In the following week after Celestia and Discord had departed, things had actually started to return to a sort of normalcy. Granted Sunset Shimmer's mood had dipped again when Bobby found an envelope left on the coffee table addressed to Sunset Shimmer and upon opening it, had found it was from Applebloom, Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle. Not that anyone could blame her, who would want to read a note from the three girls who had ruined her life? But Bobby hung onto it anyway, telling Jackie that one day she might change her mind and see what the three girls had to say. But now that she was feeling better, she was with the Pony Breakers in the make shift studio Tino had set up in his family's garage, helping them record 'My Past Is Not Today'.
When they had finished, they took a break and happily darn the hot tea that Tino's mother had brought out for them. Granted that was a bit awkward since they had gone into Pony Mode while playing and Tino had to keep his mother out while at the same time opening the door just enough to get the drinks though.
"Man that was awesome! You can really belt out a rocking song Sunset!"
"Hey, don't forget guitar! Sunshine's almost as good as me when she plays!"
"Tch, that ain't much of a compliment saying she's almost as good as some scrub."
"Pssh, if I'm a scrub then you're the scrub lord!"
Rolling her eyes as they continued their usual banter, Sunset Shimmer hid a pleased smile by taking another sip of her tea before glancing over to Poppy. The woman was as quiet as usual, a deadpan expression on her face as she watched Tino and Jackie go back and forth, numb to it after years of exposure to such repartee.
"You know, it's not too late to bail, Sunset. Otherwise you're stuck with this until the band breaks up."
"I think I can last a year."
A bit cutting but before Sunset could chastise herself, a small, playful grin came to Poppy's face.
"One year? Optimistic. I bet six months of fame and Jackie gets a swelled head and leaves the band."
"Well if we're going with the highly unlikely scenarios, then I say a year and a half before you all turn into pegasi ponies and have to give up music because you have no hands to play with."
Both had a small chuckle before going back to watching Jackie and Tino, the argument now some how having evolved into comparing themselves to famous guitar players and debunking each others claims.
"... I know you've been asked this a lot. But are you going to be okay? You've got a lot of shit happening in your life and if don't want to be apart of the band anymore, I know none of us will hold it against you."
Not immediately replying, Sunset Shimmer stared down at her cup of tea for a few moments, her finger tapping against the side of it in thought. It would be more stress, especially since they would be going into Pony Mode every time they played. And sure people seemed to be buying that it was 'special effects' for now but people would be asking questions. So why go through with it? She glanced up for a moment and looked to Jackie, smiling softly as she saw that she and Tino had gotten each other into a headlock.
"I know we kept a lid on it back at my old high school... but I don't know how much longer magic can be kept a secret in this world and I don't want to go into hiding for the rest of my life. Not when I've found a place where I finally feel at home. Besides, not to brag, but I'm pretty amazing and you guys kind of need me."
The last part Sunset Shimmer had a playful smirk on her face while Poppy simply rolled her eyes.
"Certainly, if you so desire I will support that narcissistic fantasy you seem to be dreaming up."
"You're too kind."
They exchanged a smile and tapped their mugs together in a toast before finishing off the last of their tea. Sunset knew that her choice was going to make her life a little more rockier, but she had a feeling that it was all going to be worth the ride.
There was a feeling of unease as the students filed into the auditorium. It was the first day back from the holiday break but the first thing on the schedule was an announcement. On top of that, most of the student body had learned the terrible truth about the Anon-A-Miss incident and while most felt very guilty, the prevalent feeling was anger whenever they spotted the three girls responsible. Said girls were trying to stick close together and look as small as possible, avoiding eye contact with their fellow students as they made their way to their seats. The had seen their sisters in the crowd but with the way things were, they had very little support from them right now.
The dejected trio of young teens sat down in the front row, not at all looking forward to the new school year and sad that Celestia had no information on whether Sunset Shimmer read their letter or had talked about them.
"Ah wonder what this's all 'bout."
Applebloom kept her gaze to the floor, the normally cheerful girl in very low spirits. Sweetie Belle seemed very nervous and could not stop fidgeting in her seat and Scootaloo was stoic with her arms crossed in front of her chest.
"I don't know, but it can't be good!"
"Calm down, Belle. We'll get through this. And if we can't well... maybe we could run off like Sunset did."
"I-I dunno where I'd go! I don't even know if my parents would let me switch schools!"
"Maybe aunt n' uncle Orange would let me stay with 'em."
Each of the girls had already thought about their options if it became too hard to make it through high school. Applebloom knew she had a lot of relatives to pick from, Sweetie Belle would even take boarding school, and Scootaloo was considering just flat out running away. As optimistic as they tried to be, thinking they could stick together and weather their time through high school... to have the whole student body hate them...
Suddenly the chatter died down as two women took to the stage, one being the vice principal Luna, and the other a woman with bluish-green hair and dark toned skin, dressed in a black suit with green accents. For some reason the smile she had on her face made every student in the auditorium feel a bit sick with dread. Luna would approach the podium first, tapping on the microphone to make sure it was on before speaking.
"Attention everyone. Due to the Anon-A-Miss incident, there are certain... changes, that have and will take place. To explain in detail is our new principal, Miss Chrysalis."
This earned a round of shocked gasps from many students, the auditorium a buzz with hushed whispers that died out when Chrysalis spoke.
"Hello, as shocking as I am sure this is for all of you, I hardly have the time to explain the whys or hows. All you need to know is that Celestia is gone and that I am in charge now. Celestia was weak in the way she handled all of you during the Anon-A-Miss incident and now it is my duty to make this school respectable once more. To start, I will be cutting down on many clubs that I deem unnecessary, such as the knitting club, the jazz band club, the fashion club, and anything else that is a waste of the school's time and space, such as using the music room for non-school sanctioned bands to practice in. Activities the school hosts will also be revised to leave out such frivolous activities such as the Battle of the Bands and anything else like it. Although I will say that the upcoming Friendship Games will still go as planned. In addition, metal detectors will soon be placed at all school entrances and exits, and every day you are expected to hand over your phones and internet access on school grounds will be severely limited so that you can focus on your education instead."
By the end of it the entire student body had been worked into an uproar and much of their anger became directed towards the three girls sitting in the front row, who were trying to shield themselves as many in the crowd began pelting them with random objects.
"I WILL HAVE SILENCE! OR THOSE THAT CONTINUE TO SPEAK OR THROW THINGS WILL FIND THEMSELVES SUSPENDED!"
` Immediately the entire room became deathly quiet, brought to submission between the angry tone in Chrysalis's voice and the poisonous glare that seemed to paralyze each and every one of the students. But what really sent a chill down their spines was the laugh. A low chuckle at first that evolved to near raucous laughter. When Chrysalis finished, she wiped the corner of her eye and smirked to the crowd before her.
"So this is the caliber of students Celestia had groomed during her time as principal. Spoiled brats, so eager to pass on the blame. I know all about the Anon-A-Miss incident. Those three in the front row did spread secrets but tell me... who read those secrets? Who actively stabbed others in the back by sending them those secrets? Who ganged up on a lone student to the point that she disappeared? No one put a gun to your heads to do all of that. Despite the last school I ran being filled with students who threw away their lives through partying or wasting their time running around the streets and trying to make it big in music... they certainly knew better than to screw themselves over. All of you did this to yourselves. You proved yourselves to be out of control and now I will bring order to this school."
Throughout the speech, many of the students seemed to sink lower into their seats while Applebloom, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo felt their stomach's churn violently. A sickly sweet smile came to Chrysalis's face.
"That will be all for now. And I hope you all enjoy the rest of the school year."