Sunset Shimmer: Student of Magick

Sunset woke first. When she slipped from the bed, Sweetie Belle stirred. The girl's first action was to place a hand over her stomach. Her voice mixed hopefulness and disappointment as she asked, "That wasn't a nightmare, was it?"

"It wasn't. You want some breakfast?"

Sweetie Belle shook her head. "I feel like I'm gonna be sick if I eat. Can I just go home?"

"Of course. Do you want me to stay while you tell them?"

"Yes, please."

They dressed, each taking a brief shower. While Sweetie Belle was in the bathroom, Sunset sent a message to Pearl to alert her that they were leaving. Pearl replied with:

"Good luck. Let me know if either of you need anything."

The girls were silent during the drive. Sweetie Belle kept running a hand over her stomach. Sunset tried to present a calm, confident demeanour for her friend. The quiet was unnerving, but she did not feel it would be appropriate to play music or to ask more questions and thereby to interrupt Sweetie Belle's thoughts.

The girl lost all colour as they pulled into her driveway. She grasped Sunset's hand as the older teen opened the driver's door. "You promise to stay with me?"

"I promise I won't leave until you tell me it's okay."

Sweetie Belle took a deep breath. "Let's go."

The walk up to the house had always been so cheerful. Sunset could look forward to dinner with a family that was effectively her own, doing homework with Rarity and Sweetie Belle, talking with Magnum and Cookie. Now she was expecting to hear the cracking of her bones as Sweetie Belle crushed her hand. While the girl still possessed a strong aura of guilt, it was quickly succumbing to fear.

They entered the house together, where they could hear the sounds of weekend activity. In the living room, Magnum watched football, Cookie seated next to him while she read. Rarity was not in the living room; neither of the girls had thought to confirm that the fashionista was home. Sunset decided to let Sweetie Belle lead the talk, so she waited by the stairs. She could call for her friend to save Sweetie Belle the added task.

"Hey, Mum, Dad, is Rarity home? I kinda need to tell you all something."

Magnum pressed the mute button and turned to look at his daughter. "Is everything okay? Problem with your homework?"

"No. Just ... I need to tell you something. Is Rarity here?"

Her parents exchanged concerned looks. Cookie replied, "She's in her room."

"I'll get her," Sunset offered, darting up the stairs before anyone could respond.

Rarity's door was open. She was visible from the hall, working on what looked to be Sunset's new bedsheets. When the fashionista saw Sunset in her doorway, she hid the sheets behind herself. "Sorry, darling, I want these to be a surprise. How was the sleepover? Did you get that programme done?"

"You need to go downstairs. There's something you need to know."

Rarity blinked. "Is everything alright? Did something happen to Sweetie Belle?"

"She's not injured or anything, but it's not my place to say. Please, Rarity, just go downstairs. She'll explain."

Rarity, her eyes wide and concerned, followed Sunset's instructions. She did not pause to hide her work again, instead hurrying down the stairs as Sunset followed.

Magnum and Cookie had moved to the couch, where their elder daughter joined them. Sweetie Belle was fidgeting in one of the recliners that someone had turned to face the couch. Sunset took a seat on the stairs, in Sweetie Belle's line of sight only. The older teen gave her friend an encouraging smile and a nod.

It took the girl a few deep breaths before she could speak. She still looked discoloured, as though she felt ill, and Sunset could see sweat across her face. Even without her active gaze, Sunset could feel concern from the three family members waiting for the news.

Finally, the young teen opened her mouth. "I'm pregnant. Four months."

Shock and open-mouthed stupor greeted the announcement. As the news penetrated, the family changed quickly to a mix of anger and worry. Each of the three varied, Magnum most toward angry and Rarity heaviest on worry.

"Who did this to you?" His question was a command. When Sweetie Belle did not answer, he spoke again. "I asked you a question: Who did this to you?"

Though she had mixed feelings on interfering, Sunset could tell that Sweetie Belle would need time to be able to speak again. She replied, "She wasn't assaulted."

The older family members all started. Cookie placed a hand over her heart. "I'm so sorry, Sunset; I completely forgot you were here."

"I understand. Sorry, I didn't mean to intrude, I just didn't think Sweetie Belle was up to talking yet."

Rarity stood to approach her. "Thank you so much for coming to support her in telling us this. I hate to be rude, darling, after you've been so helpful, but would you mind going home so we can discuss it?"

"Of course not." Sunset knelt by Sweetie Belle's side. "Are you okay now? Do you want me to stay or go home?"

Sweetie Belle threw her arms around Sunset's neck and pulled her into a hug.

"Thanks," she whispered. "It'll be okay."

Her next words were too quiet to hear, but her emotions were starting to balance. Sunset was unclear what exactly the new emotions she felt in her friend were, but they were much more mild, if rather colourless.

Once Sunset was free, the teen stood. She gave everyone a smile before leaving, closing the door behind herself. Now that the worst part was passed, she was confident that Sweetie Belle would be fine.

Sunset had backed her car into the street when she saw Pearl's truck turn the corner and stop at the curb. Sunset pulled from the house's line of sight to stop near the farmer. Both drivers lowered their windows and Sunset asked, "What on earth are you doing? Did Sweetie Belle forget something?"

"No, she's in trouble," Midnight replied. "I did a near-future reading and there were a lot of bad cards. We have to help her."

"Midnight, I just left. Her family was a little upset, but they settled down. They're talking now."

Pearl stopped her truck and stepped down to Sunset's door. "Ah saw the cards. That girl's gonna be in fer a world of hurt if'n we don't act."

Sunset’s eyes narrowed. "What, like they're going to beat her?"

"I don't know," Midnight replied. "I'm going to go into Focused Mage Sight."

Her eyes became distant as she surveyed the street before proceeding down the sidewalk to the front of Sweetie Belle's house. She shuddered and ended the spell.

"Get over here, both of you."

Sunset was concerned. She knew Midnight was young, but Pearl was steady and not prone to acting without thought. If the older Mage felt it was important to listen to Midnight, Sunset would comply. She followed Pearl to stand next to the young girl.

Midnight pulled chalk from her pocket and traced a sigil on the sidewalk, including part of the driveway, then gestured for Sunset to stand within it. "I'm using a Fate Perfecting on you. It'll make it easier for you to help."

"What's she gotta do?"

"A Mind Ruling to get them to let Sweetie Belle go with her. Pearl, you'll need to have a Life Knowing ready to see if she's hurt. There's no time for rituals, so do the best you can with improvised."

Sunset could feel Midnight's magick around her and accepted it without contest. The sensation as the spell coalesced was not something she could describe. She felt as though her mind was clear, yet she also felt energised and that her own magick was stronger. Though the magick was foreign, it left a pleasant tingle like that of being hugged by a close friend.

When it was done, Sunset could feel strands of choices and outcomes arrayed before her, each branching infinitely and merging back together as different options led to identical outcomes. The world was covered in threads of infinite possibilities. Everyone stood at the intersection of innumerable paths. If it was what Midnight normally saw, Sunset wondered how the girl stayed sane. Something within Sunset told her that she would need to enter the house soon.
As she waited for the signal, she asked, "What should I do when I'm talking to them?"

"Use a suggestion," Pearl replied. "Offer ta take in Sweetie Belle until the baby's born or whatever ya think's best. Ya could mention bein' her legal guardian or adoptin' the baby. Just trust Midnight's spell 'n don't fight the words. T'ain't guaranteed, but it'll try ta guide ya ta the outcome ya want."

"You need to think about what you want to happen," Midnight added. "The way to get it will clear up, but only if you control yourself and stay on what you want. No matter what, don't let your emotions get in the way."

Sunset nodded. She brought Sweetie Belle and concern for her young friend's safety to the forefront of her mind. The myriad lines and webs began to fade, leaving only a few. All of them drew her to the front door. "It's time."

She did as Pearl had stated and obeyed the strange feelings that were not giving her directions so much as tickling her thoughts with feelings of 'enter the house.' She opened the door and saw her wallet on the floor by the entryway.

The interior was silent at first. A few seconds of listening were necessary before Sunset heard quiet crying and someone moving on the upper floor, the footsteps heavy. Retrieving her wallet, Sunset pushed the doorbell, which did not make a sound.

"Hello?" she called, keeping her voice just to a level to be audible on the ground floor alone. "Sorry, I lost my wallet, and the doorbell isn't working."

Nudging the door, she stepped into the foyer. Footsteps sounded down the stairs and Rarity appeared, holding a suitcase. Her face was twisted into frustration as she threw the luggage onto the couch. The suitcase was small and bore the Crusaders' logo.

"Rarity?"

The fashionista jumped, whirling to face Sunset. She had adjusted to a surprised smile when she saw the visitor. "Oh, darling, you gave me such a terrible fright. Why did you come back?"

Sunset held up her wallet. "I dropped my wallet. Sorry, the doorbell was dead and no one answered when I knocked."

"Ah, yes, I can understand that. Do you need anything else? Father and mother are upstairs with Sweetie Belle at the moment." Rarity's disquiet was obvious. She was sweating as her eyes darted about the room as though she had been caught red-handed.

"No, sorry again. I didn't mean to interrupt. Is Sweetie Belle doing okay? Has she calmed down?"

"Oh, yes, of course. Our parents are going to take her to the doctor and get everything settled."

Sunset placed another foot inside the door. "Settled?"

"I mean, make sure she's okay. Four months without knowing, so we want to be certain of her health. With how she roughhouses and galavants about, I would hardly be surprised if she has done some harm to the, erm, baby."

Sunset nodded. She waited a few seconds before she felt the magic again. Opening her mouth to speak, she heard herself say, "What aren't you telling me?"

"Whatever do you mean?"

"What's with the suitcase? What gynaecologists are open on a Sunday?"

"Are you accusing me of something?" Something in the fashionista's tone was wrong. Even when she turned on Sunset during the Anon-A-Miss incident, she had not spoken like that: Aggressive, demanding, with warning to drop the conversation dripping from each word.

'The bitch has a bite,' her other self whispered. 'You think she's hiding something?'

'She's just upset.' With a shake of her head, Sunset replied, "Please, Rarity, you and Sweetie Belle are my friends. What's going on?"

Rather than give an answer, Rarity turned and dashed up the stairs. Cookie and Magnum descended a few seconds later, smiling as they greeted Sunset.

"Sorry, Sunset, Rarity's so worked up over her little sister, don'cha know. Don't worry about her. We're taking her to my parents' for a few days to get over the shock. We need some family time right about now," Cookie said, her Minneapolis accent flaring. Like Rarity, she was sweating and looked uncomfortable. "I'll have one of the girls call you when we get back, okay?"

Another tickle of magick led Sunset to ask, "Will Sweetie Belle be coming back with or without the baby?"

Brief hints of anger showed on their faces, which Sunset could feel in their emotional make-up. Both parents composed themselves before Magnum replied, "It depends on what she decides after we have a chance to talk as a family. Please don't take this the wrong way, but that's not your concern."

"Honestly, she's leaning toward an abortion right now," Cookie added, her voice showing a bit of strain.

Sunset offered a mental shrug to her other self. 'I guess you were right.' To the adults, she said, "You know, she seemed pretty set on keeping the baby. We were even talking about names on the ride over here."

The parents shared a nervous glance. Sunset was unsure why they would not tell her to leave, why they continued to humour her, but she threw herself into Midnight's spell and hoped it would work.

"You know how fickle people can be, especially when they're going through something like this. Oh, those hormones. I used to tell Magnum that he was the worst husband in the world, but then I'd be crying and begging for ice cream a few minutes later. Once she's really had a chance to calm down, I'm sure she'll make the best decision. I mean, she's not exactly built for having a baby, and I'd hate to see her get hurt."

The magick tickled a different part of Sunset's mind. Sunset infused her next words with power. "Why don't you tell me what you really think?"

Both faces contorted in anger. Cookie spoke first. "That girl has done everything she can to ruin this family. She just can't learn how to behave like a proper girl, no matter how hard we try."

"For somebody that idolises Rarity so much, you'd think she'd know better. Instead, we've had one catastrophe after another, and I won't put up with it anymore." Magnum may as well have been shouting.

They both looked confused, giving questioning glances to one another and then to Sunset. Rarity came running down the stairs, skidding to a stop when she saw Sunset.

'Look at her. Look at that face, the thinly veiled disdain and hatred for her own sister.'

"Rarity, what do you really think?" Sunset asked, giving the same push.

As with her parents, Rarity's feelings were at the surface and exploded immediately. "I have tried so very hard to cultivate an image of a proper lady, and my sister has become a weight that insists upon pulling me into the gutter. Anon-A-Miss should have been the last straw, but we gave her the opportunity to learn from her mistakes. Now this? Imagine what everyone will say when they learn a fourteen-year-old girl from a proper family is with child. And to think that she actually wants to keep it! Even if it would not be a blight, that clumsy, useless girl would kill it in days."

Sunset's fingers twitched.

'How dare she?' her other self whispered. 'At last, that wretch reveals herself.'

Midnight's warning rang in her ears. Sunset placed a clamp on the anger in her own heart; she could not dwell on it if she wanted to help Sweetie Belle. Instead, the new Mage channeled a greater amount of magick into her next words. "I have a perfect solution: Let me become Sweetie Belle's guardian until she's an adult. You'll never have to worry about her again, and she won't be around to hurt your image. It'll be like she was never here."

A look of relief passed over the faces of all three. Rarity seized the suitcase and dropped it on the floor in front of Sunset. "Good riddance."

"I'll get her," Cookie offered. "Thank you."

"You'll be taking full responsibility. No money, no contact, nothing." Magnum's eyes were cold. "I don't want her darkening our doorstep."

Sunset nodded, but made no reply.

A minute later, Sweetie Belle followed her mother down the stairs. Her eyes were red and puffy, and she had a few bruises on her arms.

Sunset's fingers twitched again. She disguised it by folding her arms across her chest.

"What's going on?" Sweetie Belle asked as Cookie pushed her toward Sunset.

Turning to face Sweetie Belle and to hide her face from the girl's former family, Sunset gave her a wink.

She turned back to the others and applied her magick one last time. "Don't worry. Sweetie Belle won't ever ruin your reputation again."

Sunset took the suitcase and shuffled her friend out the front door before anyone could break from the magick and object. The girls made a brisk pace to Sunset's car. Pearl and Midnight were waiting in the truck.

Pearl's magick reached out to Sweetie Belle and then passed through and over her body. "She's a little shaken, but mother 'n baby are okay. Let's get a move-on."

She started the truck and left. Sunset tossed the suitcase into her backseat while Sweetie Belle buckled herself into the passenger's seat. Once they were moving, she again asked, "What's going on?"

"Midnight did a reading for you and realised you were in a lot of trouble. They caught me when I was leaving. Midnight used Fate to help me get you out of there."

Only then did Sunset question what she had done. Sweetie Belle may not have been treated well, but the older teen had just abused her magick to aid in what had essentially become a kidnapping. While they idled at a light, she took one of Sweetie Belle's hands.

"I'm sorry I didn't ask your permission to take you away."

"Does this mean I'll be able to keep the baby? I'll be living with you?"

"Yes. Your parents are going to give me guardianship and then I'll be taking care of you. Is that okay? I'm sure I can set up something else if you'd prefer it."

"No. I want to stay with you ... if you really don't mind putting up with me."

Rather than respond, Sunset gave her friend a half-hug. They made the rest of the trip in silence.