//------------------------------// // October 18: Soon I Will Be Loved... // Story: 7DSJ: The Three Sunrises // by Shinzakura //------------------------------// Sunset barely paid attention to the class. She was tired of the class going on right now anyway. It was a debate session, and while she managed to put together something reasonable, she really didn’t know about Menlo Wizard or Mechanical Resonance and how the former ripped off the latter or whatever. She was sure that it would be interesting in a movie, or a rap battle or something but right now she was busy doing something important. Today she had plans. Since Pinkie was headed out of town on a cheerleading exhibition that would last until late tomorrow afternoon, her aunt and uncle went with her and so the Sugarcube Corner café was closed for today and tomorrow. Additionally, Applejack’s family was up in Oregon today helping a family friend with something, leaving the elder two Apple siblings to run the store. Since she was home, that gave Applejack a chance to invite her friends over for pizza and movies, but in the end, Fluttershy had to watch her brother while her mother was working the night shift, Rarity had to decline due to “the monthly inconvenience” and Rainbow was currently in the on phase of her on/off relationship with Soarin’ and so they were on a date tonight. That meant that only Sunset had accepted Applejack’s invitation to come over. Her phone buzzed, and very carefully, she pulled it out to see a message from Applejack: Meet around 5 at the statue? Sunset responded, Could we meet somewhere else? That statue kinda gives me the creeps. It is the way to my homeworld, you know. Truthfully, it wasn’t so much the statue that gave her the creeps so much as it was the chance that somehow, Celestia could find a way to override the mirror’s time protection and that would be the end of her. Since then, Sunset made every effort possible to avoid being near the statue when she could, and nowhere near the school at all if there weren’t enough people around that she could rely on to help her if Equestria invaded. Though I suspect they’d clap if Royal Guards arrested me and dragged me back, she sighed sadly. The phone buzzed again. Sure. Meet at the store, since it’s close, and I can give you a lift to my place. Sunset’s fingers flew against the gorilla glass of her phone. Deal. See you then. “Ms. Shimmer!” a voice suddenly cried. Sunset looked up to see the face of Ms. Conundrum. “Since you insist on wasting my time, I shall waste yours.” She pointed at the door. “Go. You have an appointment with the vice principal, and I can assure you she will not be happy about that.” Sighing, Sunset gathered her books, got up from the chair and headed towards an all-too-familiar office. Nearly thirty minutes later of sitting in front of Ms. Luna’s desk and the educator ignoring her in favor of what sounded like Angry Birds. Finally, unable to take it anymore, Sunset asked, “Ms. Luna? Are you going to acknowledge me?” “That depends,” the woman said, without even looking up from her phone. “Are you planning to give me an actual reason why you aren’t bothering to pay attention in class?” Finally, she then set down the phone and stared straight at the teen. “Let’s get something straight, Sunset Shimmer. You don’t belong here. And I am not saying that lightly, I really mean it: You are not human, you are not of this world and you do not belong here. Why that alien princess didn’t take her along with you when she returned to your home dimension is beyond me. If you were to ask the opinion of myself and Principal Celestia, we would have wholeheartedly sent you back. You are, frankly, more trouble than you’re worth, and you are now an outright threat to people, whether or not anyone can believe or even remember it.” She shook her head as if nursing a headache. “How you managed to make everyone forget about what you really are is highly disturbing.” Sunset looked down. “I didn’t do that. I think Princess Twilight did,” she admitted reluctantly. “If that’s the case, I suspect that was her way of giving you a second chance – a second chance that I do not believe you deserve. And if I understood her correctly, the portal to your world only opens every two and a half years, which is, in my opinion, far too long to give you any rope to hang the faculty and student body with.” “Ms. Luna, you may not believe me, but I have changed. You don’t know what it’s like being hit by the Elements of Harmony – I can’t describe it except maybe to say that reliving what I did to others is an understatement of an explanation. I have learned my lesson.” “I doubt it.” The woman leaned forward, her long, starry midnight-blue hair brushing against the desk. “If you were an ordinary student, you would have been gone a long time ago – either expelled to the alternative high school in Sunnytown, or outright kicked out of the school system entirely. And if I were any less of a moral person, I would have turned you over to the Federal Government, except that I don’t know if that’s safe. So we are stuck with an alien who has been more destructive than any student I have ever dealt with before in my career. “I don’t know what it takes to get through to you, but I hope to God that what Mr. Will saw the other day was genuine. Because if you ever put another person in jeopardy ever again, morals or not, I will find some way to expel you back to your homeworld.” The look in Luna’s eyes was severe enough that it was clear she meant business. “You wouldn’t!” Sunset cried, more out of surprise than a clear head. If she’d been thinking, she would’ve known that it was impossible for a non-magical species like humans to do so, but the thought of being sent back to Equestria was panic-inducing. Luna grinned, but there was no mirth in that rictus. “Ah, so you’re just as much a delinquent there as you are here. Small wonder the princess didn’t take you back, then – you’re an exile.” She then sighed and the anger seemed to deflate out of her. “Why? That’s all I want to know. Why?” “Why I’m an exile?” Sunset inquired. “No – why you’re so self-destructive.” Luna was quiet for a second before she said, “I knew a girl like you, once, a cruel and destructive firebrand. You see, she couldn’t live up to the popularity of her older sister, who was the most beloved girl in her high school. The older sister was that school’s queen bee, you could say, but unlike your particular stripe of that behavior, the older sister in this case was a paragon of generosity, friendliness and kindness. I suppose you could call her ‘the girl next door’, if you’re familiar with that cliché. Both sisters grew up with a friend who treated both of them like equals, despite the four-year age difference between the two siblings. But, high school being the way it is, naturally separated the trio. “Finally, as the younger sister entered high school during the elder’s senior year, she longed to have the respect and admiration her sister and their best friend had. Unfortunately, it was not to be; the younger sister wasn’t as beautiful back then as the older, stuck behind thick glasses, acne and, truth be told, a slight bit on the overweight side. Angry that her expectations were dashed, she fell in with the wrong crowd: punks, rockers, metalheads, that sort of thing. She dyed her hair, started dressing like a slut despite really not having the body for it, and even though the course of the year she lost weight, her skin cleared up and she began to become quite a looker herself, she was determined to be the school idol, and if she couldn’t do it her sister’s way, she’d do it her way. And her way, sadly, was much like your own.” “What happened to her?” Sunset asked. “It finally came to a head between the sisters when the faculty, assuming the younger sister would listen to the elder, made a play for one to talk to the other about her behavior. After all, the sisters’ parents were influential people in the town, the sort of people that made others worry about their jobs if they said the wrong word. The older sister agreed to talk to the younger, but…well, it went wrong. The younger sister swore she would take her sister’s place – as queen bee, as prom queen, as everything. The older sister tried to convince the younger that the path was wrong, but being human means…well, being human, and so the older sister eventually lost her temper as well. “To this day, the best friend doesn’t really know who threw the first punch. Only that the younger sister, who happened to be enraged, was practically willing to hospitalize her sister if it meant deposing her – teenagers really don’t think clearly, as you’re well aware. The older sister, however, despite taking blows and bruises, ultimately ended the fight by breaking her sister’s arm, breaking her rule of fear as well…but making the younger sister terrified of the older.” Luna was quiet. “The younger sister ended up spending the week at the best friend’s house because she was too afraid to even go home. It finally took the best friend to sit both sisters down for a day and let them talk. It was enough to solve the immediate problem, but the sisters were never really as close to each other after that. Since then, though they love each other, they’re as different as night and day.” Sunset sat and digested this. “You were the best friend, weren’t you?” Luna didn’t answer her, but instead said, “It is something I never hope to see again in my lifetime, and I would never want to see another girl tread down that dark path – a path you’re on now, Ms. Shimmer. But I fear it won’t end up as easy for you. You are alone here, and unless you change your ways, it will not end well for you.” She pointed to the door. “I have now wasted an hour of my time talking to you…again. If you truly are changing, please make sure this is the last time I see you in here.” “Yes, ma’am,” Sunset replied, rising from the chair and walking towards the door. “Yer quiet tonight, Sunset. Something wrong?” Applejack asked. The two had just finished off a pizza and were playing videogames instead of watching movies. “Not really,” Sunset replied, setting down the controller. “Wow, this game is harder than I thought.” Applejack smiled. “And here Ah thought you were the game player,” she cracked. But her smile disappeared. “Ah heard you got in trouble again, ended up in Ms. Luna’s office.” “Yeah. And it’s partially your fault.” Sunset then explained what put here there, and as she did, Applejack groaned. “Sorry ‘bout that, girl,” she replied. “But that don’t answer mah question.” “Just…I wonder if I’ll ever have a chance to prove myself, or it’s time to move on.” When Applejack’s brows went up in surprise, Sunset nodded. “People want me gone, AJ. The faculty wants me gone, the students want me gone – face it, not a single person wants me here.” “What about us?” Sunset’s reply was a weary grin. “You girls mean a lot to me, in more ways than I can ever say. You’ve given me a second chance…but a second chance is worthless when there’s nobody around to see that you’re taking it.” “Are you doing it for us, or yourself?” “I don’t know. I want to be a better person now – looking back, I was on the path to Tartarus and didn’t even know it. Now that I can see, I don’t want to be on that road again. But it’s not just for me: I have a lot to make up to people. To you girls. To people like Derpy Hooves, Lyra Heartstrings, Minuette, and countless others. I have to prove that I’m better than what the rumors say. I have to prove…well, I know this sounds weird given what I really am, but I have to prove I’m just human and that a girl like me can change.” “An’ how are you gonna prove that if’n you leave, Sunset?” Applejack accused. “That’s not changing, that’s running away. An’ the girl Ah know, then or now, ain’t no coward.” “Or maybe I am, and I never really knew it until now…because I don’t have anyone to turn to. I’m shut off from my own world, and I have nobody here.” Applejack leaned forward and said simply, “You. Have. Us.” The determination in her eyes was fierce and made Sunset pause. “Ah see Ah got yer attention,” the blonde then said with a smile. “Sunset, Ah don’t know what yer family life was like, but Ah promise that we’re never gonna leave ya hanging. Don’t bail on us, sugarcube.” “I didn’t think you guys actually cared.” “Because we’ve really only been friends fer, what, a month? The rest of us girls have known each other fer a long time – an’ in the case o’ Flutters and Rainbow, pretty much since they were kids. Yer gonna need time, Sunset.” “I don’t know if I have that time,” the other girl insisted. “I feel like everything’s closing in on me, and that I’m one short step away from disaster.” “Maybe so, maybe not,” came the response. “Ah remember when mah Ma an’ Pa were nearly killed in that accident. Ah always feared that Ah was almost out of time with them. But the good Lord dun met mah needs, our needs, an’ mah parents came about.” “Sorry, but I just don’t have that kind of faith,” Sunset told her. “I know you’re religious, but…I guess you could say my personal faith is, well, personal, but for different reasons.” “Y’ ponies believe in a god?” Sunset nodded. “You might not believe it, but I was raised by her. And I don’t mean in a metaphorical sense.” Applejack wasn’t quite sure how to react to that; it seemed both logical and blasphemous at the same time. So instead, she replied, “Ah see. An’ y’ spent all yer thirty pieces o’ silver?” When Sunset looked confused, Applejack said, “Nevermind. Just…trust this gal when Ah say that just keep straight an’ true, and sooner or later, good things’ll come.” “Yeah, I guess.” Sunset looked at the time. “Man, didn’t realize it was that late already. I guess I’d better get going.” “Nope,” Applejack replied. “It’s two-damn-thirty in the mornin’, sugarcube, an’ Ah ain’t lettin’ a friend suffer like that. Ah’ll go set up th’ guest room – yeah, this house ain’t so crowded we don’t have one – an’ lend you a set of mah PJs.” Applejack then went over and hugged Sunset. “We’re all together in this. We ain’t lettin’ ya go, Sunset, an’ that’s all there is to that.” Sunset happily returned the embrace. “Thanks, AJ.” Laying in the bed of the guest bedroom, though it was by far and away the comfiest bed she’d ever slept on – Flash’s bed included – she got no sleep, instead looking out at the clear night sky and the pale moon was full. She could feel the power from its apex sliding into her, recharging her batteries and yet she didn’t feel better. Instead, she got out of bed and moved to the window, looking at the silken expanse at night. For some reason, it vaguely reminded her of Ms. Luna’s hair, but she put that out of her mind. She needed a clear mind for what she wanted to do. “Listen, your majesty – Princess – I’m sorry. Maybe I’ll never be able to tell you in person, or if I do it’ll be just before my death, but…I’m sorry. I’m tired of the loneliness, of the nightmares, of being at the bottom of the barrel. I don’t even want to be on top anymore – I don’t even want to be a princess anymore. I just…I just want….” She couldn’t finish the words; she still didn’t know what she wanted. “If you can hear this, somehow…if you ever really loved me…. Just end this pain. Please, just end it. I don’t care how. But I can’t live my life like this anymore. I have friends now – I think – and a chance at turning everything around, not to be a conqueror, but just to be me: Sunset Shimmer, and whoever I’ll be on this world.” She moved away from the window, done. She never recited the chants and missals that the priests of the Celestine Order insisted were in gratitude to the Princess of All. And why should she? Celestia admitted she never liked them, and that if she had her way, she’d be just a princess, instead of so much more. Just have faith, AJ said. The words haunted Sunset. Fine. My friends believe in me? I’ll take that chance. What could go wrong? She regretted those words the following morning. The day had started okay enough: Applejack had made breakfast, and her and Sunset, along with Macintosh and his girlfriend Sweetcream Scoops – who Applejack had promised she wouldn’t say anything about the fact that she’d stayed over – chatted breezily over apple-stuffed French toast. Since Sunset’s plan was to go home, get some of the money she’d earned two weeks ago and go buy a bike, she couldn’t stay long. Scoops, who had to head home, offered to give Sunset a lift home, but given that she still hadn’t had the courage to tell her friends the truth about her living situation, declined, saying it was a nice enough day and she needed the walk in order to burn the calories off. Sunset walked a mile to the nearest bus stop, then caught the southbound, headed towards the southern districts of town. About a block away, Sunset got off, stopping at a convenience store to grab some sodas, figuring on walking the last half-mile home. It was then that she saw a plume of smoke rise into the air, as well as a dull roar akin to something like an earthquake. Dropping her package, she ran as fast as she could, rushing past crumbling buildings and gutted warehouses, hoping that nothing had happened to her last haven. And as she arrived at the abandoned warehouse that had been her home, watching the crumbled concrete and broken rebar began to settle, Sunset Shimmer wiped tears from her eyes, wondering how she’d come so close to changing her stripes – and now had everything thrown back in her face, despite her vow to change. Somewhere under the rubble was everything she owned, the meager possessions she’d built up over the past four years. Thankfully, she’d left her schoolbooks in her locker, but that was a small comfort: just about everything the former unicorn had spent years creating herself into a young woman named Sunset Shimmer was gone, leaving her once again as an enigma and question mark in the world. And now, despite everything she’d hoped for, all was gone. She couldn’t cry. She didn’t have the strength left to do so. She could go to work and probably convince Pinkie to let her stay over for the night; Fluttershy was also a possibility as well, but the question hung in the air: what after that? Where could she go? To tell the truth was at best madness, or worse, could reveal that she wasn’t the real Sunset Shimmer of this world. And what if they found the actual Sunset Shimmer? Would some girl in Chicago, Vancouver or El Paso suddenly wonder why she had a doppelganger assuming her life in the town she once lived in? And if so, what would be the former pony’s ultimate fate then? She was so focused on her misfortune that she barely felt the tap on her shoulder. She turned to find a police officer standing there, looking at her with eyes that seemed to bore into her soul. She read the thin plastic nameplate on his deep-blue shirt: S. ARMOR. THE BEGINNING....