Sunset Shimmer’s sleep was restless and fitful. She was not used to her bed at her foster parents’ house and the temperature just seemed too warm. She kicked off the blankets early in the night and stripped down to just a t-shirt and underwear before she could get halfway comfortable. Once she finally did fall asleep, she faced nothing but strange dreams.
She was back in Equestria, but as an older pony than she ever was before crossing the mirror. There she was in charge of periodically checking on the prisoners of Tartarus to make sure they were all present and accounted for. She stepped through a magical gateway into the depths of the prison and checked off ‘guests’ on a list as she patrolled.
At first they were the beasts she expected – unruly manticores, melusine, and chimera -- but gradually they began to be regular ponies convicted of bizarre crimes. Unicorns accused of ‘indulgency’, earth ponies convicted of rabble-rousing, pegasi jailed for jibber-jabber.
Then, at the end, she found the alicorns. First Celestia, who had crimes of manipulation, then Candace for bigamy, and Twilight for over-preparedness. Finally, in the last cell, was Luna, who was switching back and forth between her true self and Nightmare Moon. The checklist was blank for the reason she was imprisoned.
“What are you in for?” Sunset asked the prisoner, whom was currently Nightmare Moon.
The alicorn’s normally perfect mane fell ragged around her face. “I saw!”
“Saw what?” asked Sunset.
“The death of the world!” howled Nightmare Moon. “Night! Day! It is irrelevant! No one wins in the end. The push of darkness held by an equally strong force of light.”
“That is the way of things,” Sunset said. “One always replaces the other.”
“And therefore, no one ever changes!” yelled Nightmare Moon. “Every day quieted is a day closer to my shout. We never improve, never get better, only delay the relapse.”
Sunset shuddered at the thought. “It doesn’t have to be that way.”
“But it does!” said Nightmare Moon. “Harmony is a curse, not a blessing.”
With a poof of dark purple smoke Nightmare Moon faded and was replaced with Princess Luna, who looked impassively at Sunset. She brushed her tangled bangs aside and tried to fix her mane.
“She’s not wrong,” said Luna in a calmer, composed manner.
“She isn’t?” asked Sunset, alarmed at the change in demeanor.
“No, but she is mistaken that all states are binary,” said Luna. She shook her head and her hair began to flow gently in that ethereal breeze only she and her sister seemed to feel. “Life is not an even split between good and evil, light and dark, but is a spectrum of shades in between. So, too, does Harmony bring balance to the world, trading one big bad for many smaller goods.” She looked sad. “Fear not the demon in the final cell, Sunset Shimmer. You are stronger than she is.”
Sunset’s head turned slowly. “The final cell?” Her gaze focused on the darkened path and single barred cell at the end. It was pitch black down that way, even the path was swallowed up by the inky night. Sunset’s steps were cautious and slow but she proceeded ever forward.
At the end, in the final cell, was a small spot of light shining in a circle several meters beyond the bars. Sunset looked around but could see little else but the glowing beam coming from somewhere above too distant to view.
There was a rustle, like rough clothes scraping against stone, as something moved in the darkness.
“Who is in there?” asked Sunset. She checked her list but found no information on this prisoner at all.
The sound of scraping moved in the blackness coming closer to the cell door but not becoming any more visible. “We are,” said the voice. It was a raspy whisper.
“There are more than one of you in there?” asked Sunset. That wasn’t how any of the previous cells were. All were single-occupancy.
“Yesss,” hissed the voice.
Then there was a sudden panicked scramble and the sound of heavy footfalls. In a blur a figure threw itself at the bars, causing Sunset to jump back in alarm. The figure was a slight of a human, breathing heavily, looking – for all intents and purposes -- scared out of her skull.
She was her, Sunset Shimmer, in human form. She reached between the bars desperately at the Sunset in unicorn form.
“P-please!” the prisoner pleaded. “Let me go! I can’t be in here anymore! She took my dreams! She takes everything!”
“Calm down,” said unicorn Sunset. “I can’t let you out, I don’t even have a key.”
“She’s coming back, I can’t be here or she’ll torture me,” said the human.
“Who is coming back?” asked Sunset. “Who else is in there?”
The human froze and then looked slowly back towards the spot of light. “Ourselves,” she whimpered. She stepped into the light and exploded into fire. The heat caused Sunset’s mane to flutter around her. She pushed it aside to watch.
The fires died down and the human had become the demon. The beast that Sunset had turned into wearing the Element of Magic.
“Come, Sunset,” said the demon, curling her finger in the unicorn’s direction. “Let us get what we deserve. Release yourself.”
“No,” Sunset shook her head. “You’re dangerous, you deserve to be in there.”
The demon smiled broadly. “In where, dear?”
Sunset looked past the demon and saw the lit hallway behind her and the rows of cells beyond. She looked around and noticed that the darkness was on her side now, the spot of light resting a meter beyond her hooves behind her. Sunset was in the cell, and the demon was free.
Sunset pulled at the bars. “No! Let me out!”
“I don’t even have a key,” mocked the demon. “You do, though. You can join me if you wish. Together we can be free and rule the world.” She bent down and looked into Sunset’s eyes. “Inside there, you’re the one who is trapped, forced to be someone you’re not, forced to endure things you’re better than. Admit it! You want to have my power, you want to give into your desires.”
“No!” shouted Sunset. “I was wrong, I don’t want to be a demon.”
“But you are,” said the demon. “You just hide it.” She turned on her heels and clicked her tongue. “But, if you want to deny who you are and live a lie, then who am I to judge?” She began walking back towards the light and other cells. “Enjoy your cage. There is nothing else to look forward to.”
Sunset rattled the bars of the cell. “Come back here!” she shouted.
The demon laughed, louder and louder.
*** ( MLP ) ***
Equestria…
When it came to raw power between the two of them, there was a simple answer: Princess Celestia was stronger. In any singular challenge, but especially one that involved magical strength, she outstripped Princess Luna nearly two to one. This wasn’t a particularly well known fact, but Luna was not one to hide the truth and so spoke honestly when the topic arose. It rarely did.
Where Luna’s true strength lay was in other half of her identity. As Sentinel of The Dream, she roamed the dreams and nightmares of sleeping creatures. Often she did very little more than observe. Nightmares were the mind’s way of working out problems it feared to voice during waking hours, and she very delicately did not want to interfere with that process. But when those nightmares became problematic, traumatic, or otherwise interfering with that creature’s life, she would try to step in and ease the troubled mind.
She did this, for the most part, simultaneously with operating her physical body. The maintenance of two complex, independently operating entities, each tasked with the heavy burden of maintaining peace in Equestria, required a great deal of discipline for the Princess, so as not to get confused or have The Dream influence her waking self too greatly. The result could be – the result, in fact, was – problems such as Nightmare Moon.
Few knew how long Nightmare Moon existed prior to her emergence in Equestria. Many, including Celestia, believed it happened all at once with her corruption. They would be surprised to know how long the malignant entity had suffered in silence before coming to the fore.
Nightmare Moon was Luna’s id. Aggressive, impulsive, instinctual, the entity was birthed in The Dream and fed a litany of daily grievances until it had become strong. Not so strong as to invade the waking world – at least not until the Elements of Harmony became involved – but powerful enough to direct the activities of Luna’s Sentinel duties. Dreaming Luna had become slave to her compulsive desires, and in many ways, Twilight’s use of the Elements of Harmony on her had freed her twofold. First by stripping the waking Nightmare of influence, and second by quelling it’s hunger in the dream to the point where Luna almost felt normal again.
But in its absence, the all distracting presence of Nightmare Moon had left a hole in Luna’s activities in The Dream. One she filled with exploration and curiosity. If something as abstract as Nightmare Moon, a mere shade of Luna’s identity, could be given physical form, what else was possible?
And so, Luna walked, exploring, testing the boundaries of The Dream, to see what was possible. To her surprise, she walked so far she found Sunset Shimmer.
She was dreaming of being a pony again, which may have helped, but she was most definitely not in Equestria, not even in their dimension. Which meant the Dream went much further than most had thought.
But what she saw was troublesome: a mind in turmoil, starved of identity and fearful of looking for a new one. Luna knew little of Sunset Shimmer, her tenure as a student of her sister begun and ended during those years Nighmare Moon was caged. But Luna knew a little, and she knew well the minds of ponies.
So she spoke, and tried to help.
“Fear not the demon in the final cell, Sunset Shimmer. You are stronger than she is.”
It was good advice given what Luna had seen in the structure of this nightmare, but it was also achingly familiar. She too feared Nightmare Moon in the weeks after her restoration to mere Luna. The world she was forced to live in was also strange and unfamiliar and she was desperate for anyone to help her understand it – but too proud to ask and risk embarrassment.
As Luna watched Sunset walk off, she knew the pony would not listen, but that was part of the way dreams worked. The structure could not be avoided easily, but maybe, when Sunset woke, she would recall the one voice that stood against the waves and not be so troubled afterwards. Or she would dismiss it.
Such were the small grievances that Luna endured that originally created Nightmare Moon. Fortunately, Luna was much better adjusted these days. Someday, she believed, Sunset would be too.
Her eyes lingered on the cutie mark on the unicorn that walked away and then withdrew herself from the dream to continue her walk. At the same time, Princess Luna in the waking world turned away from her watch at the top of the palace in Canterlot and descended the stairs into the Princesses’ quarters.
It was the middle of the night, but Luna was sure she would not be interrupting anything. She came to Celestia’s door and stood there, silently and unmoving. The tingle that told her where her sister was grew stronger until it was almost next to her. The door then opened and Celestia looked back with a grin.
“You can come in anytime, sister. You needn’t wait here like a page,” said Celestia.
Dreaming Luna sighed at another missed social cue. “Forgive me,” Luna voiced aloud. “Much has changed in the time since my imprisonment. I sought to be polite.”
“I appreciate that,” said Celestia as the grin faded into a kinder smile. “But I always have time for you. I’ll never get back the years we spent apart but I don’t want anything to get in the way of the time we have now. Come in.”
Luna followed Celestia into her quarters, noticing the worn but elegant décor, the nearly threadbare rug before the fire, and the untouched four post bed. The bed was a cultural prop, an expectation that anyone would have upon seeing the private room of a monarch, but it was unnecessary. Neither Luna nor Celestia had any need to sleep since taking on responsibility of rising the sun and moon. They did, occasionally, as they weren’t incapable of sleep, but it was more for the novelty than the necessity. At night, Celestia tended to do paperwork, and Luna patrolled.
“What troubles you?” asked Celestia as she moved to the tea set laying by the window. She poured a cup with her magic and then offered it to Luna. Her sister took the offered beverage with a nod and then placed it down beside her without sipping.
“I saw Sunset Shimmer tonight in The Dream,” said Luna.
“I see,” said Celestia impassively. She sipped from her cup slowly. “So we do not need the mirror.”
“Of that, I am unsure,” said Luna. She paced around the rug. “The world’s dreaming is connected to ours, but that does not mean anyone can travel along it. You may recall, long ago I suspected other worlds were connected to The Dream – and even postulated that there was but one Dream shared by all worlds -- but could not ever be certain. Seeing strange worlds in someone’s sleeping mind does not mean they truly exist.”
“But now you know,” said Celestia. “Because Sunset is not in our world right now.”
“Yes,” said Luna. “I will try to explore more. I have not known anything from the Dream to manifest in our world. Even Star Swirl believed the mirrors were the only way.”
“He did, but I suspect Twilight will soon surpass him in knowledge, so other ways may come to light,” said Celestia. Her smile grew slightly more proud.
Luna studied Celestia’s reaction and wondered if she should continue.
“There is another matter that troubles you,” said Celestia, rather than asking.
“Yes,” said Luna. “It is Sunset Shimmer herself. I had not seen her clearly before tonight, and I cannot help but be curious about her cutie mark. Have you a hand in that?”
Celestia shook her head. “No, and I‘m as troubled by it as you are.” She put down her tea and walked towards the fire. “I have tried many things to divine the reason for the similarities between her mark and mine to no avail. I had believed that it was a sign of her destiny to wield the Elements of Harmony, but that has proven to be incorrect. The answer I have always given to Shining Brow was that it was coincidence, and I find myself believing this may be the case. A startling one, to be sure, but a coincidence none the less.”
Luna stood beside her sister and gazed into the fire. Her dream self was cresting the peak of snowy mountains inside the dream of a very ambitious pegasus with the cutie mark of a bright star above the arc of a horizon.
“You will forgive me again, sister, if I am not so convinced,” said Luna. “The Elements of Harmony do not let just anyone wield them.”
“I didn’t think you’d accept that explanation,” said Celestia, her smile returning. “I would love the help in unraveling this mystery. I have chosen to hide much of this from the others in the palace, for obvious reasons. None would appreciate the implications, not even Twilight.”
Luna looked up towards her sister, still taller and nobler than she. But unlike a thousand years before, Celestia was sometimes weary and haunted. Worn bare in places, like the rug at their feet. The envy Luna felt so long ago simply failed to arise. Instead she felt awe, greater than that snowy peak beneath the night sky her dream self just saw.
“You grew up without me,” said Luna, before she has the sense to stop herself.
Celestia did not appear offended, and merely nodded. “It was a very lonely time, and I don’t miss it at all.” She playfully nudged Luna. “Don’t make me go through that again, dear sister.”
“If it is within my power, I shall be by your side until the end of time,” said Luna.
*** ( MLP ) ***
Sunset stared blearily at the street as she walked to school. Wednesday. Hump day. It certainly was an effort to get up this morning. Not that she wanted to sleep, the nightmare had taken care of that. But she wasn’t rested either, which mean putting one foot in front of the other was a daunting task.
She took a sip of the coffee she had got from her foster father on the way out the door. It wasn’t gourmet, but it was good enough and she was happy to have it to boost her energy. She was offered breakfast too, some simple warmed bread and jam, but she wasn’t very hungry and politely turned it down. She got a smile out of Sea Spray for trying to be nice and Auburn kindly offered to give her a ride. It was a surreal morning for Sunset’s life, but kind of good as well.
She turned down the ride, though, because she had errands to run. She had really left things at an awful state with Fluttershy yesterday, and she needed to make some effort at fixing it. As with the last two days, she headed towards Fluttershy’s house in the morning, hoping to catch her before she met up with Pinkie Pie and Rarity.
To her surprise, though, she ran into Pinkie and Rarity before getting to Fluttershy’s house. She blinked, and walked over, receiving a cheerful greeting from Pinkie and a begrudging one from Rarity. She still had work to do with that one, but first things first.
“Where’s Fluttershy?” asked Sunset.
“She left without us this morning,” said Pinkie.
“Perhaps to avoid someone who has been particularly rude to her recently,” added Rarity.
“Wish I’d had that option this morning,” muttered Sunset.
“She probably went to the shelter,” said Pinkie.
“The animal shelter?” asked Sunset. She knew about Fluttershy’s involvement in the local animal shelter from her earlier research into the human counterparts of Twilight’s friends, back when she was looking for leverage over the Elements of Harmony. She had pretty much forgotten most of it, though, when she realized how weak-willed Fluttershy was. Leverage wasn’t generally necessary with her, just a stern gaze.
Though recent events had made her question how frail she actually was.
“She helps out feeding the animals every few days,” said Rarity. “And plays with them on the weekends.”
“Right,” said Sunset. She checked her phone for the time. There probably wasn’t enough to get to the shelter from here and then back to the school before first bell. She could try, though. “Thank you.”
“Why don’t you walk with us?” said Pinkie before Sunset could turn away.
“Uh, o-okay,” said Sunset. There was little possibility she’d get to talk to Fluttershy for any meaningful duration, and she could always catch her between periods or at lunch. She stepped to the side and followed when Pinkie hopped past.
“Why are you looking for Fluttershy?” asked Pinkie.
“I need to talk to her,” said Sunset.
“Well, obviously,” said Pinkie with a smile.
“I think you should keep your distance,” said Rarity without looking at her.
Sunset huffed and turned on the aloof girl. “All right, let’s get it over with,” she said. “I was just as well going to leave you to last but, I’m not in the mood to put up with it anymore.”
Rarity patted Sunset on the shoulder. “Keep a stiff upper lip, dear, it’s only been two days.”
“What do you want from me?” asked Sunset.
“I believe you know already,” said Rarity, raising an eyebrow.
“But you’re not even giving me a chance,” said Sunset. “I admit it. I’m a screw-up. But you’re never going to see what you want in me unless you start looking, instead of just queuing up behind the rest of the bullies.”
“How dare you,” snapped Rarity. “I am not a bully.”
“Then what do you call this? Proactive critique?” asked Sunset.
“Protecting my friends from your attitude,” said Rarity. “You think I can’t get guess the reason for Fluttershy’s absence and your presence? What was it? Hmm? You run off because she said something that made you uncomfortable? Or the opposite? You say something to her that hurt her so much she’d rather not even see you? I know Fluttershy and I know you, so I know which of those is more likely.”
Sunset tried not to look too wounded by that accusation, because it wasn’t altogether wrong. But Rarity asked for the world! How could she possibly change quickly enough for her? How could she even get Rarity to understand she was trying to change? She took a breath calmly.
“I made a mistake,” said Sunset evenly.
“Not your first,” said Rarity.
“Come on, give me a chance to at least finish a sentence,” said Sunset.
“I owe you no favors,” said Rarity. “Your persistent effort to befriend us is admirable, but your flailing around and stumbling over your own words is hurting everyone.”
“I’m trying not to!” said Sunset.
“Try harder!” said Rarity. She crossed her arms. “It’s hard enough just getting used to being friends again – something we have only been again for a week now – without you in there putting us at odds!”
Sunset opened her mouth to rebut, then froze, caught on the words Rarity said. “Putting you at odds?” she asked. “How am I…?”
“Nevermind,” said Rarity. She flipped her hair to the side and continued walking towards the school.
Sunset swallowed as she watched Rarity leave. She turned her head towards Pinkie.
“What’s been going on when I’m not around?” asked Sunset.
“With the five of us or everyone else in the world?” asked Pinkie.
Sunset sighed. “How about the five of you? I don’t think there is much I can do about the other one.”
“Well,” Pinkie wound up then launched in a rapid fire monologue. “Recently, Applejack’s family has been pressuring her to pick a future, which is something she doesn’t want to do because she’s saved up to go to school in the big city – not downtown big city though, the BIG big city, but her family wants her to stay and run the farm and it’s causing conflict in her family. Rarity can’t afford to go to someplace like the BIG big city, which is her hearts and dreams because of Fashion Week, and at best hopes to make it to a state university, which isn’t bad at all, but it’s not the BIG big city so she’s jealous and she worries about her sister’s dreams being squashed as well. Rainbow Dash is thinking about going overseas for school to find a better place to play soccer, which will totally separate her from us and she doesn’t even want to bother with school just thinks she needs to be at a university to be noticed by pro league sports. And Fluttershy wants to work with animals but doesn’t want to be separated from her friends so she’s thinking of going to wherever the rest of us go and that doesn’t make anyone happy because she’s limiting her future for the sake of her friends which makes us uncomfortable.”
Sunset blinked at the deluge of information and tried to quickly parse it in her head. “Woah,” she said. “What—I’m almost afraid to ask, but, what do YOU want, Pinkie?”
Pinkie Pie made a thoughtful face then slowly nodded. “Breakfast, mostly. Apples and muffins.”
Sunset stared. Then she felt a strange pressure in her upper chest. It became uncontrollable and she burst out laughing.
“Aha!” shouted Pinkie and pointed a finger at Sunset’s face. “You can laugh!”
Sunset tried to get control of herself, holding her hand to her chest and breathing slowly. “You are crazy,” she said in a breathy manner.
Pinkie shrugged and smiled. “As my mother says: To each her own in her own way.” She tipped her head slightly to the side while she looked at Sunset. “Within reason.”
“Right,” said Sunset as she calmed down. Then she shook her head. “I still don’t see how that involves me, though.”
“I dunno,” said Pinkie. “Unless it’s because you’ve been a convenient thing to use against everyone else, especially since Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash are totally behind helping you while Rarity and Applejack are worried you’ll turn on us and go crazy again.”
“Wow,” said Sunset, drearily. “That’s a real pick-me-upper.” She frowned. “Should you be telling me all this?”
“Nobody told me not to,” said Pinkie.
That was not a positive sign, thought Sunset. She continued walking towards school.
“What are your plans?” asked Pinkie, staying beside her.
Sunset’s mouth hung open for a moment, stunned at how often that question had come up recently. “Survive, really, beyond that I don’t know. I’d like to get a handle on this friendship thing.”
“What about school?” asked Pinkie. “College?”
Sunset shrugged. “I’ve never really put much thought into it. I always knew I was going to leave here before graduating.”
“But you didn’t,” said Pinkie.
“Yeah.”
“Then we should figure this out,” declared Pinkie. She raised her eyebrows. “Together!”
Sunset looked at Pinkie. “T-together? You mean you help me figure out my future or figure out both of …?” She stared at the expectant look from Pinkie. “You don’t have a plan either?”
Pinkie was cheerful as always. “Nope.”
“Really? I thought everyone around here had a college plan.”
“Maud went to college,” said Pinkie. “I’m not really trying to follow in her footsteps though.”
“Who’s Maud?” asked Sunset.
“My way too awesome sister.”
“Oh,” said Sunset. She briefly boggled at the idea of someone Pinkie would consider more awesome than herself. The possibilities were staggering. “What do you want to do?”
“Dunno,” said Pinkie. “Life’s more fun with surprises!”
“It’s also more limiting without a plan,” said Sunset. She looked at the sidewalk as she walked. “I suppose suggesting clown school would be wrong.”
“Yup,” said Pinkie, though she didn’t sound offended. “Because there aren’t any schools. It’s a trade that’s usually apprenticed or self-taught.”
“So you’ve looked into this?” asked Sunset.
“I totally know stuff,” Pinkie said seriously… before she began wagging her eyebrows.
Sunset smiled again.
“Hmm, close, but no laugh that time,” said Pinkie.
“Comedian,” said Sunset with a snap of her fingers. “That’s up your alley.”
“Yeah, but not really an original idea,” said Pinkie. “I could get these suggestions from Rainbow Dash. I’m looking for some juicy other-worldly options!”
“Pinkie,” said Sunset cautiously. “Are you using me in order to get strange ideas?”
“Yup,” nodded Pinkie.
“Wow,” said Sunset, looking a little dazed. “That’s not a turn I anticipated.”
Pinkie giggled maniacally.
*** ( MLP ) ***
After first period, Sunset found herself confronted for the second day in a row by Flash Sentry, who came up to her desk right at the end of class. He looked at her expectantly.
“Hey, do you have time to talk at lunch today again?” he asked.
Sunset looked at him with a slight frown. “Flash, I can’t tell you about Twilight every day.”
Flash held up his hands. “Oh, uh, no that’s not what I wanted to talk about. I wanted you help with something.”
Curious, Sunset shook her head. “I don’t have plans, so I’m free if you are.”
“I’ll find you in the cafeteria,” said Flash as he turned and quickly left. Sunset didn’t even have an opportunity to stop him and beg for a less public meeting place. The cafeteria was bound to be where Trixie’s gang of angry students would look for her first.
With a sigh, Sunset got up and grabbed her heavy bag. She still wasn’t putting anything into her locker, just in case there was a repeat of yesterday’s mess. It had been cleaned up at least, no sign of honey was in her locker when she checked it this morning. Not even the sweet smell lingered, instead there was just the sterile odor of disinfectant.
As she left the classroom she saw Rainbow Dash balancing a book on her finger as she walked down the hall. She ran to catch up with her.
“Rainbow Dash,” said Sunset as she approached, her voice just loud enough to get her attention but hopefully not enough to attract anyone else’s notice.
Rainbow turned and grabbed her textbook with one hand as it started to fall. “Hey, Sunset.” She looked at Sunset’s overfull bag. “You taking your whole locker with you?”
“Yeah, just in case,” said Sunset.
Rainbow Dash raised one eyebrow. “Just in case of what?”
“Don’t worry about it,” said Sunset. “Listen, I wanted to talk to you.”
“Yeah, I figured,” said Rainbow Dash, nodding. She folded her arms behind her back, holding the book between her palms. “Did things go alright with Luna yesterday?”
Sunset was thrown off her train of thought for a second. “With the detention?”
“With the fighting,” said Rainbow Dash. “That’s why she came for you, right?”
“Oh, right,” said Sunset. “She didn’t do anything except ask questions. I guess I should be glad she didn’t give me even more detention. I’m not sure if she really believes I didn’t do it, though. Kinda frustrating.”
“Yeah,” said Rainbow, nodding. Then she stopped walking and turned to face Sunset. “Look, I know you want to do all of this yourself, but I don’t think you should. And if you’re upset that I talked to Luna, that’s fine, I’ll back off, but I still think it was the right thing. Someone should be looking out for you.”
Sunset stared. Too many things were packed in those three short sentences for her to process immediately, especially since each revelation required her to revisit her earlier thoughts about the girl in front of her.
“Wait, you talked to Luna?” asked Sunset.
“Uh, yeah,” said Rainbow Dash. “You didn’t know that?”
“You’re the third account?” asked Sunset.
“Third?” asked Rainbow. “I just told her about the stuff Pinkie and Fluttershy told me, and then about the softball. I didn’t say anything more. Don’t really know much more since you’re so tight lipped.”
Sunset swallowed. “Why—why did you do that for me?”
“Because it’s the right thing to do,” said Rainbow Dash. She checked the clocks on the hallway wall and began walking again. Sunset followed in a daze as Rainbow kept talking. “Besides, you’ve got a target as big as a mountain on you right now, and, yeah, I suppose you did stuff to make that happen, but you’re trying to make friends and do better. I don’t see why you shouldn’t have someone watching your back.”
“But, I don’t deserve it,” said Sunset. “Not after what I did to you.”
Rainbow Dash shrugged. “I’m not sure feeling safe should be limited to only the people who deserve it.” She smiled. “Besides, if you’re trying your hardest to be nicer, then in my book you do deserve it. And I’ll stand in the way of anyone who thinks otherwise.”
Sunset’s jaw hung slightly open. Then the second bell rang.
“Crap,” said Rainbow. She started to jog away. “See you later, Sunset!”
Sunset shook herself from her stunned daze and realized she hadn’t gotten around to asking where she could find Fluttershy. She sighed and walked towards her second period class, her mind full of the actions of her strange ‘friends.’
*** ( MLP ) ***
Sunset hadn’t noticed before how many classes she had in her day that had none of the five girls in them. She kept her eyes open and tried to spot them, but it wasn’t until lunchtime that she found any of Twilight’s friends again.
She didn’t find all of them either. Applejack, Rainbow Dash, and Pinkie Pie were sitting down as Sunset came up to them, with no sign of Rarity or Fluttershy. She asked after the two missing girls immediately.
“Rarity spends half her lunches in the arts room working on clothing designs,” said Applejack. “Only eats with us couple times a week. She tends to forget to eat when she’s all in her ‘zone’ so ah bring her a sandwich towards the end of the period if you want to follow me today.”
Sunset shook her head. She still was nervous about facing Rarity again, mostly because despite all she knew about the girl, every time they talked it ended in a fight. She didn’t want to actively pursue a conflict with Rarity, so she figured keeping her distance was best for now.
“And Fluttershy?” asked Sunset.
“She didn’t come in today,” said Pinkie, just a hair more somber sounding than normal.
“She didn’t?” asked Sunset. “But you said this morning she left without you.”
Rainbow Dash shook her head. “She didn’t come here, if that was the case. She’s probably at the shelter if she’s not at home. We were going to check on her after school.”
Sunset frowned. She didn’t like the idea of Fluttershy being off by herself. What was the point of these ‘friends’ if they weren’t with her and didn’t know where she was?
“Hi, Sunset!” came a voice from behind her.
Sunset turned to see Flash coming up with a tray full of two salads and couple of juice bottles. He was smiling just a little awkwardly, as he had been since they started talking again.
“Did you want to come and sit by the rest of Flash Drive?” he asked.
Sunset turned back towards Rainbow Dash. “What shelter?” she asked. “How far is it?”
“How far from where?” asked Rainbow Dash. “Here? It’s on Chapel Ave. Are you going to walk?”
Sunset looked back at Flash. “You have your car today?”
Flash blinked at her. “Uh, yeah.”
Sunset took one of the salads, closed its lid, and stacked it on the other. Then she pocketed the two drinks. “Come on, we’ll talk on the way.” She walked past Flash and headed towards the door.
Behind her heard a dazed voice say, “On the way to where?”
*** ( MLP ) ***
Sunset stared out the window of Flash’s car as they drove into town.
“Are you even allowed to leave the school for lunch?” asked Flash.
Sunset shrugged. “Haven’t been told not to. I’m sure I’ll get some amendment to the high and mighty ‘rules’ after this but I don’t care.”
“You don’t care about the rules?” asked Flash, blinking as he drove. “That’s a new one. Even before you at least cared enough to avoid them.”
“Didn’t seem to help me in the end,” said Sunset. “Trying a new way. Trying lots of new ways.”
She caught Flash shaking his head out of the corner of her eye.
“Don’t help if you don’t want to,” said Sunset.
“No, it’s fine,” sighed Flash. “Someone should be watching out for you.”
Sunset turned to glare at him. “Why is everyone saying that? I never had anyone looking out for me before. Am I suddenly all that weak looking?”
“No-no,” said Flash quickly. “I mean, I don’t think you’re weak.”
“Good,” growled Sunset.
“It’s kind of the opposite, honestly,” said Flash.
“What?” snapped Sunset.
“You’re acting like you’re, I dunno, immortal, or invulnerable,” said Flash.
“I definitely don’t think I’m that powerful.”
“No, I know,” said Flash. “But you think you can brave anything, like this sudden trip off school campus when you know you’re on a short leash after the Fall Formal. Do you even care what might happen to you?”
Sunset crossed her arms and stewed. She idly wondered if everyone had been so chatty over the last few years if she might not have ended up in this situation.
“Look, there are things I’m trying to do right now,” said Sunset. “And this is one of them.”
“Going to an animal shelter?”
“Not…” Sunset took a calming breath and tried to say what she wanted to say right, the first time, for a chance. “Not letting Fluttershy stay hurt by what I said.”
“Oh,” said Flash. He drove silently for a minute. “What did you say?”
“I—I told her I thought she was only pretending to be my friend because Twilight told her to,” said Sunset.
“Did you really mean that?” asked Flash, sounding a little disappointed.
“At the time I didn’t really think she really cared,” said Sunset. “It’s not like she’s really selective about who she’s kind to. And I was a real jerk to her for years, why on earth would she care about me?”
“You thought because she’s nice to everyone, she can’t really like anyone?” asked Flash.
“Well, how could she?” asked Sunset.
Flash smiled. “Friendship isn’t an exhaustible resource, Sunset. There’s enough for everyone.”
“Hmph,” snorted Sunset. “Says you, I’m having trouble with one.”
Flash nodded. Then looked briefly at Sunset. “Just for clarity, is the one me or is it someone else and I’m assuming too much.”
Sunset sighed. Then she realized something. “What was it that you wanted to talk about today?”
Flash looked at his watch. “Don’t worry, it’ll wait. Let’s focus on this.”
Sunset felt uneasy. “Are you sure? I don’t want to screw up the one—‘
“I’m sure,” Flash said with a smile. “We can talk tomorrow.”
Sunset half-smiled. “Okay.” She looked ahead at the road. A few minutes later she spotted the shelter and pointed. Flash took them into the parking lot.
“You can stay if you—“ started Sunset.
“Really?” said Flash in apparent disbelief.
“Alright, let’s go.”
The two entered the shelter and was greeted with the cacophony of barks and squeaks and chirps of dozens of animals at once. It was nearly deafening. The front desk was empty and there were leashes and tiny bits of kibble laying everywhere.
“What happened here?” asked Flash as he looked around.
Sunset peeked around the desk to make sure no one was cowering there. “Hello?” she yelled out. “Anyone alive back there?” She paused then added, “Who isn’t an animal?”
A distant, barely audible voice replied. “I’ll be with you in a moment!”
Flash and Sunset looked at each other.
“Was that…” started Flash.
“Fluttershy?” finished Sunset.
In a whirl, a girl with pink hair flew through the lobby carrying three kittens and a lapdog. “Hello, welcome-to-the-Canterlot-Pet-Center-I’m-sure-you’ll-find-a-fluffy-floaty-flighty-friend-for-life-here-I’m-a-little-busy-but-look-around-and-I’ll-check-back-with-you-in-a-few-minutes-thanks!”
And then she was gone again.
“Oookay,” said Sunset.
“Did you knock off the people who worked here too?” asked Flash.
“Not at all,” said Sunset.
“Then I’m thinking you’re not the cause of Fluttershy’s problems today,” said Flash.
Sunset grimaced. “Fluttershy!” she called out as she followed the streak of pink and yellow into the back of the shelter. She ended up walking down a short hall, walking carefully around small piles of pet food, and entering a cleaning room where half a dozen pups were splashing in a tub while a trio of kittens watched from a shelf, and Fluttershy was desperately trying to use a towel to dry off an excited corgi.
“Just a moment, I’ll be with you soon!” called Fluttershy as she tried to grab the jumping puppy.
“Are you here all alone?” asked Sunset. She looked at the chaos in disbelief… then quickly caught a kitten that made diving leap towards her. “What happened?”
Fluttershy turned and stared. “Sunset Shimmer? What are you doing here?”
“No, no, no,” Sunset said with a shake of her head. “My question first. What happened?”
“Oh, well, normally Gentle Grace is here to watch the animals and I help her in the morning,” said Fluttershy. “But this morning she wasn’t feeling well and fell while stacking cages. I helped her get to a doctor but there was nobody scheduled to come back to the shelter until this afternoon. She gave me a list of people to call but none of them could help.” She shook her head. “I didn’t want to have to close the shelter for the day and risk someone not finding their special pet, so I thought I could keep it open myself.”
Sunset raised an eyebrow. “Really.”
“I love the animals so much, and I really understand them, and I thought I could do a fine job keeping them happy.” Fluttershy made an uncomfortable look towards the playing pups in the bath. “But there were so many of them and they were not used to me giving them baths and keeping them fed and, well, they just got so excited when people showed up...” she wrung her hands gently.
“So you’re in over your head,” said Sunset. She sighed and gently put the kitten down on the floor. The little thing jumped around and then rubbed itself against her boots. She rubbed her forehead. “Why didn’t you call anyone? Ask for help?”
“I didn’t want to burden anyone,” said Fluttershy. “And, I knew everyone would be busy with school.”
“You should be at school,” said Sunset. “And, really? The only thing your friends know how to do reliably is bend over backwards to help you. They wouldn’t have minded at all.”
“Well, then, why did you come?” asked Fluttershy.
Sunset Shimmer’s jaw hung open for several seconds. She really didn’t have a good answer for that one, really. She had told herself she wanted to apologize to Fluttershy for being rude yesterday, but she’d really gone far beyond what she would consider, under normal circumstances, sane measures to accomplish that. Why had she gotten so bent out of shape about the idea of Fluttershy being here?
“Flash!” Sunset called out over shoulder. She waited for the boy to arrive and she motioned to the chaos around them. “We need to help get this under control.”
“We do?” said Flash. “What happened to the staff?”
“It’s us for the time being,” said Sunset. “Can you find a broom and see about cleaning up the messes? I’ll help Fluttershy get this bathing, uh, escapade finished." She pulled out her phone and checked the time. “If we hurry you should still be able to get back before the end of the period.”
“Me?” asked Flash. “What about you?”
“Don’t worry about it,” said Sunset.
“But you said Luna—“ started Flash but was quickly cut off.
“Check the closets for the broom,” said Sunset.
Flash nodded and walked off.
“Sunset, are you sure—“ said Fluttershy.
“Tell me what you were doing and let’s see if we can’t get it done,” said Sunset. “You’re surely not going to get ahead of things like this.”
“O-okay,” said Fluttershy. She looked around. “Can you get me some more towels? They’re in the cabinet over there.”
Sunset nodded.
*** ( MLP ) ***
The sun hung low in the sky as Fluttershy and Sunset Shimmer left the pet center. Fluttershy was smiling as they headed back towards the school, even though her clothes were water-stained in several places. Sunset looked more fatigued than anything else, and was carrying her leather jacket over her shoulder. She yawned widely.
“Ugh,” she said. “How the heck does your friend manage to do that by herself every day?”
“Oh, she has help usually,” said Fluttershy. “Like me in the morning, and Tender Touch in the evening. And she’s very good with the animals.”
Sunset looked at her. “Better than you?”
“Oh, definitely,” said Fluttershy.
“Hrm,” said Sunset. “I’ll believe it when I see it.”
Fluttershy shook her head. “Animals like routine,” she said. “It helps comfort them because they know what to expect and they are less on edge. I thought I could get by without knowing Gentle Grace’s process because I’m usually so in tune with animals. But,” she sighed. “There were too many. I couldn’t give them all my attention at once.”
“You were insane to think you could,” said Sunset.
Fluttershy hung her head. “I know,” she said sadly.
Sunset sighed. “No, look, I don’t mean that. You gotta assume when I say things like that –“
“You don’t mean them?” finished Fluttershy.
“Well, yeah,” said Sunset.
“Why say something you don’t mean?”
“It’s not like I don’t mean it at all,” said Sunset. “It was silly for you to try and do something this big by yourself, especially when you’d never done it all before. I don’t really think you’re insane though.”
“Oh,” said Fluttershy.
Sunset took a breath. “And I didn’t mean what I said yesterday. When I implied that you, well, that you were lying about being my friend.”
Fluttershy looked up at her. “What did you mean?”
Sunset looked at the pavement as they walked. “I meant… I mean that I didn’t find it possible anyone could care about me after what I did to them these last three years. It just doesn’t make sense to me.”
Fluttershy was quiet for a dozen steps. “I forgive you.”
“That’s so easy for you to say,” Sunset breathed.
“It’s easy for me to mean, too,” said Fluttershy. She stopped and gently touched Sunset’s arm. The latter girl turned and looked at her expectantly.
“I forgive you,” said Fluttershy.
“I know,” said Sunset. “You said that already.”
Fluttershy shook her head. “For everything. I forgive you for everything.”
“Y-you can’t do that!” said Sunset.
Fluttershy tilted her head. “Why not?”
“Because!”
“Oh, yes, that’s very convincing,” said Fluttershy.
Sunset Shimmer pointed her finger between Fluttershy’s eyes. “You just used sarcasm!”
Fluttershy smiled. “Did you think I didn’t know how?”
Sunset folded her arms again and turned her nose up at the girl. “There’s no reason for you to forgive me, so don’t.”
“I don’t think you get to make that rule,” said Fluttershy. “And it’s too late, I’ve already done it.”
“Take it back!”
“Why?” Fluttershy stopped smiling. “You don’t want forgiveness?”
“Because there’s no way I’ve made up for everything I did to you,” said Sunset. “I mean, I made your life hell for years! I turned your friends against you. I tried to—I was a monster that attacked you in the night.”
Fluttershy nodded and started walking away from the shelter again. She held her hands behind her back. “You’re trying to do better,” she said.
“I haven’t succeeded yet,” said Sunset before she began walking behind Fluttershy.
“But you’re trying,” said Fluttershy. “Really, really trying. You did some mean things to me, to a lot of people, but the worst was acting like we were just toys to be tossed aside. Like we didn’t have feelings that mattered.” She looked up at the sky. “The last two days you’ve been different. Like you finally see the people around you as real.” She shook her head. “I know you still have a long way to go, but as long as you keep trying, it’s only a matter of time. And if I know that I’m going to forgive you sometime later, why not do it now?”
“Because I might get worse again,” said Sunset sadly.
“If so, it won’t be because you wanted to,” said Fluttershy. She stared ahead at the school. “You had detention today, didn’t you?”
“Yeah,” admitted Sunset. “Probably going to get the third degree on that one.”
“I didn’t really have permission to skip school either,” said Fluttershy.
“Sarcasm and cutting classes?” said Sunset. “What has become of the timid girl I knew?”
Fluttershy tipped her head. “I’ve become friends with a really bad influence.”
Sunset laughed and after a second Fluttershy did as well.
“Thank you for helping today,” said Fluttershy.
Sunset was about to reply when she noticed the figure standing in front of the school. It was an adult woman with long dark hair and crossed arms.
“Uh-oh,” said Sunset.
*** ( MLP ) ***
“There were four rules, Sunset, just four!”
Sunset was watching Luna pace around her office. She had probably done something similar with Fluttershy first while Sunset waited outside. By this point, though, Fluttershy had gone home and it was just Luna and her remaining. This was not, in Sunset’s opinion, a good omen.
“And they are not difficult things to remember,” continued Luna. “But every day since I told them to you, you’ve been in here to explain why it seems like you’ve broken them.”
“To be fair, it’s only been two days,” said Sunset.
Luna glared at her. “Don’t comment. I’m trying to be lenient with you, Sunset, but you are not making that easy.”
“I’m sorry,” said Sunset.
“Sorry doesn’t cut it,” said Luna. “You skipped class – no, you skipped many classes, you didn’t show up for your detention, and you got Fluttershy and Flash Sentry to miss class as well!”
Sunset opened her mouth to protest that she had nothing to do with either of their decisions to miss some or all of their classes, but then she shut it again. It would make little difference at this point and at least if all the blame was taken by Sunset, they would be in less trouble.
“Anything to say?” asked Luna.
“Sor—uh, I mean, I was only trying to help,” said Sunset. “I know there were rules, but I needed to help Fluttershy. She would have been buried on her own.”
“Fluttershy seems to be your partner in crime these days,” said Luna.
“That’s… that can’t possibly be accurate,” said Sunset.
“No?” said Luna. She moved behind her desk and sat down. “She was in here yesterday speaking on your behalf and again today.”
“She shouldn’t be doing that,” said Sunset.
“No, it’s not the wisest course of action to associate with a delinquent,” said Luna.
“Hey!” said Sunset.
“You have no right to be offended,” said Luna. “You did as you wished at this school under our noses for far too long and my sister and I have every right to expel you or even turn you over to the police for your actions.”
Sunset’s eyes widened and she felt a twist in her stomach.
“But my sister believes your remorse is genuine,” continued Luna. “And we would not be good teachers if we did not give our students the ability to admit to and make amends for their mistakes. But you are certainly pushing the bounds of our good intentions.”
Sunset looked away.
“So there will be more punishment,” said Luna.
Sunset nodded without turning back.
“Your detentions will include Saturdays now. And the teachers whose classes you skipped this afternoon will each be giving you another assignment to prove you are paying attention and involved in class.”
Sunset waited until she was sure there wasn’t another rule coming then said, “Okay.”
“Well, then,” said Luna. “It’s already pretty late so I suggest you head along home.”
Sunset was startled and faced Luna. “That’s it?”
“Did you want more?” asked Luna.
“No! I mean, no.” Sunset stood and grabbed her bag. She was about to turn and leave when she thought of something. “Vice Principal Luna? Fluttershy, she’s—not in too much trouble is she?”
Luna looked up from her desk at Sunset. “She has been reprimanded and her parents notified, but it doesn’t seem like she will too troubled by that. She was more worried about you.”
“Me?” asked Sunset.
Luna nodded. “Almost all of her concern was that you would be expelled or your diploma shredded.” She sat back in her chair. “Quite dramatic, honestly. We just wouldn’t print you one.”
Sunset sighed.
“Miss Sunset Shimmer,” said Luna, rather formally for someone leaning back in a reclining chair. “It is my sister’s opinion that the worst rebels can be redeemed through the actions of good friends. And while I wonder now what she means by ‘redeemed’ I can’t help but be encouraged by your attempts to integrate with Twilight Sparkle’s friends. Whether it is by choice or by force, you are looking in the right direction as far as I’m concerned.”
Sunset slightly frowned. “Uh, thanks?”
“Just don’t drag them all into an abyss of delinquency,” said Luna. She sat up again and began moving the papers around her desk. “You can go.”
Without delay, Sunset slipped out the door and closed it behind her. She took a few steps through the front offices before stopping and looking over her shoulder.
She smirked. “And she calls Fluttershy dramatic.”
She continued out of the offices and out the front door of the school. She found Fluttershy sitting on a planter there, swinging her legs and watching a parade of ants circle a dropped banana peel.
“Still here?” said Sunset.
Fluttershy was startled and then hopped down onto the ground.
“I wanted to make sure you were okay,” said Fluttershy. “You weren’t expelled, were you?”
“No,” said Sunset with a smile. She walked up to the girl. “I think I have you to thank for that as well.”
“Oh, well,” Fluttershy looked away with a blush.
“Thank you,” said Sunset.
“You don’t have to,” said Fluttershy.
Sunset nodded. “It’s getting dark, we should get out of here.”
Fluttershy wordlessly agreed and began walking next to Sunset, her head down and looking slightly withdrawn.
“Do you think Gentle Grace will be alright for tomorrow?” asked Sunset.
Fluttershy brightened as she looked up at Sunset. “I think so, she texted me a short while ago. In the very least she has people scheduled to work the shelter for the rest of the week.”
“Good,” said Sunset. “If anything like that happens again…” she looked down at Fluttershy with a serious expression.
Fluttershy looked nervously back.
“Please call me, so I can help.” Sunset smiled again.
Fluttershy blushed even more furiously and looked down at the ground. “Okay,” she nearly whispered.
*** ( MLP ) ***
Rarity sat in her room and stared at the phone in her hands, reading the texts she had just received from Fluttershy about her day with Sunset Shimmer. She saw her own impassioned replies.
She wasn’t making any progress. Nobody was listening to her.
This experiment had simply gone too far.
Rarity had had enough.