//------------------------------// // Chapter 24: Needed Council // Story: Scars of Our Past // by JWolfSilver //------------------------------// Celestia and Luna were in the study late on Wednesday evening, finishing up their paperwork. They didn’t get a lot of it done throughout the school day, because they were a little preoccupied with other matters. That matter of which was absent from school and it concerned both women. Sunset was a studious student. Usually, when she was going to be absent, she would call it in. Today however, there was no word from the girl. Luna had even asked Fluttershy if any of them knew where she was, but according to her Sunset hadn’t contacted anyone that day. Now, as she was finishing up the last bit of her paperwork, Celestia’s cell phone started to ring. Needless to say, she was surprised and relieved to see Sunset’s name on the screen. “Who is it?” Luna asked. “Sunset.” She said as she picked it up and pressed talk. Luna raised an eyebrow as Celestia started talking. “Hello?” Celestia greeted. “Hey, I know it’s late but I just needed to talk to someone.” Sunset greeted from the other end. Celestia glanced at Luna before responding, “It’s not a problem, Sunset. I gave you my personal number for a reason.” She could hear the girl sigh, “I…remember the other day when I told you about my dream?” Celestia nodded despite knowing she couldn’t see her, “Yes. What’s happened?” “The girls were at the mall yesterday and Rainbow Dash grew wings and pony ears like at the formal. Only this time, she was playing her guitar.” Sunset explained, “They came and told me right away, which I appreciate but...” “You’re afraid of the magic.” Celestia finished. “It’s not the magic I’m afraid of, not exactly. Like I said on Monday, I’m afraid of what I might do. I don’t want to become a demon again.” She began to rant. “The worst part of it is that I brought the magic here and I didn’t know how to control it!” Celestia could hear Sunset’s voice start to break, “Then, yesterday, Fluttershy said something that makes sense but… it scares me.” “Let me guess,” Celestia commented in a soothing tone, “there is a possibility you could have it now too.” “Yeah. I was thinking about it and, the thing that scares me the most is that I was kind of happy that there is magic here. Actually, I kind of miss it. The good kind, not the kind I used at the formal. Still, what would I do if I actually had magic again? I know, I’m not the same person, but I also don’t have the temptation either. There is a possibility that under the circumstances, I could revert back to how I used to be.” She sighed, “Or, I will still be me and actually do some good with it.” Celestia smiled at the last sentence but she could admit that Sunset did actually make a sound argument. “Let me ask you this; what do you want? Say you had magic in your hands right now; what would you do with it?” “I guess…I don’t know. I might end up getting really lazy and use it to levitate stuff and teleport but I can’t think of anything I would particularly want to do with it. I’ve never really given it much thought. I’ve been without it for so long now, it’s not really something I think of using.” Sunset chuckled, “Except when it’s cold and I miss my bus and have to walk to school.” Celestia smiled, “See? That there, Sunset, is why I believe you will chose to do good with it, despite the temptation. Not once did you say you wanted to do something negative.” She sighed contently, “Listen to me, Sunset, I know when you think about it, you miss having that kind of power but have you ever thought it’s because you had grown up with it?” “I don’t understand.” Sunset admitted. “You grew up with magic, Sunset.” Celestia explained, “It was a part of you for so long. A part of everyday life where you are from. It’s only natural, from time to time, for you to miss it.” Sunset was silent, obviously contemplating what Celestia said, “I never thought of it that way. I still want to be sure though. The last thing I want is to lose the people trying to help me. This is kind of why I wasn’t at school today. I didn’t trust myself.” “I was starting to come to that conclusion when you called me.” She said. “Thanks for letting me talk this through. I needed an adult point of view. I kept thinking I was being ridiculous and the girls would just try to make me feel better. Rainbow just thinks it’s cool. I just needed someone that would give me logical reasoning as to why I wasn’t going to misuse magic again.” “I’m always happy to help you, Sunset.” Celestia assured her, “Still, I can’t help but notice that sometimes you sound older than you are. Any regular teenager would go to their friends for advice. Not look for logic from their councilor, much less principal.” “I’m technically a unicorn.” Sunset said frankly, “I am far from a ‘regular teenager’. Anyway, I think I need a couple more days to mull this over. Thanks again.” “You’re welcome.” Celestia said, “You should get some rest.” “Sure, Thanks.” Sunset replied, “Night.” “Goodnight, Sunset.” Celestia said then ended the call. “It’s really easy to forget Sunset is from an alternate universe.” Luna commented, “Most of that conversation sounded absolutely crazy. I almost wanted to call the psych ward.” Celestia rolled her eyes, “Sunset was concerned about magic here. Apparently, Rainbow Dash grew wings yesterday.” “Well that’s an interesting development.” Luna mused. “Indeed.” Nodded Celestia. “Is she going to be alright?” Luna questioned, “Emotionally I mean.” “Yes.” Celestia said, “The more I get to know her, the more I see us at that age. However, I also see how much stronger she is than us. She could have handled every situation she had a lot worse than she has but she still pushes through and looks to be better.” “I’m just glad we have that meeting with Chrysalis next week.” Luna said, “Even I’m starting to worry. Besides, it might be nice to have someone else in the house. It’s always too quiet for my liking.” Celestia smirked, “I feel as though you would try to corrupt her with your video games.” Luna snorted but didn’t deny that fact, “I think it’s really sweet that she called you, Tia. It’s just like you calling Mom with a problem while you were in college.” Celestia blushed, “W-well…don’t you have paperwork to do or some raid for your game?” Luna laughed but focused her attention to the papers in front of her. Celestia packed her finished work into her briefcase then waved goodnight to her sister, going to get ready for bed. Before she entered her room, Celestia peered down the hallway at the guest room, it’s door, as usual, was slightly ajar. She walked from her room and pushed open the door to the guest room, turning on the light. She sat on the edge of the bed, centered on the right wall. On one side, two book shelves in the corner, on the other side was a night stand and a closet. Right in front of the window at the back of the room, was a fairly large desk. On the left wall, a dark brown, long dresser with a TV on top, was collecting dust. The room itself was fairly dusty and plain looking. They never really had guests and when they did, there was an additional guest room down stairs that was used fairly regularly whenever Chrysalis or their parents came to visit. I hope, sooner rather than later, this room will get some use. Celestia mused, taking another look around. I think I’m going to go shopping tomorrow, white, green and flowers don’t really strike me as her type of décor. Celestia smiled at the thought of the young girl living in the room, even more so at the thought of her getting out of that awful building. With those last thoughts, Celestia went and got ready for bed. *** Sunset lay on her cot, buried in a few blankets and a sleeping bag. It was getting colder, which meant the snow was going to coming soon. Sunset hated the cold, mostly because she didn’t have any real defense against it. Sadly, that’s the price she had to pay for her current living situation. It had been an hour since she got off the phone with Principal Celestia and she definitely felt more at ease. She couldn’t help but compare how she viewed the Principal with how she viewed her mom before she started to want to be more independent. The thought made her frown and shake her head, No, I can’t be thinking like that. It’s just wishful thinking. I’m her student and she’s my counselor and Principal, of course she cares. Another thing occurred to her, She did insist on being my emergency contact though. Sunset sighed, Then again, she was probably just doing what she thought was right. “You know what?” Sunset said out loud, “It doesn’t even matter because at least there is an adult I can depend on.” Sunset liked knowing that Celestia was there to help her if she needed it but she wasn’t about to take advantage of her kindness.