As the Sun Sets, Twilight Covers.

by Pickleless

Rating: teen
Tags: Equestria Girls, Sunset Shimmer, Profanity, Princess Celestia, Sad
Length: 3541

Celestia converses with Sunset through the journal, shortly after she runs away.

Twilight questions who's journal she's reading and ends up having a talk with Sunset Shimmer.

After that, Sunset and 'Twilight', become friends.

Published 2021-04-01 07:10:01 UTC
Last updated 2021-04-01 07:10:01 UTC

I hate you

Sunset Shimmer, are you there?

I'm sorry.

The user of this journal studied under the princess as well. This pony seemed to have researched subjects I have yet to come across. There's even a bit of dark magic in here. Did Celestia used to teach that but no longer does? This journal doesn't look that old. Seeing them show their work and cite sources will be a great help. I'm sure I'll be able to impress the Princess with what I can learn from this.

Where did you find this?

Hello?

Hello! Sorry, I didn't know this was still being used by someone else. How are you writing in this without having the book on you?

Where did you find this?

...

I'm sorry, I didn't mean to invade your privacy.

You're not answering my question.

I'm Twilight Sparkle, Princess Celestia's most faithful student! I found this book in her room. She told me to make myself comfortable, and that I was free to look around while she handled a problem.

Put this book away.

I'm sorry, I didn't mean to invade your privacy.

Hello?

Pardon

Are you there? I could use your help.

...

I could really use your help, please.

Who's there?

Twilight Sparkle.

What do you want from me?

Celestia asked me to make friends. I have trouble getting along with the other students here. Could we be friends?

Are you fucking serious.

Language.

Well no wonder you don't have friends, you're too much like Celestia.

She's not that bad, is she?

If you're being asked to make friends you're a few steps away from getting banned from the country. Smile, do what she says, stop asking her for things you want.

I don't think Celestia would ban me.

She exiled me.

No s-

Why did she do that?

Look, I don't know, why don't you ask Celestia?

Why do you think she exiled you?

Because she did?

...

Well then, I will be your friend.

Why?

Why not?

I don't want any friends.

I don't have any friends.

I'm a bad pony to make friends with.

Why?

Because I'm a bad pony.

...

Wait, are you crying? there are tear marks on the page. You can't seriously be crying.

Holy shit, okay, I'll be your friend, stop crying.

Thank you. Thank you so much.

Not like I have anything better to do anyway.

I will always make time for you.

Cool. Great. Awesome.

Could you tell me about yourself?

Why?

Because you are my friend, Sunset.

I was Celestia's student she picked up from an orphanage because I was powerful. I thought she adopted me, I was wrong. When Mi Amore Cadenza was made an alicorn and got adopted by Celestia, I knew I was being replaced. I demanded she'd make me an alicorn so she would adopt me. Now I'm banished and stealing lunch money from kids for a daily meal. In other words, I'm an exile and a thief, go away. Stop crying, stop crying so much dammit! Wait, can you just turn on the waterworks by will? What the fuck is wrong with you?

I'm so sorry.

Whatever, it's not your fault.

I'm so sorry.

Okay okay stop crying already.

...

Can you actually manually stop crying?

It takes practice.

Can you teach me to do that?

Why do you want to know?

I need to look tough, everyone will just gang up on me if I start crying.

...

You're trying really hard to not cry right now, aren't you?

That is a possibility, indeed.

I did a slow clap in real life for you.

A slow clap?

Holy shit Twilight, okay. Nevermind, you do need me, you are way too lame.

I'm glad I could become friends with someone as cool as you.

Yeah yeah, whatever, I know I'm just some school project for you to a get a good grade on friendship for.

...

What do you need from me to prove I sincerely want to be your friend?

I don't know, any legit reason for wanting to talk to me? You have none.

From reading your journal, I noticed you learned most of the same stuff as me, so I thought we could be friends. It is hard to find somepony who shares the same interests as me. Other students don't like studying and learning as a hobby. You do, I would love to talk to you about, everything really.

Okay, you've been asking about me nonstop, what about yourself?

Well, I like to read. I would love to give you a list of hobbies but being Celestia's student has eaten up a lot of my free time.

Ah, so you don't have any friends because you're a loser.

Actually, yes, that is quite accurate.

...

You know what? You're way too depressing.

I could say the same to you Sunset.

I never gave you my name.

...

I found a box with little trinkets relating to you. A picture of you, your school ID, some drawings you made. Celestia had them tucked away in a closet.

So you're way too afraid to make friends, to the point where you avoid others and call yourself a loser, but when it comes to Celestia you just rifle through her shit without a care in the world?

She's a spacey old mare too busy with court, she won't notice.

...Did you just call Celestia a spacey old mare?

From my own observations Celestia is rather clueless at times. Between you and me? I notice Celestia making a fool of herself quite frequently, even if nopony else does.

I take everything back, you're awesome.

Thank you for giving me a chance Sunset. You don't know how much this means to me.

Hey, I think we both have our griefs with Celestia, we can help each other get over them.

In complete honesty I am very sick of Celestia.

Me too sister, don't worry though, I got your back.

I promise I'll be there for you too.

Thanks Twilight.

You're are very, very welcome Sunset.

I love you

Good morning.

How do you know when I'm near my journal?

I'm good at studying others habits. You always check your journal right about now, before you head to school.

In other words, you're a perfect stalker.

No.

...

Yes.

Do you stalk Celestia too?

Technically, yes.

How do you have no self confidence yet no fear or respect for Celestia?

Because I've lost control of my life.

...

Do you wanna talk about it?

I'm fine.

Would you like me to put on sad soulful music for atmosphere before I tell you you're not fine?

I wouldn't be able to hear it Sunset.

Yeah but you know I would be playing it.

No Sunset, I don't need sad soulful music.

Right, I'm gonna put on some sad soulful music.

Sunset.

...

Sunset?

Are you actually putting on music?

Okay, back. Twilight, you are obviously not doing okay.

Really, I'm fine Sunset.

Okay, but what if you weren't fine?

Sunset.

You can say my name all you want, Princess Celestia, but you're not my mother, and you're not immune to pain.

...

Twilight?

Sorry, I was distracted.

Geez, I have the sad music going on and everything.

I apologize.

Are you really sorry?

Of course.

Then tell me what's bothering you.

Sunset please, all my needs are met, and I'm not in danger. I'm far more worried about you.

I live under a roof with the principal and vice principal of my school. I'm eating well, sleeping well, and wearing a large fluffy white alicorn suit I bought because it annoys Celestia.

...

You find the alicorn suit weird too don't you?

How would you feel if I showed up wearing a suit that looked like you?

Flattered.

This is like those children books where apes lived in houses shaped like their heads or bananas. It's weird, how could you not find it weird?

All I need is a friend that's like Luna and I can put you two in the same room and watch the fireworks go off.

...

Twilight?

What is Luna like?

Introverted, cold to strangers, sensitive. Once you get on her good side she's like the fun aunt I never had. She lacks volume control, she gets excited over small stuff, but it's adorable. I think she would drive you nuts. She and Celestia don't exactly see eye to eye, but it's clear they love each other. It's more than I can say for your Celestia, because Luna is either missing or dead over there. Looks like you got the short end of the stick, huh~?

Yes.

This Celestia is nice too. She's a lot less all knowing outside of the school, and more tired. She kind of just melts on the couch and spaces out, so I leave her alone.

I see.

Are you okay?

Yes.

Are you sure?

Yes.

Are you actually trying not to cry?

No.

What got you fucked up this time? Is it Celestia again?

Yes.

Ugh! What did she do to you this time? I swear, she's the worst.

She ruined her sister.

Woah what? Story time, gimme those details.

Why do you care what she did? You hate her.

I'm curious, and I don't completely hate her.

...

Twilight?

What changed?

What?

You don't completely hate Celestia now?

You won't tell me what's wrong, and you won't tell me Luna's backstory, so until I get one of those I'm not telling you my thoughts on the matter.

...

Very well. I have lost control of my life because an inevitable doom is slowly approaching me that I intend to fight, and as things go on I find myself caring less and less.

What.

Your turn.

HELL NO IT'S NOT MY TURN WHO IS TRYING TO KILL YOU?!

Princess Luna.

...

Why? HOW?

I'm sorry, I shouldn't have shared this, I'm clearly stressing you out and you don't need this in your life, especially now that things are going so much better for you.

Okay so first, fuck you, friendship is a two way road, and I'm allowed to worry about you. Second, fuck you, you totally have a double standard of wanting me to take care of myself yet you don't do the same for yourself at all. Third, FUCK YOOOOU, you can't just cocktease me with that information and then drop it.

Maybe I would tell you more if you told me your feelings on Celestia.

...

What is wrong with you?

Everything, tell me your feelings, I’m deeply interested, I must know.

Okay, so one hand, this is fucked up. On the other, this is the most selfish you have ever been with me and I've been trying to encourage this somewhat so I'll indulge you, just this once.

I love you too.

Go to hell. So being around the human Celestia helped me to see all her flaws. Before, she was this perfect thing, yet not perfect for me, so I hated her for both being perfect yet not good enough. Now, I see her as a living, breathing thing. She has feelings, emotions, makes mistakes. Your Celestia probably works just as hard as my own in her own ways, and I wish I could have had that perspective before I got the boot.

She didn't give you the boot. Rather, Celestia didn't banish you from Equestria.

She's lying, she banished me from the castle right before I left.

That's not banishing you to different world. She was only going to banish you for a little bit.

...

What the fuck.

She was hoping it would help you calm down.

How do you know all this?

I asked her.

How did you get her to answer honestly?

She deeply regrets how she treated you.

...

As interesting as this all is, why do you plan on fighting Luna?

...

I almost regret telling you that, but at this point I'm too happy to care. You're in a happy home, with people that love you and are taking care of y-

Twilight.

...you, and that's the most important thing to me right now.

Twilight, where is Luna and why are you going to throw hooves with her?

I apologize, Celestia is coming, I must retire for the night.

Hey, don't just walk away from me!

Twilight!

TWILIGHT!

You never took care of me

Hello, are you there?

Yeah, what's up?

Good morning! How are you? Are you getting enough to eat? Are you sleeping well enough?

Yes Mom, I had a tangerine and a glass of water, calm down.

That's it? I thought you were stealing lunch money.

Yeah, for lunch, that's why it's called lunch money.

...

Is there anything I could do for you?

Are you serious? You're a world away Twilight.

This must be something I can do.

I'll be fine, calm down.

Are there services on that side supporting those of low income or underage?

Not without a lot of questions asked. Everything in this world requires identification. If you don't exist on paper, you don't exist in the law and community essentially.

That's extremely frustrating, I wou-

...

Hello?

Have you considered asking that world's Celestia for h-

Hell no. I'm avoiding her like the plague when I can.

...

Meaning there are times you can't avoid her?

She rules over the school I attend. For some reason she didn't ask any questions and just let me in.

I see.

...

What is she like?

For someone who isn't immortal like your Celestia, she sure acts like she knows everything still.

As much as a fool as mine then. She has a homeless girl right in front of her and doesn't even see it.

Damn Sparkle, I'm starting to suspect you dislike Celestia more than I.

I've seen her less than composed more than once.

She must really trust you, because she wouldn't twitch a facial muscle for me. It was always a mask.

I'm so sorry.

Not your fault.

She's getting better. She asks if she does anything to upset me sometimes, and tries to relate with mistakes she's made in the past. She recently took me out for ice cream even.

...

You're crying, are you okay?!

Why does Celestia hate me?

She doesn't hate you.

Yes she does! She only talked to me during lessons, she made it clear I had to study hard. She wanted me to make friends, with other ponies, and not her! She exiled me when I demanded she make me an alicorn!!

...

Why did you want to become an alicorn?

I... I don't know. I wanted power. When I had power, I was praised, respected. I keep telling myself I just wanted to be an alicorn so Celestia would adopt me like Cadance, but I don't know if that's true anymore. I told myself Celestia was a terrible pony, and I wasn't. She treats you well though, she treats you like how she treats others, and not me. I just thought it was because I was her student at first.

...

My favorite place to be is inbetween you know? On the way to school, in a chariot or carriage, from point A to B. Going somewhere, doing something, but not there yet. ...I don't know what I'm saying, I'm sorry Twilight.

Sometimes I wish I could disappear.

...

You're crying again.

I am indeed.

Stop that.

No.

Why?! You're getting my book wet! Sort of.

Because you deserve better.

...

Are you a pretty mare?

What?

Are you cute?

I'm definitely not cute in the slightest, but I have had a few ponies say I look pretty, yes.

It's feels nice to have a pretty mare weep for you.

...

I don't think I'm pretty enough to count but I can weep harder if it helps.

You're sweet Twilight.

Thank you Sunset~

You're also a complete sap by the way.

Thank you Sunset.

Also, don't ever follow strangers home or accept candy from them.

Sunset.

Don't go out after hours.

You're messing with me, aren't you?

Make sure to sleep with a nightlight.

...

Oh my gosh you already own a nightlight!

I do not.

Widdle Twilight doesn't like sleeping in darkness~

On the contrary I love the night, my room is full of glow in the dark stickers and is painted dark blue.

Just like Celestia's?

...

We both like glow in the dark stickers.

Oh my god you two are made for each other.

We are not.

Are too~

We are not, I insist.

It's almost cute, almost.

...

Actually, I take it back, you're adorable.

...

Twilight? You there?

Yes.

Oh okay, you're just too busy being cute, got it.

...

So back to not eating a big enough breakfast.

Fuck.

I have a suggestion, if you are willing.

Sure, shoot.

I'll take it shoot means you'll humor me. Go to that world's Celestia, tell her you've been stealing lunch money for food and that you're homeless.

Okay, so why in the hell would I ever do that, and what makes you specifically think I ever would?

Because I'm a sap, and I'm like Celestia. That means Celestia is a sap. This would imply that world's Celestia is a sap, who can't let you be homeless.

...

That is so evil.

It is?

I love you.

I love you too.

I'm still not doing it.

Very well, but what if you did anyway?

Twilight.

As you said, it is evil, which is desirable, apparently.

Stop being Celestia.

Stop being homeless.

That- no. It doesn't work that way.

Who's the friendship expert here?

Neither of us, we're both friendless losers.

Correct! So how do we know for sure it's a bad idea? What do you have to lose baring your soul?

The stability of my school life?

The stability of preying on other children?

...

You are the worst.

I know.

You are also depressing.

As are you.

Fine, I'll try talking to Celestia and Luna about this.

...

Luna?

Celestia's sister, she runs the school with her.

...

Twilight?

Twilight, are you there?

I'm sorry, I need to go, I don't want to be seen with the book.

Alright, take care!

Take care of yourself as well, please. Farewell.

Take care of yourself

Hey.

Good morning Sunset, how are you? I apologize for leaving abruptly last night.

Don't worry about it. So I've been rereading our conversations. Thinking a lot on them, and I've come to view them in a different light.

Oh?

I have a favor to ask, but before that, I want to say a couple things first. This will take a bit, so give me a minute or two.

I can wait Sunset.

...

Love isn't a feeling, but a choice. It takes commitment, conscious effort to put time and energy to love someone, and if emotion blooms from that, great, but if not, you can still love someone. I think it's the same for hate. It's a choice, more than a feeling. I don't hate Celestia. I did, but now that I see things differently, I don't hate Celestia. In fact, despite how I feel, I love her, and I want what's best for her. I don't just want her to be safe, I want her to be happy. I'm working on helping the Celestia over here reach that point, but I can't help your Celestia anymore. Which leads to my favor. Can you promise me that you'll take care of Celestia?

...

Take your time, I expected tears.

These tears are not from pain.

I know.

I'm sorry.

What has you apologizing now?

...

I cannot make that promise.

Why not?

I can't keep Celestia safe.

Why not?

I'm not as strong as you think I am.

You're the strongest mare I've ever met. You just need to work on self maintenance a little bit.

You think too highly of me.

You think too lowly of yourself. Promise me you'll take care of Celestia?

Shouldn't you be asking me to take care of myself then?

I already know you'll put in the conscious effort to love Twilight. Promise me you'll take care of Celestia?

...

Please.

Sunset Shimmer.

Promise me.

I cannot.

You must, I insist. Promise me you will care for Celestia.

Why must I?

Because I love her.

...

I promise I will take care of Celestia.

Do you promise you won't let her die when she faces Luna?

Sunset.

Do you promise?

I can't Sunset.

You can, will you promise not to let her give up and get killed by her sister?

I promise I will not let Celestia get killed by her sister.

Will you promise to put in the effort to love Celestia, as much as you love others around you?

I promise Sunset, that I will take care of Celestia, that I will not let her sister kill her, and that I will put in the effort to love her as much as I love others.

Thank you.

...

You're crying.

These tears are not from pain.

...

I love you.

I love you too.