As the eternal regent of Equestria, Princess Celestia's knowledge of magic is without equal. Over her long life, only a few gifted ponies who had a great destiny before them have had the honor of learning at her side. Sunset Shimmer was one such pony: one of Celestia’s best and most promising students. As she learned at Celestia’s hooves, their bond strengthened until they became far more than student and teacher to one another.

Sometimes those closest to us are the ones who can hurt us the most.

[Note: This story does not directly tie into Equestria Girls]

Sunset is beat after a long day at school. After a day of stress, Sunset just wants to have a bit of fun after school. Luckily for her, her friend Pinkie Pie is a master of fun. And what's more fun than visiting a carnival? With rides and fried foods and fun in store for the evening, Pinkie Pie plans to help Sunset have a night she'll never forget.

Of course, if Pinkie's being super-duper honest with herself, the carnival might provide the opportunity she needs to get something off her chest. A secret that makes her feel like she'll explode if she doesn't say it soon. But how do you tell your friend something this big when you know it might change everything?

This story is a sequel to Lows And Highs

Sunset Shimmer is still recovering from her mental breakdown. While she is of course grateful to Rarity for helping her to reemerge from her shell, no illness can heal overnight. Also, Sunset has her limits. One of those is being awoken before sunrise. Rarity had promised not to, so why is she in Sunset's apartment at the forbidden time? Surely she has a good reason, right?

This story is part of Sunset's Recovery Arc.

Sunset Shimmer weathered the storm. She returned from the darkest depths, and now she has good friends. People like her.

If I haven't sunk too far myself… maybe she'll help me. Then I can help Sonata and Aria.

Please, Sunset.

Thanks to Present Perfect for his help.

Featured on Equestria Daily!

A pair of sequels, of sorts, are posted here and here.

Now forgiven for her past transgressions, life is going better than Sunset could have possibly dreamt of. With her best friends by her side, she's burning brighter than ever.

What she didn't realize is how that same flame could spark up and hurt others, in a manner she thought she had long since buried away.

"If you ever need anything, come see me, okay?"

When Fluttershy said those words, Sunset had not really believed her. Just last week, Sunset had been a tyrant, a bully. Surely the girl was just being nice. They weren't really friends.

But as her emotions rage inside, Sunset begins to wonder if, perhaps, those words meant something. Perhaps she really could go to Fluttershy for something. Something only a friend can provide...

Now with a reading by Fire Rain

Another reading by Pony&Wolf Productions

Chinese translation by studyb (学习b) is available on fimtale

This story was Featured on April 24, 2019

This story was featured on Equestria Daily as part of a best fanfics round-up for Sunset Day 2020.

When Applejack needs an extra hand around the farm during harvest season, Sunset Shimmer is the only one of the girls who has time to help.

During the long hours of work and play, they grow closer, learn more about each other, and discover what family means to each of them.

Sunset Shimmer, after gathering up her courage, decides to try and hit on the human world's Twilight. Little did she know that this simple action would spur the two of them into a fiery debate over a timeless question, one that humans and ponies alike have pondered for ages:

Which is better, pi or tau?

Written for Tau Day 2016.

EDIT: This… got featured? I… wow. Thank you all.

This story is a sequel to Homecoming

In the depth of night, when all that is left is the darkness and silence, and that little inner voice that loves to tear you down or remind you of past mistakes. At night, all you have is what you take with you. A little SunLight fluff one-shot.

Pairing: Sunset, SciTwi

Continuity: Homecoming

With an Audio Reading by AllyKitty

Revised 9-23-17

Cover art from SciSet Diary.

Twilight is very clingy when she’s tired. Her victim? Sunset.

Cover Art