah. I feel the same way.”

“G-gosh, you look amazing as an Alicorn, though…”

“Y-yeah. What the hell was that…?”





The messenger stuttered a little, being in the presence of such power, as he delivered news to Nightmare Moon in her throne room. “Y-yes, my liege– It is confirmed that our forces have captured all of the resistance fighters in their penultimate base…”

Cackling maniacally, Nightmare Moon rejoiced on her upcoming victory. The eerie blue flames of the torches in the room seemed to glow brighter with her delight. “FINALLY! Send my guards to torture the captives as much as they want– Tear them limb from limb if they must– Just GET the location of the final rebel base– And I’ll finally snuff out this ridiculous resistance!! And that little runt, Twilight Sparkle, will PAY for having ever defied me. Finally, a beautiful new age of my rule, with no opposition!!” 

She stepped away from her throne, nearly prancing around, her wings spread wide, reveling in her victory. “Night will reign eternal!!! No pony will ever oppose my MIGHT!!”

Allowing herself a good moment to cackle maniacally some more, she returned to her throne and lounged. “Notify me the SECOND we discover the location of the rebel base– I will go snuff out that light personally.”

The messenger nodded emphatically with fear, and then galloped away from the room.

From her throne, she could barely contain her excitement, as she fluttered her wings and grinned madly. “Do you hear that, sister? Your last hope will be extinguished soon enough.” She teased a stained glass depiction of her sister being defeated by her, Celestia could not hear her where she was.

Merely seconds later, one of her guards flew into the room, in a panicked, sweaty state. “My queen!!! W-we are under attack!!”

She did not appreciate the interruption. “Ugh, what is it now? Speak!!”

The Pegasus looked back in fear, sweating, in sheer panic. “S-some kind of Sun Alicorn– She is tearing through our air defenses like butter!!! We’ve–”

“Impossible! My sister cannot escape the prison that I've bound her to. There is no Sun Alicorn–” Before she could even finish her sentence, an explosion resounded in the distance, and from the stained glass windows, they could see glowing silhouettes of their airships– On fire.

Rolling her eyes, but feeling a bit more tense, Nightmare Moon waved her hooves dismissively. “Ugh, fine, I’ll entertain you. Send in the elite guards.”

“W-we just did!! T-they–”

Another Pegasus rushed into the room, this one completely struck with fear. “MY QUEEN, THE ELITE GUARD– THEY’VE ALL BEEN SLAUGHTERED!!”

Now she began considering this threat. “Unbelievable– FINE. If my sister has indeed returned, I will send her right back to where she belongs violently– I will go meet her now–”

The stained glass windows exploded, and Sunset Shimmer arrived, leaving a trail of fire in her wake, as she landed on the throne room confidently; The two messengers ran away at the mere sight of her, her armor burning in a couple places, dents and scratches in others, but otherwise completely unharmed. “Heya, Luna.”

The Queen of the Night’s eyes widened as she examined her opponent with a scowl. “A Valkyrie?! Impossible!! Who are you?!!”

“A friend. Unfortunately, Celestia couldn’t be here today– But I’ll gladly fill in her horseshoes and knock some sense into you, Luna.” With a Smirk, she brandished her armored wings confidently.

This wasn’t even going to be a match– She knew all of Luna’s weaknesses, Nightmare Moon’s weaknesses, and her opponent didn’t even know who she was.

With a violent take off, they collided mid air, and it was clear that Sunset was the physical superior, as she stomped and hooved and even wing striked her enemy, combining all of that with powerful magical blasts and horn fencing, the Queen, even with her powerful magical barriers and blasts, could barely keep up.

The Queen of the Night tried her best to shoot the Valkyrie with powerful explosive projectiles; But Sunset was too agile, doing flips and Pirouettes or even deflecting her magic entirely, making it look easy, too.

Stomping her forcefully against the ground pushed Nightmare moon to fight back harder. “Enough of this! Feast on your nightmares, fool!!”

Her horn glowed, her wings spread wide, and a violent dark fog flew towards Sunset, who guarded herself in expectation.

Nothing happened.

Even when images attempted to take shape, no fear was realized.

Their eyes met, and Nightmare Moon was genuinely shocked. “I--Impossible?!”

“HAH! Celestia was right!!! AWESOME!!” The Valkyrie took off once more, with her confidence doubled. With her horn alight, flames spewed all around her, lighting the room, resembling daytime.

Nightmare Moon could only play defensive, and she was starting to panic, as every barrier she cast was soon broken, and any cold she manifested was quickly snuffed out, warmed up.

Sunset laughed with delight and excitement with this battle, for a multitude of reasons. “You rely too much on your magic!! Like you’re ordering takeout!!”

“What in the world are you–”

“But this?!?!” She brandished her hooves and wings with great pride. “This is a home cooked meal. Now eat up!!”

“UGH, WHAT ARE YOU EVEN SAYING?!” A flurry of wing strikes and Hoof stomps struck nightmare moon on her legs, neck, head, and she could no longer defend herself. 

“I DON’T KNOW, I AM KIND OF HIGH RIGHT NOW!!” She laughed gleefully, as she delivered blow after blow.

And with one final bucking, Nightmare moon was thrown against her throne, shattering it, and laid on the floor, barely conscious. She coughed a couple of times, breathing haggardly. “E-even if you beat me now– Your sun will never return. And Luna will forever belong to the darkness. The forces of nightmare have won–”

“--Not on my watch.” Sunset approached her slowly, and connected horn to horn, and began a very strenuous process of multiple kinds of magic being cast at once.






I had nightmares every night, after I became a demon. Stealing Twilight’s crown was the worse mistake I had ever made, and yet, no pony could torture me more than me.


“N-no, please, just go away!!” Sunset Shimmer pleaded, being face to face with her own demon form.  
 
“Why so scared, little me?! This is what you wanted, isn’t it?!”  She spread her wings, and Canterlot burned around them. “SUNSET SHIMMER– THE STRONGEST ALICORN!!” She professed loudly, brandishing her horrible bat wings as fire spewed in all directions.

“STOP!! JUST STOP HURTING THEM!!” The Unicorn cried helplessly, unable to do anything to stop her other self. The demon was burning everything with gleeful laughter.


This was only one of my nightmares, back then. One of many. I was as helpless here as when I was awake.


The demon bared her fangs with joy. “What’s wrong, you WIMP?! You got everything you could have possibly wanted– Why the crocodile tears?!”

“I DON’T WANT THIS, I NEVER WANTED THIS–”

“ALL YOU ARE IS THIS!!” She brandished her wings, and charged at her other self.

“Not on my watch.” With a calm and soothing voice, Luna entered the dream and swiftly dispatched the demon, making it fade away, and as she flew around the city, all flames dispelled.


And yet, you were always there– For every nightmare I had, you pulled me out. I didn’t deserve it, but you couldn’t care less about deserving. 


She landed directly in front of the Unicorn, with gentleness and calm.

“You are Sunset Shimmer, are you not?” Tilting her head, she regarded the Unicorn with pity, and yet, a warm gaze.

She was still shaking, still shivering. With an exhale, she managed to look the princess in the eyes. “Y-yes, yes. That’s me… It’s– an honor to meet you, Princess Luna… I’m s-so sorry for the trouble–”

“The honor is mine. It is not everyday I could meet a pony that knows exactly how I felt.” She gave a slow, caring nod, as the layout of the dream reshaped into a more comfortable night in Canterlot.


You were unshakable. And yet, you and I were in the exact same position, once.


“W-what…?”

Turning her head away, it was as if she saw another pony having a nightmare in the distance. “I must go. But let it be known, Sunset Shimmer… That they will forgive you– And you will survive this, and you will come out of it stronger. Never forget their faith in you.”

In tears, Sunset stomped her hoof on the floor, not out of anger, but of desperation. “B-but it’s misplaced!! I don’t deserve it!! I don’t deserve their faith– Much less their forgiveness!!!”

With a gentle smile, Luna soared away. “And yet, it is there. What you choose to do with it is up to you. Good luck, Sunset Shimmer. And may the stars aid in your return.”


Everytime you visited my dreams, you offered me wisdom, and at some point, it actually stuck. You were the reason I started trying to improve myself– You were the reason I fought to belong with Twilight and my friends, and you were the reason, among many others, that I am as fearless as I am now. 

Now that you’ve seen what I've seen, known what I’ve known, you know what you can be. 

Come back to them, Luna…!






Straining, near yelling, Sunset Shimmer finished showing Luna her memory, and viciously pulled all of the nightmare energy out from her horn, burning it up then and there. “GO BACK TO THE SHADOWS!!” She yelled, after the extreme effort of unleashing the nightmare into her flames.

The room went quiet, they both breathed uneasily.

Luna, no longer Nightmare Moon, whimpered, as tears formed. “I–I don’t deserve their forgiveness…!”

With a smile, Sunset spoke softly. “And yet, they’ll give it to you. What you do with it…”

“--Is up to me…!” She concluded, eyes closed, not smiling, but significantly more at ease.

Sunset walked away, shaking off the exhaustion of having strained herself, blowing raspberries and stretching; She would not allow herself to feel tired, in only the third universe she accidentally stumbled into.

Curiously, Luna watched her. “...Incredible… So this was the power of Celestia’s first pupil…!”

She snickered, remembering the resistance fighter version of her. “Nooooot exactly. There is a Sunset Shimmer in this world, but she’s not me.”

“...Another universe…!” Luna spoke softly, coming to an understanding.

Nodding, Sunset smiled. “Hopefully, the other Sunset will learn the same things you know, and understand what she could be.”

Luna could see it now– If there was even a chance that her world could have a protector like the one that just saved her, she had to fight to make it a reality. “I’ll make sure of it.” She nodded with determination.

“Heh, thanks.” Chuckling, she laughed at the idea that this victory could be attributed to the other Sunset Shimmer, and she didn’t mind that in the slightest.

Luna, for the first time in years, looked through the holes on the throne room walls, at the nightly horizon, with hope. “Well, nevertheless… Perhaps now my sister will return– And the sun will shine on Equestria once more...”

“Oh, it will. Give me a second.” Sunset Shimmer walked over to that gap, and raised her wings.

She stared at the horizon intently; her horn aglow, her gaze determined, her wings spread wide.

Through immense effort, she raised the Sun.

After nearly a decade, it was morning in Equestria once more.

Sunset Shimmer nearly collapsed, feeling immensely dizzy, breathing heavily. “FUCK! Why did I even do that while I'm still high– Ugh, I feel sick…!”

“Incredible…!” Was all that the Princess could mutter, as she observed, for the first time a millenia, a sunrise, and not one raised by her sister, no less.

And moments later, with the sun raised, Celestia was freed from her prison, and flew down to the castle.

The time had come to be thrusted upon another universe– and the same light as before enveloped Sunset. “Well crap, time to go…” She started floating against her will.

“What is happening to you??” Luna’s eyes widened as she watched the Valkyrie slowly vanish.

“Don’t worry– I’m just going to another universe! Listen, remember what I said, and remember what you felt, okay?!” Her limbs were fading, and she tried speaking fast.

“U-um– yes, I will try!” The Alicorn nodded, even with her concerns.

Celestia landed inside the room, and was utterly shocked at this sight. “A–A Valkyrie?! S-Sunset Shimmer?!?!! Y-you’ve ascended?!”

“Hey, Celestia!! I’m Sunset from–” But before she could finish her sentence, she vanished into the multiverse.

The Princess of the Sun watched, utterly flabbergasted, unable to make sense of any of that. Her gaze landed on her sister, who sat wounded on the floor. “L-Luna, is it really you?! What in the world just happened?!?!”

“I honestly can barely say myself, sister… All I can say is… I am so, so sorry…!” Tears formed in her eyes, as she stood up, unsure of anything. 

Shaking her head thoroughly, Celestia regarded her with sadness. “No… It was my mistake to imprison you all those years ago. We were meant to rule together... From now on, we’re equals. I am so sorry, sister…”

The little sister ran forward and hugged her big sister, and there they remained in each other's embrace, apologizing to each other emphatically, until the moment that the resistance fighters finally reached the castle, utterly shocked to find out that everything would change, starting today.

Two Princesses.

Two Pupils.

A new age for Equestria.
> The best revenge is a life well lived... With you.
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


The best revenge is a life well lived... With you.






Sunset Shimmer wasn’t exactly known for her patience, and neither was Starlight Glimmer. It certainly was peculiar that in this bizarre trio, Trixie Lulamoon was the one that was usually the calmest.

Their lair was this surprisingly gorgeous cave– The rent was relatively cheap, for three failed evildoers without many sources of income, and lucky for them their landlord was not a snitch, nor someone who cared about what they did with their time.

And once again, surprisingly, Trixie was the most monetarily successful one of the bunch– And she didn’t even always live and sleep here– Not that the other two wouldn’t resort to petty theft for their basic necessities. 

It was a day like any other. Starlight was attempting to formulate their next plan, Trixie was questionably paying attention, while Sunset, looking at the pool of water that crossed their cave/home, wondered just how her life got to be this utterly frustrating.

Starlight, nerve wracked, and yet, determined, studied schematics, notes and pictures. “Ugh, this wouldn’t work either; she already beat us when we tried something similar– I’ve been thinking– Maybe we should try to blow up her castle? Trixie, can you get us some explosives?” 

With a decisive nod, Trixie giggled. “Not stable ones!”

“That wasn’t a no. I’ll take it.” The Unicorn let out an exhale, while she looked at the very amateurish and hastingly drawn schematic of the Princess’s castle.

Sighing, finally turning away from her reflection, Sunset decided to address the planner. “Call me crazy but I don’t think petty vandalism through the form of unstable explosives is gonna get us very far with our Princess problem. Twilight’s smart enough to cast defensive spells– And I doubt our capability of sneaking in her castle– Regardless of how pointlessly huge and usually empty it is.”

Eyes twitching, blowing air from her nostrils, Starlight stomped a hoof on the table, not making much noise. “I don’t see YOU making a plan, leather jacket!! You’ve been sulking all day, if you’re gonna sit around and judge, give us some suggestions at least?!”

Narrowing her eyes, Sunset wasn’t even the least intimidated. “Don’t take that tone with me, tiny– Without me you two idiots would be rotting in a Canterlot prison right now. And reminder that all your plans have had a zero percent success rate, otherwise Twilight would have been beaten long ago.”

“Excuse me?! So have YOURS! I’m the boss here! Show me some respect!!” The angry Unicorn huffed.

“Earn it.” Sunset snarled through gritted teeth.

Before the situation escalated any further, Trixie stepped in between the two, with a nervous smile. “Girls! Girls, you’re both very pretty and evil– Can we get back on track maybe? Let’s dial it back a lot, please! The Great and Powerful™ Trixie suggests we take a quick break! Snack time, whaddaya say?”

Neither of the other two unicorns had objections to it, quickly exhaling, even while maintaining the usual stink eye towards each other. Each of them picked up respective snacks for their break, from fruits to sweets, mostly things they had stolen.

While chewing, Trixie regarded the leather jacket-clad Unicorn, and her forlorn demeanor, and as expected, approached her curiosity with no decorum. “Sunset, why have you been pouting all day? You seem to be extra broody and grumpy, and that’s saying something.”

The Unicorn had a mouth too full to immediately bite back, so she remained, for a few seconds, chewing. Those seconds were enough to cool her off of the anger of the magician prodding on her life.

“Didn’t sleep well today.” Was all she could muster to say, and it wasn’t a lie.

“Hmm, yes, Starlight’s snores are indeed hard to endure.” Trixie pensively nodded, while chewing on cookies.

“Hey!!! At least I don’t practice shows in my sleep!!” the Unicorn was genuinely insulted, not even pointlessly angry over the statement. “You’re always going on about being great and powerful in your dreams, it's just annoying–”

“I am always at the stage, Glimmer! Awake or asleep, I must hone my craft!!” She did an overdramatic flap of her cape, and a tilt of her wizard hat.

“I dreamt about Celestia today.” Sunset said plainly– It just came out. She wasn’t planning on going into detail, but that needed to be said. Something needed to be said. Anything.

A hush fell on the table, with the other two unicorns regarding her with a knowing look of pity.

The dream had been good. A memory of her younger life, the good days of being Celestia’s apprentice. Days gone, for a long time now. That’s what made the sleep restless.

Sunset quietly took a sip of water, looking back at the two, saying nothing.

With a nod, Starlight professed victory. “...Don’t worry. Once we clip Twilight’s wings, she’s next. You’ll get your payback.”

“Hm. Wouldn’t that be something.” Absentmindedly, she regarded the pool of water behind her again, seeing her morphed reflection.

A brief silence, before Trixie, still chewing on cookies, interjected. “I got an idea. Bears.”

Starlight couldn’t help but snort. “Um. elaborate?”

“Oh that’s all. Bears.” Trixie affirmed.

Shaking her head, but smiling, Sunset disregarded it. “Whatever you’re thinking wouldn’t work. Fluttershy would easily–”

But then, and interruption. 

With a flash, The Princess of Valor appeared out of thin air, falling and crashing through the table; dropping a teacup on the floor, not only shattering it but spilling its contents all over the scattered papers.

“Shoot! Sorry, I was drinking tea in the last universe–” She began to apologize, but then stopped.

With a quick study of her surroundings, she spotted multiple objects of interest. 

First of all, the three unicorns. Sunset Shimmer, Starlight Glimmer, and Trixie Lulamoon. All three, in the same place. “Ugh, this can’t be good…”

Second of all, multiple papers, plans, schematics and even maps of Ponyville scattered all over, including pictures of the Princess of Friendship, Twilight Sparkle. A full conspiracy board, including one with a few darts stuck to a picture of Twilight smiling. “Ugh. Are you kidding me?”

And finally, the location. “Are we… Are we in Maud’s cave?” She tilted her head.

“What the fuck are you?!!!” Her other self desperately and very confusedly asked. And of course, not just her, but Starlight shouted some confused profanities, while Trixie complained.

“I don’t know who or what the fuck you are but STOP walking over our schematics!!” Starlight commanded.

“AND OUR COOKIES!!” Trixie pleaded.

The Princess turned to her other self, with an eyebrow raised, and Sunset was stunned. It was her, but taller, stronger, with wings. It was bizarre. A reflection she had never seen. “A-are you a changeling?! A trick?! An illusion?!!”

With a quick inspection of her other self, the Princess of Valor spoke. “I’m you from another universe, dumbass. PLEASE don’t tell me you three knuckleheads formed some sort of alliance to try to usurp Twilight or something.”

Her other self did not respond– Trixie had the honor. “The Great and Powerful Trixie has two wonderful assistants that aid her again and again in the eternal battle against her nemesis, Twilight Sparkle!!”

Starlight quickly nudged her in annoyance. “H-hey! I’m the boss!” And then her attention turned to the Alicorn. She lit her horn, and stepped forward. “I don’t know who or what you are, wearing Sunset’s face. But you better explain yourself right now–”

“--I told you, I’m Sunset Shimmer from another universe– clearly one that I’m doing better in, if you’re all stuck together at your worst. I’m fucking married, by the way.”

Rolling her eyes, her other self scoffed. “Hah. What, are you married to Flash?”

Eyes widened with a mix of anger and concern, the Alicorn stared her down. “NO dumbass, I'm married to Twilight Sparkle!!!”

“W-what?!” That shut her other self up immediately, with the sudden realization that she was married to her nemesis in another dimension. Trixie gasped and mocked her immediately. “Oooooohhhh~”

“Shut up, Trixie!” Both Sunsets said in unison.

“HEY!” Starlight attempted to command the room again, lighting her horn. “Don’t ignore me, intruder!! You’re not welcome here– And Twilight Sparkle is a pathetic twerp that is our ENEMY!! Now explain just what you’re doing here, or I’ll blast you into–”

She stopped, as soon as the Alicorn turned. the Princess's glare and demeanor interrupted her instantly. Fully facing Starlight, Sunset raised her wings and spoke in a tone that cut swiftly. “You point your horn at a Valkyrie, you best be ready to kill. Starlight, I’ve had a pretty fucking long day, I’m NOT in the mood for your shit– So point that horn somewhere else, or I’ll break it off and shove it up your ass.”

The Unicorn paused immediately, reconsidering picking a fight with an Alicorn, one that continued talking, much to her dismay. “Now, I’d rather lecture you than maim you. So be a good girl and sit.”

And embarrassingly enough, Starlight obeyed, face getting red with the humiliation. Once again, Trixie mocked. “Oooooohhh~” 

“Shut up, Trix…” Starlight muttered in shame.

Rubbing her temples, the Princess attempted to calm her nerves. “Ugh, you warned me that you were a little shit before Twilight fixed you– I assumed you were exaggerating…!” She muttered in frustration, shaking her head.

Trixie, unaware that she was playing with fire, waved her hooves dismissively at the Alicorn, in a teasing tone. “Soooo, what are you, a Sunset Shimmer that didn’t mess up being Celestia’s pupil? You look great. Congrats.”

Her other self, recovering from a fluster, shaked her head dismissively. “No, she’s a Sunset Shimmer that won through nepotism. A gold digger. She married Twilight to be a Princess.” 

That elicited an instant angry reaction from the Alicorn, who pinned her on the ground violently, snarling.

And with that physical contact, she showed her a quick burst of memories of her past.


 You better pay attention. You better look closely.

Because I failed. Again, and again, I failed. I even pursued revenge, unlike you, alone. And I failed.

And somehow, Twilight still forgave me.

And somehow, Twilight still helped me.

I am what I am now because after unending failures, I kept trying. And I tried to be better for her. What you’re looking at right now, is a long, nearly unending list of failures, that with unyielding determination transformed into a success. 

And now I can raise the sun. 


Breathing heavily, her other self started to sweat. She had now seen just how much her failures could have turned into successes, if she had only been on the right side. Even just a fraction of what she had seen demonstrated so openly how much time she wasted.

“See?” The Alicorn stared her down, almost snarling

“W-what did you just do to me?!”

“Do you see?!!!”  She asked, pressing her down even further.

“Y-yes!” Her other self affirmed, still in shock.

“Good.” The Princess of Valor let her go, watching her other self recover. “Now you know not just what you could have been, but what you can be.”

Then she turned to the other two, who watched in confusion. “So you two are an item in this universe too, huh? I guess some good things are constants, at least. Even if you’re both still evil.”

The two unicorns regarded each other with strange looks. “Um. ‘Item’?” Starlight tilted her head.

Trixie let out a scoff. “Oh please. The Great and Powerful Trixie is wayyyy out of her league.” Rolling her eyes, she smirked at Starlight, who looked profoundly offended. 

“Excuse me, are you implying you’re somehow a catch?! Look in the mirror, Trix! You’ve got FLEAS!” She tried arguing, but the Alicorn quickly brandished her wings, garnering their attention. “OKAY, as much as this is very funny to listen to, I’m on the clock here, so quiet, please! In one hour I’ll be blasted into the next universe, so listen up, time for a lecture–”

But just then, another pony entered this section of the cave– One that the Alicorn was surprised to see. 

None less than Maud Pie, Pinkie Pie’s sister.

In her classic monotone, she garnered their attention. “Hey can you four keep it down? Boulder is sleeping.”

With a confused grimace, the Princess raised an eyebrow. “Maud?! So you just. Know these three live here?”

Starlight blew raspberries, rolling her eyes. “She’s our landlord.” 

The Alicorn narrowed her eyes in confusion, wondering just why Pinkie’s sister was comfortable living with three idiot villains.“What are you doing, Maud?” 

“Reading my favorite magazine, rock monthly– They have a wonderful new section on tectonic plates that has been profoundly informative and engaging. And geothermal vents are the new hotness, according to the cover…” 

“No no– I mean. Why are you housing these three knuckleheads– Why haven’t you told Twilight about this?” 

A single blink was all of a reaction from Maud. “Because I’m not a snitch.” She tilted her head. “Also the pay is good. Rock work isn’t always that monetarily viable, but this helps me pursue that passion without worrying about expenditures–”

“Okay, I’ve heard enough.” shaking her head, the Alicorn turned to her other self, trying to actually be surprised that someone from Pinkie’s family would do something like this.

The four were silent and surprised, or more adequately, surprised at Maud's lack of surprise. There was an Alicorn in front of her, and yet, she had no reaction. She then regarded the other Sunset, and addressed her. “Oh, and Sunset, if your hot big sister is going to live here, she’s gonna have to pay rent, just like you three.”

Shaking her head in confusion, the Alicorn spoke up. “Oh, I'm not her sister, I’m Sunset from another universe– Wait. Did you just say I’m hot?! Are you– Maud, did you just flirt?!!!” Her jaw slacked in complete surprise.

“Let me check.” Maud took a handful of quiet seconds to stare at Sunset, observing her from top to bottom, while standing motionlessly. “Yes.”

Sunset, for a moment, was flabbergasted– She knew Maud in her own universe, since she herself was best friends with Pinkie Pie. And this Maud was flirting.

“Oh, um, I’m married.” She tilted her head, containing her laughter, still reeling from the amusing confusion.

“Oh well. Maybe in some other universe.” The smallest grin appeared in Maud’s lips, as she turned around and walked back to her section of the cave.

For a single pointless second, Sunset Shimmer reconsidered and recontextualized past interactions she had with Maud.





She was getting the hang of flying, with some difficulty. But even in failure, it was incredible. Sunset, having earned wings only a few weeks back, was still feeling an exhilaration with each flight. This really added a lot to her workout routine, and she could easily understand why Rainbow Dash spoke so highly of the exercise. 

And not just the workout, but also the attention training– With the passing days, she could notice more and more details on the ground, smaller things that moved by with this new advantageous perspective, and she felt her ears training to scan for calls from the ground much more efficiently.

And just like that, she heard her friend Pinkie Pie calling to her– Though admittedly, Pinkie was pretty hard not to see or hear, if she wanted your attention.

With one swift yet clumsy motion, she nearly dive bombed, pulling up at the last second, her hooves dragging on the floor as she attempted to break, and then, crashed against a bush.

Smiling gleefully, she peeked out of it, ignoring any of the pain she might have felt from the rough landing, simply happy to have done another flight. “Hey Pink! Hey Maud! What’s up?”

The two Pie sisters regarded her with their own manner of joy. Maud with an miniscule smile, and Pinkie, by bouncing with excitement. “HI SUNSUN!! Wow, you’re getting a hang of the flying thing! Is your leg feeling okay?”

Hopping out of the bushes easily, Sunset moved one of her front legs, which had been broken weeks ago, this time with ease. “Never better! Not even sore anymore. I’m SO happy it’s finally healed so I can learn to fly. Why did you call me down, anyway?”

Putting a friendly arm above Sunset’s shoulders, Pinkie smirked, pointing at her sister. “Juuuuuust hanging out with my sister Maud, remember her? Super cool rock-e-ologist? Isn’t she awesome? And super cool?” 

Maud stood silently, inspecting Sunset Shimmer from top to bottom. “Sure is!” Sunset affirmed, barely looking at her, still patting some of the leaves stuck on her feathers.

“Hello, Sunset Shimmer.” Maud stated in her usual monotone demeanor. Pinkie herself was uncharacteristically quiet, looking at the two of them.

“Heya, Maud. I hope you’ve been enjoying your stay in Ponyville!” The Alicorn tilted her head with a warm smile.

Nodding furiously, Pinkie nudged her friend. “Oh yeah yeah! She loves it here!! It’s so nice for two ponies like you who’ve only recently entered Ponyville to bond, eh?” She let out a comical wink that Sunset did not catch on. 

The Alicorn chuckled slightly. “Recently? Hasn’t it been over a year since either of us came to live here?”

Ignoring the two, or maybe being too distracted to hear them, Maud spoke, deadpan. “You look good. Have you been working out? You look good.”

Finally free of the sticks that might have cluttered her mane from the fall, Sunset peeked at Pinkie, who was simply smiling quietly, while gazing at the two of them– But didn’t make much of it. “Thanks, yeah! For like, over a year now. Even before these wings! I think you’ve seen me jogging a couple times? Or maybe working on AJ’s farm?” 

“Oh, I've seen you.” The Earth Pony stated, in her usual tone, that hid whatever intentions or desire she might feel.

Nodding, once again not seeing through the invisible undertones, Sunset smiled. “Sweet. Anyways, Twilight’s waiting for me, we’re still designing the new Community Center! We decided we’re gonna live in it; Just like Twilight’s old library, the one that exploded, heh. But we’ll get to make one that’s better than ever! Dating a Princess has some awesome perks, heheh.”

Maud blinked. “You’re dating? Twilight Sparkle?”

Blowing raspberries in amusement, Sunset nodded. “Yeah! Since I got these wings, didn’t you know? What rock have you been living under? Heh. Get it? Rock?”

Maud nodded slowly with a small smile. “You’re so funny.”

“Hahahahaha isn’t she?!” Pinkie let out giddy laughter.

Smiling again, Sunset moved her wings in a comedic manner. “Oh here’s another: How did you not know that? Do you live in a cave? Get it, heh?”

Pinkie laughed hysterically, while Maud simply smiled. “I get it. I live in a cave. It’s very funny.”

“Your home is pretty awesome, I’d love to visit again someday!” With a smirk, Sunset turned and readied her wings. “Well, this has been great, but I don’t keep my girl waiting. Nice catching up! Let’s do it again sometime!” And just like that, she leapt into the air, and took flight, with some novice, yet efficient motions.

“Let’s.” Maud stated, before looking at Pinkie, now that it was just the two of them. “Pinkie, why didn’t you tell me she was taken? I was practically throwing myself at her just now.”

“Awww, I felt bad, I didn’t want you to think you had no chance!! You’re a knockout and your flirting skills are SO powerful!!” Her sister apologetically fidgeted.

Shaking her head dismissively, Maud turned around. “And she’s even hotter with wings, too. I’m inconsolable. I need a drink or two. Let's go.”





Trixie contained laughter. “That was flirting? Seriously? Maud’s neutral demeanor never ceases to amuse!!”

Snapping out of it, Sunset blew raspberries. “Whatever.” Then she turned to the three Unicorns, all of which were enemies of her wife– Or at least were, in her universe. Even her. “Listen up, the three of you. Fighting Twilight Sparkle is a pointless waste of time– And not just that, but being her friend improves the lives of each of you immensely, you have no idea.”

Blowing raspberries, Trixie was the first to dismiss it. “Oh please. Twilight the Twerp™ is full of it!! Bringing her down is a matter of justice! You wouldn’t get it cause you’re a softie Princess in your world or swagever.” She said as much with an incredibly confident smile. And then she tilted her head, mockingly. “If your universe is sooooo great, why are you here anyways?”

“I don’t have a choice, dumba– I’ve been cursed, okay? But that doesn’t matter right now. Since I’ve got a bit of time, I’m trying to make some differences to the universes I come across. Let’s get back on topic; Twilight Sparkle is a good pony, the best pony, and you three are making a mistake by being her enemy!”

Shaking her head, speaking in a tone that almost asked for permission, Starlight added her thoughts. “We’ve been fighting her for years– She’s our mortal enemy, and this only ends two ways. With us victorious, or us in the ground. And I'll be damned if I let that twerp beat me even ONE more time!! She’s NOT better than us!!”

The other Sunset Shimmer was the quietest. She stared at the ground, still refocusing her breathing. “Even… Even if we gave in, she would never forgive us. We’d just rot in a cell somewhere in Canterlot. It’s too late.”

Groaning, rolling her eyes, the Princess kept her composure. For a brief moment, she considered what her wife would say– Because the ‘Sunset Shimmer way’ would likely involve slapping these three idiots around until they listened to reason.

“You don’t get it. She WILL forgive you, but it’s not just that– All the reasons you have to hate her are from a fundamentally wrong perspective. Starlight!” The Unicorn straightened her back when her name was called. “You formed a cult because your childhood best friend left– But guess what. After all of that, years later? After you tried being an evil shithead, and Twilight Sparkle helped you get better? Sunburst was the best man at your wedding!!”

The Unicorn's eye twitched. “S-sunburst? I met him again?!”

Nodding enthusiastically, the Alicorn approached her with a smile. “Yeah! Best man!! At your WEDDING!!” 

Quietly, Starlight stared at the floor, not believing it fully– But certainly considering it. 

“Trixie!” The magician was munching on a cookie she had fished out of the ground, but at least her attention was garnered, even if not fully. “All your distaste for Twilight only came from insecurities over your own lack of ability with magic– But once she helped you become good, you realized what makes YOUR talents special, you became super famous for your tricks! And you’re married!!” 

Blinking in confusion, Trixie nearly choked. “Wait, did I get to kiss a mare?!”

“Weird that you focus on that but YES. You did!” 

Trixie’s jaw hung open and pieces of cookie fell on the ground.

Then finally, the Alicorn turned to her other self. “Other me. Twilight is literally the best thing that ever happened to you. She humbled you– You need to see that for the gift that it is– The fact that she managed to be a better pupil to Celestia than you ever could demonstrates all that you lack, and all that she has. This isn’t something to hate– It’s a lesson! And DON’T try to convince yourself that her way is wrong– If it was, you three wouldn’t have been beaten, again, again, and again!! Once you learn what you’re truly capable of, all while being loved for what you are, when you can finally feel real, true pride and joy… you… You could become me!”

The three unicorns were justifiably quiet.

But finally, after a moment of thought, Sunset Shimmer shook her head. “Listen, other me– I don't know if what you’re saying is bullshit or not– Frankly, it sounds like it is– But even if it isn’t, just because it worked in your world, doesn’t mean it’ll work for us.”

The other two nodded quietly, and Starlight was the only one that spoke. “Honestly I’m still not convinced this isn’t some sort of stupid dream or trick. For all we know, you could be just a shapeshifter, or some kind of illusion! A trick by Twilight, trying to make us into goody-two-shoes like her!!”

Exhaling, the Princess shook her head. “Okay. Time for the big guns.” She motioned for the three of them to come closer, which they obeyed reluctantly. “What I’m about to show you is a memory– A memory of the day that the Starlight and Trixie of my world got married. Pay attention.”






It was the day of the wedding. And since my wife– Well, back then, just girlfriend– was the one officiating it, I had a vested interest in making sure the wedding went off without a hitch.

Unfortunately for me, Trixie was the one getting married.  


Sunset Shimmer flew at the fastest speeds she could manage– As an Alicorn in training, she wasn’t entirely comfortable with her flight skills yet– But she already had come a long way. Regardless, she would not allow Trixie Lulamoon to ride on her back, so she simply dragged her through the air with levitation magic. “Are you KIDDING me, Trix?! Are you honestly telling me you thought bringing a WYVERN to your WEDDING was a good idea?!” 

Trixie, who wore a very flamboyant tuxedo adorned with constellations, fitting for a wizard, which she was not, refused to admit fault. “How can you not see my genius!! This will make my wedding EPIC! Unforgettable! The greatest and powerfullest wedding of all time!! And when my wife slays the beast she will proclaim her love to me above a pile of its ashes–”

“Your not-yet-WIFE is getting her hair DONE right now!! UGH, HANGON!!--” Sunset rolled her eyes, with the Wyvern in sight, and she picked up even more speed, the wind blowing savagely around them. 


A Wyvern wasn’t anything I was scared of– But Starlight and Trixie were my friends, and not just that, my wife’s friends. I couldn’t let anything happen to them on a day so important.  


The beast was getting dangerously close to Ponyville– She absolutely could not let any damage be done to the town.

“--And did you think to ASK her, if she felt like fighting a beast on her wedding day?!” Sunset allowed herself only a second to give Trixie the stink eye.

“Oh I don’t need to! Glimms always loves my surprises.”

“I SERIOUSLY DOUBT THAT!!”


Sometimes I think that Trixie rushed to propose to Starlight just so that she could beat me to proposing to Twilight– I wouldn’t put it past her, she still loves to antagonize Twi sometimes, for the fun of it.

And I love being there to bite back.


With a skillful corkscrew-like movement, Sunset spun from beneath and above the beast, hitting it with several explosive magical projectiles, resulting in the beast letting out a roar of anger and pain.

“Sorry about this, Trix!” Sunset said with a smile, letting go of the levitation grasp she had on her, not before tossing her upwards. “GOING DOWN!” The Alicorn yelled, doing a flip above the Wyvern, which ended with her stomping on its head.

She also ignored Trixie’s screams of terror, with her ascending and then rapidly descending.

With one powerful magical channeling, the Princess increased gravity on the beast tenfold, and together, they crashed towards the ground.


It wasn’t the first time that one of my fights caused a crater in the streets of Ponyville, but it wouldn't be the last. 

This time though, I’m happy to say the crisis was minimal.


The beast was forced down by its head, and it slid violently on the dirt road of one of the streets of Ponyville, with Sunset riding it skillfully.

As soon as they stopped, the Princess flipped to the floor, quickly analyzing the creature, ensuring it was indeed knocked out. 

The ponies around the town that had just observed Princess Sunset Shimmer kicking ass– An occurrence that was not strange to them–  Began cheering.

And then she realized she was forgetting someone. 


Yeah, Trixie almost gets herself killed pretty often. I’d be lying if I said I dislike that about her, though. I always loved a reckless action or two.


Trixie’s screams were fast approaching above her, and Sunset went “Oh.” 

With a mixture of teleportation and flight, she was quick to reach the falling magician, and upon doing so, stopped her fall with levitation.

They both landed in front of the passed out Wyvern. Trixie looked like she had just been inside a dry washing machine– Her mane a mess, her suit even more so. For once, the magician was struggling to find words, after her dizzying drop.


Always a surprise, seeing a speechless Trixie. But her wedding day was as good of a day as any for it.


“Hey. You’re welcome.” Sunset said with a smirk, pointing at the defeated wyvern with a wing. “...Rarity’s gonna kill you when she sees how your suit ended up.” She said, inspecting the magician thoroughly.

With a cough and a wheeze, Trixie regained her senses. “OUGH. See? Greatest and powerfulest wedding EVER!!” the ponies around her sure seemed to agree, with cheers of excitement coming from every direction.


She certainly had a point, this day would be remembered not just as their marriage, but it would be nearly immortalized for the Wyvern attack– The first one in Ponyville.


“That’s great, but you realize that this isn’t your wedding, right? We’re literally just in the plaza. Your wedding is over there.” the Alicorn stated, pointing with a wing to the other side of town. “Not to mention, it only starts in like— Three hours.”

“I still count this as a win!! After all–” But she was interrupted by two ponies teleporting besides them, Starlight and Twilight. The former was with a very much unfinished hairdo, and a very much unfinished dress. The latter, with a significantly more finished hairdo and dress.

And finally, another teleported in, adorned in a dapper suit. Sunburst, the best man.

Twilight’s gaze immediately landed on her girlfriend.


My heart fluttered– A wedding day, and the mare I loved, and they weren’t even related. I didn’t want to be a softie, but this day had been pretty good for me, purely on fantasizing me and her doing the same.


“Oh my gosh, what happened?! Are you okay?!” The Princess of Friendship Stepped forward, inspecting her girlfriend, who shrugged. “Oh you know. Trixie wanted to spice up the wedding, and I did some chaperoning.” 

Starlight, suppressing her anger, pouted at her soon-to-be-wife. “Trix, look at me. Is this the Manticore thing all over again?!”

Laughing nervously and flustered at the sight of her soon-to-be-wife, Trixie stuttered. “Hiiiii Glimms, hahaha so h-here’s the thing um. Isn’t it bad luck for us to see each other before the wedding…?”

Shaking her head with a fluster, Starlight came closer. “Unbelievable! I’m not letting you out of my sight!” She proceeded to levitate Trixie on an open axis, checking her for wounds, ensuring that she wasn’t hurt.

“Glimms! I’m okay, I promise! As great and powerful™ as ever!!”

“You are SO lucky you’re so cute. C’mhere.” She then proceeded to kiss her soon-to-be-wife, who was levitated upside down.


Even I had to admit, those two were pretty damn cute sometimes. 


Sunburst, with an excited smile, hopped closer to the unconscious beast. “My goodness, a Wyvern, here? Trixie, how in Equestria did you manage to get this beast all the way to Ponyville?! They’re not native to anywhere near here!”

Almost bragging, Trixie smiled smugly. “A magician never reveals her tricks!”

Sunset raised an eyebrow. “Be thankful this thing didn’t eat you in one bite, Trix.” 

With an exhale, Starlight then turned to Sunset, relieved. “Thank you so much for keeping her out of trouble, Sunset. Don’t worry, I'll take it from here!” 

“It was nothing!” The Alicorn responded with a smile, but was interrupted– Twilight was inspecting her and found something she didn’t like. There was a pretty large cut on Sunset’s flank. “Oh, no!! No no no…!”

“Oh, shoot, I didn't even feel that…! I oughta get some armor, or something…” With some quick inspection, Sunset looked at one of the sets of claws in the Wyverns wings, still damp with her blood. Before she could say another thing, Twilight got really close. 

“D-don’t worry, I've got you. Hold still, please…” And with that, She channeled healing magic, one she had mastered at this point, knowing her girlfriend was no stranger to getting into scrapes.


Not the first time she tended to my wounds– And certainly wouldn’t be the last.


“H-hey, wait, Sparkles, don’t get blood on your dress!” But that fell on deaf ears, the Princess of Friendship made sure her work was done efficiently, wiping what remained of the now-healed-wound off with her own dress, with questionable results.

With it, they met muzzle to muzzle, and Twilight shook her head, right before kissing her. “It’s your blood. I don’t mind.”


That was the sort of line that absolutely worked on me. Can you blame me?


“Look who’s having fun now? Best wedding ever, right?” Trixie gave her a wide grin, while still being held upside down. 

Giggling, Twilight addressed the bride with the unfinished hairdo. “Don’t worry, me and Sunsun will clean this up– Get back to the boutique, go get ready. We got this!”

Starlight couldn’t contain herself, lunging forward and hugging Twilight tightly. “Thank you so much, Twi. for everything.”

“First student privileges, hihi.” The princess of Friendship giggled some more at the inside joke they had. 


Twilight always had been a great teacher. And with her, Starlight, you thrived. Your happiness was contagious.

And of course, it spread to you too, Trixie. I could see in your faces, every day we saw each other.


Sunburst chuckled, before giving advice. “Make sure to restrain its wings, but don’t worry about the mouth– Apart from the sharp teeth, this species doesn’t spit fire!”

Starlight shook her head, with a snicker. “Heh– Sunny, it’s Twilight Sparkle– She knows. C’mon, best man.”

Taking excited steps away together, Starlight and Sunburst waved goodbye, all the while Trixie questioned how safe it was to return to Rarity’s presence, while wearing a suit in this state.

But they continued nonetheless. With grins as wide as they come.

“Look at those two dummies, heheh.” Sunset snickered, shaking her head with a smile. “Our wedding is gonna be much better.”

But then she paused– realizing what had just come out of her mouth, and the silence that followed it. Twilight Sparkle regarded her with an immensely quiet fluster.

“U-um. If we get married, I mean! Haha! Hah!” Sunset attempted to cover her joyful desire poorly.


Could you ever blame me for fantasizing about it often? I couldn’t, especially considering just how happy I've been since. This day affected me– This day and its joy. I couldn’t help but think of us. Her joy and my joy, united.

Eternal.


Twilight interrupted her girlfriend’s embarrassed laughter with a kiss, and then she nodded slowly, with her face as red as a tomato. “I-it’s okay… I agree…!” 


And there you have it– merely a fraction of the joy we had, as a strange quartet.

What’s the common denominator here?

Twilight Sparkle.

She saved us.

She’s everything.






The Three Unicorns gasped in surprise, being let out of the Alicorn’s grasp of memory lane.

Raising an eyebrow, inspecting their surprised faces, Sunset smiled. “So, what have we learned?”

More Silence. Starlight was staring at the floor, muttering something to herself, her face getting redder. Meanwhile, Trixie’s jaw was fully open, and any remainder of cookies she had attempted to eat were now on the floor. Sunset was the quietest of the bunch. She looked at her reflection in the pool of Maud’s cave intently.

Waiting patiently, the Alicorn sat observing the three.

Until finally, Sunset spoke, making eye contact with her princess self. “Hey. Other me. How do I seduce Twilight Sparkle?”

The Alicorn smiled widely, seeing the change in tune from her other self, but before she spoke, Starlight complained, in disbelief. “S-Sunset?! How could you say that?? What the hell?!”

Shaking her head, Sunset addressed her partners in crime. “You saw the same memories I saw– Call me a golddigger all you want– But if my life is a choice between getting defeated by a Princess every week, or marrying a Princess?! I’m going with marriage. Revenge is stupid, fuck this.” She then turned back to her other self, who was nodding with excitement. “Okay other me– How do I seduce Twilight Sparkle?”

Chuckling with excitement, the Alicorn smiled even harder. “Okay, okay. First of all– Ask her to teach you the magic of friendship– Be her student if you need to, she LOVES teaching. Second of all– You have to befriend her friends, she loves it when ponies are friends with her friends. You should start with Pinkie, she’s the easiest one to befriend out of all of them!”

Nodding sagely, her other self took mental notes. “Maud’s sister, the loud annoying one, right? Damn. Well, if you say so! What else?”

“Thirdly, If your Twilight is anything like mine, she has never been in love– So you have to show her how it feels. You have to be direct, but respectful. Let her get there on her own, but show her how.” Clearly, the Princess had considered all of this before.

Nodding sagely, her unicorn self continued to take notes. “Hm, hm. Will be difficult, but I got this. Anything else?” 

“Wear leather jackets often. She’s into it.” 

“Awesome.” The unicorn smirked, and started making her way out of the cave, not before Starlight complained at her again. “H-hey! Sunset? Are you seriously doing this?! We’re her mortal enemies!!”

Chuckling, the Punk Unicorn shook her head, smiling. “Hey, this was fun. But it’s time I try a new strategy. I hope you two consider a new one, too. See ya! And thanks for the lecture, other me. See you around.” 

“Don’t mention it. Good luck!” The Princess, observing this, couldn’t help but smile with pride. The future of this universe was uncertain, but at least this Sunset was trying something good, even with questionable intentions.

She then turned to the two, and Trixie, with her face slightly reddened, was staring at Starlight, reeling on the memories of their marriage.

“...Damnit.” Starlight groaned, closing her eyes, trying to not enjoy how good that memory felt.

“Glimms. Glimms. Glimms.” Trixie nudged her excitedly.

“What!!!?!”

“You’re hot.”

“Damnit!!”

The Princess laughed. She still had a bit of time to spare in this universe, and she wouldn’t mind using it to help these two have a better future.





Twilight adjusted her glasses, a nervous tick she always had, but this time, it was more of concern than nerves.

Sunset Shimmer groaned next to her, looking at the same schematics she did, leaning back on her chair with profound disappointment. “It’s hopeless, Twi. We’ve tried everything. Ugh.”

The poindexter shook her head in pity, trying to comfort her. “Aww, d-don’t say that!! We can totally still get revenge!! M-maybe we could try that castle-exploding plan you had? I thought it was pretty cool…!” 

That at least got a snicker out of Sunset, who looked back at her with a sly smile. “Look at you. Wanting to blow up a castle. I’m so proud.”

This led to Twilight blushing quietly.

But just then, they were interrupted– The Princess of Valor appeared out of thin air, crashing on another table. “Augh!! Damnit, another table!! Fuck!”

Dusting herself off, she looked around, and was pleasantly surprised– Twilight Sparkle and Sunset Shimmer, both unicorns, side by side, looking at her with disbelief.

“Oh thank Celestia– FINALLY an universe where we’re together!! Sheesh!!” She loudly proclaimed, with both joy and annoyance. 

And of course, her other self was the first one to speak. “What the fuck are you?!!!”

Twilight studied her with a nervous glance. “Oh my gosh– A spatial temporal anomaly, or maybe a-a shapeshifter?? An illusion??”

Smiling warmly, the Alicorn observed the adorable sight of her not-wife, much smaller, with glasses and a cute bow tie-suit. “Close, Sparkles. I'm a Sunset Shimmer from another universe. You look so friggin’ cute with glasses…!”

A quiet blush of confusion from Twilight, As she stammered “T-the multiverse is real– it’s real?! Parallel realities, divided by our choices?!” All while the other Sunset had her jaw dropped. “Wh- Are you me from an universe where I was a perfect student of Celestia’s?!” 

“Not even close, other me!” The Princess gleefully smiled, while taking a look around. The surroundings were, unfortunately, familiar. The room itself seemed to be one of the hideouts she lived in, when she was exiled– Which immediately made her grimace.

“W-why are you wearing a birthday cap?!” the other Sunset questioned in utter confusion.

“Oh, forgot.” The Alicorn removed it, and tossed it aside. “The me from the last universe was working as a magician on a foal’s birthday.”

She ignored the two for a moment, scanning the environment, and what she saw next caught her attention.

A conspiracy-like board, full of schematics, pictures and text. 

And a picture of Starlight glimmer, with several darts attached to it, who was not only wearing a crown, but had wings.

“‘P-princess’ Starlight Glimmer?!” the Alicorn spoke, attempting to suppress laughter, but she couldn’t. She started laughing hysterically at the bizarre images, of not only Starlight being the Princess, but also her friends were absolutely not the same that Twilight had– Trixie Lulamoon was in a picture, next to Starlight, also adorning wings.

Which only made Sunset nearly collapse with laughter, almost tearing up with how absurdly funny the images were.

The other two unicorns simply observed her in endless confusion– A completely incomprehensible image, Sunset Shimmer, an Alicorn, laughing hysterically at the images of their nemesis.

“O-oh, for the love of Celestia, t-that’s fucking funny– What a bizarre universe!!” she said, not before laughing some more.

Finally, managing to laugh it all off, she turned to the two. “Okay, okay, okay. So what’s going on here– Are you two a couple, seeking revenge on Starlight for becoming a Princess where you both failed or something?”

Twilight blushed, while stammering, while Sunset just shook her head. “Right about most things– but we’re not a couple.”

The smile on the Princess quickly turned into a frown. She approached her other self with a scowl, pointing at her not-wife.  “Twilight Sparkle is a goody two shoes in every universe I’ve seen her in. Did you put her up to this?”

“I-I mean, yeah! Why wouldn’t I? We both want the same thing!” her other self recoiled a bit.

“Y-yes!” Twilight nodded, stuttering. “W-we want revenge!”

Narrowing her eyes, the Princess then turned to Twilight, and quickly, but gently touched her with a hoof. “Excuse me.”


I am Twilight Sparkle. I was an apprentice of Celestia– but I wasn’t good enough, and neither was Sunset Shimmer– eventually somepony better came along. 

I don’t care for revenge. But Sunset Shimmer makes for amazing company, and she sees me like no other pony does, so even if we fail, we fail together. I wouldn’t mind spending the rest of my life with her–


This elicited near immediate giggles from the Alicorn. She laughed, backing up a bit, reveling on these two dummies.

In a sense, this was not a universe in which she and her wife were together– But it was close. All they needed was a push in the right direction– And even if their chances to be Alicorns had passed, this still had the chance of becoming a good ending, a good life.

Together.

“Okay, okay. Gather round, you two. Time for a lecture.”
> Firestorm.
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------


Firestorm.







(Warning, this chapter contains violence and carnage! Lots of it.)






The storm crashed down all around her. Rain, heavier than ever, torrential, even, engulfing all her senses. The night was dark, nearly light-less. Only the occasional flash of lightning lit the sky– for brief seconds, almost giving the illusion that it was day. 

But none of it was enough to stop her.

Canterlot was near deserted, so getting to the castle was the easy part.

Now for the hard part.

Now for the part she had trained for nearly a decade.

She observed the tall castle walls. Beyond them, the only clear source of light, the castle and its windows. Due to the storm, it was impossible to discern any sounds other than the crashing of rain. But that was good news.

Because if anyone screamed, they wouldn’t be heard.

She removed her cloak– it did little to stop the rain anyways; And it got taken by the wind immediately. Bandages were all she wore, covering her burn marks.

Sunset Shimmer took a deep, long breath, tuning out the pounding rain around her.

“Finally. After all these years... Vengeance.”

Exhaling steam, she ran. With a mix of teleportation and levitation and even galloping, she ran up the castle walls, and made her way to the top.

With a hop, she was inside the perimeter, walking above the walls. Quickly turning her head to the left, she saw a guard– One who wasn’t even wearing full armor, simply taking a smoke break outside, covered very loosely by the roof that led to one of the towers that surrounded the castle.

His eyes widened seeing the intruder, nearly choking in confusion. He was about to ask her who she was or what she was doing, but she didn’t give him the chance.

With a tilt of her head and a light of her horn she tossed him out of the wall– his screams covered by the pounding rain.

And just like that, she opened the door of the first tower.

Four guards were lounging, completely unprepared for a fight, playing cards on a table– She counted them, only four. Looking around she saw the only object of interest.

An alarm bell, ready to be rung– But no longer, when with her magic, she crumpled it.

“H-hey, who are you?!” A guard asked– But not fast enough. She lunged forward, incinerating him with a fireball, and as he screamed in agony, she dispatched two others with quick slices of her horn, alight with her magic in the form of a blade. Only one of the guards had the chance to pick a sword with his teeth, but it wasn’t nearly enough. She disarmed him with fierce hoof blows, and used his own blade against him.

Before exiting the room via a window, she launched a fireball at the ceiling, the flames spreading slowly through it as she left.


Next.


She galloped above the Canterlot Castle rooftops; The rain once again pounding around her, cleaning most of the blood that stained her body. She ran with fierce determination, not intent on slipping, and with that momentum, she leaped forward and jumped through a window in one of the roofs. Rain immediately started pouring through the hole she made.

Landing with a roll; She inspected her surroundings; A room with several beds, all empty. A biped guard scoffed in surprise, and stood up– His massive figure towering over her, akin to that of a minotaur, but she did not falter. “Hey little lady. You lost? Or is today my lucky day?”

Sunset lit her horn and glared at him. “Where have you situated your armory?” She snarled simply.

“Yep, heheh. Today’s my lucky day.” With a grin and a snicker, he was truly happy to finally get some action, a joy he would come to regret soon enough.

Lunging forward, Sunset waited for the last second in which a punch of his would connect, teleported behind him, and sliced one of his legs clean off with her horn alight.

Screaming in pain, his blood splattering against the floor, he toppled over, and desperately attempted to swat at her with one arm– of which she jumped on top of, and increasing her gravity with magic, shattered its bones.

There was only one arm left, one he used to desperately cover his face as he whimpered. With one magical motion, she forced the arm down, standing on top of him, scowling. “Armory. Where?” 

He was nearly in tears, screaming in pain, the rain that poured from the window above them spreading his blood across the floor. She quickly stomped on his broken arm to get him to focus– Which did lead to more screams before he spoke. “T-Take a left on the g-grand hall!! It's near the d-docking bay!! P-please let me go–!!” 

She hopped away from him, and cast a fireball on his whimpering form, incinerating him, but not certainly not quickly. And before she left, she threw a fireball at the roof for good measure.


Next.


No alarms yet. That guard was likely lying. But she considered she might as well follow the directions anyway.

She ran through the halls of the castle that long ago she called her home. It was unkempt. Banners were torn, furniture was toppled, but her path was clear enough. 

Her ears twitched as she heard… music, echoing. Likely coming from multiple phonographs. With her eyes narrowing in anger, she followed the sound.

The grand hall had been rearranged to be a sort of lounging area for guards. She had a bird’s eye view of it, being on the second floor, overlooking what was once a ballroom. She could see; Definitely more than twenty guards, and at least five just as big as the one she had just killed, as big as a minotaur, brutes.

Almost none of them were fully equipped with armor. They were distracted with the music, playing games, drinking, generally completely unaware of even the possibility of an attack.

The music was lively, and it was a cacophony– Multiple phonographs lit at once, some playing different songs, multiple torches around them glowing in an almost blue hue.

For merely a brief moment, she allowed herself to remember how this hall used to look like, long ago. Memories of her younger age, attending the grand galloping gala as Celestia’s pupil… She shook her head, dismissing the thoughts, and inhaled sharply, focussing.

Her ears twitched.

On her right, a guard spotted her, in a casual walk on the same floor she was on. “H-hey!! What the fuck?!”

She teleported beside him and bucked him over the railing, causing him to fall on one of the tables below. Several of the guards below shouted in surprise.

With magic blasts, she blew the chains off four chandeliers that hung on the ceiling– And picked a particular one to jump on top of– one that was right above a larger guard, using her magic to increase the gravity of the chandelier, she impaled the brute.

“No fucking WAY!” one of the guards shouted at the sight of her– And upon landing she immediately jumped onto the ballroom with murderous intent.

Plenty of her moves involved incapacitating enemies and leaving them for dead, but she prioritized killing one's outright, if they were more dangerous, such as the unicorns and the brutes.

She ran, slid and teleported around the battlefield, not allowing herself to get cornered. The chaos of the crashes of the chandeliers were more than enough to provide her the perfect element of surprise– managing to take out nearly ten lesser guards before they truly had the capability of fighting back, grabbing weapons, trying to blast her with magic, or simply attacking her with their hooves.

She unleashed every blow with murderous intent. Using the enemy's weapons against them, refusing to let up, spreading fire across the room. Any chance she had, she would cast fireballs at walls and the floor, allowing the flames to spread wildly.

She sliced and burned her way through the hall, teleporting out of the way of strikes, but it wasn’t always enough. More than once she was struck or sliced– And nearly immediately she struck back, twice as hard. 

The flaming aura that surrounded her was incredibly intimidating to those that got too close, causing burns and even blinding her opponents.

Slowly, one by one, the phonographs that surrounded the hall were breaking during the tussle, as bodies were flung around, tables were flipped, and chairs were broken, the sound that existed of the music being replaced with screams.

One of the brute guards landed a punch on her side, sending her flying– She teleported behind him, and with the same momentum of being launched, bucked his head mid air.

The other larger guards grabbed anything they could find, from chairs to tables, and started tossing it at her; An action they soon regretted. She stopped the objects with her levitation, lit them on fire, and tossed them right back.

Using the objects as a smokescreen was the perfect opportunity for takedowns– As the brutes were distracted blocking, she would teleport forward, either setting them aflame or slicing their limbs, removing them from play.

The final brute recoiled in fear, as she approached him, whimpering in surprise. “W-who the fuck is this pony?!!!”

“FIRESTORM!!” She barked loudly in response. And just like that, she created a tornado of flames around her, and lunged forward, burning and slicing all at once. 

There were a few guards that cowered and fled, seeing their compatriots torn to shreds or burning in front of them, but the few that remained wouldn’t remain for much longer.

One of the guards, a unicorn, broke a glass bottle over her head. It wasn’t enough. With a grimace of rage, she used her magic to reconstruct the bottle, and smashed it against his head, then reconstructed it again, smashed it again, and again, and again, until she stuck what remained of it in his throat.

The last few guards tripped over the bleeding and burning corpses of their fallen allies as they attempted to flee.

Sunset Shimmer teleported forward and pinned one of them down– Bending one of his front legs the wrong way, breaking it. 

She turned him to face her, and snarled, verifying information. “Where is the armory?” Her own blood dripped off her face and mouth and stained him, only one phonograph remained functioning at this point, the song garbled and corrupted, barely audible over the sound of flames spreading.

The guard complied immediately. “O-on the left!! Right over there, near the airship docks– W-what do you want?!” She didn’t bother replying to him. Simply tossed him on the side of the room that was burning the most, then exited stage left.


Next.


Now bells started ringing, alarms started blaring– as the handful of fires she had set began to spread. She could hear, aside from the sounds of the storm pounding outside, the shouts of guards in multiple directions.

She felt almost a bit groggy– having to ignore a couple of wounds and bruises, and having to spit out blood once– But she did not allow herself to falter. She opened a door that led to a large hallway, and was met with dozens of armed guards that were moving her way, attracted by the chaos she had just caused in the hall.

“I-it’s a unicorn?! Where’s the rest of your battalion?!” One of the guards asked in confusion, as they quickly approached her.

“Just me.” She snarled simply, with her horn lighting up– Her entire side of the hallway was engulfed in flames, and she galloped forward with anger, the flames spreading immensely fast.

The guards, who before were running forward with determination, quickly turned around and started running in fear, one or two even attempting to jump off windows to get away with questionable results, the rest, utterly engulfed in flames.

And she continued to gallop; If any one of the guards attempted to stop her, she would either slice them or leave them to be consumed by the flames she was generating.

With that same momentum, she burst through multiple doors, only letting go of the flames when she was alone.


Next.


This looked more like an armory. Several ponies and brutes ran around, desperately grabbing weapons, arming themselves to the teeth and adorning themselves with armor.

And before they even noticed her, she galloped through, with single minded determination.

Gunpowder was certainly an interesting invention. It was highly effective at arming cannons, and making bombs. 

It was also incredibly flammable.

“H-HEY!! THE INTRUDER! SHE’S HERE!!” One of the brutes bellowed, spotting Sunset running among the many distracted guards.

There were too many enemies to count. She didn’t bother. All she had to do was light one barrel.

Turning, for merely a second, she smirked, as she held a barrel with her magic, and flames erupted from her horn.

The second that every guard noticed just what was about to happen was one she took great personal joy in, as they realized that maybe being near her was a terrible idea.

There were dozens upon dozens of barrels and crates with explosives around them.

With one final snarl of anger, she yelled for the whole room to hear.

“DEATH TO THE STORM KING!!!!”

She lit the explosives, and teleported out of that room.


Next.


Now every single guard that inhabited that castle could see what was happening.

With a sequence of teleportations, she got out of range, safely on one of the rooftops, and watched the fireworks. What was left of the armory was set alight insanely high, the fire and explosions spread to not only many of the rooms and floors surrounding the castle, but multiple of the airships that were docked there were immolated and subsequently exploded.

There must have been at least a hundred soldiers in the room she had just blown up– Not to mention the many that would have been in the adjacent rooms, and on the airships.

The remaining forces would likely be distracted attempting to put out the flames, or fleeing.

Perfect.

Even though the storm, she could hear movement all around her, and the damage of the fire spreading throughout the castle, among many other things.

It was cathartic, for a number of reasons.

But now came the actually hard part.

Her gaze landed on the throne room, on one of the tallest towers, and she began to sprint there, jumping above rooftops and through windows.

Single minded determination leading her to her final target. 


Next.


She tried her best to ignore the rain and wind that pounded around her. Finally, she landed on the courtyard outside of the throne room. She was going to begin ascending those stairs, until…

“That’s far enough, don’t you think?” A voice calmly stated from above, on the doors of the throne room, all While Sunset paused, standing in a courtyard in the rain.

And she knew who the voice belonged to. She was waiting for this. Her heart pounded furiously.

General Tempest Shadow stood sternly on the doors of the throne room, surrounded by four heavily armored brute guards, right above the stairwell that led to her target– A stairwell that resembled a river, with water pouring down it..“May I ask what your intention is with this little tantrum, pony?” She waved a hoof, pointing at the burning castle around them.

“Death to the Storm King.” Sunset snarled simply, her eyes narrowed, glaring at the enemy.

Blinking only once, but not showing much more reaction, Tempest tilted her head. “So you have come to die, then? Surely you must know he cannot be killed. He wields the powers of four Princesses and the storms themselves.”

“If we’re going to fight then shut up and fight– If not, get the fuck out of my way.” Sunset bared her teeth, ready for anything, ignoring the rain and wind that continued to crash all around her, the pain and soreness in her body, and the lighting that lit the sky.

The slightest smirk appeared on the General’s lips, and with a nod, she stated “Go get her.” And the guards around her pounced.

Heavily armored enemies were certainly harder to fight, but she was ready, despite receiving several grazing strikes of their claws and punches, she countered, teleporting above them, blasting them with magic, shooting fireballs, knocking them back. 

With a buck, she broke one of her enemy’s legs, and then threw him off of the courtyard with magic, plummeting into the castle grounds below.

Another fiercely attempted to punch her, but she was ready to intercept, her horn alight akin to a blade, slicing the foe’s fist entwain, and with a leap and another cleave, his head was cut clean off his shoulders.

She was punched on her flank, which sent her flying, but with a roll, she stood, and lunged back to counter attack, engulfing herself in flames, and delivering swift hoof strikes to the armored foe, teleporting incredibly fast, and that, coupled with the heat, completely overwhelmed him, until she had an opening to decapitate.

The last one attempted to crush her, but with a sharp inhale, she fiercely channeled her magic, and forced the armor he wore to crumple and squeeze him, until he was incapable of moving, simply yelling in pain. Distractions were unneeded. With her levitation, she tossed him over the railing too.

“Impressive conviction. I’ve never seen anything like it.” Tempest descended down those stairs slowly, measuring her opponent with narrowed eyes.

Sunset exhaled. The blood of her enemies and her own blood dripped down her flank, mouth, and legs, being washed with the rain, staining the nearly flooded floor. She breathed heavily. Attempting to muster words, but words were unnecessary, focussing on her breathing was a priority, as she scanned Tempest’s every move.

“You truly came all this way just to kill yourself attempting to fight him?” the Commander stated, now closer than ever to her incredibly dangerous opponent.

Sunset gave her no response. She was simply ready to fight to the death, here and now. Scanning her opponent's every move, with a slow nod.

“Alright.” Tempest smiled. A genuine smile. “Let’s go kill the Storm king.”

“--What?!”





“Tempest.”

“Firestorm. Are you sure he won’t notice I’m not restrained?”

“He won’t. He’ll be too busy gloating. Wait for the most opportune moment, when the staff is closest.” Tempest whispered, as she guided Sunset Shimmer through the near empty halls that led to the throne room. “We only have one shot.” 

“I won’t miss.” Sunset snarled plainly.

Every step she took on this enormous, grandiose room was familiar. But the location didn’t feel as much. The stained glass windows, marking famous events in Equestria, were all shattered, allowing the wind to carry rain inside, which flowed out of the room almost like a river.

Outside, the night sky wasn’t as dark anymore. The flames that spread through all the castle illuminated plenty of the darkness.

There was a single bitter moment– Where Sunset envisioned a younger self, eagerly, full of hope, desiring to have one of those stained glass windows depict her one day. All she had now was fire and blood.

She focussed on her breathing, ignoring the pain she felt from the many bruises of the last hour. “Will breaking the staff of storms free the Princesses?” She asked, thinking about the true reason she was here.

“Unsure. But it’s the best hope we have.” Tempest shook her head, fully aware that this might be her final moments.

“Are you ready?”

“Yes.” 

They shared silent nods, as the final doors opened. 

And there he was. Sitting on a throne that never belonged to him. In a castle that he didn’t deserve. The Storm King.

Decorating the room, the Princesses, now made of stone, were treated like furniture, memorabilia.

Sunset ignored all the statues, except for one.

Celestia. Frozen in a pose that indicated fear and surprise. 

The anger and adrenaline that already coursed through Sunset went in overdrive. Her heart pounded furiously.

“Your highness.” Tempest called out. “I’ve captured the interloper that has been attacking your castle.”

Cackling, snickering, generally thinking lightly of her, the Storm King remained seated. “Wait, you’re serious? That little pony? Aren’t we being attacked by a battalion?! Resistance fighters, maybe?”

“Just her.” She shook her head. Sunset followed, complying, measuring the King with her gaze, a gaze of hatred.

And of course, he thought lightly of his opponent. “You’re joking, right? Our armory was incinerated, our defenses breached, plenty of our airships are burning, all by this tiny little idiot?!” 

Sunset had no reaction. Her gaze, unintentionally, was fixed on the statue of Celestia.

Tempest nodded slowly, her words were cold, disinterested. “Yes, your highness. It seems she trained for years for this particular endeavor. But of course, she failed. Nothing can ever stop you. The reign of storms will be eternal.” 

“HAH! You’re damn right, Commander! This is why I love keeping you around, you have a great sense of humor!” He joked at her expense, and her expression was empty. Sunset’s eyes were now fixed on the staff of storms that he held tightly.

Tempest and Sunset stood merely meters away from him, in the middle of the throne room. The Commander cleared her throat, pushing her ‘prisoner’ forward, prepared for anything. “I stopped her. But I figured you’d like to question her before executing her, your highness.”

“You figured right, Commander. Look at that efficiency! Maybe someday I'll consider fixing your horn, heheh!!” Tempest’s only reaction was the slight twitching of her scarred eye. Her muscles tensed.

The King spoke with cackles, like a hyena, malicious, leaning forward on his throne, looking down. “What’s your name, little pony?” He asked with a toothy grin.

Finally, Sunset allowed herself to speak, barely containing her rage. “Firestorm.”

He pointed at her dismissively, making light of her. “Cute. Real cute. I like the look, too. What, did you burn yourself with a kitchen fire?” He addressed the several burn marks on her hide and face, dismissively.

No response from her, other than just narrowing her eyes. Her heart continued to beat insanely fast. She had trained for years, just for this moment, and now she was here.

The King was endlessly amused at the sight. “So you, all by your lonesome, thought you actually could just waltz in here and take me down? That’s downright adorable. And why, praytell, are you so determined to die here?”

“You took my mother from me.” Her gaze moved, for only a brief moment, to the statue that was once Celestia. Then it moved back to the King. “Your forces killed my parents.” 

Blowing raspberries, chuckling, the Storm King rolled his eyes. “Wow, how original. That doesn’t narrow it down at all, you know that? Here I thought it would have been an interesting backstory!!” He mocked.

Of course, little did he know, he was talking to the first ever pupil of Princess Celestia herself, here to avenge her old master. 

No response from Sunset. All her muscles were tense. Her adrenaline was incredibly high.

Shaking his head, the King let out a toothy grin. “Whatever. I’ve had my fun. Time to put you out of my misery.”

He pointed the staff of storms at her. As it channeled its incredibly powerful magic, Tempest yelled.

“NOW!”

Sunset, with her levitation, swiftly threw the Commander forward like a missile, with a single, determined target: The staff of storms. With the unstable magic of Tempest’s broken horn, her rageful demonstration of power blew up like incredibly erratic fireworks in contact with the staff.

The entire room was lit with the blast, explosions echoed, and all were pushed back. Tempest and Sunset were nearly thrown to the opposite side of the room, while the king was simply thrown back in his throne, still holding the staff.

Unfortunately for the two unicorns, the staff had merely cracked.

Regaining his senses, he shook his head dismissively, pleased to see his staff none worse for wear. “Really, Commander? Petty betrayal? I see that nothing is beneath you, is it? How disappointing!”

The two unicorns breathed heavily. Sunset snarled through gritted teeth, at her compatriot. “We kill him and die trying.”

“Roger.” Tempest nodded with the same anger. “But before that...” Finally, she addressed the king. No more lies, no more deception, no more containing her emotions. 

She yelled out words that she had waited ages to say. “HEAR ME, YOUR HIGHNESS!! THERE IS NO DEATH THAT IS RIGHTEOUS, PAINFUL, PROLONGED ENOUGH TO BEFIT YOU, YOU LYING WRETCHED DISGUSTING MONSTER!! DEATH TO THE STORM KING!!!!”

“DEATH TO THE STORM KING!!!!” Sunset Shimmer yelled out, in complete agreement, both of their horns alight. 

And of course, the King barely cared, Standing up from his throne, pointing the staff at his two usurpers. “Aww, you two are gonna hurt my feelings like that! Oh well. I can get another commander. Bye bye, Tempie!”

Smiling, utterly enjoying this, he channeled the power of his staff, ready to obliterate those two.

And the two Unicorns were ready to lunge forward, intent on killing him or die trying.

But they all stopped.

Because something very strange happened.

The Princess of Valor, with a flash, appeared out of thin air.

“Oof!! Fuck, I was trying to nap!” She groaned. Getting up, spreading her wings, she looked around, and Immediately realized something was very, very wrong in this universe. “Tempest? And me? …Weird!” She observed her other self. Sunset Shimmer, covered in wounds, bruises, burn marks and bandages, and even blood who was likely not hers. This world had not treated her kindly.

She looked back, and saw a familiar old foe. “...The Storm King…?” Her gaze scanned the room, and she saw the three Princesses turned to stone. Celestia, Luna, Cadence… And Twilight.

She bared her fangs and frowned.

The Storm King, utterly confused, scratched his head, narrowing his eyes, trying to understand what he was seeing. “Um. Hello? Who are you?!”

Tempest grimaced in utter confusion, seeing an Alicorn version of her new ally, switching the gaze from one to the other, stupefied.

And of course, Sunset was the most flabbergasted of all. “W-what the fuck are you?!!!” She recoiled in surprise, seeing herself, as an Alicorn, taller, and with significantly less scars.

“Sorry about this, let me get caught up.” The Valkyrie stepped forward and touched her other self, quickly cycling through her memories.


I am Sunset Shimmer. …Or at least I was. I came here to die. I was a pupil of Celestia, but I was exiled– I was not good enough. I was not strong enough.

For a while, I considered payback. I considered getting back what I had thought was rightfully mine. Her new pupil seemed to have everything I lacked.

But then the Storm King came. He beat Celestia– He beat every single pony that tried to stand in his way. He beat Celestia’s new pupil. His new reign killed so many. It killed my parents.

If I was good enough, this wouldn’t have happened. 

If I was good enough, I would have been side by side with Celestia to stop it.

So I trained. For years. To be good enough.

I trained, for the day I would be ready to come here. 

To save her, and likely die trying. 

Sunset Shimmer is gone. Firestorm is all that remains– And I will do all that I can to bring Celestia back.

Death to the Storm King.


The Alicorn recoiled, and her surprise turned into a grin. “Death to the Storm King.” She affirmed with a nod. 

The two unicorns looked at each other in confusion.

Standing near his throne, the king waved his hands in confusion, still holding the staff. “Excuse me, what’s going on– does that stupid little pony have a big Alicorn sister? Hello?!”

Those were his last words. With a flash, Princess Sunset Shimmer adorned her Valkyrie armor, surprising all in the room. She inhaled.

Teleporting immensely fast, she flipped in the air besides the storm king, and with her horn alight as a blade, she severed his arm that held the staff of storms, which fell and rolled in the room. The King yelled in surprise and pain, clutching his bleeding stump that was previously an arm.

But he didn’t have time for pain, as soon as Sunset landed, she used her momentum to jump in a corkscrew motion, spinning like a tornado, her razor-sharp wings slicing the Storm King's chest and armor thoroughly, and finalizing it with a final slice.

The Storm King’s beheaded corpse tumbled down the stairs that led to the throne, and Sunset landed with precision. “That’s that.” She stated simply, exhaling.

The Storm King was dead.

Both Tempest and Sunset’s jaws were wide open, in complete shock.

The commander nudged her compatriot in complete confusion. “T-that was– What the– Your sister is incredibly powerful!!! Why didn’t you call her earlier?!!!”

“I HAVE NO IDEA WHO OR WHAT THAT IS!!” Sunset pointed at the Alicorn casually walking down the steps of the throne towards them, entirely confused. 

“I'm you from another universe, Sunset. I’m glad I got here in time to help, at least! What do you say we free the Princesses, huh?” The Valkyrie spoke casually, as she approached the statue of Twilight Sparkle, looking at it with a listless gaze.

“‘S-Sunset’? Aren’t you called Firestorm?” Tempest tilted her head.

Sunset exhaled. “It’s my old name. One I let go of.” She shook her head slightly, and Tempest nodded in understanding, after all, she knew exactly how that felt.

Snickering a bit, the Valkyrie pointed at her other self. “It’s a cool name, I can see why you changed it, too. Kind of like Tempest, huh? Isn’t that right, ‘Fizzlepop Berrytwist?” 

Flustering, covering her face, Tempest shuddered. “O-oh, how the fuck do you know that…!!?”

Turning her gaze back to the frozen Twilight Sparkle, Sunset snickered. “Told you. I’m from another universe. I know you in mine.”

Her other self rubbed her own temples in confusion. “I-I can’t fucking believe that I trained for nearly a decade to kill him, and y-you just. Poof out of nowhere and murder him so easily!!?!?! What the FUCK is going on??!?!!?” She shook her head avidly, trying to wake up from this strange dream.

The Valkyrie kept her gaze on Twilight, but smirked. “If it makes you feel better, the Storm King’s a huge push over, me and my wife defeated him easily in my universe. The moment you take his staff from him he’s a whimpering mess.”

“I don’t know if that makes me feel any better!!” Sunset proclaimed in disbelief. “A-also what?! You’re married?! And an Alicorn?! What the FUCk!?! HOW?!”

Slowly, Tempest approached the corpse of the Storm king, inspecting him. After a moment of silence, where she stared at the master that she had served for years, who had lied and used her like a tool, she spoke to the other two. “Revenge is underrated. I feel incredible.”

“Hear hear!” The Alicorn chuckled, making her way to the middle of the room where the staff laid, clutched by the severed hand of the dead King.

The other Sunset Shimmer groaned. “Whatever! Whatever!!” And ran forward, towards the staff. Grabbing it with her mouth, she clumsily walked over to Celestia, attempting to point it at her, unsure of what to do.

“Careful!” Tempest warned. “It’s an incredibly powerful tool!”

“Easy, other me! You don’t want to accidentally blow her up– Besides, Twilight Sparkle is right here!” The Alicorn pointed.

Ignoring her, Sunset kept fiddling with the staff, unsure of how to use it. “I don’t care about the Princess of Friendship!! I'm here for Celestia, she’ll free the others later.”

Pointing at Twilight, the princess garnered her other self’s attention. “Hey, this is your future wife right here– Show her some respect!”

That last statement made Sunset clumsily drop the staff, and turn to her other self. “What the FUCK are you saying?! What?!”

“I’m married to Twilight Sparkle in my universe.” the Alicorn said proudly with a smile. “And if things go well on this one…” She pointed at her other self teasingly.

A moment of flustered confused silence passed, one in which Tempest couldn’t help but snicker at her compatriot, until Sunset shook her head awake. “Wh– She took our position!! How and why the fuck did you marry her?! I’m never going to be in love with someone that usurped me– I’m only here to free Celestia!!”

“Yeah you say that, but then you hear one of her dorky laughs and it’s over for you.” The Alicorn walked forward to her, chuckling. “Now easy, you don’t want to blow Celestia up, let's do this carefully.”

Approaching calmly, she attempted to fiddle with the staff. The other Sunset, not as calmly. 

Tempest approached the two, tilting her head, addressing the Alicorn, almost in a worried whisper. “Sunset, is it…? You’re from another universe, so… In yours, do I ever… Fix my horn?”

Exhaling, the Princess reminisced on her friend, Tempest Shadow. They weren’t that close, after all, even after reforming, Tempest was a bit of a recluse. But she had left her shell, and had made connections. Meeting her was always a joy. “...No. Never. But I do think you became really happy, despite it.”

“H-happy?!” Tempest grimaced. “How could I possibly…?!”

“Here.” Sunset offered a hoof. “Let me show you.”

“Show me…?” Tempest accepted it. And with it, was shown memories about her– That didn’t belong to her. 


I can’t speak for my Tempest.

But through all the times I met her– Through all the times we spent together, with her and my friends– Whether it was at a celebration, at a conflict, or simply with me, you, and Pinkie bar hopping–

I could see you smiling. 

Smiling in ways I never expected you to.

I don’t know if the loss of her horn still affected her–

But seeing her together with her childhood friend, finding love and companionship– 

I saw her smiling.

And I felt its warmth, it’s truth, it made sense to me. It felt right.

All that, while still lacking her horn. 


“M-me and Glitter D-drops…?!” Tempest recoiled, with a grimace of surprise, flustering, and nearly tearing up. Her eyes darted to the floor, as she attempted to shrug off the incredibly warm memories she had just shown. But with an inhale and an exhale, she accepted them.

Sharing on the chuckle, the Valkyrie smiled. “Yep. You two seemed pretty happy! I couldn’t help but feel pride. I always related to you in a couple of ways…. We were both built of sterner stuff, you know?”

Chuckling slightly, Tempest nodded. “I believe I might know, yes.” It was easy to think of the previous hour, in which Sunset Shimmer had carved a bloody swath through this castle for revenge.

The Alicorn smiled and nodded, not before going to her other self as well. “Hey. You next. Come here.”

“Hey what are you–” her other self complained, but it was short lived.

Through a span of two seconds, Sunset showed herself a handful of memories and feelings. Many of which were related to Twilight Sparkle. 

The other Sunset nearly toppled over, face growing redder, utterly confused. “W-wife…?!” Was all she could mutter, dumbfounded.

“That’s right. You know what this means, right?” The Alicorn teased, tilting her head.

“No. I don’t.” Pouting, her other self crossed her arms.

Exhaling, but still smiling, the Valkyrie poked her other self in the chest. “It means Sunset Shimmer isn’t dead. She’s right here. And if you still want to, you could have it all– And this time, do it right.”

“B-but–” Sunset looked away, to the statue of Celestia that stood next to her. “Isn’t it… Too late for me…?”

Chuckling, the Princess of Valor shook her head. “Dude. You killed the Storm King and saved every Princess. You and Tempest. Everypony will forgive you both easily.”

Eyes widened, Sunset blinked. “W-wait, but I didn’t, you did!”

She shrugged. “Take the credit. Both of you.” The Valkyrie turned with a smile. “I’m only going to be in this universe for an hour anyway, before I get shot onto the next one. So you two can simply say you both killed him. Now if you two will excuse me, I have to find a good quiet place to take a nap.”

Tempest and Sunset both stared at each other, and then to the Alicorn, in complete shock and surprise. 

The Princess of Valor lingered only for a moment, as she leaned her forehead against the statue of Twilight Sparkle. It wasn’t the same as the real thing. It wasn’t the same as her wife. But for one lingering moment, that closeness helped her.

Soon after, she jumped out of a window, with a final message. “Good luck, you two!”

And just like that, the room was silent once again. The rain outside was dwindling, not a storm anymore.

The two that remained stared at each other, almost awkwardly. “Well!” Tempest cleared her throat. “I guess we… I guess we did it! I… I can keep a secret.” Her smile was almost mischievous.

Groaning, Sunset stretched a bit, still feeling the pains of her bruises. “Ugh. Well… I guess this is okay. Man, am I dreaming…? What the fuck was that…?!”

Eyes still filled with surprise, Tempest gazed at the broken window the other Sunset had just jumped through. “I have no idea…!”

Blinking a couple of times, then groaning again, Sunset came to a realization. “Oh no! Fuck!! The castle is burning because of ME– Celestia is gonna wake up to see her home in flames, shit, shit, I never thought I'd get this far…! Oh, I’m in so much trouble.”

“If it makes you feel better, so am I.” Tempest suppressed a chuckle. “I’m the fool that turned these Princesses to stone, remember?”

Both of them exhaled, and Sunset clutched that staff, beholding her old mentor. "I... I never thought I'd get this far." 

For the first time, in this day, she felt fear.

Tempest very similarly felt uneasy about what might come next. "Whatever happens, we can cover for each other, right?"

Looking at her with a smile, glancing at the Stormy King's corpse, Sunset nodded.  “I won't tell if you won't, heh.”

“C’mon.” Tempest shrugged, and picked up the staff of storms calmly. “Let’s figure out a way to bring your mother and wife back.”

“H-hey!! N-not married!! A-and you’re one to talk, Fizzypop-something something! You and your Glitter Drops or whatever–” She muttered awkwardly, attempting to deflect.

Chuckling, they both held the staff together.

And eventually, freed Celestia. 

A new age dawned on Equestria.