Chapters As the sky starts to rain
Sonatas POV
Sonata is sitting on the edge of a building looking down. It wouldn't hurt too much if she fell, it would be quick it would be painless. She couldn't take it anymore her sisters, have left her alone and she just wanted to die. She's wanted to for a long time but couldn't find out how she wanted to do it, she's been trying to make up her mind for quite a while now. Sonata didn't have the money for pills they were just too damn expensive, she didn't have the guts to drown herself or to hang herself. So they left her two options, either jump or to cut herself even more than she already has.
Sonata began to rub her arms of the memory, her fingers tracing the cuts on her arm. She just couldn't bring herself to cut deep enough to pose a threat on her life. So out of frustration and anger, she threw the blade in her hand off the roof of the building.
" I trusted you, I loved you, we were family, so why did you leave?" it was a thought that has been running through her mind the last three weeks, it's been three weeks since the Battle of the Bands. It's been three weeks since the sirens lost their magic. It's been three weeks since Sonata has seen her sisters. Three weeks since they left. She didn't have the money to pay for her apartment or enough money to even pay for food, she's been living on the streets. It wasn't easy for her to find enough food to keep herself from starving to death, but that was all she could do.
Sonata couldn't rely on the students for help, the last time she ran into a group of students whatever her name was and her two friends. " I think their names were Fleet Foot, Lightning Dust and this guy named Iron Will" Sonata pondered out loud. They had chased her away from the school, threatening that if they saw her again she wouldn't walk away. The last straw that drove Sonata to try to kill herself was the Rainbooms, she tried to talk to them to try to apologize only to have it thrown back in her face. The only one that seemed to really care about what happened to her was Sunset Shimmer.
"Sunset Shimmer" Sonata laughed out loud.
"Even after everything I did, you still feel bad for me? Why. Well, you won't have to worry about me anymore, no one will." Sonata said to no one, the roof was empty and as she looked over the edge she could see how far the fall will be. Three stories straight down she wouldn't feel a thing when she landed. She decided that's how she would go, she would fall three stories to the cold pavement below. As if the sky itself was mocking her, it started to rain soaking Sonata and the roof and the ground. To know that she was going to die today... She was going to die alone with no one to care for her. It's what would be best for everyone because she didn't matter. Not to anyone. She stood and walked even closer to the edge preparing to take that final step to end it all. She picked up one foot ready to step over the edge she heard someone scream her name.
"Sonata!"
Sunsets POV
Sunset has just finished meeting up with the rest of the Rainbooms after band practice. She was making her way back home, which is actually thankfully close to the school. As Sunset walked down the side walk she was limping, It was an old injury that happened years ago and was barely noticeable though, noticeable if she was carefull. She began to think back on her day, on her past and her mistakes. It's been 3 weeks since sunset has earned the trust of almost the entire school which she was quite happy with. It has been a long time since the Fall Formal and even longer since she left Equestria.
She was once so full of rage and anger she wanted to control everything and everyone that she could. She had become a tyrant, and a bully, no one would dare stand up to her. That was... Until Twilight Sparkle came to this world and stepped in between Sunset and Fluttershy. Then Twilight Sparkle One the Fall Formal which led to her stealing the princess's crown and turning into a raging she-demon. After the darkness was purged from her she could barely cope, she couldn't go a single day in school without getting nudged, verbally assaulted and threatened. Sunset fell into a depression and did things that she now regretted. Her-self torment continued until after the Rainbooms called for her help to defeat the Dazzlings.
It's been 3 weeks since Sunset has seen the Dazzlings and she was growing worried. Since it was scared that they might be in the same place that she had been in. So tonight instead of going home back to her three bedroom apartment, with a nice hot shower. On this cloudy day, she's choosing to go searching for the Dazzlings to offer them forgiveness. To give them the same help at the Rainbooms have given her.
That's when she heard it, someone crying out saying " I trusted you, I loved you, we were a family" Sunset could tell that was one of the sirens but, the words were worrying her even more. As Sunset began to walk towards the voice she realized it came from the roof of one of the nearby buildings. As she made her way towards the said building she, could hear more of what the siren was saying. It wasn't until sunset reached the stairs that led to the roof when she heard her name.
"sunset shimmer". She was just noticing that the sky had started raining like it was grieving for something or someone. The mentioned girl froze, thinking that she had been seen. Only for the siren to continue, but the words she said next... chilled Sunset to the bone.
"After everything I did, you still feel bad for me? Why? Well, you don't have to worry about me anymore, no one will." That got Sunset moving, fast. She ran up the three flights of stairs, hoping that you won't be too late. Reaching of the roof as the siren, which since sunset recognized as Sonata, was about to step over the edge. Time slowed as she did the only thing she thought she could do, she screamed out her name. Hoping to get her to stop what she was about to do.
"Sonata!"
Author's Note
Hi, everyone! I hope you enjoyed my first story so far on Fimfiction, this story will have 2-3 chapters depending on how long it will take to clean up some of the loose ends.
As always criticism is appreciated.
" sonata!"
The siren froze, not expecting anyone to find her or to be looking. As she turned around her eyes like a deer in headlights, too face Sunset. Sonata couldn't believe it that someone actually came looking for her. But it didn't matter now, she was going to do the world a favor. After all the world will be better with her gone, so why did she step away from the edge?
"S-Sunset? Why are you here? You should just go..." The siren pleaded. Not wanting anyone to see what she was about to do. Sunset brain started to function again after the initial shock of seeing the youngest siren so close to the edge. She began walking closer, slowly as if the girl was a wild animal that might run at the slightest misstep. When she got about two yards away sunset took a closer look at sonata, and she looked awful.
The siren has always been thin, but now? She looks like she was starving, and it was obvious that she hadn't taken care of herself. She wasn't wearing her makeup, her hair hung loose free of its usual ponytail. Gone was her pretty outfit that she wore during the Battle of the Bands, replaced by an old black sweatshirt and a pair of ripped jeans. She wasn't wearing bracelets and of course, she didn't have her amulet. The normally cheerful and airheaded sirens usual smile was gone, replaced by a look of sadness and fear. Her eyes just seemed empty with big bags under her eyes. Her looks were so different that if it wasn't for her unique hair Sunset wouldn't have been able to tell it was her. The most noticeable difference though was the fact that neither of her sisters was there and that only made her worry more.
" sonata?" sunset began. "what are you doing here and why?" Sunset chose not to bring up her sisters thinking that might be part of the reason why she was here. Regardless of why though, there was no reason for her to be up here. And she would do whatever it takes to stop her.
It took awhile for Sonata to reply, but when she did it only confirmed what Sunset thought. "I'm here because I deserve it, I'm here because no one cares about me and it's better if I just die..." with each reason Sonata gave, she inched towards the edge once more. Making sunsets heart quicken, she might not know what happened to the siren but it didn't matter.
The only thing that mattered right now was it Sonata got down safely. She didn't care that it was getting dark, she didn't care but the rain was getting heavier and she didn't care where her sisters were. Sonata was what she had to focus on and that she did.
" don't Sonata, you don't have to do this" sunset pleaded trying to get the young siren down. Only for sonata to snap back".
"Yes, I do!" The girl yelled, her eyes alight with fury. " I have no one, my sisters left me, and after everything, I did to everyone with my cursed powers... I deserve it" she turned her back to Sunset looking over the edge ready to jump. She picked up her foot and prepared to step forward, that was until she felt a hand grab her wrist. Flinching as a hand wrapped around one of the cuts.
That didn't go unnoticed by sunset but she didn't bring it up. "Sonata..." Sunset said her name softly, in her no-nonsense tone. "You may feel alone right now, but that doesn't mean that there's no one who's willing to give you a chance it only takes one person to make up your entire world. You're stronger than this! And I will do the same thing my friends did for me. I'll give you a chance, all you have to do is accept it. Besides..." Sunset added with a small sad chuckle. "It will be great to have someone else from Equestria with me, you don't know how many looks I get when I say Everypony" Sonata chuckle but her face remained grim because there is still the question that she had that Sunset needed to answer.
"Why? Why would you go far to try and help me even after everything I've done, after everything I've put you through and what I've said to you." Sonata needed to hear this she needed to hear that someone cared about her, she needed to hear that she would never be alone that she could have friends. But a part of her still felt like she didn't deserve it.
It was Sunsets turn to surprise Sonata. " I won't tell you that you deserve to be forgiven because maybe you don't." Sonata whimpered because she knew it was true. She opened her mouth to say something and was cut off by Sunset. "But..." She began. "You do deserve the chance to prove that you can change. Like a friend once told me, 'You can brace the magic of friendship or you can forever be alone. The choice is yours.' so please Sonata let me show you that it's worth giving friendship a chance and that you don't have to use control for there to be people that will have your back."
And so for the first time in weeks sonata, let exhaustion take her and collapsed against Sunset.
Author's Note
little bit shorter one this time, but there is already another 1 on the way!
Vinyl shuddered to think of what would have happened if she hadn't followed Sunset into the bathroom that day. What would have happened if she'd been too late, and what would have-
Vinyls thoughts were interrupted by tapping on the window, looking up she saw that it was Octavia she quickly got out and open up the door for her. Luckily Octavia didn't have practice today so she wouldn't have to throw her cello into the back seat, giving sunset and Sonata room to sit. Octavia much like Vinyl new how important this was and didn't waste time and gets in, the only thing being said between the two was 'drive'.
Vinyl turned up the radio due to the deafening silence in the car, hearing the music oddly made her think of the school's janitor Mr. Draconicus. Been in the situation that they were in at the moment that's still made vinyl smile. While there was nothing wrong with the prank-loving janitor it was his disregard of the rules that made him everyone's favorite non- educator. Much too principal Celestia and vice principal Luna's dismay. The song ended they were about a quarter of the way to the Ponyville warehouse and vinyl received a text from sunset.
SS: where are you?
VS: on my way be there in about 7 min
SS: good. Can you pick something up 4 me?
VS: yeah what?
SS: some tacos, Sonata seemed to like them and if I'm right she hasn't eaten in a couple of days.
VS: consider it done.
Octavia looked at vinyl questionly when they turned into the drive-thru of Canterlot King. Vinyl passed her phone over to Octavia so she can order. This was another inconvenience caused by vinyl disability, she could never order anything alone. She held up her hands all fingers, closed them and held up two more. " twelve? Are you sure of it Vinyl? There's only going to be four of us and sunset doesn't eat meat." when Octavia was finished she handed finals phone back to vinyl so that she could reply.
VS: Yeah. 2 4 you and me. then 8 4 the siren.
Octavia looked shocked. "are you sure that she can eat eight tacos Vinyl? I mean I have a hard time eating three." Vinyl just nodded her head and response, she had seen the pile of tacos overloaded on her tray during Taco Tuesday so she knew she could eat quite a few. After they got their food and pulled out of Canterlot King turn the music back up. After a little bit Octavia looked over Vinyl what disapproving eyes. " must you listen to something so crass?" again Vinyl just nodded, which resulted in Octavia rolling her eyes. " very well but I am picking the next song". And of course, with no other options, she agreed.
The song was over the Ponyville Warehouse was in view. It wasn't until they had arrived and got out of the car that Octavia spoke " this siren, you don't think she tried to... Do it, do you?" vinyl only responded with a shrug, there's no point in worrying about it. They won't know until Sunset gets here. She knew from experience the worrying only made things worse so so she decided to just sit next to the car, close her eyes and wait.
It hadn't been long when they heard Sunset call out. "Scratch! Tavi! Is that you?
"Yeah, it's us sunset!" Sunset emerged from the shadows, limping. With an unconscious Sonata on her back, Vinyl and Octavia rushed forward and helped support the siren Before Sunset dropped her. With Vinyl grabbing her arms and Octavia grabbing her legs. The three girls curing the unconscious siren to the car, Sunset begin to fill them in. The excess strain of carrying the girl on her back wasn't doing her leg any favors.
30 minutes later
Vinyl and Octavia's car pulled into the parking lot of sunsets apartment complex. They got out and continued to carry Sonata to the front door of sunsets apartment, luckily she was on the bottom floor. When they got in they first laid Sonata on the couch so that Sunset could get her bed ready. Her apartment wasn't the biggest but it was certainly livable for the three people living there. It had three bedrooms, a bathroom, a kitchen/dining room, a living room and an office, the living room walls were a light cream color with new navy blue curtains that Rarity had made for her. As Sunset walked into her bedroom, which had the same colored walls and curtains as the living room it also had a twin bed with red covers and orange sheets. There was also a wooden desk and chair pulled up against one of the walls for work, along with a white dresser with a mirror. The other bedrooms aren't much different the only real difference was the color schemes. With one cover being blue and yellow, the other being russet and hunter green. The office was bare.
Sunset double checked to make sure that the bed was made then she folded down the blankets so that they could put Sonata into it bit easier in case she didn't wake up soon.
When Sunset had finished she walked back into the kitchen to see vinyl and Octavia eating tacos with Sonata still laying on the couch. As she took a seat at the table across from Vinyl and Octavia she braced herself for the questions to come. So wordlessly Sunset handed Vinyl the Whiteboard that she kept on the fridge and waited for the first question.
"Sunset dear," Octavia started. " I know you texted Vinyl but she has yet to explain everything to me, so I would be glad to hear your side of the story" Vinyl nodded her head in agreement.
Sunset saw this one coming so she took a deep breath and begin to relay her tale. " I was walking home from school when I heard something on the roof of the Ponyville Warehouse. I followed it until I could make out who it was and what that person was saying. As you can see it was Sonata and she told me that..." Octavia and vinyl glanced at each other while she was speaking. Sunsets voice cracked as she remembered what Sonata told her. "That her sisters left her an that she wanted to die." a tear tracked down sunsets face as she continued her tale. "I had to talk her down from the roof and shortly after she collapsed. That's when I texted Vinyl"
it was Vinyls turn to ask a question
Why did you text me, not one of your band mates?
There was no hesitation in Sunsets voice when she answered Vinyl, "You are one of my closest friends and I know that I can trust you with this. You two and nurse Redheart are the only ones that know what I tried to do that day, so I trust you with this secret too. There's also the fact that it was the rainbooms fault that this happened, my self inclu-." Sunset would have continued if it wasn't for a noise in the living room.
Author's Note
wow. that took a while.
anyway here's the next chapter hope you enjoy
Sonata POV
Sonata opened her eyes to find herself in a strange place, one she didn't recognize. She was lying on a couch, there was a TV, a rug, there is a blanket over her and a roof over her head. She didn't really care about where she was at the moment, Sonata was exhausted and intended to fall back to sleep. So she closed her eyes and let her mind wander. Trying to remember what happened.
My day started like usual, as usual waking up next to a pile of trash can be. After I got breakfast (half eaten cheeseburger someone threw away) I went to the park to watch the birds. It had gotten cloudy so I had to leave, then... Then what?I went to take cover in a warehouse, then I started thinking… The roof, I went up there and I wanted to jump, It started raining so what stopped me?... I was talking to Sunset on the roof cry-... Sunset!
Sonatas eyes flew open when she remembered what happened. She tried to jump to her feet but she forgot about the blanket wrapped around her and came crashing to the ground with a loud thump, landing in a jumbled mess of cloth and limbs. Shouts of alarm could be heard from outside of Sonatas field of vision, along with the sounds of footsteps moving closer.
“Sonata! Are you hurt?”
“I must say, that seemed like quite a fall”
When they entered her field of vision she saw three people. A grey-skinned girl with long black hair and light purple eyes. A white skinned girl with messy short electric blue hair and purple shades. Then there was Sunset. The siren said nothing and just stared back at the girls. Until the blue haired one took the other girl by the shoulder and led her out of the room. Only giving Sunset a nod. Sunset the set to work, trying to free the frozen siren from her prison. When Sonata heard the door open another voice called out. "don't worry about Astral and Comet love, they can stay at our place as Sonata settles in." With that, the door closed.
After about five minutes both Sunset and Sonata were sitting on the couch, each waiting for the other to say the first word. Each thinking deeply. Sonata was thinking about her sisters and how Sunset saved her.
My family left me then Sunset came. Why did she stop me? Sonata thought to herself. “It didn't make any sense. Sunset, out of all people should have hated me the most. She was from CHS, the school that my sisters and I tried to take over. She was a Rainboom, one of the ones that I had tried to destroy. She…” Her thoughts went on, trying to find out why Sunset would give a buck about her. Not finding any. While Sunset was thinking about how similar this was to that day.
Flashback
Sunsets eyes began to flutter open, the brightness of the room making her close them. It had taken her several minutes to readjust her eyes enough to see. Upon opening them, she could see a light blue curtain surrounding the bed which she was laying in. The curtain did not reach the floor and it wasn't attached to the ceiling. The ceiling was a familiar tan color. School. So that's where she was. The hard bed and thin white blanket told her that it was the nurse's office. Focusing harder Sunset heard a voice, it was a woman's voice and she seemed to be having a one-sided conversation. The sound of pencil on paper could also be heard.
“I must say that you found her just in time”
Just in time, what happened to me?
"Indeed any longer and she might have caused serious harm to herself."
What?!
"Yes, there will be scars on her arms."
My arms?
Sunset looked down at her arms, eyes widening to find bandages on them. Bloodstained.
"You can't blame yourself. Mind you that they would have been much worse had you not followed her to the bathroom..."
The bathroom? When did I g-
Sunsets entire body froze as she recalled what happened a mere half hour ago. It had taken her a while to regain control of her own limbs and be able to think again. She had completely lost track of her surroundings, let alone the conversation. She hadn't noticed the curtain opened to reveal a blue-haired DJ and nurse Redheart and she didn't notice when she started crying. She had regained cognitive thought just as Vinyl Scratch sat down in a chair next to her bed while Nurse RedHeart closed the curtains behind her to give the two girls privacy. Vinyl repositioned the chair to face Sunset as she sat up. Offering the girl a bottle of water which resided in one hand, the other holding a pencil and paper. Words placed randomly placed and messy as if frantically written. She also noticed the blood, there were fingerprints and smears. Sunset could barely read some of the words. “Will she be ok? I found her... “there were a few more sentences but were too messy for Sunsets clouded brain to process.
She jumped when Vinyl reached over and brushed an unnoticed tear from Sunsets face. Vinyl sat looking at sunset expectantly. Waiting for Sunset to do something, anything. She opened her mouth and closed it, unable to form words. Still Vinyl waited for Sunset, a look in her eyes. She seemed to be expecting something, but what? Her mind began to flash back to the events the day before. The yelling, the confrontations, the accusations, the threats, she had been tripped, spat on, and pushed. The notes, the names, her locke-
It was this, the memory of her locker with hateful words written all over it. That was what made her break down and cry. Vinyl embraced her, allowing Sunset to bury her face in the crook of her neck. For the first time in years, she let herself break down in the arms of another. The last and only one being her mentor Princess Celestia. Not letting thoughts of her own parents enter her mind.
Sunsets POV
She snapped out of her trance-like state by the sound of a sniff coming across the table. Her eyes meeting the sirens and surprised. Seeing a tear trek down the other girl's cheek. Sunset reached over and brushed the unnoticed tear away, and she leaned closer to trap the crying girl in an embrace.
Author's Note
WOW! that took a while, but I am quite proud of this chapter. So any thoughts?
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The Rules and Past of Sunset Shimmer Part 1 of five
Sunset asked why would Sonata try such a thing and found herself growing more horrified by the second as Sonata slowly explained the past three weeks to her.
As Sunset stared in shock at Sonata, after hearing what everyone had said to her she was furious. They made fun of her for being homeless. They threatened her and called her names. They pushed her and tripped her. They made fun of the fact that her sisters had left her and worst of all, they told her to “do the world a favor and kill herself”.
Never in all the years of Sunsets stay at CHS did Sunset think that the students of CHS could be so cruel. She knew that there were other bullies besides herself but unlike them, Sunset had a code that consisted of eight rules. Rule number one, no bullying students for abusive families. She saw that as just wrong. Rule number two, no bullying students for broken homes. In her mind, only true monsters would do such a thing and she wasn't one, not really. Those rules where some of the more easy ones to use as blackmail because of their want to keep it a secret. However, it's really just common sense not to be so heartless.
Then there were the easier things to pick up and target on. Rule number three, no bullying students for disabilities. It doesn't matter to Sunset if someone had a limp or dyslexia, she would still bully them but leave their disabilities out of it. Rule number four, no bullying students for their sexuality. Being from Equestria where having same-sex couples was just as common as different-sex couples, she didn't really care.
One of these are hard to pick up on and the other won't work for long. Rule number five, no bullying students for their home life. They will do anything to keep it a secret which means that you could have them do whatever they want and again it's something that decent people just don't do. Rule number six no physical assault. She might knock books out of students hands or slam lockers shut but never did she hit, kick or trip other students. This method never works anyway, it would be only a matter of time before someone bigger than her, tries to get revenge which would likely end up with her in the hospital.
The last two rules are the most important. The first is to never break the other seven rules. That's pretty self-explanatory. She wanted to have everyone scared of her, not hate her, she has to be discreet and not take things too far. If you kept bullying people for things they can't help then they might take things too far and try to hurt her or themselves. If you were physically abusive to others then eventually you are going to be attacked or betrayed by those that serve under you. The last rule and the most important rule is that no one else hurts those on the list.
This wasn't common knowledge to everyone. In fact, the only people that knew of the list was the other bullies that picked the wrong targets or the targets themselves. The people on the list were under her “protection”. In Other words, Sunset did not let anyone but herself bully that specific student and anyone that did pay for it. The people under her list where people with disabilities. Like Derpy who suffers from Strabismus and Vinyl Scratch who suffers from Aphonia.
Then there are also people in the list without much money, like the Apple family. They have an entire farm to take care of and they owe a lot of money to Filthy Rich. There is also Microchips. While he does make a lot of money fixing computers for the school, the parts don't come cheap so he barely manages to break even. Then there's Fluttershy, the only reason why she doesn't have much money is cause almost all of it goes to the animal shelter she volunteered at. That doesn't stop the bullies from picking on her for it, but Sunset makes sure it won't happen again.
Most names on the list, however, are from broken homes and abusive or families where loved ones have died. The students from broken homes are more drastic, hardworking or shy, some even try to show off. Like the Apple family, they are all hardworking. Big Macintosh, Applejack, and Applebloom lost their parents in an accident. Big Macintosh doesn't talk much and focuses on his work. Applejack talks with others fine but tends to overwork herself during Applebucking season and Applebloom will do almost anything for attention. They are not the only ones though. Trixie Lulamoon also lost her father, who was killed onstage during one of his performances by a failed stunt. Now she tries to follow in his footsteps as a stage magician but, her attitude and talking in third person made her the perfect target for bullies.
The worse of the three though was abusive families. There was only one student at CHS that Sunset knew was once part of an abusive family, Scootaloo. One day Sunset overheard her crying to herself about said home life and Sunset quickly put a stop to it and sent an anonymous message to child services. Now? Thanks to a few bribes and calling is a large number of favors. She is living with her sister Rainbow Dash and the athlete's parents.
Only one person besides Sunset knew for sure that this list exists, she didn't even tell Snips and Snails about it because it would raise suspicions. That person, of course, was the one person that she trusted with her own life. Vinyl Scratch and when Vinyl asked her “why? Why keep a list, and why have these rules anyway?” The only way to answer that was for Sunset to tell Vinyl her past. Which lined up with a lot of her rules, not all but a lot...
Author's Note
Yeah, I had this idea and wanted to try this out. I'm already almost done with the next chapter, its gonna be done by the end of the day. The last one might be posted then also (eastern time)
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Rules and Past of Sunset Shimmer Part 2 of five
Author's Note
I hope you enjoy this chapter. If you haven't noticed by now I like to give my characters without confirmed (in the show) backstorys their own backstory so I can integrate them into my story. You shall see more of our favorite muffin fan and scooter pro!
Rules and Past of Sunset Shimmer Part 2 of five
Trigger warnings child abuse
In Order to understand her motives and rules for bullying, you need to understand her past from before she came to this world and what she had to do to survive in this one.
Sunset was born in Manehattan, both of her parents where unicorns. Her mother’s name was Sunrise Shimmer and she was a doctor at the general hospital. She was also one of the best artists in Manehattan. Her father’s name was Starset Shimmer and he was an astronomer and writer, so her family was well off money wise. She had everything she could ever want and for years she was happy. That is until her mom got into a carriage accident.
Her father always seemed sad but he still told his daughter that things were going to be ok. Sunset wasn't stupid, she had sneaked some of the doctor's papers and knew enough of what it meant. The words that stood out to her was, coma, spinal injury and collapsed lung. She knew that her mom won't be ok, even if she woke up but she still put on an act for her father. Always trying to cheer him up. However it seemed like no matter what the seven-year-old filly would do, never worked. It went like that in a circle for weeks, doctors talk to the dad, the dad talks to the daughter and then the daughter would try to cheer up the dad. It only ended when Sunrise passed away.
That's when things got bad, it was tough when Sunrise was in the hospital but at least she was in the hospital. Starset could not cope with the death of his wife and he started drinking, nothing too bad just a bottle here and there. Of course, everything starts out small. His boss caught him drinking on the job and fires him. That meant no job and no more money. Starset starts to drink constantly afterward. The only time he was seen without a bottle in his hoof was when he was asleep. That meant Sunset had to care for herself, in the morning she went to the local bakery and helped there usually getting something to eat in return. She has inherited her mother's talent for painting so she would go to the library where they held arts and crafts activities in the afternoon. Then she made enough money for dinner, selling the art she made by going house to house. It was enough bits to buy both Starset and Sunset a hay burger for dinner and then she would return home and give the remaining bits to her father.
It stayed that way for half a year, this was the first time her birthday had come and gone without her father's knowledge, he had his eyes set on another mare. Another drunk he met at the bar with a lot of money. Barely a week had passed before she moves in with Starset. Suddenly they had more money, but Sunset still had to do her routes to survive. Now it was harder for her though because no one wanted posters of last years models or stars. Now everyone wanted self-portraits done by the best artists in all of Equestria not some little filly still school age. The bakery had hired an assistant so they no longer needed her help. Now she had to make enough bits to cover breakfast lunch and dinner. It seemed as if her father had forgotten her.
It was like that for a few weeks, until her father decided that beer wasn't enough. No with the money he and his marefriend had they decided to try the new Tartarus Springs Vodka 80%. Sunset would have preferred to have been forgotten. See, the beer had been enough to get her father passed out drunk. Anything stronger and he got mean, really mean. The other mare just didn't care what Starset did. It was no different to her if he kissed the mare or hit Sunset. He did both... a lot. When Sunset was eight all she had to do was behave and obey his strict rules, when she was almost nine it got worse.
She would wake up on the floor, Starset had sold her things weeks ago. Then she would try to sneak out the front door, if he was awake he hit her with his hooves. Celestia forbids she woke him up, but if she did she was hit with either a discarded bottle or a curtain rod or a switch. Anything that was at hoof really. Then she would have to grab a cloak to had her bruises and cuts from everypony. Then she would make her way to the park to draw portraits, or anything really for anypony willing to pay for it. Then she would stash some of the bits she made and she would leave the rest on the counter and try to make her way up the stairs without being spotted. Hoping she had made enough to please her father or she would get another beating. There were some days when the park was really busy and filled with poneys wanting a drawing of themselves done and she comes home with plenty of bits. This wasn't one of those days, and Sunset could hear her father yelling for her downstairs.
They rarely spoke with each other but when they did it didn't end well for her. This time was no different. She walked down the stairs, hooves shaking as she says the man which was once her father with a furious expression on his face and her bag of bits in his hand.
“WHAT IS THIS!” He yelled
“It's… a bag of… bits?” She replied timidly, not wanting to anger him further.
“N..No” Her answer was met with another strike
“WHAT WAS THAT!” He was towering over the cowering filly now. When Sunset didn't say anything he continued. “I know that this is a bag of bits” He repeated Sunsets answer “what I want to know is, WHERE IS THE REST OF IT!” Sunset looked down to her hooves, she must have stashed more then she realized. She almost had enough bits to leave, it tomorrow went ok then she would be in Canterlot by morn-
She way stars and landed on her side, her thoughts were disrupted by her father swinging the bag of gold coins at her head. “LOOK AT ME WHEN IM TALKING TO YOU” He roared “TWENTY BITS! THE. NEXT. TIME. YOU. AND. YOUR. LAZY. FLANK. PULL. SUCH. A. PATHETIC. AMOUNT. OF. BITS. AGAIN. IM. GOING. TO. PUNISH. YOU. SO. BAD. YOU. WONT. BE. ABLE. TO. WALK. FOR. A. YEAR!
Each word was met with another hit to the ten-year-old filly, who was trying desperately to cover her head and chest from the blows that were raining down upon her. “Keep our pathetic bunch of bits” He spat. “I want twice as much the usual tomorrow or you're going to regret it.” Starset threw the bag of bits at Sunset and brought both his front hooves down on Sunsets right back leg with the force of a stampeding buffalo. Breaking it, to make a point. The filly screamed and cried, but not just tears of pain. Tears of joy, she had enough for the train ticket to Canterlot! She could leave today. Even through the pain, she began to think of her escape plan.
It would take normally take her an hour to walk to the train station but, with her leg, it will take twice as long. The train would leave for three hours so she needed to get everything ready and buy her ticket in one hour. All she had was a saddle bag and a cloak which was by the door.
“Dad? I'm going to go see if I can make you some more bits ok” She asked hesitantly. She froze for a full minute, after no response she figured he had passed out again. Thankfully. She put on her saddlebag first, to hide her bits then she put on her cloak. Then she was out the door, taking care to not put any weight on her back leg. More importantly careful not to make any noise.
Then she left.
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Rules and Past of Sunset Shimmer Part 3 of five & (Arrival) bonus chapter
Something has gone wrong. We don't seem to have an archived copy of that chapter. View Online
First day and past of Sunset shimmer part four of five
As the group of girls waited for first bell they compared their schedules. Sunset, Rainbow Dash, Fluttershy, Pinkie Pie, Sonata and someone else was sharing first-period calculus class. Much to Rainbows excitement, she could get help from the two students with the highest math grades in their year. Applejack has world language and Rarity has world history, much to their disappointment. Just as they had finished comparing schedules however the bell rang and the girls said their goodbyes.
Sonatas POV
Going to class
When walked into the school, nobody seemed to notice her and she was grateful for it. She looked back at Sunset. Sonata had really gotten to know the girl, even though she hasn't known Sunset for long, she knows some things that even the other girls don't know. One, Sunset has a limp. Not telling how she got it. Two, Sunset had lived on the streets for a good part of her life. Three, Sunset was in a similar position as Sonata when a friend saved her. Although the first two secrets were a surprise to her and not for the reason you think. Sunset Shimmer had a flaw and nobody noticed. Sunset Shimmer, now eighteen lived on the streets for two years and no one noticed.
They got to the first period and the room quieted. As Sunset showed Sonata where she would be sitting, it became clear that they were trying to protect her. Sitting down she looked at the people near her, she recognized five faces. including Sunset who was sitting to the right of her. There was also Rainbow dash who sat behind her. Pinkie Pie is sitting in front of her and Fluttershy was sitting next to Sunset. To her left, there was the girl that Sonata had met before but didn't know her name.
First period went by slow, the teacher Mr.Cranky Doodle was really boring.
Second period was much the same, but it was around third period when news of Sonatas return had finally spread. Although most people had no clue what to do about it so, for the most part, they left her alone. As Sonata made her way to physics with AppleJack and the other girl, who she now knows is named Vinyl Scratch. physics also went by really smoothly or, as smoothly as possible.
Sunsets POV
Sunset and Sonata parted ways after first period. While they both had elective periods, they chose differently with Sonata going for drama and Sunset going for Law. She couldn't help but worry. She found it hard to focus and realized that her thoughts were drifting back to after she had left home…
Flashback!
After arriving at canterlot an orange filly stepped out of the train and into the busy streets. Her back leg still burned from breaking but it was manageable. Counting her bits, she had enough for some food and supplies. Quickly walking to a supply store she buys a large coil of twine and two wooden boards, quickly making a brace for her back leg. That left her with only a handful of bits, with that she bought a blanket. After she went outside and into an ally in between two abandon houses, unaware she was being watched. It took a few minutes of sleuthing but she was able to find a loose section of boards and crawled inside. Looking around she realized that this was an unfinished house rather than the business she was expecting. Regardless it was in good shape all things considering. The walls were up, just a few loose boards. The floor was dirty but otherwise fine. The work ponies had even finished the roof and Sunset couldn't see any obvious leaks. Looking through the dark rooms, it seems that the previous owners moved out quickly. Leaving a few pieces of furniture behind like a coffee table, an old rug, and a couch. Looking out a window Sunset could see that Celestia's moon had almost completed its journey around across the sky. Wanting to get an early start the next day she lay down and for the first time in years, went to sleep eager for the next day.
When Sunset woke up she knew was not alone. Freezing so the intruders wouldn't know she had awoken and began to listen. There were two other fillys around her age looking at her questioningly. “Hey, Opa, when do ya’ think she’s gonna wake up?” This voice was male, and coming from the right.
“How am I suposta’ know Comet? Another thing, how many times have I told you not to call me that? It's either Astral or Astral Opal not ‘Opa’. This voice seemed to sound frustrated, but from the tone, she seemed to be smiling. This time from the left.
“Aww… Don't be like that sis…”
“Don't be like what!”
“Don't be so… blue”
“Oh yeah… Tomato Face?”
“Hey! Just cause’ my coat is kinda red doesn't mean I look like a tomato.”
“Oh yeah? Just cause’ my coat is ‘kinda’ blue doesn't mean I am”
It was around here that Sunset couldn't keep her laughter contained in the antics of the two siblings. “You ponies…” She stopped to regain her breath. “You ponies fight like cats and dogs!” She turned and looked at the two closely for the first time, to her surprise they were pegasi. Canterlot is known for their lack of. The filly stepped forward.
Hi! My names Astral Opal and this is Comet chaser.
(Astral Opal ) (Comet Chaser )
Author's Note
I am sorry about not being able to upload the pictures directly, I was having some major difficulties and this was the best I could do. Also im sorry if the Sunset POV to Flashback transition is a little choppy. I ended up writing both weeks apart.
past of Sunset shimmer part 5
Author's Note
I am sorry for the wait but, even more, sorry for the time skips and the beginning of the chapter. I could not think of anything to write and I already had the rest written but I needed to put something out soo... here ya go I plan to rewrite it when I can.
past of Sunset shimmer part 5
“-And that is how I got here.” Sunset finished telling her story as she sat facing the siblings.
“Wow… Red, that’s… I mean.” Astral couldn't seem to know what to say and Comet seemed to still be wrapping his head around it. “No pony should have had to go through that” Comet agreed.
“So, what about you two?” Sunset had shared her story and was eager to learn about theirs. The two siblings looked at each other nervously until they both needed.
“Alright..” Astral took the lead. “Long story short, our parents were the nicest poneys you could imagine. Until they were killed in a dragon attack. Then we were sent to an orphanage and… it wasn't the best”
This is where Comet put his piece in. “When we were there, they gave us a trash bag to hold our things as if it were trash. Then we were lucky enough to go to the same orphanage. About three years later we were both set to be adopted but, two different families. We were all each other hard and it would have killed us to be torn apart, so we had no choice to run away and here we are.
Time Skip
Sunset has been living with Astral and Comet for the last month and they were on their way to the arcade with the few extra bits they had managed to make with Sunsets job as a painter, Astrals work as a farm hoof and Comet’s job as a paper delivery boy. Comet spoke to Sunset privately, telling her that Astral’s birthday was coming soon and they should try to get her something. So, after playing the two combined their tickets and got her a Hoof ball. She seemed to be really pleased with her gift and ran outside to use it, Comet ran out too. With Sunset walking behind them on her still braced leg. “When is this ever going to heal?” Sunset wondered out loud.
After some time watching the two siblings Sunset had nodded off, waking when a sudden bright light flashed. Opening her eyes to see Astral Opal with a cutie mark! It was a set of clouds with the silhouette of a pony. Not only that but Comet chaser also had a cutie mark, it was a record with music notes surrounding it. “What did I miss!”
The siblings looked at each other “It's a long story”
After tales have been traded Sunset was still in shock.
2 weeks later
Sunset awoke to Astral shaking her awake. “What is is Astral?”
“Someone is trying to break in”
“What!”
“I KNOW YOU'RE IN THERE BRAT”
Sunset knew that voice… “Run!”
Three hours later…
Sunset, Astral, and Comet had managed to escape the crazy mare. Hiding in an old library with the windows busted, the books were still there though. Seeing an open book on the floor she decided to take a look it was a poem.
She came clad in blue attire,
Her stance was cold.
Her voice was one to behold,
After finding her love of knowledge Sunset began to delve into her reading, especially her love for magic and after becoming good enough to cast spells she tried a heat spell. After she got her own cutie mark, a red and yellow sun.
This cycle of studying went on for four years until Astral told her that the Princess of the Sun was taking in a student, so she applied and passed. Now the fourteen-year-old pony was a student of Celestia
a month later
Sunset turned to see Celestia standing at her door but, something was wrong. “Sunset Shimmer, meet me in the downstairs.” The princes of the sun seemed to be barely restraining her rage and this terrified her. Celestia was the most level-headed of the three princesses and was sure to hide her whenever she was angry. Having said her piece Celestia teleported to the library waiting for Sunset to do the same. So as Sunset heard the princess call to her she flinched, and froze, a memory freezing her. One made six years ago. “Sunset Shimmer! I want to speak with you.” This did little to calm her fears and served only to freeze her more. Sunset could tell that her teacher was getting impatient and feared what would happen if she-
Her thoughts were interrupted by a shout “SUNSET SHIMMER! COME DOWN HERE NOW!” However, in Sunsets mind it wasn't the voice of a princess. It was the voice of a drunken stallion. In a burst of fear, she bolted out the door and ran to the library, completely forgetting about her magic. When she arrived she saw Celestia with a furious look on her face but to the fearful teenage pony it wasn't Celestia, it was Starset. In her magic, Celestia held a crumpled page close to Sunsets face. “What. Is. This.” Sunset took a step back with shaking hooves but saying nothing, knowing that she would be hit if she did so without permission. However, this only served to anger Celestia more so she repeated. “What. Is. This?” again Sunset said nothing. The princess could barely hold back from outright yelling at the young pony before her. “Tell. Me. What. This. Is. NOW!” Sunset took another step back as Celestia took one forward. Not realizing that it was her teacher.
“I-It's a page?” Sunsets response and lack of confused the princess, she had known Sunset to be a brave and confident girl, she was also the most behaved pony Celestia has met in a long time. So why was she afraid? Of course… Celestia thought. It could be the yelling but, Sunset had stood up to bullies twice her size and standing through yellings as loud as Celestia was. Sunset had also gotten into small fights, but only to protect others and protecting herself well. So why was she afraid. Celestia tried to lower her voice but realized that only served to terrorize the little pony more.
“I know it's a page. What I want to know is, where is the rest of it?” Sunset took another step back, looking ready to bolt and soon, gluing her eyes to the floor. Her ears pinned themselves to her head “Sunset?” The princess's eyes widened as Sunset flinched as if being struck and taking another step back. “Sunset? Please look at me when I'm talking to you.” Another step back, but she did as asked. Keeping her head low, just barely meeting the princess's eyes. While her own were dilated and Sunsets coat was shaking. Celestia gasped. Was sunset cowering? Because of her, it just made no sense. Then the princess took a step forward, and Sunset took three back. “Sunset, this a very important book. It holds the cutie marks of everypony in and around Equestria, so why would you try to destroy this page?” Another flinch and another step back. Confused she unraveled it, to reveal a telescope and a quill. She used her magic to levitate the page towards Sunset when the pony looked at it she froze. “Sunset? Do you know whose cutie mark this is” Sunset nodded”Who’s?” how could just a cutie mark drive a pony to be so terrified. Again she did not wander but looked like she wanted to. “Tell me Sunset, I want to help you.” Unsure she would be answered or not.
“It’s Starset”
“Who is that?
“Him”
“Who is he?”
“M-my…”
“Come now my student, who is this stallion”
“I don't…”
“Sunset, who is-”
“MY FATHER!” Sunset burst into tears and sprinted for the door, not realizing it was closed and running into it. She collapsed, unconscious. All the while this was happening it was Celestia who froze in place. Her father? She thought, what could her father had done? It was the sound of a loud thud that brought her out of her trance-like state, only to see a fiery-maned pony collapsed after running into a door.
Celestia's POV
Celestia rushed over to the unconscious pony checking to see if she was all right. There was a large bruise forming on her forehead from running into the door and her pulse was extremely high but, seeing no immediate danger she picked up the pony in her magic and carried her to her room. Celestia had many questions however, she chose to push them to the back of her mind. Sunset is the first priority.
After arriving in the pony's room she laid her on the bed and took Sunsets cloak of, one that Sunset always wear, no matter the weather conditions. Checking for any other injuries. That's when she saw them, scars. There were so many, taking time to count them all only raised more concern for Celestia. Seventeen horizontal, twenty-three vertical and fourteen diagonal a total of fifty-four scars as if she had been wiped.
“What happened to you…” Then the pony in front of her began to shake as if having a nightmare. Celestia tried to wake the sleeping pony but, to no avail. “Dearest sister, why must you be on the moon. We both need your guidance.” It had been a long time since the princess had felt so useless. Yes she could raise the sun, yes she could raise the moon but, she could do nothing to protect her student from her nightmares. Celestia reached a hoof forward hold her student's hoof. Freezing when she heard Sunset speak.
“Stop… please, I will get your bits, just dont...dad… dad. DAD!” Sunset gasped and jumped up. Celestia got a good look at her face, eyes were dilated, ears were pushed back and her whole body seemed tense. It took several minutes before Sunset even noticed that she wasn't alone. She seemed to calm down before the recent events began to catch up to her, bringing her back into a nervous state.
“Sunset. Tell me everything.” Celestia didn't try to hide her emotions, she was confused, angry and concerned.
“I don't know what you're talking about.” Sunset had tried to act nonchalant but knew there was no point in denying it. “Fine, whatever you want to know I’ll tell you. Ask away, no strings attached and only the truth, I'm tired of keeping it a secret anyway.”
“How did it start? How did it end?” Everything in between.”
Sunset sighed. This was going to be a long night.
////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
It's been a year scene then and she was sixteen now. It has been six years since she got on a train heading to Canterlot. Never did she think that she would be in this position. She was in the restricted section of the library. A mirror to another world to her back and to her front a angry alicorn. Who looked angry enough to attack the mare
“What are you DOING IN HERE!”
“I'm reading.”
“THAT IS QUITE CLEAR!”
“No.”
“WHAT! WHY NOT!”
“There is information here that I need, in order to-
“ENOUGH! YOU WILL LEAVE NOW!” The princess began to walk forward trying to scare the mare in front of her.
Meeting the princesses eyes Sunset closed the book she had been reading and gave her response. This was when Celestia, in her rage and not hearing Sunsets response, made a mistake she would regret for the rest of her life. She reached with her magic, encased a small book and landed a strike on Sunsets face hard enough to knock her down and in fear, Sunset turned around and ran through the portal. Leaving the princess frozen in the shock of her own actions. She walked to see which book Sunset had been so insistent on reading. When she did, however, it made Celestia freeze even more so but, this time one of horror.
The rights of fillies and foals, how to join pony protective services.
This wasn't one of the forbidden books, it was one that Celestia gave to Sunset herself. One that Sunset had requested so she could help kids that were in the same situation that she was once in. Thinking back on the night it made sense why she was up to her. Sunset was never one for large social gatherings and there was a rather loud one going on downstairs. The only reason that Sunset was up here was due to the noise and her…
“No…”
Celestia tried to go through the mirror to get her student back but, it was already closed.
Something has gone wrong. We don't seem to have an archived copy of that chapter. Vinyl Scratch had just finished recording a new dubstep with Tavi, one of Vinyl's closest friends. As she made her way out of the school, she got a text from Sunset
Sunny: One of the Dazzlings are in the same place I was after the Fall Formal and we need a ride. We are by the stairs of the Ponyvill three-story warehouse.
Scratch: I'm on my way, might need to bring Tavi though.
" Damn it, Damn it, Damn it!" Vinyl thought to herself quietly. "Why didn't I look for her? Why didn't I even try to stand up for her? I knew better!" She chided herself. As vinyl of marched over to her car, well her and Tavi's. It's a DeSoto Fireflight four door sportsman. This was the car that they used for just driving around, and they had a new black 56 Chevrolet suburban for when they went to concerts and for vinyl, gigs at local Clubs.
Vinyl: Hey Tavi! so listen, I need to take the car and go somewhere, like now.
Tavi: What! Why? You know Vinyl Scratch that I need a ride home, don't you?
Vinyl: Yeah I do, and you know I would not do this unless I had a good reason for it.
Tavi: Oh, what might that be?
Vinyl: Can you keep a secret?
Tavi: Vinyl, you have me worried now. What's wrong? And to answer your question, of course, I can.
Vinyl: I got a text from Sunset today, about one of the Dazzlings and long story short she's not in good shape, like Sunset a week after the Fall Formal shape. So I need to go pick her up. Can you find another ride or do you want to come with me?
Tavi: I'll be there in 5 minutes.
Vinyl put her phone away and got in the car, started it and ran the heater. She noticed a trash can little ways away from where they parked the car, so she began to clean up the back seat for Sunset and the siren. Feeling an odd sense of déjà vu, after all, it wasn't the first time something like this happened. And that was the day she could never forget.
Flashback
It was one week after the Fall Formal and the school has never been more united, of course, all except one. Sunset Shimmer, after the Fall Formal everything that Sunset had done blew up in her face. Most left her alone except for those 5 girls and people who felt like they needed retribution for what she did. Vinyl didn't really see the point in it, if even worse than Sunset ever was so doesn't that just make you a bully too? And she's seen her fair share of bullies, there's always a few people every year that make fun of her because she can't speak. Sunset never did that. Then there's also people who bullied people others for broken families or the loss of a loved one. Sunset never did that either. Then here's the worst, the people who attack others and physically harm them. Having a fight is one thing but hurting others just because they're smarter, smaller or weaker than you. It's something that should never happen and she guessed Sunset thought the same way because she didn't go that far. Well other than when she turned into a she-demon, Vinyl blamed the dark magic. If only-
* wham*
Something slammed into vinyl shoulder interrupting her train of thought and then blowing past her. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw fiery hair "Sunset" Vinyl realized. Looking back to where Sunset came from she could read the girls locker at the far end of the room with hateful words drawn all over it. They were really bad. In bright red paint was the words, she-demon, go back to hell and kill yourself. Her eyes widened when she read the latter. Making up her mind she turned around back towards the way Sunset went figuring she ran to the bathroom. Three minutes later she arrived at the girl's restroom. Hearing some sniffing coming from inside she figured this was the right place so she pushed the door open and what she saw she will never forget.
Kneeling on the floor was Sunset, leaning against the wall next to the door as if she collapsed just after entering the room. That wasn't what surprised Vinyl actually she kind of expected it. What surprised her, what made her freeze... What terrified her was in her hand, a small pocket knife. What made her cover her mouth in horror was on her arm. Cuts. If she could have screamed she would have, there was sometimes that she wishes she didn't have this disability, now there are no limits what she could give to say one word to Sunset one question, why?
So Vinyl walked over to face Sunset, took her knife, grabbed the sleeve of her jacket and pulled the girl up. The whole time Sunset didn't say anything, she didn't look at Vinyl, she didn't do anything. Vinyl took Sunsets phone out of her coat pocket and turn it on. It was then that Sunset gave Vinyl rather questioning look as the other girl took out her own phone and did the same. It was then that she heard a ding from her phone, a friend request from MyStable. Sunset took her phone back from Vinyl and read the message, it only said five words. "How are you doing" was the first question. The second one is "why?" The whole time Sunset was reading the text, Vinyl was working on stopping the flow of blood to the cuts.
It might seem like a small thing to ask 'how you're doing' but this girl who Sunset didn't even remember her name to wanted to help her, even after everything she did. Why? It doesn't matter Sunset was too exhausted to care so for the first time in a week, she passed out into unconsciousness without nightmares.
Author's Note
Hi, everypony! WOW! I never thought that my story would get this much support. I am looking for an editor, in the meantime, I'm going to have to deal with the free version of Grammarly and Online Editor Grammer Checker, cause I'm broke. I hope u can wait a bit longer for the edits.
On a lighter note, the next chapter will be up by Monday and is already in the works, I hope you all have a great day!.