Sunset awoke to the sight of a pink ceiling, faded out from age. A clock somewhere nearby ticked off the seconds with echoing hammering in her ears, feeding to her incipient migraine. Her lips felt parched, but raking her tongue around her mouth did little to gather any moisture. When she swallowed a dry gulp, her throat sizzled painfully.

Blinking away the last vestiges of slumber, Sunset attempted to sit up, but as soon as she pressed her hands against the mattress, pain flared up from them. She hissed and fell back onto the pillow. Raising her hands, she noticed that they were bandaged. Memories flashed in front of her eyes and felt ridiculous. Screaming? Kicking? Punching the ground in a tantrum? What was she, a filly?

She forced herself to sit up with awkward motions so as to avoid her swollen hands from hurting and took a look around. She was on a comfortable bed of light sandy wood, wrapped with light blue sheets. Soft pink walls surrounded her, some decorated with paintings of sunny landscapes. A large wardrobe sat nearby, with some framed photographs she couldn’t see and a few potted plants. On the far side she spotted a vanity table of pink dyed wood and white surface, and its mirror’s frame was completely covered in loose photographs. The window beside the bed was slightly open, letting in a breeze that rippled the thin white curtain.

Sunset didn’t recognize this place, but she hated it. It was too cheerful, and it felt like it was mocking her. Telling her that her feelings didn’t matter, that she wasn’t allowed to feel betrayed, that everything she’d done to achieve her goals had been for nothing. Princess Celestia had used her as a trial round, as a disposable pawn, and Sunset was just supposed to nod and accept it like a good little pony. All those letters asking about her wellbeing had been nothing but attempts to deceive Sunset.

Her hands flared in pain as she pressed them into fists.

Being a princess must be earned. Those had been some of the last words Celestia had told Sunset. Words that had still given her hope that there was a way, a path, a means to become an alicorn. Those words, along with Mi Amore Cadenza’s ascension, had been the reason Sunset had kept going, ignoring everything else until she achieved her goals.

Those words had been a lie.

Princess Celestia had never intended for Sunset to become a princess. In retrospect, it was blatantly obvious. She had taught her magic but not how to run Equestria. And when she had gotten bored, she had shown Sunset the mirror, dangling its mysteries in front of her, knowing that Sunset wouldn’t be able to ignore them. Getting into the restricted section of the royal library had been laughably easy, no doubt on purpose, so that Sunset would have no issues searching for and finding the answers. And when Sunset had returned, Celestia had been conveniently absent, most likely expecting Sunset to run into trouble to have an excuse to throw her in the dungeon.

But had she also planned for Sunset to know about the new student? No, that couldn’t be. That mare had only stopped because she had recognized Twilight’s face. There was no way that Celestia could’ve known that Sunset would bring her to Equestria. Which meant that she had never intended for Sunset to find that out.

Maybe Sunset could use that knowledge somehow.

But to what end? Even if Sunset became an alicorn, would Celestia allow her to rule when she’d found a replacement? No, she wouldn’t. If Sunset returned to Equestria in thirty moons and sprouted wings, Celestia would most likely confront her, and that time wouldn’t end with Sunset being escorted out of the palace. An alicorn would need to be banished from Equestria entirely, if not outright imprisoned in Tartarus. And no matter how powerful Sunset was, she’d be no match for the ancient alicorn.

Her chest tightened with every breath she took. There was no more future for her in Equestria. All her effort, her plans, and her pain had been for naught. She sucked in a short burst of breath, then another, and soon tears followed as she grit her teeth and the pain in her hands was as faint as the breeze coming from the window. And something within her grew so fast it scared her for a moment, though as soon as she felt the familiar vibrations in her mind, she relaxed.

She threw the blankets away and turned her body to let her legs fall off the side of the bed, then opened her mouth.

I had it figured out
So much I’ve sacrificed

She’d distanced herself from her family back in Manehatten for the one-in-a-lifetime opportunity to become Princess Celestia’s personal student. She’d thrown herself into her studies to prove that she deserved the position, that she deserved everything she’d ever want. And for a few years, she’d felt fulfilled.

I have worked without rest
Just to be recognized

When she learned there was a way for her to become something better, her mind had narrowed towards that goal, and her ambition had seen an all-time high. Nothing else had mattered, and she’d rebuilt her entire life around that singular objective.

I wished for the throne
Become part of history

But the princess had never intended for her to become anything better. Her life, her struggles, her passions, her tears. It all was mote in the princess’ eyes. And anything Sunset threw would crash and die against an immovable wall.

But none could be my own
It wasn’t meant to be

She pushed herself to her feet, barely registering the pain in her hands, and walked up towards the vanity table to look at the mirror. Her disheveled reflection stared back at her. Hair that curled and stretched in every direction, dark shadows under reddened eyes, cheeks moistened with running tears, and grayed cracked lips.

Part of me wants to forget
To pretend I can still go far
But I know the sun has to set
And I’ll never shine like a star

She looked at the mirror’s frame, covered in photographs. Cadence with Shining Armor. Cadence with Twilight and her family. Cadence with people Sunset didn’t know… Sunset’s eyes fell on a photograph that included her. One that had been taken last year, when Sunset had turned fifteen. Cadence, Shining, and Twilight surrounded her, and all four smiled around a half-eaten cake at the amusement park.

Sunset looked at Twilight, and she choked as she remembered just who was her replacement as Princess Celestia’s student.

Replaced by her reflection

Why did it have to be Twilight?

Bereft of all protection

Why did it have to be Twilight?

For I longed to shine like a star

She hated that she’d been replaced simply because she’d dared raise above her station. She hated that she’d been betrayed by the one pony that was supposed to be above everypony else, both socially and morally. But still, if it had been something that was going to happen either way, Sunset wished that she’d been replaced by literally any pony other than Twilight Sparkle.

Why do I feel like this?

Sunset hated Cadence the alicorn because she had become what Sunset couldn’t and had the gall to rub it in her face by cantering around the palace day and night. And she hated Twilight the pony because she’d taken away what was rightfully hers. It didn’t matter that Sunset was no longer Princess Celestia’s student, she’d worked hard for years to deserve that position, only for this nopony to swoop in and take the place as soon as Sunset had vacated it.

There should be nothing but scorn

When she thought of Twilight the human, Sunset did feel a sense of betrayal and bubbling rejection. But there were also many warm sensations recalled from memories of everything she’d done with Twilight. Thirty moons of interactions couldn’t be thrown away just like that.

Yet my heart is only torn
It all feels amiss

There were two Twilight Sparkles. One was an opportunistic thief, while the other was someone Sunset could genuinely call a friend. A part of Sunset still wanted to unleash her rage at her, but she couldn’t bring herself to do so. Especially when it would be such a futile effort. She had already screamed and kicked and it had done nothing.

She closed her eyes and gripped the vanity table, trying to make the physical pain of her bruised hands overpower that of her heart. It didn’t work. The Resonance became more urgent, and for a moment Sunset thought of refusing, but with her nose clogged, she was forced to take a shaky breath through her mouth, and she couldn’t stop it.

I wished for the throne
Become part of history
But none could be my own
It wasn’t meant to be

There was nothing left for her in any world. Princess Celestia had cast her out and hindered any chance Sunset could’ve had to return or start again. And her projects in the human world now lacked any meaning and purpose.

Part of me wants to forget
To pretend I can still go far
But I know the sun has to set
And I’ll never shine like a star

If she had played her part as the good, obedient little student, Princess Celestia would have kept her around, and if she hadn’t let her temper get the better of her, she could’ve concealed her ambition and achieved ascension on her own. If she had gotten her jealousy for Mi Amore Cadenza under control, she could have formulated plans to get information on alicornhood out of her.

Replaced by her reflection!

She’d been too blinded by greed and too consumed by her hubris to pay attention to anything but herself, so Princess Celestia had decided to take in another student after making Sunset get herself expelled.

Bereft of all protection!

She used to have it all. She had set her sights on having even more. But the princess of the sun had not allowed it, going as far as getting another student just to get the point across. And just because Sunset had wanted more.

For I longed to shine like a star…

Her legs faltered, and she found herself falling to her knees, her hands dragging along the table’s legs.

For I longed to shine like a star…

The magic of the Resonance left her, and suddenly her throat flared up in pain. She barely registered it, as her chest throbbed laboriously, forcing out quiet yet powerful sobs out of her.

She hated it.

She hated crying and being unable to stop. She hated that she couldn’t settle on the exact reason for her tears as feelings clashed with each other inside her, all mixed within a thick pool of uncertainty and confusion. She hated feeling so vulnerable, lost without her aspirations and her purpose in life, feeling like the world became a dark tunnel and the exit stretched far into the distance and out of her reach.

The door opened with a loud creak, making Sunset flinch. She turned her head just in time to see Twilight entering the room, holding a tray in her hands. Sunset felt her stomach sink as she turned away with a gasp. She felt her face blush and her chest throb even more pressingly at the thought of being seen in such a sorry state, doubled down by the fact that it was Twilight of all people.

Her life just kept getting worse. Big things and little things, all bad things, combined into a perfect storm that just didn’t seem to stop blowing. Not until its winds had torn everything apart and her soul was as barren as a land destroyed by droughts.

“Sunset…”

Sunset covered her ears. She didn’t want pity or condescension, especially not coming from Twilight. She shut her eyes, hoping that her tormentor would take the hint and leave her alone. Though her labored breathing and her sniffing betrayed her, and she hated her inability to control herself.

Despite her best efforts, Sunset heard the metallic clank of the tray against the vanity table. Her hopes of Twilight leaving her alone were snuffed out as she felt the familiar vibrations of a Harmonic Resonance. She didn’t want to listen, but her hands picked that moment to remember they were hurt, and so they refused to press her ears any more, so she braced herself for whatever pity Twilight had to impart.

Many things I want to say to you
But where is the right place to begin?

Sunset opened her eyes in surprise, though she forced herself to keep her hands on her ears.

The words may be many or too few
But know that all come from within

Her gaze fell to the floor, an uncomfortable warmth in her chest. Twilight was probably going to complain and bemoan what had happened. The news of her pony counterpart replacing Sunset had ruined their trip to Equestria, and Sunset herself had reacted rather harshly. But how else was she supposed to take it? She—

Twilight placed a hand on her shoulder, making her flinch.

I know the storm has been through
Leaving your world in disarray
But the clouds, they just withdrew
You can start a brand new day

Twilight’s arms surrounded Sunset from her shoulders, and she could feel the girl’s weight on her back. And as Twilight leaned in, Sunset noticed that she had a pleasant scent of lavender and detergent.

Be it in darkness or in light
There’s no reason for you to fear

Sunset felt Twilight’s warmth spread through her back and into her chest, and her chest squeezed another sob out of her. New tears replaced the old ones as her body shook out of control.

If you need help with a plight
You’ll always find me here

Sunset didn’t want to be pitied like this. She wanted to be left alone and vent as she needed in solitude, then build back her composure and start planning a new future for herself. She especially didn’t want Twilight to feel sorry for her, to think she was some fragile little filly that needed to be comforted every time she scraped a knee.

So why was it then that she spun on her knees, using her aching hands for assistance, and buried her face onto Twilight’s shoulder?

Want to cry, just use my shoulder

And her crying became louder when Twilight embraced her.

If it’s to talk, I’ll lend an ear

Sunset grabbed the sides of Twilight’s shirt and pulled at them with trembling hands. And she didn’t know anymore why exactly she was crying. She just knew that she couldn’t stop.

Just know it’s never over
You’ll always find me here

“I hate being pitied.” She tried to say, though her aching throat allowed nothing but a raspy whisper.

“It’s a good thing this isn’t pity, then,” Twilight whispered back, and Sunset shivered even though Twilight’s breath was hot in her ear.

“Then what is it?” Sunset asked, still forced to whisper. “You can’t understand what I’m going through.”

Twilight nodded. “That’s right…”

What it’s like to be in your shoes
I won’t pretend I understand
But I see your heart’s in pieces
And I want to lend a hand

“You can’t help,” Sunset whispered stubbornly. “I lost more than you know. All my plans relied on the fact that I could become a princess. But I can’t do that anymore…”

She felt Twilight’s fingers gently brushing her hair. That single motion made all of Sunset’s complaints and retorts vanish before they reached her mouth.

I know you had plans before
And now you think your life is astray
But the clouds, they just withdrew
You can start a brand new day

Twilight broke the embrace, then softly pushed Sunset back by the shoulders. Even through her tear-blurred vision, Sunset could see that Twilight was smiling.

Sunset felt her cheeks blush. She wanted to say something, but nothing came out. Twilight didn’t give her much of a chance anyway, since she grabbed her by the hands and pulled both of them to their feet. Sunset stumbled just a little bit, but Twilight provided her with enough balance.

Twilight took a napkin from the tray she’d brought into the room and used it to clean Sunset’s tears. A part of her flared up in anger at the thought of being treated like a little filly, but another part, one that won her inner battle by being loud, enjoyed being given so much care and attention by Twilight. What on Tartarus was happening to her?

When she was done, Twilight put the napkin back on the tray and grabbed Sunset by the hand.

“Come with me,” she said, then started pulling Sunset without waiting for a response.

Sunset wanted to refuse, but her mind froze for a split second as, with her sight finally cleared from tears, she took a good look at Twilight’s face. Sunset still remembered her as a pony, and a part of her had wanted to cling to the fact that that was the only reason she had developed a crush on her. That as soon as she saw her again as a human, Sunset’d be back to feeling nothing but mild appreciation.

But she saw the bright amethyst violet of Twilight’s eyes and the way they sparkled under the light. She took notice of her tiny nose and the way it arched towards the end. She peeked at her lips, thick for pony standards, but delicate and thin for human ones. She eyed her weirdly shaped ears, jutting out from the sides of her head, and didn’t find them strange as she had in the past.

Sunset couldn’t say that she could bring herself to see beauty in human features any time soon, but she could accept the fact that Twilight was the most beautiful of them all.

Twilight led Sunset through the house. The hallway’s walls were covered in framed pictures of what Sunset assumed was Cadence with her family. Some of those pictures included Shining Armor and his family as well. The closed doors didn’t let her see what was in the other rooms, but Twilight wouldn’t have given her a chance to take a peek anyway. She wasn’t rushing, but she was leading Sunset with purpose.

They went down the stairs and took an immediate right, stopping at the threshold that separated them from the living room. Large couches sat comfortably next to the walls, where more framed photos and paintings were hung, surrounded by large potted plants at the corners. A large bookshelf decorated the nearest wall, while an unlit fireplace took up most of the opposite wall. But above everything else, Sunset noticed that she recognized all the people sitting on the couches.

Twilight spun on her heels, still holding Sunset’s hand, and the Resonance picked back up again.

Be it in darkness or in light
There’s no reason for you to fear
If you need help with a plight
You’ll always find us here

Sunset looked at her, then at everyone in the living room as each of them leaned over on their seats and smiled at her. There were Twilight’s parents, Shining and Cadence, and even Luna and Celestia. And Sunset discovered that, much like with Twilight, she had mixed feelings about the human version of the princess, but she couldn’t settle on loathing as she wanted. Not while the Resonance helped her catch the feelings coming from everyone, which were mostly concern and relief.

And powered by the magic of Twilight’s song, they took a deep and quick breath to join in with the chorus.

Want to cry, just use our shoulder
If it’s to talk, we’ll lend an ear
Just know it’s never over
You’ll always find us here

Sunset brought her hands to her face as she started sobbing again, and the aching in them was so faint she barely registered it. Why was she feeling like this? She barely knew these people. She had purposefully avoided paying attention to their lives so that she wouldn’t grow attached to them, much like she had done all her life back in Equestria. And still, the warmth they offered her wrapped her chest like a cozy blanket, making her feel like she’d never be cold again.

Because of the tears, she didn’t notice when they all stood up and picked the Resonance back up.

Be it in darkness or in light
There’s no reason for you to fear
If you need help with a plight
You’ll always find us here

And suddenly, Sunset felt herself trapped in a group hug.

Want to cry, just use our shoulder
If it’s to talk, we’ll lend an ear
Just know it’s never over
You’ll always find us here

All seven people surrounded her from all sides, preventing any possible escape. And as Sunset felt her crying grow louder, she realized she didn’t want to escape. She realized, with one last painful twist in her heart, that she had in the human world what she had forsaken back in Equestria.

You’ll always find us here

She would never become a princess as long as Princess Celestia had anything to say about it, and even her silence spoke louder than a rioting crowd.

You’ll always find us here

All her hard work had been for naught, and now she found herself stranded and without a purpose. But that which she had found in the human world was something that only now she realized had been a grave mistake to abandon in favor of her ambitions.

You’ll always find us here

And that something was a family, and a place to belong.

Author's Note

First things first: Happy new year! I wasn't late, I was just working!

This is, without a doubt, the most difficult chapter I've written so far for this fanfic. Not only because there are two songs, but because this is the pivotal chapter of the entire fic. The way Sunset reacted would define not just her character, but the theme of the whole story. I had originally planned for her to react badly, but it didn't really fit with the many other plotpoints I had planned, so this was the result. I hope it is of your liking!

On to another announcement. I have decided to have a 1-ish month hiatus after every volume. I do need time to write, yes, and I work from Monday to Saturday, so there's not much time in any given day. But I also want to be able to go back to previous chapters and fix things that may contradict plotpoints. As an example, all the chapters of this volume were fixed several times.

Now, to the thing everyone (?) love the most. The songs! I wish I had the money to hire people to make these, but alas, I have only my (dubious) songwriting talent, and a musical AI. In any case, I hope you enjoy them.

Which one do you like most? My personal favorite is Shine Like a Star (Sunset's song) c:

I hope the chapter was to your liking!