Now this chapter is very interesting a bit more experimental; it's told in first person narration from both Flash and Sunset's respective viewpoints. I might do future chapters like this in the future.


Sub-Volume 4 - The Secret War of Sunset Shimmer

Chapter 13 - The Light That Has Lighted the World (Harrison, 1973)

Written by Zack Wanzer and James Riddle

Flash Sentry's Point of View

"Ughhh..." I groaned as I rolled over in my bed. My phone's alarm clock was ringing - six o'clock in the morning, Monday the 22nd of April. Man, I hate waking up early in the morning, but it's necessary so we can be well-prepared for school. Reluctantly, I stopped the alarm and got up, still feeling very drowsy; hopefully a shower will wake me up mentally.

"I hate Mondays," I grumbled. But then again, who likes Mondays to start with? Slowly getting up from my bed, I made my way over to my drawers and picked out a fresh shirt and pair of underpants. I was going to wear the same jeans and jacket I wore yesterday. Clothes in my hands, I made my way over to the bathroom to shower off.

Hopefully nobody's beaten me to it, I thought. Luckily, no one was in there, so I could get an early shower.

Ten minutes later, I was out of the shower and wrapped a towel around my waist. I looked into the mirror. You ain't getting any younger, Flash, I thought. I could see stubble on my face, so I instinctively pulled out a razor and shaving cream, and turned on the sink. After a few minutes, my face was clean-shaved - without cutting myself, I should note - and I then put my clothes on.

By 6:25, I was downstairs on the couch, waiting for the rest of the family to get ready for the day ahead.

"Might as well kill some time with some TV," I said. I picked up the remote and pressed a button, turning on the screen, hoping there'd be something good. I even lowered the volume a bit, just to be safe.

Several channels went by, and I couldn't find a single thing I felt was worth paying attention to for longer than thirty seconds.

"Why is morning TV always so dull?" I complained as I shut it off.


Sunset Shimmer's Point of View

For the last three months, things had been going very smoothly for me. Well, mostly. I no longer had any nightmares, but sometimes, I was having a very good dream - they always involved Vincent in some way - and just as it was getting better, that stupid alarm on my phone had to go an ruin it! Ugh, it makes me want to go back to sleep and finish that dream, but it's too late and I'm already wide awake.

That was one of those mornings for me.

"Mondays," I groaned. "And I was going to tell Vincent I loved him..."

Still, I got out of bed and went over to the bathroom to get ready. I was out of there within twenty minutes; fresh clothes put on, hair washed and brushed, and looking forward to what the day had to offer.

By seven-thirty in the morning, my mom, sister Solar Crystal, aunt Luna, cousin Nyx - my whole foster family, basically - and I were at the breakfast table. Mom had prepared all of us pancakes with syrup. I got strawberries on mine, Solar and Nyx had blueberries, mom had bananas, and aunt Luna had butter.

"Morning, big sis," said Solar.

"Hey, Sol," I replied. "How'd ya sleep last night?"

"Like a baby."

"Don't forget the baseball game this Thursday," my mom reminded me. This Thursday, Canterlot High would be having a baseball game against the Appleloosan Aardvarks; one of the players was Applejack's cousin Braeburn. As Rainbow Dash was on our team, I wanted to attend and wish her luck.

"I won't forget, mom," I said. "Rainbow Dash is sure to help us ensure a victory."

"What's the big deal over it?" asked Solar. "It's just a game."

"It's also the rivalry against the Aardvarks," I explained. Solar just rolled her eyes and continued eating. She was never one for sports.


Flash Sentry's Point of View

It was a typical breakfast for me and family; bacon, eggs, and toast with butter. I was never always the most social at the table; I just listened to my parents and siblings talking about whatever their interest was or how their personal lives were going on, blah, blah, blah. It says a lot when Vincent, usually the quiet one of the family, socialized more at the table than I ever did.

Speaking of whom, I could see he was deep in thought. Must be thinking about that Shimmer again, I thought with annoyance. She's got him under her spell. Ever since that Fall Formal when I went out with her, I could not bring myself to even forgive her for humiliating my brother like that. If anyone even hurt one of my family, especially on purpose, they were an enemy to me.

"Hey, Flash! Earth to Flash!"

"Huh?!" Suddenly, I fell out of my trance. I turned to see that Vincent was the one calling out to me.

"You alright there?" asked Vincent. "You were kinda staring out into space."

"Yeah, I'm fine, Vincent," I replied, a little more sharply than intended. Vincent was rather taken aback by my bluntness.

"No need to be snappy," he said. "I was just asking a question."

"Yeah, sorry," I muttered, and went back to my food.

After breakfast, my siblings and I headed off for school; mom would take Fictionary to Canterlot Middle by car, and Vincent would take the train to Canterlot High whilst I would drive myself there, something I've been doing since I got my driver's license last year. I'd once offered to drive Vincent to school, but I guess he's still upset at me.

"Have a nice day, boys," our mom said to both of us.

"We will," we replied. After hugs and kisses goodbye, we set off for school. Whilst Vincent walked to the nearest train station, I headed for my car. I unlocked the door, got in, put the key in the ignition, and drove out onto the road. Just another day in Rainbow Falls, I thought.


Sunset Shimmer's Point of View

Even though I was sixteen years old, almost seventeen, I did not have a driver's license yet, so I still took the train to Canterlot High whilst my mom and aunt Luna drove there. I waved to them as I made my way to the train station. Maybe if I'm lucky, I'll run into Vincent again. I wonder what he's been up to since the model railway show last Saturday...

Before long, I made it to the station. I stood on the platform for a few minutes before I heard the sound of the train approaching. As soon as it came to a complete stop, the doors opened, and people got on and off. I was among those getting on board en route to Canterlot High.

"Hi, Sunset," came a voice. I turned to the direction of the person whose voice I just heard.

"Vincent!" I smiled; being around him makes my heart glow.

"Did you have a good weekend?" asked Vincent.

"Oh, I did," I replied. "It was fantastic. Are you going to the baseball game later this week?"

"Meh, I'm not really into sports," Vincent replied. "They've never really been my thing, but I'll still show support for the Wondercolts anyway."

"Me too," I said. We both talked for several minutes before an announcement came over the PA:

"Approaching Canterlot High School - next stop."

"Here's our stop," said Vincent. The train stopped by the platform, and Vincent kindly let me off the train first.

"Ladies first," he said. I blushed and thanked him for his chivalry; Vincent really knew how to treat a lady.

"Vincent! Sunset! Over here!" We looked over and saw Song Cue with Orange Sherbet, Comet Tail, and Twilight.

"Hey guys!" I waved. Vincent and I walked over to speak with them before classes began.

"How was your weekend?" asked Comet.

"It was pretty relaxing," said Vincent.

"Thanks for letting me borrow that big Railway Series book, Song Cue," I said. "Those stories were incredible."

"You're welcome," said Song Cue. "Which stories were your favorite?"

"I think it was those involving those miniature engines," I replied; I didn't know how to reply, especially since there were so many good stories in it. Heck, I never even knew Donald and Douglas were blue in the books!


Flash Sentry's Point of View

I had showed up at school at least ten minutes before Vincent did; there was still time before classes since on Mondays, they didn't begin until nine, and even then, classes only last about forty or forty-five minutes at most, give or take a few. So to pass the time, I went for a little walk through the school. It hadn't even been five minutes before I ran into Soarin and Rainbow Dash.

"Hey Flash," said Soarin.

"Hey guys," I said. "What's up?"

"We've been practicing hard for the baseball game," said Rainbow Dash. "How's about you, Flashster?" Flashster was my nickname from Rainbow Dash. She gives a lot of her close friends nicknames from time to time like Sci-Twi, SunShim, Pinks, Rares, AJ, Flutters, etc.

"Oh yeah, I'm going," I said. "Wouldn't miss it for the world."

"Neither would I," said Soarin. "Though baseball isn't really my sport since I'm more of a soccer guy myself."

"I'd tackle any sport!" Rainbow Dash boasted.

"Don't you ever get bored of showing off?" I asked.

"Nope," grinned Rainbow Dash. Of course you don't, I thought, rolling my eyes. You knew the answer before she even replied; stupid question, Flash.

As we continued chatting, more and more students turned up at Canterlot High. Some would turn up by car, and others took the train. Still, I'd yet to run into Vincent again.

"Where could he be?" I asked.

"You talking about Vincent?" asked Soarin. "You sound like you're becoming too protective of him."

"What makes you say that?" I retorted.

"Well, you didn't seem happy with the idea of him wanting to be with Sunset," said Soarin. I sighed; I had a feeling someone would bring it up. Before I could even come up with an answer, I saw my brother with you-know-who.

"Morning, guys," said Vincent.

"Hey there, little buddy," said Soarin.

"He's not little anymore, Clipper," said Rainbow Dash. "He's about as tall as you!"

"Yeah, well, he's still my buddy anyway," said Soarin.

"Hey, would it be alright if Sunset and I had a little chat alone?" I asked.

"Um... okay?" Sunset replied, reluctantly following me without another word.


Sunset Shimmer's Point of View

I don't like where this is going one bit.

Flash led me behind a corner of the school. I've no idea why he even wants to talk to me. I know that he and I aren't on the best speaking terms with each other, but whatever he wants to talk about, it can't be good.

Once we were alone, Flash cut to the chase.

"Listen here, Shimmer," he said firmly. "Everyone else may have bought your story, but I'm keeping my eye on you."

I groaned with annoyance; this again? "Are you still not convinced that I'm truly sorry for my actions?" I snapped. "You know what happened when Icy Heart killed my father; have you forgotten?"

"Of course I remember," said Flash. "But sometimes, people change."

"Why won't you believe me?"

"You humiliated my brother!" snapped Flash. "Anyone who dares mess with my family is my enemy!"

Really? That was it? Just because I made Vincent a laughingstock - under the influence of Starlight and Trixie - I was an enemy to Flash? That was a very shallow, stupid way of thinking!

"I never meant to do any of that!" I protested. "Starlight and Trixie put me up to it! If I didn't, they threatened to hurt him! Do you even remember me saying that at the assembly?"

"For all I know," said Flash, "it could have been a big story to gain everyone's sympathy."

"It wasn't just a story!" I yelled. I was so frustrated with his stubbornness that I grabbed him by the collar and brought his face close to mine so I was looking him in the eye. "I was actually going through that pain, and you have the gall to think I was making it up just to get everybody to like me again?!"

Flash couldn't come up with a reply, and I think it was because he was shocked by my outburst. Just as I thought.

"Flash Sentry," I said, "it's time for you to act your age and stop trying to tell others how to control their lives!" And I left him standing there, satisfied to have gotten it out of my system. Hopefully now he would take this advice to heart.


Flash Sentry's Point of View

This just wasn't meant to happen at all. I had hoped I would have gotten Sunset to admit what she was hiding. Was I really wrong? Or is she playing hard to get? Rather than get a conclusive answer, our conversation ended with her grabbing me by the collar and then shouting in my face. Really, was that called for at all? Just how difficult was it to get an answer? I'd have told Principal McCracken, but I figured it wouldn't be worth it.

Suddenly, I heard the school bell ring. Damn! I thought. I'm gonna be late for my first class! With that, I raced off.

Fortunately, I made it to English class just in time. I set my backpack by my desk and pulled out my notebook. Our current subject in the class was poetry, and since I was aiming to write up some songs of my own, I figured I'd be pretty good at it. After all, weren't some song writers successful because they wrote poetry?

I then looked over and noticed Twilight in one of the seats ahead of me. I smiled to myself. She's so smart and beautiful, I thought. I wish I knew of a way to make her happy.

Suddenly, Twilight looked back at me. I smiled shyly and gave a small wave toward her and she waved right back. Someday, I thought. Someday I'll do something great to please her.

"Sentry!"

"Gah!" I snapped out of my thoughts; the teacher, Cranky Doodle, had called out on me.

"Could you please pay attention?" he asked.

"Y-yes, sir! Sorry, sir!" I replied, regaining composure. Some of the other students quietly chuckled at what just happened, but I said nothing. Still, the rest of the day went by as usual; classes, brunch period, lunch period, talking and hanging out with friends, all that jazz.


Sunset Shimmer's Point of View

It was just another day at Canterlot High for me. At the moment, I was in study hall, having a chat with Song Cue and Rarity.

"It's surprising, Rarity, that you're graduating in less than two months," I was saying.

"I find it hard to believe either, darling," said Rarity. "It seems like yesterday when I first enrolled here."

"Hey, I was wondering," I said, as if from nowhere, "is there an opening for the Rainbooms? I can play a mean rhythm guitar." I had learned some skills from Flash, back when he was willing to hang out with me, before the incident at the 2011 Fall Formal.

"I'll have to talk it over with the girls," said Rarity.

"It must be fun to be part of a band," said Song Cue.

"Hardly surprising, given your name," I joked.

"Ha, good one, SunShim," Song Cue replied, playfully nudging me on the shoulder. At that moment, Blossomforth walked up to me. Oh great, I thought. Not the Buddha belly bimbo...

"Hey you!" said Blossomforth.

"Yes, Blossomforth?" I asked as innocently as possible. Didn't want to make a bad scene in front of Song Cue and Rarity now, could I?

"I just wanted you to know something," said Blossomforth. "Vincent van Colt is going to be my boyfriend... whether he wants to or not. And there's nothing you can do to stop it."

Oh yes, there is... "But he doesn't love you!" I protested.

"That can change," insisted Blossomforth. "So you may as well give up trying to make him fall in love with you." Before I could even say anything, she left. I scowled as I watched her go. It'll be a cold day in hell before I give up, I thought angrily to myself.

"Don't pay her any mind," advised Song Cue. "She's just trying to get under your skin."

"I just wish she would stop," I said. Just then, the bell rang for the next class. As all three of us set off for our next classes, I had a feeling this wasn't going to be the last I'd see or hear from Blossomforth and her obsessive crush on Vincent...


FOOTNOTES

Solar Crystal is described as having dark pink hair with cobalt streaks and emerald eyes.

Celestia making pancakes is a reference to A Royal Problem.

Flash makes a Garfield reference at the start.