**Three Months Later**

It went without saying that Sunset Shimner and Twilight Sparkle, over the course of the past few years had many if not all of their dreams come true. They'd graduated from High School with high honors and went to college on a scholarship, managed to maintain their many friendships and help make Canterlot as a whole a better place through many charity efforts and simple good deeds day to day, mastered their magic and even managed to get their band and the Dazzlings signed to a record deal after Applejack's childhood friend Rara started her own recording company in collaboration with Vinyl Scratch and the Dazzlings since the three songstresses regained their voices they wanted to use their musical ability to help better humanity and atone for years of using their voices to harm others and spread disharmony.

Over the past three months the two of them in collaboration with their many friends from Earth and Equestria helped plan their fairy-tale wedding. Twilight Sparkle had always envied her Aunt Cadence and her ability to seamlessly make romance and love happen and so when she asked her to help plan her wedding? You can only imagine the self-proclaimed princess of love was ecstatic. Hell Equestria Cadence was even more ecstatic as were both worlds Rarity and Pinkie Pie.

Every person and pony wanted to help make the girls special day one to be forever remembered and they'd done just that. Days on end were spent with Rarity creating their wedding gowns, Pinkie and the most party forward people and ponies the two girls knew had managed to get the girls the best location possible for their wedding in Canterlot; Aurora Summit which was a very popular and said to be sacred wedding location, one that surprisingly hadn't been used in a long time due to 'mysterious happenings' which Twilight and Sunset discovered to be Equestrian magic and thanks to Rarity and her ability to locate gems they'd discovered quite the precious treasure beneath the old crystal chapel that rested in the top of the hill.

Buried deep beneath the surface was the human world version of the crystal heart! However something about this heart was different from the original, in the front of the heart were seven keyholes that looked to be in the shape of the girl’s geode necklaces. They all wondered what this could mean upon opening it but they wanted to keep it a secret until the time was right and so as a special gift, five of the girls would place their geodes into the heart the night before the wedding and then the day of the wedding, Twilight and Sunset would complete the set and see just what the geodes opened within the heart as they joined their hearts and souls together forever under the light of the setting sun.

The music for the wedding would be provided by Countess Coloratura, Vinyl and The Dazzlings while Trixie and Starlight said they'd had something special planned for their bachelorette party. Both Twilight and Sunset were curious as to what that could come with but given it was Trixie? It was likely some kind of magic act which both girls always enjoyed. As it turned out Twilight really liked magic since she was little and her father was once good friends with Trixie's dad until they drifted apart after college when her dad went on to be a professional magician.

Twilight adored magic acts and tricks and Trixie was second to none save for the Rainboom’s since they could do actual magic however with having taught Trixie to tap into her dormant magical ability via the magic of friendship? Her illusions have become a lot more realistic and her tricks have become to talk of Canterlot with her father and mother retiring to Manehatten leaving everything to Trixie.

And so now here they were, the day before their wedding, all of their friends gathered in attendance. The Shadowbolts, the Dazzlings and Sunset’s many friends and a few family from Equestria had made themselves present. Many more were in town for the wedding but they were currently at the hotel, this party was a more private one and for obvious reasons.

“So Pinkie I hear in addition to your new party planning business you’re going to be opening a daycare?” Twilight Sparkle of Equestria asked while taking a sip of some apple cider.

Pinkie nodded excitedly and smiled like usual “Uh huh! Mr & Mrs. Cake are moving to Las Pegagus on an offer to expand their business! They wanted to have more money for when Pound and Pumpkin get older and may want to go to college plus retirement and so they left this place to me!

"With all the extra space around here with a good number of the old shops having closed down I can make a few needed expansions to this old place and it’ll be the bestest place in town for goodies and for kiddies to play!” Pinkie smiled and sighed happily. “This way maybe some kids won’t turn out as bad as some of the ones we had to deal with in school like that girl Suri or that meanie Gilda.”

“Well I’m certain you’ll be well to bring smiles to everyone like you always do Pinkie; though I do hope you won’t be doing this alone.”

“Oh of course not! Sugar Belle will be here to help and so will Party Favor, Cheese Sandwich plus my sisters and the other girls if they aren’t busy, so I’m sure it’ll all work out!” Pinkie beamed.

“Good to hear; and what about the rest of you? Rarity?” Twilight asked turning to the human version of her most fashion forward friend.

“Well with my college degree acquired and my savy for business and fashion as well as a very generous loan from my parents after they hit the lottery and retired-“

“How lucky can you get?!” Rainbow Dash whined

“Karma is only a cruel to the corrupt darling” Rarity said waving a hand. “Anyway, with the extra money from that and the revenue from my first store which is nearing its three year anniversary? I have enough to open my second store in Canterlot City Mall!” Rarity said with a squee.

“And she’ll be gettin’ all the business cause ah managed to put a good word in with Rara and she made Rarity’s clothes her official brand, everyone is gonna want my little gem to make them their fancy duds.” Applejack said with her usual southern drawl.

“And what about you Applejack? You’re the first Apple to ever graduate college, you must be proud” Twilight said with a smile.

“Yeah ahm might proud that ah made it this far; wish ma, pa & Granny were here ta see it all but I know they’re watchin’. But ta answer yer Question Twi? Ahm gonna keep on takin’ care of the farm and supplying apples. Though Sci-Twi and Sunset have talked about helpin’ make the farm more ‘efficient’ while trying to keep things the way I like ‘em without doin’ all that industrializing’ nonsense."

“I’m sure with the research they’ve done into nature magic and the help I’ve given them on producing a cleaner energy source? I think you’ll be just fine there.” Twilight said and then turned to Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash. “And what about you two?”

“Well I finished my wonderbolts reserves training, set the record for being the fastest woman alive & have the woman of my dreams to live my life with so…eh, I’ll wing it.” Rainbow shrugged chugging down a zap apple cider but then remembered what else she was going to do while she stuck around. “Oh yeah; and help ‘shy out at the animal shelter and pinkie at the day care, plus I’ll be doing part-time couching at CHS.” Rainbow gave a proud smile. “Someones gotta keep an eye on those newbies and that portal, so who better than the fastest and most aware of us?”

“That’s pretty smart of you Rainbow; and I’m happy to see your efforts to keep the animal shelter have come to bear fruit Fluttershy”

“Oh thank you Princess, the protests were really hard to get through and some days I really thought we wouldn’t be able to raise the money to save it but thanks to everyone helping in all those charity events we pulled through. Mrs.Wilde said she’s ready to retire and is letting me and Treehugger take over as the caretakers! I’m so excited!!!” Fluttershy squeed in excitement of the future to come.

“And what about you Dazzlings? Now that you have your voices back plus your magic what are you going to do?”

“Well princess to be honest? We spend a lot of time spreading discord and chaos” Adagio answered somberly.

“We tore friendships and families apart to sate out hunger for power and adoration” Aria replied with a small scowl on her face with her arms crossed. "And we liked it...at sometimes? Loved it"

“We weren’t nice…like at all; and we hurt lots and lots of people with our voices and our magic” Sonata said twiddling her fingers. "Just a sorry isn't gonna fix over a thousand years worth of bad stuff"

“So to that end we’re going on…a journey of repentance, as it were.” Adagio replied. “You’re beloved Rara has found herself quite fond of my singing talents and wishes to take me on the road with her for a while and see how things play out; as you all know my time with Spitfire ended quite some time ago and so I think a little change of pace is needed." Adagio sighed wearily. "I'd always used my voice to allure and manipulate, my beautiful voice to have been used to harm for so long? That can't go without repentance."

"You've come a long way Adagio; I'm proud of you, and know that you and your sisters are welcome back to Equestria anytime you wish." Twilight said kindly

Gasping dramatically Adagio would curtsy bow for Twilight. "Why thank you, your majesty." Adagio said with her usual levels of sensual teasing.

The princess as expected blushed like crazy and tried to hide it with a hand. "You're welcome" Twilight squeaked. 'I can't believe i agreed to do all that stuff later...but I'd be lying if i said I didn't wanna rut Sunset.'

“I’m gonna tag along with Vinyl! She goes to so many places to make people smile with her music and that’s what I want to do to make up for all the frowns I caused.” Sonata chirped. "Plus I got really, really good at mixing music in college so I'll be a big help to Scratchy out there!" She turned to pinkie and gave a big thumbs up. "I'll spread smiles far and wide, pinkie promise" Sonata said with a big smile as she made the motion of said promise.

"I trust ya Sonny! Do you're very, very best! I'll have a big party waiting for you when you come home! Pinkie Party Promise!" Pinkie smiled and made the motions of the promise.

“As for me? I got a deal with that Sapphire Shores gal; she seems pretty cool and I like her music, she needs a new back-up singer as well as a bodyguard so I’m gonna do both” Aria said with a shrug. “No biggie.”

“And Shadowbolts? How about all of you?”

“Well Rarity hired me along with a few others to run 'Rarity for you' when it opens so theres that for me” Sunny Flare said and smiled looking upon young Coco Pommel with a catlike smile. "And I've already got my assistant manager lined up and ready, right Coco dear?"

Coco Pommel for her part was still very Fluttershy esque and blushed furiously at her girlfriends open tease but smiled regardless and nodded. "U-Uh-huh...that's me" Coco said happily. "I'm really excited to have my own line now, I really hope everyone likes them."

"With Rarity and I having trained you? You'll shine bright dear I just know it"

"Especially with my Flare by my side" Coco said sweetly

"Awwww you are just the sweetest little cup of coco you know that?!" Sunny Flare proclaimed hugging the young dress maker

“Since Vinyl’s hittin’ the road I’m gonna be the new DJ for the Rainboom’s when they need me but other than that I’m gonna work on my pro gaming career” Lemon Zest replied. "Lots a money to be made in kickin' ass online but a lot of people are sore losers and the game can mess friendships somethin' fierce, so I figure I could do somethin' about that that."

“I got hired as the head coach at CHS; I’ll be helping keep an eye on things over there with Dash, plus I’ll be able to pick up her slack when she can’t properly whip those kids into shape.” Indigo said with a smug grin

“You wanna go?!” Rainbow rolled up her sleeve and marched toward Indigo Zap

“Bring it!” Indigo said getting up to do the same.

Both of them were respectively sat down. Rainbow by Fluttershy and Indigo Zap by Sugarcoat with both of them disciplining them in a different way. Rainbow got a ‘stare’ from Fluttershy and Indigo got a normal smack upside the head.

“Ow! The Hell sugar?”

“You’re an over competitive dweeb you know that?” Sugarcoat said bluntly.

“Yeah, yeah, yeah, bite me sugar tits" Indigo snarled

"You'd like that" Sugarcoat replied just as bluntly.

“I got a job as a yoga instructor at the Spa, it helps keep me mellow” Sour Sweet said having been practicing now having outbursts.

“I’ll be working in the library along with Moon Dancer so theres that” Sugarcoat replied.

“And I’ll be staying with Trixie and helping her run her families magic shop and help at the daycare. Plus I’ll be doing some teaching at CHS!”

“Oh? What class?”

“Friendship mechanics.” Starlight explained plainly

“Wait what?!” Twilight said flabbergasted.

“Mmmhm; surprise! The magic of friendship is a legit part of learning at CHS now; you opened a lot of people’s eyes and Sunset more so after you left it to her and her friends to spread the magic of friendship. So for that Luna and Celestia decided to hire me to teach people the magic of friendship. It was a challenge coming up with a lesson plan but I think I’ve got it. Of course I’ll have to start in low grades like Kindergarten but it’s worth it.” Starlight explained. “I should really thank Sunset for that though, the whole thing was really her idea from the start.”

“That.Is.Amazing! Think of all the possibilities! Speaking of Sunset; where is she?” Twilight asked

“She went to go have a talk with her Celestia and I think Twilight went to speak with her Cadence.” Starlight replied.

“That is still so weird” Applejack responded.

“AJ we’ve gotten WAAAAAAY past the point of weird…weird and common sense stopped being a factor after the fall formal.” Rainbow Dash replied.

“Yeah that entire mess sure did change things around here but I don’t think I could be happier with how things turned out and I’m sure with the plans you all have for the future? This world is in for a few surprises of its own with you all leading the charge, I’m sure of it!”

And you can rest assured that you’ll have the full support of the Equestrian royal family which includes myself, Cadence, Shinning Armor, my friends as well as Celestia & Luna! We’ll do everything in our power to help better this world.”

Twilight chuckled and sighed a bit. “If I had my way I’d properly crown Twilight and Sunset princesses here and all of you her advisers with a castle of your own like mine but I don’t think we’re that far along just yet.”

Everyone shared a laugh for a good moment and then their attention was grabbed by the entrance of Rara whom was sporting a newly designed dress by Coco Pommel, the young dress maker was a very big fan of Countess Coloratura and wanted to personally be the one to make her latest line of clothing. The singers entire line would be composed of originals from Sunny Flare, Coco Pommel & Rarity, she was very pleased she hadn’t picked that dreadful Suri Polmare and her cronies.

“Heeey everyone! Sorry I’m late, my show ran a little late” Rara exclaimed and ran over to Applejack and Rarity. “So is everything ready?”
“Quite darling; your outfit is upstairs, Trixie and Starlight should be up there getting ready in the spare room. When you’re all ready to go come down and we can start.”

“I reckon this is gonna be one helluva show” Applejack replied tipping her Stetson ad smiled thinking about what would happen when the show got under way.

“Speaking of the show; where are the stars?” Rara asked curiously looking around for the brides to be.

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

Sugarcube Corner: Kitchen

“So what did he say? Did he agree to let us see him? For him to see…’them’?” Twilight asked curiously her eyes glimmering with hope at her aunt and big brother.

“He said he’d listen and that given the evidence and your efforts to get his attention? He figures he can’t ignore you or the existence of magic anymore.” Shining Armor stated and grinned. “In other words your ability to adorably annoy people into submission has now reached federal levels…congrats Twilight you managed to get a meeting with the president.” Shining Armor replied rubbing the back of his head. “Though try and be gentle when you tell him about who and what he is or was in that other universe okay?”

“Oh please how hard could he take it that he was an evil shadow stallion hell-bent on enslaving the entire realm and cloaking it in eternal darkness?” Twilight stated nonchalantly

“About as hard as anyone else would take it if you said it like that!” Shining snapped

“Oh calm down I’m kidding jeez…sensitive much?”

“Sorry, sorry; I just don’t want this to turn ugly you know? It took a lot to get this service position and a lot to get your name in his ear and for him to take you seriously. But with everything you’ve accomplished in building during college, with all the strides you’ve made and will continue to make? I know he will be all for everything you girls have in store.” Shining said with a proud smile.

“Plus it helps auntie Celestia and Mr.Sombra were once lovers back in the day…though I hear that could possibly be the case again…one never knooooows.” Cadence said with a teasing smile. “But in all seriousness auntie Celestia had a big part in getting him to really sit down with all of you, the next few months are going to be really important.”

“I know Cady, I know, but I know we can handle it; especially after tomorrow” Twilight said with a dreamy sigh. “Is this how you felt the night before your wedding?”

“Me? Yes…your brother on the other hand? He was an absolute wreck!” Cadence laughed and teased her husband.

“Ugh I was nervous!! And I ended up being right! Chrysalis got her hands on shape shifting magic and almost killed us all!”

“I Tooooooold you Cady was acting funny; but did you listen?! Noooooooo.” Twilight was going into ‘ I told you so mode’.

“Arrrrrgh” Shining groaned

“You were all like ‘oh no Twilight I know my wife, she isn’t plotting anything.’ And I’m all like,’ do you clearly not notice how she isn’t acting like herself?!’ “Twilight droned on.

"She was super convincing!!!...Cadence back me up?!" Shining had hoped his wife would vouch for him but he already knew he done goofed

“You were pretty clueless honey…” Cadence added with a sheepish smile. "I mean I am NOT that bitchy" Cadence huffed.

“Whose side are you on woman?!” Shining gaped.

“Good thing me and the girls were there otherwise she would’ve caused a lot of problems around here, which just goes to show that rouge magic is a problem in this world.” Twilight affirmed. “I can’t wait to personally share my countermeasures and my other ideas to help incorporate magic into society!” Twilight beamed, her eyes sparkling like that of her namesake.

“You really think the world is ready for that Twilight?”

“The world is in a transformation period if you ask me, technology is advancing further everyday but there are still so many problems in the world and if there’s one thing that could fix any of that? It’s magic…they say fairy tales aren’t real; The girls and I are gonna prove them all wrong” Twilight said with determination clear in her tone.

“Speaking of the others; how is everything with Sunset and the baby to be?”

“Both are coming along well; Sunset is confirmed pregnant with twins.” Twilight smiled and blushed twirling a lock of her hair.

“Geez Twi, couldn’t wait to let it out of your pants huh?” Teased her older brother

Grinning a catlike smirk Twilight replied “I came out bigger than you and knocked my woman up twice as hard so yeah you could say that”
Shining Armor simply stood there stunned unable to give a proper comeback

“Oooooohohohohoho! Sweetie should I ask Twily to summon a Windego for that burn?!” Cadence burst into a giggle fit.

“But anyway yeah, I’m soon to be the mother of two beautiful baby girls.” Twilight said with a smile. “We’re gonna reveal their names after our honeymoon.”

“Oooh mysterious.” Cadence chuckled. “And what about you? You gonna carry any?” Cadence asked curiously.

“Maaaaaaybe” Twilight replied with a cheeky grin. “Sunset’s exact words on how she was going to put one in my oven were very...mhmhmhm well let’s just you can expect another niece or two” Twilight replied with a smirk

“Just don’t get in over your heads Twily, childcare is a very big responsibility and with all the things you girls have planned? Doing that and taking care of children not to mention being pregnant is going to be on helluva task.” Cadence reminded the young Sparkle.

“I know; and I’ve talked it over with Sunset and the girls time and time again and we’re confident as long as we work together and support one another that everything’ll be okay.” Twilight affirmed with a smile. “Friendship has gotten us through all this so far; it’ll take us even further as long as we continue to believe in it.”

“Sunset has really changed you; it’s almost like the meek shy and timid little bookworm that was once my sister no longer exists sometimes…now you’re an independent young woman with more friends than you know what to do with and a bride that shines bright like the sun.” Shining replied with a proud chuckle and shake of his head. “Life really is funny isn’t it?”

“Yeah, it is. I wonder how she’s getting along with Celestia and Luna?”

“Well I’m sure you’ll find out soon but you should go get ready, everyone else is waiting for you both.”

“Right! I’ll see you both in a bit” Twilight said focusing her magic and teleporting out of the kitchen in a flash of purple light.

“I might never get used to that” Shining said shaking his head.

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

Sugarcube Corner: Outside Back Balcony.

Celestia, Luna & Sunset stood on the outside balcony of Sugarcube Corner, each with a drink in hand all conversing about various other topics and currently the ball was in Luna’s court.

“So are you truly ready for the road ahead Sunset? Tis sure to be a hard and stressful one; pregnancy is no easy feat to withstand especially when baring twins.” Luna chuckled a bit. “I must say you were quite hasty to bare young Twilight’s foals though, couldn’t have waited till the honeymoon hm?”

“Oh I won’t be the only one carrying so this is going to be a very ‘fun’ next nine months.” Sunset chuckled shaking her head with a smile. “But yes, I’m ready; I’ve handled rouge magic and saved this world more times than I’d like to count, I won’t be around forever and neither will Twilight, might as well make our family as big as possible right?” Sunset replied. “I don’t have any connections to my real parents so this is my chance to make a name of my own.”

“Wherever she may be Sunset; I’m positive your mother is proud of you.” Celestia said with a knowing smile keeping Sunset’s attention while Luna allowed another to join them outside.

“I know; I just wish she could be here to see me get married but maybe some things are just better left alone-“ Sunset stated somberly and sighed. "If it was really meant to be then she'd be here now."

A bitter chuckle came from the new person “That’s what I told myself way back then.” A mysterious female voice called, one that was one of a middle aged woman in her mid-forties.

“Huh?” Sunset responded turning to see a woman she’d never seen before or rather hadn't seen in a very, very, VERY long time.

“Back then when I had to surrender the one thing a mother should never have to part with; I told myself ‘Maybe it’s for the best, if I was fit to be her mother my situation wouldn’t be so bad and I’d be able to support her. Maybe i'm better off alone, she deserves better’ I thought that giving you up would be the best for me as well as you and now more than ever do I realize how selfish that was…and for that Sunset? I am eternally sorry” The woman spoke up as she continued to walk up to Sunset Shimmer, the younger woman shocked to see this woman, not because she knew her no. But because of how strikingly familiar she looked to herself.

“Hello Sunset” The woman said standing a few inches from Sunset Shimmer, her eyes locked with her own. "It's been far too long; my you have grown; your hair is every bit as lovely as I remember it too." The woman said with a smile and chuckled as she drunk in Sunset's image as if meeting her again after a long time, which was clearly the case but Sunset for the time couldn't place who she was.

The gears began turning in Sunset’s head and she was slowly coming to the realization who this woman might be. “W-Who are-“

Cutting her off the woman said “Celestia tells me you have the ability to see others memories and understand their feelings and emotions. I think it’d be best for us to begin there.” The woman held out her hand and smiled a calm and loving smile, one that only a mother could give their child. Sunset had only truly seen this particular smile once before, it was decades ago on the day of her birth, when this exact same woman smiled upon her with motherly love and grace.

'It couldn't be...' Sunset thought in disbelief as she scanned the woman from head to toe.

She was about as tall as sunset was with the same color skin however her hair was pure red but was still a intertwined pattern with one shade of red brighter than the other and she had sky blue eyes. She was dressed in an all red and yellow dress, one that was clearly an ode to the young woman who stood in front of her.

Sunset would extend her hand and touch the woman's hand and her eyes would flood with white light as she read the woman’s mind and memories. She saw the day she gave birth to Sunset, she saw the struggles she and her father had gone through to try and support themselves and their daughter, she saw her father had fallen ill due to overworking himself which lead to his death. She saw her mother nearing the same conclusion and then her making the heartbreaking choice to give up her daughter, she saw the day she’d left Sunset at the orphanage while it was raining, she saw the great amounts of grief that she’d endured with the absence of her little filly. Drugs, drinking, gambling, every last image was sad but through it all she saw one common factor, a drive to get back something precious that was taken from her.

She’d seen her fire of determination to dig herself out of the gutter and get her life straight, her efforts to find her daughter and her great sense of relief when she’d learned of Ponyville and that Sunset had been spotted there.

She saw her immense joy in learning her little one was to be married and was pregnant. As the memories ceased and the light faded from Sunset’s eyes, her vision was blurred still because her eyes were full of tears as she wrapped her arms around the one person she’d never thought she’d get the chance to see let alone touch. Her face buried in the woman’s shoulder as she wept.

Sunset’s shoulders jumped as she attempted to speak through her strangled cried and say the woman’s only proper name since she didn’t know what else to call her however she knew what she needed to be called right there in that moment but her crying distorted her words. “M-M-M-M-Mo…”

Wrapping her arms around the crying girl as tight as she could she brought a hand to the back of her hair and brought her into a loving embrace to comfort her crying as any parent would their child. “Sshhhhh....No. I have no right to bare that title Sunset; Celestia rightfully earned that. My name is Bright Dawn…but even still; I am SO happy to see you even if I don’t deserve-”

Sunset hearing this after having seen all she’d gone through to get here wouldn’t stand for her mother putting herself down like that. “N-n-no-NO! Do-Don’t you dare deny me this!” Sunset snapped her hair covering her crying eyes. “Y-You ARE my mother! You gave birth to me! Everything you endured! All your pain! Your Suffering! The sacrifices you made! NO ONE COULD EVER QUESTION OR SHUN YOU FOR THE CHOICES YOU MADE! ANY GOOD MOTHER WOULD’VE DONE WHAT YOU DID IN A HEART BEAT!”

“But I-“ Dawn stuttered, her voice breaking; she’d long to be able to hold her little girl like this. However she’d expected the young girl to be furious with her, to never want to see her again, not to embrace and love her.

“NO!! YOU DID WHAT YOU HAD TO DO…DID I SUFFER? YES! DID I STRUGGLE WITHOUT YOU?! YES! DID I ALWAYS WONDER WHERE YOU WHERE AND WHY YOU GAVE ME UP?!?! OF COURSE I DID! I ALWAYS WANTED YOU THERE! BUT YOU WEREN’T AND NOW I KNOW WHY! YOU WERE TRYING TO COME BACK FOR ME ALL ALONG!!!” Sunset yelled and screamed; years of unanswered questions and tension broken as she finally got to let it all out as she finally understood. “BUT BECAUSE OF ALL THAT…BECAUSE OF ALL THOSE STRUGGLES, ALL THAT PAIN, EVERYTHING! I’M WHERE I AM BECAUSE OF ALL OF THAT AND I’M GRATEFUL! SO DON’T YOU DARE COME TO ME AFTER ALL THIS TIME, AFTER ALL THE HELL YOU’VE BEEN THROUGH TO GET HERE AND SAY THAT YOU DON’T DESERVE TO BE CALLED MY MOTHER!! I WON’T STAND FOR THE GRANDMOTHER OF MY BABIES SPEAKING THAT WAY YOU HEAR ME?!” Sunset screamed with tears running down her face as she clung hard to her mother in an embrace only a child could give their parent.

Hearing these words from her daughter, seeing how much her baby had matured without her, seeing how strong yet now vulnerable she was and all that combined broke through Dawn's emotional dam and she too began to cry as she held her only daughter for the first time in over twenty years. “I’m so…SO sorry Sunset; I-I never wanted to give you up, I never wanted to leave you all alone…All I ever wanted for you was for you to grow up and be happy…and I’m SO glad that you have; Look at you, all grown up, about to be married and expecting twins!?! What kind of mother would I be if I didn’t show my face here even after all this time?! I don’t care if I have to come to this world and make up for lost time, Equestria can wait for all I give a damn!” She hugged her little girl closer. “All I want now is to be a part of your life Sunny…please let me.” The older woman cried.

Hearing her actual mother refer to her by her most common nickname broke Sunset’s dams even further. There was a time in her coldheartedness that she’d entertained the thought of her birth mother begging for forgiveness and acceptance after Sunset had become a princess but other times she’d wished for just this. For her mother to want to be part of her life, for her to embrace her and acknowledge that she, Sunset Shimmer was her daughter.

“O-Of course you can! I’ve wanted that ever since the day I thought I didn’t have a parent to call my own! You’re my mother just as much as Celestia is.”

“And you are my little filly, just as much as you are Celestia’s. It’s so good to see you; so many nights all these years I cried myself to sleep when the sun would set without my little girl there; I’d cry just as hard during the day when the Sun would rise because it reminded me of your father.” Dawn gasped a wet cry as she struggled to speak.

“I missed you so much it hurt every single day, but it was that pain that pushed me forward; when I found out you’d been spotted in Ponyville I got there as quick as my magic would carry me and got as much information out of princess Twilight as I could and demanded I be here to see you. And so here I am.”

Sunset chuckled as her crying began to die down a little bit and she sniffled. “And not a moment too soon, just in time to give me away again huh?” Sunset chuckled

“Hehehe you’ve got your fathers sense of humor as well as the yellow in his mane.” Dawn replied with a chuckle. “But I suppose you’re right; only this time I couldn’t be happier with who I’m giving you too this time.” Dawn giggled and at last her crying had ceased. “I’m so proud of you Sunset; heheh and just like me it looks like your passions got the better of you” Dawn teased rubbing her daughters stomach

Sunset blushed ad giggled sheepishly. “Twilight used lust magic in sync with my heat cycle! I couldn’t help myself” Sunset pouted after having released from her mother’s embrace.

“But I don’t regret it; I wanted this, and I’ve set myself up to handle it, so has Twilight”

Dawn smiled calmly “You’re much smarter and resourceful than I was; though this world seems to have endless possibilities especially since I hear that magic will soon become a lot more prominent in this worlds society.”

“I wanted to make sure my babies grew up with a loving family and never hard to worry about if they were wanted, needed or even cared about.” Sunset said with a wry smile.

“You’ll make a great mother Sunset” Dawn smiled and gave a familiar catlike grin to her daughter and chuckled. “Although I do expect that you’ll be putting your own in little Twilight won’t you?”

Huh so that’s really where I get it from, go figure. Sunset thought with a chuckle and blushed and she twirled a lock of her hair on her finger.
“Let’s just say our honeymoon is gonna bring a whole new meaning to earth moving.”

“Ahahahah oh you are defiantly your fathers baby!” Dawn laughed holding her sides. “He was such a charmer and so ravenous in bed; I can tell the same is true for you. It’s so strange just how much of us both I see in you already.” Dawn said smiling.

“It’s really great to see you mom, I can’t wait for my girls to be born so they can meet grandma!” Sunset teased.

“Oh don’t think because I’m reaching the big numbers that I still won’t spank you little girl; I heard you had been QUITE ill behaved while under the princesses care” Dawn narrowed her eyes in a fashion similar to herself when she was being intimidating and Fluttershy’s stare and wagged an ‘No,No’ finger at her daughter. “I can tell you also inherited my temper but we can discuss that later; understood young lady?”

Sunset hadn’t felt this level of motherly authority from anyone but Celestia and it was somehow stronger coming from Dawn! Duh she was her biological mother so the level of attachment there was deeper.

Sunset nodded and managed a weak but affectionate “Yes ma’am” she blushed in embarrassment but nevertheless had never felt more loved by anyone except for Twilight. And now she could rest even more at peace knowing that both her mother’s would be there to see how far she’d come and how far she was going to go once she said those two sacred words to her bride when the sun would set upon them.

“I love you mommy” Sunset said as a fresh wave of tears flooded out of her eyes as she’d longed to be able to say those words genuinely to the woman who’d given her life.

However for now? All Sunset wanted to do was just feel like a filly again and hug and cry into her mother’s shoulder. This sensation was similar to the one she felt with Celestia but a much heavier weight was being lifted off her shoulders all at once with no prior warning and it felt so good. Her mother as she always dreamed stroked her fingers through her hair and whispered sweet nothings in her ear as she wept happily that her mother was at last able to hold her precious little filly.

Choking her own sobs she'd be as strong as she could for her daughter and held the young woman close in a motherly embrace. One she longed to have with the only child she ever had.“I love you too Sunny; ohhh shh, shhh, its okay; let it all out, there, there little filly; mommy is right here Sun-Bun, I promise I won’t ever leave again.” She said sweetly but with a level of dominance and determination to never leave her daughter or this new family she’d found behind. Looking down at her weeping daughter she’d turn her teary eyed gaze to her own and did something Sunset could only hope wasn’t a dream. “I…oh how did your pink friend do it?” She wondered curiously with a smile, tears still in her eyes.

With a wet chuckle she replied “Oh yes; I Pinkie Promise…that no matter what, as long as I’m able to draw breath, I will ALWAYS love you...Mommy will ALWAYS love her little ball of sunshine, never doubt that Sunny” Dawn said making the motions of the promise taught to her by Pinkie pie which only destroyed whatever remnants of composure and decorum Sunset had left and she literally wept like a baby into her mother’s chest this time. She wanted to return the words, she wanted to say it back so badly, but her crying, weeping and struggling to even make actual words and burying her sobbing face into her dress were all the words Bright Dawn needed to know that her little girl still and always would love her even after having not been there for her.

Dawn held Sunset through it all, she kept her now grown daughter as close as she could as if she were once again a newborn foal. Her slender fingers stroked through Sunset's hair with one hand and the other kept at the young woman's back patting it lovingly allowing the girl to cry out all her sadness and frustration after having her mother gone for so long. She truly never wanted to ever leave her daughter again; she wished to stay by her side and live out her days making her daughters life in marriage a blissful one for both her and her eventual grandchildren. For the time now though? She simply wished to cradle and hold her crying daughter; she felt she owed Sunset that much at least. Ms.Rarity would be quite upset that the dress she made would be tear stained but then again she'd probably accounted for that.

Her screams and cries of relief and joy got the attention of the party downstairs and a few of them had come upstairs to check on Sunset only to see the scene before them unfolding and as soon as they arrived they went back downstairs save for one Twilight Sparkle; the one that Sunset would soon be married to and she wrapped her arms around Sunset, whom was surprised at the contact at first because she didn’t know her beloved was there; but when she came into her teary eyed view she quickly did her best to embrace them both.

“Take good care of her won’t you?” Dawn asked Twilight with a calm motherly smile.

“For the rest of my lifetimes I’ll always be there for her.” Twilight said as she held her crying fiancé tight and ran a calming hand through her lover’s hair.

“Thank you Twilight Sparkle, thank you so much for loving my little girl.”

“It’s been and always will be my honor and pleasure to love her Mrs.Dawn” Twilight said with a teary smile

Celestia, Luna, Cadence and the rest had long since all retired downstairs as they allowed mother, daughter & fiancé hug and cry on one another’s shoulders with a moment of fear or regret left in any of them. Sunset felt even freer than the day she reconciled with Celestia! This feeling in her heart, this warm burning and lightness she felt, the sheer amounts of love coming to her all at once from left and right. On the left was her birth mother Bright Dawn, the mare who’d carried her in her stomach for nine hard months, the mare who’d had to go through an unspeakable Hell to reunite with her little girl, the newest shining light in her life that she never wanted to let go.

On her right was her Twilight, her fiancé, her lover, the one who’d be the dual mother of their children, the one who had truly started her on the path to redemption even if it was her princess counterpart. Sunset Shimmer loved Twilight Sparkle in any time, place or dimension be that as a friend or a lover, she loved her for all that she was and she couldn’t be happier to have fate be kind enough to allow her to have a light as bright as Twilight after how hard she tried to cover herself in darkness because she was too stubborn and full of herself to see the light when Celestia shined it upon her; only further proof to Sunset that Twilight was truly the only pony or person who could ever outshine Princess Celestia and that was a feat Sunset had thought impossible even during her spiteful reign as queen of Canterlot High.

She had all the love she needed; the love of her family and the love of her friends and she couldn’t be happier. Speaking of her friends she figured it was time to really get this party underway now that she’d effectively cried like a little filly again for about an hour for the second time in under a year but she wasn’t complaining, after all those talks with Ms.Zecora & Fluttershy back in CHS she learned that crying was okay and didn’t make her weak or pathetic, it felt good to let her pent up emotions out at last and surprisingly she wasn’t even the least bit angry at her mother, not before viewing her memories and not after. The only emotion she had for her right now? Was love.

After all of their collective crying had ceased the three women would break away from one another, Sunset wiping her eyes of her tears as Twilight and her mother did the same.

“Thank you mom; I needed that” Sunset said as her crying had finally stopped for good it seemed

“I know; I’ve waited so long for this day; and rest assured I’ll do all in my power to make your wedding tomorrow the greatest day of your life!” Dawn said with a smile

“Heeeeey that’s my job” Twilight said with a mock pout.

Dawn put a hand to her motherly hip narrowing her eyes sternly at Twilight and pouted just the same and hers was similar to Sunset’s coming off as an adorable scowl. “I am her mother, I’ve waited more than twenty years to spoil my little filly how she deserves and Celestia dammit I’m going to!” Dawn half snapped but quickly composed herself. “Ahem hehehe sorry; I didn’t mean to snap”

“Huh so I really DID inherit your temper” Sunset looked at her mother in utter surprise and was laughing inwardly though at just how similar they were.

“Be that as it may she’s MY bride; if anyone’s going to make her feel like a princess tomorrow it’s going to be me!” Twilight spoke up not backing down from her now future mother-in-law showing that she was no pushover and could be just as aggressive if need be.

Sunset simply watched and chuckled ‘Wow even her aggressiveness is cute; dammit I love her!’ Sunset thought.

Dawn smiled, it was a smile laced with motherly sternness as well as playful teasing. Sunset and Twilight then realized that Sunset most certainly got her looks and facial expressions from her mother because it was like they were looking in a mirror or had met an older version of Sunset.

“Ohhohohoho Sunny I like her! She’s a feisty one; you picked right.” Dawn said with a laugh as she embraced her daughter’s fiancé in a welcoming motherly hug. “And not to mention cute as a button, you’ve done very well for yourself sweetie” Dawn teased pinching young Twilight’s cheek giving it a tug making the young bookworm blush a brilliant bright red.

"Moooooooooooooooooooom?!" Sunset whined blushing just as much if not more than Twilight.

“Oh so she gets her affinity for teasing from you also eh?” Twilight replied with a chuckle noticing another similarity between mother and daughter.

“If she’s my baby which of course she is then oooh yes.” Dawn chuckled remembering her youth, a time when if one could go back in time she’d be the spitting image of Sunset but with all red hair and blue eyes. She remembered how much she’d always tease and poke fun or have a laugh at the expense of others and how that had led her to meeting her future husband. Giving a dreamy but weary sigh at the memory of her husband she put a hand to a locket draped around her neck. “My future husband however, he was the only one who could tease me and come out having said the last word and fluster me, his wit was sharper than an alicorns horn.”

“What was his name?” Twilight asked bashfully. “I-If you don’t mind me asking of course.”

“No, no it’s fine; don’t worry dear, I’ve had plenty of time to mourn and grieve; but he’s at peace and so am I now. His name was Sunrise.”

Dawn opened the locket to reveal a picture to Sunset and Twilight. One taken before everything in her life had taken a bad turn down a dark road. It was the day Sunset was born, Dawn lay in bed with foal Sunset in her hooves and next to them taking the picture with his magic was a unicorn with a red coat, golden yellow hair and green eyes. He sported a winning smile and properly cried happy tears as his little girl had just entered the world.

“Your father loved you and me more than anything else in the world and he did his best to support me and provide for you while he could. As you clearly saw earlier Sunset; your father was a gem miner and a damn good one, but ponies took advantage of his determination and hard work and then throw him under the street. But he always did the right thing, he was a good stallion and even had dreams of being in the royal guard once he saved enough money to properly provide for us first.” Dawn explained, giving very deep details about her husband. Sunset knew all this information via her magic but all of this was new to Twilight.

“When I lost him, it was almost more than I could bear; and then when I had to come to the choice to effectively give up the only child I would ever have? That nearly tore me apart, but I never once didn’t think about you Sunset, every single day whether I was depressed or not, it was this locket and this photo that kept my spirits burning even when I just wanted the flame to die out.” Dawn admitted somberly recounting her own past and choices she’d made before Sunset’s birth and after.

“But even in my darkest moments, I’d always held onto the hope that I would be able to find you again, to be able to look my hopefully happy and full grown daughter in the eyes and tell her that mommy loves her and wants to be there for her now more than ever. And I am SO glad you’ve chosen to accept me Sunset” Dawn said as she held a hand to her heart and choked a sob and smiled as a few small tears in memory of her husband fell from her eyes.

“I’ve dreamed of this day multiple different times in many different ways and I can say without a shadow of a doubt that this is the best version of this scenario and I’m happy it turned out this way even if the road getting here was rough for us both.”

“Yes it has, and I may never be able to stop saying I’m sorry Sunset.” Dawn said as she wiped her tears and then felt them form anew when her daughter hugged her again.

“And I’ll always say that I forgive you. No one is perfect; I’m proof of that, I did so many horrible things for all the wrong reasons, but never once did I blame you even if I did wish you were there sometimes, just so you could slap some sense into me before I did all the dumb shit I-OW!” Sunset yelped when she felt her mother properly slap her upside the head.

Sniffling and chuckling at her own display of motherly sternness she still hugged her daughter close. “You watch your mouth young lady”
Sunset smiled and dipped her head and laughed a wet laugh as her tears of joy came fresh again.

“Yes mom” Sunset said with a thin line of sarcasm that her mother picked up on but didn’t choose to physically scold her for.

“Ooooh Sunny’s in trouble” Twilight teased in classic little sister fashion. Twilight gave a mocking grin and looked at Sunset. “Careful Sunset or momma is gonna have to spank you.”

“Oh we’ll see who’ll be getting a spanking later when its bedtime trust me little star” Sunset retorted and snapped her jaw at Twilight hungrily.

“I do hope you’re keeping my little girl satisfied in bed Twilight Sparkle; if she’s anything like her father or myself she must be quite the hoof-erm sorry ‘handful’” Dawn teased obviously not shy about discussing or wanting to discuss her own sex life and her daughters.

“Given I popped two in her oven and plan on letting her plow me like Applejack plows a field during the harvest?” Twilight replied with a grin and hand on her hip cocked to one side. “I’d say I’ve kept your little filly quite happy; isn’t that right…'Princess'?” Twilight said shooting Sunset a look that instantly flustered her fiancé

Sunset blushed madly and unlike usual she had no clever reply and simply pouted and turned her nose up indignantly mumbling. “Dork”
Dawn noticed her daughters pouty face and couldn’t help but laugh as she examined the girls facial features as she made different expressions, trying to see if they matched any she made as a foal.

“Hehehe aww you still had the same adorable little mad face you’ve had since you were a foal!!” Dawn chuckled and recounted her brief time with Sunset. She hadn’t given her up for adoption till she was three as she struggled for a while to support them both and while she did struggle she did provide and loved her daughter through it all even with all the hardship.

“Whenever you wanted something and couldn’t get it with your magic you’d just sit there and pout, just like that-“She smiled and pinched the young woman’s cheek and tugged playfully and continued speaking. “You’d whine a little sometimes, cry a lot other times; oh but you were just the cutest little fireball though” Dawn finished seeing that her exclusive motherly tale had heavily flustered her daughter and she’d gotten the reaction she’d hoped for when the young girl shouted an embarrassed.

“MOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM?!?!” Sunset whined crossing her arms over her chest, her lips turned into a pouted frown that she was trying to maintain so she wouldn’t start laughing even though she was completely embarrassed. While she was no longer a prideful egomaniac she still had her pride to some degree and her mother and Twilight just sliced though it effortlessly and she loved them both for it.

“Heheh that’s nothing, you should see her when Pinkie makes ice cream cake and she doesn’t get the biggest slice” Twilight teased with her
own embarrassing tale about her fiancé and her shameless addiction to ice cream cake and really just ice cream in general.

“Sci-Twi don’t you dare-!” Sunset shot Twilight a ‘please don’t’ look begging with her eyes as best she could but Twilight was not affected.

“Oooh do dare! Trust that I’ll be getting as many juicy stories from your friends as I can Sunny” Dawn grinned alongside Twilight, both women smirking in superiority as they were ready to exchange stories both funny, touching and embarrassing about Sunset Shimmer.

“Aaaaaargh you’re both the worst!” Sunset shouted pouting still but even with that she couldn’t help but laugh and embrace them both again.

“I love you both”

“We know; and we love you too Sunny” Sci-Twi said hugging Sunset one more time.

“And we always will sweetheart” Dawn said happily. “Now c’mon, how’s about we go downstairs and join the others?”

“Oh right! The gifts and the heart; Twi is everyone ready with their instruments downstairs?” Sunset asked

“Uh huh; they’re all set and ready to rock; just waiting on us.”

“Great; well mom, guess you’ll be getting a front row seat to a special performance by the Rainbooms”

“I’ve heard a great tell from your pinkie friend; I’ve never been much of a song mare but this is a new world so perhaps I’ll find my muse here; I mean I’m not THAT old” Dawn said giving her hair a flip and a cheeky grin. “I mean just look at me? We could easily be mistaken as twins you know Sunset.” Dawn said with a small twinge of tease.

“MOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM?!?!?!?!” Sunset whined in embarrassment again. ‘Oh she is getting a kick out of this isn’t she?! Ugh great now I’ve got more than twenty years of embarrassment to catch up with’ Sunset groaned but was nevertheless happy to put up with it.

“NOT SORRY!” Dawn laughed as she exited the balcony back inside allowing her daughter and her fiancé to follow her back downstairs to rejoin their friends for the show. ‘Oh this is gonna be fun’ Dawn thought with an inward grin and chuckle. All those years missed as a mother and she was going to make up for as much of it as she could.

Author's Notes:

This was originally gonna be one chapter but I figured I've waited long enough and don't wanna stress it too much and make the chapters too long so the wedding chapter is gonna take just a wee bit longer but it'll be worth it.

What did you think of the return of Sunset's mother? Where do you want to see her character go moving forward in my next story?