Sunset Shimmer turned the page, drinking down every little information her young brain could gather. Her eyes scanned sentence by sentence, repeating every spell and phrase in her mind. Of course, it was difficult, but passing the upcoming exam will certainly help her in her studies. Princess Celestia might even transfer her to the next class.
Sunset smiled to herself. Her teacher will surely be impressed!
- E ... sorry ...
Sunset frowned and looked up, eyes narrowing. Shading them from the sun, she saw a pink mare standing at the picnic table she was occupying.
Her long purple-rose-gold mane was tied in a ponytail tied with a light blue ribbon. Sunset raised an eyebrow, surprised that the other had horn and wings, but said nothing.
The mare gave her a candy-sweet smile and her eyes flashed.
Sunset found this irritating.
- How can I help you? She said dryly, focusing her eyes on the book again.
"I'm sorry to disturb you," said the young mare; her voice sounded sincere. "But I couldn't help but notice ... you're Celestia's apprentice, aren't you?"
Sunset looked at her and lifted her chin.
"Favorite student," she corrected.
The other's smile widened.
- I thought so I remember you! I am Cadence. I saw you sometimes at banquets when I came to visit, but otherwise I don't see you very often.
Sunset brushed a lock of hair from her face.
"Yes, well ... I usually study," she nodded at her book. If everything goes well, alikorn will get the hint.
- Well then, keep it up! She laughed. "You know, for a moment I thought you were trying to avoid everyone!" Stupid, no?
Sunset smiled, gritting her teeth.
- Hilarious. It went quiet for a moment. - Do you need anything?
Cadence blinked, shaking her head slightly.
- ABOUT! Em, actually yes. I would like to ask you for a favor. See, I'm taking care of that little filly… "Sunset followed Cadence's hoof to see a little purple unicorn with the worst haircut in Canterlot, playing with a ball.
- I've been watching her for a while, but it's like I have to go to the bathroom. She looked almost embarrassed. - I don't want to leave her alone while I run my ... business, but ... I thought that since you seem responsible ...
"Actually, I'm learning now," Sunset replied carefully.
- Oh, it will only be for a while! She is very polite. I just want to make sure it's safe.
Sunset was about to open her mouth to wriggle out, but stopped herself. Her eyes focused on Cadence, and the corners of her mouth curved slightly downward.
On reflection… maybe that wouldn't be so bad.
If she would take care of the little one with good heart, Cadence would surely tell Princess Celestia about it.
She smiled inwardly.
Not only will she excel in exams, but she will also buy the favors of the princess's niece. The more she thought about it, the more she liked it. A little favor won't hurt. Finally she turned to Cadence.
"Of course," she said cheerfully, putting on her sweetest smile. - I will be happy to take care of this lovely toddler.
"Thank you, thank you so much," Cadence squeaked. - Twilight? Twilight, I'll be right back, okay? Don't leave this nice mare until I get back!
- Okay! The filly replied, her little body spread out on the ball.
"By the way, my name is Sunset Shimmer," Sunset told Cadence.
"Sunset Shimmer," Cadence repeated with a nod. - Thank you, Sunset. It won't take long, I promise!
After that, she trotted to the toilet.
Sunset watched her go back to her book.
- Well, what I ...
- Hi.
Sunset looked down to see a little filly suddenly found at her picnic table. She stood on her hind feet, propping herself up on the ball. She blinked her huge purple eyes at her.
- What are you reading?
Sunset sighed sharply.
- A very important book. A book that I must remember in full by Monday.
The filly tilted her head slightly.
- Are you studying for the test? She smiled as she approached Sunset with quick, careful steps. - I like tests!
- And what could you get the tests for? You're still practically in diapers, "Sunset teased.
Twilight straightened, frowning.
- I'm already in first grade! - She nodded, slightly sticking her breast. - A long time ago I outgrown diapers.
"Congratulations," Sunset replied nonchalantly.
Twilight turned her head to get a better view.
- Can I read too?
Sunset pushed the book across the table out of Twilight's reach and gave her a hard look.
- Not.
Twilight's broad smile faltered.
"Oh ... why not?"
- Because it's a very important book and I don't want any small child to destroy it. Besides, it won't interest you. There are no pictures.
"Never mind," Twilight said hopefully. When Sunset didn't reply, Twilight tried again. - To what these are you studying
"For a very important test, with a very important teacher," Sunset muttered, turning the page. - And if I don't pass it, it might end badly for me.
- Single? Twilight bit her lip.
"Worse," Sunset replied, looking at her with a barely visible smile. - She is a very nice mare, but still a teacher. Do you know what teachers do when a student fails them?
Twilight shook her head slowly.
Sunset leaned in, poking Twilight in the chest.
- They're transferring you to a lower class. And if you still fail the tests ... you'll be sent back to the magic kindergarten.
Twilight's mouth dropped open as her ball rolled across the grass, making Sunset smirk.
"Well, you don't want me to be sent to a magical kindergarten, do you?"
Twilight shook her head quickly.
- Okay. Well, maybe you can play there? Sunset pointed to a playground several meters away with a slide, sandbox and a few swings.
Twilight looked there and bit her lip.
- Erm ...
- Come on. What's the problem?
Twilight looked down and ran her hoof over the grass.
"Could you ... would you come with me?" She asked.
Sunset's book slammed on the table.
"I guess she'll never let me finish this!"
- Why don't you go there alone? You just told me how big a pony you are!
Twilight inclined her head.
I tried to play in the sandbox before, but then some other kids came and kicked me out while Cadence was talking to some mom.
Sunset looked into her eyes.
- And you just let them do it?
"Well, there were more of them than me," Twilight said defensively. - I know when I'm defeated.
Sunset jumped up from her seat, surprising the filly.
- And since when is quantity superior to quality?
Twilight looked up at her.
- Huh?
Sunset looked out over the sandpit and saw a filly and a colt playing in it. She nodded at them.
- Are these two kids kicking you out?
"Well, I wouldn't call them" jerks, "Twilight said, glancing at the two ponies. - But yes, it's them.
Sunset sighed irritably as she tucked the bookmark in and closed it.
- Okay . I will go with you.
Twilight looked at her with huge eyes.
- Will you go?
Sunset walked over to her.
"The sooner I get you off the mane, the sooner I get back to science."
Twilight's smile faded.
- ABOUT…
She looked at the sandbox again and turned to Sunset again.
"Could I ... could I ... hold your last?"
Sunset looked at Twilight's big pleading eyes, filled with hope and helplessness. It was the most heart-touching expression Sunset had ever seen.
- Not.
Sunset walked over to the playground and Twilight trotted after her.
"And now when you get there, tell them it's a free sandbox in a free country." You have a right to be there like any other pony. You get it
- But what if they don't listen?
As they approached the sandbox, Sunset stopped.
- Just do what I told you. Now get a grip and go over there.
"Good…" Twilight sighed.
She went to the sandbox where the colt and filly were building a sand castle. She waited for a few moments, as if wondering what to say. She glanced over her shoulder at Sunset, who raised an eloquent eyebrow.
Taking a deep breath, Twilight turned towards the sandbox and cleared her throat loudly.
- Ehem!
The two kids looked at her.
"Look, Silver Platter," the filly mocked. - It's her again.
- Didn't we tell you to just let it go? The Silver Platter sneered, digging some sand onto Twilight's hooves. - This is our sandbox now! Me and Cashmere decided that.
Twilight swallowed.
- T-Technically, this sandbox belongs to Canterlot. So are the swings and a slide… and all in the park. You can't appropriate anything here.
"And he starts talking to us like we're stupid or something again," Silver said, rolling his eyes.
Twilight blinked.
- No, wait! That's not what I wanted ...
"She thinks she's so great because she's the teacher's favorite," Cashmere said, her eyes narrowing. - It must be great to know all the answers while the rest don't. No, Twilight?
- I…
- Who has ever heard of a preschooler in the first grade? Silver sneered, trotting at Twilight. He poked her on the head. - You may be smart, but you're still a foal.
"She's not smart," Cashmere said, giving Twilight a malicious smile. - She's a weirdo.
- Okay. Enough of this.
The three ponies turned to the right and saw Sunset enter. The two bullies gasped and moved quickly away from Twilight, brushing sand off their hooves.
- What is this? Sunset practically shouted, causing the three of them to shake.
"We were just having fun, ma'am," Cashmere said in a sweet and timid tone. - We ...
"Shut up, not you," Sunset growled, looking at Twilight. - What was that? You let them pin you to the wall!
- B-but I was just doing what you told me! I negotiated ...
- You negotiated ?! Don't negotiate! When a pony takes something from you, you take it away immediately!
Sunset turned to two shaking ponies.
"And if you want to act like hogs, you might as well look like that!" After these words, Sunset shot a bright flash of magic from the corner. Twilight covered her eyes.
She didn't reveal them until Sunset started laughing. She gasped at the sight of two plump piglets running around the sandbox.
- W-you turned them into pigs? Twilight exclaimed.
"It was easy," Sunset said with a smile, casually rubbing her hoof against her chest. - Just a few simple steps ...
- That `s bad! Twilight exclaimed. She was bouncing up and down, panting heavily. - We can get in trouble! Change them back!
Sunset looked dumbfounded.
"You know, a lot of kids would love to see their enemies turned into forbidden food."
- Please!?
- Eh, okay. Hey pigs! If you promise to leave that brat alone, I'll change you back. Standing?
Both pigs squealed loudly and their eyes nearly popped out of their sockets.
Sunset put a hoof to her ear.
- What were you saying? She smiled, raising an eyebrow. - I did not hear. You have to speak louder!
Twilight let out a loud screech, making Sunset laugh.
"Okay, wait ..." Her horn glittered, and her tongue extended in concentration. A flash of magic quickly replaced the two pigs with two jittery ponies. - Now riding to play with something else!
The two ponies nodded violently and muttered an apology to Twilight as they galloped off into the blue.
Twilight had already opened her mouth to call after them, but suddenly Sunset's aura enveloped her.
Now that I'm done with that, she thought as she placed Twilight in the sandbox, finally I can go back to ...
"I think it could have been done better," Twilight said sluggishly.
Sunset rolled her eyes.
Well, the problem is solved and that's what counts. She sighed, looking around the park. "Now just stay here and play while I go read my book, okay?"
"I wonder why Cadence is still missing," Twilight said thoughtfully, echoing Sunset's thoughts. The filly looked into her eyes. - You think she went for the latter?
"Most likely," the other laughed and said softly, almost to herself. - Or someone abducted her.
Upon noticing the expression on Twilight's face, Sunset quickly backed off.
- I was joking! Just kidding.
She started to walk away, but Twilight called to her.
- Wait! W-stay with me ... please?
Sunset lowered her head and groaned.
- What now? She sighed, turning back.
Twilight stood up with a shy smile.
"I-thought ... maybe you could stay and play with me until Cadence comes back?"
Taking some air, Sunset forced herself to remain calm. If that filly was crying over her now, it wouldn't look too good when Cadence came back.
"Okay," she said, walking over to Twilight. She cast a shadow on the filly with a disturbing smile. - But we'll play my way.
Twilight gasped as Sunset launched her into the air and carried her onto the swing.
- Wait, it's too fast! Twilight shouted, waving her hoofs in the air.
Sunset didn't say a word as she forcibly placed Twilight on the swing.
- Listen. Your babysitter has placed you in my care, I don't know for how long. But as long as I look after you, you'll have a lot of fun whether you like it or not! Now swing!
Twilight obeyed. She started swinging her hind legs and bending her body back and forth.
- I need help!
Barely suppressing a hard curse, Sunset picked up her hoof and pushed Twilight, letting the mare swing higher. A smile spread across Twilight's face, making Sunset relax a bit.
- Thanks for helping me with these bullies. But I still think it could have been done better ...
She sighed and lowered her eyes sadly.
- In class they keep teasing me ... But maybe I can get into this special school for which I am preparing. Maybe it will be better there ...
Sunset watched Twilight cautiously, still pushing her down on the swing.
- Why did you even hang out with those two? She nodded in the direction where the bullies had fled.
Twilight paused for a moment, biting the inside of her cheek.
- You promise not to tell anyone?
Sunset snorted, but decided to yield to the little girl on that point.
- I'll take it to my grave with me.
Twilight looked around before she gave a slight bend in the swing.
"I really just wanted to make Cadence happy." She still wants me to befriend someone, but… "She sighed heavily. Sometimes I don't know why I'm doing this at all.
Sunset frowned.
"Well," she sighed, picking up the hoof so Twilight could swing herself. - There are more important things than making friends. If you want to move forward in life, having friends will only ruin your chances of getting not what you want.
As Twilight rose into the air, her mane was blown in the wind.
- Will ruin?
As Twilight's swing slowed, Sunset nodded and said in a lower voice:
- Friends will only hold you back and distract you from what's really important.
Twilight stared silently ahead.
"Work hard," Sunset said, giving Twilight a gentle push. - Do your best to be the best ... so you will flourish. Willingness alone is never enough.
Twilight looked up and smiled.
- There you are! A joyful, singing voice sounded. Both ponies looked up and saw Cadence coming.
Twilight beamed and jumped off the swing.
- Cadence, you're back! She lifted the hooves, and Cadence hugged her warmly. The princess looked at Sunset and smiled.
- Thank you so much for taking care of her! It's as if it took me longer than I expected ...
"Got it," Sunset cut in, trying not to throw up, "You really don't need to explain anything."
Cadence laughed a little nervously.
- Well, I think you guys liked each other. If you want, you can come by and ...
- No thanks. Sunset's mane whistled. - I have more important things to do. And I really need to get back to work.
For the first time, Cadence hesitated.
- Oh. Yes, of course. I see. I'm sorry to take you so long.
Sunset looked at Twilight and shrugged.
- Do not worry about it. She was a real angel, it was a pleasure. She smiled almost too broadly. - Really.
Cadence beamed at once.
- I'm glad to hear! And I'm sure Celestia will be happy too.
That's what Sunset wanted to hear. Nodding her head, she trotted back to her book. Perhaps she should study inside the castle from now on.
As she watched the mare wander across the park, Cadence sighed.
- Shame. She looked down at Twilight. - I was hoping she would be your new friend.
Twilight smiled.
- It's okay, Cadence. She stared as Sunset walked away for a moment, then looked at her babysitter. - Some things are just more important.