[Sunset] Rebuilding Canterlot High

>The night of the Fall Formal left Canterlot high reeling.

>Twilight Sparkle turned out to be a pony princess from another dimension and the resident bully, Sunset Shimmer transformed both herself and her two minions into demons.

>Along with the attempted murder of Twilight and her friends, Sunset brainwashed the teenage masses so that she could ignite an interdimensional war.

>She also demolished the school entrance.

>Upon defeat, Sunset claimed to have a change of heart and was tasked with rebuilding the school.

>You honestly thought she got off easily for what she did.

>Despite the havoc, no charges were pressed.

>Amazingly.

>Day after day, you saw the girl stacking bricks when school ended.

>She'd sit alone and haul out more materials when she needed them, clearly feeling the strain of the heavy bricks.

>She was quiet as a mouse during the repairs.

>Never said a word during class either.

>It was crazy and irrational, but you actually felt pity for her.

>The rare moment occurred after school when you'd linger and see her stop to shed a few tears.

>Guilt would strike you... But why?

>She deserved the alienation and more.

>If she was simply a bully then you'd have good cause to care.

>This girl wasn't a mere bully; not after what she did.

>Yet you still felt for her situation, self-imposed as it was.

>Sympathy: the burden of all nice guys.

>One afternoon you decided to lend her a helping hand

>Canterlot High looks ridiculous without a front door anyway.

>Might as well pick up the pace.

 

>You waited until everyone left for home to do anything.

>When you were sure that the majority had gone, you took off your backpack and jacket and put them in your car, not wanting to dirty them.

>You also grabbed a pair of gloves so that your hands didn't get too messy.

>You shut the door and find Sunset, still at the entrance working.

 

"You need some help?"

>You, sliding your hands into the gloves.

>Sunset doesn't bother to acknowledge you, instead continuing to lay bricks.

>Her movements are sluggish and careless.

 

"I'll uh, take that as a yes, alright?"

>She ignores you, still doing her job.

 

"Alrighty then."

>You stand there awkwardly, shifting the weight on your heels now and then.

>She doesn't want help, you should probably just leave.

>You turn around, ready to leave, but then stop.

>Help doesn't always have to be asked for.

>You'll just do your thing, start on the other side and get going when you think you've had enough.

>Without bothering to say another word, you heft up a sack of bricks, dump it's contents into a nearby wheelbarrow and walk across the courtyard from her.

>It was heavy enough to make you wonder how Sunset does it every day.

>Then you get to work.

>You pour down a cement foundation and begin to stack.

>It's tedious, but you do it without complaint.

>Slather, stack, smooth.

>Repeat.

>After some time passes you see Sunset stand up to fetch more building blocks.

 

"Wait, hang on."

>You interrupt from across the way.

>Like before she doesn't pay you any mind and proceeds to pick up a sack.

>You huff in annoyance and march over to her.

>The materials are piled against a wall, and you see her struggle to lift a new bag.

 

"Just uh, let me get that for you. It's heavy."

>With a groan of effort, you hoist the bricks out of Sunset's arms and walk them over to her work site.

>"I didn't need your help, I do this every day." She scoffs when you drop them.

 

>You decide not to comment, and just shrug before going back to your side.

 

>You feel as though you're getting a lot done.

>You've already done more than Sunset has for today.

>It's hard to get a sense of accomplishment from working harder than a girl whose pride was torn down like the wall you're repairing several weeks ago though.

>How long does she do this? It's five O'clock and Sunset doesn't seem to be ready to quit.

 

"Hey, you ready to go home? I can clean up for us."

>"Still have work to do don't I?"

 

"You could do it tomorrow."

>"I'm doing it today."

 

"There's no way you can finish this right now."

>"You sure about that? Maybe if I wish hard enough it'll magically build itself before dinner."

 

"... But you don't have magic here."

>"I know that, you loser. Get out of here no one told you to help."

>You throw your hands up in defeat and sigh.

 

"Okay, fine. Have fun here by yourself."

>She doesn't have to be so hostile.

>With the final smack of a brick being planted on cement, you smooth out the lines and pull off your gloves.

>Just let Sunset work alone.

>She asked for it.

>The residue on your boots leave a dusty trail as you walk away.

>"Who needs magic anyway..." You hear Sunset mumble.

>Now you stop and groan.

>Twilight Sparkle's words echo in your head.

>A vague memory from the haze induced by mind control.

 

"...because you don't have the most powerful magic of all, the magic, of friendship!"

 

>It's ridiculous, even if it was true.

>But your conscience rings again, telling you to stay and do what's right.

>Just ask Sunset about how much she wants to get done.

>If it's reasonable, you'll help and then you can go your separate ways.

>You don't have to make her your friend or anything else.

>You pull the gloves back over your hands and walk up behind Sunset.

>It's a struggle to force words from your mouth.

 

"Okay, so how much do you have left to go?"

>"Why do you care?" She sneers.

 

"It's not right for you to do this on your own."

 

>"Didn't I tell you to leave?" She asks, not bothering to stop working.

 

"Doesn't mean I will. I helped without your permission already. What's staying for more?"

>"I don't need magic to hurt people."

>The three years with her in your grade proved that several times over.

 

"I-okay. But... Just come on, I'm only trying to do you a favor."

>"Last chance."

 

"Why can't you let me help?"

>"Alright."

>Then Sunset dropped the trowel in her hand and stood up to face you.

>She clearly wasn't happy, but her expression wasn't angry either.

>It wasn't annoyed or otherwise mad, at least not enough that you'd mistake it for anything other than her normal apathetic look.

>But something about it was different.

>Only slightly.

>Her turquoise eyes had the faintest hint of red, and appeared to be glossy.

>You take a step backward on reaction when she puts a foot forward.

>Not from fear, but shock.

>Is she about... to cry?

>Sunset Shimmer, the toughest girl in school?

>And you have to ask:

 

"Are... Are you okay?"

>She stops moving forward and glares.

>Her fists clench.

>"No, I'm not okay. I'm sitting here every afternoon building a stupid wall and you're over there every day looking at me like I need your sympathy."

 

"I-I didn't think-"

>"-I would notice? The only guy in school that still acts like I exist staring at me with sad eyes?"

>She's in your face now.

>"I told you to go. I don't want you here, I don't want anyone here."

 

"Sunset, I-"

>"Shut up and go." She growls.

 

"But-"

>Your objection is cut short when she knees you in the stomach, causing you to double over in pain.

 

>"I'm not playing with you."

>You cough in pain, and back away, stumbling as you do.

>And the anger rises.

>All you wanted was to be a nice guy, to do her a favor and help her finish a fucking wall.

>You did your part, and now it's over.

 

"Then screw you... Sunset."

>You wheeze, still feeling the effects of her attack.

>She's stronger than she looks.

>"Finally get it through your thick head?"

 

"Shut up already..."

>She pushes you backwards and you almost trip on your feet.

 

"Fuck! Alright? I get it, I'm going."

>You straighten your back and clutch your stomach as you slowly walk away.

>What were you thinking trying to be nice to someone like Sunset Shimmer?

>She's a step away from a killer after all.

>It was only chance that saved Twilight and her friends from Sunset from what you were told.

>You've learned your lesson.

>When it comes to her?

>Don't even bother.

>You hear a quiet sob from behind you.

>No more sympathy, no more trying to care about her if you don't have to.

>She's not worth any of the trouble.

>You hope you don't have to deal with her anymore.

>You tug open the door of your car, settle inside, and drive home.