In the streets of Canterlot City, Christmas decorations have been set up on both the streets and on countless shops and buildings, and walking on the streets were countless people who were out doing some shopping to buy presents for their loved ones. It was a joyful day for everyone, everyone but one person, that is. In a bakery known as Sugar Cube Corner, where many students from Canterlot High School can be seen enjoying themselves with the foods they order or with the company of their loved ones, one person can be seen sitting down alone at a table. Unlike everyone else, who have a happy look on their face, this person has a sullen look on her face. This person was none other than Sunset Shimmer, former unicorn and student of Princess Celestia, now resident school bully and queen bee.

Not many people know this, but the holidays, like Christmas, always cause her to be in a bad mood as they always brought back painful memories of her and her old mentor. She remembered how in the past they used to spend time together on holidays such as Heartwarming Eve, the Equestrian equivalent of Christmas. However, as time went by, they started spending time with one another until eventually they stopped spending the holidays with one another, and after their falling out, the memories they have made now no longer make her happy but instead make her bitter, as it is a reminder that, unlike before, she will be spending the holidays alone.

"Just one more year and the portal will be open." Sunset said to herself. "And I will have my revenge." Sunset then took a look around the shop and saw people were wandering around or interacting with one another. She saw among the crowd of people was her ex-boyfriend, Flash. She watched as Flash talked to one of his friends and having a good time with them.

"Here you go, dear, the usual." Miss Cake said as she handed her a paper bag and a cup of coffee.

"Thanks." Sunset said as she took her order and left the shop.
….
After leaving Sugar Cube Corner, she was now heading towards her house. As she walked on her way home, she stopped when she saw a shop she had never seen before.

"Huh, never seen that before." Sunset said as she looked at the shop. She saw hanging above the shop was a sign that said Star Swirl Antique Shop.

"Hm, star swirl like the astronomer star swirl.” Sunset said as she stared at the shop for a few moments before, out of curiosity, she decided to enter the shop. As soon as she entered the shop, she saw it was full of old antiques like lamps, tables, and other such things. She didn’t know why, but maybe out of some form of curiosity, she decided to go further into the shop to look around, and as she looked at all the items that they had, she saw something that got her attention. On one of the shelves, there was a wooden figure of a young man. He wore a red coat with gold buttons, a tall blue hat, blue trousers, black boots, and a belt with a miniature sword. His face was well detailed and crafted. Sunset saw that the figure had blue eyes and brown-colored hair, and in addition to that, his mouth was huge with bright white teeth painted on it. Sunset picked up the object and brought it closer to properly examine it. After a few proper examinations, she realizes that it was a nutcracker.

“A nutcracker,” Sunset said as she continued to examine it. Sunset doesn't know why, but there was something about the nutcracker that got her interested. After a few minutes of staring, Sunset decided to ultimately buy the nutcracker.

"Well, with this nutcracker, I can eat nuts a lot easier now," Sunset said, trying to justify herself for buying the nutcracker. She then went further into the shop to look around more. As she looked around, she suddenly stopped when she saw something on one of the shelves that got her attention. She stared at the object with a look of shock. The object she was staring at was a necklace with a silver chain that was attached to a shimmering sun pendant. One side of the pendant was colored red, and the other was colored yellow.

“My cutie mark.” Sunset said in shock as she grabbed the necklace and brought it closer to better examine it,” How can it be?” She took a few moments to examine it.

“It has to be a coincidence,” Sunset said to herself in an attempt to find a logical reason why there was a pendant that looks like her cutie mark. After a few moments of staring at it, Sunset decided to ultimately buy the pendant as well. She then made her way to the counter, where she saw a small bell was on the table, and next to the bell was a sign that said, Ring for service. Sunset did what the sign said and rang the bell. When no one came, Sunset hit the bell a few more times.

"You can stop now; I am already here." A voice said from behind her. The sudden voice shocked Sunset for a bit, and after getting over her shock, she turned to see an elderly man was standing behind her. The man has a long white beard and hair. For clothing he wore brown pants, a white shirt with a black tie, and a brown vest.

"What took you so long?" Sunset demanded.

"I was at the back doing inventory." The man said before he walked behind the counter. "Now how can I help you?"

“I like to buy these two.” Sunset said as she placed the pendant and the nutcracker on the table. ”By the way, I can’t help but wonder why you name your shop Star Swirl.”

“Oh, that’s because Star Swirl is my name, and before you ask, yes, I am related to the astronomer Star Swirl. He is my ancestor, and my parents decided to name me after him.” The old man now known as Star Swirl said before turning to the necklace and nutcracker. "Oh, what we have here, you buying this nutcracker—my, how lovely. You know there is a story behind this nutcracker.”

“A story.” Sunset asked with a raised eyebrow.

“Yes, story.” Star Swirl said. ”It is said that this nutcracker was once a handsome soldier of a magical kingdom.”

“A soldier of a magical kingdom.” Sunset said with an eye roll.

“Yes, a soldier.” Star Swirl said. ”From what I recall, the story said that the soldier was a kind and noble man that many look up to. It was said that due to these traits of his, the ruler of the kingdom, the sugar plum princess, chose him as her soul mate.”

“The sugar plum princess, “Sunset said with a voice full of disinterest.

“Yes, the sugar plum princess.” Star Swirl said. “According to the story, the sugar plum princess was said to be the most beautiful woman of the kingdom, and it is said her kindness was as great as her beauty, and it was due to her kind nature that her subjects adored her.”

“And let me guess, she also has many admirers as well.” Sunset said, causing Star Swirl to chuckle.

“She did.” Star Swirl said. "However, out of all her admirers, she chose the soldier who at the time was the captain of her guards. The two, after falling in love, got engaged and were soon to be wed.”

“And let me guess: tragedy struck.” Sunset said, already knowing how this kind of story goes.

“Unfortunately, yes.” Star Swirl said. ”For you see, hiding in the shadows was a dark wizard who sought after the princess. However, unlike many others who sought her, he did it not out of love but out of lust for power, for he wanted to marry the princess so he could become king of the kingdom.”

“And let me guess, he placed a curse on them.” Sunset said.

“He did.” Star Swirl said. ”He used his dark magic to turn the soldier into this very nutcracker. However, despite being turned into wood, the princess still loves him, which infuriates the dark wizard more, so he uses his magic to forcefully banish the soldier from the kingdom, and using his dark magic, he summons evil creatures known as umbrum to take over the kingdom by force and imprison the princess. Once he took over the kingdom, he crowned himself the shadow king. However, not all is lost, as it is said that one day the soldier shall return, and once he and the sugar plum princess reunite, their combined love will not only free the soldier of his curse but also banish the evil that has conquered the kingdom.”

“Yeah, that was a good story.” Sunset said sarcastically. ”Now if you're done with story time, can we get on with it? I don’t have all day.”

“You know, in every story there is always some hint of truth.” Star Swirl said as he checked the price tag of both the nutcracker and the necklace.

“Yeah, yeah.” Sunset said annoyed as she gave Star Swirl the money before taking the nutcracker and necklace before leaving the shop and heading home.
….
That night, Sunset Shimmer was sitting on a sofa in her apartment watching a late-night Christmas special on her TV. Currently she was wearing her pajamas and new necklace, and on the table in front of her was a bowl of nuts and the nutcracker. Once the special was done, Sunset let out a yawn before switching off the TV. She then turned to the clock and saw it was almost midnight. Feeling too tired to walk to her bed, Sunset decided to lie down on the sofa and just sleep on it. Before she slept, she turned her attention to look at the nutcracker and immediately thought back to what the old man said.

"Yeah, right. There is no magic in this world." Sunset said to herself before she fell asleep.
….
Back at the antique shop, Star Swirl can be seen locking the doors of the shop. After locking the door, he took out a pocket watch and saw it was one minute till midnight.

"I wish you the best of luck, Sunset, for you will need it for what's to come." Star Swirl said as he saw the hands on the clock move to midnight.
....
End of Prologue

Author's Note

Don't forget to leave comments on what you think of my story.