Lightning
Saturday arrives, and the thick clouds force the sun to struggle to brighten the winter sky. The threat of rain, or maybe snow, was evident.
Sunset had changed her usual leather jacket and skirt for a winter ensemble, albeit with a very similar color, to protect her from the cold winds while walking towards the Canterlot City Library.
“It’s simple, Sunset,”Sunset thinks to herself.“All you have to do is study up and review a little of everything from each class. Just go with what the teachers already went over, and then study the earlier lessons to make up for enrolling late. How hard could it be? You spent your whole life learning spells and lessons without any help. You’re in your element,”Sunset finishes confidently.
*S*A*S*
Sunset arrives at the library and wastes no time in beginning her study, finding a secluded table to minimize her distractions.
“Let’s see,”she thinks as she stacks her textbooks on the table, “I have a handle on algebra and philosophy, but I really need to study history and earth science.”She has a lot of work ahead of her, and though it is the weekend, Sunset already planned to spend all day studying. “It's not like I have any other plans,”she reminds herself glumly.
Sunset sits down and opens both her notebook and her history textbook.She gets a few lines in before a soft, surprised,“Oh!”snaps her out of her concentration. She glances up toward the source of the noise.
"Twilight?"
Twilight Sparkle, the Equestrian princess’s doppelganger, looks at her with a mixture of surprise and embarrassment.
"S-Sunset Shimmer... I..."
Twilight backs up a few steps, her eyes down, and Sunset gets a better view of the girl. She is wearing a purple winter coat that ran past her waist to reach her light-purple thighs, now covered in black tights. She has winter boots of the same shade of purple and pink gloves on her hands. She’s holding a couple of books against her chest.
"I'm sorry,”Twilight continues.“I didn't see you. It’s just… I usually sit here when I study, but I’ll just find somewhere else…"
“No, no, it’s okay!”Sunset says quickly.“Feel free to sit here, too. It’s more than big enough for the two of us, and I’m a quiet studier.”
Twilight hesitates for a few moments, and with her hand shaking a little, she reaches out, pulls out a chair, and sits down."Thank you…"
"It’s nothing."
Sunset turns back to her book and stretches her neck and shoulders a little, preparing herself for what promises to be a long day of reading. She pulls her book closer and starts reading.
It isn’t until Sunset reaches the end of the first page when she feels eyes on her. She looks over and notices Twilight staring at her with a look of curiosity. Twilight looks away quickly, but after an insistent gesture from Sunset, Twilight says,“I thought... I was the only one who came to the library on a Saturday.”
After a few seconds of silence, Sunset shakes her head with a small chuckle.“Make no mistake, this isn’t normal for me. I came because I have to catch up with some classes; I want to do well on these tests.”
The emerald eyes return to the book, and Twilight hazards a glance at Sunset’s notes.“Um, sorry to keep bothering you, but your notes seem... incomplete."
The former equine turns her head to look at the girl.“Well, yeah. I only transferred to Crystal Prep a week ago, so I missed a lot. That’s why I’m here. I have to go over everything, and it’s not like I have anyone to ask for help.”
Twilight bites her lip and blushes slightly."You can… ask me."
*S*A*S*
All morning, with Twilight's guidance, Sunset made a list of all the topics that would be covered on her tests. Twilight’s shy attitude melted away to confidence as she taught Sunset the many different lessons, and soon, Sunset managed to complete her notes, promising to make her studying go far more smoothly.
As noon rolls around, Sunset looks down at her many notebooks, once sparsely full but now brimming with notes, and she smiles, her chest swelling with a pride she hadn’t felt since childhood. The feeling is almost ticklish, and Sunset giggles.
It was almost fun. She never expected that spending the entire day studying would be anything but a slog, but the day was only half over, and Sunset had caught up in her studies. And she had one girl to thank for it.
Sunset looks over at the girl next to her, who is currently reading on her own, oblivious of Sunset’s gaze.
The irony was palpable. She had gone to a new high school in search of getting away from her past, but she had nevertheless found a familiar face. However, that girl, that reminder of her past, was helping Sunset survive her new classes.
Life was just one strange turn after another.
Just as Sunset is lost in thought, so is Twilight in hers. Eventually, she builds up some courage and says,"Um, Sunset?"
"Hm?"The fire-haired girl responds, snapping her eyes back to her book.
"I know we're studying, but I wanted to ask. What school did you go to before?"
"Uh, to Canterlot High,"Sunset replies, not wanting to talk about her old school.
As soon as he hears the answer, Twilight quickly stands and slams her hands on the table as she exclaims,"Canterlot?!"The librarian immediately shushes her, and Twilight covers her mouth in abject embarrassment."I'm sorry!"she apologizes quietly, sitting down again."You go to Canterlot?!"she exclaims again but in a hushed voice.
"Um... yes. What's wrong with that?"
"That school... I've been watching it for a few months after I picked up quantum and energetic anomalies that have no basis or explanation and seismic activity that didn’t correspond to any physical source! There’s something weird about that place, and you have to tell me what it is!"Twilight finished loudly.
Again, the librarian shushes the girl, who covers her mouth again.
Sunset, worried about the direction of the conversation, responds, trying not to look nervous,"I... I'm sorry, but I don't know what's happening."
"You don’t?”Twilight repeated, confused.“But, if you were at that school, you must have noticed something strange."
"I mean, I guess some things were weird, but... I really have no idea what happened."Sunset looks away, too afraid to look the girl in the eyes.
"But—"
"I prefer... to ignore certain things. I never asked questions, just focused on studying and nothing else."
Twilight seems to want to keep pushing but just sighs."I understand... I guess I'll continue my search alone."
Sunset watches Twilight dejectedly return to her book. For a moment, she thinks about saying something, but in the end, she prefers to let the subject drop.
*S*A*S*
A little past one o’clock, both leave the library, one with a backpack packed with books. Twilight had used her membership card to get a load of books for Sunset for further studying.
"You didn’t have to get these books for me,"Sunset says for the third time.
"It's not a problem, really. Besides, you need to study, and being able to read the information written several different ways always helpsmeunderstand it, so I figured the same might be true for you."
Sunset smiles, simply saying,"Thanks, Twilight."
Twilight smiles softly at her."Don’t mention it. I owed you."
That surprises Sunset."You owed me?"
"Of course. You helped me yesterday with those guys, so it’s only fair that I help you, too."
Suddenly, Sunset stops walking, staring at Twilight incredulously."So… you're only helping me because I stuck up for you? If I hadn’t shown up, you’d just let me struggle?"She looks hurt.“I thought you liked me.”
"N-No, it's not like that! I do like you!"Twilight responds quickly, stopping her own walk."What I mean is just that... you helped me, so I wanted to return the favor. I really do like you! You’re kind and—"
Suddenly, Sunset busts out laughing."Relax, Twi, I’m just kidding,”she forces out between breathes.“I really do appreciate your help today."
Relieved, the scientist blushes and looks away, and the girls continue their walk. When they reach the bus stop, they part ways with a pleasant farewell, and Sunset boards the bus to return home alone.
Twilight watches her leave with a pensive gaze, thinking,“I still feel like I've seen her before...”
*S*A*S*
Sunset leans her head against the window of the bus, her book-stuffed backpack weighing heavy on her lap. She kept running through the events of the morning in her head.
Reading in the library, sharing a few quiet laughs, even going to an early lunch together. Everything... had gone well...
She thought that the day would be heavy and boring, having to read non-stop just to have a chance for a passing grade, but thanks to Twilight, the morning was actually... fun.
Still, Sunset can’t stop her doubts from rising to the surface."I let myself go. I can’t be dropping my guard like that. ‘Friendship’ already burned me once, and I can’t let it happen again.”Sunset gritted her teeth as she finished,“You have to be more careful, Sunset."
Her eyelids remind her how early she had to get up, and, seeing that she still had some time before reaching her stop, she allowed herself to close her eyes and rest her mind.
*S*A*S*
The rest of the weekend passed uneventfully as Sunset spent the days studying. All too soon, Monday rolled around, and a new, test-filled school week began.
Despite this, Sunset was calm; it had taken all the weekend, but she had managed to catch up with all her classes at school. Well, the vast majority, but she was sure she could do well on her tests with little or no problem, so she was not worried.
She opens the door of her locker and gets her books for her first class.
"Hey, Sparkle, what happened to my homework?"
Hearing the familiar name, Sunset looks in the direction of the voice. Her brow furrows at the sight. Two girls had cornered Twilight, and Sunset could tell by their faces and previous tone that it’s not a friendly meeting.
Twilight—in a tone that surprises Sunset—snaps,"You can do your own homework. I don't have to do it!"
She tries to brush past the girls, but the aggressor, a blonde girl with light-green skin, grabs her by the arm."Where do you think you’re going?"
"Let me go!"Twilight demands."I have to get to class!"
"Forget your class. You can leave as soon as you get my homework done!"
The girl's companion, a light-skinned girl with three-toned blue hair adorned with googles, says with an expression of boredom,"Lightning, knock it off. We have class, too."
"Shut up, Indigo!"the blonde demands."And you, Sparkle. You better do what I say or else!"
"Or else what?"Twilight responds angrily.
Instead of a verbal response, Lightning Dust raises her fist. Twilight, knowing what’s coming, loses her bravado as she closes her eyes tightly and braces herself.
Something catches Lightning’s wrist, stopping the blow. The blonde turns around and sees Sunset holding her hand and glaring at her.
"Leave her alone,"Sunset demands sternly.
"Excuse me?"Lightning asks with contempt.
"I said, ‘Leave her alone!’"Sunset repeats more loudly.
Hearing Sunset’s voice and feeling no punch, Twilight opens her eyes to watch the scene.
"And if I don't?"Lightning challenges.
Sunset doesn’t respond verbally and instead quickly bends Lightning’s arm behind her back and twists. The sudden pain forces Lightning to release Twilight, who quickly pulls away.
Sunset quickly releases Lightning and pushes her. Lightning stabilizes and turns with fury, growling,"Who do you think you are, bitch?"
Her words fall on deaf ears as Sunset approaches Twilight, ignoring Lightning."Are you okay, Twilight?"she asks.
"Y-Yeah, I'm fine,"Twilight says quietly.
Sunset’s attitude only makes Lightning Dust angrier."Hey, I’m talking to you!"she snaps, trying to grab the former equine’s shoulder. Sunset quickly turns and grabs Lightning’s wrist and looks at her with a flash of anger in her eyes. Lightning glares back with a furious glare of her own, but she can’t help but pause at the look in Sunset’s eyes.
Indigo finally takes Lightning by the shoulder and says,"Enough, Lightning. We have a test coming up, and I'm not going to be late because of you."
Lightning looks at her partner, turns to Sunset, who has not changed her expression, and finally lets go, saying,"This isn’t over."
Without saying more, she turns around and walks away quickly. Indigo and Sunset exchange glances, before Indigo follows her companion at a slower pace.
Twilight and Sunset watch them walk away, and Sunset asks Twilight again,"Are you okay?"
"Yeah, I... Thank you,"Twilight squeaks, back to being the shy girl Sunset was more familiar with.
"It’s nothing."
The bell signaling the beginning of classes rings, and the girls hurriedly say a farewell to the other and hurry to go to their classrooms.
*S*A*S*
"So, how’d you do on the test?"asks Sonata while eating her lunch.
A sound mixed between a moan and a murmur is the response of the former equine as she eats her own lunch.
Once again, the two former Equestrians shared an otherwise empty table. Sunset did not know if this would become a habit, but like so many other things, she didn’t think about it; the blue-haired girl was... nice? Well, Sunset preferred the word “tolerable”, but still, she wasn’t bad company.
Besides, it was only lunch, right? Lunch was Sunset’s time to relax, a time to let her energetic companion prattle on about whatever she wanted while Sunset zoned out.
"Yeah, I figured you’d do well. You're really smart. I mean, you put together a years-long plan to get a magic crown. What’s a little math to you, right? "
Sunset rolls her eyes and swallows without saying anything.
She certainly loved to talk. Sunset did not even have to give a real answer to anything; the siren just talked and talked, and a very, very small part of Sunset wondered if it stemmed from some dire need to express herself.
"I’m jealous, honestly. I'm sure you can pass all the subjects without studying anything, and you have plenty of time to go out and have fun."
"Fun"... That term had long ago ceased to exist for Sunset.
"Adagio doesn’t let me have fun on the weekend. She just wants me to study. It's so annoying. I mean, I know I should study, but I'm not stupid! ... no much"
Sunset felt a slight tingling as a dismissive chuckle fought its way up her throat, but she managed to stifle it.
"Anyway, I did pretty good, too. Adagio promised me ice cream if I got good grades, so all the studying was worth it!"
Finally, Sonata takes a bite of her own lunch, and silence returns to the table, but unlike others, it was not an uncomfortable silence, just two classmates focusing on their food. Sunset’s mind is devoid of any particular thoughts, and knowing Sonata, Sunset was sure the same could be said of the former siren.
That silence lasts until a shadow is cast over the table. Both girls look up see a familiar purple face.
"Um, hi, Sunset."
"Hey, Twilight,"Sunset replies.
Twilight continues to stand with her lunch tray, looking like she wants to say something but can’t work up the courage. Sonata looks at her curiously, but Sunset has an idea of what Twilight wants.
"Do you want to sit with us?"Sunset asks.
"Yes!”Twilight exclaims before catching herself and continuing more quietly,“I mean, yeah, that’d be nice. Thanks."
She quickly plops down next to Sunset as the other two return to their food, deciding to follow their lead.
After a few moments in silence, the blue-haired girl pointedly clears her throat and looks at Sunset. Twilight looks her way, but when Sunset doesn’t react, Sonata does it again. When Sunset still concentrates on her lunch, Sonata practically shouts,“Ahem!”finally getting Sunset’s annoyed attention. Sonata nods her head in Twilight’s direction. It takes a few seconds, but Sunset’s brain finally clicks.
"Oh, right. Twilight, Sonata Dusk. Sonata, Twilight Sparkle,"Sunset says, quickly introducing the two to each other before returning to her own lunch. The introductions over, Sonata lets Sunset eat and begins the conversation with a smile.
"Nice to meet you, Twilight Sparkle."
"Uh, same, Sonata,"Twilight says.
"Are you a princess too?"
"Um, no?”Twilight says, confused.“Wait, ‘too’?"
"Long story,"Sunset says, glaring at Sonata.
The scientist blinks a couple of times but decides not to press the question and instead says,“Um, well, Sonata, I assume you and Sunset are friends."
"Not really,"Sonata responds calmly.
"Oh."The look of confusion returns to Twilight’s face.
"In fact, a few months ago, we tried to kill each other,"Sonata continues calmly.
"What?!"Twilight exclaims.
"Well, it was more Adagio, but I guess I didn’t try to talk her out of it."
"... What?!"
"Long. Story,"repeats Sunset, glaring daggers at Sonata.
"What about you? Are you Sunset's friend?"Sonata asks, shifting gears.
"Um…"Her answer lingers a moment as her brain tries to put her thoughts into words."‘Friend’ is moving a bit fast, I think. Or is it?"Twilight looks at Sunset, who looks silently back at her.
"Oh, I understand,"answers Sonata, smiling."So, we’re a trio ofnot-friends, sitting and having lunch together. That's fine."
The former siren goes back to her own lunch, as does Sunset. The scientist remains somewhat confused, but in the end, she decides to do the same.
*S*A*S*
The final bell rings, and every student picks up their things and calmly prepares to start their activities outside of class.
Sunset joins the throng of students, packing her backpack with the books she’d need that night and preparing to return to her apartment. But as soon as she walks through the front door, she hears,"SUNSET SHIMMER!"
Sunset looks over and recognizes the girl she confronted that morning. Lightning Dust stands right in the middle of the road, her aggressive posture letting Sunset know what she wants.
"I’m not done with you, Sunset Shimmer!"the blonde shouts.
The scene had gained some attention as several students look over to watch the ensuing fight.
Sunset looks disinterestedly at Lightning. After breathing deeply and lowering her shoulders a little, she walks toward Lightning.
Lightning Dust changes her position, fists raised and ready to fly. Sunset walks towards her, but when she reaches the sidewalk, she takes a hard left and starts walking away from Lightning.
Surprised, Lightning Dust shouts after Sunset,"Hey, where do you think you're going?"
Sunset just keeps walking without a response. With a snarl, Lightning runs and stands in front of her, looking at her with contempt."What? You're going to pretend you're not listening to me? Or do you just think you’re too good for me."
"What do you want?"Sunset asks, annoyed.
"I want to finish what we started in the hall!"the blonde girl responds."I'm gonna kick your ass!"
Sunset looks at her for a moment, and in the end, she just sighs and brushes past Lightning, saying,"Look, I don't have anything against you, and I don't like fights. Just leave me alone."
Lightning Dust clenches her teeth as she watches Sunset walk away. Her eyes radiate anger as she runs to the other girl and throws her fist. Sunset, hearing the approaching footsteps, moves to the side and, with a slight turn, plants her knee into Lightning’s belly.
Lightning Dust's eyes widen, her pupils contract, and a bit of saliva escapes her mouth as she collapses, breathless.
Seeing the inert blonde girl on the sidewalk surprises and frightens Sunset."Damn, my body moved on its own! Geez, why do these things keep happening to me?"
Lightning remains on the ground, gaping like a fish as she desperately tries to catch her breath. Sunset bends over and quickly pulls the girl into a sitting position. Finally, she hears Lightning take a deep breath. Sunset sighs with relief and leaves the girl with her back against a nearby building’s wall. Lightning seems to be in a state of shock, because she does not move from her place.
Raising her head a little, Sunset realizes that she is now the center of attention of all the students in the immediate vicinity. Feeling the judging eyes of all the students on her, she turns to Lightning, who was staring at her with alarm, incredulity, and fear.
"I... I'm sorry,”Sunset stammers.“I didn’t mean to… You just… I... I'm sorry!"
Unable to do more and eager to get out of there, Sunset runs away.
The “fight” over, most of the students start walking away, chatting excitedly about the scene that just played out. One girl, Indigo Zap, simply stares on with intrigue, however, repeating the scene in her mind.
"Sunset hit her right in the diaphragm, taking Lightning out of the fight but without too much damage."Indigo watches as several students attempt to help Lightning up, only for the latter to push them off and get up on her own."It's not a very difficult technique, but it requires precision and skill to turn and do it as fast as she did. That girl is interesting."She turns and walks away, a curious smile decorating her face.
Another student nearby had also seen what happened, but his smile reflects only malice.
*S*A*S*
Sunset does not stop her run until she reaches the bus station. It arrives almost at the same time as she does, and she does not waste time boarding.
She almost throws herself on an empty seat and grabs her head, growling with annoyance.
"Ugh! Could things get any worse?”
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Is not your fault Sunset. She was looking for it.
I think you do a good job of telling your story. Sure, the translation isn't perfect, but it definitely gets the point across and any errors made aren't too distracting. I've never been confused about what's going on and I think you have a solid story going, so any problems with grammar or with formatting would really just be nitpicks. I wish you the best of luck as you improve both as a writer and a translator!
8683875
Thanks!!
I appreciate your words. I also want to think that despite the mistakes the story is understood correctly and your comment encourages me.
I'm glad you think that about the story and I hope it continues that way in the future.
thank you very much again.
8683629
If you play with fire, you burn
Ah shoot.
Nice to see Sunset bond a bit more with Sci-Twi & hell she's even showing somewhat improvement with Sonata... Too bad Lightning Dust came along and ruined everything...
Not sure if this enters deletion territory but you switch gender pronouns a lot in this chapter. Nice description of the Lightning fight.
8683629
Yeah never apologize for defending yourself. Where the heck is the staff. Having fights like this can't be good for the rep of the school.
So, Sunset transfers schools before the CMC can come forward with the truth, and Apple Bloom has such strong guilt that she’s getting hallucinations? It’s definitely intriguing, I’ll give you that.
It’s mentioned at the beginning; but I have noticed the grammar. But unlike most, I recognized right away that this wasn’t your run-of-the-mill laziness. I figured that English wasn’t the author’s first language, or there was a wonky translation job on my end.
Honestly? It’s noticeable, but it’s not enough to impact my enjoyment of the story. Maybe get help for a better translation job at a later date? But as it stands, it’s fine for now. It’s serviceable until the fic is concluded.
This is definitely in my tracking list.
8689789
thank you very much! You're right, English is not my first language and I do not have much experience in translations, but I'm glad that you can enjoy the story despite that. Thanks for tracking too, And I'll try to find a way to fix things
8690208
Like I said, don't stress yourself for better translations now. That's always something that can be done later.
huh okay dude its's cool.
i do kinda like the bolding; makes the spoken words jump out some.
8703750
Thanks! I hope you continue to like the story in the future.
Yes, I also think in that way of the bolding, that's why I like to put the dialogues like that
Lots of little Grammar errors but the most noticeable thing here was the female characters often being referred to as male.
This was Sunset's perspective.
And Sunset jinxed it
8988814
Sunset should know by now that those words and anything related to them are forbidden.
I really thought Pinkie was gonna be there for a moment but then I remembered Wrong school
My only problem reading this is that when a word is italicised, there's no space between that word and the ones before and after.
Is that stylistic choice aswell?
10079632
It is an effect of the page, there is space between the words, but placing the italic format in a word does not reveal it, it is neither my intention nor my editor's.
Who gave Sunset ultra instinct?
Firstly, I really like your writing style! It really makes the reading enjoyable. I also wasn’t expecting to like the bolded dialogue, but it actually helps me almost read it better? I don’t know, but it’s a great style choice! I know you posted this years ago, so I don’t know how much your writing has improved, but keep striving! It’s awesome!
I think she just invoked Murphy's law the one thing you should never ever do
Murphy's law is pretty much bad luck to invoke just when you think that things can't get any worse they suddenly get worse
And when you think that things can't go wrong they go wrong that is called invoking Murphy's law which is something you should never ever do