Sunset's human world origin

Canterlot Hospital
Date: Nov 16th, time: 12:00 pm

*Sunset’s perspective*

“How are you doing, Sunset?”, Nurse Rhyme asked.

“I’m doing fine.”, Sunset responded. Sunset watched the blood flow out of her arm and into the bag. It was a sight Sunset was very familiar with by now. Dr. Dracul is odd to have an entire deep freeze filled with Sunset’s blood at this point.

Once the hospital got their monthly dose of her blood, Sunset got her hoodie back on and marched to the chemo ward. This place was one of the most depressing places in the hospital, second only to the PICU. Everyone looked like they were on the verge of death, which more than a few were. People were pale, weak, and looked miserable. The dread and suffering was like a physical force bombarding Sunset’s scenes. There were hints of joy and happiness scattered about, but those were washed out by the negative emotions. All Sunset could do was put up her hood and try to ignore it all.

Sunset soon found Brigid on one of the benches outside the room Emi was in. Despite her not having the same powers as the rest of them, the atmosphere of the place still got to her. Sunset just curled up next to her and zipped her jacket all the way up, completely covering her head. Brigid began rubbing Sunset’s side. This was Sunset’s least favorite time of the month. It was worse than her periods.

“How ya doin’?”

“This place is draining.”

“Yeah, ya gotta wonde’ how Jiraiya isn’t an emotional wreck.”

“Something like that.”

Emi’s session took a while longer before it was over. Emi was rolled out and brought into a less irradiated room, Sunset unzipped her hood, and she and Brigid followed. Emi has gotten more accustomed to what chemo does to her body, but she still looks like crap. She was wheeled into the same rooms as Lily Light again. Lily wasn’t looking too good but still had that warm, hopeful smile.

“Hi, Emi, Sunset, Dr. Katon. How are you all doing?”, Lily asked.

“Considering we’re in a hospital, not great.”, Emi remarked.

“Hehehe, you’re funny. Got any new stories about Tomiju?”

“Boy, have I got one! So, they went hunting recently,” Emi pointed to Sunset and Brigid, “and came back with this huge buck. Mom chopped up the antlers into appropriate dog sized chews, and Tomiju got one of the ones meant for Ki. So, here’s this little dog with an antler about the same size as her, and she’s running around with it. Ki is following her around with one of the pieces sized for her, waiting for a time he can switch them out, but she doesn’t let him. Ki eventually just gives up and grabs another piece sized for him.”

“Sounds like she has a Napoleon complex.”

“Don’t you mean ‘neapolitan’?”

“Napoleon was an eighteenth century French general. He was also somewhat short by the standards a’ French noblemen, at da time.”, Brigid explained. “A Napoleon complex is an inferiority complex attributed ta people or creatures a’ small stature. Creatures with da complex will do dat sort a’ ‘hin’.”

“Oh, that makes sense.”

Sunset sat back and watched the girls interact. They waited until the staff said that they could go, which generally took ten to fifteen minutes. Once they were set loose, Sunset practically bolted to the car. Brigid carried Emi out to the car at more of a walking pace. Emi clutched on to her stuffed fox for comfort the whole way home. Once they got home, Brigid carried Emi up to her room to rest while Sunset returned to her own.

Sunset wished she could somehow give Emi the ability to use both Equestrian and Earth magic. If she could somehow get her body to accept it, she could use the Gold Hoof’s stone to heal her, but there wasn’t exactly a way to do that. Unless… If I had a source of pure magic, I can force Emi’s to adapt to it. “Humans! You beautiful, disgusting, adaptable, nightmare monsters! Being human could save Emi’s life! - But where am I going to get a source of pure magic?” Sunset paced around her room, trying to think of any sources of pure magic. She came up with very little. Pure magic was very rare and not very useful. Every spell or magical item in existence has some type of magical attribute. Even something as simplistic as an energy blast has the force attribute. If it didn’t, it’d do jack squat.

A realization hit Sunset like a fastball. She needed a source of pure magic, and there’s no source as pure as the element of magic. That little, purple twerp should have it by now. The only problems would be getting it and making sure Emi survives long enough for Sunset to get it. Planning’s so much easier before you actually start planning.

ASL Club
Date: Nov 8th, time: 3:30 pm

*Sunset’s perspective*

“You look happy.”, Sunset signed.

“My dad and brother are back. I like if you met them.”, Flash signed.

“Would be nice.” Sunset noticed Vinyl and Octavia talking and they seemed to be very familiar with each other. Sunset got Flash’s attention and pointed to them.

“You not do something mean?”

“No, just tease them.” Sunset got up from her seat and sauntered over to the love birds.

The two noticed her approach and turned to face her. “High, Sunset.”, Octavia signed.

“You two having fun?”, Sunset signed with a mischievous smile, which translates to a mischievous tone.

“Yes?”, Vinyl signed.

“You two look cozy together. Kiss yet?”

Both of their faces turned such wonderful shades of red, and Octavia began sputtering. “Wha- we’re not.”, Octavia said.

“Vinyl and Octavia sitting in a tree, K I S S I N G.”, Sunset signed and began to chuckle. The two blushed then turned away from each other. “Oh relax, I was just teasing.”, Sunset said aloud since they weren’t looking at her.

Both turned back to Sunset with confused looks then looked around to see if anyone was watching. “You don’t have problem with gay people?”, Vinyl signed.

“Why would?”, Sunset signed.

“It not exactly accepted.”, Octavia signed.

Now, it was Sunset’s turn to be confused. She knew that pansexuality wasn’t the norm here, but for being gay to not be accepted was news to her. She really hadn’t researched it beyond Brigid telling her that homosexuality, on Earth, was a survival mechanism to give orphaned or rejected young a chance to survive. Sunset’s mind went back to the school shooter drills over the summer and that one adult that asked “Are we sure this is what we want to be showing to the kids?”. That’s what they-! “If anyone gives you trouble about this, tell me.”, Sunset growled. Octavia and Vinyl seemed to have been taken aback by Sunset’s tone but nodded anyway. Sunset marched around the room and asked everyone what their opinions on gay people were. Most gave neutral responses or didn’t know what gay people were, including Snips and Snails, Rarity and Sweety Drops both blushed, and Forest picked up on Sunset’s “gayness” and used it as further proof as to Sunset’s vampireness. Apparently, all vampires are pan.

Once done with the others, Sunset sat back down in front of Flash. “You look troubled.”, Flash said.

“What do you know about homosexuality?”

“That’s what gay people are, right?” Sunset nodded ‘yes’ to Flash’s question. “I know that they are people who just want to love who they love. My mom drilled it into me pretty young that being gay wasn’t a choice people made but was rather an inchangeable part of them as much as eye color and that our ancestors caused them a lot of pain and suffering. She made me promise to treat them just like anyone else because they were anyone else. Why do you ask?”

“I just learned that being gay is considered unacceptable.”

“It was also illegal up until a couple years ago.”

“What?”, Sunset asked in a stern tone.

“Same sex marriage was illegal in Maine until May of two thousand-nine, and they would have kick you out of the military if they found out you’re gay up until this September. That’s actually why my dad and brother are coming back. My brother’s getting married to his boyfriend.”, Flash explained that last part excitedly.

“That’s great.”, Sunset said excitedly.

“And I want you to be my plus one.”

“Aw, you’re sweet. When’s the wedding?”

“The date hasn’t actually been picked out yet.”

“Let me know as soon as you can, and I’ll make sure I can make it.”

“Thank you, Sunset.”

Sentrys' house
Date: Nov 16th, time: 2:00 pm

*Flash’s perspective*

Flash heard the doorbell ring, and Mom went to answer the door. “Hello, come in.”, Mom said.

“Hey, Sunset.” Flash hopped up from his seat and went over to greet Sunset. The two hugged as Sunset’s family came in. Flash was really excited. Having their families meet was a huge step in a relationship, and they were doing it now.

“So, this is your girlfriend.”, Andy said while putting his hand on Flash’s head. “She’s cute.”

“Sunset, this is Andy, my brother. He’s an asshole.”, Flash said exasperated.

“I get it.”, Sunset said with a slight laugh. “It’s the job of older siblings to be assholes.”

“Ya got that right.”, Andy said.

Sunset looked around the room when she heard Dad come in. “By the way, your mom’s a copy machine.”, Sunset said before she walked off to rejoin her family.

Flash looked at Dad, then at Andy, then at himself in the mirror. “We don’t look that much like Dad, do we?”

Andy looked at himself, then at Flash, then at Dad. “We look almost exactly the same.”

Flash examined the three of them. They all had similar facial features, allegedly more similar than your average group of closely related people, the same blue eyes, the same blue-colored hair, and the same Navy regulation haircuts. Flash originally got his hair cut like that to feel closer to his dad and brother and because it looked cool, but now that they’re back,- I think I should grow out my hair.

Everyone finished up with basic introductions and moved to sit around the coffee table. Most of the “getting to know” part was on Dad and Andy’s side as Mom knew everyone decently well.

“So, are those ships as cramped as they say?”, Minerva asked.

“They’ve actually opened up a lot. There’s still no ballroom, but we aren’t ducking constantly.”, Andy said.

“That’s what my Dad says about cheap hotels and cheap underwear.”, Emi said, then went back to her and Anura’s game of checkers.

“Hahaha, oh, that’s funny.”, Dad chortled.

“Andy, where’s your finance?”, Sunset asked.

“He’s down in Massachusetts, visiting his family. He’ll be here in a week to start planning the wedding.”

“I bet he’s really handsome.”, Anura said.

“He is, and dramatic. I think he missed his true calling of becoming an actor. So Sunset, how’d you meet my brother?”

“Your brother heard about me from the other kids, and he’s, apparently, attracted to bad girls. So, during lunch, he came up to me, introduced himself, gave me his fruit cup, and gave me a corny pick up line. I didn’t exactly fall for him then and there, but we did eventually form a relationship.”

“You may not have fallen for me, but you did become territorial of me. Four days later, I was talking with some other girls when Sunset shooed them all away. I’m very glad that I gave her that fruit cup. Sunset’s incredible.”

Katon family home
Date: Nov 20th, time: 8:00 pm

*Sunset’s perspective*

“Emi, stop playin’ with y’r food.”, Brigid ordered.

“But look at it. It’s so wobbly.”, Emi protested. Sunset did have to admit, it was wobbly and fun to play with. Anzhong had tried making flan for the first time. It wasn’t Sunset’s favorite but not bad. Either way, Sunset was still going to eat it. She wasn’t called “the human garbage disposal” for nothing.

“Ah was thinkin’ dat it would be nice ta invite da Shots ta Thanksgivin’. Dey’ll otherwise be alone dis year.”

“I thought they had two sons.”, Anzhong commented.

“Dey do, but deir eldest won’t be home until afte’ Thanksgivin’, n’ da othe’ one is unde’ suspicion so doesn’t want ta risk his parents.”

“That is strangely sweet.”

“We ain’t exactly ones ta talk.”

“True. I have no problems with hosting them.”

“Will we be able to watch horror movies?”, Sunset asked.

“If ya wanna, but ya c’n also watch ‘em on y’r own.”

“I prefer watching them with you, and those movie nights are when you’re not too busy to hang out.”, Sunset explained.

“Ah’m sorry if we’ve been makin’ ya feel neglected. We c’n make sure ta spend more time tagethe’.”

“That’s not necessary. I just like taking advantage of the time we do have together.”, Sunset quickly explained.

“Alright” Brigid sounded unconvinced but didn’t press the matter further.

Katon family home
Date: Nov 25th, time: 6:00 pm

*Sunset’s perspective*

“It’s nice to see you girls again.”, Rosie said.

“Hi, Mrs. Shot.”, Emi said.

“Dinner will be ready in not too long.”, Anzhong instructed. There were other assorted chit-chat, but Sunset was more focused on helping make dinner. Sunset recently heard a TV advertisement that said “there can never be too many cooks in the kitchen”. Clearly, whoever wrote that has never tried to share a kitchen before. Sunset did not care how well people got along; the absolute maximum number of people in a domestic kitchen was two, and even that was stretching it. Sunset and Anzhong used a very sophisticated system that allows them to use the kitchen simultaneously; they each have their own counter space, and they each stay within the space. Sunset wants to capture all those responsible for that ad, stuff them into a single domestic kitchen, and force them to cook something.

With the food almost being done, Sunset began setting the table. With Rosie and Buck that makes… wait. “Hey Mom! Since Buck’s eating buck meat, does that make it cannibalism?!” Rosie began laughing her ass off, Brigid, Jiraiya, and Minerva chuckled, Buck rolled his eyes, Emi and Anura looked confused, and Anzhong had no reaction. Sunset grinned to herself and got back to getting plates.

“Start getting washed up.”, Anzhong announced. While everyone scrambled to the bathrooms, Sunset and Anzhong started bringing stuff out to the table. As people got done washing up, they started to help. Soon, everyone was sitting and getting ready to eat.

“Forgive me for my cultural ignorance, but do you say grace?”, Buck asked.

“Not the way you do.”, Anzhong said.

“What’s grace?”, Sunset asked.

“It’s a prayer a’ thanks said before or afte’ a meal. It’s considered polite ta wait f’r ‘em ta finish before eatin’, even if ya don’t take part y’rself.”, Brigid explained.

“Oh,” Sunset turned to address the Shots, “we already said ‘thanks’ ta the deer when we killed it.”

“The deer?”, Rosie asked.

“Who else would you pray to say ‘thanks’ to?”

“Dey’re Christians, like da Sentrys. Dey believe in an all powerful creator god, n’ dat’s who dey thank.”

“Oh” Human religions are weird. Rosie and Buck did their “grace thing” then Brigid gave the okay to eat, and Sunset dug right in.

“So, you thank the animals you kill?”, Buck asked.

“Every‘hin’ wants ta live, but f’r some creatures, dat means killin’ anothe’. We show da animal respect f’r livin’ a good life n’ dyin’ a good death. Not all Celtic Pagans do dis howeve’. We don’t have a centralized church dat tells us how ta act. Even though Minerva n’ Ah are both Celtic Pagans, we have very different practices.” Minerva nodded her head to confirm what Brigid said.

“Very interesting. What are your beliefs?”, Buck asked Jiraiya and Anzhong.

“Japan has an interesting relationship with religion. There is a common expression that goes, “Shinto wedding; Buddhist funeral”. The two religions are so deeply intertwined that they are represented in single places of worship but are still two distinct religions.”, Jiraiya explained.

“Shintoism has Kami, which are divine beings that inhabit and represent anything and everything. Buddhism is more complicated but can be boiled down trying to escape suffering by achieving enlightenment and ending the cycle of reincarnation.”, Anzhong explained.

“That is very interesting.”, Rosie commented.

The meal was peaceful, and the adults continued talking about this and that. The night went on, they finished their food, had dessert, and Emi and Anura were put to bed.

“Ya boys wanna join us f’r a movie?”

“It’s one of your horror movies, right?”, Buck asked, and Rosie nodded yes. “No thank you then. I don’t like watching people suffer.”

“I’ll have to agree with the Sergeant. Plus, TV isn’t my forte.”, Jiraiya said.

“You both can join me downstairs. We have many board games.”, Anzhong said.

“You can play board games?”, Buck asked.

“The monopoly money has textured tape on it so I know what it is.”

“Neat”

The men moseyed on downstairs while the ladies picked out a movie. After some back and forth and Rosie and Minerva insisting that the movie needed to be in English this time, they finally picked a murder mystery and started watching. The movie was alright but a bit boring. Combine that with the amount of food she had eaten, Sunset was slipping off to lala land about halfway through.

*Flashback*

Canterlot Castle
Date: 05/07/1098 Ee, time: 3rd hour ASR

*Sunset’s perspective*

“Sunset, watch what I do.”, Celestia said. Sunset nibbled on a mango while she watched Celestia do some fancy tricks with levitating multi-colored, wooden blocks. Sunset really liked mangoes. She wished that her family had enough money to get them. “Doing these exercises will help develop fine telekinetic control. Now, you try.”

Sunset jammed the mango into her mouth and got up to stand next to Celestia. Sunset lit her horn with the telekinesis spell and focused it on the blocks. They were lightweight and easy to move. Sunset tried lifting the red block to start but, instead, sent it flying and crashing through the window. Sunset dropped her mango in shock and cowered away. Oh no no no, I just destroyed the Princess’s window. She’s going to be so made. “I’m sorry.”, Sunset squeaked out and wrapped her front hooves in front of her eyes. She was too scared to look at Celestia.

“It’s okay, Sunset. Accidents happen, and windows can be replaced.”, Celestia said calmly.

Sunset tentatively lifted one of her hooves from her eye and looked up at Celestia. “You’re not mad?”

Celestia walked over and wrapped her foreleg around Sunset. “Of course, I’m not made. You should have seen how much damage I caused when I was learning to control my powers. I applied too much pressure on a spear I was helping my father forge, crushing it. I was banned from my father’s workshop all together after nearly blowing up the furnace.”

“Hehehe, you’re a lot nicer than ponies say.”, Sunset quietly said. Her hooves were now back on the ground, and most of the fear was gone.

“Oh, what do other ponies say?”, Celestia asked curiously.

“They said you’d be really strict and would kick me out when I messed up.”, Sunset said nervously.

“Sunset, I’m not going to kick you out. Do you remember your entry test and what the testers said?”

“It was a test to see how I would react to failure, and that the school taught us to succeed. We don’t need to be perfect already.”

“Correct. Now, I created that test and that modo. Why would I kick a student out for making a mistake?”

“I guess you wouldn’t.”

“Sunset, don’t listen to those who would put you down. You are wonderful just the way you are. Do you understand?”

“I understand.”

“Good, now,” Celestia lit her horn and the block reappeared, “let’s try that again.”

*Present Day*

Sunset was woken up by Brigid getting up. Sunset worked on regaining her bearings while Brigid and Anzhong did the goodbye song and dance. For a partially Irish household, the Irish goodbye was very rarely practiced. Sunset got up and walked over to Brigid, who had just closed the door.

“Hey kiddo.”

“It was Vanessa.”, Sunset said bluntly.

“Good guess.”

“It wasn’t a guess.”

“Hff, ya tired enough to go back to bed?”

“Not any more.”

“Yeah wanna talk f’r a bit?”

“Yes”

“Good night, ladies.”, Anzhong said before going upstairs.

Brigid and Sunset went back over to the couch and sat down. “Sunset, ya mentioned dat da princesses are considered ta be gods. Ah was curious ‘bout Equestrian religion.”

“Well, we have a heaven and hell, but you automatically go to heaven unless you’re sentenced to Tartarus by the Princess, which is a real place that keeps you alive but imprisoned for eternity. Luckily, the only creature in there, currently, is a centaur that tried to conquer Equestria named Tirek.”

“Wouldn’t some‘hin’ like dat have been mentioned in da history book?”

“It was more of a temper tantrum and didn’t cause any changes to Equestrian society. As for myths and legends, it’s hard to tell what is true and what isn’t. Even the story of the founders is starting to be forgotten as a legend.”

“Ah c’n see why.”

“Yeah, as for our creation myth, it says that the parents of Celestia and Luna are the creator gods. In the time of creation, Faust, the Writer, wrote a story of a world filled with life and many creatures living and laughing. She showed her husband, Cracken, the Forger, the story and wished she had a place to make it real. Cracken memorized every detail he could about the planet and went off to forge it. He found a suitable sun for the planet and began. He swung his hammer and created a ball of magma. He swung his hammer again and cooled it to create the ground. He swung his hammer again and created the mountains. He continued swinging, creating the oceans, skies, rivers, valleys, and plains. Once the planet was created, he brought his wife to see it. She was overjoyed and began writing story after story, creating ponies, griffons, yacks, dragons, and all other creatures. She created stories that all the creatures of Equoes would live out.”

“Ah take it destiny is a big part a’ y’r culture.”

“It would be hard for it not to be when we got destiny-defining marks on our butts. Faust and Cracken were real and were the parents of Celestia and Luna, but they were just commoners. Cracken’s smithing did make them wealthier than your average unicorn family, at the time, but that was it until Celestia and Luna first raised the sun and lowered the moon.”

“Researchin’ mythology on Equoes sounds like it would be interestin’, like a planet wide King Aurther.”

“What?”

“Historians are debatin’ whether or not King Aurther was real. Da general consensus is no, but part a’ his story might be real.”

“Sounds boring. Yawn, now I’m ready for bed. Good night.”, Sunset said sleepily and got up to go to her room.

“Good night, Sunset.”

CMS gym
Date: Dec 6th, time: 2:00 pm

*Sunset’s perspective*

Students from several classes flooded into the gym with gym bags in hand, trying to cross it and get to the locker rooms. The beginning of gym class was always hectic. As students began to reach the locker rooms, the gym teacher spoke up. “Put your swim suits on. We’re going swimming!” Students began cheering and hollering. Swimming was a rare treat for most of them but a nightmare for others. Sunset saw some of the students dreading the class even more. Gym was a time rife with bullying; add skin tight waterwear to the mix, and Sunset didn’t blame them for hating it. As much as the teachers and the “peacekeeper” kids tried to keep it in check, there were just too many kids.

The students split up into their respective sections and began changing. Once Sunset was done, she placed the garments she was no longer using in her bag and headed out. With swimsuits now replacing underwear and goggles on heads, the students exited the locker rooms and began lining up to get going. Flash, Sunset, and Snips and Snails rejoined each other in the line, and they were soon on their way.

The teachers brought the students over to the highschool and down into the basement. The basement was an interesting place and the least confusing part of the school, which wasn’t saying much. The pool was put underground to help with temperature regulation and keep kids out during the summer. Only the very top of the pool room was above ground and was lined with very narrow windows. Entering into the pool room, the students found places to plop their bags down and began taking their clothes off.

Kids began jumping into the pool and splashing around. The teachers tried to keep control over the situation, but they were badly outnumbered. Sunset slid into the water with practiced ease. Humans and ponies were of comparable swimming skill, but how they did so was very different. Sunset had to relearn how to swim back during her first year of human schooling, but now she was one of the best swimmers in her class, moving through the water like an otter. She didn’t need goggles but wore them anyway because kids be nasty and chlorine irritates her eyes. She always loved swimming. It made her feel like she was flying. Swimming as a human had the advantage of not having to spend several minutes drying out her thick fur. Her fur was water-resistant but not water-proof. Wet clothes, wet fur, she hated it all the same. I should invent some sorta waterskin spell. The human form would work well with that.

After doing her laps, Sunset parked herself by the edge to just enjoy flouting and relax. “Lily! Leave me alone!”, Snips shouted. Sigh, scrap relaxing. Sunset launched out of the pool and came up behind Snips. Snips hid behind Sunset as she stared down Lily.

“Wow, you must be as blind as your dad to have the confidence to wear a two piece with your body.”, Lily snarked, referring to Sunset’s larger build.

“At least I fill out my suit. I honestly feel sorry for you, just developed enough to need to wear a top piece but not enough to fit into anything commonly sold.”, Sunset snarked back.

“I’m developing just fine, and I know you’re stuffing your bra!”

“Oh, if you’re really that curious, I’d be happy to show you.” Sunset grabbed the bottom hem of her top piece, not actually intending to do it. She knew she would get into big trouble for exposing herself. It was just a threat.

“Hold on now. Let’s simmer down n’ talk this out.”, Jacklyn said, stepping in between Sunset and Lily.

“Jacklyn, this is none of your business. Go back to your girlfriend.”, Sunset said calmly but threateningly.

“Wha-I don’t,” Jacklyn shook her head, “that’s not the issue here. Ah’m sure that you can talk this out, calmly. Now, what happened?”

Sunset gave Jacklyn an indignant look and shook her head. “Jacklyn, I’m only permitting this because you’re an O’Apple. If you were a member of any other clan, you’d already be in da wate’.”

“Um, thanks”, Jacklyn said confusedly.

“I’m not going to have this mediated by another Irish! You’re all terrorists and in cahoots with each other!”, Lily shrieked.

“What did ya jus’ call us?!”, Jacklyn and Sunset shouted in unison.

“You heard me! You’re all terrorists. My British cousins told me all about the IRA.”

Sunset and Jacklyn looked at Lily in bewilderment then to each other. It was clear that Jacklen was thinking the same thing as Sunset. Did that bitch really just say that? The two turned back to Lily then turned back to each other. “Wate’?”, Sunset asked.

“Water”, Jacklyn answered. The two marched over to Lily, who tried to run but slipped before being grabbed mid fall by Jacklyn. Jacklyn took one side, and Sunset took the other, and Lily protested furiously. “One… two… three.” They threw Lily into the pool by her swimsuit. She screamed and hit the water with a satisfying splat. Sunset laughed at her, pleased with their actions.

“I had no idea that ya had a spiteful side.”, Sunset noted.

“Ah’d be willin’ ta bet everybody does. Mine’s jus’ hard ta bring out. Ah had no idea you were Irish.”

“My mom is. I’m, biologically, more Scottish but was still raised Irish.”

“Oh, that’s cool.”, Jacklyn said more nervously.

“You’d think she would be smart enough not to piss off two people from a place called ‘Ire-land’.”, Sunset joked.

“What-oh, ha, that’s funny.”

“See ya.”, Sunset said sharply then walked off. Snips had, apparently, scampered off. Wordless communication with Jacklyn was easy, actual conversations were not and painfully awkward. If Sunset had to take a stab as to why, she had to say that it was because Jacklyn really hated her but was too polite to just walk off. Not a fricken ‘Irish goodbye’ anywhere to be seen.

Sunset dove back into the water. It was nice and warm, and she had gotten cold during all that. The water felt nice around her skin, kinda like a hug. Sunset spotted Flash doing his laps, and a devious idea came to her. Sunset snuck up on Flash and grabbed him. He freaked out for a second before realizing it was Sunset. Sunset poked her head above the water and gave Flash a mischievous grin. Flash rolled his eyes then got his own mischievous grin. Flash pushed Sunset’s head back below the water. Flash began laughing, and Sunset was tempted to pants him but figured the poor boy already had enough of that type of trouble for a year or two. Sunset swam away, giving the parting gift of a butt slap before she left.

Sunset continued to leisurely swim around until gym class was over. The teachers blew their whistles to signal that it was time to get out of the pool. Reluctantly, Sunset pulled herself out of the water, grabbed her bag, and followed the other girls into the showers. Sunset got everything she needed from her bag and put everything she didn’t need back into her bag then put her bag in her locker. Sunset locked everything up then slid on her shower shoes and took her turn. She made absolutely sure that she got all the chlorine out of her hair. One time she didn’t, the gold parts of her hair turned green, and she was called Sunset Claus until it was washed out. She would rather that not happen again.

Sunset finished up quickly as she had places to be and grabbed her bag out of the locker, got dressed, and went to put Philomena’s whistle on, but it was missing. Sunset searched her bag, dumped everything out, searched through the contents, searched through every pocket, and turned the whole thing inside out. No! No no no no! “Did anyone see anyone go through my locker?!”, Sunset asked while pointing to the locker. Everyone shook their heads. The padlock was still on there. Nobody here, except for me, knows how to decode a combo lock, and mine’s top of the line. That means it was taken during swim, but who - Lily. “Where’s Lily Valley?!”, Sunset growled.

“Looking for this?”, Lily smugly said. She was leaning against the lockers, trying to look cool. Operative word being ‘trying’. “I’ve seen you wearing this all the time this last year. I take it that this is important to you.”

“Give it back!”, Sunset snarled.

“Tell you what, I’ll give it back if-” Lily didn’t get a chance to finish as Sunset bolted towards her and aimed a punch at her face. Lily barely had any time to dodge as Sunset’s fist hit the lockers behind her with a bang. Lily stumbled but quickly got back up to run. Sunset ran after her. The two ran back out to the pool, where Sunset was able to catch up to Lily. The two began to struggle, and one of them tripped, Sunset didn’t know which one, and sent them both into the pool. Sunset saw the whistle sinking to the bottom of the pool, and she broke away from Lily to go grab it.

Once Sunset got Philomena’s whistle, she came back up and was met by one of the teachers. She helped Sunset out of the pool and handed her a towel. “Now, what do you think you were doing?”, the teacher asked.

“Getting this back.” Sunset showed her Philomena’s whistle then blew it to get the water out.

“Alright, grab your stuff. You’re going to the vice principal’s office.”

Sunset put Philomena’s whistle back around her neck, grabbed her stuff from the locker room, and went to Leo’s office with Lily screaming abuse at her. Sunset so badly wanted to punch Lily straight in the mouth, but that would not help matters. At least she knew what she was going to do when she got home. “Shut the fuck up! You’re not special! You’re just a whiny brat that no one likes! How you ended up like this when your sister and parents are decent, I have no idea!”, Sunset finally shouted back. Lily began crying like a damn baby, and Sunset wanted to pull her hair out. Hers? Lily’s? Either worked. How can even someone’s cries be annoying? Is this girl made of annoying? - And I need a nap.

“Girls, why are you both wet? Sunset, have you been crying?”, Leo asked once Sunset and Lily got into her office.

“Sunset pushed me into the pool. It was so awful.”, Lily whined.

“I didn’t push you. We both fell in.”, Sunset protested.

“Girls, girls, calm down. Now, Sunset what happened?”

“Why are you asking her? I’m the victim here.”, Lily protested.

“Lily! Be quiet! I will get your half of the story after I get Sunset’s. Now, Sunset?”

“It started when she was bullying Snips during swim. Jacklyn tried to mediate and defuse the situation, but Lily called us terrorists because we’re both Irish. In retaliation, we threw her into the pool. As I later learned, she stole an important item from my bag, which I only learned about when I was getting dressed. I tried to get it back, and we struggled for it. That’s when we both fell into the pool. She dropped it in the pool, and I was able to retrieve it. You can ask anyone. I wasn’t quiet about it.”

“Alright, Lily”

“It was terrible. She tried to punch and kick me, and she bit me.”, Lily whined.

“She bit you?”

“Uh-huh” Lily even tried bringing a tear to her eye. It was unconvincing. Leo turned her head to Sunset.

“I did try to punch her, yes, but I never tried to kick her and certainly never bit her. That last part would be very easy to prove.” Sunset smiled, showing off her elongated canines.

“I’ll talk with the other students then decide your punishments. For now, Lily, I’ll call your parents. Sunset, - are your eyes okay? They look really red.”

“My eyes are sensitive to chlorine, and I wasn’t exactly wearing my goggles when-” Sunset gestured to her wet clothes.

“I see. Well, you can just go home.”

“Thank you”, Sunset said. Sunset practically bolted out of the room. She would probably come up with a better descriptor when she was less exhausted, but saying that ‘Lily was made of annoying' was still accurate. Sunset spent most of the walk home grumbling about wet clothes and wet socks and the cold. The first thing she did when she got home was to get out of her wet clothes and take another shower. She really didn’t want to be called Sunset Claus again. Once she was warm, dry, positive that her hair wouldn’t turn green, and in dry clothes, Sunset went to go find Minerva. Finding her was easy. She’s normally in Brigid’s office at this time of day.

“Hey, Minerva.”

“Sunset?” Minerva checked her computer clock then her wristwatch. “You’re back early.”

“Yeah, I actually have a problem that I need your help with.”

“Shoot”

“Do you know any curses? There’s this girl at school that’s been causing my group a lot of trouble, and in-school suspension isn’t going to cut it.”

“Hm, I do know how to curse someone, but I have no proof it actually works. It could be the curse that’s messing with their lives or just bad luck or their own actions coming back to bite them. Are you really sure you want to curse this kid?”

“Positive, but maybe something reversible.”

“Alright, let’s get crackin’.”

Halls of CMS
Date: Dec 9th, time: 8:30 am

*Sunset’s perspective*

Sunset planned to monitor Lily as she went about her week. If the curse worked, Sunset didn’t want to miss any of it. If it didn’t work, Sunset would have to take matters into her own hands again, or she might just do it for the shits and giggles. Sunset watched Lily from around a corner as she opened her locker. The curse was designed to just cause a lot of mild inconveniences with no rhyme or reason. The line of thinking being that they would either mount up and cause the person more and more stress or cause a chain reaction that would lead to bigger consequences down the line, like causing someone to be late to work and get fired and other stuff like that.

When Lily opened her locker, everything came falling out. Lily scrambled to get everything cleaned up quickly but wasn’t able to do so before the bell rang. Lily was still cleaning everything up as students were going around her to get to class. Sunset came out of her hiding spot and began walking to class, past Lily, but instead of going behind Lily, she walked over her papers.

“Hey!”, Lily shouted.

“Oops, sorry Lily. I didn’t see you there.”, Sunset said condescendingly.

“You had something to do with this.”

“Oh, maybe I did, but I’d have to be a witch to do that. These are all your papers that you put in your locker.” Lily scowled at Sunset, but Sunset wasn’t sure what she was thinking. “Well, I need to get ta class. Spell ya later.”, Sunset said with a sickly sweet tone and turned to walk to class. She couldn’t see Lily, but she could sense her anger towards her boil.

CMS lunchroom
Date: same day, time: 12:00 pm

*Flash’s perspective*

“Sunset, what are you doing?”, Snips asked.

Flash looked up from his food to see what Snips was talking about. Sunset was staring at something and not eating her food. The first one is weird enough, but the second one made it downright bizarre. Flash tracked where she was looking and found Lily. Flash tensed up upon seeing her, and somehow, Sunset picked up on that.

“Hey, hey, you’re okay.”, Sunset said while taking Flash’s hand in hers. “I’m not going to let her hurt you again.”

Oh no. Flash knew what that meant, and it wasn’t good. “What do you plan on doing to her?” Flash by no means likes Lily, but Sunset + revenge = not good.

“I already did it. I’m just waiting to see if it actually works.”

“What. Did. You. Do?”, Flash said more sternly.

“I cursed her. Nothing deadly, it’s meant to cause many mild inconveniences.”

“You cursed her?”, Flash said skeptically.

“Hence the “waiting to see if it actually works” part. Oh, don’t look at me like that. You and I both saw what we saw that day.”

“Saw what? What day?”, Snails asked.

“Not now.”, Sunset snapped. “Actually, now would be a good time for you two to get your own revenge.”

“Yeah!”, Snips and Snails cheered.

“I want you two to follow her around. Whenever you can, make her misery worse and make it clear I sent you.”

“Yes ma’am.”, Snips and Snails said with a salute. This isn’t going to be good.

Halls of CMS
Date: Dec 10th, time: 3:00 pm

*Snips’ perspective*

“Ready, Snails?”

“Ready”

Snips and Snails watched and followed Lily around. Sunset was off to hockey. That left Lily’s misery up to them. Under Sunset’s orders, both of them held pitchers filled with water and were waiting for the curse to take effect. As Lily was walking down the hall, she tripped on her own feet and fell to the floor. Snips and Snails moved in quickly and poured the water all over Lily. Snails took the picture then quickly hid his phone.

“Sunset says “thanks for the extra bath”. She wanted it returned in kind.”, Snips said before they both ran off.

“That was awesome!”, Snails shouted. “Finally getting some payback.”

“Yeah”, Snips corroborated.

Canterlot Ice Rink
Date: same day, time: 3:15 pm

*Sunset’s perspective*

The Wonder Colts hockey team poured into the locker room as they did every Tuesday and Thursday. Each member removed whatever garments they didn’t need and donned their gear. Everyone began bantering and teasing each other, but Sunset didn’t participate. Lily was going to retaliate, and Sunset needed to be ready for it. She started a war, and Sunset may lose a battle or two but never loses a war.

“That’s new.”, Rainbow said.

“What?”, Sunset asked.

“The lock on your bag. Is it because of the incident during swim?”

“I take it you heard about it.”

“Everyone has. I even have it on good intel that the teachers are talking about it. What did she try to steal?”

Sunset pulled the item in question out of her bag and showed it to Rainbow. Rainbow tilted her head from one side then to the other, trying to figure out what it was. “It’s a bird call whistle. And yes, it’s that important to me.”

“Hm, pet memento?”

“What?”

“Is it something that you keep from your pet?”

“She wasn’t my pet. She was my daughter. I raised her since she was an egg.”

“I get that. I have a tortoise named Tank. He’s still small enough to fit in my hand, but he’s going to get really big and strong. He’s my best friend and little scaly boy.”

“Yeah, that’s-” You deceitful little bitch. “You’re trying that “oh, we’re so alike, so let’s be besties” stik again!”, Sunset said accusatively and bolted up from the bench. “I told you once, I told you a hundred times, I don’t want to be your friend, and I’m never going to be! Nobody wants to be your friend! Evidenced by the fact your best friend is a cold blooded turtle!”

Rainbow bolted up from her seat, now also enraged. “Well, excuse me for trying to help you! Have you looked at yourself lately?! You’re becoming the same kind of monster Thunder and Sea were! And Tank’s a tortoise not a turtle!”

“I am nothing like them, and I don’t need help from some half pint Brit!” Sunset pushed Rainbow to emphasize the ‘half pint’ bit.

Before either could start again, Tiny stepped between them, and some of the other girls held them back. “Wait until we’re on the ice to shove people!”, Tiny bellowed. Sunset and Rainbow continued to snarl at each other but made no moves to continue the fight. The other girls let go of them, and Tiny got out of their way. The two of them continued to glare at each other as they got their skates on.

Sunset let out a small hiss. She wanted to rip Rainbow’s throat out. Rainbow clearly picked up on it but said nothing. Once all suited up, they all made their way onto the ice. Sunset breathed in the frigid air of the arena. She really needed to work off some steam.