Familiar Skies: Part 1

Sunset Shimmer lie anxiously awake in her bed, her hooves clinging to her blanket, pinning it to her chest. The sun had rose not ten minutes before, and yet she stayed confined to her bed, terrified of what the day before her had to offer.

She hadn't slept very well, her turbulent slumber being constantly interrupted by guilt, and thoughts of running away, away from her mistakes, away from Celestia, and disappointing her further. Her determination from the night before to right her wrongs had turned sour overnight.

Sunset still felt an overwhelming sense of wanting to do her mentor right, but the constant worry was persistent and held her in her bed, drenching her in guilt and self-punishment. She was sure she wasn't worthy of being Celestia's student any longer, and wondered why Celestia had so quickly given her a chance at redemption.

Perhaps it was a test, not of magical skill like before, but of character. If that were the case, Sunset was sure she'd fail it, and let Celestia down, all over again. She'd nearly betrayed her mentor and queen, and very few ponies would have been able to walk away from that situation without facing punishment. Sunset Shimmer wasn't confident that her status and close relationship with the queen would save her from discipline.

That thought alone continued to keep Sunset in her bed, terrified and worried, playing over any and all scenarios, over and over again. None ended in a way in which Sunset felt good about herself or her situation.

*Knock knock*

The sudden gentle tapping of hooves on wood ripped Sunset's mind from it's worrisome pit of despair, and back into reality. She paused, not certain if she'd actually heard knocking, or her mind was simply tricking her.

*Knock knock*

The noise sounded again, and finally stirred Sunset to leave her bed. She quickly trotted down the stairs of her bedroom loft and down to the rest of her dorm tower. The lower level contained a small library, and areas to study, as well as a front door that led to the rest of Canterlot castle.

"Hello, Sunset? Are you awake?"

Sunset Shimmer paused at the voice coming from the other side of the door, hesitating just in front of it, not sure if she actually wanted to open it.

"...I am now." Sunset replied, opting to keep the door shut.

"Oh, well I just stopped by to let you know that M- Celestia requests you be in the throne room in an hour." Princess Cadence's voice called back, her tone just as kind and gentle as if she were addressing one of the children she foal-sat for.

Sunset paused, processing the words she had just been told. Deciding that talking to the princess face-to-face would result in better communication, despite her resignation to talk to Cadence at all.

Sunset pulled the door open, and blinked at the sunlight it let in. "I'm sorry, what?" She asked. She'd known what she'd heard... but she wasn't sure what it meant.

"Well, that's all Mother told me." Princess Cadence replied, her expression turning from chipper to slightly confused, if only on Sunset's behalf.

"What does she want to see me for?" Sunset questioned, as if her near betrayal last night wouldn't be the reason. Perhaps Celestia had reconsidered her offer. Sunset's stomach dropped at the idea.

"I'm not sure." Cadence replied, worried that the news she'd delivered was making Sunset anxious. Evidently, it was. "But I can go ask her; I'm sure she wouldn't mind-"

"No!" Sunset interjected, her eyes becoming panicked.

"O-okay. I'm sorry if I've caused any worry." Cadence replied, sensing the immediate panic emanating from Sunset.

"Sorry- it's okay. I'm okay." Sunset had to reel herself back in; she was already letting the panic consume her. She had to be in a clearer head-space when she was to appear before Celestia.

"Do... do you need any help getting ready? I can help you; it would be no trouble." Cadence asked, concerned for Sunset's well-being. In the last few years that Sunset had been Celestia's student, Cadence had never seen such intense panic and worry from the unicorn.

"No, I'm alright. I'll be ready to see Celestia in an hour." With that, Sunset shut the door, suddenly aware of her mane being tangled and her appearance being generally un-done. She rushed back up into her loft, and to her vanity, paying attention to every last detail of her appearance. She was sure if she could clean up the outside, no one would suspect the massive mess contained within.

Just under an hour later, Sunset Shimmer stood at the throne room doors, which were still shut. She'd arrived in 58 minutes, leaving two agonizing minutes left until the doors opened. She stood as still as possible, her ears pricked forward and trying their best at making sense of the muffled voices on the other side.

Whatever Celestia had summoned her for, obviously there would be witnesses. A jury, perhaps? An angry mob? Sunset's mind could only jump to the worst of conclusions. Her promise to be there, and the two guards at the end of the hall were the only things keeping Sunset waiting at the doors.

Finally, after far too long, the doors opened, being pulled open by a unicorn's magical glow. Sunset carefully stepped forward, her hooves feeling as though they were tied to boulders. She stepped and began a slow canter.

She kept her head from turning as she carefully surveyed the scene around her. Ponies were lined along the walls of either side of the throne room, seated and watching her patiently. She noted that they were all staff of the Castle, sans the guards. Assistants, cooks, cleaners, gardeners, and all other sorts of Castle staff were around. Sunset's mind suddenly went blank, now wholly confused as to what in Equestria was going on.

At last, she reached the steps before the throne, and drew her eyes up to her mentor. Celestia sat, elegantly as ever on her throne, her lustrous mane flowing and weaving with magic no pony could handle or comprehend. Princess Cadence sat beside the queen in her own, smaller throne. The pink pegasus offered a warm, and apologetic smile to Sunset.

Sunset, for the first time since meeting the Princess, was thankful for her kind gesture. She was sure it was going to be the last one she'd receive from a member of the royal family.

"Sunset Shimmer." Celestia announced, her words sending waves across the room, silencing any small conversation happening in the gathered crowd, and making Sunset's worry amplify.

"For many years, you have served as my student and friend."

Sunset's body stiffened, which she was ironically grateful for, as it kept her legs from trembling.

"But now, it is time for you to start on a new path."

Sunset's throat went dry.

"As of today, you will no longer be my student. You have learned all that you can from me, as a student of magic."

Sunset's heart was pounding erratically.

"I now decree you, Sunset Shimmer, of Sire's Hollow, to resign from your position as my personal student."

Sunset was sure her legs were about to give out.

"And into a new position at my side."

Sunset's anxiety paused, if only for a moment. In fact, all of her symptoms seemed to pause at Celestia's statement, freezing in time. Celestia's horn lit in a magical glow, and with it, lifted a wooden box up before her, and levitating it down to Sunset Shimmer.

Sunset stopped herself from leaning away from the box and allowed her body to remain still. Celestia arose from her seat and gracefully walked down the steps of her throne, stopping a few hoof-steps from Sunset, holding the box between them.

"Sunset Shimmer." Celestia said, her words shifting from her previous confident tone, to one of gentle, motherly tone.

"I ask that you step up to the position of being my personal advisor. To take on guidance of all things magical and politically based. You are my most trusted student and friend, and I would not ask this task of anyone else in this land."

Sunset blinked at Celestia, and then drew her eyes back down to the box as it opened. Inside sat a silk necktie, ornately decorated, with Sunset's own cutie mark symbol set in a metal pin in the center of the tie.

Tears stung Sunset's eyes and blurred her vision. Quietly, she whispered to her mentor, still staring down at the tie. "...Why? I don't know if I can do this... if I SHOULD do this." Her voice cracked slightly as she spoke.

"Sunset," Celestia replied, keeping her voice quiet enough for just the two to hear. "I know you believe you are not worthy of being here, that you have done a wrong so great... that it cannot be undone."

Celestia paused for a moment, carefully choosing her next words. "But I promise you that you are still the great mind and amazing talent that I first noticed all those years ago. You are a kind person, inside Sunset Shimmer. And I wish for you to recognize that within yourself. I wish for you to remain with me in the Castle and help me to know how to lead all of the pony kind. I have ruled alone... for far too long, and one mistake will not make me change my mind on your brilliance and compassion, Sunset Shimmer."

Sunset simply listened to her mentor's words, letting them seep in and ease her mind. She lifted a hoof and wiped her tears away, giving a gentle nod. "I... accept, your highness."

Celestia smiled wide and proud, and lifted the tie out of the box. Gently, she lifted the silk band around Sunset's head and rested it gently on her neck. Celestia gestured for Sunset to turn and face the ponies seated along the walkway.

Sunset lifted her head, and looked on, trying her hardest to make her expression neutral, or at least somewhat happy. The gathered Castle staff stomped their hooves and cheered. Sunset stiffened as she felt a hoof be placed on her back.

"Oh sorry." Cadence voiced. She had come to stand by Sunset, and had lifted a hoof in an effort to comfort Sunset. She knew that the entire ordeal had stressed and terrified Sunset. "I'm very happy for you." Cadence said, her tone chipper.

"Thank you." Sunset replied, deciding she could afford to give a smile back to the pink princess. She then turned her attention from the pegasus at her left, to the alicorn at her right. Sunset looked up at Celestia, who quickly glanced from the crowd to Sunset. Celestia smiled, and Sunset found herself smiling back.

She wasn't entirely sure what this new path would look like, or if she'd even be ready for it, but there was no turning back now. She resigned herself to agreeing again with the promise she'd made to herself the night before.

Sunset would do all she could to make up for her mistake and be the best advisor to her queen that she could be. Though she wasn't entirely sure what this meant for her future or the future of anyone else... Sunset knew she couldn't run away now. She would stay, and work for, and fight for this chance at a better life.

No matter the cost.