Hostile History

by Jest

Chapter 41

Sunset strode down the hall at a quick, hurried pace, her hands clutching at the straps of her backpack. Around her, looming on all sides were the various kids that attended the same school as she did. The scene was one that had been repeated many times in the past, though this time was different, much different.

The looks of her classmates had started as fearful back when she had been angling to get the crown. After that, they had contained pity, and finally a bit of acceptance after Sunset had shown everyone her good side. Now, now they contained a level of terror that they hadn't even when Sunset had been at her most cruelest.

“Did you hear that she burned that policeman to death?”

“I saw the video. Did you think Sunset started that fire?”

“How many people do you think she’s killed?”

“She and her band of freaks should be in some kind of prison.”

“We’d all be safer if they just left.”

And more were whispered by the scared denizens of Canterlot high, their voices just loud enough to be audible to the former pony. Sunset tried to ignore them, to focus on just getting back to the secluded picnic bench at the edge of the schoolyard. There her friends were waiting, and at least there she would be accepted, not out of fear but love.

Within her own heart warred a complex mix of emotions that distracted her somewhat. The ex-pony felt indignant, angry even that she was being judged so harshly after saving so many. But she also couldn't help but sympathize with them.

They had no powers, they were just people and a large group of scared humans inevitably succumbed to panic. With their fight or flight ignited, the group would make a rash, and probably terrible decision. Sunset stopped herself mid-thought and gave her head a shake, correcting her line of thinking and reminding herself that it wasn't just a human quality.

After all, she keenly remembered the statistics of how many ponies were trampled in panic-driven stampedes every year. That wasn't even counting all-

“Sunset Shimmer to the principal’s office,” called the familiar voice of not Celestia over the intercom.

Sunset perked up and looked around. There was no collective ‘ooooh’ of childish mockery as there had been in the past. She was merely observed a little closer, the whispers dying as anticipation built.

“Alright then,” Sunset Shimmer muttered to herself.

The girl turned on her heel and walked back the way she came while a hand dug into her pocket. She flicked over to the group chat and sent off a quick message telling the others that she would be late. Sunset was tempted to tell them why, but decided against it, as it would only lead to more anxiety.

Turning around the final corner, Sunset walked over to the door which bore Celestia’s name and walked inside. There she found Luna, the vice principal sitting at her desk and working on something that appeared important. Despite everyone else being intimidated by Sunset, Luna was unbothered by her presence and glanced briefly before waving her towards her sister’s door.

Sunset wasn't about to try and start a conversation with the famously laconic woman so she kept on walking. She paused briefly and knocked twice before standing there impatiently. After a few seconds of silence, she heard someone clear their voice from the other side.

“You may come in,” called the fake Celestia.

Sunset Shimmer pushed her way inside, and looked around, immediately noting the many mementos that dotted the area. It was much like her Celestia’s office in that way, as it felt old, and exuded an aura of importance as well as dignity. Unlike pony Celestia, human Celestia had no thousand-year-old relics kicking around, though she did have a stash of VHS’ on hand.

“Thank you for coming,” Celestia greeted, the human standing and extending a hand to the seat across from her. “Please, take a seat. We have much to discuss.”

“Like what?” Sunset asked, spinning the chair around and plunking down, chin resting on the wooden back.

“Well I shouldn't say it's a lot, but it's important,” Celestia sighed, and tugged at her lapels, a nervous habit that Sunset had observed the educator had. “It's about you and your friends.”

“What about us?” Sunset Shimmer asked, eyes narrowing.

Celestia wrung her hands, but at least met Sunset’s gaze. “I’m going to be frank with you Sunset. A lot of the parents have approached me with reservations about you and your friends attending graduation.”

“And school at all,” Celestia added in a whispered tone.

“So?” Sunset asked with a shrug. “We have every right to go to graduation, same as everyone else. I don't see how a few random parents can change that.”

“It's not just a few, and it's not random,” Celestia replied.

“So?” Sunset retorted.

Celestia sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose between two fingers. “As you may or may not know, we are a publicly funded school, however, that isn't the whole truth.”

Sunset sat up a little straighter and eyed the educator closer.

“We rely on private donations from a select number of alumni to maintain our expansive music program as well as all the sports programs,” Celestia continued. “Without their support, we would have to dramatically cut back our curriculum and potentially lay off several staff members.”

“So they are threatening to pull out,” Sunset reasoned.

Celestia grimaced. “If that was it I would tell them off, and simply search for funding elsewhere as I am not without my connections. However, they are also threatening to intentionally bring down the average of the school’s test marks in the finals.”

“Which would…” Sunset Shimmer muttered, cocking her head.

“Due to our state’s rather… short-sighted attempts to reform education, it would mean that our funding would essentially be cut in half,” Celestia answered. “With private funding gone, and public money slashed it would essentially mean the end of Canterlot high.”

Sunset Shimmer blinked. “That is… vile.”

“I know,” Celestia agreed. “I have attempted to counter this narrative that you are all dangerous criminals or monsters but I can't get through to them.”

“Where is this all coming from anyway? I thought that we would be okay after our names were cleared,” Sunset Shimmer exclaimed.

Celestia pulled open her laptop, and after a few clicks, turned it around to reveal its screen to Sunset.

“This is a fake account I set up the other day,” Celestia began.

Sunny Buns, aged thirty-nine, two kids, both school-aged, and both going to Canterlot high were listed in the profile. Other than that it was bare, with only a few posts about crafts, the local news, and a restaurant that had just opened.

“I don't get it,” Sunset Shimmer muttered.

“Look at the ads,” Celestia pointed out.

Sunset Shimmer followed the principal’s finger to find that this nonexistent person was being served some odd things. She was being recommended groups titled, ‘the devils in Canterlot’ and ‘the Canterlot seven, demons, or angels?’ among others. There were also advertisements offering up definitive proof of demonic invasion, alien sightings, and firearms.

“That is… weird,” Sunset Shimmer murmured.

Celestia turned the computer back around and closed it with a soft thunk.

“Someone with a lot of money, or connections is doing all they can to circulate rumors about you and your friends,” Celestia continued, clasping her hands in front of her. “Which leaves me in an uncomfortable position.”

“Foxtrot,” Sunset muttered angrily.

“What was that?”

“Nothing,” Sunset exclaimed.

“Regardless, I don't really have any legal or even moral grounds to ask this of you, but if you would consider leaving I would appreciate it,” Celestia offered.

Sunset Shimmer wanted to be angry, to shout, but Celestia didn't look angry, nor did she emit any aggressive feelings. She was angry, but Sunset could tell that anger wasn't directed at her or her friends, but rather at this other group. The educator also just looked… defeated, having been backed into a corner and forced into a situation she didn't want to be in.

The first instinct of the former pony was to offer up her benefactor’s money as a replacement for what was lost. But then a bunch of students who were being used as pawns would stall and have their lives wrecked by their parents. Forced to flunk out due to a culture of paranoia, they wouldn't be able to get into a good school or do what they want in life.

“What about graduating, and our diplomas?” Sunset asked.

“All you seven have left are exams which could be written after school and marked by myself,” Celestia offered. “Alternatively, all of you save for Rainbow Dash have enough credits to graduate already so it would be just a matter of sending out your diplomas.”

Sunset Shimmer frowned. “I guess it could be worse.”

“I know it isn't right of me to force this on you, but I don't have a lot of options,” Celestia exclaimed in an apologetic tone.

“It's fine,” Sunset Shimmer muttered. “I’m sorry you're being forced to do this.”

Celestia released a long sigh. “You have no idea. I don't know what's going on in this country but it feels like there is a war against truth and lies are winning.”

“I’ll talk to the girls, but I don't think they’ll disagree. Twilight maybe, but I’ll think of something,” Sunset Shimmer murmured half to herself, half to Celestia.

“Just name it and I’ll make whatever special accommodations that are within my power,” Celestia added.

Sunset Shimmer rose, turned the chair back around, and flashed the principal a weary smile. “Thanks.”

“No, thank you,” Celestia quickly interjected, rising and walking over to the girl. “You’ve done me a great service, and proven just how wrong they have you.”

Sunset Shimmer’s smile grew more genuine. “I appreciate it and for what its worth I did enjoy my time here for the most part. I can definitely say this school has made me a better person.”

“Now if only it had worked for those ignorant facebook moms that we taught twenty years ago,” Celestia muttered.

Sunset chuckled. “True. Well, I’ll be back with a definitive answer at the end of lunch.”

“I appreciate it. Enjoy your break,” Celestia exclaimed.

Sunset nodded, turned, and left.

As she passed Luna, the darker-skinned woman nodded while exuding an aura of quiet rage. Sunset Shimmer barely even needed to use her powers to tell that such anger was directed at the parents. Her distaste for them was exuded with every loud thump of her stamp maker.

Then Sunset was gone, walking the halls once more, only now with her head held high. The stares of her fellow students were suddenly a lot less intimidating and much more pathetic. They were pawns in someone else’s game, being propagandized too, and convinced of something that wasn't true. Victims of a system, and a culture that favored the wealthy over even the concept of truth itself.

Sunset Shimmer shook her head, dismissing such high-minded notions of morality, and turned towards the nearest exit. Soon she was crossing the field, and making her way to the row of trees behind the outdoor bleachers. There, hidden away like a dirty secret, sat Sunset’s friends, the six girls all staring at the newest arrival curiously

“There she is. Told ya it wasn't anything crazy like Foxtrot,” Applejack declared.

“It kind of was, but I’ll get to that in a sec,” Sunset Shimmer exclaimed.

“What did that nutjob do this time?” Rainbow Dahs demanded.

“Allow me to guess,” Rarity began. “He is the reason why everyone seems to hate us all of a sudden?”

“Pretty much,” Sunset Shimmer replied. “He’s likely behind a surge of conspiracy theories surrounding us, though it may very well be from just random weirdos.”

“There have been quite a few sites popping up about us,” Pinkie Pie remarked, turning her phone around. “See? We even got a subreddit on us, and an IMDB page.”

“That's… weird,” Twilight murmured.

Pinkie Pie shrugged. “Most get taken down really quickly but they just go somewhere else right after.”

“I guess there's only so much our uh, benefactor, can do for us,” Applejack exclaimed.

“Lies really do move as fast as light,” Fluttershy whispered.

“So it does darling,” Rarity whispered.

The fashionista clutched Fluttershy’s hand and gently brought the palm up to her lips, planting a kiss on it. That seemed to ease a bit of the animal lover’s anxiety, and she leaned heavily on the other girl’s shoulder.

“I’m smelling a but in there,” Pinkie Pie remarked. “Why would Celestia call you into the office just to tell you that?”

“Because they’ve pressured her into kicking us out of school,” Sunset Shimmer answered, quickly holding up a finger. “But Celestia’s worked around it to make sure we all graduate and get our diplomas.”

“They can't do that to us,” Applejack declared, slamming a hand into the table with enough force to send splinters flying. “The last three generations of my family have all graduated normally and I’ll be damned if I break that tradition.”

“Who cares?” Rainbow Dash interrupted. “Now we get to graduate early and spend more time playing video games. Sounds like a win-win to me.”

“It's not just about graduating,” Twilight added. “My parents always said that I needed to graduate normally, even if I probably could have done so at sixteen if I had wanted to.”

“Well I for one am okay with this,” Rarity offered. “If I’m reading through the lines here I think our dear principal was forced into this situation why by some quote-unquote ‘concerned parents.”

Sunset Shimmer nodded. “If we didn't submit the school would like to get its budget slashed in half, or worse.”

“The soccer team would have to be dissolved,” Rainbow Dash muttered.

“So would the fashion program, as well as the veterinary courses offered,” Rarity added, squeezing Fluttershy’s hand.

“And home ec, most of the AP classes that Twilight's been taking, and the agriculture courses,” Pinkie Pie declared.

Applejack threw her hat on the table and cursed. “Gosh, darn it. Do those dirty snakes have any common decency?”

“They’re scared,” Fluttershy murmured. “And they are lashing out like a cornered animal.”

“I guess,” Applejack whispered, slumping in her seat. “Still sucks.”

Twilight sat up straight and squared her shoulders. “Alright. I think we know what we have to do. Right Sunset?”

Sunset Shimmer nodded. “We gotta take this deal, it's the only way the school makes it out unscathed. Plus we only miss out on like, a month or so of school.”

“Miserable school,” Pinkie Pie declared with arms crossed over her chest. “Everyone’s all freaked out and barely anyone comes to my parties anymore.”

“Pfft, this is an absolute win. I don't know what's got you guys twisted in a knot,” Rainbow Dash exclaimed.

“You still need to finish your courses and do your exams,” Sunset Shimmer pointed out.

Rainbow Dash blinked. “What, really? But I haven't even started studying.”

“What?” Applejack exclaimed. “But you said you were studying the other night.”

“Yeah, studying how to beat that boss in Eldest Souls,” Rainbow Dash retorted.

Sunset Shimmer rolled her eyes. “If we all band together I’m sure we can finish our classes in no time, and Celestia’s offered to do our tests after school if you want that coveted one hundred percent.”

Twilight blinked and looked around. “What, why are you all looking at me?”

“Oh come on. Only you would be such an egghead that you need to get a perfect grade. Not even Sunset is that particular,” Rainbow Dash declared, gesturing at the fiery-haired girl.

“Ninety-eight percent is good enough for me,” Sunset Shimmer added.

“Either way,” Applejack interjected, saving her blushing friend from more potential embarrassment. “I think we could hold a sort of ceremony thing at the farm. Get the whole graduation experience ya know?”

“I’m sure Celestia would even come and deliver our diplomas,” Fluttershy added hopefully.

“She did say that she would make whatever special accommodations were in her power to make,” Sunset Shimmer offered.

“Oh this is just wonderful,” Rarity gushed. “It would be like our own private graduation ceremony. I simply must begin planning the decorations this very night.”

Fluttershy giggled.

“So we’re all in agreement then?” Sunset Shimmer asked.

Everyone nodded.

“Alright then,” Sunset sat down next to Twilight and wrapped an arm around the other girl’s shoulder. “Now then, does anyone other than Rainbow Dash need any help studying or finishing assignments?”

“Hey I don't need help,” Rainbow Dash exclaimed, only to wilt when her friends all turned to her. “With much.”

The six girls all chuckled while the speedster crossed her arms over her chest.

“I’m surrounded by nerds,” muttered the athlete under her breath.

Author's Note:

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Comments

[The Voice in the Water]

No Dash, you're just a jock.

So, yea, I can't say I'm surprised to see this happen. Doesn't make it less infuriating. But still…

[MatTheBook]

“Did you hear that she burned that policeman to death?”

What policeman!?
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