Sunset's Redemption

by ThomasZoey3000

Going Back to Canterlot

The sounds of hoof steps could be heard in one room of the castle that stood well above all the buildings in Ponyville. In the room was a magical mirror that connected the beautiful world of Equestria with the world of the humans, and at this time, the mirror had been activated. The princess of Friendship; Twilight Sparkle was pacing back and forth in the room, awaiting the arrival of a friend of her's. She was hoping her friend wasn't having second thoughts on returning.

Her friend was a unicorn named Sunset Shimmer. Like Twilight, she was born in Canterlot and was also a student of Princess Celestia, one of the best she ever had, next to Twilight Sparkle of course. However, there were some differences. For one; Sunset sometimes debated the rules and two; she once believed she should be just as powerful as Celestia, or maybe more powerful than her. When Celestia tried to hide the secrets of the crystal mirrors, Sunset went aganist her teacher's wishes and went threw one of them and ended up in the world of the humans. From there, she did all she could to destory friendships and make everyone there fear her.

Thirty moons after she left, she returned to Equestria for one of the elements of Harmony; the element of Magic. However, she didn't count on Twilight Sparkle following her to the human world, and with the aid of the human counterparts of her pony friends, Twilight was able to get her crown back. But not before Sunset put the crown on her head and turned herself into a, as she would put it, raging she demon. In the end though, with the magic of friendship, Twilight defeated Sunset and gave her a chance to change her life.

She took the offer and with the aid of Twilight's human friends, Sunset slowly began to change her life around for the better. Some students were sure she would never change, but at this point and time, Sunset had shown them all that she wasn't the same being as she once was, she was a whole new girl. Some of her achievements included raising enough money to get new uniforms for the sports teams, and helping the school compete aganist Crystal Prep. in the Friendship Games. Yes, she was doing quite well, but there were still some worrying thoughts in her head about what the ponies in Equestria would say if they saw her again. And thus, after much thought, Sunset was returning to make amends and possibly make new friends.

Twilight wasn't alone in the room as Spike, her dragon assistant, was waiting for Sunset's arrival as well. He was reading Power Ponies Comic #176 while Twilight continued to pace. He tried reading, but her pacing soon got to him.

"Twilight, will you stop that pacing, you're making me dizzy watching you."

"Sorry Spike, I guess I'm just being a little impatient. Maybe I should do something to get my mind off waiting, do you have any comics I can read while we wait?"

"I got plenty of them," he answered and held out one for Twilight.

She used her magic and brought it over to herself to read. But before she could open it, something could be seen in the portal heading towards them. Moments later, a unicorn with an orange coat and red and yellow colored mane came threw, on her back legs. She wobbled a little bit and fell forward onto her front hooves.

"Well, that wasn't as bad as I remembered it," she said.

Twilight smiled when she saw the unicorn, "hello Sunset, it's good to see you again."

"Thanks Twilight, and it's good to see you, and Spike again. Oh and everyone back there says 'hello' and that they miss you two dreadfully." She then turned to Spike, "may I have that journal? I need to send them a message."

"Send them a message? You mean you left your book behind?"

"Well yeah, there's no point in me bringing it since I can talk with you two in person...opps, I mean face to face." She shook her head, "I've been away so long that I've forgotten the pony lingo."

"Oh well, you'll get used to it again during your visit here," smiled Twilight.

Spike walked over towards the portal, shut it down, then gave the book to Sunset Shimmer. Using her own magic, she wrote into the journal, saying she made it safely. A message came back saying 'good luck during your visit, we'll be waiting for your return Sugarcube.' Just seeing that bit, Twilight could only guess that the human Applejack was the girl who got Sunset's journal.

"So Sunset, how does it feel to be a pony again?" Spike asked.

"Honestly, it feels the same as being human, only that I'm walking on four legs, and I have a horn, and I have no hands, but overall still the same as being a human."

Twilight giggled, "well either way, you're here now and we're ready to help you on your journey."

"Thanks Twilight, and I'm hoping it all goes well, but I have my doubts if many ponies will forgive me."

"Hey, don't be so negative Sunset, I'm sure they'll forgive you. After all, it's been a long time and how long can a pony hold a grudge?"

Spike was about to remind Twilight about her friend 'Moondancer', but Twilight used her magic to surrond him in a bubble and prevent any sounds from coming out. She didn't want Sunset Shimmer to have any doubts before going back to Canterlot.

"Now come on, let's get going, the train waits for nopony."

Sunset nodded and with her saddlebags resting on her back, she walked out of the room towards the enterance way. Twilight finally released Spike from her spell, who glared at her.

"You know, a simple 'don't mention it Spike' would do nicely."

"Sorry Spike, but I had to do that."

Spike rolled his eyes and followed Twilight with their bags in tow.

After several hours, the trio had reached the town of Canterlot. It was just as beautiful as Sunset remembered. Though when it came to the ponies, they seemed more interested in seeing Princess Twilight and Spike instead of her. Not that she was surprised to say the least.

"So Sunset, where do you want to go to first? The castle?"

"Uh not right now Twilight. Truth be told I'm a little nervous with meeting up with Princess Celestia right now. I think for the time being, I should find some of the ponies I knew and apologize to them."

"Okay, so who do you want to meet up with first?"

"The first ones I met when I was a baby; my parents."

Sunset lead the way down the road and soon the trio arrived at a small two story house. It wasn't the fanciest one around, but it still looked nice. It was for the most part, still the same house and property that Sunset Shimmer had come to know and miss over the years she spent in the human world. She was glad it was still in good condition, but she was worried if her parents had moved away. There was only one way to find out, and that was to knock on the door and ask.

She slowly made her way up the pathway. Spike was going to follow next, but Twilight stopped him.

"Let her do this Spike," she whispered to him. "If she needs us, she'll let us know."

Sunset had almost reached the door when she heard; "Sunset Shimmer? Is that you my daughter?" She looked to her right, and saw a unicorn with a dark orange coat and a bright yellow sun for a cutie mark. Her manestyle was similar to that of Sunset's, but her colors were light red and yellow, her name was Sunrise Shimmer.

At first, Sunset wasn't sure what to say. After all, the last time they spoke, Sunset left on bad terms. Finally though, she broke the silence and said; "hi Mom, it's been a while." She groaned to herself, "really? That's all I can say?" she thought to herself. She then braced herself for the long, long lecture her mother was going to give, not to mention the scolding.

However, she was surprised when her mother walked up to her and wrapped her front hooves around her.

"Oh Sunset dear, it's been so long. Your father and I were worried sick about you," she said with tears falling down from her eyes. "Have you been well? Have you been keeping out of trouble? Do you have a good home?"

"Yes, no and yes, does that answer all your questions?"

"I can't even remember what she asked," Spike muttered.

"More than you think."

Sunset was confused by her mother's actions, but ultimatly gave in and hugged her mother back. Tears formed in her eyes, she had missed both her parents dreadfully, "I missed you guys too. Say, where is Dad anyways?"

"Oh you know your father, he's in the workshop round back, do you want to see him?"

"Sure." She then turned to her friends, "you can join us if you want to meet my parents."

Twilight and Spike nodded, and followed the two ponies to the back end of the house. There were pounding noises coming from a small wooden structure in the backyard, which had been painted pink many years ago. It was easy to see that because some of the paint was wearing off, and the original wood could be seen. Sunset Shimmer remembered painting that when she was only five years old.

"Dear, will you please come out? There's a pony here who wants to see you!"

The noise stopped and moments later, another pony could be seen coming out of the workshop. It was Sunset's father; Moon Crest, who had a red coat and a crested moon for a cutie mark, almost similar to Princess Luna's Cutie Mark. He also had a black mane with a white streak. He wiped away the sawdust that had blown all over himself, but stared in surprise at the visitor.

"Are my old eyes playing tricks on me? Or is that really my daughter; Sunset Shimmer?"

"Hey Dad," smiled Sunset and ran up to him, but then stopped. Her last words to him were not good either, so she expected to get a real yelling from him.

Instead, he just smiled, "come here kiddo and give your dad a hug."

Hearing that allowed Sunset to walk up to him and give him a big hug. After the hug, she properly introduced Twilight and Spike to her family, "it's because of them and my friends where I live now that I became a different mare."

"Really? Cause you look just like the Sunset Shimmer we knew before," said her father, "although, you do look more beautiful now."

Her mother nodded in agreement.

"It's nice of you to say those kind words, but let's not forgot what I used to be." She took in a deep breath and continued; "I lied, I cheated, I stole and I made everypony's life a misery. I ran off from Princess Celestia's school, and I nearly conquered Equestria. I've been a bad girl, and I was a horrible daughter to the two of you. I am so sorry, I hope you can forgive me."

"Of course we forgive you honey," smiled Sunrise, "no pony can hold a grudge forever."

"Besides, we've always loved you and we still do to this day, no matter what you've done. You're always going to be our special little girl."

Sunset's eyes began to water up, but a smile came to her face. She walked up to her parent's and wrapped both her front hooves around them. No more words needed to be said, Sunset was just glad her parents weren't mad at her.

"Come on Spike," Twilight whispered, "let's get going."

"What? Why?"

"Sunset needs some time with her parents. Besides," she added, "seeing them hug makes me think of my parents."

Spike nodded and so, they left the Shimmer family to hug it out. But as they left, Sunset got one more surprise.

"Mommy. Daddy, what's going on out here?" came another voice.

The three seperated from their hug and looked to the back door of the house. Standing there, hiding behind the door was a small three year old Unicorn. She had yellow fur with a red and orange mane, and surprising enough, she had a cutie mark; a bright white star.

"Hey sweetie pie, I was wondering when you were going to come out," smiled Moon Crest, "now come over here, we like to introduce you to somepony."

But the filly didn't move an inch. Seeing this, Sunset's ears flopped.

"I guess she knows about me huh?"

"Actually no, this is the first time she's ever going to learn about you," said Sunrise. She then turned to the filly, "it's alright, she won't bite you."

Hearing that, the filly walked out of the house, but ran to hide behind Moon Crest, "you'll have to excuse her for doing that, she always does to any new pony she meets. After two hours though, she'll be talking to you like an old friend."

"Who is that?" asked the filly.

Moon Crest turned to his wife, "would you care to answer that honey?"

"Of course dear," she nodded. "Sunset, I would like you to meet Sunny Rays, our three year old Daughter." Sunset's mouth dropped open in surprise, "and Sunny Rays, this is Sunset Shimmer, she's your older sister."

"I have a sister?!" both of them exclaimed so loudly that the neighbours could hear them. Moon Crest and Sunrise both nodded.

"Well, this is certainly an unexpected surprise," Sunset thought to herself, "Wait till my friends hear about this.