A Shimmering Sunset

I suppose I'll start from the beginning, or, at least close to the beginning........things started when I was....quite young, to say the least....

"Alright, you can do this, Sunset Shimmer...." Sunset murmured to herself, her small hooves making subtle clicking sounds on the floor of the castle. She glanced at Princess Celestia, then at the flame-colored egg that was nestled in a basket near the solar alicorn.

"Do not worry yourself, Sunset." The filly's mentor said, her voice soft and calming. Celestia never failed in calming the young unicorn, and this time was no different. Sunset smiled a bit, her horn beginning to glow a pale, greenish cyan that matched the color of her eyes. The magic swirled around her horn, as a cyan aura swirled towards the fiery egg, wrapping slowly around it. It sank into the egg, making it glow a bit before Sunset finished her spell, the bright glow fading from her horn quickly. She panted, ears flattening. The spell was complicated for her age, and took a lot out of her. She didn't even know if she was successful.

"Did it work?" Sunset asked,and her eyes narrowed as a small crack appeared on the surface of the brightly colored egg, quickly followed by several more. She backed up a bit, trembling slightly as more cracks began to appear on the top, and flinched visibly when it split apart. What she saw next, however, calmed her down quite a lot. Among the shattered remains of the egg was a small bird, which was made of flames. Her eyes went wide, and she tilted her head. "Is that what I think it is...?" She wondered out loud.

Celestia gave a short nod. "It's a phoenix." Then, lowering her head to make eye contact with Sunset, she finished. "And she's yours."

"Mine?" Sunset inquired, blinking at the newly hatched immortal bird.

"You can name her, too, if you wish." Her mentor said, smiling. Sunset's eyes grew wider, and she scanned the tiny phoenix to think of a good name.

"Uh....I think I'll call her.....Ember." Sunset said, giggling a bit as Ember chirped, flapping her tiny wings and gliding over to perch on the filly's horn, wobbling a bit before steadying her talons.

Little did I know, that Ember would spark the start of something new to me.......and eventually change my life.