//------------------------------// // Chapter 10 Friday Part 3 // Story: A Whole New World // by Knight Light //------------------------------// Sunset was a little shocked at the change of atmosphere by the end of the day. While there were still hateful whispers targeting former and current bullies, the mood had drastically shifted after the scene in the lunchroom. Many students were talking about how they felt guilty for turning into the very thing they wanted to stop and there were a lot of chatter about actually trying to befriend bullies now instead of driving them out. It was all a little confusing to Sunset who never believed that a positive change in attitude among the masses could happen so quick unlike the negative mood shift that she knew could come at any moment in large emotionally charged groups. She even had to politely turn down several hesitant, though possibly genuine, offers to hang out with students after school. Hanging out with other students, actually making friends was something Sunset had to remind herself was something she could not afford. Her daughter was special, very smart and very talented and if they were in Equestria Sunset was sure Moonie would have an art inspired cutie mark. The girl was a great artist with an incredible eye for detail, though Sunset felt a little too good of an eye for detail. Moonie quickly picked things up which made Sunset proud, though worried as she saw her daughter hold back more and more so she could stay with her friends and Sunset which worried the teen mother. No little girl that age should be worried about getting too smart in fear of losing her friends and for the life of her, Sunset couldn’t figure out where Moonie even picked up that notion or if there was something else bothering her. Sunset was very careful to make sure either Granny Peach or herself was around Moonie at all times and neither of them would put something like that in the child’s head. Pushing the thoughts out of her head as Rarity joined Sunset’s walk, keeping pace with her side by side. Looking at the fashionista out of the corner of her eye, Sunset tried to figure out why the girl was following her and almost tripped when she saw the serious expression. “Hello Sunset, I hope you don’t mind if I walk with you for a bit darling. There are a few things I wish to discuss with you.” Rarity said, her eyes narrowed as she studied Sunset who shrugged. “Free country.” Sunset replied, not really caring as she was stopping off at the library to have a chat with one of the newer librarians that Sunset knew. A young woman fresh out of college that Sunset met through Zecora. A bit of an unusual name, but then again the woman was a bit unusual being a dullahan with a special neck brace resembling a collar that held the woman’s head on. Unlike the other librarian that Sunset didn’t really care for, this one had passion for books and helping out anyone no matter if they were human or not. “Good, I wanted to know something.” Rarity said, her voice growing an edge as all attempts at politeness drained out of her while making sure nobody was close enough to hear their hushed conversation as they walked. “Unlike the others, I know the things Pinkie Pie says is almost always true though some things can be a little out there.” “Yeah, so?” Sunset asked, arching an eyebrow at the girl next to her dreading where this was going. “Well darling, while I have every sympathy for you I want you to stay away from my friends.” Rarity scowled catching Sunset offguard enough to stop or forward motion. “Say what now?” Sunset asked, unsure if she heard right. “I don’t know what you are, no witch has as much mana as you put off when you get mad but you aren’t powerful enough to be a demon. But if you are contracted with one of those filthy evil beasts then stay away from my friends!” Rarits said clenching her fist, shaking slightly. “Those beasts destroyed my family, my parents and little sister is all I have left of it. So I’m telling you right now I won’t let those beasts or any of their playthings hurt anyone else.” Sunset stared in complete shock at Rarity who stood there shaking as she stared Sunset down. At first Sunset thought it to be anger, but staring into the girl’s eyes showed it to be more fear than anything. Shaking her head she put a hand on Rarity’s shoulder causing the girl to jump a little before saying, “Rarity, relax, I have nothing to do with demons or anything. Before I say anything else though, I need to know just what you are.” “You know what I am!” Rarity snapped as she studied Sunset before backing down, “You really don’t, do you?” “Not a clue.” Sunset said making Rarity shake off her hand before running fingers through her hair before giving a long shuddering sigh. “I do know I’m not planning on hurting your friends, your family or you. Rarity, the days of me acting out like an angry child is long behind me. I know I hurt a lot of people and I won’t make excuses for it, but I am also not looking to make a bunch of friends so you don’t have to worry.” “Then what are you?” Rarity asked, desperate to know what was going on clearly written all over her face. “If you tell me what you are and promise not to tell anyone, I guess I’ll tell you.” Sunset sighed knowing that if Rarity could sense mana then she wasn’t human, but Sunset thought she knew all of what was considered night creatures that was around. And if she was, then she could trust Rarity with that secret at the least as she would get herself in trouble if she went around blabbing about it. “I promise on my honor and blood as a witch that I will keep your secret as long as it doesn’t pose a risk to anyone I know or me.” Rarity said seriously, a small spike in her power making Sunset believe her as when a witch swears an oath like that a small part of their magic flares as if cementing the promise. “This may be hard to believe, but I’m actually not even from this world.” Sunset sighed. “So you are a demon!” Rarity gasped out, fear returning to her eyes as she took a step back. “No, I’m considered a witch from what I’m told. My specialty is potions and creating mana batteries with my overflow of magic. This isn’t my birth form though I am locked into it, there is no changing back. Back in my home world I was a unicorn.” Sunset explained, grinning when she saw Rarity’s eyes bug out. “Darling, you can NOT be serious.” Rarity gasped out, though it was clear she was quickly coming to believe it. “Very serious, though if I may ask, what is your specialty?” Sunset asked, actually wondering if the two could have some kind of relationship. Of course not as friends, Sunset reminded herself, but perhaps maybe some kind of working relationship. “My family isn’t a very powerful one, I make charms mostly.” Rarity said, “My grandfather summoned a demon to grant him and my grandmother eternal youth and more power. The demon made all of the promises my grandfather wanted to hear and in the end it killed my grandmother, aunts and uncles, cousins, even my older brother. My dad, he had to kill his own father to banish the demon before he could do any more. So we are kind of laying low when it comes to anything related to the dark. So even my charms are pretty weak and just things to accent my outfits to make them seem more radiant.” “I’m sorry.” Sunset sighed. “It’s fine, but I want to know what both Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie changed their minds about you all of a sudden.” Rarity said, almost in an accusing manner. “Pinkie Pie I can almost see, but after what happened to Fluttershy, I don’t think she would want to give any bully a second chance so soon.” “Maybe you just don’t give your friends enough credit.” Sunset huffed as she crossed her arms. “I don’t know about Fluttershy, but I’m paying for Pinkie Pie’s old medication to help with her visions.” “Why!? I was trying to help her get used to them, not block them off!” Rarity growled out. “I offered to help her with that, but I gave her the choice between the two options. It isn’t my choice and it isn’t yours, Rarity. Pinkie Pie is the one who has to deal with them, not us.” Sunset said etting Rarity to calm down. “I see your point.” Rarity conceded. “I can’t say I trust you, but I can see where you are coming from darling. It isn’t easy keeping a secret as big as being nonhuman from your friends, but it is worth it in the end if you have good friends.” “Friendship isn’t something I can afford, no matter how much money I have.” Sunset said shaking her head, “Look Rarity, if that was all you wanted I have to go. Ms. Bloodgrave is expecting me to meet her outside the library during her break.” “That dullahan?” Rarity asked shivering, “Those creatures give me the creeps!” “I never expected you to be so bigoted Rarity. Well, aside from demons, nobody trusts them.” Sunset said, though she wasn’t being completely honest. She might act it, but there were actually good demons much like there was evil humans. The trick was actually finding one as they were extremely rare. “I’m not, I just find it creepy she can take her head off and walk around holding it or letting it sit on something.” Rarity shuddered again, “It’s not that I dislike her, she just scares me.” “Whatever, see you around Ms. Witch. Maybe we can work together sometime.” Sunset said waving over her shoulder as she turned and began walking away.