//------------------------------// // An Ever After Tale 04: Ignite // Story: The Many Destinies of Sunset Shimmer // by ratedoni //------------------------------// Sunset Shimmer blinked once to see that what she was looking at was not a mistake from her still addled brain due to still clinging sleepiness. Sadly, after having repeated blinks that the only they did was leave her blind for a couple of seconds, she realized that she was in what would probably be a walking nightmare in her new life as an Ever After high student. After spending a whole day in the presence of literally people out from fairy tales and stories, Sunset had become somewhat used to the idiosyncrasy of finding both villains and heroes having a nice time interacting with each other and gaining the appropriate skills they will need one day. Between poisons that could kill you, how to cut down a monster in two and also how to woo a damsel were all part of the bizarre menagerie of things that Sunset had found out after asking her new friends. The blonde -she still had no idea of why her hair’s golden highlights dominated the space on her head- found herself in the bizarre situation of having to meet and discover so much stuff that was not seen on either Canterlot High or Equestria. She was sure that Princess Twilight Sparkle would be foaming at the mouth if she ever knew what she was doing. Of course, she was going to send a letter explaining everything happening to her to her equestrian friend -and also a message to Spike to get footage of the purple alicorn’s reaction- because, let’s be honest; here she was talking with both the daughter of Sleeping Beauty and the daughter of the Evil Queen and she was learning so much about the world of Fairy Tales that would fill a whole book of new magic theory and sociology. So far she had been enjoying her day and was ready to start the learning process on her new school, but that was when everything became so bizarre that Sunset had found herself blinking at what was going on. Apparently, her curriculum was given to her by the Headmaster and she was ready to roll it up and shove it down… sorry, I’m afraid if I told you what she was planning to do I would be censored by Fimfiction for some reason, that’s the kind of luck I have. Anyway, Sunset was not that happy by what she had received. Once she had read the letter brought to her by another version of herself from another dimension, Sunset had begun to read all she could about Dorothy Gale and her adventures on the Land of Oz, and she was very excited about what would happen. Sunset was also aware that later on the books Dorothy was named a Princess by Ozma and technically she was the good guy. Sadly for her, that meant that the Headmaster had decided to give her the generic Princess schedule. Among those inane classes she was in no way excited to be a part of Princessology and Damsel-in-Distressing. Apparently, Raven Queen -the one girl that everyone was so scared of because she would be the villain for the poor, popular Apple White- was jealous, read, JEALOUS, of Sunset Shimmer because she always wanted to be part of Princessology since, and I quote, she was technically a Princess too. Sadly for the extremely nice girl, she was a villain and as such she was supposed to like destroying things and make people lives miserable. Sunset quickly understood that the day Raven became a villain would the day Applejack went to Paris and started working for Louis Vuitton with Rainbow Dash being their catwalk model. How it was possible for the daughter of one of the most iconic villains end up like the gothic cousin of Fluttershy was beyond anyone’s guess. It was probably a question that could reignite the Nature vs. Nurture debate. In any case, Sunset was all for exchanging one of Raven’s class for that one but apparently that was only permitted once they were capable of taking Elective Classes, not that the Headmaster would make it possible for them. To Sunset, he seemed a little too hardheaded and very into his ways to understand that Raven was a very nice girl with no real bad bone on her body, and Sunset knew being an ex-villain herself. In any case, here she was, with the one princess in all the school that still made her gag just looking at her. Apple White looked completely ready for the day and it was still the first class of the day. Her friend, the aforementioned daughter of Sleeping Beauty -a Latina looking princess by the name of Briar Rose- was a little easier to get along girl to talk to than the other two blondes -both Apple and Blondie-. Is not that the first girl was bad, there was just something in Apple that set Sunset on edge, as if she was trying a little too hard to be that cheerful and nice, it just wasn’t right. Apparently the bizarre factor was tripled due to Apple White immediately sticking to Raven’s side once they all got to the clearing for the first class of Damsel in Distressing. Snow White was a classic tale when anyone talked about Fairy Tales, but she was sure that the Evil Queen and Snow White never got along, to the point that jealousy and hate started the main plot of the story. So how was it possible that the damsel in this case was basically hanging on the arm of her nemesis? Apparently the confusion was very obvious in Sunset’s face because Briar put her sunglasses up on her head and answered her silent question. “They have been like that since I know them, and I do know Apple since elementary school.” “Wait, you all had classes together since elementary?” “Well, yeah, is not like if we have different schools for both heroes and villains; besides, I’m sure Apple would have thrown a tantrum if it meant she couldn’t play with Raven anymore.” Briar explained to Sunset but instead of making her see the bigger picture it just confuse her even more. In any case, Damsel in Distressing was about to start since Professor Maid Marian -and yes, that was her full title- called for the attention of the at least dozen princesses excluding Apple, Briar, Raven and Sunset. “Good morning girls, tonight we will start with our lesson in how to get captured correctly by a forest troll.” She said making Sunset arch an eyebrow at what she had just heard. So that meant there was a ‘proper’ way to get kidnapped? Was that even possible? “For this practice we have brought a troll directly from the enchanted forest. Who wants to practice first?” The only hands up were those of Apple White and surprisingly, one Sunset Shimmer. This time Professor Maid Marian chose Sunset. It was a very bad idea from her part to choose the blonde unicorn turned human… turned successor of Dorothy Gale. Geez, I need to find a better way to refer to Sunset, or at least one that is shorter. “Just one question professor.” “Yes my dear?” “Is the troll docile or is completely savage? Just for reference.” What is she planning? “Oh, the troll is not one working for the school; this was decided so it could be an authentic experience.” “That’s all I needed to know.” Sunset was happy to hear that as a couple of the school workers opened the gate of the troll’s cage. Its roar made Apple immediately grab Raven and the princess hid behind her villain making Sunset even more confused about their relationship. But instead of focusing on them she decided to get her attention back on the moss covered, grey troll walking on her direction but before it could reach for her a wall of fire was erected around them making the troll flinch back. In Sunset’s face was a grin that made the troll shake in fear. “Yeah, about this whole damsel in distress business? Yeah, that’s not me.” Sunset said creating a ball of fire on her hands before letting it fly against the creature. Hitting him directly on the chest the troll flew through the air before crashing down making everything shake too. Taking the fire wall down and walk in the direction of her friends she was welcomed by loud cheers and whistles from Briar and Raven. It felt good to use magic once again.