//------------------------------// // Chapter 14: Protection: Part 1 // Story: Aftermath Of The Formal // by Shimmeringsun //------------------------------// Monday morning. Another week. The day everyone always dreads. It was always a struggle to get up on a Monday and for Luna and Sunset it was another morning of drama to get the young teen up out of bed and dressed in time for school. “Sunset! Time to get up!” Luna yelled from the door. Banging on it as loud as she could. However, the girl would not move. Instead Luna got a pillow flung at the door as a response. Luna sighed and opened the door. “If you don’t get up, I’m dragging you out of that bed myself.” She said, picking the pillow up and chucked it back onto the bed. The pillow bounced of Sunset and she just groaned. “Five more minutes.” She mumbled burying herself in the covers. “NO! Up now.” Luna said in an annoyed tone, growing tired as she had to deal with this most mornings. Especially Monday’s. She walked over to Sunset’s bed, throwing the covers of her. “Hey!” Sunset said shooting up pulling the covers back up to her and she fell back asleep. Luna glanced over at Sunset’s bed side table and noticed that there was half a glass of water sat on it. She looked at it and smirked, she picked the glass up and didn’t even hesitate to chuck the water over Sunset. It did the work and got her up. Sunset blinked in surprise, she threw the covers of her, jumping up. “Luna?!?! What the hell was that for?!?!” She shouted although she was still half asleep and still half annoyed that she got woken up. Luna put her hand on her mouth, holding back a laugh as she noticed that Sunset was trying to dry her face with her t-shirt. “Got you up didn’t it?” Luna said as her lip curled up. Sunset grunted passed Luna and walked out of the room making her way to the kitchen. Luna followed behind. “Be quick with breakfast and get ready fast. We’re late as it is and we have a meeting first thing.” Sunset stopped in her place and stood at the kitchen door. “Meeting?” She questioned, titling her head at Luna. Luna nodded. “I’m bringing in Gilda and Trixie’s parents to discuss pressing charges.” Sunset gulped. She totally forgot that she would have to deal with Gilda and Trixie with being back at school after a few days off. She didn’t have to worry about that but now the thought made her feel nervous. Sunset chose not to say anything or even try to argue first thing on a Monday morning with Luna. She knew that wouldn’t go down well for the both of them so she decided to enter the kitchen and pour herself some cereal and coffee. Luna took another cup too as she was waiting on Sunset. As Sunset finished up with breakfast, she quickly got herself ready. It was then Luna knocked on her door when Sunset was just putting on her boots, still struggling a bit as her ribs were still healing but she managed to get them on by herself. Luna opened the door. “Ready?” She asked. “Yeah just need to grab my bag.” Sunset looking round the room for it, noticing it wasn’t there. “I’ve got it.” Luna called, walking down the hall to the front door. “Why?” Sunset questioned, following her. “You’re still healing. I’m not letting you carry around a heavy bag full of books. I’ll carry it to your locker and you will take what you need from there.” Luna told her. Sunset nodded. “Okay, fine.” She said, while blowing a strand of her hair away from her face. “Let’s get going then.” Said Luna opening the door. The two of them left the apartment in enough time to get to the school. Luna and Sunset pulled into the parking lot around half an hour before school started, usually Luna likes to be a bit earlier for work but now looking after a teenager it made her mornings ten times harder as not only did she struggle some mornings to get up but she now had a teen to get up too. As Luna and Sunset walked round to the front entrance Sunset looked uncertain, feeling more anxious by the minute. She stood closely by Luna as she stood frozen at the building. Luna noticed the look of fear in her eyes as she tried to get the girl’s attention but it was like she didn’t even notice Luna there. “Sunset! Sunset! Helloooo.” Luna said waving in her face. Although, she didn’t get a response. “SUNSET! Answer me!” Luna shouted, shaking her. Sunset shook her head, trying to shake the thoughts out of her head. She blinked at Luna. “Sorry. W-what?” “Are you coming to the office with me or are you staying with the girls they are calling you over?” Luna asked. “I-uh, I’ll go say hi to the girls.” Sunset said turning herself around to walk over to them. They were waiting for her at the statue. “Wait.” Luna said, placing her hand on her shoulder. “Are you okay?” She asked concerned noticing the unease look on Sunset. “Yeah fine.” Sunset nodded. “I’ll see you in a bit.” Luna knew Sunset was lying but she dropped it. Pressing a teenager to see if she was okay in front of the school entrance was not a great idea instead she decided to keep an eye out on her as she watched her go over to her friends before entering the building. “Sunseeeet!” Pinkie Pie said running up to her and pulled her in for a hug. “Careful Pinkie. I’m still sore.” Sunset laughed but happy to return the hug back. “Darling! It’s wonderful to see you! don’t take this the wrong way but what ever are you doing back so soon? I thought you would of been off longer.” Rarity said pleasantly as she greeted her friend. “Luna wants me in for a meeting.” Sunset told her. “So she’s still serious about pressing charges.” Rainbow asked. “Yup.” Sunset nodded. “We had a big argument the other night after you guys told me but Luna’s pretty cool headed and if she decides something it’s final.” “Can’t ya convince her not to? We kinda gathered you wouldn’t want her too.” Applejack asked. “Applejack you kidding? Convincing Luna? That’s a whole new other level.” Sunset said. Although Sunset did hope that she could still convince Luna not to go through with it. “She’s really strict isn’t she?” Fluttershy said. Slightly shaking from the thought of dealing with a strict Luna. “You don’t know the half of it and she’s way worse on me.” Sunset smirked. Sunset made a quick glanced over to the building and noticed Gilda and Trixie were entering with their parents. She gulped as she saw Gilda make an eye evil at her which made Sunset flich back, she put her hand on Applejack’s arm. “Ya alright there Sugarcube?” Applejack asked worriedly as she noticed how tense Sunset had gotten. “Me?” Sunset asked. “I’m f-fine.” She stuttered, pulling her hand off her quickly. Before Luna got to her office, she made a quick stop to her sister’s office as she past it, she gave the door a knock. “Come in.” Shouted Celestia in her usual welcoming voice. Luna walked in and smiled. “Morning Tia.” She said. “Ah, Good morning Lu. Are you just in?” She asked while sitting at her desk already making a start on paper work. She noticed that Luna still had her jacket on, holding Sunset’s bag and her purse. Luna nodded. “Looking after a teenager is exhausting.” She said exaggerating the last part as she dropped her bags and slumped herself down on the chair in front of Celestia. Celestia just laughed at her sister. “Let me guess; another drama of ‘you better get up or I’m dragging you out that bed myself.’ this morning was it?” Luna groaned and clapped sarcastically. “You got it spot on.” Celestia laughed again. “How many times did it take this time?” Luna sat back on the chair, crossed her legs and placed a hand over her chest, gesturing to herself. “I have a new trick. If she doesn’t get up after the second time I call on her; she gets watered.” She said laughing as she remembered the look on Sunset’s face this morning. “You chucked water over her? I’m surprised she didn’t kill you.” Celestia asked in a shocked tone. “Oh, she wouldn’t dare she knows and if she did I would of still managed to find a way to get her ass grounded.” Luna said in a serious tone then started to smirk. The two sisters shared a laughed. Luna stood up and grabbed her bags again.“Anyway, I better getting going. I have Gilda and Trixie’s parents coming in for a meeting today.” “Good luck with that sister. Also can you ask Sunset to stop by my office later?” Celestia asked. “Of course. Why?” Luna asked as she made her way over to the door. “I want to check on her and ask her if she wants to do something with me at the weekend, well if that’s okay with you.” Celestia said, gesturing at her younger sister. Luna nodded. “Yes Tia, that’s fine with me.” She smiled, glad that her sister was starting to finally make an effort with Sunset. She said a quick goodbye to her sister before leaving the office. It was just before the bell rang when Luna got to her office. She noticed that Gilda and Trixie were already sat with their parents at the waiting area. The two bullies were looking nervous while their parents weren’t too pleased that they had to sit and wait for a meeting with the Head of Discipline of the school. Luna walked over to them and greeted them pleasantly. “Ah, Good morning Mr Lulamoon; Mr and Mrs Griffon. I thank you for coming today, I know it couldn’t of been easy to get the morning of work with your busy schedules so I appreciate you coming in. I’ll be with you sortly.” She said in her usual authority tone. The parents greeted her back and Luna made her way to her office to get set up for the meeting. Luna finally reached her office, she took of her jacket and hung it up on the rack along with her purse and Sunset’s bag. She made her way over to her desk and sighed. She really wasn’t prepared to go through with this meeting today, speaking about what happened to Sunset got her worked up and now that Chrysalis is currently in the process of writting up Sunset’s adoption papers for her she knew that feeling would only get worse when Sunset finally gets to become her daughter. She was truly scared if she was being honest; becoming a mother would be scary. Would she do it right? Would she be good enough? These thoughts were going through her head as she thought about the adoption. She is going to be a mom and she is going to have a daughter. Although, that was never in the cards for her but she was happy, this feeling; this love she held for the young girl who needed a mother; needed protection. It was something she was going to do; Protect her child. So this meeting, it was something she had to do to insure that her daughter wouldn’t get hurt again. She will do what it would take to not go through what she did when she saw Sunset lying out cold. She never wants to go through that again. Luna let out a long breath as she stop her thoughts when she heard the bell ring. ’let’s get this over with.’ She said to herself as she got up from the desk and made her way back to the waiting room to get Trixie and Gilda’s parents. Luna asked the parents to come along to the office, she wanted to speak to them first and tell them exactly what happened then she would get the teens in. As she reached the office she gestured to them to take a seat at the round table, she sat at the far end while the parents sat in front. “Would you care for some water or a hot drink?” She asked. Mr and Mrs Griffon took a glass of water while Mr Lulamoon took a hot drink and Luna did the same. “So, I guess you all know why I have asked for this meeting today?” She asked stirring her coffee while sat at her seat. They all nodded. Mr Lulamoon was the first to speak. “Vice Principal Luna with all do respect, I know what the girls did was terribly wrong but don’t you think pressing charges is a little bit absurd?” He questioned. Luna tried her best not to lose her cool. She had to stay professional or this could end very badly for her. She tried her best to be cool calm and collective while she dealt with the parents of who’s kids that caused Sunset harm. ‘ABSURD? is this man for real?’ Luna thought to herself as she gripped her coffee mug. She could feeling the anger rising. ’Stay calm, Luna, stay calm.’ she told herself as she let out a breath. “As I can recall this isn’t the first time they hurt Miss Shimmer. They beat her up in the school toilets when Sunset was on the way to come to my office.” Luna told them, placing down her coffee mug and folding her arms. “But hasn’t Sunset not had her fair shares in harassing students? Wasn’t she the girl that destroyed the front of the school?” Mrs Griffon asked. She heard the story from another parent. Luna clenched her teeth together. Sunset warned her about this. Of course they were going to bring that up. ’What were you thinking Luna. Why didn’t you listen?’ She asked herself and then spoke. “Yes but, at that time Sunset was going through a rough patch. That’s why she restored to doing that as she didn’t know another way.” “So were suppose to feel sorry for her? That isn’t a fair excuse. I don’t think the court will go through with pressing charges if they know that Sunset hasn’t got the best track record herself.” Mr Griffon said as part of his argument. “I can see why you may think that, but if you were in my position you would want to do the same if your child was hurt.” Luna said back, trying to get her argument across. ’Oh boy, how I wished Chrys was here right now. She’d have him flung out of that window in a minute.’ Luna said to herself in back on her mind as her lip starting to curl up at the thought. Mr Lulamoon cleared his throat and adjusted his tie on his shirt. “Not that it’s any of our businesses; but what is your relationship with this Shimmer girl? I mean, it’s a bit odd that a Vice Principal wants to go this length for a student?” Jackpot asked curiously. “Let’s just say; Sunset is currently my responsibility and I need to insure that she is safe.” Luna told him as she took a drink of her coffee she didn’t reveal anymore as it was private between her and Sunset. “Maybe we could come to an agreement instead of pressing charges?” Mrs Griffon asked feeling hopeful. Luna thought on that. She knew pressing charges wasn’t going to work out. She knew they would use things against Sunset when it became clear to her that they would. So she could only restore to one way something that she would be satisfied with a punishment for them but also knowing this would put a stop to the fighting. “Well... perhaps. We could come to some sort of deal breaker.” She spoke while she was in thought. “What do you have in mind?” Mr Gifforn asked. She sighed and trailed off. “A two week suspension. Dentition for the rest of the semester. They will also be helping around the school; dances, events etc. They will also be helping the cleaners and janitors. Reporting to my office daily with exercise punishments and finally owning Sunset an apology for what they did. How does that sound?” “That still sounds a bit much but maybe the discipline would be good for them. Thank you Vice Principal Luna.” Mrs Griffon said. Although she was glad that Luna wasn’t going through with the charges anymore. Luna stood up from her desk and placed her hands on the desk. “I will say one thing though and this is not as a Vice Principal of a student but someone who’s also a parent; so listen carefully. If Sunset is harmed in any way again. Then I will go through with it. So I want you to warn your daughters to keep their distance as far away as possible from her.” She said with nothing but coldness in her voice while they all looked in shocked. “Is that a threat Vice Principal Luna? You know we could have you fired for that.” Mrs Griffon shot back, baffled that a firgue of authority would even threaten such a thing. ’So that’s where Gilda gets her argumentative side from.’ Luna thought to herself before shrugging and lifted her head. “Then be it. I sure hope you wouldn’t like to see your daughter lying out cold would you?” “Well if you put it that way. I see your point.” Mrs Griffon said, trying to be civil. Luna nodded and smiled. “Good. I’ll get the girls in then.” She called for Gilda, Trixie and Sunset. ”Can Gilda, Trixie and Sunset Shimmer report to Vice Principal Luna’s office.” Came Luna’s voice through the speaker. Sunset was in physic class, she put away her notes as the teacher told her to leave the class quietly. She sighed. She wasn’t ready to face Gilda and Trixie but having Luna there to support her was something she was grateful for. As she got up from her seat she got a few chuckles and snickers from other class mates. “Hey! Watch out! She-demon is in trouble!” One of the students shouted from the back. The rest of class laughed while the teacher told them to be quiet. Sunset ignored it and made her way out the class room. She walked down the halls, looking around her surroundings and feeling very nervous as she reached Luna’s office. She noticed that Gilda and Trixie were already there and she gulped hard. Her body started to tremble when she sat at the seat across from them. She was starting to get flashbacks from what happened to her. She stared into space as her mind was going. She could feel her body starting to sweat. She saw herself running, running as fast as she could outside of the school her breathing was going rapid but she could not stop. She just ran and ran. Until then, it was then she stopped for a second... then she remembered; she remembered being pounded onto the ground. She felt her body banging against the cold stone. She could feel it, every pain. Every kick to her stomach. She felt sick. She felt everything but then... she felt nothing. Her head banged against the ground as she fell hard, the last thing she heard was someone shouting her name in the distance. “-Unset! Sunset!” Came Luna’s voice as Sunset stared up to her with tears in her eyes. “You can come in now, were waiting for you.” Luna said as she stood next to her. Sunset closed her eyes and out came fresh tears. “I don’t think I can do this.” She trembled. Shaking herself back and forth it was like she was beginning to hyperventilate. Luna looked on with concern her eyes. She felt worried for her but she also felt angry as she knew who caused Sunset to feel like this in the first place. Luna bent down to Sunset’s level so she could get a better look at the girl. “I am here. I’m with you and we’re getting this sorted. Everything will be over soon.” She said in a soothing tone as she placed her hands on Sunset’s lap. Sunset shook her head and sniffed. “I-I don’t want to go in there Luna.” Luna moved to the chair next to Sunset and pulled her in for a hug to calm her down. “Nothing is going to happen. Gilda and Trixie are being punished and they want to apologise for what they did. It will be over in ten minutes.” Sunset pulled away from her and wiped her eyes with a shaky hand. “I’m scared Luna what happens if it’s just going to get worse?” She whispered, looking to her guardian for comfort. “It won’t. I’ve made it clear. The worst is over.” Luna said as she placed her hand on top of Sunset’s head. Although she too did feel a little scared. She knew how teenagers can be at that age. She dealt with it all once before so she knew what Sunset was going through but this made her want it to be put to a stop so she didn’t need to see Sunset suffer anymore. Luna looked to Sunset again and lifted her chin to face her. “Why don’t we both go in and if you don’t feel comfortable you can walk out anytime okay? I think it would be a good start for Gilda and Trixie to apologise to you now or they won’t have another chance.” “Yeah I guess I can do that as long as your there.” Sunset said as she blushed. Knowing that she needed Luna more than ever. Luna fixed Sunset’s face. “I’m always here. Remember that.” She said as she helped the trembling teen up who stood up feeling a little lightheaded. She gave Sunset a moment to collect herself and then they walked back into the office. After the meeting it was just Luna and Sunset left in the office she wanted time to talk to her after she sent Gilda and Trixie home with their parents. “So you’re really not going through with pressing charges?” Sunset asked, confused in the sudden change of mind that Luna had. Luna sighed and shook her head. “No, I’m not. It’s not actually what I wanted but at least their still getting punished.” “Thank you. It might of got really messy for us. So it’s probably best to not go through with it.” Said Sunset. Luna looked up to her and gave her a weak smile. “I guess you’re right. However I don’t care if it got messy. My responsibility is to protect you and that’s what I’m gonna do. I made myself clear on that today.” “W-what did you do?” Sunset asked. Luna sat back on her seat and let out a nervous laugh. “Heh. Nothing.” She grinned. “You threatened them didn’t you?” She asked again. Luna scratched the back of her neck. “It wasn’t a threat! It was a friendly warning!” She scoffed. “Luna are you crazy?!?! You can’t do that their parents of students that go here. What happens if they grass you up?” Sunset said. “They won’t. They will be glad that it came from me and not Chrysalis. She’s way worse than me with threats. You don’t want to mess with her.” “Luna you need to be careful I don’t want you getting the sack cause of me.” Sunset told her while Luna just laughed at her. “I will go through lengths for you Sunset just to make sure you are safe. No one messes with you or they deal with me.” Luna said proudly. Sunset just shook her head at her in amazement. Luna stood up from her seat. “Right. You better get back to class and I also request you see Tia at lunch she wants to speak to you. It’s nothing bad she just wants to chat.” Sunset nodded and stood up. “Okay. See you later.” She smiled and made her way to the door. “Sunset?” Luna said as she walked over to her, Sunset just stared at her. “Love you.” Luna said as wrapped her arms around Sunset tightly. “Love you, too.” Sunset said with joy in her voice. Hearing those words amazed her and her heart fluttered. She felt warm in Luna’s loving embrace. The hug broke and Sunset returned to class. It was lunch time and after Sunset’s meeting with Luna and a few classes, she told the girls she had to go see Principal Celestia for something as Luna asked her too. She was curious why Celestia wanted to speak to her in the first place. The two did have a rocky start but Sunset didn’t mind Celestia she knew she was trying with her so the best she could was give the woman a chance. Sunset made her way to the office and asked Raven if it was okay to go in which she allowed and let her in. Celestia was sat at her desk eating her lunch. “Is this a bad time?” Sunset asked. Standing awkwardly at the door, unsure whether or not to go in. “Not at all Sunset! Please take a seat i was just finishing off my sandwich.” Celestia said in a friendly tone, wiping her face with a napkin. Sunset smiled and took a seat. “Did you have lunch?” Celestia asked. “Yeah. I just grabbed a salad.” Sunset said as she sat herself down. “Good. I don’t want you in here without something in your belly. Luna would kill me.” Celestia laughed while she moved to put her wrappers in the bin. Sunset smirked. “So Luna told me you wanted to speak to me?” Said Sunset, getting straight to the point, she still felt a little nervous around the Principal. Celestia took a seat back at her desk. “Yes i did. You don’t have any plans at the weekend do you?” She asked, feeling a little nervous to asked the teen. Sunset shook her head. “Um no, I don’t actually. The girls are all busy. So I’m free, unless Luna’s wants a gaming marathon or makes me do some school work.” She let out a nervous laugh. Celestia smiled warmly. “Well, i was thinking and only if you want too. Would you like to do something with me?” She asked, hoping that Sunset would accept. She didn’t want to let her sister down as she had been hoping on the idea of the two of them spending time together and also was hoping to spend time with her too. Sunset felt a little uncomfortable that Celestia of all people would ask her to spend time with her. It was definitely something the Princess would never ask her. However, she did feel a little happy that Celestia wanted too. “Yeah that’d be nice.” She said in evenly tone. Celestia grinned. “That’s excellent Sunset. I’m glad although I must say I might not be as exciting as Luna or Chrysalis when you’re with them. So it’s up to you on what we do.” Sunset smiled. “I’m sure that’s not true. I know Chrysalis and Luna can be pretty wild. Especially Chrysalis, she’s nuts.” She laughed. “Uh, Don’t tell her I said she’s nuts I might possibly be killed.” Celestia chuckled. “To be fair I think Chrys would agree with you on that. She’d thank you for it.” “Well that’s true.” Sunset agreed while chuckling. “So then, i’ll pick you up around the afternoon on Saturday then and we can go from there? We could go earlier but I know you and Luna like your lies in.” Celestia said. Sunset blushed at that. “Yeah cool.” She said smiling at Celestia. She was actually looking forward to this but she did feel a little nervous about it, she wasn’t sure what they would talk about. After school when Luna and Sunset got back to the apartment Sunset went to her room to catch up on school work. Luna done her own thing before Chrysalis came over with dinner for them all. “Sunset! Chrysalis is in and she’s bought Chinese for us all.” Luna called from the door. Sunset got up from her bed and made her way to the living room. She noticed Chrysalis had the Chinese sat out on the table with soda sat out too. “Hey kid. I got you noodles. It’s vegetarian.” Chrysalis said while sitting on the sofa with her food, tugging into it. Sunset moved over to sit next to her and picked up her food. “Thanks.” She grinned at Chrysalis. “You know, you may aswell move in at this point you practically never leave here.” She said winking at her. “Awk be quiet you.” Chrysalis said while flicking Sunset on the head with her fingers, which earned a ‘Ow’ from Sunset. “I bet you are glad that I’m here.” Chrysalis nudged her. “Who said that I am?” Sunset shot back playfully smirking at her as she poured her some soda. Although, she was kidding at that she did enjoy being in Chrysalis’s company. Luna made her way through and sat down next to Chrysalis’s other side at the sofa. She had a smile on her face as she watched Chrysalis and Sunset interact with each other, throwing jabs at each other. She’s so different now, than she was when she first met Chrys. Luna thought to herself. She was glad the two bonded so well. Maybe Sunset would be happy if the pair got back together. Chrysalis looked at Luna and smiled. “She’s learning you know.” She said while laughing at Sunset. Luna smirked. “You’re just a bad influence on her.” She said while nudging her friend. “Aw, but she loves me don’t you Sunny?” Chrysalis said to Sunset, waggling her brows and grinning. As Chrysalis was saying that to Sunset, she was in the middle of drinking her soda but then when she saw Chrysalis facial expression she burst out into laughter and her juice went everywhere on the table. “Whoops.” Sunset said like a little kid who got caught doing something they shouldn’t have but she was still laughing, Chrysalis joined in as she saw it coming. Luna just looked on in complete shock. “You better get that cleaned up Sunset. God, it’s like having two toddlers in the house when you two are with each other!” Luna said trying to be serious but she herself was ready to burst into laughter. Sunset stood up and went to the kitchen to get some kitchen roll to clean up the table with. “That was Chrysalis’s fault.” She said grinning at the older woman, then running off to the kitchen so she didn’t get killed. Chrysalis looked at her, trying to eat her Chinese, she put it down. “Uh, was not!” She shouted while sticking her tongue at her. “Was too!” Sunset called from the kitchen. “You two are worse than me and Tia were when we were kids.” Luna said laughing at her. Sunset came back into the living room and wiped the table down, when the job was done she sat back down on the sofa while Chrysalis pulled her in for a headlock and wrestling with her. The two of them laughing together. “Luna! Make her stop!” Sunset yelled as she struggled against Chrysalis. “Right! enough you two or someone is going to end up hurt.” Luna warned. “And Chrysalis don’t think I won’t ground you too if you don’t listen to me.” Chrysalis let go of Sunset and looked at Luna, she had a grin on her face. “Of course you would love to punish me. Your kink right?” Well that earned a slap on the back of the head from Luna. “Chrysalis! I’m warning you!” Sunset choked on her savila at that comment Chrysalis made. “Yeah, I really don’t want to hear about Luna’s kinks. Thank you very much.” She said trying to shake that thought at of her head. “Sunset!” Luna yelled while looking at her. Chrysalis let out a laugh. It was the first time that she felt like she truly had a family. it felt nice to have that closeness with people that she could have a laugh with. She was becoming to love Sunset just as much as Luna loved her. Maybe, being a family is what Chrysalis and Luna needed, something that could fix the relationship.