//------------------------------// // Epilogue // Story: MLDC: Firestorm Crisis // by Michael_Ravencroft //------------------------------// “Twilight I don’t know about this…?” “Sunset, you said you were ready, and as nervous as I feel, I know we need to do this. You need to do this.” “I know…but…I’m kind of scared.” “So am I, this is a big leap for both us! But it’s one we have to do together.” Sunset sighed. “I understand, I just don’t know if I’m ready to face Princess Celestia.” A few months had passed since the Firestorm Crisis and now the stars and moon had aligned perfectly to allow the portal to Equestria open again. Sunset had decided long ago that before she could move on with her life as a human in this world, and build a life with Twilight, she needed to make peace with her mentor, Princess Celestia. Sunset had made this decision, she needed to make amends and face whatever punishment she deserved, plus, if luck permitted, she needed to see if her parents were still around and if possible introduce them to her very special somepony. With that in mind, Sunset had taken the old journal she brought with her to this world. She wrote the words that she never thought she’d ever right for the rest of her life. Dear Princess Celestia It’s been some years since I’ve contacted you after I exiled myself from Equestria. You probably already know, but this is Sunset Shimmer. First: let me say that I am alive and well. I…I wanted to let you know how sorry I am for what I did back in Equestria, for spitting on all you strived to teach me and endow with me with. I acted like a petty, selfish child and lashed out at you and others when all you tried to do is help me see the light. Because of that, I strayed far. So far in fact, that I plotted to take over our home by stealing the Element of Magic. But as you can see that plan went awry. A lot of things happened here, too much to put down in this one journal. So…I’m asking for your permission to return to Equestria. I want to see you again, and apologize for everything in person. I know you probably have little reason to trust me, if you want, you can even have the Royal Guard there to escort me in shackles. But I want to come back, to make amends. I have a special somepony here in this world, and I want to make a life with her, but if I don’t clear up my past, I can’t move forward into the future, and I don’t want this dark cloud hanging over my head the rest of my life wondering if we’re alright. You mean so much to me, you brought me up when my parents and I were living in squalor, and that’s something I can never repay. So…Princess Celestia, I ask you. May I have an audience with you? Your faithful once faithful student Sunset Shimmer Sunset remembered watching the journal for a long time, wondering if Princess Celestia had even remembered the journal, or had stored it away somewhere. Chances were she threw away anything having to do with her failure of a student, it only made sense. However, as she looked at the journal, she noticed that there were water stains on it. Sunset wiped her eyes, but somehow the tears weren’t coming from her. Just then, light shined on the journal page next to the water stains. Dear Sunset Shimmer I’ve missed you so much! I-I can’t believe this – I thought I would never see you again! It fills my heart with joy to finally see these words written from you! I-I’m sorry I’m…I’m a bit emotional. But, truly, I am so very happy to see that you are alive and well, and of course you can return, I had originally moved the mirror to the Crystal Empire for safe keeping, but now I will see to it that it is quickly returned to Canterlot for your arrival. My little pony, I cannot wait to see you again. I would also like meet this “very special somepony” who has stolen my student’s heart. I hope to see you soon, please inform me of the date of your arrival. Love Princess Celestia Sunset remembered how happy she felt when she read that, she had burst into tears and smiled big enough to rival Pinkie Pie. Thankfully Twilight was there to share in her mirth. It didn’t take much prodding on Sunset’s part to make Twilight want to come with her, after hearing about the world she was from, Twilight eagerly wanted to visit Equestria and see what Sunset looked like as a pony, as well as speak to these other sapient ponies where magic was the law of the land. But just like a child about to perform on stage for the first time, Sunset was beginning to have second thoughts about going through it. The surface of the marble statue began to ripple like water, the dimensional bridge connecting both worlds had been opened, and would remain open for the next three days until another two years. “Sunset, you’ve waited so long, it’s time to make amends.” The former unicorn inhaled and exhaled slowly, gathering her courage and steeling her nerves. She needed to do this, for the both of them, for their future. “You’re right, let’s go.” “Sorry Miss Shimmer, Miss Sparkle, but I’m afraid there’s going to be a bit of a delay in your reunion.” Both Twilight and Sunset turned around, watching as a tall man in a trench coat came walking towards them. The girls assumed aggressive stances, prepared to fight this stranger, but before they could utter the activation word, the man pulled out an object from his coat. A bright flash went off that blinded Sunset and Twilight. Their minds began to get fuzzy and the feeling in their legs was starting to go. Both tried to fight against it, but whatever the device did was muddling their thoughts too much for them to think clearly. After another moment, both girls fell to the ground, unconscious. The moonlight illuminated the man’s features a bit. He had slicked back spiky brown hair, with tan colored skin, blue eyes, and a twin tail scarf around his neck. The man crouched down and looked to Sunset with a bewildered expression. “Sorry my dear, we’ll have to put a slight pause on your reunion for the time being. I need you – both of you.” [Captain Turner, I’m currently overhead, ready for extraction.] “Thank you Gideon, on that note have you located our other potential recruit?” Time Turner asked. [Yes Captain, dimension scanners have found a possible candidate in Equestria 45. As you requested she is a bearer of the light of the Emotional Spectrum.] Turner looked to his wristband and went over the information and nodded. “Very good, Gideon, prepare to leave after this. We have a meeting with a Miss Starburst.”