//------------------------------//
// Sunlight  
// Story: Summer Sunset 
// by RobRoyale 
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Chapter 13

Light flowed through the windows as the sun rose over the mountain peak. The curtains were drawn ever so slightly, casting a ray of light onto the sleeping form of Sunset Shimmer. The light made its way from the floor, up to Sunset’s face and washed over her closed eyes. She yawned softly and sat up stretching her muscles. She felt sore in some places and her horn ached a little. She made a mental note to file it later. 
She rubbed her head and touched her forehead, noticing there were bandages wrapped around it. There were also bandages covering her hooves, she looked at them curiously, then thought back to the events earlier. A smile crept on her face as she remembered seeing Twilight’s smiling face before she lost consciousness. Most of the fight was now a blur and felt like a dream. She had fought Chrysalis, retrieved Twilight's power, became an alicorn, and saved Twilight’s life by giving that power to her. Still, it felt like a dream. 
Sunset sat up and took in her surroundings. Based on the crystal architecture of the room she was in Twilight’s palace. Though, she wasn’t in her own room. The sheets were lined with constellations, and ahead of the bed was the remnant of a dying fire in the fireplace. She was in Twilight’s room. Her head darted left and right but there was no sign of the lavender alicorn. Taking a cautionary step out she slid out of bed. Using the bed frame she trotted towards the door, the world was wobbly and her headache spiked slightly. She walked over to the doors and pushed them open not wanting to use magic. There weren’t any guards outside the room or along the hallway
	If I walk out there and Pinkie Pie threw a party, I swear… She grumbled in her head, praying to the royal sisters that for once, they would bless her with peace. She trotted down to the double doors that opened up to the throne room. With the greatest amount of hesitation, she pushed through them, peering her head in. To her surprise, there were only three ponies sitting in the room: Celestia, Luna, and Twilight. 
They didn’t notice her until she opened the door fully, making a creaking sound. The three snapped to attention and looked in her direction; she noted that Twilight’s wings flared up in the process. Sunset gave a small smile as she walked forward. 
“It’s good to see you awake, Sunset Shimmer. How are you feeling?” Celestia gave her a warm smile. 
Sunset cleared her dry throat. “Sore… but fine for the most part.”  
“Come sit.” Celestia motioned to the seat beside Twilight, “Have some tea.” 
She nodded and sat in the throne next to Twilight as Celestia poured a cup and levitated it to her. Sunset looked at Twilight giving her a smile, in response she smiled with a light blush on her cheeks. 
Sunset sipped her tea and smiled as the hot liquid soothed her dry throat. “Thank you, Princess.”
“My pleasure, now then I suppose it's time to finally answer your question.” 
“Hm?” Sunset looked up from her tea with a raised eyebrow.
“You asked me what happens after Twilight was saved.” Celestia stated her tone turning serious. 
Sunset gulped a little. “I… I don’t care what you may do to me, Celestia… I’ll accept whatever punishment you have.” Out of the corner of her eye she saw Twilight’s ears fold back.
Celestia looked at Sunset and blinked a couple times. “Punishment?”
“Yes.” Sunset frowned. “For what I did to you in the past… how I betrayed you, what I did in the human world.”
“But you were reformed.” Celestia raised an eyebrow.
“By the elements, not by my own will.”
“But you then chose to follow the path of friendship.”
Sunset shook her head. “However, I still slandered your teachings.” Even though Sunset had followed friendships path and made amends towards the girls she tortured the most back in Canterlot High, she had still never made amends for her wrong doings back in Equestria. She had wanted power from Celestia, she demanded Alicornhood, but was denied. She discovered the magic mirror and when she saw her reflection it showed her that she could become an Alicorn. That passion and will drove her to betray Celestia. Delving into the Canterlot archives of forbidden magic was her first betrayal and then insulting Celestia’s teachings was her second. 
“You think I have not done the same to my teacher?” Celestia sipped her tea and gave Sunset a playful wink.
“Wait, what?” Sunset asked. 
Celestia leaned back in her chair. “When Starswirl the Bearded first created the portals, I followed him through to an alternate universe where the destinies and personalities of all ponies were switched. There I met King Sombra, except this one was good, and relations formed between us.”
Luna coughed. “Yes, relations.” She made air quotes with her hooves.
Celestia scowled at Luna, then continued. “Starswirl forbade me from continuing to see him, but of course being a young ruler, I sought out my own desires.” 
“Yes, desires.” Luna rested a hoof on her cheek. “More like you felt bad for banishing us to the moon and you needed an outlet.”
“Luna!” Celestia chided. 
“Tis only the truth, dear sister.” Luna chuckled.
“Regardless!” Celestia sighed, “No one is perfect Sunset, even I’ve made mistakes. Though I had hundreds of years to make up for them, you in less time have made up for yours during in the human world.” 
Sunset looked at her with a dumbfounded expression. “I…”
“Have you forgiven yourself, Sunset?” Celestia asked.
“Well…” she hesitated at first, but then nodded. “I suppose I have.” 
Celestia smiled. “You know when I said you and Twilight have much in common, I wasn’t exaggerating. You both take the simplest of things and blow them out of proportion.” She giggled.
Sunset and Twilight both blushed and looked in all directions except at each other.  Sunset coughed, “I guess I just expect it because most of villains you’ve banished have tried to take over Equestria.”
Celestia paused for a moment. “Hm….” She sat in thought for a few moments. Then, a sly smile formed on her lips. “Very well, if you believe you should receive the same treatment, I will be a fair ruler.” She got up from her throne and motioned for Sunset to kneel before her. Sunset scrambled to her feet and got off the chair lowering her body in front of Celestia.“Sunset Shimmer, for your actions, I decree your punishment is whatever Princess Twilight Sparkle says it should be.” 
Sunset stared at Celestia’s hooves, she could have sworn she misheard that; she looked up to see Princess Celestia looking down at her with a devious grin. 
“W-what?”
“My decree is final Sunset, Twilight Sparkle will decide your fate.” Celestia leaned down and patted her head. “I hope she is more merciful than I.” 
Sunset stood up slowly and turned around to see Twilight had the same dumbfound expression on her face. Her fate was in Twilight’s hooves now. 
Twilight tapped her chin with a hoof for a moment, then smiled. “Alright.” She got down from her throne and walked up to Sunset. “Stay.”
“Huh?” Sunset’s mind went blank. “What do you mean, stay?”
“Stay here,” Twilight smiled, with a blush forming on her cheeks. “With me.” 
“You mean… for more than just the summer?”
Twilight nodded. “You told me everyone is starting their own lives back in the other world and you didn’t have much of an idea what to do.” She tapped her hoof at the ground nervously. “So I decree… that you stay here with me.” 
Sunset blushed. “Um…” Her jaw hung slack. She understood that Twilight hadn’t intended to do anything bad to her, but she certainly didn’t expect this. The gears in her mind turned slowly as she tried to process this demand. She looked to Princess Celestia and Princess Luna, but neither made an objection. 
“What would I do here?”
Twilight’s rubbed her chin in thought. “Well… I am a princess, and I could use an advisor.” The blush on her cheeks intensified. “I do also enjoy getting to study and sit by the fire together.” 
“Twilight, I…” 
“I-it’s my word Sunset!” Twilight tried her best to be strict, but she was utterly failing with the blush on her face that Sunset found adorable. 
“Then,” Sunset spoke softly then smiled. “I guess I don’t have a choice.”
“Really?! Great! I mean—” Twilight cleared her throat. “As you should Miss Shimmer.” 
Celestia put a hoof around Sunset and pulled her to her side. “Then let me be the first to say it’s wonderful to have you back Sunset.” 
Sunset nodded. “It’s good to be back, Princess Celestia. I hope the girls won’t be too disappointed, though.”
“I’m sure they will understand,” said Twilight. 
“Come now, Pinkie Pie has a celebration waiting outside.” Luna motioned towards the door.
Sunset groaned. “Again?”
Twilight giggled, putting a hoof around her. “You know Pinkie Pie. Better get used to it now.”
“I don’t think I’ll ever get used to that mare,” Sunset chuckled.
“I still don’t think I have,” Twilight smiled. “Princesses, tell Pinkie Pie we’ll be out soon. I would like a word with Sunset.”
Celestia and Luna nodded and exited, closing the door to the throne room, leaving the two mares alone. Sunset raised an eyebrow looking to Twilight. “What’s up?”
Twilight blushed again. “I want you to say it again.”
“Say what again?”
“What you said to Chrysalis. Your reason for protecting me.”
Sunset’s cheeks lit up and her eyes widened. “U-uh…” She gulped and backed up a little. “I-I’m afraid I don’t know w-what you’re talking about, Twilight.” 
Twilight stepped forward. “Oh, I think you do know.”
“Y-you can’t prove I said anything.” Sunset backed up to one of the thrones.
“I have four other mares and a very trustworthy dragon assistant that can do so.” She said with a sly grin. 
“C-c’mon Twilight, it was the heat of the moment! I was desperate and running on adrenaline.” Sunset looked from side to side nervously 
“Oh…” Twilight looked away her mood deflating. “So you don’t… 
Sunset’s attention snapped back to Twilight, and she stopped backing up. “N-no! That’s not what I meant…” She grabbed Twilight’s hoof. 
“Then what did you mean?” Twilight asked giving a little sniff. Sunset could see this was an act, but Twilight was making it very believable. Her ears were folded down, her cheeks were flushed, and the slight forming of tears complimented the crack in her voice perfectly.
Sunset had played right into Twilight’s grasp, and she had no choice but to continue going. Sunset breathed for a moment and looked back to Twilight. She gulped down the lump in her throat and spoke. “Twilight, I—” 
“Sunset, I think I like you!” Twilight blurted out quickly. 
Sunset was taken aback. Her cheeks flared up and her heart pounded in her chest. “You do?”
Twilight nodded. “Well, I think so… I’m still sort of new to this whole thing… but you said in the changeling stronghold that you loved me.” She trailed off at the end. 
“Well… it’s just…” Sunset gulped.
“Heat of the moment?” Twilight asked, crestfallen.
“Yeah…” Sunset saw the deflated look on Twilight’s face, and felt a small pit form in her stomach. She moved closer and pulled her into a warm hug. “But I really do like you… I’m still new to these feelings as well.” 
Twilight embraced her back and gently nuzzled her neck. “So then, where do we go from here? I don’t think I have a book on how to do this.” She chuckled half joking. 
Sunset joined her and pulled away. “It’s a little anticlimactic, but I think we can start off with something small…” She leaned in close to Twilight, pursing her lips slightly. Twilight’s eyes widened and she followed her lead.
“What’s taking you two mares so long?” Pinkie Pie poked her head through the doors. “We’re ready to start the party out here!” 
“Pinkie!” The two mares simultaneously shouted, glaring at the pink mare. 
“What?” she asked obviously. 
Sunset growled, then sighed, rubbing her temple. “Nothing Pinkie, were coming.” 
“Yay!” She bounced out of the room. 
Twilight pouted, due to the ruined moment. Sunset lightly pecked Twilight’s cheek, then trotted past brushing her tail under her neck. “We can always finish later. C’mon, let’s go.”
“U-uh.” Twilight touched her cheek, then shook her head. “Right!” 

Needless to say, the party was one of the ages, a true Pinkie Pie extravaganza. In the center of town, everypony in Ponyville danced the night away. Even the Princesses got in on the fun. Many ponies were horrified by Twilight’s still awkward dance skills, however, Sunset found them adorable. To her dismay, there wasn’t a slow dance. She personally would have loved to sweep Twilight off her hooves. Regardless, everypony enjoyed themselves. Vinyl Scratch was at the mix tables again, throwing down the beats to Pony Rock Anthem. 
Sunset sat off to the side, enjoying a refreshing drink. She watched on as Twilight danced with her friends. She couldn’t keep a hoof down on the beat of her music, but she still looked like she was enjoying herself. Even if it was a hazard to her friends when a stray hoof came their way. 	
“Well hello, Sunset, fancy seeing you here.” Discord appeared next to her with a lampshade on his head. 
Sunset jumped back and glared. “Where the hell have you been?”
“You wouldn’t believe me if I told you.” Discord snapped his claw, summoning a glass of chocolate milk. 
“Try me.” 
Discord downed the milk and it automatically refilled. “Well, the Doctor required my assistance and needed me to help balance out a galaxy on the brink of utter collapse. Turns out perfect universes can’t exist without chaos.”
Sunset stared at him. 
“What? I said you wouldn’t believe me.”
“Sorry I asked.” She sighed, “Still, we could have used your help in that battle!”
Discord waved a lion paw, tipping his lampshade back. “I knew you could handle it, and see, everything turned out alright.” 
“Still, it might not have,” Sunset growled.
“But yet, here we are.” Discord patted her head, materializing a gold medal in the shape of Twilight around her neck. “Why the angry eyes? You should be happy, you got exactly what you wanted.” 
“Coming from you, that’s not really comforting.” Sunset looked away huffing. 
“Ouch. Is someone a little huffy because she didn’t a hero’s kiss?” 
Sunset’s cheeks went red. “Seriously, stop spying on us!”
“If I did, I wouldn’t be able to help you. And where would you be without me?” Discord grinned deviously. 
Sunset sighed and rubbed her forehead. “Alright, fine…” She finished her drink and began walking towards Vinyl as the song finished. “Thanks… by the way.”
“Always a pleasure, Miss Shimmer.” Discord bowed and flashed out of sight. Sunset walked up to Vinyl’s DJ stand and saw Octavia there, she slipped Octavia a couple bits and whispered in her ear. Octavia’s face lit up with a smile and she jumped up next to Vinyl whispering Sunset’s. The DJ shook her head in protest, but Octavia nuzzled her cheek and batted her eyes. Vinyl groaned and ducked under the table and came up with a new record. She put it on the track and took the mic.
“Alright everypony as a special request from people who want to be bored to death—OW! Octy, that hurt!” Vinyl whined. 
“Ahem,” Octavia took the mic. “As a special request from a certain pony, the next song of the evening will be a slow dance. So please grab a partner and enjoy, while I teach your esteemed DJ a lesson in public decency!”
“Abuse!” Vinyl shouted over the mic. Ponies laughed all around and the music began to play. The light melody of the piano streamed through the speakers. Sunset nodded a thank you to Octavia and walked into the crowd of ponies, towards Twilight. Couples were taking the dance floor as some less fortunate ponies made their way to the tables. Sunset saw Twilight in the center of her friends.  Spike was nervously dancing with Rarity, and Discord, now sporting a tux, bow tie, and top hat, was escorting Fluttershy in a dance. Applejack, Rainbow and Pinkie had left, with little desire for a slow dance. 
Twilight saw Sunset approaching and had a look of slight anticipation. “Um, Twilight?” A hoof tapped her on the shoulder from behind. She turned and saw Flash Sentry. He was wearing his armor again, but some bandages could still be seen under it. “Would like to dance?” He asked.
Sunset's eyes flashed with anger. She glared straight at Flash and a dark part of her mind wished the changelings had captured him. She was only five feet away from Twilight and she wished she were faster. 
“Sorry, Flash.” Twilight interrupted her thoughts.  “I owe someone else a dance.” She smiled looking to Sunset. 
“Really?” Flash followed her gaze to Sunset and he shrunk back. “Oh… um.” His gaze darted between them a couple times. “You know, I think I’ll just sit this one out.” He smiled awkwardly and stepped back. 
Sunset smirked and walked forward, taking Twilight’s hoof and bowing her head. “May I have this dance, your highness?”
“You most certainly may.” Twilight giggled, moving close to her as they began moving to the beat of the music. Celestia had begun setting the sun as Luna raised the moon. The setting sun overshadowed the town and the two mares became lost in the music. Granted, Twilight still stumbled over her hooves. Sunset kept them in line and prevented any casualties with other couples. 
To the couple’s dismay, the song eventually ended and to Pinkie Pie’s greater horror, the party came to a close. Everypony went their separate ways, and after Twilight said goodnight to her friends, she walked side by side with Sunset to the castle. The moon had risen and it was the perfect setting for their new favorite nightly activity. Once inside Twilight’s room, she lit the fire and pulled a book off the shelf. The pair sat down on pillows by the fireplace and Sunset snuggled close to her. 
Before Twilight could open the book, Sunset placed her hoof on it keeping it shut. Twilight looked at her with a confused expression. “Sunset, what are—”
She didn’t get to finish her sentence because a pair of soft amber lips were pressing against her own. Twilight’s eyes bulged and her wings shot straight up. The gears in her mind spun rapidly as they processed this sensation. Sunset had leaned in and kissed her. The kiss lasted a few seconds, then Sunset pulled away with an adorable shy smile on her face. 
Twilight touched a hoof to her lips blushing madly. “I…um…wow.” She looked to Sunset with a shy expression. “Could you, uh… do that again?” Sunset happily complied and kissed Twilight. This time, Twilight reciprocated the kiss. Sunset was in complete bliss. Everything had finally come full circle for her. After the Battle of the Bands, she felt a longing to fill a hole inside her. She had her friends, success, respect, and had made amends for her mistakes. Now she had what she truly wanted. Twilight. No longer did she have to fear Celestia or her past. This part of her would never break now.
Sunset pulled away from the kiss and nuzzled Twilight’s neck laying soft kisses against it. Twilight squeaked and let a soft moan. “Oh? Sensitive Princess?~”
“Sh-shut up.” She pouted, holding back another moan. 
Sunset snickered and gently nipped at her neck. “Never.” She rolled Twilight onto her back and straddled her waist. “Make me.” 
Twilight’s face flushed as she stared up at Sunset. “F-fine.” She telekinetically seized a pillow and whapped Sunset across the back of the head with it. 
Sunset fell off Twilight and grabbed her pillow. “Oh, it’s on.” Pillows collided sending feathers everywhere. Best Summer Ever, Sunset thought. 

The End