Sunset sighed as she reached over and silenced her alarm clock. She spent a few seconds in bed before sitting up and stretching. She sat there like that for a moment, noticing she actually felt pretty good this morning.
It had been a day since her and Applejacks day out and while she had some initial insecurities on Sunday, her and Twilight talked things out. While there was still that nugget of doubt in the back of her mind, she felt more secure in herself and her place in the world than she had in a long time.
She got up and got ready for school, taking a moment to shoot finger guns at herself in the mirror before running off. Her bag vibrated and Sunset reached for the book. “Right on cue.”
“Morning Sunset. How’re you feeling? Still worried about AJ?”
“Good morning Twili. Well, to tell you the truth, yeah. It just feels too good to be true. It was great hanging out with her on Saturday, but she threw me away before. But I also feel bad because I know she genuinely wants to be my friend again.”
“Hey, it’s alright. You just don’t want to be hurt again, that’s completely understandable. It’ll take a while for you to trust any of them again, though I imagine Fluttershy is in a pretty good position.”
Sunset scowled and rolled her eyes. “Why does everyone give her a free pass?” She grumbled.
“Rainbow Dash will probably be the one friend I’ll have the most trouble trusting again, especially after she accused me of blackmailing Scootaloo.”
She felt awful for keeping this from Twilight, but she just didn’t know how to break the news to her that she and Fluttershy were done. Twilight was busy enough, she didn’t need to try and force her and Fluttershy to be friends again.
Sunset and Twilight talked the whole way to the school, finally saying goodbye when she reached the premises and walked to her locker.
“Mornin’ Sunset.” Applejack walked up to her own locker, giving Sunset a small wave.
“Morning Jackie.” Sunset said as she rummaged through her locker. Applejack chuckled, earning an inquisitive look from Sunset. “What’s so funny?”
“It’s just that this is probably the least awkward morning since Anon. We haven’t said a word at our lockers since this all started.”
“That’s not true.” Sunset protested. “There was that one time I said ‘Applejack’ in a desperate tone and you said ‘Ah don’t want to talk to yah’ super rudely.” Applejack looked annoyed at Sunset's exaggerated country accent. “Then that other time where the roles were reversed and I said the same thing.”
“Funny, Ah seem to remember yah saying ‘Fuck off’ when Ah tried talking to yah first day after break.” Applejacks said with an amused look.
“It was too early, it was my first day back in the Human world, I had just barely stopped crying every other hour.” Sunset closed her locker. “... Sorry about that though.”
Applejack's smirk had disappeared after what Sunset said. “Sunset, Ah’m no fool. Ah know one good day and some long talks aren’t gonna fix everything between the two of us.” Sunset turned to look at Applejack. “Yah have any… rules yah want me to follow?”
“You know, I’m actually glad you asked, cause I was gonna sit you down later and give you a list.” Sunset turned her whole body so her and Applejack were face to face. “First and most obvious, don’t try forcing meetings between me and the girls.”
“After Bloom? No way.”
“Second, I’m not against you sitting with me at lunch, but try to text me first to see if it's ok. Third, I have days where I just want to be alone, so don't be offended if I don’t want to hang out or talk with you. Fourth, try to text me if you’re planning on coming up to me, I don’t want to be blindsided and end up yelling at you.”
“What if we’re at our lockers?”
“Lockers are fine, we can't help that. Fifth, don’t try to rush me, I’ll progress at my own pace with each of you girls. Sixth, I’d love to hang out with you and some of the other girls, but I want to plan it out first. And finally seventh… don’t accuse me of shit.” Sunset glared angrily at Applejack. “If you think I did something, you can investigate and even question me, but don’t accuse me outright and cut me loose when I deny it.”
“That was pretty much the plan from the beginning. Ah think at this point there could be video evidence of yah committing a murder and Ah’d still question it.”
“Ok, I’m not unreasonable. If there’s video evidence of me then that’ll be hard to dispute. But just keep in mind there are shapeshifters back home, so.” Sunsets glare softened and she closed her locker. “Right now I mostly just want open communication. Think of this as probation: Sunday was you getting out of prison, these are the rules you have to follow, and I’m your probation officer.
Applejack nods. “Ah take it these apply to the other girls as well?”
“Yeah, just not that bitch Fluttershy.”
“Sunset.” Applejack tensed. “Ah Know yah and Fluttershy have some… issues with each other, but yah said Ah could remain friends with Fluttershy, and Ah’d appreciate it if yah didn’t insult or call my friend names... Please.”
Sunset scowled at Applejack angrily, before her expression softened. “Alright… alright that’s fair. I won’t call… her insulting names in front of you. Just don’t tell her the ground rules, I don’t want her getting ideas.”
“Well, Ah was planning on telling our friends individually when yah started feeling comfortable around them.” Applejack explained. “Speaking of friends, yah talk to Derpy yet?”
Sunset shook her head. “No, I haven’t seen her yet. I was planning on going up to her during lunch. She usually tries sitting at my table.”
“Yah think maybe Ah can… yah know.” Applejacks asked sheepishly.
Sunset couldn't help but snicker. “Fine, you can sit with me at lunch today. The other girls will probably get jealous though.”
Before Applejack could continue, the intercom came to life. “Would Sunset Shimmer report to the Principal's office please.”
Applejack gave a teasing hum. “What’d yah do this time?”
“Punched out your dozens of ‘guys and stuff’ of course.” Applejack immediately lost her composure and blushed furiously.
“... Ah’m never gonna live that down, am Ah?” She grumbled.
“Nope.” Sunset said with a cheery smile as she began walking away.
Celestia sighed as she read over a report of yet another fight in the cafeteria over Anon-A-Miss. She was thankful that these reports had become less numerous over time, but she still saw them too frequently for her taste.
She wrote a sticky note to speak with the students and their parents later, looking up when someone knocked at the door. “Come in.”
The door was pushed open and Sunset peeked her head in. “You wanted to see me Principal Celestia?”
“Ah, Sunset. Please, come in.” Principal Celestia said with a reassuring smile.
“I’m not in trouble am I?” Sunset asked nervously as she walked into the office and sat down.
“No no, of course not. Quite the opposite in fact.” Celestia reached over for some papers and handed them to Sunset.
“What’s this?” Sunset asked as she began reading over them.
“Your disciplinary report written after the Fall Formal.” Sunset cringed at Celestia's words. “You know we’ve reinstated your right to extracurriculars, but I’m glad to inform you that you are now allowed to partake in the Spring Fling this year.”
“Really?” Sunset looked up from the papers for a moment before looking back to them. “This is unexpected. Why did you overturn it?”
“Well, after some consideration, I thought it was fair to allow you to participate after you confessed to sabotaging your competition. Plus, I know you’ve been dealing with Anon-A-Miss the hardest, and thought this might help cheer you up.” Celestia said with a nod. “You can even run for Princess.”
Sunset nodded, a small smile gracing her lips. ‘Sweet! I always loved going to the Fling. Today’s just getting better and bett-’ She stopped in her tracks when she read the next sentence on the paper.
“For her years of delinquency and terrorizing the student body, Sunset Shimmer will not be considered for Valedictorian nor will she be allowed to walk at graduation, regardless of her academic record and achievements."
Sunset stared at the paper, rereading the sentence over and over again. 'No no no no. That's not right. I-Im dreaming. This isn't real.'
Celestia gave Sunset a worried look. "Sunset, is everything alright?
Sunset looked up at Principal Celestia shakily. "I-it says I-I'm not allowed to be V-Valedictorian."
"Sunset, I thought you knew." Celestia's face fell. "You looked this over after the Formal."
"I-I only skimmed it once, I was too depressed to read it in any detail." Sunset held the paper shakily. "Please, I d-don't care about anything else, j-just let me be Valedictorian."
"I'm sorry Sunset." Celestia said sadly. "But this came directly from the school board. They didn't want someone with a… checkered past giving the Valedictorian speech. Said it looked bad to allow a delinquent to have such an honor."
Sunsets dropped the paper and shook violently. "O-oh…" She looked down to hide the tears welling in her eyes. "I understand."
Sunset got up and went toward the door. "Sunset, please wait."
"Thank y-you for allowing me to participate in the Spring Fling." Sunset said on the verge of tears. "I better g-get to first period before the bell rings."
"Sunset-" Celestia was cut off as Sunset practically slammed the door. She gave an annoyed groan. "Great…"
Sunset stood on the other side of the door, willing her body to stop shaking and took deep breaths. 'Don't cry. Not right now. You can cry after school.' sunset thought as she gained her composure.
She heard the bell ring and practically ran down the halls, trying to distract herself from the news she had just learned.
Seriously, what did Fluttershy do?
Great story added to my read list!
Can't help but believe that the school board did that purely for the sake of their image and not for the well being of the teachers and students.
Still, hopefully Derpy and Applejack can help left Sunset's spirits.
What is Valedictorian?
that's a crappy deal Sunset. i wish i could hug her
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Student who graduates with the highest academic marks of their class.
Monday Blues? More like Monday Blues and Grays!
While it's understandable to why Sunset kept her hatred of Fluttershy to Princess Twilight, Princess Twilight, while disappointed, would've understand Sunset’s feelings. Still, it's not good of Sunset to hid that from her.
I figured while Sunset and AJ are now on speaking terms, they still have a lot of work to rebuild their friendship.
And Sunset can't be a Valedictorian due to her past... ouch! Poor Sunny!
Sad, but excellent chapter!
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Ah, thank you.
Now that you mentioned it, I have completely forgotten that their lockers are right next to each other, despite reading that comic a few times.
I bet it was way awkward for the both of them during and after Anon-a-Miss.
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Only time will tell...
Hope Sunset can at least find a friend in Derpy. She's got a knack for lifting those with dreary spirits.
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Plus plenty of schools have bullies and sunset worked to make right her wrongs so what so what makes her different than other kids. The cmcs turned the whole school inside out but they are getting to finish school and get any honors.
Okay, my heart genuinely broke when it read that she wasn’t allowed to be Valedictorian OR walk during graduation. As if Sunset hasn’t been through enough already.
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i.kym-cdn.com/entries/icons/original/000/006/759/both.png
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We all wish we could hug Sunny
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All in due time
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And you’re like the one person who wrote about Diamond and Silvers spat in the comics. I didn’t even know that happened until I actually read the comic, I thought you had completely made the subplot about the necklace up.
Also, their lockers open in opposite directions despite being on the same row. How does that work?
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Most bullies don’t become Valedictorian; and what makes Sunset different is she was a manipulative liar who terrorized the school for years, on top of the fact that she is from another dimension and technically an illegal alien. Plus, the school board doesn’t know she’s trying to turn over a new leaf. All they know is that they’re getting reports that Sunset had been a delinquent for years, it’s not like they’re getting reports of her progress.
Sunsets also being allowed to finish school with Honors.
Poor Sunset, that's devastating
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Diamond and Silver's spat about the necklace actually happened in the comics. The reason why Silver took Diamond's necklace was where I made it up.
For those who don't know, the author was referring to this story of mine:
- Equestria Girls
- Drama
- Sad
- Slice of Life
Apple Bloom, Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo were summoned into Principal Celestia's office so they can explain on how and why they created the infamous MyStable user, "Anon-a-Miss".derpicdn.net/img/2018/2/21/1661669/full.gif
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Well yeah, but at that point I had never seen an Anon fic that even mentioned the necklace. I thought you made every single detail up. I was insanely confused when I actually read them fighting about a necklace for a brief scene in the comic.
Check it out, it’s pretty good. It has its own tv tropes page and everything.
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I remember when I first saw that brief scene of them fighting in a comic, it left that impression on me despite that it didn't effect the overall story of that comic. When I wrote my story at the time, I figured that brief scene with Diamond and Silver is a potential subplot story to explore. So I went with it.
Ah shucks, thanks!
Cause she's the picture of innocence & purity, and seriously, what the buck did she do to you?
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And why don't the school board acknowledge Sunset's efforts to redeemed herself? Especially that she's a big victim of Anon A Miss?
Edited: Oh and, how come they didn't say the same thing about the CMC for creating Anon A Miss?
I have so many questions but not that much regarding the school board's decision if they could acknowledge the well being of students and teachers and consider giving Sunset a chance and being aware of her efforts and struggles to become a better person.
Sunset Shimmer isn't going to be part of the Valedictorian. Damn it.
Just when she needed a breathe the most this happens in a monday. Now I can totally understand Garfield. What could get worse now? And then there's her issue with Fluttershy wich is still a mystery for me (as for everyone likewise).
Hope to see more in the upcoming chapters. Also, regarding the sisters relantionship, I also hope they can ammend at everything - especially Rainbow Dash & Scootaloo; if not, then at least let the girl move on and continue her life without Dash and learning to be strong (for herself).
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Plus the cmcs messed up the school worst than sunset because nobody was was getting into fights left and right when she was in charge. Maybe yes she was a jerk but friendship still existed to a degree. The cmcs destroyed friendship left and right in a quest for petty revenge.
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Might have been better to tell her at home where her family could be there to help her feel better. Trying to hide it will only delay the inevitable
What did shy do? Did she bang flash or something?!
Also calling it now the schools going to learn about this and are all going to band together to force the school board to pick sunset to be the Valedictorian.
Like I can see it now. They pick someone and they turn it down because they want sunset to do it. And they keep going down the list till even someone like Gilda tells em to fuck off
Calling it now.
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Remember, we simply don't know the school board's opinion regarding the CMC, we also need to consider how important that kind of info to the plot itself and how the author can deliver such information to us in the first place. Because... isn't it weird for Celestia to hypothetically tell Sunset that the CMC also can't be Valedictorian out of the blue, right?
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No but except for the usual school privileges they are doing just fine. And considering the possible consequences of their actions were quite severe and sunset may have made people miserable but she never went quite that far.
Does Flutters seem like the type that would sleep around to spite someone? She seems too shy to even start dating on her own.
Violating girl code is pretty bad though, you don’t go after a friends ex.
media.tenor.com/images/236c7335a867e41ae6b8862045b0a7b2/raw
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I’m not sure if wallowing in guilt, having the school hate them, being punished by their families, and having disciplinary action taken against them is doing fine. I haven’t gone into much detail regarding their punishments cause it’s neither important or really has come up, maybe later or something.
I also point out again that the school board doesnt know Sunset is turning over a new leaf, nor would they probably care. All they know is Sunset was a bad kid who spent years blackmailing, terrorizing, and sabotaging her fellow students behind the schools back for years. Even if they did get reports on how she’s changing (which they would neither demand nor read being bureaucrats) it wouldn’t change anything because she was a bad student, and they can’t exactly give the honor of Valedictorian to her in good conscious.
Plus, they have no way of knowing how important being Valedictorian is to Sunset. They may even think she doesn’t care about the position.
Also, parents probably found out about Sunsets actions. We never really saw that in the series, but I’m sure parents knew what she did and probably weren’t happy with her. I’m sure many parents would be livid if Sunset became Valedictorian, especially if their own kid was in line for such an honor.
Oh Sunny. One little bit of joy, followed by a whole bottle of sorrow.
Huh, okay the whole Valedictorian thing was a surprise though I don't understand why Sunset is really surprised by this. I mean did she really think after everything she did prior to her redemption she'd get off without some kind of punishment. I mean even if we ignore the bullying and blackmail which are already serious offenses, she also blew up the entrance to the school and legit tried to take it over. Even if Celestia and Luna managed to bullshit their way into explaining away the magic stuff, the blowing up the entrance thing is still a crazy serious offense on top of all her other offenses.
Not being Valedictorian or even walk during graduation does suck, I'd be angry if I was in that position, but for everything she did Sunset should be happy she can even still go to the school and wasn't arrested. I get after everything she went through especially at this point in the story she's emotionally vulnerable but even so I feel like she'd at least be smart enough and emotionally mature enough to understand the logic behind said decision.
Otherwise the stuff at the beginning was for the most part more of what we expect at this point, Sunset mending the bridge with AJ while still soaking the bridge with Fluttershy in so much napalm all of Vietnam would be impressed.
SunJack flirting is off the charts (Blushing and Yuri comments every chapter now) and Sunset is going emo again.
Seems like Sunset despises Fluttershy on principle. Not even the latter seems to know what she did. Given what Twilight writes, Sunset may have heard something along the lines of "I assume that you have no ill will towards Fluttershy because she was the least hostile ex-friend, so you must forgive and get along with her right now" several times, not considering her very complicated feelings on forgiving anyone and how to move on with her life, and it's caused her to be defiant and insist that that bridge is irreparable.
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One suspects that, given her fragile mental state, such news will reinforce her victim complex.
Oh, Sunset.
What the hell, Principal Celestia!? You expect Sunset to suddenly like you just because Lyra and Bon Bon persuaded you to unban Sunset from the Spring Fling!?
I hope CHS rallies to allow Sunset to be Valedictorian. After saving not just CHS from The Siren Sisters but the entire world that is, she deserves it!
I hate Principal Celestia in this chapter.
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There's plenty of unofficial sequels to Dainns Anon-a-Miss. Though it would be interesting to have one where Sunset doesn't shut the Rainbows out, but Dash nearly getting Sunset killed would be a lot more difficult for reconciliation to happen than what's going on here. Here the original comic has barely been changed.
Would be interesting to have Sunset willing to try to reconcile despite nearly being killed instead of hating the Rainbooms like most sequels to Dainns story.
I don't think it would be great if this one was an unofficial sequel as well, but maybe in the future I'll write something like that. First I need to get through this.
Why would Dainn be reading my dumb story? He seems too famous. Nobody's even seen that guy in like a month.
Also I'm like pretty sure I've read one of your story's before.
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Celestias just the messenger, she wasn’t trying to get Sunset to like her, just informing her if the changes to her punishments. Plus, she thought Sunset knew about her not being considered for Valedictorian.
Don’t shoot the messanger.
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She wa sounished, but I’m not going into detail on what her punishments are in this incarnation. But the punishments only really extended to her Junior year, she hadn’t expected them to follow her into Senior year as well.
Also, like most people, I’m operating on the assumption that the Principals claimed a gas line exploded. If they implicated Sunset in the explosion even without the magic, she would be at best expelled or even arrested. I like to think Twilight urged the Principals to cover for Sunset or otherwise risk a diplomatic incident.
She will, she’s just blindsided by this. She had been looking forward to reading a big Valedictorian speech because it would feel like she had completed her redemption and she won’t be bogged down by the baggage from high school.
Plus she’s been working towards Valedictorian ever since she got here, which at first was in case something happened and she needed something to fall back on.
That’s a lot of napalm.
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Well, does Sunset ever become Valedictorian at all in this story?
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Be kind of a spoiler if I told you wouldn’t it.
But not in this story, she’s a Junior.
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What about in a future story?
Or what about the end of the story, though?
I just feel bad for Sunny.
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The only future story I have planned right now is the Friendship Games with the baggage from this story.
She’ll still be a Junior at the end of this story.
We all do...
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Will Sunset ever go through graduation at all? Or will she always be banned from graduating and being a valedictorian?
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The answer is: yes.
Smooth move, school board. Idiots!
With the restrictions Sunset is requiring in order to spend time with her, I'd honestly just back off for a few weeks until she felt better. Last thing she needs is her "friends" walking on eggshells and getting anxious trying to jump through hoops. If your mood is unpredictable and you're still mad at me it's probably best if we avoid each other until you've stabilized somewhat.
Listen, I never even wanted to show up for graduation. I actually ended up swearing and yelling at my teachers and family. Then I threw my cap and gown in the garbage where I then proceeded to... Well it was the worst day of my school career.
It’s stuff like this, in conjunction with the wip prequel, that makes me worried that the great, terrible, hate inducing thing Shy did to Sunset was just being her best friend, then saying “we’re not friends” or some equally inane sentiment. It would just so utterly petty of Sunset as to be wholly out of character. She has already demonstrated an understanding of the difference between anger and actual hatred, so to hate someone for acting rashly while they’re in fear and pain would be the highest hypocrisy. Fortunately, the writing so far is of a quality that I believe the author understands that, but ive read enough fics where that is the conflict, and seen enough speculation in the prequel’s comments, as to be wary.