//------------------------------// // 1st Wish // Story: 12 Wishes for a Shimmering Christmas // by Kamen Rider SEGADash //------------------------------// It had been snowing by Canterlot High, and it was quite a nice walk to school for the Mane 5, Rarity admiring the decorations set up for the upcoming holiday, AJ was looking off what her farm was going to be selling for the holidays, Pinkie Pie was continually helping to set up the decorations for the holiday, Rainbow Dash was texting her buddy Lightning about a sleigh ride, while Fluttershy was… looking around for someone. “Has anyone seen Sunset Shimmer?” Fluttershy asked. “...Now that you mention it, no,” Dash admitted. “I haven’t seen her either,” Rarity added. “Same here,” AJ informed. “I can’t see her with my Pinkie Sense,” Pinkie stated, as she felt a twitch, and moved Fluttershy out of the way of a snowball that was tossed from some kids playing nearby. “Sorry,” one of the kids apologized, as they walked off. “That was weird,” Dash admitted, as they headed by the school’s entrance, where Fluttershy saw Sunset Shimmer was at the statue that held a mirror that acted as a gateway back to where she came from. Sunset looked like she was cold, with Fluttershy noticing she wasn’t really dressed for winter time, shivering from the cold and sneezing. “Oh dear,” Fluttershy gasped before going over to Sunset, the red and yellow haired girl seeing her because of the reflection the mirror casted. “Oh… hi,” Sunset waved. “What’re you doing here, Sunset? School won’t start for a little while and… why aren’t you dressed for this time of year?” Fluttershy asked with worry and concern. “I… I-I-I-I… I just… didn’t have anything that would… fit,” she started, sneezing in between every few words. Sunset headed inside the building, while the five friends watched her in worry. “Have any of you ever seen where Sunset lives?” Dash asked a bit later. “Why bring that up?” Rarity responded in confusion. “Just answer my question,” “...Well, I don’t believe I did,” Rarity admitted. “Nope,” Pinkie shrugged. “Not really,” AJ added. “U-Um… n-no,” Fluttershy answered. “Well… try this. Maybe Sunset… doesn’t really live anywhere. What if she’s homeless and that also supports why she doesn’t have any winter clothing,” Dash figured. “Quite the stretch seeing as she’s still able tah go tah school wit us,” AJ pointed out. “Don’t schools have some sort of program or something that allows homeless people to still attend?” Dash added. “I guess… but don’t you think she would’ve told us?” Rarity asked, when Pinkie felt something. “Sunset’s on her way. Stop talking,” Pinkie whispered. With that, the others stopped talking when the girl in question walked over, covered in a thick blanket. She sat down at her desk, and their teacher noticed she was bundled up like that. “Sunset Shimmer… are you okay?” the teacher asked. “S-Sorry Ms. Larson.  But I-I didn’t have any extra clothes on me,” Sunset informed. “Oh… I see…” Ms. Larson stated, as she shrugged, “Alright class. Today’s writing assignment is in the spirit of the holidays. You are to write down any 12 things that you would like for Christmas. They don’t have to be in any order, just be sure to list at least 12.” With that, the students got to work, Sunset taking a moment longer to get out some paper and a pencil to start writing. Most of the students were listing off things that anyone would like, such as a the new cell phone model, a new video game or video game system, gift cards, cash, etc. However, Sunset was taking some time to carefully consider what it is she wanted for Christmas, while she did put down a traditional thing or two that kids would like, it was only due to her own curiosity. ‘Hmm… well… oh! Yea, that’s good,’ Sunset thought, writing down a few more ideas, before she looked at the twelfth and final slot, the only one not filled in. ‘Hmm… what would this one be… uh… hmm...’ “Okay class, I would like these before you leave class today. But please, take your time if you think you’ll need it.  When you are done, please leave them up on my desk,” Ms. Larson told her class, with almost everyone heading up with their finished list. ‘...really? They’ve finished already? Well… it’s all probably shallow stuff… the usual things and-ara?’ Ms. Larson thought, noticing Sunset still working on her list ‘Hmm… heh. I always thought she’d have the most shallow things to write about this, and yet she’s taking the most time… hmm… Sunset’s changed.’ After ten minutes, Sunset finally finished and handed her list to Ms. Larson. She looked over it for a moment, before looking at Sunset curling up under the blanket she brought, and saw the looks of worry Fluttershy and her friends all had. A bit later, class was about to end, when Ms. Larson asked to speak with Sunset. “You wanted to see me, Ms. Larson?” Sunset asked in worry, before she sneezed, but made sure it was away from her teacher. “You’re not in any trouble Sunset,” Ms. Larson informed. “I’m not?” Ms. Larson showed the assignment from that day, and Sunset saw it was her paper, and on it, was in red pen ‘100%. Great Work :)’. “I’m sure you remember these, ‘1.‘Have a roof over my head for the holidays, 2. Decorate a Christmas Tree, 3. Go Christmas Caroling, 4. Bake cookies and other holiday sweets, 5. Get a plushie of a Luma from SMG, 6. Get a copy of Super Smash Bros for 3DS, 7. Get a 3DS, 8. Go on a sleigh ride, 9. Drink Hot Cocoa by the fireplace with friends, 10. Help out the less fortunate, 11. Have a candy Christmas Calendar, and 12. Have a mistletoe kiss with Fluttershy.’” “Eh?! I… did good on this assignment?” “Sunset… you’re a great person, and I always knew you would.  Just remember that this holiday doesn’t mean what comes in a box, but what comes from the heart,” Ms. Larson told Sunset. “...Th-Thank you, Ms. Larson.” Sunset smiled, as she took the paper and put it in her bag, smiling at the very first 100 she had gotten in a very long time. Later, as Sunset was walking between classes, the paper with her list slipped out of her bag and fell to the ground, and Fluttershy noticed this, going over to get the paper before it was stepped on. “Uh… Sunset,” she called out, but Sunset didn’t hear her, “Sunset! Come back! You dropped… and she can’t hear me…” She sighed and picked up the paper that fell out of Sunset’s bag, simply wondering what it was… To be continued…