Sunset Shimmer: Student of Magick

There was no reason for Rarity to be outside the office door when Sunset was leaving. The fashionista said nothing as she reached out to embrace Sunset, who was mildly surprised to find herself leaking tears into her friend's shoulder. The rage that had filled her during the confrontation was cooling. She instead felt like a ghost that had just had one of its tethers to life severed.

'That's what I am,' she mused. 'A ghost.'

Dropping out of school ostensibly offered her unlimited freedom for the time being, and she found the thought depressing.

A couple minutes of quiet soothing noises from Rarity and a constant alternating pattern of back rubs and hair stroking dried Sunset's tears. When she finally lifted her head to face her friend, the shoulder of Rarity's blouse was embarrassingly damp. Sunset was dimly surprised this elicited not one word of complaint.

"Did they expel you?"

"They might as well have." When Rarity started to speak, Sunset shook her head. "No, I'll explain later. I'll be home ... at your place, okay?"

"Please, darling, let me call my mother and see if she can come to get you. You are hardly in a state to be walking."

"A walk will do me some good, actually. You've already done more than enough."

Rarity looked as though she intended to argue but closed her mouth and gave a sad-yet-reassuring smile. "Do you want me to ask the girls if they can drop by the house tonight to talk about it?"

Sunset thought for a minute, then nodded. "Yeah, I'd rather explain it to everyone at the same time."

"Consider it done. I'll see you later. We all will, okay?"

With a nod, Sunset turned and hefted her backpack over her shoulders. She tried to present a casual stroll as she left. Her gait may not have been perfect, but no one was present to see it. She almost abandoned her locker until she remembered her communication journal was ensconced there and that she was carrying textbooks the school district would expect her to return. She saw no point in giving them a reason to chase her after she left the grounds.

Sunset left everything the school would want returned, as well as her completed homework for the day. She cleared out most of her own possessions, starting from the most important items until only a few workbooks remained. While she usually enjoyed them, she could easily find similar resources elsewhere.

As she passed the portal, she considered telling Princess Twilight about the matter. There would be little point in returning to Equestria given her growing ties in the human world and lack of the same there, but she was sure the young Alicorn would want to know and would likely be disappointed at not being invited to the small assembly taking place after school. Given the lack of notice, however, there was the possibility Twilight would not be free, which would cause her to feel guilty for missing it. The debate ended with informing her; Sunset more preferred to deal with guilt than with disappointment.

She decided to get a drink and some comfort food at the Sweet Shoppe while she composed her note to Princess Twilight. Lunch break was near and she knew her body would have been expecting her to eat anyway.

The Cakes served her with a smile, though Sunset did notice a bit of hesitation at seeing her out of school so early. That would not have been the first time, but she had not cut class since her reformation. Rather than say anything about it, she returned their smiles and took her enormous cocoa and two large double-chocolate and peanut butter chunk cookies. A seat near the back suited her needs, leaving the larger tables and couches open for the groups that would be seeking their own lunches and snacks over the next hour.

The note was simple. Rather than a detailed accounting of the events, Sunset wrote, "I've dropped out of CHS. It's too long to explain here, but the girls are all coming to Rarity's house after school. I'm sorry it's such short notice. If you can't make it, let me know what works for you. I'm pretty free right now."

Sunset had only just taken a bite from her first cookie when she felt the book vibrate. With a surreptitious glance around the shop to ensure no one was looking, she pulled the journal from her bag and opened it to Twilight's reply.

"I'm coming with Spike. We're going through now. Let the girls know to meet me at the Sweet Shoppe."

Sunset placed her cookie to the side to write, "That's where I am now. If you don't mind waiting until we're all together to talk about what happened, you can meet me here."

There was no reply. Sunset was finishing her second cookie when she saw a familiar girl carrying a green and purple dog in her backpack entering the store. Twilight was panting, having clearly run from the portal to the patisserie. Even though Sunset had been eating slowly, she was surprised at her friend's speed. Sunset beckoned her to the table with a wave.

Mrs Cake delivered another plate of cookies and a mocha in front of Twilight. At her questioning look, the baker nodded in Sunset's direction, giving the girl a smile and patting Spike's head before returning to the counter. Twilight waited she was outside hearing range before speaking.

"I know you don't want to go over everything twice, but I'd like to talk about it now. I can be thinking about it until you tell the girls later and then we can all come up with a solution." The princess showed obvious glee. Had Sunset not known the other teen so well, she would have been offended. As it was, she knew Twilight's excitement came from the idea of solving a complex issue.

Sunset shook her head. "There's not much of a point to 'fixing' this, Twilight. Those spirits poisoned everyone. By the time Celestia and Luna realise what they've done, it'll be too late."

Before Twilight could object, Sunset continued, "I've got a plan to continue my education. My money won't last forever, and it's hard to get real work without completing university, let alone secondary school, here. There are replacement tests in this world. They aren't quite the same thing but should be enough to cover me."

"How do you know about those?"

Sunset offered an amused smirk. "I thought I'd need one after the Fall Formal."

Twilight looked abashed until Sunset patted her hand and smiled. The other teen's face cleared and she asked, "What about universities? Do they accept those replacements?"

"If I decide to continue, yes. I won't have a problem." At Twilight's reproachful glare, Sunset hurried to add, "Oh, don't give me that look; you know university would be a stretch for me. The government doesn't pay for it here."

Twilight sighed as she passed half a cookie back to Spike. Despite being turned into a dog, he had no negative reaction to 'people food.' He munched quietly before asking, "Twilight, can't we do something to help pay for it? Even if she's not in Equestria anymore, we should do something. Couldn't you ask Princess Celestia to add it to the university budget?"

"I appreciate the thought, but I want to work this out for myself as much as I can. It might take longer, but I think I'll be better off for that."

All three of them argued lightly for the next few minutes, Twilight and Spike perfectly willing to send gold bits and gems through the portal to cover Sunset's educational expenses. As Twilight's nominal student, she was entitled to a royal stipend. Additionally, the much higher value of gold and gemstones in the human world would help that stipend stretch considerably. Sunset desired to work her way through school, possibly even taking a small loan or two as needed in the hopes it would keep her motivated. With how easily things had come to her in the past, she knew she needed to learn how to deal with significant problems on her own.

They finally compromised on sending a fraction of the normal stipend every month that would at least ensure Sunset could avoid working too much while she studied, so long as she watched her budget. Spike was smiling when the two stubborn girls finally managed to reach a compromise and seem content about it.

"Do you know what you're planning to study yet?" he asked, obviously diverting the conversation to something more enjoyable.

Sunset made a noncommittal sound. "Probably something technology-related. I was taking a class about it and I think I'd like to learn more. You'd like it, too, Twilight. Everything in computers is written as numbers that they translate into everything we've shown you. We have to come up with formulae or memorise them and use logic statements like what the magic theory classes teach. Everything has to be planned out in advance and people use a lot of lists to organise it."

Human eyes did not normally sparkle as pony eyes did, but Twilight would not let such a thing stop her pupils from briefly flashing into starbursts. Her excitement at the idea of her interests in human technology and the mathematical sciences dovetailing so conveniently was obvious and Sunset would not have been surprised to see the young princess' tongue loll from her mouth. Sunset hid a snicker at the mental image of Twilight drooling into a Computer Science textbook in a cough that broke Twilight's stupor.

Before the conversation could begin, Sunset's mobile buzzed. Rarity was ringing her and sounded nearly panicked when Sunset answered the call.

"Oh my goodness, Sunset, is everything okay?"

"Yeah, I'm just at the Sweet Shoppe with Princess Twilight. She came for the talk later."

"Oh, darling, I am so glad to know you're safe. I called Mother to let her know you were going home and she just sent me a message to say that you had yet to arrive. I was worried someone might be causing you trouble along the way."

"Sorry, Rarity. I forgot Cookie is off today. Should we meet somewhere else?"

Sunset heard the slight crackle of Rarity covering her mobile's receiver and some muffled conversation. A few seconds later, she returned. "Why not meet at my house?"

"With both Twilights?"

"I suppose if you feel we must meet elsewhere, Applejack has offered her garage."

"Has Big Mac stopped threatening to hurt me if I get close to Apple Bloom or set foot on their farm?"

"Please don't take this the wrong way, but beggars simply cannot be choosers, darling. We shall meet at my house; I can distract my mother when we arrive so she need never know that we are hosting both Twilight Sparkles."

"That works for me, then. We'll meet up with you on the way."

They wished each other well and ended the conversation.

Twilight's brow was furrowed into concern. "I hadn't realised how bad things have gotten. Somebody in the Apple family is actually threatening you?"

"Not exactly. It was more of a passing comment and I don't think he'd really hit me, but Big Mac and Granny Smith made it clear to Applejack that I'm not allowed on the farm. We know that this ... infection is clearing up and I'll be able to go over there eventually, though."

"Are any of the other girls' families infected?" Spike asked.

"Not really, but none of the others were at the school much when the spirits were there. Dash's father still doesn't trust me, but that's been the norm since the Fall Formal anyway. As far as I know, all of the other girls' families are okay.

"Honestly, I'm more worried about Applejack. Even if it's not their fault, I can tell that her family's behaviour has been hurting her. She talked us into doing a performance over lunch one day to try to fix everything, but the magic didn't work."

Sunset explained that they had tried to overcome the hate spirits' influence on the school. The other students had thrown food at them when they were just starting, prompting Rainbow Dash to make an attempt to return the attack. Applejack and Fluttershy had managed to restrain her, but the whole thing had failed. Talking with a few of the affected did nothing; they hated Sunset Shimmer. If the reasons were not for what she had done before her reformation, the students complained of her voice, hair, demeanour, clothing, anything at all. Hate was so deeply engrained in them that reason or passion held no sway. The conversation about the hate spirit fallout lasted until school ended for the day, Twilight constantly asking for more details and making extensive notes. While she had been talking, Sunset had been thinking of what she would say to their friends.

Princess Twilight could not stay the night, which Sunset felt was for the best. She was taking Rarity's family's guest room when she was not Sweetie Belle's body pillow, and most of the other girls did not have the space to house her on short notice. Additionally, sleepovers on school nights raised eyebrows, and their recent inclusion of Sci-Twi - a nickname courtesy of Pinkie Pie - into the group meant there was a risk of someone's parents making a call to her family.

The Sweet Shoppe was near the route between the school and Rarity's house. Sunset and Twilight met Rarity and Sweetie Belle on their way home. Rarity had wanted to send Sweetie Belle to play with the other Crusaders until Sunset reminded her that she would hear about it that same night, making it easier to include her from the beginning. She did not mention then how Sweetie Belle had been used as an excuse, saving that detail for when they were all settled.

When they reached the house, Rarity entered first. They could hear her speaking. "Mother, so sorry for the short notice, but the girls and I needed to get together for a bit today. Do you mind helping me prepare a few snacks?"

"Of course not. What's up? Planning for an event? The big camping trip?"

"I will tell you and Father all about it this evening, once we sort out the details."

Once their voices faded, Sweetie Belle checked to confirm that the path to the stairs was clear. They hurried Princess Twilight into the house, leaving Sci-Twi to be visible. The group all greeted Cookie Crumbles on their way up the stairs, Sweetie Belle and Rarity carrying a tray of cookies and one of juice respectively.

Once they had shut themselves into Rarity's bedroom, they located the princess. She had hidden in the 'Closet of Shame.' Rarity had emptied it recently to donate everything to a local church that hosted a soup kitchen and regularly held drives for the less fortunate. Though such a large group was a little cramped, they were all sufficiently comfortable with one other that the close quarters did not make them uncomfortable.

Sunset remained standing so she could speak to what was fully her audience. "Okay, first off, the reason I wanted Sweetie Belle included is because this could include her and I don't want her blindsided." Without pause, Sunset continued, "The police dropped the investigation against me for the damage from the battle, but Celestia and Luna said they were worried about my friendship with Sweetie Belle. They said they were worried about the possibility that I might be ... 'taking advantage of her naïveté' and threatened to start an investigation into it. If I withdrew from the school, they could claim that it isn't their problem."

Several of the girls were blushing, their youngest member most prominently, though Rarity's face was twisted into outrage. "That is the most preposterous thing I have ever heard. Even with all the craziness lately, that is beyond reprehensible."

"What's done is done, and I really don't want us to dwell on it. Trust me, girls, it's not worth it, especially when something else is poisoning them. Rarity, I think we should tell your parents on the off-chance someone says something to them."

"As much as I want to disagree, Sunset's right," Princess Twilight said. "I think we all know that most of the people at CHS wouldn't behave like they have if not for an outside factor, just like when the Sirens were here."

In what could be an example of twin thought-sharing, Sci-Twi continued, "If Sunset can forgive them, I think we all should. We'll be able to fix all of this once the effects wear off. I've, um, made some projections for it."

She unlocked her mobile and began going through notes. "By rating opinions of Sunset Shimmer on a scale of one to ten, with ten being angriest, and then measuring them each day, we can extrapolate how long this will take to resolve completely as we target those that are the most strongly affected. Therefore, if my calculations are correct, this should all clear up in ... three or four months." She grimaced as she began looking through her notes again. "Really? I didn't think it was that long when I first worked it out."

"I still don't see why we can't try another performance," Dash objected.

"That would only draw more attention," Sunset replied. "We have no way of knowing if we would cause a second infestation. The spirits are drawn to our magic, and the unpleasant ones are better at fighting than the nice ones. I'd rather wait this out than risk bringing in something even worse."

Dash folded her arms. "Fine. I get it. I just don't like the idea of you getting treated like this when you didn't do anything wrong. Not that anybody should be accused of something like that if they haven't done it, not even if you were the old Sunset."

"Ah know it ain't right, but Ah'm with Sunset: We'll wait it out. Everybody's gonna feel awful when this is over, so let's not hold it against 'em 'n focus on makin' sure they know it wasn't their fault."

Pinkie Pie and Fluttershy both voiced their agreement, thereby putting an end to any further debate. None them showed enthusiasm for the plan, but their acceptance eased Sunset's concerns. She did not want to see her friends harmed for her sake.

Sunset knelt in front of Rarity and Sweetie Belle to meet their eyes. "Honestly, I hadn't been expecting to graduate in the first place. It was nice to get another chance after the Fall Formal and everything else, but I was prepared for this when I first ended up in the bottom of that pit. I'm sorry you're getting caught up in this. I never thought you would have a problem because of me."

Sweetie Belle gave Sunset a hug, which her big sister was quick to join. Their show of support eased the last of Sunset's anger. Though she sometimes felt as though the whole world was against her, she took comfort in knowing she was not alone.

They ended the hug and changed topics to share stories. As they were not going to do anything about what was a voluntary expulsion, the mundane conversation eased them into a better mood. Sunset could feel the others relax as they observed her lack of resentment or anger. She instead laughed loudly as Princess Twilight recounted Pinkie and Rarity's counterparts' trip to help save a family restaurant in Canterlot. Fluttershy told them about her work at the shelter and some of the latest animals to be adopted. Applejack never failed to provide amusing anecdotes from her own family. By the end of the day, everyone had a chance to bring one another up to speed with their lives.

The meeting ended when the princess needed to leave to prepare for a conference she was attending the next day. She expressed upset at the idea, as she would be missing a convention for her favourite book series. Adding insult to injury, the pony Rainbow Dash would be attending the event without her. Sunset could appreciate the dismay, knowing what it was like to miss spending time doing something fun with a friend and instead have to hear stories about it after the fact. She was in that exact situation at the moment.

The rest of the group still had homework - though a few mutinous murmurs escaped at the reminder - which forced them to call it a day. Sunset, Rarity, and Sweetie Belle would walk Princess Twilight back to the school, which would give them time to ensure they had the day's events clear and ready to present to Magnum and Cookie. Applejack offered to give a ride to any of their friends with too long a walk.

During the walk back to CHS, Sunset glanced at Rarity and asked, "Why were you outside the office?"

"When I heard them call you, I hardly expected it could be a good thing. I asked for a restroom pass a few minutes later and waited for you."

"Well, I'd like to say I would have been fine, but I'd be lying." She put an arm around her friend's shoulders. "Thanks for being there for me, Rarity."

When they reached the grounds, each took a turn to give Twilight a hug and a scratch to Spike. The grounds were quiet, but Sunset did not want to risk invoking anyone's ire for trespassing and did not follow when Twilight returned to the portal.

Sunset, Rarity, and Sweetie Belle arrived back at the house and found the girls' parents waiting for them. Given the lack of concern in the atmosphere, they were likely expecting the trio in time for dinner. Rarity had not given her mother any reason to be concerned during their brief conversation. Sunset wanted to wait, but Rarity reminded her that sharing bad news was like removing a bandage and should be done quickly. Even if it spoiled dinner, all parties would have time to settle their hearts and minds before bed.

So it was that Sunset was recounting her voluntary departure from Canterlot High School for the second time that day. Despite the smaller audience, the reactions matched what she had encountered previously. Magnum looked ready to storm into the school, and Cookie was outraged with a few sympathetic tears in her eyes.

"We would have noticed if there was anything like that," she observed. "How could things have gotten so bad over there? Even with everything from last Christmas, the principal believed in you, Sunset."

Rarity had placed a hand on her father's shoulder in an effort to help him control his anger. She knew her father and managed to get him into a less agitated state.

"Father, Mother, I know we all care about Sunset, but she has made her own decision. I cannot say I am pleased with this turn of events, but I will respect her wish not to make a production of this."

"Sunset, that was just a scare tactic to force you to leave the school. Let me have a few words with them and you'll be able to go back," Magnum offered. "We know there's nothing going on."

The tired girl with too many parts of her mind to keep straight allowed Cookie to guide her to a seat on the couch. The matron wrapped her in yet another hug, complete with a soothing back rub almost as if Sunset were her own daughter.

"Please tell me why you let them do this to you," Cookie pleaded. "They couldn't have followed through with a threat like that unless they contacted us first. Like Magnum said, we would have cleared all of this up."

"I couldn't take the risk. I really didn't want any of you to have to deal with it, and I have to learn to handle my own problems. It means a lot to me that you'd be willing to help, but it's not worth starting something that could really hurt two of my best friends."

She saw three of the room's four occupants preparing to argue and added, "I'm a pragmatist: Better one person get hurt than two or three or more, especially when the one won't even have much in the way of long-term consequences. I already have a plan to finish my studies." She gave them a small, sly smile that was nevertheless genuine. "Did that cover everything?"

Their expressions were of grudging acceptance for her choices and plans for the future. Rarity could be a drama queen and her parents had a stubborn streak to give any member of the Apple family a good show. Those factors considered, it spoke volumes to Sunset that she silenced their objections.

"Sweetie Belle, are you okay?" Sunset asked. She offered a mental apology to her friend for shifting the focus of the conversation, but she did not want to be questioned further on her life plans. "I know thinking about this is embarrassing, but no one else is ever going to hear about it."

Even after her stint as Anon-A-Miss and ostensibly learning to tell people what she was feeling, Sweetie Belle still had a tendency to keep her negative emotions buried unless someone pushed her to release them. For whatever reason, despite being the most open of the Crusaders, she still had difficulties admitting when something was bothering her no matter how large or small.

As though a pressure valve had exploded, Sweetie Belle irritably rasped, "I ruined your life again. Why can't you just hate me?"

Sunset had to wait for her brain to restart to process what her normally cheerful friend had said. While Sweetie Belle was known for the occasional bit of emotional turmoil, Sunset could not remember ever hearing of something like this.

She sat as though paralysed, hoping Sweetie Belle's family would handle the situation, but they all looked at her. Their eyes were not accusatory, instead implying that she knew what was bothering Sweetie Belle. She did not want to be involved any further, worried that her engaging the emotionally unstable girl would only make it worse.

Sunset could only think of one method to help. She moved next to the shuddering girl on the couch and wrapped her tightly into a hug. Sweetie Belle slowly began to sob. They sat quietly, the sound of sobbing only occasionally interrupted by choking as the girl gasped for air. The other residents of the house merely watched Sunset comfort her. Sunset could only focus on trying to determine what else she could do, but she was out of her depth. Though she could see the guilt surrounding her friend, she did not know what to do about it and did not want to risk causing harm by trying to help without knowing what she was doing. If Sweetie Belle's guilt was anything like what Sunset had felt after the Fall Formal, offering reassurances would only make the problem worse. She was merely guessing, but the chance of failure was too great.

Cookie ordered pizza; Sunset guessed she did not want the distractions of the kitchen. After the emotional outburst, Sweetie Belle's emotional state had run an array of negativity and her ongoing silence and refusal to respond to anyone was starting to worry the adults. The stress seemed to have taken a toll on her body; she was hiccoughing and looked to be on the verge of being sick. When the pizza arrived and they opened the boxes, the adults all helped themselves. The idea not all of them were looking forward to the food became obvious in hindsight as the sound of retching reached Sunset's ears. Sweetie Belle released the contents of her stomach across the floor in front of the couch and the cushion on which she sat. Rarity and Sunset cleaned everything quickly, offering no comment, complaint, or reassurance.

Sweetie Belle was trembling as though she was cold at that point. Cookie pulled the girl into her lap and rocked her baby as she likely had in the past.

"Honey, I want you to stay home tomorrow," Cookie said. "Can you do that for me? I'll be home all day."

"Okay." The mumbled response was better than her earlier silence.

"Good. Let's get you bed, okay? Would you like Daddy to carry you upstairs like when you were little? I bet he'd like to do it again for old time's sake."

"Okay." Sweetie Belle's reply was as quiet as the first.

There would be nothing more from Sweetie Belle that night. Rarity helped slip her sister's boots from her feet and mimicked their mother in giving the girl a good night kiss before Magnum lifted her into his arms and carried her up the stairs.

Only when they heard the rear-upstairs door close and his returning footsteps did the women sigh in relief. Cookie and Rarity confessed no reference point for what happened when Sweetie Belle entered into depression. Even spending nearly two years receiving treatment in a mental ward had not broken her spirit. The closest she had been prior to that day was at the beginning of the spring semester, upon returning to a school still reeling from the shock of the Crusaders' confession to the crime of cyberbullying their fellow students and framing Sunset Shimmer for it.

Sweetie Belle had seemingly not forgiven herself until several other students cornered her together with her friends in a bathroom and proceeded to beat them. Only Pinkie Pie's timely interference had saved the girls from critical injury. The many bruises and the fact that all three girls had needed a few stitches had cooled the students' anger at them, combined with a public announcement from Sunset Shimmer herself that she had forgiven the girls. Sweetie Belle had tolerated the incident, the medical examination and treatment, and the healing period with grace. Her expression at the start of that day had been one of contrition, and it had ended with that of one released from some heavy burden.

The others were talking, but Sunset had not heard anything they said until she realised that all three were looking at her sheepishly.

"I'm sorry?"

Rarity cleared her throat. "Darling, I know you prefer not to talk about it, but you have dealt with depression in the past. Besides taking Sweetie Belle to speak with someone, is there anything else we can do for her?"

"Just what you've been doing. She hasn't actually done anything wrong, so a professional will hopefully help her feel better once they can get her to see that."

Her words seemed to lift their spirits. Rarity suggested they revisit the conversation the next day, as it was late and none of them would be thinking clearly if they continued to discuss Sweetie Belle. She did not reference her beauty sleep, instead worrying over her sister. With a simple round of wishing one another a good night, they all prepared themselves for bed.

Sunset lay on her borrowed mattress and drew on magick she barely understood to cause her senses to drift. The bedroom faded from her mind's eye as she closed her eyes, allowing herself to leave her body so she could examine the people around her on a far deeper level than eyes ever could.

She lacked the words to describe what she could see. Even 'seeing' was wrong; Sunset felt others around her, those feelings translating into visions that put the idea of sight to shame. An amorphous yet elegant crystalline shape coloured white and royal purple lay on the bed in the room next to Sunset's. She suspected the crystal might be a soul; whatever it was, it felt like Rarity in a way she could not put into words. Drawing close to it was like being near her friend when they were awake. Sunset could feel the invisible bond of friendship between her own red and gold crystalline spark and Rarity's. No doubt existed in Sunset's mind that their connection would allow her to work her new magick on her friend if she so desired. She was tempted to make an attempt to still the worry she sensed, but Rarity was not her target.

Two more of those crystals, one brown and blue and the other purple and pink, slept next to one another in the far corner of the upstairs. The room next to theirs housed the pink and purple crystal of Sweetie Belle's soul. She prodded at the little curly waves of colour distorted by unhappiness and guilt like dirt and grime trapped in otherwise beautiful clothing, pulling a few bits free and scrubbing at what she could reach. Her actions did pitifully little to disrupt the corruption, yet a barely perceptible increase in the spark of light warmed Sunset as she withdrew her outstretched consciousness and embraced sleep.