Tears of Sunlight

Chapter 14: A Weight Lifted

 "You t-turned into a demon?"

Sunset nodded, she could already feel the guilt build in the pit of her stomach, "That's why everyone one has told you how alike we are but we're not. It wasn't the same for you." She looked up wistfully at Twilight.

"That can't be true." Twilight said, "You're so nice and loyal. You saved me."

"I wasn't always like this Twilight." Sunset said, "You are a better person than I ever knew how to be. You didn't understand what that would do. Me? I knew exactly what I was doing. I wanted the power, to go back to Equestria and take over. To prove to...someone, that I was worth it. I was a nightmare for everyone at CHS and eventually, I became the physical representation of what I was. A demon, a monster."

Much to Twilight's confusion, Sunset suddenly ran into the kitchen and returned holding a sketch book. Sunset flipped to a page and handed it to Twilight. Her eyes went wide at the demonic image of what Twilight concluded to be Sunset.

"The other you, the princess, and our friends took me down with a magical laser that literally ripped the demon away." Sunset continued, "It hurt...a lot and since that day, magic has remained in this world. I was a really bad person for a really long time. After that it took a really long time to get everyone to stop hating even the mention of my name."

Twilight remained silent while she took it all in.

Sunset rubbed her face, struggling to keep her composure.

"What happened at the games, Twilight, wasn't your fault." Sunset said finally, "It was mine. I'm the reason the magic you were studying is even here. I should have never yelled at you in the field and I should never have stolen that stupid crown. I am so sorry you had to go through that."

After another few more moments of silence, Twilight met her eyes, "What happened at the games was not your fault."

Sunset gave her a funny look.

Twilight adjusted her glasses, "I have spent the last week compiling the variables and I have concluded that Principal Cinch was the primary catalyst."

Sunset just stared at her, unsure of what to do.

"I mean think about it, sure you brought magic here but that's just amazing! But Principal Cinch was the deciding variable. I never even wanted to be in the games! Sure; I was going to study the magic anyway but I would have never had accumulated it like I had if I wasn't on the Crystal Prep team. Cinch pretty much threatened my Everton application and pressured me into releasing the magic." Twilight smiled, "Sure you could have just taken my spectrometer but that would have just been mean."

Sunset blinked. I have no idea how to respond to that.

"Besides I'm kind of glad it happened." Twilight said, "If it didn't, I would have never transferred or made any friends." When Sunset didn't respond, Twilight spoke softly, "Was that why you were acting so strange? You blamed yourself for what happened?"

Sunset nodded, "Yeah and I still kind of do and part of me always will. Every time I looked at you; I saw my own failures and mistakes staring back at me."

Twilight snorted, "Failure; no but you do have a bit of a temper."

Sunset smirked and shook her head, "I don't even think you're trying to make me feel better but it's working."

"I don't need to try if I'm just giving you the facts." Twilight sad and smiled.

Sunset started to laugh, soon followed by Twilight.