Author's Note
Anyone who wonders, nope, this is not a sequel to my other Sunset redemption tale. This one is in a category of its own.
Enjoy!!!
Suprising Assistance
Her return home had not gone at all as expected.
Sunset found herself pacing the halls of Canterlot Castle, agitated and irritated. She had come here expecting to be yelled at, banished, thrown in the dungeons, or banished and then thrown in a dungeon in the place she was banished to, any sort of punishment whatsoever for her crimes. But no. Celestia had done what Celestia always did...forgiven everything and been so kind and loving, even made a friendship lesson out of it.
Sunset, while feeling slightly better having gotten her meeting with her former mentor out of the way, nevertheless was still feeling incredibly guilty for past wrongs and was more than a little upset that she'd basically been let off without so much as a slap on the hoof. Had she been Celestia, she would have done any one or all of those punishments. Sure, she might be forgiven in Celestia's eyes, but in her own she was still terrible and very much not forgiven.
So engrossed was she in her musings, that she paid no heed to her surroundings, and ended up colliding head first with somepony in one of the hallways.
"Oh, I'm sorry, I..." She broke off as she found herself staring at Princess Luna. "I...apologize, Princess, I wasn't paying attention."
"Clearly." Luna responded. "You looked very much lost in contemplation, Sunset Shimmer. And even now I see a disturbance in your eyes. Perhaps you would like to discuss it with somepony?"
Sunset sighed. "Not really..."
Luna was a fairly good judge of character. Something was bothering the unicorn in front of her very deeply, and she decided she should try to assist in whatever way possible.
"I was about to retire to my chambers for a brief time to eat something and partake of tea. Would you care to accompany me?"
Sunset blinked. "That...yes, I guess. I mean, thank you."
Luna led the way, Sunset falling into step beside her. Luna's chambers were spacious and comfortable, with chairs, a large rug, and a very large bed decorared with dark colored blankets that matched Luna's coat color.
Sunset took a seat and Luna brought over a tray in magic, containing a teapot and cups, as well as a few light food items...mainly cookies. Luna poured the tea, and Sunset levitated one to herself, taking a sip, enjoying the taste though it did absolutely nothing to soothe her thoughts and emotions.
"How are you adjusting to having returned?" Luna asked.
"Nothing much has changed." Sundet answered. "Except, well, you're back from the moon."
Luna chuckled lightly. "Yes, indeed. Though my return was hardly as enjoyable as yours." She shook her heard. "I first faced Twilight Sparkle and her friends...the transformation from Nightmare Moon back to Luna was anything but pleasant."
Sunset rubbed her neck. "No, I guess not. My return home was like...well, not what I expected."
"In what way?" Luna enquired.
Sunset sighed. "I came back to apologize, make amends, atone for what I did, accept whatever punishment was given. But...Princess Celestia didn't react like I thought."
"Can you explain in more detail?"
"Well, she didn't yell. She didn't scold. She didn't banish me, or throw me in a dungeon. In fact, she did nothing but welcome me with hugs and forgive everything! I mean, who does that?? I was horrible! What I did to her, what I did in the other world, it all was really terrible! I deserved to be punished! But nooo, Celestia loves and smiles and forgives and does absolutely nothing at all and I still feel like the worst pony that ever lived."
Sunset was all but yelling now, and Luna just sat studying her intently, listening to every word. She could understand well the feelings swirling around in the unicorn. She'd felt the same on her return. There had been no recriminations, no punishments, only love and forgiveness. She had accepted that finally. However, Celestia was too loving for her own good it seemed. To not even realize how much self loathing and guilt Sunset carried still.
"It just isn't fair!" Sunset went on, agitation clear. "I mean, I rebel against her, steal a crown, make life terrible for beings in another world, try to take over, turn into an evil demon that nearly destroys an entire school, and I come back to 'Oh Sunset! Sunset, you're home! I am so happy to see you!' Hugs, more hugs, no yelling, no punishment. No yelling I could let go, but there was absolutely zero punishment! Not even so much as a 'Go make a public apology'!"
"And this bothers you?"
"Yes, it bothers me alot!! I deserved punishment and Celestia did nothing!!!"
"Would punishment satisfy you?" Luna asked.
"I don't know, maybe!! But since she didn't do anything, I won't know!"
Luna gazed at her, seemily debating something. Suddenly, she nodded, setting her tea aside.
"Very well. Come over here."
Sunset blinked, startled at the command, as well as the fact Luna suddenly caught her teacup from her and set it aside.
"Uhhh...what are you doing?" She was clearly confused at the entire thing.
"Something my sister should have done and did not." Luna responded.
"What...is that, exactly?"
Luna's magic caught Sunset, who was too startled to resist, and placed her across her lap. The younger squeaked in shock, her first thought being 'What in Tartarus?!'
"H...Hey! You can't be serious!"
"You desire punishment, do you not?" Luna let go, leaving her in place over her lap but not holding her there. "I believe this will be sufficient for what you need."
"But...but I'm a grown mare, not a filly!" Sunset protested...though she didn't move.
"Compared to the age of my sister and I, you are very much a filly." Luna sounded a little amused. "However, I am not forcing you to this. All I have done is put you in place, you are quite free to remove yourself."
Part of Sunset told her to move, get up and go sit back down, and forget Luna was even suggesting this. But another part of her was saying no, stay, she deserved it. She was conflicted. On the one hoof, this was ridiculous, she was a grown mare, not a foal; on the other, somehow this punishment just made sense. Why, she had no idea.
Luna said nothing, letting her work through her thoughts. It took a little time, but finally Sunset spoke, her voice so quiet it was almost inaudible.
"Ok."
"Are you quite certain?" Luna asked. "You still have the choice to refuse for this moment. Though once I begin I am not ceasing until I decide it has been sufficient for you."
Sunset gulped, but nevertheless nodded her head in understanding...while her stomach was doing a series of flips and knotting up in dread.
"I...ok."
Luna placed her left foreleg over her to keep her steady, while brushing her tail aside with her other hoof hoof and preparing to deliver much needed justice. She took on a slightly lecturing tone.
"Very well, Sunset Shimmer. I desire you to consider the actions which landed you in this position."
Well, that was easy, since she considered those actions pretty much constantly and-
Smack
"Ow!"
Sunset yelped the unexpected and rather painful interruption to her thought. That had hurt more than she anticipated too.
Luna, interested only in helping the unicorn forgive herself and move on, (something her sister should have done and would recieve more than stern words over failing to do so later), focused her attention solely on the task at hoof, setting aside thoughts of her nightly duties. They could wait a bit longer.
Sunset, for her part, was trying not to squirm under the painful smacks currently assaulting her hind end. She yelped as a particularly hard one landed.
"Ow! Ok ok! Lesson learned!"
Luna made no comment, tightening her hold and continuing her task in silence. Sunset had asked for this, almost literally, and she intended to carry it through.
Smack Smack Smack
Sunset was squirming now, yelping with each one that landed, tears stinging her eyes. Luna's admonition to think on her actions came to mind, and she did.
She thought about how she had treated everyone in the other world. She had bullied, intimidated, and manipulated, all to gain power. To be a ruler. It was lucky that Twilight had managed to stop her, otherwise she would have returned to Equestria with an army of mind controlled teenagers and tried to overthrow the monarchy and take over.
She then thought about how horribly she had behaved towards Celestia, who had always done nothing but care for her and guide her. Yet she had decided to rebel against all she had taught her, hurting her in the process. Disappointing her and breaking her heart. That thought made the tears flow faster...that and the building pain she was experiencing.
Luna maintained a tight hold on her, keeping a steady and even pace with the smacks she was delivering. Sunset's squirms were growing increasingly frantic, which told Luna that she was definitely feeling the punishment.
"Ow...ow...ok...I'm sorry...I'm...stop..." Sunset was finding talking difficult. "Please..."
Luna, though definitely sympathetic towards Sunset's pleas, nonetheless continued on.
"I believe I informed you I would continue until I was satisfied it was enough for you."
Any reply Sunset had was cut off when Luna slightly increased her force. She started fully crying at that point, unable to hold it in any longer. Once Luna heard that, she paused the spanking, but still held Sunset in place.
"Why have you discovered yourself in this position, Sunset Shimmer?"
What, she was going to be forced to spell out her sins in full? Was it not enough she was thinking very hard on them? That hardly seemed fair.
A swift smack brought her back to Luna's question with a yelp, and Sunset struggled to respond.
"I...I was rebellious and power hungry and ended up hurting the pony who cared most for me." She managed through her tears.
"And?"
"And I...I tried to take over an entire school after being a bully, an intimidator, and a...a manipulator..."
Sunset sniffled. Now that she said that out loud, and thought about it, really thought about it, she'd been more horrible than she thought.
"Continue." Luna encouraged.
"I...was wrong on so many levels...I used people and ponies...I lied and stole and I broke Celestia's heart...I'm sorry..." Sunset went limp, tears streaming from her eyes.
"I know this. And now that you fully comprehend the reasons you are here, it is time to finish this."
Sunset didn't argue or even attempt to move as the punishment continued. The first smack dissolved her into deep sobs instantly, more from remorse than pain.
Luna was aiming for her more sensitive 'sit spots' now, and delivered a rapid volley of final swats.
Smack Smack Smack Smack Smack SMACK
Sunset wasn't even aware it had stopped, as she lay there limply and sobbed out her remaining guilt and shame. Luna rubbed her hoof along her back, saying nothing, letting her cry. Once she had no tears left and resorted to snuffles and quiet hiccups, Luna helped her up and hugged her.
"Ow...that hurt." Sunset said shakily.
"That was the point, I believe."
"Yeah, I know. Uh...thanks, Princess...for, well...you know. That." Sunset offered a watery grin.
"You are most welcome." Luna answered. "Do you feel differently?"
"Yeah. I do. Like, I made up for things. I really needed that apparently." She rubbed her neck. "I don't hate myself now anyway."
"That was the intent." Luna smiled. "Would you care for more tea?"
"No, thanks, I want to go sleep." Sunset yawned. "That was draining."
Luna bid her goodnight and Sunset went to her own room to get some sleep. Luna, after putting away the tea things, headed out on her nightly tasks, thinking about what had transpired.
'You should have seen Sunset's need for this, Celestia.' She thought. "I have more than words to say to you over this, big sister!'
In her room, in bed, Sunset fell into a deep and peaceful sleep...the first she had had in a long, long time, and slept with a smile on her face.
