Days in the Sun
Once upon a time, Princess Celestia had a student. Not the one that eventually became the Princess of Friendship, but her predecessor. Sunset Shimmer. Everyone knows this story now, that she ran away from Celestia, into the human world, eventually stole the Element of Magic, and got rainbow blasted. Sunset Shimmer, who after all this, redeemed herself with the help of her friends, and became their leader, helping others throughout their whole lives. Sunset Shimmer, whom everyone loved. Sunset Shimmer, who had such a great friend group.
Sunset Shimmer, who was now alone...
Her life was great. After high school, she went off to college, keeping in close touch with her friends, winding up at the same college as Twilight Sparkle, the human one, Sci-Twi. Eventually Twi asked Sunset on a date. Even after Murphy got involved, it was a fun one.
She was still very close with her other friends. She helped Applejack out at Sweet Apple Acres, working up a sweat and just enjoying the outdoors. These were always followed by hearty meals that the Apple family made. With Rarity, she often went shopping, and though she did not have the same know how as the fashionista, she always enjoyed modeling for her friend and getting new things. Fluttershy helped Sunset out some with her pet, Ray. Sometimes during this time they would take a nature walk. Rainbow was always competitive by nature, so she would always challenge Sunset to something, winning at the more athletic things, but sometimes she didn't do as well as Sunset on that which didn't require muscles and endurance, like video games. And Sunset could never forget Pinkie Pie, the party planner extraordinaire. Her parties were the best, especially when it was just the seven of them.
But, Sunset also went through the mirror more often, visiting Equestria. After she made up with Celestia, there was little reason to not visit Equestria, though the human world was now her home. She eventually found her dad and made up with him as well. Though the main purpose of her visits were to visit Twilight.
Sunset also met Princess Cadance again. After blaming her for ruining her life, Sunset thought it best to meet with Cadance as well. After a heartfelt apology, they made up, and became good friends. Sunset, however, still could not connect with the Equestrian versions of her friends well. They were too different and similar at the same time.
So, Sunset's life through college was good. But her last day, graduation day, was even better. That was the day she asked Twilight Sparkle to marry her. And she said yes.
The wedding was wonderful, Sunset and Twilight were walked down different aisles, each by their own fathers. Both Equestrians and humans alike were there, though it took place in the human world. All of their friends helped with the wedding. Sunset, however, was not content with being married in one world. She had to make it official in both. So, after the wedding, they popped over to Equestria to have Princess Celestia marry them there.
Twilight and Sunset were able to do traveling with each other throughout their lives, taking time off, going to both places in Equestria and in the human world.
Life was good. Sunset would never be alone again. She had two worlds full of friends.
Until the portal stopped working.
Thankfully, she was on the human side with her wife and friends. But, not only did the portal stop working, the journal did as well. This was one of the saddest days in Sunset's life. She had lost friends and family, with no hope of ever seeing them again, and did not even have a chance to say goodbye.
But she was not alone in this. Twilight comforted her, and her friends cheered her up. She was able to come back from her sadness, to be happy once again, still having friends and family. A few weeks later, Principal Celestia died. Those months were hard on Sunset, but still had hope.
But, life is short and cruel. Through the years, she and her friends grew old, but never grew apart. But, as all must, her friends began to pass away. They all had lived good, long lives. But, none could stand the ravages of time.
Eventually, it was just her and Twilight. They had never had kids, they just had never had an interest in it, and they travelled far too much for it. Twilight was all Sunset ever needed, and vice versa. Twilight and Sunset had always been together through all of this. Through joy and sadness, sickness and health, two world, adventures and the calm, always together, always there for each other.
Yet, not even love can stave off time. One fateful day, Sunset woke up, and found that Twilight had gone in her sleep. The doctors could do nothing for her.
Sunset had to attend her wife's funeral...
She was now truly alone.
She had no one. No shoulder to cry on, no one whose friendship could find her and lift her out of her sorrow. No one could now make her feel like she was home.
Sunset's past was not today. In the past, she had friends, but now, she was all alone.
The last time she was truly alone was that night. The fall formal. Even during the Anon-A-Miss incident she was not alone. She still had Princess Twilight.
The last time she was alone, however, she had never experienced the joy of friendship. She knew not kindness, only cruelty. She showed not loyalty, but demanded others be loyal to her. She had not generosity, only greed and selfishness. She told only lies, avoiding honesty completely. She never had laughter, instead believing the world to be a cruel place. She had never experienced the Magic of Friendship.
But now she had. And lost it all.
She wished so badly for her past to be today, but it never came to be.
Sunset lay in her bed, contemplating these things, before hearing a knock at the door.
She slowly got up, grabbed her walker, and headed for the door. She opened it to find a young girl, she suspected around seven years old, with amber skin and red and gold bacon hair.
Sunset's hair had long since turned grey, but she could never forget that hair.
"Hello, young one. What are you doing here?" She asked.
"Hello. My name is Sunset Shimmer, and I am selling girl scout cookies! Would you like to buy some, ma'am?" The girl said.
"Of course I would, just let me get some money," the elder Sunset replied.
Fortunately she had her money jar nearby. After getting it, she paid the kid, and received her cookies. "You know my name is also Sunset?" She said.
"Really?" Asked the young one with eyes wide.
"Yup. Sunset Sparkle-Shimmer."
"Wow, that's so cool."
"Of course it is. One more thing before you go."
"Yes ma'am?"
"Do you have friends?"
"Yes ma'am! I sure do!" The young Sunset replied excitedly.
"Good. Keep 'em. Friends may be trouble at times, but they are always worth it. They will make you the best possible you. Keep this in mind, kiddo: Friendship is Magic."
"Yes ma'am. I'll be sure to do that!" The young Sunset said with sincerity.
"Bye kiddo."
"Bye Miss Sparkle-Shimmer!"
As the young Sunset ran off to sell more cookies, the elder version had a smile on her face.
That night, she went to rest peacefully, knowing that there was someone just like her, starting on a better path than she did. "Good luck, young Sunset," she whispered, before falling into her final rest.
The End.
Author's Note
Happy Sunset Day, folks!
I know, a sad story. When I started writing for Sunset Day, I didn't realize I would write something so sad.
But, there's a little bit of hope at the end, for Sunset at least.
The Title was inspired by the Beauty and the Beast song of the same name, where everyone reminisces upon the past and how good it was.
I wish you all a good rest of the day, however little that may be.