Princess Celestia sighed at the scene before her. Two of her guards were currently escorted a pink unicorn to a holding cell were she would await her judgement. After the incident in “our town”, Twilight sent a letter with details of Starlight and her escape. It didn't take long for the royal guard to track Starlight down and take her into custody. However, the efficiency of her law system didn't lighten the load on Celestia's heart. How many unicorns has she seen corrupted by the power of magic? She opened her school for gifted unicorns in hopes of teaching would be power mongers moderation and a respect for magic, and while it certainly slowed the rate of new criminals popping up, it did not stop the most talented unicorns from seeking their own more sinister paths.
The Princess would always be thankful for discovering Twilight, her one in a million student who sought knowledge for the sake of helping Equestria. She even succeeded in becoming a Princess herself, when there had been so many dismal failures. “Is something wrong, sister?” Luna asked, approaching the older Alicorn.
“Oh? Sorry Luna, I didn't hear you coming. I was just thinking about all the unicorns that have had to be imprisoned over the years, a lot of which were my own students.”
“Yes, I have seen the records. It is a shame. It seems that every unicorn either has no interest in pursuing magic, loses interest before becoming great or attempts conquest.”
“All of the most talented ones, the ones that could change Equestria for the better all end up fleeing the land or getting stuck in our prisons,” Celestria sighed once again. “Why does it always end up the same, save Twilight of course.”
Luna, wanting to cheer her sister up, wracked her brain for until she remembered something.
“What about your other student? The one previous to Twilight?”
“Sunset?” Celestia asked, “She lives on the other side of the portal now after her attempts at stealing Twilight's crown.”
“Yes, but hasn't she learned the magic of friendship and even assisted Twilight in defeating the Sirens?” Luna countered.
Celestia thought to herself. It was true. Sunset is the only other magically talented unicorn that lives a peaceful and satisfied life, despite her past wrong doings. Maybe there was hope. If Sunset could be reformed, then why not the others? But how could Celestia do it? Her ideas over centuries failed, but all it took for Sunset was for her to... meet... Twilight.
Celestia beamed at her new idea as a grin formed on her face. “Um, sister? Are you feeling better?” Luna asked cautiously.
“Much, thank you Luna,” Celestia responded without even looking her sister's way. “I have some things to do now, so please excuse me.”
“Um... Sure?” Luna shrugged, watching her sister's retreating form.
Celestia walked towards her chambers, already working out the details of her plan. “I'll only experiment with it first. Maybe only two or three ponies at first to see of she can handle it. And I already have three in mind. I can have two transported from the dungeon to Ponyville, but Twilight will need to contact Sunset. Yes, if the others can see how Sunset's life has been turned around, it'll set a great example for the others. Maybe, just maybe, this will work! But first, I need to send a letter to Twilight.”
The next day, over in Ponyville, Rainbow Dash sped through the doors of the castle and quickly took her seat only to be met with the disapproving stares of her friends. “What?”
“Yer twenty minutes late, Dash,” Applejack said blankly.
“So I took a nap and lost track of time. No big, right? Right? ... Anyways, you've got some big news Twi?”
Twilight rolled her eyes and cleared her throat.
“Yes. Last night I received a letter from the Princess who has a new task for me and I-”
“Hey, is that the portal?” Rainbow interrupted.
“I was getting to that,” Twilight grumbled.
“ Oh, hehe, sorry.”
“As I was saying, the Princess tasked me with taking charge of a new program to rehabilitate criminal unicorns and requested that I even bring in Sunset Shimmer to be an example of what these other unicorns could be. So I invited all of you here today to formally introduce her to you.”
“Wow Twilight, you got a new responsibility and you're still so calm?” Pinkie Pie exclaimed. “You've come a long way.”
“Thank you,” Twilight smiled at the compliment.
“You should of seen her last night. She was practically crashing through the walls in her panic,” Spike chuckled.
Twilight's cheeks reddened as her friends all laughed. After the mirth subsided, Fluttershy spoke up. “If you're that worried, why not ask for help?”
“Oh, I probably be fine with Sunset around. And besides, I'm also supposed to be helping them with advanced magic. There's not much you guys can help in that department.”
“You know, I'm a unicorn, Twilight” Rarity said with a slight frown.
Twilight smiled nervously at her friend. “Uh, yes, but you see, I didn't think you'd care about teaching magic...”
“I care enough to help a friend. I could be your assistant. Ooh! I even have the perfect outfit!”
“Well, um, you know we'll be dealing with criminals. Do you think you can keep them under control?”
“Might I remind you of who my younger sister is?”
“Right,” Twilight sighed in defeat. “Okay, you can be my assistant. How about the rest of you?”
“To much work t'do on the farm.”
“Sorry, but I gotta go back to the Wonderbolt's academy in a few days.”
“The cakes are going out of town and I have to babysit.”
“Eep! I mean, they are criminals and, I, uh, need, um, watch... my... table?”
“Alright,” Twilight turned to Rarity, “The pris, er, um, 'students' will be arriving tomorrow morning at nine. Is that good with you?”
“Of course, darling. I'll be ready and willing,” Rarity smiled back.
“Good,” Twilight sighed again.
She thought Rarity might be a little... delicate when it came to dealing with common criminals, but there was no backing out now.
At that moment, the portal next to the table flashed and spat out a bacon-maned pony. Sunset picked herself up and looked at the others. “Um... Hi?”
Not one second passed before she was tackled by a pink blur and bombarded with questions.
After the greeting passed and the others left, Twilight turned to her former enemy. “Are you sure you want to do this?”
“After all that you've helped me with, this is nothing. Besides, summer break just started, so I have plenty of spare time,” Sunset responded cheerily.
“Well thanks, it really means a lot to me. Tonight you can stay in the guest room, but when the others arrive, you'll have to bunk with them.”
Sunset rolled her eyes. “I know, I know. I'm supposed to be another student that will help influence the others into changing their ways. I got it all in your letter.”
“Good. Just one more thing,” Twilight looked nervous as she levitated a ring over to Sunset, “put this on your horn.”
“Why?” Sunset looked at the ring suspiciously.
“It restrains your magic. The others have to wear them too. Don't worry, the attuned to my magic so that I can release you at a moments notice.”
“Restrains, huh? Didn't think you were into that, Sparkle,” Sunset replied with a smirk.
It took a moment for Twilight to catch on to what Sunset was implying, but when she did, her face decided to resemble a tomato. “That's not, I mean, it's standard-”
“Relax, I'm just messing with ya,” Sunset chuckled. “So where's the guest room?”
Twilight sighed as she started leading her friend. “I hope I'm not in over my head,” the princess mumbles to herself.