//------------------------------// // Aftermath // Story: Ashes to Inferno // by Sun Aura //------------------------------//                 Sunset sat in the Principal’s office. Her hair was a wreck, her clothes were torn, and her back still felt like it was on fire. Yet she didn’t care. She deserved more than that, and she waited for it to come from the two women with her.                 The Vice Principal stood nearby, waiting for the Principal to speak. For a moment, she sat behind her desk, staring. Sunset couldn’t look her in the face, but she heard a drawer and papers rustling.                 “It is an understatement to say we are disappointed in you,” the Principal said.                 Sunset said nothing.                 “You should know some things, before we continue,” the Principal sighed. “First of all, I, we, knew exactly who and what you and Twilight are.”                 “How?” Sunset managed to choke out.                 Instead of answering, the Principal pulled out a book. No, a Journal, like a smaller version of the one Sunset had, and with the Princess’s Cutie Mark on it.                 “I have known about the existence of the other world for quite a while,” the Principal said. “Since I was a student at this school. My own Counterpart gave me a way to contact her, for emergencies. Unfortunately, it and her advice were forgotten for a while.                 “That is,” she continued. “Until six years ago. She told me of her student having fled into this world, and asked me to keep an eye on her.”                 “You knew…” Sunset started. “You knew and you never said-“                 “I never said anything,” she interrupted, “Because you didn’t seem like you needed it. By the time I realized you did, another message had already come. But perhaps you should read it for yourself.”                 The Principal stood, handing the book to her. Sunset stared at it or a moment, trembling hands tracing the Cutie Mark. With that, the Principal headed to the door.                 “Once you read that,” the Principal gave her parting words, “Luna will discuss your punishment.”                 The door slammed closed, and Sunset shook. With the Vice Principal staring at her, she opened the book. It took a moment for her to register the words. Dear Celestia Immortalem,                 I wish to be writing under better circumstances, but I regret to say that one of my subjects, my Student, has made her way into your world.  It will be another three years before I can send anyone to look for her. However, if you should run across her, I would ask you to look out for her. Sunset Shimmer is still young, despite the mistakes she’s made. She may need help.                 Unfortunately, I do not know how she will react to you, because of me. She may hate you on sight, or she may latch on to you as a replacement. This is partly my fault. She left because of me, because she could not reach her own goals as quickly as she wanted, and took to other paths. Still, I have a responsibility to protect her. Please, look out for her.                 From, Princess Celestia. Sunset turned the page, reading the letter written a few years later.                 Dear Princess Celestia,                 I have run into your Sunset Shimmer. I have begun a new job as Principal of a school, and she will be one of my students. She seems to have started a new life here, though I assume what little paperwork she has is forgery, I cannot fault her for surviving.                 I have talked to her a little, but I did not tell her what I knew. I merely asked her about ‘who I reminded her of’. Her answer seemed honest, saying that I reminded her of ‘a teacher and mother figure’, one who she never truly knew, but saw glimpses of. Glimpses of someone in need of a friend.                 When I heard that, it struck a chord. It reminded me of my siblings, how I lost them because I could no longer connect to them, despite your advice. But her words reached me, and it helped me reconnect with Luna, and hopefully the other two soon. Perhaps what she needed was a friend to reach out to her as well. I cannot, being her Principal, but I hope others can. She seems to be getting along well, but I will try to lead her as best I can.                 From, Celestia Immortalem There was no response. Sunset shook, looking to the last message. One from only a few days ago.                 Dear Celestia Immortalem,                 I regret to say, but Sunset Shimmer returned for a few hours last night. While she was here, she stole an important Magical Artifact called the Element of Magic. I will be sending its owner, Princess Twilight Sparkle, to retrieve it. While I would like to say just apprehend Sunset and take the Element back, I would like to give Twilight a test and Sunset a chance. I am sure you can come up with a suitable situation, while allowing Twilight into your school for the next few days.                 However, should something go wrong, apprehend her or send a message to me. The Element of Magic can be dangerous, if in the wrong hooves. As Sunset was willing to steal it from Equestria, I doubt she will be able to use it correctly, even if she had good intentions.                 From, Princess Celestia                 “A-a test,” Sunset cried. “She set this up as a fucking test?”                 “Language,” the Vice Principal warned.                 “Does it matter?” she wondered. “I never had a chance. She never gave me a chance.”                 “You are the one who transformed into a demon,” she said.                 “Not of my own free will!” she snapped, glaring at the woman. “I wouldn’t expect you to know how Magic works, but go ask Twilight if you want a rundown. I expected that what happened to Twilight would happen to me, and that I could go home! Instead, I had so much negativity the Magic turned Dark and overtook me.                 “Do you honestly think I’d turn to that under normal circumstances?” she asked, before dropping her head. “It doesn’t matter. Because the Princess does. It’s so clear now. I was chasing after a mare that didn’t exist."                 The Vice Principal walked over. Leaning against the desk, she sighed. Sunset looked up, waiting once more.                 “I can see that many things happened,” Luna said. “I do not know of my sister or her Counterpart, but I believe you when you say what you wanted. But you did many things here, and as Vice Principal, we do have to discuss punishment.”                 “Whatever it is, I’ll do it,” Sunset agreed. “I don’t care.”                 “Well, I will work with you here,” she said. “Punishments are supposed to teach lessons, but you have already learned your lesson. Technically, our laws have no say in Magical incidents, and the theft of this ‘Element of Magic’, would be out of our jurisdiction. As are you in general, being from another Dimension.”                 “So,” she continued. “The punishment must come from someone with jurisdiction. Twilight Sparkle is a Princess in your world, is she not?”                 “Yes,” she nodded. “But Princesses Celestia and Luna still have more authority.”                 “Princess…” she mused. “I was not aware of my Counterpart existing, much less being a Princess.”                 “Well, your sister is one, so why wouldn't you be?” she said. “But your Counterpart had become Nightmare Moon, trying to bring about Eternal Night and was banished for one thousand years. She’s only come back this past year. Because of Twilight. Again.”                 “Hm,” she said. “Interesting to know. But while, normally, my counterpart and her sister would have more authority than Twilight, I think here Twilight has more power. The way I see it, she was sent to this world as a representative of sorts, so she handles all Magical Crimes that happen here.”                 “So you’re going to ask Twilight what to do with me?” she wondered.                 “I don’t have to,” she replied. “While her words can be reinterpreted, I see that she wants you to stay here and become a better person, or Pony. Think of it as a form of rehabilitation. You aren’t imprisoned, but you are under watch and being taken care of by those we trust. “                 “But what about-“ she began.                 “I will handle Celestia,” she said. “At least this world’s version. Should the Princess decide to overrule, I believe Twilight will stand by us.”                 “I…. Thank you,” she hung her head.                 “Unfortunately,” she sighed. “We do have to work out some sort of ‘actual’ punishment. If only to keep students from demanding more. Some have already suggested you rebuild the front of the school, but you are still a teenager with no building experience, so that would be ridiculous and worse trouble if you did it wrong.”                 “I can help pay for repairs,” she offered quickly. “It’s not really a punishment, but I want to fix what I can. If it’ll help, I’d gladly-“                 “Okay,” she said, putting her hand up to stop her. “We will…. Debate about that once we see how much repairs will cost. For your actual punishments, first you will be banned from the rest of the dance. Not bad, as you probably do not wish to go. Secondly, some time in Detention. I am unsure of how long, but at least all of next week.”                 “Alright,” she nodded.                 Luna’s face softened a little. She knelt down, taking the book out of Sunset’s hands. She gave a soft smile, trying to be comforting.                 “Those five other girls will be helping you,” Luna said. “Some of the staff will as well. Myself, of course, and this Celestia as well. You can also trust Discord and Cheerilee. And I’m sure Mr. Birch still feels indebted to you.                 “But I will warn you as well,” she sighed. “That some students, and perhaps even some staff, will not take this as such a simple matter of letting us punish you, or letting you be better. Some may say things, or try to harm you. We can only do so much to protect you, so make sure you’re always with someone you can trust, alright?”                 “Yeah,” Sunset nodded. “I have at least one of them in every class. I-I’ll be fine.”