Studying Abroad

Once the bell finally rang signalling the end of the day, the six friends made their way to Pinkie Pie's house. Applejack and Rainbow Dash were playing a video-game; it seemed as if Applejack had the upper hand...for now at least...Pinkie Pie and Rarity were taking 'selfies' while Sunset Shimmer helped Fluttershy with her fanfiction. Believe it or not, but Fluttershy really loves Doctor Who...After a while of having fun, Rarity asked Sunset if she was ready to tell them her 'long story'.

"It all started a long time ago...I was just a little filly in Equestria back then. From what I have been able to gather, my parents left me on the doorstep of an orphanage in Canterlot. I was only a couple weeks old at the time...I was adopted by Princess Celestia." Sunset started.

"You were adopted?" Rainbow Dash asked.

"Yeah..." Sunset replied.

"Did Principal-err-Princess Celestia tell you that?" Applejack asked.

"Not exactly...you see, I stumbled across her journal one day and she had written about the day she adopted me...she wrote that she was feeling lonely and depressed seeing as her sister was gone and that's when she considered adopting a foal. She also stated that she was happy she did...she...she loved me..." Sunset explained. Though it was rare that she would cry, today was one of those exceptions.

"Why are you crying darling? Isnt that a good thing?" Rarity asked.

"I was...so awful to her that night...and now I realise that she did truly love me. That night, all I could see was the fat that she lied to me and everything I had known about my life was a lie.." she explained.

"All I remember from that night was the arguing...I said something horrible to the only mother I've ever had..." she continued.

"What did you say to her sugarcube?" Applejack asked.

"I...I told her...that I...that I hated her! I didn't mean it! I was just upset! I ran in tears and came here...I don't hate her and I realise now that she didn't tell me to protect me. She would have told me when I was more prepared to talk about like a mature adult...I wish I could go and apologize to her, but she probably hates me for what I said...I've never wanted my mother so much in all my life..." Sunset broke down into tears, Fluttershy hugging her in an attempt to comfort her.

"I doubt she hates you Sunset..." she said.

"Could one of you try to write that to Twilight for me? I think I might ruin the book if I try to write it..." she asked as Rarity began writing to Twilight explaining why Sunset wasn't the one writing along with what she had told her to write. At the same time, Pinkie brought the girls some ice cream, giving Sunset the biggest bowl. She was slowly starting to feel better.

Meanwhile in Equestria, Twilight was almost in tears just by reading what Rarity had written. Twilight had discussed Sunset Shimmer quite a few times, and she did know that Celestia missed Sunset greatly, but never knew the actual reason why she seemed so sad at the mention of her name. Twilight then sent a letter to her former mentor asking if she could share with Sunset Shimmer some of the things they had discussed. Luckily for her, Princess Celestia agreed that she could tell Sunset what they had discussed. She even asked Twilight to send out a message to Sunset Shimmer. She then began to write her reply to her student and friends:

Hey girls,

How is Sunset doing? I hope she's all right...anyway, If you wouldn't mind giving her this message for me:

I never realised that Celestia adopted you...now everything makes sense...Sunset, believe me when I say that Celestia doesn't hate you; I'd say she's more worried than anything...she truly does love you Sunset. She knows that we are sending messages to each other and everyday she asks me if you ever mentioned anything about returning to Equestria. She obviously wants to patch things up with you, Sunset. Also, I was wondering if you would be comfortable with me discussing this a bit with the princess? If you'd rather I didn't, I won't. Hopefully you girls can still enjoy your weekend!

Your friend,

Twilight Sparkle

After writing her message, Twilight re-processed everything Sunset had said. Princess Celestia had adopted her. That was quite obvious seeing as Celestia had once broken down into tears when she and Twilight had discussed Sunset Shimmer. The Princess of friendship only had half of her original stack of paperwork to complete, so she started on the remainder of her paperwork.

'I'll be done before the musical showcase at Canterlot High' she thought to herself.

Back through the mirror at Pinkie Pie's house, Sunset read Twilight's message at least five times. She couldn't believe what she was reading.

"Sh-she doesn't hate me? Princess Celestia...mother...worries about me?" she stammered.

"Of course she does. Adopted or not, she's still technically your mom..." Rainbow Dash exclaimed.

"Are you going to go back to Equestria?" Applejack asked.

"I..." Sunset started, only to be cut off by Pinkie Pie.

"Of course not! At least not yet! That would make the story totally short!"

"I was going to say; I'm not sure what I'm going to do...I'll have to think about it...Perhaps by the time Twilight comes back in a couple weeks..." Sunset said. `

"Wait. She's coming back in a couple weeks?" Rarity asked.

"Y-yeah, if she can finish her paperwork by then..." she replied.

Finally, Sunset decided to write her reply to Twilight:

Dear Princess Twilight,

I have no problem with you talking to Princess Celestia about this. Don't worry about me. I'm fine. I was considering returning to Equestria with you after the musical showcase...(if you come of course!) But, I'm really not sure what I should do...any advice?

Your faithful student,

Sunset Shimmer

P.S: As your student, I assume you'll want me to start sending you letters when I learn something about friendship as you did once with Princess Celestia?

"So...huh...Sunset...have you figured out anything about this world's Twilight?" Rainbow Dash asked.

"Actually...I have. Turns out, she graduated early from some private school...Starswirl Academy I think it was called? And she is supposed to be attending Canterlot University in a few weeks." Sunset said, popping up files on Pinkie Pie's laptop.

"Then what is she doing at our school?" Applejack asked.

"That's not all, apparently, her 'best friend' also graduated early and is attending Canterlot University..." she continued.

"Well, who's her best friend?" Fluttershy asked.

"Sunset Shimmer! I knew that there was another Sunset Shimmer in this world, but I usually try to avoid her as to not cause any confusion..." she added.

Meanwhile in Equestria, precisely in it's capital of Canterlot, a white alicorn mare was going through what appeared to be an old scrapbook.

"Sister?" a midnight blue alicorn mare entered her head into her sister's room.

"Huh? Oh sorry Luna...just lost in thought..." Celestia replied as her sister entered her room. Luna's gaze stopped at the scrapbook Celestia was looking at.

"Sister, who is that filly in the photo?" she asked.

"Sunset Shimmer" she replied.

"I...hadn't realised you two were so close before..." Luna replied, looking at all the photos.

"Well, I would sure hope we were close back then..." Celestia replied.

"What did happen between you two?" Luna asked.

"Luna, there's something you should know about Sunset Shimmer...I adopted her when she was only two weeks old and raised her ever since. The night she left, she found out she was adopted and we argued. She left in tears..." Celestia said close to tears herself as Luna attempted to comfort her.