//------------------------------// // Chapter 59 // Story: To start over // by Midnight_Song95 //------------------------------// Celestia rubbed at her temples as she listened to Sunset rant and rave about the decision that she and Luna had made about Score. Luna sat across the room, arms crossed with a bored look on her face as she listened to the teenager. “Now if you're done having your little tantrum, I have something to say.” Luna said, having a much shorter fuse than Celestia even if she could handle the teen without losing her cool. “I don't want to hear it! You do realize that as soon as this gets out that I'll get even more flack because you didn't ship me off somewhere when I almost killed Twilight and her friends!” Sunset snapped, earning a slight glare from her aunt. “for one, you were possessed. For two, Twilight did explain to us just what the hell happened and for three you were penitent. What that bastard was saying was enough to make anyone sick! We didn't even mention those other three just because you asked us not to, besides that their mother is probably scarier than juvenile detention anyway.” Luna stated, her tone never changing although anyone could tell she was getting annoyed. “You're missing the point!” “Enough!” Celestia commanded, causing both of the younger women to stare at her. “Sunset, we get what you are saying however by law I am required to report this sort of thing. Now those other boys are suspended until after Thanksgiving, in which time they are completing packets so they don't completely fail as well as working to pay off the hospital bills they caused.” she explained “I didn't agree to any of this!” Celestia sighed at that, pinching the bridge of her nose to try to stave off a headache she felt coming on. “Sunset, neither as your parent or principal could I just let this go! You could have died that day! They are lucky they are getting off as lightly as they are! Most people would have had them arrested as well!” she continued, earning a glare from the teenager. “I wish I never told you what happened! Everyone is probably right about you only adopting me out of pity! You probably didn't even mean anything you said!” With that Sunset turned and rushed from the room, leaving Celestia sitting there shaking her head. “Want me to go after her?” Luna questioned “Today has been nothing but stress for her and I am almost afraid to leave her alone. I mean chances are Sunset's going to run into one of the princesses since they are letting Twilight show them around but I don't exactly trust her alone.” “You probably should. Especially since Discord is somewhere in the building.” Sunset ignored the light drizzle as she walked out onto the soccer field, kicking a stray, half flat ball as hard as she could into the forest near the school. Why couldn't they just understand where I am coming from? Don't they care how hard this will make things for me now? She thought as she trudged her way toward the bleachers. How much trouble am I going to be in for yelling at them? She wondered as she walked around the field, trying to stay out of view of the school so that no one would question why she wasn't in class. She was so preoccupied with her thoughts that she didn't notice that someone had come out of one of the school's back exits and had headed her way until someone spoke. “Now what are you doing out here?” The masculine voice caused her to almost jump off her seat, though she relaxed slightly when she saw who it was who had spoken. “What are you doing wearing a yellow and purple polka-dotted raincoat?” She quipped, really not in the mood to deal with this particular person. “I have you know that I like this jacket! Now, are you going to tell me why you're sitting out here getting soaking wet?” Discord responded, crossing his arms over his chest as he tried to make himself look intimidating, however, his effort was just rewarded by a face full of mud. “For one, Stop acting like you are someone important. Secondly, That was for knocking me out with whatever the hell that stuff was! You're lucky I don't just kick you where the sun doesn't shine and leave you out here!” she snapped before standing, only to see Luna headed toward her. “Shit.” “If you are going to do that, go find a bathroom Miss Shimmer.” Luna quipped, leveling the girl with a look before glancing at Discord. “And Discord, you look ridiculous and why are you covered in mud?” Discord pointed toward Sunset with a scowl, though Luna just smirked. “Good girl, you just saved me the hassle of punching him in the face. Now let's get you inside. Celestia may have told the doctor to make your cast waterproof but that doesn't protect you from getting the flu.” she stated, ushering the teen toward the building before she added “You calm enough to talk? You've been out here ten minutes or so.” Sunset felt her face heat up at the question as she remembered her outburst. “How mad is Mom?” can I still call her that? Sunset felt a knot form in her throat after she said those words though Luna just chuckled softly. “I doubt my sister is going to yell at you just because you had an outburst and after all the stress today...I'd be honestly surprised if you didn't snap.” Luna stated calmly before adding “I think you'd understand our point if you would think about it from our positions. I know how you feel. I wasn't a very popular kid in school and always had someone breathing down my back. But what is right isn't always easy.” Luna noticed how Sunset seemed to be trying to process what was being said so she added: “We don't only have you to worry about but we also have other students...Some who would not do so well if treated so harshly. If we let people get by with one thing then others would think it would be okay. We may not have expelled you nor sent you away however you are still facing the consequences.” Sunset glanced up at the woman as they entered the front foyer before saying softly “I shouldn't have been given a second chance. I could have killed someone that night.” “Sunset Shimmer, like I said what is right isn't always easy. I was furious with you...But seeing you so broken bothered me. I nor Celestia had the heart to do anything that could have just hurt you worse. To be honest, it worried me how you were acting, bursting into tears at random...Refusing to eat. I think whatever that blast did to you was harsh enough.” Luna stated honestly, putting a hand on the teen's shoulder in a form of comfort. “It made me relive everything and face not only how I felt at the time but to see the direct effect I had. I even saw what could have happened.” Sunset whispered, feeling the hand tighten as she was steered into the office once again, only to feel an arm wrap around her from behind as soon as the door closed. “Sunset, stop. Giving you a chance may not have been easy at first...as a matter of fact, Celestia and I debated what we should do. But when you came inside after the dance, still trembling and obviously terrified...We relented. Because it was obvious that it affected you worse than it did anyone. That was your punishment.” They both gave the teen time to absorb everything before Celestia spoke up “Now do you understand?” she asked, taking note of how Sunset couldn't meet her gaze. “I think so. You didn't do anything like that to me because you didn't think I was still a threat.” Sunset said softly, earning a chuckle. “That is one way of putting it but that's not the whole picture either. The fact that you wanted to change besides being defiant or vengeful said a lot about who you are as a person...It proved there was more to you than just what you had previously let others see.” Celestia corrected lightly “Yeah and anyone who brags about what could have happened needs a kick in the damn pants...Big time. Kinda makes me wonder what a blast like the one you got hit with would do to him.” Sunset smiled in spite of everything before saying “I'm sorry about how I acted earlier....and I guess I should apologize to Discord.” Celestia arched a brow at the girl “I forgive you, but I must ask what did you do to Discord?” “Trust me...You'd thank her if you saw what he was wearing.” Luna responded, faking a shutter much to the amusement of the other two.