Sunrise, Sunset
Buckley, Stampford, Notre Dame, Pranceton, these were some of the finest institutions of learning in all of Equestria. Still, none were as esteemed as Princess Celestia’s School for Gifted Unicorns. While social connections helped with getting on the list to take the school’s notoriously difficult entrance exam, only the most magically gifted foals would actually pass their exams and be admitted to the student body.
Fortunately for one hundred and twenty-three young foals, the entrance exams were successfully behind them. They were now the newest class in Princess Celestia’s school. Today was the first day of school for these foals It was a special day where they would be organized into six classes numbered 1-1 through 1-6 and then they would stand in their class groups as before their gathered family and other interested parties, Princess Celestia welcomed them into her school. She would then join her new students and their families for lunch before the foals went off to their first classes.
For the young Sunset Shimmer, there was no proud family to watch her take her place. She was a ward of the state and to this point had resided in the Canterlot State Orphanage from before she could remember. She had been lucky that Miss Morning Glory had seen her potential and sponsored her to enroll in Celestia’s school. Sunset looked for her in the gathered crowd.
I’ll make you proud! I promise! Sunset thought determinedly. At the podium in front of them, a stern looking stallion with a gray coat and white mane stood and called for attention. After a few moments, the crowd and students fell silent and he began to call out names in alphabetical order, directing each foal to his or her class group. Eventually, he worked down to the ‘S’s.
“Sunset Shimmer?”
Sunset nervously raised a hoof. “Here.”
The stallion peered at her over the tops of his glasses. “Class 1-1.”
“Yes, sir.” She hurried to the group on the far left of the field. The class pennant flying overhead.
While this was going on, carts laden with food were being brought in to feed the new students and their families. With the older, returning students in the main dining hall, it was more than the school’s kitchen could handle. This was why lunch for the families was being catered. The smell of good food and treats wafting in the air as the wagons were brought in the gates, checked, and cleared before proceeding down to the polo field. Currently, the carts were backing up in the queue and tired ponies parking their carts, waiting for their turn
Down below, Princess Celestia took to the podium. Stepping gracefully up, Celestia wore a smile long practiced over many years.
“Welcome to all the new students joining us here Today you start on a wondrous journey!”
Sunset Shimmer was only half listening. Her attention was on Princess Celestia herself, the way ponies respected her. She’s so pretty and strong and I wish I could be like that! No ponies turning their muzzles up and looking down at me.
For her part, Princess Celestia did truly enjoy seeing all of the eager young faces before her. But she had other, pressing reasons to take interest in this class of foals. It would only be a few short years now before her sister’s prophesied return from the moon. The only possible hope to save Luna was the Elements of Harmony. The Elements no longer responded to Celestia. They had not since that night, the night that the Harmony had been broken.
The Elements of Harmony: Loyalty, Honesty, Laughter, Kindness, Generosity, it was said that the Element of Magic would unite them all. To that end, Celestia had to find a pony powerful enough to embody that sixth element. To find the Element of Magic and train that pony for the task ahead and to find that pony while there was still time.
And for that, Celestia held true regret. She had refrained from taking a personal student for fifteen years, ever since Ivory Tower had graduated, she had been searching for not just a talented and deserving student but an exceptional and powerful student and Celestia’s not entirely unselfish motives for seeking that student out.
But it was highly unlikely that this day would be the one on which the ‘chosen one’ would appear, Celestia’s mind told her with gentle chiding, reminding her to enjoy this moment of youthful wonder. A few more remarks from her and then a festive lunch and perhaps Celestia might indulge just a little an extra bit of cake. Kibitz could chide her for it tomorrow and probably would as she stepped back into the role of Head of State but today was a day for cake and smiles and she aimed to indulge to the fullest in both!
It was only later that Celestia would ponder how the universe listens to us and sometimes takes pains to give us what we have asked for, even if we don’t recognize it at the time.
On the hill above the Princess, one of the catering wagons waiting its turn to proceed down to the polo field began to creak. Then the hoof brake slipped and the massive wagon began to roll backward, down the side of the hill and toward the very spot where Celestia was still speaking. If the princess had not wings, nor highly alert guards, then ‘Death by Cake’ would have taken on a new meaning for the Princess. As it was, she was able to dodge clear, pushing several ponies out of the path of the runaway cart. As her mind hurried to process what was happening, Celestia recognized with horror where it was heading. She had to gain a little altitude so she could hit the cart with one good shot from her horn...
And then she saw it. The wagon was no longer hurtling towards her helpless students and their families beyond. It was being held as if a giant hoof were holding it back…
It’s so heavy! Sunset Shimmer thought miserably as her magic strained to hold the huge wagon. It seemed like it had been but an instant since she heard somepony cry out a warning. Some foals scampered to get out of the way, some dropped as if to hide, and some froze where they stood, too scared to move. Sunset simply reacted.
Now she had a problem: If she let go, the wagon would roll on and crash into the stands behind her. If not, she would tire and lose her hold on it and the same thing would happen. Perhaps if she had been a little older, she might have understood that the wagon’s momentum and inertia were already spent against her magic but at the time, the only thing Sunset could think to do was to push harder, push with all of her might!
Sunset let out a cry and slammed all of the magic her body could channel into the wagon, shoving it away with tremendous force, sending it crashing into Celestia’s vacated podium and sending a rain of smashed cakes into the air and down all over Celestia and a great many others. Celestia herself being on the receiving end of a buttercream frosted cake.
Sunset winced. Her first day of school and she was going to be expelled! She would be shipped back to the Canterlot State Home for Foals in complete disgrace. She knew it as Celestia looked around searching for the guilty party.
“Does anypony know who cast that spell?” Celestia called out as she surveyed the cake carnage. Several foals looking at the cake covered monarch with huge eyes and pointing hooves at Sunset.
Sunset felt herself shrink and wilt as Celestia approached.
“And what is your name?” Celestia asked as she towered over the foal.
“Sunset Shimmer.” She replied in a tiny voice.
“And did you do this?” Celestia asked. Sunset could swear she heard genuine curiosity in Celestia’s voice.
“Yes Princess.” the filly admitted in a whisper.
Amazing! She was able to channel and direct more magical energy than virtually any unicorn I’ve ever seen and she is but the youngest of foals!
“Well done! My little pony!” Celestia fairly beamed in praise.
“You mean you aren’t mad at me?” Sunset asked timidly in confusion.
“And why would I be mad at you Sunset? You may very easily have prevented a terrible tragedy today! Your parents should be very proud of you!”
Sunset closed her eyes. “My parents are in Elysia, Princess.” She replied, referencing the fabled paradise where it was said the departed dwelt.
Celestia gathered up the foal in compassion. “Don’t think that means they still can’t be proud of you. I know I am.” She regarded Sunset Shimmer for a moment.
“Sunset Shimmer? I would like for you to become my personal student and stay here in the palace during your studies. Will you accept?”
Sunset Shimmer’s face lit with joy. “Yes! Oh please yes!” She knew her world would never be the same again.