Chapters Sunset Shimmer was certain her ears weren't working properly. In fact, she was more than certain she didn't hear what she just heard. “Could you repeat that, Twilight?” she said with a quiver.
“Princess Celestia would like for you to see her in Canterlot!” the purple girl smiled the biggest grin she could possibly muster, “Isn't that great news?”
“Of course it is!” jumped in Pinkie Pie. She paused as an idea took root in her head and sprouted into an explosion of streamers and confetti. She let out a gasp of eureka! “We can throw a 'Happy-Reuniting-and-Making-Up-With-Your-Mentor,-Sunset!' party!”
“That's a bit of a mouth-full, darling” replied Rarity, “Couldn't we just say 'Congratulations on Amends'?”
“Or, not have a party at all?” Shutter Fly whispered, cowering below the table, “The loud noises really scares the animals...and me...”
Rainbow Dash shook her head at her timid friend. “Fluttershy, don't you see this is a momentous occasion for Sunset? Of course we need a party!”
“You always want to party, Rainbow Dash!” laughed Applejack. She let out a hearty chuckle and slapped her knee. “And I'm with you. This is big and exciting news for Sunset. Though,” she paused, giving a thoughtful glance to the silent girl in the corner of the booth, “you've been rather quiet over there, sugar cube. Is everything okay?”
Sunset had been surprisingly silent. By the look on her face, one would have through she had just been told the most devastating news ever. She gazed into the distance, completely spaced out from the conversation. Some of the girls turned to see what she could possibly be looking at.
“Uh, Sunset?” Rainbow Dash gently poked her friend's shoulder, “You still there?”
A soft yelp came came from the amber girl as she was pulled back to reality. She closed hear eyes and gave her head a violent mini shake. “I'm sorry,” she said, resting her elbows on the table “what were you all saying?”
“That we need to throw you a party, silly!” replied Pinkie. She threw a fist full of confetti in the air for effect.
“Is it just me, or are we more excited about this news than Sunset?” spoke up a bespectacled Twilight. She quietly had been watching the whole scene unfold from her end of the booth.
“No,” Sunset adverted her gaze, “it's great news!”
Applejack furled an eyebrow. “That doesn't sound very convincing.”
“Look, it's just unexpected. That's all.”
“Unexpected?” laughed the pony princess, “Ever since I've been telling Princess Celestia of your adventures in this world, it wasn't so much a matter of if, but when this would happen! And,” she added, in a softer tone, “it would have been sooner, but things have been kinda hectic lately...”
“Typical Equestria...” Sunset rolled her eyes. Though she couldn't judge much. Over the past year, her world had turned completely upside down. “I'd love to back, Twilight” she said, “but, I don't know if I can right now. With all the rogue magic leaking in from Equestria, my days have basically been one magical mishap after another. Since I'm the only one who has any remote clue as to how it works, I just can't leave this realm unprotected.”
“Give yourself some credit, darling” smiled Rarity, “You're an excellent teacher. Why, none of us couldn't ever have figured out how to properly use this things without your guidance.” She held up her dark purple geode, which hung around her neck.
“I'm still confused as to those things are” Twilight rubbed her chin, her hand clenched into the shape of a hoof, “They seem to be a second set of the Elements of Harmony, but I can't find any mention of them in any book. And you're positive they came from Equestria?”
“Positive” replied Sunset, “That whole cave radiated with Equestrian magic. It was almost suffocating.”
“Hmm...” the princess went into deep thought. “Well, you will just have to take me there some time. You said it wasn't far, right?”
“Not far—if you have a car, and I'll be getting my license soon. I'm sure my parents will let me borrow the car for a day.”
Twilight grimaced at the thought of Pinkie Pie taking the reigns of an enclosed horseless carriage that traveled over land at the breakneck speed of Rainbow Dash. The Pinkie Pie she knew back in Ponyville, maybe. This Pinkie Pie, not so much. She let out a nervous laugh.
“We seem to be getting off topic here” said Rainbow Dash, “Sunset is about to reunite with her mentor back in Equestria!”
Sunset slumped in her seat. She had hoped that the shift in conversation to the magic cave at Camp Everfree would have taken everyone's mind off of Twilight's news. Her fellow pony saw her apprehension and placed a hoofed hand on her shoulder. “It's okay if you want to wait a bit” the princess smiled, “I imagine it took a lot just to come back for a few minutes last time. Celestia will understand” she gave a wink, “We'll just have to take foal steps.”
Sunset let out a smile of gratitude. “Thanks, Twilight.”
Author's Note
Hey all!
This is my first MLP fanfic. First time on this site, still not sure what all the tags are. If you see any that I missed, please let me know.
Thanks!
In the following few months, Princess Twilight continued to repeat Princess Celestia's invitation to Sunset. Each time, Sunset found some reason to say no, or avoid the offer all together.
“Why do you always turn down the invitation, Sunset?” Starlight Glimmer asked on one of her solo trips through the portal. “You know it hurts Twilight a little inside every time you say no. I can't imagine what it does to Princess Celestia.”
Sunset hung her head. “Princess Celestia doesn't want to see me”
“What?” Starlight was shocked, “Of course she does! She would have said so otherwise.”
“No, not...not after what I've done.”
“Sunset,” Starlight put an arm around around her friend, “all that, that's in the past. All has been forgiven. Why won't you accept it?”
“No one can forgive me for this!” lashed Sunset. Starlight jumped back, startled. She had never seen Sunset this enraged. She stepped back a little as Sunset continued. “No one knows my deeds! How can you even begin to imagine what I've done?”
“Sunset,” Starlight tried to reason, “you know my past. You know what I did;” her shoulders slumped and shame fell over her, “...what I almost did.” Then, just as suddenly, she assumed an air of triumph, “But that doesn't matter now. I'm not that pony anymore—and, I'm a lot better for it.” She smiled over at her friend, who still looked dejected.
“You never did anything against Princess Celestia.”
“No,” Starlight let out a nervous giggle, “both her, and Princess Luna.”
Sunset shot her a curious look.
Starlight explained with a twinge: “I switched their cutie marks.”
Sunset was dumb.
“I thought for sure Twilight or I told you about this. It happened not long after Thorax and I defeated Queen Chrysalis. Not really something you don't write about...”
“I don't understand what all the fuss is about” said Spike as Sunset scratched behind his ears, “You're gonna go see an old friend, not take a trip to the vet—or the groomers.”
Twilight looked up from her laptop. “I thought you liked your groomers, Spike.”
“Oh, I do!” replied the pooch, “But why do they have to get you all wet first before they pamper you?”
“It's okay, Spike” smiled Sunset, “Human groomers are the same way.”
“Yeah, but you only have fur on your head...”
Twilight rolled her eyes. “If Sunset doesn't want to return to Equestria and see her former teacher, that's her decision.”
Never had such words been spoken that Sunset so desperately wanted to hear. “Thank-you, Twilight!”
“That being said...” Twilight continued and all joy drained from Sunset, “You can't avoid this forever. At some point, either you will meet with Princess Celestia in Equestria or she will come here and meet with you.”
“Relax, Sunshim” Rainbow Dash sprawled out onto the grass, the warm sun felt good after a long day of school. “It's not like Princess Celestia doesn't know you're a totally changed person” she paused, wondering if she were using the correct terminology. She pondered the possibilities aloud. “...pony...person/pony?...pony/person?”
“I think what Rainbow Dash is getting at” offered Applejack, taking a bite from her apple, “Is that you have come a long way from where you were when you first left Equestria. Whoever, or whatever , you were then, you certainly aren't now.”
“So totally!” chimed in Rainbow, “We can attest to that!”
Sunset just looked at the ground and said nothing.
“You really mustn't let this get to you, Sunset” Rarity said as she organized the stacks of clothes at her work, “It doesn't do well for your youthful look.”
Sunset riffled through the clothes. She had been contemplating on a new shirt. “Do you think I'm making a mistake?” she asked.
The question caught Rarity off guard. “Whatever do you mean?”
“Do you think I'm making a mistake in avoiding seeing Princess Celestia?”
Rarity gave thoughtful hum and toiled at her work for a few moments before answering. “You say you have wronged her. And, we know about the running away bit, and she seems to have forgiven you for that. So, that can't be the reason you don't want to see her...”
Sunset's pulse began to raise. Something told her Rarity was about to say something she didn't quite want to hear.
“It's not good to keep such things bottled in. The more you avoid it, the more you put yourself into a prison.”
“What if you're too deep into that prison, that you can't get out?”
“Darling, there is always a way out. Just tell the truth, and the truth will always set you free.”
“Even if that truth has consequences?”
“Sunset Shimmer, how can you of all people not know that everything has consequences? It's whether or not you are willing to face them.”
Sunset was happy when it was just her and Fluttery Shy at the animal shelter, alone. Fluttery Shy never said much and the animals, well, if they did, only Fluttershy could understand. Sunset had nestled on the floor with a ferret curled up on her lap, enjoying the affection. Suddenly, the little creature sat up and chattered.
“He wants to know why you are so sad.”
Sunset was taken aback. “Say what?”
Fluttershy repeated herself. “He's asking why you're sad.”
“Oh,” Sunset looked at the little furry creature, “I'm not sad.”
The ferret let out more chatter.
“Yes you are” Fluttershy translated, “He can tell by the way you're petting him.”
Sunset's frowned. “What does a ferret know of sadness?”
“Oh, you'd be surprised” replied Fluttershy as the ferret chattered some more.
“Well,” Sunset got defensive, “I'm not sad.”
The ferret turned to Fluttershy and chattered. Sunset could see that the creature was telling the yellow girl something, but wasn't sure what.”
“Mr Mongoose knows a lot about sadness” Fluttershy finally said. “In fact,” she pointed to all the animals in the shelter, “every one here has a sad story of their own. Stories of rejection, abandonment, abuse.”
“What about remorse?”
Fluttershy looked quietly at Sunset.
“Are any of them sad from regret? Have any of them done something so terrible that it fills them with sadness that they can't tell anybody else? Something so horrible that if such a secret were known, they would lose everything they loved so dear?”
“Sunset?” Fluttershy knelt down and put two kindly hands on the other girl's shoulders. Her heart broke to see the tough girl was on the verge of tears. “Sunset, whatever it is, you know you can always tell me.”
“No!” Sunset cried, her eyes overflowed with tears. They streamed down her face and fell upon the ferret in her lap. “I can't!” With a single swipe, she bushed Fluttershy and the animal away from her and ran out of the shelter, crying.
It felt good to be in the castle. Though not really a place she wanted to be, it was a nice break from the school and the small town surrounding it. Besides, Starlight had perfected the art of tea cakes. For some reason, Sunset could never get enough of them.
“Pinkie Pie's secret recipe” Starlight had boasted, “She only gives it to her closest friends.”
“...Which is pretty much everybody” joked Sunset.
“Perhaps, but I'm among the few she can trust to give these little bits of baked batter justice and life.”
“Wait...these aren't gonna start dancing in my stomach, are they?”
“What? No!”
Sunset let out a chuckle as she recalled the memory.
She wondered about the library, getting used to the equine body. She had arrived a bit earlier than planned and Princess Twilight, Starlight and Spike were all out running errands. Though, she didn't mind. Running down the rows and rows of books was always a treat. Every so often, she would come across one she's never seen before. This time was no exception.
Sunset came across a blue book with silver trim. She pulled it out and read the title: Star Jumper and other Deep Sky Adventures . Sounded interesting enough. Sunset curled up on the couch and opened to the first page.
“Oh, hey Sunset! How long have you been here?”
“Long enough to get to a good part of a book” Sunset playfully grumbled. She finished the paragraph and closed the book with a marker in the place she left off. “Princess” she bowed.
Princess Twilight let out a laugh. “Sunset, you know you don't have to do that!”
“Yeah, but it's still fun just to watch you get embarrassed.”
“What?” Twilight's cheeks blushed.
Sunset smiled. She won. “See? You're doing it now.”
Twilight became flustered and Sunset laughed.
“Never mind!” Twilight gave Sunset a playful jab in the ribs. “Come on,” she pulled the unicorn along, “I've got a surprise for you!”
Sunset looked around as Twilight dragged her along. Not that she could help it, the Alicorn had a very strong magical grip on her. However, the more she looked, the more she became unease. “Uh, Twilight? Why are there so many guards here? You never have guards here.”
“Oh, they're not here for me” the Alicorn responded gleefully.
“Then who...?”
“That's the surprise!”
The two stopped in front of the doors to the throne room. Twilight gave Sunset a quick going over and tidied her up some. Sunset's heart began to race.
“Twilight,” Sunset said, her voice shook, “please tell me Princess Celestia isn't behind those doors!”
Twilight just gave a wide smile.
“Twilight,” Sunset's voice was barely audible through her panicked breaths, “what have you done?”
“Nothing!” smiled Twilight, “Princess Celestia was just passing through on her way back from something-or-other and I mentioned something about tea...”
Sunset began to slowly walk backwards towards the library, towards the mirror, back to the other dimension.
“Sunset, wait” Twilight's voice was calm and gentle, “It has been over a year since the Fall Formal. Ever since then, Princess Celestia has been desperately wanting to see you again.”
She doesn't want to see you! A voice called out in Sunset's mind, Nobody will want to see you! Just go through the portal and never come back!
“Sunset?”
She doesn't know, nobody knows. No pony knows. You can still continue this.
Continue this lie?
You are in too deep; you must continue.
“Sunset Shimmer!” Twilight shook the unicorn and Sunset snapped back to reality. “Is everything okay?”
Sunset's mouth was dry, her heart raced, she felt the pounding vibrations within her chest. Sweat began to form at her brow.
“Look, Sunset” Twilight began, seeing her friend in serious distress, “Maybe this was a bad idea...you can go back through the portal. We can reschedule this for when you're ready. I can tell Ceslestia you were called back for an emergency.”
“No” Sunset said, weakly, “Sooner or later, it had to come to this.” She gave Twilight a weak smile “I'm ready.”
With a smile, Twilight opened the doors. Sunset Shimmer peered meekly from behind the Alicorn. Princess Celestia and Starlight were seated at the table chatting away and laughing. Starlight was the first to notice the pair and waved. Celestia noticed and turned to face the newcomers. The entire room fell silent.
Princess Celestia looked lovingly at the unicorn hiding behind Twilight. Slowly, the amber unicorn revealed herself and approached the great white Alicorn. Her head hung low, her steps slow and heavy.
Suddenly, Princess Celestia yelled out “Stop right there! Guards!”
Sunset let out a muffled cry. Tears welled in her eyes. She knows...
“Princess Celestia!” Twilight cried out in terror. Sunset heard the sound of hooves run around, stopping in front of her. “What are you doing?”
“Step aside, Twilight. You, too, Starlight Glimmer.”
“But she's our friend!” Starlight protested.
“She may be the Sunset Shimmer you know, but” Celestia's voice choked with tears, “she's not the Sunset Shimmer I know.”
Twilight and Starlight gave each other confused glances.
“She's right” a weak voice replied. Twilight and Starlight parted to reveal a broken unicorn. She had fallen to the floor, tears flowed down her muzzle. “I'm sorry.” she whimpered, “I'm so very sorry.”
“Who are you?” Celestia demanded. Her magic, which had been engaged for a while, intensified.
The unicorn raised herself a little off the floor. “My name is Sunset Shimmer. I was born in what you call the realm on the other side of the portal. I am no unicorn, or pony, nor even Equestrian. I am human.”
“What!” yelled Starlight.
Twilight's jaw dropped. Only jagged sounds emitted from it.
Nobody moved. The guards looked to their leader for guidance. Yet, no order came.
Starlight had tended to Princess Twilight, who seemed to be suffering from a bout of shock, but was recovering. Albeit, rather slowly.
Princess Celestia stood tall and stern. “I imagine you have quite the story to tell. I would like to hear it.”
Sunset Shimmer let out a deep sigh. Here goes nothing ...
“I will not begin to justify my actions” she began, “Because, frankly, there is no way I can.
“My life has never been the easiest. My parents separated when I was little. My mother disappeared to parts unknown and I was left with my father. Though, I soon lost him, too. I was raised by my grandparents thereafter, but they were very old and, unable to take care of me, I became a ward of the state.
“After bouncing from one foster family and home to another, I finally gave up and ran away. I lived on the streets for about two years, that's when I came upon her .
“I have to admit, it was a bit disconcerting at first. It's a manic feeling to see yourself without the aid of a mirror. Even to think that there is someone out there who is exactly like you. For a moment, I thought I was hallucinating. That is till I looked at her again. She was lost, scared, and helpless.
“I didn't know what I would do with another me, but something told me that I should go over and help her. And, I did. She was just as surprised to see me as I was her. Right off, I could tell she was different.. Her movements, mannerisms, even the way she spoke. She didn't belong in my world.
“It took some time, but, eventually, she opened up to me. She told me stories of her native land—Equestria. She explained everything about its inhabitants. What she was, what she did, and how she ended up here. Most of all, I was interested in the magic .
“Months passed and though she enjoyed my company, she slowly began to be come homesick. I know, I experienced the same thing myself. I asked her if she would like to go back. She responded, with tears in her eyes, that the portal which brought her to my world was closed and wouldn't open again for another thirty moons. Though, the exact meaning of 'moons' in my world and your world is a bit debatable, we estimated that the time span between openings was about two and a half years. So, we resolved to wait—together.
“Soon, it proved not to be enough. She needed more. As Princess Twilight and Starlight can attest, it's not easy for a magical creature to be plucked up, stripped of everything that defined you and be plopped down again with nothing. Unless, it was something you had prepared for, the results are not pretty.
“It wasn't enough to talk about her homeland and pull from memories, she wanted to see it. She told me of something she had read in a book about two Equestrian wizards. One was a practitioner of light magic, the other, dark.
“The dark wizard had an all-seeing eye with which he could see all around the land and, some even said, other dimensions.
“Well, I suppose you know this story. The two wizards came head to head in battle. The light wizard defeated the dark wizard and banished him to the nether world. The all-seeing eye, he took and buried in a distant land, said to be in an alternate dimension—one without magic, where the eye would be useless and safe.
“She said that the light wizard was Star Swirl the Bearded and theorized that this was the dimension the eye was buried. Not wanting to get her hopes too far up, I explained that my world was huge and something like that, hidden so long ago, would be hard to find. Still, I helped her in her impossible quest.
“It was surprisingly easy, almost mockingly. Turns out, everything from Equestria to my world can be found in the town and the surrounding area. She had memorized a map from one of her books while still in Equestria. She led us to a patch of the Everfree Forest. Despite the connection between the worlds severed, she still seemed a strong connection to magical objects. She said she could sense the eye was close. It was rather freaky as she described it called out to her; the way it pulled her. Soon, we were taking turns digging. I was resting when she hit something hard with the shovel. With a yell, I was at her side.
“It was a small chest. Wooden, with a symbol painted on the top. Later, I would learn it was the cutie mark of the wizard who buried it. It was then that I learned what cutie marks were. (Let me just say, they're both kinda cool and sorta weird).”
Sunset took in a deep breath.
“Our hearts pounded and breaths quickened. With a small hammer, we broke open the lock. Then, with deep gasps, we opened the chest. There, inside, was a small clear, what I could only guess glass, ball. She reverently picked it and looked at it. It seemed to respond to her. Slowly, images began to appear. I watched as tears filled her eyes. She looked at me with the biggest smile. It was her home.
“She handed it to me and I took a look. To my surprise, it responded to my will. I saw mountain ranges and vast deserts, outstretching skies and ocean depths, none of which, I knew, existed in my world.
“Soon, it became too much for me. Apparently, magic can be a bit taxing your first time (especially to a non-magical being). I handed the orb back to her and jumped out of the hole to get a drink. I was mystified by the whole thing. The surge it gave me, the felling if euphoria. I looked at my companion in the hole and, suddenly, I got this sensation. I saw what she had and I wanted it. I had to have it. What was this world? Suddenly, I saw it. A new opportunity. A new life.
“It's all so hard to explain, but it burned within me. A want I had never felt before. A desire I never imagined. And it was all right before me, just waiting to be taken.”
She closed her eyes and turned away, ashamed of her next words.
“She was too caught up in the visions of her own land, she failed to notice the sledge hammer aimed for her head.
“I wish I could tell you it was quick and painless, but...” Sunset let out a sigh.
“I buried her body in the hole and returned to town alone with my prize .
“I enrolled in Canterlot High so I could stay close to the portal when it opened.
“Over the long months, I studied Equestria through the eye, planning for the day the portal would open.
“I learned so much. And again I began to wonder. Why just live in that world? Surely, my counterpart from there was powerful. No doubt whatever power she had, I would inherit once I got there. I could have whatever I wanted. I could have the life I always wanted. I could have the love I always desired.
“Then I saw you, Twilight, and your elements of harmony. I saw your power. And, just like with her, I wanted it. I knew what I needed to do. I made my plans and waited.
“Finally, the day came, the celestial bodies aligned, the moon filled the sky and the portal opened. With baited breath, I jumped through, not fully knowing what to expect. For a moment, I got an understanding. And I thought back to her, the first night I met her. The feeling of being in a body, your body, but not your body.
“Well, you know what happened at the Fall Formal. That time in the crater, I got a moment of clarity. I was going to open up and explain everything. But then, a thought filled me with fear. You had no idea who I was. You had no way of knowing. You didn't come to save Sunset Shimmer the human, you came for Sunset Shimmer the pony.” Sunset broke down into tears, “Nobody cared for Sunset Shimmer the human, the lost girl! That damned pony got everything! And I got nothing! Again, the fire surged within me. I wanted what she had.
“Twilight, you extended your hand and offered me friendship. I knew you meant it for the pony, but I wanted it so bad, I took your hand and assumed her life. From then on, I became Sunset Shimmer, lost daughter of Equestria, the banished student of Princess Celestia, seeking redemption.
“Though it was rocky, I became Sunset Shimmer: friend, mentor, ally, sister. Even so, so many times, I wanted to come clean. The true story of Sunset Shimmer from Equestria needed to be known. I owed her that much. After all I took from her, those who knew her and loved her deserved to know her fate. I know it was wrong. She began to haunt me. I closed my eyes and saw her face, a little pony staring back at me. Yet, every time I thought I had an opportunity, something always stopped me.
“ Eventually, I convinced myself I could never be free of my secret. I strengthened my resolve and sought to live my life in a way that would bring her honor.
“Still, it was all a lie. And everyday, every lie, ate me away from within. Ironically, in that time, I was the most honest with myself, and everyone else.”
She wiped her tears away.
“This past year has been the best, happiest year I have ever had, in possibly my whole life. I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world.
“Please do not think of me as a bad person—not anymore. I truly have changed. Twilight, that person you first met at Canterlot High is no more. I am not her!”
Sunset bowed deeply and implored the princesses. “Please,” she wept, “I know I must pay for my crimes and I will accept whatever punishment you deem fit. But, allow me to see my friends and my world one more time. They deserve to know the truth.” She collapsed and wept bitterly, her little body wracking with each sob.
The other ponies in the room stood silently and watched the lamentable human in unicorn skin.
“The eye,” Princess Celestia spoke at last, “Where is it?”
“Gone” Sunset sniffled, “I destroyed it after the Musical Showcase.”
“I see...”
Again, silence.
Sunset finally summoned the courage to look up at the ponies before her. Princess Celestia was stern, but Sunset could see the heartbreak within. Princess Twilight was still in a state of shock and confusion. Then, there was Starlight. It hurt Sunset to see Starlight like this. The light purple unicorn was on the verge of tears.
After a quiet moment, Twilight turned to Celestia. “Princess Celestia, may I have a private moment with you?” The elder Alicorn nodded and the princesses retreated to the back of the room.
Alone, Sunset turned to the purple unicorn. “Starlight...” she began, but Starlight turned away.
“No, Sunset” she said raising a hoof, “I...I...I need a moment.” Her tears released and she went galloping from the room.
Sunset curled into a ball and wished she were dead. She heard the sound of walking hooves on the stone floor. Celestia and Twilight had reached their verdict.
“Sunset Shimmer of the Human World,” began Princess Celestia, “Rise.”
It took a little work, but Sunset managed to bring herself to her hooves. Her head hung low. She couldn't bear to look up at the princesses.
“It's okay, Sunset” said Twilight. Her voice was warm and calming.
Tears blurred her vision, yet Sunset couldn't believe what she was seeing. “What is this?” she demanded, “A cruel joke? Why are you smiling?”
Twilight put a comforting foreleg around Sunset. “It's okay, Sunset” she repeated, pulling in for a hug, “It's all going to be okay.”
“But...” Sunset choked on her tears.
A second came into the hug. Opening her eyes, Sunset saw a coat of white. “Celestia?...but...why? I...I...”
Celestia placed a gentle hoof on the unicorn's head. “Shh, my little pony. Don't let yourself be troubled.”
“I'm sorry!” cried Sunset, “I'm so sorry!”
“I know,” there was a pause. Sunset wasn't prepared for what she heard next. “and I forgive you.”
The amber unicorn grit her teeth and wept. How could she? She cried inwardly, How could she forgive just like that? You're not worthy of such words! “You don't mean that!” she yelled.
“But we do” replied Twilight, “Sunset, there is no denying the horrible things you've done. You said you would accept any punishment we deemed fit. Princess Celestia and I agree you have been punished enough already. However, you can't go on forever punishing yourself. You said it yourself. You're not the person you once were.” She hugged the unicorn tighter.
Sunset said nothing. She felt like crying again, but she had run out of tears. Yet, this time was different. Suddenly, there was a lightness in her chest. The weight upon her heart suddenly lifted. For the moment, she reveled in the embrace.
Eventually, Princess Celestia broke away and looked down on the little pony. “Sunset Shimmer, let me be the first to welcome you to Equestria. It is a pleasure to meet you and look forward to knowing you—the human you.”
Sunset gave a weak smile and wiped her eyes. “Thanks.” She turned to Twilight. “Princess Twilight, if I could ask a favor of you.”
“Anything!” beamed Twilight.
Twilight turned to Sunset and gave a smile. “You ready for this?”
Sunset took in a deep breath. “No, but it needs to be done.” She took a step towards the mirror.
“Sunset!” a voice cried from the door.
Sunset winced. “Starlight?” The light-purple unicorn came galloping through the door, on a collision course. She tackled Sunset down to the floor in a hug.
“Starlight!” wheezed Sunset, “I can't breath!”
“I'm sorry” Starlight backed up, “I just had to catch you before you left. I...I've been doing some thinking.”
Sunset's heart stopped. “And...?”
“And, I'm willing to give this a chance. Give you a chance.”
“Starlight...”
Starlight put a hoof over Sunset's mouth. “There's more. I also have a confession.” Her ears flopped down in embarrassment and shame. “I wasn't going to forgive you at first. In fact, for a moment, I even hated you. But then, I realized, that if I denied you the same grace given to me, I am no better than my old self. I don't want to be a hypocrite.”
“I know” Sunset looked down, “And I am sorry.”
“You better be” Starlight's eyes narrowed, “I'm still mad at you, Sunset Shimmer! I do not like being lied to!”
Sunset cowered and Starlight recomposed and took in a deep breath. “But, I am willing to forgive and put this behind us. Here,” she produced a tin of tea cakes, “for the road.”
Sunset smiled and hugged her friend. “I promise,” she said, “no more lies.”
“Wait, what?” cried Rainbow Dash, “Sunset Shimmer is really the Sunset Shimmer of this world pretending to be the Sunset Shimmer from Equestria?”
Twilight only managed a nod and took a sip of her drink. The long story had left her quite parched.
“Poor Sunset...” Applejack removed her hat and placed it over her heart.
“Which one?” asked Rainbow Dash, “The pony or the human?”
“Both.”
Rarity sighed. “I find this all to much and hard to take in.”
Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie and human Twilight sat quietly. Pinkie Pie's hair had deflated, the sparkle left her eyes. Somewhere, there was Pinkie Pie, but right now, there was only the shell. Fluttershy sat with her head down, focusing on something interesting on the table. She looked like she was about to cry. Then there was Twilight. She sat peering into seamless space.
Princess Twilight was aware of the face. Her pony friends had said that's what she did when she was in deep thought. “So, that's what it looks like...” she wondered inwardly.
“So,” said Rainbow, “now what? You come telling this story and leave it at that?”
“That's up to you” Pony Twilight replied. “Now that you know, are you willing to give Sunset another chance?”
There was a silence around the table. Twilight's gaze darted about, trying to find an answer. Yet, the girls adverted their eyes.
“I don't know, Twilight,” began Applejack shakily, “What you're asking is—”
“—a bit hard” finished Rarity, “We've given her two times already.”
“Talk about a really tall order” added Pinkie Pie.
“Yes,” Twilight sighed, “But, don't they say 'third time's the charm'?” She gave a nervous, wide grin. Still no change in the girls. “Look, I'm not saying it will or won't be easy. However, Sunset is willing to come clean and open with you and start anew. Believe me, this isn't easy for her either. All she asks is for the opportunity.
“You already made such great progress. Are you really going to throw all that away?”
Rainbow crossed her arms, sat back and huffed. “If she were really serious, she would have told us all this herself, or, at least, be here.”
Twilight turned to the next booth over. “You can come out now.”
A collective gasp escaped as Sunset emerged from the neighboring booth. She wiped her eyes on a napkin. She tried not to show it, but she had been crying. “Hi, girls” she said, sheepishly.
Human Twilight couldn't take it any longer. With a cry, she jumped from her chair and lunged at Sunset, embracing her in a bear hug. “I don't care who you were, or what you did,” she said, tears steaming down her cheeks, “If for any bit of what we experienced together was the true you, then I am willing put this all behind us and move forward.”
Applejack approached Sunset. Her hat sat low and eyes narrowed. “Loot at me, Sunset” she said, “Look at me and tell me whether or not this whole year has been true. Aside from pretending to be the pony Sunset, was the you a got to know the real you? Do not lie to me.”
Sunset looked up. Her eyes met with Applejack's. The stare she received, she fought everything not to look away. “It's true” she said, softly, “All of it was true.”
Applejack backed up a little and let out a smile. “I believe you, Sunset.”
A smile fell over Sunset's face as Applejack moved in for a hug.
Pinkie Pie was next to get up. “How dare you?” she hissed. Sunset's heart sank. “Taking advantage of us like that! What sort of friend does that? Because,” she took in a deep breath, “FRIENDS DON'T LIE TO FRIENDS!”
“I know,” Sunset replied, pained, “and I'm really sorry.”
“I'M NOT DONE! Friendships are built on trust, Sunset! TRUST! Today, you broke that trust!” The pink girl took in a deep, calm breath, “Now that that's all out,” her hair bounced back to its curly mess, “welcome back, Sunset Shimmer!” She embraced and squeezed so tightly Sunset began to cry out for lack of air.
It took Sunset a little time to get her breath back. Pinkie Pie seemed small, but that girl had arms of a bear. Speaking of bears, Sunset noticed that Fluttershy was the next one to step forward. The two stood quietly for a moment. Fluttershy had a small smile on her face, which, with the silence, made Sunset feel rather nervous. Then, without warning, Fluttershy's smile broadened. “Oh, Sunset,” she finally spoke, “I know you've changed.”
Sunset gulped. “You do?”
Fluttershy nodded.
“How?”
“They way you behave with the animals. They can tell. Only a kind and gentle person would interact with them the way you do. They all love you at the shelter. They keep asking when you'll be back.”
Everyone stared blankly at Fluttershy for a moment.
“I say this with love, Fluttershy,” Sunset rubbed the back of her neck, “but I think you need more human friends.”
“Well,” Fluttershy moved in closer, “I can think of one.”
Tears welled in Sunset's eyes as she and Fluttershy hugged. “But, I'm still cross with you, Sunset Shimmer” Fluttershy said, sternly, “You shouldn't have lied.”
“I know” sighed Sunset, “You're not the only one.” She looked at the others assembled. “I imagine everyone here will be upset with me about that one for a while.”
“But, why not tell us the truth sooner?” asked human Twilight.
Sunset hung her head. “Guilt, shame, fear. How can you just bring up something like that?” For a moment, the old Sunset Shimmer they knew appeared. “Oh, by the way, I'm not really the pony you thought you knew. In fact, I'm not a pony at all.” Her face fell, “Yeah, how do you think that would have gone?”
Twilight took a moment to contemplate an answer. She adjusted her glasses. “Probably as well as this.”
“I don't believe this! Are you insane?”
Everyone's eyes returned to the table, where Rainbow Dash and Rarity were still seated. Rainbow Dash had pushed her chair way, her arms still crossed, but she had a wild look in her eye. Sunset felt her gaze burn through her.
Rarity looked unsure of the whole situation.
“Are you idiots?” continued Rainbow, “She's lied to us before, who or what's to say she's not lying to you now?”
Applejack's hand made a fist “Now, just wait a gosh darn minute, Rainbow Dash.”
“No, you wait a minute and think! She's been dishonest with us twice now, we're to allow her to do it a third? Not me! Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me. I will not allow a chance for a third.” Though enraged, she let her face soften a bit. “I'm sorry, but I can't.”
Heartbreak could not accurately describe the feeling within Sunset's chest. She hung her head. “It's okay, Rainbow” she said, softly, “I understand.”
“What on earth were you thinking?” yelled Rarity, “Is that what you do? Play with other people's hearts? How much of it was the truth, Sunset Shimmer? How much of it did you fake? I can't believe you did this!”
“Exactly!” agreed Rainbow Dash. At least someone saw reason, “All that we went through, all that we did. Did any of that really happen? Or, are they more lies? Do I even know you?”
“Yes!” Sunset replied, she clenched her bosom “You know me, Rainbow Dash! Rarity, it's all true! All of you, I gave you my heart! Our friendship was real. Every thought, every feeling; it was all true!”
Rarity raised a brow. “Was it really, darling?”
“Yes! I'm sorry. I was selfish. I was envious. I wanted what others had without really working for it. I thought if I could live somebody else's life, everything would be better. Instead,” she paused, a new wave of guilt flowed over her, “I only made a larger mess of things.”
Another silence fell over the group. Rainbow Dash and Rarity sat in contemplation. It wasn't long before Rainbow let out a sigh, slapped her lap and took to her feet. “Whatever you want to do is up to you. I still can't.” With that, she took her leave.
Rarity was soon to follow. “I'm sorry, Sunset” she said, softly, “Maybe someday. But, not today.” Though she tried to hide it, the others could see tears come to her eyes.
Sunset waited quietly for Rarity to leave the shop before she broke down. The others had to support and guide her to a seat.
“Don't worry Sunset,” Applejack punched her fist into her palm, “we'll get some sense into those two.”
“Or, we could just talk to them” suggested Fluttershy.
Sunset blew her nose. “Thanks, but this needs to be their decision. I will not have you force anything upon them.”
It took a moment, but, eventually, Applejack agreed.
Human Twilight looked around. “Okay, so now what?”
“You tell me” replied the pony princess, “You have all followed your heart and cast your lot. The question now is how will you move forward?”
Pinkie's face grew a wide smile. “I know,” she squealed, “With a party!”
“I don't think so, Pinkie” sighed, Sunset, “I'm not much for a party.”
Applejack agreed. “Yeah, this doesn't seem something to throw a party to.”
“But, we need it” insisted the party girl, “We need to celebrate the beginning Sunset's new life. We need to celebrate the times we were all together.” She pulled up a tray of apple cider. Holding up a glass, she said, “To new bonds and to our momentarily lost friends. May we become stronger and may they eventually find their way.”
Princess Twilight raised her glass. “I'll drink to that.”
“I suppose it's something” Applejack fiddled with her drink.
Fluttershy gave a smile, “I, for one, like it.”
“Here, here!” smiled human Twilight.
Sunset felt all eyes upon her as she looked upon the drink before her. With a deep breath and heavy heart, she reached out, firmly took her glass and let out a small smile.
Author's Note
Thanks, y'all!