Just one week out from her demonic transformation and subsequent rainbow friendship blast to the face, Sunset Shimmer needs a new leather jacket, as her old one (seen here) was destroyed. Reluctantly, she goes to the closest clothier to her home: the infamously uptight Carousel Boutique. Making matters tougher, she must deal face to face with a girl she badly hurt. Can friendship take root even after three years of hatred and distrust?

This is the prequel story for Sunset's Recovery Arc.

Jacket art generously provided by Bootsy Slickmane.

Losing a child is the most terrifying thing that can happen to a parent.

Sunset Shimmer had been gone for years. Celestia had never really given up hope that she would see her again, but the doubt had always been in the back of her mind: what if she never returns? The echoes of their last fight followed her all those years.

And now that Sunset Shimmer has returned, Celestia wants to see her again. She has an offer to make, to a filly she raised as a daughter.

My name is Twilight Sprinkle, and my passion is donuts—from the delicate morsels I serve at elegant cocktail parties to the hearty pastries enjoyed by hard-working ponies who get up early. I don’t have friends, I don’t have books, and I sure as the sun don’t have any wings. I don’t care whether you’re here for revenge, for romance, or for a favor. My name is Twilight Sprinkle and I’m not who you think I am, so either buy a donut or get the hay out of my store!

(Edited by the mysterious the masked ferret.)

As the apocalypse descends, Celestia flies upwards to give it battle.

In the aftermath of Canterlot High's visit, Gloriosa Daisy wonders if she is truly the best person to continue running Camp Everfree.

Her brother Timber Spruce has something to say about that.

There's a man who works at my job in the basement.

He says his name is Derek. Not many people like Derek. People say he's weird and tends to lie. Derek says he was tricked and isn't supposed to be here at all.

He also says he used to be the Chaos King back home.

And here I just wish he'd stop screwing around with the coffee in the breakroom.

A young Sunset Shimmer has a problem; her mentor and resident mother figure has had no time for anything but work recently. Now she just needs a way to fix it. Luckily, she has a cunning plan.

Inspired by a conversation Justice3442 and I had while discussing a piece of art I did over on my Deviant Art page. Not the cover art; that I did because I couldn't stop giggling wildly at the mental image.

*** Since two people now have asked for the original piece that prompted the conversation between Justice and I. And thus both this story and the cover art. It's here.***

As always, if anyone notices any glaring mistakes, or has constructive criticism, please let me know. I'm really not sure how to classify this, so I'll just stick with the Slice of Life tag and add more if people say I should.

Any italics not directly inserted in speech are internal monologue. Sunset talks to herself. Frequently.

After saving Camp Everfree, Sunset Shimmer just wants to kick and celebrate like any typical teenaged girl. Or at least as typical as one can be when you now possess magic powers that let you see into the hearts and minds of others.

But memories are a fickle thing, and when Sunset Shimmer runs into her ex-boyfriend, she soon discovers that even a memory can be deceptive.

Special thanks to SolidFire for his editing work.
Cover art by Ponut Joe (can't link cause super-NSFW tumblr)

The sun has gone out over Equestria, sending Princess Twilight Sparkle and her friends off to Canterlot to deal with whatever new villain has caused the disaster.

...thankfully, it turns out to be a far smaller problem than anticipated.

?

Editing Credit: Bad Horse (Inspiration), Docontra

With a reading by Big Ash
Credit for the cover photo Celestia Stained Glass Window goes to LampKnapp at Deviantart.

Spanish translation of the first chapter done by Spaniard Kiwi

In the final days of her life, an exceptionally faithful student muses on the subject of her perfect and immortal mentor Applejack.

Now with Spanish translation by Spaniard Kiwi!