Book 1: A Sunlight Story

by Universal Timegate


Prologue (Edited by: Realm on 5/15/2015)

It was the middle of summer, and everyone on Earth thrived about around town and the surrounding neighborhoods. Many people worked around the clock and most of the local teens were either hanging out at the mall or had gotten summer jobs. Everything was peaceful, and most people had all but forgotten about the whole “Battle of the Bands” fiasco. Well, all except for the students at Canterlot High. The school as a whole kept the multiple incursions to themselves. Like a schoolwide, not-so-secret, secret.

In a nearby neighborhood lived a pony-turned-human, girl by the name of Sunset Shimmer. Sunset Shimmer and her best friend, Twilight Sparkle, had been constantly writing back and forth about pretty much everything. From weekly ordeals (which Sunset seldom had to share) to the nuances of their daily lives. What, with Sunset being a semi-recently reformed villainess, and Twilight being a new Princess of Equestria, both had fairly eventful lives to discuss. From context they were the best of friends, but ask, and some will tell you, they are closer than first meets the eye.

The time was 9am, the air was warm, and the day had just begun. Sunset Shimmer was watching TV on her living room couch, bored out of her mind. After flipping through channels for a while, she turned the TV off and picked up her phone, texting the girls to see if they had any plans:

Sunset: Hey girls do u have any plans? Maybe we can hangout?

While it took only 5 minutes for them to respond, to Sunset it felt more like an hour had passed until she heard her phone vibrate once, then again moments after.

Rarity: Can’t Darling. Have important family matters to attend to.

Pinkie: The author of this story has me doing something important.

Sunset paused for a moment at Pinkie’s text. ‘What author?’ she thought, until she remembered that Pinkie shouldn’t be questioned.

Sunset proceeded to read the rest of her friends replies.

Applejack: Sorry Sugarcube. Granny Smith is havin me do all sorts of crazy chores today.

Fluttershy: I can’t sorry :(

Rainbow: Sorry Sunset I have practice and a lot of competitions coming up.

Sunset let out an annoyed sigh, and placed her phone back on the coffee table. A slight glint of light caught her eyes and they were drawn to her magic “phone” book, the light of a nearby window shining on the gold clad spine. Deciding she was out of options, Sunset shrugged, picked up her pen and turned to the next blank page of the book.

Dear Twilight,

I know you’re busy with your Royal Duties and I’m sorry for bothering you, but I’m very bored and the girls all have plans. Can you help me out?

Your Friend, Sunset Shimmer

She placed the book and pen down and, tapping her foot on the ground, waited for Twilight to reply. After a few minutes, Sunset saw the book vibrating. She quickly picked it up and began flipping through pages containing old letters, and finally found Twilight’s reply.

Dear Sunset Shimmer,

I actually just finished the last bit of work I had for the day. If you’re really as bored as you say, why don’t you come back to Equestria? I’m sure a lot has changed since you left for the human world. Princess Celestia probably misses you, and might want to talk. I’m sure she’s not mad, in fact, she was hoping for you to return someday. But it’s up to you.

Your Friend, Twilight Sparkle

Sunset stared down at the page for a bit, her mind still processing what she had just read. ‘Twilight wants me to return to Equestria? I don’t know if I should or not, but I’m up for anything at this point’ Sunset thought, making up ideas within her head of how to go about this if she does return. Sunset picked up her pen and began to write:

Dear Twilight,

While I’m grateful for the invitation I need some time to think it over. I mean it’s not that I don’t want to come back, that’s not it at all it’s just, I don’t think ponies there will be ecstatic about me coming back considering what I did. I feel that they’re still mad at me for what I tried to do and for what I actually did.

Your Friend, Sunset Shimmer

The book began to vibrate again just as she put it back down.

Dear Sunset Shimmer,

Ponies here in Equestria don’t know about you, and Celestia hasn’t mentioned you to anyone but Luna, the girls, and me. I haven’t said a word to anyone except my friends about it. And this will be a perfect opportunity for you to meet the pony versions of the girls and for you and Celestia to catch up a bit.

Your Friend, Twilight Sparkle

Sunset read the letter received over and over again. In her mind, she kept thinking of many different outcomes and situations as to how Celestia and she would meet. Some lead to banishment, and some lead to peace but none lead to a clear answer. Finally, Sunset let out a sigh and grabbed her pen.

Dear Twilight,

I will come to Equestria at Dusk. But I want you to do me a favor before I go. Promise me that you won’t speak a word of this to Celestia until I’m ready to face her. I’m only asking you this because I want to make amend with everyone else before I face her.

Your Friend, Sunset Shimmer

Sunset put down her pen and prepared herself for her trip back to Equestria.

-Some time later-

Sunset leaned against the statue, waiting for the right time to leave. The rest of the girls showed up a while before, to say their “goodbyes” and “good lucks”.

“Are you sure you want to do this Sunset?” Fluttershy asked, sitting against the statue. “Maybe there’s another way for you to have fun here?”

“No Fluttershy, I’ve already made up my mind on this and I can’t turn back now.” Sunset stood and turned to face the portal. It was time to say goodbye for the summer. Sunset looked back to her friends, “Well girls, I’ll see you when I get back.” The girls shared one last hug for the summer and Sunset waved back at them as she walked through the mirror.

Pinkie looked up at the sky and smiled. “The author knows what he’s doing.” The girls gave Pinkie Pie looks of confusion. Applejack had to ask.

“What author?” Applejack folded her arms waiting for an answer. Pinkie, instead of answering, just bounced away laughing, leaving the girls in a state of confusion.