//------------------------------// // Entry 1: Sunset Shimmer // Story: MLDC: Firestorm Crisis // by Michael_Ravencroft //------------------------------// Canterlot City, a bustling city who held the slogan “Where friendships are made!” It wasn’t an overly large city like some of the others, but it was alright for the people who wanted to live here. They had shops filled with the latest in fashion trends, some born here in the city, gaining notoriety in the fashion world. Their sports teams were nothing to laugh at either, chief among was their football team, the Nobles whose mascot was a the silhouette of a unicorn, it’s horn looking more akin to a blade than a spiral horn, the baseball team known as the Diamond Dogs, and the basketball team the Windigos, renowned for their aggressive play style. Of course, it wasn’t all just sports, they were just as proud of their science and arts. The Canterlot Planetarium which had the latest in holographic technology to give a full rendering of space and its wonders, the Museum of Modern Arts which showcased many of the city’s prominent and up-in-coming artists,  the Natural History Museum that owned quite the fossil collection, as well as some artifacts from ancient times. The Canterlot Philharmonic Symphony was widely known both outside and inside the city, as well as the brilliant cellist who was often asked to play with the group. All in all it was a great place to live. But Sunset Shimmer could care less for this place. She lived a nice apartment near the suburbs, she was on the second story with an extended porch, granting her a nice view of the city, both in the morning and at night. It was the end of spring break, not that she cared much for it. The clock on her wall read 7AM, meaning that she had about an hour to get ready to go back to school. Again, she didn’t care much for going to “High School”. Back in Equestria, she received the best education under Princess Celestia, not only in the magical arts, but in mathematics, science, and other subjects. So comparatively, she was way ahead of any the teenagers that went to Canterlot High. But when she went through that mirror, Sunset had no idea she’d end up in front of a school, and what’s worse, she also ran into the “human” counterpart of the very teacher she had turned her back on, Celestia. Although in this world, instead of Princess, she was a “Principal” at CHS. Sunset couldn’t help but laugh at that. Big, powerful, Princess Celestia, ruler of all of Equestria, was nothing more than a public school principal in this world. Although, she wasn’t expecting to see that Luna woman. She remembered the stories that Celestia told her about her younger sister, the other alicorn who controlled the moon, but as the story goes, she turned into Nightmare Moon and was imprisoned in the moon itself. Huh, wonder what the equivalent of that is here, thought Sunset Shimmer. Probably developing a crazy alter ego and being sent to the loony bin. Sunset sat on her couch, flipping through channels before settling on the news. She sat there crossed legged in her purple pajama bottoms and matching shirt, her cutie mark emblazoned on the chest area. It was a real shocker to find out that the mark of her destiny was not in its prescribed location, even on human body she thought it might be on her hip, even on posterior, but no mark. Luckily the clothes she had on had her mark, but anything else here definitely wouldn’t have it. To compensate she went and got some of her additional clothes embroidered with it, she couldn’t very well just let that go away, it was part of her, and it was the pride and joy of every Equestrian. The news was reporting on some freak nuclear explosion out in the middle of some barren place or whatever. It was raising quite the stink from what she could tell, different countries blaming each other for the explosion and accusing of nuclear attacks. That was one thing that Sunset Shimmer noticed different about this world, humans liked to fight, a lot. When they weren’t fighting for land, they were fighting over ideals, if not ideals, then religion, if not religion then money, race, who was right and who was wrong, the list went on. That’s not to say that Equestria hadn’t seen its fair share of struggle, wars, poverty, and disputes. But when you had a thousand-year-old, immortal sun goddess as your ruler, you tended to do as she said more often than not. But the one thing that she probably hated the most about this world, other than having to get used to walking upright on two legs, and learning how to use her hands, was that there was no magic. It was there, but it was so faint, so miniscule, that it might as well not be there at all. Several times Sunset Shimmer tried to connect to the magic of this world, even going so far as to study up on this world’s different methods. She made sure to stay away from anything involving blood, demons, or anything that involved selling one’s soul. Sadly, nothing worked. Sunset clicked one of buttons on her remote control, bringing up the time which read “7:30”. “Guess I better make an appearance.” Of all the things that mimicked the sensation of running like her pony self, riding a motorcycle was the closest. A car felt too stifling and confined, she liked being able to go fast, but still feel the world around her. Plus, a motorcycle was easier to buy than a car for her situation. Her black and red striped speed machine zipped and weaved in and out of traffic, the engine whining loudly into the air as she popped a wheelie. It took a while for her to learn the rules of the road, but she was a quick study, one of the things that made her a good protégé for the Princess. Sunset clicked her tongue in agitation when she thought of that mare. She revved the engine and sped away even faster. The school wasn’t too far away, a short ten minutes via her bike, fifteen by foot. When she arrived at CHS Sunset could tell that the students were already getting together and talking about their great spring breaks. She quickly drove into the parking lot and parked it with the other motorcycles. With her backpack slung over her shoulder, and her helmet cradled under her right arm, Sunset made her way into the building. Many of the students parted for her, not wanting to be near her. She had gained quite the reputation in Canterlot High, setting out to rule the school with an iron fist of fear and intimidation, and sometimes with her actual fist. She gained the reputation of the resident “bad girl”, “bully”, and “Queen of the Bitches” title. The girl who gave her that last title was no longer able to eat solid food. That was…until she showed up. Sunset could already hear the faint giggles and laughter of the six girls in this school she could not stand the most coming from near the horse statue. Applejack, a girl from the country that apparently has a long line of family members stretching back to the founding of this city, as well as being “heiress” to the Sweet Apple Acres farm. Rainbow Dash, the captain of every sports team CHS had to offer, she was a tomboy much like Applejack, not afraid to get rough and put up a fight. Fluttershy, she was as her name says, painfully shy, a frequent volunteer at the Animal Shelter, and the resident pushover. I swear, sometimes it was too easy it wasn’t even worth it some days. The girl next to the shy girl was Rarity, the school’s diva and fashionista. Always worried about fashion trends and how to make others look “fabulous”. She aspires to be a world renowned fashion designer, she had the talent and she did make nice outfits for her friends that are annoyingly still being talked about by the girls in school. Another annoyance and walking headache, was Pinkie Pie. Sunset swore she was in a perpetual sugar high from the day she was born. And then there was that girl...Twilight Sparkle. She just transfers into the school out of the blue one day and all of a sudden everything that Sunset Shimmer had created for herself was completely undone. Sunset had split up those five girls and made them resent each other, she saw their friendship as a potential stopper in her domination of the school, dividing the student body and isolating the different cliques was part of it all. However, Twilight Sparkle came traipsing in and talking about how happy she was to be there, and how wonderful everything was. And if that wasn’t bad enough, she was a genius! Sunset’s eyes locked onto Twilight as she stood there at the steps to the front entrance. It was as if the universe had sent her polar opposite to this place just to further spite her. Now she was rendered to nothing more than the bully and bad girl of CHS, still something to be feared and not dared crossed, but not on the higher level as it once was. As the studious girl talked and listened to her friends, Sunset noticed that Twilight glanced in her direction. Their eyes met, holding each other there. The fiery haired girl’s heart raced, her jaw clenching as Twilight held her gaze. She sheepishly waved to her, surprising Sunset. Her only response was narrowing her eyes to slits and storming into the building. When she arrived at her locker, Sunset threw her helmet in along with her backpack, her first period was gym and she didn’t feel like lugging the heavy thing around with her.  Sunset was about to round the corner to get to the gymnasium but ran into someone, making her fall on her rear. Sunset groaned from the impact and shot a glare at whoever it was that she bumped into. “Okay who’s the dumb… ass…?” Sunset paused when she saw who it was she had bumped into was none other than Twilight Sparkle. The violet haired girl had also landed on her rear, her backpack having not aided in her descent. “Ouch…That really hurt,” said Twilight, “Oh my gosh! Sunset Shimmer are you alright?!” She was caught off guard by the concern from Twilight. “Um…yeah, I guess. Also how long are you planning on flashing me?” Twilight looked at Sunset confused, but quickly realized that her legs were open and she quickly closed them, pulling at the hem of her skirt to try and cover what was left of her dignity. “S-Sorry…” Sunset Shimmer smirked, this girl was cute when she was embarrassed, a thought she quickly pushed aside as she rose back up and resumed her glare. “Why don’t you watch where you’re going Sparkle?! I’m not in a nice mood in the mornings and thankfully for you I’m too groggy to do anything! Next time, you won’t get off easy.” “I-I got it.” “Good.” Sunset walked away from the lavender skinned girl but stopped halfway as she glanced over her shoulder, watching Twilight as she picked up some of the books she was carrying in her arms and some others that had spilled out of her backpack. Sunset noticed that one of those books was by her feet, she looked back and forth between the book and Twilight before sighing and picking up the surprisingly heavy text. “Hey Sparkle!” Sunset called out. Before Twilight could speak she was beaten to the punch by another. “Twilight!” Rainbow Dash had run down the hallway and got between Twilight and Sunset, glaring daggers at the other girl. “You okay Twi?” “Yes, I’m okay Rainbow.” “Sunset what the hell did you do?! Now you’re going after Twilight when we’re not around?! If you’re going to mess with her than you mess with all of us!” “What’d you say to me Rainbow Crash?!” Sunset shot back. “Why you –!” “Rainbow Dash stop!” Twilight yelled, making both girls go still. “It’s my fault, I had my nose in one of my books and I…well…I wasn’t looking where I was going and I accidentally ran into Sunset! Honest!” Rainbow Dash seemed skeptical of that explanation, but knowing Twilight, it was highly likely that did happen. Sunset was slightly taken aback, Twilight was carrying her books not reading one, and, although she wasn’t going to admit it, it was her clearly Sunset’s fault. Twilight gave Sunset a reassuring nod, the former Equestrian’s gaze was downcast. Sunset then threw the heavy book across the way, landing with a loud thud and sliding till it rested at Rainbow Dash’s feet. She then turned around and walked away, leaving Rainbow and Twilight where they stood. “Jeez, what crawled up her ass and died? Still, you sure you’re okay Twi? Sunset didn’t hurt you or anything right?” “I’m fine Rainbow Dash, I really am. Although my tailbone is going to be sore for a bit after that hard landing. Linoleum floors are not very forgiving,” said Twilight as she bent down to pick the book Sunset had tossed their way. “Well, don’t worry Twi, Sunset’s been looking down for a bit. Probably because she lost the Princess title at the Fall Formal to you! Now that was a good night.” Rainbow commented. Twilight dusted off the book and placed it into the backpack with the others. She then followed Rainbow Dash to their class, glancing over her shoulder in the direction that Sunset Shimmer disappeared down. Unknown to Twilight, Sunset Shimmer was leaning up against the lockers around the corner, taking a glance of her own before heading to the gym. The empty locker room echoed with the sound of rushing water. From the direction of the showers, a small layer of steam crept along the floor as the shower head continued to release hot soothing water. Underneath this deluge was Sunset Shimmer, sitting with her back against the wall, letting the water cascade over her body. She was wearing a one-piece swimsuit, colored white and bearing her cutie mark on a smaller size near her right hip. She sighed heavily as she rested her head against the wall, watching the water continue to fall and splash against the floor. The solitude of the locker room helped her to think, since she had a free period after gym, Sunset just entered the showers as is and let the rest of the girls depart till she was the only one left. She felt defeated, like nothing mattered in this world. Her plans to rule this world and Equestria were done and gone, all because of one stupid mistake, and Twilight Sparkle. There I go again, thinking about her. She had been doing a lot of that lately, since her plans were all for not, there were only two things that occupied her mind from time to time. Who was Twilight Sparkle? Of course she spied in her home dimension long enough to know that the pony Twilight Sparkle was Celestia’s newest protégé, and apparently most successful one, ascending to an alicorn and becoming a Princess of Equestria. Not only that, but she was also one of six wielders of the Elements of Harmony. Magic was the strongest of these, and she had planned to steal that crown and replace it with the one for the Fall Formal, but fate decided to intervene. No, more like your stupid pride and ego messed everything up! Sunset pounded the floor with her right fist, splashing some water. But now that all her plans were ruined, she had nothing else to do. Going back to Equestria was an option, and so was trying again. But the portal would not open for roughly another year or two, and by then Equestria might’ve changed, the Elements guarded more closely, and there was no guarantee that the mirror would be close to pony Twilight Sparkle for her to try anything. All this led her to wonder what made that Twilight so special? What made Twilight better than her? Well, she’d never know, the only Twilight Sparkle around was the new girl who was the exact counterpart to the pony version. This Twilight’s presence felt different, Sunset didn’t know what to make of it, but it simply was. She wondered if it was fate that human Twilight did what her pony-self did. Sunset undid the friendships of five girls back during her freshman year, and here in their sophomore year, Twilight had reunited them. She even became a princess on top of that! It did bother her that in the two years she had spent in this world, she had not once run into her double, the Sunset Shimmer of this world. Sunset did try and locate her, through the web, phone book, even stopping by the various other high schools to see if anyone recognized her. But nothing, no one knew about her or had seen her before, which meant she didn’t exist here. Wonder if that means my being alive at all is a fluke…I didn’t belong in Equestria, and here, the same…I’m an anomaly…not meant to be in any world… Sunset shook the depressing thoughts out of her head, trying to focus on something else. Twilight was still an enigma to her, and really, she didn’t so much hate as dislike her, to the point where she almost couldn’t stand to be in the same room with her. But Sunset knew that most of that resentment was directed at pony Twilight, this one had nothing to do with her, her crime was just looking, sounding, acting, and having the same name as the pony she resented, but that didn’t mean they were the same. Even now, what Twilight did back in the hallway surprised her. She covered for her, defusing the situation before it ended up in a messy fist fight with Rainbow Dash. And she always gave her this adorkably cute, friendly smile whenever she was around. Ugh…maybe I should get to know the girl or something? Fat chance of that happening, the princess’ Knights of the Friendship Table would more than likely keep me away… “EEP!” Sunset looked up, hearing a strange noise. She quickly got up to her feet, balling her fists and entering an aggressive stance. “Okay come out you pervert and I promise I won’t put you in the emergency room!” Sunset warned. From behind the wall arose the very girl she was pondering about just moments ago. She had a towel wrapped around her body, with a bar of soap and shampoo cradled in her left arm, while the other held firm to her towel. “H-Hi Sunset Shimmer.” Sunset face palmed herself. “What the hell, are you stalking me or something?!” “NO, NO, NO! I swear I’m not doing that! My gym class let out a bit ago and I came to…uh…shower.” Sunset Shimmer rolled her eyes in annoyance. “Well what are you waiting for, there are plenty of open spaces?” “Well…I was kind of waiting for everyone to leave.” “What, don’t tell me you’re embarrassed to be in the showers?” Sunset asked incredulously. Twilight nodded with blushing face. “I swear you’re a damn nerd cliché,” said Sunset under her breath. “Then just shower in your swimsuit like I am then.” “Well you see, my class was doing outdoor activities, so I…I’m…you know.” “Naked?” Twilight blushed harder, why was she getting so embarrassed? And why was Sunset feeling weird too? “Just take the shower, we’re both girls Sparkle, not like you have something I don’t.” Twilight still seemed hesitant to enter, and Sunset wasn’t in the mood to budge for Twilight either. “Fine, I’ll turn my back or close my eyes or something! Just hurry up!” Twilight nodded tentatively. She moved to one of the shower heads in the corner, making it easier for Sunset to turn away. Sunset turned around sitting on the wet floor and leaning on the wall. She heard the sound of the shower going off behind her, letting out a sigh of indignation. But that’s when it hit her. I’m alone…with Twilight…and there’s no one around…! This was her chance, her best opportunity! Twilight was behind her, oblivious, naked, and vulnerable, and literally backed into a corner. If she acted now, Sunset could do whatever she wanted with Twilight and no one would be able to come to help, not a teacher or her little group of friends. A myriad of scenarios rushed through her mind, all of them ranging from PG, R, and X rated acts. Verbal assault? Too easy, she could do that any day of the week. Actual assault? Possibly, rough her up a bit to finally establish who the boss was. Sexual Assault…that one was not exactly on her top ten, but it was an option…and for some reason it stuck out in her mind. The thought of forcing herself on Twilight, pinning her against the wall as she made the egghead scream her name throughout the locker room. The mixture of pain, pleasure, and anguish on her face as she made Twilight’s body experience sensations she never imagined! Making her a little obedient slave to her whims! Where did that come from?! Sunset thought. What the hell is wrong with me?! I’m no damn rapist! Sunset felt her cheeks heat up as her dark thoughts changed from less assault driven scenarios, and turning them into just plain making out in the showers. Sunset slapped herself across the face, now she was having fantasies about her! “That’s it, I’m out!” “Out of what?!” Twilight cried with surprise. “Out of here! I just…! I can’t stand to be here – around you!” Sunset shouted. “Sunset wait!” Twilight cried out as she hurriedly wrapped her towel around her body. Sunset was at the lockers when Twilight reached out and grabbed her wrist, making the yellow skinned girl flinch and tense up. “Sunset, I’m sorry…I never meant to hurt you with the Fall Formal…It just happened! I wasn’t plotting some great take over, or trying to turn everyone against you! Deep down I know you’re not like what everyone says you are, I can tell you’re better than that!” Sunset’s eyes grew wide, she couldn’t believe what she was hearing. Her body began to shake, making Twilight release Sunset and look upon her with worry. “Sunset…?” “What do you know…?” “What…?” “I said…WHAT THE HELL DO YOU KNOW ABOUT ME?!!!” Sunset Shimmer grabbed Twilight and threw against the lockers, knocking the air out of her lungs. She then thrust both of her hands on either side of Twilight’s head, slamming them into the behind her, pinning Twilight against the metal of the locker. Twilight was scared, but not as much as one would think. Mostly because of the look Sunset had in her eyes. There was fury there, but at the same time, maybe even more so, there was sadness. “You don’t know anything Sparkle! I’m not like you, I’m not like anyone in this damn school! I have no home to go to! I’ve burned bridges to get what I want – what I deserved! And in the end, it meant nothing! I’m nothing!” Sunset roared, her eyes stinging with the beginnings of tears. Sunset saw Twilight’s body go lax, as if the tension of the situation had worn off for her. She kept her gaze lowered, her long bangs covering her eyes as she spoke. “I know…I know how you feel, Sunset…because I’m nothing too.” Sunset pulled back, not really sure what to make of that answer. “But because I am nothing, I want to be something. A good friend, a good student, a good sister, all of those and more. Being nothing doesn’t make you nothing, it just means you haven’t figured out the thing you want to be yet.” “What…I…” Sunset was at a loss for words. How did Twilight know how she was feeling, it may’ve not been everything, but it was a part of the problem?! Sunset couldn’t stop shaking, either with fury or shock was a mystery to her. Sunset then felt a hand gently wrap itself around her left. “Sunset…I just want –” Sunset quickly and violently wrenched her hand free of Twilight’s, rubbing it as if it had been burned. “Just leave me alone Sparkle…” Sunset walked over to her locker, grabbed her clothes and walked off to another part of the maze like room. Twilight released a breath she didn’t know she was holding, hugging herself as she realized just how bad that could’ve turned out, but at the same time, a glimmer of hope sparked in her chest. Sunset could’ve done something to her, she had the chance, more than once actually. But just now, Twilight thought, for a moment, that Sunset would hurt her, but the sadness in those aquamarine eyes told a different story. It was a sadness that Twilight knew well, yet Sunset’s sadness seemed different in some way. Sunset was a torrent of emotions the rest of the day, although, you couldn’t tell by just looking at her. She kept silent most of the day, not even once yelling or doing anything mean spirited to anyone. She had this deep in thought look on her face, the only time you could tell that whatever it was she was thinking of was bothering her, was if Sunset let out a grunt or a frustrated sigh. No matter what, Sunset just couldn’t get what Twilight said out of her mind. It was like, for that moment, she and her were the same. The same doubt and fear in Twilight’s voice was the same as hers when she was at her lowest, alone in her apartment. She had touched upon a fear in her heart that even Sunset was loathed – and frightened – to admit to herself. But it was the way Twilight spoke, she was…gentle, kindly, and empathetic, not trying to understand her, but it was as if she did. And that scared Sunset, at the same time, it made another emotion spring up inside her that she wasn’t sure of. Fondness? Longing? Attraction?! Sunset didn’t want to admit – no, more like she couldn’t. It wasn’t an odd thing for a mare in Equestria to be attracted to another mare. The stallion to mare ratio was oddly skewed for some reason, and Sunset will admit, a mare or two did catch her eye when she was Celestia’s student, but it never went anywhere, she was concentrating on her studies and to become the best protégé the Princess ever had. Now that she was in this world? The male to female ratio was evened out, she dated Flash Sentry, the oaf. She found him physically attractive but other than that, she could care less. Not so say there weren’t some girls around the school that weren’t easy on the eyes, her new body seemed to make the transition of species attraction fairly easily. Trixie could’ve made for some fun, but her mind was less occupied on that and more occupied with how to acquire magic to take over both worlds. Now, with her plans completely ruined, her mind had nothing else to distract it from those thoughts. And of all the people in the school, it had to be Twilight Sparkle! Sunset barely noticed the last bell ringing, signaling the end of the school day. She got up from her desk and headed for the main entrance, wanting to just go home and sulk, not much else she could do. As she walked through the halls she spotted the six girls she loathed the most, all laughing, giggling, smiles on their faces, the best of friends. Sunset kept on walking, feeling her stomach churn from seeing them, but she spared them one more glance over her shoulder and noticed Twilight looking at her again. The violet eyes of the egghead still carried with them the same sympathy and genuine concern as earlier. Sunset felt her heart thump in her chest and tore her gaze away from Twilight, changing her brisk walk into a storming stomp, making the other students get out of her way. She was glad when she finally got outside, away from them and her. Sunset was about to head to her bike but instead walked to the statue. It became a little ritual at the end of the day, placing her hand on the statue’s smooth and cool marble surface, seeing if the portal had opened up at all. She sighed dejectedly, yet again, it was the same result. Sunset knew the portal would not open for a long while, but that didn’t mean that it would any time before then. If there was one thing she knew about magic, is that it was often times unpredictable, and just because a spell had rules placed upon it, doesn’t mean it had to abide by them one-hundred percent of the time. The older the spell or enchantment, the more likely the magic has become less rigid, allowing it to be flexible with how it operates. Just gotta keep checking. Maybe I’ll get lucky and finally get the hay – hell – out of here! Just as Sunset Shimmer was about to leave she heard a familiar sound approaching the school. It was the sound of a powerful engine, roaring towards the school, along with the squealing of tires. Sunset balled up her fists, she could never forget the sound of that muscle car. Sunset stepped from behind the statue and saw a black Pontiac firebird screech to a stop right in front of the sidewalk. The driver’s side door opened up and revealed a girl, somewhat older than Sunset. She wore a brown jacket, with white feathers around the collar, torn khaki pants, and a black tank top shirt. Her hair was short and white, but with purple colored edges. Her tan skin made her intense yellow eyes almost sheen like a bird of prey. “Gilda,” said Sunset in a monotone voice. “Sunny, what’s up?!” Gilda asked. “Nothing, goodbye.” Sunset turned around and made her way for the parking lot. “Ah, don’t be like Sunny!” Sunset stopped and glanced back at the car, watching the passenger side door open and close. Another girl was with Gilda as she leaned up against the car, much to Gilda’s annoyance. Her hair was a dark gold, with a spikey edge, flowing down a little past her shoulders. Turquoise skin standing out against her blue jacket, white shirt with a lightning bolt symbol on it, and blue jean pants. “Lightning Dust,” said Sunset in the same tone. “Jeez, did it drop a few degrees around her G?” Lightning asked. “I think so, almost subzero,” replied Gilda. “What the hell do you guys want?!” Sunset demanded turning to both of them. Gilda put up her hands in a friendly gesture. “Whoa, easy Sunny, we’re all friends remember?” Sunset couldn’t call these girls friends, not after they cost her the one opportunity to go to Equestria and steal the Element of Magic! “‘Friends’?! ‘Friends’?! You both got me thrown in juvie for two damn days!” Sunset shouted, throwing her backpack and helmet onto the ground. “Hey, sorry you didn’t get to win the whole ‘Princess’ title, but you won like, what, three times now?” Lightning Dust pointed out. “That’s not the point you – UGH!” Sunset couldn’t really tell them the reason why she was angry at them, if she said she was planning to take over the world with the help of a powerful magical item from a world inhabited by intelligent, talking ponies, they’d look at her like she was crazy. “And if I recall, Sunny, you came and hung out with us! We didn’t make you, but c’mon, up until that part it was a lot of fun,” said Gilda. “So can you get over it so we can hang out again?” Lightning asked. “No, I’m done with both of you! Now kindly drive off a cliff!” Gilda walked around from the car and draped one arm over her shoulders, giving the fiery haired girl a wicked smile. “Let’s cut the crap Sunny, we both know why you’re really angry, and it ain’t because of me or Dusty,” said Gilda. “What are you talking about?” Sunset asked, feeling a bit uneasy at the close contact. Lightning Dust walked towards them, crossing her arms and giving a knowing smile towards Gilda. “What G means is that you’re really angry at the mousy little bookworm girl, what’s her name…oh right, Twilight Sparkle.” Sunset’s eyes narrowed at the mention of that name, a reaction that did not go unnoticed by either Lightning Dust or Gilda. “Listen, if you want, we can help you get a little payback on dweeb,” said Gilda. “We can just find her when she’s alone and call you up later, and…well, I think we can all have a little ‘fun’ with the lame-o.” Lightning suggested. “And speak of the devil, there she is now…with Dash…” Gilda, Sunset, and Lightning all looked towards the entrance, noticing that Twilight and her friends were walking out of the school, still as happy as can be. Sunset knew Rainbow Dash, Gilda, and Lightning Dust had grown up with her and stayed like that till freshman year of Canterlot High. All three were close friends, but apparently Rainbow Dash saw her sports career and her other friends as more important than them. So when they heard of Rainbow’s break up with her friends, they found out that it was Sunset Shimmer who orchestrated it all. All three becoming friends soon after, until that night, two days before the formal. “Maybe we can get Dash too, she likes to play the white knight more than she lets on, so if the bookworm’s in trouble, she’ll come runnin’,” said Gilda. Lightning chuckled. “So what do you say, Sunny? Do you mind a twofer?” Something snapped in Sunset Shimmer at that moment, hearing both girls talk about hurting Twilight made so many scenarios rush through her head. The same ones that she herself had thought of earlier, but with Gilda and Lightning Dust, they weren’t afraid of pushing the envelope, the words “holding back” were not in their vocabulary. Sunset ducted under and out of Gilda’s arm, she then cocked back her left fist and pushed her across the face, sending the older girl sprawling to the ground. “What the hell Sunset?!” Lightning shouted. “You’re not going to lay a finger on Sparkle! You hear me?!” Sunset roared. Gilda got back up, spitting out some blood from her mouth. “You little bitch, don’t tell me you actually give a damn about her?!” Sunset hesitated for a moment. Lightning took advantage of this hesitation and got her arms underneath Sunset’s armpits, wrenching upwards and immobilizing her arms and her body at the same time. Sunset struggled against Lightning Dust’s hold on her, but she didn’t get to try before Gilda’s yellow gloved fist punched her right in the stomach. The other students all stopped when they saw this, gasping and murmuring to each other about what they was going on. Gilda cocked back her fist and punched Sunset across the face, and then gave another to the other side, and one more to her stomach to knock out any air she may’ve inhaled. Sunset hadn’t been in many fights, but she did know how to fight, and part of fighting was knowing the right moment to strike! She let herself slump in Lightning Dust’s grip, feeling the girl behind her loosen her grip. But once she did, Sunset shot back up, head-butting Lightning with the back of her head. Lightning let go immediately, cursing and grunting in pain from the blow. The back of Sunset’s head throbbed from the impact, but she couldn’t let that get to her right now! Gilda thrust out her fist but Sunset brought up her left arm, using her forearm to deflect the blow, following it with a right hook to Gilda’s ribs, and an uppercut to her jaw, sending Gilda stumbling backwards disoriented. Sunset brought up her fists, entering a defensive stance in preparation for another attack from Gilda, but she was aware that Lightning Dust wouldn’t be preoccupied with the pain radiating from her face for too long before she came to back up Gilda. “STOP THIS NOW!!!” Gilda, Sunset, and Lightning Dust snapped their gazes towards the entrance, watching as Vice Principal Luna and some of the other faculty began running towards them. Gilda and Lightning Dust glanced at each other and nodded, afterwards bolting for the car. Both girls gave Sunset a death glare that pretty much translated into “This isn’t over!” to which Sunset gave one of her own that replied “Anytime!” With that, Lightning Dust and Gilda peeled away down the road. Now with both threats gone, Sunset allowed herself to collapse onto the ground, falling to one knee as she held her stomach with one arm. She hated showing weakness in front of all the students, but Gilda’s punches really hurt. It wasn’t long before Sunset felt two gentle hands rest on her back, her first instinct was to elbow the idiot dumb enough to get close to her while she was still on edge, but it was the voice that came from that person that made her stop. “Sunset Shimer…?” The battered girl, reluctantly, glanced over her shoulder, seeing the visage of her former mentor’s human double. Her long, tricolored hair brushed against Sunset’s shoulder, gentle magenta eyes looking down on her with two parts worry and anger, she wore a khaki colored jacket, with a white and purple striped shirt underneath it. On the lapel was a broach, made in the image of the sun. This was the very woman who was in charge of this school, the very woman whom Sunset couldn’t stand and yet couldn’t deny enjoying her presence. “Principal Celestia…” Sunset groaned. “Are you alright?!” Sunset looked away from the older woman, feeling the old shame from leaving her pony counterpart resurface. Principal Celestia decided to keep the questions for later, at least until Sunset was looked after. “Luna, please go inside and see if the nurse is still here! Tell her I’m bringing Sunset Shimmer to her now, and that she’s injured!” The blue skinned woman, the younger sister to Celestia, nodded and hurried back inside. The other faculty cleared a path for Celestia as she helped Sunset into the school. Sunset felt humiliated, being half carried into the school, beaten, in front of every kid she terrorized and bullied over the years. She noticed that some were surprised but none had any sympathy. And why should they? She who showed them no kindness or showed any remorse for her actions, as far as they were concerned, she got what she deserved. But there were six girls who had different looks. Rainbow Dash looked furious, whether it was because of Gilda and Lightning showing up or because she missed an opportunity to join in on the fight was up in the air. Fluttershy, the ever kind girl that she was, had her hands clasped over her mouth in worry as she saw Sunset being helped up the stairs. Pinkie Pie seemed like she wanted to go and help, but wasn’t completely sure if she should. Rarity was busy calming down Applejack, even if Sunset was a bitch to them, Applejack’s code of honor saw the two on one as unfair odds, angry that she didn’t step in sooner. One expression caught her attention out of all six of them, and it was Twilight’s. Her eyes had tears in them, as if she was crying for her, but that couldn’t be right? Why are you crying over me getting my ass kicked…? Why…I don’t get it? The thumping in her chest returned, but she ignored it, as the pain in her gut, face, and arms was more prominent.