Canterlot High's student morale was higher than ever.
Ever since Sunset Shimmer's defeat, everyone was understandably happier. No one else stepped up to be the next big bully, and no one really caused any trouble.
Crimson Napalm, Featherweight and Azure Strike had all made sure to stay as far away from Sunset and the girls as possible, which they were grateful for.
However, not everything was so nice.
The student body still despised Sunset, despite Vinyl spreading the word that she was apologizing. Nobody believed it. They still gave her those hate-filled glares. Some tripped her up in the hallway, hit her things out of her hand, and made her as miserable as they could without stooping to her level.
Sunset never lifted a finger to defend herself. She took the punishments with no complaints- if anything, she deserved worse. The students never escalated past tripping, though. Rainbow Dash was almost always keeping an eye on Sunset, and would go up to the offending student to intimidate them into leaving Sunset alone. It didn't work.
But through all of that, Sunset kept going.
Though she may let other students do petty things in the hallways, she kept a smile on her face and kept going, never acknowledging them. After all, what was this compared to what she had done? So Sunset put on a brave face and took the punishments. She couldn’t defend herself anyway- the other students would probably just see that as an act of aggression.
However, she didn’t have to deal with all of that at this moment. Right now, all that mattered was she and Rainbow Dash, sitting together on the steps of Canterlot High. While they weren’t alone, they might as well have been- they didn’t bother noticing who was around them. The sun was just above the horizon, the day barely beginning. The two girls simply sat, their hands barely touching as they stared at the colt statue at the front of the school.
With Rainbow Dash by her side, there was nothing that Sunset couldn’t face, she was sure of it. They hadn’t been friends long, and had been going out for even less time, but for some reason everything felt right, now. She could deal with the hatred of the students, as long as she still had her friends and Rainbow. Together, the six could face any challenge. They were all sure of this fact.
It’s only been, what, a week and a half since Twilight left, Rainbow Dash thought. But it feels like a lot just changed. She furrowed her brow, a slight worrying expression coming across her face. We graduate in just a few months. What then? The athlete turned her head and looked at Sunset, who didn’t notice Rainbow Dash looking at her. I never expected to like her, let alone to start dating her. But I guess things don’t always work out how you expected them to. But no matter what comes my way, I’ll handle it. I’m too awesome for anything to get me down!
... Man, I’m getting way too sappy these days.
Three Hours Later...
Sunset sat idly outside of the store- some joint that sold guitars and other stringed instruments. She hadn’t wanted to go, after all, she already had a guitar that Flash gave to her just a month before they broke up. But Applejack had insisted that she come along. So Sunset Shimmer stood, her back resting against the wall of the store with her arms crossed across her chest.
What is taking them so long? She wondered. Rainbow and the others had entered the small building about ten minutes ago, and still were not out yet. I knew Rainbow Dash could be picky about her guitar, but I’d figured she would be out by now!
Just as she was about to start beating her head against the wall- seriously, why hadn’t she brought her phone?- the sound of a guitar riff reached Sunset’s ears. And then another, from a differently tuned guitar, followed it.
They’re getting into a guitar battle in there!
... Eh, I’m sure they can handle it.
Mentally preparing the back of her skull for repeated strikes from a concrete wall, she closed her eyes and sighed... and then the wall behind her shook, startling her. Sunset quickly backed away from the wall and looked at it, as if it would explode if she didn’t. “What the heck?!” She exclaimed.
Okay, that’s not normal!
Just as Sunset was about to rush into the store to see what was going on, the doors opened, and out stepped her friends, with Rainbow Dash in front...
And she had apparently grown a set of wings, protruding from the back of her shirt without any discernible holes for them to get out from.
Staring at her girlfriend in shock- and with a slight twitch in her eyes- Sunset only had one thought.
“What.”
”Magic.” Sunset said disbelievingly. “There’s magic here now. Honest to Celestia magic.” She just couldn’t believe it. It didn’t make sense! “All of the magic should have been nullified when the portal shut! There shouldn't be anymore magic here!” She was worrying like she never had before. Why was there still magic here? It doesn't make any sense!
Rainbow simply shrugged and laid back in the beanbag Fluttershy had laid out for her. After the fiasco at the guitar store and dodging an angry Trixie, the group of six girls had decided to retire to Fluttershy’s house for the evening. “I dunno,” Dash began, a slight tone of disappointment in her voice, as her wings had disappeared after the guitar battle. “It just sort of... Happened. But!” Her voice perked up as she jumped to her feet. “On the bright side, we’ll look totally awesome at the musical showcase! Right, Sunset?”
“Right...” Said the former bully with a hint of worry. “There’s nothing we can do about it, though, so I guess we’ll just have to deal with this... whatever it is.” Sunset sighed, leaning into Rainbow Dash, who draped an arm over her shoulders. “I just hope nothing else happens like this. The last thing this world needs is more magic...”
Needless to say, there was more magic in this world.
Not too long after Rainbow Dash suddenly sprouted wings, the Rainbooms, one by one, ended up with their own pool of magic. Strangely enough, though, it only activated when they were playing music really well- like when Rainbow would do a solo on her guitar or Applejack would strum a few strings on her bass. Sunset just couldn’t wrap her head around it- magic just doesn’t work that way, dang it!- but eventually just decided to let it be. It hasn’t hurt anybody... else... yet, so what’s the point in fighting it?
Walking through the halls of Canterlot High was a daunting task, lately. The scrutinizing stares from the other students were worse than any physical pain- to know that so many people hate you is soul crushing, and Sunset felt that every day.
But today would be different! Before school, everyone that entered in the Musical Showcase would be in the gym, working on flyers for the event. And Sunset would be there too, just to see if she could help out any students there. To prove that she has changed, you know?
It was foolproof. Obviously.
Well, no, that’s not how it turned out.
She spied the Crusaders- Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo- near the center of the gym, working on their poster. Smiling to herself, Sunset walked over and put on a friendly face. Since two out of the three Crusaders were siblings of her friends, surely she’d have an easy time with them, right?
Again, that's not how it turned out.
She grabbed one of their spare paintbrushes and- despite their shocked expressions- put on a smile. “Want some help?” Sunset asked nicely. Off to a great start, Sunny!
Apple Bloom stood and raised a suspicious eyebrow at Sunset. “Uh... No thanks.” She began, causing Sunset’s spirits to drop like a rock. “We’re good.”
Sunset sighed sadly, placing the paintbrush back in the paint can. “Oh...” It hurt, being turned away by your friends’ sisters, but Sunset tried to keep the hurt out of her voice. “Okay.” And with that, the former bully walked away... Only to attract the attention of everyone else in the room.
They glared at her, grumbling under their breath as she made her way through the gym. She distinctly heard the word “demon” uttered by several students. Sunset crossed her arms, trying to make herself as small as possible. I'm sorry, she thought to herself. I’m so sorry...
But then a high pitched, happy voice cut through the grumbles, snapping Sunset out of her sadness immediately. “Sunset Shimmer!” Pinkie Pie called, waving her hand in the air frantically, beckoning Sunset over.
The fiery-haired girl smiled. She tried to ignore the increasing number of students glaring at her.
She slowly walked through the crowd, towards her friends, with a smile that fell with every passing second. Sunset sighed as she finally reached the group of girls.
“I had no idea that the whole school would be here...”
Time Turner stood on the stage overlooking the gym with a genuine smile on his face. For the first time in twenty years, be seemed to finally have control over his life. Sure, Berry Punch was absolutely furious at him for letting Derpy stay at his house, and would likely pay for that in the near future, but he didn't let it bother him.
His gaze went from student to student, watching them work on their flyers for the Musical Showcase. Eventually he spotted two girls, his daughters, laying together in paint covered clothes and smiles on their faces. Turner couldn't stop a feeling of pride bubbling up inside him. Despite the fact that one of them hated him, he still loved them both.
And Ditzy would, too.
“Wonderful, isn't it?” He heard Celestia say as she walked up to him.
“Oh, hello Principal Celestia.” Turner said pleasantly. “I hope you're doing well.”
The woman smiled sweetly at Turner and chuckled. “Oh, I'm quite alright, Time Turner.” Her sweet smile turned slightly mischievous. “And if my sister is to be believed, you and Luna are very much alright, right, Turner?”
Turner tried- and failed- to hide his blush by bringing a fist to his mouth and faking a cough. “Y-yes, well,” the teacher stammered, trying to recover. “What Luna and I do in our free time is, frankly, none of your business, Principal Celestia.” He said in the nicest way possible.
The principal only laughed. “Yes, I suppose not.” She placed her hands on her hips and turned her gaze to the students. “It’s not everyday we get to sit back and relax, Turner. Right now, even with the end of the semester approaching and graduation at the end of the year, these children get to hang out with friends and let loose. No worrying about tests, or the future. Just the Musical Showcase. And with the disaster that was the Fall Formal... I think it will do is good to relax.”
Turner smiled at Celestia. “Don’t you have a speech to give?” He asked teasingly.
Celestia gasped in surprise. “Oh! That’s right. Honestly, Turner, between you and Luna, you’re the ones who keep me from losing my head!” She exclaimed with a laugh, waving goodbye to the man as she walked away.
He never saw her smile fall into a glare as she left.