After being hit by the Elements Of Harmony, Sunset Shimmer is sent back in time the next day to a week before she went through the portal, and hopes to right some wrongs she has caused among CHS.
Afer being hit by the Elements of Harmony, Sunset Shimmer finally understood just how evil she had been, and wishes for nothing more than to make up for it, and seek out forgiveness as Twilight told her.
The next morning she wakes up a week before she went through the portal to steal the crown, 10 days before the Fall Formal, and decides to try and right some wrongs she has committed among CHS before she leaves for Equestria.
Sunset Shimmer lay on her bed in her apartment, unable to sleep, with tears pouring from her eyes, as the events from hours ago filled her head.
She had planned it for weeks now, she was going to steal the Element of Magic, the most powerful Elements Of Harmony, and use it's power to finally get what she thought she deserved. But when she obtained the Elements Of Magic, and all its magical energy was hers, it ended up being her downfall, as it was turned against her in mere moments, and Twilight, the one who had stopped her had returned home through a now sealed portal.
But that in particular wasn't what was getting to her. upon being drained of her power by the Elements of Harmony, she was shown just how evil she had been at CHS, in a split second everything she ever did there was shown to her in a new light, and she understood just how much misery she had caused over the three years she had been there.
As well as that, something Twilight had told her just wouldn't leave her head, "The magic of friendship doesn't exist just in Equestria, it's everywhere. You can seek it out, or you can forever be alone. The choice is yours."
"I'm sorry Celestia, I'm so, so sorry." she sobbed to herself, "You were right all along, I wouldn't ever listen to you, but everything you tried to teach me, it was all right, and because of that I... I just want to see you again. I just want to say I'm sorry."
She had planned to return with Twilight and face Celestia, but she never got the opportunity to run, and she couldn't ask Twilight to take her back, she tried to kill her, there's no way she would ever help her after that. Now the portal was closed, leaving her alone, with no future in CHS anymore.
Twilight's voice continued to go through her head "...and tonight you've shown everyone who you truly are."
"Give me a chance, let me show you I can change." she said to the voice, not expecting and answer, which didn't come, leaving her in silence, "Please give me a chance." she whispered as she was finally able to close her eyes and drift off to sleep.
The next morning she was woken up by her digital alarm clock.
She begrudgingly turned to it, "Why is that going off, it's Satur-" she cut herself off when she saw that today was apparently a Tuesday, "Stupid thing, it's broken." she groaned as she turned it off and checked her phone, expecting to see a lot of hate-mail for her, only to notice that her phone gave the same date. "Huh, don't tell me this thing is busted as well."
She got up and went over to a small desk with a computer and many papers scattered all over it, sat down, and switched her computer on to see to that that two, was also giving the same date of Tuesday 11th.
"What's going on here?" she looked down at the papers and noticed they were all notes on the Elements Of Harmony, and all the recorded use of them, some true, but many were probably false, and she had no way of knowing which were which, "But... but I ripped these up last night, I threw them in the-" she glanced over at an empty bin "How is this possible."
Then a thought came to her as she quickly started looking through the notes.
"I don't remember reading anything in here about time travel, I've read these over and over again and I've never come across something like this, they can't do this, they can't!" she sat back in her chair and took deep breaths in an attempt to calm herself down.
"Okay, maybe they could, maybe they did, but it was never recorded because there was no way of knowing time travel occurred." she rationalized to herself, "But why me, why do this to me, and if they did do it, why didn't they send me back when they hit me last night?"
She got up and made her way to her small kitchen and made herself a small bowl of cereal to eat, and eventually decided that the only way to really know if she had been sent back in time was to go to CHS, if she was then there wouldn't be a huge hole in the front of the school, and if not then she would come back, its not like she would be wanted around there. So she quickly finished her breakfast, had a quick shower, got dressed and left for school in a hurry.
By the time she reached her final turning point before she could see the school she was almost completely out of breath. She had left later than usual and therefore had to run all the way to make up for lost time, but decided to catch her breath before she got there.
After about a minute she was ready to go, "Here goes nothing." she told herself as she turned the corner. She was frozen in place when she saw the front of the school completely intact, "I've got it, a second chance."
She walked over to the portal and placed her hand on it, proving it was closed as her hand didn't go through it.
"If today really is the eleventh, then this should be open in a week," she smiled dimly, but it didn't last, as it fell when she turned to face the main entrance of the school, "and in ten days is the Fall Formal."
As she slowly approached the entrance, Twilight's voice from 'last night' returned "You can seek forgiveness, or you can forever be alone."
"Thanks Twilight, I guess I owe you one for this."
Sunset walked into school and stood in the main hall, watching as everyone made their way to their homeroom, unsure how today would play out. She watched to see if anyone had noticed her entrance, and how they would react to her. Since she remembers things yet to happen, it was reasonable to assume maybe they did too.
For a while no one did, and she decided to start making her way to her own homeroom, that was until Snips and Snails approached her. "Hey Sunset." Snips began "About yesterday..." Sunset froze in place and her eyes went wide as she heard those words, suddenly fearing the worst for today. "...we know we weren't able to get your name up for the Fall Formal yet, so we're gonna do it now."
Sunset calmed down as she realized she was safe, and turned to see Snips walking towards the message board, about to sign Sunset's name down for the Formal, "A-actually, I won't be running for it this year." she said rather slowly, causing them both to turn to her.
"What?! But you always run, and you always win." Snails asked curiously.
"I know, but I just don't feel like running this year." she replied.
"Why not?" Snips asked, just as curious.
"My reasons are my own, you don't need to worry about it." she replied again.
"It's not like you'd lose you know." Snails said. Their constant questions were starting to annoy her, "Oh you're just joki-" he continued.
"I'M NOT RUNNING THIS YEAR OK!?" she snapped at them, causing them both to back away in fear, she felt like punching herself for that. "Sorry about that," she sighed "spread the word will you. Sunset Shimmer won't be running for princess this year." she said in a less demanding voice, as she continued walking towards her homeroom.
Snips and Snails just looked at each other "What was that about?" Snips asked "And, did she just apologize to us as well??"
"We probably shouldn't question it, you know what she's like when she's mad." Snails replied as they both walked off.
As she opened the door and entered her homeroom, everyone took a quick look at who it was, only to look away as soon as they noticed it was her.
"You're la-" her teacher, Harshwinny began, only to stop when she noticed who it was. "Oh Sunset, please take a seat." there was total silence in the room as she did just that.
The door opened again as Lyra made her way in "Sorry I'm late miss."
"Yes you are late, any reason why?" Harshwhinny asked in an annoyed tone.
Usually these were the best parts of the morning for Sunset, Harshwhinny had quite the temper, as the name would suggest, and watching this would bring a huge smile to her face, but today she just watched with a frown. "My- my mum got caught up in traffic on the way here."
"Then you should have left earlier then shouldn't you." she replied, her tone unchanged, "Take your seat."
Sunset got up and walked towards the exit, already bored of this, as Lyra made sure not to make eye contact with her, "Lyra, we have Miss Cheerilee for math next right?" she asked.
"Um, y-yeah we do." she answered nervously, still looking away.
"Tell her I won't be there. Doesn't matter why, so if she asks, just make something up." she then looked at Harshwhinny, "I'll be going now, if that's okay with you Miss?" she asked, already knowing what the answer would be.
"Of course it's alright," she replied in a much lighter tone, "wouldn't want to cause a problem now would we." she mumbled, just loud enough for the class to hear.
"Thanks Miss." she said as she made her way out and walked towards the library.
When she reached the library she looked around to see it empty, as the librarian Cheerilee was now teaching math. "Good, no one's here." she said as she made her way to the table furthest from view and sat down, resting her head on the table.
"I've got one week of this, one more week as 'queen' of this place, so what do I do with it?" she sighed "One week of seeing just how bad I am. Maybe I should just disappear now, go back home and don't come back til it's open. That would be best."
Sunset just sat there for the whole hour, barely moving, until she heard the bell that signified break, this told her her time of just sitting around was done for now, as she left the quiet library, and into the loud the corridors.
As she made her way to her locker, she did her best to not look at anyone, knowing exactly what she would see, and she did just that, until unexpectedly, someone actually called her.
"Hey Sunset!" she looked up to see it was Trixie of all people. "Hi... Trixie was just wondering, is the recent rumour about you true?"
Sunset quickly scanned over her, despite her trying to hide it, it was clear that Trixie was nervous about this, "What rumour?"
Trixie showed her her phone with a message on it, "This one. Apparently you're not running this year, is that true?"
Sunset Shimmer won't be running for princess of the Fall Formal this year, spread the word. Snips+Snails.
"It seemed to come directly from them so, Trixie would believe it's true but, I just wanted to know from you." she said, partly expecting Shimmer to blow up at her.
"Yep, it's true," everyone in the corridor began talking to one another, "so if you want to run for it, go ahead. I won't try and stop you." she said as she continued walking.
"Wait, real-" Trixie was cut off by the bell, her surprised face turned to a rather smug one, as she walked to her next lesson, "That's good to know."
By the time lunch came around, Sunset was rather bored of everything, she had had enough of sitting around doing nothing but staring out a window for two hours.
She then noticed Snips and Snails approach and sit down next to her, "We're pretty sure near enough the whole school knows now, you know about you not running for princess." Snips said.
Snails noticed the rather gloomy face Sunset had, something neither of them had ever seen from her before, "Are you ok?"
"You two... you ever feel like changing things around here?" she replied.
"Changing things, what do you mean by that?" Snails asked.
"You know, like the way we do things around here."
"Not really, I like things the way they are." Snips replied.
"Me to, this is our school, why would we want it any different?" Snails answered.
"That's what I was afraid you'd say." she mumbled as she got up, "I'm going home now, see you two tom... I recommend you both stay away from me from now on." she told them as she walked off, only for them to follow behind.
"Wait, what do you mean, did we do something?" one of them asked.
"You're the one who asked us to spread the word about you not running." the other said as they all left the cafeteria.
"You three are pathetic!" a third voice said, catching Sunset's attention, she looked left to see Diamond Tiara, Silver Spoon and the three crusaders, the former being the one who spoke.
"Will you two just leave us alone already?" Scootaloo replied to her.
"Why? What are you gonna do?" Diamond asked. something about her was making Sunset very angry, but she couldn't quite pinpoint what.
"Well, what are you gonna do? Because last I checked you can't do anything to us." Tiara laughed, Silver noticed Sunset and whispered something in Diamond's ear, causing her smug smile to grow even bigger.
Sunset finally realized what was making her so angry, Diamond Tiara was just like her, a snob who spoke down to those around her without a care in the world, and that realization sent her over the edge as she walked towards them with a newfound fire in her eye.
"Well we'll..." Sweetie began, but froze as soon she saw who was approaching.
"Oh, what was that? I didn't quite hear you."
"Shut up kid." Tiara turned around to see Shimmer's gaze fixated on her, not the three opposite her.
"Wait... are you talking to me?" she asked as a cold shiver went down her spine.
"I said shut up! And leave them alone from now on." Shimmer answered, still glaring down at her.
"Is she... sticking up for us?"
"I... I thinks so."
"Shut up will you, don't make her any angrier than she already is."
"You're just joki-" Diamond began, but was immediately silenced by Sunset.
"I SAID SHUT IT!" they both froze on the spot, "Now let me make somethings clear for you. One, I'm in a bad mood right now, two, I can't be bothered to listen to anything you may have to say, three, your pathetic laughing is giving me a headache, and fourth, I really don't like you in particular, you rich little daddys girl. So unless you want to pay the nurse a visit, you'll do us all a favour and listen. NOW GET LOST!!!!"
They did just that, leaving the crusaders paralysed in place as Sunset tried to calm herself down, she then turned to them, "You three okay?"
Scootaloo gave Applebloom a slight push, "Hey... Um, yeah we're okay," Bloom answered, unsure herself as to what just happened, "thanks for that."
Sunset just sighed to herself and looked at the floor, "I shouldn't have done that." she groaned before looking back at them "I never really liked her anyway so, if she causes you anymore trouble... just let me know." she said, unsure how they would take that.
"S-sure we will," Scootaloo replied rather quickly, "but we gotta get going now, see you."
The three crusaders hurried away. "You okay?" Snips asked.
"I'm okay," Sunset had almost forgotten they were there, "I'm going home, remember what I said to you two." she said as she walked off.
Sunset sat at her desk at home, with many crumpled up pieces of paper thrown around the room, reading from the one undamaged piece in front of her.
Dear Princess Celestia. I am writing to you to tell you that you were right, and ever I am writing to you to let you know that I finally what you were always trying to tell me After so long, I finally realized how much I need you and how much i miss you I'm so sorry for what I've done
"No. No. No! No! NO!! That won't do either!" she crumpled up that piece and threw it among the others. "Why can't I just write SOMETHING! ANYTHING! She'll listen, she always did. So why can't I just tell her what I want to tell her?"
She wiped the tears from her eyes and went over to lay on her bed, burying her face in her pillow. "I'm a pathetic disappointment to everything you and your teachings stand for, and who doesn't deserve any forgiveness from anyone, and who didn't even deserve your kindness to begin with!" she slammed her fist into the wall next to her. "There, I just said it, so why can't I just write it?"
Her alarm went off, signalling it was time for school, forcing her to calm herself down, and gather her things. "I'll think of something. I have to." she grabbed her bag and left out the door.
Applebloom's homeroom was rich with conversation as she walked in, and was greeted first by a bunch of eyes turning and staring at her, and then by Sweetie as she sat down.
"Hey Bloom, you ok?" she asked.
Bloom looked for a sec, noticing that the stares hadn't gone away. "Uh... Yeah, I'm fine," she said as she leaned in close and whispered into Sweetie's ear, "What's with the stares?"
"Well it's about-"
"Can you tell us what happened?" Featherweight interrupted, "You know, about what happened yesterday?"
"Oh, you know about that?" Bloom asked.
"Are you kidding?" he answered, looking slightly shocked, "Sunset Shimmer not only sticks up for you three, three of her easiest targets, but defends you from her personal favourite troublemaker, the whole school knows about it!"
"Really?"
"Of course, even if that isn't what happened, it was right outside the cafeteria, so everyone knows something went on with her," Just then Scootaloo walked in, "Maybe she'll give us an answer," he walked over to her, and asked her about it.
Scootaloo's face turned into one of the biggest grins she had ever pulled. "Well you see, what happened was Diamond and Spoon were being their usual jerk selfs, but then Sunset came over and was like..." she told the class about yesterday as she walked over to the other two.
"I knew she'd do this," Sweetie sighed as she slammed her head on the table, "this is why I didn't tell them any deails about it."
"Wait, what is she gonna do exactly?" Bloom asked, confused.
"She's gonna blow this whole thing out of proportion," she replied, looking back up, "Sunset helps us once, and now she's gonna-"
Scootaloo put her arms around Sweetie and Applebloom, "...then the two of em ran off terrified, we were trying not to laugh, right girls?"
Applebloom glanced over at Sweetie, not wanting to answer, I think I see what you mean, and if I recall all five of us were terrified out of our minds. "Sure. What she said."
"Chocolate?" Scootaloo opened her bag to reveal tons of sweets and chocolate bars.
"Where did us you get all those?" Sweetie asked.
"They were given to me by a bunch of people, don't know why, but I didn't complain. Now, d'you want some?"
"Why would they...?" Sweetie turned to Featherweight, "When you say the whole school knows, what exactly do they know?"
"They know that you three are Sunset's new favourites," Snails told them as he walked in.
"New favourites, are yall sure about that?"
"Well that's what people are saying, and I don't wanna argue with that." Scoots smiled, "Isn't it great? No more Diamond Tiara!"
"I guess. Speaking of her, where is she?" Bloom asked, looking around.
"She won't be in today," Miss Cheerliee walked in, "Her father phoned up the school, apparently she's a bit ill today."
"HA yeah right!" Scoots shouted, "She's just too embarrassed to come in."
"Scoots, I think you're over doing it," Sweetie said, not wanting her to cause any trouble.
"Oh come on-" she was cut off by the bell, as everyone got up to go, "Oh shoot. I forgot, I gotta go help the sports team, first period! Talk to you later." she reminded herself as she rushed out the door and down the hallway.
Sweetie shook her head, "Shimmer is so gonna kill for this, isn't she?" she mumbled. "I'll admit, it will be nice to not have to worry about Tiara anymore but, I'm really not sure what to think of this," Sweetie said as she and Applebloom walked out.
"Me neither, but what can you do?" she replied as they made their way to class.
Break time had come around, the three crusaders met up outside for the second time that day.
"Hey you two, turns out the sports team needed a bit more help, so i missed second," Scootaloo said.
"Are you sure about that Bloom, cus I don't like it?" Sweetie said, ignoring Scoots completely.
"Did I miss something?" Scoots asked, not receiving an answer.
"It ain't gonna be any trouble or nothing, we'll just find her, tell her, and be on our way," Bloom replied.
"What are you two on about?"
"Ugghh. Take a listen to this. You won't believe what she wants us to do." Sweetie said. Scootaloo looked over at Applebloom, tilting her head slightly.
"I reckon we should go talk to Sunset."
Scootaloo's eyes widened, not sure what to think, "Wai- You wan- Why?"
"About yesterday, why else?"
"Well, I guessed that, but, why?"
"Cus she's got rid of a problem we've had for so long now, I just wanna say thanks."
"This is a bad idea..." Sweetie mumbled.
"I guess you have a point but, I'm not convinced," Scoots replied, "I mean, I'm happy with the whole, respected around school thing, and, we'd have to talk to her about is sometime, but talking to her now? No way! I say that waits till maybe next week, I mean she was crazy angry yesterday, and she didn't exactly seem talkative earlier."
"Earlier?" Sweetie asked.
"I saw her when I left homeroom, she seemed, kinda, I'm not sure how to say it, but it wasn't good."
"Did she say anything to you?" Sweetie asked.
"Well I tried to talk to her, but she just said she "didn't feel like explaining anything" and that she was going to the library."
Applebloom immediately got up, "Well then I'm off to the library, yall coming?"
Sweetie and Scoots glanced at each other, before both replying with a less than happy "Fine, let's go."
Sunset sat in the library, just as she had yesterday, but with no intention to leave it until lunch. She just wanted some space to think, and as long as no one disturbed her, she would be fine.
"What is the point?" she asked herself. "Why am I still here? Why don't I just... Just stay home until the portal opens? That would be best for everyone, right?"
"Hey... Sunset, you ok?" she turned around to see her two lapdogs, Snips and Snails.
"I thought I told you to stay away from me from now on," she replied, a harsh tone in her voice.
"W-We know, we just..." Snails began.
"We were wondering if you were ok, we haven't seen you all day," Snips finished.
Don't lie to me. "Oh, well, I'm fine, so you can go now."
"Well, if everything's fine, d'you wanna to go set off a stink bomb somewhere, or do something like that?"
"No thanks, I'm fine," she replied weakly.
"Oh come on, it'll be fun," Snips said with a smile.
Oh will you two just leave me alone! "No. Thanks. I'm. Fine."
"What's wrong with you!" Snails asked annoyed.
Will you two just shut up.
"First you drop out of the Fall formal."
For reasons you could never comprehend. Now go away!
"Then you stick up for a bunch of losers."
She deserved it, and you're going the same way.
"And now you're just sitting in here doi-"
Snails was cut off as Sunset grabbed him, and lifted him off the ground, as her anger got the best of her.
"Will you just SHUT UP! I've had enough of your pathetic dribble, I don't know how I put up with it for so long, but I'm finally sick of it!"
"Sunset, ca-"
"Shut up, JUST SHUT UP! WHAT DON'T YOU TWO UNDERSTAND ABOUT LEAVE ME ALONE? WHY IS THAT SO HARD TO UNDERSTAND?" she let Snails go, "GET OUT OF MY SIGHT, I DON'T CARE WHERE YOU GO, OR WHAT YOU DO, JUST LEAVE ME ALONE!!!"
They both did so in a panic, as Sunset sat back down and set her head on the desk, crying at her own actions.
After a few moments, she heard footsteps approach. "Um. Sunset?"
She stood up, and swung her fist behind her, "I SAID GO AWA-" she stopped herself when she realized the Crusaders were only centimetres away from her punch. "S-Sorry, thought you were someone else," she sighed and sat herself back down.
"I knew this was a bad idea, come on, let's get outa here," Sweetie said worriedly.
"Yeah Bloom, maybe this wasn't a good idea after all," Scootaloo added.
"Are you... crying?" Applebloom asked.
"Just leave me alone! For your own good, just stay away from me!"
"We just, wanna tell you something." Applebloom replied nervously, "It won't take long!"
"Make it quick."
"Well we, we all just wanted to, to say..." Bloom began, as Sunset turned just enough to see her out of one eye, "We just wanted to say thanks is all."
"What did..? What for?" she lifted her head up, and turned to them, her tears still fresh.
"For what you did yesterday, You got rid of a problem we've had since forever, you know, with Diamond," Sweetie added.
Sunset felt something go through her, something she had never felt before. "You're... I helped you, really?"
"Yep, we just thought we had to say thanks," Scoots added, "So, thanks Sunset."
"We'll be going now, you said you wanted to be alone so, see ya round." Bloom said, as the three of them turned and headed for the door.
The magic of friendship is everywhere, you just have to find it. "Wait a sec!" Sunset called out, as the three girls turned around. "If there's anything I can help with, anything at all, just ask, ok?"
The three of them talked amongst themselves for a sec, untill Applebloom looked back at her, "Sure thing, and thanks again!" she said as they left.
Sunset sat back down, "I... Have I done it, Have I found it? Is this what friendship feels like, Twilight?" Then for the first time in so long, she couldn't help but smile.
The three crusaders left the library, and after making some distance from the door, they stopped and turned to one another.
"That went, better than I expected it to." Sweetie started.
Sootaloo nodded in response, "I knew it was a good idea. Nice one Applebloom." she swung her arm around Bloom, "Guess we really are her new favourites after all."
"I guess. Yall think she's ok? I've never seen her cry before." Appleboom asked, removing Scoots arm from her shoulder.
"Me neither." Sweetie replied, "I'm sure she'll be fine though, it's not like someone's gonna cause her trouble."
"What were you three doing in the library?" the three girls turned to see Pinkie smiling at them, "Oh, actually, is there any space in there? I've got homework due in in like, three minutes." she asked, making her way to the doors.
"Oh, hi Pinkie, actually you may not wanna go in there." Scoots said, remembering how Sunset almost punched her in the face moments ago.
"Why not," she laughed, turning her head to face them for a second, "what have you three done now?" just then the school bell went off, signalling the end of break. "Actually make that two minutes." she turned back and was about to push the door open, only to see it already was, and Sunset was in the door way. "Now I gotta get this do-. Oh, uh, hi Sunset." she quickly moved out the way, and noticed the smile on her face. "You're looking... happy."
"Never been better Pinkie." She replied calmly as she walked past, only to stop at the crusaders. "Thanks girls, I really owe you one." she said as she walked off.
"See, I told you she'd be fine." Scoots said, "Now we should get to class." the two nodded.
Pinkie poked her head into the library, "Wait, there's no one in... Were you talking to her?" she asked, pulling her head back.
"Yep. Now we gotta go, see you later." Sweetie said as the three of them hurried off.
"So the rumours are true after all." she said to herself as she hurried in to do her work.
Sunset was walking though the corridors, heading to her class, with the same smile she gave Pinkie, a new fire burning within her.
I've done it, I've really done it! I did something good, something that helped someone, helped three people, and it was so easy, so simple. Is this what Celestia was trying to teach me all alo- her thoughts were cut short when she bumped into someone, bringing them both to the ground. "Oh, sorry about that, I wasn't looking where I-"
"Please don't hurt me Sunset, I'm sorry I got in the way I'll move now, I'm so so sorry!" Sunset rubbed her head and looked up from the floor to see a terrified Fluttershy shaking behind one of her books.
"It's ok, I'm fine." Sunset said as she got up, and helped Fluttershy to her feet. "You ok?" she asked, expecting her to run off right now. Fluttershy just nodded, still trembling, and avoiding all eye contact with Sunset. Is this really what I do to her? I need to say something. "Well, sorry about that. Guess I'm just a bit, reckless today." she joked, trying to lighten the mood.
"Oh no, d-don't blame yourself, I was... I was in the way. It's not your fault." Shy replied, backing away slowly. "I'm sorry for wasting your time. I'll just, just go now."
For a brief moment, they made eye contact, and Sunset saw all the fear and pain in her eyes, pain she had personally caused her. This was the one who had it the worst out of everyone here, and Sunset just tried to joke with her like nothing.
She took a step closer to Shy, "Fluttershy, I'm so sor-" before she could finish, Fluttershy was already on the other end of the corridor, she had started running as soon as Shimmer stepped forward. I'm so sorry for everything.
Applebloom and Applejack arrived home from school, and made their way into the living room. Strangly, Applejack had been near enough silent on their way home, despite Appleblooms many attempts to start a conversation.
"Alright! What's wrong with you? You've barley said a darn thing to me." Bloom got no answer, "Come on Applejack, did something happen today? Did I do something?"
"Applebloom, can I ask you something?" AJ said, breaking her silence.
"Finally! Sure, go ahead."
"Were you talking to Sunset at break today?"
Applebloom felt slightly worried, "Um, well you see I-"
Applejack pulled her phone out and opened a text. "Please tell me this ain't true." she showed Applebloom the text.
AJ, I'm afraid the rumours were true, Applebloom and her two friends were talking to Sunset in the library at break. PP.
"Please tell me she's lying to me sis." Applejack said with a scared tone in her voice.
"She ain't lying, we did talk to her earlier." Bloom answered, as she looked down at the floor.
"Why?" AJ asked, "Why would yall get involved with her?"
"We just wanted to say thanks, thanks for getting Tiara and Spoon off our backs. Thats all I swear." she answered, taking a seat and removing her bag.
"Applebloom you and I both know that she ain't nothing but trouble. Yall should stay away from her if you know what's best for you!" Applejacks voice turned more demanding.
"I know, but she-"
"She ain't worth the trouble! Sure she can keep them two off ya, but she'll send em right back in an instant and you know it!"
"Something was different about her today." Bloom replied.
"How so?" Applejack asked, taking a seat next to her sister.
If there's anything I can help with, anything at all, just ask, ok?
"She said she'd help us If I needed it." Bloom answered.
"That's a lie and you know it. You can't trust her, ok?" Applebloom didn't answer, "Ok?"
"Alright, I won't get involved wih her, you're probably right anyway, you always are." Applebloom got up and made her way out of the room, only to stop in the doorway. "Have you ever seen her cry before?" she mumbled.
"What did you say?" Applejack turned to her, not quite hearing her.
"N-nothing, later sis." Applebloom darted upstairs, and into her room.
Sunset lay on her bed, questioning what to do with herself until the portal opens.
"What do I do?" she asked herself, "Do I stay or go? Is there really anything I could fix?"
We just wanted to say thanks is all. The crusaders words came to her, a reminder that she had done something to help.
"There is! There is and I know it, I did it once and I'll do it again." she answered herself, sure that she could do something.
The look in Fluttershys eyes came back to her as well, a reminder of all she had done. "Oh who am I kidding, I can't do anything about it, I've done to much to fix it all before the portal opens." she sighed, "Just wait till Tuesday, and leave." She sighed again, "Is it even worth it in the first place? Why am I even bothering, I'm leaving for Equestria anyway, so what's the point in trying to make something here?"
The crusaders words came back again, Yep, we just wanted to say thanks. So thanks Sunset. she felt the same warmth from earlier, and with it, came a spark of determination. It was then she came to a decision.
"One more day. One more chance tomorrow." she went over to her desk and looked at her timetable for tomorrow, before getting a few pieces of paper from her desk, and writing names on them, the names of everyone she had class with tomorrow. She then stuck each piece to her wall.
She grabbed a dart from the clutter underneath her bed. Tomorrow I'll help whoever this is nearest to, somehow. If not, then I give up. she closed her eyes and threw the dart at the papers on the wall. She walked towards the wall and opened her eyes. She was horrified at the result.
Sunset walked into the school with a rather annoyed look on her face, causing everyone to keep their distance more than usual.
Why did it have to be her? Out of everyone on that wall, it had to land on her. She looked around the entrance hall, seeing if she could catch Trixie before she went to homeroom. How am I ever gonna get through to her?
She noticed Trixies face on a poster on the message board, she approached the poster and read it to herself.
Come one, come all, The Great And Powerful Trixie requests your assistance.
She just shook her head, and continued reading.
The Great And Powerful Trixie is running to be your Fall Formal Princess, and while my victory is all but assured,
You told me the same thing two years ago, and how did that end again?
your assistance would be greatly appreciated. If you would like to assist, come to room C3 at homeroom.
"Guess I'll see you in a minute then." she said as she walked off towards the aforementioned room.
Trixie sat in C3, waiting to see if anymore people would show, so far Snips, Snails, Pinkie and Rarity had showed up to help.
"Is this really everyone? I expected more." Rarity said.
"Give them time, they'll come. I mean why wouldn't they?" Trixie replied. "Everyone knows Sunset isn't running this year, I even asked her, so she wouldn't-"
"I wouldn't what?" everyone turned to see Sunset enter the room, Snips and Snails looked at each other and nodded.
"Um, look, Trixie, we'd love to help but..." Snails said, avoiding all eye contact with Sunset, "...we, we just remembered we've got, plans right now. So we're gonna have to go."
"What kind of plans?" Trixie asked.
"Well, we, we need to-"
"Oh whatever it is this is clearly more important, otherwise you wouldn't have come here." they sat back down as Trixie looked over at Sunset, still in the doorway. "Hi Sunset, Trixie wasn't expecting to see you." Sunset walked in and took a seat between Pinkie and Rarity. "I mean, you said you weren't running, and you even said that if Trixie wanted to, she could run instead."
"I know I said that, but I'm here because I saw the poster." Sunset replied.
"Wait, you mean, you-"
"Yep, I wanna help out. So what's the plan?" Sunset asked.
"Oh you don't need to help us with this, it'll just waste your time." Trixie replied.
"Well, I'm staying." she said leaning back in her chair, a clear sign she wasn't leaving anytime soon.
"You, your serious?" Sunset nodded, "Well ok then." Trixie looked at everyones faces, none seemed too happy about this, but there was no arguing with Sunset. "We were just waiting to see if anyone else would show up, but I guess this is it, so if no one has anything to say-."
"Ooh, I do I do, mememe!" Pinkie swung her arm in the air, "What's the point in winning peoples votes if no one is going against you?" she asked, tilting her head.
"Trixie needs to be ready for any competition. Just because no one else is running now doesn't mean no one will. Anyone else?"
No one said anything, "Ok. So, The Great And Powerfull Trixie would like you to help he-"
"I'm sure we all know that dear, just tell us how we can help." Rarity said, much to Trixies dismay.
"Right now all I really have are just a bunch of posters for you to put up around school today." she pointed over to a massive pile of posters on the front desk. "Trixie thought she would come up with something but, she hasn't."
The bell went, meaning their little meeting was over, and everyone got up and ready to leave. Sunset was about to ask Trixie if she could talk to her for a minute, if not for her being the first out the room, so she instead turned to Snips and Snails.
"Hey, you two." she didn't get an answer, "I just wanna say I'm sorry for yesterday, I went to far and I never should have lost it like that. I'm sorry." she immediately walked out instead of waiting for a response.
Rarity and Pinkie just looked at each other, while the other two just put some posters in their bag to put up later.
"So she was right." Rarity mumbled.
"Who with what now?" Pinkie asked.
"Nothing, I should get to class." she said as she got up and left in a rush.
"Aaww come on!" Pinkie turned to the two at the front, "Sunset seemed a bit different today, you two know why?"
They both just shrugged "No idea, she was extremely mad yesterday, and now she's the complete opposite." Snips said.
"Mad? She seemed happy yeterday, I've never seen her smile like that before." they both looked at her, "Oh well, class time, see you two later." she waved goodbye as she too, left the room.
When break came around, Sunset returned to C3 to grab some posters to put around school, it was better than doing nothing, and at least this way she wasn't just sitting around doing nothing. She walked in to find Trixie sitting on her own, writing something.
I guess now's a good time. "Hey Trixie, you ok?"
Trixie quickly looked up, "Ohwha, oh hi Sunset, the... the posters are over there if you wanna take some," she said in a rather nervous tone.
Here goes nothing. "You ok, you don't seem yourself?" she asked.
"Trixie's fine, you don't need to bother with her." she said, her tone unchanged.
Sunset sighed, and sat next to her, "You don't have to be scared, I'm not gonna do anything."
"Trixie isn-" she began quickly.
"Yeah you are, I've seen it all before."
Trixie laughed, and put on a clearly fake smile, "Trixie doesn't get scared, Sunset."
"Then why is your hand shaking?" Trixie quickly moved her hand out of view, "Anyway, what are you doing here?"
"Oh, Trixie's just trying to come up with ideas to try and win votes, thats all."
Sunset looked down at the blank piece of paper in front of Trixie, "No ideas so far?"
"Well, no." Sunset noticed her nervousness was slowly beginning to die down, "But Trixie will come up with something, don't worry."
This is a bad idea. "How about a magic show? You did one two years ago." Sunset asked.
Trixie sighed and set her head down on the desk, "Yes I did, but it didn't go well. Why do you think Trixie hasn't done one since?"
"Well, actually, about that." she mumbled, Trixie looked up at her, "I... Nevermind, can we talk at lunch? I should probably start putting those posters up." she asked, getting up and walking to the front desk.
"Sure. There's not many of them left though, Pinkie took over half the pile." Sunset laughed lightly, "Wait, we have class together next, right?" Trixie asked, getting up herself.
"Yep. Maths with Cranky, can't wait to be bored out of my mind." she joked, bringing a smile to Trixies face.
"Can you tell him Trixie won't be there, I'd like to just, stay here with this for now."
"Sure, you need any help, just ask." Sunset walked out with a pile of posters and and a stapler.
"Wait, one more thing," Sunset turned back around, "Trixie knows she asked this before but, why aren't you running?" she asked.
"I'll tell you later." Sunset walked off.
This is turning out to be easier than I thought it would be.
The three crusaders sat outside on a bench, enjoying some of the sweets from Scootaloos bag that were given to her yesterday. "Wait, have you been given even more?" Sweetie asked, looking down at the large pile on the table in front of them.
Scoots laughed softly, "Yep, got these earlier."
"You know it ain't right to take advantage of people like this, right?" Bloom asked rather dimly.
"It's not like I asked them to give me these, they just did." Scoots replied, rather defensively.
"Right, and that's really all that different." She said, rolling her eyes.
"What's wrong Applebloom? You've been like this all morning." Sweetie asked.
"It's just, something AJ told me yesterday is all."
"Oh, what did she say?" Scoots asked, putting down the sweet in her hand.
"Well, do yall really think we can trust her? Sunset I mean." she asked, not getting an answer. "I mean she ain't the most trustworthy person here."
"Well yeah, but, she helped us out and, well you saw her yesterday, she was a wreck." Sweetie replied, not completely convinced herself.
"AJ's convinced we can't, and she's almost never wrong when it comes to trust issues."
"Almost?" Scootaloo asked, "She's been wrong before?"
"Yeah, with Rainbow Dash It was the only time she was wrong to trust someone, she never did tell me what happened though."
"Well, actually Rarity wasn't convinced either when I told her yesterday." Sweetie said. "Maybe she's right." she looked over to Scootaloo, "What does Dash think about this?"
"I um, I actually haven't talked to her about it yet." she replied nervously. "I was gonna bring it up yesterday when I was helping her move some stuff, but I kinda chickened out."
"Why? Isn't she like a sister to you?" Sweetie asked.
"Well yeah, we're super close, but," she sighed "yesterday she seemed... off. I just put it down to her having a bad morning, but..."
"You think it's cus of Sunset?" Scoots nodded. "Maybe you just need to talk to her about it, I'm sure she'll listen to you." Sweetie said, trying to lift both her friends spirits.
"I hope so."
Sweetie didn't know what she could say, but she had to try something. "I know she will." she said inconvincibly as she forced a smile and picked up one of the sweets, "Now how about we have some of this before class?"
Scoots got up, sweeping most of the pile back into her bag. "Go ahead, I'm not hungry." she said gloomily.
"Wait, where'er ya going?" Applebloom asked.
"Toilet, see you two in class." she replied as she made her way into the school building.
Sunset walked through the school, posters and wall-stapler in hand, looking for a place to set them up. Pinkie had done a more than good enough job of putting them around, as the corridors were full of them.
Why did I say that? I'll tell you later. What am I gonna say? she looked around the corridor, looking for any free space for a poster, wanting an excuse to change the subject, if only for a moment. Okay, the truth is I'm from the future, and I tried to take over a different world using some evil demonic powers? Yeah like that'll work.
"There's gotta be somewhere here I can put these up." she said, still looking for an empty space, "Glad there's no one else here, explaining this to everyone wouldn't- Oh who am I kidding, they probably wouldn't even question it."
"Won't question what?" Sunset was startled as she turned around to see Pinkie. "Oh, sorry, were you thinking out loud? I do that a lot." she continued with a smile.
Wait, is she really talking to me? Sunset scanned her body language quickly, She doesn't seem nervous at all, why? "I, yeah, sorry, what do you want?" she finally responded with a light smile.
"Well since we're both helping Trixie out, I was wondering if you wanted help with those." Pinkie said, her own smile still standing strong.
"No thanks, I'm o-"
"Oh, how about I just do em all for you?" she interrupted, "I mean I can imagine that you don't wanna waste your time with boring posters."
You just don't want my help, do you? "Sure, here you go." Sunset handed the posters and stapler to Pinkie, "Let me know if-" she sighed as she turned away, "You know what, never mind."
As Sunset walked off Pinkie let out a relieving sigh. There's definitely something off with her, but what? she shrugged, "Oh well, I'll ask her tomorrow." she told herself as she turned around and hopped her way down the corridor.
Lunch had come around, and Scootaloo looked around the cafeteria for Rainbow, knowing she had to speak to her about the last few days. She noticed her and the members of the schools top team, the Wonderbolts, sitting together. Slowly, she approached them.
Just be honest with her, and everything will be fine. as she approached, some on the table took notice of her, the reaction seemed to be a bitless than positive. "Hey Dash," Rainbow looked up, but didn't turn to face her, "can we talk?" she asked nervously.
"Sure squirt, take a seat." she replied, moving the seat next to her out.
"Well, could we talk outside, it's important."
Dash finally turned to her, and noticed Scoots was rather worried, and immediately changed her tone. "Oh, um, you guys cool with that?" the others at the table nodded, and Dash got up and headed out the cafeteria with Scootaloo. "So what is it, you ok?"
"Yeah, It's about Sunset." she said, still nervous.
"She's not worth it kid." Dash's tone immediately turned much more assertive, "Don't get involved with her, it's the last thing you wanna do."
"I know but..." Scootaloo began.
"I get that she helped you, but she'll just use you up and throw you away."
"Well, I spoke to her yesterday." She began again.
"You did WHAT!" she yelled.
"She said she would help me out if I ever-"
"And you BELIEVED her?" Scoots nooded, "Why would you even speak to her?"
"Applebloom said she-" she mumbled.
"Oh of course it was the apple!" Dash interrupted. "Listen, you wanna be careful around her. You got me?"
"Applebloom? Why?"
"Well if she's getting involved with Shimmer, you already know." Dash replied, walking up to the cafeteria doors.
"But she's my best friend, we don't need to be careful around each other." Scoots told her, as Dash swung around.
"I thought the same thing kid. AJ and I were awesome together," her hand slowly clenhed itself into a fist, "and then she decides she doesn't need me anymore and throws me away."
"What even happened between you two?" Scoots asked.
"Doesn't matter." Dash opened the cafeteria doors, "Just don't forget what I said. Stay. Away. From Shimmer." she walked back into the cafeteria, leaving Scootaloo alone.
Sunset walked into room C3 for the third time that day, as Trixie sat waiting for her. Here we go. Sunset took a deep breath. "Waiting long?" she asked, gaining Trixies attention.
Trixie quickly shook her bored expression away. "No, you're fine. So what is it?" Trixie asked as Sunset took a seat next to her.
Sunset had to choose her words carefully, she knew what she wanted to say, but wasn't sure how to say it. "Have you, thought of any ideas yet?"
Trixie shook her head, "No, guess Trixie just isn't in a thinking mood right now." she glanced at Sunset, who didn't even look like she was listening. "Have you?"
At least she doesn't seem nervous anymore. "No, just curious." she said weakly.
"So what is it you wanted to talk to Trixie about?" she turned around, placing her back towards Sunset. "And it better be important, Trixie's hungry."
Sunset rolled her eyes, "It's about putting on a magic show to help get some votes." Trixie didn't answer, "Or, more specifically, your show two years ago." she continued.
"What about it?" Trixie replied, in an annoyed tone.
"You said everything went wrong, right?" Trixie nodded, "What if I told you I did all that?"
Trixie turned herself around, "You, wait, what?" she asked puzzled.
"You practised for weeks, and when the day came, nothing went right. It's cus I set you up." Sunset answered, slouching down on the table.
"You, you set Trixie up!?" she asked, as a sudden anger grew in her voice.
Sunset just nodded, "I was backstage, watching the whole thing, I'm sorry Trixie."
Trixie slammed her fist down on the table, "YOU TURNED TRIXIE INTO A LAUGHING STOCK!"
"I know, I'm sorry," was all Sunset mumbled.
"SORRY? IS ALL YOU'RE GONNA SAY!?" she yelled, Sunset didn't move, let alone answer. "HOW ABOUT TELLING TRIXIE WHY YOU DID IT, HUH!"
"I needed to get you out the way."
"WHAT IS THAT SUPPOSED TO MEAN!?"
"You know the Fall Formal that year, a few months earlier?"
Trixie took a breath, attempting to calm herself down, "When you locked Trixie in a supply closet all night? Yes."
"Do you know why I did that?" Trixie shook her head, "It was because I realized you were a threat to me."
"How was I a threat to you?" she asked as she sat herself back down.
"You were always braging about how you were gonna beat me, I found the whole thing laughable." Sunset began, "I mean that's all you ever do. You brag, but you can't back it up."
Sunset finally raised her head off of the table, and saw Trixie was getting angry again. "What's your point?"
"I was wrong," Trixies face suddenly turned to one of surprise, "I realized it too late, and I had to do something about you."
"What are you trying to tell Trixie?"
"On the night of the Formal, I locked you in that closet because I knew you were gonna win, and I was right."
Trixie was hit with the realization of what Sunset was saying, "Wait, you're saying..."
"You had more votes than me, but since you didn't turn up, I won by default." Sunset told her calmly, as Trixie slowly pieced everything together, "You beat me Trixie, fair and square."
"I, I beat you?" Trixie asked in amazement.
"Yep, so when you were putting on that show, I had to... take care of you." she stood up, "I'm sorry Trixie, you're a great magician, and you didn't deserve what I put you through." she said as she walked to the door.
Trixie got up as well, "Wait! You told Trixie you would tell her why you aren't running, is this why?" she asked.
"I'm leaving Trixie, I won't be here for the Formal, but I'll help you win anyway I can while I'm here." she said calmly.
"Wait a minute!" Sunset had already walked out, leaving Trixie alone with her thoughts.
When Sunset got back home she looked over at the wall covered in paper, with the dart she threw still there.
"Guess I'm gonna be sticking around a bit longer." she sighed, "Well, who's next?" she asked herself as she walked over to her desk.
She did the same thing she did yesterday, compile all the names of those she would see tomorrow, pulled down the old pieces on the wall, as well as the dart, and pinned the new ones up. Finally, she threw the dart at the wall, and looked at the name it landed on.
Scootaloo walked into her homeroom, and was greeted, as per usual, by her two friends. "Morning Scoots, yall okay?" Bloom asked.
"Fine, you two?" she replied.
"We're fine." Sweetie began with a grin, "This is gonna be great."
Scootaloo looked over at Applebloom, who had just as big a grin, "What is?"
"She's in today, I saw her dad drop her off." Sweetie replied.
"Um, who?" Scoots asked, rather confused. Just then, Diamond Tiara walked in, with an angry look on her face, "Oh, her." she answered herself with a smile.
Tiara noticed their smiles as she walked past them towards her own desk. "What are you three so happy about?" she asked, she was clearly in a bad mood today.
Bloom just laughed at her, "Leave us alone, or we'll go tell Sunset you're still buggin us."
Tiara twitched slightly at that, "Oh please, she was just in a bad mood, you three are dead."
"Really?" Bloom asked with a smug look. "Cus she told us if we ever needed anything, she'd help us out with it."
Tiara's face twisted in fear for a second, "W-what?"
"You heard us," Sweetie added, "so why don't you just go away."
"Yeah, you're starting to annoy us." Scoots finished as Diamond walked away, mumbling something under her breath. The three crusaders erupted with laughter, and after a good minute of it, Scootaloo was the first to calm down, "Ok, that was pretty funny."
When the other two had calmed down, Sweetie gave Applebloom a nudge, who then looked over to Scoots, "So uh, speaking of Sunset, how'd it go with Dash yesterday?" Bloom asked.
"She... she wanted me to stay away from Sunset. I even told her what she told us, how she wanted to help us but, she wasn't happy about it at all."
Sweetie sighed, "I guess they're right, so what do we do?"
"I reckon we should... I don't know." Applebloom replied.
I get that she helped you, but she'll just use you up and throw you away. "Maybe we shouldn't get involved with her, what if this is a trick?" Scoots asked.
"Maybe we should." Applebloom said as an idea came to her head.
"Why?" Scoots asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Maybe we can get our sisters to see that there's something different about her."
Sweetie nodded, "You're right! We just need to get them in a room together."
"I guess." Scootaloo mumbled, not exactly convinced.
"Relax Scoots, it'll be fine." Applebloom told her as she swung her arm around her reassuringly, "It can't be that hard to get Dash into a room."
As the bell went, the three of them got up, and headed out into the corridor. Scootaloo was still unsure about everything, but the other two seemed happy with the idea.
Sunset walked into her first lesson, maths, with the one person she wanted to talk to, sitting in the corner with a free seat next to her, which Sunset quickly filled. Applejack gave her a rather questionable look, "What do you want?" she asked, rather surprised at her seating choice.
This shouldn't be that hard, she is known for being easy to talk too. Sunset told herself before responding with a simple "Nothing." She didn't even know what she was going to say to her.
"Good." AJ mumbled under her breath. Neither of them said anything else to one another for quite some time.
About a quarter of the way through lesson, Sunset decided to break their silence. "Aj, can I talk to you after class for a bit? It won't take long."
Applejacks pen stopped dead in it's tracks, "Why?"
"I just wanna tell you something, that's all."
She looked over at Sunset "Just tell me now and get it over with."
"I'd rather talk to you in private."
Applejack couldn't see any hint of malicious intent in her face, which was a first for her. "Won't take long?" she asked.
Sunset nodded, "About two minutes at the most."
"Fine." Aj rose her arm, drawing Miss Cheeriles attention, "Miss, can I and Sunset be excused for a minute?"
Others in the class looked at each other, as the conversations between everyone began. "Oh of course." Cheerilee looked from Aj over to Sunset, who stood up, and seemed to scan across the room at the others, "Take as much time as you need."
"Make this quick." as they both stepped outside, Sunset closed the door behind her. "So what do you want?"
"I just..." Just stay calm. "I just wanted to tell you I'm sorry for all I've done to you over the last three years."
Aj rose an eyebrow at that, not buying it at all, "Uh-huh."
"And, I told Applebloom a few days ago that, if she ever needed any help with anything, I'd help her out with it." Aj still didn't even look like she cared in the slightest, "So if there's anything I can do for you, then just ask."
"Is that all?" As much as she didn't want to, Aj could hear the sincerity in Sunsets voice, and as far as she could tell, Sunset was telling the truth, she didn't give off any signs of a liar. "Cus yall could a told me that in there."
"Well, there is one more thing." Aj didn't move, "it's about Rain..." she sighed and stopped, "You know what? There's no point, you're not even listening."
Sunset finally had her attention, "Wait, about what?"
Sunset turned around and walked off. "Tell Miss I've gotta go see someone or, something."
As Aj walked back in, she realized what, or who, she was going to say. "Rain? Rain? Rainbow? Rainbow Dash!" She quickly darted back out, and looked to see if Sunset was still in view. She wasn't. "What about Rainbow? What do you know Shimmer?"
Sunset wondered through the school, staring at the floor, not sure what she had in mind was a good idea. "I need to go talk to Rainbow. If I'm gonna sort this out, I need to talk to her."
"A little to the left." she looked up to see the always hyper Pinkie Pie, accompanied by Snips and Snails, putting up some more posters. "PERFECT! Oh, hi Sunset. You ok?" she asked as she noticed her approach.
Here we go again. "Fine, haven't you put up enough of those?" she asked as she came to a stop.
"No, we just got these, take a look." she handed Sunset one of the posters.
Come one. Come all! To The Great and Powerful Trixie's magical extravaganza.
She looked up at Pinkie, who was looking around for a good place for the next poster. She looked back down at the poster.
Next Tuesday lunch time, in the school gym.
"Wait, Tuesday, that's a bit soon isn't it?"
"Ooh, over there! Wha, oh yeah, that's what they said, but she just shrugged them off." Pinkie shrugged herself, "Apparently she's been practicing for months."
"And what about you?" Sunset asked, "You ok with such a short deadline?"
"Nonono, to close. Lift it up a bit. There!" Sunset had to admit, it was kinda funny seeing her two lapdogs following someone else, not that she minded. "Pfffft, nah. If I can set up the Fall Formal decorations in three days last year, this'll be no problem."
Sunset sighed lightly, "Right. The Formal."
"Heck, this way I can get my job done a bit quicker, I just leave em up for the Formal. Easy."
She sighed again, "I guess it is."
That one didn't go unnoticed though, "Hey, you ok?" Pinkie asked, "You've been acting... different these last few days."
"Fine. Different how?" Sunset asked.
"Well, you seem... Nicer."
"I do?" she asked, more surprised that Pinkie was so up front about it than anything.
"Yeah, I mean, you had that awesome smile on you on Wednesday," she laughed slightly nervously, "I'll admit, I didn't know you could smile like that."
"Thanks, I think."
"And yesterday you actually apologized to those two for something." she pointed over at Snips and Snails, "And I'll be honest, I uh..." she laughed nervously again, "I half expected to end up on the floor when I spoke to you yesterday."
"Yeah... I'm a terrible person aren't I?" Sunset mumbled under her breath.
"I like it," Pinkie continued, "you seem like a nice person when you're not angry all the time."
Sunset smiled at her, "Thanks, it's nice to know someone thinks so." her smile fell rather quickly, "You know Fluter-"
"Hey! Wanna be friends?" She interrupted.
"What?" Those four words sent a familiar spark through Sunset, who couldn't believe what she was hearing. "You, you want to be friends?" Pinkie nodded, "With me?" she nodded again, "Really?"
"Yep. You seem nice enough now." she stretched her arm out for a handshake, "Friends?"
The magic of friendship is everywhere. Sunset pulled Pinkie into a hug, "Yes. Thank you Pinkie, I'm so sorry for everything, I'm so, so sorry."
"Hey, no need to get too close, that's my job." Pinkie joked. She heard Sunset crying into her shoulder, "Are you, crying?" she didn't get a response, as Snips and Snails approached them both. "Um, did I say something?"
"What did you say to her?" they both asked in unison.
"Iduno." was all Pinkie could say.
Sunset pulled back from the hug, and wiped her eyes, "S-sorry about that, I've just, never had a friend before."
"What? Never?"
"Nope," she sighed.
"Never ever ever?"
"Is it that hard to believe?" she asked, finally calm again.
"I guess not," Pinkie answered, "Anyway I guess Aj owes me a tener."
"Why?" Sunset asked.
"Oh I bet her ten dollars she was wrong about you. She's convinced you're faking it but... I know you're not."
Sunset laughed, "Ok, well too bad for her. Thanks Pinkie, if you ever need a hand with something, just ask."
"You too," she replied.
"What?"
Pinkie laughed, "Friends look out for each other, so if you ever need my help, then you just ask."
"Will do. Well I... I gotta go, talk to you later Pinkie." Sunset walked off, and toward her locker with the best smile she had ever had. When she got there, she opened it, and after a bit of searching, found her magical book from Celestia. "I hope it still works."
When she got back to her apartment she immediately got out her book, opened it to the next blank page, and began to write.
Dear Princess Celestia. Over the last few days I've come to understand what you were trying to teach me all along. That friendship is a great thing, and is more powerful than you could ever understand without experiencing it. I've also come to realize just how much of a failure I am, I wasn't ever worth your time, and I hope that by now you've found someone else who is. I'm so sorry for how I treated you, and I don't expect you to forgive me.
I don't even know if you're going to get this, or if you'll even care, but I had to try. Your failure of a student, Sunset Shimmer.
The weekend had ended, it was Monday morning, and Sunset was about to throw her dart at the wall once again. She stil had no reply from Celestia, and at this point, she didn't expect one anymore.
She looked over all the names on the wall. She didn't get anywhere with Applejack yesterday, the only way she would would be to talk to Rainbow Dash first, and after some thinking, she came to the conclusion that that was easier said than done.
She eventually came to a choice, and dropped the dart on the floor. "I know who's next." she went over to her desk, and opened her magic book to the message she had writen days ago, and the blank page next to it. "You didn't get it, did you?" she wiped a tear from her eye, put the book in her bag, and made her way to school.
Sunset walked into school, not knowing where to go. She knew what she wanted to do, but for now, it would have to wait. She walked upto the Fall Formal candidate sign-up board, and noticed that Trixie wasn't the only one running anymore, she was now up against Lyra and Octavia.
"I guess word's getting around. Sorry Trixie, but it looks like you've got some competition now." she laughed in her head, "I wonder what would happen if I put my name down now?" she quickly shook the idea out of her head. She thought it was good that other people were starting to run, even if it was only two other people, it was still a small sign of progress to her.
"Higha!" Sunset shook her head again, before realizing the hyperactive one next to her. "Hellloo? Anyone there?" she laughed, when she then noticed she finally had Sunsets attention. "You ok? You seemed like you were under mind-control or something, staring at that thing."
"Yeah, I'm just... surprised others are actually running now. What'd you want?" she asked.
"Oh nothing myself, but Trixie does wanna see us at homeroom, so there's that."
"You should probably go without me. I'm not so sure she would want to talk to me." Sunset told her.
"Well actually she does. She wanted me and the others to tell you specificly if we saw you."
"Really?"
"Uh, yeah. What's so strange about that? You said you wanted to help."
"Well yeah, I just..." Never thought she'd want to speak to me after what I told her. "I just never thought she'd actually want it."
"Well she does, so come on!" Pinkie grabbed her hand and ran, pulling Sunset with her, towards room C3. "Aj still hasn't paid me that tener you know. Hey did I ever tell you about that time she..."
Pinkie then proceeded to ramble on and on about something to do with with tying Applejacks hat to a balloon, and Sunset couldn't help but smile at the whole thing, even if she did get lost about a fith of the way through. She just felt happy having someone next to her who wasn't terrified of her.
"Pinkie... I can tell you anything. Right?" Sunset asked nervously.
"...and then she was all like... Of course you can, we're best buds now!" Pinkie replied as they both came to a halt outside the room they were running to.
"We're, best friends?" she asked, quite surprised.
"Well, maybe not best friends. I mean, how can you really say one friend is better that another?" she shrugged it off, "But you can tell me. What is it?" she asked in her same cheerful tone she did everything in.
"Well..." Tell her, you've gotta tell her! "It's..." Tell her about Fluttershy damn it! She couldn't bring herself to say it. For the first time in her life she had a friend, and she didn't want to lose her, even though she knew it was wrong to do so. "It's nothing. Like I said, I've never had a friend before, so I don't really know how this works."
"Well, friends trust each other, and help each other out when they need it. After all, if you can't rely on your friends, who can you rely on?" she asked.
Damn it, damn it DAMN IT! You idiot! You stupid coward! Now is not the time to be selfish! "Thanks Pinkie, I just wanted to know." she replied as she mentally kicked herself for this.
"How long are you two going to stand out there?" they both looked inside the room they had been outside for a while to see Trixie sitting on a desk, with a bit of a smirk on her face.
"Oops, sorry. We got caught up in something." Pinkie said as she walked in and took her seat.
Sunset noticed they were the only three in there, "Where's everyone else?"
"They were here about ten minutes ago, Trixie's already sent them on their way." she began, "Now, Pinkie. Is the gym set up for tomorrow?"
"Almost. We can't get the stage in yet because of PE classes today, but all the other decoration are up and ready."
"Good, that's all. You can go now." as Pinkie left the room, Trixie's gaze moved to Sunset. "Sunset, Tri- I just wanna say thanks. Because of what you said to me, I've become confident enough to try this, and now I've already put everything together, so I guess Trixie kinda owes you one."
"You're welcome, I'm just glad I could help." Sunset replied as she turned back towards the doorway.
"Is there anything Trixie could help with now?" she asked, with a smile it looked like she was trying to hide.
Sunset thought for a moment, it was a bit of a long shot, bit she may as well ask anyway. "Do you know where Fluttershy is first thing?"
"The really shy girl?" Sunset nodded, "The one who, loves animals right?" she nodded again, "The one who you turned into the schools very own punch...ing... bag?" Trixie saw a look of deep resentment in Sunset's eyes. "Sorry... Is this about... you leaving?" she nodded once again. "No, Trixie doesn't, but Pinkie might. Why don't you ask her."
"She might?" I thought I broke those two up?
"Well, rumour has it she knows everybodys time table, kinda creepy really, but if she does, she can help you."
That, actually doesn't surprise me. Just then the school bell went off, "Thanks Trixie. See you later." Sunset replied as she walked out, towards her first lesson of the day.
Break time came around, and Sunset headed straight over to Pinkies locker. It wasn't hard to spot, the small balloons tied to the locker dial meant everyone knew it was hers.
By the time she got there, she saw both Pinkie and Applejack, the latter of whom walked off. At least I won't have to deal with her, that didn't go anywhere yesterday. When Applejack was out of sight, Sunset approached Pinkie, who had just closed her locker door. "Hey Pinkie, you ok?"
"Hi Sunny. Look what I got." she waved a ten dollar note in her hand, "She paid me!" she said excitedly.
"That's great, but can I- Wait, what did you call me?" she asked.
"Sunny. You know, Short for Sunset, or how about Shimmy? Which do you prefer, Sunny or Shimmy?" She asked, as she put the tener in her pocket.
"Well, I kinda like-" she shook her head, Stay focused here. "Call me whichever you like. Now can I ask you something?"
"Course. What's up?"
"Trixie said that apparently you know everybodys timetable, is that true?"
"Yep." she opened her locker and pulled out a big book. "In here! Everyones daily schedule for each day." for the first time, her face gained a bit of seriousness to it, "What do you need it for?"
"I... I need to talk to someone, as soon as I can. So I need to know where I can find her." Sunset replied.
Pinkie opened the book up, "Ok, who is it?"
"It's, Fluttershy." Pinkie was silent for a moment, "Um, Pinkie?"
"What do you want with her?" she asked, trying to hide what little anger was in her voice.
"I just need to talk to her, so where is she next?"
Pinkie seemed a bit reluctant at first, but she eventually started flicking through the pages of her book. She stopped and pointed to the first column of lessons on the page. "She has a free period next, so try the library or one of the free classrooms." she told her.
"Thanks." Tell her to come with you! Tell her! TELL HER! "See you round Pinkie." she said as she walked off. Why can't I tell her? "Come with me." Why is that so hard to say?
When Break had ended, Sunset walked through the school checking all the classrooms, with the hope she would find Fluttershy in one of them. So far she had had no such luck. "Maybe she just isn't in today, I didn't see her at break." as she continued through the school, she eventually found her, sat down in a classroom, giving a little bunny rabbit a carrot.
Sunset just stood there and watched for a minute. I'll admit, that little guy does look cute. When he was done with the carrot, Fluttershy rested her head down on the table. Here goes. Sunset walked in, and approached her.
The bunny noticed her walk in, and proceeded to poke Shy over and over again to get her attention. "No Angel, you're not having another one till lunch time." he didn't stop, "No, you'll ruin your appetite." he turned around to see Sunset right behind him, and just kept poking her desperately. "I said noAAA!" Fluttershy jumped out of her seat and was now cowering on the floor. "S-s-Sunset! I-I didn't see you th-there. Sorry."
"Sorry i scared you like that." Sunset sighed, "You ok?"
"I'm f-fine. Sorry, did you wanna use this room? I'll... I'll just be on my way then." She said quickly as she got to her feet and picked up Angel.
"Can I talk to you?" she asked as she sat down next to where Shy was sat.
"Oh you don't wanna waste your time with me. I'm not worth it." she replied, trembling with fear.
"Please? It's important." Sunset said. She wasn't getting anywhere, and she knew it.
"Well... If it's important... You probably want someone else... I'd just muck it up." she said, still trembling.
There was one way she could get her to Listen, SIT DOWN NOW!! It would work, but it was the last thing she wanted to do. "No, I need to talk to you." she said, trying to sound as less intimidating as she could.
"Oh I'm sure there's someone else who could help."
There was one more thing she could try. She got up, and walked towards Fluttershy, who slowly backed off. "I'm sorry." she said as she grabbed Fluttershy and hugged her as hard as she could, as Angel jumped onto the nearby desk.
Shy didn't know what to think, "Um... Sun-"
"I'm so sorry, sorry for everything I've ever done to you. You didn't deserve any of it." she whispered as softly as she could. "But you don't need to worry about me now, I promise I'll never hurt you again."
Fluttershy felt Sunset shaking, and heard her crying over her shoulder "Um, are you, ok?"
"I don't matter! Just know that you don't need to be scared anymore. Hate me all you want, cus I deserve it, just don't be scared anymore. I'm leaving in a few days, maybe even tomorrow. So I'll never be able hurt you ever again."
Fluttershy looked over at Angel, who was just as confused, "It's ok, I forg-"
"How can you say that?" Sunset asked as she let her go and stepped back, her face drenched in her tears, "It's not ok and you know it!" Fluttershy didn't say anything, "I've done nothing but hurt you for three years, how can you just say it's ok when you know it's not?"
"Well, I, um..." she knew Sunset was right, but what could she say.
"There's two more things. One, if I'm still here tomorrow, and you have any problems, any at all, tell me, and I'll help. Ok?" Fluttershy gave a quick nod, and Sunset walked back and sat back down. "Two, talk to Pinkie Pie, she would be a great friend for you." Even now, she couldn't bring herself to admit to her past actions.
Fluttershy opened her bag, and let Angel jump in. "Um, Sunset?"
"You can go now... Just go, leave me alone." Fluttershy made her way to the door, she had never seen Sunset like this before, and thought she thought it would be best to do as she said, and go. When she reached the door, she took one final look at Sunset, weeping on the desk. "Don't be afraid of me... Please." she muttered, as Shy walked out, leaving Sunset all alone.
Tuesday morning. Sunset stood outside the school, as she waited for everyone to enter the building, and for her to be alone. After a good ten minutes, that eventually happened, and she walked up to the stone-statue-portal.
"Here goes." she whispered as she closed her eyes, and put an arm forward towards the portal. When she felt something strange on her hand, she opened her eyes to see that her 'hand' was now a hoof through the transparent portal, telling her all she needed to know.
"It's... It's open?" A smile grew on her, "It's open! IT'S OPEN!!!" She put her other hand through as she pushed both her arms in.
You can't go yet. Sunset came to a halt as Twilights voice rang through her head, There's still one more thing you need to do, and you know it.
Sunset remained still, at this point, not moving, and possibly not even breathing for the moment. Eventually she pulled her arms out, and looked back at the school, "You're right, I can't go yet." The faces of Pinkie, Applejack, Rainbow, Rarity and Fluttershy came to mind.
Even if it kills me, I'm gonna sort this mess out. Today!
Sunset sat in homeroom, with only one thing on her mind, I've gotta fix this. She kept telling herself that for the whole thing, but she didn't know how she would do it.
Fluttershy and Pinkie, they'll be easy I just need to tell them that I broke them up, should be easy. Granted, I need to say the same thing to Rainbow Dash, which could prove more problematic...
She was having an entire conversation with herself about this, she had a lot to do, and no idea where to start.
...Wait, didn't I tell Fluttershy to speak to Pinkie? That deals with that I guess. And Rarity. I think I stopped her from helping Pinkie with decorations, ri- The bell went, and everyone made their way to class, except Sunset, who now had a free period, so she found an empty classroom, and sat alone with her thoughts.
"What would you do in this situation Twilight? Oh who am I kidding, you'd never be stupid enough to be in something like this." slowly, a few small tears made their way out of Sunsets eyes. "I can't do this."
Break time arrived, and Sunset still had no idea what to do. Think Sunset, think! There's a way to do this, you know there is.
"Hey Shimmy!" Pinkie said as she bounced her way over to her. "You Ok?"
"Pinkie? Yeah, I'm fine." I can do this. "Hey Pinkie, has Fluttershy said anything to you lately?" Sunset asked weakly.
"Fluttershy? Yeah." she began.
Good, she listened to me after all.
"Well, kinda. Yesterday at lunch she tried to speak to me, but all I could hear were just a whole load a mumbles."
Of course.
"Why? Did you tell her to see me? Oh that reminds me, what did you need with her anyway? I can't think of anything that she could really be helpful for."
Sunset sighed, "Look, Pinkie... I want you to talk to her. You two could make good friends you know."
"Pffft, that's funny!" Pinkie saw the sadness that was is Sunsets eyes, "Wait, you're serious?"
"Please, give her a chance." Sunset replied, again, refusing to admit the truth. She didn't want to lose Pinkie, she was the only friend she had.
"Well I already did. And about two and a half years ago, I found out she wasn't worth it." Pinkie said, sounding, surprisingly, a bit angry.
"W... What happened?" she asked, stalling for more time to think.
"Well, she asked me to throw a big party for her for an animal, fund-raising thing or, somthing." Pinkie began, the anger was starting to grow with every word. "Then when I do, she just blows up about how this isn't what she wanted. She told me what she wanted, if I had my phone at the time I would've showed her the text."
Yeah, the text. "Oh, ok." she still didn't know what to say.
"Anyways, I gotta go. Me and a couple others need to set up that stage for Trixie. See ya." Pinkie turned and walked off with a wave.
Oh yeah, thats today. "Well, ok... I'll talk to you-" Sunset turned around and noticed Fluttershy down the other end of the corridor, being held up against a locker by Gilda.
You know what you have to do.
"PINKIE WAIT!!" she shouted, bringing her to a halt. "I... We need to... You see... Oh, can you come with me a sec?" she finally asked, turning back at Fluttershy.
"Um, sure I-" before she could finish, Sunset was already running down the corridor, "Hey, wait up will ya!" she said as she ran after her.
"Look dork, I know you've got money on you, so hand it over." Gilda said, holding Fluttershy in place against her locker.
"I, I don't, don't have any. Honest." Shy wimpered.
"Well, I told you, I've been keeping Shimmer off your back, she hasn't done anything to you all week right?" Fluttershy nodded "So either you pay up, or I stop helping you out."
"I never asked for any help though." Shy muttrered.
"YOU LET HER GO!!!" Sunset ran up to Gilda and slamed her fist into Gildas face, sending her straight to the floor, as well as drawing the attention of the whole corridor.
"Damn it Shim, What the heck was that for?" Gilda asked as she slowly got up, "That kinda hurt you know?"
When she got up, Sunset immediately grabed her and slamed her up against a locker "SHUT UP!" she yelled, her eyes now filled with rage, "Now I'm gonna tell you something, and I'm only gonna tell you once. You lay another finger on her, and I'll break it off. Understand?"
"Wait, you're stick-"
Sunset gave her another punch, silencing her. "Do. You. Understand?"
"Alright alright, I get it, I'll lay off her." Sunset let her go, as she walked off, all eyes on her. When she was out of sight, everyone looked at Sunset and Fluttershy.
"You... Ok?" Sunset asked, taking deep breaths in an attempt to calm down.
"I'm fine but, what was that for?" Fluttershy asked, still a bit on edge.
"I told you. If you have any problems while I'm here, I'll help you out with em."
"Hey Shimmy, what was all that about?" Pinkie asked, moving away from the slowly shrinking crowd of people.
"Look, you two need to-" Sunset began.
"That was awesome!" a voice called out.
Sunset turned around to see the three crusaders amoung what was left of the crowd, as Applebloom and Sweetie Belle both pointed at Scootaloo, "She said it." they both said.
"Oh, hey you three. You girls ok?" she asked, letting herself get sidetracked again.
"We're fine. But I guess she's right, that was pretty cool." Sweetie replied.
"Yeah, but we should probably get going, Aj won't like it if she finds out I was talking to you again." Applebloom said, "Sorry."
Wait, that's it! a sudden idea came to Sunsets head, as she looked at Pinkie and Fluttershy, and then back at the crusaders. "Wait, can we talk for a sec?"
"I don't know, like I said, Aj, wouldn't like it." Bloom replied nervously.
"Please, I really need your help with something." Sunset said, with a hint of desperation in her voice.
The three of them looked at each other, they all knew they owed her one. "Ok. What do you need?" Sweetie asked.
Sunset gave a sigh of relief, "Thanks, but can we talk in there?" she pointed to an empty classroom. They all nodded, and Sunset tuened to the two behind her, "You two as well." Pinkie and Shy gave each other a small look, before following behind her.
They each took a seat. "So... What is it?" Fluttershy, of all people asked.
"Can you two meet me here at lunch time?" Sunset asked.
"I was actually going to watch Trixies show but, I guess I can meet you here."
"Sure Shimmy. But why?"
"I'll explain then." she looked over to the three crusaders, "I need you three to get Rarity, Applejack, and Rainbow Dash in here as well. Can you do that?"
"You want us to do WHAT!!" they all said in surprise.
"You heard me, I need to speak to them," Sunset replied.
"Alright, but I don't think Dash would come here because you asked for her." Scoot said.
"Same with Aj, that's a ton easier said than done." Bloom continued.
"Then don't tell them I asked for them."
"Then, what do we say?" Sweetie asked.
"I don't care what you tell them, just get them in this room. Can you do that?"
They nodded, "Sure, I reckon this is payback for you helping us out before." Bloom said.
"Sure, and thank you. I don't know how else I was gonna do this." she stood up and made her way to the front desk, as she opened a draw, and pulled something out.
"Um. What's that?" Fluttershy asked.
"Spare key, just incase this room is looked." she showed them all the key, before putting it in her pocket. "Cranky always keeps it in the same place."
"Won't he notice?" Pinkie asked.
"I don't care, he's never caught onto me before. Either that or he just lets me do it," she said as she walked over to the door. "See you girls later."
I hope this works.
Sunset sat in the room, lunch was about to start, and she still didn't feel ready to do this.
I can do this. I can do this! I can do this!... I can't do this. the bell went off, and moments later, a crowd of people were making their way past the room, none of them noticed Sunset inside.
About a minute later, Fluttershy, Rarity and Sweetie Belle walked in.
"Um... Hi Rarity, you ok?" Sunset asked.
"Fine dear, Sweetie told me you wanted to see me." Rarity replied in a light tone, which Sunset wasn't expecting.
"You told her the truth?" Sunset asked Sweetie, who took a seat next to where her sister was standing.
"I didn't know what to say. At least she went along with it."
"Um, where's everyone else?" Shy asked as she opened her bag, letting Angel out.
"We're here!" Applejack called out as she walked in with Pinkie and her sister. Her eyes were immediately fixated onto Sunset, "I wanna speak to you."
"Same here. Now all we're waiting for is Rainbow Dash." Sunset replied.
"Oh you've GOTTA be kidding me!" Applejack turned around to see Dash and Scootaloo. The former was, less than pleased with everyone in the room.
"Hi Dash, expecting someone else?" Sunset asked, probably not the best idea.
"Pfft, I'm outa here!" Dash spun around and was about to walk out.
"I reckon yall should think twice about that Rainbow. There's something more going on here." Applejack said, causing Dash to turn back around.
"Oh please!" she made her way over to Sunset, "Listen. I'm not scared of you, I never was! So if you and her expect me to just sit here because you wanna say something, then you've got the wrong idea!"
"Could you hear me out anyway?" Sunset asked, as she focused her gaze onto the floor.
"Give me one good reason!"
"Cus we're all willing to stay." Aj told her, "Unless you still think you're to good for us."
"Me? You're one to talk!"
"Um, girls, maybe you should just... calm down first." Fluttershy said, not that anyone was listening.
Sunset got up and walked to Scootaloo, who was still in the doorway, watching the whole ordeal. "Can you do me a favour? This may take a while."
Applejack and Rainbow were still arguing with each other, "Ladies please! Can we at least try to be civilized about this?" Rarity asked, getting annoyed at their banter.
"Isn't that basically what I just said?" Fluttershy asked.
"Oh, I'm sorry. Maybe we would've heard you if you weren't so quiet all the time!" Pinkie replied.
"Oh, like being quiet is a bad thing? Look at you! You're always so loud and obnoxious with everything you do, even when you know not to be!"
"Lighten up Shy, I just wanna have a fun time when I do things. You got a problem with that!"
"You know I think I'm starting to see what you hoped to achieve with this Sunset." Rarity mumbled through her teeth. "Oh will you two just calm down! You're acting like children."
Sweetie Looked at the two pairs, "Maybe this wasn't such a good idea." she said to Applebloom.
"I reckon you're right about that." Bloom looked around the room, "Hey, where's Scootaloo gone?"
Rarity decided she had had enough. She got up and walked over to the door, "Sunset, the only reason I came here was to say thank you for helping my sister out, and I was willing to hear what you had to say..." she put her hand on the door knob, "But I think we all know this isn't going an- The doors locked? THE DOORS LOCKED!!!"
The room quickly fell silent. "That's right, and you're not getting out until I say." Sunset replied.
"What are you talking about Shimmer?" Dash asked.
"Scootaloo's on the other side of the door, and she has the key."
"Alright... Fine. What of you gotta say?" Dash reluctantly said.
Sunset took a deep breath This is it. "About two and a half years ago, you were the best of friends, right?"
"Y, yeah." Dash mumbled.
"And now you all hate each other, right?" the five looked at each other and nodded. "That's all because of me."
"Wait what? How? Why?" Pinkie asked.
"I started off with just, petty things, causing small arguments between you all. It was pretty easy actually." she looked around at them, they were all listening. "Then I saw my chance to do something else, something bigger."
"Something, bigger?" Fluttershy asked.
"You were having a fund raising event for your animal shelter, and Pinkie was planning it. It was going to just be a quiet little thing, right."
"It, should have been, yes."
"I stole your phone and text Pinkie, tellng her you wanted a big, loud party insead. which is what it turned out to be, and it ruined everything."
"You... you drove us appart?" Pinkie asked.
"Not just you two," she looked over towards Dash and Aj, "I stole Ajs phone and did the same to her bake sale. I told Dash to bring the soccer team on a different day. That actually did three things, it ruined the sale, ruined some, if not all of Dashs credibility, and it gave you two the final nudge that turned you into worst enemies."
Dash looked over at Aj with an apologetic look, which she returned. "I guess I... owe you an apology then, don't I?"
"No, you don't owe her anything! It's me who owes all of you an apology. I'm sorry."
"Wait, what about Rarity?" Pinkie asked.
She looked over at her, "Remember when you asked her for help decorating the gym, and she didn't show up."
"Y... Yeah."
Sunsets hand started shaking, as she started to lose it, "That was me, it was all me! I did everything... It's all my fault and I'm so sorry!"
"Sorry Pinkie," Fluttershy said as she put her hand on her shoulder, "I... may have said some horrible things about you over the years."
The others joined in, and the five formed a group hug, "Think we can all, try again?" Applejack asked.
The five of them talked amongst themselves, as Sunset walked over to the door, pulled the spare key she had kept hold of this whole time, and unlocked it. "I hope you five are happy, you deserve to be."
Scootaloo opened the door, and saw all the regret, resentment, and self-hatred Sunset had been holding in over the last week. "Sunset are you..?"
"I'll be fine! Just... I'll be fine."
"Um."
The school intercom gave off a voice that no one in the room recognized, except for Sunset. Wait, I know that voice. What is she doing here? Sunset thought.
"Can Sunset Shimmer please report to the main hall," the voice spoke, Sunset hurried down towards the schools main hall as quickly as she could.
"Hey, come back a se-" Dash began as she broke off the hug.
"Let her go," Scootaloo interrupted, "I think she might need a moment."
"We'll talk to her tomorrow Dashie." Pinkie said as she pulled Dash back in. "I think we should sort each other out first."
"Fine, but I'm not done with her."
When Sunset got to the main hall, there was no one there to meet her. That was... Was Twilight!
"Sunset Shimmer." a voice called out behind her.
She spun around to see the school principal, and Twilight, but she knew better. When she saw them both, she lost all feeling in her legs and collapsed to her knees, as tears began to flood her eyes. "P... Princess?"
She gave Sunset a warm, welcoming smile. "It's good to see you again Sunset."
"P... Princess?" was all Sunset could say, as Celestia and Twilight began to approach her. Both with warm smiles.
"It's good to see you again Sunset." Celestia said as she came closer. "It's been so long."
Sunset was at a complete loss for words. "I... What are... Why are..?"
Celestia knelt down and gave Sunset a hug. "It's okay, I'm not angry at you." she said softly.
Sunset returned the hug, and began to beg her forgiveness, "I'm sorry, I'm so sorry! Everything I did... The way I treated you... Treated your teachings. I... You didn't deserve it. I know I was horrible to you, but I've changed!"
"Sunset?" Celestia said worriedly.
"I know I was wrong! Everything I ever did was wrong! But I've been trying to do something right, I swear..."
"Sunset please, calm down."
"Please, I'm begging you! Give me another chance..." she cried.
"Sunset!" Celestia said again, louder this time, as Sunset froze mid sentence. "I told you, I'm not angry." She pulled back from their hug, "We're here to bring you home Sunset."
"We?" In her blind panic to apologize, Sunset had completely forgotten Twilight was standing just behind Celestia.
"I'd like you to meet somepony." Celestia steped back, and let Twilight step forward.
"Hi, I'm Princess Twilight Sparkle. It's nice to meet you." she said kindly.
"Twilight!... there's somet-" the three of them heard movement down the corridor, Trixie's performance had ended with some time still left for lunch, cutting their reunion short.
"Sunset, we need to go now," Celestia began, "we can talk about this later, but right now we need to go back to Equestria. I never should have come here myself."
"I can't go..." Sunset sighed as she wiped her eyes clean of tears.
"Why ever not?" Celestia asked, with a worried look.
"I... I just... Can you meet me outside in two hours?" Sunset asked. "I'll explain everything, I promise."
"I..." Celestia knew she couldn't be seen here, and the look in Sunset's eyes told her she wasn't going back with her. "Very well." she said as she and Twilight walked towards the school doors, and left the building.
When they were out of sight Sunset turned around and was about to head to the cafeteria, only to run into the real principal Celestia. "Sunset. Who was asking for you over the schools intercom?" she asked, "There was no one in my office."
"Beats me. whoever it was, she didn't turn up."
Celestia noticed the tear marks around her eyes, "Sunset, are you alright?"
"Fine! What does it matter?" Sunset replied rather defensively as she walked past her, not wanting to answer anything.
"I... see."
An hour after school had ended, Sunset was standing next to the portal, waiting for Celestia and Twilight. Should I tell her the truth? About me and Twilight? Maybe she doesn't need to know. But I can't lie to her. Oh what do I do?
Before she could answer herself, Twilight came through the portal. Quickly, but clumsily, she stood up, shaking a bit, Sunset could tell she clearly wasn't use to being on two legs. "This is weird, how do these ponys... Oh, hi. Princess Celestia will be through in a minute." Twilight said when she noticed Sunset watching her.
"Good to know. But why did she sen-" Just then, Celestia herself came through. Just as Twilight did, she immediately got up, however she was nowhere near as clumsy as Twilight. This is it. Just stay calm.
She quickly turned her attention to Sunset. "Sunset, what did you want to talk about?" Celestia asked.
"I'll tell you in a minute, just follow me a sec." Sunset walked up to the school, and pulled out a set of keys to open the school.
The two princesses followed behind her, both confused and rather curious, into the school. Sunset locked the door behind them. "Sorry about this, but I needed to speak with you, and here there'll be no one to interrupt us." Sunset looked around at Celestia, who just listened, she thought she would've interrupted her by now, demanding to know what was going on. But she didn't, she simply followed, and listened.
Sunset took a deep breath, "I'm sorry, I'm so sorry... I know I've been horrible, and that I don't dese- That I'm so pathetic, and..." She had been thinking about what she was going to say to Celestia since she travelled back in time a week ago, but even with all that time, she just didn't know what to say. "I know I'm just a waste of time to you, and that you must hate me no-"
Sunset was cut off by a hug from Celestia. "That's enough."
"P...Princess?"
"It's okay Sunset, I forgive you."
"You... How can you say that? After all I've done, all I've said, how can you not hate me?"
"I never hated you Sunset." Celestia replied, trying to hold back her tears.
"R... Really?" Sunset couldn't believe it. After everything she had done, the way she had treated Celestia and her teachings, and how she thought nothing of her, she was willing to forgive her unconditionally.
"Really. Now please, let's just go home now. We can sort everything out there." Sunset quickly pushed Celestia away in shame. "Sunset? What's wrong?" she asked, wiping her tears.
"I... I told you, I can't go home yet, I'm sorry you came all the way here to see me, and to bring me back to Equestria... " she walked back over to the front door and unlocked it, "...but I can't go back home."
"Why not?" Twilight asked. "Is there something here you don't want to leave behind?"
Sunset sighed, I guess i need to tell them. "You see, over the last three years, I've done nothing but cause pain and misery for everyone here, and now I need to fix as much as I can." she looked back at them both. "The portal is open till Friday, I promise, you'll see me again."
Celestia took a moment to take everything in. "Sunset... I..." she sighed, "I... I understand." she eventually said. She walked past Sunset, and outside, towards the portal. "I wish I could stay, but I must return to Equestria. Please, take care, and know that I'm here for you Sunset, I always was."
"I'll stay with her." Twilight said, much to the surprise of Sunset.
"Wha- Twilight? Why?" she asked.
"Princess Celestia, tell the others I'll be back Friday." she said, completely ignoring Sunset's question.
"No, you need to go home!" Sunset replied, Twilight didn't respond.
"Take care of her Twilight. Promise me you'll take care of her." Celestia said.
Twilight nodded. "I promise you she'll be fine. Don't worry."
Celestia smiled, and headed towards the portal, eventually going through it. "Why?" was all Sunset could ask.
"Because I want to help you. Celestia's been worried about you for days, you have no idea how much she wanted to stay here with you, but her role in Equestria is too important for her to leave." Twilight replied.
"And what about you?" Sunset asked, "Aren't you also a princess?"
"Yeah but, well I don't exactly have a role in Equestria yet, I'm still new to being a princess if I'm honest, and I jus-"
She was interrupted by a rather tight hug. "Thanks Twilight! You don't know how much I appreciate this!" Sunset said.
"D-don't mention it." She replied.
Rainbow Dash walked into Sugarcube corner, and had a look around at the tables. Her and the others had decided to meet here after school, so they could talk things out. She noticed the four of them already seated next to a window, each with a drink, and walked over to them. "Hey, sorry I'm late."
"No problem Dash, You alright?" Applejack asked as Rainbow took a seat next to her and Fluttershy.
"Fine, I guess." Dash looked around at each of them, the initial spark they all felt earlier when Sunset had confessed to them had gone, and it seemed like no one knew what to say to each other now.
"Here." Pinkie handed a glass of chocolate milkshake with a straw in it to Dash, even she seemed surprisingly off right now. "It's on the house."
"Thanks." Dash replied as she took a sip from the straw.
"How have you been?" Fluttershy asked, "You know, over the last couple months."
"Things have been, fine, I guess. You?"
"Well, I guess things could've been better, but hey, I'm ok." She replied with a slightly forced smile.
"What's on your mind Dash?" Applejack asked, noticing something was wrong with her.
"It's just... I just don't get it." she replied. "That whole thing earlier just, doesn't make any sense."
"Rainbow dear, this isn't the time to be talking about her." Rarity replied.
"I know, but I'm still curious."
"We're all as curious as you are about this," Applejack began, "but we can talk to her about it tomorrow."
"Sorry." she took another sip of her milkshake.
"She definitely seems nicer, that's for sure." Pinkie said. "Hey, did you know that apparently it's all cus of her that Trixie was able to put on that show?"
"Really?" Aj asked, "She was helping her with that?"
"Yeah, although she never told us why she wasn't running herself." Rarity answered.
"I know why." Fluttershy said, as the other four turned to her. "She told me yesterday that she was leaving, and that she wouldn't be here for the Formal. Among other things."
"Other things?" Aj repeated, "Like what?"
"She said if I needed her help with anything while she's still here, she'd help me out anyway she could."
"She told me the same thing." Pinkie said, "Heck, we're besties now! Or, we were, but, maybe we still are? I hope so, I really liked the nice Sunny."
"Hey, there she is!" Rarity pointed out the window, Sunset was walking past, with a girl she didn't recognize at all. "Who's that with her though?"
Pinkie got up and knocked on the window, "Hey! You ok?" she asked with a wave. Sunset looked up at the window, "Who's your friend?" she turned away almost immediately, "Sunny?" The stranger seemed rather shocked at first, but then returned Pinkie's wave, and gave her a nice smile, before turning to Sunset and putting her arm around her shoulder. "I guess we aren't friends anymore." Pinkie told herself as she sat back down in her seat.
"You know her Pinkie?" Fluttershy asked, "I've never seen her before."
"I think I've seen her before somewhere, but I'm not too sure." Pinkie shrugged, "Maybe she's from out-of-town."
Dash had been silent for a short while now, as she thought about the event between her and Applejack so long ago. "Hey Aj, I... I wanna say sorry. About what happened two years ago." she said.
"Hey, that wasn't your fault." she replied.
"Well it, actually kinda was." Dash replied.
"What're you getting at?" Aj asked concerned, "That was all Sunset wasn't it?"
"Yeah but... I was stupid. If I had talked to you after the whole thing instead of just, hating you like I did, then we could've worked it out before it even became a problem." she sighed and put her head on the table, "If I had only talked to you... This wouldn't have ever happened between us. So it kinda is my fault."
"Hey." Applejack put her hand on Dash's shoulder, "If that's the kinda logic you're gonna use, then it's just as much my fault for being too stubborn to go confront you on it myself."
"I guess you're right." Dash lifted her head off the table, and was given a smile from Aj.
"No hard feelings?" she asked.
"No hard feelings." Dash repeated as she pulled Aj in for a hug.
"We know how you both feel," Rarity began, "we're all in the same position as you two."
"Yeah," Pinkie threw her arms around Rarity and Fluttershy's shoulders, "we know we could have done somehing back then, but we were all too mad at each other. So... what could you do really?"
"There's no point in holding onto the past Dash," Fluttershy continued, "all we can do about it now is to just put it behind us and move on."
"Put it behind us and move on?" Dash looked out the window, "Maybe that's what she wants to do. To move away from here and... try again."
"Maybe." Aj said, "We'll talk to her about it tomorrow. Together, alright?"
"Aaahh!" Twilight woke up in a panic, as she quickly looked around the room she was in. After about ten seconds she had calmed down, and remembered she was in her room in the Crystal Empire castle.
She fell backwards onto the bed. "That was quite the dream," she told herself as she looked over at the clock on the wall. "Midnight. Guess I wasn't out for long." She looked down at Spike, who was sound asleep in his small bed next to hers.
She got down off her bed, and walked on over to her room door, "I need a drink, that should help." she was about to open it when she heard the sound hoofsteps outside her room. Who's that? Cadence said there wouldn't be any guard patrols tonight. she put her ear to the door and listened, she definitely wasn't hearing things.
Has someone broken in? Trust it to be on the night there are no guards. she opened the door and had a peak out her room, and saw the pony who had walked past her room. "Princess... Celestia?"
She turned around as Twlight stepped out of her room. "Twilight? Sorry, did I wake you?" she asked as she walked over to her.
Twilight sighed with relief, "No, I just got up. I thought someone had broken into the castle for a moment."
"Broken in? Why in all of Equestria would you think that?" Celestia asked worriedly.
"Because I... I just had a bad dream, I guess it's nothing though." she replied, rather embarrassed.
"Twilight, is everything alright?" Celestia asked, concerned for Twilight.
"I'll be fine, but, what are you doing up so late?" Twilight asked.
"I..." Celestia froze for a moment, "I need to go somewhere. I won't be gone long, in fact I'll be back by morning." she said, as she began to turn back around.
"Where are you going?" Twilight asked, tilting her head.
"I need to go meet somepony, that's all. You don't need to worry Twilight, I promise." Celestia replied, hoping Twilight would go back to her room.
"Who is it?" she asked, now even more curious.
"She's a previous student of mine." Celestia told her, "Her name is Sunset Shimmer."
"Sunset Shimmer!" Twilight repeated, eyes wide with astonishment.
"Twilight? What is it?" Celestia asked, wondering why Twilight would react in such a way.
"I know that name." she replied, "I was just..."
"You have?" she asked, "But she's been gone for a very long time now." she said to herself, not that Twilight didn't hear her.
"...That dream I just mentioned, she was in it." Twilight replied, as she tried to remember some of the details. "I think."
"What? That can't be, you must be thinking of someoth-"
"The mirror." Twilight interrupted. Celestia was immediately silent, "At the end of this hall, there's a room with a mirror in it isn't there?"
Celestia knew this couldn't be a coincidence, and that Twilight's dream was more likely akin to one of her own visions that she got from time to time, "Yes there is. Follow me."
She lead Twilight down the castle hallway, and into one of rooms near the end, inside was a rather large mirror. "Do you know what this mirror is, Princess Twilight?" she asked in a much more serious voice.
Celestia addressing her as 'Princess' in such a way told her this was no small matter. "it's..." Twilight approached the mirror and placed a hoof on the glass, "It's a portal, right?" the tip of her hoof went through the glass.
"Do you know what's on the other side?" she asked, "I've never gone through it myself."
"It leads to an alternate version of Equestria." she began, "It's hard to explain, and I don't quite remember the whole thing, but..." she turned back at Celestia, "...She's over there, isn't she?"
"Yes, I'm going over there to see her now." Celestia walked over to Twilight and the portal, "Twilight, could you accoumpany me over there?" she asked, a slight hint of desperation in her voice.
"Of course I will," Twilight replied, "I'm just as curious as to what's over there myself."
"Thank you Twilight," Celestia gave a slight smile, however it faded rather quickly. "In this, 'dream' of yours, is she alright?"
"I don't know, but I'm sure she'll be fine." she replied as she and Celestia walked through the portal.
"That was... something." Twilight was laying on the ground, feeling a bit dizzy after going through the portal. She opened her eyes, and had a look around her, she was next to a strange, yet familiar looking body. "Princess? Is that you?"
"Twilight?" Celestia opened her eyes and looked over at her, and was shocked at what Twilight now looked like, "What happened to you? You don't have your horn, or your wings."
"The same thing that happened to you. You're missing yours too." Twilight slowly stood up, unknowingly on her two legs, and had another look around her. "This is definitely the place."
Celestia, just as slowly, did the same, and stood up next to her. "Are you sure? Where even are we?"
"I'm sorry, but I don't really kn-" her eyes were fixated on a very large building in front of them. "She's in there."
"What! Are you sure?" Celestia asked.
"I'm sure, I know that place." the two of them approached the large building, and Twilight opened the main doors.
As they both cautiously walked in, Celestia looked around the empty main hall, "This place is a... school."
"Where is everypony?" Twilight asked herself.
"Lets just have a look around for her." Celestia replied, "I get the feeling we shouldn't be here."
The two of them walked through the school, checking all the rooms they came across, but they were all empty. "Twilight are you sure she's here? This place seems rather empty."
Twilight stopped suddenly when she came to a locked room, with a name plate on it, "Hey! look at this." Celestia walked up to the door, and read the plate.
Principal Celestia.
"So this is... your school? But that doesn't make an-"
"Hey sis." they both turned around to see someone standing behind them. "I thought you were in the gym already?" Celestia was speechless as she slowly realized who this was. "What? Is something on my face? Why are you looking at me like that?"
Twilight gave Celestia a little nudge, and tilted her head towards the door. "H-have you got spare key for this door? I appear to have lost mine?" Celestia asked.
"You lost them? Well that's a first." she threw her a key, "It's not like you to lo- And who are you?" she asked, finally noticing Twilight.
Twilight froze for a moment, "Me? I... Um, you see..."
"She's thinking of enrolling here, I'd just like a word with her first," Celestia interrupted as she opened the locked door.
"I see. Well see you later," the person said as she turned and walked away.
They both let out a sigh of relief. "Was that... Princess Luna?" Twilight asked.
"It would appear this world has counterparts for us here." Celestia replied as she opened the door. "Now Twilight, why were you so interested in this room? We shouldn't waste time here, I don't like this place."
Twilight walked in the room and over to the fairly large desk. "Because this office belongs to the head of this place, so if Sunset is here, then here is where we'll find out." she replied opening one of the drawers and pulling out a few book.
"I can't say I agree with your way of thinking Twilight... but it probably is the best course of action." she reluctantly said as she picked up one of the books and starting looking through it.
"Here." Twilight said as she set the book down on the table. "Sunset Shimmer. Homeroom number A5." she looked up a Celestia, "She's here."
"That's good to know. Thank you Twilight, now how do we get her attention?" she asked.
Twilight looked around the room, and took notice of a small box with a button and a microphone on it. "What's this?" she pressed the small red button, and spoke into the mic, "Um," she removed her finger from the button, as she heard her voice outside in the corridors.
"I think this, device allows you to speak a message throughout the entire building," Celestia said, giving Twilight an idea.
"I got it!" she said excitedly, as she pressed the button again. "Can Sunset Shimmer please proceed to the main hall." Once again, her voice could be heard in the corridor outside. "I think that worked. Now come on!" Twilight said as she excitedly got up.
"Right," Celestia replied as she and Twilight left the room, and went back the way they came.
They both arrived back at the main hall, to see a lone girl frantically looking around. "Is... that her?" Twilight asked, noticing a bright smile on Celestia's face.
Celestia rubbed away a single tear from her eye, and took a deep breath. "Sunset Shimmer."
The girl turned around, and moments later, fell to her knees. "P... Princess?"
Celestia walked towards her, "It's so good to see you again Sunset. It's been so long."
Sunset and Twilight walked down a street on the way to Sunset's apartment. With Twilight staying here with her, Sunset just knew she had to take her in and give her a place to stay, if only for a few days. She wondered what she had done before, when she came here last time, where did she stay?
"This place is, amazing." Twilight said.
"You think so?" Sunset replied, looking at all the cars and busses speeding by, "It's not that great really. Well, then again, you're new here, so may-"
"And they achieved all this without magic?" Twilight asked, interrupting Sunset.
"Yeah. I don't know how, but somehow they did." She answered.
Twilight scratched the top of her head, where her horn would be. "How do you get by without it?" she asked, as she continued to scratch.
Sunset touched the top of her own head for a moment, "You just... get use to it. Over time."
"So, how long have you been here?" Twilight asked, as she brought her hand back down to her sides.
"A couple years, I never really bothered to keep count." Sunset gave a sigh, "Princess, can I ask you something?"
"I-it's just Twilight. You don't need to call me that." Twilight replied, rather uneasily.
"Why not?"
"I just, don't really like it. It makes me sound like I'm better then everypony else." She replied.
"Oh. Then what was with that introduction?" Sunset asked.
"I was just trying to make a good impression, believe me, it's not something I like doing." she said, still a bit uneasy.
"Oh... ok... Twilight." Sunset said, she had to admit, it felt strange being so casual with her, the one who she had tried to kill just over a week ago.
"Sorry about that." Twilight said, "So what did you want to ask me?"
"Oh, well-"
There was a sudden knock on a window next to them, as they both turned to see a familier person waving in the window, saying something. Something muffled theough the glass. Twilight just stood there for a second, as she recognized the hair, hair that could only belong to one pony. No way, Pinkie?! she had a quick look at the others sitting around her, Rainbow? Fluttershy? Aj, Rari- they can't be.
She returned Pinkie's wave, whos gaze was now fixated behind her. She turned around to see Sunset faced away from them, staring down at the ground. She quickly went up and put her arm around her shoulder. "Hey, are you ok?" she asked, rather worried.
She sighed, "It's just..." She looked up past Twilight's head, towards the window, and a slight smile came to her face. "I'll explain later." She removed Twilight's arm from her and continued walking. "Come on. It's not far from here now."
"O...k?" Twilight replied as she began to follow behind her.
The two of them finally reached their destination, as Sunset pulled a key out of her pocket. Twilight looked over the building strip. It was a row of single-story buildings, forming a simple rectangular shape allong the street.
Sunset walked up to one of the doors and opened it up. "Here we are." She reached her hand just inside the door and hit on a light switch, before walking in.
Twilight walked in behind her, and looked over the room. There was a desk, with a couple books, a pen, and a small drink carton on it to the left, accompanied by a small bin and a chair next to it. To the right there was a small single bed, with a few pillows, and a dart bored above it. Just next to the desk, and just ahead of her there were two open doors, presumably leading to a kitchen and a bathroom.
The last thing she noticed when she entered were all the peices of scrupled up paper scattered around the floor. "Well this place is... nice." she said unconvinceably.
Sunset shook her head as she threw her bag under her desk, like she did every day. "You don't need to be kind, it's a dump." she sat down at her desk and turned to Twilight, "If I knew I was having a guest over I probably would have cleaned up a bit." she chuckled.
"Well, I suppose it could be a bit cleaner." she agreed as she walked over and sat down on the bed, "But it's not really a problem." She moved up to the back of the bed, and rested her head on a pillow, as she closed her eyes and layed there for a moment. She opened her eyes to see Sunset staring at her with a bit of a smirk. "What?"
"Comfy?" She asked.
Twilight raised an eyebrow, before jutting up in embarrassment. "Oh! Sorry. I'm just... You see, while it's only the afternoon for you, back home it's like, half two in the morning, and I haven't had much sleep." she replied, "Sorry."
Sunset sighed, and gave Twilight a smile. "It's fine. You can have a nap, or, something if you want." she said nicely.
"Thanks." Twilight replied as she layed back down.
"Don't mention it." she replied, "But, before you doze off, can I ask you something?" she asked, rather weakly.
"Sure, what is it?" Twilight asked as she sat back up.
Sunset wanted to ask her something, something rather personal, but didn't feel it would be right to ask straight away. "What's it like back home?" she asked as a way to reach her real question, "I've been here so long I, I've probably missed out on a lot of stuff over the years." she said as an excuse.
"Well, I'm not sure how long you've been gone, but the last year has been pretty crazy to say the least."
"How so?" She asked, while it wasn't what she really wanted to know, she as still curious.
"Well, we've had five attempted conquests, but, asi-"
"Five attempted conquests? From who?" Sunset asked. In the time she was in Equestria, there had never been any kind of hostile takeover attempt. Untill her own of course.
"Well... The first was a threat of eternal night. Do you know the legend of the-"
"Mare In The Moon?" she finished, "Yeah. And let me guess, it was more than a story?" she asked.
"Yep. We were able to bring Princess Luna back, and she's not..." Twilight couldn't think of the right word to describe her. She didn't want to call Luna outright evil. "You know, she's not... like that any more."
"I get it." Sunset said, seeing Twilight was getting a bit uneasy. "So who else?"
"Well, then there was Discord, the lo-"
"Discord!" Sunset repeated in disbelief, leaning forward over the back of her chair, "That creepy draconequus statue guy?" she asked.
Twilight nodded. "He gave us some trouble but, we were able to turn him back to stone."
"You beat him? You're amazing Twilight!" She pulled back and sat normally on her chair, now she just wanted to know more. "Who else?"
"Well the other two were an army of Changelings, and a shadow pony named Sombra. Have you hered of him? Because I sure hadn't."
Sunset looked away in thought for a second, "Sombra... Nope, doesn't ring a bell. So who else?"
"Well, that's all of them actually." Twilight said.
"You said there were five attempted conquests, those were only four." Sunset told her.
"Oh did I?" Twilight counted on her fingers, "Nightmare Moon, Discord, the Changelings and Sombra. That's all of them. Guess I miscounted." she said, a bit embarrassed, "You'd think I would be able to keep count of them all."
Sunset laughed, as an attempt to hide her uneasyness, and Twilight laughed along with her. I never stood a chance against you did I? Now it was time for what she really wanted to ask. "Can I ask you... one more thing?"
"Sure. What now?" Twilight asked as she calmed herself down.
"How's Celestia doing? Has she been okay?"
"She's." there was a small silence, just long enough to be awkward. "She's been fine. Nothings really been wrong with her."
Sunset turned back to her desk, away from Twilight. "Did she ever mention me. Or a, previous student who ran away?" she asked.
Twilight didn't want to answer this, knowing Sunset wouldn't like the answer. "Um. No, she never did. I'm sorry about that." she said slowly,
"It's fine. I didn't think she would." Sunset tried to hold in her tears, but a few were making their way out. "I was always just a failure anyway."
She felt a hand on her shoulder, "Hey, it's okay. When we came here, she was so worried about finding you." Twilight said, trying to reasure her, "I'm sure you mean something to her."
Sunset wiped away her few tears and looked around at the girl behind her, "You think so?"
"I know so. Celestia wouldn't come all the way to another world for just anypony." she said as she looked closer at Sunset's face, "I think I have seen you before actually, it must have been in a picture or something." She wasn't sure if she was right, but she had definitely seen a pony who looked like her somewhere.
"A picture?" Sunset's eyes widened and she quickly got off of her seat and went over to her bed. I hope it's still there. She reached her arm down the side of her bed, and after a couple seconds of desperate searching, pulled up a picture frame. After wiping it clear of a ton of dust, she handed it to Twilight. "This one?"
The picture was one of Celestia and Sunset sitting next to each other, smiling. "That's the only photo We had together. it wasn't long after that I started to turn a bit, bitter, to say the least."
After only mere seconds of looking at the picture, Twilight knew this wasn't where she had seen her, but the look on Sunset's face was one of pure desperation. She just couldn't tell her the truth. "Yeah. This is it." she lied, "I think I saw it in her main chamber, next to her bed."
"Really!? She kept it after all th-" Sunset was interrupted by a loud buzzing sound coming from her bag. Wait, that's... she rushed over and looked under her desk, and sure enough, the sound was coming from there. She quickly picked up her bag and opened it up.
"What's that?" Twilight asked.
Sunset saw her book glowing and vibrating. "This is something she gave me, as a means to write to her!" she pulled the book out of her bag, and dropped the bag to the ground. "And if it's like this then..." she opened the book and flicked through the pages until she reached the page where she had written to Celestia last week. On the page next to it, words were appearing out of thin air. "She wrote back."
Sunset sat down, and put the book gently down on her desk. "I'll leave you alone for a moment." Twilight set the picture down next to where Sunset had placed the book, before leaving into the kitchen. Sunset took a deep breathe, and read the letter to herself.
To my dear student, Sunset Shimmer. When you wrote to me days ago, I'm sorry that I didn't reply to you then. I had wanted to, but I felt that with the portal that kept us apart opening soon, it would have been better if I went over to meet you personally. I see now that that was a mistake, I should have wrote back to you as soon as I got it, and for that I am deeply sorry.
I always knew that one day, you would see your mistakes and come back to me one day. Despite all that has happened between us, please know that I have been, and always will be here for you should you ever need me, and that all is forgiven. Finally, please take care of Twilight, I'm sure she will be able to help you with any problems you may have. I hope you both return together as soon as you can.
I can't wait to see you again, standing here by my side. Your teacher, Princess Celestia.
Sunset just sat there for a moment. Rereading it over and over. She couldn't believe it. Not only had she forgiven her, but she was also still willing to take her back as her student. "You really do care about me." she muttered. She picked up the book, and took it into the bathroom, before closing and locking the door behind her.
Twilight walked back in, and heard crying coming the bathroom. She approached the door, and gave it a knock, "Sunset. Are you ok?" she asked softly. There was no answer. "What did she say?"
"I'm fine." was all she heard through the door. She decided to sit at Sunset's desk, and wait for her to come back out when she was ready, instead of trying to talk her out.
After about five minutes, the cries dies down, and the door opened. Sunset walked out of the bathroom. She had given her face a good wash in the sink, and dried it up quite nicely. "Are you ok now?" Twilight asked with a smile.
Sunset put her book down on her desk. "Yeah. I needed that." she said. "I'm just, gonna go for a walk, if that's okay. I know I probably shouldn't leave you here on your own but," she walked over to the front door. "I just need some fresh air."
"Well, do you want me to come with you?" she asked as Sunset opened the door.
"I thought you were tired?" she asked.
"I'll be fine. I'll just get some extra sleep tonight." Twilight replied as she got up and walked over to her.
Sunset gave it a thought, "Sure, alright then. Maybe I could use some company right now." They then both left the small apartment, and closed the door behind them.
As Twilight and Sunset walked away from the small apartment block, Sunset had a small smile on her face, and Twilight just followed next to her, not saying a word. I wonder what she must have said in that book? Despite the fact that she was undeniably curious as to what Celestia wrote to Sunset, she knew it wasn't hers to know, or ask.
She took a look up at the slowly setting sun, If there's no magic here, who controls the sun and the moon? she pondered that thought, as more started to come to her head. And, who controls the weather? Do they all just control themselves? But how is that possible? Are they alive themselves? she took a quick glance at Sunset, before looking back up into the sky. Just where are we exactly, and why was I seeing this place las-
"It's gonna be weird when I finally go back, isn't it?" Sunset asked, breaking the silence.
"Huh, uh what?" Twilight replied, as she was pulled out of her thoughts.
"I've gotten so used to walking like this, it's probably going to be strange having my hooves back." she continued.
"Oh, yeah, it probably will be for a while. But I'm starting to get use to this, and I've never walked on two hooves before." she looked down at her legs, "Even if it is pretty strange, and I'd be a lot more comfortable on four."
"Yeah, I guess so." Sunset agreed. "But you would get some pretty strange looks if you do that."
"I'll keep that in mind." As Twilight turned her attention back in front of her, she saw the five girls from the window walking towards them. "Hey, it's them." she pointed towards them, drawing Sunset's attention.
Sunset was less that happy to see them, however, as she was not sure why they were here. "Oh, great."
Almost immediately, Pinkie ran ahead of the others to greet them. "Higha Sunny. You ok?"
"I'm fine Pinkie, but wh-"
"Are you sure? Cus you seemed rather down earlier." She turned her attention to the stranger next to her. "Hey! I'm Pinkie Pie, who are you? Are you a friend of Sunny?"
Twilight was at a bit of a loss for words, as it seemed this really was Pinkie. So it really is you girls! "Y-yeah, I am. It's nice to mee-"
"That's strange, cus she told me befo-"
She was pulled back by Applejack, who had noticed Twilight's rather surprised look. "Give her some space Pinkie." she shook her head before continuing, "Sorry about her, she does that a lot."
"No uh, it's fine, I just..." she was at a complete loss for words.
Sunset stepped forward. "Twilight, this is Pinkie Pie, Rarity, Rainbow Dash, Applejack and Fluttershy." she pointed out who was who as she named them, unaware that Twilight needed no introductions. "Girls, this is Twilight Sparkle."
"Nice to meet you all." she said, "Are you friends of Sunset's?" she asked. She gathered from what Sunset told her, about causing a lot of pain over the years, that the answer would be no, but she had to ask something.
"Well, not really." Rarity muttered, much to both Sunset and Twilight's dismay.
"You betcha!" Pinkie said with a small bounce.
"You... are?" Sunset asked, quite surprised.
"Well, yeah. Aren't we?" Pinkie asked tilting her head slightly.
"Well, we were, but after what I said earlier I... I didn't think you'd want to anymore. But I guess if you still wanna be, then alright." Sunset shook her head, "Anyway, what brings you all here?" she asked, wanting to change the subject, as well as general curiosity.
"Well actually, we were looking for you." Rainbow said.
"Look, if it's about earlier, I know what you're thinking. That this might be some kind of trick. But I swear it's not." she said.
"It's not that dear." Rarity began.
"It's about what you said to me, about leaving." Fluttershy continued.
"Oh, that." Sunset grew a bit worried, over all this time, she had never thought to think up a cover story. "What about it?" she asked weakly.
"Where are you going?" Rainbow asked.
"Has it got something to do you're friend?" Pinkie asked, "Also, didn't you tell me that you had never had a fr-"
"We-we aren't friends." Sunset replied rather quickly.
"We aren't?" Twilight asked, rather surprised.
"We're just acquaintances from a couple years back. We ran into each other after school and, she's been helping me move stuff around before I leave. That's all."
Applejack wasn't buying it herself, "Alright, but that doesn't answer our question. Where are yall going to Sunset."
"Sorry, but that's my business, not yours." she replied sternly.
"Surely it won't hurt to tell us." Fluttershy said.
In any other case, you'd be right. "No, it won't, but that doesn't change things." she walked past the five, now curious girls, "Now, I need to be going. See you all tomorrow." she said as she began to walk off.
"Sunset, wait!" Twilight said as she ran behind her, only to stop for a moment and turned to face them, "Sorry about this. It was nice meeting you, and I'll see you tomorrow." she spun back around and ran towards Sunset, "Wait up."
"She seemed nice." Fluttershy said.
"I guess, but why doesn't she just tell us where she's going?" Rainbow asked.
"Rainbow, I told you this might not work, and she's right anyway. Where she's going isn't our business, and we can't force her to tell us." Rarity replied.
"True, but what about that other girl?" Applejack asked.
"Like Flutters said, she seemed nice." Pinkie said.
"Yeah," she watched as Twilight eventually caught up to Sunset, "But that's what don't make sense."
"How so?" Rarity asked.
"Why would she, Sunset Shimmer, befriend her? Sure she's nice and all, but that just means she's an easy target for her, right?
"Come on AJ, you're thinking about this to much." Pinkie said.
"Maybe... But for now, I ain't buying it." Applejack then started to walk away from the group, "Well, I'm going home. See you tomorrow." she said as she crossed the street, and began her walk back home.
"Sunset, slow down! I'm not use to running like this." Twilight said as she caught up to Sunset, now gasping for breath.
"Sorry, I just wanted to get away from them. You alright?" she asked.
"Fine, just gimme a sec."
"You know, I think you all could get along nicely." Sunset said.
"What?"
"You and, them five. I dunno, maybe I'm wrong, but something just tells me the six of you could get along."
"What makes you say that?"
Sunset seemed to take her time to answer, as she seemed to get lost in thought. "Gut feeling I guess."
Twilight looked back at the group, I wonder if I should tell her I know them, and about the Elements of Harmony. she looked back at Sunset, who was still deep in thought. No. She's got enough on her mind already. I shouldn't give her another thing to think about. "Maybe. So are we going?" she asked with a smile.
"Sure." she replied weakly, as they both continued their walk.
"So, why did you want to 'get away from them?'" Twilight asked.
"Remember what I said to you before, about how I've only ever hurt people here?"
"Yeah."
"I hurt those five any way I could for three years straight." she began, as her gaze drifted down to the ground. "Three years ago, they were the best of friends, and I broke them all apart, turned them into the worst of enemies. Heck, I even turned Fluttershy into the schools personal punching bag."
"Why would you do all that?" Twilight asked, not even sure if she wanted to know.
Sunset stopped dead in her tracks. "Because I felt like it, and because I was bored." her eyes hadn't moved at all, as she continued to simply stare at the ground. "they were my reasons for everything. I would hurt people because I was bored, and had nothing better to do. I gave Fluttershy so much pain over the years, because I felt like it would be fun to watch." tears started to drip from her eyes, "I've done nothing but hurt everyone here, and those girls are the perfect example of how bad I was."
"How are they the perfect example?" Twilight asked as she took a step closer to Sunset.
"Because... just last week I-" she stopped herself as she realized she was about to go into the Fall Formal, "Never mind, just say it. Go on and say it. I'm a terrible person aren't I?" Twilight didn't reply, which, to Sunset, was it's own answer. "I thought so. And they're only five of I don't know how many people from school, and I've hurt everyone of them somehow."
"So that's why you can't come home yet." Twilight said, "You've only got so much time, and so much to do."
"Exactly." she gave a weak sigh, "I just want to fix as much damage that I've done that I can now, and to let everyone know I'm sorry. Even if they don't believe me, or don't even care, I just want them to know."
"Well, like I said, I want to help you however I can, so if th- Um, hi. You're Applejack right?"
Sunset turned around to Applejack behind her. "How long have you been there?" she asked weakly.
"Were you... following us? For how long?!" Twilight asked, a slight hint of demand in her voice.
"Long enough." She replied, keeping her eyes on Sunset. "You're crying you know, you gonna wipe em away?" she asked.
Sunset just looked away, but made no effort to wipe her tears away. "Long enough for what? What do you want?"
"Long enough to realize..." she looked over at Twilight, who seemed genuinely concerned for Sunset. As much as she kind of wanted this to be an act, and for her suspicions to be corect, this wasn't. If it was, it was the best sad act AJ had ever seen. "That maybe Pinkie was right about you."
"W... What???" Sunset asked as she turned her head.
"And, I guess I was wrong about you Sunset. Maybe you really are different now."
"You, you mean it?" she asked, as she turned around fully to face AJ.
"Yeah." she put out her hand for a handshake. "I was wrong about you Sunset, and I'm sorry I ever doubted you."
Sunset almost lunged right at her and hugged her tight. "Thanks Applejack, thank you so much."
"Don't mention it, and, yall can just call me AJ if you want to." she said as Sunset tightened her grip.
After about a solid minute, Sunset let her go. "You ok now?"
"Yeah, I'm fine." Sunset replied, her voice no longer weak.
"I guess Pinkie deserved that tener after all huh." AJ joked.
"Yeah. Look, I need to head back now." Sunset said as she began to walk past AJ, "I've got some stuff I need to do tomorrow and-"
"I know, I heard that part after all." Applejack interrupted, "I'll see the both of yall tomorrow."
as both Sunset and Twilight began to head back the way they'd came, Applejack got a text. She pulled out her phone, and read the message.
So, was I right, or was I right? Pp.
Applejack shook her head, and looked over at the other side of the road that the two girls were running on, to see Pinkie waving at her. She returned the wave, and started to head home, for real this time.
When Twilight and Sunset got back to the apartment, Twilight was completely drained of her energy, and almost immediately walked over and sat herself on the bed. Sunset, however, went over to her desk, and got a piece of paper and a pen.
"You can sleep there tonight if you want." Sunset said.
"Thanks." Twilight replied as she got herself under the covers.
Just gonna sleep in those clothes are you? Sunset resisted the urge to laugh, and instead returned her attention to the piece of paper in front of her. As she was about to write something, her phone went off in her pocket. She pulled it out, and read the message to herself.
Sunset, we need to talk. Tomorrow, first thing, before homeroom. Lightning Dust.
"Oh great, what do you want?" she whispered, "Oh well, might as well just add her to the list." she wrote Lightning Dust's name on the paper, followed by the others she planned to talk to tomorrow.
Sunset awoke from her sleep to the sound of rustling paper. As she opened her eyes, and took a look around her, she saw Twilight was already up, and was cleaning all the scrumpled up pieces of papers from the floor. "Morning. Sleep well?" Twilight asked with a smile.
"It was alright, sleeping on the floor isn't as bad as it seems." she pushed the large towel she had used as a blanket off of her. Like Twilight, she hadn't bothered to change out of her clothes. "You?" she asked.
"Yeah, I slept fine." Twilight began, "Oh, I hope you don't mind, but I decided to clean up a bit." she said as she pick up a piece of paper.
"Thanks I guess." she looked around the rest of her room, her bed was made, her desk clear, and all the clutter from under her bed had been neatly organized. "Good job, I've never seen this place so clean." she joked. "Did you... read any of them?" she asked, a tad worried.
"I read a couple of them, but I stopped when I realized they were all the same, and what they were about." she replied, "So what's the plan?" she asked, wanting to change the subject.
"The plan?" she repeated, "Get to school, talk to someone, and go from there." she answered as she looked over to her alarm clock on her desk. "We're late getting up, stupid thing." she grabbed her bag from under her desk, and was about to pick up her phone, when it went off with a text.
"What's that?" Twilight asked, as Sunset read the message.
Your locker. First thing. LD.
"It's a phone, it allows people to send each other messages, or talk to them." Sunset said.
"People?" Twilight asked.
"Oh, right, I can't believe I haven't told you this yet." Sunset began, "You don't want to call everyone here everypony, you'll get some very weird looks if you do." she said with a slight bit of embarrassment from those times. "Instead it's somebody or, everybody, and instead of pony, it's person or people. You might want to remember that when talking to people.
Twilight nodded, as she turned her attention back the device in Sunset's hand. "So that thing there, it's kinda like Spike, or that book of yours." she said to herself.
That dog of yours? Or... whatever he is back home. "Who?" she asked.
"He's a dragon I hatched when I joined Celestia's school. He can send and receive things from her with his breath." she explained.
"A dragon, huh? I hatched a phoenix when I joined." she put the phone in her pocket, and walked over to the door to unlock it. "I wonder where she is right now?"
"So, who was the message from?" Twilight asked as the door opened.
"A girl named Lightning Dust." she replied, "Vice captain of about half of the schools sports teams." she said as she walked out, and Twilight followed behind her.
Lightning Dust? Where do I know her from? "Well, I guess that's good then," Twilight began, "if you can get her to see that you've changed, then she can-"
"That won't work." Sunset interrupted.
"Why not?"
"Well, I'm basically the top dog of Canterlot High, I always had a kind of... control over everyone there." she took a quick, nervous glance at Twilight for a moment.
"Yeah, so?"
"Well, there are a couple people who never really, stood for it. There were only a couple, but they proved, problematic." she continued.
"And she's one of them?" Twilight asked.
Sunset nodded, "Yeah, she was the hardest. I swear she has a vendetta against me or something."
"We'll just, talk to her, find out what she wants, and get on with your more important stuff." Twilight said. The way she said it made the whole thing sound so casual, but Sunset knew this wouldn't be that simple.
When the two of them got to school and walked through the main doors, amoung the moving crowd, Pinkie was there to meet Sunset. "Hi you two, you alright?" she asked as Sunset and Twilight walked over to her.
"We're fine." Twilight said.
"I'm afraid I can't talk this morning Pinkie, I've got a meeting with-" Sunset said.
"Lightning Dust?" Pinkie asked. Sunset turned to her, about to ask her how she knew. "She's been running her mouth all morning about meeting you."
"Really?" Twilight asked.
"So she wants everyone to know about this?" Sunset asked, "Why?"
"Seems like it, between you and me, she's making Trixie look modest." Pinkie said as the three of them started to move with the crowd.
As the crowd moved however, Sunset noticed something off with those around her. The students in the crowd were watching her closely, not in a 'I hope she isn't looking at me.' way, but a different way that they never had before.
Eventually, they reached their destination, Sunset's locker. There was a large group of people there, with a space in the middle, where Lightning Dust stood. Sunset and Twilight pushed themselves through the crowd, only to stop just before reaching the front. Sunset put her hand on Twilight, making her stop. "Stay here, this could get ugly." she said.
"Stay here? How am I suppose to help you from here?" Twilight asked.
"Just stay here. I'll be fine." she smiled as she pulled her hand away and continued to the centre.
Almost immediately, Dust noticed her. "Well will you look at that," she began mockingly, "our great queen graces us with her presence. I'll admit, I wasn't sure if you'd show up."
Sunset just shook her head. "What do you want Dust?" she asked sternly.
"Really? I mock you and that's all you have to say?" she replied.
"What do you want Dust?" Sunset repeated.
"You ok, you seem awfully different you know?" she asked uncaringly
"This was a waste of time." Sunset said as she turned around.
Lightning smiled devilishly, "I guess they are true then aren't they?" she said.
Sunset stopped, and turned her head slightly, "What are?"
"You don't know?" she laughed, "You're the talk of the school Shimmer." Sunset turned around to face her, raising an eyebrow at Dust, "You really didn't know? Seriously?" she laughed again.
"I know, unbelievable right?" she burst out laughing, "I mean who in their right mind would believe you're getting soft." Sunset didn't budge, keeping her eyes fixed on the girl in front of her, as she suddenly calmed down, like all the laughter was an act. "They're not true, are they?" she asked.
Sunset looked around at the large crowd. All eyes were on her, everyone was waiting for her reply. There were people from each of the different groups in school, making this the perfect opportunity. She took a deep breath, and gave her answer.
"Yes. They're true."
As the whole crowd began talking amongst themselves, Dust's mocking smile fell. "What?"
"They're true, I'm 'getting soft', as you put it."
Dust couldn't believe what she was hearing, "Th-this is a trick right?"
"Nope, it's the truth." she replied calmly.
"Wha... Why?" she asked, rather annoyed.
"Because I... Am done with this." she said weakly.
"What the heck does that mean?"
"It means I'm done being who I was, cus I'm sick of it." out of the corner of her eye, she could see Twilight smiling at her.
"You've got to be kidding me." Dust said, unamused.
"I'm sick of hurting everyone around me, and I'm sorry to everyone I've hurt."
"Alright, if that's true, then prove it!" Dust said.
"Sure, what do you want me to do?"
Dust smiled, "You're 'position' as the 'queen' of CHS." she stated, expecting that would get some kind of real reaction from her.
"Alright. It's yours." she said. Dust's annoyance was slowly starting to turn to anger, "Also, have this as well," She took off her black jacket, and threw it over to Lightning, who caught it. "if anyone doubts you, just tell em I gave you that as a sign or, something."
"You're just... handing it over like that?" Dust began angrily, "I was finally gonna beat you for this, and then you just hand it over?!" Dust asked with a yell as she threw the jacket on the ground.
Sunset turned around and began to walk away, as the group started to move to give her space. "SUNSET BEHIND YOU!!!" Twilight shouted.
Sunset's vision went blurry as she was suddenly thrown into one of the nearby lockers, hitting the back of her head on one. As she opened her eyes, one of Lightning's fists hit her right in her left eye, "WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU!!!" Dust yelled, Sunset put her hand over her eye, but made no attempt to answer her, or retaliate. "ARE YOU REALLY JUST GOING TO STAND THERE?!" she slammed her fist into Sunset's stomach. The blow brought her to her knees, and both of her hands moved to clutch her stomach.
Twilight ran forward, but felt someone grab her arm, she looked around to see Rainbow had a hold of her. "We've got to stop this!" She said in desperation.
Rainbow just shook her head, "Don't even think about it."
"THIS IS WHAT WE WERE ALL AFRAID OF?!?!" she kicked Sunset's stomach. Although her hands absorbed some of the blow, it was clear it still hurt her. "THIS? YOU'RE ACTING LIKE THIS IS SOME KIND OF A JOKE SHIMMER!"
"Are... you... done... yet?" Sunset asked weakly as she slowly stood back up.
"DONE? WHAT DO YOU MEAN DONE?!?!" she demanded, "YOU REALLY ARE JUST GONNA STAND THERE AREN'T YOU?! YOU'RE JUST GONNA STAND THERE AND LET ME DO THIS!?!?" she said as she slammed her fist into her eye again.
Sunset's head once again colided with the locker, "That's the... basic idea." she replied, "I told you... I'm done. I'm not gonna fight you back."
Dust just shook her head, "You're laughable, you know that?" she asked. "You're just a great big joke now."
"So are you done now?"
"Sure, I'm done, I got what I came for. It's no fun if you aren't fighting back anyway. Just know that no one here will ever take you seriously again after this." she stated as she turned around, and began to walk off.
"I know," she stopped dead in her tracks, "that's the point." Sunset said.
"To think I used to look up to you." Dust replied, "The way you would walk around here like you owned it, the way you made everyone do whatever you wanted them to, it was amazing." she walked over to the jacket on the floor, picked it up, and put it on. "Now look at you. What happened to you?"
"You used to look up to me?" Sunset asked. Dust turned her head slightly, signalling Sunset had her attention. "Then I feel so sorry for you." she said in a calm voice.
"Whatever." Dust said as she walked away, the crowd quickly moving out of the way of the schools new top dog.
Sunset slowly walked over to where Twilight was. The crowd also moved out of her way as well. "Are you alright?" Twilight asked.
"That was too far, you weren't even fighting back. She's gonna pay for this." Rainbow said.
"Don't bother Dash." Sunset said, still clutching her stomach, as she walked past the two of them.
"Don't bother? Are you kidding me?!" Sunset ignored her, and kept walking.
"Sunny, are you-" Pinkie began.
"Pinkie, have you got a free period now?" Sunset interrupted.
"Huh? Well I've been given some free time to set up the Fall Formal decorations, so I'm free all day. Why?"
"All day? Good, can you take care of Twilight today. I can imagine someone else coming at me, and I don't want her involved." she explained.
"Well, alright, but what about you?" she asked, still worried.
"I'll be fine Pinkie, I promise." she looked over to Twilight, who was just as worried as Pinkie. "Stay with Pinkie today alright." she immediately started walking off, before Twilight could reply, as everyone nearby kept their distance.
"What abou-" Rainbow grabbed her again.
"She'll be fine." Rainbow said, "She's a tough one."
"Do you really think she'll be okay?" Rainbow didn't reply. She looked over at Sunset, just as she turned the corner, and walked out of view. I hope you know what you're doing Sunset.
Applebloom and Sweetie Belle sat in their homeroom, with only half the class present. The other half, Scootaloo included, decided to go and watch whatever it was Lightning Dust was up to. They would have been there to, if not for their older sisters more or less demanding that they not be there.
"How long till you think she get's back?" Sweetie asked.
"I dunno, but she'll get here when everybody else gets here I guess." Applebloom replied.
"You think Sunset's gonna be ok?" Sweetie asked, "Who knows what Lightning wanted."
"I'm sure is won't be anything she can't handle." Featherweight said from the desk next to them. "I mean this is Sunset we're talking about."
"Maybe, but something's been off with her for a while now." Applebloom replied, sounding worried.
"Bloom's right. She's not the same person she was." Sweetie continued.
"You two might have a point actually." Pipsqueak replied, "I mean, there is that rumour about her going around."
"Oh will you all just shut up." the four of them looked over at the back desk, where both Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon were sitting.
"Why are you two here anyway?" Sweetie asked, "I would of thought you two would want front row seats to something like this."
"I already know what's gonna happen, so what's the point?" she asked, "I'd be more worried about your little friend than her. Shimmer's gonna be fine, right Spoon?" she turned to the girl next to her.
"Yeah, if she can break Bulk Biceps arm, then Dust is just asking for pain." Silver looked away and mumbled to herself, "Still, she has been off recently."
Diamond turned her attention back to the others "You see? Like I was saying, she could be blindfolded and handcuffed, and she could still knock Dust to the ground."
An out of breath Scootaloo quickly ran into the room, "Scoots? What happened out there?" Sweetie asked.
"Hey... I got here... as soon as... I could." she said, gasping for breath.
"There, she'll tell us. So dork, approximately how many broken bones does Lightning have?" she asked mockingly.
"You... are not... gonna believe this." Scootaloo said.
"Let me guess, Lightning was knocked out cold? Big surprise!" she burst out laughing.
"Actually, she's in charge around here now." Scootaloo said.
Diamond's laughter immediately died. "What?"
"Sunset refused to fight and just handed ove-."
"Woah woah woah, slow down Scoot. Tell us what happened, from the beginning." Sweetie asked.
"Ok." she took a calming breath "It seemed like Dust wanted to anger Sunset, and then beat her in a fight for her title as the top dog here." she said.
"And Dust beat her?" Applebloom asked.
"Not really." she continued, "She refused to fight."
"She what!" Diamond asked, standing up.
There was a large crowd of people walking past the room, "Good thing I left before everyone else." Scoots said, before turning her attention back to the few people in the room. "She also just handed her position over to her, even giving Dust her jack-"
"SHE DID WHAT?!?!" Diamond yelled, as she made her way over to Scootaloo.
"You heard me, she just handed it to her along with her jacket."
"What's wrong with her?" Spoon began, "Of all the people she could have 'handed her position to,' why her?"
"I'm gonna go find out." Diamond stormed out the room, as Silver got up and followed after her.
"So, Lightning Dust is in charge now?" Featherweight asked.
"Yep." Scoot replied, "And I've got a bad feeling about this."
Pinkie, Twilight, and Rainbow walked into the gym. Two of them had been silent on their way here, but Pinkie had been trying to lighten the mood with some weak jokes and forced laughs, before just trying to get one of them to say something through general conversation.
As the three of them looked around the fully decorated gym, Pinkie and Twilight decided to sit down on one of the benches by the wall. "I'll be with you two in a sec," Rainbow said, "I gotta give someone a call." she walked out of hearing distance, and got out her phone.
"So... how long have you known Sunny?" Pinkie asked, to no reply. "If you're from out-a-town, what brings you here?" again, no reply. "Can we take our minds off that for just a few moments?"
"That just wasn't right." Twilight said weakly.
Pinkie gave up on trying, "Yeah, she didn't need to attack her like that." she said with a sigh.
"Not her, Sunset." Twilight replied.
"Wait, Sunny was wrong?" she asked, now confused, "I thought she did the best she could."
"But that was wrong," Twilight continued, "I see what she was trying to do, but that wasn't the way to do it."
"Wait, do what?"
"She could have at least defended herself. I've never been one for violence but, just standing there and taking it like that was just... wrong!" she said.
"It was the best thing she could do." Rainbow said as she walked over, putting her phone in her pocket.
"Best thing? Are you crazy?" Twilight asked.
"Alright, let's go from the beginning then. Tell me, what was she trying to do?" Dash asked as she sat down next to Twilight.
A confused Twilight looked at her, "She was... telling everypo-body that she's 'done' being who she used to be, and she's 'done' hurting those around her."
"Do you think they believed her?" Rainbow asked.
"It looked like some of them did, yeah."
"Alright. Now how many people do you think would have believed her if she did fight back?" Rainbow continued, "Are you saying she should've beat Dust into the ground, cus she could've."
"I'm not saying that, just... It would have been self defence, they'd understand."
Dash laughed halfheartedly, "No they wouldn't have." she said, "If she did, then it would have just been another 'Sunset Shimmer beat down'. Trust me, not fighting back, was the best thing she could have done."
"She's right you know." Pinkie added weakly.
"And before you even think about it. No, there was nothing you could've done to help back there." Dash continued, "If I hadn't grabbed you, you would be laying in the nurses office right now."
"Can't we just get one of the teachers to do something?" Twilight asked, "I mean, it is their job rght?"
"Supposed to be, yeah. But after only a month of Sunset, and what she was doing, they all just, stopped."
"Stopped? Just like that?" she asked, confused.
"Yep," Pinkie added, "they just stopped caring and let her get on with it."
"Did you notice any teachers back there?" Dash asked.
"Now that you mention it, no I didn't." Twilight replied.
"Course you didn't, they don't try anything. They didn't show up because Sunset was involved."
"Why not?"
"That depends on who you ask." Pinkie replied, "Some say she's got blackmail material on every teacher here, others say she's secretly in good with Principal Celestia and Vice Principal Luna, so they keep everyone off her, but no one knows the truth."
"So what do you two think the truth is?" Twilight asked.
"Don't know, and I don't care myself." Rainbow said dimly.
Pinkie looked over to the large stage Trixie was using yesterday. "Hey, how about you two help me take that stage down." she said as she jumped up from the bench and pointed to the stage, "Because I could do with a change of subject."
"She's right, come on, Twilight, was it?" Rainbow asked, getting to her feet.
"Yeah, that's me, and I guess you're right." Twilight said as she got up, and the three of them walked over to the large stage.
Sunset sat in the nurses office. After what happened, she just wanted to make sure that no real damage was done. "You should be fine, you might have to put up with some small stomach aches, but that shouldn't last more than an hour or two." Nurse Redheart said nicely.
"Thanks Miss." Sunset replied, "How about my eye?" she pointed to the black eye patch she was now wearing "When can I take this thing off?"
"It seems to be fine to me," she continued, "but keep that on for about twelve hours just to be safe, and if it still hurts by the end of break today, come back and see me. Ok?"
"Yeah yeah." she replied as she got up and made her way to the door. "Sorry about all the trouble I've given you."
"Trouble? What trouble?" Redheart asked.
"Well I've, sent a lot of people here in my time haven't I? That couldn't of been easy."
"I guess not... But what can you do?" she asked.
"Well if there's no real damage, then I'm sorry for wasting your time." she said as she opened the door.
"Not at all Sunset, come back anytime."
Sunset turned her head around, to see Redheart smiling at her. It wasn't a fake smile like she expected to get, and it took her quite by surprise. "Will do." she smiled back, amd left the office and closed the door behind her.
"Wow, really?" Sunset looked around her, and saw Gilda staring at her, "You were actually in there? And now you've got that thing on? Wow."
"Hey Gilda, what do you want." Sunset asked, already expecting another beat down.
"I think you know what this is about Shim." she replied.
"Alright." Sunset turned around and put her hands on the back of her head, "Let's just get this over with."
"Oh put your hands down, I'm not gonna hit you." she said with a laugh, "I just wanted to ask you something about it, that's all."
"Huh?" Sunset lowered her hands back down, and turned around to Gilda, who was now resting on one of the lockers. "Alright then, what is it?"
"Did you really mean what you said back there?" she asked, "About being sorry for what you've done?"
Sunset joined her next to the locker, "Yeah, I did. Why?"
"Alright then." She replied.
"Why does it matter to you?" Sunset asked, "You alright?"
"It's nothing you need to worry yourself with, it's just something I wanted to know." Gilda said, "I've just been thinking about some stuff recently." she moved away from the locker and began walking away.
"Sorry for yesterday." Sunset said. Gilda stopped almost immediately, "I shouldn't have hit you like that. Sorry."
"Nah it's fine. Didn't hurt that much anyway." she replied as she walked off.
"Well look at you." she turned around to see Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon walking down the other end of the corridor towards her. "What are you wearing? You look like a joke!" Diamond said in a mocking voice.
"What do you two want?"
They both looked at each other for a moment, "We just want to know, what happened between you and Dust, is it true?" Silver asked.
"Yeah, it's true."
"So you basically just gave Dust complete control of the school!?" Diamond asked angrily. Sunset nodded, "Why would you do that?"
"Because..." the school bell went off, signalling the end of first period, "If you want to know, then meet me outside at break."
"Oh please, you're not the boss of us anymore, besides, just tell us now." Spoon said.
"Yeah, tell us now and stop wasting our time." Tiara continued.
Sunset began to walk away calmly, "I don't have time, I have class now." she said, "But if you want to talk, and are willing to listen, then you know where I'll be." she said as she continued walking, as people began leaving the classrooms around her.
"So now what?" Silver asked.
"I guess we have no choice, do we?" Diamond replied.
Second period had ended, and people were now chatting with one-another, probably about recent events, inside the school. Sunset, however was waiting just outside the school, sitting on one of the steps, for Diamond and Silver to show up.
She had been here for about ten minutes now, and was starting to get worried they weren't going to show. Where on earth are those two?
She was suddenly tapped lightly on the shoulder, as a voice called to her, "Sunset?"
"Oh good you-" after turning her head around, she was met by Rarity. "Oh... hi. Thought you were someone else."
"Ever so sorry to disturb you dear, but after what happened earlier, I just wanted to see if you were alright." Rarity said.
"Oh, I'm fine... Thanks for asking."
"Why are you just sitting out here?" she asked.
"What else do you want?" Sunset asked.
"I'm sorry, what?" Rarity replied, confused.
"I asked, what else do you want?" she repeated.
"I just want to talk is all. Is there a problem with that?" she asked.
Sunset shook her head, "Look, I know this routine. You start off with general conversation, as a way to soften me up, so I'll say yes to whatever it is that you want, something that I wouldn't agree to otherwise." she looked back at her, "Right?"
"Well... there may be a couple things on my mind." Rarity replied. "But you don't need to bother telling me that," she took a seat next to her, "that's your business, not mine."
"So just ask em," Sunset said, "get them out the way, then if you still want to, we can talk." Sunset sighed lightly. "I'm done keeping secrets."
"Well, if you insist." Rarity began. "Whe-"
"Alright, We're here," the two of them turned around to see the two Sunset had been waiting for, Diamond and Silver, joined by Sweetie Belle, "now tell us!" Diamond said.
"Sunset, are you alright?" Sweetie asked as she took notice of Sunset's eye patch, "Is your eye ok?" she asked.
"Her eye is fine, quit asking stupid questions." Diamond replied.
"Come on you two." Sunset said, "Rarity, those questions of yours will have to wait. Sorry about that." she said as she walked down the stairs.
"N-no problem." The two younger girls walked past Rarity, and followed behind Sunset, who walked quite some distance away. "Aren't they those two bullies?" Rarity asked, "What were you doing with them?"
"They said they were going to talk to Sunset, and since I wanted to see her too, so I just decided to go with them." Sweetie replied.
Sunset, Diamond and Spoon walked over, and behind the large stone statue. "Alright, here we are." she turned to the two girls behind her. "Sorry to drag the both of you out here, but I didn't want someone overhearing." she said calmly.
"Why is this such a big deal?" Silver asked, "You could have easily told us why you're doing this in there you know." she pointed to the school.
"I know," she replied, "but we're here now. So what do you want to know?"
"Oh I don't know," Diamond began mockingly, "how about we start with 'WHY THE HECK WOULD YOU GIVE YOUR POSITION AWAY TO LIGHTNING DUST!?' Cus that seems like it would he a good start!" she yelled.
"Because she asked for it, and I didn't want it anymore." Sunset replied weakly, "Next."
"Because she asked for it?" Silver repeated, "You just gave it to her like that?"
"That's right." Sunset sat down, and rested on the statue.
"Why?" Silver asked, "What's been up with you recently?"
"Yeah, you don't just give something like that away for no reason." Diamond said, "So what's your real reason?"
"Because..." she looked at the two of them. "Because I don't want to hurt others anymore. That's why."
Diamond rolled her eyes, "Gag me, I'm gonna throw up."
"And because I hate myself..."
"W...what?" Diamond asked, the two of them looked at each other in confusion.
"I hate everything I am..." she continued, "everything I've ever done, or ever thought of doing... I just hate it all."
"What happened to you?" Spoon asked.
"I... I almost hurt a lot of people." she said weakly.
"Uh-huh, you almost hurt people? Really? Why is this a big deal to you?" Diamond asked.
"I almost killed her." she muttered as tears began to fill her eyes.
"Wait, what did you just say?" Spoon asked as she sat down next to Sunset.
"I was such a monster..."
"What are you on about?" Diamond asked. Sunset gave no reply, and seemed to be lost deep in thought, "Hey? Hello!" still no reply, "HEY!" she yelled.
Sunset was snapped out of her concentration, "Huh, what?" she gave a sigh and rubbed her eyes, "Sorry about that."
"Are you alright?" Silver asked, genuine concern in her voice.
"F-fine. I'll be fine." she shook her head, "But, anyway, there's a reason why I wanted to bring you out here." the two looked at each other again, "I wanted to talk to you about something. If that's alright."
"Go on." Tiara said slowly.
"You two know I've always looked out for you, right?"
"Yeah. So?"
"Well, the reason I did was because you both remind me of myself." she said, "And right now, I'm scared for you."
"Huh?" Diamond asked, puzzled, "Scared for us? Why?"
"Look at me. Do I look like I'm remotely happy where I am right now?"
"No." Silver replied.
"Well that's cus I'm not." she sighed, "Now I see myself in you two. I see you growing up to become just like me, and turning out like this." she took a deep breath "I don't want you to go through what I am right now, but I know you will." She looked at Silver next to her, and Diamond standing over her, "So please, listen to what I'm about to tell you."
"Alright, go on, I'm listening." Diamond said.
"Don't be like me." she said. "You're both still young, you can still turn yourselves around before it's to late. I know I may be asking to much, but please, try, cus I don't want either of you to go through this."
"Well, what do we do about that?" Silver asked. "How do we do this?"
"You just need to change you're ways, and stop being the bullies you are now."
"And if we don't do this?" Diamond asked, "What then? Give me one good reason?"
"Then you'll get everything you want, everything will be perfect for you, for the time being," Diamond grinned a bit, "and then it'll all come crashing down." her grin vanished, "In one moment, something will happen, and it'll ruin everything you have, you'll be left with nothing, begging for someone to give you a chance. But no one will bother to listen to you. So I'm warning you, stop now, before it's to late."
"So where would we start?" Silver asked weakly.
Sunset looked at her, "You need to try and fix the problems you've caused. For me, there were five girls two and a half years ago, but for you, well you should know that yourself I guess." she said. "Now, can you two leave me alone for now? Cus I'm done now."
Silver got up off the ground, "Sure, class is probably about to start anyway." she said. Diamond however, remained silent.
The two of them began to walk back over to the school, "Well that was a waste of time, what does she know about us anyway?" Diamond said as after some distance had been gained.
"I guess it was." Silver agreed weakly as she looked back at the statue, as a sudden feeling of regret shot down her spine. She quickly shook it off, and continued walking back to the school with Tiara. "A waste of time."
When the two of them got back to the main entrance, the two sisters were still there. "So what did she say?" Sweetie asked.
"None of your business." Diamond replied harshly, she looked over at Rarity, who was glaring back at her, "What are you looking at?" she muttered as she continued on away from them at a quickened pace.
Silver, however, stopped at them. "And what do you have to say?" Rarity asked.
"I..." she looked over at Sunset, who was still by the grand statue, "I'm sorry Sweetie." she said weakly and quietly.
"W-what did you just say?" Sweetie asked.
"N-nothing." she replied quickly, and rather defensively, "I didn't sa-"
"Come on Spoon, don't bother with them." Diamond said.
"Coming." Silver said as she ran over to catch up with Tiara.
Both Rarity and Sweetie were at a loss for words. "Did... did she just, you did hear that right?" Sunset walked up into the school, "Sunset, what did you say to them?" Sweetie asked.
"The truth. That's all." Sunset said as she sat back down on the step. "Now Sweetie, what did you want?"
"I just wanted to see if you were ok." she said, "Apparently you took quite the beating earlier."
"I'm fine, and if I'm honest, I'm surprised I haven't been jumped by one of the sports teams yet." she said, "Heck, I expected Lightning to do a lot more than she really did. So it's not all bad."
"I must say Sunset, that was rather brave of you to do that." Rarity said, "Is there anything I could help with?"
"After everything I did, you want to help me?" she questioned, "Even after the way I embarrassed you that one time at the Spring Fling?"
"Well, I can tell you right now that I haven't forgotten about that," The two of them sat down either side of her, "but Pinkie, Fluttershy and Applejack trust you, and that's good enough for me."
"What was that?" Sweetie asked, "Are you saying that I was actually right to trust her?"
Rarity sighed and rolled her eyes,, "Yes Sweetie, you were right, and I was wrong. Ok?"
Sweetie giggled lightly, and the school bell went off, "Well, I gotta go, I've got class now." she said as she got up and headed inside.
"Well, I've got a free period next, you?" Sunset asked.
"I'll be glad to keep you company." Rarity said, "If you want it."
"Actually, could you phone Pinkie a minute?" she asked.
"Of course." Rarity pulled out her phone, and dialed Pinkie's phone number, before handing it to Sunset.
"Hey, Sunny, what's up?" Pinkie asked.
"Hey Pinkie, it's me... Wait, how did yo-"
"How you doing? Is your eye alright? How about your stomach?" she asked rapidly.
Sunset shook her head, "Anyway... Is Twilight still with you?"
"Yep, she's here, and she's doing alright. But we did have trouble taking down that big sta-"
"Can you put her on a minute?" Sunset asked.
"Oh sure, one sec."
After what sounded like the phone being hurled across a room, Sunset heard Twilight, "Sunset, are you alright?"
"I'm fine but, are you alright?" Sunset replied.
"Well I've been better," she said, "I'm not really cut out for dismantling things. What do you want?"
"I just... I need to talk to you, where are you know?" Sunset asked.
"Uh, Pinkie, where are we right now?... Room F5. Apparently it's going to be empty for another hour or so." Twilight replied.
"Alright, I'm coming, see you in a minute." Sunset said as she ended the call and handed the phone back to Rarity.
"Do you want me to come with you dear?" Rarity asked.
"Sure, if you want." Sunset said as the two of them got up off the step, and made their way inside the school.
Twilight, Pinkie, and Fluttershy were sitting in an empty classroom, and Twilight was trying to come up with answers to Pinkie's rapid fire questions, while keeping the truth about Equestria a secret. "So... Where are you from?" she asked.
"Uh... I'm from Manehatten. I just moved here last year, and I-" Twilight replied.
"How long have you known Sunny?" Pinkie asked.
"Well... we met a couple years back but we nev-"
"Wait, she's from Manehatten?" Pinkie looking over at Fluttershy, who was sitting at the desk next to her, "Huh, never would have guessed that." Fluttershy shrugged.
"R-really?" Twilight replied, nervously.
"So why'd you move here?" Pinkie continued, turning her attention back to Twilight.
"I... Me and my family just decided to is all, there isn't really a story behind it," she replied. "Though I have been living on my own for a while, an-"
"What was she like back then?" Fluttershy asked.
"Uh, what?" a confused Twilight replied.
"Sunset, what was she like back then?" she asked.
"Yeah," Pinkie continued, "you see Applejack said yesterday that it didn't make sense that she, being who she was, would befriend you."
"So, was she nicer back then?" Fluttershy asked.
Oh great, now what do I say? "She was..."
Twilight was interrupted by the rooms door opening, as Pinkie immediately turned to the door, "Hey Sunny, we were ju-" she stopped when she noticed Lightning Dust walk in, with Snips and Snails behind her. "Oh... hi Dust. What do you want?" she asked, trying to keep her upbeat tone.
"I'm looking for Rainbow Dash." Dust walked over towards Pinkie, "Know where she is?"
"Oh, well you juuust missed her. She was here with us at break, but she has class now." she replied.
"So where is she?"
"Well, I can't remember what she said she had, buuut," Pinkie rushed out the door, and pointed down the hallway, "she went that way somewhere."
"Oh please." Lightning began to walk back over to her.
"No, wait." Pinkie lowered her arm, and pointed in the other direction, "She went that way... I think." Lightning raised an eyebrow, unamused, "No hang on, it was definitely that way." she changed direction again.
As Lightning got more and more annoyed, Snips and Snails couldn't help but let out a small laugh, "What are you two laughing at?" she glared at them.
The two of them forced themselves to stop, "N-nothing." Snails Gave a weak smile.
"Idiots." Dust walked over to Fluttershy, "You."
"Wha- Me?" Fluttershy asked nervously.
"Where. Is. Rainbow?" she asked, angrily.
"I-I really don't remember where she said she was going," Fluttershy replied, shaking a bit with fear, "honest."
Lightning walked back over to Pinkie, who was still pointing down the hallway, "Alright, I'm absolutely extremely completely super duperly sure she definitely went that wa-"
Lightning grabbed her shirt and pulled her back into the room, "Listen here you pink haired moron, rumour has it you've got a record saying where everyone is at any point in the day."
Pinkie laughed, "And you believe them?" she asked, "Do you really think I would go around the whole school and actually take note of where everyone is for every day? Cus that would be rediculous."
Lightning let Pinkie go, and turned her attention towards Twilight, "You, you're new here, right?"
"That's correct." Twilight replied sternly.
"Then, let me tell you something," Lightning walked over to her, "I'm the one in charge around here. Don't get me mad, and we won't have any problems. Am I clear?"
"Understood. I heard you were also the vice captain of some of the schools sports teams."
"Well what do you know, someone who doesn't seem like a complete idiot," she said, glancing at the other two, who were rather amazed at Twilight's cooperation, "so just to remind you, if I tell you to do something, you do it, if I want to know something, you tell me." she noticed Rarity and Sunset walk into the room, "Got that?"
"I'll keep that in mind," Twilight replied, unphased.
"Twilight, what's going on here?" Sunset asked.
"Nothing, I was just leaving," Lightning said as she walked over to the door, only to stop at Sunset, "Nice eye patch." Sunset didn't reply, "You know these two idiots of yours, they're rather obedient aren't they?" again, she didn't reply.
As Lightning left, Snips and Snails followed behind her, "You're with her now? Really?" Sunset asked. The two of them looked at her, rather confused, "You two are better than this."
"Come on you two!" Lightning ordered, "Don't waste you're time with them." The two of them caught up with Dust, as Sunset closed the classroom door behind her.
"So... what did she want?" Rarity asked.
"She was looking for Rainbow Dash, but we all just refused to tell her," Pinkie said. "Then Twi-Twi gave her the wrong info." she laughed, before turning to Twilight, "You do know room A4 is a math room, right?"
Twilight shrugged, "I just wanted her to leave, the last thing I wanted was for her to hit one of you. Though I'm surprised she didn't notice that herself."
"Maybe she did," Fluttershy said, "but she just decided she had had enough of us, I mean she was getting a little, ticked off."
"Anyway, never mind her," Twilight said, "What is it you wanted to talk about?"
"Uh, um." she looked around at everyone else, "It was something about, back home, but I can't quite remember what it was."
"Back ho- Oh, alright, well, just tell me as soon as you remember." Twilight smiled.
"Speaking of back home," Pinkie said, "I didn't know you were from Manehatten!"
"I'm from Manehatten?"
"Yeah," Twilight replied nervously, "she was asking about when I met you and I told her about how we met in Manehatten all those years ago. Then Lightning came in."
"Oh, right..."
"Can Sunset Shimmer and a, Twilight, Sparkle please report to the principals office, immediately."
"Did, did you just hear that?" Fluttershy asked,
"I know," Rarity looked at Sunset, "since when have you been called to the principals office?"
"Heres my question, how do they know about you?" she asked Twilight.
"I'll explain on the way," she said as the two of them went over to the door, Sunset opened it, and they both left.
"Well this is new," Sunset mumbled.
"Huh?"
"Well, I've only been called to the principals office one time before, and that was almost three three years ago!"
"What for?"
"I might've... It's something I've never really been proud of," she said, regretfully, "even before I changed."
"You can tell me, I won't judge you, you know." Twilight giggled, trying to lighten the mood.
It was rather clear it wasn't working. "Well, I was getting angry at Rainbow Dash, she was one of the ones who never really, did what I would tell them. Like Lightning."
"So, you hurt her pretty badly?"
Sunset shook her head, "I found out she was close to this younger kid, Scootaloo, she goes here now, but at the time I... I broke her leg, and told her it was Rainbow's fault, and that she should ask her why this had to happen. Dash never bothered me again."
"Oh, I see," Twilight replied uneasily.
"Apparently the reason they didn't throw me out right then and there was because I didn't do anything on school grounds." she shook her head, "It was the only time this place has ever tried anything significant against me," her regretful tone was slowly starting to turn to one of anger, "and it was only a simple threat of throwing me out! They have never tried anything else in the whole time I ha-"
"Sunset!" Twilight yelled, grabbing her attention, "Are you alright?"
"No, I'm not!" she replied angrily.
"What is it?"
Sunset looked at the 'Principals Office' sign on the door in front of them, "Come on, we shouldn't keep them waiting," she said mockingly, "Just don't tell them anything they don't need to know," she said as she opened the door.
"But you were talking too her yesterday!" Luna said, "How can you say you do-" she and Celestia looked at the two girls as they both walked in, "Her, do you recognize her now?"
"Take a seat," Celestia said, "Twilight, is it?"
Twilight sat down, "Yes ma'am." she looked next to her as Sunset sat down, while looking like she didn't really care anymore, What's with her all of a sudden?
"I believe we spoke yesterday, is that correct?"
"Yes, we did. Is there something else you wanted too talk about?" Twilight asked nervously.
"Well, I must apologize, but I honestly can't remember any such event, could we, go over what we talked about."
"Well, you met me in the main hall, we came here, where we had to borrow the vice principals keys, since you had forgotten yours, and I simply asked you if I could stay here for a couple days, just untill friday."
"I thought you were enrolling here?" Luna asked.
"What, oh, nonono, I don't think I ever said that."Twilight replied nervously, "Did I?"
"I'm pretty sure you did."
"Anyway," Celestia interrupted, "how is it then that I can't recall a single piece of our conversation, and I'm completely sure I have never seen you before Miss Sparkle. Care to explain that?"
"Well... you did say that you had recently hit your head just before we met," Twilight replied, "maybe it's just a tad bit of memory loss?"
"You definitely did speak to her yesterday, there's no doubt about that," Luna said, "Maybe you really did just forget it all?"
"Alright, but why was your voice over the intercom, and why was I in the gym when I heard it go off?"
"Well... you see..." Twilight was cornered, with no idea what to say, "You..."
"So you're a bit forgetful, leave the girl alone will you!" Sunset interrupted, gaining their attention, "How about we just skip to why I'm here, so you can stop wasting my time already. Because frankly, I have more important stuff to do."
"Alright," Celestia replied, "this girl wanted to meet you at lunch, and you told me that no one turned up at the main hall. Is that the truth, Shimmer?"
"Yes, she wasn't there by the time I got to the hall, but I met her after school anyway," she replied, sounding quite annoyed. "Anything else?"
"No, you may both go now." they both stood up, "You may stay here untill Friday, but no longer, understand?"
"Perfectly Miss." Twilight replied with a polite bow, as they both left, and Twilight closed the door behind her.
"What was all that about?!?!" Twilight asked.
"All what?"
"The way you were acting in there, what was with you?" she asked.
"You wanna know?" Twilight just gave her a stern look, "It's because I can't stand that woman," she replied.
"What, why not?"
"When I got here, I had no respect for Princess Celestia, and this Celestia is just a high school principal, so you can imagine that that I had even less respect for her." she looked behind her at the office door, "But even now, after I realize that Celestia was right all along, I still hate her in there."
She sighed, and walked away from the office, "Celestia never would've stood for it, she never agreed with my way of thinking back then, and she wouldn't if she was here, but her? She doesn't even try to stop me, the most I've ever had is a small warning for breaking the leg of someone half my size."
"I'm, I'm sure she has a good reason, Princess or not, this is still Celestia, right?"
"Put yourself in her shoes, someone is going around causing havoc for every student in the school, and you could throw her out of here in an instant, yet you keep her in. Why?"
Twilight had no answer.
"The Princess refused to give me what I wanted, but she just sits back and lets me do whatever!" she slammed her fist into the locker next to her, as she took deep breaths as an attempt too try and calm down, "At first I thought it was hilarious, but now it just makes me sick that they share the same name!"
"I..."
"She didn't even touch what happened this morning, because I was involved." she took another deep breath "Sorry Twilight, you didn't have to hear that." Sunset had finally calmed herself down. "I think I need some air." she said as she ran on ahead.
"Oh, I'll go-"
"No, just leave me alone for now alright!" she said, her voice somewhat demanding, "I just... wanna be alone for now," she said as she ran off, leaving Twilight alone in the hallway.
Flutershy walked down the virtually empty corridor, on her way too her next class. "Hey!" a voice called out behind her. As she turned around, she was thrown into the locker next to her, and a hand grabbd her shirt, she looked up to see Lightning glaring back at her. "Where's Rainbow Dash?!" she demanded.
"W-wha-"
Dust slammed her fist right next to Fluttershy's head, "Are you deaf? I said, where's Rainbow Dash?! NOW!" Fluttershy gave an inaudible mummble, "What was that?"
"S-she has a free period fourth, she said she was g-going to go out to the field to practice!" she cried, cowering with fear.
"Really?" Fluttershy nodded, "Are you sure?" she nodded again, "Alright, but if she's not, I'll be seeing you again real soon." She let Fluttershy go, "And I hope, for your sake, that she's there," she said as she walked off, and Fluttershy ran in the other direction towards her class, as the school bell went off.
Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon walked out of their class, with everyone else. As they all made their way to their next destination, the two of them stood just outside the room. "Well that was completely boring, as usual," Diamond said.
"Yeah, I guess it was..." Silver replied weakly, as she watched all her classmates leave the room.
She had been uneasy throughout class, and Diamond had noticed this quite a while ago, "What's gotten into you Spoon? You tired or something?"
"No... I'm fine. I guess," she replied just as weakly.
"No, you're not," she continued, "Come on, I get that Harshwhinny's excruciatingly boring, but..." she noticed Silver's gase was looking just over her shoulder. She turned her head to see the three crusaders together, laughing about something. "What? Those three idiots?" she looked back at Spoon with a questionable look, "What do you want with them?"
"N-Nothing! I wasn't even looking at them!" she snaped back.
"Uhhh, yes you were. What is it? What's wrong with you?"
"I said I'm fine alright!?" Spoon replied angrily.
"Right, and I love flying unicorns," she replied mockingly, "Now, what's wrong?"
"Just drop it will you." Spoon said in a much calmer voice, as her eyes looked behind Tiara again.
"You're doing it again."
"I'm not doing anything. Alright," she replied as she saw the three of them turn the corner, and returned her eyes to Tiara.
"What do you want with them?" Diamond asked, "Why waste your time wit-" something clicked in her head. "Oh you've gotta be kidding me."
"What?"
"Why are we waiting here exactly Spoon?"
"I just... want the crowd to disappear, before I go anywhere." she replied slowly. "That's all."
"Uh-huh." Diamond wasn't buying it at all.
"You know I don't like crowds."
Tiara folded her arms, "You were waiting for them weren't you?"
"Who?" Tiara just looked at her. "What, them? No. Don't be ridiculous, why would I want to-"
"She's gotten to you hasn't she?" Diamond interrupted, "She's actually gotten to you?"
"I'm sorry, who are we on about now?" Silver asked, as her annoyance was starting to grow.
"Sunset," she replied, "All that stupid stuff she was on about, all that stuff about, whatever it was, I don't even care, has gotten to you!"
"Sunset? I didn't even understand what she was on about. And it's not like I really cared anywhay!" she folded her arms and leaned her back against the wall.
"Silv, I've known you for years now. I can tell when you're lying," Diamond replied, sounding extremely annoyed.
Spoon looked away from Diamond, down the other end of the corridor. "Alright, maybe I have been thinking about some stuff. What's it to you? Clearly you don't care."
"Even if you were waiting for them, it seemed like they all have class now anyway, so you've just wasted our time really."
"Actually, I was listening to them, Scootaloo's free now."
Diamond gave an irritated sigh, "Remind me, which one's Scootaloo again?"
"The one with the scooter in her looker."
It was at this point that Tiara gave up. "Alright! Fine! You want to go talk too a bunch of losers, be my guest, and I'll see you later," she said as she stormed past Spoon.
"Y-you're not coming?" Spoon asked.
"Of course not! I have more important stuff to do, like that homework that's due in after lunch."
"Oh... Alright then. See ya later," she said as she walked down the opposite direction, where the crusaders went.
Sunset sat in an empty classroom, waiting for the crowd outside to disappear, letting herself calm down after her snap at Twilight, and generally just hoping that no one noticed her. After a good few minutes, the crowd was gone, and she decided to leave the room.
Alright, the music club should be having that meeting now, hopefully Flash's with them. she thought to herself as she walked through the school. She took a glance in all the classrooms she passed, full or empty.
One of them caught her attention. An almost empty room, with only Scootaloo sitting in there. As much as she wanted too pop in and say hi, she had a more important thing to do right now. Eh, I'll come back later.
She looked up to the ceiling, letting herself get lost in thought as she walked on forward. Who could I talk to after Flash? she thought back to the list she had written earlier, most of which was useless, as her message of 'I'm not a threat anymore,' was already known throughout the school. That only leaves Snips, Snails, Gilda, and...
"Hi Sunset, have you seen Scootaloo?" someone asked.
Sunset was snapped back to reality, as she saw Silver Spoon in front of her. "Hey Silv, where's Diamond?" she asked, noticing her other half wasn't with her.
"I don't know. We kind of, had a little argument just now. You don't wanna know," she said with a forced smile, "Anyway, have you seen Scootaloo? I'm looking for her."
"Scootaloo, she- Why?" Sunset asked. There was clearly something off with her.
"It's about what you said earlier, Diamond didn't wanna know though, so here I am," she sighed, "Alone."
Guess I can't cross her off the list just yet. "She's just down there, in an empty classroom." she pointed over her shoulder, "I think it was, B7, you can't miss her."
"Thanks," she said as she ran past Sunset.
"Don't mention it," she smiled at her, before turning back around, and continuing down the hallway.
Eventually, she arrived at the music room. Before opening the door, she took a deep breath, This shouldn't be too difficult. She opened the door, and popped her head in the room.
Octavia stood up from her seat, and spun around quickly. "It's about time you got here Ly... Oh, Sunset, what is it?"
Sunset heard a hint of nervousness in her voice. "Hi, sorry to bother you but..." The few people in the room looked at each other momentarily, "...could I talk to Flash a minute?" she gave a weak smile.
"Uh, sure," Flash said as he looked around the others, "That's alright with you guys, right?" no one objected, and so he got up and walked out the room, closing it behind him. "I'm guessing this is about earlier?" he asked.
"You know about that then, huh?" she replied weakly, despite the fact she knew the whole scbool was aware by now.
"I was there, I saw the whole thing," he replied, "It was really something. Hows your eye?"
"It's fine." she shook her head, "Look, I just want to... When we were dating I," she sighed, "I'm sorry for how I treated you, you didn't deserve any of it, and..."
"It's fine, really." Flash smiled at her reassuringly, "You made it quite clear back there that you've changed."
"No, it's not fine! I used you. I used you as a way to get more popular and, I was so horrible to you." she took a deep breath, and fixed her eyes on the floor, not daring too look at him in the eye "Even when you had dumped me, I kept all the girls away from you because, I knew you were such a nice guy, and I was just jealous."
"You were jealous?"
"Maybe that's not the right word. I just didn't want anyone else to have you, even though I never really..."
"We could always... give it another try if you want," he said slowly.
"W-what?" Sunset instantly looked up at him, surprised by what he had said. "Another... Try?"
"Yeah, if you want to, that is." he still had that same reassuring smile.
"No, I, I couldn't. You deserve someone better than me, and besides..." she looked away again, "Please don't take this the wrong way but, I never really liked you," she said nervously. "Like I said, I had always used you for your popularity, I never really though of you, like that. Sorry."
"I know, you made that abundantly clear, I just thought I might as well ask," he replied, "Actually, that's why I broke up with you."
"It was?"
He shrugged, "Yeah, believe me, it was clear you were only using me, and after so long, I just, decided I'd had enough of you, and broke up with you."
"You'd had enough of me?" she looked away in thought for a monent, "Hm, your the only one in this school who ever did. Everyone else just, put up with it."
"But there is, one more thing though." Sunset looked at him, "What's with the sudden change?"
The question sent a small shiver down her spine, "That's... That's personal," she replied, "Now, I gotta go." Suddenly, she just wanted to get away, as that was the last thing she ever wanted to answer.
"Are you ok?" Flash asked.
"I'll be fine but, I just gotta go now." she gave him a light pat on the shoulder as she walked past him, and began to head down the hallway. "See you later Flash."
He gave a small wave, "Oh, Sunset, one more thing." She stopped and turned around, "If you see Lyra, can you tell her we're kinda waiting for her."
Sunset couldn't help but give a light laugh, "Will do." she replied back, as he opened the music room door, and went back inside.
Silver Spoon approached the room Sunset had said to her, and sure enough, Scootaloo was inside. She seemed to be working on something in one of her books, though she clearly couldn't tell from here. She slowly walked into the room, "Hi," she said uneasily.
Scootaloo looked towards the sound, and wasn't happy to see Spoon at the door. Great, it's you. "What do you want?"
"I just, can I sit down?" she asked.
"Sure, there's plenty of seats." Scootaloo returned her attention to her work, but immediately turned it back to Spoon when she sat down right next to her, and threw her bag under the desk. Seriously? "Actually, I just remembered, I was about to leave anyway."
"Sorry, I can move away if you want." Scoot gave her a confused look, "I just, wanted to talk to you. If that's alright?"
"You wanna talk?" she asked. Silver just nodded, "To me?"
"Yeah," she said, looking at the work on Scoot's book, and the sheet of questions next to it, "What's that?"
"It's the math homework we have due in after lunch?" she replied in a confused, and irritated voice, "Now can you just let me work on this already?!"
Spoon could clearly see she hadn't even answered a single question. "Want some help with that?" she asked, reaching for her bag under the desk.
"What did you just say?"
Silver pulled her math book out of her bag, "I've already done it, so I was wondering if you wanted some help with it."
"You, you can't be serious."
"Of course I am," she said as she opened her book up to the same work Scootaloo was attempting, "See, it's all done." she moved the book closer to Scoot.
She took a look at the answered questions, "And, this is all right?" she asked cautiously.
"Um-hm, I've got a calculator if you wanna check em."
"No it's fine, I'll take your word for it," she replied as she began copying down the answers. "So what did you want?"
"Hm? I told you, I just wanna talk," Spoon said nicely.
"What's gotten into you all of a sudden?" Scoot asked, "Why are you being nice to me?"
"Why not, I mean," She sighed, "I can't keep this up... It's... It's cus I'm sorry Scootaloo," she finally said what she wanted to.
"Alright then- Wait, did you just...?" Scootaloo began, shocked out of her mind.
"I said I'm sorry, to you, Applebloom, and Sweetie Belle," she continued, "I'm sorry to the three of you, for how I've treated you over the year."
"Wow. Sweetie said you were acting strange but..." despite the kindness and sincerity in her voice, Scootaloo was still not sure if she could trust her.
"Yeah, that was when Sunset spoke to both me and Dia," she said, "She wanted us too talk to you three."
"Sunset did?" Most of that doubt in her mind had been blown up almost instantly. Knowing that Sunset had changed so much in such a short time, and how her behaviour towards the three of them had changed so quickly, maybe Spoon was going through the same thing. But some of it still remained.
"Yeah. She wanted us both to try and, 'turn around before it was too late'," she said, "I'm still unsure about what she meant, but she was serious."
"Well, she has been different this last week, don't know why though." a slight though popped into her mind as she looked at the girl next to her, "Wait, she wanted the both of you to talk to us, so where's Diamond?"
"She, she wasn't too happy about me wanting to talk to you and, she just left me alone," she said.
"Well, don't worry about her, it'll be her loss in the end." Scootaloo replied.
"I guess."
"Sooo, she wanted you to speak to the three of us right?" Silver looked over at her, "And you haven't seen Bloom yet, and all you gave Sweetie was apparently just a mumble followed by a quick goodbye. Right?"
"Yeah."
"Well, if you're serious about this, why don't you sit with us at lunch?"
Silver's face seemed to light up, "What, really?"
Scootaloo was sure there was no way Silver would ever be seen with the three of them in public. "Sure, but if you don't want to th-"
"Of course!" Silver interrupted.
"What?"
She gave Scootaloo a small hug, "Thanks Scootaloo!"
"T-t-that's ok," she stuttered, as she pushed her away lightly, "But could you just uh, I'm not one for hugs."
"Sorry." Silver readjusted her glasses, which had become slanted somewhat, "Got a bit carried away there," she laughed.
"It's cool," Scoot replied, "But, could we just, get on with copying this work now?" Silver nodded, and spent the rest of the hour filling in the thirty questions on the homework sheet.
Class had ended, and lunch time had arrived, as Sweetie and Applebloom walked, with a crowd of students, towards the cafeteria. A small vibration began in Applebloom's pocket, telling her she had a text. "That's probably Scoots." she pulled the phone out of her pocket, and read the new text to herself, "Yep, it's her."
"What does it say?" Sweetie asked.
Bloom raised an eyebrow at the message, "Uhh, apparently we're gonna have someone else sitting with us today."
"O...k. Did she say who?"
"No, sh-" suddenly, the crowd started to break apart in front of them, as everyone moved towards the lockers and walls, creating a pathway down the middle. "What the heck is going on down there?" Bloom asked.
Sweetie noticed the reason slowly approach, grabbed Applebloom, and moved the both of them to the wall. "It's Dust," she said, before noticing the wooden baseball bat in her hand, "And she's armed."
"What is she gonna do with that?" she asked, rather confused, "I know she thinks she's on top now, but if she hits someone with that darn thing, she'll be thrown outa here in no ti-"
Sweetie put her hand over Applebloom's mouth, "Shut up," She whispered.
Dust walked past with a huge grin, as she calmly whistled a tune to herself. Sweetie looked at the others around her, and noticed they all looked, off, from how they usually would. When Sunset walked through the school, she terrified everyone around her, there was no doubt about that, but now they looked, different.
As Dust turned the corner, the crowd began to move once more. Sweetie removed her hand from Bloom's mouth and wiped her hand. "What was that for?" Applebloom asked, giver her mouth a wipe. Sweetie didn't reply, instead she seemed to be lost in thought, looking down the hallway. "Hellooo? What is it Sweetie?"
"Nothing," she replied, "Anyway, can we go now? I'm getting hungry."
"Alright... then."
Silver Spoon and Scootaloo were sitting in the cafeteria, as a crowd of people began to come through the large door. Thankfully, they had come here before class ended. Scootaloo watched as they all seemed to barge their way in, "Glad I'm not part of that."
"Uh, yeah, I guess it sucks to have class before lunch," Silver replied weakly, not quite sure what to say.
"Relax will you," Scoot said.
"Oh, sorry," Silver sighed.
Scoot rolled her eyes, "It'll be fine, you'll see," she said reassuringly.
"You're sure they'll be alright with this?" she asked weakly, receiving a nod from the girl next to her. "If you say so."
"They'll be ok with it. I am after all, so why not them to?" she asked.
"So... We're friends now, right?" Silver asked.
"Uh, I guess so. I mean-" Scootaloo suddenly noticed, over Spoon's shoulder, Sunset sitting at a table on her own. Suddenly, in that one moment, all the doubt in her mind about Silver seemed to vanish. "You bet ya," she said, gently putting her arm around Spoon's shoulders.
"Thanks Scootaloo." Silver smiled.
Scootaloo removed her arm from Spoon's shoulder, "No problem Silv-"
"What is she doing here?" The two of them looked around to see Sweetie Belle and Applebloom, both rather confused.
"Hey girls." Scootaloo gave them a small wave, "Hope you don't mind, but I invited Silver Spoon to sit with us today."
"'Hope you don't mind?'" Applebloom repeated, "Did yall just forget who she is or something??"
"I know how this sounds, but you gotta trust me here," Scootaloo said.
Spoon looked down at the table. Suddenly, she felt like this wasn't going to end well. "I, uh..."
"Yeah, I know I said she was acting strange earlier, but this is..." Sweetie began.
"Yeah, yeah. I know, but..."
"Are you gonna say something or what?" Applebloom asked, turning her attention to Silver.
"I'm sorry..." she mumbled.
"What was that?" Sweetie asked.
"I, I said I'm -"
"Yall are gonna have to speak up a bit, cus I can't hear you." Bloom continued.
Seeing that Spoon was getting nowhere herself, Scootaloo stood up, went around the table, and pulled the two of them away. "Give us a minute Spoon." The three of them huddled together, "Alright, can I explain now?"
"Sure, go for it," Sweetie said.
"Right, I know this sounds lke the worst idea, ever. But give her a chance."
"You've gotta be kidding about that, right?" Applebloom asked, "What has she been telling you to get you to agree with this anyhow?"
"Something... that you girls need to hear for yourself."
"Come on Scootaloo, this is Silver Spoon we're talking about here. I really don't like this," Sweetie replied.
"Just look at her." the three of them each looked at the girl in question, who was looking at them, but then quickly diverted her gaze somewhere else. "You said it yourself Sweetie, she's been acting strange recently, right?" Sweetie didn't reply, "Just give her a chance will you."
"I... I still think this is some kind of trap." Applebloom replied, unsure of her own words.
"Alright, you want a reason, Bloom?" Scootaloo pointed over at Sunset, "There's your reason," she said confidently. "When you wanted to go talk to her before, we both thought that was a terrible idea, but you were right about it." Bloom didn't reply either, "One chance, just give her one chance."
"Alright," Bloom said reluctantly, "One chance. That's it." Sweetie nodded, and the three of them went back to the table, and sat down. Scootaloo sat next to Silver, with Sweetie and Applebloom opposite them.
"Soooo," Sweetie began, "Scootaloo said you... wanted to tell us something, right?"
Silver looked nervously at Scoot, who gave a small nod. Spoon smiled back momentarily, before turning back to the two in front of her. "I, I'm sorry... for everything." the two of them gave each other a small glance, "There's not much I can say except, I'm sorry for what I've done to you three." she looked down at the table, avoiding all eye contact.
"Well, alright... then," Sweetie looked at Scootaloo, "Uh, apology accepted," she said unconvincingly.
"Well, what can I do to make up for it?" she asked, "I'll do whatever you want." they didn't reply, "There's gotta be something I can do for you two."
"Uh, Silv, you might wanna..." Scootaloo said.
Silver looked up at them both, and reached her arms across the table desperately, "I'm sorry! You've gotta believe me! I'll do..." the two of them were looking behind her, both with rather embarrassed faces. "W-what?"
As she slowly turned around, she saw Diamond was standing right behind her, trying to contain her laughter. "She's what," Scootaloo replied.
Diamond burst out laughing. "Oh, you've... You've got be kidding me..." she wiped a tear from her eye, "Oh that was rich... That was brilliant Spoon!" she said mockingly through her uncontrollable laughs.
Spoon turned back around and looked back down at the table, "What do you want?"
"I just... Just had to see this... You looked so pathetic just then!" Diamond was slowly calming down, "The way you just reached forward like that. Priceless!!"
"Leave her alone will you!" Sweetie said. Looking around, it was clear to all of them that all attention in the cafeteria was now on them.
"I'm sorry..."
"Oh yes, just say that over and over again, I'm sure they'll believe you eventually," Tiara said, still laughing a bit, "Cus, it's really that easy isn't it."
"Don't listen to her Silv," Scootaloo said, as she noticed a couple tears begin to fall from her eyes. "Hey, Silver?"
"You've actually become the most pathetic person I know. I mean, to go so low, as to go to them for something... Wow you're desperate."
"Why are you doing this to her? I though you two were friends?" Applebloom asked.
"Key word, were. Not anymore. And why would I want to be friends with her now? I mean just look at her." she pointed to Spoon, "She's even more of a joke than you three put together."
"Shut up," Silver said.
"Um, what was that? I can't quite hear you." she hit the back of Spoon's head with the back of her hand.
"Don't touch me," Spoon said aggressively, as her hands slowly clenched themselves into fists.
"Oh, what are you gonna do? Cry some more? Go ahead." Tiara mocked.
"Do that again, and find out."
Scootaloo grabbed Diamond's shirt, "Just stop it will you! You've had your fun."
"What are you gonna do about it?" she kneed Scootaloo in the stomach, making her let go, and back off a bit. Dia turned back to Spoon, "Now where were w-" Suddenly, a chair came crashing down on Diamond, sending her straight to the floor.
"Get off her!" Silver ordered, as she dropped the chair next to her. "Good, now you're going to listen to me Dia... Got it."
"Hey, what's gotten in-"
"Shut up for a moment will you!" Tiara froze on the spot, unable to do anything but stare at the girl above her, whos eyes were a mix of tears, and rage. "Don't you ever come near us again Diamond. Understand?"
Diamond was suddenly terrified, the rage in Silver's eyes sent a shiver down her spine just looking at her. "Hey, c-c-calm down will you." Tiara said.
"Why should I? Because you tell me to? It's always you telling me what to do, isn't it? Never the other way around! You never listen to anything I have to say, do you!?!? Well you know what? I'm done with you."
"Spoon, I'm sorry alright, just calm dow-" she begged desperately.
"Still with the orders are we?" Spoon stepped on her stomach with all her force, as Diamond grabbed the foot, and tried to lift it off of her. "Well you can bark as many as you want, but I'm done listening to you now! I don't need you anymore!"
"Silv, that's enough!" Scootaloo said as she tried to pull her away.
"She's right, yall need to calm down, right now!" Applebloom continued.
"She gets the point, you can stop now!" Sweetie finished.
Finally, Discord, one of the science teachers, and the only one in the cafeteria, stepped forward. "Alright, alright, that's enough." He grabbed Silver's arm and pulled her off and away from Tiara, "As much as I'm enjoying this, I'm technically not allowed to let you both murder one another." Silver glared up at him, and Diamond crawled backwards. "Though, it looked more one sided to me."
"Come on Spoon, let's just go," Scootaloo said as Discord let go of her.
Silver nodded, "Remember Dia, don't you ever come near us again." She gave one last reminder before she walked away.
As the three crusaders, and Spoon made their way to the exit, Diamond looked around at everyone staring at her, some wanting to laugh, others just giving a blank stare. When she saw Sunset though, instead of staring, she simply shook her head, and looked away, as if she was disappointed. It was then, that it hit Tiara like a truck.
"I... I get it," she mumbled. She quickly got to her feet and ran towards the crusader. "Wait, Silv-" Silver turned her head, her hateful stare seemed to freeze Diamond in place. Applebloom gave Spoon a tap on the shoulder, as she then turned back around, and walked out, "W-wait I-" the four of them were already gone.
She suddenly understood what Sunset was trying to tell her the whole time, and what she meant, only now, it was to late. In one simple moment, she had lost the only friend she had ever had. Diamond fell to her knees, as tears began to fill her eyes. "I'm sorry Spoon..."
The crusaders walked away from the cafeteria, wanting to gain some distance, "That was... AWESOME!!!" Scootaloo yelled.
Silver just looked at her, "Are you alright," Spoon asked.
"Who, me? I'm fine. A small knee isn't gonna do much to me," Scoot replied nonchalantly.
"Sorry you had to see that... I don't know what came over me," Spoon said weakly.
"'Sorry'? But Scoot's right, that was amazing!" Sweetie replied.
"I'll admit, that was rather entertaining to watch." Applebloom shrugged.
"Just between the four of us, I've wanted to do that myself for a while now," Scootaloo laughed.
"I never got to finish what I wanted to say to you two, did I?" Silver asked, wanting to change the subject.
"Ah, forget about that," Bloom said, "Just seeing that was apology enough."
"Are you sure? You don't want me to do anything else for you?"
Sweetie and Applebloom looked at each other, "Well, what do you two say?" Scootaloo asked.
"Alright, you win, you're right about her," Sweetie replied.
"Yeah, but, why did you wanna talk to us all of a sudden?" Bloom asked.
"Well, Sunset wanted me and Dia to, change our ways basically. Or else, we'd regret it later on," Spoon replied, "You can probably guess this, but Diamond never cared for her advice."
"So why did you listen to her?" Scootaloo asked, "You seemed like you had no idea what you were doing earlier."
"Because... Because she always had our best interests in mind whenever she told us to do anything," Silver said, "She always looked out for us, we were her 'favourites', so to speak. Sure she seems like a completely different person now, but I guess she still wants the best for us."
"And Sunset thought 'the best for you', was with us?" Bloom asked.
"I guess so, if you'll take me that is," Spoon said.
"Of co-"
"I know I can only say 'sorry' so many times, but when I'm sorry for everything I've done to the three of you, even if it was because someone else told me to do it I swear, I am telling the truth," Spoon sighed, "I'm sor-"
"Will you stop with the mopy stuff now?" Scootaloo asked jokingly.
"Yeah, it's fine Silv, we get it, yall don't need to keep going on about it," Applebloom replied in the same joking tone.
"Yeah, if you wanna be a crusader, just ask already," Sweetie continued.
"Wait, what!?" Silver asked, surprised.
"She said-" Scootaloo replied.
"I-I heard you, it's just... you really mean it?" she asked as a couple tears came to her eyes.
"Of course we do, if you're gonna be hanging out with us now, then you're a crusader now." Sweetie gave her a hug, followed by Applebloom.
"Thank you, girls!" Silver suddenly felt something inside her, something warm, something she had never felt before, and she couldn't help but feel happy right now. She had done everything Sunset told her, and had found true friendship in three people who each, less than two hours ago, despised her.
"Come on," Sweetie said to Scootaloo, who was standing next to them.
"Hey, I've already had my hug, now it's you-" Applebloom grabbed her and pulled her in, "Alright fine."
"Silver Spoon," a voice called out. As the four of them broke up and looked over, Discord was signalling for Silver, "Can you come here a minute."
Silver looked at the three of them, wiped her eyes, and took a deep breath. When she was calm, she slowly walked over. "Yes sir," she said politely when she reached him.
"I just wanted to remind you, though I'm sure you're already aware of this, that I'll need to report this to the principal now," he said in a calm voice. "So could you come with me."
"Her, what about Diamond?" Sweetie asked.
"All she was doing was yelling insults, she's not worth my time," he replied,
"Hey! She kneed me in-"
"Yes, and Spoon here hit her with a chair," he interrupted, "I think one of these has a bit more priority than the other, don't you?"
Silver raised her hand, and looked at Scoot, "It's fine, I got this." She turned her attention back to Discord.
"Now as I was saying, what you did was assault another student, and we can't have that going on, now can we?" he asked, in a calm, yet joking voice.
Silver grinned, "How much?" she asked, unziping and reaching into her pocket.
"How about, fifty," he grinned back. Silver pulled out a small purse, and out of it, grabbed a fifty dollar note, and handed it to him. "actually, let's make it sixty instead. After all, I'm sure you can more than afford that, right?"
Silver handed him a ten dollar note, "There." she adjusted her glasses slightly, "Now I believe you were on about some, incident in the cafeteria, sir?" she asked with a smile.
Discord looked at both of the notes, before putting them in his pocket, "Incident? What incident? I'm afraid I have no idea what you are talking about Miss Spoon." he turned around, and with a small laugh, walked off, "Have a nice day."
As he walked off, the other three approached her, "So, he isn't gonna tell her, right?" Scootaloo asked.
"No, he isn't gonna tell anyone, trust me," Silver replied.
"Are you sure? I mean, that guy's even less trustworthy than Sunset was," Applebloom asked.
"Really?" Scootaloo asked jokingly, "The guy who, I'm pretty sure intentionally, has almost blown up his own classroom four times, shouldn't be trusted?"
Silver rolled her eyes, "Relax, will you, I've delt with him before."
"What about everyone in there? What if someone else goes to the principal about this?" Sweetie asked.
"I don't think anyone's gonna be sticking up for her about this." Applebloom replied.
"Hey, can we head over to the snack machine?" Sweetie asked, "I'm still hungry, and I don't wanna go back in there right now."
"Sure, I'll grab something myself," Bloom said, as the four of them headed of down the corridor, with about ten minutes left to eat.
Sunset waited by her locker, as people made their way to their last class today. She, however, was looking for the next person on her list. Gilda. She took a look at everyone who passed her as she waited for the corridor to clear. As usual, it was as if there was a small magical barrier around her, as everyone was sure to give her room. She sighed, Still doing this, are we?
As she waited, the corridor slowly cleared up, leaving only the late comers, and those with a free period. She removed the eye patch, finally fed up with the lack of vision, and threw it in her locker. Just when she was about to close it and walk off, she heard light footsteps approach her.
"Sunset!" she recognized the voice of Diamond Tiara behind her, but didn't bother to turn around. "I'm... I'm sorry I ignored you... You were right, right about everything. I should have listened to you."
"Then why are you here?" Sunset asked dryly.
"Well, I, I need your help." she replied weakly.
"You need MY help?" Diamond gave a small mumble, "After ignoring everything I told you, you expect me to help you? Did you really think I was just wasting my time with you two? That I had nothing better to do?" Anger was beginning to grow in her voice.
"I I-"
"I was trying to help you, I told you what you should do, and what the consequences were, but you just wouldn't listen to me would you!?" she said, still facing away from Tiara.
"I know," Tiara replied weakly.
"No," Sunset said sternly, "You can forget it, I'm not gonna waste any more of my breath on you, because clearly, I'm just wasting my time!" She slammed her locker shut, the sound echoed through the now empty corridor.
"N-no please!" she said desperately, "I'll do whatever you say, I swear!"
She shook her head, "What do you even expect me to do about this?" she asked.
"Well, you're Sunset Shimmer. There's gotta be something you can do."
"Well there's nothing I can do for you now," she said, "I tried, I failed. And there's nothing I can do about this."
"Alright, I get it," Diamond sighed, "But, can you just tell Silver I'm sorry? I don't think she cares to hear it from me."
"Do it yourself. I'm done wth you!" Sunset said spitfully. She took a step forward, but suddenly felt Diamond's arms wrap around her stomach. She finally turned her head around, and looked down at the girl. "Let me GO!!"
"Please, Sunset, I'm begging you!" Sunset was suddenly speechless, and all her anger seemed to disappear as soon as she saw her. Her face was covered in tears, and her eyes, full of pure desperation. She felt the girl trembling against her back. "J-just tell me what to do, and I'll do it, I-I'll listen this time I swear!" Diamond buried her head in the back of Sunset's shirt as she cried, "I promise I'll listen."
"I..." Sunset couldn't help but think back to herself at the Fall Formal. When she crawled out of that crator, she felt exactly the same as Diamond seemed to be feeling now. She had lost everything, all because of a stupid mistake, and all she wanted now was to make up for it, however she could. When that came to her mind, she simply couldn't say no anymore. "Alright," she said in a gentle tone.
Diamond looked up at her in disbelief, "W-what?" she asked weakly.
"I'll help you." she smiled back.
"Really?" Sunset pushed Tiara off, so she could turn herself around to properly face her. She knelt down in front of Dia, and gave her a hug, which she happily returned. "Thank you, Sunset," Diamond cried into her shoulder. "But why? Why help me? you just sai-"
"Because I know what you're going through." Sunset replied, as tears began to fill her own eyes, "I know what it feels like to be alone, to want another try at something, to wish you never been so stupid in the first place. And like I said, I don't want you to go through that."
Tiara felt a small wetness on her shoulders "Are you... Why are you crying?" she asked.
"Bad memorise. That's all," Sunset replied softly, "Nothing you need to worry yourself with." Sunset felt a strange comfort in this. Even if it wasn't to the same extent, as she had done something a lot worse that Diamond, she felt comfortable having someone who understood how she felt right next to her.
"So, what do I do?" Diamond asked, finally breaking the hug.
"Nothing right now," Sunset replied, wiping her eyes, "You want to go make up with Silver, and the others, right?" Dia nodded, "Well, judging from how Silver looked in there, you need to give her some time to cool down, and go from there."
"So, just lea-" she cut herself off, now knowing it was better to not question Sunset. "Alright, you know what you're doing."
"Of course I do." In reality, Sunset had no idea what she was going to do. She had been able to do this by being sent back in time, something Diamond couldn't exactly do, and from the little show earlier, she knew it was going to take a lot more than time and a simple apology to solve this.
Diamond had calmed down now, after Sunset promised to help her out now that she had realized her mistake, but couldn't bring herself to head to class and face Silver today, so she decided to stay with Sunset instead.
She was looking for Gilda. Diamond had asked why she would want to see her, but Sunset just replied with a simple, "Take a guess," which pretty much told her the answer. Like Diamond, Gilda wasn't exactly nice.
The two of them walked into the well decorated school gym, where Gilda was throwing a bunch basketballs into a hoop. "Hey Gilda!" Sunset yelled as she walked over to her. Gilda turned her head, and tossed the ball in her hand behind her. "I thought I'd find you here."
"Hey Shim, sup?" Gilda asked nonchalantly.
"Can we talk about something?" Sunset asked.
"Sure, what is- What's Miss Moneybags doing with you?" Gilda asked as she noticed Tiara.
Diamond looked away, and folded her arms, "Shut up..." she mumbled.
Gilda laughed, "What, no witty comeback?" she replied. "And where's your other half"
"Oh boy..." Sunset mumbled under her breath. This was Sunset's main problem with these two, despite being her most... useful assets over the years, they never got along with each other.
"I'm not in the mood to fight or argue, bird brain," Diamond replied weakly.
"Aww, did someone hurt your feelings?" Gilda joked.
"I said shut up..."
"Uhhh, what happened to you kid?" Gilda asked, dropping the jokes, "You've usually got better that just, 'bird brain'."
"Leave her alone!" Sunset put her hand on Tiara's shoulder, "Hey, it's alright," she said nicely, before she looked up at Gilda, "Didn't you hear about what happened at lunch?" Gilda gave her a blank stare, "You really don't know?"
"Nope, I had more important things to do," Gilda replied.
"Oh, well I'll..." Sunset glanced her eyes down at Diamond for a fraction of a second, "...Tell you later." she said.
"So, what were you up to at lunch then?" Diamond asked.
"I don't really think that matters to us Ti," Sunset replied.
"I was following Lightning Dust around," Gilda replied.
"You were..." Sunset raised a curious eyebrow, "Why were you doing that?" she asked.
"Cus I wanted to know what she was up to," Gilda replied, "She was carrying a baseball bat around with her, and I wanted to know why."
"She was WHAT?!" Tiara asked loudly.
"You heard me, she was carrying a bat with her," Gilda repeated, "She didn't use it on anyone, but she did looked like she wasn't afraid to."
"Well, why did you stop following her, I doubt she'd be going to class right now," Sunset asked.
"I lost her in the crowd when lunch ended, and couldn't be bothered to go looking for her," Gilda replied, "Besides, if she hits anyone, she's outa here, so if she wants to get herself thrown out, then let her."
"Yeah, I don't think even I could get away with that," Sunset said.
"Yeah but, doesn't she see herself as, better than you now or something?" Tiara asked, "What if she wants to prove it?"
Gilda almost burst out laughing. "Better than Sunset??? Ha! That's funny kid."
"What do you mean?" Diamond looked up at Sunset next to her, "What's so funny?"
"She's not better than Sunset, kid, she'll never be," Gilda laughed.
"Alright, she's not, but isn't she still in charge?" Tiara asked, "Sunset did give the position to her after all."
"That's exactly the point," Gilda began, "Sunset gave it to her, she didn't earn it from her. Alright, she gave her a small beating after, if you could even call it that, but that doesn't put her on top now."
"But Shimmer's word is law here, if she says Dust's in charge, then she is. Right?"
"What, you think just because Sunset says so, that everyone is gonna take Dust's word over hers now?" Gilda asked.
"Well, I guess not..." Tiara replied.
"Sunset, If you were fighting back, would Dust have won?" Gilda asked.
"Course not, everyone knows-" Sunset's face fell, and she gave a weak sigh, "Everyone knows that..."
"Exactly, everyone including Dust."
"So you think, she's scarred that Sunset's gonna go after her?" Diamond asked.
"Hey, you're learning, good on you Miss Rich," Gilda joked, "Simply put, no one here takes her that seriously, If she put the bat down, it would probably be a whole different story."
"Hm... No," Sunset shook her head, "I don't think so, she was ready to fight me earlier, and she didn't have that bat the-"
Suddenly, the gym doors flew open, and Pinkie rushed in, looking rather out of breath. "Sunset... You've... Gotta... Principals office... Now!.."
Sunset ran over to her, "Pinkie, what's wrong?"
Pinkie took a deep breath, "Alright, you've gotta come with me, I didn't know who else to turn to, I, here, listen!" she handed Sunset her phone.
"Uh... Hello?" Sunset began, "Bon-Bon? What do you- Yeah, it's Sunset, what is it??" Sunset's eyes widened, "What, are you sure?!" she asked, "That can't be right... Alright, on my way." She passed the phone back to Pinkie, and bolted out of the gym.
"Well, if you wanna know, then come on, I'll explain on the way!" she said as she moved Gilda's hands off of her and rushed out the gym, and down the corridor.
"What?" Gilda and Diamond ran to the exit, but were met by Fluttershy, and Twilight, who came from the other end of the hall, also out of breath. "Who are you?" Diamond asked.
"Pinkie, wait up!" Twilight yelled, "Oh, come on," she mumbled as they both ran after her with what little energy they had left. Diamond and Gilda looked at each other, shrugged, and followed them.
Rainbow walked through the empty school corridor. She didn't really have anything to do, usually when she had a free period last, she would go home early, but her five were-ex-now-besties-again-friends, as Pinkie called them, had agreed to meet up after school, so she couldn't leave yet.
As she continued through the corridor, she saw Lightning Dust leaning up against a locker, with a bat leaned up against her leg. "Hey, Dash!" she called out.
"Oh boy..." Rainbow muttered. She had been avoiding Lightning as best she could all day, and it had been working, at least till now.
Lightning walked over to her, holding the bat over her shoulder, "I've been looking for you all say you know?" she asked, "I even thought that you might not actually be in, but I was sure I saw you this morning." She swung her arm around Dash's shoulder, "So, how you doing?" she asked as they continued to walk together.
Dash gave her a small look, noticing that she wasn't wearing Sunset jacket. She gave it little thought, however, and quickly shifted her gaze to the bat in the other hand, "I'm cool, what did you want?" she asked, "And what's with the bat?"
"What, this thing? I found it in the supply closet," she replied,
"So why have you got it?" Dash asked, "You haven't hit anyone with it have you?"
"Not yet," Lightning laughed, as she looked at the doors they were walking past, "Then again, no one has given me a reason yet, you know?"
Rainbow took her glance away from the bat, and noticed her arms were covered in small, fresh bruises, "Woah, what happened to you?"
"What?" Dust asked.
"Your arm... What happened to you?" Dash repeated.
"Oh these? It's nothing, I just fell down the stairs earlier. I'm alright," she replied.
"You... fell down the stairs?" Rainbow replied, very unconvinced, "Really?"
"Yeah, yeah, I wasn't looking where I was going, and I tripped," Dust replied, "luckily no one was there to see it. That would have been pretty embarrassing," she said as she looked at the doors they were passing again.
"What are you looking at?" Rainbow asked.
"Oh, nothing," Dust replied, as she turned her attention back to Rainbow, and suddenly smiled. "Aw well, I'll see ya later Dash," she said, removing her arm from Rainbow's shoulder.
"Rrriight???" Dash replied, walking on ahead, "Later then."
"Oh, one more thing," Dust said. Rainbow turned around, as Lightning swung the bat at her.
"Woah!!!" Rainbow was bearly able to move of the way in time, the bat only just missing her head, instead, hitting the door next to her.
"Aw, I missed," Lightning said uncaringly.
Rainbow reached forward, and grabbed the bat, and attempted to pull it from Lightning's grasp. Surprisingly, Lightning put up little to no resistance, and simply let Dash take the bat from her. When Rainbow had the bat, she turned it the right way, and pointed it at Lightning.
"Hey, hey, come on," Lightning began, "I was only messing with ya Dash, come on, I didn't mean it..." Dust rambled on, as she slumped down untill she was sitting on the floor, resting against the wall, "...I mean, I didn't even swing it that hard and..." She suddenly gave Rainbow a sly grin, "STOP IT! WHAT ARE YOU DOING THAT FOR!! WHAT'S WRONG WITH YOU?!?" she yelled, as she began cowering on the floor.
Rainbow gave her a rightfully confused look, "What are you..." she began.
Suddenly however, the door next to Dash opened, "Rainbow Dash? What's goi-" Rainbow turned to see it was Principal Celestia, and Vice-Principal Luna was right behind her. Celestia saw the bat in Rainbow's hands, "Just what do you think you're doing, young lady?!"
Rainbow looked up, and saw the sun crest above the door. They were in front of Principal Celestia's office. "Wha- No I- I can explain-" she stuttered.
"STOP IT, WHAT DO YOU WANT FROM ME? I DIDN'T DO ANYTHING!!!" Lightning Dust purposely interrupted.
Celestia looked out of the door, and saw Lightning 'cowering' against the locker, her arms still covered in those bruises Rainbow noticed earlier. "Lightning? What are you doing to her Rainbow?"
"No, it's..." Rainbow realized everything that was going on. Why Lightning was covered in the bruises, why she waited until now to attack her, and why she let her have the bat so easily. She had led Dash right into her trap, and Rainbow had fallen right into it. "It's not what it looks like, I can explain -"
"Oh I bet you can!" Luna replied, "In here. NOW!" Luna pointed in the office. Rainbow begrudgingly walked in, as Luna snatched the bat off of her.
Celestia walked over to Lightning, and helped her up. "Lightning, are you alright?" she asked worried.
"I... I'll be fine, I- I don't know what she was doing." Lightning rubbed her head, "Thanks Miss, I'll go down to the nurses office," she said.
"Take care, Lightning." Celestia waled back in to her office.
Lightning dropped the act, grinned, and rubbed a bit of dirt from her elbow. "Too easy," she said to hersef as she walked away.
Sunset ran through the school, far ahead of the girls behind her. She slowed down as she approached one of the schools supply closets, and she quickly put her hand on the door knob and tried to turn it. "Locked!" she said to herself as the knob refused to turn.
Pinkie was the first to catch up to her, with the rest of the girls not far behind. "Sunny... What... Why are we..." she gasped, now out of breath again.
Sunset pulled out a key from her shoe, and used it to unlock the door. The door burst open, as did Sunset into the room, quickly scanning the closet, before going over to the corner, and moving some of the clutter out of the way. "They're gone," she mumbled.
"What's gone?"
Gilda and Diamond caught up to them. "What are you looking for Shim?" Gilda asked. Sunset ignored her, and ran back out of the closet, only to be stopped when Gilda grabbed her arm. "Whoa whoa, slow down Shimmer, what's going on?"
"There's no time come on!" Pinkie yelled loudly.
"Then what is it? What did Bon-Bon just tell you?" Gilda asked.
"Ugh, Pinkie can you just explain it to them for me?" Sunset asked annoyed.
"Well, I know some of it, but I don't know why we're in front of a supply closet?" Pinkie asked in response.
Sunset tried to pull her arm from Gilda's grasp, to no avail. "Can't you make something up?" she asked dryly.
"Shimmer, what is it?" Gilda asked again.
Sunset gave a sigh, "Let go, and I'll tell you." Gilda let her go, "Alright, I had a small collection of about eighteen baseball bats, and ten sledgehammers in that closet, and now they're all gone," she said quickly, "Well, apart from one hammer," she shook her head, "And you said Dust had a bat, I think she got them from here."
"Wait, you just had a bunch of them hidden in here, why?" Diamond asked.
"I had some plans for them, but that doesn't really matter anymore."
"Wait," Gilda interrupted, "I thought you said even you couldn't get away with smashing someones face in with one of those?"
"Oh, no they weren't for that, I had uh..." the last two girls, Fluttershy and Twilight and finally caught up to them, completely out of breath. Sunset looked at Twilight specifically, "...other plans for them," she said weakly.
"Alright, so what were you told over the phone?" Gilda asked.
Sunset tapped Pinkie on the shoulder, "You know the rest. Explain," she said before she took off down the corridor.
Both Diamond and Gilda gave Pinkie their attention, "Bonnie said that she saw Rainbow getting pulled into the Principals office after she attacked Dust with a bat," she said worriedly.
"Dash did WHAT?" Gilda yelled.
"You heard me, she's headed there now," Pinkie replied.
"You're sure that's what happened?" Diamond asked.
"That's what she said, I don't wanna believe it but, Bonnie wouldn't just say that!" Pinkie replied.
"Right, well I'll just let you get on with that," Gilda said as she turned around and walked past both Twilight and Fluttershy.
"Where are you going now?" Tiara asked, running over to her.
"I'm just gonna have a chat with Lightning, you lossers have fun now," Gilda waved as she walked away.
Pinkie rolled her eyes, "Bye Gil-Gil, should've know you wouldn't wanna help," she mumbled. "Come on, let's go," she said to the others as she ran down the corridor, towards the principals office.
Rainbow sat in the principals office, with both Celestia and Luna glaring at her. "So, would you like to explain what you were doing out there, Rainbow?" Luna asked.
"She attacked me!" Dash yelled, "I was just minding my own business, and she swung that bat right at my head, only just missing me, I took the bat off her, and then she started screaming like I had hit her. I swear I didn't touch her!"
"Oh, this one again..." Luna mumbled.
"Do you know how many times I've heard that excuse, Rainbow?" Celestia asked.
"It's not an excuse!"
The two sisters looked at each other, "Alright, she attacked you, now how do you explain the bruises on her arms then?" Celestia asked.
"Well I don't know, she had then when I ran into her, I don't know how they got there!" she said panickingly, "What I wanna know is where she even got that bat to begin with!"
"Where she got it from?" Celestia asked, "Where were you fourth period Rainbow?"
"I uh... I had a free period then," she lied. She had sports practice, but decided to skip it as an attempt to avoid Lightning.
"Because around the end of that period, Vice Principal Luna and I found a load of bats and hammers in one of the supply closets."
"So?"
"We had some of the football team help us move them, Dust was one of them," she continued, "And she didn't have any bruises on her at the time."
"She didn't?" Dash asked.
"No, so clearly she was attacked by someone, care to explain that?" Luna asked.
"I didn't do it ok!"
"Oh, and you think we're going to just let you go now? How dumb do you think we are?" Luna asked.
"I know it looks bad, bu-"
"We told you, we've this excuse before, quite a few times, so what makes you think we're going to believe you?" Celestia interrupted.
"Look, I, I didn't..." Rainbow was at a loss for words. She knew what was about to happen, and it didn't seem like there was a way out of this, "Look, I'll do anything, just don't throw me out!"
"Bribery now, is it?" luna asked angrily, "Just who do you think you are?"
The door burst open, and a rather angry Sunset stormed in, "Rainbow, what happened!?"
"Sunset? What are-"
Sunset quickly glared and pointed at Celestia, "Shut up!" she seemed to listen, and Sunset turned her attention back to Rainbow, "What happened!?"
"Lightning attacked me just outside the office, and when I took the bat off her, she tried blaming it on me," Rainbow began, "I didn't touch her!"
I knew it! Sunset thought, recognizing the excuse as one she had used many a time. "There!" Sunset looked back at the two sisters, "That's what happened, got that?" she asked angrily.
"Sunset, get out my office," Celestia said calmly.
"Get out? What, so you can throw Rainbow out for something she hasn't done? No!!" Sunset took a quick, deep breath, in an attempt to calm herself down, "Look, do you think Rainbow would really do something like this?"
"Are you the kind of person who would stick up for someone else?" Luna asked sternly, "No, and yet here you are."
"Alright, this is an excuse that I've used over and over with you, and every single time, you let me off the hook," Sunset began, "So what makes this different?" she asked, "Why would you let me off the hook over and over again, yet the moment someone else does it, you don't give it a second thought!"
The two of them didn't answer.
"It's because you're scared of me aren't you?" Sunset asked, "Just like everyone else in this school, you're terrified of me!" she stated.
"Get out Sunset," Celestia said.
"You two wanna know something?" Sunset began to walk around the desk, "I have been effectively running this school for two and a half years now, and all I've done is basically raise hell, and cause problems for everyone here, but I've still been doing a better job than you two have!"
Pinkie and the rest of the girls arrived at the office, "Dashie! What's going on?" Pinkie asked worriedly.
"You two are the biggest jokes of the entire school, you know that!?" Sunset continued, as her anger grew and grew, "You don't ever do anything to anybody around here! You just sit here and do nothing like the pathetic people you both are!"
"I said, get out," Celestia repeated.
"Oh please, you really think I'm going to do that?" Sunset asked as she leaned down closer to Celestia. "You're delusional if you think for a second that I'm going to-"
Out of seemingly nowhere, Celestia quickly brought her right arm up, and slapped Sunset's face hard, silencing her. "Are you deaf, Sunset? I said get out!" she demanded.
"Did you just..." Sunset began, but was unable to finish.
Celestia stood up out of her chair, "Quiet!" she demanded. "How dare you speak to me like that, Sunset. Now I know that I've let you get away with a lot of things, but I've finally reached my breaking point with you!"
"What do you mean?" Sunset asked.
"I mean if you want me to do something, then fine, I'll start with you," Celestia began, "Sunset Shimmer, you are hereby expelled from Canterlot High School!" The whole room was silent, ever Luna was shocked, "Since it's the end of the day, I'll allow you tomorrow to clear out your locker, and say your goodbyes, though with your attitude I'm sure that list is pretty empty, isn't it?"
"...I'm..." Sunset stuttered, unable to reply.
"What's wrong, no comment?" Celestia asked, "Good, now get out!"
Twilight pushed her way past Pinkie, and into the office, "But Miss, with all due respect, don't you think that's a bit extreme?"
"You?" Celestia glared at Twilight, "And you can take you're friend with you when you leave. If she's a friend of yours, then I don't want her here." she turned her glare back to Sunset, "Now get out of my office, Sunset, and get out of my school!"
"It's about time..." Sunset muttered as she made her way out the room, and over to the other girls.
"What about Rainbow?" Pinkie asked.
Celestia turned to Dash, "You may go," she said.
"Am... Am I expelled too?" she asked weakly.
"I said you may go, and I recommend you do before I change my mind!" Dash quickly got up, and joined the girls outside, as Pinkie closed the door.
Luna looked at her sister, "What took you so long?" she asked.
"Luna, could you leave me alone for a while?" Celestia asked slightly calmer.
"Are... Are you alright?" Luna asked.
"I will be, I just need to clear my head," Celestia said, her voice once again calm.
Luna slowly made her way to the door, before opening it, leaving the room, and closing it. Celestia sat back down in her chair, and slumped over her desk, as the end of school bell went off.
As the end of school bell rang through the school, the group of girls were stood outside the principals office, as Luna calmly walked away without saying a word. Everyone looked at each other, hoping someone would say something, the only thing stopping anyone from speaking was Sunset. Her clenched fist was shaking, and she had that face on her that said "If you say anything, I'll break you in half!"
After the bell had stopped, a weak voice gave a small "Um," everyone bar Sunset looked over towards the sound, and saw Fluttershy, shaking as if she had a gun pointed at her head. "Are you..." she mumbled. Pinkie and Rainbow shook their heads and made multiple silent gestures for her to stop right now. "Are you... ok?"
"Fine!" Sunset quickly replied, before bringing her fist up and slamming it into the wall, "I'm just fine!"
"Are you sure? I mean, she did hi-"
"I said I'm FINE, Fluttershy!" Sunset yelled.
"Okokokokok..." Fluttershy repeated quickly, backing up untill she was against the opposite wall, "Sorrysorrysorrysorry..."
The door next to her opened and Bon-bon began to walk out, only to stop in the doorway. "Fluttershy? are you..." she began, as she then noticed the others opposite her, "What happened now?"
"Sunset just got expelled, and she doesn't seem to be taking it very well," Pinkie replied, backing off.
"Wh... You're expelled?" Bon-bon asked.
I'm going home..." Sunset replied, walking past Rainbow and Diamond, "I'm done here."
"Wait," Twilight began as she followed behind her, "Do you mean, here home or, home home?"
"What do you mean, done?" Diamond asked.
"You don't mean you're leaving already do you?" Pinkie asked.
"Why not? I just got expelled after all," Sunset replied harshly.
"Well yeah but, she said you could have tomorrow to clear out you're locker," Pinkie continued.
"Oh just burn it all, cus I don't care about anything in there," Sunset replied, quickening her pace.
"H-hey, wai-" Pinkie began.
"Don't bother Pinkie," Rainbow interrupted, "Just let her go."
Pinkie simply watched as Sunset and Twilight walked off. "But, we're friends, I can't just leave he-"
"Well apparently she doesn't care anymore," Tiara said.
Rainbow turned to the small girl, and quickly realized who it was, "Oh, it's you," she said, glaring down at Tiara.
"W-what?" Tiara asked weakly, as a sudden chill went down her spine.
"Oh don't think I haven't heard about what happened at lunch earlier," Dash said, "You know, when you kicked my little sister."
"Oh, that... Look, I'm sorry about that, I'm gonna apologize the next time I see her, I promise," Tiara replied weakly, before slowly walking away, partly afraid Dash might kick her back.
"You better," Dash mumbled. She shook her head, and turned her attention towards Pinkie, as the students from the classrooms around them made their way to the schools entrance. "Anyway, what are we gonna do about Dust?"
"Iduno," Pinkie shrugged.
"I would go after her myself but, she's probably expecting that," Dash said to herself, "And if Sunset's not gonna do anything, then who else is there?"
"What about Gil-Gil?" Pinkie asked.
"Gilda?" Rainbow asked, a tad confused, "Why would she help? She's probably working with Dust anyway."
"But, she seemed like she was on our side earlier," Pinkie replied, "Although that would explain why she didn't come with us," she continued.
"Um, I have an..." Fluttershy began.
The both of them gave her their attention, "You got an idea?" they both asked simultaneously.
"What, oh, no, um... I just remembered," Fluttershy said awkwardly "I have somewhere I need to go, so I'll see you two tomorrow."
"Where are you off to Flutters?" Pinkie asked, "Can I come?"
"Nono, It's fine. I just have to go meet with one of my teachers is all,"
"What for?" Dash asked, "Wait, you don't have detention do you?"
"No, it's not that I just," she looked down at her wrist, "I'm already late enough as it is. Bye!" she said before running down the hallway.
"She's so got detention, she's just not gonna admit to it." Dash said.
Pinkie giggled, "Probably."
Dash gave a weak sigh, "It's been one heck of a day, hasn't it?"
"Yeah, hopefully tomorrow will be an incy wincy bit better than almost getting expelled," Pinkie replied.
"I hope so..." Dash mumbled as they both began walking towards the school entrance.
Fluttershy walked towards the science room. She had a small idea in mind. An idea that, she wasn't really sure would work but it was worth a try, given the situation. Despite how she was always seen as the one without any friends at all, and that no one really cared about her, there was one person in the school she could turn to.
When she reached the science room, she calmly knocked on the door. "Come in," the voice called out. Fluttershy did just that, opening the door, and calmly walking in. Sitting in his desk at the front of the room was Discord, staring down at a piece of paper. "Make this quick, I have a lot of work to mark," he said dimly.
"Um, sir?"
Discord immediately looked up from his desk. "Fluttershy?" he quickly changed his tone, "Oh I do apologize for that, what can I do for you?" he asked.
"It's about something, pretty important," Fluttershy said.
"We're still on for tea this Saturday, right?" he asked.
"Of course, this has nothing to do with that," she replied with a smile.
"Oh good. Anyway, what's bothering you?" he asked.
"Well, you see," she began, taking a seat at the front desk, as her smile quickly disappeared. "Before I tell you this, promise me you won't tell anyone."
It was clear there was something wrong with her, "Not tell anyone, why not?" Discord asked.
"I don't want people to think I'm a snitch but, this is..."
"Say no more," he interrupted, "If it'll help, I won't tell a soul."
"Promise?"
"Promise," he repeated.
"Ok. Well, earlier today... What would happen if, theoretically, a teacher hit another student?" she asked.
"What did you say!?" Discord leaned forward over his desk, "Has a teacher hit you Fluttershy!"
"Me?" she asked, "Oh, nononono, not me, not me, but um, I might have, seen something... So what would happen?"
"Well, it's more than likely that teacher would be fired immediately," he replied, "That's a rule that not even I break!"
"Ok," Fluttershy replied.
"So tell me, who hit who?" he asked.
"Well um, it was, um," she gulped nervously, "PrncpalCeltia," she muttered.
"Who?"
"Um, Princapal... Celestia..." she repeated slower and clearer.
"What???" Discord asked, his eyes widening in surprise.
"I saw Celestia hit someone..."
"N-now Fluttershy," he coughed, "I've never known you to be a lier, but I've known Celestia long enough to know she would never lay a single finger on anyone."
"But, she did... I know what I saw," she replied weakly.
"Sorry, but have you got any kind of evidence of this?" he asked. He knew Fluttershy better than anyone in the whole school, and she would never lie about something like this. "It's not that I don't believe you Fluttershy, but I can't accept such an accusation as fact without some kind of proof."
"Well, I have multiple witnesses," she said, "But, I don't have any photos or videos of the event."
"I don't suppose you could have brought one of these witnesses with you?" he asked.
"Well I, I didn't want to get their hopes up," she replied, "I didn't want to tell them I had an idea, only for it to fall flat. Sorry."
"How many witnesses exactly?" he asked.
"There were, me, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, Diamond Tiara, the new girl, Twilight Sparkle, I think her name is, and Vice Princapal Luna," she replied, counting them all on her hand.
"Well, I guess that might be enough," Discord sat back and gave his beard a stroke, "Who was it she hit anyway?" he asked.
"She hit Sunset Shimmer, right before she expelled her."
He stopped stroking his beard, "Oh... That just makes to much sense when I think about i- Wait, did you just say, "expelled her"?"
"Yes, she expelled Sunset," Fluttershy repeated.
"Interesting... So, she's finally had enough of her, has she?" he said to himself, "Very well, I'll see what I can do. Thank you for bringing this to my attention dear, and don't worry, I won't tell anyone who doesn't need to know."
"Thank you sir." Fluttershy stood up, and was about to turn around to leave, "There is, one more thing..."
"Yes?"
"It's about Lightning Dust," she said.
"Oh, our new arrogant, selfish son of a-" he stopped himself, and gave a light cough, "Oh, her. What about her?"
"Well, I was also wondering if you could, do something about her?" she asked.
"Fluttershy, we've been over this before with Sunset, I can't do anything besides offer out meaningless warnings and detentions," he said.
"But she isn't Sunset though," Fluttershy replied.
"Well, you have a point there." He went back to stroking his beard, "I'll see what if there's anything I can do."
"Thank you Sir, have a nice day," Fluttershy said as she walked out the room.
Sunset walked towards the statue outside of the school, with Twilight not far behind. "Sunset, you need to calm down!" Twilight said.
"Twilight, I'm perfectly fine, now lets go home!" Sunset replied, her voice still harsh from earlier.
"Wait, back to Equestria?"
"Duh, what else would I mean?" Sunset asked.
"N-no, you can't go yet," Twilight said, running slightly ahead of Sunset.
"Course I can, watch me!" Sunset said, reaching an arm out.
"No you're not!" Twilight grabbed Sunset's arm, right before her fingers were about to touch the portal, "You're not going yet!"
"Why not?" Sunset asked.
"Because you're not going through like this. You need to calm down," Twilight said.
"And I will calm down, just as soon as I'm not here!" Sunset pulled her arm from Twilight's grasp.
"Do you really want Celestia to see you like this?" Twilight asked.
"It wouldn't exactly be anything new to her," Sunset replied, "Trust me, she's use to it from me."
"That's not the point!" Twilight replied. She pushed Sunset back a bit, and stood in front of the portal, blocking Sunset from going through.
"Twilight... Move..." Sunset demanded.
"She told me she's been worried about you ever since you came here," Twilight said, "And you said you want to make up for everything you've done, and apologize to her, and yet this is how you want to go back to her?" she asked.
"What does it matter to you Princess?" Sunset asked.
"I told you, you don't need to call me that!" Twilight replied quickly.
"Well why not?" Sunset asked, "It's not like you don't deserve it!"
"What's that suppose to mean?!" Twilight asked
"Nothing."
"Well we're not going anyway, turn around." Twilight said, looking over Sunset's shoulder.
Sunset looked behind her. They had quite the crowd watching from a fair distance away. "Fine." Sunset knew they couldn't go through now that they were being watched. "We'll leave in the morning," Sunset mumbled, walking around and away from the portal.
"So long as you've calmed down first," Twilight replied, as she followed behind Sunset, being sure to keep some distance from her.
Sunset and Twilight approached Sunset's apartment. After Sunset's small outburst next to the portal, Twilight decided to keep a small distance between both her and Sunset. If what her human friends had told her was true, making Sunset angry was the equivalent of skydiving from Cloudsdale without wings, or a parachute, and Twilight didn't want to test the accuracy of that herself. The two of them had been completely silent the entire time.
Sunset unlocked her front door, opened it, and walked in. Twilight followed in behind, and closed the door behind her. Sunset quickly threw her bag across the room, went over to her bed, and laid down on it, facing the wall. Twilight sat down at Sunset's desk and looked over at Sunset.
She was still completely silent, and while she didn't seem angry anymore, it didn't seem like she was going to move anytime soon, either. It was obvious that, while it may not be the best thing, Twilight was going to have to break the silence herself.
"Sunset?" she began, "Are you alright?" Sunset didn't say anything. "Is something bothering you?" Still nothing. "You know we can talk about it if you want," Twilight continued. "Is it about what happened between you and Prince, uh, principal Celestia?" Still nothing. It was as if Sunset couldn't even hear her. "If you're feeling calmer now, then we can go back to Equestria now, if you really want to."
"Sorry I yelled at you Twilight..." Sunset mumbled, "...You didn't deserve that."
"It's fine, but do you want to talk about all this?" Twilight asked, hoping to at least get an answer this time.
"Not really."
"Well, if there's anything you want to get off your chest, I'm right here," Twilight said, trying her best to encourage Sunset to talk to her.
"Honestly, Twilight..." Sunset began, "Right now, I really don't wanna go home yet..."
"Huh, you, you don't?" Twilight repeated, extremely surprised. "Did you just say you don't want to go home?"
Sunset nodded. "Yeah, I did..."
"Why not? I thought you really wanted to go back to Princess Celestia?" Twilight asked.
"Well, I do. I really do," Sunset replied, "But now, I kinda don't."
While she was still facing the wall, Twilight was happy now that Sunset was talking to her. "I don't get it. You want to stay here now? Why?"
"..."
"You said you wanted to do as much as you could at that school before you the portal closed and you returned to Equestria, didn't you?"
"Yeah."
"So, what's with the sudden change of mind?" Twilight asked.
"Well..." Sunset rolled over, so she was now facing Twilight, instead of the wall. "I'm scared..." Sunset began. Her voice was full of nervousness and fear.
"Scared?"
"Scared of what Princess Celestia will think of me when I tell her..." Sunset continued.
"Why would you be scared of the Princess?"
"Scared that she'll hate me after what I did..." Sunset continued.
"Sunset, the Princess doesn't hate you, she misses you." Twilight walked over to the bed, and sat on edge, next to Sunset. "What makes you think she would hate you?"
"It was the way the human Celestia snapped at me earlier," Sunset replied, "She had so much hate for me all built up, and she just let it out. While I may not like it, the truth is she is Celestia in this world, and if Princess Celestia was to snap at me like that..." Sunset began crying.
Twilight put her hand on Sunset's shoulder. "Sunset..."
"If she hates me for what I've done, I don't know what else I'd do..." she cried weakly.
"I just told you," Twilight continued softly, "Princess Celestia misses you, I'm sure she's already forgiven you for what you've done before."
"But, but it's not about what I've done to her in Equestria, it's about something I did over here. I-"
"Then you don't have to tell her," Twilight. interrupted.
"W...What..?" Sunset asked.
Twilight wiped one of Sunset's eyes. "If it's something you did in the human world, then... Maybe Princess Celestia doesn't need to be told."
"Twilight, this isn't something I can keep to myself," Sunset said, "I have to tell her."
Twilight thought for a moment. "Why don't... Ah-ha! Why don't you tell me instead!" she said with a smile.
"What?" Sunset sat up next to Twilight. "Tell you?" she repeated.
"Yeah. I know I may not be Celestia, but I'm still a Princess of Equestria, and Princess Celestia told me to look after you, anyway," Twilight said, "So if something's really bothering you that much, you can tell me about it."
"I could... Tell you instead..?" Sunset repeated.
Twilight nodded nicely. "I promise, I won't judge you, and I also promise, once you've told me about it, you'll feel a lot better."
"I need the bathroom!" Sunset quickly stood up, and ran over into her bathroom, before locking the door shut behind her.
"Sunset!" Twilight walked over to the locked door, and tried to open it, to no avail. "Darn it," Twilight muttered.
On the other side of the door, Sunset was unsure what she should do. She couldn't tell Twilight, that was for sure, but maybe Twilight was right when she said Celestia didn't need to know either. But could she really do that? Could she really keep the truth to herself? Since Sunset was sent back in time, the incident at the Fall Formal never happened, so is it really that bad to keep it to herself?
"Sunset?!" Twilight called out through the door, "I'm not going to force you to tell me, and I'm sorry if I came off as forceful or anything."
Sunset opened the door and walked out to a worried Twilight. "Before you ask, I'm alright," she walked over to the front door. "I'm gonna take a walk back to the school, get some freash air, alright, Twi?"
"You're going back to the scho- Wait, you're not going to go home without me, are you?" Twilight asked.
"No." Sunset pointed to a book on her desk. "That's my diary that I use to write to Celestia, I'm not leaving without it."
"That diary..."
"You wanna come with me?" Sunset asked.
Twilight looked back at Sunset, "No thanks. I'll be alright on my own," she replied.
"Really?" Sunset asked, "You sure you wanna stay here on your own?"
"Yeah, I'll be fine. Actually, I think some time alone to think will do you good." Twilight said.
Sunset opened the door and walked out. "Alright, see you in a bit," Sunset said as she closed the door.
