Sunset Shimmer woke up to a single ray of sunlight hitting her eyes, while she laid on her side. She groaned with agitation before sitting up in her bed, letting out a yawn and stretching her aching back. She looked to the side to see that the book she wrote in the day before was glowing, a message from Twilight she knew.

She went over to grab the book off the desk, and opened it up, reading the contents with a light smile on her face.

*  *  *  *

Dear Sunset Shimmer,

              I’m glad to hear from you, even if it seems to be of a more urgent matter. I’m also thrilled to hear that you want to speak with Celestia, and as a good friend, I have already sent the letter her way. It’s handy having such a good assistant around when you need him.

                                                                                                        Yours truly,

                                                                                                 Princess Twilight Sparkle

*  *  *  *

Sunset sighed when she read the name Celestia. She, however, didn’t let that ruin her day like yesterday. She got up and went through her morning rituals, making herself tidy and fresh for school today. When she finished, she grabbed her belongings, and made her way out of her apartment.

The walk to school was calm, mellow, just like it always was in the mornings. It was truly a beauty, the sun left a wondrous glow in the air, and the birds were giving a majestic tune. It reminded Sunset of the mornings of Equestria, leaving her to wonder if this world was so much different from hers?

When she got to school, it was just a typical day. Nothing of particular note went on, except maybe for Pinkie Pie’s constant barrage of questions. She knew the girl always wanted to know what was going on, but she needed to be patient until after school for Sunset to tell her why she was so down the day before.

When the time did come, however, they were all standing by the statue outside of school. Which, to their knowledge, meant serious business.

“Girls, I know you’ve all been waiting patiently all day for me to explain why I was so depressed yesterday. And to that, I thank you. Even if a certain person kept bombarding me with constant questions.” Sunset gave a slight glare at her exuberant friend.

“I just wanted to know!” Pinkie shouted with a pout on her face.

Applejack turned to her, “We all wanted to know Pinkie; we were all going to hear eventually.”

Pinkie still gave a pout, however. Sunset giggled a little before continuing. “ Yes, I have kept you waiting in concern a little too long haven’t I? Anyway, the reason why I’ve been bummed out lately, is because I’ve been feeling a little homesick.” She looked at her friends questioning stares. “Okay, maybe really homesick.”

Fluttershy went up to Sunset. “Oh, you poor thing. That must have been tearing you up inside, I could never imagine what it would be like to leave the world I knew my whole life…”

Rarity piped in. “Yeah, it must have been a complete travesty on your spirit. Well, Sunset, I’m terribly sorry to hear that you’ve been feeling this way lately. You know, if you wanted to, you could always visit your old world?”

Sunset eyes popped open for a moment. “Rarity… that’s actually the reason why we’re here. I want to return to my home world for the weekend, and be back before school starts next week. We do have a three-day weekend so I should have plenty of time to spend reminiscing in Equestria.”

All her friends gave content smiles, with just a little bit of concern for her well being hidden behind.

Rainbow spoke up. “Sounds like it’ll be awesome Sunset. Hey, do you think you could bring back a souvenir? “ Rainbow Dash beamed with anticipation.

“Sorry Dash, I can’t. Anything with magical properties from Equestria could have negative repercussions on this world.”

Rainbow, in return, gave a pout and a sigh. “Okay, I understand.” That still didn’t help her get over her sour mood. Her arms were crossed, and she still held that nasty pouty face. That, however, changed when she noticed all her friends moving towards Sunset to give her a farewell hug. Sighing, she joined in.

As they all wrapped their arms around their friend, Rarity spoke. “You take care now, and make sure to tell us all about your trip when you get back.”

Sunset nodded to her as they broke their embrace. “I will, I Pinkie Promise.” She went through the hand motions before making her way towards the statue. She turned her head over her shoulder to look at them one last time. They were waving goodbye, and had huge smiles on their faces. “Goodbye, for now…” She waved at them and went straight into the portal that was on the face of the statue.

“I’m gonna miss her…” Sniffed Pinkie, as she blowed her nose into a tissue.

“Uh, Pinkie? You do know she’s coming back, right?” Asked Applejack, concerned for her friend.

“I know, it’s just… I’ll miss her so much!” Yelled Pinkie in reply. She was now sobbing into a bundle of tissues. She then, suddenly, stopped and had her cheerful demeanor again. “I know! I’ll start on her, welcome back to our world party!”

Everyone just rolled their eyes at Pinkie. “What?” She asked looking at their faces.

Meanwhile, Sunset was having a completely different experience. She was surrounded by a blinding rainbow of colors. Her body twisting and turning; contorting, and contracting. She felt like she was about to hurl, but couldn’t tell where her mouth was.

This seemed to drag on for eternity, but in truth, it only lasted a couple of moments. As soon as it begun, it was over. As she fell out on the other side, her eyes were closed. She slowly began to open them as she started to find her balance, and grasp on the world around her.

With her eyes now fully opened, she gazed at her surroundings. Everything seemed to be made out of crystal, it was the castle the Twilight told her about over their letters. Though, it was a lot bigger than how she described it. “Wow…” She said as she began to trot forward. That was, until, she fell face first on the cold, hard floor below. “Ouch…”

Standing up again, she said to herself. “Must not be used to walking on all fours, huh.” She slightly giggled. Looking at a particularly reflective part of the wall, she noticed her appearance. It was the same as before, not a single hair changed since she left this world. She also looked towards her head, noticing her horn. “I missed you old buddy.” There were slight tears in her eyes, she was so happy to be back after all these years.

“Uh, Sunset Shimmer… Is that you?” A familiar voice came from behind her. She whirled around to see her dear friend, Twilight Sparkle. “Oh… Twilight, I forgot to add in the beginning of that letter that I was gonna be visiting soon. Hehe, well, surprise.” She rubbed the back of her head with her forehoof.

“Oh, no. It’s no problem at all, in fact, it’s a pleasant surprise.” Twilight chirped as she made her way towards her friend. “So I’m guessing this has something to do with the other part of that letter, the one addressed to Celestia?”

Sunset Shimmer looked off to the side, giving a small sigh. “Yeah, that is exactly why I’m here.”

Twilight put a hoof on her friend's shoulder, bringing her into a warm embrace. “It’s okay Sunset, whatever it is, I’m sure it will be just fine.” Twilight nuzzled Sunset lightly.

“Thanks…” Sunset replied solemnly.

“Say.” Twilight began. “Do you mind talking about it over dinner? I’ll have some of the chefs cook us up something, what do you say?” Twilight left her embrace with her friend, and gave her a wide smile.

“That sounds great.” Sunset smiled back. “Also, nice place you got here.

Twilight blushed humbly. “Oh, do you think so? I don’t think it’s that special, it’s just a castle.”

Sunset slightly giggled, and rolled her eyes. “Yeah, your castle - your castle made out of crystal.”

Twilight slightly giggled back. “I suppose you’re right.”

They walked through the halls, talking and catching up on the time they’ve missed out on each other. Twilight asked nicely for the chefs to cook up some carrot soup, and cucumber sandwiches as they passed the dining hall. They took a seat at a small round table, perfect for two ponies.

There, they continued to speak, until the chefs presented them with their food. “Thanks, you are dismissed.” Said Twilight as her chefs bowed to her.

Sunset watched them walk off, and then turned to Twilight. “Do you ever get used to it?” She waved her hoof in a motion that made Twilight examine her entire castle. “Do you ever get used to this type of life?”

Twilight thought for a moment, and the answered her friends question. “No, not really. I’m still very knew to this whole, being a princess business, but I’m making the most of it. It was kinda sudden if you ask me, one moment I’m a unicorn, and then the next.” She fluttered her wings. “I’m not.”

Sunset nodded in understanding, using her magic to levitate her sandwich towards her. She took a bite and then swallowed. “I can tell you one thing, when you’re in the human world, you will always miss the use of magic.” She took another bite.

“I know how you feel, I felt like I was seriously handicapped when I couldn’t use magic. Growing up learning all about it, and using it for everyday life. It just… becomes a part of you.” Twilight took a sip from her soup.

Sunset looked to Twilight with her eyes yearning for acceptance. “Twilight, do you mind if I tell you why I sent that letter to Celestia?”

“That’s why we’re here, after all. Anything you want to say, I’m completely open ears.” Twilight gave her friend a comforting smile, stopping her indulgence of her soup.

Sunset sighed before continuing. “Twilight, I’ve been… I’ve been feeling homesick. As you could probably already tell.” She stopped for a moment to make she her friend didn’t interrupt her. “It’s not that I’m just homesick… I miss the old days with Celestia. I miss the times we’ve spent together, I miss looking up at the stars with her… I especially miss the times I’ve spent in her study, drinking a warm cup of hot chocolate beside her.”

Sunset cast her head downward. “Twilight, the reason why I’ve sent that letter, is because I want to visit Celestia. I want to formally apologize for my actions, and I just want to repent all that I’ve done in my past.” She looked back up to her friend. “I just want to make things right again, you understand?”

Twilight moved closer to Sunset, and wrapped her in a even warmer embrace from before. “I completely understand Sunset, if I was in your position, I think I’d do the same.” Sunset let out a small cry, putting her head in Twilight’s shoulder.

After a moment, they left their embrace, and Sunset whipped her eyes. “Thanks Twilight… Do you think we could visit her tomorrow, or the day after? I can only stay here for the weekend since, you know, I got school next week.”

Twilight lightly giggled. “Yes, I’m sure I can spare up the time to take you to Canterlot. In the meantime.” Twilight looked out the window, noticing that the sun was going down. The town of Ponyville started to pack it in for the day. “I think it’s best we get our sleep, we do seem to have a long day tomorrow, don’t we.”

Sunset nodded her head in agreement. “Yeah.”

They got up from their table, the chefs coming over to clean up the the slight mess they made. Mostly on Twilight’s part. They made their way down the halls until Twilight showed Sunset a bedroom she could stay in. Sunset said her goodnight's, before closing the door, and situating herself in her bed.

Laying on her side, she looked out the window and saw the last of the sunlight dip below the horizon. “Goodnight Celestia. “ She said. “I’ll see you in the morning...”