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i-dream-of-twilight-sparkle · 3 years

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Chapter 12: Celestia’s Secrets, Part 2

Twilight: Sunset Shimmer?! (I’ve seen a Sunset Shimmer before… in a pocket dimension where parallel universe genie versions of my Ponyville friends exist… but this is the first I’m hearing of my own universe’s Sunset…)

Celestia: Before I was basically given the instructions by the voice in my dream that led to discovering you, I went with a more old-fashioned way of getting my protege of simply finding a top student to promote to my personal protege. And Sunset absolutely was one of the strongest unicorns in raw power, if you and Sunset were around the same age, she probably would of outclassed even you as a filly no matter how many books you read.

She was a student I was very proud of, and the fact her cutie mark was also in the shape of the Sun made me think perhaps she was the one destined to succeed me.

She also was the best at gathering recon on any potential threats to Equestria, better then any commander in my royal guard. She kept tabs on every potential threat to Equestria whether they were already defeated decisively in the past, currently out there in the present, or could become a threat in the future. Often going out there singlehandedly to deal with the threat. I would not be surprised if she knew something about just about every threat that you would come across, Twilight.

Twilight: Wow, Sunset sounds amazing… is she… still around?

Celestia just cranes her head low

Celestia: I don’t know, it’s possible. But… close to a decade before I’d find you, she went to see me personally… and she decided that she wanted to step down from being my protege.

Twilight: Step down from being your student?! That sounds crazy, if she was under your tutelage for all those years, why did she step down?

Celestia: I’m not sure even I know completely, but I think what she told me is she was tired of constantly keeping on check of all the dangers of Equestria. When she was younger, she felt that was exciting and often reveled on being the one to bring down the bad guys in her teenage years. But as she reached adulthood, she realized she wasn’t quite getting enough of the aspects of a regular life as a result. It was probably likely it got to a point that protecting Equestria the way she was had an effect on her happiness.

She did have friendships of her own, but I don’t think she got to be with them quite the same way you were with your friends in Ponyville. Partly because of her own dedication to the job, and also partly to protect said friends because she never wanted them to be in danger. Kind of why I made sure you had some time of your own to relax and have fun with your friends, Twilight. I did try to tell Sunset that she should take a break and have some fun for herself, but one of her flaws when she was younger was that she was quite stubborn in the aforementioned dedication to her job. By the time she was just a few years older then adulthood, she realized that she should of listened to me, and as she reached her mid-20’s, she wanted to have her own family and a more peaceful life.

She did tell me however that despite stepping down, she would do one last job to protect Equestria. For she was chasing a group of 3 anarchists that she described as so dangerous, that if not stopped soon, will find a way to either take all the magic of Equestria for themselves, or just make Equestria entirely magicless if they couldn’t have it themselves.

And this wasn’t Tirek she was talking about, given he was still firmly in Tartaurus. She felt that everything else, whomever I would find next would be able to handle it, but whatever the Anarchists were up to, Sunset had to put a stop to sooner rather then later.

Because nothing of the sort happened in between the time that she stepped down and I found you, I figured she had succeeded in defeating those anarchists and then proceeded to have the peaceful life she wanted. She also told me that if anypony asks for a national search given her high profile as my protege former or not, to not do so. As she wanted to get out of the spotlight as soon as she could.

I… admittedly was a little upset inside that Sunset was stepping down… as I was perhaps only just a few years away from thinking she was ready to ascend. But I was gracious and let her do what she wished. She thanked me, bowed, and told me she was still proud of her time as my student. She assured me there will be more powerful unicorns like her elsewhere. I wasn’t so sure personally, but thankfully I was proven wrong when I found you, Twilight.

Regardless, that was the last time I ever saw Sunset. I have not seen a single sign of her, ever since she left my throne room. I hope she’s just relaxing, and has a lovely family she’s taking care of right now, while she’s somewhere in the world, away from easy access…

Twilight: This is an amazing story, should… should I try to find Sunset some day?

Celestia just nods her head horizontally

Celestia: I’d rather you not, if Sunset hasn’t shown herself. There’s probably a reason for it, and I want to respect her wishes to keep a low profile after having one of the highest long ago.

Twilight: I guess I understand… still it is fascinating. And if Sunset is out there, maybe one day I’ll get to meet her. I feel like we’d have a fantastic conversation.

Celestia: You and Sunset would certainly be fast friends, I’m sure.

Twilight: Though given you know she went off to have a family, do you at least know who she married or even if she had a child?

Celestia: I would not know, I did recall finding out Sunset was dating somepony sometime late in her time as my student. But she wouldn’t even tell me who she was dating, as to perhaps keep her special somepony safe from the criminals that she kept track of. If I had to guess as to where she found him, it was somepony from a pretty low profile town, at least at the time. As I can’t imagine Sunset could of easily hid who he was, if say she was dating somepony in Canterlot or any other well-populated city in Equestria.

As for having a child… I’m not 100% certain. But I had a strange feeling Sunset may have been within the first few months of pregnancy when she told me she wanted to step down. Just the way sometimes she’d put a hoof on her belly nervously as we talked. if she did have a child that early on, he or she would only be slightly younger then you are right now.

Twilight: Well ok... I guess that’s all I’ll get out of this very interesting story for now. It’s certainly got me curious where Sunset might be, but I suppose it’ll have to wait until after the ball anyhow. If it’s alright, I’d actually like to pivot to some… questions for one or both of you.

Celestia: Certainly Twilight, me and my sister will answer whatever questions you have to the best of our ability.

((Story continues after the break))

Twilight: Ok, my first question is actually for Luna alone.

Luna: Oh, really?

Twilight: Yes, the last time I was in Saddle Arabia. Malakhar mentioned that you were one of the last “masters” that the famous Jinn granted wishes to. Do you recall anything about meeting a genie far back in your past?

Luna: I’m… not sure… this was a very long time ago. I was only a filly, but I do recall once being lost in a forest before I came across a ceramic bottle. I happened to be thirsty, and hoped it would be something to drink. But instead of liquid, magic smoke came pouring out. And a white pony, with an aqua colored mane who helped me for the time I was in the forest. Providing me with 3 wishes I got granted: directions to fresh water, fruit that was safe to eat, and eventually I wished to be back home safe with my sister… though the fact that after all that, I was back in my bed at my home afterward made me think it was all just one vivid dream…

I had been just learning about my dream walking powers at the time so I wasn’t even sure if what had happened had really happened or not.

Twilight: Well, it must have happened if word about you meeting her reached Saddle Arabia. I guess at some point after Jinn was perhaps no longer a genie, one of the stories she told was when she helped you.

Luna: Perhaps… it’s a shame she’s no longer around, I would like to have met her to perhaps thank her for getting me back home then, if it indeed wasn’t just a dream.

Twilight: Speaking of no longer around… that’s sort of the subject I want to ask both of you about next. You two have lived for thousands of years, meaning you’ve seen many generations of ponies come and go.

Though you two seem to have managed a calm demeanor despite having perhaps lots of friends, and loyal staffers and guards pass. Have you… perhaps found a secret to maintaining a strong demeanor despite having lost so many ponies you got to know over the years?

Both the princesses crane their necks downward at the rather serious question

Celestia: Twilight… this is a very hard question… but I suppose it’s fair for us both to try to answer. We just have to face it, there is no secret to maintaining strength after the loss of many loved ones, cause it’s hard regardless.

Luna: It’s even harder for me personally, I had friends and my own set of guards back in the time before I was banished… they must have been devastated to see me turn against my sister and then for them to never see me again...

Celestia: I hope we just don’t upset you with our rather honest answer that’s it’s not easy regardless. And hope you are still aware that’s what you gave up when you decided you wanted to stay a genie, and technically would of had to do anyway, if you were to accept the role as my successor.

Twilight: Yes, I still know… and I still feel in some ways I made the right choice in the end back in Saddle Arabia… but I know it’s probably going to be harder the more time goes on…

Twilight looking down solemnly

Celestia: While it’s not going to be a complete comfort regardless, barring any unfortunate accidents or terrible event, you’ll still likely have your friends for about 80 years. I suppose all we can really say is cherish the time you have with them now before they’re gone, though I know because you’ll be taking over for us that might be less of a comfort because you’ll be serving Equestria, and may not have as much time to be with your friends.

Twilight: Don’t worry, I understand that about 80 or so years is still a long time. I’ve become your student, a hero, a genie, a mother, a princess, and sole ruler of Equestria all in just a little more then a decade. Who knows what kind of things can happen in another 8 decades. There will be plenty of moments, though of course the longer I live, perhaps I’ll miss these coming years more and more, far in the future...

Celestia: Well, while we’ll still stress this is a decently long time from now. You’ll have us and an older, mature Spike to lean on, and probably any descendants your friends have as well. Who they may ask to lean to you for comfort themselves.

Twilight: I guess you’re right, but even though I asked the question in the first place. I think that’s enough talking about this for now… but thank you for the answers.

As thanks for telling me about where Spike’s egg came from at last, as well as about Sunset Shimmer. The former I absolutely must talk to Spike about. I think I’ll head on back to Ponyville, see if perhaps any of my friends have finished their invitees as well. Thank you for agreeing to go, Princess Celestia and Princess Luna. I’m certain we’ll all have a good time there

Celestia: We are certainly expecting a good time ourselves for certain. Thank you for inviting us.

Luna: Yes, I’m looking forward to this as well. Should be a great night *winks*

Twilight: I’ll see you both there!

Twilight creates a gum portal back to her castle in Ponyville. Having finished up in Canterlot, after having had a nice talk with her parents, Moondancer, and some interesting discussions with her former mentor and her sister some of which are still floating through her mind as she heads back. Twilight comes through the portal and is suddenly surprised by simultaneous voice of many of her friends.

Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Rarity, Starlight, Fluttershy, Pinkie, Spike: Hi Twilight!

Twilight: Gah! You’re all back, huh?! And Starlight too?

Rainbow Dash: We all finished up our invitees! We were just waiting for you to be done, so you could go inform the royal family!

Twilight: Oh ok, thank you all for helping getting this done in an orderly fashion! I’ll go get some scrolls and let you all write down the names of all the ponies you invited. As well as a separate list for specifically entertainers to submit to the Sultan.

Twilight walks on over to a room in the castle with empty scrolls and gets one long scroll for the invitees, and a shorter scroll for the entertainment. And each of the ponies and dragon involved with inviting those in Equestria and a few others from outside of the country take each of their turns writing down the names. And also any potential entertainers they invited on the shorter scroll. Twilight adds her invitees last, and rolls up both scrolls.

Twilight: Alright, I think you can all head on home for now. Obviously the ball isn’t just going to start tomorrow, or even the next day as I think the royal family will at least want a week or two to make sure they’ll be absolutely ready for everyone that will be there.

Also Spike, I have something to tell you personally when I get back, so don’t quite go to sleep just yet.

Spike: Oh sure thing, Mom. Hope I’m not in trouble or something though…

Twilight: Don’t worry, you’re not in trouble. But this is an important matter, that I think you will probably want to hear anyhow.

Everyone but Twilight and Spike heads out of the castle, some waving goodnight to Twilight before heading out. Twilight turns to Spike.

Twilight: I’ll be quick Spike, and then I’ll share what I have to tell you.

Spike: Alright, see you when you get back.

Twilight makes another gum portal, this time just outside the royal palace in Saddle Arabia. As she approaches the front, the guards more then graciously let her in. And in just a few moments she finds the Sultan and the Sultana still supervising the Royal Ball decorations. The royal couple look behind them to see Twilight approaching.

Sultan Theandri: Ah, Princess Twilight great to see you’re here! Did you and your friends finish your list of invitees?

Twilight: Yes I have, your majesty! Here are both the general invitee list, and the entertainment list scrolls.

The royal couple take a quick look at both and closes them to read fully later.

Sultana Elona: Thank you, Princess Twilight. We’ll look this over sometime during the two weeks we set everything up. We will also inform Malakhar and Kubuya that they’ll be able to be wedded soon.

Twilight: Thank you *bow* I must be heading back now, but I’m certainly excited for this. Thank you for hosting this!

Sultan Theandri: We are excited too, we will see you when it’s time.

Twilight: Just to be sure, you said in two week’s time in which the ball will be fully ready?

Sultana Elona: Yes, gather everybody two weeks from now and we’ll have everything set.

Twilight: Ok, thanks! Seeya in 2 weeks!

Twilight makes one more gum portal back to her castle in Ponyville. Spike still standing where he was as Twilight returns.

Spike: Welcome back, mom! So what did they say when the ball is likely to start?

Twilight: They said 2 weeks, so we can just relax a bit before going to get everyone we invited.

Spike: Nice, so uh… what was it you wanted to talk to just me about?

Twilight: Well, first of all. I learned of this from a decently long discussion with Princess Celestia where we talked about a few things including the coming transition. But what comes most relevant to you, is… Celestia finally told me where she first found your egg that was brought to Equestria.

Spike: Wait, really?! But hold on a moment, why did she wait this long to tell us?! I would of loved knowing this years ago…

Twilight: Well, part of it that it’s slightly connected to other things that we talked about then. Not to mention there might have been a danger to telling you too soon. But first of all, I must share some rather… somber… news…

Spike: What’s that?

Twilight: Spike… your birth mother… passed away shortly after she laid your egg…

Spike goes wide-eyed

Spike: Whoa… so… my birth or rather, dragon mother has been dead the whole time, huh?

Twilight: Hope that doesn’t upset you too much.

Spike: Well the thing is, because I never got to know her. I’m not sure it’s something I can get too upset about, perhaps it would of been if I was told this before I’d recognize you as my mother.

So in that case, you’re right that there was probably a time where it would of been too early, because maybe I’d feel somewhat betrayed that I had been taken away, even if of course I might not have ever hatched if I was just left there.

I guess it helps that I have you as my mother now. Though you haven’t given where exactly my egg was found?

Twilight: Believe it or not, your egg was laid in a cave in the middle of the Saddle Arabian desert.

Spike: Say what?! Does that make me native to Saddle Arabia all this time?!

Twilight: Maybe not exactly, it’s probably more likely it just happened to be your birth mother’s final resting stop. But yes, Princess Celestia and Sultan Theandri went to the cave to investigate and found the corpse of your birth mother. And somewhere next to it, was your spotted purple egg.

Celestia decided to take your egg under her wing until she could think of what to do with it. She then had what was a pretty vivid dream that very night where a mysterious voice, of which Celestia suspects was somehow the spirit of your birth mother, and she told her to find the one who could hatch the egg.

As they told Celestia that whomever hatches the egg, will also be able to fulfill the wishes of both your birth mother and many of Celestia’s own desires from freeing her sister, all the way to succeeding her when the time came. And that of course, led to me.

Spike: Wow… that’s amazing… though I’m curious, you said that my birth mother also got some kind of desire granted connected you? What was that?

Twilight: Well, I don’t know how to say this without sounding like I got Trixie’s ego but… your birth mother desired… the perfect mother for you…

Spike smiles and tears up slightly in joy

Spike: She got what she wished for, absolutely.

Twilight blushes, and has some tears of joy of her own from the flattery of Spike’s words

Twilight: Oh Spike, come here and give your mother a hug!

Spike runs up and jumps in Twilight’s hooves as they give eachother a big, long hug. After the end their embrace, Spike starts pondering a little bit before asking something of Twilight.

Spike: So Mom, is there perhaps a chance… we go see where my birth mother died after the ball is over?

Twilight: Well sure we can, though we’ll have to ask Princess Celestia and/or the Sultan for directions to where that was, and if it’s even safe to try to trek to the cave first. But I think we can surely do that if you feel that is the right thing to do, paying respects to your birth mother, and even if you didn’t get to know her.

Obviously she cared enough to set you up with me, and heck given what Celestia told me… She also basically set up the rest of my life as well. I should pay my own respects as well.

Spike: Yeah, exactly. It will be nice for us to honor her the only way we really can.

Twilight: Of course, though there’s one thing that’s not quite as related to you and I, but was brought up when Celestia told me about her dream. Another of Celestia’s desires mentioned was, a new protege. Which implied she had some pony else before me, and it was a pony named Sunset Shimmer.

Spike: That sounds familiar… wasn’t there a human Sunset you met in that Genie Pinkie Pie dimension you’ve been to?

Twilight: To be exact, a pony sunset in a human world. But this was the first I’m hearing about our own universe’s Sunset. The dimensional mirror she traveled through, does not exist in our universe. Meanwhile our universe’s Sunset has not resurfaced into the public eye in over 2 decades.

She resigned from being Celestia’s student in order to pursue a more normal life and seems to have never shown herself since. Though she also mentioned to Celestia that she would save Equestia one more time from a dangerous anarchist group, given nothing happened in between the time she left and I became the Princess’s new protege. It seems like she was successful.

Spike: I wonder if we’ll get to meet her someday?

Twilight: Maybe, but it sounds like to me she was determined to be on a low profile. She may not want to be found exactly. And I think we should only respect that, as cool as it would be to meet her.

Spike: I see… well… *yawn* certainly an interesting fact if nothing else. But If it’s ok Twilight, I think it’s about time to hit the hay…

Twilight: I was thinking the same thing, too *yawn*

Twilight and Spike walk to their bedroom, where as always, Spike gets a big bed all to himself while Twilight of course has her bottle on a table nearby to slip into. Spike slips himself under the blanket, while Twilight closes her eyes as her body from the waist down form into her genie tail.

Spike: Goodnight, mom!

Twilight float on over to Spike’s side and gives him a kiss on the cheek.

Twilight: Goodnight, my son.

Spike smiles and rolls on over to his side to begin sleeping. Twilight starts slowly slipping herself into the bottle. Much of the coming time left is to be pretty routine for all those invited, but within 2 weeks. The Royal Ball will be ready. And everyone is looking forward to some good-natured fun in Saddle Arabia.

NEXT UP: Chapter 13: The Royal Ball, Part 1 - Trixie’s Magic Show

#Secrets Of The Dragon's Tear #Twilight Sparkle #Genie #Celestia #Princess Celestia #Luna #Princess Luna #Sunset Shimmer #Applejack #Rainbow Dash #Rarity #Starlight Glimmer #Fluttershy #Pinkie Pie #Spike #Sultan Theandri #Sultana Elona

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themarvelhorse · 3 years

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Empathy for the Devil Re-Read Chapter 5!

The plot thickens! A villain is introduced! And Sunset still won’t go to therapy!

Sunset Shimmer wondered if the universe enjoyed making things harder for her.

Maybe not the universe. Maybe one creator, fiendish in their methods but ultimately knowing it will produce what's needed for a better future, and a better life.

*cough cough I'm looking at you Marvel cough cough*

Insert Sunset jumping out out of the book to get into a fistfight with Marvel.

Applejack frowned, first to Rarity who thumbed the geode around her neck

RARIJACK ALERT

“Oh yes, I’m all for mental health advocacy,” Rarity began, her eyes flickering towards Twilight, if only briefly, “and I think it’s absolutely fabulous to have new supports in place, but isn’t it a tad gauche to introduce yourself to a magical high school by condemning all magic?”

Rarity as socially tactful as always

It WAS quite vague. But not necessarily in the vein of all magic bad per se. It fits with Sunny's view that magic isn't evil, even though its use can be.

But anti-magic is a lil’ fair? Since only about 7 students (okay now 9) can use it? Out of a school of what, 500? 2000? Is this an anime where a select few students control the whole school?

Ah some FS-FS (that’s Fluttershy Foreshadowing, yes I totally thought this through shuddup), she got the Advanced Bio. Gonna be a veterinarian. Also thick book I'm sure, v good for defense. Or offense.

Magic can cause some very, um, stressful situations.”

As soon as she said that, all their friends had to make various noises of agreement, now including Timber. The Great and Powerful Trixie breezed by muttering something along the lines of, ‘Oh, tell me about it…’

Excellent timing Trixie. Excellent addition, Marvel.

Fluttershy went on, “Besides, there’s no need to be defensive, girls. We shouldn’t assume everything is an attack on us.”

Dammit, Fluttershy. How are you so mature?

Fluttershy's mature from having to deal with Dash's immaturity. Also dealing with and learning from her own anxieties helps I’m sure.

Sunset put a pause on internally cursing the very universe itself. Mostly, it was to start cursing herself (not literally, although she knew some doozies from when Princess Celestia explicitly told her not to touch The Forbidden Tome of Nastiness and Untold Evils Vol. DCLXVI) for being self-centered.

Curses? Are you SURE you didn't accidentally curse yourself with how your life is going? Or maybe you'll use one later?

It helped chill her out a bit (even if Sunset’s preferred outlet for anger still involved her old sledgehammer and the trash bins in the alleyway behind her apartment)

Maybe you should just stay... "in your corner". Also, I never thought I’d see an explanation for Sunset having a sledgehammer, but damn, here we are.

she thought of earth pony farmers (which in hindsight: yikes)

Unicorn master racist

Really though, that’s very unbecoming of a future ruler of Equestria. What’s Celestia teaching you? Probably also reinforces the argument for sending Twilight to Ponyville to find friends.

Gotta add that the expressions and body language on this Bevin pic feat. Pinkie, Sunset, and Timber is great. I like to imagine that Timber isn’t really used to having small pockets.

Fluttershy hummed, smiling in on the joke. “Six or seven demons ago, I’d say.”

Yaaaaaas! Flutters bringing in the jokes too. I'm so proud.

...shutting his locker directly adjacent to the block of the girls’ lockers.

Now was That one of the favours pulled too? Making sure they were near Flash?

Timber attended Home Ec and Gym in her place (not a tragedy on the latter, she thought)

Gonna get your bod jacked af so you get muscles like that too Sun-Bun

Sunset tried not to lean on her old vices too much, generally; obviously, the last thing she ever wanted was to lay even a single tread down the same dark path that led her to the demonic transformation at the junior year Fall Formal. But this was to help her friends, so she thought she was at least a little justified in taking some pride in her natural-born aptitude for Equestrian magic.

Past skills coming in to play yet again

only breaking two pens in frustration along the way)—

Maybe anger management would've been a good idea. Or maybe one of those stress squeeze thingies.

It felt good to be such a natural.

Sweet Celestia, how many times could I have saved us trouble if it just worked the way I’m good at?

;;;;;;;;;;;;

Twilight and the girls seemed to think she could be. And after all she’d done to be their friend, Sunset wanted to agree, but she also didn’t feel quite so pure anymore. Friendship never came natural to her, but she thought she’d mastered it by now. She thought she was good at heart. So why did she still mess up like this? I’m not a bad friend. Maybe I’ve just been away from Equestria too long, she tried to reason, tapping the page with her ballpoint pen.

Sunset, you have NO IDEA.

Seriously, best idea would be go and talk to Princess Twi about it. About all her friendship failings even as the Princess of friendship. Also maybe joke about Celestia's acting skills. That'll bring the imperfection feels down.

Friendship never came natural, but magic did. But friendship IS magic

So what's the truth?

Magic isn’t necessarily friendship if its all based in emotion. Just because you’re good at magic doesn’t make you good at friendship, it’d be harder to translate magic to friendship than friendship to magic.

A smile rose. “Nice sunrise today, Princess. You’ve outdone yourself.”

The silhouette didn’t turn back toward her

GIVE. SUNSET. A MOM!

At this rate, with her luck, Pinkie would explode some of Rarity’s diamond-sharp shields in the middle of Princess Twilight’s coronation. Now that would be something to talk about in therapy.

Is that what it takes Sunny?

Sunset sighed. “Okay, yeah, that’s fair. Everybody gets one question right now, so you’re not in the dark, and we can talk all we want later after we fix things. Deal or no deal?”

NO DEAL, HOWIE!

Sunset’s turn to be teacher! :D

Applejack balked. “Wait, that wasn’t my question.” “One question,” Sunset told her. “We’ve only got an hour for lunch. Magic takes time. Go ahead, Pinkie.”

Wow, you're a terrible teacher, Sunny! D:

“Consarn it,” Applejack muttered along with a string of countrified curse words increasingly too quiet and slurred together in her accent to make out

Pfft

I love me some AJ-isms. Honestly though Sunset, Applejack gives good advice and points, if you DID let her ask, maybe she would've given some insight you hadn't thought of before.

But no one ever listens to AJ

Timber perked up. “Oh, well, it’s got a beautiful countryside, friendly people, and I tried something called kjøttboller: very delicious, I’d totally recommend. Also I was horrified that I might never see my sister again and something something existential dread—but the kjøttboller!” He planted his hands on the table to make his point, then looked over to Flash. “But, no gift. Sorry, hot stuff. Maybe next time?”

These powers are permanent though right? Timmy Tim can master that, grab a souvenir, and come right back. Probs gonna bring some kjøttboller on a regular basis.

Sunset was about to elaborate before Rainbow Dash grinned. “My turn! Does this hurt you or Timber?” She punched Timber in the shoulder like it was her job.

“Ow!” Timber said.

Rainbow folded her hands neatly on the table in front of her as Timber rubbed his shoulder. “No further questions.”

Okay but like, with the Whole In Your Corner thing too, is there some sort of headcanon going around that RD has a grudge against Sunset and wants to throw down?

Rarity laid her hand back on the topmost knee of her crossed legs. “Thank you, dear. Should we still refer to you as she and Timber, he/him, or would you say it’s the other way around?”

Good ol’ Rarity, so damn considerate. Love that.

I think SciTwi can be summed up as follows in this scene:

Sunset: Bamboo? I only use composite materials in my net handle. [SciTwi writes notes] SciTwi: [muttering as she writes] Composite materials? Sunset: Next question. [the crowd writes notes again] SciTwi: [muttering again] Next question?

Instead of skipping over Timber like she thought would be logical, Timber waved at her across the table. “Hi, Timber in Sunset here. Long time listener, first time asker. My question is, do you not even try in gym class? Because I ran a lap and everyone was shocked.”

Timber has such good dialogue

I’m strategic. I don’t run, I hit things.” That’s what she told them, at least. Sunset didn’t like to sweat in front of other people, plus there were usually ways to spend the whole class ‘helping’ Coach Spitfire get supplies for the other students that didn’t involve as much work.

Yes, it was very strategic of you to hit those garbage cans with the sledgehammer.

But dammit Sunny, cardio is super important. We all know you want muscles, but seriously. Good for your health, including mental health.

Also your gf might find it sexy to see you sweat

…There may have been a reason to start her punching bag-based workout regime up again when she got her body back, and that reason maybe was to picture the bag as Timber’s face. Or, at the moment, her own face.

Also, ya sure you just don't wanna punch yourself there Sunny? Like, not just in that moment. After all the self hate and self pity about being a bad friend and all, turning yourself into a verbal punching bag.

Flash shoved his free hand back into his pocket. A totally ordinary move coming from him, but she knew it meant he was at least a little uncomfortable. “Are you two going to be alright?”

Flash is such a sweetheart omg. The love this lad has could send an entire changeling hive into cardiac arrest.

He was too good at disguising his expression—in her body no less. “...I don’t think it matters what we were thinking,” Sunset lied, but she didn’t break eye contact with Timber, trying to read her own face. She dropped it along with her hands on the table. “It could be a paradox.”

THOU LIEST. TO THY GIRLFRIEND NO LESS.

Also quit deflecting!

“Like I keep saying, magic is usually based on emotion,” she said, parsing through the equations she’d written in her artbook, “but that’s how it works in Equestria. Over here, I don’t know, I’m just going to admit I wouldn’t call myself an expert—maybe it just doesn’t make sense. Timber and Flash shouldn’t have powers without geodes, but they do now.”

;w;

It’s okay. I’m used to being the weirdo that doesn’t make sense to other people.”

...b-baby...

“...creates paradoxes,” Flash finished quietly. To his credit, he managed a smile for the girls and didn’t let the mood drop down. “If Timber and I need to give up our powers because it’s causing too much trouble, it’s o—”

BABIES! MUST PROTECC!

Timber made eye contact with her, and for a moment she could’ve sworn she saw something recognizable—guilt—but she didn’t get a chance to confirm that she’d seen anything at all.

A magic glow formed around Timber, and it was only moments later when Sunset realized the same glow formed around her. She lit up. “Wait, everybody shut up! I think it’s working! I think—

Eye contact... the key.

Or maybe the sharing of feelings towards their exes/current SOs

Maybe that shared love. It's not like it would've gone away right away or anything, especially since the break ups haven't had clear reasons. Moving on is hard, especially when you know that there's still so much to love about a person. That and the fact you keep hanging out with them and watch them grow into better people.

The person in Sunset’s body held their hands over their mouth. “I didn’t mean to! Was that because of me? I’m sorry!”

*Gross sobbing* My boy...

We’re freaking them out, she realized. If the magic experts are scared about something, how’s the rest of the student body supposed to react?

They go to the new counselor. Hehehe. Absolutely fiendish.

Everybody calm down, easy! The first thing to do is figure out who’s who, okay? I’m Timber,” he said, making Rainbow Dash sound like a camp counselor speaking to junior campers on how to tie a proper knot.

Honestly? That says a lot about Timber. His personality makes total sense in the camp counselor thing, but damn that capacity to take charge of the sitch when trouble comes makes him that much better.

"Dude! You took my body?! Not cool!”

Wait a SECOND! Dash punched Timber in Sunny's body. So Timber now has Dash's body... is... is it negative emotions that cause the switch?

Anger, guilt, pain... hmmm... literally forcing the other party to walk a mile in their shoes so they understand what they're going through better?

Or maybe a sharing of negative emotions - the one feeling it and the one causing it. And then the switch back occurs when they reach an understanding like how Timber and Sunset almost had?

Like AJ would've been jealous of Pinkie getting a second question.

Sunset felt bad about lying to her gf?

Flash feels bad about everything tho, but it makes sense for Sunny. But then again Flash feeling bad about everything is kind of like how Sunset is too?

A few I kinda don't get yet but... there might be something here

Could be that Dash is ‘Shy to learn to be softer?

SciTwi has some feelings about Flash I'm sure, especially since the awkwardness of her not being TwiTwi. Also being Sunset's ex probably doesn't help those feelings of jealously. Like, the wingman bro-ness Sunny and Flash seem to have still. Maybe she’s also jealous of the fact that Sunset and Flash get along so well despite being exes, but Timber and Twi have it awkward.

Sunset grunted, rubbing the space between her eyes under the glasses she now needed. “Okay, this has officially gotten old. Rainbooms? Time to Pony up.”

Yes. Pony up the feelings you all share. And pony up the dough. Pinkie needs to make cookies to bring everyone together.

...she knew, obviously; he’d taught her how to play in the first place.

Sunset, still bad at the time: I will conquer Equestria with MUSIC!

The Dazzlings: Hey hey what the fuck

But she realized Flash usually asked how everyone else was doing first before talking about the stuff he loved, so it was easy to forget he and his band Flash Drive were just as, if not more, popular than the Rainbooms.

Wow. Just... such a good boy. He gives dogs a run for their money.

“Wait, yeah, doesn’t our magic come from the heart? ‘Cause my heart’s over there right now.”

Timber waved, sitting on an amp on the side of the room.

Nah Rainbow, it comes from the soul. You need soul music

*smooth jazz intensifies*

...having everyone wear the correct coloured geode was the first time she could keep them all straight.

No one can keep these gays straight

...picking on nerds...

Sunset were you always so cruel? What would your favourite nerd have to say about that hmmmm?

Jokes on you, now you're in love with one HAH.

NERDS RULE

...eyes she recognized as her girlfriend.

SOUL. EYES ARE A WINDOW TO THE SOUL.

Kinda funny that of all the perceptions of what they are switching, that one wasn't mentioned

Hey. I promise, we can debate the existence of a soul and what this all means later, okay?

Oh goddammit

Her eyes reached for Sunset’s, and Sunset knew exactly why. That was their song. Both quite literally, in that they sung the vocal leads in duet, and because when they’d started dating, it became their song.

D’aww

So Sunset told her not to worry about the music in the gym, as nice as Flash’s acoustic guitar was. She started to sing the lyrics to Right There in Front of Me below her breath.

D’AWWW

And after a verse, Twilight joined in. Their first kiss cut the second chorus short.

D’AAAAAAAAWWWWWWWW

By the time they got to the chorus, it was impossible to ignore the fact that Twilight and Flash’s voices were singing what the Rainbooms now considered their only real love song.

Sunset spared a look towards Flash. He looked like he’d seen the spirits Twilight was so interested in talking about, and he held his arms in such a way that he covered up his stomach. Sunset felt an intense pang of worry that he’d throw up.

Wow

Flash screws everything up again (even though it's just his body)

A warm, satisfying magic shimmered around them, like the steam from a hot tub. Before she knew it, all of her friends had adorable pony ears and tails again, prompting their two-man audience to cheer them on

OR NOT

Still cheering you on

And Rainboom! Another Chapter, gone in a Flash! Hope you enjoyed!

#marvelandponder #empathy for the devil #my stuff #commentary

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empathyphoenix · 5 years

Text

Drabble - Sire’s Hollow

Sire’s Hollow. Many years ago.

It surprised her that Princess Celestia so readily gave her time off from her studies. Caring though she may be, the princess could also be a task master at times, expecting the best in everything. Sunset knew that should she fail to measure up to those standards, the princess would be nothing but kind and understanding… But she couldn’t bear to see any disappointment on the sovereign’s face. Celestia was like a mother to her. The only mother she had ever known. Which was… sort of why she was here, actually.

You see, Sunset Shimmer was an orphan.

Her first memories were of growing up in a rundown orphanage just outside of Canterlot. It was kept afloat by noble Canterlot unicorns giving donations whenever they needed to assuage some nagging guilt by being somewhat charitable. It wasn’t much, but for many of her early years, it was home.

Sunset had always had a talent for magic, even at such an early age. It came as no surprise to the matrons when she earned a spot at Princess Celestia’s School for Gifted Unicorns. It was almost expected by that point. The matrons, bless their hearts, managed to scrape together enough money to pay for her tuition and send her on her way. It wasn’t cheap, Sunset knew that much. One day, when Sunset had wealth and power of her own, she would repay the favor. That act of kindness set her on the path she stood on today.

It was during her time at Celestia’s school that she was discovered by the Princess of the Sun herself. Everypony back in the orphanage figured that Sunset would go on to be something with her magical talent, but their approval meant nothing when compared to Celestia’s. The Princess saw something in her, raw potential that she could shape and mold, and took Sunset under her wing. Sunset Shimmer had been Celestia’s personal pupil ever since, and she had excelled. She wanted nothing more than Celestia’s approval and pride, for although Celestia found a student, Sunset found something much more precious: a mother.

Or at least the closest thing an orphan like her could have to one.

Still, Sunset always wondered. She had to come from somewhere, right? She didn’t just pop into the world fully formed as a filly. Everypony had parents, had a family… So what happened to hers? How did she wind up in that orphanage?

It was a thought that nagged at the back of her head for years. It nagged and nagged until eventually Sunset just couldn’t ignore it anymore. Finding her family would be difficult, but she wasn’t Celestia’s best student for nothing. She scoured the library, searching for a tome that would give her the spell she needed. A spell that would show her the way to her family. Eventually she found one. It was a simple thing, a genealogy tracker of sorts. Like a compass that would show her the way to her closest living relative. With a few modifications, Sunset had a version of the spell that would specifically point her to her parents… dead or alive.

The how was established, all she needed now was permission. Sunset Shimmer approached Princess Celestia with her proposal, for a small leave of absence so she could search for her origins. Celestia had known this day would come for some time, and gave her approval. She gave her student provisions and a sack of bits, to sustain her on what could be a long journey. Celestia only had one command to give to her student in return, “Come back to me, my little pony.”

And so, Sunset Shimmer set out from Canterlot in search of her lost family.

Her journey was neither a long nor an arduous one, for she had the resources of the crown on her side, and with the help of her spell she knew exactly where to go. In a few days’ time, Sunset Shimmer found herself standing outside the entrance of a quaint little village: Sire’s Hollow.

It looked… peaceful. Rustic. Like a thousand small villages littered throughout Equestria. Could she imagine herself growing up here? Sunset wasn’t sure. She had spent most of her life among the hustle and bustle of Canterlot. She was the pony she was as a result of growing up in that environment. Would she have turned out differently if she had been raised in a place like this?

Sunset wandered into town, taking in the sights as she went. This felt like a place that hadn’t really changed much in decades. A place trapped in the past, or at the very least used the façade of it. The locals were friendly enough, though. They waved and greeted her, and she nervously waved back. She wasn’t totally bereft of politeness, after all. Still, she was close, she could feel it. The spell was tingling at the back of her horn. This was the place…

Oh, Celestia, she was going to meet her parents today.

Feeling a sudden surge of anxiety, Sunset ducked into the nearest shop. It turned out to be a bakery, and the scent of freshly baked bread was a balm to her nerves. When was the last time she had eaten, anyway? On the train ride over? Yes… getting a small snack would give her time to collect her thoughts. Besides, no good work was ever done on an empty stomach.

She approached the counter and examined its wares. Hmm, not as much variety as a Canterlot bakery, but it would suffice. She wasn’t in the mood for anything extravagant anyway. The baker was a rather hefty earth pony with a peculiar shade of light green fur and an even more peculiar handlebar mustache.

“Morning, stranger! What can I do you for?” He asked cheerily.

“I’m just here for a light snack. A muffin or two will suffice.” Sunset replied, quite obviously distracted with her own thoughts.

The baker nodded and bent down to grab the muffins, talking as he put them in a plain brown paper bag. “You have good taste, ma’am, that’ll be five bits. So what brings you to Sire’s Hollow? We don’t usually get many visitors coming into town.”

Ah, of course he would hone in on her foreignness. This seemed like the type of place where everypony knew everypony else. “Nothing much.” She replied simply as she levitated the bits out of her satchel and onto the counter. “I’m… looking for something, you could say.”

“Looking for something?” The baker questioned, putting the bits into the old cash register. “Not sure what you could be searching for that would bring you all the way out here. But I’m always happy to help somepony who needs it! What are you looking for, Miss…?”

“Sunset.” She replied with a slight smile. “Sunset Shimmer. I’m looking for… well, family, I suppose. I want to… reconnect with some relatives I know live out this way.”

At the mention of her name, the baker narrowed his emerald eyes slightly and gave her a rather obvious once over. “Family, you say…” He muttered, stroking his stubbled chin with his hoof. “You got a name for these relatives of yours?”

Sunset shook her head. “Can’t say that I do. I just know that they live here, in Sire’s Hollow.”

“Sunset Shimmer…” The baker repeated slowly. “If you don’t mind me asking, can you show me your cutie mark?”

She shot him a strange look, but figured that the stallion knew what he was doing, so she turned to the side and lifted her saddlebags, showing off her sun-shaped cutie mark.

The stallion’s expression shifted from curiosity to certainty. “There’s only one family of ponies in this town that have cutie marks like that. And names, for that matter… I wasn’t sure at first, but you definitely have the right coloring. The resemblance is obvious, when I think about it. The pony you’re looking for is Stellar Flare; I have no doubt in my mind.”

“Stellar Flare…” Sunset repeated reverently, like she had discovered the last piece of a grand puzzle. A puzzle she had been trying to solve all her life.

The stallion nodded. “She runs the Development Committee for the town. Although, ah, I fear you might be a bit disappointed if you’re looking for more than just her.”

Sunset’s brow furrowed in confusion. “Why’s that?”

“Ah, well, you see…” The baker immediately became flustered as he tried to explain. “It’s not really my place to say, but… ah… Stellar and her husband, Sunspot, they, er, separated pretty recently.”

That… caught Sunset by surprise. “Separated? Why?” It wasn’t exactly unheard of. Rare, but not unheard of. The nobles back in Canterlot did so every now and then, but it was always a huge scandal when it happened. But now… at least she knew the name of her father, even if he wasn’t around here anymore. It might even be easier, just meeting one parent at a time. Easier on her nerves, at least.

“Nopony really knows.” The baker admitted with a shrug of his shoulders. “They kept it real private-like. I can imagine why. Something like that is already difficult enough without the community gossiping. Not to mention how their poor kid is handling it. Last I heard, Stellar sent a letter out to that school of his but she hasn’t heard anything back since.”

Sunset’s brain abruptly halted.

“Their… kid?” She asked tentatively, holding tight to her rapidly beating heart lest it fall to pieces.

The baker nodded. “Yeah, Sunburst. Smart colt, that one. Heard he made it into some fancy magic school in Canterlot.”

It was like her entire world fractured and turned a bloody shade of crimson. She didn’t even realize that she was galloping out the door until the baker called out behind her, “Miss, you forgot your muffins!”

But Sunset didn’t care. She didn’t care about some stupid muffins right now. She had to find her. She had to find Stellar Flare, and get some bucking answers. They’d had a kid! They threw her away and then went on to have another kid. Did she really mean so little to them? Was she not good enough? Sunset didn’t know, but she sure as hell was going to find out.

She reactivated her spell and followed it beat for beat. She followed it down dirt roads and into musty alleys, until finally she arrived at a pristine looking cottage painted in all sorts of pastels. Sunset trotted up to the door and rapped her hoof against it, fury pouring out of every pore.

“I’m coming, I’m coming!” A distinctively female voice called out from behind it. “You don’t need to be so insistent.”

The door opened to reveal a middle aged mare with a dark orange coat and a burnt red mane. At least, Sunset assumed she was middle aged. The only indication of any real age was the slight wrinkles under her eyes and her manestyle, which was just so… suburban mother incarnate. She had pale splotches on her hooves, wore a pearl necklace, and a dark blue collar with a silver buckle in the shape of a triangle. Most importantly, she had a sun shaped cutie mark with a small swirl in the center.

There wasn’t a doubt in Sunset’s mind. This was Stellar Flare. And she was looking at Sunset like somepony had just puked on her doorstep.

“May I help you with something?” Stellar Flare asked, like it would be some great inconvenience if the answer was yes.

“You’re Stellar Flare.” Sunset commented emotionlessly. It wasn’t a question. This was Stellar Flare; she knew so in her heart of hearts. All of the anger and rage Sunset had been feeling since leaving the bakery had coalesced and compacted tight in her chest. It was like she was so livid that she had rounded back and become deathly calm.

“Yes, that’s me.” Stellar replied, her tone one of impatience. “Are you just going to stand there gawking all day?”

“You… you don’t recognize me?”

“Should I?” Stellar asked as she pursed her lips. “I meet a lot of ponies, dear; you really can’t expect me to remember them all, can you?”

It was like something inside of her cracked.

“No, I suppose I can’t.” Sunset replied, her voice altogether too quiet. Her expression was taught and tightly controlled. “Still, I would have hoped you, of all ponies… That you would recognize me.”

“Are you on drugs?” Stellar tutted, looking incredibly unimpressed. “You have the wrong house. You have the wrong pony. Now, if you’ll excuse me…”

Stellar Flare moved to shut the door in Sunset’s face, but Celestia’s student caught it with her teal magic. She ripped the entire door off its hinges and threw it into the yard, wooden splinters flying everywhere.

“Young lady!” Stellar screeched, utterly aghast at the display of violence. “How dare you! I will have your name and make you pay for the damages, do you hear me! In all my years, I have never seen such a wanton display of barbari-“

“SUNSET SHIMMER!” Came the furious reply, cutting Stellar off completely.

Everything fell to a silence so palatable that a dropped pin could be heard for miles. Stellar Flare looked at the mare before her with ever growing horror, a dawning realization crossing her features.

“S-S-Sunset…” Stellar Flare stuttered in complete shock.

“Yeah! Sunset Shimmer! Now do you recognize me?!” Sunset roared, tromping into what could have been her childhood home.

Stellar scampered back, all that bravado she previously had flying out the window.

“Gee, Stellar, lovely place you got here.” Sunset sneered as she glanced around at her surroundings. “Must have been nice. Living here all these years. Must have been a great bucking place to raise a family, huh?”

“Now, Sunset, you have to understand-” Stellar sputtered out before Sunset cut her off once more.

“NO!” Sunset cried out, using her magic to shut Stellar Flare’s mouth for her. “I don’t bucking know what I expected. I had hoped, HOPED, that when I finally met my parents… I’d, I don’t know, be lovingly embraced or their long lost daughter or something! Is that unrealistic? Fantastical? Maybe! But it was all I had to keep me going for years. Bucking years!”

Stellar tried to speak once more, but Sunset still kept her muzzle shut tight.

“And when I finally find you after all these years, what do you do…? You treat me like garbage, you accuse me of being high, and you try to slam the door in my bucking face before I can even introduce myself! What the actual FUCK is your deal?! Do you treat everypony like this?!”

Stellar finally managed to break free of Sunset’s magic using her own, and tried valiantly to respond… Only to come up short. “Sunset, I… You don’t understand! It’s been so rough, It’s been a dreadful year and I-”

“Oh, yeah, the divorce. I heard alllll about that on my way into town.” Sunset snorted. “Can’t say I blame the guy. Sunspot, was it? If you were as bitchy to him as you were to me, then no wonder he cut and run.”

“Young lady!” Stellar reared back like she had just been slapped. Any shock that came from the revelation of her long lost daughter was promptly replaced by a familiar, seething anger. “I don’t know how you get off on coming in here and spouting accusations like that! I don’t care if you are my daughter, you will not speak to me in such a manner! I demand respect and-”

“And what?” Sunset questioned abruptly. “Are you serious? You throw me away like I was nothing and then you actually demand my respect?! In what way have you earned it? Newsflash, Stellar, you didn’t fucking want me! You don’t fucking get to call me your daughter! And, oh my fuck, you’ve had it rough? YOU’VE HAD IT ROUGH?! I grew up without any parents! I had to struggle and scrape by for every little thing! I worked my flank off just to get a modicum of respect and recognition! Oh, yeah, you had it so rough. So rough you figured you’d have another kid and then not kick this one out before she could walk!”

Stellar was taken aback. “Sunset, your father and I, you have to understand. We were so young… I’m so sor-”

“Save it.” Sunset growled. “I don’t want to hear it. There is absolutely nothing you can do to make up for this. To make up for my lost childhood. I came to this town to find my origins, to see where I came from, to finally meet my parents. But all I’ve found are broken dreams and a miserable mare. I don’t want your forgiveness. I don’t want you at all. You already basically disowned me, so I guess this doesn’t bucking amount to much, but now I’m disowning you. You’re not my mother. You never have been.”

Stellar Flare collapsed to the ground, tears freely pouring down her face, although she didn’t do much to acknowledge them. “I gave you your name.” The older mare sobbed. “I brought you into this world. I carried you to term for nine months.”

“And that gives you some kind of right to me? You gave up any claim on me when you put me up for adoption.”

“I’m your mother!”

“No! You’re not! I don’t have a mother! And the closest thing I have to it sure as hell isn’t you! It’s Princess Celestia!”

The older mare looked shocked at that. “Princess…?”

Sunset blinked, and then a devilish sneer crossed her face. “Yeah. Princess Celestia. She took me in. Gave me a home. Taught me all about magic. I’m her personal student, you know. I live in the castle. I eat breakfast, lunch, and dinner with her. And then one day, I… I… I’m going to become a princess too! Yeah! I’m going to be Princess Sunset Shimmer! So in a roundabout way, I really should be thanking you. I never would have come this far if I had stayed here, in the middle of nowhere. So thank you for giving me up! Thank you for not wanting me! Because you can’t even begin to compare to my real mom. I would have been squandered here! I probably would have ended up a miserable, nobody mare just like you! But now… Now I’m going to be everything. And Celestia is going to show me the way.”

Sunset turned around and began to trot away, her quest here finished. She had said everything she needed to say. But as she reached the hole where a door used to be, she turned and glanced back at Stellar Flare one last time.

“…Tell my baby brother that I said hi. I hear he’s a real chip off the old block.”

Without another word, Sunset Shimmer walked out of that broken home and began her journey back to Canterlot. She left behind the broken and sobbing mare behind her and put her out of her mind completely. This wasn’t her home, this wasn’t her family, and that certainly wasn’t her mother. Only Celestia had that right. And Sunset was going to make damn sure that she made her proud. She’d fulfill her destiny and reach her full potential, just like Celestia wanted. Just like she wanted.

Everypony would know the name Princess Sunset Shimmer one day. She’d show everypony that she was worth it.

#;drabble #;headcanon

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frosty-the-killer-doll · 5 years

Text

HC: Moondancer

I hate that Moondancer is made to be Twilight's bitter carbon copy, right down to her design. Overall the show kind of portrays introverts as evil and/or rude assholes. I don't see Moondancer like that. I think of her as a salty, sassy, commanding mare, with a hint of pettiness and a dash of superiority, yet still an well-meaning introvert at heart. Just because she doesn't take anybody's shit doesn't mean that she's an ass. Well, she's mostly not a complete dick. Sometimes.

Moondancer was raised primarily in Canterlot, a student of Celestia's (boarding) School For Gifted Unicorns. She had strong magical power from the start, and her being accepted into Princess Celestia's good graces only focused her more on her goal.

Since she was a young filly, she had to watch her older half-siblings-- Sunset Shimmer, Sunburst, and Starlight Glimmer-- rise to beloved students of the Alicorn Sisters, and not only had they both abandoned Celestia, but Moondancer too.

Her mother Stellar Flare's pressure and her father Firelight's constant cooing honed Moondancer's wish to succeed, to be her aging parents' golden child; their good legacy. Maybe then, they would stop comparing her to her sisters and brother. Maybe they would stop missing their runaway children, if Moondancer could become everything they had both wanted for their kids.

Moondancer put emphasis on trying to be a Canterlot filly. She grew colder to her friends, more resolved to let others play while she focused on rising through the ranks. Soon the only pony she would still call a friend was Twilight Sparkle.

It seemed that Twilight was just born with her abilities, her overreaching smarts. That fact become clear to Moondancer as Twilight became the best student, even as Moondancer had been working so much harder than her. A resentment began to fester for the purple filly. It was unfair, blatantly ridiculous, that Twilight Sparkle could do these things so easily compared to Moon. Twilight didn't deserve the attention; what had she done to get it? Be born? Even that was for her mother to thank!

As the seed of their inevitable failed friendship was planted, Moony also began to have a fixation with her friend... She began dressing like her, and even styled her mane the same way. Moondancer turned into a recolored mirror of the girl she would soon hate. Perhaps if Moondancer had all the same qualities as Twilight, Celestia would pay her mind...

That hope was shattered the day Celestia announced Twilight as her pupil.

The dislike Moondancer had held for Twilight grew into hatred. Twilight did nothing to earn her powers, NOTHING. Why wasn't Moondancer good enough? She was. She is! Moondancer deserved to be in Twilight's place. She deserved to be the apple of Celestia's eye, not some common kid! Moony deserved to be Twilight.

Under Celestia, Twilight would become reclusive to her studies. Her desire to be with her friends would slowly start to fickle. Her contact with them was irregular throughout their childhood and even more into adultescence. Meanwhile, Moondancer had become obsessed with being top dog.

Moony wormed her way into popular, wealthy social circles, hoping the Princesses would notice her (she became Blueblood's acquaintance through this). She threw herself into her studies, but to a much unhealthier extent than Twilight. Her sleep schedule was chaotic, she would go days forgetting to eat, and didn't bother with personal hygiene anymore, preferring to just pull her mane in a ponytail and be done with it.

Moondancer put on a smile for her friends-- Lyra Heartstrings, Minuette, Lemon Hearts, Twinkleshine and Twilight-- because they did still mean something to her. They offered her an escape from her worries, insecurities, and addiction. She valued them highly, but not as much as Twilight. She still thought Twilight didn't deserve what she had, but her unreceptive rivalry had a twinge of something else. She wanted to be Twilight, yes, but at the same time, she wanted to be with Twilight... A part of her wanted to share Celestia, for Twi.

Eventually, Twilight Sparkle fell back into their lives naturally, and was again a more prominent (if not unappreciative) friend. With Twilight back, Moondancer began to leave her shell. She realized that Twilight was just a pony, like her; that she wasn't something to be hated over who could cast spells better. She was Moondancer's friend.

And that all crumbled when Twilight ditched Moony's party. But you know her story from there. Humiliated and abanonded by the pony she cared most for, Moondancer felt rejected, like she truly wasn't good enough. She wasn't enough to be anybody important, much less the special somepony of Celestia's pupil. Moondancer wasn't a golden child. She was a failure, just like that voice in the back of her head had always whispered. She didn't deserve the things she had-- not yet, anyways.

The light and joy Moondancer had once found with her friends flickered out. She lashed out at them constantly, missed their plans and left them hanging, all in favor of studying to be worthy. Quickly, they were gone from her life.

Years passed before Twilight would return to reconnect with what she had thrown away like trash. In that time, Moondancer became a lonely, frustrated, surly stranger, to herself and to Canterlot. Her interactions with other ponies were short, curt, and filtered by harsh words on Moon's part. She had pushed away her doting parents, her only friends, and ponies she didn't know, because that voice still told her that she wasn't powerful enough, pretty enough, good enough to lead a happy life.

Then the so-called Princess of Friendship crashed back into Moondancer's life with half-baked apologies and clear embarrassment. Moondancer saw through this. Twilight wasn't back because she felt bad, she was back because she wanted an excuse to not feel guilty. As soon as Lyra, Lemon, Minuette, Twinkle and Dancer had accepted the Alicorn's sorries, she would be gone again.

Moondancer refused to give Twilight the luxury of feeling just. She refuted Twi's efforts at every turn, until the Princess set up a party for Moony. In a fit of rage and emotion, Moondancer lashed out at Twilight, finally breathing her frustrations out. When she's done, she crumbles in tears, like a scared foal.

And yet, Twilight helps her. Maybe if she's worthy of Twilight's forgiveness... She has value in this world after all. Perhaps it wouldn't be so terrible for her to be happy.

In time, Moondancer manages to believe in her own self worth. She whole-heartedly navigates the uncertain path to friendship with her old group. It's too much to really be close with Twi, the object of her obsession for years, but Moondancer hopes that someday, she can be Twilight's best friend again. And yes, that's all she wants for Twi now. She let her mane down and found who she is again.

That isn't to say Moony becomes a sunshine and rainbows lady. There's nothing wrong with being an introvert. She just became a less rude figure to friendship, more open about her good heart, ready to help, and open to discuss her feelings.

Her scars had mostly healed by the time she met a mister Zephyr Breeze. Given a second chance at being a Royal Guard (favor to Fluttershy), Zephyr was tasked with being Grand Duke Blueblood's escort. While the pair crossed Moondancer, Zephyr Breeze decided to give it a shot at flirting with the mare. Moon's reply was "fuck off and die, good sir." She didn't even bother looking at him.

The pure disinterest Moony held for romance seemed to strengthen Zephyr Breeze. Blueblood's daily walk around Canterlot crossed Moondancer's way to the library she owned, so Zephyr ran into her many times. At every dumb, cheesy pick-up, Moondancer got more and more flustered. Zephyr took this as her surrendering to his charms (i mean who wouldn't right).

Blueblood flatly argued against that. He saw the failed pick-ups as pathetic, and Moondancer was probably just getting pissed by now. Zephyr Breeze wasn't on the track to romance, or even just getting into Moon's bed, he was simply an idiot.

Zephyr Breeze taunted that if Blueblood knew so much about mares, why didn't he have one for himself? No pony would reject him, Blueblood replied, all of Equestria loved him. Zephyr responded with mocks, so Blueblood decided he would prove it!

Just as Moondancer was about to walk by them, Blueblood stopped her and asked her on a date, pouring all of his superficial charm into his honey-glazed words.

And Moondancer's retort was the same. Except this time, she looked into his eyes before she brushed past them. "Fuck off and die."

And so the two stallions began competing for Moondancer's hoof in dating. They showered the lady in compliments, gifts, and showed off whenever she was near. Slowly, Moondancer warmed up to the idiots, enough to call them somewhat friends. Moondancer walked up to them when the two were having a hissy fit over who she would choose in the end.

She shrugged and said, "we'll see, shitheads."

Years later, she became a Grand Duchess of Canterlot. Her other husband Zephyr loves calling himself Canterlot's Prince.

Other notes~

- Moondancer wears a golden wedding ring on her horn, a black sweater, red bowtie and a pink skirt.

- During that "i'm not worthy of anything" phase of her life, Moondancer developed an eating disorder. Back then, it made her feel in control. She looks bad to that and cringes.

- Zephyr Breeze eventually quit his job as a Royal Guard to pursue his dream of being a hairstylist full-time. Blueblood helped getting him a job at a homey, plain barber shop, which Zephyr Breeze would turn into a flashy, high tell establishment for celebrities.

- Shortly after amending fences with Twi, Moondancer turned Twilight's old tower into a functioning library. She works there part-time. Her main gig is a teacher at her old school.

- Stellar Flare is the mother of Sunset Shimmer and Sunburst, whose father is decreased. Firelight is Starlight Glimmer's dad, whose wife left Starlight as a foal. The pair got together when their respective younger kids (Starlight and Burst) were away at their boarding schools. They dated for a long while, eventually marrying and having Moondancer, who is a decade younger than her youngest half-sis Glimmer. The two are still together in the Parent Map. So yes, Starlight and Sunburst are step siblings in Harmonyverse.

- Moondancer was Lyra's best mare at Lyra and Bonbon's wedding. In Harmonyverse, Bonbon and Lyra are child-free by choice.

- Moondancer lost contact with Starlight during the lilac pony's cult years. She knew nothing of Glim's actions back then. She now is pen pals with her big sister. Moony also got back in touch with Sunburst.

- All of Moondancer's kids were surprises, but welcomed with open arms. It doesn't matter who their "real" father is (Zephyr or Blue), because they both are. Their childrens' names are Lady Winifred Evelyn Aaliyah, Lady Midas Miriam Marquita, Lord Jupiter John Herald, Lady Bellevue Alice Tallulah, and Lord Gale Maximus Rigel.

Jesus fuck did I get attached to this one-off or wHAT. I wuv my petty salty bitch. Don't use this headcanon in your own works without permission from me and don't use my art either ✌️

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deltabrony7 · 5 years

Text

MLP Season 9 Adventures: Delta’s Plan to Revive Galeem and Dharkon

*Meanwhile at the school of friendship, Delta Brony was doing a show and tell with the students. He reveals a clip of Galeem and Dharkon*

[Delta Brony] “Galeem and Dharkon battled for supremacy to determine who controls the world. If Galeem wins, then the light would consume the universe, but if Dharkon wins, the world would be swallowed in darkness. The heroes found another way to save the day as they fought both at the same time. The battle was a success, and all the spirits were free from Galeem and Dharkon’s control. These two remain as of today.”

[Yona] “Yona like the part where Galeem and Dharkon shot lasers at each other.”

[Smolder] “So these heroes were consumed by thousands of ribbon-like laser beams?”

[Delta Brony] “That’s right Smolder. Not even the one with a shield could defend against those.”

[Gallus] “So, what are you going to do with them?”

[Delta Brony] “I might send them to a museum in Manehattan so everypony can see.”

[Silverstream] “I would LOVE to go to Manehattan one day!!”

[Delta Brony] “Oh you’ll get your chance sooner or later.”

*bell rings*

[Delta Brony] “Class dismissed everyone.”

*The students began to dismiss and Delta Brony went outside with Starlight Glimmer*

[Delta Brony] “Thanks for letting me become a substitute today. Everyone enjoyed it.”

[Starlight Glimmer] “No problem. You are always welcome to teach our students and... huh.. Twilight, Pinkie and the others?”

[Delta Brony] “Hey... the ponies. What are they looking a... Oh no!”

[Twilight Sparkle] “Delta, Starlight, I’m so glad that you’re here. Look who decided to show up.”

*They ponies see Gaea Everfree turning around and says...*

[Gaea Everfree] “Hello ponies. Did you miss me?”

[Applejack] “Easy for you to say.”

[Twilight Sparkle] “Be careful everypony. She can use her magic to make her vines emerge from the ground. And also... she on the Trix’s side.”

[Delta Brony] “Honestly Twilight, you are mistaken.”

[Twilight Sparkle] “What?”

[Delta Brony] “That is Gloriosa Daisy. She used the geodes to become this monster and tried to destroy Camp Everfree.”

[Rainbow Dash] “Gloriosa? Never heard that name before...”

[Delta Brony] “That’s because she’s from the other world Rainbow!!”

[Twilight Sparkle] (gasp) “Now I remember, the other Twilight, Sunset Shimmer, and the other Rainbow Dash and others, they were there to save me.”

[Delta Brony] “You kidding?”

[Twilight Sparkle] “No I am not. Gaea Ever.. I mean... Gloriosa... whoever you call her was there with the other one that looks like me.”

[Delta Brony] “Midnight Sparkle. I’m gonna get to the bottom of this Twilight.”

[Gaea Everfree] “Well well well, look what we have here. Are you here to tell me what your friends are up to?”

[Delta Brony] “No, but I want to ask you some questions. How did you find the statue in Canterlot High? And where are your geodes Gloriosa. i thought Sunset Shimmer and her friends turn you back to normal.”

[Gaea Everfree] “Portal? Gloriosa? Hahahahahahaha!! You sound familiar. Was it... Delta?”

[Delta Brony] “You’re looking at him.”

[Gaea Everfree] “You look just like a pony. The last time I saw you, you was human and you created us with Sci Twi and Gloriosa’s DNA.”

[Delta Brony] “Wait what... I don’t recal.... (pause)”

[Fluttershy] “What’s wrong Delta?”

[Delta Brony] “Fluttershy... I think I found the truth.”

[Fluttershy] “What truth?”

[Delta Brony] “The Human me... has somehow created a clone of Midnight Sparkle and Gaea Everfree!!”

[Twilight Sparkle] “Are you sure?!”

[Delta Brony] “Yes. I am sure. But we have a problem... where is Midnight?!”

[Gaea Everfree] “Hahahahaha!! I disposed of her because I wanted this world to myself.”

[Delta Brony] “So you have gone rogue. I am convinced.”

[Gaea Everfree] “Apparently, the other Twilight has defeated me in battle!”

[Delta Brony] “I can’t believe it... I missed all of that. I could have been THERE!! I could have warn the other me LONG AGO!! I promise you, I will not make that mistake again. Twilight, everypony, let’s end her charade once and for all.”

[Gaea Everfree] “Oh, you won’t be fighting me. Cause me and the so called Trix will have other plans for you once we come back. Hahahahahahahahaha!!”

*Gaea Everfree flees from the scene*

[Twilight Sparkle] “Least she won’t be harming us.”

[Delta Brony] “Phew. Good riddance. But I still can’t believe the human Delta would do such a thing.”

[Rarity] “Maybe he was very suspicious darling.”

[Delta Brony] “Yes. If I discuss some things with him, maybe he won’t do it again.”

[Twilight Sparkle] “That would be good. I don’t mind.”

[Delta Brony] “Well, I’ll see you later.”

[Twilight Sparkle] “See ya Delta.”

*Delta trots with the Galeem Orb and Dharkon’s Eye and searches for a way to revive the two.*

[Delta Brony] “There’s gotta be a way to resurrect the two beings. I want to surprise Twilight and her friends.”

*Delta uses his magic to search for someone who can bring Galeem and Dharkon back to life.*

[Delta Brony] “Come on... come one... give me something great.”

*Then, Nintendy looks through the window and sees Delta finding a way to revive the two. Suddenly, it reveals a round figure for Delta. Nintendy is shocked.*

[Delta Brony] “(gasp) YES!!”

*Then, Nintendy barges into Delta’s home and says...”

[Nintendy] “NO!!”

[Delta Brony] “Nintendy!! What are you doing here?!!”

[Nintendy] “I’m putting an end to you Delta. One way or another!! I received word from Palutena. She has predicted that you are going to revive Galeem and Dharkon to take over Equestria. YOU ARE GOING TO BE THE ENDBRINGER TO EVERYPONY!!”

[Delta Brony] “You knew?”

[Nintendy] “Yes. Soon, you will no longer be the pony Equestria deserves. Twilight Sparkle, her friends, even Princess Celestia will NOT TRUST YOU ANYMORE!!”

[Delta Brony] “You want to know the truth? I see a world where I can rule. A place that I can roam. Infested with MY loyal subjects that can embrace the light. When I heard Princess Celestia and Luna saying that they will let Twilight and her friends rule Equestria, I know what I had to do. That’s why I want to resurrect Galeem and Dharkon. But in order for me to do that...”

[Nintendy] “...You have to summon Galactic Nova and make a wish.”

[Delta Brony] “Haha!! So... you finally know what I am about to do. If you try to stop me, then you might as well forget it. Because I have THIS!!”

*Delta Brony pulls out the Phantom Ruby as he is going to teleport out of Equestria

[Nintendy] “NOOOO!!!”

*It was too late... Delta has already warped away before Nintendy could stop him.*

[Nintendy] “We could have been friends Delta!! YOU WILL DOOM US ALL!! TWILIGHT SPARKLE WILL FINALLY REALIZE THE REAL YOU!! THE REAL YOU!!”

*Meanwhile... at Grogar’s lair...*

[Grogar] “This... pony is up to something... he thinks he could take over Equestria all by himself. And that name... sounds familiar. Cause there’s another pony with a very similar name. The one who almost had Equestria as his stronghold. It would have been my opportunity if it weren’t for Gusty the Great. But since the pony wants to do his dirty work...”

*Grogar walks into a dark room, where he meets... and old and powerful pony,*

[Grogar] “Looks like your old nemesis has finally gave up his old pony act as his partnership with Twilight Sparkle and her friends have finally come to an end.”

*Then, the pony smiles evilly and laughs and reveals himself to be...*

[Omega Brony] “Good.”

To Be Continued...

#deltabrony7 #mlpseason9 #my little pony #friendship is magic

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livingthe24framelife · 4 years

Text

The Rise of Sunset Shimmer: Part 3

Five Months Later

Sunset Shimmer was on top of the world.

She had finally earned enough money to get her own apartment and best of all, her plan of ruling the school had been executed to perfection. The entirety of Canterlot High feared her and she had a boyfriend who was her own personal puppet. What made it even more perfect? The faculty were none the wiser. To the teachers Sunset was a good, hardworking girl. To the kids she was another thing entirely. Just one glance from her could send even the toughest student running. That kind of control, Sunset found, was just as, if not more potent than magic. However, as the months progressed and her fellow peers became more terrified of her with each passing day, one thought kept repeating in Sunset’s mind over and over again. Equestria. She kept wondering how Celestia was faring without her, or what was going on in the world she left behind. So, after weeks and weeks of thinking and rethinking, Sunset decided to put a stop to it.

It was a Saturday evening. While most of the Canterlot High students were at home, Sunset was having a serious bout of deja vu. She was right in front of the horse statue in the exact spot that she had stood in the night she had first come to the human world. Now she was about to go back to the place that only a few months prior she'd swore she'd never go back to again for what she called a "vacation.” Preparing herself for what was about to happen, Sunset got on all fours. Ironically, what had used to feel so second nature to her now felt as odd as walking on two legs had all those months ago. Staring at the portal, Sunset took a deep breath.

"I really hope I don't regret this.”

And with that Sunset crawled through the statue’s base and everything went black.

The next time Sunset opened her eyes, she found herself in the form of a pony once more. She turned around and gazed at her reflection in the opposite side of the mirror. It had been what felt like years since she'd had a horn and tail. Having a horn was the only thing Sunset had missed since leaving Equestria and she was glad to have it back. But something was off about the room she was in. It didn't really look like the one she'd gone into when she left. Trotting to a nearby window (with a few awkward stumbles here and there,) Sunset peered outside. What she saw shocked her. It wasn't Canterlot she was now in. It was the Crystal Empire! Sunset recognized the place from drawings from the royal archives. "But that's impossible. The Crystal Empire disappeared hundreds of years ago! How can be back!?" Her curiosity peaked, Sunset attempted a transportation spell to get her outside. A few unsuccessful attempts later, Sunset soon teleported right outside the room and onto streets paved of crystal.

“Are you going to the coronation?“

“Yeah! I can’t believe there’s a new princess after all these centuries!”

Sunset kept hearing similar conversations like this throughout the kingdom. Words like “coronation” and “the new princess” were being thrown around as if they were toy balls. It was starting to drive her a little nuts. “Seems like a lot has happened since I left. More than I thought.” That's when Sunset remembered her plan to check on Celestia. "Well, this is obviously not Canterlot. And that's where I need to go. With all these other ponies going to the coronation, I shouldn't draw too much attention." Quickly, Sunset galloped to the train station. Once there, she managed to obtain bits by stealing some from an unsuspecting passenger and then went to the ticket booth. "You goin' to Canterlot?" the ticket pony asked as he counted the money. Sunset nodded. The ticket pony chucked. "You and everypony else. They're all goin' to see Princess Twilight's coronation." Sunset grimaced a bit. "So I've heard." The stallion finished counting up his pay and gave Sunset her ticket. "Enjoy your trip!" He said eagerly. Sunset gave a weak smile. "Thanks." she said as she boarded the train.

The train ride to Canterlot took at least an hour and a half, giving Sunset enough time to jog her memory of what her old world looked like, which she nearly forgotten about. Soon, the vibrations and rhythmic sound of the train tracks caused Sunset to doze off. By the time she woke up, the train was moments from pulling into Canterlot station. Sunset then followed a growing procession towards the castle. So many ponies had come from all over the land to see Equestria's new princess. So many, in fact, that Sunset ended up in the very far back of the audience. Lucky for her, she knew a sight enhancement spell that allowed her to see what was going on more clearly. Finally, Princesses Celestia and Luna emerged. Sunset was stunned. First the Crystal Empire, and now Luna?! A lot truly had changed. Suddenly, somepony unfamiliar to Sunset came out. An alicorn mare with a lavender coat and dark purple mane with pink streaks. It must've been the new princess, Twilight Sparkle. The new royal went on to say how Celestia had encouraged her to make friends and how those same friends had changed her so much. Sunset went numb. The princess was Celestia's latest student.

Her replacement.

Once Twilight's speech ended, the crowd soon dispersed. Some headed to the castle gates for the after party, others simply went home. Not Sunset. Instead, she went to a local cafe to clear her head. She was so caught up over what she just witnessed that the cashier had to wave her hoof in front of her face to bring her back to the present. Now sitting at a table, Sunset kept reliving her memory of the coronation. She recalled seeing the ponies Twilight had called her friends. They seemed familiar. Not just that, but the jewel in the princess's crown looked familiar as well. Finally, Sunset remembered. The jewel was no ordinary jewel. It was the Element of Magic. The centerpiece and most powerful of the Elements of Harmony. If Sunset had that in her possession, she would be unstoppable. She needed that crown! But there was no way she'd be able to get it now. She'd draw too much attention. Sunset's thoughts turned again to Twilight's friends. By now, she remembered seeing their human counterparts in one of the old high school yearbooks. The class favorites page declared them "Best Friends." A lightbulb went off abruptly in Sunset's head. While she couldn't do anything to their friendship in this world, she could, however, do a whole lot of damage to it in the other one. By the time Sunset returned to the Crystal Empire and went back through the portal, she had thought up of two ingenious plans. She would get the Element of Magic. She would become an all powerful alicorn princess. All she needed to do was to bide her time.

And Sunset had plenty on her hands. Besides, she had another plan that would keep her busy.

End of Part 3

#mlp #the rise of sunset shimmer #my fanfics

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incorrectmlpquotes · 7 years

Text

I watched My Little Pony: Equestrian Girls (2013)

Or: This wasn’t what I signed up for when I started watching this show, but now I’m suckered in.

If I was better at planning things, I would have started with this review. But, here we are.

Some history As stated previously, I was not exactly excited to watch the Equestrian Girls movie (mainly because this commercial still haunts my nightmares). It was a lot better than I had expected, but that doesn’t mean it does;t have flaws. Lots and lots of flaws. The biggest of which being: this feels like fan fiction. Now, let me elaborate: I have seen a lot of people compare works to fan fiction implying that it’s bad or poorly written. That is not at all true or fair. Fan fiction can be complex and well-written and way more interesting than a lot of published fiction. But there are certain thing s a writer can get away with in fan fiction that doesn’t work in other writing. For example, in stories based on, say, a popular tv show, you don’t need to go into detail about a character’s appearance or characteristics because the reader already knows all of those details. A good writer uses a pre-established world and people to get right to the meat of a story and explore other aspects of them. That would be fine, except this movie was intended to be a back-door pilot to a new show. Let that sink in: they wanted to take a familiar and complex universe with a unique premise and make a high school au.

The high school au is actually an easy to understand phenomenon. The advice most given to young writers is “write what you know.” I’m not going to discuss whether or not this is good advice, but it does explain a few things. The average age for fan fiction writers is 12-20. What do people in this age know a lot about? The building they spend eight hours a day, five days a week for sixteen years sitting in, thinking about tv shows. Why shouldn’t they write bout their favorite characters doing the same? The problem arises when Hollywood executives who haven’t been in a high school for thirty years decide to screw up a simple concept by taking your favorite characters and using every high school cliche in the book. They do that so often in this movie, I made a bingo game for it. Feel free to play along:

Enough stalling, to the movie:

The film starts with the princess summit. If you didn’t see the (I can’t believe I’m writing this) controversial season three finale where resident brainiac Twilight Sparkle becomes a princess alicorn, too bad. This is not explained and will be a pretty important plot point. It is nice that they give some brief characterization at the beginning, but they don’t say the other Mane Six’s names. Didn’t this come out in theaters? A movie- even one based off a tv show- should provide this information so if someone who’s never seen the show watches it, they can understand the references. The Rugrats movies did it, the Wild Thornberrys movie did it, and this movie should have done it.

Perchance could this hooded figure that’s creeping about after dark be a villain? Meet Sunset Shimmer. She was Princess Celestia’s pupil who went rogue after her desire for great power overtook her good nature. Sound familiar?

No? Good

Ah plot contrivances . I understand that these are the bedrock to most movies based in magical universes, but it shouldn’t make me think “how convenient” every five minutes. Maybe I wouldn’t feel this way if it were actually explained what a moon means. They have days. They have months. They have years. HOW LONG IS A MOON? EXPLAIN YOUR UNIT OF TIME, EQUESTRIA!!!

Ok, Twilight’s reaction to being turned in to a human (?) is hilarious. I read that the writers made Spike a dog to avoid the weird dragon age implication, and it is pretty funny, but why does he know how she should act in this world? (And why does that outfit make her look like an anime character?)

I know they needed to get all the characters we the audience are familiar with into one long sight gag, but why is Diamond Tiara in a high school? How do ages translate in this universe? It’s things like this that reinforce the fan fiction argument

About the songs in this: they’re not great. They aren’t terrible by any means, but after season three (I actually quite enjoyed the songs in the finale) it’s a tad dissappointing

Over fourteen minutes in and we finally get to meet the Mane 6 doppelgängers and the villain antagonist of the piece. Aaaaand she’s a one-dimensional mean girl stereotype. Twilight can fight the literal spirit of chaos, but can she survive Regina George?

Actual Disney Princess Fluttershy. But how does she carry around any books without crushing those animals? My high school backpack would have squished Angel bunny

Princess Celestia: thousand year old omniscient being who raises the sun, demoted to a public high school principal. Not even a school board super intendant. It sucks to be you, babe. That design is beyond hideous btw

The instant they said “princess”, I just knew we were in for a ride. Look, that was the easiest comparison for what was going on in the MLP-verse, but the princess of a dance doesn’t really do anything. They get their pictures the school paper, and maybe the yearbook and that’s all. It’s not like she’s running for class president or something that would actually affect the student body

So are they seniors? There are three pictures of Sunset winning the title, so…

The moments of self-awareness are really jarring, especially because the principal just spoke to a new student without asking for transcripts or grades or anything

You know, maybe show a little more than just one scene of making Fluttershy cry (a feat so easy her pet rabbit does it on a regular basis) if you want me to believe that Sunset is so mean and scary. She’s not exactly Heather Chandler

If there is one phrase that needs to be expunged from screen-writers’ vocabulary, it is “rule the school.” It is quite possibly the single worst cliche I have ever seen and is usually the worst part of any high school movie. Maybe if Sunset was using her magic to control these people it would be different, but we don’t see that. The lunch room would be the perfect setting to showcase how she divides people in order to keep them weak (a la the Hunger Games), but no such luck

Some hilarious foreshadowing at the hands of Pinkie, and some flat exposition from Applejack. We get it! Sunset is a mean girl! Those exist, but it doesn’t make her an all-powerful villain! So far Rainbow Dash has been presented as a better antagonist than her. Your close friend can do more to stab you in the back than someone who’s shows up just complain about decorations

Sunset disrespected the cider! Kick her ass, AJ!

I’m really glad they found the only poorly-lit corner of the school to have the confrontation scene. But honestly, isn’t running unopposed kind of a pathetic way to win? Like, wouldn’t Sunset rather crush someone on her way to victory to establish dominance? The addition of the new mythos as to what happens when an element of harmony is brought to another universe is actually a nice addition, but I bet we won’t hear about it again until the climax

So the Main 6 5 were friends and something split them apart? I bet it must be something very serious to divide such a close friend group. Or perhaps a simple yet frustrating misunderstanding that ruins all suspense. Probably the latter. That photo of the younger characters is the most adorable thing i’ve ever seen, though

The moment I’ve been waiting thirty two minutes for: Rarity’s appearance! And it took me that long to figure out that they are basically all wearing the same outfit. I think this might be the case of designing for the merchandise before designing the characters: Doll skirts are waaaaaay easier to sew than doll pants, and those knee-high boots mean less anatomy to worry about. Did that toy line take off? I feel like I never see them in stores...

I suppose I should be asking why the school would care about someone they’ve never met doing something embarassing on a video, but in real life everyone would just assume Twilight was on drugs. Also, I’m pretty sure smear campaigns would get you disqualified from the race

So technology ruined their friendship. That’s not what’s said, but that is what’s being implied

This is the biggest example of how you can get by without detailed characterization in fan fiction but not published writing: the audience know what element each pony doppelgänger stands for because they’ve had three seasons to earn that trait. These characters have not. For the most part, none of them have even slightly acted like them. Rarity’s really the only one, being generous and helping someone she had never met hide from the crowd who has come to mock her shame. I suppose Fluttershy was kind, but Twilight stood up for her first and she was kind of just returning the favor. Applejack has’t had the chance to be honest (providing exposition does not count), Pinkie was visibly angry at one point, and and ending a friendship over a petty squabble is the exact opposite of loyalty. Rainbow Dash would not have ended the feud if Twilight hadn’t intervened. I know this is a seventy minute movie and they have to move the story along, but maybe have less montages and more exploration of character. Friendship is Magic parts 1 and 2 was only forty five minutes only and they managed to introduce a new world, characters, and a plot setup while keeping the story going

And just like that, the conflict is resolved. Rainbow’s design is HORRIBLE. What is up with that skirt? And more importantly: how does being bad at a sport mean you will be a good princess? Wouldn’t her willingness to fix a friendship say more about her character?

On to the annoying blue elephant in the room: I hate Flash Sentry. I hate him as a character plot device and I have no use for him. Here is what I have written in my notes for this scene:

Looking past the fact that only one main character has ever shown an interest in a romantic relationship, watching the normally competent and intelligent Twilight act awkward around a boy who (need I remind you) is a different species than she, makes me sick to my stomach. If you like him: fine. If you ship them: whatever. I do not care. This is not the worst ship I have seen come out of this show/movie, but he has no personality or character. He is generic “boy” character who could have been written out and the movie would have been the same. Every time he is in a scene, I roll my eyes and groan. That is all I’m going to say about him

Rarity being overly dramatic gives me life, but the speech about unity just beats you over the head with the movie’s message. I get the comparison, but being part of a school is not the same thing as being a part of a community or kingdom. The second you graduate, you stop caring about your high school. School pride is not the same thing as nationalism

So just to be clear: girl messes up using a copier = comedy gold. Group sings a frankly embarrassing song to the entire lunchroom = best thing ever, let’s vote for her. In real life, the principal would have just walked in and suspended all of them

Why on earth would they manually doctor the photos? It would be so much work to cut those things out. Is there no photoshop equivalent in this world? Why leave a paper trail? But, on the plus side, here is an actual dilemma! Twilight has to figure out another- Oh wait no, let’s resolve that instantly by having Blue Hair McThiscouldhavebeenliterallyanyone find the photos. It’s almost as if this scene was pointless.

Don’t flirt in front of the administer! Geez

Oh look, more conflict. Twilight has to get the crown and leave tonight. Maybe that scene did have a point. Some actual stakes, if this changed the plan to get the crown. But it doesn’t. We know they are going to redecorate the gym. This is just slowing down the plot and taking time away from developing the characters

This is a genuinely sweet scene with Spike. It is one of the best scenes in the whole movie, and it brings up a good point: Twilight feels alone because she is the only one who understands the full weight of what getting (or more importantly: possibly losing) the crown means, in this universe and her home. But she’s not alone because the people who are depending on her will support her and try to help no matter what the outcome is

HOW LONG IS THIRTY MOONS?!?!

Oh Pinkie Pie. You majestic creature

Oh my gosh, an actually appropriate reactions to a talking animal! Wow. Usually a movie like this would just have a character say, “huh, weird” and no one would react

So the conflict is once again resolved quickly. The problem is no more. This was slightly more satisfying because is did require other people to assist in fixing the gym, thereby bringing the divided school together, but it happened in one musical number. When you rush important plot points, they lose significance

Well, Twilight has six hours until she potentially loses her magic crown to the villain and is stuck in this world while Sunset takes over Equestrian, so IT’S TIME FOR A MAKEOVER MOTAGE!

The animals are helping Fluttershy get ready- this is proof she is a Disney Princess!

Ah yes, the formal cowboy hat. A staple of every dance

I don’t know anyone in real life who’s actually taken a limo to a dance

Remember how I said I wasn’t going to talk about Flash again? Well, I lied. His car screams “douche”, but his personality screams nothing at all because ewe know nothing about this character except he plays the guitar. Granted, that’s usually the amount of info we got about the love interest in a late nineties teen flick, but this isn’t one of those. Maybe instead of that soccer scene, they could have provided reasons for me to care about whether Twilight will dance with him. Just saying

The moment you’ve all been waiting for since it was set up in the first act has arrived. I know you were all on the edge of your seat wondering if Twilight would win.

Suspense is a tricky thing to do well. You need to build up to it without constantly reminding the audience to the point that they no longer care about it. There is a quote by Alfred Hitchcock that I’m not going to put in its entirety, but here’s the link, that basically says you can’t have a big Thing happen with no buildup. We know that something potentially bad could happen if Sunset gets the crown, but the majority of the movie has been about this darn dance. You almost forget just why Twilight wants to win, other than this is a high school movie. When you only leave fifteen minutes for the climax, with little to no build up (do we even know what Sunset can do?) it’s going to be unsatisfying. I might be putting way to much thought into this kids movie. But wait, no I’m not. This show is not one of the time-wasting cartoons of yore. It covers complex subjects and serious topics, so pardon me if I expect more out of them than cliche after cliche

In a rare display of actual villainy, Sunset offers Twilight a way home in exchange for the crown. This leads to one of the few scenes that shows her self-sacrifice: Twilight cares more about the safety of her home and her friends than her own comfort. I question what has Sunset actually accomplished there that’s so bad, but Twilight is acting noble (and I mean that in the most unsarcastic was possible)

And she just steals the crown. And becomes the most hilarious looking demon ever

How has no one pulled out their cell phone and videotaped this yet?

I question how effective the army of easily wounded humans would be against Equestrian, which is full of creatures who have magic, hooves, and stabbing horns, but whatever

What’s this? Could it be… the magic of friendship? Whoever could have guessed?

This magical pony transformation scene will really come back to haunt me (but at least no one said pony up)

If I’m being fair, this is basically what happened at the end of Friendship is Magic, part 2

So no one’s going to question what just happened? Has the internet desensitized them that much? Don’t act like you know what’s going on Celestia! And How are they going to explain the destroyed property to the insurance company?

Well, the evil has been defeated so it’s time for Twilight to go through the portal and return home. But not without a quick dance first

This scene is cute, I guess. And it is canon that Twilight can’t dance in horse form either

What was their backup plan if Twilight failed? Just wait around there?

Oh good, Twilight has the adventure of a lifetime so let’s end the movie on a really important note: talking about a boy. There’s your moral.

I know I nitpicked a lot (and overused “in real life”) but I do enjoy Equestria Girls. The first time I watched this movie, I was significantly more harsh than I should have been. It’s cute and mostly harmless, with some genuinely funny scenes. Despite the many many plot holes, it is an alright beginning to the series and most of the issues I took with this get resolved in later movies. The antagonist might me mostly absent and doesn’t play a huge role until the last fifteen minutes, but It’s worth sitting through this nonsense to see Sunset’s redemption arc. I don’t know how this would be as a standalone TV show, but there is a line of comics based on it that you can check out. 3.2/5 You know, for a universe that has a character named Cranky Doodle Donkey, Flash Sentry is still the worst name I have seen for a fictional character (and until I rewatched for this review, I thought his name was Flash Century). Here are some unused zingers I had for him: Flash Sentry sounds like a boy band from the early 2000s Flash Sentry sounds like a Flash Gordon fan fiction title Flash Sentry sounds like the name of a bankrupt film company Flash Sentry sounds like a character from Zoolander Flash Sentry sounds like a villain from Rocky IV Flash Sentry sounds like the name of a Fallout Boy song Flash Sentry sounds like the name of a horse that’s predicted to win the Triple Crown but trips during the Belmont … oh, I guess that joke’s not so funny when he’s actually a horse. But enough about me, what did you think? Were there too many scenes of Twilight not understanding the new world, or did those make the movie? Did Trixie have the best line in the entire movie? Will I get the sequel recap up in a timely manner?

#incorrect mlp quotes #mlp reviews #MLP Equestria Girls #equestrian girls review #MLP:FiM #incorrectmlpquotes

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singloom · 7 years

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2016 Anime/Animation Challenge ~ October

My Little Pony Season 6

Pastel coloured pony time! I think October is the Month of Pony, given I finished Season 6, watched The Legend of Everfree and rewatched the other Equestria Girls films. It's just that kind of month. Season 6 of My Little Pony follows the reformed Starlight Glimmer learning lessons of friendship from, who else, the Princess of Friendship, Twilight Sparkle and her awesome posse of friends. From a season opener about a royal Crystalling to her very first best friend and an unexpected return, Season 6 is Starlight Hour as she struggles to learn the importance of friendship and worries about being judged for her past mistakes. Very relatable. Except the whole enslaving/almost ending the world/kinda messing with time shenanigans.

Then again, we're not perfect. #lifelessonsiguess

Other episodes include Spike returning to the Land of Dragons to compete for the title of "Dragon Lord" (Gauntlet of Fire,) a Pony retelling of A Christmas Carol (A Hearth's Warming Tail,) a griffon seeking her cutie mark (The Fault in Our Cutie Marks,) Rainbow Dash butting heads with a Daring Do fan at a con (Stranger Than Fanfiction,) a fantasy role-playing session courtesy of Spike, Big Mac and Discord of all folks (Dungeons & Discords,) and Starlight Glimmer taking on evil with the most unexpected band of allies (To Where and Back.)

It only serves to make me wonder what Season 7 will have in store. Yay.

My Little Pony: Equestria Girls: The Legend of Everfree

Another Humanised Pony story, The Legend of Everfree takes our heroines camping in the woods on a school trip where Twilight Sparkle struggles with the aftermath of the previous film, trying to hide her darkness, while new found magical powers find theirselves to the Mane Six just in time to take on another magical threat.

The concept of the Mane Six and Sunset gaining powers is very interesting and it's fun to see how they are utilised (though never let Pinkie Pie near anything fragile, please.) Twilight's struggles with darkness are similar to Sunset in Rainbow Rocks and their friendship is a strong part of the film.

My only qwuibbles were around the less appealing opening song (compared to the other films,) another love interest character introduced for Twilight Sparkle though Timber Spruce isn't completely unlikeable, and Filthy Rich suddenly becoming a villain for simplicity sake in this feature. Other than that, it was an enjoyable piece to the Equestria Girls series, especially with the post credits stinger.

Orenchi No Furo Jiyo

Short anime about a young man that takes care of a mermaid in his bathtub. No, really. The everyday comedy of Tatsumi looking after Wakasa is an endearing way to pass the time, especially when other hybrid humans start popping in to say hello, like Takasu the octopus man and Mikuni the humanoid jellyfish.

It's a softer, light hearted anime than the darker sexual comedy of Monster Musume, so if you want something about cute monster human characters and the poor boy trying to keep things in check (without the extreme fanservice and dark comedy,) Orenchi No Furo Jiyo might be your cup of chamomile tea.

Brotherhood: FFXV

Let's get one thing straight, I love Final Fantasy XV, but I will be the first to admit the story structure of the video game could have been better. You shouldn't need to consult seperate media to get the full story, especially when said things really should have been in the game to flesh it out and paying for DLC that should have been ingame in the first place is a practice that needs to go. With that out the way, Brotherhood: Final Fantasy XV is the story we really needed to get some much needed context on our beloved Chocobros and their connection to Noctis. Each Chocobro gets an episode about his past, including the very important monster attack that Noctis survived when he was a child that barely got mentioned in the game. If you ever wanted to get some backstory on your bros, this is the place to go. In fact, I insist. It really does help. Trust me.

Persona 5 The Animation ~ The Day Breakers ~

Lemme break it to you, the Persona franchise is awesomesauce. With stories about personal darkness and demons, symbolic creatures of the mind that would make Freud blush, and character development that is a much needed breath of fresh air, Persona is a series of personal recommendation for those wanting something a little different.

Persona 5 The Animation ~ The Day Breakers ~ is an OVA of sorts that adapts one of the potential side missions in the video game, fleshing out the backstory of the target, Kazuya. It would be an interesting opening gate for folks unfamiliar with P5 to get into the ideas of the game in smaller chunks. We get a glimpse at the Phantom Thieves of Hearts and how they target those with corrupt, impure hearts, giving you an idea of what the story is like in game on a smaller scale. Give it a try.

Rewatch

Big part of my childhood for introducing me to the concept of death at an early age,

The Animals of Farthing Wood

finally found its way to a DVD release in 2016. This gave many viewers, like myself, a chance to re-experience the perils and dangers of a group of animals fleeing their endangered home to promises of a better life at White Deer Park. As you can imagine, there are plenty of deaths and struggles for this varied band of creatures great and small, from newts and moles to badgers and foxes. Even now, I still remember scenes depicting the harsh reality of the food chain and being a creature of the wild.

The Butcher Bird. The motorway. The fox hunt. The farm.

What is a new experience, with The Animals of Farthing Wood, that perhaps wasn't as apparent as a younger viewer, is how dicky the different animals are to each other. Worst offenders are Adder, Owl and Weasel. Before, you knew they teased and took parting shots. As a 30 year old watcher, it comes across as bullying, especially in what is a stressful situation of survival. As a child, Weasel was one of my favourites, now she's definitely outstayed her welcome (laughing at mourning animals is not appreciated and THAT LAUGH.) I still love the likes of Kestrel, Mole, Badger and even Owl (despite her recurring theme of trash talking the other animals, it wouldn't be the same without her.)

Another Crowning Moment is the Music. The Theme song alone is the stuff of nostalgia overload by the senses, but even the background music (the same piece of music with different instruments depending on which animal is on screen.) I can perfectly envision that entire opening in my mind with the music alone, which tells you how powerful it is.

The Third Season, featuring a pack of rats that want to take over White Deer Park, was perhaps not the strongest part of the series, given very popular characters are Put On the Bus, never mentioned again and replaced with not as appealing ones. Nevertheless, it was still enjoyable, even if the first two seasons were the strongest.

Perhaps not as child friendly as it advertised (THAT BUTCHER BIRD,) The Animals of Farthing Wood is still the stuff of animation legend and worth the watch. If you want Watership Down with a mixture of different animals, this is the one to watch.

Following the new Legend of Everfree film, I decided to turn to Equestria Girls, Rainbow Rocks and Friendship Games. These are My Little Pony movies that feature the mane six as humans attending high school and defending the human world from magical threats. The surprising thing is, despite how cliched the high school setting is, they are quite enjoyable. For me, a big part of the enjoyment is Sunset Shimmer, a unicorn that escapes to the human world after stealing Twilight Sparkle's crown in the first movie, Equestria Girls. She is both a compelling antagonist that grows into so much more in the following movies.

As far as plots go, they are quite straightforward. Equestria Girls, like I mentioned before, introduces us to the human world when Twilight Sparkle chases Celestia's former student, Sunset Shimmer, into this strange, new world in pursuit of her crown (trying HARD not to make a Game Grumps joke, here.) We also meet the human versions of not only the other members of the Mane Six (Fluttershy, so cute,) but background ponies in a different form now. The fun is trying to find them as they make their way about Canterlot High.

Rainbow Rocks, one of my personal favourites, is the ultimate Battle of the Bands showdown as the Mane Six take on the standout villains of the piece, the Dazzlings. Everything is a musical spectical with the Dazzlings being the stars of the show. We also get the start of Sunset Shimmer's character development, which is also a reason I enjoy the EG films.

Friendship Games is the clash between two High Schools in a tournament of intellectual and athletic prowess... and the introduction of another Twilight Sparkle? School rivalry, peer pressure and, of course, Friendship is the order of the day with more great musical numbers and a showdown that wouldn't be out of place in a Magical Girl Show.

To MLP fans that are somewhat cycnical to these humanised forms of their beloved ponies, I'd say give the films a try. What have you got to lose? You might enjoy them more than you think. Rainbow Rocks and Friendship Games are the stronger entries.

#2016 anime challenge #anime #animation

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i-dream-of-twilight-sparkle · 3 years

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Chapter 26 - Starlight’s Mother, Part 2 - Why Did Firelight Keep Her A Secret?

*THUNDER BOOM*

The storm rages on, and may be even picking up further intensity. But the group outside is absolutely affixed on the sight of Starlight’s Mother. Many with their mouth agape and concerned faces, especially after she had just mentioned that she had been murdered. Talking with her is going to be perhaps one of the darkest, and most serious conversations they’ve ever been in or listened to.

Firelight’s loud scream has attracted the attention of Sunburst and his Mom, they run up while both are holding umbrellas with their magic to see what’s going on and are immediately affixed on the sight of the glowing spirit. Stellar Flare actually somewhat recognizes her, though she didn’t know that she was Starlight’s Mother.

Sunburst: Just what is going on here?!

Stellar Flare: (I… feel like I’ve seen her before… do I know her?)

*THUNDER BOOM*

Twilight: I… think it’s about time we head into Firelight’s house for shelter against the storm… then we can start talking to Sunset about… well… a lot of stuff, to be frank…

The group now joined by Sunburst and Stellar Flare head into Firelight’s house, the only one not coming in quite yet… is Firelight himself… who is still too upset about learning that his wife has been dead. He eventually does just manage to slowly pick himself up and walk into his house along with the rest.

Starlight lights the fireplace to heat up the room and help dry everypony who got soaked in the storm, as everypony shakes off the water in their manes and tails. Sunset sits in the center of the room, naturally as she’s going to be answering a lot of questions. Everypony starts to settles down, except for Firelight who still can’t help himself from being upset about the fate of his beloved wife he weeps in the corner of the room constantly as the rest of the group prepares to speak with Sunset. Starlight then gets to asking Twilight what she knows.

Starlight: Twilight, you somehow knew my mother’s name as soon as you saw her… mind telling me how?

Twilight: Of course, your mother is none other then Sunset Shimmer… Celestia’s protege before me. Celestia told me all about her for the first time after a private talk with her and Luna when I was gathering invitees to the ball.

Starlight: WHAT?! Celestia had a protege before you… and she was my mother?!

Starlight turns to the spirit of Sunset

Starlight: Is… is this true… mother?

Sunset simply nods, and Starlight finally has the epiphany she’s been waiting for her whole life.

Starlight: Oh my gosh… that’s why… that’s why I’ve had so much raw magical power! My mother happens to be the only other pony’s whom’s magic power has captured Celestia’s attention! But wait… if you’re dead... were you killed in a battle with a foe while on the job... and thus Celestia had to unfortunately find a new student?

Sunset: You’re half right… I was killed in a battle… though if it were while I was still her student, there certainly would of been a very publicized funeral... But I had actually stepped down a decent while before then… so I could eventually live with your father and raise you… When I went up to the soul shield… I was so upset that I was never going to get that chance…

Sunset starts tearing up, looks like spirits can cry too. Though a spirit’s tears is more like little sparkles that simply fade once they hit the ground.

Starlight: Mother… you stepped down from a pretty secure role… where you could of possibly became a Princess of Equestria… just so you could raise a family…? Just so you could raise… me…?

Sunset nods once again

Sunset: Most of my life, I relished my role as Celestia’s protege. I felt like I was the coolest pony around in my teenage years… taking down the bad guys… being sent on missions on behalf of the Princess… the kind of spells I was able to perform… and even the possibility of eventually reaching a major position of power one day. I loved being Equestria’s premier hero so much, I started collecting a sort of information database on all the most wanted villains to get an edge on all of them. Reading up about past ones that had a danger of coming back, ones that were on the loose at the time, and any potential new threats in the future.

But… as I got older… keeping an eye on so many criminals and evildoers also put a target on my back… it was hard to make many meaningful friends when getting too close to me would only put them in danger. And as I reached adulthood, I felt a want to escape from it all, relax, and raise a family. I met your father sometime late in my teenage years, it was generally alright to go see him because Sire’s Hollow… at least at the time… was a pretty obscure place.

We got married not too long after I became 21 years old, and… when I was pregnant with you a few years later, Starlight… it finally came time to inform Celestia I wanted to step down. Continuing to be Celestia’s protege would of just simply endangered you and your father’s life.

But… once I had given birth to you… I know there was still one more danger I had to deal with before I could retire once and for all.. a family of 3 anarchists… who were threatening to steal the magic from Equestria for themselves or even get rid of all magic if the former wasn’t possible… so once my body mostly recovered from giving live birth in the very house we’re in right now… I set out within 2 weeks… and I’m not even sure I lived to see a 3rd week…

Starlight: So… you’ve really been dead for just about the whole time you were missing…

Firelight just breaks down

Firelight: Why… why did this have to happen…?! We were so close… to just having time for ourselves! *sniff*

Sunset: I’m so sorry, Fi-Fi! I didn’t think I was going to die! I got too overconfident that this last job wasn’t going to be that dangerous… the three anarchists I fought weren’t like a particularly strong entity… they were just a family of ponies…

Starlight: Can you recall their names?

Sunset: …I’ve been trying… but… for some reason I’m drawing a blank… to be frank, I can’t even recall how I died at the moment…

The entire group inside gasps

Starlight: What?! I would think the moment of death, and especially the names of murderers would be like… the one thing every spirit remembers most vividly!

Sunset: I don’t quite get it either… but I think at the very least it’s possible for something to jog my memory… all I can remember right now is that while I died myself… I believe 2 of the 3 anarchists I was chasing went down with me. I’m also drawing a blank on what happened to the 3rd, but if nothing else it looks like despite dying in the process. I was generally successful in my mission of making sure they weren’t able to do anything. Otherwise Equestria would be a magicless hellscape right now… that at least gives me some relief…

Starlight: How come no bodies were ever recovered? Of either you or the anarchists you were fighting that died too?

Sunset: I think where I confronted them, it was a pretty abandoned or at least a very low populated area… and if there’s one thing I feel like I can just vaguely recall about my death… I have this sense that I was falling at one point… off a cliff near an ocean… it’s possible that our bodies just ended up in the ocean… and hungry water predators like sharks picked off any remaining trace of me and the anarchists that died…

Starlight: Well… I guess if that’s all we’re going to get about your death until something jogs your memory… perhaps we should continue talking about back when you were alive. I’ll repeat that you were Celestia’s student… and you gave that away to raise me… that’s… a lot to take in…

Firelight looks at Starlight, and finally starts confessing why he’s kept quiet for so long about her mother.

Firelight: *sniff* The fact she was Celestia’s student… was why I was so adamant about not telling you who was your mother… *sniff* *sob* Do you remember that spell book of advanced magic that was the catalyst for your magic freakout that got you your cutie mark?

Starlight: Yes?

Firelight: That was your mother’s spell book…

Starlight gasps

Firelight: Because my wife led such a dangerous life… I thought you gaining your cutie mark through her spellbook meant you were destined to follow in your mother’s footsteps to become Celestia’s student… but I didn’t want you to go down that path… if you had known who your mother was, and especially after getting your cutie mark… you might of went straight to Canterlot to claim yourself as Celestia’s Student through a sense of birthright…

I had dealt with enough drama from this while I was with your mother… I pleaded several times during our relationship that she step down… and when she finally did… I felt like we were going to be free at last… *sniff* but then she went missing, and as we know now… she died… *sob* but I held onto vain hope for years that she was still alive and would some day come back… *sniff*

But the longer she never came back… the more it convinced me that I shouldn’t tell you. For fear… that… you’d disappear too… *sniff*

More tears stream down from Firelight’s eyes

Starlight: Father… So… you never told me who she was… to protect me?

Firelight nods while still tearing up. Starlight lowers her head, regretting at least some of the treatment she’s given him for never telling her about her mother.

Starlight: Oh gosh… I take back everything I ever said to you when I yelled at you about her… you probably would of been right that I’d go down that path because I would of immediately wanted to go to Celestia’s school for Gifted Unicorns back then... Sunburst did, I would of certainly made it too… and if I had known Sunset was my mother… I might of also been compelled to take her place… and might of even challenged Twilight to a duel for the position at some point…

I suppose you still made some mistakes by this resulting in my deep hatred for Cutie Marks being driven deeper… because if I had gone to the school I would of been able to reunite with Sunburst… perhaps I could of come around on Cutie Marks…

But… ultimately, you were just being a protective father... You didn’t want to see me get hurt, or go missing like Mom did… I wish at the very least you could of hired maybe a babysitter to keep me company rather then making me spend my entire childhood stewing about cutie marks, never having a mother figure, and more… but I now understand your motivation for hiding her name from me at last… cause there would of bound to have been records somewhere of who she was that I would of found, and how instantly compelled I might of been to go down a path you were afraid of…

Starlight tears up

Starlight: I’m so sorry… I understand now… you’re not such a bad father after all…

Starlight walks up to her father to hug him. After being so upset since finding out of his wife’s fate, he finally gets a little bit of happiness in at least somewhat reconciling with his daughter. The rest of the group giving d’awwws and/or crying joyous tears.

After letting go, Starlight decides to ask a question that’s now very possible to get an answer from both her parents.

Starlight: Is it alright… if I may ask what the day of my birth was like?

Sunset smiles

Sunset: One of the greatest days of my life… it was quite painful at first, of course… Sire’s Hollow unfortunately didn’t have a true hospital, at least at the time, and my water had broke far too early for me to get to a hospital without you likely being born while on the way there. Luckily, your father had some medical knowledge and was able to get me through.

I eventually saw you as an adorable pinkish purple foal with a darker purple mane and tail with light blue highlights... couldn’t help but notice just how much of your father’s genes got passed down to you appearance-wise... and at the same moment I got to see you with my own eyes for the first time... I briefly looked out the window and noticed how pretty the stars outside at night were, I couldn’t help but have been inspired by the sky to give you your first name...

Firelight: And I had talked with your mother beforehand about how fun it’d be for our foal to have a last name to rhyme with hers, if we had a daughter

Sunset: And thus, you… Starlight Glimmer… was born.

Fluttershy: That’s so cute…

The group takes a moment to smile about the nice story about the day Starlight was born as a brief breather from the rather serious subjects that have come out from meeting Sunset. Though Twilight asks a rather important question.

Twilight: I don’t mean to bring seriousness back just as we talked about Starlight’s birth. But Firelight, when it seemed like Sunset was missing for a while… did you even try to spread the word for a search?

Firelight raises a hoof about to speak, but then Sunset answers for him

Sunset: I told him not to before I left, Princess Celestia must of told you I wanted out of the spotlight as much as possible once I had stepped down, right? A national search for me would of made that harder, plus Fi-Fi didn’t know I had died not even more than an hour ago.

Firelight: Yes... right to the end, even if at some point it become more so about preferring to be blissfully unaware what had happened to her… I wanted to respect what she told me to do before she disappeared...

Twilight: Ah, alright… speaking of Princess Celestia though. I actually wonder if I should bring her real quick... I bet she’d love to see you again, Sunset. Would you be alright with that?

Sunset nods

Sunset: Go on ahead, Twilight. I’d absolutely love to see her again as well. It’s probably important she finds out what happened to me, anyway.

Twilight: Alright… I’ll be back with the Princess. Hang tight while I get her...

((Story continues after the break))

Twilight pulls out another piece of portal gum back to the Saddle Arabia palace. And eventually finds Celestia in the halls, and immediately gallops up close

Twilight: Princess Celestia! I have something urgent to tell you...

Celestia: *gasp* Twilight... What is it? Are any ponies in danger?

Twilight: No, nothing like that… but rather a mixture of good news and bad news…

Celestia: What’s the good news?

Twilight: We found Sunset Shimmer...

Celestia goes wide-eyed and smiles

Celestia: That’s fantastic news! So she is still ali…

Twilight: I’m afraid I’m going to have cut you off there, because unfortunately… we found her via spirit summoning… Sunset Shimmer… happened to also be Starlight’s missing mother... And she died shortly after she disappeared...

Celestia’s heart sinks, her hopes dashed of her previous protege being ok almost immediately. Celestia’s cranes her neck lower, her eyes immediately welling up in tears.

Celestia: No… I should of known… I feared this was the case a while ago…even if she wanted to get out of the spotlight… I know it’d be hard for her to avoid everypony that might recognize her… For somepony to be missing for that long without being noticed… it was never a good sign…

And… Starlight Glimmer… was her daughter the whole time…?

Twilight nods

Celestia: It’s… no wonder then she had such raw power, when I had never even heard of her before you met her… Twilight, please let me have a moment of silence and grief for my departed former protege…

Twilight nods to let Celestia have a brief moment to her own thoughts, knowing now how special Sunset was to her. Celestia just sits down for a moment to grieve, even with Spirit summoning possible. It’s nonetheless upsetting to hear somepony died, especially somepony who was only about in her mid-20’s and also somepony Celestia was quite proud of. But soon she stands back up, flares her majestic wings, and she gives Twilight a determined face.

Celestia: I must go see Sunset again... Please, take me wherever her spirit was summoned…

Twilight nods, walking back to the portal she left back into Firelight’s house. Soon Twilight has returned with Princess Celestia. Celestia looks around the room seeing the other Elements of Harmony, the Cutie Mark Crusaders, Starlight Glimmer and her father, as well as Sunburst and Stellar Flare. Until she finally sees Sunset’s spirit. She approaches Sunset with a solemn look on her face.

Celestia: Sunset… I am… deeply saddened to learn you died a long time ago… were… you killed amidst a battle with the anarchists you were chasing after…?

Sunset: Yes, Princess… I was killed while fighting them most likely. I’m still trying to jog my memory on the exact circumstances of my death. I’m even having a hard time recalling the names of them. But I should also say, that one of the vague details I can share is 2 out of the 3 also died, though who or what happened to the 3rd is still something I need to recall. So my death wasn’t entirely in vain, I imagine I did just enough to stop them from whatever they planned to do. Since it seems like Equestria was fine in between my death and Twilight became your new student.

Celestia: It’s still so awful to see it came at a terrible price… I hoped you had simply succeeded and you were living the peaceful family life you wanted… it’s a shame you may have never gotten it...

Sunset: I wouldn’t say I didn’t get it at all… while I was pregnant with Starlight I kinda had to sideline myself once it kind of became risky to move too far. So at least for a short while, I got to experience a more normal life… even if of course that was cut short not long after Starlight is born… I guess from the perspective of that I really wanted to be a mother… then yes, I never really got to have all I wanted to do…

Sunset turns to Starlight

Sunset: I really wish I had gotten to be there for you during your childhood. If I had survived my battle with the anarchists, I fully planned on being there for you everyday for when Fi-Fi was at work.

Starlight slightly tears up and smiles

Starlight: I’m happy to hear that, mother… that would of made such a difference on my life...

Firelight: A little late I know, Starlight… but I thought I may as well also give the reason I never hired a babysitter... I had of course been still holding onto hope that your mother was still alive the whole time… I also feared that if she was still around like I optimistically thought… especially when it became years that she was missing… that your mother would of been heartbroken after she might of thought I moved on and married somepony else if she were indeed still alive and came back to the house only to find another mare taking care of you...

Starlight: I guess that’s an understandable reason, there are such thing as babysitters who are stallions that might of been able to avert that, but just not nearly as common as mares. Though if I may slightly change the subject to a more lighthearted note, I notice my mother keep calling you Fi-Fi. Is that just a cute nickname she came up with?

Sunset tilts her head and smiles

Sunset: Pretty much. Your father liked to call me Shimmy, and I wanted to have my own nickname for him. And we settled on Fi-Fi.

Starlight: *giggles* I guess my father has always liked nicknames. He’s called me Pumky-wumpkins or Sugarplum for as about as long as I can remember. Though they don’t seem to be quite as name related as your nicknames for each other

Sunset laughs, and looks at Starlight with a smug face.

Sunset: Hahahaha! Was it really? I’m pretty sure both of those were in potential REAL names he proposed before you were born. You were lucky I vetoed both of them, ehehehehe!

Firelight sheepishly smiles, Starlight just cringes.

Starlight: ….Yeeeeeeah I can’t imagine what it’d be like if Pumky-Wumpkins was actually my name… Sugarplum may have it at least made some sense given my mane is mostly purple. But I still like what actually became my name so much more.

Celestia smiles at the lighthearted conversation

Celestia: That makes me a little happier that you indeed got to have such cherished family moments like picking a name for your foal. I can’t help but feel regretful however... in order to honor your years of service and to make sure you last mission went smoothly, I should have accompanied you... There’s no way those three would of stood a chance against us both.

Sunset: Perhaps, but… these 3 weren’t some superpowered villains. For the most part I’m pretty sure they were average ponies, maybe I can vaguely recall one of them being a decent unicorn but otherwise in a 1-on-1 duel, I would of wiped the floor with them. I faced tougher odds plenty of times. I didn’t think I would of needed the help, guess a little overconfidence was my downfall.

Celestia: I guess so, sadly… at least I got to meet your lovely daughter that was within you as you stepped down…

Sunset goes wide-eyed surprised Celestia knew she was pregnant then

Sunset: You knew I was pregnant then?! That was still pretty early in my pregnancy…

Celestia: I noticed you were nervously rubbing your belly during our last conversation. Maybe at first I thought you just had a full meal. But given you talked to me so much about wanting to raise a family, I sort of put the pieces together.

And I felt it probably would be a better life for your foal for you to take care of it, you took care of Equestria for most of your life. I knew you’d likely raise a good child, and before I found Twilight first... I was thinking of maybe waiting for your child to be old enough to go to my school...

Starlight gasps

Starlight: Wait, you considered to have me as your next student?!

Celestia: That was my plan at first during the period between Sunset stepping down when I met Twilight. This was before I had that dream after bringing Spike’s egg to Equestria, Twilight became Plan A after she hatched Spike. But if that had fallen through in any number of ways, or if I couldn’t quite find a student to hatch the egg quick enough if Twilight failed to hatch it too. I would of gone out to search for you myself, and hope to convince Sunset to let you try to hatch the egg instead. There’s no guarantee that you would of been able to hatch it, but it’s very possible had Sunset lived and Twilight hadn’t become my student. Starlight would be in Twilight’s position right now.

Starlight: Dang… So I could of been the ruler of Equestria in a year right now if the right chips fell…

Starlight sits down while lowering her head thinking of what could have been. Twilight notices Starlight’s reaction to hearing this, ponders for a moment, and then give her a gracious offer.

Twilight: You know Starlight… I could always make you my student again… if… if… you kind of want to give ruling Equestria a shot. I’d still have a lot to teach you about doing so. But I wouldn’t mind having a co-ruler at some point. As I have thought about the strain of moving both the sun and the moon every day.

Starlight perks up at Twilight’s offer. She feels like she may have some slight interest after learning she’s the daughter of somepony else who could have very well succeeded to the throne, but with mysteries still surrounding yet to be answered about her mother. She decides not to make a complete decision just yet.

Starlight: I’ll… have to think about that. It’s already a huge enough honor that I’ll be succeeding you as Principal of the School of Friendship. I’d… be kind of scared a precedent would be set that every Principal of that School becomes a ruler of Equestria if I ended up co-ruling with you *giggles* But… if I have an answer… I’ll go and see you…

Meanwhile, Sunset is surprised but also kind of proud hearing that her daughter had been a student of a Princess too.

Sunset: You were Twilight’s student at one point? I see that the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. We were both students of Princesses! How did it end for you?

Starlight: I just had a graduation ceremony after Twilight had decided I had learned enough about friendship, and I was left to do what I wanted for a little while. I don’t think Twilight putting me under her wing originally was intent on making me Princess one day. More so that I learn the values of Friendship personally from her.

Though after I sort of graduated, I would later get employed again under Twilight when she started the School of Friendship, when I decided to become the school’s counselor. Kinda funny… at some point I became so dedicated to counseling I would have an alert for whenever a student knocked at my door. To the annoyance of my friend, Trixie. Mom, when you said that you were dedicated to keeping track of criminals even at the expense of having anything resemble a normal life. I realized that may have been another trait I inherited from you…

Sunset: Certainly sounds like it, doesn’t it? Hope you didn’t get all of my rather flawed traits, I… did kind of have a temper back in the day.

Starlight sheepishly smiles remembering all the time she’s expressed rage whether it was before she was reformed, when she had to bottle up anger at Trixie, when she most recently yelled at her father, etc.

Starlight: Er… I kinda have that too…

Starlight sheepishly smiles

Sunset: Oh well… at least that means we can sympathize with each other!

Celestia smiles hearing the conversation and decides to ask Sunset for a favor.

Celestia: This has been a nice conversation with you and your daughter. But may I ask you for something?

Sunset: What is it, Princess?

Celestia: I’d like... to give you a hug real quick, or at least… I hope the cosmos counted us as close enough to do so.

Sunset smiles

Sunset: Of course, Princess. I’d love that. And we better count, or else some how some way... I’m gonna get somepony to file a lawsuit against the Grim Reaper!

The whole room giggles thinking about a lawsuit against death itself. But Celestia and Sunset approach eachother close, Celestia puts a hoof around the back of Sunset’s neck, lowers her head and smiles.

The hug is successful. Sunset hugs back a little by wrapping a hoof behind one of Celestia’s tall, slim front hooves.

Pinkie: *giggles* The Reaper doesn’t have to worry about a lawsuit now!

Starlight: Hey! How about a hug for me too, Mom!

Firelight: Me three, Shimmy!

Sunset: Of course, Starlight and Fi-Fi!

Sunset and Celestia let go of each other so Sunset can proceed to have a small group hug with her family that lasts a good while. When they break off the hug, Sunset goes a little extra and surprises Firelight with a kiss.

Firelight: Even as a spirit, your kisses are the best, Shimmy…

The rest of the group just has been d’awwing all over the place for the heartwarming moment. Though as much as the ponies were enjoying these happy moments, there were still mysteries about Sunset left to uncover.

Twilight: I don’t wish to ruin the moment, but I feel like we should soon get some sort of lead so we can help Sunset uncover more of what happened. I don’t want to leave without uncovering who was responsible for Sunset’s death or at least get to finding some clues.

Sunset and Starlight nod, and Stellar Flare suddenly walks up to the front.

Stellar Flare: I… might have something… because… I think somehow I know you, Sunset… but I can’t place my hoof on why…

Sunset takes a look at Stellar and gives a surprised look. She’s been focused too much on talking with her family for the first time ever since she died, talking with her daughter for the first time in particular, and then also reuniting with Celestia to notice any others in the room she recognized

Sunset: I think I know you too! Weren’t you… my older brother’s wife?

Stellar Flare goes wide-eyed

Stellar Flare: YOU’RE Sunspot’s younger sister?!

Starlight, Trixie, and Sunburst give heavy gasps. Being Starlight’s mother wasn’t the only mystery found out about Sunset today. And it looks like there is still plenty more to go.

UP NEXT: Chapter 27: Starlight’s Mother, Part 3 - Where Did She Die?

#Secrets Of The Dragon's Tear #Sunburst #Stellar Flare #Twilight Sparkle #Genie #Starlight Glimmer #Sunset Shimmer #Firelight #Fluttershy #Princess Celestia #Celestia #Spirit Summoning

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marvelandponder · 7 years

Photo

The Unfaithful Student

Yes! Woohoo! Sunbutt Jr. Day is upon us!

It’s no big secret Sunset’s become my favourite character of the entire franchise. I’ve rambled on and on about her (and the more you get to know me, the more you hear about her), but today, I wasn’t quite sure what topic to cover.

So, I went for one of the big three.

There are a lot of questions surrounding Sunset in the fandom, but the 3 most major ones, from my perspective, seem to be:

3. What was her family/homelife like back in Equestria? 2. What’s the human world Sunset like (if she exists at all)? and, of course 1. When is Sunset going to reunite with Princess Celestia?

The fandom’s been trained since day 1 to expect that the bond between Princess Celestia and one of her students is pretty much sacred. Which, admittedly, is mostly because Twilight idolizes her to no end.

And, to be entirely fair, Sunset definitely doesn’t have quite the same reverence for figures of authority that Twilight does. But, even taking that into consideration, we’ve seen glimpses of how much Sunset and Celestia mean to each other---whether in the comics or in the Equestria Girls series---which is why the fandom’s been so eagerly awaiting this reunion since Rainbow Rocks.

Which, at this point, is almost 3 years ago to the date.

So... what gives? Have we been misjudging how deep their bond really is?

No, not really. You all remember that Sunset kept her journal from Celestia even when she was at her worst, because, and I quote, “a part of [her] wanted to have a way to reach out to [Princess Celestia].”

And if you’ve read the The Fall of Sunset Shimmer comic, you’ll know that despite standing by her decision completely, Princess Celestia instantly considered Sunset’s leaving “one of many” of the biggest mistakes of her life (in the same way she regretted needing to send Luna away to the moon, but knew she had to).

So, I don’t think we’re wrong to imagine all the extremely emotional reunions we’ve been writing out in fanfics or drawing in fanart. They clearly cared about each other... is it that they don’t anymore?

I doubt it. That kind of bond can’t just be forgotten, even if you’ve built a life for yourself somewhere new. And as the fandom definitely knows, they left off on bad terms. The kind of bad terms Sunset spent the entire second movie rectifying.

It’s built into the foundation of Sunset’s character at this point to want to make amends, even if she’s grown past the guilt and shame she felt in Rainbow Rocks. So that really only leaves us with one option: She wants to, but hasn’t. Why?

I’ve had the thought before that this might be the case, but it was confirmed by the way Sunset acts in the Mirror Magic part of the mini-series. The writers use Twilight’s invitation for Sunset to come back to Equestria as an opening stinger, which is to be expected, but what’s telling is the way Sunset hesitates.

Well, that, and the way she wants to leave almost as quickly as she came when she finds that Twilight’s not around. It’s in part just to avoid an awkward moment, not really knowing Starlight well at the time, but this is the first time Sunset’s been a pony in a while. Nearly a year since she stole the crown, and years since she left the first time. And... there’s not anything or anyone she wants to see again?

It’s not like I can’t understand just wanting to drop by to get the journal. But, given how it’s been so long since she’s seen her and since Sunset’s reformed, and as far as we know Sunset has no plans to return beyond that... well, it’s arguably telling.

So the question remains, why avoid Celestia?

Sunset’s arc has been pretty well defined throughout her run as a sort of co-main character with the Twilights in EQG. She’s not the guilt-ridden runaway she used to be, for sure.

In fact, at the moment, she has more in common with Celestia than she ever has.

The Prodigal Sunset

Celestia’s students have a habit of becoming her, it seems (but you can say the same thing about Twilight and Starlight, and we’ll see if that’s the case with Starswirl and Celestia and Luna). It’s absolutely becoming a trend. A really cute one.

In Friendship Games, Sunset is shown to be the leader of the group, and this is where we first see her guilt shift from her own past actions to the responsibility she feels to her friends and her school now. She’s fiercely protective to the point of making things worse, and spends the majority of her screentime focused on protecting them from magic.

Which is where she learns that she can’t, really, and in the very next movie, tries to embrace it instead. That also doesn’t go entirely well, but give the girl points for learning. In Legend of Everfree, she’s not just in the leader role, she’s very clearly in the mentor role, an important shift for any Celestia wannabe. She’s wise, warm, but still has a goofy sense of humour...

Almost like someone else we know.

Then there’s the Magic trilogy mini-series of specials... thing. Sunset’s role in the third story is to deal with things she can’t control. Of course, it probably would’ve been more satisfying to see her take control, and face it head on alongside Starlight Glimmer, but at least thematically I can see the value in imprisoning Sunset. She can’t do anything but sit, and wait, and worry, while the world she’s in literally crumbles around her and her friends because of the magic she brought to this world.

In that way, it’s a really smart special if a bit frustrating for those who don’t like Starlight’s solo heroics.

This mirrors the side of Celestia we’ve gotten to see more of recently: the maternal worrier. Celestial Advice is the easiest example, where at last see Celestia’s side of things when Twilight was growing up without friends and see how much Celestia worried over her student.

It’s more than worrying, though. It’s the reaction to the responsibility of caring for others. Sunset’s main concern is taking care of her friends and this world she’s come to love, and likewise, Celestia’s tasked with caring for her students, her younger sister, and her country.

And, on the subject of recent Celestia episodes, Daybreaker might just be Starlight’s imagination run wild, but she’s eerily similar to demon Sunset. Both power-crazed egomaniacs bent on ruling Equestria by themselves. The real Sunset and Celestia both care much more about those they care for than their evil counterparts, but I find it a neat parallel that they both always still want to take care of others.

At their best, it has nothing to do with power or glory, but protecting those they love.

So, I think Sunset’s ironically becoming more and more like Princess Celestia even though she’s no longer her protege. And she did it herself, with the help of her friends.

Which should mean now would be a good time to have a progress report back home, non? No?

Honestly, this should ultimately mean the end of Sunset’s current arc. Whenever she does make amends with Princess Celestia, it’ll bring everything full circle, drawing on her development from every Equestria Girls story (her anger and bitterness from the first, her guilt and shame from the second, her new leadership skills from the third, her mentor role from the fourth, and her sense of duty to protect her new home from Mirror Magic, and so on).

Which is why I can grudgingly understand the EQG team pushing it off for later, but I digress.

Exactly when it’ll happen is up in the air with the new Youtube Choose Your Own Adventure stories, the shorts, and who knows what else coming up next year in Equestria Girls’ 5-year anniversary, but I think that would be a good time to go for it.

Sunset’s forging her own path at this point, dealing with a host of new, unprecedented magic in her own world, but with the greater and greater focus on delegates from other nations and species... I still have to hold out hope that Sunset may become the Equestria ambassador to the human world. Which would be a great accomplishment to show to Princess Celestia.

Which is ultimately my running theory on why Sunset might be avoiding her old teacher. As I said, there’s gotta be a number of feelings that come up when Sunset thinks about the Princess these days, but given her acceptance of herself in R.R. and the My Past is Not Today music video, I don’t think guilt is the primary factor anymore. It’s certainly still a big one since she has yet to properly make amends, but we’ve come to learn that Sunset is a very direct person, so if she feels like there’s something that needs to be addressed, I think she would try to, even if it’s a hard conversation to have.

... Unless she feels like she needs something first.

Sunset’s lost storyline in Friendship Games, while non-canon, is also still very much in her character, and points toward the reasoning behind this.

Sunset ultimately doesn’t know what her place is, or what she’s meant to do. She’s found herself responsible for the magic in the human world, for sure, but as of yet she hasn’t really addressed where she thinks she belongs or what her real role is. Well, apart from feeling like she and her friends were somehow meant to have the Element-stand-ins/super-powered geodes.

Even the official Hasbro description of her from the last two movies onward both include this:

“Even though Sunset Shimmer is fully integrated into the Equestria Girls group, she still has insecurities about where she belongs, but the rest of the Mane 6 friends consider her to be one of them.”

In a similar vein to Twilight’s search for meaning, Sunset’s still figuring out she’s already where she was meant to be, but maybe when she finally has that personal accomplishment under her belt, she’ll feel more ready to talk to the Princess again.

Not because Sunset still craves the status of accomplishments, but because she still wants to make Celestia proud, and after disappointing her so deeply, being the failed student, I think Sunny feels like she needs a win.

Let her have it, Hasbro. She’s earned it. She’s earned Sun Mom’s approval and love.

I do MLP editorials and episode reviews when I can! In fact, take a look at the last three things I’ve done, to prove it:

Top 10 Lost Content, Rarity Editorial, and Hascon Coverage

Year of the Pony

Header Image Wouldn’t be Possible Without...

Princess Celestia by 90-Sigma Sunset Shimmer by Luckreza8

Go support those talented vector artists!

We’ve Seen AJ’s Dead Parents, RD Became a Wonderbolt, Celestia Got an Episode, Starswirl’s Gonna Happen---One More Long-Awaited Bucket-List Item and I Get a Bingo

#sunset shimmer #equestria girls #eqg #mlp #my little pony #princess celestia #mlp:fim #mlp: fim #friendship is magic #my litte pony friendship is magic #mlp editorials #year of the pony #yearofthepony #mlp articles #animation #cartoons #analysis #character analysis

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livingthe24framelife · 4 years

Text

The Rise of Sunset Shimmer: Part 2

It was a beautiful morning. Most people would’ve taken the opportunity to go outside. Sunset was not one of those people.

But the longer she stayed indoors, the more she could hear Celestia’s voice in her head. “Go outside, it’s a wonderful day. Talk to somepony.” Sunset had always hated it when the princess made her go out. As the day wore on, however, her former teacher’s voice seemed to get louder and louder. Sunset was starting to get annoyed. Not being able to take the voice any longer, she gave in and headed out into the streets. There wasn’t anyplace in perticular Sunset wanted to go to, so instead she just figured a nice stroll through town would suffice. Besides, to her, walking was a good workout for her legs and it gave her time to think about everything that had happened lately. It had been a few weeks since first arriving and Sunset was starting to feel more comfortable in her new life and skin. She learned how to dress and take baths in the human way, which gave her the chance to see what the rest of her new body looked like (and had practically traumatized her) and started to get a feel for how humans acted. Although she still lived at the motel, she had gotten a job as a waitress at a Japanese-themed restaurant located in a nearby mall. Sunset had vaguely remembered hearing about Japan from a book on world countries she'd got from the library. Seeing the culture up close was something she thought was quite interesting. Her wish was to get enough cash to buy her own place. Soon afterwards she had made enough money to not only get “sleeping clothes” or pajamas as they were called, but she also was able to buy a used phone via the local thrift store. The next day was spent trying to learn how to use it, which was not easy for someone who didn't even know technology like this existed. But as she had done before, Sunset persevered and finally got the basics down. Once she'd learned how to use a phone, the first thing she did with it was to look up anatomy. Sunset wanted to learn about the human body so she'd know the proper vocabulary. After that she used it to get answers to every question she had about this new world. Soon it got to a point where Sunset saw herself as an expert on human life. A feat she was quite proud of.

“If Celestia could see me now..” she thought with a tiny smirk on her face.

A couple minutes into her stroll, Sunset started to feel tired. Soon she found herself sitting on a park bench by the school. She just wanted to sit back and relax for a little bit. To pass the time she took out the notepad she'd brought with her and began to doodle. Like walking, she saw doing this as an exercise for her hands and fingers. Even though her motor skills had improved in leaps and bounds since her first night as a human she still felt like working on it a bit more. Her artworks weren't masterpieces by any means, but they weren't bad either. She sketched out drawings of the scenery of her new home and creatures from her old one as well. Like the sirens, which a book she just borrowed had reminded her of. The Little Mermaid. It was an interesting read. Short but interesting. Sunset found that she identified with the main character. At least the becoming human part. However, she considered the mermaid lucky. It's one thing to just get legs. It's a whole other thing when you get a completely new body to boot. The one thing Sunset wasn't keen about was the ending. “What kind of story ends on such a sad note like that?” she pondered. Drawing photos of sirens caused Sunset to recall how her mother would read her a new folk tale, myth or legend to her every night before bed. Suddenly she stopped moving the pen.

Her mother...

It wasn't until then that Sunset noticed that she hadn't given her parents a single thought for...who knows how long. Long before she left the pony world, that was certain. They’d become strangers to her ever since she moved to Canterlot to go to the school for unicorns. Sure, she'd written a response to a letter or two at first, but as time went on, she became more engrossed in her studies. Especially after becoming Celestia’s protege. Sunset’s train of thought was impeded by the sound of a bell going off. Her head perked up as she saw kids leaving the high school. Teens in boatloads were either hopping on buses or just interacting with each other around the campus grounds. As Sunset watched, an idea formed in her mind. Back in Equestria, she would've been considered an adult. But in this world she looked to be exactly the same age as those students. If she wanted to truly assimilate into human society, the best way to go about it would be to go to school. Eager to get started Sunset got off the bench and headed to the motel to put her plan into action.

Sunset was regretting this plan. Well, almost. It had been a day since she had gotten her idea to become a student at Canterlot High. She had to go to the library again to get the application form since her motel room didn't come with a printer. Now she was sitting in the school office along with none other than Princess Celestia. Or rather, her human counterpart Principal Celestia. Sunset had just about had a heart attack when she first saw her former teacher. Instead of racing out of the room and never coming near that school again, she just tried to play it cool. One other thing that made Sunset’s jaw almost hit the floor was that not only was Celestia at the school, but Princess Luna-or in this world Vice Principal Luna-was there too. Sunset had seen her out in the main office talking with a secretary. She remembered hearing about Luna from Celestia. How she felt so guilty over everything that happened between them. The whole story made Sunset feel bad for the princess. Now she couldn't care less. If she was honest with herself, the more Sunset sat there looking at Celestia the more her shock turned to anger. If she had her way, she'd use magic to freeze that woman in place and rant about how much she hated her. Counterpart or not.

“Well Sunset, it seems like everything’s in order.” Celestia said looking over the form. Sunset internally breathed a sigh of relief. Forging her parents’ signatures had worked. Turns out Celestia was as foolish in this world as she was in the other one. “One question though.” The principal wondered out loud. "Why are your parents not here?” Sunset panicked. “Think of an answer, think of an answer!” she yelled to her brain. And suddenly, she had one. “I come from a town that's pretty far away from here. My parents heard about how good this school was and they figured that I'm old enough to live on my own.” Sunset explained. She nervously waited for a response. "Very well then.” Celestia said, breaking the silence. "You'll start two days from now.” Minutes later Sunset was outside the school trying to get a grip on her bearings and process what just happened. “Okay Sunset you can do this. If you're lucky you won't see her too much and everything will be fine. Just like with your magic, sacrifices have to be made.” Her mind now at ease, Sunset started to walk home preparing herself for her first day at a human school.

That evening, Sunset was sitting up in bed staring at her notebook. The page she was on concerned a to-do list. Some boxes had been checked, others weren't. She had a gut feeling that couldn't be explained, a sense that there was another reason she wanted to go to school. Something more than just “so she could be like a human.” Something that had to do with her plan to become powerful. Frustrated, Sunset groaned and put away the notebook. Perhaps watching tv would help her relax. She flicked through the channels, not really paying attention. Suddenly Sunset stopped. She'd found something. It was a film called Mean Girls. Looking on, she found herself drawn to the character of Regina George. That girl had everything Sunset had dreamt of for so long. Respect. Others fearing her. Power. Sunset quickly turned off the tv. She didn't care about the movie anymore. She'd found inspiration. Grabbing the notebook, she turned to her list. Right under Get into Canterlot High she wrote:

Rule the school.

Sunset slyly grinned. She finally had a plan, and now couldn't wait for her first day in class. Because just like Regina, she was going to make the world burn.

End of Part 2

#mlp #the rise of sunset shimmer #my fanfics

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