In the Crystal Empire late at night, a mirror hidden in the depths of the castle suddenly came to life while glowing a white light. After a brief delay, a pony emerged from it as if it were a portal. "Ugh, can't believe I got delayed trying to come back here. No matter, I'll make sure that element is mine!"

Slinking through the castle, the mare was trying to see if the castle had any 'guests', only to find that it was relatively empty outside of all the guards, who were clearly still getting trained. Frustrated, she tried to find out what was going on in Equestria only to learn that the Princess Summit never happened in the Crystal Empire and that Twilight Sparkle never visited recently.

"You've got to be kidding me, why did things not turn out the way they should have?!"

"Who's there?!"

The mare got spotted by a guard and, in her panic, remembered enough about magic to teleport away before she could be caught. She ended up outside of the castle and decided that she wouldn't be able to return to the other world until the next thirty moons have passed. Deciding to investigate what was going on, she headed towards the train station to head towards Canterlot.

"Princess Celestia, you summoned us?"

Twilight had just arrived at Canterlot Castle the next morning at the behest of her mentor with her five friends. Celestia sighed. "Thank you all for coming on such short notice. Last night guards at the Crystal Castle spotted an intruder before she teleported away to an unknown location. They have been searching, but nothing has turned up."

While worrying, Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes. "I get it's important that mare is caught, but why summon all of us? Surely she's not THAT dangerous?"

"I summoned you all... because there's one thing I've never mentioned to any of you, especially Twilight Sparkle. It's that... before you, I had another student who I took in who was also a magical prodigy. Her name is Sunset Shimmer."

The name made Rarity put a hoof to her muzzle in thought. "The naming convention sounds similar to Twilight's. I'm guessing she was your original pick for the Element of Magic?"

"You make it sound like I have a say in who the Elements of Harmony pick when I don't... but the intention was there, yes." Celestia let out a somber sigh. "But unlike Twilight, who mostly kept to herself and her studies, Sunset Shimmer was condescending and boastful to others around her despite my attempts at teaching her humility. I made the mistake of showing her a relic known as the Crystal Mirror to see if my lessons were sticking."

"Let me guess, all it did was feed her ego?" Applejack could see that coming a mile away. "Reminds me of how Rainbow Dash used to be."

"HEY! I wasn't THAT bad... was I?"

Pinkie Pie quickly patted her Pegasus friend on the shoulder. "Don't worry, Dashie! Ever since you and Zephy grew close, you've been WAAAAAY better."

"... didn't stop me from getting jealous over something stupid..." Fluttershy nuzzles her foalhood friend reassuringly.

Seeing they got off topic, Celestia cleared her throat. "Unfortunately, Applejack is correct. All it did was drive Sunset Shimmer to study it in the dark magic sections of the libraries. I tried to stop her, but she escaped through the mirror which doubled as a portal to another world."

"So that's the background, but the question now is: why did she return?" Twilight pondered it a bit. "Do you have an idea why which explains the reason why you wanted all six of us here?"

"If I had to hazard a guess, she wants the Element of Magic. As long as she doesn't figure out where the Tree of Harmony is, there's no danger there, but I wanted to keep you all apprised of the situation." As much as she didn't want to admit it, Celestia knew there was a chance Sunset Shimmer would find out and attempt to take the element from the tree.

With her friends all sounding off that they're willing to keep their eyes peeled, Twilight smiles at her mentor. "We'll do our best! We'll make sure to keep other ponies in the know as well if necessary."

Despite her destination being Canterlot, Sunset Shimmer was forced to make a quick pit-stop in Ponyville. "Those guards just had to be searching the cars, presumably for me. My luck can't get any worse..."

Recognizing that none of the Ponyville residents would know who she was, the wayward Unicorn decided to look around for any potential clues to what's going on. When she looked up after a shadow passed over her, she was stunned to see a green pony with two sets of wings. He noticed her staring and landed. "May I help you, miss?"

"Just never seen a Pegasus with four wings before." Observing him a bit more, Sunset realized she didn't know of an equivalent of this stallion in the other world.

"I guess you haven't heard of Falconites before. I guess I shouldn't be surprised considering I'm the only one in existence... for some reason or another." Shaking his head, the stallion decided to introduce himself. "Zephyr Windstorm's my name. What's yours?"

"Sunset Shimmer." As much as she'd like to start acting out, she also knew that doing so right away would be a fast-track to getting caught before she located what she wants. Deciding to use one of the tricks she used in the other world, she gives Zephyr half-lidded eyes. "You know, big guy, perhaps we can... learn more about each other?"

One implication flew completely over Zephyr's head since he didn't blush, but he had a feeling of another. "You're new in town so I'll forgive you, but I'm beholden to somepony else. Also, I doubt you'd want much contact with me as a Unicorn."

Doing her best not to lose her temper at the failure to seduce, Sunset scrunched her muzzle before coughing. "What do you mean by that last item?"

"I'm immune to Unicorn magic to the point where I can prevent Unicorns from using it by direct contact."

"Wait what?!" What was going on in this world to warrant the birth of a pony like him? Clearing her throat to cool herself, Sunset decided to go the more innocent approach. "I understand. Maybe you can show me around town? I got forced off the train for some unknown reason and I need to kill some time before I head to Canterlot."

While not normally the pony to do so since it's more Pinkie Pie's thing, Zephyr decided to do his best. "Alright, then follow me. I'm sure you'll find something here that tickles your fancy while you wait." Sunset rolled her eyes in irritation, but put up with it for now.

When the tour was over and a train to Canterlot was available, Zephyr got the feeling his charge wasn't overly impressed which did put a damper on his mood. "Well the usual ponies to do so aren't here due to royal summons, so hopefully I didn't completely dissuade you from coming back." All Sunset did was grumble in irritation as she left for the station. So much for that, guess I'll leave that kind of thing to those more apt in it...

After cleaning up the clouds around Ponyville coming in from the Everfree, Zephyr went to the station to see if his friends and family have come back. Turns out they did as Fluttershy gave him a hug. "What were the summons about?"

"Apparently Princess Celestia has a pupil before Twilight who... had even less interest in friendship than Twilight. Apparently she wasn't a very good student and she might be back in Equestria for something nefarious." Rarity lets out a sigh as she looks at a list. "Oh dear, I've fallen behind on my orders. Apologies, everypony, but I must get back to work."

As Rarity left, Rainbow Dash noticed something about her boyfriend. "You seem somewhat down Zephyr. Something happen while we were gone?"

"Ah, just... gave a tour of Ponyville to somepony who missed her train to Canterlot and I don't think I did a good job..."

"Aww, don't get too down, Zephy! I'm sure you did your best!" Pinkie Pie cheered up her friend, especially when she gave him a cupcake which he smiled at.

Twilight looks at a piece of parchment with a concentrating look. "I don't get it. We figured she should have been in Canterlot if she was interested in figuring out about the Elements of Harmony, yet she isn't."

"A-actually, Twilight... could you show big brother the photo? M-maybe she delayed her trip and he saw her in Ponyville." Since she thought of the possibility, Fluttershy decided to bring more ponies into the fold and figured her brother was a good start.

"Oh alright, though I don't get why Princess Celestia didn't summon him as well. Also, we don't know how accurate this picture is, so take it with a grain of salt." With those words, Twilight flips the parchment around to show the Falconite.

Studying it for a moment, Zephyr recoiled. "You got to be kidding me, no wonder she was acting irritated and condescending the whole time!"

"Wait, yer' telling me the Unicorn ya' gave a tour to was Sunset Shimmer?!" Applejack couldn't believe the coincidence.

"Her name was Sunset Shimmer alright. She took the last train that heads to Canterlot right before this one arrived!"

That tripped Twilight's panic button. "Oh no! If she finds out from there where the Tree of Harmony is, she'll try and steal the Element of Magic!"

Realizing they were down a pony, Rainbow Dash grabbed her boyfriend's hoof. "We'll bring Zephyr along since he's actually seen her in the flesh! Come on, everypony!"

"Dashie, wouldn't it be faster to let Twilight teleport us to Canterlot?"

"... I was going to say that!" Despite the situation, everypony laughed at Rainbow Dash's pout as Twilight flared up her horn to teleport the group to Canterlot.

Upon arrival, Zephyr discovered his stomach was rather weak to teleports as he did his best to not lose his lunch, much to the amusement of his friends and family. Quickly recovering, he noted that they were already in Canterlot Castle in the throne room with a surprised Celestia. "You're back already? That was fast!"

"We were in luck. Zephyr apparently gave Sunset Shimmer the tour of Ponyville without realizing what kind of pony she was." Crossing her forelegs, Applejack gives Twilight a weird look. "Why did you bring us into the castle again?"

"Truthfully, while I'm not sure if Sunset will recognize any of us, she WILL recognize Zephyr. As such, I'd like to work our way backwards to try and head her off before she gets to the castle."

"In that case, I should probably put on a cloak or disguise of some kind if you want me on the ground searching." Focusing a bit to remember Sunset Shimmer's characteristics, Zephyr nodded. "If she really is a threat like you said, then I'm ready to do my part. However..."

Celestia noted that Zephyr wanted to make a request. "What is it you wish to ask, Zephyr? If it's within reason, I'll allow it."

"Call me naive, but it felt like she's the way she's described is because her heart was closed off. Take it from somepony who's been there before, but I feel like there's more to her situation than just sheer arrogance. As such, I'd like to see if she can be reasoned with."

In the past she would have pushed back more against such things, but Rainbow Dash was more willing to humor Zephyr thanks to being more calm. "Not everypony like this is going to be similar to you, Zephyr, but I guess it wouldn't hurt to try."

"I mean, her only crime was reading the dark magic section and being arrogant so it's not like she's a hardened criminal... right?" Fluttershy nervously put that forward, hoping her optimism wasn't misplaced.

Recognizing that Twilight and her friends may be the only chance Sunset Shimmer had at any sort of redemption, Celestia nodded at the request. "If you feel she can be saved, please do so. Only return here with her if you've succeeded... or if you think she's truly beyond redemption..." Everypony could hear the sadness from her when she said those last words.

With their course set, Twilight turns to her friends. "Alright, we need to find her first before we do anything else. Everypony let's split up except for Fluttershy, you can go with Zephyr and act as his eyes in the sky since he'll be grounded."

Not long after, the group all ran out of the castle with Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy taking to the air to search for their quarry. While she did learn how to fly better, Twilight didn't want to risk it since she'd stick out like a sore hoof in the air. It was a good thing too because she spotted a suspicious Unicorn moving towards Canterlot Castle in the waning light.

Sunset's patience was running thin due to all the delays she was going through, but she was almost to the castle with night time almost upon the land. Right as she was going to find a hiding spot, she got lifted in somepony's magic. "What the-- put me down this instant!"

"Sorry, Sunset Shimmer, but you'll have to forget about whatever you have planned." The Unicorn looked over to see Twilight as the culprit for lifting her up and fitting an anti-magic ring onto her horn. "If you're on your best behavior, we'll let you go."

"Then why are you detaining me? I've already been--"

"Considering your past with Princess Celestia, no you haven't."

That got a glare from Sunset Shimmer. "You're really going to believe that hag at her word? For all you know she could be using you to settle a grudge with me!"

All that statement earned was a sigh from Twilight as her friends converged on their location. "Certainly she's not been the most forward with the truth, but she's always had the nation's best interests at heart. And nothing about how she holds her ponies back because I was able to become an Alicorn thanks to her teachings."

"Oh let me guess, you were such a goody-two shoes that you were able to suck up to her for that 'privilege'? Then why was I never afforded that chance?! I was held back at every turn!"

"Tell me, Sunset, what was it you really desired back then?" Zephyr decided to speak up then. "Why did you go so far as to derail your studies against your mentor's will?"

Glaring at the Falconite and realizing she made a severe tactical error, Sunset groaned. "What, you think I have some "underlying issue" that caused me to act out?"

"Yes."

She wasn't expecting such an instant and blunt answer which made Sunset sputter. Twilight shook her head. "We should move this elsewhere, it's weird having this conversation in a back alley."

With that, she teleported everypony to the Golden Oaks Library much to Sunset's confusion. "I thought you were detaining me to bring me to that hag? Why are we back in Ponyville?"

"So Zephy's tour DID stick!" Pinkie patted the Falconite on the back excitably, only to look awkward when he let out a sickly noise from his stomach throwing a hissy fit at the teleport.

Rainbow crossed her forelegs with irritation. "Also, stop calling the Princess a hag. She sounded genuinely hurt when she regaled the tale of your betrayal."

"An' before ya' say anything, we can tell she was being genuine." Applejack knew Sunset would try to pull the "she might be faking it" card and got ahead of it.

"How can you tell she was actually being genuine? She's been alive for well over a thousand years, who's to say she didn't pick up some manipulation tricks."

Recognizing this will take some time, Twilight sighed at the retort. "Then let's ask this: why should we believe you instead? Certainly we have a bias towards Princess Celestia, me especially, but you've yet to prove you're worthy of being taken at your word."

Sunset Shimmer wasn't used to this level of wit from these 'individuals' in particular. While Twilight and Zephyr are wild cards due to not being around, she was able to manipulate the rest into turning on each other in the other world. To see them working together in such a manner against her was throwing the errant Unicorn off her game.

Deciding to switch gears before she could retort, Zephyr spoke up. "My question is, what were you hoping for by gaining more power?"

"Hmph, what else but respect from everyone around you? What better way to make sure everyone around you pays attention to you?"

"Respect? What you would've gotten was fear from everypony around you!" Pinkie Pie pointed that out. "You make them all fear you, then what? All you'll do is make even more enemies and be known as a meanie-mean pants who needs to be dethroned!"

Landing next to Twilight, Rainbow Dash puts a leg around her shoulder with a grin. "Look at Twilight here! She became an Alicorn because she finished a spell Starswirl left unfinished. She was able to finish it BECAUSE of all the lessons of friendship she had!"

To say Sunset was exasperated was underselling it. "You're seriously telling me that 'friendship' really was the only path towards becoming an Alicorn? Not increasing your magic power?"

"Darling, you forget what Alicorns are." Rarity had swung by and had a feeling of what the group was discussing. "They have the strengths of all three races in Equestria. Those strengths must be in harmony for them to be at full potential and what better way to learn that than through friendship with said races?"

"Plus, my Unicorn magic didn't get that much stronger after I ascended." That was the revelation Twilight dropped onto Sunset to make sure the Unicorn knew more magic power wasn't the answer. "But I did gain an understanding of Pegasus magic from Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy alongside Earth Pony magic from Applejack and Pinkie Pie. Plus, Rarity's influence helped me refine my Unicorn magic."

"I still find it hard to believe 'friendship' can help you with that..."

After thinking on it, Zephyr tried a different approach. "Tell me, Sunset Shimmer, why do you think friendship is pointless?"

While she didn't want to answer the question, she was put into a position where she had no choice anymore. "Because why bother with it when you can do things better on your own? No need to have others constantly getting in your way and dragging you down!"

That quickly tripped Twilight's memories. "Sunset... believe it or not, I was like that as well once upon a time."

"Right, and you'll tell me Zephyr was relentlessly bullied to the point he abandoned friendship as well only to get better later?"

"... Uncanny, but that's actually true." That surprised Sunset Shimmer as Zephyr wandered away a bit. "Thing is, I was so convinced that friendship was worthless that I had conditioned myself to expect betrayal. Even after these six girls did their best to befriend me, I never truly opened my heart to them. It culminated in me lashing out at them at a perceived 'betrayal' when they were just trying to throw me a surprise birthday party..."

Fluttershy quickly nuzzles her brother. "We bore some responsibility for that because we went about it awfully..."

"That didn't justify my actions that day. Sure I was mad for a while, but as time went on and I realized the intentions behind the "betrayal" I realized... I made a grievous error. I had genuine friendship and I threw it away just to satisfy my victim complex. If it wasn't for these girls forgiving me, I would have vanished off the face of Equestria, self-condemned to life as a lab rat."

As she processed the story, Sunset Shimmer realized that, while not as extreme, Zephyr's story bores some similarities to hers. "Growing up in a bad Canterlot orphanage, I was always ostracized by the other foals for my uncanny magic talent. By the time Celestia noticed it, I had sworn interactions with other ponies off as unnecessary and a waste of time, believing them to be beneath me.

"Even with her attempts at teaching me 'humility', she... remained overly firm with me no matter what, like there was a barrier between us. It made me think that she was just grooming me to what SHE wanted and... I acted out not wanting that."

While seeing Sunset slowly coming around, Twilight was shocked by the revelations, especially when Applejack motioned to her that she was being honest. "I don't remember Princess Celestia being like that! Sure she can strict at times, but she was always compassionate to me whenever I was struggling with something. Unless..."

"I guess I was the reason why she treated you differently from me..."

"Sunset... I'm sorry..."

"Don't be. I guess I was Celestia's first attempt at taking a pupil and... she didn't know how to raise me, so to speak..." Realizing something, Sunset Shimmer groaned. "Great, you got me talking sappy now. Was that you 'plan'?"

Zephyr couldn't resist chuckling. "Believe me, Sunset, if they could turn my life around like this, you better believe they'll try with you. You'd best be ready for healthy dose of 'friendship' to come your way!"

"... Can't you do so with this anti-magic ring off?"

Twilight shakes her head at that. "Nope. Part of the lesson is understanding others as you interact with them. Hope you're ready!"

Seeing the grins and smiles from the other mares, Sunset groaned again. "This is going to be a week, isn't it..?"

It had been some time since her faithful student and her friends had promised to capture Sunset Shimmer, which worried Celestia. What got her mood down more was her regret at the way she 'mentored' the young Unicorn, being too firm and not showing any tenderness that she had shown Twilight. While she had a troubled past before then, perhaps I made it worse by the way I treated her in such a manner...

"Your highness, Princess Twilight wishes to enter with a guest."

"Allow them in!" Curious as to what was going on, Celestia corrected her posture and looked straight forward. Luna was off dealing with a situation regarding the agents of the crown, so she was on her own for this meeting.

While she hide it well, Celestia was shocked when she saw who walked through the door. Twilight Sparkle... and Sunset Shimmer, who's demeanor was completely different from when they last parted. Despite being the one bringing her, Twilight was nervous about the whole thing as well. "Hello, Princess Celestia! Guess who decided to visit! Well, I'm sure you can guess who since... she's, uh, right beside me."

When the Princess maintained her stoic demeanor, Sunset Shimmer wanted to spare Twilight further embarrassment by walked forward on her own volition. "Princess Celestia... the last time we saw each other, I was your snide, arrogant... and treacherous student. However... I know this will sound rich coming from me, but... I come to you a changed pony and wished to come before you... to ask you for forgiveness..."

Celestia approached the Unicorn, stopping right before her. Twilight was on the verge of a panic attack because she really wanted to help Sunset Shimmer as her new friend and was now wondering if she made a fatal error. Eventually, Sunset gave up in sadness. "I... guess it's still too--"

"I do have one question for you before I say anything, Sunset Shimmer." That got a flinch from the mare as she looks up at Celestia's glare. After a moment, the Alicorn's face suddenly became remorseful. "Will you also forgive me for the way I treated you?"

That stunned Sunset Shimmer. "Huh? W-what do you mean?"

"You... were my first student and I had no idea how to go about teaching you. Because I thought it necessary for your studies, I always kept you at legs length and never gave you the more gentle adjustments you needed. Because of that... I feel like I pushed you into a corner that fateful time and... I'm sorry."

It was at that moment Sunset realized her new friends were right about Celestia's sadness over her. Tears welling up in her eyes, she embraces the Alicorn. "Mom... I... I forgive you... I was also a terrible student!" Celestia hugs her back with her own tears in her eyes.

Despite it being a tender moment, Twilight was shocked. "Wait, mom?!"

"Forgive me, Twilight, but... I adopted Sunset Shimmer right before she became my student. Despite my good intentions, it was clear I wasn't ready for the responsibilities..."

"I didn't help your case by being such a bad daughter..." Sunset managed to recover enough to giggle. "Honestly... I kind of forgot that myself until I saw your figure again."

Celestia was good natured about it. "I'm sure you had your reasons. That aside, you're so different from the pony I last parted with. Was Twilight that good an influence on you?"

"Her... and her friends. Despite me being such a condescending stand-off, they tried their best to show me that friendship, while difficult at times, is worth it. They all taught me so much that... it really did make me want to change, to not let my past define my future..."

Celestia was overwhelmed with a feeling of pride for her adopted daughter. "You've come so far... would you like to try again with your studies? I'm sure I've also changed thanks to Twilight!"

"Whether it's studying under you... or just being with you, I accept!" Sunset hugs Celestia again, this time with more happiness in her smile.

"I guess you'll be staying behind in Canterlot for now, huh?" Twilight was super happy her mentor and new friend were able to close that chapter in their story.

Sunset breaks her hug to smile at Twilight. "Sorry, but there's so much I have to catch up on... and make up for. I'll be sure to visit everyone in Ponyville on occasion. Tell Zephyr I said "good luck with Rainbow Dash"!" That got a laugh from Twilight as she leaves to tell her friends the news. With their relationship mended, Celestia takes Sunset to her old room to help her get resettled, hoping to spend more time with her formerly-wayward daughter.

I'm proud of how far you've come, Twilight Sparkle. And I'm also thankful for what you've done for Sunset Shimmer. Thankful to you and your friends.

Author's Note

This wasn't going to be the original Chapter 63 but since plenty of you wanted me to incorporate Sunset Shimmer, here it is. Hopefully it'll pass muster. I don't know if I wrote her correctly or not...