This story is a sequel to A Certain Magical Sunset
Sunset Shimmer, personal student of Princess Celestia, had seen her future and was delighted.
Looking into Star Swirl's Mirror, she saw something she had never imagined; Herself, as an Alicorn Princess. Filled with delight, Sunset now knew nothing could keep her from the side of her beloved mentor, helping her and ruling with her. It wasn't just a dream. It was her destiny.
So when her mentor suggested she take time out from her studies to make some friends, you could forgive her for not giving more than a token effort. What could be more important than learning everything she needed to know so she could serve her princess through an alicorn's lifetime as a princess, ruling by her side, lifting the burdens she faced daily?
Celestia, knowing her time was short and there was a high chance she would fall with her sister on her return, was pushing Sunset to hone her diplomatic skills, her magical prowess, and her battle skills, enrolling her as a Battle Mage in her service. She needed somepony who could step in and defend her ponies if the worst were to happen.
Then things changed. Her mentor took on another student, an annoyingly cute little nerdy filly named Twilight Sparkle. And soon after, another princess appeared, newly ascended and needing guidance, Princess Cadance.
Maybe, Sunset decided, she needed some friends after all.
This is the prequel to A Certain Magical Sunset. While this is an AU, events are largely in line with cannon, with exceptions noted as they occur. Sunset still ends up in the unhappy place of rebelling against her mentor, and stealing off through Star Swirl's Portal to the world of Equestria Girls, where the other stories in this timeline take place.
Featured Monday, 13 March 2023. Yay, thank you! 
Love how this is going so far.
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Thank you!
Happy the Yak mission was peaceful. This one though... Well, hope she can keep her cool around Griffins that are not part of this mess. This goin gto get ugly.
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Don't you know it. Good thing her little sister isn't around to see what's going down.
In case it wasn't completely obvious, The Battle Mages of the Mage Corps in this story are inspired by the State Alchemists from Fullmetal Alchemists, and also by the Texas Rangers. One Riot One Ranger.
'Los Tres Amigos' or 'Les Trios Amis' for the other romance languages (although there's no 'filly' anywhere in there which would be [in reverse order] 'pouliche', 'potranca', and 'puledra', but that just makes it a bit more wordy than needed) ...
Truthfully, I only remembered that 'filly' would start with 'P' with an 'O' or 'U' ... Go Google translate ...
Have to wonder if Sunset and Twi can do earth pony magic because of their potential, or if they are right and anyone could do it with the right training.
At any rate, if Sunset decides the other girls need training, Pinky with this scares me!
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Quite correct.
Yes, the filly is an affectation, a ponyism - is that even a word? But my intent in saying it was to show the feminine gender. And in pony-land Girl friends didn't seem to cut it.
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My thought was while potential helps, it's not the bar to hurdle. Potential limits what spells can be cast. For example, Teleportation takes a considerable amount of manna. If your manna well were deep, you could cast it (cough cough Pinkie Pie I see you there! cough cough). If your manna well were pitiful, no amount of training is going to get you anywhere past luminescence and maybe very light telekinesis.
The trick, as Sunset found (thank you forbidden section of the library) and taught to Twilight is learning and training to cast using the channels of the other tribes. They are not as well developed in them, as neither are alicorns (yet!), but they are present in every pony.
And oh yes, Pinkie has already figured this out instinctively and has very deep manna wells. And is delightfully chaotic.
Yak-uza? It fits, but I still feel like you should feel bad for that pun.
Sunset hit most of the ways people think, but are their no ponies with aphantasia in Equestria, or just so few that Sunset doesn't know about them?
Is this also named after a light novel?
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Not directly no. But certainly inspired by the A Certain Magical Index Light Novels. These are the stories of the adventures of Sunset, and eventually Twilight and Cadence as battle mages while learning under Celestia’s tutelage. They do end with Sunset rebelling and running through the portal where everything in the main stories occurs.
Kind of like all the cute Star Wars with Anakin before he becomes Darth Vader. Still fun.
Sunset not angry at Twilight wanting to be a princess too? Best Big sister ever.
How old is Gilda here? isn't she like same age range as Dash? And Twilight. Junior Speedsters!
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Nah, she is thrilled. The jealousy and other garbage doesn't happen until much later. Sunset didn't start out a complete self absorbed putz, though sadly she does end up there for a while, at least until Twilight and friends set her back to her empathetic self. It's not an accident empathy is her power. It's her destiny.
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Yes, she is. Same age as Twilight and the elements. Turns out that Gilda a a fairly common name among Griffons, with their love of G names. Though would not be surprised if they were related.
And sorry for having to answer this twice. The mobile version of the site seems to put replies into the original posters main page instead of the original discussion. Sound the klaxon! lol!
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To be honest, I did not even know Aphantasia was a thing. The very thought of not being able to visualize in my minds eye horrifies me, as that is the way I write - I follow around my characters as they live out the story, and like Boswell before me document their adventures. If I couldn't see them, they would have to tell me, and even then my default is to build a mental image from what is said. I would lost like a person suddenly blinded.
But no, I would imagine it to be as much an issue for ponies their other portal counterparts, and they likely have just as many ways of dealing with it.
Sorry there, was rereading the last chapter last night and saw I forgot to include the names of the merchant and his siblings as well as a few minor typos. Fixed now.
Love how the story is going so far
Hmmm, wasn't there a loose end left, something about the merchant ... or is Shimmer simply waiting a day or two before going back with a request ??
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Too true, she still needs to take care of that, which she does in the next chapter... which I am not quite done writing. Will be up no later than next week though, Pinkie Promise.
For those reading this story, my apologies for the delay on chapter 17. It is over half written, but family issues temporarily left me with no time to write. Fortunately, my mother's health is now improving, and I am able to get back to writing, so I intend to get this story back on track and back to the weekly updates.
Thanks!
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Yay! Finally got Chapter 17 finished and out. And as I stated in the Authors Note, going with every other week updates through the holidays, as I no longer have a buffer of completed chapters to lean on. Once the dust has settled on the soap opera that has become my life I will get this back on track and finish the next volume of A Certain Magical Sunset, or as the Sequel is titled, A Certain Scientific Twilight. Happy Holidays!
I love the story so much look forward to the next update keep in touch and let me know how you're doing.
This is a great chapter looking forward to more ❣️❣️❣️
Lol!
Pardon the typo. Soup and Salad. Not Soap and Salad. Poor Sunset was not getting her mouth washed out with soap. Fixed now. 
You are doing such a great job writing this.
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I hope you enjoy the rest of it too. 
Ah, thanks!
This is amazing looking forward to the next chapter friend 🌺
Next chapter coming out tomorrow, queued up and ready!
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And released yesterday... hope everyone is enjoying it.
Heads up, minor edits uploaded for the last two chapters (22 and 23). Typos and word order errors, nothing significant. Onward!
And Chapter 24 out to my prereaders, and hopefully from there out to everpony by Monday.
Chapter 24, 6.5K words of mayhem and fun coming at you! Enjoy!
Looking forward to seeing more sis
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Love it.