“Fifteen Years? Fifteen Years here? Already?”
The woman looked at her reflection in the mirror, she looked tired, the bags under her eyes looked as if she had been spending thousands in jewellery stores.
She wasn’t from this world, born as a pony in Sire’s Hollow, a small northern village in the land of Equestria. A former student of the former Ruler of said land, Princess Celestia’s brightest protégé before she discovered a mystical mirror.
A mystical mirror to a new world- a new world that she wouldn’t leave for years.

A new world that she left to steal the crown that she should’ve been the rightful owner of. The crown that caused her to turn a new leaf and be the friend everyone wanted.

Sunset Shimmer. A woman of true power. A woman of friendship in the Human World.

But she knew it wasn’t meant to be forever. She knew that one day, her time in that world would be over and that she would have to return home. For herself, her friends and her family. It was her destiny to move to this new, human world, but it was also her destiny to come back. To fulfill what they said about her as a young filly. To fulfill the legacy of Equestria’s top magic using ponies.

She met Twilight Sparkle, her successful successor as Celestia’s student in 2013- now it’s 2025- Twelve years on and it’s been Fifteen years of her living in this world. 2013 was the year in which she learnt the truth about magic, what it was and how it was benefiting Sunset and those around her. Like everyone else, Twilight had a human counterpart, and who learnt the magic of friendship from Sunset and her friends. But Sunset never did find her twin. Sunset knew that there was someone out there, but she never found her.

She glanced over, away from the mirror, to her prized possession; a photo with her and her six friends from years gone.
“2019,” she said to herself, softly, “the last time we were all having fun together.”
It was true, it was the last time they all gathered together as friends.
Rarity had moved to Paris in 2022, to open her own fashion brand- most arguably the most successful brand at the moment.
Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy had married one another in 2023, in a private ceremony in London, with only Sunset and Twilight Sparkle able to attend. Rainbow and Fluttershy now live in Ottawa, but are planning to return home soon.
Applejack had taken her Apple Farm business global, so it’s hard to find her at home. She never moved away, to be fair, it seems like she’s lived in every hotel in the world.
Pinkie Pie and Twilight Sparkle, however, stayed in Canterlot City. Pinkie owns and works at the local diner and Twilight teaches Biology at Canterlot High School. Just what they wanted out of life.
And Spike, Twilight’s beloved dog, lives with Sunset now, as Twilight found her job too busy to aways be there for him. She loves him unconditionally, but sometimes it’s hard to juggle her work with her personal life.

This life was hard for Sunset, the people she was closest with had now become far apart as they grew older, with Pinkie soon to be a mother to her ‘Lil’ Cheese.

“Do they still love me, like I love them?”
It was the question circling her head, the head of someone who had been working as a school councillor for the past 6 years.

She missed her family, the family she ran away from in Sire’s Hollow.
Sunburst- her beloved nerd of a brother. The one who officiated the last two Royal Crystallings in the pony world- the daughters of the Crystal Empire. Her brother how is now the Vice Principal of a school established by her closest pony friend.
Stellar Flare- her beloved mother. The one who loved her daughter oh so much. The Head of Sire’s Hollow Development Committee, who just wants to see her little village grow and bloom. The one who can’t bring herself to think of Sunset at all.
Sunspot- her beloved father in heaven. The one who Sunset was never able to apologise to. The reason why she has never attempted to make contact with her existing family.
Luster Dawn- her beloved niece. The one who Sunburst adopted and brought up as his own after she was left to his care. She never got to meet her, and at this rate, she might never.

She might never see her. Her best friend’s protégé.

She knew that she had to go back. Back through that mirror. She knew she had to give up her life as a person. But how could she do that? How could she just leave everyone behind? She couldn’t do that.

She knew that she needed to say something. As brief or as detailed as it was. She knew that she couldn’t just leave them.
But first, a shower, a long, warm shower was required.

‘I’m sorry, but I can’t stay for much longer.
I’m not dying, I wouldn’t do that to you. But human Sunset might not come back. I have to leave now, it’s my destiny to return home some day. That day is coming.
To Pinkie- take the present, wrapped in pink. Keep it for Cheese. He’ll grow into them one day.
To Rainbow- take this jacket, should fit you right.
To Fluttershy- take good care of Spike, until Twilight finds time to take him back under her wing.
To Applejack- take those boots. The ones from Wales, they should do you well on the farm.
To Rarity- take the necklace back, and every other piece of jewellery you commissioned for me. It won’t fit on my pony body.
To Spike- take this collar, the one you had when we first met. Never throw it away, live for as long as you can, my friend.

To Twilight- take that book, the one with the cutiemark blend on it. We can keep in touch that way. I’m sorry I can’t stay forever until we grow old and die. Take the phone, print off all of my photos of us and our friends. Keep our friendship close to us. Never give up. Keep the magic of friendship alive in this world. If it dies, then bring it back. It it doesn’t work, then bring me back.
My family need me. My home needs me.

• Sunset Shimmer, your best friend forever.’

The paper wasn’t dry, droplets of tears covering the paper. But destiny was calling her. She couldn’t take everything, she had to give Spike to her neighbour, “I’ll be back in the morning Ms George.”

But that was a lie. She would be gone by the morning, travel through Limbo and arrive in Equestria by the afternoon. By that afternoon, Twilight Sparkle would find the letter, the gifts, everything. Twilight would know the truth about destiny.
By Sunday, everyone would know about the departure of Sunset Shimmer to Equestria.
By Sunday, Sunset Shimmer will return home, just like destiny said.

“Home. That’s where the heart is, isn’t it?”
She was there. She had made it to the portal, the portal that was going to take her home.
It was located in front of her old school. Her work place. A place where Equestrian magic once ruled. A place where she made her new family.

She looked back, remembering everything from her past. A raging she-demon. Her first friendship filled transformation. Daydream Shimmer, the protector of this world and home. The place filled with memories.
She knew that she wouldn’t be back for a very long time. She knew that as soon as she opens the diary, Twilight would be writing to her, asking her why she left. She knew that everyone would remember her until the day they die.

In went her foot, her leg fully immersed in the stone portal.
In went her hand, her arm fully immersed in the stone portal.
In she went, Sunset Shimmer had left the world she called home for fifteen years.

It was a weird place, this place called Limbo.
She didn’t really understand what was happening; it felt like thousands of leaf blowers were blowing wind on her. She couldn’t feel anything, and she wasn’t quite sure if she was breathing or not.
“Is this what death feels like? A tunnel of wi-”

Her thoughts were cut off by a rather loud bang. That, she definitely did feel.
If she could, she would swear, but no one swears in the magical land of Equestria. No one.

She didn’t know where she was, it was bright, the sun was staring her down, as if she had never seen Sunset before.
She saw a shoe, a Princess shoe. A shoe belonging to somepony she knew very well.

“Sunset? After all of these years? Dear Celestia what are you doing here?”
It was the Ruler of the Land. The one who guided Sunset in the way of Friendship.
Princess Twilight Sparkle.

Tears filled the eyes of the yellow mare as she looked at her friend from years past.
“I’m so sorry Twilight, I had to come back. For my family. For my friends. For you.”

She expected to be sent back, for the tall, purple mare pulled a stern look at her. But this stern look twisted into a smile. An emotional smile. A smile filled with love for her old friend.

“It’s your time now Sunset, this should have happened long ago.
Twilight Sparkle of the Human World opened those portals, portals which you were prophesied to fall through and return home.
But now, your destiny has lead you back home.
It’s your time to shine now, and be where you’ve meant to be.”

Sunset didn’t really know what was happening, it felt like some sort of fever dream and she was still in her bed at home, in Canterlot City, in America.
But she wasn’t. She was in Canterlot, in Equestria. She was in her home land. Sure, it wasn’t Sire’s Hollow. Sure, it wasn’t filled with sandy streets, but it was home. It was the land she should’ve been in a long time ago.

She finally stood up, her legs aching from the journey through Limbo. She felt something weird through her body. It didn’t hurt, but it wasn’t a nice sensation either. She felt something against her back- something heavy. Something feathery.

Wings.

“Twilight, what the hell have you done...?”

The Princess smiled at her. She knew that this was a big occasion for Sunset, much rather now Princess Sunset Shimmer.

Twilight had a loud shout, one that sent Sunset flying down the hall in fear. She wasn’t ready, she didn’t have a gown or her mane tied up in a fancy way. That was until Twilight Sparkle’s closest friends stormed through, welcoming her back home like a solider returning from war.
Rarity, the owner of a fashion brand based in Yakyakistan.
Fluttershy, the owner of an animal sanctuary in the Everfree Forest border.
Pinkie Pie, the official organiser of Royal events.
Rainbow Dash, the captain of the Wonderbolts.
Applejack, the new co-owner and head of the Apple Family and it’s Farm.
Spike, the Peacekeeper and Friendship ambassador for the whole world.
Starlight Glimmer, the new head of the School of Friendship, and Sunset’s close friend.

They smiled, warmly, allowing everypony to get ready and listen to Twilight.
Rarity and Fluttershy helped Sunset to get ready, with everypony else getting into their positions. This was going to be the perfect coronation.

“Princess Sunset Shimmer, of Empathy. The one who was hidden for moons in another dimension. The Princess who kept Peace and Friendship in our neighbour world of ‘Earth’. The keeper of Happiness and Harmony on our Equestrian behalf.
The one who we have so dearly missed in this land.”

Sunset was tired, she didn’t really know what to expect. Princesses Cadance and Flurry Heart of the Crystal Empire welcomed her back home, with words of comfort and clear admiration for all that she had accomplished in the Human World.

She smiled shyly, and welcomed herself onto the stage to receive her crown.
Celestia and Luna were watching from behind, cheering her on. Sunset knew that she wanted to run back to Celestia, but she knew she couldn’t until this was over. It had been nine years since she had last seen and hugged her teacher. Now she was becoming what they had seen in the prophesies of Equestria.

It was her time to shine.

Empathy. That was what she was. That is who she is.
That was who she wasn’t for her family, and what she will be for them now.
It felt weird, seeing them after so long.
But it was nice, seeing them after fifteen years away.
Her brother, now a father to his teenage daughter Luster. The pony had never met Sunset, but had heard many stories about her life. Her face beamed with delight, seeing her teacher with her aunt. She didn’t know what to do; did she cry? Did she hug her aunt?
Thankfully for her emotions, she chose both options, running a small run to the newly crowned Princess.
Sunburst couldn’t help it though- bursting into tears of pure joy at the sight of Sunset Shimmer. With a handkerchief in his pocket, he pulled it out, blowing his nose extremely loudly- just like a dad seeing his child win in a race.

Sunset then saw her mother.
Luster’s embrace broke away as she saw the pure emotion in Sunset’s eyes. Luster Dawn knew immediately who she was looking at, holding her tears at the sight. Stellar Flare was older now, not as young as Sunset remembered- but that’s what happens after fifteen years away.
Sunset didn’t really know what to expect.
She was scared, thinking that her mother wouldn’t be all lovey dovey like the other two members of her family.
Stellar thought differently, embracing Sunset in the tightest hug that even Pinkie Pie of the Human World couldn’t give.
Tears ran down Sunset’s cheeks, the warmth and pride her family had in her were unreal. It was like nothing she had ever experienced in her life, but she surely would have experienced as a young filly. Right?
“I’m so proud of you Sunset.”

She didn’t know what to do. Her mother’s embrace was so warm and she didn’t want to let go of her. She wanted to be like this forever- warm and happy with her mother. She wanted to be happy to be back home.

And then a white mare, a tall white mare stood before her. A tall white mare with a horn and a pair of wings, with a long flowy mane.
Princess Celestia. Her old teacher. A mare who had tears streaming down her cheeks. A mare whose sister had to hold her back from loudly sobbing at the sight of Sunset Shimmer.

Sunset immediately held her in an embrace, showing her love and admiration for her former teacher. Showing her love for someone she had not seen in nine years.

Luna stood there, she didn’t know if she was shocked, confused or emotional. Cadance and Flurry Heart were in the same position. They knew about Sunset, knew what she had done and accomplished, but never had an emotional connection with her. They didn’t know her all too well- when Sunset stole the crown, Flurry wasn’t even born.

But they still knew that they had to be there. A hug was enough- to say hello, to say thank you for all that she had done.

“Empathy. Empathy. Empathy.”
Sunset was trying to come to terms to who she became. To who she now was. A Princess of Equestria. The Princess of Empathy.

“Everypony has missed you, Princess. You have fulfilled the prophesies of Ancient Equestria, and now you need to guide us in your specialty.” It was the Princess of Love, of the Crystal Empire who was now speaking to Sunset.

“You might not have a land to rule, at least not yet, but you will be cherished in this land.” It was her daughter, Flurry Heart, of Courage who was speaking to her.

“Princess Celestia, Princess Luna. The Elemental Princesses of the Sun and of the Moon. Who once called the Ancient Land of Skyros their home. Who once ruled Equestria side by side.
Princess Cadance. The Elemental Princess of Love. Who rules the Crystal Empire with her family in the name of love.
Princess Flurry Heart. The Elemental Princess of Courage. Who was born as an alicorn into the Amore dynasty. Who has yet to find her true destiny.
Princess Twilight Sparkle. The Elemental Princess of Magic. Who is the kind and powerful Ruler of Equestria.
Princess Sunset Shimmer. The Elemental Princess of Empathy. Who fulfilled the Ancient Equestrian prophecies.”

Luster Dawn was speaking to the crowd, the crowd who came to see Sunset receive her crown. A crown that she didn’t have to steal this time.

But Sunset could hear her diary. Her diary which allowed her to communicate with Twilight Sparkle of the Human World. It was a frantic buzzing noise. There must’ve been several messages of panic, of upset and confusion. But Sunset knew she couldn’t look at it. She knew she had to focus on what was happening in front of her. She knew that this was more important.

“Just a few more minutes and I can see it. Just a few more minutes until I can even consider running to it.”
That’s all she could say to herself. She had to be patient, she had to be calm. This was her future unravelling before her own eyes.

“Have you ever heard of Opaline Arcana?”

“What?”

It was a weird conversation that was unfolding between Sunset and Luster Dawn- who was frantically asking Sunset questions about her life. She didn’t know who Opaline was, but apparently she was an alicorn who resided with Celestia and Luna during their fillyhood in Skyros.

“No, I don’t. I’m not that old Luster.”
Her cheeky remark was met by a smile from Celestia and Luna was loosing the ability to breathe from how hilarious she found it to be.

Opaline was the Elemental Princess of Fire, and one of Celestia’s biggest regrets. She regretted not befriending her because, her and Luna weren’t like the other alicorns.
It was their destiny to rule the land of Equestria.
It was in the prophesies of the whole world. From Equestria to Seaquestria. The two alicorns with a sun and a moon on their flanks were the ones who were going to rule Equestria.

That wasn’t Sunset’s destiny, but she fulfilled the prophesy only Equestria knew was possible- returning from another world after an ambitious escape from home. Returning home after learning the power of Friendship.

Ponies weren’t the only ones in attendance. The royals from different lands had come, Princess Ember of the Dragon Lands, King Thorax of the Changelings, Queen Novo and Princess Skystar of the Hippogriff and Seaponies and Prince Rutherford of Yakyakistan.
They all looked at Sunset with pure admiration, some confusion, but happiness was all around.

Novo’s purple mane was styled beautifully, Luster Dawn couldn’t keep her eyes off it! The Hippogriff Queen was slightly scared, but smiled regardless.
Ember looked at Sunset, “a human? You were a ‘humans?!”

All Sunset could do was nervously laugh bacl at her.
“They look a bit like Dragons... I guess.”

“Pony was Dragon on other world?” That’s all Rutherford could spit out, with Sunset sheepishly nodding back at him.

Thorax just smiled. He didn’t know what to say- did she just become a Changeling in that world?

It was hard to explain to them, all except for Skystar it seemed, who understood what had happened pretty well. She was an intelligent Hippogriff (or Seapony), even if she didn’t really show it. She spent most of her time under the sea, performing the tasks her mother would’ve normally done if they were still in hiding.
Seaquestria was more or less her home now. Mount Eris was a place she visited frequently, despite this.

Sunset waved at her, not really knowing what to say. She did however, know the love that was felt for her by all of those in her presence.

Author's Note

Hello! I haven't finished this yet! Take this as a nice, long part 1!! Can't wait to share more with you all soon (quite possibly might be in 2 months? We'll find out, heh)