Keep Moving Forward

Canterlot Castle: Celestia & Luna's throne room: 8:30 PM

As the Celestia finished casting her magic spell to lower the sun and Luna finished casting hers to raise the moon, all the creatures who were leaders of their respective kingdoms clapped in awe at their show of magic never tiring of seeing the two use their powers to move the heavens. As the magic in their horns died down and the moonlight shined through the stain glass windows of their throne room, Celestia would speak up in order to close off the evening.

"Thank you all so much for coming; it is our dearest hope that in the coming year harmony and prosperity spreads further across not just Equestria but worlds once thought far out of reach. We look forward to working with the various races of Equestria to help bring out new times of peace. Enjoy your new year everyone." Celestia said giving her final statement to the various creatures who had come to this gather of hers. It was one to not just reflect on the passing year but to elaborate on plans for the coming one and the ones that would follow.

She knew that once she'd finally reconciled with her former student that the flood gates would soon open for the two worlds to begin to intertwine and knowing this fact she'd sought aid from the various leaders of different kingdoms around the world since her Kingdom was the largest and made up about 45% of the current population and she herself was the controller of the Celestial body that gave their planet light and warmth.

Celestia didn't like to hover that fact above others but in order to truly stake her claim and get ALL the leaders to agree with the likes of the dragons being rather resistant at first; she had no choice and her sister Luna gladly backed her up considering the fact she controlled the moon and the nighttime as well as being the sole ruler of the dreamscape.

With Twilight and Cadence as the Princesses of Friendship & Love respectively they felt they had a good circle of power to keep things checked and balanced and while they continued to better their own world; they would seek to share this knowledge, magic and wisdom with neighboring worlds but they needed to tread carefully as they didn't wish to cause untold devastation through the magical nexus that allowed all to exist.

So to this end the first world they would attempt to 'enlighten' would be the world Sunset Shimmer had made her home and much to her surprise based on what Twilight Sparkle had told her? Sunset Shimmer had similar aspirations to help enlighten the human world about magic and apparently? That world had magic already rooted in it! They simply didn't understand it and that's where Equestria and their enlightenment on magic would come in; Celestia and Luna had been around for a very long time and knew more about the ins and outs of magic than most of their kind only being surpassed in recent years by the likes of Sunset Shimmer, Twilight Sparkle and Starlight Glimmer just to name a few.

Twilight in particular was the greatest mind on magic that Equestria had since she herself was the reincarnation of the element of magic itself and so she would also help lead the charge of enlightenment for the human world and from what the princess of Friendship had detailed in previous letter? It would also seem the human world counterpart of Twilight Sparkle was more than on board with this type of idea and planned to help any way she possibly could having gained a deep interest in magic ever since her...unfortunate hiccup in turning into Midnight Sparkle as Princess Twilight said she'd been called in that moment during a magical rampage.

Celestia herself knew what it was like to look the face of your inner most darkness; that time when Starlight forced her and Luna to switch cutie marks was helpful in more ways than anypony could imagine. She had never truly taken the form of Daybreaker however there was nothing stopping her from doing so either; if Celestia ever gave into her anger, her pride, her hate, any and all of her negative emotions that she kept hidden from everypony? She would easily turn into that nightmarish monster with a desire to want to only burn all life to ash.

She never wanted anyone to have to feel like that and she knew that there had been humans in that world who'd been exposed to their darkness being let out and that included her own dear former student.

'I have so much to answer for. I can only hope she forgives me' Celestia thought as she sighed sitting in her throne.

"Something on your mind sister?" Luna asked trotting over and nuzzling her big sister.

"It's nothing Luna just a long day as usual and even still there is one last order of business I must attend to." Celestia said somberly emphasizing the point that SHE needed to handle this.

"Of course; I won't disturb you while you have your much needed bonding time with your former pupil. You need this as much as we needed to well...say sorry after everything that happened." Luna said with a small blush and tear in her eye that she wiped away with a wing. She could tell this situation was one that weighed heavily on her sisters heart and soul especially given everything that happened between the two of them.

"I'll never stop saying that I'm sorry for what happened between us Luna and with Sunset I feel it will be the same; even if she did make her own choices and mistakes? I should've tried harder...been more of a mother than a teacher when she needed it most...I was never the best at balancing those two things...I was barely ever a good sister; how I EVER thought I'd even remotely be a good mother is beyond me" Celestia huffed and sighed hanging her head.

"You don't give yourself enough credit sister; you were always a wonderful sister...imperfect but in the best sort of way. I am sure you did everything you could for dear Sunset but things went wrong; I know you say you don't like to talk about it so I won't pry but I am sure Sunset feels worse about doing what she did rather than blaming you that it happened. Pony's make mistakes sister; that is the way of life and she has come home to apologize and reconcile of her own free will. Seems to me like all is meant to be well soon. " Luna reassured her sister; while the youngest of the two immortal sisters she was much wiser than many pony's gave her credit for some times.

"I know sister; thank you for always being here for me even when I should be able to stand alone." Celestia replied with a small chuckle feeling happy that her sister had grown to be such a wise and thoughtful princess.

"It's what family does Celestia; I shall leave you to your coming reunion. I'll be sure to put up a sound spell on the room since it's very clear this one will probably be more tearful than ours." Luna joked; when Celestia got emotional she got REALLY emotional considering how often she bottled her feelings away. For Celestia when she had a moment? It was one to remember.

"I'm not so sure about that Luna; that was 1000 years of tension and regret built up; Sunset and I have only been apart for about 4 or so years maybe a little more. While I am sure our reunion will require many...many tissues I don't believe it'll require THAT much." Celestia blushed feeling there was very little chance her reunion with Sunset would be filled with as much tear jerking sadness as her reunion with her sister.

"Hm I wouldn't be to sure sister; you may not be the girls mother but as I understand? She is the closest thing to a daughter you've ever had next to Twilight Sparkle of course. I know you care for her deeply and wish nothing more than to see how she has changed but I can tell you also want nothing more than to just see the bright little filly she once was again before things went sour." Luna said with a chuckle and patting her sister with a wing.

"You know me far too well sister" Celestia added in a coy manner.

"Tis my job. Good night Celestia." Luna said giving her sister a nuzzle and leaving their throne room in order to go and take up her nightly duties. She knew that her sister would need this time alone and so just as she left the room she cast a powerful sound barrier spell around the room as well as one that would allow no interruptions less they be world threatening.

As the doors to the throne room shut and she could no longer hear anything but her own thoughts and the sound of her own heartbeat; Princess Celestia let out a deep and much needed sigh as she used her magic to remove her crown and regalia. Once she did that she got up from her throne and using her magic she teleported in a couple of items from her room that she wished to have here for this moment to come.

One was her favorite sitting pillow that had been woven for her and enchanted to grow alongside with her since she was a filly by her mother Radiant Aurora; it was a pure white pillow with yellow stitching around the sides and on the face of the pillow was printed her cutie mark. This was one of the last precious things she had to remember her mother by except for her sister and she cherished it dearly, along with that she had a second pillow; one she had magically woven for Sunset Shimmer herself the day she had adopted her and gotten her cutie mark.

The pillow she'd made for Sunset was still small enough for the body of that of a young mare the age of about 13 or 14 since that's around the time that Sunset ran away, it was red and yellow to match the pattern of Sunset's gorgeous mane and tail. On its face was printed Sunset's cutie mark but as an added touch since Celestia had basically become her mother that day? She added a little wording to it even for as much as it embarrassed Sunset in her older age and it read 'My little Sunset' right under her cutie mark and looking at it had always brought tears to Celestia's eyes.

'How I long for those days to be reality; if even just for a little bit.' Celestia thought as she sat the pillow down beside her with her magic and sat herself in her own. With a flick of her magic she also summoned a teapot filled with a brand of tea she and Sunset often enjoyed together when they were spending quality time together just reading or making up stories; she remembered a time when she used to sit with a little filly Sunset in this very throne room long after she had set the sun simply goofing around and telling stories or making them up along side the excitable young unicorn.

Having been alive so long Celestia knew the time by the position of the Celestial bodies and given the moon's position right now she knew the time drew near and so she would using her magic to send a quick magic signal to the princess of Friendship signalling her to send her former pupil to the Canterlot Castle via the new travel system set up between the three kingdoms of Canterlot, Ponyville & The Crystal empire.

It was a method conceived by Twilight Sparkle and her own pupil Starlight Glimmer and the project had gotten much support from Luna, Celestia and Cadence since it would allow the three kingdoms to not only aid each other quickly in times of crisis but if the project had gotten enough headway it would even allow for easier trade across the three kingdoms which would help each one prosper further and form bonds so pony's and other races could feel closer to one another.

With the magic signal sent she did the breathing exercise that Cadence had taught Twilight Sparkle when she was nervous and did her best to calm her very frazzled nerves. Celestia was always the type of pony to put on a brave face and hide her inner most emotions in order to reassure the pony's of Equestria that they didn't have to worry about any dangers or troubles so as long as she stood as a beacon of light and hope. But even the strongest lights can flicker, waver every once in awhile and that is how Celestia felt right now as she awaited the arrival of the one pony in all her centuries of living who had touched her heart in ways only few managed to.

The Castle of Friendship: Throne Room of Harmony

Getting a familiar sensation through her magic Twilight had looked out the window to see the position of the moon and knew that it was time. Her friends and everypony else were currently all about the castle doing their own things and enjoying the company of the many friends and even family that had shown up to the castle; she even got to introduce Sunset Shimmer to the head of her new harmony guard Tempest Shadow and the two of them got along very well.

Currently Sunset was talking with Starlight Glimmer about different things regarding their past and plans for the future as was typical of this time of year when everyone resolved to do something new of different in the coming year.

"Sunset? It's time. Are you ready?" Twilight asked already knowing that it was too late for Sunset to turn back now.

"Well it would be rude among other things to chicken out now so yeah; I'm ready." Sunset said taking a calming breath as she steeled her nerves.

"It'll be fine Sunset; remember what I told you. Just lay it all out on the table, get it all out and let her do the same and it'll all work out." Starlight gave her friend a final bit of reassurance.

"Thanks Star. Alright Twi; lets go." Sunset said as she got up from the table she and Starlight were sitting at sharing tea cakes and trotted along to follow Twilight Sparkle over to the new magic portal system that she, Starlight and even Moon Dancer had help set up in the throne room of her castle which was linked to the cutie map.

Starlight and Twilight had done much experimenting with the map and one such test allowed them to basically create a fast travel system that they soon hoped to expand out to the rest of Equestria to aid in trade among other things like sending reinforcements in case of invasions which was a well brought up point by her friendship guard captain Tempest Shadow.

As she came up to the portal she could see Twilight had already set it to the destination desired which was the throne room of the royal sisters. Seeing the image of the throne room she had a clear view of the doors that lead to the throne room and could tell that things had undergone a design change since her last visit. Walking up to the portal surface she turned to Twilight Sparkle and smiled.

"Guess this is it. This has been more than 4 years coming; honestly I should have done this the moment you said the portal was free to use any time." Sunset said somberly

"You needed to wait until you were ready and to be honest? At the time it would have been best to wait anyway what with the constant back to back invasions, monster attacks and the whole time paradox thing with Starlight" Twilight said giving a playful and teasing look at her student who looked back at her sheepishly.

"True, true. I still can't thank you enough for chasing me down that night Twilight...had you not come to Canterlot High and dethroned me? I don't want to ever entertain the thought of what might've happened if I'd truly tried to do what I wanted to do. You saved me and so many others that day and gave me a chance to make things right on my own terms." Sunset smiled and wiped an emotional tear away and hugged her friend tightly. "Thank you Twilight; for everything."

"It was my pleasure Sunset and I know once you and Celestia finish making up? Things will be looking a lot different for you. Now run along my little pony; its impolite to keep a princess waiting."

Sunset pouted at Twilight calling her that and blushed too which didn't go unnoticed by the princess of friendship. "You do realize I'm older than you right?"

Twilight gave her a cheeky if not smug grin she hadn't expected to see on the nerdy alicorns face and said. "And I'm immortal and twice your size now so nyeh!" Mocked the Princess with her tongue out at Sunset and then used her magic to thrust her through the portal to Celestia's location.

"Gyah! Ooooh why that cheeky purple ho-whooooooa this place has changed." Sunset was cut short in her flustered ranting when she noticed how drastically the Canterlot palace had changed since she had been gone. She hadn't seen the place since she had run away and so much looked different but not in a bad way. In a way the castle looked almost ethereal, space like, a theme fitting of the princesses who could move the sun, moon and stars themselves.

Her awe was short lived however as she was soon met by a couple of guards who without a word escorted her to the door that lead into the throne room apparently aware of who she was before even setting hoof in the place.

"Well...here goes." Sunset said as she trotted forward and just like back when she was her personal student; she pushed the doors of Celestia's personal study open, the room was as she remembered it, large and regal, a masterpiece of craftsponyship with pillars of marble and ivory spread across the room and it was painted in the colors of its occupant, gold and white. At the far end of the room sat the princess of the sun; Celestia but minus her regalia, sitting on a silk gold pillow with white frills, next to her was a red pillow with yellow frills; Sunset instantly recognized it as the personal sitting pillow Celestia had woven for Sunset for when she got her cutie mark right after she got adopted!

After she had moved into the castle. Sunset was already feeling a hurricane of emotions attacking her senses at once but they were ones of joy, excitement, anxiety and most of all...remorse.

'Even after everything I did, she still has a place for me at her side?' Sunset thought as she was doing her best to keep the hurricane of emotions inside her under control but merely seeing that pillow brought back so many fond memories that made her heart ache because of how much she missed them and how bad she felt about having thrown all those good times away for nothing.

Trotting into the room she'd used her magic to slowly close the doors behind her and they slammed a bit too hard for her liking and it made Sunset twitch and yelp a bit. Shaking her head she'd calm her nerves and try her best to smile as she came into the room to address the princess, bowing as customary as a show of respect. She owed Celestia that much even though she knew the Sun Princess always told her she never had to bow to her.

"Princess Celestia." Sunset said calm and evenly.

Celestia for her part looked upon her former student with a smile, it was a calm and gentle smile, one full of motherly sweetness and love that Sunset had only ever felt from Celestia, her warm and embracing aura blanketed the entire room. Her rainbow ethereal mane blew in the non-existent wind as it normally did and her wings lay curled to her sides.

"Sunset Shimmer; it's been quite some time hasn't it? I trust your time in Ponyville was pleasant?" Celestia said with a kind and gentle smile and a loving look in her eyes.

Sunset felt her eyes pierce directly into her heart and soul and couldn't tell if Celestia did it on purpose or if the power of her motherly love was just that strong, Sunset was convinced it had to be both. Shuddering a bit as she continued to try and keep her composure, Sunset willed herself to speak again.

"Y-Yes; it was great! Equestria is great; everything is...great. um...it's um...g-great to see you again. I hope I didn't keep you waiting too long; I-I mean I know time between the two worlds is a little wonky so uh you know...sorry?" Sunset stammered and tried her best to keep cool and composed just like she rehearsed but was tripping over her thoughts and feelings in the presence of Celestia whom looked rather calm as usual but then? She heard Celestia giggle at her quip and joke about the time being wonky and she was thrust back into more memories of how she once would sit in this very room with the sun princess just talking and goofing around as if she wasn't some immortal princess with control of the sun...but the mother she never had.

Celestia nodded as her giggling died down after a short while. "Indeed although any time away from those you love and hold dear can feel like an eternity and ever since that day when I felt I no longer had anything to teach you and turned you away? I have regretted it and my greatest hope was that one day you would see the light and come home. And by the grace of Faust you have and if I may? I wish to say that...I....I'm sorry Sunset." Celestia's voice hitched and she looked down almost ashamed to look her former student in the eye and tell her she was sorry for turning her away.

In that moment? Sunset felt the entire world fall away. She couldn't hear anything but her thoughts and heartbeat and over and over one thought echoed in her mind and a single phrase from Starlight continued to repeat itself. 'Just let it all out' and it was in that moment? Sunset allowed her entire mask of calm shatter into pieces, her voice hitched, her eyes closed and tears began to flood out but even as she began to lose control she fired up the magic in her horn and teleported right to Celestia and practically tackled her with the force of which she popped into her chest and she began to cry her little pony head off into the sun princess' fluffy white chest and she did as Starlight said...laid it all out and let it all go.

"I-I'M SO SO-RRY!!! I'M SORRY I'M SORRY I'M SORRY I'M SORRY I'M SORRY I'M SO SO SORRY CELESTIA! P-PLEASE FORGIVE ME FOR BEING S-SUCH A FOOLISH PETULANT SPOILED EVIL NO GOOD LITTLE-" Sunset screamed and cried and repented for all the horrible things she had done and wanted nothing more than for Celestia to forgive her, she wanted to hear her say it so badly it hurt but just as Sunset was about to continue apologizing Celestia silenced her with a wing.

The tears rolled fast down Celestia's cheeks as she held her crying adoptive daughter. "Shhh; hush now my little pony. I was NEVER truly angry with you Sunset I was just so...so hurt and sad but not with you; with myself...yes you stumbled...you fell down a dark path but it is I who failed you; as your teacher...your mentor...y-your mother; I failed to see just how far you were falling, I thought I'd done all that I could to put you back on the righteous path but I failed and in the end the same fate befell you that befell my sister...So no Sunset; I am the one who is sorry dear daughter....you've nothing to say sorry for my little pony. Had I been a better mother none of this would have happened." Celestia said reassuringly to the crying mare.

Sunset was so warped by her emotions her tone now became slightly angered and frustrated; how come she wasn't punishing her!? Why wasn't she scolding her or giving her that disappointed glare?! She'd been a bad little pony hadn't she?! "B-BUT I-I TORMENTED SO MANY PEOPLE OUT OF SPITE, I STOLE THE ELEMENT OF MAGIC AND TRIED TO OVERTHROW YOU AND START A WAR, I NEARLY MURDERED TWILIGHT AND TURNED INTO A MONSTER! H-HOW ARE YOU NOT FURIOUS WITH ME?!" Sunset shouted and demanded to know why Celestia wouldn't punish her for being such a bad filly, she deserved it didn't she?

Shaking her head and chuckling bitterly Celestia spoke again. "Yes you made mistakes, you acted on emotions of cruelty, hate, spite, revenge, anger and used powers far beyond you to do so; however Luna had done the same, and she and I were able to reconcile; I always had high hopes for you Sunset Shimmer; and I still do. Twilight informed me of your connection to the elements of harmony and she has told me of all your heroic acts to protect the human world as you're home...she's told me of all of the good you've done and continue to do." Celestia smiled and nuzzled Sunset. "She also told me about how you've found love and your plans for the future. I am nothing but proud of you Sunset."

"You t-taught Twilight well; very well, far better than me and she deserves her status as a princess; where I am now...I'm happy and I want to make the best of it all..." She sniffled and her cries still came through but she still managed to speak.

"I-I came back here to face you so I could be at peace...so I could say I'm so sorry for all the mistakes I made....you did your very best for me Celestia and I shunned all your teachings as if I were above them...and so for that I am eternally sorry...so...so sorry" Sunset said still sobbing into the alicorns white coat.

"I-I-I missed you mommy...so much it hurt...even though you were there in the other world; for so long I would act out toward her because I was angry at you...I-I was so wrong; I'm so sorry, I never want that to be me again...Please forgive me...P-Please?" Sunset was never one for pleading or begging but if their was one thing she'd grovel for...one thing she'd bow her head to the dirt for....it was the love and forgiveness of the princess who raised her.

"I've long since forgiven you Sunset. You coming home is all the apology I need little pony; its alright, shhhh, shhhh; I'm right here little sunshine" Celestia hadn't called Sunset by that nickname since she was a filly! This only made Sunset cry harder and louder; how could she have turned out so horribly with such a perfect mare as her role model? She didn't know but she was glad she'd at last found her way.

Celestia would gently stroke the mares mane and whisper sweet motherly nothings in her ear as she comforted her. They stayed like that for a good while, Sunset cried and cried until every last tear of regret and remorse had left her body and Celestia held her through it all; collectively they sat and cried and made up with one another for two whole hours.

When the crying finally ceased the two mares would sit together and would enjoy a hot cup of tea together along with a plate of cake for each of them, it felt just like old times and Sunset couldn't be any happier.

For hours they talked, Sunset recounting all her good deeds in the human world and how she'd helped make CHS a better place after she had graduated, she spoke to her about her plans for the future and even gave a few details about how her love life with the human Twilight Sparkle was going much to Celestia's pleasure since she always had a feeling the two of them would make a cute couple. Seeing the position of the moon and stars she could tell the time was winding down and knew Sunset wished to return home so that she could spend her new years with friends and her lover.

"Time certainly flies when reuniting with family doesn't it? I do hope that you will visit more often Sunset." Celestia said as she nuzzled her former student who was getting up and getting ready to leave the throne room to head back to ponyville.

"Any chance I can get to come see you I will; I just wish I could still write to you like I used to." Sunset said remembering how she used to talk to Celestia through her magic book that now belonged to Twilight.

"Hm perhaps then this will be a good time to give you a late hearths warming present." Celestia said floating over a book similar to her old one but with a new sun mark on it and she smiled. "I had it and a couple others made a few days ago; you can keep this one and others have been commissioned to be sent to your new friends in ponyville and Twilight will be getting a few extra copies to send home with you.

That way you can talk to me and Twilight; even Luna and Cadence if you so desire while your other friends can communicate with the pony and human versions of themselves."

Sunset beamed a happy smile taking the book in her magic and was absolutely ecstatic. "Oh thank you so much Celestia! I promise you that I will visit and write you as much as I can. This has been the best new years eve of my life! I'm so happy I could just sing right now!!" Sunset said feeling a familiar feeling well up inside her and that feeling was only amplified when she saw the princess' pet Phoenix fly by.

Power
Was all I desired...
But all that grew inside me
Was the darkness I acquired

Sunset looked to the sky and where it was its darkest and in the stars she saw the shadows of her former self, her demon transformation and it was as if her entire past was flashing before her eyes. All her sins and misdeeds, all the hate, pride, anger, jealousy, blackmail, threats; she remembered all of it and hated every single thing about how she used to be.

When I began to fall
And I lost the path ahead
That's when your friendship found me
And it lifted me instead

Her voice was light and free and lifted up to the heavens as she felt the sunlight and its power course through her body just like the first time she'd sang this song after the battle of the bands when she'd finally gotten accepted by everyone and she felt she had finally found her way to move on from her past but now more than ever she knew that the past wasn't today and she'd sing her praises to all of Canterlot to make sure they knew on this day Sunset Shimmer was truly reborn from her ashes.

Like a phoenix burning bright
In the sky

As she sang this part, Celestia's pet phoenix flew by and made a few laps around the tower Sunset was in. The fiery pattern of the phoenix lit up the sky like an artificial sunset matching the song she was singing right now.

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

As she continued to sing she had all but forgotten that Celestia was there watching her, she simply stood on the balcony and sang out over Canterlot in pure joy for feeling the final weight of her past lifted from her shoulders.

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

She remembered all the negative emotions she felt and where they had lead her; they'd lead her to become a monster and after being defeated she was what she always feared to be...alone.

But when it disappeared
And I found myself alone
That's when you came and got me
And it felt like I was home

She then remembered the five girls who helped pull her up from the shadows of her past and showed her a better way, showed her the value of honesty, loyalty, laughter, kindness, generosity and then on her own she truly saw the magic in it all; and then not too long after she found love in that very same magic, a love that even now made her heart flutter and scream in bliss when she thought about it.

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!!

As her song came to an end she felt her power rising further than ever before, a gold and red aura surrounded her and she lifted into the air, her hair stood on end and whipped around in an ethereal gold and red light, her body shimmered the same glowing aura and from behind her celestia's pet phoenix flew behind Sunset and spread its majestic wings behind her and then something unexpected happened, the combination of all the raw magic and the unpredictable nature of a phoenix magic, the young phoenix had merged with Sunset Shimmer through her aura at first turning to ash but then the ashes turned to sparkles of light and formed around Sunset's neck a new amulet much like Twilight's new regalia but with a new symbol, it looked like her cutie mark but it had a par of phoenix wings behind it. As the magic died down and Sunset descended back to the balcony she soon realized along with Celestia that she also now bore the wings of a phoenix that were covered in a gold ethereal flame.

"W-What is this? Whats going on?" Sunset asked in awe and confusion at what had just happened.

"It appears Sunset that Philimina had picked her host; phoenix's are majestic and strange creatures however a legend among them is that those who seek to find redemption through rebirth are chosen by the ashes and from them are born anew both inside and out; it is a very rare occurrence; though this does mean I am short one pet now" Celestia sighed a bit. "Though I feel it was a fitting end, I suppose she wanted to give you a gift for your redemption as well Sunset; you should feel honored, the magic and power of the phoenix is not one to be taken lightly....use it to defend your world well."

"Thank you princess; thank you for everything! I think I'm going to go back to Ponyville and get ready to go back home; it'll be new years day soon and I am sure Sci-Twi is eager to see me; but I think-" Sunset looked out to the skies and furrowed her new wings and grinned. "I'm gonna take these for a test drive."

Celestia giggled happily and gave her adoptive daughter a nuzzle knowing full well she couldn't talk her out of doing what she was bout to do but then again? Celestia had done something similar when she got her wings so she could hardly blame the young mare. "Fly safely and enjoy your life Sunset Shimmer. I look forward to seeing you again soon." Celestia said giving the young mare a motherly kiss on the cheek to bid her farewell.

"I'll be back as soon as I can mom! I love you!" Sunset returned the kiss to the cheek and jumped off the balcony and nose dived into a glide and began to fly off toward ponyville. In her dreams she had always felt like she was meant to fly and so she was a natural at it just like she was with most things. As she soared across the sky and through the clouds she couldn't stop smiling and knew that once she crossed the portal home? Things were gonna get really...really. HOT