//------------------------------// // Chapter 9: Shimmer Inc. Tours // Story: Tears of Sunlight // by JWolfSilver //------------------------------// After an uneventful weekend, it was finally the start of the second semester. Celestia and Luna were working around the clock to get all the paperwork in order before the first day. Sunset was just enjoying a weekend without homework. Sunset woke up to her alarm and went downstairs for breakfast. This morning, however, Celestia looked just as tired as her and Luna. Celestia was usually up with the sun and full of energy but this morning, there were bags under her eyes and she looked as if she would fall asleep where she sat. “What’s wrong with you?” Sunset asked bluntly. “My dear sister decided to stay up half the night doing paperwork.” Luna said. Celestia roller her eyes, “I did not realize how late it was.” Sunset looked at everyone and sighed, “If we get ready now, we can stop off at sugar cube corner before we need to be there.” The sisters looked at each other then wordlessly rose from their seats and went up to their rooms to get dressed, followed closely by Sunset. Surprisingly, Luna was the most awake and the first one out the door, followed by Celestia who opted to ride with Luna then, lastly, Sunset hopped on her motorcycle on pulled out of the garage and followed Luna’s midnight blue sedan. The three of them slumped at their usual table in the middle of the café and sighed. “Well you three look like you had a long night.” Mrs. Cake said, coming up with three coffees. “Sunset and I are always like this.” Luna said. “Paper work.” Celestia said. Sunset couldn’t help but chuckle at her. It wasn’t often that she saw Celestia tired in the morning. She was even less coherent than Luna. After starting to devour a muffin, Sunset’s phone buzzed. She looked at the time and thought is was odd that someone would text her this early. Applejack was usually busy before school and the other girls like their sleep. Sunset only got into the habit of having to get up with Luna and Celestia in the morning to catch a ride to school. She looked at her phone and raised a brow. Twi: Hello, Sunset. It’s Twilight. I know we just met but I was wondering if you would be willing to help me find my classes. I do not know the school very well so I figured I would ask you. I am sorry to have bothered you so early. Sunset snickered at the formal message. S: You don’t need to be so proper Twilight. I’m at Sugar Cube Corner so I’d love to show you around. Twilight answered almost immediately. Twi: That’s Great! When can you get here? The use of the term ‘here’ didn’t escape Sunset. She shook her head; I really should have seen that coming. S: I’ll be there in a few minutes. Sunset shoved the rest of her muffin in her mouth and stood, chugging her coffee. “I have to go.” Sunset said, “I’ll see you guys later.” After Sunset drove off, Celestia and Luna exchanged confused and curious looks. “What was that about?” Luna questioned. “How could I possibly know that?” Celestia questioned. Luna gave her a look, “You can read that girl’s mind some days.” Celestia sighed, “If I had to guess, I’d say she got a text from one of her friends and is headed there to meet them.” She looked at the clock, “Most likely to show our new student around.” Luna shrugged and continued nibbling in her bagel. *** Sunset parked in the student lot which was fairly bare at seven in the morning. She walked to the front of the school, helmet in hand, and up to the purple haired girl reading on the steps. “Hey.” Sunset said. Twilight jumped at the sudden noise and looked up to see Sunset standing in front of her. “Sunset Shimmer!” Twilight exclaimed, “Sorry, that was faster than I anticipated.” “Sorry to scare you.” She apologized, “What are you reading?” Twilight looked at Sunset with a quizzical expression, “It’s my advanced physics textbook. I figured I would see where your school is at. Turns out, CHS and Crystal Prep are using the same material.” “Well, yeah.” Sunset said, “Chrystal Prep just has better teachers and some extra college level classes.” “I didn’t realize that’s why.” Twilight said, “I just thought that our curriculum is more advanced.” “I’m pretty sure everyone at CP is required to take advanced classes. We have them too but not many students can handle them.” Sunset explained. “What physics are you taking?” Sunset asked. “Two.” Twilight said. Sunset nodded, “So, first off, where is your locker?” “137” Twilight said, reading her slip of paper. Sunset smiled, “Cool, you’re just down the hall from me.” As Sunset lead them to the lockers, she explained the different rooms as they passed them and she also explained the wing system as they went. When they got to it, she pointed out Twilight’s locker and walked down ten to her own. “It’s nice to have another friend so close.” Sunset said after she looked at her schedule and got the books she needed and put her helmet away. She knocked a locker across from hers, “This  is Fluttershy’s.” Twilight gave her a small smile, “So,” She said in an attempt to make conversation, “Judging by your helmet, you drive a motorcycle?” Sunset grinned, “Sure do.” “Isn’t that dangerous?” Twilight asked.   “Only if you drive like an idiot.” Sunset said, “Let’s see your schedule.” Twilight handed it to her and, after a few moments, Sunset made an odd face. “What is it? Is there something wrong?” Twilight asked worriedly. Sunset scratched her head, “Nothing. It’s just, me showing you around just seems pointless now.” “What? Why?” Twilight asked. Sunset snickered, “It’s more fun if I just showed you.” She reached into her bag and pulled out her own schedule and handed them both to Twilight. “Well that’s interesting.” Twilight said, “Our schedules are identical!” Sunset laughed, “So do you still want me to show you where your classes are or do you just want me to show where the most important places in the school are?” Twilight pushed her glasses up on her nose, “Lead the way.” Twilight quickly discovered that Sunset’s version of the most important places on campus were the bathrooms, the cafeteria, the library and the band room the Rainbooms hang out in. “This concludes our tour please exit the ride and take a seat on the risers. Thank you for choosing Shimmer incorporated.” Sunset said as if she were a tour guide at a park or museum. Twilight laughed as Sunset took a bow, giggling right along with her. They sat down and Sunset went right for her sketchbook but Twilight spoke after a few minutes, “I didn’t take you for the ‘smart’ type.” Sunset looked at her quizzically for a moment, she couldn’t help but feel a little insulted, “What do you mean by that?” Twilight realized her mistake and quickly tried to back track, “No, it’s not that I didn’t think you were smart, I saw that at the games, I just meant you seem more like the sociable, artsy rebel type. You just seemed…tough?” It took a moment for sunset to realize what she meant and she smiled, “Well, could do better when I talk to people I don’t know, especially when I get angry, you saw that first hand. I am artsy I guess and half a year ago, you would be right about the rebel thing.” Sunset put her book down, “But I’m also an honor student and before you came here, I was at the top of my class.” Twilight looked at her, “How do you know that I have better grades than you?” Sunset laughed, “I still have A’s but I know you are probably better than me in history. Used to have an issue with biology too.” “Oh.” Twilight said, “That was a lot less creepy than what I was thinking.” “What were you thinking?” Sunset asked curiously. “That you snuck into the school on the weekend and looked at my grades.” Sunset laughed, “No, I just assume most people are better than me at history. I do know that you were the top of your class at CP.” Twilight smiled and, just then, the door opened to reveal Rainbow and Applejack. “Twilight!” Rainbow said, “I thought it would take you a few days until you came here in the morning.” “Pay up.” AJ said. Rainbow rolled her eyes and handed over five bucks. “Did you-” Twilight started but was interrupted by Sunset. “They did but it’s not personal.” Sunset explained, “They make stupid bets all the time.” AJ and Rainbow nodded at that fact and sat on the bleachers just as Rarity came in followed by Fluttershy and Pinkie Pie. They all greeted Twilight excitedly before Twilight was absorbed into an impromptu Q & A. “What is your schedule like, Twilight?” Fluttershy asked. “Exactly like mine.” Sunset answered for her. “The exact same.” Twilight affirmed. Rainbow laughed, “Well you were complaining that you didn’t have any friends in our class.” Sunset smiled at Twilight, “Yeah it will be nice to not feel so alone.” Twilight smiled back excitedly. She knew right then that she wouldn’t regret coming to CHS.