Sunset Shimmer: Student of Magick

Monday morning dawned, dragging Sunset from her rest. Though she believed herself aptly named - being more of a night owl than a morning person - she had no real problem waking. She frequently beat her alarm, some part of her mind pushing her into wakefulness a few minutes early every day because it hated the shock of the alarm blaring.

Applejack and Rainbow Dash had teased Sunset that living with Rarity had to be difficult. The fashionista openly admitted to a need for at least one hour to prepare herself in the morning, but - contrary to popular opinion - did not occupy the bathroom the entirety of that time. Much of her preparation took place in her own room, her vanity and cosmetics her only companions in the early hours. The three teens had such varying schedules of waking that they rarely needed to compete for space. The master bathroom was usually available on those few occasions demand overwhelmed supply.

Due to leaving early that day, they were able to enjoy a casual walk to school and enjoy early spring air that was a little crisp but otherwise refreshing. Rarity and Sweetie Belle stepped lightly, both happy to meet the day and to see their friends, no cares hanging about their necks like lead weights. Canterlot High should likewise have been a happy place for Sunset, where she could spend time with her friends and feel safe from the strangeness that seemed to follow her.

Principal Celestia was passing the front doors as Sunset entered. She glared at Sunset, which the teen returned with a friendly smile.

The other two Crusaders were waiting for Sweetie Belle. Neither of the girls would look at Sunset, which was an improvement over the glares of previous days or the times they had intentionally bumped into her. The bruise from Apple Bloom knocking Sunset into a locker had only recently cleared.

They had temporarily turned on Sweetie Belle for continuing to associate with the she-demon, but had eventually agreed to set aside their differences rather than suffer the loss of a close friend. Though Sweetie Belle had initially been reluctant to rejoin the Crusaders for fear that Sunset would see it as a betrayal, the older girls had all encouraged her. Sunset had been the most vocal of all. She hoped her friend's gentle and sweet nature would help them overcome the mind-altering damage. The hope may have been vain, as she did not fully understand how spirit influence worked, but she continued to desire a small miracle regardless.

The girls all departed for their various classes, only Rainbow Dash able to stay by Sunset's side for the first period’s Language Arts class. Each of their friends had petitioned to change classes to ensure they could be with Sunset throughout the day. Based on what they had later told her, the faculty denied each application without fully reading any of them.

Her friends' behaviour was so different compared to their actions during the brief reign of Anon-a-Miss that, when taken together with the Friendship Games, Sunset was finally able to believe that their claim of her being family to them was true.

The day was uneventful, and her final class was one of her electives. She had enrolled in a programming class, her original motivation being a desire to master human technology. Even after her change, she kept the class because she enjoyed it.

That was the only class she shared with Sweetie Belle, who had originally taken it because that gave the girl more time with another of her friends. Though Sunset was hardly as familiar with Button Mash as she was the female members of the Crusaders, she did know enough of him to be surprised by his ability to put away his video games without prompt each day before the class started.

They had a lab that day. Each student was to work alone on a small programme to demonstrate their understanding of simple recursion, which Sunset and Button finished early. Their teacher had nothing else for them and allowed them to assist struggling classmates or to practise something else. When Button offered help to Sweetie Belle, Sunset decided to read ahead in their textbook. She knew from experience that none of her other classmates were willing to take her advise yet.

The warning bell for after-school activities found Sunset and Applejack at their lockers, the latter relaying stories of her day as Sunset listened quietly. As they were finishing, Sunset received a message.

"Boss gave the go ahead. Bring your friend. -Ace"

"Everythin' alright, sugarcube? Somebody harassin' ya again?"

Sunset shook her head. "No, just a message from work."

Popular opinion considered Applejack a living lie detector. While she was good at spotting them, she did not have a special ability for it. Sunset knew herself to be an excellent liar when she desired to be so, though it hurt to use that ability on a friend.

Applejack gave her a solid pat on the shoulder. "Glad ta hear it. Ya let us know if somebody starts pullin' crap like that, though, ya hear me?"

"Roger. See you tomorrow."

Sunset debated telling Sweetie Belle in person but was uncertain where the girl was and if she would be with her friends. The news could wait; she would be able to inform Sweetie Belle when they went through their homework that evening.

For a post-Awakening Monday, the day had not been too bad. Even the homework load was lighter than normal, granting Sunset time that evening for her private research. Between Equestrian magic and Supernal magick, she had too much to study without sufficient time to work through it. At least she could occasionally get help with the latter subject.

The evening tutoring went smoothly, especially when Sunset promised a grand reward if her pupil worked hard. Sweetie Belle had fire in her eyes as she worked more efficiently at Algebra, Earth Science, and Language Arts than she had in any of their previous sessions. When they finished, Sunset was more than happy to reveal the prize.

Sweetie Belle was ecstatic at the news. So great was her excitement that she could not even move herself to tackle Sunset, settling for an excited squeal that the older teen had to silence for concern of the household wanting to know what was wrong.

They slept separately that night, mostly due to Sunset's worry that Sweetie Belle's family would grow concerned if she spent too much time with the younger girl.

Tuesday proceeded without incident until Sunset passed Flash Sentry in the hall. Despite Pinkie Pie doing her best to monitor the young man's schedule and habits, which included use of Changeling magick, Sunset had been expecting to see him eventually. He had no memory of the spirit possession and stabbing her twice, but she still shivered whenever she saw blue hair or anything like his style. Since she had aided in removing the strange rat spirit that had been riding him, Flash Sentry had returned to his normal self. He gave her a warm greeting, earning him several glares from students around them.

"When are they going to get over the whole demon thing?" he wondered aloud. "After everything you've done for us, you don't deserve it."

Sunset could only shrug. "It's easier to forget the good things than the bad I guess." She could feel herself sweating as her scars began to sting. "I have to catch Fluttershy. See you later."

"See you."

As soon as he was out of sight and several lengths from her, Sunset was able to relax. The symptoms may have been psychosomatic, but that did not make them any more comfortable. She felt guilty for purposefully avoiding a friend and hoped her mental problems would soon resolve themselves. To say that the events of Sunset's Awakening twisted her world like a funhouse mirror contrived by the deranged was an understatement.

The day was well into the late morning when Sunset was called from Pre-Calculus to the principal's office. The glares and whispers started immediately, broken only by a few sympathetic glances from Twilight Sparkle, Sunset's desk partner. Sunset said nothing as she gathered her things and left the room, uncertain which of the myriad grievances - real or imagined - had prompted the meeting.

Both Celestia and Luna waited for her, their secretary nowhere in sight. They beckoned her into the former's office without a word. Only two seats were present; the women occupied those, forcing Sunset to stand uneasily before them.

"I received a visit from the police today," Celestia stated. She kept her face impassive. "They dropped the case against you. Despite the camera footage and your fingerprints, they said that there isn't enough evidence."

The Hierarch had kept his word. Had her situation not been so precarious, Sunset would have smiled in relief. She contented herself by responding, "Because I didn't do it."

That much was true: Midnight had caused most of the damage, Ace and his Werewolf friend Clash accounting for the rest.

"Yes, you've told us that multiple times. It would seem that, despite our best efforts, the culprit will remain at large."

They were silent for several seconds. Luna had remained still, her gaze fixed on Sunset, who was determined not to give any sign that she had not disclosed the whole story. Before Sunset could ask if they were done with her, Celestia spoke again.

"There is one other matter I want to discuss." Another pause, the sisters watching their charge's reactions carefully. "I've been hearing certain things about your relationship with Sweetie Belle."

"Yeah? What about it?" Challenging the questions before they were fully asked had worked well in the past, and she knew she had nothing to hide. "We're friends."

Luna finally spoke. "'Special' friends?"

That triggered a sneer followed by a glare. "Let's just cut to the chase: What are you trying to say?"

Celestia folded her hands into a steeple to look over them. "We're worried about the effects associating with you will have on her, as well as what you might be ... doing to her."

"Your ages are too far apart," Luna added, reprimand in her voice. "Any inappropriate contact is automatically going to result in criminal charges."

"Then it's a good thing I haven't had any 'inappropriate contact' with Sweetie Belle."

"You say that despite the fact that witnesses have come forward expressing concerns about you?" Luna said. "We also know that she has stated that you sometimes sleep together and has referenced you as a 'close friend' more than once."

Sunset knew the game they were playing. She took a moment to run the many permutations of what could happen next and quickly decided that her worst case scenario was having the police investigate her again. Magnum, the girl's father, may have been an assistant chief, but she knew he would be forced to recuse himself from any investigation. At that thought, her heart rate increased for the first time during the meeting.

Despite Sunset's suspected involvement in an incident that had destroyed two of the school's fields and the public playground equipment, as well as causing serious damage to one of the music rooms and the hallway to which it was attached, Rarity's parents had immediately accepted Sunset's claim of innocence. When Rarity told them that Sunset had been forced from her old flat because of this, they had offered their home without hesitation and welcomed her like a third daughter. Even if they learnt that she was suspected of some form of sexual contact with Sweetie Belle, Sunset was confident that they would not believe it. That did not change the fact that a police investigation would not only affect Sunset but also the family that had been so warm and kind to her when she had nowhere else to go.

Of course, if news of the investigation leaked, there was no telling what it would do to Sweetie Belle. She was still recovering from being a member of Anon-A-Miss, and the repercussions would likely stretch to Rarity. Their continued association with Sunset 'Satan' Shimmer had already caused a few problems for the sisters, and teenagers might as well be sharks chasing the scent of blood if they discovered even a hint the accusations.

Sunset did not have to spend much time pondering how best to resolve the dilemma facing her, as Principal Celestia's next words made her preferred solution clear.

"Since you are both students in my school, I have a responsibility to get to the heart of any potential problems or abuses. However, if the situation changed, I could just report it to Sweetie Belle's parents and let them decide if the rumours are worth investigating."

"Let me get this clear just so we all know where we stand: If I weren't a student here, the school wouldn't necessarily need to take any direct action. If the parents of the younger student decide not to push for an investigation, that student wouldn't have to worry about others finding out."

"I believe we are all on the same page," Luna replied. "What should we be doing, then? We cannot expel you without evidence, which would require an investigation."

"But I'm old enough to drop out of school, right?"

Both women nodded. At least they lacked smirks, their expressions instead remaining impassive. Despite Sunset reminding herself that they were not themselves thanks to the hate spirit poison, a part of her wanted to do something to them. Likely not anything violent, but she felt real anger burning in her. She pushed it into the back of her mind before her vision turned red.

There was nothing else to do that would not end with too many people getting hurt. With only a small sigh, Sunset said, "Then let's get the paperwork started."

They had already completed most of it, needing only a few initials, signatures, and dates. Even the student's statement was prepared, which Sunset read and decided was just a fancy "Screw you" that ran the whole half-page.

No hesitation, Sunset reminded herself. Any sign of weakness was not acceptable, especially as she had been expecting this day ever since Princess Twilight and the other girls had literally driven her into the bottom of a pit during their confrontation at the Fall Formal. Her only reason for attending the school in the first place had been to use it as a base to conquer her old home. The diploma would have been nice, a talking point in the future, but would have meant little for a pony-turned-human without firm plans to attend post-secondary schooling.

In just one minute and with a final bit of cursive scrawl on the last page of the stack, Sunset Shimmer was no longer a student at Canterlot High School.