//------------------------------// // Chapter 2 // Story: Shadow of the Sun // by TacoTues4Eva //------------------------------// She had to admit, releasing her pain and emotions like she had just done made her feel a lot better. She still had a lot of questions, questions she didn’t expect to get any answers to any time soon as she did not plan on talking to Twilight’s friends any time soon. She wasn’t even planning on talking to Twilight either as a part of her was unsure where the girl stood on the whole situation. On the one hand, Twilight was a princess and likely busy back in Equestria. On the other hand, she couldn’t help wondering if it was one of the other girls who was blamed for Anon-A-Miss if she would have reacted the same way or if she would have dropped everything and rushed over to their aid. It was something she hated thinking no matter how much she felt she had a right to those thoughts. “Are you okay?” A voice asked from behind Sunset making her spin around, heart leaping from her chest. “What the hell?” Sunset groused as she glared at the blonde haired, lazy eyed girl who was in several of her classes. Derpy stood there with a concerned expression while holding out a muffin toward Sunset. “Would you like a muffin, they help a little usually. They’re great comfort food.” Derpy said nervously, holding out a large homemade muffin wrapped in plastic wrap that looked very familiar. It may have been a different flavor, but it was definitely the same muffin that found it’s way on her desk and even in her locker a few times this week. She had tossed the note with them not wanting to see more accusations and tossed the muffin believing it to have been laced with something. Now that she was here seeing the girl offering it before her, Sunset couldn’t hold it in. At first it was a few small chuckles as she tried her best to keep it in. She tried, she really did try to keep it from getting worse as the few chuckles turned quickly into laughs and giggles before finally giving away to full blown laughter with her eyes watering. She finally got herself under control, waving her hands in an apologetic motion when she saw the hurt look in the girl’s eyes. “N-No! I’m n-not laughing at you! I-I’m laughing at my own stupidity for not even thinking the obvious. You’ve been the one leaving me muffins this week, haven’t you?” Sunset choked out, finally managing to push the bubbling amusement down before anymore escaped. “And my number and an offer to talk if you wanted.” Derpy said shyly, “My friends and me tried to help, but you always ignored us when we tried talking to you. We don’t blame you though, you were pretty out of it.” “I’m such an idiot!” Sunset hissed as she buried her face in her hands. She vaguely remembered someone punching another girl when they taunted Sunset while she was collapsed on the floor crying. Another hand came into view, but Sunset brushed it off as she jumped to her feet and ran away. Did she really have people who believed in her innocence and tried to help? “No you aren’t, you are far from an idiot.” Derpy said, moving close to put her hand on Sunset’s shoulder and give a comforting squeeze. She was shocked when Sunset engulfed her in a tight embrace whispering, “Thank you!” over and over again. “Are you okay?” Derpy asked a little nervously as she slowly patted Sunset’s back, a little afraid of the girl despite wanting to help her since this whole mess started. “Y-Yeah, I’m fine.” Sunset sighed as she pulled away from Derpy. After wiping her eyes a little, she smiled up at the other girl as she felt a surge of emotion and appreciation for her. She also felt some regret at not seeing what was right under her nose this past week. “I’m so sorry I didn’t realize you were trying to help.” “Its fine, you were in a dark place and I understand that better than most would. Maybe if I tried harder, but you kind of…well.” Came Derpy’s reply as she grew more and more nervous as she searched for words to describe what she was feeling. “You intimidate me. Your beautiful, smart, edgy and one of the coolest girls I know.” “I’m really not.” Sunset said in embarrassment, scratching her cheek. “You really are. You worked so hard to make up for the things you did in the past which weren’t even half as bad as people make them out to me.” Derpy said taking Sunset’s hands in her own and squeezing them. “In many ways, you are kind of my hero even if you are a little scary.” “I shouldn’t be anyone’s hero, but maybe we should head to class before-“ Sunset was saying before the bell cut her off. “the bell rings.” “I’m sure with everything going on they will excuse us if we are a few minutes late.” Derpy hopefully suggested while Sunset groaned, doubtful they would be so lucky. Well, Derpy would probably luck out, but Sunset’s homeroom teacher has had it out for her ever since the whole Anon-A-Miss thing started. “And maybe you can meet my friends at lunch, we can eat together even.” “Maybe,” Sunset verbally agreed, hiding her true thoughts on the matter. “Look, Derpy, I’d love to get to know you and your friends slowly if you really want me to, but I’m not looking to get back into getting too close to anyone right now. Not after everything that has happened.” “I understand, but once you see how we really do want to get to know you, I’m sure things will change. Until then,” Derpy said with a large manic grin as she held out a muffin from her bag matching the one earlier, only this time it had visible red dots instead of blue ones. “It’s dangerous to go alone, take this.” “Okay.” Sunset said confused as she slowly accepted the muffin while Derpy’s grin never faded. “Don’t worry, I’m sure Lyra will get you all caught up on references like that.” Derpy said before wincing, “Then again, that could be a bad thing.” “I’ll see you later.” Sunset said, giving the girl an encouraging smile before both of them headed toward the door that was the exit back down into the school. “Hey, what was you doing up there anyways?” “Are you kidding? It’s quiet and has the best view in the whole school, I go up there whenever I want a few minutes of peace to myself.” Laughed Derpy as she skipped down the steps. Sunset couldn’t argue the point, it was beautiful which was why she usually sneaked up there with a good book on warmer days during her free period or study hall. The first two classes of the day was actually much better than she thought they could possibly be with everyone apologizing for jumping on the blame Sunset bandwagon. Even her homeroom teacher took several moments to say how sorry she was to treat her as if she was guilty before knowing for sure. It did piss off Sunset that all of these people even jumped on the hate train to begin with, but it felt nice for them to actually apologize. She wouldn’t forgive them, not that easily, but it made things a lot more bearable in her opinion. It was during her free period that her mood once again took a nose dive as she sat in the library finishing up her homework that was assigned in her earlier classes. Rarity had the nerve to interrupt her which highly pissed Sunset off. “Darling, may I sit here?” Sunset didn’t care that the girl looked like a disaster, her makeup ruined and dark colored tear tracks down her cheeks with bloodshot eyes and messy hair. Sunset ignored the request and kept her attention on the papers in front of her as she pretended to go back over them again hoping the other girl would take the message. “Sunset, darling, I want to apologize for what we did. I know it was in excusable and I really wish we didn’t jump to conclusions about the whole thing.” Rarity sniffled, her eyes locked on an imaginary spot on the table as Sunset scoffed. “Don’t tell me that you think I’m upset that I didn’t get invited to a few sleepovers and you decided to exclude me from the group.” Sunset asked, incredulous that Rarity would think that was Sunset’s problem besides being blamed. “I know you are upset that we blamed you, but please know that we are truly sorry.” Rarity said, her voice sounding a little hoarse though it did nothing to earn pity from Sunset. “You know what Rarity, I could forgive you for suspecting me and even distancing yourself from me. We all make mistakes.” Sunset said as she shook her head in disgust, “It hurt like hell, but I understand how you could maybe jump to that conclusion if I wasn’t considered family.” “Darling-“ Rarity tried to say, only to be cut off by Sunset’s sharp reply. “Don’t you dare call me that!” Sunset hissed out in fury, “You all said I was considered family and then you stabbed me in the back. You said I was family then you discarded me like yesterday’s trash while begging me to help your sisters. Well you know what, fuck you.” “Sunset!” Rarity gasped, hand covering her mouth. “Shut up! I’ve seen the way you treat your little sister. I’ve seen the way you treat each other. And despite saying I was family, none of you have ever treated me that way.” Sunset snarled, trying to will away the building tears. “I’m done! I’m done wishing that I would actually be treated the way you all treat each other.” “But the sleepovers-“ Rarity once again tried to interject only to be silenced with the most furious expression she had ever seen. “Were more for the benefit for all of you. Did you stop having them when you dumped me from the group?” Sunset demanded to know as she gathered up her things as Rarity sadly shook her head no. “Of course you didn’t stop having them, I was only an excuse to have them in the first place. I was just the trophy you all showed off that you beat me at the Fall Formal.” “That isn’t true, we love you!” Rarity cried. “Funny way of showing it.” Sunset said as she stood up, stuffing her things in her bag. “Rarity, I no longer give a damn about you or your friends. I was just a pet project pawned off onto you by Princess Twilight. Well, as far as I’m concerned, you can all rot in hell. I. Am. DONE!” “Sunset, please listen to me! Please!” Rarity wailed as she jumped to her feet as Sunset was turning to leave. With a heavy sigh Sunset looked back over her shoulder. “To do that Rarity, I would have to give a fuck what you have to say.” Sunset grinned, starting to walk away after delivering her parting shot, “Too bad I’m out of any to give.” Sunset hated hearing Rarity let out a sob, she really did, but she refused to let that girl or that girl’s friends back into her heart. She paid for her mistakes, worked hard for her redemption and even weathered the callous shots from those girls leading up to the Battle of the Bands. She even put up with having the few ideas she suggested shot down in favor of one of the other girls. She put up with everything up to the pint where the abandoned her for the stupidest of excuses and refused to hear her out. No, she wasn’t going to go back to that and she refused to let them drag her back to it. She was done with them, that was all there was to it. Let’s see how they like not having a chance to say their peace. Was it petty? Most likely. Was it cruel? Maybe. Did Sunset care? Hell no she didn’t. Not right now and she doubted she would at any point in the near future. After the crap they pulled this week it was time to give them some of their own medicine, even if her traitorous thoughts did want to keep reminding her of the good times. There were good times, times that yes she would cherish even if they would be tainted by the memories of the rest. The rest of the day was pretty much uneventful as Sunset decided to just ignore the few attempts by the other girls and skip lunch, instead snacking on the two muffins she was left with. After tasting them she had to admit that they were likely the best muffins in existence and had to stop herself from just being friends with Derpy in order to get more muffins. That would be a cruel thing to do. As she was gathering her things at the end of the day, she actually smiled slightly when Vinyl Scratch leaned against the locker next to Sunset’s with a huge grin on her face. “Sup.” Vinyl asked in greeting, a lazy grin on her face. “Crappy day.” Sunset groaned, shutting her locker and shouldering her bag. “Started out so good too.” “So she does talk.” Vinyl laughed, giving a friendly smile as she patted Sunset on her shoulder. “Glad to see you seem to be doing better even if your day was crappy.” “I’m sorry about this week and ignoring you. I wasn’t trying to do that.” Sunset sighed as the two walked through the sea of students, purposely going out the side door and not the front where the statue was and the other girls default meeting place other than the band room. “Don’t sweat it girl.” Vinyl said as she adjusted her glasses showing some discoloration momentarily when they were moved a little. “What happened to your eye?” Sunset asked, mouth becoming dry. “No worries, you should see the other guy. Didn’t know when to keep his mouth shut.” Vinyl shrugged, “I’m not usually one to get into fights, but I’m fiercely loyal to my friends and those who get a raw deal.” “So is your interest because I got a raw deal or something else?” Sunset asked, really hoping it wasn’t out of pity. “Nah, it’s not like that. You got mad skills on the guitar and you are the best singer in this school. I respect that and you, I think your awesome.” Vinyl said, Sunset believing every word even if she knew she didn’t have to. “Anyways, I’m heading out to Bon Bon’s place with the girls, you wanna come and hang with us?” “You know, I would really like that. I can’t though, I just want to be alone and unwind after today.” Sunset said, surprised that she actually felt bad turning the girl down. “No big, I know where your coming from. We all need time alone to get our head on straight when something big happens. Give me your phone.” Vinyl demanded, stopping and holding out her hand, fingers curling in a gimme gesture. At first Sunset was going to tell her there wasn’t a chance in hell that she was going to hand over her phone. Then curiosity actually got the better of her as she pulled out the new phone that was left with the papers and stuff this morning and handed it to Vinyl. “Oh sweet, this is the new limited edition model. Only a hundred was made.” Vinyl said in awe, her eyes wide as she tapped away quickly on the touch screen before giving it back. “If you need anything or just need to talk, just send any of us a shout.” “Thanks.” Sunset said feeling as if the floor fell out from under her. There under her once empty contact list was the numbers for Derpy, Lyra, Bon Bon, Octavia and Vinyl. “Peace out, see you later Shimmy!” Vinyl said before running off. Sunset almost regretted not tagging along, but she was telling the truth that she just needed to be alone right now. Instead of heading back to her new place though, she decided to walk around despite it being chilly and think about everything that happened today. That strange old man did tell the truth about everything though she wasn’t sure just what the deal with the cutie mark was though she did have those strange dreams the night before. It was odd, but she really couldn’t make sense of it. She did have the sinking feeling that she may be in over her head. Being winter meant earlier nights, and as she was leaving the café near the library with steaming cup of hot cocoa in her hand, she felt the pain flare in her hand just as a scream was heard from the mostly empty parking lot of the library. Before Sunset could make a move the pain flared in her back and the wings sprouted back into existence as the change washed over Sunset leaving Shadow Reaper standing in her place. “Damn it, why the hell does my dress have to be like this.” Shadow groused, her legs feeling the chill from the slit on either side and the bare back and keyhole front. With a couple flaps of her wings she took off into the sky narrowing down on where the scream came from. As a creature born from Sunset and the merging of what was meant to be training wheels for this form, Shadow Reaper ended up being much more than what was intended. She had full sentience instead of the basic set of intelligence that would slowly merge with the host. It scared her a little because she didn’t want to be absorbed and cease to exist. Casting aside her worries as she zeroed in on a teen girl running away from three young men who was obviously drunk or high as the whistled and cat called while making numerous uncouth threats. It was when the girl tripped and fell in the snow that Shadow Reaper recognized the girl. It was one from Sunset’s memories, though why the Princess was wearing glasses was anyone’s guess. “Guess I better act the part of the hero.”