Sunset Shimmer was dead, dead boring. It was the last day of school before the Christmas holidays and, as luck would have it, the day before Christmas Eve. At this time of year, everyone was happier than usual, just like back in Equestria right before Hearth Warming Eve. Sunset could only roll her eyes at all the merriment. She had the school completely under her control at this time too, but somehow it didn't feel quite as satisfying to rise above her classmates. She always got what she wanted, but unlike usual, her victims were most of the time cheerful afterwards and her intimidation didn't have the long-term effect she intended. All the power she possessed in this world came from the fact that people were afraid of her, no one should even think of messing with her. But at this time of year, some confused souls even threw a 'Merry Christmas' at her and there was little she could do about it. If the two weeks over Christmas and New Year hadn't been school holidays, the whole thing might have been different, but as it was, the rank and file slipped away from her on Christmas Eve at the latest.

Well, she would use the time to rigorously plan the new year so that everyone knew their place straight away, just like in all the years before. A diabolical grin flitted across her face at the thought. Have fun while you still can, Sunset thought to herself.

The lessons in the week before Christmas always went the same way, not at all. The teachers, like the pupils, seemed to be in a good mood, so it didn't help to throw a little oil on the fire.

It was just lunchtime when Sunset approached one of her victims to take his lunch money. It was actually just routine, but this time the boy was a little coy.

“B ... but Sun ... Sunset ... it's Christmas after all. Can't ... can't I keep my lunch money th... this one time?” the boy stammered to himself.

An irrepressible rage rose up in Sunset.

“Oh right, it's Christmas, that must have slipped my mind,” Sunset mocked the poor boy, whose eyes were slowly coming to the realization that he should have just kept his mouth shut, "I think it's really very nice of you to offer me not only your lunch money, but also your glasses." Sunset's mouth turned up into a smug grin.

“M ... my glasses?” he asked.

“Yes, your glasses or do you have something with your ears either?” Sunset snapped at him.

“But...” the boy began, but this time Sunset hit him directly. Who did this wretch think he was?

“I really hate to repeat myself! Where is your Christmas spirit now? You know very well that I can make your life a living hell. You should be grateful that it's only your glasses I'm asking for!”

That was enough to make the boy tremble like a leaf, she got the glasses and his money, but as he was about to leave, Sunset added, “Haven't you forgotten something else?”

The boy immediately stopped, “Th ... thank you Sunset!” he said like a trained dog.

Sunset was strolling along the corridor contentedly when suddenly Pinkie jumped into her path from the side like a flash of pink.

“Ooooohhhhh Sunset Shimmer!” exclaimed Pinkie Pie.

An exasperated groan left Sunset's body. Pinkie Pie was the last person Sunset wanted to see, normally she had Pinkie under control like everyone else, but at Christmas nothing could spoil her mood and she didn't even seem to want to leave Sunset in peace for some reason.

“What Pinkie?” Sunset asked, annoyed.

“Uh, uh, uh, I just wanted to know if you were coming to my Christmas party the day after tomorrow,” Pinkie replied excitedly.

Sunset couldn't help but laugh.

“Do you really think I want to go to your stupid party?” mocked Sunset.

“I was hoping yes. There's gingerbread, Christmas decorations, ....”, Pinkie began to list before Sunset interrupted her, "I'm not interested in any of that Pinkie, you can try to have fun in this boring way, but I don't want anything to do with your lame party!", Sunset made clear.

With that, Sunset left Pinkie standing behind her, who called after her dejectedly: “But it's Christmas. Aren't you all alone?”

Sunset didn't turn around again: “Yes, and I hope it stays that way!”

Sunset was glad when the day was finally over and she could retire to her sparse bed in the boiler room, maybe make herself a ready-made meal in the microwave and start thinking about the new year.

Even before the bell could ring to end the last lesson, the Christmas spirit entered Cranky Doodle and he dismissed them early. All her classmates cheered and hurriedly packed up their things, especially Rainbow Dash. Sunset simply couldn't miss this opportunity.

She unobtrusively tripped Rainbow at just the right moment while she was calmly packing up her things. And so the rainbow-haired girl crashed into the teacher's desk in a high arc. All her things landed scattered on the floor.

Now a little spiteful comment and the crowd would laugh out loud.

“Oh Rainbow Crash are you okay?” Sunset asked with feigned concern. Everyone started laughing at the name. Sunset smiled diabolically at Rainbow, who clenched her hands angrily and began to blush. Breathing heavily, Rainbow straightened up and pointed her finger at Sunset.

“You...” she began angrily.

“Me?” Sunset replied.

“Yes, you! You...” Rainbow was at a loss for words. It was almost cute how easily Sunset could make Rainbow dance. Rainbow was self-confident, strong-willed and loyal, all qualities that Sunset could not tolerate. So she kept Rainbow as small as possible, and thanks to her temperament and arrogance, it wasn't that difficult.

“Maybe you'd better save your breath, you seem to be out of breath already, you top athlete,” Sunset teased.

Laughter again. Rainbow's face grew redder and redder, she was about to explode, but then.

“Oh you know what just forget it, you boss bitch.” Rainbow turned away from her, picked up her things and started moving.

Sunset stayed behind smiling, that had done her good. She left the school with all the others so as not to arouse any suspicion that she actually lived in the boiler room. Sunset now had her own key for the school basement, which she always used to sneak back in later.

Outside, she spotted Rainbow Dash again, but she didn't like what she saw. Rainbow had met up with little Scootaloo, some disabled child she seemed to spend a lot of time with. Her face broke into a joyful smile, all her anger just gone. It annoyed Sunset so much that she got carried away and shouted something at her.

“Hey Rainbow Crash! Merry Christmas!” Sunset waved and smiled at her from afar.

And Rainbow did indeed give her a venomous look, her expression darkened, but unfortunately this was again only short-lived, because Scootaloo brought her back to her good mood.

Scowling, Sunset strolled through the town, scattering angry looks and poking a few familiar faces here and there when she felt like it. Later, she went to get herself a hot chocolate. She didn't have to queue up for it, a few vivid reminders of what was in her drawer and the riff-raff from her school let her go first. It was already dark when she was about to insert her key into the lock to the boiler room when she was suddenly startled and dropped the key. Sunset rubbed her eyes in amazement, had the doorknob just had the face of a pony on it? Oh humbug! She was simply tired and it was already really dark. Sunset picked up the keys, put them in the lock, turned them and entered her little kingdom. Sunset had set herself up in an old abandoned boiler room that was no longer used for anything and therefore no one came to see it.

Nevertheless, Sunset had changed the lock, because safe was safe. She warmed up some noodle soup, listened to some rock music and was then ready to curl up in her countless blankets and go to sleep. But just as she was about to turn off the light of her lamp, an icy wind blew past her.

“Sunset!” Sunset looked around the small boiler room, startled. It wasn't cozy and warm down here, but there was never really a draft and had she just heard her name?

Oh, she was probably just tired, it wasn't too late, but somehow the day had got to her and she just wanted to sleep. Just as she was about to turn off the lamp again, the head of a pony stared at her from the light bulb.

„Aaaaahhhhh!“ a loud scream escaped Sunset and she staggered back as the room around her suddenly began to vibrate and the light on the ceiling began to flicker. A cold draught whipped through the cellar and the rattling of chains and strangely agonized sounds could be heard.

“Sunset Shimmer!” a heavy and theatrical voice suddenly rang out!

“Who are you? Come out and show yourself!” Sunset shouted angrily at the intruder.

All at once, a bright beam of light sprang from her little floor lamp, causing Sunset to squint her eyes.

“My name is Moonglow Flicker and I'm here to give you a message!” The figure of a floating, transparent pony had manifested itself in front of her, with endless chains wrapped around its entire body, hanging from all kinds of boxes and chests.

“Are you a creature from Equestria?” Sunset wanted to know.

“Yes, to be exact Sunset I am your predecessor as Celestia's pupil!” replied Moonglow her voice still howling loudly.

Celestia, Sunset could have guessed that this pony was behind it, but how was that possible, the mirror wasn't supposed to be operational for another 10 lunar cycles.

“If Celestia sent you, I wish you good luck with whatever she told you to do!” At Sunset's words, the pony began to laugh.

“I'm not here on Celestia's orders Sunset!” Moonglow clarified, "I was like you Sunset, a talented pony who wanted more! I was arrogant, selfish and hungry for power. I trampled on every pony around me and ended up like you in this world, where I finally met my end!"

“That's interesting,” Sunset pretended, "And what do you want from me then?"

All at once, Moonglow roared, her chains slamming through the room and frost formed around Sunset, driving into her bones. Moonglow's face stepped closer to Sunset's.

“You may still think you're something better and invincible Sunset, like I used to, but believe me, if you don't change, my fate will be yours too!” Moonglow's chains had started to float around Sunset and wrap themselves around her, "Do you see these chains Sunset? I forged them myself with all my vile deeds in life! Link by link! And now in my death I am condemned to wear them around me forever!"

“You're dead?” Sunset suddenly felt the scales falling from her eyes.

“Yes!” Moonglow's ghost replied, "and believe me Sunset your chain is already as long as mine, if you don't change you'll be even worse off than me!"

The chains were now really constricting Sunset and felt anything but ghostly.

“And what does that mean?” Sunset asked, annoyed.

“The others will tell you that! I'm just here to announce them to you and show you what could happen! In death I am condemned to drag these chains around with me every day and to live in eternal coldness and joylessness. Warning you Sunset is part of my penance and the last bit of joy I have left! I can only urge you to take their advice Sunset!” Moonglow's voice had become even heavier and more howling.

“What advice? You're talking in riddles! I'm not like you!” protested Sunset, struggling against the chains.

“Oh yes you are!” Moonglow announced, pointing her hoof at Sunset, "Tomorrow night three spirits will come to visit you Sunset, expect the first one as soon as the clock strikes midnight! And let them guide you on the right path. It's not too late yet!"

With these words, the wind died down, the lights went out and Moonglow and the chains around Sunset's body disappeared. In the distance, Sunset heard only a faint whisper, “Listen to their advice.”

Then Sunset lay on her bed in the dark and it all felt like a bad dream, a dream that was far too real. Sunset immediately turned on the small light next to her bed. Her room looked the same as before, as if nothing had happened. Had she really dozed off for a moment? A glance at her cell phone told her that not much time had passed, strange. It took a while for Sunset to fall asleep, but the night went without a hitch for her.

Author's Note

I hope you enjoyed my first ever published chapter here. I will be releasing a new chapter every Advent so that the story is finished over the Christmas time. I am also happy about evry comment and remark. Have a great Christmas time!