//------------------------------// // 8 - Other issues // Story: Other // by andrizzi //------------------------------// Once the final bell rang, Pinkie Pie waited for all the other students to move out of her class before peering over the edge of the door. Supporting herself with one hand against the wall, she warily darted her eyes between every hall—left and right—and grinned with satisfaction. Confident of herself, Pinkie held a breath and licked her lips as she took one last glance of the surroundings. She shifted posture, flexed her knees, moved her weight… Then, she wildly leaped forward. Keeping the flow, Pinkie Pie landed with her palm first and did a swift somersault against the floor. With one roll, she reached the other wall of the corridor and hid between one tight opening between two lockers. She paused for a short moment. Then, after another quick glance around, she bent over the polished floor and started to crawl like a snake. Or a caterpillar? Yes, like a caterpillar. ‘Caterpillars are funnier than snakes,’ thought Pinkie, chuckling between herself. Pinkie Pie crawled all the way to her locker and stood up, pressing her back against it while she checked the surroundings. Seeing nobody around, she quickly opened it and reorganized her backpack as she needed to. A relieved sigh escaped from her mouth a moment before she closed her locker’s door… And right behind it, she met the warm smile of her dear friend Rarity. “Hello, Pinkie,” said she. “I’m sorry for appearing all of sudden, but I was hoping we could have a proper conversation, like the good friends we are.” Pinkie Pie froze—and held back a few little words that would never go past the PG rating—before returning the smile. “Oh, well, I really have no way to say no in front of your rationality and composure,” she said, causing Rarity to close her eyes and giggle. “Thank you, I was hoping you would understand that we can have a mature dialogue without…” Opening her eyes, Rarity realized that Pinkie wasn’t in front of her anymore. Or better she was, only far more distant every second. Rarity was completely taken aback by that reaction. She had expected Pinkie to be reluctant, maybe, but to run away was over the bar even for somebody as impetuous as her. Truly a shock that froze Rarity on the spot. For a couple of seconds. Until she tilted her neck with a loud crack. “If that’s how you wanna play it…” That said, Rarity clenched her teeth and dashed behind her friend at full speed. … The chase went on until Pinkie Pie reached the main hall of the school, where she finally saw the magnificent doors of freedom in front of her. Her face lit up as she charged into one final sprint for the exit. A sprint that was stopped when Mr. Cranky Doodle grabbed her and lifted her up by the collar of her jacket. “Pinkamena Diana Pie,” he said, “you know I don’t want students to run inside the school.” Curling up in a ball, Pinkie Pie looked behind her with a panicked expression, knowing that Rarity would have reached them in a moment. She spun her head towards every direction in search of an excuse. If she wanted to flee, she needed an ‘out of detention’ ticket, now! Seeing the bathroom’s sign, she went for the first excuse that popped into her head. “Bathroom emergency. Bathroom emergency!” she shouted, shaking her arms erratically around. Keeping his eyes on her, Cranky’s face turned from stern to one of bewilderment, which was soon replaced by embarrassment. “Oh, sorry,” he muttered, releasing the girl. Pinkie Pie bolted inside the bathroom the same moment her feet touched the ground, while Rarity abruptly stopped on her heels in front of Mr. Cranky, who shifted all his attention to her. It only took her a moment to think of a way out. Faking a frown of pain, Rarity shrunk her posture and held her stomach with both hands. “Ow, I feel like I’m about to blow my–” “Ew, okay, okay!” said Mr. Cranky, contorting his face to one side and holding up his hands to silence her while Rarity stepped right into the bathroom with a satisfied grin. The girls’ toilet was a long room with blue tiles that reflected the light—provided by two lamps—all over the place. On the right side of Rarity's perspective, there was a line of sinks attached right under a big mirror, while on her left side there was a line of closed cabinets where girls could relieve themselves. Or hide. With the bathroom emptiness subdued by the deep silence which followed the click from the doorknob, Rarity’s face changed completely. Wasting no time, she walked alongside the cabinets’ doors and slammed them open, all but the last. Predictably, Pinkie Pie wasn’t inside any of them. She didn’t even bother to check the last one, nor did she try to burst in. Instead, she folded her arms in front of her chest and kept walking to the end of the bathroom. There, keeping her eyes on the closed cabinet, she spun on her heels and rested her back over the tiles of the wall. “Could you come out?” Rarity struggled to keep her tone low and even, although her frustration was growing. “I know you’re there, Pinkie.” “I doubt that,” was the faint reply. Rarity sighed. “I just wish to talk. It’s clear that you’re distressed, and I would like to return the favor from yesterday. “Please.” There was a moment of pause but, eventually, Pinkie gave her answer. “Fine.” Hearing those words, Rarity quickly turned her body towards the cabinet with a little smile as her heart jumped for joy. Then, the air duct’s grating fell and hit her head with a loud metallic percussion. Rarity grabbed her head with both hands and stumbled a couple of feets toward the exit, moaning in pain. Holding back the tears and biting her tongue, she searched over the place and tried to understand what just happened. Luckily there was not a real injury but, still, the pain was quite atrocious. From above, Pinkie popped out from the air conduct and jumped down, giving Rarity a puzzled look. “Why are you caressing your head?” Rarity didn’t reply. She was already using all her strength to not break into tears, so she limited to throw a couple of daggers with her piercing and wet glare before standing up with a straight posture. She allowed a moment of silence, in order to give this conversation the proper importance. And a moment because she just needed a moment to recoil. And another in order to digest her rage. After that, she felt she could address the subject directly. Rarity turned towards Pinkie with a stern look. “Sunset needs you.” There weren’t anger or disdain in her voice, but it was enough for Pinkie to focus her eyes on the floor. Just like that, they had established their roles in that conversation. “You know how hard it must be for her,” said Rarity, “but you’re lying your way out instead of going to cheer her up? Pinkie, I would never have believed you capable of something this low.” Pinkie’s head jerked up, her eyes finally meeting her interlocutor. “I wasn’t lying.” “Pinkie…” “If you want to know, I’ve planned the birthday party of a kid today, and I must be there for the entire day.” Rarity pursed her lips. “You have to attend to a birthday party,” she repeated flatly. “Yep.” “For whom?” “He doesn’t live nearby, you don’t know him,” said Pinkie, folding her arms. “Fine. Where?” “Outskirts of town.” “More precisely?” “Fake Street, number zero.” “…That doesn’t sound like a legit address.” “Check it on your phone.” Rarity took out her phone and did a quick search. To her dismay, a red pin with the text ‘Fake street, number zero, is here.’ appeared around the outskirts. “I’ll be.” Rarity went over it and resumed pressing Pinkie. “Alright, he’s how old?” “Seven, from today.” “What did you put on the cake?” “Strawberries, cherries, cream, and chocolate.” “His favorite cartoon?” “Phineas and Ferb.” “Your gift?” “I have it right here –” Pinkie fiddled with her backpack and pulled out a box with a present envelope “– a new box with legos.” “What’s his name?” Pinkie Pie opened her mouth to reply, stopped, and rolled eyeballs upwards. “Uuuh…” “A-ha!” boasted Rarity. “Rats!” Pinkie closed her eyes shut and stomped her foot on the ground. Rarity's satisfaction was short-lived, replaced with the urgency regard her task. “Now, tell me the truth.” Rarity kept her appearance as authoritative as possible, but she softened her tone. “It’s about yesterday?” Pinkie didn’t answer right away. She remained silent and looked down with a pouty expression, gathering the will to confess. Ultimately, Pinkie did it. “She called me stupid,” she said bitterly. Rarity opened her eyes wide in bewilderment. She even felt the urge to have a laugh from the surprise and the naivety of that answer. She did her best to hide her amusement as she queried further. “That’s it? That was rude and unpleasant, true, but it was just a meaningless word–” “Meaningless?” From nervous and defensive Pinkie snapped into angry and aggressive, to the point she cringed her face and started to hiss. Rarity held her breath and startled back at that sudden shift. With her hands curled into fists, Pinkie raised her voice. “You think it’s not a real word? Just a painless sound to fill the silence? Why don’t you use your word that has no meaning whatsoever and laugh at the stupid Pinkie Pie, then?” Pinkie’s attitude shifted again, this time resembling the old merry Pinkie Pie. However, Rarity felt like there was something wretched and forced about her. “To those who say that Pinkie Pie is as stupid as a child, you’re wrong: my sister is five, and Pinkie is far more retarded.” “What?” Rarity was repelled by the bad humor. “Pinkie, why would you say–” Instead of listening, Pinkie trailed on. “I can’t even walk around the school without that annoying Pinkie bothering me with her stupid jokes, and she isn’t even funny. Some say that Pinkie has cotton candy over her head, I say she has cotton candy inside her head. Oh, have you noticed that Pinkie Pie always jumps around? What’s her problem? She never learned how to walk? Aliens just landed on our planet in search of intelligent beings. Quick, somebody, hide Pinkie Pie away before we do a poor impression!” Pinkie breathed deeply, tears gathering in the corner of her eyes, and turned around in order to hide her face. Rarity—speechless and mouth agape—looked at that display with a sharp pain building up inside her chest. She couldn’t imagine her friend coming up with such petty insults, especially targeting herself. Then, Rarity understood she didn’t. “Who?” she asked coldly, her face hardening quickly. “Who said those things?” Pinkie sniffed, sinking her head down over her chest. “Nobody,” she said in a weak whisper. “The truth.” Resolute, Rarity grabbed Pinkie by her shoulder. Pinkie sniffled again. “…There was a page…” “A page?” Pinkie looked at her over her shoulder. “On the social network. You know, like a group page?” “Oh…” “Yeah, one day a notification popped out… something like: Your name has been used inside the page ‘Pinkie weirdo the party clown’.” Pinkie looked away again. “I followed the link and… that’s how I found it. The page was full of comments like… similar to… well, you know.” Rarity was simply astounded, she couldn’t conceive how anybody could ever do something like that. To Pinkie Pie, the merriest girl she had ever met. And somebody had denigrated her just like that. A hollow laugh stopped her thoughts, and Rarity saw Pinkie turning towards her with a strained smile behind the tears. “Some of those jokes were kinda funny,” she said. “I doubt that,” harshly replied Rarity, her blood boiling under her skin. “But why have you even read those horrible things? And why didn’t this come out sooner?” Pinkie looked down. “It happened when… shortly after we were all driven apart, and all the students preferred to mind their own businesses. Usually, I wouldn’t care about what a bunch of anonymous strangers thinks or say of me but… nobody traded a word with me at the time.” Pinkie hesitated before forcing out the last words. “And I felt lonely.” Despite the burning behind her eyes, Rarity forbid herself to weep too, knowing that what she needed to do. First of all, she took out one of her handkerchiefs and pressed it around Pinkie’s nose. “Blow.” Pinkie obliged and blew hard enough from her nose to make Rarity wonder if it was her or somebody was playing the trumpet in the other room. Nevertheless, she threw the handkerchief away—it had served its purpose—and looked Pinkie straight in the eyes, closing the distance between them. “Hear me out, Pinkie,” said Rarity, her tone firm and even. “You must not allow those people to drag you down and make you doubt yourself. No one, listen carefully, no one who knows you even a little would think such things because you are a nice, funny, intelligent, and capable young woman.” Pinkie Pie quietly returned the eye contact. “So… you don’t think of me like an immature little girl with the coo-coos in her head?” “Actually” – Rarity stared upward with a focused look – “I might have thought that sometimes.” Pinkie Pie frowned. “I said sometimes,” slyly said Rarity with a wry smile. “Oh, ha ha.” Pinkie smiled and rolled her eyes. “You got me back.” Rarity and Pinkie shared a moment silence, doing nothing but smiling at each other. Then, they burst out laughing. “But seriously,” said Rarity, wiping away a tear, “don’t ever believe whoever undervalues your wit. Besides, Applejack herself once said that you’re probably the brightest of our group.” Rarity cocked an eyebrow. “And you’re not doubting Applejack, are you?” Pinkie laughed a little more. “Of course not, I always trust my friends. Maybe that’s why I took it that bad when Sunset…” Suddenly, Pinkie opened her eyes wide open and gasped deeply. “What’s wrong?” asked Rarity, worried again. “What’s wrong?” Pinkie grabbed Rarity by her shoulders and pressed their noses against each other. “One of my friends is going through the saddest time of her life and I’m not there to cheer her up!” Rarity was turned over and pushed on her heels before she could say anything. “Let’s go!” Applejack would have enjoyed a day like that. As the sun rays were falling straight on her through a clear and limpid sky, she rested comfortably on the benches of the soccer stadium. Her hat provided her just enough cover to protect her eyes, so she could look around her and bathe in the warmth of the sun. Her muscles were relaxing—thanking her back with a constant pleasure—and the breeze brought just the right chill to her skin. Everything was just perfect. She would have enjoyed a day like that for sure if she hadn’t been there for a specific reason. From under her stetson, Applejack watched the soccer team doing warm up before practice. And between them, Rainbow Dash was bouncing the ball up and down while trying to ignore her insistent viewer. Applejack knew she didn’t need to call out for attention, Rainbow and she easily understood each other. In fact, she could tell Rainbow Dash was nervous just by how she was kicking the ball. So she patiently waited, and it didn’t take long before Rainbow Dash ‘casually’ tossed the ball next to her. Applejack sat straight and prepared herself as her friend came close, preparing herself. “Hey,” she said. “Hey,” said Dash. “What are ya doin’ here?” “I told you. I have practice today.” Applejack frowned. That detached tone, that rebellious posture, the plain simple answer… Dash wasn’t even looking her, she just wanted to dismiss her and go on with her afternoon. Applejack didn’t like that. “Rainbow, since when do ya put a day of practice before you friends?” she asked, scowling. “Hey, I don’t like your tone. And I can choose my priorities on my account. Besides, as I already said, I’m sure you’ll take good care of Sunset.” Dash took her ball and started to walk away. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, we have a game to win this Sunday and–” “Rainbow Dash!” Applejack slammed her palms against the bench and rose up. “Quit with the horseapples and come right here!” Applejack gave Dash her hardest glare and wished that her firm voice alone was enough to persuade her. The two of them breathed the tense air in silence until Dash decided to come back. Once they were face to face again, Rainbow Dash looked to her with one cocked eyebrow. “Horseapples?” Applejack shrugged. “Dunno, it felt right.” Rainbow Dash chuckled, causing Applejack to do as such. For a moment, they allowed that little joke to ease their nerves, but then Applejack had to question her. “Why don’t ya wanna come… for real?” Rainbow Dash’s eyes suddenly turned down, and Applejack saw something similar to shame. Applejack decided to not press her friend and give Dash her time to think her words trough. Ultimately, she managed to spill it out. “I’m awesome at playing soccer. Or playing guitar. I’m awesome with the hip-hop, and my motorcycle is neat. Heck, let’s just say that I’m the best at being cool because that’s just it. I could even be the coolest while I sleep.” Applejack chuckled again. “Ya tried that a lot of times, and it ain’t such a good show.” “That’s not the point,” flatly said Dash. “The point is, if I have to win a battle of bands against some mythical creatures in order to save the world, I can do it with no sweat. But nobody sane of mind would come to me for… talking. You know… about things… the deep things, like…” “Emotions? Personal problem? Interpersonal advice?” offered Applejack. Rainbow Dash nodded. “I lack… uh, I don’t know…” “Empathy?” Dash let out a sigh. “You probably know better than me,” she admitted, deflating her posture. A sad tingle touched Applejack’s heart. She knew about her friend’s limit, of course, and she had scorned her countless times for that. But to see her admitting it by herself? Surprisingly, Applejack didn’t like that view as much as she would have thought. “Then keep yer ears open and listen, sugarcube,” she said, closing the distance between them. “It’s true that ya are brash, impulsive, shallow, and sometimes ya even look kinda dull. But ya have the most important thing of all.” Ignoring the deadpan she was getting, Applejack placed her right hand over Rainbow’s chest. “Ya have plenty of good heart.” Saying that last thing, Applejack saw Dash’s eyes squeezing and looking away. ‘Oh, Dash,’ said Applejack to herself. ‘If Ah didn’t know ya any better, Ah would say that you're just about to cry.’ “Intentions aren’t as important as results,” blurted Dash, still avoiding the eye contact. “Yes, they are, and even more… as long as they’re honest.” Applejack smiled warmly when Dash finally looked back to her. “And as long as ya don’t stop tryin’.” Rainbow Dash cringed and moaned. “Gosh, you’re so downright honest…” Applejack took it as a compliment. It was blatant from her expression alone that Dash was struggling with herself. Maybe it was a lack of self-esteem or maybe it was a form of regret, but whatever it was her eyes gradually softened and she seemed to get over it. Then, her face hardened with anger and she punched Applejack on the shoulder. “Ow!” shouted she, more for indignation than pain. “It’s three days in a row that you keep insulting me,” explained Dash, with an offended tone. Applejack briefly gaped at her before shrugging it off with a grin. “Reckon it is. So, ya come with me?” Dash hesitated again. “Do you really think I’ll be of some help?” “Ah think you can be of much help.” Rainbow Dash puffed her cheeks and spun her head between her team and her friend, but Applejack could see from her eyes that she had already decided. Dash turned towards the soccer field and cupped her hands around her mouth. “Hey, pals! I’m skipping today!” Grinning, she turned towards Applejack and blinked. “Run.” “...so firecrackers are an absolutely no, but fireworks on the open could still have a good effect. Rarity, are you taking notes?” Rarity, who was still being pushed forward by Pinkie Pie, asked herself what was she supposed to take notes with. “Uh-huh,” she hummed, opening the front doors of the school. Pinkie kept pushing her from behind. “Moving forward, do you think that Sunset would like balloons? I mean, I know that she doesn’t like balloons very much but maybe…” “Trixie has had enough of the demon girl!” The familiar voice filled with anger brought Pinkie and Rarity to an abrupt stop on the top of the stairway. In front of them—next to the Wondercolt statue—Trixie was holding a speech as about ten students stood near in silence. From the crowd, Flash Sentry said, “Please, don’t say it like that.” “But she does have a point,” said Watermelody. “We already let her get away with everything she did once, and in return, she brainwashed all the students.” “Oh boy,” muttered Rarity, pressing her fingertips against her eyebrows. “The girl with green hair speaks rightly, and we all were victims of her evil deeds today. Trixie says we report her to the principal and require that the she-demon gets expelled.” That started a discussion among the students, who exchanged whispers of agreement or disagreement until Sandalwood addressed Trixie directly. “Dude, aren’t you, like, cranking it up a skosh?” “Trixie will ignore any comment which doesn’t address her with a fitting appellation.” That said, Trixie pouted and turned her head away, but she only managed to bring a lull over the little group. Peeking with one eye, she saw that everybody was looking her with different levels of disgruntlement. She briefly considered her options, then she rolled her eyes and threw her hands in the air as she said, “Oh, fine! You want it in mid-terms? I don’t want to attend this school with that deceiving fury anymore, and neither do you.” Trixie allowed a pause in order for the words to sink inside her crowd, knowing for sure that she was right. One after the other, most of the students bowed their head in agreement. Satisfied, Trixie resumed, “Now, whoever agrees is kindly requested to escort me to the principal’s office so that we–” “Hi, dears.” There was a massive spinning of heads, and Rarity smiled lovely to all the students whose attention she had managed to attract with just two words. “I hope I’m not being unpleasant to step in like this, but I think we’re interested in your conversation.” Trixie looked up and sighed. “Great, now we’re going to listen the demon’s minion?” “Excuse you, but Sunset is my friend,” replied Rarity, feeling her smile getting smaller. “Maybe that’s only what she wants you to believe.” Rubbing his temple, Flash Sentry huffed and said, “I told you already, Trixie. Sunset doesn’t have any sort of dark magical power, and she cannot–” “That you know of,” Trixie turned towards him and pinched his chest. “Which, frankly, means almost nothing.” “I used to date her,” he said coldly. “And you’ve been played like a silly dog while she did whatever she wanted.” Rarity saw Flash flinching back like he had just been slapped in the face. Feeling her anger rising, she stopped smiling and faced Trixie. “You’re being unfair.” “That was the old Sunset,” added Pinkie. “Oh, pfft, yeah. Unfair.” Trixie rolled her eyes and towered over Rarity. “Now move, we are going to meet the principal and there’s nothing you can do about it.” “You can’t do such a thing.” Rarity tried to sound confident, but she clearly heard her voice trembling. “Why not?” Trixie smirked. “Are you going to stop us?” “Pfft.” Pinkie waved off the idea. “Of course not. You’re free to do what you want.” Despite knowing it was the truth, Rarity felt a pinch of betrayal. “Ha,” roared Trixie. “Apparently, she’s the wise one.” “Besides,” said Pinkie, “Principal Celestia isn’t even there.” Everybody fell silent. “Is that true?” asked Trixie. Pinkie Pie nodded. “She always leaves early on Thursday.” “Really?” “So… I was thinking about getting a tattoo.” Sunset Shimmer searched over her mother’s visage for a reaction, like a twitch or a tremble. Any possible hint about her state of mind. She and Celestia were sitting in the living room one in front of the other, and she could feel her nerves getting the best of her. Her mother, instead, was holding her chin between her hands and supported her elbows on the table. The eyes in front of Sunset were ice-still and focused, all the facial muscles rested. Celestia looked completely calm. “A big one. Something like a big dragon on my back, with the tail that spins all around my arm… I was considering it because the cousin of a friend of mine has just started his little business as a tattooer, and he’s in big need of first clients. He lives in his parent’s garage—where he also has his workplace—because he was kicked out of college after a misunderstanding about illegal substances.” Celestia barely hummed in response, the only sign she was listening to her while her face was a sculpture of marble. Sunset swallowed and decided to go for it. She looked down to her body and started to caress her abdomen with one hand. “Also… I think I’m a little sick. It has been since I went to that concert with Booby a few weeks ago that I feel queasy, and I started throwing up yesterday. I wonder if the delay of my period has something to do with it since it should have been–” Suddenly, Celestia moved. Sunset looked with dread at the pale as it came down, knowing it wasn’t going to be nice. She narrowed her eyes in anticipation… as her mother pushed her pawn forward. “Checkmate in two,” calmly announced Celestia. Sunset didn’t have to study the checkerboard for long to confirm that her mother was right. And that she was going to lose the third game in a row. “Oh, come on!” Frustrated, Sunset darted her look between the checkerboard and the smug grin of her mother. “How? How can you stay so calm?” she asked. “I’m the principal of a High School. I’ve been hearing teenagers making up all kind of stories since before you were born.” Celestia shrugged. “Also, I trust you have better judgment.” “You should know that teenagers like me tend to ignore their judgment.” “Aw.” Celestia patted her snarky daughter on the head. “You’re not any teenager.” Sunset lowered her eyes and accepted the compliment in silence, thinking—for the thousandth time—that her mom was a strange one. “Now move. And remember–” Celestia’s smile turned childish of sudden “–loser gets to do dishes.” “Oh. Come. On.” “That’s fine,” said Trixie, “Vice Principal Luna will do even better.” Rarity jumped in front of Trixie and held out her hands to stop her. “Trixie, wait. Please, listen. I understand that you’re afraid of Sunset.” Rarity moved her eyes on everybody else, raising her voice to be heard by all. “You’re afraid that, if she goes back to her hold habits, then other bad things could repeat. It’s also true that, maybe, we should have told the principal about her attitude back then. But I’ve spent the last six months alongside this person. I had fun with her, I’ve known her, and I can tell that she has changed.” “Then why was she so cruel today?” asked Watermelody. “I just wanted to invite her to my house, and she treated me like garbage.” “Yeah,” said Bulk Biceps. “And she shoved Flash to the ground because he greeted her.” “I already told you, guys, she didn’t ‘shove’ me. I just tripped due to the surprise. Honest.” “Enough.” Rarity raised her voice. “I’m well aware of how she’s behaving. I myself got my slice of it but…” Rarity didn’t know what to say next. Even in case Sunset didn’t mind—and she knew she did—this situation was extremely personal and delicate. But she couldn’t hope to dismiss everybody with silence or lies. “What?” asked Trixie. Rarity nibbled her lower lip. “She’s… having a hard time.” she looked around her, searching for comprehension. “All I can tell is that she’s going through a personal situation, a really bad one, and she isn’t in control of her own emotions.” To her relief, Rarity found that many of the students around her were paying attention to her words. She only needed to reassure them. “I’m just asking you to close one eye for today. Please, just for today. I’m sure that things will already take a better turn for tomorrow.” The students of the group exchanged dubious looks, and Flash took a step forward to ask, “One of her relatives died or…?” Rarity pointed her eyes upward and gravely said, “Something of that magnitude, I would say.” By then, only Trixie seemed to hold some hostility towards Sunset. But Rarity knew that without the support of the majority she wasn’t going to be a treat. Trixie menacingly pointed a finger in Rarity’s direction. “If she mishaps ever again–” Rarity cut her short with a hug. “Oh, I knew you would come along, dear.” Wasting no time, she grabbed Pinkie Pie by hand dragged her away. “Thank you for the attention, and ta-ta.” “How do you know things will be better tomorrow?” asked Pinkie, once they were distant enough. Rarity answered flatly. “Because they have to, Miss Pie.” After their flee from the soccer field, Applejack and Rainbow Dash reached the pickup and drove to the car park where Sunset’s place was. By cell phone, they had agreed with Pinkie and Rarity to wait for them there before trying anything with their hysterical friend. The last text had been a while ago, and Applejack’s patience was running short. “They’re being more late than a vet when your cow is delivering.” Rainbow Dash tilted her head with a questioning look. “Know that first hand?” “Funny story.” Applejack thought about it for a sec. “Actually, not.” Applejack spun her head around to check the last member of the group, finding Fluttershy on the other side of the car. As promised, Applejack had gone after her so that they could all go together. Now, Fluttershy was staring intently at Sunset’s apartment, completely ignoring she and Dash and without uttering a word. Applejack hadn’t given much thought about it first, but now she began to find Fluttershy quieter than usual. Dash must have noticed too, because she turned towards her and said, “Hey, Shy, everything’s good?” Fluttershy nodded absently. Applejack got really worried then. She and Dash exchanged a quick look before she got by Fluttershy’s side. “Cat stole your tongue, sugarcube?” Applejack waited for something, but Fluttershy did nothing to acknowledge her. “Ehm, Ah do realize that this is your girlfriend and things are... well... they don’t look good at all. But you’ll see that everything will be better once we get up there and–” “I don’t want to go.” Suddenly, Applejack was in a lack of words. “What was that?” “I don’t want to go up there,” quietly said Fluttershy, still looking at the window. Rainbow Dash popped out from behind Applejack. “Woah, Fluttershy. Where does that come from?” Fluttershy tried to hide behind her hair instead of answering. “Sugarcube, Ah can’t believe you’re sayin’ something like this.” Disbelief, sorrow, and anger built up inside Applejack. “Ya love that girl upstairs, and ya know it as much as Ah do. Even if y’all ain’t havin’ the best week, this is still your Sunny we’re talkin’ abou–” “She’s not my Sunny.” Applejack abruptly stopped again, shocked by the words she just heard and by the way Fluttershy had just hissed. “What?” “SHE’S NOT MY SUNNY!” Fluttershy pointed her head towards the opposite direction, forbidding Applejack to see her face. “I know what she did today at school. I know that the other students are talking about the return of ‘demon Sunset’, and I know–” Applejack placed herself in front Fluttershy, grabbed her by one shoulder and said, “Fluttershy, ya can’t give up now. Ya know that your girlfriend ain’t like that, she’s just sore because she has a lot to chew.” Fluttershy turned towards her, and Applejack felt her thoughts go blank when she saw in which condition she was. Fluttershy had puffy eyes and a trembling jaw, her cheeks were covered in tears. “And who’s fault do you think it is?” she asked, with a voice exasperated and filled with pain. “Who do you think drove her so mad? After all the troubles I caused? After I broke up with her by phone? BY PHONE! Because I was too coward to even listen to her. And who do you think pushed her to open up and face her inner fears only to then betray her at the first opportunity?” Applejack felt a different, powerful emotion as Fluttershy sobbed and dried out her watery eyelids. It was something she didn’t recognize at first, but then the words she heard from Dash the day before bounced inside her head. ‘…maybe, knowing that somebody else cares about her that way … if you told Fluttershy about your feelings things could go well and you could both be happy.’ She considered with fear how tempting it was, how right it sounded right now. Applejack felt she had the chance to give Fluttershy new hope. As if a few words were all it took to let her know—that no matter what—she was always going to be loved. But could she? Was it really that easy? Applejack was so lost in thought she almost didn’t notice Rainbow Dash getting in front of Fluttershy. “Buddy, that’s crazy talk,” she incredulously said, wearing a nervous smile. “Come on, who could be ever mad at–” Fluttershy pushed back Rainbow Dash with both hands. “She could! And she would have all the reasons if she did!” She glared at Rainbow with anger as her friend staggered back. “It’s not like you could understand, anyway.” Applejack clearly read how the last rebuke hit Dash like a dagger in the chest. Fluttershy herself looked ashamed. “Um, Dash I–” Applejack put her hands around Fluttershy’s shoulders, forcing her to stay near. All she wanted was to see her happy. And she knew she was able to make her happy. She just had to say a few words.“Fluttershy, listen to me,” said Applejack, with the sweetest tone she could muster. ‘Just a few words.’ “You are the kindest, sweetest, and the most carin’ person that Ah have ever met.” Applejack chuckled. “Not to mention how good you look. Ya always have the grace of a lovin’ mother, and yet you’re ready for everything when it comes about helpin’ someone in need.” Applejack readied herself with a deep a breath. “Ya are simply amazing, Fluttershy. So, believe me when Ah say…” Applejack looked right into her cyan eyes. Fluttershy looked back into hers. “…Sunset could never hate you,” said Applejack. She forced herself to smile reassuringly as Fluttershy struggled with herself, more tears gathered around her eyes. “B- but… this is my fault. It’s always my fault…” “Ya can’t blame yourself for all the bad things that happen in your relationship, sugarcube.” Applejack breathed slowly, working on the right words. “And even if ya did something wrong, remember that when things seem to be bad ya have to clench your teeth and think about the good times. Think about when ya two were happy, and do your best so that things returns like that.” “B- but… what if when she sees me she says wants to dump me? Or that she hates me?” Applejack forced out a laugh. “She should be the darn biggest fool of the planet. Ah mean, you're…” ‘…beautiful, splendid, kind, amazing.’ Applejack scrunched her eyes and shook her head. “Sunset and you are so lucky to have each other, Ah…” Applejack choked on her words, feeling her face trembling when she tried to force them out. “Ah…” Before she went to panic, Rainbow Dash tossed herself between them and continued in her stead. “We’re going to do whatever we can to bring you two together again, Fluttershy.” Applejack staggered back—doing her best to control herself—and walked behind one of the cars, hiding while Dash was catching Fluttershy’s attention. “It’s a promise, Ok?” she heard. “No matter what, once we’re done you’ll have your Sunny back. Understood?” Applejack heard Fluttershy sniffling. “O- ok.” … “Now,” said Dash, using her hands to wipe out the tears from Fluttershy, “why don’t you go to see if Rarity and Pinkie are coming?” Fluttershy needed a moment to take a hold of herself but, eventually, she managed to nod and return a smile. With one last pat on the shoulder, Rainbow Dash let Fluttershy head to the park entry. Once Fluttershy was far enough, she headed where Applejack was sheltering. She found her trembling behind a car, holding herself in silence. Dash couldn’t see her face, but she feared the worst. Dash bit her lips and approached her. “You ok?” “Shut up,” hastily murmured Applejack. Dash felt herself frowning, disappointed with the reaction. Firm to do something for her friend, she closed the distance between them and put a hand on Applejack’s shoulder. “I’m proud of you.” With a feral grunt, Applejack raised her arm and blew her elbow backward, right in Rainbow’s guts. The pain was enough to stun her on her feet. She felt all the air escaping her lungs, and she couldn’t manage to bring it back again. Her diaphragm refused to do its job. In response to the pain, Dash felt a wave of rage climbing up through her arm. With a supreme effort of self-control, Dash held back her fist and took a step back. She folded her arms in front of her chest and waited in silence. Finally, Applejack calmed down and turned towards Dash with an apologetic look. “Dash, Ah’m sorry…” Rainbow Dash cut her short with a wave of her hand. “Did that hurt?” asked Applejack with a worried tone. “Pfft.” Rainbow Dash shrugged. Pointing her eyes down, Applejack walked in front of her and went after Fluttershy. Rainbow Dash waited until she was sure she could not be seen. Then, she slowly bent her knees and held her guts, moaning and cringing her face in pain. “Horseapples…” Five young girls stood side by side as the sun shined over the parking lot. Pinkie Pie, Rarity, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, and Fluttershy looked with determination at the apartment on the second floor. During the last twenty-four hours, they all had gone through some sort of personal trial. They had gone through doubt, pain, and guilt. Even their friendship had been tested, but they weren’t going to give up. They weren’t going to allow anything to split them again. They were going to stay together. All of them. And they were going to get their Sunset back.