I should introduce myself before I dwell into this: My name's Cloud Sweeper. I've been a student at Canterlot District for as long as I can remember, and I love it here. I'm on my junior year with some friends to back me up, and things were going well. that is, until she showed up. It's been a month since Sunset Shimmer came out of nowhere, some kind of transfer student. All of a sudden, she has the whole damn school wrapped under her fingertips as if she was some messiah. But she wasn't as powerful as she thought, she was immature, sloppy, and to top it all off, she has Snips and Snails as her "enforcers".
I couldn't stop laughing when I first heard this.
I was in the library with another student when I heard the door open and not shut.
"Hey, Derpy! Sunset wants to talk to you." Snips said.
Derpy seemed panicked, but she was ready to oblige before I stepped in.
"Leave her be, chubby." I said, getting between them.
"Excuse me?" Snips asked loudly.
"I said leave her be, boy. I don't think you have the authority to determine what she does or doesn't." I said to him.
"And you don't have the right to get in the way of Sunset's word." Snips said.
We were silent. I stood in the way of them and I noticed that Derpy started moving away from both of us before running.
"You will regret this." Snips said as he paced off.
"Yeah, that'll be the day." I said back as I headed off.
Before I could make the door, I bumped into something.
That thing was Sunset Shimmer.
"Sorry, what was that?" She asked.
Not gonna lie, I felt slightly frightened, but I knew what I was getting into. She wasn't here long, and she doesn't know everybody yet.
She doesn't know me yet.
"I said: That would be the day." I said to her face.
She stared into my eyes, and I stared back--NOT in the romantic manner.
"Hmm. Fine, whatever. Let the whore run free." Sunset said cruelly.
"It wasn't her fault, she was practically raped!" I said.
"She was given a drink or two and she was game. She's a whore, and you know it!"
"Maybe, but I'm making sure everybody else doesn't know it." I said as I went off to check on Derpy.
I heard Sunset chuckle before walking off to parts unknown. I did the same, heading for the class I had next. I was heading down the halls when I saw everybody scatter by the lockers, and I knew Sunset was behind me. I felt a strong arm grab me and drag me across the hall into the dark hallway.
"Some scene..." I said, rubbing my shoulder from the pain of being dragged.
"Look, I don't think you know who you are, but you gotta stop. You're ruining my image, or trying to, and I'm sick of it." Sunset said.
"Well, welcome to CHS." I said.
"No, that isn't how it's going to work anymore. Look, I like you. You have charisma, and brains. Unlike... those two." Sunset referenced Snips and Snails.
"So what?" I asked.
"So, we should work together. You give me a decent image, and I'll leave you alone." Sunset said.
"Hmm, some deal. I lie and you don't smart-talk me? No deal." I said.
"Yeah, we figured you'd say no." Sunset said as she pulled out her phone.
She loaded up some photos of me.
"Here's you entering your shack of a house, here's you taking clothes off a telephone pole, and-- here's my favorite, here's you seducing Rarity."
Rarity, a close friend of mine. Yeah, I made a move on her and got shot down, but everybody knows that.
"Okay, everyone knows that last one." I said.
"I know. I'll start with that one, just to confuse people. Then here comes that part when you offered her to see your place. A pretty, modernized girl like Rarity, to such a dump like this? It would spread like a virus." Sunset said, getting closer to my face on the last part.
I backed away slowly.
"And if I say no to that deal?" I asked, noting how she was creeping closer.
"If that, then..."
Sunset pushed me into the wall, pinning my hands back with hers. She had an odd expression on her face.
It took me 5 seconds to put this together.
"Oh, no. No, no, no. Hell. No." I said, moving her off me.
"Ah, worth a shot. So, either you work for me, or everybody knows about this. Your choice." Sunset said.
I waited for a moment, still shocked by what just happened. I then decided to test her blackmailing skills.
"Let me make sure they're legit." I said.
"Sure, go ahead." She handed me her phone.
I resisted the urge of snickering as I went to the first picture, deleted it, and worked my way down.
"Alright, Sunset. You win." I said, handing her phone back.
She looked at the screen and saw that I deleted them all.
"Hey!"
"Word of advice: When you're blackmailing someone, never give them the evidence..." I said as I walked away.
"Yeah, keep acting so high and mighty. Makes it more fun..." Sunset chuckled.
What was up with that moment back there? Did she really think I'd-- after what she said to Derpy? Hell no.
It's been a day since Sunset's... offer. It was mid-December and it snowed hard enough to cancel school, so I had nothing to do but tend to this dump.
My house isn't much. Hell, it's practically nothing. I mean, it's big, but it's rotten wood, broken windows, dripping pipes, and the fact that it's set next to a polluted lake gives it a poor-hermit vibe.
Before you ask, no, I didn't want Rarity inside the house. I just wanted her to help me out with getting it fixed to back when my dad was a kid: Bold, proud, and cheerful. But then he started drinking, and the house started collapsing around us.
I was about to check the house for termites when I saw a swarm of them by the bathroom. This being a common situation due to the rotting wood, grabbed what was left of the spray and opened fire. They stopped moving, now I just had to dispose of them-- the harder part. I put them all on a dustpan and took them to the lake for the fish. I felt the bitter, raw cold as I dumped the bugs... onto ice.
"Damn..."
I knew the ice would melt sooner or later, so I headed back inside and applied the egg solution to insure that this wave of eggs won't hatch.
"So, you live here?" A voice asked behind me, chuckling.
I jumped back and saw Sunset and Snails, the latter leaning against a rotting wall.
"Aww, you two look so adorable together." I teased sarcastically.
Sunset seemed unfazed, but definitely disgusted. Snails's face became blood red by the time I was done with my joke.
"Lighten up, Sunset. It was a joke." I said as I shut the door behind them.
"It wasn't a good one." Sunset said as she noticed a chair and took a seat.
That was my dad's favorite chair...
"That was my father's chair..." I said, angry.
"Okay, so what?"
"Get. Off."
"Make her." Snails said, getting between us.
"It's fine, Snails. It's his house..." Sunset said as she got up and moved to another chair.
"What do you want?" I asked her.
"Oh, just to chat. I heard something about you wanting to redecorate the place." Sunset said, propping her feet on my table.
"Well, redecorate is a weak word, but... yes." I confirmed.
"Maybe I can help you, if you'd let me..." She said, softening her tone.
"Why does this sound like yesterday? Look, I don't care who you are, or who you set yourself up to be-- I don't want you. That is not happening until the day I die." I said to her.
"Worth a shot..." Sunset sighed.
"Oh, by the way, I saw you're out on that bug spray." Sunset said as she tossed me a bottle of the bug spray I use.
"Seems like you want something in return..." I said cautiously.
"No, I just like you. Not romantically, don't worry. I just wanna break you down, understand you. That's all." Sunset said as she and Snails exited the house.
Good, they're gone...
Now back to checking the house.
After I was done with the perimeter sweep, I decided to see if there were some food left in the pantry. My father collected dried foods for multiple years, enough to last me decades. I never had to grocery shop a day in my life...
I grabbed some hash and got the oven going. I had some time to grab a book and get a few chapters into it...
Daring Do and The Quest for The Sapphire Stone. My father's favorite book when I was 12, before he left. I managed to reach to the climax when the oven beeped and it shook me awake.
After finishing the hash, I decided to go for walks like I tend to do in the afternoons. After reaching the city, and getting waves and "hellos" from students and residents, I wound up at my destination: Everfree Park.
The park was here for multiple years. I always walked through it and cleared my head on whatever stressed me. However, I saw someone very familiar in my vision.
"Cloud?" Rarity asked to my right.
I nearly jumped, never expecting anyone I knew, least of all her, in the park.
"Oh, uh... hey Rarity." I said.
There was a silence, and Rarity seemed to receive the brunt of it.
"Look, I'm sorry if I... surprised you. It's just--"
"I understand, darling. You couldn't hide it anymore, you said as much."
"It's not just that. I wanted your help about something, but I need you to promise me not to freak out."
Rarity blushed slightly.
"N- not like that! I... I need help with the house." I confessed.
"Well, it's about time, darling." Rarity said unfazed.
"What... what do you mean?" I asked.
"Sunset showed me the photos. Cloud, why didn't you say you needed help? I would've been glad to help."
"But after what I said?" I asked.
Rarity sighed.
"Yes, after what you said. Don't beat yourself up over it, I've heard many, many worse date offers before, most from strangers. I wanted to think about it, and in truth I still am. But let's not get wrapped up around that. You want my help? You have it."
Rarity held me in an embrace. But as soon as we broke off, I saw a bright, quick flash of light.
I saw Snails with his phone.
"Crap..." I muttered as Snails ran off.
I tried to chase him, Rarity right behind me. But we lost him and he ran free.
"Damn it..." I said, falling on my knees, out of breath.
"It... it's alright, darling. I've heard rumors about us before, this will just have them riled up for a week." Rarity said, trying to comfort me.
"No, it's more than that. If he gives Sunset that photo... who knows what she'll do with it."
"Don't worry about Sunset. She's just a cruel woman spreading sadness and fear." Rarity said as she knelt next to me.
I knew she had a point and there was no finding Snails, so I let the subject go.
"You... saw the house, huh?" I asked her.
"Yes I have... It... wasn't the worst residence I've seen." Rarity said.
"But it's below the standard." I said.
"N... yes. Yes it is." Rarity confessed.
"So... what now?" I asked.
"Have... anything planned tonight?" Rarity asked.
I turned to her and I saw some red on her cheeks.
Was she asking me on a date?
"No... no I don't." I said.
"Well, I have a rather serious dilemma. I have two tickets to see the new play at school tonight, and I was going to take Sweetie Belle. But, alas, she has a playdate, or arrangement, or whatever she and her friends prefer.
Rarity and I took our seats in the auditorium, a few minutes before the play. Rarity offered me to clean up for the play, which I thanked her for.
"And don't think I'm letting you back there tonight, either." Rarity said.
"Rarity, come on--" My face caught heat fast.
"Not another word, darling. Let's enjoy the play for now."
Rarity sure knew how to shut down an argument.
The play is Les Misérables, and some friends I know are in it. From what I saw, it should be good.
Not as good as Hugh Jackman and Anne Hathway, but still good.
As the play started, I could've sworn I saw a big, blue silhouette to the side of me. Rarity caught me looking and turned toward where I saw it. Sure enough, Snips, Snails, and Sunset were all in the theater.
"Let it go, Sweeper. They can't harm us in a place like this."
"I know, it's just... Sunset and Snails look so cute together." I said to her ear.
That caused a giggle and a small laugh from both of us. The play progressed, and I started to notice that Sunset and her goons had their phones out...
At us.
"Come on, darling, let them go. It's not like I care--" She stopped herself, instantly looking away from me.
"R... Rarity?" I simply asked.
She didn't answer, she just watched the play, her face as red as a tomato, some students giggling behind us.
"Let's just enjoy the play, sweetie."
Sweetie? She called me "darling" before, but she calls everyone "darling"...
I decided to roll along and watch the play with her. It came to a point where I didn't even notice Sunset. The play reached the climax and the actors were actually really good. I could've sworn I saw Applejack as an extra, but I wasn't so sure.
As the climax continued, I felt Rarity take my hand. I turned to her and she had a small smile on her face. I just took her hand and we kept watching. I heard more snickering from where Snips and Snails were recording us.
"How about... Fluttershy and Discord?" I asked.
"Hmm?" She asked.
"Do you think Fluttershy and Discord would make a good couple?" I asked.
She took a second to think.
"...Good question. I mean, Discord's quite a delinquent, but Fluttershy seems to have a leash on him. Perhaps if he came clean, and she gains the courage." Rarity replied.
We continued pairing people together, Rainbow and Soarin, Pinkie and Big Mac, and Sunset and Snips. We were so busy with this game, that we didn't notice that the play had ended and people were leaving.
"Come on, we should go." Rarity said.
We left the auditorium and saw Sunset bullying Derpy again.
"Darling, let it go. Derpy has taken worse."
"I don't care."
I got between the two again, and Sunset smirked.
"I wouldn't get involved if I were you." Sunset held out her phone.
It had the photos that I thought I had deleted, us at the play, and a photoshopped photo of us kissing.
"How did you--"
"Leave him out of this." Rarity stepped up.
"Rarity?" I asked.
"You can't make me quit the Spring Flame, Sunset. Bringing Cloud into this won't help you." She said.
"Trust me, I have my business with him. I'll just kill two birds with one stone..." Sunset chuckled.
"Go ahead then. Our reputation can take it." Rarity said.
Wait... can my reputation take this?
"Uh, Rarity, I'm not so sure--"
"Suit yourselves." Sunset said as she walked away laughing.
"Rarity...?"
"Come on, let's get going."
We made it to Rarity's house around 10. Sweetie Belle was over a friends house for the night, so it was just me and Rarity at the house.
Something was bugging me all night, something I didn't think was right to ask.
"Rarity... was this a pity date?" I finally asked.
"What?! No! It... was a date, yes. But not a pity date. Cloud, why do you doubt yourself like this? Because you live in a rundown shack? You just had to tell me that you needed help." Rarity said.
"I know, it's just-- wait. You considered this a date, too?" I asked her.
"Well, what was it, an outing with two friends? I wanted to make up for how I reacted back then."
"You already have." I took a seat next to her on the couch.
We stayed silent for a few minutes before I decided to break the silence.
"If you were still thinking about it, why didn't you just tell me? Unless..."
I turned to her and we locked eyes. We slowly moved closer until our faces were less than an inch apart.
"Rarity...?"
"Shh..."
A day passed and we were back at school. Things were normal, except there were more whispers than normal. People would see Rarity and start whispering and giggling amongst themselves.
"She really did it..." Rarity muttered under her breath.
"She did what?" I asked.
Someone called out from the crowd.
"Hey look, it's Dirty Kisser!"
I quickly turned to the source of the voice and saw Snails next to Sunset, bearing a wide smirk on their faces.
People started laughing as Rarity sprinted away and I tried to follow her. My attempt to find her failed and now I was cornered in the dark hallway again. All of a sudden, 9 students holding bats and other weapons started marching toward me.
I noticed the sun symbol on their uniforms.
"Who the hell are you people?" I asked.
They were getting closer and I realized the situation. One of them swung a bat at me, which I was able to block.
The second one was another story.
His crowbar landed a blow on my back which winded me to the ground. They dropped their weapons and started using their fists and feet. This continued for 2 minutes until.
I woke up in a hospital room, empty and noiseless. Until...
"Hello, Cloudy." A familiar, sinister voice said.
I moved my head to see Sunset Shimmer, leaning over the seat on her phone.
"Sunset...? Those men had your symbol..." I spoke.
"Oh, those idiots? Some admirers I found who happened to have my attention." Sunset smirked.
"Rarity... what did you do to her?!" I demanded.
"Nothing directly; the students did it for me." Sunset said.
I tried to get up, but my back was cracked.
"Don't get up, you're not going anywhere. I just want you to hear me out."
I growled, but accepted. I sat back and let her say her piece.
"Rarity could be torn apart out there, and there's nothing you can do about it-- but I can change the story at any time-- I can come out and say I photoshopped it. I just have one request..."
I braced myself for what I would have to do.
"...I'm listening."
Sunset entered the bed and placed her head next to mine. She leaned into my ear and whispered...
"...Be mine."
I shook my head in denial and shoved her off, which she expected. She pulled out her phone and had a picture of me and Rarity kissing, and another with Rarity and Blueblood-- Celestia’s nephew.
"See this? This is a photo of Rarity and Blueblood from last year’s Spring Flame. Take my offer, I take this to Celestia, and sweet little Rarity goes on free and happy. If you don't..." Sunset had her finger over the delete button.
"Wa- wait. I'll… I’ll do it, just... let me end it-- In person.” I begged.
Sunset looked like she was considering this as she moved her finger away.
"One day. Talk to me then." Sunset said.
“She wants you to do what?!” Rarity uproared.
“Rarity, I don’t have a choice! If I don’t do this, she’ll tear you apart.” I told her.
“I can take this, Cloud--”
“I can’t!” I revealed.
Rarity froze and so did I.
“So you’re doing this for you?” Rarity asked.
“No, absolutely not. If they find out about my father, they’ll destroy you, Rarity-- they’ll do everything in their power to make your life a living hell. I don’t know what I’d do if you or Sweetie Belle got hurt. I can’t let that happen, do you understand me?”
Rarity only started to cry. I went to try and comfort her, but she shoved me away.
“If you think this is the only way to stop her, fine.” She yells quite loudly.
“Rarity?”
I noticed that there weren’t any tears in her eyes. She looks around her and leans into my ear.
“She has someone watching us. Do what you have to do, and when she lets you go, I’ll be here.”
She walked away, probably never to see me again. Before I can even think about what just happened, I got a ring on my phone-- a text message.
‘Good job. Meet me at the dark hallway at the end of school’ From a number I never seen before.
How did she get my number?
I packed up my pack and looked over my phone one last time, considering all of my options-- I could move… but I have nowhere else to go. I could transfer… to Crystal Prep. I could just run away…
I have no other choice, do I? Other than accepting my fate as Sunset’s boy-toy?
Screw it.
I headed to the dark hallway and waited. I decided to pull my phone out and decided to play Kiss of the Dark while I waited. I made it to the part where I need to choose between The Princess or the King when I heard wheels squeaking on the floor. The janitor rolled around the corner and noticed me.
“Hey kid, you know it’s after school, right?”
I stammered and tried to make an explanation.
“It’s okay, Joe-- he’s with me.” Sunset came around the corner and handed Joe a small stack of cash.
“Oh! Sorry, Sunset-- I didn’t know he was with you. You’re good, kid.” Joe said to me as he wheeled on.
“Bribing a janitor… a bit beneath you, don’t you think?” I asked her.
“Nothing is beneath me. You’ll learn that in time.”
Sunset walked over to me and pinned me against the wall, similar to when we first met. Only now…
“Nothing is beneath me. You’ll learn that in time.”
I came to a sense of a realization.
“You planned for this, didn't you? Ever since we met?”
Sunset rammed her lips into mine, which both startled and enraged me. She pulled away and glanced at me with a face of understanding.
“I know that this sucks for you, and all that… but if you want you and your gir… ex- girlfriend to survive this, well… this is your only option- so enjoy it.” Sunset said.
I remembered what Rarity said to me about doing what I had to do.
I have to adapt to this…
I need to pretend to like it.
I realized what I had to do and I kissed her back, trying to be harder than she was, swallowing my disgust and hate and trying to replace them with some form of love. We lasted in this… sick form of kiss for a few moments before she broke it.
“Taking what I said to heart?”
“Screw you…” I gasped for breath.
“Here? Now?”
Before I could shoot a rebuttal, the janitor from earlier rolled over, glanced at us and the position we were in, looked back forward, and rolled on.
“Of course not here.” I said.
“Well, your place is out, so… how about mine?”
“Sure, where’s your place.”
“That’s for me to know. Come on, I kept my car on.”
…
I rolled over in Sunset’s bed in her large apartment building, regretting everything that I did that night.
Is this my life now? To be some form of boy-toy for Sunset Shimmer? When will this end-- will this end? How about--
“Glad to see you’re up. I was just thinking about our relationship.”
“...What about it?” I asked.
“I think I liked you last night-- you knew what I needed. So, I think I’ll make this last as long as possible.”
Sunset cackled as a single tear rolled among my face, knowing that my questions were just answered. This will never end…
