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.

A ski trip promises to be a fun and exciting vacation for Sunset Shimmer and her friends. But when the girls are caught in a blizzard, the house they find to shelter them might not be as benevolent as it appears.

After what Sunset had done she never expected anyone to forgive her, but there was always someone willing to give her a second chance and accept her for what she was. Even before Twilight's friends bothered with her, there was one girl who Sunset could always rely on to be there.

Trying to patrol the dreams of every pony in Equestria can be stressful. To ease her burden, Luna retools the Tantabus to turn nightmares into good dreams instead of vice versa. Aware of her mistakes from last time, she tests it out thoroughly, making sure there are no unexpected behaviors. And as far as she can tell, there are none.

Except that it's started calling her "Mom".

Faced with the prospect of possibly creating life, Luna seeks out Twilight's advice and assistance. With a little luck, they can get this all sorted out before the sun rises.

"...we could be stuck doing this for all eternity!" Twilight said.
"That's fine with me!" Starlight responded.
Starlight never thought that Twilight was actually being serious.

What would have happened if Starlight hadn't turned herself over to Twilight? If she rejected friendship, even after being given a chance to come back?

Starlight Glimmer is strong. She always has been. She always will be.
But Twilight wants that to change.

After the incidents with Both MoonDancer and Starlight Glimmer, Twilight decides to organize a three day retreat for her Canterlot friends and the unicorns she has helped redeem.

(Takes place and written before Season 6)

Twilight is almost used to being an alicorn now. She's accepted that unexpected change, and is even happy about it, most of the time. Her magical abilities have grown by leaps and bounds, and she's starting to enjoy the freedom offered by flight. While she can't imagine ever being as good as Rainbow Dash, anypony with reasonable standards would by now consider her quite competent in the air.

But despite her growing enthusiasm and confidence, there's something that she has neglected to deal with. Something that's bothered her at times ever since the transformation, but kept getting shuffled down her list of priorities. Fortunately, she knows just the pony to talk to for help, and she won't let nervousness and self-reliant rationalization hold her back anymore. The latest of Pinkie Pie's parties provides a perfect pretext for a conversation she should've had months ago.

If you're confused by the date listed on the chapter, that's just when I originally uploaded it for pre-reader viewing. Life got in the way and I didn't get around to hitting Submit until Feb. 7, 2016.

There is a giant hole in the wall of Twilight's castle. Most of her front door is gone. And Rainbow Dash had better have a good explanation for this.

Top ten finalist for the "Look, I can explain" writeoff.

Sunset Shimmer is well respected, and has gained a lot of trust over the past year. So when Princess Twilight entrusted her with watching over her one and only niece, she was thrilled.

But one slip of the tongue around the toddler could break that trust.

Now with Reading by Mindlessgonzo

Absolute power corrupts, that is a fact.

But sometimes there is that one person who is able to prevent you from following the call of madness, who manages to be a shining sun in the madness we find ourselves in.

Sunset never thought that she would be that sun for Twilight, nor did she expect for Twilight to keep the power that corrupted her in the first place.

Edited by Poliamida and cover is from here