//------------------------------//
// A Day on the Town 
// Story: Sunset's Redemption 
// by ThomasZoey3000 
//------------------------------//


Chapter 3: A Day On the Town


"Upon returning back to Canterlot, I met up with my parents and much to my surprise and relief, they hold no grudge aganist me for leaving Celestia's school for gifted unicorns, but it's like my dad said, they are both bad at holding grudges." Sunset chuckled quietly to herself as she paused and thought about what else to write to her Canterlot High friends. She could've written in that she also discovered that she has a baby sister named Sunny Rays, but felt it was best to leave that till she got home. "So far, everything's going quite well, but I still worry about tomorrow and meeting up with some of my old friends in town. I don't know how they'll react to seeing me."

She stopped and waited for a reply. A short time later, she got a reply from Applejack.

"Just remember not to get down on yourself Sugarcube and you'll be fine. Even if some may not except your apology right away, I'm sure they'll come around to like you again, just like we have. We know you can do this Sunset."

Sunset smiled and a small tear appeared in her right eye, "thank you," she wrote back.

Meanwhile, just down the hallway, Moon Crest and Sunrise were talking about their first daughter's return, "isn't this wonderful Moon, for the first time ever, we have both our daughters home, it's like a dream come true."

"Yes, it is nice, but I'm not sure it'll be a dream come true for Sunset."

Sunrise raised an eyebrow at her husband, "why do you say that? I thought you fully supported your daughter's decision to come back and make amends."

"Don't get me wrong, I do support her, but Sunrise honey, we can't deny the facts, there are ponies in Canterlot who wish to see Sunset go away and never return. She wasn't always the perfect little angel you know, and I'm just concerned that some of those ponies may try to hurt her like she hurt them. I mean, remember what happened to Honey Tree?"

"I do remember, the whole incident with the bee-hive made us very unpopular with the Tree family, but Sunset's changed. I can just see it in her eyes and with the way she speaks. It's like that fight she had with Princess Twilight Sparkle and those creatures known as humans had done wonders to change her into the mare she is now."

"Perhaps, but there's still the nagging feeling that things won't end well."

Sunrise showed a kind smile, "now come on dear, we got to let Sunset try. If things don't go well, I'm sure she'll raise above it and keep going."

Moon Crest sighed and got up from the bed to walk around. This was a thing with him, if he was ever nervous or anxious, he would get out of bed and start pacing back and forth. More often than not, he often made his wife dizzy from doing that.

"I know you're right honey," he said, "but I can't help but worry. Do you remember Sunset's crush? Well last I heard, he became a reporter and you know what that can do to Sunset."

Sunrise nodded, but showed a smile regardless, "I'm sure he too will want to forgive Sunset."

But Moon Crest wasn't so sure.

When morning came, a very sleepy Sunset Shimmer came walking down the stairs towards the living room. Her father was out in his workshop as per usual, her mother was cooking in the kitchen and little Sunny Rays was building a small tower out of blocks. Unlike most young fillies or colts that build the tower with one block after another until it falls over, Sunny had built a strong base at the bottom to keep it up, sort of like a pyramid. Sunset was still amazed by the high level of magic she could use.

Sunset walked into the kitchen and saw her mother hard at work.

"Good morning honey, did you sleep well last night?"

"Not at first, but once I got into a comfortable position, I was able to sleep," she answered. "It probably doesn't help too that I haven't slept like a pony over the last few years."

"Yes, that would explain it. Still, I'm glad you were able to sleep peacefully last night."

Sunset just smiled, it actually felt good to be around her caring mother again. She had missed those days when she would ask if she was feeling well and that she got plenty of sleep. She would always wake-up alone with nothing exciting going on, unless Pinkie Pie came by to invite her to a party or Rarity wanted her to try out a new outfit she had made. It was days like this day that made Sunset Shimmer miss being with her family.

"Is everything okay honey, you seem to be looking up to space."

"Huh? Oh yeah I'm fine, I was just thinking."

"Well you know what I always say, it's better to think on a full stomach, not an empty one. Call your father and sister, breakfast is ready."

"Right away Mom." And with that, Sunset went off to get her father and sister. Her sister floated into the kitchen with her magic, while Sunset and her father just walked in. "I don't think I'm ever going to get used to seeing that and not worry."

"Oh you will kiddo," said Moon Crest, "you will."

Sunset watched as her baby sister landed in her chair and thanked her mother for the food.

A short time later, Twilight Sparkle and Spike returned to the Shimmer family home, ready to help Sunset. Twilight knocked at the door and was greeted by Sunset herself.

"Hey guys, come on in, I'm almost ready to head out."

Spike and Twilight walked into the house and gasped when they saw the little filly. The filly jumped and ran behind Sunset in fear. Sunset smiled and looked back to her, "it's okay, they're my friends, and one of them is a Princess," she said soothingly.

"Who is that?" Spike asked.

"Guys, this is my little sister Sunny Rays, she's only three years old and she already has her cutie mark."

Twilight gasped, "she does, but most fillies and colts her age don't get their cutie marks until they reach five or higher," she said, remembering the Cutie Mark Crusaders back in Ponyville. "But I have to ask, why is she hiding?"

"It takes her a couple of hours to get used to new ponies, or dragons as in your case Spike, but once those two hours pass, she'll warm up to you." As she said this, Sunny Rays poked her head out a little bit, but soon ducked back behind Sunset. "She did that to me yesterday too, so it's not just you."

Moon Crest then entered the room with the wooden carving he had been working on the day before, "well I'm off to Canterlot Castle. I shouldn't be out for more than an hour or so."

"Okay Moon, just be careful as you walk. Remember that one time you tripped and..."

"Yes, I'm perfectly aware of that time. The one delivery that took longer than expected," he grumbled under his breath. "I'll be fine this time though, I got a good grip on the statue."

"Very well, have a good walk dear."

"I will, and Sunset, I wish you good luck for today, I know you can do it girl."

Sunset smiled at her father, but she didn't know that he was deeply worried for his daughter. He sighed and walked out of the house. Sunrise then walked over towards Sunset, "I have some other matters to take care of, so would it be okay if Sunny Rays went with you?"

"If it means spending some time with my own sister, then it's fine by me. What about you two?" she asked Twilight and Spike.

"Of course it's fine," Twilight answered. "It's always great to make new friends." Spike nodded in agreement.

Sunrise smiled at this, then turned to her youngest daughter, "I want you to listen to your sister and don't stray too far from her, okay?" Sunny Rays nodded happily. "Okay then, have fun everypony, and dragon."

The town of Canterlot can be a busy bustling place, and today was no exception as ponies went about doing their shopping and meeting up with friends and family. Sunset felt a little nervous as the small group walked into the main town square, she was actually starting to wonder if she should be wearing a disguise. But then she remembered what her human friends told her.

"You don't need a disguise, just show them the new and improved Sunset Shimmer and they'll grow to like you too."

"Thanks guys," she thought to herself, "I don't know how I would get threw these moments without you, or Twilight and Spike."

No sooner had she thought that then Sunset saw a familar face in the crowd of ponies. It was a light yellow pony with a green mane, and a bee hive for a cutie mark.

"Honey Tree," she gasped, "she was one of my friends from when I was younger."

Sunny Rays had been riding on Sunset's back the entire time with her head down, but as soon as she heard the name 'Honey Tree', she jumped down and ran over to the pony.

"Good morning Honey Tree!" she called.

"Huh? Oh good morning to you Sunny Rays. I had a feeling you'd be coming around today," she said with a cheerful smile on her face. She then reached into her saddlebag and pulled out a small honey jar, "your mommy left that at my shop the other day, can you make sure she gets it?"

"I sure will Honey Tree!" smiled Sunny Rays.

"Speaking of which, where are your parents?"

"I didn't come with Mommy and Daddy, I came with them," she smiled and pointed to the trio that were now walking over towards them. "There's the Princess of Friendship, her dragon assistant and then there's..."

"Yes I'm familar with that unicorn." Honey Tree's smile shrunk.

Sunset was nervous, but knew she had to start somewhere, "hey Honey Tree, it's been quite a long time."

"Not long enough if you ask me," she said angerily. "What are you doing here Sunset Shimmer? And why are you looking after Sunny Rays? This perfect unicorn with somepony like you."

"Now that's just rude," grumbled Spike.

"No it's okay Spike, I knew this was going to come up." Sunset then looked back to Honey Tree, "I know I hurt your feelings badly when we were younger..."

"Oh it wasn't just my feelings that got hurt, do you remember when you dropped that bee-hive on my head? It took weeks for the bee-stings to go away, but you had your laugh didn't you?"

Sunset did remember that incident. She had seen Honey Tree sitting under a tree and reading a book, and had noticed a bee-hive above her head. She kicked the tree and knocked it right on Honey Tree's head, and laughed for days afterwords. Now though, it wasn't funny at all.

"Honey Tree, I'm so sorry I did that to you, I was being rude back then, but I'm different now."

"And why should I believe you?"

"Because my time away from Canterlot has helped me realise just how bad I was, and now I've come back to make amends. That and a few other incidents taught me some important lessons." She groaned as she thought back to the fight outside Canterlot High. "So what do you say Honey Tree? Will you except my apology?"

Honey Tree shook her head, "it wasn't just that moment, there's plenty more moments that made me realise what a fool you were, and still are." She then looked down to Sunny Rays, "do yourself a favour and don't hang out with this pony, she'll only hurt you."

"I don't believe she will, she's my sister after all."

Honey Tree gasped, "she's your sister?! How come I...oh I see now. Of course they wouldn't say it, not after the talk my parents had with yours."

Sunset looked down unhappily, "I know, and I truely am sorry."

"Are you? Or are you just trying to put on a show? Cause if that's the case, I want no part of it. I hold no grudge aganist Sunny or your family, but I will hate you for as long as I live Sunset Shimmer. Good bye to you."

And with that, Honey Tree left in a huff.

"Well that went over well," commented Spike. "What else did you do to get her so mad at you?"

"Spike!" snapped Twilight as she looked down firmly at her dragon assistant.

"No it's okay Twilight, and don't worry about this encounter. At least she spoke to me, that's a good start, I suppose."

"Always look on the bright side of things!" cheered Sunny Rays and started bouncing around like Pinkie Pie would.

"Wise words again Sunny Rays," smiled Sunset, "and besides, I still have plenty of time to make up for what I did back then. Now let's see if we can find some of my other old friends."

"Hopefully they'll be in better moods than Honey Tree," muttered Spike to himself.

Not too far off, a reporter was talking with Princess Celestia about the School for gifted unicorns. His editor had asked him to do a piece on the school, and he was more than happy to do this one. He had learned a great deal about the school's past, and learning some of the greatest students that had come from that place.

"Princess Twilight Sparkle started off here due to her amazing skills, then she became my private student and now, she runs her own kingdom in the town of Ponyville," Princess Celestia said.

"That is quite impressive," said the reporter as he used his magic to write down every word. "Now I just have one more question, but you don't have to answer it if you don't want to. I just want to know, has there been any cases of ponies going to your school and have either been expelled or quit?"

"A couple of cases, but that's because they chose their own paths."

"Interesting, can you tell me of their names?"

"I'm afraid I cannot do that, even though they are no longer students of mine, I still respect their wishes for me not to reveal their names. Besides," she added, "I'm not the type of pony who goes around boasting or say rude things about any of my students, graduated or not."

"I understand completely, thanks anyways Princess Celestia."

"It's been my pleasure. Now if you'll excuse me, I do have other matters to attend to."

"Of course Princess," and he bowed to show respect as the Princess left. He turned to leave, and that's when he spotted a photo of several students with Princess Celestia. One of them looked familar, "is that? No it couldn't be. There's no way that foolish pony would've been a student of Princess Celestia's, but what if she had been one? I have to know for myself, after I deliver what I have to my editor."

And so the reporter left, with the image of that pony's face still on his mind.