//------------------------------// // Chapter 1 // Story: The Butterfly Effect // by ManaMinori //------------------------------// "Welcome home, my dear, Sunset Shimmer." Princess Celestia's voice was just as soft and sweet as the first rays of dawn, just as the younger pony had remembered. The unmistakable warmth delicately laced in the words of the mare who once was Sunset Shimmer's mentor now stirred the air of the cold castle storeroom, in which a lone mirror sat. A pang of guilt plucked at the filly's heartstrings. Her ears drooped, no sooner had her brain registered the warm welcome that had been offered, like a precious gift; one which Sunset hardly felt worthy of. 'How could I ever have left? I was so selfish. How could she welcome me back, with all that I did?' A thousand questions ran through Sunset Shimmer's mind, a million miles per minute. Nostrils flared as she drew a deep breath into her lungs, attempting to focus on the pain of her teeth biting sharply into her bottom lip, rather than the overwhelming ache in her heart. Ears drooped as she trained her gaze on the floor; pristine tiles the same color of Celestia's perfectly groomed coat. 'Of course. What need would there be for any other color, when no other gave the impression of cleanliness, and perfection, than white, just like the color of only the most beloved, relected ruler in all of Equestrisa?' Sunset Shimmer reasoned. 'So then, what color would that make me?' Forced to release the breath she hadn't been aware that she was holding, the fiery-haired mare cautiously tested the mechanics of her muzzle. Her tounge twisted behind her closed lips; mind reaching into memory banks unused over time, to recall how words once felt on her lips, when she had been a pony. Human tonges were shorter, their faces rounder, and Sunset had, admittedly, grown accustomed of being one of them for many years. For far too long. Re-adjusting to having horse parts again would be a new experience, in spite of being born as one, having learned how to properly function- trotting and talking as a pony. Mouth opened, tongue writhing experimentally, as she tried to form the words that had always come naturally through a muzzle, many, many moons ago. ' Y-you..." squeezed out of a tight throat, her voice cracked. Fighting back the hot tears that were blurring the edges of her vision, the yellow mare swallowed and tried again. "You...waited for me?" Brow creased in consusion, she lifted her gaze ever so slightly, peering past the curtain of her own mane that cascaded over the one side of her face that was turned toward her former mentor. It felt somewhat comforting, how it served almost like a veil or sheild placed between her and the powerful, white, Alicorn Princess, who could easily lock her in a dungeon for her past deeds. Treason, theft of a royal artifact used to establish peace throughout the nation, and attempt to murder one of Equestria's royals, Princess Twilight Sparkle, were just a few on a long list of sins Sunset had committed. She couldn't bear to look Princess Celestia in the eye, even after Twilight had assured Sunset that she had. And from the warmth in the Princess' s voice, it was evident that Celestia had, indeed 'But still...' Sunset Shimmer doubted. Celestia observed the troubled young mare in absolute silence, allowing her to collect her thoughts and her words She could only imagine what her dear former student experienced beyond the mirror, for so long a time. She wished to discuss with Sunset the many things that she experienced; what she came to learn and-if posible, teach others about, during her stay in the world that was not their own. But there would be plenty of time for such things a at a later date. What the pony before her needed most, now, was commendation for returning to her home, likely knowing that she might be met with consequence for deeds long gone unpunished. What she needed was undstanding and forgiveness from a kind heart willing to leave the past in its place, and start anew with the young mare. Celestia had centuries of experience under her polished gold crown. How could she hope to lead and protect her little ponies, if she coldly held their crimes against them, or turned somepony away in a time of need? That wasn't her policy! "Of course, dearest Sunset." she replied, as if there was no other answer to be given. "I never doubted that you would someday return." gingerly, she lifted her hindquarters off of the plush, velvet pillow that she had been seated on for hours. Pins and needles ran along her ivory colored legs, and her rump was left numb from extended sitting in front of the mirror. A long, multi-colored tail swished in mild annoyance, behind her. Careful steps carried her closer to the turquoise-eyed equine, so that she towered over Sunset Shimer. "I waited every day for you." She continued, voice dropping to just above a whisper. "How could I not?" tenderly, she brought up her forehoof, sweeping aside the spiraling curtain of flaming, red hair aside, to cup Sunset's cheek, and lift her watery gaze to meet her own. "I missed you so much." The Princess cooed, as butterflies danced in her stomach, and her hopeful heart leapt at the long-awaited reunion she dreamed of, with her long-lost former protégé. Tears left wet trails down her cheeks as they were spilled, unguarded, and left tiny puddles on the floor. Celestia couldn't bear to lose any more of the ponies who she had loved. She had to banish her beloved sister, Luna, who had ghen become Nightmare Moon, for one-thousand years. She had to sacrifice a romantic relationship with an alternate world's handsome and kind King Sombra, for the sake of restoring balance to their two worlds. So, too had she lost a former student, in part to her own actions, but for no longer, for Sunset Shimmer had finally returned! Eyes squeezed shut as tears fled from turquoise orbs. The yellow mare's body shuddered, racked with sobs at the warm touch of Celestia's hoof. How could one tiny gesture be all the answer that she needed? She allowed herself into an embrace, and pressed her face into the tall Alicorn's fur at her shoulder. Celestia smelled like a meadow, fragrant and calming. "Ahem." A guard standing some distance behind the Princess interrupted the moment with the clearing of his throat, and before the yellow unicorn could allow Celestia to take the entirety of weight from off her chest, shedding all her grievances and apologies in the form of a blubbery breakdown, Celestia's warmth retreated. "I'm sorry. " the alicorn apologized, as she wiped the tears from her eyes, and gave an undignified sniffle. "It would appear that it's already time for me to lower the sun. Royal duty." she winked, in hopes of bringing a smile to her student's face. When it bore no result, however, Celestia inwardly sighed and pulled the dear girl close to her with a large, white wing. "We'll have plenty of time to catch up, I promise you. " Reisting the urge to lean into the touch of soft pinions and down, Sunset nodded, and again, the aurora-haired alicorn withdrew, placing duties before desire. "The guards will escort you to a vacant bedchamber in the west castle. You're welcome to stay as long as you like." Celestia said over her shoulder, on her way to the door, where two guards were stationed on the outside Without a glance back toward the mirror; the alternateworld where she had left behind the first friends she had ever made, Sunset watched the Prrincess regain her composure to the best of her ability, and vanish from the room; one of the two guards flanking her. Taking her time, as she had to readjust to walking on four legs, instead of two, Sunset Shimmer approached the open door. Light hoofsteps clacked against polished marble floors, the sound echoing in the nearly empty space. Domed ceilings arched high overhead, giving more than enough berth for the room to contain all of Sunset's thoughts. 'There's always tomorrow. ' a more reluctant part of her chided. The impatient part of her etched a grimmace into her lips, while the more annoyed part of her cast a dirty look at the remaining guard, for daring to interrupt her moment in the comfort of Celestia's company. "Lead the way." the disappointed part of her sighed. Ml Down long, carpeted hallways, and rows of dozens, hundreds of doors, Sunset traveled. She could witness the sun lowering ritual, through giant, glass windows. The sky, once a vivid spectacle of deep, rich reds and orange as the sun set, gradually mixed with soft pastels of pinks and puple hues. Before long, the endless canvas of sky was draped, like a blanket, in mysterious ad serene midnight blues and black. The silver stars twinkled, trying not to have their radiance covershadoweded by the luminous moon. After what seemed like an hour of walking, the steel-colored stallion in front of her stopped abruptly, nearly causing Sunset to smack into his hindquarters. Another dirty glare was thrown his way . She considered mouthing off to him about warning a pony before he stopped short like that, but decided against it. She really wasn't in the mood to deal with any more than she had to, didn't need to cause a scene, and really needed to redirect her irritation, anyway, before it got her into trouble, as it had in the past. "Your room, ma'am." the stallion said, gesturing at the massive, decorated doors that stretched nearly to the height of the ceiling Forcing as polite a smile as she could manage, a "thank you" was offered, through gritted teeth. Just beyond the double doors, she anticipated, lie a bed with her name on it. She would ditch the guard, and crawl beneath cozy sheets and comforter, and just sleep. It had been a rather exhausting day, after all. Once she slipped into the room, she shut the door behind her. Advanced Unicorn magic and technological fusion allowed the lights to detect movement and turn the lights on automatically. It was the genius mind of a student from Celestia's school for gifted unicorns, who graduated and went onto attend Manehattan Institute of Technology who had come up with the innovative system. But as brilliant as it was, Sunset paid it no heed. Her eyes widened as she sensed a second presence in the room. She wasn't alone A frigid chill coursed down her spine, her blood runing cold. All four legs locked, steadily bracing the medium-sized mare. She would stand her ground. Sunset's head tuned quickly to the side, flaming and flaxen tresses whipping through the air, as she hurriedly scanned the room. A deeply unsettling feeling of foreboding settled in her stomach. She could feel that someone, somewhere within the room was watching her. But where? The skin beneath her coat crawled, and she fought the urge to squim; hiding her disomfort. Whoever had their gaze so intently trained on her could take that as a sign of weakness, she reasoned. Huer mind raced. Was this a test set up by Celestia? If so, then what did the Princess want her to accomplish? Would she remember how to channel magic through her horn, after being without Equestrian magic and her unicorn limb, for so long? Would it hurt to try? Or should she simply retreat from the room, away from the unnerving presence of invisible eyes, and call for the guard? Would he think she was completely out of her head, if he searched the room, and nopony was found? "Who's there?" Sunset Shimmer demanded, when her own brief scan of her surroundings yeilded no results. "Show yourself!" Her heart thundered in ears as adrenaline shot through her veins. Her tail whipped behind her, and she made a display of pawing the carpet aggressively with a forehoof, hoping that if there were, in fact, somepony, or something else in the room with her, that the stance and body language would drive them off. A long moment passed, the unicorn only recieving silence in reply. The feeling that she was being watched, however, hadn't waned, and it nagged persistently at her, like an itch that she couldn't quite reach. Determined to be sure, she cantered further into the spacious room, checking under the bed, in the walk-in closet, under decorative tables, even. A thorough search of every hiding spot inside the bathroom also came up short. "Maybe I am losing it" Sunset sdmitted, in quiet defeat to herself, after pacing from one end of the room to the other, for a time. A deep breath dran into her lungs, proceeded by a shaky sigh sought to calm her frazzled nerves. "Get it together, Sunset." she coached herself, trying desperately to convince herself that it was nothing more than paranoia. "Just need a bit of fresh air, that's all." Nodding in agreement with herself, she trotted toward the window, anticipating the feel of the cool, night wind sweeping across her face, and being able to inhale the scent of the exotic flora in the private garden of Celestia. The glass panel was opened effortlessly under the slight force applied from her hoof, and she reared up on her hind legs to lean along the windowsill. Luna's night guards now patrolled the castle grounds. She observed three of the armored, black stallions engaged in what looked to be lively conversation over by the fountain in the private garden. And she could see a grand balroom of ponies of high status gathering their belongings, and bidding adeu to their associates, after a dinner party or some such. Sunset Shimmer sighed. At long last, she was home, back in the magical world she had been born in. She had been longing for the familiarity of magical adventures and creathres that she couldn't find back in the human world, lest it involved things coming out of the magical portal that she caused, but were few and far between, and didn't belong in the human world, to begin with. "I'm back, Equestria." she spoke, quietly out over the capital city of Canterlot. With fresh air filling her lungs and familiarity of her world in her heart, she turned from the window, ready to turn in and call it a night. A good night's rest would certainly refresh her, and the events of today would be left in the past, by tomorrow. A blinding beam of light shot at her from across the room, turning her vision white, before she could do so much as blink. "Aaaaaahhhhhhhh!" A pained cry tore from Sunset Shimmer's throat, as she was blinded, thrown backward from the unexpected attack. Glass shattered, exploding around her like fireworks, and slicing into her like shrapnel. And then, she was falling, plummeting through the air, toward the ground.