Sunset Shimmer gets a surprise visit from Twilight Sparkle, but Twilight gives her a even more surprising news, she has a chance to study under a Princess again......but its not Princess Celestia.
Sunset Shimmer gets a surprise visit from Twilight Sparkle, but Twilight gives her a even more surprising news, she has a chance to study under a Princess again.......but its not Princess Celestia.
RRRRIIIIIINNNNNGGG School was finally out and all the students rushed out of the building in both large and small groups. Sunset Shimmer walked out of the building with her friends chatting cheerfully at her side. As the six girls walked, Rainbow Dash was bouncing her soccer ball from knee to knee, off her rainbow colored head, and then back down to her knees again.
"Rainbow Dash, how are you able to keep walking while bouncing that ball?" Sunset asked.
"When you’re as awesome as me, doing this is nothing." Rainbow answered, "watch this." Rainbow begin showing off her tricks before accidentally kicking the ball towards a group of guys.
"Heh heh, sorry." Rainbow apologized with a small blush before running over to retrieve her ball.
"Anyways, I'll be going home now. I want to get some extra studying in before Monday." Sunset said.
"Why are you studying so much? Your grades are the best in the school!" Applejack asked with her country accent.
"I know, I study a lot. Even when I was a student under Princess Celestia, I spent most of my time with my face in a book." Sunset said sheepishly.
They walked past the mirror statue that Twilight Sparkle used as a portal to come to the human world. Sunset always felt homesick and was even thinking of going back through it, but could never gain the courage to so.
"Sunset! Sunset!"
"Huh?"
"Darling, are you okay?" Rarity asked with a concerned look, “you seem to space out every time we pass this statue.”
"Maybe she was just thinking of a certain purple princess." Rainbow joked before getting a punch in the arm by Applejack.
"Wait, really?" Pinkie Pie chimed in, "I didn't know you liked Twilight like that!" Pinkie said, with her face now inches from Sunset.
"What? I don't like Twilight, I-I mean I do like her, but not like that!" Sunset said with a little panic in her voice before sitting down at the base of the statue.
"Then what's wrong?" Applejack asked.
"I'm...I'm just feeling a little home sick. When I look at this statue it reminds me it’s a portal back home, but I don't know if I'm allowed back." Sunset said with a small sigh.
"Did you ask Twilight if you’re allowed to come back, I mean if you haven't already?" Fluttershy asked.
"No, I haven't. I'm sure Twilight told the Princess everything I've done, and I'm sure the Princess hates me now." Sunset said with a regretful look on her face.
"Darling, I'm sure the princess will forgive you when she see how much you’ve changed." Rarity said with a comforting smile.
"It’s okay. I mean, now that I actually have friends, this place feels just as much like home as Equestria does." Sunset said back with a small smile on her face, "I honestly don't think I could choose one place over the other." After saying this, all of her friends gathered around in a group hug. Rainbow tried not to join but pinkie forced her in.
"Hey, are you better now sugarcube, or do ya'll need more time?" Applejack asked after breaking the hug.
"I'm feeling better, but I think I'm going to stay here for a bit before leaving." Sunset sighed
The other girls looked at each other and nodded in understanding, seeing that Sunset needed a little time to herself.
"Oh, well, umm, I hope you feel better soon." Fluttershy said before getting up and walking with the other girls.
After they said their goodbyes to each other, the girls went their separate ways. Sunset sat there for a few minutes just thinking about Equestria, then reached into her bag and brought out her book. The book looked like a normal brown book with an image of a setting sun on the cover, but it was actually magical. It allowed Sunset to send messages to Twilight whenever she wanted. Sunset sat with the book in her hand, debating if she should ask twilight if she could come back to Equestria or not. After deciding on asking, she opened the book and put her pen on the paper, only to back out, fearing the response she might get. Sunset stayed there for an hour before deciding she was ready to leave. Before walking away, Sunset took one last look at the portal, edging herself to jump in. But she couldn't bring herself to do it. As she began to start walking she heard a whirling noise from the statue, then a thud as a body hit the ground.
"Oww oww, I really need to find a way to make my landing softer."
Sunset would recognize that voice anywhere. When she turned around she saw the teen girl. Her hair was straight with a shade of purple velvet, with a pink stripe down her left. In addition, she had a cyan blouse with a magenta skirt, with an image of a star on its left side.
"Twilight?" Sunset said in a stunned voice.
Twilight got up, dusted herself off, and then to Sunset’s surprise gave her a hug.
"Hey Twilight, what are you doing back here so soon?" Sunset asked, confused.
"I came here to see you." Twilight said with a smile, letting her go and taking a step back.
"M-me?"
"Yes, you. I came here to see how you were doing."
"Well, I'm doing ok, but don't you have your royal duties to worry about?"
"Princess Celestia doesn’t want to over-burden me with royal duties, and since I'm still new to everything she wants me to take my time to let things settle in."
"Oh, well, I was heading back home...do you want to come with me?"
"Sure, but I have this message for you from the Princess." Twilight said as she reached into her bag and grabbed a parchment scroll.
"A message from the princess? Why?" Sunset asked as she took the scroll and looked at the Princess sun stamp on it.
"Well, it was after I told the Princess about what hap-"
"Wait, did you tell the Princess about what I have done?" Sunset asked, cutting off what Twilight was about to say.
"Yes, I told her everything from when you took my crown to you helping us defeat the....sirens." Twilight said, beginning to look around at the school as they started to walk towards Sunset’s apartment. "What happened to them anyway?"
"Who the Dazzlings? They didn't come back to the school, but they still live here, though you're more likely to run into Sonata than the other two."
"Are they causing any more trouble?"
"No." Sunset said, looking at the scroll a little more before breaking the seal on it, "is Princess Celestia still mad at me or does she hate me now?"
"Celestia doesn't hate you, she’s actually very worried about you. She was very proud of you when I told her how you helped us stop the sirens, and she was surprised when I mentioned that you were able to add your element to our own magic."
"Yeah, I was surprised about that too." Sunset chuckled before reading the scroll. Sunset had to reread the scroll three times to make sure she understood what Celestia had written.
"I'm allowed to go back to Equestria!" Sunset said. She had a bright smile on her face and a tear was forming in her eyes as she turned towards Twilight. "Twilight, is this right? Celestia says that one of the princesses wants to make me her Student......but she didn't say who or why."
"Yes, that’s right."
"But who would want to have me as their student?"
"Do you not want to be one?" Twilight looked at Sunset with a rise eyebrow.
"I don't deserve to be one. I abandoned Celestia’s teaching, then I came to this world and caused so much trouble." Sunset said, turning her face from Twilight.
"Yeah, that’s true, but Celestia believes that everypony deserves a second chance, even you." Twilight said, stopping to give Sunset another hug.
"Maybe, but who’s the Princess that wants me........is it you?" Sunset asked, looking Twilight in the eyes.
"No," Twilight chuckled, "I think it’s still too early for me to be looking for a pupil of my own, plus it would be a little weird to make a friend into a student, don't you think?"
"Yeah, you’re right. But if you were looking for a pupil, do you have a pony in mind?"
As they started walking again, Twilight thought to herself about all the ponies she knew.
"Hmm, maybe Sweetie Belle."
"Rarity’s little sister?" Sunset asked in surprise.
"Yeah, I've been teaching her magic lately and she’s really smart for her age."
"Sounds like she’s already your student. So if its not you, then is it...Princess Candence?"
"No, I don't think she is planning on having a student anytime soon." Twilight thought about it for a moment. "Maybe."
"So if it’s not you or Princess Candence, then that means..."
"That's right, Princess Luna. She asked Celestia to allow her to take you in.”
"Why does Princess Luna want to have me study under her? she doesn't even know me!" Sunset said in disbelief.
"I don't know why. She just seemed to be interested with you."
"So I'll be a student studying under Princess Luna then?" Sunset said with a halfhearted chuckle.
"Well, that is if you want to study under Princess Luna, you don't have to, and you’re still free to come to equestrian anytime." Twilight said with reassurance.
"But I don't understand why, I mean I practically went rogue! You’d think after doing something like that Luna wouldn't even trust me."
"You can ask Luna herself if you like."
"Now?" Sunset said in surprise.
"No." Twilight said, laughing a little, "You can ask her tomorrow if you want."
"Tomorrow? Aren’t you going to head back today?"
"No. I was hoping to learn more about the humans here, since the first time I came I was too focused on trying to get my crown back from you."
"Sorry about that." Sunset said, gripping her left arm and looking down.
"It’s okay. I mean, I got my crown back and made some new friends in the process, and I was able to help you; so it’s okay, really." Twilight said, giving Sunset a warm smile.
"Thanks. Well, I’ve got some books on the humans here in my house that you could use."
"Great! Thank you!"
"Sure, no problem."
As they walked, Sunset couldn't help but think why Luna wanted to give her a second chance, and what she would say to Luna when she met her. Did she deserve the second chance she was offered? Should she decline Luna, and if so, would she understand or be mad about it? Sunset had plenty of questions in her head, but the biggest question she had was why? Why would Luna want her to be her student?
"So how far are we from where you’re staying?" Twilight asked, cutting into Sunset’s thought.
"Not much further now. I live in that building over there." Sunset pointed at an average-looking light-orange house.
"You live there? how can you afford that?" Twilight asked, looking at the house which was too big for one person to live alone in.
Sunset gripped her arm again as she looked away from Twilight. "When I first came to this world, I didn't have a place to go or stay, and my magic was weak. After weeks of sleeping outside, I decided it was time for me to find a place to live; but I refused to get a job, so the only option that came to my mind was-"
Sunset stopped to unlock the door so that they could go in. She really didn't like the next thing she was going to say, but she said it anyways.
"Was to use any power I had left to take a place for myself by any means necessary."
Twilight stopped and looked at Sunset with a look of disbelief on her face.
"You didn't-"
"No, I didn't kill or hurt anyone. I just used any magic I could to run a family out of this house. When they left, I took over the house and stopped anyone who tried to come and take it."
"Oh. So that’s what you did."
Twilight looked at her with saddened eyes, when suddenly something crossed her mind.
"You said you used your magic. How?"
"It wasn't easy. I didn't know how to use my magic at first since I didn't have my horn, but I learned to use my magic through my hands. It was weird but I manage to do it. I wish I still could, but unfortunately I can’t anymore."
"I’m amazed you could even use magic at all."
"Yeah, I was too." Sunset said as she went to her room to get some books for Twilight.
"Here you go, Twilight. These are my biology books, they should be what you’re looking for."
"Thanks." Twilight said with a smile, taking the books from Sunset and beginning to scan through them.
"Since you will be here until tomorrow, you can use any of the rooms here to sleep in."
"You don't mind me staying here for the night?"
"Nope." Sunset said, sitting down on the couch and looking back over the scroll again. Suddenly, Sunset realized she still didn’t know the answer to a very important question.
Twilight looked at Sunset with a confused expression before putting a smile on her face. "Of course she wants to see you. She said so herself!" Twilight said before going back to reading the book.
"She did!" Sunset said with a calm smile on her face, "you know, we’ve got a couple of hours to kill before night. Do you want to go anywhere?"
Twilight looked up from her book and thought to herself for a bit. Was there really any place she wanted to go?
"No, although I would like to visit the school again, even though it’s closed now." Twilight said, going back to reading her book. "I'm amazed how similar ponies and humans are, and yet there are still such vast differences." Twilight said, more to herself than to Sunset as she flipped to the glossary in the back of the book.
"Well, I guess I could order some pizza for us tonight." Sunset said, going into her room. Sunset returned with her laptop and sat down on the couch.
"Hey Sunset, you said you were able to use your magic. How did you learn to use it?" Twilight asked, not taking her eyes off the book. Sunset thought back to when she started to learn to use her magic after she came to this world.
"Well, when I first came here, the first thing I did was try to use my magic, but it didn't work and I was confused. I realized that I didn't have my horn and I had no way of using any magic, so I gave up. I spent a few nights wandering around, not knowing what to do until I came across a magician doing magic tricks. I know now that it was all fake, but back then I thought it was real magic. What surprised me was that he didn't have a horn, but was instead using his hands to manipulate the cards." Sunset stopped and looked at her right hand, opening and closing it slowly.
"How did that alone help you?" Twilight asked, now more intrigued with the story then her book.
"Well, I was surprised that he could do magic without a horn. Every time he did one of his tricks, he would always use his hands to control it. Like when I was watching him do one of his tricks, he was moving his hand over a newspaper and wiggling his fingers, then out of nowhere there was water pouring out of it. That was when I begin to think maybe—just maybe—I could channel my magic into my hand. I spent a full day practicing, and once I was able to channel my magic into my hand I began to test out all the spells I could. I was limited to the spells I could use, and I could only use one of my hands, but it was enough to help me through." As Sunset finished, she had a sad expression on her face as she remembered what all she did with her magic.
"Wow, when I first came to this world, I tried to use my magic too, but I when I failed I just gave up, believing that it was impossible without my horn. But how did you lose your ability to use your magic?" Twilight asked.
"It was after you girls defeated me that my magic was drained completely. I tried to cast a simple spell two days later, but I had no magic left in me. I couldn't even channel my magic, so I knew it was gone." Sunset said in a pained voice.
"But you were able to help us defeat the sirens without being a element of harmony; you were able to combine your own magic with ours." Twilight said as she begin to put the pieces together in her mind.
"I did feel some magic run through me when I went into my anthro-pony form." Sunset said, thinking back to the Battle of the Bands.
"Sunset, I think you can still use your magic. You must have just been drained from all the high level magic that was cast. Using my crown, turning into a raging she-demon, and casting those fireballs, plus getting blasted by the Elements of Harmony must have drained you dry. I think that while in the human world it just takes much longer for you to regenerate your magic than normal." Twilight said with a smile beaming on her face.
"You think so?" Sunset asked, skeptical.
"Only one way to find out." Twilight said as she placed one of the biology books on the floor. "Since telekinesis is a basic unicorn spell, you should be able to cast it, right?"
"Yeah, it’s one of the few spells I can still cast..." Sunset said, looking at the book.
Twilight came to Sunset’s side with a confident smile on her face that seemed to be saying you can do it. Sunset sighed, looked at the book, and slowly raised her arm just enough to aim it at the book. With some concentration, Sunset was able to channel her magic into her hand, which was now glowing light blue.
Okay. that's good. I can at least channel my magic, but it feels weaker than before. Sunset thought.
Sunset then focused her telekinesis spell on the book, and the book was covered in the same light-blue aura as her hand. The book wobbled slightly as she tried to lift it, but failed to leave the floor. Sunset tried again but with no luck.
"At least you're still able to channel your magic, heh heh..." Twilight said sheepishly.
What’s the weakest spell I know, one that requires no effort at all...I know! A light spell! Sunset thought.
Sunset channeled her spell into her hand again, this time trying to conjure up a simple light spell. As she recalled the light spell, a small orb no bigger than a volleyball appeared above her hand, glowing brightly.
"A light spell?"
"Yeah. I just wanted to see if I could at least cast that.” Sunset said, dispelling the ball of light, “So Twilight, do you want to try?"
"Sure!" Twilight said eagerly.
"Okay. Let me order a pizza first, and then I’ll show you. Just know that it feels…a bit weird." Sunset said, heading back over to her laptop.
After ordering pizza, Sunset spent the next half an hour showing Twilight how to redirect her magic and channel it through her hand. Once Twilight got used to the feeling of channeling her magic through her hand instead of her horn, she then began to practice casting actual spells. As it wasn't hard for Twilight to cast spells, she was even able to cast a little bit more then what Sunset was able to. After the pizza arrived and Twilight and Sunset had their share, they both practiced their magic until late at night before deciding it was time to turn in for the night.
***
"Sunset, are you ready?" Twilight asked as she waited by the door with her bag.
"Just a second!" Sunset yelled back.
Sunset was wondering what she should take with her. She knew she wouldn't need any clothing, since she would be back in her pony form. So Sunset just grabbed her book that she used to send messages between Twilight and herself, some notes from school so she could study, and her phone, although she knew she wouldn't be able to use it once she was back in Equestria.
"I'm just going to send a quick text to the girls and let them know I'll be in Equestria for the weekend." Sunset said, walking out of the room and pulling out her cellphone. "Okay Twilight, ready." Sunset said, putting her phone away.
"Sunset, could you write a message for me telling Spike to get the portal ready? I left my book with him for safe keeping." Twilight said.
"Sure thing." Sunset said, pulling out a book and a pen to write a quick message to Spike.
The two girls then proceeded to the statue at the school where the portal was located. Sunset was a little nervous, but happy that she would be able to see her home again, and maybe even see her parents again. Although Sunset wasn't quite sure if she was ready to face her parents just yet. Sunset and Twilight finally made it to the statue where the portal awaited them. Sunset stared at the portal, putting a finger on the mirror and letting it slip through. Sunset took a deep breath in and dove in with Twilight at tow, a bit nauseated by the feeling of going through the portal. Sunset landed on the ground with her eyes closed. She was afraid to open them, afraid to see the princesses in front of her.
"Sunset, are you okay? Can you open your eyes?" Twilight asked, a little concerned.
"Y-yeah." Sunset said, slowly opening her eyes to take in her surroundings. "This isn't the princesses’ Palace. Where are we? Are we in Canterlot?" Sunset asked as she looked around.
"No, we are in my Castle in Ponyville. I forgot to tell you that Celestia allowed me to move the mirror into my Castle." Twilight said, looking at Sunset with a smile.
Sunset looked around at the inside of the Crystal Castle. The Castle itself had a mixture of royal-purple crystal and tinted-green glass. Sunset followed Twilight to the main hall room, where six crystal thrones plus a small one sat in a circle. The floor was made of either a smooth magenta marble or some sort of crystal, Sunset couldn't tell which. As Sunset walked towards one of the thrones, she noticed a note hanging on it, and used her magic to pull the note before realizing how good it felt to use her magic with ease and comfort.
"Spike! Spike! Spike, where are you?" Twilight called out.
"Umm, Twilight, Spike left a note saying he was heading over to Rarity’s." Sunset said, looking at the note.
"He did? Of course he did." Twilight chuckled, "Come on, let's go find him. I need him to send a message to Celestia."
"Umm, Twilight, do you mind if we stay in Ponyville a bit? I want to meet the girls’ pony counterparts."
"You sure?" Twilight questioned.
"Ok, so I’m still a little nervous about meeting Princess Celestia and Princess Luna." Sunset admitted.
Twilight looked at Sunset before nodding with understanding, and then they both trotted out of the Crystal Castle and into Ponyville town square. Sunset was looking forward to meeting her friends’ pony counterparts to see how different or the same they were. Just as Twilight and Sunset were heading into Sugarcube Corner, a cyan pegasus mare swooped down past them, leaving behind a rainbow trail.
"Was that Rainbow Dash?" Sunset asked as the pegasus made a U-turn and landed right in front of Twilight and Sunset. The mare then proceeded to give a little bow.
"Yeah, it is," Twilight said a little annoyed. "Rainbow Dash, how many times do I have to tell you, you don't need to bow in front of me.”
"My bad, Princess." Rainbow joked, making twilight even more annoyed.
"Lighten up, Twilight, you know I'm just messing with you." Rainbow said before looking at Sunset.
"Who's your friend?" Rainbow asked.
"Rainbow Dash, this is Sunset Shimmer, Sunset Shimmer, Rainbow Dash." Twilight said without missing a beat.
Rainbow Dash eyed Sunset for a second or two before shrugging. "Well, I'm sure you two are busy. Later." Rainbow Dash said before taking off.
"That was weird." Sunset said to herself.
As Twilight and Sunset entered the café, Sunset saw a pink mare bouncing around the shop. Sunset look at the mare, confused.
"How is she bouncing?" Sunset asked, watching the mare go from table to table.
"I don't know. I’ve given up questioning the things Pinkie does." Twilight said, finding a table to sit at.
Sunset asked Twilight some things about Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie as Pinkie brought them some smoothies, occasionally throwing in a question of her own. Sunset was surprised to hear that Pinkie didn't live with her family but instead lived with the Cakes, and that Rainbow was the fastest pony in Ponyville and was signed up as a Wonderbolt. As they left the café, Twilight decided to go visit Fluttershy and then Applejack.
Fluttershy lived in a large grotto surrounded by natural plants and animals, even a bear that was surprisingly nice. Sunset felt like she could stay in such a peaceful area and let all her worries go. Fluttershy was just as timid, if not more, than her human counterpart. Next they went to visit Applejack, who was working hard on bucking some apple trees. Sunset figured Applejack was very different than her human counterpart. After a small chat with Applejack—and even the Cutie Mark Crusaders—Twilight was ready to head to Rarity’s.
"So this is where Rarity lives." Sunset said, looking at the Carousel Boutique.
"Yes, it is. This serves as both Rarity’s shop and home. Rarity is the best fashion designer in Ponyville, and even a top designer in Canterlot." Twilight said as she came to the door and knocked on it.
"I'm not sure whether Rarity in the human world would be happy or jealous to hear that." Sunset joked as she came to the door.
"Spike, would you be a dear and get the door for me?" Sunset heard Rarity call to Spike.
"Sure thing, Rarity." Spike answered back. When Spike opened the door he saw Twilight standing there next to Sunset.
"Hey Twilight, hey Sunset. Come on in." Spike said as he moved out the way to let the mares in.
"Hey." Twilight said, giving him a warm smile, "Spike, I need you to deliver this message to the Princess."
Twilight took a scroll out of her saddlebag and handed it to Spike.
"No problem, Twi." Spike said. He then blew his magical green fire onto the scroll, burning it until not even the ashes were left.
"Okay Sunset, my Royal Chariot should be here in a few minutes." Twilight said, looking back at Sunset. Sunset took in a deep breath and breathed,"I'm still a little nervous though."
"There’s nothing to worry about. The Chariot should be going to my Castle, so let’s head back there." Twilight said, turning toward the door.
"Okay." Sunset said nervously, then followed right behind Twilight.
As Sunset and Twilight came into view of Twilight's castle, Sunset looked to the sky to see if she could see the chariot.
"So how long do you think it will take before your chariot arrives?" Sunset asked, still looking upwards.
"Any minute now." Twilight said as they reached the front door to the castle.
Sunset then saw the chariot being pulled by the Solar Guards as it came into view.
"Hey, there it is now." Sunset said, pointing towards the chariot as it came to rest on the landing platform.
Once the chariot landed, Twilight and Sunset both climbed in. As the guard began to pull the chariot back into the sky, Sunset sat there and wondered what she was going to say when she saw the princesses. What would she say to Princess Luna now that she was her student, and how would she apologize to Princess Celestia for leaving and abandoning her teachings?
"Sunset, are you still nervous?" Twilight asked, looking at her friend.
"Yeah." Sunset admitted, "I just don't know how to apologize to Princess Celestia, or what to do about Princess Luna."
"Well, I'm not sure about Princess Luna, but I do know that Princess Celestia is really looking forward to seeing you again. So any type of apology you make will be good enough, as long as it’s sincere." Twilight said with a smile.
"Yeah, I guess you’re right." Sunset said, though she was still a little nervous.
The ride to Canterlot was fairly quick, with Twilight making small talk to help ease Sunset’s nerves.
"I never thought I'd ever be back here again." Sunset said to herself as she stepped out of the chariot.
"Princess Celestia should be in the throne room, while Princess Luna is probably in her chambers." Twilight said, coming up next to Sunset, "So, who do you want to go see first?"
"I-I don't know, I thought they would both be in the same room." Sunset said, thinking about who she would go to first.
"We could just wait for Luna to meet us in the throne room." Twilight offered as they entered the Palace.
Sunset thought about that. I could just wait for Princess Luna to show up, but I also need to apologize to Princess Celestia.
"No, I think I'll talk to Princess Celestia first. She deserves an apology from me." Sunset said, coming into the main hall.
"Do you want me to come with you?" Twilight asked out of habit and concern for Sunset.
"No, I think I can handle this." Sunset said as she came to the large double door that led into the throne room.
"Okay, I'll go let Princess Luna know you're here then." Twilight said as she trotted off towards Luna's chamber.
Taking a deep breath, Sunset pushed open the large doors and peered inside to see the large white alicorn sitting on her throne. Sunset slowly trotted in, keeping her head low until she came just close enough to her former mentor that she could speak.
"Sunset Shimmer, I'm glad to see you again. How have you been?" Celestia asked in her smooth, elegant voice, her ethereal mane flowing in an invisible breeze.
Celestia’s voice somehow managed to calm Sunset’s nerves, enough for her to look Celestia in the eye.
I wonder when Twilight’s mane will become ethereal? Sunset asked herself thinking about the younger Princess before answering Celestia.
"I've been better." Sunset said, fidgeting and avoiding eye contact.
"So I've heard." Celestia said as she got up from her throne and walked towards Sunset.
"Celestia, I'm sorry for running away like I did, I was just so upset and frustrated that-" Sunset said as she began to shed tears.
"It's ok." Celestia said, putting one of her wings over the teary mare and pulling her into an embrace, "I'm just happy to see that you're alright and that you have changed your ways."
"B-but I did so many horrible things. I even broke into your Palace and stole Twilight's crown!" Sunset said as she was held close by Celestia.
"We all do things that we regret, but what matter is that you learn from your mistake." Celestia said trying to calm Sunset down.
Once Sunset had calmed down from her teary moment, Celestia removed her wing from Sunset as she took a step back.
"But Sunset, what you have done was a serious offence against both me and Twilight, so I am required to give you some form of punishment to ensure that this doesn’t happen again." Celestia said, sitting down in front of Sunset.
"O-of course there would be." Sunset said under her breath. Sunet knew in the back of her mind that she might have to face some kind of punishment for what she did.
"As punishment, you are to visit me once a day for a month, and help me around the Palace or any visit I may go on. Is that understood?" Celestia said, giving Sunset a warm smile.
Sunset was taken aback by the punishment that was placed on her. Sunset knew this wasn't a punishment, but an excuse for her to visit Celestia for a month.
"I-I understand.” Sunset said with a small smile.
"Good. Now, Sunset, tell me everything that happened from the time that you left until now." Celestia said as she sat next to Sunset.
"Didn't Twilight tell you everything?" Sunset asked, not wanting to talk about the past.
"She did, and I don't doubt what Twilight said, but I want to hear it from you. There's always two sides to the same story." Celestia said. It seemed she wasn't taking no for an answer.
Sunset sat there and thought about it. Sunset didn't want to relive her past, but Celestia already knew what she had done from Twilight’s point of view.
"Okay." Sunset said reluctantly.
Sunset retold how she found the mirror, what happened when she went through it, and how the mirror closed behind her. How she wandered the night alone before she learned how to use her magic again. How she used her magic to run a family out of their home, earning a disappointed look from Celestia. How she used her magic to rule over the students through fear. How she had checked the mirror countless times to see if it had opened again.
"And once the mirror was finally open and I could go through it, my only thought was that I could rule that world if I had enough power. That’s when I came across Twilight’s crown and the power that drifted off of it, and the rest is what Twilight told you." Sunset said, not looking at Celestia.
Celestia gave Sunset a disappointed look, as she went over everything her former student told her.
"What about the Sirens? Twilight told me and my sister that you helped defeat them." Celestia asked.
That put a small smile on Sunset’s face as she retold the more recent event.
"I would have loved to been there, to witness all of you come together." Celestia said, "I would have especially loved to see what you all looked like with that alicorn that you all summoned."
It then occurred to Sunset that she had a couple of photos on her phone from the event.
"I just remembered, I have a couple of photos on my smartphone from that event." Sunset said, going into her saddlebag to retrieve her phone.
"Smartphone?" Celestia asked.
"It’s one of the devices I used back in the human world." Sunset answered, taking her phone out with her magic and laying it on the floor in front of her.
Celestia eyed the strange device while Sunset turned on her phone. Just then, Princess Luna came into the throne room with Twilight following behind her.
"Hello sister." Luna greeted Celestia, as she and Twilight came over.
"Hello Luna, Twilight." Celestia said warmly.
Sunset looked back to see Twilight and the slightly larger alicorn come into the room. Princess Luna had light-blue eyes and a dark-blue coat, with a matching dark-blue mane that glistened like it had stars within it. She also had a cutie mark of a white crescent moon surrounded by the night stars.
Princess Luna cantered over to Celestia and Sunset.
"And I believe you to be Sunset Shimmer." The Princess of the Night said.
All Sunset could do was nod. She had been around Luna’s human counterpart before, but this was her first time seeing Princess Luna herself.
"What are you doing, Sunset?" Twilight asked, coming around to see Sunset holding her phone in her hoof.
"I was going to show Princess Celestia some photos from the Battle of the Bands." Sunset answered, going back to her phone.
"You were? Why do you have photos from that? Twilight asked curiously.
"It was the first time I truly felt connected to everyone," Sunset said, "And I wanted something to remember it by." Sunset said in a lower voice.
Twilight and Luna came over and sat down as they watched Sunset struggle with her phone.
"This might be harder than I thought." Sunset said, as she put one hoof on the screen and tried to swipe it.
After a few seconds of fooling around with the phone, Sunset managed to access her photos and bring up the picture of her and the girls in their anthro form.
"Here we go.” Sunset said, raising her phone with her magic.
"Do you mind if I see that?" Celestia asked.
"Not at all." Sunset said, confused.
Celestia picked up the phone in her magic, then cast an illusion spell on it and projected the larger image on the wall so that she, Luna, Twilight, and Sunset could see it better. Celestia and Luna stared at the image as they studied the human form of Twilight, Sunset, and all their friends.
"Sunset, you wouldn't happen to also have a photo of that giant alicorn that Twilight mentioned, would you?" Celestia asked, still staring at the image.
"I think so." Sunset said, taking the phone from Celestia’s magical grasp.
Sunset went through her photos and found a picture of the alicorn. Sunset then gave her phone back to Celestia, who projected the image for everypony else to see. After Celestia and Luna had a good look at the image, Celestia gave Sunset back her phone.
"I must say, this is very interesting." Celestia said as she turned around to face her sister.
"Interesting indeed, sister." Luna agreed.
Celestia turned back to Sunset, who had put her phone away.
"Well, I'm sure you and Luna have something to talk about." Celestia said, indicating that Sunset should go speak with Luna.
"Y-yeah." Sunset answered, looking at the Night Princess.
Luna then looked over to Sunset and motioned for her to follow. Sunset trotted over to Luna before looking back to see that Twilight and
Celestia were discussing something out of earshot. With Sunset’s nerves on high, she followed tentatively alongside Luna.
"If you don't mind me asking, where are we going?" Sunset asked, looking around the corridor as they walked.
"We are heading to my chambers, as a discussion like this would best be done in private." Luna answered back.
Something about how Luna said that off put Sunset, but she dismissed it, believing her nervousness was just messing with her again. At the end of the hall they came to two large, dark-blue doors, each bearing emblem matching Luna’s cutie mark. Luna used her magic to open the door and let Sunset through.
"Whoa." Sunset said as she entered the dark chamber.
The chamber wasn't as dark as Sunset thought it would be. The chamber was lit only by small orbs that looked like stars against the ceiling, giving the illusion of nighttime. Yet the room appeared to be brighter than she imagined, and Sunset was in awe at the room as she looked around.
"Now Sunset, let us ask you the question from our own mouth." Luna said as she sat down, "How would you like to take up the chance to be a student under me?"
"Now Sunset, let us ask you the question from our own mouth," Luna said as she sat down, "How would you like to take up the chance to be a student under me?"
"I would love to," Sunset said with a wary smile.
"Tis wonderful!” Luna said happily.
"But...I’m afraid I will have to decline your offer," Sunset said, looking away.
This caught Luna by surprise, as she was sure that Sunset would be happy with this offer.
"Why is that?" Luna asked. Luna hope it wasn't the fact that Sunset wanted Celestia to be her mentor and not her.
"Because I don't deserve it," Sunset said painfully.
Luna was a little relieved to hear that.
"Is it because of what you have done?" Luna asked, looking Sunset over.
Sunset only nodded her head as she sat down and looked at the floor.
"I see."
Sunset looked up at Luna. "Princess Luna, there are other ponies who would be more deserving of being your apprentice then me."
Luna could see the hurt in Sunset’s eyes as she spoke those words.
"Tell us why you think this," Luna said, hoping to find a way to convince her otherwise.
Sunset looked away from Luna and bit her lower lip.
"I defied Princess Celestia, ran away to another world, tormented the people there, stole Twilight's crown, and even tried to kill her and her friends, all out of bitter anger and greed." Sunset finished, feeling all the more regretful as she keep reminding herself of what she had done.
As Sunset told of everything she had done, Luna was reminded of herself the night before her banishment.
"Princess Luna, why did you want to give me another chance?" Sunset asked, curious as to why Luna even suggested the idea in the first place.
Luna looked at Sunset, surprised: she had not been expecting a question like this to be asked.
"Sunset, you have it all wrong. I am not giving you another chance, I am giving you a new chance. A chance to start over and make amends with yourself."
It was Sunset’s turn to look surprised. "You want to give me a new chance? Why?"
Luna got up and walked towards Sunset. "It is because you remind me of...me. When I was Nightmare Moon."
"I do?" Sunset asked, confused.
"Yes. I was driven by jealousy of my sister's day, and I let anger grasp my heart and run cold. I fought Celestia until she use the elements to banish me to my moon."
"Like how I let greed take control of me," Sunset said in a shallow voice as Luna looked at her.
"That is correct, and when I came back as Nightmare Moon I wanted to cast the world into eternal night," Luna said, walking around Sunset in a circle, "But Sunset, do you know what the end result would have been if I had succeeded with in bringing about my eternal night?"
Sunset thought about that. What would the full effect have been if the world was stuck in eternal darkness?
"Death," Luna said coldly.
"Death?" Sunset said, surprised by that word.
"Yes, death. I love my night and all the stars in it, but I know that my night can kill," Luna said, looking at sunset with hurt in her eyes, "If my night had gone on for eternity, plant life would begin to die, and my cold night would bring forth a new ice age."
Sunset started to grasp the facts as Luna spoke, and Sunset saw just how painful it was for Luna to come to terms with all of this.
"I am ever grateful for Twilight and her friends for using the elements on me, and for allowing me to reunite with Celestia after a thousand year alone on the moon," Luna said, stopping in front of Sunset.
"Twilight saved both of us from our own hatred," Sunset said in a low voice.
"Indeed she did," Luna said with a smile, "Sunset, do you really believe you do not deserve a new chance, after everything I have told you?"
Sunset could see why Luna had told her this; to show that even she had made the same mistake, and yet was able to move on.
"I still feel as though I don't deserve it, but I understand what you're trying to tell me," Sunset said with a smile.
"You do?" Luna said, sitting down, looking at Sunset with a whole new understanding, "I see. Then I assume you still want to decline my offer."
Sunset shook her head and looked at Luna. "I still have one more question. If I do become your student, will I be allowed to return to the other world of my own free will?"
Luna gave Sunset a warm smile. "I don't see why not. Twilight said she can have the portal open at any given time."
"Then I would love to accept your offer and become your student," Sunset said, doubt still lingering in her voice.
Luna cocked her head to the side a little and looked at Sunset, studying her. Sunset felt a small chill run down her spine as Luna looked at her. Luna then gave her a small smile, replacing her calculative stare with warm comfort.
"I am glad to hear that, but I would like you to stay in Equestria for a few days. Just long enough for me to see how far you were in Celestia’s teachings," Luna said, getting up and walking to her door, "Until then, I would like you to ask Twilight Sparkle if you can stay with her. If you like, I could also find you a place around Canterlot to stay."
"No, I think I will ask Twilight. I’d rather spend time around a friend then by myself," Sunset said, getting up and walking to the door, "Thank you, Princess Luna, for giving me a chance to start over." Sunset then gave a small bow before leaving.
Sunset trotted down the corridor, her mind still going back to how Luna looked at her. The way Luna looked at me was like she was searching for something, or trying to see through me. Maybe Luna doesn't trust me at all, but she is willing to give me a chance and see how I turn out.
"Sunset!" Twilight called out when Sunset came into view.
Sunset looked over to see the purple alicorn calling her over.
"So how did your discussion with Princess Luna go?" Twilight asked, walking next to Sunset.
"It went okay, I guess. Luna convinced me to take up her offer, but she wants me to stay in Equestria for a few days," Sunset answered.
"She did? Where will you be staying?" Twilight asked.
"I was hoping I could stay with you for the time being, since I don't have my own place or any other friend I could go to," Sunset said.
"I don't mind. Maybe we could invite the other girls over and have a sleepover, so they can get to know you a little more," Twilight said, already going through her mind on what she would do in another sleepover party, "Let’s get back to Ponyville, I want to pick up a couple of things before inviting the girls over. This is going to be so much fun!" she added cheerfully, leading Sunset back out to where her chariot awaited.
Meanwhile, back in Luna's chambers
"So Tia, what do you think about Sunset?" Luna asked.
"Sunset has come a long way since the last time I’ve seen her," Celestia answered.
"And what about that alicorn they summoned in the other world? Do you think that she may also represent an Element of Harmony?" Luna asked, sitting down.
"I don't know. There've only been six elements, so a seventh one would be new. Though Sunset could also represent something new, something that's not part of the Elements of Harmony but instead something that can help strengthen it. Or it could be some completely foreign concept that we know nothing about yet," Celestia said. "What do you think?"
"I don't know myself, but I do know Sunset has not forgiven herself yet. There is still darkness that covers her heart, darkness that still pains her every time she thinks about what she has done," Luna said, looking at Celestia, "Sunset is still fighting her own nightmares, but I think I can help her."
"The same way you were able to help yourself?" Celestia asked.
"Yes, and I will be with her every step of the way, just like you were with me," Luna said with a smile on her face.
"I’m sure you will be," Celestia said, nuzzling her sister, "How long will you give Sunset before helping her?"
"Two weeks. That should be sufficient time for Sunset to settle in. I will let her know three days in advance what I have planned for her." Luna said.
"Two weeks? Are you sure that's enough time for her?" Celestia asked.
"I hope so." Luna said.
"Well, if you ever need any help, I'm always here for you," Celestia said, getting up to leave.
"I know you are, and I thank you for that," Luna said before Celestia exited her chambers.
