Magic.

For a long time, true magic was the domain of the unicorn nobility, or those few foals that were talented enough to be taken in as apprentices by accomplished wizards. Slowly, as civilization advanced and the masses were able to afford schooling for everyone, access to learning magic became ubiquitous.

However, just like in the old days, the mages still were a minority amongst unicorns - far from everyone was interested in studying for years or decades to become one, after all. Another holdover from the old days were the mage tournaments - a bit less fierce than the ones in the days of yore, but still enthusiastically participated in by proud unicorns wanting to show off their skills.

However, one day, the ancient traditions are shattered when a pegasus enters a mage tournament. And not only is he capable of holding his own, much to everyone's surprise, he even becomes the champion...

Sunset Shimmer was the prized student of Princess Luna. Gifted in magic and devoted to her craft, every waking hour she spent engrossed in her quest to become the best, strongest unicorn in Equestria. For the most part, Sunset could say she'd lived a happy life in Canterlot.

But as the thousandth anniversary of the Summer Sun Celebration dawns, Princess Luna sends her to a small town called Ponyville. Setting hoof in Ponyville will herald a new chapter of Sunset's life, a chapter that will take her the rest of an eternity to explore.

A novelization of season one with Sunset Shimmer taking Twilight's place.

This story is a sequel to Mirror Equestria

“I can’t believe it… I’m back.” Twilight tilted her head.
“Back? Back where?” Sunset looked to her solemnly.
“Back home. In Equestria.”

Be sure to check out the prequel Mirror Equestria if you haven't read it yet, or else this story won't make any sense!

Note: This story is basically full of self-indulgent Headcanons for Sunset, since she's my favourite character and I just can't help but spoil her

Sunset Shimmer, personal student of Princess Celestia, is the most gifted Unicorn in Equestria. She has long-neglected personal connections in favor of studying and ambition. Celestia, concerned by her student's behavior, searches for a way to help her student grow as a pony. As a last resort, her thoughts turn to Starswirl's Magic Mirror, that it could show Sunset a new way, or to a path of darkness, but then something or rather somepony comes as her solution. Sunset now finds herself teaching her own student, a bookish and anti-social young Unicorn named Twilight Sparkle. Can the two form an actual connection, or will their anti-social tendencies lead to disaster?

(A What if scenario where instead of showing Sunset Shimmer the Magic Mirror Celestia brings Twilight Sparkle to her to teach)

Sunset Shimmer's life was good, she had plenty of friends and greatly enjoyed where she had eventually ended up in life. It's a shame then that reality had a different opinion on where she belonged. Now stuck in the past prior to first leaving for the human world, Sunset will have to figure out what kind of direction she wants to take in life this time around.

After all, the future she herself lived with her friends was not reachable without doing things that she now found appalling. Even so, she knows that staying in Equestria could very well doom the world to a much darker future. If she had time to draft a plan she could probably figure out something that would keep herself out of the way while also not affecting the timeline, it's a shame then that the two princesses of Canterlot would just not leave her alone!

Apparently this thing got feature mere days after publishing... somehow.

This story is a sequel to Sunshipped

"Um, Sunburst? Look. I was visiting your sister and... uh... things have gotten kiiiiiinda weird. Like, seriously, get ready to be an ape weird."

Spike the dog approaches Sunset Shimmer with an important question. A question she simply must find the answer to for the sake of Equestria's future.

Part of the MAD verse.

Thanks to Nova Quill/Firimil, and
Steel Resolve for their edits and suggestions!

Wonderfully serene picture by fizzy-dog!

Wallflower tries repeatedly to murder Sunset. She doesn't expect Sunset to flirt back.

You get to choose the ending!

Written for The Sleepless Beholder as part of Hearthswriting 2021.

Original prompt:

Wallflower, as a cliche horror killer, tries to kill Sunset Shimmer for all the bullying she suffered during her time as queen b**** of CHS, but her mission becomes immensely difficult when Sunset, instead of being remotely scared, flirts with her in every encounter.

Thank you to Bicyclette, Sunlight Rays, iAmSiNnEr, and daOtterGuy for prereading. daOtterGuy also deserves thanks for the title as it was a fantastic suggestion.

Sunset Shimmer came to a new world seeking power and willing to make a deal.  The free leather jacket was just a bonus.

A Ghost Rider crossover.

Editing by Captain Unstoppable
Prereading by Blue Horizon

With her life in ruins because of Anon-a-Miss, Sunset Shimmer is abducted by an unknown entity and tossed into a strange new world populated by a variety of ancient beasts and tribes. After she arrives, she is found by a young castaway and together, they'll survive, face old and new challenges, and learn the truth about the ARK.

Note: Primitive Plus, references to Genesis, and other modifications in ARK: Survival Evolved is to be expected in this story.