Sunset Shimmer came to awareness in a vast white void, her head lacking the muzzy fog normally present when she woke up. It took her a moment to process, and then the memories hit her like a truck—the crown, the transformation, the fireball, the Rainbow… She curled her body in on herself. “….Is this it? Am I…dead then?” she whispered.

Not dead…but you do stand at a crossroads, Sunset Shimmer. Here…now…Your soul stands divided. You willingly fed the darkness, dined on anger and hatred and spite, and made the choices that led you to this moment. And yet, a part of you resisted. A sliver of light, that drew lines not to be crossed, held you to standards no one else would believe you had…a piece that cried out in fear not for itself, but for the fate of others in a moment of despair.

You are not yet lost to darkness, Sunset Shimmer, but so long have you thrived in it that you are no victim. The dry voice was blunt, not condemning but not excusing her either.

“I…” What could she say to that? She’d already seen what she’d become, what she’d been willing to do—and as much as some part of her was repulsed by it, there was still a part of her that felt….justified. Vindicated in all of her choices. “…Then what are you going to do to me?” she asked, uncurling and holding her head high. If she was going to die, or be tortured, or whatever this voice had planned, she wouldn’t cower like a foal behind its mother’s hocks.

Do to you? Nothing. You must make your own choices, Sunset Shimmer. Your will is your own.

Bitterness rose in her throat. “And what makes you think that I’ll do anything different? What makes you think I’ll just stop being the monster you’ve defined me as?” She pivoted on her foot, dimly observing that her form here was her human one, and not the pony she often saw herself as in her mind’s eye, only to freeze before a mirror she would never forget. Looking back at her was her own reflection, and what she saw was beyond horrific. Was….was that what she had become? This twisted creature of sunburned skin and flaming hair, not human or pony, stretched and twisted with proportions that mocked human standards of attraction and beauty. Her eyes flicked downwards to her hands, seeing only unblemished amber skin, and confusion clouded her expression—and that of the demon in the mirror.

See yourself with eyes unclouded, Sunset Shimmer. Look upon what you have become…and see the choices that led you here. Know yourself.

The mirror flickered, her warped counterpart replaced by sights and sounds of her past, and from the first moment, her gut twisted in response.

There was the first time she’d lost her temper—with a scream of childish rage she’d exploded with fire and violence at the colts of several Canterlot aristocrats, searing their fur and leaving one with a broken foreleg that took three physicians almost two weeks to heal.

How she boiled in her pelt under Celestia’s disappointed face and lecture on responsibility and control, no matter what some entitled foal might say about her parentage, angry and miserable and hurting and frustrated, unable to see that her actions had been beyond defending herself.

Or the times she avoided another lecture by learning to sabotage those who crossed her in other ways, often by ruining their own spells or projects in ways that humiliated them.

The times she’d sneered and driven someone to tears with her words, using her intellect and observational skills to hit them where it hurt and cut them far worse than she could’ve with magic or hooves.

All those times when Celestia urged her to step out of her studies and engage with others her age, and she’d scoffed at the idea.

Every single arrogant claim and prideful remark.

Each moment in her life where her temper got the better of her, where her arrogance and pride blinded her, where her own frustrations, hurts, and fears made her lash out.

That final argument with the only mother she’d ever known, where she’d hurled the book at the alicorn’s face, screaming at her to be made a princess.

Her terrifying first days in the human world, hiding in a shed, stealing food from dumpsters and untended counters, even as she tried to understand the place she was condemned to stay until the portal opened again.

Lying, cheating, manipulating, stealing from others until she had her own safety net set up.

Savage satisfaction in using her newly gained self defense skill to break the nose of some thug near her apartment.

Two years of outright bullying, and more than that of blackmail and lies to gain control over a population of students in middle and high school.

So many mornings and afternoons she’d driven people like Fluttershy to tears, or intimidated them into their own lockers or out of their lunch money.

Sleepless nights planning her revenge after she’d returned the first time through the portal, only to find that Celestia had replaced her.

Smear campaigns and malicious videos and photos of rivals and challengers, or simply people she didn’t like.

The crown coming to rest upon her head, and the transformation into the red-skinned she-demon. Twisting the minds and will of her peers into slaves. Fire and magic meant to murder those who defied her.

No moment was left out, and for the first time in years, Sunset Shimmer wept. She was a monster…and she’d done it to herself. Clawed hands clutched at her head, knocking loose the Crown of Magic as she hovered once more in the air, the white expanse melting into a dizzying rainbow.

You stand at a crossroad, the voice intoned again as it began to fade away. Choose wisely, Sunset Shimmer: every choice has far reaching consequences, for good or ill. Then it paused, before adding as an afterthought, its tone colored by compassion. Twilight Sparkle did not steal your destiny—her fate was always hers alone. You were always meant for a different path.

Time seemed to resume, and Sunset found her self hurtling towards the ground from the impressive height the Rainbow of Light had carried her to. Leathery wings flapped in animal terror, trying futilely to slow her descent—she knew, without a doubt, that the force and distance would kill her, shattering every bone in her body into fragments and leaving her little more than a red, greasy stain on the front walk of the school. What was the point of a crossroads, she snarled angrily, if the Elements were just going to slaughter her anyway? The rage burned, and she could feel it like fire along the wings and tail that had come with her transformation…before the fire seemed to retreat within her, taking her only hope of survival with it as her wings dissolved like smoke. She screamed, in terror and regret, as her innards boiled once more, leaving her human body behind and a strange heat in her bones, and then she smashed into the pavement with a concussive explosion.

How long she was out, she could not say, but awareness came back to her as the wind carried black, sooty smoke away from her body, and with dim shock and disoriented disbelief, Sunset realized she was still alive; more than that…it seemed the Elements had chosen to leave her body in good health…if battered and bruised in a way that told her she would feel it in the morning. Shakily, she pushed herself up on hands and knees, her limbs feeling somewhat like putty.

A shadow fell across the broken ground before her, and she raised her head as a voice buzzed in her ears. It was then she discovered herself at the bottom of a crater, with figures gathering above her on the rim. Princess Twilight Sparkle still spoke in that voice of command, chastising her. “You will never rule in Equestria. Any power you may have had in this world is gone. Tonight, you've shown everyone who you really are. You've shown them what is in your heart.”

A monster. She was a monster, and everyone had seen it. Her eyes traversed the faces of those looking down, and saw fear, anger, and disgust shining in their eyes. Tears poured down her cheeks again, guilt and despair and anger at herself stabbing in her chest. “I…I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. I didn't know there was another way.” She felt raw, exposed in a way she’d never felt before, and it terrified her; she cowered away from the stares at the bottom of the hole shivering and weeping and feeling like she wanted to throw up everything she’d ever eaten. She could feel them, hundreds of eyes boring into her, feel the disgust and condemnation like steel wool against her skin.

In desperation, she began crawling up the side of the crater, wanting nothing more than to escape the eyes.

The Princess continued her speech, having turned away from the hole in the ground to look at her friends. “The Magic of Friendship doesn't just exist in Equestria. It's everywhere.” Her attention and form focused back on Sunset, and the girl who had been a demon could hear the echo of that dry voice under her words, whispering about a crossroads. “You can seek it out, or you can forever be alone. The choice is yours.”

I’m a monster, she reminded herself, as she stared at Twilight Sparkle with despair in her eyes and tears soaking the earth. “But... But all I've ever done since being here is drive everyone apart. I don't know the first thing about friendship.” She flinched away from her own declaration, eyes squeezing shut as she realized how hopeless she felt.

Warm digits curled around hers and she jerked her head up, startled, even as the Princess of Friendship helped her out of the hole in the earth and to her feet, smiling at her gently in a way that soothed her fears and caused hope to flicker to life again. Maybe…maybe she didn’t have to stay a monster? Maybe she could be better? She’d taken the other road, seen where it led…she wanted so dearly to choose a different path this time.

“I bet they could teach you.” A lavender hand motioned to indicate the five human girls who had helped her defeat the demon, who had been willing to give their own lives for someone they’d only known for a few days.

Sunset stared between the girls and the alicorn-turned-human in a mix of uncertainty and disbelief, realizing that Twilight Sparkle was serious—and that it wasn’t a request or even a suggestion. Something in the tone—Sunset trembled slightly. She’d grown up in the palace, spent her earliest days playing at the hooves of the Princess of the Sun, and she caught the nuances of a royal decision being spoken in a way that made it seem like a suggestion…but nopony would ever mistake it for anything but a decision. Her head bowed, she did not fight against the edict—for there was an unspoken edict in it. If the humans were to teach her, then she was to remain here, in this world. In exile.

The word and the knowledge of it whispered against her psyche, and the former unicorn retreated into herself for the moment, pulling back as the crowd of students surged forward to address their savior and hero. She found herself against a wall, trying to process her punishment. Exile, in this world, hornless and hoofless and magicless…possibly for the rest of her life. The implications tumbled around in her head as she watched the Principal approach the Princess, extending to her the Crown of Magic. It plagued her as the students returned to the dance, though the Princess spoke to the pair of administrators alone for some time before she slipped in for the end of the night with her new friends. Sunset shook in a way that did not have anything to do with the cool fall night as the Vice-Principal approached her, realizing that she had, somewhat subtly, been branded enough of a traitor and threat to Equestria, that exile was to be her fate…but that was what they did to monsters, wasn’t it? Reformation, exile, or Tartarus. She shook herself—exile with potential for reformation was preferable to Tartarus, at least, but only just.

“Sunset Shimmer, are you listening to me?”

The redhead jolted from her thoughts to meet the gaze of Vice-Principal Luna. “…I…I was lost in thought. Sorry…”

“I see. Come with me. My sister and I need to have words with you.” There was a firm authority in the dark woman’s voice, and Sunset followed her without complaint, shrinking in on herself as they entered the office and she was directed to a chair before the two women. “Sit.”

She sat, trembling. She knew it was coming. More punishment—and all of it deserved. She was a terrible person, a worse pony, and she would reap what she had sown without complaint. The sisters exchanged a long look with one another, and it was Celestia who spoke first, her voice causing pain and regret to form a lump in Sunset’s throat.

“Before we get to what happens next, Sunset…I have some questions to ask you. Princess Twilight was…most informative about your situation, but I want to hear the truth from you. No more lies, no excuses about what your records say or don’t say. Just the truth.”

What little fight was left went out of her. “…What did she tell you?”

“That she is from another world, and so are you. That you committed an act of theft and treason, brought an artifact of incredible power here, and that she followed you to retrieve it. That what we just saw was magic, apparently of the highest order, and that she is entrusting your…rehabilitation in the hands of the girls who helped stop you…and us.” The principal spoke with just a bit less serenity than her alicorn counterpart, but with no less the neutral tone.

“….Its..true. All of it. I’m from the world on the other side of the portal, and I ran away here when I felt like my…teacher…wasn’t giving me the recognition I deserved.”

“I see.” The woman folded her hands on the desk. “Tell me then…where did you get the legal paper work that you used to enroll here? It all passed inspection and registers as an actual identity in the system. Did you steal someone else’s identity?”

That part she could answer without shame or regret. “…I paid for it. About eight months after I came through, I managed to make a deal with some people using valuables I brought with me from Equestria. Its as legal as an ‘illegal alien’ like myself could make it be. I had no choice but to do it to survive. Human children with no families are handled by authorities, and your government doesn’t seem to much like undocumented individuals.” She grimaced, a shudder going through her. “I…heard plenty of stories about the kinds of things that happen ‘in the system,’ or for human children who run away from it. I…didn’t want that to happen to me.”

Celestia nodded, not in understanding but in acknowledgment of her words. “What about the rest of the information on file? Your address, for example. You do have a legitimate place to live? You aren’t…squatting in some abandoned building are you?”

Again, Sunset answered without guilt, though she was confused by this line of questioning. “…No…that stuff’s correct. I had my…contact…set up the paperwork last year to register me finally as an ‘emancipated minor’ with an ‘inheritance’ managed by a financial guy that handles my bills and provides me a monthly stipend for incidentals. Its not a five star hotel, but its clean, warm and close enough to school that I can walk or ride my motorcycle—and yes, that license is real too. Took the test and everything.” She tried for a tired smile, hoping to mask her fears. “…I’m…not squatting anywhere.”

Another nod, and Celestia sat back in her chair. “And you intend to stay here, in the world?”

Shoulders slumped, and Sunset looked at the floor. “…I have no choice—I don’t have anywhere else to go. My sentence is exile, and even if it wasn’t…I…I don’t think anyone back there wants me to come back. I messed up too much. At least here…maybe I can not be a monster anymore.” The last part was little more than a hoarse whisper.

Once more the sisters exchanged glances, and this time it was Luna who spoke. “Since you have been forthcoming with your answers, Sunset Shimmer, I suppose this is where we discuss what happens next. By all rights, you should be expelled—acts of terrorism and massive damage to school property fall under ‘immediate expulsion’ and carry the likelihood of jail time for felony charges…however…Your somewhat extenuating circumstances and the request for leniency from a sovereign of the land of your birth means we are going to be handling this somewhat differently.”

Sunset stared at her, brain coming to a sharp halt. “…what?” she asked in disbelief. “But I….all the stuff I did…All the people I….I’m a terrible person….”

“I did not say there would not be consequences. I said we will not be expelling you. Yet.” Stern eyes met hers. “Do not get me wrong, Sunset Shimmer. This is the only chance you will get. My instructions will be followed, to the absolute letter and you will make the effort to be a model citizen, or you will find our patience and compassion exhausted. Do I make myself absolutely clear?” Luna asked.

“…Yes, Vice-Principal.” What else could she say?

“Good. Then let me detail it out for you. To start, you will be serving two weeks In-School-Suspension under my watchful eye. You will be here, bright and early each day starting on Monday—pack a lunch because you will not be leaving the ISS room other than monitored bathroom breaks. You will also have detention every day after school until Winter Break begins, so I do hope you enjoy cleaning.” She steepled her fingers. “You will be, as I stated, a model citizen and student, and we will be watching you. That means no bullying. No fighting. No blackmail. No manipulations. No using other students to do any of those things for you. If I even catch a whiff of social media posts or any other loophole, you will be in my office so fast I will make your head spin.”

A pause to breathe and she continued. “You are at the top of your class, academically, so this part is unusual, but I feel it's necessary. Academic probation. You are expected to maintain or improve your GPA, and to not miss, skip, or fail classes or there will be further consequences. You are also suspended and on probation from all extra-curricular school activities until further notice. This means all clubs, sports teams, committees and councils. You may not hold any official school office or position—student council, elections at dances and functions, or any organizer position for school functions, or even positions of power within school based clubs for the rest of the year at the least—we will review this come summer depending on your…progress. This is all non-negotiable. Do you understand?”

She was being shown a great deal more leniency than she had ever expected from anyone, especially humans, even if one of them was Princess Celestia’s counterpart. “…That…that’s it?” the former unicorn asked in confusion.

Luna arched one eyebrow. “You were expecting more?” When Sunset jerked her head in a nod, the Vice-Principal frowned slightly. “…You are receiving consequences for your actions, Miss Shimmer, consequences that I feel fit crimes that are within my realm to mete out judgment for. I am not going to have you ‘tarred and feathered’ for being a high school bully. That is a bit excessive. Now…do you understand what is expected of you in the coming months?”

Sunset hunched a little in her seat, but nodded. “…you’re being…more fair than I deserve…”

“Good. Monday morning. ISS Room. Its next to my office. Now go home, Sunset Shimmer. You look like hell.”

Startled by the remarkably candid remark and the break in the professionalism so often seen out of the school disciplinarian, Sunset got stiffly to her feet and shuffled out the door, trying to process everything that had happened; she was still feeling exposed and overwhelmed with the rapid revelations and growing list of punishments. She skirted areas that still had students mingling, finding her way to the wound on the front of the school where she could see the Princess conversing with her friends. Cringing, Sunset made herself as small as possible and watched from the broken wall, the wind carrying bits of their conversation to her.

---

“…You’ll look out for her, won’t you?” The Princess glanced in Sunset’s direction, making her flinch and cower against the wall.

The night was silent for a long minute, the five girls considering the battered figure Twilight Sparkle was asking them to take in hand. Applejack considered it the shortest amount of time, wheels already turning as she flicked her eyes towards Rarity’s, their gazes meeting in silent communication. An understanding passed between them, and the farmer gave the barest of nods in assent. The designer smiled at Twilight. “Of course we will…Although I do expect some sort of apology for last spring’s debacle.” The last was a calculated addition; by adding what could’ve doubled as a complaint or jab at their own problems with Sunset’s actions, it would keep the more vocally dissenting among them (Rainbow) from throwing a fit, and when blue eyes met green again, there was quiet approval. The situation would be well in hand after Twilight left.

As the pair of visitors made their final goodbyes and walked towards the portal, Rarity took several steps off to the side, followed closely by the tall girl in the stetson. They spoke in barely audible tones to each other, watching their new friend head for the marble plinth that served as a magical gate to her home. “We all need time to process, darling,” Rarity murmured, her fingertips brushing the back of the other girl’s hand.

Applejack nodded. “…An’ ta plan how ta approach it. Without Dash gettin’ all hot under the collar.” Her own grip turned around to grasp the white skinned hand as the magic faded and their transformation melted away. “Not tonight then. Ah’m thinkin’ a week? Next Saturday, the Cakes’ bakery?”

Rarity’s hand squeezed briefly before letting go—they were in public after all. “That should give us time then.” Another smile passed between the pair, and they moved to join their companions—just as Pinkie slammed face first into marble and sprawled on the ground.

“Aww….Bummer…”

Laughing the group moved to help her stand.

---

The magic dispersed and the portal closed. Sunset could still sense that much, the sudden lack of Equestrian energies against the dull, near void that was magic in the human world, and she sighed. The Vice-Principal had already reiterated her command for Sunset to go home, threatening to make her clean up debris like she had set Snips and Snails to do until their parents picked the two freshman up. The redhead had lingered until the portal closed, a form of self-flagellation as she watched her fate as an exile become reality.

It was done…so all she had left now was to go home. She sighed again and began to trudge down the sidewalk, carefully moving around the crater. Some sort of official story would likely be concocted—if the Principal didn’t already have one prepared, that is, but for now, Sunset Shimmer wasn’t going to think about it. Her boots thudded on the concrete as she turned towards home, hands shoved in her jacket pockets for warmth. The nights were growing cool as the season moved into autumn.

Her progress was halted as five figures stepped in front of her. “Sunset Shimmer, wait a sec.” She froze, half anticipating another dressing down…or given the personalities of at least two of these girls, maybe a physical scuffle. Rather than provoking anything, she just…stared at them, trying to fight the growing numbness in her own mind.

Applejack stood at the head of the group, Rarity at her shoulder. Any other day, and Sunset might’ve laughed at how obvious they were when a person was observant—tonight she just met Applejack’s eyes and waited.

The farmer made a face. “Look. Twilight asked us ta look after ya, an’ Ah intend ta keep mah word, but we all need time. Ta process, an’ think, and kinda…figure out where ta go from here. An’ that’s not just us. It's you too. Once we’ve all had that…We’ll need ta talk. All of us.” She adjusted her hat. “So…Next Saturday. Noon. The Sugarcube Corner Bakery. Iffin yer serious, be there. We’ll talk. Fair?” Rainbow Dash looked like she was going to protest, and a sound escaped her before Applejack held up a hand and cut her off.

Sunset breathed, looking between the five girls, before back to Applejack and nodded her head in acknowledgment. A long look from green eyes, and the blonde stepped aside, letting Sunset pass the group and continue her trek home. As the former unicorn passed under the next street light, she could hear Rainbow Dash turning on her friends.

“What the hell, Applejack! After everything, you can’t possibly be serious!”

“Ah am. Go home, Dash. Get some rest, an’ do some thinkin’. Ya wanna yell at me, come by the farm tomorrow afternoon—ya kin yell while muckin’ out the barn. Rares, c’mon. Promised ya Ah’d see ya home an’ Ah wanna do that before Ah’m sleepin’ on mah feet.”

Their voices faded as Sunset’s feet carried her away.

Next Chapter: Interlude I: Between Moments Estimated time remaining: 58 Hours, 50 Minutes