//------------------------------// // Chapter 2: Mondays // Story: Tears of Sunlight // by JWolfSilver //------------------------------// Sunset slapped her blaring alarm clock and groaned, Ugh, Monday. The only positive thing was that she finally got her motorcycle, which was definitely worth getting out of bed for. After getting dressed, she dragged herself down stairs and into the kitchen where Luna and Celestia sat at the island, the former looking as not ready for school as she did. Upon noticing Sunset enter the kitchen, Luna got up, poured another cup of coffee, then set it at Sunset’s seat. “Thanks.” The teen said tiredly. Luna just grunted in response. Celestia sighed, “Every week.” “Monday’s are evil.” Sunset dead panned tiredly. “The work of Satan.” Luna agreed. After some coffee, Sunset eventually got the energy to pop a bagel in the toaster and leaned on the counter. The morning was relatively quiet when she got to school, but that wasn’t new for a Monday. What was different, however, was the tarps covering the soccer field. It only took seconds after Sunset pulled into the lot that Rainbow and Rarity were next to her. “Sweet ride, Sunset!” Rainbow said looking at the orange and yellow decal on the side that Luna had surprised her with when her and Celestia had returned the previous evening. It was her cutie mark but it extended into brilliant flames. “I must say, that motorcycle suits you, as does that jacket.” Rarity said. “Thanks,” She adjusted her new leather jacket, “And a certain up and coming designer made it for me.” “I wonder who that could be.” Rarity said with a smile as she turned and walked into the school. Sunset shook her head with a grin before walking into the school with her friends. When they got the band room, Fluttershy, pinkie and AJ were already sitting on the risers, chatting away. When they saw Sunset, Pinkie squealed excitedly. “You have your helmet!!!!” She screamed, “This can only mean one thing.” “I got my bike?” Sunset smiled, “Yep!” “Congratulations, Sunset.” Fluttershy said, “I could never do something like that. It’s much too dangerous for me.” “So!” Rainbow cut in, “Did you race Chrysalis home!?” Sunset chuckled, “I actually raced Celestia home, on her motorcycle.” The room went silent. “Turns out she’s had her license this whole time, she and Luna just put their motorcycles in storage when it starts to get cold.” Sunset explained, “It surprised me too.” “Who knew Principal Celestia and Vice-Principal Luna were so awesome!” Rainbow said “I’m pretty sure Sunset’s known that for a while” AJ chimed in, causing a small smile to form on her face. So much has changed so much in the last five months. Sunset smiled at the thought of everything that had led her to this point. All it took was for her to travel to an alternate dimension and turn into a literal demon. Very few people knew that Sunset was adopted by Celestia, those were her friends, Luna, Chrysalis, the school nurse and the receptionist, Raven. Celestia and Sunset had discussed it at length shortly after it was official and they agreed it was probably in Sunset’s best interest, for now at least. The girls sat and talked for a bit before class started before the bell rang and they all went to class. Sunset smiled and waved to people in the hallways and most waved back. It was good to not be feared…or hated. School, for Sunset was looking up. She did however need to watch herself, still having quite the short temper now that she was not preoccupied with worrying all the time. Sunset and Applejack walked to the science hall together and split off into their separate biology classes. The former sat in her usual seat at the front of the class and got out her notebook and text book, happy to finally feel safe enough to have her back turned to the other students. Half way through class, Sunset had a ball of paper bounce off her shoulder and land on her desk. Haven’t had one of these for a while. Sunset thought and, against her better judgement, uncrumpled the textbook. For once, she was glad she did. The note read, ‘Do your best, Sunset!’ The girl grinned and put the note in her bag and payed attention to the lesson. *** When lunch finally came, the Rainbooms all slumped down at their table. “It still sucks that I don’t have PE this semester.” Rainbow said. “At least you guys have friends in your classes!” Sunset exclaimed, “You guys are kind of all I got.” “You being in all honors isn’t helping either.” Rarity said. “You just need another super smart friend to hang out with!” Pinkie said. Sunset sighed, “I know I’m friends with you all, but that was like pulling teeth. I think I’ve reached my friendship quota.” “You can never have too many friends!” Pinkie replied. Sunset chose not to argue, especially since arguing with the energetic girl was like trying to outrun a cheetah. They sat and ate their lunches with idle chatter until the bell rang and they proceeded to class. *** Sunset walked into the office after school and right past reception into Celestia’s open door. She quietly sat down and started to do her homework. It was a routine both of them have gotten used to and Sunset didn’t plan on skipping it even with her own way home. After a while, Celestia spoke, “So, how was your day?” “Good.” Sunset said, “I got a paper ball thrown at me today.” Celestia stiffened at that. Sunset knew Celestia was still worried about how the other students treated Sunset and, like any rational teenager, she liked to keep her on her toes. “It was just a positive, ‘good luck’ note. Probably for the Friendship games on Thursday.” Celestia relaxed and nodded, “Well that’s wonderful to hear.” She paused, remembering something. The principal reached into her desk and brought out a silver key, “I probably should have given you one a long time ago but I always drove you to and from school so there was no real need for one.” Sunset looked at her with a confused expression, “A key?” Celestia chuckled, “It’s a house key, Sunset. With you having your death trap license, you will probably start getting home before Luna and I some days. I’d feel a lot better if you had one.” Sunset smirked at how nonchalant Celestia used the term ‘death trap license’ despite Celestia having her own, “Oh, thanks!” She attached the key to her chain. It had her motorcycle keys, the spare key to the sushi place, the extra key to Celestia’s car and an old, scorched and rusted key to one of the padlocks of the old building she used to live in. She liked to keep it on her so she remembered that things can always get better. Sunset glanced out the window as a truck pulling onto the school, filled with dirt. “What are you guys planning?” Sunset questioned Celestia. “I’m afraid I can’t tell you that, Sunset.” Celestia said as she pulled into the staff parking lot, “And it wasn’t just my decision, Luna, Principal Cinch and Dean Cadence played a part in it as well. The Friendship Games only happen once every four years.” Sunset sighed, “Yeah, I know. It’s all the girls have been talking about since last week. I’m still pretty surprised that the students chose me to be one of the ones to represent them. I’m still getting used to not being hated.” “Well,” Celestia said, “You did save their lives. It’s just a shame that it took the earthquake and the Battle of the Bands to make them see that you’re trying.” “And then there is also the magic. They probably think that it will give us some sort of advantage.” Celestia nodded, “Then there is your role as an honor student.” They both laughed, “Well, I guess there are a lot of reasons why they want me to participate.” Celestia smiled, “Alright, let’s go home.” Sunset hopped to her feet and grabbed her helmet, “Alright, see you there!” Celestia laughed and shook her head as they headed down the hall towards their perspective parking areas. One of the best positives of you mom being the principal and your aunt being vice principal is the fact that Sunset didn’t have to pay eighty dollars for a student parking pass. Sunset climbed on her bike after putting her helmet on and started the engine before pulling out of the lot. She could see Celestia’s SUV a few streets down and was really tempted to try to beat her home but if she caught Sunset speeding or trying to race a car during rush hour, she would be so grounded. It was an odd thought, really. Sunset had been on her own for so long that she was still getting used to having to listen to an adult outside of school or had to worry about the consequences of her actions. In all honesty, she really liked being able to rely and trust someone that way. When they got closer to the house, Celestia let Sunset pass her, the younger girl pulled into the garage and Celestia pulled up next to Luna’s car in the driveway. “Thanks.” Sunset said as she and Celestia entered the house. “I should be thanking you.” Celestia said, “Chrysalis leaves tracks on the grass every time she’s over.” Sunset cocked her head to the side, “If she’s going to leave them anyway, what’s the difference if I do?” “You live here.” Celestia said, “At least the grass grows back by the time she comes over again.” They looked around and Luna was nowhere to be seen, meaning she was probably in her room , in the basement gaming or, talking to Chrysalis. It had been driving Sunset nuts that they still haven’t gotten together despite the hand holding a couple weeks ago the day of her adoption. Sure, she knew hand holding didn’t mean much to an outsider, but the blush on both of their faces that day made Sunset suspicious that it meant something more meaningful. Celestia took the chicken out of the oven that, Luna seemed to have forgotten about. Yep, Chrysalis called. Sunset thought. “What’s the damage?” Sunset asked. “None, thankfully.” Celestia said, “Will you run upstairs and tell Luna that dinner is ready, Sunset?” Sunset nodded and left the kitchen, running up the stairs to get Luna. When she got to her door, it was silent so she knocked. No answer. After a few more knocks, Sunset groaned and beat the door with her fist, “Luna! Come on! Dinner!” She waited but still no answer came. Sunset sighed and went back into the kitchen. “Did you check the study? She’s not answering.” She told Celestia. “Will you go check please?” Celestia said, “I’m in the middle of carving a chicken.” Sunset grumbled on her way to study. She opened the door and immediately heard Luna’s voice so, she followed it to the comfy chair on the upper level. When Sunset got up the stairs she saw Luna reclined on the chair, so focused on her conversation that she didn’t notice Sunset’s arrival. It didn’t take long for the teen to notice something odd: Luna’s finger in her hair. She was twirling her hair. Is she really twirling her hair? Sunset thought to herself, That’s a new one. Sunset cleared her throat, grabbing Luna’s attention. “Sorry, Chrys. I have to go, it’s probably time for dinner.” Luna said. She then hung up her phone and looked at Sunset’s amused expression. “What is it now?” Luna questioned. “When are you going to ask her out?” Sunset replied, “This is getting ridiculous.” “When are you going to stop being a pest?” She shot back. Sunset shrugged, “When you two finally go on a date.” Sunset turned and started to head back down the  steps, “now hurry up, I’m hungry.” Luna rolled her eyes, and followed the girl. *** After dinner, Sunset was helping Celestia clean the kitchen when her phone buzzed. She picked it up off the island behind her and looked at the message. RD: Emergency! Meet at Portal! Oh boy. Sunset looked at Celestia who was eyeing her curiously, “It’s Rainbow, she sent an emergency to the group. Celestia saw the way Sunset furrowed her brows in worry, “Go. I can finish up here.” Sunset smiled gratefully and grabbed her back pack as she fled the house. Luna looked up from TV when Celestia came into the living room. “We’re is she running off to?” “I’m not sure.” Celestia admitted, “Apparently Rainbow Dash sent the girls an emergency text.” Luna nodded, “I just hope it’s nothing magical.” Celestia sighed, “Me too.”