Pokémon: Adventures in Equestria

Volume I: How It All Began

Chapter 7

The Chosen One of Forgiveness

Celestia soon found herself back in the familiar sights of Canterlot. After recalling Gardevoir to her Luxury Ball, she took out the red geode that was emitting light from in her cloak pocket. She began positioning it in different directions. Soon, the geode began glowing brighter when it was in the direction where, if she remembered correctly, there was a lone apartment building on the far outskirts of the city.

Celestia then remembered the route. She once had to go to that very same apartment building to-

Her thought abruptly ended when that memory hit her. A sad look came on her face. She had to go there to tell a former student of hers, that she could no longer have those privileges. And that was just a couple of months ago.

Pushing that bad memory aside, Celestia started towards the apartment building, keeping her violet eyes on the red geode. There was something particularly special about this geode, for it represents something very powerful, yet not everyone has the courage or the humility to do it.

Leaning out on a snow-covered balcony that led to an apartment, watching the setting sun, there was a 10-year-old girl carefully looking at the horizon. Though it was lovely, it did nothing to lighten her mood.

The girl had wavy hair down to her back that resembled the setting sun, with its brilliant red and yellow stripes. She also had golden amber skin, and cyan turquoise eyes. She wore a dark red shirt under a black winter jacket, a magenta skirt with a red and yellow sun on the side, black boots with long maroon stockings, and a beige scarf around her neck.

Sunset Shimmer sighed heavily, feeling the guilt still eating at her consciousness. It had been a few months since her parents called her from her room, saying that a visitor had arrived. She came out to see her then mentor, Princess Celestia. Nervousness then began eating her every nerve.

Tears sprang to Sunset's eyes when she recalled the conversation for the millionth time. Apparently, Celestia wasn't pleased with Sunset's behavior at school, and neither were her parents. She knew that she was the queen bee and bully at the second-rate school that Celestia herself was a teacher at, Canterlot Academy, all because she was the personal pupil of the Princess.

However, due to her bullying and prideful behavior, Celestia said that she had no choice but to cancel Sunset's studies with her completely. That was a knife in the heart for Sunset. Celestia also informed her that she had already found another student, over at Crystal Prep, the arch rival of Canterlot Academy.

At first, Sunset was furious, feeling like she was betrayed. But the following day, when she went to school, everyone gave her the cold shoulder, like she was invisible. Especially the ones she thought were her friends. They eventually moved, leaving Sunset alone, and that opened her eyes to see all of the wrong things she did.

For the past few months, Sunset hardly participated in her classes, just focusing on her work. The only thing that managed to get a smile on her face was when her teachers would bring their Pokémon to class, showing the students about their abilities. More than anything, Sunset wanted to become a Pokémon researcher, but she still felt guilty about what she did.

Then, her parents decided to give her a second chance by enrolling her in the Pokémon School in Ponyville next semester. Though Sunset was honored to actually be accepted by the school, she still didn't care much about it. She just only hoped that there, she can restart her school life, and become a better person, for herself.

With that thought set firmly in her mind, Sunset began to sing as she watched the final slivers of the sun disappear behind the horizon.

Sunset Shimmer: Power
Was all I desired.
But all that grew inside of me
Was a darkness I acquired.

As she walked over and looked at the sliding glass doors, Sunset saw that her reflection turned into the arrogant and selfish girl she is. Feeling angry at herself, she turned away from it. But then, when she looked back at it, she saw that she was now a broken girl left with nothing.

When I began to fall,
And I lost the path ahead,
That's when redemption found me,
And it lifted me instead.

Staring up into the sky, Sunset saw that there was a shooting star zooming across the darkening purple. She reached out her hand, as if she wanted to grab it. But then, it vanished out of view.

Like a phoenix burning bright
In the sky,
I'll show there's another side to me
You can't deny.

The feeling of determination began to flood her entire being. She may have made mistakes, but now that she is going to a different school, this could be her chance to prove that she is willing to change.

I may not know what the future holds,
But hear me when I say,
That my past does not define me
'Cause my past is not today.

Unknown to Sunset, as she was singing, there was a boy nearby the building, waiting out in the snow. He had burgundy brown skin, wavy dark aqua hair, and green eyes. He wore a dark green coat, faded dark jeans, and brown snow boots.

The boy was out waiting for his family when he heard someone singing. He looked up and saw Sunset singing out and boldly.

Ambition
Is what I believed
Would be the only way
To set me free.

In her mind, Sunset was clearing out all of the bad things she had done and throwing them away. She just hoped that the kids over at the Pokémon School haven't heard of her and are willing to give her a chance.

But when it disappeared,
And I found myself alone,
That's when it came and got me,
Now it feels like I am whole.

For the first time in a long while, Sunset had a smile on her face as she faced the setting sun again.

Like a phoenix burning bright
In the sky,
I'll show there's another side to me
You can't deny!

I may not know what the future holds,
But hear me when I say,
That my past does not define me
'Cause my past is not today!

The boy watching her from down below the balcony couldn't help but smile at the sight. Not only was this girl pretty, but that she had also decided to get a new start in life. Like what he wanted to do, yet he couldn't yet because his family needed him.

When Sunset finished singing, she saw something red flying towards her balcony. After backing away slightly, she saw a red glowing geode plopped into the snow. Curiously, she reached her hand out to it, noticing that it was brighter as she did so.

Right as her fingers clasped around it, a pulse of blinding red light went through the air, hitting Sunset. But, where the boy was below, the pulse strangely went downwards and hit him as well.

When the light vanished, Sunset saw that the geode had changed into a necklace that had her signature sun engraved on it. The necklace then tied itself around her neck. Sunset fingered the surface before she heard her parents calling for her inside. She complied to their commands, not saying a word.

From his spot down below, the boy couldn't shake that feeling when the pulse of light hit him. It didn't hurt, but it went right through him, like there was a sense of purpose in it. And it felt like it had something to do with her.

"Timber!" A voice called out. The boy turned to the direction where he had heard his name and saw his parent and twin sister waving to him, trying to get his attention. With one last look up to the balcony where Sunset was, then left to join his family.

From her spot behind the apartment building, Celestia felt herself bursting with joyful tears. Sunset seemed so determined to clean up her act. That trait she developed was probably why she was chosen for Forgiveness. It's a powerful thing, especially for oneself.

Gardevoir then appeared next to her Trainer. The Princess of the Sun smiled at her. "Let's go home, Gardevoir." She said.

The Psychic type nodded, then used Teleport once more, taking her and her Trainer back home to their castle to wait for Luna.

Author's Note

A/N: Okay, I know not a lot of people like Sunset Shimmer with Timber Spruce. And that a lot of folks don't like him at all. But, before you start getting mad, hear me out. I honestly didn't think Timber was so bad when I first watched Legend of Everfree. I just didn't like that Sci-Twi had a crush on him.

But, when I was reading KidatHeart5's story, "A Woodland Romance", I thought that the shipping between Sunset and Timber was cute. And maybe it could've worked out if Sci-Twi did give Flash a chance.

The song I used is "My Past is Not Today", sung by Sunset Shimmer herself. It is one of my favorite songs she sang. I don't own it in any way though.

Well, that's all for now. Coming up next, last but not least, we'll see Starlight Glimmer. So, see y'all in Chapter 8! And it will be the last of these musical chapters, so that some real action starts.

Got to fly! ;)