Prologue Why am I not aging?
Sunset Shimmer was feeling awkward. She had spent years in a world that was not really her own. She had once been the prized pupil of Princess Celestia. She had, had a huge fight with her old mentor while she was still her mentor, and it ended with Sunset exclaiming:
"I will PROVE I am stronger than you! You will see, one day you'll be SORRY!"
Sunset sighed. She had been a haughty unicorn, who thought she knew better than her teacher. She was going to leave when she noticed a strange mirror in the castle archives. She for no apparent reason touched it. She was surprised to find that her hoof went right through it! She wanted to see what would happen if she stepped through, so she did. Unfortunately, it was the last day that the portal would be opened for a LONG time.
When she went through she was shocked at how different everything looked. And then she saw herself, her hands and so on she was afraid. She tried to go back through the portal but it had closed. She panicked and said:
"Princess Celestia! Somepony, anypony, help!"
But no help came. Celestia had heard from her guards that Sunset had found the mysterious mirror and that it had gone solid. Celestia was upset, she knew that she that she would not see Sunset Shimmer again for a long time.
Sunset Shimmer quickly learned how the world she was trapped in worked and decided that she would be the toughest person there. But she also wondered why she was trapped in this mirror world in the first place. After some serious thought she remembered an old pony legend about a magic mirror that was a portal to another world. It would be open for 3 days every 30 or so moons. She always thought that it was only an old mare's tale, but obviously it wasn't. She had been cruel to the creatures there that she learned where called 'humans'. She also saw mirror versions of princess Celestia and presumably her sister Luna. She had only taken a guess at that time, because Celestia's sister Luna in Equestria was still banished to the moon. Sunset had wondered if Celestia was really a just ruler when she realized that she had a sister at one time. That sister was the mare in the moon. Nightmare Moon.
'So that is why she took as a student. She wanted me to fix her mistake. Well, I will show her and her sister Luna if she is herself when I return. I will overthrow them both with an army from this world and rule Equestria!'
Sunset shuddered when she thought of how she been back then. Cruel, cocky, evil, and inconsiderate. When she did return to Equestria she found out that Celestia had not only taken a another student she called her 'faithful student', but she had also ascended to alicornhood. And that her crown was the element of magic. Sunset Shimmer stole it and Twilight followed her through to the other world. Sunset Shimmer had also destroyed friendships there, but Twilight helped the girls there to get back to together. They defeated Sunset Shimmer and then to her surprise forgave her.
Sunset Shimmer had a lot of adventures after that. And the last one before her high school graduation was one that allowed her a chance to receive forgiveness long overdue from princess Celestia. But getting back to her newest problem she was worried. Her friends were aging normally and had good careers. Rainbow Dash was a race car driver. Rarity owned her own fashion boutique. Sci-Twilight was on her way to becoming a world famous scientist. Applejack ran her family's farm. Fluttershy had her own animal shelter. Pinkie Pie was now a partner in the restaurant called 'Sugarcube Corner'. Wallflower was becoming a famous botanist. And Trixie was a popular magician who performed for children's parties. And what was Sunset Shimmer doing? She was a janitor at Canterlot High School.
The reason for that was because she wanted to be close to the portal connecting the two worlds. She had asked for the job not long after her graduation. Principal Celestia agreed readily. And the only thing that vice principal Luna gave was as a stipulation was that that she tried to keep students from parking in the faculty parking lot. Sunset Shimmer was happy to agree to that. But she also sad whenever she saw them. Because they were aging too. Sunset wondered why she was not aging, because most ponies in Equestria aged normally. Except for princesses Celestia and Luna of course. After all, they were alicorns. And alicorns as far as anypony knew they were immortal. She looked at the newly repaired statue on the pastel. A horse on it's hind legs and fore legs pawing the air. Sunset Shimmer smiled at the thought of how different horses were in this world, from the ponies of Equestria. While she was lost in her thoughts her friends stuck up behind her.
They had taken a day off of their busy schedules to visit Sunset Shimmer at their old school. Pinkie Pie was the first to break the silence in her usual hyperactive way. She said:
"Heya Sunset! Are you thinking about how we are getting older in you are staying the same age?"
"What have Ah told ya about being tactful about yer choice of words Pinkie?" Applejack asked
"To think before I speak." Pinkie said then added "oh."
"Seriously, how are you feeling darling?" Rarity asked "You seem down in the dumps."
"I don't know." Sunset replied "I have enjoyed our friendship greatly, but I don't really belong here. I was born in Equestria, and I am feeling homesick. Besides that as you may have noticed I have not aged a day since our graduation."
"Perhaps you should write princess Twilight...that is..if you don't mind." Fluttershy advises in her usual meek and quiet way
"Yeah like she could help!" Rainbow Dash argued "She didn't even know why we lost our memories of Sunset Shimmer. She had to go to the senior princess Celestia for help! Some princess of friendship!"
Sci-Twilight, Wallflower, and Trixie tried to explain that it takes time to learn extremely hard things in science and plants, and the human body. So how much more so, would it be for someone studying magic. Sunset wrote a note in her journal, her way of contacting princess Twilight. After what seemed like an eternity she got a return message. But it made her worry, because it told her to return to Equestria immediately!
Sunset Shimmer informed Principal Celestia that she had to go back home to Equestria for a few days to get some answers. Principal Celestia agreed to let her go, and if she should plan to stay in Equestria she asked that she could back to say goodbye. Sunset Shimmer agreed. She said farewell to her friends, gathered up her bag, and went through the portal.
Author's Note
This is an Au because some things about the characters are still unclear. I had to change a few of my ideas 💡 for this story because of the newest Equestria girls special. If you want to see the original story go to fanfiction where it is under fanfic girl of all worlds because I don't know how to publish on that site.
Chapter 1 As normal as possible
The years had continued to relatively the same in Equestria. Twilight and her friends were known as 'The Council of Friendship.' Starlight Glimmer was still living at Twilight's castle as well. Although no longer a student of Twilight, she had become invaluable as an adviser to the council of friendship. Especially at times when they needed subtle reminders that it is always good to give somepony a second chance. Spike was still Twilight's number one assistant though, running around doing errands for everypony, including Starlight. But he didn't mind. He preferred it to the solitary life that most dragons led. Although he was called to the dragon lands on occasion to help Dragon Lord Ember settle a friendship dispute. Dragons were trying harder to be friendly with other creatures. But it was not always easy. Especially since for thousands of years, dragons had been intimidating mostly every creature that wasn't a dragon.
But that was not what was worrying Twilight now. Most ponies would say that Twilight Sparkle worried too much. A misplaced book, a letter she forgot to send to Celestia, and even just preparing a simple meal could make her worry. But on this occasion, her concerns were pretty valid. It had been quite a few years since she had arrived in Ponyville, and she had accomplished a lot of things since then with the help of her friends. Twilight had once thought that friendship wasn't that important. That being able to do magic and understand it, was enough. It was only during the Summer Sun Celebration in which Nightmare Moon was to return that she learned that important lesson. Princess Celestia had sent her to Ponyville to help the town prepare for the celebration. And added that she should try to make some friends. Twilight was sure that the future of Equestria didn't depend on her making friends. but it was only through accepting the friendship of Applejack, Fluttershy, Rarity, Rainbow Dash, and Pinkie Pie that Twilight was able to understand the elements of harmony and restore princess Luna to her former self. Many years had passed since then, and they had many adventures. Defeating the evil Queen Chrysalis, defeating and then reforming Discord, and Tirek's defeat. That final defeat was what led to Twilight gaining a castle. It was made with magic from the tree of harmony. Even now, Twilight didn't understand everything about her home, but that wasn't her concern right now.
Many years had passed since she had met her friends. But while everypony else was showing signs of aging (except for the princesses, Cadence, and her brother) Twilight and her friends appeared to be the same age they were when they first met. This worried them slightly. Why were they still the same after so many years? This was part of the reason why none of them had taken a mate. Not that Applejack, Pinkie Pie, Rainbow Dash, and Fluttershy were really interested in taking mates. They were more interested in their careers. Applejack with her farm, Pinkie Pie as a partner in Sugarcube Corner and planning parties, and Rainbow Dash as a Wonderbolt. Twilight kept herself busy with her princess duties, and Rarity was busy making dresses. Because of the non-aging going on, none tried to mate, even though it seemed like everypony was. Even Applejack's big brother Big Mac had married his girlfriend Sugar Belle and they now had foals. One was a filly 'Honey Apple' and the other was a colt called 'Bright Mac II' after Big Mac's father. And they were going to another foal soon. Sugar Belle had left Our Town to live at Sweet Apple Acres with Applejack's family. Which was good for Applebloom since Granny Smith finally passed away a year ago. But she had gotten so old that she couldn't work the farm anymore, and she didn't want to be a burden on her family. She passed away in her sleep. Applebloom cried long and hard for days afterward. She wouldn't look at her brother or sister, but Sugar Belle made her some special apple treats and when she was ready, listened to her sorrows. And Applebloom felt a little bit better.
Another odd thing to Twilight was that Celestia was calling her to back up to Canterlot. Not that she minded too much. Celestia gave her unlimited access to the restricted area of the Canterlot archives. For Twilight it was like being in heaven. But the thing that concerned her was Celestia's attitude lately. It was not that she had gotten nasty or evil. But she seemed aloof for some reason. Especially during her last visit there. And Twilight didn't like it. She tried to get Celestia to open up about what was the matter, and added that she hoped that she knew that she could trust her about anything. Celestia would just smile and say that nothing was wrong, and that she just wanted to spend some more time with her favorite student. Twilight laughed as she reminded Celestia that she was no longer her student: "Can't you give an old mare her pleasures Twilight?" She asked
"You're not old Celestia." Twilight remarked "You look just like when I first saw you at the first Summer Sun Celebration I ever saw you at. You really shouldn't put yourself down like that Princess Celestia. You are just the same as you always have been."
"You are still very young Twilight." Celestia said "You have a lot to learn Twilight. It is almost time to set the sun. Would you like to give it a try?"
"Oh yes, yes, yes, yes, yes!" Twilight said with such enthusiasm that Celestia smiled as she remembered the first time she met Twilight. She had just hatched a dragon's egg. Something that was supposed to be impossible. And in doing so, she had gained her cutie mark in magic. Celestia had taken her as her personal student. She loved Twilight like a daughter. And she wanted to prepare her for the challenges ahead. She said as they walked to the balcony: "Twilight you know that most ponies do die, don't you?" She watched with pride as Twilight was lowering the sun fairly well. Twilight answered her: "Everypony except alicorns. After a certain age they stop aging. At least, that is what I read."
"You have a lot to learn Twilight. But not tonight." Celestia said "Now please try to relax, and go to bed."
"Okay Celestia. Good night." Twilight said and walked away from the balcony. She saw Luna watching her leave and give her a smile. Luna just looked at her sadly. Twilight didn't understand why she seemed upset. But Luna said nothing. That was the last time she saw Luna during her visits. She never spoke to her and that worried Twilight. She was one of Luna's first friends. So, the sudden quietness from her had Twilight really worried about what might be wrong with her friend. But since Luna never said anything to her, she couldn't help her, although she wanted to.
That had been a few days ago, and now all her friends were at the castle of friendship. Twilight received a message from her special journal that she used to talk to Sunset Shimmer. She was not aging as well. So she wrote her to return to Equestria. It was time to look for answers. Because not only was she confused about the non aging going on, but when she asked Zecora and Starswirl why they might not be aging they were stumped. So she determined that they should try to get information from Celestia that might answer their questions. And she wanted Sunset Shimmer to be there too.
Author's Note
So Twilight and the others are not aging either. What may be happening ? And why is Celestia giving Twilight new training? Feel free to review guesses in your comments. But continue reading to find out!