Over the skies and traveling toward Canterlot a chariot could be seen soaring through, from the chariot Mac took a look at the edge and found the high to be too much to try jumping.

Not only that but the group flying next to them probably have orders to recapture them if they tried to flee. Mac recognised a all three of them, they were the pony versions of Cloudsdale's students, former star runner Sorin, female soccer team players Spitfire and Fleetfoot and of course Rainbow Dash.

After a while of thinking Mac turned his attention back to the ponies in the chariot, Time Turner looked resigned as wherever his fate would have in store for him, the other pony looked very similar at the earth stallion, Sunset sat in a corner of the chariot with her face clouded by a sad resignation, wherever this trial was it was obvious that it affected her pretty bad.

Mac sat next to her and hug her with one leg while using his muzzle to bring her face up. "What's wrong Sugarcube? We don know yet what this trial is about yet and if they try anything crazy we leave this place at once, answers or not, ya hear?".

Sunset offered a weak smile "Thanks... It just that after all this time its feel odd to be punished by my mistakes from the past, it makes me afraid that I may lose what I have accomplish until now".

"Way I see it if this people wanna punish ya for yer mistakes then they should also reward ya from all the good ya have done".

"Yeah? What kind of reward?".

"How about making ya one of them princess, that sound about fair ta me".

Sunset started laughing from the joke. " whut? I'm serious here, ya would look even cuter with some fluffy wings".

"I don't think that's possible Mac, you have to pass a very complicated and special test or so Twilight told me".

"Well, I think ya pass the bill, ya helped against the Dazzlings, you saved Twilight from herself, stopped Miss Daisy from hurting innocents and helped people from been hurt by runaway magic, to me ya should be a queen by now".

Sunset kissed Mac in his lips, having her mood lift up completely.
"Thanks love, I needed that".

"Just been honest here Sunny, I also have a reward for ya if ya want it".

"What are you talking about?". Mac whispered something in her ear and her face turned blood red and her eyes opened wide. "You... You wouldn't...?".

"Eeyup totally". Sunset hided her blushing face in his chest.

At the side Rainbow growled "This guys are way worse that the other Big Mac and Sugar Belle in their flirting".

"Heads up everypony! We're here". Spitfire called for everyone's attention as the castle appeared in sight.

"Twilight's Castle look more impressive". Mac declared while observing the approaching castle.

"You should see the one in the Crystal Empire, way overkill if you ask me". Rainbow Dash said nonchalantly while butting in the conversation.

A few minutes later the chariot landed safety on one of the towers, Mac saw a delegation of guards waiting for them already and he didn't like that one bit, the Wonderbolt leader spoke up.

"Package delivered as according, two earth ponies stallions identified as Time Turner and Macintosh Apple and one unicorn mare Sunset Shimmer for trial".

A white unicorn with blue mane walked forward and saluted, unlike the rest of the guards this one didn't had armor on but a red coat with medals signifying higher rank.

"Well done Captain, we'll take it from here". Said the white unicorn.

After saluting the wonderbolts flew off except for Rainbow who stood behind. "Hey! Go easy on them will ya? They aren't part of the rebels you know?".

"We'll see about that".

"Dash we're leaving now!". Spitfire returned for her subordinate.

"Alright alright I'm coming, good luck guys". Soon she joined the rest.

"So... You are the one that almost killed my sister twice!". The white unicorn said poking Sunset in the chest with his hoof.

Mac slapped the hoof with his own and moved to block Sunset from the guard. " She hasn't hurt anyone on purpose, we had been attacked and dragged around by others, we had only been defending ourselves chief".

If Mac expected the guard to retaliate he was wrong, all he did was smile like if he was content with the reaction from the red pony.

"We'll see, follow me". He turned around and Mac and Sunset exchanged looks and followed.

"Psh Mac".

"Eeyup?".

"Thanks for that but try not to start trouble, it's probably only me who will be judged".

"Not happenin Sugarcube, ain't came here to see ya been harassed by a bunch of stuck up mini horses".

"Yeah? Well it just so happen that I'm also a mini horse as you call it".

Mac's cheek turned pink "I'm sorry honey... Ya know... I didn mean...".

"Ha ha I'm just kidding Mac". Sunset said while bumping him with her shoulder.

"We are here". It was until the guard spoke that the couple regarded their new location, so emerged were they that the entire walk was missed and now they where in a circular chamber with several at least 3 rings designed over the main floor, it remained Mac of how the Hub's main room looked, the main floor where Mac and Sunset were was a flat granite looking room with a symbol on the surface that Mac saw in every guard they met, the rings were located at least 8 meters high from the floor starting with the first ring, the second was higher by another 4 meters probably by Mac's estimations and so was the last one.

Mac then saw what the rings were for as all three kind of ponies he had seen flooded them, they were balconies meant to hold the horde of ponies present for the trial, most of them looked to be unicorns and pegasi with some earth ponies mixed in, no more guards were present except for the one escorting them earlier who took place under the balcony in the middle, unlike the other two this one had a special section were only four seats stood, each seat had a different symbol embedded in the top of the back and were adorned with red mantels, they were obviously for the highest of the hierarchy in this world, the princesses of Equestria.

A door located behind the throne like seats swung open and forth walked a dark blue alicorn with the familiar face of Luna followed by Princess Twilight, then behind them a white alicorn walked in, her hair color and face were unmistakable as those of Celestia.

As three alicorns took their seats Mac noticed that one continued empty, the mass of ponies took their places and soon the chamber run silent.

"Greetings my little ponies, we are here gathered today to bear witness to the trial of my former apprentice Sunset Shimmer! Her actions during and after her disappearance will be judged by Us the Princesses of Equestria, at the end of this trial it will be decided the fate of the accused as well as her punishment should she be found guilty of acts against Equestria and the human world".

Finishing her part Princess Luna spoke next. " Now that the reasoning had been make clear, let the trial begin!".

Mac had a sinking feeling in his heart, like a snake coiling around it, he saw Sunset and could feel her fear and anxiety even if the girl was standing firmly over her hooves.

Twilight took flight and landed in front of the couple. "Your first charge is of breaking into a forbidden chamber with pre-knowledge of the artifact stored within, not only that but to also look for a way to used for your personal gain". The mob started speaking their disbelief of such act.

"How do you declare yourself?".

"Guilty of both things". Sunset said while keeping her head low out of shame.

"That ain't entirely true". Mac stepped forward which draw more growls from the mass of ponies overhead but were quickly silenced by the night princess.

" QUIET! How dare thee interrupt a princess if Equestria!".

"Beg yer pardon Ma'am but I'm not one of yer... How ya call it? Subjects, so neither of ya are MAH princess, no offense".

A frightened Sunset pulled Mac aside." Mac! Are you nuts? That's princess Luna! She can blast you to bits if you make her mad!".

"So what? That snake thing could had also blow me to peaces but that didn stop me from lookin out for ya! If ya think I'm gonna listen how those horn winged ponies condemn ya with out a fight then ya don know me well".

"Apparently so, Mac, this is serious! Me been accused for the past is nothing new to me but the last thing I want to see is you getting hurt defending me!". Sunset felt something in her chest growing, she didn't meant to snap at Mac like this, quiet the contrary, she was happy to have him at her side, she felt like a princess been protected by her knight but his over protection could end up condemning both.

"This... Is Macintosh Apple from the human world and one of many how had witnessed Sunset Shimmer during her time in said world, if the princess would allow he can represent the human world which was affected by Sunset's actions". Twilight explained while pointing to Mac.

"Very well, it will be allowed as long as he is truthful about his accounts, been a member of the Apple family I expect nothing but honesty from you young stallion". Celestia declared to everyone in the room.

During the next hour or so Twilight told the court about her meeting and confrontation with Sunset, her defeat and atonement, her subsequent assistance during the battle against the sirens and the Everfree incident culminating with her effort to stop magic from causing mayhem in Canterlot and its surroundings, the reaction of the mob continued in displeasure.

Twilight was as the human Twilight a friend of Sunset but she was playing the part of fiscal to the letter, not showing any sympathy for her and sticking to hard cold facts which thrown Sunset in a worse light.

Mac defended even against Sunset insistence in how she put her life on the line to help her friends, how she did a huge effort to redeem herself at those she had affected, how caring and respected she was now and much more, yet the sinking feeling continued to grow within Mac.

The end came and the mob was silenced by Luna once more.
"We have heard from both sides how Sunset Shimmer had affected the human world and now we have reached a conclusion! Sunset Shimmer... Step forward!".

Sunset did as instructed and lifted her head to see her former mentor directly.

"Your actions have shown your dedication on correcting the errors of your incursion, while the present still hold much potential in your continuous defense of the human world it is nothing else but result of your first charge". Celestia gazed over Sunset with a cold expression.

"Have you not dared intervene in the human world to begin with the following events wouldn't have come to pass or would have been solved by the humans in their own way".

"Furthermore, the fact that the attack on one of the princess was perpetuated using a portal once again show how much your actions still affects both worlds".

Sunset felt all eyes on her, judging her, condemning her, wanted her gone and out of sight, probably thrown into a dungeon forever, her heart was filled with regret and sorrow but it was that other sensation that kept her more afraid.

"So... It is my duty as ruler of Equestria to pass judgment and after hearing everything that happen until this point, I Celestia... Princess of the sun... Find you... Sunset Shimmer... Guilty of high treason against Equestria... And your punishment will be... 100 years of imprisonment in Tartarus".

"What?! No!". Sunset could not believe her ears, she was... She was been send to expend the rest of her life next to the worst of Equestria.

"YOU AIN'T SENDIN HER WHEREVER THAT PLACE IS!". Macintosh yelled over all the cheers from the ponies in the balconies.

"Where's all that crap about friendship and forgiveness that I keep hearin from y'all! If she's so much a burden to y'all then let me take her where she's loved and needed, back to her real home, back with me!".

Sunset saw with horror as Luna descended from her seat and landed in front of the red stallion with her face twisted to one of rage.

"Thee should not insult my sister like that! Pony or not she is a princess and thee should show the respect she deserve".

"Macintosh the human, I have heard what you said clearly but let me ask you... When she took over your school and was attacked by Princess Twilight... Was your sister not attacked by Sunset as well?". Sunset felt the knot around her heart tightening even more, this was what she dreaded the most.

"Eey-eeyup?".

"Tell me then, what if your sister would have been injured during the conflict? What if she would have lost an arm or a leg? What if she were to die fighting Sunset Shimmer? Would you forgive her then?".

Mac's eyes widened after hearing that, the implication fell over him like a bucket of ice cold water and he knew that this was Celestia's intention. To prove him wrong by forcing the same shoe in him. " No answer then?". Asked Celestia.

Mac fell silent, his eyes covered by his blonde fringes, he was utterly speechless and immobile, in that moment Sunset went over him and kiss him in the cheek."Thank you, even if you can't come with me, you will be always in my heart, goodbye".

As Sunset moved away an arm took hold of her leg, a crying Sunset saw Mac's crying face with a smile on it.

"I... Love ya too". Mac said stepping forward and moved to speak once more.

"I would". Mac shouted answering the previous question" For my live... I would had forgiven her" .

"And how exactly are you sure of this, how can you be so sure of that if you haven't experienced such event".

"Because... Because I...".

"NO MAC! You... You don't have to!".

"Don worry Sunny, I'm... I'm over it". Mac turned to the Princesses.
"I know I would forgive her, because I have been forgiven from my parents dead". Mac's cracked at the end but his voice was still heard, in a second Sunset was next to him hugging his figure as much as she could with her small extremities, she knew what he was talking about and the horrible effect that such topic had over him and she knew that no matter how much she begged for him to stop... He wouldn't.

Celestia remained calm waiting for the human turned pony to resume his tale.

"A few years back, my parents were goin to make a delivery, the night before Pa instruct me to check the brakes but I... I got distracted and failed to do so... The next day it rained for a good portion of the morning and I... I didn't warn them... So they left... and didn come back, the police told us that the mud caused their crash but I knew what... Who was responsible". Mac was crying a river by now, Sunset knew what was coming next and hug him even harder to offer any comfort possible.

"I cried in their graves, askin for forgiveness but the dead does not forgive, only the living, I took my parents from ma sisters, ah took a son from my grandma, so... If they couldn't forgive me... I would punish myself".

"Ah left school and dedicated every second to the farm and ma family, I eat just enough to last to the next day, I slept only enough to work another hour, another day, I wanted to... To die, then one day mah body give up and I end up on a medical bed, mah Granny yelled at me for mah stubbornness but was glad that I was still alive".

"When i got back home I told mah family of mah mistake... ha was expectin hate, rage even insults but... I got non, I got hugs, they felt bad but nothin like hate, mah Granny told me that family forgives each other as long as ya repent from yer heart".

Mac took a deep breath and steeled his voice " I promise maself that is I came across someone who wrong me but repented then I will forgive it, no matter what".

Celestia stood there static, Luna's expression was mixed between surprise and empathy, Twilight was turned, her face hidden from view.

Mac trembled from reopening that old wound, Sunset was the only person outside his family that knew of that dark chapter of his life, another proof of how much he cared and trusted her. After emptied his heart in from of a bunch of strangers, ponies at that he felt light, like if a heavy burden was lifted from him, more important if it helped him save his lover, then Mac heard a voice booming around the room, it was as if the voice was coming from every single angle possible.

"LOVE KNOWS NO LIMIT, LOVE IS FORGIVENESS, YOUR LOVE IS TRUE AND SO ITS STRENGTH IS YOURS".

Celestia jumped down to the floor and landed in front of the couple."A valid defence Macintosh the human, but this goes beyond your comprehension, Sunset will be punished, it has been decided!".

Mac's jaw drop, after all said and done this trial was rigged from the begining, the sun princess had already passed judgement and this was just a courtesy, a display for the raging mob to entertain.

"Yer kiddin!". Mac didn't want to believe his ears and Sunset who was still attach to him was frozen hearing her beloved teacher speak of her as if she was a stranger.

Sunset felt something familiar, magic was been gathered in front of her and she knew who was doing it and for what purpose, a blinding light only confirmed her fears, that wasn't magic for banishment! That was magic potent enough to destroy, Celestia was going to kill her! What madness was this!

"Mac! Let go, she's not playing around! She's going to attack me!".

Mac didn't even budge, instead he wrapped as much of her body as he could with his own and turned around giving his back to the princess.

"Let go Mac! You won't be able to stand her blast! She's going to hurt you!".

"Then let her! I don care!".

"MAC!". Sunset tried to break free but his strength was incredible, she had felt some of Applejack raw strength by accident one time but this was in a hold new level, in desperation she used her magic to weaken his grip but it was in vain. Her heart was almost in her throat when Celestia accumulated enough magic.

"AND NOW... BEGONE!".

In that horrible second Sunset realised that there was no time left, with one final scream she reached deep within her to the bottom of her feelings finding nothing but love for the man who was about to sacrifice his life for her, she saw so much care and passion the two had shared and in the agony of losing the chance to experience more of those moment she lifted the plug that restrained her magic, if someone was going to harm her lover it would be only after she was dead cold.

"LOVE CAN EASILY BE FOUND, BUT NURTURE IT SO THAT IT WILL GROW AND BEAR FRUITS IT THE SIGIL OF TRUE LOVE, YOUR LOVE KNOWS NO LIMIT AND SO... ITS MAGIC IS YOUR".

In a blast of light Celestia let loose her magic only to be met by another one stronger that hers, the magic of love when summoned to defend its source was relentless and indomitable, Celestia was pushed back and almost hurled around the room if it wasn't for her apprentice catching her in her own magic.

Celestia felt the same power that Chrysalis used against her all those years ago but the power and intensity behind it were far more superior that what the queen of the changelings produced then.

As the pink magic vanished, everyone could now see the two ponies still standing, untouched and well, Mac opened his eyes, he didn't felt hurt or otherwise and more important his precious companion was ok.

"Sunny? Are ya... Ok?". Mac opened his arms to see for himself and soon relief flood him when he saw her fine and well, except...

"Wha... I... I think I'm still seeing things".

"Mac are you ok? What going on?".

"Ya... Ya haf wings... with feathers and everythin".

"Wha-what?". As if to prove true at his comment a pair of small amber wings flapped open and her horn was a bit longer.

"I... I do? I do! I bucking do have wings! But how?".

"You have passed the final test Sunset Shimmer! And as of today the power of love have choose you as it bearer in the human world".

With a blinding light the room was replaced by an empty chamber, gone were the three balconies and the mob of ponies , the four royal seat were still there but they were at floor level rather that in the second ring like before. The mayor change however was that there was a new princess present, a pink alicorn with a magenta, yellow and purple mane.

"Greetings, I'm princess Candence of the Crystal Empire, is a pleasure to meet you at last Sunset Shimmer... Before I give any explanation let us apologize for the terrible thing that we just make you go through". At one all four princesses dropped their heads in apology

"Sunset, I'm so sorry for the things I did today and even if it was for something of this magnitude it still a crime against you and your loved one, no matter my status it doesn't give me the right to toy with your feelings or anyone else, so I'm ready to receive any punishment you feel me entitled to". Celestia stood right in front of her former apprentice head low in shame, her face at hoof reach.

Mac saw how Sunset lifted her arm as if to strike the white alicorn across the face and held it there, for a second Mac thought that she really would hit the sun princess but her face changed from an angry scowl to a look of sad resignation, then she used the same arm to pick up the face of the alicorn so that their eyes could met. " I'm very angry right now, as you said this is the last thing I expected when we came her but... I guess this is how you felt when I ran away in the first place".

Sunset stepped back and turned her sights to the night princess.
"I heard from Twilight how hard you tried to redeem yourself after your time as Nightmare Moon, you are the closest to know how I feel regarding past mistakes". Luna absorbed the words with regret from the stunt they just pulled, like Starlight Glimmer she too had come a long way.

Now Sunset looked at Twilight, her first friend after her defeat and the main reason of her redemption, or so she thought until her dreams had showed her that Mac played a mayor role on it too. The purple princess had the worst expression of them all, even a few tears had run down her cheeks, watching her Sunset sighed.

"As much as I want to beat some sense into the four of you, I just can't, I didn't expect an easy pass through Equestria but this is just way pass ridiculous, first we get attacked, the my boyfriend get himself abducted by Discord and now... I'm... A princess you said?".

The final alicorn smiled " yes Sunset Shimmer, as I said before you are the new Princess of love for the human world, the voices you heard in your mind and the feeling in your hearts was my doing, not long ago I started to feel a shift in my powers, like if it was been called by someone else, later Twilight informed us of your arrival and the unusual magic that you and Macintosh had used, it was actually Starlight Glimmer who mentioned that maybe my powers were been pulled to you because you were becoming a candidate for them which it end up been correct".

"Wait, I... We can use the power of love? Both of us? I still don't vet it". Asked Sunset.

Both our world and the human's are connected by a force even unknown to us yet, it is not know just how many more worlds may be connected but what it seem to be true is that this worlds are powered by the same source making possible to draw power from both worlds in the same way, take your human friends for example, the humans do not have magic yet it was possible for them to draw it when you took Twilight's crown over there, the same did happen to you but to a bigger extend". Celestia explained.

"Still, this power can only be willed by someone that truly embodiment its nature and that pony... or girl is you Sunset Shimmer, your love for Macintosh is pure as it is unwavering". The love princess Candece turned to Mac then.

"You too have its mark young stallion, for love cannot exist with a receiver alone, it needs someone who help it grow and share it back". As she said this the white unicorn guard from before came back and kissed the pink princess in the cheek.

"So what do we do now?". Asked Mac to no one in particular.

"I still need to discuss some points with Sunset Shimmer". Candece answered while walking next to the amber alicorn.

"Now that the princesses are here we can use our combined magic to see this black glow that you guys had encountered, we can do it on you Big Mac if you don't mind?".

Sunset was about to respond when Celestia spoke "The process will not harm him in any way, you have my word for wherever is worth Sunset".

Sunset looked at Mac and he only smiled at her and blow her a kiss with his hoof to calm her anxiety. She nodded back and went with Candece to a different room while Mac remained with the other 3 princesses. "So... what do I do?".

"You just need to stay still Big Mac, our magic will do the work, the spell is like a... A scanner that will see what kind of magic you have come in contact with recently". Twilight explained while taking place in front of the red earth pony.

"This spell can be done by any unicorn with good knowledge of incantations but potent magic is required to identify each signature and magic remains". Celestia continued moving at the right of the stallion.

"Our magic combined should tell when was that this... Black glow got into you as well as the source of it". Luna finished the explanation moving left of Mac.

All three alicorns now in place they charged their horns and Mac felt a warm sensation, at once all three let loose their magic converging inside the stallion, his body reacted with what could be described as been shock with electricity, not deadly but the jolt was barely noticeable, Mac felt the warm sensation turning a little hotter but not beyond unmanageable, a top of him a magic hologram appeared and images of previous events started to unfold, the battle with Discord, the battle against Starlight and the guards and beyond that, to the day before they crossed the portal, inevitable the images of his love making with Sunset were shown as well and all three alicorns reacted with different expressions.

Celestia turned almost as pink as the alicorn of love, Twilight stood frozen, jaw hanging while she saw her friend been bucked again and again by the stallion in front of her, finally Luna, Luna saw for the first time what humans looked like and found them kind of repulsive but the mating act itself did intrigue her, however her interest was derailed when she saw the black magic mentioned and her curiosity turned into pure horror for what she saw stroke a very sensitive spot, her past, she saw one of her creations when her mind was slipping into that of Nightmare Moon, a magic creature she created to cause unrest and fear among his pony subjects. "NO! It cannot be! It was all but destroyed I swear!". The image was that of the Tantanites.

Author's Notes:

Next chapter will contain a bit of clop, like to recommend some stories from Dr Sharaz Jek like
'Pinkie gives her friends an existential crisis' you'll laugh your ass off.