Sunset Shimmer had never celebrated the holidays, even in Equestria when she became Princess Celestia’s student, she hadn’t had much of a reason to enjoy Hearth’s Warming. Always putting her studies before anything else. Much like Christmas, when she first arrived in the human world her goals always came before anything else.
Besides, she didn’t have anyone to celebrate it with.
It wasn’t until last year, after the Anon-a-Miss incident, that she first experienced what it meant to celebrate with others. Exchanging gifts, talking about the good times that happened throughout the year, looking back on all the ‘boo-boos’ with different perspectives. All throughout that night, Sunset had been more happy then she every thought possible, but it wasn’t until dinner came and everyone sat around the table getting ready to feast that she discovered something about herself.
Sunset Shimmer loved the holidays.
Whether it was Hearth’s Warming or Christmas, Sunset just couldn’t help but be in total bliss whenever it came around. The only problem was that she hadn’t been really close enough with anyone to truly enjoy it. While her bond with the Princess was strong, she never got that feeling she thought she needed in order to share the holidays with her.
“Maybe that’s why I abandoned my studies…” she spoke aloud, bringing words to the thoughts she had.
Walking down the city streets, Sunset had a smile on her face as she watched everyone getting into the holiday spirit. In the past, she had never gave it much thought, but now, Sunset couldn’t get enough of all the festive lights hanging from the buildings, wreath’s decorating the lamp posts, a light blanket of snow covering everything from cars to over hanging shop signs. People standing on the street corner singing carols while children drove their parents crazy throughout their Christmas shopping. Sunset stopped at one of the corners that had people singing as she savoured the best part of the holidays.
The feeling of joy and good will towards everyone, even those that have made terrible mistakes.
Waving goodbye to the carollers, Sunset recalled all the songs and stories of Hearth’s Warming she read about during the down times of her studies and wanting to join in on the carolling only for her single mindedness to change her mind. Thinking about her life in Equestria, Sunset began to realize something she had to accept, even with her friends here to celebrate with, she was the only Equestrian. She had thought about going back to Equestria to share the season with Twilight and Celestia, but realized it wouldn’t have been the same and asking Twilight to spend it here was too selfish a thing to ask.
“She’s got her family and friends back in Equestria. I couldn’t ask her to leave all of them just for me.”
Sunset continued her walk around town as the sun began to disappear in the horizon. If there was one thing she could always share these moments with it was her namesake; after all, who could understand being alone during the holidays then the lonely sunset.
“At least you didn’t change.” Sunset whispered as a tear escaped her moist eye.
Wiping away the tear, Sunset turned around and came face to face with the last person she expected to see.
“Adagio?”
Walking down the snow covered street, Adagio Dazzle wasn’t in a joyous mood. Ever since she and her friends were banished to this world Adagio has never once let them celebrate the holidays, always focusing on gathering as much negative energy as they could.
That got harder every time the holidays came around.
“Stupid holidays.” she said with an edge in her voice. “How were we supposed to gather negativity when there wasn’t any?”
Looking around, Adagio watched as people around her going about their holiday routines, from the most joyless activity as brushing snow off of their cars, to singing carols on the street corners, spreading that good will to everyone that could hear.
Adagio despised those Christmas carols.
“Maybe if you joined in, you would find out why the holidays are so special.”
Gritting her teeth in anger, Adagio shouted. “Who are you! And why won’t you leave me alone?”
“You can think of me as your Christmas time conscience.” I said. “Here to help you get into the Christmas spirit.”
“Making me draw attention to myself is more like it.”
As Adagio argued with me, people around her started to take notice of the big haired girl yelling to herself.
“Well, that’s what happens when you yell at nothing in the middle of the street.” I replied with a hint of amusement in my voice.
“Just leave me alone!” She shouted. “I don’t want anything to do with you or this stupid holiday!”
Adagio stomped down the street, causing people to move out of her way. She came to a stop at the cross walk and waited for the light to change when a little boy ran up to her. Looking down at him with a edge in her eyes, Adagio watched as the boy flashed her a smile then pulled out a coin.
“Merry Christmas, Miss.” The boy chirped. “I hope this cheers you up.”
The boy held out the large looking coin until Adagio held out her hand for him to drop it into before running off, leaving Adagio to watch him return to his mother with utter disbelief on her face. Looking at the coin she could tell it was a collectors coin by the size of it alone, but what drew her attention was what was on the coin.
It had the top half of the sun just peaking over the horizon with the soft colours of sunset all through out the one side of the coin. Turning it around, Adagio saw the other side had a fully decorated Christmas tree with presents underneath with words written around the edge of the image.
“Sunset on Christmas Eve.” I read aloud. “Quite the touching gift to receive, wouldn’t you agree?”
Adagio looked from the coin to the direction the boy had ran to see him and his mother just cross the street and disappear behind a building with the boy looking at her, waving.
“Why?” She asked. “Why would he give something like this to a complete stranger?”
“It’s acts like that…” I replied. “…are what make this holiday so special. People like to think that this is how everyone should act everyday through out the year…”
Adagio turned her gaze back to the coin in her hand, turning it over to the sunset side.
“But if they do something that special everyday, how long would it continue to be special before it becomes expected and then demanded?”
Adagio notice the lights had changed, allowing her to continue walking as she stared at the coin.
“No one has ever given me anything this special before.” She whispered.
“No one?” I asked, a hint of a grin expressed through those simple words.
As Adagio looked up to ask what the voice meant by that, she came face to face with Sunset Shimmer.
“Adagio?”
“Sunset?”
“Me?”
Adagio shot a glare over her right shoulder as a reflex in response to the voices unwanted addition.
“What are you doing here?” Sunset asked suspiciously. “I thought you and your friends left town after the Battle of the Bands?”
Taken by surprise by Sunset’s sudden appearance, Adagio responded like so always had.
“What do you care? For all you know, we could be planning our next ‘Evil Plan’ to take over the world.”
Turning around, Adagio couldn’t help but feel a ping of regret for snapping at Sunset like that. Despite their history, Adagio never really ‘hated’ the girls that defeated them at the Battle of the Bands, per say.
She just felt uneasy whenever she was around them.
“Nice to see you spreading the Christmas Spirit, Adagio.” I said with disappointment.
Ignoring the voice, Adagio began to walk away.
“I’m sorry.”
Adagio froze in place before looking over her shoulder at Sunset.
“Excuse me?”
“You’re right, Adagio,” Sunset began. “By letting what happened in the past get to me, I just assumed you where up to no good without giving you the benefit of the doubt.”
With a smile, Sunset turns around to look at the sunset in the horizon.
“I treated you the same way people treated me after my mistake.”
Adagio looked forward as she recalled how similar they were to each other. Both of them had tried and failed to take over the school, were looked at with distrust and hate, but most importantly, they both originally came from Equestria. Looking over her shoulder once again, Adagio couldn’t believe Sunset came here of her own choosing which caused her to have a thought.
“Could she know of a way…” Adagio whispered.
“I envy you, Adagio.” Sunset said suddenly.
Losing her train of thought, Adagio turned her side to Sunset. “Really? And what reason would you have to be jealous of me?”
Sunset looked Adagio in the eyes, her smile never leaving her face. “Because you’re never truly alone. You have Sonata and Aria to have by your side.”
Adagio thought back to that morning; Sonata was decorating their tiny apartment while, to her surprise, Aria was in the kitchen making breakfast. They both had a smile on their faces that Adagio couldn't understand. When she asked them why they were in such good moods, they told her the exact same thing.
“Because it’s Christmas time.”
Unable to really understand what that meant, Adagio left after eating, telling them she needed to get some air. It was after that her ‘conscience’ started to voice his opinion to her.
Not knowing what she meant, Adagio asked. “So what? Don’t you have friends of your own? Or are you girls not as tight knit as I think you are?”
“Don’t get me wrong, those girls are everything to me. It’s just that…” Sunset hesitated. “…you know what it’s like? Being a stranger in a new world, surrounded by creatures so unfamiliar from what you’re use too.”
That’s when Adagio understood what Sunset meant; yes, she understood what that felt like, but like Sunset pointed out, Adagio had Sonata and Aria with her throughout their time in this world and were able to support each other.
Sunset didn’t have that.
“…what about that Princess Twilight friend of yours? Adagio asked. “Isn’t she from Equestria, too?”
“Yes.” Sunset replied. “But I couldn’t ask her to leave the friends and family she has there just to make me feel better. That’s too much for me to ask.”
The air between them grew colder as the silence lingered on. Adagio was sure Sunset was waiting for her to suggest ‘something’ considering she was the closet to understanding what Sunset was going through. It didn’t matter that they were once against each other, if anything it gave them something they both needed.
A different perspective.
“You should…tell your Princess friend everything you just told me.”
Sunset looked at Adagio wide eyed.
“But how can I…” Sunset started.
“You said it yourself.” Adagio interrupted. “I know what being in this world as a stranger is like, and so does that Princess. If nothing else, she could at least offer some words of comfort.”
Adagio watched as Sunset thought over her words.
“You make it sound so easy.” Sunset said with a chuckle.
“It probably isn’t. But if you were able to tell ‘me’ all this, then talking to your friend should be easy.”
“Well said, Adagio.” I whispered. “Well said.”
Adagio and Sunset locked eyes with each other, a smile on both of their faces; while they may have had a rough history, Adagio couldn’t help but see herself in Sunset, both are de facto leaders to their friends, ambitious, Equestrian, and most importantly, strong young women.
What’s not to admire?
“Thanks, Adagio.” Sunset said. “I appreciate the advice.”
“Don’t get use to it, Shimmer.” Adagio replied with a grin. “You can blame the holiday season for my act of good will. But come the New Year, it’s back to business, as usual.”
“Whatever you say, Dazzle.” Sunset answered as she turned around and walked away with a wave. “Merry Christmas, Adagio.”
“And a happy Hearth’s Warming to you, Sunset.” Adagio called back with a wave of her own.
“Still think no one gave you anything special?” I asked as Adagio watched Sunset walk away.
Bringing her hand down, Adagio looked at the coin she still had in her hand before hearing the bells of a store door that drew her attention and saw something that she knew was just what she needed.
Adagio couldn’t help but smile.
“Should we go and look for her? She’s been gone all day. I’m starting to worry.” Sonata said through the door that Adagio now stood before.
“She’s fine, Sonata.” Aria replied. “When Adagio’s ready, she’ll be back.”
“I know.” Sonata replied weakly causing Adagio to feel bad for making her worry.
“You never really appreciate what you have until it’s gone.” Adagio whispered to herself.
“…alright.” Aria sighed. “If she’s not back in five minutes, we’ll go look for her.”
“Thanks Aria!” Sonata cried out with a squee. “I’ll go get ready!”
“That won’t be necessary, Sonata.” Adagio spoke as she entered through the door, wrapped gifts under each arm.
“Adagio! You’re back!” Sonata cheered as she threw her arms out to show off her decorations. “Welcome home!”
Adagio was awestruck by what she saw. The room was decorated from top to bottom with Christmas decorations that ranged from popcorn strings hanging on the walls and paper snow cutouts dangling from the roof to the wreaths decorating the few doors they had and the naked Christmas tree in the corner of the room still in need of decorating. As she looked closer, Adagio could see cut outs of music notes on all the surfaces as well as an amazing portrait of three beautiful siren creatures that looked very familiar.
Looking at Aria, Adagio saw she had a knowing smile on her face. Ever since they came to the human word, Adagio insisted they take up hobbies that would get them use to their human bodies. They all took up dancing while Sonata also learned how to bake, she learned how to cook and Aria learned to draw. Over the years they improved their skills and even taught each other how to cook and bake, but no matter how hard they tried, nether her nor Sonata could match Aria when it came to drawing.
That portrait of their siren selves was proof of that.
“Aria…” Adagio said softly. “Is that yours?” Pointing her finger to illustrate her question.
“It’s no big deal.” Aria said with a shrug. “Just something I’ve been working on for a while.” She took a sip of her hot chocolate before continuing the picture she was currently drawing. “Just finished it today.”
“Wow.” Adagio moved over to the tree to place the presents down as Sonata took a seat in her spot of the couch with Aria. “Why didn’t you girls decorate the tree?”
“We were waiting for you. We wanted to decorate the tree together, like a family.” Sonata had the biggest smile Adagio had ever seen on her face after saying that.
She couldn’t help but let a tear escape her eyes.
“Are you alright, Adagio?” Sonata asked with concern.
Turning away from them Adagio wiped away the tears that were now streaming down her face.
“I-I-I’m fine, Sonata. Just…something in my eyes.”
“Something indeed.” I said, the words indicating the smirk I had.
Adagio cleared away the tears before looking back to see that Aria had put her art pad and tools down, sharing in Sonata’s worry for their friend.
Her sister.
Their family.
“I’m sorry, girls.” Adagio began. “For the way I’ve been acting this holiday season. I’m not use to all the cheery feelings the holidays bring. So…” Adagio brought the two gifts she had from under the tree and handed them to her ‘sisters’.
“I hope this can make up for it.”
Sonata grabbed her’s with a joyous squee while Aria couldn’t keep the surprise from her face.
“Adagio, what’s…” Aria started but was interrupted by Sonata’s scream of joy.
“AAAAAAAAAAAH THANK YOU, ADAGIO! THIS IS THE BEST PRESENT EVER!”
It was a giant stuffed taco.
As Sonata sat with her giant taco trying to eat it while making nomming sounds, Adagio watched Aria as she opened her smaller present that made Aria’s eyes widen when she opened it.
It was a star shaped pendant.
Adagio met Aria’s eyes when she looked at her. “I’ve noticed you reaching for your old pendant, I figured you could use a replacement. If nothing else, with all those pointed ends you might poke herself enough times to break that habit.”
Adagio shared a laugh with Aria as she slipped the pendant over her head.
“…thanks, Adagio.”
Before Adagio could reply, Sonata threw her arms around her and pulled Adagio into a hug.
“You’re the best Adagio! Merry Christmas!”
Surprised by the sudden ‘assault’, Adagio eventually returned the hug before looking at Aria and extending her hand towards her and pulling her into the hug when Aria grabbed it.
“And happy Hearth’s Warming, girls.” Adagio said with a smile on her face.
Sounds of joy drifted through the air that were coming from the next room filled Sunset with a warmth she thought she never would have ever known. Sitting in the dinning room with the book she used to contact Princess Twilight, Sunset took another moment to listen to her friends laughing together in Applejacks living room. They had all decided to spend Christmas at Applejacks again as she had the most space to have everyone. From Pinkie’s surprisingly big family to Fluttershy’s little modest family, Twilight’s parents, her brother and sister-in-law as well as her little niece, Rarity’s own small family and Scootaloo to round up everyone.
A smile on her face, Sunset looked down at the magical ‘phone book’ as Rainbow called it, having a hard time to find the words she wanted to write.
“Why is this so hard? It was easier talking to Adagio, for Celestia’s sake.”
Tracing her fingers over the cover, Sunset closed her eyes with a sigh.
“Because you know what she’ll do if you tell her what’s really on my mind.” She answered herself before opening her eyes half way to look at the book. “She’ll probably go out of her way to make me feel better. Even go so far as to come and visit.”
“Whatcha doing in here, Sunset? Everyone’s starting to wonder where you’d gone.”
Startled, Sunset looked down at Spike as he made his way to her.
“Sorry, Spike. Didn’t mean to make everyone worry about me.”
Stopping at her feet, Spike sat down and looked at the facade Sunset was waring on her face, raising an eyebrow that made Sunset slightly nervous.
“What’s wrong?” Spike asked.
“N-n-nothing’s wrong.” Sunset stuttered, caught of guard by Spike’s uncanny ability to tell when she was trying to hide her thoughts.
Spike just continued to stare into her eyes, his eyebrow never moving.
“…how are you able to do that every time?” Sunset frustratedly asked.
“I lived with Twilight my whole life.” Spike answered proudly. “She was the undisputed champion of keeping her feelings to herself. That is, until I met you.”
They shared a laugh that allowed Sunset to relax.
“What’s it like, being the only talking dog in the world?” Sunset finally asked.
“Well, It’s…um…it’s like….uh…it kinda…uh…what was the question again?”
Sunset looked into Spike’s eyes that told him this was important to her.
“Well…it’s…was weird at first, meeting other dogs who bark kinda surprised me for a bit.” Spike confessed. “After being able to do it myself, I’d figure it would be easy to teach another dog to do the same. Turns out I need a little of that magic you girls have to do that.”
“Must get lonely…” Sunset added. “…being the only dog around that can talk to humans.”
“It was, I guess. But then Fluttershy got that new power that lets her understand what animals are saying.” Spike jumped to his paws, waging his tail happily. “Now I don’t feel as alone anymore, knowing she’s just like me in that way.”
Sunset looked through the door that led to her friends and saw Fluttershy standing between her brother, Zephyr Breeze and Pinkie’s older sister, Limestone Pie, who was on the verge of doing something that would end with Zephyr in the ground, hurting.
Sunset’s smile slowly turned into a frown.
“Why do you ask, Sunset?” Spike finally asked.
“…let’s just say, being the only talking ‘pony’ is proving to be a little lonely.” Sunset confessed. “Even with everyone here with me.”
“Oh…” Spike said with an air of knowing surrounding that one answer.
They sat together in silence, causing Spike to droop his ears and stop wagging his tail while Sunset clutched her book, frustrated with herself for darkening the mood.
Just then, Sunset watched as Spike jumped onto the chair next to her then the table before walking up to her and wrapping his little paws around her neck, hugging her.
Sunset relaxed, thanks to Spike’s kind act.
“Have you told Not-My-Twilight?” Spike asked, not fully understanding what a Princess is.
“Not yet, Spike.” Sunset replied with a giggle. “I’m having a hard time finding the right words to use that tell her how I feel, without causing her to go out of her way to ‘fix it’.”
“Do you think she would?” Spike asked as he released his hug and jumped down to the seat beside Sunset.
This time, Sunset raised her eyebrow at Spike.
“Pony or human, Twilight is still Twilight.” She told Spike. “What would your Twilight do if I told her?”
Both Sunset and Spike looked back through the door to see Zephyr hiding behind Fluttershy as Twilight and Pinkie talked to Limestone, only for her to react violently after Twilight spoke to her, causing Pinkie to hold her sister back as Zephyr started to visibly shake in fear.
“Touché.” Spike answered before facing Sunset. “But I also know that she would want her friends to feel comfortable enough to talk to her about their problems.”
Sunset looked at Spike when suddenly her book began to vibrate in her hands, startling the both of them causing Spike to jump to his paws and slipping on the smooth surface, landing on the floor.
Sunset looked at him concerned but also trying to hold back from chuckling.
“Are you alright, Spike?”
“Ugh…peachy.” Spike replied as he rolled onto his paws before shaking himself. “What was that?”
Sunset looked at the book in her hand before opening it to the new entry within it’s pages.
An entry written by Princess Twilight.
“It’s a message from Not-Your-Twilight…” Sunset spoke softly, surprised her friend would write to her first.
“Well?” Spike asked excitedly, his tail moving faster then before. “What does it say?”
Sunset took a deep breath in an attempt to slow down her rapidly beating heart at reading what Twilight sent her.
“Dear Sunset Shimmer, Merry Christmas and Happy Hearth’s Warming. I hope you and the girls are celebrating the holidays together again; after what happened last year, I’ll admit, I was a little worried about you. I’m writing to you to remind you that you are never alone, even if you're by yourself and you might feel like you are. I also have some exciting news! I have my very own student!” Sunset visible moved back a little after reading that.
“Wow, Twilight.” Sunset said aloud. “That’s impressive. Good for you!”
“That sounds like a big deal.” Spike added. “What’s so impressive about having a student? My Twilight’s a student, so are you and the others.”
Sunset chuckled at Spike’s naiveté.
“It means she has someone that turns to her for answers when they are stuck on something. Like Your Twilight and Dean Cadence.”
“Ooooh.”
Sunset guest he still didn’t understand then returned to the letter.
“Her name is Starlight Glimmer and she’s my student of Friendship! I was so excited that I never really grasped what that entailed. There was this one time…”
As she read Twilight’s letter, Sunset learned about what had been happening in her home world, from Starlight’s friendship lessons to the changeling invasion and all the things her friends pony counterparts had done.
But there was two things that caught her attention.
“Starlight is friends with Trixie and she put her friends under a mind control spell?”
Sunset couldn’t help but think about what that would be like before continuing on.
“All in all, it has been a very interesting experience for me. She kinda reminds me of you Sunset.”
“What?” Sunset said surprised.
“After everything Starlight’s done…” Spike said aloud. “I don’t think I’d want to take that as a compliment.”
Sunset shot a look at Spike that made him grin nervously before returning to the letter.
“You both manipulated the inhabitants around you in an attempt to get what you wanted but ended up seeing the error of your ways and making a true change towards a better way of living. You are both strong mares with great magical potential, intelligent, and ambitious the likes of which I’ve only seen in myself, and that was after I accepted my role as Princess of Friendship.”
Sunset couldn’t help but recall what she had once done to her classmates and friends until Spike placed a paw on her arm. Looking at him Sunset smiled when she saw Spike smiling at her.
“I take back what I said, you should take that as a compliment.”
Sunset rolled her eyes at how easy Spike had changed his opinion.
“During our Hearth’s Warming Eve celebration, Starlight revealed to me what she thought about the holiday, so I read her the story, A Hearth’s Warming Tail. Do you remember that one? It’s about Snowfall Frost and the Three Spirits of Hearth’s Warming. Anyway, after that she joined our celebration and I could tell she was really enjoying herself. Seeing that reminded me of you and what happened last year, so I wanted to give you a present.”
“Give me a present?” Sunset repeated.
“I’ll be waiting on my side of the portal. I hope to see you soon. Your friend, Twilight Sparkle. P.S. Don’t worry about getting me a gift, just seeing you again is more then enough.”
“Looks like her ears were burning.” Spike said with a grin. “She knew you needed help and saved you the trouble of finding the right words.” Spike jumped down then headed for the living room before looking at Sunset over his shoulder. “Don’t worry, I got you covered. Go and see what Not-My-Twilight has for you.”
Sunset watched Spike head into the room. Alone, Sunset took one look at Twilight’s letter then closing it.
Putting the book in her bag, Sunset grabbed her winter clothes and left for the portal.
The sound of crackling fire came from the T.V., the channel had a fireplace that may not have given the warmth a fireplace provided, but the sound and look was more then enough for the three siren sisters.
Adagio slowly opened her eyes to see that the fire on the T.V. was still burning strong, the occasional loud popping making sure the mood wasn’t too soothing. Sitting on the lone chair, Adagio turned her gaze to the couch that was to her left and smiled at the sight of Aria and Sonata sleeping. Aria had put away her drawing supplies when they started to decorate the tree while also putting on her new pendant. Sonata laid on her new stuffed taco, rarely letting go of her newest gift, even when they were decorating the tree Sonata tied it to her back with a ribbon, making it very interesting when they dressed the tree.
Turning her eyes from Sonata to the tree that stood not to far from her sleeping sisters, Adagio couldn’t help but smile as she recalled there ‘family time’ decorating.
As Adagio and Aria finished their Finger Food Feast, various cheese, crackers, meats, seafood and vegetables, Sonata had finished the bottom half of the tree.
“I thought you wanted to decorate the tree ‘together’ Sonata.” Aria pointed out. “Looks to me like you just about finished.”
“You guys were taking to long with the food.” Sonata replied. “I couldn’t help myself.”
“And the stuffed taco is tied to your back, why?” As scared as she was to ask, Adagio couldn’t help but be a little bit curious.
“How else am I gonna keep it with me while decorating the tree?”
The way she said that caused both Adagio and Aria to chuckle.
“Yeah, Adagio.” I couldn’t help but add. “With something as special as her stuffed taco, why would she want to put in down?”
Adagio clutched her teeth and closed her eyes as the voice’s input angered her.
“Are you alright, Adagio?” Aria asked as she put down her tray of food before Sonata dove for the shrimp and celery sticks.
“It’s just my Christmas conscience driving me insane.” Adagio replied casually.
Aria and Sonata gave her a look, asking with their eyes if she was serious.
“Don’t ask.” Adagio said as she put her tray down and making a cheese, meat, and crackle sandwich.
“Sometimes…” Sonata began after eating her celery and shrimp. “My conscience tells me to eat something. When I get hunger, it makes a really loud grumbly sound.”
Sonata stomach growls.
“Like that!”
“That’s your stomach, Sonata, not your conscience.” Aria said with an annoyed tone.
“…what’s the difference?”
Adagio nearly choked on her food from laugh so hard.
“You’re the worst, Sonata.” Aria said playfully as she smiled.
“The girls got a point.” I said as Adagio managed to swallow her food. “Both are good indicators of what you need.”
After that, they gathered around their tree and placed ornaments all over the cleared surface. Sonata nearly knocked over the tree twice thanks to her taco backpack, making Adagio to tell her to either take off the taco or go sit down.
Sonata chose the taco.
Finished decorating the tree, Aria passed the star to Adagio.
“You ‘are’ the star of our group. It only makes sense for you to put it on.”
Looking from the star to her sisters, Adagio didn’t share that opinion and lightly pushed the star back to Aria.
“No, Aria. You’re the one that literally wares stars as accessories. It makes more sense for you to have that job.”
Adagio could see the confusion in Aria’s eyes. After years of being in charge, Adagio always made sure that she was the one that got or did anything first.
“That’s not like you at all, Adagio.” Aria noticed. “What happened on your walk to change you so much?”
Adagio locked her eyes with Aria, trying to find the answer to that question.
“It takes a special act…” I hinted. “to change someones life.”
Closing her eyes, Adagio reached into her pocket and pulled out the collector coin she received from that random boy, drawing Aria and Sonata’s attention to it.
“Oooo.” Sonata expressed. “Where did you get that, Adagio?”
“A random boy gave it to me, then ran off before I could give it back.”
Aria and Sonata looked at each other, wide eyed.
“That Christmas conscience I told you about said that acts like that are special because they’re few and far between.”
“Not my exact words, but close enough.” I mumbled to myself.
“I figured, since I’m ‘me’ throughout the whole year, I might as well try and ‘not’ be me for a few days.” Adagio looked between her sisters. “You know, shake things up a bit.”
Putting her coin away, Adagio watched as Aria looked from her to the star in her hands then the tree, before placing the star on the top. Backing away, Sonata joined them as they looked at their handy work before Adagio nodded to Sonata, letting her know it was time. With a squee, Sonata skipped to the wall and plugged in the lights.
The tree gave off an aquatic glow.
“…thank you…sis.”
Adagio looked at Aria and saw her smile so big it could rival Sonata’s everyday grin. Throwing her left arm around Aria’s neck, Adagio had her sister in a light head lock.
“Don’t get use to this, though.” Adagio warned playfully. “This is a temporary thing, got it?”
Sonata appeared behind Adagio and Aria and threw her arms around their necks causing all of them to laugh.
Standing up, Adagio noticed their blankets were slipping away from their bodies, walked over and arranged their blankets so they couldn’t fall away again.
“I have to admit, I never pegged you for a caring big sister, Adagio.” I said teasingly. “You came off as this ‘angry at the world and everyone in it’ woman who felt deserving of more.”
“The three of us nearly took over Equestria before being banished here. Not to mention how close we got to nearly taking over this world.”
Adagio walked past the couch to the only window they had, looking out into the snow covered streets as light snow fell from the sky.
“Is it any wonder why I acted the way I did?”
“When you put it that way, I suppose not.” I answered. “But now that you have experienced what effect these ‘positive’ emotions have on people, will you want to go back to the way you were?”
Adagio pondered the voice’s words. True, she and her sisters grew powerful thanks to the negative fuelled magic they absorbed, but thinking back Adagio also noticed how unhappy they were.
Before she could reply, she saw something outside the window that caught her eye, a person running down the street toward Canterlot High.
A person with red and yellow hair.
“Sunset?”
“It looks like she’s heading somewhere really fast.” I noticed. “But, where on this planet could she be going at this time of night?”
Adagio could only think of one thing; Sunset was heading for the portal back to Equestria. Ever since the night she learned that this world had Equestrian magic, Adagio had wondered where it was coming from.
And Sunset knew where that portal was.
Lightly rushing past the sleeping siblings, Adagio threw on her winter clothing and reached for the front door knob.
“Adagio?”
Frozen in place, Adagio turned to see Sonata rubbing her eyes as she looked at her.
“Where are you going? Santa’s gonna be here soon.”
“There’s something I need to do, Sonata.” Adagio softly spoke as she slowly opened the door. “I’ll be back before you know it.”
“Okay. But be careful.” Sonata said as she laid back down.
“I will.” Adagio stepped out the door and began to close it behind her.
“I love you, sister.”
Adagio froze and looked at Sonata through the ajar door as she fell asleep. The weight of those words heavy on her heart, Adagio closed the door.
As she stood in front of the portal at the base of where the school statue use to be before the Friendship Games incident, Sunset grew so nervous her heart beat so hard it felt like it was gonna burst out her chest. Sunset had faced many challenges throughout her short time in this world that one would think simply going home would be an easy thing to do.
Sunset would strongly disagree.
She had thoughts of going home almost everyday, even when she first arrived, but they were just thoughts. The only time she considered going home was during the Friendship Games, and when she wanted to invade with an army of zombie teens.
In hindsight, Sunset found how ridiculous her plan really was.
Taking a deep breath, Sunset remembered that Twilight was waiting on the other side and the thought of making her wait was both rude and not a friendly thing to do.
“I’d better not keep a princess waiting.” She spoke aloud, her words motivating her to go through with this before her groundless fear won out.
Like a diver just before their dive, Sunset took another deep breath and plunged through the portal, unaware of Adagio’s arrival moments before.
Having gone through the portal a few times before, Sunset was prepared when she came through the portal into Equestria. Landing on her front hooves before her back hooves, Sunset' pony instincts were just as sharp as the last time she was here.
“Like riding a bike.” She said aloud as she noticed her winter clothes had changed to fit her pony body.
“Welcome back to Equestria, Sunset.”
Sunset turned to see Twilight and Spike sitting at a table reading their own books while drinking hot cocoa, but they weren’t alone. Sunset had expected to see her friends pony counterparts maybe even Princess Celestia.
Instead she saw a pony that really reminded her of Aria Blaze.
“Thanks, Twilight.” Sunset replied with a smile before meeting the eyes of the unknown pony. “I take it this is the pony you mentioned in your letter?”
“Yep. Meet my newest friend and faithful student, Starlight Glimmer.” Twilight giggled a little saying that before turning to Starlight. “This is the pony I been telling to about, Sunset Shimmer.”
“Hi there, Sunset.” Starlight greeted as Sunset made her way to the table. “I got to say, it’s amazing to finally meet another student of Princess Celestia’s. You must be a pretty powerful unicorn.”
“Former student, to be exacted.” Sunset corrected as she reached the table. “I abandoned my studies long before I finished. But yes, I am pretty gifted with magic.”
“I don’t know Sunset.” Spike added. “It has been a while sense you were a unicorn. Aren’t you a bit rusty?”
“Maybe a little bit, but I digress” Sunset admitted before turning to Twilight. “You said something about a present you wanted to give me?”
Twilight nodded. “Two actually. The first one you already got.”
Sunset blinked before looking her body over.
“And what would that be?”
“Your old body back.” Twilight answered, earning her a surprised look from Sunset. “I remember what it’s like to be a human, Sunset. And as ‘handy’ as it it…”
Both Sunset and Twilight shared a laugh with that one.
“…I also remember what it’s like to want to be back to my pony body, wings and all.”
Sunset looked from Twilight to her hooves; it had been so long since she had felt them that Sunset had almost forgotten what it was like to be a pony. Looking her body over, her gaze rested on the mirror that housed the portal between the two worlds, seeing her reflection. Her mane was the same bright red with yellow streaks that also matched her real tail while her fur was still the orange hue her skin was in the human world, her cutie mark was as glorious as always, but the newest feature she hadn’t seen or felt since she stole the Element of Magic was her horn.
“I’ll admit, it does fell great being back to my old self again.” Sunset said aloud as her horn lit up with it’s old light opal color as she levitated the book Twilight was reading off the table.
“Levitation is easy.” Starlight jabbed with a smirk. “Why not really push your magic to it’s limit?”
“Like you did when you put your friends under mind control?” Sunset retaliated with her own smirk.
Sunset locked eyes with Starlight, a tiny spark flew between them, threatening to ignite into a full out flame of competition that made Twilight nervous as she looked between the to magically powerful unicorns.
“Let’s tone it down a bit, girls. After all, it is Hearth’s Warming.”
The two unicorns lost their competitive spark when they both looked at Twilight then back at each other, an unspoken promise passing between the two of them.
Next time.
“Alright, Starlight. I’ll show you why I was chosen to be Princess Celestia’s student.”
Closing her eyes, Sunset’s horn grew brighter as her opal coloured magic covered the entire room as she grabbed numerous books at once. Everyone watched as Sunset brought every book her magic enveloped over her and making them float about in various patterns.
Spike was amazed by how many books Sunset could levitate at once while Twilight smiled with pride at her predecessors display.
Starlight wasn’t as impressed.
“Not bad, Sunset.” Starlight said, her words dripped with disappointment. “But I’m afraid that’s not a very impressive display for a ‘former’ student of Princess Celestia.”
Her eyes still closed, Sunset smirked as she kicked it up a notch. The books all flew open as Sunset grabbed every page between the covers and seamlessly removed them from there bindings, horrifying Twilight.
“SUNSET, WHAT ARE YOU DOING?” Twilight screamed as Spike and Starlight looked on in horror. “Some of those books have only one copy in all of Equestria!”
“Trust me, Twilight.” Sunset reassured casually as she separated the pages and covers into separate rotations above her.
Everyone watched as Sunset arranged the many pages into the shape of her cutie mark, right down to the half circle design in the middle of the sun, all while the book covers circled around it.
“Okay, I’m impressed.” Starlight admitted, worried Sunset would damage the books beyond repair. “You can stop now. Please?”
Sunset opened her eyes to see everyone looking between her and the cutie mark of pages above her; Twilight and Starlight were mortified at her mistreatment of the books.
Spike was loving every second of it.
“Why?” Sunset asked with a cocky grin on her muzzle. “I haven’t gotten to the best part, yet.”
Seeing the fear in her friends eyes, Sunset grinned her biggest smile, enjoying the effect her magical feat had on them. It reminded her of when her display of magic earned her the chance to be Princess Celestia’s personal student. With that memory in the forefront of her mind, Sunset closed her eyes as she finished her little show.
By lighting the pages on fire.
Above her was an exact duplicate of her cutie mark as the pages burned in the red, orange and yellow colours that made it up as the covers burned a bright yellow, encompassing the entirety of her proud cutie mark.
Her eyes flew open as she sensed something she hadn’t felt in so long.
“It can’t be…” She whispered to herself.
Removing the blankets that covered her, she stepped out of her bed and made her way to the balcony that over looked her city, her eyes focusing straight at Ponyville.
“…Sunset?”
“Sister!”
Princess Celestia hardly noticed when Princess Luna burst through her bedroom door, ready for anything until she saw Celestia on her balcony.
“Are you alright, Celestia? When I felt your dream end, I feared the worst.”
“I’m fine, Luna. Must you be so dramatic every time I wake late at night?” Celestia teased with a smirk.
“Apologize, Celestia. Unlike a thousand years ago, there is not as many disturbances for me to intervene.” Luna explained as she made her way to Celestia’s side. “It has gotten to the point where any disturbance is a call to action.”
“I understand.” Celestia said truthfully. “Forgive me for getting your hopes up.”
“Apology accepted.” The two sisters shared a laugh at their sibling banter. “Might I inquire as to why you are awake this late into the night?”
Normally, Celestia would continue her teasing by getting Luna to guess what was wrong, but seeing as Luna had very little knowledge on Sunset Shimmer, she decided against it.
“It’s Sunset. She has returned to Equestria.”
Luna looked from Celestia, a hint of surprise on her face, before turning towards Twilight’s castle in Ponyville, where she too could feel Sunset’s magic.
At least, Luna assumed it was Sunset.
“Are you certain? Twilight told us that Sunset Shimmer decide to stay in that other world.”
“I’m certain, Luna.” Celestia answered with no hint of doubt. “For this is the exact same magic I felt…” Celestia slowly formed a smile that was born from one of her fondest of memories.
“…right before I made her my personal student.”
Sunset spared a look at the two ponies and dragon before her and saw the horrified faces that they all had. She remembered Spike telling her about his ability to send messages via his fire breath and wondered what he thought of this. Starlight looked behind impressed into full on awestruck by the level of magic Sunset was using.
Twilight looked ready to faint and throw up at the same time.
“Relax, Twilight.” Sunset said confidently.
Just then, Sunset extinguished the flames to reveal the undamaged literature as she returned the pages to there proper covers and returned them to there proper spots. Before anyone knew it, everything was back to the way it was when Sunset arrived.
Levitating the book Twilight was reading to the table, Sunset watched with pride as Twilight flipped through the book to see that it was completely undamaged,
“See?” Sunset said with a smirk. “As good as new.”
“WOW! That was amazing!” Spike expressed joyfully. “I’ve never seen ANYPONY do ANYTHING like THAT before.”
“Incredible.” Starlight breathed softly. “The spells you used and the way you used them, it’s no wonder Princess Celestia made you her student. How were you able to produce enchanted flames?”
“Wait, I thought only dragons had that kind of ability?” Spike asked. “Does that make Sunset part DRAGON?”
“No Spike, I’m one hundred percent pony.” Sunset answered with a chuckle. “My cutie mark appeared when I discovered I had Pyrokinesis, the natural ability to manipulate all manner of fire. It was after that, Celestia made me her student.” Sunset smiled. “I like to think it was because I might have the potential to move the sun, if trained properly.”
“You could stay.”
Everyone turned to Twilight.
“What?” Sunset asked with disbelief as Twilight looked at her, eyes deadly serious.
“Sunset, even though you've lived in the human world for years, you haven’t lost a bit of your magical abilities. With time and proper guidance, you could reach a level that, I dare say, could rival Starswirl the Bearded.”
Hearing that from Twilight, a pony who was once considered to be one of the most gifted unicorns of her generation, compare her to a pony so well known as Starswirl the Bearded took Sunset completely off guard.
“Hang on there, Twilight.” Starlight said suddenly. “Let’s not get carried away here. I’ll admit, Sunset is powerful. Especially for a pony who hasn’t used that level of magic in Equestria for years, but to compare her to Starswirl? Don’t you think you're exaggerating just a little bit?”
“Starlight, you can’t sense magic like I can.” Twilight replied, an air of authority interlocking with each word. “I may not be as sensitive to magic as Discord, but I can still feel strong levels of it. And being this close to her, I felt the same thing I'm sure Celestia felt.”
Twilight looked Sunset dead in the eyes with a confidence she only ever saw in Princess Celestia.
“Sunset, you have and always will have the choice to return to the human world, but you have to know that by staying here, you could, not only be an Alicorn yourself, but even be Princess Celestia’s ultimate successor.”
Sunset grew deaf after that, not paying much attention to Starlight opinion or Spike’s excitement. She always knew she was different from other unicorns, how many ponies had a full depiction of the sun as a cutie mark? But the more she thought about it, the more she remembered how she acted before leaving for the human world.
She didn’t want to go back to being that kind of pony every again.
“Thank you, Twilight.” Sunset spoke loud enough to get everyone attention. “But, I’m gonna have to pass on the offer.”
“But Sunset…” Twilight began.
“No buts, Twilight.” Sunset interjected. “Maybe you are right and I have the potential to be the next Princess Celestia. But the truth is, I don’t want to have that kind of power.”
Sunset noticed the disbelief on Starlight’s face.
“Do you have any idea what you're saying?” Starlight said. “If what Twilight says is true, you're passing up on becoming a Princess of Equestria! You’d rather live in a world where your access to magic is limited?”
“Yes.” Sunset answered without hesitation, surprising everyone. “If my experiences within the human world has taught me anything it’s that too much of something will change a person.”
Sunset looked at Twilight.
“Too much knowledge.” Twilight looked away, thinking about her time in Canterlot, choosing to study over maintaining friendships.
Then she looked at Starlight.
“Too much anger.” Starlight thought back to when she ‘enslaved’ her home town.
Sunset looked back at her reflection in the mirror and focused on her horn.
“Too much power.” Sunset thought back to her transformation into her she demon form before looking back at Twilight and Starlight.
“Even if I wanted to stay, I can’t.” Sunset confessed. “As limited as it is, magic is still in the human world and I’m the only one with a chance to understand it and help my friends to contain it.”
Sunset turned around and started toward the portal.
“This visit kinda got off track from celebrating the holidays.” She said as she stopped in front of the mirror and turned to face her friends. “Thank you Twilight, for being a great friend. It was nice to meet you Starlight, and if I ever do decide to visit again, you and I can have ourselves a magic duel.”
Starlight locked eyes with Sunset as a smirk grew on her face.
“I’ll be ready, Sunset Shimmer.”
“You better be.” Sunset replied before turning to Spike.
“Whether you’re a dragon or a dog Spike, don’t stop being you.”
“You can count on me, Sunset!” Spike replied happily.
With a smile, Sunset turned to head through the portal.
“Sunset, wait!”
Stopping, Sunset turned to face Twilight as she trotted over to her.
“Like I said, you can always come back whenever you want.” Twilight said kindly right before floating a small present to Sunset.
“What’s this?” Sunset asked as her magic enveloped the gift.
“Your second present.” Twilight replied. “A little piece of Equestria when ever you feel home sick.”
Sunset unwrapped the gift to reveal a snow globe, but upon closer exception, Sunset notice something amazing about this particular snow globe.
It was enchanted.
Inside, as the snow fluttered about, images of the greatest landmarks of Equestria appeared and disappeared in five second intervals, from Ponyville and Canterlot, to Los Pegasus and Griffonstone, and everywhere in between.
“Twilight, this is…” Sunset began. “…thank you.”
Twilight reached out and gave Sunset a hug that Sunset returned in kind.
“Happy Hearth’s Warming, Sunset.” Twilight whispered.
“Merry Christmas, Twilight.” Sunset whispered back.
Breaking the hug, Sunset waved goodbye before jumping through the portal back to the human world.
“I like her.” Starlight said suddenly. “I hope she comes back someday.”
“As do I.”
Startled, everyone turned to see Celestia standing in the entrance to the room, smiling with tears rolling down her face.
Stepping out of the portal, Sunset felt the familiar cold on her face and hands as well as the lack of tail and horn. Oddly, she didn’t feel like she was missing anything even though she returned to her human form.
“I’ve spent so much time as both a pony and a human, I’ve become accustom to both forms.” Sunset theorized aloud.
“So you did return to Equestria. I figured as much.”
Sunset looked to the side of the statue base to see Adagio leaning against it, taking Sunset by surprise.
“Adagio…what are you doing here?”
“What? Surprised to see me back at your pathetic school?”
“Actually…” Sunset began with a smile. “I’m surprised to see you out late. Trying to catch a glimpse of Santa?”
“As a matter of fact…” Adagio replied as she pushed off the statue base, arms crossed in front of her. “I did see something red run by my window. So I decided to follow it.” Adagio looked at Sunset with a cocky grin.
They looked at each other, the grins mirroring each other.
“Well?” Adagio said, braking the silence.
“Well, what?”
“Aren’t you going to tell me to leave and never come near the portal to Equestria again?”
Sunset looked from Adagio to the portal before stepping away and gesturing her arm toward the portal.
“If you want to use it, go right ahead. I won’t stop you.”
“What do you take me for, a fool?”
“More like a homesick siren that hasn’t had the chance to go back in years.”
Adagio stared at Sunset, trying to find anything that resembled a lie.
She couldn’t.
“…You’re serious.”
“Adagio…” Sunset began as she lowered her arm. “Contrary to what you might think, ever since we ran into each other last night, I’ve considered you my friend.”
Adagio lowered her arms in surprise.
“You do?”
“I do. And what kind of friend would I be if I denied you your chance to go home?”
“Shimmer, I don’t know what game your playing, but you and I are NOT friends. Understand?”
“Maybe not in the same way I am with the girls or the way you are with Sonata and Aria. But as far as I’m concerned, you are my friend. And it’s not because of the holiday.”
Adagio couldn’t believe it, Sunset was one of the people that caused her to lose her power and forced her and her sisters into the position they were in right now. Not to mention the way she had treated them, how could Sunset ever consider her as a friend?
“Funny thing, Friendship.” I said with experience. “It has a way of coming from the most unexpected places in the most unforeseen ways.”
Looking from Sunset to the portal, Adagio began to wonder how she and her sisters would be welcomed. Would there be ponies that knew about them and would fear them or would they give them the benefit of the doubt and accept them back so long as they don’t try and return to their old evil ways. Closing her eyes, Adagio thought about their lives in this world, all those centuries of spreading negativity as well as all they learned. Looking at the portal, Adagio realized that it wasn’t Equestria itself that drew her back, it was the magic that was native to it.
Equestria may have been their birthplace, but this world was their true home now.
“Keep your portal, Sunset.” Adagio said as she turned around. “My sisters and I are here to stay. Though,” Adagio looked over her shoulder at Sunset. “I will be letting them know about it.”
“That’s fair.” Sunset said with a smile before a thought came to her. “But before you go, I have a gift for you.”
“What?” Adagio asked, turning around to meet Sunset as she walked up to her.
“Incase you decide not to use the portal.” Sunset grabbed Adagio’s hand and gave her the enchanted snow globe before walking past her on her way back to Applejack’s farm.
Adagio looked at the snow globe, it’s images bringing back very old memories of when she was back in Equestria.
“Déjà vu.” I said aloud. “Doesn’t this remind ‘you’ of anything?”
As her memory flashed to the boy that gave her his coin, Adagio reached into her pocket and pulled it out, seeing the sunset on the side of it’s surface.
“You have GOT to be kidding me.” Adagio said as she turned to go after Sunset.
“I had nothing to do with this.” I insisted in an attempt to defend myself.
“As far as I’m concern, you’re just a voice in my head that’s been a huge thorn in my side.”
I actually took offence to that.
“…even if you ‘did’ help me to see what I’ve been missing for years.”
“Do my ears deceive me?” I said dramatically. “Are you thanking me?”
“I acknowledged the help you gave me, let’s leave it at that.”
“I’ll take it!” I said as my invisible mist drifted out of Adagio’s head just before she called out to Sunset.
“Sunset! Hold up!” Adagio called out causing Sunset to turn and look at Adagio.
“I’m not taking back that gift, so you can just forget it.”
Adagio stood face to face with Sunset, breathing heavily.
“I wasn’t going to. Here.” She said as she held out her other hand.
“What is it?” Sunset asked as she picked up the coin Adagio handed to her.
“My gift to you. I think it suits you more then me.” With that, Adagio walked past Sunset.
Sunset looked down at the side of the coin that had the Christmas tree.
“Sunset on Christmas Eve.” Sunset read aloud before turning it around to find the Sunset on the other side making her smile. Turning around, she watched as Adagio turned a corner, waving at her as she disappeared leaving Sunset to smile at the gift she received from the former villain turned friend.
Floating above them, invisible to all but you lovely readers, I, Discord watched as Sunset began her walk back to the Apple farm, where her other friends are waiting.
“Hmmm I must admit, this ‘reforming’ thing isn’t such a bad thing. It let’s me have all sorts of new ways of having fun.”
I turn to look at you, the readers. You as well, SPhantom.
“I must thank my bestest friend Princess Twilight for asking me to help that Adagio to see how much fun being a ‘good guy’ really is.”
And because this is a story about “friendship”, I should probably end this with a “friendship” quote.
I clear my throat, even though you can’t hear me ‘say’ the words, but I digress.
“Take nothing for granted. Sure the world has it’s problems, but that just makes the good times that much sweeter.”
Happy Holidays, from your favourite Spirit of Chaos, Discord.
Oh…and from…SPhantom too.
Author's Note
I hope you enjoyed my Christmas story to celebrate the holiday.
Thank you for reading my story.
You are Awesome.
