The Element of Empathy

~Narrator's POV~

"Now Sunset Shimmer..." The examiner told me, as he and the other two examiners got their clipboards ready, "For your final test, you shall need to wow us. Give us the best you've got."

"We're looking forward to seeing if you can top your 'synchronized dancing cats' piece from last semester." The second examiner added, "That was a dazzler!"

"As Princess Celestia's own student, we expect big, big things today." The third finished.

I smiled and waved my hand, "Well, you'll certainly see that."

With that, I began me presentation. My horn lit up with my magical, cyan aura, as I whistled casually and waved my hand around, using my magic to make a sunflower grow out its pot. The examiners were surprised that I was starting so simple.

I smiled proudly, but suddenly, my horn started to glow in a magenta pink color. I don't think this is supposed to happen... I tried to control the magic, trying to keep it contained, but it overwhelmed me. The magical aura enveloped my entire body and lifted me two feet into the air.

I tried to move, but the magic had its hold on me and overwhelmed me with powerful pulses of power. The other foals and examiners backed away from me, wary of what might happen next.

Suddenly, in an explosion of magic, the magenta aura shot into the ceiling of the classroom and opened what looked like a portal into another world. Then four creatures fell from the portal. Then the portal closed and the magenta pink magic faded away, leaving my horn to glow in its normal cyan color. I gently landed on the ground and I can control myself again.

The creatures that fell from the portal were very strange-looking. Slender build with flat faces and round ears located on the sides of their heads. No fur coat, no horns, no wings, no tails or hooves. Five-fingered hands and five-toed plantigrade feet. Light peachy skin and two of them had freckles across their faces. Two had shoulder-length, wavy blonde manes and light blue eyes. The third had a dark brunette mane and hazel eyes. The fourth had no mane and light green eyes.

Everyone stepped away from the hairless ape-like creatures. Gasping and staring in awe and fear. I noticed the brunette one blinked its eyes twice and started tapping its hands over the tiled ground.

I tilted my head. I've read about these creatures before. They used to coexist with Ponies over a thousand years ago. But something happened and they disappeared. I thought they went extinct or were wiped out by a powerful spirit. Guess I was wrong. They were called 'Humans'.

"You alright?" I asked, cautiously walking toward the brunette human.

The brunette human and one of the blonde humans were the same size as me, and younger-looking. So they must be about the same age as me. The younger blonde human looked at me, yelped and hugged closely to the older blonde human.

"Have you seen my glasses?" The brunette human asked, "I can't see very well without them."

I looked around and saw a pair of black framed glasses laying on the ground. I picked the glasses up and asked, "Are these yours?" I placed the glasses over the human's flat face.

The brunette human blinked its eyes and smiled at me, "Yeah. Thank yo-" The human looked at me and gasped, "I can't believe it." She leaned closer to me, "I've read stories about your people. But to see you in person..."

I raised a brow and tilted my head slightly. Suddenly, an older, more regal voice spoke from the other side of the classroom, "Sunset Shimmer, what happened?"

Everyone, including the humans and I, looked at across and saw a tall, regal, pale pink, almost white, Alicorn walking toward us. Her eyes were a pale magenta. Her lower-back length, pastel-toned mane was flowing, like there was an invisible wind. Her tail matched as well.

Upon her head was a golden crown with an amethyst in the center. Around her neck was a matching necklace. Upon her hooves were a pair of golden princess shoes. She wore a long, white, Greek dress with golden trims and a belt around her waist. Upon her left shoulder strap was a broach of a sun-like symbol.

Everyone, except the humans, gasped and quickly bowed in greeting and respect, as the Alicorn walked down the stairs to the front of the classroom.

"Princess Celestia!" I gasped, frozen still as a statue, "P-p-please, I-I-I can explain."

The Alicorn, Princess Celestia, looked at the humans, then she looked at me, "Just tell me what happened."

I looked at the humans for a second, then looked at the Princess, "Well, I was casting a simple growth spell, until my magic grew out of control. I tried to control it, but the magic and power overwhelmed me. My magic created a portal in the ceiling, and..." I pointed to the humans, "These humans appeared."

The older blonde human folded its arms at me and glared, "It's rude to point, young lady."

I looked at the humans and noticed where I was pointing. I quickly withdrew my finger and returned my attention to Princess Celestia.

Princess Celestia looked at me for a second, and turned to the humans, "Do you humans have names?"

The humans looked at each other in uncertainty. The brunette human was first to respond. It picked itself to its feet and bowed its head in greeting, "My name is Eleanor May Carter, but I mostly go by Ellie."

Princess Celestia nodded, then turned to the other humans. "Lorraine Gentry." The older blonde answered. "Stephen Henderson." The bald human introduced. "S-Sam." The younger blonde stuttered.

Princess Celestia smiled and bowed, "Welcome to Equestria, Eleanor May Carter. Lorraine Gentry. Stephen Henderson and Sam." Then she looked at me, "Sunset Shimmer, I have noticed that your studying has gotten quite rigorous. How would you feel if one of these humans could help you?"

"Like a study partner?" I asked. Princess Celestia nodded.

I thought for a moment. Maybe this won't be a bad idea. Maybe one of these humans possesses a powerful magic that hasn't been tapped into. Maybe they can learn from me, as I can learn from them. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity. How can I pass this up?

I looked at Princess Celestia and smiled, "Of course."

Princess Celestia smiled, "Wonderful." Then stepped aside, "Which one would you like to be your study partner?"

I looked at the humans and rubbed my chin in thought. Stephen and Lorraine look too old to learn the magic of Equestria. So that only left Sam and Eleanor. Sam hugged closely to Lorraine and shook her head. So that only left...

I pointed to the brunette human, "Eleanor."

Princess Celestia and Eleanor lightly smiled. I smiled back. I couldn't wait to get started with our lessons.

*The Next Day...*
~Eleanor's POV~

Sunset Shimmer and I got to know each other better, over time. The books she studied with were most fascinating. Magic, laws of physics, rules on how to use magic, even the history of Equestria.

It turned out that humans used to live in Equestria a long time ago, but after a time, they mysteriously disappeared. Sunset Shimmer had her theories and I wasn't quite certain if it was magic or some sort of accident that made them disappear.

Sam, Mum and Steve were able to make themselves at home in the city of Canterlot. Sam started school with the other fillies and colts. Mum became a nurse in the local hospital. And Steve became a mechanic.

I, of course, became Sunset Shimmer's study partner, and began studying magic. So far, I was able to levitate small objects with my mind and project a small orb of light from my hand.

Anywho, I'm rambling too much again.

Today was a nice summer day. Sunset Shimmer and I were sitting on a bench, reading some of the advanced spell books. Around us, Unicorns were enjoying the day and having picnics.

Across from us, I saw a teenage, white, male Unicorn and a teenage, light pink, female Alicorn playing with a young, lavender, Unicorn filly, around Sunset Shimmer's age. They looked like they were having fun.

"Sunset Shimmer!" A voice called.

I yelped in startle, then calmed down. Sunset and I looked over and saw five young Unicorn fillies around the same age as Sunset Shimmer.

One was yellow with a curly blue mane and tail. She wore a pink t-shirt and dark blue cargo shorts.

Another was in a full blue color scheme. To go with her blue color scheme, she wore a light blue tank top and denim jeans.

The third was in a pink color scheme with blue eyes. She wore a white layered t-shirt and pink shorts.

The fourth was a shade of mint green. Her mane was the a deeper color, but with a white streak, same with her tail. She wore a yellow and pink layered tank top and jean shorts.

The last one had a combed, red mane and tail, with a two-toned purple highlights and dark purple eyes. Her fur was a light yellowish grey. She wore a pair of black-rimmed glasses, similar to mine, and a yellow sun-dress.

"That vine you made was amazing!" The blue one exclaimed with a smile. Sunset raised an eyebrow.

"Really exquisite." The pink one added.

The green one nodded and asked, "Would you like to come have lunch with us." She looked at me with a smile, "We can get to know your new friend."

I smiled and was about to answer, but Sunset Shimmer scoffed and walked off, dragging me along with her, "Hmph! Ellie and I have better things to do than socialize! I'm going to re-read 'Advanced Elemental Magical Practices', and then Ellie's gonna help me practice for my advanced summoning spells exams. What are you studying for? Nothing, that's what."

I looked back at the Unicorn fillies. They looked hurt by Shimmer's words. The light yellowish grey one looked at me. I gave her a sympathetic look then turned to Shimmer.

"Actually, Shimmer. I'd like to get to know some of your classmates. Practice Princess Celestia's lesson on humility." I told her.

Sunset Shimmer rolled her eyes and scoffed, "Fine. But don't take too long. We're study partners for a reason."

I nodded and joined the other fillies. The light yellow filly regained her smile and we got to know each other over lunch.

The all-blue filly was named Minuette.

Lemon Hearts was the yellow and blue one.

Lyra Heartstrings was the green one.

The pink-schemed Unicorn was Twinkleshine.

And Moondancer was the yellow one with glasses.

*A Little Later, in Celestia's Castle...*

Princess Celestia has called Sunset Shimmer into the main foyer, so she could talk to her. Shimmer insisted that I'd come along. Just in case something goes wrong.

"Sunset Shimmer, I've heard that you're not getting along well with the other students." Princess Celestia told Sunset Shimmer, "We've talked about the fact that personal relationships-"

Shimmer cut the Princess off, "Personal relationships? Who needs anypony? The most important thing in life is to be the best."

I shook my head, "Shimmer, trying to make friends doesn't make you weak." Princess Celestia smiled and nodded at my words.

Then she looked at Shimmer, "We've talked about friendship and its importance before, and we've discussed that you need to open yourself up to new friends." Then she lightly smiled, "And you remember that talk we had about humility?"

"I remember how boring it was." Shimmer answered.

"I enjoyed it. The other classmates don't think I'm weird, thanks to a chat about it." I answered with a small smile.

Princess Celestia smiled at me, as she lead us to a small room with a strange mirror. There was something about the mirror, that made me feel uncertain.

"Look into this mirror, and tell me what you see." Princess Celestia told Shimmer.

"A beautiful pony that has nothing but power and potential." Shimmer answered, looking at her reflection and touching her face with a smile.

She stepped aside and it was my turn to look. I looked at my reflection.

I saw a lonely human girl with no place to call home. A sad blue aura surrounded her petite body and a hole in her chest. Like something was missing. Her eyes longed for a place where she truly belonged. Friends. Family. Then something happened.

The blue aura melted into a colorful vapor and the vapor flew around my reflection and took the shape of a group of 6 colors; Purple, orange, yellow, pink, cyan and white. My reflection glowed green. A rainbow burst out of the vapor.

"I see a group of friends. Rainbows. Happiness and smiles." I answered.

Princess Celestia smiled at my answer, but turned to Shimmer, "Care to try that again with our talk about humility taken to account?"

I stepped aside. Sunset Shimmer growled under her breath and looked at her reflection again, "I see a pony, who isn't powerful enough. Somepony who could be great, powerful... Somepony that could rule Equestria."

I looked at Shimmer's reflection and saw her as an Alicorn. But something felt off. The reflection smirked, starting to grow taller, morphing into a teenage human girl. Then she was engulfed in fire. I took a step back in fear, as I saw a pair of menacing cyan eyes and draconic wings sprouting out of the flames.

Princess Celestia must've noticed my fear and moved Shimmer and I away from it, "Maybe we better move on..."

"Wait, what was that? I thought I saw-" Shimmer exclaimed, as Princess Celestia guided us away from the mirror.

"Oh, it was probably a trick of the light. Our lesson is over for today. For tomorrow, I want you to reflect on the discussion we've just had." Princess Celestia answered.

Sunset Shimmer kept her eyes on the mirror. I guess she doesn't know what the meaning of her reflection's actions meant.

I shuddered, as the thought came to me.

*A Few Weeks Later...*

It's been a few weeks since the lesson with the mirror. It still worries me that Sunset saw what her reflection did. However, it seemed to have caught Shimmer's attention. Through the past few weeks, Shimmer kept asking Princess Celestia about it, and Celestia kept refusing.

One day, during a windy picnic, Shimmer brought it up again, "You know what's fascinating? Mirrors. About that one in..."

Princess Celestia had enough, "Sunset Shimmer. We've been over this, we will get to the mirror and many other lessons in due time. When you're ready."

The windy weather turned into rain. Worried that this weather will turn into a storm, I cuddled close to Princess Celestia. Celestia saw me, and put her wing over my head. Dang it, I hate rainy weather. Celestia and I walked back to the castle. Sunset Shimmer made her own way back.

With my strong hearing, I was able to catch Sunset Shimmer mutter under breath, "I am ready."

I looked back at Shimmer, as she walked off. My heart sank, she's slowly turning into the demon I saw in the mirror. That's not good.

*Later, that Night...*

I was in my room, in the castle, laying on my bed, staring at the night sky. The moon was in the center of the sky. The moon's eye glowed. I heard a voice speak to me.

"Protect your friend. She is following a path not destined for her..."

With that, the moon's eye stopped glowing and continued its duty. I heard a rapid knock on the door. I walked over and opened the door. It was Sunset Shimmer at the other side. She wore her signature magenta pajama shirt and shorts, and had a large grin on her face.

"Shimmer? It's the middle of the night. We have exams in the morning." I whispered, rubbing my eye.

"I think I've found something about that mirror. Why we saw what we saw." Shimmer answered.

I sighed. This again? Shimmer is very persistent when she wants something. Whether it be magic or answers.

"There's a section, in the library, that is about certain books on types of magic. I need your help to find it." She explained.

"Shimmer, think this through, for once." I told her, "You're walking down a path that will lead you closer to what you saw in the mirror." I put my hands over her shoulders, "Please, just listen to me. No good will come of this. Just go back to bed and pretend nothing happened."

Shimmer looked at me dead in the eyes, but she shook her head, "Don't you understand, Ellie. There is a way that I can be greater than Princess Celestia. I'm going to the library regardless of what you say. Are you with me or not?"

I thought for a second and remembered what the moon told me. I looked at Shimmer and nodded. She smiled, grabbed my hand and lead me into the library. I hope I'm making the right choice in protecting Sunset Shimmer.

Sunset Shimmer lead me to a door, that was locked tightly. The door said 'Dark Magic. No Entry'. A voice inside my head told me to go back to bed. But my gut told me I needed to stay with Shimmer. She needs me. With a simple lock-pick spell, Sunset Shimmer opened the door and we entered the room.

I gotta say, there were a lot of books in this section. Why did Princess Celestia keep this room locked like a secret?

'Dark Magic'... Hmmm...

"Not ready? I'll show her not ready." Shimmer muttered under her breath, then she joked, "You'd think this place would be better guarded."

I suppressed a giggle, then started looking through the books. Sunset Shimmer and read through a bunch of books. 'Crossing Over', 'The First Ponies', all sorts.

"Nothing on the mirror yet, but a few of these spells will come in handy..." Sunset Shimmer said, as we read the books.

I closed my book and set it aside. Then, another caught my eye. 'Canterlot Castle. A History. Vol II'. I picked up the book and started reading it. I smiled, "Shimmer, I think I found something."

I gave the book to Shimmer and she started reading it. She smiled, "Well done, Ellie. You've got really good eyes."

I smiled and gave a quiet giggle.

Shimmer flipped through the pages, "The Crystal Mirror... Every 30 moons, a portal will open to... Another world?"

I shook my head, "I'm pretty sure it's not my world. I would've noticed something."

"That's not really for you two to know, now is it?" A familiar voice asked from behind us.

Sunset Shimmer and I turned and saw it was Princess Celestia and a couple of her guards. How did she know we would be here?

Of course, the librarian! She must've slipped past us.

The guards grabbed me by the arms and dragged me away from Sunset Shimmer.

"Please, let me go." I asked the guard on my left, trying to struggle free.

"I'm sorry. Princess' orders." The guard on my left answered.

"How dare you keep this kind of magic from me! You know that I'm ready for this, that I can be great!" Shimmer shouted at Princess Celestia.

"You could be great." Princess Celestia corrected in a calm tone, "I thought I saw compassion and sincerity in you, but it was nothing but ambition. The compassion and sincerity came from Eleanor. You're being selfish, you need to step back and reflect-"

In anger, Sunset Shimmer's horn glowed black with a cyan hue. Her eyes emitted a black haze. Oh no.

She cut Princess Celestia off, "I'm selfish?"

Her horn fired a strong beam of black and cyan magic. I forced myself out of the guards' grip and pushed Celestia aside. Shimmer's beam hit me in the chest, where my heart was. A sharp pain struck my heart and my body was overwhelmed with pain. I fell to the ground, holding my chest in pain.

I felt a pair of soft and gentle hands over my shoulders. I looked up and saw Princess Celestia's deeply concerned expression.

"That book, right there, says that I could become as powerful as an Alicorn Princess! I could rule here! It's selfish of you to keep me from my rightful place!" Shimmer continued, "I deserve to stand beside you and be your equal... If not, your better. Make me a Princess."

"No." Princess Celestia answered in a low tone, "Being a Princess must be earned. I have been trying to teach you everything you need to know, but you've turned from it. Everytime you say you 'deserve' to get something without the effort just proves to me that you're not ready."

Then she announced, standing up and held me close to her, "Sunset Shimmer. I am removing you from the position of my pupil. If we cannot get past this, your studies end here. You are welcome to stay in Canterlot, but you are no longer welcome in the castle."

"We'll never get past this because you aren't seeing how great I deserve to be. Is that really all you have to say to me?" Sunset Shimmer asked with a sharp glare.

"No. The guards will escort you out." Princess Celestia answered.

With that, the guard walked beside Sunset Shimmer and escorted her out of the building, at the doorway Shimmer hissed, "This is the biggest mistake you'll make in your entire life."

Once Sunset Shimmer was gone, Princess Celestia lowered her head with a sad look, "One of many." She turned her attention to me and helped me back to my feet, "Are you hurt?"

I stood up and answered, "A bit sore, but I think I'll be alright." Then I looked at the regal Alicorn of the day, "Uh... Princess Celestia? Am I in trouble too? Are you gonna banish me as well?" I asked, as my mind raced with paranoid thoughts.

Princess Celestia looked at me with a small smile and shook her head, "No, Eleanor. Like I told Sunset Shimmer, I see compassion and sincerity in you. You went out of your own way to help her. I even saw you with the other students. You can stay in the castle, and we'll find you a new friend."

I regained my smiled. Princess Celestia and I entered the room, with the mirror inside. To our surprise, the guards were inside and were knocked out. Sunset Shimmer was nowhere to be seen.

"Oh, Sunset Shimmer... No..." Princess Celestia grimaced.

Celestia and I helped the guards back up their hooves. "Sir, what happened?" I asked.

"She took us by surprise and just... Just... Jumped into the mirror. I don't know." One of the guards answered the best he could.

"Shh. It's fine." Princess Celestia assured, then asked, "If you're feeling up to it, would you please help move the mirror to a safer place?"

*The Next Morning...*

While Princess Celestia and the guards were moving the mirror, Princess Celestia advised me to stay in my room and just wait. I laid on top of my bed and stared at the sky in sadness and wonder.

Will I be able to see Sunset Shimmer again?

Can she be forgiven for what she's done?

Who will be the next pupil for Princess Celestia?

Will she, or he, be as good as Sunset Shimmer?

And what the heck is gonna happen to me?