Author's Notes:

Please reread the last chapter if you haven't since yesterday since it was changed and has some very big changes in it.

Thanks to BiomasterM2 for all of his help with this story, and for helping make it a lot better than it could have been. Also, for getting the Batman thing stuck in my head leading to a joke in the last chapter about Luna's Batcave.

This marks the final main chapter for the story with an epilouge coming up most likely sometime tomorrow. Next Saturday I will be posting the first chapter in a new story Co-written with my GF that will be mature in nature for the first few chapters though there won't be any explicit scenes and we will try to post one chapter for it every Saturday, working on Music is Magic, Starting Over and an alternate take on A Home for the Holidays. Our new story and Music is Magic is worked on by both of us while she does help with Starting Over lately. A Home for the Holidays story will likely be mainly by myself so I will be working on it when not working with her on the others.

A word of warning, our new story that will be titled Shatterd Twilight (Title isn't permanant yet) will be actually completely co-written by us and there will be curse words in it as well as mature scenes and themes, though the worst will be kept to the first few chapters while Twilight is trapped somewhere until she's freed. Again there won't be any explicit scenes as I may let some things be put in by my GF, and even agree to work on something like this with her, but I absolutely refuse to do clop in a story so I am sorry to those who may expect it from the description of the story.

It was hard to believe that it was once again Monday, pretty much a whole week passing by where she had nothing to do during the day except play games, watch TV and listen to music. Of course there was something else that she did, something she was a little embarrassed to admitting to anyone. She felt a little bad about it actually as she wasn’t too sure how Celestia or Luna would take it after all. She already knew how Rainbow Dash would take it as she already teased her about doing it some, though it wasn’t a malicious teasing. Still, it was enough to get her to hide what she was doing part of the time to keep from offending her mother and aunt as well as avoid being called an egghead by her new sisters.

Despite the overwhelming boredom during school hours the past week, Sunrise was beginning to wish she was back home again. She’d even admit to them all what she was doing if she could avoid this whole mess and just be on the couch with a nice book to read. After all, reading was a bit more engrossing that all of those other things at times. Well maybe not when she was playing the right games such as an engrossing RPG.

This was her decision so she had no one to blame but herself. She had insisted on coming back to school to get out of the house. At the time it seemed like a good idea, but as her car which was being driven by her mother while Luna brought her sisters in her SUV pulled into the parking lot, she couldn’t help feeling like she messed up big time. She wasn’t really ready to face the students yet, but she knew she never really would be if she had her choice.

“Remember, all of your teachers have a copy of your text books so I don’t want you carrying anything else except for your binder and pencils.” Celestia said as she turned off the car and turned to look at Sunrise with an expression full of worry. Kim had said it was okay to come back though as long as she took it easy and not carry a lot.

“I know, thanks mom.” Sunrise sighed as she hugged Celestia, smiling to herself when the woman gave her a quick kiss on the top of her head.

“And don’t forget that that if you need anything or get to feeling too overwhelmed, come to my office. All of your teachers already know to let you out if needed and won’t give you any trouble.” Celestia explained, almost getting out of the car when she remembered something. “Oh wait, you won’t be going to P.E. Instead, I have you will be coming to spend the period in my office with me.”

“That sounds good, it’s not like I even need it anyways.” Sunrise said, happy to not have to deal with the class. She may not like sports, but she was good at physical activities. She was slightly stronger and faster than most other girls and already showed the coach that she could easily perform all requirements to pass the class. If it wasn’t for her reputation she knew the coach would have hounded her to join one of the teams which she didn’t want to do.

“Maybe, but we can deal with that later. I’ll see you soon honey.” Celestia said as she got out and headed into the school, Sunrise following close behind until she was stopped by a hand gently grabbing her wrist. At first she was going to yank it back angrily and demand what the person thought they were doing until she followed the hand with her eyes, trailing up a familiar colored arm until coming eye to eye with a nervous looking Trixie.

“Can we talk?” Trixie asked softly, making Sunrise curious as to why she wanted to talk about.

“Sure, I guess. I’ll see you later mom.” Sunrise said, waving toward Celestia who smiled and waved back before disappearing through the doors of the school. Turning back to give her attention to the amateur, though very talented, magician. “So, what did you want to talk to me about?”

“Well, I wanted to say thank you for starters.” Trixie sighed, hugging the small stack of books she had to her chest. “I know that I was one of the few students that were rumored to be under your protection.”

“Huh?” Sunrise asked, tilting her head slightly in confusion.

“Nobody talked about it much, most everybody thought it was crazy. Some of us thought there were a select few students you kept other bullies from. I knew it was true because I caught you confronting a senior last year who had thrown my new deck of cards in the toilet.” Trixie said as she rubbed her upper arms a little as she hugged her books to herself. “I also wanted to thank you for saving those three girls and proving that I was right about you al along. That there is a good person buried underneath. Or at least was buried since you changed.”

“Wait, if you saw that why didn’t you say anything?” Sunrise asked as she remembered the incident. It was back when everyone feared her, even a majority of the teachers. Only a few not being afraid and actually stood up to her and dished out punishments.

“Because I may have known you weren’t as mean as you acted, but I wasn’t stupid either. You scared the crap out of me to be honest.” Trixie replied while giving a weak, nervous laugh.

“And you aren’t scared of me now?” Sunrise asked.

“Should I be?” Trixie asked giving a more genuine smile. “You are the hero of this school. Everyone loves you for how you stood up to Gilda to save those three brats, even almost dying despite them not meaning anything to you.”

“That’s where you’re wrong.” Sunrise said softly, shaking her head slightly. “They did mean something to me. They’re three kids trying to find what they’re good at while trying their best to help out wherever they can. Sure it backfires more often than not, but they are somebody to be looked up to.”

“What do you mean?” Trixie asked.

“Even before I changed, I thought that they would someday go far. They have the drive and determination to do what is right as well as finding where they belong. If they fail at one thing they just get back up, brush themselves off, and try something new.” Sunrise explained, Trixie nodding a little as she could understand what Sunrise meant. Sure they were little brats, but they had become a somewhat unofficial mascot of Canterlot High.

“We don’t have much more time before class starts.” Trixie sighed, “I just wanted to say I’m happy that you are okay. And I also wanted to ask something else. Do you want to be friends?”

“Friends?” Sunrise asked getting a nervous smile from the other girl. “Sure, I think I’d like that Trixie.”

“Great! Well the Great and Powerful Trixie must make her leave or be late for class! If you need anything at all, just seek Trixie out and she will be happy to help!” Trixie cried out before throwing a smoke bomb on the ground and for a moment seemed to vanish before Sunrise saw her running through the school door. Sunrise couldn’t help shaking her head at the girl’s antics. They were kind of cute and reminded her of another time when things were much simpler.

“I guess it’s now or never.” Sunrise sighed before following into the school while trying to ignore the strange looks she was getting. They weren’t the normal hate filled angry looks that she had gotten not too long ago, well for the most part anyways as a small few still were, but she just couldn’t figure out exactly what they were. What really shocked her were the pats on the back and some of the more brave people to actually come up and hug her. The huggers quickly learned not to do so, or at least be more careful after Sunrise explained how her wound hadn’t healed all the way and still bothered her. With apologies, they let her know that they would be more than happy to lend her a hand if needed.

Walking into her home room just after the bell rang as she couldn’t find her friends anywhere, not even Fluttershy. Seeing the teacher standing at the front of the class made her blood run cold realizing that her normal homeroom teacher was out today. Instead it was one of the teacher’s that didn’t have her own homeroom class that volunteered to cover anyone else’s on a normal basis and one of the teacher’s who always seemed to have it out for Sunrise when she was Sunset. No matter what Celestia said, Cherry Rose was going to throw her in detention for a week after arriving after the bell.

“Good morning, Miss Shimmer.” Cherry said flashing the girl a genuine smile and not her shark smile that warned she was about to enjoy busting Sunrise for something.

“G-Good morning, Miss Rose.” Sunrise said, having trouble at first with the greeting as her hopes of having a relatively good morning was dashed seeing just who she was standing before.

“Are you feeling okay?” Cherry asked putting a hand on Sunrise’s shoulder that almost made the girl collapse in shock. It wasn’t a grip saying the woman was angry, but a gentle supportive gesture.

“I’m fine, thanks.” Sunrise managed to squeak out as she felt all of the eyes in the room on her. She didn’t understand why the woman wasn’t cheerfully demeaning her in front of everyone telling her that she was going to enjoy filling Sunrise’s following afternoons with detentions.

“I’m glad, go ahead and take you seat the. If you need anything make sure to ask, okay?” Cherry asked making Sunrise’s head spin. She couldn’t help wondering if she stepped into the Twilight Zone…heh…Twilight. She couldn’t help snickering inside at that pun a little as it helped her get a hold of herself.

“I will, thank you.” Sunrise said with a smile as she moved to her desk, her neighbor bending over to pick up the pencil she dropped before handing it back with a smile and a thanks from Sunrise.

The rest of the morning went very similar until announcements came over the intercom letting everyone know that the period before lunch was cancelled to make way for an extended lunch period. It was pretty confusing, but Sunrise happily made her way to the cafeteria as she was starving and hoping to finally see Fluttershy. What she didn’t expect to see was the cafeteria full of balloons and streamers with a large banner saying, ‘Welcome Back Sunrise Shimmer!’

“Wh-what’s going on?” Sunrise said as there was a sea of students and teachers around her clapping and cheering for her making her head spin. As the students seemed to part in a way that ushered her forward she came to Fluttershy and the girls standing around a table with one of the biggest cakes she had ever seen with both ‘Welcome Back Sunrise Shimmer’ and Get Well Soon Sunrise Shimmer’ on the monstrous yet delicious looking cake.

“I was going to put candles on it but then I started to think how silly that would be. If I put candles on it then it could hurt your stitches having to take such a deep breath sooooo I made this!” Pinkie Pie said pulling out a small plate with a single cupcake on it and a small candle. “Go ahead, just don’t take too big a breath, okay?”

“Thank you, Pinkie. Thank you everyone.” Sunrise said as tears streamed down her cheeks as she took a small breath and gently blew across the small candle extinguishing the flame. Once it went out everyone cheered again before everyone started getting food from the available special offerings of Pizza, burgers and salads along with plenty of snacks and cake.

“How are you feeling?” Fluttershy asked softly as she brought Sunrise a couple slices of pizza along with a couple for herself.

“Shocked.” Sunrise laughed making Fluttershy smile at her. “Happy though, especially with you here with me.”

“I’ll always be there for you, Sunrise. I love you.” Fluttershy said kissing her cheek.

“I love you to Shy.” Sunrise said smiling.

“I’m happy to see you girls doing so well.” Cherry said scaring Sunrise a little.

“Thank you Miss Rose.” Fluttershy said smiling up at the woman as Celestia and Luna came up on either side of the teacher. Sunrise was shocked when she saw Luna take the woman’s hand in her own and gave it a squeeze.

“Thank you.” Sunrise said as she stared at the interlocked hands getting Celestia to look as well.

“And how long has this been going on?” Celestia asked with a raised eyebrow to her sister.

“Oh about a week since we officially started dating. We’ve been flirting online for years.” Cherry chirped out making Luna blush.

“Honey!” Luna hissed softly, “We agreed not to mention that at school.”

“Relax sweetie, nobody knows what we are talking about.” Cherry replied.

“Well, I’m happy for you both.” Celestia said with an approving smile getting Luna to relax a little. Sunrise couldn’t help relaxing to as the woman smiled down at her.

“I wanted to make sure I let you know I won’t be riding you so hard anymore kid. You changed from that spoiled little brat and I’m proud to have you as one of our students.” Cherry said with an encouraging smile.

“And maybe someday niece.” Luna whispered nuzzling her, making Cherry blush a little.

“So that’s who you’ve been dating this last week mom?” Trixie asked coming up behind the group munching on a peanut butter cracker. “Wow, you don’t aim small, do you?”

“Heh, like I always said, aim big.” Cherry laughed as Trixie joined the group of girls at the table, Applejack and Rainbow Dash giving her curious looks as they never got along before.

“Have fun with your friends dear. If you need anything make sure to come by the office. I have a meeting I have to go to.” Celestia said, kissing the top of Sunrise’s head getting a chorus of awws from the nearby students making the girl blush but feel happy at the same time.

“Thanks mom.” Sunrise said as the three adults wandered off leaving the table of girls behind to talk amongst themselves.

“So what are you doing here Trixie?” Rainbow Dash asked, shooting a bit of a sharp look at the girl who shrunk in on herself a little.

“She’s my new friend and wanted her to come eat with us.” Sunrise said to draw the groups’ attention away from being a little upset at the interruption. She smiled at Trixie when the girl shot her a thankful smile.

“Trixie just wanted to come by and make sure her new friend is doing okay.” Trixie said puffing up a little.

“Trixie, you don’t have to talk yourself up around us. We can all be friends, but you need to drop the third person and boasting around us.” Sunrise said softly, smiling encouragingly to take the sting out of her words.

“I’m sorry, I just don’t want any of you to think I’m nothing.” Trixie admitted softly hanging her head a little.

“We would never think that of you.” Fluttershy said reaching over to take the girl’s hand.

“I guess if my sister thinks you are okay I can give you a chance.” Rainbow Dash sighed, though it was clear she didn’t exactly trust Trixie as of yet.

“I suppose it would be best to give you a chance. We learned the hard way that people can be a lot different than what you first think.” Applejack admitted, smiling at Trixie.

“Darling, I think it would be great to be your friend. I can even help you with some magician’s outfits.” Rarity said, a gleam in her eyes as she began daydreaming about the different outfits she could design and make for the magician.

“Thank you everyone.” Trixie said.

“That’s what friends are for.” Sunrise said giving her another smile as she bit into her pizza.

Celestia sighed as she entered her office, the man she was meeting with already there sitting in her chair with feet propped up on the desk. She wanted to yell at him to get his feet down, but knew it would only make him smirk at her. It was amusing to him to see her get riled up. He just seemed to enjoy pushing her buttons.

“So, what are you doing here?” Celestia asked.

“Well, two things actually. The first is these.” Discord said opening up his briefcase and pulling out a folder before handing it to Celestia. As she took it she almost dropped it seeing what was inside. They were official adoption papers for Rainbow Dash and Scootaloo.

“How? I don’t understand, the hearing isn’t for awhile yet.” Celestia asked dropping into one of the extra chairs in the room, Discord moving over to sit next to her, putting a hand on her shoulder.

“That little visit from Rainbow Dash got her father thinking about everything and he agreed to plead guilty and sign over the rights to the girls. He’ll be going to jail for less time true, but he will be getting help with his problems. Both girls will graduate most likely before he gets out, but he has requested one thing. If he gets himself cleaned up he wants a chance to see his daughters.” Discord explained.

“If I had my choice I’d say he could stay away forever. If he gets cleaned up though, they will be old enough to make their own decision if they want to see him.” Celestia sighed, admitting that while she would love the girls as if they were her daughters, she wouldn’t stand between them and their father if he got cleaned up and they actually wanted to see each other.

“He understands that and if they don’t want to see him, he won’t force anything. All you have to do is sign on the dotted line.” Discord explained handing a pen to Celestia who hurriedly signed the papers. “Good, I’ll get these filed and you should have the official documents within a week.”

“Thank you, you have no idea what this means to me.” Celestia said, shocked to see his expression grow sad.

“I know what it means to you, I know you better than almost anyone else.” Discord said softly, making sure the folder was secured before turning all of his attention back on Celestia. Taking her hands in his.

“Discord?” Celestia asked softly, knowing what he was going to ask. She wanted to turn him down just as she had done every other time, but looking into his eyes she was shocked to still find the same look he had always had for her when they were young and very much in love. She had a feeling he still felt for her, but did she still care for him in that way?

“Tia, you know I still love you. I tell you nearly every time we are together.” Discord sighed, “I can see you are finally moving on, and I’m happy for you. You are getting the family you always wanted, but you are still missing once piece.”

“Discord, please don’t say it. I don’t know if I can do this.” Celestia said, her heart melting as she saw the pleading look in his eyes.

“Please Tia, I’ve always loved you and have never been with anyone except for you. I’ve waited all this time for you and if I have to I will wait until the day I die.” Discord said, looking into Celestia’s eyes with as much love as he could pour into the look. “Please Tia, don’t you think it’s time you allow yourself to be with someone. If not with me, at least find someone who can make you happy.”

“You idiot.” Celestia sighed.

“Wh-what?” Discord gasped, unable to look away from the misty eyed woman.

“I said, you’re an idiot. Do you think I could be happy with anyone beside you?” Celestia asked, “I lost our baby Discord, do you honestly think I deserve to be with you?”

“I think you deserve to finally leave that in the past. It was an accident and I never once blamed you or your sister.” Discord said leaning in to kiss Celestia before holding her to him.

“I guess I might be convinced to give you a chance.” Celestia sighed dramatically after composing herself and pulling away. “Though I have what some idiots call baggage and they all mean the world to me.”

“Then they mean the world to me.” Discord said, feeling hopeful that maybe Celestia would finally give in. He was a proud man, but he was never to proud to beg her to move on and hopefully give him another chance.

“You win Discord.” Celestia sighed, leaning in to kiss him on the cheek.

“Hah, as if there was ever any doubt!” Discord cheered earning a bit of a glare from Celestia.

“Don’t push your luck mister.” Celestia said.

“Yes Ma’am.” Discord squeaked out.

It had been a long day, yet it turned out to be much better than she had ever dared to hope for. She had made several new friends as well as managed to put a large part of her past behind her. It actually gave her more hope than ever before for a bright and happy future. It was something she always dreamed of and something she had once given up and as she let her anger and hatred get to her. Now she didn’t even think she had a place in her heart for such hatred. Still, she had one last bit of her past she wanted to close the door on as she sat at her desk with a book open before her with pen in hand. It was her old journal, the last piece of evidence that she was ever anything other than human. A last piece to a past that was long past, and a place she wanted to leave it in.

Taking a sigh, she put pen to the first empty page of a journal she hadn’t written in for years.

Dear Princess Celestia,

I’m not sure if this will work or not, but I feel it is time I close a chapter of my life that I should have closed long ago instead of letting it fuel my hurt and anger. I’m no longer angry and I’ve mostly moved on. I will admit that a small part of me will always feel hurt that I was never good enough for you. At least not since you took Twilight Sparkle as your apprentice and pretty much left Trixie and myself by the wayside.

That doesn’t matter now though as I have the family I wished so many nights you could give me. I don’t hate you, not any more, but I no longer care either as I have a mother who loves me for me. Not for what I can do or how good I am with magic, but for the person I am and the person I am becoming. Something I once prayed nightly you would give me, yet again you never did.

I do want to say I’m sorry. I’m so very sorry for all of the pain I have caused you and every pony there. Please tell Twilight Sparkle that I’m sorry for taking out the anger I once held for you out on her. And that I’m sorry for stealing her crown and the Element of Magic from her. And please tell her thank you for me. She helped push me into the position I am in now with those who care for me and are showing me the right path to find happiness. They let me know that my past doesn’t make me who I am as my past is not today.

And finally, if you even cared enough about her to keep tabs on her, please tell Trixie that I still think of her. That I love her and she will always be a sister to me in my heart.

Your ex-student,
Sunrise Shimmer
Formally Sunset Shimmer

Sunrise sighed as she wiped a few tears from her eyes as she closed the book and noticed it glow softly for a moment. It was a little harder than she thought and she knew she didn’t exactly get out everything that she wanted and she wasn’t too sure if she did a good enough job at saying what was in her mind and heart. The crying didn’t help much as Celestia knocked quietly on the door before pushing it open.

“Hey honey, you want a piece of cake? There’s probably enough left over for months.” Celestia said, as she walked over to kneel next to Sunrise. “Are you okay, honey?”

”I’m okay mom, just closing the last chapter of my past because from now on I’m only looking forward to what I have here with you and everyone else.” Sunrise said wiping a few tears away.

“And I’m looking forward to having you as a part of my life. You mean the world to me, don’t ever forget that.” Celestia said hugging Sunrise.

“And you mean the world to me mom.” Sunrise replied hugging her back.

Luna couldn’t help feeling as if something was wrong as she panted for breath. She still had no idea how Celestia managed this for a thousand years, but as they agreed upon, if one couldn’t make it within fifteen minutes do to one thing or another, then the one who arrived at the ceremonial towers where they raised and set the sun and moon would handle it as it was necessary. While the moon was easy to handle, the sun was a lot more chaotic and hard to grasp with her magic unlike the cool, familiar touch of the moon upon her magic.

After catching her breath Luna trotted off to her sister’s chambers to check up on her, to make sure that she was okay. Not bothering to knock as they never have before, Luna had to wonder just what was going on when she found Celestia sitting in the middle of her bed chamber on the floor with an open book while sobbing loudly.

“Tia, are thou okay?” Luna asked hesitantly as she had never seen her sister this devastated, not even from before Luna was banished to the moon.

“I’m a failure!” Celestia sobbed out as Luna sat next to her, wrapping a wing around the older alicorn and pulling her close in an embrace.

“What did thou mess up?” Luna asked softly, “Surely we can fix it.”

“We can’t, I lost her forever!” Celestia sobbed into Luna’s coat, confusing the younger mare. “First I caused you to become Nightmare Moon, then I caused two of my best students to turn away from me! The only thing I ever did right was Twilight Sparkle, and even then I turned her into a neurotic mess!”

“First off, thou knowest just as well as we do that the Nightmare Moon incident twas not your fault. We are here now and we are never leaving your side dearest sister.” Luna said in a soothing tone, holding back the small giggle about the crack at Twilight. Celestia didn’t cause it, but the unicorn turned alicorn truly was a neurotic mess. Neurotic or not, Twilight would always hold a special place in the sisters’ hearts. “Second of all, Twilight Sparkle tis a little off, but tis a good thing dear sister. Tis one of her best qualities. She’s never left us short of amusement with some of her friendship reports.”

“You don’t understand, Luna! I loved Sunset and Trixie so much! Yet I neglected them to concentrate on Twilight after her magic flare! If I just showed them a little more love then maybe they would still be here with us!” Celestia cried.

“We are sure that both are doing well, sister.” Luna said a little hesitantly. Last she heard was Trixie taking over Ponyville after being possessed by the Alicorn Amulet and Sunset Shimmer being left in element bearer’s human counterpart’s hands.

“I was sure she was going to be the Element of Magic until I saw Twilight’s cutie mark, Luna! I saw it and I neglected them over it!” Celestia moaned out, shaking as she tried to get a hold of her emotions.

“Who? Who did thou believe it would be?” Luna asked, arching a brow in confusion as to what Celestia was talking about.

“Sunset Shimmer! I thought it was going to be Sunset Shimmer! When Twilight had that stupid magic surge everything changed! I was sure I’d have time to make it up to Sunset Shimmer and Trixie when I had Twilight fully prepared for what she needed to do!” Celestia sniffled, “I miscalculated Luna. And I lost Sunset and Trixie because of it! My stupidity and neglect caused all of it!”

“Sister, we know it hurts to feel like thou hast failed, but thou did yee best. Twas dangerous to leave Twilight alone. If thou didn’t help her get her magic under control many ponies could have been hurt.” Luna said, pulling the book closer and reading the message from this Sunset Shimmer, or now as she was being called, Sunrise Shimmer. Her eyes widened at the words and she realized that what happened between Celestia and Sunset Shimmer had affected both of them a lot more than Luna thought possible.

“Luna, I failed her, and I’ll never forgive myself for that.” Celestia sighed as she stood up and started walking away slowly. “No pony will ever know just how important Sunset Shimmer truly was to me.”