Canterlot, Equestria; 15 years ago, Sunshine Smiles Orphanage; 6 pm

It was just another day at the orphanage, another day of hoping that maybe, just maybe a pair of parents would want to adopt her, hoping she'd have a good family, make new friends; maybe even have a big brother or sister! Even having a little brother or sister was alright with her, as long as she had a family who loved and accepted her. As the little amber coated foal with a fiery red and yellow mane sat in her room reading a book she smiled at the tales it held within all of them about a alabaster alicorn with a rainbow color mane and her little sister who was a midnight blue alicorn with a starry mane. Sunset admired them about, especially princess Celestia, she was so beautiful and graceful, so loving and caring, powerful and respected; everyone in Equestria knew her name and bowed in sight of her. The princesses were the rulers of the land and ensured happiness for all their little pony's just like her! That's what she truly wanted besides a family; to be an alicorn, to be a princess, to be the best there was at magic and use it to protect Equestria and all who lived in it.

Smiling to herself she continued to read, watching out of the corner of her eye as the other colts and fillies trotted about; she didn't exactly have any friends here at the orphanage and often kept to her books both because she was often to shy to make friends or she just didn't know how; the concept of friendship and relationships was pretty lost on little Sunset, she didn't really know how to talk to other fillies and colts and make conversation with them, she was incredibly smart for her age and thus knew things they had no clue about and this lead to her getting teased more than once and thus Sunset had decided she didn't need any of them to be her friends, she had her books and her magic! She'd just fine; as long as she had her power and her dream; who needed friendship?

Getting up from her bed she'd levitate a few books in her teal magic aura and would hop down off of her bed, she had to keep practicing. Looking at her blank flank she pouted and pursed her lips annoyed at the fact that her special talent still had no revealed itself and that had only pushed Sunset to want to become even more powerful so that maybe it would appear. Grinning in determination she'd trot downstairs and outside through the backdoor where the playground rested. It was getting a little bit late but it was the weekend and so Ms.Smiles wouldn't be upset if Sunset stayed out in the playground to practice her magic when the moon rose; she'd often spend her nights out there just looking up at the stars and the moon, often mesmerized by the strange pattern stained upon it that looked like the head of a mare. The sun had begun setting on Equestria as the large ball of fire rested just over the hills, burning the sky with an aurora of colors with shades of red, yellow, orange and even pink blue and purple, a perfect color splash.

Sunset opened up her book and took a seat underneath the old oak tree that sat there, it was the fall time and thus the trees leaves had all fallen however Sunset wanted to practice a new spell that would give it life and beauty again even in this time of season. During the summer time this tree would produce the most lovely flower called a Aurora blossom and they'd often bloom and be in full effect around the beginning of spring and continue on throughout the spring and summer time. The flowers were a beautiful color blend of red yellow and purple and light pink and they smelled heavenly, Sunset also wanted to see if they might have made good tea also; she adored a good cup of tea and a good fairy tale book to pass the time.

Opening up her book she'd read over the spell a few times before closing the book and willing her magic to life. She kept the image of the blossoms in mind, how beautiful and full of life they always looked, how majestic and gracefully they all were; she'd keep her eyes on the tree but through the branches she could also see the setting sun and unknown to Sunset the longer she looked at the sun, the more her aura began to glow, she felt so warm, so strong; she felt like she could do anything! Allowing her magic to flow through her at full power she'd cast the spell on the tree, the recoil sending her flying back on her flank but sure enough after a few moments the tree shook, shined, shimmered and then began blossoming each a different shade and as they all came into full bloom the colors would dance about the different petals, cascading around the tree in perfect harmony, the colors all looked ethereal and in motion, much like that of Celestia's mane and the flowers even started popping up all around the tree and playground lighting the entire area alight in a rainbow glow

Seeing this turn of events Ms.Smiles came outside to witness what Sunset had done and her jaw nearly broke when it hit the floor.

"S-Sunset, did you do this sweetheart?" the caretaker mare said in complete shock

"Um...Y-Yes; do you like it? I'm sorry if I-" Sunset began to say a bit panicked; oh no I did something wrong! Sunset thought to herself hoping she wasn't about to be punished for her little act.

"I love it! It's simply...simply-" Ms.Smiles was at a loss for words until her sentence was finished by a very familiar regal but kind tone of voice.

"Majestically beautiful" Said the voice of princess Celestia as she trotted into view, her hoofs stepped gracefully through the large field of flowers and sure enough her presence caused every little foal filly and colt to come running to greet her with a smile and hug to her long legs. "Hehehe why hello my little pony's; a pleasure to see you all...You there, little filly; whats your name?" Celestia asked looking to Sunset Shimmer having sensed her strong magic aura and could tell right away she was the one who'd cast this amazing spell.

Sunset was besides herself...here she was, right in front of her, the princess of all of Equestria, ruler of the sun and her idol and hero....acknowledging her, asking her name; Sunset was trying her best not to faint from excitement and so she gathered her nerves, steeled herself and said. "S-Sunset Shimmer, your majesty; i-it's such an honor to meet you" Sunset said with a blush rubbing her foreleg.

"A great pleasure to meet you as well Sunset Shimmer; I must say for such a young filly you have quite strong magic; how old are you?" Celestia asked tilting her head some

"S-Six and a half..." Sunset blushed and downcast her eyes.

"Impressive; very impressive, why I dare say you hold the same amount of raw talent I held at your age" Celestia smiled and giggled remembering her own foalhood fondly

"R-Really?!" Sunset couldn't believe her ears! She was being compared to the princess of the sun in her youth?! That was like being told you had Starswirl level magic as a newborn foal! Sunset was finding it very hard to contain herself right now, she felt like her entire body was on fire but in a warm tingling good kind of way, her entire soul was alight with joy, her heart fluttered and yet at the same time she couldn't help but feel really nervous about something and couldn't place a hoof on what it was but she was far to enraptured by Celestia to care.

"Oh my yes! I remember when I was a little filly and I was first discovering my special talent, you have a very special gift Sunset Shimmer; as I can see it appears you draw on the power of the sun to fuel your magic, the closer the rays of sunlight are too you; the more powerful you are, a very rare talent to have; one that usually marks a pony for greatness" Celestia said with a broad smile.

"T-Thank you princess! I've been working super, super hard to get into your school for gifted unicorns, I've been waiting for awhile to get a chance to come to the castle and show I can make it" Sunset said

"Is that so? Well then Sunset Shimmer I'd like to be the first to tell you congratulations!" Celestia said with a smile

"On what princess?" Sunset tilted her head some in confusion

"Why on getting into my school of course...and if you would like dear Sunset; I'd like to personally take you under my wing and teach you to hone these magical abilities of yours; I believe you are destined for great things in the future Sunset Shimmer; and I see much of myself in you and to that end..." Celestia turned to Ms.Smiles and glanced a look down at little Sunset. "I am also here to adopt" Celestia proclaimed

"Y-You...want to adopt...ME?!" Sunset shouted in pure disbelief; if she had a fainting couch she'd be passed out on it by now.

"Yes I do; that isn't a problem is i-"

"Yes! I-I mean no! I mean..yes! Yes I'd love for you to adopt me!" Sunset was practically bouncing with glee, there was no way this could get any better.

"Excellent, and our first order of business when returning to the castle will be to throw you a cutesinyeria"

"But I don't have my-"

"I'd advise you to look again dear" Celestia smiled pointing to the fillies flank.

Quirking a confused brow Sunset looked down at her now once blank flank and found stamped on it the image of the sun with eight rays comes off it and the center was red and yellow like her mane. Her smile threatened to split her face in two and with a gleeful scream and shout Sunset Shimmer bounced and hopped around Celestia and everypony else without a single care in the world and chanted over and over.

"YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES YES!" She couldn't believe it! All her dreams seemed to be coming true and she couldn't have been happier. Running up to Celestia she'd embrace the sun princess in the biggest hug she could muster and sobbed happily into her pure white coat; she at last would have a family...a mother; and how fitting that it was her hero and idol who would be the one to save her from her loneliness; she'd be sure to not let the princess down, no matter what.

"Thank you so much princess; I promise I'll be the best daughter I can be!" Sunset said with a broad happy smile as she hugged onto Celestia who draped a wing over her and hugged her back and whispered in her ear. "It's time to wake up now my little pony"

************************************************

Opening her eyes the world would flood into view as Sunset Shimmer went through the motions of waking up. As she rose up from her red and yellow silk sheets she'd brush her disheveled dragons nest of a mane out of her face and would yawn and stretch, allowing her joints to pop and crack back into proper place. She hadn't slept that well in a good while and it had been a long time since she'd had that dream of the first time she ever met Celestia...it was the day she got adopted and also got her cutie mark, Sunset had a hard time remembering just where she went wrong, when exactly she started being so cruel and cold to other pony's despite having the shining example of friendship and love as her teacher.

'Ugh how did I end up being such a brat?' She thought to herself

Sunset loathed her past self for what she had been, such a spoiled, entitled, self absorbed and petulant brat she had been but that was all in the past; she was a new mare now; she'd learned her lesson the hard way but was all the more thankful for it. Looking out the window she could see the sun had been fully risen and taking a look at the clock she could see the time read 9 am which no doubt meant Celestia was awake and probably waiting for her.

"Well; I've kept her waiting long enough...time to settle this once and for all" Sunset said to herself and took a deep breath so she could gather her thoughts. All night she wondered how she'd approach Celestia, what she would say to her, how she would say it but really it all came down to her speaking from the bottom of her heart and the deepest reaches of her soul and not trying to hard to dig too deep into either one. Sunset was incredibly sorry and remorseful for her actions, she wanted to make everything right and the only pony she had left to right wrongs with, was the one pony who cared the most about her since she was but a little filly.

Celestia may not have been her actual mother but she was the only one that Sunset knew which only made things harder when she ran away to the human world only to find that Celestia existed their too; back then at first she thought it was just Celestia being what she was; a goddess whom no pony could escape punishment from no matter where they ran off to and tried to hide but after doing some research and discovering the world was a parallel one? Sunset had used that to gain an advantage over Celestia and Luna in the human world effectively fooling them both into thinking she was the perfect model student when in reality she was just a little monster on a power trip because momma Celestia told her no to playing with big mare toys that she wasn't ready to use I.E. the element of magic and the status of being a princess.

'Things are different now though, I've learned, I know the true value and magic of friendship now; only hope she sees it too' Sunset thought to herself as she got ready to tackle the day ahead.

Slipping off her bed she'd head into the bathroom and would use her magic to will the water to life and stood under the steaming hot water and used her magic to wash herself with a cloth and some fancy soaps and shampoos that had been laid out for her, all of which were the same ones she always used when she used to live in the castle. It was almost as if she'd never run away to begin with, her morning routine felt so natural, mostly because in the human world it was virtually the same only difference begin she washed herself with her hands no her magic. As she finished washing her coat and mane she'd magically grab a towel which was nice and warm straight from the laundry room and dried herself off and redid her mane into its usual style. Looking upon herself in the mirror she was happy to no longer see the face of a demon staring her back in the face; she saw only her own face, the face of the new mare she'd become and it was her deepest hope that princess Celestia saw what she saw. It was then Sunset heard a knock at the door.

"Ms.Shimmer, its Celestia's personal guard; may I come in?" The stallion guard asked

"Yes? Come in" Sunset said.

Coming in she'd look upon a silver stallion with a blue mane and yellow eyes clad in golden and white armor, the white showing that he was a high ranking officer in Celestia's guard and clearly one she hadn't met before. Bowing politely he'd address Sunset Shimmer.

"My name is Daybreak Dusk, I am Celestia's personal high paladin and captain of the Equestrian royal guard, it is an honor and a pleasure to see you again Sunset Shimmer." The stallion smiled warmly.

"We've met before?" Sunset asked curiously, feeling bad now that she didn't remember the stallion.

"Yes but only in passing at the orphanage when we were young; I still remember the day Celestia came and picked you up; I believe your exact words at the time of her adopting you were a lot of yes's." Daybreak grinned and chuckled remembering the event quite fondly

"Ooooooh I remember you now! You're Ms.Smiles adopted son; how is she by the way? Does she still run the orphanage?"

"Um...I'm sorry to inform you of this but...Ms.Smiles passed some years ago, the orphanage is still up and running though, my step sister runs it now. Those kids are in good hooves with Daylight." Daybreak lamented over the passing of his adoptive mother and the single kindest mare in Canterlot.

"Oh...I see" Sunset tried her best to fight off any tears and kept her cool. "I'm happy that the kids are being taken care of; anyway I think we've put off me seeing Celestia long enough; I assume she sent you for me?"

"Yes; she is waiting in her personal chambers; shes ordered breakfast for you both as well; this way please."

Daybreak turned and trotted off and Sunset followed in time behind him. This was it, all her efforts and acts of redemption had lead her to this, after she did this there would be nothing holding her back from popping the question to Twilight, she would have the love and acceptance of her princess back, she'd have her blessings but most importantly what she hoped to have more than anything...was her forgiveness. As they came to the double gold and white doors adorned with the mark of the princess of the Sun; Sunset stood there frozen in fear for a moment looking at the door as if it were a hungry fire breathing dragon that wanted to swallow her and then pick her bones and guts from its teeth. Her hoof buckled beneath her as she began to sweat and she continued to try and hype herself up to say she could do this without breaking down by that was proving all the more difficult the longer she looked at the door and then it was what Daybreak said that snapped her out of it.

"You needn't worry; when she told me to come and get you this morning she looked just as nervous to see you as you are to see her; she bares no resentment against you Sunset Shimmer; trust in her...after all she and her sister bare no hate toward one another and look what they've been through. You're like a daughter to her and all she wants now is to have you back; so go on...hehehe the room has been sound proofed so I'm positive your reunion will be most private. Let it all out is all the advice I can give you Sunset Shimmer; the sooner you let it all go, the happier you'll be...It takes a very strong pony to admit to their own crimes but it takes more than strength to look a pony who you care about in the eyes and admit to them you were wrong, but I just know you and Celestia will be alright. Now if you'll excuse me Ms.Shimmer I have important knight things to do; enjoy your time with the princess; until we meet again" Daybreak bowed and took his leave.

And then she was alone, just her and the door and beyond that door she could just feel Celestia's radiant aura leaking from the cracks and the massive symbol that was her cutie mark stared down at her making her feel small and insignificant by comparison. Gulping, Sunset took a deep calming breath and remembered her friends words to her, all of their smiling faces, all of her good memories with them and all the good deeds she had done to make up for the horrible pony and person she had been.

This was her final act of reconciliation, the last pony she had to apologize to in order to fully and finally feel at peace with herself and move on into the next stage of her life; marriage and a family. Sunset blushed and smiled a giddy goofy smile at that thought, she was soon to be married to Twilight Sparkle of Earth and with any hope she would be able to bear the girls children and start a family of her own; be the mother to her babies as her own real mother never was to her, she truly didn't bare any resentment toward her birth parents; she was sure there was a good reason why they left her at the orphanage when she was a foal, the note they left said they were heartbroken to leave their little filly behind but knew that she'd be safe and sound there and would go to a good home...they were right.

"Well...here goes." Sunset said as she trotted forward and just like back when she was her personal student; she pushed the doors of Celestia's personal study open, the room was as she remembered it, large and regal, a masterpiece of craftsponyship with pillars of marble and ivory spread across the room and it was painted in the colors of its occupant, gold and white. At the far end of the room sat the princess of the sun; Celestia, sitting on a silk gold pillow with white frills, next to her was a red pillow with yellow frills; Sunset instantly recognized it as the personal sitting pillow Celestia had woven for Sunset for her 8th birthday after she had moved into the castle. Sunset was already feeling a hurricane of emotions attacking her senses at once but they were ones of joy, excitement, anxiety and most of all...remorse. Even after everything I did, she still has a place for me at her side?

Trotting into the room she'd used her magic to slowly close the doors behind her and they slammed a bit too hard for her liking and it made Sunset twitch and yelp a bit. Shaking her head she'd calm her nerves and try her best to smile as she came into the room to address the princess, bowing as customary as a show of respect.

"Princess Celestia..." Sunset said calm and evenly.

Celestia for her part looked upon her former student with a smile, it was a calm and gentle smile, one full of motherly sweetness and love that Sunset had only ever felt from Celestia, her warm and embracing aura blanketed the entire room. Her rainbow ethereal mane blew in the non-existent wind as it normally did and her wings lay curled to her sides.

"Sunset Shimmer; it's been quite some time hasn't it?" Celestia said with a kind and gentle smile and a loving look in her eyes.

Sunset felt her eyes pierce directly into her heart and soul and couldn't tell if Celestia did it on purpose or if the power of her motherly love was just that strong, Sunset was convinced it had to be both. Shuddering a bit as she continued to try and keep her composure, Sunset willed herself to speak again.

"Y-Yes; it has been, though time moves differently between the two worlds so probably not as long." Sunset said trying her best to jest about the situation in the hopes that it would lighten the mood and it did, until Celestia actually giggled at her quip and the sound of her charming laughter sent shivers down Sunset's spine and her eyes began to sting and her heart hammered in her chest.

Celestia nodded as her giggling died down after a short while. "Indeed though any time away from those you love and hold dear is always too long and just as it was with my little sister when I was forced to banish her, I missed you every single day you were gone Sunset Shimmer; and here you are again...my little pony home at long last...thank the maker" Celestia said with a smile and visibly noticeable tear rolled down the alicorns face and her voice even hitched a little; Sunset had NEVER seen Celestia like this before and seeing this new side of her and knowing that she missed her that much?

'That tears it! Buck staying cool and keeping my composure! No one is here to see this and this has been a long time coming...there are a lot of things in life that I want right now and I know I'll have them but right now? All I want? IS MY MOMMY!'

Sunset thought to herself as she let her dams not break but shatter into a million pieces, her eyes flooded with tears, her voice hitched and cracked wildly and her knees had gone too weak to move. So managed enough strength to will her magic to enable her to teleport right to Celestia and she buried her face into the alicorns coat and screamed her little head off and cried. She cried loud and thunderous into Celestia's chest and not even a second after the young mare embraced the alicorn, she had wrapped her wings and hooves around Sunset in a tight motherly embrace that only a mother could truly give their child even if Celestia wasn't Sunset's birth mother she was the closest thing to a daughter next to Twilight that she had.

"I-IM SO SO-RRY!!! IM SORRY IM SORRY IM SORRY IM SORRY IM SORRY IM SO SO SORRY CELESTIA! P-PLEASE FORGIVE ME FOR BEING S-SUCH A FOOLISH PETULANT SPOILED EVIL LITTLE-" Sunset screamed and cried and repented for all the horrible things she had done and wanted nothing more than for Celestia to forgive her, she wanted to hear her say it so badly it hurt but just as Sunset was about to continue apologizing Celestia silenced her with a wing.

The tears rolled fast down Celestia's cheeks as she held her crying adoptive daughter. "Shhh; hush now my little pony. I was NEVER truly angry with you Sunset...yes you stumbled...you feel down a dark path...but it is I who failed you; as your teacher...your mentor...y-your mother; I failed to see just how far you were falling, I thought I'd done all that I could to put you back on the righteous path but I failed and in the end the same fate befell you that befell my sister...So no Sunset; I am the one who is sorry dear daughter....you've nothing to say sorry for my little pony" Celestia said reassuringly to the crying mare.

Sunset was so warped by her emotions she tone now became slightly angered and frustrated; how come she wasn't punishing her? why wasn't she scolding her?! She'd been a bad pony hadn't she?! "B-BUT I-I TORMENTED AN ENTIRE DIMENSION OUT OF SPITE, I STOLE THE ELEMENT OF MAGIC AND TRIED TO OVERTHROW YOU, I NEARLY MURDERED TWILIGHT AND TURNED INTO A MONSTER! H-HOW ARE YOU NOT FURIOUS WITH ME?!" Sunset shouted and demanded to know why Celestia wouldn't punish her for being such a bad filly, she deserved it didn't she?

Shaking her head and chuckling bitterly Celestia spoke again. "Yes you made mistakes, you acted on emotions of cruelty, hate, spite, revenge, anger and used powers far beyond you to do so; however Luna had done the same, and she and I were able to reconcile; I always had high hopes for you Sunset Shimmer; and I still do. Twilight informed me of your connection to the elements of harmony and your great act of selflessness in giving it to Starlight Glimmer to bear in this world while you bear it in the human world; she has told me of all your heroic acts to protect the human world as you're home..." Celestia smiled and nuzzled Sunset. "She also told me about your impending engagement...I must say I couldn't have picked anyone better for you" Celestia teased with a small smile as she comforted the crying mare still in a warm embrace.

"You t-taught Twilight well; very well, far better than me and she deserves her status as a princess; where I am now...I'm happy and I want to make the best of it all..." She sniffled and her cries still came through but she still managed to speak. "I-I came back here to face you so I could be at peace...so I could say I'm so sorry for all the mistakes I made....you did your very best for me Celestia and I shunned all your teachings as if I were above them...and so for that I am eternally sorry...so...so sorry" Sunset said still sobbing into the alicorns white coat. "I-I-I missed you mommy...so much it hurt...even though you were there in the other world; for so long I would act out toward her because I was angry at you...I-I was so wrong; I'm so sorry, I never want that to be me again...Please forgive me...P-Please?" Sunset was never one for pleading or begging but if their was one thing she'd grovel for...one thing she'd bow her head to the dirt for....it was the love and forgiveness of the princess who raised her.

"I've long since forgiven you Sunset. You coming home is all the apology I need little pony; its alright, shhhh, shhhh; I'm right here little sunshine" Celestia hadn't called Sunset by that nickname since she was a filly! This only made Sunset cry harder and louder; how could she have turned out so horribly with such a perfect mare as her role model? She didn't know but she was glad she'd at last found her way.

Celestia would gently stroke the mares mane and whisper sweet motherly nothings in her ear as she comforted her. They stayed like that for a good while, Sunset cried and cried until every last tear of regret and remorse had left her body and Celestia held her through it all; collectively they sat and cried and made up with one another for two whole hours. When the crying finally ceased the two mares would sit together and would enjoy a hot cup of tea together along with a plate of cake for each of them, it felt just like old times and Sunset couldn't be any happier. For hours they talked, Sunset recounting all her good deeds in the human world and how she'd helped make CHS a better place after she had graduated, she spoke to her about her plans for the future and even about her wedding plans.

"I see you have fallen very much in love with that universes Twilight Sparkle; not much of a surprise, when I first met Twilight my first reaction was to think that she could possibly be your sister; more so when I took her in as my personal student, she reminded me so much of you and it was only when she gained her cutie mark that I knew her true purpose." Celestia sighed and chuckled after. "Destiny works in strange ways"

"It sure does....thank you for taking time to see me Celestia; it really is great to see you again." Sunset said with a gentle smile.

"And its a pleasure to see you again as well Sunset Shimmer; the castle truly has not been the same without you, Twilight has her charms of course but you had a charm and flare of your own, one that I truly miss having around...but alas I know your hearts desires lay elsewhere beyond Equestria; and I couldn't be more proud of the young woman you've become....you shall make Twilight an excellent wife" Celestia beamed.

"Thank you princess-"

"And I expect many grand-foals" Celestia said with a teasing catlike smirk on her face; huh so thats where I picked that up from?

"Ehehehe right...I'm working on that." Sunset blushed madly rubbing the back of her head. "It's a lot harder making kids between two females in that world you know...not like I can just magically grow the equipment I need to well...y'know?" Sunset was trying her best to not be crass about it in the presence of the princess.

"Hm indeed; though perhaps maybe I can be of assistance...you see since you've been gone Equestria has advanced quite much in the fields of science and magic and one of those advancements is a little spell created about three or four years ago which has recently been concentrated into pill form." Celestia explained. "The stallion to mare ratio has been rather 'off' lately and so more mares have been mating with other mares and have wanted to bare children you see."

"Wait are you saying-?"

"That I'm going to give you a magic pill to take back to the human world and give Twilight Sparkle the rutting of her lifetime so you can start your family? Yes, Yes I am" Celestia said plainly magically taking a sip of her tea.

Sunset for her part was completely taken aback so much so that she doubled over and just started laughing. She couldn't believe her luck; here she only came to make her wedding ring for Twilight, get some super exotic flowers and other things only found in Equestria and go back home for a romantic evening with her girlfriend and soon to be fiance; never did she expect that Celestia would be the one to give her the actual tools she needed to complete her little fantasy.

"Celestia I swear on your name and mane that I will give you at least two grand-foals when I get back to the human world; either I'm carrying one, Twi is carrying one; or we both carry one..." Sunset chuckled but she couldn't be more serious about what she had said

"I expect no less from you Sunset Shimmer; you've been through many a hardship but I can see it in your magic my little pony you have certainly blossomed into a fine young mare and will no doubt light the world ablaze with your glory when you say I do to the blushing bride." Celestia said with a smile and would levitate a card over to Sunset. "You'll find what you need at this store in Canterlot, they've got the best brands possible; show them this card and anything there is on the royal tab, consider this my engagement gift to you both"

"Thank you princess; for everything...it feels so good to finally have all of this off my chest at last; I feel...I feel so free! So light! I could just...just...I could just sing right now!" Sunset said feeling a well of positive emotions fire up inside her, looking outside she saw that they had been there a lot longer than she and Celestia had thought and the princess of the sun had already begun setting it; feeling the rays of the sunlight hit her body, she'd walk out to the balcony and hummed a gentle tune, she wanted to sing and shout her joys to the heavens and she would; this was Equestria after all and so breaking into random song was totally normal.

Power
Was all I desired...
But all that grew inside me
Was the darkness I acquired

Sunset looked to the sky and where it was beginning to darken and in the stars she saw the shadows of her former self, her demon transformation and it was as if her entire past was flashing before her eyes.

When I began to fall
And I lost the path ahead
That's when your friendship found me
And it lifted me instead

Her voice was light and free and lifted up to the heavens as she felt the sunlight and its power course through her body just like the first time she'd sang this song after the battle of the bands when she'd finally gotten accepted by everyone and she felt she had finally found her way to move on from her past but now more than ever she knew that the past wasn't today and she'd sing her praises to all of Canterlot to make sure they knew on this day Sunset Shimmer was truly reborn from her ashes.

Like a phoenix burning bright
In the sky

As she sang this part, Celestia's pet phoenix flew by and made a few laps around the tower Sunset was in where the setting sun sat perfectly on the horizon.

I'll show there's another side to me
You can't deny
I may not know what the future holds
But hear me when I say
That my past does not define me
'Cause my past is not today

As she continued to sing she had all but forgotten that Celestia was there watching her, she simply stood on the balcony and sang out over Canterlot in pure joy for feeling the final weight of her past lifted from her shoulders.

Ambition
Is what I believed
Would be the only way
To set me free

She remembered all the negative emotions she felt and where they had lead her; they'd lead her to become a monster and after being defeated she was what she always feared to be...alone.

But when it disappeared
And I found myself alone
That's when you came and got me
And it felt like I was home

She then remembered the five girls who helped pull her up from the shadows of her past and showed her a better way, showed her the value of honesty, loyalty, laughter, kindness, generosity and then on her own she truly saw the magic in it all; and then not too long after she found love in that very same magic, a love that even now made her heart flutter and scream in bliss when she thought about it.

Like a phoenix burning bright
In the sky
I'll show there's another side to me
You can't deny
I may not know what the future holds
But hear me when I say
That my past does not define me
'Cause my past is not today!!

As her song came to an end she felt her power rising further than ever before, a gold and red aura surrounded her and she lifted into the air, her hair stood on end and whipped around in an ethereal gold and red light, her body shimmered the same glowing aura and from behind her celestia's pet phoenix flew behind Sunset and spread its majestic wings behind her and then something unexpected happened, the combination of all the raw magic and the unpredictable nature of a phoenix magic, the young phoenix had merged with Sunset Shimmer through her aura at first turning to ash but then the ashes turned to sparkles of light and formed around Sunset's neck a new amulet much like Twilight's new regalia but with a new symbol, it looked like her cutie mark but it had a par of phoenix wings behind it. As the magic died down and Sunset descended back to the balcony she soon realized along with Celestia that she also now bore the wings of a phoenix that were covered in a gold ethereal flame.

"Whoa..." Sunset said completely in shock "How in the...what is-?!"

"It appears Sunset that Philimina had picked her host; phoenix's are majestic and strange creatures however a legend among them is that those who seek to find redemption through rebirth are chosen by the ashes and from them are born anew both inside and out; it is a very rare occurrence; though this does mean I am short one pet now" Celestia sighed a bit. "Though I feel it was a fitting end, I suppose she wanted to give you a gift for your redemption as well Sunset; you should feel honored, the magic and power of the phoenix is not one to be taken lightly....use it to defend your world well."

"Thank you princess; thank you for everything! I think I'm going to go back to Ponyville and get ready to go back home; graduation is in just two days Earth time so I want to get in as much time here as I can; but I think-" Sunset looked out to the skies and furrowed her new wings and grinned. "I'm gonna take these for a test drive."

"Be well Sunset Shimmer; you've fallen only to rise stronger than any pony I have ever met and I couldn't be more proud of you...and if you will have me; I'd love to also attend your wedding" Celestia smiled.

"Of course! I'll bring you the invite myself! Thank you Celestia; I love you mom!" Sunset said giving one last hug and kiss on the cheek to her 'mother' and leaped off the balcony and instantly got a handle on her wings and flew off toward ponyville. She'd done at last, she'd finally made things right; and now it was time to enact the final stages of her plan, come the end of this week she'd be well on her way to having the perfect fairy tale wedding. A broad smile stained Sunset's face as she flew off into the distance toward ponyville, the setting sun clear in sight and still she could feel the warmth and love of its ruler pouring into her the closer she got to home.

This was truly a day she'd never forget, never before had Sunset been so thankful to be sorry and to have been wrong. The magic of friendship was the single greatest power across this world and any other world and it was a power she was intent on using to ensure harmony throughout the lands both foreign and local. She'd let the fires of friendship burn bright in her and she'd make sure the whole world felt the phoenix's friendly flames too.

Author's Notes:

So how many of you cried like bitches? it's okay there are no judgement here, its fine if you broke down and cried like little foal baby bitch

Also play this song while reading this chapter, increased feels

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AO4JNz-GeF8&list=FLX-jRwMPg6x-DGk4FvcbU_Q&index=18