It was a ten past noon when the train from Ponyville rolled into the Canterlot station. A certain alicorn stepped off as soon as the doors were opened. Behind her was a small purple dragon who struggled to keep up with the alicorn as she bolted towards the front of the station. She galloped to the front of the station in a frenzied state. Her hair was poking up in certain areas, and she shuffled her feet nervously as she scanned the many carriages out on the front.
It was then that a chariot landed from the sky, startling quite a few ponies in the immediate area. It settled quickly, banging its metal trimmed wheels against the cobblestone street. The pegasus guard's hooves thundered as the grounded to a stop. Their hoofsteps seemingly echoed across the plaza. Their armor added to the pounding, seeing the ponies pulling the cart were the royal pullers a tense quite began.
The locals could clearly see the urgency and alertness of the guards. It didn't put the locals at ease as they noticed that these were the personal guards of Princess Celestia. That was when everyone else saw the purple alicorn make her way to the carriage. The guards snapped to attention as she clambered up inside Princess Celestia's carriage. The small dragon was no sooner inside when the pegasus guards flapped their wings as they took off towards the palace.
Celestia stood anxiously from her raising balcony. She watched the courtyard of the castle for her precious student's arrival. Celestia had asked Snare Flare to wait while she called for the one pony that would know where Sunset was. And while Snare Flare accepted her course of action, Celestia couldn't help but feel like there was resentment towards her when she had asked her to wait. Snare Flare was then taken on a tour of the castle gardens while they waited for Twilight to arrive.
As Celestia kept her vigil over the sky, she couldn't help but think of the times she brought up Sunset's family. Sunset was very hesitant to tell her anything, much less spend time with them when holidays would arrive. She seemed much more content on staying at the castle alone. At the time Celestia never thought much of the interactions, she was too caught up in her own business to notice the plight of her failed student.
Though it's not like Celestia could call her student out for the failure of not talking about her emotions. It would be hypocritical for her to get mad at Sunset for not speaking about her feelings. Afterall, Celestia never spoke about her emotions. It had been years since she last attempted. It was easier to remain emotionless and stoic, then to feel the pain of each broken relationship. The failure laid in her alone for not being able to teach her students. Meaning that it was her fault that Sunset failed.
It was these habits that doomed the relationship between Sunset and herself. If she let that mask fall like she did when Cadence was around, would she have been able to keep Sunset here and happy? When Cadence ascended to her alicorn princess post, Celestia had lost her ability to hide her desire to have somepony close. Cadence answered that call correctly.
She was an alicorn, she would grow old with Celestia and be able to keep her company when she was lonely. She was the poisoned medicine that kept her alive, and with each encounter with her led Celestia wanting to spend more time with her. It was one of the reasons that she named Cadence her niece. So that she could forever have the link to somepony that would live as long as her.
Celestia was about to be swallowed by her thoughts when a gleam of gold caught her eye. Looking down, she spotted her chariot with a familiar lavender mare stepping out. Celestia flared her wings and gave powerful pushes of her wings and glided down. She landed in front of her faithful student and beat her wings slowly to come to a rest as she landed softly before Twilight. Her wings kicked up stray dirt and rocks before she tucked them against her side.
Celestia met Twilight with soft eyes but a pained smile. Twilight gapped at her for a moment before she raced forward and in a very Twilight mannered greeting.
"Princess! I got your letter, what is it? You mentioned that it is urgent. Are the other Princesses already inside? Is there a threat to Equestria?"
"Twilight, my most precious student, calm yourself, and I will explain," Celestia chuckled lightly, but she hated herself, for she had a topic that she knew hurt Twilight as much as herself.
"Oh, yes, of course. Fwaa...haaa, I'm ready, Princess." Twilight said after her breathing exercise was completed.
"I... I regret to say, but it concerns a topic neither of us wants to visit again so soon. Sunset's mother has come to the palace looking for her. I only know what you told me, and I had hoped you could help me with some parts as you were there, not me. Do you understand what I'm asking of you?"
"Y-Yes, it's just that I just started to accept what happened to Sunset. How can I tell a pony, a mother, that I, a princess, crippled her daughter and left her in another world? I don't even know where to begin."
"Twilight, I will be there every step of the way to help, but don't you agree that she deserves to know what has happened to Sunset as her mother?"
"Thank you, Princess. I know that I'll be able to do it with you by my side."
"You're most welcome, my faithful student. Though, you have taught me a great many things as well. Like, we must fight for the ponies that we love no matter the circumstance. I will not make the same mistake a third time. I didn't fight to get Luna back, and I abandoned Sunset, let it be known that I will not make the same mistake twice." Celestia vowed with an intensity rarely seen by Twilight.
Celestia and Twilight were in the throne room. Celestia in her usual spot while Twilight stood off to the right of Celestia's throne. The two stayed quiet while they waited for Snare Flare to arrive. Twilight constantly shifted in her spot. It was then that the herald announced Snare Flare's name.
She walked in with a purpose, and Twilight would have questioned her being Sunset's mother as she looked little like her. She had a cyan coat with a starking yellow mane. Her eyes were a sharp red that seemed to pierce everything that was glanced at.
It was the walk that convinced her. She's never seen anyone besides Sunset walk like that. Not even the nobles of Canterlot could walk with such confidence and pose. It was this line of thought that reminded Celestia that Sunset wouldn't be able to walk like that for the rest of her life.
A small shuddering breath escaped her to calm her nerves. A quick glance towards the Princess showed Celestia being rather quiet. Her wings slightly flared up as if to intimidate Snare Flare in her presence. Unfortunately, it seemed that Snare Flare wasn't one to be intimidated by such a display.
Snare flare bowed towards Celestia and Twilight. Before, she focused on Celestia and began to speak.
"Your Majesty, I have waited patiently. Where is my daughter?" Snare Flare demanded.
The bluntness of the question took Twilight off guard, while Princess Celestia showed no outwards emotions other than folding her wings. She looked at Twilight and gently brought her hoof down on her shoulder. While Celestia's face was devoid of emotions, her eyes spoke volumes to Twilight. Having been raised by Celestia, Twilights knew things that only those so close to Celestia would know.
Straightening and clearing her throat, Twilight began, "Mrs. Flare, I know you've been patiently awaiting news on your daughter, but it not that simple."
"What's so complicated about wanting to know where my daughter is?" she asked Twilight before turning to face Princess Celestia. "She was your student before her, and yet, Princess Twilight is already graduated. So, my daughter must have already graduated, right?"
"Snare Flare, Sunset left from under my tutelage before Twilight started her first day. She hasn't been my student for a little over a decade now."
"WHAT?!? THEN WHERE HAS ALL MY BITS BEEN GOING? I've been paying for her school since she got here! Where have they been going?" Snare all but snarled.
A brief look of confusion passed over Celestia's face, "I don't know what you mean. Sunset worked part-time in the library to pay for her schooling. She said she wasn't expecting any help paying for school. Thus, I offered to pay for it, but she denied stating she would like a job to pay for school while also studying. With this in mind, I gave her work at the library as it would help her pay and study at the same time."
"That's ridiculous. Where did all my bits go than?!"
"Guards, please summon Raven."
"At once, your majesty."
"Bits aside, you said she would know where my daughter is. I grow tired of all this dodging the question. Where. Is. My. Daughter?"Snare Flare said, taking a step forward forcefully.
Twilight looked at Celestia, silently asking permission to tell her about the portal. Celestia regarded the question with silence as she rested her stare down on Snare Flare. Minutes passed in silence as she stared at the mare, her eyes gradually narrowing. Her once purple eyes had turned a fiery red and yellow.
Outside the castle walls, a sudden heatwave fell over the land of Equestria. The suddenness of the heatwave caught many off guard. The effects were so prominent that even those in the Crystal Empire felt the changes. Cadence stepped out on her balcony and looked towards Canterlot.
"Some pony just made Auntie mad."
She went inside to look for Shining about a shield. While in Cloudsdale, ponies scrambled to get rainclouds. A call out to Rainbow Dash had her blasting off to get rainclouds from Everfree forest. Slowly, Equestria was covered in rainclouds. While this happened, a certain sleeping princess woke up.
For her part, Snare Flare stood her ground, though she did glance outside a couple of times at the darkening throne room.
Quickly the tension was broken by Raven stepping in seemingly oblivious to the emotions of the ruling Princess, or perhaps she was just used to it by now. She stepped around Snare Flare and approached her angered Princess. She bowed and moved her bangs out of the way. "Your Majesty?"
That seemed to break Celestia out of her staring match with Sunset's mother, and she focused on Raven. Celestia noticed, with a hint a pride, that the mother flicked the cold sweat off her back with her tail. She smiled sweetly at Raven, "Ah Raven, I have a few questions that I hope you could answer."
"Of course, Your Majesty."
"You remember my student, Sunset Shimmer, yes?
"Of course, the sweet dear, how is she? Is she back? We always had enjoyable talks."
"No, unfortunately not."
"A shame. I know Your Majesty was hurt by her leaving."
"Fear not my little pony, I'm okay. Now, did Sunset ever tell you about money coming from her mother, Snare Flare?"
"Oh yes, Your Majesty! Sunset came in one day with a check. She told me that this check was money for a scholarship and that if any more like that came to give it to ponies that really needed it at the school. We even came up for a name for it The Flare Scholarship for exceptional ponies that couldn't pay to come to the school for financial reasons."
"...Thank you, Raven. Why don't you take the rest of the day off? Guards escort Snare Flare out. We'll reconvene to continue this talk in two hours time."
"Of course, Your Majesty."
"Understood."
"Wha-"
"MRS. FLARE. We will reconvene in two hours. That is final, don't test my ire. You would not like us when we are angered. Twilight, you will stay with us."
"Y-yes, Princess."
Soon the throne room was empty of all but Princess Celestia and Princess Twilight. It was silent inside the room, while thunder rolled outside. Twilight tentatively placed her hoof on her teacher's back. She flinched at the touch but otherwise stayed still as if she became one of her statues in the garden. Soon she spoke, and the phrase she uttered broke both Twilights and Luna's, who had appeared at her sister's side silently.
"Oh my sweet Little Sun, I'm so sorry, Sunset."
The rain pattered against the window as Sunset slowly woke up. The first thing that she noticed was the pain. The throbbing pain in her back made her groan. Sunset inhaled sharply as she adjusted herself to ease the pain off her back. She was slowly losing the battle between having pain relievers or not. It burned where her skin was torn open and froze deep beneath her surface. It was as if her bones were made of ice forever freezing her from the inside out.
Her labored breaths and slight sounds of discomfort were all that came from her. Her hand shakily reached out to the bed controls and pressed the up button. She slowly raised into a sitting position only then did the pain lessen. She closed her eyes leaned heavily on her left side, and her trembling body finally calmed. She wiped the sweat from her forehead and finally was able to sigh with relief. At least until she quietly cried to herself. She was exhausted. She was tired of being in pain and tired of feeling so useless. Her emotions didn't help the matter, they were all over the place, and she didn't know what she was feeling anymore. Sunset just hoped that it would come to an end.
Opening her eyes made it known to her that it was ten minutes after twelve. The state of her room floored her. Ballons with 'get well' sentiments on them dotted her room. On the table just behind the clock was a beautiful array of dark center poppies, pink orchids, and protea. In the center separating the other three flowers were long stems of Craspedia with spiked grass in a stylized green pot. A small card read, "You never bothered me, hope you get well. Enjoy the flowers, WB."
She sat up and reached for the flowers, but they were just out of reach. She slid over a little more and placed her right hand on the bed. Pins and needles feeling danced throughout her palm and fingers. With a scowl on her face, she reached across while putting her weight on her right hand. She touched the pot, and her expression of concentration gave way to joy and determination. If only her hand shared the sentiment. It chose at that moment to give out.
"Eh?"
An azure-skinned girl sauntered into the hospital, her hand whipped her hair back. Her walk was confident and meaningful. She had gotten her hands on some very sensitive information, and she planned on using it. She walked to the nurse station and waited for a green-haired and skinned girl to finish talking with the nurse.
"-room is?" the girl asked.
"I'm sorry. She's still in a fragile condition. We're not allowing anyone unrelated to her. May I ask what your relationship to her is?" the desk hand asked.
"Uh, well, you see. I um think you should forget about that, don't you think?" There was a brief green glow before it suddenly vanished.
"Oh, sorry about that, dear. What did you need?" the nurse asked again.
"You just telling me Sunset's room number when you spaced out for a second. Could you just tell me which room she's in?" she asked.
The azure-skinned girl straightened up and started to pay attention to the girl. Her eyes narrowed as she pulled out a notepad from her jacket. She began to write down what just happened.
"Oh, I was? Hmm, I must have her files pulled up. Let's see, ah yes. She's in room five sixty-five on the fifth floor. What was your relationship with her again?"
"It's better if you forgot you saw me." The glow happened again, and suddenly the green girl was gone.
"I'm sorry, miss. I didn't see you there."
"That-That's all right. The Grreat and Poowerful TRIXXXIE is a master illusionist I can appear and disappear with ease."
"...I see. What can I do for your Miss Trixie?"
"The Wonderful and Mesmerizing Trixie would like your help. Actually, Trixie is humbly begging for it."
"What do you need help with?"
"Trixie was wondering if it is at all possible to perhaps help her arrange a show for a patient here. Others are welcome as well to her show. However, the show is specifically for her. It's a get well gift, Trixie is good at magic, no not good, the best at magic and maybe a little singing."
"Well, we normally don't let people do anything crazy in the hospital." the nurse answered back.
"I- Trixie sees. Trixie will be going then," Trixie began to turn around.
"Wait. Please," the nurse called after Trixie.
"Yes, asks the Pathetic and Defeated Trixie?"
"I... While you can't perform in the hospital. The building does surround a garden courtyard. You could do your show there so long as you get the head of the hospital advance notice about it."
"OHH, this is so exciting my first real magic show. What room is Sunset Shimmer in?"
"What is your relationship with her? Are you family?"
"Well, no. Buuut, Trixie goes to school with her. Trixie admired her strength and confidence. Also, Trixie's show is for Sunset. It is Trixie's way of wishing her luck. Trixie just wants to go invite Sunset Shimmer personally."
The nurse was quiet for a moment before she sighed, "I suppose that if you're quick about it, I there's no problem with that."
"HAHA behold the magician's exit!"
POOF
"*cough cough. Huh, She's gone... wait there she is," the nurse said as she watched Trixie run up the stairs, "Kids nowadays."
"Ah, ow," Sunset said on the floor of the hospital. She was sprawled on the ground, luckily, as much as falling on the ground is lucky, she didn't fall in on her back and was able to catch herself from falling too hard. That didn't, however, mean that she went unscathed her wrist ached, and her head swam from the sudden rush of blood to her head.
Sunset pushed up to a sitting position, or at least she tried to. While she could move her arms, strength wouldn't come to her. As she laid there, she couldn't help but remember the last moments with her family and how her mom told her this would happen. She remembered it like it was yesterday. She had just been accepted into Celestia's School. However, she took the entrance test in secret and did so without her parents' knowledge. That proved to damage what little relationship she had with her family. Magic school wasn't apart of Sunset's life according to her parents' plans, and they were furious about it. They didn't even let her explain that she would be Princess Celestia's personal student. After that, Sunset gave up on her family being there for her. She bit her lip as the memory resurfaced.
"I DON"T CARE. I'M LEAVING THERE'S NOTHING YOU CAN DO TO STOP ME!" Sunset bellowed as she shoulder through her parents and out her door.
"You come back here, young lady. I'm not done talking to you. We still have piano lessons, and we need to talk about your marriage to Jet Set," Maestro Ardor called after Sunset.
"No. There's nothing to talking about. I'm not marrying some pony that has an influential family you can use to further your name and power. I'm a pony, not some chess piece in one of your games, father. I'm going to study at Celestia's School for Gifted Unicorns. I hate the piano by the way," Sunset scoffed as she headed for the stairs.
"Sunset, dear, listen to your father his looking out for you. Please, mother, just wants what's best for you. I know what best for you," Snare Flare smiled at her daughter.
"You don't know what's best for me. You're not a unicorn, mom. You don't know what it's like having to deny the very thing that makes me me. You just want to control me like a puppet or one of your musicians. Too bad for you, I want to do magic. I like it, and I'm really good at it."
Snare Flare glared, "I see. I've let you have too much freedom, but fine go. Go chase some ridiculous dream, but I'm warning you. Life doesn't care about how good you are, it will break you, and when it does, don't say I didn't tell you so. You don't need to worry about coming back either. Your father and I have our own problems. Don't go dragging us into yours. So if you walk out that door, don't bother coming back. I won't have a daughter anymore if you walk out that door."
Sunset paused at the door, her hoof on the handle. She looked back at her parents, both of them glaring at her. Behind them was her little brother, Golden Note, who was practicing the violin. She looked at her hoof then dropped it on the welcome mat in front of the door. She could feel the satisfaction of her parents. They knew they won.
Sunset glanced at her parents and saw that smile. That ugly, smug smile that hung like a guillotine over her head. She hated it. Sunset faced forward, looking at the door as she made her choice. She wrapped her saddlebag with her magic and dropped it on her back. She pointedly grabbed the door in her magic and flung it open. She glanced back once to see the shock on her parents' face before facing forward saying, "Snare Flare and Maestro Ardor, thanks for your hospitality I will no longer bother you with anything in my life. Good day."
With that, Sunset walked out and quietly shut the door, shutting her off from her parents. She let one teardrop to the ground before trotting to the train without looking back. If her parents didn't want her for her, then she'd make others want her instead. She never once saw her parents in all the years after she left. She never let herself feel the pain that came from the experience. They weren't worth her time.
"Sunset, are you okay!?" a voice broke her out of the memory. She shifted her head towards the voice and could only see jean pants with grey and white flats.
"Who...?"
"That's not important right now. Can you move?"
"I-I can, but I can't get up. Sorry, I'm so useless right now." Sunset sniffled.
"It's fine. You have nothing to be sorry about. This... what happened to you, it wasn't anyone's fault,"
the girl said.
"Sorry."
"Okay, okay, calm down," the girl said again.
"I am calm."
"I was talking to myself. What happened? How'd you end up on the ground?" the girl asked, reaching to help Sunset off the ground.
"I was trying to grab the flowers, but my hand slipped," Sunset said, pointing to the flowers on the table as best she could.
"Those are..."
The girl went silent as she looked at the plants. Just as she was about to say something, a knock sounded from the door. Seconds later, Trixie entered the room and looked at the scene. Quicker than most would have thought Trixie was at the mysterious girl's side. Trixie slapped the girl's hands off of Sunset's arm. She quickly looked at Sunset then whirled around on the mysterious girl. She pointed at the girl and growled, "Are you crazy? What do you think that you were doing?"
"I was just helping her up, what's wrong with that?" Clearly offended by Trixie's words.
"Sunset has a back injury. Your helping her could have hurt her even more," Trixie explained to her.
"How would you know that? You are either too self-absorbed or have your nose buried in a book about stage magic car about other people's well-being."
"Trixie know more about first aid than you. Your mother isn't a doctor. While Trixie's mom is and she even thought Trixie basic medical practices. So, yes, I do know more than you, and I can do a better job at it than you."
"Well, I... I can bring dying plants to life..." she said with confidence. "That sounded better in my head."
"I'm sure it did, and I'm sure you can, but Sunset isn't a plant now, is she?
"...No. I'll just leave," the girl said as she turned around. She looked at Sunset before she said, "Those flowers were from me. Though I doubt you'll remember me. Anyways, hope you get better soon," she walked out after that, not giving Sunset a chance to say anything.
"Hmph, Trixie is not self-absorbed. She is just confident in her abilities."
"You could have been nicer. She really was just trying to help," Sunset lightly scolded.
"I don't care. Trixie will not let that girl ruin her first show by hurting the guest of honor," Trixie said, crossing her arms.
"Guest of honor?" Sunset parroted.
"That can wait. Trixie will go find a nurse to help you," Trixie got up and walked out before Sunset could get a word in.
"But, clack* you can just press the call button," she said to the empty room.
Sunset POV
I had been checked over by the nurse, and once I was deemed healthy enough to move. I was put back in bed by Chrysalis and Trixie, along with Nurse tender heart. Although, I was okay despite a few bruises that she would have on her knees and hips, along with a sore wrist. Emotionally and mentally, I was a mess. Three people. That was how many people it took to put me into bed. It was a sobering thought that broke through the previous low. It seemed with everyday life found a way to drag me deeper into the inky darkness of depression. Sure, I had friends, but were they really. I wouldn't be surprised if I was just a charity case to ease some of the guilt that the girls had. I wouldn't be surprised if they all left after I was released and given a clean bill of health. The very thought filled me with dread and fear. I had no idea why I was so distraught over them leaving me.
Monsters didn't deserve to be happy. Considering that I turned into a demon, there was little hope of me being anything but a monster. Some may say that I was just hiding my true self behind all those actions during school and that I have a chance to show the real me. It showed how little they understood what was going on. Twilight said so herself. That night I had revealed what I truly was, what was in my heart.
I'm a monster, and there was no changing that. I was already too far gone. A lost cause, a breath monster that forever had to be alone. I would end up hurting them. I would forever be alone. People caring for about monster only happened in fairy tales, and even those that did were few and far between. I still have to wonder what was the purpose of the element of magic saving her from her own heart. I'm a threat to Equestria. It only makes sense that I would either be killed or, at the very least, imprisoned like Nightmare Moon or Discord. Imprisoned... It all made sense now I ended up like this because this is my prison. This broken body, this world, it was all cut off from Equestria. I was exiled here, I was never to return to Equestria. Even if I did, I'd be weak and useless, barely able to walk. What happened today was proof of that. The most I could do if I went back was waste away inside some house that I could scrounge up or be sentenced to life in prison for treason against the crown. Perhaps, even turned to stone as a way to pay for my crimes.
Either way, stay or return when the portal reopened I'd still be a prisoner. It is best if I remained in exile for the rest of my life. Sure no longer having magic will be hard, but I believe that I lost that right. To use magic would just bring back old desires. I saw where that lead, and I'm better of the dead. I almost killed people because of those desires. It's better to seal off my wants and desires. It might not do much, but perhaps it can keep the monster from inside from ever escaping. Besides, monsters need to be caged. What better cage than one that's a world way?
"I ask that you don't interrupt," Twilight said with a slight chill to her voice. She was not happy. After consoling her teacher, basically her mother in all regards but blood, she asked Princess Luna to take her sister to her room so that she might recover. Something ponies didn't think to consider about the Solar Princess was that she was despite her looks, she was old. At times of emotional stress, time hung heavy on her. Heavier than most could bear, it was why there were so few princesses. Ascension wasn't the hard part, nor was creating a new spell. She did it many times during her stay in Ponyville, sure ascent was still rare. Usually one or two per century. It was because most that ascended couldn't bear to watch their loved one die; thus, they often time went to join them.
It was one reason Celestia adopted Cadence. As an orphan, it was easy for the Princess of love to see Celestia as her mother, despite her calling her auntie. That meant that she would always have a family she could depend on. Twilight herself would have the many friends she made throughout the years to consol her on the inevitable losses. It was why Celestia didn't adopt her, Celestia believed that Twilight was stronger than most and with the help of her friends, both old and new, that she could overcome the hardships to come.
It was for this reason that she was so upset by this mare. She was hurting a pony that she would grow very close to in the coming years. Snare Flare did deserve to know what had happened to Sunset, but that didn't mean that she had to be nice about it. She would tell her the details, answer the question to the best of her abilities, then have the guards escort the mare out. After that, she would go help Princess Luna comfort Celestia in her time of grief.
Snare Flare nodded, and Twilight continued, "A week and a half ago, during the night before the Princess Summit. Sunset snuck into my room and stole my crown, replacing it with a replica. She was discovered, and I gave chase. I tackled her, which caused the Element of Magic and my crown to fly into the place she's called home since leaving Celestia's tutelage."
"I've asked Princess Celestia if you could know where that place is, but because the gateway is sensitive information, Princess Celestia won't allow you knowledge of the entrance to Sunset's plane of existence now. You are entitled to know that Sunset doesn't live on this plant, and she is no longer reachable for the next thirty moons. During the short trip to her world, I, with a small group of friends, managed to band together and help take away what power she had there. This, however, caused her to grow angry, and she stole my crown and placed it upon her head. This action, along with the anger in her heart, corrupted her. Luckily, the girls I mentioned earlier and I were able to purge of her the blackness in her heart."
"However, it came with a price. The price was it took away her ability to walk. She'll never be able to walk with aid, and she'll have several problems with returning to Equestria. I'm sorry for your loss, I truly am, but I must go consol my teacher now," Twilight closed softly in closing.
She stood up from the throne before she vanished in a flash of violet light. Snare Flare stayed standing in the spot for a few moments before she slowly turned towards the door. Her hoof steps were wobbly, and she couldn't walk in a straight line. She walked as though she was drunk. As luck would have it, she didn't run into anypony on her way out of the castle. Her face was entirely composed to show little to no emotion. The only faults were the slight trembles along her body, her pale face, her inability to walk in a straight line. Other than that, her face and eyes showed no hint of the emotions she was feeling war inside her as she continued home.
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Thanks for reading the story. The new chapter just got published. I hope you continue to enjoy reading this story.
Seems like Snare is experiencing turmoil, I can't help but be satisfied about that. Sunset, on the other hoof, deserves a chance to feel the support of others when she can.
Why do you keep referring to Scampy as they when she says in her bio that she's only one person?
Another great chapter! The heatwave part was hilarious and now I feel like Princess Celestia may end up killing Snare Flare for what she done to Sunset. Also, my heart hurts for Sunset. I hope she will let people help her soon otherwise she’s going to end up hurting herself badly even more, but I still feel like she isn’t going to allow anyone to do anything for her even the small things, especially when she’s out and living with the Principals. I’m still kinda curious if Luna actually liked the SunShim special too.
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I'm not sure where you see this. The 'they' I'm referring to is Applejack, Rarity, Fluttershy, Pinkie, and Rainbow. I did a search and the only they in the story all work where they're at. Also, I haven't read Scampy's bio and I didn't want to assume anyone gender as that is a taboo nowadays thus until I know I use they. I just know that I like Scampy's writing style, Scampy has made some of the best reads that I've read, Last Light being one that I've reread many times. I usually go to the stories tabs or read comments on the user's homepage if I ever go to them. So I wasn't all that aware the Scampy was a girl. I just know that scampy like many people has a hard time with their parents and didn't want to cause more distress.
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She'll get her support in the coming chapters. The main thing that I'm going for is Sunset learning to accept the support given to her.
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Luna prefers a good dark roast with only a splash of cream in it. Though she can get by with pure black as well. I have a plan for Sunset once she accepts the help given to her and learns to be reliant on others when she actually needs it. Also, I'm glad you like it. I was trying to go for a really emotional chapter this time. I'm happy that you liked the heatwave that I wrote for Celestia. I feel like a lot of people either make her god tier or a walking joke. I wanted to put a new spin on her, and she controls the sun, why not make it so she can adjust the temperature that the sun burns? Plus, she's over a thousand years old. Her wisdom and knowledge are great, but with time even mountains can erode. So I feel like she should be a lot like a grandma in the way that mistakes can add more pain the longer they stew, especially if they could've been avoided. Sunset is a sore spot because of how similar it was with her sister. There is a good fic that shows the possible consequences that could've happened if Sunset was never born. I won't spoil it, but I do feel like if Sunset was Celestia's student first, then what happened to Sunset would happen to Twilight instead. Sunset's poor schooling under Celestia helped her to see where she was wrong in her teaching and to fix those mistakes before she took Twilight as her student. After all, for being cannon fodder in the show, I feel like Celestia would be able to recognize her flaws once they were pointed to her and work to fix those mistakes as much as possible.
The fic if you're interested in it is called Sunset's Wonderful Life
That Flare needs a good trip to the moon....
10259644
Thanks for the story recommendation, I’ll make sure to give that a read! Also it would be quite funny to see a on going joke with the SunShim special, maybe when things are calmer/Sunset is settled in her new home life her and Luna could rope Celestia or Chrysalis into trying it. I was wondering if you don’t mind me asking, will Principal Celestia be in upcoming chapters? And will she have a talk with Sunset? I can’t help but wonder if she’s avoiding her for some reason or it might be that she’s just letting Luna handling everything. I do like what you have done with Princess Celestia, it is very clear that she is still hurting from Sunset leaving and then from carrying all those regrets on her shoulders of what she should have done to prevent her from leaving, it makes her seem more real and just because she’s the princess, doesn’t mean that she doesn’t have feelings too. I think In a way, that’s where Sunset and her are similar, because both are very good at putting their walls up and hiding their emotions from everyone. I still think that Celestia was closer to Sunset than she ever was to Twilight even though her and Twilight do have a very close bond, and if Sunset was Celestia’s first student i’d reckon that Celestia got attached too quickly after what happened with her sister, and she probably realised that and that’s maybe why her and Sunset started to drift apart from each other. Sunset wanted a mother in Celestia, and Celestia wanted Sunset to be her daughter but she was too scared to get close to some pony who reminded her much like her sister
10259763
You've pretty much got Princess Celestia in a nutshell. I have a plan for Principal Celestia, I won't say much, but the reason as to why she hasn't been on scene is the fact that she is dealing with the situation at school all by herself. On top of that she's doing luna's work as well considering she is on leave while she helps Sunset. I plan on her being involved with the magic show, but I won't say what part she plays. I never considered the SunShim Special being an on going joke. Though I can see either Celestia or Chrysalis liking it. Considering that Celestia likes cake and changelings are basically bug ponies and bugs like sugar water. I'll make a post about it and the winning vote will get the sugar tooth.
10259814
If you ever consider doing it I could help you write up a scene for it as I had a few in mind. Only if you want though and if it’ll fit your story. If Chrysalis or Celestia ends up trying it, Luna could maybe play a prank on them and get Sunset involved in it, maybe they won’t tell them what the drink is to surprise them but Celestia or Chrysalis could end up saying something like “huh, I actually like this.”
Don't mind me, I'm just screaming with joy over here
Yep she's definitely got the nobility's thing down flat all she gives a crap about about is success and money
10259900
I can't say that I ever experienced being bullied, I was a floater in high school and could get along with any group, so long as I felt like it. However, I have read a lot of fanfiction about bullies and the plausible things they could do, one for the stories I write, and two because my chosen profession is to be a teacher. I find it awful what people can do through bullying, but I love what bully starts can do for others (i.e. coming together, forming groups, etc.) and it helps me look out for those that are being bullied as well as finding the bullies themselves.
10259908
I'm glad you liked it. After some consideration, I decided that Wallflower should have the stone for a while. After all, she said so herself that she used to only use it for small things. Sure, breaking into a hospital room isn't exactly small, but hey. She has to get good at it somehow, right? I do plan on having a chapter where Sunset goes looking for the WB on the card, and since we all know that Wallflowers picture isn't in the yearbook. Sunset won't know who she is.
10259542
Who says I'm only one person? Maybe I'm two kids in a trenchcoat. Maybe I'm three kids in a trenchcoat. You don't know :v
10259915
Perhaps, We're still not done with Snare Flare. She'll be in the picture again, but for now, she's being placed on the back burner while I think up some scenarios with her. While she won't be an antagonist she won't be helping Sunset either, at least not yet that is. I have one plan for her but that won't be for a while.
10259972
Gabby Gums from A New Sun Rises by CommissarAJ, nice reference.
Thank you for this chapter, it was a great read, looking forward to seeing what happens when Sunny gets out of hospital
Trixie was Intresting
I'm not sure who fubar more. Snare Flare or Celestia.
10260247
I'd say Snare Flare for deplorable parenting.
(If you can call it that)
10259960
I have been bullied my whole entire time throughout School and each and every school I've been in you know that saying if you kick a dog enough to get angry well this dog says if they start trying to break me I'd break them
10260359
Sorry to hear about that. It's cool that you became such a strong person because of your experience though.
10260335
10260247
They both destroyed bridges, but in my opinion, Celestia's relationship with Sunset is still fixable.
10260218
Glad you liked her. I wanted her to be more interesting than some bully that makes Sunset's life horrible. I've read a lot of stories where they do this, not saying that it's bad or anything just that it seems a little over used now. Anyways I figured if I ever decide on pairing Sunset with anyone at some point that it's better to have some options outside the main ships.
10260717
Why not bulk biceps?
10260715
I don't see Sunset really wanting to, it hard enough as it is with the Counter parts.
But Princess celestia uggh that be tough , thou figured as much with her original mom there be no chance, what happens next thou I have to wait and see right?
10260732
Bulk is a softie out into a bully's body. That's why I went with Rainbows bullies when she was little.
10260852
Yeah though I do have some plans that I mentioned in the comments throughout the chapters. The first thing that's going to happen and I can tell because it was mentioned in this chapter is the magic show afterwards I plan on her release from the hospital and go to therapy both physically and mental. Though what happens in between them will be a surprise. For instance, we'll be learning more about Sunset's past after arriving in the human world and her connections with a certain someone.
10260980
Fair
Well, we have three interesting characters here:
1. Wallflower: still using her stone with little restrictions it seems; yet she could have also deleted the scene with Sunset and Trix, if I‘m not overthinking it then she tried to actually connect to Sunny? Certainly strange for...
2. Trixie: I like her attitude. Optimistic and arrogant but not overwhelmingly so, she also seems to try and connect or help Sunny, but her motives are more visible than Wally‘s. Then there is her witnessing the memory stone first hand, that will be interesting to follow.
3. Snare Flare: Hovers somewhere between authoritarian parent and mother who is estranged but still cares, if only deep down. After all, she did send a continuous stream of education funds, even though they parted on very hard terms.
Overall, great chapter with very good and interesting characters. Nicely done.
10261172
Thanks for the reviews on the characters. I wanted Snare Flare to be a major driving point for Sunset leaving. In the comics of Anon-a-miss, now I know some don't see the comics as canon but what is given I will take, Sunset tells applejack that she has a family but was never close to them. That led me to believe that for some reason or another Sunset and her family don't get along or at least they don't agree with her life choices. This is why I made Sunset's family all earth pony. I wanted to create an existing problem with them, that being they don't understand what a unicorn needs because they don't know what it's like to be one. Thus, their opposition towards Sunset going to school. Her little brother is everything their parents wanted in a child. Thus, she doesn't get along with him over a sense of jealousy. Sunset being the more prideful and independent type it would make sense that she doesn't accept the money from her mother. She would see it as mocking her, or telling her she couldn't do it on her own. She'd see it as pity money. Thus, her unwillingness to take a single bit from the checks. At least that's my reasoning on the matter.
Trixie seems to be more chill in the human world, yes still boastful and striking in her personality, she seems more content with just performing tricks at random as a form of practice. I also want to point out that while she did witness the use of stone by Wallflower the command of forgetting all about her was directed towards everyone in the room. Thus, it makes sense that Trixie would not have remembered the interaction between the nurse and Wallflower.
Wallflower has a lot of potential in this story and could be a close friend with Sunset as they both know the feeling of being in the dumps. I won't say anymore about her because I do have big plans for her.
Again thanks for the review and I'm glad that you like the story so far. Also, I'm really glad that someone noticed that Snare Flare isn't completely a horrible mother, merely unique in her way of showing her care.
you gonna continue this seres
10262655
Yep. I already have a plan for the next chapter.
Other than the minor grammar mistakes, mostly in this section^, great chapter. I did like this section just because it reminded me of Pink Floyd’s The Wall.
good chapter i some how missed the alert of the update but was browsing and saw it had a new chapte rvery good
curious how trixie got the memory stone thoe
also hope you update soon
10404114
I'm glad you liked it. However, just to clarify a bit, Trixie only saw the stone in action. She doesn't actually have it. I'm trying to stick with the show as much as possible. So a certain someone still is in possession of it.
10404265
oh it seemed like trixie was the one doing it my mistake
and who has it i forget who had the stone in the movie :P
10404309
Wallflower Blush. That's why Scampy is freaking out in the comments.
10404381
i know her name i was joking
Both sunbutt and starbutt are bitches for that. Sunny's mom has every right to be upset. It's not like Celestia is a real mother anyways so how dare she? And Twilight only defends her due to bias.
10569786
To be fair I am painting Sunset as an emancipated daughter who no longer sees her family as her family. She would consider Celestia her mother before she considered her birth mom as such, despite her reformation to the "good" side. I quote good because good is a matter of perspective. That and I couldn't think of another word and I'm too tired to look for one.
I do hope Wallflower does not do what she did in the show, Sunset will go through enough without that added punch.
10596495
Not to worry. I have other plans for Wallflower.
I have a vague idea of future events from this chapter, and I very much hope I'm wrong.
I am disappointed with snare flare. she basically reduced anguish-reduce-ticket for celestial and twilight.
and then this teasing "maybe she care about sunset" at the end.
gonna give dislike because this story is irritating.