//------------------------------//
// Senior Year begins. 
// Story: The Trial Concludes 
// by Zerocool7785 
//------------------------------//

For the first few weeks, everything went well at Canterlot High. A lot better for Sunset that was for sure. No Equestrian Magic. Also not being beaten up and tortured was great. Except for Apple Bloom feeling left out for not having a boyfriend, all seemed normal for three weeks.
All the girls had their physicals as you needed one to get into twelfth grade. Sunset was lucky as Potion Nova did hers and made an exception to do one for Twilight. It was embarrassing but had to be done. Afterward, both were declared in excellent health.
Then the drama came. First Principal Celestia and Vice-Principal Luna had announced that they would hold the Fall Formal this year. People were uneasy about that. None more than Sunset Shimmer.
There were some murmurs as she walked down the halls. She even heard someone mention she-demon. It was nothing like last year when five girls had to form a protective pentagon around her.
For the Rainbooms, it had been a labor of love. Initially doing it per Twilight’s instructions. Later because they did become Sunset’s friends. Also, one thing that each of the Rainbooms, Trixie, and The Crusaders learned, they didn't need to fear Luna and Celestia. 
Especially after they became Sunset’s family. Even after Anon-a-miss, Sunset still considered all of those girls as close to sisters. She also couldn’t wait for Thanksgiving and Christmas as the girl she now considered to be like a cousin to her would be in town for those holidays: Juniper Montage.
Sunset after seeing the flyers and hearing about the fall formal and seeing the hate people still had for her, she had to go and talk to her mom.
“Mom, how can you hold this dance?” Sunset asked in disbelief.  "Sunset it is going to be ok; you have completely changed. People see it.” Luna said soothingly. 
“Then what’s with the whispering, the stares, the…” Sunset began
“It’s called High School. You are a senior in about eight months it won’t matter, and I will be heartbroken.” Luna said trailing off a little bit at the end.
“Mom I'm not going to leave. I’m gonna live with you forever.” Sunset said jokingly.
“I told you, don’t you threaten your mother like that.” Luna joked back. 
Both Luna and Sunset laughed at the joke and ended up in an embrace laughing.
“Sunset, I have to tell you. You made my life so much better, as well as your Aunt Celestia, you also brought Chrysalis and I closer than ever. She’s become your aunt and Godmother. Last Fall Formal your, and my life changed so dramatically. 
So are you still against us holding this dance?” Luna said.
“All that happened last year. I also remember what happened to me at The Fall Formal. I’m not against it. I‘m just not going.” Sunset said matter-of-factly. 
“You’re gonna regret that choice.” Luna said.
“I doubt that.” Sunset said walking away.

*				*				*

The next day at lunch Sunset brought her concerns to her friends.
“I don’t want to go to the fall formal.” Sunset told her friends the next day at lunch.
“Why not? I was looking forward to going with you. Remember Luna was even going to take you to get your ears pierced as she promised.” Twilight asked in disbelief and reminded Sunset what Luna said she was doing.
“I’m still getting my ears pierced but last time I was at the fall formal I destroyed the front of the school, mind-controlled the whole student body, and tried to kill six people. Those are good reasons not to go.” Sunset explained.
“You know you didn’t want to go to homecoming either. I had to drag you there as a “date” you danced with me had a great time and mingled with your friends.” Trixie reminded her.
“Yea darling, you hit rock bottom at the formal but you gained so much. A mom, two aunts, ten great friends, and most importantly you hung tough through everything. You even have a girlfriend now. Right Twilight?” Rarity asked.
Twilight blushed at Rarity’s comment. Then she turned to Sunset and said
“Sunset this is our senior year and I want to experience everything including The Fall Formal, Homecoming, and Prom.” Twilight looked at Sunset sadly.
“O.K. guys I’ll go but I’m going to stand off in the corner somewhere.” Sunset said.
“No way my girlfriend is going to dance with me on the dance floor.” Twilight told her.
“Girls I am not going and that is final.” Sunset stated firmly.
“Excuse me.” Twilight said getting up from the table visibly upset.
“I’m gonna say it…damn it Sunset think about how other people feel sometimes.” Rainbow Dash said.
“I’ll go get her.” Sunset sighed.
Sunset walked into the bathroom. Twilight was standing with her hands on one of the sinks leaning over that sink. Sunset walked up and touched her shoulder. Twilight looked at her with tears in her eyes.
“Sunset don't worry about it I can go with my friends.” Twilight said.
“But…” Sunset began.
“No, I wasn’t here last year ok so I know it scared you. But I also know that my girlfriend Sunset Shimmer is the strongest girl I know. The Sunset I know would meet this head-on as she would any video game or any friendship problem. The Sunset I know who saved the world from me.” Twilight said that last part quietly. 
After that, she exited the bathroom. Sunset was left alone with her thoughts for a few seconds when a hand touched her shoulder. Sunset spun around and came face to face with Trixie.
“Trixie thinks Rainbow was wrong we should also take your feelings into consideration as well.” Trixie said.
“Last year I was the star of the show. Turned into a raging she-demon, destroyed the front of the school, then turned the whole student body into a zombie army. Oh and let’s not forget last, but certainly not least tried to kill six students. I wonder what I could do this year for an encore.” Sunset said sadly. 
“Why don’t you go out there and talk to them? When things get hard you hang with your friends and family. That is one thing that Sunset taught me.” Trixie said 
“You know what Trixie your right. Maybe I should just explain everything to everybody.” Sunset said feeling more confident. “Of course, I still don’t know about going to the dance.” Sunset added.
“You said this about homecoming and we had a great time there. Relax, Trixie is going to help you. But Twilight is the one who is upset. I think she wants to go to what is probably her first school dance. She wants to go with her girl.” Trixie added.
Sunset returned to the table with Trixie and declared “I’m going to The Fall Formal. I’m scared as hell about it but I am going.” 
“Yeehaw Sunset that’s great news!” Applejack said.
“Don’t worry about being scared. I’m going to be with you every step of the way.” Twilight told her grabbing her hand.
Sunset secretly hoped The Fall Formal would never come but eventually, it did.

*				*				*

There were a lot of angry stares and whispers when Sunset walked in. Twilight held her hand and reminded her of how hot she looked 
 Her ball gown was orange and white. She was matched with high heel shoes and a purse. Her hair was up in a bun.
Unlike the year before Sunset had her friends there with her. She also had the one thing she didn’t think she would ever have: A date for the dance. That night most of the school learned that Sunset and Twilight were a couple.
Luna and Celestia were overseeing the dance again. Thankfully for Sunset, there was no “Princess of The Fall Formal” this year. Luna thought it would be in bad taste, especially for her daughter. Sunset and Twilight danced that night and all seemed well. 
Even though Trixie went by herself she was secretly happy for Sunset even if she was a little jealous. But she and Sunset went on a date and something mysterious happened. She didn’t know what or understand it. Was it magic? She didn’t understand real magic. Her magic was all smoke and mirrors and sleight of hand. 
Trixie looked around and realized she was all alone. Trixie went into the bathroom and changed then headed out of the school. Sunset saw her leaving and excused herself and ran out of the gym and caught Trixie out front by the pedestal that was the statue. 
“TRIXIE, WAIT UP!!” Sunset called and caught up to her.
“Hi Sunset, you’re missing the dance. Does Twilight know you’re out here?” Trixie asked.
“Where are you going?” Sunset asked.
“Trixie is heading out.” Trixie replied.
“Why?” Sunset asked.
“Don’t worry about it.” Trixie said turning around and going to leave when Sunset grabbed her shoulder. Trixie turned around and looked at her.
“You know I’m not going to be able to do that.’ Sunset said.
“Trixie looked at you and Twilight, and then looked around and realized…” Trixie stopped and turned back around as her voice trailed off.
“Trixie realized she was all alone, so she decided to leave.” Sunset said.
“Sunset, Trixie knows she made you go to homecoming last year. This year Trixie guesses she has no reason to come to dances. Twilight will get worried if you don’t get back soon.” Trixie said walking off towards home. 
Sunset feared that Trixie should not be walking home alone after dark. She took her heels off, ran, and told her mom and Aunt what Trixie was doing.
“You keep an eye on your daughter and the dance. I’ll go after her, Luna.” Celestia replied running out and saw Trixie across the street sadly walking home. Celestia hurried across the street after her. 
“TRIXIE STOP!!” Celestia commanded.
Trixie stopped and turned around to face Celestia. Trixie looked like she had the weight of the world on her shoulders. Celestia felt her heart melt and did what she had to do: wrap Trixie in a hug. After they broke apart Trixie still felt like an outcast.
“Thanks, Principal Celestia, but I just want to go home.” She said sadly.
“I can’t let you walk home alone at night, it’s too dangerous. I also won’t take no for an answer.” Celestia said firmly standing her ground.
“No one would miss me if I never made it home.” Trixie said.
“I would hate myself if that happened especially when I could have saved you. I would miss you, so would my sister Sunset, and the Rainbooms, and the Crusaders. Most importantly what about your mom and dad? I bet they would miss you.” Celestia said. 
“My mom and dad love me, but they became a little distant since I came out. Do you think you could talk to them?” Trixie pleaded.
“Trixie, I don’t know your parents. I wouldn’t know what to say to them. Have you tried talking to them?” Celestia said piling on explanation after explanation as she could think of them.
“I have tried but not much comes of it.” Trixie replied.
“Tell you what Trixie, I’m not qualified to talk to your mom and dad about the whole you being gay situation. Especially considering I’m straight, it wouldn’t be right. 
If you want though I can put you in touch with my sister and her lover they could help.” Celestia offered.
“Luna is not gay.” Trixie said.
“I wasn’t referring to Luna. Now come on I’ll take you home.” Celestia said putting her arm around Trixie and leading her to the car. Just like Luna did one year earlier with Sunset. 
As for the rest of the dance, there was no more drama. But Senior year was far from over.