Sunset Shimmer - Rainbow Dawn

by Woomod

Rating: teen
Tags: My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Original Character, Tragedy, Adventure, Princess Celestia, Sunset Shimmer, Twilight Sparkle, Drama
Length: 19457

Sunset Shimmer struggles with her burgeoning rainbow powers while trying to reconnect to Equestria.

One cannot experience the unknowable without being forever changed. Now Sunset Shimmer must struggle with that truth as she tries to remain reconnect with the world she once left behind.

Warning: This Story features Mysticism, Magic, Wonder and Awe. If these things offend, I give my pity.

Published 2015-11-25 03:30:01 UTC
Last updated 2016-04-07 23:40:12 UTC

Chapter 1 - Homecoming

Discord was at his favorite perfectionist princess’ extremely gaudy crystal tree castle. Sure, maybe he would have rather been having a tea party with Fluttershy or pranking with Pinkie Pie or annoying Sunbutt, but they were all busy, so he had a Purple Princess of Pals to talk to.

“Ugh, I wish ponies would put books back properly,” the purple alicorn complained while reshelving. “Alphabetically and by section.”

Discord rolled his eyes. She was ignoring him and he hated being ignored. The draconequus snapped his fingers. “There, alphabetically and by section.”

Twilight blinked and looked around “Discord! You made them alphabetically by author AND rearranged all the sections!”

Discord grinned “Well you didn’t say where to put the sections. Besides, if you move your sections around occasionally, ponies will check their favorite section, see something different and might try a genre they never thought of.”

Twilight blinked. “Alright, you might have a point there.”

Discord grinned. “See, I CAN use my chaos constructively!”

Twilight nodded. After the Tirek debacle, she had realized that it was better to encourage him. “But please, relabel the sections and do them alphabetically by title.”

Discord nodded and snapped his fingers again as the books rearranged themselves back into position and the labels flashed to the new sections. “Better now, oh Purple Pony Princess of Pals?”

Twilight nodded. “Much.” As Twilight said that, the book started to shake and glow. She walked over and picked up the book.

Discord floated over behind Twilight’s shoulder. “Oh is that your secret penpal?”

Twilight rolled her eyes. “It’s not a secret, Discord. I’ve been talking to Sunset ever since I got this book.”

“Well you certainly never told me,” Discord said, miffed. “But OH, Sunset, that little firebrand and pain in Celestia’s rear?” He shifted tones disarmingly quickly.

Twilight raised an eyebrow slightly. “You were in stone Discord, how do you know about Sunset?”

“In stone and complete aware,” he chuckled. “And being in stone and utterly, predictably reliable to hear somepony’s problems, I ended up hearing more than a pawful, let me tell you… That and the picnics. But if she’s calling, you shouldn’t keep her waiting.”

“Right.” Twilight nodded as she opened the book, blinking. “She… She’s coming home!” Twilight said excitedly as she read the words, before blinking. “Wait, picnics?”

“Mustn’t keep your friend waiting, Twilight.” Discord grinned.

“Right.” Twilight facehoofed. “I need to set up the portal,” said Twilight as she rushed to her laboratory, a giddy excitement in her step.

Twilight fiddled with the instruments as she placed the book in the portal. “Alright Discord. Picnics, spill.”

Discord chuckled. “Wanting a little gossip eh, Twilight?”

“Let’s go with yes, just so you won’t put words into my mouth.” Twilight continued to focus on what she was doing.

“Alright. Well, back when Sunbutt was Sunbutt’s student,” Discord chuckled at his joke, Twilight didn’t seem to care. “They would have picnics once a week, like clockwork, and it didn’t even bother me back then.”

“Back then?” Twilight quizzically responded as she fiddled with a few more dials. This thing got finickier every time it was used it seemed. It was probably for the best that she was bringing Sunset home, she mused.

“Well, I can hardly judge nowadays.”

“Right, Tuesdays with Fluttershy.”

“Exactly. As i was saying, not boring even back then. Those two always had some new argument or another that they were patching up. It was hilarious.” Discord chuckled.

“Was she really that bad?” Twilight wasn’t sure she wanted to believe that Sunset was ever like that, but then she chastised herself; she knew from personal experience that she was.

“Too alike in all the ways that mattered when you get down to–” Discord was then interrupted as the portal had activated.

“Am i disrupting anything?” Asked the orange pony with red and yellow hair.

“SUNSET!” Twilight blurted out and looked at her friend. She blinked for a moment to reassure herself that what she was seeing was real. “You’ve….changed.”

“To be fair, you haven’t seen a lot of me as a pony Princess.” Sunset chuckled.

Discord stretched and contorted himself, until he was right in front of Sunset’s face. “Then take it from me Sunbutt. You’ve changed.” He grinned as he held up a mirror. “Though I must say, your hair still looks like delicious bacon...” Discord added.

“What… but… WHAT?” Sunset Shimmer appraised herself carefully in the mirror. Her cutie mark had multiplied, one on each of her hooves and one emblazoned strikingly over her left eye, and her horn had been noticeably elongated. After taking a moment to compose herself, she said., “Wow...I really do look different, don’t I?”

“You look kinda like–” Discord started before being cut off.

“The Rainbow Power! It looks like the Rainbow Power forms we had when we fought Tirek!” Twilight blurted out. “But that doesn’t make sense. Those were a temporary enhancement from the Elements. You can’t just… have Rainbow Power all the time. Maybe it’s a side effect of magical buildup, since you haven’t used your magic over the years, but I’ve never heard of magical build up doing that…” Twilight started to ramble.

Discord rolled his eyes, licked one of the toes on his paw and placed it on Sunset’s horn as steam came off. “There ya go Twilight. 100% Harmony inside, What would you do without me? Well, I mean, you would do the obvious and go off in half a dozen hair brained directions, but besides that.” Discord stuck the toe in his mouth and sucked on it. “What?” he asked accusingly to no one in particular. “That stung.”

Sunset chuckled at the spirit of chaos antics. “There, mystery solved Twilight. Can we get to the part where I’m home and we can, you know, hang out?”

“I… Right, of course!” The princess grinned. “What do you want to do? We need to get to the most important stuff out of the way before Pinkie finds out and throws a party.”

“And before Celestia makes a huge fuss over it,” Sunset added in agreement. “So, ummmmmm… What do we do? I didn’t really put a lot of thought into this,” The orange pony admitted. “And don’t say books or studying. I literally just finished school.” She added before Twilight could speak up.

“Have you eaten?” Twilight asked.

“I haven’t,” Sunset said as she thought about her gnawing hunger. “And I haven’t had something from home in three years.”

“Well we could get something from a loc…” Twilight stopped before finishing, realizing that this would draw just as much attention as if Sunset had sprouted wings, maybe more. “Maybe it’s best if we get something from my kitchen.”

Sunset snickered “Yeah, maybe for the best. What can your cooks prepare up?”

“I, um… don’t really have much of a staff besides, well… Spike.” Twilight stated.

“AHEM!” Discord Interrupted as he stuck his head between the two ponies.

“AHHHH! Discord! You scared me, I forgot about you.” Twilight exclaimed.

“Yes, I noticed.” The draconequus made an exaggerated motion of pain over his heart. “However, since it is sunny butt the lesser’s first day back,” he watched as Sunset shot him a glare, “I figured I could make something for a friend and a friend of a friend, hmmmmm?”

“Thank you Discord, that would be greatly appreciated,” Twilight said smiling at him.

“So I have to ask. What’s up with this?” Sunset asked as Discord set out supper in a maitre’d outfit.

“Hmmmmm?” The Draconequus responded as he continued placing out his overly elaborate display.

“This, all of this.” Sunset dramatically waved her hoof around. “Just nonchalantly hanging around, calling Twilight your friend. Last I remembered, you were a statue in Celestia’s garden,” she said between bites. “By the way, um, interesting taste with the hayburgers and the mandarin almond salad.”

“You know Sunset,” Twilight said. “I’d think you’d be a bit more understanding with your… shared experiences.”

“Now, now, Twilight. It’s perfectly fair for someone who’s been gone to wonder about their redemption… Wait, shared experiences?” The draconequus said as he sat down and began to eat an empty plate.

“We both got rainbows to the face.” Sunset sighed. “I ended up in a very dark place after leaving and I’d rather not talk about it.”

“Of course, of course. Wait, that makes us REDEMPTION BUDDIES!” He grabbed the orange pony in a hug before she shot him a glare. “And yes, my choice of plates, do you like it? I figured I should go whole-hog on inviting you back on things you might have missed out on, so I planned something you wouldn’t get over where you were, and it was expensive.”

“It’s wonderful Discord, just perfect.” Sunset let out a genuine smile before taking another bite, savoring the hay burger. She really had missed pony food, it could be a hassle ordering vegetarian back on earth and even if she did cheese on everything, she had never been much of a fan of salt. “So, you aren’t causing chaos anymore?”

“Getting there… ok, no, not really, I AM The Master after all. Just using it a little more constructively.” He smiled. “Like, say, this lunch. Who would have thought to mix this stuff? Or organizing Twilight’s library today. You can make everything a little better with just a bit of chaos.”

“Well, I’m happy for you Discord. I don’t know how much we can really talk about shared redemption experiences, but we can definitely be Redemption Buddies.” And at those words the orange pony was once again wrapped up in a draconequus.

Twilight looked at the two of them and raised an eye at the draconequus curiously. “Discord… Did you cause yourself to steam when you touched her horn?” She asked in a sickeningly sweet tone.

“Why yes, I did, why do you ask Twilight?” Discord responded snickering.

“Diissscooorrddd….” Anger flashed in Twilight’s eyes.

“Twilight, calm down. It’s the most likely that my experiences with Rainbow Power have left a permanent mark on my soul that wouldn’t manifest physically as a human, but would as a pony.” Sunset cut off her friend in a calm tone.

“Well, I was there both times and it didn’t affect me, so I don’t see how that’s possible,” the lavender alicorn responded skeptically.

“Three times. The first time, I was hit by it. The second time, I channeled it without the Elements. The third time, I took it into myself. I think our experiences in all three circumstances were very different,” Sunset countered.

“Aren’t you even the least bit curious at all?” Twilight stared at Sunset in bewilderment. She hadn’t touched her food since the discussion had started.

“I just left my world for the second time. No, I’m not curious. I have more important things to do, like spending time with my friends and family here.” She sighed. “And readjusting, though I guess dealing with this will be part of readjusting.” She mused as she felt her longer horn softly with a hoof.

Twilight slammed her hoof on the table. “Sunset! It could be detrimental! I know you are excited to be here, and I’M excited you are here, but it won’t be for anything if this is a problem!” The lavender princess shouted in an exasperated fashion.

Sunset shrank back. Twilight was right. She was just so used to being the teacher that she’d forgotten that back here she was the… no they were equals, but she was still right. She was her friend and was worried about her. “I’m sorry Twilight, I just didn’t think because I hadn’t bothered before going through the portal, and figured that whatever it is must have been there for a while. It could be something that’s only a problem now that I’m a pony again.” She looked at the lavender mare to confirm she had gotten her message across. “How about we go check in with a doctor, and if they can’t figure anything out, THEN we contact Celestia.”

“That’s reasonable, but I wonder why you don’t want to contact the Princess immediately.” The lavender mare replied as she calmed down.

“I can guuuuessssss.” Discord interjected not so helpfully.

“Look, I really want to see her.” Discord gave the orange pony a look. “I do! But I know she’ll make it a federal issue when I talk to her again, and I just don’t want that the moment I come home.” Sunset took another bite as she thought about Celestia. “I want a bit of calm to settle in before she makes a fuss.”

“Alright, I understand.” Twilight nodded. “Let’s finish up here and then head to Nurse Redheart’s.”

Sunset Shimmer stepped into Nurse Redheart’s office. After all, this was just a checkup. No reason to worry...

“Now what seems to be wrong, Miss….” The white earth pony began to ask before taking a look at Sunset Shimmer. She paused for a moment, then took another look at her. “I… have no idea what that is or how that could have happened.”

“Sunset Shimmer.” The orange pony nodded. “Yeah, I don’t really know how this happened.” Nurse Redheart raised an eye at that. “It’s difficult to explain.”

“I’m a doctor.”

“I haven’t been in Equestria for a very long time, and when I returned, I was like this.”

Nurse Redheart just looked at the orange mare for a moment before deciding on the only proper course of action. “You know what? I’m just going to start testing you now, if that’s okay.” Sunset nodded as a thermostat was stuck in her mouth. After a minute, the nurse pulled it out, examined it, and then turned back to Sunset. “Your temperature is a little high. Any elemental affinities I should know about?”

“Fire.”

“Alright, then your temperature seems normal. I’m going to take a bacteria sample first. Then we’ll test your Meridians.”

Sunset sighed and nodded as the nurse swabbed her mouth before going into another room. A Meridian test would mean pushing her magic, and she hadn’t exactly been practicing its use since she got her magic back. Ironic, she mused, that all the effort to get Twilight’s crown so she could have magic back ended with her not having a use for it. But then, she reminded herself that she was at home, in a world of magic, where she’d be embracing it.

“Alright. Now, Miss Shimmer, we can start the Meridian test.” Nurse Redheart began to place diodes on Sunset’s body and an insulator was wrapped around her horn. “I’m going to need you to push your mana, not to your limits but just to the point of straining. A simple light spell will suffice.”

“I usually work with telekinesis, affinity with lighting.” Sunset replied.

“My apologies Miss Shimmer, telekinesis will be fine.” She waved at two orbs on the counter. “Those are designed for telekinetic use. They can take a large amount of pressure before shattering.”

Sunset nodded and began to concentrate on the two orbs as they were engulfed in yellow light. “More, please.” Redheart said, and, as requested, Sunset pushed even more power into the orbs. After holding them for a moment and feeling she could safely push further, she did so once again, and the orbs cracked.

“Stop! Stop right now!” Redheart shouted, and Sunset did so. “Miss Shimmer, those balls are registered for only up to 5,000mp of force.”

“I’m sorry?” Sunset responded blanky.

“It’s not your fault.” Nurse Redheart sighed. “We are going to have to be a little more creative here is all.” Nurse Redheart thought carefully for a moment as she considered what to do. “Alright, we’re going to use lighting as a test this time, and I’m going to go into the other room. You just push yourself until you feel you need to push yourself.”

Sunset nodded as Redheart walked out. She began to slowly cast a simple lighting spell. She soon closed her eyes as the brightness of the room increased to painful levels. With just a little bit more, Sunset could feel that this was the right power level to maintain without overexerting herself, but at the same time, she felt something waiting for her, past her current energy level. Sunset reached just a little further, and her world exploded.

Magic flooded through her being, but not her magic. She had felt this before This warmth, this light. Twice before she had allowed this power to hold her, to flow through her, and now for no reason it had come, as if merely to show it was still there with her even now. Sunset held the spell, simply enjoying the warmth flowing through her. Every fiber of her being was alive with an indescribable energy. She could feel it cracking down her horn, spreading through what felt like the core of her being, emanating from everywhere as it touched and reached her core. She knew peace and joy. She knew her place in the grand fabric, She knew the place of everything.

As suddenly as it began, it ended. Sunset came down from her ecstatic state and she instantly ended the lighting spell. After a moment, Nurse Redheart entered, looking extremely startled.

“You… you can go now, I’ll send my findings to Princess Twilight.”

“Thank you. I apologize for any inconvenience.” Sunset said breathlessly as she left the small office and went into the waiting room where Twilight Sparkle waited, along with the last pony she expected to see.

“That was quite the display, my little sun.”

Chapter 2 - First and Fallen

“Celestia.” Sunset groaned. “Twilight I thought we agreed not to contact her unless the tests here couldn’t find anything.” She shot her friend an accusing glance.

“Oh my little Sun.” The Princess said with her usual cheery facade. “Twilight didn’t tell me you returned, that would be Discord.” The draconequus popped up and waved his hand at the two of them. “And further, I assure you after that little display...I would have been coming anyways.”

“Discord, I could just fireball you right now.” Sunset gave Discord a glare that forced him to back off and hide behind Celestia. “But instead you are getting a warning , when a friend doesn’t want to deal with a complex situation immediately you should consider why, and I’m sure you know at least part of the reasons why. If you want to continue being reformation buddies you won’t pull a stunt like that again, understood?”

“Understood.” The normally confident draconequus said meekly from behind Celestia, he had joked earlier about it but now it didn’t feel like much of a joke to him. She really did have harmony inside.

Celestia turned to her long lost pupil. “There are many things I have wished to say to you these past twenty years, and after all this time I have is one thing to say.” Celestia exhaled slowly. Sunset steeled herself waiting for the princess responce, wondering what she could say.

Celestia then smiled warmly and sincerely, wrapping her wings around her lost pupil. “I’m sorry, You have no Idea how much I’ve missed you, Welcome Home.”

Suffice to say this was about the last thing Sunset was prepared for, An Argument, A Lecture, A demand for her to Apologize, Simply pushing it under the rug maybe and a return to normal. Not an Apology from Celestia. Sunset pushed her head into Celestia’s neck as hard as she could, and said the only thing she could. “I missed you too.”

Nurse Redheart let out a loud Ahem “I get that this is a touching moment, but I have other patients. I presume Princess you would also like to see Ms. Shimmer’s results?”

Celestia recomposed herself quickly, she wasn’t worried about her image but she did not want to take up the Nurse’s valuable time. “Yes please.” The princess nodded.

“As far as general health goes, she’s as healthy as an earth pony. It’s a bit creepy.” Nurse redheart began. “As for her meridians, They seem about right for her a unicorn of her….considerable talents, however i can’t get a full reading since my requests for appropriate testing continue to be denied.” She grumbled out that part before continuing. “As for that…..last part, Nothing.”

Twilight Sparkle looked up and blinked. “Did it overload the equipment?” She asked quizzically.

Nurse Redheart shook her head. “No, I mean, literally nothing there wasn’t a single reading. And I do mean nothing, as in her entire system flat lined.”

“How is that even POSSIBLE?” Twilight exclaimed incredulously.

“I’m honestly as flabbergasted as you, without mana her body shouldn’t have been able to sustain itself but it’s a complete flat line.” Nurse Redheart gave a shrug. “I don’t know what happened.”

“Maybe the Equi…” Twilight began to speak before being interrupted by Princess Celestia.

“Thank you for your time Nurse Redheart, We shall be taking our leave.” Princess Celestia led the four outside towards an awaiting chariot. “Discord...I think it may be best if you took your leave.”

The Draconequus nodded and vanished as the two Alicorns and Sunset Shimmer boarded the chariot.

They flew through the air at a leisurely pace. Sunset seemed to be in her own little world, a content smile placed on her lips. Celestia looked over her protectively, seemingly drinking in the small unicorn’s presence. Twilight seemed so far away despite being right there alongside her mentor and her best friend, so it only made since she was the first to break the silence.

“Celestia, what do you think it means that Sunset’s meridians flat lined?” Twilight inquired.

“It means Twilight, that it is something we don’t understand, perhaps something that is beyond our understanding.” Celestia replied. “I have tried to understand the Elements of Harmony for millennial Twilight, but I have had little success.” Celestia sighed and looked down at the small unicorn at her side affectionately, and to the purple alicorn speaking to her. “Perhaps, I have had more success than I thought.” she mused softly to herself before looking back up. “You have experience with the Elements and their power Twilight, you have just as much right to guess what it might mean as I do.”

“Honestly, I’ve never studied them. Between studying friendship, and my other studies, and now my duties….. I honestly would have assumed you would have put effort into Studying Equestria’s greatest weapons.” Twilight responded thoughtfully, ruminating that perhaps she should have spent more time studying.

Before Celestia could respond a voice stated bluntly. “They aren’t.”

It took Twilight a moment to compose her thoughts after the interruption. “They aren’t what Sunset?”

“Weapons, they aren’t weapons. How can you even think of them as weapons, you’ve used them, surely you’ve felt them. Maybe it’s different when you channel that power through the elements, but I can’t imagine it’s that different than using it directly. Their magic isn’t a Weapon it’s an Experience.” Each word was spoken with a reverent and dreamlike quality.

Twilight just stared at Sunset for what seemed liked an eternity. “But you’ve used their...power as a weapon…..”

Sunset shook her head. “It’s true back there was the first time I’ve used that power without there being some pressing need, but they were never a weapon to me. It was something that called to me.” She spoke in hushed tones. “I didn’t even think it was possible for it to just come to me like that when I wasn’t needed.”

“We have arrived princess.” One of the guards spoke up as the carriage landed.

“How About some tea?” Celestia suggested.

The two alicorns and the unicorn sat down to tea, Sunset had just finished recollecting her time away from equestria. Twilight was very very out of place.

“Well it sounds like you’ve had quite an adventure my little sun.” Celestia took a sip of tea. “You started beautifully there becoming a real princess, but then went exactly where I feared you might, then rising up from that to become a true princess again. More chamomile?”

Sunset nodded as the white alicorn poured her favorite tea it had been a very long time considering the expense, she downed another cup allowing the taste to linger on her tongue. “I don’t exactly dwell on my past.”

Celestia laughed, full of mirth and good cheer. “I’m glad after everything you haven’t picked up my habit of doing exactly the opposite my little sun”

“We should all be grateful for such small favors, So how have you been?” Sunset asked sincerely.

“Better recently, Since raising Twilight to the rank of princess and Luna’s return I’ve had much more personal time.” Celestia stated plainly.

Sunset chuckled at that. “If you ever actually wanted personal time, nothing ever stopped you.” Sunset gave a nostalgic smile. “Remember the first time I tried to raise the sun?”

“How could i forget, you thought I should ‘sleep in a little’ and ended up sick for a week, guess you got your wish. Kinda took the jumping and hopping off the cutie mark story doesn’t it.” Celestia smiled, not one of her disarming smiles, but a genuine one.

“Meh, prouder for getting you off work for a week. So Luna is…..” A slamming sound echoed through the garden.

A purple hoof had slammed on the table shattering it, a frustrated and embarrassed purple acorn face attached to it. “Excuse me, I need to get some air.” Twilight said as she stepped up and trotted away.

Twilight walked through the hedge maze, trying to lose herself, to lose the questions that plagued her mind, but the more she ran the more questions tore at her. ‘little sun’, They spoke so casually, so intimately, but there was….

In front of Twilight was one of two ponies she wished to avoid. The Yellow coat, the Red & Yellow hair, the elongated horn, the sun staring her in the face.

“Twilight what’s wrong.”

“I...Didn’t belong there Sunset.” Twilight looked away slightly as she hoofed the ground.

“Of course you did Twilight, You're my best friend. Someone has to keep Celestia from gushing over me and who better?”

“SUNSET, That’s just it, she would be gushing over you. I just heard your cutie mark story from her.” Twilight yelled before lowering her voice. “And not in the same way she knows mine. Sunset, tell me the truth…..”

“You want an answer, the answer is Yes.” Sunset replied curtly cutting twilight off.

Twilight stared, she blinked, she tried to say something but couldn’t her mouth slack.

Sunset pulled on her friend’s hoof. “Let’s go back Twilight, Celestia will get worried.”

“Sunset, You say I’m your best friend. But I don’t….How much do I really even know about you?” Confusion smeared the purple alicorns face as she resisted. “I mean I just found that you left……”

“Everything I had? I literally couldn’t have not seeing as how I left this world entirely.” Sunset’s answer was short, blunt, frustration wrought upon her face.

“How could leave that behind….”

“You are thinking about this the wrong way, this is the only way I could have left.” Sunset sighed exasperated. “If I had something else, anything else, I might have had reason to stay. But without Celestia I had nothing, WAS nothing.” Sunset was shouting now as emotions overwhelmed her.

“Sunset….”

“IT WAS AWFUL! Every day I knew my life would be in her shadow. No matter what I did it wouldn’t be good enough, because I’d always be competing with her.” -SLAP, the sound rang out through the garden and silence reigned.

“Sunset.” Twilight stated calmly and reassuringly. “This isn’t like you, you’re confident, you know who you are, and you don’t let your past define you.”

“But….”

“No Buts, that’s exactly what you are doing. Is this why you came back to remind yourself that you can’t live up to Celestia?” Twilight grabbed Sunset’s hooves in her own.

“No, but…..That doesn’t mean being reminded doesn’t hurt.” Sunset let out a relieved sigh. “I’ll never be a real princess and I’ve come to terms with tha…..”

“Horse Apples.” Twilight interrupted. “No, you might never gain a pair of wings. But I’ve heard you talk Sunset, I know this much. You’ve found something far more important to you than any tiara and a pair of wings.” Twilight held Sunset’s hoof up to her face her cutie mark emblazoned upon it for all to see. “Why are you worried about that?”

“I….” Sunset sat speechless for a moment, a torrent emotions on her face “You’re a good friend Twilight.”

Twilight awkwardly stepped back “We should….be getting back. Celestia will probably be getting worried about you, and we need to find out what is going on with you.”

“Yeah let’s go see her momjesty.” Twilight chuckled at that nickname as the two ponies trotted out of the hedge maze.

The two friends returned to the little tea party where Celestia waited patiently “Doing better I see Two.” she stated as she took a bite of cake.

“Doing Smugly I see.” Sunset smiled mischievously at Celestia.

“Why should I not be smug, I have such lovely cake and tea my little sun.” Celestia smiled back at the irreverent comment. “Now where were we?”

“You two were talking about Luna being back.” Twilight stated with some confidence.

“Ah yes,” Celestia nodded. “and glad you could join the conversation Twilight.”

“I still feel a little strange, it’s the first time you’ve been with your daughter in over a decade.” Twilight spoke openly, clearly relieved to say it. “I still don’t think I belong here.”

Celestia sighed and put down her Tea. “Is it that obvious?”

“About as obvious as a ton of bricks.”

“I was asking Twilight.”

“Um, yes very, very, obvious Princess.” Twilight said gaining confidence. “You gush over Sunset and tell extremely intimate stories like everyone should know them.”

Celestia’s smiled changed in a way too subtle for most to notice, but for once Celestia the pony spoke to Twilight and not Celestia Princess of Equestria. “I want you here Twilight, and I think Sunset wants you here as well.”

“Alright I’ll accept that.” Twilight nodded. “But I’ll ask you one question then, am I just a……”

“And that question makes two assumptions that do not apply to me Twilight.” Celestia spoke her tone casual rather than practiced. “The first is that my extended life does not demand some concessions from me, such as if I find something a positive experience I must seek out other ponies to give it. The second is that one must be unique to be special.” Celestia took a bite of cake. “Though yes you are a replacement for Sunset in one sense Twilight, and that is in the sense that I needed somepony to face Luna for me something I could not do on my own.”

“About Luna, Sunset knew about her, right?” Twilight inquired.

“Yes, and the elements.” Sunset replied. “I was fully aware of what was expected of me.”

“Why didn’t you tell me if you intended me to wield them?” Twilight pushed further.

“Because again, each of you are special in your own way.” Celestia took another bite of cake, savoring the flavor for a moment before continuing. “You Twilight are curious and deferential, and I did not have time to properly train you as I expected to have time for Sunset. Sunset here is impetuous and irreverent, keeping secrets from her was never productive.”

“You say it like it’s a bad thing, Mom.” Sunset growled.

“But they are some of your best qualities! Could you have imagined if I raised Twilight? Blech.” Celestia giggled.

“Why wouldn’t you want to raise me?” Twilight bristled.

“Because I want a family who can treat me as a pony Twilight.” Celestia replied bluntly. “Sunset has always had an incredible gift for treating me as a pony.”

“....And I’ve always had an incredible lack.” Twilight sighed.

“Yeah that’s…...apparent in the letters Twilight.” Sunset patted twilight on the back.

Twilight sat down and sipped tea. “So Luna?”

“Ah yes! Well I’m sure she will be glad to know her niece is back, Luna has always been better at this personal stuff.” Celestia sighed at that truth. “With her back and looking to take a new student I don’t expect to be taking anymore any time soon, so I will still have plenty of time for you two.” Celestia smiled.

“Us two?” Twilight blinked.

“You two.” Celestia nodded. “So back to Luna, she’s been doing excellently since she got back.” Twilight looked ready to say something and then stopped herself. “I really hope you and her will get along Sunset, you have a lot in common.”

“A burning seething jealousy of you?” Sunset smiled.

Celestia snorted slightly and continued. “I was more thinking your passionate expressive natures, and hooves on attitudes to problems.”

“So Mom, we’ve been putting this off while we reminisced and caught up, and I’ve enjoyed it and all. But….what do you think has happened to me?” Sunset looked at Celestia.

Twilight whispered softly to her friend. “Thank you.”

“No problem.” Sunset whispered back.

“I think you have found a way to tap into whatever source the elements draw their magic from, beyond that I have no idea.” Celestia stated.

“So you really have never seen something like this.” Sunset inquired.

“No I have never seen something like this.” Celestia stated slipping into one of practiced diplomatic tones, Sunset raised an eye looking at her.

“So do you intend to do anything at all about it Celestia?” Twilight asked with an uncharacteristic boldness in her voice towards her mentor.

“I intend to let my two top scientists have all the resources they need to figure it out.” Celestia grinned broadly as a guard came by and tapped Celestia on the shoulder. “It seems I have stayed too long, and while this has been a most pleasant surprise it has been just that, a surprise. I have duties I must get back to. Sunset, your room is exactly how you left it.” Celestia got up and left the two young mares behind.

“Of course it is.” Sunset groaned.

“She means us doesn’t she?” Twilight wiped her face of tea and cake.

“Of course she does.”

Sunset and Twilight walked towards the pair of double doors emblazoned with Sunset’s cutie mark, and sunset reached her hoof to the knob before accidentally face planting the doors. “Ugh, spend three years missing telekinesis and I immediately miss hands.” The doors opened in a purple aura. “Thank you Twilight.”

Twilight glanced over the room, rather than a bedroom she found an elaborate parlor, colored deep reds and golds, books lined the full shelves, and lavish furnishings.

“You know It seems like such a distant memory, but I was warned never to go in here as a child, I really should have put two and two together when I met you.” Twilight chuckled, and Sunset joined her. “But I didn’t exactly come to the royal apartments much….”

“Yeah you better not have gone in here, I’d have had one more reason to throttle you when we met.” Sunset keep laughing.

“You wouldn’t even know.” Twilight snorted with her.

“My fabulous magical powers would have told me.” Sunset waved her hooves at twilight.

“The Ones you didn’t have at the time?”

“Yes, exactly.” Sunset nodded as she stated it as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.

“Also fabulous?” Twilight cocked an eye.

“Look, pretty sure when you can shoot rainbows out of your butt your powers count as fabulous.” Sunset dropped onto the couch.

“A, I think Rarity is rubbing off on you. B, I will need to tell Rainbow Dash that.” Twilight chuckled until she snorted.

Sunset rolled on her couch and looked up at her friend. “Hey Twilight, you wanna stay the night, break in the old room.”

“A slumber party? I’d love to.” Twilight grabbed a book off one of the walls and curled up on the couch next to Sunset.

In one of the poorest neighborhoods in Canterlot, Princess Celestia strode by with purpose normally such an outing would be for charity, but today was different. She walked to the orphanage.

A pink furred pegasus with a purple mane, was watching over the children with her closed eyes. She was surrounded by several of the smaller children and seemed to be sharing a story at the moment.

“Once upon a time.” The pink mare began. “There was a great kingdom, ruled over by a great king, who was beloved by all for his power and wisdom. At the ruler’s right hand sat his most beloved servant, and his light burned nearly as brightly, his pride as well.” she took a breath before continuing. “In time the Servant’s pride overcame his love and he challenged the ruler declaring he should be made equal, but it could not be so, and so the servant was banished and given a kingdom of it’s own. But the kingdom was not as great, and the prize was hollow for this, for the specter of the king always fell upon our prince.”

One of the children looked up. “Miss Blossom, that story is depressing.”

Celestia stepped forward. “Indeed Miss Blossom. You always seemed more the type to tell uplifting stories.”

“Well.” Miss Blossom smiled lightly. “That is how most versions go, but in one version the Prince learns to let go of his pride and see’s a path to a light greater than the Kingdom he yearned for.”

Celestia hesitated for a moment before asking. “And how does that one end miss Blossom?”

“Ah well, What fun is it to be told the ending of a tale still being written?” The Pink mare giggled before speaking up again “Playtime is over children, it is time for snacks.” Her voice was soft and clear, carrying over the sounds of playing children, and shouting children, from across the entire playground it could be heard. Miss Blossom began to slowly heard the children inside.

Celestia waited patiently before the pink furred, purple maned mare returned a few minutes later. “Why here Graceful Blossom?”

“Where else should I wait for lost children?” She chuckled. “Ok, actually. Because I like caring for children, and where better than an orphanage.” The Mare smiled sweetly at Celestia before asking. “So, the Prince returned has I take it?”

“Yes, my little sun has returned…..” Celestia looked at the pegasus unblinking. “Just as you said she would.”

Author's Note

My apologies, I've been busy and stressed, but chapter 2 is done now.

Chapter 4 - To soar above the world

Sunset snorted, a riddle for an answer she had hated when her mother did that she wasn’t going to let some stranger do that. “What kind of answer is, ‘I’m not the one to answer that’?”

“An honest one. Fly with me Sunset.” The Pegasus said turning around and flying upwards without a second thought.

Sunset chased after the Pegasus. “Dang it, Don’t do that Answers in riddles Horse crap with me.”

“That is well then, I have no intention to answer you in riddles.” The Pegasus answered melodically as she continued their upward climb as they soared through the sky. “When you ask a simple question, you will get a simple answer.”

Sunset groaned in growing agitation she knew the type thought they were so wise and couched it in riddles so people wouldn’t figure it out. “I Kinda doubt it, but let’s try. Ok who are you?”

“I am called Graceful Blossom.” The Pegasus responded in the same calming soothing tone.

“Why are you here?” Sunset inquired.

“Because you need to understand.” Blossom said once more in her unchanging tone.

“Understand what?” Sunset asked, but no answer came. “UNDERSTAND WHAT?”

Blossom sighed in resignation, her tone changed for the first time since they had met. “What you already see.”

They continued to fly upwards to the music surrounding them, Sunset wasn’t sure why she kept following the Pegasus she gave another dumb riddle as an answer. Sunset put those things out of her mind, concentrating on her body as she flew, the wind on her face as they flew, feeling the taste of raindrops on her tongue each time they burst through the clouds. Feeling each flap of her flaming wings as if they were part of herself, ‘But they are part of me aren’t they?’ she thought to herself they were her magic even if it wasn’t her body it was her.

She turned her gaze to the ponies below going about their lives she wondered what they were doing, what their lives were like now, what friendships were being made and which were being strained. “They look so tiny from up here.” she stated idly.

“They are the same size as when you were on the ground.” Blossom said in her normal serene cheerful tone.

“How many answers did you just give me?” Sunset inquired.

“As many as there are layers to that question. Three, maybe four.” Blossom chuckled as she flapped her powerful wings and began a sharper upwards ascent.

Sunset thought for a few minutes, it felt constraining as her mind tried to keep up with and grasp what she already knew. “When you sound like you are talking in riddles you actually aren’t are you? You are just trying to give the simplest answer to questions that you can’t answer.”

Blossom flipped over flying backwards and smiled, Sunset took that as a yes.

Sunset and Blossom continued their ascent through the clouds. Sunset continued to take the beauty of the world unfolding in front of her, the sunny blue skies, the clouds that passed by, her mother’s sun in the sky. Sunset stopped for a moment, had she ever just stopped and appreciated the Sun? It was always a symbol of what she was trying to achieve, a symbol of her mother, yet it was her symbol too.

It took a few moments for blossom to notice Sunset had stopped, she turned around and flew back. “Appreciating the view?” She inquired.

Sunset lingered on the view before responding. “Yes, I waited a long time to do so, perhaps too long.”

“Ahhhh, I do hope the world is as beautiful for you to see as it is for me to hear.” The blind Pegasus nodded. “So what view so entraps you Sunset?”

“The Sun.” Sunset said a tone of slight awe in her voice, still taking in and contemplating it’s beauty.

“Appreciating a view that consumed your whole life? I thought you had come further than that.” Blossom giggled. “Or perhaps, you see something you didn’t see before?”

Sunset nodded her head, even if only for herself. “I’m appreciating the view of the sun. Not as a symbol, but as the Sun. That’s something I’ve never been able to do.”

Blossom said nothing, and they sat there for a few more moments as Sunset took in the view before they renewed their ascent and the music started towards a crescendo. Finally they breached the last clouds escaping the sky and entering into the celestial spheres of the aether, the realm of stars, moon and sun. Finally the music reached it’s crescendo and took a more subdued tone as they stayed there.

Luna’s stars in their positions, the sun burning nearby, and flat world of equus below them she could see it all. Sunset drank in the beautiful view of being above the world, she sucked her breath in at the realization of how literal that was, she was above the world. She was more powerful than all of Equestria. Now she finally did have nothing more important to do than contemplate what she had become, The power was just a side effect, a living testament to what she had become. This was the secret to being an Alicorn she could never have grasped writ large, the irony struck her having finally given up trying to equal her Mother she had become so much more than her.

“Is this what you wanted me to see?” Sunset asked in awe. “How far I’ve come?”

“Yes Sunset, Welcome to the waking world.” Blossom gave a disarming and sincere smile as she held out an open hoof.

“I Have so many questions….” Sunset said breathlessly as she reached for the Pegasus' hoof.

Blossom laughed again with that melodious laugh. “Yet, you already have all the answers you’ll ever need.”

For a long moment Sunset thought on those words, no words passed and only the music around them made any sound, then confidently Sunset grabbed blossom’s hoof. She had all the answers she would ever need.

Author's Note

This was exhausting, writing a conversation between two mystics, about mysticism, that I felt people could follow. Exhausting and hard work, I hope you all enjoy it.

Chapter 4 - The World left behind

Princess Twilight ran down the corridors hyperventilating, she was worried, Sunset Shimmer had ran off she needed to inform Princess Celestia. She turned a corner slipping and barely missing a guard as she crashed into the wall in front of Celestia’s study. Picking herself up and dusting herself off, Twilight knocked on the doors.

“Come In.” Princess Celestia replied demurely from inside her study, she sounded clearly distracted.

Twilight opened the door, her hair stood on end in agitation, she could barely keep her wings down but she tried. “Princess, I have bad news.”

Celestia put down the papers, and turned to greet Twilight. “Greetings, Twilight. Me and Luna missed you at breakfast, Though I Presume you were preoccupied with my Daughter.” Celestia smiled at twilight before taking a quick look around the room. “What can I do for you?”

Twilight looked downward, she held her breath in, this was going to be hard but it had to be said. “Sunset Shimmer ran away.”

Celestia looked at twilight, a look of absolute seriousness on her face. “What?”

Twilight blurted out rapidly, without a thought everything she could. “We were talking about her past, and I mentioned how powerful me and my friends were in that state. She freaked out, I tried to comfort her, but when I let her go she bolted.”

“I see, thank you Twilight.” Celestia said flatly.

Twilight looked at Celestia, she betrayed no emotion and yet Twilight could not imagine that was true. She wondered what was going on in the Elder Princess mind, Celestia gave every indication she cared deeply for Celestia with what Twilight. She had seen what Sunset called her mask come off in regards to her, and she had only seen two other beings do that. She could not imagine Celestia was any less devastated by Sunset vanishing.

Twilight gathered all her wits about her, composing herself, looking as princessy as she could. “Celestia, I request to know how you feel about this. With your mask off.”

Celestia looked up at Twilight and smiled softly. “I’m glad you are worried about your friend Twilight, but my Daughter deciding to run off to think after an emotional shock, well the only surprising thing is that she’s thinking instead of chucking fireballs around a room.” Celestia said before adding. “If she’s not back by tonight, well, then I’ll get worried. But I really don’t think this is all that big a deal.”

“And what if she isn’t back, shouldn’t we have someone tail her or something?” Twilight asked.

“Doing anything in an official capacity even that over what looks to be a little tantrum would look a little silly, and if she doesn’t come back she will once again shatter my hopes.” Celestia then added musing softly. “If I didn’t know better, I’d think her special was shattering hopes.”

Twilight perked her ears curiously. “If I might be so bold, what IS her special talent?”

“She hasn’t told you?” Twilight shook her head, Celestia waited a moment clearly thinking. “I guess you have a right to know. Do you know the story of Icarus?”

Twilight nodded. “Pegasus who flew too close to sun and burned off his wings?”

“Yes.” Celestia closed her eyes. “Sunset’s talent is much the same, it’s not about being the sun, It’s about reaching for it.”

“Thank you Princess. I will take my leave now.” Twilight nodded and turned to go, opening the doors telekinetically and taking a step.

“Twilight.” Twilight stopped at the princess voice. “She’ll be fine.” Twilight simply nodded and walked out.

Twilight returned to her room, less spacious than Sunset’s or Celestia’s but she only used it occasionally when visiting, it was however still lavish and she estimated there were just as many books as Sunset’s room. She flopped on the bed.

Twilight was worried, and confused. Celestia may tell her not to worry but she couldn’t help it, But she couldn’t help it. She was deeply, deeply worried about her friend. She had seen Sunset fly off in a panic, and she had no idea where Sunset went, or even what was going through Sunset’s mind when she left. Sunset though perhaps her best friend, was also the one she knew least.

Their relationship was forged from a place of conflict, but rapidly bloomed into a close friendship. She tried mentoring her but that rapidly was replaced by just keeping in contact and once the portal was open meeting for lunch or dinner whenever the mood struck, they were, just, better as equals. Twilight ran that concept though her mind, ‘equal’, and realized how few of those she had, she loved her friends dearly but they were never her equals if she was honest, social class, her element, and now her crown created a gulf between them. The elder princesses had age, experience, wisdom, she would not be their equal for centuries if ever. ‘Cadence!’ Thought Twilight mentally slapping herself, So two equals.
Just two.

Twilight rolled over and held her hooves over her ears vainly trying to mentally avoid the revelation brewing in her mind, but she couldn’t. She wasn’t worried about Sunset, Twilight knew quite well Sunset could take care of herself, she wanted Sunset back. Twilight felt guilty at the revelation, she was supposed to be the Princess of Friendship. She was supposed to care about her friends, not want to possess them. But then she rolled that word over in her mind again ‘equal’, couldn’t she, put aside her crown just for Sunset shimmer and be a little selfish? A little smile crossed her lips, Sunset would probably approve of it really, she never did let her get away with being a Princess.

Twilight rolled out of bed. Too much introspection, she needed to do something productive, and there was an obvious thing to do. She would puzzle out the enigma that was Sunset Shimmer and her condition.

Celestia sighed over her papers, she was supposed to be not worried, it was a pony healthily reacting to an emotional situation.

‘Manure’ she scolded herself, it was her daughter, her daughter was upset and distraught and she couldn’t be there for it. Twenty years she had waited for Sunset to come home, and now that basic privilege of consoling her was already gone. She had grown up, she had left the nest. Twilight couldn’t see how evident that was but it was true. Once more Sunset shattered all of Celestia’s hopes, once more she had exceeded the goals she had set for herself.

Celestia sipped the tea cup by her desk slowly, allowing the taste to run down her throat, she poured herself another glass from the kettle.

She perhaps should not be so surprised. Her daughter had a talent for shattering her hopes, whether by throwing them off, or by exceeding her expectations in ways she couldn’t predict. Yet when she had conceived of the plan it seemed perfect, Cut a very nice deal with a minor noble and his wife she knew of through his heroism to procure herself a child. Then train her to wield the elements against her sister, which well she had to find a Plan B after Sunset left, which she fortuitously did a very excellent plan B if she could say so. But the second part of her master plan, Twilight could never fulfill that, Twilight never had the temperament for that. So when Blossom had informed her that her daughter was returning she felt a weight lift on her, she would be with Sunset again, and soon she would have been have been able to raise her to Alicornhood. But she didn’t even know if that was possible with what her Daughter had become.

Celestia got up to get a maid, family demanded something stronger than Tea.

It had taken hours but it was done, or well half done to twilight. It was a mess honestly, Across the room was the puzzle in front of Twilight, and that puzzle was Sunset Shimmer. Scattered all over the walls was papers with everything Twilight knew about her friend, and everything she knew about the elements of harmony. Twilight hadn’t really organized the papers but before she did she was going to stand back and take it in, all her disorganized thoughts at once.

Celestia had given her the piece she needed, that Sunset’s special talent, her heart and soul, was her willingness to set goals for herself, It seemed so obvious in retrospect but she had never given it much thought. It told worlds about Sunset that she could now infer from that context.
But it was a piece that made the puzzle all the more contradictory, By all accounts Sunset had given up on her defining need to compete with her mother and become an Alicorn. She had found peace in rejecting herself, going against the core of who she was, didn’t she?

Then there was the question that had propelled Sunset to run, how powerful was she really? She had some idea the power her and her friends had wielded in that state, hardly time for an exact measuring however, could Sunset really have that kind of power?

She stood back, she looked over everything, her eyes leaped from note to note.
‘The elements of harmony’s magic is the most powerful magic in the world’
‘The elements are both physical objects and magical truths’.
Ah right, her battle with the siren’s she chided herself writing ‘You cannot use the elements power without them, unless you are sunset shimmer’ and placing it between the elements and Sunset sections, yay more contradictions she mused.
‘Sunset shimmer could not pursue the path to become an Alicorn Me or Cadence did.’
‘Her special talent is reaching for the sun.’
‘Prefers hooves on experience to book learning.’.

Something was missing, something that would connect everything, one final thing, it was on the tip of her mind. A memory she tried to avoid, scattered and disjointed. But there in that memory of when she first met Sunset, not as friends forever, but as enemies, and yet still as equals. There, in that memory was the horrifying truth that connected it all together. She placed one last piece paper among the elements of harmony.
‘Power of the elements exists in other worlds, even worlds without magic.’

Twilight’s mouth fell open as she finally placed the last piece in the puzzle.
She had her answer.

Author's Note

I'm gonna admit, this half of chapter four was supposed to be normal chapter sized. But The other half was so much work, I just wanted to finished four up and get moving. So I wrote much more like my early brisk style, I wish I could have gotten more color in but I really want to get moving in the story.

Chapter 5 - Till the Morning

Twilight headed for dinner, she hadn’t had time to share her current findings with Celestia, and Sunset had yet to be found. As she approached two guards opened the dining room where Celestia and Luna were already seated.

Luna looked up from behind a stack of pancakes and downed a cup of coffee before speaking. “Ah excellent, You did not miss breakfast as you did dinner. I was very disappointed Twilight Sparkle, as was this mysterious niece of mine’s missing which she appears to be missing entirely now.” She poured more coffee from the pot in front her after speaking and took a sip.

“We don’t even know where she is Luna please don’t take offense….” Twilight started to protest before being cut off.

“Did I Miss anything?” A yellow unicorn with red&orange hair said as she sauntered up to the table, she looked at the waiter. “Cheese Pizza and Chamomile Tea, please.”

“SUNSET!” Twilight shouted.

“Sunset, welcome home.” Celestia smiled at her daughter.

“Drinking, at just about every pub in the city except Yets. Graceful Blossom can drink enough for a room….literally I think.” Sunset then added almost as an afterthought. “Also the Aether.”

“Whose Grac…..THE AETHER!” Twilight shouted.

“Ah so you met with miss Blossom and she helped you through your fears?” Sunset nodded in response to inquiry. “Still I wish you had come to me to, I understand there is a distance between us but…” Sunset laid her head on Celestia’s shoulders nuzzling her softly. “Sunset what are you doing.”

Sunset pulled her head up. “I just wasn’t thinking and I’ve only been able to go be by myself when I’ve felt vulnerable for years.” Sunset smiled as her tea arrived and she took a sip. “So it was just second nature to me by now to go off on my own when I was worried and vulnerable.” She looked at Celestia. “I understand what it’s like to be you, to wear that facade to have to look strong all the time, Even if for me it was fear instead of hope I had to wear. I still had to live as a symbol.”

Celestia was taken aback and stared at Sunset, how much had her daughter learned and changed in these years? Three to her perspective from what she understood, and in that time she had learned more of what Celestia had tried to teach as well as so much she had never sought to bring upon her daughter when she was so young.

“Excuse me! Can we return to the part where Sunset apparently flew outside the atmosphere! I mean how is that even possible?!” Twilight spoke up.
“Blossom carried an air bubble with us.” Sunset stated matter of factly.

“And who is this Blossom again?” Twilight sighed exasperated.

“She helps at the orphanage in the Canterlot slums Twilight, if you’d like to meet her.” Celestia replied helpfully.

“Ok, so let me get this straight, there’s apparently some pegasus powerful enough to do something even you two can’t do, that if we applied that power we could learn more about the Aether in a month than the last six centuries...just….helping at an orphanage. Not you know anything important, Just raising kids.” Twilight stated slowly.

Luna took a sip of coffee and spoke up finally. “Are you suggesting that we force Ms. Blossom to use this magic as you say?”

“Well No, But….” Twilight started.

“That is good, for if you were I would suggest you start your program closer to home so as not to appear biased. Your friend Rarity has a spell to recreate dresses she has already made I believe, We could have her redesign the guards uniform and mass produce them for instance.” Luna concluded.

Twilight didn’t say a word of protest she knew better than to argue with Luna when she pulled out an example. “So I did some data correlation and I think I can explain the connection between Sunset Shimmer and the Elements.” Celestia raised an eyebrow. “Not to doubt you or Luna’s ability of course, but you just didn’t have some of the new data gained recently.”

“Not to doubt your ability Twilight, But I question if this is proper dinner conversation?” Celestia inquired.

Luna held up a hoof. “Let her speak Sister, we talk about business over dinner all the time. Why should we stop young family members from such traditions?”

“Ummm thank you Luna?” Twilight wasn’t sure she should be thankful as it was more of a conversational dodge, but she was now kinda stuck. She took a moment taking a breath and letting out a soft cough. “Well you see, The elements are able to access their energy from anywhere even dimensions without magic, Likewise even when the tree was weak they were able to provide more energy than they previously did to me and my friends, While finally Sunset taps into this same energy without them which we thought otherwise Impossible.” Twilight spoke rapidly without stopping. “These are the new findings we’ve had which we can use to infer a great deal about their nature, they seem to be tapping into an extradimensional energy source that for lack of a better word overlaps with all nearby or possibly all dimensions.”

“It also contains information, you were able to glean information from channeling it. Namely the fact it already existed on Earth.” Sunset added helpfully.

“That’s true, so Sunset&The Elements are actually acting as some kind of conduit to an extradimensional source of energy. We of course still don’t know the long term effects of being such a conduit on a living being so we should continue to moniter Sunset.” Twilight finished her report.

Luna spoke up once more. “It also acts of it’s own volition.”

Twilight blinked once. “What?”

Luna restated in the exact same tone. “It also acts of it’s own volition, it was certainly not my Sister’s intent to imprison me on the moon.”

Twilight blinked again and stared wide eyed. “But that would mean.”

Sunset smiled and chuckled. “So she can learn!”

Twilight turned her head towards Sunset. “What’s that supposed to mean?!”

“It means……..You wouldn’t know that the sky was blue unless you read it in a book Princess.” Sunset replied leaning forward.

“Yeah well, I’m not the one who ran away from mommy because she wouldn’t give me a pair of wings, and oh look at me.” Twilight expanded her wings out. “WINGS!”

“Who needs wings? There’s nothing like the magical feeling of The Rainbow flowing through me.” Sunset shouted back.

In a flash the room seemed filled with light and Celestia’s presence filled the room. “Girls, calm down.” The elder princess stated calmly.

“Oh let them have their fun sister.” Luna said. “If i’m lucky maybe i’ll get to watch them go at it.”

“I’d prefer not to watch that sister.” Celestia replied.

“Your loss.” Luna chuckled.

Suitably chastised the two younger royals quieted themselves and returned properly to their seats, and began to eat their dinner quietly.

Dinner finished and Celestia stood up. “Well thank you for dinner, but it’s been quite the day and I for one intend to retire early.”

“Oh but sister, should you not throw a surprise party for your prodigal sun?” Luna smiled.

“Blossom, I’m not throwing a Surprise party besides I would need to plan….” Then her eyes caught Luna, and caught the mischievous glint in her eyes of a prank pulled. “You didn’t.”

“The Sun is down sister, I’m current acting diarch. The Party is has been planned, the order given.” Luna smiled triumphantly. “Your daughter is home, enjoy the festivities.” She added in a conciliatory tone.

“I’m going to regret this in the morning.” Celestia sighed.

“You’d regret it more if you skipped it.” Her sister replied.

“I Know.” Celestia sighed and nodded. “There will be cake right?”

Normally the castle was not open to everyone and normally it did not host grand parties, but the call had come there was a party and everyone is invited. So everyone did, from all corners and strata of Canterlot, and the castle gates were open to them, no invitation necessary.

However to the upper classes, and to the press, That it was happening was not as important as why. ‘To commemorate the return of my niece, We are throwing a great night party as a surprise to Both her and her mother.’. A new royal, one born into the gold and white, not uplifted from a pair of wings. While other older members of the upper class feared what who it meant, gossip of such things is rarely forgotten.

Then they walked out, the guests of honor, and the crowds fell silent. Celestia appeared as she always did, no exceptional adornments, but as always she commanded the room’s attention with her presence and charisma. The Unicorn that walked only a step behind her demanded the same attention, her horn unnaturally long and spiraled, the white & pink dress she wore emblazoned with her cutie mark, if they had expected Celestia’s daughter to be an alicorn they had no room for disappointment. They had all suffered under tirek, all seen the form the element bearer’s to return their magic and destiny’s to them, That same form and power marked this Unicorn who stood beside their princess.

Of course, Awe only stops the press so long, about 3 seconds to be exact, and then as if on que the two were swarmed by questions. “Is it true you are Celestia’s daughter?” “What’s your name?” “Where have you been?” “What is your opinion on the two new Princesses?” “What connection do you have to the Rainbow Power?”

Twilight was cut off from them and couldn’t reach. “Shameful I know.” Spoke a voice next to her. “Supposed to be some casual get together, and they are turning it into a giant display, don’t worry Celestia will put her hoof down soon enough. Wine?”

“Oh thank you.” She said taking the glass proffered to her. “I wouldn’t call it shameful it’s just disappointing. I haven’t been able to talk to Sunset and hoped we could talk during this supposably ‘casual’ party.” Twilight replied begging to drink the glass of wine in her telekinesis.

“Then I guess I must apologize for monopolizing her time this day. But I assure you, you will have plenty of time tonight.”

Twilight turned to look at the pink pegasus with closed eyes. “So you are graceful blossom?”

The mare bowed. “Guilty as charged princess. I figured I could provide your escort until Sunset is free.”

“Um, I...Can I ask you a question?” Twilight sputtered out trying not to sound rude.

Blossom nodded. “Yes, I am blind.”

“You helped Sunset through her fears while you two were drinking?” Twilight asked.

“Yes.” Blossom said taking what was left of the wine bottle and flipping it upside down and the top into her mouth.

Twilight blinked at the pegasus rampant consumption of alcohol. “You think you might be overdoing it?”

“Yes, it’s a terrible habit, inhibits the third eye chakra.” Blossom said through the bottle.

Twilight was extremely puzzled, she said it as if that was the point. “Why would you want to inhibit your third eye?”

Blossom popped the finished bottle out of her mouth. “Because if you heard what I hear, you would vainly try to not hear it too.” Blossom laughed.

“Ummmm, okkkkkk.” Twilight looked at the pegasus, she didn’t understand. “So what did you and Sunset talk about.”

“Everything, and What’s she’s become, not to imply those are different things to talk about.”
Twilight’s ears perked up and she began a rapid fire question round. “You know about what’s happened to her? Is channeling the extradimensional energies directly dangerous? How do you know about these things?”

Blossom giggled. “Inquisitive aren’t you. To give you my answer, she escaped her dharma and samsara achieving moksha, Though that’s not her answer as only she can give you her answer. No, it’s not dangerous. I know about these things because i too have achieved moksha.”

“Dharma, Samsara, Moksha?” Twilight asked inquisitively. “WAIT you too so you are….”

“Enlightened, Transcendent, Arhant. I could give you a million names for the concept. I am in my way what Sunset has become in her way.”

“Enlightened, So I just need to learn more? What did she learn between being hit by the Rainbow and the Sirens to let her access it’s power? If I were too learn more about the elements, I could...equal Sunset?” Twilight looked at blossom pleadingly.

“If truth was such an easy thing to so many who seek it would not fail. Those who find are not necessarily those who seek. Kings, Princes, Paupers, Craftsman, Scholars, and Soldiers. It seems there is no rhyme or reason to those who find.” Blossom replied kindly, sadly, as if she knew exactly what she was saying to the alicorn.

“I see….So you are saying I will never be equal to Sunset.” Twilight set her eyes on the Pegasus.

“I am saying, I am not the person who will answer that question. Now I believe you should intercept Sunset.” Blossom replied grabbing another bottle of wine and walking off.

“That is quite enough.” Celestia declared forcefully, her presence echoing across the dining hall turning all eyes to her. “This is a social party, Not a sideshow. If you continue to treat my daughter like one I will toss you out, my sister’s party or not. Is, that, clear?” Celestia stated with an intensity that very few at the party had seen or would see again.

As the orange haired pony walked out of the crowd Twilight moved quickly to intercept. “Hey Sunset, Mind If I’m your escort to this party?”

“Welllll I do need someone to introduce me to all the new notables, I don’t mind if you don’t mind escorting a lady.” Sunset beamed at her friend.

“No problem whatso-”

“Sunset I’m glad to grab you after that crowd, the Press Am I Right?” The White furred and blone maned Stallion stated politely.

“Bluebloo-”

“Cousin Bluey! How’s it been? Oh it’s been so long!” Sunset grabbed Twilight’s hoof and presented it. “And I’m sure you know my Escort Princess Twilight Sparkle.”

Twilight looked at blueblood and did her best to sound polite. “Yes we’ve met, greetings Prince Blueblood.”

“Actually I’m pretty sure those are the first kind words she’s ever said to me Sunset.” Blueblood stated matter of factly. ”Anyways, I’m so glad you are back, Auntie must be overjoyed, we will need to go slumming.” He held up Sunset’s hoof. “But I shan’t take your attentions from your escort any longer.” He stated walking off.

“You two uhhhh, knew each other? You two seemed friendly.” Twilight looked at Sunset, then looking down at her hoof in Sunset’s.

“He’s royalty, hard for us not to know each other.” Sunset thought for a moment. “Yeah, I guess we were pretty friendly. Anyways, that was then, this is now. So what we do my escort? I expect an excellent escorting job, after all this is in my honor.”

“I….Yes. Escorting, would you like a drink?” Twilight asked.

“I think i’m all drank out Twilight.” Sunset shook her head.

Twilight thought, rubbing her temple with her other hoof.

“How about dancing!” Sunset suggested cheerfully.

“I….What?” Twilight blinked at that suggestion.

“Dancing it Is!” Sunset said dragging Twilight onto the dance floor.

Chuaigh mé isteach i dteach aréir, is d'iarr mé cairde ar mhnaoi an leanna. Is é dúirt sí liom "Ní bhfaighidh tú deor. Buail an bóthar is gabh abhaile.

I came by a house last night, And told the woman I am staying, I said to her: "The moon is bright and my fiddles tuned for playing"

Twilight dragged onto the dance floor tried to dance with Sunset, but she flailed and tripped like she had four left hooves. Sunset grabbed her in her hoof. “Can’t dance?”

“Not Really.”

“Can you stand on two hooves?”

Tell me that the night is long, Tell me that the moon is glowing, Fill my glass, I'll sing a song, And will start the music flowing

“Um Yes, why?” Twilight asked sunset inquisitively.

“Because, we’ll dance that way.” Sunset said as she confidently lifted herself onto two hooves, and pulled Twilight up with her.

Never mind the rising light, There's no sign of day or dawning, In my heart it's still the night, And we'll stay here till the morning.

Níl sé ina lá, níl a ghrá,níl sé ina lá is ní bheidh go maidin,níl sé ina lá is ní bheidh go fóill, solas ard atá sa ghealaigh.

Twilight was pulled so close as to touch Sunset, and the shorter mare began to take the lead, slowly at first as Twilight tried to keep her balance.

It's not day nor yet awhile, I can see the starlight shining, Níl sé ina lá is ní bheidh go fóill, solas ard atá sa ghealaigh.

Slowly building speed as Twilight gained confidence in following Sunset’s lead. Until the two began to draw eyes, the Princess and the Strange unicorn dancing in their unique way, but neither notice they were in their own little world of the song and the dance.

Fill the glasses one more time, And never heed the empty bottle, Turn the water into wine, And turn the party up full throttle

“Where did you learn to dance like this?” Twilight asked sunset.

“I was princess of the fall formal three times you know.” Sunset laughed.

“So this is a human dance then.” Twilight nodded. “Whatever drove you to do a human dance as a pony?”

Don't go out into the cold, Where the wind and rain are blowing, For the fire is flamming gold, And in here the music's flowing

Níl sé ina lá, níl a ghrá, níl sé ina lá is ní bheidh go maidin, níl sé ina lá is ní bheidh go fóill, solas ard atá sa ghealaigh.

“Well I’d say it was your four left hooves.” Sunset replied as she continiued to lead the purple princess faster across the dance floor.

“Well, I want to thank you for it.” Twilight smiled. “I don’t think we could have danced otherwise…”

Tell me that the night is long, Tell me that the moon is gleaming, Fill my glass, I'll sing a song, And we'll keep the music streaming, Until all the songs are sung

Níl sé ina lá, níl a ghrá, níl sé ina lá is ní bheidh go maidin, níl sé ina lá is ní bheidh go fóill, solas ard atá sa ghealaigh.

Níl sé ina lá, níl a ghrá, níl sé ina lá is ní bheidh go maidin, níl sé ina lá is ní bheidh go fóill, solas ard atá sa ghealaigh.

Of course all good things must come to an end, and Twilight tripped and skidded across the floor taking Sunset with her. As they got up, Both of them just laughed, oblivious to the eyes at their dance, and oblivious to the eyes at their mistake.

It was shortly before dawn, Sunset looked at the purple alicorn nuzzled next to her in her bed as she got up untangling her and walking towards the nearby balcony.

“Is this what you want?” Blossom asked a serious tone in her voice calm and pleasant voice.

“You know that it’s what must be done.” Sunset stated as she looked towards the moon.

“You are evading the question, what must be done is your choice. I’m asking you if it’s the choice you want to make.” Blossom responded.

Sunset said nothing and her magic gathered around her, yellow energy running along her body as slowly lifted into the air.

Blossom sighed and began to beat her wings, music filled canterlot and as Sunset began to sing her voice carried with the music.

High is the Moon tonight, Hiding it’s guiding light.
Heaven and Earth do Sleep, Still in the dark so deep, I will the darkness sweep.
I will the moon to flight, I will the heavens bright, I will the earth delight.
Open your eyes with me, See Paradise with me, Awake and Arise with me.

The music grew louder.

I am the dawn, I’m the new day begun, I bring you the morning, I bring you the Sun.
I hold back the night, and I open the skies, I give light to the world, I give sight to your Eyes.
From the first of all time, Until Time is undone, Forever and Ever and Ever and Ever.
For I am the Dawn, and the Sky, and The Sun. I am one with the one and I am the Dawn.

Celestia and Luna looked out from the atrium where they raised and lowered the Celestial bodies, looking at the red sun raised high in the sky. Nothing was said, Both knew what this was, what this meant. Luna dutifully lowered the moon, and Celestia mentally steeled herself.

Epilogue - The Sum of All Choices

The Princess of the Sun awoke from her bed, she walked up to the Balcony to raise the sun. “Blossom I would have words with you.”, magic gathered around her as the sun began to rise. The Princess took in the smell of morning, as her sun’s light filled the room. Another day, Just like there would be countless thousands of.

A song both cruel and kind entered the room, it coalesced into a physical form. “You have need of me Sun Princess?”

“You told me, that your truth was of liberation, that truth allowed us to escape our fates. But in following your guidance, I only fulfilled mine. Do you have any idea how much I want to throttle you right now?” Sunset shimmer stated.

“Quite a bit I imagine, But I only guided you to the path you wanted to take anyways.” Blossom replied.

“That’s what pisses me off the most.” Sunset spat back. “I wanted a Sun Princess who knew humility even if they embraced pride, who could be sincere, who could live harmony not just preach it.” Sunset Sighed looking up at the red sun she controlled. “If I had taken two seconds I could have caught myself and realized, I never stopped wanting the throne, I just stopped wanting it for my sake.”

Sunset looked out the balcony, she could see the strands of light, the individual souls mingling and touching, connecting to one another. She could see the harmony unfolding in the world in front of her, she waited a few minutes. “It really is beautiful.” Sunset smiled softly at the beautiful kingdom in front of her. “Harmony, is countless different things, individual pieces coming together, the countless colors coming together to create a beautiful mosaic. You have my answer blossom, now leave.”

“Of course princess.” Graceful blossom gave a slight bow.

In a few moments that song dissipated and Sunset was alone with her thoughts, It was time for her first day of day court, and she held no intent to not live up to her mother’s example.

The Pegasus looked up at the red sun from the Atrium and smiled. “Sister come on, It’s been so long since I had chance to get out it.”

“Alright Celestia, let me just put myself together. I think people would notice an Alicorn, and I do appreciate my privacy.” Luna took on the appearance of an earth pony. “We should probably pack some things for the adventure.”

“Oh you and your adventuring toolkit, where’s the fun in an adventure if you are prepared for everything.” Celestia chuckled at her sister.

Luna smiled. “Indeed, what is the fun? It is nice to see you so relaxed again sister.”

“Well, I don’t have to worry about everything anymore. I know there’s someone doing my job, and I know she’ll do a great job because she has great friends to help me.” She took one last look at the red sun and smiled.

The girl approached the statue, she touched it, but nothing happened. Tears ran down her face, she looked at the book in her hand, emblazoned with a two toned sun.

“I don’t understand how you work, but I know you can reach her.” The girl started to beg. “Please, I never got to tell her that...I love her, and now she’s gone. I know now my place is with her, wherever she goes. PLEASE JUST LET ME REACH HER!”

For a moment nothing happened, the girl collapsed in tears. Then the portal in front of her opened up. Twilight sparkle looked up at the portal, she waited a moment she was not making a decision but staring in disbelief. She stood up and without a second thought entered the portal, to where she belonged.

Author's Note

Stories do not always go as we imagine they will when we start them, I had it planned that Sunset would grapple with enlightenment and attachment, and realize her answer is that web of attachment and it was a false dichotomy. But with every chapter this ending became more and more inevitable, to be true to the character's there was only one point where she could have been tempted to pursue enlightenment as blossom saw it, but that first time was always going to be temporary you don’t run away with someone you’ve just met, as knowledgeable as they might be about your situation.

Rather than grappling with a false temptation, Sunset grappled with the ramifications of her enlightenment, and grappled with making a home for herself again. In doing so I became as trapped in this answer as she did.

Prologue - A Beautiful Choice

Sunset walked down the podium smiling. Graduation had been everything she could have wanted, just earlier this year she would have clamored for the recognition she had gained but now. Recognition she was once more Queen bee of the school, but now it felt even better as herself then as well a raging she demon. Though it didn’t mean much with well graduating.

“Not going to brag Sunset?” Her rainbow haired friend asked her.

“I Think the acclaim and valedictorian status speak for themselves Dashie.” Sunset chuckled at her friend.

“So what now girls?” The purple haired fashionista spoke up. “I’ve got an apprenticeship in europe.”

“I’m gonna be working on the farm full time now.” Applejack spoke up.

“Yeah no one could have guessed that.” Rainbow snickered. “I’ve got a sports scholarship lined up, or three...but yeah no one could have guessed that either.”

“I’m going to be working at the cakes full time, or maybe i’m going to get a job at the school as an event planner, or maybe….” The pink one kept muffling as applejack covered her mouth.

“That’s great Pinkie. What about you?” She gave a meaningful look at Sunset. “You never talk about where you intend to go.”

“I...Don’t know.” Sunset shrugged. “I never think about it actually.”

“You could go to college with me, I mean with your grades you’d be a shoo in Sunset.” The lavender haired girl finally spoke up as she pushed her forefingers together. “I’d like that.” she added softly.

“I’ll…..think about it. I think I need to give it some serious thought.” Sunset said. “I’m gonna walk home today I think.”

Sunset Shimmer smiled as she walked past the entrance to the school, head held high. Her life was great, she was popular, had great friends, Saved the world twice, and was Sunset Shimmer. She might not know where she was going but she knew she could go wherever she wanted.

“Where are you going?” A voice asked as she walked past the door.

Sunset shimmer turned to look at the voice, it belonged to a pink skinned girl with purple hair, the girl's eyes were closed but she was staring straight at her. “Home.” Sunset stated with a tone of factuality.

“Home? Really? Well home is a good place to be.” The girl smiled and nodded.

“Well yeah, I do it everyday.” Sunset looked at the girl, she swore she could hear music. “Do you never see me go home or something, contrary to certain rumors i do have a home.”

The Girl giggled at that comment.

“What’s so funny.” Sunset blinked for a moment and then looked at the girls closed eyes again. “Oh, you’re blind aren’t you.”

She nodded. “Well it’s good you have a home to go to, i haven’t been to mine in a very very long time.” The girl hopped down and began to walk away.

Sunset looked down and thought for a moment. “I’m sorry for you.”

“Don’t be, It was my choice.” She waved it off and kept walking.

“Weird….” Sunset said and sighed, turning to the the statue in front of canterlot high.

Sunset touched the cold stone of the statue, all it would take would be a single word to Princess Twilight and the book, her book, the representation of all her memories with Celestia, would tear apart the laws that Starswirl had seen in creating a stable portal and open the way home.

Her hands ran along the smooth stone. But then she would leave her friends, her home. Never able to compete with Rainbow Dash, never able to stand proud with Applejack, never able to laugh with Pinkie Pie, never able to go shopping with Rarity, never able to be comforted by Fluttershy.

But if she didn’t, she would always have this gnawing emptiness, that while this is her home she doesn’t truly belong. She belongs in another world altogether, with Princess Twilight, with….Celestia. Applejack once asked if she was scared to go back, maybe once but not now. She may not be who Celestia wanted, but she had taken her own path, forged her own destiny, and she knew Celestia would be proud of who she had become.

Twilight of course would remain her friend no matter what, no matter the world. But with Princess Twilight it was like having a friend you could only see online right now, and that had never been something she sought, it just wasn’t very...pony. So even if she chose home and family over friendship, she wouldn’t have no friends.

Her hands continued to run along the smooth surface of the portal. Twilight had friends too, friends so very much like her own, but she knew they weren’t the same, similar but not the same, and they were Twilight’s friends not hers, would it really be so easy to integrate herself into Twilight’s little group if that’s what she choose?

She suspected the choice would be easier if there was a counterpart for herself here, but there wasn’t, little differences. Her mother had never had children in this world, and so there was just her.

It was just her choice, Just as it had been her choice to come here in the first place, Earth or Equestria, there was no reasons to choose beyond her own.

So Sunset shimmer was faced with a choice, a beautiful choice, of one happy ending or another. But choice was just a fancy word for destiny, so It wasn’t really a choice at all, the choice was inevitable.

A beautiful choice indeed, she knew what she would choose, and smiled never looking back.

Chapter 3 - Looking back before moving forward

Sunset woke up with a yawn, just before dawn. At least her internal clock was working fine. She looked at the purple alicorn next to her, pulling herself out from under twilight’s wing without disturbing her. She walked up to the balcony of her bedroom, there she could have wondered what to do, but she knew what to do.

She didn’t know if she was powerful enough for this, but she didn’t need to be, she would after all just be helping. She could feel magic, not the magic of harmony but her magic, the familiar yellow light coursing across her body and gathering at the top of her horn. Any use of magic was an investment of self, and powerful magic was thus a powerful extension of the self. She could feel the pride, and light, and fire that was her birthright as her magic mingled into the spell, as she withdrew from the spell one thought was burned into her mind ‘Morning my little sun’.

Sunset shimmer turned around to see Twilight Sparkle’s looked on at her in awe. “Did...you just raise the sun?”

“What?” Sunset shook her head. “No, I just helped a little. It felt right you know? Reminding myself I’m still me.”

“And to remind yourself that you are you, you decided to raise the sun.” Twilight facehooved.

“Yeaaahhhh.” Sunset responded.

“Do you have any idea how hard that spell is?” Twilight sighed.

“OH! OH! I get what you are getting at, I don’t use that spell.” Sunset turned around and waved her flank at twilight. “Cutie mark magic.”

“I…..have no retort to that one.” Twilight gave a shrug. “So morning Sunset, how’d you sleep?”

“Pretty well Twilight…..by the way Twilight….” The purple Alicorn raised her head to hear Sunset. Two pillows encased in a shimmering yellow aura slammed into the alicorn knocking her off the bed. “PILLOW ATTACK!”

“ACK!” The alicorn said falling off the bed before grabbing two pillows off it in her purple aura. “You think you can beat me?!” Twilight shouted from behind the bed as she chucked the pillows.

“I DO!” Sunset said wrestling the projectiles from Twilight’s aura and hurling them into the air before letting go to fall on her head.

A purple barrier was erected above the alicorns head. “HA! I Pillow spar with Rarity! You can’t beat Rarity at telekinesis not any day of the week!” She stated before grabbing all the pillows and hurling them around the room. “NOW DODGE THIS!”

“Don’t have to!” Sunset replied confidently.

“Wah?” And before Twilight could blink the yellow furred mare in her face holding up a single pillow. “Melee Combat? No Fair!” Wham, wham, wham Sunset slammed Twilight with the pillow. “Ok, Ok, I give.” Twilight collapsed panting.

Sunset dropped down next to her and looked at her hoof thoughtfully.

“So Sunset?”

“Yes Twilight?”

“I know you want to put the mistakes of your past behind you, but I don’t think you can avoid your past much, can you at least tell me something. What was it like that made you leave.” Twilight asked.

“Twilight I told you yesterday.” Sunset continued to stare at her hoof thoughtfully.

“You shouted really.” Twilight turned to look at Sunset Shimmer.

Sunset sighed. “Wouldn’t you rather we figure this out?”

“I’d love to figure that out Sunset, but you are just using that to distract me from what I asked I think.” Twilight rubbed her temple.

“Maybe.”

“Don’t Maybe me, You ARE! I know it’s painful, but It would help If you told me.” Twilight sighed at her friend’s obstinance.

“It’s not that it’s...painful.” Sunset let out the last word softly. “It’s just that it’s complicated. Hard to deal with, things I thought I’d put behind me being dragged up and shoved in my face.”

“Is it me?” Twilight asked herself as much as Sunset. “I Know you came back and I had everything you wanted-”

“Was groomed for.” Sunset responded flatly.

Twilight blinked. “What?”

“I’m her CHILD, Do you have any idea the amount of pressure I was under to grow a pair of wings? I was being trained my whole life for alicorn hood, it wasn’t something that maybe I might get if I was ready, it was something I was told I could obtain and was actively pushed to work towards.” As Sunset started to let it out it began to flow easily. “And for all her niceness about it, the pressure was still incredible.”

A young Sunset Shimmer sat at a balcony overlooking the schoolyard from Celestia’s school for gifted unicorns. Celestia looked over the child fondly a smile on her face. The child however looked over the unicorns intently.

“What are you looking at my little sun?” Celestia of course knew exactly what sunset was looking at, she was watching the students use magic. Celestia had provided the young filly endless tomes and spellbooks, but she ignored those outside lessons. Again and again the young Sunset would come to the balcony, to watch the young unicorns.

“I’m watching what not to do.” Sunset stated confidently, as she watched the unicorns older than her attempt spells.

“Hmmmmm, what not to do?” Celestia asked inquisitively. “Those are very advanced Unicorns for their ages, most of them are learning spells adults will never learn.”

“That’s just it, they are learning spells.” Sunset nodded.

Celestia raised an eyebrow “Explain, I’m curious what is going through your mind.”

“When I create fire or light, use telekinesis, or help to raise the sun I don’t cast a spell. It works more intuitively like you explain how Earth Pony and Pegasus Pony magic works. What’s more you’ve stated that unification grants a form of ‘Alicorn Magic’, which I expect works most like Pegasus magic as it sits at the middle ground of Earth Pony or Unicorn Magic.” Sunset explained excitedly trying to impress her mother.

Celestia blinked for a moment in shock, then returned to her stoic smile. “That is very astute of you my little sun. Still you are a Unicorn, and use Unicorn magic, which as it happens it is time for your magic lessons.” Celestia turned around and walked out of the door.

Sunset sighed, she was certain she was correct, and the secret to Alicorn Magic was to turn away from the formulaic spells of Unicorns. Which is why they had been stumped by it for centuries, they didn’t want to think the other ponies were closer to how magic should be wielded.

Couldn’t mommy show just….a little pride in her? So she stealed herself, she would show her then, she gathered the magic not in her horn but around her, let it flow through her like when she conjured fire and blinked!....about six inches. She could have done better with a teleport spell, she bet mommy didn’t even notice, she sighed as she followed behind her mother to magic lessons.

“Sunset shimmer, this is Cadence. She just recently ascended, I was hoping you could be her magic tutor.”

Sunset glared at the pink alicorn, Sunset had worked her whole life to ascend, and this Cadence comes out of nowhere one day and she just expects to be let into the family.

“Sunset.” Celestia stated in her ‘I’m not mad i’m disappointed tone’. “I Know how disappointed you feel, but consider that you and her will both be ruling alongside each other for a very long time it’s important you get along.” Sunset sighed, Celestia was right, as always.

“Yes Mother. So how much do you know about Unicorn magic?” Sunset spoke with authority.

“Well I know it’s done through practice and study….” The pink alicorn spoke somewhat meekly.

“Right, throw that out.” Sunset stated plainly as cadence raised an eyebrow. “You’ll learn better if you treat Unicorn magic just like you treated your Pegasus magic, which will mean you won’t have to unlearn anything to use your Alicorn Magic.”

“Really?” Cadence asked incredulously.

“Sunset’s methods may be unorthodox Cadence, but I assure you, they work, and for a former Pegasus I would expect them to have the best results. Now I will leave you two girls to meet.” Celestia turned and left the two young mares together.

“I….don’t feel welcome.” Cadence sighed once Celestia left.

“Well, imagine if you wanted something all your life, have worked on it as hard as it could, and someone waltzed in and took it without even trying.” Sunset forced out.

“You know I have no intent to get between you and your mother right?” Cadence replied.

Sunset ignored the comment. “Do you want to start learning to channel weather manipulation through your horn or Unicorn magic?”

“You know that right?” Cadence stated again.

“Cadence, Let me be absolutely clear. You are an Alicorn, yes. A Princess, yes.” Sunset stated with no sentimentality. “You are fooling yourself if you think you have the slightest hope of ever really being part of her family. I am not remotely afraid of you coming between me and my mother. I just dislike that you bumbled your way into the horn and tiara.”

Cadence didn’t say anything and silence pervaded the room at the bluntness of the comment.

“Weather through horn or Unicorn magic?” Sunset repeated breaking the silence.

“Unicorn Magic.”

Sunset saw Cadence and Celestia walking, she was about to walk up and join them but stopped herself for some reason.

“When are you going to tell Sunset?” Cadence asked Celestia.

“When am I going to tell Sunset what?” Celestia responded.

“What you keep dangling in front of her, The secret to becoming an Alicorn.” Cadence sighed. “She keeps thinking all she has to do is understand Alicorn magic enough and it’ll come on it’s own.”

‘Secret? There was some secret? And...her moth….Celestia was holding out on her?’ Sunset started hyperventilating, she didn’t understand, why would Celestia do that? She listened closer.

“Because If I told her, she would go off on some fool’s errand to find it.” Celestia frowned. “And she would fail. Her talents simply make it Impossible.”

“THEN TELL HER THE TRUTH!” Cadence snapped.

Celestia’s frown deepened “I can’t do that, It would crush her. Some truths are too painful to share Cadence.”

Sunset bolted she didn’t care when she tripped over things, or that Celestia and Cadence must have heard her. She just ran to her room, and flung the doors open.

Tears streamed down Sunset’s face, her whole life had been a lie. She couldn’t be a real Princess, everything she had been groomed for, Celestia had been lying.

There was a knocking on her door. “GO AWAY!” Sunset shouted.

“It’s me, Cadence.” Replied the voice on the other side.

“You KNEW!” Sunset shouted.

“Yes...I Knew.” Cadence sounded defeated. “But it’s for Celestia to explain, not me. Can you at least accept I want her to?”

“I Guess.” Sunset mumbled out half heartedly.

“For what it’s worth….I’m sorry.” Cadence said.

For several minutes there was no sound except Sunset’s sobbing. “It’s not your fault.”

“What’s the point?” Sunset looked over the lessons, nothing had changed since the revelation. The exact same princess curriculum as before.

“What’s the point of what my little sun?” Celestia asked a smile on her face.

“What’s the point of continuing this farce, I can’t become an Alicorn. You know I overheard you and Cadence talking.” Sunset glared at Celestia.

Celestia walked over to her daughter and held her in her wings. “It is true that the method that Cadence used would not work for you, and that is why I have never told you how to achieve it.” She pushed sunset’s head under her own and nuzzled her. “But It was not my intention to rely on such a method for your ascension anyways. There are other methods, methods I can take a more direct hoof in, and when you are ready Sunset, I fully intend to ensure your ascension.”

“Then WHEN Will I be ready?” Sunset looked up at her mother.

“When you are ready my little sun.” Celestia sighed.

“How can I trust you? Are not some truths too painful to tell?” Sunset Looked at Celestia.

“Because I’m your mother, and I want you to be a Princess.” Celestia frowned. “And yes, there is a painful truth to my intended method, which I will tell you…”

“Let me guess, When I’m ready?” Sunset sighed.

“Yes, when you are ready.” Celestia's smile returned. “Shall we continue the lesson now?”

“Might as well.” Sunset pulled open the first book.

“WHEN DAMNIT!” Sunset hurled another book at Celestia which bounced off her shield. She didn’t expect it to do anything else but it felt good.

“We have gone over this Sunset, When you are ready.” Celestia replied yet again.

“When Am I going to be ready?!” She demanded again hurling more books.

“Not for awhile with an attitude like that.” Celestia responded in an annoyed tone, an equally annoyed look now plastered across her face.

“Why don’t I just leave and go find the secret, prove you wrong, prove I CAN do it that way.” Sunset decided she would chuck something a little more satisfying….a 20ft. ball of fire exploded on Celestia’s shield.

“You know what?” Celestia’s voice started to rise. “MAYBE YOU SHOULD! I JUST DON’T KNOW WHAT TO DO WITH YOU ANYMORE!”

“FINE THEN! I WILL!” Sunset said leaving the study, slamming the door behind her.

Sunset shimmer walked around the room grabbing her saddlebags, the ones she brought when she went out with Celestia, but this time she was going to go alone. She began to pack things up, slower than normal for an outing, despite the ostensibly longer length of this one. ‘But where to go?’ she wondered to herself.

As she was about to leave the room, she looked at the shared diary on her desk. She should just leave it, she was going to prove she didn’t need her mot….Celestia’s help. She stepped away for a moment then turned back and looked ‘What if I’m making a mistake.’ Sunset sighed, she really could get in over her head, ‘Well if she did she would get herself out, she was Sunset bucking Shimmer’. Sunset ran a hoof along the book, still there were other reasons to bring it.

Then a smile crossed her lips. She knew where to go, that portal Celestia kept in the archives. An entire world that Celestia didn’t know about, now that would be a place to learn. The book levitated in a yellow aura, and Sunset Shimmer headed for the archives.

“And well, when I had the good sense to jump back through the portal….” Sunset finished up her tale.

“It was too late?” Twilight said between sips of her drink.

“Yeah, it was too late. So I was stuck on the other side of the portal, and when I was able to use it again, it seemed like three years for me. So it seemed like you had been given everything in such a short time and I had been trivially replaced.” Sunset sighed.

Twilight considered for a long time while slowly sipping. “Well, it’s pretty clear I can never replace you Sunset. I just find it odd that Celestia & Cadance didn’t bring you up more.”

“Well you know, not wanting to make you feel inadequate.” Sunset giggled.

“Well when Celestia met me she called me the most talented Unicorn she’d ever met.” Twilight stuck her tongue out.

“Number one, Celestia is a known liar. Number two, more to being a princess than magic. Princess.” Sunset popped a sugar cube in her mouth.

Twilight took another sip of her drink. “Speaking of Princesshood, what was it to you anyways?”

Sunset tapped her hoof on her chin before replying. “Besides the whole Pride & Birthright thing? Power, I wanted the magic of being an Alicorn, and I wanted the respect and political power of being a Princess. They just happened to come as a package deal. Don’t really care now I guess.”

“Kinda ironic isn’t it?” Sunset raised an eyebrow at Twilight. “I mean, you not caring about the power of being an Alicorn anymore, and here you are with Rainbow power all the time.” Sunset said nothing. “When we had that power. Tirek had absorbed all the magic in equestria, even the Princesses, and we trivially vanquished him” Sunset started hyperventilating. “...and the tree was weak.” Twilight noticed finally. “SUNSET! Are you ok?”

“I have THAT kind of power?” Sunset screamed.

Twilight grabbed Sunset in a hug. “Calm, breathe, count to 10.”

Sunset continued shouting. “ANSWER ME!”

“Well we can’t be sure...but the only comparable example we have of your state did.” Twilight’s tone remained calm and focused. “Sunset you need to calm down.”

Sunset started to breathe and calm down. “Twilight, please let go, I need some time to think.”

“Then don’t go, think right here with me.” Twilight continued to remain surprisingly calm.

“Twilight, please.” Sunset begged.

“Alright, but please don’t do anything drastic. Ok?” Twilight lightened up on Sunset, who immediately erupted wings of fire and sped off. “Okkkk, Breathe Twilight, Calm, Count to 10.” Twilight immediately cracked. “Oh sweet Celestia! I lost Sunset, The Princess is gonna kill me!”

Sunset was flying, she wasn’t sure how, or why, she remembered being with Twilight. Then it struck her, why she was flying, what she just realized. “I can't possibly be...that.....powerful, can I?”

“Well yes and no, you aren’t, but the power is yours. But really is it that surprising?” A sing song voice asked.

“More powerful than Equestria combined?” Sunset replied to the voice.

“You were able to rebuild reality after it was torn apart at Canterlot High.” The voice’s tone cracked into playful laughter. “But only now do you begin to comprehend what you are capable of?”

Sunset snorted, her flaming wings flapping rapidly in agitation. “Well maybe I had more important things than contemplating my power. Who are you anyways?” The cloud bank around her dissipated, and there hovered a smiling pink furred Pegasus with a purple mane, her eyes closed. “YOU!” The Pegasus waved. “You….sent me here.”

The Pegasus shook her head. “I merely show you the path, it is you who followed the path.”

Sunset said nothing, lost in thought. The wind blew around them. Sunset continued to think, in the light playful music it didn’t quite fit the tone but silence would have been awkward. The pegasus began to stretch, revealing toned and practiced muscles. Finally after what seemed like an eternity Sunset spoke up.

“Where do I go from here?”

“I am not the one who answers that question.”

Chapter 6 - Chains of Birthright

Twilight stared agape at the red sun as Sunset fell to the ground surrounded by power. “Sun...Sunset...What have you done?”

“Isn’t it obvious” Sunset paused for a moment to catch her breath. “Twilight? I raised the sun.” She finished responding.

“But, But, WHY?!” Twilight looked at Sunset aghast.

“To challenge my mother.” Sunset stated matter of factly. “And it would be rude to keep her waiting.” Sunset finished as she opened the doors in her telekinesis and walked through them.

“But, WHY?” Twilight asked in disbelief as she followed Sunset. “I don’t understand at all.”

“Because, no matter how much it hurts me, or her.” Sunset hesitated slightly. “It’s what must be done.”

“That doesn’t answer the basic question Sunset, WHY?!” Twilight responded with frustration.

“I will explain when we get to the throne room.” Sunset replied.

Twilight grabbed Sunset. “No, you will explain right now, to me. She’s my mentor, and you are my best friend, I am not some sidelong third party. I will have an explanation.”

“There can only be one Princess of the sun.” Sunset stated solemnly.

Twilight said another for a moment as those words soaked into her. “Ok, but even if that’s true. You don’t want that position anymore.”

“Exactly.” Sunset nodded.

Twilight blinked in confusion “How does that make sen…” then slowly her eyes widened in realization. “So loser gets the Crown.”

Sunset nodded.

“Why didn’t you tell me? I could have-” Sunset held a hoof over Twilight’s mouth.

“Because you don’t need to choose between us, And I didn’t want to interrupt our fun last night.”

Twilight nodded and the pair entered into the throne room.

“You know daughter.” Celestia looked out from her throne, her voice serious. “I used to expect the inevitability of this day. Do you truly feel yourself ready for this?”

“Glad to not disappoint you for once.” Sunset smiled before looking at up at Celestia. “Princess Celestia, Mother, I challenge you for my birthright. If I win, I am freed of my birthright, my claim as your heir is no more and never shall I be Princess of the Sun. If you win, I shall accept whatever schooling you feel is necessary to prepare me, and accept the crown when you feel I am ready.”

“I see…..” Celestia was taken aback, this was not the challenge she was expecting. “Luna will of course be my second, and who shall be yours?”

“I Will!” Twilight spoke up immediately without a second thought. Sunset and Celestia both looked at Twilight in shock. “Just because I don’t have to make a choice Sunset, Doesn’t mean I won’t.” Sunset nodded, and slowly Celestia nodded as well.

Luna walked in calmly carrying a cup of coffee, as everyone looked to her. “I heard the word duel, Sister never lets me have fun.” She stated plain as day while sipping a cup of coffee. “So, Sunset looks sort of exhausted, Perhaps we should convene this duel after lunch and we are all refreshed?”

“Um, Aunt Luna, Wouldn’t you not be refreshed?” Sunset asked.

“You have friendship, I have coffee.” Luna stated.

“I see…..” Sunset looked at Luna skeptically.

Sunset was flopped on her bed while Twilight laid on a couch reading a book, the purple princess looked up. “Do you really think you can beat her.”

“Not alone.” Sunset replied her eyes closed as she relaxed and recovered from this mornings exertion.

Twilight sighed. “Why did you do this Sunset? You say it must be done but, I just don’t understand why this is necessary.”

“Because it is my choice.” Sunset stated opening her eyes. “I could tell mother that I don’t want to be a Princess anymore, and she would listen. But she would still hope, still expect it that one day I’ll come around. I can’t live with that always hanging between us.”

“So you would have war between you hanging over you instead?” Twilight looked at Sunset sadly.

“That is something we can get over and move past, this isn’t.” Sunset said, she knew this was true, their relationship could survive the war but she now hoped she was right and their relationship couldn’t survive that hope, else she was going to do something very painful for nothing.

“What...do you mean?” Twilight asked inquisitively.

“Alicorns have greatly extended lifespans, maybe even immortal. But it’s outside your control, if you are killed or you run out of life, that’s not a thing you control. But I could live for an age, I could see the end of the world, If i but choose to, my death comes when I summon it.” Sunset explained somberly.

Twilight looked at Sunset, no words were spoken, she simply put the book down trotted over to the bed and held her friend. There they lay for several minutes, Sunset could hear twilight’s heartbeat, feel her soft feathers, she almost forgot the terrible thing she had convinced herself she had to do.

“Well on the bright side, I’ll never see you grow old and die.” Twilight finally spoke up and smiled.

“No, I’ll just have to watch your end.” Sunset replied grumpily, she was not amused by entertaining the thought of Twilight’s passing.

“Then why not...tie your going to me? Then, when you don’t have to watch me go, you can go with me.” Twilight replied affectionately as she nuzzled Sunset.

“Yeah, you’re right, I could do that.” Sunset smiled and nodded, it wracked her to use a mask like her mother, but to explain to Twilight that she would far more likely end up embroiled in other things, that even Twilight would tell her.to ‘finish some things’ and she would get caught up in more. Sunset banished those thoughts from her mind, and tried vainly to pull Twilight closer, they were here now, and that’s what mattered.

Lunch had passed uneventfully, Luna & Celestia, Sunset & Twilight, all had taken lunch in the royal quarters. Sunset walked into the garden head held high, by her side was her second, she looked around for her mother but could not find her.

“We beat them here, heh.” Twilight noticed.

“Yeah, I guess we did.” Sunset nodded.

“Well you beat one of us anyways.” Spoke luna’s voice from over a hedge, the two bounded over to see Luna creating a magic circle. “Someone must prepare the circle after all, even if in this fight it is just a formality.”

“You think they will break through?” Twilight asked inquisitively.

“I surmise the possibility, But more I expect neither to seek to do collateral damage.” Luna nodded to herself.

“So where is my mother?” Sunset stated. “I want to get this over with.”

Celestia flew down and landed. “Right here my daughter.”

“Are you ready?” Sunset sized up the larger Alicorn, steeling herself for the hardest fight of her life.

“Yes my daughter.” Celestia said with sad eyes.

Luna looked up. “The circle is complete, it is ready when you two are.”

“You don’t have to do this my daughter, you can back down. I won’t even consider it surrendering.” Celestia pleaded.

Sunset walked into the circle, she was petrified, she was about to fight her mother, the pony she had measured herself to her whole life. Now they would be at eachother’s throats, each fighting for the right to turn down the crown, she knew her mother would hold nothing back this was so important to her. For all her doubts, Sunset showed none of them on her face, it was covered in the confidence and courage that burned from every facet of her being. “If you don’t want to fight me so badly, you can surrender.”

“You know I can’t do that.” Celestia walked into the circle. “Equestria needs a guiding light, It needs someone to show it the way.”

“Let Twilight do it, Let cadence do it, Let Luna do it. The ponies are stronger than you think, Have faith in harmony.” Sunset glared at her mother.

Celestia smiled. “Oh my daughter, never lose that faith in others.” Celestia braced herself. “Before we do this? Why? Why do this? If you had told me didn’t want to become a princess...”

“BULLSHIT!” Sunset Screamed. “You would have still hoped, you might not have pressured me, but you would have hoped. That hope would have gnawed at our relationship, this is the only way to free me from the crown, to make you give up on the idea of me wearing it.”

“I see….” Celestia said. “So we truly have no choice, we will both give our all to defend the crown.”

Sunset did not respond the time for talk was over she unleashed a beam of Sunlight at her mother from her horn, when it nearly reached her mother she responded with her own beam. It was obvious what would happen, there was no contest whatsoever. Sunset played her and her mother’s game, raw power vs. raw power, and in that game she could never win alone. Her beam was beaten back slowly, until it impacted with her throwing her against the edge of the circle.

“My daughter, You have lost, you are beaten. You do not have the power to defeat me.” Celestia tried to respond in a calm tone.

Sunset coughed up blood and spoke. “You haven’t beaten me yet.” Sunset stood up on shaky legs, she was hardly beaten, she could not do this alone, that was true and she went in knowing that. But she was Sunset Shimmer, and she was never alone.

“Please my daughter, give up. Do not make me hurt you again for the sake of your pride.”

Sunset coughed up blood again and took tentative steps forwards. “Yes I am proud, and so are you. I admit that, I’m proud of becoming queen bitch of my school twice, I’m proud of my skills, talent & power, and I’m proud to be your daughter. And I am humbled that for all my failures and foolishness I have been given such a great gift.” Strands of rainbow light gathered around Sunset. “Even now when you have so many others to share the burden with you, you feel the need to stand alone, feel the need to have an heir who can stand alone. You refuse to share that burden with your friends. But everyone has failings, everyone has limits, Even a goddess.” The strands grew more numerous and began to envelop her. “I don’t feel the need to carry that burden by myself, That’s why I was able to cross the threshold you never could, to reach further than you could ever conceive was possible. I am never Alone.”