Archmage Sunset's Last Stand (line art)

As she stood before her enemy, there was only one thought that ran and screamed endlessly within her. She had failed her. She had failed her princess, her forgiver, her twice mentor, her... friend. 

She had failed Celestia.

She should have been more vigilant. She should have been better prepared. She should have practiced that quick-casting technique she had observed being used by that upstart Trixie. She should not have dismissed the ravings of that ignorant brat that was the Guard Captain's sister. She should have been more skeptical. She should not have attributed the discrepancies to pre-wedding jitters. She should have made more effort to know the newest princess better, no matter how annoying she was with her constant plea for Sunset to socialize more, and embrace "the power of love". She should have been more observant. She should not have heeded her mentor's suggestion that Sunset relax and "enjoy the festivities and rest".

She had failed Celestia.

She had failed the one who had raised her up from her humble origins. She had failed the one who, even when Sunset had scorned her, wronged her, exiled herself to another world due to sheer spite, had reached out to Sunset, forgiven her wayward student, took Sunset back into the fold and back on course. She had failed the one who named Sunset Archmage of Equestria, entrusted her with the most sensitive and dangerous of duties, including re-sealing her own sister who came back for her throne after a thousand-year banishment, entrusted her with the lives of herself and all the ponies in the kingdom. She who only put off her royal mask when there was only her Archmage around. She who would never hesitate to lend her a hoof, or a smile.

She had failed Celestia, and allowed her guard down when one of the most dangerous of Equestria's foes was already known to be again at large.
Now, as her princess lay critically wounded on the floors of the Grand Hall, Sunset Shimmer, Archmage of Equestria was the only pony standing between the Monarch and Queen Chrysalis.

"My, my, if it isn't the Archmage. I have to say, I have to thank you for arresting Twilight Sparkle when you did, saved me the trouble of having to deal with her myself. Quite an insistent nag, wasn't she?"
"You will never touch her," said Sunset, her horn ablaze with magic second to nopony but Celestia herself, "not while I breathe."
"Well, in that case, you leave me with only one way to repay the debt. I'll make your end quick," said the changeling, whose face turned into a wicked smile before continuing, "and don't worry, I don't plan on hurting the princess any further; I have better uses for her, you see."

As the Queen advanced, Sunset steeled her resolve, and poured the rest of her magic reserves into the spell. She had no real hope of victory, nor escape, but she did have one final service to perform for Equestria, for her princess.

She was confident it would melt through Celestia's emergency ward spells. She designed those herself, after all.



This piece was inspired by "Cutie Re-Mark", in particular the "Changeling Invasion" alternate timeline. This picture depicts Sunset Shimmer, who in my headcanon interpretation of that particular future was forgiven and called back into service by Princess Celestia to help her deal with Nightmare Moon's return, and when Chrysalis invaded Canterlot, made the same mistake as Celestia did and ignored Twilight Sparkle's warnings regarding Princess Cadance. As there is no Sonic Rainboom, Twilight in this future would not have made it into Celestia's school, and would have little to no special standing with either Princess Celestia or Sunset the Archmage.

EDIT: Colouration is done! Here it is: meto30.deviantart.com/art/Arch…