Sunset Shimmer's Redemption

by 00RaiserGundam

A Knack for Music

As Sunset and Twilight finally reached the library, Twilight noticed from outside that all the lights were off. "Looks like Spike might have turned in early, tonight." She said.

As soon as they opened the door however, the lights instantly came on to reveal a massive crowd of ponies who then shouted "SURPRISE!!!!" causing Twilight and Sunset to fall onto their flanks. It was then that they noticed the huge banner on the opposite side of the room, which read in big fiery-colored letters 'Welcome to Ponyville Sunset Shimmer'. Then they both knew that this was the work of Pinkie Pie.

"Hiya, Sunset!" Pinkie exclaimed in an overhyped attitude upon getting nose to nose with Sunset from out of nowhere. "I threw this party just for you! Were you surprised? Were ya? Were ya? Huh huh huh?"

"Very surprised." Sunset responded with a chuckle. "I kind of expected you to throw a party like this. I just was not expecting you to throw me one on the day that you and I first met."

"Although I do wish you would ask me the next time you want to set up a party for somepony else in my house, Pinkie." Twilight added with a slight hint of annoyance.

"Sorry about that Twilight." Pinkie apologized before turning to Sunset with a huge grin. "Hey, I'm just that good at planning and setting up parties."

"Well, wanna get this party started?" Sunset asked her with enthusiastic smile of her own.

"Oh, you know it." Pinkie answered her. "Let's say it together." Then they both turned to the crowd.

"Alright everypony…LET'S GET THIS PARTY STARTED!" They both exclaimed in unison. The crowd cheered in response. As the party progressed Sunset ran into Lyra, Minuette, Twinkleshine, and Lemon Hearts. They had another friendly chat and were just finishing up when Sunset noticed something that nearly blew her mind.

While she was still making friends in the other world, that Pinkie Pie had introduced her to a popular video game called Dance Dance Revolution. What she was looking at right now could only be described as a pony version of the game. Only instead of a perfectly square dance pad with four directional arrows that also appeared on the screen that you had to hit as they scrolled up, the dance pad was a rectangle that was divided into six even sections all in a different color with a hoof print in the center, with a matching design on the screen that had different sections lighting up on the screen indicating which sections you needed to step on.

As soon as Sunset saw it she instantly went over to try it out. In practically no time at all she was already dancing and mastering the game like she did in the other world. The only exception was that on some songs, there was a certain section where she had to stand on her tail and spin on it. It took her three tries and three times spinning out of control and crashing into somepony else by accident before she finally got the hang of it.

"You're good at Hoof Hoof Boogie, Sunset." Sunset turned to see Lyra and her friends looking at her with smiles on their faces.

"Thanks girls, you wanna join me?" Sunset asked them.

"What the hay? I'm game." Lemon Hearts replied and stepped up to the second player's dance pad.

Turns out Lemon Hearts had never even played Hoof Hoof Boogie before now. She was not doing very well at it. Once they had both finished the song, Lemon Hearts was all tired out and sweating profusely while Sunset had not even broken a sweat.

"Congratulations dancers!" an electronic voice exclaimed which was coming from the game. "You just completed this song. Player 1…final rank…Disco Queen!" Sunset high-hooved Pinkie Pie and Lyra in response.

"Player 2… final rank…Sweaty Cave Pony!" Lemon Hearts could only pout slightly while everypony else giggled.

Then Sunset went up against Pinkie Pie on the hardest song on the queue on the most difficult setting. They both tied in both score and rank which was 'Disco Queen' for both ponies.

Sunset then decided to take a break from Hoof Hoof Boogie. Then she noticed a certain trio of fillies conversing with each other. She noticed that Sweetie Belle looked a little down. So she decided to see what the problem was.

"Hey, girls." She greeted them as she walked up to them. "What's the matter, Sweetie Belle? You look a little down."

"Well my sister Rarity's birthday is coming up soon and-" she continued before Sunset interrupted her.

"You need help finding a present for her?" She said. "I can help with that."

"That's not it." Sweetie Belle quickly replied. "I've decided that I want to sing a song I wrote for her. The problem is I don't know anypony who can play the right instruments to go along with my singing. And then there is the fact that I can't sing in front of other ponies. I just don't know what to do."

"Sounds like classic stage fright to me." Sunset spoke. "Don't worry, Sweetie Belle. I can help you out with both of those problems."

"Really?!" Sweetie Belle asked with a hopeful smile.

"Of course." Sunset answered her with an honest smile. "How about you three show me to your clubhouse tomorrow and I can help you then. How does that sound?"

"That sounds perfect!" Sweetie Belle said before hugging Sunset. "Oh, thank you Miss Shimmer."

"It's no problem." Sunset responded while returning the hug. "And please, you can call me Sunset."

"Alright then Sunset, see you tomorrow." Sweetie Belle replied enthusiastically before she and the other crusaders turned around and left to try out Hoof Hoof Boogie.

Sunset then remembered that Lyra was a musician and decided to ask for her help. Sunset just noticed her and was about to walk over when she spotted Fluttershy.

"Hey, Fluttershy." Sunset called her.

"Oh, hi Sunset." Fluttershy answered her. "What is it?"

"How is that little wolf pup?" Sunset asked with concern. "Has he been doing alright since Twilight and I brought him to you?"

"Physically he has been doing alright." Fluttershy answered her. "But emotionally he is still shaken up from that incident with those timberwolves. He keeps looking out towards the Everfree Forest with this sad look in his eyes, only turning away to come get his meals. He won't even try to play with my other canine friends. I can tell he is still in mourning over his mother."

"Poor little pup." Sunset said with a sad tone. "I wish there was something I could do to help him. Wait…Fluttershy, is that little wolf pup ready for...say…I don't know…for adoption as a pet?"

Fluttershy's eyes immediately widened and her face contained so much joy and excitement. "Ohh! Y-y-Oh, really? You really want to adopt him? Really?"

"Yes, Fluttershy," Sunset answered her. "I have been thinking it over a lot ever since Twilight and I brought him to you. And I really think this is the kind of thing he needs. Somepony to love him and care for him for the rest of his life. Of course I will need to talk to Twilight about this first, but I am sure she would not mind, although I may need to have him housebroken before he can move in. But if that is the case, I can come visit him every day until then, and after that we can make everything official."

"I think that would be wonderful for him, Sunset." Fluttershy responded enthusiastically. "Let me know what Twilight thinks after you talk to her."

"Will do, Fluttershy." Sunset responded.

Soon afterwards the party was over and everypony went back to their respective homes. Sunset told Twilight about her plans for tomorrow with Sweetie Belle as well as her plans to adopt the little wolf pup as a pet. Twilight was very supportive of both decisions and happily agreed.

Before they all got ready for bed, Sunset wrote her first friendship report to Princess Celestia. She recounted how Twilight's friends were skeptical of her turnaround at first, but warmed up to her after she opened up to them. Well…all except for Rainbow Dash, but what would you expect from the pony who represents the Element of Loyalty? She even mentioned her part in saving the wolf pup and deciding to adopt him.

'I have decided to name him Shadow because of his nearly pitch-black fur.' Sunset thought to herself as she wrote the letter. 'And tomorrow I am going to help Rarity's little sister Sweetie Belle get over her fear of singing in front of other ponies. She wants to sing a song for Rarity as a present for Rarity's birthday which is coming up soon. I'll write you back about how it goes afterwards. Your reformed and now faithful student…Sunset Shimmer.'

"Hey, Spike?" She called him after just finishing. "I just finished my first letter to Princess Celestia. Could you be dear and send it to her for me?"

"No problem, Sunset." Spike replied and breathed his signature mystical green fire on the letter, causing it to be magically teleported to Celestia's private chambers.

Sunset thanked him and went to bed, where she had a very peaceful sleep that was completely nightmare free.

The next morning after breakfast Sunset let Twilight know that she was going to Fluttershy's before heading over to meet the crusaders at Sweet Apple Acres to help Sweetie Belle.

When Sunset got to Fluttershy's cottage, the first thing that greeted her was the wolf pup, who ran up to her and pounced on her so hard it sent her toppling onto her back. But she immediately started giggling when her face started getting licked all over.

"It's good to see you too, boy." Sunset told him with a smile.

"I knew you adopting him was the best thing for him." Fluttershy said as she came around the corner. "So what did Twilight say?"

"She was fully supportive of my decision." Sunset answered her.

"That's wonderful news." Fluttershy giggled with joy. "So what do you want to name him?"

"Shadow, I'll call him Shadow." Sunset answered her, and then turned her head when she heard the pup bark enthusiastically in response. "You like that name? OK then, Shadow it is. Well, I would love to stay and chat and finalize everything, but I promised Sweetie Belle I'd help her with something over at the Crusaders' clubhouse. Don't worry Shadow. Once I am done with all of my errands for today, I will come back to get you and take you home with me. How does that sound?"

Shadow barked twice in response to tell her 'yes'.

"Ok, I'll be back soon you two." Sunset called to Fluttershy and Shadow before galloping down the road to Sweet Apple Acres. Once she got to the front door of the farmhouse, Sunset gave a polite knock three times.

The door opened to reveal a red earth pony stallion who was about as big as Shining Armor. Although this pony wore a much more calm expression, Sunset still felt a little uncomfortable around him.

"Can Ah help you?" He asked in a deep-toned voice which made Sunset even more nervous.

"Hi, my name is Sunset Shimmer." She answered him in a polite tone. "I am a new friend of Applejack's. I am here to meet Apple Bloom and the other Crusaders. They invited me over to their clubhouse so I could help Sweetie Belle with something, and they told me to meet them here so they could lead me there. Is Apple Bloom here?"

"Eeyup." The stallion said. "Ah'll get her for ya."

He turned to head up the stairs and Sunset caught a glimpse of his cutie mark, which was half of a green apple. It was not long before a familiar filly came bounding down the stairs.

"Heya, Sunset." Apple Bloom excitedly greeted her. "Ah can't wait to see how ya help out Sweetie Belle with her stage fright."

"Well, Apple Bloom," Sunset told her, "I may need you and Scootaloo to help me with this at one point, but hopefully it won't come to that. Can I count on you to help me when I need it?"

"Yes mam." Apple Bloom saluted in response. "And Ah'm pretty sure Scootaloo feels the same way. We all want to help each other get our cutie marks."

"That's so sweet and noble of you Apple Bloom." Sunset said while ruffling the little filly's mane.

"Why thankee, Sunset." Apple Bloom responded with a wide smile before turning back to the stallion. "Don't worry Big Mac, we're just gonna help Sweetie Belle with her present for Rarity's birthday."

"Just don't stay out too long." Big Mac replied as the filly began leading Sunset to the clubhouse.

"Say, Apple Bloom, I know Applejack's your sister, but who was that stallion?" Sunset asked the little filly.

"Oh that's mah big brother, Big Macintosh, though most ponies usually just call him Big Mac for short." Apple Bloom answered her.

"Is he usually that quiet?" Sunset asked again.

"Usually, but not always." Apple Bloom replied. "Though he has a wonderful singin' voice which he uses in a little group called the Pony-Tones."

"You don't say?" Sunset responded. "And is it just you, him, and Applejack living together on that farm?"

"Nah," Apple Bloom answered, "there's also sweet ol' Granny Smith. Ya probably don't know this, but Granny Smith helped found Ponyville."

"Are you serious?!" Sunset replied with a gasp. "Wow, I remembered Twilight telling me that this town was founded by Earth Ponies, but who'd of thought that she and I would actually be friends with those from the family who created Ponyville?"

"Ah know." Apple Bloom acknowledged her. "It's amazing isn't it? Anyway we're here."

It was then that Sunset noticed that they were on a private part of the farm. Then she spotted a nicely built house on a tree. The house was neatly painted a light pink color. It had hearts on the windows and door. Apple Bloom began leading her up a ramp that was painted a greenish color and had steps for climbing. Outside the house were railings for safety reasons as well.

"Wow, Apple Bloom. This is one good-looking treehouse." Sunset complimented her.

"Well thanks, Sunset." Apple Bloom replied. "To be honest, it didn't always look like this. This used to belong to mah sister when she was my age. When she gave it to all three of us, it looked like a demolition site just waitin' to be torn down."

"Yeah, but Apple Bloom was able to fix it up into the little private slice of paradise that it is right now." The unmistakable voice of Sweetie Belle added.

"And all by herself, too." Scootaloo's voice continued. Apple Bloom blushed at the compliments.

"Oh, stop it ya'll." She said. "You gals are makin' me blush."

"Well, Sweetie Belle," Sunset directed towards the little unicorn filly, "you want to sing for your sister Rarity as a present for her birthday, is that right?"

"Yeah." Sweetie Belle answered. "I even wrote the lyrics for it."

She then levitated the sheets of paper containing the lyrics over to Sunset, who took them in her own telekinetic grasp and began reading. When she finished reading, she had an amazed look on her face.

"You wrote these?!" She asked Sweetie Belle in a surprised voice. "Sweetie Belle, I'm no musician, but in my honest opinion, these are without a doubt some of the best lyrics I have ever seen!"

"Really?" Sweetie Belle asked with an equally surprised yet hopeful smile.

"Definitely." Sunset answered her. "I am sure Rarity is going to love this song. Now how about we get started on your fear? You say you don't like to sing in front of other ponies because it makes you get all nervous, is that right?" Sweetie Belle meekly nodded yes in response. "Well, let me teach you a little trick I know to help you out with that. Follow me girls."

Sunset then lead the three fillies out of the clubhouse and onto the open space behind the ramp entrance. She then cast a spell and when she was done, the entire open space was filled with perfect illusory copies of everypony in Ponyville.

"Now Sweetie Belle, just to be clear, these ponies are only illusions that I created to help you out." Sunset began explaining. "These illusions are gonna be your practice audience. Now here's the trick I mentioned. When you sing in front of them, imagine that they are all your sister. Just imagine Rarity in everypony else's place. Think you can do that?"

"I'll try." Sweetie Belle gulped nervously. She then walked right up to the front of the crowd and started singing the song that she wrote. She started off a little shaky at first, but after imagining her sister in place of everypony else, she got the hang of it and continued singing with no trace of fear whatsoever.

When she finished singing, Sunset dropped the illusion spell while adopting an open-jawed look on her face with Apple Bloom and Scootaloo doing the same. To say that Sweetie Belle had the singing voice of an angel would be an understatement.

"It worked!" Sweetie Belle cheered with excitement. "I did it! The trick helped! Thank you, Sunset!"

"You're quite welcome, Sweetie Belle." Sunset responded with a warm smile. "I can't wait to see how your sister reacts after she hears your song."

"Well, actually there's one other part I need some help with." Sweetie Belle told her. "I still need some ponies to play instruments to go with my singing. I need a drummer, a guitarist, a bassist, and a keyboardist."

"Well, I have a friend who could probably help with that." Sunset replied. "Can you girls wait right here? I'll go get them right now."

And with that Sunset left to go get help from a certain musician friend of hers. When she came back she was not alone. Also accompanying her were Lyra Heartstrings, Vinyl Scratch, and Spike. Each of them was carrying an electric guitar, electric bass, keyboard, and drum set respectively.

"Sweetie Belle, meet the instrumentalists for your song." She told her. "I'm assuming you all have met at least once before. Lyra and I used to be classmates at Princess Celestia's School for Gifted Unicorns. We recently became friends and she told me about how she was a musician who likes to specialize in stringed instruments, including the electric guitar. When I told her about your present for Rarity, she was overjoyed to help out, and she even recommended Vinyl Scratch to be our bassist."

"Ok, but what's Spike doing here?" Sweetie Belle asked.

"I play piano in my spare time sometimes." The baby dragon responded. "I figured the keyboard isn't that different to play. Besides, how could I say no to a friend in need?"

"Thank you, Spike." Sweetie Belle told him before turning to Sunset. "I also see you brought a drum set, but where's our drummer?"

"You're looking at her." Sunset replied with a smirk.

"Ok, let's try playing the song, then." Sweetie Belle eagerly said.

"Just one thing before we do." Sunset said before casting a soundproofing spell over the entire field and clubhouse. "That's so nopony but ourselves can hear us. After all we would not want anypony else to spoil the surprise for Rarity."

Everypony else agreed with her and then they started playing. By the time they finished they were quite satisfied. Sweetie Belle was especially excited.

"Now I know Rarity is gonna love this." She giggled. "That is exactly how I want her to hear it. Ok, Rarity's birthday is tomorrow. And Pinkie will undoubtedly throw a surprise birthday party for her. We'll play the song for Rarity at the party, agreed?" Everypony nodded yes in response. "Great, see you then. Also, not a word of this to Rarity. And Sunset, thanks again for helping me."

"It's no problem at all, Sweetie Belle." Sunset replied. "Anything to help out a friend. See you tomorrow." And with that, she and the others headed back towards Ponyville, with her and Spike picking up Shadow from Fluttershy's cottage and finalizing his adoption along the way.

When they got back to the library, they told Twilight all about Sweetie Belle's plans for Rarity's birthday the following day. Naturally, Twilight promised to keep the whole thing a secret.

The next morning, a knock on the door woke up all of the residents. When Twilight answered the door, it was Pinkie Pie who, of course, told them about the surprise birthday party she was planning for Rarity. Sunset told her about Sweetie Belle's present for Rarity and Pinkie promised to throw it in the town hall, since it was the only building large enough to house everypony in Ponyville and still have room for Sunset, Sweetie Belle and the others to play the song.

Soon, early evening came. Sunset had gotten the all clear to fetch Rarity and bring her to the party. She had just led Rarity up to the entrance to the town hall.

"Alright, Sunset Shimmer." Rarity chided her lightly. "Why are we at the town hall?"

"You're about to find out, Rarity." Sunset answered her. "Just go on in and you'll see why."

Rarity then opened the door, and was greeted by a shower of confetti and a cacophony of noisemakers, followed by a chorus of "SURPISE!!!"

The town hall was festooned with streamers and balloons, and a banner reading "Happy birthday, Rarity!" was strung across a wall. All of Twilight's friends were there as well as everypony in Ponyville. Sweetie Belle was also waiting with Spike, Lyra, and Vinyl with all the needed instruments on stage.

"Guys!" Rarity cheered. "What a surprise!"

"I told you she wouldn't suspect a thing!" Pinkie boasted. "Happy birthday, Rarity!"

"Many happy returns, sugarcube." Applejack smiled.

"Oh, you didn't have to do all this for me." Rarity told them all.

"But we wanted to Rarity." Twilight replied. "You're one of our best friends. How could we not do something like this for you?"

"Plus, your little sister and I have an even bigger surprise for you." Sunset added. "In fact, she wants to give it to you right now."

"Oh does she now?" Rarity playfully smirked. "Well then, let's see it."

"You'll have the best view of it from directly in front of the stage." Sunset recommended. "I'll go help her get it ready." And with that she left to go back stage where everything was in place.

"What did she mean by that?" Rarity asked Twilight as they sat at a table directly in front of the stage with all the rest of their friends.

"Don't worry Rarity," Twilight answered her, "you're about to find out."

Then, all the lights went out before a couple of spotlights shone directly onto the stage. Then the curtains rose to reveal Lyra heartstrings standing on her hind hooves with her horn glowing and what appeared to be two hands made out of an aura of the same color as her eyes and the aura surrounding her horn holding onto an electric guitar. Vinyl Scratch was standing in a similar position next to her with a similar spell holding onto her electric bass. Behind them was Sunset Shimmer, who was using the same spell to hold onto the drumsticks that she would be using on the set she was currently sitting at. Next to her was Spike, who was standing on a large stool so he could reach his keyboard.

At the very front of the band was Sweetie Belle. Standing in front of a microphone stand. She walked right up to it and began to speak.

"Before we begin, I'd just like to say a few things." She started. "I'd like to dedicate this song I wrote to a special pony who is very dear to my heart. A mare who puts up with me every day and still loves me all the same, even despite all my clumsiness from time to time. And so, without further ado, I'd like to say, this one's for you, Rarity. Happy birthday, sis!"

Then she turned her head towards the back. "Hit it, Sunset!" and with that Sunset started off the song with a drum beat that was mainly bass kick and tapping her sticks together with the occasional snare hit. Spike joined in on his keyboard which made an introduction for Lyra and Vinyl to join in on their guitars. After a few measures of their playing, Sweetie Belle finally joined in and sang the lyrics.

As Sweetie Belle finished singing the first chorus, she used her magic to take the microphone out of its stand and bring it with her as she trotted over to Rarity's table for a quick sisterly hug during the second verse, even being careful not to mess up her mane.

As Sweetie Belle finished this verse she made her way over to another table that just so happened to be on stage. She then sat down on it and spun on her flanks while sitting down. Then she, Lyra, and Vinyl all walked up to the front of the stage to direct the next verse at Rarity and her table.

As Sweetie Belle finished the last line of that verse, they all went back to the middle of the stage to finish the song.

And just like that, the song was finished. Everypony in the audience was giving her the biggest thundering ovation anypony in Ponyville had ever seen or heard. Even more of a surprise was the fact that Rarity was cheering the loudest of them all, even doing some rather unladylike whistles. Sweetie Belle and her makeshift band all bowed before heading offstage to join the rest of the crowd for the rest of the party.

When Sweetie Belle finally emerged from the curtain, Rarity immediately tackled her into a bone-crushing hug. "That was so beautiful. Thank you, Sweetie Belle!" She said while tears of joy were flowing down her face.

"You really liked it?!" Sweetie Belle asked her with hope and enthusiasm.

"I loved it!" Rarity answered her. "That was the best present anypony has ever given me. And it means even more to receive it from my own little sister. Though to be honest, I am a bit surprised by this considering your fear of singing in front of other ponies."

"You can thank Sunset Shimmer for that." Sweetie Belle replied. "She got Lyra, Spike, and Vinyl to help with the instrumentals, and she also helped me with my fear." Then she turned to Sunset.

"By the way Sunset, thanks for everything." She said while hugging her. "You might not believe this, but I stopped the using the trick you taught me during the middle of the song."

"You did?!" Sunset gasped. "But you looked like you were still using it up there. You mean you got over your fear without having to use the trick?"

"Yeah," Sweetie Belle replied enthusiastically, "I decided to take a chance and you know what…it paid off. After the first chorus I stopped using it so I could interact with Rarity and I saw how everypony was enjoying my singing. Once I saw that, I wasn't afraid anymore."

"That's great to hear, Sweetie Belle." Sunset smiled.

"In fact, now I actually like to sing. I feel like it's what I was meant to do…no…what I AM meant to do." Sweetie Belle continued.

And it was then that something amazing happened. Sweetie Belle's flank started glowing with a really bright white light. Sweetie Belle was so caught up in thanking and hugging Sunset that she didn't even notice it herself.

"Sweetie Belle…your flank…" Rarity gasped in amazement.

"Huh?" Sweetie Belle puzzled. "My flank? What're you talking abou-" and then she gasped in surprise on her flank was a pink heart with a microphone with a handle that was the same light green color as her eyes and her magic aura.

"I don't believe it…my cutie mark…I finally got it!!" Sweetie Belle softly built up and then exclaimed at the end before.

"Oh, thank you, Sunset Shimmer!" She said before hugging Sunset. "I finally got my cutie mark and it's all thanks to you!"

"Now Sweetie Belle," Sunset chuckled, "as flattering as that might be if it were true, you and I both know that it is not. I may have taught you the trick to help you suppress your fear, but you were the one who conquered it on your own. And you knew what your special talent was when you decided to sing for your own sister for her birthday. Your cutie mark was the result of all of your hard work."

"You're…you're right, Sunset…but still, it's good that you helped, so thank you anyway." Sweetie Belle replied before turning to Rarity. "Now let's enjoy the rest of your birthday, sis."

And the party went off without a hitch. This was one letter that Princess Celestia was absolutely going love to read.