//------------------------------// // Chapter 6 // Story: Phoenix Magic // by Magic Kitsune Brony //------------------------------// “Why don’t you take a break from studying, Sunset? Go out and make some friends, OK?” “Ok, Princess.” “There’s something wrong with that pony.” “I heard that she eats meat.” “Well, I heard that she sometimes walks on her hind legs.” “Hi, I’m Sunset Shimmer. Do you want to be friends?” “Ew, no. I don’t want to be friends with a meat-eating freak like you.” “I’ve tried to make friends, just like you asked.” “Did you really try?” “Sunset, how can you make friends, when you keep doing these things?” “But why do I have to change how I am? What’s the point of friends, if they can’t accept me for being me?” “Weirdo!” “Freak!” Sunset jolted awake. She sat in bed trying to regain her breath. While over the years, she had been getting murmurs, this was the first time she got words in her dreams. Pony? She thought. Is that what I was on the other side of the portal? A… Pony? She got out of bed and walked over to her desk to write in her dream journal and made a note to add this revelation to her report to Chrysalis. Sunset got ready for school. She looked down at her new clothes, made by her friend Rarity of course. She wore an orange skirt with a purple and yellow stripe and a purple shirt with a two-toned sun. To complete the look Rarity had given her a pair of boots with a purple flames design and a leather jacket with studs in the collar. She also put on her bracelets, which now had four new charms. From Fluttershy she was given a butterfly and a lion, and from Pinkie, a balloon and a cannon. When asked, Pinkie explained it was a charm of her party cannon. After making sure she was ready, she walked downstairs for breakfast. “Morning Mum,” She said. “Morning Dad.” “Morning, sweetie,” Celestia replied. “I like the new look.” “Thanks,” Sunset smiled. “Rarity decided to give all of us a new look for high school.” “Are you excited, little phoenix?” Sombra asked, as he placed breakfast in front of everyone. “Yep,” she replied. “I still can’t believe I get to go to the junior high section of CHS.” “Yes, it is exciting isn’t it?” Celestia smiled. “It will certainly be easier to drop off and pick you up now.” Sunset simply giggled before digging into her food. “Hoot!” They turned to watch Hedwig fly in through the nearby open window, claws full of letters and the newspaper. Ever since Sunset was given her, Hedwig had really become part of the family. She even had her own pet passport for when the family went to Australia to visit Sombra’s family. Thanks to Hedwig, there wasn’t many rats and mice around both Crystal Winery and Sweet Apple Acres. Hedwig had also become an assistant in a way for Sunset. Whenever Sunset spent too much time on homework or reading, Hedwig always found ways to get her to stop, whether it was taking the pencil from her hand or taking the book away and hiding it. She was always sitting on the mailbox very morning, ready to collect the mail from the mailman. This morning was no different. “Good Morning, Hedwig,” Sunset passed a piece of bacon to the owl. “You didn’t give the mailman too much trouble, did you?” “Hoot!” Hedwig simply looked away, as if she was saying ‘maybe’. Hedwig had recently gotten into the habit of sometimes pranking the mailman. It certainly kept them on their toes. As she ate her food, Sunset remembered her dream. “Oh, I had another dream last night. Still no visuals, but it did hint at something.” “Really, what sort of hint?” Sombra asked, looking up from the newspaper. Sunset explained what she had heard in her dream “Hmm,” Celestia said, rubbing her chin. “Pony? It would explain the video footage of when you came through the portal. It did show you trying to walk on all fours.” “That’s what I thought too,” Sunset agreed. “I’ve already written a note for my report for Chrysalis” “Good,” Celestia nodded. “Though, I have to say, teasing someone for what they eat or how they walk is horrible. And telling someone to change just to make friends is just ridiculous.” “I agree,” Sombra said. “Thankfully, that’s all behind you now, and you are here, where you are accepted for being you.” “You’re right,” Sunset smiled. “Thanks, dad.” Soon it was time to leave for work and school. As they arrived at CHS, Sunset could see her friends standing in front of the Wondercolt statue, all in their new outfits. “G’day, everyone,” She greeted. The girls greeted her back. “Hi, Sunset,” Pinkie said. “How was Australia?” “It was totally ace!” Sunset grinned. “Aunt Ruby’s wedding was beaut. Thank goodness, you gave me that dress Rarity, so thanks for that,” she showed them her photos of the wedding. “You’re welcome Darling,” Rarity said. “And I must say your aunt’s dress looks absolutely gorgeous. Though, I must ask, why are you talking like that?” “Sorry,” Sunset apologised, rubbing the back of her head. “But you should know by now, that whenever I visit family in Australia, I tend to pick up the slang. Not to mention, dad’s been teaching me.” “That slang sounds so weird,” Rainbow commented. “Speaking of weird,” Sunset started. “I want to tell you about my dream last night…” She told them about her dream and what her parents thought about it. The girls agreed with her parents about the idea of changing one’s personality just to make friends. “Though,” Fluttershy said. “When you think about it, if you are right about you possibly being a bit of a bully before you came here. Maybe the fact you were bullied for being you, you became a bully to protect yourself. It’s not that unusual.” “You know, I think you might be right, Flutters,” Sunset agreed. “Anyway, we better get going. We don’t want to be late for the first day of high school.” As they walked to homeroom, Rarity couldn’t help but want a little more gossip, “By the way, darling, I couldn’t help but notice that Vice Principle Luna is looking a little wider than normal.” “I figured you would notice that before everyone else,” Sunset teased. “But, yes, as you have probably guessed, Aunt Luna is pregnant.” “Oh my gosh!” Pinkie exclaimed. “I should organise a super duper awesome ‘Congratulations, You’re Pregnant’ Party!” “Sorry, Pinkie, but we already had a small party,” Sunset apologised. “But I’m sure Aunt Luna would appreciate some help with the baby shower.” “Okie Dokie Lokie,” Pinkie saluted. “Any name ideas?” Applejack asked “It’s already been decided that if is a boy Aunt Luna would choose the name,” Sunset said, as they sat down at their desks. “And if it’s a girl, Uncle Discord chooses the name. Although I think Aunt Luna is regretting agreeing to that.” “How come?” Fluttershy asked. “Because his idea of a good girl’s name is Screwball,” Sunset said grimacing at the suggestion. “Screwball?” Rainbow raised an eyebrow. “Screwball.” Sunset confirmed. “Wow.” As the girls decided to finish that topic, the homeroom teacher walked in. “Ok, settle down everyone,” she greeted the class. “Now, my name is Snowdrop Honey, and I will be your homeroom teacher for the year. I have your schedules right here, but before I give them to you, I’ll through roll call.” She did rollcall and then gave them their schedules. As they walked out of the room, they all looked at their timetable. “So, what do we have first?” Rainbow asked. “We have potions first,” Applejack answered. And with that they headed for potions. As they were walking, they passed the noticed board, where Pinkie spotted a bright flier with balloons, fireworks and a crown on it. “Oohh,” Pinkie pointed it out for the other girls. “Look, it’s a flier for some kind of party.” “That would be for the Fall Formal,” Sunset explained. “Mum said that they have every year and it’s open to all years.” “Oh my,” Rarity said, eyes sparkling. “I can already think of so many ideas for dresses.” “What’s with the crown?” Applejack asked “Oh, that’s for the Fall Formal Princess,” Sunset answered. “Fall Formal Princess?” Rarity looked intrigued. “Yeah,” Sunset said. “You sign up and then leading up to the formal, all your classmates vote who they want as Princess.” “Oh, I must sign up!” Rarity exclaimed “You would, wouldn’t you Rarity?” Rainbow smirked at her “But of course, darling,” Rarity waved away “What about you Sunset?” Applejack looked at the redhead. “Are you goin’ to sign up?” “Maybe,” Sunset said, thinking. “I might sleep on it. It’s just, I must be careful. I don’t want people accusing mum of favouritism.” “Fair enough,” Applejack nodded in understanding. “If anything, I’m more interested in that flier for a talent show,” Sunset pointed out the flier. “Oh, what you were thinking of doing for it?” Pinkie asked. “I was thinking of either painting or singing,” Sunset shrugged. “Well, you do have a wonderful singing voice,” Rarity complimented. “Yeah, you should totally do it,” Rainbow agreed. “And we’ll be cheering you on.” “Thanks,” Sunset smiled. “Ok, so Rares will sign up for the Fall Formal,” Pinkie took a notebook out of her hair and started writing. “And Sunny will sign up for the Talent Show and maybe the Fall Formal as well.” All the girls nodding in agreement of that plan. “Um, we better hurry or we’ll be late for class,” Fluttershy reminded. They all headed to class and managed to make before the bell. Dear journal, First week of high school was both exciting and exhausting. So far, my favourite classes are potions and, of course, art. Mum and dad have finally let me sign up for those Northern Shaolin Kung Fu classes, I can’t wait to start. I also signed up for the fencing club, after kinda begging mum to let me. I made a new friend in English. Her name is Wallflower Blush and she was very shy. She mainly talked to me, to tell me about a stone she found that somehow erases memories. Thankful we took it to mum, who gave it to the authorities, especially when I noticed that its magical signature is like the portal’s. As for Wallflower, after talking with her, I think I managed to help her out of her shell, she’s a lot more talkative now. Then there is Gilda. At first, she was like any other tough bully, until I remembered what Fluttershy said about me possible being a bully on the other side of the portal because I was protecting myself. I talked with Gilda’s sister Gabby and brother Gallus. I found out that since their parents died, they had been living with their grandpa, but only Gilda was working after school. Apparently, she was fired from her after school job and they were close to being evicted from their house. So, after talking dad about Tom, the old farm hand who recently left due to family things. It took a little convincing, but we managed to get Gilda a job. As a bonus, the old farm hand had a small house at the back of the winery, plenty of room for Gilda’s family. I heard Granny Smith had been getting along with Grandpa Gruff. I finally decided to join Rarity in signing up for the Fall Formal Princess. That’s going to be interesting, I’ll certainly vote for her. I also signed up for the Talent Show. I think I might sing, I just got to think of what song to sing. Thankfully, I’ve got a whole month to decide. Well, that’s it for me, let’s hope I do well this year Sunset King