M2B Reviews A Little Chat by by DungeonMiner · 12:50pm Apr 24th, 2018
Spoilers... (well duh)
Read Story Here
"Is 2016 over yet????" MixMassBasher screamed out loud as he poked his head out of his bunker.
April 24, 2018
Well Sh#t! That was how long I was gone?
A brand new year.... Hard to believe it was two years ago that I reviewed a story starring Sunset Shimmer. So, how about another one? This is A Little Chat by by DungeonMiner...
Now let's start out with the synopsis.
Sunset was enjoying her day, going through school as she was expected to do, when she's suddenly called to the Principal's office.
Confused, but with little choice in the matter, she answers, heading to Celestia's office. There, she finds the Principal sitting, wanting to have a chat.
Sunset was not prepared for anything like this.
The synopsis is perfect giving very little in order to surprise the readers later on. But I'll get onto that part later.
The story obviously starts off as the synopsis stated. And of course Sunset is nervous.
For some reason that was beyond her, she had been called to Principal Celestia’s office.
Gee... I wonder why... let's list the number of things that she has done to get called to the principal's office...
1) She's an illegal immigrant
2) She's bullied many people in CHS during her reign
3) She cyberbullied Twilight on HoofTube
4) She framed Twilight
5) She attempted pet kidnapping
6) She mind controlled the entire student body
7) She caused the destruction of a billion dollars worth of property at CHS
8) And she nearly caused the destruction of the EQG world
Oh I do wonder which one... urm... no offence....
Sunset Shimmer raised a shotgun to MixMassBasher's head.
*Gulp*
Okay! Okay! I kid! I kid! Movie-wise, Sunset has come a long way as mentioned by SilverQuill himself in the review he did down below.
That pretty much sums up Sunsets Arc so far. But that's not the point. Now, back to this story...
One part I like of this story was the build up in the dilemma before even reaching the principal's office. Using the surroundings and Sunset's inner thoughts to convey the drama.
Now, had this been a few months ago, she would have understood this perfectly. It would have meant that someone snitched on her, and that her lackeys would be getting their hands dirty for her.
But now? After all this? After she had helped with the sirens and the friendship games? It’s not like she did anything.
Did she?
As she puzzled and thought, her legs kept moving, walking her through the halls of Canterlot High as she was completely lost in her thoughts. The halls were empty now, her friends were all in class, and she would be to, if it weren’t for this sudden summoning she received.
It just…
She was in front of the Principal’s door.
She stopped, and stared at the door. The word “Celestia” stared back at her, glossy and black against the frosted glass.
So, Sunset enters the office and the conversation starts. And quite honestly... it's the best part of this story. For various reasons which I'll explain later.
“Hello, Miss Celestia, is anything wrong?”
“Actually, I was hoping you could answer that for me, Miss Shimmer.”
Sunset raised an eyebrow. “I’m sorry I don’t—”
“It’s come to my attention, Miss Shimmer, that I may have been...negligent when it comes to you as my student. So, you and I are going to have a little chat.”
“Miss Celestia,” Sunset began, “this really isn’t—”
“Did I say this was up for debate, Miss Shimmer?” Celestia asked as she pulled a manila folder from her desk.
Sunset’s protest died on her lips, and Celestia stared at her expectantly.
When she offered nothing, Celestia pointed at the chair opposite the desk. “Take a seat.”
First off, during this conversation, we get to know the back story of Sunset Shimmer after entering the EQG world. For this story anyway. It's an interesting take of her backstory out of the countless other interpretations. However, that is not the true heart of this story.
Celestia smirked, satisfied before she opened up her folder. “Now let’s see here. When you first arrived, you said that your parents were out of town, and you were staying with relatives,” she looked up from the page with a slight, gentle smile. “Well now, I can say with certainty that this is only half true, isn’t it?”
Sunset squirmed a bit. “N-no...it’s not true.”
Celestia nodded, before she took out a pen. “Alright. So, let’s correct this. Where are you currently living and who is your current guardian?”
“I don’t need a guardian,” Sunset muttered. “I’m twenty four years old.”
“In pony years,” Celestia finished with a smile. “Here, however, you’ve made yourself out to be under the age of eighteen, and therefore need a guardian.”
Sunset gave her a deadpan glare.
“Miss Shimmer, I’m trying to help you here. You must have someone looking after you.”
Sunset sighed once more. “Well, there’s Mr. Side.”
“First name?”
“Sunny.”
“Sunny Side,” Celestia said, as she wrote the name down. “Who is he?” she asked.
“He runs the hotel I’m staying at.”
“A hotel?” Celestia asked, raising an eyebrow. “That seems a little expensive.”
“No, he’s…” Sunset began, before sighing. “When I first got here, and learned that bits might as well be chocolate coins for all the good they do, Mr. Side found me, and...he offered me a place to stay. He and his family run the small hotel down the street, and since I was a ‘poor, helpless child’ he gave me a room.”
“Seems rather generous,” Celestia said.
“Yeah,” she said, a smile growing on her lips, “I will admit that I may have played up the role a bit, but he makes me pay for it by helping his kids and the cleaning lady with the rooms every Saturday. I hated it at first, but I couldn’t really complain, and well...I don’t need to tell you I mellowed a bit.”
Also, there is even some information to before she left Equestria, which actually develops her character psyche more which was never elaborated on in the movies that much. However, this is commonly seen in most Sunset Shimmer stories.
“Now, about your previous education?”
Sunset made a sharp inhale. “That’s a...touchy subject.”
“How touchy?” Celestia asked.
“I...well...you know…” Sunset began stumbling over her words.
Celestia waited.
“I was...a horribly evil student,” she said finally. “Like...like mad scientist levels of evil. And...and…” she stumbled again, staring at Celestia’s waiting face.
“And…” she swallowed. “My...teacher...she…”
Celestia waited.
“She tried so hard...she did everything she could, and I...I threw it back in her face. She gave me opportunities others could only dream of, and…she...she was like a second mother to me. She...she taught me everything I knew about magic, and...and she...she was so patient...” Her fingers were shaking, her eyes went wet, and her voice began to croak. “And all she did, after giving me years of training, and of taking care of me, I just...I...I’m...I’m sorry...just...just give me a second,” she said.
Celestia waited.
Emotions run high and it's after this part I saw a unique part of this storys' feature of Sunset.
“Are you afraid?” Celestia asked. “Are you afraid she won’t forgive you?”
Sunset shook her head. “No! I mean...I don’t know! I…”
Celestia waited.
“I...I don’t deserve to be forgiven…” she said. “I don’t deserve to be forgiven, and I know that...and…”
Celestia waited still.
“...and I’m afraid I’ll get what I deserve.”
“We forgave you,” Celestia noted.
“Yeah! Somehow!” Sunset said. “You forgave me for turning into a she-demon! Sure, fine! You want to forgive me for blowing the school up? Fine! But not her...I can’t...it’s probably better if she just thought I was dead…”
Usual "Sunset Shimmer going to Equestria and seeing her old Mentor for forgiveness of her crimes fics" (Celestia! That's a mouthful!) tend to have her go to Equestria. But Sunset Shimmer here is afraid to the point of not going at all to beg for forgiveness. That's new to me. And even better...
Sunset heard the door open.
“Oh, sorry!” a familiar voice said.
Sunset’s eyes went wide, before she spun around to look at the door.
Celestia stood at the door.
Sunset’s hand gripped the armrests until her knuckles went white. Her heart leapt into her throat.
The new Celestia looked exactly like the one at the desk, from head to toe, and she carried a stack of papers in her arms. None of that was odd, but the guilty look on her face made Sunset’s gut do backflips.
“I’ll come back later,” The new Celestia said, before closing the door behind her.
And Sunset just stared at the closed door.
She couldn’t breath, she couldn’t think.
All she could do was turn back to face Celestia.
She stared at the waiting face of the woman who had just been talking to her. She gaped, and stared, and this time, she could see so much more. The smile was motherly and gentle. Her posture was perfect and regal, and the glint of thousands of years of wisdom hovered in her magenta eyes.
And Princess Celestia smiled.
Princess Celestia as the principal in disguise was a magnificent twist as I thought the story would go one way and it went the other. Which I thoroughly enjoy. Instead of Sunset meeting Celestia, it's Princess Celestia meeting Sunset but in secret. This is a surprise to the readers expectations. Great Job DungeonMiner for that!
Also, Princess Celestia! You cake loving troll!
Sunset said nothing.
Celestia’s smiled disappeared, and she took another step for the door.
“P-p-Princess?”
Celestia stopped. “Yes?”
“Do...don’t...don’t go…”
Celestia smiled. “Do you want to talk?”
Sunset nodded.
“Alright,” the Princess said, before holding out a hand. “Then let’s go get something to eat while we have a little chat.”
And what a way to end, where the real "chat" begins between Princess and Pupil begins. Genuine care and concern from a loving teacher to pupil besides the whole all is forgiven shtick. It's implied that is what happens next but not written as it is overdone.
I've read too many Sunset and Celestia reunited and giving forgiveness stories (Seriously! What a mouthful!) that I've become numb to the trope which is a shame really. They are all touchy feely meant to make you feel good inside for such a redemption from best EQG Character. But when you read it once, you've read them all.
This story gave beyond the usual trope of just Celestia forgiving Sunset when I looked back. It had its' own unique style and flare. This story gave me the same impression when I first read a Celestia and Sunset Shimmer reunion. It was a punch to the gut telling you hey I'm different.
That was a compliment if you weren't clear.
Okay. Okay. Relax Sunset!
Anyways, the repetition of a certain little sentence really build up the story to its' climax and resolution. The tension of Celestias' silence.
Sunset made a sharp inhale. “That’s a...touchy subject.”
“How touchy?” Celestia asked.
“I...well...you know…” Sunset began stumbling over her words.
Celestia waited.
“I was...a horribly evil student,” she said finally. “Like...like mad scientist levels of evil. And...and…” she stumbled again, staring at Celestia’s waiting face.
“And…” she swallowed. “My...teacher...she…”
Celestia waited.
“She tried so hard...she did everything she could, and I...I threw it back in her face. She gave me opportunities others could only dream of, and…she...she was like a second mother to me. She...she taught me everything I knew about magic, and...and she...she was so patient...” Her fingers were shaking, her eyes went wet, and her voice began to croak. “And all she did, after giving me years of training, and of taking care of me, I just...I...I’m...I’m sorry...just...just give me a second,” she said.
Celestia waited.
Sunset sniffed, trying to keep herself from breaking down.
“Are you afraid?” Celestia asked. “Are you afraid she won’t forgive you?”
Sunset shook her head. “No! I mean...I don’t know! I…”
Celestia waited.
“I...I don’t deserve to be forgiven…” she said. “I don’t deserve to be forgiven, and I know that...and…”
Celestia waited still.
“...and I’m afraid I’ll get what I deserve.”
“We forgave you,” Celestia noted.
“Yeah! Somehow!” Sunset said. “You forgave me for turning into a she-demon! Sure, fine! You want to forgive me for blowing the school up? Fine! But not her...I can’t...it’s probably better if she just thought I was dead…”
And by Celestia, the subtlety and twist of this story is tremendous!
Go reread the story a second time and try telling me you don't see it! Actually. Nevermind. I'll show you.
The Princess-er...Principal herself sat at her desk, toying with her PA mic, before her bright, pale magenta eyes widened as they focused on her. “Miss Shimmer! There you are! Thank you for coming.”
Sunset raised an eyebrow. “I’m sorry I don’t—”
“It’s come to my attention, Miss Shimmer, that I may have been...negligent when it comes to you as my student. So, you and I are going to have a little chat.”
“Miss Celestia,” Sunset began, “this really isn’t—”
“I don’t need a guardian,” Sunset muttered. “I’m twenty four years old.”
“In pony years,” Celestia finished with a smile. “Here, however, you’ve made yourself out to be under the age of eighteen, and therefore need a guardian.”
Sunset gave her a deadpan glare.
Taking a deep breath, Sunset finally composed herself. “I’m sorry,” she said. “It’s just...I didn’t...I didn’t know what I had, and...and I might never have it again.”
Celestia leaned forward. “Have you ever tried to go back?”
Sunset blinked. “Go back? I...I couldn’t...there...I just...the last time I was there, I tried to steal a magical artifact and put the entire country at risk.”
All these subtle hints that you may pass over as you skim through the story but rereading really shows how celever the twist of this story really is.
In fact, the character of Princess Celestia in this story corresponds to the character analysis of Princess Celestia by DungeonMiner himself. What I bolded below is what I believe DungeonMiner incorporated the most in the Princess Celestia of this story.
Nature:
Normally, I’d have a bit here about the nature of the character, their talent, their destiny, etcetera.Not so with Celestia.
You see the Princess is a few thousand years old. She has had centuries to refine herself to the point where she has not only become a jack of all trades, but has probably mastered them. She has had all the time to break every single bad habit, smooth every single rough edge, and perfect every skill.
This means two very important things about Celestia. The first is that while most characters develop, Celestia already has. She has already learned her hardest lessons and faced her greatest challenges. She has already had her adventures, and over the entire show, we’ve seen only glimpses of them.
The other thing that we know about Celestia is that because of her massive amount of time spent refining herself, then the Celestia we know is the the Celestia she wants to be. She has been able to add whatever personality traits she wants, and whichever ones she didn’t want (and has been aware of) have been phased out through practice. If she felt she should be more kind a few thousand years back, she has most probably fixed that issue.
Personality:
Here is where we get into the nitty gritty of Celestia.Celestia is a refined pony, who takes her job as Princess seriously. Yet she also frequently trolls her ponies. Why?
Well, according to the IDW comics, long ago, when the Princesses were still young, Celestia was all business. Luna was the fun loving pony of the two, while Celestia was all serious. Luna loved life while Celestia was about work.
Well we all know what changed that, don’t we?
As someone who focused on work, she knows that work needs to be done, and when it needs to be done, she will get it done. Yet, because of her sister, she enjoys a laugh here and there. She missed having someone who would joke and laugh for her, so she learned to laugh instead.
Celestia is incredibly powerful, yet let's Twilight do everything. Is she manipulating her, or just lazy?
Neither. She wants Twilight to learn.
Celestia has already learned her lessons, she’s made her adventures, and she once wielded the power that Twilight and her friends wield now.
She lost that power. She lost it, and now is trying to teach Twilight how to use that power in her stead.
In the end, Twilight is her student. Celestia is slowly teaching Twilight how to be a hero by forcing her into these situations. And while we don’t see her, she’s always there, in the background, ready to help pick her back up.
That is Celestia, a teacher. A strict teacher, but a fair and fun one.
So next time you write about our Princess, just remember, she’s not just trollestia, she is that and thousands of years more.
DungeonMiner really took what he analysised to heart and make that version of good old PC in this story
And all of these traits are packed into just 2010 words!
Overall, this was a great Sunset Shimmer story that brought a new spin to an old troupe. Personally, I think it could be on tier with Sunset Sunrise by The Abyss for me which is why I highly recommend people to read it.
This is MixMassBasher signing out.
