“So these bullies,” Sunset held her hands out and spaced them apart, “they were all much bigger than any of other student. None of them were scrawny; every single one was massive in stature. This massiveness meant they had the most muscle in school.”
“Well they probably had to,” Twilight commented. “I mean, what they do kind of demands it.”
“I just want to know what they ate to make them so big,” Sunset chuckled. “Seriously Twi, if I could show you a picture of one you would know what I’m talking about.”
“I think I can imagine it fine,” Twilight mused, biting her lip. “I’m no stranger to big, hunky males, you know.”
There was a silence between the two. Sunset paused, confused as to where the conversation went. “What does that mean?”
Twilight’s eyes widened and she recoiled back. “Um, nothing, nothing,” she blushed. “Think nothing of it.”
Sunset eyed Twilight oddly. “Anyways,” she continued, “do you remember when you asked if human males were a warrior culture?”
Twilight nodded, recomposing herself. “I do.”
“Well to a point, bullies were a warrior subculture present in the school,” Sunset explained. “They operated through acts of violence, committing these acts on other students and occasionally with their own group. And when they did fight with each other, it was magnificent to watch. Whenever they fought you knew that someone was going to the nurse’s office. It was that fanatic and that’s what made it so amazing.”
Twilight cringed a bit. “So you liked watching kids being sent to the nurse’s office?”
Sunset saw this and sensed she may have overdone explaining her admiration of fighting. “No, no Twilight I’m not trying to glorify it. I’m just saying it was something extraordinary to watch. Imagine two forces of nature colliding,” then Sunset got an idea, “or two dragons fighting. Did you ever get the chance to see two dragons fight?”
“No,” Twilight answered, “but I have a good impression.”
“Right,” Sunset grinned, “you won’t see many fights at CHS anymore. Partly due to me but,” Sunset stopped and then continued, “yeah due to me.”
This intrigued Twilight. “Wait, you stopped fighting at the high school?” There was a small smile on her lips. “Sunset, that’s a good thing.”
“Well ,yeah,” Sunset exhaled. “It wasn’t as good as you think, unless you believe the end justifies the means.”
“I see,” Twilight murmured. She wanted to know more but decided to ask later because she still didn’t know how the story ends. “So these bullies though, how exactly did you contact them?”
“Well it was,” Sunset stopped herself. “I still can’t remember his name but he was the first. After that I met Warden. You remember him?”
“He was the bully that fought the jock,” Twilight stated.
“Good, well I got to chance to finally talk to him,” Sunset started.
***
After the ordeal in the morning, which was Badger and Sunset running around the school hand in hand, Sunset and Badger had split off to go to their classes. Just before lunch they would be able to meet up again. Until that time Badger was busy worrying about what he had done. Being in that hall was dangerous to begin with, but it could be safe as long as everyone followed the rules. Badger had unfortunately broken one of those rules by taking from Paper Thin. The sound of those footsteps reverberated in his head.
Sunset on the other hand had no idea of the reckoning that would occur. She was too new to understand how Canterlot High works. Her inexperience could be her downfall if she wasn’t safe. Lucky for her she had a protector in Badger.
Eventually the two did meet right outside the cafeteria. Badger walked with a slouch and constantly looked over his shoulders while Sunset walked more upright and confident.
“Hey Sunset, how was your day?” Badger said and then quickly looked over his shoulder.
“Fine,” Sunset grew annoyed and stopped in her tracks, “why are you looking around like that?” She turned around to face Badger.
“Oh, uh, no reason,” Badger lied. While he was looking around, he happened to notice a poster on the wall. “Hey look,” Badger pointed to the poster.
Sunset looked. The poster was an advertisement for an event at school called the Freshmen Fair.
Sunset squinted at the poster. “What is that?”
“Freshmen Fair,” Badger answered, “like the poster says. It’s a big thing for freshmen like us, or so I’ve heard.” Badger rocked back on his heels and put his hands behind his back, rubbing them together. He looked expectantly at Sunset.
Sunset on the other hand was looking at the poster. She put a hand under her chin and looked at the poster. “Hmmm,” she hummed in a low tune.
Badger bit his lip in anxiety. “So, uh,” he stammered, “y-you w-want to go? I-I could s-show you a-around, maybe?” He felt his face and ears get hot, and he knew he was losing it. A part of him was ashamed that he could be so overpowering to others but to this girl he was the total opposite. However, he was also fairly confident he was doing well with her. Maybe they’ll be boyfriend and girlfriend soon, which was his hope.
“Nah,” Sunset shook her head, “I don’t want to go to some quaint gathering.”
“O-oh,” Badger felt a pang of disappointment rack through his body. He wasn’t sad just disappointed. He decided he would try something different, still keeping his confidence.
“Yeah, I want to go somewhere exciting,” Sunset walked towards Badger. “Hang out with some of the movers and shakers, not a bunch of nervous little pipsqueaks.”
“Oh?” Badger took a new interest. “So you just want to see what people do around here? Okay, that’s cool.” Badger grinned in triumph. He could do what she wanted. “It’s a lot different than how it works where you live though.”
“Really?” Sunset raised an eyebrow. “So, could you show me?”
Badger smiled. “Sure, I’d be happy to.” He leaned against some lockers. “You’d be surprised by.”
“Hey you!” someone shouted. It made Sunset and Badger jump at the sheer volume. Badger was turning to see who it was when a hand grabbed onto his throat. It brought him forward and then slammed him against the lockers. The sound of the slam echoed through the hall and so did the choking that Badger emitted.
Badger looked his attacker in the face, wincing the whole time. The assailant was a much bigger, much older looking kid. Mostly likely he was an upper classman, which explained why he was so big. Even Badger was smaller than him but only by a forehead. This kid was also dressed similar to Badger which meant one thing. Badger was being attacked by another bully.
“Ack!” Badger hacked. He desperately hugged his hands around his attacker’s arms, attempting to break free. “Box- Boxer!” Badger wailed. “I can’t breathe.”
The bully known as Boxer grunted in an annoyed manner. His eyes burned with anger and his mouth was a deep frown but he did heed Badger’s plea. Boxer let go and Badger collapsed to the ground, gasping for breath. This wasn’t the end; Boxer didn’t give Badger any time to recover. He reached down and lifted the smaller bully up by his hoodie, putting his face into Badger’s own.
“You think I wouldn’t know?” Boxer slammed Badger into the lockers again, still holding him. “Huh! You think I wouldn’t know it was you? You runt, thinking you can run away and I wouldn’t know it’s you.”
Badger never thought he would be in this position. Being in conflict with another bully was something he hoped he would avoid, but it was happening. Badger knew there would only be one way to end this conflict, brawl it out.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Badger snarled, pushing himself off the lockers. He stood against the other bully’s might.
“You know damn well,” Boxer replied, slamming Badger backwards. “This morning you took Paper Thin’s lunch money. That didn’t belong to you! Our deal is you get him in the middle and at the end of the week. He’s mine anytime else.”
Badger frowned, getting angry himself. His fighting instinct was starting to kick in. “Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t know that we had an agreement. Oh that’s right, we don’t!” Badger locked his arms with Boxer and pushed, he began gaining ground. “We never discussed anything close to an agreement. Heck, we don’t even talk to each other. So I can do whatever I want. You stupid idiot!”
Badger had pushed his foe to the middle of the hall now, and the two were stuck in a standstill. Despite being a freshman, Badger was standing up against the upper classman. It seemed their strengths were equally matched as they struggled to gain any sort of upper hand.
Both of them didn’t see Sunset approach. “Hey ugly,” Sunset growled, suddenly appearing right at the two bullies’ sides. She looked angry. “Let him go.” She raised her fists in the air and began battering Badger’s attacker on his shoulder.
Boxer laughed. “Really? He smiled because he couldn’t even feel Sunset’s punches. After a few volleys, Sunset stepped back, bewildered that her attack had no effect. Boxer on the other hand had his focus on the small girl now. “You think you can take me?”
With a burst of energy, Boxer pushed Badger until he finally overpowered the freshman. Badger’s legs buckled and he fell on one knee, grunting in exhaustion he gritted his teeth and did his best to put up a fight. As it looked like Boxer would totally crush his opponent, the upper classman broke the grip. The standstill was over as Boxer broke from the struggle, leaving Badger still on one knee. In this exposed position, Badger couldn’t defend himself. Boxer threw his fist into the side of Badger’s face and sent the freshman down onto the ground, smacking hard against the floor tiles. It was hard to tell if Badger was going to get back up.
Boxer backed off from the other bully and then turned to Sunset Shimmer. With a wicked smile on his face, Boxer lunged for the flaming haired girl. Sunset was too shocked to react as a boy twice her size latched his hands onto her. Using his immense strength, Boxer lifted Sunset off the ground by her jacket.
“Let go off me!” Sunset shrieked, kicking her feet and fidgeting around.
“I ought to bash your head into the lockers,” Boxer snarled. “But I’d hate to mess up you’re pretty face," he sneered and fully extended his arms so Sunset was high off the ground.
Just as it looked like the upper classman had won, Badger came out of nowhere. He tackled the upper classman, causing all three students to fall to the ground. Sunset fell far away from the two boys and they landed on top of one another. Badger looked down at Boxer.
“You don’t touch here. Ever!” he shouted, full of venom and rage. Badger gave Boxer a punch of his own and another to pay him back for the blow received earlier. Badger’s punches sent Boxer’s head back into the floor with a sickening thump. That was when Boxer started showing signs of incredible rage.
As Badger was going for another punch, Boxer lifted the freshman and threw him off. They both scrambled to their feet, now standing a couple feet apart from each other. Badger glanced to Sunset who was a safe distance away, still lying on the floor but in okay shape. She was watching him and Badger knew this was his time to impress her. He brought his fist up in front of his face.
Boxer raised his fists into a fighting pose. “You want to fist fight now?” Boxer began flanking Badger. “This is my home element, kid. You’re done.”
They sidestepped each other in a circular patter before Badger finally struck first. He ran and threw his full weight into a punch, aiming for Boxer’s face. There was a look of glee as Boxer simply leaned to the side and completely dodged Badger’s attack. Boxer’s counter attack was a simple jab that collided into Badger’s face. The freshman bully reared back, grunting in agony. Now angrier than ever, Badger lunged forward again, with a similar style of attack. Boxer this time dodged the attack and used a more powerful uppercut to counter attack. The blow sent Badger’s head back and he stumbled back again, this time almost falling over.
“You’re fighting technique is atrocious,” Boxer commented, scornfully. Badger flashed his teeth and went for an all out attack. He charged his opponent with the intent of initiating another standstill. He was about three steps till contact when he was stopped dead in his tracks by something grabbing the hood on his hoodie. Badger skidded to a halt and just as he was about to do something, a fist came crashing dead center into his chest. The blow was powerfully enough to send him through the air and slamming into the lockers. Pain coursed through his body as he fell first onto his knees, and then finally onto his chest. Badger was defeated.
Boxer looked in shock as he lowered his fists. “Warden?” he said in astonishment.
The student in front of Boxer was bigger and taller than he. Warden was dressed in all black from his head to his toe. He was the tallest of all three bullies present and the most well built. That meant he was the scariest thing for anyone to come across at Canterlot High, a giant compared to the rest. He was the leader of the bullies and he played the role well.
Warden looked at Boxer with a wicked grin before then changing to an irritated stare. He lashed out and struck Boxer in between the eyes. The bully stepped back and held his face.
“Ow!” Boxer yelped.
“Beating up freshmen, eh Boxer?” Warden spoke in a deep commanding voice. “You’re even more pathetic than I originally thought.”
“Hey, you used to do the same when I was a freshy,” Boxer wailed.
Warden laughed. “Yeah but that’s over now.” He looked over to where Badger laid on the floor and how Sunset was watching them all from a distance. He adopted a sneer. “Boxer, let’s fight,” Warden raised his fists up.
“Wha-what?” Boxer stammered.
“I said let’s fight,” Warden clarified. He hopped a bit on his feet. “I’m feeling a little angry today. I want to blow off some steam right now.” Warden took a step forward. “You ready?”
Boxer visibly shook as he raised his hands up. He awkwardly stepped forward to get into position to fight Warden. The two bullies stood still for a second before Boxer made the first move. He hopped as close as he dare to his opponent and swung the first punch. His fist was like a bullet going through the air, so fast and very powerful. Warden dodged it with no effort.
“Alright you get the first strike,” he said, pulling his arm back. “And I’ll get the next.” Warden threw a punch back at Boxer. This punch was faster and convened much more power. It successfully collided with Boxer face and sent him flat on his ass.
Boxer held his cheek where Warden had got him. “Ah fuck,” he muttered. He got back up and again swung at Warden but had no effect. With another swing of his fist Warden sent Boxer right back down.
“Come on,” Warden chuckled. “I thought you were called Boxer for a reason. Who would give you such a misleading title?”
“You did!” Boxer shrieked. “You gave it to me when we first met.” Boxer got back on his feet. “I told you I took boxing classes and then you wanted to test my knowledge. You broke my nose and called me Boxer as a sarcastic joke. Now everyone else does it too.”
“Really?” Warden shrugged. “You must be lying. I don’t remember that.”
“You did!” Boxer lunged at Warden. The two bullies found themselves in a hold similar to how Boxer had fought Badger. However, Boxer was the one struggling against Warden whom stood tall and strong.
“Actually, now that I think about it, I’m not even here for you,” Warden said.
“What!” Boxer exclaimed.
“Oh, and Boxer,” Warden smiled. “You should’ve kept to punching because grappling isn’t your strong suit.” Warden tightened his grip. “It’s mine.”
In his last moment, Boxer realized his mistake. If Badger could overpower him in a struggle, then Warden would have no problem. Boxer quickly tried to release himself and escape but Warden had latched on. There was a glimmer of glee in Warden’s eyes, like he was enjoying himself. As he began to lift Boxer off the ground, panic fully set into the defeated bully.
“No, please!” Boxer cried. Warden only shook his head.
“Take it like a man,” he stated and raised Boxer higher. The big bully, Warden, finally had Boxer right where he wanted him. With such power, Warden vaulted Boxer into the floor face first. The sound he made was a mix between a thud and a splat. It sounded like it hurt, maybe he even broke something. Lying limp on the floor, Boxer was face first in a huddled position. Warden knelt down next to his defeated enemy. He put his ear close to the body, checking to make sure he didn’t kill his foe.
“Uuuuuuuuuh,” Boxer moaned, painfully.
“You’re fine you wimp,” Warden stood up. He lamely kicked Boxer while he was down. “Get up, get out of here, and don’t tell anyone.” Boxer shook but didn’t move. This angered Warden. “I said get up!” he shouted. He kicked Boxer hard this time.
“Uh!” Boxer groaned.
“Let’s go! I don’t have all day,” Warden kicked the downed opponent yet again. This time Boxer began to stir but it wasn’t quick enough for Warden. He kicked again this time making Boxer lurch forward. That got Boxer into motion and he began to crawl away. “Go faster!” Warden snarled and kicked Boxer right in the ass. Boxer stumbled but slowly got to his feet. He continued to stumble around, crashing into lockers, until he made it around the corner and was out of sight. Warden laughed a bit, maliciously glad to see his opponent leave.
Sunset didn’t know what to feel. She was still in shock but the gravity of the situation was slowly hitting her. While she lied on the floor, she had watched a clash of the titans unfold before her. It was amazing yet scary at the same time. At least the danger was over but there was still one problem. There was still a very tall and very scary bully now looking directly at her.
Warden began walking towards Sunset. His footsteps had a click to them as he walked, clacking against the hard tile floor. He stood right in front of Sunset. “You okay?” he held out his hand to Sunset.
That was something she didn’t expect. After watching this bully lay the smack down to two other bullies, this looked like it would be a trap. Though, something in Sunset was eager to take the hand and so she did. Warden gently raised her up, much to her surprise. At that moment the person in front of her looked different from the one that she had seen previously. It was a nicer person versus that bad person.
“Thanks,” Sunset muttered.
“Are you hurt?” Warden asked.
“N-no,” Sunset replied, dusting herself off.
“Are you sure?” Warden continued.
“I,” Sunset wobbled her arm she had fallen on. It was fine. “Yeah I’m fine.”
“Good,” Warden nodded. He looked over his shoulder to where Badger still laid on the floor. He stirred slightly but was pretty much beaten. “Badger!” Warden yelled. “Get the fuck off the ground. I didn’t hit you that hard.” With that Sunset noticed that the nice Warden was gone and the bad Warden was back.
Badger seemed to respond to Warden’s command and was slowly rising up. Using his hands he pushed his body off the ground but didn’t make it far, collapsing back down again. Warden watched and shook his head with irritation.
“Is he going to be okay?” Sunset pointed at Badger.
“As soon as he’s done being a pussy, maybe,” Warden shook his head. “But enough about him, I need to talk to you.”
Sunset took a step back, baffled. “Me? Why me?”
“Because,” Warden said with a smile, “you started all of this, and for that you need to answer for it.”
Sunset held her mouth agape for a moment before steeling herself and turning it into a snarl. She glared at Warden who at first was intimidated. Slowly the bully’s attitude change and he adopted a laidback attitude. He leaned against a locker with his hand.
“I’m not afraid of you,” Sunset growled.
Warden grinned. “Oh, I know and that’s what I wanted to talk to you about. I still remember when we saw each other in the hall, you and Badger.” Sunset quickly recalled that Friday when she and Badger had witnessed a school fight. “Everyone else ran while you two stayed put, and that amazed me. These two freshies weren’t afraid to face conflict in the face, while I watched how countless others ran away. That’s real inspiring.”
Sunset was at a loss for words. Out of all the things that could happen, she didn’t expect praise. “Thanks, I guess,” Sunset responded.
“But back to the real problem,” Warden got serious again. He looked back to Badger who was still struggling to get up. “I said get the fuck back on your feet! You’re a god damn embarrassment!” Badger started to scramble up but found himself back on the floor. Warden groaned in frustration. “I always forget freshies can’t take a hit to save their lives.” He shook his head. “Anyways, back to you.”
“Listen,” Sunset suddenly took on a menacing tone, “I’m not intimated by you at all. You think you’re scary? You’re nothing. I could take you. I took him,” Sunset pointed to Badger. Warden looked over and then back at Sunset, and laughed.
“Oh please, sure you did,” he agreed sarcastically, taking a step back. “The thing I’m trying to say is I know it was you that told Badger to take extra money.” Sunset took a step back and Warden stepped forward. “What you did breaks the rules around here. And we can’t have that.”
Sunset felt fear as Warden’s shadow loomed over her. “B-but I,” Sunset stammered.
“Thought nobody would notice?” Warden gleamed. “I have eyes all over the school and on top of that I keep a close tab on newbies like you two.” Warden crossed his arms. “You’re not above my rules, Sunset Shimmer. I hit Badger because he forgot the rules, I’d hate for you to suffer too.” Warden glared at Sunset who was beginning to feel small under the bully’s gaze.
“R-right,” she murmured.
“However,” Warden spoke up and shrugged his shoulders, “rules were meant to be broken. That’s a bully’s way of life. So in a way you’re doing alright. I really only beat Badger to keep up my reputation, he understands that.” Warden looked longingly at Badger, and then back at Sunset.
“What?” Sunset yelped. “I don’t understand.”
“Sunset,” Warden shook his head, “you are either born into power or you have to take it. Do you agree?”
A flash of her former mentor appeared in Sunset’s head. A bunch of lessons and conversations rang in her ears. Then there was the cold twist of betrayal that stung her heart. She grimaced. “Yes,” she replied.
“Then you know what must be done to have that power,” Warden said. “But I’m getting ahead of myself. You’re just a freshy, you still have to wait.” Warden turned around and began to walk away.
“Wait!” Sunset yelled, halting Warden. “Badger told me you run the school. Is that true?”
Warden looked at Badger, now on his hands and knees. “You’re not up yet, you weakling.” He looked back at Sunset. “Yeah it’s true.”
“How?” Sunset asked bluntly. “How did you do it?”
Warden stared wide eyed for a moment. A malevolent grin appeared on his face. “Tell you what I’m gonna do.” He looked down at Sunset. “Every year, bullies like me participate in something call the Rumbler.”
“Rumbler?” Sunset questioned.
“Yes,” Warden nodded. “At the Rumbler we decided who’s going to be the next leader. You can come if you want; I’m willing to talk about bulling there. I’m sure Badger will show you the way, if you ask him.”
“Will he?” Sunset rubbed her chin. Badger was on his knees when Warden walked in front of him. Immediately, Badger recoiled, holding his arm in front of his face. He finally pulled it down when he felt nothing attacking him but flinched at Warden’s presence.
“Badger,” Warden knelt next to him. “The Rumbler is happening next week; Sunset is going, be there.” He stood up. “And I expect your participation also.”
Badger nodded obediently. “Yes, I will.”
“Good,” Warden smiled. “See you two later.” With that he disappeared around the corner and two seconds later the bell ending lunch rang.
Sunset was furious. “Do you see what you did?” she scowled at Badger and gave him a light slap on the side of the head. “We missed lunch.”
Badger breathed heavily. “At least you didn’t take a fist to your face,” he tilted his head down. With a groan he spat blood on the floor. In the middle of the blood was a white speck, which Badger picked up. “Oh look, my last baby tooth finally came out.” He put it in his pocket.
“Gross,” Sunset stuck her tongue out, her appetite now ruined.