Sunset Shimmer's Redemption

by 00RaiserGundam


The Start of Sunset's Journey

Sunset Shimmer was currently inside Donut Joe's shop along with, Moondancer, Lyra Heartstrings, Minuette, Twinkleshine, and Lemon Hearts. All of them were laughing heartily as they got reacquainted and told each other stories about what each of them had been doing since they last saw each other 60 moons ago.

Moondancer still lives in Canterlot, but she occasionally visits old friends from Celestia's School for Gifted Unicorns in Ponyville. An astronomy wiz, she has always had a deep interest with the night sky, her main focus being the moon.

The other four live in Ponyville, where apparently Minuette was the local dentist, and had a thing for being on time (which might explain her hourglass cutie mark). According to her, ponies are late for appointments with her more often than not.

Lyra was a musician, her preferred instrument being the lyre as her cutie mark shown, although she could also play other stringed instruments as well, including the electric guitar. Apparently, for some odd reason, she also had a somewhat unhealthy obsession with human beings, and it certainly did not help when Sunset proved the existence of humans by telling the other five mares about her adventures in the human world while showing them her locket as proof.

Twinkleshine shared Moondancer's fascination for astronomy, except her focus interest was more along the lines of constellations and the stars.

Lemon Hearts, as it turned out, was the "odd mare" of the group, despite Lyra's unhealthy obsession. Apparently, she likes to play matchmaker along with her friend Dolphin Dream in Ponyville. Nopony knew why two of the hearts on her cutie mark were blue while the third was green. Perhaps the two blue hearts were meant to show that she was a sweet mare most of the time, while the green one showed represented the rare times whenever ponies who made her mad got a taste of her "sourpuss" side. Nopony but her really knew for sure.

Sunset Shimmer was now telling the other five mares about this one time back in the human world where she and her friends had to deal with a snooty stuck-up French baker who did nothing but criticize every single treat that was not made by him, many of which were made by that world's Pinkie Pie. Then Sunset told the others about how it had gotten to the point where she could not take it anymore.

"So I took one of his cupcakes," Sunset continued. "Walked right up to him, looked him dead in the eyes, and then I said to him, 'If you call this a triple fudge chocolate cupcake, then that must make me Pinkie Pie.'"

The other five mares all burst out laughing at that comment. If they weren't the only customers in the café right now, some ponies would have mistaken all of their laughter for the sounds of a pack of hyenas hopped up on laughing gas.

"That was the best comeback line I ever heard." Twinkleshine said while giggling.

"Absolutely priceless." Lemon Hearts agreed while still in a laughing fit.

"You thought that was priceless," Sunset added. "You should've been there to see the look on that big palooka's red face. Oh, I tell you, it was hysterical."

"Well," Lyra chimed in. "I still can't believe there is a whole world filled with humans that look and act exactly like everypony in Equestria."

"By the way Sunset," Minuette said. "Did you ever meet that world's Twilight Sparkle and Sunset Shimmer?"

"Honestly, no." Sunset replied. "I remember Pinkie Pie telling me about how she asked Princess Twilight if she had a twin sister who lived in the city. But I have no idea where that world's Sunset Shimmer is. I only hope she is okay and that my time in that world did not harm her in any way."

"Well enough about that." Lemon Hearts chimed in. "Hearts and Hooves Day is a few weeks away. Do any of you have any crushes or potential special someponies? I could help you make cards for them if you want."

"You and Dolphin Dream always like to play matchmaker, don't you Lemon Hearts?" Twinkleshine asked teasingly.

"What about you Sunset?" Lemon Hearts asked her.

Sunset could only blush slightly before replying back that she did not have a crush. Unfortunately for her, Moondancer saw it and was not fooled at all.

"Oh my gosh," she said. "You DO have a crush! Who is it Sunset?"

"If I told you," Sunset started. "You probably wouldn't believe me."

"Oh yeah?" Minuette smirked playfully. "Just try us."

"Alright, I'll humor you." Sunset replied. "Have any of you heard of an alicorn stallion named Lockon Astros?"

As soon as she said that, everypony else gasped.

"Lockon Astros?" Minuette began. "Prince Lockon Astros? HE'S your crush?!"

"Yes," Sunset responded. "Although when I first met him, he was very insistent in saying that he was not really a prince. I think he might be self-conscious about his royal title or something."

"Oh, he is." Moondancer replied. "He and I are actually pretty good friends. He just feels like he did not even earn his title. He thinks the only reason he is even a prince is because he is Princess Celestia's adopted son. That's why he is always so cautious when it comes to meeting new ponies and making friends. He's reluctant to even try to find a marefriend."

"Well, that would explain a lot." Sunset began. "Wait…Princess Celestia's adopted son?! He didn't mention that part when I first met him."

"When did you meet him, anyway?" Lyra asked.

"Oh, it was a short while before I apologized to all of you." Sunset began. "I had just reconciled with Princess Celestia, who had just given me another chance to be her student again, but that's beside the point. I was walking through the castle halls on my way to the sculpture garden. I was so happy to have earned the Princess's forgiveness that I did not even look where I was going. Then as I turned a corner, I bumped headfirst into somepony, causing both of us to fall onto our flanks."

"That somepony was Lockon, wasn't it?" Twinkleshine asked with a smirk.

"Yeah, it was." Sunset replied before continuing her tale. "Anyway, I will admit that when I first laid my eyes on him, he was perhaps the most handsome stallion I have ever seen in my life. As soon as I saw his horn AND wings, however, I bowed before him and apologized. However, he seemed very insistent on not being royalty, he even asked me himself not to bow to me. His exact words were 'I may be an alicorn, but I am not really a prince.'"

"That does sound just like him." Moondancer acknowledged.

"Anyway," Sunset continued. "We told each other our names. He seemed to know about my past from five years ago when I told him my name. He said I could count him as a friend and also that he would like to meet me again sometime."

"Sounds to me like you're not the only one with special feelings for somepony." Lemon Hearts said with a sly smirk.

"Oh please," Sunset replied. "You all just confirmed for me that he really is royalty. I probably don't have a chance at being with him. Besides, I don't think I am ready to start dating again yet. I still want to learn more about the Magic of Friendship and make amends with everypony I wronged. I told Lockon about this and he said he understood and that he would wait however long it takes for me. I am glad that he is willing to be friends with me, and I am happy with that."

"I don't know, Sunset." Moondancer replied. "From what you just told us, it sounds to me like he might have similar feelings for you as well. Honestly, I'm no Princess Cadance, but I think you two would be a perfect match for each other."

"I am glad you think that way Moondancer." Sunset responded. "And I appreciate your opinion, but I think I will cross that bridge with him if and when we come to it and only if he wants to do so as well. Besides, I want to learn as much as I can about the Magic of Friendship before I start dating again."

"Wait, again?" Lyra chimed in. "You dated someone before?"

"Oh yeah." Sunset replied. "Actually it was back in the human world, before Princess Twilight Sparkle helped me see the light. Do any of you know a pegasus named Flash Sentry?"

"Royal guard?" Minuette asked.

"Orange coat?" Lyra added.

"Blue mane?" Twinkleshine continued.

"Lightning bolt on a shield for a cutie mark?" Lemon Hearts pressed on.

"And a smile that is so easily recognizable and likeable that it could even be considered a trademark of his?" Moondancer finished.

"Yes, yes, yes, yes, and yes." Sunset answered all five questions in succession. "I dated his human counterpart back in the other world. Back then I was still the same ambitious jerk that you met sixty moons ago. I was also very possessive of him as well. It was for those reasons, along with various others, that he broke up with me, though I did deserve that at the time. Anyway, after Twilight showed me the error of my ways, I started making amends with all the people I wronged in that world, Flash included. We eventually patched things up and rekindled our bond with each other, though this time as true friends just like the 5 girls shown in this locket of mine."

"I still can't believe how much they look just Twilight's friends here in Equestria." Lyra said. "They look so much alike in so many different ways it's actually kind of freaky to some extent."

The others all nodded in agreement. Then Moondancer spoke up. "Oh, goodness, it is getting late. I really should get going." The others all agreed to that.

"We should really do this again sometime." Sunset suggested.

"We could do that whenever you visit Ponyville." Lyra added.

"In fact," Twinkleshine added. "If I know a certain crazy party pony, she'll probably give us all a chance to do that at one of her parties."

"I don't doubt it." Sunset chuckled. "Well, I gotta get back to the castle. Until next time girls." She then waved goodbye.

"Bye, Sunset." The other 5 said as they waved back.

The walk back to the castle was relatively short and quick. The guards apparently got the message from Princess Celestia that Sunset Shimmer was her student once again. They let her pass without fuss and informed her that the princess was waiting for her in the throne room. After thanking the guards, she immediately headed there. When she got there not only was Celestia waiting for her, but Lockon Astros and Princess Luna as well.

"Ah, there you are, Sunset." Celestia acknowledged her with a warm smile. "I was beginning to wonder when you would return."

"My sincerest apologies, Princess Celestia." Sunset replied with a bow. "It seems that Moondancer and the others as well as myself, did a lot more catching up than we were planning on. But it was certainly worth it because all five of them are an absolute joy to be around."

"I am glad to hear that." Celestia responded. "Well, since you are going to be my student once again, and seeing as how you have already met Princess Cadance and Prince Shining Armor, I thought it would be fitting to introduce you to the rest of the royal family. I do not believe you have met my sister, Princess Luna."

"Charmed." Luna replied in a somewhat unamused tone as Sunset bowed in respect.

"Luna, please give her a chance, she really has changed." Celestia admonished her sister.

"Forgive me for saying this, Celestia," Luna countered. "But I will believe that once I have seen it myself."

"At least give her a chance, Luna." Celestia pleaded. "Twilight forgave her."

"Very well, sister." Luna conceded. "I shall give her a chance, for you and for Twilight Sparkle."

"Thank you, sister." Celestia said before turning back to Sunset. "I am sorry about that, Sunset. It's just that Twilight is one of the closest friends that my sister has ever had."

"I understand, Princess." Sunset replied. "She is still pretty ticked at me for what I made Twilight go through thirty moons ago. She's not the only one. Shining Armor was still ticked off at me about that as well, and I really can't blame him. Though I will admit I was dumbfounded that Princess Cadance did not use her own Royal Canterlot voice on me from the first moment that we met. I mean considering the fact that she used to be Twilight's foalsitter, I would have thought she would have at least locked me up in the Crystal Castle dungeon for a while."

Then she turned back to Luna. "Honestly, Princess Luna," she began. "I don't blame you for not trusting me. You have every imaginable right to not trust me. Sometimes I even have trouble forgiving myself for everything I've done, which by the way, I am not proud of."

"But if there is one thing I have learned from the beautiful night that you always bring to Equestria," She continued. "It's that as long as you have faith in yourself and never give up hope, you can overcome any challenge, and if your friends are by your side, you'll always prevail."

"A most interesting analogous use of the moon and the stars in depiction of my night." Luna replied with a sincere smile. "Now I can see that my sister and Cadance were right about you."

Celestia could only smile at this.

"Well, now that you two are on better terms with each other," she continued. "There is one more pony I would like you to meet."

"If you're talking about Lockon, Princess," Sunset beat her to the punch. "There's really no need. We've already met."

"Oh have you now?" Celestia responded inquisitively. "When did this happen?"

"While I was waiting for Moondancer and the others to come to the castle today." Sunset replied. "I was walking through the halls and heading towards the sculpture garden. We accidentally bumped into each other, we learned each other's names and he said I could count him as a friend. Though, he was quite insistent when he told me that he was not really a prince."

Then she turned to Lockon. "By the way," she continued "Moondancer told me about how you're Princess Celestia's adopted son. Is that true?" Both Lockon and Celestia nodded.

"And please, do correct me if I am wrong," Sunset continued. "But that technically DOES make you a Prince, doesn't it?" Lockon nodded again, although somewhat reluctantly this time.

"I just feel like I did not really earn my title." Lockon said again. "Besides, not thinking of myself as a prince keeps it from going to my head, unlike a certain spoiled unicorn stallion whose name I shall not mention."

"I am proud of you in that regard, Lockon." Celestia responded. "Though sooner or later, there will come a time when you have to fully embrace your royal title. But until that time comes, feel free to take all the time you need."

"Thanks, mom." Lockon responded with a smile.

Sunset smiled at this and then let out a big yawn. "Well, it was nice to meet you, Princess Luna," she said before turning to Lockon. "And you again as well, Lockon." Then she turned back to Celestia.

"Well, Princess," she began. "I don't know about you, but I am feeling very sleepy right now."

"I don't doubt it, Sunset." Celestia chuckled before turning to her adopted son. "Lockon, would you be a dear and escort Sunset Shimmer to her quarters for the night?"

"Of course, mom." He said before heading towards the doors with Sunset.

"Oh, and Sunset," Celestia added. "Be sure to get plenty of rest. You have big day ahead of you tomorrow, my now reformed and once again faithful student."

"Of course, Princess." Sunset replied one last time as she bowed. "Well, good night." And with that she left with Lockon to her new quarters.

When they were both out of earshot, Luna finally broke the silence. "You're sending her to Ponyville tomorrow, aren't you?" She asked her sister.

Celestia replied back with a smirk. "Whatever gave you that impression?"

Meanwhile on their way to her new bedroom, Sunset and Lockon bumped into Flash Sentry doing his last patrol shift for the day. "Oh hey there, Flash." Lockon greeted him.

"Good evening to you as well, Captain." Flash replied. "I see you've already met miss Sunset Shimmer. You two seem awfully close." He added that last part with a somewhat sly smirk.

"It is not like that, Flash." Lockon quickly clarified. "Princess Celestia asked me to escort Sunset here to her bedroom for the night, now that she is once again going to be studying under her wing. And Flash, I thought I made it quite clear when I asked you not to call me captain when I am off duty."

"Oh, right." Flash replied with a sheepish smile. "Sorry Lockon, I keep forgetting about that. But you know you can address the Princess as your mother around me, right? I know that she is your adoptive mother."

"I know I can trust you, Flash. It's the others I am worried about." Lockon responded.

"Don't worry, pal." Flash quickly comforted him. "They would not think any less of you than they do now, even if they did know. But you do know that they will find out eventually."

"True." Lockon agreed.

"Wait," Sunset chimed in. "I am severely confused here. Why did he just call you 'captain'?"

"Oh," Lockon replied with a sheepish smile. "Well, since you already know about me and my adoptive mother, you should know this as well. Truth is, I am also the current captain of the Canterlot Royal Guard. Flash and I were sparring partners during training camp when we first joined. And we've been good friends ever since."

"I see," Sunset replied in amazement. "By the way, I hope it's not too personal, but what is your special talent?"

"Oh that," Lockon replied in a slightly more eager tone. "I am pretty good at combat over all, but my best skills are at firing attack spells from long distances. I don't mean to brag, but many of our fellow royal guards tend to call me the pony who can target and fire even from beyond the stars. Of course, I also have to be good at close range combat as well, just like any other royal guard."

"Wow," Sunset commented "An alicorn prince AND a captain of the royal guard. Never thought I'd see the day. I'd be surprised if you did not have a marefriend. Any mare would be lucky to have you."

This caused Lockon to blush slightly. Flash noticed this and smirked. "You know Sunset, he actually does not have one." He told her.

"This from the stallion who can't even work up the courage or the guts to ask a certain young and available princess that he is crushing on out on a date?" Lockon countered after realizing where Flash was going with this.

"Touché." Flash retorted playfully.

"Well, I would love to stick around and chat some more," Sunset began again. "But I am really tired. And I have a big day tomorrow. So if it's not too much trouble, Lockon, can we keep going please?"

"Sure, Sunset." Lockon heartily agreed. "Well, catch ya later Flash."

"You too, pal." Flash replied and went back on his way.

As soon as he was out earshot, Sunset broke the silence.

"Does he seriously have a crush on Princess Twilight Sparkle?" She asked with a slight snicker.

"Oh, big time." Lockon responded. "And she can try to deny it all she wants, but I know for an absolute fact that deep down inside her own heart, she has a crush on him as well."

"Somehow, that does not really surprise me." Sunset replied. "She had a bit of crush on the other world's Flash Sentry. And I think he returned those feelings. I just hope he does not spend the rest of his life waiting for her to return."

"Yeah that would just make him even sadder." Lockon replied. "Though if he gets lucky, maybe he will end up meeting the Twilight Sparkle from his own world. Or maybe even your counterpart, and she will be just as nice as you are right now."

"Yeah, that would be lucky for him." Sunset chuckled. It was then that they finally arrived at their destination.

"Well, here we are." Lockon said. "Your bedroom for the evening."

"Thanks for the escort, Lockon." Sunset responded before getting a sudden wave of nostalgia. "Oh my gosh. This is the exact same bedroom I slept in when I was Princess Celestia's student 60 moons ago. It looks like it has not even changed a day in all the time I was gone."

"Yeah," Lockon replied. "Mom wanted to make you feel as welcome as possible again. This just proves how much she missed you all that time. Doesn't it?"

"Yes it does." Sunset answered with tears of joy in her eyes. "If you see her before you turn in for the night, could you tell her I said thanks?"

"I certainly will." Lockon responded before turning to leave. "Well, goodnight Sunset."

"Thanks, Lockon, you as well." Sunset replied sincerely.

When she finally got comfortable enough in her bed to sleep, her eyelids began to close on their own accord. Her sleep went by very peacefully.

However, during one of her dreams, she saw something that really disturbed her. All around her were creatures that looked like a cross between unicorns and insects. They all had bug-like wings and black bodies with small horns on their head. Hundreds were swarming all over the place like the disgusting insects that they might as well have been.

In the center of the swarm, however, was one that was bigger than the rest. It looked feminine in appearance and looked particularly intimidating so Sunset immediately thought this one was their leader. She had eerily green eyes, and her horn had holes in it, giving it a mangled appearance, just like all of her legs. She also had a long mane and tail that was a mix of green and cerulean blue. The biggest difference though was the fact that this one was wearing a silver alicorn shaped pendant with a nearly blood-red crystal in the center.

They appeared to be performing some sort of ritual. The lead creature cast her magic and her aura took on the same color as the crystal on the pendant, and for the briefest of moments her eyes did the exact same thing. Then she fired a red beam of magic from her horn, directed at something in the middle of a magical circle.

When Sunset saw the target, she became all sorts of confused. The target was a unicorn horn, but this one was far different from any other unicorn horn she had ever seen. This one was blood-red in color and curved like a blade and it looked like it had been blown off of its owner's head.

What happened next was perhaps one of the most frightening things that Sunset Shimmer had ever seen. The red magic swirled around the curved red horn. Then a large shadow started coming out of the base of the horn. The shadow then started to take the shape of a pony. Then various body parts started fading in and appearing in place of the dark shadowy shape.

When it finished taking form, Sunset Shimmer could not believe her eyes. What was once a pony-shaped shadow was now a full-bodied unicorn with a horn exactly like the one that was used in the ritual. This unicorn had a black coat, mane and tail, a full set of dull grey armor all over his body, and a red cape with white trim on it like one would see in a stereotypical image of a king. And his eyes were the most eerie combination of green and blood-red that Sunset had ever seen.

Then, all of them noticed her and started approaching her in a threatening and evil manner. If Sunset was scared before, she was beyond terrified right now, and started backing up in fear. Fate seemed to be against her as she made contact with a seemingly unending wall behind her. But then just as she was about lose all hope of escape, a blue magic flash of light hit all the creatures in the room except for her.

"It is alright, Sunset Shimmer." A warm and familiar voice assured her before its owner finally revealed herself. "You no longer need to worry, for you are safe now."

There, standing right before Sunset Shimmer, was Princess Luna in all of her regal beauty and authority.

"Princess Luna?!" Sunset exclaimed and bowed in respect before continuing. "Not that I'm not grateful to you for getting rid of those things, but what are you doing here?"

"I am the princess of the night, thus it is my duty to come into your dreams." She answered.

"You can raise the moon and visit other ponies in their dreams?! That is AWESOME! What CAN'T you do?!" Sunset asked in an excited tone before widening her eyes and coming back to the realization that she was currently in a dream herself. "Wait! I'm in a dream right now? But that did not feel like one at all. It felt so real."

"I can assure you that you are indeed asleep." Luna responded. "Though I must admit, that string of events was quite unnerving to say the least. It felt more like a foreshadowing of terrible events that may have yet to come, though of that I cannot be certain."

"Well, I don't want to worry about that right now." Sunset replied in a sincere tone. "For now, I think that dream was probably the result of being stressed out about returning to Equestria after being gone for five years. I was half-expecting to be thrown in the castle dungeon as a traitor to Equestria or as a criminal after everything that I have done. I honestly never expected for your sister to forgive me, never mind give me another chance to be her student again."

"I don't blame you, Sunset." Luna said while gently holding Sunset's chin with her forehoof. "You and I are a lot alike in that regard. I am sure you have heard of the Mare in the Moon?"

"That was you, right?" Sunset asked, to which Luna nodded in response. "Yeah, but you had it worse than me. Being locked on the moon for a thousand years."

"And yet, Celestia was able to forgive me." Luna reminded her.

"She did forgive me too." Sunset said to herself. "But still, I am not entirely sure that I truly have earned it."

"Why do you think my sister gave you another chance to be her student again?" Luna questioned her.

And that is when it hit Sunset. "She is giving me a chance to prove how much I have changed." Luna nodded yes in response before Sunset continued on. "Well, I promised her that I would learn all I could about the Magic of Friendship, and that I would not let her down this time. Well, I swear on the locket that my human friends gave me, that I have every intention to keep that promise."

"I don't doubt it, Sunset Shimmer." Luna responded warmly. "I should leave you to get your rest. Sweet dreams, Sunset."

"With you watching over them, they will be." Sunset replied with just as much sincerity. "And thank you again, Princess Luna. I am glad to be back in Equestria where I belong."

And with that, Luna left Sunset to get back to her peaceful rest, which remained full of good dreams throughout the rest of the night.