To start over

by Midnight_Song95

Chapter 9

Three days.

It had been three days since Luna had dropped the bombshell on Celestia and Sunset and since then the latter seemed even more distant than usual, which worried Celestia. What if she is falling back to her old ways? The Principal couldn't help but wonder, especially since the girl had turned down offers from some of the other students to hang out that evening.
Maybe Luna or Chrysalis would be better for her? She will at least open up somewhat with Luna.

“Miss Celestia?”

Celestia was startled out of her thoughts by the sudden voice. “Sunset, it’s late. Shouldn't you be asleep?” she asked, instantly regretting it as the bacon haired girl glanced away, fidgeting slightly as she answered:

“I couldn't sleep and thought I would come down here and sit with you for a while.”

Celestia could hear the plea in the girl’s voice, though before she could answer Sunset quickly added: “Or I can go back upstairs and not bother you.”

Why does she act this way while around me? Like she expects me to become angry about any little thing? Celestia wondered as she said “No, it’s fine Sunset. I'm just a little surprised that you were awake is all. Usually, you're in bed before now.”

Sunset shifted slightly at that response, moving to sit in the recliner across the room, away from Celestia. A heavy silence lingered in the air for a few minutes before Celestia spoke, turning her full attention toward Sunset. “So, do you have any plans for this weekend?” she asked, trying to make conversation.

“No. I mean, Pinkie invited me to a sleepover but I don't think I’m ready for that. I mean...I don't even know them that well and it's been a long time since I’ve done anything like that.” Sunset answered after a few minutes. The only time I ever did something like that was with Sunburst and his friend...what was her name? That was when our...his...parents didn't shoo me out of the room to give him privacy.

“I’m glad that you have some friends to help you through this whole ordeal.” Celestia responded “I want you to know that if you need anything at all you can come to Luna or myself. I know this whole situation isn't ideal for you but let's make the best of it, okay?”

Sunset nodded, though she offered no response for several minutes before she asked
“How are you so calm about this? I mean you basically had a stray dumped on your doorstep without anyone even asking you what you wanted.” She didn't even notice that Celestia had moved from her seat, let alone had come over beside of her.

“You’re not a stray, Sunset. Besides, even if I would have done things a bit differently than Chrissy and my sister but I would still do what was best for you, though you would have had a more active role in that.” Celestia responded gingerly “Though I suppose this whole thing is harder on you and on top of everything else that has happened, I can't imagine how you feel.”

Sunset debated rather or not it would be a good idea for her to tell the woman anything, after all, she knew that was what Celestia wanted. “you’re right, you can't.” she answered, wrapping her arms around herself “I just feel like everything is spiraling out of control again.”

Again? What does she mean by that? Celestia wondered, unsure what to do so she just wrapped an arm around Sunset’s shoulders, careful not to press on the wounds. She felt the teen stiffen at the sudden touch but to Celestia’s surprise, she didn't pull away. “I may not understand but perhaps it will help if you talk about it?” the aurora haired woman decided to press.

“Maybe later...I...I don't want to keep you awake all night since you have work tomorrow.”

Sunset was surprised when she heard Celestia scoff, prompting her to look up. “Sunset, you wake up at the same time as I do and I think I’m the one used to a strange sleeping schedule. You, on the other hand, are hard enough to wake up without the sleep deprivation.”

At least when you go to sleep you stay asleep...and you would be groggy too if you had to rely on medicine to help you fall back asleep at all hours of the night. Sunset thought, thinking back to the pink capsules she had found that she had probably been abusing since Saturday night. “Sorry. I guess you’re right. It's just weird talking to you about this sort of thing.” Sunset confessed, rubbing the back of her neck as she finally met Celestia’s gaze for a brief moment before glancing away.

An silence passed over them for some time before Celestia decided to speak again. “I think there are still some of those strawberry tarts that Luna delivered yesterday left in the fridge. Why don't I go make us some tea to go with them? Sometimes chamomile tea helps me when I can't sleep.”

Sunset managed a small nod as she stood up. “I guess it's worth a try. But don't just go through all that trouble on my part,” she replied softly, earning a sigh from the aurora haired woman. “Sunset, I wouldn't have offered if I would have been put out by it.”

Later that night Sunset awoke in a cold sweat, the scent of smoke and blood still haunting her senses, the image of the carnage of war laying around her as she–no her demon, stood above the burned and bleeding carcass of the Equestrian Princess. I never wanted anyone to be hurt. I...I just wanted to prove that I was worth something! I wanted people to finally respect me. She thought as she pulled her knees to her chest, burying her face against the blankets that was still bunched around her lower body. Maybe everyone was right, I will never be anything. I only got to be the princess’s personal student because I made a sunflower grow from a seed into some kind of monster skyscraper. I wonder if she ever wanted me after that? Maybe that's why she kept me at a wingspan while Twilight Sparkle got to have a personal relationship with her.

She couldn't help but feel bitter as she thought of that. She had gone back through the portal once before, only to find that Princess Celestia had taken on a new student. Why did she get to spend personal time with her when if I tried I got a lecture on professionalism? Maybe she sensed the evil in me even back then...Maybe she knew that I deserved to be alone.

Author's Note:

The pill thing was taken from something I did in my own teen days when insomnia was a huge problem. To put it simply, Benadryl isn't supposed to be used as a sleep aid but it does knock someone out rather quickly.

Comments

[diablo4000]

JEEZE! Man hope Sunset tells Twilight all this sure it will make Celestia regret treating her the same way she treated her sister Luna!!

[HB_DS2013]

The fact that Princess Celestia willingly did this to Sunset while allowing a motherly realationship with Twilight and Cadence makes everything she did for Luna seem bittersweet. It’s even worse since Celestia somehow demolished many ponies’ lives for Luna and especially since Twilight and Sunset may or may not be the result of a eugenics program.

[Cheer]

an interesting story for sure. Though sometimes you fail to separate paragraphs when the speaker changes. That and some random little typos were the only problems I saw.

[Witchrblizzad]

Honestly, if I had a choice to live with either of the princesses... I would always go with luna In both worlds.

[Vaguely Demented]

Ah Benadryl. I’ve been an insomniac since age seven oddly never came across the stuff for sleep aid purposes until I had graduated. Stopped taking them some time ago when I found out about some of the side effects of long term use. Do miss a sleep aid that works with few side effects though.

[JWolfSilver]

Benadryl Is a saint.

[HeartfireFirebrand]

Why does she act this way while around me? Like she expects me to become angry about any little thing? Celestia wondered as she said “No, it’s fine Sunset. I'm just a little surprised that you were awake is all. Usually, you're in bed before now.”

It's because of Princess Celestia

[CrossoverFanficReader]

9008513
ehh, i prefer percocets and anesthetics. knocks you out in seconds