Sunset Shimmer - Embodiment of Light

by Woomod

Rating: everyone
Tags: Twilight Sparkle, Princess Celestia, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Adventure, Sunset Shimmer
Length: 12116

Sunset Shimmer has tasted the rainbow, and returns home.

Sunset Shimmer was redeemed, and together with her friends they summoned the power of the rainbow to defeat the sirens, friendships that if she were still a pony would last forever. But high school ends, people go to college….and one does not become a direct conduit for the magic of The Rainbow without being forever changed.

Now Sunset returns home and discovers she has changed far more than the world she once left behind has.

Published 2015-02-24 11:50:02 UTC
Last updated 2015-04-13 19:56:12 UTC

Prologue - Letters Between Friends

Dear Princess Twilight,

School was fine today, nothing of note really. I don’t see why you want me to write everyday anyways, i’m not gonna have lessons to report that often.

Your faithful student
Sunset Shimmer

P.S. : You uh didn’t look at any of the old stuff in the exchange diary did you?

Dear Sunset Shimmer,

Time Dilation, I only get a letter every eight days and they are one of the highlights of my week, even if you don’t have a lesson to give me I just want some correspondence from a friend it’s hard knowing that you are so close yet so far. Also, please don’t call me princess I really don’t like it when my friends call me that. You don’t need to call yourself my faithful student either.

And uh no, Celestia made it very clear what would happen if I started snooping in your past together. Actually I’m trying to make a third book and see if I can hook it into the enchantment. I think I can redirect a book for me through Celestia’s link to yours.
Then I won’t be tempted.

Your friend,
Twilight Sparkle

Dear Princess Twilight,

Sorry Princess, but you got a crown and you got the title, someone has to keep you humble.
But I’m happy to call you friend.

Also right time dilation, you know if i had known about that things would have gone a lot differently I think. This is what i get for toying with unknown magic, I really should have listened to Celestia’s warnings about the mirror.

But yeah, I’ll write to you every day, just to keep in contact with a friend.

Your friend,
Sunset Shimmer

Dear Sunset Shimmer,

I really am not comfortable with my friends calling me Princess, and I just can’t see how doing so would “Keep me Humble”. It makes me feel like I’m somepony special and not just the same old Twilight I always was.

Besides, you don’t call Celestia Princess.

Your friend,
Twilight Sparkle

Dear Princess Twilight,

I never called Celestia Princess, not once, honestly calling her Celestia feels weird too. But dealing with Principal Celestia has made it not too weird.

Your friend,
Sunset Shimmer

Dear Sunset Shimmer,

Wait, what did you call her then?

Your friend,
Twilight Sparkle

Dear Sunset Shimmer

You haven’t written to me recently, is everything ok? Did something happen?

With concern,
Twilight Sparkle

Dear Princess Twilight,

I’m sorry, I well I learned some lessons I guess but I don’t really feel like talking about them. I met your counterpart on the other side, and it wasn’t a pleasant experience, it made me worry how alike you two are and I know I shouldn’t but I do. Anyways me and the girls are having a post rainbows sleepover.

Your faithful Student,
Sunset Shimmer

Dear Sunset Shimmer,

It’s okay that you’re worrying. I probably would, too. But remember, despite the similarities, ponies aren’t the same as their counterparts. Experiences alone ensure that, if nothing else. I’d like to hear about my alternate though, if you’re comfortable talking about it. I’m curious.

Your friend,
Twilight Sparkle

Dear Princess Twilight,

Graduation was a blast! Really looking forward to summer vacation, just nothing but hanging out with my friends, and yes Pinkie is insisting on a sleepover, i swear she likes lives for those things.

Your friend,
Sunset Shimmer

Dear Sunset Shimmer,

Hehehehe, well it is like a party! I kinda wish my Pinkie was as slumber happy as yours. It kinda gets lonely in the castle at night, I wish I had a friend with me sometimes.

Your friend,
Twilight Sparkle

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dear Princess Twilight,

After Summer Vacation ends Rarities going to Europe, Rainbow Dash got herself an Athletic scholarship, and Fluttershys is going to veterinary college. Only Pinkie and Applejack will remain in town.
I could stay at the school, teach magic, Principal Celestia has offered me the job twice now, wouldn’t even need a degree because I am and I quote “Uniquely qualified for the position.” But i dunno.

Your Friend,
Sunset Shimmer

Dear Sunset Shimmer,

Honestly Sunset, I know I should be advising you but I don’t really understand this whole college thing so you are going to need to explain it to me, I guess it’s like Celestia’s School for Gifted Unicorns, but you are making it sound a lot more permanent.

Your Friend,
Twilight Sparkle

Dear Princess Twilight,

It’s stupid, college is stupid, everyone moving away is stupid, this whole world is stupid, in another week that’s it, poof friendships gone.
It’s just so...i know they aren’t ponies, and i know i wasn’t the best pony when i was one, but still just every instinct in me tells me it’s wrong you don’t just split up and go your separate ways.
I hate hate hate hate hate it.

Your friend

Sunset Shimmer

Dearest Sunset Shimmer,

You could come home.

With all my Love,
Princess Celestia

Sunset looked at the words on the page, she could come home. She COULD go home. What reason was there to stay without her friends? But back there.
She had Twilight there maybe she could be Twilight’s court magician or something, and Twilight’s friends were older than hers sure and not the same if by experience alone she knew that herself, But Twilight made friends with hers easy based on that connection why couldn’t she. But...Mom. Mom was back home. Could she deal with that?

I’ll send you a letter tomorrow when it’s time.
Tomorrow for me.

Chapter 1 - Coming Home

Six friends stood outside Canterlot High’s statue.

“So you’re really doing this sugar cube?” Applejack looked at sunset meaningfully “You got a home here.”

Sunset shook her head “My homes there too, it always was, and i should have gone back when the portal opened, i should have never doubted...Princess Celestia.”

“But if you went back then you would have never met such awesome friends, Your Celestia is like A Thousand years old, what’s a five more to someone like her?”

“More than you probably think rainbow dash, I mean Princess Celestia had to rely on some second stringer like Twilight Sparkle while i was away.” Sunset chuckled “And you guys haven’t been awesome friends…..you’ve been the awesomest friends”

“I don’t think you should be calling her Princess sugar cube.”

“I call Twilight Princess all the time.” Sunset grinned

Applejack just gave her a look “It’s different and you know it.”

“Yeah, it is.” Sunset Sighed running her hand along the portal “It’ll be opening soon, i’ll miss you all sooo much.”

Rarity handed over two...were those saddle bags? Yep saddlebags, with her cutie mark and everything. “A little something from everyone, is in there darling, including something from me, apparently your outfit is gonna be gone and i figured you know maybe whatever's in there won’t be.”

“Only Magical items survive the transition..” sunset started

“Mmm hmmm” Rarity nodded “I put a little in the bags, bigger on the inside.”

Sunset grinned “Thank you, all of you.”

“GROUP HUG!” Said pinkie dragging everyone into her all consuming pink grasp

Sunset turned towards the statue pulled out her book and wrote two words ‘I’m ready’ waiting a moment before touching it her hand moving through “Alright girls, it’s time to go.” she waved stepping through the portal.

Princess Celestia Paced back and forth in twilight’s castle “Has she contacted you yet? It’s been six days.”

Twilight looked at Princess Celestia her characteristic cheerful smile gone, she had no idea what the princess was thinking, worry, anxiety, fear? Maybe she shouldn't have let the Princess barge in Six days ago to wait for Sunset Shimmer, It was weird to have the Princess just around the house, though it was nice to have somepony around to talk to….No, The Princess deserved to be here, she had convinced Sunset to finally come home with just a sentence and it was clear how deeply they cared for each other. “It’s only been six days, it’s another two days before you can start worrying Princess.”

“Twilight, I have been worried for Twenty Five years.” Celestia stated bluntly “Of all your successes the only…”

Twilight’s book began to shake and she opened it “It’s time” she telekinetically lifted the book placing it in the portal’s power source, turned it on and….nothing. “I don’t understand, The theory is sounded, we’ve used the books before, it can open the portal.”

Celestia sighed and smiled “Insufficient energy source twilight, Don’t worry.” She pulled out the original book “Don’t worry, I brought mine.”

“I don’t see the difference they use the same spell…” Twilight sighed switching the two books and flipping the switch, this time the portal turned on instantly. “But...same…”

“Magic always has meaning Twilight.” Celestia stated plainly.

As the two spoke somepony walked through the portal, golden furred, sun cutie marked, red and orange hair. A pair of saddlebags on her sides.

Celestia rushed to embrace the pony in her wings nuzzling her tenderly “Sunset Shimmer, It has been 25 Years since i have seen you, and i have missed you dearly my little sun. I am so proud of you, so very proud.” tears flowed freely down Celestia’s cheeks

“I...I missed you too.” This was not quite the reunion Sunset was expecting, maybe an argument, a chastising, not an embrace and being told how proud she was of her. “Mom.”

“Um, Celestia...You...should take a look at this.” Twilight squeaked out.

“Twilight, this isn’t the time.”

“No, really I know you are happy that Sunset is back home, I am too, but you REALLY should step back and take a look at this.”

Celestia sighed and took a step back then blinked “Twilight, how did you say you defeated the Sirens with Sunset Shimmer?”

“Giant Rainbow which created an Alicorn Buck made of Light who shot them with an Orbittal Friendship Cannon.” Sunset stated plainly

“Without the elements?” Celestia asked

“Yeah, we didn’t need the elements when we beat Human Twilight and the Shadowbolts either...No Offense.” Sunset grinned at that comment. “Why...is something wrong?”

“I’d take a look in a mirror if i were you Sunset.” Twilight stated

“It’s not like i turned into an Alicorn or anything, it’s not like i get wings or anything when i use my magic.” Sunset shrugged

“No, no you most certainly did not become an Alicorn my little sun.” Celestia said

Author's Note

The unreveal dun dun dun

Chapter 3 - The Fool and Judgement

Sunset awoke in a bed...the unfamiliar crystal walls around her. She blinked a few times and tried to get her bearings. She was...in Twilight’s castle.

That’s right, she’d gone home. She’d gone home...she was a pony again!

Sunset gave a little kick with her back hooves.

“I have hooves!” She thought excitedly to herself.

She had gotten so caught up in catching up with mom that she hadn’t been able to enjoy being back in her body again. Her excitement over this revelation was such that she couldn’t resist rolling around under the covers like the adorable little pony she was.

Then she saw her hooves.

“Oh!” She thought unpleasantly.

She bolted up, looked around, and found a mirror. There, on her forehead, was her cutie mark. Memories of her last conversation came flooding back to her.

Unique solution. Surpass. Those words had actually come out of her Mom’s mouth.

“I JUST WANTED A BUCKING TIARA!”

Ok, you couldn’t really say ‘just a tiara’, but she grew up being groomed for it.

“Even if I did want it later...Ok, yeah, I still do.” She thought.

She had to be honest with herself. She really didn’t want it so fast. Later, after she had gotten settled in would have been preferred, but Mom just had to go and make up for lost time. It was her approach to outliving everyone; treat every moment as precious. Never rest. Never a waste moment.

She looked down at her hooves and smiled. Maybe not every moment away was glorious, but they definitely weren’t a waste.

A knock on Sunset’s door broke her reverie, which was followed by a demure voice spoke up, probably a servant twilight did mention having to get some at one point.

“Lady Sunset, Princess Twilight is requesting your presence for breakfast in her study.”

“Let me just do my mane and you can escort me there. Is that ok?” Sunset replied.

“Yes, of course ma'am.”

Sunset entered the simple well-used study. Little more than bookshelves and a large desk at the back end next to the window. While the shelves were meticulously organized, the desk itself was a mess with ignored paperwork that was piled high to one side, and dozens of books that were spread across it, all on a single topic. Behind them, a certain lavender princess sat sipping coffee.

Sunset pushed the book she was reading down with a hoof.

“Look,” she said as Twilight looked up at her surprised, “is an experiment really more important than the fact I’m here?”

Twilight smiled softly.

“No,” she replied “That’s why I was doing research last night while you were asleep; so that when you woke up I could spend time with you. We haven’t seen each other in two and a half years.”

“You have other friends.” Sunset pointed out.

“That doesn’t make not being able to see you any easier, Sunset.” Twilight said, shaking her head. “How was your talk with Princess Celestia?”

Sunset let out a soft sigh as she remembered her conversation with Celestia.

“Good. We caught up and talked about the future.” Sunset said with a sigh. “Look, let’s...not talk about that.”

“But you said it went well.” Twilight said frowning.

“That doesn’t mean it wasn’t complicated, alright?” Sunset groaned. “Look, you're my only friend here, and I just need a friend, ok?”

“Alright then.” Twilight said simply as she took a sip of coffee. “So what do you want for breakfast?”

“Daisies, and Hay.” Sunset replied as her stomach growled.

“You know I have a full kitchen…” Twilight pointed out

“You know I haven’t had either for three years?” Sunset countered as she grinned.

Twilight chucked at the comment.

“Daisies and hay it is!” She said, “And I’m guessing Chamomile?”

“Hehe, yeah, and Chamomile.” Sunset idly wondered if she’d get tired of it with the amount Mom had secured.

“Nah.”

“So what are your friends like?” Sunset asked after the food was delivered as she layed on the desk eating some hay and drinking her tea.

“Why are you on my desk?” Twilight asked gave Sunset a look.

“Your other chair is covered in paperwork.” Sunset replied grinning.

“...Fair enough.” Twilight replied smiling.

“So my other friends.” She continued, taking a moment to think. “Well, Fluttershy lives in her cottage with her animals, Applejack on her farm with her family. I guess not much to say there.”

Sunset slowly took another sip of tea.

“Pinkie Pie lives with the Cakes at their bakery, and plans pretty much every party in Ponyville.”

A slight frown crossed Sunset’s face.

“Rarity has her boutique. She’s quite well known, but doesn’t want to move out of Ponyville. She prefers the small town atmosphere for working.”

The frown on Sunset’s face turned to a look of sadness.

“Rainbow Dash is the local weather manager, and captain of the local amateur flying team. She used to want to be a Wonderbolt, but decided she was happier here. So she made her own amateur team. She’s rather insistent it doesn’t get in the way of pon-”

“IT’S NOT FAIR!” Sunset interjected with a shout.

“Wha-” Twilight said, taken aback by Sunset’s sudden outburst.

“Your friends got everything, but they didn’t need to go anywhere for it!” Sunset screamed, “They all got to stay here. Here with YOU! Why is it you keep getting everything I ever wanted? WHY!? It’s NOT fair!”

Twilight looked at Sunset, over the past two and half years she’d seen her more and more as unflappable as her Moth...Celestia, she hadn’t even thought about the fact she might be tearing open a wound she did have while she was talking. She needed to fix this, make it right.

“No, no it’s not.” Twilight said as she wrapped Sunset in a hug. “You're right, it’s not fair...Would it make you feel better if I told you things I’ve wanted and can’t have, lost and can’t get back?”

Sunset didn’t respond for a bit, letting her frustration drain from herself as she just sat there in Twilight’s embrace.

“No, Twilight.” She eventually replied as she shook her head. “No it wouldn’t. I’d be happy to listen if you needed, but it wouldn’t make it better.”

“It’s ok though.” Twilight said as she wrapped herself tighter around her friend. “You’re here now. You’re home. It’ll be better.”

They sat that way for a while. Sunset wasn’t sure if it was only for another minute, or 10 minutes, that she sat there enjoying Twilight’s embrace while the memory of her friends from Canterlot High refused to be pushed aside in her mind.

“When I was there, my home was here. Now that I’m here, it’s there.” Sunset sighed.

A few soft tears rolled down Twilight’s cheek.

“You’re here now,” She whispered, “shhhhh.”

Sunset had spent the rest of the morning with Twilight reading, talking, and laughing. Even if Twilight seemed to love theory more than application, and got a bit too wrapped up in it, it was nice to have a study buddy. None of her friends were ever really into studying.

When she broached the topic of lunch, however, Twilight had offered to take her to Sugar Cube Corner rather than take lunch in the castle. Recognizing the name, she agreed. She definitely wasn’t going to pass up the opportunity to see the bakery’s counterpart.

Rather than the mundane bakery by human standards, its equestrian counterpart seemed literally made of gingerbread, cake, and chocolate. And here she thought the crystal castle was a bit jarring.

“Well to be fair” She thought to herself, “this thing does at least feel like it belongs here in town.”

As they entered the bakery and sat down, a familiar bundle of pink energy cart-wheeled up to their table.

“Hi, Twilight.” Pinkie began, “What will it be toda-”

She stopped as her eyes fell upon Sunset Shimmer. Sunset just sat there, waiting for what she knew was coming.

Without any warning, Pinkie jumped in the air, excitement etched even more on her face.

“OAAAHHHHHH,” She gasped dramatically “I DON’T KNOW WHO YOU ARE, AND I KNOW EVERYPONY, I MEAN EVERYPONY, IN PONYVILLE! THAT MEANS YOU MUST BE NEW HERE, YOU KNOW WHAT THAT CALLS FOR!?”

Sunset was well acquainted with Pinkie’s magic after all the time spent with her since the fall formal.

“Time to throw her for a loop for once.” She thought eagerly.

Ok, alternate her, but it was still gonna be satisfying.

“Well knowing you, I’d guess it calls for a party, right Pinkie?” Sunset said grinning back at her.

“Yep! knowing me it’d call for a pa-”

Pinkie stopped as she blinked in surprise for a bit. She didn’t stay like that for long, though.

“Heeeyyyy” She said, looking at Sunset suspiciously,“are you like from the alternate universe Twilight went to? And you know me because you know my double who’s surprisingly like me, but not quite, but enough like me to have a huge fondness for slumber parties?”

“Yep” Sunset chuckled “Never can get one over on you in any world can I, Pinkie?”

“Well, can I take your order?” Pinkie stated, returning to the topic at hand “And you are definitely getting that party since I don’t know you!” Pinkie nodded to that statement as if confirming something to herself.

“I wouldn’t miss it for the world Pinkie.” Sunset said with a nod. “Anyways, two oat muffins and a hay smoothie would be wonderful.”

“Two of whatever you think is best Pinkie, and an extra large espresso.” Twilight stated quickly.

“Okie Dokie Lokie,” Pinkie replied, “Coming right up.”

Twilight politely waited for Pinkie to disappear into the back room before she turned to Sunset Shimmer.

“Well” She stated, “someone takes well to Pinkieness.”

Sunset shrugged.

“She was my friend,” She said simply, “It’s who she is. I don’t feel the need to question that.”

Twilight thought about that. The why of the world never seemed to concern Sunset.

“Sunset?”

“Hmmm? What is it Twilight?” Sunset asked

“Why don’t you ever want to know why?” Twilight asked quizzically, “Just for the sake of it, I mean.”

There was a long pause before Sunset spoke as she composed her thoughts.

“Because I could ask myself why about every little thing, and maybe I’d find the answer, maybe I wouldn’t. I wouldn’t find anything new though; just things I already knew. I might know them better, but I can’t even be sure it’d even matter if I knew why unless I could do something different with that knowledge. That’s always been true. Once it would have been about power; how knowledge is power, and power without purpose is meaningless. But nowadays, it’s about living, and if I need to know why in order to live, then more often than not I'll find out why. If I don’t, then that’s more time to live.”

Twilight bit her lip. She didn’t understand. She didn’t want to accept it.

Sunset was studious, smart, learned under the Princess, and yet just didn’t care about knowledge. Well she did just, but not her way. Knowledge was just a tool to her.

Pinkie Pie walked up next to them with their tray of their food, and placed it on the the table.

“Thanks Pinkie!” Sunset said grabbing her muffins and smoothie.

Twilight took her own, and said nothing. The meal was a quiet one.

After dinner, Sunset swayed out of the dinner chambers.

“Why does every fancy salad have so much bucking cheese.” She wondered.

She also had forgotten how tipsy salt could get a pony, and now she was feeling the effect.

“Hey, Sunset, would you, well...” Twilight hesitated for a moment “Like to sleep in my room? It’d be like a slumber party.”

“Sure, Twilight, why not? That sounds nice.” Sunset said smiling as she tipped a bit and the two walked back to Twilight’s room laughing and chatting.

When they reached the door Sunset reached for the handle, but stopped as she realized something.

“Three years of missing telekinesis, and now I’m missing fingers.” Sunset said giggling.

“You couldn’t use telekinesis when you got your magic back?” Twilight asked surprised before opening the doors with her own telekinesis.

“No.” Sunset answered. “Telekinesis is unicorn magic, not my personal magic. Turns out, applying a completely equal force over an object takes a lot of concentration. Rarity and I crushed a lot of apples trying that.”

As the two entered the room the door closed behind them, Sunset leaped onto the bed, rolling around in it playfully. Twilight simply crawled in quitely.

“I missed being a pony too.” Sunset said as she started giggling again. “It’s nice just to be back on four hooves. Feels right.”

“It’s good to have you home, Sunset Shimmer.” Twilight said. “Are you willing to talk about your conversation with your… mother yet?”

Sunset’s mood dampened a bit as that conversation was brought up.

“What is there to talk about?” Sunset groaned while she stretched.

“Well, I know she had always been grooming you for, well...” Twilight spread her wings to communicate her point. “I guess I know why now.”

“What’s there to say?” Sunset sighed. “We reminisced, we argued, we talked about...that…. Mother went on about me rushing into it before, but now I feel like she’s rushing into things and, urgh.”

“You…argued?” Twilight asked incredulously. “You argued with the Princess? HOW COULD YOU ARGUE WITH CELESTIA?”

“You never argued with your mother?” Sunset responded as rolled on her back to look at Twilight quizzically.

“Of course I have, but my mother isn’t Princess Celestia. I mean, you are so lucky.” Twilight squealed, “She must have been perfect.”

“She wasn’t.” Sunset stated bluntly.

Twilight didn’t respond.

“Get too close to the sun and you get burned, Twilight.” Sunset said.

After a few minutes of silence passed, Sunset rolled over to look at Twilight. The conflict of thoughts and emotions was clearly written on the mare’s troubled face. Twilight definitely had trouble thinking of the princess as anything but perfect.

“Maybe this isn’t the best topic.” she thought.

“You wanted to know about this?” Sunset asked, pointing to her cutie mark on her forehead.

“Oh yes.” Twilight nodded enthusiastically.

“Well I don’t know how directly it relates to your ‘Rainbow Power’ mode since I didn’t experience it, but I’m guessing it’s pretty much the same.” Sunset stated ”I’m just not actively using that power at any given moment. Celestia is pretty certain I’m basically an element of harmony; a direct living conduit to The Rainbow.”

Twilight blinked.

“Sunset,” Twilight replied confused “I got about half of that, and I’m me.”

“I’m linked to the same ultimate source of the elements,” Sunset tried to explain, “I don’t need them to do the rainbow friendship stuff.”

“The elements have a source?” Twilight asked looking at Sunset in surprise.

Then she thought about it for a moment.

The Tree had still been sick when she had battled Tirek, and yet it had provided more magic then than it ever had before, allowing them to restore all of Equestria’s magic within moments. Then there was the effects of the Elements on Earth.

Sunset had made it clear that magic had been permanently introduced there because of their actions, despite the fact that there was no Tree of Harmony there. However, the same fundamental power had always existed there, even before the world had magic in the first place. She’d TOLD Sunset Shimmer just that!

A jolt shot up Twilight’s spine.

“I get it!” Twilight shouted excitedly “And being a living element, you don’t have to worry about it being stolen!”

“But I’m going to hypothesize that it still only works when it wants, doesn’t it?” Twilight asked, she was almost certain was right but she still needed confirmation.

“You got that one on your own, unlike Celestia.” Sunset said, rolling back onto her back.

“Yeah, I can’t just Rainbow away my problems. I can contact it, but it’s still going to do what it wants.”

Before Twilight could think about this any further, a yawn forced its way slowly out of her mouth. A quick look at the clock let her know that it was late in the evening it was, and drowsiness then caught up with her.

“Anyways, Sunset,” Twilight said as she yawned again, “I’m going to sleep. And hey, now we can be jealous of each other.”

“Hmm?” Sunset mumbled as she looked at the purple alicorn.

“I keep getting your dreams, and you have a connection to Celestia that I never can have.” Twilight smiled before she curled into a ball with her head resting on her pillow.

“Hehe, yeah I guess you're right.” Sunset smiled. “You're a good friend Twilight.”

“Well I AM the Princess of Friendship, as you constantly remind me.” Twilight said softly as she went to sleep.

Sunset Shimmer awoke with a start shortly before dawn. She looked around before she saw the lavender princess on the other side of the bed. Smiling, she quietly got out of bed, and walked onto the balcony looking out over Ponyville.

“That’s odd,”Sunset thought as she stared at something at the edge of Ponyville, “A rainbow? But there wasn’t any rain scheduled to occur during the night.”

Author's Note

Hoooooboy 3005 words, well as i said a chapter will be as long as it needs to be.

Chapter 4 - Death and the Wheel of Fortune

Celestia paced back and forth in her guest chamber in Twilight’s castle, worry creased her face.

Across from her in the room was Discord, the misshapen and chimeric spirit of chaos. His tone and expression conveyed that this was the most mundane thing in the world despite the enormity of what he had just informed Celestia. His ever whimsical grin plastered across his face as he reclined against a wall with his lion’s paw.

“Interdimensional Fatigue. Are you sure?” She asked, looking at Discord questioningly.

“Absolutely.” Discord answered grinning.

“But there needs to be an anchor to create a portal.” Celestia stated.

“Rainbow that pulled itself from out of no where.” Discord said, pointing out the window. “There’s your anchor, cake flanks.”

“Discord, could your magi-.”

“Nope." Discord interrupted, "Completely beyond even my ability! Isn’t it grand?”

Celestia sighed, this was not the time, she should be spending time with Sunset, or at the very least getting back to work. She shuddered to imagine how Luna must be right now. Instead, something was coming.

Discord looked at Celestia, a frown creasing his face for only a moment.

“I think, Celestia,” The draconequus said in a conversational tone. “you realize the answer to that."

Then the smile returned to his face.

"But are you willing to know it?”

“So that’s the situation, Lulu.” Discord said wearing a general’s getup “Celestia wants the Royal Guard moved to Ponyville since Twilight doesn't have anything beyond the symbolic gate guards outside her palace.”

Luna Princess of the Night and Diarch of Equestria was sitting behind a mountain of paperwork in Celestia’s study, she was haggard, tired, and had far too much caffeine in her system even for her. Having discord barge in telling her that her sister was demanding she mobilize the entire royal guard and there was a potential major threat to equestria was honestly a relief.

“If it’s a potential threat, surely my Lunar Guard and I would be more appropriate.” Luna stated.

“Besides," she added, muttering as she gritted her teeth, "It’d be relaxing after eight sleepless days running Equestria single hoofidly.”

“She thinks they are after Sunset Shimmer.” Discord replied.

After a few seconds to process this, Luna let out an exhausted sigh. The wear of running the whole of the Equestrian nation, raising the moon, and helping the ponies in their dreams was starting to show. She hadn’t had any sleep since Celestia ran off to greet her daughter. While she could do it, it was really starting to drag on her.

“I’ll have the Royal Guard sent immediately then.” Luna stated as she took a sip of her coffee. “But you are going to explain why an inter-dimensional invader would be after Sunset Shimmer specifically.”

Discord's mouth opened, prepared with a funny response, but then, figuring the tired Alicorn was not going to be any fun in the state she was in, decided that it would be better to just be straight-forward with the night princess.

“She has the power of The Rainbow on tap.” Discord stated plainly.

Any trace of sleep vanished as Luna’s cup slammed onto her desk the same moment she grabbed Discord’s beard violently with her magic, pulling his face so he was mere inches away from hers.

“You can not be serious.” Luna said in disbelief. “Discord, not even you could jest about such a thing.”

“I’m utterly serious. She’s a living, walking, talking, breathing element of harmony.” Discord said as he managed to pull himself away from Luna. “And watch the goatee. I rather like it.”

“To think such a thing is possible…” Luna breathed.

The magnitude of the situation came crashing down on the princess as it processed through her caffeine and adrenaline fueled mind. This was much more than a matter of protecting her niece, there was no way she was going to get Celetia to hand control over to her considering that her daughter was potentially at the center of this but that didn’t mean she shouldn’t make sure they were prepared.

“Discord, contact Cadence, i want every possible protocol ready, and you are not to get directly involved.”

Discord looked at Luna in disbelief.

That had hurt.

"After all this time, and after all that I’ve done…”

Discord paused at that thought.

“Ok, considering that, maybe she's a little justified. Still, I have to have proven that I'm not going to do anything like that again."

“But I could help!" Discord protested, "You know I won't-"

He was swiftly interrupted by Luna.

“Discord," Luna stated evenly, "someone is opening holes in the fabric of reality, creating a rainbow as an anchor, and now we have the possibility of there being living conduits of The Rainbow. Whatever it is that is coming, there is a probability that, even with all your power, it is something that you simply can not stand against.”

Luna then looked over at the rainbow over Ponyville.

“I am not doubting your loyalty.” she said, “I am simply worried for your safety."

Discord thought about that before he smiled and nodded at the night princess, taking a soft bow before he teleported away.

Twilight looked out at the force assembled in Ponyville. Hundreds of soldiers Celestia might as well have declared martial law considering the size of the town. This was excessive.

“The ENTIRE Royal Guard?!” Twilight asked, exasperated with the senior princess. “Doesn’t that seem excessive Princess?”

“No.” Celestia stated as if it was the simplest thing imaginable. “Perhaps I should call in the Wonderbolts as well…”

“Princess, we have no idea if this is even a threat...” Twilight stated.

“It is an inter-dimensional excursion. All precautions need to be taken.” Celestia replied as if from a practiced speech.

Twilight looked at Celestia for a moment.

“Celestia, please,” Twilight asked softly, “is this really about that?”

Celestia stopped for a moment before speaking.

“Two days.” Celestia said crestfallen. “Two days after twenty five years. Something is coming for her, and all I am given is two days. Something is going to take her away from me again!”

“You don’t know that Princess,” Twilight protested as she tried to reason with her. “you can’t know that!”

“Can’t I?” Celestia Roared, “What about my sister? I begged and pleaded to The Rainbow to restore my sister, and it stole her away for A THOUSAND YEARS instead! I have every right to feel if it’s sending something through that it might be a threat to my daughter.”

Twilight recoiled. She had never truly experienced Celestia without her usual facade. Now, for the first time in her life, she was on the receiving end of it.

“Celestia…” Twilight said softly “You’re scaring me.”

Pushing the Royal Guard aside with her magic Sunset Shimmer approached the rainbow, determination written on her face, whatever was coming she was going to face it head on.

“Sunset,” Celestia shouted out from behind her, “get away from that! You don’t know what it could do.”

“No.” Sunset responded firmly.

“Please.” Celestia pleaded “I just got you back. I can’t...I can’t lose you again.”

“You won’t.” Sunset promised stepping forward.

A pegasus burst through the rainbow in a wave of color, and quickly landed in front of Sunset Shimmer.

She had a soft multicolored mane, and a white coat. Her blue wings seemed to be made of the same ethereal material as Celestia & Luna’s manes. Her cutie mark was a heart, and like
Sunset’s own it appeared on her hooves and forehead as well.

“I am Starcatcher.” The otherworldly pegasus said with a voice that was serene, calming, ethereal, and echoing.

“I’m Sunset Shimmer.” Sunset said unafraid.

Starcatcher smiled warmly.

“I Know.”

Chapter 5 - The Fool and The World

The Royal Guard stood around the meeting, spears pointed at the otherworldly pegasus. Tensions ran high for everyone but the two at the center. They seemed oddly calm, like a serene eye in a storm.

Celestia walked forward, covering Sunset Shimmer with her wing protectively as she quickly composed herself.

“No reason to antagonize her pointlessly.” Celestia thought to herself, “She hasn’t shown any hostile actions or intent so far.”

This was diplomacy after all, and Celestia knew diplomacy.

“What are you?” Celestia asked politely.

“I am Starcatcher.” The pegasus said.

“You already said that. I asked ‘what’ are you, not ‘who’.” Celestia said looked at the pegasus.

“But that is the answer.” Starcatcher said, “I am Starcatcher, just as she” - she gestured towards Sunset - “is Sunset Shimmer. No other description suffices.” Starcatcher explained patiently as if to a child.

Celestia was taken aback, although she showed no outward signs of it. Not only had she not been talked down to in millennia, her answer made little sense as well.

Sunset managed to push herself outside of the protected cover of Celestia’s wing, and was able to look at Starcatcher unhindered so she could ask a question that was more on her mind than Celestia’s.

“Why are you here?” Sunset Shimmer asked.

“I appeared on this world because the one called ‘Twilight’ willed me to.” Starcatcher said, “The wish that she sent me, her honest desires, her pure feelings; for those reasons I am here now.”

Celestia this time did step back.

“Is she saying she could hear Twilight from another world entirely.” She thought surprised, how could you hear someone on another world entirely...

“Never mind.” She chided herself, “Back to the matter at hoof.”

“What did Twilight wish for?” Celestia asked.

It was Sunset who spoke up.

“What she always wishes for: knowledge. She wanted to know about me, and you came to answer her.” Sunset said looking at Starcatcher for confirmation.

Starcatcher simply nodded.

“Shall we, take this inside?” Celestia let out a relieved sigh.

Twilight was overwhelmed. After all the build up and the guards, she did not expect this.

After the appearance of the strange Pegasus, Starcatcher, said pegasus was escorted by Celestia and Sunset into Twilight’s castle. Celestia had asked to use the main dining hall, which, to be honest, Twilight never used. It just felt too formal.

Then they just sat down for tea and desserts. Both Starcatcher and Celestia were treating the entire thing as a quite normal affair while Sunset sat unreadable as she ate her artichoke and hummus salad.

“Why did it have to be diplomacy?” Twilight idly wondered.

She’d not had much experience with international politics yet, but what little she had she wasn’t fond of. Everyone was always guarded in such matters. Though, this was slightly different from those past experiences.

While Starcatcher herself was a vision of serenity and grace, something that could serve as an amazing asset in politics, her table manners were...well ‘atrocious’ would begin to describe it.

“Is there more Ice Cream?” Starcatcher asked with huge puppy eyes as she held out her empty bowl with her wing, her muzzle covered in the delectable dessert.

“No, no more Ice Cream.” Celestia replied diplomatically. “I believe it is time you gave those answers you promised.”

“Of course. Twilight.” - Starcatcher said turning to the lavender mare, - “first I’d like to thank you for the ice cream.”

“Um...you’re...welcome?” Twilight blinked. “So what answers did you promise Celestia?”

Starcatcher smiled at Twilight.

“None. “ she replied, “I am here to give you answers, Twilight.”

Celestia nodded. While she was not sure if whether or not to trust Starcatcher, but there was no reason to send Twilight into a state of panic.

“Indeed. She has come to pay a visit to you, Twilight, not for my sake.” Celestia stated reassuringly.

Twilight had a good idea of what sort of answers, but questions plagued her mind.

“Answers about what?” Twilight asked quizzically.

“About me.” Sunset replied plainly while sipping her tea.

Twilight sighed. That was what she was expecting and what she was slightly afraid of. She didn’t understand why her. Though of course, if she was answering questions...

“Why me?” She asked.

“Because,” Starcatcher replied in her serene, otherworldly tone, “the most precious wishes are the ones made for friends.”

“What are you?” Twilight asked.

“I am Starcatcher, Just as she.” Starcatcher used a wing to point to Sunset Shimmer “Is Sunset Shimmer. No other description suffices.”

Sunset actually expected Twilight to blink. She had been confused when Starcatcher gave that response too. Having had time to think about this, though, she managed to figure out what Starcatcher meant.

“She means,” Sunset said, “either, A everyone is unique, B whatever we are, labels no longer have meaning, or C Both.”

“B or C then.” Twilight stated as she began to think.

Starcatcher was here for her sake; so she could know more. Just because she wanted knowledge, Starcatcher ripped open the boundaries of dimensions.

“No, that’s not what I want.” Twilight realized. “What I want is to help Sunset Shimmer adjust to her new life, and that means more than just the knowledge.”

She knew now what else to ask.

“I have three questions.” She declared, “just three.”

Starcatcher nodded waiting patiently.

“First Question: Do you use the Elements of Harmony?”

Celestia slightly cocked an eyebrow.

“No. I perceive the Lights of Joy.” Starcatcher responded.

Twilight nodded. That was an interesting way to phrase the answer, implying that her understanding was entirely different, not merely what names she might use. Her second question would need slight rephrasing.

“So Sunset Shimmer perceives the Elements of Harmony while you perceive the Lights of Joy, But ultimately you both draw from the same source. Correct?” Twilight asked.

Starcatcher simply nodded.

Twilight then asked her final question.

“Is Sunset Shimmer in danger?”

“I do not know,” Starcatcher replied simply, “there are others out there, and we do not always agree.

“However, it is unlikely that your friend is in danger simply from entering our world.” Starcatcher added as she gave Twilight a reassuring smile.

“I believe that is your three questions.” She then stated. “All three you wished for, but the most pertinent question I presume you knew the answer to already without having to ask.”

“Yes: how to best help her adjust.” Twilight replied smiling, “By being her friend.”

Sunset looked up from her tea and salad, finally breaking her blank expression to look at Starcatcher.

“Can I ask you question?” Sunset implored Starcatcher, “Just one?”

“What is it?” Starcatcher responded.

“Will I end up like you?” Sunset looked at Starcatcher meaningfully.

Starcatcher returned Sunset’s meaningful look.

“Is that how you see The Rainbow?” She said without breaking her tone.

“No.” Sunset replied without hesitation.

“Then you have nothing to fear,” Starcatcher replied. “just as I had nothing to fear.”

Celestia walked with Starcatcher along the hallways of Twilight’s palace. She wanted to speak in private, and had made the necessary excuses to do so.

“I apologize for the rude introduction, but considering what could have happened I felt it was appropriate.” Celestia said warmly.

“There is nothing to apologize for.” Starcatcher replied, “There is no higher title, and no harder duty to live up to.”

Celestia didn’t say anything for a moment as they continued walking.

“You are right. There is no higher title, and no harder duty to live up to.” Celestia smiled.

Meanwhile, back in the dining room, Sunset was chuckling.

“What’s so funny?” Twilight asked as she shot sunset a look.

“A being from another world shows up, and you only ask for three questions?” Sunset said as she kept laughing.

“She was only going to answer questions that would let me help you,” Twilight explained, “and, furthermore, a very good, and very smart friend of mine told me that just knowing why isn’t always important.”

Twilight then shot her a grin. “Not always, anyways.”

“Fair enough Twilight.” Sunset said as her laughter died down.

“About your question Sunset,” Twilight said looking at Sunset, “I didn’t get it…”

Sunset took another sip of tea and grabbed a piece of cake taking a bite.

“Because when I looked at her, I didn’t know if she was so full she was empty, or so empty she was full.” Sunset replied thoughtfully. “I don’t want to be like that.”

Twilight blinked.

“What does that even mean?” Twilight asked completely confused.

Sunset took another bite of cake.

“Don’t worry about it. It’s not something I need to fear is it? Want some cake?” Sunset said offering a piece.

Twilight looked pale.

“Twilight, are you ok?” Sunset asked.

Chapter 5.5 - The Devil and The Tower

Meanwhile back on Earth.

Twilight Sparkle walked into her spartan kitchen where a bizarre sight greeted her; some child or imp thing was sitting at her table making itself some tea. The creature was stirring in some milk, and far too much sugar, as if being in her house making tea was the most normal thing in the world.

Half of its outfit was blue with it’s edges ending in spikes and two demonic wings sprouted from its back, and the other half was red with its edges ending with poofy frills and two angelic wings sprouting from its back. It had long blonde hair that’s ends matched the trim of her dress, and atop her head, with the same color scheme as its outfit, was a hat with a third set of wings.

“Wait” Twilight thought, “did those wings on the hat just move?”

She stared at the wings in question, and could have sworn that she saw a slight twitch from them.

...No. Even after finding out magic was real and getting rainbows to the face, hats with naturally moving wings was just…

The Imp smiled at her, and gestured for her to sit down.

“Don’t worry” The imp said smiling pleasantly, “I made you some tea too. You’ll have to do the milk and sugar yourself, though. I don’t know how much you like.”

Twilight sat down slowly.

“I, uh, prefer coffee.” She said, her mind still overwhelmed at the mere sight of the creature before her, “Black.”

The imp just continued to smile sincerely at her.

“My apologies.” It said, “and I must apologize again.”

“Why?” Twilight asked blinking.

“I must ask a selfish request of you before I can help you with your unhappiness.” The imp explained.

Twilight deadpanned at this.

“Who wouldn’t be unhappy after their life became an endless parade of unnatural things.” She said as she looked at the imp pointedly, “And then get blasted by rainbows powered by ‘friendship’ that...took something from me…”

“Oh, your soul?” The imp asked compassionately as it reached over and patted her hand, “You still have it.”

“What?” Twilight asking blinking some more

“The Source sealed your ability to ‘use’ your magic. It didn’t take your soul. It would never do that.”

The imp took a sip of its tea.

“Of course, the difference might be purely academic to someone like you. Which actually brings me to my request.”

The imp looked directly at her.

“Where is the other Messiah?”

“Messiah?” Twilight asked a confused.

“Was she being serious?”

“The one who used The Source to seal your magic.” The imp explained while taking a sip of tea.

Twilight thought for a moment. She must have meant….Sunset Shimmer and her friends.

“Canterlot High.” Twilight stated quickly.

Now that she’d told this thing what it wanted to know, maybe it would get out of her kitchen so she could get back to studying and make sense of all this madness.

“Thank very much.” The imp nodded happily “Now we can focus on you.”

“Nope.” Twilight thought as she sighed with disappointment and frustration, “it’s not leaving.”

“What do you want?” Twilight asked as she glared at the imp.

“I want to free you of your unhappiness.” It said.

“As if you could just flip a switch and end unhappiness.” Twilight said, the annoyance clear in her voice, “If you could do that, that’d be great; but you can’t.”

The imp smiled at her compassionately.

“But I can.”

Twilight rolled her eyes at that.

“Prove it.” She demanded,

The imp smiled.

“Thank you for letting me help you.” It said.

It then began looking her over from where it sat.

“ Hmmmmm. Gluttony, yes.” It said, “that is the desire that you overindulge in. Your hunger for knowledge is what makes you unhappy.”

Twilight looked at the Imp accusingly. She opened her mouth to say something, but as she did, a huge dragon head made of blue flame poured itself from the Imps eyes and mouth.

“Meet gluttony.” The imp stated plainly.

Twilight fell backwards in her chair as she looked on in fear as the dragon head approached her. She frantically backed away from it, heart pounding as she could practically feel it growling hungrily at her.

“My apologies for the fright. He does tend to do that, but, as promised, you will never know suffering again. No thanks are necessary,” She said as she finished her tea.

“You won’t mind if I take your tea to go of course.” She giggled at her joke as she stirred some milk and sugar into Twilight’s cup, for there was no one else there to hear it now.

“To Canterlot High it appears then.” The imp said as she got up and left taking the second cup of tea with her.

Chapter 6 - The Fool and The Lovers

Author's Note

Authors Note

Just pointing this out, the lovers card doesn’t represent just that, it represents choice and meaningful relationships in general. So invoking it’s symbolism for a chapter spent with Sunset meeting Twilight’s friends is appropriate.

Also If this isn't up to my normal standards blame me not knowing the temp editor, there was a lot less back and forth and blue text "Expand on this".

Chapter 6 - The Fool and The Lovers

“Yeah, I’m fine.” Twilight said as she got up from the table, pushing her chair with telekinesis. “I just felt a little nauseous. It’s passed now.”

However, the moment the final word left her mouth, she promptly collapsed.

“Passed my flanks,” Sunset said as she picked up Twilight with her own telekinesis, “I’m getting you to bed.”

Sunset laid Twilight in her bed.

“Spike’s your assistant, right?” She asked, “I’ll have him get one your friends while I go get Celestia.”

Twilight rolled over to look at Sunset

“Just ask one of the servants,” She said, “It’s still day, and I hired enough to keep the place going.

After a brief pause, she continues,“Just...please don’t leave.”

Sunset nodded

“Alright.” She said before stepping out to flag down a servant.

Luckily, she was able to find one the moment she stepped out.

“Yes, my lady?” Said the mare said, Sunset recognizing her voice as the one had knocked on her door the other day to let her know that Twilight was waiting for her with breakfast.

“Twilight is sick.” Sunset stated, “Could you fetch Celestia and her friends?”

The pony nodded, “Of course.”

Sunset went back into the room and closed the door.

“How do you feel Twilight?” Sunset asked her friend with concern.

“Like I lost something I never knew I had.” Twilight said.

“I see.” Sunset said as she patted Twilight’s hoof. “Well you rest up.”

“Alright.” Twilight nodded.

“SURPRISE!” Said a pink blur as it popped out of a cabinet.

“PINKIE!” The unicorn and alicorn screamed.

“Oh, was that a bit too sudden?” Pinkie asked innocently.

Sunset deadpanned,”Twilight is sick, Pinkie.”

“I know! That’s why I brought cake!” Pinkie said pulling out a cake.

“Pinkie, I just had a bunch of cake, and for all we know, eating too much is what made me sick.” Twilight groaned.

“Oh, well then…” Pinkie replied as she looked deep in thought.

It didn’t last long.

“Waste not, want not!” she exclaimed as she downed the whole cake in one gulp.

Celestia sighed before entering the room.

“It’s just one thing after another with her!” She thought to herself

At least it was just Twilight being sick, and not some Rainbow powered threat like she had feared Starcatcher might be.

“Twilight, after this, I’m having Applejack train your earth pony magic.” Celestia swore to herself as she opened the doors.

“Sunset, how is she doing?” Celestia asked as she looked at her Daughter and her Protegé.

She didn’t even question Pinkie’s presence.

“She’s fine, Mom.” Sunset said from her post beside Twilight’s bed.

“Do you know what caused this?” Celestia asked.

“Probably too much cake.” Sunset chuckled.

Twilight let out a soft groan and rolled to look at the Princess.

“Sorry, Princess.” She said.

“About eating cake?” Celestia said chuckling, “Never apologize for that.”

“Gotta agree with the Princess there, Twilight.” Pinkie said as she started decorating the room.

“Um, Pinkie, what are you doing to my room?” Twilight blinked.

“Decorating for the Welcome to Ponyville, Sunset Shimmer / Now Twilight is All Better Party. Duh!” Pinkie replied.

Twilight face-hoofed, while Sunset chuckled.

“Efficient, Pinkie Pie.” Celestia said smiling. “However, don’t you think the dining hall would be a better place for a party?”

“Oooohhh good idea!” Pinkie said.

And with that, she grabbed the streamers and rushed out of the room in a blur of pink.

Celestia turned back to Twilight.

“So you just ate too much cake?” She asked.

“I think so Princess.” Twilight responded, “Mostly, I just feel nauseous.”

Celestia gave a sigh of relief.

“That’s good. You girls have both given me a fright recently that turned out everything was fine.” Celestia confessed. “Though one fright was worse than the other.”

Sunset stuck her tongue out playfully at Twilight before she opened the window with her telekinesis.

“Uhhhh Sunset what’s that for…” Twilight was interrupted by a blue blur slamming through the room and landing right before the wall.

“Rainbow Dash.” Sunset said smiling smugly.

“Uhhhh thanks,” the cyan pegasus said uncertainly, “Sunset Shimmer?”

Sunset looked at Rainbow Dash surprised.

“You know about me?” Sunset looked at Rainbow Dash.

“Yeah, weekly book club with Twilight, she gets gossipy, not much of a club when it’s only two ponies though, not many people wanna join a book club run by the Princess of Eggheads.” Rainbow Dash stated.

After a slightly awkward pause, Rainbow Dash asked,“...Hey, you wanna join?”

“Well I wouldn’t want to interrupt your private time together.” Sunset replied.

“It’s not meant to be! Just… like Dash said, no one joins.” Twilight looked down blushing slightly.

“Well then, I guess I’ll have to.” Sunset chuckled.

Twilight gave a slight smile.

“OH YEAH!” Sunset shouted “I’ve been so busy, It completely slipped my mind. Where’s Spike? I know he was a dog on the other side but he can’t be on this side, but I guess he’s not a pony....”

Rainbow Dash blurted out laughing.

“Oh man, Spike was a DOG in your world?” The cyan pegasus kept laughing.

“What’s so funny?” Sunset asked.

“You’re in for a BIG surprise.”

“Ok really what’s so fun-...” Sunset tried to ask.

The door opened and a purple drake the size of Celestia walked into the room, walked up to Twilight, and gave her a big hug.

“Hey big sis, sorry I’m late. I waited ten minutes but…” The drake spoke with a deep and suave voice. The only thing missing to make him like James Bond was a suit.

“Rarity had to get everything absolutely perfect but nothing was gonna stop you longer than ten minutes?” The cyan pegasus asked.

“You got it.” The drake said.

Sunset blinked. Then with a resigned sigh, Sunset said, “That’s Spike, isn’t it?”

Rainbow Dash, uses a hoof to cover her mouth, snickers out,”That’s Spike.”

“That’s me.” The drake replied.

“You’re a dragon.” Sunset said.

“My sister is sick, kinda takes priority, thank you very much.” Spike chuckled.

“Be nicer Spike, that’s Sunset Shimmer, she’s taking your old job.” Twilight stuck out her tongue.

Spike whispered in Sunset’s ear, “Protip from the expert, find somepony nice and shack up ASAP or you’ll never get a moments peace.”

“I AM NOT THAT BAD!” Twilight yelled.

“Ok that’s true….you’re worse.” Spike chuckled, a deep hearty laugh. “So how’s my ‘big’ sister doing?”

“Better, I just had too much cake.” Twilight let out a soft chuckle.

“Spending too much time around Princess Celestia recently I see.” Spike said.

Celestia let out a loud cough. “I’m standing right here you know.” Celestia spoke up.

“And I’ve helped audit the royal desert budget.” Spike replied, with nary a change of posture nor expression.

Sunset started laughing uncontrollably. When she regained control of herself, she asked, ”Was it during baked goods appreciation month?”

“Thankfully, no.” Spike chuckled in reply.

“Something tells me that’s probably for the best.” Rainbow Dash spoke up.

“This is about Twilight, not how much cake I consume. Have some consideration for your friend.” Celestia stated.

“I would prefer a different topic, Spike. Book club was a good topic.” Twilight stated.

A yellow pegasus huffed as she flapped through the window.

“I’m not interrupting anything, am I?” Fluttershy asked. After getting settled, she lifts a thermos, “I also brought soup.”

“You didn’t bring a full medkit?” Rainbow raised an eyebrow skeptically.

“Well, all that stuff is heavy and it’s far from my cottage. I figured Rarity would bring everything herself.” Fluttershy smiled. “So i just bought soup.”

Spike chuckled.

“Drink up.” Fluttershy pushed the soup in her friends face.

“I’m fine Fluttershy, just had too much cake.” Twilight responded.

“Then the soup will wash it down.” Fluttershy insisted, continuing to push the thermos across the face.

Watching all of this brings an uncertainty to mind. Sunset opened the door telekinetically.

“Sunset?” Celestia looked at her worried.

“I need some fresh air.” Sunset steps through the door and looks for the pony with answers.

Sunset entered the kitchen a single cook on staff being run around haggard by Pinkie to prepare things, sitting serenely at the simple table sat Starcatcher with a bowl of icecream.

“How did I know I’d find you here?” Sunset asked.

“Wisdom?” Starcatcher smiled licking some ice cream from her snout. “Want some?” Starcatcher offered.

“Considering Twilight just got sick from too much cake, no thank you.” Sunset shook her head.

“Did she now?” Starcatcher asked in her flat ethereal tone.

“Are you saying that’s not why?” Sunset asked.

“So you came to me for a reason, what do you want to ask about?” Starcatcher inquired.

“Oh Right, it just felt, off seeing all the girls together like that. But different, and for Twilight’s sake. I was with my friends and yet, utterly alone.” Sunset sighed.

Starcatcher patted Sunset’s back sympathetically.

“I prescribe Ice Cream.” She offered again smiling.
“And my Mom would prescribe cake, I don’t feel like either.” She flagged down the haggard chef. “Tea please, Chamomile.”

“Well your Mom is clearly crazy.” Starcatcher said while licking her bowl clean.

“You know I looked and looked for my alternate after I realized there were more than just Celestia and Luna having alternates. I never found hide nor hair.” Sunset said.

“It wouldn’t have been a real choice for you, if there had been another.” Starcatcher stated in her ethereal tone.

“You’re saying I was destined to go through the portal then?” Sunset blinked.

“Destiny is just a fancy word for the fact other people get to make choices, and our choices have consequences we can’t foresee.” Starcatcher replied.

“One Celestia chose to have a daughter, one didn’t. Ensuring it was a real choice for me which world I chose.” Sunset mumbled.

“If i asked you what choice was, would you tell me a fancy word for destiny?” Sunset spoke up.

Starcatcher smiled and nodded.

“So….how many of them are out there.” Sunset asked thoughtfully.

“Well less than there are worlds.” Starcatcher stated.

“So infinity then.” Sunset said.

“Now I have a question for you.” Starcatcher said. “In turn how many Sunset Shimmers do you think there are?”

“Why would you ask…..” Sunset asked slowly as comprehension dawned.

Sunset’s tea arrived, she didn’t touch it. She had more important things to do.

Sunset rushed back to the Twilight’s room opening the door.

“I want to apologize for leaving so abrup-” Sunset stopped mid sentence as she looked around.

“Where is everyone?” She asked.

Twilight poked her nose out from a book.

“They left, I’m not that bad off.” Twilight said.

“Mom too?” Sunset asked.

“She has been gone for nine days, I mean imagine how Luna must be doing running the entire country single hoofedly.” Twilight reminded sunset.

Meanwhile in Canterlot Castle

“MORE COFFEE FOR THE COFFEE GOD! AND IF OUR SISTER GETS NATIONAL BAKED GOODS MONTH WE SHALL ADD NATIONAL COFFEE MONTH! NONE SHALL BE ALLOWED TO SLEEP AT NIGHT DURING IT! IT’S BRILLIANT WHY DIDN’T WE THINK OF THIS SOONER?!” Luna shouted from her coffee cup throne which she had Discord create earlier during the day.

An advisor on the side that actually has morals is finding himself questioning said morals and wondering if it was possible to slip in a sedative into the coffee.

“Hey, other egghead, you promised you’d be in book club, we have an impromptu book club meeting, you’re late.” Rainbow Dash spoke up from the other side of the bed.

“I thought everyone had left.” Sunset blinked.

“Friend, sick, not going anywhere.” Rainbow stated.

“So got any cool books from earth?” The cyan pegasus added.

“I…..had no idea you were an avid reader, Dash.” Sunset replied.

“Why do you say that?”

“Your. My.” Sunset tries to figure out the terminology. “My version of you doesn’t really like to read.”

“Man, my alternate is missing out.” Rainbow Dash chuckled. Rainbow Dash suddenly jumps up in excitement,”Oh yeah, You’re the newbie, you get to pick your first book!”

“Really?” Sunset blinked.

“It’s in the club bylaws.” Twilight responded, her nose back in the book.

“Of course you would have written up bylaws for a book club.” Sunset giggled.

“Alright.” Sunset opened up her saddlebags which were hanging beside twilight’s bed.

“We did like to watch movies together, though Dash. And for some reason you sent a copy of a favorite we liked to watch together. Don’t know why with no home movie players, but whatever.” She pulled out a book. “Portals are weird.”

Later that night

“Psssst, pssst, hey Sunset, you awake.” Rainbow failed horribly at whispering.

“I am now, and Twilight probably is too.” Sunset said.

Twilight snored loudly simply to prove the flame colored unicorn wrong.

“Nevermind then,” Sunset sighs.” What is it Dash?”

“Is something wrong? You seem guarded around me, look is it about my alternate? Because what she did was way uncool” Dash said.

“That place is different Dash.” Sunset sighed.

“That doesn’t matter she shoul-.” Dash was silenced by Sunset’s hoof.

“Dash listen, it isn’t about her. You aren’t her, I know that, just like Twilight” Sunset pointed to the purple alicorn for emphasis “Isn’t her alternate, trust me on that. Only you made the choices that brought you where you are.”

“Then what is it?” Dash asked.

“You aren’t the same, but some part of you is, and knowing that bit of you I hope will let me make friends with all of you easier than if I just met random strangers.” Sunset took a breath before continuing.”Me and the girls were in a band, with Me and Dash as the guitarists. That was what we shared, always competing, always striving to best the other. But I can’t compete with you athletically, nor can I fly with you, and you can’t use magic. So...how I connected with the other Rainbow Dash, I can’t connect with you.”

Rainbow Dash blinked and thought for a moment.

“You’re saying you don’t just want to see me be Awesome, you want to be Awesome with me and you don’t know how?” Dash simplified.

“Pretty much.” Sunset giggled.
“Yeah, I can see how that’s a problem.” Dash stretched and yawned. “Night Sunset.”

Chapter 6.5 - The Moon and the Tower

Something has gone wrong. We don't seem to have an archived copy of that chapter.

Chapter 2 - The Fool and The Emperor

“What are you two talking about?” Sunset asked startled

A mirror was held in Sunset’s face in Twilight’s purple magical aura, there on her forehead was her cutie mark.

“...Wha?”

“Your hooves too.” Twilight said

Sunset held up her hooves. Each held a two toned sun on it as well.

“Huh, that’s different. All of them?”

“Yes all of them.” Twilight stated. “It’s like the rainbow power transformation we had to use to defeat Tirek and got me this castle...but that was temporary, and this lacks the really gaudy hair stuff.” Twilight put her hoof to her chin.

“SWEET CELESTIA DO YOU KNOW WHAT THIS MEANS?” Twilight shouted excitedly, startling both Sunset and Celectia, “I CAN ACTUALLY STUDY THE RAINBOW POWER MODE NOW! OH JUST THINK OF THE POSSIBILITIES!”

Celestia held up a hoof.

“Calm down Twilight,” Celesita said, “Sunset is your friend, not an experiment, and is just getting resettled back home besides.”

“I’ve experimented on Pinkie…” Twilight stated bluntly

“Ok Twilight, That’s creepy.” Sunset scrunched her nose, memories of a much darker Twilight coming to mind.

Celestia took Sunset in her wing.

“Twilight,” she said, “we don’t know if this is related to the ‘Rainbow Power’ phenomenon or not. It could just be a side effect of years of magical build up.”

“That’s even more reason we need to look into it, Princess!” Twilight said.

Celestia began to walk covering sunset with her wing protectively.

“I will be escorting Sunset to her room now Twilight,” Celestia stated with a tone of finality, “we have much to get caught up on. I haven’t gotten as much of a chance to speak with her over the last few years as you have.”
And with that Celestia and Sunset left Twilight alone with her thoughts. The wheels started turning in her mind, rather rapidly, but turning, things had happened quickly it took her a moment to process the realization.

“Wait...Waaait….Sunset called Princess Celestia Mom…” Twilight promptly fainted.

“You're going to ask me about this aren’t you...Mom.” Sunset sighed.

“Heavens no,” Celestia said smiling, “you’re my daughter and i haven’t seen you in a long time. It may have only been about 3 to your perspective but to me it’s been 25.”

“I’m sorry.” Sunset blurted out, “I should have listened to you. I should have ignored that mirror. I should have…I should have been the perfect princess you wanted me to be.”

“Sunset, my little sun,” Celestia stopped holding the young unicorns face in her hoof, “While losing you hurt me deeply, as well as your mistakes, your round-about path has brought you back to me. Right now that is all that matters.”

“Of course.” Sunset rolled her eyes. “Facade, off.”

Celestia frowned as she resumed walking.

“Sunset, I’ve been worried sick about you for 25 years. You betrayed my trust, yes. I was hurt in a way I only ever hurt once before, yes. But it has been 25 years, and you have come back to me with barely any of the little time I have to spend with my daughter wasted on your misadventures. 25 years is nothing to waste, and everything to lose. I am truly, honestly, overjoyed to have you back with so little lost.”

“They weren’t wasted.” Sunset stated bluntly “I found the friends you always told me to find.”

Celestia sighed.

“You borrowed Twilight’s friends, the other elements-”

“SHUT UP! They are MY friends.” Sunset shouted at Celestia. “Twilight may have helped me find them, and they may be similar to their counterparts, but they are NOT the same.”

Celestia recoiled from sunset’s words, they stung, they bit, she hated not wearing the facade. But only Luna, Sunset, and Discord could tear it off and she’d from experience in private with Sunset it was better to just leave it off.

“I...I’m sorry Sunset.” Celestia sighed a pained expression on her face.

“Are you going to tell me that Twilight is the same as her counterpart?” Sunset glared defensively.

“I said I’m sorry, Sunset, and that’s FINAL.” Celestia retorted.

Sunset smiled as if to a private joke and started to break down laughing.

“What’s so funny Sunset?” Celestia asked quizzically

“Three years, Twenty five years,” Sunset said as she continued to laugh, “nothing has changed. We still get under each other's skin. Our pride won’t let us do anything else.”

Celestia looked at Sunset for a moment, she was home and nothing had changed between them, she joined in.

Sunset Shimmer looked out from the balcony of her new room, slowly sipping tea. Chamomile, her favorite. Apparently Celestia had ensured an adequate stock. Considering the expense of the flavor on the other side, it was nostalgic. Though not nearly as nostalgic as the fact who she was having tea with.

“They really are different; experiences, psychology, society.” Celestia stated plainly

“Yeah, it was a lesson I had to accept in order to trust Twilight after facing her counterpart.” Sunset sighed, “Though some things definitely stay the same. I do want to make friends with Twilight’s friends. Not because they are Twilight’s friends, nor because they are my friends’ counterparts. Even if I expect that knowing their counterparts will make it easier.”

She smiled into her tea.

“Just like knowing her friends made it easier for her to befriend mine.”

Celestia nodded.

“Sunset,” she said, “I think that’s enough reminiscing. I think it’s time to stop thinking about the past, and think about the future. I’ll admit, and I think you could guess, I had considered how I could push you to get a crown.”

“I kinda gave up on the whole crown thing after the whole fall formal debacle” Sunset smiled sheepishly

“You gave up on something?” Celestia raised an eyebrow

“I found something more valuable.” Sunset smile became genuine

Celestia gave a soft chuckle

“You sound like Twilight.” Celestia returned the smile

Sunset shrugged.

“Perhaps she’s rubbing off on me.” Sunset said. “Anyways, the future then. What is your plan now? You always have one.”

“I don’t.” Celestia admitted, much to Sunset’s surprise. “I honestly don’t have a plan. How could I ever plan for this Sunset? as far as I knew it was impossible to summon The Rainbow without a conduit.”

“We had a conduit.” Sunset said. “Me.”

Celestia, thought about that for far longer than most would think she would need to think about anything, but what she was dealing with was unprecedented, eventually she settled on the most pertinent question she possibly could answer.

“Can you control it?”

“No.” Sunset shook her head “You know as well as I do that The Rainbow can’t be controlled. Only summoned, and hopefully directed.”

Celestia sighed and rubbed her temples.

“So that’s our replacement,” She said sadly. “You.”

“Replacement?” Sunset asked curiously

“The elements.” Celestia nodded “We still don’t have access to them. The Tree still needs it’s fruit to repair the damage Discord did to it.”

“I’m not a wea-”

“I know,” Celestia interrupted, “Do you think I’d ever let you be? I told Twilight you aren’t an experiment, and you certainly aren’t a weapon. I’m not happy with this state of affairs, but we make do. so your future.” Celestia thought for a moment.

“My future.” Sunset sighed.

“I could crown you right now.” Celestia suggested “I certainly can’t claim you don’t deserve it, but I don’t know how the public would take a non-alicorn being granted full royal status.”

She pondered a bit as she took a bite of some cake.

“You sure you don’t want some cake dear?” Celestia asked, proffering a slice.

“No, Mom,” Sunset said, rolling her eyes, “ I don’t have your sweet tooth, just your taste for tea. How you don’t get fat, I have no idea.”

“Ah,” Celestia said smiling, “you sound like Discord. Or does he sound like you? No matter. I could simply give you a symbolic crown like Blueblood, but that was never on the table for you.”

“No it wasn’t.” Sunset admitted

“Then we are in agreement, a unique solution will be needed.” Celestia nodded

“Unique solution?” Sunset blinked

“Sunset as far as i can tell you are a walking breathing Element of Harmony. I can claim as much as I want for both the sake of appearances, and for the sake of their confidence confidence that Cadence and Twilight are my equals, but in your case I’d be understating your status.”

“Wait…What?!” Sunset gasped out.

“You said it all those years ago, that you could surpass me. I certainly can’t rule that possibility out now can I?” Celestia smiled proudly.

Sunset promptly fainted.