Author's Note

Everyone, myself included, seems to wonder why there aren't two Sunset Shimmers wandering around the EQG world. I haven't read the comics or novels, so I'm not sure if the question was ever officially answered, and I don't know what the writing staff already may have planned for the resolution, but this is the potential outcome that makes sense to me: What if there were never two human Sunsets, but for a while there were two pony Sunsets? What if the pony Sunset Shimmer is still in Equestria now?

Chapter 1

"Mom, I'm so bored! Can we PLEASE go home?"

High school events were never very exciting to begin with, but for someone only five years old, each second passed with excruciating agony for the young orange and crimson haired girl.

"For goodness sake, no! The Friendship Games have only just started." The mother scolded her young daughter as they walked through the halls of Canterlot High. "It would have been more exciting if Crystal Prep hadn't won the academic round again. I can't believe how far the standards in this school have fallen." She led her daughter by the hand in case the little one again tried to pull away and wander off. "You'd be good to get used to this place now anyway, you'll be going to school here soon, Sunset."

Sunset glanced around at the surroundings. The walls of lockers that seemed to stretch on with no end, the maddening buzz of the fluorescent lights above, the smell of floor wax and odors lingering in the air. "I'll never come back here!" Sunset cried out and tried to wrench her arm free. Her attempt was met with a stern yank in return.

"I swear, if you make a scene you will never see television again, Sunset Shimmer!" The grip tightened on Sunset's wrist and the two made their way out a set of double doors to the athletic field. The young girl kept her head low and her mouth shut as they made their way to the stands. The crowd stirred busily on the way to the stands, threatening to separate the two, but each nudge was met with another firm yank on the wrist, keeping mother and daughter side by side.

The two finally reached their seats, which to Sunset's dismay weren't 'seats' at all, but bleachers. She gave an exasperated moan, but was swiftly pushed into her spot on the bench. Her mother sank into the spot next to her, but didn't bother to look over at Sunset, her eyes instead fixed on the field. "So, it's a soccer match this year. I guess that means everyone gets to participate in the physical competition this time. They should have had that when I was here; I had to watch from the stands after the academic round." Sunset fidgeted in her seat uncomfortably, the cold metal an unbearable addition to her seemingly ever-growing boredom. A tall figure sat down in front of her, and she stood up on top of her seat, only to be swiftly thumped back down. "I can't deal with this right now. Why don't you just sit quietly and try to have fun?"

The piercing wail of a whistle signaled the start of the game, drawing all the eyes in the stands. All, except one pair. Her mother's hand releasing her, Sunset looked over to see that the distraction of the game had occupied her mother's full attention. As the play went back and forth, she took the opportunity to drift back in her seat, scooting further past the edge into the row behind her. She crept her feet up onto the bench as her hands hit the floor behind her to steady her escape. The play shifted to the far end of the field, and Sunset pushed herself on to her feet. While everyone was occupied, now would be the perfect time to escape. Getting home by herself would be impossible, but perhaps there might be some fun in a little exploring. She grinned to herself as she snuck away behind her mother; after all, she was the one who suggested getting acquainted with the campus.

Free to roam, Sunset took another look around. She could make her way back inside, maybe running around the halls would be fun without someone to get her in trouble. Then there was the Wondercolts statue in front of the school. She hadn't been able to get a good look at it when she arrived with her mother. A loud roar erupted in the stands behind her, startling Sunset for a moment.

Amidst all the bustle of the crowd, the young Sunset heard a faint noise, a soft hum like a bee trapped behind glass. It reminded her of the fluorescent lights inside the school, but why would she be hearing it outside? The bright haired girl wandered further from her seat, searching for the source, yet as she traipsed the sound never got any louder, never felt any closer.

Sunset continued her trek, every step cautious, taking in the sound and turning to follow. The task was consuming, she felt compelled to follow. Even as her fears of her mother's harsh words began to creep through her mind, she would not abandon her search; could not abandon her search. Onward she pressed; the strange sound her only focus. The roar of the crowd slowly faded as she walked, though she did not notice, all her attention fixed on following the strange hum, almost hypnotic.

Time and space seem to fade away as the young fire-haired girl makes her way across the campus. For all Sunset knew, she could have been wandering for days. Her pace slowed to a crawl as an object grew closer, filling her view. Sunset blinked, fog over her mind lifting, and looked up at the statue of a stallion, rearing up in triumph. "Why am I here? What was I doing?" she questioned herself a moment, turning to run back to the field and her seat before her mother noticed she was gone, but taking her first step, was interrupted by a strange, familiar sound. A low hum, resonating from behind her. She turned to face the statue again.

"Where is that coming from?" Sunset squinted at the great stone horse, "Are you making that noise?" Fog began to set on her mind again as she stepped closer to the pedestal, parting locks of orange and crimson away from her ear, she leaned forward and pressed the side of her head against, nothing. Where she expected the granite face of the podium to be gave way like it wasn't even there. Before Sunset could grasp the wall's absence, her balance failed her. The fog vanished once again, clearing her eyes to see a frightening spiral of contorting colors. She flailed her arms for something to steady herself, but could find no warrant. With a scream that reached no ears, she fell forward, into the strange abyss.