It had been almost two years since Princess Celestia expelled Sunset Shimmer from her studies. It was a horrible night for Sunset, who went a step too far in demanding that she become a princess greater than Celestia herself. Her world was turned upside down, as Celestia banished Sunset from the castle which had been home for many years. Sunset had no family to go back to, and she was a year too old to be eligible for shelter in a children's home, in fact, she wasn't even eligible to use a battered-mare's shelter since she hadn't been physically assaulted. With no bits, or any other asset, Sunset was tempted to jump into the mirror. But she resisted her urge in the hopes that she may one day be re-accepted by Princess Celestia.
Sunset spent the last two years building a new life, one that hadn't revolved around her idol, Celestia. Unfortunately for her, she found that the job market was not full of opportunities for a pony with incredible magic skills, but a terrible social ineptitude. Sunset's incredible sense of self entitlement did not help her much in the job interviews. But she eventually learned her mistakes and became a waitress at a high end restaurant in Canterlot. It was a far cry from Sunset's dream job as a princess, but it would have to do. With the money she made, she could afford to have a life, albeit a humble one.
It was a normal Sunday night for Sunset. She was in the restaurant kitchen cleaning glasses in what little down time she had left before the dinner rush started. Suddenly, Sunset's manager burst through the kitchen door. "Ah!" Sunset yelped in surprise.
"Sunset, you're not going to believe it! Princess Celestia has chosen to dine here tonight! This is the last time since...I can't even remember when! She's at table 5, now go. Now!"
"B...But...I can't!"
"Don't be ridiculous, you're one of the best waitresses I've ever had. You'll be fine, just calm down, and do your job just like you always do." Sunset's manager was attempting calm her down, but he clearly did not know much about Sunset's history.
"You don't understand, I can't! I used to be her personal protégé...but she cast me out and banished me from the castle." Sunset was saddened at the memories, and looked down at the floor, away from her boss.
"There's no need to lie, Sunset. I'm sure you'll be fine, now get out there!" With that said, he placed his head behind Sunset's flank, and with a switch flick of his head, he pushed Sunset through the door out of the kitchen, and into the main dining room. Sunset's boss continued to watch through a circular window in the door.
Sunset closed her eyes and took a deep breath in, and exhaled. Opening her eyes, she approached Celestia's table. She stopped just short of the table. Celestia was looking out the window, at all her subjects. Celestia had not noticed that her former student whose life had been destroyed was standing right behind her. Sunset took a moment to think of how best to approach the princess. She ultimately decided to take her boss' advice and do her job just like she always did.
Sunset walked calmly, making sure to make some noise with her hooves, to a position where Celestia would notice her. Celestia had heard the steps, and turned away from the window, and towards her waiter. Her head craned back and eyes widened as she recognized her former student. At first she thought it might be coincidence that the two were dining in the same place at the same time. But the fact that Sunset was dressed in a cheap black and white dress and holding a menu, queued Celestia in to the fact that her gifted student had become a measly waitress.
"Sunset?!?" Explained Celestia.
"He...hello, princess...." Sunset's voice trailed away as she looked down at the table. She couldn't help but think what a disappointment she must have been to Celestia. Not knowing what else to do, she continued to avoid eye contact, as she slowly placed the menu in front of Celestia. "Our specials today are..."
"Sunset, what happened to you? Surely a pony with your talent could find a better job? Something other than a mere waitress..."
Sunset answered her former teach with silence.
"Hmmm. Perhaps we could talk about it over dinner? Would you care to join me?" Celestia gestured towards the open pillow on the other side of the table.
Again, Sunset answered with silence. She looked around at nearby patrons, as if she didn't want to discuss her situation out in the open.
"I see. Perhaps we can talk in private after you're finished with work?"
Sunset paused for a moment. "Yes. Yes, I would like that very much."
"Very well. Until then, may I have them, um..." Celestia glanced down at the menu and picked the first thing she saw. "I'll have the veal cacciatore and foie gras." Celestia's mind was still focused on Sunset, and not so much on her next meal.
"Ar...Are you sure? That's from the griffon section of the menu."
"Oh." Celestia blushed. She looked around at other patron's plates until she found one that looked appetizing. "I'll have what that mare over there is having."
"Very good. And princess?" Sunset waited a moment. "It's good to see you again."
Celestia smiled. "It's good to see you again too, Sunset."
With that, Sunset quickly made sure no other customers needed anything, and she disappeared behind the kitchen door, which her manager had watched the entire exchange from.
As the night went on, Celestia had finished her dinner, and the main dining hall had started to clear as other had finished as well. Celestia and her manager were both in the kitchen, his eyes continued to be glued on the princess through the window in the kitchen door. "I don't get it! Why is she just sitting there, she finished her meal over an hour ago!"
"She's waiting for me to finish my shift so that we can talk in private." Sunset replied.
"No offense, but why would Celestia, her royal highness, want to speak to a lowly waitress?"
"I already told you, I used to be her best and closest student. But the last time we say each other, it ended badly. That was almost two years ago. Maybe...maybe she might take me back...I'm not sure."
Sunset's boss couldn't believe it. Had his prized waitress been telling the truth? In any event, he didn't want to make Princess Celestia wait any longer, just because Sunset had not finished her work. "Why didn't you say so?! You can take the rest of the night off, I'll cover for you. If Celestia does decide to re-enroll you, would you go?"
"Of course I would!" Sunset exclaimed.
"Well in that case, if I don't see you tomorrow, or the day after, I won't come looking for you. Good luck, Sunset, now go!"
Sunset took a deep breath, and left the kitchen to approach Celestia. She had been less focused on looking through the window towards the outside of the restaurant, and more focused on her prior student. It had been strange for Celestia to be waited on by her former student, but she could see that something had changed with Sunset since the last time she saw her. Could it be that Sunset has developed a sense of humility?
"Alright, Princess. My manager is going to take over for me the rest of the night."
"Is that the one who has been staring at me through the kitchen door for the past few hours?"
Sunset chuckled, "Yes, that's him. Should we go to the castle to talk? I...I know I'm not allowed in there anymore, but I just thought that maybe..." Sunset didn't get a chance to finish her sentence.
"Actually, Sunset, I've given some thought to this. I would rather go to your residence to talk."
Sunset's jaw dropped. Why would Celestia suggest such a thing?! Shocked and confused, she didn't know how to reply. "M...My place?! Princess, no! I don't think that's such a good idea."
"You do have a home, do you not?"
It became apparent that Celestia merely wanted to check in on Sunset's welfare. Sunset appreciated that her mentor still cared for her, but she feared that Celestia might not like what she would find at her home. "Yes, of course I do. It's just that...it might not be suitable for royalty such as yourself." Sunset couldn't believe she phrased her sentence in that way.
"I'm sure it is fine, Sunset. Lead the way." Celestia got off of her cushion and stood up. Sunset recognized an order when she hear one, and with that said, the two walked out of the restaurant side by side.
The two had been walking for close to 15 minutes, as they went from the nicest parts of Canterlot, to progressively worse neighborhoods. It was times like this when Sunset wished she had longer legs, like the Princess. Or wings like the Prince...no! She tried not to think of the topic any longer. "Don't worry, Princess, we're almost there."
Celestia looked at her surroundings, which included graffiti on the fine marble walls, and even a burned out carriage littering the side of the road. Celestia had always known there had been some crime in Canterlot, but she never fully grasped the severity of it. A mental note was made to speak with her guard commanders about not sugar-coating crime reports.
Sunset used her horn to create a light, as she walked off the main street and into an alley. Celestia was glad for the light, since the alley was no place to walk blind. The alley had a stench of urine, and worse, as she carefully watched where it was safe to step. A few moments later Sunset stopped and gestured towards an apartment building to the right. "This is it."
Sunset walked up to the door and opened it with her hoof. She only had to push, since the door handle had been broken by burglars long ago, and the landlord refused basic maintenance service for the property. The two ponies walked up a narrow staircase for 5 floors. Celestia was having trouble turning as the stairs went back and forth, simply because there was not much space for her large body to turn in. Finally, they exited the stairs and entered the hallway. Barely any of the hallway candles were lit. It was littered with trash, newspaper, and Celestia could see a hoofful of ponies in the hallway either sitting, or sleeping.
"Don't worry about them. They just want shelter in a warm place, they won't hurt you." Sunset said, to calm Celestia's obvious uneasiness. Celestia had not been worried about her personal safety, but rather, worried that so many in her wonderful city were not having such a wonderful time after all. The two walked a little down the hallway and stopped at a door, just as filthy as the rest of the doors.
"Are you sure you want to go in here? I'm afraid you might not like what you see..." Sunset looked down at the ground.
"Open the door." Celestia said. Not in an angry voice, but certainly in an assertive tone.
Sunset took a key ring out of her saddle bag, and unlocked all three bolts, one by one. After pausing a moment, she opened the door and lit the candles with her magic so they could see. They both walked into the apartment and closed the door.
Celestia was taken back by what she saw. Her jaw dropped, as she scanned her surroundings. Sunset's place was relatively neat and tidy, but that is not what drew Celestia's attention. The living room had been completely overrun with paintings. There must have been over a hundred of them. Celestia could see an easel, which clued her into the fact that Sunset had taken on painting as a....hobby. The paintings were all lifelike masterpieces, and it was obvious that many hours had been spent creating them.
It didn't take long for Celestia to pick out a clear theme. Almost all the paintings were of Celestia, with perhaps ten percent of the paintings being self portraits of Sunset. Celestia saw a painting of herself giving addressing her subjects from a castle balcony. She looked regal, and happy as all her subjects looked in the painting. It took Celestia more than a moment to realize that Sunset had painted herself into the painting, but looking on from a distant back-alley. She was so tiny, she could barely be made out.
Another painting was Celestia and Sunset flying together. Both had expressions of pure joy and happiness. Could this be how Sunset views herself had she become an alicorn?
Celestia looked at another, where Sunset and Celestia had been enjoying a picnic under a tree. In fact, Celestia remember exactly which picnic that was, based on the location and how the food was arranged. The painting was just as accurate as how Celestia had remembered it.
Celestia looked at yet another. It was a portrait of Celestia and Sunset sleeping together by a fireplace. In fact, it appeared to be the fireplace inside of Celestia's room. Sunset had only been in that room a few times, but never had the two ponies slept together. Celestia then noticed that Sunset had wings in that portrait.
This whole time, Sunset stood with her ears down, watching Celestia look over her paintings. Paintings of how she viewed the past, and wished for the future.
Celestia had never realized just how much her student idolized her. It was obvious that Sunset wanted nothing more than to be with Celestia. There wasn't a single painting in the room that portrayed the princess in a negative light. Although Celestia could see a few self portraits of Sunset which were certainly not in a positive light. But in none of those paintings did Sunset have wings. Celestia looked desperately around the room to find a subject that could break the awkward silence and avoid talking about the elephant in the room.
Celestia could see a small opened can of cat food in the kitchen with a dirty fork next to it. "Oh! I see you have a pet cat!"
"I...I don't have a cat." Sunset said slowly as she looked at the princess.
Celestia understood the implication immediately. Could Sunset not afford food? Had she spent all her bits on painting supplies?
Tears welled up in Sunsets eyes, and in short order, she dashed over to Celestia and embraced her left foreleg tightly. Sunset began to sob uncontrollably, pressing her face into Celestia's leg tightly.
Celestia knew she wouldn't be going anywhere soon, so she sat down on the dirty floor, careful not to move her front leg. Celestia embraced her former student, but remained silent. Other than the sobbing, the silence would only last a few seconds longer.
"I'm so sorry!" Sunset finally said. Although the sobbing broke up her words, the princess could understand them just fine. "I'm SO sorry. I shouldn't never become obsessed with that stupid mirror! I shouldn't never snuck in to the library and read those books!"
Celestia was beginning to wonder if Sunset even understood why she had been expelled.
"And most of all, I'm SO, SO sorry about demanding to be a princesses! To even suggest that I could be greater than you...I must have been out of my mind. I was so horrible to you, I didn't mean to be. I was...I was just so excited to learn about the alicorn transformation spell. I wanted to be with you, right by your side, forever!"
Sunset had been cry so much that her nose started running as well. Her tears and mucus had nowhere to go but into Celestia's fur. Celestia looked down at the sobbing mess that was Sunset and her leg. In a strange way, it had reminded Celestia of her little sister, before the nightmare took her.
Celestia couldn't believe was she was hearing coming out of Sunset's mouth. By looking at the paintings and listening to Sunset's words, it almost seemed as if Sunset had finally learned the important lesson of sincerity.
"I love you so much...but you just threw me out and banished me from the castle without any warning! Being with you is all I ever wanted, and it was ripped away in an instant. I had no home, no family, no bits, nothing!" Sunset continued to cry for 30 seconds or so without saying anything. Finally, Sunset let go of the princess' leg, wiped her eyes with her foreleg, and opened her eyes.
Looking up at the princess, who towered over her, Sunset asked, "Princess...do you think...do you think you could ever take me back as your student? I've learned a lot in the past two years. I've learned humility."
Celestia could see that back at the Restaurant. Celestia also noticed Sunset used the present tense of love. She contemplated to her self for a quick moment while Sunset was awaiting an answer. Celestia glanced over the paintings once more. It was obvious that Sunset had a low sense of worth, and extremely obvious she had become obsessed with her. Celestia couldn't help but wonder if Sunset was being sincere in wanted to be Celestia's companion and student, or if Sunset merely wanted to be an alicorn princess.
"Sunset...I'm so sorry, but I cannot take you back as my student. Not everyone is meant to be a princess. You understand, don't you?" Celestia noted the horrified expression on Sunset's face. "It was a mistake for me to come here. I'm so sorry, Sunset. I should go now." Celestia gave a final embrace to her former student and left through the door.
Sunset remained frozen for some time after Celestia had left. Was that really it? Celestia wouldn't take her back, and the only reason given was that not everypony was meant to be a princess? Why wasn't Sunset meant to be a princess? She was gifted with magic, but perhaps had a few personality flaws. She had just proclaimed her love of Celestia as her mentor, and how she wanted to be beside her, and Celestia had walked out. All of Sunset's hopes of becoming an alicorn had been dashed.
Sunset knew of only one thing to do. Soon, it would be dark and the princess would be fast asleep, and if Sunset wasn't mistaken, there would be no moon tonight. She spent the next few hours planning out what she was about to do in her mind. After a while, she became hungry and went into the kitchen. She opened her cupboard and looked at the stacks of cat food cans. "No. Not tonight." She thought to herself. She opened a drawer which contained a small wedge of cheese she had managed to steal from the restaurant last week. She ate it slowly, savoring every bite.
After she finished, it was time to go. Using her magic, she put on her saddle bag, and placed several feet of rope into the pouch. She left her apartment and walked down the hallway, stairs, and out of the building. She walked to a vast public park, which had a sweeping view of the Canterlot castle. Sunset could see the balcony where Celestia walks out every morning to raise the sun. The princess who had ruined Sunset's life, the princess who had filled Sunset's head with dreams of greatness, only to have those dreams crushed. Sunset had never felt so angry or sad, thinking of how Celestia destroyed her life. It was finally time for Sunset to hurt Celestia.
With no one else around in the park that time at night, Sunset carefully tied one side of the rope into a noose. Carefully measuring the rope with her eyes, Sunset tied a small loop at the other end of the rope, and laid it on the ground to check it's length. "This will teach Celestia a lesson about friendship." Sunset muttered to herself.
Sunset placed the noose around her neck and tightened the slip knot. She stopped and looked up at the balcony. A pair of guards flew by it, on their regular patrol. Sunset knew it would be minutes before they returned. Sunset used her magic to teleport up onto the balcony. Worried that her sound may have awaked the princess, she listened. Through the ornate glass door, she could hear only snoring. "Tomorrow, when you come out to raise the sun, you'll be sorry for what you've done to me." Sunset whispered to the balcony door.
With that said, Sunset grabbed the opposite end of the rope, which was tied in a loop. She performed a quick teleportation spell to transport her a few feet up. She quickly tossed the loop over a decorative statue above the balcony door. She let gravity carry her down. Sunset landed with a snap. She hung lifeless, suspended by the rope in front of the balcony door.
A few minutes later, the same pair of guards flew by on patrol. "Whoa!" One of them said to the other. "Look over at the balcony!" The two flew up to, and landed on the balcony. "She's definitely dead. Should we wake the princess?"
"Of course we should!" The guard examined the body under the dim light of some exterior candles which we lit every night for security purposes. "Wait! I know that cutie mark!"
"Who is it?"
"That's the princess' former student! Sunset shine, or something. There's no way we can tell the princess about this. Remember what happened to the guard that told Celestia what happened to her student before Sunset?"
"He's not still in the dungeon, is he?"
"I've heard the magical seals on those wall shackles are good for a hundred years before they'll release. I don't know if he's alive or not, but he's definitely down there."
"That's just an old ponytale. I'm sure he's fine. He probably just quit or got demoted."
"Well, I never saw him again, that's for sure. Help me carry the body."
"Carry it where?"
"We'll drop her in the middle of the Everfree forest. The animals will eat her before anyone could discover her."
With that said, the guards took off from the balcony, carrying Sunset and her rope. They carrier her out over the forest far enough to where Canterlot was barely visible. Any farther, and they might have trouble finding their way back to the castle. "This is far enough" one of the guards said, each word between a pant. "We'll drop her in three...two....one!" The two guards let go of the body and let it fall towards the ground. The guards looked at each other. "Let us never speak of this again." With that said, the two flew back to the castle.
A few hours later, Celestia was awakened at a know on her door. No words were exchanged, since this was merely her assistant making sure she got up in time to raise the sun. Celestia yawned, put on her adornments, and walked out onto the balcony. After using her magic to raise the Suns, Celestia took a moment to look down at her kingdom. "A beautiful day to be alive" Celestia thought to herself.
After her morning rituals, Celestia's day progressed as it always did. But she kept finding herself distracted, thinking about the events of last night. Celestia may not have been completely fair with her former student. She had great magical potential, and it did appear that she learned some important skills and life lessons in the last two years. The thousand year anniversary of Luna's banishment was approaching in the next few years, what were the chances of finding another gifted unicorn to help defeat nightmare moon.
As Celestia sat on her throne, she postponed a meeting and spoke to her assistant. "I would like you to take a letter for me."
"Of course, your majesty."
"My dearest Sunset, I am sorry about my behavior last night. Upon much thought and reflection, I have decided to give you another chance as my student. I believe you have learned some valuable lessons in the last two years that will help you progress in your studies. I would be honored to have you as my student again. I understand that, after how I treated you, if you want to reject my invitation, I understand. I will not seek you out after the delivery of this letter. I hope you can forgive me for how I've treated you, and I hope you will accept the position as my personal student. Sincerely yours, Celestia."
"Have this message delivered for apartment 518, at 728 Stonewall street. If she is not there, slide it under her door."
"Yes your majesty."
Knowing that the letter would soon be delivered to Sunset, Celestia breathed a sigh of relief knowing that she had done the right thing in changing her mind.
