The Return of Sunset Shimmer

by Never2muchpinkie


Chapter 8: Nightmare visions

Sunset was fast asleep.

Stardust knew it was time to get to work. He concentrated his power, and a small aura appeared around Sunset. “That should keep out the troublesome dream-walker. I don’t want there to be any interruptions, especially from an alicorn.

“Now then,” he muttered, the jewel in the amulet glowing, “Let’s see what we’re working with here.”

Concentrating his essence he pushed himself into her dreams, sinking into the darkness like water until he saw a large sphere containing her dream world.

Turning into mist he phased through the sphere before adopting a shadowy form, like a pony outline. His body flowed like a flame, much like the Royal Sisters manes.

“Ah, Sunset,” he said as he spotted her, “you’re going to entertain me greatly before the night is out. Once we get rid of the princesses there will be no one who can stand in my way. By the time you get that far you will have lost yourself to the darkness, and will be my obedient puppet.”

He lifted a hoof, and the space they were in melted, to be replaced with the halls of Canterlot High School.

Sunset looked around. She had just been a pony, dreaming of the party at Sugarcube Corner and the delicious treats she had eaten. Now she was human again, casually walking down the currently empty hall, until she heard voices.

“It’s only been one day, huh?” said a female voice.

There was a heavy sigh. “Two more to go until we know for sure.”

Sunset mused, “That sounds like… Rarity and Applejack?”

She turned the corner, and saw the human versions of her friends.

Fluttershy was clutching Angel Bunny, a nervous expression on her face. “What do you think is gonna happen over there?”

“I have no clue,” said Rainbow. “It will either go great or it’ll go horribly. We did all we could.”

Sunset jogged over to them. “Hey, guys! What are you doing here? Or I guess it’s more accurate to ask what I’m doing here?”

None of them responded to her or even cast a glance in her direction. They just continued on as if she wasn’t there.

Pinkie crossed her arms, her hair a little flat. “Well, it was a colossal waste of all our time, if you ask me. We all knew what was going to happen.”

“Hey! Guys!” Sunset said louder. She tried to put a hand on Applejack but it slipped right through her body. She dropped her hand in confusion. “What was a waste of time?” she asked quietly.

Pinkie’s next words answered that. “We all knew that Sunset was irredeemable from the start.”

Sunset gasped, her eyes widening. “W-what?” Her insides went cold. “W-what did you say?”

Rarity ran a hand through her hair. “Honestly! I can think of a million better things I could have been doing than keeping an eye on that troublemaker.” She let out a huff. “Two and a half years!”

“Hmph!” Applejack leaned back against a locker, her arms crossed. “We only did it fer Twilight’s sake. All of us used to be friends before Sunset came and started ruining everything between us. Shoot, if it hadn’t been fer Twilight we’d all still hate one another.”

“What?” said Rainbow. “She thought a simple sorry and a little community service just wiped the slate clean? What is she, stupid? You don’t try to take over the world and then cry victim when you’re brought down by someone stronger.”

Sunset’s insides were like ice. She backed up a few steps, her eyes starting to tear up. Was that what they all really thought of her?

“It happened just like Twilight said it would,” said Fluttershy, looking around furtively. Fluttershy’s eyes met hers for a moment, full of spite and distrust. “She was just biding her time all these years, waiting for her next attempt to sneak back into the pony world and try again.” She shivered. “She gives me the creeps.”

“N-no!” Sunset cried out, hiccupping breaths in. “That wasn’t why! T-that wasn’t why at all!”

Applejack shrugged. “Well, it don’t matter none now. Sunset’s finished, and good riddance.”

Pinkie laughed darkly. “Does she really think all of us are that dumb? Twilight already knows she’s gonna put on a goodie two shoes act and pretend to be all ‘reformed’ to try to get into her good books.”

A tear came down Sunset’s eye. “H-how… how could you say that? How could you believe that, after all we’ve been through together?”

“Yes, darling, but it’s gonna work the opposite way too,” said Rarity. “Twilight’s gonna do the same to get her trust, and when they stand in front of Princess Celestia the two of them will overpower her and throw her in the deepest dungeon possible.” She flipped her hair dismissively. “Then she’ll be out of our hair for good.”

Sunset blinked, sinking to the ground. “No! No! It… it can’t be true. I… I won’t believe it! I… I won’t!” Moisture began leaking onto Sunset’s hands from her tears. “We’re friends!” She lifted her head, tears streaming down her eyes. “We’ve been through so much together. You can’t… you can’t really mean that!”

“Hmph!” Rainbow shrugged. “Whatever. It’s not our problem anymore. Let’s go.”

All of them turned in her direction, their gaze cold. It was the same glare she had endured for so long from everyone else, but not from them.

They all filed past her, leaving her alone.

Sunset trembled on the ground, echoes of the past coming back to her.

“Oh, look, it’s HER!”

“Get away, freak!”

“I don’t know what those five see in you.”

“You should have been arrested, but you probably would have blown up the prison too.”

Endless voices echoed in the dreamscape, every negative thing she had heard since meeting Twilight.

She clenched her stomach, her forehead against the ground. “But… b-b-but I’ve changed,” she said quietly. “I’m different now.”

She began sobbing, terrified of looking up or opening her eyes, sure she’d see the faces to go along with the voices.

The voices suddenly stopped, and now she heard a new voice. “That was scary.” It was Apple Bloom.

Sunset glanced up. She was a pony again. It was dark but for the light of the moon shining upon them. They were outside Twilight’s house.

Applejack was right next to her, and gave her a protective nuzzle. “Don’t worry, Sugarcube. It’s alright.”

“What now?” Sunset asked, her heart still aching. “Though… I have a feeling I already know.”

“Oh, come on, Apple Bloom!” Scootaloo said excitedly. “Wasn’t that fun? We all got to show off how brave we are.”

“That’s the spirit, squirt!” Rainbow said, patting Scootaloo’s head. “I was there, so you had nothing to worry about.”

“I guess… this is after the party,” Sunset said blankly.

“Speak for yourself, Scootaloo!” said Sweetie Belle, shivering as she hugged Rarity. “That was horrifying.”

“Never you mind, Sweetie Belle,” said Rarity. “It’s over now.”

Fluttershy popped up from a bush, trembling. “C-can one of you walk me home? I don’t feel safe going by myself. S-She might come after me.”

Pinkie rushed to her side, hugging her. “Aw, don’t you worry your pretty little head, Fluttershy. Auntie Pinkie will protect you from that mean old Sunset.”

The eight of them dispersed, and once more Sunset was left alone.

“I guess… it doesn’t really matter what I do,” said Sunset, a numb feeling in her body. “Nothing’s going to change. Both here and there, I can see their true feelings about me. They don’t trust me. They never did.

“All this time, they were just playing me, assuming I was doing the same to them. Now I’m a goner, right?”

Her shadow elongated, taking on the appearance of her demon form. “Is that all anyone can see of me? I was terrified of being locked up, because it meant I’d be taken away from my friends. But…” Her eyes clenched shut. “But… does it even matter if they don’t care about me?”

She fell to the floor, slamming her hooves against the ground. “WHY… WHY… WHY… WHY… WHY?” She punctuated each ‘why’ with a slam. “Why won’t anyone believe me? Haven’t I done enough?”

Her anger diminished as her world dissolved again, and now she was in a long hallway. She recognized it instantly as Celestia’s throne room.

“You wanted to see me, Princess?”

It was Twilight. The voice that answered back got her attention.

“Yes, Twilight,” said Princess Celestia. “Come, come.”

Sunset quickly looked up. It was dark, but the moon provided decent lighting. Like before neither of the two seemed to notice her. Sunset stood up, looking around. “Are these… visions I’m seeing?” she wondered aloud. “Am I seeing the future… or the present?” She had never had this kind of power before.

Twilight walked up to the throne. “What is it, Princess? Why did you call me here so late at night?”

Celestia was mostly covered in shadow, though her eyes seemed to be glowing. Her expression was stern. “Is it really true what you said? Sunset has returned to this realm?”

“Yes, Princess. She has.”

“And?”

“Um… and… what? Your highness!” she quickly added.

Celestia rolled her eyes. She jumped off the throne, getting in Twilight’s face. “And WHAT?” she said sharply. “You know darn well WHAT! Have you earned her trust?”

“Princess…” Twilight looked down, and then said in a resigned voice, “I have.”

Sunset’s thoughts flashed back to what her human friends had said. It was certainly lining up. She closed her eyes, waiting. “I know what’s coming.”

“So you’re ready then? Tomorrow we take her down!”

Sunset took in a shuddering breath.

“Princess…” Twilight looked into her eyes for a moment, before looking back at the floor. “I… I don’t… think we should do this.”

Celestia’s eyebrow went up. “Oh?” was all she said.

“I talked with her last night, and she told me a bunch of things. And this morning she hung out with everyone. She showed her heart to all of us, and has done nothing untoward. I think she’s the real deal.

“She’s no longer a threat, so I think we should just leave her alone!”

Sunset blinked, her mouth slightly open. She put a hoof to her chest, smiling slightly. “Twilight,” she said warmly. At least one of them understood. At least Twilight was still willing to believe in her and give her a chance, just as she had in the past.

“We don’t need to do anything to her. We should just-GAH!”

Any warm feelings Sunset had disappeared as Celestia slapped Twilight across the face with her hoof.

“Do you think it matters how you feel?” Celestia said darkly. “You’re not the one in charge here.”

Twilight covered her face with her hoof, trembling slightly. “Forgive me, Princess. I meant no disrespect.”

“I’m sure you didn’t,” she responded dismissively. “I gave you your orders, now carry them out.”

Twilight’s face soured. “I’m an alicorn too, and so I have the right to not follow your commands.”

Celestia’s eyes went wide. “Excuse me?”

Putting her hoof down she faced Celestia defiantly. “Sunset Shimmer has more than earned her redemption, and as a fellow alicorn I won’t be party to a plan that would harm an innocent.

“Sunset… I’ve experienced her tears, her remorse, her sadness… I’ve seen it all.”

Sunset closed her eyes, tears coming down them. “T-Twilight! Thank you!”

“Hmph!” Celestia stood at her full height. “This won’t do at all.”

Sunset could hear danger in Celestia’s words. She opened her eyes to see what was gonna happen, hating that she was incapable of helping.

She gasped as Celestia charged Twilight, slamming her hoof into Twilight’s chest and flapping her wings to keep her momentum until she crashed Twilight into a pillar.

Twilight let out a wheezing gasp of breath, then a cry of pain as Celestia lifted her hoof until she flipped Twilight overhead and slammed her onto the ground.

“Twilight!” Sunset cried out in horror. She ran over to her friend, and tried to touch Twilight, but went right through. Twilight was gasping for breath, groaning in pain.

She growled in frustration, spinning on Celestia. “WHY?” she yelled, furious tears coming down her eyes. “She’s your student! She adores you! How could you treat her that way? What gives you the right?”

Of course she got no response.

Celestia’s horn glowed, and Twilight was lifted onto her hooves. “Tsk, tsk! I guess I’ve been giving you too much freedom, haven’t I?” She shook her head. “Actually thinking you could defy me, and go against my wishes?” A sinister smile came to her face. “I cannot allow that. You must always remain my faithful student.”

Twilight was shaking on her hooves, all the fight taken out of her. “W-why? Why are you…” Her eyes flickered.

“After all, it’s not like you have a real choice in the matter, is it, Twilight?” Her twisted grin grew wider. “I gave you a good degree of autonomy so you could act as my agent, but if you’re going to act against me I have no choice but to do something about it.

“Ordinarily such acts of treason would be worthy of banishment or imprisonment, but you’re my personal symbol of power. I need you to be around.” Her horn glowed golden, and Twilight began floating in the air.

Twilight put a hoof to her stomach, one eye closed. “Please… please stop!” She shivered. “I… I don’t want to… I don’t want to go through that… not again!”

Celestia let out a cruel laugh. “Oh, Twilight. If you didn’t want it to happen then you shouldn’t have spoken your mind so openly and just followed orders.” Celestia’s horn flashed brighter, and the magical aura Twilight was stuck in turned a cloudy white.

Sunset looked on in horror as Twilight screamed and writhed. She shivered in fear. “W-what is she doing to you?” She lifted her hoof helplessly, absolutely hating the powerlessness she felt.

The glow faded in intensity. Twilight slowly landed back on her hooves, looking no different on the outside. Her eyes were hollow and unfocused.

“Twilight!” Sunset called out, running the short distance over to her. “Are you alright?” Her body clenched as she stomped a hoof. “Ngh! She can’t hear me!”

Celestia walked towards them. The clacking of her hooves echoed.

Sunset’s eyes were narrowed in rage, wishing she could hug Twilight close. Twilight truly did believe in her, enough to defy her mentor. She glared at Celestia, a tear hovering at the corner of her eyes. She let out a huff as she saw Celestia’s expression was calm, almost motherly in appearance.

“You scum!” she spat out in a hiss.

“Twilight, my faithful student,” Celestia said, her voice jovial. “How are you?”

Twilight looked up slowly, her expression still vacant. “Good, Princess. I am ready to serve. Just tell me what to do and I will do it. I live to serve you. You always know best.” Her voice was completely emotionless.

“That’s right, Twilight. And what about… Sunset Shimmer?”

There was a slight hesitation, and then Twilight said, “She is a threat to the empire, and must be dealt with swiftly before she runs away again. She must face justice. Together the two of us will take her down.”

Celestia’s motherly grin turned to a smirk. “Now that’s the student I’m proud of!

“Return to Ponyville now and rest. When you awake you’ll be able to put on a convincing act to keep her busy until I arrive.”

“Yes, Princess.”

Twilight turned around and began walking toward the exit.

Sunset noticed a solitary tear coming down Twilight’s eye. Even now she wasn’t completely gone. Stardust had told her that Twilight had been stripped of her free will, but Twilight would be useless if she wasn’t given some capacity to make her own choices.

She had to guess that every few months Twilight was stripped of her sense of self when her ability to make her own choices grew enough that it led to her disagreeing with Celestia.

She was torn from her thoughts as she heard laughing. Celestia was back on her throne, guffawing as if she had just heard the best joke in the world.

Sunset’s eyes narrowed to slits, her legs apart in a battle-ready stance. Furious tears were streaming down her cheeks. “Laugh it up while you can! I swear I’m gonna make you pay for this!”