Thread 63: Stories 1-15

https://archive.moe/mlp/thread/22007346/
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Non-Canon
>Pinkie
"Lightning Dust"
~~~~
>Welcome to Late Night /pa/ with your host Pinkie Pie! It's during this time that content doesn't matter and we do our duty to keep the thread up! Now for our main guest...LIGHTNING DUST!!!
Applause as she swoops in and lands on the couch.

"Rock on."

>Can you do me a favor and say "You can be my wingpony any day."

"...okay. You can be my wingpony any day."

>Right on! It was great to have you on the show. Can I get a round of applause?
Cheers and applause.

"That's it? I thought-"

>You thought wrong! Oh and your scented candles are going to start a fire.
Lightning Dust wakes up to the smell of burning.

"HOW!?! THE TABLE IS MADE OF CLOUDS!!!"

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 >42
"Guard"
~~~~

>...WHAT!?

"No, seriously, that all happened."

>I juh- I du- WHAT!?

"No joking, old Wonderbolt captain just straight up tackled him out the Empire."

>WHAT?!

"...Did you not see the fireball? Er, fire ring?"

>I WAS IN THE CASTLE! Why didn't you all stop it!?

"He told us not to."

>...That's stupid! You're stupid!

"S-sorry, ma'am?"

>You should be! I don't care how much he wants to throw down, he shouldn't be breaking anything-

"He didn't, 'the princess'... wink wink... kept him from wrecking anything while screaming at the top of her lungs."

>Oh... well, still.

"..."

>...I would have punched her.

"We know, trust us, we know."

>...

"..."

>...How bad is he? Too bad for a late night training session?

"Probably."

>DAMN!... I'm going to go punch a wall for six hours.

"Have fun!"

>...It just won't be the same...

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>AJ
"Twilight"
'Pinkie'
[Dash]
{Fluttershy}
(Rarity)
^Spike^
~~~

>Next!... NEXT!.... Next?

"Huh. Looks like we ran out of visitors tonight."

>Weird, they normally don't stop till-TARNATION IT'S THAT LATE!?

[Wow. Time just flies, you know?]

(Ugh, good! Really, I just could not stand a single moment more of this! Do you what I want?)

'What you really want?'

(What?... Anyway, I'll tell you what I want-)

'What you really really want?'

(Pinkie! I'm trying to tell you what I want!)

'So tell me what you want, what you really really want!'

(I'll tell you what I want, what I really really want!)

'So tell me what you want, what you really really want'

(I wanna-)
'What?
(I wanna-)
'What?'
(I really really really want a zigazig ha.... wait no!)

"If you wanna be my lover, you gotta get with my friends!"

'Lalala!

[Make it last forever friendship never ends!]

'Lalala!

^If you wanna be my lover, you have got to give,^

{Taking is too easy, but that's the way it is!}

"If you wanna be my lover, you gotta, you gotta, you gotta,"

>Ya' gotta, ya' gotta, slam, slam, slam, slam! >"'[{^Slam your body down and wind it all around.
Slam your body down zigazig ah-^}]'"

(ENOUGH!)

>"'[{^...^}]'"

(...Freaking hate that song...)

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>Celestia
"???"
[???]
{???}
-???-
~???~
~~~~

Sleep.

Oh, how she wanted sleep.

It wasn't even that late, not really. It was actually fairly early in the evening, the moon hadn't even risen that long ago. And yet what she wanted right now more than anything was SLEEP. Precious, precious sleep. Sleep she would have preferred that came with a certain little buggy thing that had hugs that could light up your life, but in the wake of the fact Shining Armor was apparently on a date tonight, waiting in the bed might come off a bit odd to some.

...Or anyone, really.

So, she simply accepted she was going to have to make the most of her own normal bed. Who cares, honestly? So long as she got her precious rest, all would be well.

"Hello... Celestia."

Hah, well. She should have known better. That silky smooth, dangerous tone told her she should have known btter.

>Whatever your plan is, it will have to wait for the morning, I very much doubt...

"...What?"

>Chrysalis... no.

The Queen in question blinked, offput by the tired, sad sounding tone.

"No?"

>No... no no no... this is just too much. Really? Have a little dignity.

She did not know why the words of her once nemesis made her feel suddenly very... self conscious. Why it made her shuffle and fight back heat from her cheeks.

"What are you on about?"

>Really? Really now. You really did this. Okay, this is simply too much. Come on! This was supposed to be their night! Please, PLEASE tell me you didn't ruin it for them?

It dawned on her even slower than the sun would rise every morning. But when it did, it lit up the light above her head just like the sun in question would.

"Oh, this. This was... unrelated."

>I call bullshit.

"It fucking was!"

>Fine, you know what? I'll give you the benefit of the doubt. I will look the other way and pretend that you dressing up in a number that would make you look overdressed at Twilight's coronation on the night of their little date is a complete coincidence, and you just felt like looking fancy. Fine.

"I put this on for a reason!"

>Why. Oh, dear mother above me, why. Why would you possibly do that?

"...Well..."

~~~~~~

Earlier that day, things had been quite different.

Earlier that day, the sky above the plains that she flew had been clear, crisp with just a hint of warmth.

Earlier that day, she had a purpose.

She had decided, at long last, to investigate a matter that had been plaguing her since the time in that floating deathtrap. A niggling little issue that was to be dealt with immediately.

...Immediately being coincidentally this day, when 42 had already promised to watch over Two. Oh well, it would be good for her to stretch her wings, she reasoned. And this was a matter of her changelings, so obviously she personally was best suited to handle it anyway.

And of course she must be decked out in only her finest. She was here on matters of the QUEEN, and as such she was to be regarded as nothing less! She was going to leave these lessers in awe of her power, her majesty!

So caught up in her power, she dove straight down, picking up speed until she was a blur of darkness in the light.

She landed with the sound of the thunder of the gods, scattering dust and dirt every which way as she did so. She rose up slowly, tellingly taking her time before she reached her full height, and looked down upon the smaller ponies gathered around her in shock.

She took no shortage of pride in the wide, reverent eyes, the signs of wonder at her majesty, the sheer awe that-

[Well howdy! Welcome to AAAAAAAPPLEOOSA!]

In one loud, explosive chorus they chanted.

{HOWDY!}

With just a single-

-HIYA MAJESTY!-

Mixed in.

"...What..."

~~~~

Some time later, she found herself sitting at one end of a dinner table, with a positively massive cluster of ponies having a celebration on every side. Apparently, they were the type to throw huge shindigs for impromptu meetings.

Oh, she had gotten the grand tour of course. From the sheriff station to the town hall to even the much touted... ugh, 'magic shack' that her subject loved with a level she frankly found unhealthy.

She had come down here for one reason, to confront the members of this town for the obvious exploitation they were doing to the poor moron who clearly did not know any better. Between being shuffled off into what would be called the 'low income sector' for an already desolate town and the obvious lack of any sort of monetary compensation for what was clearly more work than the actual law enforcement was putting in, it was quite obvious they had found the town mule and put him to work.

And that wasn't as racist as it sounded.

Worst of all, she was fairly sure that mare who wrote the letter was doing more than just playing with him for whatever money he did get, and the fact she had her own place that he wasn't living in told her said mare might also be getting something else on the side besides some bits, and not from him.

But to her surprise, even implying he move from the 'magic shack' had resulted in a catastrophic level of heartbreak from him, and it has only been a quick clarification that it was just a joke that prevented him from crumbling into nothing. He loved that shack like he he loved the gascans inside of it.

Not only that, she learned that he was compensated occasionally, but he always was rid of it to help out someone who needed it of his own volition, nobody even asked him to do it. He'd saved quite a lot from foreclosures or the like, it seemed.


To the point, she found no deception in them when they talked about how much they liked him in their town. They genuinely enjoyed his presence, played along with his 'secret identity', and a bit of sleuthing had revealed they all banded together to fix his 'magic shack' and put it back the way it was after the invasion, he still thought it had just repaired itself with magic.

And finally... well, she wasn't about to full on search the love in this mares heart, but she didn't need to.

~S-so your, er, majesty... H-having fun?~

Her name was Ingrid Marie, known to her friends as Red, one of the many many off-shoots of the apple family, and it was obvious this wasn't simply her playing with the idiot for what he could give to her before she left him or slept around. In fact? Quite the opposite. The living situation was because apparently, she was of a kind so old fashioned you weren't even supposed to move in together until you were married. Or do anything fun until you were married.

Fun in this case meaning sex.

That is why said mare was currently hiding like a blushing teenager, sipping on non-alcoholic cider while trying her best not to look embarrassed. She was honestly, stupidly, worried that somehow she would slip up and the Queen would deem her unworthy for HIM. Even as songs and dancing and rambunctious country folk bounced around her, little Red was just sitting quietly, trying to look polite.

-And this is the barn, it's got wheat! And this is the silo, it's got apples! And this is where I go to get my drinks, it's AWESOME!-

Fifty Five, however, had not shut up. Not once. He hadn't even stopped to BREATH. He knew literally every corner of this town.

All in all, it was not what she expected.

She had found not a laughing stock, but one who truly did like where he had ended up. All because he flew around sometimes and caught bandits. He was safe, happy, and accepted.

This... got her thinking.

~~~~~

>...You didn't have to tell me ALL of that, could have just skipped to saying 'I went to go see Fifty Five to make sure he was okay.'

"But then you wouldn't understand the BRILLIANT revelation I have had!"

>...That was leading up to something? Oh good, I thought you just wanted to brag to me.

"It was indeed! Now, come close, dear Celestia, come close and I will whisper my brilliant in your ear."

>Kinky, but in that dress? This is going to take a while.

"Just get over here!"

Eventually, she did, leaning in so Chrysalis could whisper her words to the white mare.

Soon, she pulled away.

>...No.

"Come on! It's brilliant! And it works every time!"

>No.

"Tell me it wouldn't work!"

>...You know what? Fine.

"HAH!"

>I mean, fine, you can request it.

"...Request it from who?"

>............

".........No."

>Applejack.

"OH COME ON!"

>She's technically supposed to be handling that anyway, she said she would.

"You know that's bad! It never works out with her!"

>You keep saying you'll work with her more.

"That's just lip service after ever crisis, we never actually DO it!"

>Fine time to start.

"BITCH!"

>Little bit, yeah.

With a smile, Celestia turned around, and trotted on her way.

>Little bit.

Alone, Chrysalis let out a snort of fire from her nose, and accepted with a defeated resignation she was, in fact... going to have to talk to Applejack again.

The thought of swallowing every gas can in the shack was more pleasant.

"...This is not my week..."

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"Hello... Celestia."

>I NEED AN ADULT!

"...Wait, aren't you a-"

*SOAPBARTOTHEFACE!*

>Thanks mom!

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"Look, let's be honest, neither of us is getting any younger here."

>Is that an immortality joke? Also, inferno.

"Fine, then I will go charge myself on the heart. Do you really think you can beat that?"

>...That's a good question. But what about the stuff from the sky?

"Call Chitania, see if we can distract her for four hours."

>Cocky.

"Not without the right magic I'm not."

>...Fine! Let's give this a-

*BLOOP!*

>...Where'd she go?... MOTHERRRRRR!

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>29
"MM"
'Trixie'
[Zecora]
~~~

What does one say when faced with tragedy, really?

What does one say when a friend of theirs stumbles upon another friend's home, and finds it completely burnt to ashes?

What does one say in a time like this, when they just look ahead, eyes wide and mouth pursed into a devastated frown.

"N-Niney... I'm so sorry..."

It just didn't seem enough.

'D-damn... didn't... didn't think she'd just...'

[Indeed, never did I think she would be so extreme. It would appear she has more malice than it would seem.]

"This... this can't be legal."

'Not like it's going to be hidden. If they can act, they would have.'

[Correct, she is after all. There is nobody to call.]

"...Niney? Niney, we should probably get out of here, if she catches sight of you down here..."

>...

"Niney? Come on, I know this is bad, but we have to..."

>...Woe.

One simple word, and it said everything.

Yet, he was never one to leave it at that.

>Woe for the poor forgotten soul who was burned away. Woe for the life lived in a cage. Woe for the being that could have been. Woe is all that should be given. Poor soul, poor forgotten soul. What was a life if one lived it in darkness? What was a life if the cage was ever closed? What was time to one who never saw the sun rise? I will never know, I pray I will never know. This is the end of the being that once lived, this is the end of the road so short...

He stood up, dramatically.

>I shall hold your memory, for nothing else shall remain. Gone may you be from this world, but never shall you be stricken from the history of what has come. You shall live on, in thoughts if nothing else, and never to be forgotten! Never to be faded away! Woe for the changeling who has yet passed, but yay for the life that lives on in tho-WHAT DO YOU MEAN HE ISN'T DEAD!?

He had suddenly snapped to the side, wide eyed and shocked.

>...At a diner!? HE'S AT A DINER!? Lies!... NO I DID NOT SEE HIM! Did you... we past by him!? HOW DID WE PASS BY HIM!?... Okay, yes, I was a LITTLE focused, but-NO I DON'T PAY ATTENTION TO-... you know what? Yes, yes I am yelling, and I am sorry. I am sorry for yelling. No, do not cry, it is not... I'm happy! Lookit me smile! HEE HEE HEE!... That was not scary! Shut up-WAIT! He was released!?... HE WAS RELEASED AND HE DIDN'T TELL ME!? That aaaaaaa.... BUTTHOLE! I bring him finery for months and he goes to hang out with a stranger instead of telling me!? A POX! A POX UPON THINE AAAAaaaa... butt....

"...Niney?"

>NO I AM NOT OKAY! I am marching up there, and I am going to give him a piece of my mind!... Wait, shoot, he's in public. Thine eyes ever watching may see me and bring upon my head fire-... what do you mean it doesn't matter?... Come again?... The... the whole time? Well, why was he looking for me?... Didn't say? Well, what did he look like?.... RACIST! Yes! I don't care if you're not old enough to pronounce it without it coming out waysist, that's what you are!... It's probably nothing...

"...."
'...'
[...So, uh-]

>SCREW IT! Mine rants must live mine lips! I cannot hold them anymore than I can hold back the sun! And I have tried! AWAY WITH US!

*PRISSSTOMPPRISSSTOMPPRISSTOMP*

"...How does he do that?"



'So is NOBODY ELSE concerned he just openly said he's going to go rant at a traitor?'

"He's not THAT petty that he'd risk his life over something stupid.

['..']

"...NINEY WAIT!"

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

>Sunset
“Celestia”
'Applejack'
(Twilight)
~~~~~~~~~~

It had been shockingly easy for Sunset Shimmer to enter and leave the castle grounds when she was still a filly due to her rambunctious nature. But now it was a joke, at best, to evade the skeleton crew of a guard by taking shortcuts, concealed routes though hidden passageways in the walls, and the occasional teleport-path only somepony who had spent their entire youth around here would know. Indeed, infiltration was now a joke... or a very depressing sign of things to come. Would the rule of Princesses soon be replaced by the herd, with security placed into corporate hooves instead of the State and androids instituted as guards?

It had been a bit upsetting to see that while the apparently newly emerged Crystal Empire was thriving, things around the capital of Equestria only seem to have grown worse over time. Sunset had chosen the right time to return. If not for herself, then for the princ-

She stopped that thought right there. The princess had quite clearly told her to never to return to Canterlot Castle and that she was no longer considered worthy of being her student. Whatever place the Princess held in Sunset's heart, she knew it to be one-sided.

Sunset tries to focus on navigating the hallways of the castle instead, as she had already penetrated the outer perimeter and was now moving through the inner undeterred. Still, she had taken precautions in the form of a spell matrix that wove a 'Tread Softly', 'Chameleon', and 'Blind Eye' spell into a protective layer over her. She could do this several times over, that was not the issue. However, with robots and magically-charged ponies in the streets, she had at least expected some magical wards or electronic scanners.

The silence in the halls of the castle was frankly creeping her out, and she expected some sort of ninja, secret agent, or even a summoned elemental spirit to halt her progress any time now. But nothing came to deter her.

And now, here she was before the private chambers of Princess Celestia. Not the throne room, despite the fact that any good monarch would hold court at these hours. The princess rarely had the ambition to do so in the past and rarely ever will, as far as Sunset could tell. No, the Princess would be here at this hour. Dispelling the spell matrix she had woven over herself and taking a deep breath, Sunset steels her nerves and sets a mask of impassive annoyance upon her face for what was about to come.

*KER-BUCK-SLAM*

The doors to the room were kicked open hard enough for them to hit the adjacent walls, causing some of the picture frames hanging on them to rattle.

'Consarnit, Chrysalis! How many times do I hafta tell ya not ta...wait, who the hay are you?'

Striding into the room, Sunset is granted a rather peculiar sight. Gathered around a small table laden heavily with cakes and a tea set were Princess Celestia, Princess Twilight and... an orange alicorn with a blonde mane and stetson on her head that Sunset had never seen before. There was a passing familiarity and the distinct impression she should know this mare.

(Sunset Shimmer!)

With a small shout, Twilight raises from the previously comfortable way she had been seated on a cushion, her facial expression stern. While she knew she had potentially brought about a change of heart in her predecessor and left her in the capable care of her alternative-universe circle of friends, Sunset's sudden, unannounced appearance didn't sit well with Twilight at all. Not with her looking like she was about to start trouble.

'Sunset Shimmer? Ya mean that gal y'all had a tussle with ta get yer crown back? What in tarnation is she doin' here?'

Applejack rises next, taking a broad, defensive stance out of habit. This wasn't the first time someone had barged into the kingdom to cause trouble. The only one still seated – magenta eyes wide, a startled expression never leaving her alabaster face – was Celestia. Sunset wasted no time, slamming the door shut in her wake and marching forward.

>What, did you really think I would stay abroad with no way to practice my magic for the rest of my life? Who do you think you're talking to?

“Sunset Shimmer.”

>Damn right! It's Sunset Sh-

The boisterous mare stops in mid-spiel when she catches the look Celestia is giving her. The voice of the one who hadn't said a single word so far startled everypony else out of their agitated moods, their heads turning towards the Solar Princess who had risen from the ground as well.

Sunset had prepared many words for this moment, to press the confrontation and tear into her former mentor with all the pent-up frustration she had kept in her heart since she had last seen her. Redemption or not, Sunset never forgot the last argument she had with her teacher. But it all just all fell away when her eyes fell upon the tall alicorn who had raised and tutored her for the better part of her childhood. She felt so small in her presence, and she didn't like it one bit.

“Why are you really here?”

The amber mare heaves a small sigh, and with some effort she manages to tamper the flames of her self-righteous anger. That kind of approach wouldn't get her anywhere, she knew that now. There was something different about the princess. She had guessed at this scenario due to Twilight's existence, but that meant she needed to be more calm and less like her old self.

>I wanted to come home again, princess.

Both Twilight and Applejack chose that moment to establish eye contact, the latter raising her eyebrow, the former just shaking her head. Then they both focus back on Sunset, who continues.

>Let me explain since you are clearly not on the same page. Beyond the portal, there was in a place where people would listen to me, fear me and do as I say just through the pure power of my personality alone. It wasn't due to power or status, but because my will was greater than theirs.

Glaring at Celestia, she continues to tell her tale.

>I thought I could seize my own fate and finally surpass your small-minded rule along with the petty restrictions you placed on me if only I could take the power you never granted me. I knew the Element of Magic was a powerful artifact with a will of its own. Why else would you need to pass them onto others? When I crowned myself with it, it struggled and fought me. But I managed to dominate it and bash it down... and when it finally opened its floodgates for me I didn't expect it to just overwhelm me.

Her bitter gaze turns to the side, idly passing over the framed pictures and paintings. None of them were of her, she noted sourly.

>The transformation was horrifying. Whatever seized me just did whatever it wanted beyond my control. I count myself lucky that Twilight managed to wrestle control over it from me, or I don't know what I would have done.

Celestia notices how the hard look in Sunset's eyes softens when the amber unicorn focuses on Twilight next, looking at her with something akin to budding kinship.

>But it only got worse after that. I felt only regret, nothing else was left after the Elements hit me. I tried to learn from the experience, but no one spoke to me. Anyone who looked my way only had terrible things to say. I was alone most of the time, especially after I learned that the school I had confined myself to was below my level. With nothing better to do I went out into the world to study and learn.

>I lost contact with the girls that dared to accept me, one after another. I think I was still too pushy for Fluttershy, and she never really forgot how I bullied her. Rarity placed far too high of standards upon me while Rainbow Dash and I never really had common interests. Pinkie Pie... you can small talk with her, but it felt hollow after a while. The only one I really ever talked to was Applejack. She took me at face value and confronted me straight to my face when I became too restless. I appreciated that trait of hers.

The orange alicorn looks surprised at the mention of her name and Twilight steps forward to elaborate further, but Celestia merely fans out her wing – stopping Twilight – her eyes still fixated on her former student.

>But then I got too nosy... too bold. I went to places I shouldn't have... saw things I wasn't meant to see. They are looking for me, I think. I left so I wouldn't one day wake up in a cell. I have learned as much as I could, took some things I deemed worthwhile, and left. I don't think I will ever return. There's nothing there for me anymore.

The room was silent for a few moments in the wake of the small tale of Celestia's lost student, all three alicorns in the room digesting what they had heard. Taking the lack of response as a good sign to continue, Sunset stops the nervous pacing she had begun and instead approaches Celestia once more. Standing before the tall alicorn, she had to crane her neck up a little to look into her face.

>To finally answer your question straight: I want to apologize for my terrible behavior as your student. I.... princess, I was being dumb. I saw how things were going awry in Equestria little by little. I just wanted to help you, so I pushed, and pushed, and pushed. But you weren't even giving me the time of the day unless it was an exceptional new feat I accomplished. At some point, I just wanted to become... better. Better than you. I wanted to surpass you. I wanted to finally shine as the sun sets. And I kind of believed you were training me to succeed you for the longest time.

The red-yellow maned mare glances at her cutiemark, averting her eyes from the others.

>I dabbled with things you specifically forbade me to. I am sure you just wanted the best for me, but instead of listening, I lashed out. I just want another chance to pick up where I left off... and a chance to make things right with you. You were so angry at me back then. The last words we spoke were just accusations. If you would let me, I can make things right. I don't want things to end this way. I was selfish and greedy for more than I could handle, I see that now. Just... please. Please let me show you that I can do better than what I did before I left.

Sunset leans forwards a little, only a pony's length away from her former mentor, giving her an impassioned look. And to the surprise of the smaller mare, the princess drops her gaze to the ground, wings drooping and making her look smaller than Sunset had ever seen her. The immortal alicorn would have preferred to have this conversation in private, but to have witnesses for her failure was humbling in its own way. This one truly was all on her.

“I made some grave mistakes while you were under my wing, Sunset Shimmer. I saw your ambition, your drive, your power... and I intended for you to become somepony I could use.”

The shocked look on Sunset's face was only matched by Twilight's, who had raised her wing to cover her muzzle. Applejack, in turn, didn't look very surprised by this revelation. She had seen Celestia at her best and worst in the past, so this wouldn't faze her much more than some of the other instances of gross mismanagement.

“The date of my sister's fateful return drew near and the Elements still had no bearers. But I had to slow your progress as the time wasn't right. You tried to go around me and others, ignoring advice and friendship in order to fulfill lofty expectations of assuming my throne I never imposed. You wanted to improve at a rapid pace, and I repeatedly halted you with the selfish intention of wielding you like a weapon only when I needed to.”

“I mistook your desire to help me in the long-run as dishonesty when you went around me to learn what you needed. I thought of your harsh, reprimanding words to me as cruelty. I let my emotions guide my actions...as I did with Applejack when she first began harassing me. I felt I had wasted my time with you and banished you from the castle, striking you from the record as my student. All just because I tired of your endless and rude prodding.”

It hurt to admit all this. But the Princess had prepared some of these words long before this moment. The truth was she had always held the hope that her former student would return one day.

Celestia wasn't one for pride, and the knowledge that Sunset had pretty much had been reduced to a test run for what would eventually become Twilight's Ascension and AJ's rise as the one to change the entire country certainly wasn't a deed the Princess was proud of.

Regardless, she carries on. Her former student had opened her heart and risked punishment just to come here and seek reconciliation. The Princess would be a poor example if she could not have a heart-to-heart with her now.


“I only realized my folly when you knocked out the guards and fled through the portal. I could not follow you and mend what I broke. But for the longest time I hoped you would return to seek my guidance once more.”

Celestia takes a moment to look away from her first student to her most recent one, a faint smile on her muzzle.

“Twilight was just a a young filly when you departed. But through a beautiful twist of fate, she managed to surpass everypony's expectations. I am not sure why the entrance exam committee thought it would be a good idea to let little fillies without a cutiemark try and magically hatch the egg of a magically resistant species of ancient scaled beasts... but there she was. Not only was she able to hatch the dragon, but she was also able to age him up enough to break the tower the exam took place in.”

The purple, science-minded princess blushes faintly at the praise. There was a dark look that crosses over Sunset's features though, and Celestia continues the moment she notices.

“I never gave Twilight the time to become independent. I forcefully guided her every step, sent her where I needed her and let her do the difficult tasks. Every now and then that caused her to become frantic in her attempts to appease me and overshoot by far.”

(P-Princess, that's not true! You set high expectations, but they were never out of my reach. I am grateful for you helping me by pushing me to be my best! )

'At the expense of y'all havin' no friends.'

Twilight shoots her friend a mildly shocked look in response.

(Applejack, I can't believe what I am hearing. Why would you say something so terrible?)

'Element of Honesty, remember? Far as Spike told me, she had ta order y'all ta Ponyville with a specific task to make friends and even then that didn't make yer quit yer grumblin' about havin' ta see other ponies.'

(Nightmare Moon's arrival was at hoof. I just felt like the princess was not taking me seriously and...)

A rueful smile tugs at Celestia's lips when Twilight falls silent, looking a bit worried at what she had said.

“It's quite alright, my faithful student. Even somepony my age doesn't magically quit making mistakes every now and then. But I learned from the experience. I ascended Applejack without putting much of a thought behind it the moment I saw her virtues and drive. And as Sunset did before her, she nagged me... bothered me... but she also helped me. I couldn't push her off because I had made her my equal. She took her duties as a princess seriously and fundamentally changed Equestria for the better."

Another look passes between Applejack and Sunset, both of them looking inconclusive as to what to think of the other. But at least Sunset now understood why this mare seemed so familiar.

“I am sure if I would have had the foresight everyone expects of me, none of this would have happened. But the past is bygone. All I can do now is welcome you back, Sunset Shimmer, and hope that you will use what you have learned to help us... and help me. Equestria is still in the midst of fundamental changes, and for every problem we fight another three appear. This is a most turbulent time when small spites should be forgotten and mistakes forgiven so that we may reach a common goal. The goal of improving ourselves and others through the virtues of trust and friendship.”

Twilight looked deeply moved and a smile finally cracks Applejack's disapproving look. This felt good... it felt right. Sunset was unsure of what to say though. Not only had she been accepted back to where she belonged and where felt at home, but she also would be granted a shot at that elusive greatness that she had chased for years on her own terms. No longer with the weight of judging eyes upon her, she might be able to work on all those wild thoughts and magical things that had been on her mind for years. Celestia chose this moment to interrupt her train of thought.

“There's a catch to all of this. While she may have ascended to be an alicorn, Twilight Sparkle is still my student whose tutelage I will oversee until I feel like there are no more lessons to be taught. While I could certainly take you both under my wing at the same time, I feel I had my chance with you, Sunset, and wasted it carelessly.”

Sunset mulls that over. It was a step back from what she had hoped, but still not one of the worst scenarios she had imagined.

>Princess... being allowed back into the castle and to study once more... it's more than I could hope for.

Celestia shakes her head, the same patient smile on her lips still.

“Oh no, I couldn't let you go around completely unsupervised. You have been gone for the longest time and you need to be brought up to speed about many things. Not to mention that there are things to be learned from one of us you would have a hard time finding out on your own.”

Celestia stands to her full height, extending her majestic wings a little to appear even greater than her stature already made her.

“Therefor I, Sol Invictus, The Unconquered Sun, Mare of the Dawn, Serene Immortal Highness of Equestria, Daughter of Harmony and The Endless Light of Life, Mother and Guide of the Herd, Once-Bearer of Kindness, Laughter, and Magic, Ruler of Canterlot, Vanhoover, and Cloudsdale, Tamer of the Scattered Clouds, etcetera etcetera... the Very High and Very Powerful Princess Celestia, hereby decree that you, Sunset Shimmer, are no longer banned from Canterlot Castle. Furthermore, you are no longer to be considered my personal student. In my stead, Princess Applejack shall from this moment forth oversee your tutelage, studies, and discoveries. She will watch, evaluate, and guide your further development as a pony, student, and researcher until they day she deems you ready to strike out on your own. I wish both of you the best of luck in your future endeavors together, and may Harmony guide you.”

>...

(...that's a lot of titles even I wasn't aware of.)

Applejack facehooves so hard that there is an audible *POP!*, which startles Sunset enough to make her jump

'Faust-dammit, Tia.'

~~~~~~~~~~

Only the few most essential topics were covered afterwards. Celestia called for and instructed Raven to let the castle staff and remaining guards know of Sunset Shimmer's re-institution as a resident of Canterlot Castle by public announcement. A room was assigned to the still brightly smiling unicorn and permissions concerning access to Twilight's research were covered in case the two wanted to work together.

Additionally, Celestia sent out a request for a reporter from Canterlot's very own newspaper as well as the Hive Gazette so that the knowledge of Princess Applejack taking on a personal student wouldn't end up being mere gossip and obscure knowledge. It was a great step ahead for the Apple Princess, and the populace deserved to know.

Finally – with Twilight bowing deeply and Sunset scuffing her hoof uncertainly – they both leave the room, likely to help the latter reconnect with the circle of friends the former apprentice had come to know by their alternate selves. The phrase (I have such sights to show you) would sound just a little eerie as it stands out from their conversation.

That merely left Applejack and Celestia in the room, the door shutting with a gentle click. The alabaster alicorn could feel the impatience and growing annoyance in the air, emanating like a gravitational field from the apple-loving mare beside her.

'Tia.'

Time to face the music.

“Yes, Applejack?”

'Y'all just done saddled me wit' a grown mare who done studied under ya for years. Way I see it, she'll go an' riddle me with questions and destroy half the castle with some of her crazy majicks or inventions by the time the week is done if she's anythin' like Twilite.'

A small pause to let that sink in, then Applejack continues. This reminded her way too eerily of when Celestia had ascended Rarity just to annoy her. She wasn't about to let yet another pony be involved in their occasional pettiness.

'Iffin' ya did that all jus' ta spite me fer all those times I bugged ya 'bout somethin' or 'nother ya done messed up, ah'll throw that damn crown right back atcha then and shove it up yer-”

“No.”

Applejack breaks off the tirade she was about to unleash on the Princess, looking quizzical at the sternness in her voice.

“Sunset Shimmer has lost the right path, in no small way due to my faults and vices. I had hoped to mold her into somepony who would one day share the responsibilities I had to shoulder every day. But I failed.”

'Y'all mean 'push all the hard work onto her and hope for the best', don'tcha?'

Celestia had the decency to blush.

“That... may not be far from the truth. You know the way I ran this country before. Sunset Shimmer is an ambitious mare, always pushing herself further for her own betterment. That sadly leaves her with a complete lack of sympathy for anypony who cannot match her speed. Eventually, she spoke of becoming my equal, then she wanted to succeed me, and ultimately she wanted to surpass me. And I held no doubt in my heart that she could if she really wanted and I let her, but I feared the change this would bring about... for good or worse.”

'Then why are ya makin' her become mah student? Ah gotta sort all this country's problems and don't even have the grasp of my own body 'n abilities yet. 's like yer putting more and more stones onto my cart, waiting fer mah back ta break.'

“Applejack... my dear, confused, hard-working Applejack... you, more than any other, have proven to be responsible, dedicated and loyal enough to protect this country and all the little ponies in it no matter how much it personally costs you. You have shouldered countless hours of work, risked infamy by siding with a beast which hurt all of us not too long ago, and finally: were willing to give your own health and well-being to save this country from the infection. All for the sake of those who look to you for guidance and protection.”

“This is merely the next logical step. By taking on the task of raising, inspiring, and guiding a student of your own towards the right path, you will learn a lot about ponies and your own shortcomings. You will learn about ambition, about humility, and how to teach another your values and lessons without forcing them upon them. It is not quite unlike raising a foal.”

“Sunset Shimmer is an adult mare, older than you and your friends in fact, but she still has a lot to learn from you and Twilight. I wish I could impart those lessons myself, but I had my chance... and I squandered it.”

Craning her swan-like neck over to the other alicorn, Celestia nuzzles her in that universal display of kinship ponies shared if they were close.

“Give back what I unintentionally took from her. I'm counting on you, as is she.”

Applejack didn't need to think about an answer for long. Despite all her misgivings about this situation, dreading the impeding increase of a workload and the inane idiocy she would have to endure in this job, her heart knew the answer before she even formulated it in her head and spoke it out loud.

'Ah will. Count on it. Ah won't disappoint y'all.'

Nothing else needed to be said. The two princesses smiled at one another for a moment, unspoken emotions coursing through both of them. But suddenly a small, amused grin splits Celestia's muzzle and her tone becomes more whimsical, floating over a generously sized piece of cake to her side.

“As her mentor, you will find the phrases 'I have a question' and 'This is your fault' quite refreshing, trust me Applejack. Not to mention she is a prodigy in the magical arts, matched in power and knowledge by only a very few. I have no doubt you will find your ability to contain her “enthusiasm” severely hampered by your unwillingness to wield your own magical potential. But you know what? I wish you fun with that, because it is certainly no longer my problem!”

Celestia turns away and heads out of the door with a merry bounce to her step, leaving the orange farmpony sitting there with her mouth hanging open for a second. She jumps to her hooves and bolts after the other princess the instant she grasps what just transpired.

'Y'all can't be SERIOUS!'

Only the melodious, trilling laughter of Celestia is her answer, both the laughter and the shouts fading away down the hallway.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

>The prince of the Empire is... Shining Armor?

>...Shining Armor... Shining Armor... wait, the guy who brought me coffee that one time? He's running that well oiled machine!?

>Hidden talents, that one... wait, he was the captain of the guard!? THEN WHY WAS EVERYONE SO SHIT AT IT!?

>Unless he meant for us to be shit at it...

>INVASION!

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

>(I have such sights to show you)

>Now, witness the true form of Equestria's military might... Princesss-class Destroyer: Harbinger of Harmony!

"Twily, nooooo!"

'You can't stop progress!'

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

>YOU! CHRYSALIS! This is all a plan to invade Equestria!

"Hell no, why would I want that shithole?"

>...The saddest part is that I believe you...

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

>Dadling
"Batmom"
~~~~

"...No no, this makes perfect sense. I'm all for this. This is nice."

>Really?

"No."

>But it does the job so well!

"Honey."

>And I mean, she can't accidentally stick her head in anything, that's a bonus right?

"Dear?"

>And it's just so comfortable, I bet! Look how much fun she's-

"DEAR!"

>...

"....Take the dog-cone off our child."

>FINE! DON'T KEEP HER FROM BITING THE TABLE! SEE IF I CARE!

"..."

>IT'S A LEGITIMATE CONCERN!

"..."

>FINE!

"...."

>...She's a cute dog, though.

"That she is."

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

CD
>88
"???"
'???'

>Okay...focus...foooocus, you can see with your ears, your senses are heightened, you are Maredevil.

Bonk!

>DAMN IT! That's it, I gotta find that smart princesz and have her...I don't know, robot my eyes up.

"The Sister of Zhetri Tuulh seeks the Twience Princess?"

>CHITANIA SKULLFUCKING A DRAGON!

'Loud.'

"Muchly loud, Sebjek."

>You back the fuck off, dirtbags! I'm on to you!

"No, you are in front of us, sister of Zhetri Tuuhl."

'She has the eyes of milk, Trade-Brother. She cannot see.'

"Yes but she would feel us if she was on top of us, Apprentice."

'These are facts.'

>Enough! One step closer and I'll shank you with my knife...that I forgot to get back from 77, fuck.

"You can go get it, we can wait."

>...okay, seriously. This? This is fucking weird.

'Elaborate please.'

>WHY ARE YOU NOT TRYING TO EAT ME!?

"We do not do this anymore."

'Still loud.'

>77 said 32 reformed you, but there's no way that's true! That doesn't just happen overnight!

"It is always night beneath the earth."

>...don't be deep! Crazy cannibals don't get to be deep!

'What about crazy ex-cannibals?'

>How-what...nnngh...fuck off!

"Sister of Zhetri Tuuhl, we wish only to help you. Surely working eyes can help you find what you seek."

>...

'Trade?'

>What?

"Aha! Yes yes, a trade! Milk-Eyed sister of Zhetri Tuuhl, we propose a trade to you!"

>I'm listening...

"If you agree to let us help you, we promise not to eat you."

'Sun is out anyway, if we try to chew, we melt, yes?'

"Yes."

>You're serious?

"Rekulk the Trader is never not serious about a trade!"

>...fine, deal.

"Hurrah! Now, what is it you seek?"

>My brother, 32.

"'WHAT!?'"

>Loud.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Non-Canon
>Pinkie
"Gilda"
~~~~
>Welcome to Late Night /pa/ with your host Pinkie Pie! It's during this time that content doesn't matter and I'm part secretly part of the Night's Watch! Now for our main guest...GILDA!!!
Gilda grumpily sits on the couch.

"What's up dweeb?"

>Are you still mad about the party I threw you?

"I'm good at holding grudges."

>That's unfortunate, but thankfully for you this show is already over!

"Then why'd you waste my ti-"

>Because I'm still willing to give you some spotlight. Oh and don't poach chickens.
Gilda wakes up in a chicken coop. There's chicken feathers everywhere and no chickens.

"...no regrets."

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________

>Sunset
"??"
'??'
~~~

The halls she walked down were familiar this bright and early morning, almost like second nature to her even after all this time. There was something nostalgic about it, something that brought out the very best of her memories.

But there was no time for that, she had a mission! Long ago, she had hidden several items away in a particular location, one hidden in plain sight even! This was a place she was quite proud of for her choice, perhaps even a bit too much so.

She had a mission, and with one massive shove of that door she was going to... going to...

>...What... the... fuuuu...

Nearly a hundred pairs of green eyes looked upon her, most of them annoyed, some of them curious... all of them attached to a scary fucking bug-creature.

"...The fuck do you want-"

She reacted purely on instinct, no thought at all besides the ones necessary to conjure fireballs.

>HOLY SHIT WHAT THE FUCK IS THIS NOPE NOPE NOPE HOW THE FUCK DID YOU GET IN HERE WHY ARE THERE ALIENS!?

And screaming.

The thoughts needed to conjure fireballs and screaming.

After that, there was chaos.

~~~~~~

'WHAT IN TARNATION!?'

Applejack expected many things to be slammed on her desk this early in the morning.

The bound and gagged 'student' who had been thrust into her lap was not one of them, but there she was!

How every single ballroom changeling, most of them spouting burns or bruises or ice or electrical burns and several of which were covered in tar, fit into her office she had no idea. Nonetheless, she found it impressive.

"KEEP THAT THING ON A LEASH!"

With a huff, they all indignantly turned and left.

'...'

Reluctantly, she took the mouthpiece off.

>OHHOLYSHITTHERE'SAFUCKINGHUNDREDGODDAMNALIENBUGMONSTERTHINGSTHEYCANFLYANDSHOOTLASERSANDHOLYSHITCANTHEYTAKEAPUNCHIMEANITHREWAROCKATONEANDHEJUST-

Swiftly, she put the gag back, paying no mind to the mumbles that continued.

She would explain it in a minute.

After she was done banging her head on the desk.

...A lot.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________