//------------------------------// // Chapter 2- Sunset Shimmer // Story: Equestria Girls: Friendship Makes Magic // by ImNoPony //------------------------------// Working vigorously as ever, Principal Celestia was seething through paperwork and keeping everything in order. It may not seem like an important job, but she has the final say to everything that was going on in her school. From school activities to student’s and teacher’s behavior, Celestia was making sure that her school is a safe and enjoyable place for learning. And although being the principal isn’t an enjoyable job, Celestia is nevertheless proud of her work and seeing heppy students makes her job worth it. But then, just as the principal took a breather and have a small break from the paper work, she had a knock on her door. Although it was unexpected, she pretty much welcomes anybody who comes to her door. “Come In!” yelled Celestia to the visitor outside her door. After a second of hesitation, the door opened and Twilight Sparkle stepped into the office. “Um… Good morning Principal Celestia” Twilight greeted nervously. “Good morning” Celestia pleasantly replies. “What brings you to my office?” Twilight was Hesitant for a secound. “Um... Don’t you recognize me Principal Celestia?” It took a moment for Principal Celestia to search through her memories, but she eventually does remember and recognize her. “Oh Right! You’re the new transfer student, Twilight Sparkle. I remember now.” “Yeah, That Me!” Twilight happily stated. “Yes, yes, I remember. I was on a friendly trip to see Dean Cadence and I happen to come across you. I hope you are not bothered by the change of schools." “No, it doesn’t bother me at all. I'm actually looking foward to the change of scenery.” “Well that’s great” Celestia pleasantly replies. Once they got the pleasantries out of the way, Celestia then asks Twilight: “So did you come here so you can find out where your first class is?” However, Twilight unexpectedly replies: “Actually no, that’s not what I’m really here for.” Once she got the heavy bag off of her back and rests it on the floor, she then got out the crown and show it to her “I found this by the statue this morning and heard that it belongs to the school.” Once Principal Celestia saw the crown, she suddenly became surprised and got up from her seat. When Twilight handed her the crown, she could see how baffled and confused Celestia's expression was, almost like she couldn't believe what she was holding. "You found this by the statue at the front of the school did you say?" asked the puzzled principal. Twilight just silently nodded. As she sees principal Celestia holding the crown, Twilight remembers the flashing visions from when she put on the crown. She knows that's not just an ordinary high school tiara and that there is something not quite right with it. Twilight didn't like to consider it, but if that crown really did come from this school, she would find it hard to believe that the Principal wouldn't know anything about it. However, Twilight temporally lost her train of thought when Celestia says to her: "Well thank you for handing it in. I'll make sure that Vice-Principal Luna would keep a closer eye on it." Celestia then puts the star-shape crown in the filing cabinet for the time being. Left confused, Twilight asks out loud to her: "What! I mean... Didn't you think it's a bit strange?" "Definitely" Celestia replied. "Why would anyone go to the trouble to steal a crown and just leave on the front lawn?" "Really!?" Twilight responded, left even more confused then before. "So who do think would steal something like that and..." However, Celestia interrupted her and stop her from becoming excited and/or hysterical. "Calm down Twilight, it's nothing to be worried about. It's probably just somebody playing a prank." "Really!" Twilight replied. "So you don't think that there is something odd about the crown that would make somebody want to try and steal it?" Principal Celestia told Twilight: "Twilight, calm down. It's just something which the art & crafts department whipped up. You don't have to make this into some great crime drama." Twilight was confused. She knows that wasn't an ordinary crown that she just handed in. However, she don't think that Principal Celestia is lying to her. As Twilight can't decide to trust her gut feeling, she then slowly began to question if she even had the weird visions. When Principal Celestia sees how troubled Twilight was looking, she became concerned and asked: "Is everything alright Twilight?" When Twilight realized that she was being addressed, Twilight replied: "Hm... Oh! Yes, I'm ok. I... think I'm just not getting use to the new environment yet." Even though she still has those strange visions stuck in her head, Twilight decicded to forget about them for now. As Twilight was about to pick up her bag, Principal Celestia asks her: Well... While your here, do you still want me to look up where your first lesson is?" After a short moment to think about it, she shrugs and replied: "Sure, why not? It wouldn't hurt I suppose." As Celestia went back to her seat and went on her computer, Twilight waited for her to bring up the student's timetable. To pass the time, Twilight gazed around the room and see all of the different stuff that were hanging on the walls. There were some awards hanging up, some photos of an important event is place proudly on some of the walls. But then, when Twilight was looking towards the sides, she spotted something that made her eyes widened. The photos just show some girl who was wearing a dress and a crown and looked like it was taken at some school event or something. But what catches Twilight's eyes was how the girl looked like. With amber skin, red and yellow hair and a sinister looking grin in some of the photos, Twilight some how reconize her. She looked like the sinister looking pony that were imprinted within her mind by the weird vision. Looking at the photo, Twilight couldn't believe her eyes. Even though a few details were a little different, but she definatly know that she saw her within the vision. "Ah! Here it is" called out the principal who found where Twilight's class is. "Looks like your first lesson is with Miss Matilda at classroom 2-18." Twilight broke from her daze and could barely catch what she said. When she looks back at the principal, she point towards the photos and asked: "Who is she?" When she saw the photos which she was pointing at, Celestia replied: "Oh! That's Sunset Shimmer. She's one of the students who you well get to know." As Celestia got up and go near Twilight, she explains: "These photos were taken when she was crowned princess during our seasonal dances. She's a bright student with much potential, kinda like you in a way. But unfortunately, she doesn't get along well with the rest of the student body." As the principal and student side by side and looking at the photos, Celestia began to smirk and jokingly whisper to Twilight: "You know... our Fall Formal is coming up. Are interested in running for princess?" "What!" Twilight responded as Celestia finally got her to lighten up. "N-No thank you. I'm not interested in that kind of stuff." As she got her bag and her lesson, Twilight walks backwards and says: "I have much more important stuff to do than princess stuff." She then collided with the door and Spike, who was hiding in the bag, let out a cry. As Celestia wonder what the sound was, Twilight made a hasty retreat and left the office. The principal just smile and just hope that the new transfer student would get along well in her school. _ _ _ _ _ After the new transfer student have gone and seen the principal, Twilight was now exploring her new school in search for her classroom. And unlike Crystal Prep, Twilight can really say that her school is alive with interests, creativity and learning. The hallways were packed full with students and were doing whatever they want before classes start. Twilight overhear some students gossiping, some students talking about school events and clubs or doing strange stuff in doors. She saw jocks playing catch, some hippie kid playing tiny bongos by the stairs and attracting a crowd and some girls were wearing some of the colorful outfits that Twilight had ever seen. Twilight felt like there was a whole community being packed into one hallway and it somehow making Twilight is a bit livelier. Eventually Twilight found the classroom which she thinks that her first lesson is at. She wasn't completely sure at first, but when she sees the door says 2-18, Twilight felt pretty confident that that's what Principal Celestia said. And now, since she found her classroom, Twilight had to wait by the door until the teacher arrives. She could talk to some of the students to pass that time, but Twilight didn't felt like talking to anybody. She was just happy standing there and watching all the students going down the halls. Twilight excuse was that "she was too shy to talk to anybody" which was a total lie. However, the one person who didn't like this was Spike who was moving around anxiously in Twilight's bag. Twilight eventually got her bag out in front of her and unzipped the zipper. And when she did, Spike's head popped out and began to moan. "Oh come on Twilight. Let me out of this tiny bag" moaned Spike. However, Twilight replied: "I know what you’re thinking Spike, but I can't let you out. I would get into a lot of trouble if a teacher found out that I brought my dog to school." But speak of a devil, after she said that, Twilight spotted a teacher walking down the hallway. The teacher was an uptight looking dude who Twilight was convinced was wearing a toupee. But before Twilight could push Spike's head back into the bag, Spike was already hiding inside. The teacher walks pass her without suspecting anything. “Ok, Fine” Twilight said begrudgingly. Twilight rest her bag with Spike still in on the floor and by her feet. Twilight then told Spike: “You can sit and watch, but I’m not letting you out of that bag.” “Fine” Spike replied. Even though he didn’t have what he wanted, but at least his head is out of the stuffy bag and he can at least appreciate that. And first, everything was going ok. Spike was happy to see all the new faces that he never saw before and Twilight was enjoying the peace and somewhat quiet. However, that peace and quiet also lets Twilight’s mind to drift away and began thinking about the crown again. And as she began thinking about other things, her attention was away from the dog which she was meant to keeping an eye on. And while Twilight was distracted, Spike spotted a face that captivated the little pup' and hypnotically moved towards it. "Did the crown really belong to the school?" Twilight whispered to herself. "I mean, no way can a high school crown can give you flashing images of ponies. But then again, how did I saw the face that looked like a girls that I never saw before?" After a moment of pondering, she groaned and said "Uhh! What do you think Spike?" However, when Twilight looked down towards her pet, she discovered that said pet was missing from the bag. In a panic, she looked around frantically in search for her dog. Fortunately, she spotted Spike fairly quickly. Spike was just stand standing next to and looking to towards an attractive girl by her locker... an attractive girl with white skin and purple hair. "SPIKE!!" yelled Twilight as she run towards him. The girl heard Twilight's yelling and saw her coming towards her. As she was startled and was wondering what was going on, she began feeling paws that was pressing against her leg. When she looked down, she saw the tiny little dog that was trying to get her attention. Even though she was still startled, she found the dog incredibly adorable. "Oh My! Who is this adorable little darling?" asked the girl as she began to pet Spike. When Twilight came to them, she tried to apologize to the girl. "I am so sorry that my dog is troubling you." But the girl replied: "That's ok dearie. This adorable little man wasn't bothering anyone." As Spike was enjoying the petting and stroking from his new found love in life, Twilight pulled him from that and hold him tightly around her arms. As the dog was about to moan, Twilight told him: "I told you to stay in my bag but you didn't listen." Spike began to sulk and cross his tiny arms in frustration. Once she had firm grip on her dog, Twilight then faces the girl and says: "I am so very sorry. My dog followed me to school and I didn't have enough time to get him back home and I..." The girl interrupted Twilight and told her: "Like I said, everything is ok dearie. The worst that happened was that I found a charming little dog." However, once she was done looking at Spike, she then spotted the outfit Twilight was wearing and says: "But speaking about charming, Where Did You Get That Charming Outfit?" Twilight was confused by the question. She looked down at her clothes and thought nothing special about them. "What? This?" she replied. "It's nothing special. It's just stuff that I found in my closet." "Right, it’s just "stuff"" the girl replied back while being unimpressed. "No way that you can look as fashionable as that say that you would put anything on in your wardrobe." Once the girl was done eyeing up Twilight, she finally felt to introduce herself. "Oh! Where are my manners? My name is Rarity and I run a small fashion boutique by Cloudsdale Mall." "Well it's nice to meet you Rarity" replied Twilight who felt that she needed to get away. She quickly shook Rarity's hand and says "My name is Twilight and I'm new around here. I have to go now so I don't be late for my class and..." However, something clicked inside Rarity's head. "Wait... Twilight? As in Twilight Sparkle?" Twilight stepped back and pulled away in caution. "How did you know my full name?" she asked. "Did you happen to help a crying girl by the front statue this morning?" Suprised, Twilight asks: "Wait! You know Fluttershy?" In a remarkable coincidence, Twilight realized that she met one of Fluttershy's friends. As Twilight was comprehended the twist of fate, Rarity startled her by giving her a surprised hug. When Rarity pulled away, she explains: "Fluttershy texted me and told me everything that happened this morning. I must thank you for helping the poor fragile girl off the ground like that." "It was no problem" Twilight replied. "I was there, so I helped." "Yeah, but you're the only one who helped" Rarity explains. "Unfortunately, at this school, the different cliques don't often help or interact with one another." "What!" responded Twilight. "Why don't they interact?" "I don't know?" Rarity replied as she rounded up her stuff and shut her locker. "Everyone has been like that once Sunset Shimmer took over the school." But then, when Rarity said the name, Twilight mumbled: "Sunset... Shimmer?" She can clearly recall Principal Celestia explaining Sunset to her and how she looked in her pictures and in her vision. Twilight's mood stopped so abruptly, even Spike stopped being love struck and became concerned towards his master. Worried, Rarity asked: "Are you ok dearie?" When she was asked, Twilight snapped out. "Sorry... But can I ask about Sunset Shimmer?" Rarity was confused, but she didn't mind explaining stuff to Twilight. "Well... Sunset Shimmer is a bit of a bully" she explained bluntly. "Whenever there is an opportunity to get more power or be more popular, she will do whatever it takes to get it. If someone gets in her way, she try to act all nice and kind, but she would spread nasty rumors around and make you don't want to show your face around school ever again." "Really" Twilight mumbled. But then, Rarity leaned against her locker and added: "Sunset Shimmer maybe a terrible person, but she is nowhere near as hurtful or insulting as Pinkie Pie." Twilight checked her brain if she had any information on Pinkie Pie. She remembers Fluttershy talking about her... and recalls that she didn't like the description of her. Rarity explains: "Last spring, when I tried to be princess for the Spring Fling, I agreed to help Pinkie to set up with decorations. However, she turned right 'round and says she didn't need my help. We and the rest of our friends got into such an argument, I was left emotionally broken and couldn't compete to be princess." Twilight felt so sorry for Rarity, try to comfort her when she got all misty eyed. And then suddenly, bell rang and startled the two girls and the dog. Twilight then notice a well-groomed lady entered the classroom where her lesson is supposed be. Curious, Twilight asked Rarity: "Are you in Miss Matilda's class right now." Curiously in return, Rarity nodded. "Ok then. I guess we can sit together in class?" The two girls then decided to go together to Twilight's first class. Spike, who was excited to be around Rarity some more, became upset when Twilight stuff him back into her backpack. _ _ _ _ _ Sometime later, the bells rang again and lessons were over for now. As all of the students left their classrooms, Twilight and Rarity waved goodbye to each other as their next lessons are now somewhere else. Twilight was surprised that she made a second friend today, considering that she wasn't planning on it to begin with. While Rarity and Fluttershy were nice people, Twilight still want to keep to that plan as best as possible. But while she barely has any stuff in common with the two girls, she still was getting a nice and worm feeling from being around them. It was almost like that she was meant to be around them for some reason. However, Twilight push that to the back of her mind. But then, as she was walking down the hall, Twilight suddenly heard a coin being tossed. She was about to forget about it and move on, until she saw a coin rolling pass her feet and somehow turn a corner. Curiously and yet cautiously, Twilight followed the coin as she thought that someone or something wanted her to do so. But when she does go around the corner, she was in a dark corner of the school with faulty lights and appeared to be a good place to be ambushed. Spike popped his head out of the bag to see what's wrong, but he was equally as confused as Twilight. Being nervous about the place, Twilight decided that she want to leave. However, when she turns around, she saw an intimidating looking girl who was blocking her path. With a striking black jacket, Twilight soon realize that this person was Sunset Shimmer. Before Twilight could have a chance to say anything, Sunset was the first person to speak. "Well well well... looks like someone decided to follow me and go through mirror. How adorably naïve for an alicorn princess." Twilight looked at Spike and asks: "What is she talking about Spike?" which Spike just shrugs in confusion.