//------------------------------// // Stormy Horizons // Story: The Setting Sun // by Kouzukicks //------------------------------// It was a windy evening at Canterlot High. The sharp breeze was drawing in the dark grey clouds that hung over the town like shadows and a swirling mist surrounded the town in its grey embrace. The last vestiges of light barely peaking over the top of dark concrete in the distance. Sunset Shimmer stood on the edge of the roof of Canterlot High. The wind whipping past her and blowing the hair out of her eyes as she stared at the setting sun, watching its slow descent past the horizon. It was rather comforting in some ways. Down below she could see the concrete ground... It seemed a long way off now she was up here; the people below looked so small and insignificant, barely the size of ants. Sunset allowed a small smirk to cross her face, she wouldn't be up here if it wasn't high enough after all. Sunset Shimmer looked down again and took a deep breath, this was for the best after all. No one would miss her, especially since they all thought she was Anon-A-Miss. Maybe people would understand it wasn't her when she was dead and yet the blog's posts would continue. The dark clouds drew in on the school, bringing with it a shower of rain and soon Sunset was left shivering as the water droplets clung to her form and soaked her to the skin. The girl on the roof smiled without mirth, even the elements seemed to agree that she should jump. Sunset sat down on the edge of the roof, feeling lost, confused and betrayed. Why had her friends thought she had reverted back to her old ways so quickly? Was she that untrustworthy? She had so many questions, but no one to give her an answer. Sunset Shimmer stared at the ground so far below her, this was the only way everyone would be happy again. Wasn't it? She wasn't wanted here, her friends had made that much quite clear... Though Princess Celestia had also made it perfectly clear she wasn't wanted in Equestria either. It'd be better if she wasn't here at all. Then everyone could go back to being happy. Without her. The rain poured harder, drenching the roof top. In the distance Sunset could hear the distant rumble of thunder closing in, the tell tale flashes of light indicating lightning as well. Now or never, Sunset knew that if she didn't jump now, nothing was going to change. Life was just a vicious circle and Sunset was always going to be lonely. Then the roof doors burst open. "Sunset no!" A familiar voice broke through her train of thought. Sunset Shimmer spun around to find herself face to face with the girls who had led her to this position in the first place. They actually had the nerve to look shocked that she was up here. "Sunset! What are you doing?" Cried Rarity in horror, the girls around her all echoing the sentiment with varying degrees of shock and fear on their faces. The flame-haired girl fought to keep the sneer off her face. Were they really that unaware of their actions? It was almost laughable in a way, of course they didn't realise that their actions would have consequences, they each had an amazing support group within each other, and until recently, Sunset had too. Then they'd made it plain that Sunset wasn't a trustable person, probably just viewing her as a charity case to work the 'Magic of Friendship' on. It was pathetic how she'd fallen for it so easily. "What does it look like? You told me I wasn't wanted here. Remember?" Sunset reminded them, stepping further towards the edge. Applejack took a step forward, panic evident on her face as she edged towards the girl. "We didn't mean it! We swear! We were jus' angry about the Anon-A-Miss incident. But now the Crusader's owned up all can be forgiven and forgotten!" Applejack said desperately, trying to reach the person she'd once called her friend. Said girl wore an expression of surprise on her face, though it quickly turned to a more a twisted look. Sunset Shimmer scoffed, "So you're saying you forgave your sister in a heartbeat after everything she did, but yet you didn't even believe a word I said when I swore blind I wasn't the culprit? Instead I once again became the villain. Some friends you are," Sunset rolled her eyes in disgust "Pathetic." She finished. The Rainbooms lowered their eyes in shame, finally coming to terms of what they'd put their former friend through. It was apparently Rainbow Dash's turn to talk Sunset down as the girl stepped forward, tears welling in her eyes. "Please Sunset, you don't have to do this. Please step away from the edge." Rainbow Dash pleaded, her voice uncharacteristically soft and vulnerable. The flame-haired girl just stared at the person she'd once grown so close with... Rainbow Dash had been the one who had really helped her pick up the pieces when her life crumbled around her yet again, with the two growing close in a way that the others hadn't even realised. And yet, Rainbow Dash had been the first to push Sunset away when she'd thought that the girl had gone back to her evil roots. It had been the final nail in Sunset's coffin and the last straw that had led her to the current situation. That sharp sting of betrayal still cut into her, she'd thought that Rainbow Dash, not just as a friend, but as the element of loyalty, would be the first to stick up for her... But apparently she just wasn't worthy of that loyalty. Sunset Shimmer wavered a moment and Rainbow Dash's head perked up in hope. However, hope soon turned to despair as Sunset shook her head, a saddened frown on her face and her eyes weary, "No... It's too late... Far too late." Rainbow Dash sprinted forward, sensing what the girl was about to do but it was just as Sunset had said. She was too late Sunset Shimmer took one last step off the edge. She fell gracefully. Her hair billowing out like a fiery halo behind her, eyes shut tightly and a small smile of relief gracing her features. As she fell, the icy rain slowed to a gentle stop and the clouds rolled away from the horizon, revealing a shimmering sunset that lit up the stormy sky, it's last rays just visible in the horizon. The group watched in sheer horror as Sunset Shimmer hit the unforgiving concrete floor with a resounding thud, leaving the group sick to the core. Rainbow Dash looked up in time to see the glowing sunset finish its journey and sinking below the horizon, letting the sky grow dark.