The Reason

by lilyluna

Rating: teen
Tags: Sunset Shimmer, Slice of Life, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Random
Length: 4435

We take a look at Sunset's life through her own eyes.

We all heard the tale of how Sunset became bitter after not gaining power as fast as she wanted to. Well this story tells a different version of the same tale. Sunset was set to become a powerful pony chosen by Luna while she was still in exile. Captured by darkness we see how Sunset struggles to find her true self once more.

Published 2017-08-10 16:30:12 UTC
Last updated 2017-08-10 16:30:12 UTC

Chapter 1 - The Sun Sets

The Reason

This is the first Pony based story I have ever written, I am well versed in the canon and the movies that has been released up to date so this story might contain unintentional spoilers. This story will start in Equestria into the Alternate World and back to Equestria as we follow Sunset Shimmer. The story will follow canon in a way, but only up to Season 7 Episode 13 (the last one I saw before starting the story) and the three Specials, Dance-, Movie- and Mirror Magic.

{Note this story is currently un-beta’d}

Chapter 1 – The Sun Sets

Sunset had never liked her name, what was so magical about the last rays of sunlight before the moon was raised? The young filly looked on as the moon rose in the sky, the mare in the moon a reminder of Princess Celestia’s victory over Nightmare Moon. Sunset rolled her eyes, there had to be more to that old mare’s tail than that. Who was Nightmare Moon before she refused to let the moon yield to the sun? As Sunset drifted off to sleep her dreams told her the answer she would not remember until much later.

In her dream the young unicorn was walking down the streets of Canterlot a blurry cutie mark on her normally blank flank. She was alone she realized and her hoofs were taking her towards the palace. At the door of the palace a black mare with starry hair waited for the young filly.

“You called for me young one?” The black mare smiled down at her. “You are filled with questions and empathy, so I shall bestow upon you a gift this day. You shall grow to see how others think, and help them as only you can.”

“You are the mare in the moon?” Sunset asked the alicorn. “You were a princess, weren’t you?”

“I was, but my name has been lost to all but those who were there when I was banished to the moon. Your path shall lead you to discover my past and so much more, now wake young pony for the dawn is breaking.”

Sunset woke up and felt an odd sensation on her flank. She pulled her covers off and discovered a cutie mark at the source of the sensation. Her cutie mark was a yellow and red pony tail encircling one another forming a ball, surrounding the ball were flames flared out like the sun, one half yellow the other half red. She could tell that the cutie mark meant magic. She rushed down the hall to show her sickly mother her cutie mark.

“I am so proud of you Sunset,” her mother coughed out. “Is it like we hoped, magical?”

“It is magic.” Sunset smiled sadly, “I can finally go to Princess Celestia’s school now. There I can find a cure for you.” Her mother only smiled at her before she closed her eyes.

Sunset walked out the room and down the stairs. She scanned the kitchen for something to eat and found not much in the cupboards. With a sigh she walked to the mail dump and searched for an unopened letter from her father. He may have run away into the horizon, but he still sent some money home.

Sunset found an unopened letter and opened. The message was always the same: Here is this week’s money to look after the filly. Inside was a pouch worth of bits. Sunset levitated the bits into her pouch and put the pouch in her bag. She went back to the kitchen and grabbed a slice of bread and ate it dry. She then went upstairs and kissed her mother’s head before she went on her weekly market run.

After getting everything from the market, Sunset made her way home. As she approached she knew that something felt different. She cautiously made her way inside and dropped off her purchase in the kitchen. She made her way up the stairs and stopped dead in her tracks. Right in front of her mother’s door was Princess Celestia herself.

“Hello young one,” she smiled sadly down at Sunset. “When I raised the sun this morning I felt a strong magic coming from this house. Your mother said it must have come from you.”

“I got my cutie mark for magic this morning, your highness.” Sunset bowed low. “I just went to the market to fill up our cupboards, my mother is very sick you see.” The news didn’t seem to surprise the princess even a bit.

“She asked me to take care of you, before she laid her head down for her final rest.”

“NO!” Sunset shouted as she darted into her mother’s room and tried to nudge her awake. She was still trying to get her mother to move when she felt a soft hoof on her shoulders. She broke down in tears. “I was supposed to find her a cure.” Sunset repeated over and over.

She was unaware that she was being lead away or that the stuff in her house was being packed up. She was even unaware when Princess Celestia’s guards put up a sign that barred anyone from entering the house. That sign Sunset would only see years later.

XXXXXXXXXXXXX

It has been a few moons since Sunset lost her mother and started living in the Canterlot castle full time. The first chance she had. She went back to her home and gathered some of her and her mother’s belongings, including her mother’s signature stamp and Sunset’s old toy box. Off coarse the chest was used to dump the mail in since Sunset outgrew her toys and didn’t exactly have recourses to get new ones.

“Okay class, settle down.” Sunset perked up from reminiscing as Princess Celestia began the day’s lesson. “Today we are going to do the Simple Transference Spell. Don’t let the name fool you though.”

“Princess Celestia?” A purple coated pony with a cutie mark resembling the element of magic lifted her hoof.

“Yes Twilight what is it?” Princess Celestia always had a smile on her face when dealing with the fillies.

“Why exactly is it called the Simple Transference Spell?” Sunset rolled her eyes, if Twilight didn’t ask the question Princess Celestia would’ve answered anyway.

“I was getting to that,” The princess smiled. “The Simple Transference Spell is used to transfer something inanimate from one place to another, in other words teleporting something simple quickly from point A to point B.”

“Princess Celestia?” Sunset lifted her hoof, when the princess acknowledged her she continued. “Does this mean that we will soon learn how to teleport ourselves.” Twilight seemed to want to answer so Sunset clarified what she meant. “I mean, I know we won’t be getting to that today, but teleporting objects eventually will lead into teleporting ourselves, right?”

“Good observation Sunset. Yes although the magic required for the Complex Transference Spell is similar to this one, it will only be taught to those who has mastered and personalized the Simple Transference Spell. Simply doing the spell won’t open your mind enough to move on to teleporting live thing.”

“Is every thing okay Lyra, you were kinda hyperventilating,” Sunset whispered to the pony next to her while Princess Celestia wrote on the black board.

“I accidentally killed a bird with a burst of magic. I learned later it was a blotched transference spell.” Lyra said still looking panicked.

“I’ll help you, if you want.” Sunset smiled. “Besides we will only start with small things. Like those journals we did last week.”

“You drew a very inappropriate picture of that cute earth pony that you copied to my note.” Lyra blushed. “Besides I don’t think that is exactly how two hoofed centaurs would look.”

“Still going with that name?” Lyra nodded.

“Besides you can’t call them hairless monkeys, monkeys have tails.” The girls giggled before they started copying the notes Princess Celestia made.

After taking notes each pony was given two boxes and a plastic ball. Their goal was to get the ball from the one box to the other. Sunset was the first to figure out the spell. Even if Twilight’s raw potential allowed her to cast the spell on every single ball. Sunset concentrated her magic on her ball and teleported it back into her box.

“Imagine an invisible straw connecting your ball to the box you want it to go into.” Sunset told Lyra.

“Okay I see it.”

“Now squeeze the ball through the straw, forget that it is bigger than the straw is, just believe it will get through it the straw and once inside it will pop out the other side.” There was a small pop and Lyra’s eyes lit up and like her name those eyes pulled on Sunset’s own heartstrings.

“Thank you so much.” Lyra leaned in for a hug which Sunset returned.

As class ended for the day Sunset went back to her room, she had an idea on how to personalize the spell to make it an automatic process. If it worked she won’t have her weekly heartache to her old home to get the mail her deadbeat father sends. Sunset rolled her eyes. She had written to her father and told him that her mother was dead and that she was living in Canterlot castle. The next time he sent the exact same letter to the old house and she was forced to go there again.

Drawing out complex patterns on two boxes in her room with her magic, Sunset cast the Simple Transference spell. She took a deep breath and placed a coin into the one box, seconds later it appeared in the other one. Sunset couldn’t contain her glee and soon she was running to her old house with her old toy box in tow. She cast the personalized spell on the mailbox and the toy box and soon the letters that she had to pick up anyway was in her new linked box. She then took out her journal and wrote to Princess Celestia.

Dear Princess Celestia

I have done it. I modified the Simple Transference spell to cast it automatically between the mailbox at my old home and an old toy box I took from it. I didn’t enter the house. The barrier is still as strong as ever. To test the spell I cast it on two boxes in my room and it worked. I will show you once I return to the castle, but first I’m getting my weekly celebration drink at that corner café.

Your loyal student

Sunset Shimmer

Seconds later the book vibrated as Princess Celestia replied to the message.

My dear Sunset

I am so proud that you not only personalized the spell, but also had a practical application for it. I am glad that the barrier is still holding strong, we wouldn’t want any pony getting infected like your poor mother was. Enjoy your celebratory drink you have earned it. I look forward to seeing your spell in action. As long as you don’t use it to distribute stuff like that amusing picture you send to Lyra with the journal spell we did last week.

Princess Celestia

Sunset blushed, of course Princess Celestia would know about the lewd two hoofed Centaur Sunset drew of that earth pony with the three sweet drops on her flank. She made her way to the corner café and ordered her usual drink. Life was good and soon she would learn that Complex Transference spell, take that Twilight Sparkle. Little did Sunset know that, at that very moment Twilight Sparkle cast her own personalized spell on her dragon’s flame.

XXXXXXXXXXXXX

Sunset was in the library waiting for Princess Celestia to arrive. It was only a few days after she created the personalized Simple Transference spell and Sunset was excited to begin training on the complex version. While she waited, she pulled a random book from the shelf: The Elements of Harmony, a Reference Guide.

The Elements of Harmony are powerful magical items. They were given as a gift from the Tree of Harmony when the royal pony sisters fought Discord. There are six elements in total, however only five is known, Kindness, Laughter, Generosity, Honesty and Loyalty, when the five elements come together a spark with reveal the sixth element.

“Three guesses what the sixth element is.” Sunset whispered to herself. At that moment Twilight walked in.

“Are you waiting for Princess Celestia too?” She asked her eyes shone with glee. “I’m so excited to learn the Complex Transference spell.” Luckily the princess came before Sunset could tell the bookworm off.

“I want to congratulate the both of you again in personalizing the spell we did last week. Now I have asked you two here to the library, because in order to open your mind and magic to cast the Complex Transference spell you need to piece together the needed clues. Only after that will you be able to not only teleport yourselves, but other living creatures and other ponies too.” Princess Celestia levitated a parchment to each of them.

“Princess Celestia?” Sunset asked having glanced at her list and peeked at Twilight’s. “Are these book lists based on how we personalized the Simple Transference Spell?”

“Yes Sunset,” she smiled, “I have reviewed how you both personalized the spell and chose the best method for the next part of the spell. You two will be in here for a while so don’t worry on missing class, the other students will only be given different objects to continue with.”

“Princess, could you remind Lyra about the straw method?” Sunset asked, “She had a dramatic experience and might hyperventilate again.”

“The straw method?” Twilight asked curiously.

“Yeah, I noticed that she was having trouble so I told her to imagine a straw connecting her object to the destination and then to imagine pushing it through the straw and trust that nothing will happen to the object along the way.” Sunset smiled, she recognized the pride Princess Celestia radiated.

“That is a lovely idea, what made you think about that?” Princess Celestia asked.

“Lyra loves to drink almost anything with straws. It was the best way to help her calm down.”

“And it worked? How does something like that work?” Twilight asked. Sunset felt a vein under her eye twitch.

“Magic is just as much about intention as it is about knowing the spell you need to cast it. Lyra already knew the spell she just needed a way to believe that it would work.”

“But… but… Huh?”

“It is a good method, do you mind if I teach it to future fillies and colts that struggle with the spell?” Princess Celestia asked. With her kind words the vein stopped twitching.

“I would be honored if it would help future ponies.” Sunset smiled.

They were excused and soon Sunset went to the other side of the library to find Star Swirl the Bearded’s Memoirs of a Sunny Day. The title may be misleading, but like all the books he wrote in his time, most of which were in a separate wing, this book was a journal on how Star Swirl discovered and/or created a new spell.

This specific book Sunset found was about the time he was crafting a spell to use against the sirens. It chronicled how he gathered the exact objects to make a beautiful mirror. The sirens would later glance into the mirror and, finding themselves beautiful, walk through it and loose their magic.

Of course making the portal was easy, it was how to close the portal and take away their magic that proofed difficult. The old stallion went through the portal many times until he finally had it down. There was just one other hiccup in the mix, the portal was so magical that it reopened every thirty moons.

“I’m guessing the clue isn’t the old stallions many exploits with these humans, but how he crafted the mirror.” Sunset whispered to herself.

“What was that?” Twilight asked.

“Nothing much,” Sunset didn’t want to reveal too much. “One of the clue books I have is about the way Star Swirl defeated the Sirens of lore.”

“Sounds interesting, I’ll have to read it one day.” And with that Twilight walked away again.

Sunset took her time reading the book, mostly to figure out the method behind the madness that was Star Swirl the Bearded. In the end she had quite a few notes to move on to the next book on the list, she however pocketed the book. These humans sounded awfully similar to Lyra’s two hoofed centaurs. Along with the Memoirs of a Sunny Day, Sunset found the seven other books she needed too and planned on getting all the notes done. Besides once she had the notes she could take her time to read through the books.

Trotting down the corridor Sunset made her way to the mint-colored unicorn’s room. She stopped and pressed her ear against the door. She heard the telltale signs of life inside so she knocked on the door. She heard a startled gasp and soon the sound of hooves on the tile floor. When Lyra opened the door she looked out of breath and very ruffled.

“Sunset?” Lyra asked confused. “You never visit me, this is a surprise. Come in, sorry the place is a mess.”

“Oh I wouldn’t want to ruin your… activities… I just came because I read this book from Star Swirl the Bearded about how he banished the Sirens. It turns out that he sent them to the human world.”

“What is a human?” Lyra asked intrigued trying to hide her blush. Sunset levitated the book over and Lyra put it on the table.

“If you read that book cover to cover you might know more than me, but what I read, the humans sound like two hoofed centaurs. I’ll leave you to your privacy.”

It was close to midnight when Sunset finally finished her notes minutes later she tested the spell and she successfully teleported herself across the room, on her bed. With a smile she closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep.

XXXXXXXXXXXXX

“You are growing very strong, very fast young filly.” The Mare in the Moon smiled.

“Thank you, Princess.” Sunset bowed, she knew this was a dream, but that didn’t mean she needn’t be disrespectful. “It has been a long time since we last spoke.”

“Indeed it has, it is hard for me to break through into dreams while I am struggling against both the imprisonment and Nightmare Moon, the manifestation of evil I have become.” The princess smiled. “Your dream called to me, you discovered a clue as to who I am did you not?”

“I read a passage from the book The Elements of Harmony, a Reference Guide. It said that the elements were first gifted to the royal pony sisters when they fought Discord. We already know that Celestia was fought against Discord. That means that you are her sister.” Sunset said proudly. “I just wish I knew remembered all of this when I woke up as a filly with my cutie mark.”

“Some information is hidden so deep that only those persistent enough find it. What else do you know of Celestia’s sister?”

“Her name is Luna.” The princess smiled. “It was once her role to lift the moon at night and protect the ponies. Most ponies sleep through the beautiful night and play during the day.”

“And you, do you shun the night?”

“I don’t, I love the night, it is peaceful, beautiful and you can get so much done. I always work best at night. Unfortunately my body needs rest, but I always try to stay up as late as I can to enjoy the night.”

“I can see the truth in your eyes.” Luna smiled. “Continue to make me proud, Sunset Shimmer.”

“I will do my best, Princess Luna.” Sunset bowed to the regal pony.

XXXXXXXXXXXXX

Sunset continued her studies gaining the abilities quite quickly before she took the time to learn why the abilities worked. Many moons passed and with it came the Summer Sun Celebration. Knowing what she did now, Sunset knew she wouldn’t enjoy the day as she should. So two days before the celebration, she confronted the Princess.

“Princess Celestia?” She asked unsure.

“Yes Sunset?” The princess seemed truly surprised, “Aren’t you going to prepare for the celebration?”

“That’s just it Princess. In my studies I learned what happened this day, and in good heart I cannot celebrate it.”

“I did what was needed. On this day each year I put on a brave face. I do miss my sister and regret banishing her to the moon.”

“I would like to learn more of Princess Luna,” Sunset bit her lip. “Maybe I can find out if there was something that caused her to become Nightmare Moon.” Sunset shrunk under Princess Celestia’s stare. “And even if I can’t find an answer, the research would take my mind of the fact that Princess Luna isn’t here to celebrate with us.”

“I would have liked to have you there with my other students during the celebration, but I understand how you feel.” The princess’s resolve shone in her eyes. “Inside the Everfree Forest on the edge of Ponyville stands our old castle. Luna’s room was in the east wing at the very end of the hall on the top floor.”

Sunset bowed to the princess and left to pack an overnight bag. She would be there for at least two days. She could find an inn to stay at in Ponyville. Maybe take advantage of the Spa while she was there and enjoying the scenery, besides the world famous Sweet Apple Acres Orchard is there. Sunset just didn’t remember which members of the family owned that farm.

Early the next morning Sunset got on the train and made her way to Ponyville. Once she arrived she was met with a pink blur. The pony in question was running around like she was on a sugar high. The pony was busy keeping everybody happy and laughing. Sunset just barely noticed that her cutie mark was three balloons. Sunset was in Ponyville before and Pinkie Pie threw her a party, if she didn’t know better she could swear that the pony was the embodiment of the Element of Laughter.

Walking down the road Sunset kept an eye on the sky, the last time she was in town a pegasus pony with a rainbow mane vowed to prank her. She didn’t mind, Sunset gave as good as she got. Luckily her journey to the spa was uninterrupted. After making her appointment she sat next to another unicorn. After seeing the diamond cutie mark Sunset smiled.

“Hello Rarity Belle, getting your hooves shined for tomorrow?” Sunset asked.

“Sunset Shimmer darling, I told you it is only Rarity.” Rarity smiled. “What brings you to our quaint town today?”

“You mean other than this lovely spa?” Sunset smiled, “I am actually heading into the forest for research purposes.”

“Do be careful in there, you know the forest doesn’t work like the rest of Equestria.”

“I will, but first I really need this, earth ponies give the best massages and this spa has the friendliest staff.”

After her spa treatment which in the end, thanks to Rarity’s generosity, included a hoof-shine. Sunset made her way to Sweet Apple Acres. Last time she was there the pony said that their apple fritters were the best and she didn’t lie. Sunset would get some fritters to snack on and maybe a pie for dinner. The pony did say that she was welcome back anytime. This time she did have some bits to pay for the delicious snacks.

“Sunset Shimmer as I live and breath, what brings you back to our patch of dirt, aren’t you up there in fancy pats Canterlot?” Sunset now remembered her name, Applejack.

“Well I am on my way to do some research in the forest and was hoping I can buy some apple fritters from you to snack on, maybe an apple pie if you have any. You do make the best apple fritters I tasted.” Sunset motioned Applejack closer. “Even Princess Celestia likes them. I won’t be surprised if she asks your family to do the banquet when the Summer Sun Celebration comes to Ponyville.”

“Oh gosh, that there is a great compliment, and your in luck, we just finished a batch of apple pies not too long ago. And we always have apple fritters freshly baked every day.”

After buying a bag full of fritters and a pie, Sunset made her way to the edge of the forest. She might even see that shy pegasus pony that works with the woodland creatures. Walking past the cottage Sunset noticed that it was extremely quiet. Thinking back to her trip through town she only then realized that there wasn’t a single pegasus pony in town. It was just as she entered the forest that she saw why there wasn’t any pegasii in town. On the very edge of the forest just beyond the trees the pegasii were busy trimming trees. There must be a storm scheduled just after the celebration.

The castle stood majestic against a sunny background as Sunset approached the ruins. Sure the castle was destroyed, mostly, but Sunset could see the beauty it once possessed. She traversed the robe bridge and entered the ruined structures. Over a thousand years and the castle were still standing. Ponies just didn’t build like this anymore.

Sunset made her way to the very top floor in the east wing and cautiously entered the room at the very end. She took a look around and her heart broke as she saw Princess Luna’s decent from a loving pony to the wicked mare in the moon. She could feel every emotion the princess felt inside this room. Sunset’s eyes widened as she realized that she shouldn’t have come alone. As she turned to exit the room she saw a shadow. Then she saw no more.

If one were to see her now, after she woke again, you would notice her eyes changing from normal eyes to slit ones and back again. The black magic that consumed Princess Luna had claimed another for her own. On this day Sunset changed, and she had no control over it. The power of a dark mare overpowered her, and in all honesty she was enjoying this new perspective.