“I’m breaking up with you.”

Sunset Shimmer’s mind stalled for a moment.  There was no way she had heard that right.  Her boyfriend, Flash Sentry, did not just declare that he was dumping her.  Slowly, she raised a finger to point at him.  “It’s because I like you that I’m giving you one chance, just one, to correct yourself,” she said.

“You heard what I said,” Flash said coolly, proving that he wasn’t smarter than he looked.

Sunset laughed.  What else could she do?  The whole scene was absolutely hilarious.  Flash Sentry, the namby-pamby nice guy she had had wrapped around her finger for six months, was actually trying to dump her, the one and only Sunset Shimmer!

“What’s so funny?” Flash demanded, his eyes narrowing suspiciously.

“You are!” Sunset said between giggles.  “I mean, do you actually believe that you have any say in this matter?”

Flash scowled.  “You know what?  I’m not going to stick around to indulge you,” he said.  “I’m out of here.”

Standing up, Flash turned around and headed towards the coffee shop’s exit.

Any and all amusement Sunset was feeling evaporated.  How dare this doofus turn his back on her!  Nobody turned their back on her!  She made the mistake of allowing that to happen once, and she vowed never to let it happen again.

“Get your butt back in the chair Flash,” she ordered.

Flash stopped for a moment, only to shake his head and continue walking away.

Her temper blazing, Sunset got up and caught up to him, grabbing his arm to bring him to a halt.  “I told you to…”

Flash yanked his arm out of Sunset’s grasp more violently that she would have thought him capable of.  “Forget it Sunset, I am done listening to you, and I’m done putting up with your bullshit,” he snapped.

“You’re not done with anything!” Sunset snarled.  “I’m the one who decides when we’re finished!”

Flash just sneered.  “Get bent,” he spat, turning away from her again.

This time Sunset maneuvered herself in front of him to block his way.  “Why exactly are you trying to dump me anyways?” she asked through clenched teeth.  As much as she just wanted to smack the gel out of his blue hair that kept it in those obnoxious spikes, she knew she had to stay in control.  All of the other customers were already staring at them; she couldn’t afford to cause a scene now.

Flash’s scowl deepened.  “Well, to put it simply, I’m tired of putting up with your bitchy-to-the-extreme attitude,” he said scathingly.  “I’m sick of how you rip into people if their shadow so much as touches you, I’m sick of watching you harass people for laughs, and I’m sick of how you treat me like I’m your slave rather than your boyfriend...ex-boyfriend, that is.  Quite frankly, I’ve been sick of it all for a long time now!”

“Well if I’m such a horrible person, then why did you put up with me for six whole months?” Sunset demanded.

Flash seemed to deflate; suddenly he looked more tired than angry.  “If I told you that, you’d just think I’m a butthead,” he said grimly.  “Hell, I think I’m a butthead for it.  All you need to know is that you aren’t worth it.  You were never worth it!”

That comment finally pushed Sunset over the edge.  With an almost feral snarl, she swung her fist at Flash’s face, only for him to catch it.  Attacking with her other fist ended the same way.  This time she tried to knee Flash in the groin, only for him to deftly block her with his own knee.

“What is going on here?” Cupcake, the shop’s proprietor, demanded.

Flash released Sunset’s fists and stepped away from her.  “Sorry Ms. Cake,” he said.  “Sunset and I were just saying goodbye.”  With one final glare, the turned around and marched out of the shop.

Cupcake turned to Sunset.  “I’m going to have to ask you to leave as well,” she said.  “You’re welcome to come back provided you don’t cause another scene.”

Sunset was angry enough to spit in her face, but she liked the Sweet Spot, so she just muttered a half-heated promise and left.

As she drove home on her motorcycle, she contemplated her current predicament.  There was no way she could allow Flash to get away with breaking up with her.  The whole reason she had dated him in the first place was so she could cash in on his popularity at school.  She had no idea why so many people respected an awkward dork who’s only distinguishing characteristic was being a rocker wannabe and who wasted his time helping others, but it didn’t matter to her.  The only thing that mattered was that having Flash as her boyfriend was proof of her superiority; she was the best, so naturally she always got the best.  But if people thought that her own boyfriend could just toss her to the curb, than they would start to think that she was going soft!  Furthermore, Flash was useful for helping Sunset deal with the urges her human body seemed to have all the time (it was so much easier when she was a pony; at least estrus followed a schedule that allowed her to prepare for it).

The bottom line was that Flash needed to be reminded of who was in charge.  Fortunately, Sunset had just what she needed to do that.

The next day at school, Sunset was in a much better mood.  Everyone was avoiding her like they usually did, so word about Flash breaking up with her must not have gotten out yet, and by the time classes started, it would no longer be an issue.

“Um, Sunset, we’re not sure about this plan.”

Groaning, Sunset turned to her two minions, Snips and Snails.  “What exactly are you two meatheads confused about now?” she demanded.

Snips started wringing his hands nervously.  “Well, it’s just that…Flash always stood up for us back when everyone else was picking on us.”

“Yeah,” said Snails.  “Doing this to him after everything he’s done for us just doesn’t feel right.”

“Oh really?” Sunset sneered.  “And just who actually helped you get back at all those people who bullied you?”

Snips looked unsure.  “Well…”

“Who helped you get Hoops, Dumb-Bell and Score suspended for dunking your heads in the toilets and stuffing you in your lockers?” she asked.

“You did,” Snails admitted.

“When Sassy Saddles insulted your clothes, who was it who made her seem like such a slut that she had to transfer to another school?” asked Sunset.

“Actually, now that I think about it, she may have just been trying to give us fashion advice,” said Snips.  “And didn’t you do that because she was running against you for…”

“Who.  Was.  It?” Sunset snarled.

“It was you,” Snips said reluctantly.

“Then you two should remember to whom you owe a greater debt to.  It would not end well for you if your loyalties ever began to waver.”

Satisfied with the expressions of fear on her minions’ faces, Sunset turned back around.  She smirked when she caught sight of her target and sauntered up to him.

“Good morning Flash.”

Flash groaned.  “What do you want Sunset?”

Sunset tapped her chin.  “Well, I was thinking that tonight, you and I could go shopping together.  I need a new wardrobe and it would be nice if you paid for it.  After that, you can treat me that nice restaurant I’ve wanted to try.”

Flash stared incredulously at her.  “Are you serious?  Did everything that I said yesterday just go in one ear and other the other?  We’re done Sunset.”

“Oh, I beg to differ,” Sunset said smoothly, pulling out her phone and turning the screen on.  “In fact, I think you’re going to be pulling out all the stops to be a better boyfriend for me if you don’t want everyone to see this.”

When Flash saw what was on the screen, his eyes nearly popped out of his head.  “That’s…but that was…how did you?” he stammered.

“Did you really think I wouldn’t have any dirt on you?” Sunset chided.  “I have to admit, I’m impressed.  I never would have thought you had it in you.”

Flash shot a look of pure venom at Snips and Snails, who hung their heads in shame.  “So basically I have to keep dating you to keep this a secret,” he said.

“Well, depending on how many people have already heard about what happened yesterday, I might have you get on your knees and beg me to take you back in front of everyone first,” Sunset mused.  “But yes, that’s the gist of it.  So what is it going to be?”  As if she even needed to ask.

“Do it,” said Flash.

“Wait, what?” asked Sunset in disbelief.

“Let everyone see it, I don’t care,” said Flash firmly.

Sunset couldn’t believe what she was hearing.  This wasn’t supposed to happen.  Flash was supposed to be on his knees, begging for mercy!

“You think I’m bluffing?” she growled.  “”All I need to do is tap my phone and EVERYONE will see this.  And don’t even bother trying to steal it or anything.  I’ve got copies and home and I can ruin you from any place I want to.”

“Then go ahead and do it already,” Flash insisted.  There wasn’t a trace of fear in his voice.

“Fine, if that’s what you really want!” Sunset snapped.  She positioned her finger just over the “Send” button on the screen.  “One tap and everyone will know your dirty little secret.”

“Go for it,” said Flash.

“Just one tap and your life is over,” Sunset pressed.

Flash didn’t budge.  “Just do it already.”

Sunset knew that she should do it.  If Flash refused to be her trophy, than he would serve just as well as an example.  What did she care if he didn’t care?

“What is wrong with you?!” she cried, throwing her hands up in the air.  “Don’t you understand?  If people see this, your life is over!”

“Yeah, probably,” Flash admitted.

“Then how can you not care?!”

Flash leaned in close.  “Because nothing could be worse than to have to spend another minute with you.”

Flash couldn’t have hit Sunset harder if he had actually slapped her in the face.  Slamming his locker shut, he turned around and walked away, leaving her dumbfounded.  With an angry growl, she chased after him, catching him in the main hallway.

“What do you mean there’s nothing worse than being with me?!” she shrieked.  “I’m the freaking queen of this school!  Any other guy would be BEGGING for the privilege to be my boyfriend!”

Flash glared at her like she was some slimy, offensive thing that had crawled out from under a rock.  “See, that right there is the thing I hate most about you.  You’ve deluded yourself into believing that you’re hot stuff when in reality you’re nothing but a joke.”

“A joke?” Sunset echoed incredulously.  “You think I’m a joke?  Who won the title of Fall Formal Princess three years in a row?  Who won the title of Princess of the Winter Dance three years in a row?  Who took first place in the annual science fair and talent show three years in a row?!  ME!”

“And do you remember how you accomplished all of that in the first place?” asked Flash.  “By sabotaging all of your competition until there was no one left to compete against you.  There is nothing you have that is really yours because you didn’t earn it.  But you can’t see that, just like you can’t see how much everyone here despises you!”

“The people here respect me!” Sunset insisted.

“No they don’t, there just afraid of you,” Flash countered.

“It’s the same thing!”

“No it isn’t and do you want to know why?” asked Flash.  “Take away all of the blackmail material and every other means of hurting others that you have at your disposal, and there will be nothing to stop everyone from ripping you to shreds.”

Flash leaned in close to stare Sunset right in the eye.  “One day Sunset, and I hope that day comes soon, someone is going to find a way to topple you from your throne and expose you for the wretch you really are.  I just wish that it could be me.”

Once again, Flash turned and walked away from Sunset.  Rage pounded through her head as she stared at his back.

“You think this is over?!” she shrieked after him.  “You have no idea what you’ve brought on yourself!  I was being merciful giving you a chance to come back to me!  You would have been lucky to be by my side when my time comes!  I’m going to be a queen!  I’M GOING TO BE A GODDESS!”

“What is all this commotion about?!”

Sunset whirled around to see Principal Celestia standing behind her, her hands on her hips and a frown on her face.

“What are you talking about Principal Celestia?” asked Sunset, forcing her voice into a sweet and innocent tone.

“I’m pretty sure I just heard you screaming at someone,” said Celestia.

“I wasn’t talking to anyone,” Sunset lied.

Celestia gave Sunset a look that she had given her many, many times over the years.  It was a look that said “I’m onto you girl, and the moment I get my hands on even a scrape of evidence, I’m taking you down”.  It was a look that Sunset openly scoffed at, even as it stirred up many uncomfortable emotions in her heart.

“Well then, if there’s no problem, I suggest you get to class,” said Celestia.  “The same goes for the rest of you.”

Looking around, Sunset realized that her argument with Flash had drawn a crowd that was still gawking at her.  That meant that they had all witnessed him reject her while she had blown up like a psychopath.  She couldn’t deal with that at the moment.

“Actually Principal Celestia, I’m not feeling too well right now,” she lied.  “I think I’ll just go home and rest.”

Sunset didn’t even wait to listen to Celestia’s protests.  She just marched out of school and drove back to her apartment.  Locking her door, she leaned against it and took a deep breath to compose herself.  Then she walked into her sitting room, grabbed the end of her coffee table and flipped it over with a piercing scream.  She wanted to do more, but that one act had allowed her to vent just enough anger for her to realize that damaging any more of her possessions would be a very bad idea.  So she settled for punching one of the pillows on her couch, imagining that it was Flash’s stupid face becoming more broken and bloody with each blow.

Never before in her life had she felt more humiliated and outraged, not even when Princess Celestia had expelled her simply for trying to take what she deserved.  The way Flash had lectured her as if she were beneath him-

Pulling her phone out, Sunset stared at the evidence she had tried to threaten Flash with.  She was so tempted to expose it just to spite him, but she knew it would do her no good.  Flash had made it perfectly clear that he didn’t care what happened to him.  Besides, now that she thought about it, Sunset really didn’t want to risk incurring the wrath of his mother.  After discovering that Legalhawke was a lawyer, Sunset had done some research on her, and some of the things she had learned scared even her.

With a heavy sigh, Sunset deleted the material from her phone and tossed it onto the table, cringing when she remembered that it was currently upside down.  She then walked over to a calendar hanging on the wall to examine a heavily marked date that read “it’s open”.

Flash thought he could get away with scorning Sunset?  He would learn otherwise soon enough.  In just a few more weeks, the portal to Equestria would open again, and Sunset would be able to enact her master plan to rule both worlds.  When that happened, then he would pay, as would Princess Celestia, the little purple upstart she had replaced Sunset with, and everyone else who had ever wronged her.

They would all pay dearly.