//------------------------------//
// Descending 
// Story: The Ashes of a Phoenix 
// by Xehanort107 
//------------------------------//

“Hey! Careful with them streamers, Pinkie Pie,” Applejack warned. “Last Welcome Back party you threw, them streamers were gettin’ everywhere: into people’s hair, their punch, Even the DJ had to stop because one fell on her turntable.”
“Relax, Applejack,” Pinkie reassured, placing a single strip of tape over the streamer so it dangled a few feet from the ceiling, “Tape is much more reliable than those silly little glue sticks.”
“Ah still say you should use staples. At least they ain’t sticky.” she crossed her arms in discontent. It was clear Pinkie was not going to change her mind.
“There! That’s the last one.” Pinkie said, stepping down from her ladder and gazing upon her work. The entire ceiling of the gymnasium was arrayed with streamers and banners of assorted colors, meticulously filling the entire room with a design that rivaled Rarity’s cheapest dress. But something was off, missing almost.
“Uh, Pinkie Pie?”
“Yeah, Applejack?”
“Aren’t we forgettin’ somethin’? Somethin’ jus’ don’t look right.”
Pinkie narrowed her eyes, scanning the gym for a flaw. All her parties went as planned for her.It’s unlike her to forget a necessity. It only took moments for her to find her error. “Oh! I know. We need the banner!” Pinkie scurried to her garbage bin full of recycled party supplies. “How could I forget that?” she laughed to herself, rummaging through her party bin and throwing the contents on the floor. In seconds, the ground was flooded with noisemakers and various other recycled party supplies from other parties she has planned. At last, Pinkie came up from the bin empty handed. “Where is it?”
“Hey, guys!” a voice called from behind Applejack. It was another girl with fiery red hair and a golden streaks floating out from the sides of her hair. Her hands hung loose at her sides, her coiffure was neat and fell smoothly to her waist; her face was bright with a warm, friendly smile. “How’s the setup going?” she asked, leaning against a nearby wall. “Looks great so far. Err, except for the spring break stuff on the floor.”
“Sorry ‘bout that, Sunset. We’re lookin’ for the banner that reads ‘Welcome Back!’ We’re supposed to put it up by the turntables, but it ain’t here. You got any idea where it is?”
“Actually,” Sunset recalled. “I think Rarity said it could use some touching up. She said it was too boring to just have the words ‘ Welcome Back!’ on it.”
“Well that’s just great. Knowin’ Rarity, she’ll end up blindin’ everyone. The girl needs to understand how bright it is when she uses them fine cuts, as she calls ‘em,” Applejack complained. Her eyes switched to Sunset. “Say, What brings ya here? School don’t start ‘till Monday. I’dda figured you’d’ve been down by the beach with all yer friends.”
“What? A girl can’t come by and hang out,” Sunset replied, inching her head forward with a smirk. “with my friends?”
Applejack let out a small laugh, “Fair enough. Hey, since yer here, ya mind helpin’ us clean up all these doodads on the ground?” she asked, flailing her feet free of the streamers on her boots. “Ah’m afraid if Pinkie does it, it'll do more harm than good.”
“Sure,” Sunset replied cheerfully. She kicked off the wall and crouched to the ground to scoop up the miscellaneous party supplies. Her arms wrapped around to form a pile and lifted it up into the air. She, then, proceeded to dispose of them in Pinkie’s party bin.
On her second round, Applejack told her something she didn’t hear correctly. “What was that?” she turned her head to face Applejack.
“Ah said can you believe the Dazzlin’s are comin’ back to Can’erlot High?”
“What?” Sunset halted abruptly, the supplies fell to the ground. “Where’d you hear that?” Sunset asked in disbelief.
“Heard it from some of girls at the burger joint. Says Principal Celestia’s givin’ ‘em a second chance to straighten up their act.”
“Are you serious?”
“Yup. Them Dazzlin’s say the magic they carried with them back to Equestria were controlling them.”
“Heh, tough chance getting the students to believe that. I mean, they tried to control everyone into adoring them so they could take over the world.”
“Ah hear ya. Ah’m surprised they didn’t feed off themselves with how much they fight all the time.”
“Yeah, I wonder,” Sunset continued to replace the supplies back into the bin, her spirit grew silent. Some odd realization resurfaced without her conscious knowledge, A faint light in dark times.
It took an hour, but they finally finished and Applejack crashed on the bleachers with silent accomplishment. “Whew! Thanks fer yer help, Sunset.” Applejack praised, wiping the sweat from her forehead. “I’dda been cleanin’ up streamers all day if Pinkie was helpin’ me. I’m glad yer always willin’ to lend a hand.” 
“No problem. What’re friends for?” She replied. “I hear there’s gonna be a ton of people here.”
“That, lil’ missy, ’s sugarcoatin’ it,” Applejack fired back. “ There’s a good quarter of that in freshman alone.”
“Guess Pinkie’s got her work cut out for her.”
"Oh, please! I've done way worse than this," Pinkie chimed in, taking a large breath. "I remember in Elementary, we used to invite the entire school district over for a party and it got so huge, we had to go out to the football field because we had way too many kids and then we had to bring like sixty fans because it was so hot and —"
“We get it!” Applejack retorted. “Sorry, Sunset. You know Pinkie,” she returned her attention to Sunset. “How ya feelin’ about them Dazzlin’s? You seem’d pretty quiet after ya got back to work.”
“The Dazzlings? …all they did was cause trouble. How can they expect us to start over?”
“Ah’m with ya. those girls are nothin’ but trouble. Power or none.”
“What the heck is Principal Celestia thinking? Even without those amulets, all they did was cause trouble.” She vented, stomping out the door.
“Um… See ya later…ah guess.”
Sunset ignored her friend's response as she left the gym. As much as she tried, the Dazzlings wouldn’t escape her mind. She couldn’t stop remembering their manipulative words that turned everyone against each other. Magic or none, they are a threat.

Sunset made her way down the empty hallway. Though the school year hadn’t started yet, she had a strange feeling Principal Celestia would be in her office. She’s dedicated to her school, and is there for someone, even in their worst times. Just like for her.

Her reminiscing was cut short, as her train of thought had forgotten her feet, and she fell on the hard ground.




When her eyes opened once more, She could see herself as she peered in through a window to a large castle hall: a mare dressed in a brown cloak. afront her stood three others, each of an upper class. One was clad in black armor with a gold trim; prepared for battle. Another wore a dress with a large ruff around her neck. Her hat was a chocolate pudding bowl. And the third was dressed in a purple mantle. On her head bore a platinum crown with red gems bejeweled into it. 
All three of them looked like some form of royalty, it appeared. Sunset recognized none of them, but she couldn’t help being overwhelmed with nostalgia. The room was huge and full of expensive decor: velvet drapes fell from tall windows, a long hallway holding a large, red throne at its ending, and a large painting that hangs on the wall. The Painting depicting a young mare and her father, whom she takes to be the ruler. The filly is looking up at him, praising him, worshipping him. 
Sunset could see the faces of the three ponies in front of her as clear as day, the kind of faces wrinkling with uncertainty. They stared at her. One scowling, another flustered, and the last with a small tear falling down her muzzle. Voices called “How could you?” and “Desist at once!” but she didn’t listen. Their bodies melted before her, taking a new shape. Their spines had grown large dorsal fins. At first glance it looked like their manes. Their anteriors had turned into a mermaid’s tail, and their chests bore a bright red gem. Their faces, though; they didn’t change. They stayed a cold, piercing stare into her heart, cold enough to freeze an ocean from the inside out. 
They all faced Sunset, now doubled-over in fear. As if by the conductor’s baton, they simultaneously opened their long mouths and bellowed a piercing scream that shattered the window Sunset was looking through. She was exposed, and saw a fleeting eye of one of the creatures staring at her from a distance. It was a deep, golden dagger slaying her with anger of a broken promise. It was staring her right in the eyes and all she could do was stand until it lurched at her. All three of them flew towards her as she dashed away as quickly as she possibly could, fearing death itself as the consequence if she didn’t.
She ran and ran through the streets as the townspeople subsequently parted away faster from the unknown creatures. As she ran, she caught sight of an old cobblestone house with a familiar coat of arms on it. The lights were off and Sunset refused to turn them on. She sighed a breath of relief.

“Clover?” an old voice called from another room, “Is that you?” He didn’t turn the lights on before the roof was decimated and debris littered what once was a house. Sunset was caught under the stones and unable to escape. She looked once more into their eyes. They were permanently etched into her mind. She closed her eyes tightly, waiting for the final blow.



When it didn’t come, Sunset opened her eyes, and saw she was back in school. She rose to her feet, scanning the surroundings for those three creatures. but there was nothing. She was alone. She shook her head and refocused herself. She collected her thoughts and continued towards Principal Celestia’s office.

It wasn’t long before Sunset had stopped at a door. There were many throughout the hallway, but this one had a certain aspect that whispered into Sunset’s ears that this was her destination. A semi-transparent, glass window stretched about 3/4 of the overall top half of the door with black lettering reading, “Principal’s Office.” She knocked on the door lightly. A voice responded.

“Who is it?”

“It’s Sunset,” she replied in a nervous tone. “I need to talk to you. Can I come in?” The door opened slowly to reveal a tall female with dark blue hair that spread near her shoulders and fell below her waist. Her shirt went over her jeans and was tucked beneath her belt. It was Vice Principal Luna. Her face held no enthusiasm, nor any hint of elation in her coming by.

“I was not expecting you to be here,” Luna said defensively. “I thought Applejack and Pinkie were the only ones here setting up for our dance.”

“Is Principal Celestia here?” Sunset asked eagerly. “I need to ask her about The Dazzlings. Why are they here? Why are they coming back?”

“Dazzlings?” Luna pondered. “You mean Adagio Dazzle and her friends? I’m hardly enthused that you accuse them of repeating their actions. We made the same decision as with you. If you straightened up your act and became a positive student here at CHS, then you can continue your education here. Just like you, they were previously enrolled in our school, and just like you, they will get a second chance.” 

She paused for a moment, noticing a quiver on Sunset’s upper lip. Taking a softer approach, she lowered her knees so she was at eye level with Sunset. She could see the kindness in her eyes. She meant no harm. “It’s not as lenient a decision as you may think it is. We’ve kept a keen eye on you through your friends. They were willing to give you a second chance. I believe you, having been through the same set of circumstances, can help them as your friends helped you. Do you understand?”

“I understand” Sunset replied. And she did. She had caused the school so much grief and made such a monster out of herself, she didn’t see redemption; but her friends did. Twilight held her hand out to Sunset in mercy and in truce. It was time Sunset did the same for The Dazzlings.

“I’m sorry Principal Celestia couldn’t be here,” Luna added. “She left me in charge while she runs errands.”

“It’s fine.” Sunset replied solemnly. “She’d have probably said the same thing. Thank you.” The door closed once more. Sunset stood there, bewildered. Maybe they have changed, or perhaps she’s overreacting, With no more reason to stay, she departed, wandering down the hallway and making a sharp turn into the foyer. It still haunted her though.

The Dazzlings had done more than what Principal Celestia knew. They had lied to everyone, tricking them into believing others were more advantageous, or even inferior, to any other student. She still remembers that moment; that brief minute that costed her every iota of her strength to resist their lies. “...We know all about you, Sunset Shimmer. You've got quite the reputation at Canterlot High,” Adagio’s words echoed through her. She could swear she was reliving it again. The apparition taunted her, sneered at her, hated her. “No one is going to remember you at all by the time we're done.”

But why? What had she done to them? The answer fleeted into her mind and painted a picture, a memory, around her. Upon a hill, overlooking a large stage, she could see crowds of people bustled into one convergent roar of applause. The performers had just finished their song, and the next group was getting ready. some footsteps alerted her attention and urged her to turn around. She could see Twilight and her friends making their way up the hill, instruments in hand. They joined her, overlooking the performing trio.

The performers were all the same height, but their hairstyles and skin color split them apart. The center girl had large, pompy hair that clumped together into a field of wheat down her backside. Another had pigtails of extraordinary length; a single pink line passed through the center of each tail. The last had only a ponytail; that is not to dissuade the size. Their voices were angelic, the kind only heard from the seductive succubi, or Lilith herself. And just as well, these demons were lusting for power. The negative energy they harness and consume create a chain reaction where the students in the crowd are helpless to their melodic hypnosis. Sunset was overcome with nostalgia of the event.

Sunset looked to her left, and lo and behold, Twilight was performing against them. But in it all, she could hear nothing, just see the battle commence once more. Then it happened, and even Sunset couldn’t believe it, the creatures from before rose from The Dazzlings and stared her down once more.

She was paralyzed, and she witnessed Twilight fall to the ground, and then Applejack, Pinkie, Rainbow Dash, the DJ, finally Fluttershy. Each of them fell at their hands and she could only stand and watch. The monsters took one final look at her, as the microphone dangled in Twilight’s cold hand.





When she opened her eyes, she was in front of a tall, wooden door with a glass square above the median. In a large font, black letters wrote “Principal’s Office.” Sunset realized she was still alone. She no longer felt pain, only an air of confusion. Did she collapse without knowing it? she decided to knock on the door once again. Maybe Principal Celestia had returned?

“Who is it?” Luna called.

“It’s Sunset again.” The door opened casually. Luna, once more, remained in front of the doorway.

“Sunset? I didn’t expect to see you until Monday, when school starts,” Luna pondered. “What do mean again? This is the first we are speaking.”

Sunset’s eyes wavered. Had Luna forgotten that they had already talked? “We spoke earlier. Didn’t we? I asked you about The Dazzlings returning to school.”

“I think I’d remember something like that,” Luna replied. “Besides, you, of all people should know how lenient we are with second chances. You have caused collateral damages that ruined our school budget, and forced us to have twenty fundraisers over the summer to pay off, and yet we still allowed you to return and continue your education at CHS.”

“I understand, but I made my amends repairing the school. All they will do is manipulate...”

“Like you did?” Luna interrupted. “They deserve no more privileges than the ones that we’ve given you,” she paused. “Unless you don’t want to continue at CHS.” She added slyly.

“That’s not what I—” she sighed, collecting herself. “You’re right. Maybe I’m overreacting? I guess I’m just unsure about the whole thing. It’s all too sudden.”

“I understand how you feel, Sunset. I remember when I was unsure about allowing you to continue being a student at CHS. My sister and I were debating it for hours. We were ready to send you to a boarding school and assign you community service this school year. 

“But we were dissuaded by your friends. Twilight said they’d make sure you behaved, at whatever cost. They even headed most of the fundraisers and doubled our profits. Even then, we were still hesitant, but we gave you the benefit of the doubt. We trust them and, in turn, trust you. You just need to do the same for Adagio and her friends. 

“I wonder if they too had the same fallout that made them question the morals of another. Maybe you have more in common than you think. But you won’t know until you try. Do you understand?”

“Yes, you already told me when I came by last time,” Sunset looked at her discontentedly. 

“I’m sorry, but I didn’t. There was no last time.”

“How?” Sunset demanded. “I know we spoke earlier. You told me that I might be able to befriend them, like they went through what happened to me.”

“No” Her voice grew tempered, “That is what I just told you.”

A storm of confusion swept her away. She couldn’t grasp the fact that Luna had not talked to her before. She wondered if any of it was a dream, or if she is the only one who remembers. Her eyes lost contact with Luna’s. She had witnessed two separate conversations, and the strain to keep truth from reality was a struggle. A mild headache forced her hand to massage her aching forehead.

“Is everything alright, Sunset?” Luna asked concerningly. Her words didn’t affect her. “Sunset?”

Once more, Sunset caught sight of Luna. Her headache was alleved. “I’m fine. It’s just… I swear we were talking earlier, and you told me that Principal Celestia had stepped out to run errands.”

“What?” Luna questioned. A mask of confusion shadowed her.“She’s in her office putting together her speech for the assembly, Monday night,” Luna answered. “I’m afraid she can’t be bothered right now. I don’t know where you got the idea she had left her office, let alone leave me to work in her place.”

Though out of context to her memories, she already thought it might not have been true. Her entire first conversation was a sham.

“Is everything alright, Sunset?”

“Yeah,” she replied. “I think I need to go home and rest. I’m sorry I bothered you.”

“If you need anything, Please say something. Principal Celestia and I care very deeply about our students. If we can help you, we will. Just let us know.” 

At Sunset’s nod, the door closed. All was quiet. Sunset took her time and gradually left the school building. The foliage of the trees blocked the sun’s warm light in the west horizon,dimming the whole world in an orange haze. The sun was on the verge of setting, but something didn’t feel right. Something was creeping nearer like the shadows around her, It was only a matter of when.