What We Used To Be

by ArtisanScribe

Rating: everyone
Tags: Slice of Life, Sunset Shimmer, Twilight Sparkle, Sad, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic
Length: 2619

Twilight and Sunset used to be best friends, but something happened that would change both of their lives forever.

Twilight Sparkle and Sunset Shimmer used to be the best of friends back in Celestia's School for Gifted Unicorns. They saw each other as sisters, and both were happy. However, after a certain turn of events, their happiness and friendship comes to a tragic end. This takes place before the first episode.

Cover image belongs to CosmicPonye

Published 2014-11-29 00:40:03 UTC
Last updated 2014-11-29 00:40:03 UTC

What We Used To Be

"YES!"

A young Twilight Sparkle shouted with glee. She happily bounced all over the room as her parents looked on, grinning softly.

"Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes!~" Twilight squealed, her violet eyes alight with joy.

"Alright, Twilight, it's time for bed now, sweetie," Twilight Velvet spoke up.

"I can't go to sleep yet, Mom!" Twilight said, excitement still clearly in her voice. "I've got so much that I need to do first!"

"You don't want to be sleepy on your first day, do you?" Night Light chuckled.

"No, but still, I need to be prepared for anything!" Twilight said, puffing out her chest with pride. "I'm Princess Celestia's protégé! With that high of a title, anything could go wrong!"

"Now, that doesn't sound like something a student of Celestia would say," said a voice behind Twilight.

Twilight whipped her head around, grinning widely as she wrapped her forelegs around the neck of her big brother, Shining Armor.

"Tomorrow's my first day at the Royal Guard Academy and boy, am I sleepy."

Shining reached a hoof behind his head and scratched his mane. He closed his eyes, faking a long, drawn out yawn. Shining popped an eye open and saw Twilight giggling at him.

"You can't fool me, BBBFF," Twilight said. "You'll have to do better than that."

"Hmm, how about I read you two books tonight instead of one?" Shining Armor asked, a smug smirk on his face.

"Make it three," Twilight said.

"You drive a hard bargain, Twily," Shining said. "How about two books and a cookie before bed?"

"Deal," Twilight giggled and trotted over to her bed and climbing under the covers.

Shining returned to his sister's bedroom levitating two storybooks and a big chocolate chip cookie in a blue aura. He set the books down on the bed and levitated the cookie to Twilight. Not long after she finished the cookie, and Shining was halfway through the second book, little Twilight's eyes began to close slowly. She yawned rather adorably as she snuggled her Smarty Pants doll against her muzzle. Shining chuckled and kissed his sister's forehead.

"Good night, Twily," he said.

"Night, BBBFF," Twilight mumbled and fell into a restful slumber.

The next morning as Celestia's sun glistened over the horizon, Twilight and her parents arrived at the School for Gifted Unicorns. Shining Armor had left for the Royal Guard Academy earlier that morning but had enough time to see Twilight off. Twilight looked around and saw several unicorn fillies and colts wandering around the courtyard. Twilight was a little bit scared but excited all at once. She hopped out of the golden carriage and looked around in awe.

"Hello, Twilight," a soft voice called to her.

Twilight gasped as she met the soft gaze of Princess Celestia herself. Twilight quickly bowed in respect and almost toppled over. She rose when Celestia petted her mane.

"I'm sure that you are just as excited as I am, Twilight," Celestia spoke.

"Yes, Princess," Twilight said. "I made sure I was prepared! I even brought all my books with me!"

Celestia chuckled lightly.

"Excellent, Twilight. Now we must be off if you are going to meet your classmate."

Twilight nodded and turned back to her parents.

"Bye Mom, bye Dad, I love you," she said and hugged them tightly.

"We love you too, sweetheart," Twilight Velvet said, kissing her daughter's cheek.

Twilight trotted off to catch up to Celestia as her parents watched with tears of joy. Celestia led Twilight through the many halls of the school and up a grand staircase to a large golden door.

"This is the room that you and your new classmate will share. She is also a student of mine," Celestia said and raised a hoof to knock.

"Come in," a young mare's voice said.

Celestia's horn lit up in a golden aura, and the door swung open. A young filly, a few years older than Twilight bowed to Celestia. She had a golden coat and a red and yellow mane. Her cutie mark was that of a shining red sun. She rose, and Twilight saw her shining teal eyes. Twilight couldn't help but blush a little bit.

"Good morning, Princess," she said sweetly. "Is my new classmate here yet?"

"Indeed, she is," Celestia said. "Her name is Twilight Sparkle."

Twilight peeked out from behind Celestia's leg nervously.

"Don't worry, I won't hurt you," the filly said, laughing a bit. "My name's Sunset Shimmer. It's nice to meet you, Twilight."

Twilight smiled shyly as Celestia slightly nudged her forward. Twilight shook Sunset's hoof, and Sunset smiled brightly at her. She stepped aside and let Twilight into the room. Twilight walked inside and looked around in amazement. In the center of the room was a large golden bed of which the two fillies would share. The silky white curtains covered a large window overlooking the grand courtyard of the school.

"This...is incredible," Twilight whispered, completely awestruck.

Her eyes fell upon a small basket sitting on the large bed.

"Spike!" Twilight gasped and ran to cuddle the baby dragon.

"I took care of him while you were gone," Sunset said. "He's so cute. I can't believe you hatched his egg all by yourself. You've got some talent, Twilight."

Twilight grinned sheepishly, twirling her dark violet mane around her hoof. A light blush formed on her cheeks.

"Thanks, it was nothing, really," she said. "It all just happened so suddenly."

Princess Celestia smiled in the doorway. She was overjoyed that her students were getting along so quickly.

"Come, my students," she spoke. "We have much to accomplish today."

"You ready?" Sunset asked.

Twilight nodded and smiled brightly, happily levitating her saddlebag full of books by her side.

"Ready as I'll ever be."

As the days passed, Twilight and Sunset became the best of friends. They would do everything together, and Twilight began to see Sunset as a big sister. The two of them became instant friends and would study together all the time. Whenever Twilight was sad or feeling homesick, Sunset was there to comfort her. Sunset had Twilight's back just as Twilight had hers. The two were inseparable.

Days turned into weeks, weeks into months and months into years and Celestia's star pupils were blossoming; not just as students, but as friends. One fateful day, however, this happiness would come to a tragic end.

Sunset Shimmer groaned loudly as she opened yet another book flipping through page after page. She sat on her haunches in the castle's library searching through book after book.

"Where are they?!" she growled. "They've got to be here somewhere!"

Princess Celestia stood quietly behind Sunset Shimmer, looking on confusedly at the frantic unicorn.

"Sunset, what is it that you are looking for?" Celestia asked her.

"The advanced spells!" Sunset replied, flipping through another book. "I'm ready to start studying them."

"Sunset, we've discussed this," Celestia said sternly. "You are not supposed to learn advanced levels of magic until you are truly ready."

"I am ready!" Sunset shot back. "I've been studying for years with you! I should be ready by now!"

"Sunset," Celestia softly spoke. "Some of the most powerful unicorns in all of Equestria have studied for much longer than you have been. You must learn patience before you are ready to begin advanced magic."

"It's not fair!" Sunset screamed as she stood. "How come all of your other students get to learn advanced magic when I don't?!"

Celestia stepped back, surprised at the sudden rise in the volume of Sunset's voice.

"Sunset, please calm down," Celestia quietly spoke. "Now, come along so that you can continue your studies."

"No," Sunset said firmly, a growl emanating from her throat. "I'm tired of all of this studying."

"Sunset, plea---" Celestia started.

"I said NO!"

Celestia was taken aback. She attempted to approach Sunset and put a comforting hoof on her shoulder, but Sunset slapped her hoof away. She glared at Celestia with a burning hatred.

"I'm sick of waiting, Celestia!" Sunset screamed. "You're supposed to be teaching me what I want to know! Isn't that what being a mentor is supposed to mean? I'm one of your best students, and yet, you can't teach me advanced magic because I'm not ready?!"

Celestia was utterly appalled and shocked at Sunset Shimmer's actions, but she could only listen to the young mare's tirade.

"I should have been learning advanced magic years ago. Especially since I'm your so-called "protégé" or "faithful student" and don't you dare bring Starswirl into this, Celestia. It's always Starswirl this, or Starswirl that. I mean, why didn't you just confess your feelings to the old geezer before he kicked the bucket?!?!"

Celestia's rose eyes widened, and she took a few steps back out of complete and utter shock. This was going too far, and she had heard enough of it.

"Sunset Shimmer," Celestia said firmly. "You must listen to me very carefully."

"No, I won't listen!" Sunset replied harshly. "I'm sick of listening to you and your stupid rules! I've had it!"

"Enough of this Sunset Shimmer, now come with me at once and we will discuss this later."

"I...said...NO!!!"

Twilight sat on the bed reading one of her favorite books when she heard a sudden shout that shook the entire room.

"What was that?" Spike asked.

"I don't know Spike, but it sounds like trouble," Twilight said, dropping her book. "What's worse is that Sunset hasn't come back from her conference with the Princess yet!"

Spike crawled his way up onto Twilight's back, and she trotted out the door. Suddenly, one of Princess Celestia's guards zoomed past Twilight. She looked at Spike with worry and galloped after the guard.

"Sunset!" Twilight called. "Sunny, where are you?!"

Twilight galloped until she saw many guards running into a dark room. Twilight pushed her way through the crowd of guards, and her eyes went wide in shock when she saw the pony that they were crowding around.

"Sunset?!" Twilight gasped. "What's going on? Are you okay?"

Sunset scowled at Twilight with a burning hatred in her eyes; a glare that could strike fear into the hearts of grown stallions.

"This school is pathetic," Sunset growled. "Celestia doesn't know what she's missing. I could've been her heir. I could've been the best student she ever had, but NO! She wouldn't teach me what I needed to know and she calls herself a mentor."

"Sunset..." Twilight whimpered. She was slightly shaking as she looked at her friend.

"Twilight, come with me," Sunset said, extending her hoof to her. "Together, we can teach Celestia a lesson. We could easily overpower her with our combined strength. Just think Twi, a kingdom of our very own! We would rule all of Equestria together, just the two of us!"

Twilight was trembling, shaking her head in denial. Her best friend was delusional; wandering towards insanity.

"I...but...Sunset, be reasonable. You can't do this," Twilight said.

"You're either with me or against me, Sparkle!" Sunset growled.

Twilight backed away from Sunset, tears threatening to fall from her eyes.

"Fine, have it your way...princess." Sunset said and turned to a large mirror, that in reality, was a portal.

Sunset began to walk through the portal, not once turning back.

"Sunset, NO!" Twilight screamed and galloped to the portal with all her might in an attempt to stop Sunset, but, it was too late.

The portal closed, and Twilight only felt the cold, glass surface of the mirror against her forehooves. She sunk to the ground breathing heavily as her lips began to tremble. Her best friend was gone.

"Sunset... why?" she whispered.

Hot tears rolled down her cheeks. She suddenly felt a hoof on her shoulder. She turned and saw Princess Celestia's sorrowful eyes looking into her own. Twilight threw her forelegs around her teacher's neck and sobbed into her chest. Celestia waved the guards away and led the sniffling Twilight back to her room with Spike following close behind. Twilight's head hung low as she walked on. She passed by several other students in the hallway but didn't speak a word to any of them.

Those who got a glimpse of Twilight's face saw her dark and tearful eyes. Once Twilight arrived at her room, she entered without a word. Spike opened his mouth to speak, but before he could get a word out, Twilight shut the door in his face; locking him out and Celestia as well. Spike softly knocked on the door.

"Twilight, are you gonna be okay?"

Silence.

Spike tried to knock again, but Celestia's hoof met his claw, stopping him. He looked up at Celestia who only shook her head. Celestia called for a guard to watch after Spike, and as they led the baby away, Celestia touched her forehead to the door.

"Trust me when I say this, Twilight," she spoke. "I know exactly how you are feeling..."

After Sunset Shimmer's betrayal, Twilight fell into a deep depression that lasted many years. She was extremely dedicated to her studies but never wanted anything to do with friends ever again.

Her peers, her teachers, her family, and especially Celestia were all worried about her. She wasn't the same Twilight Sparkle that they all knew and loved. She kept her distance from other ponies, and her emotion seemed to vanish altogether. Despite all of this, Twilight couldn't forget Sunset no matter how hard she tried. She was her first real friend, but she was a cold and heartless traitor in the end. These thoughts worsened Twilight's depression, and she wanted to rid herself of the memories in hopes to ease her shattered heart. She even thought about killing herself. Luckily, Spike was there to talk her out of it. It was just no use; she just couldn't forget about Sunset. The two of them were practically sisters, and Twilight remembered every happy moment they spent together. Those cold, lonely nights without Sunset by her side were unbearable, and Twilight would cry herself to sleep sometimes. Twilight thought that this nightmare would never end, but in time, she met the angels who saved her from that dark place.

30 MOONS LATER...

Princess Twilight Sparkle silently stood at the mirror portal, gazing solemnly at her reflection on its surface. The chilled air of the Crystal Palace blew across her fur and mane, making her shiver slightly. She raised a hoof to the mirror and lightly touched it. A single tear rolled down her lavender cheek as she reminisced on a dark memory. Twilight looked up at the mirror once more, expecting to see her own reflection, but she was instead met with another being. A teenage girl. The girl kneeled to meet Twilight's equine height, smiling a gentle smile. Twilight could only look on in surprise as her bottom lip trembled. The other girl had golden skin that shone like the sun, flowing, fiery red locks with yellow highlights, and eyes that shimmered like the teal waves of the sea. She extended her hand to meet Twilight's hoof as tears streaked down her golden face. Twilight's lips curled into a small grin as her own tears began to fall. Both girls' eyes met in tearful joy and Sunset Shimmer broke the prolonged silence as she whispered:

"Thank you, Twilight,"

Twilight returned the gratitude but struggled to speak through her sobs.

"I miss you, Sunset. I miss you so much..."

It would be another 30 moons before the two could meet each other again, but they knew that the wait would be worth it.

Author's Note

This is my very first MLP fanfic ever. I am incredibly proud of it and hope everyone will enjoy it! :-)