Sunset's human world origin

Sunset’s locker
Date: Sep 23rd, time: 12:00 pm

*Sunset’s perspective*

“Okay, name all the presidents.”, Flash said.

“George Washington, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson,-”, Sunset said while continuing to rummage through her locker. She had too many books and not enough space

“James”

“James Monroe, James Madison”

“It’s Madison, then Monroe.”

“Uhhg, I hate history.”

“I don’t like it either, but if we don’t learn from the past,-”

“Yeah, yeah, yeah, we’ll be doomed to repeat it. I get that, but how does knowing the names of all the presidents help with that? Even if we do need that information, we have the internet. If that’s not an option, then we have bigger problems.”

Flash did not get a chance to answer beyond a shrug as he was cut off by someone kissing him. Both of them were too shocked by this action to act immediately, but as soon as the shock wore off, Sunset yanked the girl, who she could now process as being Lily Valley, off of Flash and shoved her into the lockers. “What the fuck, Lily?”, Sunset growled.

“It gets under your skin. That’s the only reason I need.”, Lily said with a chuckle.

Sunset raised her fist to strike her, but then remembered that they were far from alone, and this would get back to the teachers. “Grr, if you ever come anywhere near me or Flash ever again, I will rip that pretty little face of yours up with nothing more than the weapons nature gave me, and if you think I’m bluffing, go to Crystal Prep and ask about a kid named Sage.”

Lily continued smiling, clearly not taking Sunset’s threat seriously. She’s gotten bolder. Sunset threw Lily away from them, causing her to stumble before she huffed and walked off indignantly. Sunset turned back around to face Flash, who still looked shocked but now also scared.

“Sunset, I swear I’m not cheating on you. I-I have no idea why she kissed me. I-”, Flash said frantically.

“Shush, it’s okay. I know you’re not cheating.”, Sunset said while lovingly caressing Flash’s face. “You’re too smart for that. Any girl other than me would be a major downgrade.” Sunset reached into her locker, pulled out a sanitary wipe, and wiped down Flash’s lips. “That’s better. We don’t want whatever that harlot’s lips have been around to spread to us.”

“Like what, and what’s a harlot?”

Sunset smiled and kissed Flash. His naivety can be very cute at times. “Both are questions I don’t think your mother would be happy with me answering.” Flash still looked confused but seemed to understand what Sunset meant. Sunset closed up her locker, grabbed Flash’s hand, and led them to the lunch room.

ASL Club
Date: same day, time: 4:30 pm

*Sunset’s perspective*

Sunset watched from her dark corner as everyone packed up and got ready to leave. Sunset’s plan went well. They were now up to a respectable ten members. There were some kids that ‘noped out’, as Rarity put it, when they found out Sunset was involved. Good riddance to them. The current club membership is Flash, Octavia, Rarity, Muffins, Sweetie Drops, Sunflower, Forest Glow, Brindle, Duke, and Flax. Sunset didn’t participate much in the club. She would still translate when necessary, but Vinyl and Meg were surprisingly good teachers that it was rare. Meg could even do it professionally when she grew up; she was that good.

As most of the other kids were leaving, Forest walked up to Sunset and leaned down to whisper in her ear. “I know your secret, but don’t worry. I won’t tell anyone.”

Sunset was more confused than alarmed. There was simply no way she could learn any of her more damning secrets, and even if she did, she’d just sound crazy. “And what secret would that be?”

“I know you’re a vampire.”

Sunset’s mind went straight to red alert, but she tried to keep her face neutral. How could she know I’m ‘the Vampire’? What else - Wait, she said “a vampire”. “What do you mean by ‘vampire’?”

“You know, a vampire. Like the ones in the ‘Dusk’ movies.”

She thinks I’m an actual vampire? Sunset was so baffled by the situation that she decided to just go along with it. “Yeah, thanks”

Forest seemed satisfied with that answer and left the classroom. Nut job, Sunset thought as she shook her head. Flash walked over to Sunset with a puzzled look on his face. “What was that about?”

“She thinks I’m a vampire.”, Sunset said dryly.

“You do have those fangs and are hot and nocturnal and have a generally vampiry attitude. All you’re missing is a weakness to garlic and a need to drink blood.”

Sunset fixed Flash with a thoroughly unamused look. “The word’s ‘vampiric’.” Sunset stopped to think for a second before getting a sly smile. “Although, I do have an allergy to raw garlic, but the cooking process breaks down whatever’s in it that I can’t eat. Maybe I am a vampire?”, Sunset joked.

Flash flashed her a knowing and pleased grin. “What happens when you eat garlic?”

“My mouth goes numb and gets all tingly. That will happen to any part of my body that comes into contact with raw garlic.”, Sunset said without humor. “It’s rather unpleasant.”

“I bet so. Do you want to do anything about her?”

“Uhg, no, I already have one problem to deal with. Plus, she promised to “keep my secret”.”, Sunset said with air quotes. “She’s harmless.”

“If you say so. Ya know, I like the idea of having a vampire girlfriend. You definitely live up to the stories I’ve read.”

“You’ve been hanging around me too long.”, Sunset said with a shake of her head. “By the way, any idea what the ‘Dusk’ movies are?”

“Well, I heard that they are a series of movies popular with the older kids and they’re based off of a book series of the same name. Why?”

“They, apparently, have something to do with vampires. Forest mentioned them to me, and that’s where she got the idea I’m a vampire from.”

“Oh, maybe we can watch them some time. We’re both old enough now.”

“Sure, I’d like to get a better idea of what’s going on in Forest’s head, but will your mom allow it? I heard that Christan parents don’t let their kids watch that kind of thing.”

“My mom knows the difference between reality and make-believe.”, Flash said with a shrug. “I’ll check out a video rental on my way home Friday and call you. We can watch it over the weekend. That good?”

“Sounds fine with me.” Sunset got up from her seat and gave Flash a peck on the cheek. “See ya later.”

“Bye”

Streets of Canterville
Date: Sep 27th, time: 4:40 pm

*Flash’s perspective*

Flash stared out the car’s window as the world passed by. He knew this route as well as the back of his hand. He could practically navigate it blindfolded, if it weren’t for the cars. They lived surprisingly far from the base, on the other side of town, far. Flashed guessed that it was so he could go to a better school. He heard about Westside’s reputation, and it wasn’t good.

“Hey Mom, can we stop by the video rental place? There’s a movie Sunset and I want to watch, and I want to see if they have it.”

“I don’t see why not.” As the place came up, Mom pulled off the road and into the lot. Mom parked the car, and the two entered the store. The place was dead. Mom said that places like this were going out of business due to the rise of streaming services. Flash went straight to the fantasy section and began browsing. It didn’t take him long to find what he was looking for. The box had a picture of a moderately attractive man and woman on it. Flash brought the movie to the counter, where Mom already was.

“That’s an interesting pick.”, Mom noted. Flash shrugged his shoulders and handed Mom the movie. Mom rented the movie, and the two exited the store and re-entered their car. Flash read over the box as they drove home. The movie sounded interesting. He was becoming excited to watch it.

Sunset’s room
Date: Sep 29th, time: 10:00 pm

*Flash’s perspective*

Flash stared at the TV with a blank expression as the credits rolled, and he knew everybody else had similar expressions. They had just finished watching the first ‘Dusk’ movie, and Flash could see why Forest Glow thinks that Sunset is a vampire from the franchise. Except-

“That was terrible.”, Emi said.

“That was the worst acting I’ve ever seen.”, Sunset followed up with, and Flash couldn’t agree more.

“I take that to mean you don’t want to see the other two.”, Flash said.

“Who would okay two more of this dumpster fire?”, Sunset asked with near outrage in her voice. “I can’t believe that nut job thinks I’m a vampire from this movie. Now, I’m insulted.”

“Any changes of plans regarding Forest?”

“No, she’s still harmless. Though, I might show her what a real vampire looks like.”

Flash didn’t know what that meant but thought better of asking Sunset at that moment. It was best just to go along with it until she calmed down.

Sunset’s room
Date: Oct 16th, time: 9:30 pm

*Brigid’s perspective*

“Modern day spoken Ponish is a mishmash of Old Pegasin, Old Earth Ponish, and Old Unicorsian, but the written language is almost entirely Unicorsian. Earth ponies didn’t have much of a writing system, and pegasi writing systems were decentralized. By that I mean each city had their own system. Unicorns were the only ones with a centralized writing system.”, Sunset explained.

Brigid made mental notes on everything Sunset said. Learning to speak Ponish was going much easier than reading. The theory that the writing system was intentionally made overly complicated has been all but confirmed in Brigid’s mind. From what Sunset has told them of the modern Equestrian ruling class, this would not be out of the ordinary for them, and the ruling class is and has always been almost entirely unicorns. Brigid would just have to see it for herself to be sure. She only had one point of data, and it was not wise to go off such a small data sample.

Although, as complicated as it is, it’s more consistent than English, making it much more predictable. An expression Brigid really likes is “The only rule English has is that you capitalize the word ‘I’”. That doesn’t apply to Ponish. Ponish rules were numerous and constant.

“Try translating this.”, Sunset instructed.

Brigid read over the sentence and began translating it in her mind. “Where is da bathroom? Really?”

“Hey, it is something necessary to know. Now, try this sentence.”

Brigid chuckled to herself and they got on with the lesson.

CMS lunchroom
Date: Oct 18th, time: 12:10 pm

*Sunset’s perspective*

“Hey, looks like Octavia and Vinyl are hanging out together.”, Flash commented.

“Hm, good for her.” Sunset watched them as they interacted. They were cute together. Sunset even noticed Octavia rubbing Vinyl’s arm. Oh, I’m going ta get a lot a’ mileage out of that.

“Uh, excuse me, Sunset Shimmer?”

Sunset was pulled from her thoughts by what sounded like a younger male student calling her name. “What do you want?”, Sunset said, annoyed. There were two of them, and she recognized them as new students.

“Uh, there’s this girl who’s been bullying us, and we heard you can scare bullies off.”, the green haired one said.

“That is something I do, but I don’t do it for free. Money or candy will do.”

“Uh, we don’t have anything to pay you with.”, the orange haired one said.

“Then why should I help you?”

“Will do whatever you want. Just tell us what you want, and we’ll do it.”

“You’ll be my servants?”, Sunset asked with a raised eyebrow. They must be desperate. Hm, desperate people are easily manipulated but also dangerous.

“Uh, yeah, I guess so.”

“Alright then, who’s bullying you?”

“We don’t know her name, but she has blond hair, light skin, and yellow eyes.”, the green haired boy said.

“Lily Valley”, Sunset growled. “What are your names?”

“Um, I’m Snips. That’s Snails.”, Snips said nervously.

“Alright, Snips and Snails, sit.” Sunset pointed to the bench opposite her like she would when instructing a dog. “We need to discuss our plans.”

Katon family home
Date: Oct 31st, time: 10:00 pm

*Sunset’s perspective*

If Emi could express how annoyed she was that people stop giving out candy “this early” in more ways, she would. In her mind, it was a religious holiday; they should at least continue until midnight. Sunset just shook her head. Emi would understand once she got older.

Emi and Anura bounded upstairs to enjoy their bounties, and Sunset plopped herself on the living room couch to do the same. Sunset was soon joined by Brigid, and Sunset handed her the customary selection of stuff she dislikes and Brigid likes. Sunset could understand the culinary differences they enjoy for almost everything, Sunset prefers sweet and juicy things while Brigid prefers tart things, but Sunset will never understand how she can eat candy corn. Those things taste like dried, chalky earwax dipped in sugar. Sunset just handed it all over and tried not to get sick thinking about it.

“Hey, Sunset.”

“Yeah?”

“Tomorrah is da start a’ deer season. Now dat y’re a teen, we can take advantage a’ it.”

“Sweet” Sunset enjoyed hunting back in Ireland and has been wanting to go hunting again, but due to the American wilds being more dangerous, Brigid wouldn’t let them go until Sunset was older.

“Now, we’ll be goin’ deeper inta da forest dan ya lived in. Dat means we might run inta some large’ animals, n’ deer c’n be dangerous too.”

“Really, deer?”

“We’re talkin’ ‘bout a several hundred pound animal with large antlers n’ a brain da size a’ y’r fist, n’ dey have attitudes, jus’ like moose.”

“Jeese, even the herbivores on this planet want to kill you.”

“Actually, afte’ talkin’ ta a zoologist Ah know, Ah learned that y’re more likely ta be made past tense by an herbivore dan a carnivore.”

“That makes no sense.”

“Ta put it in a nutshell, carnivores are gonna be more cautious as dey only want ta eat or are protectin’ deir young, but herbivores will attack without any caution with da reason rangin’ from dem feelin’ threatened ta no apparent reason.”

“Oh”

“Get ta bed early tomorrah. We’ll be gettin’ an early start. Ah put da clothes ya’ll need in y’r room.”

Everfree Forest
Date: Nov 2nd, time: 8:00 am

*Sunset’s perspective*

To say the drive into the forest was smooth would be inaccurate. Sunset wasn’t being tossed about the car, but the unpaved road did provide some jolts. Brigid was taking them deep into the woods, and they would also be walking even deeper when the road ended. They were both wearing jeans and other durable clothing along with bright orange vests and hats. The orange garments were apparently required by law, but they were so damn bright they hurt Sunset’s eyes. It reminded her of the time one of the other students was chastised for not wearing enough neon for spirit week so decided to come to school wearing nothing but the brightest neon clothing for the rest of the week. It was physically painful to look at her.

The road ended in a parking lot which Brigid pulled into. Around the lot were trails carved into the forest and signs indicating where they led to. Once parked, the two of them exited the car, went around to the back, and grabbed their guns and bags. Sunset could now use larger guns but still not as big as Brigid’s.

“Any preference on which way we go?”, Brigid asked.

“Not really.”

“Okay den, let’s go dis way.” Brigid led them down one of the trails and deeper into the woods. The trail soon dissolved, and they were walking through undergrowth. “Sunset, ya mentioned ta me dat ya have experience with trackin’. Now would be a good time ta polish off dem old skills. We should only hunt the bucks, preferably older or injured ones.”

“Okay, give me a sec.” Sunset closed her eyes and focused on her surroundings. She listened for hoofsteps in the brush or any other deer sounds. She heard something that fit the bill to the North. “That way.”, Sunset said while pointing in the indicated direction.

“Stay close.” They moved slowly and methodically in order to make as little noise as possible and not seem threatening. When they reached the source of the sound, all they found was a doe. “Sigh, okay, let’s get out a’ ‘ere n’ try again.”, Brigid said quietly. Before they left, Sunset took in the scent of the deer. There would be a difference between a doe and a buck but not a big one.

They moved further away from the doe, and Sunset began searching again. There were so many smells and sounds that it was almost overwhelming. While out in the wild, you need to keep your wits about you. That means that Sunset can’t tune out the background noise like she would during everyday life. Sunset just had to keep breathing and focused. Sunset eventually got a whiff of deer. “There’s another one that way.”, Sunset said while pointing Southeast.

“Lead da way.” They crept towards the smell and found a buck with antlers big enough to squish Brigid. “Now, dat’s wha’ Ah’m talkin’ ‘bout.”, Brigid whispered. Brigid crouched down into the brush, lifted her gun, and motioned for Sunset to do the same. “Aim f’r da head.”

Sunset did as instructed. As soon as they had their shots lined up, Brigid instructed Sunset to shoot. Sunset did so, hitting it just behind the eye and causing brain matter to go flying.

“Nice shot!” Brigid got up from their hiding spot and went over to inspect the kill, and Sunset soon followed. Brigid placed her hand over the buck’s eyes then closed her own.

“What are you doing?”

“Showin’ respect ta da deer. It had ta die f’r us ta eat. It’s important ta appreciate dat or become monsters.”

“Oh” Sunset kneeled down next to Brigid and mimicked her actions. As she did so, she couldn’t help but look over the wound. It was large and rather grisly, not like the small holes they put into the hares.

“Ya okay?”, Brigid asked.

“Yeah, it’s just that I usually roast those I kill. I don’t normally see their brains.”

“Understandable, when insides are on da outside, dat means some‘hin’ really bad has happened.”

“That, and brain matter is kinda gross.”

“Ha, true. Now, let’s get dis ‘hin’ back ta da car.”

Sunset pulled the tarp from her bag, and Brigid lifted the deer onto it. Brigid took the front of the tarp, and Sunset took the back end. Brigid dragged it while Sunset made sure the deer didn’t slide off.

“This is the worst part of hunting.”, Sunset griped. The trek back to the car was uneventful aside from the tarp getting snagged on a branch or two. When they got back to the car and it was time to load the kill, Brigid opened up the back, and the two lifted it in. Brigid had put the back seats down before they left, so they didn’t need to do that. Once it was in, Brigid pulled her tarp out of her bag and used it to cover the deer.

“Ya did a good job ta day, Sunset. Ah’m gonna show ya how ta process it when we get home.”

“Sounds good.” The two of them hopped in and started driving. Shortly into the drive, Sunset fell asleep and was woken up when they got home.

“Come on, Sunset. Ups n’ at ‘em.”

“Mmm, are we back already?”

“Yes, now, come on. We got work ta do.”

“Mmm, comin’.” Sunset helped Brigid haul the deer into the yard and onto some folding tables that would act as their work space. Brigid went back into the garage and came back out with some scary looking tools, wet wipes, buckets, a trash can, and a couple of aprons. Brigid placed the buckets and trash can under and around the table, the scary tools and wet wipes on the table, gave one of the aprons to Sunset to put on, and then put her own apron on.

“Now, first is guttin’ it. What ya do with da guts depends on wha’ ya plan on doin’ with da deer. We plan on usin’ every part dat’s edible. Dat means every‘hin’ goes inta da buckets. Although, Ah like ta put da digestive tract in its own bucket. Da intestines are a bit more gross dan da rest a’ da beasty.” Brigid proceeded to demonstrate and instruct Sunset on the best way to extract the organs without damaging them, starting by cutting around and removing the testicles. The testicles got thrown into the lined trash can.

“What could we possibly need the intestines for?”

“Sausages”, Brigid said bluntly. Sunset’s face became one of confusion and disgust. “Wha’ did ya think sausage casin's were made out a’?”

“So, we slaughter an animal, grind ‘em up into a paste, and then shove ‘em up their own anus?”

“Hahahaha, Ah think dat’s da best way Ah eve’ heard da process described. We are a bunch a’ sickoes, ain’t we?”

“Yes”, Sunset said bluntly.

Brigid merely shook her head at Sunset’s reply. “Okay now, we’re gonna hang it upside down from da tree. Ah’ll grab some rope but first.” Brigid took one of the tools and popped the antlers off. They got placed into a pile under the table.

“Do you plan on using the antlers?”

“Yes, dey make great dog chews. Late’ Ah’ll take da bone saw n’ cut ‘em up inta smaller pieces.” Brigid wiped her hands off then went into the garage. She came out with the rope then began hanging it on and wrapping it around the tree. Brigid wrapped it in such a way that the weight will be distributed amongst the strongest branches. The two then lifted the deer off the table, over to the tree, and Brigid placed the back legs threw the loop. It was noticeably easier to lift it without the antlers. “Okay, we next skin it. We c’n’t really do any‘hin’ with da skin, so it goes in da bin. C’n ya go grab it?” Sunset nodded then quickly grabbed the trash can. Brigid proceeded to teach Sunset how to skin a deer without cutting out the muscle. Brigid then grabbed the hose and sprayed down the carcass. “Dis is ta insure all da hair is off. Now, we’ll leave it out ‘ere ove’night ta let da meat tenderize. C’n ya grab da tarp.” Sunset dis as instructed then Brigid wrapped the tarp around the deer.

“How will leaving it out overnight tenderize it?”

“Well, it’s called agin’ da meat. Da agin’ process breaks down enzymes and muscle cells dat enhances da meat’s flavor and tenderness. It’s similar ta what happens when ya cook some‘hin’.”

“I guess that makes sense.” Sunset looked over the carcass, and an idea struck her. “Mom, do you plan on doing anything with the head?”

“Hm, no. Some people will choose ta stuff n’ mount ‘em, but Ah don’t like da look. Ah always feel like Ah’m bein’ watched, n’ now, taxidermy reminds me a’ - ya know who.”

“Yeah, our own version of ‘he who must not be named’.” A shiver ran up Sunset’s spine at the thought of him. “Can I have the skull?”

“Sure, but why?”

“There’s this girl in school that’s causing trouble for my group. I plan on shoving it in her locker. I’ll clean it before I get shoving.”

“Dat would be effective, but how do ya plan on gettin’ inta ‘er locker, n’ what kinda trouble?”

“I’ll just pick her lock, and she kissed Flash, without his consent, and has been bullying a couple of henchmen I’ve recently acquired.”

“Henchmen?”

“That was the only way they could pay my fees. You can’t say I’m not a good business woman.”

“Let’s finish ‘hin’s up n’ get cleaned up. We c’n discuss your questionable business practices late’. Now, ‘ere’s da worst part a’ processin’ a deer,” Brigid walked over to the buckets and picked up the one with the digestive tract in it, “flushin’ out da crap.”

“Ew”

“Eh, it sounds worse dan it is. We jus’ pick a spot, stick da hose in it, n’ blast da insides. Y’r fathe’ gets ta sanitize it.”, Brigid said with a mischievous look.

Sunset’s room
Date: same day, time: 9:30 pm

*Sunset’s perspective*

“Wow”, Emi proclaimed as the superhero in the movie they were watching did something cool. It was admittedly cool, but Sunset was watching Emi just as much as the movie. She was honestly more entertaining than the movie. “Have you ever done anything like that?”, Emi asked with a bright smile on her face.

“Kinda, I’ve never done anything exactly like that but close.”

“You had the coolest life.” After saying that, Emi got a contemplative look on her face. “Hang on, you were some kind of super soldier back in Equestria, and you talk about that time with pride, but you talk about the time you met Wood with sorrow and fear. You even talk about the time Sage attacked you like you got puked on. What’s the difference?”

Sunset flinched at that question. She really didn’t like thinking about that day. “It’s because I felt powerless. Back in Equestria, I was the second most powerful magic user, trained by a god to fight a god, but when I first came here, I was absolutely powerless. I could do nothing but watch and run. Fear comes from the lack of understanding and control. At that moment, I had neither. That’s why that event haunts me. If that happened now, I probably wouldn’t be haunted by it because I would understand what was going on and would have some power.”

“Oh, humans have a very strange relationship with power.”

“Humans and ponies alike. That’s one of the few things the two species have in common.”

Katon family backyard
Date: Nov 3rd, time: 2:00 pm

*Sunset’s perspective*

“Now, ya wanna get as much meat off as possible. Dat means cuttin’ very close ta da bone, but ya don’t wanna grind y’r knife along da bone as dat will damage y’r knife.”

“Wow, so that’s what muscles look like!”, Emi proclaimed while running over.

“Emi, ya know y’re not supposed ta be out ‘ere.”

“But this looks sooo cool.” Emi began playing with the tendons and making the leg move.

“Aieee”, Anura screamed, making Sunset’s ears hurt.

“Sweet Celestia! Anura, we told you we were processing a deer! Go back inside!”, Sunset barked.

Anura ran back inside, crying. “I’ll calm her down.”, Emi announced before hopping up and running after Anura.

“Uhg, dis is why Ah only brought ya along. Now, wha’ was Ah sayin’?”

“No grinding the knife. That’s also why all those movies that show characters having conversations with locked swords is unrealistic. They should at the very least have them grinding the broad sides of their swords instead of the edges if they’re going to do that type of scene.”

“Right, so, how ya cut it depends on wha’ y’re gonna use it for. We’re jus’ gonna cut it up inta da same sotra cuts ya’d get at da store. Anzhong c’n decide wha’ he wants ta do with it late’.” Brigid proceeded to cut into the meat. It wasn’t quite as smooth as a hot knife through butter, but it was close. Due to how delicate this step was, Sunset was only watching but would be able to do the cutting herself once she’s a bit older. As she cut off the chunks, she handed them to Sunset to put back on the table. Once all the meat was off, they moved on to the next step. “Now, check f’r any discolored or dry spots. We’ll wanna cut dose out along with da excess fat.” the two feeled around the meat for any spots. All the found spots were cut out then the excess fat. That left them with a couple hundred pounds of meat. “Dat should hold ya ove’ f’r a few days.”

“Hardy har har.”, Sunset said, crossing her arms.

Brigid gave Sunset a smile before grabbing another piece of equipment and several vacuum sealable bags. Little instruction was needed as the two of them got to placing the meat in the bags then vacuuming out the air.

“Aw man, Ah missed it.”, Emi said dejectedly.

“Sorry, Emi. Ah’ll teach ya how ta hunt n’ process a deer once y’re thirteen.”

“That’s if I turn thirteen. Even if I beat this, there’s still everything else that’s trying to kill us.”

Sunset and Brigid looked at each other to see what the other thinks about that. After silently coming to a consensus, they turned back to Emi. “Alright, ya c’n help us put dese in da freezer.”

“Fine” Emi ran over and began helping Sunset carry the slabs of meat into the garage and into the deep freeze. After several trips, they got all the meat put away, and Sunset and Brigid got to cleaning up the work sight.

“Aren’t ya gonna help?”, Brigid asked.

“Na, I’m good. I think it’s really important to wait until I’m thirteen before you teach me this part.”

“Slick, go inside.”

Emi gave Brigid a triumphant grin then ran off.

“You should have made her help.”, Sunset commented.

“She would have made a bigge’ mess.”

“Hm, true.”

The two continued cleaning up until the only blood remaining was either on the ground, on them, or on some of the knives. The two folded the table up, and Brigid put it back into the garage while Sunset examined the bones. The only parts still easily recognizable as deer were the hooves and head. Sunset took a cleaver and began hacking away at the spine until the head was detached.

“If ya wanna take da flesh off, Ah’d recommend boilin’ it. Dat will-”

“Dissolve the proteins and cause it all to slop off. I’m a pyromancer. I know heat.”

“Alrighty den. Now, dis last part is gonna be loud, n’ Ah don’t exactly have ta teach ya how ta do it. So, why don’t ya grab da big pot from da garage n’ start cookin’.”

“Sounds good.” Sunset ran into the garage and to where they kept all the special pots and pans they don’t need outside of holidays or other big events. Grabbing one the skull can fit in, Sunset ran back inside before Brigid could start the bone saw. Once inside, Sunset filled the pot with tap water and began cooking.

“Whatcha making?”, Emi asked.

“Deer skull soup, want some?”

“Are you actually going to eat dat?”, Emi asked in disbelieving disgust.

“No, I’m cleaning the skull. The soup will get dumped outside. How’s Anura doing?”

“She’s fine now, but I don’t think she’ll ever come hunting with us.”

“That’s understandable.” Sunset turned her attention back to the pot. The water had become discolored, but the flesh was still attached. Emi had run back upstairs to do who knows what, and Sunset just continued to watch the boiling water. Now, she wished they had a stove safe cauldron. This stuff was starting to look like a stereotypical witch’s brew, animal skull included. Of course, real witch’s brew was just really healthy soup, but this was still fun. The flesh eventually began slopping off the skull, revealing an off white color. Sunset placed a towel on the counter then used a couple of spoons to remove the skull from the pot and put it onto the towel. Sunset then turned the burner off and waited for everything to cool down enough to be handled.

One the skull was cooled, Sunset dried it off and began considering the best way to send her message. After looking like a redneck/serial killer Shakespeare for just short of too long, Sunset got a plan.

Outside Lily’s locker
Date: Nov 4th, time: 8:00 am

*Sunset’s perspective*

Sunset thoroughly disliked getting up early, but revenge was far more than worth the inconvenience. Sunset put her ear up to the toublers and got to work. It took longer than Sunset wished it would have. I need more practice with combo locks. Sunset got it open, pushed Lily’s stuff out of the way, pulled the skull out of her bag, and placed it in Lily’s locker. The skull now had a note taped to it to complete the message. Sunset locked the locker back up and exited the scene before anyone noticed her.

Halls of CMS
Date: same day, time: 8:20 am

*Daisy’s perspective*

“Did you hear what Torch Song was saying? She said-”, Lily yammered on. Daisy just continued to tune her sister out. Daisy loved her sister, she really did, but she could be so annoying. Boys this, boys that, this girl did XYZ, and this other girl NWP. It got grating over time. Unfortunately, their lockers were right across the hall from each other, and they shared the same lunch period. That means that they were only separated by their classes.

The two reached their lockers and began opening them. Just as Daisy was about to reach into her locker, she heard Lily scream. “Aaaaieeeeeee”, Lily screeched at the top of her lungs. Daisy spun around and looked past Lily to see an animal skull in her locker. She didn’t know what kind of animal, but she did see a not taped to it.

Daisy slid past Lily, who was doing some sorta mix between hyperventilating, screaming, and crying, and the growing crowd and grabbed the note. Daisy opened the note and began reading it out loud. “I was not huffing and puffing when I made my threat, and now, the orange and green haired boys you’ve been bullying are also under my protection. If you touch, speak to, or so much as look at my boys funny, your head will be the next one in my pot.” What kind of person would write this or do that? “Lily, what’s going on?”

“It was Sunset! That psycho wants revenge because I kissed her boyfriend!”

“We should tell Vice Principal Leo about this.”

Vice Principal Leo’s office
Date: same day, time: 5:30 pm

*Sunset’s perspective*

Sunset sat in between her parents while the Valley twins sat between their parents. Vice Principal Leo sat opposite them, behind her desk.

“Ms. Lily Valley, please state your accusation, calmly.”, Leo instructed.

“That psycho put an animal’s skull in my locker because I kissed her boyfriend.”, Lily spat with venom.

“You were also bullying Snips and Snails, who hired me to get you to stop, and it was a deer’s skull.”, Sunset said, nonchalantly.

“See, she admits it!”, Lily screeched.

“Lily, please keep your voice down. Sunset, are you confessing to breaking into Ms. Lily Valley’s locker and planting the skull?”, Leo asked.

“I am, but I’m also filing my own complaint about Lily. As she said, Lily kissed Flash, without his consent, and, as I have said, has been bullying two boys named Snips and Snails. All three are outside and willing to give testimony.”

“Alright, bring them in.”, Leo instructed. Sunset hopped up from her chair and went straight to the door. Sunset opened the door and beckoned the three boys in. The boys came, and all four of them came to stand in front of Leo. “Gentleman, Ms. Shimmer says that you can back up some claims she made against Ms. Lily Valley. Is that true?”

“Yes, ma’am.”, Flash spoke first and like he was addressing a superior officer. “September twenty-second, I was quizzing Sunset before her history exam. In the middle of our conversation, Lily came up and kissed me. Now, I’m in a committed, loving relationship with Sunset. I would never betray her trust by gallivanting around with other girls. I am most certainly not, nor have ever been, in a relationship of any kind with Lily. I have never given or implied any form of consent for Lily to touch me in any way.”

“Ha, he’s a boy. He should be flattered that girls are taking interest in him.”, Mr. Valley said. Flash looked offended by Mr. Valley’s words. Sunset took his hand and began rubbing her thumb over the back.

“If memory serves me, the same thing was said about women not twenty years ago, but now, that’s considered sexual assault.”, Anzhong explained. “Does that change because Flash is male?”

“I-I guess not.”, Mr. Valley said, now looking ashamed. His wife rubbed his shoulder in an attempt to comfort him.

Leo wrote something down then turned her attention back to Sunset’s group. “Mr. Snips Boillard and Mr. Snails Boiardo, what are your claims against Ms. Lily Valley?”

“Lily calls us names and mocks us.”, Snips said.

“She’ll also block the hallway so we can’t get away from her.”, Snails added.

“Lily, do you have any counter to their accusations?”, Leo asked. Lily crossed her arms and turned away with a huff, like a two year old. “Alright, Sunset, I’m giving you Saturday detention, and Lily, I’m giving you in-school suspension. Does anyone have any problem with that?” Lily tried to say something but her mother shut her down. “Alright then, I’d say we’re done here. Have a good rest of your day.”

The ten of them exited the room and went out to the hall. As soon as they were out, Mr. Valley turned to Flash. “I am very sorry for my words earlier. I was being bigoted.”

Flash said nothing and seemed confused by the situation. Anzhong stepped in to clear up the awkward situation. “In your defense, it is a wide sweeping cultural issue. You would be surprised by how many defense lawyers argue that men can not be raped.”

“That’s - disturbing.”, Ms. Valley said.

“A good trick to use is the “gender reversal game”. If it would not be acceptable if it happened to the opposite gender, then it’s not acceptable now.”, Anzhong explained.

“Thank you. I will keep that in mind.”, Mr. Valley said. “Now Lily, it’s your turn to apologize.” Lily merely crossed her arms and turned away. “Lily Valley! Apologize now, or your punishment will be worse!”

Lily turned to Flash but did not uncross her arms. “I’m sorry.”, Lily said half heartedly.

“With sincerity!”, Mr. Valley barked.

“I’m sorry, Flash.”

“We’ll work on that. Hopefully, we won’t have to meet again any time soon.”, Ms. Valley said before ushering her family away.

“Dat was… strange.”, Brigid said once the Valleys were out of ear shot. “A good kinda strange though.”

“Nobody in the office will believe me if I told them this story.”, Anzhong said.

“Emi’s not gonna believe us.”, Sunset remarked.

“My mom’s waiting for me. I gotta go.”, Flash said.

“Yeah, us too.”, Snips said. The three boys waved then ran off to the front of the school.

“Clearly, we need ta get out more. We’ve become jaded.”, Brigid commented. Jaded?

Sunset’s room
Date: same day, time: 6:00 pm

*Sunset’s perspective*

Sunset booted up her dark web computer and started up her old programs. Sunset highly doubts Lily will be stopped by just an in-school suspension. She needs to be shown her place. Sunset picked out a program that was designed to harass someone nonstop. If they block the account, it will create a new account and just continue until it’s disabled. Sunset gave it some things to say and let it loose, nothing identifiable of course. “Lily, you've made a terrible mistake.”