Sunset slowly opened her eyes, noticing the darkness that the sheets covering her head created around her.
She gradually lit her horn to ease her eyes to the light and started to slowly lift her body up, causing the little cocoon of blankets, lawbooks, and empty coffee cups to part open, allowing her to finally see the natural light.

Except it wasn’t the morning light. In fact, it was close to midnight, and the only glow coming through her window was from the moon.

Sunset gave a low grunt as she searched the empty cups just in case one of them possessed even a drop of her favorite drink, but past-Sunset had already drained them completely.

“I need to enchant a flask with infinite coffee,” she mumbled while cleaning her bed and piling the books.

She had spent a good two weeks in solitary confinement in her room, studying non-stop and trying to absorb all the knowledge she could.
And after spending hours learning every law Equestria had, even the most obscure ones, she knew that the first thing she was going to do as a princess was changing many of them.

They were a lot of outdated laws that never got reformed or removed, and some were even detrimental to Equestria. One of them not only allowed slavery to occur, but made it completely legal if it was declared fair trade.

Sunset looked at herself in the mirror, noticing the golden crown she still had on her head.
She smiled, puffing up her chest and posing like to a painter about to make a work of art out of her.
Sunset wished she could send a copy of the crown to Rarity so she could add it to her dress for the Gala, but the idea of her coronation hadn’t been announced yet, so she couldn’t just flaunt it in public.

“But soon I will,” she said to herself with a smile before leaving the crown under her pillow and going out of her room and to the kitchen.

Once she arrived, she had a sense of déjà vu when she saw Luna waiting for her with a fresh batch of coffee.

“You finally woke up,” the lunar princess said with a smile, handing her a cup of Sunset’s favorite drink.

Sunset looked at her confused. “What do you mean? It’s not that late.”

Luna grinned. “On the contrary, you’re thirty-one hours late.”

Sunset spit out her coffee, but managed to catch it with her magic before it fell to the floor. “I was asleep for more than an entire day?!”

Luna calmly took a sip of her own coffee. “Yes. And while it was worrying at first, it served its purpose.”

Sunset sent the spat coffee back into her mug. “What do you mean?”

Luna explained calmly. “For a long time, you’ve been avoiding sleep, only resting after you exhausted yourself instead of a proper schedule. This, along many other things, made you unable to dream. Essentially denying us access to your dreamscape.”

Sunset nodded, but a realization made her eyes widen as her hair stood on end. “W-Wait. Did you see…?!”

Luna did her best to not smirk and remain professional. “Yes, but don’t worry, it’s perfectly normal.”

Sunset’s face was turning as red like as half of her mane as she stuttered out an explanation. “I-It’s just that… I recently started seeing myself like I was… well… attractive. And then I…”

Luna couldn’t stop a little laugh from escaping her lips. “Calm down Sunset. As I said, it’s perfectly normal to have dreams like those with other mares.”
Luna’s smile faded a little with her next words. “Admittedly, it would’ve been more… ‘appropriate’, for you to have experienced it first in your younger years.” The princess looked at Sunset with sympathy. “It’s… a sad consequence of the way you grew up.”

Sunset’s blush started to fade, and she sat down on the kitchen floor, looking at her mug with sad eyes. “I guess I wouldn’t have been able to act on those dreams at the time anyway.”

Luna put her mug away and gave her a reassuring smile. “Maybe, but you’re still in the beginnings of your prime. You’ve a lot of years left to seek a proper partner.”

That gave Sunset a bit of hope, but another thought kept her from smiling. “I guess I would have to find a stallion of the nobility to marry, right? You know, for succession and all that.”

Luna moved her head from side to side. “Not necessarily. It would make the process easier, but you can pass the crown to whoever you deem worthy without them being part of your family tree. You’re not Celestia’s daughter, but you’re about to earn her crown, are you not?”

Sunset looked confused. “I’m not?”

Luna’s thoughts halted immediately, restarting with an internal question. “What does she mean?”

Sunset put a hoof to her forehead. “What am I saying? She adopted me… right?” She suddenly felt a huge migraine growing in her head. “But then, who was my mo-”

Suddenly, Sunset froze for a second, and then looked at Luna with hopeful eyes. “So, I can choose anypony as my partner? Even if they’re not nobles?”

Luna took a couple of seconds to respond, trying to figure out what just happened. “Yes. Once you’re a princess, you will have the final word on any relationships you want to make.”

Sunset finally smiled, and happily went back to drinking the rest of her coffee.

“We need to have a talk with Tia later.” Putting her worries aside for now, so as not to raise Sunset's suspicions, Luna smiled mischievously. “However, a harem might be a bit too much.”

Sunset didn’t manage to catch the spat coffee this time. “IT’S JUST A FANTASY!” she screamed, completely red-faced.

Luna didn’t hold back her laughter.

After Sunset had had a bite to eat, she and Luna went to the white room.
It had been a long time since their last magical training due to Sunset’s new intellectual challenge, so it was an even greater surprise for her when Luna didn’t pull out the usual wooden squares, but three metal balls, a little smaller than a hoof, with the same engravings of heart, body and mind.

“We believe it’s time for you to pass to the next step,” Luna said as she placed the three spheres in a vertical line in front of Sunset. “The previous training allowed you to concentrate on each of the components individually, but this time, you will have to charge them all at the same time.”

Sunset raised a hoof. “Uhm, I was still unable to stop the wood from breaking so much. Am I really ready for the next step?”

Luna shook her head. “Like we told you, mastering it to perfection is nearly impossible. We decided to move things forward due to your new control over your magic.”

Sunset nodded in understanding, took a moment to look at the three balls, and started to charge them up with her magic.
As Luna requested, she did all of them at the same time, and when the engravings lit up with magical energy, the spheres suddenly repelled each other like magnets with equal magnetic poles.
Sunset quickly deduced what she had to do and started to concentrate on making them get as close to each other as she could.

She first tried to use brute force, but it quickly proved useless.
She then tried to relax. Clear her mind, calm her heart, and steady her breath.
It proved effective, and the balls moved slightly closer, so Sunset continued to try and harmonize all of her being.

Meanwhile, Luna observed the reaction of the spheres, making mental notes.

“It seems her mind is the most affected of the three. Apparently, there are still some issues Sunset must deal with.

Her body is the one that confuses me since she looks perfectly healthy. It could be some sort of side effect from her resurrection spell, of which we still have no idea how it works yet. And Tia is still insistent in that we don’t explore that part of her life to save her more suffering.”

Luna gave a little sigh before continuing.

“Lastly, the heart.
It seems to be the closest to harmonizing, and it makes sense. Sunset is very driven and determined, but she must be lacking something.”

She took a moment to think back to their earlier conversation.

“Her dreams seem to indicate that she still doesn’t know some things about herself that most ponies take for granted. Maybe finding a partner could help. I should ask Cadence to help her on that.”

The training continued for a few hours with no big progress, but they both knew that even a little bit of progression meant a lot.
When Sunset finally gave up and discharged the spheres, she looked at Luna’s serene face.
She wanted to ask something delicate about her, but she wasn't sure how the princess would interpret her words, so she tried to come up with the correct way to put her question.

“Princess Luna,” she said to catch the alicorn’s attention. “How did you… forgive Celestia?”

Luna frowned, confused by the question. “What do you mean?”

Sunset grew nervous, unsure if she should press the matter. She only wanted some advice. “You know. About turning into Nightmare Moon due to her neglect. How did you do it?”

Luna took a moment to process the question before giving her answer. “I see what you’re trying to ask Sunset. But, even if we owe you a huge debt for your sacrifice the night of our cleansing, I’m afraid we’re not able to give you the answers you seek.”

Sunset was understandably confused by the response. “But, you don’t…?”

“Do not press the matter Sunset.” Luna warned sternly. “Tia may have created the nightmare in my mind, but I was the one who let it… consume me.”

Sunset didn’t say another word, but she noticed something in Luna as she stood up.

She looked… sad.

“We will continue with your training tomorrow,” Luna declared before quickly exiting the room, leaving a confused and worried Sunset behind.

After hearing Luna’s response, Nightmare clenched her fists, claws digging into her palms as her hands trembled.

“You betrayed me,” she muttered with her head down, eyes tightly closed.

_{“So, it’s true. We can’t cry.”}

Nightmare opened her eyes, filling them with fury. “Shut up.”

“So, where are we going today?” Sunset asked as she and Celestia got on the royal chariot.

“To The Best Young Flyer Competition celebrated in Cloudsdale. I want you to be more familiar with these types of events.” Celestia explained. “Besides, I think getting out of the Castle will do you some good. I know bureaucracy is hard, but you should take it more calmly.”

Sunset looked away in embarrassment. “Yeah, I guess I got too excited. And now that you mention it, I never visited Cloudsdale before. In fact, I think I never visited anywhere besides Canterlot and Ponyville.”

Celestia looked at her with some concern. “Well, soon you will be familiar with every town in Equestria.”

Sunset smiled at the idea. “That could be fun.”

Celestia also smiled, but in her mind, she was realizing an inevitability.
If Sunset got to know the world outside of Canterlot, it wouldn’t take long until she revisited Sunshine’s birthplace.

“Will she remember? Or will the spell keep her from fully remembering?” Celestia wondered as she looked sadly at Sunset’s happy face.

Celestia felt a warm, almost painful pulse coming from her heart, extending all over her chest. It was like even her own body was preparing her for what was about to come.

She had two options.

“I can hope that either the spell or some misdirection will prevent her from fully remembering. Or… I could tell her.”
The mere thought sent a shiver down her spine. “Not all at once. Build up to it. See just how much the spell affects her. If it can be modified… or maybe… take it out completely.”

Sunset looked at her, and Celestia successfully faked a smile, even if her mind was in open conflict.
She still had that little voice begging her to lie. Suggesting to reinforce the spell.
Or… Erasing the memories.

“Would that work? Would it erase Sunshine out of her mind as well? Or will it break Sunset even more than she already is?”

Celestia felt disgusted at the fact she was even considering it, but the idea was already in her head.

She needed to make a choice. Another choice that could go horribly wrong for her and everypony she cared about.

Then, a realization hit her like a hammer to the nape.

“I don’t have to make this choice on my own.”

She chuckled at the irony that it was a lesson she had so desperately tried to teach Sunset.

“I’m going to need some coffee for Luna before we talk.”

“Fillies and gentlecolts! Please rise and join me in welcoming our beloved Princess Celestia!” The announcer of The Best Young Flyer Competition shouted as the monarch and Sunset, along with two guards, descended to their private podium.

Sunset cast a cloud-walking spell on herself so she could take her seat and noticed the curious stares she was getting from the ponies spectating the event.

It was unusual to see Celestia along with somepony other than her guards. Even Luna remained mostly hidden from the public. But it still made Sunset feel a little uneasy.

Celestia seemed completely aware of her concerns. “Don’t worry Sunset, just wait until they get to know you. Just like in Ponyville.”

Sunset smiled. “I hope I don’t need to save them from some catastrophe this time.”

They both shared a laugh and turned their attention to the competition, admiring the talent of the new generation of pegasi.

Time passed, they were reaching the end of the competition, and Sunset was starting to worry.

“Where is Rainbow Dash? I’m sure she’s in the competition. Did something happen to her?”

Sunset was about to send a letter to Twilight when the announcer called out the last two competitors.
She was surprised when she saw Rainbow Dash shyly coming out of the curtains, since Sunset was expecting some grand entrance. But what shocked her the most was that the next competitor was a hideous multicolored insect that apparently had stolen Rarity’s skin and was wearing it like a badly made costume.

“That is Rarity,” Celestia said, stopping the fireball Sunset was about to throw.

“Did she lose a bet or something?” Sunset exclaimed and, deciding to bypass the letter, teleported right next to Twilight.
“What happened to Rarity?”

Twilight took a second to recuperate from the shock of somepony suddenly teleporting right next to her, making a mental note to never do it herself.
“Well, I cast a spell to give her butterfly wings, and things started turning weird from there onwards. We were trying to cheer Rainbow up for the competition, but Rarity seems to have… gone astray from the objective.”

Sunset took a second to process everything, lit up her horn, and fired a spell at the sky.

Rainbow was about to commence her routine when she heard a firework-like explosion, and when she looked up, she saw a flaming two-dimensional image of Sunset in a cheerleading outfit, along with a bold text saying; Show us all your awesomeness!

Rainbow Dash smiled, a little embarrassed by the public display, but happy for the support. She took a deep breath, and started with the first phase of her routine.

“So, how are things going in Ponyville?” Sunset asked her sister as she and her friends watched Rainbows performance.

“Everything’s fine luckily. I’ve been mostly just reorganizing the library and spending time with the girls,” Twilight responded, trying to divide her attention to both her friend and her sister.

“Really? No major catastrophes?” Sunset flinched as she witnessed Rainbow smashing herself against one of the pillars on the obstacle course.

“Well, just for me,” Twilight explained while she looked at Rainbow starting phase two. “I got turned to stone, chased by a hydra, a tree smashed into my house, we had to fight a group of diamond dogs, I burst into flames in a fit of anger-”

“Hey! That’s my thing!” Sunset joked, but she was really worried about her sister’s well-being. She seemed to get into a lot of trouble without her around.

“Maybe I should postpone my studies and spend a day or two with her.” Sunset sighed inwardly. “This is going to be more difficult when I become a princess.”

Suddenly, all the attention of the coliseum was diverted to a rogue cloud that Rainbow had accidentally thrown during her routine, and it was heading directly towards Celestia.

Sunset immediately teleported in front of the cloud and stopped it with her magic before sending it back to the skies.
She then went back to her place beside Celestia, hearing some praise from the spectators for her quick rescue.

“I see that all the late-night studying hasn’t dampened your reflexes,” Celestia said with a smile.

“I’m glad too. I’m sure I will need them in the future.” Sunset then noticed that both Rarity and Rainbow Dash were flying up to the sky, getting close to the sun.

Sunset could tell something was going to go wrong, and had her wings already out, but Celestia put a foreleg in front of her.

“Sunset, there is an important lesson that I need to teach you,” her mentor said as multicolored lights illuminated the coliseum. “I know that it will go against your very nature, but it’s very important. Not only for you, but for those around you.”

Sunset heard a scream, and when she looked up, she saw Rarity plummeting to the ground. Her wings had been either dispelled or destroyed, and she was quickly gaining speed.

Sunset tried to fly to her, but Celestia continued to block her way.

The Wonderbolts, who had been both part of the jury and the winner’s prize, immediately jumped into action to save Rarity.
But before Sunset could give a sigh of relief, the white unicorn’s wild flailing managed to knock out the three professional flyers with heavy blows to the face. And now, all of them were falling to their deaths.

Sunset tried to teleport to them, or try and grab them with her telekinesis, but Celestia cast a spell, deactivating her pupil’s magic.

“What are you doing? What kind of lesson is this?!” Sunset asked, understandably furious.

Celestia breathed slowly, and spoke in her usual teacher-like voice, but Sunset could tell there was a bit of a motherly concern hidden in it.
“We could act and save everypony all the time. I can tell there are at least six plans of action running in your head right now, and you probably have already found a way to bypass my spell.”
Celestia pointed at the sky, where Rainbow Dash was diving at top speed, forming a Mach cone in front of her.
“But, if we solved everypony’s problems, we would stop their growth. Just like you and me in my youth, we need to overcome challenges to truly break out limits and master what makes us special.”
Just as she said that, Rainbow pierced the Mach cone, causing a Rainbow-colored explosive wave, allowing her to move at speeds Sunset hadn’t thought possible before.

Leaving a rainbow trail behind her, the cyan pegasus caught all of the falling ponies right before they hit the ground, lifting them back towards the coliseum.

Sunset stood in awe for a few moments, but when she finally got out of her stupor, she looked at Celestia, but not with her earlier disapproval, but rather, she looked… conflicted.

“I… I don’t think I will be able to just stand still if I see somepony in danger,” she admitted, looking at the ecstatic face of Rainbow as everypony in the coliseum cheered for her.

Celestia’s motherly tone was getting more noticeable with every word she spoke.
“It’s a difficult thing to do. One must balance the risk they put on others, while also considering that you can easily overstress under such responsibility. You have experienced that firsthand before.”

Sunset lowered her head, knowing full well how it felt. And most importantly, what consequences it brought to her and others.

Celestia lifted her pupil’s head carefully, giving her a reassuring smile. “However, it’s something that I am unable to do. But you Sunset. I firmly believe that you can be the pony that can achieve that perfect balance.”

Sunset was more than surprised at her words. She thought that she was trying to make her swallow a hard pill, not to give her a third option.
“You really think so?” she couldn’t help but ask.

“A creature needs to have a great power in order to act in the face of danger. And a creature also needs a strong willpower to choose when to stay behind and let things play out.”

Making sure the attention of the crowd was still on Rainbow Dash, Celestia put her crown on top of Sunset’s head before continuing.
“You have both a great power and an even stronger willpower.
You can be the ruler that even if they chose to stay behind, they can still jump to the rescue if things do get out of hoof. Allowing growth while keeping their subjects safe.”

Sunset stayed silent, clearly trying to process all that her mentor had told her.

Celestia hugged her pupil, trying to give her some comfort to help her think positively. “It’s a hard lesson to learn. But I think you will find it the most valuable of them all.”

Sunset took a deep breath, leaning a bit more into her mentor’s hug, and exhaled.
“I will… try.”

Celestia smiled. “I won’t ask you for more than that.”

“A couple of years ago, she wouldn’t have even considered it to be a possibility.
She really has grown a lot in these few months,” she thought with pride.

The Cutie Mark Crusaders were looking at their wall of cutie mark ideas, planning out their activities for the day, when they heard an almost desperate knock on the clubhouse door.

Curious about the surprise visit, the three fillies went to open the door, finding Diamond Tiara standing in the entrance, completely distraught.

She was crying. More than that, she looked like she had been crying for a long time, with bags under her eyes.
Her mane was frazzled and unkept, and even her distinctive tiara was missing from her head.

“Diamond! What happened?” Applebloom exclaimed, extremely concerned just like her friends.

“Si… Silver wasn’t in her house. I… didn’t know where to go.” She said between sobs. “I’m scared.”

“Come inside,” Scootaloo told her, and Diamond almost ran in, not wanting to be alone right now.

“What happened?” Sweetie asked, and Diamond tried to calm herself enough to respond.

“It’s my mom.”

“Did she do something to you?” Scootaloo asked, fearing the worst.

Diamond shook her head and talked like if the very words pained her. “She’s in the hospital.”

“What?!” the three fillies exclaimed in shock.

Diamond held back a sob to continue, but the words just became more painful to say.

“I think she’s going to die.”

Author's Notes:

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Sunset Discovered: Sexual Orientation East

14 Chapters Remaining.

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I am-considering/am-planning-on/already-have-half-of-the-script-in-my-head-for making a short prequel side-story for Nightmare and Luna, about their thousand years trapped in the moon.

In fact, I have ideas for more short side-stories to explore more of the characters without derailing the story from Sunset.
This thing is slowly starting to form its own universe, and I'm not sure how to stop it.

See you next chapter:

Chapter 30: My Curse

I will be watching you.