A Sunset Within The Darkness

The morning sun peeked through the curtains of Rarity’s guest room, casting soft rays across the room where Y/N was getting ready for school. Staying over at Rarity’s house had been not so bad as he first thought. Since he had transferred to Canterlot High, she and her family had shown him nothing but kindness and hospitality. They were his family after all, and after what had happened at the party last night, he was glad to have someone like Rarity to talk to.

As he laced up his shoes, his mind wandered back to the moment he saw Sunset in the hallway, the cold expression on her face as she taunted that other student. He hadn’t been able to shake it all night, and the image of her pushing that kid into a locker kept replaying in his head. It was so different from the Sunset he’d heard about through Rarity and her friends—kind, supportive, and always there for others. But last night, she had seemed like someone else entirely.

But throughout the whole night, he questioned himself as to why he cared so much. Was it because Sunset was a friend of his cousin and she was acting off as to how Rarity explained her to be... or was it because he actually liked Sunset? Y/N had yet to even have a conversation with her, and despite hearing what she was like, he didn't know anything about her. And with her recent behavior, Y/N was now no longer sure what she was truly like. But, she was very smart. She showed her intelligence multiple times in class by answering questions with picture-perfect accuracy and she impressed Y/N time and time again. She was also beyond beautiful. From her hair to her eyes, her smile... Y/N shook his head. 'What am I doing? I don't even know her, I've never even talked to her but somehow I fell for her. But... even though I do like her, she has Sundrop and I have the team to worry about. I can't let these feelings get to me, stay focused Y/N.'

As he headed downstairs to the kitchen, he saw Rarity was already there, preparing some tea and toast for breakfast. She glanced up when he walked in and greeted him with a bright smile.

“Good morning, darling!” she chirped, sliding a plate toward him. “I trust you slept well?”

“Yeah, thanks,” Y/N replied, sitting down across from her. He picked up a piece of toast, but before taking a bite, he glanced over at her, hesitating. He had to tell her about what he saw last night or he would go insane. If his friend was acting off he would want to know about it. Rarity had to know about Sunset and what she did. “Actually, Rarity… can we talk for a second?”

Her smile faded slightly as she sensed his serious tone, and she nodded, setting her tea down. “Of course, Y/N. What’s on your mind?”

Y/N took a breath, gathering his thoughts. “It’s about last night. When I left the gym to go to the bathroom, I saw something... weird.” Rarity looked at him expectantly, her eyes encouraging him to go on. “I was heading to the bathroom but on my way, I saw Sunset in the hallway. She was pushing some kid against a locker, teasing him, taunting him... I don’t know, it just didn’t look like her, at least by the way you told me she acted. And I know I don’t know her that well, but from what you and everyone else have told me, she’s supposed to be this really nice, friendly person. It just didn’t match up.”

Rarity’s brows knitted together, her expression turning thoughtful. “That does sound strange... Are you sure it was Sunset?”

Y/N nodded. “Absolutely. I mean, I may not know her but I know what she looks like. She wasn’t doing anything major, but it was enough to seem... mean. And it got me wondering if maybe her boyfriend, Sundrop, has something to do with it.”

At the mention of Sundrop, Rarity’s expression shifted to one of curiosity. “Sundrop? Why do you think he’d have anything to do with her behavior?”

“Well,” Y/N began, feeling a familiar bitterness creeping in. He hadn't told Rarity about his past at Crystal Prep nor about all the pain and suffering Sundrop had put him through. But if there was a time for her to know, it was now. “I knew him back at Crystal Prep. He was... well, he was the golden boy. Smartest kid in the class, quarterback for the football team, basically Mr. Perfect. But he was also a huge bully. He’d target anyone who didn’t fit into his idea of cool. He made my life there a nightmare.”

Rarity listened intently, her face sympathetic as she took in his words. 'Is this what Principal Celestia was talking to him about on his first day?'

“He’d push me around, mock me, humiliate me whenever he got the chance,” Y/N continued. “But it got worse when he started spreading rumors about me that eventually made people hate me." Y/N thought back to those times. "He accused me of sexually assaulting one of his friends and with him being the golden boy everyone believed him. No one believed me, after all, I was the failure of Crystal Prep. It became so bad that dying probably would've been better than what I was going through on a daily basis. So, one day I was fed up with it and snapped. I did something no one had done before and stood up to Sundrop. We eventually got into a fight but it was quickly broken up by fellow classmates and teachers. After my parents found out, they immediately pulled me out of Crystal Prep and looked for another school for me to go to. That's when they called your parents asking if I could stay here so I could go to Canterlot with you. And now you know the story between me and Sundrop and why I think he's a bad influence on Sunset and why she might be acting weird.”

Rarity’s expression softened, and she reached out, placing a comforting hand on his arm. “Y/N, I had no idea. I’m so sorry you went through that.”

He nodded, managing a small smile at her support. “Thanks. I don’t know if he’s changed since then, I doubt it. But after seeing Sunset act that way last night... it reminded me of how he used to act and how he would treat me.”

Rarity’s eyes darkened slightly. “I’m beginning to wonder if there’s more to his behavior than Sunset realizes. She’s been dating him for a few months now, and honestly, it made me uneasy when I first heard he went to Crystal Prep, you know, with how most of the kids are. I never thought she’d go for someone like him.”

“That’s the other thing that's been on my mind,” Y/N said, his brow furrowing. “Sundrop was dating someone else back at Crystal Prep. I don’t know if they broke up or anything, but if he started dating Sunset just a few months ago like you claim, it seems suspicious. He might even be cheating on her.”

Rarity’s eyes widened, and she looked away thoughtfully. “Oh dear... Sunset’s never mentioned anything about his past relationships or anything to do with his past. She trusts him so much, and she doesn’t seem to question his behavior.” She took a breath, her resolve strengthening. “I’ll talk to her later today. If there’s something wrong, I want to be there to help her see it before it’s too late.”

Y/N nodded, relieved to hear that Rarity would step in. “Thanks, Rarity. I didn’t want to keep this to myself, but I also didn’t know what to do.”

“You did the right thing, Y/N,” she assured him. “And don’t worry, I’ll handle this with care. Sunset deserves to know if something’s wrong. I can tell you care about her.” Rarity then smirked. "Do you perhaps like her?"

Y/N let out a small laugh. "Honestly, I'm not quite sure myself. I've never even spoken to her, and all I know about her is what you've told me. But, I will admit she is super smart and beyond beautiful." Y/N then got serious. "But, she's dating Sundrop right now, so it's not like I can make a move on her. Besides, I have school and the football season to worry about, they are my number one priority right now, and of course family and friends too. But I can't worry about a girl, I've never had a girlfriend anyway so I wouldn't know what to do.

They shared a look of mutual understanding before Rarity took a deep breath, changing the subject with a smile. She could tell Y/N had a lot on his mind, and she didn't like seeing her cousin down. “Talking about football, you've been playing amazing, dear. Everyone has been talking about the star Quarterback who came out of nowhere and is helping Canterlot. Your recent success on the football field is the talk of the school! You all looked amazing out there last night. And I've heard a few girls talking about you.” Rarity winked as Y/N blushed, he was still not used to the sudden attention as he was used to being a loner and not in the spotlight.

Y/N grinned, his earlier worries easing a bit. “Thanks! It’s been awesome. The team’s really come together, and I think we can keep this winning streak going.”

“I’m thrilled for you all, darling, but remember, confidence is good—as long as it doesn’t tip over into arrogance.” She gave him a gentle but knowing look. “Stay grounded. Too much pride has brought down many a champion, you know.”

Y/N chuckled, nodding. “Don’t worry, I’ll keep my head in the game. I’m just happy to be doing well, and I’ll keep pushing myself to help the team as best as I can.”

“As you should! After all, you’re the quarterback, the leader out there on the field,” Rarity said with a proud smile. “Just remember, it’s a long season. Take each game as it comes, and don’t let a few wins make you reckless.”

Y/N nodded, absorbing her advice. She was right—the season was still early, and they had a long road ahead. He would stay focused, work hard, and keep pushing himself to improve.

Later that week, the Canterlot Wondercolts faced off against their next opponent. The stadium was packed with students and fans alike, all buzzing with anticipation. The energy was high, and Y/N felt the familiar rush of adrenaline as he stepped onto the field, taking in the cheers and encouragement from the crowd.

The game kicked off, and though they started strong, it quickly became clear that this opponent was tougher than the last two. They had a solid defense that kept Y/N and his team on their toes, forcing them to adapt and strategize on the fly. Mistakes began to creep in—passes were missed, routes were off, and the team didn’t look as cohesive as they had in the previous games. It was clear that the team wasn't as focused as they were in the last two games.

By halftime, they were still leading, but the gap wasn’t nearly as wide as they were used to. Coach gathered them together, his tone stern but encouraging.

“All right, team, listen up,” he said. “We’ve had a great start to the season, but this game is a reminder that we can’t get too comfortable. Do not get cocky, stay focused, and keep playing smart. You’ve got this.”

Y/N looked around at his teammates, seeing the determination in their eyes. They all knew they’d have to bring their A-game if they wanted to keep their streak alive. Taking a deep breath, he nodded to Flash and Bulk, signaling his readiness to lead them through the second half.

The game resumed, and Canterlot fought hard. There were still some hiccups—occasional fumbles, minor miscommunications—but they managed to rally together, using their setbacks as fuel to push even harder. They dug deep, remembering their training and trusting each other to make the plays that mattered.

In the end, they emerged victorious, though it wasn’t the blowout they’d come to expect as the last two. The score was 28-0, the least amount of points Canterlot had put up all season. Their win hadn’t come as easily, but they’d earned it through resilience and teamwork. As they walked off the field, exhausted but proud, Y/N felt a renewed sense of purpose. The close call had reminded him and his teammates that they couldn’t afford to let their early success go to their heads.

The rest of the week was a mix of training and classes, with everyone feeling a bit more grounded. They’d seen firsthand how quickly things could shift on the field, and it fueled their drive to work even harder in practice. Y/N and his teammates knew they had a good chance at a successful season, but they were determined not to get reckless or overconfident. They would continue improving, pushing themselves to stay sharp and disciplined.

By Friday, Y/N was looking forward to another weekend game, ready to see how their hard work would pay off. He hadn’t forgotten his conversation with Rarity earlier in the week, and though he hadn’t seen any other signs of strange behavior from Sunset, he hoped that Rarity’s talk with her had gone well. For now, though, he was focused on football, determined to keep his team’s momentum going while staying grounded and humble.