Author's Notes:

Honest disclosure~
This was incredibly hard for me to finish, actually bringing tears to my eyes by the end ^^; At least the next story arc is going to be nice and silly and full of happiness, so I don’t have to worry about bringing myself to tears over a hobby I’ve come to love so much.

Sunset in Equestria: Sunset and Celestia

“Sunset! You’re early!”

Sunset chuckled as she walked into the throne room of Canterlot castle, waving to the guards as she passed. “I couldn’t wait to spend some time with my dear old mom.” She responded with a wide smile. All the stress of her day at school had washed away the instant she crossed through the portal back to Equestria.

“I’ll ignore the ‘old’ part of that sentence and take it as a compliment.” Celestia said with a small chuckle. Slowly she stood up, the countless secretaries and staff that surrounded her parted as she made her way down the stairs. “Luna will be on her way shortly,” Celestia announced as she approached her daughter, the tow sharing a loving embrace. “She shall be in charge until the two of us return.”

“You really want to trust Aunt Luna with that sort of responsibility?” Sunset said as she nudged the taller Alicorn playfully, drawing a small smirk from the Solar Goddess.

“I think she can be responsible enough to not nearly drown Equestria in coffee again, yes.” Celestia said as she draped a wing lovingly over her daughter. “So where would you like to go first? I figured we could do a little shopping, grab some tea and cake, and-”

“Could I see Philomena?” Sunset asked, stopping and kicking a hoof against the rug.

“But of course, dear!” Celestia beamed, scooping Sunset forward as they trotted through the hallways. “Let us visit your old room, as I suspect that is where she is resting.”

“My… My room?” Sunset asked hesitantly. She had thought Celestia would have changed that room for other use after Sunset had run away.

“But of course!” Her mother responded. “And if I may make a selfish request, would it be alright if I had the portal moved to the castle?”

“Y-yes! Of course, mom!” Sunset rubbed up against her mother in appreciation. She was so happy that she was able to reconcile with Celestia.

“Perfect, I will send a letter to Twilight later!” Celestia cheered as she rubbed back against Sunset. “But we shouldn’t keep poor Philomena waiting, she’s been waiting to see you again since your last visit.”

“My last visit was yesterday, mom.” Sunset grinned before putting on a fake frown. “You would know that if you loved me and paid attention to when I come and visit.”

“Oh hush.” Celestia said as she ruffled Sunset’s mane with a wing, earning a peal of giggles from the Unicorn. “We both know how much of my life you are.” The pair grew quiet after that comment.

“I was so worried I would never see you again…” Celestia whispered solemnly. “First I had lost Luna all those years ago due to my ignorance, and then I lost my daughter due to my own stupidity…”

“Don’t you dare insult yourself, mom!” Sunset said louder than she expected. “We both know it was my arrogance and pride that drove me away. I felt like I deserve something that I hadn’t earned, all because-”

“All because I ignored you.” Celestia interrupted. “We can keep going in circles everytime this is brought up Sunset, or we can accept that we are both at fault.”

“Fine…” Sunset said as she puffed out a cheek in annoyance.

“There’s the Sunset I remember!” Celestia chuckled as she stopped in front of a door. “And just in time too.”

Sunset paused as she looked at the door, it’s maple hue still the same, and just at eye height was a sun split amongst two different sets of yellow and red.

“I remember how happy you were the day you got your Cutie Mark.” Celestia said wistfully. “You did nothing but show me, so much so to the point that I had to get poor old Shoe Shine to find paint of the right colours so you could paint it on the door.”

“Rest his soul.” Sunset muttered as she traced over the design. It was still as sloppy as the day she painted it, the colour bold and unweathered. Slowly she looked up at the top of the door, at the flap that rested shut to allow exit and entry even if the door was closed.

“Are you ready?”

Sunset looked up at her mother. Sure, she had met with Philomena quite a few times, almost every time she visited. But that wasn’t in her room. She never thought that she would be back here.

Slowly, Sunset nodded in response, reaching out with her magic and twisting the door handle, pushing inward. Light poured out of the room, blinding Sunset momentarily, though it did not deafen her to a familiar squawk. She felt a mass of cool heat and feathers collide into her, a choir of happiness coming from her as her hooves wrapped around the bird that was trying to suffocate the Unicorn in happiness and feathery hugs.

“Oh, Philomena! I hope you’ve not been playing tricks on anypony of late!” Sunset was so relieved that the phoenix still remembered her, still wanted to be with her. She remembered how much she had ignored Philomena before she vanished across the the portal.

The phoenix made a low whistle like sound as she landed on Sunset’s outstretched hoof, hiding itself behind its wing.

“Whatever are we going to do with you?” Sunset chuckled, noticing that she was still outside of her room. “Well? Want to fully welcome me home?” She asked, the bird giving a happy caw and launching once more into the air, floating gaily into the room.

“You didn’t change anything…” Sunset murmured as she looked around the room, taking in the view of her childhood. The bed was still covered in the blanket her and Celestia had knit by magic, the colours garish and contrasting harshley, though it still held all the love that had been poured into it by the pair all those years ago. Bookshelves, laden with tomes of knowledge and fantasy, hid the walls from view, breaking rarely to allow something else space to be displayed. A desk sat in the corner, a fresh candle sitting in the corner with a phoenix quill feather and an inkwell beside it, for once uncovered by books and tests as Sunset had used it for in the past.

“Well? What do you think?” Celestia asked as she walked up to Sunset, taking a seat beside the crying mare.

“Thank you.”

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

“Do I really have to get sized for a dress, mom?” Sunset complained as a full team of salesponys scrambled overtop, around, and underneath her, struggling to get measurements and sizes as Celestia sat to the side, giggling to herself the whole while.

“But of course, Sunset. How else would I be able to show you off at the ball tonight?” She asked with a not so innocent look of childish glee.

“A-a ball? Tonight?” Sunset blanched at the prospect. “Why didn’t you tell me sooner!?” She wailed

“Because you would have run away back across the portal and I would have a Diamond Dog of a time getting you back here.” Celestia said with a grin.

“Exactly!” Sunset shot back as one of her hoofs rose against her will, a jungle of measuring tapes wrapping and lining it.

“I’m thinking something frilly…” Celestia said as she looked up and away in fake thought, a delicate, gold shod white hoof raised to her muzzle. As soon as she mentioned that, three more salespony seemingly popped into existence, a small army’s worth of different frilly dresses in their magical and physical grasps.

“Really? I’m not a little filly anymore, mom! I can make my own choice!” Sunset whined as she saw Celestia peering through the various choices of dresses.

“We both know what your fashion sense is like, dear.” The Alicorn smiled as she peered over at Sunset. “Rarity would have had a fit had she known you.”

“I happen to be popular in the other world partially thanks to my fashion sense, I’ll let you know!” Sunset retorted, gaining a small chuckle from her mother.

“How much for that in pink?” Celestia asked one of the salesponys.

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

Sunset sighed as she sat down in the booth, happy to be away from the prying eyes of the nobles trying to figure out who was the strange gold and crimson haired amber unicorn that was with Celestia.

“Sorry if they are making you uncomfortable, Sunset.” Celestia apologized, laying a hoof along Sunset’s own. “I could-”

“Don’t worry mom, it’ll pass.” Sunset gave a small smile as she looked over her unaging mother.

“I probably should announce that my daughter has returned though.” Celestia stated. “That would probably help explain who you are.”

“You mean you haven’t done that yet? No wonder people are trying to find out who I am, I’m like an alien to them!” Sunset said as she banged her head off the table. “Do people at least know that I will be at the ball tonight?”

Celestia only grinned sheepishly as she took a sip of her tea, earning a look of annoyance from Sunset.

“How have you survived for so long?” She asked bluntly, taking a sip of her own tea. “I mean, seriously. Luna must have worked incredibly hard to make up for you.”

“I’ll let you know that I have been the ruler of Equestria for such a long time for a reason, missy.” Celestia said, puffing out her chest proudly.

“Cause you have control over the sun and moon, so why would anyone want to make you mad?” Sunset stated matter of factly.

“I say!” Celestia said, faking hurt.

“I say indeed! Twilight has told me about how they saved you from not only Nightmare Moon, but also Queen Chrysalis, Discord, and Tirek!” Sunset gave a devious looking grin. “Why have the people not overthrown you and Luna and promoted Twilight to being in charge yet?”

“I’ll let you know there were reasons for all those occurrences!” Celestia replied, blushing in humiliation.

“Oh? Pray, do tell.” Sunset chuckled as she looked over to the elder royal sister of Equestria.

“Well Lulu got the jump on me, Queen Chrysalis was powered up by all that love, Discord got the jump on both me and Lulu, and Tirek had absorbed most of the magic of Equestria so we-”

“So Luna caught you having one of your famous midday snoozes, Queen Chrysalis had all the love of a single pony, don’t even get me started on Discord, but Tirek could be sort of understood.” Sunset interrupted her mother with a smirk.

“I never said they were good reasons.” Celestia pouted, rather adorably Sunset would say to others.

“Is there any such thing as a good reason for all that cake?” Sunset said as she looked at the tray being brought out from the kitchen, the waitresses seeming to struggle to move it.

“I was feeling peckish.”

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

The two ponies stood silently at the mouth of an alley, a pair of apartments sat as guardians to the small paved road between them. It was rather clean and well maintained, no litter or refuse piled along the bottom of the buildings.

“Hard to think that this was home…” Sunset said quietly, staring at the cobblestone road that was devoid of life.

“One of my biggest regrets is allowing poor children like you to languish in this city.” Celesia said sadly. “I have made sure that no other child should have to suffer like that.”

“I’m not sure I will ever be able to thank you enough for saving that day…” Sunset said. “Not only did you save my life, but you gave me a home, an education… love... “ Sunset wiped away an errant tear.

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

The unicorn filly gave a small cough into her amber hoof as a drop of water leaked through the roof of her cardboard shelter. The cold autumn night had been intensified thanks to the storm that came in, drenching Canterlot in a deluge of half frozen sleet and hail. Her cough had been getting worse over the last few days, and the gnawing of pain in her stomach reminded her of the last time she had a morsel to eat.

“Why is life so unfair…” She muttered hoarsely, her throat rebelling at her attempts of vocalization.

She gave another small look into the banged up dish that sat at the end of her box. It was still empty, not a single pony stopped to even give her a look again. At least the guards hadn’t chased her out of this alley yet like they had all the others. Her body shook as yet another chill ran through her body, the mangled box offering little protection even when it wasn’t damaged. A sneeze ripped through her, causing more soreness of her throat and earning the annoyance of somepony living in one of the adjacent apartments.

“Oi! Shut up ya rancid tramp!” She heard yelled out as a large can pelted her box. She sighed in defeat, her tired body feeling like lead. At least the mice weren’t crawling all over her again tonight like they had been for the last few days.

As if the world didn’t dislike her enough yet, a loud crack of thunder reverberated through the skies, lightning racing down through the sleet filled air only to strike a lightning rod attached to the roof of the apartment to her left, shaking the building. Am ominous rumble filled the air, the sound of metal shaking against itself followed by a pattering against the cardboard. She peeked her head out, just in time to see emergency exit of the apartment rip free of the poorly maintained building and starting it’s plummet down onto her.

She gave as shrill of a cry as she could manage, a crackling wheeze as others would call it, as the metal descended towards her. She shut her eyes. This was it. At least there wouldn’t be ponies angry with her anymore.

Pitter

Pitter

Pitter

She opened her eyes. Was she dead? She softly padded her face with her hooves, her eyes looking around her. She was still in her box, liquid slush oozing through her box onto her. She could hear something else though, through the sounds of the winds starting to pick up. Was that… flapping? Agonizingly slowly, she hefted her body out of the box, rubbing her mangy coat and thin body against the cobblestone, but was unable to stand up, her body too weak to support her, so she resigned to flopping down on her side. There, high above her, was a pegasus so white, she thought it was made of snow. It flapped its wings in a steady beat, its head coming down to reveal that it had a horn.

“I swear,” She heard the mare say, her voice calm and soothing. “Why do ponies not take proper care of the infrastructure of Canterlot? It’s not like we don’t have the magic and technology to do so.”

The mare paused when it looked down, noticing the shivering filly on the ground looking up at her.

“Thank you for saving me…” The filly croaked out, the mare barely hearing the sound over the storm raging around them even though the apartments stood to their sides. “You aren’t gunna make me leave, are you?”

Slowly the mare flittered down to the ground, the metal still levitating in the air. “Whyever would you ask me that, young filly?” She asked of the shivering child. “Why are you out in this storm? And wherever are your parents?” The mare looked around, trying to pierce the weather that was starting to grow more intense. Mention that the weather team has been holding back, and they take it as a challenge. She thought as she looked back down at the filly, taking in how dirty and small she was.

“I don’t got none…” The filly said, still unmoving even as half frozen sludge started to pool around her. “And I’m living here ‘cause the guards kicked me out of my old alley again.”

The filly heard a massive crash behind her, noticing the metal safety escape had fallen to the ground, followed by a window opening and a familiar voice shouting at her.

“Would you shut the buck up you misserable waste of flesh!?” The voice called out in a slurred manner, the pony in question leaning out the window and throwing a large glass bottle in the direction of the filly.

All of a sudden the storm ceased, the air growing quiet as if time itself stood still. The filly could actually start to see the sunset as she closed her eyes in anticipation for yet another bottle to connect with her bruised and battered body. But once again, no contact came. She heard the slurred voice gasp, and she opened her eyes to see why, childish curiosity kicking in.

“Pr-Princess Celestia!” The voice called out in sobering calm. “My apologies, your highness! I hope I didn’t spray you with anything while I tried to remove that pest down there!”

“What did you just say?”

The filly could feel the air chill again, a cold fury freezing the air as the mare responded. “Princess… Celestia…?” The filly was in shock, what was the Princess doing down here?

“I-Uhm… What do you mean, your highness?” The pony visibly gulped, its bloodshot eyes blinking rapidly as it looked at the upset royalty staring him down.

“Why would you ever think a poor, homeless filly is a… What did you call it again?” Celestia asked of the stallion, her look demanding that he respond.

“A-a-a-a… A pest! That’s what I said!” He said with an incredibly nervous chuckle, hoping that it would be what she was looking for. Silence filled the air, before the stallion let out a surprised yelp as he suddenly popped into existence in the freezing cold, standing right before Celestia, the Princess’ face a disappointed frown.

“That was wrong, both as an action, and as the answer I wanted. Try. Again.”

“U-uhm… A misser…” The Earth Pony stallion trailed off, looking around for a means of escape.

“I’m. Waiting.” Celestia’s tone said what she would not. This stallion had no more chances.

“A-a mis-sserable waste of-f fles-sh.” He said as he watched her. He could see her anger boil over, the motherly love that she always shared with everypony vanished and he could swear her hair erupted in flame.

“I want you to think about this while you spend the next few days in the royal gaol.” Celestia whispered. “I want you to ruminate over your inaction to save a poor child's life, and how you were so uncaring as to harass her for actions beyond her control.”

“B-b-but! Ever since she showed up, the number of vagabonds-” The stallion started, only to be wrapped in a shell of magic, the aura matching the colour that surrounded Celestia’s horn.

“You do not get to say anymore.” She said, as the stallion popped out of existence once more. Celestia let out a sigh as she turned around and looked at the filly, the apathetic child giving a small smile and look of gratitude, the Princess’ heart wrenching in her chest.

“Thank you, Princess.” The filly said, enjoying the calm weather that Celestia had brought about. “I think I’ll be able to sleep better tonight.”

Celestia sat down, staring at the thin child before her. It’s amber coat was patchy and filthy, its mane and tail of intermixed yellow and red matted and infested with filth. Yet its small smile and sad looking eyes showed a look of great appreciation, of a love for a Princess that probably didn’t even know she was here.

“What’s your name, my child?” Celestia asked as she used her magic to bring the filly to a sitting position in front of her, the child sitting in the shade of Celestia’s large body.

“U-uhm… I don’t got one… Just whatever the ponies would call me…” THe filly looked down at the ground, obviously trying to paw at the cobblestone, but instead its body wavered in weakness.

“How about… Sunset?” Celestia asked, smiling as she looked at the filly that looked up in awe at the royal leader of the country, the mare looking around and taking in the sunset, enjoying how the light seemed to shimmer in the air. “Yes, Sunset Shimmer. How does it sound to you?”

“I like it, I guess? But why does it matter if I have a name?” The filly asked innocently.

“How else am I going to introduce you to the staff back at the castle?” Celestia responded with a small chuckle, the filly’s face erupting into a gasp of shock.

“W-what are you talking about, Princess?” The filly asked, unable to comprehend what she was hearing.

“Well, I mean to bring you home with me, adopt you as it were.” Celestia smiled as she grabbed the filly in a shell of magic before depositing the child on her back, just behind her wings as they flared open.

“You don’t gotta do that!” The filly said, coughing and sniffling as it tried to break free. “I’m fine on my own!”

“I think the first order of business is a nice hot bubble bath, and a large helping of cake. What kind do you like?” Celestia asked as she took to the skies, heading back towards the castle, using her magic to finish setting the sun. She was lucky to be there, any later and this poor child would be incredibly hurt, if not worse. Good thing the construction board let her know of the building in question, even though they were unable to do anything about it thanks to some ‘frivolous paperwork’ as they called it.

“Princess!” The filly called out in annoyance as the pair flew through the sky.

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

Sunset slowly trotted over to her mom, wrapping a hoof around the taller alicorn as best she could.

“Thank you mom. For everything.”