Returning to Equestria

by Silvreus

First published

Sunset Shimmer returns to Equestria and asks for forgiveness. Will everyone forgive her for what she did?

Sunset Shimmer returns to Equestria not because she seeks power but forgiveness. At first everyone will not forgive her for her actions but eventually, everyone will be convinced that Sunset really is sorry. During she is being forgiven, she makes new friends and even makes a relationship with a certain six foot dragon…

[Inspired by Sunset's Beauty and Love at Sundown]

Requesting Forgiveness

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Sunset Shimmer, an orange and yellow unicorn, that used to be a formal student of Princess Celestia, decided to return to Equestria and ask for forgiveness as for what she did to steal Princess Twilight's crown. She had just passed through the portal and was now in the pony version of Equestria. It was around midnight and she was now roaming the corridors of the Canterlot castle, every now and then a guard would pass by and she would hide.

Sunset soon became lost. She was wandering the castle's long halls and then, while walking into another corridor, she bumped straight into a guard.

Oh no!

“Halt!” the guard yelled.

Sunset began to run and hide so that she wouldn't get caught and mistaken for trying to steal Princess Twilight's crown again. She didn't also want to questioned why she was even here.

She soon got cornered by five guards and they were starting to slowly advance toward her. Sunset thought she was going to get caught and then taken to Princess Celestia but then realized that she was a unicorn that could use magic. She could teleport out of here! Her horn started to glow a bright orange aura and then, she teleported with a bright flash of light outside of the castle into the small town of Ponyville.


Good, I teleported into Ponyville. Hopefully Twilight will be around here

It was beginning to become morning. Sunset Shimmer was close to the Everfree Forest and Ponyville's borders. Little did she know that a certain cyan pegasus with a rainbow mane was spying on her from the sky.

Hey…that orange unicorn looks familiar to me…where have I seen her before?

Rainbow Dash flew from her hiding place and went to the Golden Oaks Library where hopefully Princess Twilight Sparkle and Spike were there. When she arrived to the library, she knocked on the door and a six foot, muscular, purple and green dragon answered the door.

“Hi Rainbow Dash! Are you here to return your Daring Doo book?”

“No Spike. Is Twilight here?”

“Yeah, she's here, reading as always.” Spike rolled his eyes afterwards.

“Good, may I come in? I need to tell Twilight something.”

“Sure”

Spike opened the door completely for Rainbow Dash to enter the library. Spike closed the door behind them and Rainbow Dash saw Twilight reading a thick book that most likely was an interesting book to her.

“Hey Twilight…” Rainbow Dash called out to her.

Twilight didn't answer.

Rainbow Dash came closer to her.

“Hey Twilight, Spike is eating a whole bucket of ice cream.”

“Okay, that's nice.”

Rainbow Dash got impatient. She saw three little ink bottles that were organized neatly in a straight column. She lightly tapped on it and Twilight became alert.

“Wha…?”

“Twilight listen to me. Do you know an orange and yellow colored unicorn?” asked the cyan mare sternly.

Twilight thought for a moment while placing the ink bottle back where it was.

“Well, the only unicorn I know who is orange and yellow is Sunset Shimmer…”

“Isn't she the pony who came from another dimension and tried to steal your crown?”

“Yes…Why do you ask?”

“I think I saw Sunset Shimmer near the Everfree Forest…”

Twilight became silent before ordering Spike to come with her to the Everfree Forest.

“Thanks for the information Rainbow Dash. Come on Spike!”

The cyan mare left the library while Twilight and Spike went to meet up with Sunset Shimmer near the Everfree Forest.


Sunset Shimmer was still near the Everfree Forest, taking a rest before she left the area to search for Twilight and tell her that she was sorry. Unknown to her, Twilight was about to come in contact with her.

Twilight spotted Sunset first and came closer to her but with caution.

“Sunset Shimmer, what are you doing here?” asked Twilight menacingly.

Sunset started to back off a little from the lavender alicorn.

“I came to ask for your forgiveness.”

“My forgiveness?” replied Twilight while arching a brow.

“Yes. Can you please forgive me? she said with saddened tone.

Sunset looked at the ground now. Feeling very horrible for what she did to the alicorn.

She probably won't forgive me for what I did. I don't deserve an…

“I forgive you Sunset.”

“You do?” asked the orange unicorn.

“Yes, but you must prove yourself that you want to be forgiven for your actions.”

“How do I prove it?” Sunset asked with concern.

“That, Princess Celestia will decide on how to prove yourself.”

Sunset Shimmer's eyes became small with fear. She didn't want to be near the white alicorn, fearing that she may be banished to her dimension again or worse, threatened to be executed!

“No, please. Don't tell Celestia!” she pleaded.

“I must tell Princess Celestia. If you want to be forgiven, you must be forgiven from my friends and the princess”

Sunset Shimmer sighed.

“Alright.”

Twilight asked Spike if he would forgive her.

“She may have caused lots of trouble but as long as she regrets what she did, I'd say that I forgive her.” replied the drake.

“Thank you Spike. It means a lot.” Sunset replied back to the six foot dragon while smiling.

“Come on Sunset, we must take you to Princess Celestia to decide what you should do to prove yourself.”

Twilight then teleported Spike and Sunset Shimmer outside the castle. The trio soon entered to the castle to meet up with the ruler of Equestria.

Sunset Shimmer was scared of the princess. She didn't want to face the white alicorn because she didn't want to be justified and then banished before she was given a second chance.

The trio entered Celestia's spacious and luxiourus throne room and then Twilight spoke up.

“Princess Celestia, Sunset Shimmer has returned to ask for forgiveness. She also asks on how to prove that she really wants to be forgiven.”

The white alicorn stared at the orange unicorn sternly for a long time before facing Twilight.

“I have decided that Sunset Shimmer should live with you for some time. She must learn the true value of friendship, must have a good character and show that she has changed. If I she truely does re-form to good, I will decide if she deserves forgiveness or not.”

Sunset Shimmer looked at the alicorn and then said that she accepted the punishment.

Celestia asked both Twilight and Spike if they would also accept the challenge to re-form Sunset Shimmer to good.

The dragon and lavender alicorn accepted as well.

“It settled then, Sunset, you will have my decision once I'm convinced that you have changed.”

She then turned to Spike and Twilight.

“As for you two, you shall teach Sunset Shimmer everything that she must learn so that she can earn my trust and forgiveness.”

She turned to the orange unicorn once again.

“My son will keep me informed about your progress. If everything seems good on the reports that he sends me, I'll might give you my forgiveness before you know it…”

“Your son…?”

“My son is Spike.” replied Celestia.

She then looked at the trio and said that they were all dismissed.

The trio then left and stood outside of Celestia's throne.

Sunset Shimmer looked at Spike before asking him that if he really was the son of the ruler of Equestria.

“Celestia is my mother. She found my egg and raised me the first few months before I was given to Twilight.” the tall dragon then looked at Twilight with a smile.

Spike then asked Twilight if they could go back home. Twilight's horn then started to glow a lavender aura and they teleported back to the library.

Knowing one another

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It was near the afternoon. The trio were now at the doors of the Golden Oaks Library and all have entered in the big tree to get some lunch.

Twilight asked her assistant if he could make her a rose petal sandwich.

“Ok and Sunset what do you want for lunch?”

Sunset thought for a moment before answering for something plain and simple.

“Are you sure? I can make you a rose petal sandwich as well, if you'd like.”

“I really don't want to ask for much…”

Spike waved his right claw dismissively at her.

“Hey, don't worry. Feel free to ask for anything that you might need.”

Sunset smiled a little at this, having a positive feeling for being trusted by the six foot dragon.

“Alright, since you insist, I'll have the same as Twilight.”

“At your services miladies.” Spike then bowed sarcastically at both Twilight and Sunset. Both mares laughed lightly at the drake's silly actions of nobility. While Spike was preparing the food, Sunset sat down on the couch while Twilight went to her room while also levitating five huge, thick books with her.

Spike came back five minutes later with two plates of rose petal sandwiches.

“Where'd Twilight go?” He asked to the orange unicorn.

“She went to her room. She had levitated five books as well and took them with her.”

Spike sighed. He hated it when Twilight would go to her room and read books. He also knew that it was hard to get her attention while she was reading unless he either snatched the book from her or he disorganized the room she was in. He left Sunset's sandwich on the table next to the couch and went to Twilight's room. He opened the door and saw Twilight reading one of the five books intently.

“Hey Twilight!”

No answer.

He spent the next hour trying to get Twilight's attention but Spike never got her to stop reading the book.

He face-palmed and then shook his head. He then left her sandwich on top of the four books and left the room quietly while muttering how Twilight should be less interested in books and be more social.

When Spike got out of the alicorn's room and went downstairs, he found Sunset lying back on the couch. He thought the unicorn was just making herself comfortable so he called out for her.

“Sunset?”

No answer.

He slowly got near her and heard Sunset's soft breathing. She was peacefully sleeping and Spike didn't want to wake her.

Oh. She's sleeping…I might as well take her to bed. It's getting late anyways.

He gently picked her up with ease. To his utter surprise, Sunset snuggled in his arms due to his body's warmer temperature. He smiled and began walking very carefully to his room. He opened the door, put Sunset in his bed and covered her with the bed's clean, warm covers. She snuggled in the bed's warmth and softness.

“Good night Sunset.”


Celestia's morning sun was beginning to shine its first rays of daylight. Sunset woke up and realized she wasn't at the couch.

Wait. This isn't the couch…how did I get here?

Her question was answered when Spike knocked on the door. He entered the room and Sunset looked up to see who it was.

“Good morning Sunset!”

“Good morning to you too Spike. Where you the one who brought me here?”

“Yeah, well, I saw you sleeping in the couch and thought you might have liked it better if you were in a bed so I carried you here.”

“Thanks for bringing me here.”

Spike warmly gave a toothy grin at Sunset, assuring that she was welcome.

“So,would you like anything for breakfast?”

Sunset stood up from the bed before answering for some pancakes. Spike then left the room to make pancakes while Sunset followed him.

When they reached the kitchen, Sunset noticed that Twilight hasn't woken up.

“It seems that Twilight hasn't woken up.”

“Oh, she has woken up. She's in Canterlot right now probably doing some ‘royal’ work.”

“How do you know?”

Spike placed his closed right fist in his chest and breathed emerald green fire into the air. The fire dissolved and formed a little note that had very little scribbles on it. He then gave it to Sunset.

Sunset took it and read it.

“Dear Spike,

I am sorry I had to leave too early to Canterlot. Princess Celestia has summoned me for royal work and for some new spells that she will teach me. I entrust you enough to take care of Sunset. If you need any help, you can always ask our friends.

-Regards,

Twilight Sparkle”


Sunset then gave the note back to Spike which he made the note dissolve under his magical emerald fire.

“How do dragons do that?” asked Sunset curiously.

“Dragons can use magic like unicorns. The difference is that a Dragon's magic is called 'Spellbreathing', it is much more powerful than unicorn magic and they have to think of the spell in order to use that specific spell.”

“How good is your magic?”

The tall dragon soon had a sly look on his face and told Sunset to go to his room and lock the door. She did what he asked her to do.

Spike soon thought of the place he wanted to go which was his room. He closed his fists and put them by his sides and gently blew fire upwards in the air. The fire however, wasn't green, it was a vivid cobalt blue. It soon engulfed him and he teleported to his room. Sunset was at the door, her back facing him.

“Hello Sunset.”

The orange unicorn mare jumped from the sudden voice. She turned around and saw Spike there.

“You teleported! I thought only unicorns could only do that!” Sunset stood there with a wide open mouth.

Spike used his index claw and gently closed Sunset's mouth while saying that it is possible for a Dragon to teleport but it would require lots of practice to get from one place to another.

“That's amazing!” Sunset exclaimed.

“Thanks! I really appreciate the comments. I'm really not very good at magic but I do know the basics and some advanced spells.”

“You'll get better at it later.”

“Yeah, I know. Now, I must get back to those pancakes.”

The purple and green dragon then left the room using his teleportation spell. Sunset unlocked the door and walked to the kitchen. She saw Spike flipping the pancakes in the air and then catching them expertly. He then took out two plates from a lower shelf that he could reach easily with his tail and set them right beside him and the cooked pancakes.

“Breakfast served!” He said while taking the plates and placing them on the table.

Sunset Shimmer couldn't hardly wait. The pancakes were now oozing with honey and butter, making it look like a first class delectable breakfast for any pony.

They both ate their meals. Sunset eating the pancakes while Spike ate some sapphires and some emeralds. Spike chose a rather medium sized emerald and made a loud crunching sound once he bit the gem.

“Oh my Celestia! Are you hurt Spike?” She asked with concern.

“Why would I be hurt? These gems don't hurt me. I have the strength to crush any type of gem.”

“So, if I were to give you the hardest most indestructible diamond, would you be able to break it?”

“I don't know. I haven't put my strength to test but I probably will crush it.”

They finished their breakfast in silence and then, the duo went to the living room where Sunset sat on the couch while the six foot drake was reading a scroll.

“I need to gather some supplies for Twilight…”

He then placed the scroll down and walked to the door. He slightly opened the door and then tilted his snake-like head to the left quizzically while looking at Sunset.

“Aren't you going with me to buy the supplies?” He asked patiently.

Sunset rose from the couch and walked next to Spike.

“Let's go.” Sunset replied.

Spike then opened the door for Sunset and then the duo walked outside into the little town of Ponyville.

Invitation

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A tall, six foot purple dragon and an orange unicorn mare walked into the busy streets of Ponyville. They were passing along the early transited streets and then stopped at a little stand where a maroon earth pony stallion was selling sugar canes.

“I would like to buy three sugar canes.” Spike said.

“That will be two bits, please.” The stallion took out his hoof and Spike gave the merchant the bits. The earth pony then gave Spike the three sugar canes he requested. The duo once again walked into the busy streets of Ponyville to buy the rest of the supplies.


When Spike had checked off everything in his list about what Twilight requested him to get, it was around the afternoon and as if on cue, his stomach rumbled. He smiled ashamedly at Sunset and said for her to follow him to Sugarcube Corner. They walked for a few minutes until they came to the doors of the bakery. The duo walked inside and were greeted by a hyperactive pink mare.

“Hi Pinkie!”

“Hi Spike! Who's that behind you?”

Sunset walked in front of Spike and introduced herself.

“I'm Sunset Shimmer.”

“Hi Sunset! Welcome to Ponyville! You're new around here right? Will you be my friend? I am friends with everyone here in Ponyville, well except for you of course, but if I can't be your friend then I won't be everybody's friend and if I'm not everybody's friend then I'll be really super duper sad and if I'm really super duper sad then…-”

Pinkie paused for awhile to take a deep breath to resume but was cut of by Spike.

“I think she gets the point.”

Pinkie then asked Sunset again if she could be her friend while she made the puppy eyed face.

“Fine, I'll be your friend.”

“YAY!”

Pinkie Pie then jumped up and down really fast until she became a pink blur that would rival Rainbow Dash's record time. She then calmed down and gave a pink envelope to Sunset.

“Here's your invitation to your welcoming party!”

She then dashed out into the kitchen.

“What was that all about?” asked Sunset while arching a brow at Spike.

“Oh, that's just Pinkie Pie being Pinkie Pie.”

Sunset didn't understand what he was trying to say but decided to not question it. She then looked at her invitation.

An invitation to my welcoming party…?

She then opened the pink envelope and read its contents.

Welcome to Ponyville!

You have been invited to your own welcoming party! Please arrive Saturday at 7 PM at Sugarcube Corner.

- Pinkie Pie

Sunset looked up from reading the invitation and then tried to think what day it was. She then remembered it was Thursday, she only had two days to get prepared for her welcoming party. She abruptly stopped her planning and shifted her gaze to Spike.

“So let me guess. Buy a dress?” She said sarcastically.

“Pretty much.”

Spike then walked next to the counter and ringed a little bell that was to his left. As soon as he rang the bell, Pinkie came up from the counter and asked if she could take his order.

“A dozen of cupcakes. Half gem encrusted, the other half frosted.”

“Okie Dokie Lokie”

He then sat down at a table that was close to a window and gestured for Sunset to sit down opposite of him. The orange mare sat across from him and asked what else he had to do.

“There's nothing else I have to do, except get you prepared for your welcoming party of course.”

“Well, do you know somepony who sells dresses and such?”

“I know a unicorn mare that may help you…-”

Spike was cut off when Pinkie showed up with a tray full of cupcakes.

“Order up!”

“Thanks Pinkie!”

“No problem Spike.”

“Oh and Sunset…”

Sunset looked at Pinkie with curiosity.

“Yes?” the orange mare replied.

“I forgive you.”

Sunset arched a brow at her.

“I haven't done anything bad to you…”

“No, I forgive you for what you did to Twilight.”

Sunset stopped munching on her cupcake and asked how'd she know about that.

“Just a hunch.”

Pinkie then left the room before Sunset could even ask her anything. Sunset looked at Spike with an annoyed expression on her muzzle.

“You told her didn't you?”

“I didn't tell her anything.” he raised up his arms in defense.“She most likely knows it because her Pinkie Sense told her.”

“Pinkie Sense?”

“I would explain it to you if I could but it's just way too complicated to understand. Twilight learned it the hard way.”

Sunset began to ponder about this “Pinkie Sense”. If Twilight learned it the hard way, how bad did it get for for the lavender alicorn?

“How bad did it get?”

Spike chuckled and then whistled a little before answering.

“Twilight even regrets what she tried to do to understand how Pinkie's Pinkie Sense worked. She got to the point where she was in a wheelchair.” Spike started laughing hysterically.

If this is how bad it got for Twilight, I'd rather be safe than sorry. I don't want to end up in a wheelchair…

Spike stopped laughing and stated that it didn't end there.

“It even got to where she was at the hospital. It was there when she finally gave up.”

“I bet it was tough for Twilight not being able to explain the unexplainable.”

Spike waved his dismissive claw at her. He soon began to reach for another cupcake that wasn't encrusted with gems. He was going to grab it when an orange hoof landed exactly where his claw was. They both looked at each other and removed their hoof and claw away from the cupcake while blushing crimson red away from each other.

What just happened? She just touched my claw! However, she does look kinda cute when she blushes…Wait, what am I thinking? Even if I wanted a relationship with her, it wouldn't work. She's a unicorn while I'm a dragon…

Did I just touch his claw? How did this happen and is he blushing…? He does look kind of adorable though…Wait, what?

“I'm sorry for touching you.” They said in unison.

“Ok, I'm sorry.” They once again they ended in unison.

“You can have the cupcake.” Spike rapidly said.

“Wha…?”

“I said…” Spike said with a sly smile, “You can have the cupcake.”

He then grabbed the cupcake with only using his index claw and thumb and directed his claw towards Sunset.

She took it and ate it, enjoying the sweet, sugary taste of the delectable treat.

“Enjoying it eh?”

The orange unicorn nodded in response. Spike chuckled and suggested if she would like to go back to the library.

“Alright, but first you must help me eat this.” She pointed with her orange hoof at the cupcakes. “So many treats for a mare is quite uncouth.” She finished her statement with sarcasm.

“Such torture! A unicorn cannot command a dragon to do anything but because I have a humble heart, I will help you…take it to the library.”

He then asked Pinkie if he could take the remaining cupcakes to the library and in an instant, Pinkie held a cardboard box to place his cupcakes on.

“Here you go!”

The duo soon walked out of the bakery into the little town of Ponyville.