//------------------------------// // I Want You to Hate Yourself // Story: When the Sun Sets // by Deep //------------------------------// The following morning, as Sunset made her way to Celestia’s throne room, she was shaking with fear. Why am I so stupid? No way Twi stays quiet and doesn’t tell Celestia. She’s probably already told her; I’m sure of it. They’re probably talking about how to get rid of me right now. Celestia wouldn’t put me in the dungeons; she’s too much of a softie for that. But she’ll definitely kick me out. I’ll be forced to go back to my house, and my mom will never let me live this down. She’s never gonna stop bragging about how she was right about me.  When Sunset reached the door to the throne room, she took a deep breath, preparing herself for what fate awaited her. I can’t go back to my mom. If Twi really did snitch on me, and Celestia really is gonna let me go… then I have to make sure I’m put in the dungeon, even if it means attacking Celestia to make sure it happens. Anything is better than going back home.  She entered the room, eyes shut and wincing from fear. She was too scared to see Celestia’s face.  “Good morning, my student,” Celestia said, sounding as motherly as ever. Confused, Sunset opened her eyes. Celestia was sitting on her throne, smiling as brightly as ever. Twi stood beside the princess, forcing a smile, but clearly shooting Sunset a glare.  “Good morning to you too, Princess,” Sunset said. “Were you two having a meeting or something?” “Twilight awoke much earlier than usual, and to my delight, began asking me for duties she could assist me with,” Celestia said as Twilight shot Sunset a grin. “Did she now?” Sunset returned Twilight’s glare. “Tell me, what did she volunteer to do?” Celestia used her wing to caress Twi. “Quite a few things, mostly to make my day a bit easier. How about you help her? Two ponies working together will get done much faster than one.” “Oooooor… how about I do different chores?” I see what you’re up to, Twi. You really think acting like the perfect student will be enough to win Celestia over? Well, two can play at that game. I’ve known Celestia longer than you have, and know just what to do to get on her good side. After the princess sees just how much better of a student I am than you, she’ll toss you aside like the trash you are. “In fact, give me as many as you can!” “Uh,” Celestia said, “I am not sure if that is wise--” “If anypony can handle this, it’s me. Besides, I know how much you love having a day just to relax.”  Celestia lost herself in fantasy from the thought of a day of relaxation. “It is true that it’s been too long since I had a day to unwind.” “Exactly. Give me everything you can. You just relax today. And who knows, I might throw in a surprise later too.” Twilight began to panic. “Give me more tasks too. I can handle them!” “I am sorry, Twilight, but are you still new here. Focus on completing the tasks already assigned to you.” With a smirk, Sunset stuck out her tongue at her rival.  It only took a few minutes for Celestia to give Sunset a giant list of tasks to complete. Most were things Sunset had done before, and so she began them quickly. Her goal was to complete them before the day was done and then return to Celestia to ask for more to do. As she sped through the checklist, she gleefully thought about how jealous Twilight must have been right now. Not only that, she used her lunch break to schedule a spa date with Celestia for the evening.  It took Sunset until five in the evening to complete her list, after which she returned to the princess and said, “All done. Not that you should be surprised.” Celestia was lying back on her bed, relaxed and reading a book. “I am not surprised in the least. You have outdone yourself, my student.” “I know.” Sunset couldn’t help but smirk. “And remember how I said I’d have a surprise…” She took out her spa tickets. “Me and you. The spa. In two hours. How does that sound?” Celestia’s face lit up. “That sounds wonderful! However…” No, no. There’s not supposed to be a however. “Twilight is not done with her chores yet. I do not wish to leave the premises in case she needs my assistance.” Hmmm, I can use this to my advantage. “How about I help her finish? When I make sure she’s done, then we’ll go.” “Perfect idea. I really have taught you well.” Celestia gave Sunset a wink. Oh, you have no idea how well you’ve taught me. Sunset sprinted to Twi, who was in the royal banquet hall, in the middle of arranging a feast for the Canterlot elite. Despite looking overwhelmed, Twi was managing the preparations well, so well in fact that Sunset couldn’t help but growl when she saw how organized and efficient her rival was.  When Twilight heard the growl, she turned the source of the sound and gave Sunset her most vicious glare. “I’m surprised you didn’t snitch,” Sunset said, making sure to look cocky. “You know, with you being the way you are.” “It wasn’t to protect you, that I can promise.” “Let me guess, you want to show me the error of my ways by turning the other cheek? So that I feel bad, apologize, and become friends with you for real?”  “Wrong again.” “Or maybe you just want to kick me out the old fashioned way, by proving that you’re a much better student than me. Whatever it is, just spit it out.” Twilight shook her head. “I want you to hate yourself. More than you already do, that is.” Sunset was taken aback. “Excuse me?” “It’s not hard to see that you already do. The way you act so confident, so cocky, always showing off how great you are. It’s obvious that you’re compensating for something. I don’t know what that something is, only that it has to be big. Otherwise, you wouldn’t base your entire personality around proving it wrong.” Sunset began to shake with anger. “You don’t know a single thing about me.” “I don’t need to. Because after you’re gone, I’ll never have to see you again.” Furious, Sunset began to power up her horn. She wanted nothing more than to turn Twilight into a pile of ash. “I wouldn’t do that if I were you. Too many witnesses, don’t you think?” With another growl, Sunset powered down her horn. “I’m gonna end you for this.” “Sure you will.” Shaking more than ever, Sunset sprinted away to an empty hallway, where she let out a scream filled with every ounce of fury inside her. That piece of shit, acting like she knows me. Who does she think she is, acting so confident about who I am. She doesn’t know a single thing about me, neither does my mom. Especially my mom. I’ll prove them both wrong. Guessing that Twilight would be able to finish her tasks on her own, Sunset forced a smile and returned to Celestia. The two of them went to the spa and began their spa date. During it, Celestia was on cloud nine, but Sunset needed to use every ounce of her willpower to keep up her smile. Memories of her childhood and her mom’s words consumed her, making her want to hide her pathetic face beneath a pillow and cry. And the worst part of it all was that her misery made her unable to enjoy her date with Celestia, the one pony who had believed in her. The one pony who had told her that she could become special. She owed everything to the princess. In fact, she should’ve been completing Celestia’s tasks every single day out of gratitude, not once only as a way to outdo Twilight.  She really was a horrible pony, and she knew it.  “Isn’t this the best, my student,” Celestia said, relaxing in a jacuzzi.  Sunset sat beside her, her sadness causing her body to feel numb. She couldn’t feel the warm water. The only thing she could feel was guilt over her scummy actions.  “Sunset?” Celestia said, noticing her student’s silence. Twilight was right. Mom was too. Celestia, you’re such an idiot for choosing me.  Holding back tears, Sunset grabbed Celestia and gave her the tightest hug she could. “I’m sorry, Princess. I’m so sorry.”