My Little Sunset: Friendship is Alternate

Chapters

Daybreaker's Return, Part 1
Daybreaker's Return, Part 2
Settling in with the Contemporary Era
Gilda the Griffon

Daybreaker's Return, Part 1

Once upon a time, there were two sisters that ruled Equestria. The elder sister ruled the sun and the day, while the younger one ruled the moon and the night. They kept Equestria in balance for decades. The ponies grew to love the younger one's night. In the meantime, they would hide in the shade during the day. Soon, the elder sister grew mistrustful of her younger sister, and allowed her fear to grow. One unfortunate eve, she refused to lower the sun, as she wanted the day to last longer. She told her sister to step down from the throne. The younger one tried to reason with her, but the older one transformed into the fearsome mare of flames - Daybreaker! The younger one summoned the most powerful artifacts known to ponykind; the Elements of Harmony. With a heavy heart, she imprisoned her sister in the sun, and ruled alone for generations since.

Sunset Shimmer closed the book. It was a cold winter evening, and she was content with sitting next to the fireplace in her bedroom, drinking a fresh cup of hot chocolate. The room was decorated to her taste. There was a mahogany desk with red accents, a large bed with a yellow blanket, and a blue sofa. The magenta curtains blocked the room against the cold. A string of lights hung from the inner balcony. On her vanity sat a series of small picture frames, notes, and writing supplies. An easel sat by the window. The door swung open, revealing her beloved mentor.

"Princess Luna-" Sunset began, but Luna rose a hoof.

"Just Luna. I'm not here to be formal," Luna said, smiling. There were dried tears on her face. Was she crying again? She once mentioned her older sister a few times in the past.

"Sorry. I'm aware of your royal position, though. Were you sad?"

Luna wiped a single tear from her eye. "I'm fine. Here is a checklist for the Winter Moon Celebration. Are you finished with the book?"

Sunset opened the book and flipped the pages, then grabbed the checklist. "Are you the same princess who banished her sister?"

"It's a topic for another time." Luna's voice cracked with emotion. "Night Court will start soon." She withdrew from the room and shut the door.

Sunset approached the door, and when she stepped into the hallway, she heard Luna sniffling. If the story was real, would there be a way to redeem the older sister? What would start the redemption? A forgotten spell? The lunar alicorn disappeared through another door before she could ask. It must have taken a sheer amount of emotional strength to appear stoic in public. Perhaps she shouldn't have brought up the issue. It seemed a bit too upfront. She strolled through the hallway and navigated a corner. She wasn't sure if she could relate to Luna's pain, as she herself wasn't close to her own family. Luna and the older alicorn might have been close before the banishment tore them apart.

Sunset was scrutinizing the checklist when somepony tapped her foreleg. She glanced around to see who wanted her attention. It was Spike, her assistant. He was holding the saddlebags. She levitated the saddlebags onto her back. According to the checklist, she was supposed to visit Ponyville. She wasn't familiar with the town, yet Luna had gone there many times. She was more familiar with Canterlot Castle, the city of Canterlot, and the snooty nobles.

"The princess doesn't want you to be unprepared. Oh, and there is a residence for you," Spike explained.

"A new home? I'm more comfortable here," Sunset said. "Besides, I'm an independent mare."

"Isn't the tale of the Mare of Flames an old mares' tale? Just like any other breezie tale?"

Sunset shrugged. "I don't know. I'm not as old as Princess Luna, so don't expect me to be so knowledgeable and wise. Our escort is waiting. Well, if Daybreaker does escape her banishment, I'll warn the princess."

Spike hopped onto Sunset's back. "Fair enough."

Sunset trotted out of the castle. The moon rose higher and higher into the starry sky. It was a beautiful sight to behold. An icy breeze caressed her body. Hearths' Warming Eve would arrive in two weeks, and she would like to come back to spend time with Luna. She stepped onto a carriage. The Thestral guards pulled the carriage out of Canterlot. The frigid air bit into her coat. Snowflakes landed on her mane. Who would be outside right now? Not that she wanted to introduce herself to ponies while standing in the cold. She preferred the neutral autumn temperatures over the summer heat and the winter cold.

By the time they arrived in Ponyville, Sunset dismounted the carriage. There weren't tons of ponies on the streets, save for the occasional passerby. The snow crunched under her hooves as she meandered past the humble buildings. If the town was to be viewed from the right angle, it would remind her of a Hearths' Warming Eve picture. She didn't have the time to focus on the beauty of winter nights. The checklist led her to Sugarcube Corner. A group of mares lounged inside the bakery, chatting to one another. She stepped inside and shut the door behind her. A pink mare bounced toward her. The mare probably ate tons of sugar. What the mare said next confirmed her guess.

"Hello! Nice to meet you! I haven't seen you in Ponyville before. Anypony who drops by is a friend of mine! I'm Pinkie Pie. Tell me your name!"

Sunset took several seconds to process the words in her mind. She hadn't encountered many ponies who spoke as fast as the wind. "I'm Sunset Shimmer. Are you preparing for the Winter Moon Celebration? I'm not here to make friends, but to check on some important stuff in Ponyville."

Pinkie Pie led Sunset to the table. "Yes. The Winter Moon Celebration isn't complete without the right treats and copious amounts of steaming hot chocolate!"

"Is that a tradition?"

Pinkie tilted her head. "The refreshments and desserts?"

Sunset nodded. "Do you make those each year?"

"Of course!" Pinkie placed the sugar cookies onto a small plate, then poured a jug of hot chocolate into a mug. "You can have some tonight."

"Are you always this eager to befriend new ponies?"

"Yes. It's the reason I throw welcome parties for them!"

Sunset levitated the cookie to her mouth. When she bit into the cookie, the vanilla frosting melted on her tongue. She already had some hot chocolate back at the castle, but she didn't mind another cup. The steam wafted into her nose as she brought the mug to her mouth. The hot chocolate flowed across her tongue.

"Do you like it?" Pinkie asked.

"Yeah," Sunset said.

"I'll introduce you to my closest friends. Applejack..." Pinkie pointed to the mare with the cowpony hat.

"Howdy. A pleasure meeting you, Miss Sunset Shimmer. Any friend of Pinkie is a friend of mine," Applejack said.

"Rainbow Dash..." Pinkie turned her attention to the blue pegasus.

"You just met the coolest pegasus in town," Rainbow Dash boasted.

"Fluttershy..."

The yellow pegasus hid her face behind her pastel pink mane. "Um... hello..."

"And Rarity..."

The white unicorn fluffed her purple mane. "I'm an aspiring fashionista who makes the best designs. And you're from Canterlot? How cool! I've always wanted to travel to Canterlot. The fashions, the upper class, and the general vibe of the city..."

Sunset had a feeling the group of mares wanted to befriend her. On the other hoof, she had no intention to befriend a single soul. Her mind was still on the checklist. There was something different about the five mares, though. Ponies in Canterlot usually snubbed her, as she once stood up to one of them in her younger years. Her arrival in Ponyville was a story for another time. Besides, she needed to find her new home. First of all, she had to discuss the Winter Moon Celebration.

"Nice to meet all of you, too," Sunset said. "Any plans for the Winter Moon Celebration?" She summoned the checklist.

"Are you Princess Luna's servant?" Rarity asked.

"I'm her protege." Sunset yanked a quill from her saddlebag. "Fluttershy, how is the choir of wolves doing?"

Fluttershy struggled to speak. Her entire body shook. "They... practiced... um, all day?"

"Come again?"

Fluttershy repeated the words. Her voice was still soft. Had she always been this shy? "Am I being improper?"

Sunset shook her head. "You're fine. I'm not a Canterlot snob. Rarity, the decorations..."

"The decorations are perfect," Rarity said. "Besides, the princess will visit us in the town hall."

"Rainbow Dash-"

"Weather control is my forte," Rainbow interrupted.

Sunset narrowed her eyes. She didn't like the interruption. She inhaled, then exhaled. There was no use shouting at Rainbow for such rude behavior. She already had an idea of what Pinkie Pie would do for the Winter Moon Celebration. Applejack would be the last to answer her questions tonight.

"Excuse Rainbow Dash. She tends to be this assertive," Applejack said.

"I see," Sunset replied. "Anyways, I'll head to my new home tonight."

"You can sample some treats at Sweet Apple Acres tonight, if you want."

"Look, Applejack, I just had enough sugar for tonight." Sunset rose from her seat. "I'll see you later." She moved toward the door. "Have a nice night."

Pinkie frowned. "So you don't want to attend the celebration with us? A meteor shower is supposed to happen by midnight."

"I'm aware of that," Sunset said. She stepped out into the night. The full moon illuminated the town. As much as she intended to be a part of the celebration, making friends wasn't her top goal. She galloped to the outskirts of town. A treehouse towered over the snow-covered street. It was also known as the Golden Oaks Library. What was the point of living in one if she didn't read a lot of books? The princess had an odd sense of humor. She entered the treehouse and lighted the candles.

Sunset ascended the stairs to a small balcony. She sat by the microscope, staring at the castle in the distance. Other than the preparations, why would the princess send her here? She tilted her gaze heavenward. The stars twinkled in the inky blackness. It reminded her of Luna. She peered into the microscope, searching the blackness for constellations. A noise drew her attention to the ground, where the front door was located. Perhaps it was her imagination, as she wasn't used to staying in an area other than Canterlot Castle.

"You have visitors," Spike said.

"If it is Pinkie Pie and her group, I don't want to waste my time making friends. I'm a strong and independent mare," Sunset replied.

"They're nice, though. Rarity is my favorite."

"Aren't you a little young to have a crush on somepony older than you?" Sunset hurried downstairs. The moment she reached the first floor, the lights turned on. "I didn't ask anypony to throw a surprise party."

Pinkie Pie appeared in front of Sunset, grinning. "Surprise!" She shouted. "Did the party meet your expectations?"

Sunset rolled her eyes. "Really, Pinkie? I'm not a party pony. Can you cancel the party and go home? I need peace and quiet."

"You don't want to miss out on the celebration, let alone this. Friendship isn't a bad thing."

Sunset followed Pinkie to a table. Of all the five mares she had met in Ponyville, Pinkie Pie was the most outgoing. Why couldn't they leave her be? It wasn't difficult to leave somepony alone. Pinkie offered a cup of fruit punch. Sunset muttered under her breath, and instead of accepting the fruit punch, she trotted to another table and poured a different drink into her cup. This was not the life she asked for. She never viewed herself as a party animal. She snuck to her bedroom, locked the door, and held a pillow over her head.

The party lasted for thirty minutes. Sunset was fed up with the noise and chaos. She stomped downstairs, and to her surprise, the door had already been opened. She regretted her decision when Pinkie beckoned her. Everypony in Ponyville was too extroverted for their own good, except for Fluttershy. The yellow pegasus never arrived. She walked outside, and the other mares greeted them. It wasn't like she needed a friend. Ponyville was crazy enough. She strolled ahead of the group.

"The meteor shower will be fun to watch," Pinkie Pie said.

"I know what a meteor shower is," Sunset replied. "I'm not here to-"

"It's not unusual to appreciate Princess Luna's night and the beauty it offers."

"Pinkie, didn't you understand what I'm saying?"

The pink mare didn't respond. Sunset wished the group would listen to her for once. They weren't her friends, and she could be here for just one night. Perhaps she would leave in the morning. Her mind wandered to the tale of Daybreaker. As if on cue, a fiery beam glowed in the distance. Nopony seemed to notice. What was going on, and why were there two shadows in the sky? Was the legend true?

"We better not miss the start of the meteor shower," Rainbow Dash said. "The sky is clear tonight."

"The flash doesn't look like a meteor," Sunset pointed out.

"How do you know if it's not a meteor?" Rainbow narrowed her eyes. "Are you psychic or what?"

"I can see the difference between a beam and a meteor."

Another flash penetrated the sky. There was no thunder, yet something was going on. Sunset couldn't stop thinking about the tale. Should she send a letter to Princess Luna? Did Luna know that this could happen? She retrieved a scroll from her saddlebag, then scribbled the words onto the paper. It could be an emergency, and if it was Daybreaker, she had to do something.

Sunset showed the scroll to Spike. "Send the letter to Princess Luna right now."

"But-" Spike began.

"Do it. She needs to know."

Spike breathed the green flames toward the letter. The scroll disappeared. Sunset wandered toward the town hall, still fixated on the tale. If her mentor was taking action, she shouldn't worry. The princess had defeated Daybreaker before, so why was she concerned? What if the letter was too late, and Daybreaker had done something to Luna? Countless ponies entered the town hall, excited to see the princess. Sunset was in the front row, watching for some warning signs of Daybreaker's return. She peered over her shoulder. Why wasn't the group here? Were they still outside?

Just as a pony pulled back the curtains, the crowd cheered. Several seconds later, the ponies fell silent. The hosts laughed nervously as they peeked through the curtains to find the princess. Thestral guards ascended the steps to the balcony. Sunset followed the guards to a dimly lit corridor.

"Princess Luna?" Sunset called out. There was no reply. "Are you here?" A shadow stretched across the floor. Gentle hoofsteps approached the corner of the hallway. An orange glow penetrated the darkness.

"Halt!" A guard ordered. "State your intent, intruder!"

A sinister voice chortled. "Cute. You're smaller and weaker than me."

Sunset hurried back to the main area. The group of ponies gawked at the balcony. She pulled a book from her saddlebag and skimmed the pages. "On the thousandth year of Daybreaker's banishment, she will escape her solar prison and threaten to trap Equestria in eternal daylight."

This could explain why the princess was late. Sunset hadn't seen the Elements of Harmony. Where were the Elements? Canterlot Castle, perhaps? Or the abandoned ruins in the Everfree Forest? She observed the window, and sure enough, the sun rose too early. What kind of pony would raise the sun in the middle of the night? It could mess up a pony's sleep cycle. The sun was ten times larger than usual. The snow began to fade.

"What's happening?" A mare asked.

"I'm not sure," a stallion murmured.

"I smell smoke. Is the town hall on fire?"

Sunset glanced at the balcony. Spike hid behind her. Standing in Princess Luna's rightful place was a pale white mare with reddish-orange armor. The mare's golden eyes scanned the crowd. It infuriated her that a villain would attempt to steal the throne from the princess. The crowd backed away in fear, while Rainbow Dash flew toward the intimidating alicorn. So, it was the alicorn who betrayed Princess Luna...

Daybreaker wore a malicious grin. "I haven't spoken to you in a thousand years, my loyal peasants. Your favorite princess doesn't deserve the throne. You should know that Princess Luna had a dark side. She's no longer in the way. My rule shall begin. Anypony who rebels will be burned to a crisp."

"You're the mare of flames," Sunset said.

Daybreaker glared at Sunset. "Somepony does know the legend. Do you fear me?"

"No. Bring Princess Luna back, or you'll be banished a second time."

"Do it, then."

Rainbow Dash scowled. "What have you done to our princess?"

Daybreaker's magical aura enveloped the pegasus. "Another renegade dares to speak against me. How bold."

Fluttershy hid under a table, trembling. Daybreaker chuckled. She levitated the pegasus forward. Fluttershy whimpered. Daybreaker seemed to enjoy Fluttershy's reaction. Princess Luna wouldn't stand for this at all. Sunset readied her magic. Daybreaker was going down.

"You are feisty for your size," Daybreaker taunted.

"If I find the Elements of Harmony, you won't be able to terrorize Equestria for another thousand years," Sunset said. She shot a beam at Daybreaker, but the fiery alicorn deflected the beam with a magical shield. The beam penetrated the ceiling.

Daybreaker unfurled her wings. "Enjoy your night, mares and gentlecolts, for it shall be the final night. I am the true queen of Equestria. Princess Luna isn't the queen, and she will never regain the throne. The day... shall last... forever!" She cackled. The flames chased the crowd back and forth.

Once Daybreaker was gone, Sunset opened her eyes. The flames disappeared. If she didn't gather the Elements of Harmony, Equestria would become a vast desert under the harsh sunlight. She faced the group of ponies. "Let's go to the Everfree Forest. I have a feeling the Elements of Harmony were hidden in the ruins."

Daybreaker's Return, Part 2

Sunset and her new friends galloped to the Everfree Forest. When they arrived at the entrance, she surveyed the forest. She had never been in the Everfree once in her life. The forest was said to be dangerous, as it housed timberwolves, chimeras, and cockatrices. She stepped into a muddy puddle. The snow had turned to mush. The group walked toward the trees, and when she peered over her shoulder, she saw Fluttershy waiting by the entrance.

"Fluttershy, are you coming?" Sunset asked.

Fluttershy's eyes darted around. "No. The Everfree Forest is dangerous. I'll stay here."

"Weren't there six Elements?" Sunset searched her saddlebag for the book. Didn't she bring the book with her? Her hoof met something solid. She levitated the book, then glanced around. "Let's find a shade. The heat will become unbearable due to Daybreaker's wrath."

The group rushed to a shade. A small fireball hovered over them. Sunset glimpsed a horn. Did Daybreaker spy on them? "Perhaps we should be careful about what we say. Daybreaker will use the words to hurt us. If she is like any other villain, she'll come up with the correct obstacles and traps."

Rainbow Dash narrowed her eyes. "How do you know all this? Are you a spy? Do you happen to be Daybreaker's distant relative?"

"Simmer down, Sally," Applejack said. "She ain't no spy."

Sunset placed the book onto the ground, then studied the pages for some significant information on the Elements. " The princess knew Daybreaker would attempt to wreak havoc after the thousand-year banishment. I'm in no way related to the royal sisters. If I can get back to the reference guide..." She wiped the sweat off her forehead. Was it a product of the heatwave, or was it just her nerves?

Rarity fanned herself. "I can't stand in this dreadful heat for hours. It makes my mane frizzy. And I have no interest in exploring the Everfree Forest."

Rainbow Dash smirked. "You're as scared as Fluttershy, aren't you?"

Applejack stepped in between them. "Rainbow, quit it."

"Nopony has ever escaped the Everfree Forest alive."

Rarity shuddered as she pushed past Rainbow Dash and Applejack. She pulled a hat and a pair of sunglasses out of her saddlebag. Did she prepare in advance? Perhaps she was just concerned for her appearance. She tapped her hoof and let out a heavy sigh. "Sunset, what is taking you so long?"

Sunset wore an apologetic grin. "I want this over with, too. Being book-smart, however, isn't my forte."

"So, did you find the reference guide yet?"

Sunset turned the pages to the beginning of the book and glanced at the list of chapters. Her gaze stopped at the bottom of the page. She skimmed the pages to the last chapter. The reference guide garnered her attention. By the time she finished reading, the group was acting impatient. Rarity wasn't the only one who didn't like the heat. The others complained about it, too.

"The Elements... old castle... royal sisters..." Sunset murmured. "It's the reason we came to the Everfree in the first place."

"I didn't think the princess could have a sister," Rarity said. "She never mentioned this."

"I must be the only one who knows the stories, then." Sunset gave Rainbow Dash a sideways glare. "This answers your questions. And no, I'm not their distant relative."

Rainbow flew ahead of the group. "Whatever you say, Sunny. You and the princess must have been close."

"In case you weren't aware, I grew up in the castle."

A distinct smell found its way into Sunset's nose. It reminded her of a log that was burning to a crisp. She scanned the area for possible dangers, and to her horror, a wall of flames blocked the path. So, they did give Daybreaker some ideas. The tyrant had to back down, or else. She shot a beam toward the fire, yet her spell didn't work. What should she do?

"Don't fight it. Just teleport," Applejack suggested.

"No way. Daybreaker will use it against us should I attempt to teleport," Sunset retorted. "Why should I take advice from a non-unicorn?"

"Teleport us, and we won't be harmed."

"Alright." Sunset summoned her magic. The magical aura enveloped the group, and when she opened her eyes, they weren't surrounded by the flames. Now they were further down the dirt path. She didn't expect an earth pony to give that suggestion to a certain unicorn.

Sunset stroked her chin. She had never been here before, so it might confuse her. Daybreaker shouldn't be able to read a pony's mind. She almost died, and she didn't want to have her life flash before her eyes a second time. Little did she know, there would be a lot more close calls down the road. She trotted further and further into the forest. Her senses were on high alert. Was it the adrenaline that made her more in-tune with the environment? A creature roared in her direction, which made the group scream.

Just as Sunset turned to see what they were dealing with, a manticore loomed over them. She stood her ground and activated her magic. "Go away, you beast!"

"Back off, you ruffian!" Rarity shouted.

Fluttershy seemed oblivious to the danger. Despite the group's protests, she approached the manticore. "Trust me. I've dealt with animals many times in my life."

Sunset's eyes widened. "Don't let him hurt you!"

Rainbow Dash charged at the manticore. "I'm on it!"

The manticore ducked. Once the creature calmed down, Fluttershy examined the manticore's paw. The manticore roared, but she didn't flinch. Applejack and Rainbow Dash observed the manticore's behavior in case it decided to attack. Many creatures in the Everfree Forest were dangerous, after all. To Sunset's surprise, the yellow pegasus removed a thorn from the manticore's paw. How did the manticore not retaliate?

"You're just a big kitty," Fluttershy murmured as she cuddled the manticore.

Sunset tilted her head. "How did you tell if he was in pain?"

"It wasn't the first guess on my mind. Sometimes we need to be shown a bit of kindness."

Rarity frowned. "The same can't be applied to Daybreaker. My mane needs a rest from the heat. At least the princess doesn't cause heatwaves. Wait, did you see what I see?"

Fiery beams emerged from the ground, startling Sunset and her friends. Each time they stepped away, another beam shot up. She swore that she heard Daybreaker laughing at their misery. The alicorn wasn't anywhere to be seen, which didn't help matters. Then, Pinkie Pie giggled for some reason. Why would she giggle? What was so funny? The fire could hurt somepony.

"Pinkie, don't stand in the way," Sunset warned.

Pinkie smiled. "Oh, girls, don't you see?"

"See what?" Sunset furrowed her brows. "We better run!"

"When I was a filly and the sun was going up..." Pinkie sang. "The flame, it would always make me frown..."

"What does this mean?"

"I'd run as far as possible, but Granny Pie said this wasn't the way... face your fears and the fire will go away..."

Rainbow evaded the fiery columns. "Can we shout at her at the same time? Surely it will grab her attention."

Pinkie Pie continued the song, and with each chuckle, the fiery beams vanished. Once she was finished, the group chortled. Sunset was sure the song was made up just to encourage the others to join in. Daybreaker must have found it ridiculous, but who cared? The tyrant wasn't here to play games. Did Pinkie view the ordeal as a game? Laughing in the face of peril wasn't a good idea.

"Let's find Daybreaker," Sunset said. "We're not here to giggle at some threat."

Pinkie stepped toward a river. "How are we gonna cross this?"

The group heard somepony crying. A serpent with a long purple body and orange hair covered his face. He was sobbing so much that his tears filled the river. Sunset's heart ached. What happened to this creature? Was Daybreaker behind this? Should she just continue navigating the Everfree Forest? Equestria wouldn't survive under permanent sunlight. The crops would die, and the lakes would dry up. And nopony wanted that. What would Luna do in this situation, though? The princess would comfort the serpent, Sunset told herself.

"What's wrong?" Sunset asked.

The serpent sniffled. "Oh, I was minding my business. This orange cloud appeared out of nowhere and stole my sunglasses!"

"You're crying over a pair of sunglasses?"

"Sunglasses? The trees can provide shade," Rainbow said.

Rarity removed her sunglasses. "How can you say such a thing? Too much sunlight hurts the eyes." She levitated the sunglasses toward the serpent. "Here you go, sir."

The serpent hesitated. "Are you certain? I can't take this. It's yours, not mine. Also, it's not the same color as mine."

"I insist. My hat protects my whole face anyways." Rarity adjusted her hat. "When we find your sunglasses, I'm certain I can take mine back. How does it sound?"

"Oh, thank you, miss unicorn. You can count on me. Now, please allow me!" The serpent folded up his body to form a bridge.

The group crossed the river and approached a chasm. Sunset scrutinized the broken bridge. Somehow, it had broken off. If Daybreaker caused this, it could prove how desperate the mare of flames was. How in the world would the ones without wings cross? It wasn't like Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy had to carry the earth ponies and unicorns across. Just as Sunset prepared to teleport, a voice called to Rainbow. A cloud of smoke obscured the other side of the bridge.

"Show yourself!" Rainbow said. "I'm not scared of you or your tricks, Daybreaker!" She hurried toward the smoke.

"Rainbow, be careful!" Everypony warned in unison.

Rainbow's attention was fixated on the smoke. "If you're not Daybreaker, then who are you? Are you one of her minions?"

A trio of ponies in scarlet suits emerged from the smoke. The leader made eye contact. "Rainbow, we've been awaiting you. I heard that you wanted to join the best fliers in Equestria. We want you to join us, the Firebolts. We need a captain, and the most magnificent-"

"Yep."

"Swiftest-"

"Yes."

"Bravest flier in all the land. In exchange for the membership, you must leave them behind. You can't choose both."

Judging by the way the conversation sounded, Sunset feared that Rainbow would turn against the group. She imagined Daybreaker waiting in anticipation. She would give up on the friendship thing if Rainbow Dash joined the enemy. Last time she had friends, one of them ran off after an argument with Princess Luna.

"Rainbow Dash, say no. Don't cave in," Sunset said.

The Firebolt leader cleared his throat. "Well? Rainbow Dash, your friends can't fix the bridge. We can."

Rainbow looked to her friends, then to the Firebolts. She narrowed her eyes. "You are Daybreaker. A tyrant will never earn my loyalty. I'll stick with my friends and our princess."

"Very well. We shall see you soon." The Firebolts disappeared.

Once everypony arrived at the ruins, Sunset flipped through the book. She had told her friends to spread out and search for Daybreaker. "When five are present, a spark will cause the sixth element to appear," she murmured. What did it mean? She pushed the book into her saddlebag and galloped into a corridor. At the sound of faint footsteps, her ears flickered. She couldn't tell if it was her friends or the mare of flames.

"Are you still here?" Sunset called out. She found herself in a large room. In the center were five rocks. She inched forward. An orange cloud materialized in front of the rocks.

"Yes, I'm here," Daybreaker said. "Where are your friends when you need them?"

"They're here."

Daybreaker peered at the entrance. "I don't see them, little unicorn. I'm more powerful than you, so you must surrender."

Sunset pounded her hoof against the stone floor. "I won't surrender to a wicked tyrant. Lower the sun and allow the night to return!"

"Our cutie marks aren't too different." Daybreaker began circling Sunset. "Are you by any chance connected to my glorious sunlight?"

"Eternal heat isn't glorious." Sunset teleported to the center of the room. "I won't let you win."

Daybreaker snickered. "I already have. Your princess isn't on the throne. I am the rightful ruler of Equestria. My former identity has been forgotten with the passage of time. Forsake them before they betray you. It's what I did. What would you have done if Rainbow Dash joined the Firebolts? Hmm? Could this convince you to join me? Maybe you can become my student, as I've never had one. Luna can't teach you magic, as she doesn't understand my sunlight. Had she ever appreciated the light the sun provided? She never did. She's way too jealous to appreciate the sun. If the timeline was different, she would be the one who was banished instead."

Sunset levitated the five rocks. She wasn't intimidated, especially when the alicorn intended to manipulate her. Daybreaker charged at her. She jumped out of the way, then shot a magical beam. Daybreaker countered the blast. Their magic pushed back and forth. Daybreaker's magic overpowered her own, and the fiery hex rammed her against the wall. The five rocks bounced away.

Daybreaker gathered the rocks. "I used to carry the sixth Element, until my sister locked me inside the sun. My sun. The other two Elements were mine. I gave her a taste of my exile."

Sunset rose to her height. "You banished the princess from her throne! She didn't deserve this. Nopony can endure eternal heat. Will you regret it if you had succeeded in taking over Equestria? The deaths of countless ponies? The loneliness? If you are the elder alicorn from the tale of two sisters-"

"Of course I'm the older sister. I don't need my little sister, as she didn't contribute a lot to Equestria in the days of old. The only thing she did was traipse around in everypony's dreams each night. Your princess isn't who you assume her to be. She's jealous of me, as I am more beautiful and powerful. This princess of the night hid in the shadows, plotting my isolation. And here I am."

Daybreaker's speech calmed Sunset, which was disconcerting. Sunset's early memories of Luna consisted of stories involving the royal sisters. As far as she was concerned, there was nothing about the stories that implied her mentor's jealousy. Why else would Luna sing a lullaby on the balcony each night? The lullaby was often filled with intense sadness. Was there any envy? Of course not. The older sister's real name slipped from her mind before she could respond.

"She doesn't envy you," Sunset said. "She sang to you. I know. I saw the tears on Luna's face. I couldn't imagine how it felt to send away one's own family. Can you reconsider your decisions?"

Daybreaker's eyes turned pink for a second, and she sniffled. She regained her composure. Her mane billowed, signifying her rage. "What did you say? I wish she wasn't my sister. I had to sit through those bothersome songs. If she sings again, I'll remove her voice. You can't stop me."

Sunset was sure she had seen a hint of the older princess in Daybreaker's eyes. The older princess wasn't a complete monster. Daybreaker had corrupted the older sister, and if the Elements of Harmony could reform a pony, perhaps the Elements could free the lost princess. She snatched the Elements from Daybreaker.

"You are persistent," Daybreaker pointed out. "The Elements can't work on me. I used three of them. Try a different strategy. Wait, are your friends in the corridor?"

Sunset peered over her shoulder. One by one, her friends entered the room. "They're here. My friends stuck with me during the adventure. Applejack told me to teleport us away from the wall of flames. She represents honesty..." The rocks shattered into shards as she spoke. The pieces floated to her friends.

"I won't lose to a mere group of ponies," Daybreaker said. "Luna will never regain the throne."

"Fluttershy represents kindness. She calmed a manticore..."

"Cease your speech!" Daybreaker demanded. "Don't overthrow me, or I'll grant you the same fate as I did Luna."

"Pinkie Pie represents laughter. She giggled in the face of fear. Rarity represents generosity. She gave her sunglasses to a serpent..."

"What? How did I bring myself to this? I'm Daybreaker, the powerful ruler of the glorious sun!" Daybreaker said.

"Rainbow Dash displayed her loyalty by refusing to join the Firebolts..."

Daybreaker cackled. "You don't have the sixth element. You're wasting your breath on my existence. Bow to your new ruler, or rot in the dungeon. Victory isn't yours to take."

"No, Daybreaker. I'm not finished yet. I believe in the magic of friendship," Sunset said. A crown materialized above her head. The gem was shaped like her cutie mark. The crown descended onto her head.

Daybreaker bared her teeth. "No. Don't banish me. If you don't submit to my reign, I will destroy you!"

The Elements of Harmony formed a rainbow beam. The rainbow surged toward Daybreaker. She shot a large fireball, only to miss her target. The rainbow and flames mixed together. Once the rainbow enveloped Daybreaker, her armor fell against the stone floor. A scream erupted from her throat. A bright flash penetrated the room. When the six mares stood up, Sunset scanned the room. She didn't want to harm the older alicorn. Was the alicorn on the sun again?

"I felt bad for her," Sunset said. "Princess Luna told me that this alicorn wasn't always evil. Will they ever reunite?"

"You have done well, Sunset Shimmer," a familiar voice said.

Sunset turned her attention to the window. Behind her, the five mares bowed. The lunar alicorn smiled benevolently. The sun shrunk to its normal size. She hugged Luna. "You knew Daybreaker would escape the sun, right? Am I supposed to return to Canterlot?"

"I knew she would. You and your new friends defeated Daybreaker. What you see will answer your question," Luna said.

The smoke cleared, revealing a white alicorn with a pink mane and a cutie mark similar to Daybreaker's. She had shrunken a little. Her eyes fluttered open. As she glanced around, she adopted a confused expression. She struggled to rise, but her legs gave out under her.

Luna sat next to the alicorn. "Celestia, welcome home. We haven't seen each other in a thousand years, and I've missed you. Not a single day passed that I didn't think about you, dear sister. Even when you were gone, I needed you. We can rule together again, and I'll help you stay on the right path."

Celestia stared at the floor, sobbing. "Lulu, I'm so sorry for what I've done. I can't rule again, knowing the damage I've caused. Why do you forgive me? I failed at being a sister and a ruler."

Luna pulled Celestia into a hug. "You have a second chance. Your crown is still waiting for you. Let's put the past behind us."

Celestia approached Sunset and gave her a hug. "I'm sorry for being cruel to you and your friends."

Sunset was surprised at the hug, yet she didn't push Celestia away. "I already forgave you."

Pinkie Pie yanked a cannon out of nowhere. "This deserves a celebration. Happy endings are the best!"

After Celestia lowered the sun, everypony went to Ponyville. Snowflakes descended to the ground. The royal sisters hopped off a carriage. While Luna waved at the crowd, Celestia didn't seem happy. Sunset guessed that Celestia was feeling remorseful. She hoped the royal sisters would be able to mend their relationship. The party lasted until the wee hours, and exhaustion crept into her body. She realized that Luna hadn't answered her question about going home, so she chose to ask.

"You will stay in Ponyville," Luna said. "Your new mission is to learn friendship lessons. Each time you learn a friendship lesson, you will send me a letter. Since you saved Equestria, you and your friends shall use the Elements against future enemies."

"Alright, then," Sunset replied.

The royal sisters flew into the sky. Sunset trotted to her new home, placed her saddlebags next to her bed, and climbed onto the mattress. She gazed through the window. It had been quite an adventure. What lessons would she learn while living in Ponyville?

Author's Note

Unlike the original show, some of the episodes will either be made up in this story or remade to fit the alternate universe.

Settling in with the Contemporary Era

Author's Note

This episode will focus on the royal sisters. I've always wondered why Luna hasn't appeared in any other episode during Season 1. My headcanon was that she had to recover during the first season of the show, but we still didn't get an episode centered around Luna after the two-parter.

Settling in with the Contemporary Era

A week passed since the new Element bearers released Celestia from Daybreaker. Despite her exhaustion, she had considered taking on diurnal duties within the next few days. Her powers hadn't completely returned, as the corruption stole half her strength. Being gone for a thousand years didn't help matters, as her speech pattern confused the ponies in this century. The Royal We worked a thousand years ago, so why was it uncommon nowadays? She was unfamiliar with modern slang and odd phrases, which got her into some awkward conversations. The sun broke through the pale white clouds. She stood on the balcony, taking in the crisp winter air. She heard a knock on the door.

"Thou shall join us," Celestia said.

The hoofsteps approached. Luna stared at the sky. "Wonderful morning, isn't it? Only you can make a day in winter extra beautiful."

Celestia mumbled under her breath. After what she did, somepony still enjoyed the sunlight? She thought her sister didn't appreciate the sunlight, yet it was probably just an assumption. "What hath we done to receive thy forgiveness, dear sister? We doth not understand."

"Tia, nopony talks like this anymore."

"Why don't they use the Royal We?"

"The Old Equuish dialect is outdated."

"My apologies. It will take me a while to adjust." Celestia observed the vast land. "I can't make friends because the ponies are frightened of me."

Luna nodded as she listened. "Is it the reason you left the dining hall upon Cadance's arrival?"

"It's not the issue." Celestia shook her head. "I mean, it is, but the contemporary era isn't the same as the pre-classical era. Did I hurt Cadance's feelings by storming off?"

Luna draped a wing over Celestia's back, and the elder alicorn tensed. "Cadance was perplexed, not upset. Is the public opinion of you what bothers you the most?"

"Their ancestors adored me. It's understandable if the ponies want to cool off in the shades during summer. However, the sunlight gives life to the crops."

"I once struggled with feelings of jealousy. This emotion, if left unsolved, can rise to something destructive. I overcame my jealousy when I realized that it wasn't worth my energy and my time. I'm not saying that you feel a similar way. I'm here for you if you want to talk."

"How can you tell if I am?!" Celestia snapped. She unfurled her wings and soared across the sky. "I'm older, therefore I'm not even the tiniest bit jealous!"

Luna followed Celestia to the courtyard. The elder alicorn didn't look at her. As much as she had to return to her royal duties, she couldn't leave her sister alone. Celestia wasn't the only one who struggled with guilt. If she had found a way past Daybreaker's barrier into Celestia's dream before the banishment, they wouldn't have this conversation today. In a way, she blamed herself. She didn't want to lose her sister a second time.

"I had no other choice," Luna said. Tears ran down her cheeks. The wound was still fresh in her heart. "I hoped the Elements would save you. Instead..." Her voice caught in her throat. "I lost you for a thousand years. I had to deal with social anxiety for quite a while, and it wasn't easy. It's difficult without you."

Celestia turned to face Luna. "Excuse my outburst. All the words I've said to you prior to my exile were a product of Daybreaker's lies. Even after the Elements released me, a part of her lingers in my psyche. I still had those evil thoughts. The nightmares... they're not gone."

"Evil thoughts? You have been freed from Daybreaker. The remorse shows that you're on the path to redemption. Even when you've told me awful things before the exile, I knew something wasn't right. Daybreaker was responsible for your descent into darkness. If I had listened more-"

"Don't blame yourself. It is I who is to blame." Celestia ran a hoof over the grass. "I allowed myself to believe Daybreaker's dishonesty."

"We both made mistakes. Nopony is perfect."

"My actions were worse. I have no desire to hurt Equestria ever again."

Luna hugged Celestia. "What happens in the past stays in the past."

Celestia sniffled. "Alright. I'll start over with Cadance."

The royal sisters returned to the dining hall, where they had left Cadance. Celestia didn't expect Cadance to wait for them. The servants arranged the plates on the grand table. The aroma of coffee, tea, and pancakes penetrated the air. Celestia sat by the window, while Luna sat by the door. Cadance sat in the middle. Silence settled between Celestia and Cadance. What was there to say? Would the Royal We confuse Cadance, too?

"Cadance, forgive us for our sudden departure," Celestia said. "We art not furious at thou."

"An apology isn't necessary. Luna told me about you," Cadance replied.

Celestia poured the tea into her mug, then gobbled the pancakes. How much did Cadance know? She was sure that Cadance heard the rumors about Daybreaker's vengeance. Why didn't Cadance seem afraid of her? Wasn't the pink alicorn nervous? If Cadance wanted to mention Daybreaker, she should be aware that it was a sensitive topic, and that she should tread lightly.

"Have I said something wrong?" Cadance asked.

"No. Thou art... I mean, you're fine," Celestia replied. It would take a while to learn the modern dialect. She gazed at the window.

"I know some Old Equuish." Cadance sipped her tea. "I once studied the pre-classical era in history class."

Celestia's eyes met Luna's. "What changed in my absence?"

Luna shrugged. "It's been a long time, and if I told you all the details, it would take all day. Equestria changed a lot since then."

"Why wasn't the old castle rebuilt?"

"It reminded me of the day I banished you."

"It makes sense, considering." Celestia rose from her seat. "I'll oversee Day Court. You need a break."

"I don't mind a break from the schedule," Luna said.

After breakfast, Celestia trotted to the throne room. There were stained glass windows with lunar phases and meteor showers. Violet tapestries hung from the ceiling. On top of Luna's throne stood a miniature moon. The only thing missing was a solar throne. If she sat on Luna's throne, the ponies would speculate. The nobles gave her a wary glance. She sat on the steps. A unicorn with blonde hair and a white coat came forward.

"Ah, if it isn't the evil solar princess," the stallion said.

"We art not Daybreaker," Celestia replied. "We art Celestia, the older sister of Princess Luna."

"You're the mare who threatened to overthrow Princess Luna. No wonder ponies are terrified of your existence. Do us a favor and get lost."

"A wicked mare no longer, we shall right our wrongs."

The stallion grimaced. "It doesn't matter. I don't care if my personal guards get arrested for attacking royalty." He walked out of the throne room.

What a way to start the day, Celestia thought. She did expect somepony to confront her for her misdeeds. Kibitz, one of the royal advisors, approached the steps. Instead of bowing, his gaze wandered to Luna's throne. When they had met, he made it no secret that he wouldn't tolerate a former tyrant. Even if he managed to conceal his disgust, she could see through his stoic facade. She grabbed the list from his magical aura. The advisor let out an exasperated sigh.

"Princess Celestia, or Daybreaker-" Kibitz began.

"Tis Celestia," Celestia interrupted.

"Don't interrupt. Princess Luna allows me to finish what I'm saying, especially if it's unpleasant. I heard Prince Blueblood calling you out for your crimes."

"What we did is in the past." Celestia stood tall. "For a day, Luna will allow us to deal with diurnal responsibilities."

"Of course. She explained this to me earlier. Why do you refer to yourself in an outdated manner, though? Several ponies will request an audience. I doubt you'll offer those ponies some sound advice. Princess Luna has more wisdom, and-"

"Tis the Royal We, sir Kibitz. Their ancestors once requested our advice more often."

"If you perform your duties poorly, Luna will know. As I've stated, I don't tolerate tyrants."

Celestia clenched her jaw. If Kibitz had the gall to talk to her like this, she wasn't sure if she could handle being criticized all day for every flaw. Her former advisors from the pre-classical era never pointed out her mistakes. He shouldn't expect her to be perfect. She knew Luna wasn't perfect, yet the ponies viewed her as a flawless role model. And Luna warned her about jealousy. If she resorted to her old ways, nopony would ever forgive her a second time. She suppressed her emotions and wore a pleasant grin.

"Your smile is too wide. It can frighten the ponies," Kibitz said.

Celestia rolled her eyes. The advisor left the throne room. Why couldn't he just forget the past? She didn't like being compared to her sister. Still, she couldn't blame the citizens of Equestria for fearing her. When she inherited the throne in her youth, it wasn't the case. A group of ponies galloped toward the throne. The moment they noticed her, they froze. Their faces were a mix of curiosity and fear.

"We expected Princess Luna's presence instead of yours," a unicorn said.

"We art overseeing Day Court. What's the issue?" Celestia replied.

"The FlimFlam brothers stole my paintings and sold them at a local art show."

"We shall find the FlimFlam brothers. Where hast thou last seen them?"

Another pony stepped forward, then bowed. "Their situation is trivial. Mine is worse. The debt is impossible, and I could lose my home. The same already happened to my neighbors."

The problems sounded more trivial than Celestia expected. She was used to dealing with politics and foreign ambassadors. After an hour of listening to ponies, she scrutinized her list. Not only were there mentions of the FlimFlam brothers, there were also property disputes and requests to make public appearances. Since the commoners weren't familiar with the Royal We, the ponies misinterpreted her words to mean something malicious. As a result, half of them avoided her. At one point, she used the Royal Canterlot Voice on a whiny noble.

A long day of diurnal duties had drained much of Celestia's energy by the time she fulfilled the responsibilities. She occupied a bench in the courtyard, gazing at the sunset. At times, she wondered if it was a dream. The banishment was lonely. There had been nopony to talk to, save for Daybreaker. Even the smallest observation of the sun reminded her of the exile. Would she find it in her heart to forgive herself? It was too soon to tell. When her sister was born, she promised to protect her. She had broken the promise by transforming into Daybreaker and attempting to destroy Luna.

Did Celestia deserve a second chance? The sun seemed to mock her remorse. She summoned her magic and attempted to lower the sun. Was she making any progress in her redemption? Today, she had wavered between the Royal We and the modern dialect. Had she taken more than she could handle? Was it the reason behind her fatigue? She walked into the castle.

A guard hesitated in midstep. "Daybreaker- I mean, Celestia... or whatever you call yourself. Why aren't you punished for your crimes?"

"Because I apologized to Luna. Also, I'm Celestia, not Daybreaker," Celestia replied.

"Fine. Our princess doesn't need a tyrant to rule by her side. She's more benevolent than you'll ever be. I won't waste my time talking to you."

The guard stormed out of the hallway and slammed the door behind him. Didn't he see the difference between Celestia and Daybreaker? She didn't threaten him, so why did he hold a grudge? She didn't know whether to blame herself or Daybreaker, yet a small part of her resented Luna for the banishment. She raced to her room. Thoughts of revenge wormed into her mind. She caught her reflection in the mirror. Should she use a time-travel spell to fix her mistakes? Transforming into Daybreaker had forever affected her life. Her horn glowed. However, she couldn't bring herself to reverse time. If she did alter history, how would the contemporary era turn out in another time? The bedroom door swung open, which interrupted her contemplation.

"Tia, how was your day?" Luna asked.

Tears streamed down Celestia's face. "It was awful! I tried hard to be a better ruler, but all they could focus on was Daybreaker! The fact that Kibitz hates me doesn't help matters. Apparently my exile was his favorite topic. What do they expect me to do, stay on the sun for the rest of my life?" She removed her crown, then approached the window.

"I thought I told Kibitz to be nice. Guess he didn't get the message. Can you tell me more details?"

Celestia stared at the floor. She muttered a few choice words. "The ponies have every right to hate me. I'm the worst."

Luna's heart shattered. She pulled Celestia into an embrace. "No, you're not. Your past was the main topic in our recent conversations. It's time to move on. I don't know what it's like to have your body possessed against your will, to have your mind corrupted by your dark side, and to be isolated. But you can't focus on your actions. In several centuries, the ponies won't remember Daybreaker."

"How long did it take for their ancestors to forget me?" Celestia made eye contact. There was a hint of bitterness in her voice. "One decade or less?"

"As far as I can recall, not all of them forgot you."

Celestia scrutinized her crown. Did she deserve to remain a princess? "I'm aware that we had friends in the pre-classical era. They would fear Daybreaker, too."

"Even when you were banished, they saw the good in you."

Celestia opened her mouth to speak, yet no words came out. Instead, she made her way toward the door. She didn't view herself as a good pony. It might have been the case in her youth, but Daybreaker changed everything. On the other hoof, her sister never became evil. It wasn't that Luna was perfect. As sisters, they had their ups and downs. She recalled the lullaby she had heard during her exile. She turned her attention to Luna.

"When you were younger, I sang to you each night. And in my absence, you sang to me," Celestia said.

"It is intended to comfort you," Luna replied.

"I know."

The lyrics replayed in Celestia's mind. At first, her response had a tinge of resentfulness, as Daybreaker had taken over her mind and body. Later on, her soliloquy became less bitter. She wiped a single tear from her cheek, then climbed onto her bed. As she closed her eyes, the hoofsteps moved toward her side. She was aware of Luna levitating the blanket across her body.

"Goodnight, dear sister," Luna whispered.

By the time the wee hours arrived, Luna heard a distinctive scream while navigating a corridor. She had just finished helping several foals with their nightmares. Did she overlook a specific dream? She followed the sound to Celestia's room. Sure enough, the elder alicorn had awakened. She rushed to Celestia's side and hugged her. It was obvious that Celestia had a nightmare.

"Are you alright, sis?" Luna asked.

"Yes. Just a nightmare," Celestia said.

"What happened in the dream?"

"I transformed into Daybreaker and trapped Equestria in eternal daylight. You were trapped in the sun."

"It's just a dream. You're not Daybreaker. The Elements of Harmony had already purged you of Daybreaker's wickedness. I know who you truly are, and you're not a wicked mare. Instead, you're a benevolent mare with a rough past. Can I stay in here for a minute?"

Celestia shrugged. "Isn't your nocturnal duty more important? You did rule alone for a thousand years. Somepony probably has a nightmare right now."

Luna sat next to Celestia. "Nopony else had a nightmare. We still have four hours before sunrise. May your dreams be sweet."

The last sentence reminded Celestia of the lullaby. She never wanted to be separated from her sister again. She rested her head against the pillow and closed her eyes. The rain tapped the window. Time seemed to slow down. Her sister hummed a song from their youth. It was the lullaby she once sang to Luna when the nocturnal alicorn was a small filly. Soon, sleep took hold, and she drifted to dreamland. Images danced in her vision. Instead of her nightmare, she saw a glimpse of the past. It was odd, considering that the memories of their foalhood were buried beneath the recent memories. An open field materialized before her.

A younger version of the two sisters frolicked by the edge of the forest. A wave of nostalgia overwhelmed Celestia's heart. They were so innocent back then, yet the unexpected events had changed their lives. The arrival of a younger Discord surprised her. Oh, they used to be friends. However, he had more fun with Luna, as she didn't mind causing mischief from time to time.

Luna had been devastated one day when Discord betrayed the royal sisters. Celestia grimaced at the thought. If the draconequus ever hurt Luna again, he was toast. Flames billowed around the dancing images. She focused on memories that wouldn't infuriate her. Visions of forgotten moments materialized. Some depicted her singing to Luna. One of them stood out to her. The lyrics accompanied the fiery image. Luna's voice had eased her mind during centuries of isolation.

Remember who you truly are, dear sister;
A bright and shining star...
Please come back to me,
and forgive me for being so blind...

A sense of guilt prickled Celestia's heart. She could hear the tears in Luna's voice. Other than the typical quarrel, the younger alicorn never intended to harm her. Yet she allowed mistrust and fear to fester in her heart, then lashed out at Luna. She wouldn't forget the pain and sadness in Luna's eyes. Once the scenery transformed into the old castle, she detected Daybreaker's armor. Sunlight penetrated the room, and she retrieved the helmet - not to equip herself, but to satisfy her curiosity. She sensed Daybreaker's magic. The mare wasn't anywhere to be found. She had a choice; look beyond her past and seek a brighter future, or abandon the path of redemption. The former made more sense than the second one. And she swore to avoid making the same mistake that resulted in a thousand-year exile.

The sun began its ascent into the sky, chasing away the coldness of a winter night. An explosion of colors penetrated the horizon - gold, scarlet, coral, and lavender. Celestia summoned her magic to move the sun higher. The effort drained the energy from her body. Her breath came in gasps. Daybreaker had stolen half her magic while she was corrupted. It would take a year for an alicorn to regain one's power. A frigid breeze rippled through her mane.

"How did you sleep?" Luna asked.

"I slept well," Celestia said.

"Just as I thought." Luna smiled. "Did you know what the helmet symbolizes?"

"The past." Celestia's eyes were fixated on the sunrise. "Daybreaker isn't my true identity."

"You will always be my sister. Daybreaker will never change that, as she's a manifestation of fear and mistrust."

Celestia nodded. What her sister said was true. She might not be able to take back the thousand years, but it was Daybreaker who attempted to divide the royal sisters. The reunion of the two sisters wasn't part of Daybreaker's plan, which was why the mare of flames hoped to win against the heroines of Equestria. What would the future hold for her, now that she had returned to Equestria after being released from Daybreaker's magic?

Gilda the Griffon

It was a chilly afternoon at Sweet Apple Acres. The skeletal trees dotted the farm, and there was not an apple in sight. Clouds blocked out the sunlight. Snowflakes danced in the air before touching the ground. Inside the house, Sunset Shimmer and Applejack were chatting by the fireplace. Rainbow Dash threw a pie at Sunset's face. The whipped cream splattered over her face. A surprise prank, and it was the one used too many times? She removed the whipped cream from her face. Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie gave in to fits of laughter.

"Lighten up, Sunny!" Pinkie said in between giggles.

"You two are ornery," Sunset replied.

Rainbow snickered. "Pinkie and I are pranking the town. Do you want to join?"

"No, thanks. Don't hurt anypony with a prank, okay?"

"A little fun never hurts," Pinkie said.

Sunset heard Spike coughing. A scroll emerged from his mouth. She grabbed the scroll and unfolded it. She read the paragraph about the Grand Galloping Gala. The gala would be thrown in Canterlot Castle two months after Hearths' Warming Eve, which meant the mares still had time to prepare. Oddly enough, there were two tickets instead of six... or seven, counting Spike.

"I'm invited to the Grand Galloping Gala. And there are two tickets," Sunset said. As soon as she mentioned the number, her friends spoke at the same time. "Girls, one at a time."

"I want to meet the Wonderbolts," Rainbow Dash said. "They're so cool, and I want to be part of their team!"

"No, I get to go," Pinkie Pie said. "I can make the gala more fun."

"No, girls. I'm the one who goes. I'll sell the desserts," Applejack said.

Just as Sunset prepared to settle the discussion, two more mares entered. Apparently Rarity and Fluttershy overheard the words, as they stated their respective reasons for attending the gala. She inhaled, then exhaled. It wasn't as though she needed to imitate Luna's Royal Canterlot Voice. She penned a letter and gave it to Spike.

"Princess Luna will give us four more tickets," Sunset said.

"I'm not going?" Spike asked.

"You thought the gala was too girly." Sunset chuckled. "Are you sure you want to come along?"

"Right. It's too girly and boring." Spike sent the letter to the princess. "Which means I'm not missing anything."

Within several seconds, a new letter materialized in the air, and Spike caught it in time. Sunset took the letter. The letter read: "Sunset, I'm pleased that you've solved the problem rather quickly. Here is one more ticket for Spike. I'll see you at the gala. Sincerely, Luna."

"Everypony in here gets a ticket to the gala," Sunset said.

Rarity snatched the ticket from Sunset's magical grip. "Good. I'll meet the prince, and we'll fall in love. It's a better love story than Glass Slipper!"

Sunset chuckled. That breezie tale was still popular with older mares. While they found the prospect of meeting a prince at a ball to be glamorous, she wasn't in the mood for romance. It wasn't her cup of tea. Oh, and she had encountered Prince Blueblood a few times in her youth. As far as she knew, he was in no way a humble pony. She never tolerated his snobby attitude. Rarity wouldn't like him if they met for the first time.

Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie gathered the supplies for their pranks. Before they had decided to prank the whole town together, she hid from Pinkie countless times. And each time she found a hiding place, Pinkie somehow found her. The first prank they had done earlier wasn't on a pony. Because of Spike's hiccups, multiple letters were sent to Princess Luna. The response? A large smiley face on a single piece of paper. It had made Rainbow and Pinkie giggle.

Once Rainbow and Pinkie arrived at the Carousel Boutique, they placed a vase with fake flowers on the doorstep. The flowers looked real, but were actually made of smelly newspapers coated with paint. Pinkie knocked on the door and led Rainbow to a bush. Just as Rarity opened the door, they hid behind the bush. Rarity leaned closer and sniffed the fake flowers. As soon as she did, she gagged.

"Gross!" Rarity exclaimed. "What was this? And who brought it here?"

Rainbow and Pinkie chuckled at the unicorn's reaction. Their laughter drew Rarity's attention to the bush. Rarity grimaced at them for a second. She placed the flowers into a nearby trash can. Those two sure loved to trick others. To be fair, it was impossible for flowers to grow during colder months.

"You two," Rarity said, shaking her head. "How did you make the flowers look real?"

"Old newspapers and paint," Pinkie replied.

"Oh. I'm busy right now, so have a good afternoon."

Rainbow and Pinkie proceeded to prank the rest of Ponyville. While several laughed, others were either indifferent or annoyed. When they arrived at Sunset Shimmer's residence, they snuck into a window and spied an ink bottle. Pinkie emptied the bottle and poured some black glitter into it. Hoofsteps ascended the stairs to the door. Before Sunset could catch them, they hurried through the window and waited nearby. Rainbow peered into the room.

Sunset removed the quill from the ink bottle. As she began to write, no ink came out. The black glitter was stuck on the quill. She turned the bottle upside down. The glitter splattered across the hardwood floor. She rolled her eyes. Who did this? Did somepony decide to play a joke on her? Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie did mention their plans earlier. If it had been serious, she would have lost her temper. The prank was harmless, so there was no reason to get oneself worked up. She would clean up later. She smirked at the window. A soft chortle escaped her mouth.

Rainbow and Pinkie waved at the unicorn before leaving. Nighttime surrounded Equestria not long after their last prank. They had no idea of what tomorrow would bring. A certain old friend of Rainbow's would come to town, and the visitor wouldn't be kind to her new friends...

The sun filtered through the bedroom window, and Rainbow rolled to her side to block out the bright light. She was sure the curtains were closed tightly. The alarm clock blared. She shoved it off the nightstand. A loud thud awakened her for the day. She stretched her limbs, yawned, and climbed out of bed. If not for a clear, cloudless morning, she would have slept in a little more. It wasn't uncommon for most ponies to stay up late. She walked downstairs and ate some breakfast. A knock on the door garnered her attention. The sound of a party hooter accompanied the knock. Pinkie couldn't be here, as she didn't have wings.

Rainbow answered the door. A familiar griffon waited by the door. "I haven't seen you in quite a while, Gilda. How is your life going?"

"Good as usual," Gilda said. She glanced at the ground below Cloudsdale. "Looks like I'm not the only one who wants to see you."

Rainbow and Gilda landed in front of Pinkie. The pink mare wore a pair of green glasses with swirly designs, a clown nose, and a fake mustache. Pinkie didn't expect Rainbow to bring a friend along. She intended to do more pranks today, yet the visitor was probably hoping to stand in the way. Not that she was jealous. If she ended up as the third wheel, it wouldn't ruin her day. After all, she had more than one friend.

"Mornin', Pinks. This is my old friend Gilda. She's a griffon. We went to flight camp together," Rainbow explained.

"What's up?" Gilda asked.

Meeting an old friend of Rainbow's wasn't in the plan. Despite this, Pinkie wore a friendly smile. "Hi. You must be new to Ponyville, right? And what is a griffon?"

"I'm not here to mingle with those lame ponies."

Rainbow seemed oblivious to Gilda's remark. "A griffon is half-lion and half-eagle. She doesn't come to Ponyville often." She turned her attention to Gilda. "Hey, remember the chant from flight camp?"

Gilda scowled. "That was lame. They forced us to repeat it every morning."

"Junior Speedsters are our lives! Sky-bound soars and daring dives! Junior Speedsters, it's our quest, to someday be the very best!"

"Only you were willing to recite it. I'll never get the lame chant out of my head."

Pinkie began laughing, which garnered their attention. They shared a perplexed glance. "Nice one! Gave me an idea for a great prank. Gilda, you game?"

Gilda rolled her eyes. "Huh. As much as I groove on a good prank, I'm going back to Cloudsdale with Rainbow. We'll get a flying session in today."

Rainbow hovered into the air. "See you later, Pinkie. Hope you don't mind. It's just for one day."

And Pinkie expected the day to go differently. Well, it wasn't going to happen, as long as Gilda stood in the way. "Alright, girls. Have fun with your flight session. I'll see you later... if you want to spend time with me..." She sighed.

Rainbow and Gilda soared past the clouds until they were mere dots in the sky. Pinkie frowned. She had multiple friends, but she couldn't deny that she felt left out. It would have been the perfect opportunity to make a new friend. Instead, she was the third wheel. At least there were ones from her group. An idea popped into her mind. She could watch them fly around! She pulled all the balloons out of her saddlebag and floated into the air.

Meanwhile, Rainbow Dash and Gilda landed onto a large cloud after their first race. They laughed. The sun slipped behind the clouds. They were unaware of the fact that Pinkie followed them. She had fond memories of flight camp, which was the reason she couldn't wait to hang out with Gilda in the first place.

"Sweet. Just like old times," Gilda said.

"Only faster. So now what?" Rainbow replied.

As if on cue, Pinkie approached the two friends. "It's later, and I caught up. Can't I join you?"

"The flight session hasn't ended yet," Rainbow reminded her.

"Why can't we hang out as a group?"

There was a flash of annoyance in Gilda's eyes, but she seemed to hold back. Was she trying to say something rude or dismissive? "Hey Dash, think you got enough gas to beat me to the next cloud?"

"A second race?" Rainbow smirked. "You are so on!"

"Three, two, one, go!"

As Rainbow launched herself into the air, Gilda stayed behind. "I think the high altitude is making you dizzy, so go back and do whatever you like to do in your own time. You can't fly with us." She poked the balloons, then flew away.

Pinkie drifted toward the ground. She couldn't let this blow over. And Gilda dared to pop the balloons? Had Rainbow ever realized that Gilda wasn't nice? She pulled a bike out of her saddlebag and took to the skies. It wasn't going well, and she was beginning to resent Gilda. Thankfully, they didn't go across the entire sky. Only to the next cloud, as they had stated. Once again, she attempted to join them. Gilda wore the same annoyed look. How did Rainbow not notice? Was the pegasus blind?

"Found ya again!" Pinkie said.

"Are you gonna try any new tricks, or are you one hundred percent old-school?" Gilda asked Rainbow.

"New tricks? Heh, G, sit back. This is gonna take a while," Rainbow replied as she unfurled her wings and flew off.

Gilda beckoned Pinkie closer. "Come here, Pinkie. You're not allowing us to have fun. Don't you know how to take get lost for an answer? You're such a dweeb. Stop dorkin' up the skies."

Pinkie frowned. "But I wanted to join!"

"You don't have wings, and this contraption will never catch up to us." Gilda spun the contraption, causing Pinkie to veer toward the ground. "So make like a bee and buzz off!"

By the time Rainbow returned, her eyes scanned the area for the pink mare. Pinkie was here a second ago. Did Pinkie decide to do something else, or what? "Hey, where's Pinkie and her crazy contraption?"

"Eh, she went home. Something about being busy as a bee," Gilda lied.

"So, you wanted to spend time with Rainbow Dash, but she would rather be with Gilda?" Sunset asked as she arranged the books.

Pinkie paced back and forth. It wasn't her day. "Gilda is stealing Rainbow Dash. She popped the balloons, spun the helibike, and told me to get lost. How dare she? I've never met a griffon this mean. Actually, I've never met a griffon at all, but if I had, she wouldn't have been as mean and grumpy as Gilda."

Sunset stroked her chin. "I've never been in this situation. I can't jump to conclusions. Maybe it's her old friend? Or perhaps Gilda is feeling insecure?"

"I bet she's insecure!" Pinkie stomped her hoof against the floor. "Why else would she be rude? Oh, they were in flight camp together. What's the word for the way she acts around Rainbow?"

"Was she possessive?"

Pinkie nodded. "That's it! Gilda is possessive! You gave me an idea."

Sunset tilted her head. "Is it another prank?"

"Who knows?" Pinkie hopped out of Sunset's house. She found herself scrutinizing the sky. The sun slipped behind the gray clouds. Maybe Gilda wouldn't be so possessive if they got to know each other more. What was Rainbow thinking when she befriended Gilda? Weren't there other ponies at flight camp for Rainbow Dash to befriend? Had it been a small class? She trotted down the snow-covered road and reached Sugarcube Corner. Once she was inside, she grabbed a peppermint latte and a sugar cookie.

Pinkie sat by the window, watching the ponies trot past. It was an hour after twelve, and Rainbow had yet to come back. Did Gilda have her for good? Only time would tell. So much for Rainbow being the Element of Loyalty. What if the Elements were a one-time thing? As far as she knew, there weren't any more threats to Equestria. She heaved out a sigh. What if she was misinterpreting Gilda's actions? They had just met today, so maybe the griffon's personality would improve?

Behind Pinkie, the doors swung open. She saw Rainbow, but Gilda wasn't gone. It wasn't what she hoped to see. Granny Smith approached the counter, and Gilda slipped behind it. The griffon's tail emerged. Granny Smith screamed, then walked toward the door.

"It's a rattler," Granny Smith said as she left the bakery.

"Poor Granny Smith," Pinkie murmured. "She didn't know it was a joke. How mean."

Would this kind of behavior convince Rainbow Dash to stop hanging out with Gilda? Gilda stole a cupcake, then left the bakery. So, not only Gilda was a bully, but she was also a thief? How low. Pinkie followed her to the street. She couldn't tolerate her any longer. Fluttershy was leading a pack of wolf pups across the street when she bumped into Gilda. It wouldn't go well for the pegasus.

"Hey! Watch where you're going," Gilda said.

Fluttershy gasped. "Excuse me. I didn't mean to-"

"I'm walkin' here, doofus. I don't care if your puppies need any guidance."

"Oh, um, I'm sorry. I-I-I was just trying to-"

"Didn't you understand what I'm saying? An apology won't cut it, you little doormat."

"But I... I..." Fluttershy hesitated. She cowered as if to appear smaller.

Gilda breathed in, then roared at Fluttershy. The bystanders stopped to watch the scene, and they narrowed their eyes. Tears welled in Fluttershy's eyes. She ran toward the outskirts of town. A few ponies gasped. In response to their reactions, Gilda grimaced.

"Ugh, please. All these lame ponies are driving me buggy. I gotta bail," Gilda muttered.

Once Gilda was gone, Pinkie thought of the perfect idea. "I've had enough. She is a grump, a bully, and a thief! The meanest kind of meanie-pants there is. No one treats Fluttershy like that. No one. This calls for extreme measures, Pinkie Pie style. And it will be a party."

Later in the afternoon, Pinkie hosted a party at Sugarcube Corner. Her friends came over, and they didn't know that it was for Gilda. And neither did they know that the party itself was intended to prank Gilda big-time. When Gilda arrived, Pinkie reached out her hoof.

"Gilda, I'm so honored to throw you one of my signature Pinkie Pie parties, and I really hope that you welcome amongst all us pony folk," Pinkie said.

The moment Gilda's talons wrapped around Pinkie's hoof, she flinched. "What did you just do?"

Pinkie and her friends laughed at Gilda's reaction. Rainbow Dash snorted. "Oh, Pinkie. The old hoof-shake buzzer. You are a scream."

Gilda chuckled nervously. "Yeah. Good one, Pinkie." Her countenance darkened. "I know what you're up to."

Pinkie giggled. "This wasn't supposed to be a surprise party."

Rainbow Dash led Gilda to one of the tables. There was a bowl of vanilla lemon drops, which had a spicy taste. "Please help yourself to the lemon drops."

Gilda tossed a lemon drop into her mouth. "Don't mind if I do." Her eyes widened. "Hot!"

"There's the punch."

Gilda snatched a glass, and when she turned it toward her mouth, the liquid dripped onto the floor. The ponies laughed. She clenched her teeth. "Yeah, hilarious. Any more tricks in this lame party? This is the worst party I've ever attended."

Pinkie chortled. "Whaddya know, pepper in the vanilla lemon drops, and punch served in a dribble glass."

The party continued for an hour, and Gilda ran into one prank after another. The final prank made her fly into a rage. She stomped toward the door, which garnered the attention of the guests. She had enough, and she couldn't stay here anymore.

Gilda shoved the door open. "I've never met a lamer bunch of dweebs in all my life. And Pinkie Pie, you! You're the queen of all those lame little pranks. Is this your idea of a good time? Well, Dash and I have ten times as much cool as the rest of you put together! Come on, Dash, let's bail on this pathetic party."

"I was the one who set up the pranks," Rainbow said.

"What?"

"It was dumb luck that you set them all off. If you want to bully my friends, just leave us alone. Go make new friends that are your idea of cool."

"If you decide not to be lame anymore, gimme a call." Gilda stepped out, then slammed the door shut.

Rainbow turned to her friends. She wore an apologetic expression. "I'm sorry for bringing Gilda here. I didn't realize how rude she was."

"Hey, if you want to hang out with party poopers, that's your business," Pinkie said.

"I'd rather hang out with you. No hard feelings?"

"No hard feelings."

After the party ended, Sunset went home. She took out a piece of paper and a quill, and began writing. She hadn't expected to meet somepony from Rainbow's past who turned out to be rude, let alone a certain griffon. She didn't like the way Gilda treated others. It wasn't kind of Gilda to bully everypony at the party. Pinkie had said that the party was meant to improve Gilda's attitude. Instead, that attitude got worse.

Dear Princess Luna,
Today, I learned that it's hard to accept when your friend had an old friend who was rude to everypony. Though it's impossible to control who your friends hang out with, it's possible to control your own actions. Continue to be a good friend. In the end, it's false friends whose actions will come to light.

Your dearest student,
Sunset Shimmer