How does Sunset Shimmer know so much right out of the portal?

[Never2muchpinkie 211]

Well, I did a quick look here and on TVtropes headscratchers, but I haven't seen something like this.

 

I'm doing a AU Sunset Shimmer fic where she comes through the portal when it next opens after 30 moons (this fic has been on the backburner for a long time, before season 4 started)  and she goes to Twilight, wanting her to be the liason to get a meeting with Celestia and make amends with her for the past.

 

When I was writing her backstory and what made her split from Celestia I came upon a little snag. When I watched the movie for reference that only made it more confusing. We see Sunset come through the portal, then she seems to immediately know exactly where Twilight is, that she is the new Element of Magic wielder, that she has it as her crown and in her possession and that she's a princess.

 

She's just come to the human world after whatever number of years she was away, plus the portal wasn't even in Canterlot Castle at the time. It was in the Crystal Empire, a place Sunset should have no idea how to navigate.

 

How did she come by such detailed information? My explanation was that she used her magic to hypnotize a guard to get information, but can anyone give me something else, more reasonable?

[Daring_Do 552]

Well, I happened to read a preview of the Equestria Girls novelization not long ago. Something I saw in the preview pages might help answer your question.

 

(Try the Amazon.com preview, though that seems to cut off before the preview I read)

Edited June 5, 2015 by Knight Dash

[cider float 2,538]

Celestia has been staying in touch with her from a diary connected to the one in the other world. Maybe Celestia has been keeping her up to date on all that went on in Equestria?

[AdventureBliss 9]

Maybe because she heard of it...? Because the crystal empire was there way before Season 1.

[Ashen Pathfinder 16,161]

I'd say it's possible that she was doing recon during times which were most suitable for her to do so. If we take the backstory we get in the IDW Annual 2013 as canon, she's older than Twilight and likely kas had time to consider her strategies & all.

 

The main stumbling block in all of this is the Crystal Empire, but we do know that Sunset Shimmer is very astute when it comes to reading and research. Granted she's no Twilight, but there's a reason why she was Celestia's student before Twilight. Given time, I think she could acclimate herself well.

[MLPFanatic34 3,234]

I think it's mainly because she studied and researched it when she was Celestia's student, granted she's not like Twilight, but I don't deny she's very knowledgeable. 

[EquestriaGuy 1,074]

This thread topic has instantly inspired a new headcanon for me.

 

Want to know where the Human Sunset went to? Pony Sunset convinced her to swap places, and has been laying low in Equestria, feeding her information.

[Singe 2,111]

The most simplest answer which is also controversial, Celestia secretly baited Sunset Shimmer to have her steal the crown so that Twilight Sparkle would go into the other world to deal with her. The circumstances were weird and Celestia took the contest crown away rather than let Twilight Sparkle take it with her.

[Denim&Venöm 18,948]

This was something Tommy Oliver asked during his utter dismemberment review of Equestria Girls. 

[Dear Celestia 63]

She was princess celestia's student....

[cider float 2,538]

Since she's a human maybe she watches the same shows we do. Sunset Shimmer has been diligently following the plot in My Little Pony Friendship is Magic Season 1 and 2 on Hulu and television after she finished her homework.

[superdogz1999 551]

Her original home was back in Canterlot which is back in Equestria. So maybe she decided to travel through the magic portal back to Equestria during Season 4.

[cider float 2,538]

 

There is internet there so that's how Sunset Shimmer kept up to date.

[Never2muchpinkie 211]

I had a revelation, so I just want to update this post. Twilight is only shown sleeping once. And the next day upon being told that because of Snips and Snails trashing the gym the Fall Formal would be moved to the next day Twilight freaks because there isn't enough time.

 

So the main plot of the movie takes place during the SECOND and THIRD days the portal is open, which means Sunset Shimmer had a whole day to visit Equestria and learn the relevant information, like the new princess and the Elements, news that Twilight was coming to visit, etc.

 

So I got the answer to my own question. 

[Daring_Do 552]

I had a revelation, so I just want to update this post. Twilight is only shown sleeping once. And the next day upon being told that because of Snips and Snails trashing the gym the Fall Formal would be moved to the next day Twilight freaks because there isn't enough time.

 

So the main plot of the movie takes place during the SECOND and THIRD days the portal is open, which means Sunset Shimmer had a whole day to visit Equestria and learn the relevant information, like the new princess and the Elements, news that Twilight was coming to visit, etc.

 

So I got the answer to my own question. 

Did you check out the Amazon.com preview like I suggested?