Per Speculum in Aenigmate

Chapters

Even the Best Laid Plans...
...Oft Go Awry
Standing Before the Night Court
The Mare with(out) the Gilded Wings
I Dream of... Daybreaker?!
First Equestrian Sunrise: A Surprise Visitor
The Restricted Royal Museum
A Rumor in Canterlot [Amethyst Star]
Journey to the Past [Flashback - Third Person]
In the Halls of the Night Princess [Princess Luna]
As the War Machine Turns [General Sparkle]

Even the Best Laid Plans...

'She replaced me...'

For nearly four years, I've been serving my self-imposed exile in this Celestia-forsaken magicless realm. When I first came through, I was so certain that I would be able to find something that would let me return and take my rightful place as Celestia's better. But, outside of the student body of this school, nothing more than a paltry offering to the glue factory if I were to march them through the portal, I had found nothing.

'And my replacement is an ALICORN?!'

I was livid. Three months ago, the last time the portal had opened up, I discovered that Celestia had seen fit to replace me. ME! With some supposed 'magical prodigy'. Not only that, she apparently saw fit to give that sun-worshiping foal wings. Wings that should have been mine!

If I was going to have my revenge, then I would need to find a way to bring some sort of Equestrian magic over to this world. If my studies were right, there was a massive untapped potential here. It just needed a seed to start the process... some object with more thaumaturgical density than a mere unicorn's horn, even one as powerful as myself.

The other students in the auditorium must have been able to sense my hostility, as they were giving me an even wider berth that normal. But that wouldn't matter, I didn't need them. Not for what I had planned. Now, I just needed to make the proper excuses...

The scowl dropped off of my face the instant I noticed Vice Principal Luna standing in the lunch room. Quickly grabbing Snips and Snails by the collar, I marched the three of us over to her.

"Ms. Shimmer? How can I help you?"

I smiled, lacing my voice with more sugar than one of Donut Joe's triple-frosted donuts. "Vice Principal Luna, it's just... Snips, Snails, and I were talking earlier and couldn't help but think that some of the preparations for this year's Fall Formal seem to be lagging behind a bit."

"We were?" Snips mumbled, earning him a discrete elbow to the ribs.

"Since we don't want the student body to miss out on such a wonderful opportunity..."

"To see you crowned Princess for the third year in a row," Snails said softly. His foot was quickly graced with the weight of my heel.

"We were hoping to get permission to stay after school today to do some additional prep work. Would that be alright?"

Luna seemed to think for a moment, thankfully either not seeing, or deciding to just ignore, my rather ignorant stooges. "That should not be an issue, Ms. Shimmer. My sister was already planning to remain to handle some additional paperwork, so you need only report to her when you leave."

It took every ounce of self control I had learned over the years not to scowl at the mention of Principal Celestia. I had done everything I could to avoid the human counterpart of my mentor. When I first came over, I hated the idea of being under the tutelage of any Celestia once more. But, as I started to realize she had no really part in my day to day school life, I started to notice something else. There was just something about the way she looked at me in the few instances in which she passed me in the corridors, like she was seeing a ghost or something.

"Thank you very much, Vice Principal," I said through closed teeth. "Have a good day."

"You as well, Ms. Shimmer. And thank you for your assistance."

Night was finally starting to fall by the time I went to see Principal Celestia. I had spent the afternoon bossing Snips and Snails around, making sure that it at least looked like we had bothered to do what we had promised. In reality, it was mostly just a mix of changing streamer colors, repositioning lights, and making sure that the various design committees were aware of the fact that this was the way their Fall Princess wanted the auditorium. Thankfully, everyone knew better than to question my decisions, so there shouldn't be any problems going forward.

Having sent the stooges away, I took a second to swallow and knocked on the Principal's door. It was all about appearances, after all.

"Come in."

I slowly opened the door and poked my head inside. "Principal Celestia? I just wanted to let you know we finished working on the auditorium. So, Snips, Snails, and I are all going to head home now."

For a moment, I saw that look in her eyes again as she looked up from her paperwork. But, it quickly vanished as apparent exhaustion set in. "Very well, Ms. Shimmer. Please, be safe on your way home."

"I will. Thank you." I smiled as I closed the door. 'Home' was exactly the place I was headed to, after all. It only took me a few moments to reach the front door to the school. In front of me, glinting under the rising moon, was the Wondercolt statue and its mirrored base. As I made my way down the steps, I could just make out the sheen that indicated the portal's magic activating on the first night.

"Let's see just what sort of trinket I can find..." With a quick look over my shoulders to make sure that no one was around, I leaned forward slightly and pressed my hand into the portal. As always, the magic grabbed hold and I found myself tumbling through the void on my way to Equestria. However, as my body morphed to its more natural form, I felt the faintest of shivers, like the ones that run up your spine when you drive over a speed bump.

Tucked away in a lost corner of her loft's tiny closet, underneath a layer of dust and clothing, a long forgotten journal shook and flickered with magical energy. The light gold of the aura surrounding it momentarily flashing behind gold and red, before it began to darken into a deep, cobalt blue. At the same time, the cutie mark on the front began to morph, shifting between a stylized sun into a white crescent moon on a black starscape.

Author's Note

And so, we begin. Writing An Empty Seat managed to break a bit of writer's block that I had been suffering from for a while. Coupled with a few other stories that I have read on this site, I found an lovely little idea was just sitting there, waiting for the chance at a multi-chapter piece. I'm going to try and update this story as often as I can, and will be keeping the chapters in the 1 to 2k range. At least for me, that makes for a more enjoyable read, so I hope you can understand.

But, don't worry, I've already got a few ideas going for where this story will lead, as well as a few other currently unpublished chapters in the works. So, thanks for any likes and favorites you give, as well as all the constructive criticism you have to offer! Until next chapter, everyone!

...Oft Go Awry

For the first time in months, my hooves touched Equestrian soil. Alas, I didn't have the time I would have liked to allow that thought to process though, as alarm bells were already ringing in my head. The last time I came here, the mirror had been in some kind of Crystal Palace. Now, however, it appeared to once again be in the dark stone walls of Canterlot Castle. That would at least do me a bit of good, seeing as how growing up here meant I at least had an idea of where I was going.

And that little fact would help with the second major issue that was starting to occur to me... those alarm bells weren't just in my head. For whatever reason, an intruder ward had been placed on the room. I could already hear a distinctive double-clop of two guard ponies running down the nearby hallway.

"I wasn't expecting a welcoming committee..." I mumbled to myself as I prepared a quick teleport spell... which promptly fizzled out in my horn. A cold panic started to flare up inside me for a moment as I slunk into the shadows near the door to try again. The hoof falls were getting closer, and my magic was apparently on the fritz.

"They're in the restricted section!"

Just like my first attempt, I felt the teleport spell fizzle out again. Which only meant one thing... an anti-teleport ward was placed on the castle. When had that happened? I distinctly remembered teleporting back to my room on multiple occasions while under Princess Celestia's tutelage. At least, I hoped it was only an anti-teleport ward, and not an entire anti-magic ward.

"I want a stun spell ready as soon as we open the door, Tart!"

Well, that answered that question somewhat, though it was possible only the guards could use magic. I took a second to calm myself, making a quick test of an old illumination spell I used as a filly to test out my magic reserves. Finding no issues in casting a small cone of light in front of me, I killed the spell. It sounded to me like the guards were just outside the door. I would only have one chance at this...

"In the name of Princess Luna and the Night Guard," I heard the first voice, Tart I was guessing, call out. "Lay down and surrender yourself!"

'Yeah right. Like I'm going to do that.'

I rocked back a bit on my hind legs, ready to leap through the door and bolt after I heard it open. At the same time, I closed my eyes and conjured flare spell, this one a flash that Celestia had taught me when I was young. If it was bright enough to be seen as a signal in the middle of her day, it should be downright debilitating to ponies whose eyes had adjusted to the dark, candlelit halls of Canterlot Castle at night.

"Bring the door down, Sugarcoat!"

I didn't have time to think, hearing the second mare rattle off another name. I had only heard two ponies approach, so how did-

My thoughts were interrupted by the sound of the wooden door shattering into hundreds of pieces and falling to the floor.

"Tart!"

Without giving them the chance, I finished casting my flare spell. Even with my eyes closed, I could still see the light clearly through my eyelids. Tart's spell either fizzled from the shock, or shot off in a random direction. It didn't matter to me, all I was concerned with was that I wasn't hit by it as I opened my eyes a sprung forward...

"Celestia-cursed Bright Light!"

... right into a hovering bat pony, desperately trying to blink vision back into her sensitive eyes. Well, at least now I knew how there were three ponies here when I only heard two approach. We both tumbled to the ground behind a dazed unicorn and earth pony. I was scrambling hard, my hooves struggling for a moment in an attempt to gain traction against the stone floor. Soon, though, I found myself at a full gallop, running down the halls of my old home, the cool night air carrying an ominous call from the downed bat pony.

"Indigo Zap to all units, possible Knight of the Sun terrorist in the castle's restricted section!"

The hallways twisted and turned in front of me as I ran for the old side exit I use to use when sneaking out of the castle some nights. It was in a more rarely used corner of the castle, so there shouldn't be too many guards. At least, as far as I remembered that would be the case.

'Two more corners and I should be in the old storeroom.'

It was close now, I couldn't help but think to myself. I just had to make it to the storeroom, then I was home free. I could worry about how to get back to the mirror later. I certainly couldn't make it back through the portal if I had to spend my time in a dungeon. I felt my magic grab onto the door handle, doing my best to keep my breathing steady and the door quiet while still being expedient.

"And what have we here?"

Dread started to settle in as I heard a deep, powerful voice fill the room. The sound of multiple hoof falls sounded just down the corridor, so my option for retreating was taken from me. But, where the hooves sounded like an encroaching noose, that infernal laughter that seemed to be coming from every wall was a crazed executioner.

"Oh my no. I'm afraid you'll find that escape route was closed years ago, my little pony."

For a mere fraction of a second, I thought I saw a dragon's tail snake behind one of the boxes in the room. But, that couldn't be... dragons were generally too prideful to live in pony society. But, whatever I had seen at first, it paled in comparison to the shock of being picked up by a giant lion's claw and lifted up to stare at the most amalgamated face I had ever seen.

"Oh joy! It would seem Daybreaker's prodigal daughter has finally come home..."

Author's Note

So, rather than the Day Guard's apparent use of two guard ponies per station, commonly seeming to be two unicorns from what I've seen in Canterlot, Princess Luna's Night Guard uses a more well rounded 'pairing off' in groups of three, one of each tribe (though the Pegusai are often supplemented by Thestrals). So, their fashion of arrival, including Indigo Zap's choice of flying to the scene, is common Night Guard SOP, not some random fluke.

Actually ended up with a faster turn around on this chapter than I was expecting, so I guess you all get two early morning chapters instead of just one. Enjoy everyone. Your likes, follows, and constructive criticism are welcome and most appreciated. See you next time!

Standing Before the Night Court

To say I was seething would be like saying Celestia raised the sun. My horn itched like crazy. And, if the magic dampener at its base wasn't a constant reminder of my capture, then the assortment of guardsponies around me certainly would be.

But now was not the time to let my anger control me. Now was the time to scheme. Thus far, it seems as though Vice Principal Luna's counterpart seems to be in charge. If the Vice Principal was any indication, that meant I was going to be up against someone very logic-driven. And given the wards around the mirror, as well as this massive guard presence, that certainly seemed to be the case.

'Something has happened here. And I aim to find out what...'

I blinked slightly as one of the guard's nudged my forward. Was I really even remotely curious about what was going on back home? I came here to get the tools to burn this place to the ground and rule it in Celestia's place. So, shouldn't I be working with whoever might be looking to depose her? Shouldn't I be thanking this Princess Luna if she did just that?

"Come on, keep a move on, Bright Light!"

I grumbled slightly. "I'm going, I'm going. Throne room, right? I know the way."

I looked behind me at the Night Guard that was goading me. He seemed a little unnerved that I knew where we were headed. In fact, so did most of the guards. What? Surely the castle had been open to the public, even if just for going to the throne room for Day Court. It shouldn't be that hard to figure out one's way...

"You will speak when spoken to. Keep your answers clear and concise. And, if the Princess is feeling merciful, maybe a terrorist scum like yourself will see the rising of another moon."

I was really beginning to hate that guard pony. No questions asked, he took his job seriously. Probably a fresh recruit on his first assignment. I watched as the forward guards opened the large doors into the throne room and couldn't help but gasp slightly. There were no indications of Celestia's cutie mark anywhere, only a white crescent moon on black starscape that I presume must have belonged to Princess Luna.

"Your Highness, General, we have brought the prisoner, as you requested." I felt my forelegs knocked out from under myself, forcing me to practically fall into a bow as the rest of the guards knelt.

"Thank you, Private. You may leave."

"B-But, General..."

"We will not state Our demands a second time, Private Chaser. Leave."

The guards nodded sheepishly, quickly retreating and leaving me in the middle of the throne room. I looked up in confusion, watching as this unknown Princess descended towards me. It was only then that I noticed another alicorn in the room, the purple replacement Celestia had found for me. My blood started to boil once more, being reminded of my original goals... only to feel them falter slightly as I felt a wing wrap around my barrel. I'd gotten tunnel vision, completely focused on the new alicorn that I'd somehow lost track of the biggest threat.

"We have missed you, dear Sunset."

'Wait, what?'

I blinked in confusion. I'd never met this princess in my life, so how could she claim to miss me?

"When you disappeared all those centuries ago and never returned, We were certain that you had died."

'OK, really. What's going on here?!'

My mind started to whirl a little. I'd only been gone a few years. Even accounting for the apparent temporal disassociation between the two planes, I should only have been gone for a decade. Maybe two. But certainly not decades.

"We are afraid that We have some foul news about your mother, dear Sunset. Though, it pains us to say this."

My mother died shortly after I got accepted into Celestia's School for Gifted Unicorns. So, why would she just now be having foul news? If anypony here was like a mother to me, or at least had become like one, then it would have been Celestia. And there is NO way I'm going to be calling her 'Mother Dearest' any time soon.

"Mother... N-Now might not be a good time..."

'So, the little usurper is this Princess's daughter, then?'

I steeled my expressions once more, looking towards Princess Luna. The more I learned about what was going on, the better I could formulate a plan.

"After you disappeared into the portal, Our sister became greatly distraught."

'Sister?'

"When the days turned to weeks, she retreated to her room, seeking the least amount of interaction possible."

'Vice Principal Luna announced herself as Principal Celestia's sister, didn't she?'

My poker face must have been failing. The mix of rage and confusion that I felt swirling in my stomach surely must have been showing, given the worried look I was noticing on the purple alicorn's face.

"When We tried reaching out to her, We regret that We were too late. She was too far gone in her grief, calling herself Daybreaker. She attempted to wrestle control of the diarchy from Us, claiming to need no other beside her. There were none that shone as bright as her, she swore. None but her lost daughter."

'She is not suggesting...'

"Whatever providence brings you before Us today, Sunset Shimmer, We are most happy you have returned now. Your mother's thousand years of banishment comes to an end in but a few short days."

'WHAT?!'

The world started to spin, ever so slightly. This was too much. Equestria had gone made since I was last here, that was the only explanation. Or, this was some elaborate, crazed Pony Fool's Day prank in the complete wrong month. My mouth was dry as I opened it to speak, barely squeaking out my words.

"Princess Celestia is..."

I noticed Luna smile as she cut me off.

"It pleases Us to know you still desire to refer to your mother by her crowned name."

The world faded to black at that remark.

I blinked awake, laying on the very comfortable bed. At first, I thought I had the most lucid dream I'd ever had in my life. But it was ridiculous. The idea that I would return to Equestria, only to discover that Celestia was my mother? And that she had gone power hungry and mad after my departure? That made no sense at all. I mean, I remember reading the pleading messages from her in our journal, begging me to return home. It was almost a nightly letter for weeks, if not months. Eventually they stopped... Was it... Could it have been because she'd finally gone mad?

"Ah, you're awake. Just a moment, I'll go get the Princess."

I watched as a maid rushed out of the room. An Equestrian maid. Meaning I was in Equestria. So, at the very least, coming through the portal had been a reality. Just how much of the rest of true would have to wait until later to sort out, as I heard the doors to the room I was in once again open to reveal Princess Luna.

"We are terribly sorry, dear niece. We thought it best to bring you up to speed quickly, what with your banished mother's ever-approaching return. Clearly it was too much for you all at once."

"Ya think?"

My hoof quickly snapped to my snout, smacking a bit harder than I had intended. Having hands instead of hooves for so long, I had forgotten how much certain actions could hurt. But, whether it bothered Princess Luna, she gave no sign. She simply smiled and continued to talk.

"We will discuss this more tomorrow, as you clearly need time to rest and process everything you have been told today. We have but one question We wish to ask before leaving so that you may retire for the evening, dear niece. What happened to your wings?"

Author's Note

I really hope you all like this chapter, as it was a little bit trickier to write that I was giving it credit for initially. As has been pointed out, this is still pre-Rainbow Sunset. Most of the material I've read, or the stuff we've seen, is post-Rainbow Sunset. So it was a trick trying to pull off a confused, manipulative, power-hungry mare that's just looking to gather enough information to understand what's going on. Hopefully I pulled it off at least somewhat satisfactory. Next time, though...

The Mare with(out) the Gilded Wings

For the second time since coming through the portal, I felt my mind start to completely shut down. My vision was somehow both fading towards black and turning blood red at the same time. My mother wasn't Celestia. I had very distinct memories of growing up. My mother was Sunny Skies, a white pegasus with pink hair who passed away shortly after my acceptance to Celestia's School for Gifted Unicorns. But, it wouldn't pay to tell Princess Luna that. Not now, not yet. I needed to stall...

"I... I don't know, Auntie."

By Celestia did that sound odd coming out of my mouth. Referring to a Princess as 'Auntie'? What was I, some blue-blooded royal descendant of Princess Platinum? But, it seemed to work for now. Princess Luna seemed to smile ever so slightly at hearing those words, even if her eyes seemed to close slightly.

"I... Princess Luna... It's just..."

I let a sigh slip out. Perhaps the 'truth' was in order on this one. Properly spun, of course...

"I don't remember ever even having wings. I remember being born to a pegasus mother, and a dead-beat unicorn father than I never even met. I remember being taught by Princess Celestia herself. And I remember getting trapped in some alternate world beyond the mirror. But, Princess Celestia as my mother? And me as an alicorn? That... I just..."

"Fret not, dear niece. We suspect being gone for so long may have fractured your memories. Hoping you would know why you are now a mere unicorn was but a stretch of faith We had. Rest now. We shall return on the morrow."

With that, Princess Luna threw her wings around me in an attempt at a familial hug, before heading out the doors to my room.

'Only hours here, and I'm already calling my old room in the castle mine again.'

For a brief moment, I allowed myself some small bit of joy as I looked around. It was naught but pure nostalgia, especially given nothing here truly looked like where I use to rest my head under Celestia's care. But, something about this room being one and the same, at least in placement in the castle, just seemed... right.

Princess Luna hadn't been gone long before the rose-tinted glasses shattered and I began plotting my escape. There was no way I would be remaining here a moment longer than I had to. I came here with a mission, and just laying around on my old bed wouldn't get it done. Getting back on my hooves, I made my way over to the door and quietly opened it. Taking a peak into the hall, I promptly found myself snout to snout with a white Earth Pony mare who blinked in surprise.

"Ah, Miss Shimmer! You shouldn't be up and about just yet! I was certain I asked Her Highness to convey that you were to remain in bed for the remainder of the night. A black out like the one you had in the throne room is no laughing matter."

Well, this certainly made things tricky. I tried to will up a small blush, while looking down at the other mare's hooves and speaking softly. "I was just a bit peckish, Miss..."

"Second Lieutenant Redheart, Miss Shimmer. At the Princess's service as primary nurse attached to the 1st Night Guard. Which means I will be looking after you for the duration of your stay in the castle. Which means you are to return to your bed now. I'll have one of your guards collect some light refreshments for you."

I rocked back in a slight state of shock. I had this mare pegged as some goodie two-shoes maid in the castle that would be jumping at the chance to aid a personal guest of the Princess. Assuming word hadn't gotten around that I was, apparently, the daughter of Princess Celestia, that is. Instead, I got a face full of hard-line military nurse.

"You don't have to do that, Miss Redheart. I can make my own way to the kitchen easily enough."

The mare in front of me just shook her head. "Bed rest. Doctor's orders. Now, back to bed with you or do I have to ask for a guard to be placed in your room instead of just at the door to ensure you will follow orders?"

I sighed in annoyance, hoping it was masked as acceptance, and turned around to retreat back into my room. If I was to get out of here, it seemed that the front door simply wasn't an option. But, there were others...

Sleep was finally starting to claim me. The front door wasn't an option for escape, as it was perpetually guarded by at least three Night Guard. I'd tried escaping out the window, only to be found out by a passing flight of pegasi that came by the 'help me sneak back into my room.' I wasn't trying to sneak into the castle after a night out, bird brains! I was going down the makeshift rope, not up it. I tried to teleport out of the room after that, knowing even before I felt the familiar tickle of a fizzled out spell that the room had likely been warded. And, on top of all of that, it seemed whomever had used this room as their own never bothered to install the secret passageway behind the third bookshelf from the right.

As my eyes started to close, I couldn't help but chuckle to myself, a slight madness starting to set in.

'I always knew that returning to Equestria would mean time in the dungeons if I was caught. I just never expected it to be such a gilded cage...'

At this point, the only thing I could really hope for was that, maybe, I could get a better idea of what to do after a good night's sleep and seeing the first light of Celestia's sun. After all, it had been so long since I slept under the Equestrian sky...

'I wonder if I'll dream differently here...'

Author's Note

Sorry you all missed out on a new Chapter yesterday. Hope I didn't upset too many people. I... may have accidentally gotten a bit too busy sending Kerbals to the moon for the first time in ages and just didn't give myself enough time to finish this chapter. But, here it is for now. Next chapter's going to be a bit short, so I'm not sure if I'll save it for tomorrow morning, or post it some time later today. In either event, just want you all to know that there's more coming. Until the morrow!

I Dream of... Daybreaker?!

I stretched my arms out and rolled my back, letting out a loud, moaning yawn. Another day dawned, meaning another chance to plot my revenge. I quickly made my way down the loft ladder and made to get ready for the day. Though, it was a bit confusing... even though I knew it to be winter, the day seemed unseasonably warm. I guess this world just had little flukes like that from time to time. Not like I'd be without my trusty jacket for warmth if the weather started to turn.

With my morning routine finished, I stepped out the front door of my housing complex and shielded my eyes from the sun, already burning bright and high in the sky. I couldn't help but chuckle slightly at the sight of the moon, still hanging low in the sky. Back home, something like that might have instilled a sense of fear among my fellow ponies. Rumors of Nightmare Moon's return spreading like wildfire, claims of her refusal to cede the sky. But here? In this world, it was just a matter of science and facts. Some days, the moon didn't set until after the sun rose. It was a bit unusual that I could just make out the shape of the Mare in the Moon, but no matter. Maybe it was just my way of seeing the bunny they claim to see in Neighpon.

"Sunset! Baby girl! Wait up!"

'Huh?!'

I looked around in confusion, trying to find the baritone voice that had called out to me.

'Did... Did someone just call me baby girl?! Who dared call me that?!'

I finally noticed a well dressed, grey-skinned man running up to me, his teal-streaked black hair tied back in a light pony tail. What struck me the most was his cyan eyes, so much like my own...

"Yes Daddy?"

I froze as the words escaped my lips. I never knew my father, always just figured he was some deadbeat loser. All Mom ever mentioned of him was that he was a really powerful unicorn. Certainly would explain where my power came from, at least.

"You and your mother both left in such a rush this morning, you forgot your lunch." I noticed for the first time that he was offering me a brown paper bag with my name on it.

"Thanks Daddy." I shivered internally again as I took the bag with a schoolfilly giggle. "Not sure what I would do if you weren't looking out for me some mornings."

"No problem, dear. Just... be careful what you say around your mom today. She... She seems to be in a bit of a foul mood for some reason."

I nod and head back to making my way to school.

'That was odd...'

'Sunset Shimmer, please report to Principal Celestia's office. Sunset Shimmer, please report to Principal Celestia's office.'

'Huh... Wonder what they're trying to pin on me today...'

I chuckled softly to myself as I made my way to Celestia's office. No matter what they were accusing me of, I was certain it wasn't actually my doing. And if it was, well... I shouldn't have that hard of a time convincing the Principal that it wasn't my doing. Vice Principal Luna, however, was a mare of a different tail. I reached up and knocked on her door.

"Come in!"

Her voice was a bit more clipped than usual, but that didn't really phase me too much as I pushed the door open.

"Principal Celestia, you called for me?"

'Sweet Celestia, did you forget to switch off the heat today, Principal?'

I resisted the urge to shrug off my jacket as I stepped into the office. If Celestia wanted to try some sort of ridiculous power move she'd read about in 'Monthly Principal', or whatever magazine she was reading these days, I wasn't about to give in to her.

"How kind of you to come home, Sunset."

"Home? I... I don't understand what you're talking about." I took a half step back as my fight or flight instincts started to trigger. There was something very wrong about this. Also, was I imagining things, or did it seem like there flames flickering out from the edges of Celestia's chair?

"Now now, my dear daughter. Don't be like that. Surely you've realized by now..."

I stepped back again. I could clearly feel the situation devolving into a battle I did NOT want to fight.

"Legend has it, on the shortest day of the thousandth year..."

'No, that's not right. I remember the Mare in the Moon prophecy. It was the longest day, wasn't it?'

"...a fiery sun set shall return, unlocking her prison."

'This... this is all wrong...'

I froze in my spot as Celestia's chair turned around. But, in stead of the kind, slightly naive Principal I was use to, someone else sat in her chair. Her whites of her eyes had become an ashen black, while her irises burned a bright yellow and red. Her hair swirled around her in the non-existent wind, burning as though on fire.

"You have no idea how happy I am to see you, dear Sunny. Soon, my plans can begin anew."

I screamed...

I was still screaming as I rolled out of my bed and hit the stone floor of Canterlot Castle in a cold sweat. I took a few moments to calm my breathing, my hoof to my chest, as my mind started to process what had just happened.

"Just... Just a nightmare..."

I felt my body calm as I got back onto my hooves and went straight for the book shelves in the room. That dream had been to vivid, the details still sticking clearly in my mind. I remembered the legend of the Mare in the Moon. And the legend I heard in the dream seemed so similar to it. If someone where to be locked away on the sun instead... and since Celestia was always known as the one who raised the sun, even if she did raise both the sun and the moon...

I needed more information, needed a better understanding of this Equestria. And, from the sounds of things, I didn't have long. Only two days remained until the portal closed again for another thirty moons. And if I didn't make it back through the portal by then... there were only another ten or so days until the shortest day and the Midwinter Moon Festival.

Unnoticed by Sunset, who had chosen to bury her muzzle into the various books that Princess Luna had personally chosen to be left in the old student dorm room, a shadowy figure quietly closed the door to retreat to their room. The pieces of the prophecy were starting to fall into place beautifully. It was only a matter of time now before Daybreaker was released from her prison. The Knights of the Sun would surely be ready for her glorious return. It was time for the Royals to finish preparing.

Author's Note

Little bit of planning and publishing clean-up... I'd mentioned in a previous comment that I was looking to start a MWF posting of new chapters for the series... and, as I'm sure you've noticed, Monday came and went without a new chapter. *Nervously wrings hooves* Well, there was a slight misspeak when I said that. Thing is, I'm rather nocturnal... mostly because I have a Monday through Friday third shift (11pm to 7am) job which is where I tend to do a lot of my writing and editing (and reading) since I usually have a lot of down time. So, my plan was to publish new chapters after having a bit of time to review them (and work on more) at work. Meaning, a "Monday" posting would actually be around 7am EST Tuesday. I hope you all don't mind too terribly much. Next chapter should be up circa 0700 EST Thursday. See y'all then!

Also, props to those who figure out who Sunset Shimmer's Daddy is. The color palette, I think, might require a bit of Google searching / Comic knowledge. But, it does give a bit of an additional subconscious reason for Sunset's hatred of Cadence.

Oops. I think I just gave away the answer. :derpytongue2:

First Equestrian Sunrise: A Surprise Visitor

The first rays of the sun started filtering into my old room as I yawned. Books splayed out on the floor around me. Some were basic magic theorems, others more advanced, and still others were actually various historical documents. What interested me the most, frankly, was the rise of the Elements of Harmony during the Discordant Outbreak: the extremely talented alicorn general who stood alongside her troops and fought from the front lines, the loyal pegasus commander that rallied all of Cloudsdale behind her, the earth pony head of the kommissary who was honest to a fault and expected her fellows to be the same, the unicorn chief of requisitions who tended to be a bit more generous that was absolutely necessary, the shy bat pony doctor that tended to support the others from behind the lines and was seen by many wounded as a Princess-sent angel, and the elusive earth pony Captain of the Security Committee who didn't even seem to know what physics was. Reading of their exploits, if I could get even one of them to support me...

'No, that's not the way to think about this...'

True, every one of these listed ponies were powerful in their own right, but they were all just well placed cogs in a machine. Remove one, and all you have is a machine in need of repair and a useless cog. While Discord himself might have been a decent enough choice, possibly even powerful enough to overwhelm my Celestia and bring about my reign in my Equestria, how about I dispose of him afterwards? To my knowledge, there were no Elements of Harmony in my world to subjugate him after his purpose was fulfilled. Those that did exist were destroyed generations ago by Princess Celestia, weren't they?

"Of course they exist, silly filly!"

In an instant, I jumped to my hooves and backed up as far into my room as possible. The only problem was, doing so resulted in my flank smacking into something. Turning around quickly, I saw a giggling pink pony with a cotton candy fluffy mane.

"Who are... No... How did... No... WHAT?!"

Her smile simply grew wider and more feral, her hair seemed to deflate before my eyes as her coat took on a more monochrome shade.

"You were attempting to create a plan to capture either an Element of Harmony from our world or Discord himself in order to overwhelm whatever pitiful defenses your Princess might have set up in order to gain control of the country and rule as the leader you believe you deserve to be, while still needing to find a way of promptly disposing of the means of securing your power in order ensure that nopony could use it as a means of dethroning you."

"How did you know all that?!"

My eyes grew wide as I noticed the gorget around her neck, a stylized gemstone representation of a single blue balloon being stabbed from behind by a dagger upon it as it seemed to thrum with power. I'd figured out who my surprise visitor had been this morning... The Element of Laughter herself, Captain Pinkamena "Pinkie" Pie.

"I am sure you understand that we cannot allow you to remove any means of defending this land from the looming threat of Daybreaker, correct?"

I nervously swallowed and nodded my head. No mere earth pony should have this amount of thaumatic power...

"It would be wise if you dropped those unicorn superiority thoughts, Sunset Shimmer. For your own good. But, for now..." I watched the color return to her coat as her hair returned to it's previously fluffy appearance. "We totally derailed from the fact that I was supposed to come here to invite you to dine with Princess Luna and General Sparkle! So, get yourself ready, silly filly. The guard out front will escort you to the dining hall."

I didn't want to take my eyes off of the dangerous feeling pony before me, but I my head still turned to look at the door she was pointing her hoof at for the briefest of seconds. Even still, by the time I turned by head around, she was gone. In her place, there remained a small, hoof-painted image of a pure white pegasus with golden hair and a triple purple balloon cutie mark...

I sat rather nervously at the royal table as the castle staff brought out our food. The simple truth was, my micro-interrogation this morning still had me on edge. That pony had appeared out of no where, seemed to know exactly what I was thinking, and disappeared without a trace. It was hard not to think that she might have been hiding behind any of the pillars surrounding the room. I mean, sure, there were guards stationed around the room. For that matter, were they even guards like back home? After being intercepted by those three when I first arrived, they seemed to be better organized that the Royal Guard was. So, if she was a threat to the castle, they might be able to stop her. Right?

"Pinkie?"

"What? Where?!"

For the second time this morning, I was instantly on my hooves and trying to find some place to hide. Though, I calmed slighty when I hear two stiffed, feminine chuckles.

"Looks like I was right, Mother. It would seem Pinkie did grace Sunset with a visit this morning."

"You need not fear, dear niece. We have sent the dear Captain on a mission, so she will not be interrupting Our meal."

I let out a sigh of relief as I returned to my seat, turning just enough to grace the approaching alicorns with a smile.

"Auntie..." 'Ugh, that still feels horrible on my tongue...' "Good morning. And to you as well... cousin? I trust you slept well."

"Just Twilight is fine, Sunset. I can already tell the term 'cousin' doesn't seem to sit well on your tongue." Twilight started to spread from raspberry jam unto her morning toast, before she suddenly started to smile. "Though, I would like to discuss your apparent de-alicornification as well as what has happened to you in the intervening millennia since you first stepped into that portal with Star Swirl the Bearded. How were you able to reverse the natural effects of your birth? Was it some result of interference from the prototype mirror? Possibly even due to The Gyre itself? For that matter, how were you able to specifically locate the castle mirror as your exit point? Or was that pure happenstance? After your and Star Swirl's disappearance, portal mirrors were all but abandoned for centuries! To have one of the founders of its studies return..."

Princess Luna, through all of her daughter's ranting and questioning, remained silent.

"Uh... Wait... What... What are you talking about cous... Twilight?"

I watched as she blinked in confusion.

"Oh... Could it be? I... I never even thought about the possibility that millennia in The Gyre could induce a state of amnesia. But, it would make sense, wouldn't it, Mother?"

Princess Luna nodded as she went about eating her meal in silence.

"Ah, but either way, I'm keeping you from your food! Please, forgive me, Sunset. Eat. Eat! I insist. The royal chef is an absolute whiz in the kitchen, so it would be absolutely foalish to let his meal get cold. Let's get together afterwards to discuss things."

I just dumbly nodded as I looked down at my oatcakes, barely missing the conspiratorial grin on Twilight's face.

Author's Note

Hey everypony, sorry this was so long in coming. I ran into a little bit of a knot that I just could not figure out how to work out. Try as I might, I could not reconcile the fact that Sunset only has three days in this alternate Equestria, during which time she wants to escape with her collected allies, and the fact that I intended her to be invovled in Daybreaker's return. Fear not, though, I'm pretty sure I've managed to work that little mess out in a fashion I am happy with. So, hopefully, I'll be back to publishing at a respectable rate to keep everypony's attention. Until overmorrow!

The Restricted Royal Museum

"Come with me, Sunset."

I swear I didn't squeak when I heard Twilight Sparkle call out to me after our joint meal. Looking up, I saw her already heading towards one of the far palace doors as though it was a forgone conclusion that I would follow her. Looking momentarily towards Princess Luna, she simply nodded her head in the direction of her daughter while the guards, just at the edge of my vision, seemed to tense as though readying for a fight.

'I guess there's no way around this...'

With a soft sigh, I got up on my hooves and followed after her. Every guard we passed snapped to attention, while every maid would bend their foreleg. But, it was clear most of them were giving me a nervous look.

"I guess you really are a Princess-General," I grumbled as we continued on.

"Out of necessity only, if I'm being honest." Twilight turned back and looked at me with a sad smile. "I would give anything to have been born into a time when I could have been seen as a Magus as you were."

It was hard to admit that I didn't feel a hint of pride at being called a Magus. Me? In the same league as ancient unicorns like Star Swirl the Bearded, Mistmane, or Clover the Clever? I felt the edges of my lips turn up into a smile.

'If only Celestia could have heard that...'

My joy quickly returned to anger as my mind brought up my old mentor. The internal fuming lasted until we stopped in front of a pair of guarded doors I remember distinctly from my last days in Equestria...

"Step aside that we may enter, Lieutenant."

"F-Forgive me, your Highness, but... Sh-Should we really be allowing her in?"

'Wow. A guard with the gall to second-guess his princess?'

I looked at the blue-haired pegasus before us. Something about his voice seemed so... familiar...

"Step. Aside."

The poor guard quickly cowered and did as order, even going as far as to open the door.

"Thank you, Lieutenant Sentry."

I blinked in shock and gave the guardspony a second glance. I could almost see it, but I didn't want to make a foal of myself here. I could always ask the Princess once we were along in the Restricted Castle Library...

"So, you use to date an alternate version of Flash Sentry in this alternate realm you'd been trapped in?"

My eyes were glancing around the various storage shelves throughout the library as we were talking. This place was so different from what I remembered. Celestia's Restricted Library had been just that, a collection of dark magic tomes that she didn't want her little ponies to have access to. But this place? It was more like a museum. It wasn't just books. There were scrolls and tablets scattered here and there. And everything was clearly labelled! My eyes fell upon a chunk of stone that looked extremely similar to the white castle stonework I remembered from Celestia's Canterlot Castle.

I shall have my daughter back... even if Equestria itself must burn!

"P-Princess... What... What's this?" I blinked and pointed to the stone.

"A piece of the old Castle of the Two Sisters... your old home..." Twilight was standing beside me, her ears pressed back against her skull as she was suddenly extremely interested in her hooves. "It's also part of what I... what we wanted you to see in here. There haven't been very many expeditions out to your old home. Even one thousand years later, the site of the final battle of the Celestial Civil War is still too dangerous to approach."

"What happened?"

"Your mother... Well, no... I guess it would be better to refer to her exclusively as Daybreaker by that point..." Twilight turned her face away from me. "When you disappeared, Celestia locked herself away in her room. From what Mother tells me, she took several tomes of dark and crystal magic with her. I'm not entirely certain... no one truely is... but our best assumption given everything Mother has learned over all these years, she was looking for a way to break into the Gyre to rescue you. It seems, in the final months of the war, she might have actually discovered a way to do so. The result was the near-complete destruction of the Castle of the Two Sisters, as well as such a massive influx of Chaos Magic that effected everything within a roughly 100 mile radius."

"The Everfree Forest..."

Twilight let out a small laugh. "I guess I shouldn't be that surprised you know the name. You seem to know more about the current world state than I would have expected from someone that disappeared back at the end of the Age of the Diarchy. I don't think I've once heard you even slightly slip into Ancient High Ponish like Mother does from time to time."

"You mean like her insistence on the use of the Royal We?" I let a small giggle escape my lips.

"Royal We? I suspect you mean the Diarchical We, but yes. Exactly that." Twilight finally let out a small smile. "But, enough of that! We... Err... You and I have another purpose for coming here."

I followed behind Twilight as she guided me deeper into the... Well, I guess I'd rather call it the 'Royal Museum' than the 'Castle's Restricted Library'. When we turned the corner at the end of the aisle, I stopped in my tracks, fell back onto my flank, and gasped.

"While the expeditions to the old castle have indeed been few and far between, Mother herself traveled there on only one occasion... specifically to collect this. It hung in her room for almost a century, in the hopes that it would ease the pain of having lost her beloved niece and having to banish her dear older sister to the sun. But, it turned out to be more a curse than a blessing, as it only deepened her pain. So she had it moved here."

My vision became blurry. Though whether it was because of tears of pain or anger, I honestly could not say. Hanging before me on the wall was a charred and torn painting of the royal family in happier times... a cheerful, younger Princess Luna draping a wing over a positively glowing Princess Celestia. And there, in Celestia's arms, was a perfect image of my chubby foal face, giggling as I sucked on my wing tip.

Author's Note

Hey guys. New chapter is up. I'd meant to finish cleaning this up and publish it about twelve hours ago or so, but I managed to twist my ankle when leaving my haircut so I ended up in a "Buck it all, I'm going to bed early!" mood. But, it's up now at least, right? Better a bit late then never, after all.

There will be one more short (alternate viewpoint character) chapter published this week, likely around midday Thursday EST, but then you can expect a short disappearance of me as I'll be heading out of the country for a short cruise. And I really don't want to spend the $50 to get internet access just to publish a new chapter. Then we'll be kicked off the originally planned T/Th/Sa schedule.

A Rumor in Canterlot [Amethyst Star]

Author's Note

I know, I know, it's another short chapter. Which, for someone who usually only writes in the range of 1,000 to 1,500 words an update, is saying a lot. But, at least this one is at a length a bit closer to a normal update, so hopefully it'll hold y'all over until I return from my trip next week. And props to those who recognize the cameos. Until then, everypony!

A Rumor in Canterlot [Amethyst Star]

"I swear! My sister's a maid in the palace. She says she saw it with her own eyes!"

"Yeah, yeah, sure. Some long-lost princess has returned to us to herald the return of Daybreaker herself. You really need to get a handle on your conspiracy theories, Shadow."

Even though the two ponies were keeping their voices hushed in the corner of the restaurant, I could still clearly make out what they were saying. A long-lost princess? Unless the Lineage of Amore had been found, there's only one other missing Princess. I steadied my breathing and tried to, as quietly as possibly, sneak closer to the two arguing ponies.

"Come on, Orion. We've both know the Old Mare's Tale. It's the thousandth year of the Regency. The Midwinter Moon Festival is -"

"Of no consequence to us that last year's Midwinter Moon Festival. I know you want to make a name for yourself, but this is not the way. Ponies are going to start asking if that broken horn is because of a broken brain if you keep this up."

"AMETHYST! GET YOUR FLANK OVER HERE ALREADY!"

I jumped a little at the bellowing sound, turning around the see the stout form of Mama Grand, the tan-colored, earth pony mare who owned this establishment as well as my current boss. "C-Coming Mama."

Sighing at the missed chance to get closer to the two ponies talking about whatever was going on inside the palace right now, I rushed over to collect a new tray of food within my aura as I felt the glare from my fellow server, the grey earth pony daughter of Mama Grand. Even if it didn't bother Mama Grand, her daughter Seared Flowers always hated it when I would use my magic in front of her. There was no question in my mind that if, Luna forbid, something happened to Mama Grand, I would be out of a job faster than you could say "Please" for the simple fact that I was a unicorn.

'Not that it would matter soon...'

I suddenly found myself tumbling forward, tripping over my own two feet. I lost my magical hold on the tray, sending it launching towards the customers that had come in for a few drinks after a long night shift, not a shower of alcohol and oats. Even worse, my necklace came loose and skidded along the floor, coming to a rest as the hoof of a Night Guard bat pony sergeant. My face twisted in fear as I noticed the sharp teeth show through her smile.

"Well well, would you get a load of this. Sugarcoat, Tart, it seems like we stumbled upon another Bright Light."

"Zap... Not now..."

"P-Please... Ma'am, it... it's just a family heirloom... The... The last thing I have from my mother."

The sergeant got up and walked over towards me, holding the sun pendant in her hoof with a grin.

"You do realize I can have you imprisoned for Sun Worship, right Miss..."

"A-Amethyst Star, ma'am. B-But, I swear, I'm not a Sun worshiper! I... I just miss my mother..."

"Come on, Zap. We're off duty, and I really don't want to go back to the castle right now to fill out paperwork." The unicorn's voice dropped to a barely audible mumble. "Not while that Celestia-cursed 'Sunset' is being given quarter."

I watched out of the corner of my eye as the earth pony in the group smacked the unicorn, before giving the universal sign for "Silence, foal". However, my attention quickly returned to the bat pony as she dropped the pendant to the floor. When I went to reach for it, however, she stomped onto it. Hard.

"Oops."

I gathered up the shards, silently crying and promising them I would return with fresh drinks on me.

An hour had passed since the incident with the Night Guard. I stepped into the back alleyway, a heavy bag of trash destined for the dumpster, when I heard a pegasus land behind me.

"I hope, for your sake, that summoning me at this time of day was for something important and not because Seared Flowers was being mean again."

I dropped the bag in the dumpster, not even bothering to turn around as I softly spoke, just barely reigning in my disgust. "You think I'd let a bat pony put their filthy hooves on my mother's pendant if it wasn't important? Sunset is in the royal castle."

"Are you certain, Amethyst? We CANNOT risk tipping our hand now. Not when we're so close..."

"Rumors of a long lost princess circulating from siblings of castle staff as well as hushed mumbles from the Night Guard," I whispered as I made my way back towards the kitchen door. "My debt was paid with my mother's pendant, Knight. She was the Sun Worshiper, not I. Go and welcome your Herald of the Apocalypse."

As Amethyst Star returned to the kitchen of her workplace, and the white-robed pegasus took flight for parts unknown, neither seemed to notice a certain giggling pink pony bouncing away from the alleyway.

Journey to the Past [Flashback - Third Person]

Author's Note

So, I decided to take that one comments to heart while I was looking for how I wanted to go about actually continuing this story and give a flashback chapter. Please, enjoy a short glimpse at the family life of High Princess Celestia, the little filly Princess Shimmer, and her father. Just know that I am not going to write the speech stiff and proper, as befitting a grander time before Celestia's banishment. I'm going to reserve that for providing a contrast between older patterns of speech and 'current' patterns of speech, if that makes sense. I doubt anyone wants to read a story of nothing by thees and thines. Plus, I *really* wanted to keep going with the fun of the musical story references for titles and this just fit that theme so perfectly. I do want to stress, the 'little Sun' we see in this flashback is NOT Prime!Sunset, it's Reddo!Sunset. Though, I should hope that much is obvious, given the wings. See everypony next chapter!

Journey to the Past [Flashback - Third Person]

407th Year of the Diarchy
Two days err Nones, Fausry

"Princess, please. Stop running, your parents want your company for a formal dinner!"

A small blur of reds and oranges blast through the halls of the Castle of the Two Sisters, frantically twisting through the hairpin turns her aunt had insisted were necessary for defense. As far as the eight year old filly was concerned, they were nothing but hassles in her bid to escape the dreaded chief steward. Sundered Jolly certainly lived up to his name, sapping every bit of joy out of her day.

Turning the last corner, Sunset smiled as she could see the castle gates. It was pretty much a straight shot before she reached the more open courtyard, so she began to pump her tiny wings even harder to get that last burst of speed from them.

"Mother's Sun and Aunt Luna's Moon should be switching roles any second now..."

If there was one thing that Sunset truly enjoyed, it was hues of blue the world was dyed in as that magical ceremony took place. It didn't matter to her that it was nearing the end of winter, with a soft sheen of pure white snow still covering the castle grounds. Nor did the cold air bother her one bit, her inherent tie to the sun allowing her some semblance of added warmth on the coldest of days. Just as she was about to exit the halls, however, three large pillars of black smoke appeared suddenly in her vision. The sudden surprise caused her to stop quickly, landing on all four hooves with a grunt.

"Come along, my little Sun. Your Mother is waiting for you." Crown Prince Sombra's cyan eyes glinted with amusement as Sunset puffed out her cheeks.

"No fair, Daddy. I almost made it outside this time! Couldn't you have just let me have a few moments to enjoy the sunset?"

Sombra just shook his head slowly, careful not to upset his black and teal mane too much. "I'm afraid the Kirin delegates are very insistent that this time is the most important for meals and business dealings. Your poor Aunt has to handle the whole changing to the sun and moon on her own tonight because your Mother is already in talks." He took note of how her frown just seemed to grow in distaste at the thought of a formal dinner meeting. Those could go for hours, really cutting into her time to study under the stars. "Besides, weren't you the one looking forward to asking the Kirin about their... what was it again?"

Sunset's frown instantly vanished, replaced with a grin and eyes as wide as saucers. "Do you think they'll tell us the secrets of their vocal portals?!" Then, before Sombra could say another word, Sunset was off again, headed deeper into the castle. "Sundered Jolly! Captain Firefly! Have Mane Aspect meet me in my room! I need to get ready for dinner an hour ago!"

Sombra chuckles to himself. "At least now she'll attend the dinner."

"We trust the meeting went well, Sister?" Luna smiled as her sister's family approached, Sunset nestled onto Sombra's back. "We are terribly sorry that Our duties kept us occupied and unable to attend, but you know just how troublesome your Sun can be when it comes to being laid to rest for the night."

Celestia chuckled at the double meaning. "We're afraid that Our little Sun managed to wear herself out asking questions of the Kirin ambassador. She seems to have taken after you and Mother, with a love of studies and magical tinkering. We do hope dear Star Swirl will be able to temper that and calm her down some as she ages, lest she became a magical prodigy that uses her spells to fix everything.

Sombra nuzzled his sleeping filly's cheek. "It truly is a shame, as well. I know she was hoping to spend a few hours studying out under your stars this evening as well, as we have no major plans before court tomorrow. I realize this is asking a bit much, Princess..."

Luna held up a hoof. "Sister or Luna, please. None of this 'Princess' nonsense when we are alone, Sombra. You've been married to my sister for nigh on a decade now, how have you not picked up on this yet?"

Sombra just blushed, bowing his head slight and running a hoof through his mane. "Apologies, Prin- Sister. Some of Empress Amore's lessons on Statecraft are just a little too hard to break, even when only among family. But, if it's not too much trouble, could you make a particularly beautiful star show sometime soon? The ones that use the shooting stars, I mean. I know Sunset would enjoy it."

Luna beamed. Even if no one else enjoyed her night, the thought that her niece actively sought it out brought her such joy. "Of course, dear Brother. I'll keep an eye out for when she's out studying next."

22nd of Saddle (9 Days til the Midwinter Moon Festival)
Canterlot Castle - Royal Museum

I pulled my hoof off the painting with a small yelp. She'd had it all, the version of me from this universe, that is. Loving parents, the horn and wings, the title that went with them. It was only flashes, glimpses into her life that were hard to focus on at best and a complete blur at worst. But, somehow, just touching this painting had given me so much insight into who I was born to be... I came here looking for revenge, looking for a way to get back at my Celestia and rule. But, maybe, there was another way... The life I wanted was here, after all. It was almost handed to me on a silver platter. The only thing that truly held from me from it was my desire to return 'home'.

I looked over to the Princess-General, finding my vision a bit hazy from the warm tears. There would be no turning back if I replaced this universe's Sunset... but if even Celestia, overpowered with grief, crystal magic, and dark magic, was unable to get her back, I doubt nothing will. So, I let out a sigh and took the plunge. "I want to remember... I want to remember it all. C-Can you help me?"

Twilight smiled back at me, with a barely perceptible nod. "Of course, cous. I'm sure Mother would love any excuse to reminisce about your time at the old castle. Frankly, it will probably do her some good."

In the Halls of the Night Princess [Princess Luna]

Author's Note

I want to toss this in now, so that there's no confusion. Most chapters will be from Sunset's perspective. Sometimes, a small teaser that I want you, the reader, to see will come up and I'll add it in as a third person blip like at the end of the first chapter. Other times, however, I want to really flesh out a conversation or event that Sunset would have no way of knowing. For those times, I'll use a different POV character, but it will be tagged in the chapter title as to who the POV character is. It will also, likely, be a shorter chapter than normal as it's more of an oversized scene. Now then, enough of my flabbergabbin'. Let's see what our dear moon princess has to say about recent events, shall we?

In the Halls of the Night Princess [Princess Luna]

"We believe you were asked for an update, General Sparkle."

I leveled a glare at the smaller, purple alicorn walking beside me. This was not what I needed right now. Mere days away from the one thousandth celebration of the Midwinter Moon Festival, and those Celestia-worshipping Knights of the Sun had, apparently, managed to find a way to infiltrate our castle. I missed my elder sister... I missed her dearly, but four years of war was not something our beloved little ponies needed. Not now, but certainly not one thousand years ago. No matter what these terrorists might think.

"My apologies, your highness. Reports are of an amber unicorn with crimson and yellow hair somehow managing to appear in restricted section... CM-010/CC. Sergeant Indigo Zap, along with Privates Sugar Coat and Lemon Tart, were the nearest to the area and were overpowered by a vibrant flare spell. She then-"

"And her current location?" Irritation seeped into my voice as I cut her off. As wonderful as my former pupil is, she had a habit of getting bogged down in the details.

"Ah... well... yes... umm..." Twilight stuttered a bit, the gears in her mind taking a second to be brought back up to speed. "She was last spotted headed towards the... southern store rooms. Oh no..."

I let out a sigh, instantly realizing what Twilight was worried about. "We have told you many times, General Sparkle. He has been tamed, you have no need to fear more than a few weak pranks from Discord."

"But chocolate milk should not be able to hold cohesion outside of a glass like that! Never mind the impossibility of glass being drunk!"

The corners of my mouth threatened to curl up into a grin. I couldn't deny that was downright genius. "Then We suppose the good captain shouldn't just be able to appear out of thin air when her mere existence is evoked?"

Captain Pinkamena "Pinkie" Pie popped her head around the next corner to wave a greeting, just as Twilight's eyebrow started to twitch.

"Meddle not in the ways of the chaotic, dear Twilight. For logic has no place there."

"Y-Yes, Mother." Twilight's soft voice barely even reached my ear as I allowed myself a moment of affection to drape a wing over her barrel. We both stopped when a scroll suddenly appeared in front of us. Quickly grabbed in Twilight's magical aura, she read out the report.

Unknown unicorn apprehended. Turned over by Discord. Identified by Discord as Daybreaker's daughter upon transfer.

Twilight seemed to pale as she read the message. "Daybreaker had a daughter?!"

It was almost impossible to hide the confusion in my features at the reports. "Send a report to your troops, General. Order the prisoner brought before the Night Court. I wish to discuss some matters with her." A message was hastily written and sent to those that had accepted the prisoner transfer as we made for the throne room. "And, to answer your question from before, We were aware of a daughter... Though, it would be more fair to young Sunset Shimmer to refer to her as Celestia's daughter. As We recall, she was a brilliant scientist, working with Star Swirl the Bearded to create a form of teleportation portal that ran along leylines, allowing long-distance transport for even non-magical ponies. She disappeared during one of the early tests, only a year or two before the Celestial Civil War began."

Twilight seemed to instantly come to the same conclusion I had almost a millennia ago. "Then, the apparent death of her daughter was one of the driving factors to the birth of Daybreaker?"

"That is, at least, what We believe. Alas, We never had the chance to speak with her about it. Our sister became more withdrawn following the disappearance of Sunset and, by the time We managed to get through to her, she had already gone mad. There are two things that bother Us, however."

"What are they?" Twilight asked, her interest clearly piqued.

"First, why is Sunset Shimmer only just now returning, after over one thousand years gone?"

"And the second?"

As the War Machine Turns [General Sparkle]

Author's Note

I just want to say, I'm not currently intending to make a pattern of "Two chapters of Sunset, one chapter of 'guest' narrator, rinse, repeat", but the timing for this one just fit too perfectly. So, I figured, I would just go with it. Once again, we have Princess Luna and General Sparkle in a friendly chat, but this time it's a bit more controlled and from the good general's perspective. Enjoy!

As the War Machine Turns [General Sparkle]

"So, do you believe her?"

Mother had just finished sharing everything that that Knight of the Sun terrorist had told her. It wasn't much, though. Simple words, hastily constructed. If even I could sense something was off about them...

"We doubt she's telling us everything, General. We also doubt she is Our niece."

My ears perked up at that. According to the reports, Discord had identified her as Sunset Shimmer, the daughter of then-Princess Celestia. Was he just pulling another prank on us? Was he trying to get us worked up into a fit chasing a ghost as Daybreaker's return approached? After all, it had been Mother's magic that had bound him to the castle's lower wings. What if he thought that Daybreaker's return to power might free him from his stone prison?

"Or, at least, the version of her We know."

"What do you mean?" I looked over to an aide that had trotted up with a report. Apparently, Sunset had attempted to slip out of her room for the second time moments ago, this time out the room's window. She might have actually gotten out of the castle this time, if Major Dash hadn't been running a patrol in the area.

"The Sunset Shimmer We knew never stood within the walls of Canterlot Castle. Before her disappearance, the royal family lived in the Castle of Two Sisters deep within what is now the Everfree Forest... Yet the Sunset Shimmer before Us now seems to have intimate knowledge of these halls. Not to mention, the Sunset Shimmer we knew was downright boastful of her intellect. The phrase 'I don't know' simply wasn't in her language. It was always 'I want to find out!' or 'Well, I have an idea that this might have happened.' We dare say, you might have liked her, dear Twilight." Mother's mouth curled up into the bright smile I believed came from remembering less stressful times. "We dare not imagine the trouble the two of you could have caused should either of you gotten an idea for a magical experiment."

"Is that it?"

Mother laughed again. "The fact that Sunset hated calling us 'Auntie', though the Miss Shimmer currently in the pupil's dormitory called me that within the first ten words she spoke in private, was enough reason for Us."

I nodded with a rather dejected sigh. It was bad enough that we had to prepare for the upcoming release of a power-crazed alicorn that wish to purify the realm. At least if this actually was Daybreaker's daughter in my old dorm room, maybe we could have used her to calm her mother's nerves. But an alien doppelgänger of her daughter here for who knows what purpose? It was simply too risky.

"So, what are we going to do about her?"

I watched as my mother's smile twisted, becoming a bit more feral and sending a chill down my withers. That smile always crushed any doubt in my mind that she had once been called a literal Nightmare.

"My dear child, We are going to sleep. After all, We must protect Our other realm, no?"