//------------------------------// // Chapter 54: Anger // Story: Scars of Our Past // by JWolfSilver //------------------------------// When Sunset got home, she went to find Celestia, hoping to talk some sense into her. “Uh, Celestia?” Sunset said as she entered the study. The older woman sighed, “What is it, Sunset?” Sunset could tell by the tone of her voice that the new girls still had her under their spell but she was still determined to try. “I really don’t think a battle of the bands is a good idea. I get the sneaking suspicion that they are going to do something bad.” “Sunset,” Celestia said sternly, “We’ve been over this. Stop trying to throw those girls into a bad light because you want to shine it off of yourself.” Now that stung. Sunset could feel her anger bubbling up to the surface. Not so much at Celestia but at the three girls controlling her. “That’s not what, I’m doing.” Sunset pleaded, “You know that I wouldn’t do that.” “Be that as it may, you can see why I would think that.” Celestia said. “Can’t you see what’s happening?” Sunset raised her voice. Celestia narrowed her eyes, “As you can see, I am far too busy for this. Go to your room and stop bothering me with these ridiculous theories of yours.” Sunset felt the tears in her eyes, “Wake up!” Sunset yelled, “You’re being controlled!” Celestia clenched her jaw, “Room. Now.” Sunset balled her fists and stormed out of the study and up to her room. Celestia was definitely under a spell and she knew now that there was no point in trying Luna. She fought to keep the tears from coming but it was no use. Despite knowing that once they figured out how to stop the new girls, the spell would break and she’d have her family back to normal. If not… Sunset felt her phone buzz in her pocket so, she took it out to see who had texted her. Rarity: How are things at home? Sunset smiled, at least I’m not completely alone. SS: Not Right. A few seconds later, she received a reply. Rarity: U want to sleep over at mine? SS: don’t know if she’ll let me Rarity: be there after work. 1 hour. Sunset smiled at the fact Rarity wasn’t actually asking. SS: Ok Sunset shoved some clothes and a phone charger in her bag, then sat on her bed with her guitar. As she was playing, she felt an energy flow through her, one that felt oddly familiar. It took a few more seconds before she saw the orange glow around her hands and stopped playing. Not again. Sunset panicked, I don’t want it. I can’t be trusted. It had become a regular occurrence since they’d gotten home after visiting Sun and Summer at Christmas. At first, it was faint and never got above a dull roar in her head. However, the feeling of magic flowing through her only grew stronger and it wasn’t long before she could only make it through less than half of a song before having to stop in fear of the magic inside her. Instead, Sunset took out her sketch book and drew until Rarity texted her that she was on her way. Sunset grabbed her things and came out of her room only to hear yelling from the kitchen. She slipped back into her room, not wanting to be seen by the other two residents in the house. Looking around her room for and escape, she remembered that her window was right above the attached garage. So, Sunset opened the side of her window with no screen and slipped out, sliding it closed behind her. She was silently grateful that the snow on the garage roof had mostly melted so she didn’t have to worry about slipping. Sunset walked carefully over to the wooden frame meant to helpd climbing vines and used it to climb down safely and hopped into Rarity’s car. “The roof?” Rarity questioned. “They are fighting down stairs, I didn’t want to risk them seeing me.” Sunset explained then got out her phone “Who are you texting, dear?” Rarity asked. “Celestia.” “Isn’t the point of sneaking out, not telling her?” “I know, but I don’t want her to yell at me later for not knowing where I was.” Sunset admitted “I’m sorry dear.” Rarity said, “It will work itself out eventually.” “I know but I don’t like seeing them like that.” Sunset said, “It’s not them and I hate it.” “I can’t say I completely understand what you’re going through but Sweetie had been affected as well.” Rarity said, “I’m Just glad she and Applebloom are at Scootaloo’s for a sleepover. I can’t imagine it being everyone one in my house.” “Yeah, it doesn’t make it a place you want to be.” Sunset said, “Thanks for saving me by the way.” Rarity pulled in her driveway and turned to Sunset with a smile, “You’re so very welcome. If you ever need to get away, you needn’t hesitate to give me a call.” Sunset smiled and the girls headed inside. The evening was spent with Rarity showing Sunset her designs for the showcase and sitting in Rarity’s room watching movies before they went to sleep. *** Sunset opened her eyes and sat up. She was completely surrounded by a familiar darkness she thought had left her mind a month ago. This time however, Sunset felt no fear, only a strange sense of calm. “I know you’re here.” Sunset said, “Where are you?” She then heard the unmistakable sound of wings before her demon landed in front of her. “Long time no see.” She said with a grin, “How have you been?” “You’re in my head, you know very well how I’ve been.” Sunset growled. “Yes, but those girls seem to have taken away your family.” She said. “My friends will stop them.” She said, “Just like they stopped us.” The demon’s grin faded to an expression Sunset didn’t expect, concern, “You’re not going to try?” “I don’t have magic.” Sunset said, “I can’t.” The demon got right in Sunset’s face, “You and I both know that’s not true. You’re just pushing it away because you’re scared.” Sunset didn’t know why, but she felt the urge to tell the truth, “Of course I’m scared. You showed me more times than I could count what we’re capable of!” “They won’t win on their own.” The demon said simply, “They need you.” Sunset scoffed, “I’m not listening to this.” “Suit yourself.” Sunset then began to fall into the abyss. Eventually, she landed with a hard thump! She stood up to see that she was on the stage they were going to use for the showcase, her back to the crowd. Only a few feet in front of her, were the three girls, Adagio, Aria and Sonata with triumphant grins on their faces. Off to the side of the stage, was a crumpled pile of her friends, including Twilight and Spike. It was quiet though. Too quiet. Sunset turned around to face the crowd. She gasped at what she saw in front of her. Everyone’s pupils were constricted with blank looks on their faces, including Celestia and Luna. Sunset remembered that look, she’d given it to students of Canterlot High months prior. It was the way people looked when they were under mind control. “They will fail.” Her demon’s voice hung in the air, “You need to accept it and let go of the past.” “Why would you help me?!” Sunset yelled angrily into the air. “Because I am a part of you.” The demon said, “Like I said months ago. Save them! A blinding ball of yellow light came crashing down, enveloping the entire scene. *** Sunset opened her eyes and sat up. She was in Rarity’s room, the purple haired girl still sleeping next to her. It was just a dream. Sunset thought, Everything’s fine. The girls will solve this then everything will go back to normal. She knew she wasn’t going to be able to go back to sleep so, she quietly grabbed her bag and went into the bathroom to get changed. I really hope Twilight can get here. I’m not sure how to fix this.