Chapter 9: Mistakes
Sunset groaned happily as she stretched her arms high above her head, all the other Shadowbolts chuckling at some joke from Indigo as everyone joined up outside of their vehicles.
“I’m glad you at least gave us a bit of a chance, Sunset!” Indigo said, clapping a hand onto the firm back of the taller girl. “I promise we mean it that we want to be friends- even if I suck at talking!”
“Yeah, well consider this a trial run for now.” Sunset chortled as she slipped away from Indigo’s hand. “But maybe we can look to continue this arrangement. I do have a question for you, however.”
Sugarcoat gave a slow, almost methodical blink in response to Sunset turning to face her. “Yes?”
“You mentioned something happening at that other school- what did you mean?” Sunset asked as the group started walking back towards the student housing.
“Oh. Before the holidays apparently someone got pissy and started sharing rumours at the school. Tore the whole place apart.” Sugarcoat monotoned slowly, disinterestedly. “I didn’t see much before their MyStable was taken down. Can’t even find backups anywhere for it either. Why do you ask?”
“Just figured I should learn more about the city, ya know.” Sunset gave a disarming smirk and shrugged as she raised her arms behind her head. “I’m gonna be here for awhile after all.”
“Will ya tell us why you moved here?” Lemon Zest’s voice was almost drowned out by her music as she removed her headphones. “Not gonna lie, it’s weird seeing two Sunstrike’s- especially one with a bitching scar!”
Sunset removed her glasses and ran a hand down the scar running from left eyebrow to cheek, a permanent reminder of what happens when you try and give yourself wholly to people. “Maybe someday. The memories still a bit too fresh.”
“A-HEM.” the stern clearing of Starlight Glimmer’s voice broke the feeling of cordiality that had started to bloom, alerting them to the girl standing with crossed arms behind the gate. “You six do realize what time it is, correct?”
Sunset pulled out her phone, looking at it nonchalantly. “Yeah, three minutes to curfew- now will you stand aside so we can come in?”
“...Where were you? Hopefully not out at some party- though knowing your lot-” Starlight started to berate them, only to stop and give an indignant huff as Sunset strode forward and flashed her ID Card across the detector, opening the gate and motioning for her compatriots to get through.
“Don’t buy her stalling tactics, you five.” Sunset smirked as the Shadowbolts took her hint and slowly filed through the opening. “She’s just looking for some excuse to try and say you were late getting back.”
“Is that-” Starlight stopped and started to sniff the air, stopping and staring at Sunset. “Is that alcohol on your breath!? You know the school-”
Again Sunset interrupted her. “Yes, but that's thanks to some kid splashing a jug of mouthwash on me at the mall.” she said boredly, pointing to a still damp portion of her uniform. She silently thanked the gods that Indigo spilled her water as they left the bar in a hurry.
“How do I-”
“Ask me a math question- any sort.” Sunset smirked, putting her hands onto her hips as she stared down at the shorter girl; the rest of the Shadowbolts starting to gather around the girl standing up for them.
“...What’s seven thousand one hundred and sixty three times the square root of five hundred and eight divided by one hundred and sixty seven?”
“Twelve thousand four hundred ninety three point zero five twooo… Seven. Ooor nine hundred sixty six point seven four one four four two- depending on where you wanna place the brackets.” there was a stunned silence from everyone in the courtyard, every single other mouth gaping as Sunset instantly answered Starlight’s question without barely a moment of silence between the two of them. “You can check if you want but I guarantee I’m correct, so why don’t we all head inside?”
Sunset enjoyed the silence as the dumbfounded students all simultaneously pulled out their phones and started hammering away on the screens, their shock only compounding until...
“WHAT IN THE ACTUAL FUCK, SUNSET!?” the Equestrian was almost deafened by the bellow that erupted from Indigo Zap as she held up her phone- the exact numbers Sunset had quoted on display. “What are you!?”
“A unicorn.” Sunset smirked as she looked around at everyone present, almost failing to contain her laughter as she saw the ever blank expression of Sugarcoat completely replaced with amazement. “Now seriously, I’m going to my room; the rest of you do what you want.”
Sunset turned her back on the native Shadowbolts, walking briskly towards the door as she heard five sets hurried footsteps follow not long after her. She didn’t bother looking back- it was obvious who the missing set belonged to. Thankfully the other five girls remained silent as they walked into the main foyer and boarded the elevator to take them up towards their floor. She had to send Sonata that copy of her social report before bed; plus it would probably be wise to do some more digging into the student body of CPA. She needed to know who all was in Starlight’s pocket.
She waved farewell to the five other students as she climbed the stairs towards her room, only to pause when she saw Twilight Sparkle exit her room. “O-Oh, Hello, Sunset. Where have you been?”
“Just out talking with those five.” Sunset jerked her head towards the five girls gushing the floor below.
“I-I see.” Twilight shifted around awkwardly as she shied away from meeting Sunset’s eyes. “U-Um, wh-what’s with that spot on your uniform?”
“Huh?” Sunset furrowed her brow as she watched Twilight point down to the hem of her coat, the damp spot a little crinkly from the cold outside. “Oh, this? Just some kid messing around at the mall and spraying mouthwash all over the place.”
“Ah, I see…” the pair stood there in awkward silence for a moment, until Sunset took a step back and started to turn towards her room. “U-Um, I noticed on the local server that you’ve been going to… Erm… Not wholly recommended websites, Sunset.”
“Huh? Oh! Yeah, I was needing certain images for my Social report.” Sunset chuckled. “I didn’t know you were able to access that sort of stuff, Twilight?”
“Yes, I’m in charge of a lot of the tech for this floor.” the girl practically beamed as she nodded her head in pride. “Technology is one of my favourite things to study!”
“Ah, cool to hear! Look, sorry to cut out, but it’s been a long day, and I’m gonna go hit the hay. G'night, Twilight.” Sunset waved to the shorter girl as the door on the lower floor opened, revealing Starlight Glimmer. Sunset bit her tongue as she quickly turned and headed to her room, not wanting to confront the prefect again.
She gave a heavy sigh as she shut the door to her room, resting against the wooden barricade for a moment to collect her thoughts and go over the evening that had happened. She didn’t want to be try and make friends again, even if the Shadowbolts were trying to seem genuine- though she was quite certain it was for more greedy reasons that they wanted to know more about her. After all, the Rainbooms had said they were her friends- hell, they even called her family, but that didn’t stop them from turning their backs on her for someone framing her! That only got her mind thinking about what had led up to this again.
The still air of the dark room sat heavy on her as she brooded. Had Anon-A-Miss been revealed yet? She was certain that it was Apple Bloom who started this whole ordeal, but then how did the photos from the night at Rarity's get online? The only other on there that night was Sweetie Belle, and she did seem very upset that Rarity didn’t allow her to join the six of them.
Could it have been the Rainbooms all along? They never did try to be friendly with her, at least until the Battle of the Bands when she saved everyone from the Sirens. Then everyone wanted to be her friend- at least until they could scapegoat her for something that is. Even if the Rainbooms had been trying to apologize since Sunset had to defend herself from Gilda’s attack, they sure as hell weren’t trying to apologize for her sake- no, they just wanted to ease their guilty consciences.
And then Princess Twilight led them straight to her home. Of course she would side with the Rainbooms- they were just another version of her friends back in Equestria after all. Why wouldn’t she side with them? Sunset was just some trophy for the Princess- to prove that she can make Friendship bloom from hatred.
She flicked the light switch, finally able to fully see her room as she stomped towards her laptop, pausing to look at the replica of her Equestrian self sitting up on her bed. The Sirens had been the truest friends she ever had, ironically. Back when she was Celestia personal protégé, the only reason people wanted to be her friend was because of that position, not to actually be friends with her. And her first year spent on this world showed her just what Humans were like. It had been so easy to rise to power in the school, almost like here.
But then her mind fell back to the time after the Battle of the Bands, of what it was like to have friends and people that cared about her. Yes, in the end it was revealed it was all fake, but as she silently watched her laptop boot into the operating system, she couldn’t help but start to tear up at the happy, if fake, memories. The Sirens had proven to be true friends, much to her pleasant surprise. Perhaps the Shadowbolts could be friends after all? Even if the school was indeed a shark tank, perhaps there were good people here?
She grabbed her mouse and clicked on the internet symbol, before fiddling around and sending a quick message to Sonata- apparently there was a happy taco emoji now?- before making sure to send her a copy of her Social report. With that task finished, she turned to MyStable, and started to continue finding out what she could about Starlight and who was in her pocket.
(\/):.:(\/)
A cacophony of knocks awoke Sunset, almost causing her to roll of her bed as she shot up in a blind panic. The rest of the weekend blazed past, almost without trace- Starlight even left her alone, though it was obvious she was studying Sunset. She started grumbling as as slipped out of bed and rummaged around for something to put on quick, yelling at whoever was at the door. “Hold your fucking horses! It’s like seven in the morning!” Her colourful muttering continued as she stomped towards the door, flinging it open and glaring in blazing annoyance at the person on the other side.
“Out of the way.” Starlight Glimmer commanded, smirking slightly as she looked up at Sunset. Behind her stood Suri Polomare, Tempest Shadow, and Twilight Sparkle.
“...Huh?” the Equestrian gave a confused look as she refused to budge, her groggy mind quickly snapping into gear. “What are you talking about, Starlight?”
The prefect held up a sheet of paper, listing all the websites Sunset had been to to pull info for her social report, as well as a list three times that length of MyStables accounts. “I’m going to need to take in your laptop, Sunset.”
“What!?” Sunset stood up straight, bristling in slowly building anger. “What the hell for!?”
“For the safety of the students, of course.” Starlight’s grin grew. “If you have nothing to hide then you shouldn’t care if we take your laptop in for an… inspection.”
“I don’t have anything to hide, Starlight. But I need that laptop for my Social report today.” the amber girl growled as Tempest Shadow took a step forward, obviously intending to force Sunset out of the doorway. A feral, bestial growl rumbled from Sunset, freezing Tempest as her eyes were locked with Sunset’s, before she slowly stepped aside. Starlight had witness’, and she did not. This was not a battle she could win.
“I know that.” Sunset barely restrained herself from grabbing Starlight as she sauntered past, whispering in a low voice as she made her way into Sunset’s room, scoffing at it. “Such a sty in here, Miss Shimmer. You would do better to make your room more presentable.”
“Yeah, maybe I will now.” came the curt retort as Sunset watched Starlight remove the various cables and plugs from her laptop- none too carefully.
“Hey, careful with that!” Sunset snarled, storming towards the smug smile wearing girl. “That thing is brand new, and I’m not gonna let you ruin it!”
“Surely you’ve realized the ball is in my court, dear.” the insidious, knowing edge to Starlight’s voice stopped Sunset with a foot between them. “But I can promise you, these coming nights may very well be your last here.” Starlight coughed before raising her voice to a louder tone. “Ta ta for now, Sunset. We will make sure your laptop is returned to you in due time.”
Sunset turned around and glared daggers into the slowly retreating back of Starlight Glimmer, watching as she approached her cronies. Tempest and Suri grinned victoriously, but Twilight actually looked a little worried- even more so when Sunset locked eyes with her, the Equestrian realizing that she had been played by the girl. Twilight looked to her side and watched Starlight leave with the other two girls, lingering behind momentarily before slowly walking into Sunset’s room.
“Get out.” Sunset growled, freezing the other girl in her steps. “You played me, Twilight, so get out.”
“W-What?” Twilight shivered for a moment from the cold venom dripping from Sunset’s words. “I-I didn’t-”
“Then where did Starlight get that info, huh? And how did she know that my Social report was on my laptop!?” Sunset rapidly approached Twilight, looming dangerously over her. “And come to think of it, you keep saying a lot of the same things Starlight does! Almost as if you’re nothing but a mouthpiece for her!”
Twilight Sparkle’s eyes were starting to glisten as tears threatened to spill out. “P-Please, Sunset! I just wanted to be your friend!”
“Friend!” Sunset roared in response to that cursed word. “I thought we were friends, Princess! But no matter what world you're from you always stab me in the back!" Sunset bellowed, jabbing the shorter girl firmly in the chest. "Now get the fuck out of my room and never talk to me again!" Sunset felt no remorse as she watched Twilight break down into tears before fleeing her room. Human or Pony, Twilight Sparkle was a traitor and a liar- that much was certain.
She slammed her door ungraciously behind the openly weeping girl, her morning utterly ruined, and potentially her whole day considering she now had no Social report- and considering it was Starlight behind it, the chances of her passing this assignment was being thrown out of the window.
And then there was the threat about her staying here! What did that mean!? Sunset crumpled to the floor as emotion overtook her, bawling and sorrow and wailing in despair one moment, before instantly shifting to cursing furiously and roaring in outrage.
As she slowly calmed down, her head feeling ready to explode, she came to realize that Starlight needed to be taught a lesson, one that would not soon be forgotten. She stood up and stumbled to her bed, half blind from the crying she had been doing, and grabbed her phone. Sonata had been sent a copy of her Social report- at least she hadn’t shared that bit of info with the fucking traitor. She sent a hurried message explaining the situation before deciding to get her morning started with an extra long shower.
(\/):..:(\/)
“And next is…” Mr. Legacy flipped over the top sheet on his clipboard, momentarily studying the name before looking back up at the class. “Sunset Shimmer.”
Sunset nodded, standing up slowly as she glanced over at Starlight, the prefect wearing the smuggest grin Sunset had seen from a human. She probably figured Sunset was gonna have to make some excuse or something. Instead, Sunset reached down into her backpack and pulled out a slim grey laptop and started sauntering up to the front of the room.
“Where should I plug in my laptop?” she asked, intentionally a little too loudly. The teacher pointed to a mess of cables, getting a nod from Sunset as she walked over to them, making sure to glance towards Starlight. She couldn’t help but crack a smile as she watched one of Starlight’s eyelids spasm uncontrollably.
A quick cough from Sunset brought everyone’s attention to the screen displaying Sunset’s report, a large hammer crossed with a sickle dominating the display. “As I hope will be obvious by the symbol here, my report is going to be on Communism- one of the greatest ideas on paper, but will likely never be implemented as intended generally thanks to those who recommend it, well, abusing it to get absolute power.”
Sunset held a smirk as she watched Starlight’s expression grow dark as Sunset hit the laptop’s space bar, moving to the next screen. At least she appeared to recognize what Sunset was hinting at. “Let’s just quickly go over the base concepts of Communism and how they could be interpreted in the modern day. We can pare it down to this; Everyone is Equal. We all work together for the good of society and one another. No one person is greater than another- at least supposedly.
“I’d like to bring up probably the biggest literary example of Communism first.” Sunset paused as she hit the space bar again, a large red rectangle with the outline of a pig on it covering the screen next. “Everyone should know of the book about the farm animals rising up against the oppression, only to have some of their numbers become the new abusers of power? The line about ‘everyone being equal, but some are more equal than other’ came from this story, and it is a great example of what becomes of Communism.” Sunset faked the most innocent of smiles as she locked eyes with Starlight. “I’m sure everyone has had some sort of encounter with someone preaching equality, while sitting above you.”
The rest of the five minutes passed quickly, Sunset not locking eyes with the almost visibly steaming Starlight, even as she wrapped up her presentation and received a nod from Mr. Legacy. Instead, it was someone else making noise that caught Sunset’s attention.
“Oh man!” Sunstrike called out, laughing loudly as she clapped her hands and looked at Sunset with pure amusement. “You are not being subtle at all, are you?”
“Sunstrike, please do be quiet.” Mr. Legacy droned in annoyance, Sunset doing her best to appear to ignore her Human self as she returned to her seat. “Next up will be…”
“Seriously! Are you trying to get on her bad side!?” Sunstrike hissed in bemusement as Sunset finished stashing her temporary laptop. “Cause that’s how you get on Starlight Glimmer’s bad side!”
“Maybe I’m the only one willing to stand up to her.” Sunset gave a half grin back as she took her seat. “It seems like the rest of you are cowards.”
“Just cause you got some mafia gang behind you-” Sunstrike started, only to be silenced by Sunset, a few words escaping the side of her mouth as she looked forward.
“A proper family, you mean.”
The rest of the class passed by, ending with the bell announcing that it was time for the students to head to their next classroom. The students hurried their way out, with Sunset being one of the last so she wouldn’t get caught up in the rush- Gym was going to be running or something again most likely and she’d rather not waste the little energy she had from getting woken up so early.
“Oof!” Sunset stumbled back as she tried to turn the corner outside the door, having bumped into someone. “Sorry about-”
“Who did you steal that from?” Starlight asked as Sunset realized that it was Tempest Shadow she had bumped into, with Starlight standing to her side.
“Steal? What are you-” Sunset started, only to be once again cut off by the prefect.
“The laptop, idiot!” she hissed venomously. “How else could you have gotten one while you’ve been in class all day!?”
“Oh, I dunno…” Sunset shrugged playfully, a giant smile spreading across her face. “It’s not like someone from a rich, prodigious family could have something brought to her on a moment’s notice.”
“...” Starlight glared silently at the girl while Tempest crossed her arms, attempting to appear tougher most likely. Starlight was just about to open her mouth again when Mr. Legacy started to walk out of the classroom.
“What are you three still doing here?” he asked with seemingly trademarked annoyance. “You should be heading to your next classes.”
“Ah, my apologies, Mr. Legacy!” Sunset said hurriedly, coming to stand between him and the other two girls. “They just had some quick questions about my project, and I’m not one to leave things up in the air.”
The teacher sighed and shook his head before starting to walk away. “An acceptable reason, but do hurry along.”
“Don’t you dare think this is over, Sunset Shimmer.” Starlight hissed before spinning on her heel and storming away, leaving Tempest Shadow standing alone with Sunset, glaring at her.
“Well, time for gym!” Sunset said happily, smiling brightly at the henchwoman, earning an angry snarl in response.
“You must think yourself so clever for targeting Starlight like that…” Tempest said quietly as the two marched towards the gymnasium.
“Nah. Clever is what’s gonna be coming next.” Sunset smirked, pausing mid step and turning around. “Have you spoke to your adoptive father lately? I’d like to tell him his selection of whiskey is quite good.”
Tempest’s brow furrowed at Sunset’s comment, her mouth opening and closing ever so slightly as the two stood there in the empty hallway.
“The Storm King’s Cellar… A little vain to be naming it after yourself, but at least the staff do a decent job-” Sunset was forced to suddenly step to the side as Tempest swung wide at her, her backpack dropping to the ground. “Woah there, little lady!”
Sunset had to take a second, then a third step back as Tempest continued to swing at her, the dark hued girl’s eyes wide with rage, only stopping when Sunset caught her fourth swing in her had. “How do you-”
“Know about the adoption? Or how your adopted older brother used to-” Tempest gave a strangled cry as she swung her other fist, only for it to get caught as well. “Don’t you worry, Tempest. Unlike some people, I’m able to keep secrets.” Sunset let go of the girl’s hands, the limbs falling limp by her side as Sunset started to turn and walk back down the hall. “Well? Sombra will make us run triple laps if we’re late.”
If Sunset was gonna take Starlight down, she needed to start somewhere, and as a dark smile crept from the corner of her lips, a feeling of cruel satisfaction started to run through her.
(\/):...:(\/)
“So you’re certain this will work?” Sunset asked, shifting the device into her pocket as she looked for the next bus.
“Girl, I’ve hacked foreign dignitaries web mail accounts with a pen and paper. That silly little school’s security is nothing.” Chrysalis was an unmovable wall as she stood looking the other way, dressed in a burly winter coat and jeans. Sunset was truly the amateur here. “Hope you have fun.”
Sunset stood up as the bus arrived, pulling out some change and depositing it, never once acknowledging the other woman she had been with. She had asked for something to get through the ID Card systems at the school- normal lockers could easily be broken into after all, but this technologically advanced school needed a little more than paperclips and patience. She looked out the window as she headed towards the mall, acting as nonchalantly as possible in case she was being observed by one of Starlight’s goons, or even Sunstrike again. The mall was an obvious choice for why Sunset had been at that bus stop to meet Chrysalis after all, and who knows, maybe she would see something impulsive to buy.
She stood up a few minutes later, pulling on the cord to let the bus driver know that her stop was coming up. The Sirens had offered to help her get any car she wanted, but she passed, saying that it would be the most obvious thing for Starlight to go after- plus they had given her so much already. She shivered as she stepped off the bus, thanking the driver before it took off, with Sunset crossing the road a moment later.
She gave a happy sigh as she entered the heated interior, though inside she silently prayed that she wouldn’t run into anyone here. After playing around Starlight all day, she just needed some time to relax. Perhaps the music store would have something new? She grinned as she headed towards the elevator to head up, wondering what sort of music she could get that would piss off Starlight. An errant chuckle escaped her lips as she walked through the choices in her mind. Probably anything fun sounding, given how big of a stick she had up her ass. Or she could go full out and get a bunch of Communist Propaganda to play out loud!
She nodded in response to the tiller as she entered the music store, heading down one of the many isles to flip through whatever was on display as a familiar tune started to play in the store. This was one of Vinyl Scratch’s mixes, she recognized. The girl had an amazing talent with digital audio, and the on stage persona to rule the venue if she chose to go that way. She couldn’t help but smile as she remembered thinking how silly it was that the whole reason she was immune to the Sirens during the Battle of the Bands was because of her headphones blaring her own music all the time.
She grabbed a few disc cases before turning around, only to freeze as she saw five girls standing in front of her, studying her. “U-Um… H-Hi?”
“Well I’ll be…” Lyra Heartstring muttered, stroking her chin even as she started at Sunset’s chest. “Trixie actually waaas telling the truth…”
“I know, ri- Hey!” Trixie Lulamoon turned on the girl, her cheeks puffed out adorably as she glared at her. “The Great and Powerful Trixie is not one to lie! E-Er… A-At least anymore, that is…” the magician straightened her coat as she turned towards Sunset, “Um, H-Hello again. Trixie, uh, owes you an apology for our earlier meeting.”
“Meeting?” Sunset asked, wondering why it is that she came to this mall again. Every time she did she had a run in with someone from CHS. “Oh, right. When I was with what’s her name.”
“Y-Yes. Trixie treated you like someone else, and for that, she is greatly and humbly apologetic.” the girl actually bowed somewhat as Sunset watched, noticing Lyra start to snicker until she got an elbow jab to the side by Bon Bon.
Octavia gave a slightly exasperated sigh as she walked forward, smiling warmly at Sunset. “Please do ignore my friend’s outburst, she has always had an… edge to her.” Sunset watched as she held a hand forward, a simple, obviously well practiced motion. “My name is Octavia Melody, and I know this is going to sound weird, but I’m going to guess that yours is Sunset Shimmer.”
Sunset glanced nervously down at the offered hand, before glancing back up to the disarming smile the cellist wore. Sighing internally, she shifted around the disk cases in her hands before reaching forward and grasping Octavia’s hand, shaking it firmly. “Um, yes, it is... If you don’t mind me saying, it’s a bit weird that everyone here seems to know my name.”
“I’m not surprised.” Octavia chuckled as she slowly withdrew her hand. “If it’s alright with you, we would love to discuss that reason.”
Sunset felt time slow to a crawl as her mind started to work in a frenzied pace. It seemed like Trixie indeed told CHS that she had supposedly found the Human version of herself, and it seemed like these four had bought it- though they could just as likely be faking it. Thinking back to the holidays, during the whole fiasco that sent her to where she was now, Octavia, Vinyl, Lyra, and Bon Bon had never once gone after her. They all seemed content to ignore what was going on. Her mind froze on a single thought- she would go and talk with them, perhaps find out what was going on at CHS. After all, there were a few students there needing punished for their actions…
“U-Um.. Sure?” Sunset gave a weak shrug, a flaccid smile spreading across her face as she nodded. “I can’t stay and talk for too long, I have to catch the next bus to get back to Crystal Prep in time.”
“But of course, here, let us get out of your way.” Octavia smiled, stepping aside to let Sunset pass, the other four girls doing similar. Sunset hesitated a moment before heading through, nodding in turn to each of the girls. All the better to keep the ruse up, however long it would be needed. They let Sunset walk towards the cashier, before they shifted their group to the doorway in, standing somewhat aside so as to not block it entirely. “Good to go? Perfect! Let us head to the fountain on the main floor, it should be a little more private than the food court.”
Sunset nodded and followed the group out, all six awkwardly quiet as they boarded the elevator and rode it down to the main floor, before walking through the slowly quieting mall. The fountain was an incredibly ornate piece, the massive pool around it flooded with coins from various people wishing for something or another. They grabbed seats around it, each of them awkwardly silent for a few moments before Octavia cleared her throat.
“Okay, let’s start with how we know your name.” the slate skinned girl said slowly, making sure to keep eye contact with Sunset the whole time, the equestrian nodding slightly. “You see, there was a girl at our school with not only the same name as you, but the exact same appearance as you.”
“Like a doppelgänger, you mean?” Sunset asked, grinning on the inside at just how wrong they were. Just because they didn’t jump on the bandwagon to frame her, didn’t mean they were innocent themselves- she would play with them a bit.
“Exactly.” Lyra said as she stretched, groaning happily. “I thought Sunset was a fre- unique with the way she was built, but now to see two of you?”
Bon Bon stopped glaring daggers at her best friend, before completely flipping expressions and smiling widely at Sunset. “You see, Sunset was a bit of a… Mixed bag at out school.”
“To say the least.” Lyra chirped in, only to double over clutching her side, Bon Bon’s arm a blur as it returned to her side.
Bon Bon cleared her throat before she continued. “She… Well the only way to put it is that she was a bully- she ran our school with an iron fist. But she soon came to realize what she had become, and tried to repent for her actions.”
“Things didn’t go well at first…” Octavia stepped in, Sunset turning now to look at musician, an indescribable pit building in her stomach. “Nobody wanted to believe that she could change and be a better person. She did her very best, but… No one wanted to believe her.”
“It wasn’t until some even meaner bitches came to the school that she finally earned her redemption.” Lyra managed out between heavily grit teeth, partially sitting up straight again. “She helped get rid of them and everyone suddenly loved her. For a time at least.”
Sunset remained silent, listening intently as they continued to talk and the pit continued to grow as Octavia continued where Lyra left off.
“You see, not everyone apparently decided that she had redeemed herself. She ended up being scapegoated for something she never had a hand in- and in an instant, the entire student body once more turned on her, this time even worse than before. She ended up having to be taken in by the… people she… ended up protecting the school from.” Octavia had really taken time to chew over her last few words, looking down at her hands as she was obviously trying to not sound crazy by mentioning magic.
“I see…” Sunset sighed slightly before crossing her arms, brow clenching slightly. “And you see me as someone to try and rid yourself of guilt for letting it happen…”
“W-What?” three fifth’s of the group called out, only Vinyl and Octavia keeping their mouths shut, though only for a moment in Octavia’s case.
“Perhaps…” she said softly, the small bit of ire Sunset had built up washed away as Octavia looked up at Sunset, a pained look on her face as she motioned to everyone but Trixie. “You see, the four of us didn’t side either way with Sunset, and with all that happened to her, we do feel guilty- although I would hazard a guess that you knew that.”
“What Octavia isn’t saying is that Crystal Prep is a shit hole as far as reason goes.” Lyra said loudly, sneering at the school’s name. “Full of assholes, to put it nicely.”
“I won’t deny that, but I don’t think that is what this is about, is it?” Sunset looked away from Lyra and back to Octavia.
“We would like to be friends.” Octavia said simply, resting her hands on her lap. “It is mostly out of personal guilt, yes. But we would hate to see another person ruined by that school, perhaps doubly so given who you look like.”
Sunset sat there in silence, looking around at each of them. Five pairs of eyes looked back at her. She sighed softly as she shut her eyes, her mind arguing back and forth about all of this. Indeed, this was an admission of personal guilt for doing nothing during Anon-A-Miss, though given everything that had happened, with even the Rainbooms turning on her, she didn’t blame them. She wouldn’t agree to be friends with them, she didn’t do friends now after all, but perhaps the idea of using them to spy on CHS…
“...So to make sure I understand all of this,” she started, looking back up at the five girls with narrow eyes, her arms crossed under her chest. “you five want to be friends with me because my doppelgänger got shafted somewhat by your school?”
The Wondercolts all looked at one another for a moment, before looking back at Sunset and nodding with surprising synchronization. Sunset gave another sigh as she glanced down at the floor for a moment. May as well make them think on this for a moment.
“It’s a very shallow reason to try and become friends with an absolute stranger, you know that right?”
More nods.
“Especially to the person you want to be friends with? Using them as proxy for someone else?”
Once again, nods.
“...Haaa…” Sunset leaned back, hiding her face slightly from them as she looked up at the roof, and the night outside. This had gone on long enough, the bus would be here soon after all. “You know what? Fine. I just moved here and I need people to talk with here.”
Trixie sounded like she almost fainted in excitement, the other four girls staying more reserved in their happiness that this apparently “new” Sunset would give them a chance, with Octavia once again taking the lead in talking. “Wonderful. I do apologize for the absurdity of all this- hopefully one day we can fully explain this.”
“You can count on that. If I’m gonna be framed walking around town, I should probably know why.” Sunset chuckled as she looked back at the five of them, before quickly pulling her phone out of her pocket. “Ah, sorry, but I gotta get going, I don’t want to wait for the next next bus in this weather.”
“No worries, love. But, er, before you go, I should properly introduce the five of us.” the six girls all slowly stood up as Octavia started to point to everyone in time. “As I said earlier, my name is Octavia Melody. This quiet girl is Vinyl Scratch, she is the definition of actions speaking louder than words. This is Bon Bon, she is the one to talk to if you ever want anything sweet. This cantankerous young woman is Lyra Heartstrings, she means well, but often lets her mouth run too long. Finally, this is Trixie Lulamoon, though it seems like you two have already met. Oh! One last thing before you go; would you like to exchange cell phone numbers?”
(\/):....:(\/)
Sunset smirked down at her phone screen as she entered the lobby to the upper floor student’s rooms, it was surprising with how trusting those five Wondercolts could be- just how desperate they were to appease their guilt. She was so focused that she didn’t even realize just how quiet it was in here, causing her to pause and look around. She noticed the five ostracized members of this floor sitting around on the furniture near the television, only to pop up when they realized Sunset had returned.
“Sunset!” Indigio Zap shouted loudly as she raced to Sunset’s side. “You- Oh god… Okay, look, just gonna give you a fair warning-”
“Deep breaths, Zap.” Sunset sighed as she pushed herself away slightly from the positively spasming girl. “What’s up?”
The other four girls came over to stand beside Indigo, all of them quiet as they looked at one another before Indigo started up again. “Okay, so, uh… Not to scare ya or anything, but fair warning… Starlight did Starlight things to your room.”
Sunset’s face fell, almost as fast as the bag carrying the music she bought fell to the floor as she raced to the stairs, vaulting up them three at a time as she made a desperate charge to her room. She fumbled her wallet as she tried to get her student ID Card, eventually just slamming the leather card holder against the card reader. The door gave an ominous creak before slowly starting to swing inward, only for Sunset to slam it open, her hand shooting towards the light switch as the other five girls finally caught up with her, remaining silent as they watched Sunset fall to her knees.
To say her room was destroyed was the grossest understatement possible. Everything was torn apart, her desk covered in trash and fruit peels, mud caked the floor in smothering lines, her bed sheets were ripped in half and her closet had been emptied all over the place!
“I… Uh… Tried to warn ya…” Indigo said quietly as Sunset continued to look around, freezing when her eyes fell upon the tattered remains of the present she had gotten from the Sirens. The life sized replica of her Equestrian self, her custom made teddy bear, was in pieces, with only the head laying on the bed with its horn shoved into one of its eyes- to sit there like a boar’s head on a feast table. “We didn’t discover anything until we got back from exams… Starlight was leaving your room with her goons and-”
Sunset rested there on her knees, arms limp against her side as she felt the tears start to build up in the corners of her eyes, her whole body quaking as she simply wondered… Why? She hardly paid attention as she heard the other five girls start to speak up in anger, shouting at someone, but when the quiet, malevolent tones filled the air, she listened.
“Wow, what a pig sty…” Starlight Glimmer said from the doorway to the room. Sunset’s entire being froze as the girl continued. “And here I thought you were some sort of wunderkind.”
“Oh, fuck off, Starlight!” Indigo Zap shouted as Sunset remained still. “We all know you and your lackeys did this!”
“Oh? And how would I get into her room unless she invited me?” Stalight’s voice feigned innocence in the face of Indigo’s accusations. “Besides, I have proof that I was elsewhere until recently.”
Sunset slowly started to shift as Starlight and the other five girls continued to argue back and forth. One knee on the ground was replaced with a foot, which propelled her up to her other foot, her back still to the arguing Humans. She ignored what they said as she turned towards them, her glasses askew as she slowly stumbled one foot in front of the other towards Starlight, the girl flanked by Tempest and Suri. Everything else slowly faded from existence as she approached the cancerous girl, Starlight smirking and cocking a hip as she looked up at the feral looking Sunset, her eyes pinpricks as they shook in their sockets, her breath was almost visible as it steamed from her mouth and nostrils.
“Just think of what Dean Cadence will say once she hears of this.” Starlight smiled victoriously as she crossed her arms in front of herself as Sunset just stood there. The doors to either side of Sunset’s room opened up, with both Twilight Sparkle and Sunstrike peeking out to see what was going on. “You are going to be gone quicker than-”
Sunset was almost invisible as she reached forward, resting both hands on Starlight’s shoulders, dangerously close to her neck as she brought her face to within centimeters of the shorter girls. “[I promise you… That whatever comes next, you were the one who started it. I wanted to play nice, to get away from all the hate, but you… You are hate. You are malice… But you are weak, pathetic- I will show you the real meanings of those words, the real meaning of fear, and torture. I’m about to bring you to the point where you will beg to die, and I will be standing here. Above you. Forever reminding you that while you started all of this, that it was ME… Who ended it...]”
“W-Wait… That sounded just like that other girl…” Sunstrike said loudly as Sunset let go of Starlight, the girl looking utterly confused at what just happened as Sunset grabbed the bag Lemon Zest had retrieved when Sunset dropped it, before slowly turning and walking around to her destroyed room.
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Oh boy......
it it were me, i'd give Starlight the Cobra Crush.
God, I can't wait to see what she will do ! Now we just have to hope for a swift update.
Starlight,now you done
ed up! Someone please link an appropriate video for this sentiment.
wow, I get the feeling that no one will help and that sunset will just become a demon again. Nothing good will come from this and her pushing away everyone will just make her a demon again..... My prediction everyone suffers and nothing good will ever happen.
I'd like to say I feel a little sympathy for this version of Starlight for what she's about to experience... but, having gone too school with a girl that she UNCANNILY reminds me of, I can honestly say I'm probably going to enjoy seeing her get what's coming to her a little more than I probably should
And everyone wonders just why I hate Starlight as much as I do.
Somebody's about to get smacked around. Big time
.......oh shit....
REFORMED VILLAN FIGHT!!!!
Starlight's gonna get expelled soon. I can sense it
also, hoping she gets her plush fixed.
Starlight, i think even Cadance would see past this ploy. Why would Sunset destroy a plushie she brought.
I am grabbing the popcorn
PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE tell me that Cunty Purple is going to die.
Dammit, no slap or punch onto Starlight's face. Oh well, better luck next time.
While liking the story not happy Sunset still tricking them. Into pretending to be the other Sunset, sad Twilight may of ruined her chances of friendship as well.
I do hope she can prove herself and maybe win a second chance.
9618821
i believe this is the apropiate clip.
"I smell karmatic intervention."
should point out private school or not starlight glimmer broke the law taking the laptop and if sunset pushes it that could get her expelled immediately. quite literally a school official can ask to see whats on it but no student no matter what they do can just take it. starlight's playing this really stupidly and if you don't have sunset push the legal ramifications i'm going to be disappointed.
9619009
you imply starlight was ever reformed, yeah no.
So... Starlight is only going to stay breathing because Sunset needs her alive to know who beat her? Because that seems to be the only reason she is still breathing right now.
Oh boy, this is going to get real rough, real quick. Sunset knows this game, and how to win. She is already lining up her pawns and working on either taking out, or coopting Starlight's.
But at what cost to her soul? She might win this, but she will be back to what she was, miserable and mostly alone. I guess having the sirens will help but...
Scorched Earth Sunset is best Sunset. Can't wait to see how she is going to handle this.
Looks like the war has just escalated.
9618767
Indeed.
9618788
Sunset was barely restraining from throwing Starlight to the floor below.
9618789
I'm hoping to get the next update soon, and hopefully I can meet expectations.
9618821
Starlight pushed the wrong button, at the wrong time.
9618828
Sunset does seem like she's going to do something drastic now, though given that she's mostly tried to play it nicely, and she keeps getting targeted, who knows what she will do.
9618912
I will admit that I'm pushing Starlight's actions too far, especially given that she's been given the short end of the stick in real life, and if I could go back and change it I would make her a little more tame.
9618944
I actually sort of like Starlight, but I needed a bigger villain for this story to progress.
9618952
Starlight is indeed in some danger it seems.
9618984
Hopefully not an eye for an eye.
9619009
In Equestria, mayhaps. This is just going to be brutal.
9619059
Will have to see what happens to Starlight, and I expect Sunset to try and get that stuffy fixed quickly.
9619115
Starlight has a lot of sway, but this indeed does seem a little out of her wheelhouse.
9619173
I don't recognize the name, but I can promise that there will be no death here.
9619205
Sunset knew not to strike Starlight in front of other people.
9619217
Sunset at this point wants nothing to with any of them, so being able to pretend to be a different Sunset is a valuable tool for her right now.
9619249
Indeed, though the actual moment is still to come.
9619346
Karmic would be of equal punishment. Sunset plans to do more.
9619388
My apologies, I pushed it a little bit in this story with that scene. Starlight has a lot of power, being the prefect for the twelve grade, the president of the student council, as well as having connections with Cinch (will be showing up more). Even if Sunset brought it up to Cadence or Cinch, they would play it off as Starlight doing something right, even if it were illegal. Realism was pushed to the side a bit, for story progression.
9619510
Sunset knows that if she directly does something to Starlight at this point, it would end up with Sunset in the ditch, not Starlight. Starlight has all the power at the moment, though not for long, as Sunset does indeed know how to play this game, and she has yet to lose. As far as cost...
9619658
I like Queen Sunset, and I hope I can do it justice.
9619725
The war has just been started.
9619880 Well, you definitely got one in her in this story!
Is it wrong that I want Starlight & her goons dead? No? Didn't think so... Welp Starlight, I got one thing to say to you...
9619880
"Oh? don't mind us. Though for reference. We were referring to the eldrich definition for the term. Which is basically akin to the saying,'Sell your soul for a pack of cigarettes.' Starlight sold her soul, got a pack of cigarettes that will slowly degrade her health, and is now destined for eternal suffering.
Phrase:
'Sell your soul for a pack of cigarettes.'
This phrase is a metaphor for any rash action for a meagar payoff. 'Selling your soul' can be seen as a metaphor for the bleak fate due to wanton, especially, ignorant sacrifice. 'Cigarettes' alludes to a small reimbursement that, though initially beneficial, negatively affects the user in the long run.
ie. Large sacrifice of a major asset, with the promise of a long-term loan, for a current asset which turns into a long-term liability.
9619880
Its got to be believeable. Messy room? Sure i by that. Torn up plushie. That is a red flag. And i can't remember does Cadance know the true stoey regarding Sunset.
9620005
It was written to intentionally have Starlight going too far, as it will come up later. Cadence does not know the full story for Sunset.
9619249
Thank you! That works perfectly!
9619009
Human Starlight was never reformed.
9619880
Im just gonna pretend that tearing up the plushie was what set her off the most
9619880
Will Sci Twi get a chance to redeem herself? It's so heartbreaking to what happened.
9619880
Cunty Purple is used by some people who hate Starlight but hate acknowledging her existence.
Well, Starlight is fuck.
Some people here are having a hard time believing Starlight would actually progress so far into committing blatantly illegal acts on her own. I see it differently. Starlight, for what's possibly the first time in her life, has had her supposed authority challenged by someone who simply can't be bullied and cowed into submission, and who has far less to lose than her into comparison. Her entire world has been shaken and turned upside down by the appearance of Sunset Shimmer, everything she's come to know and accept as being the reality of the world has shifted so far off kilter she can no longer see straight, and her primal instincts to lash out violently in response to this unwanted development are asserting themselves harder than the civilized portion of her brain can handle and contain.
Starlight in this story is, unfortunately, the downside of the millennial method of raising children, cooked up and carried out by individuals who don't know how to prepare their own kids for the real world, because they weren't given that necessary preparation themselves, or simply thought they could do better by trying to be their kids' best friends. And as we've been seeing in the news, these failures need safe spaces to protect them from hearing things they don't want to hear, they lash out violently at anyone believing differently from them, and they believe they're entitled to engage in physical violence against others whenever they don't like something.
Under different circumstances she'd be pitiable. But I'm sorely burnt out on snowflake fucks and I'm all for turning up the heat.
9620892
Still think she be smarter then to rip up a plushie. Make tge mess sure but that one act weakens her case
9620985
That's because Sunset, for better or worse, has managed to provoke Starlight past the point of rational and intelligent thought. She's simply lashing out at this point like a wild animal.
In a different setting, Starlight would be one of those who becomes triggered at the mere sight of a "Make America Great Again" hat and physically assaults the person wearing it, even if she has to first dodge traffic and run across a busy intersection in order to do it.
9620892
Would you like hickory or something else? I can bring just about anything for a good snowflake roast, you name it I got it
9619934
Only if they are sandpaper cigarettes, gotta ruin my lungs quickly
Shower Thought here: what if trixie and the girls from chs that talked to sunset shimmer gave the rainbooms her phone number.... i cant remember if the phone number sunset has currently is the same one from before anon-a-miss
She just released the on coming storm and I cannot wait for it to hit Starlight and her goons with the anger of a God.
9621321
Hickory nothing! Pinewood for those whiny little bitches! Pine cones, sawdust, plywood scraps, broken cabinets, etc.
9622908
So Asbestos and fiberglass then. Got it
9622937
Can you actually get fiberglass and asbestos to burn? Or are you talking we should insulate snowflakes for cooking them liked baked potatoes?
9623042
how does a housefire work? There is plenty of fiberglass in most modern homes and old homes have that cancerous shit in it, so either way the snowflakes will die, I am in it for the long haul
You know when Starlight's crimes get out if might cause a rethink of forcing all students in the forms since this was only possible because of that policy
Continuing on with my responses now that I've had time to do so. Again, apologies for the... months of delay.
9619882
Mission accomplished then.
9619917
Not all of her compatriots are such lowlife.
9619934
Thank you for the clarification.
9620282
I can promise it was.
9620419
Sci-Twi still has parts to play in this story.
9620496
I understand now, thank you.
9620673
Indeedly so.
9621665
That is a possibility, but it wasn't. It will be addressed in a new chapter soon.
9621965
The anger of Queen.
9623590
Forms?
9620892
9620985
9621128
Starlight at this point has indeed realized that Sunset will not obey her, and she has nothing to blackmail her with either, so she is instead resorting to try and get Sunset to do something rash. The only issue is, Starlight has never had to this sort of thing before. She also has never lost before, and doesn't know how to handle defeat, especially from someone who hasn't really tried to fight in the first place. Starlight will be explored more in later chapters, after the conflict is over.
9623646
Okay, 3 things to say to you right now.
1. It was annoying getting notifications every 5 mins.
2. I do, however appreciate you taking soooo much of your time to reply all the comments as possible.
3. I disagree with ya about Starlight's goons
9623646
called it! lol *goes back to rereading both stories waiting on the next chapter*
9623616
Prisoners dilemma is a game analysis term that examines the pros and cons of two or more people being interrogated and the consequences that would come from one or more confessing or holding their tongues. Basically it looks how everyone would be slightly better off if they stay silent, worse off if they are ratted out, better off if they ratted someone out, and how everyone is worse off if everyone confessed.