“ALRIGHT EVERYPONY CAN WE GET A CHEER TO THE NEWLY ASCENDED PRINCESS OF FRIENDSHIP?!” Sunset yelled out, her voice echoing in the lively bar, inebriation bringing out the widest grin on her face. “THREE CHEERS TO PRINCESS TWILIGHT SPARKLE!!”

And Pinkie, right beside her, hopped atop their table and yelled out loudest of all, as the entire bar shared the same joy and reverie. “MAY HER RULE LAST A THOUSAND YEARS!” Sunset bellowed, downing another shot, with the dumbest, most delighted smile, and the entire bar cheered with her. “MAY HER RULE BE A GOLDEN AGE!!” Once more she shouted, and the whole crowd followed. “MAY HER WINGS CARRY HER FAR AND–” She couldn’t finish the sentence, bursting into bouts of laughter and joy, following the rhythm of the music with her sways, and the entire bar burst into more cheers.

“Now this is a party, am I right?!” Pinkie winked at her, doing an agile motion, hopping from the table to sitting next to the Paladin on their table. “I figured it’d be more your speed!”

“You have NO idea!!” Sunset laughed out loud, and after downing another shot, began doing a little jig, waving her mane around, with aggressive dance moves, following the sound of the peppy music a band played in the distance.

“And here I thought you didn’t dance!” Pinkie raised a smug eyebrow, observing the warrior go wild.

“I’m a paladin, Pink!! I can do ANYTHING!!” Her confident grin was matched only by the stupor in her voice. “WATCH THIS, EVERYPONY!!” She then proceeded to do a perfect backflip, landing on four hooves and finished with a bow, and the whole crowd around her cheered.

“I woulda puked doing that now!!” Pinkie wheezed, clapping, and several of the bar goers followed suit. “SUNSET SHIMMER THE PALADIN, EVERYPONY!”

One the ponies near her, drinking much like them, coming closer, waving his beer mug around, mused himself. “Alright miss paladin, where’s your armor?!”

“It’s in the shop!” Sunset proclaimed loudly, with that same smile. “Because it got heavily damaged when I fought NIGHTMARE FUCKING MOON!!”

Several bargoers expressed their disbelief, amusing themselves on the drunken mare proclaiming tall tales.

“That’s right!! I was the Alicorn of the Night’s Punching bag while Twilight Sparkle saved the day and did everything right like she always does!!” Sunset laughed akin almost to a bark, shooting her head back. “And I didn’t even get to die– She couldn’t even give me that!! I’m invincible!!”

The crowd didn’t necessarily get quieter, but there were a few looks of concern and confusion pointed at the Paladin, especially from Pinkie.

“I didn’t break my oath, bitches!!” Sunset laughed loudly, completely neglecting the objective truth of her statements. “I’ve never lost a fight!! Not even when I was a widdle orphan!! TRY ME!!”

Grinning madly, a bargoer swung a hoof at her jaw, and despite taking the hit in full, she immediately countered, delivering a swing with tenfold of the power, sending the pony sliding through the floor, and both of them burst out laughing even more, and with Pinkie grabbing a fiddle in her bag to accentuate the fighting, the band picked up the pace.

“C’MON, THEN!!” Sunset shouted out in this single, thoughtless, painless, euphoric, drunken moment. “HEY CAN WE GET A CHEER TO CANTERLOT? BEST CITY IN THE WORLD?! DREAMS ARE MADE HERE!!”

Sunset’s first thought as she awoke in her apartment on Canterlot was surprise; Surprise that she didn’t feel like shit, nor did she feel hungover or even had a bad taste in her mouth.

Her second thought was to question why she heard sounds coming from her kitchen.

“Pinkie?” She sat up, rubbing her temples, yawning.

“Present!” The bard called out from within her kitchen.

The Paladin blinked a couple of times in realization that the previous day and very long night had indeed happened.

Her apartment wasn’t exactly small, but it certainly was tiny by Canterlot standards. Due to personal choices, she didn’t want to sleep in the castle, so she compromised by sleeping in the capital, and very near the castle, at that. Disregarding how easy, especially now, it would have been to have vacancy in the castle itself.

It wasn’t exactly tidy. There were few decorations that weren’t weapons or armor stands, and she didn’t have many belongings she was attached to– Or memorabilia she would ever put on display. But already, she noticed a couple of things different. The Bard made herself at home and put up a few lights and colorful scented candles around, as well as hung up a picture that had been taken of the both of them on the night before, right on the wall by her window.

The picture itself being of Sunset putting Pinkie on a headlock while they both smiled wildly in front of a crowd of bar goers cheering all the same.

“I see you made yourself at home.” Sunset scoffed, stretching.

“You said I should, last night!” The voice of the Pink pony echoed from the kitchen. “Of course I did.” The Paladin sighed.

With a grumble, she was about to get up, until the head of the bard poked from her kitchen, with a yelp. “Nono! Don’t get up! You’re getting brekkie in bed, girl!!”

“Bwuh?” Was all Sunset could muster, as her head still felt a bit dizzy.

Proudly, giddily, Pinkie bought a tray with assorted snacks in her mouth, and placed them on the bed of the Paladin, who regarded it with surprise.

“This is a bit modest compared to my usual output, no offense, ‘cause your kitchen is sad.” She shrugged with a giggle.

“Yeah, I don’t often eat here.” Sunset spoke simply, with a shrug.

“Still though! Let’s chow down!” Pinkie waited no longer, before munching on the assorted cookies and nick nacks she had placed down.

Sunset hesitantly followed, being unsurprised that they tasted well, after her previous and recent experiences with Pinkie’s cooking. She eyed the bard suspiciously, with eyes narrowed. “Okay. What’s your angle, then?”

“All part of the plan, girliepop!” The bard proudly reached into her bag and commenced taking out contents, mostly instruments, as she searched for a particular thing. “First order of business; How are you feeling?”

Scratching herself, the captain looked out the window to the castle, then back to the tray of sweets before her. “Kind of tired? A bit dizzy... And not hungover, somehow?”

“Oh that’s because I convinced you to drink a bunch of water!” Pinkie spoke in giggles.

“Was that before or after we banged all over my room?” She spoke plainly, observing the new, extra messy nature of her usually decently organized living space, wincing when she saw cracks on the already peeling paint in one of the walls.

“Before and after. Gotta stay hydrated!” She proclaimed with a gleeful smile. “Still though! You didn’t answer my question. How are you feeling?”

“Fine I guess?” Sunset shrugged, scratching herself again.

Smugly tilting her head, the Bard persisted. “Oh? Are you feeling better than a couple of days ago, perhaps?”

“I… Guess?” Sunset blinked a couple of times, as the realization set in. “Huh. Wow. I am feeling a bit better.”

She was indeed not as focussed on her inevitable failures and her horribly dysfunctional past and near present, and even less focussed on her self loathing.

Containing a squeal, Pinkie finally found the object she was looking for in her bag. She pulled out a notepad with a list on it, one she proudly displayed, only the first components.

‘Pinkie’s plan to make Sunset Shimmer smile!’ Was proudly displayed at the top.

“Party it out, bang it out, check!” Pinkie crossed an item off a list.

“Huh. How long did you have that in there.”

“Since Celestia told me to go cheer you up, duh!” She smugly spun the notebook with agility. “Now, you tell me. You had a good time, right? Want to keep this going?”

“With you? Not sure.” Sunset spoke almost coldly, and then her eyes widened in shame. “Oh, I mean, uh, Sorry. I didn’t mean to, well…”

With a fluster, Pinkie shook her head. “No, no, I don’t mean with me! W-well, Only if you want to, of course!”

“I’m considering it.” With a grin, she shrugged.

The red in the bard’s face intensified, but she shook it off. “Ahem, as I was saying. Pinkie’s plan to cheer you up involves you keeping the party going, sans my presence, if that’s what you so desire. If you’d like to, I could absolutely give you some party pointers, though!”

“Alright then.” Grinning some more, she leaned curiously. “Shoot.”

“Okay so obviously, you need to get out there more. Focus on something that isn’t just your job, that isn’t just your problems! Don’t get me wrong, I'm sure you’re a great kickass paladin and all, I heard the stories and will absolutely write songs about you– But you need a proper break!”

Nodding attentively, she waited for the next item on the list. “And it just so happens, that well… I have three antisocial sisters that all need to get out more.”

She flipped the pages of the notebook revealing scrawlings of what could resemble the three Pie sisters, if you squinted.

‘Maud Pie, Limestone Pie, Marble Pie.’ It read, in messy writing.

“Huh. And…?” Tilting her head, she was beginning to piece this together.

“I just so happen to know a cool hot Paladin that is in desperate need to get out more too.” Pinkie winked, pointing at her. “So… You take each of them on dates, go to parties, or do anything really, and see where the night takes you!”

“Are you– Are you seriously telling me to bang your sisters? Is that what’s happening right now?” She narrowed her eyes, but was near laughter.

“Not necessarily–” Her tone implied otherwise. “What I’m saying is– I had fun with you, and I know you treat a girl right.” Pinkie affirmed with a wink and a nod, reminiscing on the night before. “And you had fun with me, right?”

“Correct.” She had to suppress laughter and a wide smile.

“So you get to show my sisters a good time, they get to go out more, you get to work on some unresolved internal issues, and with it, you start getting the training wheels to start doing this sort of fun thing by yourself! Everypony wins!”

“And for the record you’re not telling me to bang your sisters?” She tilted her head, with a sly smile.

“Oh you do whatever you want, but I warn you in advance those girls desperately need to get laid.” Pinkie shook her head dismissively, but couldn’t contain her grin. “What do you say? Or– Wait, are you committed to Twilight or something?”

For a brief moment, Sunset’s gaze was in the castle in the distance– The mere insinuation made her mind wander. Firmly exhaling, she shook her head. “Definitely not. Our relationship is strictly transactional, I made an oath to protect her. That’s all.”

“Huh, that totally didn’t sound rehearsed at all.” Pinkie squinted, scrunching her face, scanning the paladin with her gaze.

“Take it as you will. I don’t care.” A flash of anger appeared in Sunset’s face, and she quelled it by looking away.

“I see, I see!” She inspected Sunset’s reaction thoroughly, narrowing her eyes, making annotations. “Well, put it this way. All the fun you had with me, if there’s even 50% of said fun to be had with my sisters, why not give it a shot?”

“Persuasive argument.” For a moment, the Paladin weighed in on the value of her time versus the value of spending time with others, versus the value of the fun she had had this night. “...What the hell. I’m in.”

“Nyehehehell yes! My sisters are gonna love you. I’m glad you’re starting to trust my genius.” The bard crossed her arms smugly.

“I definitely thought you were a lot dumber when I first met you.” She spoke almost coldly, almost containing laughter.

“I get that a lot!” Pinkie did not contain her own laughter.

“No kidding.” Sunset scoffed at her expense, but then nodded. “Seriously though– You’re… Funner than you seem. And smarter than you seem.” She forced words out of herself that she didn’t usually say to anybody at all, but Pinkie was fully deserving of hearing them. “I misjudged you.”

“I also get that a lot.” Pinkie giggled to herself.

Sunset got out of bed, taking what remained of the tray into the kitchen diligently. “C’mon, let’s get this cleaned up.”

“Sure! Anyways, I was thinkin’ of priorities, and although Limestone probably needs this most of all, I might want to have Maud go first because–”

She paused, and Sunset paused too, because her horn glowed and almost beeped. “Oop. That’s my alarm. Twilight’s routine starts in thirty minutes. C’mon, let’s get this fixed up–”

And once more she paused, looking at her bedroom floor, where several of Pinkie’s instruments laid carelessly.

“...You can play guitar?” Her ears twitched.

“Of course I can, silly!” Pinkie hopped over to it, and strummed on it elegantly and with gusto. “Any self respecting bard knows how!!”

There were a few brief quiet seconds where Sunset’s vision blurred, and her mind went elsewhere. Her body moved on its own, to a closet that wasn’t used very often, where she began digging onto some boxes that often remained untouched.

From them, she manifested a guitar, a Pinkie gasped.

It was old, and not very professional looking, but it had dents and stickers that implied history.

“This, uh…” Sunset’s voice trailed off, where she considered saying nothing else, but she did anyway. “This was a gift from a caretaker in the orphanage I grew up in– She tried teaching me at the time, I was kind of bad at it.”

She strummed on it quietly, rusty, but undeniably with some knowledge of what she was doing, all while Pinkie stared, starry eyed. “It was literally my only hobby outside of studying to maybe be Celestia’s student someday… At the time. I kind of dropped it, when she took me in.” There was a hint of regret in her voice, one that was easy to pick up on.

A quiet squeal erupted from the Bard, as she contained her excitement.

And once more, she forced herself to speak. “...Can you teach me to do it right? …Like you said, I need new hobbies…” Sunset spoke with an exhale and a chuckle, at her own expense.

“Yes! Absotutely!! You’ve got yourself a teacher!!” She strummed on her own guitar excitedly.

Calmly, Sunset walked over to her, and gave her a gentle kiss that silenced her instantly. From that same, very close distance, she grinned, and spoke earnestly. “Thanks for cheering me up, Bard.”

With a fluster that covered her entire face, Pinkie forced words out of herself. “N-no problem, Paladin!! Haha!”

Still grinning, Sunset turned away, and began cleaning. “C’mon, let’s clean this up, I’m never late on the job.”

They began efficiently cleaning the apartment as Pinkie gathered her things, and before they left, Sunset halted her. “And Pinkie?” The Bard tilted her head, with wide eyes and a smile, listening attentively.

“Tonight was fun. I don’t regret it. We should do it again sometime. I mean it.”

“First order of business today, a lecture related to Alicorn training in the throne room– Then I’ll go make an appearance at the opening of a new exhibit on the Canterlot museum, then we break for lunch, then I’ll stop by Ponyville so that Rarity can get my measurements for some new dresses, then it’s back to the Canterlot library so I can study and practice new spells with my, um, newfound Alicorn magic!” Twilight stuttered over the last few words, like she was walking on eggshells.

“Roger.” Sunset nodded, accompanying her through the halls of the castle quietly. “Next stop, Throne room.”

Quiet persisted for a little while longer, while the Princess of Friendship fidgeted. “Um… The other day, when I was studying… I could hear you playing guitar on the balcony.”

“Was it bothering you? I can not do it next time, if you’d like. It’s no trouble.”

“No no no!! It’s not that at all! It was nice to hear!” She flustered at the idea of limiting a friend’s hobby. “I just found it odd– I never knew you played…?”

“Pinkie’s teaching me how to do it properly.” A slight grin appeared on her face, as she shrugged. “It’s a nice distraction.”

“O-oh! You two are getting close, huh?” She smiled proudly.

“You could say that. She’s not as annoying as she seems at first glance.” Sunset snickered, shaking her head. “Celestia knows how to pick her jesters. She won’t stop making songs about you, though.”

“Yeah she really toots my horn.” Twilight blew raspberries, closing her eyes in embarrassment. “I guess it comes with being the newest Princess of Equestria and everything…!”

No response from Sunset other than a hum of affirmation.

Twilight couldn’t bear the silence. “A-are you okay? Have you been okay, I mean…? The past few days…?”

“Better.” She tilted her head, going no further. “My job is to worry about you, not the other way around. So… Don’t worry.”

“You couldn’t stop me from worrying.” Twilight teased, walking a bit closer. “It’s kind of my thing.”

“That it is.” Sunset chuckled quietly, and then stopped by great doors. “We’re here.” She opened them with her magic.

Twilight, however, did not step forward immediately. “Look, I’m just saying, you’re not just my paladin, you’re my friend. I want to know you’re doing okay!”

Grinning, Sunset tilted her head, pointing at the throne room. “The Queens are waiting for you, your majesty. What’s keeping you?”

Quietly, Twilight’s gaze shifted from the thrones to the Paladin, then she muttered softly. “...Are you going to walk all the way with me, this time? …Celestia would love to see you properly.”

“Nope.” Sunset spoke plainly, taking dutiful position sitting inside the throne room, but as far away from the thrones themselves as possible, diligently awaiting next to some guards.

“...Okay.” Twilight resigned, and walked forward towards her lecture.

The guards near her became a bit nervous and fidgety with her presence. Sunset cast a single cold glance behind them, and they straightened their backs and went silent. Her reputation still carried far in the castle.

Sunset’s vision blurred as she stared at the floor. The conversation between the Queens and the Princess was nothing but an echo to her, one she did not process on purpose. Celestia’s voice was one she tuned out particularly.

Moments passed, and minutes turned into an hour, all with her mind suppressing her current circumstances. She didn’t think of what it was like to be in this throne room again, every time she visited it, she desperately didn’t.

“Sunset Shimmer.” That same, always concerned, always motherly voice called to her. Her ears flickered as her hide shivered in concern. “Could you come over here, please…?” There was a plea in the way that was spoken, but Sunset ignored it, thinking only of the command.

And so she stepped forward, slowly, bringing herself to reality, joining Twilight’s side, looking up at her old mentor once more.

Queen Luna sat with a look of shame, next to her, averting eye contact, something Sunset appreciated. Celestia, however, looked directly at her, with a look of pity, always that look of pity that twisted the Paladin’s stomach.

“You… Look well…!” The Queen of the Sun let out a relieved exhale.

“I am well.” Sunset spoke robotically, forcing eye contact.

“I wanted to…” Celestia stopped herself, inhaling, shaking her head. “We wanted to thank you formally for the assistance you provided in the battle against Nightmare Moon. Without you, Twilight Sparkle might have not managed to reach the Elements of Harmony, and for that, we are all thankful, deeply so. Thank you for your service to Equestria, and your diligence in protecting my pupil.”

“Always.” Sunset spoke in a breath, shooting a glance towards Twilight, who seemed deeply nervous at the exchange, then corrected herself. “All part of the job, Queen Celestia.”

“Be that as it may…” Celestia couldn’t help but smile. “You showed your diligence and your capabilities, and you kept Twilight Sparkle safe. And for that, I thank you.”

A nod was all she got in response.

“And furthermore.” Taking a glance to her left, Celestia narrowed her eyes towards her sister. “My little sister has an apology to make.”

Groaning, Luna rolled her eyes. “I’ve told you, I already visited her dreams, we have already talked–”

“--It’s true. We’re good. She apologized.” Sunset affirmed, nodding. “We’ve met– And there’s no hard feelings, seriously.”

“Nevertheless.” Celestia silenced them both, pouting. “It is better if those apologies are spoken out loud, not in the realm of dreams.”

Exhaling, annoyed, Luna stepped forward, and spoke earnestly. “Sunset Shimmer. I am sorry for the pain I caused you when I was corrupted by the shadows. I was incredibly pleased to discover you made a full recovery– And thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for all your efforts regarding my freedom from the darkness. You fought bravely.”

“I don’t like to lose…” Sunset’s voice became stern, but she reigned it in. “But I gladly accept what happened that night, all for the sake of Twilight’s safety. –And Equestria, of course.”

Luna smiled shortly, nodding genuinely. “Your efforts were not in vain– And I am deeply thankful.”

They had had this conversation before, in a dream. They already knew how much they related to each other– Birds of a feather, corrupted by the same force.

“Anypony could have done what I did.” Sunset shrugged. “...But I’m thankful it was me.”

The massive, underlying lie that she wished that she had died that night was unspoken.

“Very good, see!” Celestia clapped her hooves quietly. “All better!” She then rested her gaze on Sunset once more.

Silently, Twilight sparkle nudged the Queen of the Sun to speak, to try, all with a look, and motions of her wings.

Hesitantly, nearly fearfully, Celestia spoke. “Sunset Shimmer– As you continue to be diligent and efficient with your job as Twilight’s protector… Would you like to accept the offer of living in this castle once more?”

“No thank you.” The words came out of Sunset automatically, robotically. “I’m comfortable where I am. And I’m never late. I won’t ever let my living condition affect my duties, I promise you all that.”

Celestia failed to suppress her own sigh of disappointment.

And Sunset, looking at the floor, just wanted an out. “Are we dismissed? The Princess has duties elsewhere.”

“...Yes, you may both go. Thank you for your constant diligence, Sunset. Twilight is lucky to have you.” There were many, many unspoken words between them, and neither had the courage to speak them.

Sunset quietly turned around and walked away, and Twilight was quick and clumsy to follow.

“U-um, are you okay? You seemed to be acting a bit odd in there…!” She tried prodding, fruitlessly.

And naturally, Sunset deflected it. “What’s next on your agenda?”

“A thousand years really have passed, haven’t they?” Luna’s gaze remained on Sunset, as she walked away with Twilight.

“Hm?” Was all Celestia could muster, as she had her mind elsewhere.

“You’ve changed.” Luna affirmed, continuing to gaze at sunset, who disappeared in the great doors of the throne room. “I’ve never seen you this vulnerable.”

Celestia, suppressing an exhale, shook her head. “...What is next on our agenda?”

Author's Note

Surprise!! This isn't a fic about overcoming emotional turmoil!! It's about Sunset going on a bender and getting laid a bunch!! I've deceived you

Okay full disclosure, not going to lie, but this fic originally came to me when I was thinking of how many potentially fun pairings Sunset had, and how you could naturally weave them in a story about her coping with her failings, and eventually settling down-- And it became this hilarious idea about Sunset going around on a bender, hence the fic you're seeing now.

And speaking of the meta writing I spoke of in the last author note-- Sunset has great chemistry with Pinkie Pie. Why wouldn't the same apply to the rest of the Pie sisterhood?

Don't worry though, there will be more pairings, fun scenarios, and emotional resolutions-- I won't say which will be displayed on this fic, but I'll tell you two things: 1) The fic won't be very long, and 2) Both Tempest Shadow and Wallflower Blush will not be featured here, for they are in other, more important circumstances in this universe at the moment.

Writing will be at a leisurly pace, bc I've begun editing my first YTP and it's fun heheh.

Next chapter: Maud gets to have some fun with something that isn't just rocks, for once.