Author's Note
So.... This is the beginning of what I Like to call MLP-1610. This AU operates on one simple divergence: Sunset Shimmer and Twilight Sparkle switch roles. More rules are to follow but for now enjoy the first episode if MLP:FiM with sunset as the main character.
Mare in The Moon
Once upon a time, in the magical land of Equestria, there were two regal sisters who ruled together, and created harmony for all the land. To do this, the eldest used her unicorn powers to raise the sun at dawn; the younger brought out the moon to begin the night. Thus, the two sisters maintained balance for their kingdom and their subjects, all the different types of ponies. But as time went on, the younger sister became resentful. The ponies relished and played in the day her elder sister brought forth, but shunned and slept through her beautiful night. One fateful day, the younger unicorn refused to lower the moon to make way for the dawn. The elder sister tried to reason with her, but the bitterness in the young one's heart had transformed her into a wicked mare of darkness: Nightmare Moon.
She vowed that she would shroud the land in eternal night. Reluctantly, the elder sister harnessed the most powerful magic known to ponydom: the Elements of Harmony. Using the magic of the Elements of Harmony, she defeated her younger sister, and banished her permanently in the moon. The elder sister took on responsibility...
“…For both sun and moon” The yellow unicorn finished reading out loud “...and harmony has been maintained in Equestria for generations since. Hmm... Elements of Harmony. I know I've heard of those before... but where? Great, now I have more homework to do.”
Sunset Shimmer stood up and put the book she was reading back in her saddle bag, and started to trot back to her study room. She would have made it there but she was stopped by Twinkle Shine.
“Hey , Sunset, We’ve been looking everywhere for you.” The fellow unicorn said
The fiery haired pony replied “I bet you have, and Let me guess, you want me to go to some birthday party or some such nonsense, Right?”
Twinkle Shine lowered her head and gave a meek, “Yes”.
“Figures, look we’ve been over this, I’m the princess’s personal student and that means I just don’t have the time to mingle. Thanks, but no thanks”
Sunset trotted off to her room while one of Twinkle shine’s friends said “She has such an ego, just because she’s the princess’s student”
Sunset got to her massive library and called out to her assistant.
“Spike! Where are you?”
A Small Dragon came out wrapped in ribbon.
“I’m here!” The purple reptile said as he tripped on his own ribbon
“Spike, what is that?” Sunset asked
“Present for Moon Dancer” Spike replied
“Why do you always get invited to those things?”
“I have a life outside of you.”
Sunset lowered her eyelids at that
“Sure you do, Look just get me Predictions and Prophecies”
Spike saluted and then did what he was told, he put the book in front of Sunset.
“Let’s see… Elements of Harmony …. There we go! ‘See: Mare in the Moon’?” Sunset scoffed
“Of course, lead me to a fairy tale”
Sunset turned the page and started reading, “The Mare in the Moon: myth from olden pony times. A powerful pony who wanted to rule Equestria, defeated by the Elements of Harmony and imprisoned in the moon. Legend has it that on the longest day of the thousandth year, the stars will aid in her escape and she will bring about nighttime eternal.” Sunset sighed “Spike, take a note.”
Spike produced a pen and parchment, “Okay, why?”
“Trust me on this,” Sunset then started to dictate the letter, “Dear Princess Celestia, in my continuing studies as your personal student, I have come across something that may ruin the Summer Sun Festival. I have reason to believe that Nightmare moon is returning to bring Night Eternal, I trust you know what to do, signed Sunset Shimmer,”
Spike set the letter on fire, the green smoke flowing through an open window.
“You know, she’s not going to answer, right?”, Spike stated
“If it’s me, she’ll answer.”
No sooner had Sunset said that, Spike belched out a letter with the royal seal.
“Told you” Sunset gloated.
Spike opened the letter and read.
“My Dear Sunset, You know how I value all of your Insights”
Sunset stood straight, “Darn right you do!”
Spike continued to read, “But you have to stop reading those dusty old books,”
Sunset’s eyes widened, “What?”
Spike continued on from there, “My dear Sunset, there is more to a young pony's life than studying, so I'm sending you to supervise the preparations for the Summer Sun Celebration in this year's location: Ponyville. And, I have an even more essential task for you to complete: make some friends!”
“That Old Nag!” Sunset shouted, now en route to Ponyville in a chariot, “I warn her of impending doom, and she sends me on a play date!”
“Oh no, You have to make friends, such torture.” Spike snarked from beside her.
“Don’t sass me, Spike”
The chariot touched down as the conversation continued.
“Come on, Sunset, you’re organizing the Festival, You’re staying in a library, can’t you at least try to make some friends?”
By coincidence, the two came a across a pink earth pony with a curly mane, Sunset looked to Spike.
“You want me to make friends, watch this” Sunset looked to the pink pony and Introduced herself, “Hello, My name is Sunset Shimmer–,”
Suddenly, the pink pony gasped loudly and dashed away.
Sunset looked on in udder confusion, “Why yes, That was an intelligent conversation,”
“Pretty sure, that’s not how normal ponies act” Spike replied.
The two looked at each other and silently decided to get to work. Spike pulled out the check list for the Summer Sun Festival.
“So, first on the list is food, over at Sweet apple acres”
And so they trekked off to the farm,
Sunset ranting the whole way.
“You know what? I don’t care! Let the world go to Tartarus in a handbasket, and when I’m right Sunbutt will come crawling back to me and be like ‘I’m sorry I didn’t take you seriously’ and I’ll be like ‘Sorry won’t bring the sun back, princess!’” Sunset concluded her rant.
“You done?” Spike asked from atop of Sunset’s back “Because we’re almost there,”
“Actually, it felt pretty good to vent like that, I guess this won’t be complete disaster” Sunset said, entering the farm.
No sooner when she entered the farm, her hoof was grabbed by an orange earth mare wearing a stetson and was shaking said hoof violently. If that wasn’t enough, the whole place reeked of apples causing Sunset’s nose to stuff up a little.
“Well howdy there, stranger! Welcome to Sweet Apple Acres, name’s Applejack, what can do for ya?” The blonde mare introduced her self.
“Well so much for not being tortured” Sunset thought to herself, before saying aloud, “My name is Sunset Shimmer and I am the Organizer for the Summer Sun Festival.”
“Oh you’re here to check up on the food, right?”
“Yes, and jud–”
Sunset was interrupted by the sound of a triangle ringing and the entire Apple Family bum rushing the table. Applejack being a good host to a fault introduced Sunset to the Apple clan, one by one.
“... Big Macintosh, Apple Bloom, and Granny Smith. Up and –” AJ started to finish but was interrupted by Sunset.
“Go back two,”
“Uhh… Big Macintosh?”
“Yeah, That’s the one.”
Now, Sunset never thought her type to be a farm pony, but standing before her was the pinnacle of stallion perfection. His dirty blonde mane was just messing enough to be attractive, and each rippling muscle beneath his red fur was as delicious as the apple he was named for. There was even something about the way he wore his harness, something that pleased Sunset to no end.
“Uhh… Sunset?” Applejack started as she waved a hoof in from of the mesmerized mare’s muzzle, “Did you wanna sample some of our treats?”
“What do you think I’m doing?” Sunset replied before relizing who she had said that to.
“Say what now?”
“What! I mean, yes, I’d love to try some your food.”
Originally, Sunset was just going to have one treat, but at the behest of The Apples, she had one of every type of treat. Now filled with an unhealthy amount of apples, She and Spike trudged through Ponyville. Spike checked food off the list.
“Okay, so next is Weather,” Spike stated.
“Oh, Please be normal,” Sunset begged
“The pony in charge is a pegasus named Rainbow Dash”
“Well at least–”
Sunset was interrupted by a blue blur tackling her to into the nearby creek, water logging her mane and fur.
“Heh, sorry about that,” a light scratchy voice apologized.
“Oh no problem, I was actually getting heat stroke” Sunset spat venomously.
Sunset parted her mane to see a blue pegasus perching on a bridge. The pegasus was laughing to to herself.
“ Come on, be a sport, it’s only some water.”
Sunset climbed out of the creek, “Let me guess, you’re Rainbow Dash,”
“The one and only! And you are?”
“Sunset Shimmer, Why did you knock me into a creek,”
“Oh, Right, Let me get that,” Rainbow then created a whirlwind around Sunset, wicking away all of the moisture from her fur and mane. Unfortunately, her mane was ‘styled’ into the ever popular bird nest style.
“And that’s what I call the Rain-Blow dry!” Rainbow stated proudly before looking at her handy work. She tried to stifle her laughter.
“I swear, if you laugh, I will set you on fire….”
Ultimately, Rainbows attempts at being polite failed and she was rolling on the floor laughing. Sunset lowered her eyelids and she sighed.
“Whatever, are you going to at least clear up the clouds?”
“Oh yeah, I’ll get to that when I’m done practicing”
“For…. You know what? I don’t care, I know where your priorities are”
Rainbow got up in Sunsets face, “Is that a challenge?”
“Wh- No! It’s not a challenge–”
“You think I’ll ruin The Summer Sun Festival for Ponyville!”
“I don’t give two horseapples about Ponyville!”
“Watch this!” Rainbow then flew up into the air and pummeled every cloud she could find, and then returned to Sunset Shimmer with a smug look on her face.
“Ten seconds flat,” Rainbow boasted. “I’d never leave ponyville hanging”
“Your parents must be so Proud.” Sunset turned to Spike , “ What’s next?”
“ Decorations.” Spike read.
Both Sunset and Spike went around looking at the decorations and found the Decorations Coordinator, a white unicorn named Rarity.
If one asked Spike about Rarity, he’d tell you that she was the most beautiful thing he’s ever gazed upon. Her perfectly coiffed mane going ever so gracefully with her snow white coat. She herself was the height of grace, currently fastening a bow to the stage.
If you asked Sunset what she was feeling right then, she would tell you that she was the tiniest bit relieved. Yeah, Nightmare Moon was going to be arriving in a few hours to bring eternal night, but right here, right now, Sunset might’ve finally found some sanity in a village full of idiots. Nopony who could decorate Town hall like this could be insane.
“This looks so good! For once this job is easy!” Sunset gushed.
“Why thank you da–aaaaaagggggggggghhhh” Rarity started and then saw Sunsets Mane, “Oh you poor dear, what happened to your coiffure?”
“My Mane? Short answer, rainbow pony” Sunset replied
“Ah, say no more, I know how much of a ruffian Rainbow Dash can be, oh, I hope she hasn’t ruined your impression of Ponyville,”
“I wouldn’t say she’s solely responsible”
“Well come with me, I’ll show you that despite our humble atmosphere, we can actually be the pinnacle of class.”
For once today, Sunset felt happy. Rarity was making great, polite, conversation while leading Sunset to her boutique. Sunset was sure that when Nightmare Moon came, She’d find a special place for rarity as the moon queen’s tailor. That was of course,if all else failed.
Then they went into the boutique, and Sunset was immediately proven wrong. As soon as they entered, Rarity went to work putting various saddles on to her.
“Oh, Look at me rambling on,” Rarity said, as if Sunset could notice, “What about you, dear, where are you from?”
“Well I was sent from Canterlot–”, Sunset was then interrupted.
“Canterlot?! Oh, I am so envious! The glamor, the sophistication! I have always dreamed of living there! I can't wait to hear all about it! We are gonna be the best of friends, you and I,” Rarity went on before noticing the Saddle she was putting on to her victim, “ Emeralds? What was I thinking, Some sapphires would compliment you nicely,”
As Rarity left, Sunset pulled off the saddle grabbed Spike by the tail and ran out of there.
“Wasn’t she amazing?” Spike commented dreamily once they were outside.
“Yeah, she’s a real piece of work, please tell me we’re done.”
“Uh, actually one last thing, music”
And they did come across the music coordinator, a light yellow pegasus by the name of Fluttershy, who was conducting a group of birds.
Sunset walked up and called out, “Excuse Me!”
The birds flew off and Fluttershy hid behind her hair.
Sunset froze for a while, “ Um… right. My name is Sunset Shimmer and I’m the organizer for the Summer Sun Festival and I’m here to check on the music.”
The two ponies stood awkwardly for a few seconds.
“Will the birds come back?”
The pegasus nodded her head slightly.
Sunset still stood silent for a beat, “ Well, this conversation has been riveting, Come on, Spike”
Fluttershy then noticed Spike.
“A Baby Dragon!” She practically squeed, “I’ve never seen a Baby Dragon before!”
“Glad to see somepony appreciates me” Spike all but gloated.
“I feed you, don’t I?”
Fluttershy continued to talk to Spike, “Oh my, he talks. I didn't know dragons could talk. That's just so incredibly wonderful I, I just don't even know what to say!”
“That makes two of us, honestly”, Sunset deadpanned .
“What’s his name ?”
“I’m Spike!”
“Hi Spike, What do dragons talk about?”
“What do you want to know?”
“Everything!”
“Sweet Celestia, No” Sunset cried in anguish
The Torture had started unfortunately, as Spike told Fluttershy his life story, literally. At this point, Sunset Shimmer was one hundred percent done with ponyville. Fortunately now all she had to do was go into her library, come up with a plan to stop the coming apocalypse, and prove once and for all why the princess should listen to her.
They all got to the library as Spike finished his story, “Do you want to hear about my day today?”
Fluttershy nodded, “Oh yes please”
“No!” Sunset yelled as she turned to Fluttershy “I’m sorry but this course of Spike the Dragon I has ended, feel free to register for the next class: Spike the Dragon II, Starting NEVER!”
Sunset shut the door and sighed.
“That was Rude,” Spike commented as he hopped off Sunset’s back
“Don’t start with me, Spike. Right now, I just need a bottle of cider and a few pieces of graph paper”
The lights flicked on, and Sunset found herself surrounded by ponies, all yelling “Surprise!”
At the forefront was the pink earth mare Spike and Sunset met that morning.
“Hi I’m Pinkie Pie, and I threw this party just for you! were ya surprised?”
“Yes, very, this was the icing on the cake” Sunset groaned
“There’s cake over there, next to the drinks. I made sure to bake an extra huge cake so that everypony can have some…”
Sunset just tuned Pinkie out after awhile, and looked where the drinks were. Surprisingly there was a lot of good stuff, and Sunset could swear the punch was spiked; just what the doctor ordered. There was also hot sauce, Sunset decided to put that bottle near the cupcakes just so nopony would accidentally drink a glass of that stuff. Sunset then pour herself a glass of punch. One whiff and she knew, definitely spiked, and then went to the guest room in the library.
Upon seeing sunset leave without a word, Pinkie simply said, “I guess she needed to freshen up.”
Sunset lay on the floor,various charts, graphs and other miscellany littered the floor.
Spike entered the room, “ Sunset, you really gotta join the party, Pinkie just started Spin the … What’s all this?”
Sunset looked up from her ‘homework’ and answered, “Spike, good, so I think I have a solid plan A. When Nightmare Moon makes her grand entrance, I’ll fire up an evocation spell to burn her to ashes.”
“Yeah, her and everypony else.”
Sunset tapped her hoof against her chin before concluding, “ Acceptable losses, buck this town!”
“And Celestia would be okay with that? And not do what she did last time you started using evocation magic?”
Sunset paused before mumbling, “I did make the fires better…”
The unicorn and dragon went to Town Hall where the ceremony was taking place. Spike had to take away a flag Sunset made that read ‘Welcome Nightmare Moon’, that was plan B apparently. They went into the room and found a place by Pinkie, who was raving about how excited she was, making Sunset roll her eyes.
The Ceremony started as the mayor introduced Princess Celestia. The curtains opened to nothing. Wondering if she missed her cue, the mayor introduced the princess again. Nothing still.
“Bit in the air,” Sunset commented to herself.
Just as the mayor was trying to calm everypony there down, a black star-filled smoke rose and formed a jet black alicorn wearing midnight blue armor.
“And the bit drops,”
“Oh, my beloved subjects. It’s been so long since I’ve seen your sun loving faces” The alicorn addressed the crowd condescendingly
From somewhere in the crowd, Rainbow challenged the usurper while Applejack held her back. The Starry maned stranger chuckled at this.
“Why, am I not Royal enough for you? Do you not know who I am?”
Pinkie started to open her mouth but she was interrupted by Sunset.
“Oh please!” Sunset called, “You think any pony in this backwater town even studies mythology?”
“ My don’t we have the sharp tongue, and I presume you know who I am?”
“I tried to warn everypony! I tried to say, ‘Nightmare Moon is coming, hide your foals, hide your mares’ but No, I get sent here with the biggest group of idiots in equestria!”
Nightmare Moon’s smirk grew even more sinister, “So you do know me, and you also know why I’m here,’
It was then that Sunset felt the tremendous power behind the alicorn. Realizing that even she was thinking too small.
“Remember this day,My Little Ponies, for it shall be the last, and the night… Will last… FOREVER!”
To this, Sunset only had one response, “Horseapples,”
“Horseapples”
That was the only thing running through Sunset’s head as she ran to the Library. For the first time in a long time, she felt humbled. Now was the time to regroup and see how to fix this mess.
Sunset had gotten to the Library and put Spike to bed.
“It’s better he doesn’t have to deal with this,” Sunset commented to herself
Sunset ransacked the library looking for books that were about the Elements of Harmony. But those efforts were to no avail.
“How does this Library not have anything about The Elements of Harmony!” Sunset exclaimed in anguish.
“And Just what ARE the Elements of Harmony” Rainbow dash asked, Suddenly flying into the Library and butting heads with Sunset. “ and how did YOU know about Nightmare Moon, huh, Are you a spy?”
Sunset lowered her eyelids, “Really? That’s the conclusion you jump to?”
“ Well, Even if you aren’t a spy, you know something, don’t you , Sunset” Applejack said, while entering with Rarity, Fluttershy, and Pinkie Pie.
Sunset closed her eyes and let out a sigh, “I read a prophecy about Nightmare moon, and the only things at this point to stop her are the elements of harmony.”
Applejack gestured her hoof in a circular motion, “And,”
“That’s it, there’s literally no information I can find about them!”
“‘The Elements of Harmony: A Reference Guide’” Pinkie read off on of the book still on the shelf.
Sunset butted Pinkie away, “How did you find that?”
Pinkie Bounced along the Library and sang, “It was under E!”
“Of course,” Sunset snarked as she took the book off of the shelf and Read. “There are six Elements of Harmony, but only five are known, Kindness, Laughter, Generosity, Honesty, and Loyalty. It’s said that the Five Elements now lie in the ruins of The Castle of The Two Pony Sisters, located in what is now known as…”
“... The Everfree Forest,” The six ponies intoned, now at the entrance of the forest. They were all entranced in it’s mysterious beauty.
“Whee! Let’s Go!”
Well almost all of them, Pinkie was raring to go into the dangerous uncharted woodland.
“Ha ha, No.” Sunset said evenly, “This is my Mission, and I work alone,”
“Yeah, nothing doing sugarcube, we’re not letting a friend of ours put herself in danger. Like it or not, We’re sticking to you like Caramel on a Candy apple,”
Pinkie Pie walked past Sunset, “Especially, if there are candy Apples in there, Those things are good”
“It’s your funerals I guess,” She Muttered as she walked into the forest.
“So, I’m guessing none of you have ever been here before,” Sunset said, as the group was walking into the forest.
“Oh, Heavens no, Just look at this place, it’s horrible” Rarity responded.
“It ain’t natural,” Applejack added, “Folks say it don’t work the same as The rest of Equestria,”
“How so,” Sunset inquired.
“ No pony knows,” Rainbow Dash answered in a spooky voice.
Sunset Rolled her eyes, “What are you, five? No pony’s afraid of your ‘spooky’ vocie, Well maybe except Butterflies over there,”
“Aww, don’t be a buzzkill, Sunset , I did hear that ponies don’t come out of this forest though,” Rainbow said, in a casual tone.
Suddenly the cliff they were all standing on, broke and they were sliding down the mountain. Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy flew out of the way and grabbed the the non Pegasus ponies sans Sunset and Applejack. Applejack grabbed on to a twig while Sunset was holding on for dear life on the edge of the rock face.
Seeing this, Applejack let go of the twig to slide down and grab Sunset.
“Applejack, Pull me up!” Sunset shrieked.
“I can’t, There ain’t enough leverage here,” Applejack struggled
“Well what do I do?”
Apple jack thought hard about this and saw something, She then simply told Sunset, “Let Go…”
Sunset paused for a moment and said , “This is because I was ogling your brother, isn’t it?”
“This ain’t about Big Macintosh, let go, and you’ll be fine,”
Sunset let out a sigh, and let go. She was falling to her certain doom, until Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy caught her with Fluttershy fumbling a bit. Applejack bounded down the Cliff.
Sunset went up to Applejack, “So, What I said about your Brother... “
“Don’t think nothin of it, he’s a big colt, can make his own decisions. Besides, I kinda like it when another mare shows interest, puts a stop to all them rumors”
“That’s … candid of you.”
The Party continued walking through the forest. Rainbow dash bragging about what had happened a few minutes ago, as Sunset had pointed out.
A manticore showed up out of nowhere and attacked the ponies. Rarity kicked the manticore , angering it and making it roar in her face messing up her hair. Applejack decided to ride the manticore as if it were a rodeo until she got bucked off. Rainbow got smacked by the beast before she did anything. Sunset set her horn aglow,signs of fire starting.
“WAIT!” Fluttershy yelled, finally after trying to get their attention during that fight,
“Sunset, Put your horn out, You could really hurt Somepony,” The Light-yellow pegasus scolded.
Fluttershy walked up to the manticore, and started talking to it softly. The manticore showed Fluttershy it’s paw with a thorn sticking out of it. Fluttershy cooed as she took the thorn out. The manticore roared in pain, picked Fluttershy up… and licked her.
With the apparent danger passed, the rest of the party walked past. The manticore put Fluttershy down.
“Did you even know about the Thorn?” Sunset asked
“No, Some of us need to be shown a little kindness” Fluttershy answered as she went to join the rest of the group.
“What if there was no thorn! What’s the plan then!” Sunset called after her.
The six ponies continued their journey.
Rarity shuddered, “My Eye need a rest from all this Muck.”
Though, not without complaining. Fortunately for Rarity, they entered a thick part of the forest, where even the moon didn’t shine.
“Well I didn’t mean that literally,”
The party soon began to murmur in confusion.
“Oh wait, I just stepped in something,” Applejack announced.
“Thanks for sharing that,” Sunset snarked.
Fluttershy screamed.
“Oh relax,” Applejack said, “It’s only mud.”
“We hope” Sunset jabbed.
No sooner had that conversation happened, They realized what Fluttershy was screaming about. All of the Trees in the forest gained monstrous faces and were surrounding the six ponies. They were all paralyzed with fear, well, except for a certain pink pony who was laughing up a storm.
“Great, The Pink one’s lost it,” Sunset said, “Why am I not surprised,”
“It’s not like that at all, Sunny, watch” Pinkie replied, getting ready to burst into song
“When I was a little filly and the sun was going down…”
“Yep, Lost it, She’s singing” Sunset confirmed for herself
“The darkness and the shadows, they would always make me frown…”
“No, Dear, That’s just how she is” Rarity Stated.
“I'd hide under my pillow
From what I thought I saw
But Granny Pie said that wasn't the way
To deal with fears at all”
“Then what is?” Rainbow asked
“She said, "Pinkie, you gotta stand up tall
Learn to face your fears
You'll see that they can't hurt you
Just laugh to make them disappear."
Ha! Ha! Ha!”
And as if by magic the ghost tree transformed back into a normal, less creepy tree. Caueing the ponies to gasp
“So, giggle at the ghostly
Guffaw at the grossly
Crack up at the creepy
Whoop it up with the weepy
Chortle at the kooky
Snortle at the spooky
And tell that big dumb scary face to take a hike and leave you alone and if he thinks he can scare you then he's got another thing coming and the very idea of such a thing just makes you wanna... hahahaha... heh...
Laaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaauuuugh!”
As she sang she pushed the rest of the ponies in front of the ghost trees and they laughed, even Sunset. They all got out of the thicket, laughing until reached a raging river.
The ponies heard weeping upstream. They followed the blubbering to find a long Sea Serpent wailing.
“Okay, There’s a Sea Serpent crying, Why?” Sunset said, her eyelids lowering to a halfwaypoint.
“ Oh , Hi, ponies, did my crying disturb you?” The Sea Serpent said flamboyantly.
“ Well it’s disturbing the river,” Sunset commented
“Oh, I’m Terribly Sorry, it’s just, a few minutes ago a wird little black cloud came by and cut off my Moustace!”
“Really didn’t ask for your life story,”
The Serpent ignored Sunset, “Now look at me! I’m a mess!” he cried falling back into the water.
“Really?” Rainbow said
“That’s what all the fuss is about?” Applejack reasoned
“Why of course it is! How can you guys be so insensitive!”Rarity butted in, “Just look at him, such lovely luminescent scales!”
The Serpent gave a nod, “I know,”
“And your expertly coiffed mane”
“ Oh I know! I know”
“And your fabulous manicure”
The Serpent gave a sigh, “It’s so True!”
“All ruined without your beautiful mustache!” Rarity concluded
The Serpent wailed, “Oh, it’s true, I’m Hideous”
“I feel like I’m a bizzaro world” Sunset commented.
“I cannot let such a crime against fabulosity go uncorrected” Rarity stated before taking one of the serpents scales and Cutting her tail off. She levitated the severed tail and attached it to the Serpent’s mustache.
The Serpent squealed with joy, “Oh ho! My Mustache! Oh how wonderful”
“You gave your tail to a flamboyant sea serpent,” Sunset mused.
“Yes, dear, a small price to pay for happiness, I assure you.” Rarity said.
“Yeah, sure, Whatever you say. At least we can cross now”
As Sunset tried to walk across the river, she was lifted by the serpent’s tail.
“Allow me,” The serpent offered, making a bridge with his body. All six of the ponies walked along him, no problem.
After these trials, The ponies felt a great relief when they saw the ruins. there was only one problem: The bridge was out.
Rainbow Dash volunteered to retie the bridge. Just as she flew to the other side, she heard a voice call out to her.
“ Who’s there?” Rainbow called,
The voice called out to her again.
“ I ain’t scared of you!” Rainbow Challenged
“We’ve been eagerly awaiting the arrival of the best flier in Equestria”
“Who?”
On the other side of the bridge, Sunset felt the urge to facehoof.
“Why you of course.” the voice said.
Rainbow postured herself, “Oh yeah, of course. Hey you wouldn’t mind telling The Wonderbolts that right? I’ve been trying to join them for years.”
“No, Rainbow Dash, we would like you to join us, the Shadowbolts.” The Voice revealed itself to belong to a ligh blue mare wearing a skin tight black and purple suit, a skull with wings adonring the flank. She was Flanked by two black stallions in the same suit.
“We are the the greatest team in the everfree forest, and soon all of Equestria,” the mare said, “But first, we need a captain.”
Rainbow’s eyes shined at the proposition.
“The Most magnificent, swiftest, bravest flier in all the land” The Shadowbolt leader continued to flatter, Rainbow affirming each trait.
“Yes it’s all true” Rainbow boasted.
“We need…” The leader leaned to whisper into Rainbow’s ear, “You.”
Rainbow Dash jumped for joy, “Sign me up!”
She then went over to bridge, “But first, I gotta tie this bridge.”
“No!,” The Leader shouted, “It’s either them, or us”
Rainbow was unsure of what to do, She looked over to the other side of the bridge.
“Did you forget how to tie a rope? Get moving Rainbow!” Sunset called.
“Don’t be mean, Sunny,” Pinkie said
Sunset called again, “Okay yeah, that was uncalled for, but seriously, we need to get moving.”
Rainbow was at a loss at what to do, She lifted her head up and said, “You,”
The lead Shadowbolt grinned.
“Thank you, for the offer I mean, but I’m afraid I’m going to have to say no,”
Rainbow then tied the bridge a returned to her cheering friends.
“So you decided not to take the obvious trap.” Sunset said to Dash as they were crossing the bridge.
“I told you, I’d never leave my friends hanging.” Dash responded.
They Finally got to the castle, and right in the center was a pedestal holding the elements. Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy brought the elements down.
Pinkie counted them out , “There are only five!”
“Well yeah, The sixth is a complete mystery, Remember? The Book said that when the five are present, a spark of magic will cause the sixth to appear.”
“ What in the hay is that supposed to mean?” Applejack asked.
“I don’t know for sure, but I think it means I have to zap them,” Sunset answered as she started her horn, “Stand back if you don’t want to get burned.”
“Come on, yall” Applejack beckoned her friends, “She needs to concentrate.”
As the band of ponies exited the castle, a sparkling cloud of black smoke approached Sunset. It surrounded the Elements and created a tornado, surprising Sunset. The Tornado held the elements, and was about to disappear. In a split second, Sunset jumped into the tornado.
Sunset landed in another tower, There she saw, Nightmare Moon holding the Elements in her ethereal mane. Sunset did the most logical thing she thought of at that point, and pawed at the ground, ready to charge.
“You’re kidding right?” Nightmare Moon deadpanned.
“Maybe it was me who lost her mind first, but it’s worth a try,” Sunset responded as she charged her horn.
The Two ponies charged each other. When they were about to meet, Sunset teleported. Nightmare Moon looked back and saw Sunset trying to charge the Elements. Nightmare moon teleported to her but it seemed to late.
The Elements were charged and magic was emanating from them. Nightmare moon panicked and as suddenly they started, They went dead. Nightmare moon laughed maniacally.
“Well that plan failed,” Sunset said
“You foal,” Nightmare Gloated, “You really thought you could defeat me? Now you’ll never see your Sun or your princess, and the night. Will last. Forever!”
Nighmare laughed, but under that laughter, she heard the voices of her friends. She felt something inside herself, it was something she dreaded.
“Oh, Sunbutt, damn it all. Really? This is what it amounts to?” Sunset complained
“What are you talking about?” Nighmare question and the flaming headed pony’s rambling.
“The rocks mean nothing, unless they’re charged with the spirits of the Elements, Which are right here!” Sunset explained indicating her friends as she would now be forced to call them.
“Applejack: Telling me the truth about the rumors surrounding her family, represents the Spirit of Honesty!”
“Um, Sunset, I’m not too sure that’s what you wanna go with” Applejack commented but nonetheless she was surrounded by the Element crystals
“Fluttershy,” Sunset Continued, “Tamed the manticore with her compassion represents the Spirit of Kindness”
The crystals surrounded the pink maned pegasus.
“Pinkie Pie: Who giggled at the face of danger, while I thought she was insane, represents the Spirit of Laughter!”
The Crystals followed suit.
“Rarity, Who gave her tail to a really flamboyant sea serpent, represents the Spirit of Generosity.”
The crystals continued to answer Sunset’s call.
“And Rainbow dash, who didn’t abandon her friends for her own desires, represents the Element of Loyalty”
The crystals surrounded Dash. As Nightmare Moon looked in horror.
“You still don’t have the Sixth Element, The spark didn’t work” Nightmare Moon all but pleaded.
“See that’s the topper, there was a different type of spark,” Sunset turned to her friends, “It was something ignited in me when I heard all of you, the overwhelming happiness when I heard your voices. As much as I loathe to admit it, You guys are my friends,”
Sunset turned to the dark alicorn, “When these five elements meet that spark, and trust me when I say, that this is the only silver lining, they create the Element of Magic”
As Sunset said, a stone ball appeared inscribed in it was a six pointed star. all of the crystals glowed bright, and formed necklaces with jewels in the shape of their cutie marks. Sunset got a crown with a jewel on top of it in the shape of her Cutie Mark. The Elements all produced a huge rainbow that shot down at Nightmare Moon.
The Light died down. The force from the Rainbow of Friendship had rendered all six ponies unconscious. They all woke up and took inventory on themselves.
“Is everypony okay?” Applejack asked.
“Oh thank goodness!” Rarity shouted in joyin awe that her tail had regrown.
“Oh, Rarity, It’s Lovely” Fluttershy complimented.
“Oh yes, I’ll never part with it again!” Rarity declared while swinging her new appenged around.
“Okay, We get, You have a new tail, you have to present yourself to us,” Sunset shouted.
“I was actually talking about your necklace, it looks like your cutie mark.” Fluttershy clarified
“So does yours” Rarity pointed out.
“Look at mine, Look at mine!” Pinkie Chirped bouncing up and down.
The ponies went around admiring their new jewelry.
“Gee, Sunset, I thought you were speaking a load of hooey, but I reckon, We really do represent the elements of friendship” Applejack stated.
“Great to know you have faith in my magical skills there, Applebutt” Sunset muttered.
“Indeed you do, My little ponies,” a warm motherly voice said.
All six ponies turned around and as the sun came up, Princess Celestia, The Great white Alicorn with an ethereal rainbow mane appeared. All of the ponies in the room bowed.Except for Sunset Shimmer, who raced to Celestia and pointed a hoof at her.
“Ha!” Sunset gloated, “I just saved your flank and all of equestria! I think you owe me an apology,”
Clestia giggled, only her haughty student could get away with talking to her like that.
“Why would I owe you an apology, My Faithful student,” Celestia said, feining innocence, “I knew you could do it.”
“But you-” Sunset Spluttered
“Sunset, how did you defeat Nightmare Moon?”
“I … made friends and used the Elements of Harmony…” Sunset said slowly realizing what her teacher was getting at.
“And what did I tell you to do?”
“ … Make friends…”
Celestia let out another giggle, “I know what I’m doing, my faithful student, I knew this day would come and I knew you alone had the potential to defeat The Nightmare. My only fear was that you wouldn’t find friends in time. For the Elements can only be used when you let true friendship into your heart. Now there is another who must accept friendship, Princess Luna!
There in the corner of the Room, a light blue alicorn mare with an even lighter blue mane was laying on the ground, just waking up. She gasped as she saw the taller Alicorn walk up to her.
“It has been a thousand years since I have seen you like this,” Celestia announced, “Time to put our differences behind us. We were meant to rule together, little sister.”
Everypony sans Sunset gasped, “Sister!?”
“Well yeah,” Sunset said as if it was obvious, “Don’t you guys know the story of- nevermind, I just remembered who I was talking to.”
Celestia gave a quiet glare to her student and turned back to her sister.
“Will you accept my friendship?” She offered.
The six ponies leaned forward in suspense, Pinkie fell over, Sunset facehooved.
Luna looked into her sister’s eyes and bounded up to her and nuzzled her chest,
“I’m so sorry!” The smaller alicorn cried, “I missed you so much sister!”
“I missed you too,” The white Alicorn said.
Seeing the sisters interact like that, stirred something up in her. This was a part of her that had not surfaced since she was a filly. She looked down at the floor guiltily. The other ponies didn’t notice this.
Pinkie Pie started sobbing at the touching scene, then in true Pinkie fashion came up with an idea.
“Oh, you know what this calls for ?” Pinkie asked, “A party!”
And lo, everypony went back to Ponyville, the residents all cheering and celebrating the return of the princesses. They welcomed Luna with open hearts, decorating her with a garland. Sunset, however wasn’t into the party as much.
“Why so glum, my faithful student? Surely you would be basking in the glory of being Equestria’s Savior”
Sunset wasn’t sure how to take that.
“It’s just, I know that after this I have to go back to Canterlot and return to my studies,” Sunset began.
Celestia gave a knowing smile, “Well, yes, Aren’t you looking forward to it,”
“Maybe before, but, before I wrote these ponies off as the biggest idiots in Equestria. Now, I realize, they're my idiots,and I can’t imagine living without them.”
Celestia chuckled at her student’s candidness.
“Spike, Take a letter,” Celestia ordered, “ I, Princess Celestia, hereby decree that the unicorn Sunset Shimmer shall take on a new mission for Equestria. She must continue to study the magic of friendship. She must report to me her findings from her new home in Ponyville.”
All of the ponies cheered at that. The five Spirits of Harmony tackled Sunset in a group hug and they a laughed happily.
“ Thank you, Princess,” Sunsaid said, more polite than anypony’s ever heard her be.
“Congratulations, Sunset,” Celestia giggled, “I know your family would be Proud.”
Sunset bowed her head, knowing full well what The Princess meant by ‘family’.
“Isn't this exciting? Are you excited cause I'm excited I've never been so excited, well, except for the time that I went [gasp] but I mean really-” Pinkie rattled off but Sunset’s hoof cover her mouth.
“I think we are all excited, Pinkie,”
And thus Sunset started her new life in ponyville, with all of the ups and downs forth coming.
Author's Note
And That ends the Sunset AU.
From the beginning I knew I wasn't going to do the Entire Series, but I also knew I wanted to do the first two parter.
Don't worry though, Even though the story is marked as Complete, I will add more as I feel like it.
