Sunset Shimmer's journey from her fall at the Fall Formal, all the way to her adventures with the Spectacular Seven.
Sunset Shimmer build herself up after the event at the Fall Formal. She has friends by her side, or at least she thinks she does. Still stubborn and wanting to be independent, the people around her try to show her that she needs friends. With hazardous powers that could endanger the ones that mean most to her, will she be able to put others before herself? -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Cover Art: kazss Profile Link: https://bit.ly/2KrZD0L Thanks again kazss! -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
"I-I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. I didn't know there was another way." Sunset said sobbing, crawling out of the pit in pain and despair.
"The magic of friendship doesn't just exist in Equestria. It's everywhere. You can seek it out, or you can forever be alone. The choice is yours." Twilight said sternly, her back to Sunset.
"But... But all I've ever done since being here is drive everyone apart. I don't know the first thing about friendship." Sunset sobbed, trying to climb her way out of the ditch. As she tried grabbing onto the pavement, a hand grabbed her's firmly.
"I bet they can teach you," Twilight said, pointing to the smiling group of girls.
☀️ 1 HOUR LATER ☀️
The group of colorful girls huddled next to the portal. They were all hugging Twilight and saying their goodbye's.'I really messed up'. They turned their heads towards Sunset Shimmer, as she cowered behind the wall. Twilight went through the portal, and it closed shortly after she left. She looked behind her for she had heard some footsteps.
"I suppose you can start cleaning this up Miss Shimmer," Vice Principal Luna sighed as she looked at the massive hole in the wall and crater. She turned her head back to Sunset Shimmer, who looked terrified. "This should keep you distracted for the rest of the night." Luna sighed as she walked away from Sunset, tears still running from her eyes.
'Yeah, I really messed up. I should probably start by saying sorry to those two goons.' "Snips, Snails, I have something I would like to tell you," Sunset said putting down the shovel Luna had given her. "I know I need to start handing out apologies, so I might as well start with you two. I'm sorry, alright?" She said, her head hanging low.
"It's really no problem Sunset." Snails said looking at Snips for support.
"Yeah, it was actually kind of fun being a demon thing and all!" Snips sighed with a small smile on his face. Sunset sighed and continued to cry silently as she picked up bricks. Her back was killing her as if someone had just put a knife in it, and she was filthy. The jacket she adored was torn from the bottom and at the shoulder, and her hair was even worse. Sunset sighed, "There goes my favorite outfit."
I few hours had passed since she worked on the entrance to the high school, and she was getting weaker and more tired by the second. She picked up most of the rubble and stones that had been surrounding the entrance. 'I'm actually pretty proud of myself, and look at the bright side Shimmer, this night could not get any worse. So I guess this isn't so bad.'
"I think you've done enough, for now, Sunset Shimmer." A soft but stern voice said to her. Sunset turned around to see her formal mentor staring at her, arms crossed. Snips and Snails had already gone home an hour or so before Sunset, and she was exhausted. Sunset sighed, and put down her shovel and the brick that was in her hand. She started to limp away, which is something that the older woman noticed. "Sunset, would you like a ride home?" Celestia called out to Sunset. Just then Sunset panicked, she didn't want Principal Celestia to see where she lived, she could get into even more trouble, and that is something that she did not want to do at the moment.
"I'm fine....thanks though" Sunset sighed as she continued to limp away, trying her best to look fine in front of the older woman.
"If that is what you wish Miss Shimmer, I expect you to know already that you will be suspended for one week, only for your safety. And have detention for 3 months after that, we will discuss it more after your suspension, have a nice night Sunset Shimmer." The principal said to Sunset, her voice cold but still comforting to the young teen.
'Heh, she reminds me of Princess Celestia when she got mad at me for casting that one spell.' The pony turned teen continued her walk to the shabby building she called home, slowly but surely she would get there.
Celestia continued to watch Sunset until she had gone out of her line of sight, she turned to her sister who was standing nearby. "What are we going to with her sister?"
"I would have called the police if Princess Twilight Sparkle didn't explain that she wasn't really from here either," Luna responded her voice cold, and full of anger.
"We can just tell the construction people it was a gas line explosion and that's that." They both continued to look at the gigantic crater that Sunset was sitting in just a little bit ago. "She seemed pretty frightened when I mentioned giving her a ride home, did you see that too?"
"Maybe she was afraid that you would talk to her parents, not like we weren't going to do that anyways." The smaller sister said dryly.
Celestia pondered this for a while, but then she realized, "Something is telling me if Sunset came alone here, that she really doesn't have parents either," Luna looked at her with slight concern in her eyes, but quickly turned away before her older sister could see.
"She couldn't have gone far, maybe you should follow her home to make sure she has a place to sleep and get there safely, I know how sneaky you can be at night." The Principal turned to her sister, a slight grin on her face from the compliment.
Luna continued to grin but didn't let her elder sister see. "If you think it is necessary then I will do so, but I still don't like that child she had been trouble ever since she entered this world."
Luna walked off and walked to the parking lot into her black car. It blended into the night, and she liked it like that. 'I don't understand why my sister cares so much about that little brat. ' She pulled away from the staff parking lot and began to drive in the same direction that Sunset had been walking in.
Has that car been following me this whole time? Whatever, might as well go get some food to eat, I'm starving. I really don't need to see anyone from school there, it's too late anyways, right?
Luna slammed her head on the steering wheel "Is she seriously not even going home?" She gave an annoyed groan and made a U turn. I'm not in the mood for this, I could really care less about the demon brat right now. She looked behind her and watched Sunset walk into Sugarcube Corner clutching her sides, either from hunger, or from the cold.
The doorbell rang for the small bakery, it was 5:00 A.M. and Sunset knew that Mr. and Mrs. Cake would be open already. She noticed something though, there was chatter, and it wasn't from any of the workers. She turned to the left, where she saw the same group of girls, who had just defeated her. The talk was silenced the second she walked in, and received glares of both curiosity and anger. 'Just ignore them, get your food, and walk away'.
Sunset walked to the counter putting on a faux smile, "Can I get the blueberry scone and Chai tea please." Still receiving glares from the others, their eyes not leaving Sunset. 'Ignore them, ignore them, ignore them' she thought to herself while she grabbed the bag and payed the money she owed for her goods.
"Hey Sunset, why don't ya come here for a sec?" a southern accent called to her.
Aw, come on!
Sunset stopped in her place, and turned towards their direction. She dragged a chair to the group of girls, clearly showing that she did not want to be there.
"What can I do for your guys? Sunset grumbled.
"Well we just wanted to get to know you sugarcube." The blonde haired girl stated.
Rainbow Dash rolled her eyes. "Come on Applejack she obviously doesn't want to talk to us, can we just go now?"
"Rainbow Dash! She's been cleaning up that rubble all night give her a break please!" Rarity said as she shoved Rainbow.
"If you want me to make it quick sugarcube Ah will, Ah just wanted to know if you would like to be our friend." The country girl continued.
Sunset looked at them blankly, trying not to drop her jaw in the process. "Is this some kind of joke? You want to be my friend? Or is this because the Princess of Friendship told you to.?"
"First of all Sunshine no one can make me do anything. Second if I choose to play nice with you it's my choice and mine only." A raspy voice growled at her. Sunset rolled her eyes, making sure that Rainbow Dash saw.
"Well..uhm, maybe if you would be a little nicer we can surely be friends..maybe." whispered Fluttershy who was hiding behind her long pink hair.
"OoOooh we can totally make cookies, cakes, go shopping, and have sleep overs together!" Exclaimed the pink haired girl as she left up in the table.
Sunset stared breifly before hearing someone older yell behind her, "Pinkamena Diane Pie! Off the table this instant!"
"Sorry Mrs. Cake!"
Sunset tried to comprehend this all and continued to stare at the five girls. "Yeah sure, I'll be your friend or whatever." She mumbled.
"YAYYY!" the cotton candy haired girl screamed.
Sunset didn't want to say anything else, she was too tired and just wanted to leave. "Look, I really appreciate you guys being so nice to me, but it's been a real long night, and I just want to go home now."
"Sure thing sugarcube, would you like to come to the Zoo with us tomorrow?" Applejack said as Sunset started her journey to the door. Sunset didn't listen however, she walked out the door, her mind in too much of a daze to listen to what they had to say, but she swore she could hear a series of whispers when Applejack made the statement. Sunset began her walk home, not sure what to do tomorrow, and for the rest of next week. 'Great, now I have nothing to do but sit in the crumbling building. But I could go to the zoo tomorrow with those girls, maybe I can finally learn bout this "friendship thing:''
☼
Back at Sugarcube Corner
☼
"Applejack! What were you thinking inviting her to Fluttershy's birthday like that?!" screamed Rainbow Dash, clearly more upset than Fluttershy.
Applejack squinted her eyes, "Because, if she doesn't learn to make friends she might go back to being her old self."
"And what makes you think she still isn't her old self Applejack? She obviously doesn't want to hang out with us!" Dash retorted.
"And what makes you think she doesn't want to hang out with us, she could have been tired or something." Applejack said. Dash gave her a glare and huffed.
"I really don't mind if she comes, as long as she isn't mean or anything." Fluttershy added quietly. "Rainbow Dash, if she does try being mean to me, which I hope she won't, you guys will be there to help."
Rarity nodded her head, "Of course Darling."
Rainbow got up from the table and muttered., "If she tries something Shy, I'll be more than there for you." The other four girls got up with Rainbow Dash, said their goodbyes, and headed home, it had been a long night after all.
☼
Back at Sunset's place
☼
Sunset had just arrived at her "house" and wanted to just sleep, but she couldn't. No matter how much she tried, she couldn't sleep. "You know what? If I can't sleep than I won't!" she said to absolutely nobody. She got up and went to the small fridge she owned. Sunset opened it up and there was 2 cases of beer. 'These were supposed to be celebratory, but I guess not anymore. I am technically 25, so try me.' Sunset drank til morning, she did not get an ounce of sleep, and nor did she think that she needed it.
Bzzt
Bzzt
"Ugh, now what?" Sunset said drunkenly. She picked up her phone and saw 2 new messages from Pinkie Pie.
Heya Sunset! Meet us at the cafe
Okay, sure when?
In half an hour silly!
"WHAT! Shit I need to get ready!" She threw her phone on her bed and quickly took a shower. She finished relatively quickly, then looked at herself in the mirror. 'I look high, I really should have slept last night, and now I'm half drunk, great.' She scurried out the door of her house and looked at her motorcycle. Sunset was still drunk, and she didn't want to have to take her bike to the shop again. 'I'll just take take the bus..'
"I am going to be late!" Sunset yelled as she ran to the small cafe around the corner. Just then she saw 5 familiar faces drinking smoothies and waiting.
"So sorry I'm late, I didn't- get to -- " Sunset said between gasps. She held her knees, and looked up to see the concerned group of girls in front of her.
Applejack took a look at Sunset's eyes, "Did you get any sleep last night sugar cube?" she asked.
"Pffft, who needs sleep?" Sunset replied drunkenly. "Oh! Happy Birthday by the way Fluttershy!"
"Mhmm, alright can we go now?" Rainbow Dash interrupted before Fluttershy could thank Sunset. "I'm getting tired of waiting, the Zoo might close now because of how late Shimmer was." It was only five o' clock, but the zoo closed at eight. They all started their walk to the zoo, but every now and then, Rainbow would always find a way either to push Sunset to the side, or criticize her on something. Sunset soon caught on, and decided that it would be best for everyone if she would just stay on the side.
As soon as they arrived, Fluttershy's eyes widened. "We're here!" She practically screamed it. "Oh, sorry, I mean yay!" They all let out a little chuckle and entered the zoo.
"Five dollars please." The clerk at the desk mumbled, obviously not enjoying his time.
Sunset paused, 'All I need right now is to spend money on these things. But for the sake of make friends I guess.' "Here you go." Sunset growled.
"Is everything alright Sunset?" The shy girl asked.
"Yeah, everything is fine." Sunset mumbled, as she received a glare from Rainbow. 'Is she going to keep giving me that look? It's like she is waiting for me to mess up.' They all continued to walk forward looking at the first attractions, which were bears. Sunset never really took notice in human creatures, some of them were the same in Equestria though. She walked near the back were Rainbow Dash was, and started to move closer to her.
Sunset cleared her throat, "You got a problem Dash?" Saying it low so none of the other girls could hear.
"Yeah, I do."
"And would you mind telling me what that problem is?"
"You. I don't want you ruining our friendships again she-demon. If you do try to, I'm sure you'd wish that the rainbow laser killed you."
Rainbow Dash's words did hurt Sunset, she also didn't want to start an argument in front of so many people, so she just walked off. She put on a faux smile and walked near the head of the group once again. She tried to fit in as much as possible, finally they all sat down and took a break from walking. The Zoo was about to close in about an half an hour or so. Sunset stayed quiet most of the time, recalling what Rainbow had just said to her.
'She Demon'
Sunset knew she was going to get plenty of insults next week, and she wasn't looking forward to it. Usually she would just ignore what people said about her, but any talk about the Fall Formal had just bothered her too much. 'As long as I don't let it get to me too much, I should be okay. Rainbow Dash probably just hates me for breaking the friendship up that one time, but I doubt anyone else would be too extreme. Right?'
Sunset's thoughts were interrupted when she heard someone yell, "It's time for PRESENTS!" Pinkie Pie screamed.
'Shit. Think fast Sunset, think think think! I got it! I'll just apologize, for being such a jerk to her in the past, yes great idea!' Sunset grinned, "I'll go last, if that's alright."
"Oke doke loke! Here open mine first Fluttershy!" Pinkie exclaimed.
"Oh you didn't have to get me anything Pinkie Pi-" before she could finish, confetti blew in her face, and a new pet brush, with her cutie mark symbol designed on the back was revealed. "It's wonderful! Thank you so much Pinkie!" Shy gasped. The girls continued giving their gifts to Fluttershy, Rarity bought Fluttershy a hand knitted scarf, Applejack had bought her more supplies for her pets, and Rainbow had bought Fluttershy a new journal, knowing that she needed a new one. It came Sunset's turn to give her gift.
"Hey Shy, do you mind if we go next to the fountain? Your gift is kind of private." Sunset asked.
"Oh...uhm..sure Sunset." She replied.
As the walked off Sunset took note of the "I am watching you sign" that Rainbow Dash had given her. She shrugged it off and sat on the edge of the fountain where Fluttershy had been sitting.
"You know Sunset you didn't have to get me anyth-" Sunset held her hand up interrupting Fluttershy.
"I wanted to give you an apology for everything in the past Fluttershy, and I found now was a perfect ti'me to give you it." Fluttershy just continued to stare at her, Sunset could see that she was a little shocked. "I am genuinely sorry for pushing you around, and stepping on you because you are so shy. I found an easy target, and I was the hardest on you when I shouldn't have been." Tears were running from Fluttershy's eyes, and trickled down her face. Before she could give Sunset a hug, or even say anything, Sunset was pushed into the fountain.
Sunset didn't know what to think, or do, but quickly pushed her self back to the surface.
"Rainbow Dash what are you doing?!" Fluttershy yelled, louder than Sunset had ever heard before.
"I saw you crying and I got worried!" Dash snapped back.
Fluttershy offered a hand to Sunset, but she pushed the hand aside. Sunset could not be more done with this day, before she could punch Dash, she walked off towards the exit, receiving looks from people who had witnessed.
"Sunset! Wait!" Fluttershy yelled as she tried to get her attention. Sunset continued to walk off clutching her sides, it was getting cold. 'Screw you Rainbow Dash'
Sunset stormed out of the zoo as it grew dark outside, she was cold and wet. One of the most annoying feelings in the world. She wasn't far from home, and she knew that she would be there soon. 'So much for making friends.' Sunset rolled her eyes and continued to walk on home, she hugged herself trying her best to keep warm. 'Just a few more blocks and I'll be there.' Sunset tried to continue her hopeful thinking, until she heard someone walking behind her. She had developed the feeling of someone following her like it was a sixth sense. She pushed the thought of someone following her away until she heard more footsteps and voices trailing behind her. Sunset knew this wouldn't end well for her, so she decided to make a run for it.
As if on queue, someone the size of a giant boulder appeared right in front of her and pushed her into a nearby alley. Sunset quickly regained her balance and stood up to face at least five people, including the guy who had pushed her. 'This is definitely not going to end well for me at all. Isn't this day just perfect!'
"Look what we have here," a voice finally decided to say. The speaker stepped forward, and Sunset knew who it was almost immediately. Gilda. "She-Demon Shimmer."
"Gilda, what do you want?" Sunset returned coldly. She didn't want anything to do with Gilda or any of her goons. Sunset knew why they were here, she knew they were trouble, and what they wanted. Gilda wanted to get back at her for blackmailing her, and most likely getting her suspended.
"You know what I want Shimmer," Gilda snapped back. "I want revenge. The rest of you keep watch."
"Is now really the best time? I might be able to fit you into my schedule." Sunset replied with a smirk on her face.
"Enough stalling she-demon!" Gilda retorted. Before Sunset could react Gilda was right in front of her, her arm pulled back and ready to sock Sunset. She dodged her first shot, but wasn't so lucky on the second. Hitting her right in the eye, 'Well that's going to leave a mark.' Sunset saw a moment to hit Gilda, and took advantage of it, returning the powerful punch to her, hitting her square in the nose.
"You little shit! You're going to pay for that!" Sunset was ready for a punch in return, but wasn't ready for the kick in the stomach. Sunset's wind was knocked out of her and she fell to the ground, and struggled to catch her breathe. Gilda was about to go for another kick, when the sound of multiple motorcycles started to approach.
"Gilda! It's them, we should get ou-" One of Gilda's goons began to say, until he was interrupted by a punch in the face. Now there was 10 other people who joined the fight in the alley, the rest of Gilda's gang backing up in fear.
"Get out of here Gilda." a cold voice said from the group. Gilda turned around, and from what Sunset saw in her eyes, she could tell she was scared.
"H-hey Skyes, w-why don't you help me beat this twerp up, huh?" Gilda stuttered. Sunset looked up, her vision a little blurred from the punch to the eye. One of the ten stepped forward, presenting themselves as the leader.
"Hard pass. I won't say it again Gilda, scram." Sunset thought she had heard the voice before, the same cold voice. She could see Gilda didn't want to leave, but the rest of her gang had already ran away. Soon enough, she followed them out, muttering a swear under her breathe. No one came to help Sunset up, she didn't need help. She stood up up and faced the group of ten bikers. None of them was glaring at her as much as their leader. Once Shimmer got a good look at her, she recognized who it was almost immediately. Nova Skyes.
"You alright?" Nova coldly asked.
"Y-yeah, uhm tha-"
"Don't mention it." Nova's cold voice continued, her blue eyes never leaving Sunset's. 'I swear it's like she freezing my soul. Probably deserve it though, after what I did to her.' The bikers started to mount their bikes again, along with Nova. She entered the key in her bike, starting it up. Sunset just stared, Nova's bike was gorgeous, better than the one that she had gotten from the junk yard. She also admired Nova's jacket, leather with blue stripes on the sleeves, matching the color of her hair. Which was short, and looked identical to her sister's, Spitfire.
"Aren't you coming Shimmer? Or did you need an invitation." Nova said, Sunset jumped for a second, and continued to stare. Not knowing what to say back to her, she climbed on the back. 'Well this is going to be hell'a awkward for me, riding on the back of Nova Skyes bike.' The motorcycle roared, but it was still quiet. The group followed and Sunset knew she didn't deserve to be saved by Nova and her gang. After what she did to her.
Sunset zoned out completely, memories of the incident with flooded her head...
☀️1 YEAR AGO ☀️
Nova Skyes leaned against the lockers with the rest of her friends, mostly all her gang members. She was known for being relatively passive, loyal, and honest. Sunset knew that she would have to take Nova down to get to the top. She knew that she would get in her way. So she would do what she normally does, blackmail and spread rumors.
Sunset had been watching Skyes for a long time, and she didn't see anything that she could get her hands on. Until one day her and her sister got into an argument. Sunset had been around the corner, she was a freshman then, and Nova a sophomore. The argument was short, and hurtful words were said.
"Maybe if you weren't so busy riding your bike with your gang, you would see that family comes first!" Spitfire was yelling louder than Sunset had ever heard before.
"Look sis, I didn't know that mom was sick, so how was a supposed to know that she needed some flower from across the country to help her feel better?!"
"I don't want to hear excuses Nova!" Spitfire was now jabbing her finger at Skyes, and Nova looked terrified. "You know what?" Spitfire got closer, fuming.
"You're just like dad Nova, selfish, un-loyal, bitch." Spitfire than stormed off, leaving her little sister. Nova looked at her feet for a few seconds, and mounted her motorcycle and rode off. Little did both of them know that Sunset was recording the whole time, and all she needed to do was alter Spitfires words a bit, and make Nova look like some 'bitch'.
That's what she did, and the next day Nova received looks from everybody, the only people that came to her side was Spitfire and the nine loyal gang members that were still with her today.
☀️ PRESENT ☀️
Sunset saw Nova sign to the rest of the bikers, and she split from them, towards Sunset's home. She came to a stop, and both dismounted the motorcycle. 'What do I do? Do I apologize? Do I say thank you? Why didn't she punch my face in?'
Sunset's thoughts were interrupted when she heard Nova's raspy voice. "You sure you're alright Shimmer?"
"Y-yeah definitely." Sunset said as she nodded her head, receiving a stare from Nova. "Hey, Nova?"
"Yeah?"
"I-I'm really sorry, for everything. The video, altering your sister's words, getting into your business. I'm really sorry." Sunset said, looking down at her hands the whole time. She looked up to Nova in a way, and she wanted to be friends with her.
There was an awkward silence between the two, until Nova decided to ask, "So you are ready?" Nova replied.
Sunset looked up and said, "Ready? For what?"
"For a second chance." Nova said, her voice not changing. Sunset looked Nova in the eyes, they were still cold, but forgiving.
"Yes ma'am." Sunset said, a smile forming on her face.
"Good, because I heard you ride a bike, am I right?" Nova grinned when she saw Sunset nodded her head vigorously.
"I expect you to be at my place then next week after school, me and the gang practically spend most of our time there if we aren't riding." Skyes said, mounting her bike once again.
Sunset's smile grew larger, for she always wanted to be in Nova's gang, even when she was a bully. "Hey, uhm Nova?"
Nova looked up before sliding on her helmet, "Yeah?"
"Why did you, you know, save me? I deserved that beating."
Nova just stared at her motorcycle for a second, and than looked back at Sunset again, "Someone told me that everyone deserves a second chance Shimmer, no matter how shitty they were before." Sunset just nodded in response, Nova gave her a little wave, and drove off into the night.
Sunset opened the door to her home, changed out of her damp clothes, it wasn't the best day, but it was one heck of an exciting one.
Chapter 5: Confrontations, Agreements, and Detention
School. It's the thing Sunset had been dreading for the whole week. Sunset knew that going to school was going to be hell. But if she didn't go who knows what would happen. 'Probably nothing to be honest, as far as I know I don't think any of the staff or students want me around at the moment.' Her alarm clock read 6:30 A.M., and she was about to be late if she didn't get up soon. So after checking her phone, and the countless messages she had received from her 'friends'. Over one hundred from Pinkie Pie, 10 from Fluttershy (most of them apologies for what happen at the Zoo), 5 from Applejack, and 6 from Rarity.
Sunset pressed the 'Mark all as Read' button on her phone, at this point she would just talk to them at school. She stayed at home over the rest of her suspension, all though she should have went out, bought a new jacket, and actually try getting a job. She couldn't push around small middle-schoolers anymore for their lunch money, so she had to get a job sooner or later. She took a quick shower, looking at the scars on her back, still quite red, but didn't hurt as much. Only when she applied pressure did they hurt like someone had put a knife through her back.
Sunset mounted her motorcycle, proud she could ride with Nova and her gang now, but wish she could get a better bike. The engine roared and Sunset made her way to school and made sure to park in the student lot. She knew how upset Vice-Principal Luna got when she figured out that a student parked in the staff lot. 'I'm already on her bad side anyways, how could it get any worse?' Little did Sunset know, it could get much worse the second she entered the school.
She received looks from almost every student, and as much as she wanted to ignore them and act like they weren't there, she couldn't. She sighed and moved on to her locker, a few paper balls had been thrown at her, and the looks didn't cease at all. Sunset finally reached her locker, and of course numerous rude drawings, pictures, and messages had been written in red on her locker. While reaching for her books for the next class she heard someone approach her. Before Sunset knew it she was face first in her locker.
"The Grrreat and Powerful Trrrixie always get's her revenge!" Sunset heard her pursuer yelled. Before she could climb her self out of her locker the door slammed. 'At least she didn't lock it.'
Click
'Shit.'
She heard the laughter of many who were watching the incident. Now Sunset was angry, she had been trying to keep her cool all morning, and she was already upset. She could feel it getting hot in the locker, and it wasn't because she was claustrophobic. She kept getting angrier, like she wasn't in control. Sunset threw her fist into the locker door, and her hand went right through it. She kicked the locker door open, and it appeared as if there was smoke coming from the spot were she had punched the locker. All laughter had ceased. The only sounds that were made was the sound of Sunset huffing and puffing, and the locker still sizzling from where she had punched.
"Never, and I mean never, try that again. Got it Trixie?" Sunset said, she had cooled down now, but made sure that Trixie knew what she was messing with. Everyone had backed up now, and walked around Sunset like nothing had happen.
Sunset continued her morning without anyone touching her, or pushing her into lockers. She received the occasional paper ball to the head, but that was about it. The bell had rang, and it was time for her to move onto her next period, lunch. She had been dreading it the whole day. Lunch meant that she had to see the five. Which included Rainbow Dash, who she was still pretty upset about. Sunset knew that she deserved a push into fountain, but she just hated the fact Rainbow Dash had to do it.
Sunset walked to the lunch line, receiving looks and whispers from everyone around her. At this point she didn't care, as long as everyone left her alone, she would be happy. 'Would I be happy? Do I want to be alone?' The thoughts ran through Sunset's head, that's when she ran into someone. And it wasn't just anyone, but none other than Vice-Principal Luna herself.
"Miss Shimmer you have lunch detention for 1 month if you don't recall." She bluntly stated.
'No I don't recall that at all.' "Yeah, how could I forget." Sunset said unintentionally rolling her eyes.
"In my office please." Sunset sighed and walked with the woman, she couldn't help but wince at the laughter that followed when she left the cafeteria. 'Did she know about the locker incident?' Sunset had hoped that the news of Sunset almost blowing up a locker hadn't reached the woman yet. Luckily for Sunset, she didn't seem to mention anything about the locker during their awkward lunch break.
Every once in awhile during the lunch Sunset would see Luna giving her a look that said 'I'm still watching you'. Sunset took notice of it and she shrunk down in her seat every time she would see it. After the lunch bell rang Sunset basically darted out of the room, giving Luna a quick wave. Before Luna could say anything else to her, she ran out and headed to the library for study hall.
"Hey Sunset!" A southern accent called to her. Sunset froze in her place, 'I honestly feel like this day is out to get me.' She turned around slowly to see the group of girls walking towards her.
"HI SUNSET!" Pinkie Pie screamed in Sunset's ear and gave her a bone-crushing hug.
"ᴾᶦⁿᵏᶦᵉ ᵃᶦʳ" Sunset tried to say as Pinkie dropped her.
"Sorry Sunset! I was just so excited to see you! Did you not get our texts I think I sent a few myself." 'Heh, yeah just a few.'
"Oh, yeah I wasn't really looking at my phone during my suspension, mostly tried figuring out what I was going to do this week, so by the time I looked at my phone, I figured that I would just talk to you guys in school." Sunset shrugged.
"Sunset I am so very sorry for what happened at the zoo." Fluttershy said in her soft voice.
"It was nothing of your doing.." Sunset said glaring at Rainbow Dash.
"Yeah, yeah, I'm sorry for pushing you into the fountain or whatever." Dash said rolling her eyes, and giving Sunset a deathly glare.
"YAY WE CAN ALL BE FRIENDS NOW!" Pinkie screamed as she pulled both Rainbow and Sunset into another hug. Pinkie dropped them before they could complain.
"Sunset, Rainbow Dash, don't you two have a study hall together?" Rarity said in her Canterlot accent.
"Yeah." Sunset replied cooly. Dash just shrugged her shoulders and stepped away from Sunset.
"Great darlings, that means you two can walk together while we go to our classes." Before Sunset could leave a remark, the four walked away and left Dash and Sunset alone. Sunset turned to face Dash and was pushed into the nearby lockers, back first. Sunset screamed in pain, which scared Dash for a moment, but then got close to Sunset.
"Only for the sake of my friends will I play nice with you, got it?" When Sunset didn't respond, she was slammed into the lockers again making her wince. This time it didn't go unnoticed.
"What do you two think you are doing?!" Sunset heard someone yell. She opened her eyes to see a terrified Rainbow Dash and a furious Luna. "You two with me, now." They nodded in response and followed her to the Principal's office. While they were walking, Sunset would rub her back where the two scars were, and grimaced. She didn't know that Rainbow Dash had seen her do it.
Luna knocked on the door and pointed to Susnet and Rainbow Dash. "These two were fighting near the the library lockers." Principal Celestia stared at them both for a second, as if she was eyeing them down and asked Rainbow Dash to come in first and Sunset to wait. Luna nodded her head and returned to her office, occasionally checking on Sunset. Then came Sunset's turn. She tried to get a good look at Rainbow, who had a sullen face on, and gave Sunset a little push on the shoulder. 'Great, now she hates me more.' Sunset walked into the office with a frown on her face.
"Hello Sunset," She heard Celestia's calm voice say, which reminded her greatly of her mentor. "Have a seat please." Sunset gulped and followed the order. Celestia just stared at Sunset, and Sunset gripped the chair tightly. She reminded her too much of her mentor, who she feared so much. "Sunset, are you alright?"
'Am I alright? Are you kidding me lady? I blew up a locker today, my back feels like someone stabbed me and left the knife in. So if you wanted to know if I was alright, I am definitely not.' "Yes, yes everything fine."
"Are you sure?" She asked again, her stare never leaving Sunset. She started getting tense, and hot. She felt her hands get warmer and warmer. Suddenly there was a smell in the room, like something was burning. "SUNSET! You need to relax!" The principal screamed before grabbing the nearby fire extinguisher and blasting the chair Sunset was sitting on. The smoke died down, and there was a huge pile of foam on the chair, Sunset stood up.
"I am sure Miss Celestia," Her tone was harsh, "Now if you excuse me I need to clean myself up, I suppose I will see you in after school detention." Sunset stormed out, she looked like a foamy monster as she walked down the halls. Celestia not saying a word, and her mouth a gape.
Rainbow Dash had just stared at Sunset, confused and amused at the same time. She popped her head in Principal Celestia's office. "Is everything alri-"
"YES RAINBOW DASH!" Dash jumped at the sudden tone of the woman, "I'm sorry, I think I need to go see Sunset." -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Sunset was washing her self off, trying to get as much of the flame retardant of her clothes and hair. She heard as so one approached her in the bathroom.
"Sunset, I'm sorry"
"For what?" She answered coldly.
"For putting so much pressure on you, I should have been a little easier in that conversation."
"You don't think?" She turned to face Celestia, and looked at her apologetic and worried face. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean for that to happen either. I didn't know it would happen, I didn't k-know that I-I would get p-power-" Before Sunset could continue she was pulled into a hug. Sunset hadn't realized she was crying the whole time she was speaking. She was unsure of what to do at first, but than returned the hug to her mentor's counterpart.
Ring The final bell had rang, and it was time for Sunset's after school detention.
"You don't have to go today, Sunset."
"No, no it's alright, I have to talk to Rainbow Dash."
"Nothing violent right?" Celestia had said worried.
"N-no nothing like that." Sunset shook her head.
"Alright, feel free to leave at anytime though." Sunset just nodded as she watched the principal walk away. Before she was out of earshot she heard her yell, "And try not to set anything on fire!" Sunset grinned at that comment. She grabbed her bag and started to head towards the detention room. She had something to say to Rainbow Dash.
Sunset entered the detention room after school, and she recognized a few faces. The first one she saw was the face of Vice-Principal Luna, who gave a suspicious stare, and pointed to an empty desk. Then she saw Rainbow Dash, and Gilda. 'Not really surprising.' Luna had them separated so no one would communicate with each other. Sunset put her bag down and looked at Rainbow Dash, who was on her left, while Gilda was on her right.
Rainbow Dash didn't return the a look though. 'Should I apologize first? I know how stubborn she can be, it's probably the best way to put us on the right track.' Sunset's thoughts were interrupted when she heard Luna's voice. "Alright everyone, for those of you new here the rules are simple. You can do homework, relax, but no sleeping or listening to music." They all nodded their head in response. Sunset followed the order for a bit of time, but she really needed a way to get Luna distracted. She looked around for something, anything, and then she remembered. Her locker. 'She hasn't seen the locker yet! Not that it would be a good thing for me, though. Probably get into more trouble and more on Luna's bad side. But it's for the greater good.' Sunset's hand shot up signaling that she wanted to ask a question.
"Yes Sunset?" Luna said looking up from her laptop.
"I just wanted to mention that m-my locker might need to be replaced." Sunset said nervously, now realizing what trouble she'd be in, now that she destroyed some school property.
"May I ask why?"
Gilda let out a sudden chuckle, "Didn't you hear VP Luna, Sunset blew a hole in her locker." Sunset gave Gilda a glare and turned her head back to Luna, who was now squinting her eyes in frustration. She got up from her desk and asked Sunset what locker she was, and stormed out of the room. The school had already spent enough money on building repairs from the Fall Formal.
As soon as she left the room, Sunset turned to face Rainbow Dash, who was tapping her pencil on her desk, pretending to do her homework. "Rainbow Dash." Sunset said, trying to get her attention.
"What." she returned coldly.
"I wanted to tell you something." Sunset said, Dash tilted her head in her direction. "I'm sorry, for everything. I know it's not enough, but I don't know what else I could offer. I'm trying to be better now, and I hope you and others can see that. Maybe not now, but soon." There was silence for a bit, Sunset continued to look at Rainbow Dash, and with time passing and no response, she turned her head forward and sighed.
"You know what Sunset." Came Rainbow Dash's raspy voice. Sunset looked up at Rainbow Dash, who was now facing her. "I want to hate you, but I can see you want to change, even after everything." Sunset looked down at her hands at the sudden words, but Rainbow Dash continued. "I know it will take some getting used to but, you look like you want to change. So, if that is what my gut is telling me, I'll trust my gut. Just like I always do." She gave a small apologetic grin.
Before they could even shake on it, or do anything, Luna came in, a locker door in her hand. It was scorched from where Sunset had punched it, and dented in various places. She looked as if she was going to through it at someone, or out the nearest window in rage. "How is this even possible!" she yelled. Sunset could only shrink in her seat and hope for some luck the rest of detention.
Sunset and Rainbow had walked out of detention together, both saying further apologies, and walking to the front doors. Rainbow said her goodbyes as her ride arrived, and Sunset sat near the Wondercolt statue. She closed her eyes and lay her head on the portal wall, thinking of home. 'Things might be going well for me. Things at school might need some fixing, but I got 5 friends, and that's something to me.' She didn't know how long she had been sitting there, it must have been a few minutes or a half hour. The sound of clicking heels started to approach her, but she didn't pay attention, she didn't want to. There was a muffled voice, and her eyes fluttered open.
"Sunset?" A calm voice asked, which Sunset recognized almost right away. Celestia.
"Hmmm?" Sunset replied, only looking the principal in the eye for a quick moment, and looked away, it reminded her too much of home.
"Is there anything wrong?" Celestia asked as she knelt down to Sunset. She reached to touch Sunset's shoulder, but she flinched away at the sudden touch.
"Everything is fine, thanks for asking." Sunset mumbled as she got up to walk to the bus, she missed the early one, so she would have to wait a little bit for the later one.
"Do you want a ride home?" She asked as Sunset started to walk away.
"I'll pass, thanks."
"Well, I actually wanted to talk about your living place, it didn't seem to be a valid address on the map."
Sunset froze in her place, she was considering just darting off and leaving Celestia in the dust, but that would mean she would have to see her again tomorrow. Not wanting to show Celestia that she had been any more shocked at the news, she put on her best faux smile.
"I don't know why it didn't show up on the map, must be a glitch or something." Sunset reassured.
"It was actually on a paper map."
'Who the hell still uses a paper map?' "Well, that's unfortunate I gotta run and catch the bus, I'll see yeah later." Sunset said as she turned and began to shuffle to the bus stop.
"Sunset, stop. I will be giving you a ride from school today."
Sunset sighed in defeat, she knew that it would come up sooner or later, and she might as well face it now. She started to walk towards Celestia, her head low and eyes on her feet. Celestia led her to her car, and she climbed into the passenger seat. Leaning her head on the window as Celestia started the car, she gave her the directions to her home.
"Left."
"Right."
"Keep going straight, and left now." It took about 20 minutes to get there, and they were greeted to the lower class part of the city. Sunset got out of the car, lifting the door lock manually, not sparing a second to look in the principal's direction. She came to the fence surrounding the building. She lifted a ripped part of the gate, and gestured for the Principal to enter.
"You might want to watch your coat, it could snag on the wire." Sunset continued after the woman, and led the way to the building she called home. She stood in front of it, her hands on her hips and looked at the building with a bit of pride. Celestia looked at the building, and watched at Sunset grabbed her keys from her pocket and opened the door.
"So, this is where you live?" She asked as she followed Sunset inside.
"eeYup. It might not look like much but it's been a home for me for a few years now. I tired my best to make it look nice."
Celestia looked around, it was a small building, but it was tall. Sunsets bed sat taller than the rest of the room, a ladder leading up to it. Small lights rapping around like little decorations. Most of the furniture and decorations had come from garage sales and pawn shops. Sunset had sat on the couch looking nervously at the principal for a reaction.
"So this is why it didn't show up on the map," Celestia commented. "This isn't very legal, now is it Sunset?"
"Well..I mean...No. But it's part of an abandoned construction site, for whatever reason the city still provides electricity and water to. It's also in my budget, which is free." Sunset chuckled.
"You've been living alone all this time?"
"Yeah, kind of came through the portal alone. Not that I had any parents over there either though." Sunset said as she lowered her head, the memories of Equestria flooding back in her head.
"You know you're welcome too stay with me if you ever get to alone."
Sunset looked up and said, "I'm starting to make friends, and I've joined a nice motorcycle group, I'm sure I'll be okay."
"Well you have my personal number if you ever need anything, and call it whenever you need to."
"Yes ma'am" Sunset said as she lead Celestia to the door.
"I'm serious Sunset, it isn't safe living in these types of conditions, the building looks like it's about to fall apart sometime soon."
Sunset nodded her head and waved goodbye to Celestia. She sighed and closed the door, she wasn't comfortable with the fact that her principal knew where she lived, but smiled at the generous offer she made.
Sunset returned to school next day on her motorcycle, she felt confident that day. She would be handing out more apologies, to the right people at the right time. Her week continued the same way, of course receiving a paper ball to the head, glares, and shoulder bumps. Her friends were actually surprised her and Rainbow made up. They all asked how and what happened.
It was now Friday, Sunset was saying her goodbyes to her friends as she mounted her motorcycle. Before she could start her engine, the sound of multiple came in the distance. She turned to the direction of the sound, and saw 10 motorcycles approach the school parking lot. Sunset smiled and figured who it was.
They all stopped near Sunset, one parking right next to her, and slid of their helmet. "Hey kiddo." The biker said.
"How's it going Nova?" Sunset said with a wide smile on her face.
"I'm doing just fine, say you wanna go for ride with us? We can stop by your place if you wants." Nova said in her Jersey accent, it was light but still there.
"I was actually bought to go to the mall, I was hoping to go check out some jackets, mine isn't in the best condition." Sunset chuckled
"Sure thing kiddo, let's ride boys and girls." Nova said as she revved her engine.
They began their ride to the mall, Sunset enjoying every moment. She was thankful for Nova and the gang, they seemed to ignore everything from her past, and just live in the now. She couldn't help but smile as the group fell into a formation, as she followed a long. After 15 minutes they arrived at the mall, and Sunset waved to the gang they all revved their engines. Nova flipped helmet up for a second and looked over at Sunset.
"Say kid, you wanna come to my place tomorrow, I'm having a nice party for us and the gang. Spitfire is also bringing the Wonderbolts along too." Nova said
"I'm in, you wouldn't mind if I invited some friends would you?"
"Hey if they're cool with you, they're cool with me, so go for it."
"I'll see yah later Nova."
"Cya Sunset!"
Sunset hopped off her bike and made her way to one of the jacket stores she goes too. Sunset couldn't help but look at the nicer jackets and their prices, they were way to expensive for Sunset. She also couldn't steal money from Micro Chips to pay for it either, so she sighed and moved to different stores, but each one had the same expensive prices as the last. It upset Sunset, she was hoping to return to school on Monday with a new jacket, and maybe some new boots. But she wouldn't be going home with any of that.
Sunset decided she might as well make use of her time and go to the food court. She bought a salad, and sat down. She looked around as she ate, her eyes finding a suspicious figure in a blue hoodie, fiddling with some sort of device. She tried to make it obvious that she was not looking at the figure, but couldn't help but think that the person was looking at her to. She finished shortly after that, and threw away her bowl and started making her way to the exit. However, the second she got up from her seat, the figure in the hoodie started to follow her in the same direction.
'Okay, maybe she's just leaving too.' Sunset said to herself, but wanted to make sure. She decided to make some sharp turns around in shops, which the person followed almost exactly. Now Sunset grew nervous, and heat started to well up in her. She knew she had to calm down, so she headed to the bathroom. The figure following her right in. Sunset faked washing her hands while looking at the figure through the mirror. She grew a little more nervous by the second.
Beep Beep Beep
She turned to face the figure and her little machine, and now she had enough, and grabbed the figure by their collar.
"Have you been following me this whole time?!" Sunset yelled, the small machine beeping continuously. The figure just let out a little yelp and pulled down her hood.
"Yes—I mean—no. Please don't hurt me." The girl yelped. Sunset soon realized who it was almost immediately. She had glasses, the familiar striped hair, and voice. Twilight. 'How is this even possible?' Sunset let go of her hoodie, and Twilight backed up, and turned the device off. "There was a strange energy coming from around you, and I just wanted to see if I could learn more about it."
"I don't know what you're talking about, just stop following me, got it?" Sunset said sternly. As she left the bathrooms, Twilight caught a glimpse of the shirt Sunset was wearing. It read 'CHS Wondercolt'. Twilight took note and headed off shortly after Sunset.
Fog was the only thing seen in the dark space. All Sunset could see was an abyss of black, and it remained that way for what seemed like ages. Images, almost like a setting, started to appear. It was all blurred, like she was dreaming.
The image started to clear, Sunset was alone, facing the front of CHS. She looked around, for a sign of life, anything. Sunset stopped when she saw the Canterlot Colt statue, the portal. Walking slowly in its direction, putting her hand on the cold marble, but she didn't feel the warm vibration of the portal. It was gone, and she began to panic.
Moving her hands all over the portal's surface, looking for any sign of it. The portal was gone. Sunset collapsed to the ground and cried as she held her knees.
"Looks like they really don't want you back, huh?"A voice said, it was raspy and sounded much like Sunset's. Sunset jumped up from her position, looking for the source of the voice. All she saw was the empty front yard of CHS. She walked forward, now in between the statue and the entrance to the highschool.
Now more confused than scared, it was like her world was spinning. A cracking sound was heard as she looked down at her feet. She looked around as the ground beneath her began to collapse and fall inwards. Sunset tried to tell out for help, but no sound came out as she fell with the ground. After a few seconds, she looked at the scene around her. It was all to familiar to her.
Sunset was sitting at the bottom of an eight foot crater. The night sky and chill in the air suggested that it was Fall. She knew where she was, and what day it was. The day where it all went wrong for Sunset, where all the plans for domination failed. Where she failed. The day of the Fall Formal. She crawled her way to the edge of the crater, waiting for someone to help her up. But there was no one. Using her best efforts, she was finally able to pull herself out of the hole. She looked around once more, but what she saw this time horrified her. Six teenagers, laying lifelessly on the concrete floor in front of her. Sunset recognized all of them. Twilight, Fluttershy, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, and Rarity.
"Isn't this what you wanted?"The same bone-chilling voice said. But Sunsets eyes never left the six girls, more tears running from her eyes. They looked scorched, as if they were burned to death.
"No...no this isn't what I wanted. Not at all." She whispered, still horrified. The scene disappeared into nothing, which Sunset was more than happy to see go. What she saw next, made her fear run back to her. It was Sunset.
But it wasn't her, it couldn't have been. It was her demon self. The red-skinned demon had a menacing smile on its face. It's class rapped into two fists, and it's hair moving like fire. A crown resting on her head, the jewel was star shaped in the middle, and a shade of dark black.
"You can be me, you can be powerful."It said hovering off the ground a few feet.
"I-i never want to be you again!"Sunset yelled at the figure.
"I'll always be with you, I'll always be you."
"And I will find a way to get rid of you."Sunset shot back.
"Not if I can get rid of you first!"The demon yelled, forming a flaming ball of fire in her hands."If you don't learn to trust and open up to people, I will return. And this time, I will win."The demon gave a large maniacal laugh, her fangs showing as the fire ball grew larger. Sunset could only watch in terror as the flaming ball came rushing towards her. Eyes wide, and tears running down her face, a scream formed in her throat. All she saw next was bright light, and pain.
Sunset shot up from her bed, screaming like she had just been shot. Sweat dripped down her forehead even though the cold air that swept through the abandoned building. She looked around frantically trying to figure out if she was dreaming still. After a few seconds, she realized that she was now awake. Her breaths calmed, but they were labored like she had been running a marathon. Sunset went to lay back down and think, but as soon as her back made contact with her hard bed, pain shot through her shoulders.
Sunset grimaced and sat up quickly. She turned her head slightly to see that her bed covers were covered in blood. Taking a few deep breaths, and not wanting to panic, she got up and went to the bathroom. Pain shot through her back every step of the way, but once she arrived to the restroom, she was in shock. The upper-back of her shirt was covered in blood. Sunset didn't have any spare shirts with her at the time, she took it off and set it to the side. Luckily, only the upper part of the shirt had been covered in the red substance, she decided that she would stop by the Coin-op tomorrow morning, and change in school. Washing the wounds gingerly, hoping they wouldn't become infected. Sunset would get more help at school, she would sneak some disinfectant from the janitors closet. She didn't want to ask for help. Sunset thought that she didn't deserve it.
Sunset looked at the reopened wounds on her back, and remembered the demon's words. 'I will return. And this time, I will win.' Her condition was getting worse, but if she stayed inside, and shut herself in, it would only lead to disaster. Sunset needed to open up more, and learn to trust. If she didn't it could mean the return of the terrifying creature. What was stopping Sunset from doing so?
Twilight stirred in her room, figuring out a way to sneak down to her lab. She didn’t want her parents to find out that she had snuck to the basement at three in the morning, so she could go record the readings that her device was retrieving.
Carefully opening the door, and poking her head out, she searched the hallways to make sure no one was awake but her. Putting one leg out on the hardwood floor, followed by the rest of her body. Not only was she scared out of her mind that her mother would pop out in front of her, but she was also worried that she would lose all this valuable information. As quietly as she could, she tip-toed down the hall, placing her feet in certain places so the floor boards would not squeak. Twilight reached the apex of the stairs, and began her slow and steady way down.
She knew that her dad would be up in an hour and a half for work, which was more time than she needed. Twilight had become swift with picking up and recording new information and readings. Opening the basement door, she hurried down, her parents wouldn’t be able to hear anything due to the sound-proofing she placed around the walls. Quickly, she opened her laptop, plugged in the circular device in her hands. A map like image appeared on her screen, and the words ‘Locating...’ showed shortly after. Twilight had programmed the device to locate any sign of an energy surge. It only took a few minutes for her laptop to pinpoint the location.
It was on the other side of town, a little farther down from Canterlot High School. Twilight had been recording these surges for a week and three days now, and most of them seemed to occur around the school. What was odd, was the girl she had followed in the mall the other day, also went to Canterlot High. This reading location didn’t seem to have anything to do with Canterlot in general. Twilight took a few screenshots, and pin-pointed the location on a large map on her wall. She looked for any signs of ley lines, or a connection, but just couldn’t find any. There was only one conclusion she could make, but it might take some convincing on her part.
Sunset did not go back to sleep after the nightmare she had that night. She did not want to experience whatever happened again. Every once and awhile, she would check her phone and wait for the laundromat to open. Her phone time read thirty past five, and in half an hour, she would have to be at the school. If she skipped, Sunset would ruin her perfect record of attendance, and that was one thing that she didn’t want to lose. She had already lost so much in the days of the Fall Formal, and her attendance was not going to be one of them.
As if Sunset’s luck was already horrible enough, she read that the laundromat opened at eight in the morning on Fridays. Sunset could only stare at her phone for the time being, wondering how much the universe hated her. Tempted to through her phone out the window, she got up, punched a pillow, and went to get dressed. The only luck Sunset received that morning was how the upper part of her shirt had been covered in blood. As long as she wore her jacket all day, she wouldn’t be seen. Sunset would probably be able to grab a shirt from student resources and say she spilled ketchup on hers.
Sunset walked out of the old building, trying to keep her mind steady. She would usually walk to school on nice days like this, but every step she took felt like hell. Sunset walked over to the alley where she parked her motorcycle, and swung her left leg over. She put her bike in neutral, and backed out. She had fifty minutes to go to school, and Sunset had a plan to execute when she got there.
After a short 20 minute drive on her motorcycle later did Sunset arrive at the school. Ignoring the glares she got as she hopped off, she walked into the school early so she could get to the janitors closet. Pushing the doors open, she saw that the halls were mostly empty. Students that were usually there early were at their lockers, and didn’t pay much attention to Sunset. If you did however, you could see the girl looked panicked and anxious.
Sunset walked towards the janitor closet, which also served as a storage closet. If she was lucky, she could find a shirt in there herself without having to go to Student Resources. Rushing through the hallways, she made her way to the closet, which she knew would be locked. Quickly grabbing her lock picking kit out of her backpack, she fiddled around with the keyhole, and got the door to open. Taking one last look around, she snuck inside and began her search for a disinfectant.
“Come on it has to be here somewhere,” Sunset muttered to herself while she rummaged through boxes and drawers. She knew that there had to be some in here, she had seen Nurse Redheart come in here as well. She leaned down and her jacket lifted up, her back to the door, as she picked up a box the read ‘Medical Supplies’. “Ah hah!”
“You find everything you were looking for?” A voice said from behind Sunset. She froze in her place, and jumped and turned to see who was talking to her. Sunset’s blood ran cold, she looked like a deer in headlights. It was none other than Vice-Principal Luna.
“I—um—er.” Were the only words Sunset was able to spit out as the woman gave her a glare that could kill. She grabbed the bottle of disinfectant from Sunset, and grabbed her by the shoulders and led her out. Sunset began her walk of shame to the Head of Discipline’s office. No words needed to be said to let Sunset know she was in trouble.
She arrived at the office, and sat down slowly so she wouldn’t be in so much pain. Luna had walked into Principal Celestia’s office, holding the bottle of disinfectant in her hands to show Celestia. Sunset sat for fifteen minutes outside the office, waiting for whatever punishment Luna had in store for her. As much as she wanted to cry, she couldn’t. Finally she heard the Principal’s door click open, and a soft “Come in.” was heard. Sunset picked up whatever confidence she had left inside of her, and shuffled into the office.
Sunset looked down at her feet when she entered, but looked up to see the faces of the two women. Celestia wore a soft, but disappointed face, and Luna resumed her cold glare.
“Have a seat Sunset,” Principal Celestia said softly, her eyes not leaving the teen. After a few seconds of examining the her, she decided to ask, “You want to tell me why you snuck into the janitor’s closet Sunset?”
Sunset simply shook her head, and fidgeted with her hands. She could feel the principal’s gaze on her, and it was making her extremely nervous. It continued like this for a few minutes, but Sunset thought it felt like hours.
“Take off your jacket Miss Shimmer.” Vice-Principal Luna commanded out of the blue. It made Sunset jump. It took a few moments for Sunset to process what she had asked, but then she realized soon enough what she wanted.
“I-I don’t think that is n-necessary.” Sunset murmured.
“It is very necessary, now please, take off your jacket.” Luna urged Sunset, a little softer than last time. Sunset realized that she wasn’t going to leave the office until she had taken off her jacket. So after a minute of thinking, she let out a deep sigh, and started to shrug off her jacket.
Once it was fully off, the two women gasped at what they saw. The upper part of Sunset’s shirt had been covered in what looked like dry blood. Now it was time for Sunset to cry, and she did. Luna quickly ran out of the office to go get the nurse, while Celestia went to reassure the sobbing teen.
“How did this happen Sunset?” Celestia asked gingerly.
“I-It was the d-demon,” Sunset said between sobs. “It said it was going to come back, I’m scared.”
Celestia gently hugged Sunset, not wanted to aggravate the wounds on her back. She continued to reassure Sunset, as the Nurse and Vice-Principal ran into the room.
Nurse Red Heart scurried over to Sunset and gasped at the bloodied shirt. “Oh dear, she needs to be taken to a hospital!” Red Heart exclaimed as she lifted Sunset’s shirt to reveal the wounds on her back.
“No! I can’t go to a hospital, I don’t have any documents for that!” Sunset said, fear filling her throat.
“It’s okay we won’t take you to a hospital Sunset, Red Heart, surely you can do something here?” Celestia asked.
“I might be able to do something, but she has to come down to the clinic in order for me to help. I can clean the wounds, if they are smaller than they look, they might be able to heal by themselves.” The nurse replied.
They walked Sunset out of the office into the hallway, having her put her jacket back on so they didn’t cause a scene. Only a few people looked in her direction, finding it odd as she was being escorted to the clinic by the two principals and nurse. They made it inside, and had Sunset lay flat on the bed.
Nurse Red Heart had retrieved her own bottle of disinfectant from a cabinet and a couple of wipes along with it.
“Okay Sunset, this might sting a little okay hun?”
Sunset nodded her head against the bed, and felt a cool liquid run down her back. The cool feeling soon turned into a stinging one, and all she could do was clutch the bed sheets tightly as the nurse wiped around the wounds. Celestia and Luna had walked out of the clinic to make sure no one would walk in and see Sunset.
After a few minutes of painful wiping and cleaning, the Nurse exclaimed, “I don’t think you will need any stitches Sunset!”
Sunset let out a relieved sigh as her grip on the bed sheets loosened. Celestia walked in with a Wondercolts t-shirt in her hands. Sunset gladly accepted the change of clothes. She slid the shirt on, though it was a bit large she was grateful for it. She gave the principal a half-hearted ‘thanks’ as she sat up and looked at her.
Celestia looked at Sunset with sorrowful eyes, much like her counterpart would have done. Sunset looked down, tears of guilt running down her cheeks. Principal Celestia put a hand on her shoulder and gave her a soft smile.
“Are you okay Sunset?” Celestia asked softly as she took a seat next to Sunset.
“Yeah, I guess I’m okay,” Sunset replied as she looked up to meet Celestia’s smile. “You remind me so much of her, that’s all.”
“So much of who?”
“Your counterpart, she was my mentor, you remind me so much of her.”
Celestia didn’t know how to respond to the teens comment, so she wrapped an arm around her. They sat like that together for awhile, the school day had started by now, but Celestia didn’t leave Sunset’s side.
“Why don’t you leave school early today?” She asked Sunset.
Sunset looked up a little confused, and asked, “What about my detention?”
“You are excused from that today, I think you've had enough to deal with today.” She said, her soft smile was warming to the teen.
“You don’t have to ask me twice then!” Sunset exclaimed as she got up and gave Celestia a smile and wave and ran out the door rather quickly. She wasn’t going to let the events at school ruin her day, besides, she had a party to prepare for today.
Sunset had basically skipped to her motorcycle after Celestia dismissed her. Her back of course, felt much better, but she knew she would have to take it easy. Of course she wasn’t happy about possibly ruining her perfect attendance, but she was happy that she would be able to get to Nova’s early. As she hopped onto her motorcycle, a raspy voice played in her head.
’Open up and trust people’
Sunset shook her head and slid on her helmet. ’Maybe I could invite my friends if I ask Nova, I do need to spend more time with them.’ Her motorcycle roared as she turned on the ignition, and drove away from the highschool.
Sunset pushed open the door to her home, while she held her mobile device. She opened her messages and pressed ‘Compose New Message’, it would be the first time she messaged Nova. Her and Sunset had traded numbers when they first met, just in case Sunset got into any more trouble.
Hey Nova! It’s Sunset, would you mind if I bring a few friends along to the party?
It didn’t take long for Sunset to receive a reply from the biker. Go for it Red, any friend of yours is a friend o'mine.
Sunset smiled and closed the door behind her. She set her backpack down, and sat on the dingy sofa. With a few taps of her fingers, she sent a message to the five girls asking if they wanted to tag along to the party. Not waiting for them to text back, Sunset through her phone to the other end of the sofa, and laid her head down. She’d figured she would try to get some sleep before the party.
For a long time, she couldn’t sleep. She just stared at the small television in front of her, which she had bought from a pawn shop nearby. Sunset had come to this world with a few bits, which she tried to sell at the same pawn shop. Although she did get scammed, she was able to live off that for the first year, but soon she would resort to...other methods. Sunset would take middle-schooler’s lunch money, and occasionally take some from Micro-Chips, sometimes she wouldn’t even have to ask for it.
Sunset’s thoughts then turned to Nova. What made Nova forgive her so fast? Why would she welcome her to a second chance, when no one asked her to do so. It all seemed suspicious to Sunset, it confused her. Was Nova planning something at the party, like revenge? Sunset grew nervous thinking about it, and wanted the thought to wash away from her mind. To help clear her mind, Sunset picked up her fiery coloured electric-guitar which was one of her most valued items. She had a few hours to pass, and she wasn’t going to bale on Nova, she would have to trust her.
After at least two hours of practicing on her guitar, Sunset put the instrument away. Closing the case, she picked up her phone and checked the group chat the other girls had invited her to. Scrolling to see if anyone wanted to go to the party with Sunset, she was met with some texts.
Applejack: Sorry Sunset, Ah usually always would say, ‘yes’ to a party, but Ah got chores to do.
Rarity: Apologies Sunset, darling, I’m taking Sweetie Belle to get her hair done after school.
Fluttershy: I volunteer at the animal shelter a couple days a week, today I can’t, sorry.
Pinkie: WHAT?! SUNSET YOU ARE GOING TO A PARTY AND I CAN’T MAKE IT?! I'M SO SO SO JEALOUS!
Sunset sighed, and continued to scroll down, she was hoping at least one of her frie-
Rainbow: I can go, do you wanna meet at school and we’ll ride together?
Sunset smiled largely, she knew Rainbow loved motorcycles, and planned on trying to become a Wonderbolt. Sunset decided to keep it a surprise and not tell Dash that the Wonderbolts would be there. Sunset texted back, a large smile on her face.
Sunset: Sure thing, see you there in half an hour. :)
Setting her phone down, Sunset went to the bathroom to wash up, and prepare for one of her first parties in the human world.
Rainbow Dash pulled up in the school’s parking lot a few minutes after Sunset, and greeted her with a wave. Sunset waved back, and started her motorcycle while Rainbow Dash pulled her throttle back multiple times. Smiling under her helmet, Sunset led the way to Nova’s place.
After twenty minutes of what seemed to be racing with Rainbow Dash, Sunset parked in front of a large warehouse. Both of them took off their helmets, and looked quizzically at each other. None of them were sure if this was the right place or not.
“Are you sure we aren’t at the wrong building? I’m pretty sure this is a warehouse.” Rainbow Dash said, looking at Sunset.
Sunset handed Rainbow her phone, “Yeah I’m pretty sure, take a look.”
“Well if you say so.” Rainbow Dash said, hopping off her motorcycle, helmet in her hands. Walking towards the door of the warehouse, Dash gave a hard knock. Sunset stood by her side, waiting for someone to open up. After a few moments, no one answered, they both looked at each other, and Sunset sighed. They started to walk away from the door, when they heard it click open.
“Where do you think you two’s are goin’?” A familiar jersey accent said. Sunset turned around, and a bright smile showed on her face when she saw Nova at the door. Rainbow Dash let out a small grin, and followed Sunset back to the door.
“Thought we had the wrong place, sorry.” Sunset said giving Nova a small hug. “Oh, this right here is Rainbow Dash, another fellow biker.”
Rainbow Dash shook Nova’s hand, and both girls followed her inside the warehouse. The second they stepped inside, the dark quietness turned to loud music and flashing lights. A song Sunset knew quite well started to play, and her smile brightened even more. People started to appear in the bright lights, all of them she knew as her fellow gang members. Rainbow Dash had the same big smile on her face as the continued to follow Nova.
“Hey Sunset! Let me properly introduce you to my sister.” Nova called out over the loud music. Sunset followed Nova, and stopped. There sat all the Wonderbolts, talking with other gang members and drinking punch. Rainbow Dash’s jaw dropped in shock when she saw the Captain, Spitfire. “Hey Spits, check out the newbie I was tellin’ you bout.”
“Ah, glad to meet you properly Sunset. I’m glad you changed your ways since the last time we met,” Her raspy voice called out as she shook her hand. Looking past Sunset’s shoulder, she saw an awe-struck Rainbow Dash. “Is your friend alright?”
Rainbow Dash shook her head vigorously and put out her hand so Spitfire could shake it. “Rainbow Dash Ma’am, one of the most awesome motorcyclists around.”
“Nice to meet you Rainbow Dash, I’d like to see what you got if what you say is true.”
Sunset rolled her eyes playfully, and waved to the rest of the Wonderbolts. They all looked pretty nice, and she was glad to be able to meet them. Sunset was never obsessed with the Wonderbolts like Rainbow Dash, she would see them in magazines and what not, but never was crazy about them.
Sunset looked around, there was a few people on the ‘dance floor’, the song ‘Tipsy’ playing on the speakers. Rainbow Dash sat next to Soarin, what they were talking about was unknown to Sunset. Smiling, Sunset walked to the drinks bar, seeing alcoholic drinks Nova was picking up. Nova walked to Sunset, holding what looked like two beers in her hands. She handed one over to Sunset, who just had an incredulous look on her face.
“You know I’m underage, right?” asked Sunset, while Nova took a sip of hers, then almost spit it out. She began laughing much to Sunset’s confusion.
“Sorry, should have told you it’s non-alcoholic, they sell it at the middle-eastern store. Figured since we had younger guests I’d get these instead.” explained Nova. Sunset nodded her head after checking the ingredients, and took a sip of her own.
They stood there in awkward silence, both of them taking sips of their drinks, waiting for someone to start up a conversation. Neither of them did til’ Skyes spoke up.
“You alright Sunny?” She asked, seeing how Sunset looked as confused as before.
“Do you think we could talk about, why the heck you gave me a second chance?” Sunset blurted, Nova raising her brow.
“Well, sure, don’t see why this came up kid. Let’s go upstairs, it’s a little quieter.”
Sunset and Nova both headed up the metal stairs, into what looked like a lounge slash bedroom. Chairs and posters decorated the room, a desk with a laptop sitting on it, and couches along with beanbags on the floor. Nova took a seat on one of the couches, Sunset sitting across from her on a beanbag. Nova Skyes set her “beer” on the table, crossed her arms, and looked at Sunset.
“What’s up?” She asked nonchalantly.
“Why?”
“Why, what?” Nova asked, tilting her head.
“Why did you give me a second chance, you of all people should know how bad I was.” Sunset clarified, crossing her own arms in the process.
Nova looked down at her boots for a bit, and looked back up at Sunset. Her usual smile falling to a flat line. “Everyone deserves a second chance, that’s if there is still good in their heart.” Skyes said after a few minutes.
“How do you know I still have good in my heart?” Sunset asked, mentally face-palming.
“I-, I’m not sure.” Nova replied, hesitating. “You can just tell when someone wants to make up for their mistakes. I was there volunteering when I saw what happened.” She paused again, Sunset could see tears welling up in her eyes. “When you were at the bottom of that crater, it reminded me of someone, that I wasn’t proud of.”
Sunset processed this for a moment, and then realized what Nova was saying. “You?” said Sunset timidly, not wanting to anger or make Nova feel bad.
Nova nodded her head, “Everyone has a story kid, some people have stopped writing it, and just give up. Others, keep writing, and make it better, every chapter of the way.” Nova said, locking eye-contact with Sunset. “It’s up to you what you want to do, and when I saw you at the edge of that crater, I could tell you weren’t done writing yours.”
Sunset looked down at her own hands now, not liking the memory of her being at the edge of the crater, helpless. Nova realized she had upset her, and moved closer to Sunset and laid a hand on her shoulder. Sunset looked up at her, tears welling up in her eyes as well, and gave Nova a gentle hug., and whispered one thing to her.
