The Forsaken

by AmberSun

Leaving the Past

Things seemed to come to a halt after Adagio spoke. The question was so clear and simple, yet Sunset wasn’t sure if it had even been asked. So great was her surprise. The redhead stared wide eyed at Adagio, then at Aria and Sonata who were giving her kind smiles in return.

“Are...you serious?,” Sunset stammered. Widening smiles met her question. “You want me to live here...with you three.”

“I really don’t know why you’re surprised,” Adagio huffed, rolling her eyes. “If you thought we were going to let you continue living the way you were after you told us all of this, you must be crazier than I initially thought.”

“For realzies,” Sonata added. She punctuated this by hugging Sunset even tighter.

Aria said nothing, but patted the girl’s shoulder in an affirmative gesture.

Still within the trio’s embrace, Sunset lowered her eyes, allowing her bangs to shadow her eyes. Tears had again gathered in the corners of her eyes--not from sadness--but she refused to allow them to fall. A warm feeling began to fill Sunset’s chest. Light and airy, it rose through her chest and throat, escaping her mouth in a series of choked laughter.

This was almost unreal. Like a classic rags to riches story, and she was the main character. But this wasn’t a movie, and the girls before her--their touches and affirmations--were very much real. While battling a large part of herself that was the independent and stubborn half, Sunset raised her head to meet Adagio’s searching eyes. The fear that lay dormant in the back of her mind was telling her that the sirens would abandon her like the others, but recent events and her closeness to the three squashed that thought as quickly as it arose. There was no deceit, no underhandedness in that wine colored gaze.

“Well, I guess turning down such an offer is considered rude here, right?” Turning so she could address all three of the sirens, a small side smile grew on Sunset's face, and a mischievous light sparked in her eyes.

Her only warning before once more being glomped was a piercingly happy screech near her left ear, courtesy of Sonata, that brought Sunset and the rest of her sisters down with her in a multicolored pile on the bed. Breathless at the sudden release of air from their lungs, they stayed that way for a moment, Aria giving the blue girl an annoyed glare. None of them made a move to disentangle themselves however, simply basking in the closeness of one another.

Sunset couldn’t help another round of laughter from escaping, before coughs replaced it.

“U-um..as happy as I am right now, I think I’d feel better with medicine.” A thunderous growl from her stomach caused Sunset to blush. “And some food too. Food is good.” The other three chuckled in amusement.

“Comin’ right up Sunnybun!” Before anyone could stop her, Sonata was already on the move, having removed herself from the tangle of limbs and darted out the door, seemingly in one motion. The others stared after her blankly.

“Goddess, where does that girl get her energy? Over a thousand years old, and she still acts like she’s a hundred.” Adagio slammed her head back against the sheets, blinking her eyes in exasperation.

“Hmph. You can never say that she’s boring at least. That’s for sure,” Aria grunted.

“I suppose,” the poofy haired siren drawled out. With some reluctance, the eldest siren removed herself from the other two girls, who looked at her questioningly.

“Don’t look at me like that. Someone has to prepare to get Sunset here settled, and it obviously won’t be you.”

Aria scoffed in response. Adagio turned her attention to the bed’s other occupant. “As for you, love, we’ll get your things later on when you’re well enough. I’m sure the others told you I brought all of our school work for the next week and a half, depending on your recovery. We’ll go over everything in detail later.” With a tiny smile, she left the room. “And don’t get comfortable in there, sister of mine. The rights of being in my room only extend to Sunset. You mess anything up in there, I will come for you,” she called back.

Said girl scowled in annoyance. Out of spite, she kicked her legs about, messing up the primly made sheets with the motion, and then stuck her tongue out at the door, despite knowing Adagio couldn’t see.

Sunset laughed lightly in amusement. It was funny how the three interacted with one another. Even if they acted like they hated each other, it was obvious the amount of care they had for their sisters. And it’s being extended to me as well. The thought brought a giddy smile to Sunset’s face, and she wrapped her arms around the purple siren in a hug. The response was immediate when Aria responded in kind, though she looked away, with what Sunset assumed was a blush, judging by the heat radiating from her face.

Sunset sighed contentedly. Yeah. She could get used to this.

---

And so the week went on in a kind of rhythm. Sunset remained in the sirens’ home while she slowly but surely recovered from her bout of the flu--or whatever it was she had come down with. The girls continued about with their routines as well, alternating shifts taking care of their guest/new housemate, and proving to be a constant source of amusement for Sunset. She had seen them together at school, but their little squabbles and brief annoyances with one another seemed to amp up to another level while home, even with Sunset present. She had lost count of the amount of times that Sonata and Aria, or the two with Adagio had broken out in a brief yet light hearted prank war, yanked hair, or even locked the other out of the house until they either begged--in Sonata’s case--or threatened bodily harm.

When Sunset had been well enough to actually leave bed without almost succumbing to another fainting spell, she had been taken on a tour of the house that led to what she had been pleasantly surprised contained what would become her room. She had already passed Aria’s and Sonata’s respectively, but from what the redhead teen could see, there was much of the house that she had yet to even explore, and what she had seen was already nearly twice the size of a normal house--on the second floor.

Of course, with all things positive that Sunset had been experiencing, there always seemed to have to be a shadow hanging over it all. For whatever reason, her sleep had been far from restful. She wasn’t puking her guts anymore, and her body was no longer sore. As a matter of fact, she felt physically better than she could remember in recent memory, but mentally, she was exhausted. Her dreams were haunting, filled with color and sounds that upon waking she couldn’t recall. Couple that with feelings of fear she had been hearing from people over the radio regarding whatever it was that continued heinous attacks across town, she had to wonder if they were connected.

Maybe they could have been magical in nature somehow. Afterall, it wasn’t uncommon that unicorns had precognitive visions in Equestria. Sunset may not have been a unicorn in this universe, but she had held onto some semblance of her magic when she had first arrived, and the growing amount of it since she had initially introduced it with the incident at the Fall Formal could have been the cause of her ability resurfacing. Sunset could remember as a young filly when visions like these caused her many sleepless and fearful nights. She hadn’t understood then what it meant, until Celestia had explained and calmed her down with tales of her own and a quick nuzzle of reassurance. Those had been better times…

Sunset shook her head roughly to expel the memory. She didn’t need to think about that. That was in the past, and she was concerned with the present. She’d find out if the animal was actually another Equestrian monster that needed to be dealt with. She’d just have to use the elements...and then--

Wait, no. She couldn’t do that. Not anymore. The contemplative look on Sunset’s face fell to a full on frown that her companions immediately took notice of.

“What’s wrong Shimmer. Haven’t seen you look that upset in a while,” Aria spoke up from beside her. Glancing to the left and meeting purple eyes, Sunset had almost forgotten where she was with how deep in her thoughts she became. The spacious interior of the car she was riding in, as well as the other three girls around her had seemed to fade in the background. Well, at least she was conscious to enjoy it this time.

“Oh, it's nothing really. Just thinking about all the crap that’s been going on in town. You know about those animal attacks happening in Canterlot, right? It’s crazy to think one thing is causing so much damage. You’d have thought that the authorities would have the issue under control by now.”

“Meh. We’ve lived a long time, and in that, we’ve learned humans--no matter what age--are all incompetent,” Aria nonchalantly spoke. Rolling her eyes and humming in thought, she added, “Then again, it’s been ongoing for a while.”

From the driver’s seat, Adagio glanced back in the mirror. Her eyes were slightly narrowed. “Why would you be thinking about that now?”

“It’s...I-I don’t really know,” Sunset stammered. She debated revealing her recent sleepless nights and supposed visions. “I guess, the whole situation is a bit odd, I mean-there have been some incidents already with Equestrian Magic being let loose here. It would explain why human authorities haven’t been able to do anything about it yet.”

“You really think that what’s been going on is magical? C’mon Sunny, you can’t be that lucky to have another monster magic fight to save everyone from,” Sonata said.

“Well, no, I guess not. But, it couldn’t hurt to be sure. The things I’ve heard about whatever this is has done to people...it doesn’t seem normal.”

“You make a good point, Sunset, dear. But we can come to that point once we finish here. We came to retrieve your things, and it’s best we worry about one thing before another, correct?”

“Right! Yeah, uh,” Sunset looked out of the window, scoping to recognize the landmarks that would lead to her place. Driving from such an affluent part of town, Sunset was fully aware of just how low she had been living. The buildings in disrepair, with garbage lining the sides and overgrown with foliage was a stark contrast to the new vehicle riding through the old streets. “Just turn up here on the right, and it’ll be straight down.”

“Damn, pony girl. I have to admit, living here like you were and not going crazy from that alone gives you hella respect from me,” Aria whistled. Sunset just let a small side smile grace her expression.

It was silent the rest of the drive. Even when they finally arrived at a large, grey warehouse and parked. Even when Sunset led them into the side entrance she used that she had deemed safe and they began packing what little possessions she held dear into the trunk of the car with room to spare. Sunset only had the bare necessities in this world. Whatever small recreational items she had were from her time at CHS with the Rainbooms, and in starting her new chapter on life, chose to leave them behind. The mere thought of their faces just seemed to piss Sunset off, and she didn’t want to hold on to those toxic feelings, when she was now genuinely in a much better place.

While Adagio, Aria, and Sonata brought the last of her things with them to their car out front, Sunset cast one last glance around what used to be her home during her stay in the human world. There were a lot of memorie here, good and bad…

Her teal gaze landed on her journal sitting alone on her desk. The thought of the magic within reminded Sunset of the issue she had brought up with the others. And guiltily, that it had also been a while since her last correspondence with Princess Twilight. Walking over, she lifted the tome and added it with the other items in her arms before leaving in the direction of the building’s exit.

The entire event had been done in silence. It wasn’t awkward of upsetting. It was just comfortable, as there wasn’t much that needed to be said amongst them. And when the four returned to the car and drove off, none of them commented on Sunset’s gaze returning to look back nor when her sudden blank stare was directed to the scope of trees leading to the dense forest beyond.

Author's Note:

It's been a while. Sorry 'bout that. Some personal issues needed sorting out.

Comments

[Domino_Raven]

It's okay take your time. Great chapter by the way.

[Starlight Nova]

This is a World of Darkness crossover, right?

[Vaguely Demented]

The animal attack thing reminds me of the beginning of the Resident Evil novel series.

[lunarwolf22]

glad your back!

[DavisSentoV5]

Sunset has officially closed the door to her past, now we see where we go from here.

[doggogo1]

You did great. I'm new at this and read too fast but, even though I'm an impatient person I try to be positive on the internet. So take all the time you need. I find the idea fun and you catch their personality very well. Keep up the good work and I'll be a fan of your work whenever you need it. 🌚🌕🌚

[CosmosGalen]

WAY too many fillers.

[CosmosGalen]

9194862
My opinion and I don't care for haters, nor this "story".

[CosmosGalen]

9356081
???

[Sunset Awesomness17]

Cool!

[KittyrinnAiko]

9285755
If you don't like it, then move on.
I'm rather enjoying it.

[Platinumwayne]

"Please sir, can I have some more"

[Blue Horizon]

I miss this story, I love it way to much. I hope you decide to add to it someday.

[Revyaura]

Coming back to this and re-reading up to the current chapter has once again set me to thinking. The Timberwolf that snuck through the portal. I think i might have an idea of how or why. Twilight was in Yakistan(ia?) dealing with some Yak Crisis. Most likely, Her Elements of Harmony/ Friends went with her. Spike could have been left behind as he usually is, much to my sadness. So Spike could have left the castle to go into Ponyville for something, and may have forgot to close the door. Thus leaving a way for the Timberwolf to sneak in. As for why it did, maybe it was running away from the townsponies after scaring them by accident. It might have prowled into town hunting something, or could have been on the run from a bigger predator, and then, wound up fleeing from the residents of Ponyville.

Heck, for another possibility, knowing Twilight and her pursuits of knowledge, she could have been keeping a Timberwolf locked up in the castle for study before she left for Yakistan(ia?) abruptly. Though that means Twilight left Spike alone, without any supervision, with a dangerous beast. Sure, if I remember right, Timberwolves are beaten by fire, and Spike could definitely use his breath to his advantage, but that would rely on him not getting jumped by the wolf if it got out and decided to stalk him.

Sleep deprivation causes my brain to go into overdrive. thus, these are things I think about as I read, and re-read stories. Anyway, I do so hope you continue this story someday, or pass it along to someone to finish for you. I would offer, but I'm not confident in my ability to write a convincing Sunset, let alone the Dazzlings or the Rainbooms.

[Iamsorry]

Grrr I still want to see more of it.

[CrossoverFanficReader]

Finding her life after this is difficult enough, but with another problem added into the mix-one with Equestrian origin-how will she cope?

The answer? She won't. At least, not in a healthy way...

[lioleo62]

Todo el evento se había hecho en silencio. No fue incómodo de molesto. Era simplemente cómodo, ya que no había mucho que decir entre ellos. Y cuando los cuatro regresaron al auto y se marcharon, ninguno de ellos comentó sobre la mirada de Sunset volviendo a mirar hacia atrás, ni cuando su repentina mirada en blanco se dirigió al alcance de los árboles que conducían al denso bosque más allá.

No puedo esperar necesito actualización
Esta genial la historia

[Cheer]

There were a lot of memorie here

tiny typo is tiny

[Delighted Delirium]

I hate all these Anon-A-Miss stories that the authors just left unfinished.

[Unit 26-Fe]

10590008
I have 44 stories in the forever WIP folder

[hmaf43]

11515422
violence is precisely why i got always from hight school bullies.

[Crio-Kitsune]

11517338
And return violence wouldn't help either. Just take heed that you are away from it now.

[kenjua98]

too bad the story didn't finish

[PonyofEntropy]

Great story! Maybe author will return someday.

[Demon king night]

Couldn’t agree more