Sunset's body changed as she went through the portal, as it did the multiple other times she did it. But, this was the last time.
Instead of being greeted to carpet of the all too familiar carpet, hooves met with crystal floor.
Sunset knew it too well. The Canterlot throne room.
"Sunset?" A voice called out. "Is that you?"
Sunset looked up, there she stood. Tall and almost crying.. Princess Celestia lifted her up with a hoof. and hugged her. "I'd never thought I'd see you again."
Sunset smiled as much as she could. "I wish I could keep the portal open, but it's broken. Fixing it will make it worse..."
Princess Celestia sighed and released her former student. "Twilight doesn't even know you're here. Not that she could make it anyways. She's too busy... moving her stuff from Ponyville."
Sunset wiped a tear away and sighed. "Go figure. You're retiring. Where to, exactly?"
Celestia sighed. "I can't tell you that. Princess Twilight doesn't even know fully."
"Please tell me you're not dying! You're the only family I have left!"
Princess Celestia sighed. "No. I'm not dying. Starswirl actually made something for us to communicate with your world."
She levitated a box over to her. Sunset opened it and was surprised to find a dreamcatcher.
"Do you see the liquid in the bottle?" Sunset picked it up and nodded at her mentor. "One drop of that will give Luna the ability to talk to you in your dreams. One drop lasts about a week, and there's about 5000 drops worth. Do the math and it should last you for the rest of your life..."
Neither of them were ready for Sunset's death. She was a mortal. Death was a natural thing.
Inside the box were some simple items. Equestrian books, pictures from when she was a foal. Her parents. Sunset sighed and held the picture close to her chest.
"It's my fault..."
Princess Celestia looked at her student and hugged her closer. "It's not. It's not your fault your parents were shot at point blank range. You were at a party. That stallion took what you most valued; family. He may have taken it physically, but he has not, and will not take away the memories that you made with them."
Sunset cried openly into her mentor's chest once again. "How about we take this to my private quarters? For one last time, eh?"
Sunset retracted, smiling. "I'd like that."
They got up and walked to the room, which was nearby. All the while, Sunset never wanted to leave Equestria behind.
As soon as the doors opened, she felt like the small foal Princess Celestia took in as her student all those years ago.
They sat down on a large pillow. Celestia wrapped a wing over Sunset, like a blanket.
"Welcome home, Sunset. It may not be forever, and it may not be for long, but if the portal opens up one day, I'd love to see your face again."
Sunset smiled. "Even if that doesn't happen, I'll find a way to bring Equestria to multiple people across the globe."
Celestia smiled. "Somepony's come to say hi."
Sunset looked around, and there was Philomina.
Sunset stuck a hoof out instinctively and the phoenix landed on it.
Sunset smirked and gave the small bird a nuzzle. "You haven't forgotten me, have you?" Philomina shook her head.
Celestia smiled. "Since you do own her, and I doubt Princess Twilight will keep her, would you like to take her to your world? Phoenix's are immoral, and when you are around her, your mood changes."
Sunset looked at the bird who was happily preening herself. Then, she looked at her mentor once again and nodded, smiling. "To say no would be a crime."
Celestia smiled. "That's what I thought you would say. May I see your grades?"
Sunset nodded before moving multiple brown folders over to her.
"Keep them. Principal Celestia made copies."
Celestia flipped through the pages.
At first, they were horrible. But the deeper she flicked through, the better they got. At the end of it was an overall summary;
Overall, the students of Canterlot High are amazing. But Sunset here sticks out the most. At first, we didn't believe she was from another world with colourful talking ponies, but magical rainbows shooting out of the sky convinced me otherwise.
I love seeing Sunset every day, come into my office. It brightens my day and separates it from dealing with rule breaking teenagers. In town, her and her friends have been hailed heroes for their numerous rescues and saving the town from more thsn a few monsters and evil people trying to destroy or take over.
You really outdid yourself, Princess Celestia.
Princess Celestia was at a loss for words. Sunset smiled. "You did raise me like family, ya know?"
Celestia smiled.
"Now, one final thing before we go." Sunset levitated a box over to Celestia. "Tell Twilight this is from everybody at CHS. You may not get what it means, but trust me when I say, she will."
As the two of them walked out the private quarters, Sunset couldn't help but cry a small bit.
Finally, they arrived back at the portal. Sunset picked up the box on her aura and smiled. "It may be the end of an era, but Twilight's story is just begining. Until next time, Princess?"
Sunset stuck out a hoof.
Celestia smiled and chuckled to herself. "Until next time, Sunset. I hope to hear back from you soon."
Celestia shook her former students hoof before watching her turn around and enter the mirror portal. When she was fully gone, the portal's glass shattered. That was it. No more Sunset Shimmer. No more adventures.
On the other side of the portal, the statue split in half, despite being made out of stone. She looked down before she felt a beak on her chin. Philomina was there, still dormant on her arm.
She sighed. "Let's go home. I have a friend I'd like you to meet."