The 25th silver chapter of the series overall is here! Well, it's not exactly a cheerful way to celebrate, but this is a very important chapter as we meet two of the series' major antagonists. Well, one of them is a major antagonist, and the other's a more... interesting kind of baddie. You'll see what I mean.

Sub-Volume 2 - Fortunes and Tragedies

Chapter 11 - Getting Closer (McCartney, 1979)

Written by Zack Wanzer and James Riddle

AUGUST 2, 2038

"It was also around that time where Flash started to act stubborn as a mule," said Vincent in a teasing manner, "and he still does to this day."

"Oh, don't be ridiculous, little brother," scoffed Flash. "I do not!"

"Of course you don't," smirked Vincent.

"Some things never change after thirty years," sighed Math Equation, rolling his eyes.

"I wanna know how the rest middle school went," said Violet.

"So do I," said Dawn. "I mean, we know about how grandpa Noble died at the hands of grandma Icy and how you exposed the truth of her crime, but what else happened?"

"Well, sixth and seventh grade were mostly uneventful, other than surrounding dad's death in the former," said Sunset, "but it was only when I started eighth grade that my life once again started to go into reverse..."

AUGUST 31, 2009

It was not too long after the incident with Masked Puck. At lunchtime, Vincent had been telling Sunset, Twilight, and Comet all about it. The three friends were surprised to hear such event.

"Was it scary?" asked Comet.

"A little bit," said Vincent, "but brothers should always look out for each other."

"Yeah, much like when he stood up for you in elementary school," said Sunset, "and now you're returning the favor."

"Yup," smiled Vincent.

"Like Shining Armor and I," agreed Twilight.

"Well, what do we have here?"

The four friends looked in the direction of the voice. There stood two girls at the age of thirteen. One of them was older, almost fourteen, with moderate persian blue eyes and moderate purple hair with lighter purple and pale aquamarine highlights; she was the girl who said that line. The other girl, who appeared to be her best friend, had dark grayish violet eyes with pale cornflower blue hair with light cornflower bluish gray stripes.

"Not you two again," groaned Sunset.

"Oh, is that your way to treat your classmates?" asked the girl with purple hair. "Shameful, isn't it, Trixie?"

"Quite ghastly, Starlight," said the blue-haired girl.

"You know these two?" asked Vincent to Sunset.

"I share classes with them," sighed Sunset. "Be glad that you don't."

"What is it you two want?" asked Twilight, hoping that they'd go away and leave them in peace.

"We wanted to know how our friend Sunset was getting on," said Trixie, "and we certainly weren't asking a four-eyes like you for your opinion on the matter!"

"I beg your pardon?" demanded Vincent, standing up and very annoyed by their attitude.

"Oh, what is it you want?" snapped Starlight.

"I would appreciate it if you left us alone," said Vincent, "please? Thank you."

"Well, aren't you the gentleman, little boy?" Trixie smirked, wrapping her arm around Vincent. Sunset growled quietly as she stared daggers at Trixie.

"I have a name, you know, and it's Vincent," he said.

"You've got the distinct honor of being with the Great and Powerful Trixie," the cornflower haired girl continued. "Can you ever look away from someone of my grandeur?"

At that point, Sunset was tempted to punch Trixie in the jaw, but she didn't need to.

"Yes... I can," said Vincent, taking Trixie's hand off from him. Sure, Trixie might've looked pretty, but to him, Sunset was far more beautiful and there was a charm to Sunset that Trixie seemingly didn't have.

"What?!" Trixie snapped angrily. "And what do you mean by that?"

"Looks aren't everything, Trixie," said Vincent. "You may be a pretty face, but you're a cruel person on the inside. And I don't like that in a girl!"

Trixie just stared in shock. Starlight glared angrily. Twilight and Sunset giggled. Comet just smirked quietly.

"Well! What do you know about taste then?!" snapped Trixie.

"Way more than you'll ever know," said Vincent.

"Way to go, Vincent!" cheered Comet Tail.

"Yeah, that will teach them!" agreed Twilight.

"Serves you both right," Sunset smirked. "About time somebody knocked you down a peg or two."

The two girls stormed away, grumbling.

"Stupid boy," muttered Starlight.

"He'll pay for this," said Trixie.

A little later, the students were off to their classes. Sunset's next class was arithmetic; she was still impressed by how Vincent managed to tear apart both Starlight and Trixie. Her cheerfulness didn't last long as the girls in question walked into the classroom, still fuming.

"How dare he talk to me like that!" fumed Trixie.

"Just ignore him," said Starlight. "He's just trying to mess with you."

"If by messing with her, you mean, bringing her down to size, then I agree," said Sunset cheekily.

The two girls glared at Sunset.

"You think that's funny, don't you, Shimmer?" snapped Starlight. Sunset quickly wiped that smile off her face and scowled.

"Actually," she retorted, "I find it hilarious."

Just then their teacher interrupted.

"Girls!" he said sternly. "That will do. Get to your seats as class is about to start."

"Yes sir," said the girls. Sunset was already seated, so Starlight and Trixie went to find empty seats; unfortunately for Sunset, the only seats available were around her.

"Oh no," groaned Sunset.

"Too bad her boyfriend isn't there to protect her," whispered Trixie to Starlight.

"That means we can have fun with her," grinned Starlight.

The two girls grinned maliciously. It might've been best for Sunset if she'd taken notice, because not ten minutes after class started, she felt something hit her on the back of the head.

"Who threw that?" she muttered with annoyance. It was a crumpled piece of paper thrown by Trixie, who snickered quietly to herself.

A few minutes later, Sunset felt something hit her on the back of her neck.

"What the-?"

Then Sunset heard some laughter from behind her.

"I might have known," she groaned.

Sunset's instinct was right; Starlight had spit a wad at the redhead through a straw. The purple haired girl, however, acted as though nothing had happened.

"Yes?" she asked innocently.

Sunset glared at Starlight, her expression reading "I know what you did" at Starlight. Starlight just smirked, her expression saying "I don't know what you're talking about." Sunset just rolled her eyes and looked away, as if saying "forget it." Starlight grinned to herself.

After a few more distractions from Starlight and Trixie (and not to mention the two girls getting a scolding for being disruptive), Sunset was relieved when class was over.

Sunset's final class for the day was physical education, and fortunately, all she had to deal with was Trixie.

"Come on, Sun," she muttered to herself. "Let's get this over with."

As Sunset was running laps, Trixie stuck out a leg.

"Whoooaaa!"

Sunset landed to the ground face first. She sat on her rear end and noticed that blood was dripping from her left knee. Worse, her face had been dirtied when she fell, and her left ankle had been twisted.

"Oops," said Trixie innocently. "I guess I didn't see you there."

Sunset bit her lip, trying to prevent herself from screaming. She struggled to get back on two feet, and limping, she managed to complete her lap, but only just.

"You okay, Sunset?" asked the coach. Then he looked down at his student's bloody knee.

"I think so," said Sunset, "but it really hurts!"

"You'd better see the nurse," said the coach.

"Mom isn't gonna be happy when she hears of this," muttered Sunset.

Indeed she wasn't; when Celestia heard of what happened to Sunset, she was most distraught.

"Are you okay, sweetheart?" she asked.

"No," moaned Sunset. "My ankle's hurt and I can barely walk!"

"Who did this to you?" demanded Celestia.

"I have reasons to believe it was Trixie Lulamoon," said Sunset, "even though she denies it. Both her and Starlight Glimmer have been a complete pain to me all day."

Celestia was uncertain about her daughter's accusation. If they really hadn't done it, then they would be punished for a false charge. She was still in thought when she and Sunset went home from the hospital; Sunset would have to use a crutch for about a week or two, and her scraped knee would take just as long.

"Sister?" asked Luna. "Is something wrong?" By now, much like Celestia, Luna's hair had changed color over the years; it was now moderate sapphire blue with pale grayish persian blue, and her eyeshadow was a pale magenta color.

Celestia told her about Sunset's incident.

"So two other girls were harassing her and one of them tripped her up like that?" Luna exclaimed. "That's just wrong!"

"I agree."

"Not only that, but they're also going to attend Canterlot High starting next year. If Sunset is also going..."

Luna didn't finish the sentence, for she was afraid for what would happen to her foster niece.

"I think I can work it out," said Celestia. "Maybe if Starlight and Trixie were in separate classes from Sunset, as well as maybe from each other, perhaps Sunset wouldn't have to worry so much."

"It is a good idea, sister," said Luna, "but why are you doing this when you could have them transferred to another high school instead?"

"That would've made me look biased," explained Celestia. "I'm not sending away students just for bullying my daughters or niece."

"Well, if you're sure..." Luna felt uneasy; was Celestia making the right choice? She hoped the older sister knew what she was doing...

The following day, September 1, Sunset came to school with her left knee bandaged, her left ankle in a cast, and holding a crutch with her left arm. Sunset wasn't feeling very cheerful today, but then, who could blame her? She was especially vocal during lunch.

"Those stupid bullies," muttered Sunset. "If I wasn't in this position, I'd teach them a lesson they'll never forget!"

"We're sorry for what they did to you," said Comet Tail.

"But why do they keep tormenting you like that?" asked Vincent. "Had you done something to them to earn their ire?"

"Maybe they just like being mean," said Sunset.

"What about when you first met them?" asked Twilight. "I recall they laughed at me after Flash spilled his lunch onto me by accident."

Sunset sighed deeply. "I first encountered them back in sixth grade, shortly before dad died..."

AUGUST 27, 2007

"Here we are, Sunset," said Noble Shield, bringing the car to a stop. "Your first day of middle school. Take care and stay out of trouble, okay?"

"Yes, daddy," smiled Sunset. She kissed her father goodbye, and then hopped out of the car.

For Sunset, her first couple of classes went by without a hitch, but it was during recess that she had her first unfortunate encounter with them.

Sunset noticed Starlight and Trixie talking and wanted to say hello.

"Hi, there!" she called out to them.

"How dare you butt into our conversation!" snapped Trixie.

"I'm sorry," said Sunset. "I was just saying hello."

"Well, we'd have accepted if you kept your fat mouth shut," retorted Starlight.

"There's no need for that!" snapped Sunset, walking off. I try to make a couple of new friends, and they rudely dismiss me, she thought crossly. Oh well, next time.

The two girls continued to complain about Sunset. Towards the end of the week, it was lunch time.

"Who does that Sunset Shimmer think she is?" said Trixie.

"Yeah!" agreed Starlight. "Disrespectful, sticking her butt where it doesn't belong."

At that moment, Sunset was walking past with her lunch tray, and with her were Flash, Soarin, and Rainbow Dash. Sunset had overheard what the two girls had said.

"Do you have to make a huge fuss over it?" she snapped. "I just wanted to say hello! Hardly a bad thing if you ask me."

"They yelled at you just for saying hello?" asked Rainbow Dash. "That's pretty stupid."

"You mean they are pretty stupid," said Soarin.

"We heard that!" snapped Starlight.

"Good!" said Rainbow Dash.

"This won't end well," muttered Flash to himself. He wasn't wrong.

"Hey, look here, you two!" snapped Sunset. "I am sick and tired of how you two brats have been acting! Why don't you grow up already?!"

And with that, Sunset walked away frustrated. Starlight and Trixie just stood where they were, a mixture of fury and shock, whilst Flash, Soarin, and Rainbow Dash reluctantly followed Sunset, shaken by her outburst; they'd never known her to get angry before.

"She looked pretty scary for a moment there," whispered Soarin to Rainbow Dash.

"No kidding," whispered Rainbow Dash.

Should I tell Vincent about that? Flash thought to himself. No, I don't think I'd want him to worry.

Nobody talked during lunch, afraid of what Sunset would do or say next. Sunset herself was unusually quiet, shocked that she'd actually lost her temper with Starlight and Trixie. This was probably the first time she'd ever done so with anybody. Sure, it wasn't like she threatened to harm them, but still.

"Hey, guys?" asked Sunset. "I'm sorry I got mad."

"It's okay," said Flash. "you just scared us a bit."

Sunset gave a small smile and they were soon talking.

OCTOBER 16, 2007

Sunset's next encounter with Starlight and Trixie was not too long after Noble Shield's death at the hands of Icy Heart. During recess, she was sitting on a swing, looking at the ground with tears in her eyes.

"I just can't believe it," she said quietly.

"Look at her, Trixie," said a voice from behind Sunset. "Isn't that a pitiful sight?"

"Pitiful indeed, Starlight," a second voice agreed.

"Poor little Sunset," teased Starlight. "Lost and alone without her loving daddy to protect her."

Sunset had heard Starlight's mocking and her lip quivered as more tears leaked from her eyes.

"Aw, did we hit a nerve?" mocked Trixie.

"Is poor little Sunny gonna cry?" jeered Starlight.

"S-s-stop it!" cried Sunset. "Leave me alone!"

"Hey!" shouted a voice. "You leave her alone!" Rainbow Dash had seen what Starlight and Trixie were doing and was mad. Even for her, bullying someone for having lost a parent was crossing the line.

"What do you want, Rainbow Dash?" snapped Trixie.

"I want you two to stop bullying Sunset!" demanded Rainbow Dash. "She's having a rough time, and we don't need you two idiots to make it worse for her!"

Flash and Soarin had also seen the incident and stood back whilst the rainbow haired girl chewed out the two bullies. Before anyone could react, Rainbow Dash kicked Starlight in the shin, making her kneel over in pain. Taking this as a sign, Trixie quickly grabbed Starlight by the arm and they hastily ran off.

"Next time, I'll aim for your face!" shouted Rainbow Dash.

"Was that really called for?" asked Flash. "What if a teacher saw us?"

"They deserved it," Rainbow Dash insisted. Thankfully, no teacher saw the incident, although it probably wouldn't stop Rainbow from getting into trouble, but at this point, she didn't care as long as she stood up for her friend.

"Thanks," said Sunset quietly.

"You okay, Sun?" asked Soarin.

"I'm... fine," said Sunset, still in a quiet tone.

Flash could see she was still upset and thought, What would Vincent do? So he gave her a hug. Sunset was surprised at this gesture.

"Consider this from Vincent," said Flash.

"Ohh," said Sunset. "Tell him I said thank you."

"Will do," said Flash.

SEPTEMBER 1, 2009

Vincent, Twilight, and Comet couldn't believe that Starlight and Trixie would be so heartless like that. Although, to be fair, Vincent couldn't help but smirk when he'd heard Sunset had told the bullies to grow up.

"You sure put them in their place," he said.

"Couldn't have put that better myself," agreed Twilight. Comet just nodded.

"But still," said Vincent, "we're sorry they treated you like that. If only I'd entered middle school quicker..."

"They probably would still have bothered me," said Sunset, "along with trying to flirt with you."

Vincent understood; he'd rather have jumped in a river than be with either Starlight or Trixie.

"Wanna go get some ice cream afterwards?" he asked.

"I'd love to," smiled Sunset, and Twilight and Comet agreed to join them. With that, the four friends headed off to their next classes.

FOOTNOTES

Originally, I was going to use "Girls' School" (a double A-side with "Mull of Kintyre"), but the more the chapter progressed, the less it seemed to fit the overall content.

The two flashbacks within the main flashback are set during chapters five and six.

Sunset's knee getting scraped is partially based off an actual incident of my own in fourth or fifth grade. However, it was only my knee that got scraped; my ankles were fine.