'It still hurts like shit when I do this, but damn I feel better afterward' Sunset thought to herself as she drew the blade across the exposed flesh of her wrist. 'I genuinely thought that the girls care for me, but now I see that I am just a charity case thrust upon them by Princess Twilight that they can abuse as they see fit.' By now, fresh, hot tears were running tracks down her cheeks. She had just run straight from the band room where the Rainbooms were practicing and come straight to the now familiar bathroom on the third floor of the school.
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'Something is wrong, I can feel it.' I thought to myself as I watched Sunset turn and walk out of the band room. I took out my phone and sent her a text.
Hey Sunny, where'd you go? I saw you walk in and then walk out again with tears in your eyes. Are you alright?
Fluttershy.
After five minutes, there still wasn't a reply, so naturally, I started to worry.
"Hey girls, you don't mind if I quickly nip off to the ladies' room, do you?" I asked them in general.
"Oh, of course, Fluttershy darling. Just hurry back." Rarity replied, not really looking at me. The other girls just gave a noncommittal grunt in assent. So I just got up and walked out.
It wasn't hard to figure out where she headed. It was a place that I frequently ran to, just to get away from all the hurtful comments that she had once levelled my way. I got to the third floor and made my way over to the door of the ladies toilet that is seldom used.
As I got to the door, I could hear quiet sobbing coming from inside.
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I had just tucked my pocket knife back in the inner pocket of my leather jacket that I had gotten back from Rarity a few months ago after staunching the blood i drew from my forearms with it. I got up and locked myself in the stall farthest from the door. I checked my phone again. It was five minutes after I got the text from Fluttershy asking if I was alright. I still didn't feel like answering. I heard the door to the bathroom open and hurriedly got up onto the seat and held my breath.
"Sunset, I know you're in here. It's okay to come out." said the person who sounded exactly like Fluttershy. Just my luck that she would worry enough to come looking for me when I didn't reply to her text.
"Go away, Fluttershy. I want to be alone right now." I replied halfheartedly.
"No. You need help. I've been there." Fluttershy said. All her shyness gone, replaced with a hard set determination. I got up and paced angrily over to the door.
"You haven't been to this point!" I said angrily as I ripped the sleeves of my jacket up to reveal several scars, all in various stages of healing, as well as three new ones that had started bleeding again with the aggravation of ripping my sleeves up my arm.
"Oh my goodness, Sunset. I had no idea you were this far…" Fluttershy said as she made to lift her own sleeve.
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"I wonder what is keeping Fluttershy. She is taking an awfully long time to get back." Rarity said as she put her keytar away in it's protective case.
"Yeah, ah'm pretty sure she should be back by now." I said as I put my bass back in it's case. Suddenly, all our phones went off at the same time.
To: Applejack; Rainbow Dash; Rarity and Pinkie Pie. From: Fluttershy
Friendship SOS. Third floor bathroom. Best come in one at a time.
'What the hay could that be abou- SUNSET. What has the girl done now. Surely she didn't do something stupid. God, I shoulda done more.'
"Girls, ah think we should head on over there and see what's goin' on." I said as I ran to the door. I ran as quick as I could, not caring if the others were following or not. I saw Dash out of the corner of my eye with a worried look on her face.
'Good. She's made the connection too. Hope we get there on time.' I thought as I put on another burst of speed. Dash maintained her pace with mine until we got to the stairs to the third floor. She dashed ahead of me and burst through the door. What we saw there was gut wrenching to say the least.
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I burst through the door, hoping to not find a brutal scene awaiting me, but what I saw was a whole lot worse. Sprawled out on the floor, sobbing while being wrapped in a tight embrace from Fluttershy, was Sunset, the strongest girl we've ever known. The worst part wasn't that she was crying, it was the fact that her arms were cut and bleeding.
"Oh thank goodness you guys are here, Dashie, AJ. I believe I have done all I can here. She needs time and good friends to help her pick up the pieces." Fluttershy said as she heard me walk closer to them.
"It's okay, Flutters. You couldn't have done more. She just needs time, like you did." I said. Almost in tears myself. Here was the strongest I knew, on the floor, unable to get her composure back. I could see that AJ was struggling with the same thing I was.
"Th-thank you F-Fluttershy. I-I was f-feeling worthless b-before you f-found me. I j-just hope that I w-wasn't the one who c-caused you to do th-that to yourself." Sunset sobbed as she regained her composure.
"Oh no. This was from when Dash and I were in junior high. A couple of bullies pushed me to this, and if it wasn't for her, I wouldn't be here now." Fluttershy said matter-of-factly, causing Sunset, Applejack, Rarity and Pinkie to gasp in unison and look at me.
"It's all true. I got into a lot of fights protecting her from them, spent a lot of nights with her or on the phone with her consoling her. I don't take credit for saving her though, she was strong enough to pull out of it on her own." I said, heat creeping up into my cheeks.
That Saturday, Five days after all the girls found out that I was cutting myself, I found myself outside of the Animal Shelter where Fluttershy worked. She sent me a text saying that I need to meet her outside at 2 pm, though I was ten minutes early, so I was content to just sit on one of the benches just outside the door. I had just sat down when my phone rang.
"Hey Rarity, what's up?" I said to the person on the other side.
"Sunset, darling. I'm just calling to find out how you're doing. You gave us all quite a scare on Monday." Rarity replied. This was another in a long list of calls over the last few days.
"I'm alright Rares. Just taking it day by day. You know how I do." I said, putting all my effort into sounding cheerful.
"Mmhmm." she grunted, the sarcastic tone of it told me she didn't quite believe me. "So what are you up to now?
"Just sitting outside the animal shelter, waiting for Fluttershy. She sent me a text asking to meet me here. No idea why." I replied.
"Oh, I see. What are you doing later today then, I was hoping to go to the mall later today, but I don't want to go alone, you see. Would you like to come, the others are all too busy. I even have a gift for you." she asked, barely hiding the hopeful tone in her voice.
"Sure, I'll meet you there at four." I replied.
"Great, see you then, Sunset. I have to get back to work now, my break is over. Ta-ta darling." she said, barely contained excitement dripping from her voice.
"Bye Rares. Have fun at work." I said before ending the call. Just as I put my phone back in the inside pocket, Fluttershy came walking out of the animal shelter. My hand was still in my pocket, the pocket feeling bare without the knife I had in there since my third day on Earth. Fluttershy had confiscated it on Monday in the hopes that it would get me to stop cutting. It had worked so far, but it was only a matter of time until I was pushed to it again.
"Hey Fluttershy, you wanted to see me?" I said after getting up to greet her. She still had a worried look on her face every time she saw me.
"Hey Sunset, yeah. I just wanted to check on you. How has your day been?" she asked
"It's been good so far, Rarity invited me to the mall at four." I replied, doing a better job to hide the depression that I'd had since the Fall Formal. I had told them all about the depression on Monday, but I had not told them about the recent events that had added onto it. I may have friends now to help me out when I need it, but I still had difficulty opening up about everything, especially after being alone for most of my life.
"Well, that's good. She did initially invite me, but my grandparents are coming over later today, and I have to make sure my brother behaves himself." Fluttershy said, a downcast look in her eyes. I knew all about Zephyr Breeze, Fluttershy's younger brother. He was too much even for me to handle. I mostly just left him alone when I was a bully. Thinking about the time when I was a bully always took me to a dark place, and it usually showed on my face. Fluttershy noticed it. "Are you okay, Sunset?" she asked.
"Yeah, I'm fine." I replied, putting on the best fake smile I could muster. "Just thinking." I miss my knife sometimes, it was a welcome distraction from my past, the pain it caused nothing compared to the pain I caused most of my life.
"Do you want to come over for tea?" She asked. "I'm sure my parents won't mind." I thought about it for a while, and then gave my reply.
"Sure Fluttershy, I'd love to. That is, if your parents won't mind. I don't want to impose."
"I'm sure they won't." Fluttershy replied. "And you are not an imposition."
"Thank you Fluttershy." I said, smiling genuinely for the first time in a long time.
"You are most welcome, Sunset." she replied. I then reached into my left outer jacket pocket and fished out my keys, thanking the stars that I had thought to take my truck instead of my bike for today. I don't know what fluttershy's parents would think about her having a friend that rides a bike, other than Dash, of course.
"I'll follow you." I said as Fluttershy unlocked her compact hybrid, a Toyota Prius.
"Sure Sunset." she replied as she closed the driver door. I hit unlock on my key fob and opened the door. I sat there for a few moments before turning the key. The turbodiesel V8 roared to life with a throaty growl. I had done a lot of work on her since I got her. I replaced the turbocharger for a bigger one, replaced the exhaust system, did a major tune up and even got rid of all the rust. She had just gotten a fresh coat of paint last weekend. I got her painted in a two tone of my hair colours, Red with a gold strip on the bottom. I often get teased by the girls about how I look so small behind the wheel of the Ford F-150. I didn't mind though. I put her in drive and followed Fluttershy.
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A few minutes later, I stopped on the curb outside of Fluttershy's house. Fluttershy had stopped in the driveway. I hopped out of my truck and looked to the driveway, the compact SUV and old wreck of a sedan parked there telling me that her parents and brother were home. 'Great, I get to spend an afternoon with Zephyr Breeze' I thought to myself as we walked together to the front door of the modest, two-story house. She unlocked the door and walked in, motioning for me to follow suit. Just as we took off our jacket, Zephyr poked his head around the corner. 'Speak of the devil and he shall appear.' I thought to myself.
"Hey sis, is Rainbow with you?" he asked, barely letting his sister breathe with the hug he gave her.
"No Zeph. Only Sunset." she replied. No sooner had she said my name than he got a sour look on his face.
"You! Why'd you bring her here? Didn't she cause you nothing but heartache and pain. I don't understand." he said, pure venom dripping from his voice. "You better clear out before I call the cops." I nodded and turned to grab my jacket when Fluttershy did something I didn't expect. She turned to her brother.
"Now Zephyr Breeze, you listen to me. Sunset is my friend, and I won't stand you attacking her like this. She has changed, and is doing better now. You had better apologize." she said. He turned to me, hatred shining in his eyes. I stood there, wide eyed in shock at the display. She stood up for the person who had caused her so much pain in the past. "NOW!"
He looked at his feet. "Sorry Sunset." he said in a voice I could barely hear, and left before I could even reply.
"Sorry about Zephyr. I don't know what has gotten into him." Fluttershy said.
"Don't worry about it. Now, about that tea." I said, smiling despite the hurt I felt. The next hour was passed in joy.
__________________________________________
I left Fluttershy's house fifteen minutes before I was due to meet Rarity at the mall. I got a text from Rarity telling me to meet her at Blue Wendell's. I shot her a quick reply before starting up my truck and heading in the direction of the mall.
I got to the mall with five minutes to spare. I found a parking space close to the entrance and slipped into it. Climbing out, I heard my phone ring with a notification. Taking it out, I saw that it was a text from Rarity.
'Running a bit late, darling. Will see you in fifteen minutes.'
So I shot her a quick affirmative reply and headed into the mall, hitting the lock button on my key fob.
Five minutes later, I found a table outside Blue Wendell's and sat down. I took out my phone and started playing a game while waiting for Rarity. Before my game loaded, I got up and went to order a smoothie to drink. I took the proffered drink and handed the clerk a few bills to pay for it, then turned and walked back to the table I was sitting at earlier, only to find that it was occupied by none other than Gilda.
"Well, if it isn't the she-demon herself. What you up to Shimmer, plotting something?" she said, looking at her phone. I didn't reply. Instead I started backing away. "I asked you a question, bitch." Gilda stood up and made to grab me. I threw my smoothie at her and ran. I vaguely heard her shouting in the distance. "You're gonna pay for that!"
I ran to the nearest restroom, checking that she hadn't been following me too closely to see where I had gone. I locked myself in the stall farthest from the door and took out my phone. I dialed Rarity's number.
"Rarity, I need help. Gilda's after me. Please hurry. I'm in the bathroom closest to Blue Wendell's." I said after she answered the call.
"Sunset, I'm on my way. Stay on the line for…" I didn't listen to the rest. I couldn't afford to be found by the sound of my voice.
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"Sunset, I'm on my way. Stay on the line for… Sunset, hello. Are you there." there was no answer. I dialled a group call in. They all answered at about the same time, Fluttershy being the last. "Girls, Sunset is in trouble at the mall. Gilda found her. Meet me at the bathroom closest to Blue Wendall's." They all replied in assent at the same time.
I'm going to level with you right now. I have never sped in my life, but after I ended the phone call with the girls, I unloaded everything that my little Mercedes-Benz S-class had to offer. Sunset was in trouble, and she needed help. I was confident that the others would meet me there.
I had gotten to the on ramp to the highway that would take me to the mall, and gunned the motor for all it was worth. After a couple of minutes, the off ramp that I needed to take loomed, so I signalled and turned. The mall was five miles away in the next block. "I just pray that there is an open parking space," I said as I approached the mall. I saw Sunset's truck next to an open parking space near the mall entrance.
I parked my car and hastily got out and hit the lock button on my key fob. I ran into the mall and towards the restroom near Blue Wendell's. Rainbow Dash, Applejack and Pinkie Pie were already waiting for me.
"Hey girls, have you seen Gilda?" I asked as I approached.
"I saw her runnin' after Sunset past the smoothie stand earlier, but not since. Ah don't know why Gilda's after her, but ah ain't stickin' around ta find out." Applejack replied, a determined look in her eyes.
"Well then, let's get in there. Gilda doesn't give up. I learned that the hard way at Soccer Camp a few years back." Rainbow Dash said sullenly, before bursting into the restroom. We all followed suit.
"Sunset, darling. It's us. You can come out now." I said with as much confidence as I could muster. Just then, the door to the restroom flew open, showing Gilda just in the threshold.
"Ha, I knew that following you losers would lead me right to her." she said in a sardonic voice. I heard a whimper come from the stall farthest from the door.
"What do you want with her, Gilda?" Rainbow Dash asked.
"I just want a little revenge for what she did to me a few years back. The bitch deserves what's coming to her." she replied matter-of-factly.
"Ya ain't gonna touch a hair on her head Gilda, not while we're here." Applejack said, venom dripping from her voice. Applejack meant business.
"Yeah. And what you're doing is totally worse than anything she's ever done so that totally makes you an even worse bully than her." Pinkie said.
"Yeah, and what of it. I'm still gonna get her when you're not around. You hear that, Shimmer, when your friends aren't around, you better watch your back." she said as she turned around and walked away.
"She's gone Sunset, you can come out now." Rainbow Dash said after knocking on the stall door.
"Hey girls. Sorry about that. I couldn't handle that on my own." Sunset said as she came out of the restroom. She was smiling, despite what had just occurred, though I knew it was fake and hiding her anguish. "I'm sorry for being a burden to you guys."
"Oh, pish posh, darling. You were never a burden, and you never will be either." I said, going up and giving her a hug. She tensed at first at the sudden contact, but slowly returned the embrace.
"Yeah. We sure as shootin' ain't gonna let one of our friends get hurt, not when we can prevent it." Applejack said.
"I know, but now it's going to be a whole lot worse. Gilda is out for blood, and I know she's going to succeed eventually. When you guys aren't around, I'm as good as dead." Sunset said, looking downcast.
"Then you won't be alone, at school, or otherwise. We share a few classes with you, and you live a couple blocks away from me, so I can totally go with you." Rainbow Dash piped up from her position at the stall door, turning to look Sunset straight in the eye, all joking put aside and replaced with a hard set determination.
"Thanks for the last offer Dash, but once I get to my truck or bike, I should be okay." Sunset replied.
"If you say so." Dash said, moving to get to the door. "How about smoothies, my treat."
We all gave murmurs in agreement, Gilda's threat still hanging in the air above us like the pungent aroma of a skunk. Just then, Fluttershy walked in.
"Sorry I'm late girls, did I miss anything?" she asked as she crossed the threshold. I proceeded to fill her in on what had happened, and the plan that Rainbow Dash had. "Oh goodness, I see what we need to do."
"Sorry I had to call you from your family gathering, Fluttershy, but I wouldn't have if it weren't necessary." I apologised profusely.
"Oh no, it's no problem Rarity. I will always be there to help out a friend." she replied with a smile. "But I do need to get back. Who knows what Zephyr is doing without me there. I swear I'm the only one who can control him sometimes."
We all shared a laugh at that, even Sunset.
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After Fluttershy had left us, we went to the smoothie stand that Applejack worked at in the fall and winter months. The rest of the afternoon was spent in merry laughter as we all relayed what was going on before the incident with Gilda. Even Sunset was enjoying herself, though I noticed that her laughter wasn't the same, as if something was weighing heavily on her.
"Sunset, darling, are you alright?" I asked, my voice laced with concern.
"I'll be fine, Rarity." she replied in an unconvincing tone.
"Are you sure? You look as though you have the weight of the world on your shoulders." I said, trying to convince her to open up. She sighed.
"Fine. I'll talk to you about it later." she said exasperatedly.
"That's all I ask of you." I replied, my hand on her shoulder in an encouraging gesture. "Now. We have the rest of the afternoon to enjoy ourselves, but I think you three had better get back." At that, we all got up and proceeded to hug each other goodbye.
"Yeah. Ah gotta get back to the farm. Big Mac and Applebloom need help with the chores, and ah sure as shootin' ain't gonna skip out on 'em" Applejack said as she walked away, waving at the rest of us.
"And I've gotta get back to Sugar Cube Corner, its lunch hour now, and the Cakes are gonna need my help." Pinkie said as she hop skipped away.
"I don't need to be anywhere now, so I'll stick around for a while." Rainbow Dash said. "Maybe we can catch a movie or something."
"I don't see why not. Let's go." I said, leading us to the movie theater.
A few hours later, Rainbow Dash had left us at the entrance to get to her bike, and Sunset and I went towards my car and her truck.
"Sunset. In my haste to get to help you, I forgot about something." I said as I hit the trunk release button on my key fob. I reached in and brought out a wrapped box about the size of a dress box. "The gift I said I had for you over the phone." I handed the box to her, and she proceeded to open it, gasping in shock as she saw what was inside. She reached in and brought out a new leather jacket, one with orange chevrons on the sleeves.
"Rarity, I…" she choked, tears forming in her eyes.
"The challenge of repairing Sasha for you inspired me to create a new one for you." I said, barely able to contain tears of my own. "Do you like it?"
"I love it. Thank you Rarity." she replied as she grabbed me in a tight embrace.
"Oh, but of course, darling." I said, "Anything for a friend. Though we do still need to talk about what is going on. I'm worried about you. We all are, as a matter of fact."
"I'm just worried, you know. Between school, Gilda being out for my blood, and the shit Trixie does to me, I don't know how to cope anymore." she replied, her face taking on a downcast look, tears streaming down her cheeks.
"Oh, Sunset. We are here for you. If you need me, or any of the others, we're just a phone call away." I said, wrapping her in another embrace.
"I know that Rarity, it's just so hard to open up about anything when I've been alone all my life." she sobbed. "I just can't handle this anymore. If it weren't for you girls, I wouldn't be here right now."
I was on my way home after almost being attacked by Gilda at the mall. It was supposed to be a little get together of just Rarity and I, but shit hit the fan really quick after Gilda showed up.
'I genuinely still don't think I deserve them as friends.' I thought to myself as I drove past the convenience store near my apartment. 'Though, if they truly valued me, wouldn't they have asked me to join their band.' The hardware store next door to the convenience store piqued my interest. I flicked on my blinker and turned into the parking lot. Walking into the hardware store after locking my truck, I headed straight to the hunting supplies.
'I'm not gonna take any chances now that I know Gilda is out for my blood. Best be prepared. Sorry Fluttershy, I know I said no more knives, but I just can't take the risk of not being ready for her' I thought as I went to pick up a little switchblade to inspect it.
"Can I help… you!!! What are you doing here Shimmer?" the clerk said. I looked up to see none other than Trixie standing behind the counter.
"Trixie… I'm just here to do some shopping. What are you doing here? I replied, venom dripping from my voice. I never forgot what she did to me at the mall two days after the Fall Formal.
"Oh, I work here when not doing shows. Now, may I assist you with anything?" she replied, all traces of displeasure gone from her voice, in its place was a tone that was all business.
"Yeah. I'm just browsing the fine blades that you have on offer here. How much is the switchblade going for?" I replied in earnest.
"That one is going for five hundred, and comes with a protective, belt fastened pouch and two replacement blades." Trixie replied. "All business aside, what do you plan on doing with it? She asked
"Oh, nothing special. Just a bit of insurance against a pending threat on my life from Gilda." I replied nonchalantly.
"Oh Gods. She's threatening you. Damn. I had no idea you were getting it that bad." she said, genuine shock registering on her face. I lifted my sleeve.
"Yeah. That was after the first time she confronted me at school after my suspension was over." I said.
"Shit. So you really have changed. Instead of lashing out at others, you lashed out on yourself." she said. The look of shock slowly transforming into one of concern.
"Yeah. It's kinda not something I like talking about, so it took a lot out of me to show you. Only my friends know about it." I replied, the word friends still feeling weird on my tongue.
"So then, I guess that kinda makes me your friend, doesn't it?" Trixie asked, hope thickly laced in her voice.
"Yeah, I guess it does." I replied, the first genuine smile to grace my features since the impromptu tea party at Fluttershy's house.
"Great. Tell you what, you pay the cost price on the knife, and I'll cover Tax and Markup." Trixie said in excitement.
"Are you sure." I asked her.
"Sure, what are friends for," she replied. "Besides, the Great and Powerful Trixie is not about to leave her first real friend hanging."
"Okay then. Here you go." I handed over my card and she processed the payment. "I don't carry cash on me these days, too much of a risk" I said.
"Great. So, see you at school on Monday?" she asked
"You bet, Great and Powerful Trixie." I replied with a wink. I walked out towards my truck, not realising that I was being watched from the opposite side of the parking lot. I hit the unlock button on my key fob and climbed into my truck. I took out my phone and dialed Rainbow Dash's number.
"Hey Sunny, what's up?" she answered the call.
"Nothing much. I'm just calling to let you know that our friendship circle has just increased by one." I replied.
"What? When? Who?" she asked.
"Slow down Dash. It happened not five minutes ago, and it is none other than Trixie." I replied, a tinge of laughter in my voice.
"What!? Does she know she's one of the people who pushed you to…"
"Yes Dash, I know. And she does know now. She even apologised. I took a page out of your book by giving her a second chance. I know she deserves it more than I did." I replied.
"Now Sunset, we talked about you talking about yourself self-deprecatingly." she warned.
"I know, it's just hard you know. Anyway, gotta get home now. A lot of AP Physics work to get through, and Mrs. Harshwinny is not going to forgive me if I don't finish on time." I replied.
"Yeah. See ya on Monday, Sunset." she replied.
"Yeah, see ya then." I said before ending the call.
'Dammit. I gotta ease up on the self-deprecation when talking to them. They're gonna worry again. I don't wanna put them through all that again.' I thought to myself.
'Aww, how cute of you to think about their feelings.' my demon said with maniacal glee. 'To think that you think they give a shit about you, truly heartwarming'
'Ignore her. Think happy thoughts, Sunset.' I thought to myself.
'Hahaha.' The demon cackled maniacally. 'Like that will work. We both know the other reason you bought that knife, don't we.' she said with a crazy glint in her eye.
'Shut up. Just shut up. I refuse to give in to you, you maniacal bitch.' I screamed internally.
' Oh Sunset, Sunset. You are still so naive. Don't you get it, I am you, so you are calling yourself a maniacal bitch. And here I thought that you were going to stop thinking self-deprecating thoughts.' the demon said. I didn't answer, instead I started my truck and headed home.
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It was a quarter after five in the evening when the phone on my desk suddenly rang.
"Canterlot High School, Luna speaking." I answered as always.
"Good afternoon, Vice-Principal Luna, It's Rarity Belle." the person on the other side said.
"Ahh, Miss Belle. What can I do for you?" I replied.
"I have a certain pressing matter involving a certain girl in my group and one Gilda Gryphon. I was hoping that you could look into it for me as the girls and I are quite worried for her wellbeing." Rarity replied, a hint of worry in her voice.
"Very well, Miss Belle." I sighed. "I will look into it. What would said matter entail?" I asked.
"Various acts of bullying, several hateful letters telling her to off herself as well as various threats upon her life. Please can you let us girls know of what is going to happen as Sunset is now a very close friend." she replied.
"Very well, Miss Belle. I will let you know as soon as possible." I replied.
"Thank you, Vice-Principal Luna." she said as I put the receiver back in its place. I rubbed my temples in order to quell the headache I felt forming. I then got up and made my way to Celestia's office next door. I knocked, announcing my arrival.
"Come in." she said from beyond the door. I opened it and walked in. "What can I do for you, sister?"
"It would seem as if my speculation after the Fall Formal was correct, sister. Sunset Shimmer simply cannot catch a break." I replied, sighing in exasperation.
"Oh dear, do tell dear sister, what has befallen her this time?" she asked, worry evident in her face.
"It would seem that one Gilda Gryphon has taken to the idea of threatening the poor girl. I understand that Sunset Shimmer was not the best person before the Fall Formal, but even I can see that she has changed for the better." I replied. There was a sudden bout of knocking on the door, and Celestia called for them to enter. Three teenage girls entered, looking a bit awed to be in our company.
"Good afternoon Principal, Vice-Principal." They said, nodding at each of us in turn. "My sisters and I were hoping to enroll in your school for the rest of this year."
"Oh, but of course. You girls are most welcome to. Just fill in the necessary paperwork at the reception desk and we should have your schedules ready before lunch on Monday." Celestia replied.
"Thank you kindly. We shall see you on Monday then." the taller of the three, an orange skinned girl with long, wavy hair said as they turned to leave. The door closed and we continued our conversation.
"Now, back to the matter of Sunset Shimmer and Gilda Gryphon?" I asked.
"Very well, sister. I will look into it." Celestia replied.
"That is all I ask, Celie." I said as I turned to leave.
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Luna had just left my office when I got an idea. I picked up my cell phone and dialed Sunset's number.
"Hello, Sunset speaking." she answered.
"Hello Sunset, it's Celestia. I was wondering if I could ask you a favour. Three new girls are coming to CHS on Monday, and I was hoping that you would show them around." I said.
"Of course. When will they arrive?" She asked.
"They should be here during your off period before lunch." I replied.
"Perfect. See you on Monday, Principal Celestia." She said.
"See you on Monday, Sunset." I said before she ended the call. I put the receiver back in its cradle and sat back in my desk chair.
'We'll see how things end up on Monday. With any luck, Gilda will be too wrapped up in the musical showcase to pay Sunset attention' I thought to myself as I gazed out of my office window.
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I put my phone back down on the desk next to where I was busy with my AP Physics homework.
'Why does Principal Celestia want me to show the new girls around?' I thought to myself as I turned my hifi back on. I started blasting the playlist that was playing before Principal Celestia had phoned. 'It's probably nothing.'
I continued with my homework, stopping around eight that night to eat, shower and sleep. My AP Physics homework is finally done.
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I opened my eyes to see the well known landscape of my nightmares with the she-demon. The battle scarred territory of the CHS front quad. The hollow laughter didn't faze me anymore.
"Come out, Sundown. I know you're there." I said with no enthusiasm.
"Aww. I don't scare you anymore? That sucks. I can still hurt you though." she said as she dove straight for me, claws extended.
"No. You can't. I know my friends will be there for me, and there is nothing that you can do to make me forget that. Princess Twilight was right about one thing…" I said, all my energy focused on the feeling that my friends give me when they're around. "Friendship is magic…"
"Ahhhhh. This isn't over, little pony. I will return. You can never rid yourself of me that easily." Sundown yelled as she was blasted by the magic forcefield that emanated from me.
"That's fine by me. You can keep coming back, and I will keep defeating you. It's only a matter of time."
My alarm went off at the same time it always does on a Monday. It was the Monday following the mall incident, and I was not looking forward to going back to school.
'Come on, Sunset. You promised the girls that you'd be there today, no point in skipping out on them.' I thought to myself as I got out of my bed and made my way to the bathroom. I looked like shit, even though I hadn't had a single nightmare since I confronted Sundown the way I did on Saturday, though I knew she was just biding her time. I always had a bad case of bed head after waking up, one of the curses of having volume like mine. I brushed my hair, as difficult a task as that was, and my teeth and made my way back to the bedroom to get dressed.
I put on my usual attire, an orange striped skirt with a pink shirt and my leather jacket, Sasha, the one Rarity had made for me. I made my way over to my desk to pack up my homework and saw the hilt of my new switchblade glint in the cold light of my bedroom. I grabbed it and stashed it in the inside pocket of Sasha. I then threw my backpack on my back and made my way to the living room. I threw my backpack onto the couch and went to make myself some breakfast.
I poured myself a bowl of oat crunchies and a cup of tea, I don't always drink coffee, and made my way to the couch to eat. After I had eaten, and washed my dishes, I grabbed my backpack and bike's keys and made my way to the parking garage. The Kawasaki started on the first turn and I shot out of the garage to face a new day.
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I parked my bike and hopped off, and a couple of seconds later, I heard the now familiar whine of Sunset's Kawasaki Ninja ZX14-R coming up the road. I flagged her down and showed her to a parking Spot right next to mine. She hopped off and took off her helmet.
"Heya Dash, How are you doing?" she asked as I locked my bike's handlebars.
"I'm good, Sunny. You?" I replied.
"I'm good," she replied, a sudden downcast look in her eyes, "Despite the pending threat on my life from Gilda."
"Yeah. We better get inside, the others are probably waiting for us in the band room." I said as I turned to walk away.
"Yeah, probably. I'll catch up. I just wanna get my helmet in my locker and exchange books for the first few lessons." she replied
"Okay. Just be careful, alright." I told her as she moved to walk away.
"Alright, Dash." she said, walking away. I saw a familiar figure follow her, but I paid no mind to it.
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I got to my locker amid the stares and whispers, but I paid no attention to it. I got to my locker safely, and when I opened it, I spied a familiar, leather bound book emblazoned with the two toned sun that was my cutie mark. I ignored it and made to put my helmet in. I then exchanged the books I needed and as I turned to close my locker, it was slammed shut. I looked up to see Gilda towering over me.
"Hey, she-demon. I was wondering when you were gonna show up." she hissed, looking me up and down as if I were a piece of trash thrown in her path. I didn't answer, instead, I started hyperventilating. She was directly in front of me, with her Diamond Dog cronies covering any escape from all sides, advancing painstakingly slowly.
"Get away from her, you fiends. The Great and Powerful Trixie forbids you to touch a single hair on her head." Trixie said as she started running up from behind. One of her fists connected the larger of the Diamond Dogs in the face right before I passed out from lack of sufficient oxygen due to my hyperventilating. I didn't see what happened after I did, but next thing I knew, I was woken up in the nurse's office, my friends all around me, apart from Trixie.
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"Where's Trixie?" I asked them when the fuzz cleared from my head enough for me to form coherent sentences.
"We don't know, darling." Rarity replied. "Though why on earth are you worried about her? Isn't she one of the people who was mean to you before." I was about to reply when Dash spoke up.
"Actually…" she said while rubbing the back of her neck.
"What is it, Dashie." Fluttershy asked. "If you don't mind telling us, that is."
"Yeah. Trixie and Sunset patched things up over the weekend. She's a friend now." Dash said, rubbing the back of her neck in embarrassment. "I should have told you guys after Sunset told me."
"No Dash, it's my fault. I should have told them." I said. I then turned to the rest of the girls. "That's why I need to know where she is. I don't want her to get into shit for helping me. I passed out after Gilda confronted me." Just then, Nurse Redheart walked in with Principal Celestia behind her.
"It's okay, Sunset. Trixie is only going to get detention for fighting. She did a noble thing, fighting for you, when she knew it would bring her into trouble." Celestia said. “Oh, Sunset. Please meet me in my office when you are done here. There are important matters for us to discuss, and a certain friend of mine is coming.” I nodded in reply, looking down at my feet. Just then, I thought of something.
"Where is my jacket?" I asked. Rarity got up and handed it to me. I felt the inside pocket,feeling the familiar weight of the switchblade I had bought on Saturday. I didn't show it, but I was secretly relieved. __________________________________________
I walked out of Vice-Principal Luna's office, feeling a little miffed that Gilda and the Diamond Dogs got off so easy for threatening someone. They had each received two weeks worth of detention. I decided to go see if Sunset was okay.
I walked to the nurse's office, and as I got there, I saw Principal Celestia and the others walk out. I walked in, and Sunset had a look of utter panic on her face as she fiddled around in her jacket pockets.
"Please tell me you didn't get too much shit for rushing to my aid?” Sunset asked me, unbridled concern flashing in her eyes.
“No, I didn't. I'm just pissed that Gilda and her cronies are getting off lightly for threatening you.” I replied, all pretenses of my third person speech gone with my rage.
“Calm down, Trixie. There is no need to get angry. It won't help any of us.” Sunset said, a faint warning laced in her voice. I got up with an exasperated sigh and walked over to the window, looking out toward where the Principal’s office was.
“I know, Sunset. I know.” I said as we both left the nurse’s office.
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I walked out of Principal Celestia's office, my lackeys behind me. I rubbed my jaw where one of Trixie's punches had landed not five minutes ago. It still hurt like shit.
'Damn that Trixie. She hits harder than one would originally suspect, but I'll get her back. She just has to wait until I'm done with Shimmer' I thought to myself. __________________________________________
I left Trixie to head to the gym and went to Principal Celestia’s office, feeling a little apprehensive of what awaited me. I arrived all too soon and knocked at the door, announcing my arrival.
“Come in,” Principal Celestia said from beyond. I steeled my nerves and entered, doing a double take when I saw Detective Enigma sitting across from Principal Celestia.
“What’s going on?” I asked apprehensively, staring directly at Detective Enigma.
“Sunset, You remember Detective Enigma?” Principal Celestia asked me.
“Yes I do, but you haven't answered my question, so I’ll ask again.” I replied. “What is going on?”
“I can answer that.” Detective Enigma said, turning to me. “I did some digging into your background and found that there were gaping holes in the forms you filed for emancipated status.” I stared blankly at her, and suddenly the world faded to black around me. The last thing I remember was hearing both of them yelling my name as the world faded to nothingness.
“Sunset!” Both Celestia and I screamed as Sunset passed out. I got up off my chair, and demonstrating a swiftness that I didn't even know I had, caught her before she could hit the ground. Celestia came running over to check on Sunset.
“Is she okay, Violet?” Celestia said as she got to my side.
Looking down, I could see the faint rising and falling of her chest, signalling that she had merely fainted, as well as slightly faded scars that I recognised from my own youth. I turned to Celestia and said, “She’s fine. She’s probably been under a lot of stress, and what she was just told was probably the final straw.” Celestia looked at me with a knowing look. “You know something, don't you?”
“It's nothing that can't be fixed. I'll handle it.” Celestia replied “At least she’s okay. Bring her over to the couch and then we can talk.” I nodded and helped to get Sunset over to the couch. I rejoined Celestia at her desk a few seconds later, not letting Sunset out of my sight. I turned to Celestia, keeping an eye on Sunset out of the corner of my eye.
“So, as I said earlier. Oak and I haven’t really made an effort for another after Dusk, but we have discussed it, and are more than willing to adopt her.” I said, seeing Celestia’s eyes mist at the mention of my daughter. I grabbed her hand. “You cannot blame yourself, Celestia. It was an accident, plain and simple.” she nodded her head in response. I heard a rustle from where we had left Sunset, and I turned to check on her, only, she was gone. The door was standing wide open, and I could hear the retreating footsteps as Sunset ran. “That can’t be good,” I said to Celestia, who shook her head in response.
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I just kept running, not paying attention to where I was going, tears leaving streaks down my face as they flowed.
"There you go again, running from your problems instead of facing them." Sundown taunted me. I tried my best to ignore her. "That is the exact reason why you ended up on the streets back in Equestria."
“Shut up, Sundown.” I whispered under my breath. I made it to my destination some five minutes later, the restroom on the third floor. Sundown didn't relent in her attacks on my psyche.
"Come on, Sunset. You know I'm right. Your parents all but abandoned you in favor of your brother, who showed more talent at a young age." she said, a slight trace of scorn in her voice.
"Shut the buck up, Sundown." I said, tears starting to form in my eyes once again.
'Why would Detective Enigma want to adopt me, of all people.' I thought to myself. I didn't dwell on it. I decided to go to the gym to see if anyone needed my help with their posters for the Musical Showcase.
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"Why do you think she ran?" I asked Celestia as I turned away from the door.
"I don't know a lot about that girl, but I know she had a tough life before coming here.” Celestia said, her face twisted with sorrow. “What I could find out through Luna was that when she was younger, her family abandoned her, leaving her to fend for herself.”
“It’s not right,” I said, turning to Celestia. “I'll get started on the paperwork right away.”
“Okay, but Sunset must have the final say on this. At least wait until after the musical showcase.” Celestia replied.
I turned back toward the door, a determined look in my eye. I wasn’t going to let this go, but I agreed with what Celestia said. I would wait until the musical showcase was over and done with.
“Fine, but I don't like this. I have a feeling something big is about to go down, and I'd hate for her to be hurt because of it.” I said, walking out of the office.
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I kept walking to the gym, all the while trying to get the conversation I overheard in the principal’s office out of my head, but to no avail. I had hardly noticed where I was until I reached the gym. I walked in to see that practically the whole school was there busy working on their posters. I just kept walking, not noticing Pinkie waving frantically at me. I walked over to the CMC.
“Need any help?” I asked Applebloom, grabbing the paintbrush from her tin of orange paint. She turned to me and grabbed the brush back, a skeptical look on her face.
“No thanks, we’re good.” she drawled. I turned away, trying to hide the hurt look in my eyes. That was when Pinkie called out to me.
“Sunset Shimmer! Over here!” I started walking towards them, trying to hide my face amid the stares and harsh whispers. I kept walking towards them, right arm across my chest, hand holding my left arm in a display of timidity, something I never had before the rainbow laser blast to the face.
“Uhhh,” I sighed, masking my sadness with the bit of frustration I felt bubbling to the surface. “I had no idea the whole school was going to be here.” Rarity and Pinkie then telling me about the poster that they had made. I zoned out a bit, thinking once again about the conversation I had overheard, but noticed when Applejack told Fluttershy had gotten a bit of the frosting (?) from Pinkie and Rarity’s poster on her face. I looked over to see her wipe some of it off, only to see her miss most of it. I went over to her with a handkerchief and wiped the rest of it off. Just then Principal Celestia and Vice-Principal Luna walked in.
“Good afternoon students.” Principal Celestia said with a flourish. “I just wanted to tell you all how pleased I am that so many of you are going to participate in the first ever Canterlot High School Musical Showcase.” The students all started cheering.
“This is a wonderful opportunity to raise money for all our after school programs here at CHS, so keep working on those signs and posters. I think it's going to be the most exciting event we’ve had at CHS since the Fall Formal.” Everyone in attendance then stared at me with unbridled hatred, apart from my friends, which now included Trixie. I just slid down the wall and hid my face.
