//------------------------------// // A Great and Powerful Encounter // Story: A Lost Sunset // by KingJoltik //------------------------------// Sunset slowly got up, her eyes twitched open and close. 'Ugh...that wasn't such a bad night's sleep...' she thought as she stretched her arms, trying to get her legs moving as well. Her head reeled up and began to move around as she looked at the desk, the magic book still sitting there. Sunset's body creaked over to the desk, her hand wanting to open the book and thinking, 'Did that really happen last night? That whole thing with Twilight Sparkle and the book?' Her hand grabbed the book and opened it. There, she saw everything they both wrote. 'Yep...that really happened...huh...I still kind of can't believe it...' Sunset slammed the book close and slumped over on the desk's chair. 'Now what do I do? Do I just keep writing to this Twilight Sparkle? Will that...will that give me answers?' She opened it up again and looked at all the written words. 'She did say she would go to her mentor about this book...guess I'll just have to wait...' Sunset sat there for a few minutes and slowly got up. 'Okay...why don't I just do this one step at a time...let's go get breakfast and...apologize to Celestia...' Sunset was dreading that. She knew that she had to do it, but it didn't mean she was gonna enjoy it. As she exited her room, she saw Luna slowly walk into the kitchen. Sunset froze as she saw Luna's face, the bottom of Luna's eyes looked like they were made out of a thousand black tea bags. The rest of Luna's face was a cross between pure anger and someone who was annoyed all the time. 'Wow...so that's why she drinks so much coffee...' Sunset slowly approached the kitchen only to see a giant mug of coffee in Luna's hand. Luna turned and looked at Sunset and said, “Morning.” “Um...morning...” squeaked Sunset. The next few seconds were a bit different for Sunset. She watched the giant mug hide Luna's face as she heard the loudest slurps and gulps as possible. Sunset was sure that her ears were going to fall off from the sound before Luna would finish the cup. Then it was over. The cup descended and Sunset saw an incredible sight. Luna was back to normal, her face shined with a small smile. “Um...Miss Luna?” said Sunset, a little bit of fear and confusion in her voice. “Yes, Sunset?” she said as she began to pour another cup. “Ahh...first cup always helps...” “Um...uh...” mumbled Sunset. “Miss Luna...I...uh...” “Stop mumbling Sunset...and when you're in this house, just call me Luna, okay?” Sunset slowly nodded. “Okay...” “So...you wanna a cup?” “Um...sure.” The next hour was a different one for Sunset. The duo sat down at the dinner table, drinking coffee and Luna telling her some of the crazier days of being the vice principal. Despite the earlier intimidation, Sunset found herself enjoying being with Luna. Soon, Celestia entered the kitchen and the trio had breakfast. Luna left early, leaving Sunset and Celestia alone. As Sunset sat at the table, she began to speak up, “Um...Celestia?” “Yes?” Celestia said in her usual calm tone. “Um...I just want to say...I'm sorry. I'm sorry I failed you and...let you down...” Sunset looked down at the table, her tone filled with despair. Celestia let out a huff and said, “Raise your head Sunset...I'm not mad.” “You aren't?” Sunset said as tears began to appear in her eyes. “No...” Celestia let out a little sigh. “I understand why you did those things...I don't approve of your methods but...I know you have a reason to be angry at Gilda...and I was proud of you to try and help Fluttershy from Lightning Dust...” “Do those two cause that many problems?” “Yes...they do.” Celestia began to scratch the top of her head. “However, they are still teenage students...please remember that. You can't just go and get into fights on school grounds, got it?” “Yes!” Sunset said while nodding several times. “Also, you're still going to detention Sunset. Don't worry, Cheerilee will be supervising today's after school detention.” “Okay...” The two soon left the dinner table and got ready for school. As Sunset got her backpack in her room, she looked at the magic book and thought, 'Should I bring it with me...no, better not. I have no idea when Twilight Sparkle will write back. I don't want that going off while I'm in class...' Meanwhile, in Equestria... Twilight had been up for over an hour. Her body was trembling at what she was about to do. She knew she had to tell Princess Celestia about the magic book. And, as always, she over thought everything. 'What do I do?! If I tell her about the book, she'll think I stole it! Then she'll put me in the dungeon or...or she'll exile me out of Canterlot...or she might have me executed! AAAAaaaahhhhhh! What do I do?!' Twilight's legs fell over from the hour of pacing she had just done. Her legs just couldn't take anymore. 'Now my legs don't work...I'm falling apart...not only that...I promised Sunset Shimmer that I would ask Princess Celestia about the book...what do I do?! Just what do I do?!' KNOCK! KNOCK! KNOCK! 'She's here! Oh no...no no no no no...I'm not ready for this!' she thought as her mouth slowly opened. She wanted to close her mouth but she couldn't. “Come in!” As the door slowly creaked open, Twilight's body quickly stood up. She turned around only to see a guard. “Good morning Miss Sparkle. I am here to escort you to Princess Celestia, she had a meeting this morning so she couldn't greet you today.” “I...uh...I understand.” “Good.” the guard nodded. “Please get your things, we'll leave as soon as possible.” “I understand.” Twilight said as her horn began to glow. Her magic soon levitated several objects into her bag, including the magic book. 'Okay...' she thought, 'Here we go...' Back to Sunset... Celestia let Sunset off and Sunset began to walk to the school's entrance. There, as she began to walk to the front door, she saw the statue out front. 'Oh yeah...' she thought, 'I remember seeing this yesterday...is it some statue for the school?' Sunset continued to stare at it for a few more seconds, 'Huh...why does this statue seem so...so...so familiar? I wonder if I saw it before I lost my memory or something...' A little bit away, Fluttershy had just arrived and was staring at Sunset. 'Okay Fluttershy...you can do this...' she thought, 'She said she wanted to see me tomorrow...which is now today...I can do this...I just go up to her...and say hello...' As Fluttershy began to take that next step closer to Sunset only to come to a screeching halt. She stopped as she watched a girl clad in blue clothing accidentally run into Sunset. “Oof!” said Sunset as she almost fell. The other girl fell over as soon as she hit Sunset. “Ow!” Sunset paused for a second and put out her hand. “Are you okay?” The other girl turned around and grabbed Sunset's hand, struggling to get up. “Yes...sorry about that. Trixie was running a little too fast.” “It's okay.” Sunset said as she pulled Trixie up. Sunset began to rub her shoulder. “Ugh...that hurt a bit...” “Sorry!” Trixie said as bobbed her head up and down, asking for forgiveness. “Trixie is very very sorry!' “It's fine. Don't worry about it.” Trixie began to look Sunset over and said, “Say...you look familiar...” “I do?” “Maybe...maybe Trixie's memory is failing her right now though...” Trixie said as she began to rub her chin in thought. Sunset thought, 'Why does she speak like that?' “Well...whatever....” Trixie said with a slight huff. She made a pose. “Where are Trixie's manners? Greetings! I am the Great and Powerful Trixie!” “Trixie? Um...okay. My name is Sunset Shimmer.” “Very well, it is a pleasure to meet you Sunset Shimmer!” Trixie said with her usual flare and gesturing. Sunset could only stand there and think, 'Wow...this girl likes to show off a lot...' “Uh...it's nice to meet you Trixie...” Sunset said in a half interested tone. “Now...um...I'm new here at this school and...” “Trixie understands!” Trixie said in a triumphant tone. Her eyes shined like stars. “You want to be part of Trixie's new show! After all, that's why you ran into Trixie!” “I...uh...wait, what?!” Before Sunset could react, Trixie had grabbed her arm and began to pull her into the school. “Wait! I don't want to...aaahhh!” Back in Equestria... Twilight slowly approached Celestia's room. Her whole body was trembling in thought of what she was about to confess to the princess. She hadn't been this nervous since the first day of training with Celestia. As Twilight entered the room, her hooves shook as she saw Celestia grabbing some books. Twilight's mouth slowly opened. “Um...good morning Princess Celestia...” Celestia still stood there, her back turned to Twilight. “Ah, good morning my student. Just give me a second and we'll begin preparations for your lessons.” “I...um...uh...okay...” Twilight said while her whole body shook. 'Stop being so nervous Twilight!' she thought to herself. 'Just act calm like you usually do! Argh!' However, Celestia could hear the hesitation in Twilight's voice. She quickly turned around only to see her student completely shaking all over. 'Hmm...its been a while since I've seen Twilight this nervous...' she thought, 'Something must be wrong...' Celestia took a small breath and said, “Is something wrong my little pony?” “Um...er...well...” Twilight stuttered. 'Oh no, oh no, oh no...she knows!' “I don't what you're nervous about Twilight, but you can tell me.” Celestia said with her usual calm smile. Twilight did a slight gulp and muttered to herself, “Okay...here goes...” “I...um...I wanna say I'm sorry Princess...” “Sorry? For what?” “Well...” Twilight took her bag off her back and began to open it. “When I messed up the spell yesterday...um...my books got mixed with yours...and um...” Celestia let out a little giggle. “Let me guess...you read one of them, didn't you?” “Uh...yeah...I kinda did...” “It's fine Twilight. I intended for you to read some of those books later on. It's okay.” Twilight let out a small sigh of relief. “Oh good...I thought you might think I'm a book thief or something...” “I would never think that. Now, what book did you get from my bookcase?” “That's just it...I think this book is some future lesson and I...um...I kinda...” “Future lesson? What do you mean Twilight?” Twilight showed her the book. At that moment, Twilight saw something she had never seen before. Celestia's face was in complete shock. Twilight thought, 'Oh no...I really wasn't supposed to read that...and write in it, was I? Now she's gonna get angry and...and...' Before Twilight could think anymore, Celestia grabbed the book out of Twilight's hooves and began to read the book. Twilight began to apologize over and over to Celestia, but Celestia didn't hear a single word. Instead, her mind began to race as she scanned the book with her eyes. 'This is...the book that links to the book I gave Sunset! Don't tell me she...' Celestia found the page where both Twilight and Sunset had written on. 'This is...Sunset...you...' Her eyes saw the words, 'I still wish I had my memories back' and 'I have amnesia'. Tears began to fall from her eyes as she read those words over and over. 'Oh Sunset...you ran away and...this is what happened to you?!' Meanwhile, Twilight saw the tears and began to panic. 'Oh no...now she's crying! She's gonna tear me apart for sure! Its all over! She's gonna have me executed...or send me back to magic kindergarten!' Tears began to flow down Twilight’s face as well as she pleaded. “I'm sorry! I didn't know this would make you cry princess!” Celestia lifted her head out of the book and said to Twilight. “What did you say?” “I said I'm sorry! I didn't mean to make you cry!” Celestia saw her student in a complete panic. She turned to the book and closed it. She placed it on a nearby desk and put her wings around Twilight. “Calm down my student...I am not angry or sad.” “You're not?!” “No. I'm just...shocked. I will explain later Twilight, don't worry, you are still my faithful student.” “I am?!” Twilight said with joy as her tears stopped. “Of course.” Celestia nodded. “Now, go ahead and begin the preparations for the spell we were working on last night. I need to see to something, but I'll be back shortly, alright?” “Okay!” Twilight said with a huge smile and began to unload the rest of her bag. Celestia turned and grabbed the book as she walked out of the room. There, she opened the book again and began to read the entries over and over again. 'So...Sunset Shimmer lost her memories in that other world...and to think...my student is now helping her...' Celestia read the part where Twilight promised Sunset she would ask Celestia about the book. 'Oh dear...she promised to ask about the book...hmm...what should I tell her? Should I just write to Sunset and solve all this? Or...do I let Twilight talk to her...' Celestia peeked back into the room, only to see a happy Twilight, already reading a book. 'My new student...she's already begun to help Sunset...' Celestia looked back at the book. 'Should I let her continue to talk to Sunset? She's seems to have helped her but...I hold all the answers to Sunset's past...what do I do?' Celestia let out a small sigh and looked out a nearby window. There, her sun shone its magnificent light across Equestria as the moon stayed hidden. 'Oh Luna...how I miss you sister...I lost you and Sunset Shimmer...problem is, I could get Sunset back...but...if her memories return...would that be good...or bad? What do I do?'