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// Sunset Shimmer Escapes 
// Story: The Hidden Story 2.0 
// by Cryogenii 
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The founding of Princess Celestia's School for Gifted Unicorns, a relatively recent addition to the grounds of Canterlot Castle, was shrouded in secrecy and conspiracy. It had been less than a century since its establishment, and the true nature of its operations remained known only to a select few. Young foals of exceptional magical potential, some not yet having received their cutie marks, if chosen, were separated from their parents and brought to the school.

Whispers of hushed conversations and furtive glances passed among the elite, as rumours circulated about the peculiar institution. What was the purpose of gathering such young, magically gifted foals and sequestering them within the castle's walls? The knowledge of its existence was never advertised, and any inquiries into the matter were met with stony silence or evasive responses.

Conspiratorial tones permeated the discussions of those in the know, who believed that the school held the key to some hidden agenda. The young unicorns, a chosen few, had been invited to sit the entrance examination, itself a process veiled in mystery. The chosen ones were believed to be the potential architects of a new era, although the specifics of this grand design remained obscured in shadow.

Intrigue had swirled through the hallowed halls of Canterlot about Princess Celestia's mysterious choices. Whispers of ponies being handpicked as her personal protégés had obsessed the court for years, with the implied threat to hereditary nobles from commoners. Yet, the identities of these chosen few remained elusive, hidden away in the enigmatic shadows of the royal court.

Among the whispered names, the first,  "Aurora Gleam" had long been a subject of fascination. A pony who had been taken under Celestia's wing, Aurora Gleam was once a rising star among the hopefuls. She had the potential to achieve great things, or so the court gossiped. However, her destiny had led her to become a minor functionary in the castle, seemingly wasting her remarkable talents.

But Aurora Gleam was not the only one. Other names, such as "Dawn Radiance," "Dusk Shine," "Lustrous Dawn," and "Daybreak Gleam," had also been linked to Celestia's patronage. Each of these ponies had exhibited exceptional promise, yet their roles in the royal court had left many baffled. They served in relatively inconspicuous positions, positions far beneath the grandeur of the titles they had been rumoured to possess.

Courtiers often mused in hushed tones about the purpose behind Celestia's choices. What hidden potential did these protégés possess that had remained unrealized in their current roles? The secrets surrounding their selection and their underwhelming positions fueled curiosity and intrigue, making them legends in their own right within the castle walls. The court yearned to understand the enigma that bound chosen ponies to the Princess, and what extraordinary destiny might await one of them in the future.





Sunset Shimmer once more found herself deeply confused during her lesson under Princess Celestia's tutelage, though not by the subject she was supposed to be studying. While she understood the value of mastering the magical arts, the emphasis placed on studying philosophy and rhetoric left her perplexed. Why had so much time been spent on these seemingly abstract subjects? Learning the crafts of speech-making, persuasion, and the ways to shape opinion and gain support felt like a detour from the path of power and magical prowess she so eagerly sought.

Did Celestia intend to mould her into a powerful unicorn or a mere politician, endlessly campaigning for support amongst the masses? Sunset Shimmer couldn't fathom the purpose of such studies. After all, it was widely known that there was only one ruler of Equestria, and challenging that authority was unthinkable. The idea of amassing support for any cause other than complete submission to the reigning monarchy seemed futile and irrelevant in her ambitious eyes.

As the young student contemplated her lessons, she couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to this than met the eye. Princess Celestia had always been a master strategist, and Sunset Shimmer was left to wonder what her mentor had in store for her. She couldn't help but feel like a piece on a vast chessboard. She was caught between growing suspicion and fear, convinced that she was being shaped as a pawn in some grand design.

The other pieces on the board remained hidden from her view, and she was unsure of her role. Would she be a simple sacrifice, to be moved aside when the time came, or would she be part of some intricate gambit, a crucial player in a larger scheme? It was a disconcerting uncertainty, and Sunset Shimmer couldn't help but worry that her safety wasn't the highest priority in this enigmatic game.

As these thoughts weighed on her, she harboured a growing determination to escape the confines of the school and its shadowy existence. She needed to break free from whatever role had been predetermined for her and find her own path, one that would allow her to control her destiny, rather than being at the mercy of forces beyond her understanding. Both the desire to escape before she was played and the hunger for power and knowledge burned brightly within her.  

But Sunset Shimmer found herself in a quandary as she contemplated the idea of galloping away from Celestia's magic school. It was not an easy decision to make, for the school was also the gateway to everything she desired. The prestige of being a pupil there was intoxicating, and the allure of power held her in its thrall. If her paranoid fears were groundless the potential she possessed was unparalleled, a force that could allow her to shape the world to her own design, either through the sheer might of her magic or through the status she would acquire.

What made the thought of leaving the school even more difficult to entertain was the realisation that she was already enjoying the benefits of her position. Other ponies treated her with deference, recognizing her potential even while she was just a student. It was a taste of the power and influence she could command, and the thought of relinquishing it was a bitter pill to swallow.

So Sunset Shimmer found herself at a crossroads, torn between the temptation to seize the power and status that lay within her reach and a growing desire to escape the feeling of being trapped within some enigmatic game. The decision she would make would ultimately shape the trajectory of her future, and it was not one to be taken lightly.

Sunset Shimmer's frustrations had only increased with each attempt to engage her mentor, Princess Celestia, in conversations about her future. It seemed that the princess had a clear line in the sand, beyond which she was unwilling to discuss what lay ahead for Sunset. It was as if, beyond a certain point, her future was already written, and Sunset couldn't bear the thought of arriving at that moment on someone else's terms.

Deep within her, a fire burned with the belief that she had the potential to achieve greatness, to claim her rightful place among the most revered figures in all of Equestria. All that she needed was for Princess Celestia to release her, to unshackle her from the confines of the school and allow her to pursue her own destiny.





Interminable weeks passed, in an endless stream of dry and irrelevant classes.  Sunset felt like she could explode from the buildup of frustration within her.  The unexpected catalyst which illuminated her path to freedom was to be found in Celestia's private study.  Her mentor had summoned her for another half-heard conversation about statecraft, when her attention was drawn to a mysterious and ornate mirror that stood in a corner of the room.

Like a moth to a flame, she was barely aware that she had got up and trotted past the astonished alicorn princess.  The monologue had stopped, and she was deaf to Celestia's commands for her not to approach the hazily shimmering surface.  She paused briefly, looking back at the princess's stern face as she forbade Sunset from examining the artefact.

In a moment of audacity, Sunset had gazed into the mirror despite her mentor's objection, and what she saw both mesmerised and terrified her. The image reflected back at her was undoubtedly her own, with her distinctive orange and red mane and teal eyes. However, there was something unnerving about the reflection. The figure was regal, with an aura of ruthless power that far surpassed her current self, and it held the promise of a destiny that could make her a monarch in her own right.  More than that,  the reflection gazing back at Sunset from the oddly shimmering mirror was undeniably an alicorn.

It was the eyes, in particular, and not the wings that held her in their thrall. They were piercing, calculated, and held the promise of a life far grander than that of a mere pupil. They seemed to convey a commanding presence, hinting at the power to become an equal to her mentor or even a master in her own right.

Then the spell was broken as the mirror was spun around in a blast of telekinetic energy.  The princess demanded to know what Sunset saw in the mirror's reflection.  The unicorn lied, and said she just saw herself and nothing more.  Suspicion clouded the normally carefree face of the elder alicorn, and in that moment Sunset felt that something changed between them but in an instant it was gone.





Princess Celestia's control and the supposed limitations of her role as a student were no longer barriers that Sunset would tolerate. The vision she had uncovered held the promise of power, freedom, and control over her own fate. It was a tantalising secret that could reshape her future in a way she had never dreamed possible.

She became fixated on learning more about this mirror.  Who had made it, and what enchantments were cast upon it to make such visions possible.  Her obsession with the object saw her attempting to return to it again and again, dragging the conversation to it whenever she spoke with Celestia.  The princess forbade her from looking into the mirror or asking further questions about it, stating that its purpose and power were beyond Sunset's reach.  In the end the princess told her that the object had been moved to her library, placed in a locked vault where Sunset would never access it.

There was no lessening of Sunset's fixation on the mirror though, the sight of her own alicorn form had both captivated and terrified her. It was as though it represented the embodiment of her ambition and the uncharted power that lay just beyond her reach. Sunset Shimmer was mesmerised by the possibilities that lay beyond the shimmering surface. She was certain that it held the key to her ascension, to breaking free from the limitations placed upon her by Celestia's designs. The mirror held a destiny of her own choosing, and she was determined to unlock its secrets, whatever the cost.

As more weeks passed, Sunset Shimmer grew even more determined to find a way to seize control of her own fate; to chart her path to the future she had seen. She was unwilling to be held down by the limitations imposed by her mentor any longer, and needed a plan to escape those shackles.  In that moment she took her first steps towards breaking free and the greatness she believed she was destined to achieve.

The future Sunset Shimmer envisioned was a treasonous one, for it meant finding a way to sweep Princess Celestia aside. It was a daunting challenge, given that the princess was an alicorn, a being of immense power and grace. Sunset knew that even the most skilled and mighty unicorn would find it nigh impossible to overcome an alicorn in a direct confrontation. To complicate matters further, Celestia couldn't be destroyed, for her role in raising and setting the sun was irreplaceable.

The only conceivable option that remained was the enslavement of Princess Celestia, a task that appeared insurmountable. How could one possibly subdue a being of her stature and control her unwavering commitment to her duties? The very thought of such an endeavour was enough to give pause to anypony, even one as determined as Sunset Shimmer.  She'd need nothing less than an army, in addition to enormous magical potential.

As she got more enmeshed into her ambitions, Sunset knew that the path she had chosen was fraught with challenges, but she remained resolute. She would need to unearth powers and knowledge that surpassed any living pony's abilities if she were to achieve her goal. The path she was on was dangerous if the princess discovered it but the prospect of power and control held too great an allure to be ignored, no matter how impossible the task might seem.

She had remorselessly examined every magical book and rune she could lay her hooves on, seeking the missing pieces of the puzzle that would grant her the power she needed. Sunset Shimmer's motivation had grown into a consuming mania, driving her down a reckless path and ignoring all other studies. She spent countless hours in dark archives, fruitlessly translating arcane and ancient tomes and scrolls, patiently cross referencing the tiniest scraps of lore to find any mention of the mirror.

Eventually she held an unknown text that predated the current era by centuries.  The ancient parchment was still intact, as if the words inscribed upon it were somehow lending it a preserving vitality.  As Sunset delved deeper into the mysterious text and the arcane prophecy it contained, she felt a growing confidence that her plan, however audacious and dangerous it might be, was the key to breaking free from the confines that held her from the future she deserved.





Alone in her room, Sunset Shimmer carefully locked the door and shuttered the window, ensuring absolute privacy. With a subtle glow from her horn, she removed the enchantment that hid a small nook in the wall behind her desk. The hidden compartment revealed a dog-eared book, its pages filled with extra sheets of notes, all in Sunset's distinctive looping chirography.

The book was her mind's sanctuary, a repository of forbidden knowledge and arcane secrets that she had uncovered during her obsessive quest for power. Each page was a testament to her relentless pursuit of the ancient text's hidden wisdom. Sunset knew the contents of this book would be the key to her liberation, and she studied them diligently, absorbed in the arcane mysteries of the simple prose within.

With each passing day, her obsession with the ancient text had grown deeper, and her desperation more pronounced. In this hidden sanctuary, behind the locked door and shuttered window, Sunset Shimmer's mind always whirled with the thoughts that would reshape her destiny, regardless of the cost.

As Sunset Shimmer's heart raced, she eagerly leafed through her notes, each page dissecting more of the ancient text she had uncovered. Her fingers trembled as they traced the hoof-written words of a prophecy, an uncatalogued revelation of Clover the Clever. It had been a secret she had guarded zealously from the moment of its discovery.

The prophecy was incredible in its implications, as it appeared to address Sunset directly, delivering a dire warning that sent shivers down her spine. The title referred to it as the third prophecy of none other than Clover the Clever, following the first that warned of a terrible event, and the second that had been lost to time. This prophecy, however, was as personal as a love letter, speaking to Sunset's heart and, more importantly, to her unyielding ambition.

The words within the prophecy seemed to resonate with her very being, and they fueled her desire for power and control. It was as though the author of the ancient text recognized her potential and the fervour that burned within her. Sunset Shimmer knew that she had stumbled upon a revelation that held the key to her destiny, and she was determined to unlock its secrets.

"Oh, pony of dusk, heed my word,
And listen well to what I heard.
For in thy heart, there burns a flame,
But beware, for it will lead to shame.

Thou art a student of great power,
But in thy quest, be not devoured.
The Princess of Day guides, it may seem,
But beware, for 'tis but a dream.

She seeks to mould thee to her will,
To shape thy power, and bend it still.
But take care, lest thou become,
A puppet on a string, a lifeless one.

Escape through the mirror, turn pony to girl,
And that tight grasp, thou shalt unfurl.
For in the land beyond, a new destiny,
And the power to shape thine own legacy.

Follow the light that shines within,
And let thy heart be the guide therein.
Be true unto thyself, the power is thine,
To break free, and let thy spirit shine.

Seek out a new kingdom, to call thy own,
Rule with kindness, or let power be shown.
Find a new world, and there do mend,
For the choice is thine, in the end."

In her relentless desperation to decipher the enigmatic prophecy and unlock the secrets of her destiny, Sunset Shimmer had left no stone unturned. She had pieced together a theory tying the text to the oddly shimmering mirror.  It appeared to have been fabricated by no lesser pony than Starswirl the Bearded, of whom Clover had been the apprentice.  She believed it to be more than just an ornate looking glass; it was, in her mind, a doorway or portal to another realm within Equestria, although the exact destination remained a tantalising mystery. It was a world beyond the borders of Princess Celestia's control, a place filled with secrets and untapped potential.

As Sunset gazed at the prophecy, her heart hammered.  She felt as if her mind was drawn as tightly as a bow string, on the verge of snapping if she didn't take action to release the tension.  With a manic grin, Sunset Shimmer held the ancient manuscript to a candle's flame. The once-precious paper ignited in a brief but brilliant blaze, and in that moment, she felt an exhilarating rush of power. The wanton destruction of the irreplaceable artefact brought a twisted sense of satisfaction. 

The knowledge contained within those pages was now a secret known only to her, and she revelled in the thought that nopony else would know of the dire warning it had held. Her mentor, Princess Celestia, remained blissfully unaware of the prophecy and the hidden knowledge that Sunset had uncovered. 

In the shadows of her sanctum, Sunset Shimmer had made a desperate decision, one that left her both exhilarated and unnerved. The path to the future was now fraught with peril, but she was driven by her ambition and the insatiable desire to seize her own destiny, regardless of the cost.  Determined to find the answer, Sunset Shimmer knew just the place to look. She knew the forbidden vault of the library held the secrets she sought, and the fact that it was off-limits to all but Princess Celestia no longer concerned her.

The certainty that this was where she would uncover the truths she desired overcame her fear of the potential consequences. Sunset hastily stuffed her journal, a purse of bits and the few gems she had in her possession into some saddlebags.  She had a feeling that after tonight's actions she wouldn't be returning to the school or her chambers.  Finally she threw on a dark cloak to conceal her fiery mane and help her blend into the shadows.

In her haste to leave her chamber, Sunset Shimmer accidentally knocked a small picture in a simple frame from its place on her desk. The frame crashed to the floor, the glass shattering upon impact. On the floor now lay the picture, largely unheeded amidst the scattered shards; a family of three ponies captured in the image. A young filly stood between her parents, her expression filled with innocent curiosity, while her parents, despite their severe religious garb, wore kindly smiles.





The picture, a silent witness to Sunset Shimmer's hasty departure, lay forgotten on her chamber floor. As Sunset stealthily made her way through the hallowed corridors of Canterlot Castle, she felt a sense of gratitude that the school was nestled within the protective walls of the castle. Her chambers were also conveniently located within the fortress's formidable walls.

Princess Celestia's trust in her most accomplished students, including Sunset, allowed her a degree of freedom to navigate the castle. This trust proved invaluable as she managed to evade most of the palace guards who patrolled the castle's halls, ensuring her progress from the school to Celestia's private library remained undisturbed. Sunset pressed forward into the shadows of the towering bookshelves in her relentless pursuit of forbidden knowledge.

The certainty that this was where she would uncover the truths she desired overcame her fear of the potential consequences.  Doubt and good sense were left behind as she ventured deeper into the library, determined to uncover the secrets that could lead her to the power and destiny she craved.

The unwavering certainty that the Dark Magic section of the library held the truths she sought overwhelmed any fear of the potential consequences. Sunset Shimmer delved further into the oppressive depths of the forbidden section, her determination unwavering. She was resolute in her quest to unearth the secrets that would lead her to the power and destiny she so desperately craved.

With each step she took, the alluring draw of forbidden knowledge beckoned her closer, promising to reshape her future according to her own desires. Sunset's obsession with the ancient text, the shimmering mirror, and now the secrets within these dark tomes had consumed her, driving her to the brink of recklessness. The path she had chosen was perilous, but she had no intention of turning back.

Sunset Shimmer stood before the imposing, locked doors of the deepest vault in the library. The entrance was protected by a heavily reinforced door secured with a finely crafted lock, a lock created by Griffons of the type used for guarding their precious hoards. The key's location remained a closely guarded secret, known only to Princess Celestia. But Sunset was not one to be deterred by rules that she saw as unnecessary.

With determination in her eyes, she set to work, her magic deftly prying the pins out of the massive hinges. Each pin removed was a step closer to the forbidden knowledge that lay beyond. Sunset's reckless pursuit of the secrets hidden within these halls knew no bounds, and she was willing to go to great lengths to achieve her ambitions, regardless of the barriers placed in her way.

With the doors of the forbidden wing moved to one side, Sunset Shimmer strode forward, entering the vault that housed a treasure trove of arcane knowledge and artefacts. The shelves were lined with almanacks and items that shimmered with malevolent energy, each one a repository of dark and forbidden secrets. But Sunset barely spared a glance at these priceless, whispering items, all of which beckoned with promises of freedom and excess.

Her singular focus led her further into the gloomy tunnels of the vault, where eldritch dangers lurked, connecting the passageways like a sinister web. Sunset was undeterred, driven by her relentless desire to uncover the prize that lay buried within the bowels of the castle’s foundations.

Sunset Shimmer, maniacally oblivious to the ominous surroundings, pressed ever forward. Finally, under the half light and oppressively cold, damp air she saw her goal.  With a flick of her horn, she deftly levitated the sheet that had concealed the strange and ornate mirror. The surface of the glass was not as she had seen it before; it appeared more like a bottomless pool of water, its angle somehow defying the laws of physics. The reflection it offered was perfect in every detail, save for the unsettling ripples that occasionally marred its surface.

As she gazed into the mirror, the ripples seemed to dance and distort the image she saw, creating an eerie and captivating effect. Sunset was drawn to the mirror's strange surface, unable to tear her gaze away from the secrets it held. With a heart filled with anticipation and apprehension, she was on the brink of uncovering the enigmatic mysteries that lay beyond this shimmering portal.

In an instant, the mirror was plunged into shadow as flickering torchlight pierced the oppressive gloom from behind Sunset. She spun around to find Princess Celestia standing in the passageway, flanked by a formidable retinue of royal guards. Her heart lurched with a mix of fear and realisation as she understood what had transpired. In her blind determination to unlock the mirror's secrets, Sunset Shimmer must have unwittingly triggered an unseen enchantment on the vault's door.

Trapped and caught in the act of defying the princess's orders, Sunset faced the consequences of her reckless pursuit of forbidden knowledge. The ominous weight of her actions bore down on her as she glared at Princess Celestia's.

Princess Celestia's voice was calm but tinged with disappointment as she addressed Sunset Shimmer in the dimly lit vault. "Sunset, what you seek is not something you are ready to know. The secrets held by that mirror are beyond that which you are ready to be shown, you've already seen too much."

Sunset Shimmer, her eyes still fixed on the mysterious mirror, retorted, "You're always holding me back, Celestia. I'm capable of so much more, and you keep denying me the knowledge and power I need to fulfil my potential."

The princess's expression remained stern as she replied, "I'm not trying to hold you back, Sunset. I want to protect you and guide you on the right path. There are things you're not yet prepared to handle, and seeking power for its own sake is a dangerous path."

Sunset's frustration grew as she argued, "But I could be so much more than your student. I could be a ruler in my own right, shaping the world as I see fit. I won't be kept in the shadows forever."

Celestia's gaze softened as she spoke, "Sunset, I see great potential in you but true power comes with responsibility and wisdom, not through that mirror. You must learn to control your ambitions and use your gifts for the greater good, not just for personal gain.  Until you grow beyond this I can't let you have what you seek."

"Let me?" hissed Sunset Shimmer, "Let me? You won't tell me what I want because you're scared that I'll become too powerful… you're scared that I won't want to play your game anymore!"

Princess Celestia's tone became more imploring as she said, "Sunset, please, it's not too late. You can return to your studies and learn to harness your magic responsibly. You don't have to go down this path."

Sunset Shimmer, her frustration boiling over, angrily retorted, "I'm tired of being your obedient pupil, Celestia. I won't remain in your shadow forever, and I'll never worship you like those other foals."

Her defiance growing, Sunset took a step toward the princess, her anger radiating from her. As she advanced, the royal guards began to move closer, their eyes fixed on her, ready to act at their princess's command. The tense standoff had escalated to a breaking point.

With her kohl rimmed eyes finally showing a spark of anger, the princess turned away from the enraged unicorn. "Take her," she whispered to the soldiers.

As Sunset Shimmer felt the unstoppable resolve of the advancing royal guards, she began to retreat, a sense of desperation washing over her. The soldiers closed in, their faces devoid of emotion as they prepared to subdue her. Panic surged within her as she desperately scanned the dimly lit vault for a way out, prancing back and forth as the guards formed an ever tightening cordon around her. She knew she was too far beneath the solid stone of the castle to teleport to freedom.

Amidst her fear and uncertainty, something in Princess Celestia's words echoed in her mind. "Through that mirror..." Did the princess mean that achieving her desires required learning, or could it be something more literal? The mirror had been her sole focus, and Sunset couldn't shake the thought that it might hold the key to her ambitions. She was at a crossroads, and her decision could lead to a path of surrender or a reckless gamble with the unknown.

As Sunset Shimmer faced the royal guards, her eyes fell upon the mesmerising and impossible ripples of the mirror's surface. It was as if a desperate idea had taken root in her mind. With a reckless resolve, she turned on her haunches and half dived, half fell toward the enchanting looking glass.

In a brief burst of shimmering light, Sunset was gone, swallowed up by the mirror's enchantment. Princess Celestia watched in what appeared to be shock and horror as her ambitious protégé disappeared from the face of Equestria, leaving her to ponder the consequences of this night on her plans.