Sunset Shimmer walked to Canterlot High, the winter snow making a satisfying crunch under her knee-high boots. It had been one long, harsh year for Sunset since Twilight Sparkle ventured here. Over the course of the year, Sunset had made friends and handed out many apologies. She still got the occasional hate now and then, but life was better than it had been. Twilight had made her realize what was in her heart: it was an evil beast, a demon, some might say. But now, after all these years of hatred and fear, she was ready. Ready to return to Equestria. She stood in front of the statue, closed her eyes, and walked through.
...................
Sunset stepped out, and into the Crystal Palace. She looked around the storeroom and saw her cloak draped over a glass display case. She slowly walked to it and picked it up, feeling its smooth lining. It brought back memories. Memories of her stealing Twilight's crown, and of the horrible things she did… Sunset shook her head and put on the cloak, then trotted into a vast hallway. Her hoofsteps echoed along the corridor, just as they had that fateful night. Twilight had completely transformed Sunset Shimmer from a cruel, dark, and boastful tyrant into a kind, considerate, and slightly self-conscious leader. There were still moments where she was wicked: nobody's perfect. Sunset stared at the shiny, polished floor as she walked.
Her warped reflection stared right back at her. Sunset thought. What would she do now that she's back? Where would she go? These thoughts plagued her as she made her way through the Crystal Palace. Eventually she reached the main gate. Her horn lit up with mint green magic, and she stepped out into the Empire. Luna's moon hung high overhead. Sunset looked around at the glimmering city before her. The homes of the Crystal Ponies bathed the night in a soft glow. The air seemed to hold her in its comforting warmth.
"I suppose I should…apologize to Princess Celestia." Whispered Sunset. She made her way through the city until she reaches the train station. Sunset studied at the train schedule: it would be a good 20 minutes before the train arrived. Colored lights were strung up in the gift shop. Sunset trotted up to the window and gazed inside. Decorative snowglobes lined the window sill, and paper snowflakes hung from the ceiling. It must be time for Hearth's Warming Eve. Thought Sunset. Sunset turned from the window, her eyes catching on a painted bench. She trotted over and sat down. It was wonderful being back in Equestria: Sunset hardly realized how much she missed it.
.................
"All aboard!" Called the Conductor. Sunset trotted forward, about to step on. "Ticket please." Said the Conductor.
"I don't have a ticket, the booth is closed." Said Sunset. The Conductor looked her over, then gave a slight nod.
"Alright, I'll let you on. Climb aboard, madam!" Sunset stepped onto the train, then took her seat. The unicorn spread out, then closed her eyes. It would be a long ride to Canterlot: she might as well get comfortable.
"Birds eye view, awake the stars cause' they're all around you, wide eyes will always brighten the blue...chase your dreams, and remember me sweet bravery, cause', after all those wings will take you, up so high..." Sunset Shimmer sang. She pranced around the palace grounds, a blanket of snow beneath her hooves . This sent her remembering the old days. Princess Celestia had been ecstatic about her return, and had gladly accepted her as her student again.
"So bid the forest floor goodbye, as you race the wind, and take to the sky." Sunset's voice drifted throughout the castle, bringing a feeling of happiness to those who heard it. A snowflake drifted and landed on Sunset's nose. She giggled, then shook it off. That have Sunset an idea. Her horn started to glow, and a large snowman was soon in place. Any scrap of maturity left in the orange Unicorn had been blown away in the winter breeze. Her inner filly had come out to play, and she wasn't going away anytime soon. But despite Sunset's new carefree nature, she yearned for one thing: love.
.................
Shining Armor trotted about the palace. Princess Celestia wanted him to meet her student: Sunset Shimmer. Now all he had to do was find her. He glanced out a window and saw a bright orange mare prancing about the courtyard. He had never seen her before, and he knew all the castle staff and guards. He opened the doors and trotted up to this mystery mare. She had her eyes closed, and ran right into him. She blinked, then looked him up and down.
"Sorry about that! I can be a little clumsy." She apologized.
"It's ok. I'm Shining Armor. Do you know where I can find Sunset Shimmer? Princess Celestia asked me to introduce myself." To his surprise, she laughed, almost falling over.
"Good job then, because you found her!" Cheered the mare.
"You're Sunset Shimmer?"
"The one and only!" She puffed out her chest proudly.
"Well then, that was easy."
"Sure was. Now, what do you do around the castle? Don't expect me to believe such a handsome stallion just comes here for fun." Sunset asked, batting her eyes.
"I'm the captain of the Royal Guard. You?" Replied Shining.
"I'm Princess Celestia's student."
"Ok then. What're you doing out in the snow? You'll get a cold."
"Having fun. Care to join me?" Sunset blew a flake of snow off her hoof. She then jumped up, as if struck with a brilliant idea. "I know what we can do! Follow me!" Sunset grabbed Shining by a hoof and dragged him out of the Palace.
"Where are you taking me?"
"You'll see."
Sunset handed Shining a pair of brown leather ice skates. She sat down and put her white skates on, fitting a light purple leg warmer over each ankle. Shining just stared at the skates.
"What's wrong, Shining Armor?" Asked Sunset, rising to her hooves.
"We barely even met, and know I'm going ice skating with you? This is all happening a little too fast." Shining scratched the back of his head. Sunset's expression saddened.
"I thought we were friends." Replied Sunset.
"Friends?"
"Well, yeah. I don't have many friends, and everybody else just hates my guts." Sunset replied somberly, tears welling up in her eyes. Her lower lip started to tremble.
"Hey, hey. Don't cry. I just don't really know you, that's all. Now stop crying and let me put my skates on." As Shining put on his skates, Sunset lightened up. The pair stepped up to a pond, and Susnet magically removed her skate guards. She then stepped onto the ice, and began to skate. She pushed off, then glided on one hoof. She jumped into the air and spun, then landed flawlessly. Shining just gaped. Sunset looked up at him and smirked.
"What're you waiting for? The ice is great!" Sunset jumped, and once again landed without a hitch.
"Um...I'm coming, just give me a minute." Sunset's smirk turned into a smug smile.
"Oh come on!" Sunset magically dragged him into the ice. His legs spread apart, wobbling. She giggled.
"Sunset, this is NOT funny!" Shining's cheeks were a bright red. He attempted to skate over to the giggling mare, but quickly lost his balance and fell with a heavy thud.
"Looks like someone doesn't know how to ice skate!" Sunset skated over to Shining, then helped him up. She started to skate backwards, still holding on to his front hooves.
"What're you doing?"
"Teaching you how to skate." Replied Sunset, releasing her grip on his hooves, then spinning around. "All you have to do is just push off, then glide! It's easy, give it a try!" Sunset skated around, the breeze rushing by. Her mane and tail were billowing behind her, making it seem like she was on fire. She spun, jumped, and did other tricks all perfectly, while Shining struggled to even make it forward. He pushed off, then let himself glide on the smooth ice. Sunset demonstrated again and again, and soon enough, Shining was doing laps around the pond.
"Ha Ha! I'm skating!" Shining cheered.
"It's easy, just like I said! Shining, watch this!" Sunset skated swiftly around the pond, then leaped high into the air. Unfortunately, she landed on a thin patch of ice. It cracked at impact. As soon as she made a move, it gave way. Sunset fell into the frigid water, then went under.
...............
"Let's not ever do that again." Said Shining. Sunset was rolling in the snow, laughing herself to death.
"I CAN'T BELIVE YOUT ACTUALLY FELL FOR IT!! HAHAHAHAHA!!" Tears of laughter rolled down Sunset's cheeks. She stood up, snow clinging to her fiery orange coat. Shining have her a friendly punch, and couldn't help but smile. "You're so gullible! It's hilarious!!" Sunset wiped her tears, then looked up at the sky. The sun was just starting to descend; they had about half the day left. Sunset began to walk through the snow. Shining trotted along next to her.
"So, Sunset. Tell me about yourself."
"Oh, um, alright. As a filly, I wore glasses, and put my mane up in a ponytail. I loved to learn about magic, and was accepted into Princess Celestia's School for Gifted Unicorns. I was her star student. That was, until I read about the mirror and its immense magical power. I couldn't believe the Princess would hide such powerful magic from me. I wanted to become a Princess my whole life, and demanded to become an Alicorn. Celestia said no, that I had become corrupted. So I jumped through the mirror, and have been living in the human world most of my life. I decided to come back after what happened with Twilight, and things went back to how they used to be. Except that she's is little miss Alicorn, and not me!!" Sunset angrily kicked a pile of snow, sending it flying into the air.
"Calm down, the past is in the past." Sunset thought back to her experience with Twilight, then shivered.
"I guess so." Sunset stared down at the powdery white snow.
..............
The sun dipped down below the horizon, bathing the sky in a blaze of color. Canterlot seemed to glow. The sound of caroling, squealing foals, and bells filled the air. Flaky snow fell all around. Sunset and Shining walked down the busy streets, each holding a warm muffin.
"You came back just in time. Hearth's Warming Eve is tomorrow, and the annual play is going on. And I was wondering..."
"Yes, Shining?" Said Sunset, muffin crumbs falling to the ground as she spoke.
"Do you wanna come to the play with me?" Sunset's eyes grew wide.
"Yes, I used to go every year!" Her mint green eyes reflected the colored lights, creating a kaleidoscope effect. Shining smiled. She was simply beautiful. There were no other words. The way her eyes twinkled in the light, and how her mane made it seem like she was on fire. Simply beautiful.
Author's Note
Oh god. I'm not really happy with this...I think I rushed it a bit. Oh well.
Hearth's Warming Disaster
"Sunset...Sunset!" Sunset's eyes opened too see Shining Armor standing over her, smiling. She sat up, and he handed her a brightly wrapped present. She carefully undid the bow, then removed the wrapping paper. It was a small box, decorated with images of her Cutie Mark. Sunset lifted the lid, and inside was a ticket to the Hearth's Warming Eve play.
"I love it, Shining!" Sunset threw her arms around his neck.
"Happy Hearth's Warming, Sunset."
"Thank you so much!!" Sunset released him, then hopped off the bed and ran into her bathroom. A few minutes later, she came out. Round, pink-framed glasses were perched on her nose, and her curled mane was done up in a high ponytail. A vanilla scarf was wrapped around her neck. "I've got a gift for you, but it'll have to wait for the play." Sunset tapped him on the nose, her eyes halfway closed. With a sashay of her hips, she sauntered out the door. Shining blushed, then walked out after her.
................
Shining and Sunset took their seats. The play was about to begin. The curtains opened. Spike stepped out, then began. "Long ago, before the peaceful rule of Celestia..."
.................
"Woo hoo!! Bravo!" Sunset cheered from her seat, clapping. Shining clapped along. Twilight stepped up, her Colver The Clever hood and cloak making her look like a peasant.
"Thank you, everypony!! I would like to give a very special thanks to the director and producer of this play: Princess Cadance!!" Twilight motioned to the pink Alicorn who was walking onstage. She came up to the mic, then began her speech.
"Thank you, Twilight. Ponies of Canterlot, this production would have never been possible without your generosity. Thank you to all the prop ponies, the actors and actresses, the makeup and costume designers, and my co-producers for a job well done!!" Cadance waved as the crowd went wild. Flowers were thrown onstage, and the applause was endless. The bells hanging in either side of the stage started to chime as the ponies sang together.
"The fire of friendship lives in our hearts, and as long as it burns, we cannot drift apart..." After the carol, the cast trotted off the stage. Cadance was surrounded by ponies applauding her on another play well done. Sunset pulled on Shining's leg, but he stood in place.
"Sunset, what're you doing?"
"C'mon, let's go congratulate Cadance! That play was amazing!!" Sunset strained herself as her attempts to move the stallion failed. Shining looked over at Cadance and her adoring fans with concern.
"I don't think tha-"
"Shining!" It was too late. He'd been spotted. Cadance trotted over and gave him a kiss.
"Um, hi, sweetie!" Shining smiled nervously.
"I'm so glad to see you! Did you like the play? I- Shining, who's she?" Cadance pointed to Sunset.
"I'm Sunset Shimmer. I absolutely loved your play!!" Sunset quickly shook Cadance's hoof, then turned to Shining Armor. "Thank you so, so much for taking me, Shining!! By the way, here's your gift!!" Sunset gave Shining an affectionate kiss, then turned back to Cadance. The pink Alicorn looked like she was gonna explode at any moment.
"WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT!!?" Cadance screamed. The ponies surrounding her quickly backed off.
"It was his Hearth's Warming gift. Why do you care?" Retorted Sunset.
"Oh, shit." Shining tool a very cautious step back. These mares were radioactive.
"Because, he's MY HUSBAND!!" Sunset shrunk back a bit, shocked.
"Oh my god. There are no words to describe how sorry I am!! I didn't know, he never told me!! If there's any way I can make it up to you-"
"There is one thing you can do. You can start by getting the fuck away from me, and my husband!!" Cadance roared. Sunset nodded, then turned and galloped down the red carpet of the auditorium.
"SLUT!!" Called Cadance, as the doors closed behind Sunset. With her gone, Cadance had to deal with Shining. "You and me. My room. NOW." Cadance strolled out of the auditorium, Shining Armor in tow.
................
Sunset galloped blindly down the streets of Canterlot, tears gushing out of her eyes. Snow fell all around, preventing her from seeing. She crashed into a pony in her blind sprint, knocking them both over.
"Oh, hi Sunset!! I didn't know you were back in Equestria!" Sunset heard a voice. That voice belonged to Twilight Sparkle. Twilight held out a hoof, and Sunset gladly took it.
"Yeah, I watched the play. You were pretty good." Sunset sniffled.
"Thank you. Hey Sunset, are you alright? You look pretty upset."
"I am."
"I know a little café on Blair Avenue. We can talk over some tea. Sound good?" Sunset nodded. Twilight draped a wing over Sunset. The pair then began to walk to Blair Avenue.
...............
"You wanna tell me exactly why you were dating Sunset Shimmer!? And why I'm still here!? Why we're not over!?"
"Cadance, just hear me out, please!"
"Fine. I'm listening." Cadance crossed her arms, a disappointed scowl on her face.
"Sunset just came back to Equestria. Princess Celestia wanted me to introduce myself. I bumped into her in the courtyard, and before I knew it, we were ice skating. After that we took a walk, we went and got muffins at a bakery. After that we came back to the Palace. This morning I gave her a box I made for her as a present, along with a play ticket. So we went to watch the play, and here I am."
"Humph. Why did you go out with her?"
"Why? Because she's smart, bubbly, and adorkable, just like Twilight! She's fun, and...and she makes me happy. And if you can't deal with that, then I don't know why I wasted my time with you."
"Wasted your time? Shining, what're you talking about?"
"And you know what?"
"What."
"All you do is order me around, ever since King Sombra's return! Sunset, unlike you, actually gives a crap about me!!" Shining removed his wedding ring, then threw it at Cadance. "We're done."
................
"Here you are. Happy Hearth's Warming, ladies." A mug of piping hot tea was presented to both Twilight and Sunset, along with a flagon of cream and a small jar of honey, as well as two teaspoons.
"Happy Hearth's Warming to you too, Mocha!" Twilight then focused on Sunset. "How do you like your tea, Sunset?" Asked Twilight, levitating her mug over.
"A splash of cream, and not too much honey." Replied Sunset, her voice flat. Twilight returned her mug, then prepared her own. Sunset just stared down at the tea, watching the cream mix in with the tea itself.
"Tell me what happened."
"Well, it started when a stallion bumped into me in the castle courtyard yesterday." Sunset took a sip of her tea.
"Ooh, a stallion!" Twilight leaned towards Sunset, her head resting on her front hooves. "And his name was..."
"Shining Armor." Twilight almost spat out her tea onto Sunset's face in shock, but managed to swallow it, eyes wide.
"Please, continue."
"He introduced himself, then we went ice skating. After that, we walked in the snow. I told him about myself, then we stopped bu a bakery to get some muffins. It was getting dark, so we headed back to the Palace. This morning he have me a beautiful box as a present. It had a ticket for the play in it. Then we went to the play, and watched it. I wanted to meet the director, Cadance. She came over to us and said hi to Shining, then asked who I was. I introduced myself, and then congratulated her on a fantastic play. I needed to thank Shining for taking me, so I gave him a kiss." A small bit of tea splurged out of Twilight's mouth and fell on the table. She fanned herself with her wings, her cheeks a rosy pink.
"It turned out Cadance was his wife. He never told me, and I just- why do I even bother? Whatever I do just fails. I'll never find love." Sunset banged her head against the table, spilling a bit of her tea in her red and yellow mane. Just then, the café door flew open, almost knocking the bell off its hook. In came Shining Armor.
"Twily!" Shining gave his sister a loving hug.
"Hey there, B.B.B.F.F. I think she needs a hug too." Twilight pointed at Sunset. Shining walked over to her, then shook her. She slowly lifted her head, then pushed her sopping mane out of her eyes. As she gazed up at the stallion before her, she wiped off her glasses to be sure this was real.
"Oh, um, I'm sorry. I didn't know she was your wife, and I-"
"Hey, it's all good. She's not my wife anymore. Now, where were we?" Shining held out a hoof. Sunset gladly took it, then continued where she left off: a passionate kiss.
Author's Note
Why. Just- why can't I write!? *bangs head against a wall* I just can't do this.
