//------------------------------// // 1. How It All Began // Story: Sunset's Wonderful Life // by sonicfan05 //------------------------------// It was a cold and dark night near Canterlot City. The school grounds and the land beyond was covered with a light blanket of snow as snowflakes gently fell from the sky. The weather was so cold that it would take a dozen layers of clothing to keep yourself warm. Everyone who lived in the area were probably at their homes, keeping themselves warm and preparing to spend the Holidays with their friends and family. All except for this one sad girl, who was standing on the bridge alone. This girl have a red and yellow flaming hair with sad teal eyes. Despite that she was wearing a winter outfit, she felt very chilly from the cold. Normally, she would happily be hanging out with her friends and having fun for the holidays, but due to recent events, she is now alone on this very bridge. And losing her friends in the process. Sunset leaned over the bridge's railing at stared out over the dark horizon with a depressing sigh.   “Who could ever cared about some former bully girl like me?” Sunset asked herself softly with a sniff. “I ruined the Christmas Festival, the school is going to shut down because of me and now everyone hated me… even my best friends.” She thought back to all the events that happened to this very moment… and how it all went wrong. Two Weeks Earlier It was just an ordinary day at Canter High School and it was currently lunch time. Many students were at their tables chatting excitedly about their upcoming winter break and their plans for the holidays from within the school's cafeteria, including seven of the most popular teenaged girls of the school. Their names were Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Rarity, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, Twilight Sparkle (or Sci-Twi for short) and Sunset Shimmer. Together, they were known as, “the Equestria Girls”, or “the Rainbooms” whenever they performed a music band together. For you see, these seven girls in particular are very special because they each have magical powers known as Equestrian Magic. It was originally from another dimension, which is a world of ponies and creatures. When Sunset Shimmer, who was a unicorn from another world, fled to the human world, she ended up bringing some Equestrian magic over with her as well. Ever since then, Equestrian magic bring havoc to the human world from time to time. Sometimes creatures invaded their world due to portals, sometimes magical storm clouds mysteriously appeared out of nowhere and attacked the area, but most commonly, the magic was in possession of another person, leaving their minds corrupted due to the many misuses of its magic. Luckily, the girls used Equestrian Magic of their own and the Power of Friendship to save the day many times just to keep loose magic at bay and to protect the people they cared about, including each other. Luckily for them, there hasn’t been any magic attack for over a month. And considering that it is now close to a holiday season, they all felt that they can all use a break. A girl with rainbow-hair took a sip of her soda before letting out a loud cheer. “AW YEAH!” the rainbow hair girl, known as Rainbow Dash whooped. “Winter break is almost here! Which means no school, fun activities, and best of all, no school!”   “You said no school twice, Rainbow Dash!” The blonde haired stetson girl, known as Applejack deadpanned.   “And while I’m all for fun, we still have to do homework over the break!” the spectacle girl with purple and light magenta striped hair girl added, known as Twilight. “Details, details!” Rainbow Dash said nonchalantly as she waved her hand towards her friend. “I can work on that anytime before the break ends.” The pretty girl with long purple hair, known as Rarity, cocked an eyebrow. “Um, no offense Darling, but didn’t you say that last year, only you end up getting a– ahem… mediocre grade for trying to work on it at the last second?” Rainbow Dash frowned. “Hey, it was one time! I won’t goof off at the last second like last time!” The shy girl with long pink hair named Fluttershy, gave her friend her worried frown. “Um… isn’t that what you said last time too Dashie? Maybe you should do it early this year.” “Yeah Dashie!” The energetic girl with curly pink hair named Pinkie Pie added with a smile. “You should finish your work as soon as you get it so you can have plenty of time to goof off!” “Oh come on! I’m not gonna goof off!” Rainbow exclaimed before facing the red and yellow haired girl. “Sunset, back me up here!” “Sorry Rainbow, but I agree with them,” Sunset responded with an apologetic tone. “If you start later instead of early, you’ll only forgot about it again. And I’m pretty sure that Mr. Cranky will not go easy on you this time.” “...et tu Sunset?” asked Rainbow before she loudly groan in annoyance. “Just exactly what I need to do during the hoildays… write some stupid science paper that I don’t even care about!” “I can offer you to help out with the paper if you want,” Twilight offered. “Science is my specialty afterall!” “You will?” Rainbow Dash perked up. “Will you do all the research and references for me too?” “...don’t push it!” Twilight respond flatly, causing Rainbow Dash to chuckle nervously. Sunset smiled at her nerdy friend. She remembered that Twilight came a long way after that fateful day at the Friendship Games many months ago. How Twilight was lost and frightened after she became Midnight Sparkle and using her powers for the first time. After saving her, Sunset became Twilight’s first friend and helped her every step of the way to not only get Twilight back on her feet, but also to her feel comfortable about using her magic and hanging out with her friends. Thankfully, Twilight warmed up to her friends after Twilight transferred to CHS and Twilight eventually got over her fear of her own magic.  It was interesting that Sunset was helping out a counterpart of Princess Twilight, who ironically helped her after her own downfall from the Fall Formal last year. By helping out the human version of Twilight, she felt that everything came in a full circle. Even though Sci-Twi (a nickname she and her friends came up with in case of confusion between the two Twilights) was technically the same person, but overtime, Sunset later learned that there are some differences then her pony counterpart as well. Even though Twilight is now happy to be at CHS with her friends then her time at Crystal Prep, but out of all the girls, she felt that she bonded with Sunset the most, even considering her as her best friend. And Sunset was touched by this. The two of them were often seen together, rarely separate from one another. Many students, their friends included, often joked that the two of them made a cute couple. While Sunset knew that her friends were just kidding, but deep down, there are some truth involving her nerdy friend. She remembered after the first few months after the Fall Formal, she opened up to her friends that she is Bi. Thankfully, the girls gave her their full support. While Sunset is attractive to both males and females, she wasn't interested in dating anyone for the time being after all she did during her time as the queen bee, even if most of the students had already forgiven her, Flash included. But after Sci-Twi transferred to CHS and been friends with her for a while, Sunset admitted that she felt attracted to her friend. As her feelings grew, she became more and more protective of her so that Twilight wouldn't have to suffer from the aftermath after becoming a Demon, just like she was. And after Twilight admitted to Sunset that she is her best friend and that she trusted her the most, that's was when Sunset fell in love with her friend. Despite her love to her friend, Twilight already got herself a boyfriend, Timber Spruce, who worked as a camp counselor at Camp Everfree alongside with his sister. While Sunset was sad that Twilight is together with Timber, but Sunset gave her friend her full support and offered her any advice whenever her friend needs it. As long as her friend is happy, than Sunset is happy. "Attention all students," a voice from the intercom boomed, getting Sunset and the rest of the students attention from the cafeteria. "This is Principal Celestia and I'm making a quick announcement. As you all know, winter break is almost here and I'm sure you're all very excited about it. But let's not forget that we have fun times here at CHS too, which is why I have an exciting announcement! This year, we will be hosting Toys for Kids Festival and the school's Christmas party alongside with Mayor Mare, right here for the entire town and you are all invited to attend!" Everyone in the cafeteria cheered from their Principal's announcement, already looking forward to the party and having fun with their friends. "The Festival and party will take place during the early evening on Christmas Eve. So be sure to mark your calendars!" Principal Celestia continued. "Additionally, since the whole point of Toys for the Kids Festival was to help out giving away toys to less fortunate children. If any of you are interested in volunteering to help our during the event and wanted a position as the head director of the festival, please come down by my office to sign up! Now enjoy the rest of your day!" The students in the school cafeteria returned to their own conversations, but with more positive energy. Many were excited about the upcoming Christmas party where they can all relax and have fun with their friends instead of boring school lectures for once. But none were as excited as our main heros, especially from a certain rainbowed-haired teen.   "Did you hear that? We'll be having a Christmas party right here in the school! This is gonna be awesome!" Rainbow Dash cheered with a fist pump. "Well, I for one, am interested in the Toys for Kids Festival part of the news!” said Rarity with a smile. “It's great that there is an organization whose dedication to help those poor children who couldn't afford any toys, which I would be happy enough to take part in, including some clothes for me to give away." "Eh, I doubt that they'll want clothes," Rainbow commented flatly while ignoring Rarity’s annoyed expression. "But I know that they'll love the goods I'll give them, which I totally don't need anymore! ...except my Daring Doo Plushie." "Well Ah would certainly love to help out!” Applejack added. “Ah'm sure me and my siblings have a bunch of old toys stored around somewhere for us to donate for the youngins." "Um… maybe I can ask Principal Celestia if I could bring a few animals over from the shelter for any possible adoptions for the children," said Fluttershy with a hopeful expression. "Maaaaybe I can put together a bake sale so that these kids can have something to snack on during the party-slash-festival! I know I would!~" Pinkie Pie added with a grin as she was eating her cupcake from her hair… somehow. "Well, I definitely would like to help out as well! I think I may have a few old toy-like gadgets for me to give out!" Twilight added with pride. She then quickly added, "Don't worry, they're completely safe!" Sunset smiled as her friends talked more about the event. From her time living in this world, Toys for Kids Festival is a pretty big deal around in Canterlot City, especially around the Holidays. Her friends clearly wanted to be a part of it not just for fun and spreading cheer, but to also help out giving the toys to the children and made their Christmas magical, and she definitely wants to be a part of it. Perhaps if she contribute to the festival, she will finally pay back to them for helping her at her lowest point and becoming their friend. Not to mention, having to show off her kind and generous side to Twilight was also a plus. "You know what? Why don't we all volunteer?" Sunset suggested. "How about I'll go talk to Principal Celestia our proposals to contribute for Toys for Kids Festival and see if she'll let us run it? I'll even be the head director of the Festival!" The girls stared at Sunset in shock. It’s not that Sunset isn’t fit for a job, far from it. But that kind of job is known to be very stressful, especially around the holidays. "Really? You don't mind Sunset?” Twilight asked in concern. “Being a head director of the festival is a huge responsibility!" "Of course I don't mind!" Sunset responded with a confident tone. "If I can direct that musical we did months ago, then I should have no problem running the festival. Besides, I definitely wanted to be a part of this event too, especially with you guys!" Her friends grinned, touched by Sunset's words and her selflessness. "Whelp, then Ah guess that's settled!" said Applejack. "Ah like speak for everyone here that we appreciate what you're doing Sunset!" Sunset beamed. "Hey, you all did a lot for me ever since you welcomed me into the group. It's the least I can do for you girls!" Suddenly, the school bell rang throughout the school. Twilight stood up and slowly gathered her things. "Looks like lunch over, we better be heading to our classes!" "Well since this is my free period, I might as well go see Principal Celestia right now," said Sunset as she stood up. "See you girls later!" With a quick wave goodbye to her friends, Sunset made her way out of the cafeteria and headed to Principal Celestia's office. As she was walking across the hallway, Sunset smiled as she was reminiscing of her life to where she was now.   It’s amazing how far I come. She thought fondly. I went from the most feared and hated person, to the most liked and respected person of the school! And I changed for the better! And it was all thanks to my dear friends. Without their guidance, I could never get as far as I am now.   Now I can focus on setting up the Toys for Kids Festival, have fun with my friends and best of all, no corrupted Equestrian Magic or any vengeful people around to ruin the holidays for us. What can go wrong? Somewhere on the other side of town, a mysterious figure was sitting in a dark room with a scowl on the person's face. The person stared at the local newspaper with the headlines announcing that Canterlot High School will be hosting this year's Toys for Kids for the holidays along with Mayor Mare. But what really set this person off was the image on the paper, showing off these seven familiar teenaged girls, standing in front of the school with happy smiles on their faces. "Those brats!" she spat bitterly with contempt as she crumpled up the paper in the process. "They think they are so special! They think that they are so superior and humiliated me? Well, they won't feel so special any longer, because this Christmas… I will single-handedly destroy them… starting with their leader! And once they fall apart, I will be back on top! But this time…" The mysterious figure smirked as the person turned and eyed three other figures in the room who also had evil smirks on their faces. "I got "friends" of my own!"