My Little Sunset: Friendship is Alternate

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."