Sunset Romance

It was a thousand and four years ago, my sister Luna, had fallen victim to a evil spirit making false promises of unlimited power. After a battle that nearly coasted my life, I used the elements of Harmony to safely banish her to the moon so that the spirit would give up. However my I lost my ability to three elements in the process, and my sister lost her elements. I lost Kindness, Magic, and Generosity. My sister lost Loyalty, Honesty, and Laughter. It was a rough thousand years, awaiting my sister's return to see her happy once again, and no longer under the Nightmare's control.

Soon did I realize my plan had failed. My sister returned, sealing me in a barrier inside the castle, and attacked Ponyville. I had then sent my student Twilight to find friends that embodied the new generation of elements. Apple Jack, Pinkie Pie, Rarity Bell, Rainbow Dash, and Fluttershy. Together they found the magic of friendship, and banished the Nightmare back to the moon. My sister had returned to me, and that day I had felt sadness once again.

While my sister was on the moon, serving her time, I became severely depressed, and lost most of my emotions. Hoping to find what I had lost I started the School for Gifted Unicorns in hope to find a filly or colt that could fill the void in my heart. The first was Star Swirl the Bearded, and my most recent students: Sunset Shimmer, Trixie, and Twilight Sparkle. Sunset lost her ability to remain my student after performing dark magic that killed seven ponies to reopen a portal to another realm. Trixie had dropped out after learning illusion magic. Twilight had remained by my side, eager to learn anything I threw at her. Aceing every test, reading every book, and practicing for hours on end to show how dedicated to being my number one pupil.

However even after ascending into her new alicorn state, she still can't open a jar of pickles. I watched as she even used combustion magic to blow up the jar, but to no prevail, the jar seemed untouched. She huffed, throwing the jar across the kitchen, and bounced off the wall, landing on the floor soon after.

"That is that thing made out of!?" Twilight exclaimed, as she slouched into her chair.

I laughed at her attempts to opening what may have been unbreakable jar of Phill pickles. "I don't see why not just getting a new jar of pickles..." I said resting the jar on the table. Twilight threw it across the room again, and it impacted Spike's face. A loud 'oooph' was heard before the passed out. "1-2-3...and he's out...." I sighed, looking back at Twilight.

"That demon does not get to rest on my table until the day it opens or the sun explodes...which ever comes first." Twilight said. "Anyways...you've been sitting in this tree for a week now princess, don't you think it is time to leave?"

I pondered for a moment then shrugged. "Heck if I know. Right now I need to be careful about my emotions."

"Yeah, your right..." Twilight agreed. "So now what? You're just going to stay here?"

Right before I could answer her, there was a knock at the door and Spike was still out cold. I stayed seated while Twilight went to go answer the door. I heard her talk to a pony, hearing a few chuckles between them, then I heard the door closed. When Twilight walked back in she had a large tube in floating next to her.

"What's that?" I asked, drinking some of my coffee.

"My new star map." She smiled. "He told me he just added something cool he's planning on doing from now on. Then he explained why my order came in late, so that's why Comet delivered it himself. Just wanted to explain himself I suppose."

"So let's see it then." I said. "And if it's the same Comet I know, I helped him a little bit."

"Oh, okay." She said opening the tube. She pulled out the large dark blue paper inside, and rolled it out on the table. Our jaw dropped in a spit second when we saw the sun set on the paper. The moon appeared on the paper, and the stars formed around it one-by-one. "That's a good reason..."

"A damn good one at that." I added. "He didn't tell me he was going to do this.

"Ohhh.....my head...." Spike had finally recovered, and I turned to see the tiny dragon.

"Well, welcome back Spike." I chuckled. "Don't suppose you hate pickles now that you were attacked by them."

"You tried opening that?" He grinned. "Sorry, but not even diamond can cut that glass. I tried before I ate it that yummy gem."

I smiled. "I see, so it might survive the end of the world then." I looked back at Twilight. "So I guess we should find a way to get rid of it."

"Agreed." She said. "Nothing that powerful can be used. The destruction such a weapon like that could cause." She began to laugh.

"We could banish it." I offered. "Nightmare Pickle Jar!"

Spike began to laugh, so I joined in the laughter. I couldn't believe I was laughing without being drunk, or anything. Some simple light hearted, meaningful laughter. It felt good to laugh like this.

"Maybe faking my death was a good thing." I said under my breath.

"Your kingdom misses you princess." Twilight said softly. "I'm just glad you two pulled it off after you told us. I'm sure I would've done black magic to bring you back."

I smiled. "I'm glad you care about me that much. It makes me feel like I did good rasing you after your parents let you live in the castle."

"You are like a mother figure." She added. "To me anyways."

I nodded as Twilight continued observing the grand star map. "Twilight, " I thought what I was going to say. "What job do you think I am good at?"

Twilight looked up at me, our eyes meeting each other. She smiled, with a approving nod. "Teaching."

I chuckled lightly to myself. "Teaching huh?" I asked, drinking more of my black coffee. "Do you think I could teach little one's?"

Twilight nodded the instant I asked her. "You're very good with teaching magic to me, perhaps you can teach the next generation of unicorns!"

"Does Ponyville have a magic school Twilight?"

"We have a school with a earth pony as a teacher. The unicorns there get their magic training from their parents, or from those who are willing. Maybe you can ask if you may teach those unicorns Cele-...Eclipse." She giggled. "I forgot you told me to call you that from now on."

I waved my hoof dismissively. "No worries Twilight. It wasn't like I was expecting you to instantly start calling me that, but I am glad you remembered." I finished my coffee, and placed it in the sink for Spike to wash later. I made my way towards the door when Twilight stopped me. "Yes?" I asked her.

"Make sure to be safe okay?" She said softly, and a worrying tone in her voice made it clear to me she was scared for me.

I nuzzeled her gently with a smile. "I am quite the fighter Twilight. There is no need to worry. If I find myself in a pickle I'll teleport here." My words seemed to lift her mood greatly, and she a slight grin on her face.

"Okay Eclipse, good luck."

I sat patently as I waited for Cheerlee to address my name to her class of forty or so students. She was kind, and had the liking to teach the foals with viggor. Her voice was soft enough to calm her class. Earlier she said she was glad to see a new face in Ponyville, and was even happier to take up my offer to teach to fifteen unicorns in her class.

When I heard her open the door for me, she smiled as she waved for me to enter the class room. I walked in, and already I had the unicorns clipping their hooves on their desks. I blushed as I cleared my voice.

"Hello everypony! My name is Ecplise, and I am hoping that you will want me to teach you how to control your magic. However it comes with many rules I'm sure your parents or guardians have taught you to follow." A few made 'awws", but I smiled. "Now that doesn't mean we won't have fun. I plan to have great trips, and aura node hunting with special prizes!" That had caught their attention. "So, what do you say? Do you want Ms. E to teach you cool spells?"

A cheer was clear enough I had won them over, and Cheerlee rung a small bell to calm them down. "So I guess it is settled then. Eclipse will now take any unicorn in this class, and will take them to the track."

"Thanks again for this Cheerlee." I smiled at the teacher as the unicorn foals started to walk out of the class.

"No problem Eclipse, I'm just glad you came around." She gave me a sheet of paper with a list of names on it. "These are their names, and I think you'll like Sweetie Belle, she's been practicing her magic with princess Twilight."

"That's good then, now I have an aid." I laughed. "I'll see you when school's over."

"It's a deal..." She turned to the class as I walked out to meet the unicorns.

There I saw fifteen unicorns standing at attention as if they were soldiers. I laughed a little as I walked up to them.

"At ease everypony, this isn't hoof-camp." I said. "But before we start, I would like Sweetie Belle to step forward."

I saw a small white unicorn with purple, and pink mane stroll up to me, a large grin on her face reaching ear-to-ear. "Yes ma'am?"

"You're Sweetie Belle? Well, its a pleasure to know you. I have one small question for you. You don't have to accept it, but do you think you can help me teach?"

"Sure! I would love to help!" She said. "But why me?"

I smiled as I met her at eye level. "Because you Sweetie Belle are currently princess Twilight's student, am I correct?" The filly gave a small nod. "That's why, now, get back in line with your friends."

"Okay!" She trotted back in place in the line, and she had a smug look on her face, like she had won a million bits.

I cleared my throat, in took a deep breath in. Letting it out with a sigh, I began to lift two large rocks from behind them. They all looked in awe as I spun them around, then placed them back into the ground.

"That is telekinesis, created by the first unicorns who inhabited Equestria during the darker times, and before Celestia and Luna rose up to face many foes." I said. "It has many uses, and lifting objects living or not is it's main purpose. This is also the easiest spell to learn so that's what we are starting with. By the end of the month you will learn this, as well as simple item teleportation." I saw their looks hadn't yet faltered. "If you are thinking this is going to be tough, it is. With hard work, practice, and determination, you will become masters in the magical arts. So, for our first lesson we'll be learning about Jin. Does anypony know what Jin Is?"

A pony raised his hoof. "I do ma'am! My mom told me it is magic that surrounds everypony. Earth Ponies have their Jin in their bodies, allowing them to become really-really strong! Pegasi have their Jin in their wings, allowing them to fly, and manipulate the weather. Unicorns however are the only ones out of the three that can use their Jin to manifest into semi-physical forms."

I nodded with a smile. "Very good, and what is your name?"

"Sparks ma'am!"

"Well Sparks, you are very correct. Now Jin is also in every thing in the world. Our homes, our food, our water, and the living creatures. You can use your Jin on everything that has Jin." I explained. "Jin flows from rivers of pooling magic that turn into Aura Nodes. We'll learn how to find them later on, and the dangers of finding unstable aura nodes such as Tainted nodes that spew the dark energy into the environment around them. Which explains why the Everfree Forest is full of deadly creatures. The evil there allows monsters such as Timber Wolves to form back when they are destroyed."

I saw another filly raise their hoof. " Ms. E," I nodded, allowing her to speak. "What do the good aura nodes do?"

"Good question little one. The good aura nodes provide safety, and shield use from the evil node's energy. However it drains their own energy protecting the living creatures around it, and if it is weaker than the tainted nodes, it too will become tainted. There are advanced spells that can purify a tainted node, but it will only work if the evil hasn't spread to it. It takes about three days for it to become a evil node." When I finished I heard the lunch bell ring. "Okay so while you eat I want you to talk among yourselves about what you've learned. Sharing your knowledge of what you know about Jin is very important, but for now, go eat and have fun!"

The kids bolted off as if it were the last day of school, and I chuckled to myself. I began walking to a empty bench where I then sat down. It was nice watching the foals run about, and talking to each other. Oh how it was so nice to see little foals again, it made my heart flutter, and made me think about my own childhood. I was a calm child most of the time, and had to deal with Luna. However that didn't mean I never had fun. Adding many little twists and turns around my old castle made it fun to toy with my little sister.

"Ms. E?" Sweetie Belle asked, walking up to me with what may have been two of her friends. "I was wondering if you've ever met any of the princesses."

I smiled. "Well, I have met all four at one point." I sat up, and looked at them in their eyes. "Celestia was my teacher, and Luna was like a aunt to me. Twilight was Celestia's student before I was, so I got to meet her when she was coordinated as a princess of Magic."

"What about princess Cadence?" A orange pegasus asked.

"Her too, she's nice." I replied. "So what brings you over here Sweetie Belle?"

"We just wanted to get away from Diamond Tiara, and Silver Spoon." She said. "They keep picking on us for not having our cutie marks."

I frowned, and felt almost annoyed. "Bring them here." I ordered. "I want to speak to them."

After a few moments they brought two rich looking ponies, and I already felt sick to my stomach. Rich snobs who would walk into my castle demanding that they have permission to buy every lot in Canterlot, or buy out a thousand acres of land to build a mansion  made me really ticked off. Wasting my time on such stupid matters about not having enough land to raise one foal.

"Are you two Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon?" I asked.

"Pft, the one and only!" Diamond Tiara said flicking her mane to the side. I felt like I was going to puke right on them.

"I've been told that you've been harassing them because they don't have cutie marks yet, is that true?"

"Um, duh! Anypony who doesn't have a cutie mark is worthless, and should be treated as such."

And there went my good day. I stood up, and pulled their ears with my magic. They began to cry in pain, and made useless threats to me.

"I'm getting my daddy when I get home to fire you!" Diamond Tiara wined.

I looked at her dead in the eyes with a glare that would scare a dragon back into infancy. "Go ahead and tell him when I call him about what you two have been doing to those ponies who are much more worthy of becoming more talented than you!" I shouted as I continued to drag them into the school.

I picked up the phone, and began to dial Filthy Rich.

"Hello?" Came from the other line.

"Hello, is this Filthy Rich?" I asked in a calm tone, acting like nothing was wrong when clearly there was.

"Speaking, who am I speaking to?" He sounded so polite which made me wonder why Diamond Tiara wasn't.

"My name is Eclipse, I am a new teacher here in Ponyville, and I have your daughter and her friend next to me."

"What seems to be the problem Ms. Eclipse?" His voice started to sound worried.

"Well, your daughter and her friend thought it would be a good idea to harass three students of mine because they don't have cutie marks. When I asked your daughter if this was true she admitted to it, and said that those ponies were worthless because they didn't find their special talent yet."

A long heavy sigh was on the other side of the phone. "Thank you for telling me Ms. I'll make sure I scold her when she gets home."

"Um, sir I don't think that'll make her learn her lesson. She'll clearly do it again behind your back." I noted. "And I know my students don't lie, because I can detect any lie with my truth detection spell."

"Then what do you suppose I should do?" His voice started to sound aggravated.

"Take away everything until she's written a ten thousand word apology letter to every student  they've bullied. That means no money, no toys, and no play time at the spa." I said looking at them.

"Doesn't that seem a little harsh ma'am?" He asked.

"If it means to a end to the bulling sir, then yes, its harsh, but they will surely learn their lesson." I said. "Sir, I wish I would've called you saying how delightful your daughter and her friend is, but it seems that I've talked to too many students saying that your daughter has bullied them. Tripping them, making them fall into mud, making fake bribes, and even forcing other students to bully others. Over eighty different instances where your daughter has caused trouble at school. So I say that's why they should write apology letters to everypony in school."

Another long, heavy sigh came from the other side. "I see...So, ten thousand words?"

"Yes sir, and make sure you see that there isn't 19,994 reallys in it."

"Thinking ahead are we?" He asked. "Alright, I will make sure they'll get it done."

"Thank you sir, and have a wonderful day."

"No, thank you for telling me this awful news. If I would've found out sooner, I would have taken action. And you too have a nice day."

I hung up after the other line cut out, and I smiled devilishly at the two bullies. "You're both grounded, I hope you learn your lesson."

After that was taken care of, I made my way back to my class. They all were sitting around, talking quietly to one another. As I approached Sweetie Belle rushed up to me, with a look of worry all over her face. Even a few of her class mates looked as though it was my final day in Equestria.

"What happened?" She asked. "Are you going to get fired?"

I laughed. "Ha! Like I would get fired on my first day Sweetie Belle!" I walked closer to the class. "You all don't need to worry about Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon anymore. They are to be grounded as soon as they get home. I won't go into detail of their punishment, but you should be receiving formal letters of apologies from them in a couple of weeks." They all smiled, and looks of hope flushed onto their faces. "Now, on to our lesson! Who wants to find a aura node!?"

"No! Mrs. Grey! Please get down from there!" I begged the old mare who was flying in the air. "You're going to strain your wings!"

"You unicorns don't know whacha talkin about!" The old mare replied flying around. "I feel perfectly fi-AH!" The mare's wings cramped up, and I dove under her. She ended up landing on my back, and I sighed in relief while silently crying in pain. "Thank goodness...You alright Mrs. Grey?"

The mare nodded, and slowly got off my back. "I am, thank you...I guess you unicorns aren't that bad."

"That's good to hear, now why don't you go and get your wings fixed up, and try not to fly so much next time."

"Alright buddy..." She slowly trotted off.

It got me wondering if she was as old as she was. Still flying like she was young, and running like she was in a triathlon. Most of the old mares here were nice, but had their own little devils inside. Often using their old age to their advantage, claiming that they wanted to have some fun before they kicked the bucket. I was the only one who somewhat tolerated their crazy pranks.

When it was time for me to leave I saw that school was ending. The Ponyville school ended right as my shift ended at the old folks home. I watched as the little foals ran back to their parents, and I saw that there was a new teacher who was standing next to Cheerlee. That's when I saw it was Eclipse waving goodbye to the other mare as she walked back into town.

"Hey! Eclipse!" I called as I ran up next to her.

"Good afternoon Comet, how have you been?" She asked in her soft voice.

"Oh not much, back's a little sore from a old mare landing on it. Other than that it's been quiet for me."

She laughed to herself. "I wish it were the same for me. Twilight's been quite offensive to a jar of pickles as of late."

"A jar of...pickles?" I asked. "Why a jar of pickles?"

She shrugged as we continued to walk. "I guess it won't open so she got mad this morning, and threw it. Then it ended up being knocked into Spike's face." She giggled a little bit. "It was quite funny when I saw him fall over."

"So, um...got any plans next week?" I asked.

She smiled at me. "As far as I know, I am going to be doing nothing other than teach a living group of unicorns." She said. "Why? Are you asking me out?"

"No, just to meet up I guess. I'm going to be out of town for a week, and going to come back next Friday, so I was wondering if you want to catch up then?"

"I don't see why not Comet, but it might have to be late." She sighed. "We're going on a field trip into the Everfree Forest to observe Taint Nodes."

"Are you crazy?" I asked. "You can't take a group of young foals to their deaths!"

She scoffed at me. "I'm quite skilled in offensive, and defensive magics. I also know a range of healing spells if they get hurt, and I am fully prepared to show their parents I am qualified to protect their young." She raised her head into the air. "I'm not weak..."

I sighed. "I never said you were Eclipse, I worry you know." I said with a softer voice. "I don't want to see my friend get hurt, or little foals get hurt either. Their our future you know?"

She nodded. "Well, there's no reason to worry about me or them Comet." She said. "And if things get too hairy then I can teleport us all out at once."

"Now that's crazy, I've never met a unicorn who could teleport a whole class."

"Well shows you, I can teleport to Canterlot and back with something on hoof." She bragged. "Celestia said my magic is equal to Twilight's before she died."

"Wait princess Twilight as a alicorn, or before?"

"Now, at this point, but I remain a unicorn under choice. Don't want to learn how to use wings seeing how Twilight can hardly control her wings when she wants to sleep." She explained. "I need to hurry on now, it was great talking to you again, and I hope you have safe travels."

"Yeah, thanks, see you next Saturday."

Such a gentle stallion. Comet was kind enough to risk his well being for a old mare. Then again there were ponies like him who would. Ponies who took care of the old when they couldn't take care of themselves were nice, but some had selfish reasons. There was always bad when there was good, like there's always a shadow in the light.

I stopped back at Twilight's home, and was greeted with dinner.

"So how'd it go?" Twilight asked as she ate her hayberger.

I shrugged. "It was alright. Took care of a couple bullies, and met some very smart students who knew more about Jin than I thought."

Twilight smiled. "That's great!" She gave me a glass of clear wine. "So what's that look on your face. You look sad."

I pointed to myself. "Me sad?" I asked.

"Yeah, see it in your eyes."

"Well, Comet is leaving Ponyville for a week, and I was hoping to talk to him more." I replied.

"Comet? My star map maker?" A smirk grew on her face. "You got a crush on him don't you princess?"

I rolled my eyes. "He's just a friend Twilight. He's my first one I made when I faked my death."

Twilight nodded, and her smile was gone. "So when is he coming back again?"

"A week." I said. "But, does it really look like I have a crush on a lower class?"

Twilight shrugged. "Don't know, but sometimes it's the lower class that's cuter." She blushed with a little giggle. "At least that's what Cadence told me."

"Last time I checked your brother is a high class pony like you." I said.

"He is, but he's got low class qualities."

"Like his attitude." I laughed. "So high strong, yet elegant, it's why he's the husband to the princess of love."

"So what now?"

"Well, I'm taking my students on a field trip to hunt for some Taint nodes to study them soon."

"You know the moment they learn how to detect aura nodes, they'll see one in you." Twilight said, her face looking serious. "And you know you can't hide it."

"I know....I know....it'll put my plan in danger."