Twilight sat in the parlor of SugarCube Corner with the human versions of her six dear friends who lived in Equestria. Today had been Twilight's day off, meaning she could spend some time with them for once. Ever since Celestia had granted Twilight with more responsibilities, it was much harder to see them nowadays. Sunset was with them too, of course, enjoying her time with them herself. It was then that Twilight was pulled to the door by Sunset over an important matter.

"How come Celestia hasn't let me back into Equestria yet?".

This particular question caught Twilight by surprise. Never has she thought why Celestia hasn't even brought up Sunset's name. Let alone, how come she could never enter Equestria via portal anyways? The only other time Sunset was able to enter Equestria was when she stole her crown, but ever since, she hasnt bothered to come back. Odd. But according to her friend across from her, Celestia hasn't released her banishment yet. "I-I actually don't know Sunset," Twilight said. "I've never even heard her talk about you since I was about to enter this world the first time.".

Sunset looked down at her feet, then back up again. "Could you do me a favor?".

"Anything." Twilight quickly answered.

"Could you talk to her about this? Ask why she hasn't let me back in yet?".

This wasn't a tall order for the Princess, but it appeared that way to her anyways. Feeling a deep weight in her stomach, Twilight nodded her head, ending their conversation.

Later that day, as Twilight passed through the portal back into her castle, she immediately took flight to Canterlot. Upon entering Celestia's chambers, Twilight quickly brought up the subject.

"Princess Celestia?".

"Hello there Twilight, how was your visit to Canterlot High?" Celestia asked.

"Great, anyways, I wanted to talk to you about something related to that.".

Looking over to her, Celestia chuckled. "Twilight, you know you can't bring your friends from that world into this world, it just isn't right for them to meet.".

Shocked for a second, Twilight shook her head. "No, no, I was talking about a different pony, one that you've known quite well.".

From this, Celestia quickly caught on. "Sunset Shimmer?".

"I know you banished her and all, but you've been aware of her reformation and how she's handled the evil magic in that world. I just want to know-well, she wants to know-why you haven't lifted her banishment?".

Whatever effect this had on Celestia, it wasn't a good one. She sighed, and walked over to a window near her bed. Looking out as her sun was setting, she began to speak.

"Sunset's banishment has long been lifted Twilight. There is a different force keeping her from coming back.".

Confused, Twilight tilted her head and walked closer. "What exactly are you talking about Princess?".

"Sunset doesn't want to come back to Equestria, Twilight," Princess Celestia sighed again. "The force keeping her is me.".

"But why, why are you keeping her away from here?" Twilight pleaded. Never has such an issue bothered her more, and she wanted answers.

"The force is a broken connection between a Mother and her daughter." Celestia said as she resumed looking out the window.

At first, Twilight was thoroughly confused, but once thinking it over, her jaw dropped. "You mean, S-Sunet... She's your daughter?!".

"Yes," Celestia looked over to Twilight with mourning eyes. "She is my daughter.".

This was too much to take in. Not only was Sunset Celestia's former prized pupil like Twilight, but her daughter! Many thoughts swirled in Twilight's mind.

Why hasn't Sunset told me this?

How come Celestia hasn't told me about this?

She realized she was breathing a little too irregularly, and fanned herself with a pillow. Celestia remained silent before speaking again.

"I suppose you want to know how this came to be?" Celestia's voice sounded weak and almost depressed, as if she was confessing something to Twilight.

So far, Twilight wouldn't be surprised by anything.

"Back when your brother was just a foal, I wasn't in the best of shape. My life seemed to be only known as a Princess to many. But only few knew about my private life. Those few were the maids that dearly respect me and my privacy. Anyways, I tried dating back then. It wasn't my cup of tea, as you would be surprised. Even though I was a ruler of these lands, I never found interest in any particular ponies. That was true, until I met Sundusk. Dawning a maroon coat, golden mane, and the most handsome set of eyes I've ever seen, he was a perfect fit for me. Our relationship started out great, with every day spent with him worth while. We were going to announce our relationship to the public, hoping he would be welcomed to the kingdom. But after I found out I was pregnant, he changed. Never expecting that, he became quiet and reclusive,".

"But it was at this time that I learned a darker side of him. Some nights he would sneak out and drink his worries of having a foal away with a bunch of Griffons. This became a problem, because his drunken stupor turned on his dark side. I say "dark side" in a literal sense, as he would come home angry and confused. Those nights he would try to harass me, but I used magic to calm his conscience down. After a few hours, he would be normal again. But this would repeat. After being sick of this, I confronted him about it. That was a mistake, because he didn't take it lightly. For some reason, Sundusk had been tampering with dark magic, which was the reason he came home angry when he was drunk. After learning this, I broke up with him. I sent him away from Canterlot, and he most likely returned home. I haven't seen him since.".

"So how does this fit in with Sunset?" Twilight asked.

"Sunset didn't like the fact that I did this to her father, once she was old enough. This pushed her away from me for a while, but she was my daughter nonetheless. But like her father, she had a interest in dark magic. Once I banished her too, she truly believed I was nothing back a cruel, unrespectable pony. The reason she doesn't face me or come back is because she isn't ready to come back. Even more so, even she doesn't feel like she's ready to face me again.".

Assuming this was the end of her story, Twilight sat down and thought about all of this. Thinking of a plan, Twlilight left Celestia in her chambers and went to bed. Early in the morning, Twilight left for the human world again, and hurried to Sunset's apartment.

Once there she told Sunset what Celestia told her over breakfast. The entire time, Sunset never spoke, but kept her head up and listened, her eyes looking out as if going right through Twilight. After her visit, she returned back to Canterlot and met Celestia in her chambers again.

"Princess?".

"Yes Twilight?".

"I'd like you to meet a friend of mine.".

Turning, Celestia's eyes widened with shock at the mare standing across from her in the doorway. Sunset Shinmer.

Looking back at her, Sunset's eyes watered with tears. She smiled, and slowly walked forward. "Hi Mom.".