Shimmer of the Sunsetby Thunderhalk89ChaptersFear of ForgivenessVICE Principal LunaThe LettersFear of ForgivenessTwilight, I have done so many terrible things wrong. I have hurt so many people. All I really want is to be accepted again. I know I will never be her student again. Tell her for me. Please, tell her Sunset Shimmer crumpled the sheet of paper into a ball and threw it into the corner of the room where it joined a dozen other scrapped drafts. She pulled her legs in and bent over her knees, becoming like the crumpled balls of paper that littered her floor. She held her legs tightly as she shut she eyes. “I’ll never be able to get this right,” she whimpered to no one in particular. Her room was empty: devoid of no one but her and her crumpled thoughts. She peeked out of her makeshift ball at the eastern horizon outside her window. The purple and dark blues of the evening sky streaked from where the moon was beginning to rise. It looked like the moon, but did not feel like it. She remembered a story she had heard once as a child: The moon was the most beautiful thing in the sky. She should revere it. Respect it. Love it just as much as the summer sun. She smiled weakly as happy memories flooded her: memories of reading her first books and performing her first acts of magic. Those days did not last long. As soon as she had a taste for magic, she wanted more. She wanted power. She winced. The moon was the moon. She knew this; however, it still felt so foreign, so alien. It was still as mysterious and strange as when she first laid eyes on it so long ago. When she first emerged from the portal into this strange new world, she saw an opportunity. Now? This new world was her prison. She looked at the nightstand beside her. A framed picture of herself with five other girls smiled up at her. Reassured her. Comforted her. They made this world home. Their happy expressions, forever frozen in time in that photo, told her that this world was not a prison. She would rise above all the obstacles before her: obstacles she herself had built. She would overcome and help those she had stepped over, hurt, betrayed. She had made a start. Most were at least acknowledging that she might have changed. Many even smiled at her in the halls now. Some still gave her looks of indifference, but at least it was better than when their glares were filled with disdain and hate. She had already apologized profusely to those five that smiled alongside her in the photo. She had said she was sorry so many times that she thought they were angry with her. They taught her that friends do not need to apologize a hundred times. All she needed to do was ask for their forgiveness once, and she received it. They knew she was a better person. They respected that she still had a ways to go before she understood how to be kind and generous, how to be loyal and honest, and to be able to smile because she had made someone other than herself happy. This was a magic she had never studied in any of her books. It was a magic she had ignored. It was a magic that had been shared with her back in Equestria and she threw it back in her face. She hid her face in her knees again and tightened her arms around herself, compressing into a tighter ball as she sat on the old mattress lying on the floor in the clock tower above Canterlot High. The place she had strived to turn into her personal castle. The picture resting on the crate beside her was her only solace in the somber night. “Hello, Rainbow to Sunset. You there, girl?” She broke out of her thoughts as a blue face topped with a mop of rainbow hair appeared in her vision. “Yea, guess I kind of zoned out there, huh?” She blushed and scratched the back of her head. “Ya’ think?” her blank expression may have meant she was stern. At least, Sunset would have thought that at one point in time. She now knew that Rainbow’s expression was most likely one of concern. “You’ve been playing the same chord for the past five minutes.” “Sorry. I’m just… tired is all.” “Are you sure nothing is bothering you?” Rarity asked. “Really, I’m fine,” she smiled. She could feel her face attempting to pull her lips back down as she struggled to keep smiling. Pinkie rubbed her chin as her eyes squinted. “Well, that does look like a smile.” “Ya know you can come to us with anything, right, sugar cube?” Applejack held her hand. “We’ll always be there whenever you need us.” “I know,” she sighed. She should probably tell them what was bothering her. The problem was that she was not really sure what was bothering her. “I appreciate that. It’s just that,” she looked at each of their faces. They all seemed so kind, so open to hearing about her problems, so accepting of who she was now and not… “I…” She bit her lip and paused for another short second, gathering her thoughts before continuing, “…I’m really not sure what’s bothering me.” She closed her eyes and let that hang in the air a moment. “I suppose it has something to do with the letter I’ve been trying to write.” “A letter? Who are you writing to?” Rarity sat next to her, opposite Applejack. “Twilight.” “Don’t you write to Princess Twilight almost every week?” Fluttershy inquired. “Yea, but that’s not the issue.” “Well then, what is it? I’m sure whatever it is, we can beat it together. Hey, we took on a bunch of singing monsters, didn’t we? I’m sure one measly letter can’t hold a candle to us.” Rainbow had stepped onto her amp and was striking as heroic a pose as she could muster. “It’s not that I don’t think you girls can help, it’s just that I feel like this is something I’ve got to do on my own.” “But, you are never alone, sweetie,” Rarity squeezed her hand. “Now, tell us why you feel so stressed about writing to Princess Twilight.” Sunset Shimmer was a former citizen of Equestria and former student of magic. Sunset Shimmer was a student at Canterlot High and a student of friendship. Sunset Shimmer was struggling with two identities. “I,” she began. Her friends leaned forward in anticipation. Even Rainbow relaxed her pose for a moment. “I want her to relay a message to Princess Celestia for me.” “The ruler of all of Equestria?” Fluttershy asked. Sunset nodded. “She was also your former teacher, was she not?” Rarity added. Sunset nodded again. She looked, and felt drained. “I want to explain myself: explain how I felt about turning into a monster and betraying her.” “Didn’t you turn into a monster after you went through the portal?” Applejack glared at Pinkie. “Oh,” she chuckled awkwardly, “you mean metaphorically.” “Dang it, Pinkie” “It’s alright, Applejack.” Sunset Shimmer did not know what to do. She did not know how to do it even if she did. All she knew was that she could turn to her friends for help. “You’ve all done so much for me,” she began. Rainbow quickly interrupted, scowling at her. “If you finish that with your whole spiel about how you wish you could do something for us, then I will smack you upside the head.” That took her aback. She smiled, this time genuinely and nodded with enthusiasm. She was never sure how it happened, but just being around her friends seemed to invigorate her. Whenever she felt completely drained, as if she had just performed countless complex spells and had used up all her magic, they would recharge her. “Have you considered that, umm… maybe you should be writing to Celestia directly?” Everyone looked at Fluttershy. She hid partially behind her tambourine. Sunset thought that over. It would make more sense… “I would still need to figure out what to say? How do I say it? Where do I even begin?” “You could always talk to Celestia. That should give you some ideas.” “Pinkie,” Applejack smacked herself in the face with the palm of her hand and let it drop, “That’s what the problem is. How exactly is speaking to Celestia about writtin’ a letter to her gonna help? If she were speaking to her directly, then she wouldn’t need the letter to begin with.” Pinkie rolled her eyes, “No, silly. She speaks to Principal Celestia about writing to Princess Celestia.” “They are practically the same person. Ahem, more or less,” Rarity added. She had promised them she would think about it. She crossed her arms over the balcony’s railing. The clock’s clicks were hushed and muted, but she could hear them. On quiet evenings, she could always hear its mechanisms. They were soothing and meditative in their own unique way. The alien, yet familiar moon’s edge could just barely be seen on the horizon. The town she had come to call home silently lit up as street and porch lights flickered on. She sighed. Her coat wavered on her shoulders as it caught a light breeze. She breathed in the cool sent of evening as it fell over Canterlot High. Thoughts and scenarios of a possible discussion with Principal Celestia played out in her mind as she pulled her coat tighter around her shoulders. That was another fear she should have expressed to her friends: she had never directly talked with the principal. The closest she ever came was when she and her friends had tried to warn her about the Dazzlings. Even then, Celestia was under their spell, so as far she was concerned it was not really her. Silently, she paced around the perimeter of the balcony until she faced the setting sun to the west. “Celestia?” Her whispers faded into the light breeze that circled and curved around the pinnacle of Canterlot High. The sun shone a deep orange with hints of purple in the twilight of its descent. Like this world’s moon, it too looked alien. Although for various reasons, she never looked at it. Truth be told, she had hated it. When she arrived, she associated everything about it with her: with Princess Celestia. For many moons after her arrival, she would curse it. She would curse Celestia. They were to blame for her failure and banishment. But was it really a banishment? No. She had come here on her own accord. She looked into the alien glow, her words once more taken away by the soft quiet wind. “Celestia, I’m so confused. I want to tell you everything bu—but… I’m sor—” Her voice wavered and she could no longer force her words to come out. The top edge of the glowing orb fell beneath the western horizon, taking with it the last rays of solar light, and the first of several tears. VICE Principal LunaSunset Shimmer stood outside the door to Principal Celestia's office. She paced back and forth for the better part of ten minutes as she tried to work up the nerve to enter. This was the closest she had come to the door in four days, and even then it had taken her till the end of classes to make it this far. Her heart raced and threatened to burst from her chest. She feared what it might look like, but would not have been surprised if it were a shriveled up black husk. She waved awkwardly as three students walked past. They flinched, but slowly followed suite. Taking a breath, she approached the door and prepared to knock for the fifth time. She stumbled and nearly fell forward as the door suddenly opened. Vice Principal Luna reached out, catching her shoulders and steading her. "Sunset Shimmer, what a pleasant surprise," her voice came out unemotional and unsurprised by her guest. "If you were hoping to see my sister, then I regret to inform you that she stayed home ill today." "Right…" She slowly backed away, "I think I made a mistake coming here." Luna stepped aside and beckoned her to enter. "Sunset Shimmer, please come in." Sunset Shimmer took several hesitant steps backward before sluggishly entering the office. Luna closed the door and stepped behind the desk. The shades were partially closed, letting only a sliver of sunlight enter the office. The lights overhead had been left on, an oddity for the normally reclusive Vice Principal whose own office was often shrouded in shadows. Rumors often circulated about how she was secretly a vampire. The thought always seemed absurd to her. Before the Dazzlings revealed themselves, she had thought the idea of Equestrian creatures following her into this world was just as absurd as a dragon working at the local pizzeria. "It is no secret," Luna began, "that I was never a fan of you." Sunset stared dumbfounded at her. She knew Vice Principal Luna could be overly blunt at times, but this… "However," she continued, noting Sunset's expression, "I suspect it may be because I see much of myself in you." Sunset recovered enough to respond, "What do you mean?" This might not have been who she was looking for, or even close to the topic she needed to discuss, but she recalled Princess Twilight telling her once that at her stage, she should be open to hearing what everyone had to say, no matter how much it may hurt. Luna sat down behind the desk and gestured at one of the wooden chairs on the other side. She waited for Sunset to take her seat before answering, "I was not always the respected authority figure I am today. Back in my youth, I too was a trouble maker." Sunset Shimmer continued to stare at her. She wondered what Luna meant by "trouble maker", until she recalled Twilight's revelation about the stories of Nightmare Moon being true and that she had once been Princess Luna. She knew that the people of this universe were duplicates in appearance more than anything; nevertheless, there were enough similarities between personalities that the differences were often blurred. "I would often play pranks on my fellow classmates. I recall one such occasion where I drew an… let's say an unflattering picture of one my least favorite teachers at the time in permanent marker on the whiteboard before covering it up with another drawing done with dry erase markers." Luna smiled, almost pleased with herself. "How is that related to turning into a monster and trying to use a brainwashed army to take over another world!" she snapped. She knew Twilight had wanted her to listen to everything others told her, but this could not possibly have been what she meant. Harmless school pranks were nothing compared to what she had done. She had manipulated the entire school into doing her bidding without even using magic. Moreover, once she had magic, she nearly destroyed the entire building. Luna let her catch her breath before responding coolly, "I was not finished." Sunset Shimmer realized that she had stood up and was leaning over the desk that separated the two. She quietly leaned back and slumped back into her seat. "It merely started as harmless pranks before escalating. I will not bore you with everything I had done, but I will say that I ended up getting into the kind of trouble you should be lucky to not have been subjected to." Sunset looked up at that. "Destruction of property is a very serious crime. I am sure enslavement and enrolling in a school under false pretense would also not be looked at very favorably by the courts." Sunset slumped further into her chair. She did everything in her power to avoid Luna's gaze. "My parents refused to pay for my bail," Luna continued. "They believed that it would improve my character. Of course, at the time I believed that it was because they just wanted to get rid of me." Sunset Shimmer looked up when she realized that her tone had dropped. Luna's expression was melancholic as she reminisced. "I spent nearly a week in that cell." Luna had picked up a picture from the cabinets behind her of a younger version of herself and Principal Celestia when they had first graduated college. "It felt like a thousand years before I was released. My sister had been saving the income she received from her summer jobs to purchase a car." She put the picture back and turned around to look at Sunset, "She used everything she had been saving to pay for my release." "…I had no idea." Sunset did not know what to say. She had always seen Celestia as the type of person to let people learn from their own mistakes and live with the consequences. "Celestia cares for every student that comes through those doors and, though it may not seem like it, she does everything she can to help make them better people. Much like she cared for a young troubled girl all those years ago. Perhaps…" she paused and smiled softly. "Perhaps, that is why she chose to look the other way when a strange girl who did not appear to know much about how our society operated appeared and began living in the clock tower loft." She raised an eyebrow as she looked as Sunset Shimmer. "…You know about that?" She had been so careful and meticulous. Her new friends were not even aware of where she spent the night. "Indeed," she answered. "When it became evident of your unfamiliarity with our world my sister took… several liberties. Many doors would remain unlocked at all times: in particular the cafeteria and library." Her eyes rolled to the ceiling in thought, "I believe she even printed out basic instructions on how to use the computers." Sunset Shimmer was silent. Her mind raced through her first few months in this strange new world. She had taken every coincidence or event of good fortune as just how this world worked. She recalled an event during the beginning of her second month that nearly forced her to find a new home. "The 'restoration' of the clock tower dome?" "She felt that you would like to have heat for when the winter months approached and the installation of the shower was because Coach Spitfire was tired of finding the locker-room unlocked every morning…" "…And the soccer camp for incoming freshmen was about to start," Sunset added. "Precisely. I think they would have found it very suspicious if a girl who was not on the team was found using the showers; although, that might have given you the opportunity to become friends with Rainbow Dash. I do not think CHS would have survived as long as it did if you had received her as your accomplice, as opposed to Snips and Snails." "Hehe. I suppose not." Sunset Shimmer stood up with Vice Principal Luna and made her way for the door. "One last thing…" She turned around, her hand still on the knob. "I did not become the person I am today by receiving forgiveness from my parents, or even my sister." Sunset nodded as she began to open the door. "I became a better person by forgiving myself." She froze and looked up at Vice Principal Luna. Her normally resolute expression was one of compassion. Sunset Shimmer leaned against the railing as she watched the sun as it began to set. A tome emblazoned with what was once her cutie mark sat open in her grasp. Vice Principal Luna's final words echoed through her mind. "I need to forgive myself," she mouthed. She could still not make much sense of it. Was the fact that she no longer wanted power at the expense of others not good enough? She shook her head as she resumed her vigil of the alien world's sun. Her friends were just as confused as she was about Luna's parting remarks. How can people forgive themselves? It seemed wrong and counterproductive. While, she knew that she had no one to blame but herself, she could not just ask herself for forgiveness. "Hey, Sunset, I'm sorry you tried to take over all of Equestria. It's okay, I'm sorry you became an evil power hungry monster." She groaned. It sounded even worse when she said it aloud. She turned her attention to the blank page she had turned to in her book. "Maybe Twilight can make sense of this? Or at least help me figure out how to tell Celestia how I feel about the past." She lowered and rested her head face down in the open tome. "Gwah! I'll never figure this out." She let her mind wander as she stayed like that for the duration of the sunset. She began writing when she finally decided what to tell Twilight. She was not certain if it was the right thing at that moment, but it would have to do until she was ready to relay her true feelings to Princess Celestia. Twilight, I know it seems like I just wrote to you, so this will be quick. I want you to know that things at school are getting better. Many of the students still look at me like I'm that same monster from the Fall Formal, but they also seem more open to accept that I've changed. I'm trying to repent and tell everyone I've hurt that I'm sorry and I'm trying to do right by them. I knew this was not going to be easy when I started, but my friends here are helping in ways I never could have imagined. Now, I need your help. Out of everyone I've hurt, those in Equestria suffered the worse. I tried talking to Principal Celestia today, but she wasn't there. Her sister seemed to help me, sort of. Apparently, she thinks I need to forgive myself. Maybe, she's onto something. But right now, I just feel the need to speak with Celestia, or write to her. I turned into a monster when I thought she was keeping me from my true potential. I just need her to know the truth: she was right about me not being ready for the kind of power I wanted. I originally was going to have you convey a message for me, but Fluttershy brought up a good point: maybe I should tell her directly. I've struggled with what to say for so long now. Will she forgive me? Do I even deserve forgiveness for my past transgressions? The more I think about it, the worse off I am. I should just get it over with, but I think I'm so concerned with what will happen that I just freeze up. Hopefully, you're having a better time than me. Your faithful stud Your friend, Sunset Shimmer When she awoke the next morning the tome on the crate next to her was glowing and vibrating. Quickly disentangling herself from her sheets, she reached out and grabbed it before it could fall to the floor. She took a breath and began to flip through the pages. Twilight rarely responded to her messages that quickly and she did not expect her to have written to Celestia on her behalf. Even in the unlikely scenario that she had, why would Celestia even respond? She had betrayed her trust and thrown the love she had given her right back into her face. Twilight's response was uncharacteristically short, but the words struck her all the same as she closed the tome. She felt even more drained about the situation than before. She pulled her pillow over her face and groaned as loud as she could. She continued to lay like that until her phone began screeching at her. She slowly moved the pillow to the side so she could glare at the offending device. She never set an alarm to wake her up on Saturdays; at least not now that she no longer had to worry about meticulously planning how to take over a school so that she could one day take over Equestria. She groaned again, this time at her past self. She picked up the device and studied the text-message that was flashing on the screen before she pulled herself out of bed and began to get ready for the day. Apparently, Pinkie Pie wanted them all to show up at her place to test brownie recipes, or something. Either way, it would give her an excuse to get out and improve her "social interactions skills", which according to Rarity, could still use some improvement. She originally thought she would be capable of interacting with others, but Rarity had taught her that there were subtle differences between trying to be someone's friend in order to manipulate them, and just being friendly. On a more positive note: Pinkie Pie always made the best brownies. The LettersDear Sunset Shimmer, I think it is a great idea for you to reconnect with Princess Celestia and I would be more than happy to relay any message you have to her. I can imagine that you would probably want your first correspondence since leaving Equestria to be private, so you could warn me before writing it and then leave a blank page before and after; I Pinkie Promise that I will not read it without your consent. In regards to what Principal Luna said, I am inclined to side with her. The only way for you to overcome your demons, would be by accepting and then letting them go; at least according to several authors who have written on the subject of dealing with personal struggle. I would be more than willing to transcribe several for you if you would like. Sincerely, your friend, Twilight Sparkle Twilight Sparkle's words floated through Sunset Shimmer's mind as she walked through town, making her way to Sugarcube Corner. Right before she had left her loft above the school, she had received a text from Pinkie saying that the location had changed to Sugarcube Corner and something about more ovens being more fun. She shifted her backpack, feeling the weight of the contents inside. One thing stood out more than the rest: the book she used to communicate with Twilight back in Equestria. As the weight of the contents settled back into the center, her thoughts began to race again. She worried that by constantly complaining about her own problems, she might be neglecting any issues her new friends were having. She knew they wanted her to talk through her own problems, but at the same time, it seemed wrong to be taking control of them as she was. At least, she felt like she was using them. She shuddered at the thought. No, that Sunset Shimmer was behind her, and her past was in the past. She knew the road ahead would not be easy, and would be nearly impossible without help and guidance along the way. Still… there had to be some way to show that she was not just using them as a means to an end. As she walked by large storefront windows that shimmered in the early morning light, she could not help but look at her reflection. She looked different somehow. Her appearance had not changed, but she looked… like she had broken free from a chrysalis and was now free. Perhaps her memory was warped, but she could have sworn that before Twilight had arrived, she had a darker and more sinister appearance. Now? She felt she looked normal. Well, relatively normal. She was still a unicorn in a strange bipedal body; but it was a normal bipedal body. She rounded another corner and found herself standing in front of a combination coffee shop and bakery. She stared at the closed door and took several reassuring breaths. She tried to push back a memory of when she had submitted several false reports to the town's health inspector that had nearly shut the place down. Pinkie was not as mad as she thought she would be when she confessed. Her friends and the rest of the school had always suspected that she was responsible for that, amongst other incidences. In truth, she did not even remember all of the things she had done to discredit and damage her fellow classmates on her way to the top. That was probably what hurt her the most right now. Pinkie had offered her friendship and she had accepted it without even remembering what she had done to Pinkie and her second family. It was not until her friends had invited her to the shop that she remembered. She could not even bring herself to go inside that day. She had collapsed on the sidewalk and had begun to sob. When asked why, she blurted out what she had done, and Pinkie, in her usual way had reassured her that the Sunset Shimmer who had done those awful things was gone. That she had been reborn from the fire and flames of friendship into a new, more harmonious Sunset Shimmer. She shook for only a second before entering the shop. The tiny bell above the door rang with jubilation as the door opened and she took her first steps inside. She was greeted first by the scent of fresh pastries and hot chocolate, followed swiftly by nearly every eye of the few who were inside enjoying their breakfasts. They were only looking for half a second, but in that second, she could feel every emotion that was flowing through them. She suspected that she would never get over the feeling of the subtle change in vibe whenever she entered a room. Just as soon as they had turned to look at her, their focus returned to their conversations and food. Sunset quickly made her way behind the counter and into the kitchen. She smiled uneasily as she passed by Mrs. Cake. The establishment's matriarch avoided making eye contact with her. While Pinkie might have been quick to forgive her, Mr. and Mrs. Cake were not. The kitchen was organized in typical Pinkie Pie fashion. That is to say, that it was in a state of organized chaos. Bowls filled with different kinds of batter were scattered about the island countertop with the spaces in—between stuffed with bags of flour and sugar. Tubs of frosting sat open with knives and spoons stabbed into what little may have been left. The heat from six preheated ovens warmed the air enough to be noticeable, but comfortable; especially when contrasted with the crisp early fall weather that was beginning to creep in. "Hey'ya, Sunny!" chimed Pinkie Pie. She was dangerously close to rubbing her nose against Sunset's. "Good morning, Pinkie Pie," Sunset responded as she took a few apprehensive steps to the side to allow for more personal space between her and her friend. Pinkie continued to stand in place smiling until the beeping of a timer caused her to flinch. She back flipped through the air and landed in a gymnast's pose, her arms held high, in front of an oven. Without missing a beat, she reached in with a pair of oven mitts and pulled out a steaming tray. The smell of chocolate erupted forth with the steam filling the entirety of the kitchen. Sunset breathed in the delectable aromas. The sweet, bitter fragrance of chocolate calmed her mind. The only way she could describe it was if her friendship with the sometimes—odd girl had become corporeal. She briefly wondered if Equestria's Pinkie Pie was the same. Based on what Twilight had told her, she knew that her friends' Equestrian counterparts were similar, but different enough to not be mistaken as the same pony… or person. "Good morning, darlings!" Rarity came through the door with Fluttershy following several steps behind her. "I'm so sorry we are late, Pinkie. But, we were having such a wonderful time at the spa that I completely lost track of time." "No probla—rino! I know how important your weekly spa sessions are. It's why I scheduled this so late." "Thank you for being so considerate." As Sunset Shimmer watched this exchange, she could not help but be amazed at how well they were getting along. It was only a month ago that they hated each other. It stung her that it had been because of her own actions. "Oh my, these smell lovely," Fluttershy cooed, leaning over the brownies Pinkie Pie had just removed. "I think it’s the extra mint leaves I mixed in with the batter," Pinkie replied while pouring batter from a mixing bowl into an empty tray with one hand and sprinkling a handful of green leaves with the other. "When are Applejack and Rainbow Dash coming?" Fluttershy asked. Pinkie looked up in thought as she absentmindedly tapped the freshly poured batter, releasing any air bubbles, "Applejack's preparing for their fall harvest in a few weeks and Dashie's probably sleeping." "I never could figure out how someone could sleep as much as she does," Rarity responded, opening a preheated oven as Pinkie slid the tray inside. "This time, I think it's because she wants to be all rested and awake for tonight's game." "There's a game tonight? Which one?" "Wow, Fluttershy. You really need to pay more attention to school functions," Rarity chided. She blushed, "Sports really aren’t my thing." "I think last night was softball and tonight is soccer," Sunset Shimmer answered. Rarity blanched, "Two games in two days! No wonder she sleeps so much" "Soooo," Pinkie turned to Sunset Shimmer, "When are you going to tell us what Twilight said?" "How did you know she wrote to me?" Sunset asked as she removed her backpack and began rummaging through it to retrieve the book she used to communicate with the Equestrian Princess. "Just a hunch," Pinkie Pie shrugged. "It is wonderful that Princess Twilight is willing to go through so much to help you," Rarity responded after Sunset had shared the letter with her friends. "I have to wonder if perhaps she is onto something with her agreement with Luna's assertion." "I really don't think so," Sunset Shimmer retorted, "I just don't feel like that makes much sense." "I know we've already gone over this, but is there any reason why?" Fluttershy asked. "I don't know," she shrugged, brushing a hand through the wavy lengths of her hair. "I just feel like by making amends with others I'll be able to come to grips with what I've done. Like… that’s the only way to truly set myself free," She looked at each of her friends in turn. Fluttershy was her meek self, albeit standing a bit taller than she used to. Rarity was biting her lower lip, while Pinkie just beamed at her. After taking a breath, she added, "It just feels kind of cliché. Y—you don't mind me bringing this up all the time, do you? I feel like I've been complaining about this so much." Rarity pouted, "Why on earth would you think that?" "Yea!" Pinkie jumped, "You got a problem and we're here to help you solve it. Plus, somethings are cliché for a reason: because they happen all the time." "I just feel like I've been complaining too much." "I don’t think so, either." Everyone turned to look at Fluttershy, who briefly cowered behind her bangs before becoming more firm. "I think that if you had kept this from us, then there would be an issue. You're trying to reconnect with your old teacher that you feel like you abandoned in your home world. I think it's great that you are trying to rebuild your friendship with her." Sunset thought about that for a moment. A smile slowly began to grace her as her facial muscles grew less tense, "Thanks, Fluttershy. I guess I just needed to hear that," she looked at Pinkie and Rarity again, "From all of you. I've just had this weird feeling that I don't really have much time left to do this." "I'm sure Princess Celestia will understand how hard it is for you to relay your feelings to her," Rarity said. "For now," she turned to Pinkie, "I think we came here with another objective in mind." "Great! Now let's get baking!" Pinkie cheered. "These brownies aren't just going to appear for tonight's game, now are they?" Twilight sat amongst a throne of pillows and cushions as she diligently jotted down notes. Several tomes that lay open in front of her divided her attention as her quill flew across a scroll. Spike was sitting at a table reading one of his comics. At first, she had been apprehensive about allowing him to add a comic book section to her castle's library, but quickly changed her mind when she saw it as an opportunity to get him into reading more. Her devious scheme had already begun to come to fruition: whenever he would ask her to explain a new word or idea, she would point him in the direction of a text and have him research the answer himself. Now, if only she could convince Rainbow to do the same and stop pestering her about geography whenever she reread a Daring Do story. It was not like there was some sort of giant holographic image of the entire nation she could look at, or anything. No, such a device would be just as absurd as books and scrolls containing detailed information about Equestria and its neighbors. Hick! Her attention to her tomes shook as she looked around the castle's library for the source of the sound. Hick Hup! Spike hiccupped again and then let out a large belch. A small plume of green flame erupted from his yawning maw. The ball of fire shrunk down to a singularity before bursting forth into the shape of an envelope. She began to rise to investigate when she froze and watched with curiosity as it began to fly around the room. Normally letters and scrolls from Celestia would fall to the ground unless Spike managed to catch them first. It continued to fly around until it flew under a sealed door. With a gasp, she began galloping after it. With a burst of telekinesis, she flung the door to her personal lab open. Scrolls and chalkboards filled with equations took shape as lanterns and a magical light illuminated the room. "What's going on?" Spike asked as he approached from behind her. "I have no idea," she answered as she continued to look under tables and behind several chalkboards. "I think Princess Celestia was trying to send me a letter…" she froze. She began to move excitedly, "Maybe she found some information in the Canterlot archives about where my castle came from and the source of that chest beneath the Tree of Harmony!" "Or maybe she wanted to write to our friends back at Canterlot High." Just as she was about to turn around and respond to how ludicrous that sounded, she saw the letter ramming itself into the mirror to the other world. "Huh… that's weird." "I know, right." It was not one of the bigger games of the season, nor was it against their rivals, but that did not stop students and faculty alike from showing up to watch the game that evening. One such student was sitting at the base of the statue of the Wonder Colt on the front lawn of the campus. She watched as more people walked by as the shadows became elongated from the setting sun. She smiled and waved as several of her classmates walked by. Her quiet introspection was soon interrupted by a rectangular object as it shot overhead. The breeze blew through her blonde hair, throwing its lengths over her face. She pulled two strands apart and watched as what appeared to be a golden envelope bounced through the air. It made several sputtering sounds like a backfiring engine as it dove into the sidewalk and slid for several feet before coming to a smoldering halt. Cautiously, she approached the now smoking letter. The nondescript envelope had almost a glossy sheen to it. She poked it with an outstretched finger, before flinching away. She almost expected it to be warm to the touch with how much it was smoldering. Instead, it was cool: the temperature one would expect a random envelope lying on the sidewalk to be. Flipping it over, elegant golden writing gleamed in the rays of the evening sun. The letter was addressed to "Sunset Shimmer". She gasped and looked around. She grabbed the letter and rushed toward where the crowd was meandering. She did not know if Sunset Shimmer would be at the game, but she knew that at least one of her friends would have to be there. She froze and skidded to a stop. Her face scrunched as she glared at the envelope. She could easily just forget that she ever saw it. She looked over and saw a trashcan. No one would even have to know that the letter had existed. She slowly turned it over and stared at the sealed flap. One little peek would never hurt anyone. She might as well know what it was that she was about to destroy. She shook her head. No, Sunset Shimmer was no longer Sunset Shimmer. Sure, she had done many awful and terrible things, but that was no reason to open someone else's mail. She looked around again. She had to find someone who knew where Sunset was, or lived. She would make it her mission to ensure that the letter would find its recipient! She clutched the letter tightly and followed the crowd into the stadium. Her eyes darted in every direction as she searched the sea of students for any sign of Sunset or her friends. Her pursuit ceased as two girls approached her. The cream—colored one with wavy curls appeared to remain neutral, while her aquamarine, messy haired companion waved energetically. "Hey, Derpy!" the aquamarine girl shouted as she and her friend got within talking range. "Hi, Lyra," Derpy responded, still looking around. "Say, you and Bon Bon didn't see Sunset Shimmer or her friends around, have you?" Bon Bon blew a breath of air into her bangs and scoffed, "Humph. Why would you want to look for her? The only thing she's any good for is causing trouble." "I found this letter," Derpy said, presenting the envelope and showing the golden script, "I'm trying to deliver it. I think it came from Princess Twilight's world." "Why?" Bon Bon asked again. "She's just trying to be nice, Bonnie," Lyra said. Bon Bon seethed, "Can you blame me for not caring about her after what she did to me? She posted my personal diary online for the whole school to see." "You have no proof that she was the one who posted it. And besides, it wasn't all bad." Lyra smiled comfortingly as she looked into her eyes, "How else was your 'secret crush' going to find out that you liked her." "She might not have been the one who actually posted it, but she was involved. I say you rip that thing open and read it in front of everyone. Give her a taste of her own medicine." Derpy gasped and hugged the envelope close to her chest, "Just because she did something awful doesn't mean you should. She's changed…," her eyes rolled softly in opposite directions as she thought for a moment. "She's at least making an effort to change," she said softly, "and make amends. It's possible she doesn't remember all the bad things she's done. And even if she does, she's not the same person." "By your logic we should also turn her into some kind of zombie and attempt to invade another world," Lyra added with a smile. Bon Bon sighed, "I still don't agree with helping her, but I guess if I see her I'll let you know." Derpy and Lyra beamed. "Forget that, I'm going with her!" Lyra cheered. "I think I remember Pinkie saying something about the Pep and Glee club giving out brownies tonight. Follow the chocolate and we'll find someone who knows where Sunset Shimmer is." Bon Bon rolled her eyes as she followed the two girls. "Can you at least tell me where you found it?" "Found what?" She smacked her palm into her face hard enough to make an audible clapping sound. "The letter…" "Or right, that," Derpy blushed. "It came from the statue. Didn't I say it was from Twilight Princess?" Bon Bon blinked, her face perpetually locked in a deadpan expression. Derpy blinked one eye after the other. "You mean the statue she used as a gateway?" Lyra asked. "Yup. That's the one." "Hmm… I thought she could just walk through whenever she wanted to now. So, why would she need to send a letter?" Lyra pondered. "I don't really care. Can we just hurry up and deliver the thing so we can watch the game?" "Don't be such a sour lemon drop, Bonnie." Lyra grabbed her arm and held her tight, "It'll be fun: our first adventure." "I guess," she mumbled. "At least I can say that I've had worse dates." "You two are dating!?" Bon Bon groaned as Lyra held her arm tighter and began skipping through the crowds toward the stands.
Fear of ForgivenessTwilight, I have done so many terrible things wrong. I have hurt so many people. All I really want is to be accepted again. I know I will never be her student again. Tell her for me. Please, tell her Sunset Shimmer crumpled the sheet of paper into a ball and threw it into the corner of the room where it joined a dozen other scrapped drafts. She pulled her legs in and bent over her knees, becoming like the crumpled balls of paper that littered her floor. She held her legs tightly as she shut she eyes. “I’ll never be able to get this right,” she whimpered to no one in particular. Her room was empty: devoid of no one but her and her crumpled thoughts. She peeked out of her makeshift ball at the eastern horizon outside her window. The purple and dark blues of the evening sky streaked from where the moon was beginning to rise. It looked like the moon, but did not feel like it. She remembered a story she had heard once as a child: The moon was the most beautiful thing in the sky. She should revere it. Respect it. Love it just as much as the summer sun. She smiled weakly as happy memories flooded her: memories of reading her first books and performing her first acts of magic. Those days did not last long. As soon as she had a taste for magic, she wanted more. She wanted power. She winced. The moon was the moon. She knew this; however, it still felt so foreign, so alien. It was still as mysterious and strange as when she first laid eyes on it so long ago. When she first emerged from the portal into this strange new world, she saw an opportunity. Now? This new world was her prison. She looked at the nightstand beside her. A framed picture of herself with five other girls smiled up at her. Reassured her. Comforted her. They made this world home. Their happy expressions, forever frozen in time in that photo, told her that this world was not a prison. She would rise above all the obstacles before her: obstacles she herself had built. She would overcome and help those she had stepped over, hurt, betrayed. She had made a start. Most were at least acknowledging that she might have changed. Many even smiled at her in the halls now. Some still gave her looks of indifference, but at least it was better than when their glares were filled with disdain and hate. She had already apologized profusely to those five that smiled alongside her in the photo. She had said she was sorry so many times that she thought they were angry with her. They taught her that friends do not need to apologize a hundred times. All she needed to do was ask for their forgiveness once, and she received it. They knew she was a better person. They respected that she still had a ways to go before she understood how to be kind and generous, how to be loyal and honest, and to be able to smile because she had made someone other than herself happy. This was a magic she had never studied in any of her books. It was a magic she had ignored. It was a magic that had been shared with her back in Equestria and she threw it back in her face. She hid her face in her knees again and tightened her arms around herself, compressing into a tighter ball as she sat on the old mattress lying on the floor in the clock tower above Canterlot High. The place she had strived to turn into her personal castle. The picture resting on the crate beside her was her only solace in the somber night. “Hello, Rainbow to Sunset. You there, girl?” She broke out of her thoughts as a blue face topped with a mop of rainbow hair appeared in her vision. “Yea, guess I kind of zoned out there, huh?” She blushed and scratched the back of her head. “Ya’ think?” her blank expression may have meant she was stern. At least, Sunset would have thought that at one point in time. She now knew that Rainbow’s expression was most likely one of concern. “You’ve been playing the same chord for the past five minutes.” “Sorry. I’m just… tired is all.” “Are you sure nothing is bothering you?” Rarity asked. “Really, I’m fine,” she smiled. She could feel her face attempting to pull her lips back down as she struggled to keep smiling. Pinkie rubbed her chin as her eyes squinted. “Well, that does look like a smile.” “Ya know you can come to us with anything, right, sugar cube?” Applejack held her hand. “We’ll always be there whenever you need us.” “I know,” she sighed. She should probably tell them what was bothering her. The problem was that she was not really sure what was bothering her. “I appreciate that. It’s just that,” she looked at each of their faces. They all seemed so kind, so open to hearing about her problems, so accepting of who she was now and not… “I…” She bit her lip and paused for another short second, gathering her thoughts before continuing, “…I’m really not sure what’s bothering me.” She closed her eyes and let that hang in the air a moment. “I suppose it has something to do with the letter I’ve been trying to write.” “A letter? Who are you writing to?” Rarity sat next to her, opposite Applejack. “Twilight.” “Don’t you write to Princess Twilight almost every week?” Fluttershy inquired. “Yea, but that’s not the issue.” “Well then, what is it? I’m sure whatever it is, we can beat it together. Hey, we took on a bunch of singing monsters, didn’t we? I’m sure one measly letter can’t hold a candle to us.” Rainbow had stepped onto her amp and was striking as heroic a pose as she could muster. “It’s not that I don’t think you girls can help, it’s just that I feel like this is something I’ve got to do on my own.” “But, you are never alone, sweetie,” Rarity squeezed her hand. “Now, tell us why you feel so stressed about writing to Princess Twilight.” Sunset Shimmer was a former citizen of Equestria and former student of magic. Sunset Shimmer was a student at Canterlot High and a student of friendship. Sunset Shimmer was struggling with two identities. “I,” she began. Her friends leaned forward in anticipation. Even Rainbow relaxed her pose for a moment. “I want her to relay a message to Princess Celestia for me.” “The ruler of all of Equestria?” Fluttershy asked. Sunset nodded. “She was also your former teacher, was she not?” Rarity added. Sunset nodded again. She looked, and felt drained. “I want to explain myself: explain how I felt about turning into a monster and betraying her.” “Didn’t you turn into a monster after you went through the portal?” Applejack glared at Pinkie. “Oh,” she chuckled awkwardly, “you mean metaphorically.” “Dang it, Pinkie” “It’s alright, Applejack.” Sunset Shimmer did not know what to do. She did not know how to do it even if she did. All she knew was that she could turn to her friends for help. “You’ve all done so much for me,” she began. Rainbow quickly interrupted, scowling at her. “If you finish that with your whole spiel about how you wish you could do something for us, then I will smack you upside the head.” That took her aback. She smiled, this time genuinely and nodded with enthusiasm. She was never sure how it happened, but just being around her friends seemed to invigorate her. Whenever she felt completely drained, as if she had just performed countless complex spells and had used up all her magic, they would recharge her. “Have you considered that, umm… maybe you should be writing to Celestia directly?” Everyone looked at Fluttershy. She hid partially behind her tambourine. Sunset thought that over. It would make more sense… “I would still need to figure out what to say? How do I say it? Where do I even begin?” “You could always talk to Celestia. That should give you some ideas.” “Pinkie,” Applejack smacked herself in the face with the palm of her hand and let it drop, “That’s what the problem is. How exactly is speaking to Celestia about writtin’ a letter to her gonna help? If she were speaking to her directly, then she wouldn’t need the letter to begin with.” Pinkie rolled her eyes, “No, silly. She speaks to Principal Celestia about writing to Princess Celestia.” “They are practically the same person. Ahem, more or less,” Rarity added. She had promised them she would think about it. She crossed her arms over the balcony’s railing. The clock’s clicks were hushed and muted, but she could hear them. On quiet evenings, she could always hear its mechanisms. They were soothing and meditative in their own unique way. The alien, yet familiar moon’s edge could just barely be seen on the horizon. The town she had come to call home silently lit up as street and porch lights flickered on. She sighed. Her coat wavered on her shoulders as it caught a light breeze. She breathed in the cool sent of evening as it fell over Canterlot High. Thoughts and scenarios of a possible discussion with Principal Celestia played out in her mind as she pulled her coat tighter around her shoulders. That was another fear she should have expressed to her friends: she had never directly talked with the principal. The closest she ever came was when she and her friends had tried to warn her about the Dazzlings. Even then, Celestia was under their spell, so as far she was concerned it was not really her. Silently, she paced around the perimeter of the balcony until she faced the setting sun to the west. “Celestia?” Her whispers faded into the light breeze that circled and curved around the pinnacle of Canterlot High. The sun shone a deep orange with hints of purple in the twilight of its descent. Like this world’s moon, it too looked alien. Although for various reasons, she never looked at it. Truth be told, she had hated it. When she arrived, she associated everything about it with her: with Princess Celestia. For many moons after her arrival, she would curse it. She would curse Celestia. They were to blame for her failure and banishment. But was it really a banishment? No. She had come here on her own accord. She looked into the alien glow, her words once more taken away by the soft quiet wind. “Celestia, I’m so confused. I want to tell you everything bu—but… I’m sor—” Her voice wavered and she could no longer force her words to come out. The top edge of the glowing orb fell beneath the western horizon, taking with it the last rays of solar light, and the first of several tears.
VICE Principal LunaSunset Shimmer stood outside the door to Principal Celestia's office. She paced back and forth for the better part of ten minutes as she tried to work up the nerve to enter. This was the closest she had come to the door in four days, and even then it had taken her till the end of classes to make it this far. Her heart raced and threatened to burst from her chest. She feared what it might look like, but would not have been surprised if it were a shriveled up black husk. She waved awkwardly as three students walked past. They flinched, but slowly followed suite. Taking a breath, she approached the door and prepared to knock for the fifth time. She stumbled and nearly fell forward as the door suddenly opened. Vice Principal Luna reached out, catching her shoulders and steading her. "Sunset Shimmer, what a pleasant surprise," her voice came out unemotional and unsurprised by her guest. "If you were hoping to see my sister, then I regret to inform you that she stayed home ill today." "Right…" She slowly backed away, "I think I made a mistake coming here." Luna stepped aside and beckoned her to enter. "Sunset Shimmer, please come in." Sunset Shimmer took several hesitant steps backward before sluggishly entering the office. Luna closed the door and stepped behind the desk. The shades were partially closed, letting only a sliver of sunlight enter the office. The lights overhead had been left on, an oddity for the normally reclusive Vice Principal whose own office was often shrouded in shadows. Rumors often circulated about how she was secretly a vampire. The thought always seemed absurd to her. Before the Dazzlings revealed themselves, she had thought the idea of Equestrian creatures following her into this world was just as absurd as a dragon working at the local pizzeria. "It is no secret," Luna began, "that I was never a fan of you." Sunset stared dumbfounded at her. She knew Vice Principal Luna could be overly blunt at times, but this… "However," she continued, noting Sunset's expression, "I suspect it may be because I see much of myself in you." Sunset recovered enough to respond, "What do you mean?" This might not have been who she was looking for, or even close to the topic she needed to discuss, but she recalled Princess Twilight telling her once that at her stage, she should be open to hearing what everyone had to say, no matter how much it may hurt. Luna sat down behind the desk and gestured at one of the wooden chairs on the other side. She waited for Sunset to take her seat before answering, "I was not always the respected authority figure I am today. Back in my youth, I too was a trouble maker." Sunset Shimmer continued to stare at her. She wondered what Luna meant by "trouble maker", until she recalled Twilight's revelation about the stories of Nightmare Moon being true and that she had once been Princess Luna. She knew that the people of this universe were duplicates in appearance more than anything; nevertheless, there were enough similarities between personalities that the differences were often blurred. "I would often play pranks on my fellow classmates. I recall one such occasion where I drew an… let's say an unflattering picture of one my least favorite teachers at the time in permanent marker on the whiteboard before covering it up with another drawing done with dry erase markers." Luna smiled, almost pleased with herself. "How is that related to turning into a monster and trying to use a brainwashed army to take over another world!" she snapped. She knew Twilight had wanted her to listen to everything others told her, but this could not possibly have been what she meant. Harmless school pranks were nothing compared to what she had done. She had manipulated the entire school into doing her bidding without even using magic. Moreover, once she had magic, she nearly destroyed the entire building. Luna let her catch her breath before responding coolly, "I was not finished." Sunset Shimmer realized that she had stood up and was leaning over the desk that separated the two. She quietly leaned back and slumped back into her seat. "It merely started as harmless pranks before escalating. I will not bore you with everything I had done, but I will say that I ended up getting into the kind of trouble you should be lucky to not have been subjected to." Sunset looked up at that. "Destruction of property is a very serious crime. I am sure enslavement and enrolling in a school under false pretense would also not be looked at very favorably by the courts." Sunset slumped further into her chair. She did everything in her power to avoid Luna's gaze. "My parents refused to pay for my bail," Luna continued. "They believed that it would improve my character. Of course, at the time I believed that it was because they just wanted to get rid of me." Sunset Shimmer looked up when she realized that her tone had dropped. Luna's expression was melancholic as she reminisced. "I spent nearly a week in that cell." Luna had picked up a picture from the cabinets behind her of a younger version of herself and Principal Celestia when they had first graduated college. "It felt like a thousand years before I was released. My sister had been saving the income she received from her summer jobs to purchase a car." She put the picture back and turned around to look at Sunset, "She used everything she had been saving to pay for my release." "…I had no idea." Sunset did not know what to say. She had always seen Celestia as the type of person to let people learn from their own mistakes and live with the consequences. "Celestia cares for every student that comes through those doors and, though it may not seem like it, she does everything she can to help make them better people. Much like she cared for a young troubled girl all those years ago. Perhaps…" she paused and smiled softly. "Perhaps, that is why she chose to look the other way when a strange girl who did not appear to know much about how our society operated appeared and began living in the clock tower loft." She raised an eyebrow as she looked as Sunset Shimmer. "…You know about that?" She had been so careful and meticulous. Her new friends were not even aware of where she spent the night. "Indeed," she answered. "When it became evident of your unfamiliarity with our world my sister took… several liberties. Many doors would remain unlocked at all times: in particular the cafeteria and library." Her eyes rolled to the ceiling in thought, "I believe she even printed out basic instructions on how to use the computers." Sunset Shimmer was silent. Her mind raced through her first few months in this strange new world. She had taken every coincidence or event of good fortune as just how this world worked. She recalled an event during the beginning of her second month that nearly forced her to find a new home. "The 'restoration' of the clock tower dome?" "She felt that you would like to have heat for when the winter months approached and the installation of the shower was because Coach Spitfire was tired of finding the locker-room unlocked every morning…" "…And the soccer camp for incoming freshmen was about to start," Sunset added. "Precisely. I think they would have found it very suspicious if a girl who was not on the team was found using the showers; although, that might have given you the opportunity to become friends with Rainbow Dash. I do not think CHS would have survived as long as it did if you had received her as your accomplice, as opposed to Snips and Snails." "Hehe. I suppose not." Sunset Shimmer stood up with Vice Principal Luna and made her way for the door. "One last thing…" She turned around, her hand still on the knob. "I did not become the person I am today by receiving forgiveness from my parents, or even my sister." Sunset nodded as she began to open the door. "I became a better person by forgiving myself." She froze and looked up at Vice Principal Luna. Her normally resolute expression was one of compassion. Sunset Shimmer leaned against the railing as she watched the sun as it began to set. A tome emblazoned with what was once her cutie mark sat open in her grasp. Vice Principal Luna's final words echoed through her mind. "I need to forgive myself," she mouthed. She could still not make much sense of it. Was the fact that she no longer wanted power at the expense of others not good enough? She shook her head as she resumed her vigil of the alien world's sun. Her friends were just as confused as she was about Luna's parting remarks. How can people forgive themselves? It seemed wrong and counterproductive. While, she knew that she had no one to blame but herself, she could not just ask herself for forgiveness. "Hey, Sunset, I'm sorry you tried to take over all of Equestria. It's okay, I'm sorry you became an evil power hungry monster." She groaned. It sounded even worse when she said it aloud. She turned her attention to the blank page she had turned to in her book. "Maybe Twilight can make sense of this? Or at least help me figure out how to tell Celestia how I feel about the past." She lowered and rested her head face down in the open tome. "Gwah! I'll never figure this out." She let her mind wander as she stayed like that for the duration of the sunset. She began writing when she finally decided what to tell Twilight. She was not certain if it was the right thing at that moment, but it would have to do until she was ready to relay her true feelings to Princess Celestia. Twilight, I know it seems like I just wrote to you, so this will be quick. I want you to know that things at school are getting better. Many of the students still look at me like I'm that same monster from the Fall Formal, but they also seem more open to accept that I've changed. I'm trying to repent and tell everyone I've hurt that I'm sorry and I'm trying to do right by them. I knew this was not going to be easy when I started, but my friends here are helping in ways I never could have imagined. Now, I need your help. Out of everyone I've hurt, those in Equestria suffered the worse. I tried talking to Principal Celestia today, but she wasn't there. Her sister seemed to help me, sort of. Apparently, she thinks I need to forgive myself. Maybe, she's onto something. But right now, I just feel the need to speak with Celestia, or write to her. I turned into a monster when I thought she was keeping me from my true potential. I just need her to know the truth: she was right about me not being ready for the kind of power I wanted. I originally was going to have you convey a message for me, but Fluttershy brought up a good point: maybe I should tell her directly. I've struggled with what to say for so long now. Will she forgive me? Do I even deserve forgiveness for my past transgressions? The more I think about it, the worse off I am. I should just get it over with, but I think I'm so concerned with what will happen that I just freeze up. Hopefully, you're having a better time than me. Your faithful stud Your friend, Sunset Shimmer When she awoke the next morning the tome on the crate next to her was glowing and vibrating. Quickly disentangling herself from her sheets, she reached out and grabbed it before it could fall to the floor. She took a breath and began to flip through the pages. Twilight rarely responded to her messages that quickly and she did not expect her to have written to Celestia on her behalf. Even in the unlikely scenario that she had, why would Celestia even respond? She had betrayed her trust and thrown the love she had given her right back into her face. Twilight's response was uncharacteristically short, but the words struck her all the same as she closed the tome. She felt even more drained about the situation than before. She pulled her pillow over her face and groaned as loud as she could. She continued to lay like that until her phone began screeching at her. She slowly moved the pillow to the side so she could glare at the offending device. She never set an alarm to wake her up on Saturdays; at least not now that she no longer had to worry about meticulously planning how to take over a school so that she could one day take over Equestria. She groaned again, this time at her past self. She picked up the device and studied the text-message that was flashing on the screen before she pulled herself out of bed and began to get ready for the day. Apparently, Pinkie Pie wanted them all to show up at her place to test brownie recipes, or something. Either way, it would give her an excuse to get out and improve her "social interactions skills", which according to Rarity, could still use some improvement. She originally thought she would be capable of interacting with others, but Rarity had taught her that there were subtle differences between trying to be someone's friend in order to manipulate them, and just being friendly. On a more positive note: Pinkie Pie always made the best brownies.
The LettersDear Sunset Shimmer, I think it is a great idea for you to reconnect with Princess Celestia and I would be more than happy to relay any message you have to her. I can imagine that you would probably want your first correspondence since leaving Equestria to be private, so you could warn me before writing it and then leave a blank page before and after; I Pinkie Promise that I will not read it without your consent. In regards to what Principal Luna said, I am inclined to side with her. The only way for you to overcome your demons, would be by accepting and then letting them go; at least according to several authors who have written on the subject of dealing with personal struggle. I would be more than willing to transcribe several for you if you would like. Sincerely, your friend, Twilight Sparkle Twilight Sparkle's words floated through Sunset Shimmer's mind as she walked through town, making her way to Sugarcube Corner. Right before she had left her loft above the school, she had received a text from Pinkie saying that the location had changed to Sugarcube Corner and something about more ovens being more fun. She shifted her backpack, feeling the weight of the contents inside. One thing stood out more than the rest: the book she used to communicate with Twilight back in Equestria. As the weight of the contents settled back into the center, her thoughts began to race again. She worried that by constantly complaining about her own problems, she might be neglecting any issues her new friends were having. She knew they wanted her to talk through her own problems, but at the same time, it seemed wrong to be taking control of them as she was. At least, she felt like she was using them. She shuddered at the thought. No, that Sunset Shimmer was behind her, and her past was in the past. She knew the road ahead would not be easy, and would be nearly impossible without help and guidance along the way. Still… there had to be some way to show that she was not just using them as a means to an end. As she walked by large storefront windows that shimmered in the early morning light, she could not help but look at her reflection. She looked different somehow. Her appearance had not changed, but she looked… like she had broken free from a chrysalis and was now free. Perhaps her memory was warped, but she could have sworn that before Twilight had arrived, she had a darker and more sinister appearance. Now? She felt she looked normal. Well, relatively normal. She was still a unicorn in a strange bipedal body; but it was a normal bipedal body. She rounded another corner and found herself standing in front of a combination coffee shop and bakery. She stared at the closed door and took several reassuring breaths. She tried to push back a memory of when she had submitted several false reports to the town's health inspector that had nearly shut the place down. Pinkie was not as mad as she thought she would be when she confessed. Her friends and the rest of the school had always suspected that she was responsible for that, amongst other incidences. In truth, she did not even remember all of the things she had done to discredit and damage her fellow classmates on her way to the top. That was probably what hurt her the most right now. Pinkie had offered her friendship and she had accepted it without even remembering what she had done to Pinkie and her second family. It was not until her friends had invited her to the shop that she remembered. She could not even bring herself to go inside that day. She had collapsed on the sidewalk and had begun to sob. When asked why, she blurted out what she had done, and Pinkie, in her usual way had reassured her that the Sunset Shimmer who had done those awful things was gone. That she had been reborn from the fire and flames of friendship into a new, more harmonious Sunset Shimmer. She shook for only a second before entering the shop. The tiny bell above the door rang with jubilation as the door opened and she took her first steps inside. She was greeted first by the scent of fresh pastries and hot chocolate, followed swiftly by nearly every eye of the few who were inside enjoying their breakfasts. They were only looking for half a second, but in that second, she could feel every emotion that was flowing through them. She suspected that she would never get over the feeling of the subtle change in vibe whenever she entered a room. Just as soon as they had turned to look at her, their focus returned to their conversations and food. Sunset quickly made her way behind the counter and into the kitchen. She smiled uneasily as she passed by Mrs. Cake. The establishment's matriarch avoided making eye contact with her. While Pinkie might have been quick to forgive her, Mr. and Mrs. Cake were not. The kitchen was organized in typical Pinkie Pie fashion. That is to say, that it was in a state of organized chaos. Bowls filled with different kinds of batter were scattered about the island countertop with the spaces in—between stuffed with bags of flour and sugar. Tubs of frosting sat open with knives and spoons stabbed into what little may have been left. The heat from six preheated ovens warmed the air enough to be noticeable, but comfortable; especially when contrasted with the crisp early fall weather that was beginning to creep in. "Hey'ya, Sunny!" chimed Pinkie Pie. She was dangerously close to rubbing her nose against Sunset's. "Good morning, Pinkie Pie," Sunset responded as she took a few apprehensive steps to the side to allow for more personal space between her and her friend. Pinkie continued to stand in place smiling until the beeping of a timer caused her to flinch. She back flipped through the air and landed in a gymnast's pose, her arms held high, in front of an oven. Without missing a beat, she reached in with a pair of oven mitts and pulled out a steaming tray. The smell of chocolate erupted forth with the steam filling the entirety of the kitchen. Sunset breathed in the delectable aromas. The sweet, bitter fragrance of chocolate calmed her mind. The only way she could describe it was if her friendship with the sometimes—odd girl had become corporeal. She briefly wondered if Equestria's Pinkie Pie was the same. Based on what Twilight had told her, she knew that her friends' Equestrian counterparts were similar, but different enough to not be mistaken as the same pony… or person. "Good morning, darlings!" Rarity came through the door with Fluttershy following several steps behind her. "I'm so sorry we are late, Pinkie. But, we were having such a wonderful time at the spa that I completely lost track of time." "No probla—rino! I know how important your weekly spa sessions are. It's why I scheduled this so late." "Thank you for being so considerate." As Sunset Shimmer watched this exchange, she could not help but be amazed at how well they were getting along. It was only a month ago that they hated each other. It stung her that it had been because of her own actions. "Oh my, these smell lovely," Fluttershy cooed, leaning over the brownies Pinkie Pie had just removed. "I think it’s the extra mint leaves I mixed in with the batter," Pinkie replied while pouring batter from a mixing bowl into an empty tray with one hand and sprinkling a handful of green leaves with the other. "When are Applejack and Rainbow Dash coming?" Fluttershy asked. Pinkie looked up in thought as she absentmindedly tapped the freshly poured batter, releasing any air bubbles, "Applejack's preparing for their fall harvest in a few weeks and Dashie's probably sleeping." "I never could figure out how someone could sleep as much as she does," Rarity responded, opening a preheated oven as Pinkie slid the tray inside. "This time, I think it's because she wants to be all rested and awake for tonight's game." "There's a game tonight? Which one?" "Wow, Fluttershy. You really need to pay more attention to school functions," Rarity chided. She blushed, "Sports really aren’t my thing." "I think last night was softball and tonight is soccer," Sunset Shimmer answered. Rarity blanched, "Two games in two days! No wonder she sleeps so much" "Soooo," Pinkie turned to Sunset Shimmer, "When are you going to tell us what Twilight said?" "How did you know she wrote to me?" Sunset asked as she removed her backpack and began rummaging through it to retrieve the book she used to communicate with the Equestrian Princess. "Just a hunch," Pinkie Pie shrugged. "It is wonderful that Princess Twilight is willing to go through so much to help you," Rarity responded after Sunset had shared the letter with her friends. "I have to wonder if perhaps she is onto something with her agreement with Luna's assertion." "I really don't think so," Sunset Shimmer retorted, "I just don't feel like that makes much sense." "I know we've already gone over this, but is there any reason why?" Fluttershy asked. "I don't know," she shrugged, brushing a hand through the wavy lengths of her hair. "I just feel like by making amends with others I'll be able to come to grips with what I've done. Like… that’s the only way to truly set myself free," She looked at each of her friends in turn. Fluttershy was her meek self, albeit standing a bit taller than she used to. Rarity was biting her lower lip, while Pinkie just beamed at her. After taking a breath, she added, "It just feels kind of cliché. Y—you don't mind me bringing this up all the time, do you? I feel like I've been complaining about this so much." Rarity pouted, "Why on earth would you think that?" "Yea!" Pinkie jumped, "You got a problem and we're here to help you solve it. Plus, somethings are cliché for a reason: because they happen all the time." "I just feel like I've been complaining too much." "I don’t think so, either." Everyone turned to look at Fluttershy, who briefly cowered behind her bangs before becoming more firm. "I think that if you had kept this from us, then there would be an issue. You're trying to reconnect with your old teacher that you feel like you abandoned in your home world. I think it's great that you are trying to rebuild your friendship with her." Sunset thought about that for a moment. A smile slowly began to grace her as her facial muscles grew less tense, "Thanks, Fluttershy. I guess I just needed to hear that," she looked at Pinkie and Rarity again, "From all of you. I've just had this weird feeling that I don't really have much time left to do this." "I'm sure Princess Celestia will understand how hard it is for you to relay your feelings to her," Rarity said. "For now," she turned to Pinkie, "I think we came here with another objective in mind." "Great! Now let's get baking!" Pinkie cheered. "These brownies aren't just going to appear for tonight's game, now are they?" Twilight sat amongst a throne of pillows and cushions as she diligently jotted down notes. Several tomes that lay open in front of her divided her attention as her quill flew across a scroll. Spike was sitting at a table reading one of his comics. At first, she had been apprehensive about allowing him to add a comic book section to her castle's library, but quickly changed her mind when she saw it as an opportunity to get him into reading more. Her devious scheme had already begun to come to fruition: whenever he would ask her to explain a new word or idea, she would point him in the direction of a text and have him research the answer himself. Now, if only she could convince Rainbow to do the same and stop pestering her about geography whenever she reread a Daring Do story. It was not like there was some sort of giant holographic image of the entire nation she could look at, or anything. No, such a device would be just as absurd as books and scrolls containing detailed information about Equestria and its neighbors. Hick! Her attention to her tomes shook as she looked around the castle's library for the source of the sound. Hick Hup! Spike hiccupped again and then let out a large belch. A small plume of green flame erupted from his yawning maw. The ball of fire shrunk down to a singularity before bursting forth into the shape of an envelope. She began to rise to investigate when she froze and watched with curiosity as it began to fly around the room. Normally letters and scrolls from Celestia would fall to the ground unless Spike managed to catch them first. It continued to fly around until it flew under a sealed door. With a gasp, she began galloping after it. With a burst of telekinesis, she flung the door to her personal lab open. Scrolls and chalkboards filled with equations took shape as lanterns and a magical light illuminated the room. "What's going on?" Spike asked as he approached from behind her. "I have no idea," she answered as she continued to look under tables and behind several chalkboards. "I think Princess Celestia was trying to send me a letter…" she froze. She began to move excitedly, "Maybe she found some information in the Canterlot archives about where my castle came from and the source of that chest beneath the Tree of Harmony!" "Or maybe she wanted to write to our friends back at Canterlot High." Just as she was about to turn around and respond to how ludicrous that sounded, she saw the letter ramming itself into the mirror to the other world. "Huh… that's weird." "I know, right." It was not one of the bigger games of the season, nor was it against their rivals, but that did not stop students and faculty alike from showing up to watch the game that evening. One such student was sitting at the base of the statue of the Wonder Colt on the front lawn of the campus. She watched as more people walked by as the shadows became elongated from the setting sun. She smiled and waved as several of her classmates walked by. Her quiet introspection was soon interrupted by a rectangular object as it shot overhead. The breeze blew through her blonde hair, throwing its lengths over her face. She pulled two strands apart and watched as what appeared to be a golden envelope bounced through the air. It made several sputtering sounds like a backfiring engine as it dove into the sidewalk and slid for several feet before coming to a smoldering halt. Cautiously, she approached the now smoking letter. The nondescript envelope had almost a glossy sheen to it. She poked it with an outstretched finger, before flinching away. She almost expected it to be warm to the touch with how much it was smoldering. Instead, it was cool: the temperature one would expect a random envelope lying on the sidewalk to be. Flipping it over, elegant golden writing gleamed in the rays of the evening sun. The letter was addressed to "Sunset Shimmer". She gasped and looked around. She grabbed the letter and rushed toward where the crowd was meandering. She did not know if Sunset Shimmer would be at the game, but she knew that at least one of her friends would have to be there. She froze and skidded to a stop. Her face scrunched as she glared at the envelope. She could easily just forget that she ever saw it. She looked over and saw a trashcan. No one would even have to know that the letter had existed. She slowly turned it over and stared at the sealed flap. One little peek would never hurt anyone. She might as well know what it was that she was about to destroy. She shook her head. No, Sunset Shimmer was no longer Sunset Shimmer. Sure, she had done many awful and terrible things, but that was no reason to open someone else's mail. She looked around again. She had to find someone who knew where Sunset was, or lived. She would make it her mission to ensure that the letter would find its recipient! She clutched the letter tightly and followed the crowd into the stadium. Her eyes darted in every direction as she searched the sea of students for any sign of Sunset or her friends. Her pursuit ceased as two girls approached her. The cream—colored one with wavy curls appeared to remain neutral, while her aquamarine, messy haired companion waved energetically. "Hey, Derpy!" the aquamarine girl shouted as she and her friend got within talking range. "Hi, Lyra," Derpy responded, still looking around. "Say, you and Bon Bon didn't see Sunset Shimmer or her friends around, have you?" Bon Bon blew a breath of air into her bangs and scoffed, "Humph. Why would you want to look for her? The only thing she's any good for is causing trouble." "I found this letter," Derpy said, presenting the envelope and showing the golden script, "I'm trying to deliver it. I think it came from Princess Twilight's world." "Why?" Bon Bon asked again. "She's just trying to be nice, Bonnie," Lyra said. Bon Bon seethed, "Can you blame me for not caring about her after what she did to me? She posted my personal diary online for the whole school to see." "You have no proof that she was the one who posted it. And besides, it wasn't all bad." Lyra smiled comfortingly as she looked into her eyes, "How else was your 'secret crush' going to find out that you liked her." "She might not have been the one who actually posted it, but she was involved. I say you rip that thing open and read it in front of everyone. Give her a taste of her own medicine." Derpy gasped and hugged the envelope close to her chest, "Just because she did something awful doesn't mean you should. She's changed…," her eyes rolled softly in opposite directions as she thought for a moment. "She's at least making an effort to change," she said softly, "and make amends. It's possible she doesn't remember all the bad things she's done. And even if she does, she's not the same person." "By your logic we should also turn her into some kind of zombie and attempt to invade another world," Lyra added with a smile. Bon Bon sighed, "I still don't agree with helping her, but I guess if I see her I'll let you know." Derpy and Lyra beamed. "Forget that, I'm going with her!" Lyra cheered. "I think I remember Pinkie saying something about the Pep and Glee club giving out brownies tonight. Follow the chocolate and we'll find someone who knows where Sunset Shimmer is." Bon Bon rolled her eyes as she followed the two girls. "Can you at least tell me where you found it?" "Found what?" She smacked her palm into her face hard enough to make an audible clapping sound. "The letter…" "Or right, that," Derpy blushed. "It came from the statue. Didn't I say it was from Twilight Princess?" Bon Bon blinked, her face perpetually locked in a deadpan expression. Derpy blinked one eye after the other. "You mean the statue she used as a gateway?" Lyra asked. "Yup. That's the one." "Hmm… I thought she could just walk through whenever she wanted to now. So, why would she need to send a letter?" Lyra pondered. "I don't really care. Can we just hurry up and deliver the thing so we can watch the game?" "Don't be such a sour lemon drop, Bonnie." Lyra grabbed her arm and held her tight, "It'll be fun: our first adventure." "I guess," she mumbled. "At least I can say that I've had worse dates." "You two are dating!?" Bon Bon groaned as Lyra held her arm tighter and began skipping through the crowds toward the stands.
