//------------------------------// // Back Where I Belong // Story: Sunset's Redemption // by ThomasZoey3000 //------------------------------// Chapter 12: Back Where I Belong On the other side of the portal in the human world, Sunset's six friends were all waiting for her return. Applejack, Rarity, Human Twilight and Fluttershy were sitting on the grass, Rainbow Dash was kicking a soccer ball into the air while Pinkie Pie counted how many times she was kicking the ball, for some random reason. "AJ, are you sure Sunset's coming back today?" Rainbow asked. "I'm sure, her journal entry said so," Applejack replied. "Still, I kind of hope everything's okay. After all, she was betrayed by her family, not to mention given the cold shoulder." "We should've gone to help her," sighed Rarity. "I feel like an irresponsible friend." "Well you shouldn't, we were being helpful on our end of the portal. Besides, don't forget that Princess Twilight and Spike were there with her, so she wasn't going at this alone." "Look, she's coming now!" cried Fluttershy. Several boxes shot threw the portal first, which were then followed by Sunset Shimmer, once again back in human form. She groaned as she slowly got up, "I forgot the rough landing on this end of the journey," she said. "Need a hand?" Sunset looked up and saw Pinkie Pie holding out a hand to her. Sunset nodded, grabbed Pinkie's hand and was quickly helped to her feet. All the girls walked up to her with happy looks on their faces, "Welcome home Sunset!" they cheered "Thanks guys, it feels good to be back," she smiled. "So, the whole trip was more eventful than you could've imagined huh?" Applejack asked. "Yeah it was, but the outcome of it all was worth it." The girls were eager to hear about the whole trip, so they grabbed some of Sunset's belongings and followed her to her apartment. When they arrived, Applejack handed back her keys. "Now I should warn you, my apartment is a little messy, I haven't really gotten around to cleaning it up." The girls all looked to each other with little grins. Pinkie Pie looked like she was going to explode for some reason. Sunset opened the door and recieved a shocking surprise. Her apartment no longer looked messy, it looked wonderful. "What happened in here?" she asked. "We couldn't help ourselves Darling," admitted Rarity. "We saw how dreadful your apartment looked, so we decided to fix it up for you. I got you some nice wallpaper." "I got you some new equipment for your kitchen," added Applejack. "And Twilight and I got you some new posters for your bedroom and your work station in the living room," said Rainbow Dash. Human Twilight nodded in agreement. Fluttershy whispered, "and we got you some stuffed animals too." Pinkie Pie walked proudly towards the kitchen, "and we got you plenty of food, and cleaned everything up. Do you like it Sunset?" Tears formed in Sunset's eyes, but like earlier in Canterlot, they were happy tears, "yes I do like it. I wasn't even sure of where to begin with this place, so thank you everyone, I love this." "Well we're glad you like it Sugarcube," smiled Applejack. "We all thought it'd be a nice surprise." "And it certainly was. Now I'll surprise all of you before I begin telling you about my trip." Sunset opened one of the boxes and pulled out a picture taken the day before. "This is a photo of my entire family. First is my mom; Sunrise Shimmer." "Sunrise and Sunset, I bet I know who came up with Sunset's name," Rainbow whispered to Applejack, to which she got a 'shh!' Sunset didn't mind that comment though and continued. "The Stallion standing next to my mom is my father; Moon Crest Shimmer. The pony in the middle is me." "So that's what you look like as a pony," said Applejack. "We've all wondered of what you'd look like as a pony, now we know." "But who's the little pony in there?" asked Human Twilight, pointing to the little filly. "Well that's the surprise girls, for that little filly is my three year old sister; Sunny Rays Shimmer." "You have a Sister!" they all shouted in unison. "Why didn't you tell us that before?" asked Pinkie Pie. "Well I wanted this to be a surprise to you guys," Sunset smiled. She looked down to the family photo, and another small tear came to her right eye, "if it wasn't for Sunny Rays, I don't think my family and I would've patched things up. The meaning of her cutie mark is true, she can bring a smile to anypony, or person's face." Sunset slapped her forehead, "and it's going to take me days to get back to the human lingo." Sunset then spent the next few hours telling her friends about her visit in Equestria, and about Sunny Rays herself. They listened with great interest, and as she told the stories, Sunset felt happy, not only to be home again, but to finally get the weight of the world off her shoulders. The next evening, the Sonic Rainbooms were to perform for the animal shelter's charity event. Five of the six members walked out onto the stage, where they recieved hundreds of cheers. "Hey Everyone!" cried Rainbow Dash into the microphone, "how are you feeling tonight?" "Awesome!" everyone cried. Rainbow Dash smirked, "I can't hear you!" "AWESOME!" they all cried, even louder this time. "Glad to hear it! Now we would like to thank you for taking time to help our local animal shelter, thanks to all of you, many more animals can be helped and we can find new homes for them." The crowds cheered again. "Before we begin our regular show, we would like to start things off with a good friend of ours who's just returned from a visit to her old hometown. She went to seek redemption, and after a few hiccups, she has done it, so please welcome to the stage, the one and only; Sunset Shimmer!" The crowds erupted as the curtains were pulled away, revealing Sunset Shimmer in a glittery outfit Rarity had made for her. She walked out with an electric guitar, and with a big smile on her face. The music started playing and Sunset started to sing. I am the One and Only. Call me, call me by my name Or call me by my number You Put me thought it I'll Still be doing it the way I do it And yet, you try to make me forget Who I really am Don't tell me I know best I'm not the same as all the rest I am the one and only Nopony I'd rather be I am the one and only You Can't take that away from me I've been a player in the crowd scene A flicker on the big screen My soul embraces One more in a million faces High Hopes and aspirations ideas Above my station maybe But all this time I've tired To Walk with dignity and pride I am the one and Only. Nopony I'd rather be I am the one and only You Can't take that away from me I can't wear this uniform Without some compromises Because You'll find out that we come In Different shapes and sizes No one can be myself like I can For this job, I'm the best Girl And while this may be true You Are the one and only you. The cheering went louder than ever as Sunset sang and played a guitar solo, and for a moment, Sunset could feel as though Sunny Rays was watching her and cheering her big sister on. "Thank you little sister," she thought to herself. I am the One and Only Nopony I'd rather be I am the one and Only You Can't Take that Away from me I am the One and Only I am the One and Only Nopony I'd rather Be I am the One and Only The One and Only You Can't Take that away from me. Everyone in the audiance stood up, clapped and cheered loudly as the group bowed on the stage. Sunset looked to all their faces and smiled. Compared to where she was years ago, she definetly perferred to be happy instead of living a miserable and dominating life. Her path to Redemption was not quite complete yet, but whatever challenges laid ahead, Sunset knew she didn't have to face them alone. On Earth or in Equestria, she always had her families to back her up. The End!