Days passed.
As Sunset's ribs and bruises slowly healed, she spent more time hanging out with Fluttershy and, on occasion, Rarity. Even on days when she didn't hang out with the two girls, they would text and send each other pictures and silly memes. With their help and her continued studies, Sunset gradually bridged the gap between "unicorn pretending to be teenage girl with amnesia" to "regular teenage girl".
One thing that kept cropping up, whenever she chatted with Rarity, was a new friend Rarity had made: a girl named Tia. She'd apparently met her later the same day Sunset had first met Rarity, at an amusement park just outside the city. It didn't take long for Sunset's worst fears to be confirmed.
Rarity's new friend Tia was Princess Celestia.
As July drew to a close, Sunset's parents took her to Canterlot High School to register for the fall. They explained that due to her unique circumstances and lack of school records for the last couple of years, she might have to take a few placement tests and endure some uncomfortable scrutiny. She assured them she could handle it.
All of that went completely out the window when she found herself seated across the desk from the principal of Canterlot High School.
Who was, in a cruel twist of fate, also Celestia.
Principal Celestia studied them with a mild expression as she shuffled papers on her desk. Sunset's parents had introduced her and explained her situation in detail. Once they fell silent, a lull settled over the room, broken only by the sounds of papers and Celestia's pen as she processed hard copies of enrollment paperwork. "Well, it certainly sounds as though your family has encountered some difficulty," she said. She picked up her phone for a moment, either sending a text or checking something, then set it back down and turned her gaze to Sunset. "And you'll commit yourself to your studies and behave yourself in a manner befitting a student at this school?"
"Of course," Sunset said. "My past is...whatever it is. It's not who I am now. I just want to go to school, have normal friends, have a normal life..." She smiled winningly. "All that good stuff."
"I see," Celestia said. She glanced to either side of Sunset, to her parents. "Would the two of you mind if I speak to your daughter privately for a few minutes? Given her unusual situation, I'd just like to take a moment to get to know her, address any concerns she has, settle a few of my own concerns. I find it easier to have these conversations without a student's parents in the room." Celestia smiled. "You might want to have a look around the campus while we talk. After all, you've never been here before, right? We're very proud of our little school."
"Of course," Desert Sunrise said. He stood, touching his daughter's shoulder briefly in a show of support as he and a nervous-looking Sunset Satin left the room.
Once their silhouettes had moved away from the door, Celestia's smile dropped, and she fixed Sunset with an all-too-familiar probing stare as she folded her hands on her desk. "So, total amnesia...so total you've had to relearn how to function in society. That's quite extraordinary."
"It hasn't been easy," Sunset said.
"No, I suppose not."
The door opened. Soft footsteps approached Sunset from behind. A hand landed on her shoulder.
"It has been a while, my foolish, misguided student. It pleases me to see you are doing well in this world."
Sunset stiffened. She craned her neck to look up into the eyes of a much younger, and yet much older, Celestia. "Seems you're managing alright," she said. She looked between the two Celestias. "So, how'd you manage to settle in here?" she asked, raising an eyebrow. "It must be one heck of a story."
"I met my counterpart and told her the truth," Tia said simply. "Until a way can be found to return to Equestria, I will be living under the guise of her cousin Tia and attending this school."
"I see," Sunset said. "So we both have our little secrets and lies."
Tia looked away, shamefaced. "You and I both know it's necessary," she said. "But at least my cover story is honest. Yours is cruel and sadistic."
"Is it?" Sunset asked, standing up. She found, to her delight, that she was taller than the princess now; she took advantage of that height to loom over Tia, looking down her nose at her. "Those two had their hearts ripped apart by a wicked little bitch who took all their love and all their frustration and everything they gave her and crapped all over it." She stepped back, adjusting her shirt. "Now, they have me, a perfect, intelligent, loving daughter with a blank slate. We've started over as a family, and they're happy." She smirked. "By all means, go tell them their real daughter is probably long dead or strung out on drugs somewhere. Tell them I'm an alien who has perfectly replaced the Sunset Shimmer that ran away two years ago. Crush them with the truth, leave them broken shells of good, decent human beings."
Tia took a step back, frowning. "I'd never do something so cruel," she said.
"Wouldn't you?" Sunset challenged. "Does Principal Celestia here know what became of your sister, Princess Luna?" She narrowed her eyes. "Did you tell her about how you groomed me to be a princess and rule by your side, then when I tried to take what was rightfully mine, cast me out?" She crossed her arms. "You are the very definition of cruel, you miserable old nag."
"I think that's enough," Principal Celestia said sternly.
Tia fought to keep her composure. "I...I was wrong," she whispered. "I'll admit that. I didn't...I wanted you to be...what you were clearly never meant to be..."
"Oh, wasn't I?" Sunset asked. She smirked. "Well, let me tell you something, Princess. Here, in this world? We're on equal footing. You don't rule here. Your thousands of years of wisdom and magic and high moral standing don't mean anything now. You and me? We're aliens, living under false pretenses in a world we don't belong in. I wonder...which one of us will make the better human, in the end?" She cast her eyes over to Principal Celestia. "I believe I have a placement test to take, don't I?"
Principal Celestia scowled darkly at her. "I'll inform Vice-Principal Luna to administer it directly," she said. "I'm sure you'll have no difficulty passing."
Sunset tossed her hair and turned to leave. "Let the games begin," she said. She paused as she passed Tia. "Oh, by the way, I'm sure you know by now, but I'm friends with Rarity too. I'd be careful about what you tell her about me." With that, she stalked out of Principal Celestia's office, head held high, a confident, arrogant smirk on her face.
As soon as she was gone, Tia sank into her vacated chair and deflated. Tears pricked at her eyes.
Celestia shifted in her desk, a deep scowl marring her face. "Good grief, what a rude little cunt," she said sourly.
Tia sighed. "It's...it's my fault she's like that," she said. "I made mistakes with her I never should've made. She expected things to be handed to her just because...just because I told her..."
"Don't blame yourself," Celestia said, shaking her head. "You're not responsible for somebody else's nasty attitude."
Tia grimaced. "I could've tried harder," she said. "Could've made more of an effort to stress how important friendship is. If I'd been more insistent, seen to it she made friends..."
"Well, from the sound of it, she's making friends now," Celestia said.
Tia sniffled. "Y-yes," she said. "And...she's right. We have a mutual friend in Rarity. That's...that's going to be awkward."
Celestia sighed. "I hope your ridiculously long life of royal politics and ruling a kingdom has prepared you for the hell that is high school drama."
"You and me both," Tia muttered. "Because it sounds to me like Sunset Shimmer is determined to make CHS a battlefield..."
* * * * *
Sunset's self-congratulatory smirk had smoothed out into a mild, impassive smile by the time she met Vice-Principal Luna, who studied her with a dark, intimidating expression. "So, you're Sunset Shimmer," she said coldly. "I've heard a great deal about you."
"I'm sure you have," Sunset said.
Luna frowned as she laid a series of exam booklets out on a table. "You have two hours," she said, "to complete as much of this test as you can. This will determine your eligibility to enroll as a freshman here." She sat down behind her desk and started a digital timer. As Sunset picked up a pencil and began working, Luna said, "Assuming you make the grade, let me give you a piece of advice: I'll be watching you. Give me one excuse to expel you from school, and you'll be out of here before you can say homeroom."
"Why, Vice-Principal Luna!" Sunset said in an affected tone of surprised hurt. "I don't know what you could possibly mean! I'll be on my best behavior, all the time!"
"Uh-huh," Luna muttered.
* * * * *
When Sunset met up with her parents again, she was all smiles. "I passed," she said. "I'm officially a student here now."
"That's great, hon!" Desert Sunrise said.
"You know something funny?" Sunrise Satin said. "We saw a girl wandering around who looked exactly like the principal!"
"Yeah, she even had that same crazy hair, can you believe it?"
Sunset laughed. "Yeah, the principal's cousin Tia," she said. "I ran into her while I was talking with Principal Celestia."
"Those are some strong genes," Sunrise said. "Cousin, huh? Well, let's get going. I'm sure you're starving. How's Los Tacos Hermanos sound?"
"Sounds great," Sunset said cheerfully. She cast a glance back at the school as they headed for the car. Her eyes landed on the horse statue. She bit her lip.
*Maybe...I shouldn't have walked all over Celestia like that,* she mused. *I mean, who knows what kind of shape Equestria's in without her...*
A text from Fluttershy distracted her, and a few minutes later, she was mostly back in good spirits again.
* * * * *
As the sun began to set, Celestia, Tia, and Luna made their way to the school parking lot. As they headed out, Tia stopped in her tracks and walked over to the horse statue, placing a hand against the marble plinth, warm from the afternoon heat. She sighed heavily.
"Are you okay, Tia?" Celestia asked.
Tia shook her head and wiped her eyes. "Just...just worried about Equestria," she said. "I hope...I hope everypony's okay..."
Logic that in this AU, Sunset's won't be able to foul the school board with Tia here too.
Like that little touch of compassion you put on Sunset at the end.
Though I'm a bit surprise you are ending this story. Seems to me there's still more that can be tell. Are you making a sequel, other than the one happening in Equestria of course, or did you think this story drag too long and wanted to just conclude it?
Huh, interesting to see this updating today. Funny, since I was about to begin a reread. And it will be interesting to see how things go from here.
8553234
This is just the end of Book One.
8553234
The complete tag hasn't been added yet, so I'm not concerned.
Now back to Equestria. I'm sure everything is fine.
I mean....I get it, but it feels like a reference for the sake of having a reference. Just my own nitpick.
Wait, has that name shown up before?
the taco brothers sound tasty
Yep. Good luck, Sunny.
Man, fate is a BITCH.
Right, the Principal knows.
Indeed.
I mean, yes, but, it's, rare to see Celestia curse like this. Either one. Huh. I mean she IS, but, wow.
She isn't buying it.
8553234
Uhh, dude? This was just the end of Book One. You know, like the end of the first act of a play? >.>;; It is by no means the end of this story. Just this part of the story.
8553267
Eh, what's happening back in Equestria will be covered in the sidestory "Fear Princess" if, y'know, I can ever get off my ass and start writing it.
8553318
I've used it in at least one other story, yes.
8553433 I meant in this story. Which story was it used in?
8553433
My bad, but honest mistake. For me "epilogue" equals the end. Thus me asking if you were making a sequel just separated from this story.
Oh boy. I have a feeling the school is going to turn into a war zone between Tia and Sunset.
FANTASTIC CHAPTER! Loved it! Keep this up! Oh and if only Sunset and Princess Celestia knew about Equestria....
Ahh, fanfics are always good for a fix of Sunset being actually entertaining. Great job with her - couldn't help but feel some satisfaction when she "walked all over Celestia" even though she's mostly the one in the wrong.
Maybe i'd care more that it was updated if it didn't take forever. I mean come on, Mythril, stop making stories you don't finish. You have SO MANY unfinished plotlines, some ongoing, but they are all slow to update. :(
8553792
It takes time to write, and believe it or not, I do have more going on in my life than this. Your comment is the kind of thing that annoys and aggravates fanfic writers, and you need to take a step back and think about what a massive douche you're being when you post comments like that.
8553807
It's not that they're slow to update, really. I understand that people live their lives and ar enot obligated to do anything. It's that before you finish any others, it seems like you've started two new stories! But then again, are you obligated to listen to me? No!
8553826
Because that's how writing works sometimes. Writing is not an assembly line process. Writing is not a machine executing one set of instructions after the next, completing one and moving on to the next. Writing is a living, breathing, chaotic process and a writer's muse does tend to jump randomly from one idea to the next.
It's bad form to complain about fanfic writers, who do this as a hobby, doing what they enjoy the way they enjoy doing it. It makes YOU look like a huge jerk.
Good way to set up... heh... Round 1! XD Battle ready, start!
8553848
Agreed.
8553848
Actually, that's exactly how I write. I typically write several chapters in a couple hours, realize they're shitty in both plot and description, and then delete them and start over. This has happened like 50 times.
So I look like a jerk? Whatever! I have no reason to let that affect me at all. Honestly I'm surprised you gave such a virulent response. I probably wouldn't care.
8553870
a) YOU wouldn't care. That gives you exactly zero right to judge how anyone else would, could, or should react.
b) Maybe the "virulent response" comes from a place where dozens of entitled readers like yourself pester him in public, over DMs, over email, or over passive-aggressive FiMF shelf names, about what they consider "dead" or "incomplete" stories?
8553870
That's unfortunate, but I don't see what it has to do with your complaints about my process.
"Hi, I don't like the way you do this thing you do for your own recreation because you do it slowly and in a way I find inconvenient. Please do this hobby of yours the way I want you to do it instead."
In what way am I not supposed to be offended by that?
8553891
You DO know it is a huge faux pas to publicly share DMs without consent of the other party? And that even ignoring that, that's a pretty direct response, not passive at all? "Strike one" is very clear, straight and to the point, where it comes to admonishments.
And that sticking to your guns and needlessly continuing the conflict, while admitting he may be right, is the very definition of single-minded obstinacy?
8553318
8553433
There are apparently taco trucks in Houston, TX called Los Tacos Hermanos. (Also a restaurant in Coquitlam, BC.)
8553891
Reposting PMs in public forum is the most asshat, dickish thing you can do. Goodbye.❌
8553899
In my case, I've used it in, at least, "Oops! I'm Equine Again", and it's a Breaking Bad reference.
8553914
Ah, Oops is where I remembered it from.
I never got into Breaking Bad.
8553914 I haven't even started reading that
So ends the adjustment period. Now both Sunset and Tia will be thrown to the wolves in the battleground of Canterlot High.
To judge from the timeline, the two will be in the middle of their junior year before the portal opens naturally again. Will the scholars of Equestria be able to open the portal before then? Will Twilight be tainted by Nightmare's teachings?
I guess I'll find out in Fear Princess, on the off chance you decide to write it. Or, y'know, much later on in this story.
Keep up the good work!
Welp... the games have begun it seems hehehe, this will be interesting...very much so.
Good show!
Hey, just checking in to say this.
I’ve enjoyed your work for a long time. You’re a great writer, and while this is one of my favorite stories on fimfiction right now
I’d say you’re about tied with ‘Sunset Reset’ in my “gasp! There’s a new chapter out!” excitement meter... (and yes I really do gasp out loud when I see this, and a small number of other fics update).
I do like most of your other stories as well though, and I totally understand how fickle the muse is. Whatever you do to feed that muse, well, you must be doing it at least mostly right.
I’m looking forward to book two. I really wonder if Celestia will manage to pull off a redemption for her wayward pupil... it seems like that’d be where this story would inexorably go... but I can’t help but think that Celestia will have a much harder time than Twilight did.
I’d kind of like to see the chess master Celestia realize the folly that often goes with wisdom and experience... and end up having the kind of collasal mistake that only truly great people can achieve... although at the same time, I really sympathize with your Celestia... you’ve made her very relatable. It’d hurt to see her fail.
Heh. So no pressure.
it sounds like Sunset and Tia will have 2.5 years to work this all out.
i am hopping for the better outcome.
8555410
Yep.
8553848
I'll admit I'm concerned that this story will wind up being somewhat lengthy. I know exactly what you mean when it come to writing, which is why I can never bring myself to manage anything more than a few chapters. It can be really hard to want to work on a story that doesn't feel new and exciting. This fanfic of yours, which I am loving by the way, feels like it deserves to take its time and fully flesh out the story over the course of a number of installments. That, however, might make it more difficult for you to complete if the passion just isn't there anymore. That being said, taking those breaks to pump out a short story or two and get you into the swing of things again is probably the best thing for this story's long term progress, so it's a shame some of your readers think otherwise. Your definitely one of my top five authors on this site (not sure about the order of those five, don't make me decide ) and the only thing that would stop me from reading your content would be you retiring from Fanfics/MLP. I think a lot of people forget that all of this content is free and voluntary. As consumers in our modern world, we hold producers accountible for their products and our satisfaction, however that premise is built on the principle that the producers rely upon the consumer. Extending that relationship to this site always creates problems. Many readers still feel a bit of the entitlement we have from other forms of entertainment, and sometimes authors feel partly beholden to the will of their audience, as if they owe them something. Despite that, they really dont. This is just a free, voluntary hobby that happens to entertain random people on the Internet. It might be different if you were profiting from it, but that isn't at all the case.
That being said, there is nothing more awesome than when reader and writer engage, and a shared love drives both sides to want the best for the other. When authors can do what they love and make others happy while readers can cherish the stories and hopefully make the hobby more fun and fulfilling!
Sunset clearly won't have the Kevlar-Teflon blend plot armor she enjoyed in the first movie. It looks like this will be a constructive rather than destructive battle. The goal won't be to tear the other girl down but to outshine her. And who knows? Given that, this could end in a mutually beneficial result.
Of course, Equestria might get destroyed several times over by that point...
AHHHHHHHH!!! I missed this so much!!
8556723
Alternately, it could mean Sunset will be much more creative about her alpha bitch manuevers...and consider the company she's keeping already. Frankly, she's in prime position to assemble a small Beta Bitch ARMY. Skirting the Celestias by keeping her nose just clean enough will be the long game here.
The stakes are set. Sunset's going in with a lot more disadvantages this time because the Faculty knows about her, but then again she has parents and stronger friendships. And I kind of agree with her, Tia casting judgement on whose lies are "cruel" versus "necessary" seems pretty hypocritical. If Tia wants to win over Sunset, she's going to have to start treating her as an equal.
By the way, don't think you got off scot-free with that reference to Sunset Vs. I noticed that, you sly devil.
Okay MythrilMoth, this might be a stupid question, but what would you say that the odds are of Wallflower Blush showing up?
8743627
No idea. If I find a use for her, maybe?
8743810
Okay. Mostly, I thought it would be nice if Tia noticed her off all by her lonesome and reached out to her.
so any news on the sequel?
8926135
Sorry, no.
Just finished gulping down the story so far in one go, and I must say that I'm feeling rather sorry for myself, since regret weighs on one's shoulders heavily, and I deeply regret not having seen this story sooner. The jolt of "Oh my goshness!" one feels when seeing a story being updated is a sensation I can hardly get enough of, and getting to experience that another, what, fifteen times? That would have been something to appreciate.
I love how things are going so far, and like how Sunset is being much more reasonable here than in the first EG feature. Yeah, there's that whole Machiavellian wannabe cock-and-bull about how if a leader cannot be both loved and feared, it is better to be feared than loved, but in this, Sunset is going for the Machiavellian ideal, rather than terrorizing and intimidating everyone into doing her bidding. The best way to rule is to have allies, be loved enough that people want to do your bidding because you make them happy, but also make sure that the only thing they fear in life is what happens when they make themselves your enemy. In this case, Sunset would likely indulge her vices and let her vindictiveness take hold, if only for a time, to make an example of Tia (and thereby showing everyone just how mean she is capable of being) while having everyone else genuinely like her. I imagine the latter would actually be the first thing to achieve, since it's easier to get away with being an ass when you have support for when you 'fall from grace,' so to speak, being around those who are willing to either forgive you for or otherwise excuse your behavior when your bad side shows. And, as we've seen in the show, as well as what we've gotten a little taste of in this first book, Sunset's bad side can be very bad indeed. The only complication in this is Rarity, since her mutual friendship is going to be vital for getting social advantages, and Sunset took note already that Rarity is likely a force to be reckoned with if you push the wrong buttons.
While it is mildly saddening that this story has yet to see an update for just over seven months, I remain hopeful after seeing that it's only marked as 'Incomplete,' not 'Canceled.' I definitely understand what it's like to take forever on a project because you can't keep your muse locked onto it long enough to wrought a chapter properly. I mean, I have a story that I've been working on for almost two years, and have yet to finish the first chapter (although it's a little over fourteen thousand words in). However, I like to think myself a patient man, and am willing to wait quite a long time for masterworks rather than have mediocrity pumped out once a week. When the next chapters are being written, expect me to be one of the most anticipative readers.
9003283
Glad you've enjoyed it so far. And yeah, it hasn't been updated in a while because between Hurricane Harvey and TWO bouts of severe writer's block a LOT of my stories are on ice.
Wow, I just finished reading this story this week, work and what-not tied me up, and I must say this has got to be one of the most original “fish-out-of-water” stories I’ve seen on this site! I’m usually always in Sunset’s corner in most of the stories I read, but I have to agree with Prinipal Celestia on this one since she truly is “rude little cunt”
Part of me REALLY wants this world Sunset to pop up, but a bigger and logical part of me knows she is probably long gone Luna in this story is absolutely delightful and she’s my second favorite character so I’m happy that I don’t have to hate her in this story as well lol. Tia and Celestia are great and I love their interactions like sisters or mom and daughter not alternate universe counterparts.
Speaking of which, if there was any doubt left in either Luna or Celestia that Tia wasn’t lying then that whole thing with Sunset should’ve squashed that! Long comment short, I really like this story and look forward to whenever you post next
I really like this story and the interactions between the characters. I’m sure the beginning of the second book is on the level, but for some reason it seems to me that there will be no continuation in the near future and therefore I don’t want to read the next prologue so as not to spoil my impressions.