Sunset Shimmer - Rainbow Light Empress

Chapters

Chapter 1 - Assumption of the Throne
Chapter 2 - Prelude to destruction
Chapter 3 - The OTHER Twilight
Chapter 4 - The Talk

Chapter 1 - Assumption of the Throne

“They aren’t going to like this.” The orange and to be newly crowned princess of sun sighs rubbing her temple as a maid did her mane. “Next set of papers bluey.”

“It’s parliment, Their job is to not like things.” Blueblood sighed. “Are you sure you don’t want a prewritten speech.” He asked as he moved a new stack of papers in front of her and poured himself a shot of whiskey.

“Not my style bluey, I’ll just wing it.” Sunset said scanning another stack of papers, she did NOT have her mother’s talent for bureaucracy she was quickly realizing just from asking bluey for the overviews. “If i can’t figure something out I will trust RFG.”

“....Considering it’s the most capricious entity in the world not named Discord, which I find debatable. Not on my sound plans list.” Blueblood tried to say in a diplomatic tone if his words were utterly undiplomatic.

“Explain to me why it’s capricious then?” Sunset chuckled as she sipped some chamomile and looked over her moth….her land holdings.

“Never sure if it’ll reform someone or imprison them.” Blueblood pointed out as he looked through Celestia’s paperwork for more good overviews pulling out two sheets.

“Been inside one of those, twice, It’s a choice thing.” Sunset explained.

“Fair enough I suppose...It only ever bails us out at the last moment so even if it’s reliable it’s only at the last moment?” Blueblood asked this time.

“THE POWER OF THE DIVINE CHANNELED THROUGH OUR FRIENDSHIP! We use it as a weapon and fashion accessory.” Sunset chuckled. “Excuse me if the element bearers aren’t exactly the pinnacles of respect for the power they wield.”

“You are mocking your best friend and her friends you know…..” Blueblood said softly.

“And laughter is an element of harmony. Any more reasons?” Sunset Asked.

“It thinks You and Blossom are the ultimate exemplars of it’s inscrutable and divine will?” Blueblood finally pointed out.

Sunset took a long moment to read through reports on manehattan taxes and population demographics, while sipping an entire cup of chamomile before preparing a new one. “Yeah ok, I got nothing on that one.”

“So are you actually going to prepare a speech?” Blueblood sighed in relief.

“Oh by Celestia’s Plot no.” Sunset just cackled at that.

Blueblood groaned, it was going to be one of those days.

Sunset approached the Royal Seat, disapproving stares looked over every inch of her. Either from those who knew her be reputation, or those who saw a mere unicorn pretending to the throne.

Sunset took the podium, her Mother or her Aunt’s place at the head of the Senate, she stood there not In the ball gowns of Twilight or Cadence, The Armor of Luna, or the Basic Regalia of Celestia. She stood there as if her mere presence, her mere existence was enough, to the onlookers they saw hubris she might be on the level of the element bearers with her fancy cutie marks and long horn, she might even be Royal by family right like Blueblood, but a true Princess….An Alicorn she was not.

Only two pairs of eyes supported her, both in the royal box. Princess Twilight, and Prince Blueblood. That however was to swiftly change.

For several awkward moments nothing was said, Sunset had prepared nothing and drew a blank, but then like a bolt of lightning it hit her so simple and obvious, say what was on her mind.
“I stand before you speaking Truth, the Truth is I am not looking to this parliament for confirmation. I am both Celestia’s Daughter and Heir Designate, as well my abilities to perform the Duties of Princess of the Sun have been proven. I do not need Parliament or any Princess to confirm my Title. I am looking for your support.
Ever since Discord's defeat we have been ruled by Harmony’s chosen representative, That power has made clear that my Mother’s time has ended. For all her Wisdom and experience she has lost touch with what it means to live by the very precincts she is sworn to, she could speak of friendship but lacked the peers to live it, and without friendship one cannot truly live Harmony.
I know it may sound harsh to you for me to speak such ill words of my Mother, you hold her in great respect and awe, some of you even venerate her. But in the end the truth is and the truth she wished you all to know, that despite all her great power she was just a pony like any other and her inability to get this across to you was her great failing.”
Sunset stopped, and gulped a glass of water before continuing.
“Let us fondly remember the Day that has ended, the Sun that has set. But let us not fall into bickering an Disharmony as we enter a new Day but embrace its possibilities with Hope and Faith, let us remember that is all of us coming together that weaves the great tapestry of our nation.”

No response, no galloping cheers, no boos. I turned to look at Twilight. “Ummmmmm Twilight do you think it a bit much? I know the Day thing about me and my mother’s rule’s thing is a bit poetic but....”

“Sunset...you’re….Beautiful.” Twilight gasped out, As I looked and saw myself in full regalia, with a quick motion I flapped my wings and they had not even the presence of fire but they were there. But the last time I had taken this form in my duel with Mother I had transmigrated to human form, was I fully accepting that this was my home again now, was that the last gasp of my connections to that world, these questions and more raced through my head as I looked up.

The crowd was nearly to a pony standing in Total Awe or Bowing, I had entered this room a mere Unicorn to them, but now….I was an Alicorn who could STEP DOWN. Once more I reflected on my own foolishness, on my own inability to realize I had turned myself into everything I wished Mother could be, Of course I would doom myself to step into the role. What other choice would I have? Anything else would be a betrayal of myself.

The first to speak up was a unicorn, In back, she seemed meek and timid. Not the type to speak up first, but I could see it in her eyes for once she would lead the way. “Everything the Princess of Friendship and the Princess of the Sun Represent, You *are*. The Unicorn Delegation Confirms your Title as of Princess of the Sun, and More. Sunset, Princess of the Sun, we offer you the Title of Queen.” She said with probably more fire than she ever mustered in her life.

Someone had to say something, no one had EVER been given the title King or Queen, EVER. The title only existed as some weird part of Equestria’s mish mash of insane rules because the Unicorns had it and didn’t want to destroy the title, but no one had ever been offered or tried to CLAIM it…

A powerfully built and muscular earth pony stallion then shouted. “Let it be known, I support the nomination. All hail Queen Sunset, Paragon of Light.”

I was speechless, as confirmation after confirmation flew in. Within 15 minutes it was done.
I hadn’t just been confirmed the inheritor of my mother’s title, but the kingdom of equestria after 2,000 years finally had a Queen.

Sunset slammed another glass of whiskey on the bar table in Blueblood’s personal home. “Oh sweet mother, QUEEN! THEY MADE ME QUEEN!”

“Yes Cousin, it’s been thirty minutes and I think you are damaging my personal bar.” Blueblood sighed. “I know it’s a lot to take in but it shows their faith in you right?”

“THEY ARE CRAZY THEN! They never offered my mother the Queenship, I mean I don’t need even more responsibility foisted onto me.” Sunset groaned as she poured a brandy this time.

“Honestly, it’s more I just find it strange they never confirmed Celestia as Queen, If she and Luna had a higher title it would have made Cadence and My relationship as Jr. Royalty clearer legally.” Twilight interjected.

“They couldn’t actually, Celestia and Luna’s titles are inherently linked by their crowning and with Luna gone for a thousand years no legal ability to crown her Queen, and they would have also had to Crown Luna queen which has a whole host of political problems.” A white unicorn with a red and green mane said without looking up from his book on theatre, beside him sat a frothy mug of mead. “Though honestly I just don’t see the big problem.”

“Ok, I’ve been meaning to ask, Blueblood, who is he.” Twilight pointed to the unicorn who had finally interjected.

Sunset chuckled at the question. “Probably Blueblood’s boytoy.”

“I….What? Boytoy?” Twilight asked confused.

“Bluebloods only into stallions Twilight.” Sunset explained.

“Blueblood and I do have a quite friendly relationship, but I would prefer not to be called a Boytoy.” The unicorn sighed.

“Wait…..Is that why you…...” Twilight started.

“Yes, I kind of make it a thing to put off the media, make a big fuss and embarrass a gold digger every couple of months. I look like an ass but it’s better than being known as a coltcuddler. If I had known It was Dame Rarity I would have simply politely declined her offer, but Celestia was keeping you all on the down low at the time.” Blue blood explained.

“So you would have treated her specially albeit not the way she wanted….” Twilight sighed.

“Aren’t politics grand.” The Unicorn said sarcastically from behind the book while turning a page.

“My Apologies. You’ve been here this whole time and I haven’t introduced myself, I’m Princess Twilight Sparkle.” She extended a hoof. “And you are…..”

“Mistletoe.” He smiled sincerely looking up from his book with heart shaped shades and shaking her hoof.

“Huh, Mistletoe. So what do you do, Gardening? Love Stuff? I mean.” She chuckled slightly. “If you were a Changeling you sure wouldn’t be hiding it, a parasitic plant related to love.”

Mistletoe gave another much more disarming smile. “Most people don’t know that fact miss Twilight.”

“Oh I have a friend who is all about Nature, the things I could tell you from conversations with her.” Twilight responded.

“Yes Dame Fluttershy. But to answer your question a Little bit of column A, A little bit of Column B. and If I was hiding it I would be a terrifyingly awful ambassador don’t you think?” He once more smiled but, rather than disarming it felt predatory.

“Am….bassador.” Twilight gulped.

“Yes, well, technically this place appears to be my household but the truth is….” Blue bloods explanation was interrupted as one servant enveloped itself in green fire. “It’s actually the changeling embassy, we keep it disguised so no one freaks out.”

“Ever so much easier to sell other countries dirty laundry with one place to deal.” Mistletoe grinned.

“WELP! I’M GETTING DRUNK IN THE CHANGELING EMBASSY! HEY TWILY HOW MUCH YOU WANNA BET A CHANGELING WILL TRY TO PRETEND IT’S YOU!” Sunset shouted.

“I’ll bet 4,000 bits none will.” Mistletoe stated. “It would damage our working relationship for myself or any of my staff to take advantage of your feelings for Princess Twilight.” Mistletoe stated reassuringly before saying a little more conspiratorially. “We have harvesters and infiltrators for that.”

“How very….thoughtful of you Mistletoe.” Twilight said with a guarded tone.

“Hey I haven’t even brought up finalizing the peace treaty from the canterlot wedding incident seeing as the new queen is…..overwhelmed and in need of some personal time.” Mistletoe stated.

“It’s been two years. How can that POSSIBLY not be finalized.” Twilight grumbled.

“Because Mistletoe and Celestia are both stubborn and excellent negotiators.” Blueblood sighed.

“The Reparations on the table are far, far, too low to be blunt.” Mistletoe stated.

“....You want to pay us *MORE* reparations?” Twilight asked confused.

“Oh, oh no.” Mistletoe laughed. “You owe us, quite a bit, and if you don’t pay us. Genocide and unlawful use of mega spells during a war are serious crimes.” Mistletoe stated bluntly before adding respectfully. “Though I must say Celestia’s willingness to pay bits of the reparations even before the treaty is finalized earns a lot of respect from me.”

“WAIT WHAT?!” Twilight shouted.

“Blueblood, i need a full debriefing on the canterlot wedding fiasco….tomorrow.” Sunset added with a groan. “I’m not trusting you to negotiate peace terms with a changeling who you are apparently friendly with.”

“Fair.” Mistletoe and Blueblood stated in unison.

Twilight sparkle stumbled out of the portal, she figured she would lose balance but…Guess hooves were good for that. She turned looked at the table in front of her, kinda like the round table, she saw the sigils on the top, it looked like sunset’s friends sigils, and her own….

She knew those symbols meant so much more to ponies, she’d gotten that much out of Sunset, who had once called her own world’s personal sigil’s a pale meaningless imitation. Yet paradoxically Sunset was one of the few she knew with large collections of outfits without the sigil, sometimes she just didn’t understand. But she would, this world had so much magic, she had once tried to rip reality apart just to get here so she could understand it all.

But that was the past, all she knew now was she had to find Sunset, tell her everything, tell her how she really felt. Who cared about college, She could learn all about magic HERE under Sunset. Besides statistically taking a year off before college was beneficial anyways, she nodded to herself.

She needed to get her bearings, familiarize herself with her new form she turned around trying to get a good look before realizing the portal was a mirror. PERFECT! Twilight grinned taking stock of herself, lavender skin had become lavender fur, her hair had become mane and tail, hands and feet had become hooves, and on her head rested a horn. It seems her book bag had become a saddle bag….THE BOOK! The book was missing she frantically checked the saddle bag relieved to find the book, with it she’d be able to contact and find Sunset.
Then she saw it, on her side, her sigil the eight pointed star over an opened book with ink and quill, no explanations would have ever sufficed….now she *understood*.

She turned around and walked out of the room as she did so she saw another horned pony, a lighter shade of purple for a coat, and a green and dark purple mane and tail, a toothbrush in a pale green glow in her mouth. “Oh hey twiliiiiiiii…..Princess where are your wings?”

“Wings? Princess? Um, Um...Who Are you?” Twilight Stuttered out.

“Oh, must be tuesday, Hey weren’t you with ol’ sunny butt jr.? With the new coronation?” The unicorn asked through the toothpaste.

“Sunny butt Jr.? Coronation” Twilight asked, a newspaper slid up in a glowing light green aura on it was Twilight’s greatest dream the destroyer of her nightmare’s, Sunset the Angel albeit as a pony she read the headlines. ‘Equestrian Crown Given to newest Royal pony’, and standing right beside her was her doppelganger albeit with wings. “Ummmm….Sunset and Princess Twilight….Are they?”

Somewhere at a totally secret card game, there was even a sign outside saying ‘totally secret card game.’....well that and it took place at Discords house, which generally required some approriete or powerful magic.

“Somehow I am utterly pleased and I don’t know why.” The draconequus stated out of nowhere.

“Probably just my daughter finding out what running a country is like.” The first of two pegasi, white with pink hair stated.

“It can’t be *that* bad, you run a tight ship.” Discord replied not sure if that was a compliment or insult but it was honest.

“Honestly there is NOTHING more chaotic than the daily life of a pony.” The second pegasus this one with pink fur closed eyes and a purple mane stated.

“Yes, yes, Equestria is descending into chaos, that’s all well in good.” The Dark blue alicorn said. “But Certainly far more pressing is the question of HOW ARE WE LOSING TO THE BLIND ONE! Also got any twos Celestia?”

“Go Fish Sister.” The White pegasus stated.

“Because I have to pay off my bartabs somehow Luna….” The Pink pegasus nodded as if it was the most logical explanation in the world as she slammed a bottle of wine back.

Luna for her part just sighed and reached a hoof into the pile.

Author's Note

Well since no one comments on what I was working on, and since I feed on your comments, here ya go what you want, chapter 1 of the sequel to my first fic.
Hopefully feedback from this will give me reason to move both fics forward.

Now let's talk about story structure for a moment, While most stories will give rising action and climax, that felt inappropriate to where things ended up and were going. Rather laying too many problems in front of Sunset and overwhelming her and forcing her into hard choices with them felt more appropriate.

Chapter 2 - Prelude to destruction

Sunset shimmer sat on the balcony alone drinking chamomile tea, she had not moved into the Royal chambers. Those weren’t hers and her chambers suited her just fine. She looked out from the balcony once again as she poured a new glass of tea, and the only question on her mind was what had she done to deserve all of this, and the answer was ‘Nothing’.

She neither deserved nor was ready to rule, that was even part of the deal if she lost she’d accept schooling until Celestia deemed her fit. Yet….The Rainbow didn’t feel that way they stripped Celestia of her Status in an instant, and she had taken it as a sign to leave. So Sunset was alone, ill prepared for the task of ruling….no she wasn’t alone she had Blue blood and Twilight but certainly even together they weren’t up to the task of doing all of Celestia’s duties. She may have made herself into the Pony she wanted Celestia to be, but as the Politician and Bureaucrat she was sorely lacking.

She really should have realized calling strength from others counted as conceding in a duel, but was it really fair to show it so….blatantly as ripping her Mother’s horn off? And did Mother have to take off, couldn’t she have stayed guiding and teaching, ruling de facto until Sunset was ready? Why did her choices always end up with such….extreme consequences, and why….why did she never listen when people warned her against charging head first.

“WHY ME!” She shouted to the sky. “I’M ANGRY, I’M PROUD, I’M A BUCKING FOOL WHO RUSHES IN HALF THE TIME. Why would you entrust me with this power, and now you arranged it so I’m Queen. I WASN’T READY!” The sky did not respond, but it wouldn’t Sunset knew, Blossom had told her only she had the answers now. Sunset couldn’t think of any, but there had to be a reason, there just had to be…. Finally after two days Sunset the Confidant, Sunset the Proud, allowed herself to cry.

There alone on a balcony the newly crowned Queen cried like a teenager who knew no one was there to see, especially not her mother.

Twilight swirled the brandy in front of her before taking a sip. “We seriously have a changeling embassy?” She asked as if not believing.

“Yes, of course. Why is this so hard to accept?” Twilight could *feel* the changeling ambassador roll his eyes beneath his heart shades.

“Because you are love sucking parasites and besides thorax none of you are remotely nice?”

“Oh, is he alive? Excellent we can knock him off the casualties list. Always nice to know another brother or sister lived.” Mistletoe smiled before adding with a exasperated sigh. “And well yes we are love sucking parasites, we can’t change that, but you forget what else we are.”

“And what’s that?” Twilight inquired.

Mistletoe was engulfed head to toe in mauve fire, where before was a white unicorn with red & green mane she had never seen before, now stood Sunset Shimmer. The unicorn approached her not a word spoken and yet the body language was perfect her boldness captured in every movement, as she approached Twilight her mouth approaching inches from her ears, even her scent was mimicked perfectly. “Shapeshifters.”

“Stop.” Twilight said straightening up uncomfortably. “Please stop.”

“Of course princess.” Mistletoe reverted back to his normal disguise in a burst of mauve fire and returned to his position. “As shapeshifters we can acquire secrets from every nation on equus, only Ovis is said to be our rival and certainly not on current events.”

“So you just, trade away every nation's vulnerabilities to get at their own, so you can feed?” She asked.

“Pretty much.” Mistletoe nodded.

“Your kind are even more disgusting than I thought.” Twilight Sparkle stated.

“Every country trades something princess, we trade knowledge. And It isn’t our fault we have to eat love that’s just what we are, Griffons eat meat, Ponies eat plants, we Eat love.” He says bluntly.

“Why not do what thorax said and love *eachother*.” Twilight sparkle intoned through gritted teeth.

“Zero, Sum, Game.” Twilight tried to speak up but mistletoe kept talking. “Changelings are manavores, love is just the medium.”

Twilight chewed on that information for a moment before speaking. “So even with the most powerful kind of magic, love&friendship, you would need an incredibly strong bond to break 100% efficiency….and that’s not reliable….and that’s why ponies become drained after repeated feedings.”

Mistletoe nodded. “If we fed on emotional energy as directly as most make it sound like, we’d be running around promoting peace and harmony and living in equestria in secret, the ambient love of the place would keep us in tip top shape, and it doesn’t.”

“That’s...Fascinating...Wait if you are information brokers why are you telling me all this for free?” The Princess asked skeptically.

“Country already bought this info.” The ambassador explained with a smirk. “You could just ask Celestia, or Blueblood, or Sunset, so why not here it from the Horse's mouth, so to speak.”

“Of course.” Twilight sighed. “You aren’t going to just do something nice if you don’t get anything.”

There was silence for a moment. “I agreed when blueblood asked me to keep you company rather than gathering intel on your country.”

“I guess you did.” She looked over the extensive collection of the estate’s library. “Do these belong to the hive, or blueblood, or….”

“To be perfectly honest, I’m not sure.” Mistletoe chuckled rubbing the back of his neck. “But anything you want to read you are free to read.”

“Sure is a lot here on theatre, didn’t know blueblood was such a fan.” Twilight said looking over the books.

“That’d be me, Huge aficionado, Can’t keep myself away from the theatre. Even if you ponies are absolutely *dreadful*.” Mistletoe replied with clear enthusiasm.

Twilight sighed. “Heck maybe we should just go to the theatre, Some Princess I am, Princess Sunset and Blueblood are off doing affairs of state and I’m….” Twilight groaned. “Being babysat by a hostile nation’s ambassador. No offense.”

“None taken.” Mistle brushed it off. “Well I’d ask what affairs of state are you normally involved in, But Changeling ambassador to equestria, If a cockroach gets stomped in your country I know about it. So how about this, we go into Blueblood’s study, crack some mead and go over what parts of the state you would be good at running then you go ask the Queen for a real job.”

“That’s….A really good idea mistletoe!” Twilight’s demeanor brightened as she turned away from the bookshelf. “Ummm can I ask you a personal question?”

“Of course Princess, whether or not I answer is the real question.” Mistletoe responded while getting up and stretching.

“Why do you drink mead? Doesn’t it go against your whole….image.” She asked as she opened the doors.

“I’m a bug, if it isn’t made of 90% sugar I don’t want it…...Well 79% Sugar and 19% alcohol in this case.” Mistletoe chuckled following her.

“That’s….a pretty good reason.”

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“Next.” One of the guard’s stated, as the next petitioner called someone in.

Another petitioner, did mother really go through this every day? Well yes she knew that for a fact, The Sun court was a chance for anypony to make request of their Princess and now it was her place to fill the seat. It was exhausting, a lot of them didn’t take her seriously and she had assure them she had the ability to grant their requests but…..It really was the most fulfilling thing she had done as “Queen”.

A pair of earth ponies came in, they looked normal dark , but the little filly with them was a striking shade of white/blue for her coat and pure white mane, she looked sickly and weak and was sweating profusely, oh no they weren’t expecting a healing were they?

The little filly pulled one of the mare’s tail’s. “Mommy It’s hottt.”

The Mare replied. “I know sweetie, I know. But please be respectful In front of the Princess.”

“Don’t worry about it.” Sunset waved it off from her Mother’s far too large a chair. “Just….make a request like you would a neighbor ok.”

“Ummmm ok ma’am. Could you….enroll our daughter in Celestia’s school for gifted Unicorns?” The other mare asked and one of the guards sputtered trying not to laugh.

“May I ask why you make such a request, a practical demonstration would be better than an explanation.” Sunset stated.

The two mares looked at each other and then to the filly. “Ok sweetie, show the Princess what you can do.”

“But you always tell me not to…” The filly replied.

“The Princess asked so it’s ok.” One of them said reassuringly patting her head.

It didn’t take more than a moment and she just screamed “IT’S TOOOOOOO HOOTTTTTTTT!” as the fillies cries filled the room so too did the howling freezing blizzard. Every pegasus guard in the room tried to contain the blizzard to no avail, as if there magic did nothing.

“Guards, down. There’s nothing you can do against this power, that’s how it works.” Sunset got up and walked over to the little filly. “That is more than sufficient demonstration, what’s your name?”

“Winter Sonata, and It’s hard to make it stop, once it starts.” Where before she seemed sickly now she seemed the pinnacle of health, where before she seemed meek now she seemed confident, and there was an ethereal quality about her.

“I know how intoxicating power like that can be, and this just further shows your need to learn to control it.” Sunset nodded. “You need to let go, even if it will be too hot, ok?”

“Ok.” She said returning to her previously meek tone as the blizzard subsided.

Sunset proclaimed in a voice that demanded attention, a voice the guard’s knew well, because it was the exact same tone that Celestia took when she made a proclamation as God Queen. “Alright, This is my decree, I am renaming Celestia’s school for gifted Unicorn’s to Celestia’s school for gifted ponies. We are now taking applicants of all three races, their brightest and their most uniquely gifted. As for Winter Sonata here, I am using royal prerogative to approve her application as the First Earth pony applicant.”

Sunset’s tone returned to normal. “Will that be all you two?” she looked at the two mare’s.

“We can’t really afford….” One of the mare’s spoke up.

“Oh Celestia’s school has an *excellent* program for financial aid, just tell the people up front your daughter has been pre approved and you will need the full funding package.” Sunset smiled and waved them off as she walked them through the door.

“Wow that felt good. Lemme get back on the throne before the next one.” She said to the guards before settling herself on the throne. “Man, mom’s plot was big, I mean I thought it was big before.”

“Please your majesty do not speak ill of the old princess of the sun.” The guard to her right said.

“Awwww come on you thought it.” Sunset teased.

“Well yes, but would never say it.” The guard sighed.

“And This is why mom played pranks on you people all the time.” Sunset giggled.

“Seriously?” The guard raised an eyebrow.

“Yep. She wanted you all to actually call her plot fat, or a cake addict, or something. Why do you think she found my smart mouth and anger issues so endearing instead of frustrating?” Sunset smiled.

“So If I called you an Arrogant Bastard with No regard for tradition…..” The guard inquired.
“By bastard do you mean complete Plothole or Illegitimate child.” Sunset asked.

“Second one.” The guard nodded.

“I’d call you the first one for caring about the ill of my Mother for having a pregnancy out of wedlock.” Sunset said.

“Ok you are Arrogant with no regard for Tradition, I think you’d give your mom a heart attack if she heard your solution to half these petitions.” The guard replied.

“Oh...Still going to do your job right?” She asked.

“To the death my Queen.” The guard nodded. “Bring in the next petitioner!”

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“So how long will this train take Starlight?” The unicorn named Twilight Sparkle asked her fellow unicorn.

“It’s about three hours from ponyville to canterlot by steam rail.” Starlight glimmer responded.

“Your technology is just so weird, like I see you using things that I would call ancient and other things I would call modern and to you it’s just all the technology you use.” Twilight Sparkle says. “Why don’t you try to build on it? Like a good chunk of your population is farming why not make a more efficient ways to farm.”

Starlight shrugs. “Why would we need to? We have plenty of farmers, what would we do if we needed something else?”

“I Don’t know, something else? They could take up cooking or study and build new machines.” Twilight sparkle started.

“First off you have to out perform a pony with a cutie mark if you were going to do that. Secondly you can’t just change someone’s cutie mark….Well I can but That’s what I do is rip out what makes people special. So even if you found a way to out perform an earth pony with a farming cutie mark all the farmer’s without jobs would go crazy and it turns out farmers tend to be a good measuring stick for how strong earth ponies are.” Starlight glimmer replied.

“Oh….That’s not how things work in my world at all, everyone is just a blank slate and does what they have the will and learn to do.” Twilight Sparkle says.

Starlight gives an interested look. “Really? I’d love to visit sometime, it sounds wonderful. I mean a world where you can assign people the jobs you need and they can learn them instead of building society around people going crazy if their thing isn’t important.”

“Ummmmm….that sounds like communism, and we tried that...it didn’t work. We assign jobs based on market prices and fluctuations, So if you learned skills that are valuable you get paid more.” Twilight replied.

“Nevermind, Don’t wanna go there.” Starlight said putting her hooves up on the private car’s couch.

“Why not?” Twilight asked.

“What happens if you don’t have a valued skill.” Starlight glimmer questions.

“Wellll…..” Twilight says nothing for a moment. “So ummm…...Sunset and the other me how long…..”

“Well they were courting pretty heavily even before I moved into Twilight’s castle.” Starlight responds.

“You make it sound so formal.” Twilight says.

“They are Princesses.”

“Well she would talk about The other me being a Princess but…..Never herself.” Twilight said.

“Must have run away from home for some reason, maybe she has mommy issues.” Starlight offered.

“But she comes home and in a Week she’s wearing her mother’s crown…..What happened?” Twilight asked.

“Look Twilight, I don’t know...But we are going to find out.” Starlight reassured her.

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Blueblood looked over the laws and the equestrian constitution, there was no doubt about it. Sunset could not legally hold the throne, The supreme ruler of Equestria could not by law be an Earth Pony, Pegasus or Unicorn.

He had already heard the rumblings, that a *mere* Unicorn sat on the High seat, dared claim a title above Celestia, The Unicorns had engineered a coup. If this law got it out it would give every rumbler something to rally around, Equestria would fall back into tribal in fighting. He tossed the documents into the fire, they were millenia old no one would notice if they were missing.

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“Sir, this arrived for you from equestria with the royal seal.” A small white furred goat said as she approached, a towering black furred goat.

The towering black furred goat didn’t look up from his book. “It’s probably about the council of Peace & Harmony, Prelakka just open it and tell me if there’s anything I need to know.”

“Yes sir.” Prelakka nodded as she scanned the invoice. “Sir….They crowned a Queen and it’s not Celestia.”

“Oh did they, Intresting, who is it?” The towering creature almost registered some form of notice now.

“Her Daughter.” Prelakka stated. “Name is….”

“Sunset Shimmer, yes. Must be back, I guess she got a fancy pair of wings finally and Celestia finally foisted herself off that throne, making her Queen is a good way to give her legitimacy during the transfer of power the population will have to get used to her being first. My sincerest congratulations to her.” The goat said with some actual sincerity.

“Um well actually, by this picture, she doesn’t have wings my King.” Prelakka responded.

The goat king placed his book down “Repeat that Prelakka.”

“Sunset Shimmer, doesn’t have wings.” Prelakka repeated.

A twisted cruel smile grew across his lips. “Prelakka I need to confirm something, Find me a copy of the equestrian Constitution.”

“Yes my King.” The goat bowed and ran off, in a few minutes returning with an old and musty scroll.

The old goat read through it finally finding the passage he needed. “Oh, dear, dear, dear Celestia. It seems you finally made a mistake in our little game but I can’t blame you for forgetting a law that predates you and never mattered to you, but it seems to matter to your Daughter, and It seems I have finally between you.” King Grogar of Ovis began to chuckle to himself and the bell around his neck sparkled with an inner darkness. “But then Time may be my hated enemy, yet in the end it is enemy to us all isn’t it?”

Prelakka let out a groan groaned. “Haddddd to have signed up to be the king’s assistant when he actually gets off his flank didn’t you prelakka?”

Chapter 3 - The OTHER Twilight

Sunset done with parliament who had...somewhat come to their senses, and done with the open petitions now had to do what she was dreading, paperwork. She sighed walking down the halls towards her moth….her office. She reached the single door to the private study enveloping it in yellow light and pulling it open to be greeted by a heart warming sight. With a spring her step she galloped over to the desk and pulled in close.

At first a slight peck on the lips, then a kiss on the cheek, then tiring of slowness Sunset grabbed the lavender Alicorn from behind and kissing her full on the lips. After several intense minutes the two stopped. “So rough day I take it?” Twilight Sparkle asked panting.

“Yeah……...and I still have to do the paperwork…..I…..am not my mother.” Sunset sighed.

“Sunset Shimmer, I thought you were done comparing yourself to Celestia!” Twilight looked at her seriously.

“I can’t help it. I’m literally doing her job!” Sunset groaned. “So what did she saddle you with day one of the job?”

“Ok that’s fair.” Twilight giggled. “She certainly didn’t saddle me with this much….Actually not anything for awhile, I actually started to doubt my status as a princess because of it as time went on.” Her tone became embarrassed.

“Twilight? Doubt my mother? Now that I find unbelievable!” Sunset chuckled.

“Hey, don’t mock it. I’m allowed to doubt too.” Twilight hmpfed.

“You may be allowed, but you never do.” Sunset teased.

“Oh i’ll show you.” Twilight chucked a book from across the room at Sunset who promptly fell onto her butt.

“Hey, hey.” Sunset giggled. “I need to work.”

“You aren’t your mother Sunset.” Twilight said to her without joking.

“I kno…..I’m sorry.” Sunset replied back with a smile. “We need to work.” She rolled out the scrolls and made space beside her.

Twilight picked up a pen and dipped it ink. “So what do we have to do?”

“Well this mostly requires the royal signature and seal, but we need to also need to go over and stamp some requests from parliament…….”

A few hours passed as they giggled and joked and finally Twilight spoke up. “Sunset I’ve been thinking.” The orange pony mmmmmed as she flipped through the documents. “I really don’t have a lot of royal duties, You have the charisma I don’t for doing the public speaking and executive decisions….And I have the organizational skills to do the paperwork which I’m going to be honest you don’t have the skill for.”

“Are you suggesting what I think you’re suggesting?” Sunset asked.

Twilight nodded. “I’d like you to send the day to day paperwork to my castle rather than canterlot.”

“That’d be a big help Twilight.” Sunset replied almost as soon as Twilight finished. “I really am not my mother, I can’t run this country by myself.”

Twilight nodded. “You aren’t you mother, You don’t have to.” Then reminded Sunset. “You lectured her on the fact she didn’t have to before….”

“Before I ripped off her horn yeah….I Don’t know how that happened.” Sunset spoke unsurely and apologetically. “Was I conceding by calling on the Rainbows Power and it was making sure I kept my word, Does it really just want me on the throne….Or did it respond to my own subconscious choice.”

“You didn’t offer ‘It’s what she chose.’ to that list of possibilities.” Twilight stated.

“My mother wouldn’t just dump me into the office and leave, I don’t buy that for a second.” Sunset stated with total commitment.

“You're right she wouldn’t.” Twilight replied. “You know when dealing with these destiny things, I think if there’s multiple possible reasons, the answer is probably all of them.”

“That’s not reassuring Twilight.” Sunset sighed. “I wish I knew where Mother had run off to, there’s so much I want to ask her, even with everything I’ve been taught there’s a million tiny details…..”

“Sunset you have time, time to learn.” Twilight said soothingly.

“Do I? I may have Parliament's support but the populace….” Sunset said before a guard entered.

“My lady Sunset, Princess Twilight’s Student Starlight Glimmer is here along with…..Ummmm well…...Twilight Sparkle.” The Guard stated.

“What?” Sunset asked.

“We don’t suspect it’s a changeling because ummmmm…...I don’t think a changeling would be dumb enough to impersonate Twilight Sparkle before her coronation.” The guard.

The two royal ponies looked at each other confused. Then Sunset sighed. “Let them in.”

Twilight Sparkle’s student Starlight glimmer entered she had a lighter purple coat with purple and teal streaked mane, the same six pointed star of magic marked her but rather than being surrounded by other stars it was turning to dust. A lavender unicorn who looked exactly like Princess Twilight meekly followed behind her, Except the lack of wings, the Regalia, and her own mark the six pointed star over a book.

The other Twilight’s eyes sparkled upon seeing Sunset Shimmer, and her cheeks flushed she galloped over before tripping over unsteady hooves. Landing on Sunset Shimmer the other Twilight looked at her and began to bawl out everything “When you left it felt like something is missing, like something wasn’t right, Like part of me had left, my home wasn’t my home.” She said. “Then I realized it...I love you Sunset, I came her to tell you that I love you and wherever you go I’ll go.” And then she kissed Sunset on the lips. Sunset’s eyes widened in shock. The rage on Princess Twilight’s face was palpable.

The other Twilight was violently pulled off Sunset before Princess Twilight spoke. “Sunset, Lemme just be absolutely clear, you didn’t have a relationship with or lead my doppelganger on?”

“Ummmmm, No.” Sunset said still dazed.

“Great Lovely, Now I know what so say. Twilight how old are you?” The princess said to her doppelganger.

“Seventeen.” The unicorn responded meekly.

“Well you’re an adult I guess, But do you know how old Sunset is?” Princess Twilight asked.

“No...No. I assumed she was around my age she looked around my age.” She replied meekly again.

“Sunset how old were you when you left Equestria?” The Princess turned to her still shocked companion.

“Twenty….Three?” She said hesitantly.

“Add four years, and Twenty Seven. Ten years. Now I don’t blame you for falling in love with Sunset Shimmer, She’s smart, fun, charismatic, has an absolutely fantastic body. But perhaps she’s a little old for you don’t you think?” Twilight sparkle asked before finishing with. “AND SHE’S MY GIRLFRIEND WHICH SOMEONE HERE SHOULD HAVE TOLD YOU BEFORE YOU TRIED KISSING HER.” Her eyes turned to Starlight glimmer who was still standing at the doorway.

“Not to interrupt your death threats of me, I mean they are ever amusing, but I absolutely did.” Starlight explained.

“Oh well then good to know, You get a gold star.” She smiled before turning back to her Doppelganger and dropping her to the ground. “So you thought to just barge in here, confess, and kiss someone else’s girlfriend? Really?!”

The other Twilight said nothing and bolted, a palpable silence descended upon the room, no one had seen Twilight get like that.

Finally Sunset spoke up. “Twilight was that really necessary? And where did you learn that?!”

“Ummmmmmmm…..Cadence.” Twilight replied.

“That explains everything.” Sunset said before trotting towards the doorway.

“Where are you going?” Twilight asked.

“To find my friend, whose probably a crying wreck right now after what you did.” Sunset replied blithely.

“She’s seventeen that’s more than old enough to….” Princess Twilight stated.

Sunset shouted back. “YOU’RE TWENTY ONE, And seventeen year olds aren’t considered adults in her society, they aren’t expected to have their lives together. Ok? So I’m going to go find the child whose heart you just stomped on.” Sunset turned around to give an angry glare at Twilight before trotting after her doppelganger.

“Oh.” Was all Twilight could say.

“Soooooo, What can I even do with all these gold Stars anyways Princess.” Starlight glimmer said, hooves up on coach clearly meant for Princess sized occupants with some popcorn.

“Starlight?” Twilight stated coldly.

“Yes Princess?” Starlight asked.

“Shove It.”

Mistletoe walked into the side room of the embassy reserved for this the “Servants quarters”, all the staff had been gathered up. As he stepped in the servant changed the orientation of the last communicator and Queen Chrysalis appeared.

“Mistletoe, get out of that ridiculous form, I can never take you seriously.” Chrysalis sighed.

“No, these shades look stupid when I change back.” Mistletoe replied back telekinetically adjusting his shades.

“You’re a changeling, why do you care how you look.” Chrysalis face hooved.

“I’m a changeling….” Mistletoe started back.

Chrysalis interrupted. “Ok before he finishes could one of you.” A green glow wrapped itself around Mistletoe’s neck. “Oh thank you. Fine keep your stupid pony form….What’s your report.”

The changeling dropped Mistletoe and he began to speak. “I need you to cancel your next plan in Equestria.”

Chrysalis broke into laughter. “Someone grab him again, this time make it hurt.” Green energy wrapped itself around Mistletoe’s neck again tightly. “Now, WHY should I do that? Furthermore are you spying on me?”

“Of course I’m spying on you. You don’t tell me half your missions into Equestria.” Mistletoe gagged.

“Well you cancel too many.” Chrysalis replied.

“Well Relations are strained and the reparations will be a huge….” Mistletoe gagged.

“Ever the diplomat Mistletoe, never the general. Now why should I stop this mission.” Chrysalis glared.

“No, this mission has…”Mistletoe coughed out. “Changed substantially in it’s parameters, the plan was fine….if you actually consulted me on specifics.”

“Is this true.” The changelings nodded. “Well If they are all in agreement, drop him. Now explain what’s changed.” Chrysalis looked at mistletoe.

Mistletoe rubbed his neck. “Celestia has abdicated, her and her sister have left, there is a new Sun Queen.”

“She is actually claiming the title of Queen?” Chrysalis raised an eyebrow.

Mistletoe nodded. “Well she was crowned it.”

“About time Equestria had a Queen.” Chrysalis nodded. “So What information do you have on the new Sun Queen this is extremely abrupt and does not look good on you to not know of such a thing.”

“It does, but it may have been a plan long coming. It’s Sunset Shimmer, Celestia’s daughter, she’s back.” Mistletoe explained.

Chrysalis rubbed her chin for a moment. “That would leave them magically weak without Celestia and Luna, but there’s Discord…”

“Don’t consider an invasion, By every account Sunset can at least make up for the Sisters when it comes to heavy hitters. Possibly she rivals or exceeds discord.” Mistletoe stated.

“HOW!” Chrysalis shouted. “How could she possibly have that kind of power?!”

“You remember how when Tirek attacked Princess Twilight and her friends attained a higher form of magic with the power of the elements? Sunset shimmer has attained that state on her own and from what was said about her battle with Celestia and what we saw in her crowning she can access an even higher state.” Mistletoe closed his eyes explaining.

Chrysalis slumped, her carefully laid plans lay in ruins both in that Equestria’s beloved princess was gone, but if she attempted to take the new Sun Queen any soldiers she sent would be incinerated with a thought, even without Luna’s combat ability that kind of raw power was a threat. There was her throne the center of the hive, their ultimate defense, It could stop discord she knew that much...but she was unsure if it could stop the elements and if Sunset’s power was akin to theirs…. “I’ll call off the mission, thank you Mistletoe.”

“I am at your service my Queen.” he bowed.

“I want you to monitor the political situation, hopefully this will cause political turmoil we can take advantage of to gather information and harvest love.” Chrysalis immediately refocused her attention on how take advantage of this.

“I’m certain it will my Queen, I’ll contact you with anything you need to know.” Mistletoe turned one of the communicator bugs.

One of the other drones spoke up. “You didn’t tell her about the Other Twilight or the Other world.”

“She doesn’t need to know.” Mistletoe replied flatly.

Author's Note

I'm awake and I'm alive

Chapter 4 - The Talk

Chrysalis smashed the communicator, she had more, mind you she kept thinking she had more every time she talked to Mistletoe. He was going to be the death of her she swore. He was smart, he was competent, he was outspoken, and she was worried. He had been the ambassador for nearly ten years now he probably had friends knowing him probably lovers. Mistletoe may have been a failure, but he was still valuable and she didn’t need him with conflicting loyalties.

Chrysalis sighed, well that plan was off. Now to figure out how the new Sun Queen had become so powerful, and she had a very good idea where to start she thought as she looked at the Picture of a Twilight Sparkle without wings, with Glasses, and with a Cutiemark of a star over a book.

Sunset knocked on the locked door for which a lavender unicorn was behind. A lavender unicorn who was Sunset’s friend and needed her right now. “Twilight are you in there?”

A reply came through choked sobs. “Ye….Yes? How did you know I was here?”

Sunset considered saying, she considered saying how she could focus on a pony and see all the ways they connected to others or just let it slide and see the harmony unfold in front of her, but one thing at a time….she did something she sorely didn’t want to do as a ruler….or as a friend, she lied. “I followed to your general area and have been knocking on doors since.” The lie burned at her, more than just guilt something inside her burned and rankled at it.

“O….Oh.” Twilight Sparkle choked again. “So are you here to yell at me too?” Twilight asked downtrodden.

“No Twilight, I’m not, or your doppleganger, I’m here to try and clean up this mess.” Sunset said and Twilight looked up hopefully. “Is the book still on the other side?”

Twilight looked downtrodden at that, her hopes dashed. “No, I brought it with me….were you….were you just going to send me off.”

Sunset sighed. “Twilight your parents and friends are probably worried-”

“My parents think I’m going to college, and my friends? Let’s be honest Sunset they were your friends, they just let me hang out because….” Twilight choked out more sobs. “I guess maybe because they thought I was just a replacement for the real Twilight Sparkle.”

“Sparkle.” Sunset snapped. “Listen to yourself. You are my friend, you are not my friend because you are a replacement for Princess Twilight.” Sunset sighed. “Trust me I didn’t need a replacement where did you think I was mondays and thursdays?”

The room was silent for a long moment before the Glasses wearing Unicorn simply said. “Oh.” then turning to her asked. “So ummmm, you never mentioned your life before….earth...You lived….In a castle” she asked trying to change the subject.

“Yeah.” Sunset replied nonchalantly. “This is where I was raised, this is where my mother Princess Celestia ruled equestria.”

“Princess Celestia…..Heck of a step up from Principal.” Twilight said. “Ruling a principality. So Princess Twilight must be ruling a neighbor I guess….”

“Ummmm Actually, Kingdom, and she’s royalty here.” Sunset said.

“Is this a royal blood thing cause ewwwwwww.” The unicorn blanched

Sunset snickered and shook her head. “No, rulership is granted based on wings and horn.”

“But I read you were officially coronated, you don’t have wings and horn….” Twilight asked curious. “Though you do have that weird thing where your uhhhhh…..Symbol is all over rather than just your….butt.”

“I am her heir, only I can fill her place.” Sunset stated with confidence before adding. “And it’s called a Cutie Mark Twilight.”

“Well if you have to be an a….Pegacorn? To rule. How can only you fill her place?” Twilight asked more curious now.

There we go get her curious and thinking, that keeps her mind off things. Sunset smiled inwardly. She checked her internal clock, it was almost time, the demonstration itself would be sufficient. Standing for only a few minutes of silence before she began to gather her magic channeling it through herself and along her body until every piece of her being was alive with her very essence and then allowing itself to taper off, and as she did so the red sun began to dip below the horizon.

Twilight looked on blankly, she didn’t understand, couldn’t understand. Sunset clearly used magic through it ran sleekly across her entire body and her few attempts had all channeled that power through just her horn. “Sunset what did you do and what does it have to do with being the only one who can fill your Mother's place.”

“I am the only pony in Equestria who can raise and lower the Sun Twilight.” Sunset responded clearly.

“Wha…..WHAT?!” Twilight screamed in disbelief. “The Sun is a ball of plasma which planets rotate around are you controlling the planets rotat……”

“Different world, different laws twilight. I had to learn your worlds rules, and different rules of magic when it gained magic.” Sunset put simply before musing. “Though I do wonder if I could have done it back on earth since it’s tied to my cutie mark magic...”

Twilight looked up she seemed small and tiny compared to sunset and she was scared. “Sunset….Are you….Are you a goddess?”

Sunset chuckled a little and shook her head. “No Twilight I’m not a god, my mother may have been but I am not.”

The Unicorn looked at Sunset in confusion. “I don’t understand what that means, I don’t understand what’s going on.” Tears began to stream down her face. “All I know is I wanted to be here with you. I get here and learn you are some kind of god queen, you don’t care about me and I get yelled at by my doppleganger, then you want to just send me back.

“Of course I care about you Twilight.” Sunset sighed pulling her friend into a hug.

The lavender unicorn pushed Sunset away. “No, not like that. like you do….the other Twilight.”

Sunset Sighed “You're right Twilight, I don’t care about you like that. But you are my friend, and I do care about you.”

“Then what’s going to happen to me?” Twilight looked at her tears in her eyes.

Sunset said nothing for a minute, then two, the uncomfortable silence between them. “I don’t know. Part of me does want to send you home, and maybe that’s because I want what’s best for you…...or maybe it’s because I want what’s best for me.”

“What’s best for you?” Twilight asked drying her tears.

“Having you here….complicates things, a lot of things. It complicates Princess Twilight’s life, it Complicates my relationship with her.”

Twilight looked at her with hope as she finished drying her eyes. “Complicates in what way?”

Sunset looked at twilight for a long while thinking what to say, for a minute, then two, the tension in air palpable. Then sunset left the room. “I’ll send you some dinner, and assign you a room. I have things I need to do.”

Sunset sighed as she closed the door and slid down it, well that was a disaster. She realized something she had known but only now accepted, a moment taken, she pushed she felt it like gravity pulling everything forward towards it’s conclusion, and she pushed against it. Like flying for the first time on the wings spell each push was new, exciting, exhilarating.

There she returned to that moment when blossom was someone who knew more than her, that was reality again, now, in this moment.

“I CANNOT BELIEVE THAT WORKED!” Sunset shouted for….well Blossom to hear.

If this surprised the Pink Pegasus she gave away nothing. “Welcome, first and second time i’m presuming?”

“So this is what you meant by ‘in this moment we are always will be teacher and student’.” Sunset stated with clear realization to the pegasus nodding. “So I didn’t just change the past or anything right?”

“As long as events transpire as they did, the flow of events will suffer no alteration.” She states.

“Translated from Blossomesse…...As long as I keep to the spirit and intent of the promise of this stolen moment, the present is safe.” Sunset stated with confidence while amusing herself with the thought of Twilight’s freak out of the idea of a moment happening different and conflicting ways before asking. “So when we stole this moment above the world….Did you know I would push you out?”

“It was a possibility I considered. But also I considered that I might simply move on to teach another before you truly needed no more guidance.” Blossom responded plainly, then added with a smile. “So what do you need Ms. Sunset Shimmer.”

“I…..need advice, about a friend.” The orange queen sighed.

The pink pegasus shook her head. “I think there, you are the expert, and if not your own wisdom the wisdom of those around you is more than I can offer surely.”

“Look it’s complicated and involves complicated stuff involving them and I can’t go to them because of that.” Sunset groaned.

“Then I will listen Sunset, I can do that much.” Blossom replied in a soothing tone.

“Thanks…..I mean it.” Sunset hesitated for just a moment before continuing…. “The other Twilight is here, because she’s….” Sunset hesitated a moment.

“In love with you.” Blossom finished.

Sunset shot blossom a glare she knew the blind pegasus couldn’t see but tried to keep a neutral tone. “Yeah that.”

“My apologies for angering you Sunset Shimmer. I just saw no need for an awkward silence while you say what is true.” Blossom stated matter of factly.

“So here an incarnation of my girlfriend comes chasing me from another world, and…..I don’t know what to do, I don’t if returning her is right for her and I worry that I might want to just be rid of her for my own sake as she complicates things.” Sunset said feeling the weight off her chest as she spoke to someone who could never be involved.

“I Think You should take it as a beautiful thing that Twilight Sparkle truly loves you for you, and that your hearts are truly compatible such that your bond can transcend worlds and lives.” Blossom stated.” Blossom replied softly. “And if such is true, and mutual, then yes it would complicate things.”

Sunset said nothing that was something she had not considered, and it was heavy, it was huge. Twilight Sparkle loved her across worlds and lives, and either she could not reciprocate such feelings or….the Human Twilight would inevitably be a complicating factor, perhaps not now still a child but when she really does find her place, grow into her own. Sunset rubbed her temples.

“As for doing what’s right, and doing right by others.” Blossom said. “You got this far, already found your path, your truth, you need to stop doubting that path and simply stay true to it. You doubt too much.”

“I fear i’ll be too much like my mother If I….” Sunset said.

“You are very much like your mother Sunset, But you are not her.” She said sincerely and plainly. “That truth is emblazoned upon you, why do you doubt the first thing a pony learns?”

“Because I spent so long trying to be my mother.” Sunset stated before finishing with. “Annnnddddd I kinda got stuck with her job.”

“Oh…..” Blossoms tone dropped slightly.

“Kinda blame you for that, and I wonder how much of that was your fault?” Sunset asked honestly.

“I knew that if you returned home that would put you inevitably on the path to being your mother’s heir….how long has it been for you since we stole this moment?” Blossom inquired.

“Like A week and a half?” Sunset said bluntly.

“Oh……..” Blossom said thoughtfully. “I did not know it would happen so quickly. My Apologies.”

“Eh, more than future you gave me. See ya blossom….I’ll…..actually probably use this again.” Sunset closed her eyes and let the gravity pull her down, down, down…….

Back to the present.

Princess Twilight Sparkle the real Twilight Sparkle as far as she was concerned, walked down the pathway of Blueblood’s family manor she waved to the gardener, softly wondering if the gardener was another changeling and concluded that it did not matter as she entered.

Twilight walked from room to room politely nodding to the servants as she passed, until she got to the parlor. There she saw two unicorn stallions talking and drinking, Prince Blueblood and the Changeling Mistletoe, The Prince seemed entranced by his companion who seemed to get occasionally distracted to look downwards at a book next to him. She spoke up. “I hope I’m not interrupting anything.” she said.

“Of course not.” Replied Blueblood. “You’re family and you are always welcome.”

“Thank you.” She said taking a seat, then in a playful tone said to Mistletoe. “Not planning anything against Equestria, are we?”

“Not at the moment Princess.” He said with a disarming smile. “In Fact I just cancelled a plan against Equestria.”

“....right you do make plans against Equestria.” Twilight groaned.

“We are at war.” Mistletoe helpfully reminded her.

“RIGHT! THAT! Ok Me and Sunset were going through mother’s files and she was actually setting aside money each month to give in distributed sums to the changelings.” Twilight stated. “It’s simply economically unfeasible to give you a lump sum worth your loses, how about we simply make those payments official and give you the monthly amount set aside for a reasonable length of time.”

“We have been recovering off those...distributed sums for awhile, I cannot see a reason not to continue to do so officially.” Mistletoe nodded. “As long as your queen would not disagree.”

Twilight in fact knew Sunset wouldn’t disagree, but something in her rose at the thought she needed her permission. Yes Sunset was the executive and her the bureaucracy, but this was finances, and she was still a princess. “Even if she didn’t she could take it up with me, I’m her equal as sovereign of Equestria whatever parliament says.”

Mistletoe gave another one of his charming little smiles. “Well then, I look forward to this mutually beneficial, and more open relationship between our countries.”

Prince Blueblood remained quiet, yet twilight couldn't help the feeling he was disappointed.

“Well then, once we sign the papers, I intend to stay, that’s ok of course.” Twilight shimmer.

“I am not foreign to mixing business and pleasure in my house.” Blueblood finally responded.

So Twilight and Mistletoe hammered out some details, and as much as Twilight tried there was never going to be a no spying clause she knew for a fact Equestria’s actual allies didn’t have those but you got to give something. Then she spent some time in pleasant company, talking, joking, drinking, telling stories of her adventures, hearing stories of politics from Blueblood, and romantic escapes from Mistletoe.

Until in the wee hours of the morning she idly looked at a Blueblood family picture, framed on the wall, she dropped her scotch that had been levitating in front of her. That’s how he got the title of Prince, But if this was his Family Manor, that would mean...

Author's Note

There I remembered Twilight's glasses, Happy Ace, Happy?