Sunset writes Twilight a letter about unrequited love.
One night, while checking the book for any new letters from Sunset, she finds a sorrowful confession. Meanwhile after the events of Rainbow Rocks the Dazzlings have gone their separate ways.
Dear Princess Celestia, today I learned..... ...friendship isn't easy. No, nevermind. I didn't learn that today, I've known this for quite some time. But friendship with someone you love, someone you know likes someone else... now that's a million times harder.
I didn't recognize it at first. When she grabbed my hand and pulled me out of the crater, I was scared and ashamed. I knew that everything I had done up to that point was wrong. It felt like... like I was backed into a corner and I didn't know what to do. She gave me an option, to make friends with the five that I split apart. It still baffles me, after everything I did to her, she was perfectly willing to forgive me and help me any way that she could.
I admired her, how forgiving and kind she was. She took the same path I did, but she succeeded where I had failed. When she left, I felt like a part of me went with her. I still needed her guidance, but I didn't even know if I was going to see her again.
After that, I kept catching myself thinking about her. In many situations, I found myself asking, "What would Twilight do?" I used what I could remember of her to keep myself going, and strive to be a better person.
When she returned, I got to see a side of her that I didn't even know existed. I admired her, like she was some perfect, flawless being. Now I saw her weakness, her fears. I realized that she had flaws, just like me and anyone else. Now I know how horrible that was. What strain that put on her.
But that didn't stop me from looking up to her. In fact, it made me admire her even more. She may struggle, but she always gives it her best shot. Even when it seems impossible, she still tries to pull through.
Today, she came to visit again. She told us she wouldn't be able to visit as often as she would like. Celestia told her it could be dangerous to use the portal too often, so this was the last time I would be able to see her this year. I was pretty torn up when I heard this, but I tried to hide it as best as I could.
She didn't seem to notice until she mentioned that she wanted to see Flash one more time before she left. It felt like a stake just pierced my heart, knowing that I won't ever be with her.
When she did, she instantly assumed it was because I still have feelings for Flash. She and the others still don't believe me when I tell them that I never had feelings for him, but I'm too nervous to admit the truth. That it isn't Flash Sentry that I have feelings for.
But if I want to keep this friendship, I need to come clean. I can't hide this from you anymore, Twilight. It isn't fair to you.
I love you, Twilight, but I don't want you to let this stop you from being with Flash. I will be fine, don't worry about me. You're an amazing person, and you deserve a nice guy like him.
Your faithful student, Sunset Shimmer
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Twilight covered her mouth with her hoof and gently closed the book and placed it next to her. She could feel a sharp pain in her chest. Her vision started to blur as her eyes filled with tears.
"Twilight, are you okay?" Spike said worriedly.
Twilight wiped her tears away and tried to force them down. "Yeah... I don't know if Sunset is though. Spike, what am I going to do? She... she says she's in love with me but I don't know..." Twilight trailed off.
"She's in what!?" he exclaimed. "Well, do you like her back?"
"...I don't think so...? I don't know..." She let her head fall onto the bed dramatically. "I mean, she's a great friend, but... I don't want to hurt her..."
Spike cringed. He didn't know what to say.
Twilight let out a long groan then sat back up, using her magic to move the book back in front of her and opened it to the next page.
"Dear Sunset Shimmer...." she said as she wrote. The pen floated in the air for a moment as she thought of something- anything she could say without hurting Sunset.
Her thoughts drifted to every memory she had with Sunset. How they seemed so alike, and yet so different at the same time. She remembered Sunset's redemption, and how she seemed so... vulnerable ever since. No, it wasn't that. Sunset was strong, she just left herself more vulnerable when she was near Twilight.
And now she knew why. She let out a deep sigh and closed her eyes for a moment. When she opened them, she noticed writing under what she had already written.
"It's okay, you don't need to say anything. I know you don't feel the same way, and that's fine."
It paused for a brief moment, but before Twilight could reply more words appeared. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have told you anything. I probably just made things very awkward for you..."
"Please forgive me..." The text above smudged, as if water had dripped on it.
Twilight took a shaky breath, then quickly wrote, "Stay right there. I'm coming over."
She dropped the book and bolted from her bed.
"Twilight, what are you doing?"
"I'm going to see Sunset Shimmer."
"Wait, but Cele-"
"I don't care! She needs my help. Please, Spike, promise me you'll keep this a secret okay?" She stopped in front of the portal and turned toward him.
"Uhh..."
"Promise me!" Twilight demanded.
"...Okay. I promise."
Twilight nodded, then added, "Stay here. If I go alone, maybe it won't cause as much damage."
"What?! But Twilight!" But before Spike could stop her, Twilight had already gone through and disabled the portal. Spike sighed, placing his hand on the mirror. "Twilight, I hope you know what you're doing..."
Twilight rolled on the pavement, then stood up slowly. It always took a moment to adjust to the new body.
"Twilight!" Sunset called, running towards her. "Twilight, I thought you said you couldn't-"
Twilight quickly wrapped her arms around Sunset. "It will be fine, besides..." She pulled back to look Sunset in the eyes. "You were crying. I saw it. I can't just ignore that, I am the Princess of Friendship after all."
Sunset was frozen for a moment, "Yeah..." she smiled. "But I'm fine-"
"No, we need to talk about this. I... I don't want to hurt you anymore."
"Hurt me? No.... Twilight it's not your fault..." Sunset took Twilight's hand and enclosed it in hers. "Look, you aren't responsible for how I feel. It's my problem, and I'll deal with it."
Twilight looked down at her hand. She placed her other hand on Sunset's and let out a deep sigh. "I'm still worried about you. You've had to go through so much-"
"Yeah, well I'm sure it's nothing compared to what you've been through, being an Alicorn Princess." Sunset smirked at her.
"It's not a contest, Sunset. Your pain still matters, and you don't have to deal with it on your own. I'm here, and so is your friends. And I don't care what Celestia says, if you need to talk to me, I'll be here for you."
Sunset nodded slowly and smiled, letting go of Twilight's hand. "Thank you. You really should get back, though."
Twilight cringed. She didn't want to go back, not yet, but she knew what was at stake if she stayed too long. She really did miss Sunset, even more than she realized.
"Alright... Well, I'll see you in a few month's then..." she said dejectedly.
"See ya," Sunset waved goodbye as she watched Twilight walk back through the portal.
"Well that didn't take long," Spike remarked, but Twilight didn't answer. "Twilight?" he said worriedly as Twilight walked past him like he wasn't even there.
She let herself fall onto the bed, the corner of the book digging into her side. She quickly shifted and moved the book back to it's shelf with her magic.
She felt the pain in her chest once again, but it was different. Less like a stake through her heart and more...
Sunset was standing by the portal, her back pressed firmly against it. The students had her surrounded. They were all screaming at her. Insulting her, telling her she is nothing but a monster. She cried out, "No, that's not who I am anymore!" But the students wouldn't listen. They started coming closer. She caught a glimpse of her friends faces and she called out to them. "Please, help me!"
Rarity pushed through the crowd. "You are a monster. I knew it all along."
"What? No!"
"We'd never want to be friends with a freak like you," Rainbow dash said darkly.
"Please, stop!" Sunset pleaded. She felt a weight on her head and reached up- then felt the crown. She screamed in terror and tried to force it off, but she felt the dark magic pour out if it and coarse into her. She screamed loudly, tears running down her face. She lost control of her body, and had no choice but to watch in horror as that thing shot down the students, cackling madly. Finally, it flew through the portal right into Twilight's room. Twilight saw her and her face filled with horror.
"Sunset...?"
"Twilight, RUN!" Sunset screamed, but Twilight couldn't hear her.
"Sunset, I know this isn't the real you. I know you would never hurt me. You need to fight it!"
"No, I can't! I'm not in control! Please... Don't..."
The demon fired, the blast filling the room with a bright light.
Sunset jumped out of bed, completely soaked in sweat and breathing heavily. She looked around then at herself, realizing it was all just a dream then slunk back against the wall letting out one large sigh of relief. "Man, that was one heck of a nightmare," she groaned.
She looked at the clock, it was only a couple hours before she was meant to get up for school. She knew she wasn't getting back to sleep, expecially after a dream like that, so she chose to get up and take a quick walk before getting ready for school.
Sunset walked down the streets, the sun was just coming up so it was still a bit dark. She decided to walk to the park nearby, maybe she could kill some time there for a bit. When she got there, she heard a few familiar voices shouting at each other.
"Look, it wasn't my fault! I did everything I could-"
"Well it doesn't matter because we're STILL stuck here, and now we're completely powerless!" Aria crossed her arms and glared at Adagio.
Sunset immediately hid behind a tree and started to listen.
"I can still figure something ou-" Adagio started.
"No. I'll figure something out. I'm tired of following your lead."
"Look, just be patien-"
"I've been patient, Adagio! For 1,000 years, I've been following your orders and look where it's got me! We'd better off without you and your dumb orders."
Adagio sighed. "Fine, I won't lead anymore. But can I at least say something?"
"No, I don't care about anything you have to say. I'm on my own. Sonata?"
Sonata Dusk, who had been standing a few feet away holding her hands behind her back looked up. "Yeah...?"
"You coming with me or staying with this loser?"
Sonata let out a soft whimper, "But what if I don't want to choose? We only gots each other here..."
"Sonata! Her, or me?" Aria barked, causing Sonata to jump.
Adagio watched Sonata carefully. "Sonata's right, we shou-"
"Shut UP! What part of 'I don't want to see your disgusting ugly mug ever again' did you not understand?! I'm leaving, Sonata, come with me if you want. I don't care." Aria stormed off.
Sonata looked at Aria, back at Adagio then over to Aria again and shook her fists in indecision. "Wait! Wait up!" Sonata yelled, chasing after Aria.
Adagio stared off in the direction Aria went for a bit before muttering, "Well, who needs them anyway. I'll do fine on my own." She turned and saw Sunset before Sunset could hide behind the tree.
"You!" she growled. "What are you doing here?! Why are you spying on us?"
Sunset sheepishly stepped out. "I... I was just passing through."
Adagio scowled at her, "Then pass. I can't stop you."
Sunset hesitated for a second. "I can't believe your friends just left you like that."
Adagio tilted her head a bit. "Friends? Hardly. And they'll be back. Weren't you going to pass?"
Sunset sighed. "Yeah." Sunset turned around and walked away. 'I wonder what that was all about' Sunset thought to herself while walking away. 'And that look... When her friends- er, comrades took off. She looked really upset. Oh what am I doing, I shouldn't be worrying about them! Those girls brainwashed everyone in the school and tried to get them to do their bidding.'
Adagio held her knees up to her chest, watching the cars pass by. It had been days since their fight. She had expected Aria and Sonata to be back by now...
She sighed deeply, desperately fighting off the urge to cry. She didn't want to admit to herself how much those two actually meant to her.
She stood suddenly, breathing in deeply then holding her breath. There was a tightness in her chest that just wouldn't go away. She closed her eyes, resting her back against the wall. She reached up to her necklace, idly fiddling with the part that once held the red gem she used to feed off of negative energy. It was a habit of hers, one that she always did when she felt uneasy.
"Are you going to keep stalking me, or are you actually going to say something?" she said darkly.
Sunset sheepishly walked out from the alley.
"You're hurt."
"I'm not."
"Yes you are."
"Why do you care?!" She turned to Sunset, glaring harshly at her.
"I just want to help..." Sunset spoke softly. "I know what you're going through. You'll feel better if you open up to someone."
Adagio's glare softened a bit, then she looked away. "I don't need your help. I'm fine on my own."
"Are you sure about that? You don't look that fine to me."
Adagio huffed, looking away and leaning back against the wall. She hesitated for a moment, then spoke softly, "Just leave me alone."
Sunset nodded. "Well, when you're ready to talk, I'll be here." She turned away but before she could take a step, Adagio spoke.
"They just abandoned me."
Sunset turned back towards her.
"...But it was my fault. I let them down." Adagio sobbed softly, finally letting herself cry. She wrapped her arms around herself protectively.
Sunset awkwardly put her hand on Adagio's shoulder. She didn't know what to say, or if she should say anything at all.
She let Adagio cry until she couldn't anymore, then pulled a handkerchief from her pocket and wiped her tears away.
"Listen..." Sunset spoke. "There is another way. I'm sure... I'm sure my friends and I could help you. We can teach you about friendship-"
"The rainbooms?!" She recoiled. "No, there is no way. I can't, not after what they've done to me. I'm powerless and alone because of them- because of you! Why should I trust you, or any of them for that matter? If it weren't for all of you everyone would adore me!"
"They'd be under a spell, they wouldn't really adore you," Sunset argued.
Adagio growled. "What's the difference?"
"You know the difference. You've seen it. The minute that spell was broken, everyone turned on you. You can't force people to like you. Even if it seemed real, it was all fake. But, if you just let me, I can show you real friendship."
Sunset extended her hand to Adagio. "Don't worry, if they forgave me, they'll forgive you too."
Adagio slapped her hand harshly. "I'm not interested." She walked away, her fists clenched at her sides.
Sunset sighed. "She just needs more time..." she said softly to herself.
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Twilight pulled the book from her shelf, checking it once again for any messages from Sunset. She couldn't seem to stop thinking about her lately, even to the point where it affected her duties. It took every ounce of control she had to keep herself from going through the portal again.
The page was still empty. She closed the book and placed it back on her shelf.
"Checking that again? That's like, the third time this hour!" Spike commented.
Twilight hesitated, had she really checked it that much? "Spike, I'm worried about her."
