“Out of suffering have emerged the strongest souls; the most massive characters are seared with scars.” — Kahlil Gibra

Sunset woke with a start. Jerking her head up and glaring at the offensive noise coming from her alarm clock. She groaned, plopping her face down in her pillow. She was reluctant to get out of her warm comfy bed, to face the hell called high school that awaited her. But another separate buzzing sound convinced Sunset to get out of bed. Princess Twilight was trying to talk to her.

“I’m not really in the mood to talk to you.” Sunset told the book.

But the unwilling girl rolled out of bed and grabbed a pen anyway. She didn’t want Twilight to come through the portal. It could only end badly. Some part of her (an irrational part) was afraid that Twilight would take everyone else’s side. Sunset opened the book up.

Dear Sunset Shimmer,

So, how did it go? Did you take my advice? Did they listen to you? I’m sure they did. They’re your friends after all. Did you find out who this anon-a-miss pony, sorry, person is? Do you need any help?

Your friend,

Princess Twilight Sparkle

Sunset sighed. It was best to keep the princess out of this mess for both of their sanity's sake.

Dear Princess Twilight Sparkle,

There’s good news and bad news. Bad news- they still haven't found who actually is anon-a-miss and I’m still being blamed. Good news- Principal Celestia believes me, and we have a plan for me. I will be going off to college early. Higher education, can you believe it?! This is a wonderful opportunity for me. There will be people who are interested in learning there. People closer to the age I was when i left Equestria. People who are of a higher intellect. A real challenge for me.

But I have to apologize in advance. I shall be quite busy for the next week or two so I might not have much time to talk. Hopefully, with their intended target gone, the culprits behind anon-a-miss will cease to be a problem. I hope you have a good hearths warming. I'm sure you have plenty to keep you busy. Especially with being a princess and everything.

Your faithful student, Sunset Shimmer.

Sunset finished writing the letter to Twilight hoping it was good enough. She was a bit out of practice when it came to manipulation. Not that she wanted to, but it was necessary. Sunset had learned that particular skill set along with blackmail from her mother.

Dear Sunset Shimmer,

That sounds great! Well, the college part that is. Are sure you don't need me to come over? Or at least need any assistance? If not, once your enrolled, might I come over and see what college looks like over there? I would love to compare notes to what we have here in Equestria! Hope you have a good hearth's warming and say hi to the girls for me.

Your friend,

Princess Twilight Sparkle

It would seem that Twilight was a bit of a worrywart, Sunset had guessed as much back during the Battle of the Bands, but it was nice sentiment- someone worrying over her. Sunset could practically hear her father's disdain over sentiment, but Sunset put thoughts of her parents aside.

Dear Princess Twilight Sparkle,

I'm absolutely certain. Everything will be just fine. No need to worry about it. I have this handled, but I promise that if I can no longer handle things, you will be the first to know. Say hi to Spike for me. I must be getting ready for the day ahead.

Your faithful student, Sunset Shimmer

Sunset shut the book with a sigh and reluctantly headed down her steps, then headed to the shower. Sunset stood under the almost searing heat, wincing slightly when the spray hit her tender shoulder.

“Shit, forgot to ice it last night. “ Shaking her wet head at her foolishness, she also forgot to change her bandage.

“Double shit. Now I have no choice but to change the bandages.“

She had forgotten to take it off before getting into the shower. She quickly took the soaked bandage off. Sunset took a good look at the wound on her palm, wondering if it would leave a scar. If so, it would go with the ones on her back from when her wings were ripped from the flesh on her back. They were quite brutal, looking like a mix of torn and burned skin. Sometimes Sunset swore she could still feel the heat, still feeling them trying to tear and burst through her flesh once again. The Fall Formal had left her a myriad of scars, most left unseen. What was one more mark upon her skin? Sunset sighed and turned the water off and got out, grabbing her threadbare towel, making a mental note to pick up a new one next time she goes shopping, which would most likely be this weekend. Her neighbors will want her to pick up food for Christmas dinners. She can expect at least a few invites and leftovers aplenty.

Sunset stared at herself in her bathroom mirror. Her face looked tired and worn down. She shook her head, that simply wouldn't do. She still had a couple more battles before she won the war. Now was not the time for rest, for weakness. She was Sunset Shimmer and by Celestia she would not be beaten, would not cow down and buckle. She would claw and kick and set the world ablaze before giving up. Sunset sneered at her reflection before redressing her small wound.

Sunset got to work on her makeup, thankful not to have any bruises to cover up. That was a real pain in the ass. She was a bit out of practice when it came to defending herself. Jade would not be pleased about that one. Flash's parents were something else all right. Both were in the military at one point, it was how they met. Jade Whispers had taught her how to defend herself back before Flash and her had officially started dating.

Sunset finished getting her looks ready for the day and got started gathering her school stuff, shoving it in her bag after it had spilled onto the floor last. She just dropped it on the floor when she got home after work last night. She took the lunch box one of neighbors gave her and packed her sushi, using some of the ice packs from one her other neighbors. Rocky Strikes was a veteran and a diabetic so he would get his insulin in white boxes with three to four ice packs, since no one needed that many ice packs he gave them out to everyone one. Sunset went to grab some fruit from her fruit bowl when she noticed it was empty.

Sunset groaned. “Better add that to the list as well.”

She really wasn't fond of grocery shopping, it was rather tedious but unfortunately necessary. Sunset slipped her boots on and grabbed her jacket and bag before locking up and headed off to the war zone of a school.

Author's Note

This is a bit shorter chapter since the next shall be long. My vacation didnt leave me much time to wirte but hopefully next chapter will be out within a week fingers crossed.