//------------------------------// // When The Sun Sets // Story: Magic Mirror On The Wall, Who Is Mightiest Of Them All? // by Snakeskin Ducttape //------------------------------// Sunset Shimmer was feeling very above it all when it came to life as a first year at Hogwarts School of witchcraft and wizardry, not weighed down by the same concerns as the witches and wizards in training she was sharing classes and dorms with. All around her at the dining hall table, students had their noses deep in books and notes, rolls of paper and bags with even more books in them. Being above it all was good, because if she wasn’t, she would’ve started feeling very isolated by now. She chomped down on another piece of toast before emptying her glass and refilling it, then emptying it once again. The orange juice was especially good this morning. “Uuuuurgh!” Ron moaned loudly, as he let his book drop to the table, making the others around him look at him in annoyance. But it was futile. Ron’s temporary surrender triggered the same reaction in everyone, and everyone gingerly put their books back into their bags and rested their chins in their hands. Even Hermione put her books down, though without the same exhausted expression. “Don’t you need to study?” Harry asked Sunset, with just a hint of accusation. “I’m memorizing,” she lied, and tapped the side of her head. “Can’t read all the time. You have to process it too.” “That sounds good,” Seamus said, and grabbed a fistful of bacon. In truth, Sunset was trying to deal with a problem that the school didn’t teach her to solve, and that was what she was going to do in less than three months. “Where do you people live?” she asked the table in general. Ron raised an eyebrow in her direction. “What do you mean?” “Where do you live when you’re not attending Hogwarts?” Sunset asked. “With my family?” he suggested. “And where is that?” Sunset asked, with overdone patience. Running out of way to deflect the question, Ron grunted slightly. “Devon,” he said, and noticed the expectant silence, and not just from Sunset. “My family has a house out in the country. Mind you, most wizard families live out in the country.” “Country, eh?” Sunset said, to herself. “Like a manor?” Ron looked offended for a moment, before noticing how genuine Sunset’s expression was. “Hrm, hardly. It’s a cottage we’ve built five more cottages on top of, and an attic. Thought you could ask your friend Malfoy that.” Sunset wasn’t paying attention to the accusation in Ron’s voice, and caught him off-guard when she nodded in approval. “A tower, then? I’ve always said you can’t be a proper wizard without a tower.” Unnoticed by Sunset, a look of surprised satisfaction slowly grew across Ron’s face. The attention shifted clockwise towards Hermoine, who simply said, “We live just outside London, and we don’t have any towers, but then again, my parents are muggles.” “But do you have any turrets?” “Uhm, well, yeah... one,” she admitted. “That counts, in a pinch.” “Why? Do you live in a place with a bunch of towers?” Ron asked. “There were a few around,” Sunset said. Which was true in a sense, Canterlot Castle, and the city as a whole, largely consisted of towers- square, round, thick, thin, tall, and taller. “That makes sense when you think of the muggles I live with, they hate magic, and there are no turrets in their house,” Harry said, and turned to Ron and Hermione and mumbled, “I’d like to know if living in a tower would make my cousin healthier or just always tired.” Sunset remembered Harry mentioning that before, but hadn’t felt comfortable pressing him on the subject. “Why do they hate magic?” “They hate anything that isn’t normal. Normal to them that is. They want to seem as normal as possible.” “Yeah? Where does one live to seem as normal as possible?” “A suburb in Surrey.” Sunset was mentally cataloging all the options for residence as her classmates listed off where they lived. Neville, as Sunset pretty much knew already, lived with his grandmother in an old wizarding house, though not an overly distinguished one, as old wizarding houses were quite common. Lavender and Parvati similarly lived in not-quite-as-old wizarding houses, Seamus lived in a muggle village in Ireland, and Dean in Manchester. “Well, what about you?” Ron asked. “Oh, London,” Sunset said, airily, being the closest to the truth with her having lived there for a few days. Not that she was worried about it, but Sunset still had to solve the problem of being, frankly, homeless. There were many solutions though. For example, with a little work, she could compress soil and do some magical chemistry to create an underground house just about anywhere, but something told her that the best approach was to try and live as normal as possible during the summer. When breakfast was over, they made their way to Flitwick's classroom, and all of Sunset’s classmates, except Hermoine, were becoming so spent from all the studying in general, that they struggled with basic housekeeping spells. This obviously followed a pattern that Flitwick was used to, because he patiently kept trying to jam the information into the overstuffed brains of the students. “Come now, keep stirring,” he said, as the class, chins in hands and eyes drooping, waved their wands to manipulate a dozen rags to clean the blackboard. “Weasley, Finnigan, you’re trying to move the same rag.” Ron and Seamus jolted to attention, making the rag in question tear in two. And so it went, the days rolled on sluggishly, on from the winter and its cozy snow, and firmly into the season of rain and grey skies. Regions where the weather is left unattended could result in some long and mediocre springs, and that was definitely the case here. Sunset had adjusted the spells she coated her clothes in accordingly to account for the moisture in the air, so that she stayed warm and dry, but she still missed living in a place with a dedicated weather team keeping things tidy so she didn’t have to teleport out to catch some rays the few times she could. It sounds like you are keeping busy, but how do you actually feel? While everyone else was down in the common room or library, studying, Sunset was sitting in her bed with her book propped up against her knees. She poked her lower lip with her pen. Fine, I guess, but also I don’t know. Not fine. Because fine is not good enough? Sunset’s mouth fell open slightly from that, before sighing and slumping a little. Even when on another plane of existence, Celestia could, appropriately enough, read her like a book. No. You’ve always wanted so very much, Sunset. That’s one of the things that makes you you. Sunset almost shied away from the text, even though she could feel the gentleness of Celestia’s tone through her words. That sounds I don’t know it sounds bad. It sounds like a flaw. It can be, but so can most traits. The loyal and the generous can dedicate themselves to unworthy causes, the honest can be cruel, the kind can be smothering. You know this. And what about me? We must all be vigilant against that which prevents us from turning into our better selves, whether from without, or within. When one has powers such as yours, one must be more sagacious than most, my little Sunset. Sunset considered the conflicts in school she had managed to stay out of. I think I’m doing well enough. Some of the students here really dislike each other. I’ve stayed out of it. That is good, but remember that so many words of wisdom conflict for a reason. Words of peace might lose their meaning when swords are drawn, but few have been saved by apathy. Sunset rolled over in frustration, and lay her book in front of her, and scribbled in lazy frustration. I wish I could just get it over with. Celestia seemed almost amused. No you don’t. You like challenges. Yeah I do, but Sunset paused, and looked up into the bed canopy, searching for words. You wish you could know if you’ll succeed, when all is said and done. Yes So do we all, but the future cannot be truly known. What we can do is hone our wisdom and skill, and use it the best way possible, and that is true for everything. From the smallest task to when the fate of the world rests on your withers. Sunset knew what Celestia was talking about. In her extensive research, she had found hints of a great darkness coming to Equestria, which Celestia had defeated once before, but never spoken to anyone about. Sunset knew that if she became an alicorn, she’d have to face this darkness as well. She didn’t have her research notes, but her best estimates gave them around 307 years before the darkness returned. And now, I have a great test for you, Sunset. One I am not sure you will appreciate. This piqued her interest. What test could Celestia have for her when she was on another plane of existence? Alright? What is it The book was still for several moments, before it finally reacted. I have a new student. Sunset’s mind… went blank. Celestia could take on another student if she wished. Of course Celestia would take on another student, but that didn’t mean that she was throwing Sunset away. But it did mean that she was throwing Sunset away. Celestia was betraying her. But she had already thrown Sunset away in favor of that pink, girly monster. But she hadn’t- Celestia had said that she loved Sunset. Celestia saying that she loved Sunset conveniently placated her, it was a distraction, a way of shutting her up. Sunset didn’t care. Sunset was furious. Sunset was disappointed. Sunset would weather this with dignity. Sunset would prove her sagaciousness by being understanding. Sunset could take care of herself. Sunset would slam the book shut and never open it again. Sunset would say that she understood and never contact Celestia again in the vain hope that she could somehow make her pain known. Sunset felt all these options rush through her head all at once. Sunset… was surprised by how none of them seemed to stick.. I see. The book was still with apprehension for several moments. Sunset? Are you still there? Yes. Are you angry with me? I understand if you are. ... I don’t know. Do you want to keep talking? Sunset had to pause again before she could continue. I don’t know that either. If you don’t, I just want to say that this does not mean that I don’t love you, and it does not mean that I have given up on you, or that you are less deserving in any way, it simply means that I ran across another unicorn filly with great talent. I know that. Yes, but I want you to know that with your heart, not just your head. Sunset struggled to keep her composure. Not outwardly, that was easy, but internally. That can take much longer, I know. And I know how frustrating it is to be probed about one’s feelings before coming to terms with them. Sunset’s eyebrows knitted together slightly. You don’t say? What I am saying is that I understand if you would rather talk another time. Sunset’s scoffed. That sounds like a challenge. I am just trying to be understanding, Sunset. You’re also really irritating when you do this. I know, and I am sorry. Sunset’s expression eased, and she let out a sigh. Yes. I would rather talk another time. Take care, my little Sunset. Sunset’s pen hovered over the page for a moment, before she decided to just close the book. She stood up, and walked out of the dorm, doing her best to not draw attention to herself as she crossed the common room and walked out into the castle corridors. She wanted to try and clear her head with a walk, not talk with anyone. When she was alone with her thoughts, her gait slowed down into a frustrated saunter. A part of Sunset told her that Celestia had the right to take on new students. To hold that against her was stupid. Another part told her that Celestia should’ve just left her at the orphanage if she was going to toss her aside that freely- she would’ve been better off on her own. A middle part between those two suggested that what Sunset really wanted was just for Celestia to acknowledge that this would hurt Sunset’s feelings. The angry part of Sunset sneered at that, saying that if she wanted to spare Sunset’s feelings, she shouldn’t have gotten a new student. Better yet, she shouldn’t have held Sunset back like she did. But Celestia did acknowledge that Sunset would be hurt. Besides, it was Sunset who left. Which just meant that Celestia knew that what she did would hurt Sunset, yet she did it anyway. It was also Celestia who took Sunset under her wing, making her emotionally dependent on her, which was why she was hurt. The cold part of Sunset scoffed, and meant that it made no sense to both be sad about Celestia’s decision and feel that they would’ve been better off without ever having known her in the first place. Celestia hadn’t done anything wrong. Which was all grand and noble, but didn’t stop it from hurting. Sunset slumped with her shoulder against a wall, frustrated with herself, and wishing she could just get this over with already. “Sunset?” Sunset turned around to see Neville standing behind her, fidgeting. “Hey, Neville”, she sighed. “What’s up?” “Well, uhm, Madam Pomfrey said that you helped me up to the medical wing and I, uh, thought I should say thank you and then I… well uh… noticed you looking… sad.” Sunset nodded along with Neville's stuttering presentation, and let out a bitter half-laugh. “I guess,” she said, hanging her head slightly, and slumping back against the wall. “It’s stupid.” “Why?” Sunset raised her head again, and looked up into Neville’s round face, full of genuine concern. “It just…” But that was as far as she got before she had to stop and think about why it was stupid. “I… it’s just not… it’s… I’m… I’m just jealous.” Now it was Neville’s turn to struggle for words. “Y-you? Wh… why would you be jealous?” Sunset looked up at Neville, somehow not seeing that question coming, before laughing and shaking her head. “Yeah… why would I?” she asked herself. Sunset had been so lost in thought, so uninterested in the world around her, that she managed to miss the smell of Argus Filch creeping up on them, and putting one hand on each of their shoulders and spinning them around, with some difficulty in Sunset's case, to face him, making Neville jump in alarm. “What’re you two whisperin’ about then, eh?” he sneered. But this time Sunset was not in the mood. She placed her hand on Neville’s shoulder, and used her frustrations and anger as a focus. She scowled at him, locking eyes with him, and like the other times, she slipped out of his focus, and this time she took Neville with him. Neville’s scared expression gradually made way to worry and uncertainty, as Filch demeanor changed from threatening, to unfocused but angry, to confused and annoyed, and finally to disoriented. He wordlessly let go of them, and slowly backed away, almost stumbling as he sauntered off, ignoring them completely. Neville’s eyes followed him with worry and disbelief, before he turned to Sunset. “What was that all about?” She shrugged, casually. “Maybe he’s been drinking.” That made sense to Neville, who nodded sagely. “I’m hungry,” he said. “Are you?” “... Yeah.” When at the Gryffindor table, Sunset was resting her cheek on her fist while nibbling on a piece of toast. “Do you… want to talk about it?” Neville ventured. “No,” Sunset mumbled. “And I’m guessing you don’t actually wanna hear about it.” Neville was quiet for a few more moments before speaking again. “Maybe you should write home?” “I did write home.” Neville immediately opened his mouth, but closed it again, understanding, at least a little more. After a moment of uncertainty, Neville carefully said, “you… said your parents were gone, right?” That got Sunset curious, and she lazily yanked her head in Neville’s direction, who recoiled a little until he noticed her expression. “When did I say that?” she asked. “In the… in Diagon Alley,” he said. “You know, when you were talking to my grandmother.” Sunset thought back to that interesting time when she had just arrived in this world. “Oh yeah… I probably did.” “So… who did you write to?” Sunset didn’t smile, but something about this conversation at least wiped away some of the melancholy from her face. “My teacher.” Neville’s eyes did that search pattern thing that people sometimes do when processing new information. “Oh. So that’s why you’re so good at magic?” Sunset shrugged and mumbled something non-committal. Neville smiled in amusement, and Sunset realized that this was probably the first time she had ever seen him do so. “But you are,” he insisted. “You’re probably even better than Hermoine.” “Allow me some modesty,” Sunset said. “But… yes, she taught me magic, among other things. At least the magic I didn’t teach myself.” “... Did you have a row?” Sunset stared at the table for a few minutes, idly brushing off some crumbs down onto the floor. “... Yeah.” “And that’s why you’re sad?” “Who says I’m sad?” “Well, uhm… you’re… crying.” This made Sunset look up. She brought a finger up to feel a wet stream on her cheek. “Oh, great, have I been doing that for long?” Sunset muttered, and lazily grabbed a napkin and roughly wiped her face in it. “Uh, no.” Sunset looked up at the enchanted ceiling, a part of her curious why they magiced it to display the sky above instead of just making it transparent, before letting out a long sigh. Neville was a scaredy cat, but something made him sit there and gently try and understand an aloof girl like herself, the demographic with possibly the highest chance of them all to abuse his concern, taking it and throwing it back into his face for some kind of twisted self-satisfaction. She had to admire his guts at least. “She wasn’t just my teacher, she was my mentor, my only real friend, and the closest thing I had to a parent, and now she has another student.” Neville opened his mouth, then closed it again. Sunset looked at him curiously, to see if he had more questions, but he just looked away. It seemed like his mouth would stay closed this time. At least the conversation was distracting. “And you lived with your grandmother, and you were shopping with her as well. Same deal as with Harry?” Sunset asked. “No-yeah-uhm… well, no.” He looked up at Sunset’s curious face, and she realized that this was not a happy topic. “They… can’t take care of me,” he finally said, reluctantly. Sunset turned back to her food. This would have to be enough on this topic for now. “Hey,” she eventually said. “I’ve found some good spots to practice potions where no one notices. Wanna practice with me some time?” A smile tugged at Neville’s mouth. “S-sure.” — Sunset entered the first year girls’ dormitory in Gryffindor tower again, and sat down on the bed, placing her book in her lap again. She didn’t know whether she wanted Celestia to respond right away, or some other time, but she decided to write anyway. What’s her name? To her trepidation, the book lit up just seconds later. Her name is Twilight. Twilight Sparkle. Tell me about her.