Sunset decides to come back to Equestria, but is not prepared for the new changes she appears to have gone through. As she realizes she is an alicorn now in this world, Twilight insists she stays so all questions can eventually be answered.
After much convincing from Twilight, Sunset Shimmer decides returning to Equestria for a day wouldn't be such a bad idea. After all, a quiet afternoon with one of her closest friends wouldn't be much of a problem... right?
Well, possibly so, if Sunset didn't return as an alicorn. Now, Twilight has more questions than answers, and is determined to figure out everything and not let Sunset leave until she's finished.
Now, as Princess Celestia thinks Sunset's a princess and Twilight seems to be continuously persuading her to get her to stay, Sunset can't help but wonder: will she ever make it back home?
Sunset Shimmer sat down in the grass, most of her friends already there. The seven had planned a get-together for the afternoon, and decided to meet in their favorite space to talk and hang out. It was the beginning of summer, and luckily, the temperature was perfect, so an outside meeting place seemed like a great idea.
"How has your day been, everyone?" Pinkie, the last to show up, asked as she ran into the area and sat down next to Sunset.
"Oh, it's been great, dear!" Rarity responded, a large smile growing across her face.
Rainbow Dash snorted. "Yeah, it's because your little loverboy, Blueblood, texted ya," she said, smirking. Rarity blushed.
"R-Rainbow Dash, we are not lovers! He's just... so handsome..." She trailed off as she cupped her face, light dancing in her eyes as her thoughts ran wild.
Fluttershy giggled. "Well, I guess we'll leave Rarity to her daydreams. I've had a pretty good day so far."
Applejack nodded. "Me, too! Well, except for the fact that Big Mac's been cranky all day fer whatever reason. When he's mad, it sort of rubs off on the rest of the family."
"Aww, I'm sorry! Hopefully we'll help you feel better!"
Applejack smiled. "Well, Ah hope so. Ah always feel better after hangin' out with y'all."
Pinkie beamed. "That's great! So... Dash! How about you?"
Dash shrugged. "Eh, it was pretty cool. I practiced soccer a bit, and also played a bunch of video games. Speaking of, AJ, you need to come over sometime so I can beat you again!"
Applejack snickered. "Heh, Ah doubt you'll be able to!"
Dash got in Applejack's face. "Oh, you wanna bet?"
"Twilight!" Pinkie exclaimed, cutting off Dash and Applejack's conversation. "What about you?"
Twilight smiled. "It's been a pretty good day for me. I've started reading a really good book."
Pinkie smiled as well. "Good! So, that leaves... Sunset! How was your day?"
"Average," Sunset responded as she moved a piece of grass around in her hand. "Oh, also, Equestria's Twilight has been bugging me a lot. My book could not stop vibrating earlier."
Pinkie blinked. "Ooh! I wonder what she wants?"
Sunset sighed. "She wants me to come back to Equestria for a day."
Rarity snapped herself from her trance as she heard. "Oh, how wonderful, darling! Say, why haven't you gone back before now?"
Sunset bit her lip. "Well..."
Pinkie raised a brow. "Hey, I thought you would be so much more excited than you are now! I mean, I would love to be a pony for a day and hang out with Twilight!"
Sunset played with her hands. "It's... a lot different for me. You know I didn't leave Equestria on such great of terms."
Pinkie shrugged. "So? Twilight knows you're better now! I'm sure she's told all your friends about you!"
Sunset nodded. "She probably has, but still. Going back to Equestria would just bring back horrible memories of my old self that I would rather forget. Besides, getting accustomed to hooves again would be hard."
"Well, what's so wrong with spending an afternoon there? You can just see Twilight, have lunch, and come back, right?" Fluttershy asked.
Sunset nodded. "Theoretically. I mean, I can ask if we can stay in the castle all day, since there are definitely some ponies I do not want to run into."
Pinkie nodded. "Well, ask her! If you're more comfortable that way, I'm sure she'll be fine with it!"
"Well... it can't hurt. I mean, I guess it might be nice to eat my favorite Equestrian sandwich again," Sunset responded with a light giggle.
Applejack nodded. "Yeah! In mah honest opinion, y'all should totally go back! Twilight'll understand yer wishes, and if not, y'all can just come back."
Sunset nodded. "You're right. So... I'll go over tomorrow afternoon."
Pinkie smiled. "You better go! It'll be a great wave of nostalgia for you!"
Sunset uneasily smiled. "Um... yeah, I guess. As long as I don't remember anything too bad, I'll be fine."
"Twilight should be very happy to hear," Fluttershy said. Sunset smiled.
"You're right. She will be. Also, it would be nice to see her castle..."
Pinkie beamed. "Yay! You're committed on going!"
Sunset chuckled. "I guess so. After all, what's the worst that could happen?"
Sunset stood in front of the portal the next day, bracing herself. After she got home the day before, Sunset had told Twilight she could make it, and Twilight excitedly responded to her, ending her sentences with many exclamation points. As Sunset steeled another deep breath, she looked around her. If anyone caught her walking through the portal... that would be trouble. What if they tried to go in, too, and ended up in Twilight's castle, unsure of themselves or their surroundings? Once Sunset determined there was no one around the school, she stuck her hand in, feeling the very familiar aura around her. She closed her eyes, taking a sudden but quick dive in, hoping for the better and to not land right on her face.
Sunset felt her back hit hard ground, the momentum from the dive causing her to roll along the ground. Luckily, she stopped rolling right before she hit a wall. Her eyes slowly fluttered open, fuzzily showing the crystal walls of the Castle of Friendship. Sunset looked down to her hooves, feeling her heart race as she saw a part of her old body. She tried to stand up, feeling her legs wobbling as she did. She eventually stood up straight, fighting the urge to not stand on two legs. As she stood on four legs again, she felt like it was completely normal for her, even if it had been quite a while. Now, she could get a good look around the room. Besides the portal, there wasn't much else besides a few stray books laying on the ground.
"Hey, Sunset!" A voice greeted. Sunset turned around, seeing Spike walk up to her in his dragon form. She barely recognized him, but the colors were a dead giveaway of who it was.
"Hey, Spike! Where's Twilight at?"
Spike pointed to the hallway. "She's coming. She was putting the sandwiches in the dining room."
Sunset nodded. "Alright."
Spike smiled. "So... are you getting used to your pony form again?"
Sunset blinked. "Well, I mean, I guess so. Though, I think I'm taller than I was last time I was here. Also, something seems to be weighing down my back..."
At this, Twilight ran into the room, gasping. "Sunset!" She exclaimed, running up to her friend and giving her a hug. Sunset hugged her back.
"Oh, I'm so glad you're here! I have so much to show you! Oh, also, you need to check out my library!"
Sunset giggled. "Alright, alright. I gotta admit, this is a pretty nice castle."
Twilight hugged Sunset tighter. "Thank you!" As Twilight hugged her friend, Her hooves delicately brushed against her back. As they did, Twilight drew apart.
"Sunset... what's on your back?" She asked. Sunset blinked.
"Oh, there's something there? It feels like there is... what is it?" She asked, turning around. As she did, Twilight gasped.
"Sunset... you... you're..."
Sunset looked back to Twilight, confused. "What is it?"
As she did that, she felt Twilight poke at the side of her back, and an unfamiliar muscle moved itself. As it did, she looked down to see... a wing spreading out from her side. Her eyes widened, both wings now shooting out from her. She touched the feathers delicately, looking at them with her jaw to the ground.
"Ah... um..." Sunset tried to say something, finding it impossible to speak.
Twilight looked just as shocked as Sunset was, and Spike was looking between the two, confused.
"Why would you be an alicorn, Sunset?" Spike asked. Sunset turned to him.
"I don't know!" She and Twilight answered at the same time. Sunset moved her wings, lightly flapping them against her side.
"They're completely functional..." Sunset noticed. Twilight, meanwhile, was magically grabbing a bunch of notebooks and quills.
"Sunset! Did something happen in the other world related to you sprouting wings?" Twilight asked, preparing to write down notes. Sunset thought.
"Um... well, once-"
"When?!" Twilight asked, getting in Sunset's face. Sunset blinked.
"Well... when I was singing about how my past doesn't define me."
Twilight jotted down a few things. "Okay... okay. What happened? Did they just... appear?"
Sunset nodded. "Yeah. They disappeared after a short time and never came back, so I didn't think much of it."
Twilight gave her a confused look. "That... that doesn't make sense! Or... maybe if you sprout wings just once in that world, it gives you them in this world?"
"Um..."
"Wait... would this mean you're a... princess? I-"
Sunset's pupils shrunk. "Nope! I have done nothing for Equestria. There is no way I can be a princess! I don't even live here anymore!"
Twilight wrote down a few more things on the paper she was using, looking between her writing and Sunset. "Well... the only way we'll know for sure is to see Princess Celestia."
Sunset's heart raced as her ears pressed flat against her skull. "N-no! We are not doing that!"
Twilight tilted her head. "Why not? Celestia knows all about you! I've told her everything!"
Sunset looked to the ground. "I... she... Twilight, I really didn't leave on a good note. I never intended to meet up with her again! I-"
"Sunset, come on. You're an alicorn. Celestia needs to see this! Maybe you-"
Sunset shook her head. "No! Twilight, I cannot see her! I'll be leaving soon anyway, so what's the big deal? Sure, I have wings, but it's not like I'm going to stay here for much longer, so I can just ignore them so we can have lunch!"
Twilight shook her head. "No. Sunset, nothing like this has ever happened before! Princess Celestia needs to see you!"
"But... I can't face her! Do you know how terrible of a student I used to be?!"
"Sunset, she's forgiving! Trust me when I say that she's put all this behind her! You just said you sang a song about how your past does not define you, so why don't you take advice from that?"
Sunset blinked, staying silent for a moment as she took in Twilight's words. "Oh. You're actually... right," she replied, looking to the ground. "I just... don't know..."
Twilight put a hoof on Sunset's shoulder. "I get it. It's hard. But trust me when I say that she has forgiven you, and would love to see you again. Also... I need to know why you're an alicorn. It could be that something's wrong with the magic in the other world that has caused you to grow wings. This isn't just for me, it's for you and your world."
Sunset sighed. "Well... when you put it like that..."
Twilight smiled. "So... you'll see her?"
Sunset shrugged. "I mean, I guess so. If you're really so insistent. But... I'll probably need your help."
Twilight beamed. "Great! And of course I can help you! Spike!" She said, looking to the side to see that Spike had disappeared somewhere. Twilight shrugged. "Well, he'll figure out where we are eventually. He probably left when we started shouting."
Sunset nodded. "Yeah, probably..."
"So, can I teleport us?" Twilight asked. With a hesitant gulp, Sunset answered.
"Sure."
Twilight smiled, looping a hoof around Sunset. Within a second, Sunset felt a wave of magic ripple around her, and with a bright flash, found herself appearing next to the Canterlot castle.
Sunset shook her head, forgetting how it felt to be teleported. After all, it had been a long time since she was exposed to Equestria magic in Equestria. They ended up right in front of the castle, Sunset now looking around. Her legs immediately started quivering.
"Um... Twilight?"
"Yes?" Twilight asked.
"...Are you sure Princess Celestia won't be mad at me?" Sunset asked, flicking her tail. Twilight shook her head.
"Sunset, trust me, Celestia is perfectly alright. She knows you're redeemed."
Sunset gulped. "Well... alright. Sorry to keep worrying, Twilight."
Twilight waved a hoof. "It's alright. I understand what you feel, but you have to see her again sooner or later."
Sunset smiled. "I know. I guess... I'll be fine."
Twilight's wings spread in excitement. "That's the spirit!" She said, walking up to the castle guards. The guards immediately bowed and let her enter, but stopped Sunset with their spears.
"Don't worry, she's with me," Twilight said. The guards nodded, letting Sunset in. Sunset walked up by Twilight, sighing.
"Do you think those guards remember me?"
Twilight shook her head. "I doubt it. And, if they do, don't worry about it. I'll be with you the whole time." They then reached the doors to the throne room, Twilight spreading her wings as she faced the guards.
"I request an emergency meeting with Princess Celestia."
The guards nodded. "Very well, your highness. Is this mare with you?"
Twilight nodded. "She is."
Meanwhile, as the guards opened the doors, Sunset felt her heart pump harder and faster. She took a deep breath, mentally telling herself that she'll be alright. After all, Twilight did tell Celestia everything great that's happened to Sunset in the other world. After taking another deep breath, she stepped up to the door, still hesitantly waiting as Twilight spoke to her old mentor. As Sunset looked in, she noticed that Celestia hadn't changed at all since she left for the other world. Her mane was still regal, her posture was still perfectly straight, and she still radiated a welcoming presence, which Sunset was ashamed she took for granted when she was younger.
"Celestia, I have something that I need to tell you immediately," Twilight said.
Celestia looked down to Twilight, raising a brow. "Hello, Twilight. What is it?"
Twilight gestured to Sunset, motioning for her to come in. Sunset walked into the all familiar throne room as the guards shut the door behind her, feeling wary of the Princess' eyes on her.
"I invited Sunset Shimmer over earlier, as you can see. But... as she stepped through the portal... we discovered something strange."
Celestia's ears flicked, a warm smile gracing her lips. "Hello, Sunset. Twilight has told me all about your adventures in the other world, and I must say, it is good to see you again."
Sunset fought to make eye contact with Celestia. Her voice was so warm and caring... and also sincere. "Um... Thank you, Princess," she said before bowing. Celestia smiled.
"Sunset, we can catch up after I answer Twilight. I assume that is alright?"
Sunset hurriedly nodded. "It sure is, Princess."
Celestia nodded. "Alright. So, Twilight, what did you notice that you felt the need to tell me about?"
Twilight looked to Sunset. "Well... Sunset, why don't you show her?"
Sunset blinked before nodding, stretching out the new muscles at her sides. They were pretty sore and felt like they haven't been moved in ages, but Sunset spread them out, looking between Celestia and Twilight.
Celestia was staring at Sunset in complete confusion, looking between the wings and Sunset's face. "Sunset... what happened? What do you think could have caused this? Have you... done anything important in the other world? Have you sprouted wings?"
Sunset nodded. "Well, once in the other world, I sprouted firey wings. I was singing about how the past doesn't define me, and... poof, there they were."
Twilight nodded. "I have no idea why they appeared in that world, or why they're in this world, either. So... maybe you know?"
Celestia blinked. "To be completely honest... this is quite the oddity. I've never seen a pony made an alicorn without my intervention." She put a hoof to her chin. "Well, I know the magic in the other world appears in very strange ways and makes very strange changes. Sunset, is it true you were given mind reading powers?"
Sunset nodded. "I was."
Celestia thought. "Interesting... Sunset, there are two possible reasons for this scenario. It's either some magic mishap, or the magic chose to make you an alicorn."
Sunset raised a brow. "How does the magic 'choose' someone?"
"Magic can sometimes have a mind of its own. After all, how else would you and your friends be the only ones to get super powers in the other world, as well as getting powers that reflect your talents and interests?"
Sunset blinked. "Oh."
Celestia nodded. "I'm leaning towards the magic choosing you. Those wings aren't any normal pegasus wings, after all. So, part of me is inclined to believe the magic wanted you to lead Equestria as a princess."
Twilight and Sunset's eyes both widened. "What?!" They asked simultaneously.
Celestia nodded. "It would make sense."
Sunset shook her head. "Princess, I've done nothing for Equestria! I don't even live here anymore! How can I be a princess?"
Celestia tried to say something, but she immediately stopped herself. "Well... why else would the magic choose you like it did? Obviously, it thought you would be... a great leader."
Sunset raised a brow. "Well, your highness, I'm very sorry, but I don't live here. I live in the other world. Also, what would I be the princess of? Who would I lead? Where would my castle be?"
"Well... you would be... maybe... the Princess of... Redemption and Positive Emotions?"
Sunset fought the urge to roll her eyes. "Princess, why does it sound like you're so unsure?"
"I'm not unsure, Sunset. I was just thinking."
Sunset nodded. "O...kay. Well, I'm terribly sorry, but I'm not fit to be a ruler of Equestria right now. I have friends in the other world, and wouldn't be able to break away to rule here."
Princess Celestia nodded. "As much as we would love your leadership, I understand the appeal of friendship. After all, we wouldn't want you to be miserable. Maybe it was a mishap, but I guess we'll never know for certain."
Twilight raised a brow. "So... is she a princess?"
"If she wants to be... technically, she can be crowned to be the Princess of Positive Emotion like I said before. Like I said, the magic could have chose her."
Sunset shook her head. "It could very easily be just a mishap. So... if it's alright... I can go home later and not take up the crown?"
Celestia blinked, nodding. "If that's what you're inclined to do, Sunset, that's what you can do. I can't force you to do anything. I would be an awful leader if I did, don't you think?" She said with a light giggle. Sunset giggled as well.
"Probably, yeah."
Celestia smiled. "Well, it's really nice to see you again, Sunset. I must admit, I didn't expect you to come back as an alicorn, but the mind in magic has always been a tricky one."
Twilight nodded. "Oh, it has. You probably could imagine my shock seeing her with those wings."
Celestia nodded. "I can picture that very easily, Twilight, you are correct. Also, Sunset?"
Sunset looked up to Celestia. "Hmm?"
"I am very proud of you for how far you've come since you've left this world. You've become a better pony... er... person, and have grown and made so many new friends. I am very pleased with your actions, and have been wanting to see you again."
Sunset blushed, but not before catching Twilight looking at her with a smug grin, her expression practically saying "I told you she would be proud of you".
"...Thank you, Princess. I appreciate it," she said, smiling.
"You're very welcome, Sunset. Now, I apologize we cannot talk like I said, but this ran a bit longer than expected and I have some paperwork to catch up on. Perhaps some other time?"
Twilight waved as well. "Goodbye!" She said, walking out with Sunset. After the guards closed the doors, Sunset looked to Twilight with an eyebrow raised. Twilight scanned her friend's face.
"What is it?"
"I have something to ask you when we get back home. Something just didn't seem right..."
Twilight thought. "I get what you mean... here, I'll teleport us," she said before lighting up her horn. Next thing Sunset knew, they were in a throne room which had six thrones around a large, circular map.
"Woah," Sunset said, looking around.
Twilight nodded. "I know, right? This is my throne room, and that's the cutie map there. When there's a friendship problem around Equestria, the map shows the cutie marks of the ponies who should go solve the problem above the place they need to go."
Sunset looked at the map with interest. "What sort of places have you had to go?"
Twilight smiled as she thought. "All over Equestria, really. Two of my friends had to go to Griffonstone once."
Sunset looked up to her. "Griffonstone? Really?"
Twilight nodded. "Mmhm!"
Sunset chuckled. "I remember the little Griffonstone activity we had to do in Celestia's school. Y'know, the one about the-"
"Super huge research paper on the life and culture of griffons?!" Twilight gasped. "Oh my gosh! I got an 100 on that!"
Sunset rolled her eyes. "Count yourself lucky."
Twilight looked at Sunset as she giggled, letting her gaze linger before she hurriedly glanced away. "So... we've gotten sidetracked," Twilight said, coughing.
Sunset nodded. "We sure have."
Twilight now looked to Sunset again. "So... about that little visit... were you thinking what I was thinking?"
Sunset shrugged. "I mean, if you were thinking that Princess Celestia wasn't giving us the full answer, then yes."
Twilight's wings shot out. "I knew it! I hate to say it and criticize my old mentor, but with her mannerisms, and how she showed how she wanted to crown you that quickly, it definitely seemed like she was hiding something."
Sunset nodded. "Exactly! Like, how she said I would be the 'Princess of Positive Emotions' or something like that. I mean, isn't that Cadance's role?"
Twilight nodded. "Yeah! There's certainly something fishy going on, and I'm going to find out!"
Sunset looked around. "Um... I don't think we'll be able to disturb her again tonight, though."
Sunset raised a brow. "Wait... Twilight, what do you mean by 'we'?"
Twilight looped a hoof around Sunset's shoulder. "You're coming with me tomorrow, duh! We need to find out together!"
Sunset withdrew from her, shaking her head. "Twilight, I'm sorry, but I have to get home. I have to see my friends."
Twilight pouted. "Aww, it's only one more day! Please?" She asked. Sunset blinked, thinking.
"...Well... I mean, as long as I can go home right after we-"
"Yay!" Twilight interrupted, hovering into the air. "I'll get a guest bed all set up for you! Also, it's late now, so we can eat the sandwiches that were supposed to be our lunch for dinner. They were in a container, so they'll be fine," Twilight said before flying out. As she did, Spike entered holding a can of nuts, looking over to Sunset.
"Geez, what's got Twilight all excited?"
Sunset lightly chuckled. "I'm staying another day."
Spike smiled. "Oh, that's great!" He said, walking over to his small throne and sitting down. "So, what's the deal with the wings?"
Sunset shrugged. "We don't really know for sure, but we hope to find out tomorrow. It could have been some magic mishap for all we know."
Spike nodded. "Ah. I'll never understand magic." He shook the can of nuts. "Do you want some nuts?"
Sunset looked at the can, rolling her eyes but smiling. "Sure."
