On a cold snowy evening, Sunset Shimmer and Twilight Sparkle snuggle under the covers to stay warm...

...and giddy.

Sometimes a lady can come undone from the most unexpected of observations. Rarity knows this. Though it seems her little crush on a certain princess has many new and positive potential aspects after this particular one.

Twilight Sparkle was hoping to spend the morning snuggling with her loving girlfriend, Luna. But princessly duties demand their attention, and Luna has no intention of letting her sleep. Naturally, it's time to object. Creatively. And she's determined to come out on top of things.

Figuratively speaking, at least.

A oneshot voted on by my patrons.

Preread by Timaeus.

Artwork by Silfoe for her Tumblr blog, The Royal Sketchbook, and used with her permission!

I am Twilight Sparkle, willing and loyal slave to our queen. For years I have been her general, her champion, and her concubine.

For years I thought that was all she wanted from me… For years I have been mistaken.

I have always loved my Nightmare and, to my surprise, she has long loved me - though it is rather difficult to tell at times.

Written from Twilight's POV

Sunset Shimmer and Twilight Sparkle have a few drinks together... Okay, maybe more than a few. This is followed by a desire to do some science. This simultaneously goes much better and much worse than the girls would have expected.

Thanks to Novel Idea for the story prompt inspired by this great comic by Crydius.

This story follows Lessons for the Teacher, but it can also stand alone nicely.

After the reformation of Sunset Shimmer, the Mane Six united their powers against all manner of threats. Then, Twilight Sparkle joined their number, and over time the bonds between the Mane Seven have become stronger than ever.

They have called upon their power to aid their friends, to protect the innocent, and even to defend their world.

Never have they called upon their power out of anger, or to seek revenge.

Until now.

Part of the Sunset Rising Continuity.

This timeline continues in Breakfast at Twilight’s

Featured in the Royal Canterlot Library.

On a cold January evening...

...Princess Twilight Sparkle sits beside her mother's bed, watching as the elderly Queen Celestia passes her final evening. Tomorrow, she'll be Queen, and a nation will look to her to unite them in their mourning. However, the burdens of her new position may prove too much to bear.

...Ms. Sunset Shimmer laments within a Canterlot townhouse. It's a foreign setting in an already foreign land. She's a girl born to the slums of Neigh Orleans, thrust into the upper crust of Equestrian society. All because she fell in love with Twilight Sparkle, starting what might be Equestria's most controversial relationship.

...Prime Minister Fancy Pants drowns out another late night behind a wall of gin and tobacco. The labours of running a nation are heavy upon him, and are made no easier by the progressive rhetoric spewed by Celestia's heir. May the gods save Equestria, and his liver, if she ever ascends.

The events of this evening will set in motion a year of deception, alliances, politics, and romance.

Editing was done by Rose Quill, I would like to thank her so much for the help. I couldn't have done this without her.

The lovely cover art is done by Miudraws. Many thanks to them for making this for me. I truly appreciate it, and you all should go check out their stuff, it's incredible.

Written for Oroboro's Sunset Shimmer shipping contest.

"But the purpose of this story, and something it does very well, is to humanize people who are normally larger-than-life. And the politics, it must be said, are gripping, the drama carrying the story and rising to a strong emotional climax in the final chapter." - PresentPerfect, Recommend on December 8th

A few hours after saving the Friendship Games, Sunset Shimmer and her good friend Twilight Sparkle are relaxing on the CHS lawn. The two are so close that Sunset finally feels like she can ask a question that's been on her mind for a while.

"Can I go home?"

Things have been going well for Sunset Shimmer since the Friendship Games. She's on good terms with the students at Canterlot High School, she has a close circle of friends she can depend on, and most of all, she now has a new friend and research partner in the form of the human world's Twilight Sparkle. With a brand new avenue in magical research now open to her, not even the prospect of her upcoming birthday can get in the way of her hope for the future.

Then her latest experiment blew up in her face.

Reduced to a mare in a child's body, Sunset has to find a way to reverse what she's done and return to what qualifies as normal in this world. But in a world where magic was a fairy tale until a few months ago, things are going to be more than a little difficult on that front. And as she struggles to maintain her adult mind against the immaturity of her current form, her friends are faced with the possibility that they may lose their friend forever.

Life isn't simple. Sometimes, you want what you can't have. Others, you get what you never expected. And when you're young, any night during the summer holds unlimited promise of adventure and intrigue.

Sometimes, you just have to get in the car and let life find you.

Preread/proofread/encouraged/harassed by the ever talented Cynewulf, who's stuff you should check out.