After another false start, which was met with an expression frozen halfway between annoyance and amusement from Sunset Shimmer, Twilight Sparkle finally managed to wake up without immediately fainting or freaking out as soon as she saw Sunset.
Well...for relative values of "freaking out".
"Gkkkkkkgaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah," Twilight uttered as she pointed a hoof at Sunset.
"Is that the face she was making when the Cutie Map summoned you?" Trixie asked, lazily filing her hooves.
"Yeah, pretty much," Starlight Glimmer said.
Sunset rolled her eyes, seized a newspaper from one of the reading tables, rolled it up with her magic, floated it over to Twilight, and firmly smacked her upside the head with it. "OW!" Twilight cried, eyes crossing as she shook her head.
Sunset smirked at her. "Back with us?" she asked.
Twilight closed one eye and rubbed her head. "Yeah, thanks," she said sourly. She looked at Sunset, her muzzle crinkling. "Uhh...congratulations?" she offered. "I...this is so weird..."
"Tell me about it," Sunset said, spreading her wings and studying them.
"How come you get gradiated feathers?" Twilight wondered. "I've just got plain old one-color feathers like Celestia and Luna."
"I dunno," Sunset said, shrugging. She glanced at Flurry, who was rocking back and forth on the floor and burbling. "Honestly, I thought that was just a Cadance thing."
"Well...yeah actually," Twilight said, pursing her lips. "And Flurry now." She shook her head. "Nevermind. That's nowhere near as important as why you're an alicorn in the first place!"
"Yeah, I was kinda hoping you'd help me figure that one out," Sunset said. She studied her wings. "I mean, this doesn't just happen."
"No kidding," Twilight said. "I had to go through one of the weirdest days of my life to..." She paused. "Well, no, that was just the end of the journey," she said, starting to pace. "Ever since she sent me to Ponyville in the first place, Princess Celestia had me learning all the lessons of friendship, all the things that it means to be a good friend. My friends and I represent the Elements of Harmony, and in the end, it was understanding those elements that...that gave me what I needed, that helped me to..." She gestured vaguely with a hoof. "To understand that my friends and I, together, are capable of anything. That with all of us together—"
"There's magic without end," Sunset finished with her, her eyes widening. "That's it," she said in a tone of wonder.
"What?" Starlight asked. "Did...did I miss something?"
Sunset looked at Twilight. "I think...I think I know how this happened," she said. "It...it must've been when I fought Midnight Sparkle."
"Midnight Sparkle?" everypony present asked. Except for Flurry Heart, who just made approximate noises.
Sunset started pacing. "The Twilight in my world made this...device, it started sucking up all the magic from me, my friends, the portal..." She waved her hoof around. "Her principal and her teammates egged her on, encouraging her to use it against us Wondercolts. She did, and it turned her into a monster...Midnight Sparkle. She started destroying everything in sight and tearing holes in reality. It looked...it looked bad." She paused. "But then I realized I was still connected to my friends, and my friends were still connected to the Elements of Harmony..." She looked at Twilight. "That the magic of friendship could never truly be taken away from them, because it's the qualities they possess—honesty, loyalty, kindness, generosity, laughter—that make us all special, that bring us together. I took the other Twilight's device and...and collected their magic and added it to my own, then..." She spread her wings wide. "I used it to become something equal to Midnight Sparkle, but filled with the magic of friendship. I was able to reason with her, to change her back..." She shook her head. "Well, you had to be there, but it was like looking into a mirror, seeing what I used to be, knowing that I'd come so far and learned how important friendship is."
"That's it," Twilight said, nodding thoughtfully. "That's how it happened. You connected with your friends' special magic in a way nobody else could. You became the focus of their strength...the six of you, united as one. Magic without end." She glanced at her own wings. "Yeah, that's...that's pretty close to how it happened for me. Except, you know, without the whole epic showdown with a reality-destroying monster." She laughed. "All I had to deal with was fixing my friends' Cutie Marks after I accidentally swapped them around..." She trailed off, glancing at Starlight Glimmer. Her ears folded down.
Starlight raised an eyebrow. "Oh really," she said. "Do tell."
"Aheheh..."
"So if you want to become an alicorn, I guess you need to make three more friends who are all different from each other," Maud said, glancing at Starlight. "Then cause or solve some kind of magical disaster."
"HEY! Don't encourage her!" Twilight said. "I mean, encourage her, but don't encourage her to cause some kind of disaster!"
"Yeah, she does that just fine all by herself," Trixie added, snickering.
Spike returned, pushing a cart loaded with plates of raw vegetables, chips, nuts, and various dips, as well as a pitcher of iced tea and several glasses. "Snack time!" he called. "So, did we figure out why Sunset's an alicorn yet?"
"Pretty much," Twilight said. "Though I'd like to run it by Celestia to see what she thinks."
"Check," Spike said, pulling out a roll of parchment and a quill. "Fire away!"
"Dear Princess Celestia," Twilight began. Sunset's eyes widened.
"Wait!" Sunset cried. "D-do you really...I mean..." She looked from Twilight to Spike. "W-we don't have to let her know, right? I mean—"
"Sunset, she needs to know," Twilight said gently. "Besides, I know for a fact she'd be happy to see you again, and probably excited to hear that you're an alicorn now!"
"I don't know if excited is the word I'd use," Sunset said, rubbing one fetlock with the other hoof and dipping her head.
"Sunset," Twilight said, tilting Sunset's head up to look her in the eyes. "It'll be okay. Trust me."
Sunset sighed. "A-alright," she said. "But...but let me write the letter, alright?" Turning to Spike, she added, "And I mean write it, not dictate it." She took the scroll and quill in her own magic and levitated it over.
As Sunset began to write, Trixie beckoned Starlight over. "I don't get it," she stage-whispered. "Why's she so scared of Princess Celestia?"
"You heard what she said earlier, right?" Starlight replied. "She didn't part with Princess Celestia on very good terms. I mean, this is Princess Celestia we're talking about here."
"Well, yeah, but she forgives anypony and everypony who does anything bad, right? I mean, you're here right now and not in Tartarus."
"Trying to write here," Sunset said testily.
"They have a point though," Spike said as he munched on a handful of nuts. "Don't sweat it. Princess Celestia isn't even mad at you. She's probably more mad at herself for driving you away."
"She really is," Twilight said gently. "The first thing she asked me when I came back from your world the first time was if you were alright. She cares about you."
"Oh," Sunset said quietly. She balled up the parchment she'd been writing on and summoned another from a stack of blank scrolls on a table, then started over.
Dear Princess Celestia,
On invitation from Twilight Sparkle, I returned to Equestria from the human
world for a weekend visit. When I arrived on this side of the portal, I dis-
covered I've become an alicorn. I was surprised, of course, but Twilight and
I talked it out and we think we've figured out how and why this happened.
We were hoping you'd come to Twilight's castle, listen to our theory, and
add your two bits. Also, I'd be very happy to see you again, as it's been
a very long time and there are things I need to say to you that I should say
in person.
I'll be in Ponyville for the next few days. I hope to see you soon.
Your former student,
Sunset Shimmer
After checking it over, Sunset rolled it up, sealed it, and floated it over to Spike, who sent it on its way to Canterlot. Letting out a deep, shaky breath, she trotted over to the snack table and helped herself to some celery.
"You know," Twilight said thoughtfully, "maybe she can tell you something about those geodes you and the girls found a while back. The ones you mentioned to me?"
"Maybe," Sunset said as she dipped her celery in a bowl of ranch and took a huge bite. "I think I've more or less figured that one out on my own, though."
"Really?" Twilight asked.
"Mm-hmm," Sunset said. "Except for the part about how they got there, I pretty much figured out what they are."
"And that is...?"
Sunset swallowed. "Our world's Elements of Harmony."
Twilight nodded slowly. "That...sounds about right." She crunched down on some chips, then added, "But still—"
A golden flash filled the room. Princess Celestia appeared, wings spread wide. As the light from her teleportation faded, she looked around wildly. Her eyes locked on Sunset Shimmer and widened. Without a word, she rushed forward, sweeping Sunset into a broad, feathery hug and nuzzling her. After a long moment, she stepped back, tears in her eyes and a smile on her face, and looked Sunset up and down. "Look at you," she said, her voice hitching. "I'm so very proud of you, Sunset."
Sunset shuffled her hooves, ducking her gaze. "I don't deserve it," she said.
"But you do," Celestia insisted. "Look how far you've come. How much you've grown and changed in such a short time!" She tilted Sunset's muzzle up with a hoof. "This would not have happened to you if you had not earned it." She tilted her head. "I believe you must have quite a story to tell, yes?"
Sunset laughed shakily. "Y-yeah..."
* * * * *
The entire group of mares laid on plush velvet pillows, diminishing the snacks Spike had delivered. Flurry Heart roamed around the room, tugging on manes, tails, and ears for attention as Sunset told her tale. When she was finished, Celestia nodded. "Yes," she said thoughtfully. "I see. I believe the conclusions you and Twilight have drawn are correct. It would seem that drawing upon the magic of friendship to challenge this Midnight Sparkle did indeed provoke your ascension."
Sunset let out a heavy breath. "Well, it's nice to know how it happened," she said. "Although I guess it doesn't really matter since, heh...I'm not exactly planning to move back to Equestria."
Celestia sighed, her eyes sad. "I...suppose not," she said. "Though you would be very welcome if you chose to, you understand. But...I can understand why you would not wish to leave the life you've made for yourself, your friends..." She looked at Twilight and smiled wistfully. "A pony belongs with her friends, after all. Especially a Princess of Friendship, which...in a sense, is what you now have become." She drew herself up. "Just as Twilight Sparkle is the Princess of Friendship in Equestria, you are now the Princess of Friendship in your world."
Sunset bowed. "I'm honored." She chuckled. "Though the title won't have as much, well, meaning there as it does here."
"Oh, it's pretty hit-or-miss here too," Twilight said, rolling her eyes. "I can't even get a cab in Manehattan!" Everypony laughed.
"Well, if new alicorns keep coming out of the woodwork like they are lately," Trixie said, "it'll mean even less. I mean, are we shooting for a fourth pony tribe here, or what?"
"Alicorns were once quite numerous," Celestia said. "But that was long before Equestria. In a way, it is a relief to see my kind returning." She glanced at Flurry Heart. "And perhaps if my sister and I ever found time to find a special somepony, there would be a great many more alicorns," she added ruefully.
"Well Twilight's got plenty of time on her hooves," Starlight said with a teasing smirk. "I'm sure she could pop out a foal or two no sweat!"
"HEY!" Twilight cried, face flaming. Sunset snickered.
"Speaking of time, I must be going," Celestia said. "I will make a point of finding time to return before you leave, Sunset. We have a great deal of catching up to do."
"Yeah...I'd like that," Sunset said with a smile.
Celestia looked around the room, nodding to each pony and dragon present, then disappeared in a golden flash.
"So!" Sunset said. "How about this castle, huh?" She looked around with interest. "I gotta say, Twilight, you've got some pretty odd tastes."
Twilight let out a high-pitched, nervous giggle. "Well...I didn't exactly have any say in what this place looks like," she said.
"You think this is weird, you should see it from the outside," Trixie said.
"Come on, Starlight," Spike said. "Let's give Sunset the grand tour."
"Sure, why not," Starlight agreed, finishing off the last of the celery.
"Mind if we bring Flurry along?" Sunset asked. "She's so adorable!"
"Gababu," Flurry declared as Sunset levitated her onto her back.
"Sure, go ahead," Twilight said. "Just be careful, she's a little unpredictable."
"I'll go tell Pinkie Pie to set up the welcome back and congratulations on becoming an alicorn party," Maud said. "It'll be at Sugar Cube Corner at sunset." She paused, then added, "Because that's also your name."
"Sounds great," Sunset said.
"Well, I have important Trixie things to take care of," Trixie announced. "I will see you all at the party!"
"I'll just get a guest room ready for you while you're getting the tour," Twilight said. "And...I guess I'll clean up this mess too, give Spike a break for a change."
With that, everypony went their separate ways.
And it's just as entertaining.
Same.
That's usually about it.
Or both.
That doesn't surprise me.
Well that was fast.
Huh. Neat.
Ooh! Maud told a joke!
Yeah, I knew Celestia was going to teleport in unannounced as soon as Spike sent off that scroll.
I'm not surprised if Flurry thinks of Sunset as the really cool, outta town aunt who comes in during whenever.
Very fun.
Though I have to wonder what the original letter said that knowing how much Celestia missed her caused Sunset to ball it up and start from scratch.
Sunset and newspapers solve everything! And I think Starlight's already caused enough disasters, now she just needs to find a few more friends (hopefully without destroying Equestria). Though Equestria already has enough Princesses and if the next alicorn baby turns out as powerful as Flurry Heart, not sure Equestria could survive that.
Looking forward to Sunset's party (and hopefully her meeting the pony counterparts of her human friends, though that could be awkward).
8250211
I haven't decided yet. It depends on whether or not I come up with a reason for him to be there.
8250212
The one who smokes wif cigawettes?
8250232 Why the hell not!? Sunset's a badass biker and she looks like the type to not take guff from anyone. I can see her doing that and- wait a sec, do ponies even smoke!?
Oh, boy. I can only wonder what will happen next.
Btw, why did you have Twilight react to Sunset mentioning Midnight Sparkle's origin? I thought she heard it in your prequel story.
Also, like Jarkes, I'm curious if Sunburst will be appearing in this story. That is, if you're into the fan theory that he's Sunset's brother.
Not literally, one hopes.
: HEY!
You don't have a leg to stand on, Glimmer. You did it intentionally.
In any case, that is the prevailing theory for why Sunset would/should be an alicorn. Now to see what else she does while she's back.
This so needs to be canon. Or rather should have been what happened rather than 'Mirror Magic' episode. Talk about deep.
_________________
8250320
Well she does have a habit.
orig01.deviantart.net/601b/f/2014/071/2/6/fiery_and_angry__twilight_sparkle_by_wakko2010-d79xc7m.jpg
Point of order: since when does Princess Celestia have the right to appoint anyone to any position in the human world?
I mean, if she went with "Royal Ambassador of Friendship" she might have something there...
8250255
Logistics. Look back at the bit you're nitpicking. Listing off the names of exactly who said that would have made for a long, clunky mess of a sentence with no flow. Besides, just assume Twilight's reaction is for a different reason than the others, and you're good. Good? Good.
8250528
Moving right along...
My headcanon is that the Tree of Harmony is an extra dimensional entity and the 7th geode is part of its growth/reproduction cycle.
Interesting choice, making Sunset the Princesses of Friendship for the human world instead of giving her a brand new title, I've never seen that done before.
Except, Sunset already sent Flash Sentry home.
8250561
That was a little harsh. I wasn't attacking you. I was just pointing out what I thought was a consistence error. And I wasn't demanding Sunburst to show up. I was just wondering if he'd appear.
As for the theory I was talking about, I meant the popular fan theory where Sunset and Sunburst are siblings.
8250756
Huh, never heard that theory. I can't say it makes a whole lot of sense for that to be the case and it not come up when they went back to her home to see Sunburst get his cutie mark.
Not "my brother" and "our family". I suppose a writer could retcon that, but for now...
8250756
You need to be more clear what you're referring to when you comment on things. I'm not a mind reader. And FYI, I do have another story in which they are siblings. I haven't made up my mind whether or not I'll do that here. Probably not, but you never know.
If my comment seemed harsh, it's because the tone of your comment grated on me. Go back and reread your original comment and see if perhaps you could have phrased it differently. (Hint: the way you brought up the Sunburst thing out of turn is what annoyed me.)
8250841
Uhh...you maybe wanna reread what you're disagreeing with? You're arguing that Starlight and Sunburst aren't siblings in response to a theory that SUNSET and Sunburst are siblings.
Shouldn't this be...?
8250857
How's it look now?
8250884
No, it shouldn't. She doesn't actually refer to herself in the third person all the time, or even that often.
8250907
Much better.
8250857
Oh right. That, I have heard of, if maybe once. I can see it.
"See? I knew she'd want to take immediate action!"
8250241
In b4 Poison Joke reference.
8250232
but you already have a reason for him to show up
Flurry is there and hes her crystaler
and as far as im aware that makes him a teacher/godfather/babysitter to the princess of adorable mayhem
besides Flurry is visiting Twilight right now for some reason
someone had to bring her over to Ponyville
8251540
Yeah, like maybe her parents? Since she's babysitting Flurry, obviously Sunburst is busy or something.
8251415 So Poison Joke is a mix of weed and a bunch of other drugs?
8251844
No, but imagine if ponies dried and smoked it. That might explain the infamous Pink Celestia toy.
All I'll say is that if Sunburst DOES appear in the story, I hope there's some StarBurst action, even if it's just light flirting.
8252003 That makes sense.
Like the story but I kinda disagree on should sunset be an alicorn. Even if she is reformed and all (1) magic works differently for humans so she may need to become an alicorn in equestria to stay one
(2) when she became one as a human it kind of was by ripping the others' magic out and using it for herself, meaning she could have burned through that and the alicornhood would go away. Of course human twilight does blur those lines and make it that much more confusing to try to theorize on it but I will try!
8271629
You go right on theorizing. Just not here. This isn't the place to debate it and I'm not asking for opinions on whether or not she should be.
Drawing upon a source of power brought forth from a desperate need, often connected to protecting those treasured most...
So is Alicorn ascension basically the MLP equivalent of a Super Saiyan transformation? Cause that's what I'm getting from reading between the lines.
8287748
I would point out that the whole 'rainbow power' bit at the end of S4 resulted in a massive increase in offensive power output, changes in bodily coloration, sudden and dramatic hair growth, and a tendency to glow uncontrollably. Was also triggered immediately after Twilight did a lot of shouting in the middle of a pitched energy-blast battle with an extremely angry opponent who beat up all her closest friends and flattened parts of a small village for fun.
If THAT'S not Super Saiyan, I don't know what is!
- Headwind
I can see it now; Princess Celestia - Broodmare Extraordinaire!
She and her charming husband would probably spend the first couple years of their marriage just enjoying their lives together, before they’d go ahead and spend the next decade popping out a foal every other year.
Of course, after five foals, the Royal couple would probably want to take a break from baby-making, though they’d probably have to deal with newspaper headlines such as “Troubles with the Royal Couple?” and “Is the Solar Diarch Suffering from Fertility Issues?”
8287748
You know that does fit Cadance's ascension too a tee (and I'm sure she was desperate to push out that norwhal saber / condor wings from Flurry Heart. That counts, kinda). But yeah, I can see that now. Best form of Super Saiyin there is ^_^.
Yes! Sunset is still rockin her skillz from “A Newspaper Solves Everypony’s Problem” !!!
"And while I still have this newspaper"
*SMACK*
"Ow, what was that for Sunset?"
"You deserve some sort of punishment for switching the cutie marks of the ones who rise and lowers the sun and moon"