I am all that was

With the defeat of the Sirens, all was once again well in Canterlot High School. Sunset Shimmer felt that she had redeemed her self in a more true sense than before. Before, she apologized and looked back to her past. She knew her mistakes, and it pained her to come to the realizations of wrongdoings committed by the Old Sunset Shimmer. She was astounded even thinking about how she acted before. But she knew that now was different.

She was given a new beginning, something no amount of power could grant her. The magic of friendship changed her forever. She understood that she could change and that was her sole desire after what happened on the first night she encountered Twilight Sparkle. But now she knew that the past was gone and nothing could change it.

Nothing amazed Sunset Shimmer more than the ability to change. It didn't even occur to her that she could be forgiven for her actions. That some pony would reach out and help her in the way that Twilight Sparkle did. Yet, in her heart, she did not achieve the feeling of being complete. She knew that she could repair her reputation at Canterlot High School, but there was something more than that. She wanted forgiveness from someone very special to her, her former mentor. She wanted to discuss it with Twilight Sparkle whenever she could.

They all had been sitting at a park overlooking a sunset over a lake. Twilight Sparkle, admiring the beauty of a foreign world. The Sirens had been defeated, and Twilight had to return to Equestria tomorrow night. Sunset Shimmer had been sitting next to her, watching the same sun fall below the same lake.

It felt strange to Sunset Shimmer that she would be watching the person who had given her so much, the person who had redeemed her ultimately, would be going for an unpredictable amount of time back to Equestria. Sunset understood that she had duties as a ruler of Equestria to return to, as well as family and friends, but she would to know when she would return. She seemed to only be there when she was needed, and who knows when that would be?

Applejack stood up, standing on the top of the hill they all watched the sunset from.

"I'm proud of all of us, I'm glad that we are the ones who are able to step forward and confront a problem head on. We showed the Sirens that we are a school that is above its ability to turn against itself.", Applejack said. They all agreed cheerfully. Twilight Sparkle agreed with Applejack, and was amazed that she could change people the way she did. There was one thought that stuck in Twilight's head, however. One that stood out with unique circumstances that she had been witness to.

Twilight Sparkle knew that Equestrians could change, could empathize and forgive. She had a feeling of shared righteousness at the humans ability to do the same, but there was one powerful ability the humans had that amazed her. Humans had the willpower to overcome even some of the most difficult challenges. She was awestruck at the humans ability to face extremely difficult challenges for a range of goals, from glory and triumph to the search for truth and understanding.

"Well.." sighed Rainbow Dash, "I don't ever think Ill forget these past few days, but I have to get going."

"Yes, although it has been quite a spectacular adventure, I truly must get going.", Rarity said. Fluttershy agreed as well, she knew that her pets would be moderately upset if she had been late feeding them. Pinkie Pie had a party to plan, she couldn't let such a victory go by without a celebration.

"You guys can go, I kinda would like to stay here for awhile." Sunset Shimmer said to the group.

"Same here," Twilight agreed. "Ill meet you all at school tomorrow. I cant leave without saying goodbyes."

"Um, Twilight? Today is Friday, we don't have school tomorrow." Applejack reminded her. Although it was her second time in the human world, Twilight wasn't as aware of several human things such as weekends.

"How about we all just meet at my house?", Pinkie asked. "Twilight, Sunset, you two can spend another night at my house."

"Thanks Pinkie, we need a place to organize before I return home", Twilight replied.

"Don't mention it, anything for a friend. Ill see you all tomorrow", Pinkie Pie exclaimed. She, more than anyone, was excited to celebrate, but with disappointed that Twilight had to leave so soon. She was thankful and happy to have a chance to have one more party before Twilight left.

"Why did you choose to stay here, Sunset?" Twilight asked. "Is there a problem?"

"Twilight...", Sunset began to explain, "I cant thank you enough for what you've done for me. I don't think there's anything I can do to repay you."

"Sunset, it was you that brought yourself back up. My forgiveness didn't change you as much as you changed yourself. You faced your problems and overcame them, and I'm very proud of you.", Twilight replied. Sunset Shimmer thought about that.

"But I couldn't have done it with you or the others", Sunset Shimmer said. "Id still be...." She looked down at her hands, thinking of her wrenched past. Twilight Sparkle clutched her wrist.

"We've let go of that. There's nothing you can do to change the past. You have to forget about it, look forward and anticipate the future. You're the new Sunset Shimmer, and your gonna plant both your feet on the ground and tackle your challenges. I know you can", Twilight Sparkle reassured her troubled friend. Sunset was glad to have someone there for her in her hour of need, but she had a problem that she needed Twilight's help with.

"Thanks Twilight, but there's something more external I would like to talk about, a challenge that I will need your help to overcome.", Sunset Shimmer said.

"Sunset, I may not be here all the time, but Ill help you with anything you need. May I ask what this challenge is?", Twilight Sparkle asked.

Sunset Shimmer lifted her head up. She admired the pallet of colors produced by the almost faded sunset. She thought about the possibility of this problem being overcome. She never would have thought it possible, or even that it was a problem until after Twilight gave her a new chance. There was something more she wanted, and it almost brought tears to her eyes to say it. But she had to, she felt incomplete and this was the possibility to change that.

"Twilight, " Sunset Shimmer said, "I want to go home".