> A Chance at Self Forgiveness
>  by Dreagknight-LostWriter
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

> Friendship
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

It’s been nearly two weeks since Sunset Shimmer became Princess Luna's student and returned from Equestria. Sunset was sitting outside her school, next to the portal with four of her five friends. Rainbow Dash and Applejack were having a one-on-one Frisbee match, Fluttershy was feeding some squirrels and birds, Rarity was going over a new design for a dress, and Sunset herself was writing some notes down that Princess Luna had asked for. As for her fifth friend, Pinkie Pie, she was at her after-school job working at Sugercube Corner.

Rarity looked over towards Sunset. "So darling, have you figured out what you’re going to write for Princess Luna?"

"Not yet," Sunset said, sighing, "I still don't quite understand the task Princess Luna asked of me."

Princess Luna had kept Sunset for a few days to help catch her up on the recent events in Equestria. Luna also wanted to see what Sunset remembered from her lesson with her sister, Princess Celestia. Seeing that Sunset would be well informed with the help of the younger Princess, Twilight Sparkle, Luna went on to make a list of the things she would like Sunset to do. Most of the list was just questions about the human world that Twilight didn't get the chance to explore. But there was one other task Luna asked of Sunset: Luna asked Sunset to find the meaning of friendship. And not just the meaning like Twilight did, but also the meaning of what held friendship together.

"Hmm, what did the Princess ask you to do again?" Rarity asked, still sketching her new dress design.

"She asked me to find the meaning of friendship," Sunset answered.

"You mean like the Elements of Harmony Twilight told us about?" Fluttershy said, overhearing their conversation.

"I thought so too, but Princess Luna said she wanted me to find the meaning of what holds friendship together,"

"Maybe it’s loyalty, like me," Rainbow Dash said, walking over to the three girls.

"Maybe, but it could also be honesty. Friends don't last long unless they be honest with each other," Applejack said in her southern accent.

"Yeah, but honesty doesn't mean anything if friends aren't loyal to each other," Rainbow retorted.

"But ya'll can't stay loyal if there ain’t no honesty with one another!"

"Girls!" Sunset broke in, "I get it, it takes more than one Element to help maintain a friendship. But that sounds too simple, and too similar to Twilight's friendship report."

"Anyway, Sunset, can you help us?" Rainbow asked.

"With what?" Sunset asked, looking at them.

"Rainbow here decided it was a good idea to throw the Frisbee high in the air," Applejack said.

"Hey, you said you could catch any of my throws."

"Not when ya go throwin’ the darn thing onto the roof!"

"I only tried to make it boomerang around. I didn't think the wind would blow and get it stuck."

Sunset sighed, watching the two best of friends argue with each other. At first glance, one would assume they didn't like each other or just loved getting on each other nerves, though that last part might not be far from the truth. Yet these two would, no doubt, be right back on friendly terms with one another before the day was even over.

Hmm, these two are always arguing, yet they seem to understand each other. Maybe understanding is a key element to holding friendship together, Sunset thought to herself.

Sunset got up and closed her book.

"So where is it?" she asked, catching both girls off-guard in the middle of their argument.

"Huh? Oh, it’s up there," said Rainbow, pointing up to the three-story school building.

"Where?" Sunset said, shading her eyes from the sun while looking up.

"There, above Miss Cheerilee's window," Rainbow said, pointing to the blue Frisbee.

Sunset spotted the Frisbee. After looking around to make sure no one was around, she charged up her magic. Reaching out with her telekinesis spell, Sunset grabbed hold of the Frisbee in her magic and brought it down.

"Thanks," Rainbow said, taking the Frisbee from Sunset’s telekinesis grasp.

"I still can't get over how you can still use your magic," Rarity said, walking up behind Sunset.

"Yeah, it still feels a bit weird to be able to use it here, but I'm happy that I can and that I didn't fully lose my magic during the Fall Formal," Sunset said, staring at her hands.

"Hmm, last time ya had magic we were dodgin’ fireballs," Applejack said.

"Hehe, yeah, sorry about that," Sunset sheepishly said, looking away.

"Nah, don't worry about it," said Rainbow, placing one arm around Sunset’s shoulder, "We said we forgive you for all of that."

"I know," Sunset said with a small smile.

"Sunset, umm, I think Twilight has a message for you. Your book started to glow and vibrate just a few seconds ago." Fluttershy said, pointing to the book.

"It did?" Sunset said, walking back over to her bag.

The brown book glowed and hummed lightly as it rested within Sunset's open bag. As Sunset reached down and grabbed her book, she wondered what Twilight's message could be. Upon opening the book, Sunset spotted a crescent moon with a single star at the top of the page, the royal seal of Princess Luna. Though Sunset didn't know if the message was from Luna herself or if Twilight was relaying the message to her. Sunset read over the message that was sent to her.



 
☪

Dear Sunset Shimmer,

Princess Luna would like to meet with you at your earliest convenience to discuss something with you. Luna did not tell me what exactly she would like to talk to you about, but it seemed rather important. So whenever you are free, please let me know so I can relay it back to Luna.

Your friend, Twilight Sparkle



"Huh, looks like I'll be heading back to Equestria sooner than I thought," Sunset said, still holding the book in her hands.

All the girls looked at Sunset with a confused look on their faces.

"How come?" Rarity asked.

"When are you heading back?" Fluttershy asked, looking over.

"How long are ya gonna be there?" Applejack asked.

"Hey, think we can come with you? I wanna see what the other side looks like," Rainbow Dash asked with a small smile on her face.
The other girls must have had the same thought on their mind, because they seemed equally curious.

"Well for one, Twilight said Princess Luna wants to see me as soon as possible. So I was thinking about leaving tomorrow, maybe. Second, I don't know how long I'll be there, maybe a few hours or a few days. And Rainbow Dash, sorry, but none of you girls can come with me, not now at least."

Rainbow Dash huffed, but didn't try argue with her. Taking the frisbee, both she and Applejack went and sat down by the portal, joining their friends.

"So why are ya thinkin’ of leavin’ tomorrow instead of today?" Applejack asked.

"Well, it’s only Thursday, and I still have school. Twilight only said at my earliest convenience," Sunset said, writing a message to Twilight letting her know when she could most likely make it.

"But you also said maybe," Rainbow said, looking at Sunset courisly.

"Yeah, I would like to go back Friday, but if I can't make it Friday, then I'll have to leave Saturday."

All the girls sat by the statute portal making small talk. Most of it was questions about why they couldn't come with her, and if they could, what the first things they did there would be. The conversation continued on for nearly an hour until Applejack got up.
"Well, ah don't know about you girls, but ah best be headin’ home now. See you girls tomorrow," Applejack said, waving goodbye before leaving.

"Yeah, same here. I'll talk to you girls later," Rainbow Dash said, saying her goodbyes and starting to leave.

Sunset watched her two friends walk away, then turned around to see her other two remaining friends still sitting down.

"So, umm, what do you girls want to do?"

"Well, we certainly can't sit here all day," Rarity said, standing up and dusting herself off, "Maybe we should go home. I'm sure you have some stuff you want to pack for tomorrow.”

Sunset thought about what Rarity said. She didn't have much to pack for herself, seeing as where she was going, she didn't need much. She did have some items and souvenirs that Twilight asked her to get, though most of them were books for her royal library. There was also Princess Luna, who wanted some pictures from this world, mostly of people that were here, and Princess Celestia, who also wanted pictures, but more of the structures around the area. Both Princesses were equally curious about this world.

"Yeah, I think you're right," Sunset said.

"All right, darling, then I'll chat with you two later. Bye bye." Rarity said, waving back as she started to walk home.

Sunset got up and helped Fluttershy up. After saying their goodbyes, they both went their separate ways. Taking out a notebook, Sunset began making a checklist for the things she would be bringing with her when she returned to Equestria.
> Staying With A Friend
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sunset woke up the next morning, feeling a little refreshed after staying up the night before to make sure she had all that she would need. After Sunset got dressed, she double checked her bags for anything that she might be missing. After checking her two traveling bags, she was ready to head to school. As Sunset grabbed both her school bag and her traveling bag, the message from within her book kept tugging at her mind. What exactly did Princess Luna want to talk to her about? Sighing, Sunset propped her school bag on her back, and, grabbing her other bag, she began walking to school.

 Walking into the school Sunset decided to take her bags to Principal Celestia’s office, seeing as she wouldn't have any room in her locker for them. After dropping her bags off and explaining to Principal Celestia why she wanted to leave her bags in her office, Sunset went to her locker to begin her day.



“Yes, Pinkie, I’ll be leaving after school, that is, if nothing comes up and stops me,” Sunset said pessimistically.

“Ah, no need to worry about something stopping you. So how long are you going to be gone? Ohh, will Twilight come back with you to visit?”

“Firstly, I don't know if Twilight will have the free time to come and visit, but I'll see if she can. And secondly, I don't actually know how long, but I guess it can't be no more than a day or two,” Sunset said, closing her locker and turning around to meet Pinkie’s smiling face.

“Come on, let's get to class. Last thing I need is to add another tardy to my attendance again.” Sunset said as she and Pinkie headed off to their first period class before the bell rang.





The beginning of the school day went by normally, yet Sunset had a hard time focusing on her school work. All through the morning, Sunset had been going through her mind, wondering if Luna had mentioned anything about this. Try as she might, Sunset only had faint ideas, none of which was likely to be the answer. During lunch, Sunset was writing to Twilight for any detail of information. Twilight said she knew about as much as Sunset did, maybe even less on the matter. But Twilight was able to get a confirmed stay from Princess Luna, telling Sunset how long she would be expected to stay in Equestria.

Now that Sunset knew she would be in Equestria for 3 days, maybe longer depending on how Princess Luna’s plan goes. Sunset wondered if there was some lesson Luna had missed from the first time she was there. The rest of the day went by smoothly with little problem from distraction. After Sunset’s last class had ended and she retrieved her bags from Principal Celestia's office, Sunset decided to spend a hour and hang out with her friends before she left for Equestria.

After spending time with her friends and letting Twilight know to open the portal, Sunset made her way to the mirror Statue. Just before going through the mirror, Sunset stopped for a moment and looked back at her friends as they waved her off. Sunset realized that even though she would be in Equestria for no more than 3 days, she wanted a way to relay messages back to her friends while she was gone.

Sunset went back over to the girls, who all looked at her, confused as to why she didn't go through. Taking out her friendship journal, she went and told her friends what she wanted to do. After some chatter about who was the most responsible person to get and hold onto the book, it came down between Rarity, Fluttershy, and Applejack, and since both Rarity's and Applejack's little sisters were a bit nosey when it came to things that aren't theirs, it was decided that Fluttershy would be the one who would hold onto it. With that settled, Sunset said her goodbyes and proceeded through the portal.

Stepping through, Sunset was greeted by Twilight.

“Welcome back, Sunset,” Twilight greeted Sunset when she stumbled through the portal on her hind legs, nearly dropping all her bags on the way through. Twilight was able to catch all of the bags in her magical grasp.

“Thanks,” Sunset said as she got back down on all four hooves, taking her bags back from Twilight.

The first thing Sunset noticed was that she was in a different room. The room was still the same magenta crystal that the castle was made out of, but as she took in the surrounding sight, she noted that the room she was in was a bedroom.

Is this one of Twilight’s guestrooms or one of her friends’? Sunset thought as her eyes continued to wander around.

As Sunset looked around more closely, she could tell the bedroom was also like that of a study room. There were shelves with books on them, a table with an ink and quill, a magical study research area, and various diagrams from stars to pony races.

“As you can see, I moved the mirror to this room,” Twilight said, presenting the room to Sunset.

“I can see that… but why?” Sunset asked, dropping her luggage and her school bag, which had now turned into a saddlebag.

“Well, I was thinking, since it seems you’ll be coming and going at random times throughout your studies with Princess Luna, you may need a place to stay while you're here. So I converted one of my guest rooms into your own personal room and moved the mirror in here for you,” Twilight said, quite pleased with herself.

“Really? All this just for me?” Sunset was touched that Twilight would go through the trouble just for her, yet part of her felt as though she didn't deserve this sort of kindness. “I-I don't know what to say or how to thank you for this.”

“You don’t need to say anything, it’s what friends do,” Twilight said, giving Sunset a warm smile, before shifting her eyes to Sunset’s two large suitcases, “Sunset, you seem to have a lot of luggage for just a three day stay.”

“Oh, this,” said Sunset as she picked up one of her bags in her magical grasp, “They’re souvenirs that the Princesses wanted.”

“Oh, they are?” Twilight said, surprised.

"And as one of the Princesses, this is for you," Sunset said with a smirk, levitating Twilight a bag fill with books, “I got you some extra books. There are some fiction, non-fiction, science fiction, biology... umm, I guess you get the point.”

Twilight opened the bag and levitated the books out in front of her. She scanned the cover and back of each book as a smile crept onto her face.

“Thank you, Sunset, I can’t wait to get started on them!” Twilight hopped with joy. “Feel free to make yourself at home and redecorate the room as you please. I'm going to go put these books in my room for some reading tonight,” Twilight said, trotting happily out the room.

Sunset watched as Twilight left the room, then her eyes caught sight of some words on the door. Trotting up to the door, Sunset saw that it was her own name on it, with a image of her cutie mark surrounding it. Sunset was oddly happy to see this, as a smile was imprinted on her face. Sunset looked back to the room, her room, that she would be using during her stay. In truth, Sunset felt that there were some things she wanted to add to the room, but for now this would do, and she didn't mind.

Trotting back over to her bags, Sunset levitated her saddlebag off the ground and onto the bed. She didn't have much with her: she had her toothbrush, her school work, her phone, a battery charger for her phone, batteries, and a picture of her leather jacket, as she was hoping she might get the Rarity of this world to make one for her. Sunset had grown accustomed to her jacket over the years and she felt odd without it. Leaving all the items in her saddlebag on her bed, Sunset levitated her other bag that held the items the Princesses wanted. Trotting out of her room with the bag in tow, Sunset stopped a few feet out of the door as a realization dawned on her.

Where exactly am I? Sunset thought, looking left and right, The last thing I need is to get lost here.

Sunset only stayed with Twilight for a few days, but she hadn't gotten the full layout of the castle yet. She knew she was in the guest part of the castle, but she didn't know which part of the castle it was in. Thinking back, Sunset remembered that Twilight had taken a left when she had left her room. Going with that, Sunset began trotting down the left hall. It didn't take long before Sunset ended up in the main dining hall. From here she knew where she was at, and so she headed to the throne room to wait for Twilight. As Sunset walked in, she saw Spike carrying a large stack of books that covered his vision.

“Umm, hi Spike,” Sunset said, watching him stumble as he walked.

“Oh, hey Sunset,” Spike said, leaning his head over past the books.

“Do you want some help with that?” Sunset offered.

“Na, I got it.” Spike stumbled as he walked to one of the thrones. “I’m used to this kind of heavy lifting when helping Twilight out,” he said, placing the large stack on the floor.

“I see,” Sunset said.

Must be nice to have a reliable assistant to help out at all times, Sunset thought.

“So, do you need anything?” Spike asked, looking at the bag in her levitation.

“No, I’m just waiting for Twilight,” Sunset said, placing her bag on the floor by her as she sat down.

“Okay then. Well, if you need anything, let me know,” Spike said as he left the room.

Sunset didn't know when she would be leaving to meet Luna, but she guessed it wasn't until later or Twilight would have told her by now. With nothing better to do for the moment, Sunset walked over to the stack of books to see what would be good to read. While searching through the book stack, Sunset heard Twilight walking in.

“Oh, Sunset, there you are. I was wondering where you went,” Twilight said, walking towards Sunset, “I wanted to tell you that Luna won't be able to meet you ‘till tonight around 9:30.”

“Really? Why so late at night?” Sunset asked, but she knew the answer she would get in return.

“Don't know, she didn't say why,” Twilight answered, just as Sunset thought she would.

“Well, I guess that leaves the rest of the day to me then.”

“Is there anything you want to do then?”

Sunset thought for a moment.

“Well, after I put my bag back into my room, I was hoping to stop by Rarity’s Boutique," Sunset said, picking her bag back up.

“I think Rarity should have some free time today. Was there something you wanted from her?”

“Yeah, I was hoping she could make me a new leather jacket for when I stay here,” Sunset said, trotting back to her room.

“Your black leather one?” Twilight asked, following Sunset.

“Yeah, I’ve grown so used to wearing it that it feels odd not having it on now.”

“Well, I’m sure Rarity would be delighted to make you a new one,” Twilight said as they stopped into the room.

I hope so, Sunset thought as she walked over to her bed.

As Sunset placed her bag on the bed, she levitated the picture of her jacket to her. Folding the picture, she placed it behind her ear.

“Okay, next stop, Rarity’s Boutique,” Sunset said, giving a slight smile.

> Sleep
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Walking up to the Carousel Boutique, Sunset and Twilight stopped at the front door. Taking the photo of her jacket out from under her ear, Sunset glanced over it. The picture was a cropped version of two pictures into one: the right side showed the front of her jacket while the left showed the back of it. Holding the photo in her magic, Sunset gingerly knocked on the front door.

A few seconds passed before the door opened. Standing on the other side of the door was a white unicorn filly, who had a light, two-tone, purple-pink curly mane and green eyes.

This must be Rarity’s little sister, Sweetie Belle. Sunset thought while looking down at the filly, giving her a slight smile.

“Hello, Sweetie Belle, is Rarity here?” Twilight asked.

“Yeah, she’s upstairs,” Sweetie Belle said, looking back behind her, “I think she’s working on another one of her designs though.”

“Is she busy?” Sunset asked. “We could come back later if she is.”

“No, I don’t think she’s too busy,” Sweetie Belle said, glancing to Sunset and giving her a wide smile. “Hi, my name is Sweetie Belle!”

“Oh hello, umm, my name is Sunset...Shimmer,” Sunset said awkwardly.

“Nice to meet you!”

Twilight looked at Sunset, then turned back to Sweetie Belle. “Can we come in?” she asked.

“Sure.” Sweetie Belle took a few steps back, allowing the two mares to step in.

As Twilight and Sunset walked in, they looked down at Sweetie Belle, who had a saddlebag on.

“Rarity is up in her parlor room,” Sweetie Belle said, pointing a hoof up the stairs to the door at the end of the hall.

“Are you going somewhere?” Twilight asked curiously.

“Yeah, I’m heading to the clubhouse to meet with the other crusaders,” Sweetie Belle said, trotting out the door. “Tell Rarity I’ll be back for dinner,” she said before trotting off, leaving Twilight and Sunset looking at her as she went.

Sunset watched as the filly happily left out the door. She wasn't paying much attention to her surroundings as she felt her heart sadden. She didn't know why she felt a little sad watching the filly go, but she did. Twilight waved a hoof in Sunset’s face, breaking her from her daze.

“Come on, Rarity is upstairs,” Twilight said, eyeing Sunset worriedly before motioning her towards the stairway.

“Yeah…” Sunset muttered to herself, following Twilight.

Going up the stairs, Sunset followed Twilight to a room in the far back. Opening the door, Sunset got a good look around the room. The room was cluttered with glitter, gems, silks, designer clothes and cloth, ribbons, ponequins, half-made outfits, and sketch paper along the wall. Despite all the clutter, the room was surprisingly well organized. Not clean, but organized nonetheless.

“Rarity?” Twilight called out to the white mare sitting at a desk.

“Yes, darling, may I help you with something?” Rarity asked, turning over to look at Twilight. “Oh, Sunset, you’re back, nice to see you again. Is there something I can help you two with?”

“Oh, umm, I was wondering, if you had the free time, if you could make me something?” Sunset asked nervously.

“Well, at the moment I am free. What would you like?”

Taking her picture of her jacket, Sunset levitated it over to Rarity. “This is what I’d like you to make.”

Rarity studied the picture for a few moments, turning it around in her magic as she looked over it.

“Hmm, what type of materials is this made out of?”

“Umm, mainly leather.”

“Just leather? Well, that simply won’t do,” Rarity muttered to herself. “Are you sure this is what you would like?”

“Yeah. It may not seem like much, but it would mean a lot to me.”

“Very well, please stand over here so I can get your measurements.” With that, Rarity started her measurements and questionings for Sunset.

***

After five hours of waiting inside the Boutique, with five hours of side chatting, Sunset finally had her leather jacket. While it wasn't the same exact leather jacket like the one she had in the human world, due to the fact that the leather used was the same type Rarity used for her saddles and that she spent two hours experimenting with different materials to give it a black, shiny, leathery touch and feel, it was almost an exact replica. One of the key differences Sunset noted was that the inside of her jacket and collar were soft and cotton-filled with a smooth black silk cover. The other key difference was that instead of the metal studs that lined her collar, she had small amber gems that lined it instead, which seemed to shimmer in the light and fade in the dark. Paying Rarity for the jacket and the excess materials used, Sunset and Twilight headed back to the castle as the day was nearing night.

Upon nearing the castle, Twilight spotted two royal batpony guards standing outside her castle. “Excuse me, can I help you?” Twilight asked when she got close.

Both the batponies bowed to Twilight before answering. “No, Princess Twilight, we are here to pick up Miss Shimmer for Princess Luna.”

“Really? I was assuming that Sunset wouldn’t be leaving for another two hours.”

“Princess Luna gave the order to take Miss Shimmer to her when she is ready.” One of the batponies turned to Sunset. “So Miss Shimmer, when you are ready to leave, please let us know.”

Both guards stood at attention as they awaited Sunset’s reply. Sunset looked back to Twilight who only raised a hoof for Sunset to answer.

“Well, guess I shouldn’t keep Luna waiting then,” Sunset finally answered, more to Twilight than the guards.

“All right then. Sunset, if you happen to be finished with Luna earlier than expected, have Luna or Celestia send a message to me and I’ll have Spike leave the front door unlocked for you, okay?” Twilight said.

“All right,” Sunset agreed. “Okay then, guess that means I’m ready to go,” Sunset said to the night guards.

Nodding, both guards moved over to Luna’s night chariot. Putting on the straps, one of the guards turned to Sunset. “Miss Shimmer, is there anything you would like to get before we go?

Thinking, Sunset shooked her head with an audible no. If I need anything, I’m sure I can have it sent to me by Spike’s dragon fire.

Getting into the chariot, Sunset waved goodbye to Twilight as the guards ascended into the air.

***

After a fairly silent trip from Ponyville to Canterlot, the night guards had escorted Sunset to the courtroom.

“So, why are we here?” Sunset asked, standing before a large door.

“Princess Luna is at her night court. We have orders to wait here until she is done,” One of the night guards said.

“Wait here? Did Luna expect me to come straight away? How long is this night court supposed to last?”

“The night courts are usually short, so it shouldn't be long. Princess Luna said if you happened to come straight away, we are to wait here until her court session is done.”

“Okay…” Sunset said, taking a seat near the wall.

If this is going to be longer than expected, I’m going to ask if I can go to the royal library and wait there. Sunset thought.

After ten minutes of waiting, and Sunset was minutes away from asking to go to the library, Princess Luna appeared out of the doorway. She looked a bit exhausted and plainly tired, but nevertheless, she gave Sunset a warm smile.

“Sunset, we are glad to see you here so soon,” Luna said, looking at Sunset more closely, “Is that outfit a new trend of yours?”

“Kinda,” Sunset said, rubbing the back of her neck with a hoof.

“If you will, please follow us,” Luna said, motioning to Sunset and the two guards.

Walking down the corridor, Sunset turned to Luna. “Princess Luna, if I may ask, why did you call me back so soon?”

Still walking down the hall for a bit, Luna finally answered. “Once we get into the privacy of my chamber, we shall answer all of your questions.”

Sighing internally, Sunset could only follow what Luna said as she was lead to her chamber. After a couple more minutes of walking, they finally made it to her chamber.

Luna, turning to her guards, said, “We would like you two to wait out here and make sure we are not disturbed.”

Saluting, both night guards took up stationary positions by the doors on either side. Opening the door, Luna motioned for Sunset to follow. Walking through the door, Luna turned around, casting a spell on the door.

“What’s that?” Sunset asked, seeing as the door was glowing in a dark blue aura.

“A muting spell. This way, we will have full privacy,” Luna said, walking past Sunset. 

Walking over to a ponequin, Luna removed her royal regalia and placed them on it. Putting her crown on an azul, silk-looking pillow, Luna floated up and landed on her bed.

“All right, Sunset, you may proceed with thy questioning.”

Sunset shifted where she stood as she placed her questions in her head. “Umm, why did you call me back here so soon?” Sunset asked, worry lacing in her voice.

“Because, we are worried about you,” Luna said in a neutral tone.

“Worried about me? Why are you worried about me?” Sunset asked, panic rising in her voice.

Luna eyed Sunset with a concerned look. “Sunset, how are you feeling?”

The question threw Sunset off and she stumbled back a little. “I-I’m fine, why do you ask?”

“Thats good,” Luna said, looking at Sunset.

The vagueness of Luna’s answer was causing Sunset a lot of discomfort. “Princess Luna, can you please tell me why I’m here, and why you called me back so soon?”

“We are sorry for troubling you with worry,” Luna apologized. “To put our question simply, Sunset, how do you feel about yourself and your previous actions in the other world.”

Sunset looked down as the question settled in her mind. “To be honest, I still feel terrible about what I have done.”

“Please tell us exactly why you feel terrible. There is only so much Twilight can tell us without witnessing it all herself. We would like to hear the beginning, the point where Twilight could not be there.”

“Well, after the Fall Formal began my first week of reformation. My first week was like…” Sunset started to trail off. The memories of her first week and the horrible pranks the students played on her, the death glares she got at every turn, the solitude, nasty notes, paper balls that were thrown at her, even some of the students who had gotten bold enough to say what was on their mind to Sunset’s face.

Seeing the depressed look on Sunset’s face, Luna cleared her throat. “Sunset, if the question we asked is too painful for you to answer, then we shall not press further on.” That seemed to break Sunset out of her trance and eased her a bit. “If it is not too much trouble, tell us, how are things for you now?”

That seemed to perk Sunset up a bit. “Well, things are a lot better. Some of the students have forgiven me and I’ve managed to make some new friends outside the ones I already had... Though, there are still some who prefer to make me remember everything that I have done. Some even said they would never let me forget. Not that I can blame them much, seeing how much I’ve already done to them. It’s only fair, I suppose,” Sunset said, that last bit muffled under her breath.

Luna eyed Sunset curiously before asking her next question.

“Sunset, have you not forgiven yourself?”

That question pulled Sunset’s brain to a halt and crashed it. Collecting herself, Sunset thought about what Luna asked her. Moments later Sunset came to her answer.

“No, I haven’t,” Sunset answered, guilt clear in her voice, “Even though I decided to move on from my past, I haven't really forgiven myself.”

Nodding her head, Luna looked at Sunset with a small smile. “Sunset, we would like to help you with that. That is the reason we called you here, we fear that your guilt may… affect you dearly.”

“How, how do you plan on helping me? I was offered help while in the other world, but I turned it down knowing they couldn’t help me deal with this. Deal with my… corrupt self,” Sunset said quietly.

Refraining from asking any questions about the human world, Luna pushed on. “Sunset, do you not believe we can help you?”

“It’s not that, I’m just not sure how you can help.”

Giving Sunset another smile, Luna said softly, “Sunset, we too had trouble in forgiving ourself, even to the point of giving up our title as ‘Princess’ because we felt we let our subjects down, but with help from Tia we were able to do it. We would like to offer you the same help.”

Sunset could only look at Luna with wide eyes as she sat down. With only one question in mind, Sunset had to ask. “I know I didn't try to hide how much my past actions had hurt me, but what made you believe it would be this bad?”

Luna looked at Sunset with a saddened expression. “We have looked into your dreams when you were staying with Twilight. Twilight had mentioned how you were trying to be better and we were curious as to how that was going from your point of view. Least to say, what we saw worried us. We had put a spell around you so you could dream peacefully.”

“That explains why I haven't had any nightmares or any bad dreams while being here, and the lack of it on the other side,” Sunset muttered to herself. Looking back up to Luna, Sunset gave a weak smile. “Do you really think you can help me?”

“We are not sure, but it can never hurt to try.”

“Okay then, what do I need to do?”

Luna patted the side of her bed, motioning for Sunset to get on. Sunset hesitated at first, gingerly walking over to the bed. With a small breath, Sunset got on top of the bed and laid down in front of Luna. The bed was soft and firm with a cool breeze to the touch. The fine midnight blue silk that blanketed the bed was soft and comfortable as Sunset laid down on top of it.

Giving Sunset a smile, Luna closed her eyes as she began to channel her magic.

“Princess Luna, how do you plan to help me?”

“In the dream realm, for only there can we help you,” Luna answered.

Not really understanding how her dreams could help her, Sunset decided just to trust Luna’s words.

Opening her eyes, Luna looked at Sunset. “Sunset, are you ready? Once this spell touches you, you will be overcome with fatigue and fall asleep shortly after.”

“I’m ready,” Sunset said, bracing herself.

With that, Luna leaned forward and placed the tip of her horn on Sunset’s head. Wave after wave of fatigue washed over Sunset as her eyes began to get heavy. Fighting the sleep that was overcoming her, Sunset looked up at Luna. Seeing three images of Luna, Sunset’s head started to sway to and fro. With heavy eyes and extreme tiredness, all Sunset wanted to do was cuddle underneath the cool blanket and sleep. Head bobbing, Sunset felt, what she believed to be, a blanket draped over her. Looking up to Luna, Sunset’s eyes widened in horror at what she saw before her. Two images of Luna, which were moving in and out of focus, had morphed.

The only thing Sunset could mutter before falling asleep was, “Nightmare Moon.” With that, Sunset was out cold.

> Dream Reflection
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

As Sunset laid on the ground, her mind at ease and devoid of any thoughts, she started to stir awake. Looking around, Sunset noted in horror that she was surrounded by darkness. She looked left to right, but darkness was all she saw. Even though she was surrounded in the shadows of darkness, the area she was in was illuminated by a mysterious glow. Panicking, Sunset jumped to her hooves as she tried to remember where she was or how she had gotten here. Sunset started to walk around, and the only sound she heard was the sound of her own hooves. Sunset couldn't think straight as her mind was going 100 mph with confusion, panic, and fright. While Sunset continued to walk, she saw a light glowing in front of her. Rushing, she galloped quickly to the increasingly bright light source. Right in the center of the light was an object Sunset was very familiar with, her guitar.

“My guitar? Why is this here?” Sunset asked herself.

Reaching out a hoof to touch it, Sunset stopped as the guitar turned to liquid and melted in front of her. Sunset stared in confusion at the puddle of liquid, when the liquid started to move as it morphed into an another item, this time Twilight’s crown from the Fall Formal. Sunset stepped back as her fears ran through her. As Sunset was about to turn and run, the area she was in was suddenly cleared of the darkness, revealing that she was in a large room. The room quickly took the form of the gym room back at Canterlot High. Sunset turned to look around the room. The gym was a complete mess, the same type of mess she caused. Turning back around to look at the crown, she was instead met with the portal mirror. Taking another step back, Sunset looked into the mirror to see herself arguing with Princess Celestia.

“This was the day I decided to leave, to abandon my studies, my lessons, Princess Celestia’s trust, everything,” Sunset mumbled, falling to her hunches. 

The scene before her morphed, Sunset was now watching as her past self re-entered the mirror to steal Twilight’s crown. Sunset shut her eyes tight as the scene showed Twilight chasing her through the halls. When Sunset open her eyes again, she found two, light blue, slitted eyes peering back at her from the mirror. The mirror was now black, and only two eyes could be seen. Sunset slowly walked back, never taking her eyes off the eyes looking at her. The mirror was soon covered in a dark fog as the eyes disappeared within it. When the fog cleared, Nightmare Moon was left, locking eyes with Sunset.

“Ahhhh!” Sunset screamed, jumping up and turning around to run.

As soon as Sunset turned tail to run, she tripped over a rock and fell face first into the dirt. Lifting her head, Sunset found the room she was in was gone and that she was at the bottom of a crater. The crater felt all too familiar as Sunset tried to climb out of it. When Sunset finally got out of the crater, she saw that she was in front of Canterlot High at night.

“Sunset,” she heard someone or pony call out to her from behind.

Taking a deep breath, Sunset decided to turn around, knowing she would find Nightmare Moon behind her. Slowly, Sunset turned around, backing up as she did so. To Sunset’s relief, she found Princess Luna standing there instead of Nightmare Moon.

“Sunset, we need you to calm down,” Luna said, watching as Sunset’s eyes darted back and forth.

“What’s going on, why am I back in the human world? Why are you here? Where’s Nightmare Moon?” Sunset spurted out, her mind completely shattered as she try to recall what was happening.

Before Sunset could ask anymore questions, Luna lit up her horn and cast a brilliant azul glow on Sunset. Instantly, Sunset was overcome with fatigue, not enough to make her fall asleep, but enough to tire her out. Soon Sunset was laying on the ground, muffling a yawn while Luna looked around.

“Sunset, have you calmed down?” Luna asked, but her focus was on the school itself.

“I-I think so,” Sunset said, her mind finally slowing down. “Princess Luna, what is going on?”

Luna turned to looked at Sunset. “Sunset, you are dreaming. Everything you see before you is just part of your dream. Do you understand?”

“I’m dreaming?” Sunset mumbled. As Sunset looked around more, she saw that there was a dark fog surrounding the school.

“Yes, Sunset, you are dreaming,” Luna said, walking over to Sunset. “Sunset, I had to cast a spell on you that made you fall asleep back in my chamber.” Luna, with her wings spread wide, showed a window with Sunset falling asleep on her bed. “Do you remember now?”

Sunset stared at the window, her mind now processing everything. “I remember,” said Sunset, placing her face in her hooves and laughing to herself. “Why didn't I realize it sooner?”

“Dreamers tend to not know when they are dreaming until an outside force shows it to them,” Luna said, looking worried. “Sunset, I wish you not to panic, but hear us out.”

Sunset raised her head to look at Luna, Luna’s wings still spread out. Slowly, Luna retracted her wings to her side. Sunset was confused at first why Luna was nervous, but then saw on Luna’s left, Nightmare Moon was standing there.

“N-N-Nightmare Moon,” Sunset stuttered, her fatigue quickly forgotten.

“Sunset, it’s okay. We are not the Nightmare that you heard of,” Nightmare Moon said, tentatively walking around towards Sunset.

“But… why... you said?” Sunset couldn't think or form any direct questions as she watched Nightmare Moon.

“Sunset, what we said is true, that we have forgiven our self. What we did not tell you was that our self was our dark self. Simply put, our Nightmare self,” Luna said, walking in the opposite direction of Nightmare Moon.

“How?” was all Sunset could ask.

Luna kept walking as she thought of a way to answer this. When Nightmare Moon came close to Sunset, she looked at the deep crater that Sunset was next to.

“The scene you have went through speaks a lot about your guilt,” Nightmare Moon said, bringing up several small windows in front of Sunset. 

Each window had a image in it, from the guitar to Twilight’s crown, the gym room, the portal mirror, a freeze scene of Sunset arguing with Celestia, another freeze scene of Sunset running from Twilight, and the last scene with the crater.

Nightmare Moon looked at the images, Sunset still shaken being close to her. “Can you put these in order, from start to finish?”

“Ho-how come?” Sunset asked, slowly stepping away from Nightmare Moon.

“I wish to see how this played out, these are part of your nightmares,” Nightmare Moon said, looking at Sunset, who had frozen in place.

Luna came up behind Sunset and placed a hoof on her shoulder. “You do not have to do it if you so wish not to, but I must let you know something. My Nightmare self watches over the nightmares of my dear subjects, the darker nightmares they have. It has been much easier to watch over the dream realm with a helper.”

Sunset looked at the images, then Nightmare Moon. “How are you able-”

“Able to think and act outside of a host body?” Nightmare Moon asked herself for Sunset. “For the easiest of terms, Sunset, I am a personality that was built up within Luna’s mind, our mind.” 

“After our defeat by Twilight, all of our corruption was mostly removed,” Luna said, taking up the story. “The one thing left that the Elements could not remove was the personality that had already been formed.”

“So you’re the personality that came to be known as Nightmare Moon?” Sunset asked, to which Nightmare Moon nodded.

“As you can see, Sunset, we had to face ourself and make peace with what we have done and why we have done it,” Luna said, walking in front of Sunset and standing next to Nightmare Moon.

Now looking at Nightmare Moon with new eyes, Sunset could see that Nightmare Moon’s appearance wasn’t that scary. In fact, Nightmare Moon’s appearance seemed a little bit brighter in favor of Luna’s appearance, and both their heights were the same, except for their horns, of which Nightmare Moon’s was still larger. Sunset then looked back to the images before her and, using her magic, started to rearrange them. When Sunset was done, she had a timeline from when she left Equestria to where she was at now.

“Hmm? Sunset, can you explain each of these images to us, if you're feeling up to it?” Luna asked.

“I don’t mind,” Sunset said, looking at each image. “The first image shows when I demanded to Celestia that I should be a Princess. In the wake of my anger for being denied, I, well, I’m sure you know what happened next.”

Luna nodded with some understanding.

“This image shows when I went back through the portal. Instead of coming back to apologize, I instead stole Twilight’s crown and escaped back to this world. This image is more of an after image of when I framed Twilight for destroying a big event at my school, hoping to get everyone to hate her. This image of Twilight’s crown is when I couldn't accept losing to her and stole her crown again, this time putting it on,” Sunset said, lowering her head in shame. “This image shows my defeat to Twilight and her friends. I was at the bottom of this crater climbing out when Twilight offered to show me friendship.” Sunset finished, not saying anything about the last image, with her guitar.

“What about this image right here, what does this mean?” Nightmare Moon asked.

“I don’t know myself. Maybe how I was able to help Twilight and the others defeat the Sirens, but I didn't use my guitar at the time.”

Nightmare Moon looked at the picture more as Luna came over to Sunset.

“Sunset, we do not know what you will face when you face yourself. Just know that your otherself will have all the emotion you had built up to that point, the point of your defeat.”

“Face myself? You mean like-”

“Yes, like we did with our Nightmare self,” Luna said.

Nightmare Moon walked over in front of Sunset, holding two items in her magic. One item was a key, the other was her guitar that was sized down and fitted on a necklace.

“We do not know why this item symbolizes an importance to you, but we decided it's best for you to keep it on you,” Nightmare Moon said, handing Sunset the guitar necklace.

Sunset took the necklace and put it on.

“And here is the key to your mind. With this key you will leave the dream realm and enter your mind, where you will face yourself.”

Sunset reluctantly took the key. It had a base that matched her cutie mark and a frame that matched her coat color.

“Do not worry, Sunset, for we shall be there with you.”

“How do I use the key?” Sunset asked, looking around for some type of door to appear out of nowhere.

“We believe it to be that door,” Luna said, pointing to the school’s door.

“Oh.” Sunset slowly walked up to the school’s front door.

Taking the key in her magic, Sunset gently lowered it to the door’s lock. Seeing that the key went in smoothly, Sunset turned the key a full 360 degrees. With a click, the key was knocked out of the lock and magnetically snapped onto Sunset’s necklace with her guitar. Trying her luck, Sunset reached out and grabbed the door handle in her magic and tugged it open. As the door opened, the room inside was pitch black with no sound or even a hint of life. Casting a light spell, Sunset slowly advanced inside with Luna and Nightmare Moon behind her. Only taking a few steps in, the door closed shut behind them and faded away as Sunset ran back towards it.

“No no no, we’re stuck inside,” Sunset cried out, hooves tracing where the door used to be.

“To think we wanted to cast the world into an eternal night,” Nightmare Moon said, her eyes following the darkness.

“Sunset, we must continue on before you or I wake up, or it will be harder to get in next time,” Luna said, coming up to Sunset.

Seeing as the door wouldn't be reappearing, Sunset looked around in the darkness. With the light illuminating from their horns, Sunset could see that the building was a complete match of the school, yet the place looked like it was abandoned for years. Walking into the center hallway, all the lights in the school came on with a ‘thump, thump, thump.’

“Gah!” all three mares screamed, and covered their eyes at the sudden burst of bright light.

Soon all the lights in the school dimmed down low enough for the three mares to see again. Luna and Nightmare Moon looked around at the inside of the school.

“Sunset, over here,” Luna called at the entrance of another hallway.

When Sunset got near, her eyes widened at what she saw before her. Sitting by the locker was her human self. What surprised Sunset more was that her human self was sitting, back against the locker, her arms hugging her legs close to her chest and her head face down.

“This is not what we expected to see,” Nightmare Moon said, standing next to Luna.

“Hello?” Sunset called out to herself.

When she lifted her head to look at Sunset, Sunset froze as the look she got was pure hatred.

“Why are you here? Are you here hoping to destroy me once and for all? You have already decided to forget about me and everything we worked for, what more could you want?” 

“I just want to talk,” Sunset said, taking a step forward.

Herself lifted her head and stood, glaring at Sunset. Sunset could see that the clothing she had was tattered and burnt. The same look she had when she was defeated. Glaring at Sunset with dagger eyes, herself raised her hand at Sunset and started to channel her magic. Before Sunset could react, she was caught into the magical hold and pulled forwards.

“Look at us. Once the proud and mighty queen of Canterlot High and Celestia’s student, now reduced to such a weak and pathetic state. We should have had so much more, but because of that twat Twilight, we lost it all. There is nothing you can say to me.” With a kinetic blast, Sunset was knocked back against another locker. “Now leave me alone, or better yet”—herself walking over to Sunset and bending down—“give me control of your body so I can show you how to truly gain power and take revenge on all those who disrespected us. I know you still have that hatred burning deep inside of you.”

> Fighting My Darkness
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sunset stared up at herself, fear running through her. She knew she was ruthless, cunning, manipulative, and over all tyrannical in the past, but now Sunset got a good look at what she used to be. The way her past self loomed down over her, looking at her like she was an object she had to have. Sunset hated it, she hated herself, and she hated what she had done. Now Sunset was staring into her own putrid eyes, her mirror image, and she felt the fear that her classmates must have felt.

“W-what? No. Wait, can we just talk?” Sunset pleaded, not wanting to face her own self in a fight.

“Oh, so you can tell me how what we did was bad. Tell me that ‘friends’ was all we needed,” herself mocked, tossing Sunset to the side. “DON’T GIVE ME THAT CRAP!”

In an instant, several lockers were suspended in the air. Herself looked at Sunset with seething hatred, then proceeded to throw all the lockers at Sunset. Sunset didn’t have time to think about what to do, as she had to jump back to avoid being hit by one. Luna and Nightmare Moon appeared in front of Sunset and brought up a shield.

“It doesn’t seem like talking will do you any good,” Nightmare Moon said, looking at Sunset.

“I know, I know, I should have seen that coming. I never listened to what others had to say, I just acted on my own,” Sunset said with a sigh. 

“What's wrong? Don't tell me you’ve already forgotten how to fight with magic. A student of Celestia and you can't even defend yourself? Such weakness and no pride,” herself taunted. “Was the loss so bad you forgot how to fight? Or are you just too afraid?”

Something inside Sunset snapped, her anger rising with each word her other self taunted her with. Dashing across the hall, Sunset channeled all her magic into her horn as she let out a large arcane beam. Her other self quickly dodged the beam, a sinister smirk on her face. Without a word, her other self blasted Sunset with two arcane beams, one from each hand, catching Sunset off guard. Luna cast a shield over Sunset as Nightmare Moon blasted her other self with a darker beam.

“Sunset, do not forget, we are here with you,” Luna said.

“I don’t think so,” Sunset’s other self commented.

All the lockers on the wall shot out at both Luna and Nightmare Moon. The sheer force of the lockers shattered Luna’s shield, sending both her and Nightmare Moon backwards. Without giving a second, all the lockers piled on top of Luna and Nightmare Moon’s bodies.

“Luna! Nightmare Moon!” Sunset cried out.

“What’s wrong? Feeling ‘alone’, helpless?” her other self taunted.

Sunset ran over to the piles of lockers, ignoring her other self taunts. Just as she reached the lockers, Sunset was blasted back from an exploding fireball. 

“Come on, you said you wanted to talk, so talk to me.” Sunset’s other self laughed evilly, throwing another fireball. 

Panicking, Sunset threw up a shield, absorbing the fireball with ease. “How do you call this talking?” Sunset snarled, stomping her hoof down.

Her other self just stood there, giving Sunset a dumb look. “Did we ever give anyone, anypony, a chance to talk?” she retorted. 

“That was the old me, not the new me. If you're really me, then you would know that.”

“I AM YOU!” Sunset’s other self scream, hitting Sunset with a kinetic blast. “You, you are the one who lost sight of your own self.” 

“Me?” Sunset said in disgust. “I finally know who I’m truly am.” Sunset returned the kinetic blast, sending her other self sliding across the floor.

Glaring, Sunset’s other self dashed across the room, her fist glowing a bright teal. “Do you really?”

Sunset couldn't move fast enough as she was hit with the kinetic punch, sending her flying across the room and crashing into a locker. Sunset was glad this wasn't in the real world, for she was sure this would have knocked her unconscious. Even though this wasn't the real world, Sunset found herself falling to the floor with a grunt.

“Where is the ‘you’, the you that was so close to being re-released? So close to taking your revenge after Twilight left?” Sunset’s other self said, slowly walking down the hall. “The weeks of bullying, neglection, solitude, and you were about to lose all that goodness and go back to your old self. The hatred you bore to them all. Every. Single. One.” The last three words leaked with venom.

“Yeah, I was close, but I’m glad I didn’t,” Sunset said, standing back up. “Looking at myself now, I really hated who I was, and what I had become because of it,” Sunset stated, readying for another spell.

Sunset’s other self just continued to walk down the hall, slowly, and in rage. Stopping just midway, her other self glared, both hands glowing a brighter teal then before. Sunset got ready to shield herself from any attack herself can throw at her.

“Well then, let me help you see what you truly are and what you truly can be,” her other self said in a neutral tone.

Her other self crossed her arms and bent her head down, inhaling deeply. Then, in a quick motion, followed by a scream, a blue arcane beam rose around her other self. Sunset watched in horror as her other self’s skin went from peach orange to a dark red. Starting from her feet on up, her other self’s skin changed, followed by the clothes she were wearing. Now, floating in front of her was her She-Demon self. Sunset had seen the drawing of her She-Demon self in the school halls, but seeing it with her own eyes sent a different feeling through her. The She-Demon’s eyes were enough to send shivers down Sunset’s spine. Her She-Demon laid one hand on her hips while her other hand held an object loosely off her fingers, Twilight’s crown.

“Sunset,” Luna called from behind. “Stand back!”

Sunset stepped backwards as a dark blue cloud formed from behind. Sunset saw Nightmare Moon’s eyes peering from the cloud. Nightmare Moon’s wings were raised high and wide, her eyes firmly locked on the She-Demon’s back, and her horn flaring a dark blue aura.

“I’ve got you now!” Nightmare moon shouted, blasting her with a black beam with a white sparkle. The beam resembled something like a piece of the night sky, refined and darkened. 

Gripping the crown in her hand, the She-Demon turned around, and using her free hand, brought up a dark red shield. The moment the beam hit the shield, it was split into three, sailing past and over her. When the beam had dissipated, it left two scorch marks on the floor from where it split up. The She-Demon was unmoved by this blow. Slowly, the She-Demon placed the crown on her head, then lifted her hands to Nightmare Moon.

“Where do you think you are?” the She-Demon asked, pulling Nightmare Moon from the sky. “This is between me and myself.” she whispered, tossing Nightmare Moon to the side. “This is not the dream realm, you have no power within our mind.”

“How did you-” Luna too was cut off as she was pulled from where she stood.

“That means you too, princess,” the She-Demon said, tossing her in the same direction as Nightmare Moon. “Now, to keep you two from interfering any further.”

The She-Demon enclosed both the mares in a bubble and blast it with a arcane beam. There was a muffled cry from within the bubble, shaking Sunset from her shock. Rushing, all Sunset could think about was saving Luna and Nightmare Moon. As Sunset came close to her She-Demon self, she jumped into the air, with the full intent of shoulder-bashing her out of her focus. What Sunset didn’t intend was shoulder-bashing her with an arm, her human arm. The connection was more than enough to push her She-Demon aside, but it looked like the damage was already done.

Landing on her feet, Sunset turned and ran over to Luna and Nightmare Moon’s side. When Sunset got close, she found both of them chained together and pinned to the floor. What Sunset found more strange was that both of them were turned human. Luna looked like vice principal Luna, but Nightmare Moon looked completely different. Nightmare Moon was wearing dark blue, tight armor, her hair was put into one ponytail braid and laid down across her chest. Her cutie marks were painted beautifully across her chestplate. Both Luna and Nightmare Moon still had their wings, but the chains prevented any use of them.

Wow, this is how I imagined she would look if she turned human. Sunset thought before turning her attention back to the She-Demon, who was floating right behind her.

“No need to worry Sunset, we are unharmed, but… changed.” Luna said, struggling in her chain. “It also appears we are void of any magic at the moment.”

Nightmare Moon said nothing, but just glared at the She-Demon. Sunset stood up, now as a human, and locked eyes with her She-Demon self, face-to-face.

“Oh, is that anger I feel from you? Are you going to give me something that resembles myself, a real fight?” the She-Demon said, arms crossed.

Sunset inhaled deeply, and exhaled slowly. “No, I’m not.” Counting down from five, like Fluttershy taught her whenever she gets upset, Sunset looked her She-Demon in the eyes. “Why are you so insisting on corrupting me again?”

“Why are you so insisting on others liking you, hmm?” the She-Demon retorted. “Why are you looking for forgiveness? Why do you need friends? Why do you let others treat you like trash? What happened to that tough-girl self, the one who never breaks?” With each question, the She-Demon inched closer and closer to Sunset. “Why change who you are after one defeat? Why look to those who would rather see you rot? Why do you ignore me, who helped you?”

Sunset stood there frozen as each question sank in. Those questions were some of the same questions Sunset had asked herself not long ago when she was alone. As the She-Demon came closer, she lifted Sunset in the air and gently flew up.

“Get a good look at the ones you want to be accepted by,” the She-Demon said.

The halls slowly began to fill with shadow figures. As more figures began to fill the halls, so did the hatred coming from them.

“She-Demon freak.”

“Go back to where you came from.”

“Nobody wants you here.”

“How about you off yourself for everyone's sake.”

“She gets defeated one time and now she's crying like a baby, just look at her.”

“She got what she deserved, don't pity her.”

“Shh, do you want her to go all She-Demon crazy on you?”

“Just ignore her, maybe she’ll leave soon.”

“Avoid looking into her eyes, mind control freak.”

“Ha, change. I bet she’s just looking for a way to regain control.”

“Hey, let's give Sunset a taste of her own medicine.”

“It's only a matter of time before she goes back to her old self.”

Sunset cringed as she put both of her hands to her ears, squeezing her eyes shut. She didn't want to hear it again, she didn’t want to go through that pain once more. The threats and hatred kept increasing as Sunset tried her best to make herself smaller. The screams, the shouts, the rejections, Sunset never felt more unwelcome than she did then.

“ENOUGH!” Luna boomed in her royal canterlot voice. Immediately, all the shadows in the room disappeared. “Sunset, we know how you must feel, but remember, there are those who will stand by your side.”

“Oh really?” the She-Demon said, dropping Sunset and flying over to Luna. “Tell us, how long did it take you to gain the trust of your subjects? Do they still fear you? Talk about you behind your back? What about friends, do you even have-”

Sunset cut her She-Demon off by blasting her several times from behind. “Forget about forgiveness, I’m going to destroy you once in for all,” Sunset said, hands clutched for another fight.

The She-Demon turned around and smiled. “Go ahead. The moment you finish me, your dream will truly come true. You will be the phoenix that rises from the ashes anew, from the ashes of your old self.” Quick as lighting, the She-Demon dashed right in Sunset face. “But you don’t have the resolve to do so, not anymore at least. Not since you made friends with the girls who stopped us.”

Sunset stared wide-eyed. Now her She-Demon was using her own emotions against her. “My friends make me stronger then I was before, they will always be by my side.”

“That’s a lie and you know it,” the She-Demon said quickly. “Don’t lie to yourself, those girls are not your friends.”

“Yes they are!” Sunset screamed, pushing her She-Demon away with a weak kinetic push.

“No they are not! They will never have your back. Just like the anon-a-miss incident. Where were your friends when you needed them the most? Where was that magic of friendship when you were drowning in sorrow? I’ll tell you where: nowhere.”

“SHUT UP!” Sunset screamed. “Why are you telling me all of this?”

“Because you said you wanted to get rid of me. I am that little voice in the back of your head that kept you going in the darkest of times. You come here for forgiveness, forgiveness of what?”

Sunset rushed over to try and punch her She-Demon in the face to silence her, but the She-Demon just caught her arm midway. The She-Demon stared Sunset in the eyes.

“We always resisted when the truth was right in front of our eyes,” the She-Demon mused. “Let me take over for now.” The She-Demon leaned in closer to Sunset’s face. “You’re confused about yourself, but I can help you see the answer,” the She-Demon whispered. “Is forgiveness truly what you want? Remember how good it felt when you would bathe in the magic of the elements? Even then, you were close of turning back, but your so-called friends were by your side and again you were confused about yourself.” With a free hand, the She-Demon pulled at the guitar on Sunset’s neck. “Be honest with yourself, you want that power back, that feeling of control.”

Deep down in the pit of Sunset’s stomach, she knew the She-Demon was right about everything. She did want that power back, that control, that synergized feeling of mass amount of magic flowing through her. Yet, Sunset also knew she didn't want to be a villain like she was before. The temptation of going back to her old ways was always there, but Sunset kept pushing that out, trying to be different in every way possible.

“Admit it, you hate feeling weak and helpless,” the She-Demon said, every word tugging at Sunset’s conscience.

Slowly the She-Demon started to fade as she kept pushing herself forward on Sunset. Sunset, as much as she didn't wanted to, felt the merging of her other personality within her.

“Sunset, no!” Nightmare Moon screamed. “Do not let yourself fall prey to her tainted words.”

“Sunset, remember all the hard work you went through. Your friends who helped you along the way,” Luna said, struggling more in her bindings.

“Ha, friends. They only help me because Twilight asked them to,” Sunset said in surprise. “Did, did I just say that?”

“Yes,” the She-Demon said, half faded away. “Let the truth come out. The truth you knew deep down.”

Sunset heart was racing as her darkest thoughts were brought to the surface. The feeling she had towards her friends and school. Her defeat and weakness, she was angry and sad, but most of all… confused. Sunset always blamed herself and felt grateful to her friends, that much was true. Then there was a part of her that resented her friends, the feeling that she didn’t belong with them, that she was only there because of Twilight insistence. What if Twilight didn’t ask them to be friends with her, would they have tried on their own? After the anon-a-miss outbreak, Sunset knew her answer. Even then she had forgiven them, but why? They never actually apologized for accusing her, they never even gave her the chance to prove she was innocent until the last minute.

“Now you get it. Why cast me aside? I helped you stay strong, even when no one else was by your side.”

“But I don’t want to be who I was. Even after all of that, they are still my friends.” As Sunset said this, a image of each of her friends appeared behind the She-Demon. Each of her friends bore an ashamed expression on their face. “They made a mistake and had their reasons. I...I-” Sunset started to choke up. As more of the She-Demon merged with Sunset, the more Sunset was starting to understand what was truly going on.

“That is enough,” Nightmare Moon said, destroying the merge between them with a controlled, shielded explosion.

“Dammit. I forgot about you two,” the She-Demon hissed, flying backwards.

The chain that had bonded Nightmare Moon and Luna was gone. The school hallways faded away, replaced by the hallways of the Canterlot Castle. The fading of her She-Demon had caused the chains to unbind, setting Luna and Nightmare Moon free. Sunset slid down the wall and landed on her knees.

“Doesn't matter, I got my point across,” The She-Demon said, losing her she-demon form. Dropping down on one knee, the only thing left of the transformation was her demon wings.

“What?” Luna looked to Sunset with confusion.

“How do you manage to walk in this body?” Nightmare asked before taking to the skies. “Now how about I teach you a lesson,” Nightmare Moon said, encasing the former She-Demon in a bubble, who didn't even complain or move.

Luna took to the skies, as she too found it hard to walk on two legs, and flew over to Sunset. “Sunset, is it true? Have you learned something about yourself and a way to forgive yourself?”

“Yes,” Sunset answered, wiping the tears away from her eyes. “And I also realize I can never forgive myself.”

> Giving In
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sunset stared at Luna and Nightmare Moon, who only stared back at her in mild confusion, their mouths slightly agape. Sunset guessed that they would be confused at her, and truth be told, she was slightly confused herself. Nonetheless, she knew her answer was true, and it was her other self who showed her that. Looking back to her demi She-Demon self, Sunset felt as though she knew the full answer to her own, and everypony’s, question. 

Why? Why do I say I can’t forgive myself?

“Sunset, we do not understand what you mean. Why is it that you feel as though you cannot forgive yourself? Surely, you deserve forgiveness for your actions,” Luna said, floating over to Sunset, who had sat down on the floor with her face buried in her hands.

“Come on, Sunset, you know the truth. Why can't you forgive yourself, huh?” the She-Demon remarked, smirking at Sunset, who paid her no mind.

“That’s just it. I don’t understand, yet I do,” Sunset said, looking up. “I understand that what I did was out of greed. That I had no other motivation that pushed me towards doing what I did other than myself. But, I feel like there’s more to it than just that.”

“Sunset, you do not need to look further than what has happened now,” Nightmare Moon said, landing by Sunset’s side. “While what has happened here was not foreseeable, that does not mean we haven't achieved something.”

“And what was it that you achieved? A little mercy, happiness, forgiveness?” her She-Demon taunted.

“Silence you cur, we will deal with you later,” Nightmare Moon retorted.

The She-Demon rose to her feet and spread her wings out. “Oh, I’m so scared. Who do you think you are? This is still our mind, you do not have any control here whatsoever.”

Nightmare Moon was taken aback by her comment. She had her mouth open, like she wanted to admonish her reasoning, but had no words against it.

Smiling with satisfaction, the She-Demon turned to Sunset. “So, Sunset, you know the real reason why you can’t forgive yourself, ourself. Look deep inside the back of your mind to find the answer, because you and I know it’s there.”

“WHAT DO YOU WANT ME TO SAY?!” Sunset screamed back with tears in her eyes. “I know I’m a bad pony, and what I did was wrong. What more do you want from me?

“The truth,” the She-Demon hissed, coming up to Sunset’s face and looking her dead in the eyes. “I want you to know the truth.”

“Back off, you have done enough already,” Luna said, flaring her wings out, blocking the She-Demon’s sight.

Sunset gently moved Luna’s wing out of the way as she stepped forward. “You’re nothing but a demon of my past. What is it that you're trying to show me? Why do you even care?”

“Why do I care, you ask? You know the answer to that already.” The She-Demon snarled, flying back a little.

Sunset closed her eyes, breathing out slowly. She knew the answer to her own question, but she refused to acknowledge it. She knew her demon was herself, and what she was feeling and had hidden inside. She couldn’t deny it much longer, but she didn’t want to accept it either. She was a greedy tyrant who tried to change for the better.

“Do you not think she deserves some peace of mind from your corruption?” Nightmare Moon asked.

“Did Luna deserve a rest from you?” the She-Demon remarked.

“Then what are thou trying to say?” Luna questioned, her horn glowing from agitation.

The She-Demon smirked as her hand started to glow. “Let me show you.”

With a burst of teal light, an aura surrounded Sunset’s body. With another flash of light, another figure appeared before them, separating from Sunset with ease. The figure was another Sunset, but she glowed a faint orange hue. She had wings made of fire and seemed to be at peace of mind. The flaming Sunset took off in the air and flew around the room before flying behind the She-Demon, fading away. Luna, Nightmare Moon, and Sunset stared out with wide, open eyes from the small display. The She-Demon only looked back and smirked at Sunset, for she knew that Sunset understood.

“I do not understand. What it is that you are trying to prove?” Nightmare Moon queried.

“It is not for you to understand, but for Sunset herself,” the She-Demon said, sitting back down.

Sunset’s mind started to race as all her thoughts and feelings came to the surface. Sunset looked to Luna with shame in her eyes. She knew what that image was suppose to mean.  Herself trying to break free, only to end up falling back to her dark ways. It was the thing Sunset feared the most.

“Princess Luna, I know you were trying to help me forgive myself, but it’s impossible, for I do not have any reason that would allow me to do so. What I did was completely for my own selfish reasons. I was drawn to power, my greediness overcame me, and I tried to run away when I knew it was wrong. You had your reasons that drew out Nightmare Moon. I have no reason for what I have done.”

Luna looked down to Sunset and draped a wing over her shoulder. “Sunset, everypony makes mistakes, but that does not mean thou shall not be forgiven. You made a mistake and you're sorry, that’s enough reason to forgive yourself.”

Sunset looked up at Luna, still feeling regret. “I tried to change who I was to mask my old self. I tried to become different than who I am. Have I truly learned anything?”

The She-Demon flew up and glided towards Sunset. Stopping just near her, she whispered. “You should not try hiding who you are. You can not get rid of me, for I am you, remembered that. Just cause you say you have friends, doesn’t mean they are your true friends. They would never have your back, you know that as well as I do. It happen before, who said it won’t happen again.” With that said, the She-Demon flew backwards and erupted in flames. “You mind has been unlocked and our personality are now entwine? This is not the last we will be speaking to each other.

Sunset watched as her She-Demon faded away, her last words linger in her mind. She wondered what her demon means about unlocked, but she guessed it has something to do with the key on her neck. The biggest question that was now on her mind were her friends. Could she still considered them her friends? She knew that they failed her once before, and she wondered how much more would it take for it to happen again. She put both hands to her head as she now question her own friends. Where was the forgiveness now she wondered. Do she forgive herself, and her friends? Was their anything for her to forgive herself? Should she despise them, even though she knew why her friends did what they did? Now Sunset was more confused than she was when she first came here. At least one question has been answered, and that was her own forgiveness.

Nightmare Moon stood up and looked around, the room around them started changed. They were now standing on top of the hill where Sunset once stood, where she helped her friends defeated the Sirens. The guitar on the necklace started to vibrate in a orange glow, catching Sunset attention. As quickly as it had started, the guitar vibration stopped and went silent all together. The area around her started to blur as Luna and Nightmare Moon transformed backed into their alicorn pony self.

“Sunset, morning is about to come and our sister Tia is calling. We shall wake up before you to lower the moon. Do not fear, we will put you into a peaceful dream. Once you wake up, we can talk more. For now, have a good night rest, and we shall see you when the sun rises.”

With that, a door appear in front of Luna as she stepped through it. Looking back, Luna’s horn flare a azule blue and Sunset vision started to blur soon after. Nightmare Moon walked over to Sunset and bathe her body in the same aura glow.

Nightmare Moon looked down at Sunset as she swayed on her feet, her body changing back into a pony. “Sunset whenever you are here, we will try to visit you as much as possible. For now, I’ll shall watch over you to prevent anymore nightmares occurring for the rest of your slumber.”

Sunset smiled at those words as she laid down, her mind imaging a comfy bed which appeared below her. As Sunset laid down, two images flashed before her eyes, startling her. Her She-Demon self and one of the gems from the elements of harmony. Before she got the chance to question anything more, her mind filled with exhausting, pushed her to her limit and she passed out.

> A Dizzy Morning
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Stirring around, Sunset tried her best to go back to sleep, the soft cool blanket that enveloped her made her all the more tired. Spending the last three minutes turning around in bed, Sunset gave up on trying to go back to sleep and decided to just relax within the soft, azul blue, cool breeze, velvet blanket. It was only mere seconds once Sunset was comfortable did it dawn on her that she was not within her own bed. Sitting up, Sunset looked around and noted that she was still in Princess Luna’s chambers and that her jacket was removed off of her. As the event of last night flooded Sunset awoken mind, she started to feel light headed as she got up and out of bed. Stumbling, Sunset lean against the wall, trying to keep herself from falling over. Trotting to the door, Sunset fell over on the floor, the side of her head pounding with an intense pressure. As Sunset laid on the floor, waiting for the pain to subside, the chamber doors cracked open. Two bat pony guards peaked their heads in through the door, fixating their eyes on her. Before Sunset could breathe a word, the two guards launched themself into the room and next to Sunset’s side.

“Miss Shimmer, are you alright? You aren't hurt, are you?” One of the guards asked, a stallion who helped her back onto her hooves.

“I’m…. alright.” Sunset groan as she stood back up. “Probably just a dizzy spell from getting up too fast.” 

As Sunset tried to stand on her own, another sharp pain shot through her head, almost causing her to fall back down. Before she dropped to her knee, the other guard, a mare, was already at her side to catch her.

“Miss Shimmer, are you sure you’re okay?” The mare asked, pushing herself away while still staying close by.

Shaking her head slowly, Sunset took a deep breath before looking back up. “I think... I'll just take it easy for a little bit.” She replied, sitting down and looking around the room, noting that it was just her and the two bat guards. “Where is Princess Luna?”

“The Princess had to leave on a small errand.” The mare replied. 

“The Princess also stated that if you were to awaken before her return, we are to stay by your side until she gets back.” The stallion added, going back to stand by the entrance with the mare following suit.

Sunset wanted to argue that she didn't need any guards, but the throbbing pain in her head told her otherwise. Added on to that little fact, Sunset knew that this was just a mandatory procession, at least until the guards learn who she is. As Sunset was about to get up, there was a small grumbling noise that cause her to blush a little.

Putting a hoof to her stomach, Sunset looked to the guards who was looking back at her. “Umm, is it too early for me to get some breakfast?” She asked, sheepishly.

The mare gave a small chuckle as she looked away. “Right this way Miss Shimmer. We shall inform Princess Luna where you are when she gets back.”

Nodding, Sunset turned to look for her jacket, which she spotted on the edge of the bed. “Let me just get my jacket first.”

“...an’t hide...”

Sunset froze in place, a chill running down her spine as she swore she just heard a voice. The sound was faint and slow, almost a whisper. Looking back to the guards, she saw them waiting digitally for her, both their eyebrows raise.

“Is something wrong Miss Shimmer?” The stallion asked.

“Its… nothing. Just hearing stuff.” Sunset replied, walking towards her jacket. The throbbing pain in her head started to subside to a more bearable buzzing throbbed.


***


Walking down to the royal dining room with both her guards at her side, Sunset replayed the event of last night's ‘dream’. Her demon, her friends, her regrets, her self. Too many things plagued her mind, too many thoughts overlapping one another. Is her friends truly her friends, someone she could count on in a time of crisis? Would they always be there for her, or would it take just a bit more to drive them away again? These two questions bothered Sunset the most, because she didn't even know if she knew the answer to them. And the thought of the first friends she had ever made leaving her again, tore at her heart and mind. Walking into the dining room, Sunset spotted Celestia eating at the table, mindlessly looking at some papers. Both bat guards gave a small bow to Celestia as Sunset went to sit at the table.

“Good morning Sunset. Did you sleep well?” Celestia asked, taking a sip from her tea cup.

“It was, okay.” Sunset answered, forging a false smile.

“I see.” Celestia replied, not looking away from her papers. “And how are you feeling?”

“I… I have a little headache, but other then that, I feel good.” Sunset answered earnestly, stifling a yawn.

“I’m glad to hear that. I suppose with what Luna had you doing last night, you would have a headache for a few hours.” 

Sunset eyes flew open, surprised that her old mentor was aware what had happen. Before Sunset could ask how she known, she realized that Luna may have consulted with Celestia before proceeding with her plan. Shaking the stupify look off her face, Sunset nodded. Celestia eyed Sunset, her face bore a passive neutral look. Soon a chef came out the kitchen, holding a tray that carried their breakfast of pancake, oats, and some juice in his magic. To some other ponies new to the castle, they would wonder how the chef already had their food ready, even when they didn’t ask for it. For Sunset who had lived in the castle before, she knew that the food was pre requested, and probably would have been sent to Luna’s chamber if she hadn't woken up. Taking the food, Sunset and Celestia began to eat in silence, enjoying the peaceful quiet morning. 

As Sunset was eating her breakfast, a blurred image past her sight. Stopping, Sunset looked around, wondering if her mind was playing tricks on her once more. Seeing nothing amiss, she went back to eating her breakfast. Before she could have taken another bite, a sharper pain in her head cause her to drop her fork from her telekinesis grasp. The pain quickly went from her head to her right eye, causing her to put a hoof over it.

“Sunset, is your headache getting worse?” Celestia asked, her voice calm but worried.

“My eye, it hurts.” Sunset said through gritted teeth, her voice barely above a whisper.

“Sunset, I think it may be wise to returned back to Luna’s chamber and rest until she gets back.” 

“Maybe,” Sunset answered, her pain starting to cease. “I think this… headache…” Sunset words died in her throat as she stared at the figure before her.

Standing before her was her She-Demon self, but something was off about her other self. Her She-Demon stood, leaning against the wall in her human form. She didn’t have her wings, her clothes was clean, and she was eating a red apple with no care in the world. The only indication that the image before her was her She-Demons self was the fact that it was twirling Twilight’s crown on her finger. Before Sunset could even croak out a word, the She-Demon looked at her and smiled. The smile alone sent a shiver down Sunset’s spine, it was the same smile she used to give when she was planning something against someone, and now it was directed at her. Taking another bite out of the apple, the She-Demon stood up and walked towards the door. Morphing into her pony version, the She-Demon vanished out of sight in a mirage blurr.

“...set!”

“Miss Shimmer!”

Coming to her senses, Sunset found the concern eyes of both Celestia and the two bat pony guards as they called her name.
“Huh?” Was all Sunset could manage to say, her eyes still fixated on the spot she recently saw herself. 

Celestia turned to the two bat ponies who was standing next to Sunset. “Will you two be so kind as to escort Sunset to my sister’s chamber and make sure she get some rest. I will stop by shortly to check on her.”

Nodding, both guards stood side by side of Sunset, allowing her to use their bodies as support if she so needed. Sunset didn't argued, but she didn't want to sleep and have a chance of running into herself. Hastily, she got up from her seat and follow the guards out the room. 

Stopping by the door, Sunset turned to Celestia. “Princess Celestia, can I ask you a question?”

Celestia looked a bit surprised by the sudden question. “Sure Sunset, what would you like to ask?”

Sunset stood for a moment, wondering just how to word her question properly. After a few seconds of silence, and concerned glances from her guards, Sunset finally spoke.

“Would you still consider a pony a friend, even if they abandon you in a time of need? Or worse, turned on you?”

Celestia raised an eyebrow at that, putting a hoof to her chin. Closing her eyes, Celestia took another sip at her tea in thought. 

“Well Sunset, I believe everypony has a chance to correct themself, even if they made mistakes. If they are truly apologetic by their mistake, then they will make it known. Would I still consider them a friend after such? Yes.”

Sunset mouth twitch, a new question coming to mind. “And what if they never apologise, they just kept moving on like nothing ever happen. Can you consider that a friend as well?” 

“Well, that is a question only one can decide.” Celestia answered and a neutral tone as she looked Sunset in the eyes. “Though, if you would like a better answer than that, I believe Twilight would be the pony you want to talk to. She recently had to deal with such problem as of that. I also believe this could be a nice learning experience for the both of you. How about you visit her once you’re feeling better?”

Sunset blinked a few times at that, not believing that Twilight may have actually face a similar problem. She was curious as to what had happen and how she dealt with it. Seeing as Twilight is both the Princess of Friendship and her friend, she would be more than capable to helping her with this problem.

Before Sunset could reply to Celestia, another sharp pain made it way known as Sunset struggle to keep standing.

“For now, it would be best if you get some rest, Luna should be back soon.” Celestia said, dismissing Sunset and her guards from the dining room.

With both guards bowing, they left the dining room, keeping Sunset in wings length in case she need support. Rounding the corner, a sharp pain shot through Sunset eye, followed by a mango blurr. Closing her right eye, Sunset spotted her other self trotting through the halls, glancing back at her as she did so. It took Sunset only a few moments to realize that the pain in her eye might be linked to her other self.

“Miss Shimmer, if you need to rest, please let us know.” The stallion said, holding Sunset up.

“Umm, thanks. Just give me a few seconds.”

Nodding, both guards gave Sunset some breathing room as she stared forward at her other self, who looked back at her, smiling.

“Why wait for Princess Luna to get back when we can just go to Twilight first.” Her other self spoke, echoing in Sunset’s mind. “She's already out of the palace, I’m sure she wouldn't mind stopping by Twilight as well.”

“Why? And even if I tried, Celestia wouldn't let me go until she knew I was feeling better.” Sunset hissed under her breath, making sure the guards couldn't hear her.

“Celestia, she’s a fool sometimes.” Her other self laughed. “Sure you may need to rest, but you can do that on your way to and in Twilight’s castle.” Her other self said, walking up to Sunset. “I mean, Twilight did gave you your own room in her castle that you can rest in. That again, if you're too afraid to talk to her on your own, then you can just sit back like a good little student and wait for Luna to get back.” The Demon mocked, walking circles around Sunset.

“Why do you want me to go to Twilight first?” Sunset asked, trying to keep her voice down as her head started to throbbed more.

“Why? It’s for the same reason as you, I want to know what our ‘friend’ Twilight have to say.” Her other self laughed. “Think about it, what good would it do you to wait here until Luna gets back, by that time, Twilight could be gone.”

Sunset thought about it. To her, it wasn't a bad idea, and it’s not like anything could go wrong if she did decided to go early. Convincing Celestia that she would be okay enough to travel might be a problem, but it would be nice to have her friend to talk to afterwards. That again, Luna probably wants her to stay at the palace, and Sunset didn’t know how please Luna would be if she left. And it not like she wouldn't see Twilight again if she was gone, she would just have to wait until she gets back.

Her other self started to laugh as she faded away, leaving Sunset with her decision.

“The clocks ticking Sunset, so what is it going to be?”

> Key Change
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sunset walked back into Luna’s chamber, leaving the guards by the front door. Sunset hopped back onto the Princess’s bed, laying her head back down on the azul blanket. The midnight cool breeze drafting off the blanket were cold enough to help Sunset’s headache to start subsiding.

In the end, I ended up going back to the chamber to wait for Princess Luna. Ugg, I wish this headache would go away and my eye stop hurting. Sunset thought, cuddling on the bed, ready to take a short nap. Still, I wonder why my other self seemed insistent on me visiting Twilight first? Sunset thought back to what her other self said, how she said it. Soon Sunset’s mind came to a halt, a new thought arising to her. Did she not want me to see Luna first? Why would that be?

Groaning, Sunset shut her eyes tight when a sudden pain shot through her head. Putting a hoof over her eyes, Sunset tried her best to relax and not think about her friends or her other self. With her eyes covered and the breeze drifting off the blanket, Sunset found herself slowly drifting off to sleep.

Wow, I’m surprise that you actually came back to wait like the good student you are.”

Sunset ears perked up to the sound of the mocking voice, a pain shooting through her eye.

“And here you are, all cozy on the Princess bed, just waiting for her to get back. Oh, what's wrong Sunset, are you in, a little pain?”

Lifting her hoof away from her eyes, Sunset opened her one good eye. In front of her was her other self, in her human form sitting backward on a chair, still eating a apple.

“What do you want now?” Sunset growled.

“Nothing, maybe I just wanted to chat.” The She-Demon laughed, lowering her head so Sunset couldn't see her face.

“Now you’re ready to talk?” Sunset scoffed, covering her eyes with her hoofed again. “Why? I already understand how I’m a terrible pony. I’m confused about myself and you, my She-Demon. And now... now I don’t know if my friends are the friends I can rely on.”

The She-Demon chuckled dryly. “She-Demon? Can you still refer to me as that?”

“It’s what you are, and what I was.” Sunset answered bitterly.

“Am I? Maybe. Though I think I deserve a better name then ‘She-Demon’.”

“You're just a part of me, a part of my mind. But if you like go ahead, I’ve got too much on my mind to deal with or to worry about you,” Sunset said, trying to shoo away her other self.

“You still don’t get it, do you?” The She-Demon growled, the fierce of the sound causing Sunset to wreath in pain. “You can’t cast me away any more.”

Sunset opened her eyes in time to see her She-Demon morph back into her pony self, giving her an icy glare, then faded away along with Sunset’s throbbing headache. Sunset let out a loud groan as she buried her face into the velvet blanket and passed out.


***


Sunset felt a hoof on her, gently rubbing her back as she stirred awake. Muffling a yawn, Sunset rubbed her eyes and stretched.

“Good morning Sunset Shimmer.” Princess Luna said, gently rubbing Sunset’s back. “Our sister told us you were having head trouble. We came to check on you to see if your doing better.”

“Yeah, I’m doing a little better now.” Sunset replied with another stifled yawn.

Sitting up on the bed, Sunset turned her head, only to find her other self sleeping across from her. Blinking owlishly, Sunset turned back to Luna, only to see Luna shaking her head and a hoof over her lips.

“You can see her?” Sunset asked, taken aback that Luna can see her other self.

“Indeed we can.” Luna confirm with a nod. “She may be in your mind, but her appearance is followed by a daydream spell. This is something we learn when dealing with our self as well.” Craning her neck to look at Sunsets other self, Luna then asked a similar question. “What do we call her? We can’t keep calling her your other self or a She-Demon. Do she have a name she prefer to be called?”

“No.” Sunset answered, hopping off the bed and trying to steady herself. “I don’t really know what to call her other then my She-Demon. Maybe Lilac, like the Lilac flower that blooms or Lilith? I don’t really know.” Sunset said, looking back at her She-Demon.

Princess Luna turned to look at the She-Demon on the bed before giving Sunset her reply. “We think Lilith is a more suitable name for her. And Sunset, we got these for you.” Luna said, her horn glowing a light blue as a bag floated over to Sunset’s side.

Baffled, Sunset looked at the bag as her horn started to glow. Removing the items inside, Sunset found herself levitating a necklace with both her dream key and her small guitar on it. She let the items twirl in her magic before turning to Princess Luna.

“How did you get these? I thought these items were only in my dream?” Sunset questioned, slowly letting the necklace fall over her head and down onto her neck.

“You need not to worry how we were able to obtain them Sunset. It was not a difficult matter for us, but these items are the exact same ones you had that we pulled from the dream realm. These items are special so do keep them on you at all time.” Luna said, her eyes glancing over to Lilith as she slept. “Those items will also help keep your other self at bay.” She added, giving Sunset a warm smile.

“At bay?” Sunset query, looking at the necklace. Luna gave Sunset a nod, but didn’t say much more. Giving one last final yawn, Sunset remembered that she had wanted to visit Twilight. Looking back to the bed, she found that Lilith had disappear from sight.

“Do not worry Sunset, she just went back to the dream realm. We are very surprised that she had manage to hold her form here for so long, even while sleeping?” Luna said puzzled.

“I see,” Sunset mummered, looking back to Luna. “Princess Luna? Is it alright if I head back to Twilights’? I have some things I want to ask her, plus, I still feel a little out of place staying here…” Sunset let her voice fall as she turned her head, her leg rubbing up against the other.

Princess Luna turned to look at Sunset, her eyes scanning her and her face, which showed no change in expression. “We would prefer you stay here for a little longer, so we may keep an eye on you. Another day perhaps, so we may check on you in your dream as well. We do not know for sure if you will be alright with your-, with Lilith free from your subconscious. May we ask what it is you wishes to speak with young Twilight about?”

Sunset turned away as she looked up to the starry ceiling of Princess Luna’s chamber. She didn’t have a reason to lie, but at the same time, something in her conscious made her want to withhold the information. Maybe it was because, she, herself didn’t understand it yet.

“I…” Sunset’s voice falter as she looked for the best words. “I want to talk to Twilight about her friends and how she gets along with them. I, also want a little advice from her as well, dealing with the friends we share.”

Princess Luna stayed quiet as she mold over Sunset’s words. Soon a small, soft smile crossed her face as she trotted over to Sunset. “We understand what it is you are asking, but, do you think you are feeling well for traveling? We heard from the guards and our dear sister that you have been in pain and almost past out in the halls.” Luna asked with concern.

“Yeah, I think I’ll be okay.” Sunset replied, scraping the floor with her hoof. “I think my body was just exhausted from last night’s ‘dream dive’ we did, but I’m feeling better now.”

Sunset saw Luna looking at her with skepticism, but she didn’t intrude much further into the matter. Turning to the door, Luna looked backed to her. “If you say you are feeling up for the task, then I have no need of stopping you.” Giving Sunset another warm smile, she also added, “That said, we will be assigning you two of our guards to watch over you incase anything goes out of control. It be the same guards that is standing guard outside the door as we speak. Is that okay with you Sunset?”

“It’s alright with me.” Sunset nodded, getting up to follow Luna out the chamber. With a small growl from her stomach, Sunset remember she haven't gotten the chance to finish her breakfast do to all the pain she had.

Luna chuckled as she looked to her student. “We take it you wasn’t able to finish your breakfast before coming back to our chamber to rest?” Luna asked, which Sunset only gave a blush as a response to the question. “Very well. We shall stop by the kitchen and see if we can still get you some breakfast to eat. I shall prepare our chariot for travel while you have your breakfast.”

“Thank you Princess Luna.” Sunset said happily, her mind for the momentarily at ease as they were about to exit the chamber.

“Sunset, one last thing.” Luna said, her horn glowing as she grasp the door handle. “As long as you have that key on you, Lilith should not be able to cause you any more head pain.”

Sunset fell speechless, her eyes falling to the key resting around her neck. She noticed the key had a soft, dim glow to it, one that could almost be missed if she wasn't looking down at it. A small light ran down the base of the key as it twinkle. Sunset looked at the key more puzzled, she felt, there was something off about it, but she couldn't put her hoof on it.

Is it supposed to look, weird, or off colored?
> Peaceful Ride
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sunset laid splayed out on the chariot floor as it flew through the skies, her royal guards staying quiet as they pulled the chariot along. Sunset was too lost in her thoughts as her hoof stroked at the necklace around her neck. She couldn't tell if there was something off about it before, or if it was just her mind playing tricks on her. Giving all she has done since coming back to the palace and going on her dream dive, Sunset knew it was a good chance her mind wasn’t stable. Lifting her head up, she looked over the edge of the chariot, watching the land below her pass by swiftly as the wind whipped her mane. 

“Feeling nostalgic? It has been some time since we’ve had a view up here like this, one that wasn't wary like coming back to the palace to meet Princess Celestia.” Lilith spoked, catching Sunset off guard as she turned her head to meet her.

Facing Lilith, Sunset wondered why she was here this time as she let out an audible groan. What she didn't expected to see was Lilith in her human form, laying on the edge of the chariot side. The way Lilith wore her clothes gave her a bit of a difference to Sunset’s formal wear. Her leather jacket was zipped up, just stopping past her chest as if to show off her cleavage. Lilith still wore the same skirt as Sunset, but she also wore black leggings underneath it as well.

“You should get off that edge before you fall.” Sunset whispered her warning, noting just how dangerously close Lilith was from falling off if her balance shifted in the slightest.

Lilith just smirked as she deliberately lean over the edge, causing Sunset eyes to go wide with fear. “Don’t worry Sunset, if I fall, I’ll just retreat back into the dream realm.” She said nonchalantly, smiling as she saw Sunset expression barely changed.

“That is not the point!” Sunset snapped in a hushed toned, not wanting the guards to hear her arguing with herself, both literally and figuratively. Putting a hoof to her temple, she closed her eyes and sigh. “Can't you just, I don't know, grow a pair of wings for me or something? Just humor me, okay.” Sunset asked, not liking the idea of watching herself hanging on death’s edge and ended up falling over.

Lilith turned over, planting her feet on the chariot’s floor as she sat up right. “I just can't grow a pair of wings’ when ever I want to. I don’t know if you notice Sunset…” Lilith whispered, leaning in closer with a smirk on her face. “But we are not an alicorn, we don't have wings.” She chuckled, leaning back once again faking as if she was about to fall over the edge.

Sunset glared at Lilith, a hard scowl crossing her face as her magic reached out and grabbed Lilith’s collar. “Don’t lie to me,” she growled, knowing full well Lilith could do just that and grow a pair of wings.

Lilith rolled her eyes as she sigh. With flames bursting out her back, Lilith brought forth her demon wings once again as they came into full view for Sunset. “Better?” She asked with a bit of sarcasm, crossing her arms and legs, giving her wings a small flap.

“Better.” Sunset said relieved, sitting on the chariot’s floor as she let out a breath. “So what do you want now?” She asked, knowing herself very well that she doesn't just show up without a reason. And giving this was her demon self, Sunset knew full well there was a reason she was here.

“I just want to talk.” Lilith said, moving on to the chariot floor and sitting down, her legs crossed and her face neutral. 

Sunset looked over the edge of the chariot once more, seeing Twilight’s castle coming into view. It’ll be a little longer before they reach the castle itself, Sunset knew that much, so she turned back to Lilith. “Alright Lilith, what do you want to talk about?” Sunset asked, just wanting to get this over with.

“Is that my name, Lilith?” Lilith asked puzzled, one of her eyebrows raising high. She then put a hand to her chin as she thought about it before a smile crossed her face. “I like it. As for what I want to talk about, I just wanted to talk to you.” She said, leaning in with one hand on her knee as she still had a wicked smile to her appearance.

“About what?” Sunset asked, now curious. She didn't expect Lilith to be interested in just a simple conversation. That again, Sunset didn’t know her other self well enough to say that with one hundred percent certainty, she only knew about as much of Lilith’s personality as her own before Twilight showed her the magic of friendship.

“About anything really.” Lilith said, now looking relaxed as she sat back and looked at her nails. “Seeing as we can now communicate together, let’s get to know each other better, shall we?” She asked with a smirk followed by a wink.


***


Landing near the castle’s front door, the lunar guards had removed their harnesses as they place the chariot near the castle’s door. Sunset on the other hand was feeling a little woozy after her ‘very normal’ conversation with Lilith. 

Normal? Who am I kidding? There is absolutely nothing normal about me, or any of this. Sunset thought to herself as she knocked on the door. 

It was only a few moments before the door was open by the little baby drake who greeted Sunset and her guards. “Welcome back Sunset.” Spike said, giving a quick salute to the guards as he let them in. “Are you looking for Twilight? If so, she should be in the back looking for something that Princess Luna asked for.” He said as they came in.

“Yeah I am, and thanks spike.” Sunset said, turning to her guards. “I think I'll be safe from here on, so you two can relax and wait for me here. I’m going to go find Princess Twilight.” Sunset said, earning a small bow from the guards as Spike went off to get the guards something to snack on. Leaving the guards in the main room, Sunset started down the halls, looking for any signs of Twilight. 

“So, what are we going to ask the princess about?” Lilith asked, walking out of one of the adjacent rooms. 

“What ‘I’ plan to ask is about ‘me’ and Twilight’s friends.” Sunset said, somehow getting use to Lilith sudden appearance. “At least I hope they are my friends.” She mumbled under her breath with clear uncertainty.

Lilith just chuckled as she faded out from sight. “Still weak and pathetic…” She whispered, fading out completely as her words linger in the air.

Sunset just shook her head from Lilith’s words. “I am not weak…” She mumbled to herself, though she was starting to find that hard to believe. Sunset really didn't want to admit it, but deep down, she felt as though she gotten weaker, even with the magic of friendship. If she even had that. If Sunset had to be honest with herself, she knew she had lost that certainty and clarity she once had, when she always knew for certain about things. Now, everything seem uncertain to her as she found herself becoming more and more lost as she looked for answers to her own questions. “Please Twilight, I could really use some guidance right about now.” Sunset continue to mumbled to herself as she looked for Twilight, fear and doubt creeping further up in her mind.

> Questioning Friends
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Twilight and Sunset sat in the back room of Twilight’s castle, a personal library of her own design thanks to Celestia. The room wasn't large or grand like the main library, but something smaller and admittedly cozier to the two studious pony's. Sunset did not asked much about the small room, as that was far from her current thoughts.

When Sunset had found Twilight, she did nothing to hide her worries or uncertainties. It was only when Twilight asked her what was wrong did Sunset started to tell her friend of her worries. At first it started with Sunset just talking about her worries, but it somehow turned into her retelling her time with her friends, what they have done and why she felt how she did now. After Spike had brought them some tea to drink, Sunset noticed she had spent nearly an hour just letting everything within her pour out. Thankfully to her, Twilight did nothing to cut her off, just listen with open ears to her friend worries. 

Once done, Twilight stayed quiet, mauling over everything Sunset had said to her. “And Celestia said that it would be a good idea to ask me about this, since I may have had something similar?” She asked out of both clarification and curiosity. 

Sunset nodded her head, leaving out the part of Celestia saying it be a good learning experience for the both of them. She knew she could trust both Celestia and Twilight, but she didn't want Twilight thinking this was a test given to her by the Princess. 

Twilight put a hoof to her chin, thinking. “The only thing that would come close to that is Discord. A while back, Discord betrayed my friend Fluttershy… No, he betrayed all of us after we gave him a chance at redemption. Though…” Twilight cheek flare red as she started to chuckled. “...beside Fluttershy, the rest of us was still skeptical of him. We didn’t trust or by into his change, despite the fact we should have been his friends...” Coughing into her hoof, she looked back to Sunset serious again. “Anyway, you remember Tirek and what I told you that had happened during that time?”

“Yeah, I remember.” Sunset said, thinking back on what Twilight had told them during the sleep over at Pinkie’s house. “Tirek was an ancient evil centaur that was draining pony of their magic and cutie mark. He destroyed your old library and even down the Princesses after they gave you all of their magic. You battle him and almost lost but the with help from your friends and the tree of harmony, you all got a boost in magic and was able to vanquish him. Does that have something to do with Discord?”

“Yes, but that was the short and cut version. A lot more stuff actually happen during that time, and one of those stuff happen to be Discord betrayal.” Sighing, Twilight scraped the floor as she continue on. “During the time when Tirek was draining ponies, he apparently set up an alliance with Discord who, as you might have started to guess, he took the offer. While me and my friends was trying to get every pony to safety before battling Tirek himself, Discord decided to make Ponyville his own little playpen. He literally took full advantage of the chaos and had a field day.” Twilight started to growled under her breath, something that Sunset caught notice of but didn't bothered to speak up about it. 

Twilight looked at Sunset before rubbing the back of her neck. She looked away, words forming on the tip of her tongue. Though she stayed quiet, as if there was something she didn't want to say. She took another sip from her tea, thinking about the situation now that she was retelling it, a sad realization on crossing her face. 

“What happen after that? What made him change then?” Sunset asked, a bit of confusion on her face.

“He was betrayed, by Tirek. Once Tirek had what he wanted, he went and drain Discord for more power. It was only after he lost his powers did he saw the error of his ways. It was because of that moment he sought forgiveness from us.” Twilight said softly, her eyes not meeting Sunset. 

Sunset looked at Twilight, before a figure emerge from the corner, catching her eye. She only turned her head a little, having an idea of who it might have been.

“Sounds familiar?” Lilith asked, taking a seat on the far side of the wall in her pony form. “Like how we was once we got defeated. Pretty much sought forgiveness as soon as we was defeated like Discord. We are the same as that of the spirit of chaos.” She added with a shake of her head.

“Even though after all he did, I ended up forgiving him.” Twilight continued, letting out a small sigh. “It was thanks to that we had the power to defeat Tirek. Still, after that, I can’t seem to bring myself to fully trust him.” She admitted, slowly standing up. “If you look at it from the girl's point of view Sunset, you left a deeper wound in them then they let on, or probably even know. A sense of doubt like Discord done to me and my friends.”

Sunset glance to Lilith who didn't say anything but kept her head down. Her gaze soon fell back onto Twilight before falling to the floor as well. This wasn't the answer she wanted to hear, but it was something deep down she already knew. “I… I know I left them with doubt about me, but I'm trying my hardest to prove that I changed. To show that I am different, better than then who I was before. It only took us beating the sirens that I felt I’ve gotten a bit closer to them.”

Twilight gave Sunset a smile, a tender but understanding smile. “I know that and they know that as well Sunset, don't think that they don't. It just takes a little time to get over who you was to who you are now. Just be yourself and they will accept you for who you are as long as you show that you're not going back.”

“But that the thing Twilight, like Discord I hurt them, and like Discord they can't come to fully trust me as well. I… I sometimes wait and wonder what would be the next thing to drive them away. Would it be another gossip, false rumors, maybe someone would accuse me of doing something else.” Sunset blurted out, sitting on her hunches as she hugged herself awkwardly with her hooves. “I don't know if they truly want to be my friends, or if they are just taking pity on me as I tag along with them like a lost puppy. Even after the anon-a-miss incident, they didn't apologize, just shrugged it off and pretended that it never happen. That day, it reminded me of something, something I can't shake off. That in everyone eyes, I am a backstabber and someone who can't be trusted.”

“Sunset... “ Twilight started, moving closer to her to give her a hug. “It takes time. While I am not sure about the other side, or how things work with them fully. What I do know from the time I was there, it takes them a bit longer then us pony to forgive, more so do to what had happen. Yet there is one thing that I am sure of, one thing that is the same between them and us, and that’s doubt. Friends always have doubt in each other Sunset, it overcoming those doubt that make friendship stronger. It’s like Fluttershy, she believed in discord when the rest of us did not. And it was also her who got him to change because she believed in him while we all doubted him. As for being friends, they are your friends, they may be like my friends in this world, but they are also different from my friends as well. What I do know for sure is that they are your friends Sunset. They probably didn't know how to confront you after your innocence was proven. It's a hard thing to do, and even harder when it comes to accusing a friend.” 

Lilith then walked over to Sunset, whispering into her other ears. “But this was different, you tried to explain your innocent, but they didn't believe you. You even begged them to hear you out, but no one did until the end. Ponies are kinder than humans yes, but your friends should always be there to have your back. To always be here, like me.” She said, taking a step back as her shape change to that of her human self. “Just be you, you're not the kindest pony. If you was you as before, you would have gotten that apology, not just from your friends, but from everyone in the school.”

Sunset wanted to lash out at Lilith, to say it was all a lie or that she was wrong, but her mouth wouldn't open. She couldn't say anything to her, not while Twilight was here next to her. And even if she wasn't here, Sunset didn't know how to counter what she said. She just looked down at her jacket, the one she asked Rarity to make in this world, and reminded herself the difference between the two. Sunset gritted her teeth, more doubt flowing into her, something Twilight took notice of.

“Sunset…” Twilight started but stop as something come to mind. Lighting up her horn, she levitated a book over to Sunset, the magic book they both use to communicate with each other. “Sunset, if you don't believe me then look in our friendship book. While you was gone, you got a few messages from your friends wondering how you was doing. They really seem to want to talk to you, maybe something happen or I don't know, just wanted to chat. But the thing is, they thought about you.”

Sunset grab hold of the book in her magic, slowly flipping through the page until she came across the new messages. Lilith walked over, leaning over Sunset shoulder as she too read the messages that was written. It wasn't a worried message, but a simple check up from her friends.  Them telling her of their day as well as asking about hers, asking how she was doing and if she learned anything new. Sunset grew a small smile on her face. Her horn glowing even brighter, she used her magic to grab hold of a quill off of Twilight’s desk. 

Before she was able to pluck the quill from it inkwell, Lilith whisper into her ear, “do you still believe that you don't need me anymore?” She asked, her voice none taunting or accusing, but a simple question. “Even if something happen, to ruin this so called friendship moment. Do you not think it worth keeping me around, to dive back into who you once was, even a little bit? To see that who you are right now isn't the true you but a façade. You're more closer to me, to us then you would ever be to any of them. So why are you trying so hard to cast yourself away and become something new?” That last question sounded hollow to Sunset, like a fading wind as Lilith vanish from sight. “No matter how hard you try Sunset, I will be with you, forever…”

Sunset gritted her teeth once again, looking at the book but not at the words. Why, why do she, I, my other self always has to make things difficult for me? Have I paid enough already? I just want a peace of mind, to figure myself out and my friends. She thought to herself, closing the book. 

Looking back up to Twilight, she found her scrawling through her shelves once more, looking for something. Plague with two questions, though one was more important than the other one.  “Twilight, how did you get closer to your friends, to have such faith in them as well as that bond?”

Twilight crane her neck, looking back at Sunset with a smile. “I’ve had a long time to be with them, to learn about them. What I think helped the most was the adventures we went on together. All the adventures, evil we face, challenges and sometimes shenanigans helped build our friendship even more. Why do you ask?”

“I, wanted to know how I could get closer to my friends.” Sunset admitted, looking away a tad bit embarrassed. 

Twilight just smiled with a chuckled, pushing a few books on the shelves. “Just spending time with them can fix that. Try individually first, then all of them together. A little one on one helps to understand a friend more then you would in a group, that’s what I learn from being around Pinkie Pie and Rainbow Dash. It also helps to be a little… selfish at times, to do things you want to do instead of always doing what your friends want.. That way your friends can learn about you as well.”

Sunset nodded her head, the last part has been something she hasn't done too much of. Though she made a mental note to change that, she was happy how things were at the moment, of her learning about her friends. Though that helped her with her questions about her friends, she still had her own self to worry about. She made up her mind that she could never forgive what she has done, so she wonder what does she need to do different to make it better. What about her did she need to change to make Lilith stop burdening her mind, plaguing her with such negative feelings and doubt. She felt like she was missing something, something obvious but she didn't know what. 

Maybe Nightmare Moon can help me tonight, help me figure out Lilith and what to do to stop her. She thought, but the words Lilith said kept echoing in her mind, something she was sure of was Lilith doing. Those words she said time and time again, that Sunset was not being her true self. 

Shaking her head and leaving the book close, she decided to asked her second question, something to distract her. “Twilight, what are you looking for?”

“I'm looking for a book on golem arcane knowledge. I asked Luna if I could borrow it to learn more about golems. Luna needs it back and I can't remember where I place it, I was sure it was here but maybe, maybe I put it in my room, hmm.” Twilight sigh, moving away from the shelves as she open the room door. 

“Is this for Sypher, mind if I helped?” Sunset asked, trotting behind Twilight as she was glad to be on a different subject. She had been meaning to asked about Sypher, but with her current thought train, it was no wonder it derailed and she nearly forgot about him. She only wish her negative thought about herself and her friends would derailed and be forgotten instead, maybe then she would be happy.

“It will never derailed, I won't let you forget until you understand Sunset. No more running away, I don't want to be forgotten again. I know you still need me, you can't escape me!”