//------------------------------// // Redemption Visit: Take 2 // Story: Another Visit for Redemption // by Brian Sheil //------------------------------// A train was making its way through Equestria. On the train, sits Sunset Shimmer, the former wayward unicorn who redeemed herself in the human version of her former home. Now, she rides a train with Starlight Glimmer going with her. "Are you sure this is a good idea?" Sunset asked. "Of course it is." Starlight said. "You got the message from Twilight. Right? I'm heading for the Crystal Empire to visit my friend, Sunburst. I figured you would like to come along, and visit the Crystal Empire too." Sunset got a little nervous. "But, the last time I visited Equestria, Princess Cadence had me thrown back through the mirror to my human home. I was crying for a week after that. "This is only because those three pegasi bullies, Hoops, Dumbbell, and Score, thought you were still a crown thief. That's why they told Princess Cadence to eject you." "Are you sure those three won't be around this time?" "Trust me. You'll have a good time." Ten minutes, the train pulled up into the Crystal Empire. The two unicorns soon walked the streets of the Crystal Empire. Sunset soon saw a statue of Spike. "Wow!" Sunset gasped. “I didn't know Spike is being honored." "That statue was erected in his honor," Starlight explained, "after he retrieve the Crystal Heart, and helped save the Crystal Empire from the vicious King Sombra." "I guess everybody here likes Spike." "You're right." A female red pony said as she approached the duo. "He's so brave standing up to King Sombra like that." The two unicorns soon arrived at Sunburst's home. The Royal Crystaler came out and saw them. "Starlight!" Sunburst called out. "Hi, Sunburst." Starlight replied as the two friends embraced in a hug. Sunburst saw her traveling companion. "Sunset Shimmer. It's nice to see you." Sunset was surprised to be greeted. "You know about me?" "Yes. From Twilight Sparkle. She said that you learned a lot about friendship while living in the human world. She said that you come a long way." Sunset blushed as she followed Starlight and Sunburst into his place. "Wow!" Sunset blurted. "And, I thought Twilight was a bookworm." "Most of these books are of magic, ancient and modern." Sunburst explained. "It sure comes in handy when your the Royal Crystaler." Suddenly, there was a knock at the door. Sunburst went over and answered. It turned out to be a Royal Guard. "Miss Sunset Shimmer," The guard said, "Princess Cadence has been asking for you." The golden unicorn started to panic. The guard sees this and calls for another guard. "Get out the cart and restraints. We got a nervous wreck here." Minutes later, the two guards pulled the cart with the bound Sunset Shimmer inside as they head for the castle. "What did I do?" Sunset asked nervously. "Is your leader still mad at me for stealing Twilight's crown?" "Princess Cadence got over that." The guard responded. "But, thinking you might be afraid of her, we had to have you restrained so you don't hurt yourself. And, we bring you to Princess Cadence by giving you a ride in this cart." Sunset felt a little relief. "Whew! I guess that moment where I got ejected from Equestria is still in my head." Inside the castle, the guards brought Sunset to another room. The doors opened, and out steps a pink alicorn with a multi colored mane and tail and has a Crystal Heart for a cutie mark. "Princess C-C-Cadence." Sunset quivered. "Please, don't be m-m-mad at me." "I'm not mad at you, Sunset Shimmer." Cadence replied. "My part in sending you back to the human world was due to the influence of those three troublesome pegasi." "That would be Hoops, Score, and Dumbbell. I saw them when I was thrown into that mirror." "You guess correctly. Apparently, those three still think you're a bad pony. And, they want others to think that." Soon, a white male unicorn with a deep blue mane and tail walks in to join the conversation. Sunset recognizes him. "You're Shining Armor. Twilight's brother." "That's right." Shining Armor replied. "Twilight told me about you too, Sunset." Sunset smiled, knowing that nopony is angry at her from the past. "Hold still while I get those ropes off." Using his own unicorn magic, Shining Armor removed the ropes binding Sunset. The golden unicorn soon jumped out of the cart, relieved she is not tied up anymore. "Thanks, Shining Armor. That does feel better." "Actually, it's Prince Shining Armor." The male unicorn said. "Princess Cadence is my wife." "Wow! I sure missed a lot while I was in the human world." "And, there's more." Cadence added. "We also have a baby." Sunset's eyes widened when she heard that. "A baby? Sweet Celestia! May I see her? Please?" "You sure may. Follow us." Sunset followed the Crystal Empire's royal couple to the nursery where Baby Flurry heart is being fed by one of the caretakers. "Awww." Sunset cooed. "She's so cute." "Imagine our surprise when our baby turned out to be an alicorn." Cadence explained. "Even Celestia and Luna were shocked." Shining Armor added. Flurry Heart cooed as she expanded her wings. Sunset looked at her with a gentle smile. "Hello, Flurry Heart." Sunset said quietly. "My name is Sunset." The baby alicorn looked at Sunset, and gave her a small kiss on her nose. The golden unicorn blushed. "Sunset," Cadence said, "I heard that Rarity made a dress for you for a party before the pegasi trio got you ejected." "I even saw it." Sunset replied. "It was beautiful." "Well, I'm hosting a party here tonight. And, I would like it if you would attend. I can even let you spend the night here before going back to the human world." Sunset smiled, knowing that she'll be honored to join the fun. Later that night, the Crystal Empire bustled with activity. on the streets, the citizens enjoy the atmosphere. Inside the palace, Sunset, wearing the outfit Rarity made, was having a good time. "You like the dress, darling?" Rarity asked. "It's lovely." Sunset answered. "Thanks, Rarity." Twilight Sparkle walked up to her gold friend. "I heard that Cadence apologized to you, Sunset." "She sure did." Sunset replied. "She's even letting me spend the night here." "Wow! I'll bet you'll have stories to tell my human counterpart and her friends." The party went well. Cadence and Shining Armor were talking to Filthy and Spoiled Rich, who are also looking at Baby Flurry Heart. Suddenly, Sunset gasped. Then, she started to get mad. "Where are those three creeps?" "If you're talking Hoops, Dumbbell, and Score," Photo Finish said as she passed by, "they're over there." The photographer pony pointed to the front gate as Royal Guards throw the three pegasi out of the Crystal Empire. They scream with terror as they are ejected. Twilight and Sunset let out a good chuckle as they know that this night will not be ruined by controversy. "Come on, guys." Hoops said as he left the city. "Let's go back home." "We're with you, Hoops." Score replied. The three pegasi flew back to the train station in defeat.