Chapter 4: the school incident (crunch)

One week later. September first: first day of school

“You’ll be okay Sunset. If ya feel like you’re losing control, just excuse yourself from the room and take a deep breath. Just like we practiced. If ya do that, you’ll be fine. Ah promise.” Applejack comforted an extremely nervous Sunset Shimmer.

Sunset wasn’t entirely convinced. She recalled the previous week. It had been an absolute NIGHTMARE. With no response from princess Twilight, Sunset was pretty much left in the dark with regards to what to do about her pendant cracking, which she hadn't mentioned to her friends. After a bit of thinking Sunset figured that her pendant cracking the and school bus incident a week before were connected, so she figured that leaving the pendant at home when she went out would prevent further outbreaks.

She was wrong. Throughout the week, Sunset was constantly losing control of her magic, sometimes resulting in her friends getting hurt. Every time she would lose control, her eyes would revert to her demon eyes and she would try to attack her friends. Her hands would look like they would on fire as well.

Sunset recalled what she did to Applejack. They we just talking when Applejack corrected Sunset on something. Sunset had grabbed Applejack neck and squeezed. Hard. long story short Applejack had taken a trip to the hospital after Sunset calmed down and regained her sanity. The inside of Applejack’s throat had been damaged, but fortunately it wasn’t serious. Some painkillers and a good night’s sleep and Applejack was fine; but she would be much more careful about what she said to Sunset.

This saddened Sunset greatly. She didn’t want her friends to be scared of her. Sunset recalled when one of her freak-outs caused Twilight to sprain her wrist. She still has the cast on. Sunset’s friends tried to tell her that Twilight had slipped, but Sunset still felt guilty; after all Twilight slipped because she was running away from Sunset as she had apparently tried to chase Twilight.

The only ‘progress’ they had made with Sunset’s freak-outs was two days ago. Sunset had started to freak out when Applejack used her magic to hold Sunset down. Applejack had to use her magic. That incident revealed that when Sunset in a freaked-out state, Sunset was nearly as strong as Applejack was when she was using her magic. Sunset was very close to prying Applejack off of her, despite Applejack trying her hardest to keep Sunset in place before Sunset finally stopped freaking out and calmed down. The incident had apparently revealed to AJ that deep breaths calm Sunset down before much danger happens. They practiced for a little while before AJ was satisfied and Sunset was light headed.

Now it was the first day of school and Sunset was terrified. The ‘practice sessions’ she and AJ had been doing for the past two days hadn’t inspired much confidence. If she lost it in the middle of class who knows how many people she could hurt. This isn’t exactly a controlled environment like at home, this is in public. There was a lot more people around who could get hurt.

Sunset wanted to voice her concerns but decided she didn’t want to argue with AJ, so Sunset just sighed. “If you say so AJ.”

AJ smiled and put her hand on Sunset’s shoulder. “Yeah.”

Sunset gave a small smile and nodded as the bus they were on came to a stop outside the school.

Sunset took a breath to calm her nerves and got up with the rest of her friends to get off the bus. As they were walking down the aisle Sunset saw Twilight’s wrist cast. “Hey Twi.”

Twilight looked up to see who was talking. “Oh, hey Sunset.”

Sunset pointed to the cast. “How’s your wrist?”

Twilight lifted her arm. “It doesn’t hurt too much anymore. Thanks for asking.”

Sunset and Twilight continued walking down the aisle. They were almost at the bus door now.

Sunset looked to Twilight again. “You know I’m sorry, right?”

Twilight nodded her head as they walked down the stairs and off the bus. “Mhmm. It wasn’t your fault Sunset. You were……” Twilight tried to find the right words, “not yourself at the time.”

Sunset sighed. “I still feel really bad about it.”

Sunset and Twilight stepped off the bus and onto the pavement.

Twilight smiled at Sunset. “Well, if it helps, I forgive you.” she said soothingly.

Sunset smiled back. ‘I wish it did.’ she thought sadly.

They walked over to where the rest of their friends and the other school kids were. Sunset cocked a hip and looked at CHS. “Well...first day of school.” she said.

“YAAY! FIRST DAY OF SCHOOOOL!” Pinkie Pie yelled as she jumped up in the air and pumped her fist.

They all laughed at Pinkie’s enthusiasm for school, but their laughter was cut off by a frustratingly familiar voice from the inside of another bus that just pulled up and opened its doors.

“MAKE WAY!!” the voice called.

Sunset and her friends all groaned in unison.

A little blue ball with stars on it rolled to a stop at the foot of the bus outside. It exploded and smoke poured everywhere. “THE GREAT AND TRRRRRIXIE HAS RETURNED!!!”

A moment later Trixie came off the bus and through the smoke. “The most talented girl in the all the world has returned to bring entertainment to all!!!” she shouted in an arrogant tone.

‘Oh my god, she is arrogant.’ Sunset thought angrily to herself.

Back at Sunset's house, the crack in the pendant started glowing, blindingly bright, so much so that it could be seen, even in daylight. Then, the pendant grew blisteringly hot, burning the desk it lay on in Sunset's bedroom. Before long, the desk was smoking and the wood it was made of, started to burn around the pendant. Just before the desk caught fire, the pendant shot up in the air and hovered there.

Just like every other time.

Sunset suddenly took in a sharp breath.

Fluttershy was busy ignoring Trixie when she saw Sunset staring at Trixie with her fists clenched. It appeared as though Sunset was irritated by Trixie’s arrogance.

Fluttershy walked over to Sunset. “Just ignore her Sunset. She’ll stop eventually when she realizes no one’s listening.” Flutters said as she placed a hand on Sunset.

No response.

Flutters arched an eyebrow. “Sunset?”

Nothing.

Fluttershy walked in front of Sunset. “Sunset are you ok-oh my god!”

When Flutters looked at Sunset, she saw that Sunset’s eyes were pools of black. In the middle of each eye, lay a small turquoises pupil, shrunk to pinpricks.

Flutters was shivering all over. She barely managed to speak. “A-A-Applejack?” she whispered.

Flutters then turned to Applejack, who was ten meters away having a conversation with Rarity. After a second Fluttershy took a breath. “Applejack!” she shouted lightly, speed walking over, almost breaking into a run.

She reached Applejack and Rarity. “Applejack?” she asked.

They didn’t appear to hear her. “Applejack?” Fluttershy asked a little bit louder.

This time Flutters got a response, but it wasn’t the one she needed. Rarity turned to her. “Flutters, it’s rude to interrupt people while they’re speaking. Wait your turn please.”

Flutters groaned. She turned to where Sunset was and saw her beginning to walk toward Trixie in a threatening manner.

Flutters started to become more panicked. “Applejack!” she said louder again.

Applejack put her hand up to silence Flutters. “You heard Rarity. Wait.” she said.

Flutters groaned harder. She looked over to Sunset and saw her talking to Trixie aggressively. Fluttershy’s eyes widen and she softly squealed.

Fluttershy didn’t know what to do. The conversation between Sunset and Trixie appeared to be getting more aggressive by the second.

Out of options Fluttershy looked to Applejack and Rarity and took a deep breath. “APPLEJACK!!!!”

Applejack huffed. “Ah’m sorry Rare. Ah’ll talk to ya in a sec.” AJ then turned to Fluttershy. “WHAT!” she yelled.

Then AJ noticed Fluttershy’s panicked expression. “Fluttershy what is it?”

Fluttershy, still a little shocked from AJ yelling at her, shook her head. “S-Sunset.” Flutters then turned around and pointed to where Sunset and Trixie were talking.

AJ didn’t understand. What about Sunset?” she asked.

Fluttershy took another breath and responded. “Her eyes.”

AJ’s eyes widened as she understood what Fluttershy was talking about. She pushed past Fluttershy and immediately began speed walking towards Sunset and Trixie. “SUNSET NOOOO!”

Sunset was talking to Trixie. Trixie had no idea that Sunset had no control over her actions.

Sunset narrowed her eyes. “Is that what you think?”

Trixie wasn’t even looking at Sunset. She waved her hand up in the air like a royal person. “Trixie says yes!” she said.

Sunset looked down, almost regretfully. “Then you leave me no choice...you must be taught a lesson.”

Trixie stopped and lowered her hand when she heard this. “What?” she said as she looked at Sunset. She gasped.

Trixie didn’t even have time to run before Sunset drove her closed fist as hard as she could into Trixie’s jaw, a resounding crunch sound ripping through the air.

Applejack was only three quarters the way there when she saw Sunset punch Trixie. She broke into a run.

The punch that Sunset delivered sent Trixie sprawling to the ground from the front of the bus, to the back of the bus, almost fifteen meters away.

Sunset walked up to Trixie. When she reached Trixie, she bent over her and said, “That’ll teach you. Arrogant bitch.”

Sunset stood up straight and turned to her left to Applejack tackling her at full force into the side of the bus.

Applejack forced Sunset’s arms above Sunset’s head and against the bus. She looked Sunset in the eyes. “Sunset CALM DOWN!”

Sunset looked right back, her demonic eyes boring into Applejack’s own. Applejack resisted the urge to gulp.

AJ blinked and looked back at Sunset. “Sunset,” she began to say slowly, “take a deep breath, and calm down. Now.”

Sunset looked back and pursed her lips. After a moment, seeing that Applejack wasn’t going to let up, Sunset decided to humor Applejack. She smirked and rolled her demonic eyes. After a second she took a big mockingly dramatic breath.

In Sunset's house, the pendant glowed brightly for a few seconds more, before flickering and going out. Then the pendant grow cool. Finally, it dropped to the floor like nothing happened.

After another moment Sunset’s eyes closed.

Applejack waited for Sunset to do something. She didn’t have to wait long.

Sunset shook her head and opened her eyes. “Ugh...ow, my head.” she groaned lightly in mind.

Sunset tried to hold her head, but realized she couldn’t. Sunset looked around to see her hands pinned to the bus. Then she looked in front of her to find Applejack looking back at her with an anticipating expression on her face.

Sunset looked around and asked, “uhh...Why have you pinned me to the bus?”

Applejack smiled a little bit. “Sunset.” AJ let Sunset’s arms down and Sunset rubbed her wrists.

Sunset looked around again. “ umm...I wasn’t here last I remember and now I am.” she narrowed her eyes in thought. “What happened guys?”

Sunset looked at AJ.

The face said it all.

Sunset immediately cupped her hands over her mouth, eyes watering. “What did I do?” she asked Applejack softly.

Applejack lowered her eyes, but Sunset didn’t give her the chance to even hesitate.

Sunset gritted her teeth, tears streaming down her face. “TELL ME WHAT I DID GOD-DAMMIT!!!!” she screamed.

Applejack visibly flinched when Sunset yelled at her, making Sunset’s breath hitch in her throat.

Applejack took a breath and slowly nodded her head. She backed away and led Sunset to an area that students have surrounded. AJ made a gesture and some of the students parted to make room for Sunset to see. By now all of Sunset’s friends were trying to see in the crowd.

Sunset walked in the middle of the crowd.

She gasped.

Trixie was lying there. There was a pool of blood near her mouth. Her jaw was bent unnaturally sideways. Her cheek was caved in her mouth. The entire side of her face was purple and horribly swollen. Trixie was whimpering in a strangled fashion, obviously having trouble breathing.

All of Sunset’s friends had tears in their eyes. Twilight tried to cover up Fluttershy’s eyes but it was too late. Fluttershy heaved and vomited up all of her breakfast bending over as she did so. When Fluttershy stopped throwing up she bent over to her side and fell to the ground, crying because she threw up, and because of Trixie, but mostly Trixie. Twilight rubbed Fluttershy’s back, comforting her.

Sunset didn’t fair much better; though she did manage to avoid throwing up, barely, the site still churned her stomach a lot.

Sunset collapsed to her knees sobbing loudly. “I’m s-s-s-sorry. Oh go-o-od I-I’m s-sor-ry.”

Once they had recovered from the initial shock, Sunset’s friends as well as the other students stared at her, both groups unsure of what to think, both for different reasons.

Inside the school, principal Celestia and vice principal Luna were walking down the hall to the front entrance to go out and greet the kids.

Principal Celestia sighed. “Well, another year is about to begin.”

Vice principal Luna nodded her head. “Yes it is sister. I wonder what magical disaster will happen this time.” she commented.

“Don’t be so cynical Luna. You never know what might come up. Maybe something good will happen this year.” Celestia replied.

Luna just shrugged and continued walking.

When they got to the entrance of the school they noticed all the students gathered in one area, near the back of one of the buses. They also noticed it was awfully quiet. In all of their years of teaching they knew that could mean something really good, or really bad.

The two sisters looked at each other and nodded. They opened the door and exited the school walking straight towards where the students had all gathered.

While they were walking, Luna saw some of the students part and she took that chance to look and see what the students were so interested in. Luna gasped when she saw Sunset kneeling with her face in her hands and what looks like a student lying on the ground. Luna also swore she saw blood.

Celestia heard Luna gasp. “What is i-oh my god.” Celestia said as she saw the blood as well.

The two of them immediately began speed walking towards all the other students, with Luna leading the way.

“Out of my way! Out of my way!” Luna commanded to the students and they all separated so Luna and Celestia could get through.

Luna took one look at Trixie before she looked to the first student she saw and ordered, “Call an ambulance, now.” the student whipped out their phone and a second later they were talking.

Luna bent down near Trixie’s face. Luna had a strong stomach so she didn’t throw up, but it was still a sickening site. Luna leaned her head a little closer and said, “Trixie? Do you hear me?”

Trixie opened her eyes slightly and turned her head slightly to face Luna, her jaw leaning in the opposite direction. She let out a weak, “aaaahhh.” before her head fell again and she lost consciousness.

Vice Principal Luna stood up just as an ambulance and police car pulled up.

Celestia and Luna directed the students out of the way as two paramedics got out of their truck, went to the back of the truck, opened the back doors and pulled out a stretcher.

The students watched as the paramedics went up to Trixie with the stretcher, placed Trixie in the stretcher, put her in the truck and drove away.

After the ambulance drove away, the police officers there immediately began questioning Celestia and Luna, who explained that they had no idea as to how Trixie got hurt as she did.

After a few minutes, the cops stopped talking to the two sister and turned to the crowd of students. “Can anyone tell us what happened to the girl? It’s really important that we find out who has done this, so proper action may possibly be taken.”

The students began to talk amongst themselves; eager to help the police, but unsure what to do, as no one had really been paying attention when it happened, so no one really knew who did it, and Fluttershy hadn't recovered from her vomiting spell.

Just then, Sunset walked through the crowd and in front of the cops. The cop who first spoke to the students looked directly at her. “Do you know who it was miss?” he asked in a polite, but firm tone, making it clear he was professional, but did not like to have his time wasted.

Sunset gulped. ‘I deserve this.’ she thought guiltily to herself. Sunset opened her mouth and said, “Yes.”

The cop blinked. “Who was it?” he asked again.

Sunset took a shaky breath and looked at the cop with her eyes still moist from earlier. “I did it.”

Celestia's and Luna’s jaws dropped.

The world seemed almost silent for a second before the cop looked at Sunset with an appreciative face and said, “Thank you for being upfront.”

Sunset sniffled. “Am I going to prison?”

The cop thought for a moment, studying Sunset as he did so. After a few seconds, he stopped. “You’re clearly remorseful.” he said.

Sunset sniffled again and nodded, feeling fresh tears beginning to well up. “We don’t get along very well. I lost my temper.”

The cop looked around at the property line then back to where the now dried up blood is, then looked back to Sunset and sighed. “You’re lucky kid. This happened within the school grounds so it’s up for the principal to decide what to do with you right now,”

Sunset looked up when she heard this.

“BUT,” the cop held up a finger, “that does not mean I can’t arrest you if the victim-”

“Trixie.” Sunset cut off the cop. “Her name is Trixie.”

The cop nodded in understanding. “That does not mean I can’t arrest you if Trixie decides to press charges against you, so don’t think you’re off the hook.”

Sunset still breathed a sigh of relief.

The cop continued to speak. “With that being said,” he said as he reached into his pant pocket, “we are going to see each again soon,” the cop approached Sunset with a note pad and pen. “I’d like your name and contact number please.”

Sunset wiped her eyes and nodded. “Of course. My name’s Sunset Shimmer and my cell number is 795-0943.”

The cop wrote down the information as she spoke. “9...4...3, okay. Thank you miss Shimmer.”

The cop went over to his car and placed the note pad inside. Then, he turned his head and said, with a playful smirk, “Hey rookie! Stop flirting with civilians!”

The students, Sunset, her friends, Celestia, and Luna all turned their heads to find the other cop being berated with questions and being poked and prodded by Pinkie Pie. He was smiling proudly the whole time.

Everybody laughed as the first cops’ joke made the second cop snap out of his trance and blush furiously. He speed walked over to the car where the first cop was also laughing, saying “sorry lieutenant!” over and over again the whole way there. The two cops got in their car and drove off. Pinkie Pie was standing there confused before starting to giggle as well, getting the joke.

After a minute of laughing Sunset’s friends approached her from the crowd. Applejack out her hand on Sunset’s shoulder. “Ah’m proud of ya Sunset. You owned up to your misdeeds. And on top of that you managed to avoid jail time!” she said happily.

Sunset frowned. “Maybe. Trixie could still press charges against me.”

AJ smirked. “Well at least you’ve avoided jail time right now. So until that cop calls ya, you’ve gotten away with this scott free.”

“I wouldn’t bet on that.”

Sunset and AJ turned to see Vice Principal Luna looking at them with an unhappy expression. ‘Spoke too soon AJ.’ Sunset thought bitterly to herself.

Luna and Celestia approached Sunset and AJ as their friends went up beside them, prepared to hear Sunset’s punishment, if she was going to get a punishment.

Luna spoke with a deceptively calm tone. “Tell me what happened. In detail.”

And so Sunset's friends began explaining what had been happening to Sunset all the way to when she punched Trixie.

Celestia put her hand on her chin. “So, what you’re telling me is that after that incident on the bus, Sunset has continued to lose control of her magic?”

Sunset and all of her friends nodded.

Celestia continued. “And each incident almost or has led to injury of one of you, and in this case a bystander?”

They all nodded again.

Luna thought for a moment, looking between Sunset and her friends. “Well, since you clearly weren’t in control of your actions, it wouldn’t be fair to punish you…”

Sunset’s eyes lifted slightly at this.

Luna continued. “But, with that being said, you’re not in control of your actions, meaning you’re a danger to the students here, as indicated by today’s incident, so please understand…”

Sunset’s eyes began to well again when she heard the word ‘danger’.

“...when I ask you not to return to this school until you have this issue figured out.” Luna finished.

Celestia looked at her sister in disbelief. Luna looked back and said softly, “We have to think for everyone’s well-being. You know that.”

Celestia nodded slowly in recognition.

Celestia turned her head over to Sunset, who had tears streaming down her face. “Sunset I hope you understand. We have to think of everyone’s well-being. Not just yours.”

Sunset looked at her principle with guilt ablaze in her eyes. “Oh I understand perfectly.” she said. Then Sunset pushed past all her friends and ran off to only she knew where, crying as she did so.

Sunset ran down street after street, intent on getting home. ‘I knew I couldn’t handle it.’ she thought angrily to herself. She dried her tears and continued running home. ‘No sense crying about it.’

Sunset eventually arrived home. She forcefully opened the door and ran upstairs. When she opened the door to her bedroom and walked in she immediately noticed the pendant lying on the floor. Sunset walked over to it and bent down. She waved her hand over it and picked it up after finding it wasn't hot.

Sunset held the pendant in her fingers and turned it over a few times, examining it. The crack was still there as it was before.

Sunset shook her head and frowned. "It can't be ignored anymore." She said to herself sadly. "I've hurt too many people."

Sunset looked over to the desk beside the bed and saw a circular burn mark. It had obviously come from the pendant. She closed her eyes and shook her head, fighting the tears that were threatening to fall again.

Sunset opened a drawer on the desk and pulled out a pen and her book. She closed the drawer and sat on the bed. She opened the book to a blank page. She gritted her teeth. "I swear Twilight, if you don't get this I will go to Equestria and drag you here myself." she said with a determined voice.

Sunset pressed the pen to the page and wrote in big letters, “I’M TURNING INTO A SHE-DEMON AGAIN!!! HELP!!!”

Taking a breath to calm herself, Sunset closed the book rather hard, set it down on the floor, and led back completely exhausted due to all the running she did. ‘I hope this works Twilight. I need you.’ Sunset thought to herself as she closed her eyes and fell asleep.

Author's Note

Hello everypony! That's all for chapter 4. The story's starting to pick up now. Ohhh it's exciting isn't it? don't forget to like if you enjoyed reading and also comment! I can't stress enough how much I want you guys to comment! I'm really curious as to what you think about the story and how you think it could be improved! So comment I'll try to read as many as I can! I'll try to answer any questions you might have!

Anyway...That's all I have to say for now...See you guys next update! BYEEEE!!!