Loyal Knight

by MrAlterad


1. Present News

“Hey, Sunset...” Spike began, giving the sleeping mare a gentle push, getting a groan of annoyance from her. “Come on Sunset, it's Hearth's Warming Eve!” the young dragon let out excitedly.

Just ten more minutes, Sunset thought, failing to say it out loud as she drew the blanket over her head. Spike let out a small sigh, which was followed by another, coming from somepony else.

“If you want to get her up...” Trixie began in a sagely tone. Sunset then flinched, hugging herself from the cold as the blanket was whisked away, “Then you need to steal her shield~!”

“Give it back...” Sunset mumbled, brushing her messy mane aside as she opened her eyes, being greeted with a small headache.

“Trixie thinks not. It's past nine, and it's not like you to be—“

“It's what!?” Sunset asked, her eyes widening as she sat up. She then toppled over, feeling lightheaded as her horn made its complaints known.

“Still not in top shape?” Trixie asked with concern as she approached Sunset's side, getting a small groan from Sunset as Trixie helped her out of bed.

“Can't believe I slept in,” Sunset said, blinking as her eyes took in the daylight pouring through the window. The light had a pinkish tint to it, which Sunset failed to notice.

“Can't say Trixie blames you, after everything that happened. Even Trixie's horn is still feeling a little temperamental,” she admitted, before adopting a smug smile, “Though it's rare to be awake before you. Trixie planned to paint your hooves black to celebrate the achievement, buuut she chose not to.”

“I'm not in the mood for pranks, Trixie-” Sunset replied, blinking slowly when she noticed her hooves were painted red and green instead, making them match the holiday decorations in her home. Trixie stuck her tongue out as Sunset slowly looked at her. Trixie's horn then glowed briefly, returning Sunset's hooves to their normal, less festive color.

“Get yourself some breakfast,” Trixie said as she began to trot out of the bedroom, “there's a lot of stuff to talk about.”

“Such as?” Sunset asked.

This!” Spike replied, showing Sunset a newspaper, The Canterlot Come-about. Sunset eyed the front article Spike eagerly indicated, seeing that her exploits against Shadow Flare made the cover. She then rolled her eyes, taking the paper from her assistant as she left her room, grabbing a robe on the way out as the others followed.

“'Disciple of the Moon, Sunset Shimmer, has distinguished herself by bringing back the night,'” Sunset read in a monotone voice, “'That's right everypony! When the Sun went into overdrive on the solstice, Canterlot's resident magical powerhouse was on the case!'”

Sunset's eyes narrowed as she read, reaching the article's end by the time she had breakfast ready before her. “What the hay is this!?” she let out, “There's barely a mention of any of you guys!”

Really?” Trixie replied coyly, “Trixie hadn't noticed.” Sunset raised an eyebrow at her, prompting Trixie to let out a haughty laugh, “The Great and Powerful Trixie does not mind! She has plenty of fans across Equestria who know of her astounding deeds!” she said expressively, before tapping Sunset on the nose, “That's why it's fine if her good old friend gets the spotlight. This one time, at least,” she added, almost as an afterthought.

“Trixie, it's not fine. We did it together. We saved Equestria. Not me! Us! I mean, I even ended up being captured! I needed to be rescued—“

“Trixie doesn't care,” she said, getting close to Sunset with a resolute look in her eyes.

“W-What?” Sunset asked, giving Trixie a small glare that had little effect on the blue mare.

“Trixie knows we did it together. She was there after all. And Twilight knows too, right Spike?”

“Right!”

“But you guys deserve credit too,” Sunset insisted, prompting a sigh from Trixie.

“'Credit this, responsibility that,'” she said, mimicking Sunset as she did. “Trixie believes you think too much about this stuff,” she added in a troubled tone, getting a flat look from Sunset.

“And you don't think enough,” she replied, making Trixie let out a small laugh. Sunset then blinked when she realized somepony was missing. “Wait, where's Twilight?”

“She now notices!” Trixie replied with a hint of annoyance, “Twilight went back to Ponyville, and Trixie will be doing the same too,” she added, getting a confused look from Sunset, “You slept through it,” she said as she pulled out a rolled letter with Luna's seal on it. “Since the Winter Solstice at Ponyville was a bust, Luna's decided to host the Eve's feast there instead.”

“Oh...” Sunset replied, “And I guess your carriage is still in Ponyville too.”

“Trixie hasn't forgotten,” she affirmed as Sunset's attention shifted back to the newspaper.

“Try this one!” Spike let out, presenting Sunset another newspaper. She then looked past him, seeing a small pile of papers at his side, “I got every issue for today!” He counted his claws as he divvied them out: “Canterlot Come-about, Equestria Times, The Daily Radish, Lunar News, the works! We're in all of them!” he said, his eyes wide in excitement.

“Trixie is particularly fond of this one,” she admitted as she pulled out The Daily Radish, “'Sunset Shimmer: Heroine or Vile Enchantress!?'” Trixie narrated with a smile, getting an unamused look from Sunset, “'With her quickly growing popularity, one must wonder if what occurred on the solstice wasn't staged! Is Sunset trying to win over a legion of the youth in order to take over Equestria!? The answer may surprise you!'”

“Well, at least one of us is having fun,” Sunset said flatly, rubbing her horn softly as she glanced through the papers. She then let out a long groan. “I'm never gonna rid myself of that Disciple of the Moon title now...”

“Everypony's calling you a hero!” Spike stated, before adopting a contemplative look, “So ... does that make me your sidekick?” he then adopted a troubled expression, “Am I Humdrum?”

“No Spike, you're better than that,” Sunset replied, not missing a beat as she rubbed his head, getting a pleasant smile from him. Trixie eyed the exchange for a moment, before letting out a woeful sigh.

“Sunset Shimmer, the heroine. Oh, it's not easy, being popular,” Trixie let out, feigning distress, before giving Sunset a teasing smile. “Speaking of, there's a mob outside your house.”

“...What?” Sunset asked flatly, unsure if her friend was pulling her leg, making Trixie's smile grow.

“There's a lot of ponies that want to see you,” Spike clarified.

“Twilight was shocked to see them,” Trixie pointed out with a small nod, “Not Trixie though.” She then gave Sunset a considering look, “Twilight's kind of happy you're getting the spotlight. Our resident genius wouldn't know what to do with herself if she had that much attention,” Trixie then glanced to the side as she let out a sigh, “Despite Trixie's efforts.”

“...If there's a mob outside, why can't I hear them?” Sunset asked.

“Luna sent a bodyguard to help you get around.” Trixie explained, getting an odd look from Spike. “They're keeping your new fans at the gate.”

Bodyguard?” Sunset asked incredulously, “Why would I need a bodyguard?”

“Because casting spells is painful for you right now,” Trixie replied curtly, tapping Sunset's horn, getting a small yelp from Sunset as she glared at Trixie.

Point taken,” she begrudgingly said, “So ... is it anypony I know?” she asked with a hint of hope.

“Nope. Somepony named Flash? Trixie doesn't really know him,” she replied quickly, and confidently. “So, Trixie's going to head out shortly, to Ponyville. Care to join her?” she asked, and Sunset thought on it for a moment, before shaking her head.

“I want to talk to Luna about these,” she said as she indicated the newspapers, “I'll head to the castle first. Spike, can you let Luna know I'm coming?”

“I'm on it!” the dragon replied, quill and parchment quickly in claw.

“Well, since somepony's gonna be a busy-body, Trixie will help,” she said with a nod, “Twilight's offering to host her home for Hearth's Warming, shall Trixie take your presents to Ponyville for you?”

“That's...” Sunset began, about to refuse, before biting her tongue. “Sure. I'd probably forget,” she said sheepishly, getting a mixed smile from Trixie. Sunset's eyes then narrowed as Trixie began levitating the gifts out from under the tree, “But you better not peek.”

“And ruin the surprise?” Trixie scoffed, sounding hurt by the accusation. With that, Sunset finished getting herself ready to tackle the day, while Spike helped Trixie with getting the gifts together.

As they were about to leave, Trixie stopped Sunset, getting an odd look from the orange mare. “You're forgetting something important!” Trixie said with a stern nod, levitating out a golden necklace, a ruby gemstone at its center matching Sunset's cutie-mark, making Sunset's eyes widen.

“How long have you had that?” she asked, a flustered look on her face.

“Since you took it off yesterday morning,” Trixie replied, before raising an eyebrow, “Which you just now apparently noticed.”

“I- I had a lot on my mind, okay,” she replied with a small blush.

“Right, with your pops,” Trixie said, adopting a small smile as she gave the Element of Loyalty back to its owner. “Trixie thinks it'd be best if you kept it close.”

“...Agreed,” Sunset replied, donning the artifact. She then eyed it around her neck for a moment, adopting a small smile, before grabbing her favorite scarf, and hiding the amulet beneath it. “Might as well keep it hidden too,” Sunset stated with a nod, before opening the double doors to her large home, stepping out into the brisk winter air-

Shining Armor turned to her, a small smile on his face as Sunset's world came to a halt. Shining Armor's here!? she thought, almost taking a step back in surprise, before she gave Trixie a cross look. All she got in return was an innocent smile.

“Morning Sunset!” the stallion greeted enthusiastically, before adopting a sheepish look, “I mean, good morning, Ms. Shimmer,” he repeated in a less energetic voice, making Sunset wince before looking to him.

“Just Sunset, Shining Armor. You don't need to be formal because you're 'Captain of the Royal Guard'.”

“As Captain, I'd disagree,” he began coolly, before shaking his head, “But I think I can make an exception for a 'Disciple of the Moon'.”

“A- And please don't ever call me that,” Sunset insisted, getting a small chuckle from Trixie as Shining tried to hide a grin. Wait, is he teasing me? Sunset wondered, blushing lightly in embarrassment, before her attention was directed towards the front of her lot.

There was a group of ponies gathered on the other side of the gate. They clamored in excitement, the snow around them thoroughly trampled. If it wasn't for the magical barrier placed around Sunset's residence by the captain, they'd likely be rushing to talk to her right now. Most of them looked like common folk, but there were also a few reporters as well. Looking to get the 'scoop of the year', no doubt, Sunset thought as she looked from them to Trixie.

“You said it was nopony you knew,” she mumbled under her breath.

“Trixie says a lot of things~” she replied, walking past Sunset and Shining Armor, “Come on Spike, let's help Twilight get things together.” Spike looked from her to Sunset, before nodding in agreement. Trixie then gave Sunset a wistful look, glancing between her and Shining Armor as she started towards the barrier, Spike a step behind her.

“So, Luna told you to look after me?” Sunset asked her guard, using a neutral tone as she followed her friend.

“Told?” he asked with a confused look, “She gave me the day off for some reason. She did suggest I check in on you, make sure that you didn't exert yourself any further,” he added, walking by her side as he looked to her. “You … don't mind, right?” he asked, failing to hide his worry.

“Oh, not at all!” Sunset replied, a little faster than she intended. “Thanks for the barrier,” she added sheepishly.

“It was nothing,” Shining replied, before Trixie cleared her throat.

“If you're in a not-minding-mood,” she began, giving Sunset a teasing smile, “Why not-” She was cut off when Spike let out an unexpected belch, golden flame spewing from his mouth as a letter formed from the ashes.

“Uhh, that's a new color,” Spike said sheepishly as he picked up the letter. “Isn't this Celestia's cutie-mark?” he asked as he presented the letter to Sunset.

“Celestia...” Sunset said in a somber note. She hadn't seen or heard of the princess since she was freed from Shadow Flare, so, so early yesterday morning. “I didn't see her name in the papers,” she pointed out as she looked to the others.

“Oh, she was mentioned,” assured Trixie, taking off her hat, pulling out a rolled parchment inside, “Luna gave a personal address concerning her sister. A copy of this was in every paper.” Sunset eyed Trixie's paper, picking it up, her eyes briefly falling towards Celestia's letter, before she read what Trixie offered.

'My Dearest Subjects, it is with great joy in my heart to tell you, that my older sister, Celestia, has returned to us...'

The letter continued on, giving details about Celestia, her 1000 year banishment, being freed from the darkness that possessed her, and her returned role as the sun's keeper.

Sunset's eyes paused on that. Keeper of the sun. She'd intended to help Luna raise and lower the sun everyday, learning the spell to do so on her own. With Celestia in the picture, that wasn't really needed anymore. Well, I guess helping get her sister back is fine too, she thought with a smile, before returning the address to Trixie.

“Well, don't keep us waiting,” Trixie said impatiently as she eyed Celestia's letter. Sunset nodded, breaking the seal, unrolling the letter to find a fairly brief message, which she read out loud for the others.

“Sunset Shimmer, I hope this letter finds you well. If it's not too much trouble, I wish to speak with you, before tonight's feast. ~Celestia.”

Is it about Shadow Flare? Sunset wondered as Spike let out a disappointed sigh.

“That's it?” he asked, “Well, now I wanna go with you.”

“But, who's gonna help poor Trixie carry all these?” Trixie asked is a sad tone as she indicated all the gifts being carried between the two of them. Trixie then leaned close, whispering something into Spike's ear, which made him briefly glance at Shining Armor, before nodding.

“Well, I suppose you got a point,” Spike said dismissively as he turned to the front gate, where the crowd of ponies were still eyeing them eagerly. “What about them …?”

“Well Sunset,” Trixie began with a mischievous smile, “Your audience awaits!”

“Greeat,” Sunset replied as she rolled her eyes, approaching the barrier, before nodding to Shining, whose horn briefly glowed, popping the pink shell he'd kept cast around her home. Let's dispel this hero nonsense. I have no need of it!

The crowd, which had been leaning on the barrier, collapsed into Sunset's yard when it disappeared, to the ponies' surprise. Sunset had to resist smirking in response, composing herself as a number of them got on their hooves to approach her. Shining Armor put up a smaller shield to keep them from getting too close, taking a confident step forward as he did.

“Sunset Shimmer is still recovering from her battle with Shadow Flare,” he let out in a deep, commanding voice that caught Sunset off guard, and made Trixie raise an eyebrow at him, “Please be respectful of this,” he added, his shield fading away as the ponies considered him.

“Sunset Shimmer,” a sharply dressed mare asked, her horn shining as the words of her competitors for attention became mute, “I'm Scribbly with the Equestrian Times. Let me get right to the point. Many are curious as to what kind of pony you are. You've been a student of Princess Luna for so long, but very few of us in the industry have a grasp of your character. Tell us, what were your motivations for saving Equestria from Eternal Day?” she asked, catching Sunset off guard with the question. The other reporters gave her dirty looks, before looking to Sunset for her reply.

Well, that's a convenient question, Sunset thought, seeing a means to quickly dispel her 'heroism'.

“I did it for Luna. And nopony else,” she replied stalwartly, “I didn't even think about-” She almost bit her tongue when Trixie kicked her flank. Sunset shot the mare a glare, blinking at the considering look Trixie was giving her.

“That's right!” Trixie chimed in, getting the attention of the mob, “She did it to save Princess Luna. She knows, more than anypony else, how dear, how important our princess is to Equestria!” Trixie exclaimed, getting agreeing murmurs from the crowd as the reporters started writing things down.

“Trixie, what are you doing?” Sunset asked in a low whisper.

“Making sure you don't spoil your praise,” she replied, getting a surprised, and confused look from Sunset. “Like Trixie said, Twilight and herself don't mind if you have the spotlight. But, Trixie will be quite cross with you if you go and ruin it.” She then turned back to the reporters, taking the next question as Sunset appraised her.

The four of them were held up by the mob of ponies for several minutes, each of them answering all kinds of questions concerning what happened with Celestia. After the seventh question, Sunset was starting to lose her patience. By the end of the eighth, there wasn't any more to be had.

“Shouldn't you all be somewhere else?” she asked in an accusing tone, getting confused looks from everypony. “It's Hearth's Warming Eve, you should be celebrating, not pestering ponies with odd questions,” she added, getting guilty looks in return. “Can't all this wait for a better time?”

“She's got a good point,” Shining Armor chimed in, “It'd be best if everypony went on home to your loved ones. Sunset Shimmer isn't going to disappear anytime soon, so go enjoy yourselves.” The reporters looked between each other as some ponies began to trickle away.

Some stayed behind to thank Sunset for saving Luna, and Celestia. A few lingered to get Trixie's autograph, which the mare didn't hesitate to indulge. One reporter tried to ask Shining for an interview, to the stallion's surprise. Eventually, Sunset's yard was clear of outsiders, getting a small sigh from the mare.

“I really don't want to have to deal with that everyday,” Sunset said.

“Well, you'll probably have to,” Trixie stated, “So buck up!” she let out, hitting Sunset lightly in the shoulder, “Once your horn's recovered, you'll be teleporting all over the place again. Then, you could ignore them if you want to.” Trixie then raised her head, “But you may want to greet them too. The ones that thanked you, they're the ones that matter. It makes them happy when you acknowledge their gratitude.”

“I'll … keep that in mind,” Sunset said as she eyed the castle in the distance.

“See that you do,” Trixie said with a curt nod, “Come on Spike, let's go help Twilight!”

“Right behind you!” Spike replied, following Trixie as she started to leave.

“See you two later tonight~” Trixie added with a wave, which Sunset returned, before beginning in the opposite direction, towards the castle. Trixie's words followed her as she went, making her frown at nopony in particular.

Trixie doesn't get it, Sunset thought, How am I supposed to stay close to my friends if everypony else is calling me a hero and seeking my attention? She then let out a sigh.

“Is it bothering you?” Shining Armor asked, making Sunset flinch in surprise. “Must be, if you didn't notice I was following you,” he added in a hurt tone, getting a bothered look from her.

“S- Sorry,” she then blinked. “You're coming with me?”

“You don't want me to?” he replied, making her quickly shake her head.

“I'd like that,” she admitted with a small smile, before it melted away. “And yes. It's bothering me. I don't want to be called a hero.”

“You know, there are a lot of heroes that don't like being called that,” he replied sagely.

“This isn't some comic-book story, Shining,” she countered flatly.

“Guess you're right about that. I mean, if it were, you'd have some sort of amazing amulet that granted you mysterious powers,” he said, making her adopt a smile.

“Point made. However, if that's the case, then you're just a poor guard waiting to be smacked down by the bad guy, just to get me riled up and fight harder.”

“Oh gosh,” Shining replied wide-eyed, “You're right! I'm a cliché waiting to happen!”

“Good thing this isn't a comic-book, right?” she asked with a slightly twisted smile.

“R-Right,” Shining replied, glancing to the side, before appraising her. “Still, calling you 'hero' is better than 'Disciple of the Moon', right?”

“...Twilight told you I don't like that name?” she asked, getting a small nod from him. “I suppose you're right,” she added, not sounding convinced as she eyed the snow trodden cobblestone.

“What is it?” he asked as he gave her an odd look. “Why is being called a hero bothering you? The Sunset Shimmer I remember didn't care what other ponies thought of her.”

The Sunset Shimmer he remembered? she thought in surprise, making her look to him for a moment, before she reflected on what happened. She recalled seeing them, memories of envy, born of countless others, directed towards her, and seeing those thoughts play out in her head began to fill her with apprehension.

Before she could start doubting herself, she felt a warmth over her chest, making the chill in the air seem to vanish for a moment. She blinked, placing a hoof to her scarf, feeling the Element of Loyalty hidden beneath, radiating a comforting heat. She adopted a small smile, offering no reply to Shining for several moments, before coming to a stop.

“Tackling Shadow Flare made me realize, that I want to-,” she then shook her head, “No, need to change,” she said, getting an appraising look from him.

“Well, isn't being a hero a step in the right direction?” he asked, making her shake her head.

“It's not the same. I want to change, by my own actions, but that? That's change being placed upon me. It's just like that stupid 'Disciple of the Moon' title. I don't want handouts, I don't want change given to me like that. I want to work for it, just as I do for everything else,” she explained, a fire burning in her eyes, which Shining took note of. “I just ... don't like it. That's why I want to talk to Luna.”

“See what she thinks about that?” he asked, making her shake her head

“No. I mean, her advise would be nice, but I had something different in mind.”

“Such as?”

“Having her make another address to Equestria. Put the record straight.” Sunset replied firmly, getting an odd look from Shining, before he started to laugh. “W-What's so funny?” Sunset asked as she started to blush.

“It's- It's nothing,” he replied happily, “That's just something the Sunset I know would do. 'Everypony else is wrong, and they need to be set straight',” he said, getting a surprised look from her, which only got another long bout of laughter from him.

Sunset had mixed feelings about this. She wanted to glare at him, but there was something hidden in his laugh that made her hesitate. She could feel that he was relieved about something. And though she didn't understand why, sensing that made her smile, making her start to chuckle as well, as they continued towards the castle.