"So you're telling me that in all the time you and Twilight have lived here, you have never accidently set this tree on fire with your breath?!" Sunset asked Spike as they walked back downstairs.
"The whole tree itself, never." Spike answered before having a guilty look on his face. "Although there was this one time I accidently sneezed on a book causing it to go up in flames. Then I tried to hide it from Twilight, but I wasn't counting on being exposed by our pet owl, Owlowiscious. Though, at that time he was new and just joining this house and I was at first jealous of him because I thought he was trying to take my place as Twilight's number one assistant. Then again, that was the jealously at work back then."
"He tried to set up Owlowiscious for something that he did not do, after he had been found out about the burned book." Twilight joined in. "Then he ran away because he thought I did not love him anymore. He ended up inside a fully-grown dragon's cave and Owlowiscious and I had to come rescue him."
"On the other hand," Spike added, "it was the first time I ever learned a lesson. Not to mention the first time I got to send a friendship report to Princess Celestia."
"And that reminds me," Twilight started once again, "Sunset, how does it feel to be Celestia's student again?"
"Honestly, I'm kind of nervous." Sunset answered. "Don't get me wrong, I was overjoyed and in tears that she was willing to forgive me AND give me a second chance. It's just that I don't want to mess it up this time. Honestly, when I was found by the Crystal guard after returning to Equestria, I was not really expecting forgiveness. I was prepared to be punished in any way possible. Whether it was getting my horn cut off, or banishment, or life imprisonment in a dungeon, or having my horn cut off then being banished and then being imprisoned for life in a dungeon in the place that I would be banished to."
"Now where have I seen this before?" Spike said while looking at Twilight with a sly smirk on his face. Twilight could only look back with a sheepish smile.
"Anyway," Sunset continued on, "the whole reason I came back to Equestria in the first place was to face my punishment for everything I had done, I had already made amends with everybody on the other side of the mirror, but there were still amends here that I needed to make. Even if I did end up being punished, I at least wanted Princess Celestia to know how sorry I was for everything. If nothing else, it would have at least made some closure."
"So you can imagine my surprise when she puts a hoof on my mouth mid-apology and hugs me like I was the only thing she had left." Sunset kept going. "When Princess Cadance told me that I was the first thing Princess Celestia asked you about when you came back from the journey I put you through thirty moons ago, (very sorry for making you go through that whole ordeal, by the way) I was a bit shocked, but relieved as well and took that as a good sign that she had missed me. However, I was NOT expecting her to miss me so much that she blames my failure as her student on herself saying that she failed as my mentor. We were both crying our eyes out while hugging each other. You probably would have found that even sappier than what you saw earlier, Spike."
"Anyway, I still could not believe she offered me a second chance to be her student again." Sunset went on. "I promised her I would not let her down this time and I will feed myself to a rampaging fully-grown dragon before I even think about breaking that promise."
"Well, I am glad that you're committed to learning all you can about friendship now, Sunset." Twilight responded. "Since you volunteered to help Spike, why don't you two get dinner started? I've got to write to Celestia and confirm that Sunset arrived. I'll even get the spare bed and put it in the guest room for you, Sunset."
"Ok, Twilight." Sunset and Spike said together in unison.
By the time Twilight came back into the kitchen, the table had already been outfitted with silverware and plates for all three occupants. Twilight's and Sunset's plates each had a daffodil and daisy sandwich with an apple on the side. Spike had fixed himself a gem salad.
During the time they spent enjoying their dinner, Sunset had told her two hosts about her adventures in the other world since they last saw each other, all the way up to the tearful goodbye she gave her friends before returning to Equestria. "That was one of the hardest moments of my life. At least with this locket, I won't ever forget them."
Then Sunset described her time in the Crystal Empire, including being in the infirmary for a few days after her tumble and meeting Twilight's brother and sister-in-law. "I never even knew you had a brother, never mind one who was captain of the Canterlot Royal Guard and married to a princess. And honestly, I was surprised that Princess Cadance was so willing to give me a chance that she actually stood up to Shining Armor for me when he was being harsh to me, especially when you consider how close you and Princess Cadance are."
Then she described her time in Canterlot from begging for and receiving Princess Celestia's forgiveness, becoming her student, meeting Lockon Astros and Discord, apologizing to Moondancer and the other's and befriending them afterwards, to meeting Princess Luna.
When Sunset mentioned her nightmare from the previous night, and started talking about the changelings using the Alicorn Amulet to revive King Sombra, Twilight spoke up. "We've dealt with changelings and King Sombra before. We know King Sombra is gone for good. We don't know what happened to the changelings after my brother's wedding, but I doubt they will come back any time soon, if at all."
"As for the Alicorn Amulet," Spike added, "after Trixie nearly took over Ponyville with it we gave it to our zebra friend Zecora, so she could hide it away. She lives in the Everfree Forest, and hardly anypony besides us ever goes in there. So there is no way that the Alicorn Amulet is in the wrong hooves."
"Still," Sunset responded, "it all felt so real. Even Princess Luna herself said that, to her, that dream felt more like a foreshadowing of events. I really hope that really was just a dream."
Sunset then continued her tale of the following morning, how she had told Celestia and Lockon about the dream, how Celestia told her about how Lockon's parents and sister were killed when he was young, and about Celestia had assigned her to send regular friendship reports during her stay in Ponyville.
"I am very grateful to you for offering to let me stay in your house during my time in Ponyville, Twilight." Sunset thanked her hostess. "Are you going to supervise me as well during my stay?"
"Well, probably not supervise in the sense of me teaching you." Twilight said. "But I will be happy to give you advice whenever you need help with a problem about friendship."
"I don't have a problem with that." Sunset replied. "By the way, are there any books about magic and spells to learn in this library? It's been well over 24 to 48 hours since I was discharged from the Crystal Empire infirmary and the doctor advised me about using magic more complex than levitation and telekinesis. I would like to get practicing with my magic sooner or later."
"Of course we have those kinds of books." Twilight answered her. "Just ask me whenever you want them."
Spike then let out a large yawn. "I don't know about you ladies, but I am feeling tired right now. What do you say we hit the straw?"
"Yes." Twilight agreed. "We've all got a big day ahead of us tomorrow. And Sunset, since you're going to be staying with us for the time being, I would like to give you a full tour of Ponyville so you can meet all the townsponies, and introduce you to my friends. What do you say?"
"I say, I can't wait till tomorrow Twilight." Sunset eagerly agreed. "I just hope your friends are as willing to forgive me as you and Princess Celestia were. On the plus side, four new friends I made in Canterlot all live right here in Ponyville, so they can definitely help out."
"That's great to hear and to know." Twilight responded with a smile. "By the way, there is a bathroom inside the guest bedroom in case you need to use it. Well, goodnight."
"Goodnight." Sunset replied. And with that, the two mares entered their respective bedrooms to turn in for the night.
As Sunset began to drift off to the dream realm, she soon found herself looking at the Crystal Empire. She then noticed all the changelings from her previous dream were looking in the same direction, including their queen Chrysalis who still had the Alicorn Amulet on her neck. Standing right beside her was the demonic armored unicorn that Sunset now knew as King Sombra. Both had malicious grins on their faces.
"It's finally time." Chrysalis spoke in a creepy two-toned voice.
"Yes." Sombra hissed like a venomous snake in agreement. "Let's get to work." His horn then glowed a dark and dull color with a few specks of green. He then lifted up his hooves and stomped them both into the ground, causing a massive earthquake. Evidently this was powerful enough to knock the Crystal Heart loose from the central pillars because as soon as Sunset Shimmer recovered from the shaking sensation of the earthquake, she saw the Crystal Heart's magic shield spell disappear right before her eyes.
"Now's our chance, ATTACK!" Chrysalis commanded her changeling hordes, and they swarmed off like locusts towards the Crystal Empire. Sunset then galloped after them, for she was not going to let these monsters have their way. But to her utter shock and horror, nopony could see or hear her and whenever she tried to touch them to get their attention, she just slipped through them as though they were ghosts.
Now Sunset could only watch in horror as the changelings took over the Crystal Empire while Sombra and Chrysalis were about to defeat Shining Armor and Cadance. They had finally fallen and were just about to be sucked dry of their love by Chrysalis when Sunset finally awoke from this awful nightmare with a scream.
She then started hyperventilating. She was glad to be out of that nightmare. The part she did not like was that it felt just as real as her previous nightmare. In fact, to Sunset Shimmer, this dream felt more like a vision. She decided she would tell Twilight about it in the morning. She was glad that her scream did not wake either Twilight or Spike. She laid her head back on the pillow and her sleep was pleasant for the rest of the night.
She woke up the next morning with a yawn after receiving a bunch of sunbeams to her eyes. After a quick shower she joined Twilight and Spike downstairs in the kitchen for breakfast, where today's meal was pancakes, not that Sunset was complaining.
While enjoying their breakfast, Sunset told Twilight about the nightmare she had last night. "I am starting to get worried about this, Twilight." She said. "What if these dreams are visions or glimpses of the future? What if these dreams actually WILL become reality?"
"Sunset, I think you're overreacting, but if you are really that worried, then how about today during our tour of Ponyville, I take you to Zecora's hut and we can ask her if she still has the Alicorn Amulet?" Twilight answered her.
"Alright, let's do that." Sunset agreed. "That ought to put my mind at ease if she has it. And it will be a good opportunity to meet Zecora in addition to your friends."
"That's the spirit." Twilight smiled. "We'll leave after breakfast."
After they all finished eating, Twilight and Sunset headed for the front door. Twilight turned to Spike and called out to him. "Spike, I'm off to give Sunset a tour of Ponyville. Will you be OK looking after the library while we're out?"
"Of course, Twi. You can count on me." Spike replied with an eager salute.
Twilight giggled in response. "Ok Spike, we'll be back by dinner at the latest, but hopefully not even that long." And with that, she and Sunset were out the door and heading for the outermost parts of town. While walking, she turned her head towards Sunset. "OK, we'll first head over to Sweet Apple Acres to meet Applejack, then we'll head over to Fluttershy's cottage, and then we'll go meet Zecora in her hut and then we can ask her about the Alicorn Amulet."
"Sounds like a plan." Sunset agreed. "If were heading towards the outskirts of town, I could use the exercise anyway."
When they finally got to Sweet Apple Acres, they were surprised to find nopony in sight when they entered the farmland.
"Does this farm normally look this deserted?" Sunset asked Twilight.
"No, usually whenever I come here I the first thing see is Applejack or her family working in the orchards." Twilight answered her.
"Come on Winona, these apples ain't gonna pick themselves up." Yelled a familiar voice with an equally familiar southern accent.
Twilight and Sunset entered the fields and saw a border collie with an apple in its mouth. Sunset immediately recognized it as Applejack's pet Winona, because believe it or not, the Applejack from the other world had a dog that looked exactly the same as this one. In fact, Sunset remembered all of their pets, with the only exception being Twilight's pet Owlowiscious, because she had never met that world's Twilight Sparkle.
Winona then noticed Sunset, dropped the apple and ran towards her. When she got close enough, she tackled Sunset to the ground and started licking her face. Sunset and Twilight couldn't help but chuckle.
"Ha-ha, okay girl, ha-ha, calm down, ha-ha-ha." Sunset laughed as Winona licked her.
"TARNATION WINONA, I told ya'll not to go jumpin' on ponies." Applejack yelled as she pulled Winona off of Sunset.
"Howdy there, Twilight." She acknowledged Twilight before turning to Sunset. "Sorry about that, name's Applejack, and you?" Then she went to shake Sunset's hoof before stopping all of a sudden. "Wait a minute; don't Ah know you from somewhere? You seem awfully familiar."
"Well, you don't really know me personally." Sunset answered. "But you probably recognize me from a certain incident 30 moons ago that you're friend Princess Twilight here was involved in. My name is Sunset Shimmer."
"SUNSET SHIMMER?!" Applejack exclaimed. "Now Ah remember you! You're that thievin' varmint who stole Twilight's crown and Element of Harmony back then! Why'd you come back here to Equestria?! Are you trying to worm yer way into our good graces just so you can backstab us and overthrow the Princesses?!" She asked angrily while Sunset folded her ears against the back of her head.
"APPLEJACK!" Twilight scolded. "Sunset Shimmer has changed. She came back to face all the punishments she expected for her actions. Princess Celestia has already forgiven her and given her another chance to be her student again. Now she's just trying to start fresh and make some friends. Can't you at least give her a chance?"
"It's ok, Twilight." Sunset somewhat cut in. "I didn't expect her to trust me. I don't expect any of your friends to trust me after what I did. I can't blame her for being suspicious of me, I mean after everything I put you through, she has every right not to trust me."
"Well, maybe Ah was bein' a mite too harsh," Applejack said somewhat shamefully, "but Twilight is one of mah best friends and Ah can't stand it when somepony messes with any of mah friends."
"I completely understand that, Applejack." Sunset responded. Then she began telling Applejack about her time in the Crystal Empire, especially the part about her talk with Princess Cadance about why she came back to Equestria and how said princess used a spell to scan her entire heart and soul for lies with no success.
"Well, Winona sure enough seems to like ya." Applejack said. "And if the Princesses are willin' to forgive and trust ya, then Ah can too. A pleasure to make yer acquaintance." She shook Sunset's hoof really fast after that last line.
"Same to you, Applejack." Sunset said with her voice vibrating from Applejack's rapid hoof shaking. Applejack then let go of her hoof.
"Sorry about that, sometimes Ah just don't know mah own strength." Applejack apologized.
"It's quite alright, AJ." Sunset replied. "You're counterpart in the otherworld is very much the same in that regard."
"Well, we'd better get going." Twilight added. "I'm giving Sunset a tour of Ponyville, since she's gonna be staying here for a while. And this is only the first stop."
"Well, don't let me waste anymore of yer time." Applejack said in understanding. "Let me just give you two some snacks for the trip." She then gave both ponies a few apples each, freshly picked from the orchard.
"Thank you kindly, Applejack." Sunset told her with an honest smile.
And with that Twilight and Sunset already headed out the gates and down the road to Fluttershy's cottage.
"I'd say that went pretty well." Twilight said.
"Yes indeed." Sunset agreed. "Although, to be perfectly honest, I was not expecting Applejack to come around that easily."
"Don't worry, Sunset." Twilight replied. "My friends all trust me. So they'll all forgive and trust you eventually. Probably at their own pace with each of them, but they all will eventually forgive you."
"Yeah, you're right, Princess." Sunset responded. "I mean if Moondancer and her friends were able to forgive me for being so rude to them five years ago, I am sure I can earn your friends' trust and your brother's forgiveness."
"By the way, can you refrain from calling me Princess, please?" Twilight asked her. "I am still trying to get used to that title."
"Not a problem, Twilight." Sunset answered before she noticed the large hollowed-out tree up ahead. "Is that Fluttershy's cottage?" She asked.
"Yes." Twilight answered. "Now, in addition to her shyness, she also has a bunch of animals living with her most of the time. She tends to be their caretaker. You find a sick or injured animal, just bring it to her and she can help them better than any vet. And if you want a pet, she can easily help you find the right one for you."
"Good to know." Sunset replied with a smile.
Twilight then knocked on the door three times.
"Coming." A delicate, demure and sweet little voice called from the other side.
"Oh, hi Twilight." Fluttershy said very politely before she noticed Sunset. "Who's that next to you? She seems very familiar for some reason."
"You probably remember me from thirty moons ago." Sunset answered her. "My name is Sunset Shimmer."
"Sunset Shimmer?!" Fluttershy exclaimed softly.
"Yes, Fluttershy." Twilight cut her off before she could scream. "And Sunset's a changed mare now. She regrets everything she has ever done. She came back to face her punishments and Princess Celestia forgave her enough to let her be her student again. She's just trying to make amends and start anew."
"Well that's all you had to say, Twilight." Fluttershy said with an enthusiastic smile afterwards. "I hope we can be the best of friends."
"Same here, Fluttershy." Sunset replied with a sincere smile.
"Well, we're off to Zecora's." Twilight cut in. "Sorry to cut our visit short, Fluttershy, but I am giving Sunset a full tour of Ponyville since she'll be staying here for the time being."
"Oh, of course." Fluttershy replied kindly. "Could you say hi to her for me? I-If you don't mind that is?"
"Of course, Fluttershy. See you around." Sunset said before turning out the door to follow Twilight into the Everfree Forest.
"Now, just to tell you about Zecora," Twilight started telling Sunset, "she tends to talk in rhyme almost always, and she might seem a bit strange at first, but she is a natural when it comes to potion making. She even helped deal with the Alicorn Amulet the last time somepony used it."
"And you're saying she has possession of it right now?" Sunset asked again for clarification.
"Last time I saw." Twilight answered her. "But we can double check with her just to be safe."
"Thanks, Twilight." Sunset said slightly relieved. Then she knocked on the door a few times.
"A knock on my door, who could that be?" A voice came from the other side. The door then opened to reveal Zecora. "Why it's Princess Twilight Sparkle I see." Then she noticed Sunset. "I know all of Ponyville's ponies, all its resident's and yet, your face is one I am certain that I have never met."
"Hi, you must be Zecora." Sunset greeted with a sincere smile. "You are right to assume that. My name is Sunset Shimmer. You see, I am new to Ponyville and Twilight here was showing me around town and introducing me to her friends along the way. She told me about how you have always been helpful in strange situations."
"Yes, and there was also something else we wanted to ask you, Zecora." Twilight added before asking. "Do you still have the Alicorn Amulet?"
"Never fear, Twilight my dear. For the Alicorn Amulet is right here." Zecora said as she got it out and showed it to both ponies.
"Oh, that is a huge relief." Sunset said after releasing a big sigh. And then she explained her dreams about it falling into the changelings' hooves to Zecora, who nodded in full understanding.
"I can see why those dreams would trouble your mind." Zecora told Sunset. "But I assure you the amulet nopony will ever find."
"Thank you, Zecora." Sunset said sincerely. "This has definitely put my mind at ease."
Then she turned to Twilight. "Well, I don't know about you, Twilight, but I am rather excited to meet the rest of your friends now. What do you say we continue the tour?"
"Of course, Sunset. That's a great idea." Twilight replied before turning to Zecora. "It was good seeing you again, Zecora. Let us know if you need anything."
"I certainly will, Twilight my dear," Zecora responded before turning to Sunset, "and best of luck Sunset Shimmer during your whole stay here."
The two mares waved goodbye to their zebra friend as they went their separate ways. Twilight and Sunset were heading back towards Ponyville and were just nearing the entrance to the forest when they heard a loud yelp that sounded canine.
"What was that?!" Twilight exclaimed in surprise.
"I'm not sure." Sunset answered her. "But I think it came from over there." She then pointed to a nearby shrub.
The two mares looked behind the shrub, and what they saw was one of the most horrifying scenes they had ever witnessed.
There in a small clearing, was a pack of four hungry timberwolves feeding on a regular wolf's carcass. Well actually half the pack was doing that, while the other half had cornered a baby wolf pup against the side of a huge rock.
Feeling a fire of compassion burning inside of her, Sunset leapt out of her hiding place and charged straight for the timberwolves attacking the pup. She had managed to knock the two Timberwolves cornering the pup a considerable distance away. In fact, it was far enough to cause them to knock the other two timberwolves off of the wolf they were eating. Once they had all gotten back to their feet, all four of them then turned their full attention to Sunset who was charging up a spell. The wooden beasts then started charging, intent on adding this meddler to their meal.
Once they were within range, Sunset unleashed her spell, releasing a massive flame from her horn, setting all four timberwolves ablaze. The walking logs, then turned around and ran off back to the deeper parts of the forest to recover, still burning all over, while letting off a few whines.
"That's right, you better run!" Sunset yelled after them as they ran. When she turned her head towards the wolf pup, she noticed he was no longer behind her. She turned back around and saw the pup nuzzling the dead adult wolf's neck, fruitlessly trying to wake it up.
"Poor thing." Sunset said as Twilight walked over. "I think this dead wolf is this pup's mother."
"I think you're right." Twilight agreed with a slight sniffle.
"This poor pup needs a home." Sunset then said. "He'll never survive out here on his own. And those timberwolves will come back for their dinner eventually. Let's get this pup to Fluttershy's. She'll definitely take care of him."
"Definitely." Twilight agreed. "But how are we going to get him to Fluttershy's cottage?"
"Let me try something." Sunset said before walking over to the pup mourning for its mother. The pup then cringed in fear upon noticing Sunset approaching him.
"It's ok little pup, it's ok." Sunset gently said to him as she nuzzled him gently. "It's ok. You're safe with me. I'm not going to hurt you."
The pup calmed down at the gentleness in Sunset's voice, but he was still reluctant to leave his mother. "I know you don't want to leave her." Sunset continued as gently as she possibly could. "But, I am afraid she is never going to wake up. Besides, she would not want you to stay here and perish while mourning for her. I am sure that she would want you to live on and be happy. Come with me. Everything will be all right."
Sunset then knelt down on all four hooves, to a height that was just short enough for the wolf pup to climb onto her back. The pup was still a bit reluctant, but eventually climbed on. Once she was sure that he was on, Sunset then followed Twilight out of the forest clearing, out of the forest entrance, and back to Fluttershy's cottage, where for the second time today they knocked on the door three times.
"Coming." Fluttershy answered from the other side. When she opened the door and saw Twilight and Sunset together again, she was a bit surprised.
"Twilight, Sunset, what are you doing here again so soon?" She asked. "Did something happen? Are any of you hurt? Do you need some herbal tea?"
"No, we're fine, Fluttershy." Twilight answered. "But we do need your help."
"We were on our way back from Zecora's and we found this little guy." Sunset explained as she showed the pup on her back to Fluttershy. "He just lost his mother to a pack of timberwolves. He would have been eaten along with her if I did not rescue him."
"Oh my, you poor thing!" Fluttershy softly gasped as she tenderly approached and picked up the frightened pup in her hooves. "No wonder you're so scared. Well, you don't have to be scared anymore. I will take care of you from now on. You'll have so many new friends around here to play with, you won't ever be lonely again."
"Hey, Fluttershy," Sunset started, "is it ok if I stop by every now and then to visit this pup?"
"Oh, that's no trouble at all, Sunset." Fluttershy answered. "Feel free to visit him whenever you want. You know, you just performed one of the biggest acts of kindness I've ever seen by bringing him here."
"Well, I couldn't just let him get eaten out there." Sunset answered. "He's still so young. He should have a chance at a long life and happiness."
"And now he'll have one, thanks to you." Fluttershy said before taking the pup into the kitchen to check him for injuries.
Twilight and Sunset then continued back to Ponyville. They were just passing Sweet Apple Acres again when a rainbow streak slammed into Sunset full force at full speed, causing her to tumble and kick up a cloud of dirt and dust. When the cloud cleared, Twilight was not surprised to find Rainbow Dash on top of Sunset with a cross look on her face.
"So, back for revenge are you?!" She spoke in a loud and angry tone. "Trying to overthrow the Princesses again?! Don't think I've forgotten what you did to Twilight!"
Rainbow was then concealed in a bright pink magical aura and lifted off of Sunset.
"That is quite enough, Rainbow Dash." Twilight scolded her. "I understand that as my friend, your loyalty is your defining characteristic, and that you will always look out for me. But I can't believe you would be so rash and actually attack somepony just because of something that she did thirty moons ago."
"Are you kidding me, Twilight?!" Rainbow Dash exclaimed. "You're actually defending her?! After everything she's done to you?! After what she nearly could have done to Equestria?!"
"Yes, Rainbow." Twilight responded very firmly. "I have forgiven her, so has Princess Celestia, even Applejack and Fluttershy have forgiven her. The least that you can do is give her a chance."
"Fine." Rainbow conceded reluctantly, then immediately turned to Sunset after Twilight released her magical hold. "But one false move, and I'll make sure you regret it. Got it?!" Sunset nodded in response. "Good." Rainbow said. And with that she took off for Ponyville, leaving behind her signature rainbow streak.
"Yep, looks like Dash is gonna be the hardest to earn trust from." Sunset said after dusting herself off.
"I am so sorry she did that to you, Sunset." Twilight replied in apology. "She is hardly ever that violent."
"It's OK, Twilight." Sunset assured her. "The other Rainbow Dash was just as difficult. In fact, she and I had to fist fight each other to clear up all the tension between us before she and I finally became friends. Don't worry, I won't let the same thing happen with me and your Rainbow Dash."
"That's good to hear." Twilight answered her.
While they continued on their way to Ponyville, they both decided to stop for lunch at Sugarcube Corner, that way Sunset could meet Pinkie Pie at the same time. They were halfway to their destination when, they heard a female voice shouting "LOOK OUT!"
By the time they turned their heads to see who was shouting, it was already too late for Sunset, because the next thing she saw was a familiar trio of fillies before accidently getting rammed from the front and knocked over onto her back for the third time that day.
"Sunset, are you alright?" Twilight exclaimed to her in worry.
"I think I'm ok, Twilight." Sunset replied before shaking her head to get out of the daze she was in. "What just hit me?" Then she noticed the trio of fillies from just a few seconds ago. It was then that she got a better look at them.
One was a familiar white unicorn with a purple and pink mane. One was an orange pegasus with a violet mane, and the last one was a yellow earth pony with a red mane and a pink bow that tied her hair back.
In a way, these three fillies looked almost exactly like a trio of girls from Canterlot High that were always trying to find out their special talents. Sunset probably figured that she just met their pony counterparts.
"Girls, are you alright?" Twilight asked them in concern as they got their scooter and wagon back on their wheels. "You really should be more careful. You crashed into Sunset Shimmer this time. If you had been going any faster, you could've broken a bone or something."
"We're sorry, Twilight." The earth pony filly spoke in an accent similar to Applejack's. Sunset figured they might be related.
"We just got a brand new idea for how to get our cutie marks. And we could not wait to get over to our clubhouse and try it out." The unicorn filly spoke next. "We're sorry we crashed into you, miss Shimmer."
"And speaking of cutie marks," the pegasus filly spoke up while looking at Sunset's cutie mark with a look a pure amazement, "that has got to be one of the awesomest cutie marks I've ever seen!"
"Why thank you little miss…," Sunset said as she blushed slightly. "I'm sorry, I never got your names."
"I'm Scootaloo." The orange pegasus said as she pointed to her own chest.
"I'm Sweetie Belle." The unicorn filly introduced herself.
"And Ah'm Apple Bloom." The earth pony filly spoke up. Sunset was now positive that this was Applejack's little sister.
"And we're..." they cleared their throats and said in unison, "The Cutie Mark Crusaders!"
'Wow, these three fillies have quite a powerful set of lungs.' Sunset thought to herself as she and Twilight were rubbing their ears.
"Well, it's very nice to meet the three of you," said Sunset. "So, what are the Cutie Mark Crusaders?"
"We work together to find our cutie marks!" Apple Bloom said, showing off her blank flank. "We try just about everythin' we can think of. In fact we have already tried everythin' we can think of, and we still don't have them. You'd think we would have gotten them by now since we're almost done having to go to school."
Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle then climbed back into the wagon while Scootaloo reconnected it to her scooter.
"Well, we'd love to stay and chat, but we have some crusading to do." Scootaloo said before turning her head to Sunset. "See ya around, Sunset Shimmer, and sorry for crashing into ya."
"It's quite alright Scootaloo, believe it or not, I've been through worse accidents before." Sunset replied. "Hope you and your friends find your cutie marks. Just be patient and you will get them sooner or later."
"We know, thanks Miss Shimmer." All three said in unison in a somewhat annoyed tone before Scootaloo mounted her scooter, rapidly buzzed her wings like a bumblebee, and shot off down the road to Sweet Apple Acres with her friends in tow on the wagon.
"Those fillies can be quite the hoof-full." Twilight said as she and Sunset continued on their way to Sugarcube Corner. "They just don't understand the value of patience. They need to learn that their cutie marks will come in time."
"Come on Twilight, can't you cut them some slack?" Sunset asked in response. "I mean, they're three fillies who are almost about to finish school and have yet to get their cutie marks. Who's to say WE were never that adventurous when we were their age?"
"Well, you got me there." Twilight answered her. "It's just that with those three, it can be so frustrating. It's ridiculously obvious what each of their special talents are. The entire town of Ponyville knows it for crying out loud. The only ponies who don't know are the Crusaders themselves. There are often times when I wish they would just figure out their special talents already and just get this whole thing over with."
"I understand, Twilight." Sunset replied with a sincere smile. "I would probably feel the exact same way if I were in your horseshoes right now." The two mares chuckled at this. And it was then that they finally reached their destination.
"Twilight, the building itself isn't edible too, is it?" Sunset asked out of curiosity.
"You know, I'm actually not so sure." Twilight answered her in full honesty. "I never even thought to ask Pinkie Pie or the Cakes about it."
Sunset stared up at the sugary decorated building that was Sugarcube Corner. She remembered its equivalent in the world beyond the mirror, but even that paled in comparison to what she saw now. With its graham cracker roof and candy coated exterior walls with a cupcake on top, this building looked like something that one could have read about in a certain fairy tale back in the other world.
"Well, if your Pinkie Pie is exactly like the other Pinkie Pie," Sunset began to tell Twilight, "then I am probably going to receive one heck of a welcome in three…two…one."
Sunset had just finished counting down when a familiar pink streak practically rammed into her in a similar manner to Rainbow Dash's aggressive one from earlier.
Her smile suddenly turned into a look of inquisitiveness and she tilted her head to one side. "Hey, haven't I seen you before?"
"You probably remember me from a certain incident in the Crystal Empire 30 moons ago that involved your friend Twilight. My name is Sunset Shimmer."
"You're the pony who stole Twilight's crown/Element of Harmony back then!" Pinkie exclaimed with an annoyed look on her face.
"Yes, I am." Sunset replied somewhat ashamed. "As for why I am here, you see…"
"After Twilight blasted you with the Elements of Harmony in the other world and left you there thirty moons ago, you made amends, righted all the wrongs you did and even befriended all our counterparts in that world. Then, when the thirty moon period was over you decided to come back to Equestria for good and face all of your punishments for all of your past actions and apologize to Princess Celestia, who forgave you and gave you another chance to be her student again and sent you here to Ponyville to learn even more about the Magic of Friendship, and now you're getting a tour of Ponyville from Twilight since you're gonna be staying here for a while!" Pinkie said all in one breath, at a ridiculously fast, before ending with a wide grin.
Sunset's jaw opened up and literally hit the ground after what she had just heard. She then rolled up her jaw back to its original spot before turning to Pinkie Pie. "How did you know all of that?!" Sunset asked her in astonishment.
"Just a hunch!" Pinkie shrugged cheerfully.
Sunset then started twitching her left eye in a weird way before she finally thought to herself: 'Remember Sunset, this is Pinkie Pie. When she's around, weird, strange, and freaky tend to be normal.'
"Well, yes." Sunset started again. "You are absolutely right about everything down to the last minor detail. Twilight here was just giving me a tour of Ponyville and we decided to have some lunch here at Sugarcube Corner."
"Okey dokey lokey! Come on in then!" Pinkie offered and hopped into the bakery with Twilight and Sunset following her.
After going inside Pinkie started shaking a bit. "Ooh, Pinkie sense coming on. Ear flop…eye flutter…knee twitch."
Sunset then noticed she was next to a closed door and immediately stepped out of harm's way before it opened to reveal the bakery's owners, Cup Cake and Carrot Cake, carrying their sleeping twin foals, Pound Cake and Pumpkin Cake, up the stairs to their bedroom for nap time.
Twilight and Pinkie were both open-mouthed at what Sunset just did. It was Twilight who broke the silence. "How did you know what that meant or what to do?"
"You didn't think the other Pinkie Pie didn't have a Pinkie sense of her own, did you?" Sunset replied with a smirk.
"The other Pinkie Pie has a Pinkie sense?!" Pinkie exclaimed in sheer surprise before immediately getting a suspicious look on her face. "I'm not sure I believe you. What does twitchy tail mean?"
"Something's about to fall." Sunset answered her, knowing Pinkie was obviously quizzing her.
"Ears are flopping?" Pinkie asked.
"You'll start a bath for me." Sunset answered.
"Back is itchy?" Pinkie asked.
"It means it's your lucky day." Sunset responded.
"When my knee gets pinchy?" Pinkie asked.
"That means something scary's about to happen." Sunset replied.
"Achy shoulder?" Pinkie asked.
"There's an alligator in the tub." Sunset answered.
"Ear flop, then knee twitch, then eye flutter?" Pinkie asked.
"That means the sky is about to be graced with a beautiful rainbow." Sunset responded.
"Ear flop, then eye flutter, then knee twitch?" Pinkie asked.
"Look out for opening doors, as I just demonstrated a minute ago." Sunset replied.
"Itchy nose?" Pinkie asked.
"Swarm of angry bees." Sunset answered.
"My whole body starts vibrating?" Pinkie asked for the last time.
"Duh, that's a doozy. Something you never expect to happen is gonna happen." Sunset replied for the last time. "In fact, the other Pinkie had a doozy just before I told the other you's about my decision to come back to Equestria. Turns out my revelation was the doozy."
"Well, I believe you now." Pinkie said with a cheerful smile. "So, what can I get you two to eat?" Twilight and Sunset then requested their orders and Pinkie then said "Okey dokey lokey!" in reply before hopping away.
"I still can't believe the other Pinkie has a Pinkie sense of her own." Twilight said to Sunset while they were waiting for their orders. "And that you knew each and every different kind of twitch."
"Well, v there's one thing I would like to know." Sunset said. "I recognize Mr. and Mrs. Cake as ponies from when I was in the other world. But who were those cute little sleeping foals they were carrying up the stairs? I never saw either of them in the other world."
"Oh, those are Cup Cake's and Carrot Cake's twin children, Pound Cake and Pumpkin Cake." Twilight explained.
"Really?!" Sunset almost exclaimed. "But Mr. and Mrs. Cake are both earth ponies. How can one of those twins be a pegasus and the other one a unicorn?"
"Easy." A new and more masculine voice answered. "My great-great-great-great grandfather was a unicorn, and Cup Cake's great aunt's second cousin twice removed was a pegasus. That makes sense, right?"
Both mares turned to see the Cakes standing walking right next to their table. Carrot Cake looked as though even he didn't understand what he just said.
"No, to be quite frank, it does not." Sunset replied in honesty. "Not with those slim odds."
"Oh, and who are you dearie?" Cup Cake asked her.
"Oh, how rude of me." Sunset replied. "My name is Sunset Shimmer. I'm new here to Ponyville and Twilight was taking me on a tour of the town while meeting all her friends. We figured we could come here to stop for lunch while meeting Pinkie Pie at the same time."
"Oh, that's wonderful to hear Miss Shimmer." Carrot cake responded before turning to walk back to work.
"Well, we'd better get back to work." Cup Cake added before turning to Sunset. "Enjoy your stay in Ponyville, Miss Shimmer."
Sunset replied a 'thank you' to her and then she and Twilight went back talking about their previous adventures since the last time they saw each other, even after Pinkie brought them their meals, which included a free cupcake each on the house.
As soon as they finished their meals, they paid up front thanked Pinkie and headed over to Carousel Boutique to meet Rarity.
They were halfway there, when they heard a familiar refined voice.
"Twilight, yoo-hoo!" it called.
A beautiful white unicorn with a beautiful purple mane that was brushed into very intricate curls, trotted into view, giving the two ponies an affectionate and sincere smile. Sunset immediately recognized this pony as Rarity, for there was only one person beyond the mirror who could have had a pony counterpart this beautiful.
"How are you doing today, darling?" Rarity asked Twilight before she caught a glimpse of Sunset. "Oooh, and who is this new face?" Then she suddenly let out a shrill shriek, startling the other two ponies. "Good heavens, dear, what happened to you!?"
Sunset looked down at herself, just noticing that she was now covered in dirt. She did not see any dirt on her at all after Winona, Rainbow, or the Crusaders had plowed into her.
"I was actually knocked flat on my back at least four times today." Sunset answered her.
"With the most recent instance being from having just met Pinkie Pie." Twilight added.
"She did not mean to, Twilight." Sunset replied. "Besides, after being jumped on by Winona, tackled down by Rainbow Dash, and crashed into by the Cutie Mark Crusaders, I am surprised I only got dirty after Pinkie jumped me."
"Well Winona's a dog, so she can't help it." Twilight started. "And Rainbow Dash and the CMC are understandable given how they are."
"Same goes for Pinkie Pie, but still..." Rarity sighed while nodding in understanding, "That silly mare. Honestly, I love her as much as the rest of us here in Ponyville, but she could still stand to learn a decent thing or two about personal space." She then turned to Sunset to get a better look at her.
"Do correct me if I am wrong dear," Rarity started, "but don't I know you from somewhere? You seem awfully familiar to me."
"Yeah, I've been getting that a lot today, which is not really surprising." Sunset answered her. "My name is Sunset Shimmer. You probably remember seeing me only for a brief moment in the Crystal Empire thirty moons ago."
"You're the thief who stole Twilight's crown?!" Rarity shrieked in surprise.
"Yes." Sunset answered her. "And I'm not proud of any of the things that I have done. I came back to Equestria to face judgment for my actions. And Princess Celestia forgave me enough to let me be her personal student again. Now I am just looking for a fresh start, an opportunity to make friends. I've already met most of Twilight's friends here in Ponyville, and I'd really like to get to know you better, if you'll let me."
"Well, if Twilight and the Princess forgive you, then so can I." Rarity said apologetically. "Please, allow me to return your mane back to its healthy and natural state; free of charge, of course."
If this Rarity was anything like her counterpart beyond the mirror, Sunset knew that there was no refusing her. She ran a hoof threw her mane and shrugged. "Well we were planning on visiting you next and I've already met the rest of Twilight's friends, so I suppose it's oka—aah!"
Rarity had begun to push Sunset down the street before the words had even finished leaving her mouth. "Oh don't worry, Sunset, you're going to look as beautiful as a princess when I'm done with you!"
"Please don't tease me with images like that Rarity." Sunset giggled even though she was serious about it. "I'm trying to keep that kind of temptation OUT of my head."
Twilight and Rarity just giggled along with her in response to that.
Sunset stood on Rarity's modeling stage, feeling quite refreshed. Rarity had quickly washed and shampooed Sunset's mane and then dried it just as fast, and yet she was still able to make Sunset's mane look exactly the same as it was before. Then Rarity decided to have Sunset model a few outfits, bringing Sunset to her days helping the other Rarity and making her feel like a runway fashion model.
"So Sunset, how have things been going for you since your return to Equestria?" Rarity asked her while working with the dress. "And what are you doing in Ponyville?"
"Oh boy, where do I start?" Sunset said to herself in response. Then she began telling Twilight and Rarity about her return and her time in the Crystal Empire all the way down to her tearful reunion with Princess Celestia, even mentioning being given another chance as her student. She also mentioned how she had met her adoptive son, Lockon Astros, as well as Discord and Princess Luna.
"After Princess Celestia forgave me, she sent me here to learn about the Magic of Friendship even more than I already have." Sunset replied. "I am to send her friendship reports whenever I learn something new or make new friends."
"I see, very much like when Twilight first started, then." Rarity said as she gave a small nod of understanding before jumping back from the dress and crying, "And done!"
Sunset turned and faced the mirrors lining the back of the stage. On her was deep garnet red dress that nearly reached the floor, and was decorated with rubies and yellow topazes which made the whole dress look like it was one of those bookmarks with images that change appearance based on the angle one would look at it from. The gems made her look like she was wearing a cloak of fire that was constantly burning.
"Wow, Rarity," Sunset gasped. "I'm speechless, yet again, you have outdone yourself!"
"Oh, I'm so glad you like it!" Rarity giggled in delight. Before gasping. "Id-dee-as! Oh, I am getting so many right now, I need to write them all down before I forget any of them!" She then grabbed a pen and notepad with her magic before doing exactly that.
It was already starting to get late. Twilight finally noticed what time it was. "Oh, it's getting late. I told Spike we'd be home by dinner."
"Oh, is it that late already?" Rarity asked surprisingly. "Oh, I am so sorry I took up so much of your time, dears. Do give my best to little Spikey-wikey, would you Twilight?"
"Sure thing, Rarity." Twilight answered her as she and Sunset walked out the door, with Sunset putting the dress she had just modeled back on its ponnequin.
"Little Spikey-wikey?" Sunset asked while laughing in a confused manner.
"She's been calling him that from time to time ever since he gave her a fire ruby that he had been planning on having for his birthday dinner." Twilight explained. "Don't tell him I said this, but Spike has had a crush on Rarity ever since the two of us first met her."
"Really?" Sunset giggled. "That's so cute."
"Well, we better get back so Spike doesn't eat dinner without us." Twilight said.
"I wouldn't worry about that, Twilight." Sunset told her. "If I know Pinkie Pie, and I am pretty sure I know at least one, she'll probably be throwing a surprise 'Welcome to Ponyville' party for me by the time we get back to the library."
"You're probably right, Sunset." Twilight chuckled as they both walked back to the library. "You're probably right."